Well here it is, January 19th and I'm just getting around to wishing all of you a Happy New Year!!!
Yah, I'm a little bit late. So what else is new? Those of you who know me, know that I am never on time for anything. Four out of five of my children were even born late. I'm always pushing the envelope to try and get caught up, let alone get ahead!
It seems like just a few days ago that I was posting for Christmas. Okay so that was December 26th which was 24 days ago. Although the tree is down, there are still a few Christmas ornaments lingering around here that have yet to be put away.
Kind of like the laundry that was all caught up by New Years and is still waiting to be put away. I figure if I wait another week or two, it will all have been worn and need to be washed again anyway.
Maybe in another space time continueum(?) I am a person who is always prepared, has everything done before it is necessary and other boring things like that. However in this time and place I am always racing to catch up and I think I like it that way!
Even if I know in advance that I am going to have company, or at work know that I have a deadline, I save things to the last minute. Lets face it, I like to work under pressure. Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow. Multitasking is my middle name. Actually Marie is my middle name, but at least the initial is right.
So better late than never, right? Happy New Years to all of you.
Anne
Saturday, January 19, 2008
On being a Mom...
Men are the lucky ones in some ways. They get to be dads. Even if they are the disciplinarians, even if they help out with babies, toddlers, housework, cooking and dishes. Even if they love us through morning sickness, stretch marks, cravings, labour and delivery and post partum depression. Try as they might, they will never be MOM! We get all the worst crap of being a parent and all of the best parts too.
Daddy might be there for a boo-boo, but only mommy can kiss it all better. Dad might be there to impart manly wisdom to his sons or be his daughter’s champion, but mom will always be there to listen and give the appropriate hug, kiss or heck, whichever is needed at the time.
When boys are little, Dad seems to be the most important person in their lives. The person they look up to and want to be like. But when they are all grown up, they are still Mommy’s boys. They care about you and will do anything they can for you. They don’t have to impress you with their accomplishments, they just have to give you a big hug and a kiss and ask if you could make them their favourite meal.
The daughter that you fought with over clothes, hair, makeup, keeping her room clean and household chores always went to Daddy for those special hugs and kisses. However, when she is all grown up, it’s you Mom who will go shopping for wedding gowns with her, as I did last weekend. You who will hold her hand when she’s pregnant and scared. You, who will impart all of your wisdom on being a mom, just like you learned from yours.
Well that’s my interpretation on parenthood for tonight.
Daddy might be there for a boo-boo, but only mommy can kiss it all better. Dad might be there to impart manly wisdom to his sons or be his daughter’s champion, but mom will always be there to listen and give the appropriate hug, kiss or heck, whichever is needed at the time.
When boys are little, Dad seems to be the most important person in their lives. The person they look up to and want to be like. But when they are all grown up, they are still Mommy’s boys. They care about you and will do anything they can for you. They don’t have to impress you with their accomplishments, they just have to give you a big hug and a kiss and ask if you could make them their favourite meal.
The daughter that you fought with over clothes, hair, makeup, keeping her room clean and household chores always went to Daddy for those special hugs and kisses. However, when she is all grown up, it’s you Mom who will go shopping for wedding gowns with her, as I did last weekend. You who will hold her hand when she’s pregnant and scared. You, who will impart all of your wisdom on being a mom, just like you learned from yours.
Well that’s my interpretation on parenthood for tonight.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Okay, So beat me already! My last post was in August. What have I been doing!?
Let me see now? Krystal, Troy & the monsters, (aka my grandkids) moved to St Thomas in September. Wayne & I took Emzee & NayNay to Florida in October and survived 2 weeks with 2 grandchildren. One week after we got back from Florida. Wayne threw his back out, again. This time it had something to do with a suitcase, clean socks and our demented cat! The first of December, I decided to get pneumonia,causing me to miss both my company Christmas Party, at the Landmark in Burlington, where I could never afford to eat, as well as Krystal's "All Girl's Christmas Party in St Thomas" where I not only had the pj's to wear, but the booze to drink to make it an excellant Christmas party. Instead I spent 1 week in my favorite lazy boy chair hacking up a lung!!!
Okay, so I was back to work, with pneumonia, on December 10th, against my better judgement. I volunteered both Emzee & Yoshi to help me with my Christmas Baking and being the good little grandchildren slaves that they are, my baking is done. Although to a lesser degree than normal. I only managed to fill 16 tins, plus 6 pies which is down about 1/2 from normal.
I did manage to cook dinner for 18 with dessert for another 12. Again thanks to both my kids and grandkids who got roped into helping me. For those who haven't caught on yet. If you're foolish enough to hang out in the kitchen, you will get put to work!!!
Thanks to Pickle girl Alisha, Potato Masher (all 13 lbs) Aubrey and Gravy Master Shawn!
Once again, Cookie Nanny & Papa, aka Mom & Carl, did the best with their gifts for their great-grandkids, especially the potato chips, their grand-kids, all 13 of them, and of course their children and sons-in-law!
Mom, I have to say that you are A#1 when it comes to presents!!!
For those who didn't notice, Auntie Dolly & Uncle Johnny were not here this year. Auntie Dolly had a knee replacement and is not yet able to navigate stairs. Wayne & I will be bringing them a leftover dinner for Boxing Day along with their goodies.
Tired of being knee deep in presents, Wayne & I decided to hold Our First Annual Family Christmas Pot Luck last weekend, December 15th. It was the first and it won't be the last!! It was great. Every family brought a dinner and a dessert item. All of the grandkids gift exchange gifts and the gifts from Gramma & Grumpa were exchanged. There were crafts and a Pagent written by yours truly. I figure I have an whole year to plan the next one! You also have a whole year to figure out how to be included!
