Family photo Oct 2010

Family photo Oct 2010

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

My Poor Friend

One of our dear friends, Ashley, of whom I speak of a lot hurt herself about a week ago on their trampoline.  She landed on her neck and tore all the ligaments in her neck, except for the front one, which apparently is the important one.  She said that if she would've torn that she would've been paralyzed from the neck down... so in that respect she is very lucky.  They thought that she was going to have to wear the neck brace for 2 weeks, but it turns out she'll have to wear it for 11 more weeks.  They said that she couldn't even take it off to shower... ::sigh:: Poor girl.  Just keep her in your prayers and she is healing and trying to figure out the new way of life!  She can still work, but life isn't easy for sure!

JVG

Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was busy! Friday I had my 6 weeks postpardum check up with the Dr... he said everything was really healthy and good!  :)  I have been feeling better, but things are still a little slow.  I probably did too much this weekend, but I had a lot of fun.  Later that Friday Gaetan's Mom came out for a visit... and I got to do something nice for him.  he's been saying that his back was really sore and his shoulders so I scheduled him to get a deep tissue massage.  I didn't know if that was going to be prissy going to a salon, but he said that he really enjoyed it and that his shoulders still feel good!  :)  I was glad that I was able to do something nice for him, since he's been such a big helper to me.  He also go to purchase himself a little toy... well, it's useful for school too.  we finally got our federal tax refund back so he got himself a Mac Book Pro.  Our old laptop has been slowly dying (it probably didn't help that Tristan has gotten his hands on it a few times).  So it was good that he got to get that in time for school.

Saturday we went out to the east side of the state for a fundraising roda for a fellow capoeirista.  He got injured on the job and we've been trying to help him with his medical bills.  It was really nice to see some old friends and get out of the house a bit!  Usually riding in the car takes a toll on my body, but this time wasn't too bad.  We got to see our friend's house and all the remodeling that they've done on it... it looks really nice!  We also stopped by Ikea (since it's about 2 miles from their house) and got Lucy a mattress for her crib.

Sunday we got to visit with a friend at her cottage and help her parents put in their dock, in exchange for letting Tristan play in the lake, visit with Grace and her parents and have a delicious lunch! he LOVES the water... which was pretty cold in my opinion, but that didn't seem to deter him at all.  I think he mostly liked being naked most of the time hahaha.

Monday was our 'down' day.  We finally got Lucy's room squared away and got her crib set up!  Which results in her sleeping through the night!  yay!  And out of our room... it was fantastic.  It's funny because Gaetan pretty much had to convince me to get Tristan out of our room by getting a video monitor so that I could watch him... and with Lucy I couldn't get her out of there fast enough.  She's a bit of a loud snorer... and I don't think that either of my children liked the pack n play at all.  They would both sleep a few hours in the pack n play but in the crib they sleep for about 6 hours... DELIGHTFUL!

We also got to go out to eat with another couple friend that we haven't gotten to see lately because we've been busy and they have been busy with school.  So that was nice to have dinner with them and just catch up.  It was also nice to get out of the house with the kids and just be out and about.  Tristan did great in the restaurant and ate like a big boy :)

Today I tried out a new recipe which will definitely make the new rotation :)  This has been a great few days.

JVG

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Summer is here!

The thing about Michigan weather is that its pretty unpredictable.  In the same day you could have the heat on then desperately be needing the AC later.  I have been enjoying the warmer weather because that means that Bugga can burn some energy outside.  It's also nice now because I'm healing and can play with him.  I still get tired really easily, and am definitely not at full capacity, but better than before! :)  I am really looking forward to being outside with him a lot this summer.

Baby Lucy is a doll.  Just perfect.  She is a great sleeper... and well, eating... she could win contests I think.  She is growing growing growing too!  I think at this point she is bigger than Tristan was... loving the extra chubby cheeks :)

We have had an answer to prayer too.  We have been having trouble with this cleaning business that we've been doing for a friend... and finally we won't have to do it anymore!  It seems its working out for the best for everybody.  Our friend isn't upset with us and we aren't leaving them in the dust.  God is good!

