Purple

The weekend consisted of 4 photo shoots, a little mini family shoot of our own (we did it in 10 minutes...not ideal but it was lunch time:), a trip to Aldor Acres (pumpkin patch which we had a free family pass to!), painting the baseboards, and me getting Koen's cold. I have to say that this cold has knocked me out. I'm exhausted. Koen slept from 6:30pm until 11am, and I had to wake him up! That is how exhausting this cold virus is.

I probably make 5-10 trips to Home Depot each week. I need to make at least one more in the next couple of days to pick up one more light and the linoleum but I just can't go there again. Thank goodness it's less than 5km away:) We're getting our carpet installed tomorrow, isn't that exciting? I can't believe all that we've done in 6 weeks. Although, I can believe it because we have put in a whole lotta hours.

I forgot to put a card in our camera when we went to the pumpkin patch (it was a CRAZY day) so we didn't get any photos there...it was good to just sit back and relax but I love getting nice pictures of the boys with the pumpkins. So, it might be back to the (free) pumpkin patch this week:)

Yes, I will cut his hair. Some time.

I'm growing my hair out and I'm excited about it. I've always wanted long hair but Gary told me once that he liked short hair. So now, I'm growing it for me. And my mom. She always loved my hair longer.

(Gary said look surprised)

I love having a remote shutter release but the only problem is that the boys need something to look at. I should have asked someone walking by with a dog to stand by the camera...now we know!! Aren't we cute? I like my new purple dress and Kai in his purple striped shirt.

Hope you all had a great weekend and that you don't catch this cold going around!

Love, Louise

Undies

Hi everyone, it's me, Koen! I had a rough night last night, I was up until 4am. My mommy tried to sleep with me in her bed, on the rocking chair, and even in a toddler bed. Finally at 3am, she just let me cry. I'm breaking in 4 eye teeth and I'm super congested with a cold. I'm pretty miserable! Good thing mommy has a crazy thyroid that gives her lots of energy. I think that if I acted like this a few days in a row, mommy wouldn't have so much energy anymore.

Look what I'm wearing though! Undies!! I just really wanted to try them because they are so comfy and I love trying to use the toilet like a big boy. So far, nothing has happened on the toilet but I've kept my undies dry for the 2 hour time periods that mommy let's me wear them!

Yes, I'm pointing a painting stir stick at you...and then I will run down the hall and try to scratch the walls, I'm fun like that!

Come this way! Check out the dusty floor, yup, that's what we have to live with. You know what else we have to live with? Four couches in one small room and three boxes. It's kind of fun though. Know why?

We make lots of forts with the pillows and Kai likes to hide in them and pop out like a Jack-In-The-Box!

Okay, nap time! Tomorrow afternoon we are taking our family photos at the pumpkin patch and I'm going to be a super good boy, okay?

Have a good day.

Koen.

Dust and Ducks

Okay, it has been decided. The worst part about doing renos is not the money (by oh my goodness is it going FAST, do I seriously need to rent ANOTHER tool?! Door knobs cost how much?!), dealing with 2 crazy kids tearing apart the tool rental department (two visits in one day...dude said, `You must be tired by the end of the day!'), or the stress (oh, you gave me the wrong sized doors and I need the right ones NOW), it's the dust. I am so sick and tired of vacuuming, dusting, and steam mopping my entire main floor every single day. I think that all the dust producing jobs are now done. I think. So, next week, we will carpet clean the entire house. Fun times!

(looking down hall to laundry room, bedroom and bathroom)

The finishers finished today and so Gary and I will paint like crazy over the next 5 days to get all the baseboards, doors, trim and walls painted and caulked and whatever the heck you need to do to them. On Monday, the carpet is coming!!! I'm excited. Then I can move stuff down there. I'm a little sad that I bought the cheap berber carpet that matches our current basement stairs, but I think it is the right move with having 2 (or maybe more eventually) boys being wild down there and making a mess. Then, we just need the following; electrician to finish installing lights, us to put in the bathroom and laundry room floor, plumbers to put in toilet and sink. Then there are all those random things that add up to a billion dollars like closet organizers, shower curtain/rod, towel holder blah blah blah.

