Black and White Wednesday

August 15, 2009

I was 37 weeks and 1 day pregnant when this photo was taken.  Just 15 hours later, two little lives were born who would change mine forever. 

See other wonderful photos here:

Great Customer Service!

After my last experience with an online retailer, I was hesitant to purchase anything of importance via the web. Ultimately, online shopping is far more convenient for me than packing up the babies and heading out, so I took another chance with a different Canadian retailer. I was most pleased.
I attempted to order an Ergo last week, but I did something wrong and the order didn't seem to go through. It was near to 4:00pm when I called customer service and knew I wouldn't reach anyone that day.  In fact, I had resigned myself to the fact that I may not hear back from anyone for a few days.  Bright and early the very next morning, I received a call back from a lovely woman assuring me that the order was fine and would be shipped out on Monday.  I received the order today and included with the purchase was a very cute pair of Baby Legs as an "Easter Gift".  Sweet!  So, not only was customer service rapid, efficient and friendly, but they went above and beyond with quick (and free) shipping and a bonus gift.  This is how ALL retailers should treat customers. 
So, if anyone is in the market for anything baby related I highly recommend this retailer.

Finally, an online retailer I can recommend with complete confidence.

Sunday Bullets

• Pea has another tooth (this makes three).  It's his first canine and I discovered it yesterday while feeding him.  A few nights ago, he was up quite often through the night and was so sad.  I wonder if it broke through then.

•  Chick has NO teeth.

•  We are at a standstill with regard to strollers.  We "test drove" two yesterday that we loved.  One is the Valco Tri Mode and the other is the Baby Jogger City Elite.  Can't decide. 

•  We need a bigger SUV.  We currently have a Jeep Liberty and, although we LOVE it, it is not big enough to handle the car seats (without pushing the front seats too far forward) and the double stroller.  I know it's not politically correct to own an SUV any longer, but we need the space. 

•  I bought seven spring outfits for the babies at a consignment shop yesterday.  The total cost was $45.  Can't beat that!

• My friend Almamay recommended we try baby led weaning and we are having a great time with it.  So far the babies have had toast with hummus, steamed broccoli, banana biscuits, asparagus, bits of veggie sushi (mostly rice, avocado and seaweed), baked apples, plums, and whole wheat pasta, kiwi, nectarines, peaches, cucumber, whole milk yogurt, bananas and potatoes. I love it and they love it too. They especially love holding the food and bringing it to their mouths on their own.

• The babies haven't required a bottle in the middle of the night for a while now.  We still bring two bottles with us when we go to bed, but tonight we are giving it up altogether.  They have proven to us that they no longer need the MOTN feed, so we will follow their lead.  

• Speaking of bottles, we put away all of our Dr. Brown's glass bottles and bought 6 plastic bottles last week (they are MUCH easier to clean).  However, after giving it a week, we decided that the babies drink much better out of the Dr. B. bottles, so we are back to cleaning all the parts.  Oh well.  I'd rather have them drink all their milk than leave it because they are frustrated with the effort it takes to drink out of the plastic.  

• Ask yourself this question:  When was the last time you walked up to a complete stranger and put your fingers on their lips/mouth?  Why do people think it is appropriate to do this to BABIES?  It frustrates me to no end when people do this to the twins.  What makes you think it is OKAY to do?  I don't care if you just washed your hands...DON'T DO IT!  Ack!

• We are teaching the babies sign language and it is helping their language development.  So far, they know many words including "milk", "cookie", and "cat".  They are not yet making the signs, but when we do it, they know what it means.  We don't refer to the kitty as Bear anymore because we know it will confuse them, so any time Bear walks near the babies, we make the sign for cat and say "CAT".  Pea LOVES Bear...sometimes a little TOO much and rips out clumps of fur.  Chick could take Bear or leave him. 

• The babies have been asleep for almost two hours.  I love naps!

• Some things I need to remember:

Click to enlarge

My Funny Girl

Chick has developed this very horselike funny laugh. If I encourage her, she will do it on command. This is not my real laugh. My real laugh is much less creepy...I think.

