Christmas 2008

The picture Liam drew of the family.

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already.

My sister Cheryl & her kids flew in a few days before Christmas as my brother Shawn is getting married tomorrow. Christmas Eve we spent over at my Moms for a while before heading home for a quiet night of pizza & a movie for the kids. I have been so tired that I ended up going to bed at 9.

Christmas Day we opened presents here and then headed over to Moms again. For Christmas dinner our really good friends the Lake Family invited us over and after dinner we played their new Wii.

Yesterday Jackson also hit the one month mark. I can't believe that he's already a month old! This last month has been rather eventful...not good kind of eventful other then his birth. After they took out my staples (from the csection) my incision split open. It was about 14 cm long and 4 1/2 cm deep. We ended up back in the hospital when he was 6 days old. There was also a blood clot in the incision so rather then stitch it back up it they decided to let it heal from the inside out. About a week and a half after it opened it got infected & I got a bladder infection. For the time being it's doing really good. They say that it's really clean and it's healing but it's a bit slow going for my taste. I'm supposed to be taking it really easy and resting alot but thats kind of hard with three small kids. So I have home care coming everyday to change and clean my wound and bandages and I'm going regularly to see the surgeon to make sure it looks good.

INTRODUCING: Jackson Motley Gullacher

Jackson Motley was born November 25th at 3:59pm via C-section weighing in at 9lbs 4 oz. He is a very content baby whos older siblings can not get enough snuggles & kisses in with him in a day.

Hitting the books...

Our kids LOVE to look at books. Liam is getting to that age where he will look at a book and make up his own story to go along with the pictures.

He often asks for a book to take to bed with him. We fond him sleeping like this more often then not...such a book worm!

Kylie the Fearless...

Really, both of our kids are fearless but Liam is far too fast to catch a picture of him in action. Kylie is quick but I can still manage to snap a few...they are really blurry but thats what you get when your child never stops moving...

She loves to run and jump...especially running and jumping off the couch. We tell them that it's dangerous and that they are going to get hurt but they don't listen. What can we do right??

Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Jumping off the couchHalf way off the couch- half way down to the floor

Her feet actually aren't on the couch here...mid jump up before jumping off the couch.

Perfect landing by Kylie!

Halloween...

The night before Halloween we stopped in at Liam's school for a party. We didn't stay long as it was after the kids bedtimes but we mostly left early because I am 8 months pregnant and am really tired and sore right now...yes, I am the party pooper! Liam as a cow (the spots are because the lady painting his face thought that he was a dog)

Kylie as a ballerina

This year was by far the most fun we've had at Halloween. Our kids are totally getting the hang of the whole dressing up and getting candy thing.

To stay with tradition (and because we love our good friends the Beda Family) we headed out to Cochrane for trick or treating. We have been going with them since 2004, missing out on the year that Kylie was born because Kurt had to work nights and I didn't want to drag a little baby and chase a toddler myself.

The kids from left to right: Liam (cow) Manny & Kylie (pumpkins) Arrie (Optimus Prime) Tiana (Hula Girl)

The kids had so much fun trick or treating this year. They couldn't wait to get dressed up (and it took us two days after Halloween to get Liam to take his costume off) When we headed out it was so warm outside, seriously the first year that the kids didn't have to wear their jackets under their costumes. The kids couldn't wait to go get candy! At one point Kylie wasen't going fast enough for Liam and he told Kurt & I that it was ok, we would come back and find Kylie later...yeah right!! I stayed back to wait for Kylie while Kurt went ahead with Liam. It took a good 3 or 4 houses before we caught up with them again and when Liam saw Kylie he yelled "Look!! I found her, there's Kylie!!" It was so funny. He's such a protective brother (LOL!)

They got quite the haul of candy, some playdoh & a toothbrush- which Kylie was so excited about that that she had to show the next few houses that we went to after that.

Liam's Surgery

I'm such a horrible blogger sometimes, I really like blogging and think about doing it allot, I just never get around to actually doing it.

