Surprise! It's a baby! (Not long now!)

[Alysa]

I'm sorry to everyone that I've been a bit MIA. I've been trying to get everything ready around here for Robert so that when he arrives, Harold and the kids will be okay. Not that they would be without me going crazy before hand. It's just insane nesting or something.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving day to you!
Love that you were spoiled with a pedicure! They look very nice!
Burrita - what a great name! What a great activity for the kids and I'm sure the candy was only slightly influential with them voting it favorite themed nite yet.
Welcome to the blogging world! I used to blog more but haven't in so long.. I miss it. Your blog is wonderful and your creativity really is displayed in brilliant detail.

Just checking in on you Alysa since you are so near your due date... within 2 weeks? I hope all is well and that precious little Robert makes his grand entrance soon.

Hi Brenda, I am spoiled! You are too sweet, thank you! No baby yet! I did spend most of Monday at the hospital but they finally sent me home and I think he has decided that it is too comfy and cozy right where he is and that he is going to stay a while yet. It was sweet of you to think of me! Starting to get nervous again - I do this every time. "How can I love him as much as the other two? What if something happens? What if he isn't healthy?" Crazy, I know!

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.
That pinata is adorable - such a fun movie night!
Love the kicked back relaxing pic of your pedicure.

Hi Hope! Thank you too! I've got a great pic to show you of the next movie night coming up!

You have me totally in the mood for a pedicure...
Does Canadian Thanksgiving have an iconic story to it like the Pilgrims and Native Americans? It sounds like you have some similar foods... like the pumpkin and sweet potato pies...
(The founding of North America ... Canada, the US and Mexico has so many overlaps in the beginning... Large land mass with lots of natural resources, Native peoples already here, European kings looking to expand particularly- England, France and Spain... traders, etc...)
I wish we had learned more Canadian History in school -we really should - but then again we (US ers ) should also be held to a higher standard in learning languages... but that's a whole other story... I was really glad to be able to have learned French (lol...at least enough to communicate in both France and Quebec...)
Hmmm... I was just comparing your Three Caballeros movie night and I think that yours was much more authentic and wholesome than mine... I might have to PM you for where you got those pinata instructions... David's
school has an International Club monitored by the language teacher... French & Spanish... who found out that I had previously made sugar skulls for Dios de los Muertos and wants to make them at school during club... and that pinata would be really cute to make at some point as well...

Hi Patricia, My grandmother's family on my dad's side are actually descended from United Empire Loyalists and my great uncle still owns a peach farm in Niagara on the Lake granted to our family from the King, so I am a bit of a Canadian history buff. Canadian Thanksgiving is said to come from a celebration by Martin Frobisher on surviving his voyage to search for a northwestern passage to China in the 1500's. I imagine though that every country with a harvest has a celebration of some kind at that time.
I loved your movie night by the way. Yours was much more in depth than mine - we just had granola bars - you had a whole meal! I'll post the detailed instructions on the piñata on my blog next. I'd love to see a photo of the sugar skulls - so cool!

I am constantly in awe of your craft projects! Burrita is as cute as can be! I checked out your blog and it is so cool that you have a place to catalog all of these movie nights

Hi Erin, thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Your toes look great! Seriously cute picture in front of the fireplace, too!
Sounds like your Caballeros night went really well! Cute crafts as always!!
Hope the Thanksgiving dinner went well, I'd love to have your pumpkin pie recipe if it's not too presumptuous to ask.

Hi Millie! Thank you! I'll post the recipe for the pie below!



So for our latest movie night we did The Adventures of Ichabod Crane and Mister Toad. I moved it forward because this was the conversation we had at our house at lunch on Thanksgiving after I had finished making the pies:

Harold: Hon, can you take the turkey out of the fridge.
Me: It's not here.
Harold: I thought you took it out of the freezer.
Me: Nope, I thought you did!

So off he went to the store. Guess what, you can't find a fresh turkey Thanksgiving day in Canada. So we had ham. We also had a giant, rock-hard, uncooked turkey in our freezer. Yep, you guessed it - turkey for our movie night with another pumpkin pie this weekend! We also served broccoli, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and neeps and tatties (turnip or rutabaga and potatoes). Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of the pie so Harold suggested that I make another for him this weekend and he'll remember to photograph it this time. Yes, that is three pumpkin pies in one month. All part of his master plan. I'll update the photos when I get it.

