3 reasons why one cannot leave a two year old alone with a 5 month old (almost)

1) Saoirse likes to take the baby for rides while Sophie is sitting in her chair. The baby's mother, a la Britney Spears, had not done up her seat belt. Britney's wannabe walks in as baby is leaning way forward. Baby saved from impending bump on head and possible baby chair run over.

2) Sophie is sitting on my lap. Saoirse shows her a pencil, which of course the baby wants it as she wants everything that is at all graspable (is that a word?) these days. I say no, she'll poke herself in the eye and give it back to Saoirse. Mistake! Saoirse must have thought that I mean for her to poke the baby in the eye which she proceeds to attempt. Without success. Baby saved from impending eye loss.

3) Sophie is lying on the floor screaming (because that's what Sophie does when I am not near by) and I am in the kitchen getting dinner ready. Taylor comes down the stairs to see that the sofa cushion (the one we sit on, not a pillow) is covering Sophie and Saoirse is preparing to jump. On to the baby. Baby saved from impending broken ribs and squished organs. Oh, and suffication.

This was all today. I have said to William that I absolutely will not be able to leave Saoirse alone with Sophie, not even for a minute. She's too fascinated by the baby, to eager to take her places with her, to give her things. Not sure how I can attempt to explain away the jumping on Sophie one though. That was just plain badness.

How could I have missed this?

It appears as though I have been living under a rock.

Van Morrison is coming. To shitey old Edmonton.

And I did not know.

And now it is too late.

It is practically sold out, the only seats left are in the nosebleeds.

For $113.50.

Holy fuck.

Is it just me? Am I the last cheap ass left in the world?

I paid $100 for my Dixie Chicks ticket, but that was after all the service charges and whatnot. I meant to email them in regards to the $40 onesie but forgot. Not that bothered apparently. But come on, $40 for a baby's shirt? At Jann Arden they were only $25 (and said 'I've got a good mother'. V. cute.)

I can't believe Van Morrisonis coming here and that I am not going.

Fuck, fuck, fuckty-fuck.

Brilliant Baby Alert

Tonight I was sitting on the sofa and I was holding Sophie's hands as she stood in front of me. All of a sudden, (very dramatic isn't it?) she took a step. And then another one. William was on the other sofa and he held out his hands to her and she actually let go of one of mine to grab his. This was a bit of a shocker, she's not much of a daddy's girl. She then let go of my other hand to take his and proceeded to walk to him. Yay Sophie! It's not a huge distance, about 2 steps for me, but about 15 for her. When I looked up what age they should be doing this on the trusty old net, it said about 6 months. So there we are, my child is a physical genius; a full 5 weeks ahead of where she should be.

Oh and in being helpful, Saoirse practically tore Sophie's arm out of her socket. "Walk, baby, walk!" I'm really going to have to watch her. She tends to try to help her roll as well and yesterday pushed her off of this blow up duck mat that you put water in. Because "It's mine" you know. Just like every other toy or baby related thing in the house, including almost all of Sophie's clothes. A great amount which did belong to her once upon a time. So now I have to say "Once it was yours, but now it is Sophie's." Which she is getting, most of time.

"Used to be mine!" she says. "Want it back!"

Random happenings

1) I have to pack away most of Sophie's 6 month clothing. For the most part she is wearing 6-12 month clothing now, which makes me very sad. The other day my friend bought her 2 sleepers, one in a 6-9 month size and the other was 12 months. She said that she had wanted to get them in 3-6 but they were out of stock. Thanks to that because the 6-9 only just fits her, there is absolutely no room for growth. Shame, because it is the cutest little 101 Dalmation one. So what do I do with all these clothes? Do I hold onto them because one day I might have another? It's not in the plans but due to my doctor mentioning the tubal at my c-section it never was done and I am very foolish when it comes to other birth control methods. So there is always a small chance. Do I admit to myself that I am being a total eejit for even considering a number 5 and just get rid of the lot? If so how...wait until the summer and garage sale them, send them to consignment or just donate them to Goodwill or something. I usually end up just giving my clothes away because I am too bloody lazy for the work involved in consignment or garage sales. Hey, if there's anyone out there in blogland expecting a baby girl you want some clothes? Mostly Old Navy, due to my love of that store. My favourite summer outfit can be seen here. It's shorts in case you are wondering, but she was teeny tiny thing. Sigh. What happened? Anyway, if someone needs some clothes I am willing to send them your way. Surface mail, I'm nothing if not cheap!

