True meaning of Christmas

I normally don't post stuff like this but I found it and it just felt right to put it up on my blog.

True Meaning of Christmas

Just a week before Christmas I had a visitor. This is how it happened. I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out next to the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .


"TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children!


Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. "Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. "Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. "Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise."

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. "Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness."

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. "Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection."

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. "Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December."

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. "Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son." Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. "Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. "Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men."

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. "Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.


Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD."

Hi all not much to report where I just posted the other day. I just thought I would ramble for the very short time I have here. I have finish my Christmas shopping for Tom and Noah except for few stocking stuff but that's easy. I actually love small Christmas I really do have to say, b/c I feel that big Christmas take away from the meaning of Christmas. When I was little we got to ask Santa for 3 things that we wanted and you didn't get all three, mostly just one but we would put three down just in case he couldn't find some of them. Than we got more little things here and there. I am glad me and Tom don't go crazy for Christmas I really am. I like just being together, plus the more stuff you get the more junk you have around the house and if storage is a problem like here it just clutters up the place and I can't stand it. Simple is way better.

Also I still haven't decided if I will cook a small dinner for just Tom and I for Thanksgiving here or have a few ppl over like last yr. I love having ppl over and cooking for ppl but it's also stress full and a lot of work. I guess we'll see. I am starting to like having thanksgiving in November though, it seem to break up the holidays better, October is Halloween(not really a holiday but fun all the same), November is Thanksgiving which is huge down here and a 4 day weekend, and then the best of all it's December and Christmas(even though it not the same with out snow) I love the decorations and the lights and just the spirit of Christmas. I feel warm and loved during Christmas and this yr not stressed at all. I love just staying home for Holidays, it feels so nice to be home in our own place even though we'll miss family but it just nice to be home. I think I am going to start my Christmas chocolates now though b/c I don't think I'll get them done other wise, not sure if I will get everyone done or just do a big batch for everyone to share. As well I am going to make some Pumpkin bread today if Noah stays down(his mouth is all swollen from all the teeth trying to come in, it's sad and hard on mom b/c she doesn't have her happy boy).

I think that is enough rambling for today. Oh and Tom and I asked Santa this yr to find us a long lost rich relative that wants to give us money or a house!!! it could happen right LOL.

So....

as I sit here very uncomfortable, I went back and read my blog entries around this time when I was pregnant with Noah. Funny thing is I am feeling the same way but maybe a little worst. The memories of Noah bring tears of joy to my eyes and I feel so bless that we got another chance to have another child. I am so excited to have another child, it will be lots of work that is for sure having two children at home but I know I can do it b/c we always get through what life throws at us. I am really looking forward to not being pregnant anymore I have to say, and I won't miss it either. I can't wait till this baby comes and I can crawl into bed and feel comfortable b/c these days everything hurts. I am looking forward to my doctors appointment here next Monday and see if there are sign of labour getting closer. With Noah at my 36 wks appointment I was 1 cm dilated, it would be nice to be that with this one, too or even more where I will actually be 2 days away from being 37wks. I can say my BH contraction are pretty strong and sore which was the same with Noah too. I don't know how some women don't feel these my can stop me in my tracks. I am blowing up too like a good water balloon too. I don't understand why my body likes to swell after 34-35wks but it does, my sneakers are so tight this morning. I am going to try and get to one last exercise class this Friday and than it might be it for me, where I have probably just walking a long with Noah.

Two of Noah's molars are almost completely through which I will be happy about. He's doing okay but more cuddly in a sad way and not sleeping well and we had a fever for two days....ugh makes for a sad boy and a sad mom. I will be happy when it's not bugging him and he goes back to eating and sleeping well. Noah talking so much these days. He will say up please when he wants you to stand up and than he will take your seat, points to the moon and can say moon. Love and can say Elmo(we have an Elmo vest and hat and mits), calls Bella (Bellbell). showers us with kissing and blowing kiss all day. He points to my belly and say baby and gives it a kiss too. There is so much this little man do I could write a book, he just surprise us all the time.

Only other news is Tom and I finally got out for a dinner date for the first time well since Noah was born. We did get to a movie back in july2007 when Tom's mom was here but besides that Noah has been with us all the time. My friend took Noah for 2.5hours so that Tom and I could go out to dinner just the two of us. I have to say it was great and so nice just to spend sometime with Tom. I really miss our alone time sometimes but I wouldn't trade Noah for it. We went to a nice restaurant that we have gone to before we were parents and had I nice meal and it was nice to eat a hot meal too. Normally my meal is cold by the time I get Noah finished etc. I know how mom felt now with all of us at home. Anyhow since it was pouring out after dinner we couldn't do anything else so we went grocery shopping which was a treat as well without Noah. It's so hard to get shopping done with toddlers. Well hopefully we'll get out again one day before Noah turns 3.

Well Noah is napping and I think I will try too or work on #2 Christmas stocking. Still hoping I can get it done but we'll see.

funny story

We thought this was pretty funny the other day. We Know lots of people excepting little ones and most are really close to when we are due which is even funnier. I guess it's our age that leads us to knowing more and more people, having children. We know exactly if not more 10 couples excepting from December to early March.

OKay so the funny thing is, in our apartment complex which is made up of either one or two story buildings. We live in a one story building that only has four apartment connected and we live in one of the middle apt of the four. Now let say we live in apartment 2, well we knew that the couple that lives in apt 4 is except and due in December with their first and it's a boy and a few days ago we walked out of our front door and ran in to our neighbours who's door is right beside ours and lives in apartment 3. We don't see them often which is surprising and appear not to be home a whole lot which explains why we don't see them that much. Anyhow as we ran into them when we were coming out, wouldn't you know it she is expecting too and in the month of December with their first and it's a boy as well haha.. I had to laugh b/c I said to tom "man are the building around ours, going to love our building because out of 4 apartments 3 of us are excepting all in the same month". The buildings here aren't insulated and don't have double pain windows so you can pretty much hear everything inside and outside. We laugh at it all and I just felt like share it with you all.

