Kyle's First Poop (In The Bath Tub)

Tonight we were watching Rhys like a hawk in the bath, because it occurred to us that he hadn't pooped yet today...and that's usually when we get 'floaters'. Warren left the room for a second, and I was bathing Kyle on the counter top.

Amanda: Oh, god, oh, god...ahhhh!

Warren: What? What?

Amanda: One of our sons just pooped in the bath, and it wasn't Rhys!

Warren: (comes rushing back as Amanda is lifting Kyle out of the dirty water) Man! Poop, poop, poop. That's all my life is about any more. (he lifts the little bath and starts dumping the dirty water into the toilet).

Rhys: (still in the big tub) I wanna see! I wanna see!

Warren: No, Rhys. It's already gone down the toilet.

It dawned on me later, that maybe Warren wasn't referring to the poopy water, and was actually referring to his LIFE.

I Heart Instagram

I recently started using Instagram on my iPod. I use it as a camera, and not so much as a social network like it's designed to be used. I can think of a few ways to improve it (like having the filter icons actually displaying your current photo, rather than that generic 'tree' image, for example), but so far I love how easy it is to snap cool, artsy, emotive pictures, and share them instantly.

I'm excited to see what Facebook does with it, now that they've purchased it.

What I don't love is that I'm going to end up with a pile load of pics that are low quality, grainy and not really 'printable' because of their square shape. (maybe the Facebook folks can work on that, too).

Bit By The Sunshine Bug

With 25+ degree weather this past weekend, we rushed out to get some patio furniture. Now, it's raining with a chance of flurries in the forcast...Doh!

3 Months

Train Show!

Couldn't decide which pic I liked better.

Rhys was treated to a trip to the Super Trains Show with Grampa and Uncle James today.

Today.

Rhys painted a drum...

Rhys held his brother...

Kyle posed for a thank-you card...

Kyle looked adorable after his bath...

Tricksy (aka: Parenting WIN)

Warren and I have been struggling with Rhys at meal times lately. I think it's a terrible two's thing. Food jags, constant snacking and lack of attention span to sit at a table at meal time have caused many toddler-parent battles. So a couple days ago I did what any modern parent would do.

I searched the internet for help. My research gave me a couple things to try.

I've tried offering more variety and having more 'designated' snack times. This seems to be working. Warren was a genius the other night when Rhys refused to even taste the pork cutlet we cut up on his plate. Warren began to recite Dr. Suess' 'Green Eggs and Ham', and sure enough got Rhys to taste it. Then Rhys proclaimed he liked it and would eat with a fox, and in a box, in the rain and on a train. SCORE!

Today, for breakfast, I made Rhys a breakfast bagel with egg, ham and cheese. This is something he will eat when we're out, but not at home. So I wrapped it in tin foil to make it look 'bought'. And he voila! Parenting Win #2.

World's Greatest Dad

Things Rhys Said: 2.5 years old

Lately Rhys likes his food 'cold'. For example, he likes his hot dog wiener cold, not boiled. He likes 'cold toast' (which is just a plain slice of bread), and he likes his 'hot toast' after it has cooled off. Yesterday I made Olivieri pasta with steamed broccoli for dinner, and let his cool before serving.

Rhys: My dinner cold.

Amanda: Yes.

Rhys: (looks at my plate and notices the steam rising from the food) Mommy's hot.

Amanda: Yes.

Rhys: Mine cold, yours hot!

Amanda: Yes. Just how Rhys likes it.

Rhys: Good planning, Mommy.

This struck me as one of those 'where do they learn this stuff' moments, as I tried to think of when I would have used the word 'planning' enough for him to remember it, and use it properly in a sentence.

Day #6 Wave Pool!

This was Rhys' 5th time to the Southland Leisure Centre. He is getting so comfortable in the water. They went down the biggest waterside in the 'kids' area, and he was jumping off the little steps into the water, and jumping into the waves when they came. I was so proud. I think his favourite part is still the hot tub though. Gotta love that!

Tomorrow: Rhys has Sportball with Warren in the morning, and I have a 'playdate' with two new little munchkins :)

Day #5 - Calgary Tower

Then, because I refuse to breastfeed at Denny's, Kyle gets a bottle from his Papa:

And some video from the Tower... Rhys has no fear! (Unlike his Papa...)

