I have hit the point of non-restful nights it seems. The joys of the last months of pregnancy! In fact, we are getting down to WEEKS now… I am at 35+ weeks as I type and that is definitely nearing the end. Which means time to rush rush rush and get ready for baby! This upcoming week’s goal – moving MOST of the twins’ stuff into the basement spare room. A move I am a wee bit nervous about. This puts them way out of reach in the far corner of the basement, where to get upstairs they have to walk through the laundry room (not really a finished room) and have access to the basement washroom (unfinished floor – gotta do something about that at least temporarily). Beyond all that — they can get to the playroom EASILY! It is going to be interesting.

Our weekend has been somewhat productive and absolutely NOT as busy as the previous few have been (thank goodness). We started Saturday with rushing Ken off to the bottle depot to take in the mountain of bottles, cans and milk containers in the garage (spending cash). Once back successfully from his mission we headed off to Grandma’s. Top of the to-do list there… SPLASH PARK!

This was the splash park we went to when the boys were tiny and Emanuel a baby, but the first time Trinity has ever been and Emanuel gone when he could actually play. It turns out Emanuel is not hugely fond of the spray portion of the park but LOVES the water feature. Trinity is much more adventurous than Emanuel when it comes to water.

Walking to the splash park (Gavin red hat)

Emanuel playing with his bucket of water

The water table

Intrepid splasher

After the splash park Ken and I dropped off the kids with mom long enough to run errands. I officially have my wet diaper container for the diaper bag and the liners for the diapers. Now all I am waiting on is the large diaper bag for in the diaper pail… then we are officially ready to cloth diaper! We made a stop at Superstore to get new rubberboots for Emanuel and photos for my project for our nephew. I snuck in some new shoes for Trinity (on super sale for under 2.00) and we picked up some parboil rice which is on my approved list for foods. My late lunch was a treat – chicken quesadilla and a medium KFC coleslaw (the only food at that restaurant I was rather sure was “safe”).

We spent our afternoon at mom’s hanging out and resting – poor Trinity passed out with my mom on the couch!

Fast asleep

And then for supper – BBQ by Mike… some of the most delicious steaks I have had in ages along with veggies, coleslaw and biscuits for everyone but me. Some more play time, Ken working on a virus on the computer there and then home for the night. Grandma had one last special treat – new slippers! Some Olympic ones came into her store in all the right sizes!!

Trinity in her new slippers

I got a nice bit of scrapbooking done as well! The Cricut bug has bitten me hardcore I am afraid!

First page of our mountain trip

Page 2

Trinity pulling her own wagon at the Pets in the Park

Sunday was a basically unplanned day… BUT we managed a trip to IKEA to get a shelving unit on sale (which of course meant DINNER there too!)… we cannot get enough storage in this place!

New shelf!

AND visitors! Yoyo and Jon (who you will remember from the wedding Trinity was a flowergirl in) and Yoyo’s mom (who is here until end of September from China, her dad had to head back this month) came over for an afternoon visit.

One of their professional photographer pictures... I have to say I think they are one of the best looking bride and groom duos I have seen in my life.

Bearing a gift for the baby – a humidifier shaped like a frog (total cuteness and off of our registry) and SNACKS! Chinese snacks, things like rice cookies wrapped in seaweed… dried mango and sweets… oh and almond crackers which were Trinity’s favourite! Language is no barrier between Yoyo’s lovely mom and our kids. We are hoping to visit with all 3 again before she returns to China in September.

Yoyo's Mom with Trinity

So a rather restive day if you don’t add in the interrupted night (just couldn’t sleep) or the fact that I couldn’t sort myself out for a nice nap. BUT we had fun and tomorrow is an uncomplicated day – Ken will get work done, we will start putting together the camping lapbooks (the peas are not grown enough to finish off the last of the gardening book) and continue our prep work for moving the twins to the basement. My hope is that the weather will play nice so we can head out to a nearby splash park and enjoy a bit more of the summer. After all sun means my raspberries will continue ripening!!

4 of the best things in my life! (Zander left)

Well the boys camped out in the basement like pros. In fact Trinity and I were up BEFORE them! Apparently sleeping in the basement in the dark works wonders on the boys SLEEPING IN! It was not until we heard noises from below that I could turn on the light and let Trinity get down there and say good morning.

I poked myself (ugh but back to a mid 4) and then had breakfast and then… went back to bed. I stayed up late last night to watch the most recent Deadliest Catch – and it took its toll. But what an episode!

Wednesday (aka Day 3) quickly turned into a whirlwind of activity, mainly because once the boys and Ken were up I had to head right back to bed! (for some reason I had breakfast and then was total wiped) After lunch Ken and all 3 boys had a date at the library where they made masks. Or at least THEIR interpretation on masks. This lasted longer than the usual hour which Ken then supplemented with some much requested computer play.

