tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87916090133662200972024-03-12T16:01:55.989-07:00Ramble of the DayJackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-37808186277687228822011-09-24T12:43:00.000-07:002011-09-24T12:43:28.389-07:00Bring on the Weekend!We use the term "weekend" sparingly in our house. We don't have a typical weekend, so the term just doesn't seem to fit most of the time. Hubby works Tuesday through Saturday, so his weekend doesn't really start until Saturday at 6pm. Now that I'm back at school 'full time', and working two days a week I'm not sure I'm actually going to be getting a weekend at all. I've decided that this week, I'm taking a weekend whether I can or not.<br />
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It's been a long week, for no particular reason. I started school on Wednesday, and love it already! My college roommate used to tease me that I would be a student forever because I kept adding to my major... I'm starting to think she was right. Wednesday morning was painful though, my brain did not want to shift into school mode. It was lobbying for the season premier of Hawaii 5-0 that was sitting on the DVR. We won't discuss the outcome of that one...<br />
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The Munchkin is amazing and a pain in the butt all at the same time. He's learning like you wouldn't believe. His vocabulary astounds me, who knew he'd be a chatter-box? * Yeah, yeah, takes after his mother, I hear all of you laughing at that one.* He decides to tell you something, and repeats that one word over and over and oooover until he has heard the response he was looking for. He will say hi, hi, hi, hi, hi....until you say hi back, unless of course this particular time he was hoping for a 'hello'. Oh my sanity.<br />
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As of yesterday he can stand up without using the furniture. He's been a full time walker for a while now, but couldn't figure out how to just stand up without pulling up on something. Looks like I'm going to have to get back in shape, I have a feeling I'm going to be chasing him around quite a bit. Speaking of getting in shape, I have a lot of work to do. Our amazing gym has been neglected....my hips are protesting again.<br />
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Maybe next post we'll make a plan. Any ideas for a gym plan for me? Something that won't kill my weak joints?<br />
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<br />Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-75587536367711422082011-09-17T20:31:00.000-07:002011-09-17T20:50:39.705-07:00So Much Has Happened.I haven't forgotten about the two or three of you that read what I write. It's just that life got busy, and hard. So many great thing have happened, so I'm going to focus on that.<br /><br />My father in law had a 10 pound, size-of-a-basketball (!) tumor removed from his abdomen. It used to be a kidney, but no longer functioned as one. He had all sorts of radiation on his brain and other various parts of his body as tumors sprouted. He started Chemo, and has gone through two rounds. He's still here. Chemo was a bust, so now he's moving onto more 'natural' therapies. While I am a believer in all things medicine, I am going to choose to believe in this too. If it helps, even just a little, then I am on board.<br /><br />The Munchkin is great.He's 14 months old! He walks, he talks, he keeps me on my toes. He started talking at about 10 months. His first word? Pretty. We call the dog "Pretty Girl" when she's good, and he picked up on it. Since then he's been adding to his vocabulary daily. He says peese (please) and tant you (thank you), impressing everyone with how polite he is. He's sleeping like a champ and eats like a monster.<br /><br />I'm good too. I've been back to work since May, and am so glad to have adults to talk to. I'm going back to school starting on Monday. That's a little scary. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Counseling, which amounts to a pile of peanuts. I'm taking a year out to get my license so I can practice while The Munchkin and his future (NOT PREGNANT) brother or sister are little. When they are in school I will eventually go back and get my Master's Degree. For now a little practice of my own will be just perfect.<br /><br />Hubby is doing great too. Working his butt of the keep our cupboards full of chips and chocolate.<br /><br />So I guess starting on Monday I will have a normal schedule again for the first time since... 