Wordless Wednesday - My Wee Three

Tell Me Tuesday :What's in a name?

     After a discussion with friends about nick names and names, it got me thinking (yes I know terrifying) about the kids names and nicknames. Why we chose what we did and what we call them now.  I know if I don't record this, I will eventually forget.

Gabriella Audrey - Gabriella was one of the only names we could agree on.  We loved the sound of Ella but decided she should have a full name in case she needed something professional sounding when she was an adult.  We shortened to Ella right away as we never wanted her to be called Gabby as it always sounds so negative to us (no offense to those that call their kids gabby, it just wasn't right for us).  Audrey is after my grandmother.  She always hated her name but I always loved it.  It reminded me of a cartoon I once saw Little Audrey.  We also have a tradition in our family that all the grand kids have to have "A" middle names.  We now have a Alexandria, Ainsley, Anne, Amelia, Ashton, Anthony, Alyssa, Alexander x 2, Anastasia, Audrey and Allegra. The Audrey just fit in and what a nice way to honour my grandma. Now we call her Ella, Smella, Smelly, Bella.

Ella - beautiful Fairy
Gabriella - Strength from God
Audrey - Noble Strength

Camden Alexander Michael - We couldn't decide on any girls names and this was a problem because I was told he was a girl and I kept it a secret from Mike. We flipped and flopped on all sorts of names and the only name we could agree on was Camden Alexander but it was for a boy.  Camden I have always liked and heard it as a last name on the TV show 7th Heaven.  Alexander is well an "A" name and a family name from Mike's side. After Camden was born I decided Michael should be added after his Daddy.  As a side not never suggest a ridiculous name as a joke, your significant other will fall in love with it.  I am really thankful we didn't end up with Quintana Roo. Camden has had several nicknames but none that seem to stick besides trouble and lately Handsome Devil.

Camden - Winding Valley
Alexander - Helper and defender of mankind
Michael - Who is like God

Harmony Allegra Hazel: We knew 100% that Harmony was a girl, after several ultrasounds and a 3D one to confirm.  We couldn't agree on a name and went into the delivery room with two. Genevieve and Harmony.  After she was born we still couldn't decide. We waited until they cleaned her up so we could get a good look at her and decide. Every time we mentioned Harmony she was quiet and every time we said Genevieve she cried.  She chose her own name. Allegra was just a nice "A" name and Hazel was after Mike's Grandmother that he never had a chance to meet. We often refer to her as the Baby or Baby Peanut.

Harmony - A Beautiful Blending
Allegra - Joyful, merry
Hazel - commander

There you have it. The whys and hows behind our beautiful children's names.  How did you choose your baby's name? Why?

Sweet Moments

     We are having a great day. One of those days that makes all the hard ones disappear. A day where I don't use the Angry mommy voice but a calm rational one.  When dancing in the kitchen is a must, first fast and crazy then slow and snuggly with a kid on each hip and a grin on each face. Kisses, hugs and I love yous are flowing freely from my usual beast like child and I barely recognize him (well his attitude anyway, he's still the same adorable little man). He even made me promise to never leave him forever. We haven't fought and he hasn't pretended to shoot me with his ray gun or throw me in the garbage. Days like today make all the sleepless nights worth it and believe me there have been a lot of sleepless nights. I love days like today.

In Our Home

IN OUR HOME

We Do Second Chances

We Do Thank Yous

We Do Real

We Do I'm Sorrys

We Do Love

We Do Laughter

We Do Mistakes

We Do Respect

We Do Happiness

We Do Dreams

We Do Faith

We Do Family

     A while ago, I saw this as a sign on pinterest and I loved it! These are the rules of our family and will soon be posted on our wall as a constant reminder of the family we are and strive to be. What does  your family "Do"?  Happy Family Day Everyone!

Thankful Thursday - 3 Cutest Kids Edition

     Today and well every day I am thankful for the 3 cutest kids I've ever seen and I am so happy they are mine. I know you are saying in your head, yeah I guess they are cute but they aren't as cute as mine, and I am saying back in my head, yeah, tell yourself whatever you need to but my kids are still the cutest, we will call yours a close second.  I mean who doesn't love a big ,blue eyed blondie or 3. Even if they are monsters sometimes, I am still thankful they are mine and that they are healthy and happy!

Not so Wordless Wednesday - Lies and Apple Pies

     I lied, I know, I know...I am a horrible example.  I totally was going to have a lazy week with the kids but then the Mom guilt kicked in. 