2) Liam needs braces. Desperately. I've known this for years, we were supposed to start the process when he was 8, but financially it would have killed me. On the 15th he goes for the inital consult, which is $60. Then he goes for all the xrays and whatnot, another $375. At that time we will discuss a payment plan for the thousands of dollars this is going to cost us. Why, oh why, did I not buy Blue Cross years ago so that I would have at least partial coverage for this? Probably because shelling out $90 a month on that would have cost me more in the long run. I might look into having it done by the dental students at the U of A which will probably cost half the price. Or I could ask his father to help pay for it, he gets off pretty easy since I'm the one that pays for everything and he pays no child support. Bitter? Noooo, not at all.

3)Back to Sophie. She will be 5 months old next week. Where has the time gone? In 2 weeks she goes for her 4 month shots. Yeah, I know. I cancelled the original shots, it was a crazy day with me babysitting, sick kids and a hockey game an hour after the appointment. I thought the reschedule would be a bit quicker. I totally screwed her up for her 6 month shots as well, all for a bit of sanity that day. She is now rolling over from front to back and back to front. One day she may even discover that she can move around doing this, she doesn't just have to stay in the same spot. I've also given her food, something I wanted to wait until she was 6 months for. However, the fact that she was feeding constantly made me reconsider. Actually, the fact that I was rubbed raw and only a step away from bleeding is what sealed the deal. And she loved that rice cereal and ate the entire bowl. Unlike Saoirse, who probably didn't manage an entire bowl combined in 6 months. Odd that when they were saying to start babies on solids at 4 months I refused and waited until 6 and now that they are saying wait until 6 months here I am feeding her early.

And that's all Sophie is letting me say apparently. Still sort of a miserable wee child really.

For the love of princesses

Saoirse's obsession with the Disney princesses has reached frightening proportions. Where did this obsession come from- and believe me it can only be called an obsession. We live, breathe and eat princesses. And literally we do eat them. In the fruit snack variety. 6 little bags in a $4.19 box. 4 dollars and 19 cents people. For maybe 36 teeny pieces of gummy fruit snacks. I'm fond of the $7.99 box from Costco that has 40 packs in it. They are just round circles with a hole in them, but for that price I can live with the unexcitement of them.

But you know, those grocery stores truly know how to milk every last dollar out of foolish parents. All the kid fruit snacks...princess, Dora, Nemo, Winnie the Pooh...sit at a two year olds eye level. It's a fruit snack conspiracy, methinks.

This morning I get Saoirse's clothes. She wants the Cinderella shirt and the socks that simply say Disney princess. How she knows I am not sure, but she does. I bring down Cinderella panties too, it's time to get this toilet training thing back on track.

"Not Cinderella," she says, giving me back the panties. "Snow White please."

Back upstairs I go. I could have said she had to wear the Cinderella ones but she did say please. May as well as reward the use of manners.

Once she put on the Snow White panties (on her own I might add) she refused to put on her pants. Because you know, everyone had to see her fancy panties. She did consent to having her shirt put on, but only around her neck. I suppose actually putting on her shirt would mean covering the panties. She did eventually put one arm in.

And then Taylor was going to take her sledding. So out comes the nappy. "NOOOOO!!!!!! Snow White panties! No nappy!" I say to her that she needs a nappy and I will put her Snow White panties on over them. This is not an ideal plan but I do it anyway. She has a little cry and falls asleep. Missed out on the sledding entirely.

Tomorrow I am going out and buying princess pull ups. Yes, I'm a sucker. I don't even agree with pull ups, I think they keep kids in nappies longer, but I'll try one bag and see how it goes. I'm also foolish enough to buy the princess potty, the potty I originally wanted but didn't buy.

This afternoon my friend Candy bought her a princess shirt that features Snow White, Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty. She showed it off to everyone and lovingly carried it around. She then insisted on putting it on. Because it has Snow White on it. I don't know where the Snow White thing came from really. She watched the movie twice, back in November and the DVD disappeared. And, no, I won't be buying another one. Somewhere in this house is the video version. She can watch that.

**Note to self: Hide the Cinderella jacket that was bought way before she became a princess freak. If she sees it now, will never again wear her winter jacket and is liable to freeze. Or throw numerous tantrums.

