Change of Blog Plans

I've been thinking that this little blog of mine is too eclectic, so I'm starting a different branch of it called "3 Little Billy Goats". I want a place specifically for the boys and family news - Cookies Daughter was meant to be a space for me, but my thoughts have been gobbled up somehow by my three great guys and my affection for them. They need their own spot - not one that's murky with my childhood memories. So, if anyone is reading this, and you want to know more about the lads and their antics, go to: http://3billygoats.blogspot.com/. Meanwhile, my plan is to keep Cookies Daughter running so I have an outlet for the strange thoughts that fill my head.

Thanks for stopping by.

Croup[id] rhymes with stupid. . . .

We're at the hospital - Aidan was admitted yesterday so they could keep an eye on him. It made for an interesting night. His crib looks like a cage (it has a lid so he won't get out). The meds he was given made him hyper - so it was like watching a baby gorilla swinging through a metal jungle. He was in good spirits during that time - thank goodness. I wore him out with his favourite finger plays, and he finally got some rest.

I'm writing from the parent lounge - it's nice that hospitals are wired so we don't feel so out of touch! Hoping to be discharged and out of the cage later today, or tomorrow. I hope Aidan's good spirits stay up - and that he can rest and get well for his grandparents visit on Wednesday.

Croup Rhymes with Group

Croup is such an ugly word. Rhymes with group for a reason, I guess - because the bloody thing gets us working together to try to control it. James and I were on a relay team taking Aidan into the steam-filled bathroom 6 times last night - it was the only way to help him breath. Poor little pumpkin sounded like a squeaky toy, it was quite scary. Scary because it came on so quick! Yesterday he was fine, and enjoyed a little time in the snow (did this bring it on?).

Luckily we could help him breath with the steam, otherwise it might have been a sleigh ride to Emergency. Yesterday was our first snow on the Island, and the hill outside our house was so slick with ice, cars/trucks/vans were sliding backwards while trying to get up. The power went out for a couple of hours, we steamed him by candlelight, and I rocked him in the rocking chair so long my shoulder feels like it's dislocated this morning.

Still, though, all these complaints, and I'm grateful. My mom used to say, "it could be worse," and she's right. It wasn't heart surgery (we already did that). We can handle anything - it's just hard to be brave and take it with grace when you're in desperate need of a nap! I think of others out there who are in the hospital right now, with less sleep and more fear, and I'm humbled.

The day can only go up from here!

Lads

When I think about my boys, I feel blessed - I am the luckiest mom on the planet. I'm not sure what I did to get so lucky. Perhaps it was the vitamins, or maybe it was the prarie sky, but whatever it was I'm thanking my lucky stars.

This photo was taken just after Aidan came home from the hospital - it's one of my favourite photos, as it captured so well the excitement the boys were feeling at the time.

This seems like a good spot to tell you what happened the morning I had an appointment with the doctor to confirm my pregnancy with Aidan (my littlest). We were living in Edmonton at the time, and Kieran woke up early, came downstairs and started to tell us a dream he'd had:
"Last night I dreamt that we found this baby that didn't have any
owners. You said we could look after him, and so I asked him if he
wanted to be called Batman, and he said, 'yes'."

The funny thing was that we had not told either boy about the pregnancy, and
hadn't been hinting at it. I went to the appointment, got confirmation, then told Kieran and Liam that we were having a baby. Kieran hugged me and said, "thanks, mom!"


I'll always remember that - and to this day, I am amazed at their bond. Kieran is a boy who can get rather stressed out. He's moody and feels things very deeply. If he's having a bad day, we inch Aidan a little closer to him, and watch as Kieran calms down and overcomes his frustrations. In some ways, Aidan is like a therapy dog - he never fails to bring out the best in people. Kieran becomes incredibly gentle and protective of Aidan - he is tender and not afraid to show his love for him (he's not like that with other people - he usually holds things in).

Kieran and Aidan


Liam and Aidan

Liam, my 5 year old is also an amazing big brother - but in the beginning he was like a drive-by blur. He would get so excited, and start running around. He'd want to help, but his idea of helping was to throw a diaper at us when Aidan needed changing. Now, he reads books to Aidan, and wrestles with him, yelling "attack, it's attack of the baby!"

And Aidan? He soaks it all in - and loves every minute of it.