Until Further Notice

Lucas has left the building. He no longer lives with us, Thomas has taken his place. The kid has gone Thomas The Tank Engine crazy. If there is something that does not have anything to do with Thomas he makes it relate.

For example

Lucas = Thomas

Ava = Rosie

Mommy = Percy

Daddy = Gordon

You head = Steam Stack

Your feet = Wheels

The floor = Tracks

Drinking = Filling your boiler

Walking/Running = Chuffing

There are so many more, I could go on forever. People keep asking me when he first watched the show and to be honest he never really has, he just read a book about Thomas and started his obsession from there. I really never thought I would be putting my child to bed in "his shed" and taking him for a shower at "the wash down" or "filling my firebox" full of "coal" at mealtimes, but this is how we have been talking now for about a month. When I call him Lucas he asks "why did you call me Lucas?" Sorry kiddo I thought that was what I named you.

I wonder how long it will last.

Even Christmas and ginger bread has to be train themed

Ava has been busy clmbing the stairs, even with obstacles in her way she still manages to get around them. She is a very determined little lady.

I thought this would be good enough to deter her, not in the least. She made it around and than pushed the gate over with an angry grunt, as if to say "Nice try Mommy, what else you got?"

We had a really good Christmas, busy but lots of fun. Both Peter and my whole family has been home which has been nice and. It sure is a different holiday from being in New Zealand, there are a lot more family events and get togethers. It is really good to be home. That being said I do miss the Christmas bach and summer festivities but we are surviving.

Yes Lucas is eating snow, can't get the kid to eat a meal but take him outside to play and ALL he does is eat the snow, now to figure out how to link those two together maybe meals outside? Somehow I don't think that will be a success.

Imagine That

Lucas has taken his imaginary 'egg' up to a new level, he insists on being called 'little chick' and hatches out of his cardboard box at least 3 times an hour, probably more. He has decided that I am 'mommy hen' Peter is 'daddy rooster' and little Ava is 'the feeder'. He spends a lot of time pecking at Ava's head getting fed. He has an over active imagination, which explains the slightest thing giving him nightmares.

He has also started to tell Ava off. I heard him just this morning saying "uh uh uh Little Miss what do you think you are doing?" and "Oh there is my pretty little lady, how are you?" All said in a sickly sweet little voice, I wonder where he has heard that before?

Our little lady does have a lot of names;

• Miss Greedy Guts - I can't keep the kid full
• Little Miss, just cause she is cute
• Miss Mischief, gets into everything
• Drool Monster, pretty easily explained
• The Ava Storm, she is on a mission to destroy anything built with blocks or train tracks

And after today a new name Ava Bear, man is she ever grumpy. She is usually happy chappy (look at that another name) but today and yesterday she has basically cried all day. I think her teeth are bugging her, at least that is the excuse I use for the empty bottles of infant Tylenol and teething gel lying around the house. Which all by the way only really sooth for the moment that they are given and then she realizes that they really do not provide any relief and the yelling for Mommy begins again.

The camera lies, she looks so happy and cute in this picture, really did not capture her mood today.

Oh ya and another name, The Ava Goon (poor little Lucas, look out for your baby sister she attacks sometimes). Her pants say Ballet on them, not sure she is going to be the ballet type at this stage more football, she loves to attack her brother. She is pretty good at it too, he will usually let her pin him down for lots of slobbery kisses.

Remembrance Day

I was asked to speak at Church for the Remembrance Day service, this is what I said.

These are my two younger brothers


As we were growing up they were always around for cuddles and kisses. I remember the older of my younger brothers had a favourite doll called "My Buddy" he took that doll with him everywhere. The younger one was like my very own doll. I took him everywhere I could. We played, fought and laughed together like kids do.

These are my brothers now, all grown up



I know them as Colin, on the left, and Andy on the right. But in this photo they are Sergeant and Trooper Oakley, both members of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
Right now Andy is in Afghanistan he is a driver of a LAV 4 which is an armoured recognisance vehicle, much like a tank.

