Family Day Weekend

Friday was a P.A. Day, I got a ride to school, Ken picked up the girls and then came to get me and we were off.  We enjoyed an interesting detour through the Hamilton area. (Ken's never been good at having a conversation and navigating...) There was a bit of a wait at the border.  We made a stop at the Walden Galleria Mall for subs and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and then it was on to our final destination - the Country Inn and Suites in Rochester.

Saturday morning we woke up early and had breakfast and went swimming.  We all love staying in hotels!  After our swim everyone had baths/showers and we packed up and made our way to the Children's Museum.  It was busy.  In fact we'd never been there when it was so busy.  We enjoyed ourselves despite the crowds and after we had our fill of play we had lunch and continued on the road to Seneca Falls.

Ken didn't think we needed to bring the SLR in since we've taken pictures so many times, but I said no and vowed to carry it around with me the whole time, and I did!

One of the very fun things about having a friend with older kiddies is that you have babysitters built in!  The four of us adults went out for dinner on Saturday night in Seneca Falls and it was SO nice.  The food was so good and the conversation, it was just lovely.

Sunday we went to church.  Sam was ordained to the office of a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.  It was cool because the tradition in the ward is that all the young men (and I assume the young women who are set apart) are ordained in the "cabin".  Heidi and Todd have church at one of the historic sites.  The Peter Whitmer farm is the site of the church's organization in 1830 and the building they meet in is beside the reconstructed cabin.  It was rebuilt on the original foundation and is a replica of the original log home.  After church we had lunch and then a quiet afternoon.  Four sister missionaries came for dinner so you can imagine it was a busy dinner!  After dinner Ken and Todd gave me a blessing.  More about that in a separate post.

Before we talk about Monday a few words about a few things.  The camera stayed in the van for the rest of the trip.  I meant to take pictures of all the cute kids playing and hanging out but I didn't.  I wanted to take pictures of the kids playing with the animals, but I didn't.  (I don't think I mentioned they have six pets - two rabbits, two cats and two dogs.  And of course there are the five kids.)  Alice and Kate both enjoyed the animals.  Alice enjoyed playing.  Kate and Ruthie played together and for the most part got along.  They did have some difficulties.  What is it about strong willed ladies?!  Oh and one last side note - on Saturday before arriving at the Egans we stopped at the Carter's Outlet and I might have bought boyish type clothing for a new baby even though I have had no confirmation that it is a boyish baby!  I am not going to buy anything else newborn (I really do have enough for starting) and if it isn't a boy, I will have to find someone to give the cute stuff I bought!

Monday we got up, ate, hung out, packed.  Ken set up the Egan's Raspberry Pi.  It's a teeny-tiny little computer and I think the cost is about $30 for the computer.  It is meant to run a Linux operating system and well I'm not sure what to say beyond that.  After saying our goodbyes we drove away, only to realize we'd left the diaper bag.  We hadn't gotten very far when Heidi phoned and they came and met us and we said goodbye again.  We drove back to the children's museum and we thought it was busy on Saturday!  EEK!  It was madness crazy house on Monday.  If it wasn't so far away I think we might not have gone.  Oh well, who knew that it was Spring Break in New York - not us!  We had a fun time until we lost Kate.  That's right, we lost Kate.  Aren't we awesome parents.  It was perhaps the worst 15-20 minutes of my life.  The staff were awesome - and there are lots of them.  I worried that Kate would be frantic, but hey she's four and she didn't even know she was lost.  How's that!  Ken and I reflected about conversations we should be having with Kate.  The what do you do if you need help - who do you talk to conversation. 

After we were all reunited we had lunch and then walked to the van that was parked a block away to start the return home.  We made another pit stop at the Walden Galleria Mall for cheesecake (so so so good).  We went through Niagara Falls to go over the border.  We stopped at the "Gateway Niagara" for dinner and then it was home.  We had an action packed family fun weekend.  I love our fun adventures!

My Little Valentines and Yours Too!

Kate and Alice wore their cute Valentine Dresses on Sunday and I took their picture.  My goal was to make cards for the Grandparents and maybe the cousins.  That never happened.  So instead here is your blog card...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  

Here's hoping that your heart and your home are filled with love. 
We love you!

