Happy Birthday, Babies!

Hi Everyone!

It's been awhile, and we've been busy for awhile! I guess a lot has happened since I posted last. The twins turned one on August 30th! We had a party with family the week before (pictures to follow!). I am in awe and am amazed with how far they have come and how much they have grown in one year. I was looking at pictures throughout their first year and can't believe their miracle. Thank you God! I am working on a DVD compilation of photos, so hopefully one day I'll get it done. ANd if I can figure out a way, I'll share it with you.

Then it was time for their one year immunization shots. I now have very mixed feeling about shots. Apparently they are important but they sure cause a lot of problems! Not to mention the crying when it actually happened. About two weeks later they both had a reaction. So in short they both had a shortened form of mumps, measles and rubella. Lovely! At the same time Sophia was teething with her molars, first the top and then before they were completely through started with the bottoms. So there has been a lot of sleepless nights. Even more then before, if you can imagine! But Sophia has slept through the night for the last three nights, so I'm very excited about that! One of these days maybe Ethan will join in the sleeping bandwagon!!

Agrifair

We did get to Agrifair last weekend! We started out quite early. Just before we left our house Drew fell on the drive-way and skinned his knee pretty good. We cleaned it all up. It took awhile and some screaming but it couldn't stop Drew from going to the FAIR! (He had seen the Ferris Wheel from Grandma's balcony, and had been asking to go to the fair for two days already. He was SO excited!! We had to write it all down on his calender so he would understand that he would not miss the fair and rides if we went on Saturday!)

When we got there not all the rides and exhibitions were open, but we did get to see the Pigs and Ducks race before we headed home for lunch and a nap for the twins. Drew was a little disappointed that we had to go home already. So after lunch Mark took Drew back and they spent all afternoon going on rides, checking out the old farm equipment and exploring every corner of Agrifair. He even saw Drifter, the horse he rode at Connie's house! The twins and I and my brother Steve joined up with them in the late afternoon for a bit more Agrifair before supper. For Mark and Drew it was a day well spent. They were both happy, but tired! Following a 3 year old around all day is hard work!! Sorry, I have more pics but having a little trouble getting them posted!

Late nights, Early mornings = No Sleep!

Well this week has gone by really fast. Too fast! Mark has been off from work this last week and is off next week as well. I am so glad that he is off for two weeks this time, although it will be harder to let him go back to work!!

We haven't done any day trips, although we would've love to. But it seems that our children have gone back to not sleeping during the night! Any tips? How long can this last? It is getting very frustrating. The twins are almost a year and still not sleeping through the night. Drew was sleeping through the night early - like at 3 or 4 months i think.

Last night Ethan woke up every 1/2 to an hour until midnight, then Sophia woke up around 11:30pm and only went back to sleep at 2am. Then Ethan got up every two hours until he got up for the day at 7am. Drew got up during Sophia's awake time but at least I was already awake :I !

I dream of a night filled with sleep! Please pray for us! The more people praying the more it will help!

Mark's Week Off Part 3

My last part of the series. On Thursday to Friday, Mark took Drew camping to Rolley Lake. Just the two of them. We packed up my parent's camper van and then in the afternoon, they were off. My cousin, Lance dropped in that morning. He was here for a vehicle drop-off/pick-up and maintenance run. He is a tow truck driver. The repair took much longer than anticipated so he got to come with us. It was great to catch up. A bunch of us joined Mark and Drew for supper at the camp site - Steve, Lance, Mom, Ethan, Sophia, Myself and later on, Dad.

Sophia, Ethan and I had to leave after supper so as not to disrupt their night schedule too much. Didn't really want a replay of Monday night, especially that I was going to be by myself. So you'll have to ask Mark for the stories and details!

Although just before we left Mark, Steve and Drew were on their way to take the canoe out. (Borrowed from Tina and Frank. Thanks guys!) Drew tripped and fell. Hardly hurt at all, but Drew is in this band-aid phase. He seemed all right at the time, but apparently whined/cried a lot of the way to the beach (on ground and in the canoe) because he needed a band-aid and they didn't have one in the canoe, surprise, surprise! Luckily they met up with Mom at the beach, who did have a band-aid in her van. Dad talked it over with Drew and then things were okay again. Let's just say the canoe ride back was a lot better. The rest of their camping trip was pretty good. As good as it can be with a three year old, namely Drew. Apparently it took awhile to get to sleep, including finding out how all the windows worked and three visits to the outhouse, after bedtime. All in all, they'd do it again. Drew even said a couple days ago that he'd like to go camping with Daddy again. So that's a good sign! Maybe next year the twins and I can go too! We'll see. . . : )



(Drew's latest thing is turning away from the camera when we want to take a picture!! Nuts, this one could have been so great!)

