Roddie Report: SuperDuper Little Brother

Lest you think the relationship between Norah and Roddie is one-sided, I thought I'd share a Roddie story with you also... every night Roddie insists that Norah must get hugs and kisses before bed.  in the morning, he can sometimes be a little clingy and not always willing to share his Mommy with his big sister.  Our day usually starts with a diaper change for Roddie and swapping pull ups for undies for Norah.  Rod tends to get a little put out when it's Norah's turn and sometimes whines or tries to insert himself between Norah and I.  Well one day earlier this week, he was whining while I was getting Norah set up.  We got her pull up off and Rod suddenly stopped the whining and handed her the undies, she said thanks, and then he immediately began the whining again!

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 4

Norah News: Big Sister Extrodinaire!

I wish I had a picture of something that happened this morning, but as soon as my eyes fell upon the wondrous scene, the spell was broken.  Instead, I will attempt to paint you a picture with words...

It was a rough week, sleep wise, with everyone still fighting some bug or other and a lot of waking at night, from all of us.  Alas, Friday night, everyone (except Matt - and I don't need to tend to him) slept the whole night.  I had hit the sack early and had a full 8 hours of shut eye when the 6:45 am wakeup call came. 

On Sunday, miracle of miracles, the same thing occurred!  This time, I woke up on my own, no alarm or child disturbed me!  Amazing!  After a few moments I heard Norah stir from her bed, and anticipated the pitter patter of little feet coming my way for a snuggle!  I waited, I heard more stirring, but still nothing.  Hmmm... maybe she went back to sleep - unlikely, but possible.

It soon became apparent that something was going on in the room next door, but no one was crying, so I tried to roll over.  But alas, curiosity and a full nights sleep got the better of me and I tentatively opened the door to their room.  That's when I saw it.  Or should I say them?

Norah was sitting in her little rocking chair, her feet propped up on Roddie's crib.  Roddie was sitting attentively, as Norah read him a story as she held a small light to see the book.  *ahhh* my heart swelled with pride and love!

Of course, the minute I saw them the spell was broken and our day began... it was a great day, with a lot of fun, but the beginning was the highlight!

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 3

Adventure Chronicles: New Years Happiness Continues

In addition to my new job, we rang in the New Year, or as close as we've come in years, at a neighbourhood party!  We were supposed to skate on our neighbour-friend's rink, but the weather didn't co-operate.  Instead, the neighbourhood gang, kids included, got together for some low-key fun.  Most folks had other plans, but our hosts, Erin and Allie's parents encouraged us to stick around.  We ended up putting Roddie to bed in their Pack'n'Play and Norah and the girls watched movies on the big screen until they fell asleep.   We played games with Erin and Allie's parents and our other neighbour-friend Megan, having a few drinks and a lot of laughs until about 11:30.  We carried both sleeping kids home and straight to bed while Megan followed with our wagon full of left overs.  It was so nice to be local and comfortable enough to just let the kids do their thing and not have to pay a babysitter.

New Years Day was cool but clear and sunny, so we took the kids to the playground.  It was a real treat, as it was virtually deserted, and it is the first time the four of us have gone there together.  Roddie is getting big enough to really play, and Norah is getting bigger and stronger (and braver!), taking on new challenges and becoming more sure-footed.

After my first week of work, the weatherman was calling for unseasonably warm weather, and I was looking forward to having everyone healthy for a change and spending some time outside with the kids. Saturday afternoon we took them to a local conservation area, that has a half mile walking trail around a pond.  With temps near 50 degrees, we were surprised to see a group of grown men playing hockey on the pond!  It was easy to forget that temps had only been in the 20's during the previous week and the pond got a good freeze on!  We walked around the pond - Rod made it all by himself - stopping here and there to look at rocks and twigs and the like.  Both kids, and Matt and I, were so happy to be spending time outside, together.  It was so warm out that we sat by the side of the trail to have a snack, and ended up beginning construction of a "tent for the squirrels".