In other news, this is the book I'm reading. It says in the beginning that you could take one of two stances upon reading it, `Oh, everything is going to kill me anyway so I'm not going to change' or `I'm going to do all I can to live the healthiest life'. Now, I used to be more of the first type responder. I mean seriously, I have the worst genes in the world, I'm gonna get something no matter what I do. BUT, I wanna be around for my boys (and please, please, please...grandchildren!!) so I will do what I can to be healthy and to raise them as healthy as possible. Step one this week was buying a ton of glass containers. Small step, sort of expensive, but a good one. Can't believe it took us so long to just do that:)

Gotta go. Have a wonderful day.

Love, Louise

Thankful

What a perfect weekend! We had thanksgiving dinner with Gary's family on Friday. Had a wedding on Saturday. Had a WONDERFUL family day on Sunday going to church, Redwood Park, and then a pumpkin patch. I have been reminded that being outside, in nature, with my family, is the most relaxing and enjoyable thing for me. Today we painted our basement and had my whole family over for thanksgiving dinner. It was great.

Thankful for living in a city of parks.

Thankful for two boys who love exploring nature, even more than I do!

Thankful for dimples and an a very animated talker that lights up my life.

Thankful for the conversations with my four year old which usually make me smile. Thankful for forgiveness so that we can move on after difficult days.

Thankful for ample family time and being silly together.

Thankful for kisses and hugs. Especially from a husband who always thinks I'm hot, no matter what my belly size.

Thankful that my kids love me so much, no matter how frustrated I get with them, or how many times I ask them to do something. They still want their momma. Usually:)

Thankful that the boys love playing together. Such an incredible blessing.

Thankful for a belly full of good food (cupcakes made by my sister Trish)

Thankful for family that is always there.

Thankful for nieces who I can hold and cuddle and giggle with while we await another baby of our own. And seriously the skirt on Sami was incredibly cute.

Thankful that my kiddos have so many cousins (Koen ran out of the picture), on both sides, that we see regularly. The furthest one (Sami) is just 45 minutes away.

(Do you like how Koen is holding a baby too? He's also sucking in his lip because he now has a fat lip/bloody nose. Poor bubs. Please note that Kenzie-1 month and Sami-7 months, are less than 5lbs apart:)

Thankful. Blessed. Content.

Love, Louise

Kai Bear; Advice Needed

KAI

Okay, let's see. I love my Kai Bear. I need some advice on parenting this 4 year old boy. Kai will usually play with another kid in the same manner and energy level as the other child. He can play nicely and quietly with his cousin Annika and he can play rough and tumble with his big boy cousins. Now, let's say there is a classroom of kids. All are behaving nicely, Kai behaves nicely. Let's say one kid acts wildly and misbehaves, well, Kai gravitates to that kid immediately. He will encourage the behaviour and test some of it out himself (just like he does when Koen misbehaves).

I know that he is far from being a teenager but my fear is that he will do that when he is older. Why am I afraid of it? Maybe because I wasn't as goody goody as my husband:) As a kid however, I was not one of the wild ones. Ever. When I went with Kai on a field trip this week, I was so disappointed. I have never felt so rejected by him and at a loss of what to do. He completely ignored me and was so caught up in being silly/not listening with another boy (although he did listen to his teachers). It was impossible to separate them because the other boy was there with his grandparents who couldn't hold on to him (we were hiking through the forest). At one point, I took him to the back of the line (and he screamed and acted like he was dying) and we just left when everyone was having their snack. Usually on a hike we can talk about what we are seeing and he finds me interesting and engaging but it was like I was the most annoying person in the world and he didn't want to be anywhere near me. Since when am I not the coolest, smartest, prettiest, fastest, strongest mommy in the world? He's only 4. Isn't he supposed to think the world of me a little bit longer? Maybe my expectations are just too high. I mean, his behaviour wasn't terrible, it just wasn't what the rest of the class was doing and it wasn't what I wanted him to be doing.

And what can I possibly do about his friendships? There are some really good buddies of his in preschool whom he loves and who I love. And then there are kids that might not be the best influence on him based on Kai's personality (is that mean to say?). What can I do about it? I can discuss a lot with him but this is something that he has a hard time with. I have to say though, that when I was trying to keep him away from that other boy and he was pushing me away and saying he didn't want to walk with me, I was hurt. I can handle a lot of his words but for some reason, that field trip left me feeling really upset. Maybe it's my hormones? Maybe I was tired? Maybe it was a one time thing. Your thoughts on this are welcome.

KOEN

Dare I say that he is less monkeyish? He is still climbing on everything and making a mess BUT it's not a mess that requires a carpet cleaner to clean up. He is so sweet. Except when he drags his foot when I am trying to push him on the bike, then, I don't find him so sweet. I make him walk. And then he takes 10 years to get home and I get soooo frustrated.

