Daddy is in charge of the house these days. My parents gave some much needed help last week, but now it is Daddy-time. I know what you are thinking: "Poor Becca and the boys... cereal for supper every night." For starters, cereal is an awesome supper. But more to the point, we do eat well when I cook. I mean, for instance, here is just a little something I slapped together at a moment's notice tonight. It is simple compared to what I usually do, of course, but I don't want to brag...


A little music to get us started.

Some fresh veggies. Mushrooms, green onions, broccoli, et al.

We have a stir fry. Herb and garlic seasoning was added for that extra punch.

Ready for the steaks. I threw some marinade on them this morning. A mix of soy sauce, worcestershire, herbs, steak seasoning, olive oil, and lemon juice.

When we have steaks we often skip the potatoes. A little sliced baguette bread with olive oil and garlic seasoning roasts nicely on the barbecue.

Long live the grill. Some Bullseye sauce was added.

Bring the food inside.

Slice up a nice medium rare. Joseph likes it like this. Becca prefers just a tad less blood.

Plate it. A flower or two from my students at school always adds to the meal.

Smiles all around

Some left over mashed potatoes for the boys as well. More steak for me.

A simple dessert of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a cookie.

You see! I take great care of Becca as she continues to recover!

Oh, and that's her giving Emilie her meal... during our wonderful supper. I tried.

Our Little Baby

We have more pictures of our little baby. This baby is such a doll.


Perhaps our baby's favourite place to be is Emilie's chair. We frequently find him hanging out there.

He's also been known to climb into her car seat.

Frequently our baby demands: "Mommy, I hold you!"

You guessed it, getting ready for another change.

He loves to play in his old tub too.

Night time has been filled with the usual. John Paul tries to run away from the boys' room to join Mommy in her bed.

Of course, our baby loves to see his new sister.

And to get close to her.







 And to get too close to her.

 It's difficult learning to be a big brother. As I write this he is in his room screaming "Mommy!" and hyper ventilating. But someday I'm sure John Paul will be Emilie's knight in shining armour.

And she'll think he is the coolest thing.

Bath Time

Bath time

Ooooh that feels so good.

Dad says I look like an animal when I take a bath... a little bear!

Joseph, after looking at this picture: "Emilie looks like Joseph when I was a baby."

I'm cute and I know it.

 Phew! Time for a nap!

Sending Some Good Thoughts Your Way

Matthew Archbold with some good thoughts... 

A snippet:

"'I'll keep a good thought for you.'

"What the heck is that? Seriously. What even is that? We've all heard things like people talking about "good thoughts" and "positive waves." What, is everyone psychic now? I say, roll up your yoga mat and take your 'good thoughts' with you. See you at the maypole dance. 

[...]

"You're not allowed to say, 'Merry Christmas.' You can't say you're going to pray for someone.

Me? I'm done with it. I won't be sending 'good thoughts' or 'vibrations' out to anyone. I'm praying for everyone just out of spite now. I'm only kinda' kidding."

Reminds me of Kelly's Heroes:

Johnny Be Good

"Johnny!!! You hit Bobby in the face, pushed him to the ground, jumped repeatedly on his back, gave him The Peoples' Elbow, and then stole his toy tractor... was that a good choice or a bad choice?"

"Um... *looking at teacher as if she has two heads* ...um... a bad choice?"

"Right, a bad choice. You need to make good choices. Ok?"

"Right. Good choices. Can I go play with this tractor now?"

The preceding conversation, or words to that effect, I've heard far too often at school. I've talked about it before, but it seems to get worse. Permit me a little philosophical play here.

Every time a child does something bad they are told to consider the choice they made with their bad action. The child is then grilled until they can admit it was a bad choice. Afterwards they are reminded that they need to make good choices, not bad choices. The child is not bad. Just his choices. Do good choices. Avoid evil choices.