Just counting down

We had an okay weekend not much excitement though. It rained from Friday to Sunday morning straight...I have to say I enjoyed it though. There is just something relaxing about listening to the rain and just wearing comfy clothes. We finally got a new dresser for Noah's room since our old one was broken and I couldn't open or close one of the drawers. It's a nice dresser we got but we have to stain and clear coat it ourselves which when rainy sucks. Hopefully next weekend will be nice so that it can get done and be put in Noah room.

Noah had fun on Friday night I didn't think he would like wearing his costume but he loved it and he loved trick or treating, which I didn't think he would care. He only went to one house(we were walking by on the way to his friends house when a man came out and said oh are you starting all ready can I give him something). Well Noah thought it was the greatest thing and took the candy with a big smile and started running down the street. We went to Wesley house and they played with the candy dish at Wesley's and was handing out candy to Tom, Wesley parents and me.

As for me I think I can only get to my exercise class a few more times. It's getting tough just to move and keep up with Noah and just walking to the park and back has me exhausted and out of commetion for the rest of the day. I am really counting down the days now wednesday I will be 35 wks on the dot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So five more to go but lets hope for 3ish okay, I am doing lots of stuff I did when I was pregnant with Noah b/c I really do believe they help out with him coming on time and also helping me with labour. Only one thing I haven't kept up well is my yoga which sucks but the class got canceled and well after exercise or the park in the morning I am just to tired, but where I don't see me making it to my exercise classes much more I am hoping to do my yoga dvd for the remainder of the pregnancy. It's funny how either it just this pregnancy or symptom with the second pregnancy do come soon that with your first which is also having me hope that I will go early. It's November I am I am loving this journey coming to an end only to start a new one. I must say I am strongly looking forward to Christmas here in our small little place and to the New Year. I am hoping we find a bigger place here in the spring and what would even be nicer if we found a long lost relative who was rich and wanted to give us some money so that we could buy a house"ONE CAN DREAM RIGHT"... tom and I dream of this often hahah. Anyhow that is pretty much the update on things here. I don't have a doctor appt till the 17th when I'll be 2 days away from being 37wks. I guess they couldn't get me in closer to my 36wk appt, Oh well. I should than have a 38wk, 39wk and hopefully that is it and here is baby. As well No we still don't have a name so don't ask, we might jsut call the baby #2. I am sure we'll find a name but it might be a few days after birth too. One day this child will have a name, but you'll all just have to wait.

Happy Halloween!!!

Searching for the right Pumpkin

Weekend is booked solid!!

We normally don't plan much on the weekends and just do whatever but this weekend we actually got lots going on for us which is nice for a change.

Saturday we are going to the Bridge School Concert Event here in town which we are excited for. Not sure who all we'll get to hear b/c we bought the tickets for the wrong day by mistake and Saturdays concert starts at 5pm and not 2pm like on Sunday oops. Anyhow Hopefully we'll get to see :Jack Johnson, Death Cab for Cutie, Norah Jones don't really care or no the others. Sad things we miss, Josh Groban, and Smashing Pumpkins where they only play on Sunday. Anyhow we got the lawn seats where you brink a blanket and sit in the grass just like we did for July4th. It should be good times and if all goes well we'll make it till 9pm before walking home.

Sunday depending on how Noah will be doing we are going to head out to the beach and stop either on the way there or on the way back at one of the pumpkin patches to pick out our pumpkins and than Carve later on this week. I already know what I am carve for my and Noah's pumpkins, I can't wait.

Besides that I finally got to my exercise class again, since I have only been there twice in a month with all the travels I haven't been around. I must say if feel great that I can still kick all the non pregnant mom's butt in the workouts at 33 wks pregnant. I actually won the push up contest, not sure how many I did. I know it was over twenty because that is when I stopped counting and just kept going till she said stop, two of us tied out of 15 mom's. I got a window shade for the car that says my mom can do more push ups than your mom, pretty funny but so true haha. Anyhow I now have no energy at all after the workout, so I am going to hope here Noah falls asleep and I will put in probably a Christmas movie since I already watch the Charlie Brown's Halloween one yesterday and do some cross stitch. I am still hoping I can finish the baby's stocking before Christmas.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Christmas almost done

Yes you read right. I figure that since it's a small Christmas this yr with all the traveling going on and the baby coming soon, we should get a move on things and plus there not much we need. We finished Noah Christmas shopping pretty much, I'll pick up maybe one more outfit here but that's it. We know tom is getting a new bike so we just have to go out and pick one up and I already got pots and pans which I have only used some but love them completely. What a difference cooking is when you have good pots and pans, I wish we could have gotten them long ago. The last thing really we need to get is go out and get our tree or put up the fake one which can't happen till Dec 1st. I am so excited for Christmas this yr as like any year the wait is killing me.

We got Noah's Halloween outfit before I flew back home and I can't wait to put him in it and take pictures, he's so cute in it not that there isn't anything he isn't cute in, says his very proud mom!!!!
I am hoping to out here on Saturday to the pumpkin patch and get our Pumpkins and than carve them. Not sure what we'll make this yr I guess I better start looking at pictures. Well should go...suppose to rest but when is there time to lots to do lots to do.

The Big Question

From time to time this Question comes up from our family and friends.....

ARE AND WHEN ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO MOVE BACK TO CANADA??????

The answer to this is simple, it's yes we are moving back home but the when part is undecided. We just go year by year to tell you the truth. We know we don't want to live in the USA forever , but when is it time we haven't decided. Lots of things come into play with the decision of moving back home:

1. Save money so we can get a house
2. Paying off debts
3.Having tom happy with his job
4.Would love to move to a different country for a bit before going back to Canada

Next part of the question is when moving back home, where???

We both love the Maritimes and would love to live somewhere there but when looking at it today, it's just not promising to us. Let's face it High Tech world is just really not there....it has come a long way but it's still not there. Tom needs a job he'll be happy with and that is important to both of us, especially since I don't work. I strongly feel that since he is the one with the career he needs to be happy with what he is doing...I would never want to settle for something I am not happy with doing, so why should he. For us if you are't happy at work it makes it hard to be happy at home and enjoy life... Happiness in all parts of our life that is very important to us!!! So we'll go where he finds something he likes. Saying this we really see ourselves going back to Ottawa or maybe out West but who knows really because we don't. I know when it comes to deciding somethings will come into play in helpping us decide:

1. The most important no long communtes(anything over 20min) for Tom.
I don't see the joy of commutes and it makes me worry. I don't want Tom on the road for hours of the day when he could be home with us...Communting to me seem like a waste of life....So we'll live close to his work, our family time is very important to us. As well in winter there is snow on the roads and as well back home there is more animals too than down here. So I guess this is the big deciding factor.