2009? The Munchkin will be in daycare 4 days a week, so I'll try to post at least once a week...no promises though :PJackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-69963738319752956752011-05-03T12:30:00.000-07:002011-05-03T12:30:01.712-07:00What now?I got a call that he was ready to come home! My mother in law and I headed to the hospital to get him all packed up. The Dr. was coming by at some point to discuss the results with us, so we sat around for what seemed like hours with packed bags in our laps.<br /><br />When he finally arrived he was surprised to learn that my father in law knew nothing about the surgery. He told him what the rest of us had known for a week, and then proceeded to share the rest of the results.<br /><br />There was a 'sizable' tumor on his kidney that they believe is the source of the cancer. There are also a number of other smaller tumors spread throughout his body. The have contacted the Canadian Cancer Society, who will in turn contact him within the month to make an appointment with an oncologist. More waiting.<br /><br />It was nice to finally go home. I dropped them off and took the Munchkin home for the first time in weeks. Hubby came home from work, we had dinner as a family, and for an evening everything felt normal.<br /><br />The next day, in the early hours of the morning my cell phone rang and woke us all up. It was my mother in law. He had another seizure, this one lasting a very long time. The ambulance was on it's way, she needed someone to meet her at the hospital.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-91547332788596655202011-05-02T11:33:00.000-07:002011-05-02T12:29:17.806-07:00The ResultsThe surgery wasn't long, so we didn't have too long to wait for the results. The Munchkin was at my parents house with Grandma so he didn't have to spend another day in the hospital. I left every few hours to feed him and give him a little snuggle. As soon as I left the hospital the surgeon came out with the results.<br /><br />It is a tumor.<br /><br />It is cancer.<br /><br />And we thought that was the bad news.<br /><br />The surgery was a success! The entire tumor was removed, and there were no complications. That was the only good news. The surgeon explained that the tumor didn't originate in the brain. It had developed in some other part of the body and traveled to the brain. There is a good possibility that there are other tumors throughout the body and brain. Before heading back into the OR he promised that we'd be able to see him in about 20 minutes or so.<br /><br />By the time I got back 20 minutes had passed and everyone was anxious to see him. We waited for an hour, and then another, and another. Finally my Mother in Law was losing her mind and charged up to his room to demand answers from the nursing staff. I followed her up there and tried to keep things from escalating. The nurses knew nothing, as he wasn't in their care at the moment. One nurse saw the anxiety pouring from my MIL and decided to call down to recovery to see what was happening. Another patient was having complications so no one was being allowed in or out at the moment. That was a relief. We were told that someone would be out to get us as soon as he was allowed to have visitors.<br /><br />A couple more hours pass, and it's time for me to go home to put the Munchkin to bed. I ask Hubby to pass on my love, and give me a call when it's time to pick them up. Moments after I arrive at my parents house I get a text from Hubby, they are getting in to see him now. The nurse came out to find them and wonders why they hadn't come in yet. "You could have seen him a looong time ago!" she says. I'm pretty sure someone had to restrain my MIL at that point. We joked a few days later that I should have just kept leaving, things would have happened sooner.<br /><br />He was doing really well by the time everyone got to see him. Alert, joking around, and happy to see everyone. The Dr. had told him the results of the surgery, but he didn't even remember the conversation. MIL decided that no one was allowed to tell him, she wanted him to hear it from the Dr. That would have been great had the Dr. not gone home for the night. His next day in the hospital wasn't until later that week. Instead we spent the rest of the week pretending not to know anything either.<br /><br />The rest of the week was filled with various scans and tests to search for the origin of the cancer. He assumed the tests were routine and didn't question their purpose. Everyone but my mother in law and I had to go back home to work, so the Munchkin and I stayed with her. There was nothing to do but wait again, so we waited and visited until the surgeon returned at the end of the week with the results from the barrage of tests.