An update on all of us

OK - I've just posted a few dozen photos, so that should hold everyone for a little while, right?

Things have been just NUTS around here as we celebrated the big birthday, Easter, then Chantal's Baby Shower (you can all now call me Martha as I spent far too many hours baking cookies - and De has photo evidence!) And, of course, prep for my return to work. April - no. MARCH & April just flew by!

So first, the girls.

Paige is walking!

Finally! (Paige)
She "officially" started about a week & a half ago - but the three weeks prior she was testing herself by taking...oh, say 3 steps at a time. In the 10-ish days that she's been upright, she's perfected the skill, and we've graduated to running. Joy.

Best way to describe her? She's a CLOWN! And a trouble maker - like, seriously. She mimics everything (especially Peyton) and she's a little daredevil - not afraid of anything. She is SO like Peyton - in both appearance, and personality. We do indeed have twins in this household, and their names are Peyton & Paige.
Physically, she's about 22Lbs now, 1/2 lb behind Leah - but she appears and FEELS so much smaller. She's got a pile of teeth - I'm thinking maybe 7? And she is a biter. In a bad way. We think it's her way of dishing out affection. Nice, huh?

Leah is not quite walking yet. Maybe within the month...? She is cruising around holding furniture, walls or pushing chairs, but she hasn't braved a step on her own yet. I still think of her as our gentle giant. She is SO a mommy's girl - she loves to cuddle and snuggle. She's still SERIOUSLY sensitive - she'll be social and happy, as long as someone she knows is within sight. But surrounded by a bunch of unfamiliar faces sets her in a panic. 22.5 lbs - she's long and lanky with a crazy amount of meat on her thighs (lucky girl - ha!) She's fairer of the two, less hair (but catching up) and like her persona, her skin is incredibly sensitive too. I think I spend more time moisturizing her face than I do my own!

Paige is Peyton's biggest fan - following her everywhere and believing that she can do whatever Peyton can do. Leah plays a little more independently. She will hang out with the other two, but gets scared off by how rough her sisters can be. And they do play rough! Needless to say, it's all about "the play" in this household, and everyone's at such a great age - we have lots of fun. And now that summer is here - well these kids will be LIVING outside - we've been couped up for far too long.

Off the topic of kids - I am back at work. Started back yesterday. And it's okay - so far (ha!) Our daycare situation is fantastic, which makes ALL the difference in the world. I truly didn't think of the kids more than a small handful of times today. Because I knew that (a) they're in great hands (b) they're not missing me. My mom does Tuesdays (with Paul's parents stopping in as much as they can) and we have a nanny - Rachel, who's here Wednesday through Friday. She'll be fulltime (tues - fri) come August, but for the time being, we're easing everyone into this arrangement slowly.
I've started back at our most busiest time of the month cycle, so I haven't had many moments to think about the fact that I'm not with the girls - it's all good.

In other (baby) news...
Chantal & Colin are 3 weeks away from being due with their first baby (can't wait!!)
And Erin & Peter are expecting!! Their little bundle is due at the end of October - grandchild # 4 for Paul's parents. And we're beyond thrilled.
Finally - Vicki & Gord are expecting their first in early October - how hard they've worked to get this little one - I love hearing success stories of this nature.
All these new babies! Makes our decision to stop at three a billion times easier. Well, that and the possibility of another set of twins. Seriously.

On that note - hope everyone is well! Come by anytime - you KNOW we love visitors!

Kari
xoxoxoxox

Warm Weather has arrived! At Last!

More Pictures

...from the beginning of April.

A day spent with Uncle Rich and De while Paul ran errands and Peyton & I went to Olivia's 4th birthday party.

Better late than never, right?

Party Pics (Leah is in Blue, Paige is in Red.)

A Party fit for a Princess (or Two.)

Wow - where do I begin? What a wonderful day we had yesterday - from the wee early hour of 7:30 through to midnight.

A week and a half late, but we celebrating that wonderful milestone for Leah & Paige - they are ONE!

Peyton had us up a little earlier than normal - the excitement and anticipation was eating at her, for sure. She'd spent a big part of Friday with Jenna, Laurie and Mitchell - Laurie drove them out to visit a new litter of kittens, which is every 3 yr old's dream, for sure. Lots of play and fun times, and the weekend had started.

