Mama's Day

So it's been a while, I know. Since it's Mother's Day, I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of things I've learned along the way on this crazy, busy life as a mom. Here we go...

1. Make time for yourself. Don't feel bad about sitting around for an hour and vegging out. Parents deserve a break too! An exhausted, over worked and grumpy mom will usually result in a grumpy kids! I know that Lucas can sense my frustration sometimes and just feeds off it. Then he gets frustrated, angry and at that point there is no reasoning with him.


2. People need to mind their own g**damn business. When people ask me how old Lucas is and comment on how small he is, it makes me really angry. He's Filipino and Italian for gods sake, we are small people! I worry about him being the small kid in his class and I don't need strangers commenting on stuff like that. He's the perfect little package in my opinion :)


3. Don't be too controlling and overbearing when dad is trying to help. I mean, so what if it's super windy, kind of raining, and cold outside and dad takes the kids to the zoo without a hat or any warm clothes? Or if dad teaches some not so nice words in Italian to your now 3 year old? Point is, I'm lucky to have a husband who is totally involved in every way and I've learned to (try to) bite my tongue amd let Dantakeover (sometimes). If the kids are safe and healthy, sometimes it's okay to let go and let dad be in charge.


4. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to be the same size you were before you had kids. I'm nowhere near where I want to physically. But I could never look at my kids and blame them for the weight I've gained. It's not my fault steak is so delicious. All I can do is work at it and someday I'll be happy with all that physical stuff. Stay positive, right? Brings me to my next point....


5. While it might be hard to do sometimes, I've learned to try and be positive about myself. How can you ever expect your kids to be happy with themselves if you give off a negative attitude about yourself? It's upsetting to think about Nathan or Lucas ever thinking they aren't good enough. So, take those compliments even if you really don't agree! I know, this is all very Oprah-ish, but give it a chance!


6. Sometimes you have to rely on The Backyardigans to be your saviour for half an hour (okay, sometimes an hour- somebody's got to clean the bathroom!). I'm totally against using the t.v. to babysit your kids, but sometimes you need to shower. Or brush your teeth. Throw laundry on. You know, everyday necessities like that.


7. Don't compare your kids' development to others. It will make you feel like a bad parent. Lucas is a pretty smart kid- he knows his ABC's by sight, he can count to 20 and knows almost all shapes including diamond, and semi-circle (I'm allowed to brag a tiny bit, aren't I?), but you don't see me asking you if your kid can do the same thing. I'm impressed with his eagerness to learn things everyday, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Nathan will be the same way!


8. You WILL NOT have time to do everything you want to do. Just face it. I started this post on MOTHER'S DAY and now it's June 7th! Dan was on parental leave for months and at the beginning, I had a list of stuff I wanted to do before he went back. He went back TODAY (I can't believe it!) and that list is not even half done. Who cares. We had an awesome parental leave together. All that extra stuff can wait. Also, today is NOT Mother's Day, like I said at the beginning of this post- that was over a week ago, but there's just not enough time to finish what I start half the time!


9. Be adament about getting your kids to try EVERYTHING. Dan and I always said we WILL NOT raise a picky eater!! Our rule is to try everything at least once and with Lucas, it has worked so far and he pretty much will eat anything, or at least try it.


10. Make time for not only your kids, but your partner too. You will regret it 20 years later when your kids are out of the house and you haven't enjoyed each other. I truly believe a good family starts with a healthy relationship between parents. Don't forget that you made these amazing kids with this person and there needs to be communication if you want to have a healthy relationship. I know, very Oprah again, but it's true! I would say Dan and I make a great team and I'm so grateful for that.


Anyway, there are so many things I've learned along the way and now that Dan is back at work, I'm sure I will learn so much more! I have been so spoiled having the extra help at home and I know so many moms are jealous, but I'm very thankful and understand that we are very lucky! **I'm now continuing on with this post for the millionth time and Dan has actually been back to work for almost 3 weeks now...see- I barely can finish what I start!**

So, what else is new with the Spandoza's?? Well...

