Chatter Bug

I was up late last night. James and Emily got up, trying to finish the Relief Society Bulletin, directories and trying to relax a bit before bed. It was almsot 2 am when I got to lay down in my bed. Around 2:30am Matthew woke up hungry. No problem because I thought he would go back to sleep after I fed him. WRONG! After I fed him and layed him back in his bed to sleep. Crazy me, I thought he would sleep. Last night was the first time that I know of that he was a chatter bug. He chatted away for an hour. Which kept me up and woke up Ben. I was too tired to do anything, so frustrated Ben finally took him after I nursed Matthew some more. Matthew went to sleep which helped us go to sleep. 

It was very cute to listen to my happy baby boy just chatter away. Next time hopefully it wont be in the middle of the night. If it is hopefully it wont keep anyone up.

We love you Matthew!

February 25, 2009

I know this was a while ago, but I just found it saved on my computer when I was looking for something else.

I was in the kitchen getting a glass of water when James came in and asked me who moved him into his bed. I asked him who he thought moved him into his bed. He said “Grandma” I told him no and asked him agian who he thougth put him into bed. He said that the old guy. I barked out “the old guy, huh?” He said yeah he is big and has a knife and wears jeans. It was at this moment that I clued in that he was talking about me and that I was the “old guy” We both had a good laugh at his very clever Kathy way of answering my question. He it just too darn smart for his Old Man!!

Got Dice?

Happy Birthday to you! You live in a zoo, you look like a monkey and you smell like one too! Happy Birthday Ben. 

My awesome husband turned 33 years old today. All day he kept telling me "it's not my birthday. I don't turn 33 until 7:30pm" my reply "keep telling yourself that". I love my old fart. I try to let him know, especially around birthdays. 

Today has been a crazy day. I feel like I've got very little done. It took me longer to make Ben's birthday cake than it use to. I did have to stop what I was doing to feed Matthew, tend to Emily and James. Who knows what else. I did have to go to the store to get some lemons. I made Ben choose what type of cake he wanted before I made any cake. He chose Lemon Cake with Lemon Filling and Lemon Butter Frosting. This was my first attempt using fondant. I bought the package at least 3 years ago. I believe that was the reason I had some difficulty with it. Next time I wont wait that long. I did wait until I had a bigger kitchen.

Ben was being a brat, so I was threatening to throw powder sugar at him.

Trying to make red and blue marble fondant.

The finish result... Got Dice? Ben likes to play Dungeons and Dragons which uses a good amount of dice. Now that I mention it, curious me should probably count how many dice he does have. So I thought I could add to his dice collection, at least for a little bit. 

*I just had to mention to that Corinne (SIL) left the best birthday message on our voicemail. It cracked us up. Thanks, I really enjoyed it.

More Later

With sick kids and lack of sleep and energy things haven't been done. Like blogging, a good amount of cleaning, and I bet more. I do need to get on the ball and get some scrapbooking & cards done before next Thursday. I need some examples to take with me to my next Relief Society meeting. I'm teaching a scrapbooking/card making lesson in Enrichment in May or June. 

I'm being called. So when I have more time I'll post more. Lucky you, you get to wait!

No hugs for Boys

This past week Ben and I were talking. I asked him to put on the write board "No huggies for boys". Because the huggies diapers don't work for Matthew. The diapers just leak.

Poor James, he thought it meant "NO HUGS FOR BOYS!"

We quickly explained to James what I meant about the diapers. Once he understood we gave him a lot of hugs.

A month old in 6 month old's clothing

Ok, I knew that kids grow fast, but how fast can a newborn grow? That is what I'm wondering. Matthew was wearing some cute pj's, but the top wouldn't stay down. So I decided to try a 6 month old sleeper on him. I was surprised how not big it was on him. 

When I was over at a friend's I found out that my one month old weighs more than her 4 month old by 2 lbs. 

Right now it seems like Matthew is growing too fast. 

EI

Friday the 13 is usually considered an unlucky day. For me it's just another day.  I was busy feeding Matthew so I missed a call, when I checked my voicemail there was message from the government.  I bet some people get nervous when the government calls. I heard the message and rushed the phone to play it for Ben. He then called the number back. 

They had talk with Ben's old boss. Ben was told that we were getting the benifit of doubt. So Ben's employment insurance should be finalized next week sometime. 

After that is all done then we'll be able to get the ball moving for Ben to start school in the fall. Then he'll get the help to get the grants needed. 

It's all been frustrating, but hopefully things will get better real soon.