Getting him to say `happy birthday' gives a better smile than `cheese!'

The boys loved the pumpkin scones I made. I loved them too and I don't even like pumpkin!

BELLY

Okay, I know you're only supposed to publish nice and flattering pictures of yourself but I am so perplexed by my belly! I seriously look 3 months pregnant. Now, my free T4 is currently in the hypothyroid range making me cold and fat (while still maintaining the jitters of the hyperthyroidism) but seriously, a pregnant looking belly? And this was first thing in the morning. Crazy. I miss my constant metabolism more than anything. I was normal for 30 years and I don't think I appreciated it. Having a wonky metabolism is so frustrating. I have a maximum weight that I am not `allowed' to go over. I'm 1lb away from it. Great. And no, I'm not publishing that weight. And no, I'm not pregnant.

BASEMENT

We rented a paint sprayer and Gary primed the whole basement in two hours and then he also did the whole ceiling. Below (on the left) you can see the colour that we will be painting the basement; Silver Fox. If you don't like it, please don't tell me now. We already bought the paint:)

All primed and ready to go!! I have to say that even though renos aren't fun, it was not nearly as stressful as I thought it would be. Maybe that's because we only did the insulating, drywall cutting and hanging, and painting:)

Okay, I will def. have a thanksgiving post on Monday because I have a billion things that I am so thankful for.

And if you have any suggestions on Kai and friendships and behaviour, please let me know!

Love, Louise

Selling Mommy

Kai likes to use his words to hurt me when he is angry.

Example:

Me: Kai, it's 8:30am, we are not having a cookie.

Kai: Well, then I'm going to have a garage sale and sell you for $1.00 and then get a new mommy.

In other news, the kids are at grandma's (we are photographing a wedding tomorrow in that CRAZY rain) so Gary and I saw `The Social Network'. We totally enjoyed it. Time for bed.

Happy

I feel so good emotionally. Not sure why, but I'll take it! Not that I'm usually sad, but I just feel exceptionally happy. It could be that Jen and Andrey have brought their daughter home, an old student of mine that had two major heart surgeries in two weeks is looking up (it wasn't looking so good a few days ago), and another old student who was in a major car accident is now in critical care and is responding to various commands (this is a huge improvement).

And, no seque to this but our basement renos are going well! The mudder finished today which means Gary and I have a terribly dusty clean up job to do. I picked up some `Kleen Sweep' which should make it a bit easier? We get to start painting tomorrow!! Woohoo!!! And by we, I mean Gary:) Well, we'll just prime it and paint the ceilings because the finishers come in Tuesday and the carpet is ready and will be installed on the 18th. Oh my goodness. We are finishing early, I know it! Just have to somehow do the bathroom and laundry room floors in there and then finish installing the bathroom fixtures and we're good to go!!

I have to say that hiring more professionals decreased our stress dramatically and was so worth it. I still feel like we are doing a decent chunk on our own and I'm impressed with us. The final cost will be closer to $11,000 than $9,000 but it's worth it when it cuts the time and stress down. Our neighbours did their basement by themselves over the time period of a year. No way, Jose! I cannot wait to carpet clean our main floor and upstairs and have a clean house from top to bottom. I guess I can do that after the finishers.

In work news, there was a giant barbecue at the school last night. It was a lot of fun but it really just reinforced that teaching is so not for me right now. I found teaching so stressful and exhausting. I mean, I loved it and thought I would do it forever, but man, is life easier now! I don't have to rush the kids off to daycare, I get to wear whatever I want, I can work while the kids sleep, I can clean my house and make meals, I can stay on top of laundry etc. I am SO incredibly thankful to have such an awesome job. I'm trying to find the balance. I had three days with no work (due to the weather) and I almost went crazy. I read a book, baked and cooked but just felt `off'. I love having just a couple of hours of work each day while Koen naps. By the way I read, `Secret Daughter' about an adoption through India, I liked it, mostly because adoption is on our minds daily around here:)

Okay, better wake up Kokies to go get Kai Bear. I have an engagement shoot at Crescent Beach this evening, the weather is looking awesome. Maybe I'll wear my new boots. I have a thing for boots.

Love, Louise

21 Months

I think Koen is just growing up way too fast now! I look at him and see such a big boy, especially when he seems to be taking up his whole crib at night. I have to say that I am so thankful that he has not learned how to open a door or climb out of his crib yet. At this age, Kai was in a bed. Koen however, we will keep in the crib for another 6 months at least!