I also have to say that this was a very special Christmas for us becuase our oldest grandchild, Jessica, turned 16 on December 23rd. We gave her a very special gift that I hope she will have for the rest of her life.
Now I only have to say how much Christmas means to me!
I want everyone who reads this to think about the true meaning of Christmas.
It is the Celebration of the birth of Christ.
We exchange gifts in rememberance of the gifts of the Magi to the Christ Child.
The Christ Child was born into poverty.
In the name of the Christ Child should remember those who have less than we do.
When we chose our gifts to give, we should remember those who can't give, but are glad to recieve.
It is better to give than to receive.
As much as I would like to recieve, it is better somehow to give, and I have to remember the bleak years.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Thanks be to God for what we have and for what we can give.
If it is God's will I will give more to those in need next year than this.
To all of my friends and family I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the Care of God.
All My Love & Blessings
Anne Croley
Mom to Some & Anne to Others
Let me see now? Krystal, Troy & the monsters, (aka my grandkids) moved to St Thomas in September. Wayne & I took Emzee & NayNay to Florida in October and survived 2 weeks with 2 grandchildren. One week after we got back from Florida. Wayne threw his back out, again. This time it had something to do with a suitcase, clean socks and our demented cat! The first of December, I decided to get pneumonia,causing me to miss both my company Christmas Party, at the Landmark in Burlington, where I could never afford to eat, as well as Krystal's "All Girl's Christmas Party in St Thomas" where I not only had the pj's to wear, but the booze to drink to make it an excellant Christmas party. Instead I spent 1 week in my favorite lazy boy chair hacking up a lung!!!
Okay, so I was back to work, with pneumonia, on December 10th, against my better judgement. I volunteered both Emzee & Yoshi to help me with my Christmas Baking and being the good little grandchildren slaves that they are, my baking is done. Although to a lesser degree than normal. I only managed to fill 16 tins, plus 6 pies which is down about 1/2 from normal.
I did manage to cook dinner for 18 with dessert for another 12. Again thanks to both my kids and grandkids who got roped into helping me. For those who haven't caught on yet. If you're foolish enough to hang out in the kitchen, you will get put to work!!!
Thanks to Pickle girl Alisha, Potato Masher (all 13 lbs) Aubrey and Gravy Master Shawn!
Once again, Cookie Nanny & Papa, aka Mom & Carl, did the best with their gifts for their great-grandkids, especially the potato chips, their grand-kids, all 13 of them, and of course their children and sons-in-law!
Mom, I have to say that you are A#1 when it comes to presents!!!
For those who didn't notice, Auntie Dolly & Uncle Johnny were not here this year. Auntie Dolly had a knee replacement and is not yet able to navigate stairs. Wayne & I will be bringing them a leftover dinner for Boxing Day along with their goodies.
Tired of being knee deep in presents, Wayne & I decided to hold Our First Annual Family Christmas Pot Luck last weekend, December 15th. It was the first and it won't be the last!! It was great. Every family brought a dinner and a dessert item. All of the grandkids gift exchange gifts and the gifts from Gramma & Grumpa were exchanged. There were crafts and a Pagent written by yours truly. I figure I have an whole year to plan the next one! You also have a whole year to figure out how to be included!
I also have to say that this was a very special Christmas for us becuase our oldest grandchild, Jessica, turned 16 on December 23rd. We gave her a very special gift that I hope she will have for the rest of her life.
Now I only have to say how much Christmas means to me!
I want everyone who reads this to think about the true meaning of Christmas.
It is the Celebration of the birth of Christ.
We exchange gifts in rememberance of the gifts of the Magi to the Christ Child.
The Christ Child was born into poverty.
In the name of the Christ Child should remember those who have less than we do.
When we chose our gifts to give, we should remember those who can't give, but are glad to recieve.
It is better to give than to receive.
As much as I would like to recieve, it is better somehow to give, and I have to remember the bleak years.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Thanks be to God for what we have and for what we can give.
If it is God's will I will give more to those in need next year than this.
To all of my friends and family I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in the Care of God.
All My Love & Blessings
Anne Croley
Mom to Some & Anne to Others
Saturday, August 4, 2007
LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Another long weekend!!! Yayyyy!!! It's the Civic Holiday long weekend! What does this mean to me? A long weekend, of course!! And with no real purpose to boot. I don't have to be patriotic. We're not celebrating any family birthdays. All I have to do is party!!!
Congratulations to Troy for getting a job with St. Thomas United starting mid September!! Let's hear YAY TROISIE!!!!
Three whole days of being at home. Work is a mere memory. Housework just a pest to be dealt with. Wayne out on Saturday with Peter. Krystal & Troy out for the evening. Grandkids in bed, or else!! Some time alone!!!
Sit back & relax all alone.
Look forward to spending some time in Gail's pool on Sunday.
Beer Butt chicken on Monday.
Life is good.
Thanks to God.
Happy Civic Holiday!
Luv
Anne
Congratulations to Troy for getting a job with St. Thomas United starting mid September!! Let's hear YAY TROISIE!!!!
Three whole days of being at home. Work is a mere memory. Housework just a pest to be dealt with. Wayne out on Saturday with Peter. Krystal & Troy out for the evening. Grandkids in bed, or else!! Some time alone!!!
Sit back & relax all alone.
Look forward to spending some time in Gail's pool on Sunday.
