Tour de Nerdfighting

IS COMING TO VANCOUVER!!! I want to jump up and down...but they'll be here January 31. I'm a little hesitant to purchase tickets because I could be having a baby that day. Or around there. Is it worth the risk??? It's John and Hank Green!! I want it to be worth it so so bad. No matter what happens, if I don't get to go, tickets or not, I'll be sad. :(

check out their tour info here : http://dft.ba/-tourdenerdfighting2012

and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXTGGT2AFtw

I start insulin today. Yikes. I can honestly say I'm nervous. It seems pretty simple and completely straight forward. But I'm still scared. I only have to take it at night, which is good. But I still have to be uber strict with my diet and test my blood 4 times a day. Such a pain. At least I'm starting to be able to see that little light at the end of the tunnel. January 19th I am 37 weeks, or in other words baby will be cooked. Sometime between then and Feb 9th (our due date for 40 weeks) we'll have a baby, and I'll be ordering off the sugar educed coma menu.


insulin pen - mine's red.


insulin needle. They're super tiny. So THEY say. Let's hope so.


This is what my blood glucose meter looks like. It's tiny, fits right in my palm, or purse ;)

I'm really hoping that this will help and make the difference I need to get this thing under control. It's completely getting in the way of my life! I'm so cranky and moody and tired all the time. And for any of you who know my children, especially David, you have to know that at this point we two are not getting along. We're literally butting heads constantly. I just want to feel normal again so I can be better for him. Hannah is of course helpful and easy as always. I feel a little better with her now able to really pitch in (ie put dirty clothes in the hamper, dishes on the counter, take apples from the fridge). But I just want to feel like myself again so David and I can stop fighting. It breaks my heart that at the end of the day I know I've spent so much more time arguing with him than I have anything else. He's a sweet boy, I just need myself back so I can have the patience to handle the rest of it.

Happy Birthday Jamie Bear!!!

It's my wonderful husbands 25th birthday today. Happy birthday old man! He's now a quarter of a century old, gray hairs and all.

To celebrate today we had cupcakes and candy and now he's off to lunch with some friends.

Happy birthday sweet heart. We love you!!!!!

Park Date :)

We have James this morning, woohooo!!!! So we're off to a park date. Will tell ya all about it later :) You can bet I'm excited.

Family Photos

A few weeks ago we were able to get family photos taken. A friend of ours, who sadly moved away last year, happens to be a photographer and on a visit home was able to squeeze us into her schedule. We bribed the kids with toys, and I think they did OK. Shannon did a great job!! She always does. We were so disappointed when she moved away last year, and so completely delighted that she was able to do this for us. The best part is, we look like a family!! Thanks Shannon!

These are some of my favorites:



I LOVE the cheesy grins!! I laugh every time I look at this one.




James looks so cute in this one

Saturdays

I can hardly wait to have my Saturdays back. And by that I mean, having my hubby home with us for at least a guaranteed portion of a Saturday. We always make plans and then his other family (known better by all as "the store") takes all of his time. I'd so love to have a guaranteed day with him.

As for now, we are bundling up and heading out to the park.



It's wet and cold and miserable, but these crazy goons are way to wired to stay inside another moment. So off we go.

Holiday Traditions

In our family, every year as tradition, we give each child a Christmas ornament. Something unique. Something special. Something just for them. We have done this since I was a child. It helps to grow the Christmas decorations for the tree, and also, when our kiddos are all grown up and ready to have their own Christmas tree, they will have a bundle of beautiful, memory filled ornaments to put up. That was the best part of my first Christmas in my own apartment. It was especially special that first Christmas with James. And of course, every year since.

This year we already have the kids decorations safely tucked away. But I found these from The Vintage Pearl.



http://www.thevintagepearl.com/products/VintageSnowflakeOrnament_p306

and Oooooohhhhhhhh I want I want I want SOOOOOOOOOoooooOOOO bad!!!!!!!!!!

