if a picture is worth a thousand words...

...then these 2 pictures are screaming something...

to hair is human

I'm not sure how Josh's hair growth ranks on the too much - too little scale. I'm guessing he's about average since I've seen babies his age that still have peach fuzz and others that would have hair down to their shoulders if their parent's hadn't cut it at 3 months old!


Well, Josh's hair is still "filling in" - the faux-hawk is no longer apparent, but the hair from that original growth is quite long now. So, I decided it was time for his first haircut.

Thankfully(!!), this experience was NOTHING like the experience we had cutting Nikita's nails that one time, but it's quite unnerving to hold sharp scissors to your child's head as he constantly moves it back and forth, up and down, around and around. On top of that, I also have to keep the scissors out of his line of sight - because you know that the minute he sees them, he's going to want to get his little mitts all over the shiny, cool, metal thing that Mom is holding, and they probably taste good too! Yikes!


But the end result turned out not too bad. It was pretty successful for a first haircut. There was no fancy texturizing and layering, but he no longer has long stringy pieces hanging down the middle of his forehead and wisps of hair covering his ears. And, of course, I saved a lock of his hair and put it in a dated envelope entitled "Hair from 1st Haircut". I wonder what that will look like 30 years from now?!

hit and run

The culprit, in this case, is no bigger than a pen! Or I guess the REAL culprit is 2.5 feet tall and throws anything that he can get his hands on!

Josh and I were enjoying a Sunday morning together in the kitchen. I would push his Hot Wheels car across the floor, making "vrrooom" sounds and he, in a game popularized by dogs called "fetch", would run after the car, pick it up and give it back to me. He thought it was hilarious; he would pick up the car, howling with delight, and run back to me so I could do it again.

Well, the last time around, he was running back to me and was so over-excited that when he got to me, instead of handing me the car, he threw it at me. Got me right in the lip. Boy, did that smart. Of course my first reaction was anger and to yell. But I took a few deep breaths, walked away and remembered that he didn't do it on purpose. I looked in the mirror and already had a fat, bloody lip.

So, the lesson I learned is to stay away from Josh's pitching arm when he is holding a deadly weapon. Other than that, can someone tell me how you can get a 1-year-old to stop throwing everything that he gets in his hands?!

Happy Birthday, Joshie

Exactly a year ago to the minute, I was in much pain. Brian was driving us to St. Paul's and I was constantly yelling at him to slow down and stop going over bumps. I remember it well. It was the day of the big wind storm in Vancouver that took down trees in Stanley Park that were over 200 years old. We had no clue what was going on outside. We only knew about the storm because the water in the hospital toilet was brown and we were told not to drink the tap water.

Josh was born at 6:36pm a year ago today. I'm sure that I will be going through snip-its of "at this time a year ago, I was..." throughout the day. They say that you forget. I haven't forgotten. I still remember the pain. I still remember the confusion and frustration of breastfeeding and jaundice in the days that followed. I still remember the extreme exhaustion in the weeks that followed. I remember the loneliness and sadness of baby blues and I remember the helplessness when I didn't know what to do. It was the most difficult time of my life. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

If you had asked me a year ago whether I thought I could love someone this much, I wouldn't have known what you were talking about. Children are magical. I see Brian light up everytime he sees Josh and it's the best feeling. We are so blessed to have Josh.

And I can't believe that he has changed so much in just one year! Compare photos from when he was born with these photos from the past month. Not only is Josh practically running around, but his squats put even the best yoga instructors to shame - he's very bendy! (That was for you, Bri!)... He is learning to brush his teeth (or knaw on his toothbrush anyway!)...
Nikita is enjoying Josh's company more and more (or at least she's making it look that way!)...
And he's learning to use facial expressions and make noises to get what he wants (not that it would take much with us!)...
It's been an unforgettable experience being first-time parents. I can't wait to see what the next year brings. Happy 1st Birthday, Joshie. We love you more than you'll ever know!

family values and the value of family

My maternity leave officially came to an end on October 31st. I contemplated whether I should blog about this because it has been such an emotional time for me.

