We all know the show. Bill Cosby (or in earlier times, Art Linkletter) would ask a little kid questions in hopes of getting a cute and/or funny response from them, after which the canned laugh-track would come on and everyone at home watching would laugh along.
Pretty much, we LIVE that show...everyday.
Miss M is a chatterbox. In fact, those that don't know her (i.e. grocery cashiers, store salespeople, restaurant waitstaff, the guy at the car dealership, etc.) always ask how old she is and are shocked when I tell them she is two.
Stranger: "Really?"
Me: "Really" (Actually she is 4, but I like to tell people she is only two...come on!)
Stranger: "Wow! She speaks so well and she must be quite tall is she?" (as they take in my 5'2"-ish frame)
Me: "Yeah she's a chatty one! And yes, she is quite tall...she doesn't get it from me" (in case you were wondering)
Miss M: "Mommy? Where's my daddy? Milking the cows?"
Me: "Yes, daddy's milking the cows."
Stranger: "Wow! She speaks so clearly! And she's only two?"
Me: "Haha yes, she is a chatterbox and yes, she's only two." (Really? Would you like to see her birth certificate?)
This conversation is pretty typical when we're out with Miss M. And I have to say, as much as it can be annoying to have people seem skeptical about the answer I give them regarding her age, I can't help but be pretty proud at her apparent intelligence! I mean really, how many two-year-olds can use the word "ridiculous" correctly in a sentence...no word of a lie. Honest.
We do however, try not to get to pumped up over how brilliant she is as we are very aware that the majority of her "big kid" vocabulary is stuff she hears and repeats...very parrot-esque really. Like calling her daddy by his first-name when she wants his attention..."Carm! Drink of water please?"
Her actions are also often a reflection of what she sees...like giving her stuffed cow a kick in the butt and telling it to "Come on cow! Get up!"...hmm apparently she has been spending a little too much time in the barn with daddy and uncle CK...
The best though is the stuff that she clearly hears places other than home and then out of the blue she just spouts it out...
Miss M: "Mommy?"
Me: "Yes, Maddie?"
Miss M: "I have a penis!"
Me: "Pardon...what did you say?" {Eyes bugging out of my head, choking on my water and trying not to laugh at the same time}
Miss M: "Maddie has a penis!" (Nope! I wasn't hearing things!)
Me: "Well, no...you don't. You are a girl and girls do not have penises."
End of discussion.
What the heck do you say to that? What two-year-old says that?? And where did she hear it??
So Carm came home a little later and I asked him if he had heard M's new word. He hadn't, so I asked her to tell daddy her new word...
Miss M: "I have a penis!"
(Carm's turn to choke and bug his eyes out)
Carm: "What did you just say?"
Miss M: "Maddie has a penis!"
Carm: "Maddie! No you do not! And don't say that word! It's bad!"
Me: "Well no, technically it's not a bad word...I'm more concerned that it's incorrect..."
Carm: "Well we can't have her running around saying she has a vagina!"
Me: "Well at least it would be correct...but I see your point..."
So we repeated that girls do not have penises and left it at that...so far we haven't had a repeat performance thankfully...
We have NO CLUE where on earth she learned that one...she has never asked about C and the one time she asked about our nephew, my sis-in-law told her it was a wiener. So it's a mystery...if anyone knows and would care to enlighten me, tat would be super!
Good lord, imagine trying to explain the birds and the bees to a two-year-old...I don't anticipate having any trouble with "the talk", but let's hope it doesn't have to happen for several years...like ten would be good!
But seriously, our kitchen could have been a scene out of Kindergarten Cop or something! "My mom says that my dad is a real sex machine!" Bahaha I should watch that movie again sometime...
Anywho, in other news, how about them gardens? Anyone who knows our place knows there is a ridiculous amount of flowerbeds and gardens...really, there are too many, and then a few more! The lady who owned the property originally lived to garden and was very good at it. On the opposite end of the spectrum, anyone who knows me knows that I hate gardening and quite frankly...suck at it!
Over the few years we have been here, we have cut down a little bit and have a bit more lawn, but there are still a lot of flower beds! Since my sister and her fiancé will be holding their wedding here later this summer, it was finally time to really dig in and sort out the jungles.
My original idea of clearing them out and filling them with rocks and shrubs apparently didn't fly...instead the big guns were called in...yep the Horticulture society arrived one rainy morning and toured through the gardens with my father-in-law marking over 45 different species of plants that we should keep...including one that they were pretty pumped about and suggested that we shouldn't let anyone know we have it or it will disappear in the night! Whoops! I guess I shouldn't have said anything....but jokes on any of you planning to raid the gardens...I have no idea what the plant was or where it is, so good luck! Haha
Anyways, so instead of clear cutting, we are tidying up and reshaping what is already there. I really am not a garden person, but even I have to admit that the work has been paying off for sure...it suddenly looks like we have have actual flowerbeds instead of out-of-control jungles threatening to eat anything that gets a little to close!
I shall have to post some photos once we are done.
Master C is doing well as well. He went for his four-month check-up last week and weighed in at a whopping 14lbs 11oz. He is exactly average for his weight, exactly average for his height...but he still has a big head...90th percentile actually! I might be biased, but he is a cute little dude. He is pretty chatty (really? Maddie's sibling? You don't say!) and giggly, and he is already trying to roll over! I am tempted to figure out a way for him NOT to roll over...rolling over leads to crawling and crawling leads to walking...I want him to stay immobile a little longer...Maddie is busy enough! Gah!
Well Maddie is telling me it's time for supper...well actually she wants the strawberries I cut up for dessert, but nonetheless, I should roll!
Until next time my lovelies!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Got Milk?
After having my breastfeeding blog post was published by Oh Baby! Magazine, I have had a few inquiries as to how things are going with #2, so I thought I would take a few minutes to update.
So...how are things going with Master C...well...I'm disappointed to report that I was not one of the fortunate mamas whose second time was easier than the first. In fact, this time around was worse....that's right, WAS.
C arrived a couple weeks early and with a fever, so he was sent to the special care nursery for a precautionary round of anti-biotics. For those that don't know, a newborn that gets anti-biotics receives them via IV. Because he was on an IV, he had to hang out in the incubator hooked up to all kinds of monitors for the first 48 hours...this meant we could look but not hold and he wasn't hungry because of the IV.
Since I wanted to nurse him, my midwife had the nurses set me up with the pump (nicely referred to as The Show Pump by Carm) and they syringe fed him a bit until he was ok to come out of his little hut to nurse. This brought about the first hurdle or Boobie Trap, if you will...