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-85966473805239185262011-04-28T18:37:00.000-07:002011-05-02T11:33:03.991-07:00The Event ContinuedThe next day we waited around the hospital more or less all day waiting for the transfer to happen. We were told it would be happening within the hour, so we all piled into the room next to my father in law's bed to wait with him. 5 hours, a closed highway and a flat tire later the transfer ambulance arrived to take him away.<br /><br />My family lives about 45 away from us, which happened to be 2 minutes away from the hospital the surgery was being performed at. My parents are amazing and let 5 of us (plus the Munchkin) stay there while Grandad was in the hospital. We had no idea how long we were going to have to stay, as there was still no surgery date. In the mean time he was stuck in another over-crowded emergency room until a bed opened up somewhere else in the hospital. The surgeon came and met with the group of us and explained the surgery and all possible outcomes. He was hoping to fit him in one evening over the weekend, but it was likely he wouldn't get in until mid-week. At this point we still had no idea what was actually in his brain causing the seizures. The surgeon suggested an abscess, a cyst, or a tumor either benine or malignant. He wouldn't know anything until they we in the OR. We spent the weekend focusing on the best possible outcome, cancer was not an option.<br /><br />Finally on Monday the surgery was scheduled. When we got to the hospital that morning there was a little X drawn just above his temple where the surgeon planned to start.<br /><br />Now, I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but our family is a little bit nutty most of the time, and these series of events proved to be no exception. When it was time for him to go into surgery we were all over the hospital. My mother in law had gone down to his old room to get something or ask one of the many questions she would ask that day. The rest of us were waiting outside of the room where he was being prepped, waiting for her and for him to be wheeled past so we could give him a little love before the surgery. It was time for him to go in, and she still wasn't back yet. This is where we get our crazy on. He had to be taken to the OR, and there was another waiting area we were supposed to be in, but MIL would have no idea where to go, and tends to panic easily. As he was wheeled through different doorways and turned down various hallways one of us would break off from the group to act as a marker for MIL. By the time we got to the waiting area there were just two of us left. The remainder of our little entourage was spread throughout one entire wing of the hospital. The three of us left gave him hugs and waved as he was taken into surgery.<br /><br />Shortly after the rest of the family caught up and we sat to wait. Thus began the great iPhone Scrabble marathon of 2001.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-2835478188386779562011-04-27T16:19:00.000-07:002011-04-27T16:19:00.866-07:00The EventIt's hard to write about something that is so personal, yet not fully your story to tell.<br /><br />It's been more than three months since it all began. On the evening of January 11th, 2011 my Father in Law drove home from work feeling tired and more drained that usual. He arrived at home, stepped out of the car closing the door behind him, and had a seizure. He remained standing throughout the seizure, which I can only imagine felt like forever. The ambulance was called and he was rushed to the hospital. Hubby and I were called and made our way to the hospital as soon as we could. He was taken for an MRI to look at his brain where he had the second seizure. They weren't able to get a very good look, but we were told that there was<br />'something' there. The Munchkin and I headed home so he could go to bed, while Hubby stayed with his mother and Sister. The third seizure happened in the early hours of the morning before they were finally able to get them under control with medication.<br /><br />It took another MRI and a number of doctors before they were able to come to the conclusion that there was definitely 'something' there, but that they wouldn't know what it was until he could get into surgery. He was placed on a list to be transferred to another hospital more equipped to deal with brain surgery, and we waited.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-44800970803034766682011-04-26T16:09:00.000-07:002011-04-26T16:19:28.962-07:00So much has happened...I don't even know where to begin.<br /><br />Things are going great in our house. I'm headed back to work next month for 2 days a week. The Munchkin will be in daycare, but I'm not anxious about it at all. Hubby's aunt has a daycare in her house and will be taking extra special care of my little monster.