Kate, at 3 Months

It’s hard to believe that Kate’s been a part of our family for three months already.  Life’s sure been a lot busier since her arrival in May!  Kate has been an easy baby so far.  She eats and sleeps well.  For the most part, she’s pretty laid back but there’s also a feisty side to her personality.  Kate is quite the little conversationalist and smiles easily (especially after eating).  She knows what she wants and how to get it.  Kate is a mommy’s girl, likes my arms best and will often cry when others try to hold her.  She loves sitting on my knee facing outward and watching the world around her.  She loves grabbing her shirt or dress with her tiny little hands and stuffing it into her mouth.  Kate is active and has been trying to roll onto her stomach for a few weeks now.  In the morning, I often find her on the other side of the crib (she lifts up her bum, digs her heals into the mattress and pushes herself backwards). 

Having two children isn’t necessarily more difficult but it’s definitely more time consuming.  Despite the added responsibility (and dirty laundry) that comes along with a second child, Kate has added so much richness to our lives and we look forward to watching her grow.  I love catching little glimpses of her personally and I cannot imagine life without her sweet little face smiling back at me. 

Dirt + Cars = An Afternoon Outside

Ben at the Pool

He Said (On Lawn Maintenance)...

Me: "Ben, are you mowing the lawn?"

Ben: "Aw, yes.  This grass is very messy!"

Siblings - August 2012

 On Ben: Dress Shirt, Joe Fresh. Pants, Zara Kids. Shoes, Joe Fresh.  On Kate: Sweater, H&M. Jumper, Joe Fresh.

I took Ben and Kate outside this morning for their first photo shoot together.  Ben did a fantastic job holding Kate and they looked so cute in their coordinated outfits: 

Ben, a lot more co-operative (and a lot more willing to accept a bribe) since the last time I photographed him in this location:

Kate, not quite ready to sit but not willing to lay on the grass and have her picture taken:

And this is what happens when a two and a half year old boy dressed in light grey pants plays on green grass for five minutes:

He Said (On Weekend Mornings)...

Ben: "Daddy put your towel on and follow me!"

Towel = Housecoat 

Ben the "Ductor"

Ben found a stick on the deck while we were playing outside the other night, so naturally he decided to conduct an orchestra.  Unfortunately, by the time I grabbed my camera he was pretty much done debuting his new "ductor" skills but here's a little taste of our two and a half year old's imagination:

Busy as a Bee

In the last few weeks Kate's become a really active little lady (so busy, she doesn't even have time to pose for a picture):

She's a little sweetheart, cooing and smiling all day long but she also has a feisty side and knows what she wants...and how to get it:

God, I love this little girl...

He Said (On Holding Kate)...

Ben asks to hold Kate a lot throughout the day.  Although their snuggle sessions only last about five seconds, it melts my heart to see how much he loves her. 

Ben: "I hold her Mommy?"

It’s Just Not Worth It

Last September, the Distracted Driving Legislation (Bill 16) came into effect in Alberta and at first, I think the new law really made a difference.  However, as the months passed I began to see more and more drivers using their cell phones behind the wheel again.  This morning one man’s stupidity almost changed or could have ended my life or my child(ren)’s.  

I was driving into Sherwood Park for a visit with a friend when, on a two lane road with a speed limit of 80 kph, a man in a minivan crossed the center line seconds before I passed him in the other direction.  He had his head down and was texting with both hands.  I had just enough time to swerve to the right to avoid a head on collision.  Thankfully, I reacted quickly.  Thankfully, his vehicle didn’t veer a second or two later.  Thankfully, the side road was wide enough to compensate.  Someone was watching over the three of us this morning.  The thing that upsets me the most is that he was so absorbed in his inattention that he didn’t even look up when I swerved, he was completely unaware that his vehicle almost collided with mine. 

I deserve to watch Ben and Kate grow up; to see them finish high school, to dance at their weddings, to spoil my grandchildren one day.  My children don’t deserve to die strapped into their car seats in the back of a vehicle before they have even really begun to live.  A child isn’t replaceable and neither are their mother or father.  However, the truth of the matter is, everyday someone’s life changes or ends because of someone’s stupidity and inattention behind the wheel.  No one deserves to lose someone they love that way.  So get off your phones, stop texting or eating a Big Mac or doing anything that takes your attention away from the road while you drive.  It’s just not worth it.