     It all started with the kids having colds and just being miserable.  Camden was pressing my buttons beyond his normal testing the limits to see how crazy he can make Mommy before she snaps.   I had to pull out the "ANGRY MOM" voice and I really hate that.  I get all loud and grumpy sounding.  He just wasn't listening.  The baby poked Ella in the eye and made her a whiny mess for the evening (Ella not the baby).  We had to do something that kept our hands and minds busy.  We decided on an apple pie.  The kids washed and dried the apples.  We peeled, cored and cut them.  They rolled out the dough.  We filled up the pie with apples, sugar and cinnamon as well as flour and butter.  We put the lattice top on and voila pie.  They were so proud.  They couldn't wait for it to bake.  While it was baking we used the rest of the apples to make apple sauce.  While the pie was cooling we did crafts and made valentines.  By this point I wanted to collapse on the floor and cry or sleep but that would have been a horrible idea, leaving 3 young children to fend for themselves.  They had pie for their bedtime snack and Ella asked for a piece.  I couldn't believe it.  Ella is pretty much a non dessert eater.  She is just like me and isn't a fan of many sweets.  She took a piece and gobbled it up.  Its amazing what kids will eat if they make it.  She thought it was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted.

     The house is falling down around us but the kids had fun and I felt bad for them because they aren't feeling great and its even worse today.  Ella has the sniffles but is still healthy enough to go to school.  Camden sounds like that whiny brat Calliou from TV (you know that whiny bald kid every mom wants to punch), thankfully Camden is about a billion times cuter, which makes the whining a tad more tolerable.  Poor baby Harmony sounds like a seal. Actually I overheard Ella say the dog sounds funny, it was Harmony not the dog.  I can already feel the sickness seeping into my pores, slowly taking over my body with a sniffle here and a unexpected cough there.  Not that I am surprised.  Camden coughed or sneezed directly into my face at least 46 times yesterday.  The baby slept on my chest for a good portion of the night, so really I am a ticking time bomb of sickness just waiting to feel like death.  So before the sickness consumes me I have to clean the entire house so I can Lysol the crap out of it, drink my vitamin C immune boost and pray for the strength to deal with the sickies while Mike works afternoon shift.  If I get sick and the house is a mess, I will feel even worse, so off I go, wish me luck!   

                                                 Here are our pictures from baking yesterday.

Just like a steam roller, right mommy?

Look at her go!

Can't wait for it to bake!

Very proud!

Hanging out in Mommy's arm while the chaos consumes the house.

Delicious! Apple Pie and Ice Cream!

Apple pie and poked in the eye, poor Bella!



Welcome to the Jungle

     It's pure chaos over here lately.  Harmony is on the move, Camden loves a good mess and Mike's on afternoons.  Have you seen the white flag flying from our house (not to be confused with the pirate flags in the back yard although they more accurately describe our household).  I surrender! I am no longer going to fight these battles.  They are never ending, so why bother.

• Cheerios! Anywhere and everywhere.  They are scattered on the floors, exersaucer, high chair, my bed (they migrated) and even the laundry (dirty not clean).

• Play dough! We play with play dough at least 5 times a day, if not more.  Its Camden's favourite. Its been stuck to the floor, walls, clothes and as of yesterday the inside of the baby's mouth.  I now know why my mom would never let me play with it indoors and here I just thought she was being mean.

• Fridge Magnets! Currently a whopping 63 have been plastered on my poor fridge door. We have a myriad of farm animals with a talking barn (thank you leapfrog), pet shop animals, a mixed matched alphabet and countless others. 

• LEGO! You haven't felt pain until you step on a piece, in the middle of the night, while you quietly sneak out of the baby's room using your Mommy Ninja skills, only to wake the baby while you try to silently curse.  There is also, nothing like dropping the triple decker Harry Potter bus down the ceramic tile stairs seconds after you just finished building it, which took an hour (seriously a magic Harry Potter bus shouldn't fly apart in a thousand pieces its magic, GAH). Lego hides cleverly under every piece of furniture just to make the 5 times a day I vacuum even more of a chore.

     I vacuum at least 5 times a day.  I don't even bother putting the vacuum away because there really isn't much point. The floors get washed several times a week and they are still never clean.  I have given up.  I apologize if you drop in for a visit and see the mess but I am done.  Well, I am done until the mess overwhelms me which should be sometime this afternoon.  I can't stand a mess. So as much as I would love to actually surrender to the chaos and to reside in this jungle, I just can't.  I must go suck up cheerios, pick play dough out of Lego and return magnets to the metal magnet bucket. *sigh*

     What have you surrendered to lately?

