Pictures

I went to Atlanta to see my wonderful friends and have a baby shower (or sprinkle as it's called for baby #2) for Julie.

Julie, the Mommy to be...who for 7 months thought she was having a little girl and then SUPRISE! Last ultrasound revealed a little something extra if ya know what I mean. So excited that Baby Boy Osteig is coming into the world tomorrow.

I had nothing to do with this picture besides taking it....

Feeding Clifford apples...and telling him to 'Chew, Chew, Chew'

This is why I catch everything my Son brings home from daycare!

"I have Mommy'd money! Now what will I buy?...."

"Hmmmmmmmmmm...."

He looks a bit strung out here but he's not...he's watching Mickey Mouse while shaking pre-natal vitamins to the music. Don't worry..they have a child proof cap and he was carefully monitored. haha.

"I'm ready for school!"

Pillow Talk

Last nights pre-sleep conversation

Jason: "I wonder if anyone's ever been born with their face on the back of their head."

Kathy: "I hope so."

Happy Birthday Father

I think we can stop calling your hair colour 'pre-mature' grey now. Haha.
Happy Birthday.

Black and White Photo Shoot

"Hey Caden, How about we take some pictures?"

"NO!"

Cowboy Caden

Cowgirl Mama

Um...mom? I'm not really into this photo shoot...

Getting closer to a good shot...

Finally! A nice picture!

Who Needs Valentines Day!

I was having a pretty bad day yesterday...the baby was being really cranky and I was super tired and unmotivated. I was pretty much at the end of my rope around 7:30 and could not wait for my husband to come home at 7:45...8 o'clock came and he still wasn't here, which was making me a bit nervous. Suddenly he pulled up and I was happier than ever to see those vehicle lights.
He came to the door with a bouquet of flowers and a sweet card. It was perfect timing and very unexpected. I asked if I should save the card till Valentines day to which he thoughtfully replied, "It's up to you. Everyday is Valentines Day to us."
I've always been anti-Valentines day. After spending most of my highschool and college years single, I remember the harsh sting of V-day...or as I called it...singles awareness day.
Now that I've been married for 4+ years to a super dude, everyday is special...everyday is loving....everyday is an excuse to show eachother how much we love eachother...with flowers, with clean laundry, with taking out the trash, with working hard, with raising our Son together and showing him how cool we think eachother is, with laughter, respect, hugs, kisses and thoughtfulness.
If you're single this Vday, who cares! You get to save your money and avoid the Valentines Day crowds...If you're with someone, don't give into the commercialism...use Vday as a reminder to be thoughtful everyday of the year.
Who needs Valentines Day!

Happy Birthday Mom-in-Law

Happy Birthday Cathy!
May the snow cease and the temperature rise in celebration of your special day!
Miss you.

Funny Moment

After dumping the household trash and taking it outside, I returned to find my son independently cleaning out his ears.
He greeted me at the door like this:


Yay for toddlers with personal hygiene.

