Monday, January 31, 2011

Love Hate Tylenol

Dear Children's Tylenol.

I love you, I hate you.

I love you because when my child is sick, a small dose of you, and he starts to feel better.

I hate you because, it only takes a short while for you to actually work and before long he is acting like he just slammed a half litre of Mountain Dew, running around the house saying 'Mommy Mommy Mommy WATCH' for the umpteenth time.

Can we not work on something equally as effective, but not quite as sugar enhanced. And while your at, let's reduce the stain and stickiness factor too.

Sincerely,

Over-tired Mommy of Two!

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Sunday, January 30, 2011

The art of laying down a newborn!

If your a parent to a newborn you'll already know where I am going with this post. There is a fine art to laying a newborn down in a crib. I'm talking about those times when you rock a newborn to sleep and make the judgment call that the baby is sleeping soundly enough that he/she can be moved to the crib without waking.

Some of you may think it sounds easy enough, but I am definite when I say... hundreds of thousands of Mommies out there will share stories of attempted transfers gone wrong, resulting in more rocking and a second, third, or even fourth attempt at a successful transfer.

It's not easy. It requires skill, determination, and a bit of luck too.

I had forgotten about this in just two short years... but now that H is getting into a fairly predictable routine there are three or four times a day when I try to transfer him from my arms into his crib or onto the couch so that he can nap peacefully and I can accomplish my 'things that require two hands' to-do list.

To begin... when baby is showing signs of being tired, we start out rocking or bouncing around the living room in my arms. I give this phase anywhere from 3 to 13 minutes depending on his level of fussiness.  Once I consider him to be in a deep enough sleep, which is usually when his head tips back a bit and his soother is half out of his mouth, then I shift him on me into what I consider to be his best sleeping position (his stomach).  I get him into position and then I rock or bounce for another 2 to 3 minutes to ensure he's adjusted to the optimal position and has resumed his deep sleep.

Once we've gotten this far, I approach the crib slowly and ensure there are no blankets or objects in the way of my descent path. Then, I place one hand on his bum, one of the side of his head and I slowly lower him into the crib, while at the same time praying the soother does not fall out of his mouth and that no one 1. rings the doorbell, 2. slams cupboard door, 3. starts playing Melissa & Doug's Pound and Roll toy, or 4. runs into the room yelling 'Baby up Baby up' or 'Mommy WATCH Mommy WATCH'.  If none of these things happen, then I feel I am 99% home free, as I slowly remove my hand from under his face and silently do an NFL touch-down dance as I tuck a blanket over him.

I tip toe out of the room... and move slowly away from the door praying that such a smooth transfer has bought me a good hour to myself to get things done.

Of course... this tale of a successful transfer happens probably 33.3% of the time ... while the other 66.6% of the time I am cursing under my breath as the baby starts his 'not so fast Mommy' cry. It's hit and miss, but I do find the more I do it, the more successful I am becoming at the transfer, and the better I am becoming, the longer H is actually napping. 

Take for example today, he had a 2.5 hour nap this morning, followed by another 2 hour nap before supper. I was in HEAVEN with my two hands free for over four hours today.  Talk about a way to cap off the weekend!

Are you familiar with the fine art of laying down a newborn, do you have any special techniques or tips to share?

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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Single Stroller vs. Double Stroller: Advice for New Parents

Strollers, strollers, strollers... so many different brands, options, uses. My biggest regret from my first pregnancy was not researching strollers enough. I basically walked into Toys R Us one day after work, saw one that had Polka Dots on it and said 'that's the one I want'.  And 6 months later, my parents bought it for us as a gift for the baby.  It was a Graco travel system and worked well for us for E.  I love the snap and go travel system but it is bulky to load and unload and takes up a lot of space, and isn't the easiest thing to steer.  However, we love love love the car seat and its a bit oversized, so E had not problem using that car seat for his entire first year. He didn't grow out of it until he was over a year old (14 months to be exact), and the functionality of snapping the car seat into the stroller was awesome (and still is as I am using it with H now).

However... while the travel system was great for the newborn phase, when we stopped lugging the snap and go car seat around and started taking E in and out of his car seat, the stroller portion of that system wasn't as ideal. We soon went to the Baby Trend jogging stroller and I really love that stroller.  It was also a gift from PC's parents and we have definitely gotten a lot of use out of it, but again its fairly big to load and unload and takes up a good portion of the trunk.  Not ideal for long road trips if you have a lot of other luggage and baggage to use but is good for all terrains and was great for going to the park and just walking in general with it, such a smooth ride. 