2.Finding a house close to Tom's work.
Would love to have ours built for us, I already have a house plan I like, but we'll see on that.

3. Finding a good school close for the children so they don't have to be on a bus at all or a long time.

4. Has to have stuff to do in the town or city.
This is important to us not only for us but for the kids. We don't want to have to drive forever to go out for dinner or to a childrens event etc... We want a community where we can just go out and do somethings as family, if that is a movie, mini golf, a sport event etc.

That is just a few things but I know there is more. Anyhow we will move back to Canada one day but where and when is undecided, but it will happen and we know it will.

What a worldwind

....the last week was.

Well I made it to Adam and Laura's wedding. It was a very beautiful day and they were a very beautiful couple I have to say. I can't even express how happy I am for them and how happy I made it. It was nice to see a few old friends too for a very short time since I didn't get to talk much where Noah was running none stop and didn't want me to stop and talk to anyone. Maybe one day I'll get back home and have some friend time with friends but I doubt it, our trips home are so busy and always feel rushed...but one can hope.

It was nice to see some family and friends even though I didn't get to see all of our families or friends. I have to say even though it was a good trip it was a very hard trip too. I was on the road every day that I was home except for the day before I flew back home and by than I don't think there was one part of my body that didn't hurt etc. I don't think I will fly by myself with children again but I should know better and know not to say never, I really hope though that I never do. Noah had one rough flight out of three on the way up and was the best little boy on the way back. I got so many compliments of him on the way home on how good he was and we had a lot of nice ppl helping me on and off the plane however none where airplane or airport employees haha.

I wish I could say I have pictures to post but I hardly ever took a photo as sad as that was. I was so tired that I just looked after Noah and if he was a sleep I tried to rest some, not that he got many naps b/c we were pretty much on the go. For what Tom and I put him through I must say his is the best boy around. Well I am exhausted and very sore and now Noah is napping thankfully, and I should lay down or clean some.

Happy Belated Anniversary Honey!!!

Well yesterday was a long and sad day, for me and I think Tom as well. We celebrated our Anniversary apart. Last few years we haven't really gotten to celebrate it b/c things are always happening. Last yr I was really sick and end up in the hospital one night, this year I spent it on a 9 hour flight trip home. Hopefully next year we'll be together. I miss you babe, can't wait to come home.

Well I made it home with Noah, and I must say I am never flying by myself with a child. It could have been worst but I am physically paying for it today. I can hardly move and having a really hard time lifting and carrying Noah as well as just rolling over in bed. Noah had one bad hour on our second flight out of three. Not sure why but he ended up puking all over me and him. Good think all our clothes were carry ons and I didn't check any baggage. I must say I ran in to a lot of nice people that try to help me out in the airport and on the play, however on one work for the airport and the rest were passengers. I had one lady bend down and tie my shoe(I had three bags and Noah in a front carry), one lady carried my little suit case and a few men carried the car seat for me. On the plane I had one man try to entertain Noah with is Iphone(the flight he puked on me). There are other and I am grateful for all their help and the funny thing is I wonder what they would have thought if they new I was 31wks pregnant and doing this. Noah was on my front facing me so they couldn't really tell when I was carrying him. Anyhow I was surprise at the friendliness of the people I met.

Well I am tired we didn't get to sleep till 3 am and than up at 8:30am, Noah got an extra hour and is now down for a nap thank goodness. Here is hoping I get rested and in time for my flight back.

coming home

Well most of you know I am flying home and get in midnight on Thursday so I will be in Canada from Friday to Wednesday(full days) and fly out early Thursday morning. I am excited to be home for Adam and Laura's wedding and so happy for once I am not missing another wedding. Saying this now, my small flight of just the weekend by myself just got extended to a week and Noah is coming with where Tom can't take time off either home with Noah or coming home with us. I am so stress out at this point, I will be 31wks pregnant with an almost 16month old on a very long flight by myself....I am crazy I know. I also have to find some warmer clothes too for the trip where all my maternity clothes(very few) are more summer clothes and not suited for home, as well as something to wear to a wedding. I looked all day for something to wear but found nothing. I am on a mission tomorrow to find one outfit for the wedding and maybe I will be wearing that all week home who knows. I hate shopping especially when pregnant, I think that ppl that design the clothes are either male or women that have never been pregnant is all I have to say.

So now that I am stressed out and excited, I am just praying this little one doesn't come early let alone on the plane b/c if I go into labour they won't have time to land the plane, Noah's labour was from the first sign of labour to finish 5 hours yes you hear that right, it was a very fast labour with almost No doctor to deliver him, we are already nervous about making it to the hospital in time, when home here.

Well that is it for now, I got soo much to do where I haven't even been home for a week yet from our vacation and I am trying to catch up on everything else when we were away. Oh my goodness I think I have lost my mind.

Pictures

Swimming with Dad

Kisses for Dad

Sitting in my hole.

Ice cream smile

This is one tree and only half of it.

Dad wouldn't let Noah in the pond but he kept trying.

Needle Point in Iao Valley

Jelly Fish

A turtle cam to say hi, he's only3 months old

Mom and Noah looking at Turtles

Running in and out of the water

Running from Dad on the beach

Eating Shaved Ice(nothing like a snow cone...no chucks of ice) it's like powder snow.

It's finally October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

October started off just as great as ever. On October first not only were we in Maui but I was 30wks pregnant which mean 10 wks to go!!!!!!! And this is the first full month of Fall too can I say awesome!!!! I am loving it.