Boobie Trap # 1 = Too Small Pump Pflanges
Ummmm ouch!! After two pumping sessions that were rather uncomfortable, I thought I should double check with our midwife that everything was as it should be....turns out it wasn't! Word to the wise ladies...Medela pumps all come with the same size pflanges (24 mm) because apparently this is the size that fits MOST ta-tas...if you're like me and not "typical" you may need a smaller or, in my case, a larger size. My advice to anyone planning to "Power Pump"...get fitted properly. After two 15 minute sessions, I was fortunate to have not done significant damage, but I had a couple pretty decent "hicky-esque" war wounds that were a little tender. Once I had the proper fitting (they had to hunt them down for me since they don't stock many 27 mm since EVERYONE (but me apparently) fits a 24 mm), I was back on track.
So on with the story...when C was two days old, I was excited be able to hold him in the morning and by the afternoon, with the help of the nursery nurse, I was able to nurse him. Now I don't know if it was that I was just SOOO excited and relieved to FINALLY be holding him and cuddling him, but I remember thinking as I nursed him for the first time that this was already WAY better than with Miss M. This guy latched right on and seemed to know what he was doing....nothing hurt...it was great!
Fast Forward Two Days...
Boobie Trap #2 = Overfilling Quota (a.k.a. Milk Oversupply!)
That's right...milk...a lot of it....too much of it! Poor little Master C was drowning. The letdown would choke the poor little dude, then he would be full before one side was empty. So, what does this equal? 1 gassy little dude and 1 uncomfortable mama. Not cool...I tried a couple things to calm the supply down which did help a little bit...the most effective was the incredibly attractive "cabbage bra"...Eau de Slaw anyone? Yuck...but it did help.
While he was struggling to keep up with me though, C developed the next issue...
Boobie Trap #3 = Lazy Latch
Because he didn't have to work to get milk (pretty much he just had to open his mouth and swallow), he developed a lazy latch. This coupled with the apparent "high arch" in his mouth led to VERY sore boobs (from the poor latch), a sore jaw (from clenching my teeth), a grumpy baby (from constantly being latched and re-latched trying to correct it + still being drowned) and one VERY grumpy mommy (you don't say!). We saw our midwife and two different lactation consultants trying to get things sorted. Everything we tried would work initially, and then within a day or so regression would occur....stupid "high arch"!! Apparently with a high arch, even when latched on correctly, he could still pull his tongue back (which he did) and snap away...ouchie! There was one saving grace that I discovered that helped more than anything...APNO (All Purpose Nipple Ointment)...Wonderful Stuff! With the help of APNO, I was able to get a couple more weeks in before the next issue...
Boobie Trap #4 = Thrush
Yep! With Miss M it was mastitis and this time around Thrush...are you freaking kidding me?! SOOOOOO not cool....and again, ouchie! C's lips and my ta-tas were a lovely shade of purple for about a week to clear up that. Ugh!
So after 7 weeks (yeah all of this happened in 7 weeks), I made the decision that I couldn't for my sanity carry on as I was. Since I was determined to make sure C got breastmilk exclusively for as long as possible, I got myself a big double electric pump and set to work as a Power Pumper...
Boobie Trap #5 = Milking yourself multiple times a day SUCKS!
I can now officially TOTALLY relate to the cows in the barn. I started out pumping as often as he ate...but since I had a fantastic supply (this cow would NOT have been culled from the herd!) I was able to cut down to 4x/day and still pump well over 40oz a day. That got old quickly as well, so I then cut down to 3x/day....still pumping close to 40 oz. Last week, I cut back to 2x/day and was still able to keep ahead for a few days, but the supply started to slow down...so I had two options...bring it back up, or let it taper off. With a solid freezer stash as a motivating factor, I decided I was DONE. You would think that pumping wouldn't be that bad, and at first it wasn't...it was better than enduring pain all the time! But after two months of literally milking myself several times a day...I was done. I AM done.
I have been dealing with some mommy guilt...I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad. Sad that I had another crappy nursing experience. Sad that I felt "done" after only a month and a half of nursing and 2 months of exclusively pumping. I really wanted it to work this time around... I was able to reach my goal of 6 months with M, so I sort of felt like I was letting C down by not making it as long with him. But, on the other hand, I LOVE snuggling with him while I give him his bottle (we are SO much happier than when we were nursing) and I was fortunate enough to be able to freeze so much extra while I was pumping that I am still able to give him some breastmilk everyday for quite awhile, so I am slowly becoming ok with the decision.
So that's the scoop...Do I wish it had turned out differently and that I was still nursing him exclusively? Sure. But it didn't work out for me. So I did what I could (lactation consultants, power pumping, etc) to ensure that C got as much of the good stuff as possible and I am proud of how long I did stick it out. For those who have never pumped exclusively....it's a lot of work....not to mention a constant reminder that you aren't nursing him the way you would like....so I found it to be a little draining, literally and figuratively. Some may say round #2 was an epic fail. I say it was a pass...a solid E for Effort! I am a much happier mama with one very happy and healthy little dude that's growing like a weed.
On a lighter note and on the topic of guilt....one thing I do NOT feel guilty about is bribery...when it comes to potty training that is!! We are currently in the process of potty training Miss M and we reward her with Smarties. Well, for two days now I have been a Smartie Vending Machine!!! Woot!! Go Maddie! With any luck we will soon have only one kid in diapers!
Until next time my lovelies!
So...how are things going with Master C...well...I'm disappointed to report that I was not one of the fortunate mamas whose second time was easier than the first. In fact, this time around was worse....that's right, WAS.
C arrived a couple weeks early and with a fever, so he was sent to the special care nursery for a precautionary round of anti-biotics. For those that don't know, a newborn that gets anti-biotics receives them via IV. Because he was on an IV, he had to hang out in the incubator hooked up to all kinds of monitors for the first 48 hours...this meant we could look but not hold and he wasn't hungry because of the IV.
Since I wanted to nurse him, my midwife had the nurses set me up with the pump (nicely referred to as The Show Pump by Carm) and they syringe fed him a bit until he was ok to come out of his little hut to nurse. This brought about the first hurdle or Boobie Trap, if you will...
Boobie Trap # 1 = Too Small Pump Pflanges
Ummmm ouch!! After two pumping sessions that were rather uncomfortable, I thought I should double check with our midwife that everything was as it should be....turns out it wasn't! Word to the wise ladies...Medela pumps all come with the same size pflanges (24 mm) because apparently this is the size that fits MOST ta-tas...if you're like me and not "typical" you may need a smaller or, in my case, a larger size. My advice to anyone planning to "Power Pump"...get fitted properly. After two 15 minute sessions, I was fortunate to have not done significant damage, but I had a couple pretty decent "hicky-esque" war wounds that were a little tender. Once I had the proper fitting (they had to hunt them down for me since they don't stock many 27 mm since EVERYONE (but me apparently) fits a 24 mm), I was back on track.
