Thursday, November 25, 2010

Tired

Life with a toddler, it is busy and exhausting. I would apologize for not posting more, but I'm too tired. G is both my joy and my frustration. Her laugh and constant chatter is hilarious, especially the things she says. It's funny to hear your words come out of a two year old's mouth. She likes very much to tell her stuffed animals "We will do [something] in FIVE minutes." or "Sit RIGHT there." Her favourite books (especially Mo Willem's Cat the Cat and Bill Martin Jr's Chicka Chicka Boom Boom) can be quoted verbatim.
But, there are the frustrations too. Toddlers have such strong ups and downs, and sometimes it feels like navigating a minefield. G's mantra these days is "I don't like it" - which she will say about just about anything she doesn't want at the moment, even things she does like. Some days I feel like if she says that one more time, I'll snap. But, I don't, somehow I find the patience to get through it, mostly, I think, because G is actually a really easy kid. She plays by herself well, eats almost anything and sleeps at night. What more could I ask for?

So, Boogaloo is due anytime now. Since we found out the gender, Paul and I have been much more indecisive about the name. We had narrowed it down to two and now it's been broadened again to 4 or 5. Maybe we'll just have to see a face to decide on a name! Every once and awhile we look at each other and go "So... what are we gonna name this kid?"

I am in the "GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT" phase. I would be very happy not to be pregnant anymore. The heartburn, leg cramps, lack of breath and all the other aches and pains are starting to get to me. Paul is frantically trying to make sure all his papers are done before I go into labour, so he's chanting "STAY IN STAY IN STAY IN" We'll see who Boogaloo listens to.

The transit strike continues - 21 days now, which is unbelievable to me. I can't imagine any other city where that would be acceptable. But, really, I don't have anywhere to go (besides the occasional doctors appointments) and Paul walks everywhere.

Friday, November 12, 2010

In Which I Do Not Reveal the Gender of Boogaloo

We've been living here in St. John's for three months now, and every once and awhile, G will look up and say "Where is [toy we had in Winnipeg]? Other house?" I'm amazed she remembers these things she barely played with. She had a black sock monkey that I think she touched maybe twice, but I'll be darned if she doesn't keep wondering where it is. She thinks they still live back in our apartment in Winnipeg, assuming it's all still there for us to return to someday.

In other news, we had an ultrasound on Monday and Boogaloo is healthy and snuggled in there, about 5.5lbs at this point, so it's likely to be another 6lb-ish baby. We also got a look at the gender, which was pretty exciting! We've told our families and some close friends, but I think we'll leave it as a surprise to the rest of the general public... plus there's always the chance that the tech was wrong.
I'm technically full-term, so the birth could be any time in the next month or so, but I'm guessing it'll be closer to the due date, since there's still some fattening up to do.

Life without buses or a car is frustrating, but not as bad as I thought. I've only had to take a cab twice (to Drs Appointments), other then that I just walk (really slowly) everywhere. I can accomplish exactly one outing a day. The hardest thing is missing my favourite playgroup on Wednesdays, but it's just a bit far, and the homeward walk would be all uphill.
I'm hoping the transit strike is resolved soon so I can get some more stuff for the baby, but if not, I'm just going to start ordering online!

Monday, November 8, 2010

A Catch-All Update

I didn't really post last week since life got kinda crazy. But here's a few pics of what we've been up to.

G was a Monkey for Halloween.
Little Monkey

She loved trick-or-treating. Going to people's houses, yelling "Trick-or-Treat" and "Thank-you", getting things in her bag, being dressed as a Monkey... everything was awesome to her. It was quite a nice night too, not the warmest of evenings, but not raining, which is a miracle around here!
We (very wisely) taught her before we went out that she was collecting candy to share with Mommy and Daddy, and she dutifully did. I'm sure that won't last more then a couple years, though.
All the candy is now gone. But it sure brings out the politeness in kids "Please, may I have some candy, please?" was the funniest thing she said all week.

We were also kept busy this week by the (too short) visit of Paul's parents. We finally got a chance to be tourists, with the benefit of a car to get us around.
It was amazing to see the real beauty of where we live. We went up to Signal Hill.
Leading into St. John's Harbour
The vast Atlantic Ocean

And looked out over the vast Atlantic Ocean. If the earth was flat, you'd be able to see Ireland from here. Paul's parents visit Ireland regularly (his dad is from there) and they were impressed by how similar Newfoundland looks to Ireland.

We took a drive to Portugal Cove, then along the coast. The most beautiful view was Middle Cove. The ocean swirled and crashed against the rocks, it was spectacular.

Beautiful Middle Cove

Paul and I were amazed that we really live here! This view is only about a 20 min drive from our apartment. It's so cool how close together things are.

With the benefit of grandparents to babysit, the two of us finally got a much, much needed date night. It was so nice to get out without a child. We went to a nice restaurant and took our time eating. It was such a yummy meal. I got mussels and steak - two of my favourite things - and they were cooked to perfection. It would have been really perfect to have a glass of wine, but C'est la vie.

Getting out and about in a car really solidified our decision to buy a car. That, and the next day the St. John's transit (Metrobus) went on strike. There are no busses running, which means we have to walk everywhere. Luckily, Paul was already walking to class, and most of my outings are within walking distance. But I hope it ends soon. Walking is a (literal) pain sometimes.

Friday, November 5, 2010

1917-2010

My Grandfather passed away last Thursday. Because I'm 35 weeks pregnant and we live 4000km away, I decided not to go the funeral. The stress of flying when I'm so close to giving birth was just too much of a risk. However, I really wanted to be there.  This is the first time I have lost someone this close to me. I've experienced other deaths in the past, but none have hit me as hard as this, because I didn't know any of those people as well as I knew Grandpa.
Grandpa was a farmer for much of his life. He was born in small-town Saskatchewan and died not far from that same town. He took over the family farm in the early 50's and gave it over to his youngest son in the early 80's. So I grew up visiting the farm, and him in the small town nearby for my entire childhood. We would see Grandma and Grandpa several times a year, since they only lived 2 hours away.
Grandpa's hobby was making rocks (especially curling stones) into clocks and jewelry. He liked to tell long, odd stories that sometimes entertained us and other times drove us crazy. He had an amazing memory - he could recall the names of people he went to school with in a one-room prairie schoolhouse 80 years ago.
When he would visit us, he would always fall asleep on the couch after dinner (something my dad does now). Sometimes he would just reach over and want to hold my hand. He was strong and opinionated and always fiercely proud of Canada, and especially of his hometown. He wasn't afraid to travel, but in the end, he strongly believed that there was no greater place then his home in Saskatchewan.

It's hard to imagine life without him. Even though visits were few and far between these days, knowing he was there was important, a grounding anchor for my life. Now, he's gone and I miss him, even more then I expected I would.