Liam had his tonsils and adenoids taken out earlier this month. He did so great! We had to stay in the hospital over night (which is a story in it's own) but in the 24 hours we were there he managed to down about a box and a half of Popsicles (and they had been worried at first that he wouldn't take in enough fluids because of his age, yeah right!) He ate so many Popsicles that when my mom came to pick us up the next morning she thought that he lips were bruised from the surgery. Recovery was great, his oxygen was down for a while after and they had to have him hooked up for a bit but other then that it was good. The night before my Mom came over with some gifts for him, she brought him some Pajamas, some new cars and some Popsicles & jello (thanks to aunty Christa & Cheryl & Papa Fraser for being a part of the gift also) He loved everything!

Surgery day was a really long one for me. We had to get up early to get ready (thanks to our great friends the Beda Family for taking Kylie for us for a couple of nights other wise it would of been even earlier!) After his surgery I had to take off for an ultrasound that the doctor had booked for me then it was back to the hospital for a long night. The night before his surgery with the new cars that Grandma bought him...his is so paticular with his cars, they always have to be lined up and facing the same way. Playing with the train table while waiting for the surgery. They had the cutest pajamas there for the kids. Again with the cars lined up, waiting for surgery. Right after coming out of recovery...he was not a happy boy here, he wanted the IV out really bad and wasen't thrilled about the oxygen in his nose, but he was happy to watch a movie and eat a popsicle.

Looking ALOT happier!

Jackson

Just though I would add a note about our almost-ready-to-be-born-baby-boy Jackson. We had an ultrasound last week and were able to see ALOT of him, I was really surprised as there is not alot of room in there but she managed to get some really good pictures, we were even able to see some hair on the back of his head (which I have never seen in an ultrasound before!). He's doing great...actually better then great! He's growing like a weed, last week weighing in around 7 lbs (give or take a lb) He is still laying transverse (sideways) with his head up by my right ribs and his feet up on either side of his head, again not alot of room in there. Because of his size and position he is laying in we have decided to go ahead and book a c-section. Hopefully this time next week we will have a date, unless he decided he dosen't want to wait and things start to happen on their own, then we go right in & have the surgery then. View of his face (a bit squished) His foot right next to his head His legs crossed & his little feet
Profile of his face

'Twilight'

I have been thinking alot this past little while about selling some of the crafts that I do. This week I put it to the test to see if people would be interested and the response was amazing! It really excites me to know that people are that interested in what I do.

I had my first real-non family-paid for order- earlier this week. I finished her order last night and am really happy with it.

The girl that ordered wanted me to make a 'Twilight' inspired recipe tin. At first I wasen't sure how up to the challenge I was as I have never read any of the Twilight series but after talking to some people (mostly my Mom) and looking it up on the internet it was actually easier then I thought! There are four objects on the front of the books...an apple, a "crying" tulip, a "queen" chess piece & a piece of red ribbon so I included them on the box.

I really like the look of this box...honestly, I would of never thought of putting these colors together but now that I did I think that this may be my favorite box to date!

I'm taking orders for these as well as the banners from my previous post. You get to pick the theme and colors, give me a couple of days and it will be done. Leave a comment & I will get back to you.

Thanks for the order Megan, I hope that you like it!

the UPPIE

When we were young my Mom worked while my Dad stayed home with us kids. All the older kids were in school so for the most part it was just Christa, Dad & I. Well this meant that Dad had to get us up, dressed and do our hair. The uppie was his famous hairstyle...he loved doing them and we loved getting it done. The higher and the more off to the side, the better.

While last week I decided to try one on Kylie. It's a little different with her hair as she is so curly but it still turned out really cute. Brings back some great memories, love you Dad!

My Mom

After having such a tough couple of days with the kids I sit here and think about being a mom. I LOVE my kids and I LOVE being their Mom more then anything. I often think about my Mom...how did she do it with so many kids and all of us being so young. How did she keep the floors cleaned and the dishes done? How didn't she scream and pull her hair out when we went right behind her and messed it all up?

I'm so blessed to have the mom that I do. She's patient with me, and always has been (even when I was at my worst) She always put her family's needs above her own. She didn't have all the resources and groups for Moms that I have been lucky to be a part of. She's my super-Mom. She's my best friend. I love talking to her and spending time with her. I love how great of a Grandma she is to all of her grandchildren. I love how she lets me beat her at cards once in a while and how we can have a good laugh together. I love how she know the right things to say to me when I'm having a bad day and how she bugs me when I'm having a good one. I love how I know I can always count on her if I need help. I love my Mom! I wouldn't be the wife and mother that I am without her guidance.

