Happy New Year 2010

So, I have yet to remedy my lack of writing online often, and as it's not a priority to make a new year's resolution out of it, I apologize in advance for my (likely) continued sporadic posts. We're almost one week into the new year now and it's been more than one month since my last post. My apologies, I suppose we've been busy!

With... well, lots. We took the boys to have their picture taken with Santa Claus at Johans this year. However, Isaiah refused to sit with Santa and, since Braylon copies everything his older brother does - good or bad, we really didn't get a "good" picture. The boys would not, despite all coercion tactics on our part, sit on his lap, so the best we could do was have them sit in his chair while he kneeled beside them. I was surprised by Braylon, actually, because for quite some time prior to this he would point out the front window constantly and say "ant-a" at the Santa on the front porch of our neighbour's house. He seemed truly fascinated. Though I guess in person Santa is not the same as he is when safe in the distance. Regardless, we got a few pics:

It's a good thing Caleb is too young to know better!

That night I had my "surprise" 30th birthday. Greg had tried very hard to keep it that way, but I am just too clever so I figured out what he was up to long before the night. Oh well, it was still nice of him anyhow! Most of my friends are now out of town, or couldn't come for various reasons, but it was still a good night... even if I did turn 30. I'm still trying to cope!

This is the cake he tried to hide in our cold room - along with chips and pop. Can't put anything past me, Greg!!

Soon after I caught up with some good old friends of mine who weren't able to make it out that night. Some of my high school friends and I still manage to get together at least annually - and usually with hubbies and kids, usually at Christmas time (though we girls vow to do it more often). We tried out the new Tony Roma's in London, and even though it was all-you-can-eat-rib-night (right, Aliesha?!?), we weren't there for the food. I really enjoy catching up with those gals, and even though we really don't see one another often enough, nor do we ever manage to find a time when everyone can make it, it's so great to find time to meet every now and then. Speaking of which, ladies, we're into January and if we plan to keep up with our resolution to make this a monthly affair, we'd better get on planning a night!!

Unfortunately I'm starting to get busy with skating commitments. We had our first competition this month (thankfully one we don't care that much about placing well in, we just like to get the routine out and feedback in response) and, come January, I'll be on the ice a lot. So hopefully I can make it out to a girls night if we manage to organize one!

Much of the rest of the month was devoted to Christmas things. I never did finish my Christmas cards, so I apologize if you didn't receive one this year (or if the one you did receive was late... or, better yet, an addition to last year's). We did do some baking and Christmas crafts with the boys. Isaiah and I attempted to make a gingerbread house (though we cheated and used a kit). I'm really not artistic in the least, so it looks very amateur-ish, but we'll get better! I'd like to get into the traditions my mom kept up with us as kids with my boys, like decorating gingerbread men and baking certain treats, but I'm busy enough managing my day with three boys! Greg said I have to stop baking, anyhow, since neither of us have lost any weight (obviously...)!

Here we are decorating the roof!

Mid-month we hit a low as Greg's Avo Olivia passed away. She was 99 years old, and had recently had a few strokes, so it was in a way expected but nonetheless sad. It was the first time we really had to explain death to Isaiah and answer some of his questions. At first he didn't want her to become an angel to protect him and watch over him, and he didn't understand why we were going to say goodbye to her (at the funeral) when she was already dead. But I don't like dodging these issues, nor do I use kiddie-made-up words with my children, so we dealt with as much as he needed to know.

Then we headed into our busy Christmas visits with family. We celebrated with my side early, on the weekend before Christmas. It allowed my dad and Carol to head to the cottage early, and my brother and sister-in-law to only need to make one trip this way over the holidays. My Christmases are quite small, as I've only one sibling, but still very nice. My grandma, unfortunately, doesn't come back home any more - she stays in Florida. I really wish she would, as my kids are only going to be this young for a short while and it's really what makes Christmas - to see the expression on their faces and the belief in Santa, the magic of Christmas. And I miss her for us too. I know traditions change, but I don't get to see her very often anymore. We did have a great visit with my dad and Carol, James, Leanne and my niece Juliana. My dad and Carol spoil the grandkids like mad, so we were opening presents for a good hour or two, no word of a lie. The boys were very happy with their presents - especially the Thomas table my brother built for their trains. But it's not about the presents, it's about spending time with family. So I was glad to be able to do so with every one this year!

Here are the boys all dressed for dinner at my dad and Carol's house.