So back to yesterday morning - we quickly got some food into Peyton and got her dressed, because Laurie & Jenna and the boys were taking her off our hands (Yet again!) and by 8:30, she was on her way to Cosmic Adventure for a morning of fun. While she was gone, and the twins napped, Paul & I did some last minute house preps (and decor) for the party. Lucky Peyton spent the whole morning away being spoiled and catered too - she even had a nap in J's glorious bedroom and then Jenna got her up and quickly dressed her in her party clothes, did her hair and they all returned to our house for about 1:00 PM.

It was a good sized party - my mom, Paul's parents; Erin & Peter; Deb, Gary, Tristan & Shane; Chantal, Colin, De, Paul's aunt & uncle (Betty Anne & Ken)and cousin Vicki with Gord; Jeffy & Wade; Kerry, Dave, Scott, Kyle & Connor; and of course, Laurie, Heron, Jenna & Mitchell. We missed Rich's parents (who sadly had a death in the family); Rich, who was spending some QT with his grandmother; Tanya who took the opportunity of a long weekend to visit her sis in TO; Heather who was resting after an overnight shift; and Eric, Helen, Elizabeth & Claire, who thought it would be wise to keep their germs at home
.
I also couldn't help but miss Sharron - although she passed away almost two years ago, when she was alive she didn't miss one significant moment in Paul's and my life. Reflecting on pictures from yesterday, you can't help but notice that she's NOT sitting on the couch under the window. :( Paul & I also briefly discussed my father yesterday morning before the party started - I don't talk about him a lot, but can't help but wonder what he'd have to say about all.of.this. Life is funny.

After everyone was settled and had a bevvy, we had the twins open their gifts (utter chaos!!) Then the pizza arrived - Laurie threw together two massive caesar salads - pizza & salad is a wonderful combo! We ate, chatted, partied, and then the sang happy birthday to the girls - big eyes watching us as Betty Anne placed these two chocolate cupcakes in front of them. Paige was a little apprehensive, but Leah dug right in. And Debbie did her usual "Leah, rub your head - like this!" and the kids got filthy. A quick bath and new outfit, and it was already 3:30. So Grandma & Nana tucked the girls into bed and our some of our guests started to leave - it is, after all, Easter weekend and people have plans!! The Gunns were the last to leave (the boys actually didn't want to go! And I thought my place was "boring for boys!") and made tentative plans to return later. Rich showed up around (this is a guess) 6:30, and played with "his girls." Chantal, Colin & De returned (after going home to rest, and work) and Dave showed up a bit later. Hockey was on the TV (not that *I* care) and we had a great evening - all kids were in bed and zzzzzzzzzzzing by 9:00PM - it was an exhausting day. Quick game of poker and I think Paul & I were in bed by midnight.

So...the thank-you's: to all of you for coming and celebrating this special day with us; for the lovely & fun gifts and generous education contributions - and also Peyton's gifts...you'd think it was CHRISTMAS! Paul said it yesterday, but I'll repeat it - each and every one of you have helped us tremendously over the past year. It's hard to remember those first few weeks, but what I do remember is the WORK! And the revolving door: meals, visits, bath times, feeding times "go have a nap, Kari," "let's take Peyton off your hands," "you guys need an {adult) night out and we're brave" (yes, V&G we're still taking you up on it!!)- oh God, there's so much more to thank you all for, but nothing fits more than the proverb: "It takes a village to raise a child." So thank you - I can speak for only myself when I say with absolute certainty, we couldn't have done it without the help. I'd be institutionalized, for sure!!

So I will post some of De's pictures - a bit later today, but before ending this I wanted to send out a greeting to Mike & Margo's dear friend Jeff.

Mike & Margo met Jeff & Bev a few years ago while travelling somewhere south (not sure where specifically - Mexico, DR, Costa Rica?) Jeff & Bev were from Boston, and the foursome would meet up almost annually at some hot vacation destination. Bev sadly passed away a couple of years ago, and while Margo tells us her presense is sincerely missed, she, Mike & Jeff have continued their annual tradition. This past winter, they spent a couple of months just outside Orlando and returned just a couple of weeks ago. Margo phoned Paul & I in tears last week - she'd received a very touching letter from Jeff (thanking her & Mike for the good times) and in the letter he enclosed a very generous gift for our three girls. A very healthy investment for their future schooling. Now Jeff has never met our daughters - he knows them through Mike & Margo's stories, and from reading my blog - and he adores them. Jeff, words can't express our thanks - you are a kind man. We'll keep you in our prayers - stay strong.