This is how my babies sleep. I think it is so cute!

febuary has begun

Thom's favourite snow sculpture

Beth enjoying the mess she made

Thom's new big boy booster seat

At the hospital, 1 1/2 weeks ago when I thought Thom broke his arm-he is fine no worries

Beth helping Opi on his Captin's red phone (there are different coloured phones in his office that are for different things)

Beth loved the big machines and was fasinated

Thom getting ready to drive and run the pumper

Beth on the Vibration Therapy Machine-her favourite toy in the house!

Like always the kids are doing new things in our house!

Beth is growing in leaps and bounds... she learnt a new word 2 weeks ago 'Hi' and now she can do all sorts of variations of the word - 'Hey' 'Hiya' and just this weekend 'Hello'. When she says 'hi' it has 2 tones, like a doorbell. And like previously, she learnt this new word and forgot all of her other words. Last week she got 'Dada' back and the end of this past week she got 'Mama' back.

Beth also strung 2 words together last Saturday Jan 31 she said 'Hi Dad' very sweet. Jeff had been out all day with Tim snowboarding and when he got home she greeted him with that-her very 1st time. (we did know it was coming as she was trying to say hi to her Omi on the Thursday however she cannot say 'Omi' at this time)

So in order to recap she can say, Mama, Dada, more (which is more like mamar) and all the Hi greetings.

Beth's walking with fingers has increased as well, she is more then happy to walk around with someone to hold on to and just this past week, she occasionally will walk holding on to one hand. I keep thinking today is the day she will take her first step and keep standing (unlike the one before Christmas when she followed Thom and crashed into the weight bench and got the bruise on her cheek).

Today, Monday Beth stood up all by herself in the middle of the room today! TWICE! Let's see where that gets her.

Thom is finally getting the potty thing, thankfully. A few weeks ago I declared I was ready to hire a professional to get this potty thing going, I was definitely at my wits end! We still have accidents occasionally but at least there is a day or two or even three between! It is great, Thom has been accident free during the night since Christmas and his days hopefully will continue to get better and better! We have completely ended pull ups during the day and I look forward to only changing one child's diaper. Next comes teaching him how to wipe ;)

Well can't think of any other changes the kids have had, other updates about the family would be lots of time spent outside, we are walking, sledding and going to the Forks and have visited firehall. I am prepping the kids for Baby Group ending, Beth turns one on the 16th and then we are done.

Updates and Milestones:

Our first trip the the zoo this winter. We had a fantastic trip to the zoo on Wednesday! A lot of the animals were out and very active! The cats were coming right to the front of the cage and meowing-very cool! We started out the trip with Beth and Ava in the stroller then it was just Beth as Ava and Thom ran around then Thom and Ava in the stroller and Beth in the carrier. We were there for over 3 hours the weather was perfect and we did not see any other visitors until we went into the barn at the very end of our visit. It was like the city created a Zoo just for my family!

Going clockwise from the top:

At the entrance, Thom was my navigator-atleast until we got to the 1st playstructure,

Ava and Thom checking out the Llamas-book suggestion 'llama llama red pajama' soo good,

play structure by the camels,

Thom by the koi in the greenhouse-I have a picture of him at this exibit from every visit (except 1) we have taken to the zoo, usually you can see other people we dont know in the photos.

Beth learned to point on Tues night Ava slept over and Beth pointed at her at least half a dozen times,

Thom taking the girls for a spin on the plasma car

She willingly walked with fingers with very smooth steps again on Tuesday,

She slept through the night for the 2nd time on Dec 25 - I think it was a Christmas present to me since it hasn't happened again :)

Thom went down the big wooden slide at the park (with me and Ava) - That I found very scary the sides were alot shorter than I remember and I was nervous about a child going over the edge 10ft up in the air. However the kids loved it while Beth was asleep in her sled we went up and down

Beth used the potty for the first time December 28,2008!!!! She wanted to go up on the toilet after the big kids finished so my mom put her up there to humor her and low and behold a very proud girl peed. the next day she peed on the wooden potty. When she was crawling around naked she has gotten to the potty and tryed to get up and has peed. the best day yet was the 18th to 19th, she by herself peed 4x. she thought there was a potty in the corner at my parents and she climbed over the handle turned herself around and peed on Thoms old booster (that we had just removed from the chair), I cleaned it all up and her, then maybe 20 min later she did it again!!! the next morning she got into the wooden potty I took from my parents (she cant get on Thom's it is to award) and peed-unfortunately she cant get her feet down so she peed with her legs in the pot but at least she is trying. Thoms success is really plateaued, we are at 100% peeing in the potty at home or another house but when we are out say at the mall or a restaurant it is hit or miss, it depends on how distracted he is. Poo is 75% at home and 0% when out,

She is very confident with going up, she did a whole flight of stairs by herself the first week in January. (she still doesn't go down and now has NO interest in learning. she often will climb up about 8inches into our bookshelves and be very proud smiling and 'talking' then after about 30 seconds start to demand I get her down)

Beth loves to shriek, any emotion she has she lets it be heard with gusto! I have been trying to get her to talk instead because I know she is using this ear shattering noise to get her point across. I am sad to report, not yet, so it is constantly like I have been to a concert.

