Catching my breath

Holy smokes, it's been crazy around here! We just have way too many kids... Even though the two big boys keep threatening to move out, I have a sneaking suspicion that they're going to be here for a looooooooooong time! We'll have to stash the little girls into closets if the old guys don't leave eventually.
Anyway, school is back in session, and so the colds and flus have started their rounds. Since September, there has been at least one sick person at all times in this house - usually two or more at once, though. Time is flying, too... boys should be bringing home their first report cards in a couple weeks. Let the groundings beging! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaa......
The girls are doing well, just hanging around being cute. Caitlyn is running all over the place (and falling, too), and getting into the most creative kinds of trouble she can. Raina is starting to smile and make cute little noises, which is nice, 'cause up 'til now she only made unappealing noises. She's growing fast, and we are thinking she's going to outweight Caitlyn one of these days. That will be bad news for Caitlyn, 'cause Raina will be able to exact revenge for all those pinches and eye-pokes.
We're hanging in there, too. Todd has been awfully busy for a guy who's supposed to be on paternity leave - he had to go away for a conference this month, and will be in Ottawa for another one in a couple weeks. It's a full time job just trying to keep things under control here! As for me, I turned 41 a couple weeks ago (yikes!!) - almost set the house on fire with the ridiculous number of candles on that cake.
Anyway - here are some photos to sum up things visually:

Quick Update

Amazingly enough, I actually get to sit in front of my computer for a few minutes! Both babies are sleeping, the teenage boys are all of amusing themselves, and Todd is busy with his buddy Roger, so here I am, with a minute to myself. See how devoted I am to my loyal fans? I get some time to myself, and instead of going for a nap, a manicure, or a Caribbean (spelling?) cruise... I am here, blogging! Maybe that's not devotion - it could mean that I am a serious geek!

Anyway, things are going well so far. Todd's mother was here for a week to help with all the kids and chores, so even though she puts all the dishes in the wrong cupboards and loads the dishwasher wrong, it was wonderful to have her here! I don't imagine I'll have much time here, so I'll try to sum up quickly:
- Caitlyn was properly spoiled while Nanny was here, so she's having a bit of a rough time right now, but otherwise is her normal, silly self.
- Raina is a little jaundiced still, so it's hard to keep her awake long enough to feed well. I have to supplement with pumped breast milk after each feeding so that she doesn't get tired out. She is almost back up to her birth weight, and the nurses at the clinic are quite happy with her progress so far.
- Jamie has resigned himself to going to a new school next year - it is right around the corner from the house, so he can make friends that live near him!
- Eric got himself a job working at gaming booths for various fairs and carnivals - yep, he's a carnie! Makes decent money, but only gets to work weekends.
- Travis has been working like a dog to pay off his debt to his Dad (damages to brand new Jeep being the worst debt).
- Todd is now on parental leave (again!). He'll be home until the end of next April. I told him next time he wants paid leave, he'll have to break a leg or something - I am not having any more babies!
- I am doing pretty good, just need lots of sleep. I try to nap when babies are napping, but thank God Todd is home! Today I am sampling my first strawberry daiquiri in countless months. Yum!!

That's about it, I think. Caitlyn is waking up, and it's almost time for supper. Todd is BBQ'ing, so it should be good. So, until next time, I bid you adieu!

Home Alone

Well, I'm not actually alone... with all these kids and their friends, I fear I will never be alone again. It just seems quieter around here these days; Todd is gone out on the Coast Guard research ship the CCGS Wilfred Templeman for a couple of weeks. He hasn't been on a trip since before Caitlyn was born, so he was excited and nervous at the same time. Poor guy gets seasick for the first few days of every trip. See if you can see Todd in this shot:

Caitlyn has another new tooth! You can't really see it yet, but you can sure feel it (trust me). She has been very busy these days, seeing just how many ways she can get into trouble in as short a time as possible. She's not really walking on her own yet, but she still manages to find every single thing she's not supposed to find. She really likes the kitchen cupboards!

I am sad to say that I will never be bored again *sigh* I shudder when I try to picture two little babies crawling around at the same time. I am sure they will co-ordinate their efforts, and always move off in different directions to find their own trouble. Of course, that may not be my problem - I might have to be "moved" to a nice, quiet bed in the mental.