Wednesday night my dad came up for an overnight visit before heading on to Saskatchewan and the Rode family reunion (his mother’s family). Sadly we could not go, first off the cost and time consuming drive, but it was definitely a no go when I got the news that I had the diabetic clinic 3 hour class on the 2nd (8:15 am no less). Seeing dad is a BIG thing for us, the last time we saw him was two years ago for Trinity’s baptism. He, his wife and her daughter (my step-sister Kat) live all the way down in South Carolina. (Twice as far as Minnesota)

Saying Hi to Grandpa! (Gavin left)

We took full advantage of the 1st and all the time we had with dad. A family walk to the park was of course in order… after we took our Canada Day pictures in front of the tree!

Canada Day! (Zander left)

With Grandpa! (Zander left)

Walking with Grandpa! (Zander left)

FUN! (Zander)

After spending much of the afternoon with Grandpa playing, watching tv and building Lego cars, we headed an hour or so away to my mom’s leaving dad to rest and relax for a few hours.

Lego Car fun! (Gavin left)

We spent some time with Grandma and Harley and Mike, including dinner at Subway, meeting up with Aunty Karyn AND a park run! A few too many mosquitoes for our liking but fun was had!

Tattoos (Gavin left)

Karyn giving Ken a swing

This got us home after 10, and since dad was leaving before any of us were up in the morning the kids got to stay up SUPER late and play. Definitely a special treat and special time with Grandpa.

Saying good bye (Gavin right)

He left here around 6am, Ken and I woke up at 7 to get ready for the diabetic clinic and my 3 hour class which was less than helpful. There is a lot of trial and error and on my side of it the weight issue muddies the water even further. Coupled with my dad leaving and having no time to have my customary cry I am not handling the day well. The clinic was confusing, I have another appointment with them before I even see my doctor again which bothers me and currently I do NOT have a babysitter which means Ken can’t be with me. I have to admit no small amount of fear connected to going to these appointments WITHOUT him. I am looking into some assistance (and I mean a very LITTLE is available) for the cost of the strips etc… but it takes TWO WEEKS for the forms to be processed. So there is trepidation with the costs… (4 times a day testing) AND with the numbers… I am trying new foods and had a bad result at lunch right after the class… I am guessing a combination of the bread without a walk. I did mean to go for a walk after but when we got home (Karyn was here to watch the kids) the little ones really needed me to stay and hold them for a bit. After all, they woke up to us being gone.

Karyn and I did head out for a bit of a walk later on, The Mall and then Michaels to shop with the birthday money from my dad. I ended up getting a little machine that makes stickers! I figured I could have some fun with it and add to my scrapbooking. AND I had a coupon! So a great deal and a new toy! And a bit of money left over to get something else later next week when I have more time.

NEW TOY!

Oh at mom’s we brought home the cradle she had for us! The kids are in love with it. I am excited about getting a chance to use it. We had two of these from mom with the twins but they needed to sleep together when they were small enough for it so they went unused. So this is my chance1

See Trinity peeping behind??

I am sure there is more to share but man am I all over the place mentally right now! I promise a catch up later!!!

Grandpa and 2 of his girls!

And what a busy 4 days it has been!! Starting with my doctor’s appointment on Wednesday, Thursday’s being my Birthday, Friday’s last minute shopping, Saturday’s wedding and ending with Sunday’s double feature of Pets in the Park followed by Isabella’s birthday party we have been on the go pretty much constantly!

The doctor’s appointment was not the best of this pregnancy for sure… to start with my ultra sound results were NOT there so we couldn’t even discuss that. Then, the glucose retest… FAIL with 10 at the one hour and 11 at the second. Not hugely high numbers but coupled with my continued weight loss (another 2 lbs for a total of 4… which, for those keeping track has me at 125.4 lbs now… a mere 8lbs from my start weight) I am officially a medical anomaly. With my low weight etc etc I should NOT be diabetic but the test says I am. So the doctor has given me strict instructions NOT to follow the diabetic diet – NOT to cut carbs but to remove all those excess sugars and eat more than the portion control says and bulk back up. What this means is that instead of managing my condition with the normal diet I am to just do the metering (which luckily Mike has a spare meter, strips, etc) and watch for the need to use insulin. JOY. My bloodpressure was a little low but the baby’s heart rate was a steady 140. So at least BABY is doing well. My next appointment is in 2 weeks and my 3 hour diabetic class is on the 2nd (yay?).

So there was some necessary pouting of course… and a bit of crying… and now I deal.

With Thursday being my birthday we spent it with a bit of shopping and a lot of family time.

31 years old and proud of it! (Gavin left)

My 3 little boys (Zander left)

Miss Trinity

I even got a scrapbook page done for Trinity’s book!

Meeting Baby Anna

Friday we had to run to The Mall… I got myself a shirt for our family photos, and picked up my birthday gift for being a card holder at Sephora.

Sephora booty!

I also went out to one of my favourite speciality grocery stores and got myself some red pepper dip (mm). With whole wheat pitas… very healthy!