In addition to those two strollers, we went out and bought a middle of the pack umbrella stroller... it was also a Graco and folded compactly but had a good recline on it and a nice size sun canopy... it was around $130 and we honestly used it a lot with E, especially between 9 and 18 months. I would say we wore that stroller down, the wheels are pretty beat up and over time the steering has become difficult, but because its so compact, its the stroller I love to take with me, because I can always have it in my car, if I need it, but can also SHOP SHOP SHOP without any problems.

SO... if you've kept count, we have 3 strollers, the travel system, a jogging stroller, and an umbrella stroller.  While all of these strollers have there uses, what each of them does not accommodate is a SECOND CHILD.  What was I thinking? I can tell you I wasn't thinking of a second child needing a stroller while my first child was still using one! If I had done my research and thought more about it, I would have put my money into a stroller that you could easily buy a second seat for or a car seat that was compatible with a double stroller, etc.

Our Baby Trend jogging stroller, now has a version with a matching car seat and then you can also buy the Sit N' Stand platform stroller that the car seat works with and it provides a place for your toddler to ride on.  It would have been an ideal purchase from the get-go, but now that we have all of these other strollers already in our possession it seems like a bit of a waste if we aren't having any more kids.

Now... that we have two kids, I am on the hunt for a double stroller, but I can't decide between a compact umbrella stroller (like the Maclaren Twin Techno), or sit n' stand platform type stroller.  E is at the point where he will most likely want to walk for a good part of our outings, which is great when PC and I are out together with them, but when its just me on my own I want something I know I can put them both in there seats and they'll be controlled and not running out to play in traffic!  I also am torn between having a spot for E to ride in vs. having a place for him to lay down and nap.  Take for example our trip to Florida, if we go out for the day, he is still napping and would most likely fall asleep but with a Sit N' Stand platform, he can only sit and ride not rest. A double umbrella stroller would allow him a place to sit and to rest. 

The other dilemma is that I am wondering how long E will be in the phase where he would actually sleep in a stroller. Do I buy the double umbrella stroller that's only good to use for a year or less, only to have to go out and get the platform stroller for the later years? I know it I buy a good double umbrella stroller, I can probably re-sell it, especially if we only use it for 9 months, but its the all the wondering if its even worth it to buy it in the first place.

Then... once E is old enough to not need a place to rest or ride, I will be back to needing a decent single umbrella stroller... which if you remember from above our single umbrella stroller is DONE.

Honestly, strollers are my worst nightmare lately. And reading online about traveling with a newborn and a toddler isn't helping either as many people are staying to put the baby in a carrier or a sling on you, and take a single umbrella stroller for your toddler - if he doesn't want to ride in it, you can use it for the newborn - which seems like a great plan, except I will want to get a new single umbrella stroller!

If you managed to stay engage this far down in the post, I would say my advice to new parents would be to invest in a decent multipurpose stroller that has room to grow with you.  You can upsize it when you have the need for two kids, and down size it when you only need it for one child. I think while big bulky strollers are comfy and very useful for your everyday neighborhood outings, they aren't good for long trips where cargo space is limited, so you will most likely need a good umbrella stroller too.

If you've had a similar experience with strollers or have found the perfect solution to not owning enough strollers to start my own store, please let me know. I would love some help in figuring out which investment to make before investing my life savings in strollers!

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Thursday, January 27, 2011

My love for social media!

I think back 5 years ago... I was not blogging, I was not on facebook, and I don't even think Twiter existed then (not to me anyways).  Now... I am doing all three of these things, and in some small way or another they are truly enhancing my life.

Blogging... while I do that for myself, I am always in aww of the number of visitors who come to my blog daily.  Many of you are family and friends, but I also can see (through the weblogs) that there are so many of you that I don't know personally.  Every now again I will receive comments from strangers - and I think this is the great part about blogging. Through blogging you can connect with strangers, and before long, you are not strangers anymore. I get so many ideas from blogging and reading other blogs. As a blogger, you feel part of a community, and you are eager to share advice and support with others in similar situations.  Its a great network!