So on with the story...when C was two days old, I was excited be able to hold him in the morning and by the afternoon, with the help of the nursery nurse, I was able to nurse him. Now I don't know if it was that I was just SOOO excited and relieved to FINALLY be holding him and cuddling him, but I remember thinking as I nursed him for the first time that this was already WAY better than with Miss M. This guy latched right on and seemed to know what he was doing....nothing hurt...it was great!
Fast Forward Two Days...
Boobie Trap #2 = Overfilling Quota (a.k.a. Milk Oversupply!)
That's right...milk...a lot of it....too much of it! Poor little Master C was drowning. The letdown would choke the poor little dude, then he would be full before one side was empty. So, what does this equal? 1 gassy little dude and 1 uncomfortable mama. Not cool...I tried a couple things to calm the supply down which did help a little bit...the most effective was the incredibly attractive "cabbage bra"...Eau de Slaw anyone? Yuck...but it did help.
While he was struggling to keep up with me though, C developed the next issue...
Boobie Trap #3 = Lazy Latch
Because he didn't have to work to get milk (pretty much he just had to open his mouth and swallow), he developed a lazy latch. This coupled with the apparent "high arch" in his mouth led to VERY sore boobs (from the poor latch), a sore jaw (from clenching my teeth), a grumpy baby (from constantly being latched and re-latched trying to correct it + still being drowned) and one VERY grumpy mommy (you don't say!). We saw our midwife and two different lactation consultants trying to get things sorted. Everything we tried would work initially, and then within a day or so regression would occur....stupid "high arch"!! Apparently with a high arch, even when latched on correctly, he could still pull his tongue back (which he did) and snap away...ouchie! There was one saving grace that I discovered that helped more than anything...APNO (All Purpose Nipple Ointment)...Wonderful Stuff! With the help of APNO, I was able to get a couple more weeks in before the next issue...
Boobie Trap #4 = Thrush
Yep! With Miss M it was mastitis and this time around Thrush...are you freaking kidding me?! SOOOOOO not cool....and again, ouchie! C's lips and my ta-tas were a lovely shade of purple for about a week to clear up that. Ugh!
So after 7 weeks (yeah all of this happened in 7 weeks), I made the decision that I couldn't for my sanity carry on as I was. Since I was determined to make sure C got breastmilk exclusively for as long as possible, I got myself a big double electric pump and set to work as a Power Pumper...
Boobie Trap #5 = Milking yourself multiple times a day SUCKS!
I can now officially TOTALLY relate to the cows in the barn. I started out pumping as often as he ate...but since I had a fantastic supply (this cow would NOT have been culled from the herd!) I was able to cut down to 4x/day and still pump well over 40oz a day. That got old quickly as well, so I then cut down to 3x/day....still pumping close to 40 oz. Last week, I cut back to 2x/day and was still able to keep ahead for a few days, but the supply started to slow down...so I had two options...bring it back up, or let it taper off. With a solid freezer stash as a motivating factor, I decided I was DONE. You would think that pumping wouldn't be that bad, and at first it wasn't...it was better than enduring pain all the time! But after two months of literally milking myself several times a day...I was done. I AM done.
I have been dealing with some mommy guilt...I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little sad. Sad that I had another crappy nursing experience. Sad that I felt "done" after only a month and a half of nursing and 2 months of exclusively pumping. I really wanted it to work this time around... I was able to reach my goal of 6 months with M, so I sort of felt like I was letting C down by not making it as long with him. But, on the other hand, I LOVE snuggling with him while I give him his bottle (we are SO much happier than when we were nursing) and I was fortunate enough to be able to freeze so much extra while I was pumping that I am still able to give him some breastmilk everyday for quite awhile, so I am slowly becoming ok with the decision.
So that's the scoop...Do I wish it had turned out differently and that I was still nursing him exclusively? Sure. But it didn't work out for me. So I did what I could (lactation consultants, power pumping, etc) to ensure that C got as much of the good stuff as possible and I am proud of how long I did stick it out. For those who have never pumped exclusively....it's a lot of work....not to mention a constant reminder that you aren't nursing him the way you would like....so I found it to be a little draining, literally and figuratively. Some may say round #2 was an epic fail. I say it was a pass...a solid E for Effort! I am a much happier mama with one very happy and healthy little dude that's growing like a weed.
On a lighter note and on the topic of guilt....one thing I do NOT feel guilty about is bribery...when it comes to potty training that is!! We are currently in the process of potty training Miss M and we reward her with Smarties. Well, for two days now I have been a Smartie Vending Machine!!! Woot!! Go Maddie! With any luck we will soon have only one kid in diapers!
Until next time my lovelies!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Modern Country Mama is BACK!!
Why hello everyone!! It has been way, way, WAY too long since my last post...well over a year to be exact! WHOOPS!! My bad!
It has been a VERY busy year, but I think it's time to resurrect the Tales of this Modern Country Mama!....because believe me....I have lots of tales to tell! Especially now that I am a mama of not one, but TWO little hooligans! I told you it was a busy year!
Yes, I am now a mama of two babies...Callum Duncan (we'll call him Master C from now on) arrived scowling at the world on February 22, 2011 at 6:27pm...a mere 3 MINUTES before his threatened c-section would have taken place....talk about going down to the wire boy! Master C showed up 2 weeks early...for those who don't know, Miss M arrived 2 full weeks past her due date...so with a 4 week difference, you can bet we were terribly surprised (not to mention, not quite ready!) when he decided to make his debut so early! Weighing in at 6lbs 5oz, C took almost 48 hours to decide to show his face and thus was born with a fever, so he spent a couple days in the special care nursery for a round of antibiotics just in case. He hasn't missed a beat since and is a pretty happy and easy-going little dude.
Miss M has adjusted just OK to being a big sister. She adores C, but HATES sharing attention, so it has been pretty challenging at times. She is pretty well-behaved until you have to turn your attention to C for a few minutes....and it is AMAZING what she can do in the few minutes it takes to change C's diaper!!! GAH!!
At two years old now, M can be a bit of a handful...sometimes I get pretty discouraged when she is being especially wild and trying...and it doesn't help when people seem to be constantly telling me (usually without directly saying it) that my kid is a little s***. Sure she is busy. Sure she is a little sassy at times and sure she doesn't always listen. But, she is TWO...and according to everything I have read and everyone I talk to...that's pretty typical. She is well-behaved when we're out, she says please and thank you, she doesn't beat on other kids...That doesn't spell hellion to me, so there! I'm not worried about her, so nobody else should be either.
M is also quite the Chatty Cathy! If she is awake, she is yapping and has developed quite the vocabulary. She is also a bit of a parrot at times...even if she's not a part of a conversation...or even in the same room...we often hear an echo...oops! But some of the best things she says she comes up with all on her own...Some of my favourite Maddie-isms are:
..."it's ridiculous outside mommy!" (that's right...my two-year-old says ridiculous! woot!)
...Me: "Ok Maddie, time to get ready to go" Maddie: "Ummmmm...Later please."
...Carm: "Maddie can you help pick up your toys?" Maddie: "Ummmmmmmmm...no, please."
..."I want to go see regular grammie" (as opposed to great-grammie!)
...Me: "Maddie what is that?" (pointing to a hot-air balloon) Maddie: "Balloon! Daddy will get it for Maddie?" Me: "Oh I don't think so...daddy isn't tall enough" Maddie: "No. Daddy will get it."
..."Maddie will wear a boobie diaper?" Me: "Pardon me...what?" Maddie (holding up one of my bras): "Maddie will wear the boobie diaper?"
I died laughing at the last one...seriously? Boobie diaper??? Where she came up with that, I have NO idea! Carm claims he has never said that...
So life is good here in the country. C is an easy-going little snuggler, M is a busy girl, but freaking hilarious and I am loving life as a mommy of two....now we just have to work on being on time for things...being a pack mule for two sure does slow things down...
Since life is super busy with two little ones, I have found that I have to make a point of setting aside some mommy-time so I don't go nutty. SOOOOO...I have signed myself up for a bootcamp to get my butt back in shape...14+ inches lost in just 6 weeks so far! Woot! Obviously it is fitness oriented, but a portion of the program is also focused on nutrition, lifestyle and goal-setting. So I have made a commitment to do a lot more "from-scratch" cooking, I'm trying to watch less than 2 hours of tv per day and I have set a goal to write at least one blog post per week.
Yesterday I made a trip to the farmer's market, did some freezing of veggies and meat, roasted a chicken and made homemade chicken stock before making a homemade potato salad and roasted asparagus to go with our turkey sausages for dinner (great domesticity!)...since I was cooking, there was no time for tv (excellent!)...and I started this post last night...so not a bad first day!
I do have to give a plug for the boot camp....it's called The Buff Mom and it is run by Leslie Gordon-Christie, CTV Southwestern Ontario's Health and Lifestyle guru. It is fantastic and I HIGHLY recommend it! (Shout out to Alicia Horne who introduced me to it!) Email me if you want more information!
And lastly, since I will be doing a lot more actual cooking, I have decided to add a Good Eats page to my blog....that way I can share any of my keepers with all of you!
I think that's a solid enough post for the first one back, so I had better wrap it up and work out or something!
Until next time my lovelies...and I PROMISE to post again before next year!
**The other motivating factor for resurrecting the blog? Blog traffic could potentially increase do to THIS Woohoo! (some of you may remember the original!)**
It has been a VERY busy year, but I think it's time to resurrect the Tales of this Modern Country Mama!....because believe me....I have lots of tales to tell! Especially now that I am a mama of not one, but TWO little hooligans! I told you it was a busy year!
Yes, I am now a mama of two babies...Callum Duncan (we'll call him Master C from now on) arrived scowling at the world on February 22, 2011 at 6:27pm...a mere 3 MINUTES before his threatened c-section would have taken place....talk about going down to the wire boy! Master C showed up 2 weeks early...for those who don't know, Miss M arrived 2 full weeks past her due date...so with a 4 week difference, you can bet we were terribly surprised (not to mention, not quite ready!) when he decided to make his debut so early! Weighing in at 6lbs 5oz, C took almost 48 hours to decide to show his face and thus was born with a fever, so he spent a couple days in the special care nursery for a round of antibiotics just in case. He hasn't missed a beat since and is a pretty happy and easy-going little dude.
Miss M has adjusted just OK to being a big sister. She adores C, but HATES sharing attention, so it has been pretty challenging at times. She is pretty well-behaved until you have to turn your attention to C for a few minutes....and it is AMAZING what she can do in the few minutes it takes to change C's diaper!!! GAH!!
At two years old now, M can be a bit of a handful...sometimes I get pretty discouraged when she is being especially wild and trying...and it doesn't help when people seem to be constantly telling me (usually without directly saying it) that my kid is a little s***. Sure she is busy. Sure she is a little sassy at times and sure she doesn't always listen. But, she is TWO...and according to everything I have read and everyone I talk to...that's pretty typical. She is well-behaved when we're out, she says please and thank you, she doesn't beat on other kids...That doesn't spell hellion to me, so there! I'm not worried about her, so nobody else should be either.
M is also quite the Chatty Cathy! If she is awake, she is yapping and has developed quite the vocabulary. She is also a bit of a parrot at times...even if she's not a part of a conversation...or even in the same room...we often hear an echo...oops! But some of the best things she says she comes up with all on her own...Some of my favourite Maddie-isms are:
..."it's ridiculous outside mommy!" (that's right...my two-year-old says ridiculous! woot!)
...Me: "Ok Maddie, time to get ready to go" Maddie: "Ummmmm...Later please."
...Carm: "Maddie can you help pick up your toys?" Maddie: "Ummmmmmmmm...no, please."
..."I want to go see regular grammie" (as opposed to great-grammie!)
...Me: "Maddie what is that?" (pointing to a hot-air balloon) Maddie: "Balloon! Daddy will get it for Maddie?" Me: "Oh I don't think so...daddy isn't tall enough" Maddie: "No. Daddy will get it."
..."Maddie will wear a boobie diaper?" Me: "Pardon me...what?" Maddie (holding up one of my bras): "Maddie will wear the boobie diaper?"
I died laughing at the last one...seriously? Boobie diaper??? Where she came up with that, I have NO idea! Carm claims he has never said that...
So life is good here in the country. C is an easy-going little snuggler, M is a busy girl, but freaking hilarious and I am loving life as a mommy of two....now we just have to work on being on time for things...being a pack mule for two sure does slow things down...
Since life is super busy with two little ones, I have found that I have to make a point of setting aside some mommy-time so I don't go nutty. SOOOOO...I have signed myself up for a bootcamp to get my butt back in shape...14+ inches lost in just 6 weeks so far! Woot! Obviously it is fitness oriented, but a portion of the program is also focused on nutrition, lifestyle and goal-setting. So I have made a commitment to do a lot more "from-scratch" cooking, I'm trying to watch less than 2 hours of tv per day and I have set a goal to write at least one blog post per week.
Yesterday I made a trip to the farmer's market, did some freezing of veggies and meat, roasted a chicken and made homemade chicken stock before making a homemade potato salad and roasted asparagus to go with our turkey sausages for dinner (great domesticity!)...since I was cooking, there was no time for tv (excellent!)...and I started this post last night...so not a bad first day!
I do have to give a plug for the boot camp....it's called The Buff Mom and it is run by Leslie Gordon-Christie, CTV Southwestern Ontario's Health and Lifestyle guru. It is fantastic and I HIGHLY recommend it! (Shout out to Alicia Horne who introduced me to it!) Email me if you want more information!
And lastly, since I will be doing a lot more actual cooking, I have decided to add a Good Eats page to my blog....that way I can share any of my keepers with all of you!
I think that's a solid enough post for the first one back, so I had better wrap it up and work out or something!
Until next time my lovelies...and I PROMISE to post again before next year!
 |
| Miss M & Master C |
**The other motivating factor for resurrecting the blog? Blog traffic could potentially increase do to THIS Woohoo! (some of you may remember the original!)**
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Golden Moments...
Hello my friends! It has been far, far, FAR too long since my last post....my apologies!! There is no good excuse really, other than we have been busy and after a long day at work, by the time I pick up miss M, get home, get dinner ready, get M ready for bed...the last thing I want to do is look at the computer let alone turn it on and use it!! So, I apologize for my delinquency and now that things are starting to become routine, hopefully I will be able to make time to update this thing more regularily! Here's to hoping...
It's been a little more than a month since my last post...hard to believe that much time has passed that quickly...Crazy!
The single most exciting thing that has occured over the course of the month began on Saturday, January 30....and no, I am NOT referring to the god-awful stomach flu bug that visited our house that weekend...Miss M got up and walked across the livingroom!! Even though I felt as though I had been hit by a truck, I couldn't help but jump up and yell with excitement....which was perhaps a little loud...it scared her and she sat down and cried...OOPS! Anyways, we are so excited that she is wal...err..running now. However, it is kind of one of those bittersweet moments again...you know, like when she cut her first tooth. It is so fun to play with her and watch her run around, but at the same time, it seems like she went from a little baby to a toddler over night...They REALLY aren't kidding when they say that time really flies when you have kids. The more Maddie moves from baby to a little person, I am really beginning to appreciate the importance of enjoying the moments....before she becomes a teenager and decides she hates hanging out with her mama.
I am still really enjoying being back to work. It is a BUSY job, but I like to be busy so it's all good. And, Miss M LOVES daycare! She has never cried, she has made friends easily and she is really excited to see me at the end of the day. So, it makes being away from her easier knowing that she is having a blast! It's kind of funny though...she has NEVER cried when I have let her at daycare. But when I pick her up at night, then that is Maddie and mommy time.....Do NOT leave her with anyone else. It doesn't matter who we have tried to leave her with after being at daycare for the day...she just screams! I feel kind of bad for her grandparents when she does this, but selfishly, I can't help but be a little happy that she doesn't want to hang out with anyone but me after being away for the day! Is that bad?
Now, I am sure that nobody wants to hear anymore about the Olympics, however, since I have been up until 1 am every night for the last 17 days watching pretty much every event there was to watch, I feel as though I am entitled to talk about them for at least a few minutes anyways!
Despite a number of small mishaps to begin the games...there are a lot of negative nellies out there that will only remember that the snow melted and the one of the pillars failed to ascend during the openning ceremonies. HELLO! Vancouver is a temperate climate...even in February...those people who voted for it are in no position to complain about the rain and lack of snow...situated on the water, Vancouver never has much for snow...and so what if the openning ceremonies weren't perfect...I kind of liked that it wasn't perfect. Amongst the lipsynching and lightshows, the mishap proved that there were humans behind the scenes running the show...is that a bad thing?
I know this sounds cliché, but I can honestly say that I have never been more proud to be Canadian than I have been over the past 17 days. Canadians joined forces to support our athletes and handled both victory and defeat with the utmost respect and class. When most people would have given up on athletes "failing to own the podium," Canadians rallied behind the competitors and whether they won a medal or finished dead last, every athlete got the same cheers and encouragement. It makes me a little sad that Miss M will be too little to remember this great event in Canadian sports history. In the end, we may not have finished with the most medals, but the entire nation has pulled together with a new sense of national pride...that coupled with an exceptional number of medals including the record number of GOLD medals, I would say we had a fantastic winter games as hosts, as participants and as a nation. The icing on the cake? How about a gold medal in OUR sport....eh boys?
Just to finish up, I thought I would quickly recap my top five highlights of the games:
1. Alex Bilodeau winning the gold medal...his win was great, but even better was his brother Frederic's reaction! Maybe it is the mommy in me, but the picture of him hugging his brother after his win chokes me up every time.
2. Marianne St Gelais....She is just my favourite Olympian in general. She was SOOO excited to win her silver medal and she was SOO excited for her boyfriend, Charles Hamelin to win his gold. I could watch the video of her cheering for Charles over and over and over again...talk about enthusiasm!!
3. Scott Moir & Tessa Virtue's reaction to hearing they had won...nothing like a bit of a practical joke to ease the tension...Scott told Tessa they were second and did it with a straight face...awesome!! One of the best reactions ever.
4. Joannie Rochette's brave and heartfelt performances....it takes a lot of guts to do what that girl did. She pulled herself together and gave two of the best skates of her life because she knew her late mom would have wanted her to just that. Hats off to her, she is truly an inspiration and totally deserving as the flag bearer in the closing ceremonies.
5. Jon Montgomery's winning walk through Whistler...yes, the one where he infamously chugged the beer right from the pitcher. If this was NOT a Canadian moment, then I don't know what is. Jon is the epitomy of all things Canadian. He is just a laidback, nice country guy who loves his sport and has fun doing it. So what if he chugged a beer when he was done...I am positive that most of the people criticizing his actions have had their share of celebratory drinks....if they haven't, maybe they need to quit raining on other people's parade and get a hobby!
Anyways, sorry for the novel, but with more than a month to catch up on...it was bound to be a LONG one!
As I say in every post, I will do my best not to let so much time pass before my next post!
Until next time...and of course....We're up 2-1....GO CANADA GO!!!
It's been a little more than a month since my last post...hard to believe that much time has passed that quickly...Crazy!
The single most exciting thing that has occured over the course of the month began on Saturday, January 30....and no, I am NOT referring to the god-awful stomach flu bug that visited our house that weekend...Miss M got up and walked across the livingroom!! Even though I felt as though I had been hit by a truck, I couldn't help but jump up and yell with excitement....which was perhaps a little loud...it scared her and she sat down and cried...OOPS! Anyways, we are so excited that she is wal...err..running now. However, it is kind of one of those bittersweet moments again...you know, like when she cut her first tooth. It is so fun to play with her and watch her run around, but at the same time, it seems like she went from a little baby to a toddler over night...They REALLY aren't kidding when they say that time really flies when you have kids. The more Maddie moves from baby to a little person, I am really beginning to appreciate the importance of enjoying the moments....before she becomes a teenager and decides she hates hanging out with her mama.
I am still really enjoying being back to work. It is a BUSY job, but I like to be busy so it's all good. And, Miss M LOVES daycare! She has never cried, she has made friends easily and she is really excited to see me at the end of the day. So, it makes being away from her easier knowing that she is having a blast! It's kind of funny though...she has NEVER cried when I have let her at daycare. But when I pick her up at night, then that is Maddie and mommy time.....Do NOT leave her with anyone else. It doesn't matter who we have tried to leave her with after being at daycare for the day...she just screams! I feel kind of bad for her grandparents when she does this, but selfishly, I can't help but be a little happy that she doesn't want to hang out with anyone but me after being away for the day! Is that bad?
Now, I am sure that nobody wants to hear anymore about the Olympics, however, since I have been up until 1 am every night for the last 17 days watching pretty much every event there was to watch, I feel as though I am entitled to talk about them for at least a few minutes anyways!
Despite a number of small mishaps to begin the games...there are a lot of negative nellies out there that will only remember that the snow melted and the one of the pillars failed to ascend during the openning ceremonies. HELLO! Vancouver is a temperate climate...even in February...those people who voted for it are in no position to complain about the rain and lack of snow...situated on the water, Vancouver never has much for snow...and so what if the openning ceremonies weren't perfect...I kind of liked that it wasn't perfect. Amongst the lipsynching and lightshows, the mishap proved that there were humans behind the scenes running the show...is that a bad thing?
I know this sounds cliché, but I can honestly say that I have never been more proud to be Canadian than I have been over the past 17 days. Canadians joined forces to support our athletes and handled both victory and defeat with the utmost respect and class. When most people would have given up on athletes "failing to own the podium," Canadians rallied behind the competitors and whether they won a medal or finished dead last, every athlete got the same cheers and encouragement. It makes me a little sad that Miss M will be too little to remember this great event in Canadian sports history. In the end, we may not have finished with the most medals, but the entire nation has pulled together with a new sense of national pride...that coupled with an exceptional number of medals including the record number of GOLD medals, I would say we had a fantastic winter games as hosts, as participants and as a nation. The icing on the cake? How about a gold medal in OUR sport....eh boys?
Just to finish up, I thought I would quickly recap my top five highlights of the games:
1. Alex Bilodeau winning the gold medal...his win was great, but even better was his brother Frederic's reaction! Maybe it is the mommy in me, but the picture of him hugging his brother after his win chokes me up every time.
2. Marianne St Gelais....She is just my favourite Olympian in general. She was SOOO excited to win her silver medal and she was SOO excited for her boyfriend, Charles Hamelin to win his gold. I could watch the video of her cheering for Charles over and over and over again...talk about enthusiasm!!
3. Scott Moir & Tessa Virtue's reaction to hearing they had won...nothing like a bit of a practical joke to ease the tension...Scott told Tessa they were second and did it with a straight face...awesome!! One of the best reactions ever.
4. Joannie Rochette's brave and heartfelt performances....it takes a lot of guts to do what that girl did. She pulled herself together and gave two of the best skates of her life because she knew her late mom would have wanted her to just that. Hats off to her, she is truly an inspiration and totally deserving as the flag bearer in the closing ceremonies.
5. Jon Montgomery's winning walk through Whistler...yes, the one where he infamously chugged the beer right from the pitcher. If this was NOT a Canadian moment, then I don't know what is. Jon is the epitomy of all things Canadian. He is just a laidback, nice country guy who loves his sport and has fun doing it. So what if he chugged a beer when he was done...I am positive that most of the people criticizing his actions have had their share of celebratory drinks....if they haven't, maybe they need to quit raining on other people's parade and get a hobby!
Anyways, sorry for the novel, but with more than a month to catch up on...it was bound to be a LONG one!
As I say in every post, I will do my best not to let so much time pass before my next post!
Until next time...and of course....We're up 2-1....GO CANADA GO!!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
No...Non...Nein...Não...
Ten months ago yesterday, Maddie arrived in the world....TEN MONTHS AGO! I cannot believe it has been that long already! Man, time really flies!
Although she is only ten months old, Miss Madelyn has already become quite the little personality. She knows she is cute and is quite the little flirt. She chatters to the old ladies and plays the "oops, I seemed to have dropped my shoe" game with EVERYONE at the grocery store. She picks up guys in the grocery store, at Home Depot and bats her eyes at the construction guys working on our bathroom. She also has decided that when she wants something, she will stop at nothing to get it. At first it was cute watching her pull herself and try to reach something on the counter....there was no way she could actually get it, so it was funny. However, she is getting taller and stronger by the second, so now she can reach things close enough to the edge... or open cupboards and drawers...or dump the recycle bin over...SUPER frustrating! She likes to" help me cook supper." Really, I attempt to make dinner while also chasing her around the kitchen! I have put as much stuff up or out of the room as possible, but she still finds things to get into.
I have been working on trying to get her to understand the word "no." So far...no dice! In fact, when I say no, she usually just looks at me and does whatever she was going to anyways...Grrr! Carm's mom tells her no and she starts to cry. I tell her no and she basically laughs and carries on! At what age do babies actually learn that no means no? I know there are several of you mamas of teenagers who are going to laugh and tell me they never learn it....BUT that's not true. You see (and I am sure nobody can argue with this), the difference is that my 10 month old doesn't understand the word. period. Your teenagers COMPLETELY understand the word, they just choose to ignore the meaning....believe me....that was me not so long ago! Ha! I guess they say payback is a bitch...so maybe my payback is starting early?
Anyways, on a more exciting note, TOMORROW is the day!!! Miss Maddie starts daycare and I am back to work!!! AHHHH! I am a little sad that I will be leaving Maddie tomorrow morning, but at the same time, I am SUPER excited to start! I know that according to most mamas I should be crying and trying to come up with ways to get out of going back to work, but honestly, I am really looking forward to it. I am not at all worried about leaving her with our daycare provider...she will be in excellent hands with her....I am more nervous about my new job than leaving Madelyn....is that bad? Anyways, I am really looking forward to going to work, but I am also looking forward to picking her up and heading home at the end of the day! If anything, I am a little worried she won't want to come home!!!
The biggest challenge about going to work tomorrow is that our shower is still out of commission! So, getting ready tomorrow and Friday morning will be a bit of a challenge, but hopefully by the weekend things will be back to normal and getting back into a good routine will be easier next week! On the topic of the bathroom, be sure to check out my 365-Day photo project to follow the progress of "Bathroom Reno 2009!" (http://jennkyle365.blogspot.com).
Well, breaktime is over...back to prepping for tomorrow! Wish me luck tomorrow and I will check in next week to update you all on my transition from stay-at-home mama to working mama!
Until next time my friends!
Although she is only ten months old, Miss Madelyn has already become quite the little personality. She knows she is cute and is quite the little flirt. She chatters to the old ladies and plays the "oops, I seemed to have dropped my shoe" game with EVERYONE at the grocery store. She picks up guys in the grocery store, at Home Depot and bats her eyes at the construction guys working on our bathroom. She also has decided that when she wants something, she will stop at nothing to get it. At first it was cute watching her pull herself and try to reach something on the counter....there was no way she could actually get it, so it was funny. However, she is getting taller and stronger by the second, so now she can reach things close enough to the edge... or open cupboards and drawers...or dump the recycle bin over...SUPER frustrating! She likes to" help me cook supper." Really, I attempt to make dinner while also chasing her around the kitchen! I have put as much stuff up or out of the room as possible, but she still finds things to get into.
I have been working on trying to get her to understand the word "no." So far...no dice! In fact, when I say no, she usually just looks at me and does whatever she was going to anyways...Grrr! Carm's mom tells her no and she starts to cry. I tell her no and she basically laughs and carries on! At what age do babies actually learn that no means no? I know there are several of you mamas of teenagers who are going to laugh and tell me they never learn it....BUT that's not true. You see (and I am sure nobody can argue with this), the difference is that my 10 month old doesn't understand the word. period. Your teenagers COMPLETELY understand the word, they just choose to ignore the meaning....believe me....that was me not so long ago! Ha! I guess they say payback is a bitch...so maybe my payback is starting early?
Anyways, on a more exciting note, TOMORROW is the day!!! Miss Maddie starts daycare and I am back to work!!! AHHHH! I am a little sad that I will be leaving Maddie tomorrow morning, but at the same time, I am SUPER excited to start! I know that according to most mamas I should be crying and trying to come up with ways to get out of going back to work, but honestly, I am really looking forward to it. I am not at all worried about leaving her with our daycare provider...she will be in excellent hands with her....I am more nervous about my new job than leaving Madelyn....is that bad? Anyways, I am really looking forward to going to work, but I am also looking forward to picking her up and heading home at the end of the day! If anything, I am a little worried she won't want to come home!!!
The biggest challenge about going to work tomorrow is that our shower is still out of commission! So, getting ready tomorrow and Friday morning will be a bit of a challenge, but hopefully by the weekend things will be back to normal and getting back into a good routine will be easier next week! On the topic of the bathroom, be sure to check out my 365-Day photo project to follow the progress of "Bathroom Reno 2009!" (http://jennkyle365.blogspot.com).
Well, breaktime is over...back to prepping for tomorrow! Wish me luck tomorrow and I will check in next week to update you all on my transition from stay-at-home mama to working mama!
Until next time my friends!
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year = New Adventures...
Happy New Year friends! I know it has been awhile, but as per my usual excuse...we've been busy! I love the holidays, I really do, but when it's all over, I can't help but be relieved to get back to the routine!
I cannot believe that it is 2010. I don't know about you, but there are still so many things I often think back to and remember like they happened yesterday...and then I realize just how long ago they really happened...like my exchange to Germany...yeah...I left Canada ten years ago this coming August! CRAZY! I think that means it's about time to head back to my second home for a visit...if only I could convince the "boss"...I'll have to work on that. If anyone happens to run into him, be sure to mention that Germany is a fantastic vacation destination and that he really should take the fam...HA!
So, a lot has happened since my last post before Christmas! Where to start?...
Miss Maddie had her first Christmas!!! It was lots of fun, but I kind of think Carm and I were more excited about it than her! We eagerly tore the paper off her gifts, while she played with the tape and the boxes...she will sit and tear magazines to shreds any other day, but we could NOT get her to tear the wrapping paper...strange child. She got lots of great stuff including (but not limited to) clothes, books, noisy toys, quiet toys, bath toys, sippy cups, Christmas tree ornaments, a new car seat and three new teeth! (She is up to eight teeth now!) She was a very good little girl, got to meet Santa and didn't even try to pull down the tree or the stockings. We're looking forward to next year when she is as excited as we are!
Even more exciting than Christmas...Madelyn is almost walking! I believe the books call it "cruising" when she walks around holding onto things....but whatever it is, it is super cute! She is BUSY though! And into EVERYTHING! I am running out of places to put things up out of her reach! The disadvantage to having a baby that is off the charts for her height! Gah!! Eventhough I can't wait for her to actually take her first steps, I also can't help but feel like time is going far too quickly. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing our brand new baby home from the Hospital....now she is close to walking and almost one year old! Soon she will be heading off to Germany for an exchange...
With a new year, comes not only new adventures for Miss Maddie as she creeps closer and closer to her first birthday...but the adventures of being a WORKING MOMMY are also about to commence. A lot of you reading this are in the loop, but for for those who don't know, I have accepted a new job and am scheduled to start on January 14! I am a little sad to not be heading back to my old job....I loved the job and the people, but I am SOOOO excited about this new opportunity....I get to write....and get paid for it!! (among other new and exciting things!) How great is that?!?!?!?!
So, less than two weeks until the start date! I will be headed back to work about a month earlier than I had originally planned and am beginning to think that something is wrong with me actually...most of the mommies I know are in agony over the thought of going back to work and leaving their babies in the care of someone other than themselves...in all honesty, I am ready. I think it will be hard to leave Maddie at daycare for the first few times, and I know I am going to miss being at home all day with her, but at the same time, I am looking forward to getting back to work and to the new and exciting challenges of a new job. I am grateful that we live in an era where it is not only acceptable, but also looked upon favourably to be both a mommy and a career woman. I love to take care of and play with my baby, I love to cook our meals, clean our house, do our laundry and groceries...I love being a housewife, but there is also a part of me that loves having a career and prides myself on the work I do and the paycheck I bring home at the end of the day. January 14 will be bittersweet for me I think, but I know that we will be leaving Madelyn with one of the best daycare providers in the area and she will be excited to see me at 5:00 when I pick her up to go home, so that is making it a little easier....
Check in with me in two weeks or so and see if I'm doing as well as I think I will be!
A new year also means that it is time to make new resolutions. Now, there is NO WAY I am going to post my full list of resolutions....I don't generally make a habit of publically sharing my failures!...But, I will share one. And, that is to make time at least once a week to keep you all up to date on the life adventures of this modern (and now working!) mama in the country!
Until next time!
I cannot believe that it is 2010. I don't know about you, but there are still so many things I often think back to and remember like they happened yesterday...and then I realize just how long ago they really happened...like my exchange to Germany...yeah...I left Canada ten years ago this coming August! CRAZY! I think that means it's about time to head back to my second home for a visit...if only I could convince the "boss"...I'll have to work on that. If anyone happens to run into him, be sure to mention that Germany is a fantastic vacation destination and that he really should take the fam...HA!
So, a lot has happened since my last post before Christmas! Where to start?...
Miss Maddie had her first Christmas!!! It was lots of fun, but I kind of think Carm and I were more excited about it than her! We eagerly tore the paper off her gifts, while she played with the tape and the boxes...she will sit and tear magazines to shreds any other day, but we could NOT get her to tear the wrapping paper...strange child. She got lots of great stuff including (but not limited to) clothes, books, noisy toys, quiet toys, bath toys, sippy cups, Christmas tree ornaments, a new car seat and three new teeth! (She is up to eight teeth now!) She was a very good little girl, got to meet Santa and didn't even try to pull down the tree or the stockings. We're looking forward to next year when she is as excited as we are!
Even more exciting than Christmas...Madelyn is almost walking! I believe the books call it "cruising" when she walks around holding onto things....but whatever it is, it is super cute! She is BUSY though! And into EVERYTHING! I am running out of places to put things up out of her reach! The disadvantage to having a baby that is off the charts for her height! Gah!! Eventhough I can't wait for her to actually take her first steps, I also can't help but feel like time is going far too quickly. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing our brand new baby home from the Hospital....now she is close to walking and almost one year old! Soon she will be heading off to Germany for an exchange...
With a new year, comes not only new adventures for Miss Maddie as she creeps closer and closer to her first birthday...but the adventures of being a WORKING MOMMY are also about to commence. A lot of you reading this are in the loop, but for for those who don't know, I have accepted a new job and am scheduled to start on January 14! I am a little sad to not be heading back to my old job....I loved the job and the people, but I am SOOOO excited about this new opportunity....I get to write....and get paid for it!! (among other new and exciting things!) How great is that?!?!?!?!
So, less than two weeks until the start date! I will be headed back to work about a month earlier than I had originally planned and am beginning to think that something is wrong with me actually...most of the mommies I know are in agony over the thought of going back to work and leaving their babies in the care of someone other than themselves...in all honesty, I am ready. I think it will be hard to leave Maddie at daycare for the first few times, and I know I am going to miss being at home all day with her, but at the same time, I am looking forward to getting back to work and to the new and exciting challenges of a new job. I am grateful that we live in an era where it is not only acceptable, but also looked upon favourably to be both a mommy and a career woman. I love to take care of and play with my baby, I love to cook our meals, clean our house, do our laundry and groceries...I love being a housewife, but there is also a part of me that loves having a career and prides myself on the work I do and the paycheck I bring home at the end of the day. January 14 will be bittersweet for me I think, but I know that we will be leaving Madelyn with one of the best daycare providers in the area and she will be excited to see me at 5:00 when I pick her up to go home, so that is making it a little easier....
Check in with me in two weeks or so and see if I'm doing as well as I think I will be!
A new year also means that it is time to make new resolutions. Now, there is NO WAY I am going to post my full list of resolutions....I don't generally make a habit of publically sharing my failures!...But, I will share one. And, that is to make time at least once a week to keep you all up to date on the life adventures of this modern (and now working!) mama in the country!
Until next time!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Spirit of the Holidays...
"I hear those sleigh bells ringing...."
Happy Holidays everyone! I know it has been a while since my last post, but I will use my typical excuse....we have been BUSY!!
It's so hard to believe it is Christmas time already! The year has absolutely flown by....they say time flies when you're having fun....they weren't kidding!
And, what a year it has been! It is amazing that this:
Has become this:
In just a few short months....WILD!
With the holiday season upon us, I have been taking some time to reflect on the past year and all of the good things that have come our way.
Amongst the many good things that have occurred, one definitely shines brighter than all of the rest...#1 - Hands down, Miss Madelyn takes the cake on this one!
It has been a whirlwind trying to catch on to the whole parenting thing, but lucky for us, Maddie has made it a lot of fun thus far. I have also been fortunate to have a number of good friends and relatives to offer helpful advice and knowledge along the way.
There is one friend in particular that most people close to me don't know about and she has been a godsend from the time I found out I was pregnant with Miss Maddie...in fact, she was the first one to know about Maddie other than Carman and myself and Maddie still plays with the super cute set of farm animal rattles we received from her long before Miss Maddie made her debut!
I am not one for online communities and forums normally, but when I was planning our wedding I joined theknot.com to take advantage of all the great wedding planning tools, tips and ideas. Little did I know, as soon as our wedding date past, I would automatically be rolled over to the thenest.com...a great site for newlyweds and navigating your first few years as a married couple.
In June of 2008, (when I began to suspect I was pregnant) I stumbled across a new section of thenest.com...thebump.com. The information and planning tools on the bump are awesome and the discussion forums of other new and expecting moms are sometimes helpful, but more often quite entertaining...you think a room full of hormonal girls has drama....try an online community of THOUSANDS of them! Haha.
Anyways, it was on one of these discussion forums that I met "M". We come from different backgrounds...Sunny warm Florida vs. chilly rural Ontario...city girl vs. farm girl..., but somehow we found several things in common (other than babies) and became fast email friends. We have been cheerleaders for each other and sounding boards. We've bounced ideas and questions off each other and shared the "crazy" advice we have been given by various friends and relatives. We even had each other on our text message list for when our little ones arrived. We have been able to share the ups and downs of pregnancy and mommyhood more candidly with each other sometimes than with our closest family and friends, because the beauty of our friendship is that we only know each other. I don't know her family and friends and she doesn't know mine....our secrets are safe!! Muahahahaha
Ironically though, we have sent enough emails and kept up-to-date on each others Facebook pictures and such that I feel like I know her family and friends....Funny how that works.
Anyways, since 'tis the season of giving, I thought I would share this story in hopes to encourage all the mommies-to-be and/or new mommies or even experienced mommies to check out thebump.com. Like I said, sometimes the entertainment value far outweighs the actual useful information, but sometimes a new friend, a good laugh or an encouraging word is all you need during the long, long, LONG days waiting for baby to arrive, or in the wee hours of the morning when baby is up for the 18th time that night. Besides, you never know who you might meet...I never thought I would find a photography loving, city-dwelling, Floridian version of myself...but I did!
In other Christmas news, it is Madelyn's FIRST Christmas this year and we are VERY excited. The shopping is almost done...I have a few more things to get, but I am in good shape and have even got a lot of it wrapped already! Carm got out our Christmas tree today and Maddie and I spent the afternoon decorating the tree and putting out the other Christmas decorations. The house is now looking quite festive! We even found some Christmas carols to listen to while we worked....Maddie's fav was "All I Want For Christmas is Four New Teeth"...
Yep, she is still teething full-force! She already has two on the bottom and one on the top, but she also has 4 more on the verge of popping through....POOR thing!! She has not been a happy little camper this week, so hopefully they come through in the next couple days so she can be a happy girl for Santa's first visit!
Anyways, I feel like I have provided you all with enough of a novel to read, so it's time to call it a day! Enjoy my pretties!
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