Lucas turned 3 on May 17... I can't believe it!! He has just become this little character- a hilarious human being and really, what can I expect having kids with Dan Spanu? That guy is hilarious! Sometimes goes too far, but pretty funny nontheless.

Nathan is almost 10 months now and gets cuter and more animated everyday. He adores Lucas and pretty much laughs at anything he does. He's got two teeth coming in, is crawling like crazy and eats adult size portions, so he is growing like a weed! It's funny going through all this stuff the second time around- the initial eating of solids, the first teeth, crawling... you forget how big of a deal all of it is! While juggling a toddler, I have to remember to celebrate these milestones too!

I'm not going to bore you by telling you what the kids at for breakfast, lunch and dinner or about latest trip to the grocery store. What I will say is that we are all doing very well. We are happy, healthy and enjoying life! After being spoiled and having an extra hand for 9 months, here we are- the three of us and boy, it's a challenge, but I'm honestly having the time of my life :)

Christmas countdown...

Well it's almost Christmas and I'm starting to get a little bummed out because we are not going to Winnipeg this year for the holidays.  Sadly that's the reality of living in different cities as your family. Dan says we should drive but I get a little stressed just thinking about it! Two kids in a car for 15+ hours in winter?? Doesn't sound like the best idea. Flying around the holidays also sounds scary and expensive!

I am sitting at the Grey Nuns hospital craft show right now selling some paintings and the past few weekends I've also done some other shows.  It's been pretty successful which has been great! I also had a mom ask me if I could teach her daughter and friends to paint which sounds like a lot of fun. The more shows I do the more comfortable I am with sharing my work. I've also started using a bit of mixed media which has added a bit more variety and depth to each painting. More than anything, I'm just having fun doing it. Plus Dan is ridiculously supportive and willing to take care of both boys when I'm doing these shows. I'll be sure to post some pics of some latest paintings when I get the chance.

The boys continue to grow like weeds and I'm enjoying being a mom more and more everyday. Having Dan on parental leave has just been amazing. We make a good team and its nice to have such capable husband who can take care of both kids really well.

Lucas is a little rascal sometimes but he's still a pretty good kid and helpful with Nathan. He's also talking a ton which is cute but sometimes drives me a little crazy,not gonna lie! Like when we are in the car..."momma what's this song?" Or "momma look at the plane, the plane momma the plane!" Super cute but pretty distracting sometimes!

Nathan has been sleeping really well so we feel very lucky! He's still has the odd bad night but overall he is sleeping through the night. He's already getting such a personality and is so cute that even if I have to feed him at 5am it's a pleasure to see him. He's a pretty happy baby and is not really fussy. Yes, I'm very lucky!!

November flew by because I spent the majority of my days painting and just having fun with the kids. And with Dan on parental leave let's face it, everyday is Saturday :)

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October...

This month has been crazy busy but wonderful! Nathan has been growing like a weed and is now at 11lbs 5 oz!! I can't believe he was only 6lbs 5oz when he was born. He is smiling a ton and is becoming more and more aware of what is around him.

Lucas continues to be a little character. It's amazing how much he is talking. I guess he overheard Dan and I saying that something was 9 bucks so now whenever we come back from the store he says "only 9 bucks mommy!" He has also been adding "like" into his conversations.... uh oh, I better work on this with him! Anyway he is hilarious, just like his dad. What is even more hilarious is watching them during swimming lessons- whore everyone is following the instructor and moving their kids gently on their backs, Dan has a kids lifesaver around his neck while throwing Lucas in the air as he laughs uncontrollably.

A really sad incident happened two days ago. The neighbor directly across the street from us had their house burn down. We literally watched it burn to the ground. It was terrifying. As the fire got bigger and bigger we started to really get nervous, grabbed both kids and headed out the door. I just can't imagine what the family is going through right now. I'm not a religious person and I'm not even sure if I believe in god but I have been feeling the urge to pray for this poor family. I think I might. They have a year old baby and a seven year old boy. We dropped off a couple bags of clothes for the baby. I just can't wrap my head around it all. To lose everything you own so quickly in a matter of minutes, is just unimaginable. Thank goodness the family made it out safe. Really that is all that matters. I feel so lucky right now.