Couldn't you just see them, David James 2011 and Hannah Joy 2011. I think they'd be gorgeous. It could even be used as baby's first Christmas with their name and year. Come on James, you know you want it too ;)

Pinterest Curls

So all of you have been having these crazy conversations about the things you've seen on Pinterest. And all along I just sit there and smile and nod thinking, What the Hippie is Pinterest. So I finally checked it out. It is SO cool. You can tell by the amount I've blogged in the past 24 hours that it's a great time waster and keeps me sitting here, my time not well occupied for good lengths of time.

Anyway! I found this : http://pinterest.com/pin/36099234482750352/

So I stole a sock of Jamie's from the miss matched sock bag (shhh!) lol And I'm about to give it a shot.

Fingers crossed, I'll let you know how I do!

*************************************************************************************

Here is the finished product. Not bad for a first time try. I'd like to point out my hair hasn't looked this good by the time James comes home in...ah ever. He didn't even notice. lol such a guy.

I dream of...doughnuts

I'm not even kidding. I actually had a dream that I was pigging out on doughnuts.



I can't say I'm surprised. This week so far has been pretty rough. My blood sugar hasn't been as low as it should be, so my diet has been even more strict this week. If I can't get my numbers down by the time I'm in next at the clinic, then I may have to go on insulin.



You can bet that as soon as this is all over I will be begging for something sweet...cookies, doughnuts, anything. It's not that I pig out all the time either. I think it's been at least 6 months if not a year since I had a doughnut. It's that now, I can't have one.



This is the part where I need to stop whining, pull up my big girl panties, and get on with it. Ok.

baby in the basket

I love it when my children play nicely together. It doesn't always happen, but when it does, it feels almost like magic.



Of course the biggest talk in the house these days is about babies. So today, David dubbed Hannah the baby and put her in the doll carriage. Now he's trying to convince her to get back in.



I love the sound of their laughter. I love their smiles. And mostly, I love the spirit that comes when they are being kind to each other.



Lately it's been a bit of a struggle with David. Just saying that makes me laugh. Every day is a struggle with David. Some days it feels to me like if he just tried a little harder everything would go a little smoother. If he would try harder to be nice to Hannah, try harder to listen...But the I realized, that it's not him who has to try harder, it's me. He, if you could believe this, has more penitence than I do. My biggest struggle and lesson in my life is to learn patience. My patriarchal blessing even mentions my eagerness before I came here. This boy is my big test, my lesson, my teacher. I can only hope that I can somehow find the patience to do the best he deserves. Because he really is amazing and wonderful. It can just be hard to remember that when he's climbing on the ceiling.

*************************************************************************************

If you haven't heard of this lady I strongly suggest you check her out. http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com Stephanie Nielson. She is absolutely one of my favorite people ever. She is unbelievably inspirational. She makes me want to be better, and do better. You can also see an interview with her here : http://web.gbtv.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=20005797

Couped up!

I am not a fan of winter. We end up staying inside all day. We're bored, stir crazy and cranky. If anyone out there has any ideas at all of where me and the kiddos can go on these cold, dark, rainy days, I'd love to hear them.

Swimming is on the list.
Park for nice days.

And that's where it stops. lol we need some suggestions...DESPERATELY!

The List

Well It's been nearly two weeks since I've been monitoring my blood sugar and upped my iron. All I can say is I must be feeling better. I woke up today and all the things that were put on the back burner were glaring at me! My "To Do" list is LONG! But all I can think is it must be a good sign. Thanks to James for offering to help me with some of the harder stuff...like cleaning behind the washing machine. I just can't get back there at the moment lol.

In case you want to know..

LOL Apparently, so I've been told, I don't blog enough. I guess that goes without saying. I'm just never on here.

So What's new with the Greenwoods?

