Babysitter Mickey / Holiday Mickey

This house LOVES Mickey Mouse.  And after this performance, we might just love him even more.  I never thought that was possible........

P.S.  Her moves are KILLER ;)

Baby Juliet's First (Official!) Photo Session ;)

With Auntie Gem out of the country, I had to do my best to capture some newborn pictures of Juliet on my own.  Nervous but without a better option, I got out some props and went to work with my iPhone (yes, my iPhone!) while Nory napped and Phil kept busy with a relaxing massage.  I had the full intention of using my Nikon, however I forgot to charge it the night before and didn't want to delay the pictures beyond this precious three week mark.  Not going to lie - it was definitely a challenge with one person.  It was also a challenge with a wee one that likes to be warm (shots without clothes were impossible!) and snuggled (the cozy blanket seemed to work well as a temporary alternative to ME!).  Alas, we worked it out and the two of us made some camera magic happen (or so I like to think).  Of the hundreds of photos I took, some of them actually turned out!

Weighing in now at (we think!) 5.5 pounds, Jet is such a little peanut.  She LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to be held and cuddled and sleeps best when she's nice and warm against one of us.  Although she's up to eat quite often (being more of a grazer like her Mama), we'll take the exhaustion if it means she's staying strong and healthy!  She's actually starting to out-grow some of her "up to 5 lbs" outfits, which are her very own since Nory never had clothes that little.  The next collection is for "up to 7.5 lbs", which I hope she enjoys as it's (mostly) all hand-me-down's from that point onward ;)  Haha.

You'd be shocked to learn that - KNOCK ON WOOD, times a billion - Juliet is not a crier.  I feel scared even admitting this to you (and I hope the Baby Gods don't strike me down and pull a 180 on me), but it's been the truth for the last three weeks.  Jet lets out the odd grunt or tiny shriek, but it is certainly not a cry and on this much sleep, I think it's our saving grace!  Thank you, Juliet!  You go, Girlie! xo

With this (likely!) being our last baby, I find myself skipping out on my to-do's to enjoy every second possible with her and her big sister.  I can't believe Nory is going to be two in February!  Ah!

We love you Baby Juliet!  Your invitation to snuggle is open 24/7.  And if you could teach your sister to be a little more cuddly like yourself, that would be a very nice thing to do (albeit a miracle)!  That sissy of yours is a wild one!  XOXO

Do you think she'll be an athlete?

(I suppose she already is one!)

***** Track Star! *****

Biker Girl!

Basketball Player!

Soccer Player!

Strong-woman type stuff?  She must get this from God Daddy Dain :)

LISTED.

I figured that it's way easier to make lists than to form full-fledged, logical sentences right now.  It's also easier to drink your survival coffee with a free hand.  Hence, a bunch of lists that I typed up with one hand only.  GOLD STAR!

Things We Gotta Do

*  write thank you cards (all billion of them)

*  pack up Christmas (hey, when it's over, it's over!)

*  renew passports

*  organize storage room

*  put away Christmas gifts

*  cut Jet's nails (un-fun)

*  book a cleaning with dental hygienist (also un-fun)

*  go to Ministry to book RSV vaccine appointments for Jet (yet again, un-fun)

What I Missed Most About Being NOT Pregnant

*  sleeping on my stomach

*  hot tubs and boiling hot showers

*  licking the spoon (after baking!)

*  caffeine

Shows We're Excited For

*  Girls (January 11th)

*  Bachelor (January 5th)

*  Celebrity Apprentice (January 4th)

Top Phrases Said Around The House, Circa December 2014

*  I'm tired.

*  I'm exahusted.

*  She just ate!

*  Do you have to go potty?

*  I love her so much!

How are you doing?

It seems to be the polite thing to ask someone after they've had a baby.  I try to respond in a realistic, yet optimistic way because I'm not sure I want to get into all the details on how I'm truly feeling (e.g. "I'm tired, but good!").  In fact, I often divert to the girls because talking about how awesome they are comes way more easily than talking about how much of an emotional wreck I  (often!) am these days.  "Jet is so snuggly!" or "Nory is a great big sister!" are some of my go-to responses. 

But if I were to be 100% honest with people, I'd be given the sorry-I-asked face in about point two seconds.  I'm a hot mess, you guys!  There's a billion emotions that go through my body each and every day and it seems to me like every single one of them is dependent on how good of a mom I feel in that very moment.  Happy?  I just rocked that burp session!  Anxious?  What if I don't swaddle her tight enough and the blanket goes over her face?  Overwhelmed?  Am I giving both of my girls the attention they need and deserve? 

