Use it up

I've decided not to go grocery shopping for at least a week. Instead, we will eat what is already in this house. We have a small chest freezer and a cupboard full of food. I may give in at some point during the week if we run out of fresh fruits or veggies, but I think we have enough to sustain us for at least a week, especially because the garden is ready to harvest as well.

Any one want to join me in using up what is already in the cupboards?

Post-surgery

If you didn't know Kate had had surgery on Thursday, you would never guess. She is totally back to her normal self, and other than some eye redness, there is nothing to indicate that anything happened. Well, except for a non-wonky eye and a suddenly straight head.

Thanks for all the good thoughts.

Tomorrow is the big day

Kate's eye surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:30. I was feeling totally fine about it until about 5 o'clock today when I started to freak out just a little bit. I know the biggest risk tomorrow is the drive to the surgery center, but that doesn't change the fact that my baby is having surgery. That they will take her from me, probably kicking and screaming. What I'm most worried about right now though is that she doesn't get to eat any breakfast tomorrow, which will mean that by the time we get to the surgery center at 9:30 she will be a horrible cranky monster.

Think of us tomorrow at 10:30.

A little guy in need of help

There is a family in the Austin Mama community having a really shitty time right now. Their little boy is having some serious problems and is going in for surgery today. If you pray, please do. If not, do whatever you do do. Details are here.

Ottawa Visit

We had a great time in Ottawa this past week. We had a full week, but I realized that most of my pictures are just from playing at the house and not from our field trips.

But we did go out. Here's what we did:
- Went up the Peace Tower, which is the large clock tower on Parliment Hill. Great views of the city and the river. Gorgeous stone work inside and outside of Parliment. Results in feelings of national pride.
- Went to the Children's Museum inside the Museum of Civilization. Cool building, saw the totem poles in the First Nations Hall which was very impressive. Children's Museum was really cool. Kids loved it.
- Went walking on the canal (I didn't have skates) and ate Beaver Tails. Yum.
- Went out for dim sum. Had shwarma for dinner. Ate Montreal Bagels for breakfast. Cooked yummy meals.
- Karen and I had tea at the Chateau. Without any children. Lovely.
- Tried to feed the chickadees which reportedly will eat out of your hand. Doesn't work with three kids under age 5.

Phew. I'm sure I missed stuff. Because we also had tea parties, made cookies, had bubble baths, played played played, sang songs, danced, stomped in puddles, rode on sleds, did crossword puzzles, and laughed until we cried. A really good week.

A few pictures:

Home again, home again

We're home. We got home late last night and I'm still trying to get caught up. Laundry, groceries, email, mail, naps, appointments (surgery this week!), photos, etc.

I just downloaded photos, so I will definitely be detailing our trip. It was great. I miss them all already.

Off to Ottawa

Kate and I are heading to Ottawa tomorrow for a week long visit. Yay!

It's going to be really really really cold. Brrrrr. Why I would go in February, I have no idea. It was 75 here today and I was biking in shorts and short sleeves. Everyone should come to Austin in February.

My life revolves around someone else's sleeping habits

Around American Thanksgiving, Kate went on a nap strike. She would not nap in her crib and one day she protested for 75 minutes rather than giving in to sleep. So, for almost two months she would take her nap in the stroller or the car seat, usually for about 45 minutes. It sucked.

After being sick last week, I decided to try again to get her to sleep in her crib during the day. We started on Thursday or Friday (I don't remember) and she cried for about 30 minutes, but finally gave in to sleep. The next day, the protest was shorter. Until yesterday, when there was none at all. And today, when she came and told me it was nap time (although she's not asleep. She's chattering away in there, so maybe I'm speaking too soon about this success.)

She's been sleeping for 1.5-2 hours in her crib for almost a week. It's been heavenly.