Funny Laugh from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

K2 and I - A Work In Progress

We signed the babies up for swimming lessons and yesterday was lesson number one. If you are a regular reader of the blog, you'll remember our first foray into aquatics with the young ones. It wasn't a stellar performance on our parts.

We thought we were well prepared.  We had packed a bag the night before and stuffed it full with diapers, towels, swimwear, flip flops, and sleepers for afterward.  See?  Totally on the ball.  I told K2 I wanted to be on the road by 4:00 for the 5:00 lesson.  We arrived at the venue at 4:20 and decided to sit in the Jeep until 4:30 when we would make the trek to the change rooms (the babies had fallen asleep on the way and we thought we should allow them to sleep a little longer before taking them inside). At 4:30, we grabbed the babies and headed into the aquatics center.  As we walked, I looked back at K2 and asked him to make sure he grabbed the bag 'o swim stuff.  He stopped dead in his tracks.  I knew...at that moment, I knew.  We had forgotten THE BAG!  Ugh.  We did not have enough time to travel all the way back home to get the bag, so we put our problem solving caps on and made some alternate plans.  I would take the babies into the center while K2 would go to a nearby Wa*lMar*t to buy two towels and two sleepers for the babies.  As he drove away, I realized that neither of us had our swimsuits and wondered if K2 would realize that as well (we don't each have a cell phone).  Nope.  He returned with the towels and sleepers, but without a swimsuit for himself or for me.  So, back to Wa*lMar*t he went to get himself some trunks.  I told him that he could take Pea swimming and Chick and I would sit out this week (she had a bit of a fever before we left anyway, so it was best that she not swim). 

When all was said and done, Pea and K2 entered the water at 5:08pm.  A little late, but at least they experienced the lesson.  Chick and I watched from the sidelines and it was fun to see Pea and K2 splashing in the water.
The best thing about the whole experience was that we were able to laugh at ourselves for forgetting.  I think a lot of couples would have snapped at each other, blamed each other or would have given up and gone home.  We are a work in progress, but that's okay. 

In The Night

You woke in the night - screams that seemed to make framed prints dance on the walls. My half sleeping legs couldn't take me to you quickly enough and when my arms reached you, your body was rigid with fear. Back arching, head turning from side to side and arms thrashing, my whispers of love weren't enough.  My whole body enveloped you in safety, but it wasn't enough. 
I brought you, still screaming, to my bed.  I on my side, you on yours facing me.  Skin to skin, hearts beating together.  Feeling the rise and fall of your chest, your sweet breath began to slow and you quieted almost instantly.  I held you so close that you could have disappeared into me.
For over an hour you slept peacefully, while I breathed in your innocence, your purity and your reliance.  When your eyes finally fluttered open and connected with mine, recognition swept across your face in a wide grin. The nightmare was over.  Our day could begin.

Black and White Wednesday

Two summers ago, we took a trip to Barbados with Tanya and Craig. It was SO much fun and we couldn't get enough vacation into our veins. On this one particular day, we went sailing on a catamaran and did some snorkeling. At one point, it began to rain. All of the other tourists ran for cover inside the catamaran, but not the three crazy Canadians on board. Tanya, K2 and I decided not to move and to simply stay planted outside with our drinks in hand to enjoy the rain. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of "I'm NOT moving!!" statements shouted. Memories to last a lifetime.

What A Difference!

The left photo was taken at one month of age and the right was taken last night at 7 months and one week. I can't believe how much he's grown. He's a big boy, my Pea.

Good Times

We spent the weekend with Tanya, Craig, Grace and Rowan. Almost ten years ago, Tanya and I tried to get pregnant at the same time. We wanted to experience pregnancy and building a family together, but things didn't quite work out that way. Tanya had Grace almost nine years ago and then got the surprise of her life when she got pregnant with Rowan just about a month after we got pregnant with the twins.  Life is crazy like that.
We had a great time chatting, playing with babies, arranging a marriage between Chick and Rowan, eating sushi, playing Wii, shopping, playing Settlers Of Catan, and laughing until tears.  T'was oh-so fun.

