Big Money!

Since he could hold his head up, E has always enjoyed listening too and watching Wheel of Fortune! Lately, he has gotten more animated with his spectating. We laugh every night!

Here's a little sample of what supper time is like in our household with the big wheel spinning in the background most evenings!

Bring on the next cold (although I say that lightly, yet with confidence!)

Disclaimer: I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central and received a Mom Central gift pack to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Back in February, E had a cold. It wasn't his first cold and definitely won't be his last, but as a new parent, I have been constantly searching for cold-aids that are safe for babies, and will provide some relief for them, and some peace of mind for me.

I've tried a few products on the market, but the first one that actually made a difference was the hydraSense Ultra-Gentle Mist Nasal Spray. I spotted this product in the cold and flu aisle of Shopper's Drug Mart, and picked it up on whim, but was actually pretty pleased with the purchase. The first time I used the product, I (and E) noticed the difference. The nasal spray actually provided almost instant relief for him. The spray is powerful enough to have an effect, yet gentle enough that he didn't choke or cough from the force of it. I used this product about 5 times during his cold and was relieved to have found a product that actually does something for infants who are so helpless when it comes to cold and flu season.

Coincidentally a few weeks ago, a Blog Tour opportunity came along from Mom Central for HydraSense products. I immediately signed-up for this tour because I wanted to share my experience with other new Moms out there and let them know that this product is worth the money. As part of the Blog Tour, I received a box of hydraSense products for review, including the hydraSense Nasal Aspirator - and honestly I love the concept of the this product. I have not had a chance to try it on E during a cold, but I really love the product because A. you can see what is coming out their noses, so you know its works, and B. it has a disposable filter to ensure its clean and safe to use every time, and on multiple children (if necessary).

When E was born, the hospital sent us home with a nasal aspirator bulb, and I have used it a few times, but I hate that you can't really see what your sucking out their noses, and I always feel that I don't get it clean enough, because it doesn't open up, there is only one tiny hole for the snot to go in and out of. The fact that the nasal aspirator is clear and comes apart to clean and wash makes me feel so good about the product.

If your interested in seeing how the hyraSense Nasal Aspirator works, watch this how-to video - although keep in mind if your baby is like mine, he or she won't be all smiles when using the product like the baby in the video is - but the end result will be the same. If you think its something that will work for your baby you can download a coupon for $8 off the purchase of the product by signing up for the hydraSense Dolphins Club and entering the code MC2010.

I am not excited about E's next cold, but I am excited to try out the new aspirator when the times comes, and we all know the time will come.

A few videos of E!

When I can't write a coherent post for you, I bribe you with a few videos!

A trip to the Sand Road Sugar Camp!

Recently, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law purchased the Sand Road Sugar Camp... (soon to be renamed Sand Road Maple Farms), and this was the first weekend they were in full operation! PC has been there a few times helping tap trees, but this weekend was the first time I had seen the property this time of year.

We packed E up, and went down for a late breakfast. The place was jammed full of pancake hungry families... and the food did not disappoint. It was by far the best pancake breakfast I have had in a very long time! We will be back many times I am sure!

We took a walk in the sugar bush... and all I can say is that times have changed. No longer do they tap the trees and hang the metal pales on the spouts, and then go around and collect all the sap to make maple syrup. Now... they tap the trees and have a direct line that all of the trees connect to... and this allows the sap to flow directly into these huge holding tanks... which then they can use to make syrup and all other maple goodness (probably not the best description, but its what I observed in my short visit)! Its really something to see.

We spent a good chunk of the morning there, and a bit of the afternoon too. We had to call it a day two hours past normal nap time - and I think we can thank the maple taffy and all the people for keeping E running well past his prime!

If your in the area... or even a little outside the area, I would highly recommend a trip to the Sand Road Sugar Camp... you won't be disappointed with the food, the atmosphere, or the fun and friendly staff (wink wink)!!!

Uh-oh...all GONE!

E's First Year Memory Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Over the course of E's first year, I gradually put together a digital scrapbook of the memories PC and I have from that year. For Christmas we gave this gift to both sets of grandparents, and of course have a copy for us, and for E's future wife! A few people have been asking me about it, so I thought I would share it here for your viewing pleasure.

The Golden Goal... where were you?

I think this is the question people are going to be asking for years... where were you when Sidney Crosby's scored the golden goal for Team Canada in 2010 Winter Olympics?

While I would like to say I was somewhere lavish, I was actually just at home with PC and E, in front of the TV, and all three of us were living and dying on every shot, save, rebound, breakaway, penalty kill leading up to the conclusion of the game. It was thrilling ... almost heart stopping at times. I had just finished saying to PC, Crosby needs to come alive in OT, and whaddaya know... WHABAM... Scooooooooooooooooooooooooooores!!!

I know E is so young, but I have a feeling he will remember the Golden Goal in some form or another as he grows up.

As the game went into overtime, I decided to whip out the camera to help E along with his memory when he's a bit older! I think the Sidney Crosby goal will be one that is replayed many times over during his lifetime (and mine too!) - and without knowing it was going to happen, I wanted to snap a few pictures in the event that it did!

I absolutely love the high the conclusion of the gold medal game has left us (and all of Canada) on. It was truly amazing to see 'Sid the Kid' score the OT winner, not only claiming Olympic Gold for our country, but also putting Canada in the Olympic record books for the most gold medals won by any country at an Olympic games.

WAY TO GO CANADA!

Here are a few pics from the historical Golden Goal moment in our household! It was an all around FUN moment!




Where were you when Sid scored the winner? Do you think you will remember that day, that moment for years to come?

Is it just me...

or do you see the resemblance???!!!!

I mean... look at those cheek bones!


Okay... so no resemblance!!! But you gotta admit... two good looking boys in these pics!

E and I had an eventful Saturday night watching the Men's Gold Medal game for Olympic Curling. Perhaps it was a 'tad' more eventful for me, then it was for E. I had to basically keep the food and snacks a rollin' through the entire game... but E didn't seem to mind, and neither did I.

I think E actually likes watching curling... take these shots for example - he's pretty excited about K-Mart's call here! And who better to execute the shot but Mommy's fave - Johnny Mo!

In the end it was GOLD for Canada... and I think it may have been beginning of another curling enthusiast in our household!