2 months

Happy 2 months Mikster! You're getting bigger everyday and are weighing in at 11 pounds 2 oz. You are sleeping well in your "new room" and are sometimes sleeping through the night. During the day you love to find moments to show off your smile and voice and are eager for this interaction. You enjoy your playmat and swing but have yet to enjoy your Bumbo or the car. Today my friend Ash and her husband Jer drove all the way from Victoria to visit with you. It was a long day for them but we were thrilled to introduce you!

My Kids Scare Me

The power of siblings is terrifying. When Aiden and Caileigh get together, they are fearless. As long as one is laughing and egging the other on, they will attempt anything. They feed off each other and run wild around the house in a wild, frenzied state of chaos. I am thankful that they are best friends but with this comes constant fighting. They pinch, shove and tackle each other over petty offenses ALL DAY LONG. Each child on their own is quiet and obedient. Such a difference than when they are together.
Today I told them they could play upstairs until I finished cleaning the kitchen and then I would come up and get them settled into quiet time. In those 10 min. they managed this.

I know the room was spotless because we had to clean it 4 times yesterday after they trashed it.

Well we are going to get serious. We have to or what will happen when Mikayla joins the ranks. We will be thrown out of our own house. Aiden is upstairs cleaning up the mess and the next time they trash their rooms they will start losing some toys. We'll start there and see where it goes.

At least one can't move yet.

You know your kids wake up too early when......

......they have had breakfast, had a bath, are dressed and having first morning snack and you have cleaned the house, made the bed, done 2 loads of laundry, gotten dressed all while you are still sick and it is not even 8 yet.

argh.......sick

Short story...........was terribly sick and now feeling better. Went to ER, got IV fluids and meds for apparent migraine.

Long story.......too tired to tell it but you get the point.

After years of squinting, I seem to have developed a crease between my eyes on my forehead. I don't dare call this a wrinkle because I am not even 30 yet!! Well, today Aiden was looking at it and replied, "Oh no Mommy, your head is cracking up!!"

I asked Aiden which cup he would like his milk in and he replied, "I'd like a Grande please Mommy."

Giggles?

As soon as Mikayla's eyes open after a sleep, she is trying to get my attention. I have a feeling she is going to be just as loud as her brother and sister which I suppose will be a necessity!!

Is it just me or does it sound like she might be starting to laugh?

I know many kids have security items, but do my children have to carry around 3 foot long blankets?? These blankets go everywhere with us. In the van, stroller, and all around the house. I agree that it is handy to wrap them up warm and snug while we read or cuddle, but as we walk around the house I am always forced to drag three feet behind. This can be especially frustrating when I am in a hurry! Hopefully Mikayla will take to something smaller!


For the first 6 weeks of Mikayla's life, she slept on my chest in our bed. I was starting to feel really stiff in my back and neck so decided to take the plunge and move her into her playpen. I also put the playpen in her new room (our closet) and figured that although I may lose sleep at first, in the long-term it would be a better solution. Well, I have been delightfully surprised that she is sleeping better!! Around 7-8ish I wrap her up in her Miracle Blanket, nurse her and put her to bed. She has then been waking only once or twice until morning (6ish). I really love her swaddle. I borrowed one from Rachel for Caileigh and so I knew how great they were. I was so pleased that my friend Bree got me one for Mikayla. Does Jax use his Rachel?


During the day, Mikayla likes to sleep in my arms, her sling, or in her swing.

Caileigh just loves to pretend she is a baby too!

Has anyone ever second guessed their child's name or it's spelling??
I sometimes wonder if we should have spelled Mikayla, Makayla. I like nicknaming her Miss Mik and prefer Mik to Mak, but I still think that Makayla looks nicer. I suppose she can always change it when she is older if she has a problem with it.