Craig and the lovebirds.

A match made in heaven.

Row-Boat and me.  How cute is he?

 All the kids.

Tanya brought hand-created gifts for the babies and we were so taken by her thoughtfulness and her talent.
Firstly, she made the babies their very own one-of-a-kind Cuddlewees (TM).  They are different from the originals in that they have hair, colored eyes, half-moon cheeks and a pointed top.  The babies LOVE them!

Finally, Tanya created two prints for the babies that I know will be with them for the rest of their lives.

Chick's print states,

"Chick enjoyed sharing the adventures of the brave boy who once entered the giant's garden and stole a pea pod on which he sailed home along the Sea of Dreams."

Pea's print states:

"Despite the sometimes perilous nature of his journey, the brave boy was never afraid for he knew that he was sharing his adventures with someone most special..."

We are blessed.

Swingin'

This week, we took the babies to the park for the very first time. We had strolled through the park before, but this was the first time we took the babies out of the stroller for their very first swing. Chick loved it and Pea, well...it lulled him into a state of unconsciousness.

Asleep in the swing.

Where Did I Put My Pen?

In January of 2008 I wrote this post about my dear friend G.

I met a good friend of mine for coffee after work today. We talked for a long time before he felt brave enough to tell me how sad he is that he is nowhere near becoming a father. He desperately wants children, but has not found the right person. When tears filled his eyes, I felt helpless. A father-in-waiting. And what a great dad he will be.

Last night, he proposed to his amazing girlfriend and I couldn't be happier for him! He and C. came over for a visit the other day and when K2 took C. downstairs to show her our finished basement, G. took out the absolutely gorgeous ring to show me. I was the first to know and I was SO honored. Tears filled his eyes, once again, as he described the way he would propose. I am thrilled for them. C. is a wonderful woman and I know they will be very happy together.

In other very exciting news, Tanya and her family are coming to visit this weekend!  I haven't seen Tanya since July and I am so excited to meet her new baby boy and for her to meet her Godchildren.  One more sleep!!

A word of warning:  never leave a pen unattended when there are mobile children in the house.

Black and White Wednesday

Yesterday morning, Chick woke earlier than Pea (a rarity in this house) and took to her jumparoo with all the energy she had. Her eyes sparkled in the early morning sunlight.

It's a beautiful day here in Eastern Ontario and the sun is shining brightly. Going for walks in our neighborhood was getting a little boring, so the babies and I saddled up and drove to another town and walked along Lake Ontario on the Waterfront Trail. It was a windy walk, but a lovely one.

 Chick made it for all of three minutes before falling asleep.

 Super cool Pea in his protective sunglasses.

 Lake Ontario

 Chick waking up.

 Beautiful birdies noshing.

 Scary geese.  I walked very quickly by these guys after I took their picture.  Geese are violent creatures.  I don't like 'em.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

From my big Irish heart to yours!!

Seven Months

I know that I say this every month, but I can hardly believe that the babies are seven months old already. I have relived their birthday so many times in my head that it seems like only yesterday that we brought them into the world. In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago but in most ways, it feels like it has all happened in a blink of an eye.

