The Family of 2011

We're about 2 hours, 12 minutes away from the official year of 2012. I'm home with one baby in bed, a niece on the couch and a husband out with friends. We're not really crazy partiers and since we both have very different friends and ideas of fun, it's not strange that we are not together to ring in the New Year. However, soon enough we'll be snuggled in bed together and I will be thinking of all our blessings, our son, our heath, our loving supporting family who keep a roof over our heads.

2011 saw Colin turn 1! Me return to work. Colin's first holiday, a visit to Nova Scotia. Sometimes it doesn't seem like we've accomplished much, we still don't own our own house or have any money in the bank ( oops ) but we have a happy child, a car that is fully paid off, money in a RESP for Colin's education as well as another college course under my belt. So while we ( I ) could have done better, we've done great! 

So while I don't really have a resolution, I just want to continue moving forward and learning and growing. And being healthy and blessed.

Happy New Year. Welcome 2012!

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas!

I love Christmas. I love our family traditions. It's time for bed so not much to say except to add a shot of our leaning-against-the-wall Christmas tree and warm wishes to you and yours. 

Disclaimer: Thank you God for all that I'm blessed with and my family!

Time Goes By.....

It's December 16th and I am free!

Free from work for two weeks.

Free from my prior learning assessment course towards my ECE diploma. 

And tomorrow is the last day of my weight loss challenge through a local gym and then I'll be free from that except I'm going to pretend I'm not so that I can keep up my work out routines and clean eating habits.

I feel like I need to talk about a lot of things and give a big update but because it's the first night of my vacation, I need to step away from my desk and onto my couch. And be lazy.

I will be back.

Ketchup

And again, it's been a couple weeks. I knew I would get like this, I'm a wonderful procrastinator. I also don't have very much to say as our daily routines become just that, routine.

But today, Colin and I are home sick. Well Colin is sick and I am trying everything to make him feel better, and get better so that I won't miss work again tomorrow. I am lucky in that I still get paid when I miss work (Yay,unions!) but I am definitely discouraged from staying home with my baby when he's sick.

The thing is, he can't go to daycare ill. And any of my family members who don't work have children and don't want him over to get their kids sick. So what is a parent to do? I can't imagine those who don't get sick or special leave through their workplaces or those who have a serious fear about losing their job because they need to stay home.

Anyway, since I am home now and have a bit of time, I thought I should 'ketchup' a bit.

Schools are back in session and the preschools at my work are no exception. I am excited about the children that I get to see this year. Sometimes people ask "How can you leave your children to take care of someone else's?" and it is hard. But I get to go home and love my baby. I appreciate him more and I miss him more. I am reminded at how blessed I am to have such a sweet, happy, wonderful baby who is disguised as a little boy.

I am also starting up school again. To finish my Early Childhood Education certificate courses. I am doing a prior learning assessment so I am hoping to complete the course early and get it over and done with.

Other then those things I don't feel like anything else is new, but because it's fairly routine, maybe there are more exciting things going on that I'm forgetting. Perhaps I will remember later and that will be cause for me to post again :)

Disclaimer: I have also been slacking on the picture taking. Sorry.

Nova Scotia!

Until I was 13 years old, my grandparents lived just up the hill from us. A 3 minute walk. Then they moved back to Nova Scotia, to where they were both born and where my mother and brother were born. In the past 11 years we have made trips there and they have come back here, sometimes for the winters.

This year my Grandad came out here to go ocean fishing with my dad and brother, stayed with my parents for a couple weeks and then Colin and I flew him back to Nova Scotia. Colin and I stayed in Nova Scotia for almost two weeks.

I love Nova Scotia,. I love the smell of the salty air when you leave the airport and the ocean and rocks of Peggy's Cove . I love that when Colin would go outside at my Grandparent's and see the Oak trees he would say WOW.

The weather was better then at home but still had some rainy days. I wish we could have gone to the beach more, taken advantage of the sand, sun and surf. I also wish Chad would have came with us. For a family vacation.

 Warm water, hot sunny day. Happy.

 Let's see what this tastes like.....

At The Big Ex

We did a lot of shopping. I got a lot of fall/winter clothes for Colin since stores like Old Navy and H&M are no where close to where we live (like 7 hours away). We went to the auction with Grandad and the exhibition in Bridgewater with Grandma and Grandad. Auntie Kim took us to the beach and Brittany took us shopping in the city.

