Christmas 2009 : "Not a finga" and other traditions!

Cici with one of the boys silver shoe ornament.

I am perched up on our couch in the basement with one baby on my left and the other in my arms. We are watching A Christmas Story for probably the third time this month. The part where the dad hears the crash from the other room and sees his "fragile" lamp broken to bits it's playing. It's my favorite part! He ceases upon the fragments of his "major award" and mutters something about glue and then grabs the lamp yelling as he exits the room "not a finga" to his wife. I can't help but laugh and wonder, once again, what he meant by this. This scenario played out several times during the holidays and it reminded me of the joy that traditions play in making the holidays perfect.

Our new ornament this year celebrating our A Christmas Story tradition.

These repetitive activities and glutenous eating that our family experiences each year are what I enjoy most about this December. And so it was this Christmas, we decorated the tree, ate lots of food, opened presents, and read the nativity story on Christmas Eve. Here are a few photos from Christmas 2009:

Fireplace Mantle.

H&M Bear warm suits for $12.00 - couldn't resist!

Just two weeks home from hospital.

We didn't get around to advents this year - so here is Nini eating all her 24 days in one!

Mommy and Nini by the tree!

Nini getting Santa's cookie and plate ready.

The boys and daddy all in matching Christmas pj's - blackwatch plaid :)!

Craig likes to trick the girls with masterly wrapped packages - this one was a DS game inside a taco shell box. She was certain we had bought taco shells!

The remnants of Christmas morning ready for the fireplace.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

A snip, snip and the Olympic Torch

Waiting for the Olympic Torch

Craig has been out of town all week (he can sure pick them!) But fortunately, I haven't been alone with my mother-in-law picking up the girls from school and helping out if I need to do an errand. The heater in our van picked Craig's departure week to go out, so I have been reluctant to make any trips in fear of freezing the little sprouts! He also was out-of-town for the boys circumcisions. They do not do this procedure in the hospital, it takes an out-patient procedure at the children's hospital or speciality clinic. I took the boys down on Tuesday with my friend Jo on hand to help if needed. I am so thankful she had the the idea to volunteer, because I would have most likely done it on my own and been sorry I did. I requested that I not be in the room when they "snip..snip", but yea, I was forced to stay in the room - lucky me. They didn't sleep much Tuesday or Wednesday, but another friend came by this week and stayed while I took a three hour nap. That was a complete godsend, as it was more sleep than I had all week!

Thursday, my MIL, watched the boys while I walked to the girl's school to meet them for a special event. The Olympic torch was coming through our village in Montreal. They released the children early so that they could, with their parents, go and see it. We waited for about an hour in the cold before the parade and torch crossed our path. It was a lot of fun to be out with the girls - they were extremely excited to have me to themselves!

Ms. Nini and Cici were in good spirits, despite the cold.

Me and the girls.

Coca Cola rally before the Torch.

Here it comes!

How is everyone?
Are you ready for Christmas?

Nesting.

The Hawk, checking out his toes.

I am finally at a place where I am feeling better. The boys are keeping me up at night, but I am feeling confident about how to manage two littles. I find myself wanting to nest and not leave the home. Fortunately, I have had my mother-in-law here to help me with the girls. Next week will be different, but I am enjoying my ability to nest while I can! I couldn't help but take a few more snapshots of the boys - just couldn't resist!

It's Mr. T's turn!

The Hawk's GQ pose...

..my favorite pose of Mr. T - too cute!

A huge thank you goes out to Melinda for these wonderful outfits for the boys. I can't wait to try them on the boys! Thanks so much for this thoughtful gift Melinda!


This is part of my day and how I manage two at one time. The Toffifee was an extra treat for our family home evening. Thanks Cici for snapping this photo!

I am slowly beginning to visit your blogs. I hope you will be patient with me...please email me if there is something you want to share though - I would love hear from you!

Happy Birthday Boys!