Isaiah (the pro now, with four Christmases under his belt) shows Braylon how to open his stocking!

Caleb and Juliana enjoy some floor time together!

Then we were off to my mom's for the Jaeger Christmas the following day. I always enjoy my mom's because it's enjoying the food I grew up with, and she keeps up with traditions I need to adopt with my kids (like the gingerbread men I mentioned before). She got the boys a wood kitchen from a store in Stratford, which they absolutely loved. It was the first gift they opened and they didn't want to bother unwrapping anything else!

The kids are really attached to my mom - Grandma Lina. She said she was sad to miss out on visiting time in a way because she was responsible for cooking, but she still managed to get a few squeezes in! My aunt Sue was there, which was nice, because we used to have strong traditions when it came to Christmas. We always had Christmas Eve dinner at my grandparents and would have trifle for dessert. There would be an almond hidden in the trifle and whoever got the almond won a prize. Well, this year it took until the very last spoonful of trifle to find that almond! Good thing Greg and I bought the Wii so we can work out those extra calories!!

Christmas Eve tradition since I've been with Greg has been to spend the night with the Rebelo side. His family is pretty close, and all of his first cousins are close in age, so we all still manage to gather together. This year we had it at his cousin Nellie's house, which strayed from tradition in that we've always had it at his Tia Gloria's in the past. We didn't stay too late, though, since we wanted the boys to get to sleep before Santa made an appearance!

Here they are in the living room, waiting patiently to open presents. Isaiah really gets along well with the older cousins too, and they're good about letting him play with them. At Avo Olivia's funeral he wasn't sure about Andrew, Nellie's third son, since Andrew and Max were play fighting and he wanted to protect Max, but he had a thing for Andrew this night! Braylon was more cautious and reserved - he didn't stray too far from me all night.

Christmas morning was had at our house. The boys slept in from the night before, and I actually had to wake them up and remind them who had come through the night.

Good morning, sleepy heads!

We ended up spoiling them as well. It's hard not to. We bought little things for each of them but in our attempt to make it fair we always ended up buying more. We didn't end up picking up the motorized car for them, though we will come spring, because it would have been too much. Isaiah got his Barbie (he got 3 actually) and Braylon was happy with everything he received too. Caleb was content to watch the action from his chair, allowing his brothers to open his gifts. It was definitely nice not to have to rush around and to simply enjoy Christmas morning at home with the boys. I will have to be careful though next year to wrap gifts from Santa with only one kind of paper and Greg will have to let me get shopping done without the kids in tow since although he still believed Santa brought him the toys Isaiah also knew I'd bought them at the store. Good thing he's only just 3!

That afternoon we had Christmas with the Faria families. The boys enjoyed playing with Justin and Rachelle and although they went to bed late again that night, they slept well once asleep because they were tuckered out. That's the one tough thing about Christmas - it completely messes with our usual daily routine and so sleep is altered significantly. We bought the Faria kids Band Hero for Christmas, so of course we opened it up and played much of the evening.

Our final Christmas was with Isaiah's godparents, our friends Candice and Altin. We are now godparents too, though not officially, to their daughter, Isabella. We went out to eat (and Isaiah passed out in the middle of dinner, so he had a sleep with his head on the table) before visiting with them. Bella is growing like crazy - we hadn't seen her for three weeks by this time and, at this age, they change daily! Everyone says Caleb is so much bigger now too, but I don't see it when I'm with him every day.

The rest of the month was devoted to work around the house. I got Christmas packed up and put away while Greg spent quite a few days framing the basement with his dad's help. It's almost done now, save for a few tricky spots. Then we'll have to plan out electrical before drywalling can begin. He's also been busy snowblowing lately as, with the turn of the new year, Strathroy has been hit hard with squalls. It has been nice for the boys, though, since they've been dying to go outside in the snow (which we didn't have up until about a week ago). Braylon is very cautious, as is his nature, and not much of a fan of the wind chill, but Isaiah loves being outdoors. Mateo came over to play with them while Greg was framing one day, and they've since been tobagganing at Weldon Park in Arva too. Here's hoping we can enjoy more days like this without treacherous weather now that Greg is back to work.

So, I've got two of three awake now (as it's taken me much of the afternoon to post this), and so I must sign off. Off to yoga soon anyhow!