Facebook... is its own beast.  Sometimes I wonder what the point of Facebook is, but then someone who I would otherwise not keep in touch with will post some pictures of themselves or their families, and I am brought back to moments in my life that I have almost forgotten.  I love that Facebook allows you to informally keep in touch with people from your past,  and also allows you to share small moments of your life with your friends. (I could write a whole seperate post on what I dislike about Facebook too, but I'll save that one for another day!). Facebook has become a news source too ... I don't know how many sentences I start with 'I saw on Facebook that so and so'... its sometimes a gossip column too... but that's half the fun I guess!

Twitter is where its at for me.  The thing I love most about Twitter is that around the clock (this coming from a breast-feeding Mommy) there are people online, tweeting the most random information, but a lot of which I find useful, and entertaining. I have been on Twitter for a while now, but only in the last little while I have fully come to appreciate tweeting.  Take for example this morning, I was feeding H while watching the tweets roll-in... one which came from @ACwebsaver announcing a promotion code for flights leaving only from YUL.  I just happen to be looking for flights to MCO and when I clicked on the link they provided, I was estatic to see that my flights were on for  $76. Yes... $76 instead anywhere between $218 to $459.  I booked them immediately, and an hour later, the promotion code was done. That is why I love Twitter!

All of social media is fun... and informative and entertaining. I haven't even touched all of the other forms, but I just try to imagine my life without these three outlets,  and I think I would be lost without them!

How do you use social media? Do you love it or hate it?

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Happy New Year!


A little late posting this... but wanted to share our belated Christmas card, that turned into a New Year's card! Once again, the design is all thanks to Jill @ Every Moment Matters!

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Sunday, January 16, 2011

Was that really a month ago?

To answer the question - yes it was! One month ago tonight, I was holding H in my arms for the first time and examining all of his features!  A month later, he is sleeping peacefully in his crib while I do a bit of blogging.

I really can't believe a month has gone by - I guess when you throw Christmas in with the first four weeks at home with a newborn, the days all mesh together and before you know it, were onto month 2.

I feel as though I'm repeating myself when I say this past month has been great - but it really. has. been. I am actually feeling like I am living in a bit of bubble when it comes to looking after H.  I keep saying to myself - can he be this good? What is going to go wrong? I am sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop, but hoping that it never does.

I have two things that are almost too good to be true...

1. H is a pretty cool customer, I have his schedule figured out, and 90% of the time I know why he is crying and what I need to do to help him. Its very easy to look after him in that respect.

2. E is such a sweetheart when it comes to his baby brother.  I am in awe of how much love he shows H on his own. He is always asking about the baby, and offering to help, and doing things like covering up the baby with HIS blanket without so much as a prompt.  I really didn't expect at 2 years old he would be such an affectionate and caring little boy to a baby that has no doubt disrupted his routine (and universe)!

These two things just make me smile! I am sort of in that 'is this really my life' dream world right now and I am hoping I never wake up from it either.  If this first month is any indication of how the next 11 might go - sign me up for the long haul!

As you may recall when E was reaching his month by month milestones, I did monthly photo shoots - and given that you know how I feel about ensuring the second child of the family isn't short changed on anything...  MONTHLY PHOTO SHOOTS ARE BACK!

Here is a look at the results from H's 1 Month photo shoot ... he's a growing boy, but still has that sweet newborn face that I think is picture perfect.

Love him to pieces!





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Friday, January 14, 2011

I remember when 30 was old!

It's like Deana Carter sings in Strawberry Wine - 'I remember when 30 was old' and I seriously do.  Now today, as I celebrate 31 years on this planet, I'd like rewrite the song to say 'I remember when 60 - or 61 (if you're reading Dad) was REALLY old'.

30 or being in your 30's still has some youthfulness to it... right?

I guess the saying goes 'you're only as old as you feel'... and frankly for the last 5 years I've been 25, but this year, for some reason, I feel like I'm older, much older than 25.

It might also be because of the fact that in the last month, I have discovered a school of grey hair randomly placed throughout my 25 year-old head of hair.  Like... where did this come from? You decide to have a second child and immediately your punished with grey hair. Not exactly the birthday gift I was looking for. I can see more blond highlights in my future... my very near future!

I don't know why having two kids suddenly makes me feel older, maybe its because I'm sleeping less, drinking more coffee in a day, and not taking care of my body as well as I use to, but either way... I hope this is just a short phase at the 'I'm old pity party' and then it passes. 

...

.....

.......

..........

Yes... there now, I'm over it.

