my finale

i so wanted the final post this month to be grand...unfortunately after a very exhausting day and hardly a moment to think let alone think of something wonderful to say i'm going to cop out and just post about nothing (feels like Seinfeld..a show about nothing!)

i hope that maybe i will have been inspired to write a little more than i had been over the past few months. Now that i know i can take a few minutes each day to jot something down :)

under the wire...

almost forgot to post today...

not sure what to say

it's time for bed

hope i can rest my sleepy head :)

the world stops...

for nothing.
The other day i was on my way downtown to visit Chrissy when i started thinking of these philosophical ideas...the one that has stayed with me is that the world and those living in it don't stop their lives for anything. Your personal corner of the world can be in complete turmoil, things happening that just don't seem fair and life not the same as what it was before but everyone around you keeps on going about their business.
Some days i don't get a chance to breath, or even to shower. I don't leave the house and am completely out of touch with the outside world (well aside from email and my blog followings) yet news still happens those days! Such a weird feeling knowing that!

cookie exchange

This will be our third annual cookie exchange. I have been pouring over my cookbooks looking for a new and interesting recipe for something grand. My problem is i don't like to roll dough, don't like to use a cut out and don't like weird or hard to find ingrediants...this is making it hard for me to make something new and interesting!
Last year i made mocha chocolate chip cookies, the year before i made double chocolate chip cookies...yesterday i bought a HUGE bag of chocolate chips but i really want to try something different...
any ideas??? before i eat the whole 1kg bag of chocolate chips !

i can learn a few things..

from my 2.5 year old...he has a love for reading like none i've ever seen! Every day when i pick him up from daycare he is sitting in the reading corner with a pile of books. Each night before bed he insists on having 3-4 books read to him...now he has taken to looking at The Big Book of Knowledge. His daddy bought it for him before he was born and he LOVES this book. It is a bunch of facts and tidbits all about history, science, politics and more. I must say that i don't know about much of it but this book is helping me learn-right along side my little boy!!

Kidisms...

Elie is such a character these days. He is very strong minded and has definite likes and dislikes. Yesterday for example he absolutely refused to wear his winter boots home from daycare so i had to carry him kicking and screaming out of the building to the car...how embarrassing- and of course by the time we got to the car he had wore me down so i changed him back into his "new diego shoes" (which aren't new anymore but try telling him that) Kick me for getting him those shoes that light up!! He prances around in them all evening and even wants to wear them to bed-g-d help us when he outgrows them!

This morning the little monkey looked straight at Jamie cat and YELLED- "FUCK OFF JAMIE" Both Gavin and I burst out laughing. More out of shock than actually finding it funny...so of course he repeated himself about 5 times, just to make sure we knew exactly what he was saying! Now where on earth did he hear that phrase??? (insert eye roll here)

The boy also knows all about farts. He announces quite loudly whenever he has made one, and also whenever someone else in the house has made one. He loves to tell us that his sister farts all the time- yes we know!! of course he says these things with such character and animation we can't help but laugh- which of course encourages him greatly!

No is his favourite word these days. Even when we know he wants something he will say NO just to frustrate us and to exert his "independence"
Boy are we in trouble when the little girlie starts talking too - and learns all she can from her big brother!!

give me a break!!

this past weekend we realized that since having kids we hardly ever get any time to ourselves...we can't remember the last movie we saw together in a theater (well i'm pretty sure it's Knocked Up-which came out in summer 2007)
How do some people do it? Go out, have alone time and have much needed "me time"...

OMG

i cannot believe how much STUFF we have managed to collect in the 4 years we've been living in our townhouse...when we moved here and collaberated our two households into one i tried to declutter and toss as much stuff as i could. The only problem is i love momentoes. I keep photos and clippings and old movie tickets of days gone by just to save. I try to keep them all in albums or in boxes but eventually they get full and spill over....this time i'm going to get rid of anything pre-1992...that would mean any concert ticket stubs or play book i find will have to go!

lets see how i do!

and they're gone...

my SIL and her family live in Zurich...they come every few months for a visit. This time the visit was extra special as their newest addition came for her first visit to Toronto. We all got to meet Alexia for the first time- she is only 5 weeks younger than my baby girl so it was cute to see them side by side. My bundle is definitely a big girlie though!! I think she looks much older than her cousin!
They have gone back to Switzerland and we're not sure when they will come for another visit. My SIL was lucky this time as she was able to bring her nanny along for an extra pair of hands - especially since her husband was unable to come.

So-long and until we meet again...the little one might be walking and the bigger one will most likely be in kindergarten!

copy cat...

