The HAPINEN Place

What a Slacker!

2007-07-04T06:45:00.000-04:00

Man, what a slacker I am. I can't believe that is has been over 3 months since I last posted. I guess you can tell that I've gone back to work. I don't ususally get on the computer at home, only at work on my lunch. WOW. Lindsay has grown so much in the last months, in my last post she had just started walking, now she pretty well runs, eats everything and is babbling alot. We can't understand a word she says , but at least she says it with meaning.

Our friends Jen and Dave have brought their little girl Ali home. We get to meet her this weekend at the Rebecca Run (finally) after spending almost 2 weeks in China. How excited are they? - and us! Yes this weekend is the Rebecca Run - it is always a great day, and fun, lots to buy and bid on and it is always very hot! Good news for the Rebecca Run. Bad news for me playing in a soccer tournament after the Rebecca Run Saturday and Sunday.

I can't believe how fast this year is going. It is already July. Oh yeah, we are going to see the Tragically Hip AGAIN tonight. Except it is in a wee little spot called the Kee to Bala (in Bala) It should be AWESOME!!! How small and close a concert is this going to be? I can hardly wait. Just a mere 12 hours to go. I don't usually get too excited but these guys are Canadian Icon rockers and are the best!

Lindsay is doing well at the sitters, she likes to be around other kids and has been a bit cranky home and away lately. She finally had a pre-molar break through and is now a LOT better. She has fun just about everywhere she goes. We took her to Wasaga Beach 2 weekends ago and she loved it! Ate sand, got soaking wet, what isn't to love? I guess I better get ready to go to work. I will try to be more frequent with my blog, at least with the pictures.

Later,

Krista

Spring is about to spring!

2007-03-20T13:13:00.000-04:00

Lindsay and her biological father

Ahhhhh, the sun is shining and the snow is melting. Spring is here - today! Of course we still may have a snowstorm or two yet but I'm trying to be optimistic.

Well, Lindsay started walking 2 weeks ago. I was off skating and my parents were looking after her and she decided to get up and walk! 11 months and 1 day to be exact. I can't believe that my baby will be 1 year old in 2 weeks! This has been the fastest year of my life. Where did it go? I wish the government would pay my to stay home for another year but that won't be happening anytime soon.
Lindsay went to the sitter's for the very first time. I think that she did good, I think it helped that there was 2 other kids there waiting for Lindsay to come over. Of course she wouldn't take a bottle from Debbie but sucked it dry as soon as we got in the car. She won't hold her bottle by herself but will hold her sippy cup?! I think she must see her bottle as our cuddle time. We thought she would fall asleep on the way home since she seemed really tired and hadn't napped, but she caught a second wind, ate lunch, played for a while then I took her to have a nap. I had to lie down with her, but she fell asleep really fast! (and that is how I'm doing this now!!)

The poor little girl was sick last week with a bug of some kind. I have seen more diarrhea in the last week than I have in a long time - even the dog had diarrhea!but now everyone seems to be feeling better.

We also got a new cat about 3 weeks ago. He is a brown tabby named Squiggy. Sqiq and Linds are about the same age, it's funny to watch them play together. Squig will put his paws (sans claws) on her head or they share toys and they even share a bed, But not at the same time. Yup it's just a regular circus around here some days!

So if Lindsay is turning 1 that must mean that...UG! I have to go back to work! April the 16th is the lucky (for them) or unlucky (for me) day. The good thing is that I am at work for about a month then I have a week off for holidays!Our sitter is going away for a week so I though I could use a break from work by then.

Other than the above mentioned news, there is not much else to report.

ttfn

Krista

(This is what I mean about it being a bit of a circus here)

HAPPY LOVE ME DAY!

