I didn't have girls but...

I love my boys to pieces, but every once and a while when I am in a kids clothing store, I find myself wandering to the little girls section and admiring all the girly-girl outfits and accessories. Flat out, I am blessed to have two boys, but even more so when it comes to accessorizing, as I would probably go wild with all the hair stuff for baby girls.

However, just because I don't have girls... doesn't mean I can't have fun with my boys!!

While PC took Saturday morning to sleep in an extra hour, and I was busy feeding H, E decided to entertain himself in our bathroom.

It was pretty hilarious! Much to PC's dismay, E does love his lulu headbands... a boy after my own heart!

If only they could meet!

I don't think a day really goes by that I don't consciously think of my grandparents.  I have always believed that they are watching over me and still supporting and loving me just as if they were still alive.

I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to get to know them and share my childhood with them. I have so many memories with them, but I am also hurt that I did not get to share my family with them. I think they would have absolutely adored my children and every day that passes, I wish there was some super natural way that would allow me introduce them to each other.

It sounds crazy right? But it is something I really wish for.

Before when it was just PC and I, I often told him how much I think my grandparents would have liked him, and I feel ten times the same way that they would have really liked E and H too.  E, at the tender age of two, is into tractors and trains, and all things locomotive... I think he and my Grandpa W would have had so much in common.  My Grandpa W loved all these little trinket toys and E would be thrilled to see him pull out his impressive collection. I can hear E giggling now just thinking about the fun they would have together.

As we are planning our up coming trip to Florida, it reminds me when I went to Florida as a child, and how when we went to visit my Grandparents before our big trip, Grandpa B, would slip my sister and I a fifty to buy a souvenir on our trip. He never cracked a smile much, but I just knew how much he loved me, especially when he made big gestures like that seem like nothing too important. I think seeing my boys prepare for their trip would give him just as much enjoyment, and even more so as they are boys!

Its the sweetness of the age of my boys right now that both my grandmother's would have adored. The way E gives hugs and kisses, and H's coos and smiles at anyone who talks to him.  Together they would have made my grandmothers instantly smile.  I can see it, much in the same way they make their own grandparents smile.

I miss my grandparents so much... and although I wish they were with us longer, I find joy in the fact my boys are blessed, much like I was, to have two sets of grandparents alive and well... and ready to share in their lives. I like to think that my grandparents passing before my boys were born was in fact a gift to my parents... giving them more free time to spend with their grandchildren... loving and spoiling them, much the same way they did for me.

Big Boy Underwear!

Today is a big day.

Its the first day that I have E in big boy underwear... just underwear, no diaper, no pull-up, just his a thin pair of Cars underwear between his bare bum and his jeans.  

E has been wearing a pull-up since just after his 2nd birthday (back in October) and has been doing really well going on the potty.  I would go as far as to say he is fully trained for the potty when it comes to number twos, but still has some inconsistency when it comes to peeing on a regular basis. He recently discovered some underwear I have had in his drawer for several months and on Monday, he showed a real interest in wearing them.  PC decided to put them over his pull-up at his request the other night and he was very excited about it. The light switch went on for both of us that maybe we can go to just underwear now.

I have to say, the whole potty training thing was something I was really reluctant to get into, but with some encouragement from our daycare provider back in October, I came to see that E was ready, willing, and able. The thing about diapers is that although its a pain to change a diaper, at least its on your schedule when you decide to do it.  In potty training mode, when E says he has to go pee, he has to go, whether we're at the grocery store, in the car, or elbow deep in pizza dough.

As much I want him to be fully potty trained, I also dread the 'situations' we will get ourselves into when we don't have the pull-up to fall back on. As well, going with just underwear in a social setting will no doubt create some embarrassing situations for him, and it will break my heart to see him upset about the accidents he is bound to have, but I know, this is the only way for him to really learn and process the consequences of not telling us he has to go pee.

It's only noon, and so far he's on his third pair of underwear. We've gone through Cars, Thomas, and are now onto woof-woofs... and every ten minutes I am asking him 'is woof-woof still dry?', to which he answers a confident 'YES Mom-mee!'.

I am hoping after a few days of accidents at home and at daycare he'll have caught on that having wet underwear, pants, and socks, is no fun - and that he's got to tell us when he has to pee all the time, no just when he's prompted or its convenient to him.