Pie!

For the craft, I had the kids do travel tags with Mister Toad quotes from the movie. "Travel, Adventure, Excitement!" and "We'll go for a jolly ride!" I got sparkly foam and scrapbook letters and the kids did the lettering. Then we cut out a frame square on one side and the kids put their contact info in and coloured in Toad on these little sheets I made up. Plus since we just moved it was good to help teach them their new info. Perfect for their luggage for Disney in 306 days!

By the way, the letters kind of seem like there is no way they will make it through customs without popping off. Has anyone ever used 'modgepodge" or "hodgepodge" or whatever it is called? Would that help is I put a layer over top?


Here is the recipe for the pie - I have a huge old pie plate so I double this:
1 egg
15 mL all-purpose flour
180 mL white sugar
2 mL salt
375 mL cups pumpkin puree
375 mL evaporated milk
2 mL ground cinnamon
2 mL ground ginger
1 mL ground nutmeg
30 mL light corn syrup
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

1.Preheat oven to 450ÚF (230ÚC).
2.Add the sugar gradually to the pumpkin puree. Beat well an stir in the flour, salt and spices. Stir in the corn syrup and beat well. Stir in the slightly beaten egg, then slowly add the evaporated milk, mixing until well blended. Pour the batter into the unbaked pie shell.
3. Bake at 450 degrees F (230ÚC) for 10 minutes then reduce the oven temperature to 325ÚF (165ÚF) and continue baking pie for an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the mixture comes out clean.

Thanks again for reading along everyone!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Alysa,

I hope that all is well... I think that you are due just about now...

Your tags are lovely... The movie version of Frog and Toad is so cute... Also I love the ride -they don't have it at DWD but they do still have it at DL... I think the tags might need to be laminated... I don't know if modgepodge will hold up... maybe once or twice but the way they handle luggage .. I'd maybe use a xyron laminator...

I think everyone has at least one turkey story... ham is awesome anyhow... sometimes it can be even better... & there are worse things than 3 pumpkin pies in a month...

Thinking good thoughts for you...

 

[Alysa]

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Congratulations on the addition to your family! What a lovely announcement card. Robert is a beautiful baby!

 

[emmysmommy]

Congratulations Alyssa and family on Robert's arrival!!!! ​

He is so precious!!! The photos of Eveie and Toby with him are adorable. I wish you a lifetime of joy just as it is captured in those photos!

Take care!

 

[LadyBeBop]

OMG, he is so cute. Congratulations.

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

He is absolutely Beautiful!!! Congratulations!!!

 

[Dugette]

Hi, Alysa. I haven't been very good at keeping up with my commentary on PTRs (doing this one-handed while nursing), but I just wanted to say congratulations on Robert's arrival! He is just beautiful and I love your announcement!

 

[Imagineer5]

Hi! I have seen you around not sure where lol but congrats on your son! He's so handsome and your announcements are adorable. Love that you included a pic of your dog too

 

[-Hope-]

Oh, he's gorgeous! Congratulations to you and your family.

I guess I was so focused on his first name being the same as my DH that I glossed over the fact that his middle name is the same as everyone's favorite Roman. Love it!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[PoppyGirl]

Congratulations! Beautiful baby, beautiful family, beautiful announcements. And I'm particularly fond of his name! So happy for you.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Congrats! SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 

[DisneyMom5]

congrats! He's BEAUTIFUL! Love the toes...

 

[My2Qtz0205]

Aw, he shares a birthday with my son! Congratulations!

 

[Alysa]

Thank you to all of you for all your good wishes. Robert and I have actually been down for the count for a while. He and I have been in or at the NICU almost every day except today. He's had a dangerously high level of bilirubin which we have had to get down with phototherapy and LOTS of feeding which he has been too drowsy to take. We are back again tomorrow for another follow up and I am hoping that my sleepy little monkey will finally pass and be able to stay home full time from now on. I confess to being very weepy lately just from not sleeping at the NICU and worry over him not eating enough to regain his birth weight yet but I am so grateful for the blessing of him. I have been cheering myself up with imagining his three fairy grandmothers (a la sleeping beauty) and the gifts they would give him. My mum would bless him with the gifts of kindness and happiness, my grandmother with handsomeness and talent, my mother in law the gifts of brains and success. And I know all three are watching over us both and keeping us from harm.

