Rice Cereal, YUMMY!!

Cayden had his first taste of cereal tonight and was completely unimpressed. He would open his mouth really wide when the spoon would get close and then, once the cereal was in his mouth, the face was priceless! I'm sure it won't take the growing boy long to figure out how much he really likes cereal but, for now it involves a bib and a big facecloth! It still surprises me that he is already at the point where he is ready for cereal. I'm pretty sure someone came into my house, when I wasn't looking, and pushed the fast-forward button on all my clocks. I'm just not sure where the time is going. I can't believe that Cayden is already 5 months old.

The second time around really has been "easier". (Trust me, I'm using the term loosely but, compared to my first time it's an appropriate word.) It's nice to just enjoy the baby. With Dania, I worried about EVERYTHING!! I still worry with Cayden, I'm a worry-wart by nature, but, it doesn't seem to consume every waking moment this time. I'm enjoying the smiles and the "chatter". My playtime with the kids is the best part of my days!

I remember when I was pregnant with Dania and everyone would tell me to enjoy every minute of her being a baby because it's over before you know it. I listened but, when she was little I was always wishing the time away. (I couldn't wait until she could roll over, couldn't wait for her to sit up, couldn't wait for her to crawl, etc) You keep thinking it will get easier as they master each stage but, it gets harder. There are days when I wish she was my baby again and I could just sit and cuddle with her on the couch. I'm treasuring my moments with Cayden. I am looking forward to his milestones but, I'll take them as they come.

Baby is sleeping but, Dania is still chattering away in her room. This is another great part of my day, just listening to her talking away to all her stuffies. Not always sure what is going on in the conversations but, she is always so entertaining! It's good to have a great imagination and I can definitely say our daughter was blessed with that. She can entertain herself for hours which is great for me when I have things I need to get done either around the house or with Cayden. She'll just play or "read" her Dr Seuss books to the stuffed animals, she loves an audience, and she's quite happy doing it. When you watch her, without her knowing, it could warm the coldest heart!

Alright, I really had better get myself off to bed so I can be ready for the two of them tomorrow. Hope everyone is keeping warm during this wonderful Alberta springtime. Enjoy the rest of the week and take care!

Nap time!

Cayden is asleep, Dania is at daycare today and the house is quiet! I really should be doing some housework but, here I sit at the computer. It's Friday and it's looking like it's going to be a beautiful weekend so the Hullah crew is hoping to go on an outdoor adventure. Dania loves being outside and the fresh air tires her out so maybe she'll sleep better. I think she's having nightmares, not sure what a 2 year old can have nightmares about but, she woke up screaming twice last night. It's a horrible feeling as a parent to hear that noise. To make it worse, when you go in to comfort her, she is so upset that she can't even tell you what's wrong. She usually goes back to sleep in just a few minutes but, last night we had to bring her to our room after the second round just to settle her. She did go to sleep and at 6:30 Cayden woke up hungry and Dania looked over at me and said "Tell him to be quiet!". It was very cute since she's heard that numerous times when he's sleeping, LOL!!

Dania spent the afternoon with her Grandma and Grandad yesterday and you know what they say "out of the mouths of babes"! Grandad was using the binoculars and Dania wanted a turn so he told her to be patient. She got to use them and when Grandad asked for them back she said, "Patience, Grandad!". Honestly, you have to be so careful what you say around her right now because she's like a sponge and you never know when it's going to come back out again. We were talking a couple weeks ago about teaching her to skate this winter and she told Daddy he couldn't teach her to skate because he was "too fat". All because he talks about his "fat belly" all the time. (think Austin Powers, LOL!!)

We took her to the circus on Monday and she rode the elephant, by herself! Graham had taken her down for the ride and as they were about to go up the stairs, she put her hand up and said, "No Daddy, I go myself!". She was gripping the girl ahead of her for dear life but, she wasn't scared at all. Unfortunately the elephant pooped and peed just after the ride and that was more memorable for her than the ride itself. If you ask her what she did at the circus, she'll tell you about that and the cotton candy that she ate but, won't mention the ride on the elephant!!