Fingers crossed this is right approach... (double crossed actually)!

UPDATE: E has done fantastic in the big boy underwear.  The first day was probably his worst day...  in the last week and a bit we have had many accident free days. I am very proud Mommy!

The one on break-ups and marriages!

It seems lately that many people/couples I know are splitting up... and there doesn't seem to be one formula over the other as to why these break-ups have occurred, they just have.

This isn't the first series of break-ups that I've heard about either, it seems every couple of years there is a spree of them, and it always leaves me asking my myself two things: how did this happen? and how do I avoid it from happening to me?

I think the most painful thing to watch is a couple split up after years and years of marriage... which is where my first question comes in, how did this happen? But I also ask this question over and over again when I hear about friends my age splitting up after only a couple of years of marriage. How do couples go from being in love and having a beautiful wedding, followed by (in some cases) a couple of children, and then bingo-bango-boom ... splitsville? I'm always left feeling sorry for them, and their kids, as I don't think its what either party envisioned when they said I do.

I know each relationship is unique and I am betting these former couples don't have the answers, and truly the answers wouldn't really matter, but these examples get me thinking about how to avoid this from happening in my own marriage.

While I like to believe PC and I have a relationship that will last us well beyond the grave, there are no guarantees in life and that is SCARY.  I really really REALLY don't want our marriage to fall apart EVER, and I don't want our boys to come from a broken home either, but its very eye opening to hear what others have gone through that has led them done the path to divorce, and to not wonder to yourself, am I on that course and don't even know it?

I think one of the biggest things in a relationship/marriage is communication.... on all topics. And I know I can be the worst communicator (Comm's degree n' all) when it comes to my own relationships/friendships/family-ships, but I see the need to get better at it. As the years go on, I want to build up that communication trait in me, because in the end, it may be a key tool in saving any relationship from disaster.

One thing that I will openly admit that PC does better than me is communicating. He will call me out with I am being bitchy, unreasonable, or closing the door on a chance to talk.  I hold a grudge easily, where he likes to discuss the grudge quickly so we can move on to martial bliss again.  Its a fine line, and thankfully, its not one we have to cross very often, but from time to time we do get in a rut and if it weren't for his efforts, I could see my grudges derailing our relationship quicker than I'd like.  The funny thing about it is that I also think these different traits in both of us are what makes our marriage work to some degree... much in the same way that he is the handyman where I'm the interior designer of the relationship. We both bring strengths to our marriage, and at the end of the day, its these strengths that make us click, and function as a unit.

Don't get me wrong, our marriage is in no way perfect, we have our moments, we argue, and disagree from time to time, but the majority of days we go to bed at night feeling 'in love'. And it's a good feeling... one that I want to last forever, and I have faith that it will... BUT, there is always that tiny part of me that wonders, will it really?

Do any of you have thoughts like this in your own relationships? or have any advice/secrets to keep relationships healthy and running well into the golden years? It seems rare these days that couples celebrate their 40 or 50th wedding anniversary, but I truly want to be a member of that elite group.

Brothers!

Since I found out we were expecting a second boy, I have been wondering what type of relationship my boys will have as 'brothers'. I never had a brother, I only have one sister, so I can't comment on what a brotherly relationship should or shouldn't be, but I have to say, if these first two months are any indication of what's to come, E and H are going to be great friends. E just has a loving and caring way about him with his brother and its so heart warming to see him always kissing and hugging his bro.

I know, I know, I know, its probably not going to last, and I am prepared for that, but I really do cherish these moments where E is so taken with his baby brother, and I really hope that as H grows up he can see that E is there for him, loves him, and truly wants to be his friend. 

I took these pics over the weekend of the boys, and I have to say, I am in love with them.  I am not sure what I love more, E's proud and protective big brother look, or H's smirk! I love the first one A LOT and I think its going to inspire me to finally get my picture wall going in our entrance way.

Special shout of to my Dad, who celebrates his birthday today... no need to comment his exact age, other than we are thirty years apart, and I'm 31!!! Happy Birthday Timbo, love ya!

Two Month Photo Shoot!