Little Red Tricycle

Yesterday Ben and I were reorganizing the basement. So we could bring in the kids' bicycles from just outside our back door. I went through the clothes on Thursday, the toys on Friday and the books were going to be today. Trying to make more room and putting certain things out of the kids reach. 

This morning I glanced out of the window and noticed one of the bikes on the sidewalk in front our back door. I knew my kids haven't been outside playing, so I looked out to see their other bikes. I was disappointed that James' little red tricycle was missing. Their adoptive Uncle John gave it to James. It use to be his daughter's. It still looks like new. 

We did go out and look for his tricycle. No luck in finding it. I do know that we have two other bicycles, but this one was their favorite. It also in the best condition. The blue bike needs the tubes replaced in both wheels, the purple/pink is decent, but a little too tall for Emily. So James usually uses her's and she uses the little red tricycle.

We're praying that we'll be able to find it. We can't afford to buy another one. Ben's still unemployed.

Friday the 13!

Tomorrow will be a big day because...

• I'll be wearing jeans in a smaller size.
• It will be a year since Emily had tubes put in her ears.
• She has had no ear infections in a year. The only antibotic that would work for Emily before was the most expensive and worst tasting. Mini M&M became my friend. Take a sip of medicine then a mini m&m and repeat.
• My adoptive little sister Emily is getting married. I keep telling myself "Emily is old enough to get married". It still doesn't seem real that she's old enough. 

Matthew has his one month check up tomorrow. So we'll see how much my little giant weighs. If you have any guesses leave them in my comments?

New Old Clothes

Everytime I get hand-me-down clothes for my kids or fit in my old skinny clothes I feel like it's Christmas again. I want to shout for joy. 

Earlier tonight I made Ben move boxes so I could go through them to find clothes. I found a pair of jeans that look like the were made for my buttless James. He and Emily are always pulling up there pants or taking on & off their belts. We thought it was great. James finally has a pair of jeans that have no holes. 

To make things even better... I found some of my old skinnier jeans. I tried them on expecting them not to fit because they're a size smaller than the ones I've been currently wearing. The good part is they fit me. I hurried down stairs and showed Ben. He says they looked great on me. I danced around for a little bit because how excited I was. 

I still have my lovely budda belly. I can't do any thing about that for at least a couple more weeks. Then it will be gym here I come. I want to lose the weight faster this time around than the last. I think I'm on the right road. It took a too long to fit in the pair of jeans that I was wearing yesterday. Today I was just in stretchy workout pants (no I wasn't working out, they're just comfy.) and tomorrow I'll be wearing a size smaller jeans. So Friday the 13 will be a good day. 

Boys don't wear white.

For a few days Matthew was constipated. I changed my diet so he could poop. Nothing happened. Then on Sunday he had a massive dirty diaper. It was only after that diaper that I realized why he was able to poop. He was wearing a off-white outfit. Ben and I remembered with James he seemed to have the poop up his back and out of the dirty diapers; mostly when he was wearing light colored clothing. Yesterday Matthew had a white onesie on, and proceeded to have more dirty diapers. Today is the same. 

I know that my boys don't really care what color they're wearing. When it's time to poop then it's time. It just seems like Matthew (now & James then) waited til they were wearing light colors. 

Emily didn't really do that. If she made a mess it was usually when Ben would change her diaper on his lap. She had perfect timing. Just after he removed the diaper and before the clean one was on. She also had a nack of doing on his clean pants. It took Ben more than once to learn that lesson.

Kat's Food

I've been asked for some recipes by a few people. So instead of trying to email and remembering who I emailed what recipe I've decided to start Kat's Food. I don't have the wonderful fancy recipes like my adoptive sister Lanna, but they work for us. I try to keep it interesting and very low cost. 

I'm always interested in trying new recipes. Feel free to share your favorites.

*Lanna I love your Bistrow Bistro Blog!

Blog going private

So no offense to anyone, but Ben and I have decided to go private. I have been wondering about this since my SIL went private. The decision was made after we got a comment from someone we don't know.

To the stranger thank you for liking our blog, but with info on our blog about our family we've decided to only share that with those we've actually met in person. 

Have a great day!

Love 4 Hate 1

Stole this from Regan, she said she tagged anyone who wanted to play, so me.
List 4 things you love, and one thing you hate, for each category. Then tag 5 people.

Smell:
1. Matthew
2.  Rain
3.  Fresh Cookies
4.  Fresh Bread
5. Hate: skunk

Touch:
1. Aveeno lotion
2. Fluffy pillows
3. Matthew's newborn skin
4.  soft brushed hair
5. Hate:  slimy

Sound:
1. my kids laughing
2. Rain storm
3.  George Straight
4.  Ben
5. Hate:  Sword fights

Taste:
1. Fresh hot cookies
2. Basil
3. Spicy 
4. Chocolate
5. Hate:  eel

Sight:
1. my family
2. Mountains
3. autumn leaves
4. money in my bank account 
5. Hate: throw up

I tag: anyone who is bored!

