Sh*t My Boyfriend Says

I thought I would write a post about some of the things Chris says. Keep in mind, I love this man dearly so this post, and any follow up posts, are done purely out of love.

Chris has the ability to send me into giggling fits from his quick come backs and smart remarks, but sometimes I am left with a smirk on my face, rolling my eyes, and thinking to myself “he’s all mine” (and truth be told, I wouldn’t have it any other way).

My response to one of his comments:

Me: You are such smart a**

Chris: Would you rather me be a dumb a**?

Me: Smart a**!!!!

Before going camping:

Me: Ugh!  Aunt Flow just showed up

Chris: Oh great, now you’re going to attract bears

(This was one of those eye roll incidents)

After my birthday:

Trying to find something to watch while flipping through the guide

Me: I can’t see the channels

Chris: That’s because you’re a year older now

3:30am, Chris just got back into bed

Chris: Joshua was just talking

Me: Oh, I didn’t hear him

Chris: That’s because you’re older now

Camping in Algonquin Park

This past weekend, Chris, the boys, and I went on a mini family vacation with his parents and sister. We went up to Algonquin to go camping. I love vacations, even if they are only for a weekend, but what I don’t like is packing. Back in the day when I just had to pack for myself, it was easy, but add in two small kids and one large kid and packing becomes a nightmare well organized mission. When I got home Thursday evening, my mission began, Mission: Let’s Pack Up This Gang and Bake a Dessert. Mission completed in 2.5 hours…bring on the gold star!

Friday morning was Chris’ turn to shine…I normally do the packing of suitcases and things we need to bring while he normally takes care of fitting everything into the van. He must be pretty good at puzzles because I do not pack lightly yet he can get everything to fit. Our road trip down to Algonquin was smooth. We stopped for Starbucks (pumpkin spiced lattes are such a treat!) and we were on our way again. Then, it happened, motion sickness hit me like a rock. I felt so sick and I was panicked…I thought for sure I was going to throw up. I took some medication and sat as still as I could. Nothing was helping. I just needed to wait, and wait, and wait. It finally subsided and I was a happy camper again.

We made a pit stop at a Trading Post where I bought a pair of Moccasins. I’m only making note of this because I was so excited! I had a pair when I was younger that I bought while my family and I were on vacation up north. Unfortunately, that pair met it’s match when my dog thought they were a chew toy. I always said I would buy a new pair if I ever saw them again, and Friday was the day.

By the time we got to our campsite in Algonquin Park and the trailer set up, it was time for dinner. We made these pizza sandwich things over our fire…they were delicious and a lot of fun to make. Although by this point, Chris was hungry and growing a bit hangry. We put the boys to bed and both boys slept well the first night in the trailer, which I was worried about…not so much Joshua, but Grayson because he isn’t the heaviest of sleepers but they both did great and I think everyone enjoyed waking up to Grayson’s babbling.

On Saturday, we spent the day walking trails and canoeing. We walked the Track and Tower Trail and the Lookout Trail. Both were beautiful. Chris, his sister, and I did the Track and Tower Trail while his parents watched the boys for us. We brought along a bear bell so Chris and his sister could shut me up about being attacked by a bear to be on the save side. Afterwards, the 3 of us went out on a canoe with Joshua who seemed a tad bit terrified to be out on a boat again (and I don’t blame him after his incident on the paddle boat when he fell into the lake). It was my first time canoeing as well so every little tilt of the canoe had me in a fit. I was paddling at the front with Chris steering in the back and I can only imagine the self-control he had to muster up to keep from getting frustrated (I can’t imagine I would want to be canoeing with someone like me either who had no idea that shifting her bum because it was numb would completely tilt the whole canoe). Next, it was time for the Lookout Trail. This is a trail we all did, including the boys. I was looking forward to it. I knew the views from the top would be beautiful, but I had no idea how steep the trail was. Chris was pushing Grayson up in the stroller and Joshua was being adventurous and was walking up with us. Well, after the first steep hill, Joshua had had enough, he wanted in the stroller…smart kid because if I had the option, I would have done the same! It was well worth all the effort of getting that stroller to the top because the views were breathtaking. God’s beautiful creation as far as the eye could see. A lot of the trees had not turned to their fall colours yet, but there were still some trees in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. On our way back down the trail, this was the conversation Joshua and I had:

Me: Joshua, what are we doing?