I have nothing original to say anymore...so i decided to steal/copy Karen today :)

1. Do you like blue cheese? yummo!! yea
.2. Have you ever smoked?Once or twice...but never really liked it-thought it was cool back in grade 9
.3. Do you own a gun? No.
4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? the blue one
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? sometimes
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Love em! but went through a 5 or 6 year period where i wouldn't touch them!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Don't watch x-mas movies...oh wait maybe Home Alone. Does that count?
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? Coffee.
9. Can you do push ups? not anymore
.10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? my engagement ring. I still love it!
11. Favorite hobby? Who has time for hobbies these days...well scrapbooking when i get around to it!
12. Do you have A.D.D? Not that i know of
13. What’s one trait you hate about yourself?i panic very easily.
14. Middle name? Rachel
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.1) is it time for Y & R yet.2) why are we selling our house now.3) Will the baby EVER fall asleep?
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee,diet coke, Crystal LITE .
17. Current worry? getting the house clean enough to show
18. Current hate -not following weight watchers on the weekends
19. Favorite place to be? in bed under the covers
20. How did you bring in the new year? I can't remember that far back
.21. Where would you like to go? Spain, Italy and Greece
22. Name three people who might complete this: My SIL Leora, Chrissy-if she weren't so busy with the new baby and Fancy Pancy?
23. Do you own slippers? Yes.But heck if i actually know where they are
24. What shirt are you wearing? Old Navy Fleecy in Red
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? No they are cold and uncomfortable
.26. Can you whistle? i haven't tried in a long time
27. Favorite color? RED
28. Would you be a pirate? yuck- no!
29. What songs do you sing in the AM? There was a Duke of York, he had 3000 men...okay i'm a mommy!
.30. Favorite Girl’s Name: Julie
31. Favorite boy’s name: Jamie
32. What’s in your pocket right now? $$ for the cleaning lady
.33. Last thing that made you laugh? The guy at Home Depot- he said i know way more than his wife...which must be really little as i don't know that much about quarter rounds and mouldings!
34. What vehicle do you drive? Jeep Compass
35. Worst injury you’ve ever had? havne't had many, but i'll have to say breaking my pinky finger
36. Do you love where you live? love the area but not the house itself (thus our puttin gup for sale!)
.37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
38. Who is your loudest friend? Probably a tie between Fancy Pantsy (sorry hun-but you know it's true!!)and Lisa.
39. Do you have any pets? 2 annoying cats Jamie and Owen
40. Does someone have a crush on you? not that i know of
41. Your favorite book(s): hmm...that is a hard one, i haven't read anything worth while in a long time!
42. Do you collect anything? no, trying to declutter
43. Favorite Sports Team? dont have one...but hubby would say i should say Liverpool Soccer Club

That's all folks :)

NEW CELLPHONE LAW - 2008 ONTARIO

This came to me today from my dad so i thought i'd share :)

According to new law that goes into effect Nov 1, 2008 you will no longer be able to use a cell phone while driving unless you have a 'hands free' adapter.I went to Circuit City and they wanted $50 for a headset with a microphone for my cell phone.
Having a friend in the cell phone business, I talked with him and was able to come up with an alternative, working through Office Depot.These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. ?I paid him $0.08 each because he bought in quantity.??Then we tried it with Motorola, Sprint, Verizon and Nokia units and they worked perfectly.A photo is attached so take a look and let me know if you want one.??Also, forward this to anyone you know, who has a cell phone, and who may want one!?

where does the time go!!

Today is my baby's 5 month birthday. I cannot believe how fast she is growing up. Each day we see developments and changes. She loves to laugh, has started rolling and even puts her pacifier in her mouth herself sometimes!
She has definitely started teething and is a drooling monkey all the time. Each night she wakes up needing to feed more often as it is soothing for her gums to nurse a lot!

Soon she will be sitting up on her own and crawling too...oh i am going to miss this wonderful baby stage!!

a few reasons

to actually keep the car seat done up while you are not moving.

Yesterday i realized just how important it is to do the car seat up at all times. Whether you are sitting and waiting for someone or in a moving vehicle it is really for baby's best interest to have the seat done up. You just never know when someone might hit you and the car jerks about or hits another car creating double impact.
This happened to a mom and baby i know and luckily baby was not injured but mom has learned that she will never undo the car seat while waiting outside older childs' school again!