So it's sad we are back in California and Tom is back to work...and will most likely work the weekend...ugh. There's no nice clear beach and relaxing time here.... I so want to go back to Maui right now, we could have a Hawaiian baby common. Our trip was awesome and just what we needed...time away from everything. No set plans, no schedule...just nothing. We would wake up have breakfast and head to the beach, than based on how Noah was doing it was nap time or a drive after lunch. We did do two small things in Maui, we took Noah to the Maui's Ocean Aquarium which I love and than drove to Lahaina to eat at Cheese Burger Paradise which sort of was a disappointment to be truthful. I am sure the burgers were good but nothing really out of the ordinary and my chicken sandwich burger was okay but they didn't have a Keiki menu(that children in Hawaiian) which was really weird I had to say since it like a family restaurant. Anyhow we had fun walking through the town and Noah got to chase the birds and have a bit of ice cream too.

Not a lot to tell since most of our time was on the beach digging holes for Noah to climb into and sit which was is favorite thing to do, and was hard on us b/c he didn't want to wait for the hole to be dug. We would scoop one shovel of sand out and he would already be trying to sit in it, it was pretty funny b/c we would have to dig around him and under him, than distract him with a sandcastle which he would have to leave the little or big hole and smash it down and than return to the hole. Noah also loved the water and the waves, he got slashed many many times in the face with the waves. AS well surprisingly right on the beach Tom spotted a sea turtle in the water really close in and ran into the water and fallow it. Me and Noah just saw the shadow of it b/c we didn't realize what tom was doing, we even missed it's head coming up for air.

Well I think that is it fro our trip, I'll try and get some photo's up but right now I got to run and get some stuff down around the house and try to adjust to the 3 hour time difference. I really hate fly east and adjusting to the time, loosing time is so hard. I can fly west and be find but east just kills all of us.

In Two

.....days we will be in Maui and I just can't wait. I am very much looking forward to being able to relax and rest as a family, it's just so important to us to do it and I am glad we are keeping it up. As well it's officially Fall. Which is my favorite season and more important it's also almost October and September(the month I like the least) is over!!!!!! I am trying to organized our trip and get everything ready so that I am not running around the last mintue like crazy, which is what normally happens.

Noah is feeling a lot better from his booboo I must say and am happy to report. He's just so really active than most his age actually and we really do think that he thinks he is two. Well I know some of you have asked what happen and well Noah was running around the house like normal and went running in to his room for his shoes which I must report after he came out with one I told him to go and get is other shoe which is what he went to do when he just ran to fast and trip over his foot and hit his head on the corner of the bed frame. I was just so relieved he didn't hit his eye. However, as any parent knows any facail wounds bleed like crazy even if they are small. So this is accident number two( first one he bit through his tounge) and hopefully the last for a long time. However I have a feeling that Noah is going to have many booboos growing up. I can see all the sport injury nows, I love that he is so active but some days I wish he would slow down.


Well by the time I get back from our vacation I will be just over 30wks and it's hitting me pretty hard lately. I don't know how I can get any more tired but I am and keeping up with Noah takes most of my energy.

Writings

It's been so long since I have sat and been in the right mind frame where things just flow to me. I can't explain it. I use to write for me all the time, I never showed anyone any of my writing till I wrote one for Tom over 10 yrs ago. It is framed and on our wall, expressing my love I have for him. I have to say nothing has changed and things I wrote has come true and are stronger than ever.

Well here are two that came to me today, I don't know what you call them, they aren't quite poems but just little writing I guess.

Truth

It's quiet now, one of the best times of the day
I sit and think and clear my head if there is time today
I find myself dreaming of things to be
But loving how things are today

Many people dream of the greener grass
While I am pretty happy with what we have
Sure I may want this or that
But would I trade with what I have
I certainly would not

Our family is strong
And Love keeps growing
The honeymoon stage is never really gone
The kisses, the hugs, the precious little touches
Not everyone see them but we have them

There are tears and arguments but there is always love
Agree to disagree that is fine
But never go to bed without showing your love.
Because in the end Love is what holds us strongly together.

Our Love

My Angel you are
I watch you sleep
curled up so tight
Away in your dreams

You are cuter than ever
and I just want to cuddle
And hold my sweet baby
As tightly as ever

One day you'll grow up
And leave us behind
But I will Remember
That sweet baby of my.

-Selena

Finally....

....I am done all the stitching of Noah stocking!!!! Now I just have to turn it into a really Christmas stocking, I little bit of cording, a material for the inside and than the back and it will be done. Not sure when I will get to all that but he will have a stocking. Now to start #2's stocking, however I know it won't be finished in time but hopefully next yr it will be. Anyhow it's late and I need sleep.

Noah two teeth finally poke a little bit through so we still have some painful times ahead. He finally got is first pair of sneaker since he is running more and more but not big clunky ones just some light weight ones, don't want to slow the boy down haha.

Had our doctors appointment but I wrote about it on the other site, so you can check that out if you want, but things went well. Getting even more tired lately but that is expected during the last 3 months. Still haven't picked any names out and well when we have a name people you'll find out when the baby is here and no sooner, but no we don't have a name. Two weeks behind but I almost have all the stitching done for Noah's Christmas Stocking. Next step is to cut the fabric and so the inside sleeve and than the cording and back on it. Lots to do....

Getting more and more excited for our vacation, it's been over a year since our last family vacation. So it's well needed!!!! Weekend was good fast but good, can't really remember anything to report about it so I guess that says how exciting it was.

Little man woke up early so my time is over.

What....

goes through other peoples minds really does surprise me sometimes, especial when they feel free to let you know. I really try not to let what others think bug me and I am pretty good at it now...though once I wasn't. I am so happy that I am better at it though, I have to say because if not I think over the last few days I would be in a bigger downer than some days I already let myself get. Yes folks I am not always happy and I feel down and when pregnant I can get a little more down than normal. I will always desire to get pregnant even though lets be truthful I do not enjoy it but I love having babies and so I will give up my body for these precious little bundle of joys that I love so much and will probably be crushed when we have our last one(but I will not miss the pregnancy part).

Anyhow lets get back to other people. Why do people feel they have the right to comment on pregnant women I really want to know!!! I bunch of us were talking at my baby boot camp class(exercise class for the parents), about what people say to us.

