Beautiful Day!

Today is gorgeous, but freezing. It looks amazing if you're inside, and it still isn't that bad once you get outside... But so cold! We went for a walk this morning with Christa & Sophia on the dikes. It was a pretty good workout except for stopping every 50 feet or so to check and make sure everyone still had mitts, hats, blankets on and that no one's face had froze off.

Overall, the kids were all good. I think towards the end they were tired and hungry because Jericho wanted out and was helping Chris push Sophia and I was pushing my stroller and holding Kai as he just wanted to scream. I guess it was a little longer than they would have liked. But we came home and I made them pancakes for lunch, so they were thrilled.

We weren't sure how long the walk was, so I gmap'd it and turns out it was just over 6 kilometers for there and back. Not too shabby. If only we were able to walk in a continous motion.

Just so you know, I would love to hear from more of my lurkers! In the next few days I will be posting a message just for all of you! I'd love to see your comments. Check back soon : )

Not sure where today went

It was just last night I was sitting in the exact same spot doing the exact same thing I am now. But somewhere between there and here was an entire day and I'm really not sure how it went by so fast.

I'm not sure what's up with Kai lately, he fusses quite a bit at night again. The past few days he's been up at least three times per night. I think he may be teething as he's just miserable. Mind you, when morning comes he's his usual happy-go-lucky self.

I did promise that I would lose 3 lbs this week and I was only down 1.2 lbs. But it's still a lose and I'll take it. Not sure I'm going to make my 30 by 30 goal unless I kick it into high gear and fast!

Lisa is turning 30 three weeks before I am, and I'm looking forward to her party. It's the same day as Riley's, but I'm going right afterwards. We'll be meeting at her friends place and getting spa treatments, like mani's and pedi's and facials. Then we're heading to her favorite restaurant for a fun dinner. Nate and the boys are invited too, but I think I'm going to try and get a sitter. Maybe Janelle as she was sweet and emailed that she was available to help.. mwaa ha ha!!

I just heard a big bang, so I should go!!!!

A many splendored thing

Today was an insane work day. Matt had me trekking everywhere and it was quite exhausting actually. Days like this make me glad for Danielle : ) I started my morning finishing up some billing, as the 25th of the month is my deadline to get my invoices in to my General Contractors. It used to be fairly straight forward and I only used to have one GC and now I have 4. It's not as bad as some people, but it sucks some days. After I had my paperwork ready for Matt to come and let me know what numbers he wanted, I went to Service Canada for a ROE Web Seminar. Just so I can save paper and not have to fill in those tedious forms anymore. Now I fill out the tedious forms online! Service Canada had this seminar basically just to get you going, but it takes two weeks before everything is ready for me to begin... whatever.

After that, I headed home as I had forgotten my CCDC 9 sticker. I had to take the Stat Dec into the Notary to be signed, as always, and I forgot the sticker. I hadn't made the appointment for the Notary yet anyway as I usually just walk in.. but apparently he's having hip surgery so it was a new guy and I had to make an appointment. So I was home for a bit, then headed to B & G to pick up some shop drawings. I then had a tiny chunk of time to kill so I went to Staples and bought some much needed supplies PLUS two of the most beautiful journals I have ever laid eyes on. They look more like Bibles actually. Completely soft leather with a button clasp... *SIGH*. I'm so excited!! I wanted them for the boys as I'm going to just start taking notes about stuff so I can give them to them when I'm dead.

Then I went to my Notary appointment and came home after (again) to mapquest the Construction office I needed to take my shop drawings to. It was in Port Moody and I didn't leave until 2. Ew. But it turned out not to be that bad.

Matt came over around 3:45 and told me how much $$ to bill everyone, then I just started printing off paperwork and signing everything to be faxed. I still need to courier it all tomorrow, but I was mostly done by about 5.

And just think, I'm getting a second wind now!!

My sidebar for today is that Malachi is walking all the time now. He'll walk from one end of the room to the other and it's heartbreakingly adorable. The kid is cute, what can I say?