I also now do up every safety feature on my stroller or snap 'n go. I used to think there was no need but now that i have really thought about it i think those features are put in place for us to use and are there for a good reason. How sick would i feel if baby fell out of her stroller because i didn't bother doing up her harness while she was in it!

my head is...

still spinning over some recent family rubbish that i would rather not post about here...
some people are so out of touch with reality!

carrots anyone...

i decided to invest a whole $1.79 on a 10 pound bag of carrots...Don't ask me why! I saw those huge carrots for such a low price, i just couldn't resist. Now i have a whole lot of cooking to do! i'm thinking...carrot cake, carrot muffins, carrot salad and also carrot soup...i have some great recipes but if you (anyone...anyone...) have a favourite you would like to share, please do!!

i thought i was a genius :()

After reading and re-reading information about how unsafe the JJCole bundle bags are because they interfere with the car seat safety straps I had a revelation. I thought that I could cut out the back of the bag and therefore the strap wouldn't have to be threaded through anything. I really thought this was such an amazing idea and was praising myself for being pure genius...until i heard that this is a common thing to do!!
I really didn't want to toss the bag away as it does keep baby warm and cozy in her carseat but i couldn't keep using the bag knowing that i was putting her life at risk. Now I can use the bag and my conscience is clear as the straps no longer get all squished up so i can do them up nice and tight.
A pic of the new backless bag :)

speechless

Don't really have much to say today. My mind is on what to do over the weekend to occupy the kids and what to make for dinner ... oh joy!

Happy Birthday

fancy pantsy :) (my lone reader i think!!)

hope you have a great day :)

in my thoughts

and prayers. I cannot imagine how it feels to have a baby born so early. Christine seems to be so strong and is always so positive. She is amazing.
I can't stop thinking about her and her little baby girl.
Please g-d, make sure to take care of her and to ensure she has a very uneventful hospital stay.

wow, she's here

my dear friend Christine had her baby yesterday at 28 weeks gestation. Mom and baby are doing well.

Why Remember

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=history/other/remember/why

thank goodness...

all is okay with Chrissy. We were all so worried. Maybe, just maybe it was all our thoughts and prayers that is making her baby stay right where he/she should be!!

i took the plunge...

and bought a Graco Duo Glider. Let's hope this is it, as if i'm not satisfied this time around i'm just going to throw the whole need for a double idea out the window!

are you a morning person???

i am pretty good at getting up, getting going and doing what needs to get done in the mornings. My hubby is the same. We don't know how or why our son is a total freak in the morning. He cries, throws tantrums and is completely unreasonable (not that many 2 year olds are). We now just work through his madness and ignore the rants or else we never get him going where he needs to go!

graco = breako...is this really true??? so many people have them and seem happy with them so what am i afraid of? i really don't have anyone to impress and they r affordable...i think i'll take my head out of the clouds and get what we can afford!

adventures in baby wearing

While I was pregnant with baby M i decided that I was going to wear her a lot more than i ever wore E. I thought it would be a great experience for both of us. Bonding. That is what I thought we would do while she was being carted around in a carrier. While I do love wearing my baby girl I have been finding that my body was just not made to wear baby for long periods of time. Yesterday baby and I travelled down to the Babytime show sans stroller so i could be hands free...was a great idea in theory but after 4 hours of having the baby on my front i am really really sore today!! I have tried quite a few carriers thanks to my dear friend Fancy Pantsy-who has lent me a sling, Bjorn and Mei Tei! Each one of the carries has their benefits but each also has their downfalls. i won't post my opinions here as i would rather any reader who may come across the blog make a decision bases on their own experinces!

Today we are double stroller shopping again as I have realized that I cannot wear M and put E in the stroller for too long...

DNR

While watching Grey's last night I thought about the reality of do not resesitate(DNR). I always thought that if i were in a situation where i was unable to communicate what i wanted or i was no longer able to do things for my self- as in on life support- i would want to be allowed to die gracefully and just go without hanging on to possible false hopes....now that i am older my ideas seem to have changed a little or perhaps i am just more confused as to what i would want for myself in this situation. What i think about now is less selfish and more to do with my family...what would they want? how would they feel? is it fair to them?

How would I feel being in the reverse situation? What would i want to do if my parents were ill and in need of life support? I know they would not want to suffer and i know my father specifically has told me many times that he NEVER wants to be kept alive through unatural measures- i know what he went through when his sister was ill before the decision was made to take her off life support...and i would always want to respect his wishes but i imagine that is must be so difficult to let go...
what do you think?

i have been plagued...

with an inability to sleep. It all started when the baby was waking up for her night-time feeds and I wasn't able to fall back asleep. Now I just cannot fall asleep at all. I lay in bed for hours just watching the clock change. Sometimes I do drift off for several minutes but that always seems to be interupted by the need to get up and go feed the baby or to pee. This lack of rest is really disruptive to my life, it makes thinking straight hard- in fact i am often walking around in a total blur and i am unable to finish a sentence before forgetting what i was talking about in the first place. (well this is my new excuse anyway :)
I hope this is only temporary as i know that sleep problems can wreck havoc a persons life!

my 2 cents

Given the historic events of yesterday it feels as if I should post regarding the results of the US Presidental election. But i really don't follow politics that closely and anything i know is really hearsay from my husband and his family, as they discuss politics at length- often. I know that history has been made and that being the first African American President is a huge deal, i know that the vote was really close and i know that he better really prove himself an asset of all hell may break loose!

