I'm a pirate

So it seems that Jed is going through a phase of pretending to be someone else. Sometimes it's a firefighter, a painter or a toilet cleaner (as evident from this post). Right now he is fascinated by pirates, and so here is a short video of him pretending to be a pirate. He's talking quite fast so it's difficult to make out what he is saying. He, however, says  something about a big pirate ship and a cannonball that goes onto the wall, goes down the stairs onto the carpet. Watch out, for "Pirate Jed" and flying cannonballs !!!

I'm a pirate from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

Books, books, books !!

After yesterdays post I realized that books form a big part of Darryl's and my life. We are always reading something. Even when we are utterly exhausted at night we still pick up a book and read a page. So I wondered whether our love for reading will influence Jed and Joshua too. I know that Jed loves reading and this love started when he was very small. Jed will choose a book over a toy most of the time. He loves new words and learning the names for things and I think that this was borne when we sat on winter afternoons reading book after book. At times, 3 hours would go by before we realized it. Joshua is also enjoying books and will sit and "read" certain books over and over again. When you say the word "book", he will smile and look at the stash of books. So, yes, I do think that our boys will also have a love of reading when they grow older.

Here are a few pictures that I found of the boys with books.

What is on your night-stand ?

I was recently noticing that my night-stand was quite full of things and so I took an inventory. These are the things that are on it:

• lamp
• big glass for water to drink at night
• small bowl of cat food for Moses (our cat) to eat at night
• 5 books

1. HELP activity guide for infants (Birth to 36 months) - great resource in terms of ideas for stimulation activities for infants and toddlers
2. Lore of running by Tim Noakes - this is known as a Runner's Bible. Just sucks that I am ordered to stay off my feet indefinitely until my metatarsalgia is resolved. But I suppose I can read about running instead of actually doing it.
3. The Garden of Vegan - an absolutely awesome recipe book 
4. The China Study by T. Colin Campbell - interesting read regarding nutrition and its affect on health. Really making me think about my nutrition choices
5. Raising kids for true greatness by Tim Kimmel. Haven't started this book yet but if it is anything like Grace Based parenting - it should be great.

• Physiotherapy exercise sheet - I have 8 exercises that I must do 3 times a day.

These are the things that were on Darryl's night-stand

• i-Touch docking station
• i-Touch
• Telephone
• 3 Books

1. The Bible
2. Bathroom remodelling - we're not remodelling our bathroom so I don't quite know why he took this particular book out from the library
3. The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian - Darryl reads a chapter of this book each night.
4. Just as I am by Billy Graham - This is an autobiography. It's been on Darryl's night-stand for months.

I wonder whether the contents of our night-stands tell anything about us. What's on your night-stand ?

Making a mess

Cleaning up a mess is an everyday occurrence in a household with children. So here is a mess that I made and I don't even need to clean it up. Go to the web-site watch my masterpiece being created and then have a turn yourself. It's quite liberating to splash ketchup, cheerios, fries, pomegranate and all types of foodstuff onto a canvas and not need to clean it up. Give it a go ...

Life is great - or not ?

Joshua really enjoys life. He is generally a very happy and content baby. He thinks that life is great.  Here are some recent pictures of him ...

His mom on the other hand is not so happy at the moment. Since Spring 2006, I have suffered with metatarsalgia and have not really been able to do much serious running.

 Now everyone who knows me, knows that running is one of my great passions. So obviously I have been very frustrated but have dealt with it as most professionals have been saying that it will go away, eventually. Well it's been three years and it hasn't !!!!. So I have just been managing it by wearing the right shoes, the right orthotics and by choosing the right types of surfaces to walk and run on. So I have really just been trying to "baby" my left foot and try and make life work as best as possible around it. So recently I have been increasing my weekly running mileage and have been feeling some side effects. My left hip, back and knee have all been acting up and have not been happy. So last week I decided to make a Physiotherapy appointment as the first step in getting to the bottom of my "foot problem" and the other problems that result from it. So Tuesday morning was my first session with this great physio and she really has been the first person who is attempting to fix the problem instead of just put a Bandaid on it. She diagnosed that the metatarsalgia is in the 3rd metatarsal and it is resulting in me compensate my gait and standing position. I generally weight bear on my right leg and don't place much weight on my left leg. This has resulted in some muscle atrophy on the medial leg muscle on my left leg. Hence the lateral knee pain and also the hip/back pain. So the treatment is as follows:

• topical anti-inflammatory on the metatarsals
• laser treatment
• ultra-sound
• exercises - to strengthen and stretch
• soft tissue massage

She is of the opinion that if the metatarsalgia is not sorted out then the other problems will persist and also worsen. So far she is the first professional that has said that something can be done about the metatarsalgia rather than adopting the wait- and- see approach. So I am stoked. I do my exercises, slap on the anti-inflammatory gel and follow her instructions to the word. Going back for a follow-up appointment this afternoon. Can't wait. Life is great after all !!!!

How rich are you ?

I came across this quote from Thoreau the other day and it has made me think: "I make myself rich by making my wants few."
How rich are you ?