34 Days

My birthday is closer than the end of Lent, so I don't think I'm going to give up anything in case I'll want it when I turn 30.

I can't wait to see what's going to happen, cause I've heard whisperings and I think it's going to be good.

I think when I'm 30, I'm going to be more mature.... On Sundays.

I'm not going to have anymore babies until after I'm 30, please don't ask me if I am pregnant, cause I'm not. That was my New Years Resolution... to get through '09 without being 'with child' at all.

They used to say 30 was the new 20, but now they say things like "50 is the new 30" and 40 is the new 25" and other ridiculousness. Thirty is just fine without trying to pretend it's something else. But let's face it, it feels good to have people think you are 8 years younger than you are.

A friend told me that once I turn 30, I stop caring so much what people think about me. I'm beginning that transition. Not because I feel I have to, but there are days when I think that putting so much weight on other's opinion is really exhausting. I rather like being me and am quite happy with my choices, overjoyed in some instances.

I've been trying harder to experience more with friends. I've been out so many times this month and had lots of great times with friends, still want more though : )

I'd like to take a moment to thank those authentic, loving peeps I have. Those who have told it to me like it is over the past few weeks when I really needed it.

Okay, this 29 year old is thirsty and tired... more tomorrow!

Dreams

I was reminded today how much I want to travel to Italy and Greece. Lucky Catherine is going soon you know : ) The more I think about it, the more I can't decide whether it's something I should do in a few years and do well, meaning I need to go for at least 2 weeks and leave the kids at home...hehe. Or is it something I should do soon for a short period, like a week and still leave the kids at home? At one time I did consider bringing Jericho along, but with two of them I just don't know. I think they'd have way more fun with Grandma(s)? than with us trekking all over and partaking in long plane rides.

Plus it would be so much fun to just be with my husband and do things and see things I've wanted to for so long.

One day it will happen, for now I'll just keep using my BMO Gold Mastercard on Matt's work purchases to earn Air Miles. I have 6000, which is not nearly enough... but I'm getting there :P

As a fun little sidebar, I realized today some of the side effects of wallowing in winter. I was giving Jericho a proverbial ride to Grandma's house on my legs and he complained that they hurt him. Apparently they must remind him of Grandpa's stubble. *sigh*

Malachi

I can't believe how many new words Kai has. He's figured out how to imitate certain things and it's adorable! Some new words: Papa, book, cookie, cracker, Jericho, more, all done, etc.

None of the above sound exactly how they are written, but once you become accustomed to it, you realize what he's trying to communicate. I need to take some more video of him talking because it's soo cute!

I want to have his birthday party in two weeks and I've done nothing to plan it. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll get everything figured out : )

Today the boys were part of a photo shoot for Kewt Kids. A friend of a friend makes bandana's and bibs for kids and the boys will be on the website. I think it should be ready around April, so I'll have to post the link when it's done. They both did fairly well, but they were the only boys and you could tell. The other kids were quiet and didn't move around too much and ours were just super curious and moving everywhere in a small yoga studio with so many little trinkets all over. But they did fine when the camera came out, which was the imporant part, right?

I've been going to bed much too late the past few days and I really need to rest a little more. Those silly second winds kick in and I just get caught up in television or talking to Nate or playing Word Twist. Fun stuff!

I'm so happy!!

I just heard the best news! A very close and dear friend who has been trying for years to have a child has just recently found out that her and her husband are expecting!!!

I'm SOOOO excited!!!!

Hmmm.

I feel the same way after seeing Shopaholic that I did after seeing Supersize Me. Now all I want to do is go on a shopping spree! But not for Big Macs.

I'm feeling good after today, it was one of those days where at the end you wonder how you managed to let it go so fast. We took the boys to IKEA and ordered 38 kitchen sinks, that was fun. Then we went to the BC Safety Authority to get 2 boilers approved, that was boring. We even managed to go out for breakfast :)

But I was up 2 lbs this week at WW. Ew. Oh well, like one of the leaders says, "Easy on, easy off"

This week I'm going to lose 3 lbs. Watch me.

