I've been reading labels, and have noticed that we don't list hfcs here in Canada, but rather glucose/fructose, which according to the below ag canada link is the "generic term used for high fructose corn syrup". crappy - here I was thinking we're doing 'better' in Canada!!

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:DQD0ZFf8YFMJ:www4.agr.gc.ca/AAFC-AAC/display-afficher.do%3Fid%3D1172167862291%26lang%3De+canadian+soda+HFCS+glucose-fructose&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=ca

so, based on this fact (which I've confirmed by continuing me search and more sources state that hfcs is glucose-fructose in Canada), it IS in everything (well, maybe not quite, but close!). And to think, it's not even used in many countries in the world (EU, Asia, NZ....).

So if you would like to sign an on-line petition asking the gov't to ban the use of hfcs, click here. I doubt it's use will diminish any other way, given the economic advantages to using this cheap sweetener, and our penchant for sweet (not to mention convenient). *sigh*

http://www.petitiononline.com/banhfcgf/petition.html

Ok, I think I might be done my rant. I'm going to make supper ... hfcs free!

High Fructose Corn Syrup

This is something we've been hearing about for years, but again it's made the news.

http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/health-fitness/articles/diet/greenliving/healthnutrition--corn_is_making_us_fat

Now - some of this is a bit over the top (it always is), corn itself doesn't make you fat. But most products containing high fructose corn syrup (hfcs) are 'convenience' foods that tend to be considerably less healthy food choices than say -- making something from scratch, or buying more 'natural' or 'pure' products (I use quotation marks there because there's definitely some issues with products labelled as 'natural' or 'organic' or 'pure' not being as natural or organic or as pure as they may lead you to believe ... but that's a different day).

But in this article there's a link to a list of foods containing hfcs --

http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/index.php/2005/06/09/foods_and_products_containing_high_fruct

-- it's far from an exhaustive list, but it'll get you thinking about checking your own labels. These products are US ... and I checked a couple of things that I thought would for sure contain it but didn't (Yop by Yoplait, for example). But it's a starting point - and maybe it'll get us checking some labels? A friend asked me yesterday what my New Years Resolution is ... today I know what it is. Reducing (I doubt I'll completely eliminate) products with hfcs in my house.

Anyways ... this is just info ... thought I'd share. Since it has to do with the health of my boys, I thought it'd be ok to share on the blog ;-)

Editted to add: here's another article from CBC in Nov.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/11/19/f-fructosecornsyrup.html
I'm just trying to find a comprehensive list of what it's called in our ingredient lists, so we don't get fooled by terms like "liquid sugar". When I find that, I'll post it too.
Ahhh ... here it is - in the first paragraph of this 'report':
http://www.wellnesstips.ca/high%20fructose%20corn%20syrup.htm
Mom - you'll be interested to find that 'agave syrup' is a term for hfcs!!

some other photos from the past week

Here's our mantel Xmas Eve, and our Christmas tree with the presents under it. Looking at it now, I wish I would've plugged the lights in for the picture LOL But then you'd see our little section close to the top where the lights don't work!! frustrating thing ...
But ah well... The angel on top is a homemade gift from Aunty Yvonne last year. And of course, those big gifts in front are from Santa.

Here's Arlan and Grandma hanging out this morning before Grandma and Grandpa left. This was one of Arlan's favourite places to be ... sitting on the couch beside Grandma and he was very happy :-) Oh yeah - and he's playing with his new octoplush ... his fave gift!!

Here's Landon mid-somersault ... I think this is Xmas Eve. I don't know how he didn't hurt himself on this one, given how close he is to the futon. *shrug* He LOVES to do somersaults.

And a few days before Christmas, Landon decided he didn't need to nap. He was in bed for about an hour, but didn't go to sleep. When I checked on him he said "I no need to sleep. I wake up now!" ... so I let him get up. He was miserable!! So finally we told him to go upstairs until he could feel better (he likes to go to the computer/bonus room if Arlan's making too much noise, or if he's just overwhelmed with the world at the moment). John and I continued to eat our supper, then I noticed just how quiet it was. John came up to check on Landon, and well ... I guess he did need a nap after all!! Of course, this is now at 6:00 at night, so the question became how long to let him sleep. But we left him for about half an hour and it didn't seem to disturb his sleep too much that night. Stinker!! I think that is the only time he's ever fallen asleep outside of bed on his own (he has fallen asleep on either John or I a couple of times, and oh yeah - once in his high chair!). It was cute, I must admit!