1. Tell us what we should eat(thankfully I never go this)
2. How big you are
3. You look tired(another meaning you look like poo)
4. How much weight we should gain
5. Than talking behind your back about how they can't believe how big you are
6. My favorite is wow they are going to be close together(if you are having the children close together), you'll have your hands full.


Well this week to my face I got, 1.wow you are really looking wide, 2.your face is really getting round and you still have 3 months to go and my all time favorite that I got this morning at the REI store"when are you do?....wow you are really big...are you sure you're not having twins...you got a long way to go still....." Wow is all I could think and laugh on my way out.

When this stuff happens I laugh and just think people are a riot. I wonder to myself if they..... don't think I notice myself getting bigger, that I don't look in the mirror and see that my belly is sticking way out, that I don't feel tired and I am not well aware that I look like poo but I do try not to look like poo but I don't get the famous pregnancy glow. I can't help how my body looks(how and the size of it goes when you are growing another human being in side you). I work out 3 times a week, I think I eat pretty good(I don't snack but I do have 1/2 cup frozen yogurt almost everyday). I don't get craving, I don't do the I am eating for two bit or eat whatever I want because I am pregnant. I know the junk you eat when pregnant is normally the weight that doesn't come off easy after the baby comes. Oh and being tired well some get more tired than other when pregnant and than add a very active 15 month old in the mix, on top of normal day things that need to be done, one does get tired and yes look like poo. People just truly don't understand until they are there in the exact same position where there are no breaks, no coffee breaks, no sitting down for lunch even for 10 min, and no leaving work(no different atmosphere) or it's been yrs since they were pregnant and for get what's it's like(got to like older people that block out things). But on the other sides you do run into a few people that say you look good or just a simple nice complement. Anyhow I get many good laughs at people I do have to say.

As well I love the advice and the comparison of working and stay at home parent from people that are single or from couples without children but let me tell you"they have no idea what you are talking about"(you can read all the books, take the course but until you are a parent and have the responsibility 24 hours a day, they really have no clue). However, to me there is one thing I could imagine that would be even harder, and that would be a single parent or a working parent(when the spouse doesn't help out) and have to come home and try to do everything, but truly I wouldn't know if it is or not but I would think it would be harder.

Okay so that is enough of me just babbling away how crazy people are towards pregnant women. Well we almost did it, we almost had a date night this Friday, which I was looking forward to since we haven't had an evening or a moment out together just the two of us in 14 months. Our last one was July 2007 to see the Harry Potter movie, but anyhow Tom has some work stuff that came out so it got canceled. I have a feeling our next time alone together will be when all the kids are moved out, which mean 18yrs after we have our last child, maybe it will happen when we both go into a retirement home haha, hopefully not but who knows.

Anyhow sorry for sp, grammer, long run on sentence I am too tired to proof it more and even than I know I miss things.

It's booked

....yup we are taking a small vacation to get me out of this house, and tom away from work. These are the times I love. I place I don't have to clean or cook and someone will do it for me!!!! We bit the bullet and book a trip to Maui again. It won't be a long stay b/c well we need the vacation for when the baby comes but something is better than nothing. Did I mention I won't have to clean!!!!! It won't be like the last vacation we went on, where we are now three and not just the two of us but it will be great all the same. We'll get up have breakfast and head to the beach(which will be different too because both of us can't go in the water at the same time but that is alright) and than back to the hotel for nap time and more relaxing time and time at the gym for a work out!!! We might try and do a snorkeling trip and just take turn going into the water, since that was truly a lot of fun, and we both loved it. Anyhow I am excited anytime that we have a family vacation of just relaxing, is the best....no plans, no times you have to be here or there, we just wake up and decide what to do and if we have plans we only every plan two activities for a trip, that way it's not rushed and exhausting.

Well we didn't do much again this weekend, went for a walk and Noah's having a hard time lately with his teeth and has a bit of a rash but hopefully that will clear up here soon, his little bum is so red and hurts a lot(only happens when teeth are coming in). Well that is if for now I got to get some cleaning done now that the temp in the apartment is more bearable then it has been, and then onto making some fish chowder for dinner. I can't wait for my vacation, finally a little bit of a break for me, before I have to come back and cook up a storm and freeze things so that we have some food in the freezer for when the baby comes. That way Tom and I can just take out a frozen Lasagna and pop it in the stove, makes things a lot easier for sure. Three more months to go and I can't wait, I am truly loving this December, no traveling and no being pregnant, just a quiet(some what), relaxing winter, but I'll still miss you snow(not traveling in it though, just the prettiness of it and it's cold chill that makes you get hot chocolate curl up in front of an open fire place(I'll have one in my house one day) with your family!!!

Double Digits!!!!

Yup that is right so happy but still have a ways to go. We have 99days left of this pregnancy, woo hoo. Some how it looks so much better then 100 or more days. I don't want this little one coming too early but I do want the time to fly by fast and would love to go before my due date. This little one is just as active as Noah was in utero so I have a feeling I am going to have two very active children. I don't mind that much and look forward to putting them in sports if they want to, I think between tom and I though they will probably love to be active in sports.

Looks like our Fall weather left and hello summer all week...ugh, 95+ all week. I have to say we have had a pretty cool summer for most parts but they weeks of heat waves are killing me. I like summer but don't love it. I am a spring and fall person always have been. I looking forward to watching our leaves change... yes folks our tree change color and die too, as well in spring I love watching the blossom bloom on the trees too. But this heat we are getting now is just not what I want at all. I have to say that being pregnant in the summer especially sucks, I think next time if we can I am going to avoid being pregnant in the summer but for us that really easier said than done....but I can dream.

It's getting closer and closer for us to finally get our green cards which will be nice to not have to deal with these visa issues. We would like to have them by December but I think it will be more into the New Year when we get them. Not much else is new here with us our long weekend was quite and we didn't do anything but that is alright, we are trying to save time for christmas and it's just nice to relax. It's hard to believe that August is over I am not sure where it went but I am hoping that September just goes as fast. I love October when its really truly Fall and everything is crisp and fresh, after October I long for December b/c December 1st is when I am allowed to decorate for Christmas and if we aren't getting a really tree than folk yes my tree will be up that first weekend!!!! I wish Noah was old enough to get excited for Christmas, I love watching children excitment it brings me right back to when I was a kid!!!