Melt.My.Heart.

Day #3

Have your heard of the 'Spaceport' at the Calgary Airport? Apparently, it is also known as 'Heaven' for 2.5 year old boys. These are the pics my wicked-awesome husband was sending to me all morning yesterday:

And Easter Dinner #1 turned out really well. I made a very special effort to NOT get stressed about cleaning the house and preparing the meal. I did really well, too. Proof was when dinner was served 45 minutes late because the scalloped potatoes and ham needed different heating/cooking temperatures, so the timing of it all was trickier than we had planned...and I didn't freak out! Thankfully my cousin and brother brought over lots of stuffed mushroom caps and baked brie to to hold us over until dinner.

Here is a great 'Three Generations' photo for our history book (if we had one...):

Today: Eater Egg Hunt in the morning, and a Greek Feast at Grandpa & Grandma Pamela's house!

Happy Easter everyone.

Day #2

Yesterday: Was a success! The CFM is quite nice (again Rhys' cart got him a lot of attention), and we got some gorgeous rye bread, butter buns, raspberry lemon cake, and some veggies for Easter Dinner #1. Then, after some Vietnamese for lunch, I got my hair freshened up.

Before: Robot Amanda models her drab, shapeless hair and over grown bangs:

After: Ahhhh...feels so much lighter!

And 'Easter Movie Night' was a hit! Although we did hit a small speed bump when Rhys nearly had a meltdown because he thought the Easter Bunny was coming that night, and was going to watch the movie with us. He was so excited, and when the tent was finally set up he put his hands on his cheeks 'Home Alone' style, and squealed 'Oh My God! Oh My God!'. It was like he'd never seen it before or something.

Mimicking E.B. from the movie, who liked playing the drums:

Pizza in the tent was such a hit - Rhys ate FOUR slices:

And of course, popcorn for desert:

The little man was in attendance too, and of course his big brother wanted to hold him:

Today: Warren and Rhys are going to the airport to watch some airplanes, while I stay home with Kyle to get the house ready and prep the food for Easter Dinner #1. Gramma Patsy will come over to bake the scalloped potatoes, and the rest of the guests arrive at 5pm.

Wish us luck!

Day #1

Warren is taking a week off starting today. He hasn't had a day off since Kyle was born (not even a weekend) so we are REALLY due for some quality family time without emails and iPhones. I will do my best to document how we filled our days, and make a huge effort to take some pics of Kyle!

The plan for today:

AM: A family trip to the Calgary Farmer's Market to get a ham, bread and a desert for Easter Dinner #1 that is happening at our house tomorrow. We haven't been to this new market yet... hopefully it's as lovely as it was at it's last location.

The rest of the morning will be spent either doing an Easter craft or helping Warren put the new BBQ together.

PM: Amanda gets a haircut for the first time in almost a year (have been growing it out). I CANNOT WAIT for the 'me time' of having my hair washed, cut, blow-dried & styled...all while sipping on the Starbucks that I will be sure to pick-up on my way.

Then, we are going to have a special 'Easter Movie' night. We'll order Panago pizza for dinner, set up the indoor tent in the pub, gather Rhys' musical instruments, pop some popcorn, and then watch the movie 'HOP' about the Easter Bunny's son who wants to become a rockstar.

I'll post pics tomorrow!

Things Rhys said, 2.5 years

Rhys: I want pie.

Amanda: We don't have any pie.

Rhys: I wanna buy some.

Amanda: Do you have any money? You need money to buy stuff.

Rhys: I wanna buy some money!

Accidental Naptime

Us and our kids are pretty much as blessed as you can get when it comes to our extended families. Rhys and Kyle have 3 sets of grandparents living in the same city as them. And everyone knows that the only other people who love your kids as much as you do, are their grandparents.
This weekend, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle James and Aunt Kayley offered to take Rhys to their place for a full day of parks and playhouses. I was super pumped because a) I knew Rhys would have a blast and get tons of fresh air, and b) it would give me a bit of a break. I was also hesitant because I knew Rhys would not get his nap, and it's just hard to 'let go' in general (what if he fell?!) My dad said it would be 'good for me'.
Anyways...after all the playing outside, they snuggled up to watch Ice Age while Grandma Pamela made dinner. Turns out Rhys got his nap after all.

They had so much fun together, that they all went to the wave pool the next day!