**Note to self, number 2: Grow up ffs. You're the MOTHER, she's the CHILD.

2006 in review...via a meme of course!

Knowing how fond I am of memes and all, you should not be at all surprised that I am choosing to start 2007 with one. I found this one at And then there were two!, a blog I have recently started reading. I can't not read a blog where the son is called Liam, which just happens to be my favourite boys name for the last 19 years.

**EDIT ALERT** I really should re read beforeI publish. I missed an entire question and since I cut and paste from the other site it remained as someone else's answer. So for number 37 I did not go to a wedding.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?

I can't think of anything. I'm sure most things I did I had already done.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My New Years resolution was the same ol, same ol...lose weight. I didn't realize (or was in denial) that I was already pregnant so that sort of screwed that. I lost for a while after Sophie was born, but the month of December always messes me up and I'm pretty sure I put on at least 5 lbs. I'm scared to weigh myself though. What else? I planned on being more organized. Yeah, not so much. I hoped not to yell at my kids. Didn't work.

All my resolutions are the same again. Broken 2 already...I am eating the leftover chocolate and whatnot when I know I should just throw it away. I screamed bloody murder at Taylor and Liam tonight because they just would not. shut. up. and I was losing my mind. Ah well, there's always tomorrow. I did go apologize.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Well, there's the lovely but tempermental Sophie delivered by none other than yours truly. Two of my friend's had babies, Jen had Bennett in May and Sue had Carter in December. William's step daughter had a girl in September. Oh, and my ex sister in law, who I used to be close to, had a girl in November. I sent a gift and can you believe she didn't even call and say thanks?

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Not this year, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?

Countries? Feck sakes, I don't think I even left the city limits. That's a lie, I went to Devon. Obviously not the English Devon.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?

My sanity?

7. What dates from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

January 19- the day I discovered I was pregnant.
January 23- the day we found out William's visitor extension had been turned down and he had to leave. Also, the day the Liberals lost their minority government. I didn't think the Conservatives would last this long. Damnation.
February 3- the day William and Saoirse went to Australia.
April 30- the day they came home.
August 6- the arrival of Sophie.

There are others but those are the biggies.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

The fact that Taylor and Liam have not yet been tortured by my hands. I was close some days. A happy, healthy Saoirse. Sophie. Even though, once again, my body was a failure when it came to going into labour and delivering a child I certainly had no problems getting pregnant (in 2006 technically) and I am thrilled to have her.

9. What was your biggest failure?

I think it was not going with my gut instincts and insisting on waiting that extra week to see if Sophie would arrive. I also regret the c-section. I will always wonder if she would have eventually arrived naturally, be it through induction or not.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

If I had a proper doctor (not the Irish quack) then I am quite sure I would have been sent for a chest xray to see why I have a persistent smokers cough, even though I have never smoked in my life. Other than that, it would just pregnancy related sciatica and other stuff. I'd have to go to the other blog to see what I whinged and whined about and I know there was plenty! It's amazing how quickly you forget.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

My leather sofa that still has not arrived. My Dixie Chicks concert ticket. All my Stampin' Up stuff. Every Christmas present that was given. I just love shopping.
The days I hit Old Navy when all the clearance was 50% off. The 8 shirts I bought for a baby shower for $12. A friggin deal. Even better was the day I sent William in with a receipt to see if they would price adjust two items and one full price shirt had gone to $3.99. I loooove sales.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Ummm...not mine. Not William's. Not Taylor's. Nor Liam's. Not any of us for laughing at Saoirse's naughty behaviour even though it really is adorable. She's going to be a wee devil that one.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Well, that 8 week fight with William was pretty fucking depressing. He mentioned it tonight, that he needs to calm down, to not get so worked up about things. Here's hoping. I suppose I could just ask my brother to keep him in a steady supply. Hardly ideal though. My behaviour in regards to Taylor especially is pretty appalling. Counselling required? Most definitely.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Towards my desire for things I don't really need.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I don't think I got very excited about anything other than Saoirse and William arriving home. I can admit I was not really, really, really excited about being pregnant. It was terrible timing, just awful. I was excited to have her of course, I love the child like mad. I wouldn't give her up.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?

Every James Blunt song, because that was my most listened to CD. Hehe. I'm almost embarrassed to admit to my love of James Blunt. Biggest regret of 2006? Not going to his concert, which I hear was fabulous.

