light a candle, say a prayer

it has been a very scary weekend for my little family.

Dylan has been suffering from high fevers since Friday and succumbed to a febrile seizure on Saturday when his temperature skyrocketed at a fast pace. i was all alone at home with him and i had a very tearful, panicky few minutes as i held one very convulsive little boy in my arms and spoke with a 911 operator and begged them to please hurry up.

six men in total came to my front door --- with a disoriented and crying dylan trying to make sense of all the commotions surrounding him and me, in a bathrobe crying my head off.

i have no clue how i even picked up the phone to dial the emergency number when my heart has dropped rock bottom already to see my son looking like death was coming for him. that's what i thought. i thought he was dying.

THANK GOD HE WASN'T.

today, we decided to again rush him to emergency (this time, to the Children's Hospital and without the help of paramedics) as he had a much shorter episode than that of saturday but nontheless, it was another episode.

tests were run and thankfully, dylan is suffering only from high fevers and nothing much more complicated than that. we also were informed that these seizures are quite normal for children and that usually, there is a history within the family of others having the same episodes as youngsters (that's my dad and younger brother for you).

on this little post of mine today, i ask that you include my son in your prayers.... for his speedy recovery and for God's blessing, love and protection to surround him.

next on my list

i cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of this for the weekend:



i have always loved James Patterson and his work --- his book, The Jester, which he co-penned with Andrew Gross is second on my list of all-time favourites (Until You by Judith McNaught being the first). now, i really can't wait to read Sundays at Tiffany's as i am quite excited about the plot!


what have you read lately?

lazy sundays

Weekends are all about some quality time with the little tyke. It's just the two of us on weekends as the hubby works those days so I get to have Dylan all to myself (minus when we visit the grandparents).

On this rainy sunday afternoon, lunch with my little man meant a bowl of yummy creamy mushroom soup, some crackers and his favourite side of cheese. He is a big fan of mushroom soup and I laughed my head of at the next photo.


Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. My little man was holding this glass bowl to his mouth and was SLURPING his soup. I think he was a little annoyed at me for taking breaks in between spoonfulls and took it upon himself to, well, feed himself!

The greatest thing happened this afternoon though, and I was so glad I did not miss this --- Dylan was standing with no support when he suddenly started taking steps towards me --- and I counted 1... 2... 3... 4... and 5! Five steps and he plops down on the floor, smiles hugely and hurriedly crawls to me seemingly saying "Look, Mommy! I've finally done it!".

I picked him up and laughed and twirled with him in our living room for a good 10 minutes, rejoicing in his first few steps ALL BY HIMSELF. It's unfortunate the hubby didn't get to see it (and he was bummed) but there will be other 'firsts' that he will get to see.

______________________________________

On another note, I have just joined in on The Package Project! I know that loads of you are big fans of swaps so this might be another one you would like to join in --- I know I'm excited to be a part of it!!!

I hope you all have a lovely week!

up the mountain we go

Prior to our getting pregnant with Dylan, the hubby and I loved to take spontaneous trips out-of-town. We will be sitting at home on a Saturday morning when the urge to get up and go will overtake us and we'll find ourselves a few hours away from Vancouver wandering the streets of some of the tourist spots.



With our little boy who 13 months old, it's a little harder to be 'spontaneous' parents but yesterday, the urge came back full force and a little after lunch, we left the house to pick-up the hubby's nephew on the way to visit the village in Whistler (where the Paralympics are currently being held). Though the weather was not at it's best (the rain was pouring in Whistler by the time we arrived), the skies finally cleared to give us a chance to sight-see and visit some of the local stores.




Dylan and his Kuya (term for older brother, cousin or friend) Jath all bundled up in the back seat of our tiny (but very reliable!) car. It was a two hour drive to Whistler and both boys were sound asleep on the way up and coming home.

Sea-to-Sky highway... the view is always breathtaking up here.

Want some fries?!?

Dylan saying "CHEESE!"

Jath, at 11 years old, is seriously the best babysitter I can ever ask for --- here he is showing the ropes to his younger cousin on how to properly enjoy the playzone at McDonalds.

A quick photo of the boys in front of McDonalds at Squamish. Don't be fooled by what they are wearing --- it's freezing up here!

Finally made it to Whistler! Stopping for photos --- not sure who these people were!

Checking out some paraphernalia inside the Olympic store.