Beer Butt chicken on Monday.
Life is good.
Thanks to God.
Happy Civic Holiday!
Luv
Anne
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Holidays!!!
Yay!!! As of 12:30 pm Friday the 13th of July, I am on HOLIDAYS.
After a week of looking after 2 grandchildren, Areal age 8 3/4 & Aaron age 5, I need a break! Krystal & Troy had to make a trip back to Winnipeg to finish emptying out the house and entrusted their 2 children to my care. Let me tell you, it's been a long time since my kids were this young. Carrie, my baby, is 29. Yes, I've looked after my many grandchildren before, but never for this long. Thank God for Wayne. Grumpa, I mean Grandpa has been great for pitching in. Auntie Carrie had the privelage of day care provider for 3 days, Kayla stayed over on Saturday so she could watch them Sunday morning. Josh stayed over Tuesday night so he could watch them on Wednesday & give Auntie Carrie a break. Uncle Shawn & Auntie Tracy, the newlyweds, kept them overnight on Thursday which was much appreciated.
My days are long. Work starts at 8:00 am and I have a half hour drive to get there. My alarm goes of at 6:00 am, but I snooze until 6:30 and can delay until 7:00 if I really want to. This week I was up and moving shortly after 6:00. Kids up by 6:30 with facecloths & clothes waiting for them. Run downstairs while they wash & dress to make breakfast. Run back upstairs while they eat to get myself ready. Out the door by 7:10 to drop them off at Carrie's. Work until 5:00 and then drive home in rush hour traffic to pick up kids and be home just before 6:00 pm. No time to nap - have to make supper. Collapse for a half hour if I'm lucky & then get kids to bed. Don't forget stories they each have to have one. Fall into bed myself by 11:00, get some sleep and start all over again in a few hours. Boy am out of shape! I fell asleep in my reading chair twice and fell asleep reading in bed twice.
That's okay. Krystal & Troy will be home Saturday evening and Wayne & I leave for Buckhorn Sunday afternoon. Five days of bliss. A cabin with no phone or computer. Books to read, a lake to swim in, sunrays to soak up, my friends Debi & Stuart to visit with and if we're lucky we'll get a boat ride or two. I'll cook a big breakfast one morning for all of us and whip up something wonderful for dinner one night, but other than that I'm taking it easy. Do a little sight seeing. Maybe some shopping. But definately enjoying the time away.
Holidays are wonderful because we wait so long to get them. Remember me while I'm enjoying mine and think about yours to come.
Anne
After a week of looking after 2 grandchildren, Areal age 8 3/4 & Aaron age 5, I need a break! Krystal & Troy had to make a trip back to Winnipeg to finish emptying out the house and entrusted their 2 children to my care. Let me tell you, it's been a long time since my kids were this young. Carrie, my baby, is 29. Yes, I've looked after my many grandchildren before, but never for this long. Thank God for Wayne. Grumpa, I mean Grandpa has been great for pitching in. Auntie Carrie had the privelage of day care provider for 3 days, Kayla stayed over on Saturday so she could watch them Sunday morning. Josh stayed over Tuesday night so he could watch them on Wednesday & give Auntie Carrie a break. Uncle Shawn & Auntie Tracy, the newlyweds, kept them overnight on Thursday which was much appreciated.
My days are long. Work starts at 8:00 am and I have a half hour drive to get there. My alarm goes of at 6:00 am, but I snooze until 6:30 and can delay until 7:00 if I really want to. This week I was up and moving shortly after 6:00. Kids up by 6:30 with facecloths & clothes waiting for them. Run downstairs while they wash & dress to make breakfast. Run back upstairs while they eat to get myself ready. Out the door by 7:10 to drop them off at Carrie's. Work until 5:00 and then drive home in rush hour traffic to pick up kids and be home just before 6:00 pm. No time to nap - have to make supper. Collapse for a half hour if I'm lucky & then get kids to bed. Don't forget stories they each have to have one. Fall into bed myself by 11:00, get some sleep and start all over again in a few hours. Boy am out of shape! I fell asleep in my reading chair twice and fell asleep reading in bed twice.
That's okay. Krystal & Troy will be home Saturday evening and Wayne & I leave for Buckhorn Sunday afternoon. Five days of bliss. A cabin with no phone or computer. Books to read, a lake to swim in, sunrays to soak up, my friends Debi & Stuart to visit with and if we're lucky we'll get a boat ride or two. I'll cook a big breakfast one morning for all of us and whip up something wonderful for dinner one night, but other than that I'm taking it easy. Do a little sight seeing. Maybe some shopping. But definately enjoying the time away.
Holidays are wonderful because we wait so long to get them. Remember me while I'm enjoying mine and think about yours to come.
Anne
Friday, July 6, 2007
What being a gramma is all about!!!
Well it's been way to long since I've posted again, but sooo much has happened. Here's a brief recap.
My daughter Krystal and her two children, Areal & Aaron, flew in from Winnipeg in June. Her husband Troy arrived by van a few days later. They have temporarily moved in with us until Troy finds a new job. He's a minister and is currently interviewing in Southern & Eastern Ontario for a new church. Shawn (duckie) and Tracy got married on June 23rd. Troy and Aubrey flew back to Winnipeg on the 27th packed up the house and drove a very large cube van back here. Fortunately the furniture is in a storage facility here because my house is overfull of furniture & stuff in the best of times. Krystal & Troy left on another round trip to Winnipeg to finish cleaning out the house and hopefully to bring back what remains. If it won't all fit in their van, Troy will be making another trip later this month. Laurel called me last night with the news that Mike proposed! Fortunately for me they're not planning to be married until probably September of 2009. I'm still recovering from Shawn & Tracy's wedding. Now I just have to wait and see what Aubrey & Leandra will spring on me. With my luck they'll get married next year so I'll have 3 weddings in 3 years. Or possibly the same year as Laurel and Mike and I will just move into the poor house.