This photo was taken in May when Andy had just arrived in Kandahar. Colin's tour was finished and was getting ready to come home to his wife and kids. Just imagine his excitement finally leaving and getting to come home to his family while at the same time knowing that he leaves his baby brother behind in a war zone.

I have been asked how it feels to have brothers in Afghanistan. That is a hard question to answer because of course I would much rather have them home.

Then I think about what he is doing;

• As Lucas and I are at the library choosing bags full of books to borrow for free, I think of the children who do not have that freedom
• When Ava is sick and I take her to the doctor, I think of the mothers cuddling babies as bombs explode over their homes

So how do I feel? I feel proud! I am proud that my brothers are willing to risk their own lives so that others may one day have the freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted.

War is always such a political topic but regardless of whether you are for the war or not it does not change the fact that there are Canadian boys, men and women overseas fighting and dying, an that one of those young men is my brother.

He is always in my prayers, I pray for his safety but I also pray that he comes home unaffected by the horrible things he sees daily.

All of our soldiers need our prayers and are thankful to have the support.

The Canada I Know

We took Ava and Lucas to the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Legion in Waterdown this morning. I was proud to see so many young children there. It is so important to Remember all the soliders that fought so that our land can be so great.

We are very fortunate in Canada, there are many countries that either cannot remember not being at war or have the memories of tanks rolling down the streets fresh in their minds .

As a Mom I cannot imagine how it feels to know that you have no way to protect your children from the horrible things that are going on around them.





I am so thankful for the country I live in, the safety I feel, and the freedoms I have.





Thank you to all the brave Men and Women who have fought to make the Canada that I know.

No Worries

So it took a week for Lucas to get the idea about potty training. I don't know what I was worried about. Although that being said he is still wearing pullups (because I had a case of them) and he is not trained at nap or night time. But he asks to go to the bathroom when he needs to. He still can't pull down or up his pants and needs help getting on the toilet so it does add a a bit more things for Mommy to do in the day but I am happy to say it has been over a week that I have had to clean one of his poopy diapers, thank goodness. Can I potty train Ava now as well so I don't have to clean ANY?

Ava is still busy going backwards. She ends up in all kinds of interesting places but now is mostly able to get herself out by rolling or sliding. She has taken a couple of 'crawls' forward but mostly just lunges to get to what she wants. Soon enough I am sure. She is also pulling herself up on things. She has an activity table (Thanks Lori) that she has figured out how to reach and pull herself to her knees and can play on it. She has also played 'Ava Monster' to Lucas' train table and pulled off all the track. Luckily Lucas just thought it was funny and didn't have a melt down (he is a little protective of his train table).

Halloween is this weekend, we have carved our pumpkins and Lucas has his costume all ready to go. It is going to be cold on Sunday so he has to be able to wear his snowsuit under his costume. This won't be a problem, he is going to be a penguin (yes that is the one I bought before we left New Zealand). If I am sneaky enough he can be a penguin again next year. I am really not big into getting all dressed up, so Ava will not be taking part in the dress up events until she knows what is going on and probably than she will be a penguin (as long as Lucas has out grown the costume).

What Do You Want Me To Do

There are some things that you just wish you didn't do, as I play my day over in my head I realize this is what I sound like;

Sit down - Get up

Stop running around - Can't you move any faster?

Go play with your sister - Leave your sister alone

Quick eat up - Don't stuff it all in you are going to choke

Go and play on your own - can't you play quitely?

No wonder Lucas just randomly yells out words he has made up, he is so confused as to what his Mom wants him to do he has hidden off into his own little "Lucas Land"

My poor children, tomorrow I vow to be more patient

Who to Cheer For?

Lock Up Your Trains Lucas

Ava is on her hands and knees it won't be long before she is chasing you around the house.

Lucas' first day at Nursery school was a huge success, they have a Thomas there so what more could you ask for.

At our visit to the nursery school Lucas told Shelly (his teacher) that he likes Thomas. So Shelly said she liked Thomas too, well then Shelly just went too far when she said Thomas is green. Well anyone who is anyone knows that Thomas is not green he is blue. Lucas could not let it go he had to correct her. "Shelly Thomas is not green he is blue. So is Gordon and Edward. Percy, Emily and Henry are green." That ought to put her in her place and show her who the bright one in the class is.

