I yuv you, mommy

I've waited to hear that for so many years ... needless to say, (although I will anyway) that I burst into tears of joy. Sure, he's said it before but he is just now "getting it". My Imri is a sweet kid. We seem to be settling into a pattern of sorts - he is definitely happier that both he and his sister go to daycare, as opposed to him going and Carmel getting to stay home with mommy. The jealousy is there but it isn't as ferocious. I wish that could be attributed to good parenting, and maybe it can be, I just don't know. It could just be inertia. At least some of that terrible aggression towards yours truly has abated.

He is growing by leaps and bounds and I could go on and on brag brag but suffice it to say that he's smart, clever and sharp as a blade. And sweet. Which makes it extra nice. Sure, we have our fair share of meltdowns and "no!!" but he tends to come around fairly quickly.

Speaking of growing by leaps and bounds, anyone have personal experience with the Graco Nautilus? Imri has pretty much grown out of his Roundabout and Carmel out of her infant seat ... *sniff*

Carmel is cutting teeth and it's not fun for her, or for me. Why me? Because I decided to make the same "mistake" as I did with her brother and keep her in bed with me. Yes, we co-sleep and I am cursing myself at the same time that I rejoice at snuggling with her.
There was little snuggling last night, just boob-seeking, whimpering and much tossing and turning. Have I mentioned gas? She is one heck of a gassy baby and her farts are hellacious. Yowza. That doesn't help. So I am one tired mama today. Hasn't seemed to affect her mood at all, thankfully.



She is getting big, though. I have started putting her in the jumperoo and she adores it, just like Imri did. She jumps and laughs and is generally happy, which is nice coming from the kid who loves to be held. I think solids are coming up soon for her. Maybe today, if I stay awake long enough to go to the grocery store.

The resemblance between my two kids is uncanny, actually.







At least I think so.

On other topics ... Hillary? Barack? I don't know. I'm just glad we're debating between a woman and a person of colour. And may I just mention that every single candidate on the Republican side scares me?

And man oh man, we could use those rebate cheques ... *sigh*.

My blog is aptly named

Sorry, gang. Life has been good ... and very tough at times. Chaotic, even. I haven't felt much like writing. At the same time, I have felt like writing but have been busy. Hah. I know. Consider Jen, with triplets and a small one and she still finds the time. I am a different story, it seems.

We went through a very difficult time financially over the last several months. Fortunately (or not, depending on your perspective), it is all coming to an end soon, with various legal machinations. It sucks but it was our only alternative. We actually came close to losing our home, so I am elated and delighted that we managed to avoid that - and by the skin of our teeth, no less.

Because of that, the holidays were a subdued affair for us this year, although I did manage to sell a bunch of stuff on Ebay, enabling us to get Imri some small gifts. Also, good friends came through for us in more ways than I can count, financially and otherwise, to make sure that our kids had a great holiday. I am rich in friends and in love and while it would be nice to be rich in ... er ... riches ...it is good to be loved.

That crap is the main reason I haven't felt like writing. Also ...too tense, in knots, stressed and angry, working full time and exhausted. Yeah. And grateful for what we do have. In other words, I've felt torn into bits on so many levels I haven't been sure which way is up.

In other news, Carmel is thriving. She is a sweetheart - fairly laid back and happy unless beleaguered by gas. She's adjusted to daycare rather well. I am slowly getting her on formula as my supply has dropped right off, and my supply of domperidone is gone now - and too expensive for me to replenish. But whoooooeeeyyy, talk about stinky farts. Yowza. i don't remember Imri being this stinky on formula, but then he went on breast milk only at 6 months of age, as opposed to Carmel's 3.5 months.



Her four month visit found her at 14.7lbs and 25 inches, both 75th percentile and Dr Wonderful was delighted with her. She is babbling nicely and trying to sit up and I believe she is starting to teethe. She also loves to try and swallow her hands whole. Her smiles are more elusive than her brother's at the same age, but just as brilliant.





Imri is doing well. He had a bad respiratory infection a few weeks ago with a terrible cough and he ended up needing a breathing treatment at the doc's office. But no asthma, just that one isolated incident. He is growing like a weed, 35lbs and 36.5 inches tall, rambunctious and full of life. He is constantly testing testing 1,2,3. Which is hard when you're stressed, exhausted and plumb worn out. But he is wonderful, verbal and a cutie pie to boot. His language skills, which have always been strong, are quite formidable now and accordingly, his favourite books are Seuss and Silverstein. Favourite toys are Thomas (of course) and anything vaguely monster-truck related. Especially Grave Digger. Those of you in the know are already nodding sagely, I know.



So that's that. The Redskins blew it yesterday but at least my beloved Canadiens are faring better.

Oh, and boggle on Facebook is highly addictive.

That's all, folks. I'll try and post more frequently but make no promises. Thanks for caring so much.