Wendy has another birthday!

When I was in my teens I thought it was ridiculous that people (okay mostly women) were embarrassed about their age.  I thought it was silly to dye your hair and I couldn't understand why teachers wouldn't just admit how old they were.  FAST FORWARD... I can't explain exactly how I feel about aging but I'm not totally okay with it.  I'm not dying my hair, but I will when I feel it's needed.

So why the change?  I think I judge myself to harshly.  I started university late, I got married late, I had kids late... at least that's what I tell myself.  Why was it late?   Why don't I just know in my heart that it was at the right time for me?  Why do I hurt myself by comparing myself to others?  Being home with my two beauties is intense at times but there is no where I'd rather be right now.  BUT am I okay with turning 38... I suppose when it comes right down to it I have to be because I am 38!

I had some friends over during the day - no photographic evidence sadly.  Once Kate stopped having melt downs about sharing toys I enjoyed visiting.  Ken came home and made a lovely dinner, my Mom joined us.  It was quiet but lovely.  Happy Birthday to me.  I've now got less than two years to process 40...  eek, must start processing...

Alice is Seven Weeks Old.

The last of the counting by weeks pictures...

Who takes their kid to see the Easter Bunny?

I guess we do! 

Mom's Birthday

When I asked Mom if she wanted me and the girls to come visit her on the morning of her birthday she said she'd rather have us come for dinner.  I tried to suggest she should come up here but she didn't want to do that either.  I figured since it was her birthday she should get to choose.  I was concerned because Kate has been giving up her naps and Alice is often very fussy in the evening. 

Wednesday morning we went to Storytime at the library.  Alice was sleeping after lunch so I could actually get Kate to nap - yay!  Both the girls were excellent driving down to the KEG.  I LOVE that Andrew works and sometimes manages at the KEG.  Andrew had fun showing off Kate.  We had excellent food.  Kate was pretty good - when she needs to leave, she needs to leave.  And then Andrew had fun showing off Alice.

We went back to my Mom's and had the cheesecake (gluten free) that Ken made.  YUM!  Kate had fun play time and Alice could be nursed and cuddled.  We watched the video that Michelle put together for Dad.  (Kate loves this video/slide show - pictures of all her cousins)  We even made it all the way home with no one crying or fussing and I'm pretty sure Mom felt special on her birthday.  What an incredibly successful, fun day!

Alice was dressed for the occasion - even if I forgot to get a picture of her with her Grandma.

Mom, Kate, Wendy.  We had an awesome booth at the KEG, thanks Andrew.

Mom, Kate, Andrew.  Doesn't Andrew look handsome and all managerial.

Snack time with Kate and Giraffe

Perhaps what I should do is insist that stuffed animals are not allowed at snack/meal time...

...instead I just took pictures and cleaned the giraffe off. 

Alice is Six Weeks Old.

Alice has started to smile.  Not consistently but I'll take it anyway.

Since Alice was born Kate would say "nice kisses for baby Alice" every time she would give her a kiss.  That has now been replaced with "nice kisses for sister".  I'm glad Kate gives Alice kisses... even if she tries to hit her when she cries, there are still nice kisses for her sister!

A haircut with a story - April Fool's Day Indeed!

Here's the haircut:

Here's the story:
On Saturday (the 26th of March) I was thinking, it would be so nice to know someone who cuts hair in their home so I could get a haircut and Kate could too.  I thought that Kate would be relaxed in someone's house - especially if she could watch tv.  As for me I figured if the baby cried we could stop and then start again - not something you can do in a salon.  The next day in church I was talking to Laura and she happened to mention she cuts hair and I asked if she cut hair at home and she said yes.  She gave me her number and we set a date for Friday.

All week long I talked to Kate about getting a haircut.  I would hold up her hair and say clip, clip, clip.  I thought it was going well.  So Friday morning we got out of the house without too much craziness and made our way up to Alliston to Laura's house.  When we arrived Kate was so excited to explore.  Laura had a fun basket of toys.  Alice was still asleep.  Laura and I chatted a little.  Then Laura asked Kate if she could brush her hair.  (Insert long pause, very long pause.)

Kate who seems to have inherited a flare for the dramatic - no idea where from, started to cry - sob, wail actually.  She wailed for a while.  And then Alice woke up.  Kate finally calmed down and Alice had been nursed and was calm - but not asleep.  I asked Laura if she would cut my hair while I held Alice.  She said sure.

I think she got about half way through the haircut before Kate lost it again.  Laura had been cutting my hair in the front room.  Kate was watching tv in the back of the house.  We moved to the kitchen - I stood while Laura stood behind me.  I was still holding Alice and Kate watched tv and cried on and off and Laura cut my hair.

We were almost finished and it was just before noon and it seemed that there was no way we would be able to finish without help so I called Ken.  His office is around the corner so being the sweetheart that he is he came over on his lunch hour to watch the two girls while Laura finished my hair.  Ken went back to work - without lunch and I nursed Alice again and got her settled so we could leave and I felt awful.

If I'd known Laura for years it probably would have still been a traumatic experience.  Laura was amazing through the whole thing.  I kept apologizing, I feel awful about it.  This isn't what you do to someone that you hope will become your friend...

We survived though and I even went and I had my picture taken for my driver's license renewal.  I'm not sure when I'll get my hair cut next and who knows when I'll raise the subject with Kate again.  She can just have cute slightly messy hair, for a while! 

Yes, they look alike.

Who's who?  Can you tell?  (And as I told Ken, no it isn't the same person!)