So, what does it mean to be a gramma? Well I have been blessed with 12 grandchildren - 6 boys and 6 girls. If anyone had ever told me that I would be this lucky (?) I would have laughed in their face. But seriously, I have truly been blessed.
I never really thought about what it would mean to be a gramma. I guess I was really lucky that I had two very wonderful, though very different grammas to learn from.
My mother's mother, Carrie Williams, who I always called Gramma Rock, was always there for hugs, kisses and treats to take home with me. Gramma was Onondaga, a native who couldn't speak much English, while I spoke even less Onondaga, but we could always communicate. My name for her came from me always asking her to 'rock gramma rock' when I was a little girl. She would pick me up on her lap and rock me in her chair. When I was a teenager and she would stay at our house for a few days she embarrassed me to no end by pulling me onto her lap in front of my friends. Not having much money to spend, she always made sure that I went home from a visit to her home with something - some home canned fruit, something that she had made or a part bag of gingersnaps. I had and still have long straight hair and she would ask me if I ironed it. I was fourteen when she died of cancer and one of my greatest regrets was that she did not live to see my children.
Gramma Asselin, my fathers mother, was very different. Visits always started and ended with a kiss, but she was not as affectionate as my other gramma. She was strict but loving. She was a very capable woman who always did her best. From her I learned that any job worth doing was worth doing right. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter and once made me take apart a dress that I had made by myself, correct my mistakes and resew it. She could cook up a storm and was an excellent baker. I have followed her footsteps in this. I was fortunate to have Gramma Asselin live until I was 32.
So where does that put me as a gramma. I would like to think somewhere in the middle with a few twists thrown in. I love my grandkids to death, yet don't believe in spoiling them. I like to tease them and to embarrass them at times. I also like to share my stories with them. Stories about my children, their parent, aunt or uncle. Stories about my life and their grandpas' lives. Stories about my parents and my grandparents. Family history is very important to me and I believe in passing it on. I have knit, crocheted and sewn for all of them and want to pass that ability on as well. I have cooked and baked for them and will pass down to them all of my recipes, as well as teach them how to cook. I think long and hard about the gifts that I buy for them, but I am very fair in treating them all equally. I'm not saying that I don't have favorites, but I try to find something special in each of them that is truly theirs alone that will make that child special to me. I can be very loving and affectionate, but I can also be stern and don't think twice about correcting them. I try to be their advocate whenever it's necessary. I offer advice but encourage them to make up their own minds. I frequently remind their parents what they were like at whatever age is currently driving mom & dad crazy. But most of all I tell them how much I love them.
My daughter Krystal and her two children, Areal & Aaron, flew in from Winnipeg in June. Her husband Troy arrived by van a few days later. They have temporarily moved in with us until Troy finds a new job. He's a minister and is currently interviewing in Southern & Eastern Ontario for a new church. Shawn (duckie) and Tracy got married on June 23rd. Troy and Aubrey flew back to Winnipeg on the 27th packed up the house and drove a very large cube van back here. Fortunately the furniture is in a storage facility here because my house is overfull of furniture & stuff in the best of times. Krystal & Troy left on another round trip to Winnipeg to finish cleaning out the house and hopefully to bring back what remains. If it won't all fit in their van, Troy will be making another trip later this month. Laurel called me last night with the news that Mike proposed! Fortunately for me they're not planning to be married until probably September of 2009. I'm still recovering from Shawn & Tracy's wedding. Now I just have to wait and see what Aubrey & Leandra will spring on me. With my luck they'll get married next year so I'll have 3 weddings in 3 years. Or possibly the same year as Laurel and Mike and I will just move into the poor house.
So, what does it mean to be a gramma? Well I have been blessed with 12 grandchildren - 6 boys and 6 girls. If anyone had ever told me that I would be this lucky (?) I would have laughed in their face. But seriously, I have truly been blessed.
I never really thought about what it would mean to be a gramma. I guess I was really lucky that I had two very wonderful, though very different grammas to learn from.
My mother's mother, Carrie Williams, who I always called Gramma Rock, was always there for hugs, kisses and treats to take home with me. Gramma was Onondaga, a native who couldn't speak much English, while I spoke even less Onondaga, but we could always communicate. My name for her came from me always asking her to 'rock gramma rock' when I was a little girl. She would pick me up on her lap and rock me in her chair. When I was a teenager and she would stay at our house for a few days she embarrassed me to no end by pulling me onto her lap in front of my friends. Not having much money to spend, she always made sure that I went home from a visit to her home with something - some home canned fruit, something that she had made or a part bag of gingersnaps. I had and still have long straight hair and she would ask me if I ironed it. I was fourteen when she died of cancer and one of my greatest regrets was that she did not live to see my children.
Gramma Asselin, my fathers mother, was very different. Visits always started and ended with a kiss, but she was not as affectionate as my other gramma. She was strict but loving. She was a very capable woman who always did her best. From her I learned that any job worth doing was worth doing right. She was an excellent seamstress and quilter and once made me take apart a dress that I had made by myself, correct my mistakes and resew it. She could cook up a storm and was an excellent baker. I have followed her footsteps in this. I was fortunate to have Gramma Asselin live until I was 32.