Wah Wing

Awhile ago I was invited out with a bunch of ladies from our church to go out for dinner at a schezuan place Nate and I love to go to. I wasn't sure I would be able to make it, but turns out everything fell into place like it sometimes does and I went!

It was an eclectic group, but it was really fun! I laughed a lot. I think KL is hilarious and I always enjoy hanging out with JH & JG, DR : )

I ate more bad food than I should of, but for now I don't care. It was worth it. Christa might beat me this week, but she leaves for New York soon and she will have the same issue next week and I WILL BEAT HER!

Nate is off for most of tomorrow and we haven't had a family day in awhile. Mind you, tomorrow is looking like it will more of a "let's take the kids while we drive around getting important things accomplished". Oh well, they're young enough that it doesn't really matter. They are just happy to go for car ride with Mommy & Daddy.

And that's why I love 'em.

February 17th!

The Canucks won! YAY!

I think I'm going to ask my Dad to give me Canucks tickets for my birthday. He gets them from his plumbing wholesaler, who weirdly enough, Megan will be working for again soon.

I can't get over how much Jericho talks now. He comes up with these crazy sentences like, "Mommy no eat all my donuts" and "Kai Kai those MY toys". There are nicer sentences, but the mean ones stick out. He can pretty much repeat everything and this is why I had to refrain from using a phrase I constantly use: "Holy crap". It doesn't sound so good coming from his mouth, especially when he uses it correctly.

Kai was so sad today, he has these little hives all over his body and I need to really keep track of what he's eating as he's obviously allergic to something besides oatmeal. I shouldn't really say allergic, it's more a food aversion. I just wish I knew what it was!

Thanks for all the comments on potty training, both on and off my blog. I appreciate people who validate me and who make me feel proud to be a Mommy and not judged or guilty... you know who you are : )

Tomorrow night and Thursday night I'm going out with girlfriends and I'm VERY excited.

Hard Day

What is it with Mondays? You already feel beat up about the weekend being over!! Jericho just wouldn't listen today. I can tell he's learning about the whole sharing thing, but he can be downright mean to Malachi and I'm really starting to get tired of it. Hopefully he gets over this little phase soon and moves on to something else. I know he's likely going to cause all sorts of little issues, but right now this is what I'm sad about. I don't really want to think of all the trouble down the road, because that's not really going to help now.

A separate issue: at what age do you let your kid sleep through the night with only underwear on? Jericho drinks A LOT so I know for at least the first few weeks I'll be changing sheets constantly and I don't want to push him before he's ready and have frustration everywhere. He does awesome with #1 and stays dry when we go out 90% of the time. I will only put a pull-up on when we go to church because I would feel bad if he wet the carpet there, and I'm not the one watching him there. What do you guys think? He's almost 28 months...

I'm going to try and go to bed early tonight.. 6:30 am comes too early!

Weekend? Ha!

Today was another day of me and the kids. We just hung out mostly... as much as you can 'hang out' with a 2 and almost 1 year old. The highlight was taking a drive down the the dikes and going for a little walk. I carried Kai and Jericho walked beside me. That was lots of fun. They were both in good moods and happy to finally be outside and not freezing cold.

On the drive home I decided I NEEDED sushi so bad. I've been watching what I eat since early October and usually when I get something from the sushi place I have sunumono salad, gyoza, & california rolls. Not the healthiest, but my favorites. Every single Japanese place I came across was closed and I was heartbroken. Why must they close on a Sunday when I NEEDED it? Oh well.

We were invited to Joe's birthday party and headed over there around 6. It was fun and the boys played fairly well together. Jericho and Riley are pretty different in how they relate to each other so Meg and I have fun in trying to teach them sharing, etc. Basically Jericho refuses to share and 99% of the toys are Riley's. Fun times.

