My worst shopping trip ever!

Yesterday had to have been the absolute worse shopping trip I have ever been on!!! I know that everybody has bad days but man this one was a doozy! It all started at about 7:00 yesterday morning - I got up because I had a miserable sleep and couldn't fall back asleep. None of my crappy sleep was due to either of the kids - I just could not fall asleep. So anyway I got up and started to get myself ready to go into town, bonus for me both kids were still asleep. After I had a shower and curled my hair I thought I would put some wax/pomade stuff in to make it kinda spikey and chunky - this is where it started getting bad - I should have just went right back to bed!!! The stuff I put in my hair made it look greasy and nasty - in fact it looked like I hadn't washed my hair in a week! By this time though my time was running out and I knew if I tried to change it the kids would be getting up and it would be impossible to get out of town at a decent hour - so I left it. And as luck would have it, just as I finished washing my hands from the greasy mess Dani woke up ready for the day! So I got her fed, watered, dressed and ready to go. I woke Zach up and got him dressed and then sat on the couch to give him a feed while Chris and Dani played together. So Dani, Zach, me and the greasy mess all piled into the car and actually left town at a half decent hour! Things were going good when we got into town and I thought this would turn out to be an ok day after all - as long as I didn't see anybody I know it would be good! After going to get some contacts and a quick stop at the bank we were off to walmart. I loaded Zach up into his part of the front carrier but didn't clip him to me, picked Dani up and made my way into the store. I don't expect people to do things for me, kids or no kids, but when they don't have carts out it makes it a little difficult to just grab a cart with one hand and get Dani loaded with the other. So here I am with a kid in each arm trying to manouver a cart out of the corral in the front of the store when a customer service girl came over to see if she could give me a hand. I handed her Zach so I could get Dani into the chair of the cart. Just as I had sat Dani down into the cart this cranky old woman called from the line up (2 people) at customer service "do you think we could get some help over here" Well I tell you - if looks could kill!! I shot her probably the nastiest look I have ever shot anybody - lucky for me the kids were there cause I held my tongue and besides I couldn't think of anything to say to her - sure thought of lots on the way home though!! So the girl told her she would be right there and that she was just giving me a hand. I managed to make it through the store without any real mishaps, paid for my things and took the kids over to McDonalds. Dani and I shared a meal and Zach had his ready made snack! I thought things couldn't get any worse - boy was I wrong! Just as I was taking my tray to the table I got about halfway when my pop literally jumped off my tray and all over the floor - wouldn't have been so bad if the restaurant wasn't packed! After our meal and a break I loaded up the kids and went to get everything in the car. I put Zach in first and as I was getting Dani in the lady parked beside me came and got in her car, and as she was backing out and not even paying attention to what was going on beside her she smoked the door of MY car with her mirror. Gave me the look like it was my fault that she hit my door! After walmart I managed to go a couple other stores without too much incident - just Dani wanting to walk on her own. I went into please mum to get the kids some clothes and just as luck would have it - I didn't bring the diaper bag and somebody pooped! We had one more stop after please mum and the car was farther than the stop so I thought she would be ok until we got back to the car. We went to the next store and while I was talking to the sales person I went to pick Dani up and sure as anything she had leaked right through! So I sat her on the floor and she left TWO great big wet spots on the carpet! And as if you couldn't smell it - it stunk to high heaven!!!! I wouldn't be surprised if people started to leave because of the stink! Anyway I finished at the store and hauled the kids out to the car. Thankfully I bought Dani a really cute pair of jeans at please mum! So I get Zach loaded Dani stripped and changed and make my way over the the chinese food place to pick up supper to bring home for Chris and I. As I was waiting for the food I was going through my purchases and realized one part wasn't in there so back to the store I went! I went back and picked up our supper and headed out of town! I stopped to get gas and to give Chris a quick call to let him know I was on my way after I stop out at a friends place to pick up some stuff we had left there when I was in to have Zach. Well I get out to our friends place and the person that is house sitting for them had locked the doors - the doors are never locked!!! So I went across the street to another friends house to use the phone to call Chris to see if he could remember where the hidden key was. I had already been looking for it for about half an hour! So Leona came over with me to help look for it - obviously I was looking with my eyes closed cause she found it right away! After grabbing my crap we were on our way home. The kids were asleep, the sun was out, tunes were on, roads were good - it was going to be a good drive home - or so I thought! About 45 minutes from home I could smell something funky - so I looked back at Dani and she had spit up a little bit. I thought no big deal she will be ok till we get home. Just as we were coming down the hill into Johnson's Crossing she started to cough and then totally let loose! She barfed all over herself and her carseat!!! And oh man did it STINK!!!! I pulled into Johnson's Crossing and of all days for them to be closed! So I tried to clean her up best as I could and carried on towards home. By this time Zach was howling Dani was crying and the car reeked like parmesan cheese! I pulled into the driveway just as Chris was getting home from work, thank goodness he was here to help me with the kids! We get inside and discover that the dog we are dogsitting had crapped and peed all over the kitchen - they had only been inside for two hours since the last time they had been outside! So on top of cleaning barf off of a kid and out of a carseat I was also cleaning up after the dog!!! I don't think my day could have gotten any worse! And like I said to Chris - Only a parent can truly appreciate a bad day!!! Last night I had a good sleep and Zach slept for 7 hours - I think today is going to be a good day! (I hope)