Landon's Christmas (and it was a GOOD one!)

Landon and Grandpa, just hanging out this morning before Grandma and Grandpa left for the farm (and the grain truck and the peas). Landon enjoyed snuggling up with Grandpa in the mornings.

It's a GARBAGE TRUCK - from SANTA!! yes, Landon was quite excited and very pleased that Santa brought him the exact garbage truck that he wanted and asked for. This was definitely the hit toy of the day. While Landon loved to open up presents, he would always go back to the garbage truck to play for awhile ... then come back to open more presents.

Among the popular toys of the day was this play-doh set. Landon had fun (along with Kyle, and Grandma) playing with this play-doh. It was a good gift for him, as he's always enjoyed play-doh, and this gives him some tools for play -- stamps, and cutters, and 3 little animals where the play-doh gets pushed through them and becomes hair ... even mom has fun playing with this thing!! LOL

This is Landon opening up the garbage truck - when he came downstairs Christmas morning, he didn't even see the presents under the tree. Finally we asked him if there were any over there (he had obviously forgotten that Santa was to have come overnight!! lol), and he saw this big present and dropped to his knees to rip it open right away. There was NO DOUBT in his mind that the biggest gift must be for him!

On Christmas Eve Landon got to open 2 gifts: one contained 2 story books - A Christmas Carol and Twas the Night Before Christmas; the other had a musical Rudolph ornament. I never though that ornament would be such a hit (I should've known though - it does make noise!!). And the stories - well, he was WAY too wound up to want to sit for stories. They haven't gotten much attention at all actually :-/ Ah well ... they'll be great books to pull out next December to read to the boys and get them all excited for Christmas again next year!!

Among the big 'hits' for Landon this year were: the garbage truck; the CARS movie (thanks Uncle Greg and Aunty Yvonne & Kyle); the play-doh bucket; the Quarry Mine Tunnel (thanks Grandma and Grandpa); and Jack, Alfie, Max, Monty and Salty (Thomas toys). He's also starting to figure out his hop ball (hope THAT thing tires him out some!! LOL), and he likes to play with his bee game, although he just plays with the bees, not yet understanding the 'game' aspect of it -- that'll come I'm sure!! Oh yeah - and any toys that Arlan got are also a HUGE hit with Landon!! LOL Especially the musical drop toy from Uncle Rob and Aunty Liz. What a kid :-)

So Landon was absolutely SPOILED for Christmas - so many toys he doesn't know which one to play with first. And while I was typing this I realized there's another gift somewhere in the basement that I guess I forgot to put under the tree :-/ It's a playmat for cars ... maybe I'll just pull it out in a few weeks for him!! LOL My good gawd -- next year I will have to control myself a LOT better!! But it was so fun to shop for him this year, because he gets it so much more! But it really was overwhelming for him. I'm thinking he'll be rediscovering toys / gifts over the upcoming weeks as he plays with some things and then moves on to something else. And maybe, just maybe, we'll get through a day without watching CARS movie sometime in the next month or so too!! LOL

Arlan's Christmas

Arlan had a darned good first Christmas - he was almost as spoiled as his brother (although I think Landon may have been the most spoiled kid in Canada!!).
It is nice that Arlan wakes earlier than Landon (and we let Landon sleep in a bit too), so he got to experience his first presents without Landon rip-roaring around. Mostly Arlan wanted to chew on the paper. But he seemed pretty happy with the toys he found in the paper too.


Doesn't this face just say it all?

I love this look of concentration. He was trying to figure out how to get the most paper in his mouth at one time I'm sure!!

Arlan successfully opened his very first present from Santa Claus. Although this wasn't the big 'hit' ... that came from our neighbours Trevor and Wendy who gave him a Little Einsteins octoplush -- now THAT toy is getting lots of chew-time :-)

So Arlan had a good Christmas. He was a smiley-happy baby (like usual). At first he made a bit of strange with all those people in the house, but by the end of Christmas day (when everyone had been here for a full day) he was doing much better and would go to most people, if only for a few minutes. Thankfully he slept well (although I will be glad to see those sleeping-through-the-nights nights that I hope are coming sooner rather than later), and he even 'slept in' yesterday and today (until 8:30) -- giving mom and dad some much needed extra sleep in the mornings.