I'm not really looking forward to tomorrow as it's the 5th day in a row of me at home with the kids not working and not being able to see Nate much. I've asked him to take the other car again and maybe we'll go grocery shopping. I don't think it would be as big a deal for me if we had the second vehicle for good. I get stir crazy and so do the boys. It makes for long days. I think people just don't understand my life.. why don't I go out more?? Why do I have a babysitter? My dream is to not have to work at all and be able to just spend time going places with my kids... little field trips and errands. I know it's probably not all it's cracked up to be, but at this point it's my tiny dream.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

Valentines

Well, my Valentines date was last night so I didn't do anything today to celebrate. Except I did make a heart shaped low fat chocolate cake for my boys. Super easy:

Mix together the following:

1 cup Splenda
1 cup flour
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup egg substitute ( I used egg whites)
1 T vanilla
1 T soft butter
1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
3/4 unsweetened cocoa

Bake at 350 C for 25-20 minutes in an 8" or 9" pan. It's not the BEST cake ever, but it tastes pretty darn good for being healthy. And it's not sweet at all so you really get the cocoa flavour.

I'm really tired today. It doesn't help that I walked almost 7 kilometers with the boys to pick up my two new Pampered Chef pans! I'm also not completely over this cold and I'm hoping it's almost over.

Nate's working again tomorrow so I'm hoping he'll take the car I'm supposed to be selling so I can get out of the house for a bit. Otherwise, we're going on another walk tomorrow boys!!!

Those of you who know what "In The Night Garden" is... would be amused to know that Kai is obsessed with Maka Pakka. If he's crying, he wants MP... if he's going to bed, he wants MP... if he's just in a good mood and wants someone to share a laugh... you get the picture.

I do have a funny story to share. This morning I was sitting on the couch with the boys, reading books, when Jericho took off all of a sudden. I let him go and just listened, but there was silence and that's never good. So I went down the hallway and there he was sitting on our bed with his teddy bear in his arms. Not really that strange, but wait... His shirt was half-way up and he was holding the bear in a 'nursing' position. I tried hard to hold back my gales of laughter as I calmly asked him what he was doing. His response? "Feeding Bear Boob".

Whatever will I do with this little man?

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing today was! What a great day! I've officially lost 20 lbs and I'm the lightest I've been since before I was ever pregnant. Ever.

I had a friend come over and just hang out for the second day in a row!

My sister bought me a hot shirt for my hot date with my husband as an early birthday present.

My date was amazing.

What's the use of coming up with a title anyhow? Sometimes I sit here for a good 2 minutes trying to come up with something clever to catch your attention.

Yes, you! I want you to read all this sentence.

And this one.

Okay, I'm done being silly. I had a good visit with M today, it was nice to just visit and not feel pressure to have a tidy house or readily made treats. All we did was sit and chat with our Caramel Latte's. Why haven't we done this sooner?

The boys are still sick. Kai hardly eats. At lunch he just sat and cried in his chair, so I just gave him some medicine, nursed him, and put him to bed. The poor little dude can barely breath he's so stuffed up! And Jericho just is NOT himself. He defies me almost any chance he can and screams when he doesn't get his way. Some of it is 'terrible two's' but I can tell that he's overtired and doesn't feel well and listening to his Mommy seems to be the last thing on his mind.

And me? Well, I have a sore throat and my head feels stuffy. But I don't feel completely awful..yet.

I was supposed to be having another contest with Christa this week to see who can lose the most weight (last week I lost 4 lbs, plus I reached the 10% weight loss goal WW automatically sets for you when you sign up), but with the boys being sick and feeling crummy myself.. exercise has not really been much of a priority. I am still trying to eat right though so we'll see : )

I went to church on Sunday morning instead of Saturday night and I don't think I've ever received so many compliments. A lot of people noticed I had lost weight and it felt good. Honestly, I think having my new shoes made a difference : )

Forgot One

I know I didn't post yesterday, but there's something about ear infections and croup that exhausts you. My poor little boys are so sick and cough so much they wheeze!

And even though I have avoided the three previous colds that struck my young family, I have now fallen victim to this one. The sore throat and sinus stuffiness makes for a long day, but I'm hoping to beat it soon.

