" I Sad"

We've been preparing Dylan for Grannie's trip back home.  He has been saying "I sad".  Sweet little muffin really is sad.  I dressed him up in a suit I just had hanging around (don't ask) and took a few photos last night.

He didn't say bye to Grannie today- Just said "see soon"

 HAHAHAHA-- why am I wearing this suit?????

Happy Day!!!!

Dylan is SOO proud of himself !!!!  

For the first time

E.V.E.R

He peed in the potty !

We did the happy dance

We yelled, we screamed

We phoned Daddy

We phoned Grandma (as his potty book suggested)

He couldn't be prouder of himself.

Yes yes, ewww gross,what a weirdo... I know I know.

But he's my only baby.

And I'm proud.

And at least it's not his first poop like Kate Gosselin took photos of for her sextuplets.

Ahhhh the sound of victory.

A flush.

haha

Look how proud he is !!!!

Now let's see if we can keep this going !!

childhood

Maybe i'm hanging around pintrest too much lately, because i have a renewed interest in saying and poems and words of inspiration.  I stumbled upon this poem, which made me think of all the times I've shortchanged Dylan my time or attention, and how I should think twice about little boy requests.  Even when the little boy requests are annoying, repetitive or inconvenient.  This poem makes me think of how those type of dismissals affect a small person, and how they "live" inside their self esteem for a lifetime, and how I'll miss (and already do) those times, those requests, and the little voice as he grows up and changes.

{and since we've been doing respite foster care, makes me sad for kids that never get attention}

                              Childhood Doesn't Wait

                                                                                                                                   (Author Unknown)

                                                                               
I was sitting on a bench
while in a nearby mall,
When I noticed a mother
with two children who were small.

The youngest one was whining,
“Pick me up,” I heard him beg
but the mother’s face grew angry
as the child clung to her leg.

“Don’t hang on to me,” she shouted
as she pushed his hands away,
I wish I’d had the courage
to go up to her and say…

“The time will come too quickly
when those little arms that tug,
Won’t ask for you to hold them
or won’t freely give a hug.

“The day will sneak up subtly
just as it did with me,
When you can’t recall the last time
that your child sat on your knee.

“Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings
when we cherished time alone
Our babies grow and leave behind
those special times we’ve known.

“So when your child comes to you
with a book that you can share,
Or asks that you would tuck him in
and help him say his prayer…

“When he comes to sit and chat
or would like to take a walk,
Before you answer that you can’t
`cause there’s no time to talk”
Remember what all parents learn
so many times too late,
That years go by too quickly
and that childhood doesn’t wait.

“Take every opportunity,
if one should slip away
Reach hard to get it back again,
don’t wait another day.”
I watched that mother walk away
her children followed near,
I hope she’ll pick them up
before her chances disappear.

                                                                                                 

Spontaneous is my middle name lately.

One night last week I decided last minute to plan an evening of a picnic, waterpark, playground, and music in the park.  When Mat called to say he was leaving work, I told him to meet us downtown- and didn`t say why.

It was a fun night.

With it being the long weekend, we decided to be spontaneous again and Sunday we picked up some pizza, and drove out to Paul Lake for a picnic and beach fun.

Unfortunately Dylan hasn`t been sleeping well and was really tired.

While in Calgary, our nephew's 6th birthday was held at the Cranston community waterpark.

Great facility, but you have to be part of the community association to use it- which kinda sucks.

Because the party was there, they let those of us who don't posses the golden key in too.

(even the riff-raff get in sometimes)

haha.

Dylan LOVED it.

It's a great area for kids.

Dylan adores water... he has no fear....

water directly in the face results in....

LAUGHING !

They had a really cool pinata !

Dylan thought it was pretty neat... although at first I don't think he believed us that he could use a hockey stick to wack it.

Normally wacking things with a hockey stick is a big NO

and results in him getting in trouble.

Yummy birthday cupcakes....

And some rest with Daddy after lots of fun, food and water adventures.

Probably the best/most fun birthday party we've been to.

** special note**

You might be thinking, wow- Tracy is really self absorbed and fixated on her son- where are the pics of the birthday boy and of the other kids??

