Lent

Now, I do not observe Lent..... But! I have an addiction to chocolate. Really, I kid you not, it is an addiction!

So, I have decided this morning after eating some macaroons for breakfast, that even though it started last week, I am going to be a late-Lent observer.

Clearly today doesn't count, so I will begin fresh tomorrow! I wonder how many people actually go all 40 days without cheating....

Now, traditionally lent was when the people gave up milk, butter and eggs. They needed to use up all those ingredients before Lent so that's where Fat Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday, Mardi Gras, etc. came from.

The people fast and pray for 40 days leading up to Easter. The 40 days is symbolic of the 40 days and nights Christ spent in the desert. Different churches calculate the days differently.

I am not going to concern myself with any logistical things other than until Easter day, I am not going to eat any chocolate!!

Crafts!

Okay. Anyone who knows me knows that I loooooove crafts! I love baking, which is why I'm starting my own cake business, and I love all sorts of unique, innovative, hands on things!

So, here's what I've been doing in this category:

I make baby bows. Butterflies, dragonflies, ladybugs, bees, regular bows, curly bows... All sorts! They are SO cute and fun. Just yesterday I found ribbons that say "Li'l Sister" and "Big Sister". Ask me how excited I am..... VERY!

Next- I crochet. Haven't done it in a couple months, but I do. I am teaching myself to knit right now. It's taking some time, but I'll get there eventually!!

I love sewing! I made a whole bunch of blankets when Angela and Audrey were born. So cute! My mom made them matching dresses for my aunts wedding last weekend - OH MY GOODNESS! So cute! And I made them matching bows! I really want to make a 50's (a couple actually) style apron!! I would have LOVED to be a mom at that time! Wearing cute dresses and aprons. Love it! 

Haven't done any scrapbooking for a couple years, but I still love it. My friends actually just gave me a great idea for the girls' room. I bought their names in letters from Michaels and cut out scrapbooking paper and hodge podge it on! And then decorate with bows, ribbon, jewels, etc. I am looking forward to finishing their rooms with those!!!

Oh! And a fun idea for hot dogs, I discovered the other day for lunch - Cut up the hot dog lengthwise in half. And then cut those lengthwise in half. And boil them They curl up and are fun to dip in ketchup! Oh, being a mom gives you all these creative ideas!! Love it!

Anyhow, we are 2 months from Jamies graduation. I am very excited! I have enjoyed London since being here permanently and there are wonderful families here. I guess it would be different if we didn't have our home in Oshawa. Having our house has made it very hard to be here. Too bad we couldn't have rented it out and made finances easier! But it's okay. We have managed this far!

We are all doing great and can't wait for lots of fun this summer!!

Happy Things :)

Don't you just love reminiscing? Remembering hilarious things you'd forgotten? 

I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends and family members I have in my life. And the great memories that have been made over the years!! 

A few I love:

In Ottawa, my friend Carolyn Graham used to sit on the portable steps in grade 3 before school. I was new to the school and scared, and I went over and said hi because she looked lonely. She had this cute little plastic bear that wore a hat and coat and she asked if I wanted to play with it. She was my first friend there and she gave me that bear when I moved away at the end of grade 8. 

Girls talks with Sarah Russell and Kristina Farmer. lol Always had something about N Sync in there!!

BSB fun with Karina Danic. lol We loooved them. 

Britt and I would *miss* the bus so we could walk to school. lol Mom never let us walk even though we were super close! 

Sarah Henderson and I would switch going to each other's houses on Wednesdays after school. That included movies, talking about cute boys, and BSB, and eating yummy food. The best ever was our traditional pizza sandwiches!!! 

Again with Sarah, driving around in her van on Friday nights. Woot woot!! 

Oh my heck - Ghost Road with Amber and Kyeshia. Hilarious!! HILARIOUS! 

Shopping trip with Tara, Krista and Loretta. Soooo funny. Love it! 

With Jamie:

Spontaneous vacation to Boston! Soooo fun. I didn't want to go and I put up a fight, and finally agreed. And it was the funnest time ever. Even though it was freezing cold! Can't wait to go back.

