Other than blowing the budget, we got through Christmas unscathed. We actually had a pretty relaxing time.
On Christmas eve day we went for a nice drive in the country. We stopped in a cute little town, went for a walk, and ducked into a tearoom for lunch. For dinner we prepared a beautiful prime rib roast dinner, which we paired nicely with a fine bottle of red wine. Once baby was asleep, we sat in front of the fire while sipping hot beverages. It was magnificent!
Christmas morning was a lot of fun. Baby boy was in his glory ripping at the wrapping paper, and rummaging through boxes. He was just as interested in our gifts as he was his own. When Daddy opened up a package containing a wooden spoon, he could barely contain his excitement! It was almost as cool as the banged up old cooking pot that he has taken to carrying with him wherever he goes.
We had Christmas dinner with our second family. Not blood relatives, but close friends who always take us in for the holidays. Baby boy loves going there as much as we do. Not only is it an opportunity to visit with his best buddy who is two months older than him, he is showered with attention by all of the aunts, uncles, young nieces, grandma and grandpa etc... He feels right at home at these family gatherings, and so do we.
My hubby likes to tell people that we did the "Christmas dodge" this year. No game of tug-o-war between my mom and the inlaws. No hauling eveything and the kitchen sink across the country. No racing around. And, best of all, no "guilt." I deflected it really well this year determined not to let it consume me. Now that baby boy is in the picture, it's time for us to start new traditions, here at home.
Merry (belated) Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Oh the funny things you do
Life has been pretty stressful around here lately. Thankfully, I get a bit of comic relief in the form of a 1-year old. Over the last few days he's done so many hilarious things that I need to share with everyone.
Right now he's going through a phase where he constantly wants to mimic everything the mom and dad do. He is particularly interested in the broom and dustpan, and all of the excitement around sweeping the floor (hmmmm....how long until he outgrows that, I wonder?). Wherever he goes, he liked to drag along our old metal duspan. If we accidentally leave the baby gate open, he sees it as an opportunity to sneak the dustpan up the stairs. A couple of days ago, he was watching dad load the dishwasher (another fascination of his!). Being the helpful little guy he is, he walked over and loaded the duspan into the dishwasher, just like a plate.
He's also quite into rooting through cupboards these days in search of treasure. This morning he struck gold. You guessed it -- he found my breast pump! And when you find something that good, it's hard to let it go. Which is why he insisted on bringing it with him to breakfast, and then proceeded to fill the suction full of cheerios.
What else??
Now that he's got the hang of walking, he's given up crawling completely. Not only does this make him feel more independent, it also frees up both of his hands to haul things. He almost always carries around a can, or some other packaged food item in one hand, and a CD case in the other. Or somtimes he just carries around his toy bucket. When I cook dinner he wanders in and out of the kitchen to show me all of the objects he's collected. By the time he goes to bed, the kitchen is littered with the strangest array objects.
Walking has also made it much easier to greet people at the door. When the UPS guy showed up at the door this afternoon, the little guy toddled over to greet him and then promptly slammed the door on his face. I just about died of laughter!
And finally....a story that is funny after the fact, but wasn't so funny when it happened. This morning I was letting his rear end air out (diaper rash is back). It's a dangerous business, leaving a 1-year old to roam without a diaper. Without giving you all the gory details, let's just say that I was up to my ears in sh#t this morning!!! And....right after I finished cleaning up that fun mess, the little guy managed to grab my travel coffee mug off the dining room table. I was in the kitchen making a snack when I heard this strangebanging noise. When I went to inspect, I found him sitting in a huge puddle of cold coffee, happily banging my mug against the floor. He looked as though he had swam through it -- he was that wet!!! He'd also done some great coffee finger painting on the walls.
Is there no end to the funny things you do?
Right now he's going through a phase where he constantly wants to mimic everything the mom and dad do. He is particularly interested in the broom and dustpan, and all of the excitement around sweeping the floor (hmmmm....how long until he outgrows that, I wonder?). Wherever he goes, he liked to drag along our old metal duspan. If we accidentally leave the baby gate open, he sees it as an opportunity to sneak the dustpan up the stairs. A couple of days ago, he was watching dad load the dishwasher (another fascination of his!). Being the helpful little guy he is, he walked over and loaded the duspan into the dishwasher, just like a plate.
He's also quite into rooting through cupboards these days in search of treasure. This morning he struck gold. You guessed it -- he found my breast pump! And when you find something that good, it's hard to let it go. Which is why he insisted on bringing it with him to breakfast, and then proceeded to fill the suction full of cheerios.
What else??
Now that he's got the hang of walking, he's given up crawling completely. Not only does this make him feel more independent, it also frees up both of his hands to haul things. He almost always carries around a can, or some other packaged food item in one hand, and a CD case in the other. Or somtimes he just carries around his toy bucket. When I cook dinner he wanders in and out of the kitchen to show me all of the objects he's collected. By the time he goes to bed, the kitchen is littered with the strangest array objects.
Walking has also made it much easier to greet people at the door. When the UPS guy showed up at the door this afternoon, the little guy toddled over to greet him and then promptly slammed the door on his face. I just about died of laughter!
And finally....a story that is funny after the fact, but wasn't so funny when it happened. This morning I was letting his rear end air out (diaper rash is back). It's a dangerous business, leaving a 1-year old to roam without a diaper. Without giving you all the gory details, let's just say that I was up to my ears in sh#t this morning!!! And....right after I finished cleaning up that fun mess, the little guy managed to grab my travel coffee mug off the dining room table. I was in the kitchen making a snack when I heard this strangebanging noise. When I went to inspect, I found him sitting in a huge puddle of cold coffee, happily banging my mug against the floor. He looked as though he had swam through it -- he was that wet!!! He'd also done some great coffee finger painting on the walls.
Is there no end to the funny things you do?
Friday, December 08, 2006
Sorry it's taken so long to write
I've had one hell of a week (well, two weeks actually)!
First it was the mad rush to get everything on my "to do" list done before I went back to work. The list was as long as my arm. Then I had to prepare for the little guy's first birthday party. And, no sooner were the birthday celebrations over -- BAM! I was back to work.
I started a new job on Monday. I cried when I said goodbye in the morning. I cried again when I walked by a a woman and her baby on my lunch break. But I haven't cried since. I think I got it out of my system because I'm feeling much better now.
Baby boy is also feeling much better about daycare. He isn't protesting when he gets dropped off in the morning. It's now become a familiar routine -- and routine is comforting. His days are fun-filled, and I know he is in an environment where he is happy and well loved.
But we're both exhausted. I took today off to help ease the transition. He slept most of the morning, and he's up there napping again. I should probably go join him....I forgot how exhausting starting a new job could be. It's doubly exhausting when you are up once or twice a night with a baby.
To top it off, the poor little guy had the worst diaper rash of his life this week. And now he's teething again. Sighhhhh....It must be tough to be a baby!
I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Wish me luck!
First it was the mad rush to get everything on my "to do" list done before I went back to work. The list was as long as my arm. Then I had to prepare for the little guy's first birthday party. And, no sooner were the birthday celebrations over -- BAM! I was back to work.
I started a new job on Monday. I cried when I said goodbye in the morning. I cried again when I walked by a a woman and her baby on my lunch break. But I haven't cried since. I think I got it out of my system because I'm feeling much better now.
Baby boy is also feeling much better about daycare. He isn't protesting when he gets dropped off in the morning. It's now become a familiar routine -- and routine is comforting. His days are fun-filled, and I know he is in an environment where he is happy and well loved.
But we're both exhausted. I took today off to help ease the transition. He slept most of the morning, and he's up there napping again. I should probably go join him....I forgot how exhausting starting a new job could be. It's doubly exhausting when you are up once or twice a night with a baby.
To top it off, the poor little guy had the worst diaper rash of his life this week. And now he's teething again. Sighhhhh....It must be tough to be a baby!
I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Proud mom moments
I've had many proud mom moments -- particularly in the last few months. The little guy has gone from crawling, to climbing, and now to walking in such a short time. Last night he walked all the way across the room holding a metal spatula, with a huge grin on his face. I don't know who was more proud!
Every day he learns something new, and every day I burst with pride.
I can't believe he's going to be 1-year old tomorrow. Where did the time go?
Every day he learns something new, and every day I burst with pride.
I can't believe he's going to be 1-year old tomorrow. Where did the time go?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
He saw his shadow
The little guy discovered his shadow this morning. Does this mean a shorter winter? I sure hope so!
Baby boy got really excited when he noticed a strange dark figure moving against the wall. He touched it, and waved his hands around and watched it imitate his every move. I took this as an opportunity to put on a shadow puppet show. Who needs television? For the little guy this was prime time entertainment!
Now, when I ask him where his shadow is, he looks across the room at that same wall. Where could it be? He hasn't quite figured out that his shadow follows him everywhere.
Baby boy got really excited when he noticed a strange dark figure moving against the wall. He touched it, and waved his hands around and watched it imitate his every move. I took this as an opportunity to put on a shadow puppet show. Who needs television? For the little guy this was prime time entertainment!
Now, when I ask him where his shadow is, he looks across the room at that same wall. Where could it be? He hasn't quite figured out that his shadow follows him everywhere.
Monday, November 27, 2006
New tricks
The little guy has added a couple of new tricks to his repetoire.
- As of last night, he can walk! Although he's not quite a marathoner yet, he can take three or four steps without holding on. And....he can multitask. This morning he took three steps while holding a toy in each of his hands.
- Last week the remote control for our stereo went missing. We looked high and low and couldn't find it anywhere. The mystery of the lost remote was finally solved when I witnessed baby boy pull it out of a perrier box. It turns out that, among his new tricks, he's become a pack rat! He's been using that box to stash plastic lids, a metal espresso cup, graham crakers etc.... Last night I caught him trying to box up one of my hubby's sandals.
In other news, daycare integration is going well. Today he was too busy playing with the other kids that he didn't even notice me walk through the door. Drop-offs are still a little rough, but once he gets distracted by all the toys, he feels right at home!
- As of last night, he can walk! Although he's not quite a marathoner yet, he can take three or four steps without holding on. And....he can multitask. This morning he took three steps while holding a toy in each of his hands.
- Last week the remote control for our stereo went missing. We looked high and low and couldn't find it anywhere. The mystery of the lost remote was finally solved when I witnessed baby boy pull it out of a perrier box. It turns out that, among his new tricks, he's become a pack rat! He's been using that box to stash plastic lids, a metal espresso cup, graham crakers etc.... Last night I caught him trying to box up one of my hubby's sandals.
In other news, daycare integration is going well. Today he was too busy playing with the other kids that he didn't even notice me walk through the door. Drop-offs are still a little rough, but once he gets distracted by all the toys, he feels right at home!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Quick update
Gotta chase baby....huff, puff, huff, puff
He's mastered stair climbing in the last 24 hours. So today we've been going up and down, up and down, and up and down the stairs some more! I figure I might as well let the novelty wear off. In between laps, we've been dancing to the tunes on his new Sharon, Lois and Bram CD. How can such a little guy have so much energy? Mommy is exhausted!
In other news, the second visit with the caregiver didn't go so well. He kept looking at the door for me, and had a few teary breakdowns. When I came to pick him up, he clung on to me and cried and cried and cried. I just about joined him.... My heart has been aching ever since. Do I really have to go back to work????
He's mastered stair climbing in the last 24 hours. So today we've been going up and down, up and down, and up and down the stairs some more! I figure I might as well let the novelty wear off. In between laps, we've been dancing to the tunes on his new Sharon, Lois and Bram CD. How can such a little guy have so much energy? Mommy is exhausted!
In other news, the second visit with the caregiver didn't go so well. He kept looking at the door for me, and had a few teary breakdowns. When I came to pick him up, he clung on to me and cried and cried and cried. I just about joined him.... My heart has been aching ever since. Do I really have to go back to work????
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Go organic!