Honest and Candid

Sometimes I wish I could get honest and candid with my writing on here sometimes, but I'm reluctant to turn this into more of an online diary. I know I'd regret many of the things I'd be honest and candid about, as much of what irks me or frustrates me - and fuels the want to vent - are also things that I just need to work through independently. They're likely best left unsaid for various reasons as well. And I'm not sure why sometimes there are moments that there seem to be more things that irk me than not, but unless I decide otherwise, I'll just have to work them out in my head for now.

I do want to mention two peculiar things that came about since my last post:

1) Isaiah pooped in the potty!! (I can't believe that is something I'm so proud to note, but it's progress. He totally didn't mean to, it was happening before he knew it, but he was so happy that we reacted so positively that I'm hoping it happens again soon! Oh that I have to go through potty training two more times...)

2) After claiming my boys to be amazing (which they still are), two of them had two consecutive bad days immediately following that post. I should have knocked on wood.

Anyhow, back to my distraction - my boys - from the things that are troubling me! Must be since I'm soon to turn 30... yikes! I'll blog about THAT later!!

Bragging Rights

Okay, so I'm certain every parent feels they have bragging rights about their children, but I have to claim my children to be absolutely amazing. They are gems. I am by no means taking full responsibility for their awesomeness - they are by nature wonderful kids - but I do think Greg and I have worked hard to help mould them, shaping at least the right direction. We are not perfect, nor is our parenting. We work on it every day. We acknowledge our shortcomings and work to improve. One step forward, two steps back most times. Yet our kids are great.

What brings this "I-feel-the-need-to-brag" moment about? Well, we went on a shopping trip to Birch Run, MI this past weekend, and numerous times we were given compliments regarding how well behaved our children were. And they really are. They are quiet and polite, well-mannered and calm. Not to say they don't have their moments - Isaiah and Braylon each fall victim to emotional reaction like their mom in the form of a temper tantrum, and sometimes it does happen in public. But they are for the most part exceptionally well behaved. I can take all three grocery shopping with no hesitation, and again when I did so today I had several people comment about what good boys they were being.

Of course much of it is nature - they were born good children, it is in their blood (thankfully they haven't seemed to have acquired some of our not-so-favourable characteristics). But I don't necessarily believe we were lucky to be blessed with good children, as many note, at least not entirely. I firmly believe we've had our hand in it too (so I suppose in a way I am bragging for a moment about Greg and I as well...). Though I often feel like a failure in a way, especially when I give in to an emotional response to their behaviour. Or in particular how Isaiah is still not fully potty trained; I have those moments questioning my ability to help him. Why can't I get my child to poo in the toilet? What is wrong with me as a parent? What am I doing wrong?

But then I also have those moments that I am proud of what I am doing. My boys often sleep all together. They play with one another so well. They rarely hit or punch, unless provoked. They are gentle and loving souls, in different ways. I am very blessed, and thankful for being so.

Letters to Santa

Our town's Santa Claus parade was this past Saturday and during the parade the post collects letters to Santa (rather than mailing). So the boys and I (yes, mostly me) sat down to write their letters to Santa a few days before the parade. I sort of wanted to highlight what they're each like right now, so they're not your typical letter to Santa. Anyhow, I'll post them regardless!

CALEB CAMERON REBELO:

Dear Santa, November 20, 2009

My name is Caleb and this is my first Christmas (I am only 2 ½ months old, afterall)! I am very excited because my big brothers, Isaiah and Braylon, have told me all about it! Plus, I am becoming more alert with each passing day, taking in the world around me, so I am looking forward to seeing what the Christmas season is all about. I know I’ll get to spend the holidays with my loving family, and that is what is most important.

So far I have been a very good, sweet baby – I am very calm and quiet. I know my mom is busy with my two older brothers who are both toddlers (and therefore sometimes demanding of her time and energy), so I like to be as easy to care for as possible. Even though I am the youngest of three boys, though, my mom remembers to spend special time with me, and I love when she cuddles me tight. Daddy does too, especially on Sundays when he’s watching football. We have some great naps together, snuggled close. I’ve also been fortunate to have things of my own already, and what hand-me-downs I’ve been given have been worn well by my brothers before me, so I’m pretty lucky! I know there are far less fortunate children out there than to be the third of three boys, so I am going to give away all my clothes and toys once I am done using and playing with them.

