'Tis The Season

I hate the winter months,  Winter here in Durham is not what I call winter.  It's horrible.  It's cold but we don't have any snow.  I'm not exaggerating either.  We have absolutely no snow.  What does one do with small children during the winter months when there is no snow?  I have no idea.  I can only play so much hockey.  The grass is frozen.  The toys are frozen.  Everything is frozen.  My poor children.  I feel horrible for them.  It does not help with getting them outside for fresh air.  I don't know how many times I've heard they are bored of going for walks.  I'm stumped.   
Winter is also the season of colds.  I've already waved my white flag.  I did this a few years ago.  There is no avoiding colds.  I've already come to accept that between November and April, somebody is going to have a cold.  I should really buy stock in Kleenex.  Toilet paper too come to think of it.  That stuff is gold.  We have all had a terrible sounding/feeling cough for weeks now.  My poor Jack ended up with a nose/throat/double ear infection.  Reed's been put on puffers for wheezing.  Shawn has started taking Buckley's.  He talked me into trying it, I couldn't do it.  I swallowed the tiniest sip and spat out the rest. lol  It was awful.  It tastes exactly how Vick's smells.  Yuck.  No thank you. 
The kids are all tucked into their beds (hurray for quiet time).  It more often then not ends in naptime for Oliver and Jack doesn't have a problem being quiet as a mouse.  Reed, he has no sleep pattern.  He just sleeps whenever he feels like it.  We haven't any kind of routine.  I've very much just let him sleep whenever he wants for however long he wants.  I know it would be very benefecial to get him into a routine but we aren't really a routiney family and well, I don't really  have a problem with his sleep routine right now.  There will come a time (spring) when I will begin to mind it and I'll just cross that bridge when I get there.   
There is so much I could be doing now.  There is always laundry to do, there are toys everywhere, my floors would probably love to have a date with some water.  I think I chose to forget about it and will curl up and read a book.  That sounds a lot more pleasant.

I'm A Big Boy Now

I am very excited to say that Oliver is finally potty trained.  Back in August, I attempted to potty train him using a 3-Day potty training program.  After 5 full days of wet pants and floor, I gave up.  He just must not have been ready.  I know some of you may be thinking I gave up too easily but he made no effort.  He didn't even try to make it to the potty - ever.  I figured I'd just wait.
Fast forward to Friday Dec 10th.  I was looking after my nephews for the evening and watched an episode of Supernanny.  The family had a son who was also 3 and not potty trained.  Watching him was like watching Oliver back in August.  The Supernanny called the parents lazy.  I had to agree with her.  Not about them, but about me.  That is exactly what I was being.  It wasn't even like I took offence to it.  I knew she was right.  I knew I was being lazy.
I couldn't stop thinking about the stupid show all weekend so come Monday when Oliver got up, I put his pull ups out of his sight, put some underwear on him and decided I wasn't going back.  Getting underwear on him wasn't that easy.  He refused.  He cried and protested and wanted his pull up.  It was only when he wanted to go downstaris with me to do laundry that I could get him to put underwear on.  The rest is history.  It's been smooth sailing.  He's only had a handful of accidents.  He initiates going.  I rarely ever have to prompt him to go - usually just before a nap, bedtime or if we are going out.  I do still put a pull up on him at night.  Only twice has he woken up wet and both times were when he's fallen asleep at dinner time and not woken up until the next morning.  I will probably just put one on him until the bag is finished.  I am so very proud of him.  It may have taken a long time to get here but it's been going so smoothly I don't even care.  It was worth the wait. 

C'est La Vie

Today, we attempted to have family pictures taken.  Not only just us but I really wanted to get a picture of the grandkids on Shawn's side and Syd is even here so it was the perfect opportunity.  What a disaster!  Oliver was such a nightmare.  He just refused (aside for maybe 3 minutes) to cooperate.  I broke out all the bribes.  Candy, a new Hot Wheel, a color change Hot Wheel, Mcdonalds, anything he wanted at all.  I was that desparate.  Reed, he wanted nothing to do with being there either.  He cried more in the 90 minutes we were there then he has the 6 months he's been alive.  I didn't know what to do.  I wanted a picture so I told her to take them screams, tears and all.  Eventually, I just gave up and we left.  I didn't get any pictures that I wanted.  I wanted Reed to have his 6 month pictures done and that didn't happen either.  I don't know what was up with either of them.  It was such a horrible experience.  The photographer, Jillian was great.  She was very engaging and patient.  She gave it her best effort to get Oliver to cooperate.  I kept saying to myself "thank God she has 4 kids" because I like to think that she must have encountered such craziness either personally or professionally.  I was quite embarrassed.  It shall be interesting to see what kind of pictures we end up with.  I do know she got a few good ones of Jack on his own and I think of Oliver too for the 3 minutes he was cooperating.  Ahhh, c'est la vie!!