Joshua: Going on a bear hunt!

Me: Are we going to catch a big one?

Joshua: YAH!

Me: And what are we going to name him?

Joshua: Big One!

Camping with little ones is a lot of fun. Joshua was busy riding his bike, canoeing, feeding chipmunks, roasting marsh mellows, and exploring the trails. Joshua was also pretty excited that we got to sleep in a trailer. Grayson spent quite a bit of time outside on his bike, crawling in the dirt, and exploring the trails, but Grayson also enjoyed just relaxing. I enjoyed spending time with our family…it is vacations like this that I love because we are able to spend quality time with one another. 

Birthday!

I am another year older, but I feel the same. My 26^th birthday was yesterday and I had a great day…it was less dramatic than my “cry in a parking lot because my key fob won’t work” day.

My day started off with a birthday kiss from Chris and a super cute Joshua.  When I went into his room, he was sitting on his bed. This is how our conversation went:

Me: Joshua, do you know who’s birthday it is today?

Joshua: Yes…

Me: It’s mama’s birthday!

Joshua: Happy birthday mama! (he opened up his arms and gave me a big birthday hug…he can just be the cutest kid when he isn’t busy tearing apart the house)

And then there was Grayson who was just happy to see anyone who would let him out of his crib.

I had balloons and beautiful flowers at work (my desk is still decorated…I’m going with a birthday week over here). My mom called to wish me a Happy Birthday. The entire time I’m thinking to myself “geez mom, you’ve dropped the ball on this one…where are my birthday cupcakes you always bring me?!” She was being sneaky and my dad brought them to my office later that day…hopefully she knows that she has started a tradition and I do expect them every year!

Once I got home with the boys, Chris snuck upstairs with Joshua while I got Grayson situated in his highchair and the birthday cupcakes ready to be devoured eaten. Then, I see Joshua coming down the stairs with a card in one hand and a Pandora bag in the other. He looked so cute and he was so proud when he handed me my card and said “birthday card mama!” We sat around the table all enjoying cupcakes and ice cream pizza (a tradition Chris started on my 25^th birthday).

Once the boys were in bed, I was able to have a glass of wine and girl talk with my girlfriend. We sat outside and sipped our wine while combating the mosquitos and got all caught up on life.

Finally, Chris and I had a pizza date. I love pizza dates…they are probably one of my favourite kind of dates. Pizza dates consist of ordering pizza once the boys have gone to bed (parents of the year award over here) and eating it in bed while watching TV. It’s my favourite because it’s comfy, cozy, and it’s just the two of us.

I had a wonderful birthday and was spoiled by my 3 favourite men! Love them!!

The Lady Crying in the Parking Lot is NOT Crazy

The amount of panic that comes to me at the mere thought of anything happening to my children is overwhelming.

Let me start from the beginning…

For the past month now I’ve thought that the battery in my key fob for my van was going to quite at any time. And yesterday was the day. I have a pretty tight schedule at the end of the day. I only have half an hour to get through the city to pick them up from daycare before it closes. So yesterday, after work, when I went to unlock my van, I shouldn’t have been too surprised that it did nothing. There were no flashing lights to let me know it had unlocked, no automatic doors opening, no nothing. There was silence, maybe some mumbling of "why won't you just work?!", and sudden worry creeping up inside of me. So I called my mom because she has car seats in her car and would be able to pick up the boys while I walked over to the store kicking myself for not getting a battery earlier. Well, when she wasn’t home and I couldn’t get a hold of her, panic started to set it. I called Chris and I’m surprised he even understood a single word that I was saying. I’m not even 100% sure I was speaking English, but I know I was crying, panicked, and standing in the middle of a parking lot.