As I turn 31 I have lots to be thankful for, and feeling old or feeling just plain (old) 31 ... doesn't matter to me. What matters is that I have my health and happiness, which includes the health and happiness of my two boys, my husband, our families and friends. This getting old thing pales in comparison to the happiness in my life right now... and at 31, I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe the grey hair bit!).

Thanks everyone for the emails, tweets, facebook messages and phone calls today and this week! I am reminded once again that I am surrounded with great people in my life.

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Thursday, January 13, 2011

My Second Labour Story

Well, its been four weeks since I gave birth to my second precious baby boy, and as promised, I am ready to share the details of this labour and delivery. Grab a coffee.. its a bit of a long one!

You may recall my labour story with E's arrival, that ended with a fairly traumatic delivery...which I can now look back and say it was all worth it, but it still not a labour & delivery fairytale - that's for sure.

This time around was so much different from my first experience.  For one, I had to be induced as labour didn't come on naturally. This was frustrating in a way, because of the waiting.  I had an induction scheduled for the 15th of December, but the hospital got extremely busy that morning and so my induction was pushed back. I was pretty bummed about this... as the anticipation was at an all time high on the morning of the 15th, but nonetheless, waiting one more day was pain free... which was nice.

Prior to my induction date, lots of people wished me well and hoped that I didn't have to be induced, but I would say induction is the way to go in a sense, because in my experience, its a gradual labour and for the most part is always monitored and under control (especially if you opt for an epidural).

So.. the morning of the 16th, we got the call at 7:15 am from my good friend and nurse SS9 to come in to the hospital to get the induction underway.  The hospital was still extremely busy and the triage nurse wasn't overly happy to see me, but I explained we were called to come in and she reluctantly agree to put me on a monitor while she got to the bottom of my story.  After being on the monitor SS9 arrived to explain the situation to the triage nurse and let us know that although there wasn't a room available at the moment, there were many rooms freeing up over the morning, so to come back in a bit and she would admit us to get the induction going.

The hospital was busy, and our good friends Vicki and Toubi were actually occupying one of the rooms in the hospital as they delivered their baby boy, Tomi the day before. We visited it with them and then PC and I had some Timmy's breakfast and then waited around for a bit before SS9 came to bring us to our room.

By this time it was 10:00ish, and by 10:30 I was in a gown and the resident OB, was breaking my water.  As she broke my water, we learned that the baby had already pooped... so although not a big concern, it was a definite sign the baby was ready to come out.

The plan after my water was broke, was to WAIT for the contractions to come on by themselves. At the time I was only 2 cms dilated, so if the contractions didn't start to intensify naturally, then they would put an IV in and put me on the drip (oxytocin) to help me along.

PC and I walked around, we visited with our friends, and while I was leaking water with every step, contractions were not really present or anywhere near intense.  This went on for a couple of hours, and while I was having the odd pain, I could tell I really wasn't dilating anymore, so they administered the IV and started the oxytocin. Contractions came on close together but not very intense at all. They checked me again, and I was 4.5 cms at around 3:30. The kept upping the drip, and soon the contractions were 2 minutes apart but again not too painful or intense (in comparison to my contractions with E).  After a short conversation with SS9 I decided that I would get the epidural now ... so that I could ensure I would get it while the going was good, and not be SOL later if things decided to process quickly.

By 6pm I had the epidural... and was feeling no pain whatsoever.  I was 5 cms and at the half way point, 8 hours after my water had broke. The epidural procedure hurt a bit more than my previous labour, I think because the contractions were not so hot n' heavy this time around that I was able to focus more on what the anesthesiologist was doing, which was not overly pleasant! Nevertheless... he got it done and I was very thankful for his work!

I think SS9 upped the drip again, and again. and again. Contractions were showing on the monitor as being 2 minutes apart but when the doctor checked me at 8pm, I was still only 5 cms.  I was holding back a few tears when the resident explained to me that if I didn't show any progress in the next couple of hours I could be headed for a c-section as it could become dangerous for the baby at some point.  I didn't want to have a c-section after waiting all. damn. day. for baby to arrive.  If I was going to have a c-section, we could have just done that at 10:30 am and be sleeping peacefully by now.

After the 8 pm check-in by the resident, we discussed maybe trying to get some rest while I waited to dilate more. She said she would come back at 10 to check me again, and we would devise a game plan for the rest of the night then.