Wordless Wednesday - 7 Month Babies

Ella - 7 Months

Camden - 7 Months

Harmony - 7 Months

Beating the Dead Sleep Horse

     So I have beat this topic to death but somehow I feel like I need to share this.  Maybe, just maybe someone has an idea, method, magic potion, absolutely anything to get Camden to sleep through the freaking night before this Mommy completely loses her mind.  Somehow the 10 wake ups from Camden and the normal few wake ups to nurse a baby during the night between the hours of 11:30 and 5:00 am doesn't leave a lot of sleeping time for me.  I'm running on fumes and the week has just begun.

     I don't understand it.  Camden sleeps overnight at his Grandparents and will maybe wake up once (he also pooped on the potty there but that's a whole different pity party on potty training the un trainable). What am I doing wrong?  He goes to bed great for me, so that isn't an issue.  Just the all night wake ups that's starting to drive me crazier than I already am. After 2 and a half years I can count the times he has slept through the night for us on one hand. 

     On days like today I feel like giving up.  I clearly don't know what I am doing when it comes to Camden.  I love him, play with him, feed him, discipline him, keep him clothed and bathed and get up with him 50 billion times in the night and yet its still not enough?  Maybe, if he slept through the night I would have the patience and energy to devote to him but he doesn't and I don't. 

     Please, I am begging you today to give me all your advice on sleeping.  Thank you and I hope you enjoy your Monday.

Winter is here!

     We had a good run. It's mid-January and this is the first real snow and it looks like it may just stick around for a little bit anyway.

     Yesterday, it was warm, well warmish really, about as warm as  January could be and rainy.  Today its snowy and white and wonderful.  Probably only wonderful because I haven't had to stare at it for months yet.  The kids are excited and Tanner the wonder dog is excited as well.  Ella didn't even complain about going to school today, in fact she couldn't get out the door fast enough this morning. I think I was the most disappointed it wasn't a snow day. There was nothing more exciting than a snow day when I was a kid. I guess its just a regular winter day here and it just seems worse because we've had it so easy so far. 

See! Just a bit Snowy out front.

The back is a bit worse...but normal  it is winter after all.

     Enjoy your snowy Friday everyone, I am off to curl up with a nice book...OK, I'm not I am off to clean my house like I do everyday while the baby is napping.  Reading sounds way better though.

A Belated 7 Months to Harmony.

     This post is incredibly late but I took a break over the holidays and then the mommy guilt set in. If I didn't post everything about her when she was 7 month old, I will quite possibly be the worst Mommy in the world or at least feel like it anyway.

Harmony at 7 Months

• Weighs 14lbs 6 oz and is 25"
• Sits unassisted
• Pulls up to standing
• Walks holding our hands
• Attempts to crawl backwards
• Says Mama and means it
• Claps and says Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! (this is her newest trick and she is still perfecting it)
• Feeds herself finger foods
• Usually puts herself to sleep
• Has given up needing to be swaddled

Harmony at 7 Months Eats:

• Breast Milk , Formula
• Mommy's home made baby food (Rice, oatmeal, applesauce, bananas, carrots, peas, green beans, beets, chicken, turkey, pork)
• Baby Mum Mums , Puffs

Harmony at 7 Months Wears:

• Size 1 Diapers and well just in the last couple of days she graduated up to Size 2
• 3 Months, 3-6 Months and some 6 Months
• Size 1-2 Shoe

Things I never want to forget:

• Those great big grins, every time you see mommy
• The way you yell back at your sister and brother
• The way  your crinkle your forehead when i kiss it
• How those big baby blue eyes just sparkle and shine

See, I'm a big girl now!

A grin for Mommy!

Wild Hair!

Always Happy!!

That moment in time...

    Have you ever reached that moment in time, that you thought you would never reach in a million years but have been have been dreaming about since, oh I don't know...ummm...for freaking ever?  I think we've reached that moment and it is so surreal.  We are discussing Wedding plans, I truly don't believe it.

     There is so much to do, so much to plan and its making my head spin a bit (or maybe its the lack of sleep because my less than 3 hours last night just didn't cut it or its the 2 espresso lattes I've chugged this morning). The only thing that is settled is my dress, since I may have already bought it.  We may have also settled on a song or two.  The rest is all up in the air and man there is a lot to decide, which may be a problem since I can't even decide what to eat from McDonald's usually and the menu never changes.  Heck, it took us 9 months to name the kids ( before they were born not after...lol) so all this decision making may prove difficult.  Good thing Mike wants to help plan and I am not left on my own because it could become a bit overwhelming.  There is a venue to think about, date, wedding party, reception details, food, flowers, music and I am sure I could keep on going and going.  Our goal is to keep it simple, fun, relaxed and all about us.