2007-02-14T15:42:00.000-05:00

Well, Happy Valentine's Day! I hope that every one's belly is full of chocolate! Mine is full of fudge! And I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I should have been the one to give Janne flowers through. Yesterday he had to see his best friend out of this world. We had Kelsey put down after a very good 15 years! It's very odd because you still expect to see her lying on the bed or on the couch downstairs. Abe is taking it well, or so it seems, it definitely feels like we are missing a member here though. The last year she had gone a bit further downhill, pooping on the floor, we aren''t even sure that she realized that she did it, got a little blinder, deafer, she just wasn't the same dog any more, it didn't seem as though she found much joy in anything anymore, passed the days away sleeping on the bed getting up to eat and then circle the couch all evening until we went to bed. Lately her hind end had been getting weaker too, it was hard for her to eat off the floor, she would slip and have to sit down, and would try to jump up on the couch but would often miss. So many things, it was so hard for Janne to have to make an appointment to have this done, to know that the time was ticking away for his puppy. But he was there with her to the end. He is still really bummed out, but who could blame him?

On a happier note, Lindsay is doing great - she is almost 10 1/2 months old, is starting to stand on her own (but doesn't realize it), so I guess walking will be next. Her daycare is all arranged and I have to go back to work in 2 months - that was the fastest year of my life. Lindsay has also discovered that she can stick her fingers into the holes in my face - nose ears, mouth and eyes. It wouldn't be so bad if she didn't try to dig her fingers into you though!

Janne is going to Tremblant in 2 weeks with Jason as per their usual yearly trip. Amy and I every year say that we two have to go away by ourselves, because the boys always do. I'm thinking warm, next year , even though Janne COULD look after her on his own, I told him that I wouldn't do it just yet, I'll wait until next year.

We have gotten a LOT of snow here last week. A LOT of snow, we had none in January and now in February we had a huge dump, it snowed all last week, this week not so much snow, but really cold. We did manage to go skiing for a few hours last Thursday after a big snow, WOW powder - we don't often get it here in Ontario, but it was deep and fluffy, we spent a good amount of the time on the mogul hill, and it didn't even hurt to fall! It was actually was kind of fun. Those are the days that makes you can't wait to go again.

Here is Kelsey a couple of weeks ago.

Now What?

2007-01-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

Well, I was told I had to keep this up better, not quite those words, but I got the drift (Happy now Dave?) We are moved in and pretty well settled, ugly paint is gone. I got good news, the place that my friend sends her kids to daycare - had a spot open up so we are in!! Yay! One less thing to worry about. Well, except that just worrying that Linds will get along with her and the other kids, but I'm pretty confident that that will not be a problem. Lindsay is quite the social butterfly. We had friends ( Vince and Kirsten and kids) over on the weekend, who, before she used to cry and scream in their presence. This was bad because they are looking after her when we go to the tragically Hip concert next Thursday, but luckily for them she was going to be asleep before we went. But we gave it another try and after an initial boo hoo her and Vince were playing on the couch for quite a while - so they are fast friends now.
We had the annual Rebecca Run kick-off again this year. It is so great to get together before the actual meeting and have lunch with the other families. Unfortunately the group keeps getting bigger every year - I say unfortunately because this means that another family has been affected by SMA. This year Boris and Scarlett were new to the group. Their little girl Sonja was here only 35 minutes! She is so beautiful! They are such nice people. It just breaks my heart every time I hear of another child or family that has to deal with SMA. It is not fair. This disease should just go away - its just so cruel. But I am honoured to be a part of this group of families. It is the one group where you can talk openly, because the others have been there, so it is a comforting place to be. Another note, Dave and Jennifer are getting closer to getting their little baby from China. Hopefully they get her/him BEFORE the Rebecca Run, I'm getting anxious (yeah, me) I want them to get her NOW! (Imagine what they feel). I can't believe that it is almost been 3 years since Jamie has died. It seems like a lifetime ago. We are fortunate that our lives have taken a 180 degree turn in the last year. We have been blessed with a healthy, VERY busy girl, we have a new house, and life is generally good - it is - We finally have snow!!!!
Speaking of Lindsay, she is doing great. Still waiting for that 4Th tooth, she is crawling like a monster, she is starting to cruise, pulls herself up everywhere. OH yes...we had our first toys in the toilet day today! I was having a shower with her in the room. I forgot to put the seat down and when I peaked out, because it was a little too quiet, there she was looking into the toilet with a bunch of toilet paper in one hand and a big grin on her face. It was cute I have to admit.
Well, I am going to bed, had a rough game of soccer last night and I keep finding more bruises! I also have had 2 late nights in a row- I need my beauty sleep, at least enough to keep the bags from getting bigger!