Unfair

I found out today that a pharmacy student I worked with a couple years ago just passed away after fighting breast cancer for over a year. This is my little tribute to her, because she had an effect on my life and I will always remember her and smile. Jaclyn Rogerson came to our pharmacy in her final year as a pharmacy student, and although she knew so much more about the chemistry and science behind pharmacy, she always said that she learned the most about the actual work while following me around behind the counter. She was silly, crazy, smart and funny - she could make me laugh on the worst of days. Jaclyn was an important support for me after Max died, she had a unique way of looking at the world that made it just a little bit easier for me. And she was naughty! She thought it was hysterical to stick "For rectal use only" stickers on the sleeves of my lab coat without telling me. When it was time for her to check out my work, she'd say "Step aside, Granny", even though she said she could not believe I was actually more than 10 years older than her. Working with her was great fun, and I missed her when her work term was over. Jaclyn died on May 29, just 28 years old. Unfair.

Little Cutie

Nothing special going on today, just thought I'd post a picture Todd's mother had taken and sent to us not too long ago. Her camera takes beautiful shots - she actually uses a camera with film in it, not a digital one! The pictures always print out so nicely. Anyway, here's Caitlyn cuddling her Pooh bear...

Tit for Tat?

Todd's old Suzuki Vitara finally gasped it's last breath, and for a little while, he was without a vehicle. That meant it was up to me to make sure he could go anywhere he wanted to go... *ugh* Thankfully, he stopped panicking long enough to get over to the Jeep dealership, and get his loan application in. And so, today, he is the proud new owner of a 2007 Jeep Liberty. It looks just like this:

He has himself convinced that it is a much better vehicle than my mini-van, even though they both have 3.something litre engines, and are both V6's. Never mind that mine is bigger, more comfortable, and can carry more passengers. Apparently none of that is relevant! Just because his has "Jeep" stamped on the front of it, and allegedly can climb mountains.... silly man. :o)

No actual news, just thought I'd express myself regarding newer, better vehicles. So, class dismissed. Off you go, then!

Those who mock mini-vans...

...should not then beg to drive them. For weeks I have been debating whether to buy out my Toyota Matrix at the end of the lease, or whether I should just go ahead and get a 7-passenger mini-van, since we will soon have 7 people living in this house. Todd and Travis were both totally against the mini-van idea, as if my owning one would somehow adversely effect their collective man-hood. Silly boys! If they could show me how to get 7 people into that Matrix, then I wouldn't have to consider the mini-van. Besides, if I am the one paying for it, and the one who will be driving it, why do they even get to express an opinion?! So, as of yesterday, I am the proud owner (or leasor) of a brand new '07 Toyota Sienna. I like it. I like it alot. It looks like this:

Now that it's in our driveway, Todd and Travis are just itching to take it for a spin. I intend to make them wait until I feel like it, considering all the derision they heaped upon it before I got it. It's really driving them nuts, especially since Todd's truck is in it's death throes and can't really be driven anymore. I feel fantasically smug... maybe even a little bit evil *mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaaaaaaaaa........*

Anyway, that's about all the news for now. We're all doing fine (except for Todd, who is still suffering a little bit from his surgery a couple weeks ago). The weather here has been weird, one day nice and sunny, making us want it more, the next day back to cold, rain, drizzle and fog. I still have nothing put out in the garden *pout* And so, life here on The Rock continues as always :o)

Happy Mother's Day!

I am a very bad child - I did not call my Mom today! There is no excuse, so all I can do is hope she forgives me, 'cause I do love and appreciate her, and, after all, I am her favorite. Right, Mom? Mom? Anyway, I wish my Mom, and all our extended Blog-Fam's Moms, the best Mother's Day. Love to you all!
As for me and mine: I had a nice Mother's Day. I got breakfast in bed, prepared by my boys, and not too early in the morning :o) They all got together, and gave me flowers and a really nice gardening book, too. Todd took a million pictures, none of which shall ever be viewed publicly, as I was still in bed, hair not combed, etc! I have had to do only minimal house work today, and even got to have a nice nap this evening. Why can't every day be mother's day?
Todd's mom is in town for tonight, as she is flying to Halifax tomorrow morning to stay with her daughter Tracey, who is about 30 weeks pregnant, and is having some trouble with toxemia. She's getting excellent care, so we are hoping everything will turn out just fine. Anyway, Sharon brought a beautiful cherry cake with her, so that's what I've been feasting on all evening. It's nice when the in-laws come! :o)
Todd had a "minor" surgery last Friday, so he has been walking around ever so carefully this weekend. He'll probably have to take tomorrow off, too - I guess he got roughed up a little bit. Gee, I hope that wasn't too much information for anybody... tee hee hee
Well, gotta go, maybe have another piece of that cake. After all, I am eating for two - again!