We make choices based on the good, or an apparent good. We always choose what we think is a good. Think about that. Even if you decided to do something purely based on it being bad, and you wanted that action to be bad... you would still see some apparent good in doing so. Thus, one always acts towards an apparent good. A child hits, pushes, jumps on a kid, and steals his toy tractor because he thinks it is good for him to have the tractor, cost what may.

What is missing from the situation (besides God, of course, but this is a public institution where there can be no mention of God, or religion... except when it comes to the darling yoga)... sorry, what is missing from the situation is being. Why make good choices? Well, when choices are separated from being, there is a logical disconnect. Hence the child staring blankly at the teacher, completely unaffected by a few words about good choices. The child's look is really saying: "Are you suggesting my actions are ontologically separated from me?"

There is an old scholastic axiom: Operari sequitur esse - Action follows being. Our choices come from an intellect/will tandem. Our intellect processes, debates and rationalizes, even for a split second, and presents the case to our will. The will chooses an apparent good. Note that our intellect and our will are the highest powers of our soul. We are rational beings. This is actually quite amazing. Our choices, then, bear the dignity, and responsibility, of being partakers of the image of God.

Going back to bad bad Johnny (all bad kids in examples are named Johnny, so don't name your child Johnny). What Johnny did was not some act separated from who he is. Not some mere choice, but rather a choice in fact made from the highest powers of his soul, being, and ultimately body. Johnny made a bad choice, yes. Johnny in fact sinned. He offended God, self, and neighbour. However, clearly we cannot hear the following at a public school:

"Johnny! You did all of this to Bobby! This is sinful! Depending on your morose delectation, and the gravity of hurt inflicted, quite possibly a grave sin! I will call Father Con Fessio immediately!"

While that won't happen, we still must refrain from separating choice from being; a modern day Cartesian "ghost in the machine." Rather, a child who treats others wrong, and yes makes bad choices, must know that he, his whole person, is responsible...

"Johnny! You did all of this to Bobby!" You KNOW that was wrong! You deliberately hurt Bobby badly in order to steal from him. You will be punished for this, and afterwards you will be making an appropriate apology to Bobby. If you can't control yourself, you won't be playing with others, simple as that."

*Johnny ashamedly looks up at the teacher as the gravity of what he did starts to sink in. But it all makes sense to him.*

Yes. Makes sense to him. Common sense.

If you choose it.

Points to Ponder: New Baby Edition

Some ramblings based on the excitement of the past few days...

- A new girl has arrived. Most people tell us stuff like: "Oh I just knew it would be a girl because you already had two boys..." Um, ok. We're pretty over the moon excited, but for me at least it didn't matter as much about the baby being a boy or a girl. The first child we really wanted to be a boy (Joseph). The second we also wanted to be a boy so that Joseph could have a little buddy (John Paul). This time around, it actually didn't matter one way or the other. We're excited, either way.

- Emilie is doing great, as is Becca. There are the usual post-birth issues that creep up, cause we'd never want to have it too easy, but everything has been amazing.

- It seems we won't have a baptism until around the July 1st-3rd range. It's killing me. Fr. Mariusz visited Emilie a couple of hours after she was born. I wanted him to baptize her right then and there. If we only understood a fraction of what baptism does, we'd probably break down crying. It is amazing. I simply can't wait for Emilie to be baptized. Hmm... there's my water bottle over there...

- Perhaps the most difficult part thus far has been John Paul. *shock* He's had a difficult time letting go of Mommy. He routinely climbs into Emilie's car seat, or into bed with Becca and Emilie. Whereas Joseph, the second he saw baby John Paul jumped into my arms and clung to me, John Paul hasn't been so keen of seeing his title as Mommy's Baby disappear.

- But John Paul very clearly loves Emilie. He asks to hold her all the time. He smothers her with kisses. He constantly pats her head. So much so that we have to watch him quite carefully. But it's still beautiful to watch. He's going to be a great big brother.

- Yesterday was Father's Day. It was a very busy day, filled with lots of cooking and cleaning. Not your typical lay on the couch and do nothing type of Father's Day. Obviously Becca must continue to rest. Boy she must be busy when she's not resting! I'm having a difficult time keeping up with chores. This morning I realized our house was a mess. Dust, crumbs, and dirty laundry everywhere. So off to work I went. I may be glad to go back to work.

