Monster Cookies

One Thousand and One…

Author: Amber

So, here I am at my one thousand and first post.

You may have noticed that I’ve taken a hiatus from blogging the past few days. I’ve been trying to figure out what to write here. Since I went ahead and posted all negatively and bossily for my one thousandth post; I wanted to redeem that in some way. Why? Because I am not a mean and negative person at heart, and my 1000th post may not have proven that point so well. Is that a good way to celebrate such a grand milestone? I think not. But words put out are words put out and I couldn’t take it back to publish something else first (don’t get me wrong; I still mean every word of that post…) just for the sake of post number 1000 being a joyful subject.

So, now that that is all discussed. I would like to take this opportunity to share how I got into blogging; where it all started.

It all really started with my need to write. I have been a writer for as long as I can remember. I started with paper book journals, added stories, then poetry, letters, and then email groups and forums and eventually blogging.

I started blogging in 2001 when Jon and I created a family website that I used to update my family and friends in Calgary about my pregnancy. It began as a pregnancy journal, and when the pregnancy was over, I kept updating. I am a little sad that I didn’t keep every word of that website - every month I updated it and just wrote over what I had written the month before. I wrote about my boys, just Daniel and Josh then, and the milestones they were hitting.

I kept a pregnancy journal with Josh as well, in the same way, on the same homemade website. In January of 2005 I found Blogspot (Blogger?) and was so happy at the ease of typing my thoughts and publishing them for all to read. Not only did I now not have to deal with all the .html stuff, but I could just leave the posts I had written alone and add to them and it wouldn’t get messy. I had a refreshed love of writing - it gave me a way to “say” all the stuff that my quiet, shy self couldn’t say out loud. And that continues to this day.

Since then, I’ve authored many blogs. It all started with this post, in my blog entitled Adventures in Parenting. When I became pregnant with Andrew, I kept a pregnancy journal at Babies Online. And after Andrew was born, my original blog became the boy factory.

In 2007, Jon and I decided that we were interested in podcasting and decided to get our own domain to host all of our stuff together. Jon’s blog, A Dad’s View, combined with the boy factory, and our family blog, Monster Cookies was born. As I had kept separate blogs for my pregnancies with each of my boys, I decided to do the same for my final pregnancy, and I blogged all about Claire’s gestation and birth at Totsites.

After Claire was born, I started two more blogs - one a private venting blog where I could record things very personal to me that the world would deem TMI, and another about my experiences with having four c-sections and the emotional repercussions of that being told that I couldn’t have anymore children.

Writing is therapy to me. I love to pour out my thoughts and feelings and to just share who I am through words because I just can’t bring myself to say a lot of stuff out loud. If I write it, my feelings won’t be hurt when someone walks away. That is one of the things I like the best.

The other thing I like the best is to watch my boys read things that I wrote when they were very small. They soak up every word; re-enact silly things and giggle together. It brings me such joy because it makes the memory more real, and makes that time stay alive just a little bit longer - what a treasure for a mother’s heart!

If you are not a blogger, I urge you to try it. If you need help with getting started, let me know and I will help you in any way I can. It just feels so good! Almost 9 years and over 1000 posts since I started, I’m still just as in love with blogging as the day I typed my first entry. And I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

March 9th, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

What is it about having a baby…

Author: Amber

…that makes some people into the world’s leading parenting expert? Or that makes them THINK they are the world’s best expert on parenting?

One of my HUGEST pet peeves is when moms (well, anyone, really, but we’ll go with moms for this rant) treat other moms with rudeness, disrespect, even scorn for the simple reason that they do not share the same parenting philosophy.

Who CARES if one chooses formula over breastfeeding; co-sleeping over using the crib from day one; disposable diapers over cloth; tylenol over motrin; organic over non-organic…scheduled vaccination over delaying or not vaccinating. Why does it matter to one mom if the child of another is facing forward in the car at 12 months old instead of waiting until they are three? Is it really a big deal that some boys have foreskins and others don’t? Really?