We've had a good week and I am so looking forward to the weekend with all my family together. Dania is getting a haircut tomorrow so I'm sure that will be interesting! Otherwise we'll probably sit out in our backyard and enjoy the sun! Have a great weekend everyone and I'll be back soon!

The Circle of Life

Let's get right to it, my Nana is sick. It all started a couple of weeks ago and we've gotten the final diagnosis, she has pancreatic cancer. Prognosis is not good. She is at home with my Mom & Dad and they are "keeping her comfortable". It's the phrase the doctor keeps repeating to my Mom. I guess it's nicer than saying "she's dying". My Nana is 92 and has been on her own for over 20 years. It doesn't make it easier but, we did know we would lose Nana someday. It makes me sad at moments like this that I'm not closer to home. My Mom sounds so tired, it can't be easy to take care of your mother while she is dying. I would love to be there to give her a break. My Nana was out for a visit in January and I'm very sad I didn't get any pictures of her with Cayden. My thinking was that we'd be going home for a visit sometime this year and I'd get some then. You know what they say about living in the moment. Why is it we always realize how short our time is here when something bad happens to someone we love?!?

Nana is my last grandparent and I'm sad my children won't have a chance to know her. Dania is too young to really remember her and Cayden will have no memories of her. Even if we were closer that wouldn't change. My biggest hope for my Nana is just that she doesn't suffer. I know pancreatic cancer is not a very nice cancer(are any of them really) but, I do hope she's "comfortable" until the end.

Other than that, today was a good day in the Hullah household. Dania had a great day reading "The Cat in the Hat" to her brother and me. It's amazing how quickly she picks up the story. No more skipping pages to get her to bed quicker! Cayden is still teething but, is happy as can be. (Unless he's hungry and then get the bottle already!!) We are hating that it is still snowing at the beginning of May but, I'm sure it will be gone soon. Dania can't wait to get outside with her skipping rope. I'm looking forward to packing everyone up and going outside walking!!

OK, so I really should be off to bed while both children are asleep. If we're lucky they will both sleep through the night! Looking forward to a nice weekend with my family and I'll keep you posted on my Nana! Take care and don't leave anything unsaid!! xo

Potty Training, Big Girl Beds and Needles!!

So my title kind of says it all. I've had an interesting few days. My daughter is in the process of toilet training and she has moved out of her crib and into a big girl bed. Part of her first night was actually spent in Mommy & Daddy's bed. (She scooted into our room once we put her to bed). We discovered her when we went to bed and Daddy carefully transferred her back. She has stayed in it since and I think she likes it because she has more room for stuffed animals. I'm not sure how she even has any room to sleep she takes so many to bed.

As for the potty training, it is kind of hit-and-miss. One day she does great and the next she wants to wear her diapers again. I'm sure that has something to do with her little brother being in diapers. The biggest problem is that she is such an independent little girl that she wants to do everything by herself but, she doesn't quite get the whole wiping concept yet! Let's just say it was a bigger mess to clean up than if she had just done it in her diaper. We are getting there and she is the type of girl who will just one day decide that's enough of the diapers, I'm going to go to the potty all the time now! I can't wait for that day!!

Last but, not least, needles. Cayden had his second round of vaccinations today and was a real trooper. Cried a bit but, settled immediately with a bottle. He was doing so well that we took a road trip in to see some of the ladies I used to work with. It's only our second drive just the two of us and he did great. Put on a great show for all the ladies, his Daddy would be proud, and then slept the whole drive home. He is such a good baby. Dania was too so I've been doubly blessed.

It is still surreal for me that I have this wonderful little family. I sometimes find myself just looking at my kids and thinking "they are really mine"! I'm sure when they are both in their teenage years I'll wish they weren't but, for now they are all mine, LOL!! I am a firm believer in fate and let me tell you, I am so thankful for everything I had to go through to get me to this place in my life. I know we often think that the grass is greener in someone else's life but, I wouldn't give up my brownish-green grass for anything!!

OK, so I really should be off to bed. Both my angels are sound asleep and tomorrow is another day of adventure for all of us. I need to be at my best to keep up with both of them. Sleep tight!