This is why it meant so much to me - SO, SO MUCH TO ME - when I was NOT asked how I was doing the other day.  Instead, I was TOLD how I was doing:

You're doing a great job, Linds!

I'm going to hold onto this one little sentence forever.  It was everything I needed in that moment.  And in this one too.

Thank you to that special person who didn't ask, but told.  You're the best! XOXO

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA!

The caffeinated edition returns!  When you're up every two hours (on the dot!) it's the only way you make it through and remain somewhat kind.....

There's been a lot of this going on......

*  Two more sleeps until Christmas!  Phil and I are busy wrapping presents this afternoon as both girls nap.  We're excited for Christmas morning this year - more than we have been in MANY, MANY YEARS - because we did LEGITIMATE Christmas shopping for each person.  With no vacation to pay for and no baggage limits to abide by, we decided to put an exclamation point on the stressful few weeks we've had!

*  The heat has been switched on!  It's nice during the day (sweater weather, though), but at night it has been SO COLD!  Even Dana sent me a message the other morning to agree with my temperature description.  In fact, I believe she used the word "freezing"!  BUSTED!  Haha.

Patrolling the courtyard!

*  I've become much less paranoid about having Kumari watch Jet.  I mean, I still make sure she's been fed and changed and that she's asleep before walking out the door, but at least I MAKE IT OUT THE DOOR and have some quality time with Nory in the courtyard.  And - IN REALLY BIG NEWS - I actually LEFT THE PREMISES the other evening to go see Christmas lights (and the water fountain!) with Phil and Nory at the nearby mall.  WHOA!!!!!

If she wasn't buckled in here, you can bet she'd be running for the "wawa"!

*  I am not returning to work until after spring break (the second week of April)!!!  This marks the start of quarter four and all parties involved decided this decision was best for our family, the school, and my students.  I, personally, really want to make up for the time I lost with Nory when I was in the hospital and on bed rest.  She's growing up so fast and I - for my own sanity - can't handle any more mama guilt.  HOORAY FOR EXTENDED LEAVE and SUPPORTIVE WORKPLACES!!! 

*  The other day I had a mani/pedi at the house (compliments of two of our friends!).  The nails turned out AMAZING and I'm so happy to have pretty hands and feet once again.  That being said, the experience slaughtered my mental health a smidgen when I was called fat and pale with hairy arms.  Yep, apparently I need some exercise, waxing, and tanning!  #wouldnothappeninCanada

*  Tomorrow morning we are having a Christmas Eve brunch in the courtyard with other families who are here for the break.  I have to think of something to bake for the gathering.  My hope is to get this done tonight so that I'm not scrambling in the morning!

*  Passport photos for babies are impossible.  We had the same troubles with Nory but at least she was a little bulkier and stayed put a little easier.  Jet's head doesn't seem to want to face the camera, nor do her eyes want to stay open.  Let's hope the task gets done and a passport photo is secured soon.  Otherwise, y'all better book your flights to Kuwait.  #sorry

*  Having a baby around Christmas time might have given Nory the impression that presents are a daily thing during the month of December.  Every single day (NO JOKE!), we've had either a knock at the door with a gift delivery or we have opened our door to find presents outside.  And so many people have decided to give Nory something along with Jet.  Our saving grace is that at age 22 months, this daily routine should already be forgotten by Eleanor next year.  FINGERS CROSSED, haha!

Thirty minus one!

Friday was my birthday and I turned the big 2-9!  My mom asked me if I felt bothered getting closer to age thirty and I laughed as I told her that I just LOVE birthdays so the number doesn't upset me one bit!  BIRTHDAYS RULE.  Why doesn't everyone love them?!  (Ah-hem, Phil???!!!)

I'm also not one of those people that believes December birthdays are a bad thing.  The whole "but you get ripped off on presents" theory is totally lame and defeats the purpose of the holiday season in instances where it might hold some truth.  DECEMBER IS THE ULTIMATE MONTH (you've heard my spiel before)!  And soon enough Jet will realize just how lucky she was to be born in the fabulous Month Number Twelve! 

This year, we kept it very low key.  Dana came over and we (eventually!) made three different varieties of cookies:  shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, and macaroons!  We decided to share them with our different friend groups to help ease any homesickness for those who are stuck in Kuwait for the holidays.  We've got super reviews so far!  (Our fridge is now empty).  

Next year we hope to be on a wonderful holiday when we celebrate my entry into a new decade :) It will probably be one of those holidays that isn't really relaxing (with TWO little movers and shakers), but it will be awesome nonetheless.  Oh - and I will be all mature and stuff like that ;) 

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!!!  Your messages and phone calls made me feel extra special! xo

The Bubble Machine.

