Thursday, September 17, 2009

Now approaching: Back to work!

Oh...it been one of those weeks, or is it one of those months!

As you may know, this is my last month of maternity leave, and its really bitter sweet. Each day I spend with E this month, I feel so overwhelmed... and in the sense that I have so much I want to do in the next few weeks to prepare myself for going back to work, but also the fact that I know my full-time days with E are numbered (18 to be exact). He is learning so much each day... he is really in the explore and discover stage, and spending time with him and teaching him things is so important to me, but there isn't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything, and by the time bedtime comes at night, I am exhausted.

I was feeling really great about going back to work, I have met my new boss and she seems like a fantastic person, who I am excited to work with and to get to know better. I think I will like getting back into the routine of work, and having the business structure in a day, where I can actually feel like I am contributing to something other than washing bottles, changing diapers, picking up cheerios, will be a good thing.

But... the closer I get to my return to work date, the more I am feeling anxious about how it is all going to work. At present, E is sleeping in until 8:30 or 9am (I know ... no sympathy there!), and with the back to work schedule, he will have to be dropped off at daycare by 7am. Not to mention have his breakfast, get changed, in addition to myself getting up, getting ready, and out the door. I think I know myself, and I suck with mornings in general, so you can imagine just how excited I am to roll out of bed at 5:30am everyday to make this all work.

It's change, and I know no matter how much anyone says they like change (I am one of those people), I think I will actually hate it, until we do it for a few weeks, and I realize, it can be done.

The actual upside of all of this, is that the daycare provider we have found for E is someone I feel really comfortable with, and sending him to daycare is not at all what bothers me, its just getting him there and getting him picked up on time, plus having dinner and getting ready for the next day to do it all over again.

I think it doesn't help that this week E is sick, and I have accomplished close to nothing on my to-do list, because I have been busy wiping his nose, rocking him to sleep, reading stories, and just cuddling him. It tugs at my heart strings, and its times like this that makes me ask the age old question, which is better... the working Mom or the stay at home Mom?

I don't want an answer to this question, because my reality right now is that I will be the working Mom. But, I have LOVED this last year, and if money was not an object, I think I would choose to stay home another few years with E, as it really is a privilege to see him develop from a baby to a toddler, and then to a pre-schooler. However, having said that, I do think there is something to be said about doing something outside of being a Mom, and it doesn't necessarily have to be a job, but a hobby or an interest that gives you that extra 'me' time, that everyone, mother or not, should really have!

Yes... the days are flying by, and on top of wrapping my mind around going back to work, I am grappling with the reality that E is turning 1. I think my life is going to fly by, if the years continue to go by as fast as this one has. Those country songs that talk about when your kids were young and then you wake up one day and they are 25 and getting married - I feel like that is exactly what is going to happen to me!

Can you see how my mind is working these days... all over the map, so many thoughts to keep me busy from morning til night.

Did anyone else have similar feelings or anxieties about going back to work after being off on a maternity leave? How did you cope?

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Top 5 Tuesday: Useful Gear for Babies!

I have decided to start a little tradition here... to*try* and do a Top 5 list every week. I am not exactly sure where this going to go... but I am struggling lately to keep the blog up and running and often I don't have the time in a day to flush out a great post, so I thought an idea like this might take the pressure off of me, if I already know what I am going to write about every Monday!

This week... I'd like to share with you my Top 5 great baby items. I know I stumbled upon a list similar to this when I was pregnant and thought that recommendations from other Moms went a long way when I was shopping ... so here a gift from me to you, new Moms or Mommy-to-be's!

This top 5 list consists of things I used with my baby boy, and things I consider useful accessories or items to help make your day to day activities with your baby easier and fun!