I am very passionate about carseat safety, but I do not shove it down the throat of every. single. person. I meet.

Maybe you might say, “But Amber, this mom that I know is a HORRIBLE parent! She doesn’t even take her child’s COAT off before putting him into his carseat! He could FLY RIGHT OUT! We NEED to DO SOMETHING!!!”

No, we do not need to do something. That mother probably has a pamphlet on carseat safety. Her doctor has probably inquired about her carseat situation. She probably read something about carseats on the internet, through a search or on forums. I bet she just might even have the instruction manual that came with the seat. She has chosen to use her carseat in that way and it is NO ONE ELSE’S BUSINESS.

Seriously.

I try desperately to not give advice unless I am flat-out asked for it. Especially parenting advice. People need to parent the way they feel is right; they need to do what works for their family. If they are doing something “wrong” the consequences will show that.

You may think, “Ah well, it’s my friend/family member. She won’t take it the wrong way if I just point out the things that she isn’t doing quite ‘right’.”

WRONG!

When you tell a mom they are doing something the wrong way, they hear, “YOU ARE A BAD PARENT. Your decisions suck. Do it my way because you are too stupid to get it right yourself.”

If you are straight out asked for advice, go get ‘em! They asked for the advice. YOUR advice. Your OPINION. And now it’s their job to take it or leave it. The ball is in their court.

But if they don’t ask, don’t say a thing. Sit and smile and be kind and welcome the differences that keep life interesting. Odds are if you try to force your opinion on others, not only will they still not do things your way, but they will also think you are rude and not want to be around you ever again.

I know that by writing this I am offering un-requested advice, but it is my blog and people don’t need to read it. And besides, after the conversation I recently had with a fellow mom who thought I was doing my children so much harm, I need to read this, myself. So maybe I’m really writing to myself, as a reminder that there are rude people out there and that I’m not the only one who has to deal with them. I’m glad to read it and I think I’ll follow this bit of advice.

March 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

WHAT did I do yesterday morning?

Author: Amber

Last night I changed my facebook status to say that before bed, I needed to read Proverbs 1 and blog about my exciting morning. Well, it came down to it being so late I was feeling ill, so I read the Bible, skipped the blogging and shut out the light.

And since I have had one lonely inquiry on what my exciting morning entailed, I thought I’d post about it today. Thanks for asking, Cindy!

Yesterday morning I woke up and got the kids ready to start a new day. As they were dressing, I was vaguely aware that it was the start of a new month.

“Andrew, are you ready to go back to preschool?” I asked, jokingly. I knew he would say no. He says no every time.

“Okay,” he said, “but only if you come with me.”

I was shocked.

“Really?” I asked. “If you really want to, Daddy or I can come with you for a class or two. Should I phone your teacher and ask if you can come on Wednesday?”

“No,” he said, and I nodded because I knew he was going to say no. But he wasn’t done. “I want to go today.”

I spent the next couple of minutes trying to convince him that Wednesday would be better because then I could arrange things with the teacher. He wouldn’t go for it. He wanted to go. Right now.

So, I called his teacher and left a message on the phone. Andrew looked at the clock every few minutes to keep track of how much longer until we could go. It worked out that my dayhome boy decided he wanted to stay home for the day.

And Andrew and I went to preschool.

And we stayed for the entire two hours.

And Andrew played, cut, glued, coloured and sang. He loved snacktime. He spent less than 5 minutes total by my side.

As we walked home, I asked him if he wanted to go back on Wednesday. He said he did.

I ventured out on a limb and told him that on Wednesday, Daddy or I would only stay for half of the class, so one of us would be there for one hour and he would be able to do one hour without us in the room.

Andrew thought about it for a long time and I thought he wouldn’t go for it. Then he said we could just take him there and not stay, then come back at the end. I had to ask for clarification, because I really didn’t think that that is what he meant.

