Computer fixed, for the time being...

I have officially fixed what was wrong with my computer and the internet set up. Now back to posting funny stories and asking/giving advice.

I remember when I first found out I was pregnant with Lucas. Everyone had advice for me, as every mother, aunt, sister, cousin, etc. have for new expecting and even after you've had the baby, mothers. I think the best advice I ever got came from a friend's sister in law. She had just had a baby boy (Max, her 3rd baby) and told me that I would get ALL sorts of advice. The best advice she gave was to take the advice you like, and will use, and smile and nod at all other advice, even if you don't want to hear it.

I think the worst part is, that I have used this SO much. As great as family and extended family is, everyone is different, and parents differently. Not to say one person is a better parent then another, but sometimes, the advice just doesn't work on one child, where it works amazingly on the other child. Everyone is different, that is why I sometimes use any and all advice (except for something I really am against--like abuse) in situations, where I just have simply no clue what to do--like for potty training, or discipline, or bed time armageddon, well, you get the picture.

On a lighter note, Wayne said to me at dinner tonight, "Remember when we used to have to feed them both? Like last year?" Ugh, I shuddered at the memory. We were eating spaghetti and I remember the amount of clean up and tears (from all of us, maybe excepting Wayne) over dinner time. Lucas was only 2 last year, but because Emily was 1 and usually fed really messy dinners (less mess this way) Lucas regressed to a 1 year old state.

We then laughed at the thought that my friends are going to have to deal with this soon. As mean as that is, at least we'll have close friends understanding the difficulties, and novelties, of having irish twins (or in their case, 18 month apart babies, which I'm thinking will feel just the same).

I can't wait to meet the new little bundle. I like using her already for my baby fix, but her boy is now almost 11 months and not really wanting to snuggle so much anymore. Oh well, perhaps Wayne and I will revisit the decision on having another little one over the next couple of years. Of course, by that time, we are going to make absolutely sure there will not be another irish twin occurance, no offense to my baby girl, but she was quite the shocker. Finding out you're 2 months pregnant while dealing with a 4 month old was quite unnerving. However, now that they're getting much older, it really is getting easier.

Knock on wood.

Technical Difficulties

Lately I've had some issues with my computer. I have a mac. It was a requirement for my Photography course at Humber. It is now 5 years old, and causing me some grief. Not only does it not properly update my iPhone (an upgrade gift to myself 2 years ago), now it will not work with any downloads for macs. They all require system 10.5 and I'm stuck at 10.4.11. One tiny little step away from 10.5, but hey, that's my luck.

We'll see what I can do, but now I have to download all my books and phone info on my hubby's computer, and that bothers me. I should be able to do what I need to on mine. But frankly, we just don't have the money for me to go buying myself new toys.

Well, hopefully I can save for a new computer in the new year. That's all for now. Still dealing with these difficulties. Kids on the other hand, fairly good considering their mom was fighting with a computer after dinner tonight.

Go-go-go!!!!

Crazy busy these last, well, really the last week. We had my friend's wedding rehearsal, her wedding, family day, work start-up meeting, family trip to the EX and well, today I must admit I did next to nothing. This last week more than made up for my 1 day of slack. However, that being said, my kitchen and living area look like a bomb went off. I believe I'll have my work cut out for me tomorrow/tonight.

The wedding went very nicely, I must say. Lucas was the ring bearer and Emily a flower girl. They did very VERY well, and I gave them great big hugs and kisses for making her wedding go nicely. Of course, telling Lucas that the groom had cookies in his pocket helped, and Emily had a 9-year old flower girl going down the aisle with her.

Yesterday we went to the EX or Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). We thought we would only be there perhaps half the day, depending on the kids. Well, we were shockingly there until 9pm at night. That was a whole 10-11 hours spent at the EX. Lucas and Emily both went on their first roller coaster and rides and had a great time. The only thing I think I would change is that next time I would spend more time at the kiddie park, then walking through the international building and energy centre. Granted, we went with family and wanted to visit with all, however, the kids were quite restless after 2 hours of shopping time. So next time, we come, we ride, we meet up for lunch, and then when kids are rather tired out, we can shop til we drop (if we want and have money after all those rides).

Well, lesson learned, never EVER plan so many things in one week's time and always tire kids before doing anything that needs to be done!

Well, off to make some bagle-egg-and cheese sandwiches for dinner, yum!! Write you all tomorrow.

Heart to Heart

Why does it always seem that you're tired and finally in bed, that 1. your children magically awaken from a nightmare or 2. your significant other and you finally get a chance to talk. And yes, I mean actually talk.

This is why I'm officially awake now. At 12:45am. My hubby and I realized in bed that hey, long time no talk. Granted we were up until 12am anyway watching a magnificent storm cut across southern Ontario (we both love the sound and 'show' of a good thunderstorm). However, once I finally was in bed and quite tired at that, we talk. Of course, he's fallen asleep now, while I am now wide awake.

I must admit, however, that these midnight heart-to-heart times are really quite nice. Regardless of the fact that I usually end up having to wake in 5-6 hours after them. I have found that as our little ones have gotten a little older, nap times have slowly ceased, night time has become later and later, and Wayne's and my one-on-one time has almost dwindled to no time.

Well, there's my heart-to-heart with all you other mothers and sisters and such out there. Hope your midnight heart-to-hearts find you sleepy in the end and not wide awake.

It's been WAY too Long...