I can't wait to go back, when Colin's older and will be excited about the zoos and water parks, beaches and waterfront.

Disclaimer: I want to go as a family next time. And go to PEI

I found my cord!!

Whew, I was about to give in, admit I lost it and go by another. But I finally found my camera cord and so I can do a proper vacation post.

However, it's 10 pm and I'm SO tired. I'm not sure why I'm so tired at the end of the day but I am so I'm bailing on the long post. Here are a couple recent photos though!

Disclaimer: I love my baby! He's growing fast.

Fast Forward

So, it's a Thursday night, yoga has been bailed on, baby boy is in bed and all is quiet. I planned on uploading more photos from our trip to Nova Scotia but I can't find my camera cord.....

So what has been happening for the past two months...

Starting in July I began working in our summer camp. That has been crazy, 7.5 hour days with 15+ children with varying diagnoses and no breaks. Some days I get home and I just want to melt into the couch and not move for hours. Other days I feel accomplished and want to continue to be productive. And some days I have a good cry. Working til after 4 pm and then rushing to pick up Colin from daycare gets me to 4:30 and then I have just enough time for errands before the dinner-bath-bed time routine starts.

July also brought the end of breastfeeding. I could have continued but Colin was too distracted and into breakfast food to do so. He would get down and play and fight me if I tried to get him to latch back on so we stopped cold turkey and never looked back. He hasn't shown the slightest notice of the change. He LOVES oatmeal, blueberries and cereals.

He's growing cognitively in leaps and bounds. He can sign 'more', 'eat', 'finished' and 'milk' although sometimes the context is off. He says 'up', 'gown' (for down), 'uh oh', 'oh wow', 'whoa' and 'puppup' (for puppy). He will lie down when asked for diaper changes and in the bath tub (it's amazing!) and brings things to you when he wants help with a toy etc. With this also came three teeth and some tantrums. But they are short lived and easy to manage at this age :)

Since I want to show our N.S trip with pictures I will wait until I find my cord and get back to you!

Disclaimer: I do love my job!

Where'd you go?

I'm sorry. I've been busy but not run off my feet, so busy that I can't catch my breath busy. Every time I had time to get on and blog, I just put it off. I'm a great procrastinator!

But I will come back. Maybe tomorrow. I have a lot of pictures to upload and a bit to say about work, vacationing and my adorable little boy who is growing so much. So I promise I will be back.

Disclaimer: Us at the beach!

My bad

So....it's been awhile.

I find that I just run out of time. I think of posting and then get doing something else and then I'm too tired. So I do what I do best and put it off, procrastinate for awhile longer.

Since it's already 11:30 pm on this Sunday night, this will be quick. We are doing great, work is good, Colin is growing so much in more ways then the physical aspect and summer is here. Praise the Creator :)

Disclaimer: I'll be back.

I am Mother, hear me roar.

While reading another blogger's recent post I came upon this line "Don't underestimate me ... I'm a mother." and while I'm sure people have heard the saying "mother bear protecting her cub" more then once, I think there are only some mothers that truly feel this (I'm assuming that mother's that purposely abandon and/or abuse their children don't feel this).

While I have not yet been in a situation where I feel like my son's life is in danger, but being that I have froze while sleeping on his bedroom floor, gone into debit for his RESP and got into fights with my husband about how to parent him I know I would have the same feelings regarding someone who was viciously calling down my baby.

Disclaimer: Edited to add this little bit :D

Lacking interesting thoughts

The time has come (the walrus said...) where I have begun to slow down on the posts. Due to tiredness, lack of time, lack of any thing good to say, many different things. But in my mind 35 posts is a pretty good number to have reached before slowing down.

I've been lazy lately. It's also been hot, making my house very hot so that after dinner I don't want to do anything but sit and watch TV. I wish there was a way to bottle up the warm air and keep it til winter (when the house is soo cold).

However today, June 3rd, it snowed. Yup, that's right, snow. In June. It's happened before. So on my lunch break I tided the living room, vacuumed and started on laundry. After work, I got takeout and then did dishes, folded laundry, swept and mopped. Now for me, sweeping and mopping is a huge accomplishment. I hate doing it. I can't even remember the last time I mopped my kitchen floor. I hate it so much I'm not even ashamed to say that I let my son crawl around on a dirt covered floor. It's not even that I have very much lino to wash, it's just.....boring, repetitive movement and too frequent. And don't even get me started on the bathroom.