I was inspired to join a local organics club after hearing an interview with Thomas Pawlick, author of The end of food: How the food industry is destroying our food supply - and what we can do about it. His book is full of disturbing facts about supermarket produce -- including how many of the tomatoes found there are gassed to make them turn red. An interview with Pawlick can be found online at http://gremolata.com/buford.htm. It's pretty disturbing stuff!
In any case, it sparked me to rethink the fruits and veggies I feed my family. They deserve fresh produce that is pesticide and sodium (yes, sodium!) free, and rich with nutrients (unlike many found in the supermarket that are mass produced in nutrient depleted soil).
I signed up for a weekly $20 organics basket. This week it contained: 2 lemons, 2 avacados, 1 bunch of celery, 2 zuccinis, 2 green peppers, 2 kiwis, 6 plums, 3 apples, a bunch of kale, a large container of strawberries and a basket of cherry tomatoes. I couldn't by that for $20 - organic or not at this time of year! It's a really good deal. Plus, now that I'm a member, I get a discount on all organic products.
The only challenge my basket has created thus far is: what do I make out of kale? If you have any good kale recipes, let me know!
I can't wait to get the next basket. I love that you don't know in advance what you're going to get. It's like x-mas morning every week (oh god, I'm such a nerd!!!).
In any case, it sparked me to rethink the fruits and veggies I feed my family. They deserve fresh produce that is pesticide and sodium (yes, sodium!) free, and rich with nutrients (unlike many found in the supermarket that are mass produced in nutrient depleted soil).
I signed up for a weekly $20 organics basket. This week it contained: 2 lemons, 2 avacados, 1 bunch of celery, 2 zuccinis, 2 green peppers, 2 kiwis, 6 plums, 3 apples, a bunch of kale, a large container of strawberries and a basket of cherry tomatoes. I couldn't by that for $20 - organic or not at this time of year! It's a really good deal. Plus, now that I'm a member, I get a discount on all organic products.
The only challenge my basket has created thus far is: what do I make out of kale? If you have any good kale recipes, let me know!
I can't wait to get the next basket. I love that you don't know in advance what you're going to get. It's like x-mas morning every week (oh god, I'm such a nerd!!!).
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Separation anxiety
The little guy doesn't suffer from separation anxiety. I do.
Yesterday I left him at the caregiver's house for two hours as part of our strategy for easing him into daycare. I was so nervous, I felt sick to my stomach. It was the first time I had ever left him at someone else's house.
I had a meeting with my boss during those two hours, and I kept on stealing glances at my watch. When the meeting was over I practically sprinted all the way to the caregiver's house. My mind was racing. What if he felt abandoned? Has he been crying since I left? He's still so young -- he just won't understand!
When I got to her door, I could see my little guy through the window. He was pushing a kitchen stool around the house with a big grin on his face, just like he does at home. I realized at that moment that I was the one who who couldn't handle the separation. He was just fine. That's hard on the maternal ego!
Next week he'll be going there again for a couple of hours. I'm already dreading it. What am I going to do with myself while he's there? How will I stop myself from worrying? People keep telling me it will get easier over time. I hope so, because I'm a wreck!
Yesterday I left him at the caregiver's house for two hours as part of our strategy for easing him into daycare. I was so nervous, I felt sick to my stomach. It was the first time I had ever left him at someone else's house.
I had a meeting with my boss during those two hours, and I kept on stealing glances at my watch. When the meeting was over I practically sprinted all the way to the caregiver's house. My mind was racing. What if he felt abandoned? Has he been crying since I left? He's still so young -- he just won't understand!
When I got to her door, I could see my little guy through the window. He was pushing a kitchen stool around the house with a big grin on his face, just like he does at home. I realized at that moment that I was the one who who couldn't handle the separation. He was just fine. That's hard on the maternal ego!
Next week he'll be going there again for a couple of hours. I'm already dreading it. What am I going to do with myself while he's there? How will I stop myself from worrying? People keep telling me it will get easier over time. I hope so, because I'm a wreck!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Dogs to the rescue?
The littlest hobo. Lassie. My dearly departed Springer Spaniel, Fred. They were all heros in my mind.
Dogs best friend was put to the test recently to find out if they would actually come to the rescue in an emergency situation. In a series of staged events, owners pretended to be in peril to see if their canine companions would go for help. None of them did. I, for one, think that this study is flawed. Even the best actor in the world can't fool a dog. If my late dog is any indication, dogs can sense emotion. I have no doubt that my Freddy would have known that I was faking, had we been part of the study.
What would my dog have done if I was lying on the ground pretending to be injured? He would probably be delighted! Oh boy, a new game! He would have galloped on over and licked my face, and stuck his butt up in the air to gesture "game on."
My Fred was as loyal as they come. Always there to greet you at the door, to cheer you up when you were down, to protect the household by barking when the doorbell rang... He was a good old boy. To say that he was heroic might be a stetch. Anyone who knew him would agree that he was a big chicken. A big bark, but no bite. He would hide behind my legs when a stranger came to the door. Even so, I have to believe that if I was really in trouble, he would have sensed it, and done something to help me.
He would have sensed danger in the same way he sensed when I wasn't feeling well.
I'll never forget how, one time, I had a terrible flu and he didn't leave my side all day. He snuggled up to me to keep me warm and had a genuine look of concern on his face.
He would have sensed danger the same way he sensed my family's sadness the night that my grandmother died. Fred broke the news to me. Normally when I arrived at the door he whined with excitement, madly wagging his tail. But on that particular evening he walked over to me slowly with his head bowed down, wearing a very sad expression. He gave my hand a comforting lick, as if to say he was very sorry.
I'd like to see how a dog would react in a real situation before stripping them of their hero status. I say we should give dogs a little more credit for being the sensitive and loyal creatures that they are.
Dogs best friend was put to the test recently to find out if they would actually come to the rescue in an emergency situation. In a series of staged events, owners pretended to be in peril to see if their canine companions would go for help. None of them did. I, for one, think that this study is flawed. Even the best actor in the world can't fool a dog. If my late dog is any indication, dogs can sense emotion. I have no doubt that my Freddy would have known that I was faking, had we been part of the study.
What would my dog have done if I was lying on the ground pretending to be injured? He would probably be delighted! Oh boy, a new game! He would have galloped on over and licked my face, and stuck his butt up in the air to gesture "game on."
My Fred was as loyal as they come. Always there to greet you at the door, to cheer you up when you were down, to protect the household by barking when the doorbell rang... He was a good old boy. To say that he was heroic might be a stetch. Anyone who knew him would agree that he was a big chicken. A big bark, but no bite. He would hide behind my legs when a stranger came to the door. Even so, I have to believe that if I was really in trouble, he would have sensed it, and done something to help me.
He would have sensed danger in the same way he sensed when I wasn't feeling well.
I'll never forget how, one time, I had a terrible flu and he didn't leave my side all day. He snuggled up to me to keep me warm and had a genuine look of concern on his face.
He would have sensed danger the same way he sensed my family's sadness the night that my grandmother died. Fred broke the news to me. Normally when I arrived at the door he whined with excitement, madly wagging his tail. But on that particular evening he walked over to me slowly with his head bowed down, wearing a very sad expression. He gave my hand a comforting lick, as if to say he was very sorry.
I'd like to see how a dog would react in a real situation before stripping them of their hero status. I say we should give dogs a little more credit for being the sensitive and loyal creatures that they are.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Don't deck the halls quite yet
Now that Halloween is over, the malls are hauling out their Christmas decorations. It seems like every year retailers try to draw the "shopping season" out a little longer. Case and point: The Bay had their x-mas display out in September. Give me a break already! I always feel sorry for those poor employees who have to listen to the same x-mas music over and over and over again...
And just when we all let out a sigh of relief that we've survived yet another hectic holiday season, the Boxing Month sales begin.... I bet nobody yells "Merry Christmas!" when the credit card bills start arriving in the mail in January.
I've made a list and I'm checking it twice. It's a list of dos and don'ts for the holiday season.
Do: eat, drink and be merry
Do: stick to your x-mas gift-buying budget
Do: stay out of crowded malls (that's why online shopping was invented)
Do: give generously to charities that need help this holiday season
Do: take advantage of the time off to spend with the little guy
Do: relax and enjoy
Don't: shop at any store that puts out decorations before December
Don't: give into pressure tactics to spend x-mas in far off places
Don't: let the preparations for holidays take over your already hectic life.
Don't: go overboard with the eating!
And just when we all let out a sigh of relief that we've survived yet another hectic holiday season, the Boxing Month sales begin.... I bet nobody yells "Merry Christmas!" when the credit card bills start arriving in the mail in January.
I've made a list and I'm checking it twice. It's a list of dos and don'ts for the holiday season.
Do: eat, drink and be merry
Do: stick to your x-mas gift-buying budget
Do: stay out of crowded malls (that's why online shopping was invented)
Do: give generously to charities that need help this holiday season
Do: take advantage of the time off to spend with the little guy
Do: relax and enjoy
Don't: shop at any store that puts out decorations before December
Don't: give into pressure tactics to spend x-mas in far off places
Don't: let the preparations for holidays take over your already hectic life.
Don't: go overboard with the eating!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
One, two, three
Three new teeth have popped through in the last two weeks. A fourth is on its way. The little guy is full of toothy grins now that the teething pain is subsiding (or at least until the next round...).
A bonus in all of this is that he's slept through the night four blissful nights in a row.
A bonus in all of this is that he's slept through the night four blissful nights in a row.
Monday, October 23, 2006
The scoop on travelling with a baby
I used to an expert at packing lightly. If it couldn't fit into a carry-on bag, I left it behind. Well, gone are the days when I could avoid waiting for luggage at the airport. Travelling with an infant is a large-scale operation that takes days of planning. There's the stroller, the car seat, the eating supplies, diaper bag, toys....
Forget the carry-on bag, I need the biggest suitcase they make!!!
I've travelled a lot with the little guy over the past year so I can pass on this advice:
1. Buy diapers and wipes when you reach your destination. I only bring what I need in my diaper bag (I use a knapsack instead of an actual diaper bag. It's way more practical!!)
2. Baby food can also be purchased later. Just make sure you have enough on hand in case there are travel delays. I always carry a sippy cup, spoon, fast drying bib, and lots of snacks in my diaper bag.
3. Don't try to save room by skimping on the baby clothes. I've made this mistake only once. Drool, diaper leaks, and food spills can happen at the most inopportune moments. I always plan two outfits for every day I'm away, plus a couple of extras for the diaper bag.
4. Disregard pointer #3 if you will have access to laundry facilities. I always make use of my mother's washing machine when I come to visit. This makes a huge difference in the number of clothing items I pack for the baby and myself.
5. Instead of using a toiletry bag, I usually use a ziplock bag. It's way more compact!
6. Only pack small toys and books (books fit into the front zip up parts on your suitcase). If you are going to be staying with relatives, only bring enough toys to occupy the little one while in transit. Ask your relatives to get some toys from the dollar store or a thrift store before you arrive.
7. I never pack magazines or books for myself. I'm way to busy attending to the little one to actually read anything. On the off chance that he falls asleep, I find a newspaper, or watch the movie.
8. Get to the airport early. Everything takes longer when travelling with a baby!
9. Get to where you are going in the most direct way possible, even if it's more expensive. The price of your sanity is worth the extra cost of a direct flight!
10. If you are renting a car, get the biggest one they have. Compact cars don't cut it -- trust me on this one!
11. Don't cram too many activities into a day when you take a baby on vacation. If you do, you'll have a cranky baby on your hands.
12. If you've had a busy day order room service or eat at the hotel restaurant. Trust me when I say this will make your life a lot easier.
13. Make friends and relatives come to you instead of the other way around. They'll be happy to visit you on your terms if it means seeing the baby. The more can limit trips in the car, the better!
14. Ask for an extra seat on the plane, if it's not full. The staff will be more than happy to accomodate you.
15. Bring a compact stroller instead of one of those SUV-like joggers. Airlines will let you take a small stroller right to the gate, but not a big brute.
16. Pack your sling in the carry-on in case the airline makes you check your stroller. It does happen from time to time, so you need a back-up plan for hauling your precious cargo!