Everyone left this morning, and unlike Landon was two years ago (sitting at the front door, looking out as if to say "where did they go? are they coming back?") he seems quite content to have the house back to himself (so to speak). Not that it really changed his life too much, but he did get more playtime on the floor, and with Arlan he really does enjoy being left alone to play by himself at times (I'm still trying to get used to that!!). Also, he got to play in the exersaucer while I was on the computer today - and he was VERY excited to be in there after a few days hiatus :-)

Are we Ready

Well, not quite yet ... but really we are. If everyone arrived in 5 minutes, it'd all be good I guess. I am hoping to get some salads mixed up tonight, and tomorrow will be a big day of cooking -- ham for dinner, then preps for Xmas day so that hopefully our Xmas isn't too overfilled with cooking :-/

Landon is sort of excited, but since he doesn't really have a great grasp of future time (i.e. tomorrow and next week are the same in his mind), he doesn't really know when things will happen. I think he's sort of 'got it' that Grandma and Grandpa will be coming tomorrow. But he keeps asking for Brian, who won't be here ... hope he's not too disappointed!! LOL

So I should get back to getting ready. Thank goodness Arlan goes to sleep so nice and early - at least I can get some stuff done at night (as long as Wall-E movie is on, we can do WHATEVER !! LOL).

Merry Christmas ! (In case I don't post tomorrow)

6 months old ... so fast!

Here's our little stinker - already 6 months old! I can hardly believe it - so exciting, yet sad too as our littlest baby is getting to be so big.

He is quite happy with his latest accomplishment though - sitting up on his own! He loves his new vantage point ... playing with toys (he can pick his own toys out of his basket now) and watching his big brother (who is an endless source of entertainment!). So Arlan sits most of the time to play, although every now and again he's tired enough to want to lay back and relax.

and Arlan is still the super-smiliest guy around. It seems he's always smiling! LOL Love it - it's certainly not hard to get a smiley picture, that's for sure.

Now we're just getting ready for that final push for Xmas preparations. I still have to wrap Landon and Arlan's gifts - I keep trying to find the energy, but when the boys lay down in the afternoon I take that chance to lay down too. But I will get it done this weekend I'm hoping. Arlan was up twice to eat last night, so I am definitely laying down today (sounds funny - twice was a good night not that long ago, now it's oh-so-tiring!! heh ). Tomorrow morning we're off to buy bathroom fixtures, then John has his project lined up for him for the next couple of days. for me it'll be xmas planning for meals and gift wrapping. Then on Wed the crew arrives and the festivities begin! I can hardly wait!!!

until next time...

Arlan's getting SO big!

We had Arlan's 6 month check-up today. He's 17 pounds, 7 ounces (yup - he's back to growing!), and 27" long. Getting SO big. So he's doubled his birthweight in 6 months, just like he's supposed to (more than doubled, actually), and is just above the 50th percentile (like he's been all along). And he's getting taller, getting closer to the 75th percentile than he has been previously.

He was pretty cute in the doc's office too. The doctor was trying to flex his hips (just to double-check this hip-clicking thing) ... well Arlan was having none of it! He kept straightening his legs, so the doc would try again, and Arlan would straighten again and laugh laugh laugh at the doctor. So cute. So he only got his hips flexed a couple of times, but the doctor didn't feel any clicking and really isn't too concerned with it as the x-rays we had last month are all clear.

Other than that, Arlan is doing just what he's supposed to be doing. Sitting up (he showed off for the doctor), chewing and drooling with the promise to teeth to come soon, and we are to keep on trying to add new solids to his diet (but the fact that he's eating cereals is good, and the amount is just fine given that he's growing well). So a good check-up all around. Let's hope Arlan stays nice and healthy (Landon too) so that we don't have to see the doctor again until March ... for Landon's 3 year checkup and Arlan's 9 month checkup.

It was actually nice today - the doctor might actually be starting to recognize / remember us as patients as he asked where older brother was today (Landon was at home with John, who had taken the morning off to watch him as opposed to drive an hour to work and home again given the CRAPPY roads).

So that's our news for today (so far, anyways). until next time...

Outside is FUN!

Landon officially LOVES playing outside in the snow. Just look at those cheeks :-) He was crying when we made him come in tonight, poor kid. And it's supposed to get colder again for the next week - yuck! He has so much fun, and his clothes must keep him plenty warm because the only complaint he has is snow getting in his mitts! Well, he complains when he does face plants too - but once we wipe the snow off of his face he's right back at it ('it' being whatever sort of shenanigans had him faceplanting in the first place!!).

