Without Daddy - Day 3

Today was another home day as Tavish had to stay home from school again because of his fever (which is now starting to get better - I broke down and gave him the antibiotics).  While we did not leave the house we still had a pretty fun day.  Tavish and Owen spent most of the morning playing with toys and dressing up. Tavish still only wants to wear his Nemo costume but Owen got a huge kick out of the space suit and also likes to dress up as a chef.  Today's play focused mainly on music and I don't recommend that the two boys quit their day jobs to start a band.

After lunch I put both my boys to bed (weirdly enough both boys slept) and Owen and I decided to do some science experiments.  I think Owen was a bit upset that I did not have any lab coats (I have no idea where mine are and I don't think they would fit him anyway) but he made do with an apron and chefs hat.  We did a floating egg experiment where we tested to see if an egg would float in water, salt water, sugar water or flour water.  Owen's hypotheses was that the egg would only float in salt water and sure enough he got it right (without any help from me) but I must say the egg more hovered that floated (not the greatest of experiments).

When Tavish woke up Jessie took Owen and Tavish outside to play (they needed it) in the snow.  They had lots of fun playing hide and seek as well as sledding down out hill.  Tavish shockingly was not upset that he did not get to shovel and I have to say I'm thankful I did not have to either as our very nice neighbor came by with his snowplow earlier in the morning (goes to show the good deed don't go unnoticed).  Now the all the boys are sleeping in bed and Jessie and I can enjoy a relaxing evening but we are going to need to make some more chocolates before Kyle gets home as the ones he made are going pretty fast.  What can I say, neither Jessie or I have much will power and they are just so darn good.

Nemo and Buzz Lightyear and Canadian Rocket Man

 Take a bow

 Owen Wiz the Science Kid

 Callen and Auntie hanging out

 Owen playing while the other boys were sleeping

 Some fun in the Snow

Without Daddy - Day 2

Second day without Kyle but help arrived, 2 hours late but at least they made it.  Tavish was feeling a bit better today and was super excited to see Owen.  All morning long he just wanted to go to the airport but thankfully his  Clickstart Computer distracted him.  Once Jessie and Owen finally arrived the fun began and I must say it's going really well so far, no fights over toys...yet.  What I worry about the most is Tavish passing on his cold to Owen who seams to catch everything.

Time to wake up Tavish 

 Big Stretch (okay I normally hate matching clothes on kids but this was just so cute, I think every once and awhile is okay just not matching all the time)

 My two cute boys

I just love this video, Tavish is just so funny

Auntie Jessie with Callen

 Owen and Callen

The boys playing 

Without Daddy - Day 1

Well today was an interesting day for sure, and I have no idea how single moms do it.  Tavish was not doing well  today at all with a fever above 103 F (~40 C) so he stayed home from school and we vegged (as much vegging as one can do with a 8 week old who won't nap).  I let Tavish watch all his favorite movies and sleep in my bed but this afternoon the fever still was lingering around so it was time to go to the Dr.  It turns out he has a sinus cold (thankfully not a chest infection as he's prone to get) and a bit of an ear infection (I was given some drugs for that but I'm going to hold off until he says they bother him - no point giving him antibiotics for a viral infection).  Tavish was looking much better this afternoon and was more of his old self but I must say I'm thankful that my sister is coming in the morning as dealing with a baby and a sick 2.5 year old alone is not fun.

 Callen was smiling like crazy and I get the camera then nothing

Chilling out watching Nemo 

Finally a smile 

And another 

Sick little boy not doing so well 

My two trouble makers 

 Hanging out

And feeling better

Goodbye Daddy

Kyle left this afternoon for a 2 week work trip so I'm alone with the boys, well at least until Tuesday when my sister and nephew are coming to visit.  Compared to many of the other ex-pat moms I must say I have been very, very lucky as Kyle has not had many work trips and most of them have been very short.  It's funny though because this time 3 years ago Kyle had to leave me and Tavish for a 2 week work trip and then I had no family come visit.  I am thrilled Jessie and Owen are coming, I can't wait to show them around and I'm sure it will make the time go by so much faster.

Tavish was really sad to see his dad go, or at least he was before we got to the airport (he fell asleep in the car). This is the first time he has been visibly upset over one of us leaving, I'm not sure if it's due to more mature emotions or the fact he's sick (he spiked a fever 3 hours after Kyle left - fun for me).  We'll see how we all cope with him gone (the house might be a bit messy when he gets back) but at least we'll have some good distractions. I just hope Tavish can share his toys then everything will be alright.

