Everest, Mommy belly, and More Baby Stuff

My best friend Lynette and her husband are currently climbing to the base camp of Mt. Everest. I believe the height is the same as the summit of Kilimanjaro, which we hiked together. I hope that one day Gary and I will be able to do Everest base camp together! They will be touring around Nepal and India for 5 weeks. In regards to travel, Gary and I would love to take our boys to Africa (preferably Kenya/Uganda/Tanzania) when they are about 3 and 5. Whether that's for a month or a year, we are really wanting too.

(Here he is giggling with glee..I wish you could hear it. That's as far out as his tongue can go...I'd say that looking back we should've had it clipped as it would've made for easier breastfeeding. Apparently that's a pretty common thing to do. We'll have to see if it affects his speech at all...)

I've been trying to bake with a lot more whole wheat, bran, apple sauce etc as I love to bake but its probably better to decrease the amounts of sugar, butter and white flour. This morning I made some whole wheat chocolate chip cookies from Haley and Rachel's blog and they taste really good. I love the little hint of coffee in them. Also, for the past month or so, I've made a couple batches of Morning Glory muffins, full of carrots, apple, bran and whole wheat, so that I can have a healthy breakfast or snack while walking around the house with Koen. I've been throwing bran into my chocolate chip cookies too. Kai said to Gary, `Mommy's cookies are good! They will make you poop!'.

Tonight we are having honey ginger glazed salmon with roasted sweet potatoes and carrots. I think that salmon is my favourite thing in the world and we def. don't have it enough! In the summers growing up, we would always go fishing on the west coast of Vancouver Island (Bamfield) for a week or two and catch a years worth of salmon. That's what happens when you have 5 kids and each can catch their limit:)

Isnt' he getting so cute?! If you want a good laugh, check out Melissa's blog. Maybe you have to have kids to find it funny but it made me laugh A LOT! Koen is just getting up once in the night, and it ends up being about 5am with the time change. He still isn't going down for the night before 10pm but I guess 10pm til 5am is nothing to complain about, its awesome!!! Gary gave him another bottle yesterday and it still took about 45 minutes and he just took 3 ounces. We are just going to continue giving him one a day (which means he needs to eat way more before going to sleep for the night to make up for what he doesn't get in that bottle). I guess if this is the most stressful thing right now, its not a big deal. Gary is so patient with him and is really good at understanding the sounds he makes. For example, the high pitched squeal while eating means put him upright right away.

Gary loves the crying pictures so here is one for him. I think Koen is getting bored of the two things he can go in; the swing (when not moving) and the aquarium bouncer chair (when not vibrating). I can't wait for him to go in the Exersaucer!!! I tried him in the bumbo but it made him spit up a lot because it puts a lot of pressure on his stomach to sit like that. Fortunately our cradle is large enough that he can still fit but we can probably only have him in it for another 3 weeks or so. I'm trying to figure out if we raise our crib to about 45 degrees, if he will be able to sleep on his back. If not, we will probably need to get a firmer crib mattress if he is going to lie on his stomach.

And finally, my mommy belly. Fortunately, I'm pretty confident with the way that I look at this point in my life. However, my belly has been making me a little sad. Mostly, my love handles, you know, the sides that stick out over your jeans. Shirts just don't fit right. You can't wear tighter fitting ones and the baggy ones just make you look pregnant. I'm really thankful that Gary thinks I'm beautiful regardless of my belly size:) I think it's also frustrating that I've had to buy a bunch of new clothes. I know, most people would be excited to get new clothes. However, I don't know if my body is going to change anymore and I don't want to spend a bunch of money on clothes that I might not be wearing in a couple months from now. I am very thankful that I am able to be active and that my body is cooperating:) I'm commited to running 3X a week, anywhere from 2.5-5km. I think this morning I figured out the perfect weight loss plan. Take care of 4 kids ages 3 and under! I watched my sisters kids for just 2 hours this morning and along with Kai and Koen, wow, that was tiring! I think that without Koen it would've been fine, or, if I had Gary with me. My sister and her husband went away for 3 nights to Las Vegas. This is their first time leaving their kids and I can't wait to hear how it went. My sister Jackie and her husband Tyler watched the kids and had a great time. Hey Jackie, wanna watch my boys in a year from now?!

Oh ya, Kai and I went on a `date' last night to get groceries and then we went to Tim Hortons. It was so fun and so relaxing. He had me laughing the whole time. Goofball. Love the one on one time with him.

