Happy Birthday Danik!

We celebrated a fantastic birthday with Danik yesterday! He was such a good boy and had so much fun with his grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends! He had alot of fun opening his gifts and even helped with singing "Happy Birthday". My favourite moment was when he realized that the cake was for him and he started singing "Happy Birthday to ME" and then he blew out his candles on his own! We managed to comfortably fit 22 people in our house and we thoroughly appreciate everyone coming and helping us celebrate. Maxime was a little angel and slept almost the entire party. I have a few pictures that I'll post, but I am waiting for family to send me some as I was too busy during the party to take them!

Al and I took Danik skating today for his first time. He was very hesitant at first, but after about an hour on the ice he was feeling much more comfortable. He starts his lessons next Saturday with Al.

As soon as I have pictures emailed to me I will post more from the party!

Tanya.

Planning a party

Another busy week is upon us as we plan Danik's birthday party. I'm really eager for him to see his decorations and cake. He's really getting excited to see his grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins! We had another busy weekend finishing the living room and Al got started on the closet organizer for the coat closet. Danik, of course, had to help!

Danik has had me busy all week playing conductor for his railroad! I set up a track at least once a day (twice if I take it apart during naptime to clean the floors!). He will happily play with his Thomas train for hours throughout the day and has conversations between the trains.

I have been trying to catch Maxime's smiles but he's quick and does not give them out easily! Here is my best effort.

Danik must not be left out as he smiles and says "cheese" every single time I get the camera out!

Danik, Maxime and I had a great time at a playgroup with a bunch of moms that I used to work with at the vet college. We all have toddlers who are the same age and are now onto babies in the same age group as well. It was great seeing 6 two-year olds playing together and trying to sort out their frustrations! Danik was great and he gave everyone a hug and kiss on the way out.

Maxime and I did a mini photo-shoot last night (trying to catch smiles!) so I thought I'd share some of my favourite pics.

And now for my favourite picture of the weekend!

It was so funny to see him stuck in the toy bin! Of course he went back in about an hour later!

Looking forward to seeing the family this weekend!

Tanya.

Bad Blogger!

Okay, so I've been sorta lazy this week in regards to blogging! I do have a reason though. I was contacted on Tuesday evening and asked to make a baby shower cake for a mom expecting twins! This has taken up my precious spare hours, but I think you'll agree that it was well worth it!

This also means that I've been a little lazy on taking pictures of the boys. I do have a few though! Al will miss having his little guys sleep on him in a couple months.

Danik also wanted to show that our homemade snuggie (courtesy of Ada at Christmas) can be worn while drinking milk! Of course the bus makes it into the picture as well!

We plan on taking the boys swimming this weekend and Al would like to get Danik out to the community skating rink to try out his skates before he starts his lessons on the 30th.

Happy Weekend to everyone!!

Tanya.

First Smiles

So, I was able to catch some little smiles from Maxime this morning that I thought I'd share! The pictures are a little over-exposed but you get to see some smiles at least!

I have to post these ones I took of Danik last night too. He was so focused on his tool bench, it must be ingrained in every boy's mind to work with tools!!

That's all for now!

Try to keep warm today,

Tanya.

My Goals

So, I'm not one to set resolutions so I'm going to call these goals instead. To improve our quality of life these are my goals from this point forward:

1. 
   
   Get back into shape. I'd like to lose about 30 pounds total. I plan on doing much of this by running again as I know how effective this is. My goal is to hit the gym at least twice a week as well.
   
   
   
2. 
   
   Run in a variety of 5km, 8km and 10km races.
   
   
   
3. 
   
   Walk more, drive less. Now that Maxime is almost 2 months I feel comfortable walking with him in the wrap up to the grocery store as long as it is not too cold or windy. This will only get easier as it gets nicer out.
   
   
   
4. 
   
   Purchase our veggies and meats at the Farmers market instead of the grocery store as much as possible.
   
   
   
5. 
   
   Reduce our consumption of store bought snacks. I already make our bread and bake most of our treats, but I need to increase this even more.
   
   
   
6. 
   
   Get the boys out to minimum 2 activities a week. This includes organized play groups, skating, indoor playground and swimming.
   
   
   
7. 
   
   One night a month will be a date night for Al and I. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a night out as a couple.
   
   
   
8. 
   
   Keep working on organizing and decorating our house.
   
   
   

The wonderful kids from next door came over on Friday night and played with Danik while Al was out of town. I'd be lost sometimmes without them!

Danik did his best to help Al with installing the baseboards. Tonight we'll finish the paint touch-ups and then start on the closet organizer.

Maxime is starting to enjoy his tummy time more now and can hold his head up for quite awhile. His little personality is starting to come through.

I have to watch Danik now with Maxime as he always wants to hold him. He loves to grab my nursing pillow and put it in front of him. Then he pats the pillow and says "Baby Mack here" until I put Max on his lap. It's really nice to see how much he loves his little brother already.

Well, that's all for today! Do you want to challenge me in any of my goals or add another for me to strive towards? Let me know!

Tanya.

Why Blog?

Why am I starting this blog? I get lots of email from family and friends asking for updates on the boys and pictures so I figure this is the easiest way to keep everyone in the loop. I also hope that by writing out my own personal goals that it will help to keep me more accountable and on track (thanks Al) and ensure that I achieve all that I set out to do. This blog will primarily be about our family though and I plan to keep it updated a couple times a week.


Now onto the boys! Danik has adjusted so well to being a big brother. He loves to give Maxime hugs and kisses and helps out whenever he can with throwing out dirty diapers or helping to fold laundry (and throw it all over the living room!). We’re very excited to be throwing Danik’s second birthday party in just 2 weeks. His party will be at our house at 2pm on Saturday January 23rd. Please let me know if you plan to attend. I still can’t believe that he’s almost 2! Remember when he was just this little?

Danik also starts Learn to Skate with Al on the 30th. We’re really looking forward to seeing him on the ice in his new skates and helmet.

Maxime is now 6 weeks old and growing like a weed! He’s 12 lb 10.5 oz as of yesterday and 24 inches long. He’s starting to smile, though I still haven’t caught it on camera and he’s making lots of little coos. Maxime loves to lay on his activity mat and look at his mirror. Danik often lays beside him and talks to Max.

Al is heading out to Buffalo this afternoon for a Buffalo Sabres – Leafs game. It’s my first night alone with the boys. Should be lots of fun! We have a busy weekend ahead of us with plans to get all of the baseboards up in our newly painted rooms as well as building a closet organizer in our foyer closet. There is definitely lots to do in this house! Danik will be helping though!

Click here for more pictures of the boys including some of our professional pictures taken when Maxime was 2 weeks old. These pictures are from the middle of December to today.

Tanya.