And here's Arlan, practising STANDING! Yup - John propped him up against the couch last night, and he stood there, for quite awhile I guess ( I was at volleyball). Little stinker! He now sits up to play most of the day - with the Boppy pillow behind him to catch him when he inevitably falls back. We then prop him back up and he plays some more. He does a couple of face plants, but nothing that hurts him, thankfully. Yesterday he sat and watched me vacuum -- fascinated by that noisy machine! He sure was cute though - sitting there, his head going back and forth and back and forth! Heh heh

Anyways, must go read Landon bedtime stories, just wanted to post a couple of pics...

the sauna

Here's a pic of John in the sauna - he's so proud of it. I'm actually liking it a lot too ... we keep it not so hot for me (John heats it up after I get out I think), but it is very relaxing, and a nice way to end the day. Just John and I sitting there with no distractions, able to talk, and then I'm nice and snuggly warm to go to bed :-)

That's all for now ..

oh baby it's COLD outside!

Welcome to the deep freeze ... aiaiai We're spending our days indoors, and are even more thankful for the basement to play in!!! We spend time down there every day, I'm hoping Landon gets so used to it that he'll be confident enough to play down there by himself soon. Right now if we go upstairs even for a moment he is running up those stairs with us. Which isn't that bad - running stairs should tire him out, right? Heh heh But I'm enjoying having all of the toys in the basement, that's for sure. And Landon loves having his own play space. His favourites right now are drawing with chalk (thanks again Aunty Yvonne for the easel & chalk), trains (of course) and doing yoga with mommy (he rolled out paper yesterday to play yoga too! LOL). Oh yeah, and running around and around and around....

Landon has also fallen in love with playing outside. We were outside Thursday for over an hour, and he cried when I made him come inside. He was having WAY too much fun to want to come in the house! We shoveled off the deck (John found Landon his very own shovel, just his size, which he loves), and he pulled his sled around the backyard. Then he swung for awhile (yup - we're using that swing, even in the snow!). But the most fun of all was when I'd throw a shovel-full of snow in the air and it would fall down on him - he thought that was the bestest!! We also learned through this game why it is so good to do our jacket right up (snow down the front - or back- of the jacket is COLD!). He also continued his mitten experiment, taking them off about 12 times, only to realize that snow is still cold -- so he'd cry to get them put on. Thankfully I'm getting MUCH better at getting his mitts on him, so they stay on a lot better, and probably feel better too (we are getting lots of practise getting our thumbs in the thumbslots!).

Arlan is a cutie-pie, even if he wakes me up at 6:30 am! Silly kid! But he is cute as a button, with those chubby chubby cheeks and big smiles all of the time. I've been trying to give him some foods other than cereals the past week or so - but he's having none of it. While he showed mild dislike for sweet potatoes, he downright grimaced for the apples. I thought ' what kid doesn't like applesauce?' ... the answer: Arlan. LOL So I'm just going to stick with cereals for a few more weeks and maybe try some other stuff after Christmas. He's still happy with the cereals anyways, only eating between 6 and 10 Tbsp a day (between 2 or 3 feedings), so I'm not feeling that we need to introduce anything else yet anyways. He is, after all, not quite 6 months yet. And while I say that he likes cereals ... he likes cereals mixed with breastmilk -- not formula, not water, just breastmilk. So it looks like I'll be pumping until at least the New Year, which isn't too bad as long as I can keep providing enough milk for his cereal needs.

And we have our tree up, and presents under the tree. I'm wondering how long til Landon rips them open!! LOL Last night I wrapped presents with Landon playing (in the basement, of course!), so he saw what was inside and what was going on. So we put those under the tree. Should he open them, he'll find 'boring' gifts - -the stuff for Aunty Yvonne, Uncle Greg, Grandma and Grandpa -- so maybe he'll be disinclined to open any other gifts. *shrug* We'll see ... it's worth a try. The worst thing he could do is open them all, then I'd have to rewrap ... not exactly the end of the world. His gifts (and Arlan's too, as Landon LOVES Arlan's toys almost as much as his own) will not go under the tree until Christmas Eve ... that's too much temptation (even if we didn't tell them they are for him). Also - should he rip open gifts and find stuff for himself, that he likes, he would want to rip open all gifts, all the time. So we'll just leave them.

I made a 'Christmas calendar' for Landon last night in the basement ... just on a big piece of paper with markers. So that we can 'count down' to Christmas ... see how excited I can really get him ... heh heh.