My baby boy is two months old today, and yet to me, it seems like he and I have been hanging out for much longer than that (and I mean that in a good way). At two months, I now can't remember what life was like without having two boys. H just seems to be the perfect fit to our family, and I find myself clinging a bit more to his infant state, more so than I may have with done with E. These first few months are so precious, and I have developed an overwhelming feeling of love for my little boy, my baby!

H has had two great months... he is now smiling and cooing and starting to give us those rewarding moments when we include him in our conversations.  There is nothing more thrilling in a day than speaking to your baby and have him return the favour with his own set of dramatics. I love it.  I know when I write this, other mothers of two month olds may want to leave me nasty comments, but H has been sleeping through the night from midnight to 7am (sometimes 6:30 am, sometimes 8:30 am) for the last month.  Much to my surprise at this stage, we are getting a lot of decent stretches of sleep in this household, which I didn't dream was even possible. H really caught on to his days and nights very early on. He eats often in a day, but I have no problem with this if it means I get my 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

At the 6 week mark, H weighted in at 9lbs, 4oz... so he is gaining weight, not at an overly alarming rate, but he is on track to be one healthy boy! I seriously pinch myself a bit and wonder if he can be this easy going.  I really thought E was a great baby, but H at this stage *may* be even better!

H is generating a lot more laundry in this household... he likes to spit up a bit after each feed, just to let you know he's full, so he is keeping his laundry basket full at all times, but luckily, he has enough clothes in his closet to dress a hockey team, so, at least he's wearing ALL of those lovely gifts we have received.

H may also love his Mommy a tad bit more than anyone else right now... I am noticing more and more that while I can calm him down immediately when he is upset, others, including Daddy, seem to have a bit more trouble.  I may have Mama's boy on my hands... but hoping he turns out to love people as much as his brother!

Yes, the two month mark is here and what better way to celebrate than with a photo shoot!

Happy TWO months sweet boy.

 

 

LOVE Day!

I don't think I will *always* do this... but for now, I love celebrating the little occasions, like Valentine's day, with my boys... hence, a mini photo-shoot.  And... let's not forget, I did this with E for his first V-Day, so its no big surprise, that I want to do it with H too.

Hope each of you have a special moment today with someone you love. I know for me, these smiles along with an extra smooch from PC today are what V-Day is all about for me.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

A day on the Rideau Canal

I have been wanting to get to the canal for weeks now (before the Winterlude rush), but it seems either the weather is poor, someone is sick, or PC has hockey. While I was to be away curling this weekend, that didn't happen, so I immediately got the idea to head to the canal.  The forecast was calling for snow but I didn't care... we were doing it, Winterlude madness n' all.

It doesn't matter how prepared I am the night before, getting out of the house with two kids and a hung-over husband takes FOREVER.  I wanted to be gone by 10 am, and I had told PC (who was out the night before) that at 9 am he should be packing the truck, so I could feed H and then we'd be out the door for 10. He agreed to the plan, so the night before I had packed snacks, blankets, extra mitts, skates, etc. so that really all he would have to do is load the truck, load the kids, and the bike trailer.  But of course, nothing ever goes according to MY plan.

Both E and H slept in later than I anticipated, so we were behind before we even started the day... and PC did get the bike trailer out around 9, but had to put air in the tires and then assemble it to see if we could in fact fit the car seat in it, or if we would have to take the stroller for H.  That was a 45 minute venture I did not anticipate... so needless to say once I fed H, we still were packing the truck (not PC's fault, but just a time consumer).

In the middle of it all PC called his dad to see if he wanted to join us, and once he found his skates, and dusted them off, he agreed to come.  He was a huge help in getting us on and off the canal with both kiddies... and much to my delight, we had a photographer with us too!

Although we didn't leave the house until 11:37 (E had to have something to eat, H decided to poop, spit-up, the works), we were off and running before noon and it was just in time for the snow to clear and the sun to shine.  We seriously, could not have picked a better afternoon for the skate.  Little wind, and just an all around beautiful winter day. 

E wasn't too big on skating in the very crowded canal, but loved the ride in the bike trailer as it was enclosed and warm - and he didn't have to wear his mitts (major issue with the mitts all. the. time.), H was asleep and loving the fresh air, only made a peep here and there when we stopped for some photos and then a snack.  He was the best little boy on the canal (IMHO).