But he did mean it. “Like Sunday school,” he said.

And we’re going with that. Yesterday, Andrew had his second “First day of school.” And tomorrow, he’ll have his second second day. Hopefully without tears.

I have always thought that preschool would be way more fun for my kids than staying home with me. I think Andrew might be starting to think that too. And I hope he has a blast!

*****

If you would like to read about Andrew’s first experience with preschool, you can find the post here.

March 2nd, 2010 | Posted in News, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Now THAT was stressful!

Author: Amber

I have not blogged in the past three days because I have been quite taken with the sports on my television screen.

Is it just me or were the Olympics WAY more interesting this year than ever before?

So many stories, so many athletes. So much passion and so much drive!

As I type this, I hear firecrackers being set off in the schoolyard next to my house. I see people walking around, dressed in their Team Canada jerseys, carrying beer and celebrating. There are shouts from the north, “YAY CANADA!!!” and whistles from the south in response. I hear car horns in the distance. And I’m not even in Vancouver!

And I am so PROUD. The pride wells up within me and brings me to tears. We’ve come together as a nation to show our athletes that we love them and we support them, even though we may never have actually said good morning to any of them, or had the privilege of shaking a hand.

The thing that gets me, when I think a little on it, is that these people have JOBS. They have families. They have lives. They go to school. And on top of all that, they train. Talk about giving everything you’ve got (left) to make your country proud.

I found it really odd that as I looked down my Facebook homepage, I saw message after message of excitement, surprise, and disappointment in response to the hockey game as it went on (and on). All from my Canadian friends. Were the Americans watching the game? Were they cheering? Were they proud? Are they proud now, to have received a silver (which I think is still amazing)?

I’m proud of the US team, even though I’m not from their country. They put up a good fight. They played HARD and they almost won!

Of course I’m thrilled that Team Canada got that last goal and grabbed gold #14 for us. Way to go, boys!!

And now that the Olympics are coming to a close, I am looking forward to getting back to a less stressful life. I think I actually hurt my neck watching the hockey game on Friday. I’m ready to go back to my regular “I have no idea what is going on in the world” -ness. Jon can’t wait to get himself and the kids back to normal TV, homework, workouts and bathtimes and he kids are hoping to get their Wii time back. Here’s hoping the transition is a smooth one!

~GOOD WORK, CANADIAN ATHLETES!! YOU SO ROCK!~

February 28th, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Thursday Randoms

Author: Amber

I’m so grateful for the sunshine and birds out today.

I think my neighbours may have moved out last night. Hoping and praying!

Yesterday Daniel said to me, “Wow Mommy, it looks like you are starting to grow a new baby in your tummy.” I will not be wearing that sweater again anytime soon.

This morning Daniel said to me, “You are washing your hands? I’ve never seen you wash your hands before!” Funny since I do it about 60 times per day. Perhaps it is because I CLOSE the door when I’m using the bathroom instead of leaving it hanging open like some people do.

I am very thankful for Coca-Cola Zero right now and will be thankful for wine later (I didn’t like wine before our trip to Cuba).

I’m super proud of all the Canadian athletes participating in the Olympics. And when the German bobsled team flipped over last night, I was genuinely sad for them. I hope they are okay!

I am so thankful that Jon has a job with a good company and good benefits.

I am getting a little bit annoyed that I am having tons of trouble connecting to the internet as of late. I need my internet to be ready and waiting for me!

I can see the pavement of the back alley again and that ROCKS (pun intended)! I’m pretty sure that the solid icy frozen ruts did something to the front right tire of our van which now makes a rubbing sound when making a sharp right turn or braking. We’ve already decided to just live with the fact that our van sometimes takes 60 tries to start; we’re trying to decide if we should just live with this new discovery too.