ICE and Water-skiing Santa

December Part 2

Like I said before December was a busy month with lots of things going on.  Nana and Papa along with Auntie Kaleigh came down from Winnipeg for the holidays.  We decided to do a few things unique to the D.C. metro area and thus we braved the cold (not really cold to Canadians) on Dec 24.  The National Harbor in Maryland has some really different Christmas activities including ICE and Water-skiing Santa.  ICE was amazing and well worth the price.  This years theme was the Grinch and it is truly amazing what they can do with ice.  I must say though the highlight for Tavish and I was the ice slide

 Kyle heading down the ICE slide

 The Grinch's super cute dog

Tavish is looking up at the sculptures and this is my favorite picture

There are lots of activities to do in the ICE building too, ice skating, pictures with the Grinch and carolers but we passed on most of this to get to our reservation at Rosa Mexicano (very good food).  After lunch we braved the wind and were were ready to watch something you would never see in Canada: Water-skiing Santa.

Jet skiing Grinch 

Frosty Waving HI 

A flipping Elf 

The Reindeer  

Water-skiing Santa 

Tavish having a great time.

December

December was a busy month for me and the boys (or the boys and I, I can never remember which is right), especially because December is party month. We had two parties planned and they happened to fall on the same day.  The PYC (Parents of Young Children group for my husbands work) Christmas party was great fun for both the boys.  Tavish enjoyed Rocknoceros almost as much as he enjoyed the food and Callen slept through most of it (great considering the noise).

Tavish chowing down while listening to the music

Callen and I hanging out

After the PYC party we met with my husband at a friends house for dinner and drinks.  All in all Callen's first parties were a success.

December also brought Virginia's first snow fall, only 2 inches but panic ensued and Tavish's school was delayed with out my knowledge (there is no way a Canadian school would close after 2 inches of snow).  Tavish did have fun sleding down our driveway and Callen did enjoy his first sled ride almost as much as Tavish enjoyed pulling him.

 Tavish and Callen enjoying the snow while it lasted

On the 19th we took the boys to the Air and Space Museum in D.C., Callen's first trip to the District.  While there Callen "saw" his first movie in the planetarium (I think Tavish got more out of it than Callen).  We did have a great time wondering around the exhibits.  With Callen I have taken more of a baby wearing approach than I did with Tavish and I must say between the Ergo and the Wrap, I'm loving it.

Air and Space

 Having fun in the Discovery Room

My little pilot 

After the Air and Space museum we headed over to the Botanical Gardens  where they have their annual train show.  Aside from really, really bad signage and a super grumpy employee, we all had a great time looking at the trains.  I must say D.C. is a great place to be for the holidays, so much to see and if you time it right not that many people.

 Callen with a train behind him

Tavish and Callen with the Taj Mahal behind them (this years theme was world buildings)

Direction

I find with blogging I aim too high and then I fail horribly, thus with this next go around I'm just going to post as we do things.  No Friday tips or whatever, just post when I have the time and when we do something cool.

In 2011 we do have a few fun trips planned, first we have a trip to Florida (March) with my husbands parents aka Nana  and Papa and then in September we are going to Hawaii for two weeks.  Week one will be just our family and week two will be a cruise with my parents (aka Grandma and Grandpa), my sister and brother along with their families.  I also want to find time to head back to Alberta but this will be a solo trip with the boys.  I'm sure we'll have lots of camping trips too when the weather warms up but in the mean time it will be day trips in the D.C. area.

Here are a few of the trips we did in November.

In the 7 short weeks that Callen has be here (Callen was born Nov 13, 7lbs 14oz and 21 inches long) we have already adventured out of the house a lot.  Prior to his birth I took my mom and grandma (aka Gigi) to visit the monuments in D.C. (I was 40 weeks pregnant)

At the American History Museum

When Callen was 4 days I took my mom and grandma to the C&O pathway for his (and my grandmas) first trip to Maryland.

 C&O Pathway

When Callen was 5 days old we went to the Dulles Air and Space Museum.  This will be his first trip of many.

The whole gang at the Air and Space Museum

When Callen was 6 days old my mom, grandma and I ventured out to Maryland again to a craft show (which was very interesting as it was outside which I did not know it was, good thing we are all Canadian aside from Callen and know how to dress warm).  Once my family left we had a few calm weeks with only a few trips to the mall and such (to get Santa pictures -I had all my shopping done prior to Callen's arrival)

Santa looks funny but Tavish was so cute

As you can see I'm not a mom who likes to stay at home, I find keeping busy and getting out of the house keeps me sane and wards off the baby blues.  I make sure I keep my diaper bag stocked with extra clothes, diapers and a nursing cover and we're good to go anywhere.