Mark's Week Off Part 2

On Wednesday, A friend of my parents, Connie, called us up to invite Drew to her house to ride her horse. I couldn't let the opportunity go and I knew Drew would love it. Mark was mowing the grass, Sophia was at Mom's house so I packed up Drew and Ethan and we were off . . .

After a nice drive in the country we got there. Connie quickly got to work collecting all the gear, showing Drew their new kitten, and getting Drew to help with the grooming. Drew did really well and once again had no fear of the horse. Which is good in some regards. I asked Connie if the horse was okay with Drew walking all around him. She said yes and that "Drifter" was an excellent horse for kids. I was grateful. Later on though we found out hoe good this horse really was. First of all Drew walked under the belly of the horse, while grooming, and later on I noticed that one of the horses hooves was on top of Drew's foot! Drew was just standing there, not screaming. So obviously the horse had not put all it's weight on Drew! Now Connie really felt she could brag about the horse.

He also loves the kitten, and wanted to carry it everywhere! The kitten's name is Purplegreen. Last name, Brown. Actual color of the cat, Black!! Such an odd name, but with a story behind it. It came from someone at her sons wedding, who thought it would be neat if it were named something to do with the wedding. You guessed it, the colours were purple and green. I'm not sure where Brown comes from! After Drew had his turn on the horse, I was given a turn too! Yay! I love horses, especially watching them run fast. But when I ride, and I so seldom do, I am such a chicken. I got it to trot a bunch of times but slowed him down quite quickly each time. Maybe if I'd do it more often, I'd get used to it and be more gutsy.

While I was riding Connie took Drew and Ethan. They played in the sandbox with some cool tractor machines and played with Purplegreen some more. When we were bring the horse in I noticed Drew playing with the kitten near the horses water barrel. And soon the cat was wet!! I quickly went to check it out. Luckily her head stayed dry. Apparently Drew wanted to give her a bath! We gave Purplegreen a break after that. The rest of the time though, I couldn't believe how good the kitten was, at one time, she was actually purring in his arms and it looked like she was falling asleep!

Next Drew got to jump on their trampoline and we had some ice tea. A friend of Connie's then came to collect her horse from Connie's field. We were watching the process and then we about to leave when Connie asked if we had time for Drew to have a tractor ride? (Ride-on lawnmower) DO WE HAVE TIME FOR A TRACTOR RIDE? FOR DREW? OF COURSE!! Ethan and I chatted with her neighbours while Connie took Drew on the tractor. (She chatted a little too as Drew sat on the tractor waiting for his turn, but it soon became Drew pressing all the buttons and moving the gears!) She let him steer and everything. She said she only corrected him when he was about to run into something. He absolutely loved it! What a great day for him. And Ethan and I had fun too!






A quote from Connie: "That was so fun yesterday with Drew. He's a character - When I told Kendra that the cat got his first bath, Charlie said that he "baptized" the cat."

Mark's Week Off Part 1

I was going to post this last night, but the pictures were giving me some trouble, but today I think I got it under control. So here goes . . .

Mark was lucky to have last week off, and so were we. It was nice to have him around and "relax" at home. We also got out for a couple of day trips.

On Monday we went into the big city after lunch and morning naps, yes all five of us, plus my Sister and Mom. First we stopped in at Debbie's place and found out where she lived. (Debbie, and Mom, took her car in.) Drew loved her roommates cat! He wanted to carry it all over the place. The cat was very good with Drew but occasionally had aother things in mind. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the cat and Drew. Then we went to Burnaby Museum to ride on the carousel. That was a lot of fun and we ALL had a turn!







(Notice how all of my boys think along the same lines . . . on picture three Mark is looking up to see how things work, on pictures four it is Drew's turn and in picture six it's Ethan's turn. Sophia and I are just along for the ride : ) ! )


Then we went over to Metro Town and took a ride on the train that runs thru the mall! It was a little squishy but it worked.




The train took us to the other end of the mall, where we stopped for a potty break and then headed back on feet to meet Mom. On our way we saw a sand sculpture being built. Then Debbie and I took Drew to "Build-A-Bear Workshop". Such a cool process. Drew enjoyed creating his puppy, whom he named "Staybie"! It all comes from his head!





Then we had supper at the food court, and headed back to take Debbie home. Drew got to enjoy her cat, once again and we got the twins in their pajamas, just in case they'd fall asleep and we could transfer them into their beds! Well, they did fall asleep, but woke up when we got home thinking they had just had a nap. needless to say, it was a very late night for Mark and I. But at least the babes did so well on the trip, and so did Drew. It was a lot of fun to get out for the day with the whole family.

Well, it is getting late, so I better save the rest of the outings for another day!

Goodnight!

More pics from Apricot Jamming!