More photo ops!

Darn right he's got the Right to Play!




Jath with his favourite Tito.

The baby boy cross-eyed from checking out how to drink our coffee! (No worries, it was an empty cup).

A quick family snapshot --- the hubby was taking a photo of Jath, of course.


Have you done anything spontaneous lately?

a sweet friday surprise

One of the things I love doing these days is going straight to my mailbox when I get home from work. It just so happens that today, a lovely little package in a pretty polkadot bag was protruding from my box and I squeeled in excitement.

Here is my lovely little package from the beautiful Micaela of Dolce Vita. She is the sweetest person I have "never" met!

In my excitement, I almost forgot to take photos of the pretty things inside the parcel --- I couldn't wait to get my hands on her note and present!

And inside the beautifully wrapped box is an equally beautiful charm bracelet which I can personalize with photos of my little man. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the box --- it seems that Micaela has been reading my mind all along --- I heart charm bracelets --- and one where I can put cherished photos on is even better.

Micaela, when you read this ---- THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. I adore the wonderful "something" you have sent and treasure it more than words can say.... I do hope you enjoy my birthday present when you go back to Virginia (assuming the mail gets it there before your return!)

under the weather

This is Milo, my little poopito.

He is the very first baby in my family. A full bred shih tzu who we fell in love with and took home on March 10, 2006. He is the epitome of a spoiled rotten little doggy. Nontheless, we love him for his lazy-no-nonsense attitude. All he wants to do is cuddle up to you, get scratched and will fall asleep.

My mom-in-law loves him.

SERIOUSLY LOVES HIM.

And we have a schedule for this little one where he gets to be with us for a week and my mom-in-law the following week. We don't mind, of course, because he loves being with her just as much.

The unfortunate part right now is that he is not feeling well. We don't know what's wrong with him... he's a little lethargic and from what I hear, not feeding too well. He is under the care of my M.I.L. this week and I must say that I miss him and wish that he was with me here at home so I can take care of him. The worry I hear from the voice of my hubby's family is now sinking into me and I am worried that he is so much worse than he actually is.

This one here is my first baby so I get sad thinking he's not feeling ok and I am not there to be with him. So the hubby is picking him up tomorrow to take him home and be with us.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that he will feel better just by being around his family.

Mail Scrambler (by Cour de La)

A week or so back, I've decided to join my first ever swap via Caroline at Cour de La. I thought it was going to be easy, after all, Caroline only had one specific request in mind... "something simple".

So I racked my brains for "something simple".

And thought.

And slept on it.

And I panicked at times thinking I'll never be able to send anything on time!

And it took me FOREVER to finally come up with SOMETHING that was ME but also, something that I think my swap partner would enjoy.

I've finally dropped it off today at the post office and it should take a week to get into someone's mailbox.

And as a sneak peak (I'm not giving away what's inside in case my swap partner sees this little corner ahead of time), here's the envelope I made just for the special little item(s) that went in... I know, I'm not artsy-craftsy but I'm darned proud of this pretty little thing. I truly hope my swap partner enjoys it!

at his best

the little man surely makes my day --- EVERYDAY!!!

i just heart him.

Garry Point Park

we spent a beatifully gorgeous afternoon sipping glorious sunshine while taking a stroll at Garry Point Park. i can't believe how lucky we are to be able to live 5 minutes away from the likes of these beautiful places.

the little man with his serious face

a beautiful view of the small lake (boy, to live in a house that had this type of rustic beauty behind me --- it would be pure heaven!)

daddy, dylan and our (not-so) little shih tzu, milo.

dylan trying to get a 'kiss' out of my-my (one of our dog's many nicknames).

did you darlings have a beautiful afternoon as well???

water makes me smile

My favourite time of the day, well, is actually at night!

At night, I get to spend time with both my boys and my most absolute favourite is this...


Bathtime.

It is seriously my heaven after being up at 5am and being at work an hour early and staying an extra half hour late.

And not even my bathtime --- but the little man's bathtime! It's such a joy to watch him play in the water until his fingers and toes go pruny. He thoroughly enjoys it and would much rather play with the water than his bath toys!

What's your favourite time of day?

all the way from...

Poland and Ukraine this time around!

I just heart receiving postcards --- actually, make that ANYTHING in the mail, i heart!!!

Now off to go send some more cards on this end!