Going to Warwick castle on my first trip over to England. It was so lovely and he knew I wanted to go to a castle, so Rach drove us all! 

Also in England, I asked Jamie if we could pull an all nighter. So, we stayed up playing LIFE and watching movies. We promised at the beginning of LIFE not to cheat. (Since I was the banker and wanted to feel honest. lol It's always tempting when you're the banker!!) Jamie probably would have won even if he hadn't cheated. lol

There's so many, I can't remember them all.

Also, going to Wasaga Beach when we were little. That was always soooooo fun. 

Going to Centreville!!! LOVE IT!! 

Skating on the Rideau Canal and eating beaver tails.

The last 10 years ever - Every December we go out with the family and the missionaries and sing carols. Then we read a Christmas story, drink hot chocolate and eat cookies!

Anyhow, I could go on and on. I am grateful to have such wonderful memories. :) 

Crazy tire!

We were very lucky this week! 

When we were home in Oshawa last week I noticed that the passenger front tire was a little flat. So I filled it up before we left and it was all good. 

Well.. On our drive home on Sunday, the car was WILD! It was shaking everywhere. I thought the car was going to FLY APART!!! It would lag when accelerating. At random points the steering column would start shaking and the keys would vibrate like CRAZY!! I was having a little anxiety attack because we definitely cannot afford a new car or an expensive repair to this one! 

So. I go out Monday afternoon to the bank and as I'm driving I hear a flipping noise and I realize that the tire is FLAT. Oh my gosh! I drove very slowly to the gas station and filled it up and went about my day. But the shaking and vibrating was still there.

I spent yesterday debating whether to bring the car somewhere or drive to Oshawa on Thursday and fix it there.

Finally, I just got up and went! lol That was a very random moment. I took the car to Wal-Mart since I don't trust Canadian Tire. I used to work for BMW and have heard my share of Canadian Tire moments, and trust me... They are money grabbers.

Anyhow, we go there and the mechanic hunts me down and says "Your tire is dead. I thought I could repair it, but it's beyond repair and I can't let you leave with this tire." He showed me the tire, and OH MY GOODNESS. We are so lucky we made it to London!!! Part of the tire was gone! You could see all the threading of the INSIDE! The tire was all bent out of shape and crooked... Oh my gosh. I almost cried right there because of how lucky we were.

I got in with the new tire and she drove like a gem!! What a great little car. We are so lucky to have her!! 

In other news, Audrey is getting so big. We often sit on the floor in front of Jamie when he is working and she just stands there smiling at him. It is so cute. She is also rolling around and she rotates herself in circles. If I put her on the floor with Ange, she will rotate herself until she is facing Angela, the toys or the TV. Such a smarty pants!!! 

In the mornings when she wakes up she makes her little goo and ahh noises to wake me up. Again, so cute! She is happy ALL the time. Always smiling and batting her eyelashes. OH! I LOVE HER! Gotta go smush those cheeks now! 

Food Allergies

Okay, so I honestly have no idea how people who develop food allergies DON'T eat the food anyways! (Unless it's life threatening of course) 

After delivering Audrey, I have become lactose intolerant. I used to eat a bowl of cereal EVERY morning without fail. 

I loooooooove eggs and toast. 

I loooooooove ice cream.

And I LOOOOOOOOVE CHEESE! 

(I never liked yogurt, or cottage cheese - Basically, the things that taste sourly nasty, so they don't matter.) 

Since I've developed this condition, I have steered (mostly) clear of these foods that cause me great pain and agony. 

But for some reason.... I just cannot go a week without trying a piece of cheese and seeing if I am cured yet.

So last night.... After working out..... (At midnight) I figured I'd grab a piece of cheese for a little energy. 

Big...... Mistake......

I was in bed feeding Audrey and I got the most gut wrenching, unbearable pain in my chest. Oh my gosh, I couldn't swallow, I had to keep my mouth open to draw in breath..... It was awful!!! And very painful!!!  