Shopping Therapy

It's the long weekend and we have no plans and I am sure Tom will work some of it which is normal for us. Today we drove out to Gilory Outlets stores I have been wanting to go out there for a while since we having been out there since Grampie Flynn was here back in march. We got up and out the door early for us before 10:30am and got there around 11am something. I was disappointed at first b/c the Gap didn't have a maternity section like they did when I was pregnant with Noah. However I found some clothes that fit me now(a little tight in the belly but what do you expect when you are 25 1/2wks pregnant). I also bit the bullet and bought pants that I love and hopefully I got the right size I could zip them up still but they were a little tight in the tummy and upper thighs so I am hope they will fit better after the baby comes, the next size up wasn't tight at all but my waist won't be this size after December so that is why I went a size down. Here is hoping anyhow. Tom got a lot of nice stuff too and it was even better that not only was it an outlet store but labour day sales too!!!!! I am not much of a shopper and very rarely find stuff I like or fit well but today was a success. When you have clothes that fit nicely they really make you feel so much better. Especially when you been feeling low for a bit and down, so for once my shopping therapy was a success, even if none of the clothes were maternity haha.

Well we are slowly getting back to normal, I knew that first day with the 3 hour nap was too good to be true but we are getting there. There is no screaming in the car anymore and eating a bit better however we have 5 teeth coming in and appear to be coming in one after another so our gums are swollen, so eating won't be much fun here in a bit. I finally got almost a wholes night sleep(no Noah hasn't been waking us), I just don't sleep well when pregnant(nope the baby doesn't wake me up kicking either), I am up to pee or just up at least 4-5times a night...so frustrating. Well that's it for now. Hope everyone having a nice long weekend!!!

A litte too silent...

Today had an empty feeling for us. The buzz of others and their presence were gone today which always leaves our house lonely. We had a great week with Uncle Dan and Aunt Genevieve and we miss them. We had a busy week and our schedule was upside down but it was well worth it. Noah love having them here and always wanted to hold Uncle Dan's hand or watch him play guitar hero etc. Noah did way better than we thought he would with not having his normal naps and routine, he's such a routine child. We did have our screaming fest and trouble falling asleep in the travel bed but over all he did great. We didn't get to do everything and somethings were cut short b/c of a tired little man but I think over all they had a good trip or we hope they did. Can't wait to have them down again in the future.

Well we are trying to get back to our routine here and we are getting there little by little. Noah took is 3 1/2 hour nap which was wonderful and I got a little house work done with a rest in there too. Noah still looks for is aunt and uncle and probably will for a few days. The heat wave is on it's way here...ugh I knew it was too good to be true to have the cooler weather here, hopefully it won't stay too long. Tomorrow we get back into exercising and than loads of laundry and normal everyday stuff, and hopefully Noah will take his nap again and be fully settle.

News on #2...We had our doctors appointment today and it went well and things look good. So we are happy with that news our next appointment is September 15th so hopefully things will continue to look good.

Dreaming

I have to say it's nice to have dreams andl I mean the dreams you hold out for in the future. A lot of my are ones that I want to come but just not at this moment.

I dream of....

1. A house one day that we will live in and it will be ours(or the banks) where we'll stay forever(not ready for this b/c well I am not ready to settle down in one spot, a house is a big commitment in my books).. I have completely found the plans for my dream house though.

2. Trips!!!! I want to see the world, I love discovering new things, different cultures(I hope this happens sooner than later, I don't want to wait till we are older b/c well you never know what will happen in the future)

3. The days when both of us don't have to work and the kids are gone(we'll miss them yes, but we also like being just the two of us, hopefully we'll remember what that will be like, because we sure don't know it now).

4. The day when our family is finished...this will probably be one of first to get checked off my dream list haha.

5. Live somewhere new and exciting...a new country sounds good to us...really hope this one happens just for a few yrs.

Those are probably my top five of dreams, I have little ones here and there, but I would say those are my top in really No giving order.

This weekend here was a bust, we didn't do anything at all and Noah and I were cranky...Tom couldn't make up his mind what to do...ugh. I dislike these weekends just b/c I look so forward to them. Most of the time we don't do anything and that is fine, but we really didn't even get out of the house for a walk etc. Hopefully next weekend well be better, no plans just hoping for a better atmosphere in the house.

Noah quite the firecracker and most of the time makes me smile, at night some days I just feel like crawling into his crib and cuddling with him. I so miss him being a new born, however we developed new type of cuddles, Noah will walk over to his books and pick one out and bring it to me to read to him, he loves loves books, which I am very thankful for.

I am really getting excited for Christmas, I think I would have the house decorated now if tom let me. I am hoping we can sneak in a really tree for this Christmas. We'll miss our families but I have to say we love not traveling at Christmas time. It's just so nice to stay in our home and not have to go anywhere!!! When the kids are older it will be like that too, No traveling at Christmas but people are more than welcome to come see or stay with us.

I am really hoping we go on a mini vacation here in September. I dislike September for a few reason, so if we go away that month it well make it a more happier month. I am still dreaming of going home in October for my friends wedding but I strongly doubt I'll be going when I'll be like 32wks prego, my parents want to see me but don't want me to make that long flight and we'll have to get traveler insurance if I do go just in case. But we'll see how things pan out. I'll be really disappointed that I won't see it. Maybe someone could take a web cam to the wedding and I can watch it live!!!!

I think that is it for now, not much really going on, just me day dreaming most of the time and wondering when #2 will grace us and hopefully we'll have a name picked out too. The name game is not going well this time. Last time it was so easy we just knew and this time there is just nothing we like or stands out. There are names I like but not when they get shorten or I just don't like them enough. I can tell you all that if we pick a name though that can be shorten that we will not be using the shorten version of the name. I don't care once they are in school and if their friends shorten it, if that is what they want but not family. I really don't understand why parents name their children a name and than don't call them that name, it just doesn't make since to me at all. So if for example we let say have a boy and name it Richard where did Dick come from?????? why call him Dick when you named him Richard. If I wanted to call my child Dick than I would name him Dick not Richard and I am not a fan of the 'Y' thing either. So please don't think we are mean in saying to you all but don't do this to our children. The name we give our children are the name we want them to be called. And No Richard is not a name we are considering. Okay Noah is down for his nap for sure now so it's time to clean.