Disclaimer: I didn't think this post needed pictures ;) and I plan on hiring a maid :)

Weekend Thoughts

So I like having plans for the weekends as it makes me feel like I'm making the most of my time away from work. But at the same time I feel like it makes the time go by more quickly, so that by Sunday night I feel like I'm out of time.

We had a garage sale Friday night and Saturday morning. Didn't sell everything of course but a few things. Will probably donate the rest of the items that are left.

Last night I went out with a friend from work. It was a lot of fun, just to dance and be silly. Got home very early in the morning but managed about four hours sleep.

During the night Colin was sick and throwing up. I am assuming that he is having a reaction to the 3% cow's milk that I switched him to so today we had to go out and get some formula. I hope that he will outgrow this milk sensitivity!

Here are a couple of pictures of Colin climbing on the coffee table!

Disclaimer: I don't let him behave like an animal, he uses his new chair to climb up there!

Relaxing!

Here is Colin in his new chair. It is so cute, I love it :D

Disclaimer: Yes this cutie is mine.

Victoria Day Long Weekend

Well the long weekend is over and back to work we went. Colin returned to daycare where he sobbed when I left. This is something new for him, he usually doesn't notice when I leave.

Colin and I spent time together in the neighbouring town. We went shopping and then had lunch at a 1950's style diner. Colin loved my chocolate milkshake, he drank almost half of it! He was dancing in his high chair to Elvis and smiling at the people around us. We also spent time with my parents as we went to the neighbouring province and did more shopping! I finally got a patio set! I'm so excited :)

Now all I need is a patio....

Disclaimer: I try to have pictures with my posts but I can't promise them.

Ready to grow up?

We don't yet own a home. We live in a house that my father owns, we don't pay rent either. But every once in awhile I browse the house page, checking to see if there are any nice houses for us to buy and make our forever home.

My dad brought up the topic tonight. What are we planning to do with in the future about our house/living arrangement?

If I had my way, we would find a 5 bedroom home that we could afford. That way we would never have to move again and still have enough room for one or two more babies. As well as a big enough yard to keep the dog happy and room for the babies to play and garden to grow. That's not too much to ask is it?

But 5 bedroom houses are over $300,000.00 and we certainly do not have that kind of money, let alone a mortgage payment. Sigh, grown up things are too much.

Disclaimer: One day I'll have my babies around me in a beautiful home.

Sea of Green

A couple days ago I noticed that almost all of our trees have leaves! It was like they uncurled over night and we're in a sea of green around our house. So nice! I hope the snow this weekend doesn't damage any trees.

The grass directly beside my home is calf high. I need to find my weed whacker so I can trim the wilderness out there.

I have some flowers started in planters and am waiting to transplant them into the flower beds. I hope they blossom! That would be great since I've never planted flowers before just bought already blooming ones from a greenhouse.

Well I better keep on my tidying spree and finish cleaning up dinner and pack lunches! Cheers.

Disclaimer: We always get snow on May Long.

Fires

There is a out of control forest fire in Slave Lake, Alberta. I know some people living there, who have been evacuated but the highways are closed so they can't get out. I hope everything turns out ok, people's home are ok and people is safe. Please pray.

Disclaimer: Be safe M.

Hot Weather

If you know anything about the North in B.C you know it's cold. We get snow at all times of the year and winter lasts from October to April. So today, when my car said the temp was +21, I was amazed. It's only May 14th after all. Usually that's summer time weather ha ha. I hope it lasts although I'm fully expecting snow next weekend.

After Colin went to bed last night (at 6:45 pm) I went and laid in my own bed and watched Country Strong.
It was a good movie and I enjoyed just laying there. I didn't clean up the supper dishes, or have to pack lunches for the next day. As tired as I was I didn't fall asleep until after ten but I slept pretty good. I didn't even hear Colin wake up this morning. I got up at 7:35 am, which is sleeping in!

Today was great in that it didn't have much structure. We didn't have to be any where special at a specific time. And that was nice. We did some garage sale-ing. I found a couple things for Colin for only $7.00. Colin and I went to a market and got some numbers to have an Usborne book party and a Epicure party. We also went to the park, with the dog and did some visiting with friends. All in all a fantastic day.

Disclaimer: We don't plant flowers til after May Long.

Short and Sweet

I'm tired.

