Hard to please... that's me!

I'm having one of those days weeks months where I go to bed at night feeling like nothing but a bitch. Have you been there?

Maybe? Maybe not.  But I'm there.

Whether its my hormonal balance trying to find its new home post-pregnancy, or its just plain old me - whatever the case, I'm feeling extra bitchy lately.  I'm not talking nastiness, I'm just talking about an overall feeling that brings my mood way down.

I go to bed at night thinking... tomorrow's a new day and wishing that the same old annoyances won't irritate me so much, but turns out they do.

I have so many things that I want to accomplish in life (many of them have already happened, but I'm talking about the smaller things in life) ... a laundry list full of small items that remain unchecked, and this frustrates me.  I have a pretty terrific family, great friends, a loving husband, two of best boys in the world, yet I can't seem to just sit back and enjoy them, I am always wanting to do more, have more, know more - and yet when these things happen, its never enough.

Bottom line is, I'm hard to please... really hard to please. I don't think that anyone's best efforts will ever satisfy me... and its kinda a scary thought, because you have to wonder when the people in my life will stop trying to please me.

I'm starting to think I need a new outlook on life... one that is more of a simple approach, and one that I can look back on in a month, a year, a decade later and be proud of. I do love my life, yet I'm not acting like I do... so here's to a fresh take on the simple things... less bitchiness, more happiness.

So ... lookout world, this bitchy - hard to please - self is moving out, and a simpler - less irritated - me is moving in. Hopefully!


P.S. My Keurig machine that I heart so deeply has been descaling for two days now, and I've been without a decent cup of java for what feels like an eternity. #someoneshootmenow

Two kids = two cups of coffee!

Two is the new one in my life. Back when I had one child, I was happily brewing one cup of coffee a day, and getting by just fine.  But since the arrival of number two, two cups is now my new standard.

I am not sure what it is, but one cup no longer does the trick.  These days, the first cup just revs the engine but its the second cup that actually puts the car in drive, if you know what I mean.

I find this crazy, because 10 years ago... I didn't drink coffee, I actually made fun of people who would show up to a University class, with some java in hand - as if they had more in their knowledge bank than me, all because of one large coffee.  Now... I know exactly what they had in their hands - the power to get through the day!

I posted a few months ago about my love for my Keurig... and I think this has also contributed to my addiction with coffee too - because it just tastes so damn good. But, it really doesn't matter what kind of coffee I'm having, I have a basic human need for two cups a day, and I really believe that if I only had one child, I'd still be good with one cup.

Did anyone else up their java intake with an addition to their family?

This little fact goes on the list of 'reasons why not to have a third child'... can't be drinking three cups of coffee a day!

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.

Don't rush me Doc!

Earlier in the week, I went to the doctors for my annual check-up... and while I wasn't exactly looking forward to the visit, I was more disappointment with the interaction with my doctor as opposed to the actual physical exam.

First off... why is it that General Practitioners (GPs) are referred to as 'Family Doctors' yet, PC, E, and I all see a different 'family' doc. I mean, isn't the point of a having a family doctor to keep medical histories under the care and supervision of one physician who can draw linkages between parents and children?

I can see how PC and I might not have the same doctor, but surely you would think one of these family doctors would take on our newest family member?

Nope... none of them had room. I guess we were lucky to find an available family doctor for E. PC and I had never met the man before October, but he actually is a fairly nice guy, and a very cut and dry type of doc. He either knows about it or doesn't, and doesn't try to lead you on about a medical issue that he hasn't had much experience with. When he doesn't know... he makes you a referral to someone who does... and I like that very much.

In the case of my family doctor, I saw her on Monday for my annual check-up. My first one post-pregnancy... and let me tell you (WARNING boys... earmuffs), it was such a breeze compared with previous invasive annual check ups! Once you've had the pleasure of a difficult vaginal birth, the upside is that you don't even blink at a little pap test!

Anyways... getting back on track here... its been over a year since I last saw my doc, and while she is a perfectly nice lady, I always leave her office frustrated. For one thing... I sit in her waiting room for close to an hour before I am even seated in her office, and then wait another 20 in the office before she saunters in to say hi (like she remembers me, which I know she doesn't).

As she quickly scans my chart while asking me how I am doing, she says 'oh... you had a baby didn't you?'... and then asks how was the everything, to which I say 'not bad', and she says 'good'.