Dear Chick,

You are so very bright and so smart.  Everyone who meets you says so.  Your big, blue eyes sparkle with excitement when you play, when we go shopping and when you see Daddy coming home from work. You can manipulate most toys with ease and find it so entertaining to use your thumbs to spin things.
You have developed a love for your jumparoo this month and any time we slip your pudgy legs through it, you hold on and bounce your little heart out.  You are so very strong.
While the jumparoo certainly gets a lot of your attention, your favorite toy this month is the "play" remote control.  You absolutely love sticking the entire bottom half into your mouth and you love playing with the buttons.  
Atop your head sprouts fine, strawberry blond hair and after six months of baldness, it is a welcome sight.  While I certainly have no intention of turning you into a (gag) princess, I am looking forward to playing with your hair.
Always the vocal girl, your laugh has really matured this month.  You are giggling more and more at the silliest things and we love every second of it.  Your laugh, like your brother's, is infectious.  You spend a great deal of time chit chatting with your bears, with your toys, and with us.  If only we knew what you were saying.  You know the words "cat", "milk" and "cookie" when I say them and you know the sign for "milk" when I make it with my hands.
Having your face washed after a meal is so beneath you and you share your disgust for it with us by crying and whining every single time we approach you with a washcloth.  Having Daddy and me in your sight is very important and if we leave for only a moment (say, to use the washroom, to go to a different room in the house, etc.) you cry until we come back into full view.
You have finally mastered rolling from front to back and from back to front and are showing the beginning signs of wanting to use your knees to move around.  You still dislike being on your belly, but it seems as though you are realizing that it just may be the key to mobility.
Your favorite foods this month include finger lengths of bread and mashed bananas.  You are a messy eater...a very messy eater.  After every bite of food, you stick your right hand into your mouth and then smear the food everywhere.  
We are still watching intently for any signs of teeth in your mouth.  We are sure they will sprout soon.

 Click to enlarge

Dear Pea,
You are an incredibly social and happy boy.  Everyone who meets you wants to be your friend and becomes enveloped in your wide-mouthed smile.  You exude happiness.  You like to flirt with that beautiful smile at all the people we meet when we are out and about.  Your eyes sparkle in a way that makes people want to love you.
You love rolling all over the carpet with newspaper or tissue paper.  You have a plethora of toys, but paper suits your fancy just fine.  Mommy and Daddy watch while you rip shreds of paper and drop them everywhere like a trail to find you.  Watching your sister play has become a very entertaining game for you.  I imagine you will be a people watcher like your Mommy.
In all of this, your favorite game to play is the "Run Up and Kiss" game.  While Daddy is holding you, Mommy runs far away, then runs toward you and plants a BIG kiss on your cheek.  As I run toward you, your arms and legs begin to flail in excitement and then you giggle as the big kiss gets planted.  You could do this for hours, I'm sure.  So could we.
You are thiiiiis close to crawling and you make Mommy shriek every time you lift your belly up off the floor and rock back and forth on your hands and knees.  It's only a matter of time before you are totally mobile and, while I can't wait, I realize that my life will become VERY busy then. 
Although you can sit fairly well unassisted (you still topple every now and then) you really don't enjoy it very much.  You would much rather stand while we hold your hands.  We think you like the vantage point of standing.  You can see over everything that way.
You are a great little eater and love just about everything we have introduced to you.   Chicken and beef have not been hits yet, but eventually we'll turn you into a pork-a-tarian like your Dad.  Your most favorite foods this month include oatmeal with apples and anything with bananas.  After every meal, Mommy brushes your two bottom teeth with apple and banana toothpaste and you look forward to that every time.  You love to suck on the toothbrush afterward.
Like your sister, you know the sign for "milk" and you know the words "cookie" and "cat".  You love Bear.  Sometimes you love Bear a little too much and end up with fists full of fur, but Bear is tolerant and never lets on that he is bothered.  You look for Bear when I say "cat" and love to watch him walk around the house.  You and he will be great friends some day.

 Click to enlarge

Happy Birthday, babies!  We love you!

Some Fun Videos

Disclaimer: I realize that no one other than the grandparents and far away friends are remotely as interested in watching our home movies. I also know that the things we find totally adorable and totally hilarious may not be to others. I haven't yet completely lost my mind.

Now...onto the videos.

I was playing with Chick the other day when out of nowhere, I got the hiccups. She thought it was the most hilarious thing ever.



Mommy Has The Hiccups from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.


Pea has a fascination with all things paper. Give him a magazine, some tissue or a newspaper and he can entertain himself for a long while.


Newspaper Love from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

Customer (Lack Of) Service

About a month ago, we ordered a stroller from this store and were excited to have finally made a decision after much deliberation. In the past year, we have shopped at this store a number of times and usually came away with something or other we needed for the babies. The customer service was never wonderful, but the store offered what we needed. Case in point, the stroller. Now, many other stores offered the same stroller but at $100 more. So, we went ahead and ordered it and happily waited for it to be shipped. We waited...then we waited some more...then we waited even more.