My first year of motherhood has been the highlight of my life. The adjustment was very difficult for me and I never thought I would get through it, but at some point it all changed. I loved having the year to spend entirely on my family.

I'm fortunate that my workplace was generous enough to let me come back part time. I appreciate it because I feel valued as an employee - they are being flexible to meet my needs. I know that some moms do not have a choice and my heart aches for them. As hard as it was to go from working full-time to staying at home full-time, I think it would be much more difficult to go from staying at home full-time to working full-time.

Yesterday was my first day back at work. I agonized over going back and it turned out to be okay. Dropping Josh off at daycare would have been the worst part. That would set the tone for the day. As it turned out, we walked into daycare, I put him down and he immediately ran over to a group of boys playing with Duplo. When I kissed him good-bye, he barely acknowledged me. I felt like he would be okay. Phew!

Work was a whirlwind! It's super busy, as always, and it was nice to catch up with my co-workers. In some ways, it felt like I never left, but in others, I couldn't believe the changes. It's a great place to work and I'm really lucky that I enjoy my job.

Despite all that, I still feel a sense of loss at not being at home full-time with Josh anymore. Many moms call it guilt and I can totally identify with that! I feel like I'm relinquishing some of the control I have in how my son grows up. There is someone else, a complete stranger, helping to mold the person that my son becomes. Though we ultimately chose what daycare we put our kids in, sometimes we don't have a choice (that's why it is a daycare "crisis") and do we REALLY know the people that we leave our kids with? Unless they are a family member or a friend who is already a parent, how do we really know whether they will teach our kids the way we want them to?

So, why don't I stay home full-time? Well, this is "choice" that Brian and I have made for our family. It is a choice that I agonize over and it brings up a need vs. want issue that Brian and I have spent the last year debating. It has made me question family values - not only our family values but the way we value families in our society. But I don't think that this is a proper forum for me to discuss this issue :-)

little chicken little

No, the sky is not falling, even though we had our own chicken little running around. Josh celebrated his first Hallowe'en in comfort and style! Man, I remember the plastic costumes we used to wear OVER our snowsuits and then the awful plastic masks which would get all wet on the inside from your breath. How did we ever survive?!

Well, even on the coldest day, I don't think Josh would need any additional layers in this costume. It's from Old Navy and it is definitely nicer than any costume that I ever remember wearing! We had a couple of Hallowe'en parties this year, in addition to tonight, so Josh got alot of use from his costume. I'm contemplating making the top part his winter jacket! Hahaha...

Josh's impression of a chicken ninja at the DWW Wrap-up/Hallowe'en Party...

Chicken Little and the rest of the kooky farm at Susanne and Chris' house...

The chicken carries around the cow...

neti veti

I watched an episode of Oprah where an audience member demonstrated the use of a neti pot to help clear nasal passages. It looked kind of odd, but anyone who knows me knows how much I suffer from allergies. So, in my most recent episode of allergy hell, I decided to try out the neti pot.

It felt very weird. I had to do some fine tuning on the tilt of my head so that the saltwater came out my other nostril and not the back of my mouth (as with post-nasal drip). But once I got it, there was water free flowing into one nostril and out the other - REALLY weird! Also, when I finished and tilted my head back upright, my ears started popping. So, I guess something was indeed being flushed out!

My nasal passages feel pretty cleared up right now. But, I've only done it once and the instructions say you have to use it daily as a preventative measure. So, I reserve judgement at this point. I'm not sure if I can commit to doing it daily, but I'll try to do it for at least a few days in a row so I can have a bit of allergy relief this time around...

walking on sunshine

Josh took his first steps on the Labour Day long weekend. He first connected his steps in a way that qualified as "walking" on September 13th - 2 days before he was 10 months old. It's so amazing to watch him get around. First, he was so fascinated by walking that he didn't care where he went. He just went. Now, he walks to get somewhere - and quickly! The lag time between me getting to something before Josh does is becoming less and less.