We had so much fun, and the kids were so fascinated with the skating, that we went back the next day - to skate, and to finish the tent.  We had mixed results with the skating - Rod loved it, Norah tolerated it.  IT was Rod's first time on his double blades and Norah's first time on 'real' skates, so that may have had something to do with it.  Regardless, we had a great time again, followed by great naps, again!

The last Foto Friday pics were from these days, but here are a few more!

Here's Roddie, on his first "hike" on his own steam!

Roddie, checking out the ice on Saturday

Norah, wondering what this frozen pond is all about...

Roddie's first try at skating - he loves it!

Norah, not so sure, but giving it a go!

Norah and her squirrel tent

New Years News

The New Year started off with a bang!  As happens, the shine has worn off a little already, but things started out really, really well!  I wish I had found time to blog that first week, because I was literally smiling from ear to ear! The first big news, which you probably already know if you know me in real life, is that I started a new job!  My old job had a lot of nice perks, like the location and the ability to work at home as much as I could stand, decent pay and boatloads of vacation - but it came at a price.  The company has been constantly trimming staff for as long as I"ve been there, and I was growing increasingly unsatisfied with the position I held.  I looked around internally for a few months and had some coaching and mentoring conversations with several VP's, but I just couldn't see a place I wanted to be at that company. 

On a totally unrelated note, I got a second query from a company that I had heard from earlier in the year.  The initial call came weeks after I had returned from my extended maternity leave and while tempting, it just wasn't a good time to change jobs!  By the time the second call came, I was really starting to feel miserable and somewhat trapped at my old job and jumped at the chance to pursue something else.  The interview process took a couple of months, but I landed the job!  Mid-way through the process I realized how miserable I really was and how it was affecting me, and by extension, Matt and the kids, and that allowed me to fully embrace the possibility of change.  I began job hunting in earnest while the interview process continued, further solidifying my decision.

So, I started a new job, at a company that is hiring, and not firing!  As I near 40, I am no longer the youngest person in the room, in fact, I have a fair bit more experience than many of the employees at the new company.  I'm working in Product Management for Hardware again, which I think is a good fit for me - bringing together things I"ve done, and liked, throughout my career.  The company is growing and changing so fast that there are plenty of opportunities for me. 

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 2

Foto Finish Friday: 2012 Week 1

Norah News: Dance Recital

Apologies about this blog being a little late, but since the day of Norah's dance recital - 2 weeks ago - we've pretty much all been sick!  It started with Norah running a fever on the day of the recital (which dampened her enthusiasm only slightly) and made it's way though the house, with Matt quite possibly getting hit a second time.

As you may recall, Norah started taking dance lessons back in September.  Since she takes the classes at daycare, I don't get to see what they do from week to week, so the recital was really the first view of the "product" for me and the other moms.  I'll have to say that overall I was quite impressed with the show and very pleased with how Norah and her class have been doing.  Norah first told me that they were having a "peep show" for the holiday Christmas  show... meaning of course that they were doing a number with Little Bo Peep!  The theme of the show was Toy Story, and each number reflected a part of the story as told in the movie. 

Here is Norah showing us a plie before the rehearsal

A more demure pose before the rehearsal

Norah and her friend Hailey waiting for their turn at rehearsal

The Preschool girls, waiting for their turn... Julia, Lauren, Cassandra, Norah and Hailey

Norah, getting in the right mood before the big show

There is Norah, just to the right of the teacher, doing her ballet thing!

How cute are these girls!

At the end of the show, Norah raved about how fun it was to dance on stage (no stage fright here!!) and even though she wasn't feeling well, she insisted on watching the end of the show.  She literally curled up on my lap until the show was over and then instantly fell asleep when we got in the car - until the next morning!  Since that time, we've been home most of the time, and it's been all ballet, all the time, around here!  She dances from room to room, and if I let her, would wear a dance get-up most every day.  I'm actually impressed at how much she has improved, especially over the past month or so - she was much better control over her limbs in addition to the sheer enjoyment she gets from the whole thing!