Fencing in!

Before and Afters...

Looking at our friendly neighbours to the north. (They had already built their side of the fence, so really, we only had to add 2 sides to our yard and enclose this in.)


(Please also note the light attached to the house in the before and after photos. Chris had fallen off the roof one day and grabbed the light on his way down (don't worry he was wearing a harness/rope system), and decided after months of me asking, to finally fix the light!)

There is a double gate connecting our little piece of fence to the neighbour's section of fence.



The old view of our backyard...

The new view, with the slide and trampoline moved. Sorry these before and afters aren't very accurately taken. And finally the last side...

Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. So glad it's done!

To do

I didn't realize it had been so long since I blogged! I guess I've been pretty busy making cakes and playing with Chelsea (and the neighbours!) We've built a fence over the past few weekends and it will make life so much easier. (I'll post pictures tomorrow). I can let C play outside by herself for a few minutes without worrying that she is going to run across the street. This weekend was gorgeous, so we were outside pretty much every minute. I painted my plant pots, and started weeding my flower garden. I'm pretty sure my neighbour felt sorry for me, because she soon came over and took over the weeding and edging of my flower beds. It was great! It looks so much better already.

I've also been working on checking things off my "To-Do Before Baby" list. I'm not doing too bad. I'm sure there's still lots I'm forgetting.

- buy newborn diapers, baby wash, soothers, etc. (Done)

- hang shelves in nursery to keep these items away from Little Miss C. (Done last night)

- buy grossly unflattering and unshapely nursing bra. (Done)

- pack hospital bag (Not sure this will be completely done until we're on our way to the hospital.)

- figure out and buy what I want to wear during the water birth. (Done)

- pack bag for Chelsea. (pretty much done. I've been making sure all the laundry is done, so if I am away for a few extra days, her clothes are all organized and ready in her dresser.)

- pack "Walter's" things for coming home. (Done)

- get out the carseat and bassinet. (Done)

- install carseat. (Chris says he's not doing this until the baby is born.)

- organize and wash all the baby clothes I bought at garage sales. (Done)

- get pedicure. (Done - but I'd gladly do it again!)

- get music ready to take to the hospital for during labour

- download some movies to watch in case labour sucks and is long

- announce daily to some stranger that "yes, I am about to pop" and "yes, I'm sure it's not twins". (Done)

- refrain from punching said stranger. (Done - so far.)

- charge battery for video camera. (Did today)

- pack extra batteries for still camera

- get phone list ready. (Done- unless we forgot someone)

- feel over-emotional and on the verge of tears for dumb reasons. (Done, done, done)

- organize the pantry and desk area so that I'm not embarrassed if my mom comes to stay at short notice. (Done - thanks to Ang!!!)

- ditto for keeping the rest of the house clean (m'eh - trying to keep on top of it.)

- be utterly grateful for this healthy baby and the fact that I am feeling so good. (Done - often)

- nap often (I try!)

- humbly ask for help when I get stuck on the couch (done every night!)

- try to enjoy the last few days... or weeks... or month (ouch) of feeling Walter move inside. (Done. I LOVE feeling the baby move inside. I always miss this.)



Now, what else do I need to do?? This baby could be here any day!

And because a post just isn't fun without pictures, here's C on her "big slide" I found at a garage sale.

Sit'n'Stand thanks to Grandma Pat!

So with a new baby on the way, we knew we'd need a different stroller. We love our Graco stroller for Chelsea, but knew we'd need some kind of double stroller once Walter arrived. My good friend H suggested a Sit'n'Stand stroller. I had never heard of such, and after seeing them online, thought it would be perfect!

It's got a seat in the front for the baby (when he's a little older) but the front seat, also has a bar that attaches so that your bucket car seat fits in the front, facing you. (We tried to get a picture of the bucket in the front, but Chelsea just wouldn't let us.)

It also has a seat at the back for your older child to either sit, facing you...

or stand, facing forward

I hope Chelsea likes it. She loves it now, without the baby, so we'll see what it's like once he arrives. Thanks Grandma Pat and Grandpa Jerry!

Potty Party

I've been off for a week and I love it. It's been great. Spending extra time with Chelsea has been fun, but I can't believe how tired I am! I'm waiting for Chelsea's naptime every day just so I can sleep!

As for potty training, I have taken a very laid back approach. I realize that Chelsea's world is going to change dramatically when the baby comes, so I don't want pressure her too much. She's been known to say things like "I like diapers" and "I don't like the potty" so I'm not going to force her too much.

The other day, she went pee once on the potty and was rewarded with a gummy worm. But after that, insisted she wanted a diaper, so she wore a diaper.

Today, every time she wet her diaper, she'd take it off, so I started asking her if she wanted to go on the potty. She'd try and nothing - fine, no biggie. Then at lunch she asked if she could go on the big potty and she DID - let's just say #1 and #2! We were VERY excited! After this, she kept asking a bunch of questions about people we know, asking if they wore underwear or diapers. I think she's cluing in that diapers are not the way to go. She went pee again on the potty later and this time, shared some of her gummy worms with the girls next door. She was very happy.

I know this may all be too much information, but it's been my life for the past few days! So hey, I hope you are enjoying some of the sunshine and getting excited about something of your own - whether it's a potty party or something a tad more interesting.

Fun in the Sun, finally!

So I've been off work for a few days now, but I honestly think I rest more when I'm at work. I've been so busy at home - it's been crazy. Although, I must say that I love the warm weather! We are outside a lot!

I have lots to still do today, but I figured I'd post a few pictures.

I found a walker at a garage sale. Chelsea thought she's crawl in to show me how it worked.

We've also played at a lot of parks and played a lot at the parks over the past few days.

Saying "Cheese" for the camera.

A natural monkey...
Rock climbing already!

And I hear C in the monitor now, so I guess relaxing time is over.