Yay! I finally did it!!

I finally sent off my application form for a job posting at the Chilliwack Courthouse. I am such a perfectionist, it was really hard hitting that "send" button - so final! I have been working on this job application form for about a week and this morning was still fiddling with it - using the thesaurus on words I wasn't too fond of, moving sentences around, etc. Let me add - I am so not qualified for the job I applied for which is why I was having such a hard time completing the application. But it is done!

As far as returning to work, it's a work in progress. So far, I have dropped off a general application form with the Chilliwack Courthouse and have spoken with the manager a few times already. We seem to get along which is definitely a good thing. If anything auxiallary comes up, I basically will get slotted in and start as soon as they need me (how terrifying is that?). In the meantime, I have to check the Government Job Site everyday for new job postings and apply for those separately. There is also a Court Clerk position at the Chilliwack Courthouse which is up for grabs, but I don't know if I qualify to return to work part-time. I have put a call into my manager and she is supposed to get back to me on that. Tomorrow I also plan on heading down to the Abbotsford Courthouse and dropping off a general application there. I spoke with the manager and she is quite sure there will not be any vacancies coming up, in fact, they are cutting back. But in government you never know and people quit or move all the time.

So that is my employment (or shall we say non-employment?) status at this time. I'm just hoping and praying something auxiallary comes up soon at the Chilliwack Courthouse. I hate all the testing involved in competitions - very stressful!

The Stubborn Bottle

I refuse to wash dishes by hand. I have a working dishwasher, why would I wash dishes? It makes no sense in my brain.

Which brings me to the story of the stubborn bottle.

I should preface this by saying, this is all Ryan's fault. He was trying to be helpful the other day and ran the dishwasher - but he forgot (or failed to but we will use the word forgot) rinse out the baby bottles before placing them in the dishwasher.

Now, back to this one bottle. It refuses to become clean. I just emptied the dishwasher and it is still not clean. So did I finally just handwash it and solve the problem? Nope - it's back in there. We'll try this corner and see if it works this time. After all, it's only been in there 5 times in a row now. Surely that's much too early to give up on the dishwasher doing its job? Right?

Right??

How about some new pics?

I decided to clean up the camera and upload some new pics. It has definitely been a while - there are 50 new pictures! Here are some really cute ones. But boy, is Kaitlyn getting big is all I can think. Enjoy!!

We were trying so hard to keep her awake but it didn't really work. These pictures were taken within seconds of each other.

Yes, yes, more Gymboree outfits. I love this spring outfit - it looks so cute on her! And check out that smile - what a cutie!

Playing with "big" cousin Owen and spending some quality time with Daddy.

Monday again... (=babysitting again)

Well, seems like I always post something on Mondays. Lucky for me, the three kids are sleeping. I guess last night was very busy for all of them at Mom and Dad's for the triple birthday celebration (Katrina's, Elayna's and Kristina's birthdays are all right around now) and I think Elayna and Chantel may have been up a bit later than usual for them.

Kaitlyn is trying to stand up today from the middle of the floor. She sticks her butt way in the air, slowly hand crawls back and then tries to push off. She has two new bruises but so far has not mastered it. She was trying for the millionth time today and Chantel asked what she was doing. I told her Kaitlyn was trying to stand and she was too little. So Chantel walks up to Kaitlyn and says to her in a very serious voice, "No Kaitlyn. You're too little. You don't stand yet." It was very cute.

Anyways, back to enjoying the peace and quiet for a little while longer...

Could it be? Is it possible?

Here is a blog report just for my mother. Today Andrea and I went shopping.

And I have to pause here for a minute to comment on the fact that both our children were complete angels the entire time. I have never seen such well behaved children who both missed their naps and yet were so good! I am being serious! Must be the great parenting...

Anyways, back to the point of this story, yes, Andrea and I went shopping and I have to say, I love the Bay! Do you know why? They have name brand stuff for cheap when you hit a sale date!

So that brings me to the whole is it possible question. I used to never care what brands I picked up off the rack, never cared about fit, colour, style and if it matched. Today was different. I went shopping and only looked at brandname items. I bought a Tommy Hilfiger shirt for less than $15 and another name brand shirt for around $12. And they are nice shirts! and they look good on me! and they are in style! Look mom! I grew up! Finally!

Please Vote for Deakon

Here's the address (if someone could please tell me how to insert links I would appreciate it) but until I figure it out, just copy and paste it into your browser address bar.

http://www.photowow.com/new1/?directory=frames_contest/index.asp&page=/new1/templates/photocontest/%3FcontestID="

PLEASE VOTE for Deakon! His entry number is #43384. Please give him a big fat 10 - you can only vote once per computer per entry or your votes will not count. Thanks and have a great day!

I've gone blinkie crazy!!!

Here you go Andrea, as promised:

And one for Amber:

And for all us Moms:

And just because!:

All the Kiddos are Sleeping!!!

Well, I actually have time to post on a Monday for once because all the girls are sleeping. Woo hoo! I just moved Elayna to Becca and Brad's bed because I did not want to risk her waking up when Kaitlyn wakes up.

Poor Kaitlyn is having a miserable time with her teeth popping through today. She just starts crying, screaming actually, when she's standing or sitting there - no one around her, nothing hurting her, and she just starts up. I just gave her some tylenol before her nap so hopefully that helps her a little.