It has been alot of fun (and work!) the past month while he gets his balance right and learns new skills like turning around and walking over things. I'm sure if Josh could talk, he'd tell you that it's a bit painful too! Lots of bumps and bruises for him in this whole walking process. He still hasn't fully mastered the concepts of looking where you are going and looking up before standing up! But he just loves the walking part. Once he started, he never looked back - crawling is a thing of the past.

Anyway, here is a cute video of Josh and Nikita. Since Josh has started walking, they are finally learning to play together. I think Josh gets a kick out of it, but Nikita seems to just tolerate it because it's something to do! Make sure you watch it until the very end - it's a perfect example of Josh not looking where he's going...

it's leather, baby

Brian and I were married on 10-10-2004. It's been 3 years and time has FLOWN by. I can't believe that it's already been 3 years! If you had asked me 3 1/2 years ago whether I thought that in 3 1/2 years, I would have a house, a dog, a toddler, a mini-van and sold my motorcycle, I would have told you that you were nuts. But I truly believe that when the time is right and you find the right person, everything falls into place. Brian has been a part of my life for just over 5 years and I've grown more in the past 5 years than in the previous 30 before it. I love my life and I love him in it.

Now, you probably couldn't tell from our exchange of wedding gifts that we have only been married a short 3 years. It is our leather anniversary and I couldn't think of anything leather to get him (I did the wallet for Father's Day and he already has too many belts!), so I added money to a fund that he started to eventually buy himself a digital SLR. I don't think that Brian realized the anniversary was leather, but I'm not complaining because I got an iPod Classic.

So, it was not the most romantic gift exchange, but I was organizing songs, photos and videos for my iPod when I came across this video from the day after our wedding. It reminded me of all the wonderful moments of the day and it brought tears to my eyes. It was the perfect anniversary gift. Thanks so much, baby - I love you. Happy Anniversary.


video courtesy of BCTV News Hour

iliad or odyssey?

A year and a half ago, I posted this entry about selling my motorcycle. Today, I'm posting an entry about our new mini-van, a Honda Odyssey. I can't believe how much life has changed in the last couple of years. In fact, I think I'm still in shock.

I said to Brian last night that I think I finally feel like an "adult". I'm not sure what it means to be an adult (is it quite simply when you reach 18 years old?! or is it when you buy your first mini-van?! Hahaha.). But this is the first time in my life where every single decision I make, I have to consider if it's best for my family first. Gone are the days where I did things solely because I wanted to do them! It may sound selfish of me, but that is the honest truth - and to make that change at 35-years-old is...monumental.

In any case, our Odyssey rocks. I'm sure Josh will look back at this posting when he's a teenager and die of embarrassment that his mom said a mini-van rocks! But seriously, it is far more luxurious than my 1997 Honda Civic and it actually still feels like I'm driving a Civic (i.e. driving a car) - except when I'm parking, of course.

We researched all the mini-vans before we bought and we test drove our shortlist. Honda definitely outshines the pack. There is something to be said about the thought that Honda engineers put into each feature. They all seem to make sense and they also push the top level of their mini-van almost into the luxury vehicle market! Yes, you do pay quite a steep price for a Honda, but after the research (and driving our mini-van for a day!), we think that it's worth it!

So, welcome to our family for the next 10 or so years, Odyssey. You will hopefully be the only mini-van that we own. I wonder what car I will want to buy in 10 years...

bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do...

The first half of this article in the Province describes a police chase that ended in front of our house at almost 2am this morning. It was a bit of a surreal experience!

Brian and I were awoken by an unrelated noise inside our house just before 2am. As we were drifting back to sleep, I muttered to Brian that I heard a helicopter and both of us had this weird feeling that something was going on. Moments later, we were fully awoken again by the sound of screeching tires, many police sirens, dogs barking and men yelling down our street.

Brian peeked out the window and he could see police cars on either end of our block, blue and red lights flashing. There were people running around with flashlights and we could hear people yelling and dogs barking. To top it all off, there was a helicopter overhead with a searchlight glaring down at the houses across the street from us.

