Mather's Cousins Lunch

Today was the potluck picnic at Eda's house on 'the mountain' Sumas to be exact. Unfortunately the weather wasn't ideal so it wasn't as large as usual and it seemed weird to be in the house. Anastasia fell asleep in the car just before we arrived so she slept for most of it. Marvin was in his glory exercising his corpus callosum and running outside with his cousins, climbing on gravel piles and chopped up trees, picking up chains, jumping on the trampoline, digging up leeks, and eating way too many cookies and then freezies. Marvin just loves hanging out with Eda's sons and their sons. Avalina was passed around and introduced. Too bad my mom couldn't make it this year, there wasn't anyone for me to ask people's names if I couldn't remember and my memory isn't too good. It was such a delight to see so many relatives I had not seen for so long, most of them I had not seen since last June. The food was plentiful, varied and great as usual. We brought the Sex in the Pan and it was gobbled down pretty quickly. By the time we arrived everyone was ready for desert! I really missed being outside and wandering and exploring her yard but I got to do a lot more visiting with people being inside this time. Usually it's very sunny and hot. We hung around until dinner time because we wanted to see Steven and he was on his way home from Scotland arriving with coffee in hand and jet lagged around dinnertime. Eda told us how she used to milk the cows two times a day. They had 18 of them and it was her job to milk 7 with her father doing the remaining 11. She said cows are smelly especially when you have your face right next to them and after a while your arms get sore. They didn't have a refrigerator in those days either. They grew a lot of their own food and nobody had any money at that time. After we noticed that mostly everyone had left or was leaving, we got back in the car for the long drive home, filled up the gas tank at the super deal of $1.29 per litre, and got those children of ours into the bath, pajamas and bed as soon as we could. It was like a mini family reunion and so much fun. Those Mathers are a pretty nice bunch!

hit from behind again

Oh no! My husband was rear ended again for the second time in just over a year on his return commute. Fortunately his car wasn't damaged much but his body is another story. He'll be back to the doctors, massages, physiotherapy, chiropractor and we are getting out the ice pack and heating pad more than before. He has no choice but to work through and with the pain.

if it isn't one thing it's another isn't it?

Well we are having a rough time of it lately. I somehow hurt my back and can barely move! The pain is excrutiating. I visited Dr. Deni Cortese, my Italian Chiropractor this morning and that helped some. He advised me to ice it 5 times a day. Wish me luck with that. Anastasia and Avalina and myself have ubersore throats and fevers developing into a cough and congestion AGAIN!
She's only 8 weeks old for goodness sakes. Marvin is on a strict improved handwashing program inflicted upon him by his father. Here's a photograph of my beautiful sister in law Yhong who came here from the Phillipines in December. Her hair is blowing in the wind at the baseball field. Also dad came home yesterday and he is looking well. He didn't go home but he's planning to roam the streets of New Westminster with his Ipod and broccoli until the weather turns cool again when he will again cross the Pacific.

it's all about avalina

family and more

These are for Daddy's Dad's side of the family to see and save.

What I am reading right now...

recommended by my husband's father's sister's third son
more to follow...

Flatulence Sounds with your Armpits

Oh my, oh my, Girls can so make these noises too. My now Seven year old has been trying and trying to get his armpits to make disgusting noises like other boys in his class can {see previous post and pick out the most innocent looking boys and THEY are the ones who can do it the best} Of course our Two year old girly girl has to do EVERYTHING he does. Tonight she learned how to do it properly while she sat naked on the potty. I didn't think girls could do it but apparently they can and sometimes better than their brothers. She was quite pleased with herself as she usually just hops around flapping her arm and giggling insanely. I was so surprised! She imitates her brother constantly and follows him around incessantly even though he finds her quite irritating. I am having so much trouble keeping our home peaceful with those two now that I am busy with baby they are left to their own devices quite a bit more. I have even tried belting out Love at Home and Families are Forever at the top of my lungs but that just scares or wakes up the baby and the selective listening kicks in on the children's part and they just ignore me and continue fighting. My son is so good at waiting until I am out of earshot or not looking.Suddenly I then hear a blood curdling scream/yell of his name from the self proclaimed big girl followed by more yelling or the big brother crying out in pain. He's constantly provoking her and teasing her whenever possible. At first I told them to work it out themselves or I would make them sit together and hold hands but unless I get out the rope and duct tape that just won't happen and I am afraid it would lead to more fights from the close proximity. It isn't enough that Anastasia has a terrible two year old temperment anyway. We used to call her 'Mad Baby' when she was so small because when she cried she sounded so annoyed and angry. Yes we had multiple tantrums today again, in the car, outside the car, half in and half out of the car, in the apartment, in the hallway, at the park, in the elevator, at Amma's, in the parking lot, in the courtyard, the list goes on. But now I also have a Seven year old that loves loves loves his new sister, to carry her around and oogle her, cuddle her and kiss her but has forgotten he liked the first sister and thought she was cute too. I remember we had to keep telling him to stop crushing his sister when she was a newborn. Maybe the age gap {4 years 3 months} is too wide for them to be sharing a room but for now we are stuck in this two bedroom apartment. I don't have ANY brothers or sisters so I just don't get the laughing one minute and crying the next and then friends again two minutes later. Why do they bicker? Why do they provoke each other? What is the deal? My husbands best friends are his siblings. Why can't I get my children to be kind to each other? Helpful, is that too much to ask of them? It's been pretty brutal lately plus we're all feeling the squeeze of being in such close quarters and kind of getting in each other's way. I am really glad I have more than one child but I wasn't prepared for the dynamics which isn't really as bad as I am making it out to be but I am feeling frustrated and still adjusting. 'Stop, breathe and think.' Anastasia always says when she hears the word frustrated. Maybe I will try that next time I hear the blood curdling scream or the 'Mom she's hitting/pinching/kicking/throwing blank at me.' I don't want to encourage them to physically let the other have it but have been tempted. My grade six teacher loved to tell his students to take it out in the hallway, that he'd clean up the blood later. We do have a hallway but i don't think that would be a good solution. I just found a bug on my arm biting me and have no idea what kind it was but am totally grossed out because i crushed it and i don't like to touch bugs of have them touch me ever. I am really curious where it came from and what it was though. I guess I reacted too quickly. Maybe it came from the pile of strawberry leaves left by the laptop on top of the strawberry juice stain now on the desk. Finding that really tries my patience. I know exactly who did it too! Well I better quit brewing and stewing about this sibling rivalry thing and get some sleep. Oh is that what it is? Now I have a name for it and can do some research. I am so happy. As previously stated I better get some Zees before Avalina wakes. She's been hungry every hour today seems like, must be a growth spurt. I actually felt human today because I got four straight hours last night {pumped milk, compassionate daddy}! G'nite