I should preface this next story by first saying I do enjoy watching the girls 2 days a week. They are very loving towards Kaitlyn and it really makes me glad we moved to this end of the valley. She knows her cousins and loves them which is such a great gift to give her. Seeing her play with Chantel is such a treat. Chantel makes her pretend coffee, says "Here Kaitlyn, drink your coffee", hands the cup to Kaitlyn and Kaitlyn drinks the pretend coffee. It is priceless. Elayna loves Kaitlyn too much sometimes and I do have to tell her quite often to "get out of Kaitlyn's face" as she loves to get nose to nose with her and laugh hysterically at her.

Now what happened this morning... I hope Rebecca is busy enough that she's not checking this from work today so she hears it from me first, but I had to intervene before Elayna gave herself a haircut today. I was talking to Andrea on the phone and thought "hmm, those girls are being awful quiet in their room" and then I saw the bathroom door open. Never a good sign on a good day as they are always trying to fill up their toy cups with water when I'm not paying enough attention. Well, I walk in there, still talking to Andrea, and Elayna is up on the counter, medicine cabinet open, pair of real scissors in hand, holding her hair with the other hand and I practically drop the phone. "I just wanted to cut my bangs" she says all innocent. Well, needless to say, the bathroom door is now locked and I am taking Elayna to pee every 2 hours instead of leaving the bathroom accessible for her. I would rather risk an accident than a haircut. Anyways, back to my few minutes of silence before the party begins again. Have a great week everyone!

Happy Birthday Amber!!!

These are for you! Hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow with your family.

Blinkies!

Here's one for you Yvonne:

And one for Jeanette:

And one for everyone!

Another Day Babysitting - Lost in my silly thoughts...

Well, I'm back at Rebecca's babysitting the girls. And the house is silent! The secret? They are all asleep. Yup. I am the miracle worker. Actually, Chantel was asleep by the time I got here, Kaitlyn fell asleep on the way here and Elayna just fell asleep and I just moved her to Rebecca's bed. Woo hoo!

OK - here is what I've been thinking about this morning. Please do not laugh. Ok, you can laugh if you want to. I can't see you doing it so it's ok.

I should probably explain my new "blinkie" at the top of my blog page. The one that says "Mommy's gymbo princess". Gymbo is for Gymboree and I love Gymboree. Gymboree is a kids' clothing store which is way too pricey for me to normally afford. Enter ebay. I am now ebay crazy and my family will gladly second that. I went so nuts on buying Kaitlyn Gymboree stuff for this summer that I ended up renting a table at the kidswap just to get rid of some of the things she already had to justify my spending. Let me tell you though, these are the cutest outfits I have ever seen. She will be one well dressed little baby this summer (I don't care if she's considered a toddler, she's still a baby in my eyes).

But now I'm thinking, am I doing her damage by dressing her in super cute clothes? Will she pick up and have I already started passing on the attitude that she has to be the best dressed kid in the room or else we shouldn't leave the house? I am being serious here... I want my child to be a well-adjusted, non-judgmental girl who looks past name brands and people's faces and sees what's inside.

But let me tell you again, she is going to look super cute in those clothes this summer... ;)

Update on Kaitlyn's Hip

We just got back from the doctor's office and everything seems to be ok. Kaitlyn was seen by a different doctor since ours is on a two week leave as his wife is having a little girl. The doctor was great and took extra time to double and triple check and nope, no click to be heard. She even took some time to show me some of the signs that something could be amiss including watching to make sure her folds in her thighs were at the same place on both legs, making sure her knees lined up and some other little things. She did recommend we continue double diapering for another month and then book a followup appointment with our doctor. She said that Kaitlyn is very healthy and her ear infection has cleared up as well. As far as the night time wakings, that seems to be attributable to teething. My mom took a look in her mouth too and thinks her top tooth will probably pop through today. Let's hope so - I cannot take the 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 6 a.m. crying anymore! Anyways, better go - Kaitlyn looks like she's about to pass out in her exersaucer. Busy day for this little girl.

Family Update

Ok - first of all, I have to say, what is with this weather? We've had snow off and on (it snows, it melts, it snows, it melts) for a few days now and it's getting old. Kaitlyn loves watching it fall but man, I can't take it in this house being so cold. Brrrrr.... Anyways, back to updating on us.

Ryan is working like crazy which is good. He's happier when he's busy and it will make for a nice paycheque. We found out that Chilliwack is hiring a lot of RCMP auxiallaries (sorry, no idea how to spell that :) but we found out about the information session too late so he wasn't able to go. But he'll probably still apply as law enforcement still does interest him, maybe as a volunteer only, but at least he should get some enjoyment out of it.

I sold and shipped my first 3 items on ebay. Woo hoo! So far I am up about $20 Canadian which is pretty decent. One of the items gave me a scare at the post office. They first told me it would cost $11 to ship to Ontario because it was too thick. Yikes! So I took it back home, rewrapped it and it ended up costing $2.05. Phew! Otherwise I would have lost money big time on that one. 2 more auctions are ending today and tomorrow I am trying to sell some of Kaitlyn's stuff at the kidswap. It will be nice to have some cash again!

Kaitlyn is doing well - super happy today! That's what happens when you sleep through the night, little missy. Her ear infection seems to be clearing up and she's in much better spirits for it. Uh oh, she's waking up. Better run. Oh, and the double diapering may continue longer than we thought. Our family dr is on leave because his wife is having a baby so we don't think the oncall dr will make any recommendations. The oncall dr will take a look at it next week when she checks her ears and at least we'll have an update. Until later!