I love how big Eva's getting. She says the most hilarious things, helps unload the dishwasher...and bakes cookies with me!
(wearing her adorable little apron from her Great Grandma)
- My name is Teresa
- I heart lattes
- And kidlets
- And my hot husband
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Mommy's Little Helper
(wearing her adorable little apron from her Great Grandma) 
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Interview
The wonderful Deanna offered to interview anyone interested, and I thought it might be fun. So, here goes!
1. Are you happy being a Canadian? Do you still have plans to move back to the States someday?
I love being Canadian, it is finally starting to feel like home. We have made lots of amazing friends, my parents and Nich's brother (and fiance!) live close, and we've made lots of business contacts- which will come in very hand when we build houses someday. That's the dream, in case you didn't know.
As for moving across the border again- it's not looking like it anymore. We have made sure that we got both Eva and Kaitlyn their US Citizenship, in case we would like to border hop one day, but it's looking doubtful. Somebody awhile ago told me that they say it takes 7 years to feel at home in a new town. Well, it's been 4 1/2, and I figure I don't want to start that 7 years all over again, so we're pretty committed to staying here, and putting down some roots.
2. What was the biggest surprise change with kiddo #2?
Biggest surprise? That it would actually be easier in many aspects than just having one child. When Eva was Kaitlyn's age, she would look to me to entertain her, play with her, and give her all the attention she wanted. Now that Kaitlyn is old enough to play, she has Eva to giggle and play with...with leaves me free to do....chores and work and other Mom things! Eva is also a great big sister, and loves to help. Sooo, I am pleasantly surprised at how well it's going (knocking on wood)
3. Share with us one of your happiest memories from childhood.
Hands down, the best memory I have was the Sunday afternoon sailboat rides on my best friend's family boat (on Lake Erie, I believe). My best friend and I would tote our Barbies and oversized Pepperidge Farm cookies down into the berth, and play the afternoon away. While our families sat up top chatting, snacking, and doing all the sailboat sortof stuff like changing masts...or whatever, I'm not sure, I was playing Barbies.
Anyways, it was the best, and Nich and I dream of getting our own sailboat one day.
4. How did Mr. Nich capture your heart?
We met at Capernwray Bible School in New Zealand- and he learned fast that the way to my heart was through coffee. He took me out for a latte every chance he got...and before long he became my best friend. When bible school was over, he came and met my Dad, and my Siamese cat. Unbeknowst to Nich at the time, he had to gain both of their approvals before I gave him my heart. And he did. And I did. And the rest is history.
5. You guys always seem to be moving! :) Tell us about your dream house, where you could see yourself settling long term.
We would love to build our dreamhouse by ourselves (someday, soon, maybe, hopefully) And it will look a little like this
but, with yellow siding and black shutters, a little like this...
with a perfectly perfect floor plan including 4 bedrooms, a playroom, a den, a walk-in pantry and a 3-car garage. a little like this, with some minor adjustments to make the playroom on the main floor
(click on it for a bigger view)
We are hoping to build it in a newer neighbourhood not too far from here. It's a beautiful, colonial themed community, surrounded by over 20 acres of natural parkland on a hill. Complete with a view of the mountains and a brand new elementary school being built down the road.
And, there you have it. That's the dream. And, Lord willing, we're hoping it becomes a reality sometime in the near future.
So, if you would like to join in on the interviewing fun, follow these directions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me”.
1. Are you happy being a Canadian? Do you still have plans to move back to the States someday?
I love being Canadian, it is finally starting to feel like home. We have made lots of amazing friends, my parents and Nich's brother (and fiance!) live close, and we've made lots of business contacts- which will come in very hand when we build houses someday. That's the dream, in case you didn't know.
As for moving across the border again- it's not looking like it anymore. We have made sure that we got both Eva and Kaitlyn their US Citizenship, in case we would like to border hop one day, but it's looking doubtful. Somebody awhile ago told me that they say it takes 7 years to feel at home in a new town. Well, it's been 4 1/2, and I figure I don't want to start that 7 years all over again, so we're pretty committed to staying here, and putting down some roots.
2. What was the biggest surprise change with kiddo #2?
Biggest surprise? That it would actually be easier in many aspects than just having one child. When Eva was Kaitlyn's age, she would look to me to entertain her, play with her, and give her all the attention she wanted. Now that Kaitlyn is old enough to play, she has Eva to giggle and play with...with leaves me free to do....chores and work and other Mom things! Eva is also a great big sister, and loves to help. Sooo, I am pleasantly surprised at how well it's going (knocking on wood)
3. Share with us one of your happiest memories from childhood.
Hands down, the best memory I have was the Sunday afternoon sailboat rides on my best friend's family boat (on Lake Erie, I believe). My best friend and I would tote our Barbies and oversized Pepperidge Farm cookies down into the berth, and play the afternoon away. While our families sat up top chatting, snacking, and doing all the sailboat sortof stuff like changing masts...or whatever, I'm not sure, I was playing Barbies.
Anyways, it was the best, and Nich and I dream of getting our own sailboat one day.