Only Six and a Half More Sleeps!!!!

Only six and a half more sleeps till Chris and I begin our big adventure south with two rugrats in tow! As the days number down I keep thinking about all the stuff I want to have done before we leave. Thank goodness for Jan and Garry - they are going to take care of Cleo, the fish and the plants. They will also come up to the house and hopefully run the dishwasher a few times to keep the septic tank full and to keep the lines from freezing. For those who haven't had the chance to experience our "northern" living I will tell you a little about our house. We are the last house on the road so we have quite a big lot for ourselves. We have a nice fenced in back yard which is great for Cleo. The house has three bedrooms, huge kitchen and living room, main floor laundry and two and a half bathrooms. It is totally self contained - until the power goes out! We have a 1250 gallon water tank in our basement as well as an oil tank. We are also on a septic system. We get water delivered to the house on Tuesday's and Friday's - I'm sure we could make it with one delivery a week but better safe than sorry! The water is pumped to the house by an electric pump and when the power goes out the old saying is "If its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down". Just hope you have an extra pail of water floating around cause once the water is gone from the toilet its gone till the power comes back on! I guess in its own way this is kinda like glorified camping!



The beloved water truck - god forbid they don't remember what's in it!!!

I started going to sewing classes again - although I already know how to sew - I just like to go for the chin wag! Right now I am making Dani a summer capri pant and top set out of pink gingham. Next I am going to finish the carseat sleeper for Zach. We are having the big "Fashion Show" at the end of may. I am doing the music again this year - so if anyone has any suggestions for some songs let me know.

The kids have been doing great lately. Dani has just about got that molar all the way through now, she hasn't done much fussing about it, but man that looks painful. Zach slept a good six hours last night - lucky me!!!! He is growing sooo fast - I can't believe he is going to be eight weeks old on Thursday! Here are some more pictures of the kiddies for everyone to enjoy!!!



If Dani doesn't get her nap right after lunch this is usually the result!



Funny hey! Little pouty face!



WHAT HAS YOUR FATHER BEEN TEACHING YOU!!!!!



Dani helps Chris build Zach's new vibrating chair.



Zach enjoying his new chair!



Dani finally figures out how to ride her birthday bike!



Dani loves to relax in the breasfeeding pillow with a bottle and blanket!



Nice day for a sit in the high chair.



Zach kickin back!



Dani is getting ready for the summer sun!



Zach is too!



A beautiful day in the north!



Fishing YUKON style - Notice the chainsaw and the big steel cables?

For those who have been following the progress of the snowcat and loader - the snow cat is out! It took them 45 minutes to set up the crane on the bridge and 15 minutes to get the snowcat out of the water and onto a lowboy flatdeck truck parked on the bridge. They tooted their horn on the way by the other people still working on getting the loader out of the water.

Who Knew?

Who knew that the ESC button would erase the whole stinking page - obviously not me!!! It has finally started to warm up around here. The last couple of days have been really nice - it is currently +8 here. I took the kids walking on tuesday afternoon - I wanted to get them weighed so we walked to the nursing station by the time we had got home we had walked about 5 km. These two kids have got some seriously healthy appetites! Dani weighed in at a whopping 23.5 pounds and Zach weighed in at 11.1 pounds. Hard to believe that Zach is six weeks old today - seems like only yesterday! Dani has sure taken a liking to her little brother. She loves to hold him whenever she gets the chance - mom there or not!!!She has only tried once to "help" him out of his swing! It is funny to see her interact with him! This afternoon I was on the couch nursing Zach and she came over and took the receiving blanket, went to the floor and sat down and spread it out on her lap, then put her arms up to as if to say "ok mom I'm ready, bring him over so I can hold him!". Her maternal instincts are really starting to shine through - she has now started giving her baby doll bottles and burps her! Zach is starting to come into his own a little bit. He is more alert during the day now and is giving us more little grins here and there - I'm still waiting for the huge grin to come out. He has started to hold his head a little more on his own and loves to stand on your lap - he is one tough little cookie! Lucky for me he has also started to sleep a minimum of 6 hours a night now. Anyway just wanted to post some more pictures of our little angels for everyone to see.