Lost it

On Thursday night, I lost it. Meaning, Koen was up at 3am, I fed him. Then, he pooped. A lot. This means I had to change him and then he was wide awake and crying. I held him downstairs and walked with him from 3-4am and then asked/told/yelled for Gary to take him. Gary took him til 5am. I turned on my radio to drown out the crying. The downfall of a baby with reflux is that you can not feed them to sleep because after a feed they need to be upright and often have a lot of discomfort. Oh ya, he vomitted. I just feel like I'm covered in spit up all day long. I need several showers a day. BUT, good news folks. Last night (Friday), he slept from 10:30pm until 7am!!!!! Woohoo!!!! I really think that because he didn't poop in the night, he was able to sleep right through! Also, feeding every 2.5 hours in the day probably helped out. He is a really happy boy and gives me the greatest grins and coos.

Today I had football practice. Awesome. Loved it. Sunny. My throwing seemed to be right where it was when I last played a year ago. Yippee! Gary had both boys for 2.5 hours and I was nervous about the bottle situation but Gary said that after 45 minutes of trying, he took about 4 ounces in the new bottle we got (Playtex drop ins with the tan coloured nipple for those who are struggling getting their baby to take a bottle. The nipple is shorter and softer than the silicone ones). I'm going to continue to get Gary to give a bottle once a day so that Koen gets used to it. Remember I said I would run 5 km by March 7th? Last weekend I did it! It took me a whopping 34 minutes but that gives me something to work on.

Kai and I just gave Gary a hair cut. Kai got to brush Gary's neck even though he really wanted to use the buzzer:) Kai always uses his power tools to pretend to give us hair cuts because I guess the saw sounds like a buzzer? I got Kai a race car track with several loops that he has been having tons of fun with. Okay, time to relax. Both kids are sleeping (and Gary too)!

Today was a great day with Koen. He napped well (even though I had to hold him for half of each nap) and managed to go 3 hours between feeds. He did have a major vomit but gave me the hugest grin afterwards. Guess it was a relief to have it all out? Thank goodness for leather couches. I don't know why it happened (after over a week of no major ones) and I hope it doesn't happen again. He also had a bloody nose today which I'm assuming is due to the dry air? If it happens again, I'll call the doctor. It wasn't gushing out or anything.

He has beautiful blue eyes which you can kind of see in this picture. It's hard to take pictures and try to get him to smile at the same time. He slept in his own room last night. I felt like I was trying to make him grow up so fast but I have to say, I had a great sleep! I was just up once at 4:30am and then up again for the day at 6:30am. I feel like he is growing up so fast and no longer feels like a newborn at all. Love it. I did contemplate having a 3rd. I'll admit it.

Eating his hand, the tell tale sign that he is hungry. Which is often. Piglet.

This is Kai's new fake smile. Kai has done so well with potty training. He woke up this morning with a dry diaper! He loves going pee on the toilet and rarely remembers that he gets a treat for it. I'm so proud of him each and every time he goes. My big boy. He loves reading Curious George books. If I have to read `Curious George Goes Camping' one more time....He has also loved playing with his trucks and cars lately. We set up a little race course today and he loved racing them down the hill of books.
Funny things Kai said today:

1. `Actually, I'm a great dancer'

2. (Looking through his penne noodle) `Mommy, I see you through my spotting scope'

3. (After using my comb on his hair) `I'm so pretty. Ha ha. I'm not a girl!'

The weeks are flying by, I can't believe its Friday again tomorrow. Gary is going to try to give Koen a bottle on Saturday so hopefully it works. I like my new hair...I kind of like it more when it isn't straightened so that's good. Gary got to go snowboarding at Whistler all day with the PE class. Tough life.

Okay, off to bed!

My New Hair

I just went and got my hair highlighted and cut at Spa Utopia. I spent more money on my hair than I normally would in a year. I had no idea she planned on taking 3 hours to do my hair so I got her to do it in 2 hours instead because our son no longer takes a bottle!!! He just keeps pushing it out with his tongue. Any tips on getting him to take it? I `need' to get out for football starting this Saturday. Maybe if he's hungry enough he will? We should've kept doing using a bottle once/twice a week..

Okay, onto the hair. Here is the before picture (please don't look at my eyes...I am way too tired)

And...here is my new hair. I said she could go as short as she wanted as Gary loves short hair but she actually didn't take much off of the front.