Little Kai is 11 months old today and it makes me want to cry that my baby isn't so babyish anymore. I actually did cry about it the other day, but don't worry.. there are no more Searle babies on the horizon... at least not anytime soon : )

I just can't believe Kai wasn't here a year ago and soon we'll be celebrating his birthday. The fact that he hasn't been here forever is as crazy as is the thought that he's almost been here a year. How can I feel like I've had him all this time, but yet feel like I just gave birth to him?

30 in t-minus 45 days....

Busy month is a'coming!

I know Nate is planning a surprise for me for my birthday. Don't everyone freak out at once... but it was the only way he could get me to back off trying to plan my own shindig. He banned me from asking any questions or nagging about my birthday coming up. I'm VERY excited and feel extremely lucky to have a guy who's going to try and make my birthday special.

March is shaping up to be really busy, so I'm just a little nervous of how he's going to squeeze something in and where... so I'm constantly letting him know when something else comes up so it doesn't wreck anything. I think that may be stressing him out more than he's letting on... Hopefully it all works out!!

Jer & Kai are both sick and not sleeping that well, so tonight promises to be unfun by all standards. Early night anyone?

Nice Sunday and First Birthday Plans

Today was a really good day. We ended up going to church this morning as Jericho was sick last night and it was quite nice to sit with friends and just enjoy the service. Afterwards, we went to lunch with Matt, Christa, the cutest Sophia, & Mom and Dad. Not a bad way to spend a day, that's for sure!

I was pleasantly surprised with compliments on my weight loss. That's how you know you MUST be doing something right because people are starting to notice. I also wore new pants and shoes which always adds to the overall package : )

This afternoon the boys slept while I just hung out (played on the computer, watched TV). They woke up fairly miserable, but it was nothing some goldfish crackers and Arrowroots couldn't solve. Plus some lovable cuddles from Mommy, of course!

A short time after all that fun, Malachi decided it was time to take some STEPS!!! Now, he's stood a few times on his own to clap his hands, wave, etc.. but whenever we try and get him to come forward, he just falls to his trusted crawling position. But tonight, he stood... laughed, and WALKED. It was only a few steps, but it was just as adorable as when Jericho did it for the first time. You could tell he was proud of himself.

It reminded me that I really need to get going on planning his first birthday party! He turns 1 on March 11th, which is one month and three days away. I think I'm going to go with March 8th for now... Watch for your invite!

Friends

I feel like I've been a bad friend. Not to everyone, but to some I haven't seen in AGES. I really miss K, L, D, etc... but I've been having soo much fun with M, R, A. I basically am terrible at orchestrating and many of my close friends know that. But I feel bad for those who are just as terrible as I am, or who maybe have just had it with me and my lack of phone calls, emails, and so on.

I don't like to use excuses and I don't think having my kids is a good enough reason for not spending time with people who I love being with. I keep thinking of things I want to do in order to include as many as possible, but then how considerate is that of people who want to talk and interact one on one?

Maybe my 30th birthday resolution should be to reach out to those I miss and try harder. I hate feeling or knowing that someone is upset or angry with me - and I know it's happened on more than one occasion. I used to think I was perfect :) Looking back it seems I have more broken relationships than outstanding ones, is that a reflection of my personality or simply time gone by, misunderstandings, personality differences, and the proverbial love lost?

I'm not sorry for who I am, simply sorry for not doing what I should in reaching out to those I truly love and care for.

It goes without saying that I also love spending time with my sisters, cousins, Mom, & husband. I don't tend to have many issues with my family... they never go away :)

I remembered

So I was lying in bed and realized I hadn't posted on my blog yet today.

Now I'm going back to bed.

That's how much you all mean to me.

: )

4 lbs.

I'm a lot smaller today than I was a week ago. Thanks in part to a friendly competition with my SIL, Christa. I feel great and now I only have 14 lbs to go.