So where does that put me as a gramma. I would like to think somewhere in the middle with a few twists thrown in. I love my grandkids to death, yet don't believe in spoiling them. I like to tease them and to embarrass them at times. I also like to share my stories with them. Stories about my children, their parent, aunt or uncle. Stories about my life and their grandpas' lives. Stories about my parents and my grandparents. Family history is very important to me and I believe in passing it on. I have knit, crocheted and sewn for all of them and want to pass that ability on as well. I have cooked and baked for them and will pass down to them all of my recipes, as well as teach them how to cook. I think long and hard about the gifts that I buy for them, but I am very fair in treating them all equally. I'm not saying that I don't have favorites, but I try to find something special in each of them that is truly theirs alone that will make that child special to me. I can be very loving and affectionate, but I can also be stern and don't think twice about correcting them. I try to be their advocate whenever it's necessary. I offer advice but encourage them to make up their own minds. I frequently remind their parents what they were like at whatever age is currently driving mom & dad crazy. But most of all I tell them how much I love them.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
What the Duck!!!
Anyone who knows me either knows my 'kids' or knows of them. This post is dedicated to Shawn.
Shawn Andrew Whalen was born on August 4th, 1976. Not bad considering my due date was June 16th! My doctor let me go 1 month past my original due date before admitting me to be induced. My ob decided not to induce because my baby was breech. After spending a day in x-ray and ultrasound, and comparing my previous babies birth weights, Dr Lamotte decided I was somewhere between 36 & 44 weeks pregnant and I should wait until August 15th!!! At that time if I had not gone into labor he would probably perform a cesearean section. My family doctor told me to walk, a lot! My father figured I would probably go into labor and deliver on one of Hamilton's streets (my first 3 births occured fairly quickly, although I was overdue with both of my first 2).
On August 4th my husband came home from work at 4 pm and I declared it to be my nap time. A few days before I had experienced a lot of discomfort, that I would later find out that was Shawn turning around. I woke up around 6 pm and went to the bathroom. Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows that that is your second home by the end of your pregnancy. After 3 or 4 minutes, I realized that more than my bladder was emptying. My water had broken! I went downstairs and called my doctor, who since it was a Friday was away for the weekend. The on call would call me back shortly. Art answered the phone when it rang. "Hello. Dr. Who? Oh, Dr. Yu! My wife's water has broken. No, not her first child, her fourth. Well her other labors were pretty quick. Okay, we'll meet you at the hospital."
Next comes the phone calls to family. We did not have a car at the time so it went something like this. Art calls his dad to take us to the hospital and asks his mother and sister if they can watch the other three. My father in law picks us all up. We drop the kids off at their house and proceed to the hospital. I'm admitted at 7:30 pm. By 10:30 I'm just about ready to scream with the pains. I have not yet been given an epidurmal. I ring for the nurse who has a doctor check me. I am told that I would probably not deliver for at least another 12 hours and I was no where near ready for any pain relief. After the doctor leaves and I resign myself to a long wait, a nurse comes in and checks my next contraction. She tells me to hang on and comes back in a few minutes with another doctor who checks me and arranges for the epidural. By the time the epidural is hooked up Dr Yu has arrived and I am wheeled into delivery. Shawn is born at 11:20 pm. Don't ever believe doctors when they tell you that you will be hours yet!
At 8lbs 1oz, Shawn was not a tiny baby. My family doctor finally decided that I was proababy due mid July and that Shawn was 2 or 3 weeks late. If you know Shawn, you will recognize this as a pattern that would be repeated throughout his life. Shawn was a wonderful baby, then he learned to crawl. While not quite as bad as his older sister Krystal, he was definately a handful. Shawn has always questioned limits. By nine months, he knew that he was not allowed to play with my rubber tree. If he crawled over to it and I saw him, all I had to do was shake my head no and he would crawl away. However, if I did not see him the poor rubber tree was fair game. That poor plant was repotted at least once a day, until it finally gave up and died. Shawn however did not give up.
At the age of 1, he was brought home by the police for wandering up to King Street. Now granted this was just a half a block away from our house. He had followed his big sister to the store, unbeknownst to her. By the next summer we were living in a townhouse survey. I had had Carrie by then and keeping track of Shawn was definately a problem. He would let himself out of the front door and go to the playground with his brother and sisters. This wouldn't have been too bad, Laurel being the oldest was very responsible and would keep a close eye on him, except that Shawn would leave a trail of clothes and diapers wherever he had been. Locked doors never kept him in. If he wanted out, he just unlocked the door when I wasn't looking and left.
When Shawn was 3 we bought a house on Maplewood Avenue near Gage Park. The first 6 weeks there were definately different. There was a bus stop almost directly in front of our house. My father was a bus driver who at the time was driving the route that stopped in front of our house. One day as he went to pull away from the stop, my dad realized that Shawn had gotten on the bus by the back door! Fortunately my dad was the driver and just brought him to our door. I always wondered if he had gotten on another bus, how long it would have been before the driver realized that there was a little boy on his bus all alone.
There was also a corner store a block and a half from our house. Now this was something totally new to Shawn. I had taken the kids to the store a few times and let them buy a treat. One afternoon, I hear a knock at the door. Upon opening the door, I see one of the young guys who works at the store and Shawn. He asks me if this child belongs to me. I say yes. He then asks me if this $20.00 bill also belongs to me. Apparently Shawn had gone into the store, put the $20.00 on the counter and when asked what he wanted, said 'CANDY!!!". At three years old he was driving me crazy.