17. Never pack towels, soap or shampoo. They are always available no matter where you are staying.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pack. We're leaving on a 4-day trip tonight.
Bon voyage!
Forget the carry-on bag, I need the biggest suitcase they make!!!
I've travelled a lot with the little guy over the past year so I can pass on this advice:
1. Buy diapers and wipes when you reach your destination. I only bring what I need in my diaper bag (I use a knapsack instead of an actual diaper bag. It's way more practical!!)
2. Baby food can also be purchased later. Just make sure you have enough on hand in case there are travel delays. I always carry a sippy cup, spoon, fast drying bib, and lots of snacks in my diaper bag.
3. Don't try to save room by skimping on the baby clothes. I've made this mistake only once. Drool, diaper leaks, and food spills can happen at the most inopportune moments. I always plan two outfits for every day I'm away, plus a couple of extras for the diaper bag.
4. Disregard pointer #3 if you will have access to laundry facilities. I always make use of my mother's washing machine when I come to visit. This makes a huge difference in the number of clothing items I pack for the baby and myself.
5. Instead of using a toiletry bag, I usually use a ziplock bag. It's way more compact!
6. Only pack small toys and books (books fit into the front zip up parts on your suitcase). If you are going to be staying with relatives, only bring enough toys to occupy the little one while in transit. Ask your relatives to get some toys from the dollar store or a thrift store before you arrive.
7. I never pack magazines or books for myself. I'm way to busy attending to the little one to actually read anything. On the off chance that he falls asleep, I find a newspaper, or watch the movie.
8. Get to the airport early. Everything takes longer when travelling with a baby!
9. Get to where you are going in the most direct way possible, even if it's more expensive. The price of your sanity is worth the extra cost of a direct flight!
10. If you are renting a car, get the biggest one they have. Compact cars don't cut it -- trust me on this one!
11. Don't cram too many activities into a day when you take a baby on vacation. If you do, you'll have a cranky baby on your hands.
12. If you've had a busy day order room service or eat at the hotel restaurant. Trust me when I say this will make your life a lot easier.
13. Make friends and relatives come to you instead of the other way around. They'll be happy to visit you on your terms if it means seeing the baby. The more can limit trips in the car, the better!
14. Ask for an extra seat on the plane, if it's not full. The staff will be more than happy to accomodate you.
15. Bring a compact stroller instead of one of those SUV-like joggers. Airlines will let you take a small stroller right to the gate, but not a big brute.
16. Pack your sling in the carry-on in case the airline makes you check your stroller. It does happen from time to time, so you need a back-up plan for hauling your precious cargo!
17. Never pack towels, soap or shampoo. They are always available no matter where you are staying.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go pack. We're leaving on a 4-day trip tonight.
Bon voyage!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
A little fall frolicking
The little guy seems to like frolicking in the leaves as much as I do. Here are some pics we took just before Thanksgiving dinner.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
He strikes again!
The food strikes are over. The little guy will now eat anything you put in front of him, so long as he can feed it to himself. Not cooincidentally, one of his top teeth poked through last week. We think that teething pain was contributing to his food aversion. Thank goodness he's eating well again!
But now a new strike has begun. His once favourite activity is now his least favourite -- bathing. Every time we put in the bathtub he screams his head off. Even his many bath toys don't seem to sweeten the deal. We're not sure where the sudden aversion to bath time come from. I guess it's just another one of those phases he going through. I'm sure it too will pass.
Have a great day everyone!
But now a new strike has begun. His once favourite activity is now his least favourite -- bathing. Every time we put in the bathtub he screams his head off. Even his many bath toys don't seem to sweeten the deal. We're not sure where the sudden aversion to bath time come from. I guess it's just another one of those phases he going through. I'm sure it too will pass.
Have a great day everyone!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
In search of the great pumpkin
We didn't let the biting wind and frigid temperatures get in the way of our fun. This past weekend we flew down and stayed with my brother and his family. The little guy had a fantastic time hanging out with his cousins, and exploring the countryside. On Saturday we went to a "pick your own pumpkin" farm and played in the pumpkin patch (and in the barn too!). And, the next day we went on a beautiful hilly hike to see the fall leaves. Here are some pics.
Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!
We were greeted by a friendly goat when we arrived.
Before heading out to the patch, we stopped in to visit the livestock. What a cool old barn!!
There were pumpkins for as far as the eyes could see. The kids were thinking Halloween thoughts. I was thinking about pumpkin pie. Mmmm....pumpkin pie...
The little guy was all smiles. Or, at least until his nose got cold...
Hiking is lots of fun. Especially when dad does all the work!
Pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!
We were greeted by a friendly goat when we arrived.
Before heading out to the patch, we stopped in to visit the livestock. What a cool old barn!!
There were pumpkins for as far as the eyes could see. The kids were thinking Halloween thoughts. I was thinking about pumpkin pie. Mmmm....pumpkin pie...
The little guy was all smiles. Or, at least until his nose got cold...
Hiking is lots of fun. Especially when dad does all the work!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Goosey Goosey Gander
For the last few weeks we've been shivering under our duvet at night. The feathers are so old and flat that it's like sleeping under a thin sheet. We can't complain though because that duvet lasted more than 15 years. It was handcrafted by my mother-in-law and she really did a fine job. But alas, the duvet is on it's last "wings".
Over the weekend we went on a mission to find a new duvet. Who knew that it would be so complicated? We spoke to a duvet expert at a fancy linen store and learned all about fill power, loft, ounces of down per channel (or something like that) etc... She also went into great detail about each duvet that they carried and how the down was washed and treated, and how the panels were stitched. We learned that grey goose down was just as warm as white goose down, but most people opt for white down and will pay more money for it (she called this the "snob factor.") We walked out the door after she read us the price list. Yikes!!!! I'm pretty sure only snobs shop at her store...
We think we've found some duvet sources that are 60 or 70% cheaper than the fancy store and are roughly the same quality. When it comes right "down" to it, I really don't care what colour the down is. I just want a long-lasting duvet that keeps me warm in the winter but doesn't bake me to death in the summer and that fluffs up pleasingly when shaken without loosing its feathers. Oh won't it be nice to bask in my new nest?
Over the weekend we went on a mission to find a new duvet. Who knew that it would be so complicated? We spoke to a duvet expert at a fancy linen store and learned all about fill power, loft, ounces of down per channel (or something like that) etc... She also went into great detail about each duvet that they carried and how the down was washed and treated, and how the panels were stitched. We learned that grey goose down was just as warm as white goose down, but most people opt for white down and will pay more money for it (she called this the "snob factor.") We walked out the door after she read us the price list. Yikes!!!! I'm pretty sure only snobs shop at her store...
We think we've found some duvet sources that are 60 or 70% cheaper than the fancy store and are roughly the same quality. When it comes right "down" to it, I really don't care what colour the down is. I just want a long-lasting duvet that keeps me warm in the winter but doesn't bake me to death in the summer and that fluffs up pleasingly when shaken without loosing its feathers. Oh won't it be nice to bask in my new nest?
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
What I didn't know a year ago
I think it's fair to say my life is a heck of a lot different than it was a year ago. No matter how ready you are for parenthood, nothing can really prepare you for what is in store. For example, a year ago I didn't know:
- my song repetoire would consist of: the itsy, bitsy spider, if you're happy and you know it, and sticky, sticky bubblegum.
- that I'd become one of those mothers who checks for "stinkies" by picking baby up and taking a sniff. I used to tell people I'd never do that!!!
- how much time it takes to get out the door, or how much "stuff" you have to haul with you.
- how quickly babies move from one stage to the next. Just as you gain confidence in your parenting abilities, a new challenge presents itself.
- that my love for him would grow deeper and deeper every day.
- that pjs and outfits with snaps -- no matter how cute -- are evil! Try doing up snaps at 4 am and you'll realize why.
- the importance of getting a "full" night's sleep.
- that half of the stuff I bought in preparation for baby would end up being completely useless.
- how much laundry a little tiny person can actually generate. It's astounding!
- that a drool fountain would turn on and never stop.
- how overpowering a babies suckling reflex is.
- how many complete strangers would give me unsolicited advice.
- what a big job babyproofing would end up being.
There is so much more I could write, but you get the point. And I'm sure there are lots of things to come that I don't know about too....
- my song repetoire would consist of: the itsy, bitsy spider, if you're happy and you know it, and sticky, sticky bubblegum.
- that I'd become one of those mothers who checks for "stinkies" by picking baby up and taking a sniff. I used to tell people I'd never do that!!!
- how much time it takes to get out the door, or how much "stuff" you have to haul with you.
- how quickly babies move from one stage to the next. Just as you gain confidence in your parenting abilities, a new challenge presents itself.
- that my love for him would grow deeper and deeper every day.
- that pjs and outfits with snaps -- no matter how cute -- are evil! Try doing up snaps at 4 am and you'll realize why.
- the importance of getting a "full" night's sleep.
- that half of the stuff I bought in preparation for baby would end up being completely useless.
- how much laundry a little tiny person can actually generate. It's astounding!
- that a drool fountain would turn on and never stop.
- how overpowering a babies suckling reflex is.
- how many complete strangers would give me unsolicited advice.
- what a big job babyproofing would end up being.
There is so much more I could write, but you get the point. And I'm sure there are lots of things to come that I don't know about too....
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Looking into my crystal ball
Like all new parents, I like to fantasize about the little guy's future. Will he be a fireman? An engineer? Will he discover the cure for cancer? At his age, anything seems possible!
Here are a few predictions for his future, based on his activities of today.
- He likes to sleep late. So...he'll likely be attracted to careers that allow for flex hours.
- Out of all the objects in our home, he is most attracted to Daddy's shoes. Does this mean he will "follow" in Daddy's footsteps some day? Okay, maybe I'm reading a little too much into that...
- He loves to swing, and hang upside down. I hope that doesn't mean he's going to run away to join the circus, or become a professional monkey....
- He's discovered that people will give him lots of attention if he makes a fake coughing noise. I bet if he cleared his throat in the boardroom, he'd have everyone's undivided attention. Could this be the making of a top CEO?
- He'll only eat out of a big person bowl with a big fork or spoon. With such "sophisticated" tastes, he's sure to be into fine dining some day. If only we could do something about his table manners (spitting, throwing, smearing food in hair etc...).
- If we'd let him, he's probably live in the bathtub. Maybe this is a sign that he'll be a professional swimmer some day!
- Dogs, cats, squirrels...you name it, he thinks they're pretty neat! A veternarian perhaps?
- If there is a Cheerio hiding anywhere, he is sure to find it. Possible careers: Detective, treasure hunter, archaeologist.
- He's definitely the biggest ham you've ever met. Aim a camera at him, and he strikes a pose. Do I detect an interest in modelling, or acting perhaps? Could he be the next Tom Cruise (minus the craziness of course....)?
- Like most little boys (and men for that matter...) he has a natural attraction to tools, cars and other types of vehicles. I'm betting he'll be an enthusiest for life!
- His "output" seems to be greater than his "input" if you know what I mean... No doubt that is a sign of good productivity!
- And finally, he's a good snuggler. I hope that means that means lots of hugs for me in the future!
Only time will tell!
Here are a few predictions for his future, based on his activities of today.
- He likes to sleep late. So...he'll likely be attracted to careers that allow for flex hours.
- Out of all the objects in our home, he is most attracted to Daddy's shoes. Does this mean he will "follow" in Daddy's footsteps some day? Okay, maybe I'm reading a little too much into that...
- He loves to swing, and hang upside down. I hope that doesn't mean he's going to run away to join the circus, or become a professional monkey....
- He's discovered that people will give him lots of attention if he makes a fake coughing noise. I bet if he cleared his throat in the boardroom, he'd have everyone's undivided attention. Could this be the making of a top CEO?
- He'll only eat out of a big person bowl with a big fork or spoon. With such "sophisticated" tastes, he's sure to be into fine dining some day. If only we could do something about his table manners (spitting, throwing, smearing food in hair etc...).
- If we'd let him, he's probably live in the bathtub. Maybe this is a sign that he'll be a professional swimmer some day!