Well November is around the corner and we are so excited about Halloween!!! I hope you are all well...

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Nathan Alexander Spanu: born August 16th @ 10:04pm, 6.5lbs

A lot of you have been wondering about the past week and how everything unfolded after my last post. Well, here it is...

~We were officially called into the OR at about 9:30pm (after waiting in the case room since 11:30am!) and walked down to get ready for the C-section. What an experience that was. SO different from having natural labour. I had three different needles put into my spine and by the third I could no longer move. The surgery was going fine and I was doing my best to stay calm and all of a sudden I hear my obstetrician say, "Now the three of you have to get the butt out!" It felt like someone was jumping up and down on my chest and I couldn't catch my breath. I started to panic and cry, but thankfully Dan was there to calm me down. Then the next thing I know I hear that newborn cry- it had been so long since I heard that cry! Nathan came out at 10:04pm, weighing in at 6.5lbs. So of course, Dan and I are crying, the baby is being weighed, Dan is cutting the last part of the umbilical cord... a lot happens within that 20 min span! The hardest part is AFTER the baby comes out. The recovery part. The not being able to get up easily part. The regret of having too many cheeseburgers and trips to the Cheesecake Cafe part. The whoa I've got a lot of working out to do part... Ah, my favourite part ;) I can't complain though- look what I get: a healthy beautiful baby boy to add to my bunch!



~I quickly got to meet "Boy Mendoza" and he was shortly sent off to the ICN, where he was hooked up to machines to help him breathe. He also had to be tube fed and had an IV put in... needless to say, it was all awful to see. I couldn't actually go down and see him so Dan took pictures and reported back to me while I was in recovery. After two days in the ICN (now) Nathan was finally allowed to come into the room with me and we were sent home the next day. He was breathing on his own and was finally keeping milk down. He was doing great!

~We were sent home late Friday afternoon and that was it- our family was complete! Lucas met Nathan in the hospital and fell in love with him instantly. Every morning he comes out of his room and yells out "Brother, where are you?!" Then we have to (lovingly of course ha ha) shush him and tell him that he is sleeping. All he wants to do is kiss and hug him. He always says, "I hold it" (even though Dan keeps telling him that "it" is in fact a "him/he/brother" ha ha) and he puts his hands out and waits to hold him. And Lucas just stares at Nathan- he looks at him in such a protective way- when Nathan cries Lucas gets so worried and says, "No no, it's okay" and starts to look like he's going to cry himself. So sweet.



~I have to say though, that I do have the best husband in the world. Dan is on parental leave for 9 months and we make a good team. I couldn't have asked for a better dad for my kids. Dan has been so supportive, patient and helpful in every way. It has made this recovery from this C-section so much easier. I love hearing Dan and Lucas getting ready for breakfast together, while I'm upstairs with Nathan. They have such funny conversation and just play- it seems so simple, but Dan has perfected the art of play. Lucas adores his dad. Sorry about all this cheezy talk- not sure if it's the hormones speaking, but I just feel really lucky.

~Recovery for me has been okay. It's amazing how you forget how much you need your stomach muscles to do so many things like laughing, coughing, getting up from the couch! SO painful. Especially when Dan makes me laugh and I have to tell him to be serious, which is very hard for him :)



~So here we are, the Spandoza's at home together for the next 9 months! What an adventure I'm sure that will be!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

This morning I went for my fifth ultrasound and they found that I was running low on amniotic fluid so I had to call my doctor to see what this could mean. I ended up going straight to the Grey Nuns hospital where my obstetrician just happened to be delivering. Next thing I knew she was in the room and enthusiastically said, "C section.... you're having this baby....today!" Oh my. Not what I was expecting. But the baby is healthy and so am I. I had a feeling last night that something big was going to happen....

So here I am sitting at the hospital by myself waiting for Dan to come back with all the necessities. I will be here to recover for at least 72 hours they say so I had quite the list for Dan to follow!

This pregnancy has been quite eventful and honestly, if the baby is healthy I'm glad I get to meet him sooner! Last night as I waddled down the stairs I said to Dan- I don't think I can take it anymore! The weight on my feet, the swollen tingly hands, the sore back, bad skin, bleeding gums, sausage like toes and fingers... it has been rough physically to say the least.