We had beavertails and hot chocolate, and skated close to 5 km. An all around GREAT family day with very well behaved boys! It's amazing what a little fresh air can do for everyone's mood.  SO HAPPY!

Here a few pics from our fun afternoon... to see the whole album I posted to Facebook, go here.

An honest look in the mirror...

Do you have those times where you look in the mirror and think 'Wow, I look pretty good today' and then 10 minutes later you walk by the same mirror but catch a glimpse of yourself at a different angle and that feeling goes speeding down the express way faster than you can say chocolate covered almonds.

I'm not fat, but I'm not a skinny person either.  I'll never be someone who people say 'She's a stick', or 'there's nothing to her', and I'm good with that. But I don't want to become the person that people say 'wow she really packed on the weight after she had kids' or 'she used to be MUCH thinner'.

I am almost two months post-pregnancy and while I am fitting back into my old clothes just fine (there are perks to breast feeding), I have been asking myself if I was really happy with my body pre-second-pregnancy. And seriously, how long can I hold onto the crutch of 'I look okay for JUST having a baby'?

I have had never had the crazy yo-yo weight problems, but I have gone up or down 10 to 15 pounds through the course of my life, and these gains and losses were mostly associated with major events in life: break-up with high-school boyfriend (down 10 to 15)), starting university/moving away from home  (up 15 - as in frosh 15), meeting PC (down 10), and finally a year of hell on French training (up 10).  I am anticipating that having two kids could also go on that list, but I am hoping the weigh goes down instead of up.

Throughout my life, I have been active, but never stuck to one exercise program that gained a ton of results. I use to go to the gym in University but even then, it was always at my convenience.  I don't think I am a gym person to be honest.  The idea of going to the gym, and saying you went to the gym sits well with me, but the actually function of going there does not in the least bit excite me.

I have never been a runner, but I think I want to start running when the snow clears. I don't know why, because you couldn't have paid me any amount of money to run in my early school days. I hated track n' field and cross-country running. Ab.sol.ute.ly hated it. But for some reason, I feel like this is something I can do now that I am older and maybe even enjoy?  (I'll keep you posted on this one FOR SURE).

I think while the exercising will come, its the eating that I really need to get a grip on.  Right now, I think E has been wearing off on me with his need for 'treat-ties' every hour on the hour.  I have come to be that way since the beginning of the third trimester of my pregnancy.  I had a treat every afternoon and sometimes early evening and felt I could because I was pregnant. Now, post-pregnancy, my body is still craving those treats, and I have a hard time telling it NO. I am constantly wanting to snack on high-calorie, high-sugar/salt treats - and the real problem is, I have them in the house so they are easily accessible (even though I like to think I have self-control).

I'm still breast-feeding but I am hoping to get out of that business in the next couple months, so the while I can get away with the extra calories now with little consequences, its going to be a sad reality when I get my boobs back, and there is no where for the weight to go except to straight to my hips, ass, and stomach (a moment on the lips forever on the hips).

Do any of you struggle with the snacking factor, or weight gain and loss? Any tips, advice, secrets? I would love to hear for any beginner runners too, if there is any advice for people like me who are *thinking* of starting out.

A little note from Pierre Lemeuix

Yesterday in the mail, we received a card addressed to Hudson Coleman.

When we opened it, it was a hand written note from Pierre Lemieux, our Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell. The note was welcoming Hudson to the community and congratulating us on his arrival (with a copy of his birth announcement that my in-laws *must* have put in the local paper).

Two years ago, he did this when E arrived, and I was impressed... and today, I'm still impressed.

I work in Communications and more specifically Government Communications, so I know how easy it is for a government official to snap their fingers and have a correspondence unit draft up a standard congratulations letter and then have it come across the official's desk for signature.  So ... in this case, where the letter is hand-written (and the hand-writing matches the card we received for E in 2008), I think it speaks volumes about Mr. Lemieux and the extra little things that matter to him. The fact that two years later he is still keeping up the same practices is really refreshing to see (2008 when E was born was right around election time...which is not the case this time).

Am I a huge fan of the Conservatives? No, not really, but I have to admit, these little gestures come to mind at election time, and since the competition has sent us squat ... its fairly likely Mr. Lemieux may have our vote based on this gesture alone!