The Wait:

A week ago today the long awaited day of the boys arrival finally came! I was hoping for a natural delivery and minimal healing time but that was not in the cards. I arrived at the doctor's office last Thursday hoping for the good news that I would be delivering as planned on Friday. She dished the bad news quickly that the hospital had an induction back log of seven women and I was at the end of the list. As of that moment, I was on the induction waiting list for that weekend. I called frequently, hoping that they were closer to my induction, but by Sunday morning I was fourth on the list.

Monday morning at 7:15, we received the phone call that they were ready for us and to come in as quickly as we could. We were in and ready by 7:45! We were escorted to one of the delivery rooms and thus began another long wait. At 8:00 p.m., with the help medicine, I was ready to receive the next dose of medicine that would start my contractions. By 1:00 a.m. and after three tries, I received my epidural - thank heavens for small miracles. I contracted every two minutes through the night, but had only dilated to 3cm. The quickly did an ultrasound, which showed the boys literally head to head vying for who was going to be first. They were stuck and the decision was made to have a C-section.

The Birth:

Saving all the gorie details, the only thing I will relish out of this experience is that this was the only way the boys could be born. It was amazing to finally see them and that I was finally able to see their faces. Again saving all the gorie details, my body was not taking to the anesthesia. I could feel more pain than I should have had to endure. I was able to see both of my sons, before the pain intensified and I had to be put all the way under. It was an experience I am grateful is over and one I don't plan on repeating.

The Hospital:

It was such a relief to finally step outside and be taking the boys home. The hospital policy because of the H1N1 flu, in the nursery wing, refuses any visitors who are children and are not the spouse or the person assisting the mother. As a result, it was a bit like being in prison ( although, in prison, you can't send your spouse down the hall to the vending machine!) The girls did not see their new brothers until Saturday. My parents were able to sneek-up a few times to see the boys. The best part was spending the one on one time with the babies and getting used to the sleepless nights with the support of Craig who spent every night at the hospital with me.

At home:

Now at home, I am finding myself extremely busy, tired, and on the mend. I don't know which is harder, taking care of the boys, or the girls wanting to help and hold the babies. It has been a lesson in patience for me and for the girls. The first night was the hardest. We had to manage their expectations and their excitement. The important thing is that they adore their new brothers and love to help. We picked up a cake last night and celebrated with a happy birthday in french and english to the zero birthday!

Names and photos:

The boy's names, just like our girls, will not be published over this blog. If we are not friends on facebook, email me, and if I know you well enough I will forward you their birth names. Otherwise, we have lovingly nicknamed them Mr. T and The Hawk or Mr. H. Mr. H's cry sounds exactly like a hawk - it's hilarious and we couldn't resist this nickname for him! There will be lots more photos to come, but for now, here are a few photos we took this week:

The first look...

...this is Mr. T, born just over 6lbs...

...this is The Hawk, born just over 6lbs...

...Daddy and Hawk getting some needed Z's...


...just home, Craig gets the girls ready to hold their new brothers...

...being the best big sisters ever...

...thank you to everyone for your kind words and support. I look forward to sharing more moments with you!

The anatomy of pregnant woman.

My due date was the 20th, yet here I am this photo taken on the 22nd with the same big belly and puffy face I've had since my 5th month. Let me say before I go on, that I am absolutely thrilled that despite the problems I have had during this pregnancy, the babies are healthy, huge, and apparently very happy in my womb. I was due to be induced on Friday, but because of a backlog at the hospital, I was last on the list of seven. I just got word that it should happen today or Monday. Until then, this photo is exactly how I feel. Huge, puffy - but happy to be up and about. My last ultrasound on Thursday said that the babies were almost 7 lbs! Well, I am off to pray for that phone call and plan for another walk :)

Saying goodbye to the four of us.

It wasn't long ago that our small family of two became four overnight. And as it happens with many happy stories, it was the start to something wonderful and full of adventure...

