She's Sure Smiley!

Ah, Jenna... so cute, so smiley.
She is starting to become so aware of her environment. She laughs and coos at her sister, Mom and Dad. Gammy and Pugah came through on their way to the coast yesterday and Jenna smiled for them too! My mom just sat there on the couch with the biggest smile on her face.

I went to something called the "breastfeeding challenge" today. This is put on by Interior Health and it is a competition throughout Canada to see how many mothers they can have breastfeeding their children at the same time. Apparently we hit a high today. I think the number was 50. Kamloops also had the 4th highest numbers last year, so I guess we will see how we do this year. ( The people are counted at 11 am all over the province) Anyway, I won a $25 gift certificate to Toys R Us so now through money and Toys R Us GC's given to Jenna, we are very close to having enough $ for her big girl car seat!!!

I am thinking of my Grampa Borno today. It has now been 17 years since he died. He would have LOVED to see all his little Suzi's ( he called all his granddaughters "Suzi"- AND had a cat named Suzi). I miss him...

Anyway, My Bro just had his birthday yesterday and my parents surprised him by coming down to see him, so there is something happy to dwell on.

The Elephant...

I tried on the previous blog to get a picture of the silly little plastic elephant, but the computer was not cooperating with me!!! :(
SO, here it is in all of its glory- graced with my beautiful daughter!
I thought I would devote an entire entry to the elephant.
I thought that I would also dwell on the "happy times"- Madeline is getting all 4 eye teeth at the same time- my friend who is a dental hygenist says that this is extreme rare. Lets just say that the days here are not pleasant and everyone's patience is really being stretched!...(my poor Madeline) Jenna, on the other hand, it compensating for the grief of Madeline and her teeth and is doing really well! *thank goodness* Madeline is teething so bad that her gums are bleeding! (again a very rare thing to happen while teething) When I went to the dentist to see if everything was okay, I was told that I wasn't cleaning her teeth well enough, that she needed to eat and drink more and that it was all my fault. *what do you think that we have been trying to do!!!*This is the 3rd or 4th time that my mothering has been belittled. All by health professionals. This is embarrasing considering that I am a health professional ( I never treat my patients like this) I never tell them (health professionals) that I am a nurse when dealing with my kids- just to see how they treat the general population- it's just nasty. On behalf of all the good health professionals out there- I am sorry for the way the bad ones treat you all (and me)! I just have to remind myself that I am a good mother and my kids are beautiful, healthy and I am doing everything in my power to maintain this!
My mom rescued me yesterday. She came down to watch Jenna while Madeline and I went to the dentist. My mom is such a blessing. She encouraged me and confirmed my mothering (I just wish they lived closer- but I think they are working on that...)
Anyway, back to the elephant... isn't my little dear a little darling...

Weekend at Pugah's!

Last weekend we all went to Grandma and Grandpa Bueckert's house. It was so much fun. Madeline learned how to pick grapes off of the vine! We played in Pugah's jeep (beep beep); rode in the "cool car" (my dad's '64 Ford Galaxy); went to the D. Dutchman Dairy and saw the animals ( Madeline had such joy feeding the horses and the donkey long stems of clover- it filled my soul to see her so happy); "rode" a farm tractor; and most importantly Madeline played with the "elephant" for hours. My parents have this little plastic elephant small enough for Madeline to ride on. She drove it back and forth on my parents deck and had no intention of stopping! This elephant was my grandma's (for her grandchildren) and we even have pictures of my oldest brother riding it ( when he was Mad's age of course!) Although I am sure he would try to ride it now anyway... So this elephant is not new by any means! It's axles are rusty and bent but it just keeps going- and the girls LOVE it ( apparently Emily like to ride on it when she is at G-ma and G-pa's too). Needless to say, the weekend was very fun! I think that my parents enjoyed themselves too (*he he he*)
Stew and (Gammy) my mom canned peaches while (Pugah) my dad dug dirt ( ah, alliteration) and I took care of the girls.
It was a fun and productive weekend!~