No more nice Mommy!

So, its official.
I'm not longer that nice Mommy... I'm the 'tough shit. listen to me now. I mean business' type Mommy.

Somewhere between the 'no-no babe' and 'please, don't do that' Mommy, emerged the 'STOP THAT RIGHT NOW', 'THAT IS ENOUGH' and 'THAT'S IT, GO TO YOUR ROOM' Mommy. It's like the latter has always been there, but I didn't realize it was only a simple flick of the switch for ... SHOW TIME!

Last week, as I mentioned in a previous post, was a trying week. E is generally a good kid, and I know all parents want to believe that their kids are good, when in fact some are not, but I really do know that, right now, E is fairly easy going, easy to please, not overly demanding, and listens for the most part, which in my books, makes him a good kid.  However, last week, he was really testing the limits. He was sick, and tired, and I was sick and tired of him being sick and tired, and so, with patience wearing mighty thin, I had raised my voice at him a couple of times to hammer home the point that I was no longer going to tolerate his acting out and most of all his not listening when I ask him to do something or stop doing something.

Now, I can make all the excuses in the book I want, but I know that he is just wanting attention for us, and more specifically me, because he knows my first obligation right now is to his baby brother (for obvious reasons). Its like three months ago E would have killed for more independence and now that I'm willing to give it to him (because frankly I have no other choice when I'm on my own with the two of them), he is reverting back to the 'Help Help Help' phase.

In addition when he doesn't get the attention he wants from me, he has started to do things that he knows are wrong and knows will create a reaction, like dumping an entire bag of goldfish crackers all over the coffee table, or fillng a glass of water from the water cooler and 'accidently' dumping some of it on the floor and then announcing 'uh-oh Mom-meeee'.

Cue out of nowhere: 'THAT IS ENOUGH EMERY, YOUR NOT LISTENING, YOU WILL GO TO YOUR ROOM IF THIS KEEPS UP'

To which I think to myself: Holy shit... where did that come from?
To which E thinks to himself: Holy shit... where did that come from?

Nonetheless he continues to push the limits with one thing after another and I finally snap... put his brother down mid-feeding (much to E's surprise) and march him up to his room, where I proceed to tell him to sit on his bed until he can listen. He defys and says No, and I persist with, Yes, and we go back and forth until he realizes I am not joking, I'm SERIOUS Mommy, and I'm upset. I close the door and tell him, you stay in here until you can say sorry and start listening to Mommy.

The screaming and whining continues from his room, while I watch from the video monitor to see he will do, and eventually (10 minutes later) he goes quiet and just stares at the door.  Finally he gets up the nerve to get off his bed, and opens the door quietly, to which he says in the most apologetic voice possible:

"Mom-mee... I saw-ree"

Talk about knocking me down a peg or too with that line. I wanted to cry just hearing the sympathy in his voice... but then I remember how I use to try and work my parents over with a sweet thing or two only long enough to piss them off again, and so I wisely said in a stern voice:

DO you think you can start listening to Mommy now?

E: Huh? Ya.

Me: Okay then, you can come out. Bring a book and we'll read it together.

Whoa! My first major discipline scene completed.... just like that! I didn't know I had it in me, but now that I do, I'm afraid of how often I'll be acting this one out. Probably only one or twice right? RIGHT?

My LOVE for Keurig

It's February, so maybe I am feeling overly lovey this month, but whatever the case is and I am in total undeniable passionate love with my Cuisinart Keurig brewing system.

I have had the Keurig system since September (PC surprised me with it as a gift for our anniversary), and I have to say at first, I didn't know if we really needed it. I had seen and tried other Keurig brewers and thought they were neat, but didn't think it was something for us.  But, today, if I came home and my house was robbed, I think the first thing I would ask is 'did they take my Keurig?'.

Since I've been off on maternity leave (November), I have used my Keurig everyday and each day as I finish my cup of coffee, I take the last sip and announce 'that was good' *sigh*.  It is truly one of the things I look forward to in the morning (next to the smiley faces of my sweet boys).

This is in no way a paid endorsement of any type, but there are some pretty great features about my Keurig....