Congratulations on the addition to your family! What a lovely announcement card. Robert is a beautiful baby!

Thanks Erin! We quite like him too, guess we will keep him after all.

Congratulations Alyssa and family on Robert's arrival!!!! ​

He is so precious!!! The photos of Eveie and Toby with him are adorable. I wish you a lifetime of joy just as it is captured in those photos!
Take care!

Thanks Brenda, the kids are so enamoured of him, we are so very lucky.

OMG, he is so cute. Congratulations.

Thanks Kathy! He's getting cuter every day. I especially love the faces he makes.

He is absolutely Beautiful!!! Congratulations!!!

Thanks Patricia - and for the laminating tip, great idea!

Hi, Alysa. I haven't been very good at keeping up with my commentary on PTRs (doing this one-handed while nursing), but I just wanted to say congratulations on Robert's arrival! He is just beautiful and I love your announcement!

Hi Dugette, thank you - Baby Dug is beautiful too - I love the photo shoot!

Hi! I have seen you around not sure where lol but congrats on your son! He's so handsome and your announcements are adorable. Love that you included a pic of your dog too

Hi Lauren, thank you! I have no idea how I missed your report but Aria is beautiful! Our dog just loves to lick the baby in his swing. Robert is going to have a kick butt immune system when he gets through with him.

Oh, he's gorgeous! Congratulations to you and your family.
I guess I was so focused on his first name being the same as my DH that I glossed over the fact that his middle name is the same as everyone's favorite Roman. Love it!

Thanks Hope - Harold only calls him Rory.

Congratulations! Beautiful baby, beautiful family, beautiful announcements. And I'm particularly fond of his name! So happy for you.

Thanks Poppy! So sweet of you!

Congrats! SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Thanks Michelle! I think so but I may be biased!

congrats! He's BEAUTIFUL! Love the toes...

Hello DisneyMom5! He does have funny, long monkey toes!
I LOVE that your screen name is from when you only had 5 - your family is beautiful!

Aw, he shares a birthday with my son! Congratulations!

Thanks Dawn! Same with Franz Liszt. And Shaggy. Libra, right?
"As a Libra born on October 22nd, you are characterized by your analytical mind, social nature and loyalty. While there are some people who choose to keep their thoughts to themselves, you never fail to take a chance to share your mind's inner workings. You have a gift for communication, which is reflected in your quick wit and clever observations. Your friends and family appreciate your cleverness, almost as much as they appreciate your undying loyalty. As a self-starter, you turn your curiosity into a focused quest for knowledge and understanding."

 

[Dugette]

Alysa, I'm sorry you're having to spend time in the NICU! I hope that he is regaining his weight and getting rid of the jaundice. I do understand the weight thing, as Dug Baby went from 8lb 8oz to 7lb 7oz, which was over the 10% that they find acceptable. My main problem was that she was too tired to eat much those first few days. She is nearing 10 lbs. now (at 6 weeks), though, thankfully. I tried all the little tricks to get her to stay awake eating and nothing really worked those first several days. The only one I heard about afterwards (so never tried), was holding a cold water bottle, then touching baby with your cold hand. I think we tried everything else and she slept through it!

Anyway, I love the fairy godmother thoughts, those are great! Best of luck to you and your sleepy guy...I hope he gets more energy soon and gets to be at home full-time!

 

[-Hope-]

Oh, Alyssa! I'm sorry you and your little guy are having such a rough start. I hope he's better soon. I love the fairy godmother thoughts and I'm sure they're sending you both as well.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Alysa, I’m so sorry that you have been in and out of the NICU with Robert and I hope that he gets a clean bill of health tomorrow! My son was in the NICU for three days because of jaundice, too, and he wasn’t staying awake long enough to eat either. He would only wake up if I had him completely uncovered and tickled the bottoms of his tiny feet! My daughter was jaundiced, too, but she only had a day of phototherapy in the nursery. Everything with them was fine after that and everything will be fine with Robert too!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Oh Alysa,

