Before I forget...

Happy Birthday Mark! It was Mark's birthday on Sunday. He turned 28. We went to church, had a restful afternoon, and then went to his parent's house for birthday supper. Mark's parent's made a wonderful prime rib supper for the family and then I made him a lemon cake for dessert. It was all great. On Monday we celebrated as a family. I made Mark's favourite meal and then I made lemon meringue and pumpkin pie for dessert. I guess that I can't really call it a family meal; Sam was already in bed. We watched a movie together and then the old man went to bed. I love you baby, here's to an eternity more!

Holy Lunge Batman!

My friend Leanne and I have been working on our bods for the last while, working out a couple of times a week together and a few times a week on our own. Well, last night we did a lower body series, and it was eye opening. You start by doing a basic warm up, and then you proceed to do 36 front lunges, 36 back lunges, and then 36 bowler lunges. This hideous mix is followed by squats and many other horrendous exercises. I managed to get through the lower body, without too much trouble. Then we did the core exercises. This is the part that made me realize that all of my hard work was paying off. I could do it all. No problems at all. When I first started working with my trainer in November, there was so much that I couldn't do. I had no strength in my core (as the babe had destroyed it). So we started slow and built it up. What a great feeling it was to work hard, and feel my body respond to the demands. Now if I could get my sugar cravings under control, then I would really be impressed. ps- lots of lunges+ not enough post workout stretching=walking like an eighty year old

Teething (Or, why I'm going to sell my child on ebay)

Sam has a couple of teeth. He has had them for a few months now, and he does quite well with them. About a month after the first two bottom teeth came in, he started to work on those top two. He is still working on them! They refuse to come through, but they have no problem causing him trouble.

He is cranky, partly because he is in pain and partly because he isn't napping well during the day. The pain of the teething wakes him up. Consequently, I am having to deal with an overtired, clingy, pain ridden toddler, all while working, taking care of the house, finishing numerous blankets, and trying to see Mark for more than an hour a day. I feel so bad for Sam, but it gets worse because Mark is sick, over worked, and tired from dealing with Sam.

So, anyone want a slightly used husband and/or a cute, kinda whiny toddler? There are days lately that I would be willing to sell them cheap. But I think that I will hold on to them a little longer. Their value is sure to go up with time.

Been a While

So, October, huh. Sorry. Time got away from me.

Rather than a long post, catching everyone up, perhaps I will simply summarize with the following: Sam growing, Mark in school, Jess working. 'Nuff said.

Not much is new or different. We moved in January. This was a source of both stress as well as stress relief. No more stress about the old place (they were trying to sell) and new stress about trying to move in a week. We love our new place and all of the space. Sam watches a flock of birds by perching at the window. He gets excited and bangs on the glass when he sees them.

Sam is the focus of most of the activity in our home. We have been trying to get him to fold his arms when we pray together. We had been mostly unsuccessful until yesterday. We were hanging out, eating lunch when Mark and Lisa called me back into the room (I was putting groceries away). Sam had figured out how to bring his hands together and link the fingers. He claps his hands together and then whirls them around (similar in nature to the wicked witch of the west, picture" I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!") It is absolutely adorable. Now we are getting him to do it every time that there is a prayer. Success rate: approximately 50%.

I'll post some pictures later.

A letter to my child

Dear Sam,
You are nearly six months old now, and I can hardly believe how much you have changed. I love that look on your face as you figure out how to do something new. I love your smile; how it lights up your entire face; how you light up my day when you look at me and grin.
You are really starting to change. You move so much. You roll and sit up and gnaw on anything that you can get your hands on. Your favorite toys are your giraffe Sophie, your crinkly lion, and any blanket or cloth. You like to giggle and talk (such a surprise with me as your mother!)
Solid foods are a new thing you are trying, and loving. You get so excited whenever you see food coming towards you. You even start to dance a little in your chair.
Sam, we waited a long time for a child; for you. You were worth the wait. You make every day special.
Love Mama

A Letter to Myself

Dear Jess,
Read this letter when Sam is two, ten, thirteen, sixteen, and nineteen. Remember the joy you felt when you met this special spirit for the first time and realized that you got to keep this one. Remember that love you felt as your son was overjoyed with something as simple as a blanket or his own feet. Remember that pride you felt as Sam grew and discovered new things. Remember how he would sometimes stop eating because he was too busy smiling up at you. How he always had cold hand in the morning because he would sleep with them above his head, no matter how you tried to keep them under a blanket.
I tell you to remember these simple things because look how much he has changed in the 6 months and how much you have forgotten. Also, there are times when he will drive you crazy, and you need to remember that first love you felt for him. He is special.

Sam 1 day. Sam 1 month Sam 3 months (gnawing on a blanket!). I'll add newer ones later.

A Tale of Two Blowouts

Sam is three months old now and we have been really lucky in the diaper department.
If there have been "accidents," they have been of the watery, number 1 variety. And then yesterday our diaper innocence, if you will, was lost forever.

Picture this, Mark and I all ready for church, and getting packed up to be on time for Mark's meetings. Mark hands a sleeping Sam to me to put in the car seat.
I cuddle him in close for a little snuggle first.

Mark exclaims "Oh Yuck!"


I look over, mistakenly thinking that perhaps Sam had thrown up on him.
Oh, how I wish that it was puke.

All over Mark's white shirt sleeve, the couch pillow, myself (due to the cuddle), and my son's whole left side was a coating of my son's digestive product (ewww!).



But we thought, no big deal, he's three months old and this is the only time it has happened. Not too shabby.



and then it happened again.



Yet another picture for you. I come home this morning after a house call and both my men are in the bathroom. Sam is wrapped in a towel on the floor and Mark is in the shower (no need to picture this particular part). Sam is happy; smiling and cooing, kicking his legs and punching the air with his hands. Apparently, Sam had once again been busy and Mark had no choice but to shower both Sam and himself to get everything cleaned up. I go into the baby's room and it is like Hiroshima (poo style) has occur ed. "Stuff" covered stuff, like clothes and blankets, are scattered in smelly bunches. I go back into the bathroom to get Sam, and he is still really happy.



As I look down at him, I understand why he is so pleased with himself, as he proceeds to pee in a wide arc all over the floor, the towel, and himself.



It is at this point that I realize that laughter is the only real option. Because how can you get mad at a face like this:

So much stuff-No Time

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. New baby=no free time. As it is, I am writing this with one hand as I hold him in the other.

Sam is great. As of last week he is 11 pounds, 1 ounce, and healthy and strong. He has discovered his voice and will use it loudly when hungry. He and Mark are great buddies and I often find them with their heads together "telling secrets."

Mark is adjusting well to staying home with Sam. He was a little stir crazy at first, but now I think that he is enjoying it. I love that he is staying home with him. It is so nice not to have to worry about finding babysitting for Sam every day while I am working. Not that I consider it babysitting when Mark looks after him; he is parenting.

I continue to work hard on behalf of our family. We have been really blessed that I am able to work and still be a mother to Sam.

We are approaching the anniversary of Eric's birth again and I am hoping that it goes as well as last year. we are at a loss once more as to how to commemorate it. I'm sure that we will think of something.

To sum up the last two months: We are happy, busy, and healthy and looking forward to more months of the same.