It was a shocking sight to take in at the best of times, never mind that it was 2am and we were still groggy from sleep. My first reaction was to go upstairs and check on Josh. Brian, Nikita and I all went upstairs and Josh was sound asleep in his crib. I didn't feel comfortable leaving his alone after that.

We went back downstairs and things were calming down after about 10 minutes or so. We couldn't hear the helicopter anymore and some of the police cruisers left. The ironic thing is that Nikita didn't make a noise during the whole incident - not even with the dogs barking outside. However, when a police car pulled up in front of our house and a policeman got out to go across the street, Nikita started that low, throaty growl. It made me feel safe to know that Nikita would warn us if someone came remotely close to our house.

As we settled back into to bed and tried to fall back asleep, I couldn't help but wonder, "Where the heck are we living?!". It felt so ghetto - that helicopter with the searchlight was liking something out of a movie! At that point, Brian started humming the theme from the TV show COPS. Bad boys, bad boys, watcha gonna do...

90210 revival

Shortly after I went on maternity leave this past November, I discovered Beverly Hills 90210 had been syndicated by a cable channel called TVTropolis. I remember watching the show in its early run (while Brenda was still there!) when we were in school - it was part of our university life to drink while we watched 90210 before heading out to the bar. This show, Melrose Place and Friends were our staples in the early 90's.

In the weeks after Josh was born, all I seemed to do was feed him, change his diapers and sleep. Along with that, I found that I was watching 90210 when it came on in the afternoon.

I remembered many of the episodes as I watched them again and I couldn't believe that I used to watch this show so religiously! So much drama - and did we really want to dress like that some 15 years ago?!

Well, I'm 9 months into maternity leave and I can't believe that I'm still watching it. Ugh. And the worst part is that I am actually recording it on the PVR so I can watch them when I have time during Josh's naps! Someone please explain to me what psychosis is causing me to continue to watch?! I feel like I've fallen off some wagon or something - I want to stop watching it, but I can't...

dada caca

Josh's first word was "dada". It was followed shortly by "caca". Do you think he's trying to tell us something?!

Check out our July photos here.

who needs yoga?!

Brian and I learned how limber babies are when we saw Josh sucking on his toes. It's crazy how easily he gets his feet behind his head! This photo takes the cake, though. Recently, Josh has been very mobile in his crib before he falls asleep - he sits up and plays with the controls for his mobile; he crawls over to the railing and stands up. I'm not too sure how he actually falls asleep because I'm not in the room when he does, but I wonder what happens in the minutes before he actually falls asleep to get him into this sleeping position...

just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...

Elijah, Owen and Josh are all in the same swim class. It's funny to see how all 3 babies are completely different! It's fun to watch all three of them react to the water. Josh is definitely having the hardest time with the class. I'm not sure if it's just too late for him (our classes are in the evenings) or if his lack of chubbiness makes the water really cold for him, but when we get in the water with him, he clings to us for dear life. And he's pretty cranky each time we start a new exercise.

Which brings me to a question: Can babies be afraid of the water? I mean, can babies really be afraid of anything at this point, except maybe falling down? I am dumbfounded by the fact that Josh is freaked out by the caterpillar on the Baby Einstein DVD's. It's so cute and non-threatening! Originally, he would wail when we started the DVD's and we couldn't figure out why. We finally realized it was the caterpillar and now I have to have him on my lap when the DVD starts. Once the caterpillar passes he can sit on his own, mesmerized by the rest of the DVD. It makes me wonder what he has experienced in his short, 8-month life that makes him cry at a colourful, animated caterpillar...

garage sale hell...

At the end of April, my dragon boat racing club held a garage and bake sale. We were raising money to send underpriviledged kids to summer camp. You're probably thinking that a garage sale is not the best forum to raise money for charity as many garage sale patrons are looking for a bit of "charity" from the sellers as well. I must admit that I get somewhat annoyed when we tell people that the garage sale is for charity and they continue to try to bargain down that $2 item for $1! Honestly, I believe the hard core garage salers don't even care about the item - they just do it to see if they can bargain you down!

