BiteTheRabbit

Future Plans

We are in the midst of preparing for our First Ever Canada Day BBQ and Badminton Tournament that we are hosting tomorrow.  The weather seems to be shaping up which is good because a few days ago, the good folks at Environment Canada said it was supposed to be rainy and 14 C but now they're saying it's supposed to be sunny and 21 C. 

I just had to send in a headshot of Harry for his preschool class.  I keep thinking September is so very far away but it's creeping closer and closer as is the pressure to have him potty-trained by then.  I kinda gave up and am revving up for Serious Potty Training Attempt #2 in a few weeks.  Please wish us luck and send underwear.  He's not really into pictures or smiling for them these days so this was the best I could do.  If you could zoom in, you would see that there are tears in his eyes.  It has been a great day so far -- NOT. 

Why is it that when you have things to do within a certain time frame, that is when your kids are on their worst behavior?  Whining, crying, screaming, begging for treats, rudeness -- that was what my day has been filled with, so far.  Now, it's naptime so I am taking a deep breath, some bites of chocolate cake (the cure-all for stress), and waiting for Lucy to get tired so I can perhaps take a nap myself as I am quite a sleep-debt from my weekend away with the girls.

Lucy is going to be 6 months old next week and I am revving up for Serious Solid Food Attempt #2. (We sound like a bunch of failures over here).  I love making baby food and creating mixes and little snacks for babies so I really am eager to get her onto some solid food.

At the time this picture was taken, she was reading at a 7-month-old level.  She's so advanced for her age.

Then, we have Harry's 3rd birthday party complete with a hockey theme.  We ordered our hockey cake from the grocery store as I have given up on decorating my own kids' cakes.  Despite my efforts, last year's snake cake didn't turn out so well.  It looked more like a giant, pale yellow, but stubby spaghetti noodle.  Fortunately, there was no photos of that disaster.

Away We Go

Luce and I are heading out for the weekend with some of my friends from my prenatal group when I was pregnant with Harry (3 years ago).  We instantly clicked and continue to hang out regularly as we exchange stories and queries of raising our newborns and toddlers and now preschoolers. 

Nothing more precious than watching your baby sleep.  Nothing more awful
than waking your baby with your camera click.

I made the most delicious-looking flourless chocolate cake for tonight.  I say "delicious-looking" because I haven't actually tasted it.  I am crossing my fingers as we speak.

Dave's has the whole weekend filled with "Guy's Only" activities for him and Harry to do.  I think most of them will be indoor activities as Dave's allergies are flaring up badly with all this crazy windy weather we've been having.

Stopping for a group picture on the deck.  Harry loves using the shutter remote!

I am panicking these days because I realized that Harry is almost 3 years old and I have no photo album to document that.  I am frantically working on one through Blurb and downloaded their software and I must say, I LOVE it.  I had one minor bug since I'm working with Vista here but I found a fix on one of their forums and it's been smooth sailing ever since. 

This is Harry being a walrus with two marshmallows.  His Auntie Katie showed what a walrus was
with two bread sticks a few weeks ago and ever since then he's been walrus obsessed.

I am still puzzled as to how I should organize my books.  Should I do one book for every year of my kids life?  Or should I just do one book for every year of the Amirault family or group Harry's first 3 years together and then do something for every year after that?  So many options to think about.

How To Be Lazy #1

This one is a bit environmental, too.

Instead of driving all the way to the car wash, plunking in too many dollars and driving away with a car that is glistening, just leave your car outside during a rainstorm and wait a few hours.  You can busy yourself with more important stuff (like bloggin) while your car virtually cleans itself.  It may not end up glistening, but a least a layer or two of grime will have shed itself and you can pat yourself on the back for saving water and not washing soapy chemicals down the drain.

You're welcome for the tip.  Come back again soon when I will teach you something else equally as useful.  I just have to think of it first.

This is H snuggling his "Wash" - the name of his favourite blanket. 
 