"Lullaby" by Dixie Chicks. It's my song for Sophie and she is the only one who likes to hear me sing. I love the way she stares so intently at me. I'm sure one day she too will tell me to stop that terrible singing.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier I think. Hard to say...I was always seem to be in a state of turmoil. But right now, things are pretty good.
b) thinner or fatter? Well, my jeans are still a bit loose. That may not last if I am not careful. I tend to start gaining at about this point after having given birth.
c) richer or poorer? Richer. For a poor person lol. Though this will all change once William is a permanent resident and can work. I will be claiming our relationship (which I can't wait to do!) and that will drastically lower my Child Tax benefit. I'm not purposely scamming the system, just so you know, but when I had Saoirse I called that agency and explained the situation and the girl I talked to told me just to leave him off because he isn't here legally and has no income to claim. So I did. Sorry all you Canadians whose tax dollars are going to me. But if you have to be a "single" parent, this is the country to do it in. At least in North America. In Australia, you can get paid to stay home until your kids are 16!! Even I think that's crazy.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Spending one on one time with each of the kids, especially Taylor. I wish William and I had had more time together. It's definitely a strain on your relationship when there's a baby- or two- sleeping in between you. Reading. God, I miss reading.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Yelling. Eating crap.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

It's over and done with. We spent the morning at home, then went to my mum's as per usual. Since she had visitors this year (my aunt and cousin from Vancouver and my aunt's friend from Weston-super-Mare) there was no room for us to stay the night like we normally do. We were all home by 10, with the exception of Taylor who stayed over and was up until 4am.

21. Did you fall in love in 2006?

With my Sophie-ba-dophie. Yep that's what I call her. Silly I know. On Christmas Eve, I even had a chance to fall for William again. It was a shitty few weeks, but I really do love the guy. Christmas Eve reminded me why.

22. How many one-night stands?

Not a one. Happily. There was one very bad year in my past where the answer would have been atrocious.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Oh my God. What wasn't my favourite? Let's see... Cold Case, Desperate Housewives,
Justice (where or where are you Justice?), the Nine (again WTF happened to this show?) Ugly Betty (LOVE IT!), Grey's Anatomy. Oh, there's so many. Amazing Race. Survivor. CSI. I should have put down that I watched too much TV this year.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No. I spent some time pretty angry with some people, but I'm not a grudge holder.

25. What was the best book you read?

Although I said I didn't read enough I still read a lot. It just wasn't 3 or 4 books a week like it used to be. I can't think of just one book.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I'm no talent scout. Nothing. Though I managed to avoid listening to a full Justin Timberlake or Black Eyed Peas song and that scores highly in my books.

27. What did you want and get?

I didn't know I wanted Sophie but I was happy to get her. I got my 4 bedroom house, which also makes me happy.

28. What did you want and not get?

I did not get my scrapbooking room which makes me very sad.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Film? In a theatre like? I think I saw Pink Panther and Cars. Of the two, Cars. In rental world I really liked You, Me and Depree. Though I spent the whole movie saying I wished I was that skinny.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

God, it was only just over 2 weeks ago and I can't remember. Went to my mum's for lunch. Got my portable photo printer. Can't remember what we did in the evening. Probably watched Cops or something equally exciting. I was 33, which may explain why nothing too fun happened.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Knowing that William was allowed to stay. That would have taken away a lot of stress. Having his court case dealt with. That would have been satisfying for him, which would have pleased me. Knowing that the man who abused him is still walking free kills him.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?

Jeans and a long sleeved tshirt. That's me. Very dull.

33. What kept you sane?

I'm pretty sure I wished for sanity in 2007.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Fancy? Is this English? I fancy Neil Patrick Harris, even if he is gay. I fancy Gerard Kennedy as far as politicians go. I sorta fancy Scott McKay but the fact that he is a Conservative is a huge drawback. I've just watched Freaks and Geeks and Seth Rogan is kind of cute. I like chubby.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

I'm pro gay marriage so having Conservatives in power was a big concern, thankfully it appears they are leaving it as is. It was a big year here... a new Liberal leader and a new premier in Alberta. Not thrilled with him, but he's gotta be a thousand times better than Ralph Klein and way better than one of his opponents. Would not have liked Ted Morton at all.

