Wow, it has been so long since I even remembered to check the family blog that I had lots of reading to do. Fortunately, I do get to speak to most of you quite often so I haven't really missed anything...other than the details that are so much fun to read.
Jim and I are doing fine. He did have a bit of a health scare at Christmas time which thankfully turned out to be a pinched nerve in his neck. Not that we're thankful for that but very thankful that it was not more serious as the symptoms suggested.
With the forceful input of our darling daughter, the trip to emergency has convinced him that it is time to see a doctor for more than medication and have a long overdue checkup. The last one he had was in 1973 when he was hired at Air Canada!! He took the first steps this week and went for some blood work - doctor appointment on Monday.
Our precious Lauryn has given us both another excellent reason to "clean up" and stay healthy for a very long time!
I can't even begin to tell you how much this little gift has changed our lives - although if I speak to you often you already know (sorry if I go on and on and on...).
Lisa sends me photos almost daily and phones every day. Lauryn often wants to speak to me although occasionally says "nope". Sometimes she babbles, sometimes she says absolutely nothing. Every time we talk she hits a phone button or two and always ends the conversation with a big "muahhh".
We love spending as much time as possible with her and can't wait until she wants to visit Nana and Grampa for school vacations although I don't want her to ever grow up.
Maybe time to move closer to Oshawa???!!! Just finished doing a bit of decorating here so that usually means it's time to move...
I am still working way too many hours. The 'one day a week dentist bookkeeping job' has turned into full time looking after 3 of his practices. I also still work for Glenn 3 days a week from home. Oh well, it is my choice to work so much. I figure as long as the brain still works I may as well try to increase my CPP benefits as much as possible which, by the way, I will be eligible to collect this year! Can you believe that?!? As long as I can take the time for a Bingo night with Norma, I'm good!
As for a family activity this summer, I'm with Norma. Get together absolutely but unfortunately unable to participate in the physical challenges. My team mates tend to run me into a tree to eliminate me and not hurt my feelings! lol.
OK, time to say goodnight. Please keep on posting!
Love to you all,
Me & Jim
xo
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
My turn
Hi family,
Well, it's also been a pretty long time since I have added everything. So, here it goes.
Life with our little love bug Lauryn is busy. She is an enthusiastic little girl, she has a smile that could melt the Grinch, and is growing and learning everyday. Lauryn is in a big girl bed now. She loves it! She discovered the freedom of her big girl bed about a week after being in it. It wasn't unusual (and still isn't) to go into her room after nap or night time and find her wearing her sparkling read shoes, the contents of her pj drawer on her crib, most stuffed animals wearing pull ups or diapers, and a couple of wipes around the room for good measure! Her books were everywhere. She loves to get dressed up, and won't leave her room without a pony tail or two. You can't put the child to bed without at least a half hour stint in the tub. The more bubbles the better. As we are running the water she says "pop, pop, pop" as she splashes to pop the bubbles. She is using a cup to drink from at meal times. She is very careful not to spill. Her favorite toy is her Maybe - which translates to baby! Her and Johnson are fast friends, however Johnson has felt the brunt of our two year old tornado more then once! Poor dog! Peanut, well he has become the upstairs cat when we are downstairs or the downstairs cut when we are upstairs. Their relationship is a work in progress! Lol! She LOVES daycare. Her first boyfriend is Bobby! She adores him! He's a hip little two year old that loves to take his clothes off and has the most consistent runny nose that I have ever seen. Miss Shannon gives Lauryn a sticker when we pick her up. The other day Miss Shannon informed me that Lauryn had some trouble listening... Oh, Lauryn! Lauryn has grown leaps and bounds with her speech. We are starting a 6 week session of speech therapy on March 2. Should be interesting!
Kyle is doing well.
He is gearing up for Daddy daycare! Kyles slow time is summer time. So, he will take over the majority of Lauryn's care. I found a job! Yipppppeee! (more deets in a few) Lauryn will continue to go to daycare on Tuesday and Thursdays and will have her first full time day on Tuesday March 15. Then, in September as Kyle heads into another season, Lauryn will start full on full time. Wow. There is so much more to think about now! Kyle is really looking forward to his time with Lauryn. They should have a blast this summer. It's pretty amazing to seem them together. It's also interesting to see how Lauryn is so different with us. Her and I will shop and play with her dolls and kitchen. Kyle and Lauryn will stretch her slinky and shake it, or have a muscle man pose off. We sing, and they jump! It is crazy.