  • 1. Moby Wrap... I blogged about this at the end of last year but I still stand by my recommendation. I borrowed a Moby wrap from a cousin of PC (shout out to Sarah) just after E was born, and my life changed for the better. I got my sanity back when I was able to get a few things done around the house while E was comfortably sleeping on me in the Moby. I used it daily for the first four months, and recently I have used it with E to carry him around my hip the days he needs a little extra Mommy attention. The Moby looks a little overwhelming as it is such a long piece of material, but it is SUPER easy to use and it goes in the washing machine for a quick clean.
  • 2. J.J Cole Travel Blanket... this is a must-have for me. I was given this item as a gift and I thought it was just a blanket, but I quickly discovered that its HUGE, yet it folds up to nothing, with a shoulder strap and is really light weight. It is easy to take ANYWHERE, and can be wiped clean with a baby wipe. Sand and dirt does not stick to it like a heavy wool blanket... and the best part is, it looks super fashionable when you open it up at the park. It's reasonably priced, and I know I will use it for many outings with E in the future too.
  • 3. Travel Booster/Highchair Seat... this is another must have for me. When going out to eat with a little one, it is always a concern how clean the restaurant high-chairs really are... or if the restaurant even has suitable seating for an infant. We have the Fisher Price one... and it comes in handy when eating out at restaurants or at relatives or friends houses. I would even go as far to say that if you don't want to spend the money on a full service high-chair, you could easily get away with using the travel booster seat at home for your main infant feeding chair... and the best part is, you don't have the annoyances of storing or dust around a big high chair - and it comes with all of the dishwasher safe washable trays.
  • 4. Gagou Tagou Hooded Towels... I received a few different versions of the hooded towel when I was expecting, but I have to say that the Gagou Tagou one is by far the best I have used with E. The towel actually absorbs the water and drys the baby off, and is much thicker than the cheaper versions. You can't beat the cuteness factor either... and these towels are big enough that they can be used with the baby for a few years!
  • 5. Fisher Price Little Super Star Stage... E received this a gift for Easter from this grandparents, and it has been a staple piece of entertainment in his day. This toy really taught him how to sit up unsupported, and now it helps him master standing. The music is cute, and not annoying like some toys. Since April we have not replaced the batteries once, and we leave it all the time. E LOVES to dance to the songs, wiggle his little head... and I know in the years to come, he will be using the fake microphone to practice up for Canadian Idol!
There you have it! My first installment of Top 5 Tuesdays! I hope you enjoyed it! Now... the only challenge is what should Top 5 list should I do for next week? Any suggestions?

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Wednesday, September 09, 2009

10 years ... for 130-O!

This week I have been doing a bit of reminiscing ... as it has been 10 years since I started University, and 10 years since I met some of my best friends.

My University crew, who I refer to as 130-O, are some pretty terrific friends. We have shared so many funny and memorable moments, I don't know where to start... I am so thankful for this group of girls. The thing about these ladies is that no matter where we go, or what we do, we always can reunite every so often and share stories from our Ottawa U years all over again.

I really believe that University was some of the best years of my life. I feel old saying that... I think every phase of your life has good things about it, but University was one of the most care-free, life-changing periods of my life. I didn't realize it at the time, but it was the chapter in my life where I had a lot of fun, learned a lot about myself, yet was careless about some things while learning responsibility about others.

Yes, I got an education out of the deal, but I wouldn't say it was the book education that I learned the most from, it was the social aspect that taught me more than any book ever could. I learned that good friends are for life, and these are the friends that will be standing over my casket in 80 years saying, 'damn, she's still got it', with a chuckle!

I thought, on our 10 year anniversary it would only appropriate to share how we all met... so below you have the story how 130-O came to be (from my perspective).

When I think back to starting University... I think of my, now, good friend Erin (aka Boyder). At the time, she and I did not know each other, but we were both enrolled in the Communications program at Ottawa U. She had taken French in high school, I had not. We sat next to each other the first day of orientation, and when the prof started speaking French, I sat there for 3 minutes pretending I was understanding, and then looked at her and said 'Do you speak French?'... to which she nodded yes, with a sympathetic smile. She helped me out that day, translating to me what I missed out on, and from the point forward our first day interaction was the beginning of a beautiful friendship... and so much more.

Boyder, roomed with a girl named Erica (aka Clapper) who both lived in the same residence as me. Clapper was enrolled in the Business Administration program and in that program Clapper met Krista (aka KL). KL was roommates with a girl named Amber (aka Bee), and Bee and Clapper actually went to high school together for a few years, back in Whitby - so they already knew one another.

