what good old dirty fun looks like

Thank goodness it was bath night.

That smile was worth it!

(do girls get this dirty???) 

couldn't resist

Seriously. Show me a cuter 6 month old! One that finds knawing on his fingers the best thing ever!

Not biased. Really. 

the "other" boy

I know Sherocious is typically a vehicle to flaunt pictures of my boys. But lets not forget my main squeeze, Troy Boy! This picture was taken last weekend when he and his crew were re-shingling our roof. How could I resist a shot like this - and post it, of course, for all the world to see? Oh - he'll never know. So what's the harm?

Anyway, its been a nice weekend so far. Both boys (the littles) are still fighting colds and Jude's got a marginal ear infection (boo!) and still teething (does it EVER end?) but apart from that fussiness, I'm in a good mindspace now because they're both sleeping in bed, I'm drinking chardonnay and had a yummy dinner, and will be going to bed post haste! Sleep. J'adore.

Tomorrow: more playing with the boys, then dinner at Troy's mum's (and haircuts for all three boys). Looking forward to it! 

checkin' in

Nothing to write about, really, other than we all have colds now and our morning will be highlighted by a trip to London Drugs for more medicine once Jude awakes from his nap. Oh - and the boys desperately need haircuts, as this picture plainly illustrates. I do too - but grandma doesnt cut my hair. I just need to make an appointment one of these days and ask her nicely to babysit so I have a few hours to myself for some maintenance. Badly needed maintenance, at that.

The roof shingles seem to be holding - no new leaks, which is promising. Now we need to gather up some energy and a few bucks to fix the leak damage inside the house. Which is gross and grossly embarrasing when friends come over.

I am so looking forward to a nap this afternoon. If my fairy godmother is watching over me, the boys will siesta concurrently and I'll be able to shut my eyes put my feet up for a few minutes.

Wow. What an incredibly boring and mundane post. Cute baby picture to make up for it. Ta ta for now. 

our bright light

Ethan's suffering a cold today - and Jude's still teething. The roof is being reshingled as well - an endeavour taking up the efforts of all in-Victoria family members and likely all days of this long weekend. Which leaves me alone on kid duty - which is fine, but not easy with the children not comfortable/happy/well.

Long gone are the sunny, swarthy days of luxurious long weekends, with extra sleep-ins, books, blankets, and loungewear. Now its pj's, sippy cups, pablum, diapers and fatigue. Mixed with sticky fingers, licky kisses, playing in the dirt, neck snuggles, baby-scented hair and sacred story time, I think its obvious which I truly prefer. Seeing spring and summer unfold outside in the warm air, through the eyes of a toddler, is truly magic.

Dirty, but magic. 

The original 'dado'

Yesterday, Ethan's dream finally came true.

He hasn't stopped talking about it since! 

feeling more myself

I had a rough ride there for a while - Jude had been increasingly more difficult to put to sleep and STAY asleep (20 minute naps don't cut it). I was getting more exhausted, frustrated with him and especially poor Ethan, who on all counts is a good boy but is also a typical toddler and can be trying at times. I just felt that all efforts juggling baby and toddler were for naught, that I was a sinking ship and sucking at this motherhood stuff - the very stuff I hold deepest and sacred in my heart and being. Putting it that way, no wonder I was feeling blue and sinking in the deep end.

I then bit the bullet and gave Jude the same (modified) Cry It Out (CIO) treatment that Ethan got at the same age. It was successful, worked quickly, and we've all come out of the experience better, more rested, and happier. Jude's sleeping for much longer stretches because he's able to easily settle himself back to sleep between sleep cycles. He also goes down to sleep much easier than he did before. I therefore have much more time and PATIENCE for Ethan, which is a gift to us both. And I'm genuinely enjoying being with both boys again. I remember the feelings, last CIO go around, how life changing the process is. And its true. Its hard, no doubt about it, but we're all thriving like someone finally let the sunshine in and our flowers are turned towards the window, basking.

Anyway, we just got back from our walk in said sunshine; Ethan's down for a nap and I'm about to feed Judie. Then he'll have a nap and I'll get to go sit outside (with baby monitor) and snooze a short while in the sunshine.

And I'll tell you, that sun feels pretty damn good. 

*swoon*

Jude is just getting so big! Eating cereal! In a chair!

And - Happy Mothers' Day to my children - thank you for making me a Mum. You've both given me the greatest gift.

(And Happy Mothers' Day to my mum too! I love you!) 

Wishing for sunny skies...

... but its cold and rainy today. Ethan's itching to go outside and just run. Instead he's up to typical devilish-two-year-old behaviour inside, making my coffee even more crucial this morning. Its 9:00 am, and already it feels like the day is half over. And yet, only too soon will it be Monday.

Somedays seem to stretch for miles, yet time is traveling light-speed. Soon the boys won't need me so much - they'll be big and in school....sooner than that I'll be back to work; these days at home will be a mourned memory.

Sometimes I don't know whether I should be fastening my seatbelt and hitting the gas, or yearn for slowness and search desperately for the brake. Its a ride, alright.

I don't want it to ever end. 

What lifestyle change?

The weekend toddles on (although this picture was taken to illustrate Catherine's and my weekly Thursday afternoon playdate - sometimes we have Wine and Cheese day to break the monotony of coffee and cookies. We like Wine and Cheese day.)

Troy's currently bathing Ethan, Jude's on his playmat, whimpering for bed. He's been waking up a few times a night again, likely due to teething and growthspurts and being almost-6-months-old, and so keeping him up a bit later may make his next siesta a sleep, rather than a 30 minute nap. So I can keep drinking wine, watch a movie with my gorgeous husband before we both hit the hay, exhausted, at 9:00 pm, only to start the music again at 5:30 am tomorrow, just like every day. GAH what I'd give for a 3 hour nap, on my own, with no baby beside me. And a sleep in. And a pedicure, massage, a nice dinner out (again), and more naps. Anything, except my children and said husband, of course. But you can take anything else.

Sleep, I miss thee. 

Crystal or Leather....

What a busy three years its been. Happy Anniversary tomorrow, my sweet. No words can say how much I love you. Thank you for my life and our little loves. What I always wanted. xo

Ok he never reads this blog but still. The sentiments are the same! 

Ethan's girlfriend. The boy LOVES Maisy!

In other news, my exhaustion has hit the wall. I absolutely can't wait to hit the sack tonight - though it will be a few hours yet. Work for this mumma has not finished yet.

Le sigh.