Xavier is now 10 months old, and starting to walk. -cries- Where has the time gone? It's always bitter sweet to see your baby actively growing into a toddler - but I'm excited about what's to come. Gabriel is a month shy of two years old, and he's so much fun. Having two toddlers on my hands will be a blast.

I'm kicking myself at the moment for not keeping up with burning my photos. We had an accident with the laptop I use to upload all my photos, and it's currently not working. If we can't get it up and running, I'm going to see if I can take the hard drive in to someone to attempt to save the photos. There's atleast a thousand. And the majority of Xaviers entire life in photos on there. :(

I leave for the States on Monday, at 2. I arrive at 2:50 Central Time. Sooo excited to see friends and family. And spend the Holidays with friends and family. I was hoping to get a break from snow, but the Chicago area got dumped on a few nights ago - such is my luck.

wonderful thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Tons of yummy food. And we had a great time with the people who joined us. My mom and sister left on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't a sad goodbye. As I have a flight to Chicago in 13 days. :)








Xavier is getting so big. I can't believe how much hair he has.

Am I really going to have a two year old and a one year old in two months?!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meet Mr. Turkey.

He's got about two more hours until he'll be completely done.

Everything we're having for dinner today is made entirely from scratch.

I put together two apple pies last night. We spent an hour tearing up 5 loaves of bread and putting together the stuffing. I peeled 10 lbs of potatoes this morning for mashes taters. And put together a green bean casserole, where the only thing "pre-made" was the frozen green beans. Mmm. And I've currently got turkey gravy from the turkey drippings going on the stove.

My mom and I have been cooking and doing dishes and cleaning since last night - but that's what I love about Thanksgiving. Being with the ones who matter the most, and eating damn good food!

It's just going to be my family and good friends of ours - and we'll have a ton of leftovers, but it's ok. I'm relieved Georges family didn't come. It would have been much too stressfull.

*****

My mom and sister got into town yesterday morning. We're having a blast.

We've got a ton of snow and Gabe had a ton of fun in it while George was shoveling the drivey way.

I should get some more stuff done while the boys are sleeping.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

The boys and I have been sick for the second time in 4 weeks. I guess that's what ya get when you're around many different children and spreading germs. First it was a stomach bug, which left us all vomiting and lethargic. Now it's high fevers, sore throats and runny noses. Gabe is doing better, but Xavier has broken out in hives (something I did often when fighting a virus when I was a child) and seems to be having issues with his eye now, too. We all went to the chiropractor today, so hopefully the adjustment will help us all out. I <3 our chiro.

My immigration lawyer sent an e-mail last night telling me I was granted my permanent residence, and I should be getting my PR card in the mail soon. About time! It's been almost 18 months since I applied.

I'm going back home for the Holidays. I'll probably fly down in the beginning of December and leave after Christmas. I havent been home for the holidays in a couple years - it'll be nice.

Monday, we went to Small World (http://smallworld.ca/), an indoor playground here. It's going to be a great place to take the kids, and hold my meetups, in the winter. Gabe loved it. He was climbing all over the play equipment, rode on the carousel about 10 times, and just generally had a really good time. Last time we tried to take him to an indoor play area, he was too shy and just clung to my legs.

This morning, Gabe woke up having a tantrum. And that's all he pretty much did, all morning long. He was not having a good morning. So, I left the boys with George and went to Old Navy in search of a fall sweater. I ended up getting one top, too. The sweater in white, and the top in a teal color. I need to go back and get a few more things. I don't have much in the sense of winter clothes, because I've been heavily pregnant the last two winter seasons. Not anymore! I also need to go down a pant size. I'm in 6's.

The boys went down for a nap right after I got back. Well, Gabe did. Xavier did for a small one - but he's my wonder-child who never sleeps. So he "helped" me stuff a bunch of diapers.

Went to the park this afternoon. It was too nice outside not to. Met two other mothers, both of whom had 3 children under 4 years old. Did not help with my baby fever. But Gabe had a ton of fun running around with 4 other boys his age.

Tomorrow morning, we having "signing story time" at a book store. George has his first consultation for the chiro, and I have an adjustment right after signing story time.

We're not celebrating Halloween. We did carve pumpkins, but we're not dressing up. Maybe next year. I just don't see the point in dressing up two kids who aren't going to a party or trick or treating. -shrugs- But I'd like to hit up the costumes on clearance, to build a dress up stash.

my boys. <3

crappy night.

Tuesday, I took the boys on an errand to the bank to deposit a check. Just as I was pulling into the bank parking lot, Gabe started vomitting.

Now, this isn't all that unusual for him - because he gets car sick all the time. However, it's usually not on such short drives.

So, I cleaned him up and went on about my way.

10 minutes after getting home, he threw up again. I thought maybe he was car sick, again. But then he just kept throwing up, and developed a fever. -sigh-

He was okay and slept well that night.

Fast forward to yesterday evening, and Xavier starts. He started at 7pm, and didn't stop puking every hour until 5 this morning. I started getting worried around 9:30 when he had thrown up 5 times already, so I called George home from work. He works an hour away, and if anything were to happen and I'd need to get Xavier to the hospital, he wouldn't get home in time and I'd end up having to wake Gabe and go. He got home around 11:00pm, and took care of Xavier for a few hours so I could get some sleep.

Poor kid. He kept wanting to nurse, and then no sooner than unlatching it would all come back up. Finally around 5am he nursed and was able to keep it down. And then nursed again around 7am and kept it down. He's still sleeping in bed, and seems to be doing fine.

I feel like crap, am trying to avoid puking, and have the smell of stomach acid permanently burned into my nose.

'Tis the season.