Through these mini connections, we started all hanging out together in a group, going to eat at the cafeteria, walking to classes together, and by Christmas time, we were each others allies in Thompson residence. When the 3 am fire alarm was pulled, we would call each other and wait for one another in the stairwells so we didn't have to be stuck out in the cold alone... instead we would hang out, laugh, make fun of each other, and get to know one another even better.

Shortly after Christmas of that year, we decided we wanted to cohabitate off-campus the following year. So we set out searching for a house close to campus, and we stumbled upon a run-down 3 story house with 6 bedrooms and one (yes I said ONE) bathroom - in a prime location. It had major potential, but when we showed our parents... their faces pretty much screamed 'I am not leaving my daughter in that death trap'. It took some convincing, and a game plan, but of course we all stuck together, everyone pitched in, and by the following September, we were happily moving into 130 Osgoode Street... which would be home to us for the next 3 years. Having that address, we became known as the girls of 130-O.

We did have 6th roommate that first year, who we don't speak to anymore... she moved out after our first year together in 130-O and in moved our 6th and final member of the house... April (aka Baby). Baby was a year younger than us, but fit in well... and in no time was up to speed with the 130-O lifestyle! She completed our group... and together as a group of 6 we made some great memories.

We still talk about the random streaker who showed up at our front window one rainy night, whipped open his trench coat and was naked - he stood there laughing and staring until we shut the blinds. There was also Pita Pit delivery guy who rolled up on his bike with our order. The crazy creepo men who lived next door and shouted things like 'I want to gauge your eyes out with a spoon'... and let's not forget the thief who PC caught red handed in our living room, stealing our booze and my Palm Pilot! We had our drunken pub crawls, street parties on Spark's Street, birthday theme parties, our famous trip to Dominican, movies nights, flash light dance parties, our crook of a landlord Ivan, burning the three-wick candle, our crazy 130-O keg parties, Sunday dinners, the good luck song, and many late night conversations in each other's rooms talking about random events, relationship issues, and school stress.

Yes... 10 years has come and gone, but in that decade, so much has happened in my life, and these ladies (Boyder, Clapper, KL, Bee, and Baby) have been there to share in all of the highs and lows. My girls have become sisters to me, they are my family and my best friends.

10 years is a long time, but in the grand scheme of life, I think our friendship is only the start of beautiful things to come.

Happy 10th Anniversary 13o-O Ladies!

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Saturday, September 05, 2009

11 Months... and a Busy Boy!

E is 11 months old today.... 11 plus 1 would mean a whole year... so I ask myself (with a tear): where has the time gone? My baby boy has changed ever so much in this last month... he is adventurous, and on the go, and if you turn your back for one second, he will ensure you regret it!

At 11 months, he has mastered the crawl... the stealth mode army crawl and now he is slowly seeing that getting up and crawling on his knees is also a pretty decent mode of transportation these days. Standing is a common occurrence for E... anything he thinks is remotely stable, he will pull himself up, and the adventure for him is to see how he is going to get back to down on him bum. It's cute and nerve racking all in the same boat.

In the eating department, E is still doing extremely well... he is slowly transitioning to eating table food, and loves to feed himself! Favourite foods right now include bananas, cheerios, Goldfish crackers, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash. He is still on the low side of the holy graph... he was 19 lbs and 28 inches long at recent check-up, and he is very healthy.

E's discovery of the tooth brush and brushing his teeth is one of his favorite past-times... I hope this is one that he still enjoys in 5, 10 and 15 years! Give him a tooth brush and he will stay quiet and still for as long as you want. We are also discovering that his soother is probably not necessary... he likes to throw it and chase it, and drop it and pick it up, so the soother *may* have be on its way out in the next month! E also played his first game of mini sticks with Daddy and Grandpa C, and seems to love it, much to PC's delight! Other favorite activities include going for a bike ride, standing up in his crib, swinging, and stroller rides... as there is just so much to see and discover!

Yes... this boy is growing, and changing, but is still a happy baby, and makes me so thankful that I made the decision to have a child!

As always... here is the results of the 11 month photo shoot... I worked up a sweat getting these photos, E is so busy that he rarely wants to stay still to pose for a decent photo! However, I did get a few good ones with the help of PC, and the others - well, they are what they are! I especially enjoy the last photo, where E is giving me 'the look' as if to say 'Mom - enough'!

Happy 11 month b-day E... LoVe YoU!






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