2018 WITL Tuesday

This Tuesday morning started at 5:45.  I am trying so hard to adjust my mindset to these early mornings…but some days I just get so frustrated that we need to greet the still dark morning hours.  I try to be thankful that it just gives us more time to get organized and ready for the day…however if they ever decide to sleep in later I will not be upset about that.  We let the dog out, have cereal at the little desk in the kitchen.  I drink a hot cup of coffee this morning while they girls pretend they are spiders and chase each other around.  I love my little weirdos.  We wave goodbye to Daddy through the window and then all three of us girls are in the bathroom getting ready. I foresee problems when they are older and all three of us want to put on make up.  This Tuesday morning Sloan brought a banana and a Bunnykins spoon to drop off.  Love her. She loves taking Zoe to school “BYE ZO!!!” she yells as Z goes into the school and we head back to the car for drop off #2. 

This Tuesday I worked at the greenhouse from 9-3.  I am really enjoying this change of pace and learning new things about gardening…maybe this will be the year that our garden looks great and I dont kill everything we plant.

This Tuesday afterschool I learned that I should try to budget time every nice afternoon for a wee park visit on the way home.  I am learning things as I go with this new working from home Mama gig. Zoe had a crazy tempertantrum at school because I wasn’t planning on going to the park. She got it together and we went for a bit…but her moods can bring down mine so quickly.  I always feel like I am failing her in some way when I cant get through to her….Im ok to not remember all the details of how I feel in those moments…aaaand lucky me I have a second girl so might be going through this non stop for the next few years.  I try to focus on being thankful we have such a great park within walking distance, and that we are now at the time of year where we can really enjoy where we live

This Tuesday afternoon I laugh at old Eagle Eyed Zoe who somehow knew we had popsicles in the freezer.I was sure we didnt but she found two!  It is SO hot. We skipped over spring and now it feels like full on summer here!

This Tuesday night Garret gets home around 5:30 and we have lasagna for dinner.  I remember I need to check the weather now when meal planning. The oven heats up our little house so quickly and we don’t have a/c.  Sloan was clingy tonight “Uppy Mama Uppy” so we took it easy after the park, had popsicles and just played with babies until Daddy bear got home. Dinner, bath and bed for the girlies.   Bedtime routine still is Garret putting Sloan down in the girls room and then Z and I reading in my bedroom until she falls asleep.  We have tried several times getting them to sleep together in their room but it always ends in chaos and both of them crying…and so…another WITL and another year of Zoe falling asleep in our room. I think this should change soon, but then again who knows.

This Tuesday night I am thankful for my spazzy dog who is just so in love with my spazzy children! 

This Tuesday I learn that Baby Alive shouldnt go in the tub…she is leaking water everywhere.

This Tuesday night sees us chilling in the back room catching up on some episodes of Last week Tonight.  We both love John Oliver…laughing while learning is a total win win in my books!  Bed by 10 and I just hope the girls sleep cause this Mama is dying for a full night sleep.

WITL 2018 Monday

This Monday morning we are downstairs by 6am watching PJ Masks.  Thank you Netflix.  They have both been waking up so early lately  I am going slightly mental. This morning breakfast was Shreddies for Z, bear paw crackers and yogurt for Sloan, and coffee for me.  Mornings used to be so rushed that I try today to focus on being thankful we can lounge in PJs and have semi hot coffee, and pack lunches before the day starts.  I want to remember that I hate packing lunches at this stage. That I procrastinate for no apparent reason. That Zoe doesnt like anything in her lunch ever and I occasionally feel like a mom failure as all I can put in her lunch is snacks.   This Monday morning things are still crazy and loud, and no one is listening but we are able to get organized and out the door on time for school drop off.  I am so thankful that this is now part of my day. I have become friendly with some of the other Mama’s and I love being a part of this!  Sloan has taken to bringing random items to drop off…today it was her water wings.  We met up with her daycare lady at the school and she took her home.

This Monday I forced myself to get outside and power walk with Brooklyn.  I am so thankful we live somewhere near the water.  I listened to a podcast and got myself motivated to get back home and work.  I am thankful for these new changes in my life that already feel like they are making such a difference.  I usually have a hard time getting too much done when working at home, but today I gave myself permission to overlook piles of laundry and really focus on getting my to do list on the go.

This Monday after school we went to the park.  It was like Happy Hour at Cheers but for kids.  Everyone was yelling “Hi Zoe!!! Hi Sloanie” it’s nice to go where everyone knows your name.  We were home by 4:20, I threw dinner in the oven and we hit the back yard for some water table fun and planting in the garden. I am so thankful for this change in the weather, thankful for little girls who are determined to dress themselvs, and for big sisters who just want to help so so badly.