At two Shawn had been diagnosed with a heart murmer. My doctor reassured me that Shawn would be fine as long as he didn't overexert himself. I asked if it would be okay to tie him up, because Shawn didn't stop from the time he woke up until he went to bed at night.
When Shawn started school I asked my doctor if he could be tested for hyperactivity. My doctor said that he was a normal boy! That was easy for him to say. He didn't have to chase him like I did.
When Shawn was in grade 1, I was asked if I could make him do his work in school. I told the teacher, that if she didn't mind me standing behind his desk all day, everyday and repeatedly telling him to do his work I would be more that glad to help. Otherwise, it was entirely up to her.
In grade 4 Shawn had the perfect teacher. Now you don't find too many nuns teaching anymore, but Shawn had one them. She was the perfect teacher for him. Recognizing that he just wanted attention, she bargained with him. 'Shawn, if you have all your work done this morning, you can stay in at lunch time and help me.' The problem child was tamed. After hearing that it was hard to grade Shawn because he never completed his work and therefore the teachers had no idea what he really knew, we were told that Shawn was very intelligent. He had an excellant head for numbers, and while his spelling was atrocious, his knew his work. Grade 5 was a completely different story.
Art and split up in October of 1986. We had just moved and the 3 youngest were in a new school. Neither of the boys fared very well. I was told by Aubrey's grade 7 teacher that he would probably be able to handle basic levels in high school. He later graduated from an advanced level. Shawn fared even worse. At 10, he was a scrawny little runt. His younger sister could take him in a fair fight, and she did on more than one occasion. I can still see Carrie taking a flying leap at Shawn. Tackling him to the ground. Wrapping her little fingers around his neck and pounding his head into the floor. Shawn was all mouth. He didn't care how big or how old the other kid was, he would instigate a fight. In school he was even worse. He managed to reduce his teacher to tears on quite a few occasions. He was obstinate, and would only do things that he wanted to do. Here's a sample of disruptive behavior in class. Shawn at his desk tapping his pencil while the teacher is talking. "Shawn. Put your pencil down." Pencil dropped to the floor. " Shawn. Pick that up now." Pick up pencil and go back to tapping it. How do you deal with a student like that? Murder must have crossed her mind. I know it sometimes crossed mine!
Lets skip ahead a little bit. 1988, I'm now with Wayne. Wayne enrolls in a karate class and takes Shawn with him. Now Shawn has played hockey since he was 5 and is a good player, when he wants to be. Karate is not an easy skill. Shawn lasts for a few months, but even though he has quit, it has taught him a few things about discipline and self worth.
Shawn graduates from grade 8 after once again having a teacher who understands him. Mr Hamza knows how to deal with Shawn. Act up in class - spend time in the hall at a desk where there is no one to impress. Shawn even asked Mr Hamza to be his sponsor for confirmation into the church. Shawn got an early start at high school by taking a summer school course in grade 9 French. However, true to form the first semester of grade 9 sees more than one suspension for absences at Boys Cathedral. After attending Boys Cathedral, Delta and Scott Park High Schools, Shawn finally drops out. All of his teachers say that he is a good student, when he is there.
Shawn never did understand what a locked door meant. In grade 7 and 8, he would go to a friends after school on Friday, and maybe show up at home on Sunday night. I've lost track of how many times I reported him missing to the police. When he was 15, his cousin Justin died in a tragic accident. Shawn was unconsoleable. The two cousins shared a brain, as we often said. Shawn was supposed to be at the party that Justin was at that night, but he had ran into an old friend and spent the Friday night with him instead. To this day Shawn believe's that if he had been with Justin he never would have died. I have often wondered if it would have been Shawn that would have been killed instead!
At 21, Shawn moved in with his big sister Laurel to help her out with her son Joshua. Shawn has always been the best Uncle that any child could ever want. From the day Josh was born, when Shawn was 17, he was always there for him. Any of Shawn's friends who have kids know what he's like. For someone who hasn't always been responsible for himself, he is always there for any child. Whenever his sisters couldn't take a babysitting job, Shawn would always volunteer. It didn't matter to him how old the child was, Shawn just loves kids.
As much as Shawn loves the little ones, he loves his grandparents more. After my dad retired from the HSR, he was the manager of the Local 107 Social Club. I worked for him as a bartender and so did Laurel. Shawn worked for him as a bouncer. There used to be "band nights" in the upstairs hall and it was Shawn's responsibility to make sure no alcohol was taken out of the bar area and that no fights broke out. Nanny and Poppa Carl are still his biggest fans. Shawn cuts their grass, weeds their gardens and when Poppa was in the hospital last summer, planted tomato plants for Carl so they would be there when he came home.
For many years Shawn has said that he would never marry or have children. In his words, "I'm not responsible for myself, how can I be responsible for anyone else." Then he met Tracy. I have often said that if I could have went out and picked a woman for my son, it would have been Tracy. A wonderful, kind, considerate, loving yet firm woman, she is everything that he needs. Tracy has 3 children from her first marriage, that Shawn treats as his own. As much as he hated being disciplined, he is very strict with Tracy's children. He is also very considerate, kind, loving, fun and treats them as if they were his own. I have a picture of Shawn and Tracy at Carrie's wedding in 2005 and even though Shawn had not yet proposed to Tracy, you can see the love between them just by the look on their faces.
We all laugh at what a mush Shawn is. When Tracy first started working as a Personal Support Care Worker she often needed directions on how to get to her clients. Shawn would come down and use our computer to check map quest. He would write out the directions for Tracy something like this. "When you get to such and such a street turn right, the side that your right hand man sits on."
