Wednesday, September 26, 2007

House

*deep breath*

Ok. So the buzz around the twomittens household lately is that we have decided to sell our house. Yes, that's right. The house that took a year to build and we have poured our blood, sweat and tears (and gobs of money) into. The house that we have lived in less than a year. That same one.
I have very mixed feelings about this. There are obviously pros and cons to all of it.

CH and I have been talking about it for a little while, but it's actually listed now and someone is coming to see it tomorrow. The realtor reminded me that's a good thing as I must have sounded less than enthusiastic on the phone. I'm sure once I get my 3 little kids packed up and out of the house (which will be sparkling and inviting) at naptime I will be more enthusiastic. At least it wasn't today as she mistakenly told me this morning.

Con: I loathe moving. Everything about it. I hate packing and cleaning and unpacking and everything being up in the air. With 3 little ones I'm sure it will be great fun! Unlike last year when I was pregnant and just had the twins.
Not that CH doesn't do a huge part of it, but it's just very stressful for everyone.
(stress = grouchy)
I'm also already not fond of the 'showing your house' business. That's a new element (from renting). See above.
(stress = grouchy)

Pro: If you know anything about houses in this city, it's that the market has gone up, up, and up. Bad for buying but good for selling. We will make money on our current house. Nice! This will enable us to put a bigger down payment on another home and pay off some debt as well. All good.

The Big Question. Where will we live? Am I a country mouse or a city mouse?
We are interested in houses in a small community outside the city near Bragg Creek. It's about 20 minutes from where we are now. Not that far, yet it's still a drive into the city. A beautiful drive, but a drive.
I consider myself more of a city mouse. I like the convenience of having things close by. We'd be close enough to still have the diversity of things the city offers for the most part, it's just a little farther away.
I really like our current neighbourhood. I didn't think I would at first. I've always wanted to stay closer to the city center where I was most at home. But I quite like it where we are now. I guess the same could happen for the new location. I may love the peaceful surroundings!

So why then?
We're looking to move to a beautiful community with more space around us. Our house now has plenty of space, but we are one of those houses with other houses nearly touching us on either side. We could have a bigger backyard for the kids and more space to enjoy the outdoors. We'd like to travel as a family and would like to have a tent trailer or an older motor home one of these days. To be able to play outside and not worry if the kids are making too much noise. Maybe a garden? Room for a tree house, bikes, fire pits and picnics.

At the end of the day I guess we do what we think is best for our family.
And lately I've begun to discover the joys of online shopping. Maybe I won't notice that extra 20 miles at all!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Baby Girl 4Months

It's hard to believe how much The Babe has grown in just 4 months. So much change in such a short time. Luckily she seems to be over the colic phase for the most part. That's a nice change for all of us.
Other than that she is so much more alert and aware of her surroundings. She's very sociable and likes to be able to watch what we're all doing. She's also quite chatty and verbal. She likes people and is quick to coo and giggle and smile.
We had a rough week last week where The Babe had a cold/stuffy nose at night. She had a terrible time sleeping but it seems to be on the way out and last night was an improvement.

The Babe is still velvety soft and cuddly. Although she often prefers to be held so she can see what's going on around her (like a sack of potatoes her daddy says). Her big brothers take time to notice her now and then, mostly appreciating her toys!




One thing I enjoy so much and will miss later is the way she puts her little hand on my chest, or tucks it into my colar when she is eating. I love that sweet little hand!
I also love the way she always smiles and is so happy to see me when I get her up in the morning. Pure sunshine!

The Babe is such a joy. Even with all the daily chaos I enjoy her so much.





Friday, September 21, 2007

Building Great Cathedrals

I just happened upon this today...worth a read...

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Sister


I've been seeing a lot of photos lately using backlighting so I thought I'd give it a whirl. These are from my backyard, late in the day with my sister ShiShi (that's what the kids call her).
I love the color of the light. I didn't hardly edit these at all.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Jelly Bean









I am loving the BabyLegs.
Thanks Mrs. M!
They are a bit addicting...must get more BabyLegs....




Friday, September 14, 2007

31 Months

Well, the past week has been all goopy and snotty. The kids have had a rotten cold with full on runny noses and sneezies. Along with a particularly gross poo incident which required me to clean out an air vent. GROSS!!