He is now my super sleeper. Ah, so nice! He goes to bed so easily and sleeps a solid 14 hours (at least). I can even go in and check on him now. He will still sit up and stare at me the second I open the door, but then, he just lays down and goes back to sleep once I shut the door.

He is using a lot of words these days. He'll say things like `Tie (Kai) shoes!' or `Lud you (love you)' or `Mommy, Ee (eat)!'.

He has become a little more whiny lately, not the biggest fan. The fake cry comes out very easily which drives me bonkers!

(the fake cry)

We took the boys swimming last night and Koen was giggling with glee. I can't believe we don't take them more often. Well, I can believe it. We should try though. I should probably take Kai skating too. Anyway, Koen LOVED the water and was totally fearless. Kai has come a long ways and now goes down the slide and will float using a noodle.

Koen still loves Blue like crazy, although like Kai, he now calls him Bubbi. We have packed up all of the bottles as he now just uses sippy cups. Took a while but I was a little more hesitant switching him over as I was a little more careful with him just because of his history with reflux and how he always seemed to choke a bit using the sippy cups.

I know I say it all the time but wow, I am so in love with this big boy. He melts my heart daily. I am so blessed with my two boys. I love having boys. I often think of how it took us a bit longer to have Koen which just makes me hug him a little longer each night. He is such a blessing to us and I am so thankful for him. LOVE YOU SO MUCH KOKIES!!!!

Run For the Cure | 2010

First off, I would like to thank everyone who supported me financially in the Run For The Cure, I really appreciate it. This day is always special to me because it is a time where we can focus on family and remember the one person who isn't there. Miss you mom, so much. I wish you were there to see all your gorgeous grandkids, there's so many of them now!!!

The weather was perfect and my adorable 6 month old niece, Sami, had some serious pink going on!

My sister Trish (below) kept Maria company in the stands as Maria is still recovering from her post pre-eclampsia. It's so interesting each year to reflect on where we were the year before. Last year, I didn't run because I had just been diagnosed with Graves' Disease and also, Sami and Kenzie weren't born yet.

Kai was really pumped about the `race'. He understood that it was a time to remember oma. Another time he mentioned that we are running the race so we don't get `cancered'. Sort of bittersweet...the term he came up with but the fact that it is a reality. He knows that some people get cancer and get better (like my dad) and others go to heaven (my mom). It's a hard balance in trying to get them to understand yet not freak them out about death.

Kai was so excited to wear a race shirt with his `super fast runners'. As you can see below, we needed to get Koen in a better fitting shirt:)

Family picture (with Kai's fake sad face)!

Team Dekens for 2010.

So, Gary took the boys in the jogging stroller for the 5km run and then took them out for the last 100m so that they could run to the finish line. You can see my bro-in-law running alongside him.

I could see Gary the whole time...he ended up about 4 minutes ahead of me.

This was Kai's highlight; running the last 100m in the race. He LOVED it. He also enjoyed the can of orange juice and popcorn at the end, just not as much as the finish line:)

Koen took it a little slower (the 5km runners finish with the 1km walkers....). Gary was the first double stroller in. There was a single stroller that juuuuuuust passed him.

Here's my dad and Doug finishing the 1km walk. Thanks to my sister Trish for taking the pictures for us!

Gary walked the kids back to the 100m mark to meet with me so we could all run in together. Kai has some serious speed (check out his stride below!) and I...uh, didn't. However, I ran the whole thing!!!! 5km!!!! Phew. Can't say I loved it at all. I don't know how I used to do that all the time. I used to enjoy running and exercise so much. Now, not so much. What is wrong with me? I just don't feel motivated to exercise. I mean, I love walking and playing sports, but to just work out for the sake of it, I'm not so into it. This is so not me, but maybe it's the new me. That would explain the 15lbs more that I have on me this year!

I ran it all in 35 minutes which isn't too shabby considering I haven't been running much. I can admit that my sisters that ran it (Jantina and Jackie) both beat me. Jan beat me by about 5 seconds:) I know it's not meant to be competitive but we can't help it.

We finished off with lunch at dad and Joanne's and the kids had a great time playing. I can't believe there are now 6 grandkids on the Dekens' side and there will definitely be a lot more in the years to come! It's so beautiful to see them all together and I know my mom would've loved it. I'm not sure what she would be doing with the kids, but I know she would definitely be holding the babies:)

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Love, Louise