Mother's Day and Class Photo

Marvin's writing skills are really improving. They studied Jackson Pollock earlier this year and each did paintings in their class. Miss Crew is such a great teacher! She has so much patience with her grade one class. We teased Marvin saying he must be holding her hand in the class picture. I am glad most of the students were looking at the camera and smiling. The class looks quite small in the photo but there are twenty
four children.

Avalina's One Month Old!

It's no wonder they call her Marvelina at Lola's house. She really looks a lot like Marvin did as a baby. In the last photo you can compare the brother and sister and decide for yourself who the baby looks like. Patrick thinks she is the spitting image of me. I can't see it but how often do I look at myself.
They're warming up to the idea of having a baby sister.
They seem to like her so far even though she is taking up a lot of Mommy's time and energy which used to be focused on them and herself! Well, it won't last before we know it she'll be talking and walking.
She's already supporting her head some and turning it to look at the other children. Babies are so amazing! It's great watching them grow and develop and exciting when they hit those milestones. In the second photo Avalina looks scared. I am sure once Patrick sees this photo he will laugh and remind me that when I try to force a smile in photos like for ID cards I usually end up looking scared. When his sister saw my driver's license she burst out laughing and asked me, "Did you make that face on purpose, It's hilarious." I was clueless and replied, "What face? I am just smiling at the camera.

More of the Same....

but different....
Here is even more photos of Avalina!
Anastasia has changed her attitude and her mind about her little sister. She no longer says, "I don't like the baby." She helps with the diaper changes by getting everything ready and getting right in there during the actual change. She is constantly telling me that Avalina needs her diaper changed. I love to hear her say, "She's rilly cute mommy." over and over. Then there's the accompanying statement with almost everything: "Not for babies. Right? Only for big girls." Any kind of snack or meal is not for babies because they don't have any teeth. Any kind of toy is not for babies, just for big girls. All the little things we do together is not for Avalina because she's too little. Shoes are not for babies. Helping Mommy is not for babies. Using the telephone, watching a video or dvd, putting on her shoes, drinking out of cups, using the potty, eating ice cream, going to the playground, checking the mail....
All of it is not for babies, just for big girls and mommies and daddies and Marvins.
Some things are also not for cats because they don't have any hands, just paws.
She is so set on determining her role and what is for her and what is for babies.
I guess she's trying to find her place and the baby's place in all this transition.
Tantrums are getting better or at least a bit less frequent now.
I love it when Anastasia kisses Avalina's head, even when she's asleep or crying or feeding. It's usually accompanied by the exclamation, " She's ears are really tiny, Mommy." or " She's hair is really soft, Mommy." or "She's happy Mommy."
Marvin likes to hold her even when she's crying. Imagine he's almost SEVEN years old. How did that happen. I keep forgetting I have T H R E E children. Unbelievable, I am unbelievably lucky.

When the children first met her....

Here's a few photos from the hospital when Anastasia and Marvin first met their new sister Avalina.

Black and White First Photos

Avalina

Avalina's First Moments

Yipee!

T H E M I L K I S I N !

Avalina

We had a baby girl and brought her home! Her name is going to be Avalina and she was born on Friday morning weighing 6lbs 10oz. She is so tiny and has a lot of dark hair and was hard to get out! We went to the hospital about 3:30 AM. It was an amazing experience. The power of prayer is phenomenal! So are little tiny babies as was our patient nurse, my family physician and my husband! He likes to think of himself as the male doula. I really want my mom to see the baby now. The other two children are crazy about her, details to follow soon...

Inspired by...

" A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change." Earl Nightingale