One of the big challenges we're tackling at the moment is the BOTTLE. Yes, the boys are way big enough not to have one, but it sure comes in handy. I didn't have the stamina to deal with it when I was pregnant, and it didn't seem fair to try to make that change along with the new baby. But the time has come. They can drink out of sippy cups or real cups (if I want to clean up after them) but it's more of a big deal going to bed. They usually only have a little bit of water in them at bedtime, but it's the emotional attachment that's tougher to break.

On the positive side, the boys are becoming good friends. They seek each other out more often like when they get up in the morning or from a nap they ask about the other and are happy to find each other. They still fight, of course, but they also take each others hands at times or give each other hugs. They have also found it effective to take my hand or CH's and to lead us where they want us. They are getting much better at getting their point across, whether with words or other means.







Thursday, September 13, 2007

Learning Curve

Why is it that change is always difficult? Even when it's a good change...that you may have requested yourself...

Ok, I've made a big change. From a pc to a mac. Whuhoo!!! Thanks to my fabulous CH I have a brand new spankin' fresh macbook! Which is exciting and fantastic! And hard!

*sigh*

I've used a mac before, during a graphics course I took, so I knew there'd be some differences. Good ones of course, but also just getting used to a new machine without Windows, and with different names for things, and different places, and just different ways of doing things. I like to think of myself as fairly adaptable (and a little bit smart), but apparently I really did lose some brain cells or neurons or something birthing them babies...
I won't even tell you how long it took me to figure out where the web browser was. And then I had to download Mozilla anyway so I could update here.
CH has been very helpful, but he's never used macs before at all, so it's a lot of learnin' for both of us.

Anyway, I'll keep at it. I feel like I have a foot in both worlds right now (the printer isn't printing yet, the new imac is wireless but the old pc isn't, my old Photoshop won't work on the new machine, my photos are all still on the old machine...etc etc).
I know that it will get better. And I might even learn something in the process.

(that snapping sound is my brain from all the strain)

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

That's Not a Mini!

Yesterday

Today

It's a good day or a bad day, depending on how you look at it. As a woman who drives around with three kids jammed together side-by-side on a regular basis (quit touching the baby, get your fingers out of the window, leave that alone, GET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BABY!)... it's a good day.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Ode or Lament?

Dear 37,
Remember back when I was turning 30? I know it can be traumatic for some people, but from my point of view 30 was like standing on the verge of something great. I felt like the next few years would prove to be the most significant of my life (so far) and I was right. I married my sweetheart, had twins, built a house (not with my own hands or anything), and had a baby girl, all in the past 4.5 years.

Now granted 36 had its share of ups and downs. I spent a large part of the year being pregnant, sick and miserable while were trying to get our house built and then the whole moving business. Which I do not enjoy.
Some of my favorite people moved far away.
The highlight was by far, the arrival of The sweet Babe. OK, the actual birth part was not fun, but immediately after it was all worthwhile.

I have high hopes for 37. I'm thrilled to have my crazy boys and my adorable daughter. I'm happy to not be pregnant ever again. CH and I have some plans and goals for our family.
I hope to be able to tap into my creative brain and find a spark or two.
I'm optimistic.
I'm hopeful.
I feel overwhelmed at times by how my life has changed, but my goal is to enjoy more and be frazzled less.
I am grateful.

And, we're getting a minivan.

Life is good.

Happy Birthday to me.
Virgos Rule.

Friday, September 07, 2007

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

And I don't mean back to school.
(No one is in school here)

If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Sept 27th

Set your pvr's, cosy up on the couch and let the lovin' begin!
If you need a bit of a review...

I'm so excited!
I can't help it.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Oh! Deer!

We (CH and I) were feeling brave yesterday so we gathered up the family in the car and headed out to Banff for the day. We don't often attempt such outings all together because it's the equivalent to taking a circus on the road, and we just end up tired and frazzled. Much like every other day. Which brings us to my point. We might as well get out of the house so we can add some scenery to our insanity.
And to our delight (shock and awe) it was fairly successful. Still exhausted and frazzled at the end of the day, but with a mild feeling of satisfaction that we'd had some fun along the way.

One of our first stops in Banff was a little picnic area where I could feed The Babe and the boys went for a mini-hike by a creek. Which they loved. As we were getting back into the car a deer wondered into the area.
Oddly enough, I've been looking for a deer picture for The Babes room. Something nature-ish and whimsical. And there in front of me was a real life deer. Friendly and photogenic to boot. How can you not have a great day when you meet up with a friendly deer?