Beach Day

We finally got to the beach and it wasn't fog in!!! Noah loved it all the sand and the cold water. It was a nice day for us.

The Blahs

are so catchy lately and it sucks. Nothings wrong but nothing seem right either. Lots of little things I guess and me getting stir crazy. I need a change or a vacation something different. I lost half of my floss to finish Noah stocking and I went to the store to get more but some how the pattern is not using the right code for the floss so i couldn't get any which mean if I don't find it I have to start a whole other stocking and 7 months of work is wasted. I drop a huge bottle on my toe this morning that made me puke b/c of the pain, it's not broken thankfully but i couldn't really walk on it for a few hours. As well missing my friend that use to live here in the complex(who moved to Winnipeg) that you could just call last minute to go for a walk or even once in a blue moon we would go to the movies(only did it 3 times but still). I just can't wait for the weekend to have Tom home even if we don't do anything it just seems better to have him home here with us. Well it's lunch time and I need to get something to eat. Have a great weekend everyone.

Half way point

It's about time, only 20 more weeks to go!!!!! Five weeks till my next appointment ugh so far away. We not much really to report on here since last time. The tall ships are coming to San Fran this weekend so we might go in. I am really trying to work on Noah stocking with any spare moment I can take. I would like to have it done by the end of this month but I have to be realistic so it will hopefully be done by the end of August. Noah and I went swimming a

Some of you will think I am crazy but I love waking up to foggy, cloudy morning. It's a little dark in our room and for some reason I don't like being waken up by sun shine in my face, I don't sleep well as it is and I never have been able to sleep in a bright room. I need night time darkness. As well the morning that are not bright out are so much more cooler and enjoyable rather than sweating in the high heat. I also like when the time goes back to I don't know why but I guess b/c in the summer I feel time gets away from me, I'll be sitting down thinking I have plenty of time left in my day when I look up and really is it's almost 8pm. But after a long winter I enjoy the more light but I also like the time falling back.

So this week was really busy for us. Tom's working hard and started softball, I got to all three workouts this week and clean the house, which included scurbing floors phewwww it done, completely exhausted but it had to be done. I also been trying to finish Noah Christmas stocking, and get another one finish before December comes. Look like tom's and my will have to wait. haha That all the craft I have time for these days and I long to do so many of my others that I use to do.

Well I am excited that finally next week I will be 20wks half way baby and about time. Starting to feel not so sick but not great either, some days are better than others. I am dying to go on a family vacation here and I hope we get to for a few days, my first pick would still be Europe but with the cost of flights etc it not going to happen, but we might try to go to San Deigo, or Hawaii since those price haven't gone up too too bad. I am still hoping to do a fast trip home in October for a weekend to go to friends wedding but we'll see, as long as things look okay the doctor, thinks it well be okay. So that will be a nice treat for me to leave Noah and Tom at home, and just have a free responsiblity weekend, while stressing my mom out that I might go into labour. Really fast trip though so I'll probably be exhausted, if I get to I'll most like take the red eye out thursday (which mean landing in the late afternoon friday in halifax) and fly back sunday eeke. I am crazy. But we'll see. Not getting my hopes up on that one.

Besides that not much else is new with us. We got a busy weekend here so monday I will probably be falling all over my feet. Well Noah fighting his nap and I got some stuff around the house to do. So I'll try to update you all if something exciting happens haha. I guess that won't happen till Dec than ;). Oh no pictures lately b/c our computer won't take them off the camera. I think it time to get a new computer, once I get it working I'll try to put some up.

Video's

Thought you would all like these...why is my house not quiet anymore( hasn't been for many many months) and it took only an afternoon and there is not much crawling anymore, last night he took ten steps, today at the park he went wild, sadly I didn't have a camera or video camera with me but we go a short clip tonight before bed so he's pretty tired and not steady, but he's been walking all afternoon and night!!

Best Show ...

we have ever seen. We went to the July 4th symphony fireworks show here in town at the amphitheater and it was awesome. If you went to the box office a few weeks before, they were giving free tickets out to city residents. We were planning to go anyhow but free tickets are really a nice bonus. They also had a kids event too with little fair games and a kids concert, which I thought was great, maybe we'll take Noah to that when he's older. Anyhow we got there a bit early and found a spot on the grass section and waited for the 8 o'clock show to start. We loved the San Fransisco symphony, I miss going to stuff like that. We have gone to a few things since living here and we use to go to stuff like that in Ottawa all the time, but nothing in well over a year now, so it was so great to get out and go to something like that. Then after an hour or so, some time after 9pm the fireworks started and they were done to the music as well, which was truly amazing and to our surprise, the fireworks went on for three pieces(songs). Coming from small towns you aren't use to good fireworks or even long shows so we were in awe, Halifax, Ottawa and even San Francisco(we went there two yrs ago for July 4th) firework's are nothing compared to what we saw last night. I really want to go every year to the july 4th firework's here in town as long as we live here.

Before the show

Half of the symphony

Noah and Dad watch the fireworks

Long weekend

Yay for long weekends, Tom gets tomorrow off b/c of all the work he has been doing the last couple of weeks and than Friday is 4th of July, 4 day weekend baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy if you can't tell. Not much planned for the weekend but that is completely fine, I get way too tired when we are on the go anyhow. So a lazy four days will be awesome, especial since Tom will be with us.
I didn't get to any of my workout this week which suck, Monday I was too exhausted from the busy weekend we had and than today i was tried from cleaning all day Tuesday and up early today with tom to clear out the rooms as much as possible b/c we were having our carpets cleaned. But it's all done now so it's great, and I rearranged the living again when bring back the furniture in form the patio, not sure I like it but well see if it stays. Now the new task is trying to get ride of more stuff we just don't use, I am tired of holding on stuff b/c we might use it. Lots of things have great potential but if you don't use it than I starting to see it as junk. I have now realized that I want the minimal of things. When we had our living/dinning room cleared out this morning it was just the bookcases and couch, chair and tv, I completely loved the feeling and the looked. I like nicknack's but lets face it, they clutter up the place especially when you have a small place. When we move and I hope to have a bigger kitchen I want nothing on the counter tops at all, and I mean nothing, bare completely bare. I have been doing well at getting rid of stuff and have be taking stuff to goodwill drop offs.... I hope to do more this weekend and next week. It feels great having less.