Well, it has been almost a year since my last post. All I have to say, is boy does time fly. I do apologize for the lengthy absence. Since my last post, we have moved, yet again, I officially am a school bus driver, and am officially going insane. Okay, so maybe I'm not 'officially' going insane, but I'm pretty sure I'm getting close.

Since school ended in June, we have planned and executed a Stag and Doe for my friend (who's getting married this upcoming Sat.) we have packed, moved, and somewhat unpacked, planned and had Emily's 2nd birthday party. And the big issue on this summer's agenda has been... Potty Training. Yep, officially insane. I'm starting to think that potty training twins would be easier. My sweet itty bitty is SO much better at this peeing on the potty thing, then her brother. Lucas would rather play, or crawl around on the floor (and yes, this is the 'almost' 3 year old). I have decided that the time is just not right for this boy, and to concentrate my efforts on my baby girl.

Besides all that, I am hoping for advice from anyone out there regarding sleep habits and toddlers. My kids, since moving into a townhouse and having their own rooms, scream bloody murder when it comes to bed time. Sometimes it will be almost 3 hours of screaming and whining before they pass out from sheer exhaustion. Any and all advice will be taken and used and I promise to write the results on here. Lucas has been making a habit of passing out at his door on the floor (hardwood floor) and waking up numerous times throughout the night screaming (most likely due to discomfort). Then the battle of bed time starts all over again.

Please, PLEASE, I beg to have some semblance of a good night's sleep again. Advice welcome.

On a side note, I read an article today regarding mom's and judgments on us. This article sparked my interest, as it compared being a mom to a competition. How becoming a mom, you become automatically enrolled into this Mom-Judging Olympics. For more information on this article go to: http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/08/11/7334726-the-mom-judging-olympics-a-competition-nobody-meant-to-enter
and read up... I must say, I was shocked at how close to home this hits, with not just other moms I meet on a daily basis, but also other moms within my family and how I feel judged, even if that's not the case.

Well on that note, I wish you all a good night's sleep (fingers crossed for me and my hubby as well).

Finally On Our Own

Well, it's been about 2 months since my last post, and quite a lot has happened. Wayne and I officially moved out on our own... we've gotten ourselves a nice little apartment while we wait for our townhouse. On the one hand, we're excited about moving out again, but then we have to 'move' again... ... and that part was quite an... adventure.

Emily is now officially 1, and Lucas, well, he's definitely going through those terrible, TERRIBLE twos, and he's not even two yet. I dread the thought of this continuing for another 18 months to two years... I can only hope Lucas will grow out of it before Emily starts hers.

I did my first mini-shop yesterday with the babies. We're about a 20 minute walk from the stores, so I packed the stroller and off we went. It felt quite nice, and the babies slept like logs when we got back! Today I plan on playing at the park with them, then running some errands.

One of the greatest things that has happened since my last post is that I officially have a job!!! Well, besides the whole mothering-job-thing. This one will hopefully be a little less stressful. The greatest part, though, is that my babies get to come with me! I'm officially a school bus driver! At first, I thought the babies would be too young to come with me, but my supervisors ensured me that they can come, as long as there are seat belts for their car seats on my bus, which there will be! I can't wait to see how they hold up with sitting for so long... ... If worse comes to worse, I'll put them in daycare. However, I'm hoping it won't come to that.

Well, I best be off to get ready to run my errands today. Hopefully I'll be posting more often, however, I can't guarantee that due to motherly, and now job too, demands.

Take care, and keep taking each day at a time!!!

Crunch Time

It's officially been one week since my last post. I feel a little sheepish that it's been so long. I've wanted to post, even thought about what to post, however, became side tracked and no posting occurred.

Wayne and I have been looking for a place to move for a little while now. We've finally decided to move into an apartment building for the time being. Due to this move, there are numerous little worries I have. Number crunching is the ultimate worry. As most of you know, Wayne is the one who goes to work everyday and I stay at home with the babies. As much as I've wanted to work and leave the babies in daycare with their cousin, I haven't found the job to match the criteria needed.

Wayne works afternoons, therefore, I would have to work daytime and be able to pick up the babies by 5:30pm. The only other criteria I have is to be able to make enough to cover child care, gas, and a little left over for oil changes, etc. Of course, making more then that would be nice, but not likely.

Back to the number crunching. With babies so close in age, it's easy in some ways and 10 times more difficult in others. Both babies are in some stages at the same time, therefore, diapers, wipes, clothes, food, drink, etc is doubly expensive. However, toys, books, entertainment, etc. costs no more then what you paid for your first child, since you still have all this on hand. I still need to buy formula, bottle inserts, baby food--I don't always have time to make it, and other things associated with my younger baby.

All this adds up quite astonishingly. So far, my parents have been footing the bills on adult food and heat, hydro, cable, etc. Wayne and I also bought out vehicles either just before or just after we met, so there's about $800/month just on vehicle payments combined. I've started cutting corners a lot lately. Mostly, I only get anything for myself if given money for my birthday/mother's day/Christmas. Wayne, however, is still spending money on clothes, and miscellaneous items he 'needs' for work. Since I'm the stay at home mom, I don't get that privilege.

Basically, we've found we'll have about $800/month leftover from his income to cover our variable costs. Perhaps I should start toilet training the babies now? It's definitely going to be interesting to see how this all pans out. We've already started this budget, let's see how all goes.

For all you others out there living on such a budget, I hand my hat off to you!