Well, we had a particularly BAD case of "garage sale bargain disorder" when a man came by our garage sale. He was interested in a food processor. It just happened to be my food processor that I was selling because we got the Cadillac of food processors (the Cuisinart) for our wedding. The one I was selling I bought for around $75 and used it maybe once or twice. I was selling it for a screaming deal of $20, but was willing to let it go for $15.

My teammate was dealing with the man and he refused to pay more than $7 for it! She explained to him that it was for charity and he still would not budge. He went so far as to hand her the money and make like he was leaving with it tucked under his arm! My teammate would not go for it. She must have spent about 45 minutes with him as he examined it meticulously and tried to talk her down. Finally, painstakingly, she let it go for $10. It must have been the most frustrating 45 minutes of her life that she will never get back!

Unfortunately, the story does not end there. The following week, both my husband and I received calls on our cell phones from this man! In the voice mail messages, he explained that he bought the food processor and it didn't work. He wanted to come back and get us to show him how it worked! In any other circumstance, I would have graciously called the person back and told them to come by. But, in this particular case, I was flabbergasted that this man had the nerve to ask for some sort of service for a food processor that he bargained down to half the price at a charitable garage sale! I can't even describe how I feel about this situation! Furthermore, how did he get my cell phone number and my husband's cell phone number?! Kinda creepy. I chose not to reply to the messages.

I spent the month of May out of town. When I came back in early June, I was floored when I got a call from the same man. Almost a month and a half later and he was still calling about the food processor. I wonder what he has been doing with it for the past month and a half?!

Anyway, this is a testament to learning not to answer the phone when you don't know the number. The man went on about how he just wanted me to show him how it worked and I feigned ignorance and claimed it was a "group" garage sale and I had no idea what he bought and who it belonged to. I dialed up annoying and told him that if he wanted customer service he should have bought the food processor in a store and not a garage sale. I also explained that I wasn't even really working at the garage sale and that it was just held at my house. He said that he knows that the food processor belonged to me and that he remembered me. This is about the time that I told him to stop bothering us and said that I would call the police if he didn't stop.

After I hung up the phone. I called Brian and told him what happened. That's when it dawned on me. The ONLY reason I didn't want to show him how it worked was because he is a cheap bastard. So, what does that make me?! I couldn't, in good conscience, deprive him of use of the food processor just because he's an idiot. AARGH! I called him back and told him I had a change of heart. But I made sure that I gave him an earful letting him know that I remembered him and thought it was particularly cheap of him to bargain down an item that was being sold for charity. He actually had the audacity to say, "I ended up paying $10 for it, not $7!". Some people just don't get it and I don't think they ever will.

So, he came by that day and I showed him how it worked. End of story - except for an aside: it turns out that I was quickly rewarded for my forbearance. When the man pulled out the food processor pieces from the box I realized that had actually left a couple of blades from my expensive Cuisinart in the same box as the cheap food processor. I innocently showed the guy that it didn't seem that the blades belonged to his food processor and he left them with me. Hehehe...

taking a break?!

Josh and I got back from Toronto last week and we had a blast. We were away for a month and, for the first time ever, I felt like it was good to be back home in Vancouver. Not even when I went to Europe for almost 3 months in 2002 was I this happy to come home!

People have asked me: Did you have a good vacation? Vacation takes on a new meaning once you have a baby. Was it relaxing? Uhhh...no. Did you have a good time? I had an excellent time. So, basically, it was awesome to visit family and friends and for many people to meet Josh for the first time. But, it was alot of work and I missed Brian and Nikita terribly!

Also, I thought that being in Toronto that long, I'd have plenty of time to visit with all my friends. Well, I didn't get to see everyone that I had hoped and man, did it ever feel like the whole trip left me running around!

I do recommend taking the time when you are on maternity leave to go away for awhile and get a change of scenery. It's always nice when the "whole" family can go, but that's obviously not always possible. I think I would have been able to be away for longer if Brian and Nikita were with us!

