I don't think I like it

I know I know, I don't post anymore. Let's just pretend I am always here!

I just had something curious happen today and I wanted to share my thoughts.

Our neighbours are Jehova's Witnesses. Normally something like that would make me groan (because of the assumptions about them) but they are wonderful. They never talk about their religion and certainly don't preach to us like you assume they would. They are a normal family (why wouldn't they be, really). They have two young boys who get along REALLY well with Hannah. They all have so much fun together, and their mom is the sweetest woman.

Today the youngest boy (4) was over on our deck saying hi to Max. he was talking to him and making him giggle. It was really sweet! Then he said to Max "I love you!" and cupped his mouth and immediately laughed and said "Oh! I am just kidding! A man loving another man? No way!" I shrugged it off (and resisted my urge to inform him that it is okay to love whoever you want to) and he eventually went on his way.

I started thinking about it after and it kind of bothered me. I can't imagine Hannah, at 4, actually understanding the concept of love in a romantic way, let alone who it exists between. I understand that those views on homosexuality are a religious perspective, but why does a 4 year old know about it? Knowing that romantic love exists, and that it is wrong to exist between people of the same gender. I think children of that age should only know love as they understand it themselves. They love their family, and their friends, and animals, and ice cream. I don't know if I am even conveying this right. But a 4 year old being taught that homosexuality is a sin at such a young age. Knowing to judge people and to look at people through negative eyes. It's just sad to me.

Five Years Ago...

Thought I'd do a little themed post, looking back on where I was 5 years ago.. it was DEFINITELY somewhere else!

2007

I was living in a dumpy little (sketchy) apartment with my boyfriend. He was smack dab in the middle of his World of Warcraft addiction, causing us to get evicted in July, followed by my dumping his pathetic ass.

I was a cash supervisor at Shoppers Drug Mart

My little nephew had been born in April, he would have only been a couple of months old! Now he's 5!

I spent little time sleeping, most of my time was filled with work and party time!

I am certainly happy to see where I have ended up. I now have THREE nephews! And two kids of my own!  I didn't even expect to have kids, and now I have two! :P

I am engaged to a wonderful and understanding man. I have two beautiful kiddos to hug and kiss every day. We might not be where we want to be in our lives, but we are taking positive steps to make it there. I'd say things are looking up!

So where so I expect to be in 2017? 32 years old apparently (wtf?) lol.. I will have both kids in school (think I will have any more? hmmm) - I hope I will be in a career by then too. I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but I would love to open up my own boutique one day. A baby boutique! Selling specialty items and beautiful creations by independent businesses. Wouldn't that be neat? :) I would love to have control of my own life like that.

I wonder if we will have our house.. (we'd better!) And do you think we will finally be married? I'd like to end this engagement sometime (almost 4 years now haha)

It's fun to dream, can't wait to see what the future holds! :)

Hey...

I can see that Brampton has completely erased my ability to blog. I'm just so much busier here than I was before! Plus there is more to do (like the personal park Hannah has access to in the neighbour's yard), we spend most of our time outside on the nice days! I will continue to say it, it is SO nice having a big yard!

Max's sleeping has been improving. I have been reading the book Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. The author's methods to a structured schedule for you and your baby is so simple yet I SO was not following it. I wish I found this book when Max was first born, or better yet, when I was pregnant. Max is at the age where it is going to be harder to break the bad habits I've taught him. But even after a few chapters I was able to start utilizing some of her ideas and the improvement was seen IMMEDIATELY. It's all about understanding what your baby is trying to tell you. Even if I don't break our bad habits entirely, the change is evident.

So life is happier on that front! I am getting a bit more sleep, but more importantly, getting a break here and there throughout the day because he is doing better with his naps.

The extra energy has caused me to get a little inspired by the beautiful crafts and art I am coming across on Pinterest. It has been a long long time since I have been inspired to create art and I am very excited about it.

I found some fantastic tutorials and new, easy methods to try. I am going to be unleashing this creativity with the kids to make Steve something fantastical for Father's Day. I'm going to try and remember to take some pictures along the way so I can show you, but that is all I can talk about for now because Steve might decide to check if I blogged and I don't want to ruin it!

But I will say one thing... I bought my very first bottle of MODPODGE!!!! (Since that can mean literally a million things :P)

Busier than ever

Wow, I thought once we moved I would have my time back! But I have been busier than ever! It's frustrating because there is so much I want to do with my day but all of my time is eaten up with cleaning! Somehow my daughter is messier at my mom's than she was at our old place. I'm having a very hard time keeping up! Also, she wants to spend every second outside, so I am often on watch because we have no fences.

But I am not complaining by any means! Busy life is good! Hannah is finally back on track with the potty. FINALLY! She has been in underwear full time for 3 days now and hasn't had an accident since the first day. Such a nice relief! I knew she could do it! :)

Maxy has decided that he doesn't like sleeping through the night any longer. He is back to waking up every 4 hours! He's been in his own room now for a few weeks which has been nice, but still not sleeping all the way through. About a week ago I started him on cereal at dinner time, hoping it would sustain his appetite long enough to sleep the night, or at least to just get up once, but so far it hasn't made a difference. I know all babies are different and he will sleep through the night soon enough!

My mind has been racing lately too with ideas about my future. For the first time I actually have a goal in mind that I am excited about! Once I do some more research, I will be sure to write all about it.

For now I must go, Max has awoken from his little nap and is looking for some loves! Can't say no to that!

xo

A Letter to Hannah

Dear Hannah

Today you are three. I don't really know how this happened. Did I say you were allowed to do that? You are growing up so quickly, I demand you slow down! What? You can't? Oh dear...

You truly are an amazing little creature. You are so beautiful, and you are absolutely hilarious! I am so lucky that I can call you my own :) I brag about you you know! I make sure everyone knows that you are MY little girl! They are all so jealous ;)

Three years ago you came into our lives a little earlier than we expected, and since then our lives have been forever changed. Forever better because of you! You brighten up every day :) Of course, you sure know how to push our buttons! I keep meaning to get those ears of yours checked... they might be broken :P

This year you became a big sister. It feels like just yesterday you were a little baby in my arms, and now you are helping mommy with your baby brother. Again, stop growing so fast.

Even though I have been at it for 3 years, I am still learning this mommy game. Thanks for being such a good teacher. I may make mistakes, and you may not always like me, but I am trying my best, and everything I do, I do because it is what is best for you.

Can't wait to see what this life with you and your brother has in store for us. It's been such a great ride so far! :) I love you little lady. Your smile is infectious, so don't ever stop! Let's have the best third birthday anyone ever had! You deserve it <3

Things Hannah says 2

So the move is over, sol very hectic but I thought I'd pause and share my favorite Hannah quote from the day....
"no Max, you can't have any pizza. Pizza is for grown-ups! I'm sorry, I can't help you!"

30 Days of Lists

I came across This Blog today via Pinterest because she makes these adorable little mini scrapbook books (I would post a picture but she doesn't let you copy any URLs from her site, so please go see!)

One of them that she made is '30 Days of Lists' which is a neat little project where she has a prompt for each day, and every day she makes a little list based on her prompt. I think it is so cute, and it allows you to think about things you might not usually think of. And you don't have to make a scrapbook about it, even just logging it (or blogging it) somewhere to look back on. (and I know, I have seriously slacked on my photo challenge.. I do intend on taking each and every remaining photo at some point, it has just been too nuts here to think about it)

I would like to do these lists too. I think it would be fun to look into it.. I am going to bookmark it. It can be a little blog project for May.

You should do it too!