On June 23rd of this year Shawn and Tracy are getting married. We have already been through the Stag & Doe and Bridal Shower. My heart is filled with joy and also some sadness that my little 'duckie' is all grown up.
By the way, Shawn's nickname of 'Duckie' goes back to 1985 when he first played baseball at Mahoney Park. Darlene Ryckman gave him this nickname after seeing him run the bases. As Darlene said, "He better be a good hitter, because he runs like a duck."
I love you Duckie
Mom
Shawn Andrew Whalen was born on August 4th, 1976. Not bad considering my due date was June 16th! My doctor let me go 1 month past my original due date before admitting me to be induced. My ob decided not to induce because my baby was breech. After spending a day in x-ray and ultrasound, and comparing my previous babies birth weights, Dr Lamotte decided I was somewhere between 36 & 44 weeks pregnant and I should wait until August 15th!!! At that time if I had not gone into labor he would probably perform a cesearean section. My family doctor told me to walk, a lot! My father figured I would probably go into labor and deliver on one of Hamilton's streets (my first 3 births occured fairly quickly, although I was overdue with both of my first 2).
On August 4th my husband came home from work at 4 pm and I declared it to be my nap time. A few days before I had experienced a lot of discomfort, that I would later find out that was Shawn turning around. I woke up around 6 pm and went to the bathroom. Anyone who has ever been pregnant knows that that is your second home by the end of your pregnancy. After 3 or 4 minutes, I realized that more than my bladder was emptying. My water had broken! I went downstairs and called my doctor, who since it was a Friday was away for the weekend. The on call would call me back shortly. Art answered the phone when it rang. "Hello. Dr. Who? Oh, Dr. Yu! My wife's water has broken. No, not her first child, her fourth. Well her other labors were pretty quick. Okay, we'll meet you at the hospital."
Next comes the phone calls to family. We did not have a car at the time so it went something like this. Art calls his dad to take us to the hospital and asks his mother and sister if they can watch the other three. My father in law picks us all up. We drop the kids off at their house and proceed to the hospital. I'm admitted at 7:30 pm. By 10:30 I'm just about ready to scream with the pains. I have not yet been given an epidurmal. I ring for the nurse who has a doctor check me. I am told that I would probably not deliver for at least another 12 hours and I was no where near ready for any pain relief. After the doctor leaves and I resign myself to a long wait, a nurse comes in and checks my next contraction. She tells me to hang on and comes back in a few minutes with another doctor who checks me and arranges for the epidural. By the time the epidural is hooked up Dr Yu has arrived and I am wheeled into delivery. Shawn is born at 11:20 pm. Don't ever believe doctors when they tell you that you will be hours yet!
At 8lbs 1oz, Shawn was not a tiny baby. My family doctor finally decided that I was proababy due mid July and that Shawn was 2 or 3 weeks late. If you know Shawn, you will recognize this as a pattern that would be repeated throughout his life. Shawn was a wonderful baby, then he learned to crawl. While not quite as bad as his older sister Krystal, he was definately a handful. Shawn has always questioned limits. By nine months, he knew that he was not allowed to play with my rubber tree. If he crawled over to it and I saw him, all I had to do was shake my head no and he would crawl away. However, if I did not see him the poor rubber tree was fair game. That poor plant was repotted at least once a day, until it finally gave up and died. Shawn however did not give up.
At the age of 1, he was brought home by the police for wandering up to King Street. Now granted this was just a half a block away from our house. He had followed his big sister to the store, unbeknownst to her. By the next summer we were living in a townhouse survey. I had had Carrie by then and keeping track of Shawn was definately a problem. He would let himself out of the front door and go to the playground with his brother and sisters. This wouldn't have been too bad, Laurel being the oldest was very responsible and would keep a close eye on him, except that Shawn would leave a trail of clothes and diapers wherever he had been. Locked doors never kept him in. If he wanted out, he just unlocked the door when I wasn't looking and left.
When Shawn was 3 we bought a house on Maplewood Avenue near Gage Park. The first 6 weeks there were definately different. There was a bus stop almost directly in front of our house. My father was a bus driver who at the time was driving the route that stopped in front of our house. One day as he went to pull away from the stop, my dad realized that Shawn had gotten on the bus by the back door! Fortunately my dad was the driver and just brought him to our door. I always wondered if he had gotten on another bus, how long it would have been before the driver realized that there was a little boy on his bus all alone.
There was also a corner store a block and a half from our house. Now this was something totally new to Shawn. I had taken the kids to the store a few times and let them buy a treat. One afternoon, I hear a knock at the door. Upon opening the door, I see one of the young guys who works at the store and Shawn. He asks me if this child belongs to me. I say yes. He then asks me if this $20.00 bill also belongs to me. Apparently Shawn had gone into the store, put the $20.00 on the counter and when asked what he wanted, said 'CANDY!!!". At three years old he was driving me crazy.
At two Shawn had been diagnosed with a heart murmer. My doctor reassured me that Shawn would be fine as long as he didn't overexert himself. I asked if it would be okay to tie him up, because Shawn didn't stop from the time he woke up until he went to bed at night.
When Shawn started school I asked my doctor if he could be tested for hyperactivity. My doctor said that he was a normal boy! That was easy for him to say. He didn't have to chase him like I did.
When Shawn was in grade 1, I was asked if I could make him do his work in school. I told the teacher, that if she didn't mind me standing behind his desk all day, everyday and repeatedly telling him to do his work I would be more that glad to help. Otherwise, it was entirely up to her.