36. Who did you miss?

Saoirse and William during the 3 months they were away. Painfully. I miss my family in England and the friends that seem to be disappearing now that I have two babies instead of one. Maybe it's just me.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

This year I met two people who stand out...William's niece Vicki who came back from Australia with him and stayed for a month and my neighbour Tanya who moved into my old house. She's so freaking nice it is scary. There are a few other new people in the neighbourhood who are great for the amount of gossip they can provide the gossipy people like me with. Nothing exciting like illicit affairs mind, just tales of how very dense they are.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006.

I learned to love the unexpected.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

How long do you want to be loved? Is forever enough? Cause I'm never, never giving you up.

That's what I sing to Sophie every day. And I include Saoirse, Taylor and Liam in the sentiment. William too, we made it through a totally shitty time, I don't want to give him up. Ah, corny.

I am so ready for the tree to come down

I'm feeling a little grinchy. I said to William on Boxing Day that I was going to take the tree down the next day as it is so big and so in my way that it is driving me crazy. It's almost Friday and the tree is not down, due to the bad mood of one wee Sophie. Seriously, the child does nothing but cry. The only person she is loving these days is me and it has taken a serious toll on my boobs. We figure she fed about 20 times today, from the time she woke up at 7 until she finally fell asleep (sucking of course) at 10.30. I don't know what's up with her. Anyway, due to her very neediness I have not been able to do anything, never mind take down the tree. I am glad William has been home this week, now he knows what she is like and why so little sometimes gets done. Mind, she isn't usually this bad.

So it was a lovely Christmas. I personally received everything on my Christmas list on the sidebar except for the third season of Facts of Life (God! How I loved watching the first two years. Memories!) I didn't get all of the stuff from IKEA either, the coffee table and bookcase were out of stock when I was there early in December but I did get the two side tables, as well as a corner TV bench. Christmas gifts to me from me. I also received the DVD of the complete series of
Freaks and Geeks, quite possibly the best TV show to get cancelled after less than a year, two Christmas episodes of Little House on the Prairie and It's a Wonderful Life, both of which had previously only been owned on video. Needless to say I have lots of stuff to watch, which is great considering the shite that is this year's lineup. My dad made me a beautiful celtic cross, I'm not sure where I should put it though. It currently sits on top of my scrapbooking organizer.

All four kids did very well, even Sophie loved tearing the paper. She is finally enjoying toys so had a great time with everything she received. The highlight was at my mum's where Taylor received a cell phone. My mum had gotten her a messenger bag and I said "Look inside to see if Nanny gave you a loonie" and there was the cell phone, all charged up, with a happy bunny charm, and ready for Taylor to pick out her number. She was so excited she couldn't even speak, and Taylor silent is a rare moment indeed.

So now I need to get my house into order, which is why I want the tree down. It sits right where I want Saoirse's train table to go. William built it on Boxing Day, he offered on Christmas Eve, but I figured it would take to long so said to leave it. 15 minutes was all it took. Who knew? Things are going well on the William front, he has been very mellow the last 2 weeks, but I am not sure how long that will last after his gift from my brother runs out.

That's about it. Baby awake again. I may have a nervous breakdown yet.

December 24th

It's twenty after four on Christmas Eve morning. I have just finished wrapping the last of the presents. My livingroom is overran by gifts, the Santa presents are in the garage and the basement. I still have a lot to do, including two major things I should have done last night- steamcleaning and washing the sofa cushions. I wonder if I can kick the family out of the house for a few hours tomorrow. You know, in the end it always comes together...the house will be clean, the children will be bathed, the gifts will all make it under the tree...but you stress yourself trying to get there. At least, I do. Off to see if I can get an hour or two of sleep before the baby wakes.

Have a great Christmas.

A Christmas Story

The Christmas I was 6 (1979...yikes!) I received a dollhouse. I was very excited about this dollhouse, it was number one on my Christmas wish list. It was a house that required a parent and child build it. Easy peasy for my dad, seeing as how he was a tiler and had general knowledge of all things construction.

"We'll put it together tomorrow, Emma." says my dad. And so the box remained propped up against the wall behind the Christmas tree.

Tomorrow came but the house was not built. I'm not sure exactly why, but I can assume my dad was nursing one hell of a hangover and/or was drunk. Well, I shouldn't say 'assume'. I knew.