'Good'... that's it? Perhaps I am the type of patient that needs a bit of prying to open up (which if you know me well, ask and I shall divulge), but she didn't even follow up with a 'not bad? were there any complications?' - she just went with 'good' and was perfectly happy to move onto to the next item on her 'How to get a patient out of my office in under 5 minutes' checklist.

I cut her off into her second question about my weight and blood-pressure to tell her about the delivery and post-natal care, and then she asks in the driest sense of humour 'So.. does this baby have a name?' (ya... we went with 'Triple D' Ding-Dong-Doctor, after you!).

She is already batting a thousand with me... tells me I am at a perfect time to do some blood work, yada yada yada, as she fills out a form for the lab. Then she tells me 'well, that takes care of the paper work, now time for the exam'.

Whoa lady - back up the truck. That does not take care of the paper work. I actually want a prescription for massage therapy... which means get out your pad and write me one, and how bout asking ME if I have any questions for you, seeing how its been a year since I was last here AND I had a baby in that time.

I was furious... she looked annoyed when I asked her to renew the prescription for massage therapy, and then I just start spouting off at the mouth with my other questions while I whip out my 'LIST OF THINGS TO ASK THE DOCTOR' starting with number 1, ending at number 9.

I think to myself, why do you book me for 15 minutes, if you only have 5 to actually see me? She looked very annoyed at me as I asked question after question.

I get that we have a shortage of doctors, and that I am lucky to even have a doctor, but in all seriousness I may as well of called TeleHealth and asked my questions, as I would have gotten a more detailed responded than 'yes, no, not sure, check online'.

I understand that I am not an ill patient, I am probably a pretty run of the mill routine patient. But, if I am actually booking an appointment for my annual appointment (which many people try to avoid), please take the time to give me some easy medical attention, or pond me off on a nurse who could answer the easy questions, and leave the difficult ones to you in your 5 minute race against the appointment clock.

Wow - that's feels good the get that off my chest.

Anyone else have a good/bad experience with a family doctor...? I know there are MANY good doctors out there, and don't get me wrong, mine is good, but I think my point is that she could be A LOT better, with minimal effort.

My least favourite foods...

I was in the grocery store earlier in the week, and stumbled upon some of the Blue Menu frozen meals section. While I normally enjoy Blue Menu anything... I was disgusted to see that they make a version of shepherd's pie.

I hate shepherd's pie.... if there is one thing that should be banned from being made and mass marketed ... it's this menu item. I am sure some of you are thinking 'shepherd's pie... that's one of my favourite meals', but to me its just WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Mashed potatoes and meat or vegetables should NOT be mixed together. I come from the school of thought that different main menu items on your plate should not touch... EVER. Mixing up your potatoes with corn and peas, and whatever other vegetable you are eating is a major faux-paux.

It really disgusts me to see anyone taking their potatoes and then pressing their fork into their vegetable letting the potatoes suck up the vegetable before driving the fork straight into their mouth. I could literally puke on command when this happens (and my husband seems to be a leader in the food-mixing cult).

To me... all these disgusting factors are what makes up shepherd's pie, thus making it a major menu no-no in my recipe book.

Cream corn is also right up there in the least favorite food department. I think I was scarred as a child by cream corn. I don't remember the pivotal moment but I do know my Mom made it and tried to make us eat it on a fairly regular basis... it was definitely in the meal rotation on Algoma Street. I like corn on its own, but the thought of corn in some kind of watery soup base is also barf-worthy in my books... cream corn will never have the pleasure of taking up space in my pantry for as long as I live.

I also hate Goulash... for much the same reasons as shepherd's pie. The name alone is enough to not eat it... but the look of it, with all of those major food groups mixed and melted together... get me a bucket!

I also really detest peameal bacon... yet I like ham, so not sure why this is, but the smell of it when its cooking is...well... vomit material. I think I could actually be tricked into eating it... yet if someone told me what it was, I would have a totally different opinion of it. Its mainly the name of it that turns me off... I mean PEAMEAL... does that sound yummy to you? In University, two of my roomies use to buy this as a 'treat' and cook it up as a meal... I would be on the third floor of our house cursing them for an entire evening because the smell brought back nasty childhood memories!

I also think ... due to my high dislike for the mixing of foods... that also cuts out any type of stew! And I have smelt some good stews over the years. I think if I was blind folded I could do it, but visually looking at a stew... and again the name STEW, doesn't make it a candidate for my recipe book.