My body hurts and I feel low. So happy it's the weekend so I can hopefully recover from whatever ails me. Fingers crossed for a sleep in tomorrow and sunshine.

Disclaimer: Don't worry, this pity party won't last!

Cake Smash

Today I took Colin to have birthday pictures taken. I had to postpone it once due to his respitory infection. I bought a bright red cake for the cake smashing and got balloons. Hurried through my morning to get him out to the photographer's by noon. And he bawled the whole time.

Every time I tried to put him down and get out of the way of the camera Colin sobbed. The most pitiful, heartbroken cries. He never cries like that. I don't know what was going on. My suspicion was that he didn't get a proper nap, only 20 minutes in the car. I had told his daycare he was leaving early for pictures but they didn't put him down until 5 minutes before I picked him up.

So after dinner tonight we held our own photo shoot. Since I already had the cake.

After this he crawling into my lap, spreading red icing all over the uncovered part of the floor and me. It took a rinse off and two tubs of water to clean him up. Still wish we would have gotten these pictures at the photographer's. They would have turned out 2x better. But they are still good memories.

Disclaimer: Red icing stains your skin, FWIW.

Ah, the weekend!

Saturday morning. No alarm clock beeping in my ear. Today I got to wake up on my own, get out of bed when I chose to and have a couple of minutes to myself. I woke up about 7:55 am and Colin slept until 8:10 am, so for me, that was sleeping in.

After feeding Colin I tidied up the living room and kitchen. Colin decided to help me unload the dishwasher.

Disclaimer: To be continued...

I call a Time Out.

Sigh.

That is all I can say about today. I feel like I was 'go go go' all day, just getting a break now, even though I have lunches to pack and clothes to fold.

I woke up early because I needed a bit more time to get my kitten to the vet to be spayed. So I was mostly ready by 7am but then got talking about the Election and by the time I managed to get Colin out of bed it was 7:15. While he was breastfeeding, I started to unzip his pajamas and noticed he had a rash. At first I thought it may have been from the t-shirt he was wearing the day before because I didn't wash it before he wore it but then I noticed it was up his neck and on his face. So I took him to the clinic but the wait was too long. I dropped him off at my sister's and sped to work (almost getting pulled over for speeding), 20 minutes late.

My client was absent so after hearing from my sister that she thought Colin's eyes were swelling, I left work and went back to the walk in clinic where thankfully we were in and out in 15 minutes.

Colin was having a allergic reaction to the Amoxicillin that he was on for the respiratory infection. After that I had to get his new medicine and drop him off with my mom before scarfing down my lunch and returning to work.

After work I went grocery shopping, which had me waiting 20 minutes just to get through the checkout. Then I picked up the cat and took my groceries home and put them away. Then had to drive out of town to my parents to pick up my baby. Getting home I had to tidy the house and finish putting away groceries before getting supper ready. Whew, I'm tired just thinking about it again.

Disclaimer: Off to pack those lunches for tomorrow and fold those clothes.

Easter Catch Up

Here are some pictures from Easter Morning. Cheers.

 Oops, a bit blurry.

Colin at the start of the egg trail. He only picked up one.

Just some of his Easter Treats.

Illness Day Two

Well our night was good considering what was going on with Colin. He woke just before 3am and I gave him some Tylenol before settling him back into bed. He went back to sleep quickly and stayed asleep until 6:40am. Since he barely ate the day before I got up and nursed him before giving him his meds and putting him back to bed (he didn't want to stay awake!). He slept until about 8:30am. I brought him into bed with us after this, thinking he would snuggle and watch TV but he fell back to sleep for about 30 minutes in our bed.

Once he got up for the third time, he actually got down on the floor and played with his toys which was nice to see as last night he was feeling so badly he could hardly interact with us, let alone play.  He did have two more naps about 2-3 hours each and was ready for bed at his usual bedtime of 7:30pm. Although there was times during the day where you could tell he was sick he also had a lot of happy grins to share.

A happy note: Colin's new trick is to be on his knees in the bath tub, hands in the air and then fall down on to his hands, splashing himself and me. He crawls up and down the length of the bath tub doing this and laughing. Very funny to watch and I encouraged him in this activity tonight just because it was nice to see him happy.

Disclaimer: I'll be so happy to have my healthy happy boy back.

Rough days lately.

My poor little boy has become so sick, suddenly, even after being seen by three different doctors, three days in a row.