• it makes great tasting coffee EVERY TIME
• there is absolutely NO MESS
• There are so many different kinds of coffee to choose from... you can match your mood easily.
• It allows me to drink decaf, and PC regular coffee within the blink of eye
• When I am in a hurry, one touch of a button and in less than a minute I'm ready to go with my hot cup of coffee.

I use to be one of Tim Horton's top customers here in Embrun, PC and I were always making a TIm's run on the weekends... but lately, while we still enjoy the timbits and the odd cup of chili, we aren't going there nearly as much as before we had the Keurig. The couple times that I have had a decaf double double from Tim's I have been disappointed, because my Green Mountain French Vanilla decaf taste ten times better.

I have also been using this particular machine just for a shot of hot water to warm H's bottles.  I only need 6 ozs of hot water, so I just select that cup size, hit the hot water button, and I'm in business. Its been super handy for that.

I'll admit, I've become a bit of a K-cup whore when it comes to brands and kinds. At first we were drinking some Van Houte coffee, but then we discovered Green Mountain coffee, and while PC's go-to is the Nantucket Blend, I love the French Vanilla decaf, but also have a deep appreciation for their Pumpkin Spice, Carmel Vanilla Creme, and the Half Calf.  We recently just picked up a box of Green Mountain Apple Cider (which is so yummy on a cold winter day) and the Timothy's White Hot Chocolate which I am also in LOVE with, not to mention the Timothy's Chai Tea.

There are a gazillion flavours and brands ... and I love going to Tweed & Hickory here in Ottawa where you can buy the individual k-cups and try out as many flavours as you want. It's like the Pop Shoppe of coffee!

All around, if your one of those people who has been thinking about getting a Keurig, I can honestly say, I don't think you will be disappointed.  If you are the only coffee person in the house, then the Keurig is for you, because no one likes to brew a pot of coffee for just one or two cups and then have to clean up the mess after. If you want, no fuss, no muss... this machine will answer your prayers!

I know I am not the only K-cup Keurig lover out there... are any of you madly in love with your Keurig machines, or secretly wishing someone would surprise you with one as a gift?  Valentine's day is just around the corner for anyone looking for gift ideas for their love ones!

Good Great Friends

What would life be like without great friends?

On Thursday night, I was out for dinner with three of my besties who I haven't seen in quite some time. It was a belated birthday dinner celebration for me (but really just a good excuse to get out for dinner for all of us), and it could not have come at a better time.

I have been in a bit of a funk lately, the "I have two kids" reality has sunk in, and while its going well, its also a reality check that this is MY life. The ups and down of parenthood have hit me this week... newborn baby, sick toddler, and sleep deprived parents, makes for a *lovely* combination of 'joy and happiness' in this household.  I did not leave the house since the Friday before, so was finding it hard to be energetic and cheerful when I can't pay for two minutes of downtime, but yet I do my best to pick my battles and hope for a better combo of everything next week (although it grand scheme of things, I know its not. that. bad.).

Now... where was I going with this (Mommy brain)... oh yes, great friends.  I had a long overdue scheduled outting with the girls and we spent two hours laughing (and at times laughing so hard I was almost crying). Nothing lightens my mood like some good girlfriend banter... I can't even begin to share what we were talking about, because I don't remember half of it, but I do know that leaving the restaurant I had a permanent smile on my face the entire drive home. Seriously, these ladies make me laugh and smile, and it was a great break from a trying week.

Girlfriends are the best medicine... and I am so thankful to have so many great girlfriends ... even those that I don't see very often or live miles away, but I know that when I do get a chance to catch up with them, they brighten my life!

Thanks ladies for a great night! It made Friday's outing of lugging two kids to the doctor with me that much more bearable (which is a whole other blog post for another day).

Forcing the Soother, Killing the Soother

Its a two way street around here when it comes to the soother. On one hand, I have a two year old who LOVES his soother and we have just x-nayed it on him, and on the other hand, I have baby boy who loves his hand and not the soother, and I am forcing the soother on him!

Let's start with the toddler issue... from birth, E was a soother boy.  It took me about three days to decide that he needed a soother or else he or I were not going to get any sleep in this house.  As soon as we introduced the soother, moods and attitudes around this place improved drastically.  E spent two years loving his soother.  Around 10 months old, we transitioned from soother anytime of the day, to soother only at bedtime and nap time. He went along with this quite cooperatively until about a month after his second birthday.  He started wanting his soother all. the. time.  He whined and cried and pleaded with us 'Num-num, num-num, nummy, pease...pease Mommy'.