Friday night was Yoyo and Jon’s rehearsal… Since only Trinity was involved (flowergirl), she and Ken went to the hotel to do that and the boys and I stayed home. There wasn’t much of a rehearsal BUT Yoyo’s mom was happy to see Trinity… she gave her chocolates! And apparently Trinity made a bunch of friends with the bridesmaids, groomsmen and anyone else she met. Ken and Trinity stayed late to get used to the people AND to help decorate which meant Trinity ALSO got to play with balloons! Talk about a happy little girl.

Yoyo and Trinity

Saturday was the Wu/Mah wedding… Trinity was a BIT reluctant at first to put on the dress but once we got it on and her settled she refused to take it off, even towards the end of the evening when she was VERY warm and worn out the dress HAD TO stay on!

Coming to grips with the dress

These need to be edited due to a red mark on her face but they are cute!

Close up unedited

With her flowers

And again

I took a few pictures in my special “fancy dress” – the same one I wore for my cousin’s wedding back in May. I think it looks different with the larger belly but definitely still pretty!

32 Weeks

We got to the venue early (upon request) for a more formal run through… so around 4, Ted in tow. Trinity took full advantage of this time to run around and make more new friends.

Uncle Ted

The tables were beautiful… the centrepiece was actually little boxes shaped like slices of cake each with a selection of chocolates. There were also little individual favour boxes with little cell phone charms in them ( of different food items from China). Trinity ended up with basically everyone’s at the table and proceeded to play with them. (oh and don’t forget the packages of gum… what a sweet gesture)

Our table

The centrepiece

The wedding was relatively simple… a procession, a Chinese sand tradition, a saying of their vows (very sweet) and a duet song and played on the piano by the bride and groom. Trinity rode with daddy since they started late (close to 7).

Not part of the procession but before the wedding started they were sweet enough to stand still so I could take a picture!

In following tradition there were party games… including a session of musical chairs with the kids (I think it was supposed to be a more adult version but the kids heard MUSICAL CHAIRS and leapt for it,). The bride had a couple of dress changes – from her beautiful wedding gown to a lovely purple formal gown and then again into a beautiful fuchsia outfit. Yoyo was an absolutely GORGEOUS bride and Jon a handsome groom. Ken and I were so honoured and proud to have our daughter asked to be part of this occasion!

One of the amazing portraits they had done in China

Stopping by as they did their toasts at each table... You cna't see it but she is in the lovely purple creation. Taking a moment to say hi to the flowergirl!

The meal which went on before the party games was absolutely AMAZING. Starting with a squash soup (which I had to take a picture of)… then a spinach and watercress salad… the main course was AAA Alberta beef cooked to perfection. They were well prepared for Trinity with cheese and crackers and then chicken fingers and fries.

Amazing soup

Don’t forget the desert – cheesecake with a little chocolate cake for Miss Trinity (who was not at all interested having gone back to her new toys). A huge piece, I only ate HALF of mine – to be responsible of course!

The two deserts

They had another cake – a Chinese kind I think, that was their wedding cake – 5 tiers… I didn’t try any but we did get pictures!

Cutting the cake (that is the 3rd dress!)

Oh and don’t forget our favourite image from an underwater shoot they got asked to do by their photographer. AMAZING!

The amazing water shoot!

Trinity even made a new friend with another little girl… playing with balloons of course!

Playing with a new friend

We were there VERY late – after 11pm! Thankfully (He)Chris was able to stay so late and watch after the boys who were treated to a night of Wii games, hotdogs and other fun guy stuff. THANK YOU SO MUCH CHRIS!!!

We sat with Xinny and Alan, Xinny's parents, Sean and Ted

So after a looong but terrific evening we had an early morning with Grandma and Mike and Harley and Pets in the Park. Harley was basically well behaved and the kids listened well enough that the morning was actually quiet fun! Though HOT! We even got a change to pet a kitten – in the SPCA’s adoption centre.

Walking to the venue (Zander left)

Enjoying the sun

Grandma and Ice Cream

Kitten!

We came home from that for an hour to cool down and regroup and then head BACK OUT to the den Otter home and Isabella’s 5th birthday party. The perfect weather for splashing in the pool in the backyard for the kids and sitting in the shade on the deck for the adults!

Trinity in the tiny pool

Slip and Slide (Gavin)

It is hard to believe our god-daughter is really 5yrs old! Where has the time gone?

Isabella

So tonight we are surrounded by exhausted and over stimulated children but the weekend was certainly a success. The plan for this upcoming week is no less daunting. Monday the twins have their yearly doctor’s appointment, Monday night the plan is to have all the boys and Ken camp out in the backyard… Tuesday we have to get our camping stuff done for the lapbooks, Wednesday is a library program and it looks like my dad visiting overnight! Thursday is Canada Day so we will spend most of the day with my dad and then head to my mom’s for dinner and maybe fireworks with Friday being my 3 hour diabetic class at 8:15 in the morning (and they want us to eat breakfast before we get there!!). Yikes!

OH and before I forget… now that we have given the bridal party their gift! The stitch!!

THE gift!