I feel good. Restless and bored, but good. They went through the procedure and I thought I'd be scared but I know I'm in good hands! Dan is going to spend the night while Baba takes care of Lucas. Oh Lucas, what a reality check it will be for the little guy! For the past month or so I've been telling him that his baby brother is coming to our house soon and he seems to understand but I can imagine how weird it will be for him to have this little person come and steal the spotlight.

Well it's almost 3:30pm and the c section is scheduled for around 5 o clock!! I'll be sure to post pics and details ASAP! Good thing Dan finally took preggo pics of me last night!

UPDATE!

Whoa, it's been a long time so I thought I would post an update about summer so far...

~Art Walk was fantastic! The first day was slow and the weather was crappy, but I had my friend Kristen with me the whole day so it made it a bit easier to get through. My friends kept me company all weekend and fed me "healthy" treats (thanks for the mini donuts, Katie!). By the end of the weekend, I sold 10 of my paintings!!! Hey, my goal was to sell one, so I was pretty ecstatic. I met some really great artists who had amazing work. I think I'm going to do it again next year :) Dan basically took care of Lucas all weekend because each day I had to be there from 10-5 so I hardly got to see my peanut, which was the crappy part.

~AH, to be pregnant... days are getting harder and harder. Initially, we took Lucas out of daycare in June, but it was getting a bit stressful on me physically with just the two of us during the day so the daycare director so graciously found a place for Lucas. He is back for 3 weeks and his last day (again) will be on August 12. Then again, it's just the two of us! I love having him with me at home, but it's difficult to carry him up the stairs and chase around after him. Wish me luck!

~Last Thursday I thought I was going into labour. YUP. I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks off and on, but nothing too painful. But then all of a sudden they had become stronger and stronger- unbearable They were really close together and I could barely take it anymore. I started having flashbacks about my labour with Lucas, where I was telling myself: THERE'S NO FRIGGIN WAY I'M GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN!!! Okay, so I changed my mind and wanted another one... Anyway, I called my obstetrician and she told me to go to the hospital in case I was actually going into labour. After hours of being in the hospital and a ton of VERY uncomfortable tests done, they concluded that I should not be going into labour for another 2 weeks at least. How they can tell this, I don't know. One of the tests anyway.

So here I am, over 5 weeks to go. I'm almost ready. Sometimes I think- what have I done?! The days when I can barely walk because my feet are so swollen, when my back is aching, when I am waddling about, when the Braxton Hicks make me nauseous... but I know it will be worth it in the end. I can't wait to meet this little bugger that has been doing a circus act in my tummy :)

28 weeks

So I'm about 28 weeks and 2 days into this pregnancy and boy does it ever feel longer than that! I am feeling more exhausted by the day but most of all I-I-I.... I just want an ice cold beer. Ah, a Sleemans Cream Ale, an ice cold Moosehead- a Corona with a lime. I can only dream. At the beginning it was easy- I didn't want it at all. But now that it's beautiful outside and patios are open everywhere- it's just torture looking at cold beer in the fridge. Anyway I'm obviously fine- these are petty cravings of course, but man you don't realize how bad you want something until it's totally out of your reach. I refuse to even have a sip. Just seems like a mean tease. Whoa what a whiner!

Anyway I promise to get some pics up soon as everyone is wondering how huge I am ha ha!

As usual things are busy in the Spandoza house but good. We have a bunch of visitors coming which is really exciting!
Dan is still busy plugging away at the basement but we are so close we can taste it! I helped with some mudding and taping tonight but got pooped pretty quick!

Lucas' last day at daycare is quickly approaching and we are all sad about it. There is such a great team of people who have taken care of him, it's going to be hard to take him out! I'm looking forward to having Lucas at home with me but am a bit nervous seeing as I can barely put my own socks on much less chase around a toddler! It will be good though, ill just have to be creative and take lots of naps of course. He is talking so much, counting snd practicing his ABC's.... this is all happening too fast! Now I know why my mom called me her baby up until the age of 25- okay, she still calls me her baby and now I understand why :)