The Love

It's pretty hard to get a video of Violet because the second she sees that you have the video camera in hand she wants to see herself.
This time, I was sneaky! Violet was busy being a sweet big sister, and didn't hear the camera turn on. You can see how much Jem loves looking at her.

I survived L2K

L2K = Lumina with 2 kids.

We didn't just survive, we had a super fabulous time! Even the long drives went well (with a little help from Raffi). Algonquin Park is always beautiful.

I really love Thanksgiving. We had a little cabin with a fireplace that was really cozy. I was really excited about waking up in the morning and having a fire before it was time to go for breakfast at the main lodge. It was a rainy weekend, so all the wood was wet. Jesse tried his manly best, but all we got to enjoy was a 10 minute cardboard box and kindling fire. I loved every minute of it though!

We snuggled and slept late in the mornings, then headed over to Nana and Cha-cha's cabin to wake them up.

Jem was introduced to a few of his family members and friends for the first time. One of them is due with her first in November, so we loaned Jem out as 'demo baby' for burping and diaper changes. We tried to lend Violet out as 'demo toddler', so people could try and get her sit for meals, poop in the toilet and get her down for a nap...but no takers.

Jem was such a super baby that strangers came up to me and told me so. Violet was also showered with attention and presents. A book full of Winnie the Pooh stickers kept her busy for hours. The boots were a gift for Jem in Violet's current size. How smart is that!?
I didn't take a lot of pictures; either it was raining or I was carrying Jem.
Here are a few:

Violet teaching Jem how to text "I love boobs" on my phone. Jem is currently in his molting-pizza-face phase. But still so handsome!
Mr. Chins trying to eat his own chubbalicious cheek.

Hope you all had a great weekend too. I don't think I've ever had more to be thankful about.

First Outing

I'm not sure what came over me when I decided to take my two week old and two year old to the park by myself on Saturday. Thirty minutes after our arrival, we were all in tears and headed home.

Jem wanted to nurse as soon as we got there, and Violet wanted to swing. I couldn't do both at the same time, so Violet stood alone beside the swings, looking neglected and melancholy, pushing the empty swings, while I sat and tried to nurse on an uncomfortable park bench. I tried to rush Jem back into his hippie sling, but didn't get him in properly. I couldn't figure out how to fix the problem without taking all my clothes off and starting again. I pressed on with getting Violet in the swing, with Jem squirming and starting to cry. I think I pulled some stitches. When I finally gave up and decided to go home, Violet fell to the earth and screamed like I was killing her. I had to drag her by the arm halfway home. Everyone was looking at us.

So, that was fun!

Apart from that outing, my first day alone was fine. It did involve a full length Disney movie, but just one! This day is day two. So far so good. I have Violet on my lap, and Jem sleeping on the couch behind us. I can still blog!

The other day out of the blue Violet said "we're a family!", and it really feels like that now.

In other news:

Violet is back on track with the toilet training, thanks to Nana. She's wearing real underwear! However, it turns out her diaper was what was holding up most of her pants.

I am a terrible knitter, but I finally finished Jem's space invader sweater! Good thing, because it just fits him now.

Next: matching hats!