Those are the major least favourite foods in my world... I am sure there are more (liver... which I have never tried, but again the name is what rules it out for me), but the ones listed above take the cake for me. Do any of you share my distaste for these foods, or do you have your own list of least favourites you'd like to share?

Back in time... rewind, fast-foward!

Stole this meme from Dani over at Postcards from the Mothership... I think it just makes me see how quickly time passes... so I thought I would play along.

15 years ago today I would have been:

• an innocent girl who had no idea how the next 15 years of her life would unfold;
  
• starting to shop for my grade 8 graduation dress, thinking it would be beautiful, but in hind-sight knowing it was a horrendous choice! (Mom... I know you still wished I had picked the 'other' one);
  
• convincing my classmates that we should pick another song to sing at our grad ceremony other than 'End of the Road' by Boyz to Mend!
  

10 years ago today I would have been:

• 19... single, and getting ready to embark on one of the craziest summers of my life;
  
• coming home from a trip to Ottawa certain that I was destine to go to Ottawa U, and hoping to the hell I got accepted there;
• a small town girl thinking I knew it all, but knowing I had a lot to learn about the 'real world'!
  

5 years ago today I would have been:

• moved into a one bedroom apartment, living in sin with PC, and loving every minute of it;
  
• just won a competition at work that I had no business competing in, and thinking that I actually did know what I was doing in my job;
  
• planning for a trip to Dominican with PC and my future in-laws.
  

1 year ago today I would have been:

• pregnant and so happy to have just shared the news with family and friends;
  
• scared to death about labour and delivery, but so happy to be starting a family;
  
• wondering if I was having a boy or girl!
  

This year I am:

• on maternity leave, and enjoying every minute of it;
  
• in disbelief that I actually have a baby, and not just any baby, the cutest, sweetest, most lovable baby boy on the planet (IMHO);
• thinking this is the best year EVER!
  

Today I:

• brought E into my office to visit my colleagues, and was actually surprised at how much I missed the office atmosphere;
• ate leftovers for dinner, which I don't normally do;
• am getting set to watch the last episode of ER ever.

Next year I hope:

• to be just as in love with my life as I am today;
  
• to ease into 30 gracefully;
  
• to take a hot vacation with my husband!

In five years I hope:

• to be in a new house that we can 'settle' in;
  
• to have expanded our family with another baby;
  
• to start the planning for a trip to Hawaii for our 10th Anniversary!

Now that was fun, wasn't it!?!

Usually with memes your suppose to tag people, but I won't put anyone the spot today. However, if your low on bloggy ideas this week (like me), and would like to play along, let me know in the comments so I can follow your post.

Bragging gets you nowhere!

Earlier in the week PC and I were in the car together, and there was a piece on the radio about the number of colds reported by Canadians. Apparently... the number is fairly high, compared to recent years. At any rate... I couldn't really relate to this report as I haven't caught a cold in FOREVER.

After that radio report, I even remarked to PC that in the last 18 months, I have only taken 2 Tylenol... for one bad headache, not even for a cold. I went on to say how fortunate I was to not get a cold or the flu while I was pregnant, and that since E's birth, I haven't been sick at all.

I spent a good 10 minutes on the subject of just how healthy I am, even went as far to say that I have been around people who have been really sick (namely PC) and have yet to come down with even the slightest of bugs.

PC attributed it to my daily dose of vitamins over the last 18 months, as since 3 months before I got pregnant I started taking a prenatal/postnatal multi-vitamin. Personally, I just like to think that I have an immune system made of steel and that nothing can break it (ain't nothin gonna break my stride, ain't nothin going hold me down, oh no, I got to keep on moving!)

But of course... you can only brag for so long until somebody gets pissed off, and wants to take you down! And in my case, I have yet to pin point the culprit, but about 4 days after that 'look at me' conversation, I have now come down with a bugger of a head cold.

The worst part is ... since I am still breast-feeding, I can't take anything for it, so I have to really rely on the cool mist humidifier, the Benylin wall plug-ins, and good ol' Vicks vapour rub. What I wouldn't give to take an Advil cold & sinus pill ... or a Claritin.

As you can see... bragging gets you nowhere! Thanks to my big mouth, my 18 month healthy-as-a-horse non-cold & flu streak is over! Now I am back to being just like everybody else, with nothing to brag about!