My parents and my in-laws were at the hospital waiting, so they decided to go for coffee in the lobby for a few hours while I was to be resting.  I think they all thought it was going to be a long night so why not load up on caffeine to keep them going. PC went with them... and I told him I would message him on his phone if anything was happening.

During the time I was suppose to be resting, SS9 I got to chatting, catching up on things, and I was talking to friends on BBM. Around 8:30 the OB that was working the night shift came to see me and explained to me that she was prepared to be extra patient with second babies, because my first was delivered vaginally. She reassured me that if I showed a bit of progress in the next couple of hours, we could wait it out. That put me at ease, but I was still thinking there was no way this baby was going to be born on the 16th at the rate I was progressing (or not progressing).

Around 9ish SS9 maxed out the oxytocin, but again I wasn't feeling a thing so it made no difference to me. At 9:30 she left the room to go get a quick snack and to find the doctor to come in at 10.  She wasn't gone 10 minutes when I all of sudden started feeling a ton of pressure. At 9:50, I messaged PC to come back to the room because I was having all of this pressure suddenly and the doctor was to come in at 10. I told him to tell our parents to come up after 10 when the doctor would have already checked me.

SS9 returned to the room at about 9:50 pm, she sarcastically asked me how I was doing and to her surprise, I said I had A LOT of pressure in my butt. She got that look in her eye and said 'Really? Let's check'.  I was 10 cms and the head was very low.  SS9 took off out of the room to get the doctor and PC. Before I knew it, they were in the room, the resident checked me and confirmed I was definitely 10cms and ready to push.

I started pushing at 9:58 pm and 17 minutes later at 10:15 pm, Hudson was in my arms and crying that sweet sweet cry that was so reassuring.

It happened VERY quickly. So quickly that when our parents returned to the room, they were waiting outside thinking the doctor was checking me, when in fact, they were stunned to find out that their newest grandson had already arrived.

I think I was shocked too that he was actually in my arms and looking at me. He literally just flew out after making us wait all that time.  To say labour was quick and painless, would be fairly accurate. Of course there was some pain and a lot of waiting, but when it came to actual delivery - it was quite fast which meant no time for pain.

I have to say, this delivery would not have been possible without SS9... she A. got us admitted to the hospital, B. got labour started, and C. was still working a full 15 hours after she first called us that morning. She was the best coach, and is a superstar nurse and even better friend! Thanks SS9... could not have done it without you.


As I said before, this experience was so much different from when I had E. This labour reassured me that childbirth doesn't have to be traumatic and can be a wonderful experience. 
I give a ton of credit as well to the resident doctor, Dr. Jennifer Brown-Broderick who delivered H. She has an awesome bedside manner and overall wonderful coach during the actual delivery. She was really great, and put me at ease and ensured the arrival of H didn't cause my body too much wear and tear ;-).

PC was also the best... I think he puts other husband's to shame in the delivery room as he is very comfortable in the medical setting, and for me he is a calming influence and great partner to have by my side.  

I am 99.9% sure this will be the last time I have a labour story to share with you... but if by narrow narrow narrow chance I had to end up doing it again, I would want to repeat this story to you! 

Thanks for reading... I have spent the last month falling in love with my little boy and being even more in love with my little family of boys! I'm definitely outnumbered but wouldn't have it any other way.


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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Aww Sh#t!

Around our house, its no secret that PC and I like to throw out an f-bomb or a few other occasional swears mixed in with our daily conversations.  We both often say 'sh#t' or 'f@#k' if we've:
  • forgot something
  • dropped something
  • remembered something
  • stepped on something
  • broke something
  • kicked something
  • stubbed something
The list goes on!

As many of you probably know, when you have a two year old in the house, everything you say gets repeated.  I like to think I am little better than PC when it comes to swearing in front of children. I think about what I'm saying before I actually say it. PC on the other hand, has no filter, and if he's thinking it, it's already coming out of his mouth.

This morning, while I was trying to get the last 20 minutes of sleep for the day before H woke up to feed, I overheard PC trying to get E out the door to daycare. He was also trying to get himself out the door to work. PC must have forgot something when I overheard the following conversation:

PC: C'mon on Goose, let's go.
E: Daddy, choo-choo track (as in where is? I want to take it to daycare).

PC: Let's go.

Door opens...

PC: Awww SHIT.
E: Shout? Shout Daddy?
PC: Yes, shout (*chuckling*).

PC goes down stairs...

E: Shout. Aw shout. Shout Daddy. Shout.