My Current Soap Box

I've been in the States for about 5 years now and am just starting to obtain an understanding of the political system. Canada and America are very different nations in most respects, especially in the area of politics and government. I don't consider myself to be a political person. I honestly believe that when it comes time to vote that the object is to decide the lesser of the evils and go with him/her. All politicians lie, all politicians make empty promises and all politicians spend ridiculous amounts of time, money and resources pushing their own agenda instead of feeding the hungry they speak so passionately about...but aside from all of that, I've actually been following the American political process this year and it's got me a little fired up. Particularly because I have said in several circles that if I were legally able to vote in America, I think I would vote for a democratic candidate.
This is always followed (either in jest or in all seriousness) by:
"So, you are for abortion?"
The answer to that is no. Of course not. As a mother, as a woman and as a Christian, I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion is murder, but I have big problems with politicians using this issue as a platform for votes if they have no intensions of doing anything about it. George Bush is known for being 'pro-life' but guess what? He's been President for 8 years and abortion is still legal, still advertised in the yellow pages, still readily available to women of all ages and still prevalent. If a politician is 'pro-life' and as part of his/her campaign has a plan to illegalize abortion AND set up more funding and support for women who carry unplanned children to term and more effective ways for people who want to adopt to be able to do so without paying out the nose for it, I would be very moved to support that person. Did you know that adoption of an American child in foster care to an American family desperately wanting children can cost up to $20,000.00 or more?
Show me a politician who uses his/her pro-life stance as a means for doing something about it and I would be drawn to that person. But I see no reason in choosing a candidate based on an issue where they passionately share their 'opinion' but in the end plan on doing nothing about.
Some people say that if we illegalize abortion than women will injure themselves trying to do back alley abortions like in the film, "Cider House Rules." I don't think we should maintain a legal way of killing unborn children because otherwise women may make stupid choices. If that was the case we would have to legalize things like assisted suicide and drug use as away of ensuring peoples safety. At the end of the day people have to be responsible for their own decisions so I am absolutly for the illegalization of abortion...but so far no republican candidate has talked about doing that.
Since I am 'pro-life' I am also against euthanasia regardless of the circumstances. This may make me seem cold and ignorant to the pain of terminally ill people but I say this knowing that no matter what happens to me or my family, it is God's right to take our lives. No one else's.
If a democratic politian who is 'pro-choice' was wanting to implement a plan to increase the abortion rate and kill as many embryos as possible, I of course would not vote for that person, but that's not what 'pro-choice' means. I am not defending the 'pro-choice' position because I don't believe in it, but it means that women should be able to choose whether or not they want to carry a conceived child to term...which is exactly the way America works right now under the leadership of a republican, pro-life, 'christian', man. I agree with his opinion on abortion, but am saddened by the way it is used as a tool to obtain the Christian vote instead of means of getting something done. Just because someone is anti-abortion does not mean they have concrete morality in every other area. In being 'pro-life' I am also against capital punishment which is something our current president has no qualms about. Is life only sacred for babies and people who earn the right to live? If we're going to blur religious and political lines anyway than is God not the only one who can take life and isn't all sin the same in his eyes?
So if I was American and if I could vote and if I did vote for a democratic candidate, it would not mean I was 'for' abortion.
It means I am against basing my vote on an issue that isn't going to change regardless of who comes into office and I do not decide a persons morality on one issue in which we differ. It's a big issue, but it's not the only issue...especially if it isn't going to change regardless of who has the power.
I would vote for someone who was going to make a difference. In the same way faith without deeds is dead, so are words without action. Don't bring up abortion if you're not going to change the system.
But no worries. If you completely disagree with me, don't loose sleep over it. I can't vote anyway :)

Waiting for a Futon

We found a great futon on craigslist.com and I am waiting for it to be delivered. The people were nice enough to drive it all the way from the north side of Tallahassee to Crawfordville! I'm trying to keep Caden awake so that all the commotion doesn't disturb his nap, but he is more than ready for some shut eye. He slept for a long time yesterday afternoon so at 6:20 this morning he was ready and rearin to start the day. I think they'll be here soon so hopefully he can keep his eyelids open until after they've left. I found a toy that he had forgotten about so he is very interested in his 'new' singing dog. I love how kids have the memory of goldfish.
Caden has been picking up on alot more words lately. He still has no real interest in verbal communication but he is doing much better. I know his lack of words is not due to his lack of brain power because he is one smart cookie. He is very aware of everything and everyone. He suprises me daily with what he knows and understands. I also know there's nothing wrong with his hearing because he can hum anything you sing to him in near perfect pitch and responds to the slightest whisper of his name. So with no cogintive problems and no hearing problems the only thing left is this: He just doesn't care to talk yet.
A friend told me that some kids who are slow talkers are actually so intellegent and have so much going on in their brains that talking gets put on the back burner. Sounds like far fetched child psychology, but I'll take it! :) Baby Einstein!
He loves to dance, he loves to socialize, he loves to drum, he loves Mickey Mouse (whom he calls 'Eye Eye Ice'), he loves animals (especially dogs, cats, ducks, cows and monkeys), He loves his daddy and can point to his store from a mile away and say 'Dada' in his french accent. He loves to play ball, he loves balloons.
He hates getting his diaper changed, he hates having his nose wiped, he hates it when big people commercials come in the middle of little people shows.
He loves the phone, he loves his friends and family, he loves grapes, apples, goldfish, turkey bacon, french fries and LOTS of milk. He still drinks 4 times the ammount a child his age should, but the doctor assures me there's nothing wrong with him. He just likes beverages!
Well, There are some updates for those of you who are missing some Caden...and I'm still waiting on a futon...

You know you're a redneck when....

You don't take your Christmas lights down till February.
I am officially a Crawfordville redneck.
At least I beat my neighbours...theirs are still hanging beautifully.

Smooth Criminal

Today I received my 4th traffic violation since moving to Crawfordville, less than a year ago.
Let me recap:

Random Monday in April: Was stopped in a road block while looking like total doo doo, wearing the clothes I had worn to bed the night before while frantically trying to find somewhere to dump festering garbage that was in my trunk. My offense was not having my lisence on me and the fine was 7 dollars.

Later that summer: Was stopped for speeding by the same cop that stopped me in April. He remembered me because I was Canadian. He let me off for speeding, but gave me a 70 dollar fine for not having my current address on my lisence.

