11 Things

I write a good deal about certain things in my life, but I thought it might be fun while I have a few spare minutes (nap time!) to mention a few others.

1.  I have an ongoing battle with a bird.  It decided that this was its house a few months ago and perches on window ledges, pooping on everything, tapping the glass and making everything yucky looking.  It will not go away and it would not be right to kill it.  Recently it has decided that it (he? she?) now owns the house and took to attempted to scare us off by flying really close to our heads in a bird intimidation manoeuvre.  I will admit, it was slightly scary, but mainly I was wanting it not to bug my kids.  If it bugs my kids, I may have to change my mind about what's right...

2.  My favourite colours are brown and green.

3.  I'm trying to instil a love for music in my sons, so we often play various genres on youtube and dance around the house.  I also just love the laughter that comes... and seeing which ones my eldest likes.  I've also learned a few songs from this when Adrian chooses the tunes.

4.  I have not legally changed my last name even though I've been married for three years.  Immigration stuff impeded the change and I've not gotten to it yet.

5.  I will not watch horror movies, but for some reason felt compelled to watch part of Jaws 2 when it was on television a couple days after I found out that there was a white pointer (great white) hanging around the beaches in the area.

6.  When I get into a book, I will not hear people talk to me and I just want to finish it.  For this reason now that I have children, I tend to read books that I've already read so they won't distract me to the same point.

7.  I don't appreciate it when songs are not bleeped on the radio.  And I've reached that stage in life when I don't know popular music anymore.

8.  I read more nonfiction (on purpose, vous savez, school reading does not count) since becoming pregnant with my eldest.  Sometimes fiction feels like a wasteful use of my time.  But then so does facebook and I still end up there...  I'm currently reading two books (French Kids Eat Everything and Plastic Free)

9.  I have damaged enough of my joints over the years to get very stiff and sore at the end of long days.

10.  I've never been a morning person, but I now enjoy waking up around 6 every morning. It would be better to do it without a glass of water poured on my face though...

11. When I got my hair cut into its recent style, which I do enjoy, I was sad when Adrian and I both realized independently that it looked like a Bond girl's (from License to Kill) at sometimes.  And when messy, Luke Skywalker's.

Loving a Newborn

As I type this, I have a beautiful five and a half week old boy in my arms.

Did I mention that he's beautiful?

Newborns are amazing.  They are so helpless and fragile and at the same time so strong.  They take up so much time.  They sleep easily and often (but not always when you want).  They grow so quickly and change so much.

I don't have much time to spend just with my littlest fellow, but I try to enjoy the time I do (and yes, I will admit, I don't always enjoy it, but I always love him.  He's had a few difficult crying jags and then there's that whole spews on me thing.).

I love special time set aside to love this newborn.  Kissing his cheeks, nuzzling him, hugging him, talking to him as he grows in front of my eyes.  Hearing his different noises, enjoying his facial expressions as he starts to discover the world around him.

And watching him dream! Oh it's delightful.  He's only smiled for real a few times at this point, but each time it just melts my heart.

Loving a newborn is intense:  little sleep, lots of trying to get things done with one hand, trying to figure out new sounds and cries and all sorts, protecting him from his brother, lots of spew...

But golly, he's amazing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've not written much lately.  Parenting to the level 2 is difficult.  Not bad, just busier.  Also, my arms are full of love a lot.  Like now, for instance, which causes me to type one handed.

Man, he's cute.  And dreaming about eating, apparently.

One thing that I really miss about Canada (which also makes me miss certain people a good deal) is Thanksgiving.  While we can't get together with the extended family and experience apple festivals and fall colours, we can still have a fantastic meal.  This year, our good friends Tom and Chelsea are visiting, so that helped to make it festive.

We had a roasted chook with homemade stuffing, rolls, butternut squash Odesa style, mashed potatoes (because I am the queen of mashed potatoes), beans, fancy cheeses, sparking wine, apple pie (with cheddar cheese and ice cream).  It was delicious.

We spent a bit of time sharing what we are thankful for.  There is always so much for which to give thanks!  Like my dear husband.  It's our third anniversary tomorrow.  I love how Thanksgiving and our anniversary are tied together, because I truly give thanks for him and the two beautiful products of our marriage.  My heart grows bigger everyday when I enjoy my sons as they grow and change.  It's quite challenging, being a mother and even more so to be a good one.  I do my best and I'm glad they are forgiving!

I give thanks for friends and family near and far, even though it hurts to love people far away.  I miss you, you know.  Come visit!  I give thanks for health and needs met.

Mostly, I give thanks for that God has done for us in Christ Jesus.  I need that grace to stand, to keep going, to love my family better.

Happy thanksgiving.  Happy reflective time to you.  Happy you.