WIth the arrival of H, E practically had his soother whenever he wanted because it was always just sitting on his bed and he was free to roam and grab it, at his convenience.  When you have a newborn, and are on a new schedule, the last thing I wanted to be doing was fighting with a toddler about his nummy. So for 6 weeks he won the battle and had it pretty much the majority of his days here.

The soother, I will admit was as much a clutch for him, as it was for PC and I.  Knowing that giving E his soother at anytime would stop the whining or buy us another hour of sleep was fine by us.  But eventually we knew we'd have to kill the soother and the more pictures I saw of E with his soother around his baby brother, the quicker I decided the time is now.

A week ago Wednesday morning, I woke up to E awake in his room, laying in bed with no soother. I thought to myself, he doesn't need it for sleeping in, he's awake and he doesn't have it in his mouth - let's do this. So that day, I tracked down all of the nummy's in the house and vito'd them immediately (although two are still MIA).  Conveniently my parents also left that morning after being here a week. When E arrived home from daycare, and asked for his soother, I said, 'where did you put it'? and of course, he didn't know but started looking for one with no such luck. Then when bedtime rolled around and he asked for it, I put the idea in his head that Grandpa must have taken them home with him (a short 8 hour drive away).  He agreed with me, and immediately demanded "BACK. BACK. BACK", as in "Grandpa bring it back NOW'! I explained we would have to call Grandpa in the morning but that he could go to bed without it. He wasn't overly pleased (pleased with Grandpa I should say), but he did go to bed, with about 5 minutes of moaning (not crying just that 'I'm not happy about it' whine and moan). He woke up once that night, and again moaned for about 30 seconds, said nummy, and then was back out. In the morning, he was up about 20 minutes earlier than usual, but was in good spirits.

It was a successful mission and we were onto day 2, night 2. Both went well, he mentioned his soother once when he got home and once at bed, and I gave the same Grandpa line and we moved on. Two minutes of whining at bed and out.  And that's how it is.  He doesn't go to bed quite as peacefully as before, but he's not kicking up a royal fuss either, so I am can deal with the few minutes of protesting he gives us.

The last few days E has been extremely sick and I thought I would almost cave on the soother if I thought it would help him get more than 40 minutes of sleep at a time, but luckily he never once asked for it, so we didn't have to go there. And since we've cleared that hurdle, I won't be thinking of caving again - we are soother free for E! YAY.

H, on the other hand, is a different story. He clearly seems to want to suck his thumb and after having a good soother killing experience with E, I would rather H take a soother than suck his thumb. He's not big on the soother at. all. He works very hard at getting the soother out of his mouth so he can jam his fist in there.  I think that breaking thumbing sucking will be twice as hard to do, as taking away a soother, so I am really pushing the soother.

It feels almost like I am setting myself up for disaster as I just went through getting rid of the soother with one child, only to try and push it on another. But given that the soother was such a clutch for us with E, I wouldn't mind having it to rely-on down the road with H.  My only change for H will be that I think I will kill it before he turns two, instead of after, as that is where we seem to run into the problems.

Do you have any soother or thumb stories of your own to share... did you find it difficult to have your toddler stop taking the soother or the thumb? What age is the ideal age to get rid of the soother?

Comments!

I just reverted back to using Blogger's comment system instead of Haloscan/Echo's system that I was previously using. I was finding a few problems with it, so I bailed on it. Thank you to everyone who previously left comments under the old system - they are not showing now, but I have access to them in my archives. Please be assured I appreciate every comment I have received, and did not just go and purposely delete everything you have said - as that is not the case.

If you've left a comment on other Blogger sites, you'll be familiar with this commenting layout, but if you haven't, leaving a comment is EASY. Below each post, there is a link at the bottom that says COMMENTS, when you click on that, a separate pop-up window opens.  Under 'Choose your Identity' you can either use your google ID, or if you don't have one just select the Name/URL option - you only have to input your name (and if you want your URL, but its not necessary).  Type your comment above and hit 'publish my comment'.  Voila - DONE!