His fever spiked to 103.6 this afternoon so I called the nurses line (8-1-1) and they said to watch for changes in his breathing, try to get him to drink/eat as much as possible etc. About an hour later Colin was breathing fast and his tummy was moving not just his chest/rib cage. So I took him to the ER and he has a respitory infection as well as an eye infection and a fever compliments of the r. infection. He also puked all over himself and me.

By the time we got home it was two hours past his bed time. Colin was so tired and sick he was practically limp and didn't bother moving as I put him on the couch, gave his meds and changed his pjs. I hope he gets some relief tonight and gets enough sleep. He hasn't eaten much so I am kinda expecting him to wake to eat in the night. That said I should get to bed.

Disclaimer: Fingers crossed for a good night.

A day late.

Even though I have good intentions to post daily, some days it's just not going to happen. Wither I'm procrastinating, busy or just plain lazy and wanting me time I am bound to skip days.

Anyway, Colin had his one year checkup yesterday. The doctor was pleased with his progress. He is weighing in at 21 lbs 7 oz and measuring at 28.7 inches tall.  So not yet big enough to turn his car seat around so that he can be forward facing, and not yet tall enough for all the shorts he received for his birthday to fit him but he'll get there.

Yesterday and today Colin has had some goo in his eyes and his daycare wanted him to be checked before returning. I took him to the walk in clinic this morning and was told it was not an infection and that he wasn't contagious. So we'll see what tomorrow brings and if he goes back to daycare and myself back to work.

Disclaimer: At least I still get paid when I have to take time off work to take care of my sick boy.

Fabulous Weekend

Whew, what a weekend. I, for one, had a great couple of days. Colin's birthday was Friday. Saturday we had dinner with Chad's family, yummy turkey. On Sunday I got Colin out of bed and showed him the Easter eggs that I had set out the night before. Colin picked up one and played with it but couldn't care about the rest. We had another turkey supper with my parents and family along with more Easter treats. Today we went to my aunt's for a Easter egg hunt and dinner. Colin managed to pick up four chocolate eggs and put them in his basket before losing interest.

And tomorrow I can sleep in (as long as Colin lets me) as I don't have to work until the afternoon. Colin has his one year check up. I can't wait to see how tall he is and what his weight is. I've been putting him on our scale but as he won't stand on it I can only estimate his weight at 22 lbs. I'll update tomorrow!

Disclaimer: I take no credit for the above picture. Found it on google. Happy Easter!

My Baby Turns One

Last year I was crying to God and any body who would listen to help me as baby was stuck in the birth canal but my body was working overtime to get him out, not knowing it was not happening. This year I went into Colin's bedroom with joy, crying out "Happy birthday baby!"

What a difference a year makes. I knew that a baby was the next step in my life but had such a hard time adjusting to being a parent that I believe I was bordering on Post Par tum Depression. I was ready to give him up and forget about being a mother. Now, on this day, this happy day, I can't imagine what I would be doing if he wasn't here, in our lives.

We spent the morning at home, doing our normal routine. Before heading out Colin got his hair cut and I dressed him in his Birthday Boy shirt that I had made for him.

We had his party at my parent's house as it is bigger then ours and we were expecting around 30 people, mostly family. About 25 people showed up so it was good. Busy but good. I planned everything to be kid friendly, even though Colin obviously wouldn't participate in the crafts etc. We had "Alligator Soup" (homemade chicken noodle with toy gators in it), buns and veggies. Very simple but tasty. I was happy that the soup turned out as I cooked the chickens myself and I am not a good cook. But the highlight was of course the cake.

By the time we had cake Colin was getting a bit tired so he didn't get as into the spirit as I thought. Although he did get icing up to his eyebrows (and I don't have a picture of that, but I'm sure someone else does). After a quick bath I opened his presents as he was not interested in them at all.

Of course he was spoiled by everyone but didn't get too many toys. He's not yet at the stage of actually playing with toys, he's still mouthing and banging things. He received a lot of summer clothes which I am thankful for as he doesn't have any and now probably has enough for the summer :)

At the end of this busy day I am thankful that I have a reason to celebrate. That I have a healthy happy son. He is everything.

Disclaimer: How blessed I am to have had Colin Derek chose me as his mother.