Beth drew her first picture, not just a scribble crumple eat the paper. she drew with multiple colours and did not crumple it but let me have it- jan14. very exciting!

For the second year in a row we went to the show Magic and Miricles, a magic show that benifits the firefighters burn fund - a good time! (unfortunatley Ang was in the hall and my mom took the picture so you down see us all and this was the best photo with the most people)
Beth had a little vomit accident in the car seat so I washed all 3 car seat covers, here is Thom and Ava looking cute while sharing. Beth puked up her appleoatmeal, and again after she had lunch, so I was just nursing and she did not get an upset stomach, so now when she has her appleoatmeal Thom says`give her milk Mama she needs it so she dosen`t puke`it is very cute!

favourite foods

Beth-pickerel, pineapple and cheese

Thom-mac n cheese, cheese and yogurt

Christmas has come and gone

Here is our pictures from Christmas Eve with Santa at the Howie's
Beth prefers Santa when she is not in his lap


Thom talking to Santa



Jeff and I getting our present

Beth and Thom checking out their presents

Beth trying to steal Thom's bells off of his present

So another Christmas has come and gone and we are back to the regular grind.

We all recovered from the flu and enjoyed the family get togethers and holiday festivities. Unfortunatley Jeff also succumbed to the flu (as did everyone else I know) but thankfully he didnt get sick until the evening of the 26th.

We celebrated NewYears by making pizza with the family-one of Thom's jobs was to wash the mushrooms. Previously when we had friends over Jeff made mushroom caps, Thom's job was to break off the stems. When he was preping the mushrooms Thom snapped off all the stems because that is the 'correct' way to prep them

Exciting begingings to the family get togethers

So on Friday we had a gathering with my great aunts and uncles and there children and children's children on the Klassen side. We got together at Eastveiw as per the norm which is great because the kids race and scream in the gym and we 'grownups' can visit.

The point of this post is that Thom decided to end off the festivities with a bang! After i had Beth and him in their PJ's already to go home we were in the back foyer when his puked! All over his winter boots and the floor. He had told me his tummy was spicy 3 or so times that evening but I thought he had to poo (potty training this week-he avoids the potty but trys not to mess his pull ups the results in him complaining about his tummy hurting).

It was exciting to all the were still at the church, but the most exciting part for me was that my Dad cleaned up ;)

I hope that all of you have a wonderfully festive and loving Christmas!

and I will end the post with our families 2008 recap;

In the Barrett household we started our ‘new year’ a little bit earlier then the rest of the world. Jeff, left his position as territory manager at Ecolab and pursued a new career in residential sales with Creative Door Services not only was he excited with the prospect of a new job but he got a new vehicle (no more minivan) Hello Toyota Tundra, Jeff’s dream vehicle! My sister Angela, with her family, Brad and Ava returned home from living away for the last 2 years. Then on December 14, I left my position at Plezia Insurance to become involved in maintenance (a mom at home). Jeff and I celebrated by going for a whirl wind vacation to Florida for Kelly Saltel’s wedding in Disney World while Thom stayed both at his Gramma and Grandad’s and Omi and Opi’s.
Onward we plugged away adjusting to our new jobs and all of a sudden it was February. Jeff was at hockey (I had wanted him to go) and I called him too tell him not to go home; we needed to go to the hospital to get our baby (only 8 days late). Elizabeth Shannon Barrett was born February 16, 2008 with lots of hair weighing in at 7lbs8ozs. After a quick recovery period the 4 of us, at the end of March, with Tim, Lois and Harold went off to Ambergris Caye, Belize to have some fun.
We had a lovely summer, going to the cabin for a couple weekends spending time with Goni, Dave, Suzanne and Jackson and enjoying time at the trailer in Stonewall with Lois, Harold, Brad, Ang and Ava, swimming at the beach and Goni and Dave’s pool and 2 glorious visits to Clear Lake. I began watching Ava in August while her daycare was on summer vacation and I decided to keep her and will continue to watch her. It is very interesting to watch Thom and her interact, although she lived 24hours away for just over a year of her life, Thom and her interact like siblings.
Jeff did change his work vehicle in September; with all the driving he does he changed to a Toyota Camry Hybrid – which he has fallen in love with! A large portion of our family had birthdays in September and it was a very busy month so October was catch-up time. Now it is time to complete Christmas shopping, writing cards and enjoying the company of people we love!
From our family to yours a very Merry Christmas and only the very best for the New Year!
Love, The Barrett Family-Jeff, Chelle, Thom and Beth

Beth is 10 mths today! wow

Here she is riding the horse like a big shot at my mom's school today!
(She,my mom, teaches at the Adolecence Parent Centre - school age mom's with babies or pregnant trying to finish high school. they have a large need for donations as many moms are living on working only part time or on assistance while in school full time. If anyone is sorting through their stuff household items, womens clothing childrens cloths or toys in the new year or anytime and would like to donate to them let me know)


checking out the handles on the horse, and showing off her big chompers


the high chair I just bought her last week, I didnt have one for Thom and just used a boster for space saving but it is nice to have!
the weekend before last here we are standing infront of our soon to be Christmas tree. Brr the wind was just a gusting, but boy was it ever fun tromping through the snow, drinking hot chocola,te around the fireplace they have inside and checking out the holiday display area. We brought my F-I-L Dave along to get his own tree and cut to down our tree aswell- lol (Goni was out of town)
Here is Beth with her nose as red and Rudolph`s inside at Winddrift tree farm