It's no wonder your a bit tired and down... You just gave birth, you would be tired from that . Your hormones are swinging all over and you're worried about your baby. He will be just fine. Emily had highly bilirubin levels and David actually spent a couple of days in the NICU ... And it is nerve wracking (honestly I sometimes think the generation before us doesn't tell us everything about Childbirth because we either wouldn't believe it or we wouldn't go through with it... All will be well... Just don't be too hard on yourself

 

[Alysa]

Alysa, I'm sorry you're having to spend time in the NICU! I hope that he is regaining his weight and getting rid of the jaundice. I do understand the weight thing, as Dug Baby went from 8lb 8oz to 7lb 7oz, which was over the 10% that they find acceptable. My main problem was that she was too tired to eat much those first few days. She is nearing 10 lbs. now (at 6 weeks), though, thankfully. I tried all the little tricks to get her to stay awake eating and nothing really worked those first several days. The only one I heard about afterwards (so never tried), was holding a cold water bottle, then touching baby with your cold hand. I think we tried everything else and she slept through it!
Anyway, I love the fairy godmother thoughts, those are great! Best of luck to you and your sleepy guy...I hope he gets more energy soon and gets to be at home full-time!

Hi Dugette, Just back from the hospital again today - only gained 50g over the weekend. When he regains his birth weight we are going to have a party here.

Oh, Alyssa! I'm sorry you and your little guy are having such a rough start. I hope he's better soon. I love the fairy godmother thoughts and I'm sure they're sending you both as well.

Thanks Hope - I'll take all the pixie dust we can get!

Alysa, I’m so sorry that you have been in and out of the NICU with Robert and I hope that he gets a clean bill of health tomorrow! My son was in the NICU for three days because of jaundice, too, and he wasn’t staying awake long enough to eat either. He would only wake up if I had him completely uncovered and tickled the bottoms of his tiny feet! My daughter was jaundiced, too, but she only had a day of phototherapy in the nursery. Everything with them was fine after that and everything will be fine with Robert too!

Hi Erin, thank you, it's nice to know that other mums have gone through this too and their kids still go on to be brilliant!

Oh Alysa, It's no wonder your a bit tired and down... You just gave birth, you would be tired from that . Your hormones are swinging all over and you're worried about your baby. He will be just fine. Emily had highly bilirubin levels and David actually spent a couple of days in the NICU ... And it is nerve wracking (honestly I sometimes think the generation before us doesn't tell us everything about Childbirth because we either wouldn't believe it or we wouldn't go through with it... All will be well... Just don't be too hard on yourself

Hi Patricia, It's amazing to me too how much I have forgotten in 6+ years. But I did it twice before and I can do it again, right?

Thanks to all of you for the good wishes. He'll be fine, I know, I just wish he was getting better a bit faster. Mom guilt.

So we had originally thought to have a Hallowe'en party/movie night to introduce Robbie to everyone in our family. I wanted to cancel but the kids were so looking forward to it so my sweet, darling husband offered to make everything. I had purchased all the materials and ingredients before Robbie was born so off he went. I spent the day feeding the bairn and he spent the day cooking, baking, crafting with the kids and helping them carve pumpkins. He even knew that I wanted photos of the movie nights so he did that too! We never did get to watch the movies that day but last Friday was a PD day at the school so the kids and I hung out and watched the double header (while I fed the boy) - the Haunted Mansion and the Nightmare Before Christmas. When I watched the Haunted Mansion when it first came out I thought it was dreadful but apparently if you are nine or six, that is the perfect age to think it is pretty funny. I even laughed with them when Eddie Murphy meets Madame Leota.
Jack Skellington Cookies baked by husband.

MY brother in law printed out tombstones for the cupcakes my husband made and Toby decorated. I found the artwork here.

Poison (green tea crystal light with green food colouring) skeleton bones (white chocolate melted in a jello mold from the dollar store), and Zero's kibble (chocolate and yogurt covered raisins).

Oogie Boogie Guts (jelly worms and tarantulas). I got the idea for the guts and the kibble from this site.

The crafts were pumpkin carving and haunted mansion bookmarks.

The website for the bookmarks was here. And this website here has the other two portraits on it as well so the kids and my niece and nephew created all four.

Christmas tree decorated with the black ornaments that Toby painted, bottle of poison (grape juice), and chocolate milk with candy cane stir sticks.

Chalk this party up to one of my most idiotic ideas ever. But a great time was had by all 17 guests.