     So my friends, please raise your coffee cups (I would say beer/wine but its kind of early for that or maybe its not if you are a Mom) and join me in a toast to wedding plans and the next...*sigh* still 29 days to go before the next round of paperwork.  Enjoy your Tuesday! Cheers!

And Now Back to Reality...

     Today the Holidays are officially over for us.  Ella has gone to her Dad's to spend her remaining time off of school with them.  Mike goes back to work today and on afternoons of course.  The kids and I get to resume normal life.
     We had a fun family centered holiday and we all really wish it wasn't over yet but all good things must come to an end sometime (I really wish that saying didn't exist). Ours ends today.

     Some fun things have happened over the course of our holiday time and in no specific order I will try and catch up about all the exciting and funny things that happened. An upcoming week of blog catch up I suppose which is much better than a week of blog ketchup (yes, I am still very much sleep deprived, hence my stupidity).

     So you can look forward to hearing all about our favourite Christmas gifts, Harmony turning 7 Months and the day Mike went out to buy a few groceries and came back with something that was not edible and 50". 
     I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas and the beginning of a great New Year to come.  See you back here tomorrow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas and A Healthy, Happy New Year!

Slacker!

     I am a total slacker today.  I am sorry about that but I guess better late than never!  While I was slacking from posting, I did however to manage to get quite a bit accomplished though.  Oh, lets see.  I did my eleventy billion loads of laundry (even folded and put away, please hold your applause until the very end ladies and gentlemen) and then I did a few more loads.  Seriously the baby goes through 4-6 outfits a day.  I cleaned Camden's room (organized the toys and closet).  It was no easy task and he kept un-cleaning it as I cleaned.  I cleaned Harmony's room while Camden un-organized all her clothes in her closet.  The kitchen got thoroughly messed up when we made Rice Krispy Squares.  Lets just say a bowl of marshmallows didn't explode all over the microwave. Then I cleaned up the whole kitchen. I even sewed some more Christmas stuff.  In between being productive I wrapped presents, changed diapers, fed kids, put baby down to nap twice (Camden doesn't nap anymore LUCKY ME) and begged Mike to pick up something for supper. 

    So I may have been slacking in the writing department today but Mom's never get a day off and Christmas is coming rather quick and well stuff has got to get down.  It's all up to me.  Tomorrow might be another slacker day for me which means I will be so busy I may not get a chance to even sit down at the computer.

Not so Wordless Wednesday - New Addition

     Sorry this is kind of a late post but I went on a Pre - Christmas Adventure with my sister and I should have learned my lesson.  They never end well.  Well I guess they end well but the middle part is always squidgy and leaves you fearing for your life.  Needless to say I have banned myself from anymore pre-Christmas Adventures with my sister in the future.  I did get home in time to vacuum and wash the floor in preparation for the new addition to the house.  Now I am just waiting to be delivered so I can add a picture to this post.

     Well there it is! Our Piano.  A Family Heirloom passed down from Mike's Family.  Ella is very excited to be able to start Piano Lessons sometime in the very near future. 

Thank God She's Cute!

     My Sunday evening plans were foiled by a 6 month old.  I watch one hour of TV a week..Just one measly hour ( more like 45 minutes since there is no commercials) of one show I enjoy watching.  I really don't think its too much to ask to have one hour to sit and enjoy the feel of sitting back in the recliner and just vegging.  Apparently it is and definitely if you have been looking forward to it all week long. 

   Harmony is a sneaky little bugger. She went to sleep around 8:30 and since Ella was in bed and asleep shortly after 8 so I was ecstatic.  Well Harmony must have heard Camden wasn't going to be home to occupy mommy's time and cause trouble so she decided she couldn't be outdone by Camden, time to raise a little hell. She had a 20 minute cat nap and then proceeded to cry, fuss, giggle and play until 11:30 pm and in the process I only got to watch snippets of my show...and I missed the end...the big shocker to finish off the season. 

     I tried putting her to bed but she just screamed and freaked out.  I would pick her up to try and feed,burp, change, bounce , rock or snuggle her and her eyes would pop open and she was all bright eyed and smiling.  How can you be mad with those big blue eyes and cute grin staring back. 