And yet..... My passion for cheese continues and I would still try a piece again today! Maybe a teeny tiny little piece. Haha  

Miracle of Life!!

Okay, when I was younger, I said I never wanted children. Growing up in a family with 8 children, and 19 years difference between the oldest and youngest, gave me a broad perspective of raising children! 

So, I really wanted to have my "life" and I had all my goals set up. Successful career, with all the right things that would make one happy in life. That was my main goal. I was completely set on having everything I wanted to live happily. 

I married Jamie and was so completely in love with him that I just really wanted to have a family. All of my goals changed and I no longer cared about the things I *thought* would make me happy, when in reality, I would never have *really* been happy as that person. 

Anyhow, so after having 2 babies, and the wonderful experiences that the births were, I realized that having a baby truly is a miracle. Firstly, being trusted with these precious little souls to raise and teach and help in every way possible is an incredibly responsibility. Secondly, the very fact that our bodies build these babies. Ever single intricate part of the human body that is so complicated, is grown inside of us! And lastly, that moment when they are born, and watching the breath of life enter into that precious little body is a moment never to be forgotten.

So, I realized I didn't write Audrey's birthday story. so here it goes:

I was very frustrated with this baby! I wanted her to come out on my terms because I didn't want it to happen when Jamie was in London. So, every weekend he came home, labour would start, and then sure enough, being stressed about him having to go back to school would stall everything. In the end, the weekend before she was born Jamie said, that's it, I'm staying hom this week and we're going to see this baby!

Feeling relieved and comfortable and hoping that she would come by her due date, we went to the midwives on Tuesday the 21st for our 40h week appointment. I asked her to check if I was dilated at all, and she did a sweep and said I was already 4cm!

So, I was excited since I was convinced the baby was never coming out! And I didn't think I was even 1cm! 

She told me to call her as soon as I felt any sort of pain. Now, after calling her so many times and not knowing whether something was happening or not, I didn't want to bother her again. Even though, bless her, she said it did not matter what time it was or anything, I could always call! I love my midwives for that. Through the whole pregnancy, MY midwives were available 24/7. 

Anyhow, so I went to bed, Ange kept waking up through the night so we brought her into our bed to sleep. Around 5, I woke up and sleeping on the mattress was just uncomfortable, so I went to sleep on the couch. I did not think I was in labour! 

I woke up just after 6am and felt a twinge. I didn't even think, I just shouted "Jamie!" and he hopped out of bed and got me up. I still didn't think I was in labour, but he made me call the midwives who didn't even question just said she'd be right over. 

So, I was feeling really bad because I thought what if they get here and all set up and nothing happens?! 

Mom picked up Ange just before 8am, and the midwives were there all set up. Contractions were manageable, and I was feeling good. They got more intense, and Jamie was very helpful, encouraging me and helping me through them.

I went in to the pool and just wanted hot! I wanted hot water on my back and then I wanted it hotter and hotter. I loved being in the pool, it's just a bit hard because even though there are handles on the inside, they weren't where I wanted them to be so I was getting annoyed. 

Lisa checked again and said that if she broke the water it would move along faster. Now, with Ange, my water broke in the pool and all I felt was a POP! So, I didn't know if this was going to hurt or not so I said no. I got out of the pool and went upstairs which was great because I could hold the bars of the bed through contractions.

I was fully dilated and finally let Lisa break the water on the next contraction. And a few minutes later, I said I needed to pee, and then all of a sudden I was pushing! 6 minutes later, Audrey popped out and that was it! 

Head full of dark hair, 22 3/4 inches long, and 9 lbs 4.5 oz! That is 2 pounds heavier than Angela!!!! I didn't think I could do any bigger than her! Yet, I did it in 6 minutes of pushing, and without any stitches!!! 

Now, a few notes on labour:

Firstly, with Angela, I was on my back for the delivery and it was painful on my lower back and quite frankly it HURT. With Audrey, I was on my knees. I only went on my back for 1 contraction when Lisa broke my water. And that was the ONLY contraction that hurt my back. Being on my knees and holding on to something was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better! Highly recommended.