My brain is chalk-full of plans, hopes, dreams, considerations and ideas for what will be going on for our family over the next year. I’m trying not to be stressed, which is actually pretty easy because my better half does enough worrying for both of us.

I have been exhausted lately – going to bed late isn’t helping, but neither is going to bed early. Funny how that works.

I CANNOT WAIT for spring and summer so we can GET OUT OF THE HOUSE! I’m a homebody for the most part, and I despise the cold. But I have felt very trapped in my house lately and I need that to change, and soon! I made plans to get to my church’s playgroup this morning, but just as we would all expect it to go, we had to change plans due to illness. Blah. Go away, winter, and take all your bugs with you!

Claire is such a trooper when she’s sick. She tries so hard to smile and remember her manners even though it is clear she feels like garbage. I love her.

Time to go cuddle!

February 25th, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Two nights in a row…

Author: Amber

Can you believe it? If I wasn’t here, I wouldn’t believe it either. But it did, in fact, happen. Are you ready?

Our whole family ENJOYED two entire meals, TWO nights in a row.

Last night there were even requests for seconds, but we didn’t make enough for seconds! Amazing!

Are you curious about what the second meal was? You might be surprised that my family ate it. I was, since we’re all carnivores all the way here (I do have to admit we didn’t give the children all the information on what the meal was, exactly).

I was going to be all sneaky-like and post the link like I did with the other one, but this one doesn’t have a link to the recipe on the Betty Crocker website, so I’ll just have to tell you what it was.

It was VEGGIE BURGERS! Grilled on the barbecue, brushed with a tiny bit of BBQ sauce and then served on whole wheat buns. Jon and I had roasted red peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms on ours. I added a bit of garlic mayo to mine. The kids had ketchup, tomatoes and pickles. And we served them with fries.

We will be eating this meal again!

February 24th, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

The BEST Dinner EVER

Author: Amber

We are still cooking through our Betty Crocker Money Saving Meals cookbook and are figuring out the sections we like (poultry) and the ones we don’t (Bisquick).

Last night we hit the dinner jackpot when our kids ALL ate the meal. Not one “EW!” was uttered, and there were no conversations based around “Can I only eat the parts that I like and still have dessert?”

Those two things are a regular occurrence here and dinner just doesn’t happen without them, until tonight!

I won’t post the recipe because of copyright stuff, but I will tell you about it, just in case you are interested to know what this dinner is, exactly, that brought about such a miracle in my household.

The dish was called “Easy Chicken Manicotti” and consisted of a chicken finger stuffed into a manicotti noodle (no need to cook any of it first!!), which was then covered in watered-down pasta sauce, baked, then later topped with mozzarella and baked some more.

The recipe called for chicken tenders, but since we just found a great deal on breaded chicken fingers (and now have an abundance in our freezer), we thought we’d try those instead.

Oh my goodness! Kind of like Chicken Parmesan all condensed into one easy step and one dish (with the noodles in there).

I would make this to serve to guests (if we ever had dinner guests, which we don’t, because our table only sits the 6 we have and I’m crazy embarrassed to invite anyone over then make them sit on the couch to eat) - it is THAT good.

Claire and two of the boys had thirds (!) while the picky one settled on only his first helping. I can’t complain though - it was wonderful to see him eat anything at all!

Ooooh, LOOK! It is YOUR lucky day! I found the recipe online. Click here to see it - Let me know if you try it!

February 23rd, 2010 | Posted in News, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

A Lot of Things Different

Author: Amber

How interesting that after yesterday’s post, I hear a song that I’ve never heard before that goes right along the same lines. Is God trying to show me something? Trying to encourage me in my mission?

I have decided this year to “just suck it up and do it” for many things already. When I was mulling over New Year’s resolutions, I decided that this was my year to face my fears. This is my year to start living my life the way it should be lived - without putting off a single thing!

I don’t want Kenny Chesney’s song to be my own a few years down the road (even though there are some lines that I can already relate to). I don’t want to have so many regrets that I drown in them when I look back on my life.