The ginger bread houses that we decorated

How I dress my children when my dad serves them blueberry pancakes (every sunday)

By the pictures it appears that Noreen and Ryan took Thom, Ava, Beth and their son Logan to see the Santa Claus parade. Yep, it appears like Ang and I had a nice relaxing evening, warm, not outside. Ah how pictures can be deceiving

Beth and Noreen
Thom and Ava standing up in the stroller watching for Santa

Ryan and Logan (isnt that the cutest snow suit!)

Beth at baby group about 3 weeks ago - she was very proud of herself for standing up with the assistance of the chair

Thom this summer jumping off a rock

So I just gave my notice at work that I am not coming back. It was a pleasant 4min and 53second conversation (and part of that was being transferred to my boss). Weird that after 5 years that is how long it takes to end a profession. It was a fun place to work and at times I know I will miss it but I would miss being with Beth and Thom so much more.

I have changed from being H M Friesen then Barrett RMT and CMT to H M Barrett Insurance Broker with a CAIB3 to Mama to HMBarrett Level 2 Insurance Broker with a CAIB3 and Mama to just Mama, well and Auntie as I will be watching Ava still (and Ava's friend).

There you have it fokes I will be in maintenance, maintaining the home and family.

On a side note I talked to someone who is considering conceiving and having a child by herself (IE without a partner). I don't blog often about Jeff but I would not want to be a parent without him. During the pregnancy you don't really need help unless you want someone to side with you while you wait in waiting rooms. Well actually what I just wrote is a lie, when I was told my unborn child had a neural tube defect and my levels were so high there was no chance for the fetus, I didnt share that with anyone but Jeff, we kept that information to ourselves until after our genetic councilling (which was after 3 weeks of waiting) we pulled strength from each other and had discussions forcing the reality of the situation to sink in. Then once Thommy (as a perfect baby) did arrive after 3 weeks I got sick, I couldnt walk down the hall without help because my sence of balance disappeared - Jeff would move Thom around the house, cook, and look after our 3 dogs which up till that time had been our babies. Jeff helps me with backing my decisions up infront of the kids and the general public (even if he doesnt agree with me). When people nitpick at your parenting you can become doubtful in your ability which a partner can help hold you up. He also helps when I am tired after a long day, and am being a wishy washing parent (re Kids are Worth It, Barbra Coloroso) he will remind me I already warned it is time to follow through. Or when i am frusterated and need 10min alone or a 1hour bath, I dont have to worry about the kids, Jeff will take care of them.

I know there are many 1 parent homes, and mothers who have no support network that are able to be wonderful parents. But that is not for me, I would not choose that for myself, I know I need help and am glad to say that I have a parner.

The G3 meeting with the turtle, sweet pea, and bear aka Elliott, Ava and Beth

Beth again - I dont have 1 picture of her with the head on whoops!

Thommy my frog 3years old and his 1st very short hollween (he had a fever all day from the moment he woke up, till about 7pm and once it broke he was his normal self)

Thommy and Ava standing in the stroller to watch the parade, in the background Noreen is holding Beth.

A picture from the summer of Thom and my Dad- cute eh!

We hit some more mile stones since my last post...

Thommy no longer calls Jesus in the manger 'baby jesa' as he did last year, it has changed to be plain 'baby Jesus' makes me kinda sad that he has grown past that. He is also inlove with Santa and the idea that he could get toys from him (and gramma - at the store he when he wants something and I have said no he will responed with 'maybe, I ask Gramma?' -that is his grammer and everything)

He watched the movie 'Cars' and he has a Lighting McQueen car which he calls (and the movie) Queen Lite. He asked Ava 'Do you want to watch Queen Lite with me?' and he calls out to me 'Mama, where is my Queen Lite?" it is soooo funny.

On Friday (nov 14) he repeated everything my brother said in conversation a very annoying development. Luckly that ended with the conversation.

Beth is 9mths old today 18lbs4.5oz Height 26.5inch(she is significantly smaller that Thom was at this age and much easier to carry around).

She danced for the 1st time to music on friday nov14 - to Ava's wiggles music and then with my brother (he was very proud to have helped both kids develop new milestones)

On thursday nov 13 she let go of me at baby group and stood - with her legs bent - for a couple seconds, she did this again on friday a couple times and has continued every day since.

Both kids went to the santa claus parade on Sat with my sister Ava and Ang's friends Noreen, Ryan and their son Logan. That was different then the parades I remeber, 1 float was a transit bus wrapped in christmas lights. The kids seemed to enjoy it. Thommy got a free plane that was handed out by some float and today as he was playing with it he told me santa gave it to him at the parade ;)