As for me... I found a job! I interviewed with American Express. It's in Markham and about 40 minutes away. They offered me a position on Friday and I am so excited! It seems wonderful. Much like the Toronto Star. They have a benefit plan which starts right away. They have employee RRSP and stock options, they have a gym and great cafeteria with Swiss chalet in the building, and subsidized daycare down the street. I start March 14. Don't know what my hours will be yet, but once they check my background and references, I will receive my formal offer of employment. I am really excited!
We celebrated a year since Lauryn's referral on Feb. 12. I can't believe it's been a year already! Wow! Time sure does go quick. We also got together with some other families that we travelled to China with to celebrate Chinese New Year. It was incredible. So neat to see how all the kids have changed to drastically. We had a great afternoon.
I hear the pitter patter of little feet upstairs. I guess nap time is over! Wonder what she will be wearing by the time I get to her room!
Ohhh, Lauryn!
Hope everyone is doing well.
Love to you all.
Lxo
Well, it's also been a pretty long time since I have added everything. So, here it goes.
Life with our little love bug Lauryn is busy. She is an enthusiastic little girl, she has a smile that could melt the Grinch, and is growing and learning everyday. Lauryn is in a big girl bed now. She loves it! She discovered the freedom of her big girl bed about a week after being in it. It wasn't unusual (and still isn't) to go into her room after nap or night time and find her wearing her sparkling read shoes, the contents of her pj drawer on her crib, most stuffed animals wearing pull ups or diapers, and a couple of wipes around the room for good measure! Her books were everywhere. She loves to get dressed up, and won't leave her room without a pony tail or two. You can't put the child to bed without at least a half hour stint in the tub. The more bubbles the better. As we are running the water she says "pop, pop, pop" as she splashes to pop the bubbles. She is using a cup to drink from at meal times. She is very careful not to spill. Her favorite toy is her Maybe - which translates to baby! Her and Johnson are fast friends, however Johnson has felt the brunt of our two year old tornado more then once! Poor dog! Peanut, well he has become the upstairs cat when we are downstairs or the downstairs cut when we are upstairs. Their relationship is a work in progress! Lol! She LOVES daycare. Her first boyfriend is Bobby! She adores him! He's a hip little two year old that loves to take his clothes off and has the most consistent runny nose that I have ever seen. Miss Shannon gives Lauryn a sticker when we pick her up. The other day Miss Shannon informed me that Lauryn had some trouble listening... Oh, Lauryn! Lauryn has grown leaps and bounds with her speech. We are starting a 6 week session of speech therapy on March 2. Should be interesting!
Kyle is doing well.
He is gearing up for Daddy daycare! Kyles slow time is summer time. So, he will take over the majority of Lauryn's care. I found a job! Yipppppeee! (more deets in a few) Lauryn will continue to go to daycare on Tuesday and Thursdays and will have her first full time day on Tuesday March 15. Then, in September as Kyle heads into another season, Lauryn will start full on full time. Wow. There is so much more to think about now! Kyle is really looking forward to his time with Lauryn. They should have a blast this summer. It's pretty amazing to seem them together. It's also interesting to see how Lauryn is so different with us. Her and I will shop and play with her dolls and kitchen. Kyle and Lauryn will stretch her slinky and shake it, or have a muscle man pose off. We sing, and they jump! It is crazy.
As for me... I found a job! I interviewed with American Express. It's in Markham and about 40 minutes away. They offered me a position on Friday and I am so excited! It seems wonderful. Much like the Toronto Star. They have a benefit plan which starts right away. They have employee RRSP and stock options, they have a gym and great cafeteria with Swiss chalet in the building, and subsidized daycare down the street. I start March 14. Don't know what my hours will be yet, but once they check my background and references, I will receive my formal offer of employment. I am really excited!
We celebrated a year since Lauryn's referral on Feb. 12. I can't believe it's been a year already! Wow! Time sure does go quick. We also got together with some other families that we travelled to China with to celebrate Chinese New Year. It was incredible. So neat to see how all the kids have changed to drastically. We had a great afternoon.
I hear the pitter patter of little feet upstairs. I guess nap time is over! Wonder what she will be wearing by the time I get to her room!
Ohhh, Lauryn!
Hope everyone is doing well.
Love to you all.
Lxo
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I am long overdue for an update here....so here goes!
Actually, there is not really a lot of news from my little corner of the world.
Work: I am missing the long term care nursing and have an interview at a nursing home in Coburg on Thursday evening. I have a passion about long term care nursing that I really don't have for community nursing. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this may be the change and challenge that I need career wise that will take me to retirement....