Have you been sick a lot over the past year, or are you one of the lucky ones like me (not bragging I swear) who hasn't had a bad cold or the flu in recent months?

Shedding ...

I am not sure if its the time of year, or my post-pregnancy hormones catching up with me, but I am shedding hair everywhere these days.

Last month, I decided to go and get my hair cut, after cleaning up about 5,000 stray hairs off the bathroom floor. I think in my head, I thought it was the evidence that I needed to remind myself how badly I needed a hair cut. I figured, I would get it cut, and the stray hairs would be eliminate themselves.

Boy, was I wrong.

I think the hair that is falling out has doubled... its everywhere. I clean my brush every day and it looks like I have combined a golden retriever at least 50 times. It covers the bathroom mats, I find it all over my pillow, on the blankets, on E's blankets, and probably most notably as I was cleaning E's dirty bum this morning, a stray hair trapped in the poop - groooooooooooss!

I don't know what to do... I have a read a few things about hair loss, and that it is natural. I have thick hair and I've always considered it to be healthy, but the amount of hair I am losing these days leads me to wonder how healthy I really am in the hair department.

I know during pregnancy, I lost practically no hair at all... I didn't see much change in my hair then, but now its everywhere. PC couldn't be more annoyed about it either. He is constantly telling me to clean the drain in the shower (and he means it too)... he's pretty disgusted by the whole thing, and to be honest I am getting pretty sick of it too. I am just wondering how much longer this massive shed is gonna go on for?

Any ideas?

25 Random Things About Me

This meme has been going around Facebook and I have been tagged a couple of times... so I thought instead of following suit of FB, I would bring it over here, as I know some of my faithful readers don't always have access to FB, AND, I needed a blog post for today!

So here we go....

The rules state: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

For the record I am not tagging anyone... but if you want to play along, leave me a comment and link to your blog and so I can head on over and read more about you!

Ahem... onto the randomness!

1. I heart my MACBOOK - seriously, best. purchase. ever!

2. I could watch Jon and Kate plus 8 forever - I hope they never stop filming that show.

3. I have never pulled my stove out from the wall... so I can only imagine what is under there - YUCK!

4. I think a hot vacation every year is mandatory and should be subsidized by the government.

5. I have a new found addiction to hot banana peppers... on everything I eat.

6. I think my husband is a fantastic Dad.

7. I wish I was more creative in the kitchen during the winter... every meal seems so blah lately.

8. Being a Mom is changing my life... for the better.

9. I happen to think my little boy is the CUTEST boy to ever grace the planet!

10. I wish a Good Life gym would open up in downtown Embrun.

11. I loved my wedding day... I look back on it and smile.

12. I wish blog writing was a profession that made 100K!

13. When I was in younger I had a tumor on my tongue. The doctor did surgery and cut it off, and my tongue grew back in a week's time.

14. I miss my grandparents and wish they were still alive today.

15. I love a glass of red wine... followed by another glass and another glass and another glass!

16. The worst purchase I ever made was this ti-dyed belly shirt and matching spandex shorts in Florida when I was 11 - I begged my Mom to get the outfit for me, and I hated it the minute we got home but knew I had to wear it because I put up such a stink about getting it. Talk about buyers remorse!

17. I will never make my kids 'clean their plate', I think its wrong.

18. I am wondering when my obsession with polka dots will fade... like Winnie the Pooh and Flip-Flops have done so in the past.

19. I have a strong dislike for stuffed animals... I think they are dust collectors and really hope E doesn't become a stuffed animal lover like I was when I was younger.

20. I would rather spend $100 on 'cool' baby clothes, than $20 on myself.

21. I look in the mirror often and wonder if I look my age... I have hard time thinking that I really look 29 - do I?

22. I was soooo pissed off when I was 15, that I started the car (without a license), backed straight out of the driveway, and then got scared shitless, drove straight back in, shut the car off and cried for 5 minutes.

23. The thought of a second pregnancy right now scares the shit out of me... I don't want the preggo hormones to come back.

24. I would love to go back to NYC & Boston, and I want to go to Chicago too.

25. I admit, someone told me that the nipple cream for breastfeeding was good for your lips, I tried it, it is, and I use it faithfully these days.

Now that was fun... if you want to play along, tag yourself in the comment section and I will be over to read about you in no time!

What a great weekend!

I don't have much time to compose a post today, but I did have a really great weekend. My BFF Kristy came to town for a much needed visit... and we treated ourselves and my other BFF Clapper to a really relaxing pedi at the Day Spa in Kanata on Saturday.