- Dogs, cats, squirrels...you name it, he thinks they're pretty neat! A veternarian perhaps?
- If there is a Cheerio hiding anywhere, he is sure to find it. Possible careers: Detective, treasure hunter, archaeologist.
- He's definitely the biggest ham you've ever met. Aim a camera at him, and he strikes a pose. Do I detect an interest in modelling, or acting perhaps? Could he be the next Tom Cruise (minus the craziness of course....)?
- Like most little boys (and men for that matter...) he has a natural attraction to tools, cars and other types of vehicles. I'm betting he'll be an enthusiest for life!
- His "output" seems to be greater than his "input" if you know what I mean... No doubt that is a sign of good productivity!
- And finally, he's a good snuggler. I hope that means that means lots of hugs for me in the future!
Only time will tell!
Friday, September 29, 2006
A little bit of Friday fun!
Look Dad, I can stand up by myself!!
I want to play outside.
Mom said I could go outside, as long as I wore my cool green hat! I look pretty slick, don't you think?
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
A weight lifted
I hired a caregiver this morning and I feel like I can finally relax. For the last month or so I was an absolute wreck about going back to work. It's been a mixed bag of emotions -- guilt, sadness, fear for the worst, a sense of longing to stay home just a little bit longer. Three boxes of kleenex later (from many teary moments), I'm feeling much more optomistic. I realise now that it was the uncertaintly about who was going to care for our son that was making me so crazy. When I finally met the right person for the job, I started to feel much better. Part of me (but not all) is actually looking forward to going back to work.
Last week, when I was in crisis mode, I had a heart to heart with my mother-in-law about choosing a caregiver. She's been a daycare worker for many, many years and is able to provide a lot of good insight. There were two things that she said that helped me enormously with my final decision.
1. Go with your gut feeling. If you feel that something isn't quite right, there is a reason why you feel this way. This piece of advice helped me to eliminate one caregiver who, I should add, has a heart of gold. Knowing this, it was difficult for me to strike her off the list. But I couldn't shake this nagging feeling that she just wasn't right for the job. There was never any doubt that she would love our son and provide him with a nurturing environment, but her style of care was so different from ours. I just knew that the little things that bothered me now would evolve into big things. It would only be a matter of time before we would butt heads.
2. A caregiver should offer more than basic care. They should share the things they are passionate about with the children they care for. For example, my mother-in-law is an avid gardener. By teaching the kids how to plant and harvest vegetables, grow flowers etc...she enriches their experience at her daycare. She also loves learning about other cultures and traditions. So, the children take part in Christmas, Chanuka, Chinese New Year, and a whole host of other celebrations. They also learn about music, crafts, dance, cuisine etc...from around the world.
The caregiver I chose is also big into gardening, and she too gets the children involved in her garden. She also loves birds and takes the kids on birdwatching expeditions.
Based on her advice, I think I've made the right choice. My gut said "yes" the second I walked into this caregiver's home. And after speaking to the mom's of other kids in her care, I've been left with the impression that she's second only to mom!
Now that this huge weight has been lifted I can go back to enjoying what's left of my maternity leave.
Last week, when I was in crisis mode, I had a heart to heart with my mother-in-law about choosing a caregiver. She's been a daycare worker for many, many years and is able to provide a lot of good insight. There were two things that she said that helped me enormously with my final decision.
1. Go with your gut feeling. If you feel that something isn't quite right, there is a reason why you feel this way. This piece of advice helped me to eliminate one caregiver who, I should add, has a heart of gold. Knowing this, it was difficult for me to strike her off the list. But I couldn't shake this nagging feeling that she just wasn't right for the job. There was never any doubt that she would love our son and provide him with a nurturing environment, but her style of care was so different from ours. I just knew that the little things that bothered me now would evolve into big things. It would only be a matter of time before we would butt heads.
2. A caregiver should offer more than basic care. They should share the things they are passionate about with the children they care for. For example, my mother-in-law is an avid gardener. By teaching the kids how to plant and harvest vegetables, grow flowers etc...she enriches their experience at her daycare. She also loves learning about other cultures and traditions. So, the children take part in Christmas, Chanuka, Chinese New Year, and a whole host of other celebrations. They also learn about music, crafts, dance, cuisine etc...from around the world.
The caregiver I chose is also big into gardening, and she too gets the children involved in her garden. She also loves birds and takes the kids on birdwatching expeditions.
Based on her advice, I think I've made the right choice. My gut said "yes" the second I walked into this caregiver's home. And after speaking to the mom's of other kids in her care, I've been left with the impression that she's second only to mom!
Now that this huge weight has been lifted I can go back to enjoying what's left of my maternity leave.
Friday, September 22, 2006
I've got fall fever
Fall fever is in the air. The squirrels are busy collecting and hiding acorns, the leaves are changing from green to yellow, red, or rusty brown, and the apple harvest is making its way to market.
I love this golden time of year, when the days are warm but not too hot and the mornings are crisp and sunny. It's enough to make me want to rake up a big pile of leaves and jump on in!
Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go outside and frolick on this fine, fun, fanciful Friday.
I love this golden time of year, when the days are warm but not too hot and the mornings are crisp and sunny. It's enough to make me want to rake up a big pile of leaves and jump on in!
Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go outside and frolick on this fine, fun, fanciful Friday.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Day 12: the puree strike
He's on strike. It's the little guy versus anything blended, mushy, or otherwise deemed "baby food." So much for all of the pureed meals that line the freezer....
The baby books tell you not to force feed your baby. So, like a good mom, I don't push food down his throat when he clamps his mouth shut and turns his head away in disgust. Those same books tell you to feed your baby a balanced diet with lots of fruit, vegetables and protein. How can you possibly do that when your child only wants to eat Cheerios and blueberries?
I pour over the shelves at the supermarket looking for "finger foods" that might tempt his appetite. Avacado, edamame, tofu burgers, hummus, raisin bread, dates, rice cakes, cottage cheese, pears, watermelon... He likes the rice cakes and tolerates the fruit, but won't look twice at anything else. Arggghhhh!!!
I leave snacks on the coffee table, in his stroller, and on the floor next to his toys. Sometimes he eats them, sometimes he doesn't. I also let him graze off of my plate because he seems to prefer "mommy's" meals over his own. Even though he still breastfeeds regularly, I'm obsessed with making sure he's eating enough.
Tonight my hubby and I tried a new strategy. We put him in his high chair but didn't put any food on his tray. We proceeded to serve ourselves dinner while he watched from across the table. Immediately, he expressed an interest in what we were eating. So, we gave him bites of chicken, rice, vegetables, and cheese. Although he didn't eat a lot, he seemed to enjoy the dining experience.
I think we might be heading in the right direction. I sure hope so, because this strike has gone on long enough. I'm ready to negotiate!
The baby books tell you not to force feed your baby. So, like a good mom, I don't push food down his throat when he clamps his mouth shut and turns his head away in disgust. Those same books tell you to feed your baby a balanced diet with lots of fruit, vegetables and protein. How can you possibly do that when your child only wants to eat Cheerios and blueberries?
I pour over the shelves at the supermarket looking for "finger foods" that might tempt his appetite. Avacado, edamame, tofu burgers, hummus, raisin bread, dates, rice cakes, cottage cheese, pears, watermelon... He likes the rice cakes and tolerates the fruit, but won't look twice at anything else. Arggghhhh!!!
I leave snacks on the coffee table, in his stroller, and on the floor next to his toys. Sometimes he eats them, sometimes he doesn't. I also let him graze off of my plate because he seems to prefer "mommy's" meals over his own. Even though he still breastfeeds regularly, I'm obsessed with making sure he's eating enough.
Tonight my hubby and I tried a new strategy. We put him in his high chair but didn't put any food on his tray. We proceeded to serve ourselves dinner while he watched from across the table. Immediately, he expressed an interest in what we were eating. So, we gave him bites of chicken, rice, vegetables, and cheese. Although he didn't eat a lot, he seemed to enjoy the dining experience.
I think we might be heading in the right direction. I sure hope so, because this strike has gone on long enough. I'm ready to negotiate!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Late adopters get the worm
I bought a laptop this weekend and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was significantly less expensive than my old one, and could do fancier tricks! It's also a lot prettier (I bought a shiny, white MacBook).
Home electronics are one of the few things that go down in price over time. I remember paying $2000+ for my first computer in university. A computer that, by today's standards, would be worth absolutely nothing. I probably couldn't even give it away, on account of its slow speed and lack of RAM (or whatever the heck it's called). I find this hilarious because, at the time of purchase, that computer was state-of-the-art! It was the cat's meow. The envy of the neighbourhood. It remained that way for exactly two weeks when something better came on the market. That something better is also worth nothing today.
We bought a fantastic digital camera when I was pregnant. I don't regret it. It takes fantastic pictures. But I can't help cringing every time I see its price go down. And in a few years we'll probably have to buy a new one because this one will be insignificant (just like the ghosts of my computers past).
Think about how much wealthier we would be if we would only sit back and wait. If we were late adopter, we would be laughing all the way to the bank. We could travel around the world with the money I'd save!
My parents are the latest of the late adopters (and world travellers!). They clung on to their VCR until the bitter end. I remember my dad complaining endlessly about the dwindling selection of VHS rentals. So, I bought him a DVD player for his birthday a few years ago. It cost $99. I could probably get it for even less today. Those poor suckers who bought the original DVD players for over $1000. It's lucky for them that the DVD didn't go belly up like the Beta.
My hubby would like a flat screen plasma TVs. Much to his chagrin, this is one purchase for which I plan to join my parents on the late adopters team. Why get rid of our antique television until it officially kicks the bucket? Besides, the television doubles as a change table.... By then time we need a new television, those flat screens will be a dime a dozen!
Good things come to those who wait!
Home electronics are one of the few things that go down in price over time. I remember paying $2000+ for my first computer in university. A computer that, by today's standards, would be worth absolutely nothing. I probably couldn't even give it away, on account of its slow speed and lack of RAM (or whatever the heck it's called). I find this hilarious because, at the time of purchase, that computer was state-of-the-art! It was the cat's meow. The envy of the neighbourhood. It remained that way for exactly two weeks when something better came on the market. That something better is also worth nothing today.
We bought a fantastic digital camera when I was pregnant. I don't regret it. It takes fantastic pictures. But I can't help cringing every time I see its price go down. And in a few years we'll probably have to buy a new one because this one will be insignificant (just like the ghosts of my computers past).
Think about how much wealthier we would be if we would only sit back and wait. If we were late adopter, we would be laughing all the way to the bank. We could travel around the world with the money I'd save!
My parents are the latest of the late adopters (and world travellers!). They clung on to their VCR until the bitter end. I remember my dad complaining endlessly about the dwindling selection of VHS rentals. So, I bought him a DVD player for his birthday a few years ago. It cost $99. I could probably get it for even less today. Those poor suckers who bought the original DVD players for over $1000. It's lucky for them that the DVD didn't go belly up like the Beta.
My hubby would like a flat screen plasma TVs. Much to his chagrin, this is one purchase for which I plan to join my parents on the late adopters team. Why get rid of our antique television until it officially kicks the bucket? Besides, the television doubles as a change table.... By then time we need a new television, those flat screens will be a dime a dozen!
Good things come to those who wait!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Fun at the farm
Last weekend we took the little guy to the farm. He was very impressed, as you can see!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
There's no turning back....
Of all days that my laptop had to die, it happened on my birthday. Happy birthday!!! Grrrrr.... Until I get a new one, I'm stuck sharing my hubby's computer. I know, I know. I shouldn't complain. After all, how many people own two computers? We can justify it because we don't have cable, and our television is older than I am. A friend once joked, "That's the same television my grandparents watched the first moon landing on." We may be behind in television technology, but we're leading edge with our computers.
I don't think we could last very long in a one computer household. We use our computers for everything! Teleworking, downloading pictures, emailing, surfing the web, blogging etc...