A few days later the box made it's way up to my room, not to be built, but to find a new home under my bed. And there it remained, seen only when I was looking for something or having my furniture moved around. When I was about 10 my mother decided that it should be thrown out and said something to the effect of "I don't know why we got you this, your dad never follows through on anything."

I tell you this story because for Christmas Saoirse is to receive a train table, which requires building. It was to be built tonight so that we could make sure there were no missing pieces. Needless to say it is still up against the wall in my bedroom closet. This is because William, who stopped in at the neighbours' at 6pm to drop off their son did not come back in until gone 10, and came home slightly worse for the wear.

I am none to pleased, as I had a thousand and one things to do tonight, none of which actually got done. And yes, I should be doing them instead of bitching about the fact that nothing is done.

And no, I could not build the train table myself because 1) I couldn't carry it down the stairs on my own, 2) I am NOT a feminist and totally believe that a man should do that sort of thing. Mind, I also believe a man should clean the house so I would not like to be considered anti-feminist and 3) while I could probably build the table myself (with a lot of swearing) I choose not to because I would then be expected to do all that sort of thing on my own such as put up shelves and whatnot. No, a man has to be good for something. Why else would I put up with one?

4 months and 12 days

Sophie is sitting. She keeps her hand on the floor but can stay up for ages. She did it for the first time just over a month ago but can now do it with confidence. She also pulls herself into a standing position if she's holding your hand. There's pictures of course but I still can't upload. Urgh. Bloody falling apart computer.

I can almost strike that off my list.

Today I almost finished my Christmas shopping. I say almost because I forgot to buy a gift for my friend Janine and her new husband. I am just going to get them the holiday pack from the movie theatre so if William takes the kids to the movies this weekend I will get him to grab it. That way I may not have to go near the mall again until Boxing Day. Oh, and I have to get an Archie comic for Taylor's stocking, but I can just grab that at the Mac's up the road. It's tradition, she tells me, but I think I've only put one in her stocking once, maybe twice. But who am I to ruin her idea of a tradition?

They say the average Canadian will spend $938 on Christmas gifts this year. It's about $30 higher for Albertans though apparently. I should have read the article a bit more thoroughly as now I'm wondering is that meant to be per family or each and every Canadian? Or is it just adults? I should gather all my receipts and figure out just how much I've spent, because in the last week alone I'm pretty sure I spent $1500. And I started in July.

Anyway, I found an Oilers jersey for Taylor. She really wanted Ry@n Smy.th's name on the back, but it's an extra $100 and I'm a bit on the cheap side. He'd probably get traded in January if I bought her one knowing my luck. Of course, I have my Buchberger one for years before he got traded. I also bought her a few books, one that I have to return because my mum got it for her when she was in England. It's a Jacqueline Wilson novel, and I have never seen her here before. I also got an omnibus by another English author, whos name escapes me at the moment. I think she'll enjoy it though.

I finished off William and got my mum the Sarah McLachlan Christmas CD she wanted, picked up a shirt for my dad, Starbucks cards for Liam's teacher assistants, one for the T.A. in Taylor's class and one for her music teacher, who Taylor just loves. She was my fifth grade teacher many moons ago, which is sort of odd. I got her teacher an HMV gift card. And that's me done. Yea!

Now I just have to do everything else on that bloody list.

The Birthday Gifts

Since I've become a mother my birthday has not been a very big deal. It is in the midst of a time when I am Christmas focused, and I prefer to see money go towards gifts for the kids. That doesn't mean my birthday is forgotten; usually I will get a CD or a DVD or some books. And a jumper from my mother of course.

This year, though, I got some fanatstic gifts. My brother gave me a $200 gift card for Eve.lyn Ch@rles. What to do with it? I might get a $100 haircut (very unusual for me, I am a $35 girl) and a facial. I would love a pedicure but the thought of someone touching my feet totally ucks me out. My brother wanted me to get a full body massage to which I said HA!! Seriously, does he let think I am going to let some guy, or worse, some skinny minnie, get anywhere my nude body? No, I don't need people having that image in their head. There's enough who already know.

From William and the kids, I received something I thought I might get for Christmas...a portable photo printer. It is the best thing ever! It prints great pictures in colour, black and white, sepia and antique. You can add borders, clip art and greetings. I can edit my pictures on it. I absolutely love it. Now when I go to a crop night or my scrapbooking weekend in April all I need to do is decide on a page and then print off the two or three pictures I want. Usually, I spend so much time agonizing over the huge unsorted pile of photos that I get nothing at all done.