And secondly, after she came out, the after pains in my stomach were a bit more painful (the pain increases with each children) but I honestly was doing kegels that night!!!! It didn't hurt!! So great :)

So, all in all, birth is really a miracle. 

I was watching a few shows tonight, one was a woman who had broken part of her spine in a diving accident and was paralyzed waist down, and she was pregnant and delivered  baby. To be able to do that in her condition was a miracle! And I didn't realize how I took my healthy pregnancies for granted.

And also, this show about a woman who has half a body. When she was born, her legs were all crooked and her feet were in opposite directions, and she was always getting cut open and infected so the doctors said the best way for her to have as normal a life as possible would be to amputate her legs.

This woman does more in a day that I do! I feel like I have taken all of my abilities for granted. This woman married a wonderful guy who loves her immensely and they had a baby!! Several doctors alienated her and tried to encourage her to about the pregnancy, but she was able to carry the baby, have a c-section and deliver a healthy little boy.

So, all in all, I feel very blessed to have my family, and to have my wonderful little girls. My only wish is for them to be healthy and happy and know how much they are loved. 

OKAY!! It has been a couple months, so I am finally finding the time to update my blog!

Firstly, after 3 false starts, and a failed castor oil attempt, we finally had Audrey Eliza Edwards on her due date -October 22, 2008! 

Labour was 2 hours, 7 minutes. I pushed for 6 minutes, and she popped out! No damage and feeling great! Baby #2 is a DREAM! 

Angela was hesitant for the first day. She refused to look at me or Audrey! She was completely a daddy's girl. :) 

She is very attentive and shares everything (almost) with Audrey. She asks to hold her and refuses to let me near Audrey when she is holding her. Angela tries to feed Audrey whatever she is eating or drinking, which makes for an interesting meal time. If Audrey is crying, Angela is always the first to hear and goes running to help her while saying "Oh no! Audey, Audey!!" She is so helpful! 

We had a lovely visit from Jamie's family as well. They were able to come visit for Audrey's baby blessing and spend the week with us! Ben provided lovely meals too :)

I was relieved to finally be with Jamie in London and not worrying about things to do and 2 households to keep. 

We had a nice break at Christmas as Jamie was off school for 1 month. We spent a few weeks at home and were able to meet up with friends and family, relax and enjoy the season! 

I held a cookie exchange at my home which was GREAT! If not for the cookies, then the company! The ladies are great to get together for a night of fun!

Poor Angela got sick on Christmas Eve just before dinner. Why do kids always get sick right at the most inopportune moments?! Poor girl had a fever and felt asleep like instantly! She got sick Christmas day in the evening, so at least she had a great morning and loved her presents!! 

We came back to London for school and Jamie is doing very well in his courses. He is teaching early morning seminary as well, so he is definitely a busy guy! He loves teaching the class though, so he doesn't mind. :)

Angela is getting so big! I cannot believe how much she has changed in just a few weeks. She can name and knows all of her body parts, she can count to 10 (she says 8 as 'ett' SO CUTE!) She brushes her teeth, and was potty trained until we came to London where it all kind of freaked her out for some reason! She is a great girl and brightens up every day for us. Every time we are in the elevator or at a store people stop and tell us how beautiful she is and what gorgeous blue eyes she has. Which is wonderful as her baby blessing said that she would brighten peoples' lives with her smile.

In other news, I am starting a cake business. "Slice of Heaven" I am working on the website right now, and my dad has registered the business name for me! It is so exciting. I loooooove making cakes! I would give them to people free if I could because I just enjoy it so much! I have so many great ideas!!

I have also been trying to be a "cool" mom. Not by Mean Girls status though! Haha. I (I had to come back and edit this an give credit to Marci!! I saw her post that led me to these lovely treats!!) found these great Valentine treats to make, so I'll post a picture when I get them done. They are pretzels, with hugs and m&m's! 

Anyhow, I have to get to bed, so I will keep up to date!