The next day: Was stopped for speeding again. Different cop this time though, thank goodness. After a 10 minute conversation about child car seat safety, he went back to his vehicle, noticed my 'priors', and came back laughing to the car saying, "So, how many times have you been stopped this week?"
He said I seemed nice so he let me off with a warning...and he said next time I WILL get a ticket.

Fast forward to this afternoon: Was stopped for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. Does anyone really come to a complete stop if there's nothing coming? Honestly...
Anyway, I slowed down and looked left and nothing was coming so I went ahead and drove onward...then I saw him on the right. I knew I was going down, so as soon as I saw him turning around in my rearview I pulled over. He was about my age and very friendly. He told me why he was stopping me and I said, "I know. I totally didn't stop."
He said, "Wow, you're the only one today who admitted to knowingly running a stop sign."
We laughed, he took my info, I waited...wondering what he would think of my 'record'. I reminded God that I could not afford a ticket and apparantly God agreed because he came back and handed me my warning, sending me on my merry way.

I wonder Caden's childhood memories will seem like one big COPS episode?

Super Bowl Sunday

Baby's First Fat Lip

When a little boy leans on his dump truck and the truck pops a wheely, hitting him the mouth...we have a baby's right of passage into boyhood.
Caden' first fat lip.

After a cold cloth and a strawberry popsicle, he's feeling much better.

Crazy Little Man

I woke up yesterday to find my son like this:


Apparantly he had taken off his shirt in the middle of the night. The 'ninja' mask was Dada's idea.

Here are some videos of Caden dancing like a baby fool on his favourite dancing surface: A plastic mickey mouse table cloth. Everytime he feels the urge to groove he says something that sounds like, "Eye Ice?" but it means 'Mickey mouse' and we break out the dance pad for some foot stompin fun.
Enjoy.

Tea is the new Diet Pepsi

I was at one time in the not so distant past, addicted to diet pepsi. I still drink it from time to time, but have committed to not keeping it in the house except for special occasions. In substitution, I have become addicted to tea....all kinds of tea. Hot tea, chai tea, but most of all: Arizona diet green tea (sweetend with Splenda). I may turn into tea someday if I am not careful.
I'm at the coffee pub right now sipping a vanilla chai. This means of course that it is a baby school day for Caden. It's taken three weeks, but I can honestly say that I am not upset today. I am a little bored, cause I never know what to do with myself when he's not with me, but I am happy and content in knowing that he is just fine and I am happily bored. It's nice to be bored when your head is usually spinning around and around.
I like it here. It's one of my new favourite places.
What will today hold? I have no idea. There's nothing good playing at the dollar theatre and I have no money for shopping...perhaps I'll go to the book store and read books without buying them. Maybe I'll go for a walk around the lake...Maybe I'll go to the mall and people watch...Maybe I'll spend a dollar or two on an icecream...who knows. The day is young and so am I.
All I know if that even though it is election day, I won't be voting...cause I'm not legal to.

Good Music

I'm a big fan of awesome music and cool women. Brooke Fraser embodies both. Enjoy.

Lazy Days

The past two days have been rather uneventful for both Caden and myself. Friday I felt as though I was getting sick. Saturday I woke up with every area between my ears and my chest burning like a wild fire.
Jay went to work and I began a long day of parenting from the couch. It's hard to take care of someone when all you want is to be taken care of yourself.
Around 10:30 I looked at Caden and knew he wasn't feeling good. He gets crazy dark circles under his eyes when he feels poorly. I felt his head and he was very hot so I took his temperature (as best I could) and it came out to somewhere in the 103's. I wasn't too alarmed, because when Caden gets a fever it's always through the roof and he recovers quickly. Since Jay had taken the car to work, I called Britt and she graciously came to the rescue with children's Tylenol. Yay Britt.
He went to sleep two hours earlier than he usually does and I got this crazy burst of energy and cleaned the fridge, the microwave and the pantry...then I shopped online for baby shower stuff, went through the food and created a two week menu with a grocery list to match and realizing too late that I had done way too much, I crashed on the couch just in time to hear Mr. Caden stirring in his room, ready to get up.
Yesterday was a long day.
I decided we would not be going to church in the morning which made me very sad because I missed last week while we were in St. Augustine...but I couldn't in good conscience bring a feverish baby to the toddler room and let him infect all the other kiddos.
Jay went to a fitness fair at the civic centre yesterday where he had a booth set up. He had to leave the house at 5am in order to get everything there and ready on time so by the time he got home at 7 he was more than pooped.
Caden went to bed at 8 and Jay and I went to bed at 8:30. Party animals.
I took some night time cold medicine and a zycam before turning in...I should have known better because I am super sensitive to medication and ended up sleeping until 10:30 this morning. Luckily, Jay took notice of my comatose state and got up with the baby.
After a 14 hour sleep, my bug seems to be gone. I'm groggy from the medicine and will probably be till tomorrow but I am feeling pretty good other than that.
Caden is confusing me, going back and forth from happy and jumping to sickly and sleepy. I think he may have an ear infection. I wish there was a way I could know ths before spending 20 bucks to have someone say, "It's a bug. Just wait it out." I've tried looking in there...I even tried sniffing it...it works to find out whether Dakota has one or not so I thought, why not?
Caden looked confused.
Hopefully tomorrow will get us out of the house....at least I hope so. I'm starting to get cabin fever.