Stay Home Day

Today I am trying to have a stay-at-home day.  I have been finding that my usual routine consists of packing up the kids and driving all around town doing errands with an occasional stop at the park or library -- but only if we have time.  I feel kind of bad that I just drag the kids around all morning, then rush home, make a quick/crappy lunch and then put them down for naps.  Not much fun for them.  So today I am staying home and, as a reward, I am going to go to the Farmer's Market this evening.  I know it's not a total stay-at-home day but it's a start.  One has to ease into these things, don't you know?

Things that have gone well today:

1.  I baked these cookies with a few modifications (honey instead of agave nectar as we have gallons and gallons of it, butter instead of grapeseed oil, and just plain ole chocolate chips) and the turned out so well with kinda of a carmel-y chew from the butter and honey, I think.  Mmmmm. 

2.  I am typing up a blog post and I haven't been making time to do that lately.

3. Both kids are napping now and I will sweep up a pile of broken glass that has been sitting in our garage for a week.

4.  I am going to go to the farmer's market today and get some tomatoes and peppers and bacon and sausage.  I might even get one of these dresses for L that my friend makes.

Things that have NOT gone well:

1.  Harry is grouchy.  After 15 minutes outside he announced that he is tired and wants to eat fish crackers and watch Bob (the Builder).  Nothing could convince him otherwise.  This was after the big production of getting everybody outside, and setting L up in her exersaucer in a Harry-approved area that wouldn't interfere with the hockey game that never happened because we couldn't find a suitable puck.

2.  I tried to do my hair all cool and beach curls a la Heidi but instead I got this:

It looks more like I went camping and didn't shower for a week. My hair's all sticky and frizzy --not a good look.  The hair got slicked into a bony-tail (as H would say) fairly quickly.

3.  I made a healthy and delicious lunch for H that was not exactly up to his standards.  Only a horrible mother would try to insert some variety into her son's diet, wouldn't she?  After his over-the-top protest to lunch, I was too mad to read him a book or snuggle before nap so I feel even worse now. 

I will attempt another stay-at-home day when I'm up for it...maybe next week.

Summer Days

I admit it.

I've been an absentee blogger.  I feel like I've been so busy lately but I really have nothing much to show for it.  Every time I sit down at the computer a thousand and one other things I should be doing fire through my brain.  Plus, I made a vow to myself to enjoy every nice day here seeing as how things can change so quickly (snow can come any day) and our summer is so short. 

Picture proof of my first trail fun.  Yep, that's me in the pink shirt!

This past weekend, Dave and I competed in another 5 Peaks Trail Running series.  It was hot and hard but, we both agreed, tons of fun.  We can't wait for the next one at the end of July where Harry will be competing in the Children's 1km Challenge.  He will be thrilled as he always wants to race and have his own race number, etc.  I think there should be a video coming soon of the whole event.

Getting together with my friend, Avery, and her 1.75 year old son. 
Getting a group photo with children is not easy!

I started Lucy on solid foods last week but gave up after a few days.  I thought she seemed ready and interested but she's horrible at eating and I really don't have the patience or desire to keep trying to shove food in her mouth that get's shot right back out.  Harry was a champ at eating from the get-go but Lucy is a different story.  I fear she may not want solid food for a few more months.

 

"I just want to drink mom's milk forever and ever!"

Since going gluten-free, I have been getting more and more into grain-free cooking.  I am experimenting with almond flour and have made some Delicious banana chocolate-chip muffins, pizza crust, and pancakes.  I found this great website, Elana's Pantry, and will be trying the chocolate chip cookies, and maybe some cupcakes.  The only downer is that almond flour is quite a bit more money than regular BUT it is much more healthy. 

 

 Today, I'm off to pick up some berries to keep my Berry Monster (AKA Harry) and then I plan to pick up some shorts for Dave who, apparently, has no shorts and just discovered that yesterday, and go to the park and library (have some books due back) and bank and, oh man, there goes my day again.

 

"I won't be a baby today.  I'll be a boy...or a man."

Yes, that is a Pull-Up on his head acting as a hockey helmet.

Urine It For The Fun -- Right?