1. I am almost 27 weeks pregnant. I feel more like 30. My belly isn't super big, but it feels heavy. Amy, my super awesome midwife, says that everything happens like that by the time you're on #3, bigger, faster, heavier, stretchier. Btw she rocks.
2. I have gestational diabetes. It's not as gruesome as it sounds, but it's still pretty rough. I have to test my blood 4 times a day, and I'm on a strict diet. No more cake for me. Now that my blood sugar will be more regulated I'm supposed to start feeling better. If only I could magically get my iron levels up. There's just ALWAYS something!
3. We are having a little girl!!! (for those that didn't get the memo) Yay!
4. We are most defiantly stumped on baby names. So far, we like Ava. But it's just so dang popular!
5. We put up our Christmas tree, with star and Hannah's purse, but otherwise bare. I refuse to give up our Dec 1 tradition of tree trimming.
6. Our Christmas lights are up outside. James put them up, complete with my new gorgeous wreath this week. But he doesn't want to actually fire them up until December. He just wanted to beat the cold. When you all are out there stringing lights in December, with frost and ice and snow, we'll be laughing from inside.
7. We busted out the Christmas tunes on Sunday. It's nice to have Frankie and Bing back in our house. Missed ya fellas.
8. David started swimming lessons again. After 2 months sans pool, I was worried he would've forgotten what he learned, or be behind a bit. His teacher was astounded at how well he did. She said "you must've been practicing lots because he's improved so much!". Nope, Dave's just officially made of awesome sauce.
9. James helped me juggle the kiddos today between swimming lessons and my midwife apt. He took one and I took one, did I mention it was while he worked. It was so nice for me, and the kids LOVED it. I came in to find Hannah making kissy faces at Shrek while colouring a picture. David yelled at me that I wasn't supposed to pick him up because he was staying at work with Daddy FOREVER!
10. James started a paper route this week for David. And by that I mean David is doing the paper route, and James is going with him. We decided that since he's up before dawn anyway he might as well put that time and energy to good use. Thanks to Daddy for all his help on that one.
11. We were able to squeeze family photos in with our favorite family photographer, Shannon. We were so sad when she moved away last year, and we are just so greatfull that she could fit us in on her vacation. She always delivers exactly what we want, and the photos look amazing. A-MAZING. Thank you Shannon!




Every year we go downtown and watch the veterans and our beloved military march. We are so greatful for them, for our freedom, and for their service, I feel it's the least we can do to show our support. I do realize that it is a day off, and most people would prefer to do something fun and exciting instead of standing in the cold for a couple of hours. But remembrance day is a day to do more, it's a day to remember. I know that without the service and sacrifice of so many people, my life would not be what it is today. I am greatful for my country, for being born in a place where I have clean water, a strong home, access to cars and television and the grocery store. But most of all, I am greatful to be free. Free to speak, live, act, pray and do what I want. And on remembrance day, I feel that I owe it to the people who have given that to me.


We will be down at the inner harbor across from the Empress for anyone who wants to come. What are you all doing for Remembrance day? Hope to see ya there!

Happy Birthday Hannah

Can't believe my baby is 3. She's huge. And awesome. There are so many words to sum up this girl : Stubborn, willful, spirited, sassy, feisty, spunky, quirky, beautiful, smart, kind, generous, loving, capable, determined, adventurous, brave, and so much more. I love this girl! I am so blessed to have her.

Scoot that!

David anounced today that he wanted to go on an adventure. He determindly decided that we needed to pack our "packpacks" and head for the jungle. So we took them to the park :) haha


Dave and Hannah

Mr Greenwood helped me take the kiddos scooting today.


Miss La

We headed up to the park and they scooted around the cement on the play ground, and then we headed over to the skate park.


The Derves

Dave was trying to do jumps, and was climbing all over the rails. He was actually pretty good! Considering it was his first time, and he's 4 :)


His mad skills

Mr Greenwood helped him make the jumps, but he was able to do all of the ramps on his own.

This was right up his alley, Dave just loved it! And Hanny had fun too.


more photos here : copy and paste the link
https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=620965&id=772160580&l=b8936be171

Well then...

Well it's been a while since I've been on here. It's been a crazy couple of months for us here. For those of you who haven't heard I broke my foot. Crazy fluke accident, one of those hazardous mothering moments where I wasn't paying attention when I should've been. It's been a struggle the past few weeks especially. But things are starting to get better. I'm greatful for Mr. Greenwood, my wonderful husband who has been so suportive and helpful. And for David. My 4 year old who is now so big. And to all those others who helped with meals, and kind words, and ooy gooey brownies :)



James took the kids swimming...I watched. More photos here : https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=617734&id=772160580&l=27db842500