I should have never bought a laptop in the first place. They're expensive, and now that I've owned one I can never go back. After experiencing the freedom a laptop allows, I can't (and won't) consider buying a big, clunky, non-portable machine. As a writer I enjoy carting my laptop around from room to room, finding inspiration wherever I can -- in a nest of pillows, outside on the deck,in a ray of sunshine pouring through a window. Sometimes I sit next to the radio, letting the stories of the day influence my creative direction.
A laptop allows me to hide if I need privacy. I can take it to the park, to a coffee shop, or even into the bathroom. It's true that other computers would be cheaper, but can you really put a price tag on freedom?
My heart sank when my laptop drew it's last breath. And apparently, so will my bank account when it comes time to find its replacement.
I don't think we could last very long in a one computer household. We use our computers for everything! Teleworking, downloading pictures, emailing, surfing the web, blogging etc...
I should have never bought a laptop in the first place. They're expensive, and now that I've owned one I can never go back. After experiencing the freedom a laptop allows, I can't (and won't) consider buying a big, clunky, non-portable machine. As a writer I enjoy carting my laptop around from room to room, finding inspiration wherever I can -- in a nest of pillows, outside on the deck,in a ray of sunshine pouring through a window. Sometimes I sit next to the radio, letting the stories of the day influence my creative direction.
A laptop allows me to hide if I need privacy. I can take it to the park, to a coffee shop, or even into the bathroom. It's true that other computers would be cheaper, but can you really put a price tag on freedom?
My heart sank when my laptop drew it's last breath. And apparently, so will my bank account when it comes time to find its replacement.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Never a dull moment
So many people told me that my life would get much harder once the little guy started crawling. Boy, they weren’t kidding! Much of my day is spent chasing him around the house, keeping him out of harm’s way. I feel like a broken record the way I’m always saying, “no touch,” “ahhh-ahhh,” “where are you going?” and “be careful, that can hurt baby.”
I try not to be too much of a killjoy. After all, he needs to have the freedom to explore and learn from his environment. So I let him go crazy pulling clothes out of the closet, and books off of the low shelves. He also has free reign over the Tupperware cupboard. Unless something is a hazard (cords, plants, hot coffee, stairs etc…), I try not to get in the way of his fun.
He recently discovered that doorstops make a pleasing “twannnng” noise when you pull on them. Now, every morning when I’m trying to get him dressed, he wriggles away to his favourite spot behind the door. It was really cute until one day he managed to pry the little white rubber cap off the end. Can you say choking hazard? I tell you, I can’t let my guard down for a second. There are so many "hidden" hazards out there. Sigh….
Now that he’s mobile, doing chores is also getting trickier. While working in the kitchen I try to keep him occupied with wooden spoons, measuring cups and other interesting kitchen gadgets. But, alas, getting into the garbage, knocking over the bench, and rummaging through the recycling are much more exciting! Laundry is a little easier because he loves playing inside the laundry basket, and hasn’t figured out how to crawl out of it yet.
As exhausting as it is to have a crawler in the house, I really do take pleasure in watching him make new discoveries. When he’s truly delighted with himself, I share in his joy. And that goofy grin of his never fails to make my heart melt!
Life might be harder now, but it also just got more interesting.
I try not to be too much of a killjoy. After all, he needs to have the freedom to explore and learn from his environment. So I let him go crazy pulling clothes out of the closet, and books off of the low shelves. He also has free reign over the Tupperware cupboard. Unless something is a hazard (cords, plants, hot coffee, stairs etc…), I try not to get in the way of his fun.
He recently discovered that doorstops make a pleasing “twannnng” noise when you pull on them. Now, every morning when I’m trying to get him dressed, he wriggles away to his favourite spot behind the door. It was really cute until one day he managed to pry the little white rubber cap off the end. Can you say choking hazard? I tell you, I can’t let my guard down for a second. There are so many "hidden" hazards out there. Sigh….
Now that he’s mobile, doing chores is also getting trickier. While working in the kitchen I try to keep him occupied with wooden spoons, measuring cups and other interesting kitchen gadgets. But, alas, getting into the garbage, knocking over the bench, and rummaging through the recycling are much more exciting! Laundry is a little easier because he loves playing inside the laundry basket, and hasn’t figured out how to crawl out of it yet.
As exhausting as it is to have a crawler in the house, I really do take pleasure in watching him make new discoveries. When he’s truly delighted with himself, I share in his joy. And that goofy grin of his never fails to make my heart melt!
Life might be harder now, but it also just got more interesting.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
A wildlife warrior to the end
I was shocked to hear of Steve Irwin’s (AKA the Crocodile Hunter) death earlier this week. He seemed to be invincible, the way he always manhandled the world’s deadliest of creatures with such ease and comfort.
I was a big fan of the lovable lunatic. No matter how many times I watched him wrestle a crocodile or poisonous snake to the ground, he never ceased to amaze me. And I always laughed really hard when he would proclaim, “What a beaut!” or "Crikey" in his delightful Australian accent.
Steve Irwin truly lived up to his “wildlife warrior” image, committing his life to protecting the animals he loved – furry, scaly, creepy-crawly and otherwise.
In the end it was a stingray that killed him – stabbing him in the heart with its poisonous barb. At least he died doing what he loved best – frolicking up close with nature. I’ll miss you mate!
I was a big fan of the lovable lunatic. No matter how many times I watched him wrestle a crocodile or poisonous snake to the ground, he never ceased to amaze me. And I always laughed really hard when he would proclaim, “What a beaut!” or "Crikey" in his delightful Australian accent.
Steve Irwin truly lived up to his “wildlife warrior” image, committing his life to protecting the animals he loved – furry, scaly, creepy-crawly and otherwise.
In the end it was a stingray that killed him – stabbing him in the heart with its poisonous barb. At least he died doing what he loved best – frolicking up close with nature. I’ll miss you mate!
Friday, September 01, 2006
And now there are eight…
I was sad when Pluto lost its planetary status earlier this week. I had been rooting for the little guy. But I guess size really does matter in our big old solar system. It was pointed out over and over again in the media how tiny Pluto is – only one-fifth of the size of Earth. Which is one of the reasons why the International Astronomical Union demoted to the lesser category of “dwarf planet”. Is it just me, or does the word dwarf sound kind of demeaning? Talk about making Pluto stand out as a have-not planet. Couldn’t they have called it a “big at heart” or an “honourary” planet? Something a little more respectable? After all, Pluto has been a beloved member of the planetary family since 1930.
Just think about how this news is going to turn science classrooms upside down. Text books will need updating, children will have to be reconditioned to name only eight planets, teachers will have to create lessons on dwarf planets….It’s going to be messy for a while.
When I was a kid, I had two verses that I used as memory aids for the nine planets. I guess these will have to be updated too!
Verse 1: Mary Very Easily Made Jam Sitting Under Nanny’s Porch
Proposed adaptation: Mary Very Easily Made Jam Sitting Under Nanny (no, that’s too weird).
How about: Mary Very Easily Manufactured Jumbo Sized Underwear
Verse 2: Mary’s Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets
Proposed adaptation: Mary’s Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nucleuses
If you have any ideas for tricks to remember the eight planets, feel free to post your comments.
Just think about how this news is going to turn science classrooms upside down. Text books will need updating, children will have to be reconditioned to name only eight planets, teachers will have to create lessons on dwarf planets….It’s going to be messy for a while.
When I was a kid, I had two verses that I used as memory aids for the nine planets. I guess these will have to be updated too!
Verse 1: Mary Very Easily Made Jam Sitting Under Nanny’s Porch
Proposed adaptation: Mary Very Easily Made Jam Sitting Under Nanny (no, that’s too weird).
How about: Mary Very Easily Manufactured Jumbo Sized Underwear
Verse 2: Mary’s Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nine Planets
Proposed adaptation: Mary’s Very Educated Mother Just Showed Us Nucleuses
If you have any ideas for tricks to remember the eight planets, feel free to post your comments.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Moms aren’t allowed to be sick
It’s been awhile since my last entry. I’ve been sick. Really, really sick with a sinus infection. After finally kicking a four-day fever, (not exaggerating!) and the worst sinus headache of my life, I developed a hacking cough that keeps me (and everyone else) up at night. I’m on antibiotics and my health is gradually improving but I’m still not myself.
One thing I’ve learned over this last week is that motherhood and illness don’t mix. No matter how much I long to retreat to my bed, there is still a mouth to feed, a bum to change, and a pile of dirty laundry to attend to. And now that the little guy is crawling and getting into everything, I need to be on my toes -- not laid out flat on my back.
It’s not the type of job where I can call in sick. I’m on call to read books, sing songs, hose things down after meals, provide cuddles, buy groceries, make baby food etc...
So, I'm doing my best to keep my head up high and think healthy thoughts!
One thing I’ve learned over this last week is that motherhood and illness don’t mix. No matter how much I long to retreat to my bed, there is still a mouth to feed, a bum to change, and a pile of dirty laundry to attend to. And now that the little guy is crawling and getting into everything, I need to be on my toes -- not laid out flat on my back.
It’s not the type of job where I can call in sick. I’m on call to read books, sing songs, hose things down after meals, provide cuddles, buy groceries, make baby food etc...
So, I'm doing my best to keep my head up high and think healthy thoughts!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The "skinny" on Canadian children
Love is blind. This appears to be true in the case of many Canadian parents. As part of the Canadian Medical Association’s Sixth Annual National Report Card on Health Care in Canada, parents were asked to grade the overall health of Canadian children, including their own children. Only 9% of those surveyed reported that their own child was overweight even though Statistics Canada findings show that 26% of children under the age of 18 are overweight or obese.
Why are some parents in such a state of denial?
Let’s face it -- it’s a hard pill to swallow. What parent wants to admit that their perfect little angel has a weight problem? Besides, the world around them is telling them a very different story. Have you gone clothes shopping lately? Recently, I tried on a pair of size 6 pants that fell down around my ankles. I ended up buying a size 2. There is no way that I’m that small, especially right after having a baby! If you take a teenager who is actually a size 12 but fits into a size 8, therein lies one of the problems. Labels can mislead parents and children alike into a false sense of reality.
On the bright side, the majority of parents surveyed were supportive of proposed initiatives such as mandatory physical education, removing junk food from school vending machines, and getting tax breaks on the purchase of healthy foods. They are all great ideas, but parents have to remember that good health starts at home. Parents themselves need to lead by example by swearing off junk food and exercising regularly. If they don’t, they could be setting their children up for disaster in the form of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, joint problems and a whole host of other problems later in life.
Why are some parents in such a state of denial?
Let’s face it -- it’s a hard pill to swallow. What parent wants to admit that their perfect little angel has a weight problem? Besides, the world around them is telling them a very different story. Have you gone clothes shopping lately? Recently, I tried on a pair of size 6 pants that fell down around my ankles. I ended up buying a size 2. There is no way that I’m that small, especially right after having a baby! If you take a teenager who is actually a size 12 but fits into a size 8, therein lies one of the problems. Labels can mislead parents and children alike into a false sense of reality.
On the bright side, the majority of parents surveyed were supportive of proposed initiatives such as mandatory physical education, removing junk food from school vending machines, and getting tax breaks on the purchase of healthy foods. They are all great ideas, but parents have to remember that good health starts at home. Parents themselves need to lead by example by swearing off junk food and exercising regularly. If they don’t, they could be setting their children up for disaster in the form of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, joint problems and a whole host of other problems later in life.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Friday fun in the sun
For this week's edition of Fun Friday, here are a few pictures from our vacation last week. As you can see, the little guy very much enjoyed his first-ever boat and beach adventures!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
A picture is worth a thousand words
Or perhaps more than a thousand words, in the case of the photos taken at my family’s reunion last week.
It was like herding cats, trying to get 29 of us to line up for a group shot. Ten of the subjects were between the ages of 8 months and 7 years and couldn’t for the life of them understand why us old people were making them stand still for so long. As you can imagine, it was impossible to get everyone to look in the same direction, smile, and say “cheese”. Instead, we have pictures of kids who are either madly trying to escape from their parents clutches, or making eyes at one another or at the water pistols littering the ground. The parents all have desperate “hurry up and take the picture” looks on their faces. Only the grandparents were actually looking where they were supposed to, wearing slightly amused expressions while watching the chaos out of the corners of their eyes.