I am growing every day, so I’ll likely be a little different come Christmas. Lately, I have been becoming very aware of my environment and like to smile in reaction to noises and familiar faces/voices. I love when my brothers remember to talk to me and when mommy is close-by. In fact, I am rather content to be simply placed in a room full of people; that in of itself is often enough to entertain me! I do, however, like to interact with my toys – my flailing arms are starting to show some sense of coordination when reaching for toys above me in my gym or dangling from the arch on my chair. As far as physical growth goes, I’ve had a very strong neck from birth, early able to hold my head up steady. I have gone through a serious bout of infant acne and am trying to beat cradle cap as I write, as heading into the winter season my skin is sensitive to the dry conditions. As a result, I’ve lost some of my locks since birth, but I’ve still a head full of hair! I love to sleep on my side, when not swaddled tightly, so that helps!

Anyway, Santa, I am looking forward to the holidays this year. Good luck finishing up with your list making toys in the workshop at the North Pole! Merry Christmas!

Love, Caleb (age 2 ½ months)

BRAYLON MIGUEL REBELO:

Dear Santa, November 20, 2009

My name is Braylon and I am almost 2 years old! I am writing to you this year as a middle brother, becoming a big brother to Caleb this past fall. My mommy says I am doing such a great job as a big brother. I love to hold my little baby brother, and I always remember to be gentle and loving with him. I adore planting kisses on his forehead, and I can’t wait for him to grow bigger so he can play with Isaiah and me. My older brother Isaiah is my best friend – I idolize him, I really look up to him. We play so well together, and I always want to do what he’s doing.

But sometimes I like my own things too. My favourite things to do are to play hockey and kick the ball around. This winter I am looking forward to getting out on the ice to learn how to skate. As you can tell, I prefer to be active – I’m not really into watching cartoons or reading books. I also enjoy playing cars with Isaiah. We have quite a few to play with, especially when we are rewarded for going potty well. I’m already trying potty since Isaiah is still being trained. I am a really good brother. I share well – whenever Isaiah wants something I am playing with, I give it to him willingly, even though he seldom returns the favour – and I just like to have fun. I am a very good little boy with a gentle soul and a happy, carefree spirit.

In fact, I’m getting so big. Mommy and daddy took my soother away for good a few weeks ago, and I hardly put up a fight. I’m also developing in terms of language – my words are really coming along. Even if no one else knows what I am saying, sometimes the intonation of what I intend to say is enough for my parents to understand. I can even sing along to children’s songs, without actually saying a single word, and my parents know which song I am trying to sing! I am a very good eater, except when I notice my brother has stopped eating and then sometimes I follow suit. And I really enjoy watching mommy cook supper or bake treats – I’m always asking to go up on the counter to help (or supervise). I love to cuddle still, even though I have my own comfort toy – a black lab fittingly called Raider. My brother Isaiah has one he calls Bailey! Together we love animals, especially feeding the ducks (I go nuts for ducks!). You could say I have my own quirks too, like how I always end up taking my socks off soon after mommy has dressed me in the morning; I like to be barefoot and free. Or how I am a very hesitant little boy – take, for instance, that I can climb up and down stairs, but I prefer to do so on my bum. I just like to be cautious! And even though I can be stubborn, I am full of personality. I love to ham it up, and just enjoy life! I am looking forward to turning two in the new year, and even though I am a late bloomer in some regards (like my teeth cutting in – I still only have 6 fully through), I have come a long way! But I am even more excited about Christmas first, so bring on the snow and festive spirit! I can’t wait to make some holiday memories this winter, Santa! I hope you’re just as excited making all the toys in your workshop for the good little boys and girls!

Merry Christmas!

Love, Braylon (age 21 ½ months)

ISAIAH JOSEPH REBELO:

Dear Santa, November 20, 2009

My name is Isaiah and I am three years old. I am already very excited for Christmas this year with my growing family. I am now big brother to Caleb, my baby brother, and Braylon too, who is only 14 months younger than me. He and I are the best of friends and I am looking forward to Caleb growing up so he can play with us. I am an excellent big brother. I am very gentle and loving with Caleb, and I’ve been a big help to mommy when she asks me to talk to him, trying to make him laugh, or put his soother back in when it slips out. He is such a sweet little boy. My little brother Braylon is the best! Sometimes I forget to play nicely with him, mostly because I used to be the only one vying for attention and I could play with everything by myself as I wanted. I can be very stubborn, and terribly independent, but I am becoming better at sharing and letting Braylon have a turn. At least I now always have a playmate!