- Yes, back to work. Probably tomorrow, assuming my mom is able to come over and help out. I still have some assessment to administer with the students, and then I can make report cards. Which means... summer vacation is almost here! Don't let teachers try to convince you that they became teachers because of their love for children and education. There are only two reasons: July and August.

- Back to Emilie. She is just the sweetest little thing. Her first night home I got to spend a couple hours with her in the middle of the night. She just stared at me for most of it. She is so peaceful and easy going. She'll have to be, especially if she ever wants to sleep. The boys aren't exactly quiet. We're not used to an easy going baby. We've braced for the worst, having just gone through John Paul. Emilie is... I dunno... 100x easier. So far, mind you. There'll be challenges (colic on the way?). For now we're very thankful to God for half-decent sleeps at night, and a little girl who just seems so content to lay in your arms and look at you. 

- A family of five! Whoaaa!!!! Joseph's car seat is in the very back of the van now. He's thrilled with that. I simply cannot believe it. It hasn't sunk in yet. 

Introducing... Emilie Marie

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Emilie Marie.

A little girl. Wow! We might just be in over our heads because we just don't know what to do with a girl. But she's got a set of lungs to compete with any of her brothers and is already a loud burper. 

Emilie was born Thursday, June 16th at 7:20am, after a quick 4 hours of labour. She weighed in at 8lbs. 9oz. just one ounce over both the boys.

(For those of you who heard 8.15lbs. there was some mistake in the delivery room translating kgs to lbs and we only found out today).

Joseph and John Paul are absolutely delighted. John Paul has been (roughly) patting Emilie's head every chance he gets and asked shortly after meeting her, "We take dis baby home?" Both boys are still calling her "it" and haven't quite gotten used to the idea that our baby is actually a girl with a name. 

While Joseph insisted we play a baby voting "game" wherein the boys root for a boy and I root for a girl, and whichever it is the boys or girls win, he has since been pumped to realize the boys are still outnumbering the girls... even though I won.

We are so thrilled to be home and enjoying the care of Grandma Millette.

In over our heads or not, we are all deeply in love with our lovely little lady bundle and know she's a real keeper.   

Exciting Arrival (for real)

Emilie Marie Millette. Born on June 16th at 7:20am. Weighing 8lbs 15 ounces. Mother and child are doing great. Pictures later.

UPDATE: 

A sneak peak.

Exciting Arrival!

It is with great excitement that I announce our new arrival! We've waited sooo long for this. Becca and I couldn't be more thrilled. She's a beauty! We are totally floored. She's heavier than we expected, and a perfect 24 inches long. I'm glad there's no tinge of orange/red. Golly, what a wonder to behold!

Ready for a picture?

 

You sure?

 

Ok, here she is!

That's right, the new flooring for our kitchen has finally arrived!

In other news, no baby yet.

Update on Sleep Situation: Joseph the Hero

Another pathetic attempt to get John Paul to sleep last night. Both Becca and I were in the room trying to get that boy to sleep, or at least to be quiet. He has no fear. Shows no remorse. Probably has no conscience either. He just sings, cries, talks, all to his heart's content. We left the room. As we left Joseph calls out: ""Here, I'll put him to sleep for you. It will take five minutes." Yeah right.

As we left we heard through the door: "John Paul! Do you want me to slap your hand? Be quiet and fais do do!" Sure enough, within five minutes, John Paul was asleep.

Points to Ponder: Mr. Hockey Edition

1) Mr. Hockey

Everyone is complaining about how so many celebrities, musicians, actors, and athletes have died this year. Just last week it was Muhammed Ali. But yesterday's news, for me, is a real elbow to the gut. Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe, has passed away at the age of 88. He took Saskatchewan Tough to a whole new level. When his mom gave birth to him out on the farm without anyone around to help, you knew he'd be something. People often say he was the greatest hockey player of all time. I say Bobby Orr is. However, if I had to build a team I kid you not I would take Gordie Howe over Wayne Gretzky. He was that good.

