Change in Pace

I've been home with the kids long enough to write this with some confidence.

I'll freely admit that as as January drew closer and my time at work began to fade, I became more and more nervous about being at home. My patience as whole is slim to none on the best of days and I was very used to my "freedom" of working. Meaning if I had a break it was easy to go kill an hour or two chilling out at Starbucks or Chapters. I was also used to Deah running the house. I didn't always agree with how she did it, but at the end of the day if the kids were smiling, fed, watered and alive than that was all that mattered. Or so I tried to remind myself when I came home at night and it "had been a day" with Hurricane Tym tearing through the house. So the fear and apprehension of all of a sudden being Mr. Mum was beginning to sink in.

Week 1arrived and we all survived.

Week 2 arrived and we all survived.

Week 3 arrived and everyone was still alive - and smiling!

I started feeling pretty good about myself and my parenting skills. I began noticing the little things that make my kids tick. Such as Lake loves having his head scratched. And Tym can make a fort out of anything, including a hand towel! I started picking up on Lake's cues more quickly. Instead of a tired and cranky Mummy, the kids and I were laughing none stop, taking new adventures and figuring out our own way of running the house. And it feels great! I always knew I had an amazing family, but witnessing first hand day in and out the milestones of achievement is well worth the penny pinching of my not working. I will never get to see my kids like this again: The grin on Lake's face the first time he truly walked, the smirk on Tym's face when I threw a snowball at her, the ear splitting shriek of delight when Lake discovered flushing the toilet and the initial apprehension in them both at going to a new play group. I never fully realized all that I was missing until now. I'm not missing my Starbucks runs because I have Tym looking at me and saying "Mummy, you're a little cranky. Let's go make another coffee!" as she leads me to the kitchen and I hear a flush followed by a howl of laughter.

Happy Birthday Tym!

My lil' snuggle bug you are 5 years old today.

Closing my eyes brings back all the wonder, joy and apprehension I felt at 12:00:14 March 26th 2005. Closing my eyes I can still smell the newness of you. I can still hear your newborn cry, I can still see your toothless grin, and I can still feel my heart swell with more love for you than I've ever know. You are the first of 2 sacred gifts your Mama has given me. It took me some time to figure out how to be the best Mummy for you and to you, but I think we've found our path together.

Thank you for all the laughter, delight, and smiles you have brought to my world. With each passing day I know that you will be the person I had hoped you would be: nothing like me, but your own unique and awesome self.

I love you Bug-A-Boo,
Mummy

Tymothy Kate - stop growing!!

Dear Tym,

Today you are 5. WOW. it's amazing how quickly the time as flown. It seems like just yesterday we were eagerly awaiting your arrival. I can still feel you wiggling in my belly, with your constant hiccups.

Two weeks ago we surprised you with tickets to Princesses on Ice. it was amazing to take you and watch you see all your favorite Princesses come alive. You are so big - but the fold down chair kept creeping up, because you are also still so little. I kept my leg on the chair so it wouldn't close on you!

You are thriving at school. You like the teachers and the students and the bus ride home! So much so that you invited your 12 year old bus friend to your party on Saturday. Hayden came, because he knew it meant a lot to you., which was awesome.

Tonight we are having spaghetti and meatballs and Santiago and his moms are coming over. You are very excited to be 5 - the very first thing you said this morning was "I'm 5 now!"

Lake loves everything you do and looks for you constantly. You love him with justo. It's amazing to watch the bond you guys are growing and how good a big sister you are.

Everyday you make my heart grow a little more with how big you are getting, and the things you are able to do. You make me very proud to be your mama.

Happy Birthday Tymothy Kate - I love you.

Mama

Happy Birthday Darling!!!

Happy Birthday to a great Mr. Mom!!!! :)

Meag keeps saying she's turning 23 - we love you!

it's been a busy time as usual. Lots of sickness as usual. 2 weeks ago on a Sunday night Tym had a cold when going to bed, but woke up barking like a seal... Croup had gotten into the house again. Within an hour she couldn't breath very well and was struggling for a good breath. We called telehealth, who called an ambulance. Neither Meag nor I have ever had to take an ambulance, but Tym did. They gave her epinephrine in the ambluance and she turned into her chatty self within 10 minutes. 6 hours later at 5am they finally get home. The doctors gave Tym a one dose steriod to help her lungs along and that seemed to do the trick. it was a scary time - I felt silly getting the ambulance, but knowing they had to give her something eased my mind. That's why the service is there right?

Last week the rest of the house got sick. Lake and I got antibiotics on Monday, along with Tigger, and Meag got some Tuesday. We are getting better mostly - Meag's sinuses still hurt.... But lake and I are good :)

Tym's on March break this week - and the weather is gorgeous! We played outside yesterday for a couple hours, it was great. She's off to gymnastics camp for the rest of the week - yay for everyone!

We celebrated Meag's birthday at matt and sarah's on Sunday. it was awesome, Tym gave her a scrapbook she made all by herself. I gave her a day off - I'm taking Friday off and she can do whatever she wants!

Happy March Break everyone!