I loved every. single. minute. of it! We took our time, and then followed it up with a lovely afternoon lunch at Moxi's complete with a savoury glass of red wine. Afterwards we shopped around a little bit... and I finally pooled my Christmas and birthday presents to purchase the ipod touch (I love it). PC kept E for the whoooooooole day and I think it was the first day I have ever been out of the house for 6.5 hours ... without my smiling boy.

It was a really great afternoon, and what made it even better is that E was a very well behaved for his Daddy!

The following day, Kristy and I lounged around in the morning, made some delicious crepes for breaky... then went for a walk with E in the 'brisk' wind to the smoothie shop. We got caught up on each other's lives in the past couple of months... and the rumour mill from back home.

It was just an all around great weekend for me... and the best part is I now have lovely toes to look at while I am changing diapers, doing laundry, and singing 'three blind mice'!

Here's a few pics from the weekend!

Forever 29

It's the eve of my 29th b-day... and as I sit here on the couch, with the laptop, I'm feeling a little astonished, that I'll actually be 29 tomorrow. I mean I swear that I was just. seven. teen., with braces, playing basketball, learning how to drive, etc... yet somewhere along the lines I took an express bus through my twenties and have now arrived on the doorstep of 29 or dare I say (gasp!) 30.

Its officially my last year in my twenties... I will be as far gone into my 'late twenties' as anyone can get, and while this may bother some people, for me its actually quite exciting because I have someone new in my life to share it with.

My... how time flies.

10 years ago... turning 19 was a BIG deal... my last 'teen' birthday... not only was I the legal drinking age, but I think I had just ditched my high school boyfriend like a bad habit, and was ready to take the world by storm... finishing up my last year of secondary school, choosing a University to attend, and just letting loose (and boy did I ever let loose that year eh Mom!?!).

Now... 10 years later, I'm married to the man of my dreams, and have just experienced what life is really all about for me - being a Mom.

It's funny to think back when I entered my twenties... I couldn't foresee all that would happen by the time I turned the BIG 2-9. Heck... I almost chose to go to the University of Windsor over Ottawa U - and now looking back on things, if I had actually decided to go to Windsor and not Ottawa - nothing in my life would be what it is today.

I wouldn't have the same job, I wouldn't have met the girls from 130-O or many of my other wonderful friends, and I definitely wouldn't have met PC, married him, or had a baby with him (if I had went to Windsor I would probably be with some gangster from Deeeetroit Michigan and we'd be on the run... robbing houses and stealing cars)!

Who knew that by making one choice as I was approaching my twenties - the choice to go to Ottawa ... that it would really shaped how the rest of my twenties would go?

And without knowing it, that decision has allowed me to arrive at my 29th birthday, feeling very accomplished and content with my life.

Its crazy how life unfolds, isn't it?

Yes... this year of my life, is going to be unlike any other year in my twenties... not because its my last year in my twenties, but because this year is not about me, its about my little boy, and seeing the world through his eyes, experiencing things with him for the first time, and remembering how precious life really is.

This year is going to be fun and exciting, and in my mind, I know that it will be the best year of my life because of Little E.

Here's to being FOREVER 29!

In NEED of a Mommy Makeover!

Well... I am pretty sure the post-pregnancy/new mom glow has worn off by now, and I am in desperate need of Mommy Makeover. I say 'makeover' which in my books includes, hair, makeup, and wardrobe, but at this point I would really just take a haircut and some highlights - or as PC warns 'the MOM cut'!

If you can believe it... its been 6 months since my last haircut/highlights... 6 MONTHS, I kid you not. I think this is by far a record, since I usually pride myself in getting my hair done once every 2 to 3 months. The last time I had highlights and a cut was at the beginning of July (08). I am actually so embarrassed about my hair that I refuse to go back to the salon that did my hair pre-Mommyhood... they would most likely give me the same look from Pretty Woman the ladies on Rodeo Drive gave Julia Roberts in her hooker wardrobe.

Its funny... because a month ago, I looked in the mirror and thought to myself, WOW, my hair has really held up post-pregnancy... but CLEARLY the new mommy glow was blinding me, because when I look back at some picture before Christmas, it was AWFUL.

This week I see myself in the mirror and feel like spitting on it. My roots are a disaster... and my hair is so thick and shaggy, you would think I was 70s rock star wanna be!