Grammy and Kong with all the grandkids
Originally uploaded by evelet

Speaking of family, it was wonderful to be able to visit with my parents and siblings and their families (Jon and Caroline, we missed you!). It's so nice to watch all the cousins play and I think my Mom and Dad were ecstatic to have all their grandkids around. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for letting us crash at your place for a few weeks! We miss you guys!

enjoying the insane florida weather

We finally made it to Toronto after a crazy 30-hour car ride from Marco Island, FL. Check out the rest of our Florida photos here.

I remember when I was growing up, we used to visit Florida much more (because it was the closest hotspot to Toronto). Before this visit, the last time I was in Florida was 2000. I've since gotten used to the temperate Pacific Northwest climate and the heat and humidity hit me like a brick wall as we walked out of the Fort Myers airport.

In the brief 10 days that we were in Marco Island (on the Gulf coast), we experienced blazing heat, humidity, thunderstorms, smog from brush fires and lots of wind and choppy waters from the first hurricane of the season (Andrea) off the coast of North Carolina. It was cool!

Storm rolling in
Originally uploaded by evelet.

Here is a photo from the balcony of our condo of a thunderstorm rolling in at sunset. Many of the sunsets from the condo balcony are magical. We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful place to stay in Marco Island. I can't wait to go back...

mmmm...salty...

It's sunny and a balmy 30 deg. C here in Marco Island and now that we're used to it, we're relaxing and enjoying! Josh (and Brian!) got their first "taste" of the Gulf of Mexico yesterday. I think Josh's reaction speaks for itself! We've been sleeping lots, shopping and definitely basking in the Florida sun. I've been getting my fill of Florida grapefruits - they are the best!

Unfortunately, the condo only has a dial up connection and it took a LONG time to upload this one photo. I will post the rest of the photos on Flickr once we get to Toronto.

zoolander too

Recently, we've noticed when Josh is sitting in his Bumbo that he can turn to the right but he can't seem to turn to the left! I thought that this was really weird but then Brian reminded me that someone else is afflicted with the same problem - Derek Zoolander! If you recall in the movie Zoolander, Derek Zoolander has the inability to turn left.

Here is a photo of Josh turning right.

Now here is photo of Josh trying to turn left.

a hairstyle for the ages...

Last of the Mohicans
Originally uploaded by evelet.

Many people have been commenting on Joshie's faux-hawk lately. As cute as it is, we did NOT plan it. His hair has just fallen out that way.

It's ironic that most people think it's SO cute. At 4-months old, I guess it is cute. At 14-years old, it would be considered cool! But at 40-years old, it would be considered a bad way to be balding! Hehehe...

Check out the rest of our March photos.

finally done!

This blog is updated! All the posts from the original blog are moved over and it only took 2 weeks - aargh! I hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon! Also, I'm sorry to everyone that subscribed to the blog before - those subscriptions will no longer work. You have to re-subscribe to this new blog (the link is at the bottom of the page). Sorry for the trouble!

one down, one to go...

Felicia was eliminated in ANTM this week. I was surprised - I didn't think she should have been eliminated yet. I think Tyra just got sick of being compared to her and sharing the spotlight. Hehehe...I guess I just have Brittany left now!

vandopoly or joshopoly?

OK, I admit that most of my posts will be about Josh from now on (sorry!) but he is just the cutest thing ever! Just to show that this is not the Joshopoly, I will post a non-Josh-related entry...

Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model started a couple of weeks ago and here I am glued to it again! In the first episode, I liked Sarah right away. But since then, she's been showing that she's not all that and I don't quite like her much anymore! My favourites right now are Felicia and Brittany - I didn't like Brittany at first, but she takes great photos. As I'm sure most of you will concur, Renee and Jaslene drive me crazy! But I guess that's part of the nastiness that keeps me watching...

On a similar note, Season 11 of The Amazing Race also started a couple of weeks ago. I SWEAR that these are the only reality tv shows that I watch religiously! The Amazing Race is always fun. I was completely shocked that Rob and Amber were eliminated last week! All the better - now I don't know who I think will win anymore!

stay tuned

I've moved my blog from my host's default blogger to blogger.com. I have to add each post (with comments) individually. Please bear with me as I move all my posts over. Anyone have any ideas on how this can be done more efficiently?

van dop or liem?