Remebering the fun- just Mom and I

I was a stand in for my Dad at my Uncle Jack's year-end Christmas Party at the Banff Springs Hotel (my dad had to work). What an experience. We felt like royalty- and SOOOO much fun! We spent the days relaxing in the pools, relaxing in our rooms, walking around Banff and hanging out in the presidential suite (my uncle's room) Yup! That's right- the highest peak of the hotel is where we were!!! You really could spy on any one from up there... not that we did, no... My Uncle put on a great time with hilarious entertainment and great food too. I did feel kinda guitly that Stew was home with Madeline ( I would have loved to have shared the experience with them, but they couldn't come...) Plus, my mom and I were able to have some much needed mommy-daughter time. As you can see in the photo's, there was no lack of laughter and fun. You see, we were too cheap to go to the Springs Spa, so we brought our own spa to our room. It was a good thing that we were in our own space 'cause we got a little rowdy... lets just say it was "trickling" fun... Okay, enough of that I truely enjoyed being my mom's sidekick for the weekend. We drove back on the Greyhound in white knuckle weather. I got back home at around 3 am. I was so happy to see my bed and pillow... and of course my Stew and my Madeline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, the good old days,,,

Those were the days of one child... I could get out more, could nap more, alas! Not that I would change my life right now, I love my children but I miss life outside of my door... Soon enough, the three of us will be more mobile ( the girls will play while daddy works) Today Jenna has been lonely. It is not like we don't give her attention, she just wanted to be with her family today and not in her bed. This makes for an interesting day, and one has to become very creative as far as getting things done around the house... She enjoyed the Farmer's Market ( slept well) but did not sleep really for the rest of the day... that is until now (11:30 pm) We will see how the night goes. She is usually sleeping 6 hours per night, but has been up the last couple of nights for one reason or another. This in turn wakes up our other little dear (Mads) who wants hugs too, which means that we (Stew and I are both awake) FUN TIMES! This too will pass, it is such a short stage in Jenna's life and that helps us cope with the sleepless nights...

Noodles 101

A couple of days ago Madeline had a bowl full of noodles...
She used a fork so nicely and I think that she really enjoyed eating them. One thing that I am so happy about is her love for vegetables and fruits. My mom was just telling me a story of how she offered Madeline a mango, but instead of giving her the mango right away, she gave her something else to eat for snack. Madeline pushed away whatever it was that mom gave her and said "no, mango, MANGO!" She then quickly devoured the mango and went happily on her way. She is just such a sweet heart.
My parents were here today on their way home from visiting Steve, Darryl, Jodi and EMILY in Langley. My mom phoned from Merritt and I put her on speaker phone. Madeline instantly knew who it was and said "gamma". She was then informed that they were coming to see her- excitement and a big smile. She now can say here own version of grandpa - "pug-ah" and then shortly after she says grandpa she follows it up with "JEEP- beep beep!" My dad gets a huge kick out of this and I do have to admit, it's pretty cute. For those who don't know, my dad has a jeep and Madeline really enjoys anything to do with it. My mom took some pictures of her "driving" in pug-ah's jeep today! (the picture of Madeline is in our car...) It really is a good thing that she cannot reach the gas peddle, because I am sure she would go for a ride!
She (mom) said that she had butterflies in her stomach when she thought of my girls. My mom is so sweet! I am a very fortunate women to have her as a mother!

my baby girl Jenna

Jenna, now being 7 weeks old is getting very strong. She is strengthening her neck muscles and is able to hold her head up for about one minute. This is wonderful, but then as she gets tired... KER-PLUNK into the pillow, or chest or shoulder, whatever or whomever she is on.
Today Jenna and I spent some time on the "big bed". Jenna was having great fun during "tummy time" that is until she got the hiccups......... It seems like soooooo long ago that Madeline was at this stage. She is so independent now- she still needs someone to help her for most things, but the helplessness of an infant is humbling. It makes me remember that as much as we think we can do everything, we are still dependent upon our family, friends, and our loving God to keep us going and to put the right shoe on the right foot...
I hope you enjoy the pictures just as much as I enjoyed taking them- she is very easy to take pictures of!

they definately are sisters!