Oh yeah, and we got Santa pics done on Friday. Arlan was like 'whatever', just sitting on Santa no problem. Landon, however, wanted nothing to do with Santa!! LOL He wanted to open the presents, and pet the penguins, but not sit on Santa's knee. At least last year I got him propped on Santa's knee for the pic. Not this year -- you can see my hands in the picture trying to push Landon away from me!! LOL Poor kid. But he's in there, and he's looking at the camera. And he managed to tell Santa that he wants a garbage truck for Christmas, so maybe Santa will bring him one :-)

That's the news from here .... just staying inside where it's a bit warmer! aiaiai The fireplace AND the furnace are running very frequently in this house ... the north winds come across the prairie behind us and lambast us, so I only feel warm in the sauna these days! Maybe I am a little glad John insisted on that thing ... but don't tell him that!! LOL

Until next time...

first sled ride...

Here's Arlan 'enjoying' his first sled ride. Landon was sleeping in the house, so I just pulled Arlan around the backyard. I can't say he really loved it, but he didn't seem to hate it either. Yesterday we went out to the open space behind our house - Landon had fun running through the snow, but Arlan started crying after about 5 minutes (might've been that he was getting close to nap time too...). Anyways, we'll be trying to get outside these next couple of days, because after that it's supposed to get super cold! Maybe today the snow will be such that we can build a snowman - Landon's been talking about building "snowmans" for a couple of months already!! LOL

SNOW!

And lots of it. Snowed lots yesterday, and we're supposed to get more tonight I think.

So I went out to shovel the driveway today, taking Landon with me in his new (to us) jacket and ski pants, brand new boots and mitts, and toque. FINALLY -- Landon had fun in the snow!! YAYAYAY! All last year he didn't like to play outside in the snow ... it's like he didn't 'get' it. But today he played and played ... running and falling, and throwing snow and sliding around. And that was just in the front yard while I shoveled :-) John's going to try to find him a little shovel so he can 'help' me a bit better (today he had his sand shovel out there ..... ). I'm just SO happy he had fun outside, stayed nice and warm, and will want to go out more often.
I did have to laugh. He of course wanted Thomas shoes on, I explained that he needed boots because of all the snow. When we came in, he agreed that the boots were good because his feet were dry and fairly warm. But the mitts. Poor kid - they're a bit big, so he had trouble picking up his shovel, or trying to grab at things (like what I don't know ... it's snow, just stick your hand in and pull it out!!). So he experimented by throwing them off every chance he had. And he'd regret it right away every time ... crying for his mitts to be put back on! So I would put them on, and he'd decide to repeat the experiment ... to the same ends. So maybe next time he'll keep his mitts on longer (and maybe I'll put mitts on that fit a bit better).

I also took Arlan out to the backyard this afternoon while Landon was sleeping. I just walked him around in the sled ... he was like 'meh'. But I really just wanted to get him outside, even for just 15 minutes. I think it helped ... he actually had a third nap!! He most enjoyed watching the very noisy geese flying overhead though. He's so CUTE!

We put up our tree last night ... with lots of 'help' from Landon. He mostly just took ornaments off, or hit the tree :-/ But most things stayed on there. It looks pretty good. We put up a couple of other decorations, but I'm not doing too much because they'll just get destroyed. I told John that in about 4 years we'll get new decorations and make the house really merry :-) heh heh

Landon got his first Xmas gift yesterday -- Brian and Patricia came over for lunch, and brought the boys gifts. Landon is in L-O-V-E. They bought the perfect toy for him - - a Caterpillar dumptruck, that comes apart! There's a little drill, with three drill bits (all work on all screws), and you take the tires off, the box, the cab and the engine. That thing has been apart and put back together (with help still) and apart and .... We've already replaced the batteries in the drill, let's put it that way. Plus it slept with him yesterday afternoon and all night too. Heh heh

Arlan got a shape-sorter, he loves chewing the pieces. And Landon seems to think that's his present too - he's been sorting shapes off and on (when he's not playing with his dumptruck). Goof!

Anyways, I should get going. I play v'ball tonight, and so will have my first drive where I'm wishing I would've been able to find snow tires .............. I'm leaving early and driving slow and praying for no accidents on the Deerfoot....

Until next time (I'll hopefully have some pics of the snow, and Arlan in the sled, and maybe even the tree....)

Basement photos!

We've come a LONG way! These two shots are from the same spot ... the 'before we drove a nail' shot, and one from last night with the brand new carpeting :-) The closed door is the bathroom (silicone on the floor was drying, so door was closed to keep curious george out!). The image of Landon was, well, exactly him all night - running all over the basement as much and as fast as he could!