Is the best invention ever, being both a big-smile-creator and work-off-that-energy-inducer all in one!  Here is the photo evidence to prove it:

Nory loves it so much that she even took it upon herself to blow the machine a kiss when playtime came to a close!  SO ADORABLE.  Thank you Barb and Clarke for making our stay-cation much more exciting than we thought it could be!  XOXO

Counting down the hours....

Phil is at work today.  But it's not just ANY work day.  It's the FINAL DAY OF WORK before a TWO WEEK HOLIDAY TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!  Hip, hip!  As exhausted as we are, I think every single one of us will find a way to jump for joy the minute he walks through the door this afternoon.  It is just THAT exciting!!!!!!!!!

It's so funny to think about our initial holiday plans.  We were never going to travel (because I was going to be too far into the pregnancy), but we were going to spend time setting up the house for baby and taking Nory out and about as much as possible before we became somewhat housebound and exhausted with a newborn.  Well, turns out our newest addition will be two weeks old tomorrow (CRAZY!) which means the "setting up the house for baby" has already been completed by Phil and some friends and the "taking Nory out and about as much as possible" will not be an entire family affair.  Since Jet was born early and during cold/flu season, we've been advised to keep her indoors and away from crowds for a couple of months.  This means that one of us either stays home with Jet or I put on my big girl panties and trust Kumari with yet another one of our babes.  I'm really struggling with that last part....

If this were a movie, you'd see my heart pounding OUT of my chest....

Kumari has held the baby for approximately 15 minutes total.  FIFTEEN MINUTES!  I have been extra protective of her (understatement?), allowing Kumari to hold her for one minute while I made a tea last week and for a couple of minutes as I ran downstairs to pick up a delivery yesterday.  Yesterday's couple of minutes was a BIG DEAL!  My heart was racing the entire time and I'm pretty sure I left a "she's a wacko" impression on the delivery lady.  Kumari handled the situation more than fine (obvs) and was absolutely OVER-THE-MOON when I asked if she could watch Jet as I took care of this Christmas business.  It was really sweet, you guys.  Her whole face lit up and when I returned to the flat, the smile was still there and she was looking at Baby Juliet with so much love.  So then I felt bad stealing Jet right back and I (bravely!) did some playdough with Nory before giving Kumari the "it's over" cue.

I'm not sure when I will feel better about letting others take care of Jet.  I DO KNOW that I haven't been OUT-OUT in WEEKS and the cabin fever is kicking in hardcore.  When I get excited about a car ride to the hospital, you know something's up!  So.......we shall see what happens over the break.  Perhaps all I need is some gentle "you got this!" coaching from Phil :)

Well, it only took about three hours to whip this one up.  Jet is back to sleep and I need to eat before I pass out!  Missing all of you! xo

The Name.

Like last time, I spent HOURS and HOURS looking up baby names for this little one.  Probably even more hours than I spent trying to find the perfect name for Nory.  It seemed harder for Baby #2, just as I described to you HERE.  There was much more to consider and even once we thought we had the perfect name picked out....the name we had been trying out around the house for weeks.....the name we were 99% certain about.....we made a last minute decision to change it up with a name that wasn't even on our radar!  (Yes, I feel completely silly for wasting precious hours of sleep due to my obsession with Nameberry in the last however many weeks!)

We thought it was a neat tradition to have a male middle name for both of our girls because in Arab culture, girls do have male middle names! So, with that, the middle name was always Tyko - a Scandinavian name that is extra precious as it was Phil's grandfather's middle name.  Phil's Grandpa was his ultimate FAVOURITE person in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD (and BEYOND!!!!!).  Grandpa passed away before Phil and I were together but, based on the amazing woman he married, it's clear just how incredibly special he was (women like HER don't get scooped up by just anybody!!!).  Stories of him, told by Phil and Grandma, always make the room tear up and even though I never met him, I miss him like they do.  We hope you had a big bowl of ice cream on December 5th, Grandpa! xo 

Given that the middle name is masculine, we decided that - like with Eleanor - the first name had to be quite feminine.  We wanted something that wasn't super popular or trendy but something that wasn't way out of the blue either (crazy celebrity style).  Well, laying in the hospital bed during my second admission (and second round of stop-this-baby-from-coming medicine), Juliet popped into my mind with the circumstance-appropriate nickname "Jet".  It was girlie enough, classic enough, and had a sporty little nickname that referenced just how quickly she wanted into this world!  I sent Phil a message at work and he fell in love :)  Juliet Tyko Parkinson it was!

We adore you, Jet Tyko!!!  You came into the world during my favourite month and - after December 25th - I think you too will have a favourite holiday!  You're our Christmas Angel :)

XOXO