Look at what I’ve done - my two biggest fears were taking my road test for my driver’s license and going to the dentist. And I’ve overcome them (it took much prayer and encouragement, but I did it)!

There is only one black spot left in my life - a matter of forgiveness - that I feel that I am not in control of. Can you forgive someone without them asking for forgiveness? I’ve struggled with this for years and I don’t know the answer. But I feel that the ball is not in my court and I’m comfortable with that, for now.

Anyway, here are the lyrics to the song that is making me think today. Can you relate to anything here?

A Lot of Things Different
Written by Bill Anderson & Dean Dillon
Performed by Kenny Chesney

I’d spent a lot more time out in the pouring rain without an umbrella
Covering my head
And I’d stood up to that bully when he pushed and called me names
But I was too afraid
And I’d gone on and saw Elvis that night he came to town
Mama said I couldn’t
And I’d went skinny dipping with Jenny Carson that time she dared me to
But I didn’t
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different

I wish I’d spent more time with my dad when he was alive
Now I don’t have the chance
And I wish I’d told my brother how much I loved him before he went off to war
But I just shook his hand
I wish I’d gone to church on Sunday morning when my grandma begged me to
But I was afraid of God
I wish I would of listened when they said boy you’re gonna wish you hadn’t
But I wouldn’t
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different

People say they wouldn’t change a thing
Even if they could
Oh but I would

There was this red dress she wanted one time so bad she could taste it
I shoulda bought it, but I didn’t
She wanted to paint our bedroom yellow and trim it in blues and greens
But I wouldn’t let her, it wouldn’t of hurt nothing
She loved, to be held and kissed and touched
But I didn’t do it, not nearly enough
And If I’d had known that dance was gonna be our last dance
I’d asked that band to play on and on, on and on
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different

People say they wouldn’t change a thing
Even if they could
Oh but I would, ooh

Oh I, I’d done a lot of things different
Oh I, I’d done a lot of things

I think we’d all do a lot of things different.

February 22nd, 2010 | Posted in News, Parenting, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Sometimes we are reminded.

Author: Amber

Sometimes we take life for granted. Sometimes we don’t realize how easy we have it. Sometimes we wish time and actions away, and sometimes we wish we could just skip over time altogether.

But sometimes we are reminded that we need to live in the moment. We need to reset our values and our goals. We need to appreciate what we have no matter what we’ve been handed or what we’ve gotten ourselves into. Because life can change in a heartbeat and leave us longing for the old normal that we wished away before.

There is a story that has pushed my reset button this week. In the midst of Olympians fighting for gold, there is a baby girl fighting a fight of her own. She’s reminded me that life is precious and that I should not take even one second for granted.

Please pray for this family and their seconds that they are not taking for granted.

Layla Grace

February 21st, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Another post about teeth.

Author: Amber

This is another post about teeth. And maybe the last one for about another year or so. We are all very excited to announce that Joshua has lost his first tooth!

See:

After being loose for “at least TWENTY MONTHS!” (Josh’s words), the tooth finally popped right out last night, much to the surprise of, well, everyone.

Good thing Grandma and Grandpa got Josh his tooth fairy book on Thursday so Josh had time to read up on what to expect and not to expect when his tooth finally fell out!

And as I’m writing this, I am realizing that I didn’t write about Daniel losing HIS first tooth. So, here is his picture as well - aaaaaaaaaaaall the way back on September 9, 2009.

Daniel got his “first loose tooth” book from Grandpa and Grandma in plenty of time and was all ready and waiting for his tooth to finally pop out. If I recall correctly, Jon actually yanked it out while I was out with some friends. Ew.

In a year or two, it will be Andrew’s turn, and then a couple of years later, Claire’s. The tooth fairy might as well take up residence at our house…there will be about 80 teeth needing to be picked up by the time all is said and done.

February 20th, 2010 | Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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