getting into things

Oh how the girls love to explore and get into things...

Funny things about Reid: When he knows he can't have any more dessert, he goes around the table opens his mouth to the girls and lets them feed him theirs...the boy loves food; I gave him a banana for night lunch and he says it was only an appetizer...

Avery calls Morgan; Edie. Edie this and Edie that. I ask her "can you say Morgan?' she says Morrggann. So, what's your sisters name? "Edie".

Morgan is the one to clammer on Daddy. when I snuggle with the other kids, she butts in and tries to crawl under my chin!"

Interesting pics of the last while...

Fort Building....

The only one brave enough to pet an animal; Avery

Finally, the girls looked so cute dancing during "dancing with the stars" one night I figured I better film them. But, keep your eyes open for a certain super hero who's a little too "boy" for this kind of show.

appetizers and radio flyers

Reid: "Daddy I want a snack".
Daddy: "We had a snack already, and it's close to suppertime".
Reid: "It wasn't a snack, it was an appetizer"


The girls were cute playing with the Radio Flyer Red Wagon I had when I was a kid. Avery the puller, and Morgan the little "Rider"

family

The kids are getting so much love from my family! Definately makes my job easier and less concerning that they will grow up in a less loving environment with the loss of their awesome mother. The void created with Laurie's loss cannot be filled. However, the extra love they receive from other family members will ensure their happiness!

Careful Grandma N, that's a lot of happy riders with the heavyweight at the end!

Grandpa Z on kleenex duty!

My sisters kids giving Reid some serious bounce fun at their house! Checkout his smile, loves his cousin Carson!

"Papa" N enjoying lightweight Morgan

Grandma Z cleaning up after meal time at my sisters

Sister Bon just after making baking with Reid; the boy loves his baking!

Reid loved that tramp!

...and the girls too!

These Two Are "Two"

Happy 2nd Birthday Avery and Morgan.  You both bring sunshine, joy and laughter into our lives!

my singing trio

I love music, and apparently my kids do too...

Chores and fun

Beware the dreaded vacuum...

Happy 4th Birthday Reid

Yesterday, March 3, we celebrated Reid's 4th birthday. We celebrated by having a party at "Amazing Adventures" with some of his special friends. Reid wanted a "Star Wars" theme and wanted a "white guy" cake (aka Storm Trooper).

A great time was had by all, followed by supper with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie and Austin.

Happy 4th Birthday Reid. You are a wonderful, loved little boy!

The Birthday Boy

 

Even Daddy got in on the action!

The "White Guy" Cake
made by Auntie

kid quotes segment 1

The kids have inspired me to come up with a "Letterman like" top 10 quotes they say more than a few times a day or week.

10. "Can we watch Star Wars" - Reid
9. "Dora!" - Avery
8. "I love you, you love me" - Morgan
7. "Daddy, where are you going?" - Reid
6. "Nnno!" - Avery
5. "Soosy!" - Morgan
4. "I got a wedgy!" - Reid
3. "Mmmmmm!" - Avery
2. "Bubba!" - Morgan and Avery
1. "Can you wipe my bum please?" - Reid

Side Notes:
Avery only wants to walk up and down the stairs no crawling, little unsteady so... a little unnerving; caught her head first falling down at my folks house
Avery had low tone when she was born and it was unclear as to how delayed she'd be for walking etc. well, she hops and jumps up in the air like no bodies business and morgan jumps like her feet are glued to the floor
Morgan is showing an early interest in sports like baseball and hockey like Reid did; check out the swing in the provided video

Pics and vids

Star Wars

Reid loves his Star Wars "guys" and wants to watch the movies all of the time. Who's to blame for this madness? Me. Yeah I always had a fascination with this fantasy film. I get so frustrated at having to put the guns in his stormtroopers ("nose white guy" or "mouth white guy") every five minutes or the light saber in Vaders hands every ten minutes. Then there is the searching the couches, floor and in every toy bucket for the little guns and men. I could have kept him from this madness for a few years or altogether but, I had to get him going now. If anything, I have a card to play when he's not behaving; the power of elimination or negative reinforcement.

Photo updates:

Dude's gotta come back from the "dark side"

Maybe the girls will be the hockey players...

sleep time follies

When Reid gets something new or is playing with a toy that becomes his favorite for the day he just has to sleep with it. The way things have worked out we always end up sleeping in the same bed either his or mine. I have woken up with Greedo (Star Wars guy) stuck in my rib cage and other toys scratching my arms and stuff. Even if he gets a new shirt or clothing he'll sleep with it on, i.e., Darth Vader suit or Pats Jersey.