A Proud Moment

My Pride and Joy

Yesterday, Reed had his 6 month well baby check up.  Because Shawn is working nights this week, I bundled up the three kids and off to the doctor's office we went.  I was half dreading this trip to the doctors office with three kids in tow.  Let's face it, the wait times can sometimes be long and offices are pretty boring.  If our doctor's office lacks anything, it's any form of children entertainment.  I can remember my doctor's office as a kid always having a little place in the corner that held toys and books.  This doctor's office, not so much.  It holds only a few books.
As the time went on I thought to myself, this is going pretty good.  The kids are being really good, Jack played his DS a little, they had snacks, I read them some books, they played with their hot wheels and ran around and chased each other.  We had snuggles and played rock, paper, scissors.  I thought they were good boys.  They sometimes needed a gentle reminder not to scream or talk so loud but they were good.  We waited about 40-45 minutes for the appointment then had to wait another 20 minutes after to see the nurse for Reed's needles.
When Reed's turn came for his needles, we all piled into the little room the nurse uses for giving  needles and measuring/weighing infants.  As she is preparing the needles she tells me the following:
"I just had a lady in here and she was telling me there is a young lady out there with 3 young children.  At first she said she felt bad thinking about how busy you must be (I'm thinking it was more she was dreading seeing me get there with three young kids lol) but that those 3 kids were so good she couldn't believe it.  She told the nurse I should be proud of myself for having such great kids and that I have done a great job."  I was so proud.  I was wearing it on my face.  I found it very nice she shared this with me.  It was nice to hear.  We ended up riding the elevator down with said lady and her husband.  She repeated everything herself to me.  She told me I have a beautiful family (I do) and she told the boys they were so good that Santa must be coming to their house (he is).  She told me I am doing a good job and to keep loving my boys (I will).  I thanked her, she wished us a Merry Christmas and off we went our separate ways.   
So to the random lady at the doctor's office, thank you.  Thank you for seeing that my boys are good kids.  Thank you for taking the time to take note they are and tell me.  Thank you for seeing that I love them.  Thank you for making my day.

Just Searching For A Gigabit Router

How many gigabits is that thing?

Reed - Quick Update

Finally after 5 months (longer if you count the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy), we have an answer regarding Reed's left kidney.
Reed has what is called a Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney (MCDK). MCDK is a condition that results from the malformation of the kidney during fetal development. The kidney consists of irregular cysts of varying sizes and has no function. His right kidney however is perfectly healthy. Humans need only one functioning kidney to live.
Back in the day, they used to surgically remove the cystic kidney. Now however, they just monitor it. We will need to go to Sick Kids every 3 months for follow up ultrasounds to make sure it doesn't grow or change in any way and also to make sure his right kidney continues to function properly. Should any concerns arise, then we would talk about it being surgically removed.
I guess this was the best news we could get. I'm okay with it. I'm very happy that he won't need to have surgery. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support while we have been waiting for answers. I really do appreicate it.

Happy 3rd Birthday Oliver

My little Oliver turned 3 today.  Time has gone by way too fast.  He has grown and changed so much since last year.  He amazes me every day. 

At 3, Oliver knows the alphabet (though not every letter is understandable) and can count to 13.
At 3, Oliver knows the sound that about 5 letters make.
At 3, Oliver knows his shapes and colors.
At 3, Oliver's favorite toys are his cars from the movie Cars.
At 3, Oliver refuses to use the toilet or potty and refuses to talk about anything that has to do with him being potty trained.
At 3, Oliver's best friend is his brother Jack.
Broccoli is his favorite vegetable.
At 3, Oliver is very stubborn. When he has an agenda, there is no alternating it.
At 3, I can still sometimes get snuggles.
At 3, Oliver is the cutest, sweetest, most adorable little 3 year old ever.

Happy Birthday Oliver! I love you very much!