4. How did Mr. Nich capture your heart?
We met at Capernwray Bible School in New Zealand- and he learned fast that the way to my heart was through coffee. He took me out for a latte every chance he got...and before long he became my best friend. When bible school was over, he came and met my Dad, and my Siamese cat. Unbeknowst to Nich at the time, he had to gain both of their approvals before I gave him my heart. And he did. And I did. And the rest is history.
5. You guys always seem to be moving! :) Tell us about your dream house, where you could see yourself settling long term.
We would love to build our dreamhouse by ourselves (someday, soon, maybe, hopefully) And it will look a little like this
but, with yellow siding and black shutters, a little like this...
with a perfectly perfect floor plan including 4 bedrooms, a playroom, a den, a walk-in pantry and a 3-car garage. a little like this, with some minor adjustments to make the playroom on the main floor
(click on it for a bigger view)We are hoping to build it in a newer neighbourhood not too far from here. It's a beautiful, colonial themed community, surrounded by over 20 acres of natural parkland on a hill. Complete with a view of the mountains and a brand new elementary school being built down the road.
And, there you have it. That's the dream. And, Lord willing, we're hoping it becomes a reality sometime in the near future.
So, if you would like to join in on the interviewing fun, follow these directions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me”.
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Growing up
Do you see it?
It's small and it's yellow...
And makes me giggle with glee.
My baby is wearing her first barette!!
Look reeeally close...
It's small and it's yellow...
And makes me giggle with glee.
My baby is wearing her first barette!!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Catching up
I have a really bad habit. I blog about something, and then I forget to follow up. So, let's start from awhile back...
-Thanks ya'll for delurking (over a month ago, sorry, I meant to say thanks and hi and all that right away) It means a lot that you took the time to leave a comment to say hi. And, now I know what to buy you if our worlds ever collide and we happen to meet at Starbucks.
-And thanks for all the emails, phone calls, and comments regarding the preschool decision. I appreciate all your thoughts, ideas, advice and stories of your experiences. We have decided to enroll Eva in a gymnastics club- which will give Eva a chance to hang out with girls her age, and get to know them, as they move up together in the classes. Then, we'll start her out in Kindergarten "on time". I will continue to teach her some 'preschool' type things when she is home with me this next year, and since she's such a quick cookie, I know she'll be just fine. Also, being in the 3-4 year old gymnastics class will give me the oppurtunity to see how she's holding up with the kids about to go to Kindergarten- and if she seems a little behind, we can always wait another year to start.
-And I promised videos of Kaitlyn clapping and crawling. I can't find the crawing one just yet...for some reason it appears that my computer ate it. But, without further adieu, the talented clapper...
Clapping from Teresa B on Vimeo.
-Thanks ya'll for delurking (over a month ago, sorry, I meant to say thanks and hi and all that right away) It means a lot that you took the time to leave a comment to say hi. And, now I know what to buy you if our worlds ever collide and we happen to meet at Starbucks.
-And thanks for all the emails, phone calls, and comments regarding the preschool decision. I appreciate all your thoughts, ideas, advice and stories of your experiences. We have decided to enroll Eva in a gymnastics club- which will give Eva a chance to hang out with girls her age, and get to know them, as they move up together in the classes. Then, we'll start her out in Kindergarten "on time". I will continue to teach her some 'preschool' type things when she is home with me this next year, and since she's such a quick cookie, I know she'll be just fine. Also, being in the 3-4 year old gymnastics class will give me the oppurtunity to see how she's holding up with the kids about to go to Kindergarten- and if she seems a little behind, we can always wait another year to start.
-And I promised videos of Kaitlyn clapping and crawling. I can't find the crawing one just yet...for some reason it appears that my computer ate it. But, without further adieu, the talented clapper...
Clapping from Teresa B on Vimeo.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Kate-kins
Kaitlyn is known as either "Kate-kins" or "Katy-Kaitlyn" these days. Eva is the funniest at the nickname calling.
For instance, when she's teaching her, it's "Kate-kins, let's crawl, you do it like this. Kate-kins, Kate-kins, pay attention!" And, when she's having fun with her, it's "Wanna play Legos, Katy-Kaitlyn?" And when Kaitlyn is in 'trouble' with her, she'll use her real name and whine, "Kaitlyyyyyyyyyn, you're in my way".
So cute.
In more Kaitlyn news, she's officially crawling. Yes, I know what you're thinking, she's almost 10 months old... a little late, eh? But, seriously, a late crawler is God's gift to second-time Moms. And she's still such a slow crawler, she hasn't gotten into much mischief yet. Which is very nice.
AND, she's clapping! It's so cute. She claps on command, claps when everyone else does, and claps when she's happy (which is all the time, so she pretty much is always clapping).
Look how happy this girl is..
I also have video of her crawling, and I'll post it just as soon as I figure out how to.
Oh, and before I forget (if I don't blog it, I'll forget it) Eva was dishing out the compliments tonight. She started with "Mommy, that's a really nice jacket you have" and then the biggie... "Mommy, you have such nice, long legs!"
What a goof.