PC comes back up stairs...

E: Shout.
PC: Yes, Emery, Shout. Daddy said shout, now let's go.
E: Choo-choo track?

Door slams.

And its forgotten.  I was having a laugh upstairs to myself as H starts crying - to which I thought 'Awww shit, he's up', but didn't say a word.

I have to admit I had the same experience with E the week before when I was home by myself with the boys. I was feeding H on my bed, and E was on the bed beside me watching Wiggles. I went to grab for something off the nightstand and I dropped it, to which I reacted 'Shit' and my little repeat replied 'Shout Mommy? Shout?'.   Yes, shout - shout shout shout!

It's tough adjusting vocabulary when your so use to talking like that... but I think PC and I both need to learn that the time is now or else we'll have two boys on our hands that say 'Awww SHIT' when they drop a cheerio - and we drop a lot of cheerios in this house!

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Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Things I've forgotten in two short years!

It's only been a little over two years since E was a newborn... and now just three weeks into my second run with a new baby in my life, I have forgotten quite a few things, like:
  • how often you have to change a newbies diaper... we're talking every two to three hours, as opposed to every 24 with a potty training two year old!
  • how much time you spend on your laptop while breastfeeding... geesh I have read every blog five times daily in the last three weeks!
  • how little you can actually accomplish in a day when you have a newbie in your arms 18 of the 24 hours in a day.
  • how much time you have to ponder what you would do, if you only you had a free minute, hour, afternoon!
  • how amazing it is to have a newborn in your arms that stares contently at you.
  • how great it feels to rock my sweet baby boy to sleep and then gently lay him in his crib (while secretly wanting to pick him back up and snuggle him just a little more).
  • how much I value a decent stint of uninterrupted sleep.
  • how there are never enough soothers in the house... there should be at least 2 to 3 in every room of the house, including the garage and laundry room!
  • how much time in a week you think about your infant and their poop schedule.
  • how there is no such thing as 'my time' in the first few weeks at home.
  • how great it is to have enough time in a day to shower AND blow dry my hair.
  • how great it feels when I can actually make a decent supper and serve it at a half decent hour (which has happened once since I've been on my own)!
  • how guilty you feel when you have a sleeping baby and you'd rather take a nap then run around the house trying to accomplish your daily to-do list.
  • how maddening it is when you just get to take a nap and the doorbell or phone rings!
  • how great it feels to just get out of the house for an hour to do groceries - yes groceries has become exciting again.
  • how much you appreciate the small things your husband can do... like clean off the kitchen table, put gas in the car so I don't have to make an extra stop, pick me up a coffee on his way home - PC you are the best!
The list goes on let me tell you...I thought I remembered the change in pace for the most part, but clearly there are things have slipped my mind! 

The good news/bad news is that its such a short period of time - and it flys by... so just when I am starting to adjust to the changes, I'll blink and I'll be in a new phase, wishing I was suddenly back in the old phase!

Ooooh, the ups and downs of mommyhood - but I still wouldn't trade it for the world, and here's the main reason - just look at that precious face!

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Saturday, January 01, 2011

Hello 2011!

Welcome to 2011!

It's going to be a good year, I can just feel it!

I seem to like the odd numbered years for some reason... I don't know if its because I feel like I can let loose a little this year now that I am not pregnant anymore, or if its just because we just came off an even-numbered year that was full of hard work, and anticipation.  Either way, I think 2011 is going to ROCK!

Of course, 2011 was made ten times better because I'll be on maternity leave the entire year (sorry, it has just hit me!), and we have lots things planned for this year, family vacations, and road trips, not to mention just spending time at home getting know my newest little boy.

I have no resolutions for 2011... unless you classify ENJOYING THE ENTIRE YEAR as a resolution.  Either way, that's my plan.

Whatever 2011 is going to throw at me, I am up for the challenge (but if anyone is listening up there, don't mistake that statement for 'I want to be challenged' - I am perfectly comfortable not being challenged for a whole year, especially in the baby department - are we clear? good. great. wonderful. perfect.)

I hope this year brings lots of joy and happiness to each of you... and I can't wait to share all of the fabulous moments (and probably some pretty uneventful and borning moments too) with you via the blog.

Like take for example this post... pretty borning, but aren't you glad you've got something to read, instead of looking at the last post of 2010 again? !!!

Happy New Year faithful readers... looking forward to a wonderful year with you!

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