Clipping away at the branches

I've muted the TV so that I can listen to my son gurgle, coo, laugh and chat away in his bed. I laid him down 45 minutes ago, after he was moments away from sleep on my chest. All was quiet after I put him to bed and left the room. All was quiet as I mopped the floor. And all was quiet as I settled down on the couch to watch game shows and House, and to surf the net.

I love that I have someone in my life that makes me sit in silence just to listen to his baby jargon. I love that I have a baby to make me wonder about the small things.

So I still have a lot of branches in my head. Here we go.....

I mopped my kitchen floor tonight. You know your not a good housewife when you feel accomplished over mopping. And it's no wonder that I don't mop more often as 15 minutes after I had finished my husband walked across the floor with his muddy shoes. He had watched me mop.....

Colin is getting another tooth. It's finally at the surface, about to cut through. I knew something was going. He's a bit cranky but more tired. Hoping it cuts soon.

I have ordered a birthday boy shirt for Colin, now just have to get the ingredients for chicken noodle soup, biscuits and ribbon for the goody bags. I will try to get all of this done tomorrow so that I can have a couple days to prepare for the day.

My cousin in law showed up and I lost some of the branches that I was going to write about. We'll see if they come back tomorrow.

Disclaimer: My son was still chatting away 1 hour, 15 minutes after I put him to bed.

My mind is full of branches right now.

The weekend is almost over, I have to go back to work tomorrow and right now I have so many things in my head that I think I want to write about (but may not) that it makes me think of ripples on a lake or a tree branching out. Hopefully I can make all these thoughts flow together nicely.

                                                           Fall leaves on the way to Banff Ab. on our honeymoon.

So I am very happy that Colin is doing great at daycare. So far he has no separation anxiety and is so happy to see me when I pick him up. That makes me smile, when he stretches his arms out to me.

Work is good as well, but it's only been one week and most of my clients haven't been there.

This work will be short, only 4 days because of Good Friday. And also on Good Friday is my baby's first birthday! I am excited, I have gone over board on the games and things for it but I want Colin's older cousins to have fun. I will have so much more to say about this next weekend. Wow, I will have a 1 year old!

This weekend my husband made a comment about my son's mood and my parenting. Let's just say this made me mad, upset and cry just a little. We haven't really spoken since and I think he's realizing that he hurt my feelings.

I also have a new baby cousin (like a second cousin I guess). A little girl. I am happy it's a girl because that means Colin is still the little boy of the family (the other boy is 7 years older). Girls run in our family. I'm also happy that she wasn't born on Colin's birthday! That might not seem like the nicest things to say but I'm honest.

I finally got pictures printed so I put them in a photo album and have a bunch to put into his scrapbook. Hopefully I make some time to scrap, maybe after Colin's birthday.

That I'd add this older picture of me as a goodbye.

Disclaimer: This is me after removing my braids from Cuba.

What's next??

So two days ago our water pump broke. Chad tried to fix it but we had to buy a new one, plus parts to get it properly hooked up. That was about $500. Then today our toilet starts leaking! So Chad went and got more parts to fix that.

Before all this we were planning on changing our monthly RESP deposit to an annual one which is a $2700.00 lump sum. Gulp, we have about half of it on hand....

Because I just returned to work there is a gap between my last EI payment and my pay day from work. So of course all of these costs are popping up. Sigh, have we won the lottery yet?

Disclaimer: I am still thankful for the roof over my heat, clothes on my back and food in my tummy. Amen.

Mail Call!

I received two parcels in the mail today. I love when I get good, interesting mail, not just bills. So one was all of the birthday things I ordered for my baby's first birthday. His party is jungle themed so I found a great Canadian site that has great prices on goody bag items, decorations and toys. I got safari hats, cups, goody bag items.....I can't wait!

Some people think I'm going over bored but it's his first birthday, it will never come again. And I know he won't remember but there will be pictures and I will tell him stories :) Also I have lots of nieces and a nephew, also cousins that will be there and I need games to keep everyone entertained.

Disclaimer: I may be sad on his birthday.

I survived.

The light is beginning to fade as the end of day is coming and I survived my first full day back at work. It was only 5.5 hours of direct work but I was out of the house and away from Colin for seven hours. He went to daycare again, he spent the last week there. So far he hasn't cried when I leave so that is good and makes me feel good also.

I felt good about being back at work. For a couple hours I wasn't just Mommy. I was Lyndsay. I was looked to for help and people asked about me, how I was and how things were going. That was nice. Satisfying.