It's May already!

I can't believe how easily time gets away from me these days! I have been pretty busy; it seems that all the various appointments we all have are bunched together on the calendar. All of us have dentist appointments this next week or two - on different days, of course, so we have to drive there five times. Caitlyn got her one-year needles (three of them in one appointment!) - she was not happy! She'll be seeing her pediatrician next week for a check-up. Oh, and she is now 15 lbs 9 oz. Almost the size of a 9 month old! Hooray! Anyway, to continue: I've got ultrasounds, bloodwork, ob/gyn, counselling (for crazy old women who don't know what birth control is, I suppose). Todd is going in for a day surgery next week; the idea being that there will be no more "unexpected surprises" *wink wink* His boss at work was teasing him, he said "So you've finally figured out what's been causing all the pregnancies!" Funny guy, eh?
Well, it's another cold, gray, drizzly day here - so much for trying a little yard work. It's just no fun if you can't feel your fingers. One small consolation - the fog has dissolved the last of the filthy dirty pile of snow on our front yard. Now you can see the whole dead yellow lawn in all it's glory! Heh heh heh. I know the sun is up there somewhere, 'cause we're all still alive, and there is a bit a daylight breaking through the fog. I will just wait longer, I guess :o) Oh, and just 'cause I know you need to know - I have not shaved my legs in preparation. I feel there is absolutely no rush!

Living in a shoe

You know the nursery rhyme - "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe..." That's me! Except that I don't often whip them all soundly before putting them to bed... some of them are bigger than me :o) But I digress; the point I am eventually going to make is that I have too many children. At least, I will by September (possibly sooner, depending on the Fates). It seems I am too fertile. I am pregnant again! At this point I am about 20 weeks along, which is half-way to having 5 kids in the house at one time. Clearly, I must be insane! We are not buying a new house, so the older guys will have to be kicked out of the nest sooner than they would like, or, we will have to add another floor to this house. Might as well make it look like a shoe!
Ok, moving along, since my blog-time is limited by a little girl with a runny nose. We have been as busy as usual, but we managed to have a nice Easter (good thing Todd cooks!), and Caitlyn had a pretty good time at her first birthday party. It's safe to say that she likes cake. I do have some photos, just have to get them into the computer and edited for size, etc. Here's a shot of her at Easter, though...

The boys are all getting antsy lately, waiting for the weather to get warm. I think they're counting down the days 'til the end of the school year already. Funny how they forget to take final exams into account though...
So, things are coasting along relatively quietly here, despite the crowd of kids, dogs, visitors, etc. All I could ask for is more nap time - I get really tired these days. Can't imagine why...

Dare I hope?

There seems to be a tiny bit of blue in the sky these last couple of days, and it appears as if the mountains of snow are shrinking. I'd like to believe that means the worst is over, but alas, I live in Newfoundland, where it can snow in June. Still, the air does smell a little more "spring-y". It just makes me want it more! I am actually starting to look at the gardening flyers and books, which is kind of exciting, 'cause I haven't really wanted to do any gardening since Max died. Maybe it's time... But, I can't do a darn thing out there until the snow is actually gone. I may have to get some hair dryers and extension cords on the go here :o) Oh please, please, let winter be over!

Warning: Graphic graphic ahead

I found a photo that expresses my true feelings about the recent snowfall here...

So, today is a snow day - the boys are all out shovelling the driveway right now. Maybe they'll get it done before dark. Maybe. *sigh*

Insomniac Ramblings

So, I haven't been able to post in a while - long-term lack of sleep has made me a little sluggish. For the record, babies do not sleep through the night just because they are eating solid foods. Much to my dismay... ~sigh~ All I can say is, it's a good thing she's cute!

I would post more, but it is late, and I still need sleep... At least all my dedicated fans now know I am alive! hee hee hee

Album's almost ready

I have uploaded a few Christmas pictures to my Yahoo album, at last! I thought it was hard to get close to the computer before people got new games for Christmas... sheesh! Anyway, the pictures are here - I haven't organized them or given them captions yet, but you can have a peek :o) Got to run for now. I sure hope I get more time to blog soon - I may be suffering withdrawal!