Krista

We are here!

2006-12-19T20:44:00.001-05:00

So we, for the most part, are moved in. It was a busy 2 weeks around here. Moving our junk in and priming and painting, but the good news is that the gawdy colours are gone! YAY! I still have to finish Lindsay's room and the downstairs bathroom, but the bulk, the main stuff is done. And yes, I did put up a tree, I even have a picture of it.
Lindsay was a treat last week (sarcastic tone) she had a cold and got another tooth. This second tooth gave her more problems than the first one. She was cranky, crying and whining most of the day, and had the red circles on her cheeks, rash on her bum and lost her appetite a bit. Yes, last week was one that I would sooner rather forget. But she is back to her old self again - maybe even a little bit cuddlier. She has gotten crawling down pretty good and has figured out how to sit up and play with her toys in her crib. She will actually be occupied in there for quite some time. It's all good. She is also starting to stand up. She will pull her self up while at her piano. Oh yes - she has discovered dog food. I took my eyes off of her for a bit today and she had 2 nuggets of dog food in her mouth. She also has figured out how to carry some things around. She will put a toy in her mouth and crawl around, I think she has been watching Abe too much.
Anyways, We are good, the house is good, and it's almost Christmas. I have been bestowed the task of making Trifle, I got the recipe right from the master so hopefully it will turn out good. (Don't tell Nan, but I got Del Monte peaches instead of Aylmer...)

So MERRY CHRISTMAS to y'all

SEE! I told you all that I would put up a tree

Krista and Janne and Lindsay!

THE DAY IS ALMOST HERE!

2006-12-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

So the day is almost here. Three days to be exact until our house is officially ours. Then we get our junk moved in and let the painting begin. I have most of the paint ready, I just have to get some for the downstairs bathroom and for the upstairs hallway. It is exciting, but in a way I'm going to miss this tiny house. I think I may get lost in the new house with all the room.

Lindsay will be 8 months old on Tuesday and this week she has made a major commitment and has decided to start to crawl. She is just so busy. She goes all the time, no wonder I'm tired, I can hardly wait for her naps! I think she is going to continue to be very active for the next few years. But she is very happy. She loves the animals. Abe is very good with her. He shares his stuffed Santa with her and they go back and forth with it. The cat will lay beside her in our bed when she is down for her long nap. This week she woke up to find the cat beside her and stuck her hand out and was petting the cat

(read: grabbing the poor kitty). But Puddin' took it all in stride - she even let Lindsay suck on the end of her tail - Yuck!

Christmas is only 4 weeks and some away. We are actually putting up a tree this year and I bought some balls for it, so, so far our tree has lights (it's pre-lit) and will have 12 balls on it. I guess the Christmas tree isn't so much of a priority this year. I'll buy decorations after Christmas when everything goes on sale.

We probably won't get out for a wal today, the weather is getting to be a little like winter out there. Right now it is rain/snow - very pleasant. Looks more like snow I can see it on the roof of the garage. And the wind is a blowin'.

The next time I write we will be moved into the new digs. I will have some pictures then.

Krista

New News

2006-11-12T15:29:00.000-05:00

And NO I am not pregnant, just to let you know. It seems when you say you have news, everyone automatically thinks you are pregnant, so again let me say NO.