The “kids only” photo was ever more hilarious. It took several takes, because parents were leaping in and out of the frame like border collies trying to round up sheep. Between the clicks, I was pulling grass out of my little guy’s mouth. In most of the photos, his cousin is patting his head while his mom hollers from the sideline, “Be gentle with the baby.” The little boys appear desperate to run away and play, and the girls, only slightly more composed, can’t wait to join in the game.
These photos tell the real family story.
It was like herding cats, trying to get 29 of us to line up for a group shot. Ten of the subjects were between the ages of 8 months and 7 years and couldn’t for the life of them understand why us old people were making them stand still for so long. As you can imagine, it was impossible to get everyone to look in the same direction, smile, and say “cheese”. Instead, we have pictures of kids who are either madly trying to escape from their parents clutches, or making eyes at one another or at the water pistols littering the ground. The parents all have desperate “hurry up and take the picture” looks on their faces. Only the grandparents were actually looking where they were supposed to, wearing slightly amused expressions while watching the chaos out of the corners of their eyes.
The “kids only” photo was ever more hilarious. It took several takes, because parents were leaping in and out of the frame like border collies trying to round up sheep. Between the clicks, I was pulling grass out of my little guy’s mouth. In most of the photos, his cousin is patting his head while his mom hollers from the sideline, “Be gentle with the baby.” The little boys appear desperate to run away and play, and the girls, only slightly more composed, can’t wait to join in the game.
These photos tell the real family story.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Fab Friday!
It's the long weekend at last, which means we're leaving on vacation. Yay!!! We are going to a big family reunion at the cottage. All of my cousins (lovingly called the Group of Seven) will be attending with their families. It should be a rockin' good time!
This will be my last post until the week of August 14. I hope you all have a great long weekend in the sun.
This will be my last post until the week of August 14. I hope you all have a great long weekend in the sun.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
The cup is half empty
I’m in need of some positive energy right now to counter the whirlwind of negative thoughts in my head, including:
- wanting to throw a rock at the blaring boom box outside my window that the construction workers left on while they buggered off for two hours and counting.
- dreading the looks I’m going to get on the airplane when I get on board with a baby on Saturday. The “you better not be sitting next to me” look.
- please don't wake up four times again tonight because I don’t know how I can make it through another day of this!
- I can't believe that the house is already a disaster and the cleaning lady just left!
- Blueberries were a great hit. Too bad most of them landed on the white outfit that I just pulled out of the dryer.
- Is that another milk puke stain on the couch?
- Another 4 Canadian soldiers dead in Afghanistan. Sigh…
- Will they ever finish the deck so we can use our new BBQ?
- There is something soggy in the vegetable crisper. I think it's a cucumber, but I can't be sure.
- What’s that smell?
Oh good, the workers just came back. They turned off the radio and are leaving. I guess that’s one positive thing.
Please send me some positive thoughts. Or, even better, come babysit so I can get some sleep. Now that’s a positive thought!
- wanting to throw a rock at the blaring boom box outside my window that the construction workers left on while they buggered off for two hours and counting.
- dreading the looks I’m going to get on the airplane when I get on board with a baby on Saturday. The “you better not be sitting next to me” look.
- please don't wake up four times again tonight because I don’t know how I can make it through another day of this!
- I can't believe that the house is already a disaster and the cleaning lady just left!
- Blueberries were a great hit. Too bad most of them landed on the white outfit that I just pulled out of the dryer.
- Is that another milk puke stain on the couch?
- Another 4 Canadian soldiers dead in Afghanistan. Sigh…
- Will they ever finish the deck so we can use our new BBQ?
- There is something soggy in the vegetable crisper. I think it's a cucumber, but I can't be sure.
- What’s that smell?
Oh good, the workers just came back. They turned off the radio and are leaving. I guess that’s one positive thing.
Please send me some positive thoughts. Or, even better, come babysit so I can get some sleep. Now that’s a positive thought!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
No junk mail please!
This blog is only a couple of weeks old and already it’s been targeted by an advertiser (or maybe a scammer – it’s hard to say). In the comment section of one of my articles, I found a comment (anonymous of course) about how I could make $900 a week in easy money. I promptly deleted it. Then, later today, the same comment popped up again in the exact same spot! I have now changed the settings in the comment section to make it harder for spam to get through.
I’ve also started filtering my email. Now, spam lands directly in my deleted folder. Everyday this folder fills up with unsolicited advertisements for erectile dysfunction medications, fad diets, porn... Obviously the people behind these operations haven’t done any market research. From what I can tell, they blanket email every address they can swipe from the worldwide web. Enough already!!!
At least I’ve managed to put a stop to most of the junk mail landing at my doorstep. We now have a sticker that says “No junk mail please.” Even still, from time to time, flyers still manage to make their way into our mailbox. The senders really aren’t doing themselves a favour by disregarding this sign. I can pretty much guarantee that I will NOT support any business that advertises their products or services to me after I’ve plainly asked to be left alone. In fact, I will go out of my way to complain loudly about them to anyone who will listen. The same applies to companies that call me time and time again, even after I’ve repeatedly asked to be removed from their phone list.
I’d love to hear how other people deal with unsolicited advertising. You are invited with open arms to share your comments on this blog (unless of course you are trying to sell me something!!!)
I’ve also started filtering my email. Now, spam lands directly in my deleted folder. Everyday this folder fills up with unsolicited advertisements for erectile dysfunction medications, fad diets, porn... Obviously the people behind these operations haven’t done any market research. From what I can tell, they blanket email every address they can swipe from the worldwide web. Enough already!!!
At least I’ve managed to put a stop to most of the junk mail landing at my doorstep. We now have a sticker that says “No junk mail please.” Even still, from time to time, flyers still manage to make their way into our mailbox. The senders really aren’t doing themselves a favour by disregarding this sign. I can pretty much guarantee that I will NOT support any business that advertises their products or services to me after I’ve plainly asked to be left alone. In fact, I will go out of my way to complain loudly about them to anyone who will listen. The same applies to companies that call me time and time again, even after I’ve repeatedly asked to be removed from their phone list.
I’d love to hear how other people deal with unsolicited advertising. You are invited with open arms to share your comments on this blog (unless of course you are trying to sell me something!!!)
Monday, July 31, 2006
My latest "song" and dance
There are so many rhymes and songs that get passed down from generation to generation, becoming more and more embedded in childhood culture. I had all but forgotten many of them until I became a mother and, now, I hear them being sung all around me at playgroups and at the park. It’s amazing how the words come flooding back after so many years – just naturally rolling off the tongue. I never used to give the lyrics any thought at all. My childhood innocence must be all but lost because now I can't help but analyze the words very closely. While most of them are silly and harmless, there are many that are quite disturbing on one level or another.
Just the other day I started singing the nursery rhyme “It’s raining, it’s pouring” at the water park. It seemed like a natural thing to do. When I got to the part about the old man bonking his head and not being able to get up in the morning I thought to myself, “Wait a minute. This rhyme is really troubling! Why didn’t someone call 9-1-1?”
This occurrence reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a Francophone friend about the song Alouette. It’s a song that I remember very fondly from my own childhood. I remember learning the tune in elementary school in French class (“sans” translation). My friend told me that Alouette had very little appeal in Quebec because it’s so violent and disgusting. I had no idea! Like most of the French songs I sang as a child, I didn’t actually know what the words meant. I just sang along because it was a catchy little tune. If I had known the song was about plucking feathers out of a friendly little bird’s head, I might not have thought it was so wonderful.
And don’t even get me started talking about what’s wrong with “Ladybug Ladybug.” It’s horrific!
Even some of the seemingly innocent nursery rhymes have gory roots. Did you know that the "Jack and Jill" poem is said to have origins in the beheading of King Louis XVI?
The funny thing is, I still really enjoy singing all of these songs for nostalgic reasons. I can analyze them all I want, but they still rattle off my tongue just as easily as they did when I was a kid. I guess that's how they've stood the test of time.
Just the other day I started singing the nursery rhyme “It’s raining, it’s pouring” at the water park. It seemed like a natural thing to do. When I got to the part about the old man bonking his head and not being able to get up in the morning I thought to myself, “Wait a minute. This rhyme is really troubling! Why didn’t someone call 9-1-1?”
This occurrence reminded me of a conversation I had recently with a Francophone friend about the song Alouette. It’s a song that I remember very fondly from my own childhood. I remember learning the tune in elementary school in French class (“sans” translation). My friend told me that Alouette had very little appeal in Quebec because it’s so violent and disgusting. I had no idea! Like most of the French songs I sang as a child, I didn’t actually know what the words meant. I just sang along because it was a catchy little tune. If I had known the song was about plucking feathers out of a friendly little bird’s head, I might not have thought it was so wonderful.
And don’t even get me started talking about what’s wrong with “Ladybug Ladybug.” It’s horrific!
Even some of the seemingly innocent nursery rhymes have gory roots. Did you know that the "Jack and Jill" poem is said to have origins in the beheading of King Louis XVI?
The funny thing is, I still really enjoy singing all of these songs for nostalgic reasons. I can analyze them all I want, but they still rattle off my tongue just as easily as they did when I was a kid. I guess that's how they've stood the test of time.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
News "bite"
Big excitement! The little guy finally cut his first tooth this week. The only problem is that daddy and I are getting no sleep because teething pain is keeping him up at night. Last night was the worst yet. No word of a lie -- he was up (and crying) every hour on the hour!!! The Tempra just wasn't doing the trick. Mommy's milk is the only thing that seems to soothe those sore gums. Sigh...I guess that's one down....how many more to go??? If anyone has any words of encouragement, I'd love to hear them.
That's all today. I'm too tired to write anything more.
That's all today. I'm too tired to write anything more.
Friday, July 28, 2006
It's another fun Friday!
Last weekend on our country adventure we came across this sign, written on the back of a cracker box. We thought it was pretty hilarious, and a little baffling at the same time. If you are having trouble seeing the words, it says:
Einstein and Wolfy
Private Investigators
(We also walk dogs)
For this week’s edition of Fun Friday, me and the little guy have made some of our own signs.
Beeker and Mousy
Pirates of the 7 seas
(We also babysit)
Brainy and Sunshine
Mad scientists
(We also walk ferrets)
Smarty and Hooch
Escape artists
(We also paint portraits)
Charlie and Angel
Superheros
(We also mow lawns)
Magnum and Poochy
Stunt doubles
(We also teach yoga)
If you have any good ones to add, let me know!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Wake up and smell the coffee
Life is pretty good as I sit here drinking a piping hot cup of fair trade Sumatran coffee. I pity those poor souls who drink no-name instant coffee with powdered milk.
I admit it. I’m a HUGE coffee snob. Even when I go camping I bring along the good stuff. I have no problem sleeping in a leaky tent on a bed of pointy rocks, peeing in the bush, and eating beans straight from the can – but it’s back to the city for me if that cup of Jo isn’t waiting for me in the morning.
Here are some things I’ve learned about coffee over the years.
- Life is too short to drink bad coffee.
- Decaf is only good to drink for “medical reasons” (pregnancy, insomnia etc…)
- Just because it says “organic” doesn’t mean it tastes good. I’ve had some organic coffees that taste like compost.
- The same goes for if it says “fair trade”.
- Organic, fair trade coffee that tastes good is worth its weight in gold.
- Stopping for coffee is an expensive habit (which I’ve never completely kicked). But I figure that since I don’t smoke, don’t drink much, don’t buy a lot of clothes I can justify the indulgence.
- If you are on a budget, drink home brew. You’ll be amazed how much money you’ll save.
- Many coffee houses have customer reward programs. I get every tenth bag free!
- Coffee is supposed to be hot, not warm. Most coffee maker machines don’t get the water hot enough. To get the temperature right every time, pour boiling water through a cone filter.
- Dark roasts have less caffeine than lighter roasts (but I think the dark roasts taste better).