Looking forward to hearing from you... anyone care to TEST it for me.

Thanks!

Baby Huddy!

E is a talking machine lately, not just words, but strings of words coming together, more little phrases all the time.  The other night he was on fire with his words... and out of nowhere he said his brother's name.

It was a pretty special moment at our house. PC was in the room too with H, and we were grinning from ear to ear, as only proud parents can!

I caught this little short clip on video... and I'm so happy I did as I could watch it over and over again!

6 Week Performance Review

So... I'm now six weeks into my new position and like any new job, its time for a performance review.

What new job you ask?

Job Title: Mommy of a Toddler and a Newborn

Responsibilities: managing a two year old and a newborn at the same time, while running a household, and maintaining a marriage, friendships, and family relationships, not to mention personal sanity.

Communication: B
While I hold a degree in this field, I am still having some trouble communicating in a timely manner to friends and family, and at times I forget to share phone messages with my better half.  I don't see this as cause for major concern, but over time it can have more serious effects. I seem to be able to understand the lingo of my two year-old but have more difficulty listening to a complex story or over-detailed account of anyone's day.  There is room for improvement in this category and with a little extra sleep, I think the necessary improvements can be made.

Project Planning & Execution: C+
There is definite room for improvement in this area.  I don't attribute it to much other than having a newborn in my arms the majority of the day doesn't allow for a lot to get accomplished. In my head I have many things I want to do, so the planning aspect is there, but the execution just never happens. PC's hockey schedule is also an obstacle in this category as when there are good times to execute a planned event, it can't happen without him, and this time of year, his schedule is always jammed packed. Cue spring time and with an extra parent available, marks will definitely improve in this area (hopefully).

Leadership: A+
If this isn't tooting my own horn, I don't know what is. But I feel as though I am good at leading things in this household.  When I talk about planning and executing, on the rare occasions when things actually happen around here, its mostly due to my planning and execution. I am always trying to think of things to do with E and now H that are entertaining, fun, and new... and much to PC's dismay, when he is available I like to utilize his free time for family time.  I often feel that if I don't say we should do something, we wouldn't do anything except get groceries, watch Football (don't even get me started), and give the kids baths!

Managment Skills: A
Surprisingly, my management of both a two year old and newborn have been going much better than expected.  I attribute good results to having an easy going two year old, who is caring and loving with his newborn brother, but also to having a good routine established for when I am home alone with both of them. If I have to be occupied with the baby, I know I need: a snack, a drink, along with a game, toy, or movie to occupy my two year old for the duration of a feeding or diaper change.  The promise of rewards for extra good behaviour also comes in handy too!

Time Management: B+
This one is a tough one, cause I am not a good pre-planner, I am a procrastinator, and therefore time management is not one of my strong suits, but with kids it is getting better because I've learned that schedules and consistency equals fairly happy children. I have learned that if I am going to get myself and both boys out the door on time for an event, I have to think ahead and get things laid out... clothes, bottles, baby bags, strollers, etc., while at the same time making sure I look presentable.  I like to think, if I am only 5 or 10 minutes late leaving, I've done well.  Once the baby is older, I think time management will come easier, as you can never quite predict a newborn's every move.

Attitude: B-
While I want to be SUPER mom, I am not. I know that, but it doesn't stop me from getting upset when things don't go my way. I often feel short changed at times when PC is heading out the door to hockey, and I am left again with two boys, but their sweet faces looking up at me is all I need to keep me going and is exactly why I had children. I wanted to be a Mom, a good Mom, and I know that giving up a large portion of my social time is part of the job, so while at times I don't have the best attitude, I am getting better at remembering how short this period of my life will be, and how much I will want to remember all of the time I had to spend with my boys while they are growing up. I also think my attitude will improve more once I am finished breast-feeding and feeling free to go out of the house for more than 2 hours at a time!

Overall Grade: who cares really!
Most things are going well... and when the little things get to me, I really do take a time-out and try to reflect on how lucky I am have my boys (PC included) in my life.  Family is a wonderful thing, and whether I'm good or bad at one aspect of motherhood doesn't really matter, what matters is I have the opportunity to be a Mom - and that's exactly what I've wanted in my life.