Disasters in the kitchen...

I consider myself a pretty good cook. I can make simple meals and occasionally I'll attempt things a little more complex. My favourite part of being in the kitchen though is baking!
Recently we took the little ones apple picking and although the apple trees were mostly picked out we managed to still get a nice big bag of fresh yummy apples. I didn't want to waste any of the apples (I HATE wasting food and get very upset when we have to throw away rotten produce) so i decided to make a baked appled dessert. Now i have never made baked apples before and I didn't have a recipe so i was trying to do something i have never done before freehand...hmmm not a good idea!
The basic idea was to put the apples in a hot oven, after coring them and stuffing them with raisons and cinnomon. I did just that...but i totally forgot about them and two hours later smelled something super sweet coming from the kitchen. My baked apples burst and turned into baked apple sauce!! I have to admit that even though they didn't look the way i wanted not did they taste like what i was expecting they actually tasted pretty good!! Next time I'll have to set a timer and pay attention to them as i got distracted with other things and that was that!
anyone have a good baked apple recipe, with proven results???

Terrible Twos...

Oh boy. Nothing could have prepared me for the terrible twos! I am challenged on a daily basis with my patience, and parenting abilities. Who knew that there was not a hint of exaggeration involved when people described the hell on earth of having a very stubborn 2 year old.
This morning the fit involved his desire to wear his new Spiderman PJ's to daycare. There was no way we were going to allow that to happen- especially since the said PJ's are covered in dried playdough and other goodies after a weekend of refusing to take them off! (they are currently being laundered-something i had to do the moment he left for daycare!) Of course the fact that he had been up since 5 am due to the time change and was on a sugar high from his Honeycomb cereal didn't help the matter any!
Kudos to my husband for getting the tantrums under control this morning with a much needed "time-out"! This method of making fit throwing boy sit in a corner for 1 -2 minutes to calm down actually works for us! Thank goodness because I was pulling my hair out in sheer frustration at not knowing what to do!

The Must Haves

My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby soon. I am super excited to meet my nephew and to spoil him rotten :)
As I have mentioned before there are soooo many baby products out there on the market it can get really overwhelming for new parents. My personal recommendation on must have items...

a bouncy chair. This item gets used daily and has been a life saver on so many occasions. Both my kids have slept in this chair when they would nap nowhere else. They love the soft bouncy motion of this. And even when the batteries die and there is no vibrations they love it. The toy bars vary so much from chair to chair and I am not really sure it matter which one you get but we love ours.

swing. again a sleep aid for baby. Both my babies used the swing when they were really little to sleep. Now that the little one is almost 5 months she isn't as keen on sitting in the swing but we still use it on occasion. Our swing is borrowed and is obviously older as the kids who used it are now 7 and 3! There are tonnes of brands and styles to choose from but expensive doesn't mean better! I would probably get one that plugs in as batteries can get expensive and bad for the environment is disposed of incorrectly.

exersaucer. again something that gives you time for yourself (somewhat). Baby can play, bounce and have so much fun while you watch the smiles and giggles. Both babies could spend hours in our exersaucer! Although I think my older one liked it a little more than the baby does (but we'll see-she is still pretty young)

Jolly Jumper. I didn't get one of these for a long time as i thought we had no place to hang it. I finally gave in and got one after i tried it out at a friends house. My son loved it so much, i used to hang him up on the washroom doorframe and i would shower. This allowed me to peek out and entertain him while i was able to shower! We got the original JJ and I am looking forward to passing it along once we are done with it!

Those are the products that I would recommend to any first time parents. Of course some of them can't be used until baby is at least 3 months and able to support their own head.

NaBloPoMo

I have decided to give it a try this year...what do i have to lose!!

My first post...

Last night we decided to take E out trick or treating. He didn't quite get the point but was really excited to get to wear his Spiderman outfit. Unfortunately he was too frightened of the Jack O Lanterns to actually go up to any of the houses. He was also really really scared of some of the masked kids who came to the door. Of course some of those kids were way too big to be going door to door- and some who came weren't even in costume!
I was more disappointed than he was.
Maybe next year :)