This Monday evening we ate a “fridge/freezer clearing out” kind of dinner. We are going away next week and I dont want to shop!  Zoe worked on her site words at the table and Wowed us with her reading.  This book loving mama was so excited to see her loving to read.  This Monday evening Garret took the girls to the park so I could get some work done. Which I did with wine, because…well…I love wine.  When they got home we divided and conquered.  G took Sloan up to bed and Zo came with me.  Lately our bedtime routine is that she hops on the couch, I piggy back her up to bed and then we snuggle and read. Tonight was Mix it up by Herve Tullet and Strawberry Shortcake scratch and sniff baking book.   These are all fine and good but I CANT WAIT FOR HARRY POTTER!!!  This Monday evening Brooklyn comes and lays with us for story time. She comes downstairs with me when Z falls asleep, but I love that she just takes a quick power nap on the bed until it is time to go downstairs.

This Monday night  saw Garret and I having a hot tub AKA Marriage counselling, and then hang outs on the couch looking to book some more camping for the summer.  This Monday I am thankful that even though it still is a rush, its a different rush. Life feels very “transitioney” as of late but I really think that is ok.

Dear Sloan at 19 months

Dear Sloan,

We missed month 18 entirely!  Time is flying at the Walsh home. You are teething again, which oftentimes makes the days and nights blur into one long never ending day.  You are so happy and cute, you have started “jumping” which I must capture on video. You bend in half and fling your body as high up as you can. It is very dramatic as you yell “YUMP” and nearly fall over.  You get into EVERYTHING, and I don’t recall being this busy with your sister.  You climb on everything, the doll stroller, the diaper genie, the ottoman.  If you want something you can’t quite reach, you run into the bathroom, drag your stool over to the counter and hop up.  Your problem solving skills will get you far in life.

 

You have a giant love affair with the Wiggles, (mostly Emma)  you try to sing along  and do the actions. You are loving finding Buddy our Elf each morning.  You and I are usually downstairs first—the early morning crew.  My hand is grabbed and I am dragged around the downstairs on a hunt for Buddy.  My Christmas décor dreams have been brought down a notch or two thanks to you and your destructive nature.  We have lost one ornament due to your excited play, and now the tree is only decorated only above your reach.  You love Books and having stories read to you.  Pages are turned faster than we can possibly keep up and then you declare “all done” and go grab a new one.  Stuffed animals and “guys” are your favourite play items right now. Nana showed you how to smell one of her Christmas candles and you then spent all of last weekend with your whole face in there sniffing.

 

Daddy says you’re our little meatball…and it’s so true. You will finish your dinner, and then head on over to one of us and demand more bites of whatever we are eating. You are just so flipping cute.  We know those round little cheeks won’t be here for ever so we are enjoying kissing them and pinching them while we can.  You have no idea what all the excitement in the air is right now….Christmas is coming and your sister is vibrating on a higher frequency.  You are picking up on it and flying high yourself.  I cannot wait until the 25^th. This year will be chaotic and messy and loud and insane…and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

 

Love you sweet pea.  You complete our family in the cutest, loudest, silliest, stickiest way possible.

 

Love, Mama

 

December Daily: Dec 3

Ugly sweater party for the win!  We had some (ok maybe a little too much) holiday cheer on Saturday night with some great friends. Lots of laugh, great food and a few quality bevies.  We had a hard time finding sweaters and G ended up grabbing two from Giant Tiger….in the women’s section.  I am unsure how, but the boys commented on the neck line and he was razzed for the rest of the night for wearing a blouse.  I am thankful for an awesome group of friends who all love to laugh with each other. It was just so nice to dress silly and hang out.  We attempted to take the Canada DD home but due to our location we had to wait 1.5hrs for our ride home. So thankful for my Mum babysitting, and the comfy couch I napped on while waiting.

December Daily: Dec 2

 

We ventured out post nap for the annual visit with the Big Guy. Sloan gave him a high five (which was beyond cute) and Zoë did  as well after minimal prompting.  She wasn’t as scared this year, but  definitely wanted us in the photo again.  She smiled and told Santa what she wanted “An LOL Doll, a Hatchimal and a monkey thing”  and she told him that Sloan wanted a rocking horse. (First time we heard about the rocking horse!) I love our Santa picture collection, this has quickly become one of my favourite Christmas decor items. I love watching how our family changes one year to the next!

December Daily: Dec 1

December started with a festive bang.  Chocolate Advent Calendars from Papa; and a Tsum Tsum and Crayola one were brought by Buddy!  This was easier last year as I was home on mat leave and we had the time to do the craft each morning…this year we will attempt one each night.  The Tsum Tsum one presented a challenge as it was the first of December and only one toy…we may have opened a few from next weekend when Zoë will be away so that each kiddo had one to play with. Sloan was VERY excited about the morning chocolate and was saying “mo!!! MO!!!” while signing “more”  We have to finish decorating and also get the tree up, but this feels like the first step in feeling Christmassy

Thanksgiving 2017

Thanksgiving weekend was a real mix of weather and emotions.  Sat we had some rain, but got the kids to the park so they could burn off some steam. It was so nice to get out and still walk downtown. Centennial park is open now and I love being right down by the water. Sloan made a bee line several times for the shore but luckily I am faster at running in rain boots than she is! Slide races and “Higher Daddy Higher” swinging, and then home for some dinner.