- A Barista once told me that storing coffee in the freezer doesn’t actually lock in its freshness. I’ll have to do more research on that one…
- A shot of espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee (my friend taught me that just last week)
- A coffee a day keeps the yawns away. And the kisses too, so carry breath mints.
- Frozen slurpy-like coffees have a gajillion calories in them.
- Coffee tastes better and stays hotter if drunk out of a clay mug. It also feels more decadent.
- You are definitely Canadian if you know what “double, double” means.
- Even people who don’t like coffee appreciate that the beans smell good.
- Even though caffeine is a drug, it’s safe to consume in moderation. If you drink 8 cups or more a day, you probably have a problem.
- Reheated coffee is never as good.
- Coffee withdrawal is really ugly, but nothing that a cup of coffee can’t cure.
- Worldwide, 500 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day (more than half in the morning).
For more interesting coffee trivia, check out this website. This is the official website for a documentary series called Black Coffee that I watched on TVO. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it!
Would you look at the time – I think it’s time for a coffee break! See yah!
I admit it. I’m a HUGE coffee snob. Even when I go camping I bring along the good stuff. I have no problem sleeping in a leaky tent on a bed of pointy rocks, peeing in the bush, and eating beans straight from the can – but it’s back to the city for me if that cup of Jo isn’t waiting for me in the morning.
Here are some things I’ve learned about coffee over the years.
- Life is too short to drink bad coffee.
- Decaf is only good to drink for “medical reasons” (pregnancy, insomnia etc…)
- Just because it says “organic” doesn’t mean it tastes good. I’ve had some organic coffees that taste like compost.
- The same goes for if it says “fair trade”.
- Organic, fair trade coffee that tastes good is worth its weight in gold.
- Stopping for coffee is an expensive habit (which I’ve never completely kicked). But I figure that since I don’t smoke, don’t drink much, don’t buy a lot of clothes I can justify the indulgence.
- If you are on a budget, drink home brew. You’ll be amazed how much money you’ll save.
- Many coffee houses have customer reward programs. I get every tenth bag free!
- Coffee is supposed to be hot, not warm. Most coffee maker machines don’t get the water hot enough. To get the temperature right every time, pour boiling water through a cone filter.
- Dark roasts have less caffeine than lighter roasts (but I think the dark roasts taste better).
- A Barista once told me that storing coffee in the freezer doesn’t actually lock in its freshness. I’ll have to do more research on that one…
- A shot of espresso has less caffeine than regular coffee (my friend taught me that just last week)
- A coffee a day keeps the yawns away. And the kisses too, so carry breath mints.
- Frozen slurpy-like coffees have a gajillion calories in them.
- Coffee tastes better and stays hotter if drunk out of a clay mug. It also feels more decadent.
- You are definitely Canadian if you know what “double, double” means.
- Even people who don’t like coffee appreciate that the beans smell good.
- Even though caffeine is a drug, it’s safe to consume in moderation. If you drink 8 cups or more a day, you probably have a problem.
- Reheated coffee is never as good.
- Coffee withdrawal is really ugly, but nothing that a cup of coffee can’t cure.
- Worldwide, 500 billion cups of coffee are consumed each day (more than half in the morning).
For more interesting coffee trivia, check out this website. This is the official website for a documentary series called Black Coffee that I watched on TVO. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it!
Would you look at the time – I think it’s time for a coffee break! See yah!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
A “puree” of thoughts on baby food
I just finished making the following three batches of baby food: cinnamon infused apples, apricot and nectarine twist, and fabulous fennel puree. They taste pretty good if I do say so myself!
Making baby food is really time consuming, but the reward comes when my son says “mmmm” while gobbling it down. Almost everyday while he naps, I hop into the kitchen and whip up a couple of batches to throw in the freezer. As his appetite increases so does the amount of time I spend peeling, chopping, steaming and pureeing. Needless to say, the baby food aisle at the supermarket is becoming more and more tempting. And, I must admit, I do have a stash of jars in the cupboard for days when we’re on the run.
I'm motivated to keep up the baby chef routine because I've tasted the jarred stuff (it's nothing short of disgusting!). Even the brand name fruits and vegetables are inedible (at least to me. My son seems to like them okay, although he doesn’t say “mmmm” quite as much). And where is the variety? I can find all of the common fruits and veggies, but have never come across a jar of brussel sprouts, cauliflower, zucchini, or papaya.
As payoff for all my labour I'm hoping my son will grow up liking a wide variety of flavours and textures. Given how much my partner and I love gourmet food, it would be tragic if he ended up being one of those kids who pokes at his food with a fork saying, “I don’t like it.” I want him to enjoy going out for Carribean, African, Korean, and Thai food (among others), and to never be afraid to try something creative and new.
So far, so good. He likes everything I put in front of him (yes, even brussel sprouts!). Next week we start with meat and meat alternatives. These dishes, I assure you, will all be homemade. I’m not even willing to entertain the idea of him eating meat from a jar. It just seems so wrong!
Making baby food is really time consuming, but the reward comes when my son says “mmmm” while gobbling it down. Almost everyday while he naps, I hop into the kitchen and whip up a couple of batches to throw in the freezer. As his appetite increases so does the amount of time I spend peeling, chopping, steaming and pureeing. Needless to say, the baby food aisle at the supermarket is becoming more and more tempting. And, I must admit, I do have a stash of jars in the cupboard for days when we’re on the run.
I'm motivated to keep up the baby chef routine because I've tasted the jarred stuff (it's nothing short of disgusting!). Even the brand name fruits and vegetables are inedible (at least to me. My son seems to like them okay, although he doesn’t say “mmmm” quite as much). And where is the variety? I can find all of the common fruits and veggies, but have never come across a jar of brussel sprouts, cauliflower, zucchini, or papaya.
As payoff for all my labour I'm hoping my son will grow up liking a wide variety of flavours and textures. Given how much my partner and I love gourmet food, it would be tragic if he ended up being one of those kids who pokes at his food with a fork saying, “I don’t like it.” I want him to enjoy going out for Carribean, African, Korean, and Thai food (among others), and to never be afraid to try something creative and new.
So far, so good. He likes everything I put in front of him (yes, even brussel sprouts!). Next week we start with meat and meat alternatives. These dishes, I assure you, will all be homemade. I’m not even willing to entertain the idea of him eating meat from a jar. It just seems so wrong!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The poop on pigeons
As we (hubby, baby, friend and I) wandered through a country fair this weekend, we spotted a barn full of small cages, which we assumed contained the "bunny" exhibit. Excited at the prospect of the little guy seeing bunnies for the first time, we made our way over. Only, they weren't bunnies. They were pigeons. Lots and lots of pigeons. My first reaction was "Ick!" I've never been a big fan. In fact, I kicked a pigeon in the arse at Disney World when I was a kid (long story...). So I was surprised to note the sign at the barn's entrance proclaiming that the exhibit was made possible by "pigeon lovers and appreciators".
I always thought that the only people who liked pigeons were crazies. The ones that feed them in the park, making life miserable for pedestrians trying to move past the "heard", madly ducking this way and that trying to dodge feathers and flying poop. By comparison, the people manning this barn full of birds seemed sane enough.
Since the birds were nicely contained in cages, we thought we might as well see what the hype was all about. It didn't exactly rock my world, but some of the pigeons were actually pretty cool. There were ones with fuzzy feet and peacock-like tails, and pretty "dove-like" ones (because doves, I learned, are actually members of the pigeon family).
At the head of the barn, there they were...(I'll pause now to build suspense). The prize winners. The cream of the crop. There were four of them. The Old Cock, Old Hen, Young Hen and Old Cock Junior winners (snicker, snicker. Those were the actual categories!) A couple of them looked just like common street pigeons to me.
Viewing the winners made me wonder a number of things. What characteristics go into a "prize" pigeon? How do you find nice looking pigeons -- are they nabbed off the street? How does one become qualified to judge the pigeon competition? Can a person make good money showing pigeons? How does one take up pigeon collecting? I overheard someone saying that they had 50 pigeons at home. Wow, that's commitment!
I should probably stop with the pigeon bashing right about now. You never know when a pigeon might come in handy one day. What if I got trapped in a well, and the only way I could escape was to tie a message to a homing pigeon's leg so that rescuers could find me? Or, what if I became a magician, and I needed to make doves appear from a hat to wow the audience? Or, what if I was to drop a big piece of sandwich on the ground and couldn't pick it up because I had a bad back, and a pigeon came over and ate the sandwich so that didn't get in trouble for littering? Or, what if I got laid off and the only work I could get was judging the "Old Cock" competition at the county fair? You never know!
After the fair, I did a little pigeon research and feel much more enlightened. I can now appreciate that they aren't just flying rats that drive me nuts at five in the morning with their incessant cooing. Here is a good website I came across in defense of the poor, misunderstood pigeon.…
Now, if you'll excuse me, I must dash. Bert is just about to perform his pigeon dance on Sesame Street :)
I always thought that the only people who liked pigeons were crazies. The ones that feed them in the park, making life miserable for pedestrians trying to move past the "heard", madly ducking this way and that trying to dodge feathers and flying poop. By comparison, the people manning this barn full of birds seemed sane enough.
Since the birds were nicely contained in cages, we thought we might as well see what the hype was all about. It didn't exactly rock my world, but some of the pigeons were actually pretty cool. There were ones with fuzzy feet and peacock-like tails, and pretty "dove-like" ones (because doves, I learned, are actually members of the pigeon family).
At the head of the barn, there they were...(I'll pause now to build suspense). The prize winners. The cream of the crop. There were four of them. The Old Cock, Old Hen, Young Hen and Old Cock Junior winners (snicker, snicker. Those were the actual categories!) A couple of them looked just like common street pigeons to me.
Viewing the winners made me wonder a number of things. What characteristics go into a "prize" pigeon? How do you find nice looking pigeons -- are they nabbed off the street? How does one become qualified to judge the pigeon competition? Can a person make good money showing pigeons? How does one take up pigeon collecting? I overheard someone saying that they had 50 pigeons at home. Wow, that's commitment!
I should probably stop with the pigeon bashing right about now. You never know when a pigeon might come in handy one day. What if I got trapped in a well, and the only way I could escape was to tie a message to a homing pigeon's leg so that rescuers could find me? Or, what if I became a magician, and I needed to make doves appear from a hat to wow the audience? Or, what if I was to drop a big piece of sandwich on the ground and couldn't pick it up because I had a bad back, and a pigeon came over and ate the sandwich so that didn't get in trouble for littering? Or, what if I got laid off and the only work I could get was judging the "Old Cock" competition at the county fair? You never know!
After the fair, I did a little pigeon research and feel much more enlightened. I can now appreciate that they aren't just flying rats that drive me nuts at five in the morning with their incessant cooing. Here is a good website I came across in defense of the poor, misunderstood pigeon.…
Now, if you'll excuse me, I must dash. Bert is just about to perform his pigeon dance on Sesame Street :)
Friday, July 21, 2006
Fun Fridays!
I've decided that on Fridays I'm going to post fun stuff on the blog. Funny little stories, pictures, etc... It doesn't matter what it is as long as it's fun! For my first fun Friday, here are some pics of the little guy.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
If looks could kill
I don't wear make-up. I have no idea how to put my hair up in a girly way. I flat out refuse to iron. In my house, if it's not wrinkle resistant it gets thrown in the give away pile. I'm one of those women you see walking to work in a skirt and running shoes (I know, it's a bad look!) because my dress shoes slow me down. Instead of carrying a funky handbag, I use a knapsack because it doesn't hurt my back and it fits more stuff in it.
I'm sure that some people think I'm lazy, sloppy or both. I prefer to think of myself as practical. Why spend two hours getting ready to leave the house, when I could spend the time catching up some much needed sleep? And think of all the money I'm saving on hair products and cosmetics!
Don't get me wrong. I like to look good and, like most gals, I enjoy having a fashionable (albeit wrinkle-free and comfy) wardrobe. And, incredible but true, I do wear make-up on rare occasions.