When I had had enough of waiting, I decided to contact the store, but not without arming myself with some information. I (belatedly) checked their standing on Canada's Better Business Bureau's site, then called to say that I was giving them 24 hours to contact me with an explanation as to the delay in shipment lest I contact the BBB to file a complaint.

Within four hours, I received an email with the following statement:

"Unfortunately this item is not in stock
and it is on back order. We have refunded your card for the full amount
that was charged. We apologize for inconvenience and delay."

Um...when I ordered it, the website stated that there was ONE in stock which is why I ORDERED it. Had it said, "None in stock", I would not have ordered it. Furthermore, why not contact me IN PERSON to apologize for the oversight and tell me that my card would not be charged until the store received and shipped the stroller? Then again, I suppose this is why this particular store has an "F" Rating with the BBB.

I really wish they would have known who they were dealing with before they sent that email. Now I have to start writing letters and making phone calls. The fact that my free time is now being compromised to do so makes me even more livid.

Short Run

Yesterday the babies and I went on a walk of my "short-run" route. You know, that route that runners take when their knees are sore, when they have a cold, or when they don't have the time to fit in a full run. It is a mere 3 miles (5km).

I.

Almost.

Collapsed.

Seriously. Sure, I was pushing almost 40 pounds of baby and maybe 15 pounds of stroller, but still. I was walking. And not particularly quickly, I might add.  I suppose I can use the excuse that I've had a stomach bug this week and haven't really eaten much since Sunday, but I'm not an excuses kind of girl. 

The sun is shining brightly today (I think for the last time for at least a few days according to The Weather Network)  and it's a balmy 8C (46F) at this moment.  As soon as the babies wake from their naps (yes they are sleeping at the SAME time today...yay!) we will pack up the stroller and drive to another neighborhood to bask in the sunshine once again.  I just hope my legs are up for it.

Black and White Wednesday and Bullets

• Thank you for your thoughtful comments regarding the question I asked in my last post.  Each one was helpful to me.

• Chick is finally on the mend as of yesterday.  It has been a very long and exhausting seven days, but she finally turned the corner (we hope).   It took three different doctors to get her well, but with probiotics, a lactose-free diet for four weeks and antacid in hand, we think we've figured it all out.  I just want relief for my little girl.

• I started to feel sick Monday morning and it hit K2 around noon.  The only healthy being in this household (aside from Bear) is Pea.  Let's hope we can keep him healthy.

•  I am a firm believer in getting outside in the cool air when sick.  I think that staying cooped up inside exacerbates the sickness and leads to longer days feeling horrible.  With this in mind, the three sickos and the one healthy dude pulled out the stroller and went for a long walk last night.  The temperature tonight was a chilly 1C (35F), so we bundled the little ones up well and headed out.  They stayed awake for the entire walk (about an hour), yet as we turned the stroller onto our driveway, we saw this:

There's nothing sweeter than a baby with red cheeks
And now for my Black and White photo for this week.  I chose a photo I took when K2 and I were in Napa Valley a few years ago.  I couldn't believe how perfect the grapes at the winery looked.  They were so beautiful and their colors dazzling.  

Hoping To Turn The Corner Soon

Although the vomiting has stopped and she no longer has a fever, we are still struggling with Chick and her sickness. It's difficult to get formula into her and last night she refused to take a little bit of Pedialyte. Hopefully, we'll turn the corner today. She is still asleep after a rough night, but Pea is up and babbling away in the jumparoo. He has so much to say this morning! Thankfully, he has not caught whatever it is that Chick has.

I have a question for everyone who is a parent or who hopes to be a parent.

If you could go back in time (or forward if you are not a parent yet) and have a talk with your new-parent self, what would you say?

My Baby Girl

Chick in healthier days.

Chick is so very sick with the flu and she is a sad, sad girl. Between the vomiting, the diarrhea and the fever, she has kept us on our toes. We weren't worried about her as long as she was taking her bottles, but as soon as those bottles started coming back up the worry set in.