Sunday we went to the cabin and hung out with the Walsh side.  We went on an adventure walk looking for fairies in the forest, and then took the dock out for a spin.  It was warm enough that the girl’s had their toes in the water! A completely gorgeous day…weather wise that is. Zo was miserable…note our family photo for some very good evidence.  She was so off all day and I was not at my ultimate Mumming capacity.  We left and I felt so frustrated that we brought “that kid” to family dinner.

Tuesday we got a call from the school that she was covered in hives. Seems that she was having a reaction to her chicken pox vaccine, and one of the side effects is a change in disposition.  SO we are writing off a grumpy Thanksgiving to that and aiming higher for Christmas! Onward and upward for moody members of the Walsh crew

Dear Sloan at 17 months

Dear Sloan,

You are 17 months old.  We were at the doctor’s office last week and you weigh 25lbs and are practically perfect in every way.  The doctor didn’t say that last bit, but we all know it’s true. We call you Chicken, goose, turkey…unsure why so many of your current nicknames are poultry related? 

We are currently in a stage where your ability to express yourself hasn’t caught up to your brain development. You often want things and yell incoherently and point…do you want a magnet? A sippy cup? Something from the knife block? It’s hard to tell at this point. You emphatically nod and say “YEAH” when we get it right. And nooooooooooooooo if we missed the mark. 

You are talking so much and occasionally sleeping better.  You seem like such a big girl sometimes I almost can’t breathe as I see minimal signs of the baby you so recently were.  I love your hugs, you wrap your arms around me so tight and nuzzle into my neck. HUG-A…KISS-A…everything has an ‘a’ at the end of it.  Your love of Brooklyn continues to grow. When you are done with your yogurt you will yell BROOK-A  and she will come and happily finish your leftovers.

You and I wake up Zoë each morning. “Deedee” you yell as we climb up the stairs. I lift you into her bed and you crawl up, flop down on top of her and give big squeezes. What a lovely thing to wake up to…smothery love from your baby sister.

We are all so lucky to have you in our family. Smothery love, drooly kisses and belly laughs. You. Are. The. Best

Love you girlie,

Mama

Halloween 2017

Halloween was chilly, wet and a total blast. We trick or treated in the Bell’s new neighbourhood and got some great treats. The evening was busy and frantic to get going so I’m officially leaving work early next year to get ready with less craziness. I want to remember Zoë saying “I’m Supergirl!!! If anyone gets hurt I’ll get them a bandaid!” Sloan stayed in the stroller for all of 5 mins and then had to get into the fun. She dragged us up to the houses and took handfuls of candy and put into her bag. Her favourite treat was a thing of Pringles…lugged those around and kept snacking, dropped a few picked them up and kept munching. We ended the night around 7 but she was raging to keep trick or treating…my little party girl

Dear Sloan at 16 months

Dear Sloan,

You remain our crazy girl. 16 months has been an explosion of your talking and comprehension. You have finally got all your teeth, and have ceased sharpening them on me (for now) You now can say: Up, That, Mama, Dada, Nana, Papa. Brebre (Brooklyn) Book, Yuck, Hugga, Bug, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO and cheese. The other night you started calling Zo “DeeDee” and its really just so cute.

You keep us on our toes consistently, you know what you want and you run (and scream) full steam ahead to try to get it. After what feels like an eternity of you not sleeping through the night you are getting back to it. (THANKYOU) but you are still rising before the sun. Nothing good happens at 4am. Truly. I will remind you of this again at 17.

I have delighted in watching your relationship develop with your sister. You mimic everything that Z does, you want her toys, her crafts, her clothes. She is usually so patient with you and I love to watch you two play. She is DYING for the day when you guys can sit together and play Barbie. You will sit for a few minutes but then get annoyed as you dont understand her “rules” for play. Then something goes in your mouth, or you lose interest and we just hear “No SLOANIEEEE like thisssss” I just pray every day that you two will maintain this bond I have envisioned growing the past 16 months.

Your current hobbies include, washing your hands, brushing your teeth, playing with magnets on the fridge, making animal sounds and watching the Wiggles. You love being outside and we are trying to teach you how to blow bubbles…you eat the soap more often than not, but are adamant about figuring it out on your own. It would appear that we get another fiercely independent little girl in our household. You are so beautiful and have the absolute best giggle. The other night when I got home from work you came flying out the front door yelling “Hugga Mama HUGGA” and crash landed into my legs. Nothing is better to come home to than my beautiful family. Sometimes your love is a little smothering and suffocating…if I counted the amount of times you said/yelled/cried MAMA this past weekend I would lose track after 15 minutes.

You are loved Goosey girl… you make us deliriously happy and tired but mostly just make us complete.

Love, Mama