June proves to have some busy things, but exciting!  I think we are trying to go to NY again, a really good friend is visiting from WA and some really good friends will be in town for a little while so that we can visit with them too.  I am excited, and I hope that I will be able to keep up!

We are trying to get Bugga to put himself down to sleep instead of having to stay with him.  it's been 3 nights and it breaks our hearts to hear him cry and be upset, but we have to be strong and stick with it.  He's doing a lot better then I thought he would be.  Will report on how it goes in a few days.  We are also trying to potty train him outside since the weather is nicer.  This way if he has an accident then it's not such a terrible clean up... and he loves being outside, so it's win-win.  Life is good. :)

JVG

Friday, May 13, 2011

Bugga prayer

Tristan has been so funny lately.  Whenever we are about to eat we all hold hands and say a prayer.  However, Bugga is really enjoying this so he will hold out his hands and want to pray mid-meal... or before getting 2nds... or just random times.  Its very cute and its hard to be upset with him for wanting to pray!  What a little dude.

He's been such a great big brother too.  Anytime Lucy cries or seems upset he'll go over and pat her back or try to give her her pipe.  Its very cute.  he's also been picking up his toys after he uses them.  We're trying to get him to pick up his toys before he gets others out... and it seems to be working.  he's also babbling a whole lot more, which is good!

I'm still pretty sore, but I've been doing more and more things!  I went grocery shopping the other day and have started making dinners again.  It's nice, honestly.  Still can't pick Bugga up (He's a heavy dude!) but at least can get on the floor and play with him.

Baby Lucy is gaining weight something fierce... it's great!  her little cheeks are getting chubbier and chubbier.  She's still very chill and laid back.  Life is good!

JVG

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

It's my 2nd Mother's day!  And last time I only was a mother of one... crazy of life goes by!  This morning started out rather early... Lu Bird got up at 4:45 to eat and then I didn't really get back to sleep.  It's been nice to just kinda relax (although getting some more sleep would've been OK too haha).  Right now I'm listening to Bugga potty training and watch Bird on the floor just hanging out.  It's a beautiful quiet morning.

We started cloth diapering Lu on Friday.  We are really excited about the new cloth diapers we got!  Newborns go through diapers so quickly.... it's crazy!  But things are going well, and I am excited to get Tristan out of diapers... he's so close. 

Life is blessed and going well.  We are getting better... sick wise, and Bugga seems like his teeth are treating him much better.  Gaetan only works a few hours during the week which is awesome to have him home.  I think I'm going to try to move upstairs tonight, since he does work in the morning tomorrow.  Whoo hoo for going up stairs.  Small things make great accomplishments :)  I hope that all the Mothers out there are enjoying their day and their children/family.

JVG

Friday, May 6, 2011

Feeling better=more busy!

I have been feeling better lately, which means I have been trying to take on more of my everyday responsibilities.  It makes me feel better about contributing and getting life back to 'normal'.  The summer semesters have started for Gaetan and he has already completed his first week of teaching!  The schedule is really nice... it's a night class so he's around for all of the day and then he can still come home and tuck Bugga into bed.  With teaching the class that also means that he doesn't need to work nearly as many hours and we still gross the same amount :)  It's been a blessing having the extra help and I know Bugga and Papa are loving the extra time together.  We also figured since he's going to be really busy in the fall having some extra time off during the summer to relax would be best.

Tristan is back to his hold wonderful, charming Bugga like self.  It does this Momma so much good.  I was really starting to worry about it... he kept it up for 2 weeks!  But after my Dr's appointment on Friday he seemed to turn the corner and is about me again.  He let me hold his hand for the first time and ever since that it's been great!  I still can't pick him up and play hard with him yet, but it's getting there.  :)



Lucy girl is so strong.  She's already rolled over from her stomach to her back!  Pretty impressive stuff from my point of view.

Bugga loves having his little sister around.  When she's having tummy time he's always going over there to love on her.  He gives her hugs and brings her her blanket and her pipe if she's unhappy.  It's been going really well!  We all have caught a cold though... so we are trying to recover from that.  But life an answer to prayer!



JVG