I have had the same group of friends for 10 years, and we make the kind of promises to one another that we would sooooo tell the other person if she was starting to look a little run down... but either my friends are too afraid to approach the subject with me (for fear I would go postal on them) or they too have their blinders on... because not one of them has said anything to me!

I have made an appointment to remedy this situation on Sunday... and I can't wait! At least by the close of business Sunday I will have improved my new mommy self-esteem, just a wee bit! As for the wardrobe and makeup... that will have to come another time.

Did any of you experience the need makeover feeling after becoming a Mom.... when did you get your first Mom cut? How did it feel?

The rings go back on...

You may remember this post from back in July... the one where I was pretty disappointed that my rings did not fit my finger anymore, and I had to take them off due to pregnancy.

I am happy to report that today... THE RINGS ARE BACK ON!

Yes... that's right, I FINALLY got my wedding band to slide back over my knuckle and for the first time today, I have worn my wedding rings as a set for the entire day.

It's a great day to be alive... isn't it!!

You might laugh but trying on my wedding rings was one of the first things I did when I got out of the hospital after E was born. They didn't fit, they didn't even come close to fitting. I gave it a few days... but after being home for week, I would try them on every. single. day after getting out of the shower. For the first couple of weeks I couldn't budge the little buggers over my knuckle... not even close. Then slowly a week or so later my engagement ring did fit over my knuckle but the wedding band was still way too snug (as its half a size smaller for some reason).

Then finally... last week, the wedding band did go over my knuckle but when I would put the engagement band on in front of it, my finger would swell and it felt like I was losing circulation in my entire hand - so I just wore the engagement ring out and left the wedding band on the dresser.

BUT, today... today was a magnificent day here at the Coleman household, the wedding ring SET slid on my finger with ease, and circulation was not an issue at all.

Just as you, my faithful readers predicted - they would go back on, and they did, and they are...

SING IT:

the rings are back on, the rings are back on - do a little dance, make a little love NEVER MIND! That's a whole other blog... but who cares THE RINGS ARE BACK ON!

Overdue: Day 1

So it begins... I am overdue.

Day 1 wasn't too damn eventful. I started the day out with a Timmies coffee, had some yogurt for breakfast, and then went into cleaning and tidying mode most of the day.

I talked to my parents for a bit... PC came home from work a bit early, and since then I have just been doing laundry and walking up and down the stairs as much as possible - good times!

I even got up the energy to make a batch of spaghetti sauce .. so at least supper will be good.

Last night... on my actual due date, PC took some pics of the belly, complete with a shot of my lovely stretch mark that appeared last week! I thought I would post them for your viewing pleasure!

Enjoy!

Baby Belly @ 40 weeks

All over the map!

Happy Friday tout le monde.

I called this post all over the map, because lately... that's how my mind has been functioning ... everywhere, sometimes in three places at once, and going 5 or 6 miles a minutes all. the. time.

Yesterday, I remarked to a colleague (who has kids of her own) 'I feel like I am losing my mind these days', and without skipping a beat she responded, 'And you never get it back either!"

I am charting new territory ... usually I feel very in control of things, I usually have a fantastic memory.... and I pride myself on having these qualities. However... as of late, I am feeling less in control of anything, and my memory is shot.

For example.... after work on Wednesday I went to the chiropractor, and then had some shopping I want to do. I went directly to the first store, made the necessary purchase, and left. I travelled five minutes down the road to my next stop, which was a strip mall... and when I parked the car in the parking lot and went to get out of the car, I stared intently out the window and said out loud 'Why the hell did I come here?'

It took me a good minute to retrace my thoughts as to why I wanted to stop at this particular strip of box stores... and when I scanned all of the stores I thought to myself 'I can't buy clothes at any of these stores, why would I stop here'. A minute later, it hit me, I came looking for a new purse and shoes. As my memory kicked in, I breathed a sigh of relief... thinking, 'phew, nice recovery Sara!'. I was almost celebrating the return of my memory, since the alternative would have been looking like a complete retard backing out the parking spot and leaving the strip mall within 2 minutes of arriving there.

This is just one example of where I am at these days. Last week, I made 5 trips up and down the stairs at my house, because I was upstairs cleaning, and had to go downstairs to get the pledge, but each time I went down stairs I would get sidetracked and return upstairs without the pledge - this happened 4 times before I had to walk down the stairs repeating out loud 'pledge, pedge, pedge, pedge, pedge, pedge...' - craziness I tell you.