Fussy Matthew

Every time Matthew is fussy and the kids are still awake. I hear a lot of advice on what Matthew wants and some cute things.

Mostly it's "I think he's hungry" or "Matthew needs his diaper change". Don't you just love all the advice kids give you for the baby? Remember they know better than you do. :)

I love it when James or Emily will run into the room and lay down next to fussy Matthew and say "It's ok Matthew, James is here" or "It's ok Matthew, Emily is here" then turn to me and say it is him/her that he wanted.

I love seeing how much they cherish their big little brother. Sometimes the love is overwhelming for me. I love to see them give him hugs and kisses, just not when I'm trying to feed him. Lucky for me Matthew is still at the stage when he's hungry nothing distracts him. The key word is "STILL". I know it wont last forever. 

That boy can eat!

Have you ever thought... is my baby getting enough milk? Especially if they're breast fed. I fed Matthew then gave him to Ben and then made dinner. After James and Emily were in bed, Matthew was still hungry. So I defrosted some milk (4 oz.) and had Ben feed it to Matthew, but he still wasn't satisfied. So then I fed him some more. I'm not sure how much he has eaten, but he should be full. Right? 

He's now laying on the floor happy as a clam! Doesn't he look satisfied? This was before he was finished eating.

I'm starting to think I'm going to have to eat all the time to be able to provide enough milk for my little giant. I've not had problems with milk supply before, but I didn't have a hungry hungry hobbit like him before. 

*He didn't spit any up!

To eat the cookie or not to eat the cookie.

After getting some cookies from my RS President, I searched the internet and found this yummy recipe.  

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies!

1 1/4 cups butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup flaked coconut
1 cup white chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
• In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Mix in the egg and vanilla. Combine flour and baking soda; blend into creamed mixture. Stir in the rolled oats, coconut, and white chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
  
  

Do I really need to comment on this picture?

I had to get another view of my sleeping princess with temptation right in front of her. She overcame the cookie temptation. 

What our kids really think of us!

The kids have recently rediscovered the "Mr. Potato Head" toys. They have a blast recreating what Daddy and Mommy look like. James is always recreating his handsome Daddy, and Emily recreates me. We're so lucky that we have kids who can see right through us and know that we're just potato people hiding in human bodies. :)

These are today's creations. 

Can you tell the difference between the imposter and the real me? :)

Loving Matthew!

Who wouldn't want to hold this little giant? Matthew, we all love you!

 

I'm loving my fat clothes!

I know it might be odd, but right now I'm loving my fat clothes. I'm finally down to a size that I can wear my non-maternity fat clothes! If I didn't have a migraine or a sleeping baby I would shout for joy. It's a wonderful feeling to be able to wear normal clothes. As of right now I'm loving my fat clothes. Just give me some more time and I'll be wanting to wear my skinny clothes again. I bet when I can actually start working out my mind set will change.

How well do you know your Neighbors?

My question of the evening is... How well do you know your neighbors? I know that I don't know my neighbors very much. We moved in our town house on November 1, 2008. In December my kids went to some kids' house and I didn't know where they were. So my neighbors to the right helped me find them. 

During January and February I pretty much stayed home on bedrest. So that left not much time getting to know others. 

The day I was released from the hospital, those neighbors were moving out. We didn't think much of it. We thought they were most likely moving out early so they could have enough time to do a deep clean on their rental. The last time that we saw them was about a week ago. We thought nothing more about them.

Until tonight when a RCMP came to our back door. He asked me some questions about the neighbors who moved out. The RCMP had a call from Calgary about them, so they were investigating them. He wrote down my contact information and left. 

It got me to realize that I really don't know anything about the people that I live by. I know there are some members in my complex. I know of some kids that I'm not that willing to let my kids play with. I'm not trying to hide my kids away from others. Some of the kids when told "no" they're rude, and the more they are told no the worse it gets. The other kids see absolute no problem with my kids going any where without telling me. Yes the kids are older than mine. I keep a close eye on my kids when they're playing outside. 

So how well do you know your neighbors?

To those who are not blood but are just as good.

I've been very blessed in my life to have some really special people in my life. Each have made a special impact on my life and the lives of my family. There are many that have been adopted into my family not just my life. I've been thinking about those special people lately and I realize how much I miss having them in my life.

To all of those adoptive family members... I love and miss each and everyone of you! Thank you very much for everything!