Hopefully the rest of the week, month, year goes as well and I continue to enjoy being back at work. I hope it's as smooth and easy as today was and I don't have any added stresses on me.

Disclaimer: I'm also looking forward to the money.

The Last Weekend

It's finally here. Over a year has gone by since I left work for my mat leave. I didn't think I would go off a month before my due date but I had so much trouble with my pelvis and hips that I just didn't want to work anymore! Colin was born 3 weeks later.....

Tomorrow I go back to work, actual work. Back in the classroom, back with the kids. I'm not too worried about working but how the different needs and requirements of all the different lives will come together and mesh well so that I don't feel overwhelmed and stressed. I don't want to hate my job. I want to feel like it's a good part of my life that is adding to it, not taking away.

I am also in the process of becoming a La Leche League Canada Leader. If I become one then I will be responsible for organizing meetings, spreading the word about the group, giving info about breastfeeding etc. It is something that's needed in the community, I just hope I'm not getting in over my head!

I should have been on the ball and registered for more school courses for my ECE. But I got busy, lazy, and forgot and now I think I will have to wait until the fall. I'm such a procrastinator!

Well the biggest event of the weekend was the local Trade Show. It's probably one of the biggest events this small town has. Last year it was guessed that 15,000 people went through the building. There is such a collection of home based businesses like Miche purses, Partylite, Princess House and Gramma's Attic to the commercial booths like steam mops, spray foam house insulation, knives and pots and pans and then local businesses like Glow Portraits , Just Like Grams , and This & That. We did good, I only bought a jar of pickled carrots, mini donuts and raffle tickets for our hospital foundation.

Now, I'm lazing on the couch, with the ACM awards show re-run on tv while my son sleeps. I don't plan to do anything today except maybe go to yoga. Today is good.

Disclaimer: I am always looking for good pickled carrots.

The weekend is upon us.

Sometimes I feel that I should be writing about things in the order that they happen. Like, if I post about my pregnancy, the next one should be about his birth. And if I post about Colin getting ready for daycare then I shouldn't go back to the first couple months of his life because it will get confusing and, if I get more followers, they won't know what's going on or where to start. But I think the point of this blog, for me, is that I am able to write whatever I want, whenever I want. So I guess, if your new and want to follow along, comment and ask questions to get caught up.

I have more to say about the weeks after Colin's birth and what led me to become a "Baby Whispering Mama" but I don't think this post is right for that. So onto today's events.

I had to go into work today for a couple hours, just to do paperwork and get familiar with the new building. I think I am ready to go back to work but I guess we will see on Monday when I am actually back in the classroom and working with the kids. I think what's helping is that in the back of my mind is the fact that I know I can quit if I don't like being back at work.

I've heard people say that it's hard to take care of other people's kids all day and then come home to your own but for the past week while Colin has been testing out daycare (and I've been doing whatever I want again) I am happy to pick him up, I appreciate him and enjoy being a mother again. I think this is a good thing.

Disclaimer: I will not always have pictures in my posts. Sorry!

Last day of Mat Leave

Today is my last day of maternity leave before I rejoin the work force. I was actually suppose to go back last Friday but because Colin's daycare wanted him to do a slow transition into the center I took more time off. But he is adjusting so well except for a couple short naps. He hasn't shown any separation anxiety (yet) and enjoys the kids that are in the daycare with him. Colin follows this little girl around, which is very cute.

Tomorrow is only a few hours of work, just to do some paperwork and read up on the children I will be working with. Then Monday I'm back in the classroom. I think I'm ready but we'll see. I did want to go back but I wasn't sure if I would go after a year or wait. After thinking about it, money wise it makes sense for me to go back. I do like my job, it's what I plan to do for the rest of my working life. Plus I know that I can quit and stay home if I don't like it.

The past two days I have been doing a lot of errands while Colin has been at daycare. I got a massage, did some shopping and got some work done for my aunt's store. I had to go to three different banks today, one I went to twice. Other then clean my house I think I have gotten things accomplished :)

Disclaimer: I love when I pick Colin up from daycare and he's so happy to see me.

Cheap Day Grocery Shopping

Today is 10% Tuesday at Safeway stores. I try to get all my groceries on this day, enough for a month but I know I will be making return trips at least twice for milk and bananas and other random things that I didn't know I needed. You can get 10% off your purchases or 10x your air miles. I always get the 10% off.

