Big Family

I guess we are a 'big family' now, it's not many moms out there these days who have four kids. My situation is a common one, I think, where someone has a first and a second family. Some people wonder how I manage, others like to comment on how I have my hands full. Which..well, I do. I totally do. Today Katja played with a box of band-aids, making a mess and wasting a bunch of them. But she was blessedly occupied and quiet while I just drank coffee and knitted, so you know what? I let her. DH was a bit horrified, but honestly, for me? Whatever.

So what if the baby has a band-aid on her leg? I didn't see anything.

Random Thursday

I don't have a lot to offer today, since my main goals right now are to wrap up my practice (starting a real job in September....which is terrifying and exciting), and to keep the kid away from Caillou as much as possible. That kid drives me nuts.

A few random pics -



My three girls, just the other day. Yes, Katja is naked. Any tips on how to get a 2 year old to wear clothes? She's so funny, she always asks me who is coming over when I insist she get dressed. She will happily wear clothes (except her $50 Geox sandals that she LOVED and insisted I purchase, and now eschews in favour of her $9 Joe shoes that are two sizes too big and utter crap) outside of the house, then strips the minute we get home. Weird.




Anika and Memere (Dan's paternal grandmother) at Nadine's baby shower.












We just got back from Minneapolis (all of us except Meredith, and with an additional two - Dan's parents). We hit the Como Zoo on Friday with the kids. Great deal - admission is free, though they suggest a donation. The zoo kicks Winnipeg's zoo's ass down the block. There's also a butterfly exhibit (free) and a conservatory. Max had fun photographing everything.




Anika and papa











Anika and mama

















Max had a great time - I was really pleased that he didn't pull the sullen teenager schtick - although the ipod was on throughout, of course.















This is Max's favourite photo that he took













And Katja's up from her nap, so I guess that's it for today.

lying to my kids

Recently a discussion took place on one of the forums I frequent. The original poster (op) mused about lying to kids and said she's pretty honest.

Some of the responses astonished me. Some people said 'I never ever lie to my kids, and how can you expect them to be honest if you lie and it's disrespectful etc.

Ok seriously? I lie to my kids all the time. All. The. Time. Like Caillou is still asleep.Of course I would love to read you this book for the thousandth time. Mama will be back in 2 minutes, just lie in bed and wait for me. Caillou is broken. Your going potty thrills me. I am so interested in playing play-doh.

And the lies I tell my husband, don't get me started. Yes, I sure appreciate the one time in our entire marriage that you vacuumed without my having to ask. Of course I don't mind going to your work an hour out of town with two kids in tow to help you out. Can we have sex? I want it SO bad. I love my crap minivan and of course I don't wish you made more money so I could trade it in.

But really, are these really harmful? I'm sure hoping they aren't. Because life is going to get a lot more complicated if I have to stop.

Too cute

I'm still pregnant, and really sick, so not much computer time these days.

Here's a super cute Katja video to tide you over.

Early Days

The plan, so to speak, is to document this experience in blog-world, especially the early days, because I think this will be hush hush for a few weeks at least. I did another test this morning, and the line was there - ever so faint, but I had hubby look at it, and he saw it too. He thought faint meant 'maybe', and I tried explaining that it did not - then later tonight he said, 'do you really think there is a little person in there?' - I was all, um...yeah actually there definitely is. Dumbass.

MIL made a comment when we were talking about the potential next baby about us having to move out to the country we'll need so much room. I was kind of annoyed, as I always am when I carefully think something through only to have someone kibosh it. Then I joked about it later to hubby - MIL would make a great disaster planner, she's unspeakably good at predicting the Worst Case Scenario.

Moving on - early symptoms

Shortly after conception (within a few days), I started to feel some cervical sensitivity during intercourse.
Within a week I started feeling like Katja was really a lousy nurser - it feels like she is sucking so HARD.
I was super-crabby with hubby, and attributed it to PMS. this was about 8 days post-conception.
I am so unbelievably thirsty.

things I'm doing

Upping my fish oil intake
Forcing hubby to order vitamins so I can start taking multis again, plus folic with B
Lowered caffeine intake - I only had one cup today, I plan to go to 1/2 a cup tomorrow
Making sure I eat fruit/veggies and drop my carb intake (this is so FREAKING HARD when people are providing me with things like warm Tall Grass Bakery cinnamon buns as well as rhubarb apple crisp. Really people. Work with me here.
Upping my exercise levels. I'm not at my ideal weight right now, I'm probably 10 pounds heavier than ideal, which (a) really shows on my 5'1" frame; and (b) is not healthy for baby or for me. The goal is to walk daily for 30 minutes (that fell by the wayside when school holidays started and rainy weather set in for a couple of weeks), and also to do a more intense workout 4 times a week, 3 at minimum.

And I will definitely be taking pics, but not until tomorrow. Ugh, I am not looking forward to my flabby early pregnancy pic.

Eek.

I did a HPT this evening, since AF is a day overdue, and there's the faintest hint of a line.

More news as events warrant. I'm keeping this to myself for a little bit, I think. I kind of like having a little secret.

Some Pretty Big News

We are officially TTC - trying to conceive baby #4. Half of me is thrilled, half of me is seriously wondering if all the drugs I used to do have fried my brain. So I'm not really telling anybody, except blogworld, becuase nobody reads this anyway. And now I feel like I've told someone. Yeah, actually I'm really excited!

Unfortunately, months 1 and I suspect 2 have yielded no results. Part of me is a bit bummed, only because I've conceived first try (or without trying) so this weeks to be taking a while. I'm a bit worried that the complications from Katja's birth or that dysplasia I had a year ago is to blame; or a myriad of other things. I should also eat less carbs, but that's what I eat when I'm worrying about my health, so, that's probably not happening. OK 90% not happening. I'll try. Starting tomorrow, and except for Meredith and Levi's birthdays. And mine and Dan's if necessary. That seems doable.

And...that's about it. Yup, going to (as I read on a blog once) overpopulate this fine world, one beautiful baby at a time.