Thirty Three

Dear Darling and Little Man,

Another month and summer is flying by....sort of. It actually feels like it is going a bit slower than last year. Last year never got hot. We had the A/C running for about 5 days but the heat I am used to never set in and it never felt like we had a summer. When the evenings turned cool in the fall I got mad. This year, after weeks of sweltering heat I think we will all thankfully welcome the cool weather. But this also means that we are celebrating a real summer with real summer activities.


I think other than Gabe still being in diapers, all the babiness is over. It is amazing to be on to newer stages but I will miss those little packages of cuddle. Gabe you still have no interest in potty training. About once a week you will announce that you want to sit on the potty to 'go poo poo', usually after or while Bea is using it. We will sit there for 5 minutes or so, chatting but nothing happens. I know it will happen in time. I know we won't be sending you off to college in diapers so I don't freak out. It would be nice to not be spending such big bucks on disposable diapers which we have had to switch to in the last few months (stuffing enough into the cotton diapers to make it through the night meant your inability to walk in them or roll over in bed) We have become very aware of temperature this month, telling me you are hot in the sun or cold if you stand in front of the A/C. Bea this has become a way to get attention.

My favorite development this month has been the "wanna see" "wanna help" when I am cooking or preparing food. I really want to get you guys enthusiastic about food. Understanding the importance of preparing meals and eating together. I guess I also want you to appreciate how much effort Daddy and I make to make sure that we are eating healthy food together as a family.


Oh how the tides are changing. For the first 2 1/2 years Bea was the bully but now the pendulum has swung the other way and Gabe is getting his back. Bea, it is obvious that you will never be a follower but you aren't always getting your way now. Gabe is putting his foot down and I can't say that I blame him. Gabe, the only trouble with this new found strength is that you are also testing it out on Mommy which isn't going over very well and ending you up in 'time out' which is unfamiliar territory for you. You don't respond well to getting a stern talking to, usually interrupting it to ask for a cuddle. You always seem heart broken by the consequences while Bea usually just gets more determined by them. Bea, with you losing power you have started giving stern talking tos to your toys and giving them 'time outs'. It is very weird to hear my words come out of your mouth and I have actually made a couple of edits to our 'consequences' routine as a result.

This month Daddy had some work out in the Ottawa Valley so we packed up for a few days out at Papa and Grammy's house. Summer there is so wonderful and fun for you guys. Everyday we had something to do and now you are at such a great age to go off with Grandparents and give Mommy a chance for a quiet cup of tea. One day we went raspberry picking. Papa, Grammy and I picked as fast as you guys ate them. It took us over 30 minutes to pick 3 pints because you guys ate them so fast. You both walked out of the fields stained head to toe in pinky red. I joked with the lady at the farm that maybe we should've done a before and after weight on you two. We added to the 3 pints by buying a bunch more and a bushel of strawberries that I took back and washed and froze.

A day was spent at the Children's Museum at The Museum of Civilizations in Hull. The big hit was the Pakistani bus. Gabe you were in heaven. We will definitely be spending more time there in the future.


One of the funny results of our trip to Papa and Grammy's has been that Bea is now obsessed with Papa calling Grammy "Darling" and has changed her name to Darling. When I call you Bedo you say "No Bedo, it's Darling" one day your name was 'sweetheart' all day.


I am happy to say that this month our sleep has gotten back on track. Daddy and I no longer have to sit in the dark of your room to make sure you stay in your beds. The shiny new of the toddlers bed has finally worn off and we are all getting better sleep again. I can not begin to tell you how thankful I am for this.

New favorite thing.....you guys singing to the Peep theme song. New worst thing.....we have ringworm, where it came from I don't know but Bea has a patch on the back of her knee and the 'psoriasis' I have had on my elbow for the last couple of months....well it seems to be finally clearing up with the anti-fungal cream (a cream recommended by a MD but we have since had better luck clearing the ringworm up with plain old vinegar) we got for Bea's knee. Makes me wonder what other minor things the doctors have misdiagnosed and less and less interested in Western medicine.

I can't tell you enough how much I love you
Mama