Well yes, I am fixated on Dylan- thanks for pointing that out...haha

BUT

there are no pics of others for two reasons:

1) others have declined permission to allow me to share photos which I respect

2) I didn't ask others if I could use their pics, so I will not post them without permission.

Tracy

xoxox

The little man started soccer right before our holiday started.  He hadn't been feeling well, and so he was a bit off.  It also didn't help that another child shouted at him- got right in his face and yelled when Dylan went near the net.

Other child's "wonderful attentive" father was busy on his cell phone- too busy or too oblivious to address the issue.

Thanks dad of the year, appreciate that.

I did hear him later explaining on his phone that his son was acting like a typical only child, not listening, being egocentric and rude.  I take offense to that- Dyl is an only child- and that other child's behaviour is a function of his upbringing- NOT his status as a single child.  Anyway...it was really neat to see Dylan participate.

 I did decide however that Dyl will NOT be attending play school in September.  I had been tossing it around, but have decided that I'm not ready to send him anywhere without me.  He's still a little guy.  He's just 2 1/2.

I did also learn that as much as I love seeing him participate in activities- I have a major issue letting the control of the situation go. I want to make sure he's protected.  I want to make sure people speak to him in a way that I approve of.

I want to be there to address any issues right away.

Now I know what you're thinking... over protective mother.

Maybe.

BUT, I'm also a social worker with lots of kid experience and know what big bad things can come his way, AND know the life long potential ramifications of them.

It will get easier once he's older.

I'll be able to let go a bit.

But not just yet.

For now he still needs us.

But this half of the "us" won't be able to be there.

Mat and Dylan will be going to soccer without me.

I'll be working Wednesday nights, so they are on their own, which is fine.  No worries there.

But I can't see everything that's happening.

And for a mommy who is rarely not with her boy, that's hard.

But I'm also really proud of my little big man.

He's a sweet sweet boy who is turning into a wonderful little guy.

We celebrated Dylan's half birthday without a lot of fan fair this year.  It's been a tradition in our house to celebrate half birthdays for Dyl since he's born just after Christmas   

Everyone knows Dylan L O V E S  sushi.

So this year I made candy sushi, and it was a hit.

We took it over to a friend's house and had a lovely dinner.

Followed by naked sprinkler running.

By the two year olds.

They ran in the sprinkler in all their glory... fell in the sand/dirt, and then climbed up the climber and slid down the slide- all in the buff.

It was so cute, so fun, and just really a good example of creating good childhood memories.

The mom of the other nuddie said the same thing.  

Good childhood memories.

The dirt washed off,
the redness from the slide on Dyl's tushie faded

but we hope the memories won't...

Great times.

Dylan greeted Mat this morning in bed by saying

"HAPPY DADDY DAY"

it was the closest we could get since the word father means nothing to him.

We went out for breakfast which was nice.  Mat asked Dylan if it was "Daddy's day" and of course Dylan said

 "NO"

So since that- he keeps saying it's

" Dylan's Day"

Guess E V E R Y single day is

Dylan's Day.

Happy Daddy's day from Dylan to everyone.

Whistler

Mat and I had never been to Whistler, but had always wanted to go because we generally love anywhere in the mountains.

Mat's parents hadn't been either, so on the May long weekend (this will become important later) we took a trip there.

 The weather was great the first day, and iffy the others.  We still got outside and walked and walked... and walked.  Dylan must have walked a good 5 km the second day- and never complained once.  In fact loved it.  Guess the walking gene does get passed down.(we know who to thank for that)

 I had intended on bringing my book and sitting on a chair here for some peaceful reading/people watching- but the weather didn't cooperate.

We saw two bears around town.  Before we left Mat was thinking of ways for us to move to Whistler...

Never know....anyone have jobs for us?

It is a beautiful place.



Missing....

Next week I'll be blogging about Grannie and Grandad's visit. 

Including our trip to Whistler.

BUT

today something else has come up.

Dylan has been sick for the last 3 days-

he woke up with a barking cough that hasn't gone away. 

Sometimes he coughs so hard he throws up. 