Day 2 at nursery school and Lucas is already trying to bend the rules. They have a ball pit and it is only "open" at certain times. Well Lucas wanted to go in even though it was closed, so in he went, oops that was not such a good idea! In Lucas' words "Shelly said Lucas it is closed!" (Shelly is his teacher) Already taking after Daddy and trying to bend the rules

He is obsessed, he really is, the only thing worth playing is trains. We went to a baptism on Sunday and told Lucas, we will be going to a different nursery this morning with all kinds of different kids, it will be lots of fun, etc etc. You know just trying to get him ready for it. He needs that, you can't just spring new things on him or he has a fit. Anyway we get there and take him into the nursery. We walk around the corner and Lucas is gone, such an unusual thing for him, he doesn't move too quickly. I look up and see a train table. Lucas will be fine. He was still there when we picked him up, he probably would have stayed there all day if I had let him.

Lucas and Peter went to get hockey equipment today. He is going to start skating this week. We (by "we" I mean Peter) looked into lessons which Peter would have to be on the ice with him anyway and the price was ridiculous, the kid probably won't even be able to stand up so lessons from Daddy will be good enough for now.

Ava loves the baby Bjorn, thanks L-Train

No more breast feeding. Ava is fully on the bottle now and almost, I shouldn't say this because it is going to jinx it but here we go, sleeping through the night again. There may be a light at the end of the tunnel yet.

The other day she was up a silly amount of times at night so the following night I decided that was the end of that. She got up and I went in and cuddled her but she just kept screaming in my ear. Well if you are still going to cry when I pick you up you might as well do it lying in your bed so I can go back to mine. 1/2 hour later she was asleep and not up until the next morning. phew!

2 little cuties

I am starting to feel the potty train pressure. Everyone is doing it. Maybe next week we will get rid of diapers and go for the undies. What's the worst that can happen? Lots of wet pants and we go back to diapers, big deal. "They" say boys take longer so technically I don't have to start yet but really I am getting tired of changing his bum and he is getting so big it looks a little weird now when I lay him down on the change mat and his head is hanging off one side and his legs way down the other.

Lets go to the EX

We went to the EX yesterday, we took the Go-Train. Our train obsessed little guy thought that was great. Actually it was MUCH better than driving Toronto traffic is ridiculous. We had a great day, although it was a little hot. My brother (Colin) was down from Pet, showing off a coyote (Tank) so we thought we would meet up with him. Lucas (and I think Peter too) really enjoyed checking out all the military stuff!





Ava tries out the Go-Train for the first time, she didn't think it was a big deal



Lucas on the Go-Train for the first time, It IS a big deal Ava!





Driving a tractor is very serious stuff



The drool monster came with us





Look at all the rubber ducks

The Chicken Man

Uncle Colin showing Lucas around the Coyote

Opa tries on all the gear

Look at all that Bling

Sure it's a good day to go to the EX, why not!

Time for a laugh?

In the public bathroom at the EX

Lucas: "Good girl Mommy you did pees on the toilet! Look at your pees Mommy"

Mommy: "Thanks Lucas, did you want to do pees on the toilet?"

Lucas: "I'm not ready yet, I'm too slow"

Sleep, Poop and a Wedding

I know I obsess about sleep but come on I don't function well on 4 hours of sleep, it is a well known fact!

Lucas has been having nightmares, which is really sad for the poor little guy but lets be honest it is annoying. I hate having to get up in the middle of the night for the little one, but now 2 crying children. Really when does the crying stop? Before you say it, I know one day I will miss all the love and attention and want them to go back to being so little blah blah blah. Right now I would settle for an uninterupted sleep.

Yesterday the doctor said "WOW that is a well breast fed baby" Crazy but somehow I felt proud about this, being a mom messes with your head. In my previous life I would never feel proud for doing something that my body does pretty much all by itself. Then a new thought flew into my head, are you calling my daughter fat??? Maybe I should be offended. See what sleep deprivation does to you, crazy thoughts in our heads.