Sunday we went to the digital moose Canada Day BBQ for Canadians in the Bay Area, It was great we stayed way to long, I was nearly dead when we got home and Noah didn't have a nap at all and he was still going and I was dying. If only I had half his energy, I might feel young again.

Well it's late and I am exhausted so I should head to bed. I dream of December when I can lay in my bed and feel comfy again. I find it's the quality of sleep rather the quantity of sleep that makes me feel good and well the quality of sleep I just don't have, when pregnant.

Oh Noah is taking more and more steps by himself...so I see a running boy here soon, like he doesn't get around fast enough... His doctor said he had the energy of 3 children and that in dec I'll have 4 children haha it feel like that someday....the most funny thing was that Noah wasn't nearly as active as he normally was b/c it was near nap time, haha I wonder what she would have though if she saw him his full swing Noah energy.

Life...

with us is pretty normal, no complaints. Noah had his 1 year appointment and it went well. He is 18lbs 1 oz and 29 inches long. He pretty much growing like his mom at that age I think. Yes hard to believe but I was a small skinny kid during those first few yrs of life. His two top teeth are ever so slowly coming in and driving me nuts. You can see them and feel them but they just won't break the skin. We got him a new car seat but I still have it facing backwards for now, will probably leave it that way since we feel it safer that way even though they say 1yr or 20lbs you can turn it around, no rushing things we think. We are in a heat wave the last few days this week and I am so ready for cooler weather, over 100F is just too hot. As you see I am talking about weather and we all know when the weather talk comes out there really isn't a lot to say or report on. Just the waiting game going on here and looking forward to Christmas time. Well hope everyone having a cooler weekend outside and in their homes than we are. bye for now.

Happy Birthday to my big boy!!!!

Not sure how it happen, it seem like it happen just over night that my little boy was born and all of a sudden is 1 now. We remember this day so well last yr, it's crazy because it truely feels like it happen yesterday. I was complaining of this pregnancy never ending and how miserable I was. So we went out for the day and bought the clip and go stroller and went to a small grocery store that we have never been to and last to the Pete's coffee shop right beside it. We got home and didn't even get groceries put away when my water broke at 4:15pm. Laughing and talking we went to the hospital to have Noah born at 9:24pm, almost by 5 nurses. I truly Love that day, everything about it was great and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Best of all we got our little boy.

Noah and Dad before blowing out the candle

first bit of cake where he put his face right in.

One of the many times of the face into the cake for a bit

Pretty well done and finish with eating it with a fork.

Hi folks I really haven't written in a while so I thought it probably time to get on here for a little note. I am pretty tired lately and Noah seem to be giving up his one and only nap, so that makes me even more tired. So that is one reason I haven't been on here that much, plus the computer just makes my headaches even worst( I pretty much have one everyday all day).

Hard to believe Noah will be 1 on Monday, not sure where the year went. But I have fully enjoyed the year with Noah and couldn't dream life with out him. I have said it to many times by now and I really don't understand how this yr with Noah went so fast but 9 months to bring a child into the world takes forever!!!! More news on Noah he's taking steps on his own but not many but I see it processing in his head and it's not going to be long before he's running wild. His talking is getting closer to real words he can say Go when we read one of this favorite books ' Go Dog Go' and cold, a few others but I just can't think as my head is starting to hurt more as I type.

Other than that we got very terrible news today that Tom's cousin Jenn lost one of her twins today. Jessica Elizabeth was one month old, she tried her hardest to stay and even though she had many people loving her and praying for her and her sister Alyssa, she passed away this morning. I don't understand why pure and innocent children go through so much in life that most of us will never have to face. It just doesn't seem right or fair to me at all. Jessica will be with all of us in our hearts. Rest now little angle rest, we all love you and will always remember you!!!

Best Friends

Crazy driver

Well this was taken one night before bed time. I thought I got a better one but I guess I was tired and didn't hit the record button. He pretty good and loves speed, I just wish he had a long hallway for him so he can really go. We took him to a store last weekend and let him push a small wagon and he went the whole length of the aisle full tilt. Anyhow here is a short clip and doesn't really show you how well he can do but it's all I got.

Picture and a bit of a rant.

,
Here's a picture of Noah and his friends that my friend just sent me. Noah is the smallest but is the oldest of the three,and the boy on his right is the youngest by a month. Anyhow they all get along great and learn new skills from each other. Friday play dates are always fun to see what they are up too.

Well Noah is wanting to walk everywhere now holding on to your fingers( and will take steps by himself if he is in between things that are close to each other), which is making it harder and harder to get things done around here, with many other things making it hard to get things done. I will be happy when he's walking completely by himself and I am feeling better.

Beside that not much else is going on there. I am trying to reduce that amount of plastic we have in our house b/c it bothers me a lot, and hopefully we'll be plastic free one day. I recycle what I can but there is so much that they don't take and well it doesn't break down, so there for it horrible for the environment. We stopped buying plastic toys for Noah and will eventually replace the ones we have with wood and metal(like the old tonka trucks), plus those kind of toys last longer than the cheap plastic ones. For his birthday coming up we got him a really well made wooden drum, which took a little bit of looking but if you know your stores they aren't hard to find. Well that is my rant for today I kept it short but I could go on and on about how mad I get with ppl that don't recycle and don't try to keep the world healthy for our children etc. to me they are just lazy. Here is an article that just shows how bad it is Plastic Ocean. That is just in the ocean what about our landfills. Some days I view the human race as a parasite killing it's host(the world). Sad thought really but so true.