     So all in all, because I love Harmony more than a shocking season finale of Dexter, I missed it.  I have however promised that as long as she shall live in our house I will make her miss the last 15 minutes of every show that has any significance to her. Nope, see I am not bitter at all.  Times like this my favourite saying is well Thank God she's cute, especially since I just laid her down for her morning nap with out so much as a peep out of her.

(Photo Courtesy Of Amy V)

Poop Surprise

   I have been getting hit hard on the poop front lately and frankly, I am kind of sick of all the crap...literally.   Not mine, I know when I have to go and thankfully I have been potty trained for 24 years.  

  Harmony the once a week pooper (yes, its completely normal for breast fed babies to only poop once a week) has started eating real food and well with real food comes a whole lot of poop.  I am constantly being well, surprised with what we call around here little poop surprises.  You know the kind where it hides in the back so when you open the diaper, you think you are in the clear and you pull that diaper off and suddenly surprise there is poo and now its everywhere and it didn't even stink like poo, how is that possible.  Of course there are like only 2 wipes left in the container and if you had of smelled poo you would have grabbed more. *sigh* Now there is a poo mess to clean and usually you are alone so its up to you.

    Camden is even worse for the "Poop Surprise".  He knows he did it but generally won't tell you  and it doesn't always stink either. I have been changing him standing up if its just pee so I can get him to sit on the potty.  This ends disastrously because well then you get little Poop Surprises all over the floor.  Camden think its extra hilarious and yells "Poop Surprise, I surprised you".  Never a good surprise.

     Camden also surprised me the other day by leaving a trail across the dining room floor.  It looked like the Easter Bunny had hit us up early.  I was trying the bottomless potty training method and lets just say it wasn't a huge hit.  I am not a big fan of almost stepping in poo or cleaning it up off the floor.

     Anyone else get hit with the good old Poop Surprise? Make me feel better and tell me some of your funny Poop Surprise stories...about your kids, not really into adult poop surprise stories...they aren't nearly as cute.

Thankful Thursday - Counting My Blessings

     On this rainy day, in December (Really, a warmish , rainy day, in December?  I don't get it.) I am counting my blessings.

1. I have 3 healthy, happy, beautiful, and smart children.  I really couldn't ask for more.
2. Mike and I are healthy, happy and doing great.
3. A warm house filled with laughter and love (OK and the odd yelling NO, DON'T POOP ON the oh its already too late you pooped on the floor...remember the POTTY!!!!).
4. A messy house. Really I am thankful for a messy house? Yes, I am because I can clean it up and it means...My kids have fun, are fed, clothed and bathed.  I am so busy doing all those things oh and sleeping (yeah right) that sometimes the house work slides a little bit.
5. LEGO - Hours of endless entertainment!
6. Naps because they are few and far between here, so when they happen its a miracle.  Even better if we all nap at the same time.
7. Our families, because we have the best families we could ever ask for.

     I am very happy and thankful for all that we have.  I truly Thank God for everyone and everything we have been blessed with.

Not so Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Picture Outtakes

The kids can't always look super freakin' adorable, after all they are kids so enjoy these outtakes from our family Christmas Pictures

First of all they are suckers not smoking cigarettes...That's just silly they are in our dining room, we would never allow them to smoke in the house.  I'm kidding, Well not really...they really are suckers, but lets go with they aren't allowed to smoke at all. We decided this picture was so cute even though it wasn't a planned picture, it captures their personalities.

Mother of the Year goes to me of course, for allowing their baby to chew on Christmas lights while they were plugged in.  I should have at least unplugged them first because you know wires with sharp pointy pieces of glass are an excellent first choice for cutting those teeth, cutting get it...yeah I'm tired this morning.  I did take them out of her mouth right away, I promise.

Seriously Mom?! Matching PJ's and wrapped in Tinsel? This is embarrassing.

Maybe Mom won't notice I am being a brat if I smile this exceptionally cute smile?

He's Choking Me, Stop Him...please...*whine, whine, whine*

Oh come on suck it up, at least he is still smiling, if you would too these would be cute...FINE, CAMDEN YOU ARE HURTING YOUR SISTER STOP NOW!

     Well, there you have it folks, a few outtakes from our lovely Christmas pictures.  If you have kids you know how hard it is to get them all to look, smile and act appropriately well trying to obtain lasting memories.  You are lucky to walk away with one usable shot, children intact and a voice, if you haven't lost it from all the screaming (One more pic, I swear if you don't sit still smile blah blah blah NO PRESENTS EVER) 

     Have a lovely, safe and happy day today.  Don't forget to smile and enjoy the remaining few days until Christmas.  See you back here tomorrow.