I can feel it

I'm getting sick.
It started last night with a cough. I don't think I've ever had a sickness start this way...my lungs are one of the only parts of me that work properly but for the past 24 hours I've been feeling as though I breathed in the pool water. That's the only way I can describe it.
Within the last 3 hours it has gone from just a cough to a sore throat, throbbing ears and a drippy nose. Darn you Florida and your barametric ups and downs.
I've written 3 articles that I am going to send out to various magazines in search of someone who is interested in buying them. It would be the perfect opportunity to earn cash while being with Caden. I really feel driven in this direction...like something great is going to happen from this. I believe God has sent enough people into my life encouraging me to write that it can't be for nothing. We'll see what happens. I'm excited though, very excited. I would love to have my time with Caden, earn extra income and have something for myself all at the same time. I get exciting thinking about having projects and deadlines. Any working person is probably shuttering at my desires but I've been flying by the seat of my pants for 2.5 years and am longing for some structure. If you're a praying person, please whisper one now on my behalf.
One prayer for a paid writing opportunity, another prayer for the sickness I am feeling...but if you only have time to pray for one don't worry. Most cold's go away on their own.

Part 2

I dropped Caden off today for his second day of 'baby school'.
He kept saying "School?" all morning in anticipation. He seemed great right up until I walked away...then he went ballistic...but I feel much better this time than last. Before, I cried non-stop and felt like a huge jerk. Today, I have not yet cried and only feel like a little bit of a jerk. Huge improvement.
Caden has been repeating us a lot and wanting to know the names of everything. He also calls Jay and I, 'Mama' and 'Dada' but in a french type of accent...like 'MeMA!'....I can't get the hilarity across in a blog entry but it's pretty funny. I'm not sure why he does it, but he does it, consistently. Makes us laugh alot.
I am always searching for a way to have 'me time' but when I get it I have no idea what to do with it. I feel like I should be chasing someone, wipping a nose or whispering, 'Stop yelling or you're going in time out!' Into a little ear a public place...but I'm trying to enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and quaintness of my new favourite place, The Coffee Pub. I may go see a dollar movie if there is anything good playing. Who knows! I certainly don't. I think I need to find a good book to read...I usually don't get an opportunity to read but now I have all the time in the world. Or at least 6 hours a week.
I have been a touch homesick lately. I think I'll always have a tinge of homesickness...a longing for the beauty and simplicity of the land from whence I came...but lately I've been itching to get back there...to see the mountainous cliffs and enjoy the company of my family in a town with no traffic lights, no walmart, no fast food chains, no distractions...where a moose could potentially greet you in your driveway and where the wind cuts through your face like a knife...well, I miss everything except the weather.
Perhaps this is just me getting anxious about the fact that my mother and sister are coming to visit within the next 2 months. Perhaps it is from the Irish store that jay and I went into in St. Augustine, where celtic ballads were blasting over the stereo reminding me of home.
Either way I miss Newfoundland today. I miss her everyday, but today a little more than yesterday.

Our trip to St. Augustine

It was hard to leave this little monkey behind

Luckily Britt took great care of him...and his new 'gawg'

Jay's birthday cake!

Of course we had to hit the Krystal Burger on the way...I loves me some tiny burgers!

Chillin at the Holiday Inn.

Going out to dinner

Downtown St. Augustine

Michael Jordan!

Enjoying the scenery

Jay trying to fire a canon outside of the Castille de Sans Marco...I think that's how you pronounce it.

Maybe this is how you use it?

It was a bit windy...

...and suprisingly cold!

Jumping to keep warm

Taking in the sights

Finding shelter from the cold

These things are heavy!

Jay and yet another canon

I hope this doesn't go off anytime soon...

Messing around on the drive home

On the way home after a fun and relaxing 24 hour vacation

The Big 30

Happy Birthday Jay! Today you are a third of the way to 90...I hope that I look as good as you when I turn 30...many, many years from now.
i love you more than chocolate soup. Happy Birthday