Mom, we have a problem.

On Saturday night, Jed exclaimed from the bathroom: "Mom, we have a problem." Here's a short video to share what the problem was and how it was solved.

Mom, we have a problem !! from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

Where are you ?

Quite a few times during the day, Jed asks "Where is Dadda?" He knows exactly where his dad is but just asks to confirm that he really is at work. So often I tell him that dad is in Brazil or China or any other country. Today we were playing together but after a while he leaves the room. It's quiet and I'm wondering what he is up to so I ask "Where are you?". He brightly answers "I'm in Venezuela". He was actually in the bathroom but I loved the irony that he was using the same strategy that I use. I also love the fact that a 2 year old can say Venezuela !!!

Who is he rescuing ?

Jed is always talking. He talks all day and at night too when he is sleeping. Last night he was fast asleep and was having a long conversation. I caught a bit of it and he was saying "I'll rescue them." I wonder who he is rescuing and also wonder whether "rescue" is normally in the vocabulary of a 2 year old. He sometimes calls Emma a "rescue dog". So maybe they were working together last night.

Where are you sailing to ?

Today at Mom's group, Jed got into a boat and was playing in it. Holly asked, "Where are you sailing to ?". Jed replied, "I'm going to Ninevah". No doubt, "Jonah" is his favourite bible character.

Noah's ark party

On Wednesday we had our Noah's ark party. It was originally scheduled for Halloween but due to the sickness in our house we postponed it. The theme of the party "Noah's ark" and the kids all came dressed as animals. We had a lion, 2 tigers, 2 monkeys, a cow and a bird. We read the story of Noah's ark and then sang a "Noah's ark" song. Here is a picture of us singing.

We then had supper, some games and a fabulous cake that Lisa made - a Noah's ark. After that the kids made some "treat bags" and each adult took turns hiding and the kids had to find them to get a treat. It was hilarious. Not sure who had the most fun, the kids or the adults.
Here are a few more photos of some of the kids...

Treadmill vs. Baby monitor

Today I planned to do a 6 mile run, the longest run that I've done for a while. So I thought that the best time to do it would be when Joshua was sleeping. So as soon as he went down for his morning nap, I stationed Jed in front of the computer do work on his phonics using this fantastic website and then headed to the basement to run on the treadmill. The baby monitor was stationed in the corner so that I could watch it to see when Josh woke up. The competition then started. Would I finish my run before the green lights on the baby monitor would start flashing. Fifteen minutes went by, then thirty and then forty. I was sweating and Joshua was still snoring. Things looked good. If only he could sleep for another 15 minutes and then I could finish my first l-o-n-g run. Yeah !!! The lights on the baby monitor did not start flashing and I finished my run in 54 minutes. Thanks dear sweet Joshua for having such a wonderful morning nap!

Thirteen ways

It's Friday he thirteenth ! So here is an article posted by Jessie on her blog called "Graze with me" where she talks about 13 ways to avoid toxic groceries. Jessie blogs about food and food choices that she makes and she inspired me to read "Skinny Bitch".  I'm off to go grocery shopping and so this is useful information. Read the article here.

Skinny B-I-T-C-H

Just read the book Skinny Bitch and have had a wake-up call regarding what I eat as well as what I feed my family. This book is hard-hitting and does not mince any words about healthy eating. It's the first non-fiction book that I've ever read that has swearing in it. But I suppose harsh language is necessary to make one realise what junk food does to your body. The book's premise is to take a look at ingredients in the products that you eat rather than just the nutritional facts. So that's what our household will be doing for a while as well as omitting some items from our diets too.

How old are you ?

Jed is 2 years old but he likes to think that he is older. Yesterday we were visiting with some friends and I asked one of the teenagers how old he was? He replied that he was "thirteen". When Jed was asked how old he was he said "I am two-teen." That sure does sound older than two, doesn't it ?

I want to be a painter !

Here's Jed exploring a new vocation. He wants to be a painter. Here he is practicing painting on his easel. He is wearing coveralls (his snow pants) and is standing on a ladder (a footstool). Watch to the end ...

I want to be a painter from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

A peace retreat

When emotions get strong and stormy winds of frustration blow, there's a place to go. A "Peace Retreat". A candle to light, a book to read and a quilt to find comfort from. Here's Jed taking "shelter" in the peace retreat.

The rougher the better

Jed and Joshua love to play together. Joshua is only 8 months old and is quite tough. Jed takes advantage of this and loves to play rough with his brother.

The rougher the better from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

Double whammy !

So Joshua has been sick all this week and has really been quite miserable. But last night he started screaming and screaming. This is so unlike him as he very seldom cries. Nothing that I did could console him and so I took him into the ER last night. Luckily Dr. Handre (our family doctor) was on call and he was able to see Joshua almost straight away. After taking a good case history and doing an examination on Josh, the diagnosis was; roseola (baby measles) and an ear infection. He was given a dose of Ibuprofen and was sent home with advice to double dose him with Ibuprofen and Tylenol alternatively. So that's what I've been doing and although Josh is still a little cranky, he is not crying or screaming anymore.
So here are the drugs that have been used.