Personal: I am still loving my living arrangements. My "Nanny Pad" is perfect! It is so nice to spend time with the boys when ever I have the time and they have the desire..lol Declan is such a clever little boy. It is interesting watching him grow, making friends, learning to read, learning and speaking French, being a wonderful big brother and so much more. I look forward to our time together. Alister is funny, cute, and his little personality is developing more and more every day. I love it when he cuddles beside me in my chair, and all the new words that he has learned, his manners are amazing (as are his brother's), and he makes me laugh. When he runs to the door for a hug when I come home it is the most awesome thing. Then there are the times when he will not get off the couch to say hello...lol
I enjoy being close to Angela, although it seems that we really don't get a lot of time together....she is busy busy .... hockey, karate, swimming lessons and just life.... Wade and I have developed a wonderful friendship and it is all working well in my life!
My opinion on the Mother/Daughter weekend: The older I get and the worse my arthritis gets the more I know that I DO NOT want to do another survivor game. I know that nobody wants me on their team and that I will be the first or maybe the second one voted off...therefore, if we are going to do something that is competitive, I feel the playing ground should be fair for all who play...that's my thoughts on that!
Personal/Fun: Went to see a hypnotist with Lorraine, Jim, Barb and Steve last Friday night. It was so much fun....we laughed till our cheeks hurt. Jim got up on the stage and was just hilarious.
I went to London for the weekend with Jim to help Donna and Sierrah move...it was a good weekend. They have a really nice place and I hope that they are happy there. Sarah and Donna decorated Sierrah's room so it would be all ready for her the first time she saw their new home....you should have see her, she was so excited and surprised. They did such a good job, it was a princess room for their little princess and it was awesome. Loved seeing the "London crew" and happy to help! I am looking forward to Donna's visit this coming weekend.
I got a new car...yippee...I love it. Got a 2007 Jeep Compass....black...I am really enjoying it!
Well, enough for now, I promise to try and do better blogging and update more often.
Love to you all..xo
Work: I am missing the long term care nursing and have an interview at a nursing home in Coburg on Thursday evening. I have a passion about long term care nursing that I really don't have for community nursing. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this may be the change and challenge that I need career wise that will take me to retirement....
Personal: I am still loving my living arrangements. My "Nanny Pad" is perfect! It is so nice to spend time with the boys when ever I have the time and they have the desire..lol Declan is such a clever little boy. It is interesting watching him grow, making friends, learning to read, learning and speaking French, being a wonderful big brother and so much more. I look forward to our time together. Alister is funny, cute, and his little personality is developing more and more every day. I love it when he cuddles beside me in my chair, and all the new words that he has learned, his manners are amazing (as are his brother's), and he makes me laugh. When he runs to the door for a hug when I come home it is the most awesome thing. Then there are the times when he will not get off the couch to say hello...lol
I enjoy being close to Angela, although it seems that we really don't get a lot of time together....she is busy busy .... hockey, karate, swimming lessons and just life.... Wade and I have developed a wonderful friendship and it is all working well in my life!
My opinion on the Mother/Daughter weekend: The older I get and the worse my arthritis gets the more I know that I DO NOT want to do another survivor game. I know that nobody wants me on their team and that I will be the first or maybe the second one voted off...therefore, if we are going to do something that is competitive, I feel the playing ground should be fair for all who play...that's my thoughts on that!
Personal/Fun: Went to see a hypnotist with Lorraine, Jim, Barb and Steve last Friday night. It was so much fun....we laughed till our cheeks hurt. Jim got up on the stage and was just hilarious.
I went to London for the weekend with Jim to help Donna and Sierrah move...it was a good weekend. They have a really nice place and I hope that they are happy there. Sarah and Donna decorated Sierrah's room so it would be all ready for her the first time she saw their new home....you should have see her, she was so excited and surprised. They did such a good job, it was a princess room for their little princess and it was awesome. Loved seeing the "London crew" and happy to help! I am looking forward to Donna's visit this coming weekend.
I got a new car...yippee...I love it. Got a 2007 Jeep Compass....black...I am really enjoying it!
Well, enough for now, I promise to try and do better blogging and update more often.
Love to you all..xo
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Hey Everybody!
I know, I know . . . way too long since I gave an update so here goes . . .