My favourite things to play with are cars (especially Lightning McQueen), Thomas the Train, Little People, and animals. I have a vivid imagination; I am really good at making up stories for my toys, especially my animals, taking inspiration from the cartoons I watch, like Little Bear and Franklin. And I love watching cartoons! My mom says I am extremely bright and articulate, and most people find me well spoken for having just turned three. I also really enjoy reading and the school (pre-K books) my mom does with me. I know my numbers from 1 through 10, my ABCs, my colours and shapes, and I can also connect/circle objects and determine which is the smallest or largest. I love colouring (my favourite colour is red) and my motor skills are developing quickly since I can now colour much closer to the lines! I have an excellent memory as well. Sometimes I amaze my parents with the things I remember! I’m excited to actually go to “my” school next fall, not just because I like to learn but because I love playing outside on the equipment too! I really like the new set in town that my mom takes me to sometimes. Actually, I love being outdoors, riding my tricycle or helping daddy with work!

This Christmas will be my fourth, so I’m beginning to remember what it’s all about. I’ve already wondered if I’ve heard the bells of your sleigh, Santa, and I’ve been asking mommy and daddy about you and the North Pole (I’m very inquisitive at my age). I can’t wait for the holidays! Merry Christmas, Santa – say hi to Mrs. Claus and the reindeer for me, especially Rudolph!

Love, Isaiah (age 3)

Happy Hallowe'en!

So I am well aware that Hallowe'en has long since passed - decorations are down in exchange for Christmas ones (and not only at the stores), the candy stash has been raided and depleted, and people have posted many a blog about various subjects since their own Hallowe'en post. But we're a little behind in the blogging world at this house, so I'm just now getting to posting my Hallowe'en pics (or possibly not - Caleb is starting to fuss, Braylon is spilling juice and Isaiah is needing to poop on the potty as I type so I'm back and forth).

Anyhow, Hallowe'en was a busy day for us. We took all three boys to the Backyardigans concert at Centennial Hall in London in the early afternoon. They were glued to the show the entire first half, poised motionless on my lap, one boy on each knee, clutching Tyrone and Tasha tightly in their hands, with an almost hypnotic trance effect with the characters dancing and singing on stage. The second half was not quite the same, but only because I had to nurse Caleb at intermission so their focus was interrupted. Anyhow, they both enjoyed the show tremendously - it was amazing to feel the energy surge through their bodies when the show began with them on my lap! And it was somewhat nostalgic as well because my mom used to take us to concerts when we were young - Raffi and Fred Penner, so not quite the same colourful entertainment, but a concert nonetheless!

Here they are coming on stage:

And toward the end of the show (post-climax of the storyline):

And the boys watching intently on my lap:

Immediately afterwards, we began our trek of visiting family and friends to show off our boys! It is completely exhausting to travel from house to house, unloading for 10 minutes just to pack them back up in the car seats once again, but a lot of our family and friends look forward to seeing them. And we did make it home to trick or treat up and down our street quickly as well as hand out candy to the last of the ghosts and goblins.

Here are our three characters dressed up:

Isaiah was a tiger, roaring at the door with hands outspread beside his face (for some type of added ferocity, I suppose).

Braylon was a spider (and the bulkiness came to help when he kept tripping down the street trying to keep in pace with his excited older brother who caught on to trick-or-treating fairly quickly, and was in a race to ring the next doorbell).

Caleb was a giraffe, though few saw his costume as he was bundled in the car seat for much of the day.

And here are two of the four pumpkins we (or might I correct, Greg) carved for our porch (we used templates to stencil the image on before cutting it out - except for the one we carved Rebelo in). Thank goodness we carved them before the actual day, since our day was so busy. They turned out fantastic, I think, and I can't wait to see what the boys pick next year! The kids on our street were amazed at the "artist" and come Hallowe'en we saw lots more pumpkins at our neighbours' houses that had templates used to carve haunted houses, ghosts, cats, bats, etc.!

Hallowe'en evening Greg and I managed to get out as well. We were originally going to a stag and doe in town, but despite Hallowe'en being Greg's favourite holiday of the year, we didn't get a costume together for either of us. That and Greg didn't want to go in the end, but since we'd already babysitters lined up (thanks Dad & Carol), we went to a movie instead... our first night out since Caleb was born. We saw "Couples Retreat" - a good laugh! And that was our day. Looking forward to the next holiday - Christmas - which tends to span a month or two around here once we get all the gatherings in. And I'll hopefully get to blogging more about the growing boys and our daily adventures at some point... cross your fingers!