So we do have new news. We are moving!! We are moving to a big house. We are moving north from here. We are moving 4 driveways north to be exact. We bought our neighbour's 10 year old house. Everything just fell into place at the right time. So now we don't have to renovate. I was kind of dreading that, with a baby and all and with going back to work in April and all, it was going to be too much but we had to do something, 1064 square feet is just not enough, 2800 might be too much, but I'm sure that we will work around it! I will even have my own room to escape to when Janne won't quit snoring! I've tried to upload a picture but it doesn't seem to work. So I will try it one more time and then maybe I'll have to put it into the other photo album instead of with this blog. But other than that, not much else is new. We did have a lot of snow last week - like 6 inches - but it finally went away. November is just too early still for that kind of nonsense. Even though I have a ski pass this year, I can wait until the end of December to start skiing. Well the picture thingy isn't working again so I will put the pictures elsewhere - and remember the decorating in the house is NOT mine.

Krista

PS. I guess it did work, I was just too impatient - here is our SOLD sign that went on on Monday - and in the background you can see our old driveway.

And here is Lindsay. She is now 7 months old!

Fall is Here!

2006-10-30T09:28:00.000-05:00

AHHHHHH Fall is here!

You gotta love the smell of wet decomposing leaves in the fall. Those who have experienced fall with changing colours know what I mean.
Well I must admit that it is a beautiful day today - not too cold and the sun is shining. It must really suck to be at work on a day like today! Unfortunately 5 months to go before I must go (back). Lindsay has been a little out of sorts the past week. She has had a bit of a cold and possible teeth, she seems to be drooling all over the place. She didn't do too bad with the time change yesterday, and then we messed up her afternoon nap when we took her to my soccer game (we won by the way!).
Janne and I are eagerly awaiting the snow since we just got our midweek ski passes for this winter. I have not downhill skiied in almost 4 years - since I was pregnant with Jamie. I did break down and got new boots - I was surprised to find out that ski boots can actually be comfortable - amazing!
Another exciting thing is "hapinen" in January - we got tickets to see the Tragically Hip - they are coming to Barrie (for those who are non-Canadians they are a very popular group) We saw them in 2004 at Wasaga Beach but it was all general admission and we kept getting pushed back. So this will be awesome!!
Other than that not much else is new, Lindsay is still loving her swimming lessons and is doing really well, skating is good, and soccer is good. So basically , life is pretty good.

This is a picture of our "maestro"
composing her own masterpiece
on her piano

Well, until next time,

Krista

And now, the weather...

2006-10-17T21:41:00.000-04:00

Ahh yes, it is fall here in central Ontario. The leaves are turning, the critters are busily hoarding their stash for the winter and it rained all day today. At least we were spared the freaky snow storms of last week, weird since we are in the snowbelt. October is still too early for snow - even here in Canada. I like the changing seasons though. We are fortunate to be able to experience them all. I mean, could you imagine never having snow, it always being sunny and nice, temperature around 75-80 degrees? Apparently such places do exist, but where is the fun in that? There is a certain uniqueness in having sun, hail, snow and rain all within a single half hour. Last Saturday was such a day. We went up to Bala (everyone's been to Bala...) to the cranberry festival. On the drive we saw all of that. Plus we saw some other weird stuff like a car on top of a rock cut that somehow got up there. Well I can honestly say that things are always interesting around here. Other than the weather there is not a whole lot of news to report.

This picture was taken last Sunday. We went for a walk and I thought that I may capture a picture of Lindsay and her dad. I think it turned out pretty good. It was fairly cool so we had the girl all decked out in her winter gear. She is so content in her backpack, she is kind of like Cleopatra riding down the Nile in that thing watching her loyal subjects as they go by, keeping an eye on the rest of the world. Well this is enough of this post. I see a few people have left comments - Thanks! Please feel free to leave one if you like - but only friendly comments!

Krista

The New Spot!

2006-10-09T10:57:00.002-04:00

This is the new spot for all the new Lindsay updates and pics. I was having problems posting pictures on the last site, so a friend of mine suggested here and now here we are trying it!
Lindsay is now 6 months old! She is sitting up really well. She (we) have started swimming lessons. She loves it! Its like 15 of your newest friends in a big bathtub! Anyways this is the "hapinen" spot so check in periodically and hopefully I will have new pictures!

Krista