Thank you Mom, you mean the world to me! I Love You up to the sky and down to the ground infinite times.

Your Daughter

Banners

This past week I have been spending my afternoons (while Liam is at school & Kylie is napping) making some super cute banners. I really enjoy making crafty things and these are really fairly easy to make, they are pretty time consuming but are simple to make and look really good when they are done.

first day of SCHOOL!

A couple of weeks ago Liam had an appointment with a speech pathologist. She felt that Liam's language is a bit on the slower side and recommended that we put him into Preschool right now to get him where he needs to be. She recommended a school really close to us and pulled a few strings and god him in. Because of the special help that he needs all of his schooling right now is covered except for the bussing & his class snack fee.

We decided to put him on the bus for a couple of reasons, the main one being that once we have the new baby I may not be able to drive him, especially if I were to have to have a c-section again.




His first day was Tuesday. He is in the afternoon class so we have an early lunch, Kylie goes down for her nap and I walk Liam out front of the house to the bus. He gets picked up at about 12:30 and comes home at about 3:40. Our house has been so quiet these last few days that I really don't know what to do with myself, you can only do so much cleaning until there is no more to do!




Liam absolutly LOVES taking the bus. All he has really shared with us about school is that he had a snack today, had a ride on the bus and put soap in him hair! He comes home so happy from school but is very tired.




I can't believe that my little boy is already in school!

Waterton

We decided as our last camping trip this year that we would head down to my Dad's for the weekend. To beat the long weekend rush Kurt decided to take the Friday off of work so we headed out Thursday night, traffic was great and we saw alot of deer on our way down.


We set up 'camp' at my Dad's house and from there headed out to a few different places.


We spent a few hours Friday playing tourist in Waterton. We decided to take a trip up to Red Rock Canyon. It was so windy there that a couple of times the kids almost fell over but it was alot of fun. Kurt and I took the kids right down into the water. It was so clear and cold and the kids just loved walking around in the water
The deer in the town of Waterton. There were deer everywhere, just laying on peoples lawns and eatting their grass.

Kylie at Red Rock.Dad up on the bridge watching us play in the water.Liam at Red Rock

Kurt & Kylie at Red Rock.

On Saturday we headed to Lethbridge for the day to see my cousin Karen and to help her unpack her new house. It was such a nice visit and Kylie & her little girl Kaydi really hit it off and ran around most of the afternoon holding hands and getting into trouble together.

Saturday night Kylie wasn't feeling good and spent half of the night crying, we woke up to rain Sunday morning and decided to head home.

It was alot of fun spending time with Dad & Jared, it was a great way to end our summer!

We have really enjoyed all the traveling and camping we have gotten to do this summer as a family and are looking forward to life 'slowing' down a bit before Liam's surgery next month the baby arrives in November.

Our Family Holidays- July 28th to August 5th

We have been gearing up for our family holidays this year. After a tent trailer problems (we retired her) and picking up a newer & bigger trailer for our family we were finally off.

It was slow driving to Prince George. It took us 5 hours to get from Calgary to Jasper only to find out that the highway from Jasper to PG was closed due to a horrific accident that ended with 3 people in a family being killed. There was nothing we could do but find a campground to stay in for the night and continue on to PG in the morning. Kurt & I have been together for about 6 years and this was the first time we ever camped without friends or family with us and it was really nice.

The next day we headed for PG. We arrived at about noon at Kurt's parents house, got some groceries and headed out to go camping with his parents, the Bedas & the Blazinas (both of which are our friends from Calgary) We camped for three nights before heading back into PG for a few more nights.

We had a birthday party for Kylie with some of Kurts family one night, went swimming and Kurt and I were even able to slip away (thanks to his parents) for a movie one night.

We had a great visit with his family and friends.

Tuesday morning we packed up and headed for home. It took us about 10.5 hours to get back home which the kids slept only about 45 minutes of. It was a long drive home but I was so happy to finally be there! Eight nights away from my bed was a long time! It was a great holiday but its always nice to come home after (except for the unpacking part!!)