Here's looking back into the main room (was taken from hallway in front of bathroom door). This will be our toy room for now ... Landon and I already took loads of toys down there today, and he is LOVING playing down there. All that ROOM! We will be buying a big toyshelf shortly, and will get him all set up. Of course, we'll be spending plenty of time down there with him, as right now every squeak, creak, and crack scares him (go figure!). But it's looking pretty sweet - we are excited!!

a couple of pics

Here are a couple of pics from the past few days. Landon enjoying the newly carpetted basement ... he runs and runs and runs. He is enjoying it so much - he helped me take his toys downstairs first thing this morning, and when he woke from his nap he said he wanted to go in the basement (vs watch Treehouse which is what he always says!).

And some story time with mommy. Landon got a couple of new story books, so we were reading it. Arlan's just starting to hang out with us for reading ... he always wants to grab the books now!! Last night he had one helluva good time destroying a magazine! So cute. But for anyone who says how different Landon and Arlan look - well, not in this picture!

conversation with a 2-year-old

Mom: "Landon, quit playing with that. It's not a toy!"
Landon: "Mom! BUZZ OFF!"
Mom: "Landon, buzz off!"
Landon: "Mom! Get out of here!!"
Mom: "Landon, get out of here!"
Landon: "Mom, you're driving me NUTS!"
Mom (surpressing belly laughter at this point): "Landon, you're driving me NUTS!"

Then fits of giggles for both parties, while Arlan looks on thinking we're both insane.

From the farm

Wow - I didn't take too many pictures on our trip to Sask!! I know of Sunday I was just too tired, but Saturday I sure could've!! Ah well...
Here's a pic of Johnny and I as we were leaving for the wedding dance. It's been a LONG time since we were both dressed up at the same time, so we had to take a pic :-)
And a pic of Landon and grandpa in the big truck. Landon said the auger was noisy, but he had so much fun going with Grandpa in the truck. There's always so many exciting things to do at the farm ... no wonder he loves going to 'grandpa grandpa's' house.

Home Again, home Again

We had a fabulous trip back to Sask on the weekend. We managed to get up and leave on Fri morn at a decent time (just after 9). We stopped in the Hat for lunch, and then made it all the way to the farm without stopping again. Arlan was on the verge of a meltdown, but Landon entertained him in the back and all was good.
Both boys had so much fun at Grandma and Grandpa's. Landon got to go for a ride in the grain truck, all the way to the elevator! Plus he checked out the kitties in the barn, watched the birdies eating out the window (from Grandma's bird feeder), and inspected bins with Grandpa (he got to feel durum and peas, but didn't like the chaff on his mittens). Arlan was his usual smiling, talking self ... revelling in the attention from everyone.
We came home yesterday, again managing to leave at a relatively decent time. Both boys were SO good in the car both on the way down and back again. We stopped in Med Hat for lunch again, and made one more stop in Bassano to feed Arlan briefly and to stretch our legs. No meltdowns this time (that extra stop was a good thing).
Plus, John & I enjoyed a night out together, going to Natasha and Shane's wedding while the boys stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. SO nice ... we even spent the night in Swift at Carla and Dave's (thanks again guys). Both boys were so good for Grandma. Landon wasn't even upset when we left - he gave me a big kiss and gave me a quick wave good-by before returning his attention to much more important things (like playing). Arlan took awhile to fall asleep for Grandma, but she was able to just lay with him on the bed, and he eventually fell asleep stroking her face (he's so cute!!). He only woke once to eat too, which is just wonderful. Landon enjoyed some time with Grandpa in bed before heading back to his Thomas bed for the night. So both kids were well behaved, went to sleep and slept well, and were VERY happy to see John and I in the morning too.
I was very relieved that Arlan napped with me on Sunday for about 3 hours!! I can't remember the last time he and I hung out in bed for that long!!! He'd wake up, I'd nurse him a bit, we'd both go back to sleep. It was so nice :-) And Grandma managed to keep Landon entertained so both John and I got some recuperative sleep on Sunday (as we didn't get much sleep Sat night ... heh heh).

So we're home again ... I'm wondering what to do first, laundry, cleaning, blah! ah well ... it's now December and the countdown to Christmas is on! So I'll be doing lots of cleaning in upcoming weeks :-) Thankfully I'm almost completely done Xmas shopping... AND all my Xmas cards are mailed out already -- PHEW! Much better than last year, when I didn't even get my cards until 3 days before Xmas or some thing like that LOL

Anyways, that's the quick post for today - will get some pics uploaded hopefully soon ... until next time....