Thankful

I am thankful...


for our health, as whacky as it can be.
for M's preschool and all that she's learned already.
for baby smiles and growls first thing in the morning.
that I didn't burn the roast today.
that I have some amazingly great friends both near and far.
for CJ's job, as skeery as it can be.
that Kim drags me to the gym.
for House and how much he makes me laugh.
that my mum is in a happy place, for the most part.
to have a husband who never discourages my whacky ideas.
for the memories I have so far, happy and sad both.
that dinner tonight was just SO good.
to have a roof over our heads, and a fridge full of food.
that Mercy said she was thankful for tomatoes {even though she meant potatoes}.
that my printer finally decided to work.
for my roots and ancestry.
that MaryBeth kept her promise and came to playgroup this week.
for a healing P man.
that our neighbour takes our garbage to the curb for us when I'm busy cleaning up a puking P.
that J find burps so freaking funny.
for Bolt.
to have some amazing people for in laws, both immediate family and extended.
that there's a park right behind our house, so burning toddler energy isn't a car drive away.
for Canada.
that I didn't name my son Bronx Mowgli like I'd planned. {who knew Ashlee Simpson was thinking the same thing!}
for yummy smelling candles that make the room smell so lovely.
to live in a country where I can say all these things and not be muted.
for a religion that is so sound and firm.
to have faith surrounding me even when I don't feel it.
for a cat that wakes me up at night with unearthly sounds. {wait...}
for a dog that is better with my babies than most babysitters.
for a fish that just won't kick the bucket. {we're down to 1 out of 4}
for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and me crying while watching it, for no good reason.
that this town has a Target.
that P still loves to cuddle with me, and pats me on the cheek and says "i loe loo, mummy."
for J's physical therapist, Shelly, and how well she does with him.
that M loves to sing the Mamma Mia! soundtrack with me, and can shake her booty doing it.
that CJ is such a funny and fun dad.
that I finally got to say "peace out, girl scout" in a sarcastic way to someone this year.
to have so many blessings.



Happy Thanksgiving/Black Friday!!

Peekture Time Again!

I have a few things I've been thinking about blogging, but instead I'm going to let you see some really cute kids. Sound fun? Yes! BTW, if any of you want a Christmas card {that will probably include one of these pictures, if that's more incentive for you} email me your address or post it in the comments, if you're that brave. Email is cjandlaurie@gmail.com

I took the kids to the park to take these pics yesterday. I have a big blank wall that's begging for a photo collage, and so I need some new pics of the kids for that, as well as for Christmas cards. I need to take some more, but here's what I have so far. Enjoy!

{the reason they're all black and white is because they're for the photo wall, and I love B&W photos.}

Time Flies...

When you're trying to pretend it doesn't.

What have I not been posting about... hm.

How about my joy boy, P, turning three. Three?! What? When did... How on earth... WHO LET TIME FLY WITHOUT ASKING ME!! That's it, someone's getting fired tonight.

Yes, my P-man turned three years old two weeks ago, but because we wanted to have his 3 year checkup and J's 1 year checkup at the same time, he just had his appointment today. 33 lbs, 39 inches. I *knew* he was growing! Little dude's always been on the smaller side, but he's starting to catch up to M. Watch out world. He is the perfect image of health, his speech is beautiful {not something most worry about, but after what we went through with M... well, I'm paranoid.}, he's beautiful. He didn't need any shots, but they offered a flu shot for him, and since he catches everything and I'm a sadist, I said yes please. Poor kid, I guess it hit the muscle funny or something because today while M was in dance class he'd fallen asleep in the van, but when I got him up he could barely walk and was just so upset. Yes, it was a bit of dramatics, but this is the boy who can jump three feet forward from a standstill, and rarely stops moving. So I know he really was in pain. Poor bug. M did excellent in class so I treated her to a kiddie cone from Mickey Dees and got P a chocolate chip cookie to help him feel better; it seemed to stem the tears.
J did well too, charming the doctor and smiling and playing like the cute bubba he is. 20.3 lbs, 29 inches. Thought he'd weigh more than that... huh. He looks great, his head tilt is less and he's starting to pull up on things and figuring out how to tuck his tooshie in so he can stand better. Unfortunately he didn't fare as well as P did in the needle part of the exam. Poor bubs got 5, yep FIVE, needles. Le sigh. He. Was. PIIIISSED. We had P's done first, and I held P {who was sobbing} while CJ held J down so the nurse could stick him. Oh, the anger and hurt in his little man voice!! And then M wanted to know why J was crying and went over to see, and saw him get a needle. *She* burst into tears too. Oy vey, I was glad CJ was able to be there to help me. Three crying bubbies is just not fun. Funny enough, J seems fine now whereas P is in so much pain from his one shot...

Thanks to everyone who commented on my photos. I love taking photos, I hope I'm getting better at it. Helps that I have fun kids to practice the skill on, I suppose! I have some wonderful friend/teachers, check out my blog links and you'll see their names. Kate Crafton is one of my most favorite people I've ever cyber-met. The talent she has... it makes me drool. I keep saying one day, when I win the lottery or something equally impossible, I'm going to fly her somewhere exotic with my family, so she can be my camera-love slave and take ridiculously gorgeous pictures of us all. {hah... totally made you read my blog now, didn't I, SK?}
And yes, I love editting pics too. I don't completely destroy a photo, but I like the pop that a bit of editting gives photos, so crucify me if you're a naturalist, but me and my PS will keep on truckin'.
Anyone local who wants to goof around with cameras and take pics, let me know!

Because I Suck.

**apologies to those of you trying to see the pics this morning, I didn't realize Blogger would cut half my pics off, so I had to redo it**

I've started and stopped two --no wait, maybe it's three-- posts, but just ran out of steam. You'd think with the past week I'd have plenty to say... but nope. So how about some pictures instead?

Mister J is now one year old, much to my chagrin. He suddenly seems so much bigger too, and he's doing great in his PT and starting to climb up on us too.

Halloween! J was a pony, P was a tiger, and M was Cinderella. Some random pictures from throughout the day:

Isaac and P. Best friends until there's a Thomas toy at risk.

Tatiana, one of the cutest kids. I foresee P and J fighting over her in 15 years...

Lips courtesy of MaryBeth, her wunderbar mother.
Peekaboo

Our house all ready for trick or treaters.

Some videos: