Bandwagon

I could spend a lot of time criticizing the Olympics. There are a lot of negatives to point out such as:
-Vancouver's Tent City and the homeless
-all that money going to sports that could be better used for Health Care or Education
-politicizing sport
-Own the Podium
-etc. etc. etc.

However, I can't help but be caught up in the excitement of it all. Trevor, Simon and I danced with glee as snowboard Maelle Ricker raced to gold. We've continued to do many happy dances as athletes from all venues met with success and won medals. Our hearts broke a little for those who didn't meet their goals. I still hurt for Patrick Chan and the enormous pressure he felt.

I can't help it. I'm Canadian. My patriotism surpasses my cynicism. I want to embrace the positive energy of the Games. I guess I've bought into the Tim Horton's/Canadian Tire propaganda. I confess, I tear up every time I see the commercial about the little boy and his Dad's first skate. I also get choked when the commercial about the immigrant man meeting is his family with parkas and Tim Horton's coffee comes on. I love where I'm from.

What does this sports related patriotism say about me? I never, ever, follow sports like bobsledding or alpine skiing at any other time. Yet, when those athletes wear that maple leaf to compete in the Olympics, I'm riveted. Yes, I watch curling and hockey outside of the Olympics but, it doesn't mean more to me then it does this week. As I type, I have the Men's Canada vs. USA gold medal game playing on the TV and TREVOR'S NOT EVEN HOME! That means I turned it on and am watching it by my own volition. When else, other then the Olympics, does this occur?

I am Canadian (and a bandwagon jumper) and when those men win our 14th gold medal (and break the record), I will do another little happy dance.
Go Canada Go!

Giveaways - Linky, Linky

I found a cool blog with some great giveaways. Thanks Colleen
Thought I'd mention the coolest diapers at this site. I hope she picks me.
(Wow! Two posts in one day... must be a hockey game on TV - Go Canada!)

Jungle Gym and Apron Strings

Simon's not quite crawling yet. However, his favorite games include moving all over me. I am his jungle gym. When I put him on the floor to wiggle, all he does is wiggle back to me. Motivation to crawl? Only if you can stand the screaming. Not screaming in pain but screaming in separation anxiety. My boy has total confidence to move... as long as it's on me. Part of me is flattered and, the other part of me wants to snip these apron strings just a little. All in good time.

Baby Love

Some days, I feel like my heart is so full of love, it almost breaks. Can it be possible to love a little one so much?
Simon's been learning to sleep at night! :) We've been learning to ignore his cries. Gasp! I know. I'm not a fan of cry-it-out but, the guy's almost 10 months old. I only get up once a night to feed him.
Today, we went swimming. Simon vibrated the whole time he was so excited.
I can hear him chattering away to Trevor as I type. Baby chatter is adorable.
I feel so satisfied with life today. Have I mentioned that I love Saturdays? Hope you have a great weekend.

"I Do It Myself"

Simon's not talking yet but, when I approach his little mouth with a spoon and his food, he gives me a look that says "I do it myself" and then, he takes a swipe at the spoon with both his hands. I've give up. I usually get a few spoonfuls of whatever we're eating mushed up into his mouth and then, we're done. He's moved on to finger foods. This poses some challenge as he has no teeth. He also likes to rip apart food and mush it up in his hands. I'd say 3/4 of it ends up in his mouth and the other 1/4 decorates his high chair, his bib, his face and the floor. This morning, I found toast in his hair.
It's a stage... I know but, IT'S SOOOOO GROSS!!!!! He loves oranges and banana. Orange pulp and mushed banana mixed with toast and baby cookie is YUCKY! In the long run, feeding himself is a great thing. However, I need to invest in an automatic baby/highchair cleaner!

My Valentines

Forget the wine and roses. Forget the candles and chocolates. This is what's running through my mind on today's Day of Love. It's a great little song and a cute little book!
Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Good Day, Sunshine

Last night, Trevor took me out for our Valentine's supper. We decided to pass on our traditional crab meal and take advantage of some baby-sitting to get dressed up and out of the house. It was so good to be just a couple for a few hours. I don't give my main man enough attention. I'd missed him even though he's always around.
It was also pretty fun to get dressed up and do my hair. I've had this brutal cold sore (yes, I am plagued with those) right under my nose. The scab reminds me of a Hitler mustache. It's not so noticeable anymore so, it was nice to feel "pretty" after feeling like an ugly man all week.
Last night, Simon only woke up twice. Once to scream at us for awhile and once just to eat. That's a vast improvement over the past few nights where we've seen every hour of the clock. These past few sleepless nights were a throwback to August and September when we dreaded the night.
This morning, I woke up to a well-rested boy. He played nice all morning and didn't cling like a monkey. It was nice to be able to put him down to do things by myself. My hip enjoyed the break.
It's good to have my Sunshine Boy back. I've missed him!

Normalcy

Poor Simon must be teething. He has no teeth yet but, his bottom gums are swollen and he's an overly sensitive dude lately. He's waking up a little extra at night. (My new mantra has become "Some day, we'll sleep through the night...".)

It feels good to have something "normal" to worry about with Simon. Not that long ago, Trevor and I were going nutty because of Simon's casts or post-op pain. We'd space out the time between Motrin doses and hope our baby would feel better soon. It was hard to commiserate with other parents about post-op pain or cast pain. It's kind of nice to have a misery that all parents understand. Yep, this is my sad attempt at looking for the positive. :) Hopefully, we'll have gums full of bottom teeth to report soon.

Mid-Winter Blahs

I had a brief case of the mid-winter blahs today.
My family is all in Maui... snorkeling (I love peeking at the fishes). My in-laws are sunning it up in Mexico. My brother-in-law is in the desert. His lady friend is heading to Cuba. It's only -7 here but, there aren't any cute fishes to chase.
Trevor took me on a little adventure that cheered me up considerably. We did some dreaming together. I love doing a little dreaming with my main man.
Simon worked hard to cheer me up too. He's got such a personality and when he gets the giggles... :) He's doing a lot more of that lately. He also says "Mom" at just the right times. He knows how to melt my heart.
My sister-in-law came and had the best play date ever. Tonight, we're having some friends in for a games night and tomorrow, we're heading to a kid-friendly Super Bowl party. It's good to be with people.
A good soak in the sun would be the best cure for this "blah" feeling but, I know it's mostly a case of February. 6 more weeks of winter... according to the wee beastie and this winter will be a thing of the past.

Wordless Wednesday

The Cucumber Manifesto

He's not a story teller, he's a speech giver. Most mornings, he stands in front of the window looking out onto the street, raises his little hands and tells it like it is.

Fashion Maven I Am Not

My first realization that I wasn't too savvy in the fashion department occurred in grade 7. I was tall, gangly, bespeckled, well-freckled girl with permed bangs and straight long hair. I spent much of my time with a nose in a book. I loved wearing my Hyper-colour shirt (remember those... great for sweaty pre-adolescents) paired with white tights covered in black stars (this is where my childhood friends Janelle and Amy will gleefully comment that, upon occasion, I would wear purple panties with those white tights... sigh). I had this pert little friend with two older sisters. I would go to visit and they kept wanting to play "makeover" with me. Eventually, I stopped wanting to visit.

When I was 20, I finally gave up my brown unicorn wallet (velcro - tres, tres cool). I've been missing it ever since. Before Simon was born, I went through 10 years of odd purses. The most practical was my bright red Swiss Army purse that I took back-packing around Europe with me. It just didn't match my teacher clothes though. Finally, I thought a diaper bag would solve all my issues. I would just carry a wallet inside. I've been through 3 wallets already (that's what happens when you cram all your cards into cheap, cheap wallets). Also, I don't always carry my diaper bag. I bought a very pretty, expensive (for me), leather Etsy purse. It's adorable! I'd be proud to wear it with any fancy dress or with any teacher clothes in the future. Unfortunately, I don't use it that often. Instead, I've been carrying around a bag that Trevor's aunt crocheted from recycled plastic bags cut into strips... and it's orange and white.

I figure that while I tromp around in my Sorrels with my ridiculously large blue toque and my classic "mom uniform" (read jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt that probably has some Simon cruddies somewhere on it), the orange bag might suit me a little more then my beautiful Etsy purse.

Snow Day

After digging Trevor out of our back alley early in the morning (Simon hung out in his car seat, dressed warmly, by our garage - I'd forgotten what the mystical "outside" does for him), we retreated back into the house. Play date - canceled. Grocery trip - on hold. Nap time - prolonged a little. How to keep an almost 9 month old entertained all day long?????
I sure am thankful to be on mat. leave on a day like today.

Cracking the Husband Code

(This picture is in our much younger, dating days... I think we're pretty cute!)

Trevor and I have been together since the fall of 2003. That's a lot of years of getting to know one another. I couldn't be more pleased in my choice of partner. However, like most wives, there are always a few idiosyncrasies about my dear mate that leave me pondering.
Enter... the Husband Code.
Trevor took a fabulous and insightful personality test at work. He brought an 8 page document which goes over his personality in detail. The document tactfully states his weaknesses as well as his strengths. My favorite page is the one that details communication strategies that work best with Trevor.
We've been together going on 7 years and now, I finally have a document to confirm many of the quirks I've discovered about my man, prove many of the wonderful things I believe about him and advise me on how to deal with him on "sticky" issues. Last night, as I was gleefully reading, I mentioned on how this document will be a great asset to me.
My poor man. I think he may be regretting being so open about his code with me. He's offered a few times to buy me the $60 analysis so that he can have the same info on me.
I don't think I'm going to do it. I believe that a wife should be mysterious to her husband. :)
Here's to the code!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Answer

After another night of driving and screaming, I took Simon to the doctor. He has an ear infection. Hopefully, he'll be on the mend soon. Whew!

Screamo

Simon was a extra fussy yesterday. He'd had a low grade fever the night before. He continually rubs his gums with his fingers. We keep hoping for a tooth.
Last night, we put him to bed and he fell asleep with ease. 45 minutes, he was up and yelling. Trevor comforted him and he went back to sleep... only to get up 45 minutes later yelling. After a dose of Motrin, he spent another hour and a half yelling. We'd lull him back to sleep for seconds only to have him wake up yelling again and again and again.
Finally, we calmed him down with Baby Einstein. He was content. His little eyelids kept fluttering up and down. I thought we had him. We tried putting him back to sleep and he started with the yelling again.
After another half hour of that, Trevor took him out of his sleep sack, put him in his snowsuit, strapped him into the carseat and drove him around town.
Yes, we have become those parents... the bleary-eyed ones who are frantically driving the Ring Road in the middle of the night hoping to lull a little monster to sleep.
He slept for 4 hours, got up and ate and slept for 4 more.
This morning, we're all a little tuckered out.
Still no teeth.

I'm sure that, if you don't have kids, this blog post will serve as birth control.

Someday, Simon will sleep and Trevor and I will tell stories about this time in our lives and laugh... someday.

Domestic Bliss

What started as simply washing up the dishes after supper turned in to a family dance party. Trevor and I danced around our kitchen (with our marvelous Mennonite moves) with Simon. Our little dude gyrated and shook to this song. His smiles and giggles were infectious. Fergus darted and weaved around our feet.
This is bliss... my homemaker's payday. I love my little family!

Play date

In order to beat the cabin fever that happens with major snowfall
and then frigid, Arctic lows, I have had a week of play dates.
It's been AWESOME!
First, Uncle Tim came for a visit.
Then, we hung out with Trevor's super-cool cousin and her baby girl.
Yesterday, a good friend and her baby boy came over to play.
Today, we had lunch with another friend and her baby boy.

2-3 hours of social interaction a day... that's PERFECT for this introvert.
Simon and I... we're play date people.
I plan on more of these dates in weeks to come.
It sure beats wandering WalMart.

The Day Simon Hears Mommy Say a Bad Word

***I think I need to preface this post by stating that last night, Simon was up for 3 hours or which I was up for 2 of them. That, on top of 8 months of sleep deprivation, may be linked to what I am about to share.

My girlfriend and her baby girl were coming for lunch. Simon absolutely needed to be down for his nap at a certain time. I can't always guarantee an easy put-down at home. I can, however, usually guarantee an easy put-down when he's in the car. So, I went for a little drive to the library.
Upon coming out of the library, I accidentally set off my car alarm. I pushed LOCK 3 times to get it stop. Then, I threw my keys on my seat and closed the door so I could put Simon down on his side in his seat. I was also a little distracted by finding my snow brush.
I locked us out of the car. I don't usually swear. Occasionally, a choice word will leave my lips when it's the punch line of a joke. Also, I'm prone to swearing in German or French but, other then that, I'm a well-censored lady. Today, when I realized that I was standing in the mall parking lot, with my baby, in a snowstorm, locked out of my car with people coming to my house, Simon heard me swear... loudly!
We trudged back to the library where we called all the lock shops in town. Finally, there was one that didn't have a 2 hour wait.
He came and unlocked the nice, silver Mazda 3 that I was standing beside. The alarm went off so, I looked on the driver's seat for the keys and promptly realized I'd had the lock guy break into someone else's car. Eeeek!
My car was one spot over... with a snow brush on top.
He, very nicely as I was on the verge of tears, unlocked my car. The other Mazda's car alarm finally went off. I paid the man. He only charged me for unlocking one car (thankfully).
I slipped and banged my shin while buckling Simon into his seat. I have a nice goose egg for my outing.
Simon went to sleep right away and had an hour and a half nap... it was worth it.

2009 in pictures

January - Our family of 2

February - King Fergus enjoying the last few days of his reign

March - Ready and waiting

April - Welcome Baby Simon

May - a blur of sleep and cuddles

June - Welcome Baby Elizabeth

July - a screamin' good time on Canada Day

August - surgery and lack of sleep

September - cast free

October - "I do it my way!

November - days of Rider pride (before the fall)

December - my sweet sweater baby

It's crazy to think that last year, at this time, there was no Simon in our life - just an adorable bump that woke me up at night with his thumping. 2009 has been a year of incredible blessings, lessons, joy and tears. Parenthood has had the sharpest learning curve I've ever encountered but, my little guy is worth it all.
Thanks to my great husband for another fabulous year.
Here's to 2010 and all that it will bring!

iRobot

I gave into my housewife fantasies and bought a Roomba. No more vacuuming for me. It entertains my Schmoo and sends my cat into conniptions (unlike the above acrobat, Fergus is honing his chase, hunt, hiss and hit moves). I named him Shy Ronnie after a bizarre SNL sketch that reminded me of a few students I've taught.
Sometimes, as Shy Ronnie zooms around my living room, I wonder, "has it come to this? Am I at the age where a vacuum makes me smile?" Then I remember... Shy Ronnie is a ROBOT! How cool is that?

So this is Christmas...

Merry Christmas!

Enjoy the snow.
Eat lots.
Give with abundance.
Receive with grace.
Smile for the cameras.
Dance with the children.
Celebrate Christ.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

No more Baby Goo

I started feeding Simon baby cereal in the beginning of October. It started okay but then, it led to a battle. He hated his cereal. He hated his purees. I thought I'd never get him to eat.
This past month, I gave up Baby Goo. I bought a food mill and a baby feed bag (a mesh sack that you can insert all sorts of yummy things into that babies can chew and not choke). Simon eats what we eat... modified. He's happier, I'm happier and we're not fighting. Currently, Simon LOVES banana, whole wheat bread, stew, rice and Grandma Tilly's lentil soup. I'm trying to be discerning with what I give his little tummy. I think he appreciates the variety.
Hmmm.... just another way that Simon operates that's just not "by the book". He's definitely an opinionated little fellow for someone who can't talk.

Yum - part 2

Just in case you weren't jealous of the cookies I made with my in-laws,
here's some snaps of the cookies I made with my
mom and my sister-in-law.
Yes, I went a little overboard this year.
My husband's thrilled.
Feel free to stop by for a cookie... our freezer's full!

Footloose

Praise God!
Simon had another maintenance check on his feet today.
Dr. F. declared his feet "perfect".
We don't have to see him until the summer.
Simon will be able to walk into the casting clinic by then.

I sat in the waiting room with a mom who's baby is in the middle of
the casting process. My heart
went out to her.
It's such a sucky process but, the
results are priceless.
I love my boy's little tootsies.
I love playing piggies with them,
kissing them and
tickling them until he squeals.
I'm so thankful we live in this time and place.
I'm so thankful for such a good health care system.
Simon and I are happy dancing today.

YUM

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is baking with my in-laws. This year, we were super-organized and, even with Simon, were done in record time. Now, my freezer is filled with yummy treats to last until the New Year.

New friends

My friend, Nancy, and I are both on mat. leave. Our babies are 6 weeks apart. While still pregnant, we'd talked about wanting use our time to do something we couldn't normally do while working. We came up with the idea of starting a Mom's group for immigrant women. With the help of the Open Door Society, we have finally met our ladies.
They are a group who are Nepalese living in Bhutan. About 20 years ago, the Bhutanese government did an "ethnic cleanse" of all people of Nepalese origin and sent these people back to Nepal. The Nepalese government did not want them. Therefore, all of these refugees have been placed in camps along the Nepal/Bhutan border (the above picture is of a Bhutanese refugee camp). Finally, after living close to 20 years in these refugee camps, our new friends were able to immigrate to Canada. Now, they are here and trying to make sense of our Canadian culture.
Nancy and I want to meet with these ladies (and their very curious and enthusiastic husbands) once a week to talk about shopping in Canada, cooking, women's health issues, child-rearing customs, etc. More then that, we are looking to make new friends and help these very brave ladies feel at home in their new country.
Today, was our first meeting. They LOVED Simon and Nancy's girls. Our host made us fabulous (real) chai tea. They politely ate our brownies. We were told stories about being forced to leave home late at night with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
I know that we are going to be their "teachers" but, I have so much to learn.
Needless to say, I'm VERY excited about my new friends! :)