I think I am definitely becoming my mother's daughter.... I use to make fun of her for having to write everything down, always making her little lists, consulting these lists three, four, sometimes five times daily, and then stroking off the items once she remembered to do them. This all seemed very amusing to me 10 years ago... but let me tell you, there is nothing like a good list to keep you focused on the task at hand. Thanks for setting such a great example Mom.

I have heard that this 'losing your mind' thing is common to expecting mothers.... has this been your experience (if any of you are expecting babies or have already had your kids)? Any good ideas on how to cope with being all over the map? Or what to do to keep yourself from feeling insane?

I am alive!

Don't worry... nothing bad has happened to me lately, I've just been a busy girl. Work was a little crazy last week, and I was in Toronto over the weekend, so haven't have a decent chunk of time to make a good post, but I promise it's coming... soon!

Stay tuned!

Tid-Bits Thursday

Frankly, my brain is still on vacation mode - and although I would like to come up with a super witty post about something important, I just don't have the brain power to do that .... so in lieu of my sound writing ability, I present to you: TID-BITS THURSDAY!

1. I think I may be off coffee ... I know it sounds ludicrous, but while we were on our vacation, I didn't touch coffee. I tried one cup the first day and found the milk to taste a bit weird, so didn't have another cup since. When I got home, I just have been too lazy to brew coffee in the morning, and have even started drinking tea at work if I am in need of something. However, I am still on Chai Tea Lattes... and in time I know my cravings for Vanilla Lattes will surface soon, but for now - I truly think I could be off coffee, if I want to be (which is probably still up for discussion).

2. No matter how much sleep I got on vacation, I am still tired... I think I was just starting to enjoy the extra sleep on my vacation, and now my body expects it. I am trying to go to bed earlier at night, but this is at the risk of leaving dirty dishes on the counter, not having lunches made for the next day, and not getting any laundry or other daunting chores done through the week. Why does one aspect of my life have to suffer, if I am trying to improve another part of it?

3. There was a tragic accident in Ottawa that happened early Wednesday morning, involving an OC Transpo bus, and an SUV filled with 5 Carleton University students, 3 of which were killed. The bus slammed into the SUV at 2am killing the male driver, and two female passengers. The other two students were injured and taken to hospital. It is not known who was at fault, although it is suspected that alcohol was a factor. No words can really express the tragedy that has occurred, but I do hope that the family and friends of those who were killed some how find a way to cope with such an unexpected and tragic loss.

4. I am peeling... everywhere. My skin apparently isn't liking this Canadian weather, as I have started to peel in various places on my body - places I didn't even know saw the sun while I was on vacation. It's quite disgusting actually, dead skin cells fill my bed each morning, I have to sweep them off in the garbage, it's very gross - no matter how much aloe vera, or body butter I slap on my skin, it continues to have a mind of it's own! I wish I could shed a few pounds, as fast as I am shedding all of this dead skin!

5. I have way too many books on the go right now, and I am not making any headway with any of them. I get about 3 chapters into a book, and then put it aside, start another one. Now I have 5 decent books started, and I am no where near finishing any of them. Do this ever happen to any of you?

6. It's Thursday, which means tomorrow's Friday. I don't have big plans for the weekend, except fully unpacking my suitcase and doing laundry - other than that, perhaps I can make some headway on 1 of the 5 books I have on the go. What about you, any big plans for the weekend?

That wraps the first edition of Tid-Bits Thursday... perhaps I will make this a weekly thing!

Thanks for nothing!

Earlier this week I went to the doctor to follow up on some tests she ordered as a part of my regular annual check-up.

She said she was running standard tests that should be run about my age. She also informed me that she wanted to see me again after the results.

So... I did the tests back in November, and I finally got into see the doctor for my 'follow-up' just this week.

On the morning of the appointment, it was pouring rain and foggy as all hell. The pay parking lot for the medical building was jammed, and I had to drive around for 15 minutes waiting for a spot to free up, making me 25 minutes late for my appointment!

By the time I got into the office, the waiting room was filled with young mothers and screaming infants, most of whom just had their shots and had to wait 20 minutes before being permitted to leave the office. These infants were none too happy to be chilling out in the entrance way waiting on the doc to give them the go ahead - one of them screamed at the top of their lungs for 3 minutes straight - to which I mentally noted to myself 'buy condoms today'!