We started at the best possible place for fun, at the park across the street from our home in Utah. We spent many happy days here...

We met wonderful friends that joined us on this special day, when our new family of four became a forever family and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple...

Since there were two little ones the same size and age, we improvised together. This allowed mommy to do her make-up in the morning and comb her hair. Since this little one liked to get into everything...

We got messy and celebrated birthdays together...

We made several trips to the zoo...

We traveled together, and walked in the sand together ...

We made smores together...

And made many trips to Disneyland together when we lived in California...

We planned mommy and daddy dates with each other, even when the weather was cold at our new home in Montreal...

We experienced milestones together...

And showed them our favorite places, like here at Mt. Vernon in Virginia...

We canoed together...

And just hung out...

We witnessed several visits from the tooth fairy...

...posed together...

...miniature golfed together...

...we celebrated six father's days and mother's days together...

...And made our first Sugaring-off together...

...And now, all the things we have been able to do together, we can now share with the boys. From eating pizza in front of a warm fire in the living room, to movie night, to vacations, to snuggles - it will all be about the six of us now! And as in all happy stories, we can share our old adventures with them and make as many new ones as we wish!

I have less than a week left until they induce me. I am hopeful that it will be before this Friday - but so far the boys just want to stay!

Nini the car mechanic.

These photos are complete classic Nini photos. She's a girl with big dreams and set ideas. She loves to fix things and be the hero. This kitchen set we brought upstairs when friends came over to surprise me with a baby shower. There were several children present and since I am an old sentimental fool and haven't donated this kitchen set yet, it was perfect for the occassion. When the girls returned home, they were happy to see it upstairs. Nini, however, quickly found something that needed to be fixed and went right to work. There was a light bulb that had burned out, but after several attempts to get it, she resorted to asking for her daddy's toolbox. This is her in a classic Nini pose trying to figure out how to fix it. Personally, she looks like the cutest car mechanic I've ever seen!


This photo is another classic Nini, practicing her Ollie I think it's called. A skateboarding move she's been working on since summer. Lucky for me my window backs up to the driveway and I was able to watch her from the window practice her moves!

Check out these books:

For girls like my daughter, this book is really special. It talks about Amelia Earhart when she was a young girl, about her dreams that seem far-fetched to her family. With every new idea she constantly gets hit with this phrase, "You can't do that Amelia." But Amelia is not deterred, she is set in her ideas and works hard to complete her goals even at her young age. This is a wonderful book to give your girl and wonderful way to give them a role model that we all know accomplished so much in her life. You can't do that, Amelia! by Kimberely Klier.





This book really inspired Nini to read and learn about how to be a good skateboarder. It has great photos and names all the moves and jumps, so she can really feel like she's accomplishing something. She's perfected a few moves and comes to the book when she feels comfortable to start on a new one. If anything, it's fun to see all the different jumps and fun moves. The bok is my DK Publishing.

Do you have a Nini at home?!

For Remembrance Day...

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Are you wearing a poppy today?
How do you remember?

Paper Flower Necklace.

Jewelry can be more than beads and blitz. How about a little paper? This flower necklace was made out of scrapbook paper, a little decoupage ingredients, and a little glue, all coated in a nice non-toxic varnish. The best part about it is that it was inexpensive and when people ask me where I got it, I can say I made it! Perhaps paper is the new blitz?!

To laugh or cry.

I am getting many looks these days, some full of sympathy, agony, or shock. Perhaps it's the way I walk or that my stomach is so far out it arrives first for everything. One such look of shock and awe came from a very unsuspecting source. On the way home from a doctor's appointment, I stopped into the grocery store to quickly pick up a few items. After paying for my purchases, I began to slowly make my way out the automatic door. On the wall above the door was a camera and TV screen that records the exit point of the store. I was not looking directly at it, but I was able to catch it's movements out of the corner of my eye. I moved closer to the door and noticed that there was something very large and green moving across the screen. It took me by surprise and I looked up quickly to see exactly what was behind or next to me. I focused my eyes on a woman with a green sweater wobbling to the door with a very large stomach, looking very uncomfortable and very pregnant! I started laughing, as I realized that the large green blob was me. I guess I could have cried, but the shock of it all was too much.