Well, wouldn’t you know it, you can still use your key even if your key fob isn’t working and it won’t set off any alarms and your vehicle won’t spontaneously combust, and you can calmly get into your vehicle, get yourself together, and be on your to get your babies.

I felt so much relief once I had my babies with me. I was so worried about them and not being able to get to them.

When I got home, Chris was waiting for me with a hug and smirk on his face…yes dear, I am fully aware that sometimes I am a basket case. 

Fun With the Family

Date nights in our house without the boys are few and far between. So Friday night, when we had the chance to sneak out for a few hours and go to a hockey game, we jumped on it! It was nice to go out and spend the time just the two of us. I may take a little longer than Chris to get ready (it seems I am always running around last minute doing 101 things that just need to get done that second by the end of the weekend) but at least I am prepared and didn’t go to a hockey arena, where there is a sheet of ice that needs to remain frozen, in only a t-shirt. When we got home after the game, we were not surprised to see Joshua still up with Gramma. Apparently Grammas just think they can get away with anything…well, next time, we are shipping him over to Gramma’s house the next day when he is cranky as cranky can be.

Saturday mornings, Joshua has bowling. He tends to go in stages as to how he is going to behave while we are there. He starts off wanting to bowl and listening so well, then he wants to do his own thing and he needs to be bribed with candy (yes, I always said I would never bribe my child…clearly that was said out of a lack of experience and I am now well aware that I was fooling no one back then).

That evening, we took Grayson to the fair where he got to go on his first fair rides! I took him on a bumble bee ride that went in a circle and up and down. He got a bit impatient waiting for the ride to begin, but he seemed to enjoy the ride. Next, he want on the carousel with Chris…the ride took a bit to start so by the end, it was Daddy and Grayson standing there, going around in a circle…they both looked so thrilled. It was well past Grayson’s bedtime by the time we got to the Agricultural Area at the fair. There was a fawn coloured cow that was just lying there chewing on hay. Grayson seemed to love the cow. He got so excited, started smiling, kicking, and pointing at this cow. Yes buddy, I see the cow, it’s massive. I love how excited he gets for things…nothing makes me happier than to see my babies happy.

Then, there was yesterday, also known as Football Sunday. With the boys in bed, the house was quiet…almost too quiet. That’s because it wasn’t just Football Sunday, Chris had to pick his team for his fantasy hockey league.  So I spent the evening lounging in bed with a good book and the TV.

How Complicated Can Little Humans Be?

Is it just me, or do toddlers really act like drunk adults? Only listening when they want to, complaining about the most trivial thing, falling down and throwing fits when you don't do what they want, and the list could go on and on. These little humans seem so complex...like seriously kid, you like bowling, you like the children you bowl with, so why must you insist on throwing yourself backwards and whining just because you don't want to bowl at that second and then two minutes late throw a fit because it's not your turn to bowl.

These small humans baffle me. Just when you think you have them figured out, you realize that you really know nothing.

Storm Clouds

I am not a morning person at all, I’m far from it. I need the time to myself to gather my thoughts and get my days started. And since it’s socially unacceptable to have a glass of wine in the mornings, I also need my morning cup of coffee.

Chris knows I am not a morning person. He learned this long ago. He will point above my head in the mornings and make thunder noises to imitate a storm cloud (hahaha, he is just so funny). My mood this morning went something along the lines of this: “No, I do not want you to cuddle me if your arm is going to be under my pillow and getting in the way of my overall comfy-ness” and “no, I do not want to share my body pillow, this is not up for discussion” and “do you even know what time it is? Get out of bed!”  So with that being said, he was walking a pretty thin line when he woke up this morning and proceeded to tell me how much of a pest he was last night. He recorded me snoring, which in my opinion, sounded like a soothing melody. He then told me that I had kept him up late last night. Hmmm, I don’t think I should be blamed for this. I would like to formally place the blame on his 9:00pm hockey game…he came home wired (I’m actually quite surprised the soothing sound of my soft snoring didn’t lull him to sleep…I thought I was doing him a favour).  