I would say a lot more today because I'm in a reflective mood, but I think I'm going to spend some time on the couch with my Love.

Jericho and his baby

Back before Jericho was born, Auntie Nina and her then-boyfriend bought this cute little stuffie toy dog/kangaroo thing. I really have no idea what it is, but it IS cute. Anyways, he did become quite attached to it until a few months ago when it was tossed to the wayside for other more exciting little gadgets. He's played with trains, trucks, and all sorts of other age and not-so-age appropriate items. Well, today for some reason he decided to pick up that little stuffie and it was no longer a babyhood has-been, but it was then re-christened his 'baby'.

He carried it around, cuddled it, hugged it, kissed it, and even gave it his soother and blankie (two EXTREMELY prized possessions). He asked people to hold it for him when he went back to playing, but would soon come back for him and check to make sure he was okay. I asked him what his baby's name was and was surprised to hear his response was "Malachi".

"Fake Malachi" had many naps today and enjoyed many cuddles and other odd adventures. But the funniest moment of the day was when he was trying to convince me that he needed to be fed just like "Real Malachi". And I'm not talking about big boy food. I'm talking about the feeding only a Mother can do. It was quite an amusing conversation and one I hope to laugh about with him later.

Joshie Rocks

Jericho and Kai were priveleged today to spend time with a really great little friend. They had an amazing day together. Looking forward to the next visit : )

Nate may be leaving for the Yukon again on the 17th of February and I already have two nights booked - GIRLS NIGHTS OUT!!!

Now sleeping alone doesn't seem so bad.

New Stuff

Words that Kai says:

Mama
Dada - LOVES his Daddy!
Uh oh! - Usually right before he drops something
Bah - Ball or book
Mmmmm - Anytime he sees something he wants, he holds his hand out towards it and says Mmm til he gets it
Derdo - Jericho
Makka Pakka - his favorite stuffie


New Phrases of Jericho's:

I'm coming!
Happy birthday to you - usually when he's holding something and carrying it like a cake
Brown bear, what see? - From his new favorite book
Have shower no cold water, no hot water - He's quite specific about wanting warm showers
Go swimming! - His favorite past time
Daddy go dentist! Daddy go work! - This is after I ask him where Daddy is and the dentist is usually his first guess.
Danelle come ober! - When I ask him who's coming, his response is his babysitter, but her name is Danielle, not Danelle.
Darbage fruck, Derdo happy! - He just said this because the garbage truck just pulled up :)


He says a tonne and it's hard to remember everything. I need to start journaling some of it more cause my memory seems to be not so good lately. Must be the 'almost 30' thing. : )

These are some pictures from Deacon's shower yesterday:

Weekend Is Over : (

I'd say it was a pretty decent weekend, nothing really eventful happened besides what I mentioned in my last post. I will say that this weekend's church service was outstanding. I thought Steve did a really great job talking about the purpose of our church and building community. I enjoyed it immensely. I also thought the worship songs were awesome and I even had a moment where I had goosebumps and tears were on the verge of falling just thinking about how big and awesome My God is! I meant to speak to Pastor Steve and tell him how much I loved it, but instead we talked about how big Kai is getting : )

Today was Deacon's Going Bagless Party and it was really good. Megan has a great friend who organized it and it was fun! I bought a frame and printed off a pic of Deacon and gave it to her. I think she liked it... But I wrote a poem as well and put it in her card.. It's not as good as I would have liked it to be, but I tried:

Deacon

You came as a blessing
A piece of my heart
Constant caressing
Life was tough at the start

You went through so much
A piece of my heart
Can you feel my touch?
But you triumphed, God had a part

You fulfilled all our wishes
A piece of my heart
I adore all our squishes
Your smile lights up, the best kind of art!

- Auntie Sara, January 29, 2009


See, it's not the best, but it's kinda cute.

Kai tried to walk tonight... I would hold him and he would stand for a bit and try and take steps but just fall down. I give him 2 weeks before he's running.

PS - A very Happy Birthday to FIL! Hope you had a great day!