He still can't fall asleep without me in the room. Usually I have to lay there until I think he's asleep, then put one foot down, then the other, do a shoulder roll to the floor and crawl backwards ever so gingerly to the door to make my escape. My toes crack when I walk so crawling is the only option. Sometimes he says "Daddy what are you doing?" as I'm about to leave. I then scurry back and wait 10 or more minutes and repeat.

Avery is so much like Reid in this way. I've had to pretend to be asleep on the floor by her crib as she keeps one eye open focused on me. then I would slither on centimetre at a time towards the door; centimetre - break, centimetre - break, and so on.

Morgan, not so much. when she's tired she pits in, bum up in the air and face to the sheets. However, they both need their "soosies". Could be a tough go getting rid of those bad boys. "Is that crying I hear at 1:30 AM? Someone lost a soosie".

Morgan (towel use due to stomack flu)

Avery (a little less reliant on the soos)

Baths and Nigh Night!

Jan. 29/12

Welcome to Snotsville. Everyone in the house is dealing with mucous issues nose and chest. Especially the girls; they're kind of like the ghosts on "Ghostbusters" don't get too close or you will get slimed. Avery woke up with a pretty good fever so I arranged for a sitter so I could take her into the walk-in clinic. Morgan seemed to be better; happy and coughing less so I left her at home. Avery gets prescribed an antibiotic. I get home and Morgan has a fever. I'll give Morgan the same antibiotic and take her in tomorrow.

Tough part of single parenthood is feeling rotten and yet having to care for the little sheisters. Tough part of being a single "Dad" in this scenario - "No Nurse" - I won't argue, men are sucky when it comes to not feeling well, no doubt about it!

Avery at the walk-in clinic

Side Note: I've figured out that the human desire to climb trees starts at toddlerhood, in the kitchen, using the parents' leg while working in the kitchen.

Carrying on....Daddy's turn...

On November 1st, 2011 Laurie passed away peacefully in hospital just after midnight. I was in the room with her "until her last breath" just how we had written in our vows. Even though our marriage was too short (7 years), God blessed us with many, many great and wonderful things and moments. However, nothing can come close to the blessing of our three beautiful children. I continue you this blog as a tribute to my amazing wife Laurie and my dear children Reid, Avery and Morgan.

Always Missed...

Loved Forever...

Baseball, Babies and Business

12 months (Avery left, Morgan right)

Things have been busy at our house.  While I manage the phones and boss everyone around from my hospital bed, friends and family have been keeping the home fires burning.

Morgan is a tare!  She wants to walk so bad and is in that phase where she just can not shut down and rest. She's staying up late, not napping the greatest and is just on the go, go, GO!  She climbed the entire flight of stairs to the toy room.  She stands at furniture and then lets her arms to her side to hold her balance and she's started using that little walker.  She will definitely be an official walker before I get home.

cousin Shelby and Avery out cruzin'

Avery isn't too far behind.  She's pulling herself up in her crib, watching everything little 'sis does and you can just see that she's plotting her next move.

Reid is loving all of the attention and is doing his very best at being a good boy.  I'm so proud of him for how he's handling his upside-down life.

Reid had t-ball the other night and is developing quite the reputation of being a big hitter.  It was rainy and only 4 parents showed up.  Del and Reid turned to leave and one of the dad's said, "Can we just watch him hit?".  So Reid pounded them out for the dad's there.  I'm not sure who was more proud, Reid or Del!

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. Special thank you to Auntie Bonnie for her help from Ottawa.  We miss you already!

Happy First Year "Home Day" part 2

It's one year ago today, Miss Morgan, that you came home from NICU to live with our family.  You were the final puzzle piece that was missing.  Although we only lived as a family of four for under 24 hours, we were pining to have you home and were so worried that it would be days before we'd get you here.

But, in true Morgan fashion, you pulled out all the stops in those 24 hours: passed your car seat test, had all bottle feeds, temp. and everything else normal.  So by the next afternoon you were on your way home.  You haven't slowed down since.

You were SO tiny.  It took about 7 receiving blankets to prop you in the car seat.  We had to promise not to take you anywhere for awhile until you got bigger.  But for as tiny as you were, you were mighty!

Now you're so independent.  You MUST do everything your brother is doing, you're trying desperately to walk and don't give up for a second, you want to put your own coat on, feed yourself and keep busy.  You're very easy to have around because you just go from one determined project to another.

And, to boot, you're a sweetheart.  You love to laugh and you love to take care of your babies.

We love you Morgan and are the most Blessed parents to have a house full of amazing kids!

The ride home

Brother realizes what he's up against for the first time!

Morgee so happy to be tucked in with Avee

Now look at me!

My baby girl taking care of her baby girl.  So sweet!