And even when I am walking around with a storm cloud above my head and a scowl on my face, he always knows how to bring out that sunshine. Even though he was running late for work this morning, he still took the time to get Grayson’s milk and breakfast ready and get Joshua ready for his breakfast. He still had time to set me out some leftovers for lunch. And he always has time to tell us how much he loves us before he leaves for work. I have no complaints, I’m a very lucky girl!

Even Supermom Needs Backup Sometimes

Mornings are always a surprise in our house and today was no exception. I’m always the first one up. I get ready and then crawl back into bed for a few minutes before everyone gets up. It’s funny how as soon as the boys are up, Chris is always in the bathroom getting ready…how convenient. His personal alarm clock may be waking him up a bit earlier which is no easy feat. Drastic measures need to be taken to get his bed head into gear like ripping taking away the blankets, accidentally on purpose turning the fan to high speed in his direction, or talking his ear off about some crazy dream I had. If all else fails, I call for backup and bring in the troops. Joshua has no problem demanding that Chris turn on a specific TV show and then changing his mind 5 seconds later and requesting a new one. Oh, and let’s not forget that Joshua will ask for the volume to be turned up (oh, is there a problem, are you not able to sleep through the squeaky voices of Joshua’s cartoons). And then there is Grayson, probably the best backup you can ask for. Who wants to lie in bed while your toddler is busy trying to rip out playing with your hair and using you as a jungle gym?

Getting Chris out of bed is not the only time I need backup. I didn’t think changing a diaper would require me to put on my Supermom cape, but with Grayson, sometimes that cape isn’t even enough. It is next to impossible trying to snap the snaps on a cloth diaper while your toddler is wiggling around, rolling over, and doing everything possible to make something so easy, so very difficult. A one minute diaper change turns into a 10 minute Olympic Sport: you anticipate the challenge, you feel the pressure of giving in and giving up the win by letting him go commando but you struggle through the competition as you work up a sweat,  and at last, victory goes to Supermom!

And then there is breakfast. Chris has normally left for work by this point in our morning routine, but this morning, oh this pull my hair out of my head, I want to cry joyous morning, he was still home. The boys love when they get Gramma’s homemade mini banana muffins…rarely do any crumbs make it to the floor for Suka to clean up. But this morning, Joshua decided he could not make up his mind. First he wanted muffins, then he didn’t so he threw them, and then he decided that he did want them after all. Next, he wanted chocolate milk and then he decided he didn’t. Then he did, but he wanted a straw. And then he didn’t and he threw with all of his red head temper might gracefully poured his milk all over the kitchen floor. Bring in the clean up crew!

I’m sure tomorrow morning will be an adventure as well, but hopefully not as eventful as this one.

Lost in the Hustle and Bustle

It seems my little blog made it to the back burner over the past couple of months. Not because of a lack of things to write about, but because we have been so busy. Between our move and me returning to work, we had to find a new balance. I am happy to say that I should have more time to continue writing about my family's antics.

I'm going to back date a bit and write about our move. The week before moving was a whirlwind. Between last minute packing, living out of boxes, the dog being out of sorts, and a toddler who wanted to unpack boxes, Chris and I had our hands full. The only small relief from the stress of moving that we had was knowing we had a week between the closing on our new house and the closing on my house, meaning we didn't have to panic if we didn't get everything moved in one day.

Lucky for us, we had so much help! From Gramma and Auntie Chelsey watching the boys, to Chris' dad and uncle helping us load up the trucks and trailer, to everyone pitching in with cleaning the new house and unpacking, moving day was a success and to my surprise, not very stressful (I have Chris to thank for that...he's pretty amazing if I do say so myself).

The first night in our new house was surreal. I couldn't believe that this home was ours. I couldn't wait to have it all to ourselves and settle down for our late night. Of course, as soon as everyone left, I had to test out my new bath...the one with the jets and two windows above it (I had run out earlier that day to buy vanilla scented bubbles for this very moment...this new bath was high on my priority list). And then after, I was able to crawl into bed next to the love of my life and marvel over our new adventure in life.