I only saw him once. It was at an Ottawa Senators game. They had Howe come in for a pre-game ceremony. Needless to say, the crowd went nuts and gave him a long ovation. Later, as we were wandering the concourse at the arena, I looked ahead and saw a white-haired man walking out of one of the private boxes. He was with a couple of other people. I just couldn't believe it, Mr. Hockey was right there! They went straight to a waiting elevator, so I didn't get a chance to do my: "Do you know who you are?!!!! You're Gordie Howe!!!"

May he rest in peace.


2) Prepare the Way

As part of our preparation for the baby, we've been trying to transition John Paul to sleep either by himself, with me, with Joseph, with his bear, heck with anyone but Mommy. Last night I pulled a mattress into Joseph's room. Joseph took the mattress. I lay down with John Paul in the big bed. After nearly an hour of trying to get him to sleep I left, frustrated. Thankfully Joseph took over. I guess when I left John Paul crawled onto the tiny mattress with Joseph. Joseph told me this morning: "I had a bit of a long and short time of putting John Paul asleep. About five minutes. Yeah, about five minutes I put him to sleep. He was kicking me so I slapped his hand. I slapped his hand three times for you and I yelled at him to go to sleep. I put him to sleep for you." Thanks Joseph. The three of us still played musical beds though. Sometimes there were two on the little mattress and one on the big bed. Sometimes all three of us were on the big bed. Sometimes we took turns alone on the little mattress. Needless to say, John Paul is putting up a fight on his way to being replaced as the baby.

Here he is, presumably hiding his face in shame.

3) Hot Hot Heat

It was a very hot week. I'm so thankful I live in Saskatchewan where the heat is not too frequent. I'm also thankful for air conditioning, freezies, and did I mention air conditioning? We hauled out the pool this week. Here are some action shots.

The boys drying off together. I quickly snapped a picture before they started fighting.

John Paul watering the garden. No, really. He is watering the garden. He has a water gun in his hand. Why? What did you think I meant?

Joseph tasting water from the pool. 

The boys getting some sun. 

John Paul filling up his water gun. Check out those pipes!

4) Tattoo Time

Seeing as summer is pretty well here, tattoos are, er, more noticeable now. When they come up in conversation I always say the same thing: I wouldn't put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari. Then there's one teacher at school here. He has a tattoo on his arm. Chinese letters of some sort. Why? He said he's half Chinese and so wants to showcase his Chinese heritage. I'm like: "but you look Chinese already..." Sort of like putting a bumper sticker that says "Ferrari" on a Ferrari... Everyone knows what it is already.

5) Life is too short...

Music is so amazing these days. The other day I heard a new song by super-punk band Blink 182. The catch lyrics were: "Life is too short to last long."

Do they even try to make sense anymore?

Let me ponder that statement a little longer and see if it does, indeed, make sense. Life is too short to last long. If life was not too short, it would last long. Or, if it did last long then it would not be too short. In the same way that if a tall person were not short then he would be short on shortness, or tall on tallness. Or that water is too wet to be dry. But dryness is short on wetness like a tall person is dry when he is not wet because life is short and water evaporates too quickly to last long and so tall people are dry. Got it?

 Life is too short to try and make sense of this.


6) Speaking of Short...

Did I mention only 14 work days left until summer? Well, we are allowed to leave half a day early, so 13.5 days. Plus no one really does much work those last two administrative days: 12 days. But if baby comes soon I will take at least a few days off: 9 days. And two days are filled with field trips and what not: 7 days. And a week is for goofing off: 2 days left. 2 days left of work!


7) Yours Truly

Joseph took the camera for a spin the other day. He took a picture of me. My wife never takes pictures of me. Thanks Joseph. Don't I look great! Check out those pipes! Ready to hold a new baby.

Life is too short to not hold a new baby. It doesn't last long.