I went back to work on Jan 5th & Tim switched to a continential shift the 2nd week of Jan. What this means for us is that Reid only goes to daycare Mon, Tues & Fri one week & Wed, Thur the next week. So it allows Reid to spend more time w/ Mommy & Daddy. It also means that Tim now works every other weekend. He is enjoying all this. He gets to spend more time w/ Reid & he is enjoying his new job. He is on call every day so gets to do a variety of runs/jobs. We found a sitter on Harmony which is the road Mom lives on (5 minute drive from our place, if that). She is inexpensive, we went to high school w/ her & a couple of acquaintances of ours send their kids there too. So being a working Mom has all gone way better than I expected. Don't get me wrong there are things that totally suck . . . like Reid crying when I drop him off & actually clinging to me when I go to hand him over to the sitter . . . but things are good overall. There is not enough hours in the day to do everything & I really miss spending my days w/ him but knowing that he is w/ Tim some of the week helps. Tim has a new iphone (which I regret more & more each day not getting myself one!) & he takes video of his days w/ Reid so I don't miss too much. Last week Reid walked 6 feet to the front window & 6 feet back without us even encouraging him. It was pretty awesome to watch.
So a little more about Reid . . . We turned his car seat around so he now gets to face the front which I think we all like better. He is just about ready for 1 nap a day instead of 2 (I think!). He was given a batman 4 wheeler for xmas & he just gets right up on it & starts driving , although he needs to start steering! He is just about clapping properly. He still enjoys dancing & music. He seems to learn new noises/words every week. We love him to death & he makes us laugh & smile everyday! Last week he had to go back to Sick Kids to f/u on the hernia he had in his groin. The one in the belly button has totally disappeared. They did an ultrasound & he was also examined by the dr. The dr thinks that the one in the groin was never actually a hernia. He thinks it was just his testicle moving up. His one testicle still has a wide range of movement still (which is OK but supports the theory - it will loss this movement over time). So they are booking us another f/u in 6 months but feel there is nothing to worry about. All this is common for premature boys.
My first week back to work I received an email from the guy who hired me @ London Life. The company he is w/ now (Insurance Protection Group) was hiring & he wanted to know if I was interested in what they had to offer . . . HELL YES! They had apparently received 200 applications for the job, only wanted to interview 5 of them & none of the 5 had experience. So I had 2 interviews & they offerred me the job. It was a $5100 raise for me & is an admin role instead of a sales role. So I started on Feb 14th. 1st week has gone well & I think I will be happy there (according to Tim I better be as I will be stuck @ this job forever!).
Mom & Steven got us gift certificates for Xmas so we decided to finally get moving on the trim & baseboard in the livingroom & kitchen. Tim & Steven actually made it themselves from pine. We also bought interior doors/knobs for the kitchen, bedroom & bathrooms. It is a lot of work but I am sure it will be well worth it when it is all done. Lots of staining & painting left to do.
Reid was sick this week. It was the first time we had to figure out what to do as we both had to work. We did not think he should go to the sitter. He was up 2 nights coughing & not sleeping properly. Since it was my 1st week of work we decided Tim would call in sick. Not only did we lose a days pay but we still had to pay the sitter! The up side is he slept in until 9:45am this morning . . . I woke up @ 9:30AM a little freaked as he never sleeps this late. He is napping now (2 hrs so far, again totally not typical!). Hopefully he is all better by next Wed when he is due to go to the sitter again.
So I was thinking the other day about our next McKown family get together. There was talk about doing another Amazing Race. So I have added a poll to see what the majority are interested in. So please take the time to vote so we can get planning this yrs event(s).
Happy belated birthday to Nathan & we hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day.
I will do my best to make blogging more of a priority in 2011! If there is anyone not on the blog who should be or would like to be added please forward me their email & I will add them.
xo
I went back to work on Jan 5th & Tim switched to a continential shift the 2nd week of Jan. What this means for us is that Reid only goes to daycare Mon, Tues & Fri one week & Wed, Thur the next week. So it allows Reid to spend more time w/ Mommy & Daddy. It also means that Tim now works every other weekend. He is enjoying all this. He gets to spend more time w/ Reid & he is enjoying his new job. He is on call every day so gets to do a variety of runs/jobs. We found a sitter on Harmony which is the road Mom lives on (5 minute drive from our place, if that). She is inexpensive, we went to high school w/ her & a couple of acquaintances of ours send their kids there too. So being a working Mom has all gone way better than I expected. Don't get me wrong there are things that totally suck . . . like Reid crying when I drop him off & actually clinging to me when I go to hand him over to the sitter . . . but things are good overall. There is not enough hours in the day to do everything & I really miss spending my days w/ him but knowing that he is w/ Tim some of the week helps. Tim has a new iphone (which I regret more & more each day not getting myself one!) & he takes video of his days w/ Reid so I don't miss too much. Last week Reid walked 6 feet to the front window & 6 feet back without us even encouraging him. It was pretty awesome to watch.