My make-up bag is really tiny and contains three items which I sort of know how to operate - a tube of lipstick, mascara, and some blush (all of which I should probably throw out because it expired a decade ago). Don't ask me where it is right now because I have no idea. Usually it lives in my desk drawer so I can "freshen up" before a meeting with a big wig. Of course, I don't get a lot of face time with big wigs, so it mostly sits there and collects dust. When colleagues catch me in the hall wearing lipstick they pull me aside and whisper, "did you have a job interview this morning?" as though there could be no other possible explanation for my glossy lips.
Before weddings and other big special events I get my mother do my make-up for me (she's good!), or I pay someone at a salon to do it for me and get my hair done at the same time. People always gush at how great I look at weddings (which makes me wonder if I they think I look like crap normally).
My fingernails are appalling! I've never been able to kick my childhood nail biting habit. There is no point even trying to wear nail polish, because it would only draw attention to how disgraceful my nails are. Not once in my life have I had a manicure. What's the point? The job would be ruined before I got home.
So why am I telling you all this? Because this morning I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "oh man do I need a haircut." At the same time, I noted the little wrinkles forming around my eyes. And, when I looked in the closet and my face fell even further. None of my clothes fit right since my pregnancy. But then I started thinking about how I could fix things. So here's my solution:
I'm going to get a kick ass haircut that's easy to maintain.
I'm going to work out more often so that my clothes fit better.
I'm going to try for the thousandth time to stop biting my nails (wish me luck!)
And, I'm going to learn to love the wrinkles around my eyes. I'll just refer to them as laugh lines, and be reminded of my happy life.
But just because I had an "ugly" day doesn't mean that I'm going to upgrade to a bigger make-up bag. I have to draw the line somewhere.
I'm sure that some people think I'm lazy, sloppy or both. I prefer to think of myself as practical. Why spend two hours getting ready to leave the house, when I could spend the time catching up some much needed sleep? And think of all the money I'm saving on hair products and cosmetics!
Don't get me wrong. I like to look good and, like most gals, I enjoy having a fashionable (albeit wrinkle-free and comfy) wardrobe. And, incredible but true, I do wear make-up on rare occasions.
My make-up bag is really tiny and contains three items which I sort of know how to operate - a tube of lipstick, mascara, and some blush (all of which I should probably throw out because it expired a decade ago). Don't ask me where it is right now because I have no idea. Usually it lives in my desk drawer so I can "freshen up" before a meeting with a big wig. Of course, I don't get a lot of face time with big wigs, so it mostly sits there and collects dust. When colleagues catch me in the hall wearing lipstick they pull me aside and whisper, "did you have a job interview this morning?" as though there could be no other possible explanation for my glossy lips.
Before weddings and other big special events I get my mother do my make-up for me (she's good!), or I pay someone at a salon to do it for me and get my hair done at the same time. People always gush at how great I look at weddings (which makes me wonder if I they think I look like crap normally).
My fingernails are appalling! I've never been able to kick my childhood nail biting habit. There is no point even trying to wear nail polish, because it would only draw attention to how disgraceful my nails are. Not once in my life have I had a manicure. What's the point? The job would be ruined before I got home.
So why am I telling you all this? Because this morning I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "oh man do I need a haircut." At the same time, I noted the little wrinkles forming around my eyes. And, when I looked in the closet and my face fell even further. None of my clothes fit right since my pregnancy. But then I started thinking about how I could fix things. So here's my solution:
I'm going to get a kick ass haircut that's easy to maintain.
I'm going to work out more often so that my clothes fit better.
I'm going to try for the thousandth time to stop biting my nails (wish me luck!)
And, I'm going to learn to love the wrinkles around my eyes. I'll just refer to them as laugh lines, and be reminded of my happy life.
But just because I had an "ugly" day doesn't mean that I'm going to upgrade to a bigger make-up bag. I have to draw the line somewhere.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Think before you drink!
I don't smoke, I'm a very light drinker, I eat sensibly and exercise regularly -- all in the name of good health. And now I find out that my bottled water (which I drink instead of pop) could be leaching toxic chemicals into my body. Great, just great! This was the topic they were discussing on CBC Radio the other day (Friday, July 14) as I was filling up my son's plastic sippy cup with water. Could I be poisoning my baby and not even know it? According to Dr. Fred vom Saal, a researcher from the University of Missouri, I very well could be.
It turns out that many plastics that we use everyday -including containers we eat and drink out of- leach a polycarbonate resin called Bisphenol A, or BPA. When interviewed on the subject, Dr. vom Saal pointed out a number of risks that BPA pose, including low sperm count, miscarriages, and irreversible damage to an infant's developing organs.
Horrified by what I was hearing, I began scanning the room for things made out of plastic. Toys, reusable containers, sippy cups, plastic bags and bottles --there was plastic all around me! According to the CBC reporter who presented the story, BPA's are found in many of these common household items.
So, how do you know which plastics are dangerous and which ones are safe? I guess I wasn't the only listener with this question. The story generated so many inquiries, that they provided some follow-up information earlier this week. Here are some tips the CBC provided on identifying the potentially dangerous ones:
Be wary of hard, transparent plastic. The worst BPA culprits are plastics labeled with a number 1, 3 or 7.
Plastic that is opaque is generally safe. Also, if it has a number 2, 4 or 5 on it it's probably okay.
I was disturbed to find that many of the plastic items in my house didn't have numbers on them (including the sippy cup). The only way I'll know for sure is to contact the manufacturers directly to find out.
Of course, I'm going to take all of this with a grain of salt. I'm no expert. And, I haven't actually read the hundreds of studies that the reporter said this evidence was based on. If Health Canada isn't yanking plastic products off the shelves, I probably shouldn't quake in my boots every time I drink from a plastic cup.
That being said, if you come across an opaque sippy cup, pick one up for me! I'd rather be safe than sorry.
It turns out that many plastics that we use everyday -including containers we eat and drink out of- leach a polycarbonate resin called Bisphenol A, or BPA. When interviewed on the subject, Dr. vom Saal pointed out a number of risks that BPA pose, including low sperm count, miscarriages, and irreversible damage to an infant's developing organs.
Horrified by what I was hearing, I began scanning the room for things made out of plastic. Toys, reusable containers, sippy cups, plastic bags and bottles --there was plastic all around me! According to the CBC reporter who presented the story, BPA's are found in many of these common household items.
So, how do you know which plastics are dangerous and which ones are safe? I guess I wasn't the only listener with this question. The story generated so many inquiries, that they provided some follow-up information earlier this week. Here are some tips the CBC provided on identifying the potentially dangerous ones:
Be wary of hard, transparent plastic. The worst BPA culprits are plastics labeled with a number 1, 3 or 7.
Plastic that is opaque is generally safe. Also, if it has a number 2, 4 or 5 on it it's probably okay.
I was disturbed to find that many of the plastic items in my house didn't have numbers on them (including the sippy cup). The only way I'll know for sure is to contact the manufacturers directly to find out.
Of course, I'm going to take all of this with a grain of salt. I'm no expert. And, I haven't actually read the hundreds of studies that the reporter said this evidence was based on. If Health Canada isn't yanking plastic products off the shelves, I probably shouldn't quake in my boots every time I drink from a plastic cup.
That being said, if you come across an opaque sippy cup, pick one up for me! I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Downtown living
We are running out of space. With no basement, and a growing collection of baby stuff, our condo walls are quickly shrinking in around us. To find something even slightly bigger in the downtown area is out-of-this-world expensive. It's depressing! But what is even more depressing to me is the thought of moving to "the burbs."
It would be less expensive to buy in suburbia (in a cookie cutter-like home in a "treeless", "characterless" housing development), but we would be paying the price in other ways. Right now I can walk to work in ten minutes. I can go home at lunch. The grocery store, liquor store, mall, parkland, restaurants, and a whole host of other amenities are ALL within a short walk of our door. And most importantly, when my maternity leave ends, I'll be able to pick my baby up earlier from day care (provided I can find child care in our neighborhood. A topic for a future blog...). Every minute I save with my commute means more time spent with my son. You can't put a price tag on that.
Is having more space and a more affordable mortgage worth spending an hour or more each day driving a car or riding the bus? I honestly don't think so.
I was inspired by a conversation I overheard at the park the other day. A woman, very pregnant with her third child, was asked if she was planning to move into a bigger house. "No," she replied definitively. "We're going to make due." She went on to explain that her family loved the central location of their current home, and that the older kids could share a room. A bigger home simply wasn't in the family's budget. It made me think that maybe we could make due too, at least for a little while. If we just get a little creative with the space we have, it may just work.
It would be less expensive to buy in suburbia (in a cookie cutter-like home in a "treeless", "characterless" housing development), but we would be paying the price in other ways. Right now I can walk to work in ten minutes. I can go home at lunch. The grocery store, liquor store, mall, parkland, restaurants, and a whole host of other amenities are ALL within a short walk of our door. And most importantly, when my maternity leave ends, I'll be able to pick my baby up earlier from day care (provided I can find child care in our neighborhood. A topic for a future blog...). Every minute I save with my commute means more time spent with my son. You can't put a price tag on that.
Is having more space and a more affordable mortgage worth spending an hour or more each day driving a car or riding the bus? I honestly don't think so.
I was inspired by a conversation I overheard at the park the other day. A woman, very pregnant with her third child, was asked if she was planning to move into a bigger house. "No," she replied definitively. "We're going to make due." She went on to explain that her family loved the central location of their current home, and that the older kids could share a room. A bigger home simply wasn't in the family's budget. It made me think that maybe we could make due too, at least for a little while. If we just get a little creative with the space we have, it may just work.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Welcome to my blog!
Today is the first day of the rest of my blog. I've always wanted to join the blogosphere, but always thought it was too complicated. If I knew how simple it actually was, I would have started one months ago!
So, why start a blog?
1. I love to write. A blog is a perfect "outlet" for me to write whatever I want, whenever I want. This is why I've appropriately called my blog "all in one." It's your one stop shop for mindless babble, mind-numbing commentary on current events, creative literature, bitching etc...
2. To share news with family and friends. I'm hoping you'll check back often to read about my latest adventures (of the baby kind).
3. A writer needs discipline. Sadly, I have none. I need to write every day in order to keep both the pencil and mind sharp. My greatest downfall as a writer is that I start writing projects and never finish them. You should see my collection of unfinished stories! I'm full of ideas that go nowhere....sigh. The beautiful thing about a blog is that I can write as much or as little as I want, and I'll see the results of my work. Hitting the "publish post" button will give me instant gratification that I've accomplished something, even if it's a stupid story about the funny thing that happened today at Loblaws. Who cares! It's the act of producing and publishing something that is important.
4. I need an audience. An audience can provide the feedback I need to use as fodder for future posts. So, send me your commentary!
There you have it. The reason for my blog's being.
Thanks for dropping by. I hope you'll check back often!
The Jan-Jan
Today is the first day of the rest of my blog. I've always wanted to join the blogosphere, but always thought it was too complicated. If I knew how simple it actually was, I would have started one months ago!
So, why start a blog?
1. I love to write. A blog is a perfect "outlet" for me to write whatever I want, whenever I want. This is why I've appropriately called my blog "all in one." It's your one stop shop for mindless babble, mind-numbing commentary on current events, creative literature, bitching etc...
2. To share news with family and friends. I'm hoping you'll check back often to read about my latest adventures (of the baby kind).
3. A writer needs discipline. Sadly, I have none. I need to write every day in order to keep both the pencil and mind sharp. My greatest downfall as a writer is that I start writing projects and never finish them. You should see my collection of unfinished stories! I'm full of ideas that go nowhere....sigh. The beautiful thing about a blog is that I can write as much or as little as I want, and I'll see the results of my work. Hitting the "publish post" button will give me instant gratification that I've accomplished something, even if it's a stupid story about the funny thing that happened today at Loblaws. Who cares! It's the act of producing and publishing something that is important.
4. I need an audience. An audience can provide the feedback I need to use as fodder for future posts. So, send me your commentary!
There you have it. The reason for my blog's being.
Thanks for dropping by. I hope you'll check back often!
The Jan-Jan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)