I participated in my first 5 Peaks Trail Running Series Race this past weekend and it was such an experience.  It was much more challenging than I expected but I was so pleased that I came in 20 minutes faster than I thought I would.  I don't have any pictures from the day (I wanted to travel light) so I'll try to paint a picture for you.

First of all, the race took place on a ski hill.  It seemed equivilant to running up and down that thing four times.  It was a definitely a quad killer!  Also, if you started out too fast, a classic mistake, you may end up paying for that halfway through as the last half was tougher than the first.

I must add the first downhill was hard on me.  I pretty much peed the whole way down.  There's just something about the excitement of a race, too much coffee, and the pounding action of running downhill that made me soak my pants.  Keep in mind, I have just had a baby a few months ago and I guess those muscles are still a little weak.  Unfortunately, it wasn't just a few trickle but a full-blown release.  I know, I know, too much information.  I had already decided before the race that the only thing that would stop me, besides an injury, would be if I lost my wedding ring.  Wet pants will not stop me!

Next, the trails required incredibly nimble footwork.  Because the race course was mainly on single track trails, there wasn't much (or any) room for error.  One miscalculation while maneuvering over a tree root or around a tree branch and you could be lying there with a sprained ankle, dislocated shoulder, and/or broken ribs while the other runners callously leap over you to keep their pace.  You don't want to get in their way.  Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit but you really want to be sure-footed on a trail run.

My reaction right after I finished was one of, "I'm never doing that again!" but soon after the endorphins had clouded my memory and I signed up for the next one.  In four weeks I will be hitting the trails again with a few changes:

1. I'll dress a little cooler -- it was hotter than I thought it would be.
2. I'll warm up a bit longer and harder - the first kilometer just about killed me.
3. I'll start out a bit slower - there's just something about a race atmosphere that gets you going a little too fast.
4. I'll take some pictures -- need some for the memories!

My Girl

Warning: Birth Story Ahead

This is my girl:

She refuses to stay on her back now - she is always flipping over!

She's gone from scrunchy little newborn to a rolling, grabbing, 4.5 month old.  Although I expected her to be a week or two 'early', she ended up being born about an hour before her due date; right on time, just my style!  I actually remember sitting with my midwife and discussing due dates.

I remember saying, "I really feel that January 8th is the day." and my midwife said "okay, let's mark that down as the due date." According to the calendar, her due date was supposed to be January 1st so it's not like I was making a wild and crazy prediction or anything but she ended being born around 11pm on January 7th - so close!

I kept waking up every morning the two weeks before her due date thinking, "Man! I didn't go into labor last night. Darn it!" but then the day I was in labor, I doubted it a bit.  But you can only doubt it for so long. 

Soon, it was clear to me that this was it.  Dave wasn't too sure -- he thought I was exaggerating, especially because I was totally fine and clear-minded in between contractions.  I was having conversations, joking a bit, etc.  By the time we got to the hospital, I was 6 cm dilated.  I hopped into the tub (I was determined to have a water birth this time) and off we went.  It went from 'this is manageable' to 'what was I thinking!' in about 15 minutes.  Soon, I was involuntarily doing the pushing groans and the nurse casually mentioned in a surprised tone, that she had better call the midwife. 

I think she only slept for an hour or two that night.  She was hungry!

Then her Lucy's head just came out, I mentioned this to the nurse who was busy doing paperwork and she immediately got her gloves on and told me, "it's okay, I've caught LOTS of babies before."  The only problem was that I had pooped in the tub (it happens when you're in labor, ok?!) and so it was being drained.  I was still in the tub, still in the water, but the level was getting low. I had to keep squatting to keep Lucy's head under water until she was fully born.  Babies don't breath until they are exposed to air that is why they can be born underwater.  They turned the taps on full blast to get some fresh warm water going and she was born a second later.

 

It was pretty wild and fast.  I think 45 minutes had passed from the time we arrived at the hospital to the time she was in my arms.  I must say that both of my children's births were the most powerful experiences of my life.  Words cannot explain the intense feelings surrounding those moments.  Afterwards, I felt like I could do anything -- it was amazing! 

We bounce Lucy to sleep on a yoga ball. 
Dave has a special technique and sometimes Harry helps!