My most favorite picture of the kids together (so far)



Not the best picture of him but one of the most recent.



Future ma bell - must be taking after her mother!



She was having a little spazz so I told her to do her funny mad face and this is what she did!

Will Spring EVER Come?

So it snowed again last night, I am honestly getting sick and tired of all this white stuff! Hopefully by the time we make our way back up north after our vacation home all the snow will be gone. Chris and I have decided that driving down will be fun and a good road trip for all of us. I think I'm just looking forward to West Edmonton mall - maybe just civilization! I can't wait for gas to be in the 80's instead of the 90's! My mouth is watering just thinking about fresh produce that is actually fresh!

Bobbi-Jo (my sister) is getting married in December in Costa Rica. Chris and I have asked his mom and dad to watch the kids for us while we are gone. As much as we love them it is going to be great to go without them. We both agree that taking a one and two year old and all the stuff needed for them overseas is just too much of a hassle - not that we can't handle our kids, just that they are on a schedule and how much fun will it be sitting in a hotel room for the better part of a night cause your kids are in bed! Anyway its better for everyone all around - Chris's parents get time with the grandkids, the kids don't have to go through shots and jet lag, and Chris and I will get to have a vacation/honeymoon! After Costa Rica we will head back to his mom and dad's place for Christmas and depending on his time off we may be back up here in time for New Years and Dani's birthday or we may just spend it in the south.

Turns out that poker night is turning into a weekly thing - we are going again this friday. Hopefully there will be more people this time - just means a bigger pot to win!

Anyway I just wanted to post some more pictures of the kids. These ones my friend Robert took - he is a photographer and also works as a nurse pratitioner here in town. If you want to see more of his photos his web address is www.distanthorizons.ca
I will try to post a link for his site.

Poker Anyone???

This week has been an eventful one for Chris and I. We went to town on Wednesday for a baby shower a friend of ours had for Zach. It was really nice to see our friends from Whitehorse. Funny how when you move you say you will keep in touch but sometimes life takes over and then you find yourself a year down the road saying "I haven't seen you in so long, we should get together". Next thing you know another year will go by and you run into that same person and the same thing will be said and the cycle continues. I am probably the worst for doing that!

Cleo went to the vet Thursday morning for a booster shot and to get some bloodwork done to make sure her epilepsy medication is working and to see if we can reduce the dosage for her. Since we put her on the meds she hasn't had a seizure - thank goodness!! She weighed in at a healthy 57lbs this time. Fortunately for me Cleo has been an excellent dog to have around the kids, Dani loves to cuddle with her on the dog bed in the living room. Cleo also receives routine dental check ups - courtesy Dani!!!


On Thursday afternoon Chris and I headed back to Teslin and this is what greeted us out under the bridge!!!



Half of the town showed up to witness the struggle!! Some were out on the ice and a lot were up on the bridge looking over. The people that own the loader built an A-frame out of steel to go and act as a hoist type of thing to get the loader out.
On Friday afternoon they had managed to get the loader to the surface before it and the A-frame made their way back down to the bottom!!!! This has been a very comical situation right from the get go!

Last night Chris and I went to play poker at our friends house. There was five of us playing and the buy in amount was twenty dollars each. We were playing texas hold 'em - just like you see on TV. I finished in first place and took home sixty smackers! I went to bed smiling!

We got home last night shortly after midnight, Dani went right back to sleep and I stayed up with Zach till about one thirty. Chris went right to bed seeing as he was the one who had to be up at eight for work this morning. Zach slept right until six thirty this morning!! I hope he keeps this up - Dani was sleeping through the night by the time she was two months old!

Here are some of the most recent pictures of the kids.

Enjoy.


Dani gets a new dolly!


Zach snoozing away!




Dani plays outside in the snow for the first time - she wasn't too crazy about falling in face first!!!


Checking up on baby brother!


Kickin back!


Fresh from the tub, all clean and ready for bed!


Ohhh so cute!


Zach and Chris find some time in their busy day to relax and have a snooze together!