We were at the doctors because Ava is having a hard time pooping (she is going to love me when she is older and her boyfriend gets to read this). I have to give her a suppository. I hope it works the first time because let me tell you I am not very excited about it. I have great expectations for this little thing maybe it will help Ava to;

1. Sleep all night
2. Be happy in the car
3. Play nicely on her own

Somehow I think my expectations are too high.

Ava eating prunes, apparently it is not prunes but the juice that is the laxative, oh well she liked them anyway

Lucas supporting his teams

Teaching Ava the joys of playing with Penguins

Mr and Mrs Oakley

A rare smile from Colin with Hayden, very cute

Maybe

Lucas has discovered a couple of new words but Maybe is his favourite at the moment, although I am not sure he gets exactly what it means. for example

Maybe Lucas would like some chocolate milk = Lucas wants chocolate milk

Maybe I would like to go to the park = I want to go to the park

Maybe Mommy would like to play trains with Lucas= Mommy wants to play trains with Lucas

Last week we went to Port Dalhousie and rode the carosel. Lucas was sooooooo thrilled with that. Mostly because he has a book called Thomas and the New Carousel, in this book Thomas the tank engine delievers a carousel to the festival and in the process loses a crate and then has to go and find it. Well all day he talked about that book and since being on the carousel we have talked about it, read stories about it, and discussed when we will go again. Lucas: "We will go to Port Dalhousie to go on the new carousel, Thomas delievered it." Mommy: Maybe on day. Lucas: "We will, we will". I guess we are going to Port Dalhousie again.

He never forgets anything, that kid. Lucas has started thinking about Potty training, and a while back we read a book that he had taken out of the library about potty training, in the book the little kid goes on the potty and says he is proud. Now when Lucas goes on the potty he says "I am so proud of me"

Can't forget to write about the little one. Ava is constantly watching her big brother and really wants to get going with him (notice she is playing with Monster trucks in her exersaucer, such a little lady). She loves playing with his train set, Lucas asks her to come and play but when the trains get "stuck in the drool" the fun is over because apparently drool is not good for train.

Ava is enjoying her solid food, maybe a little too much , we are having a problem getting it to come out the other end - hopefully she regulates that soon. She recently started blowing bubbles right on time, according to the development chart I follow, otherwise known as the "Lucas blog".

This weekend my brother (Colin) gets married and all the cousins will be together, probably for the first time. Should be an exciting day.

Happy Birthday And Than Some

We found a train set and table on Kijiji and thought he would like it. Since we never gave him a birthday present (unless you count Ava as a present) we figured it would be a nice gift. Anyway he sure did like it. It was a "Happy Surprise" he said. We couldn't play with it all day though because we went to Nana and Papa's for a swim which he was really looking forward to but wanted very badly to get home so he could play again. I was listening to him talk away to himself (as most of you know he is never quiet and today was no exception) he said "I would like to play with my trains all day" Sounds good to me Lucas-man knock yourself out!!!!! Maybe it is happy birthday present for Mommy instead!

Ava had her first taste of solids yesterday, I know it is early but I just can't handle the starving child in the middle of the night that wont take a bottle any more. So a little bit of cereal won't hurt, at least I dont think it will, and Lucas started almost exactly the same time as well so I am not too worried. Listen to me justify myself to myself, pretty sad. Anyway we didn't have a full nights sleep last night but when she got up she was not a ravenous crazy sucking machine so I think it did help a bit.

Peter had said that Ava was singing in Church on Sunday but I had not heard it until today. She sounds like a cross between a cat, cute gremlin, and some sort of monster. Pretty cute though I must say. Unfortunately the video upload on the blog does not work so well for me so I will try and load it up to facebook for you to have a listen. You do have to listen quite closely to hear her over top of her brother, man that kid talks a lot!

It's a Matter Reunion. Everyone was home, except not all are in the picture. Grandma is taking the picture, Aunt Emily is at work and Ava is sleeping. It was nice to have everyone in the same town/province/country for a weekend at least

Watch this space.... There may be an Oakley reunion too later this month!