I also got a $50 gift certificate to a clothing store from my mum, along with the annual jumper ( a lovely black one, takes 5 pounds off) and $3.03 from Liam. For 33 you know.

Things I need to do before Sunday (aka Christmas Eve, which is only FIVE days away!)

1. Clean my entire house from top to bottom. Well, top and middle. William did the basement the other weekend.
2. Put away all accumulated laundry. I am great at doing the laundry, folding the laundry and leaving it in baskets. I think there are about 3 in the girls room. And not just 3 little laundry baskets. 2 big rubbermaind containers and one laundry basket.
3. Sort all the clothes that no longer fit the four children and move out of upstairs hallway where they have been residing since September.
4. Finish wrapping presents. Impossible to do today, Liam is home sick. Was up until 3.30 last night, the two wee girls' Santa presents are done.
5. Build Saoirse's train table, the only gift to be left unwrapped.
6. Steamclean livingroom carpet. Why is it that the week before Christmas my kids decide to spill cups of tea and glasses of coke? Not to mention Sophie's two explosive poops. I can't wait until the laminate is installed.
7. Wash sofa cushions. Coke has also made it on to them. I wasn't to worried because my new leather sofa was supposed to arrive last Tuesday and then I was told it would arrive the 22nd. Cutting it close, but at least it would be here for Christmas. Yeah. No. It'll be here in January. Never order a sofa from the Brick.
8. Finish Christmas shopping. I thought I was done. I was wrong. Liam has way more stuff than Taylor. Will purchase an Oilers jersey for Taylor to make up for my neglect. And books. Can not believe the girl does not have a single book bought for her. Still need to get for William, my mum, my dad and my cousin. Oh, and 5 of 6 teachers.
9. Make Christmas cards for said teachers.
10. Scrap a 2007 calendar for my mum. Will not be able to finish until Christmas Eve as the December picture will be the 4 kids in front of the tree in their Christmas Eve pjs.
11. Assemble, wrap and distribute presents made by kids at Christmas party for their parents.

Things to do when you are sick, part 2

By Saoirse, holding steady at age 2.

14. Stay in your pajamas all day. Why not? You aren't going anywhere.
15. Refuse to nap.
16. Have a brief rest on your mummy's shoulder.
17. Decide to take one piece pajamas off. If they have a button at the top, and you are only two and can't undo button, just unzip and leave on as though you are wearing a cape with feet.
18. Decide to sit on sofa.
19. Surprise your mummy by falling asleep within seconds.
20. Sleep for almost 2 hours.
21. Cry when your daddy tries to wake you up.
22. Wake up. Be grumpy. You're sick so no one minds. Not that you should care if they do.
23. Refuse to sit in your seat at the table. Sit on daddy's lap throughout meal.
24. Eat only the grated cheese.
25. Sit with your daddy and watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
26. Tell your older brother to "GO AWAY!!" when he is sitting next to your daddy.
27. Tell your little sister to "GO AWAY!!" when your daddy holds her.
28. Remind your brother that it is "MY DADDY." Tell him repeatedly so he doesn't forget.
29. Cry and push brother towards basement door.
30. Announce with glee that you too are going downstairs.
31. Mood swings are perfectly acceptable when sick.
32. Go to bed with daddy.
33. Come downstairs with daddy.
34. Drink some more chocolate milk.
35. Ask for chocolate.
36. Go to bed with daddy.

Things to do when you are sick

By Saoirse, age 2.

1. Cry for Daddy when you get up in the morning.
2. Watch Curious George twice.
3. Watch Clifford and Dragonland.
4. Play so much that you don't notice when your mummy changes the channel and puts on the View instead.
5. Help Mummy wrap Christmas presents.
6. Put the Christmas presents under the tree for your mummy, which gets you out of the way for 15 seconds.
7. Refuse to eat.
8. Drink chocolate milk all day long.
9. Lie on the floor and stare at all the green stuff that you can pick out of your nose.
10. Ignore your mummy when she tells you toget a tissue.
11. Put green stuff in your mouth.
12. Laugh when your mummy says "No, no! Don't put that in your mouth!!!"
13. Laugh even harder when mummy says "EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!"