Artistic Aiden

I showed Aiden how to use the camera today and he had a great time taking pictures! Here are some of my favorites, unedited








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Bear meets Bear

With Caileigh Bear's extreme interest in bears, we figured it was time to get her over to Bupee Garling's for a visit with his bear rug. We were out playing "delivery service" with our Valentine's cards so we head over first thing in the morning. Caileigh was very unsure when she first saw the rug. The only way she would walk past was for me to hold her hand. She was quite happy to just sit on the couch and observe the bear.

Aiden was excited to see the bear!

With Bupee's help, Caileigh decided to get a little closer.

Finally, after being there for nearly an hour, and convincing herself with enough self talk that this bear was not alive and would not eat her, she overcame her fears and touched the bear.

A very successful visit!

Goodbye skating, goodbye.

It is with my deepest regret that I must inform you, friends and family, that Aiden's endeavour with skating has come to an end. It seems that the intense pressures of remaining vertical under gravity are weighing heavily on our senstive, unassuming son. It is cruel to expect a tired, hungry athlete to hold up for a whole season, let alone a 30min class. We are hoping that with another year to recuperate, Aiden can come back to the sport feeling rested and strong. We do, however, remain optimistic as Aiden informed me, only moments ago that, and I quote, "I am really good at skiing!"

Baby Faces

Sleepy Face

Sad Face

Happy Face

Serious Face

Sister Baby Face

Mom Baby Face

Responsive Face (Please excuse my horribly sweet sappy voice)

Happy Birthday Bupee!!

We hope that you have a super special day and we look forward to having dinner and cake with you tonight!

Safari

One game that the kids enjoy playing is "Safari". I hide stuffed animals around the house and then we have to try and find them. You must be careful of the vicious lions and mountain goats.......pretty sure Caileigh meant mountain lions! Once we find all the animals, then we enjoy a snack at the Mud Hut and camp out for the night. Great fun on a cold afternoon.





Tuesday morning, after breakfast, Aiden broke out in a face rash. I wondered if he was having a reaction to strawberries because he has experienced minor face irritation in the past. As the day progressed, his whole body broke out in the rash. At this point we started to wonder about fifth's disease. When Aiden woke up Wednesday morning, his face was so swollen that his eyes were little slits. I managed to get him into the Dr's and we are now pretty sure that he had an allergic reaction. He is to be on Benadryl for four days and we go and see the Dr again tomorrow. For now we are off all things strawberry and I will re-introduce it again in awhile. The Dr did mention that 90% of the time, kids can have an allergic reaction to something and never find out the cause. I guess time will tell.

This is a picture of Aiden when the swelling was starting to come down. It isnt very clear but it gives you an idea. Today all swelling is gone, although the rash still remains.

Whirlwind Weekend

Busy weekend!! Sat, my gorgeous friend Myriah and her husband stopped in for a visit. It was so great to see her because I haven't seen her since I was pregnant with Aiden!! I got to officially meet John and even watch video from their wedding in Mexico in December. Caileigh especially loved "Riah". Thank you again for Mikayla's gorgeous lamb shirt and dress. You are too sweet!!! Hopefully we can see each other again soon.


Also visiting this weekend was Auntie Misty! This was Auntie's first trip up to meet Mikayla and she was able to fit in lot's of snuggles. The older two were thrilled to have an eager playmate.







Sunday we went for a drive out to Lund hoping to enjoy the scrumptious baking from Nancy's Bakery, but we found out that they were closed for the month. We walked around the harbour and then while I sat in the van and fed Mikayla, Auntie and the kids continued with their explorations. After that we head into town for a coffee and muffin and then enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home before Auntie head back on the evening ferry. Thank you Aunties for the gorgeous new outfits for the kids and especially their fish oils. Who would have thought strawberry fish could be such a hit!





In other news, Mikayla is 6 weeks today. We are getting lot's of smiles and coos and she continues to be a sweet blessing.




I am back to teaching dance tomorrow and am looking forward to seeing the girls. I have been out running three times and feel good. It is so refreshing to get those moments of solitude. Well, off to prepare for our "Safari". I will write more about this next time.