2 Month Check Up and a Haircut

Nothing like being in a doctors office for an hour with those two boys:) We all had to get checked out for various things so I had to take Kai with me. Kai doesn't know how to sit still. Not for one second. The doctor said that boys are like that so I'm assuming he's normal. That wasn't the reason for taking Kai to the doctor by the way:) Koen weighs 14lbs 11oz. Wow. Huge. I think that's kind of off the charts. He's almost as long was Kai was, 24.25". It's funny how I was so fine with him getting his shots considering I was so upset with Kai's first shots:) He did really well and didn't really cry any more than he normally does. It's been tiring having him eat every 2.5 hours or so and having to hold him so much during the day...at least once he's down for the night (9-11pm ish), he eats and goes right back to sleep. Our nights are wonderful. Last night, he was just up once at 3:30am. It was Kai that was up and ready for the day at 5:30am. My milk supply is quite crazy/high still and I'm pumping off several ounces before a feed so that Koen isn't choking as much when he drinks. I know this will keep my supply high but I need to get rid of some of the foremilk too. I am not giving him the Zantac as he hasn't vomitted in over a week. I wonder if its the BioGaia drops or the dairy free diet that is keeping his gas down to a minimum. I REALLY want a bowl of cereal.

Evidence that Kai watches too much Diego/Dora:
1. Kai's prayer at dinner last night: `Dear God, thank you for the food, thank you for tree frogs, thank you for baby Jaguar'
2. Kai: `Mommy, if you see an egg noodle, say `egg noodle!'

As for the haircut...I am getting my hair cut and highlighted tonight. I'm paying more money than I have ever paid so I'm hoping it looks amazing. Not sure what I'm going to do exactly other than the fact that it will be shorter and blonder. I'm just excited to be kid-free for 2 hours this evening:)

2 Months Old

Mr. Happy Pants is now 2 months old. He is getting to be so much more fun. He loves to be held. More than anything, he just wants to be talked to and looked at. He has been smiling and making some great cooing and laughing type sounds. His routine is not as scheduled as I like but we do what we can. The reason he isn't on a 3 or 4 hour schedule is because he almost always wakes up when sleeping (about 30 minutes in) due to reflux, gas, or pooping. He poops 10-15 times a day still. Sometimes he just cries for 5 minutes but sometimes, he gets so worked up, I go and get him and he is up for maybe 10 minutes or maybe 4 hours....you never know! This guy can stay up for 6 hours straight which is a bit much for someone his age. The longest he's slept in a row was 6.5 hours, what a wonderful night that was!

I really appreciate the fact that he can be soothed quickly. Generally this is just being held (upright or on his belly). His has not vomitted in over a week and I am so thankful. This does not mean he is better, it just means we are doing all we can to never have him lay on his back. He does spit up all day long and the stuff that comes up is really gross, gluey, coagulated milk. I don't think Kai ever spit up at all, so this is quite a change. The breastfeeding has totally improved and is pain free now. Phew. Because he is always on his belly, he had developed some serious upper body strength and even rolled over onto his back. He has super strong legs too and if I hold his hands, he can support himself standing up. Tomorrow he is getting his shots so hopefully that goes okay. He is grabbing at toys and lets us know he's hungry when he sucks on his hand. I wonder if we'll have another thumb sucker....

(Kai above, Koen below, both at 2 months)

(Koen's face is thinner)
He is still sleeping in our room, which is not ideal, but due to his digestive issues, I really feel like I need to be close by. Time to read some stories to big brother Kai. I def. look forward to all that is to come with these boys! We love you Coconut (his current nickname...Koen-->KoKo's-->coconut). Your smiles make my day. When you try to laugh, it makes me so happy. You are very loved my dear.

Golden Ears

Our (my) goal is to have a nice family outing each weekend, preferably in the great outdoors. Today we took the Albion Ferry (which Kai loved) to Golden Ears Park. Who knew they closed the park in the winter? We just parked outside the gate with everyone else and walked in. We wanted to `hike' Lower Falls but it was a billion km's away so we just did the first part of the hike the Mike Lake. It was so nice to be outside!! I had Koen in the bjorn and Gary had Kai in the backpack. Good times. We only hiked for an hour but it was fabulous. Fabulous.

Kai's highlights (according to him): hearing the cars go onto the ferry and making the thump, thump sound. Also, going home. This morning, Kai said `Daddy, I love you but I don't want to go hiking'.