Negative and Positive

I'm feeling a little rattled.  I'm Rh Negative and Ken is Rh Positive.  What does that have to do with anything you ask?  Let me tell you.  I can't remember exactly when I learned about being negative and Ken being positive but at some point I did and I also learned about the possible complications.  If the baby's positive blood somehow entered my system I could develop antibodies which could then possibly harm the baby.  It isn't usually an issue during a first pregnancy but can be an issue in subsequent pregnancies. 

With both Kate and Alice I had a Rh_o(D) Immune Globulin (or rhogam) shot at 28 weeks and then again after they were born.  This was supposed to prevent the "sensitization of the maternal immune system to Rh D antigens, which can cause rhesus disease in the current or in subsequent pregnancies".  I'm not sure how, but I have antibodies in my blood.  The blood work was done twice. 

What now?  Now I go for an ultrasound every two weeks.  The ultrasound technician will look for signs of fetal anemia - enlarged organs and fluid in the abdomen.  At my 18 week anatomy ultrasound the technician said that everything looked great he even used the words healthy baby. 

So back to that rattled feeling.  I want to believe the feeling that I have that everything is going to be okay.  I want baby 3 to be healthy and get here safely.  This baby is very much wanted and needed.

Now that you've read this, I have a favour to ask, will you keep our little baby 3 in your prayers?  Will you pray that his or her little body will be strong and healthy?  Please and thank you.

Tobogganing!

Friday was the day of snow.  Buses were cancelled.  I drove to school even though I could have driven 10 minutes (or probably 20-25 give the conditions) to the nearest school in Schomberg.  No one could understand why I came in.  I'll tell you why.  I wanted to count yearbook money.  I wanted to be in my own classroom and I hoped that perhaps I'd be sent home early.  I have two preps on a Friday afternoon and only one class to teach.  My principal did in fact send me home early.  So you know what it wasn't so bad after all!

Saturday the roads were mostly okay - the major ones anyway and we decided to go up to Alliston, have lunch, buy a toboggan and go play.  And that was what we did.  I would love to report that both the girls are now addicted to tobogganing but that is not the case.  Poor Alice got snow in her face on our first ride down the hill and that was it for her.  Kate and I went two or three more times and while Kate did enjoy it she had her fill on only a few trips down the hill. 

Groundhog Day

When the girls woke up we opened the parcel that we had picked up the night before at the post office.  Auntie Wendy, the best aunt ever, sent an outfit for Kate and one for Alice.  They loved their Peppa Pig outfits so much that instead of wash them first, they just wore them straight out of the package. 

After we were dressed an organized we piled in the van and headed off to the St. Lawrence Market.  We were planning to meet up with Zorana, Jason and Ciaran, do a little shopping and then go have brunch at the Sadiq-Adams household.  And that's exactly what we did.  I carried my camera around the Market but never actually took a picture.  I did however take advantage of cute playtime before we ate.  Ciaran and Kate were so stinking cute playing together!

A lovely day!  And the groundhog predicted an early spring - yay!

Alice was dirty.

It's because she still fits and it was convenient but mostly it's just so cute!

Ken's 34th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Ken! Simple is good right?  We went to dinner at Mr.Gigi's in Beeton (the next town over).  The food is very good.  Then we came home and had cake and Ken opened his cards.  I bought him a frame for his diploma from Fleming College, but unfortunately it was the wrong size.  (Silly bookstore website for the Lindsay location that only advertised one size of frame?!)  I think Ken had a nice day.  I hope Ken had a good day.  He is so loved and adored by the ladies in his life.  We are thankful everyday for the wonderful Husband/Daddy/Person he is.

Alice is 23 Months

Alice!  This month it is the rise of the sentence.  Her speech grows clearer all the time. (I'm trying to remember what Kate sounded like at this age, but I can't remember exactly.) Her fine motor control continues to amaze us.  She is still the MASTER of destruction.  The woman can turn an entire room inside out in less than five minutes.  Every once in a while we see a TERRIBLE two type tantrum, but for the most part she is just a happy go lucky kid.  Her giggle is just... joy/bliss/contagious/so fun!

Some of her favourite things to say lately are:
    "Where Kate go? (pause) There she is."  (This is then repeated for each member of the family.)
      She is still far too fascinated with sharp knives and scissors...
      She is repeating prayers now which is too cute.  (Even though it drives Kate mental sometimes.)
      "Lala love Kate, Lala love Dada, Lala love Mama."  (Love sounds more like a cross between la and lo)

She was being a monkey when I was trying to take her picture and Daddy was too tired to get a real smile...