Now, I know that Safeway is the most expensive grocery store in my town. A lot of people tell me "Your not actually saving money on 10% Tuesday because Safeway's prices are so high". I hear all of this but I still shop at Safeway.

I like Safeway. I like being able to find the things I want/need. I can never find things in other stores and end up going back and forth, from one end of the store to the other, looking for the items I have on my list. I really like the produce selection. Other stores don't carry as much or there is just something off about the taste of other stores product (cucumbers especially). I like that the parking lot is huge and I don't have to drive around and around looking for a space and then worrying about backing up without running into another vehicle like in other store parking lots. Safeway is my comfort store.

After taking my baby to daycare I hit up Safeway. I filled my cart to brim, got almost everything on my list and then some. I even used some coupons that I had been carrying around for months. Now I'm not like The Krazy Coupon Lady and I only saved $78 but that's good enough for me. My bill was under $300, so I was only over by a wee bit. I even had time to get it all home and put away in the cupboards before going to pick up my son. Mission accomplished!

Disclaimer: Couponing is hard. Coupon Gods, make it easier.

Another week

What a quiet weekend for the blog. Saturday I packed up my son and went to the neighbouring province, to the 'big city' to go shopping. I needed to return some things, purchase new items for Colin's first birthday and buy more shoes! I love shoes. Saturday and Sunday were busy and internet was not always available so no posts were made. So lets place catch up....

These are all the shoes I have purchased in the last week. The first pair are hot pink and have a killer heel. Not quite the momma shoe but I will find somewhere to where them! The boots were a sale item, cost me about $30!! Amazing deal. I now need some skinny jeans and/or leggings even though I don't like skinny jeans. Oh shucks, more shopping ;). The last pair are actually orange in colour and tres cute! I imagine them being super cute with a jean skirt or dark wash jeans. I feel like I need to plan events to wear these shoes to!

Today my son went to daycare. He only went for 1.5 hrs as part of a transition into full time, 6+ hours care. He didn't cry when I left but was happy to see me when I got back. He was only there long enough to play, and not during nap time so it was very easy on him and the daycare staff. Tomorrow he will go for about 3 hours and will have snack and nap there. We will see how it goes! I think that if the staff follow my instructions it will be great.

I also went to a Breastfeeding Friendly Fort St. John event, to raise awareness on breastfeeding, breastfeeding in public and the community supports that there are in town. I then looked into becoming a LLLC leader as we don't have one in town and we only have one lacation consultant for a population of about 17,000. We also have one of the highest birth rates per capita in the province (this may not being 100% true anymore but thats what I've been told). We'll see if anything works out with this.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/breastfeedingfriendlyfsj

Now I am sitting at home, baby is napping and I have caught up on most of the things I wanted done today. But I just remembered that I have laundry waiting in the washer and dryer...needing to be folded and switched over etc etc. Housework calls!

Disclaimer: One day I'll have a housecleaner.

Sidetracked

Before I get sidetracked talking about family trees, I want to get another post done about the days and weeks after my baby came into the world!
In total I spent four nights in the hospital. I was soo ready to go home. I was craving the normalcy of our pre baby life. The day after Colin was born I had already had some self doubt. I thought "We should have waited a couple more years, I'm not ready, I can't do this anymore". I think this is very typical but I had anxiety about how my current relationships with people, mostly my husband, were going to be affected by me becoming a mother.

The first night at home was hard because I had gotten conflicting advice from my doctor and the nurses about feeding the baby. The doctor said only feed every three hours but the nurses said feed whenever he's hungry which could be every hour. How confusing!!

Colin was a great baby, he slept a lot, ate every few hours but took a long time to nurse! About an hour total. I was napping every chance I got and also completing school work for my ECE program. I still felt badly though. I felt bad that I didn't want to hold him every minute of the day. I felt bad when he would cry and I didn't know what to do. I felt bad that he would keep my husband up at night and felt like I should be able to make him happy and stop crying.  My family offered to take him overnight so we could catch up on sleep but I was afraid to let him go overnight because I feared that I wouldn't want him back in the morning, and that I would resent him when I did have to take him home. I also had thoughts of giving him to my sister and going back to be Auntie. I was good at being Auntie. I knew how to be Auntie. I didn't know how to be Mommy.

Disclaimer: Our bond grew daily, and I began to want to hold him all the time :D