Update: My doctor's appointment today went well. I am scheduled to be induced on the 20th of this month, although, I am very outspoken that I wouldn't mind delivering any day! The boys are over 5lbs, in fact one is almost 6! I can't sleep, I can barely walk, but I know that it is all worth it to deliver these babies at a healthy weight.

Do you have a funny pregnancy story?

Watch out Dorothy!

Hermione and Dorothy visited our house this 31st of October. Dorothy wore her best red glitter shoes and blue checked dress and Hermione picked out her best sweater vest, school tie, and flannel school robe. They came expecting lots of candy, which was given to them in great abundance and will last them for a very long time.

I assumed that they would get along adoringly, but despite my best wishes. Hermione tried her best to cast a few spells on Dorothy, but mom was close enough to ward off the spells and bring peace again to our happy home.

Dorothy and Hermione's visit brought a constant pitter patter of rain on our home and community. The rain and wind loosened the leaves from trees making a beautiful carpet throughout our streets.

Dorothy was positive about her outfit since the summer. Her shoes were a bit too small, thanks to a growth spurt this year. But, determined, she put her feet in those shoes and never complained.

Hermione wasn't so sure about what she wanted to wear. From a basketball player to a superhero, she was determined to be everything but herself. But the robe and outfit were purchased months earlier and mom wouldn't let her change. In the end, she embraced her original choice and had a great time.

The constant rain and that pesky flue virus brought only about 2/3's of our normal trick-or-treaters. This meant that Dorothy and Hermione have even more candy in their already large stash.

We enjoyed our visit from these two brave girls and wonder what superhero or young role model will show-up at our home next year. We also want to know who visited your home?!

Happy Halloween from the Happy Heart Family

Decoupage Leaf Tutorial.

Fall is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. - Albert Camus

One thing there are plenty of here in Montreal are leaves. To capture some of the beauty around this time of year, I collected several multi-colored leaves and decoupaged them onto various wood pieces. My favorite is the decoupage wooden bracelet. Here are a few tips:

Tip #1: Use soft fresh leaves immediately after collecting them and keep them in Ziploc bag to keep them from getting crispy. Here I sent my girls out to collect fresh dry leaves. We placed them in Ziploc plastic bags so that the air did not turn the leaves crispy. It is much better to collect them right before you start your project because they are soft and flimsy - not crunchy.

Tip #2: Use your favorite decoupage product and apply with a sponge brush. My choice of a decoupage product is Modge Podge. I use a sponge brush to decrease brush strokes. The Modge Podge, while it goes on smoothly, can leave air bubbles, so be sure to smooth out the product as best as you can. If you know of any better decoupage product, let me know!

Tip #3: Remove stems.

Tip #4: Take an Xacto knife or tear small to medium slits around the leaf . The ends of the leaves will have ripples in them, which are hard to decoupage flat. You will need to use an Xacto knife or small tears in several sections to avoid lumps and increase your ability to mold the leaf around the wooden bracelet. This is helpful on flat surfaces as well.

Tip #4: Apply both sides of the leaf with your decoupage product.

Tip #5: Be sure to keep baby wipes handy to wipe off excess product off your hand. If they are too sticky, it may rip the leaves you are trying decoupage.

Tip #6: Use the top and center of the leaf when molding it around on a non-flat surface. The veins of leaves are much thinner. Maple leaves, although beautiful, tend to have the thickest veins. Other varieties of leaf may allow you easier molding.

Tip #7 Trim the leaf at the edge of the bracelet, leaving the underside free of leaves. To cut off excess leaf and avoid irritation, I took the wooden end of the sponge brush and rubbed it along the edging of the bracelet. You can also use an Xacto knife to cut the excess.

