hands full of boys

but all is well with me, and with the wee brothers. 

petting zoo

A great visit with Mum this weekend (although I took no pictures - rats!) and then my boys and I went to the petting zoo today for a chill out.

And then the weekend's over already. Just like that.


 

sweater weather....

...its coming! I can feel it! Ahhhh fall. The wind has been chilled lately, even though the sun is shining. We wore sweatshirts on our walks today; I'm about to don a pair of wolly socks this evening.

Even though all I have to look forward to this autumn is BACK TO WORK - YUCK - I do love fall. Only a few weeks away.

And my mum is visiting this weekend - I'm absolutely over the moon about that. I miss her so much. 

more photos from Papa Doug's retirement party

Ethan had such a great time at Papa Doug's party. There was cake! Balloons! Loved ones!



More photos, for your enjoyment (photos courtesy of Shannon from Troy's office; doctored by yours truly).


 

Jude's 9 months old

Jude today has officially spend as much time outside of my tummy as he did inside. He is 9 months old.

It seems like yesterday he was a tiny handful, in and out of hospital with his abdominal troubles and surgery.

Now he's a 20 lb-er and in perfect health and development.

The apple of my eye. The keeper of my heart.

Always my baby. 

PapaDoug's Retirement Party

was today - and was Hawaiian themed (hence the boys' Island shirts; Troy's "grass" skirt, and leis. Of course, being the family photographer, there's no pic of me, but there you go. We all had fun, especially Ethan, because a lot of his favourite grown up men were all there, happy to play with him. He also is fond of the office ladies.

Exhausted now though. Troy's still at the party, in fact. I'm going to follow the boys and head to bed, myself. 

fun at auntie gerri's

The boys and I love to go visit my Auntie Gerri and Uncle Rob, who live near me on the Island.

While my immediate family all live far away, its nice to have a little bit of "home" nearby.

They're so doting on the children. Its a nice break for me; Ethan gets to explore their big backyard with Uncle Rob, and Jude gets to be cuddled by someone other than me for a while.

A nice day.


 

puppy love

 

Happy Birthday, Auntie Sophie!

We're all thinking of you today - special lady! I hope you had a wonderful day today.

This picture was taken the last time we saw you; when I had just announced my pregnancy with Jude; and Ethan was just over a year old. Its been a long time. We miss you very much and can't wait to see you in a few short weeks!!

Happy Birthday! 

ma ma ma ma ma

Jude's been babbling "mamamamamamama" or "mum mum mum mum mum" which of course I absolutely LOVE, but I know its not really his first word holding any real meaning. So I'm trying to get over myself.

But wouldn't it be neat if it was? 

not bad for a Monday

Today I saw a dermatologist, for the first time, to have a body-check for all of my funky moles. Apparently, they're nothing to worry about. So that's a huge relief. But I'll keep going back yearly, since I have a bajillion of them, of various shapes and sizes, and they deserve a little bit of attention.



After naps this afternoon, we hung out outside in the backyard; Ethan working on his garden excavation, Tonka style; Jude and I lazing on the quilt in the shade. Our backyard is so peaceful and serene.

Its a nice place to be.

and for comparison's sake.....

Here's Ethan, about the same age as Jude is now, in same swing, sitting in same grass.

While they look very similar, Ethan's clothing sizes were much bigger! :) (in fact he STILL wears those red trackpants, sized 24 months)
 

Creepy Crawler

Jude's officially crawling. All of you parents know what that means. I'm jubilant for him, but a little sad because my ass may never meet couch again. Not that it resided there much anyway, these days.

Ethan spent the morning at grandma's, so I took Jude for a walk to the park. It was some nice mum and babe time - to play uninterrupted on the swings, to investigate the grass.

The weekend is just about over. Aww.

 

sappy

But really. I just couldn't be more in love with my three boys. Every day I feel so fortunate.

Exhausted, but truly the luckiest girl alive. I have these guys all to myself.

Blessed. 

Birthday B

Happy Birthday, little brother. We miss and love you, Uncle B.

Can't wait to see you soon.

big boy bike

Ethan's learning how to ride his tricycle - though he's a little reluctant to use the pedals, he likes just pushing with his feet for now.

I just love that Troy and I are capable of instilling such joy into another human being. These jubilant smiles from our children are such uplifting gifts.

It makes me feel like we are sharing magic.