He's sleeping with me, and waking every hour. 

He's fighting Tylenol. 

He won't let me take his temperature

although I'm sure he's had a fever on and off. 

During the day he's

touchy

crabby

and

easily cries. 

I think the illness

and

the combination

 of the house being so quiet

is a bit much for him this week.

He's randomly asks about Grannie and Grandad. 

He refers to Grannie's spot in the car,

and asked me to draw Grandad today. 

I asked him if he wanted soup today-

he said for Grannie too?

We went to Walmart last night,

he asked if Grannie could come too.

It was similar when we left Calgary. 

 He said he didn't want to go home,

he wanted to stay at Grandma's house. 

When we asked him if he'd like to go to gymnastics

 (which he loves)

he said "no, Grandma's house"

 

He's lonely. 

He wants me to play with him every second of the day. 

He cries if I'm doing something and and can't come. 

 He says "please mommy play,play, play" 

Like he's begging. 

Because he's older, this transition from leaving both sets of Grandparents is much harder. 

He has the capacity to understand now what is happening, but it also makes it harder.

 

Poor little boo.

Makes me sad that he's so lonely.

We've completed our foster parent assessment and are approved.  I think having a foster child will be good for Dylan. 

But I do wonder, especially in light of this week, how will he adjust if/when the child leaves?

<sigh>

morphing into a big boy

I've been editing photos on photoshop and re-organizing photos now that I have an external hard drive to store all my photos on. 

This was one in a series of shots I took of Dylan.

He's so photogenic- he's so cute ( I know I'm bias)

He'll be 2 1/2 years old at the end of June.

We are heading towards 3.

How can that be?

T-H-R-E-E ?

Really?

Hold on

Let me do the math...

Yup.

If that's not startling enough, this picture, of our beautiful baby boy is.  When I see it I feel like I'm looking years and years into the future. 

Into a time when he goes to school.

When he picks his friends.

When he won't hold my hand anymore.

When he goes out to play- without me.

When he doesn't mispronounce words.
When he doesn't call me "mah-ee".
When we actually miss changing diapers.
When we miss little boy snuggles.
When he doesn't cry little boy tears.

When he knows more about science than I do.

When he doesn't think the world revolves around our little family.

When he is really a BIG boy.

This picture is almost like a computer composite of what he's going to look like in years time. 

It's wonderful, weird, beautiful, and kinda sad.

Our little boy is really growing up.

(insert squeaky voice that instructs you he is a BIG boy !)

And the next picture in the sequence.... back to looking like our little boy.  Weird.

Ohhhh Hello !  Remember me? 

I'm back to blogging after an extended break to indulge in "grand-fest 2011"  The biggest grandparent festival to hit Dylan's life !  almost 7 weeks of uninterrupted grandparent fun !  Grandfest began in Calgary with my parents for 2 1/2 weeks of uninterrupted fun.  It hit it's height with a special one of a kind 4 for the price of 2 Grandparent weekend.  We picked up Mat's parents in Calgary and Dylan had all 4- yes 4 grandparents at once.  Which I actually think is pretty amazing cool experience for Dylan considering none of us live in the same city.

We had to take advantage of this event. 

The weird and the wonderful in our lives......

Dyl loves Sushi

(oh ya, it's gonna get weirder, hang on)

Copies how I lay in the bath- with a face cloth over me.....

 Sticker Mania... it started by me putting ONE sticker on his cheek.....he got carried away....

 Funny faces

 He set himself up here one afternoon when I was sick on the couch.....

Guess what we watched?

Yup, Golden Girls.  

It's good for the soul.

 

 Thanks for packing things up Mat.... but I'm a bit skeptical here... bad pic, but it says "pork" and then he crossed it out and wrote veggie (as in veggie dogs)  He knows I'm a vegetarian, but has often told me to "put a little pork on my fork" ( Alberta Pork Slogan)  Hmmmm.

 Does foolishness run in the family ???

Ummm YA !!!!!!  

I rest my case with this photo of Mat

AND finally.........

The

ONE

 time

I appear in a photo-

Mat takes the most

unflattering

picture

of me possible. 