Mom and Dad look goofy
Originally uploaded by evelet.

All I seem to do these days is take photos of Josh.  He is SO cute right now - he smiles alot and he has found his voice.  It's the most adorable thing!  So, now that he's a bit older, I ask the question - does he look more like a Van Dop or a Liem?!

baby yoga

This is my Cobra pose
Originally uploaded by evelet.

Check out some of the photos we've taken over the past month in my Flickr account.  Here's a shot of Josh doing some baby yoga...

it takes one to know one

Now that I am a mom, I have a new appreciation for moms. Now, I'm not saying that I never appreciated my mom, but I think that I understand my mom more now. I think I also have a better understanding of what it means to be a mom now too - not really because I'm a mom to Josh, but because I've seen the way my mom and Brian's mom have helped me as a new mom.

My mom and dad stopped their lives in Toronto for 2 months to come to Vancouver and help us. I'm not saying that my mom was the only one helping - my dad helped out tons too. But my mom and I had some really good talks about parenthood and raising a family that I could never really understand before. We are completely indebted to my parents for making the sacrifice to come out here for us. However, I know that my parents will never ask for anything in return. It's just something parents do. I understand what that means now. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

I see Brian's mom almost everyday too. She comes to our house everyday because she has to pick up Brian's dad. When I was working, she would sometimes come into the house and read, but most times, I think she sat in the car and waited for Brian and his dad to come back from work. Since I've been home, she comes in and visits for a bit everyday. At least once a week, she brings dinner and we all have dinner at our place. On those nights, she also helps out with Josh. We never had to ask. It's just something mom's do. As an aside, Brian's mom also goes to her daughter's house almost every night to help get the twins (now 6-months old) bathed and down to bed.

I feel so indebted to both my moms for everything they've done for us. And they never ask for anything in return because it's just something mom's do. Well, I just want you to know how much I appreciate all the love and support you've given me. Thank-you.

My mom with Josh on the day he was born.

Brian's mom feeding Josh at 2 months old.

how can you tell?

How can you tell that our lives have changed? The fact that I haven't posted on the blog in the past month and a half is a good indication! I can't say that I'm busy - it's more that I'm ALWAYS tired. I have no energy and the most hours of consecutive sleep that I've had in 2 months is 5 hours - and that was only for one night! I'm not going to go on about how life-changing motherhood has been for me - those of you who are parents or have seen me in the past 2 months know what I mean.

I can't believe that it's 2007! It's seems like just yesterday that we found out that I was pregnant and I was thinking - I can't believe I'll have a baby in 8 months! Also, it seems like ages ago when we were basking in the warmth of the south of France. Either way, 2007 promises to be a very different year for me. I'm still not sure how it will go, but my New Year's resolution is to have a more positive outlook on things. I am generally a pessimist - Brian will confirm that based on my reaction to things the past 2 months (!!). So, I'm going to try to change my attitude and look at things more positively.

In fact, today was a perfect day to practice this. My parents left to go back to Toronto today. They have been here since early November, before Josh was born. I'm not sure how I would have survived the past 2 months without Mom and Dad here. They were so awesome. Mom helped with Josh, cooked and calmed my frazzled nerves. Dad helped with Nikita, fixed our computer and helped Brian with home maintenance stuff. Having both of them here was also a constant reminder to me that there was life going on outside of our home. We are going to miss having them here.

My first reaction to my parents leaving is anxiety and fear. I have already shed many tears at this prospect. Now, I'm just going to look at the brighter side of things. First, Josh is older and every day gets easier - my parents have already brought us through the hardest part. Second, now Brian and I have to figure out our routine and what works for us. This will also make things easier.

Wow, I can't believe how much I want to say here. But, I hear Josh starting to wake up, so it's time go. Here is a photo of him from Christmas. He is SO adorable. I can't believe how different he is in just 2 months!