Here's the little boy whose been needing them. His rash on his face is quite visible.

While I was doing the ER visit last night, Darryl and Jed went to get their H1N1 immunizations. They arrived there at 16h30 and only came back at 20h30. It was a 4 hour adventure for Jed. He loved every minute of waiting in line and talking with all the people. We are realising now more and more how socially driven he is. While waiting he made friends with some people and entertained them with stories and singing N'kosi Sikele. He was unaware of the reason for the wait, but when it was his turn he was very concerned about lifting up his sleeve. He kept saying, "No my sleeve must be down". He really is a specific kind of kid. After he received the shots he cried a bit. When he saw that his dad was going to get the shots too, he was very concerned and said "Don't do it. Don't do it." He was really looking out for him. They had to wait 15 minutes after the shots in case that they had any allergic reaction. At that time, Darryl phoned me just to let me know what was happening. At that time Jed said "Mom, you must come and visit us". Most kids would have wanted to have been out of there. Not him. He was quite content to stay and visit some more. Well, he'll be getting his chance as Josh and I have to go next week sometime and so Jed is in for another "Swine Line" adventure !!!

More fall photos

On Sunday we did a re-take of our family photos and were able to get a few nice ones of the family,  Emma included. I'm sure that we took about 50 and only had 3 or 4 useable photos. Joshua wanted to play with the leaves and we made the mistake of giving Jed gum to chew. Although it helped to make him co-operate the pictures of him did not turn out so good as his mouth was always in a "chewing" position instead of in a smiling position. So here is the best family photo that we have this year. Thanks to Gene for taking it and for being patient with us.

I think that Jed had swallowed his gum for this photo - hence the smile !!

Josh is sick

Poor Joshua has had a fever for the past few days. He is normally a happy and easy-going child but has been so miserable recently. He has had a fever and is just so "cranky". He has little creases in his forehead and is needing to be held. In my last post, I said that Jed  makes him laugh all the time. Well he has not laughed at all today. Let's hope that he is feeling better tomorrow.

Joshua laughing

So Joshua thinks that everything that Jed does is so funny. If anyone can make Joshua laugh, it's Jed. So here's a short video of what often happens in our day. Jed can be doing anything arbitrary and it can make Josh laugh. Watch and see...

Joshua laughing from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

Some more family photos

So we took some family photos last weekend and so here are a few of my favorites.

To see or not to see ?

Here is a video of Jed hard at work sawing some wood. Sure glad that the saw is not sharp !

Untitled from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

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Fall family photos

Over the past few years we have taken a "signature" family photo. This photo has us sitting on the railway tracks with the fall leaves in the background. Here are photos from 2007, 2008 and now 2009.

2007 - Jed is just 8 months old

2008 - Jed is 20 months old and Joshua is not visible in the picture but he is "there". I was 4 months pregnant

2009 - Jed is 2yrs 9 months and Joshua is 7 months old. Emma will be turning 7 in November.

What do you want to be as an adult ?

So the other day I was asking my son Jed a few questions. One of the questions that I asked was what he wanted to do as an adult. I was thinking of occupations like doctor (he adores his family physician) or a fireman (loves walking around in boots and pretending to be a fireman) or a construction worker (he loves Bob the Builder). But alas, he did not choose any of these professions. Just watch and find out what his vocation is ..
What do you want to be as an adult ? from Heather Hansen on Vimeo.

Live in the moment

So after that initial post I took a blogging sabbatical. Yes, that fist post wore me out but now I think that I've overcome the initial "cold feet" and I'm up to blogging again. I've been inspired by a few blogs that I read daily and I've thought that I should at least try and and keep a "journal" of my life as a mom, a wife, a runner and woman finding her way. So just recently I was reading this blog and it spoke to me about slowing down and finding rhythm in life. Most times I hurry through the day checking things off my "To do" list and getting very frantic and tired. Seeking for something that I don't know. So after realizing this I've decided to live a little more in the moment and to enjoy each day that God has blessed me with. So perhaps, this blog is a way that I can journal what I am grateful for and what wonderful moments the Creator provides through my husband, my sons and through our daily experiences together.

So here's some pictures of two little guys who really know how to live in the moment.

What now ?

Okay so I have decided to  start a blog because that's what millions are doing. Not that I'm a conformist but I think that I need to get with the times. I don't know what a widget is but I know what an avatar is so I think that I'm 50% on my way to getting technologically savvy.

I suppose the next step after deciding to blog is deciding what to blog about. Well I think that I'll just blog about random stuff about my growing family and me growing in Christ. If a trend is created then I'll follow that trend. Let's just see where this blog leads to. How does that sound ? Now let me introduce you to my sons. This is Jed and he is a chatty, social, specific, kind 2 year old. God made him GREAT ! His name means "loved by God" and he surely is.

This toothless grin belongs to Joshua. He is 3 and a half months old and is a smiley, good-natured, content baby that God doubly blessed us with. His name means "Jehovah saves".