I glossed over a few details because, really, who want to hear about all the poop and most amazing husband in the world who truly, truly, loves me and shows it by attending to my poop when I can't.  But if you really want to know about it, ask me in the comments - if you dare!

 

Dear Cat People

Looks clean at first glance, doesn't it?

I must ask, why do you feel the need to house a crazy amount of cats?  Did one bring you such joy that you thought, "What the heck?  Let's get 11 more!"  Or did one make a few friends, have a slumber party that never ended, and 60-ish days later, produced some family members?

I'm just assuming that you had 11 or 17 or 23 cats by the amount of cat hair and stuff found dumped outside the back door from the vacuum.  By the way, it was really nice of you to try to clean a bit of the vacuum canister out but did you have to dump it on the lawn?  Why not into a garbage bin or even a few steps away into the slough?  Unfortunately, the vacuum still does not operate well as the filter is completely clogged and it, well, stinks. 

Which brings me to the cat piss that I wiped off the walls, mirrors, floors, and windows.  I didn't bother trying to remove this:

The remains dumped from a vacuum found outside a cat house.  This
pile was about 2x3 feet and about 8 inches tall.

I don' t really think it's possible to remove cat hair shellacked to fabric with sticky, stinky, cat hair.  And even if it is possible, who would want to? Since the vacuum doesn't work, I'm going to recommend a full replacement of all soft surfaces in this home. 

The vertical blinds in the bathroom used by both humans and cats, apparently. 

Now, onto the kitchen.  I know it must be quite a challenge to keep your kitchen clean.  Especially with 11 or 17 or 23 cats hanging around at any given time.  I can understand the occasional cat hair ended up in your cereal or banana bread but seriously, your freezer?  How the heck did so much cat hair end up in your freezer? I don't really want to know.  I'm assuming so much hair was just floating around that whenever the door was opened, it just flew right in.

 

A Lost Cause: a close-up of the freezer AFTER I spent 20 minutes  

trying to clean the cat hair out of it.  

Sincerely,

-Your Neighbor

*************************************

When I talked about what I was going to be doing this weekend, I thought that "cleaning the neighbor's house" would be a minor footnote.  Instead, a 2-hour job turned into a 7-hour job and ended up defining my long weekend.  But, it's not like the weather was good, anyways.  It snowed and went below freezing several times rendering my gardening to be "on hold".

My Full Plate

This long weekend I plan on getting some stuff done.  I want to plant all of these:

That is, if they're not dead since I left them out a few nights when there was frost and keep forgetting  to water them, etc.  A green thumb, I am not. I know it doesn't look like much but it's enough for this beginner.   I also am planning to build a super deer-proof vegetable garden (I can hear some of you laughing now) but first I must plan it out on paper to perfect it.  Wish me luck.

    Then, I will probably play some hockey with my favorite hockey player:

He is probably the most bossy 2 year old hockey player ever known.  You must stand here and cheer now and a score is only counted if the ball stays in the net, not bounces back. 

Oh yeah, and we'll still continue on this potty training trainwreck (how many times can one kid poop in their pants in the space of 5 hours?)  Well, it's not really a trainwreck, it's just the poop we're having trouble with.  And tips or just persevere?

I want to take advantage of the good weather while we have it because we are supposed to have flurries on Monday -- again!  What are you planning on this long weekend?

Webkinz

 Harry got his very first Webkinz and I haven't had much time (or desire) to play it with him.  He's a bit young to play it by himself (he can't read) but he does have the 'mouse' skills down.  My sister, Katie, came over the other day and met Buved the Tiger (Harry picked the name) and proceeded to play, feed, and care for this Webkinz. 

After an hour or so, H lost interest and went off to play something else.  He may have been put off by having to just watch Katie play (look at who's controlling the mouse in this picture). Katie stayed glued to the computer for quite a while longer.  Although H is s a little under the target age for this toy, I think Kate (23 yrs) is a little over that.  Anyways, I am grateful to have a sister who is willing to sacrifice her precious time to sit and slave over a computer game for kids in order to bring some joy to my son's dull life.

[bugging teeth]