After about 30 minutes, the receptionist showed me into a room. I sat their for another 20 minutes and finally the doctor came in. The conversation goes like this:

Doctor: Hi ... (glancing at the chart) Mrs. Coleman.
Me: Hi.

Doctor: So what brings you into today?
Me: (are you kidding me lady?) Umm... you asked me to come in to follow up on some tests you asked me to get done at the lab.

Doctor: Oh yes... okay, let me look for the results.
Me: (rolling my eyes) - okay.

Doctor: Yes, yes, here they are ... okay so I will just run done them and if you have any questions, just ask.
Me: Okay.

Doctor: Okay, your cholesterol is very good. Your sodium is good. Your sugar levels are good. The vaccination you had for Hep. B a few years back worked and is good, and your blood showed well in all areas.
Me: Great.

Doctor: Do you have any questions?
Me: (thinking to myself .. did I ask any questions?) - Nope.

Doctor: Alright then, considering you won't need me again this year, I will see you next fall.
Me: Okay.

Doctor: Have a great day.
Me: (not possible... but I force out) you too.

What a waste of time the entire appointment was - I mean seriously... did that require a face to face meeting to say everything is A. okay?

It cost me $4.00 is parking and I missed a morning of work, which puts me further behind than I already am with half my clients.

All I can think is ... that little face-to-face meeting probably cost the health care system 200 plus dollars just to tell me NOTHING.

Honestly... we must have a better system than this... how 'bout the 'ol: don't call us, we'll call you tag line. Or...you don't need to come if, unless the tests show something abnormal.

Yes, I know I shouldn't complain... it could have been a lot worse, the tests could have showed something negative and I could have received bad news during the visit.

I guess I will try being thankful that I am good health - but even in good health, I am annoyed!

Any annoying visits to your doctor that you would like to share?

2008 - The year of getting what I want!

It's officially here, the year 2008.

Happy New Year to each of you, my lovely/faithful blogging readers!
Bonne année à tous mes peeps dans le monde du blogging!

2008 - WOW! It's come upon us quickly, don't you think? I mean... really - the 365 days of 2007 literally went zipping by... and well I feel like a lot was accomplished in 2007, it leaves me wanting more for 2008.

It's always around this time of year that I make a list of things I want to do in this round of 365.

Do this happen to you in January of every. single. year. - you start making all of these mental lists in your head of things you want to do before the year is complete? (I could really curse the brainiac who came up with this New Year's bullshit anyways - way too much thinking involved for my liking)!

I am to the point right now that I start every internal thought with the words 'I want to... I want this... I want... want... want...'

I absolutely hate that my wants are so high right now. I mean - if I don't get what I say I want - does that mean I will have failed myself in some respect?

I know a lot of people look at their 'wants' as goals - goals and aspirations for the New Year. I do that, I've done that, and I am done doing that ... I think!

This is the year I throw caution to the wind... I won't use my wants to set goals, I will simply want things and I will get them. And if I don't get them, I will forget I wanted them, and move onto something else I want more.

How's that for making non-resolutions? For 2008 - I am doing what I want.... when I want, where I want, and with whom I want... and when the year is done, if I still want more, I won't have regrets, I will just carry over this little attitude of mine into 2009!

Yes... it's the year of wanting... and getting what I want.

Are you with me?

I think right now I will start with a Starbucks! Yup.... I am going to get a Starbucks, because I WANT ONE, right now!

What is it that you want this year?

I had a post... in my head!

For four days now I have been trying to come up with enough time to write a coherent post, but it hasn't happened. I have had various posts well thought out in my head, but I haven't even had time to log onto my blog and actually get my thoughts down on paper (virtual paper - that is!!).

Work has me strung out a little bit - I can't find enough hours in the day to do my day-to-day tasks, let alone write a blog post on a break. I am not complaining (yet), but I do miss firing off a post over the lunch hour! I have a feeling those days are long gone for me with the recent departure of a colleague, and a few other curve balls in world of government communications.

I think you deserve better than some sloppy post, with no real flow to it - so I've decided to spare you the disappointment of a less than mediocre post, until I came really come up with something decent.

So please... bare with me as I struggle to finish out this week, and next week I promise to better at this, or at least a little more consistent with the posting.

In the meantime, if you've got any good ideas for blogging, please do share - I would love to follow up on them... next week!