Tip #8 Apply several coats of your decoupage product. Dry. Finish with a Glossy Varnish to all sides (including underside) of bracelet - twice.

Preserving the leaves under the decoupage and varnish secure their color and beauty. The frame shown above, I decoupaged last year! The wooden box I found at the craft store and decoupaged only the top. I used off-white paint, a crackle paint product, and then used red paint on the top.

I would love to know if you are tackling a project like this or if you have any questions regarding the tips I provided in this post. Good Luck!

Finding a memory.

Cici and Nini are age three in these photos. The beautiful thing about them is that I had never seen them before. I remember taking them, but just discovered a saved file on a memory card with these first-day of preschool photos. Oh my, they were so small - look at them barely being able to climb in on their own!

It was clear here that even as twins, they were and are completely different and with their own personality and limitations. The moment I let Nini out of the car, she was off and ready for whatever came her way. She didn't even look back!


Cici wasn't as sure about the experience and kept turning around hoping that she didn't have to go! You can see Nini almost to the door!


Cici is standing by me, and Nini - well, she's already ready to take on the next two hours. I remember leaving and returing to a closed door with Nini banging on it screaming. Apparently, the young lad in the photo here decided it would be fun to spank her. The teacher didn' think it was her business to mention it to me. I didn't find out until the second day, when Nini was clawing and screaming to leave. Long story short, I moved them to another preschool after only a couple days. There were just too many things that I didn't like about their experience.

Have you every taken photos and discovered them years later?

Aren't they cute!

Baby Blankets.

I am in love with Terry Kimbrough's baby afghan crochet book. My first try at crocheting happened out of pure boredom years ago. In 2002, my husband traveled to Labrador City, Newfoundland for a business trip. Since I wasn't working and we had no children, I ventured with him just for fun. Of course, once we arrived, I realized that for the next two weeks, I would be living in a small town and a 14 hour drive by gravel road to the next town. While Craig went to work, I read, watched Murder She Wrote (it seemed like this was the only thing on), and went to the local "everything" store in hopes of finding a project. Insert yarn and a crochet needle and I was hooked (couldn't resist!) Luckily, Craig's trip was cut short and we were able to leave within a week.

This is baby afghan #1 called Special Moments. I used Berat 100% cotton yarn. The center is made out of a series of DC chains and is one of the quickest afghans to make. The edging is slightly more difficult and takes more careful planning. I love how durable it feels even with the lacie edging. I finished this within a week, working a couple hours a day - if that!


I just started baby afghan #2 from the same baby afghan book (shown above). I chose a multi-colored blue Berat 100% cotton yarn for the the center and the upper ruffle. The outer ruffle will be from the same yarn material, but in white. I made this one years ago for a friend and forgot that it is time consuming. It is #24 in the afghan book. Hopefully I will be posting this one soon.

The Value of a Penny.

I arrived at the hospital's antenatal unit before they had opened the doors. Like myself, there were several pregnant women waiting for their diabetic check-up. Several minutes after the opening time, a staff member finally arrived. This clinic is notorious for long waits and long lines, so when the doors opened we all waddled as quickly as we could to be the first in line. I pulled out my medical card on the way to have it handy and accidentally dropped a penny on the ground. My mom started to turn and pick it up, but I said quickly to leave it and that it was just a penny and getting in line was more important.

After returning from having my blood drawn, I came and sat down for my long wait. My mom said that a lot of the staff had been delayed because of a major accident. One of the nurses struck up a conversation with my mom about having a particularly bad morning. However, she said that it was about to change because she had just found a US lucky penny on the ground when she walked in the door! She was overly excited and confident that the penny was a sign of better things to come. This story made me smile! I guess you never know how even the smallest event will change you or somebody that follows in your path. Perhaps a penny still has value.

P.S. The winner of my favorite things giveaway is.....Andrea! Congrats!