When Jenna was born, I thought that Madeline and Jenna looked very similar.(Jenna is above, Madeline is below- both pictures taken at about one week old) Now, I can see that Jenna is definately taking on her own look (which is a good thing) She still is quite a little doll, but her dark hair is lightening. She is starting to smile at Stew and I and seems to have quite a sense of humor. I find it absolutely amazing how wonderful she is. Madeline is very much in love with her little sister too. She wants to hold her and kiss her all the time. She helps with diaper changes, pushes her on the swing and tries to plug the soother in Jenna's mouth. ( I say try because usually she shoves the soother into her cheek or nose...) Madeline MUST say good night to Jenna and give her a kiss- she is very insistant upon this as she runs down the hallway shouting "Jenna"!
She also learned some baby techniques from cousin Emily. She learned that when there is a baby around, one must be quiet and say "shhhh" with her finger to her mouth.
Today we went for a walk with our friend Katherine and her son David. (Jenna and David were born on the same day- 1 1/2 hours apart in fact!) Madeline is just as taken with David as she is with Jenna- she tried to give David the soother today too- all we could do was giggle because she is trying so hard and being such a good helper- it was VERY cute!
I have come to this conclusion, I have two beautiful little girls!!!! I have been blessed! ( with a wonderful husband too..........)

All they do is sleep...

Today Madeline and Jenna are taking extended naps. Not that I mind, but I feel lost, like I have no focus or direction. Alas, here I am at the computer. Forbid it that I should take time for myself..!? ( sarcasm)
Last night at the dinner table, Madeline was still going over the weekend in her head. She looked at me, and with a full mouth of dinner said "Dora"! Her cousin Emily is crazy about Dora, but Madeline has no idea who she is. We do not have cable and therefore, do not have all the kids shows. I thought it was interesting how impressionable these little ones are- Madeline's older cousin is already influencing her likes and dislikes... and Dora is on the top of the good list. In the picture you can see that Uncle Coo-Coo (Steve) wrapped Dora in streamers like a mummy. That was the first present to be opened and really the last... until the "quad" came out... My parents bought her a little battery operated ATV- she LOVES it.

So, today I loaded the pics from the weekend on to the computer. Jodi made the most amazing barn yard cake- and it was very tasty too (she is a baker by trade... so what do you expect!) Check out the picture. I can't say enough about the weekend, being with my family makes me so energized and happy! I am pretty sure that Madeline and Stew could say the same. (and I will speak for Jenna- she really enjoyed the weekend too ( check out the pic of daddie and jenna) Although a lot of fun, apparently it was tiring too...

Life today...

Welcome everyone the the Charlebois Family Blog. Up until now, we have been sending out mass e-mail ( which we probably will continue to do) but now we can suggest that family and friends check out this site to see the exciting happenings of the Charlebois clan...
Life today is interesting. We just came home from Emily's ( my beautiful niece) 2nd birthday party. Madeline ( who is 3 months younger) spent a 2- night sleepover at Darryl and Jodi's. She had a ball!! This morning the first words out of her mouth were "dodo, jodi, coo-coo, emmy" For all of those who don't know, "Coo-Coo" is uncle Steve- how ironic that Emily just started calling him that on her own and now it has stuck... She's a very smart and intuative little girl! Anyway, Madeline is down for a nap early as we got home late and all she wanted to do was cry ( her eye teeth are coming in...) Tylenol to the rescue!!!
Jenna is busy doing her thing..................................sleeping. It must be tough being a 7 week old....
Growing like a weed, Jenna is looking more and more like a little girl and less of a baby. Oh my, I thought that my mom was being overly sentimental when she would mention how fast we ( my bro's and I) were growing, but it's true, babies grow SO FAST!
Anyway, I must take advantage of both of my babes sleeping and have a nap myself.

More to come...