In grade 4 Shawn had the perfect teacher. Now you don't find too many nuns teaching anymore, but Shawn had one them. She was the perfect teacher for him. Recognizing that he just wanted attention, she bargained with him. 'Shawn, if you have all your work done this morning, you can stay in at lunch time and help me.' The problem child was tamed. After hearing that it was hard to grade Shawn because he never completed his work and therefore the teachers had no idea what he really knew, we were told that Shawn was very intelligent. He had an excellant head for numbers, and while his spelling was atrocious, his knew his work. Grade 5 was a completely different story.
Art and split up in October of 1986. We had just moved and the 3 youngest were in a new school. Neither of the boys fared very well. I was told by Aubrey's grade 7 teacher that he would probably be able to handle basic levels in high school. He later graduated from an advanced level. Shawn fared even worse. At 10, he was a scrawny little runt. His younger sister could take him in a fair fight, and she did on more than one occasion. I can still see Carrie taking a flying leap at Shawn. Tackling him to the ground. Wrapping her little fingers around his neck and pounding his head into the floor. Shawn was all mouth. He didn't care how big or how old the other kid was, he would instigate a fight. In school he was even worse. He managed to reduce his teacher to tears on quite a few occasions. He was obstinate, and would only do things that he wanted to do. Here's a sample of disruptive behavior in class. Shawn at his desk tapping his pencil while the teacher is talking. "Shawn. Put your pencil down." Pencil dropped to the floor. " Shawn. Pick that up now." Pick up pencil and go back to tapping it. How do you deal with a student like that? Murder must have crossed her mind. I know it sometimes crossed mine!
Lets skip ahead a little bit. 1988, I'm now with Wayne. Wayne enrolls in a karate class and takes Shawn with him. Now Shawn has played hockey since he was 5 and is a good player, when he wants to be. Karate is not an easy skill. Shawn lasts for a few months, but even though he has quit, it has taught him a few things about discipline and self worth.
Shawn graduates from grade 8 after once again having a teacher who understands him. Mr Hamza knows how to deal with Shawn. Act up in class - spend time in the hall at a desk where there is no one to impress. Shawn even asked Mr Hamza to be his sponsor for confirmation into the church. Shawn got an early start at high school by taking a summer school course in grade 9 French. However, true to form the first semester of grade 9 sees more than one suspension for absences at Boys Cathedral. After attending Boys Cathedral, Delta and Scott Park High Schools, Shawn finally drops out. All of his teachers say that he is a good student, when he is there.
Shawn never did understand what a locked door meant. In grade 7 and 8, he would go to a friends after school on Friday, and maybe show up at home on Sunday night. I've lost track of how many times I reported him missing to the police. When he was 15, his cousin Justin died in a tragic accident. Shawn was unconsoleable. The two cousins shared a brain, as we often said. Shawn was supposed to be at the party that Justin was at that night, but he had ran into an old friend and spent the Friday night with him instead. To this day Shawn believe's that if he had been with Justin he never would have died. I have often wondered if it would have been Shawn that would have been killed instead!
At 21, Shawn moved in with his big sister Laurel to help her out with her son Joshua. Shawn has always been the best Uncle that any child could ever want. From the day Josh was born, when Shawn was 17, he was always there for him. Any of Shawn's friends who have kids know what he's like. For someone who hasn't always been responsible for himself, he is always there for any child. Whenever his sisters couldn't take a babysitting job, Shawn would always volunteer. It didn't matter to him how old the child was, Shawn just loves kids.
As much as Shawn loves the little ones, he loves his grandparents more. After my dad retired from the HSR, he was the manager of the Local 107 Social Club. I worked for him as a bartender and so did Laurel. Shawn worked for him as a bouncer. There used to be "band nights" in the upstairs hall and it was Shawn's responsibility to make sure no alcohol was taken out of the bar area and that no fights broke out. Nanny and Poppa Carl are still his biggest fans. Shawn cuts their grass, weeds their gardens and when Poppa was in the hospital last summer, planted tomato plants for Carl so they would be there when he came home.
For many years Shawn has said that he would never marry or have children. In his words, "I'm not responsible for myself, how can I be responsible for anyone else." Then he met Tracy. I have often said that if I could have went out and picked a woman for my son, it would have been Tracy. A wonderful, kind, considerate, loving yet firm woman, she is everything that he needs. Tracy has 3 children from her first marriage, that Shawn treats as his own. As much as he hated being disciplined, he is very strict with Tracy's children. He is also very considerate, kind, loving, fun and treats them as if they were his own. I have a picture of Shawn and Tracy at Carrie's wedding in 2005 and even though Shawn had not yet proposed to Tracy, you can see the love between them just by the look on their faces.
We all laugh at what a mush Shawn is. When Tracy first started working as a Personal Support Care Worker she often needed directions on how to get to her clients. Shawn would come down and use our computer to check map quest. He would write out the directions for Tracy something like this. "When you get to such and such a street turn right, the side that your right hand man sits on."
On June 23rd of this year Shawn and Tracy are getting married. We have already been through the Stag & Doe and Bridal Shower. My heart is filled with joy and also some sadness that my little 'duckie' is all grown up.
By the way, Shawn's nickname of 'Duckie' goes back to 1985 when he first played baseball at Mahoney Park. Darlene Ryckman gave him this nickname after seeing him run the bases. As Darlene said, "He better be a good hitter, because he runs like a duck."
I love you Duckie
Mom
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