So a little more about Reid . . . We turned his car seat around so he now gets to face the front which I think we all like better. He is just about ready for 1 nap a day instead of 2 (I think!). He was given a batman 4 wheeler for xmas & he just gets right up on it & starts driving , although he needs to start steering! He is just about clapping properly. He still enjoys dancing & music. He seems to learn new noises/words every week. We love him to death & he makes us laugh & smile everyday! Last week he had to go back to Sick Kids to f/u on the hernia he had in his groin. The one in the belly button has totally disappeared. They did an ultrasound & he was also examined by the dr. The dr thinks that the one in the groin was never actually a hernia. He thinks it was just his testicle moving up. His one testicle still has a wide range of movement still (which is OK but supports the theory - it will loss this movement over time). So they are booking us another f/u in 6 months but feel there is nothing to worry about. All this is common for premature boys.
My first week back to work I received an email from the guy who hired me @ London Life. The company he is w/ now (Insurance Protection Group) was hiring & he wanted to know if I was interested in what they had to offer . . . HELL YES! They had apparently received 200 applications for the job, only wanted to interview 5 of them & none of the 5 had experience. So I had 2 interviews & they offerred me the job. It was a $5100 raise for me & is an admin role instead of a sales role. So I started on Feb 14th. 1st week has gone well & I think I will be happy there (according to Tim I better be as I will be stuck @ this job forever!).
Mom & Steven got us gift certificates for Xmas so we decided to finally get moving on the trim & baseboard in the livingroom & kitchen. Tim & Steven actually made it themselves from pine. We also bought interior doors/knobs for the kitchen, bedroom & bathrooms. It is a lot of work but I am sure it will be well worth it when it is all done. Lots of staining & painting left to do.
Reid was sick this week. It was the first time we had to figure out what to do as we both had to work. We did not think he should go to the sitter. He was up 2 nights coughing & not sleeping properly. Since it was my 1st week of work we decided Tim would call in sick. Not only did we lose a days pay but we still had to pay the sitter! The up side is he slept in until 9:45am this morning . . . I woke up @ 9:30AM a little freaked as he never sleeps this late. He is napping now (2 hrs so far, again totally not typical!). Hopefully he is all better by next Wed when he is due to go to the sitter again.
So I was thinking the other day about our next McKown family get together. There was talk about doing another Amazing Race. So I have added a poll to see what the majority are interested in. So please take the time to vote so we can get planning this yrs event(s).
Happy belated birthday to Nathan & we hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day.
I will do my best to make blogging more of a priority in 2011! If there is anyone not on the blog who should be or would like to be added please forward me their email & I will add them.
xo
Friday, February 11, 2011
Happy #2 to you dear Alister!
Happy Birthday Alister! Hope you have a great day!
What a big boy, you're 2!
Thank you for the video message!
Glad you got your card!
Lots of love,
Uncle Kyle, Auntie Lisa and Lauryn xo
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Wellll
So it is now February and there is nothing new in anyones life?? What is up with that..lol..I will let you all know what is happening in London town!Thanks to Aunt Norma and Uncle Jim for coming London way to help with out move..It is so much appreciated and it was so nice to see you both..Sierrah and I have moved to our new home. It is awesome..we actually have room for visitors!! So come on down..lol..once i get a car then we will be that way for a couple of days. Sierrah starts gymnastics on Thursday so that is very exciting. I have to go on Thursday to register her into jk..WTF where did that time go?? but I am very glad it is here cause this daycare thing is a bit much!! Jesus I don't know how I ever did it with 2!!!
Jackie is doing pretty much the same..trying to get into a rehab/detox. depends when you talk to her as to which she is going to seek out! Sarah is fine..I know mom was right when she said that she was an Angel..cause truthfully she is..I am not sure I could do any of this without her!
She needs a new job though..lol...her job sucks!! lol
So there you have it in a nut shell..We shall keep you all posted as to the happenings of Life in London Town..lol..
282 High Street Apt#2 London N6C 4L4
226-663-3637 yes that is a new phone..it is called a landline!! lol
Our love to you all
xoxo
Donna & Sierrah
Jackie is doing pretty much the same..trying to get into a rehab/detox. depends when you talk to her as to which she is going to seek out! Sarah is fine..I know mom was right when she said that she was an Angel..cause truthfully she is..I am not sure I could do any of this without her!
She needs a new job though..lol...her job sucks!! lol
So there you have it in a nut shell..We shall keep you all posted as to the happenings of Life in London Town..lol..
282 High Street Apt#2 London N6C 4L4
226-663-3637 yes that is a new phone..it is called a landline!! lol
Our love to you all
xoxo
Donna & Sierrah
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