 Thanks Mat.  I'll remember that....

 YES, I'm wearing white socks with faded black pants and a darker black sweater ! 

BACK OFF !!! 

:)

Grandparent time is about to hit OVER DRIVE !  After months of not seeing either set of grandparents, Dyl will be seeing Grandma and Grandpa next week, and Grannie and Grandad the first week of May.  There will even be an overlap where he will have ALL 4 grandparents at once !  Wooh.  How will he cope with this amazing treat?

I've been saying that they will all see a major change in him since the last visits.

There is no doubt he's a little boy.

He says funny things.

He has a sense of humour

He is learning to count

"won, too, fife,siss"

not sure where three and four went.

He takes showers himself.

He asks for the window to be rolled down in the car

He picks what he wants to eat.

He has a stubborn streak

He adores certain things- not just likes, but adores.

He HAS to sleep with a minimum of six hundred teddies.

We've always called three teddies "sleeping babies" - he now uses the term.




(and Daddy Barney isn't even pictured here, so add a 3 foot barney to this)

 

The other night we tucked him in with lots of teddies... and as I was leaving his room, he said  "too sleep babies" I just said yes and left.  Then as the door closed, he cried.  I went in and asked what's wrong, he said again " too sleep babies- mommy room"

Then I remembered- the two blue sleeping babies were on my bed.  He was specifically asking for them. 

Awwww.

He won't sleep without "daddy barney" who is three feet tall.

He says ni ni when you leave him in his bed.

He says "ove ew" back when you say love you.

He has started to smell everything.

We were in superstore today getting groceries and I asked him if he smelt anything....he made a face where he crinkled his nose and wrinkled his lip. 

 I laughed and asked him again to show me the smell face. 

So next time you see him, ask for the smell face- it's cute.

He cries when his friends leave our house or we leave their house. 

Once after a playdate he cried in the car...

"more Jayce house..."

He wanted a treat in superstore today... and I pretend chastised him... I said... " Dylan Matthew Brandt !!"

He said

"no Matthew Brandt"

haha

If you ask him his name, he will say

"Din Cook"

He picks himself out in pictures- even baby ones.

and he picks his nose... constantly....

He pretend burps and then says "din burp" and laughs

He's become a bit of a cuddler.

F  I   N  A  L  L  Y  !!!!!

He is very sensitive to hurt right now.....

He cries if he gets hurt and you have to kiss whatever it is better.

He reads along with certain story books.... you stop, and he fills in words.

He would read 24/7 if he could.

He knows when to turn on the charm... just wait and see....

He's just the cutest little thing ever.

Should I go on?

Citizenship Day

So as you may or may not know, up until today I was married to a non-Canadian.  A permanent resident in Canada, but still a British citizen.  Today, after a long lonnnnng drawn out process, Mat got his citizenship !  Yeah.  It actually wasn't something that made much of a difference to me, but to him it did.  He wanted his citizenship, and wanted to vote.  Which, as luck would have it will happen soon since our government is.....screwed up ! 

His citizenship ceremony was this morning.  47 other new Canadians from around the area got it today too.  Side note- the super friendly lady who works at Safeway got it, and she was so excited she didn't stop smiling.  Next time I'm in Safeway, I'm going to congratulate her.

So here are some shots of the ceremony.

view of the school gym.  the "lady" in the far chair on the right is very rude.  long story short- rude

after his oath

official documents ( dyl was very tired at this point)

official presentation



photo op- Dyl was tired, and a bit leery of the RCMP officer although he was super nice



 And after such a good day... there MUST be cake... and friends !

it says "congrats eh"

AND we had such a wonderful surprise this afternoon- our wonderful friend Tanya and her crew had decorated the front of the house in red and white fashion !  Streamers, balloons- lots of flags-- so cool !!!!  It got dark before we were able to get outside for a shot, so look for one this weekend.  Thanks Tanya, that was such a thoughtful, wonderful surprise !  xoxox

(special note- MY camera is in the shop, so I'm using the old dslr which I now hate and it doesn't take the quality of pics I'm used to, so pls excuse my photos !)