Gary's highlight: teaching Kai about Fungi, sword ferns (he called them feathers) and moss

My highlight: Just hiking. Love it. Love the forest. Love a little sweat. Love it. Oh ya, and being with my family:)

We were unsure if Kai would actually fit in the backpack OR want to go in it, but he did! I think it is good up to 50lbs. Kai wanted to pee in the bushes (which I told him he was allowed to do on hikes) and gave it a good try).

Koen's highlights: being fed on the ferry and being all warm and snuggly on the hike (he slept the whole time).

I discovered that Koen may have red hair. We always have a hat on him outside so when I was holding him in the van (on the ferry), I noticed the red tinges. We will see...

(Forcing a little botany on our son...he was actually interested)

Now in case you think it was a perfect day, see the picture below for what happens when a 2.5 year old just gets too cold and wants to go home....

Well, my friend Leah should be here in a minute to throw the football around so I better get ready!!! Have a great weekend all.

Smiles

(I wish Koen's eyes were open but take what you can get)

Me: Kai! Daddy! Look, Koen is smiling!
Kai: Mommy, look at me! I'm smiling too!
Me: Good job Kai.

Koen has been smiling and cooing for me and its beautiful. I wish I could capture it but it will come. Seriously, so beautiful.

I might be sick of playing camping with Kai. All we do is eat pizza, go and get more pizza, and hide under the blanket when we see a skunk. I think we saw at least 20 skunks in a row.... I look forward to the day when Kai and Koen can play together. I think we need to actually take him camping so he knows what it is all about. He hasn't been camping since he was 7 months old. I would like to go this summer but with a 6 month old...ya, been there, done that. Not fun. I know, we could use an actual trailer or camper but Gary and I are big on using our backpacking tents which aren't the best for infants.

Kai: Mommy, wanna see something bery special I can do?
(He put on Gary's shoes and announced....) `I'm skiing!'. Yes Kai, that is bery special.

Kai has continued to impress us with his potty training. Yesterday he came down from a 3 hour nap and asked me to take off his diaper so he could pee. His diaper was dry too! I'm wondering if he is doing so well because it takes attention away from Koen and gives him alot more. Whatever it is, I hope it continues. I can't believe I was so nervous about it.

Yesterday, when walking back from getting groceries. Kai stopped on the sidewalk and refused to move. No reason. Just stopped. I knew I could bribe him with something but I don't want to get into that habit. He should listen to me just because I'm his mom. I tried to talk nicely. I told him if he didn't start walking, he would get a time out. Nothing worked. Maybe I could have taken away a privilege, I don't know. I had to physically pick him up screaming (with Koen in the bjorn...that's 50lbs total) and strap him into the stroller. Oh man, I hope no one was watching because my face and tone was not happy. He had his first 5 minute time out (usually 2 minutes). Time to read up on dealing with 2-3 year olds!

Finally, what is that white stuff falling down from the sky right now? It can't be snow, that would just be ridiculous. Seriously, this is ridiculous.

More Jube Jubes for Kai!

(This boy is growing out of control. I'm going to see the doctor on Monday about his reflux)

(All my boys..Koen is in the bjorn)

Kai: Hey daddy, want to hop like bunnies?

Gary: Do I ever.

Kai: Okay daddy, give it a try!

Me: Kai, I am sooo proud of you for peeing on the toilet!

Kai: Mommy, I'm so proud of YOU for peeing on the toilet.

(We went for a walk to a new park in our area that has a cool pond area..I think it will be a lot better when its all done)

Kai was unsucessful in the potty training department this morning but VERY successful this afternoon (#1 and #2 folks!!). So far, when he is just wearing underwear or pull ups, he is able to stay dry. As soon as he is wearing pants, I think he just feels to comfortable.

Did I mention that Gary's team lost? That means I have my husband back. Exhale.

Oh ya, Catherine asked about our baby girl names. If Koen was a girl, he would've been Amaya Grace. Milaya was our 2nd choice.

He Peed!

Kai peed on the toilet! He went to the bathroom by himself and got the toilet seat ready. He then decided to wash his hands which must be the trick (running water). He sat down on the toilet and peed! I cried. Seriously, so exciting folks. So exciting. He is the proud recipient of green and yellow jube jubes and a big mommy hug!
*Afternoon update: Peed again on the toilet! He kept going on by himself and was finally able to `get the pee out'. Went out with gramma for 1.5 hours and stayed dry (I put him in a Pull Up). Had his diaper on for his nap. Yippee!*