We saw the doctor last night and came home armed with Gravol suppositories and Pedialyte. The doctor told us that she should improve by today and if not, to take her back in. Today, the diarrhea continued (although the vomiting stopped) and when we put her to bed tonight, she refused her bottle.

Whatever it is has to run its course and it's just not finished yet. Babies dehydrate so quickly and we just have to make sure she keeps up her fluids. I suspect another long night is in store.

A Typical Monday

Last week, M3 wrote a post in which she posted pictures every hour for the day. These captioned pictures told the story of her typical day with Ro and Ree (her twin girls). I thought it was such a great idea that I stole it and am doing it here.

6:00AM - The babies are awake and chatting away in their cribs. I take Chick into Pea's room and put her in his crib. Since they don't share a room (much to my dismay) I like them to be together quietly in the mornings. They play together for a little while (maybe 15 minutes) while I make the bed and brush my teeth. K2 leaves for work at 5:45, so the babies don't see him until later.

6:15AM - This is the scene when I go in to get the babies.  It was quite dark in the room, so the video is not the best quality.


Morning from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.


7:00AM - While the babies play in the Great Room, I proceed to make all the bottles for the day and try to grab a cup of coffee and some toast.

7:30 - Feeding time!

8:00 - By this time, I have changed three poopy diapers and decide it's time for the babies to get dressed for the day.

8:30 - Nap Time (I take a shower during this time).  It's VERY rare for the babies to sleep at the same time, so this is a treat!  Chick started off on her side...

 9:30 - Breakfast for the babies
Today's menu:  a finger length of bread and oatmeal with apples.

10:00AM -Dancing and Storytime
I'll put a picture of storytime, but I'll save you from the weirdness of our dancing.  You're welcome.

11:00AM - Gramma stops by for a short visit and then helps with the 11:30 feed.

12:00 - Nap Time (Pea is down for the count, but Chick has NO intention of sleeping).  Nope, no nap for this girl who was WIDE awake and playing with reckless abandon!

12:25 - Bear wants to know when Chick is going back from whence she came.  He's not impressed with the babies nor with our affection for them.  He has definitely lost his spot in the priority rank.

1:00 - Pea awakens and it's time to run some errands.  Of course, I forgot my camera, so you'll have to take my word for it.

2:30 - Both babies fell asleep in the car on the way home.  I was able to get Chick into her crib when we got home, but I dare not move Pea.  He sleeps by the front door in his car seat.

 2:45 - K2 arrives home from work.  He is sent directly upstairs to rock his daughter who thinks she runs the show.  It's one of those days with Chick, I'm afraid. 

3:30 - Playtime with Daddy while I warm some bottles for feeding.

4:00PM - I leave K2 alone with the babies to renew my driver's license.  No pictures were taken in my absence.  When I walk in at 5:00PM, the babies are being read stories.

 5:30 - Chick is asleep (finally), K2 is taking a shower and Pea and I are hanging out sharing some laughs.


Hilarity from Two Kayaks on Vimeo.

5:50 - All that laughter zonked our little man. He fell asleep in K2's arms.

6:00 - Pea got too heavy for K2 to hold upright, so they both took a load off. With Chick and Pea asleep, I finally get a chance to wash some bottles and clean up.

6:30 - Everyone's up! Oatmeal and Apples followed by Nectarines for dessert.  Yum!

 7:00 - Part of our bed time routine is watching Baby Noah.  The babies are fascinated by this video.
I don't have a picture to put here because the camera was "waaaaaaay over there" (which was probably five feet away) and my legs just wouldn't move toward it.

7:30 - Preparing for bed. Both babies are changed and put into their sleep sacks.  K2 feeds Chick in her room and I feed Pea in his room.  Both drink their last 7 ounces of milk for the day and fall fast asleep in their cribs.

Chick on her way up to bed.

8:00 - Time to wash more bottles, clean up the baby messes, do a load of laundry and put this blog post together.

9:00 - Bedtime for the adults.  Morning comes quickly.