<br /><br />He's nine months old now, almost nine and a half! I don't even know where all that time went. As a mom you hear those comments from other moms all the time and think, "Ha! some days feel like an eternity, there's no way time is going to fly by", but it does.<br /><br />I have so many stories to tell! A dozen or so posts that I've been writing in my head for the past couple of months. The most important one being the hardest of course. It's a long story, so I'll try to get it up in a few shorter posts over the next few days. Then hopefully we can all get back to our normal ranting and boasting about our lives :PJackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02810609354804348240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-3419638630943480502011-02-11T17:57:00.000-08:002011-02-11T18:01:43.245-08:00It's hard to believeIt's hard to believe it's been a month since my last post.<br /><br />In the evening after I wrote last our family was shaken with a health scare. I'll get back into the swing of things soon, and let you all know what has happened. In the mean time I wanted to let anyone who has been reading know that I am still around, and will be back soon.<br /><br />Thanks!Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-17989965533793226592011-01-11T14:06:00.002-08:002011-01-11T16:36:35.104-08:00Happy New Year!I've enjoyed my little break from blogging, BUT it's the new year and time to get back into the swing of things. We had a great holiday, and Hubby had a little time in between Christmas and New Years, so we were able to relax just a little. The Munchkin was spoiled rotten, as were the rest of us, but more on that later.<br /><br />We weren't sure what to do this year for New Years Eve with the Munchkin being a little too young to leave with a babysitter for that long. We decided to have some people over to our house, and it turned out really well. We sat around and gorged ourselves on appetizers for the first little while, and those not pregnant or nursing started in on the wine. We broke out the Trivial Pursuit, how lame are we, and ended up having a really good time. I didn't win.... no surprise there. Then the boys headed down stairs to play video games and us girls hung out for a while until we broke down and indulged in Scene It. I kicked butt, obviously. We paused the fun for the midnight kiss and drank our bubbly (non-alcoholic for me!)<br /><br />We had such a good time, and it was a good group of people, that we would actually consider doing it again. That's saying a lot, since Hubby isn't a huge fan of entertaining.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-1438111123415521252010-12-23T15:56:00.000-08:002010-12-23T15:56:00.984-08:00Christmas Tree Lighting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI6D_2eDiJSxvDU8dkG_QXa8LUfdzexqM04IqjK4jZk5crjoQgPSvX7rI-zWSM2aLWS8_TBIxgVUAGm0B5OCP_YLTbv5RBN9m8hhu3KSHnkIUHk_fkCpVmgUZJD36xcMWyYL7SrH71Dw/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfI6D_2eDiJSxvDU8dkG_QXa8LUfdzexqM04IqjK4jZk5crjoQgPSvX7rI-zWSM2aLWS8_TBIxgVUAGm0B5OCP_YLTbv5RBN9m8hhu3KSHnkIUHk_fkCpVmgUZJD36xcMWyYL7SrH71Dw/s320/IMG_2360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550320319679532514" border="0" /></a>I love everything to do with Christmas, but Hubby isn't as much of a keener. Don't get me wrong, he's a big fan of Christmas, *especially* the warm indoor activities. That is why I was blown away when he suggested taking the Munchkin to the Christmas Tree lighting down town. I've lived in this town for 9 years now, and have never been. Hubby has lived here his entire life, and thinks he may have been once or twice. We figured it might be something we could do with the Munchkin every year it's fun.<br /><br />As you can see from the picture... it was cooold. Fun, sure, but mostly cold. A bunch of the downtown businesses had free hot chocolate and coffee, but the lineups were ridiculous. There were things going on all afternoon, but we just showed up with enough time to meet some friends and watch the switch flip. It was a little crazy weaving through the crowds with a stroller, but it was manageable. We will likely try again next year when he's old enough to understand what's going on a little me, then decide if it's a tradition in the making.<br /><br />Two more sleeps until Christmas!!Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-42968738380793432422010-12-17T11:53:00.000-08:002010-12-17T11:53:00.211-08:00Swimming LessonsAs a kid, I was a water rat. I looooved swimming, in the pool, in the lake, even in the ocean. We used to go camping for 2 weeks every summer, and I spent the entire 2 weeks in the water. Hubby hates the water now, but as a teen he was the star of the swim team. The love of water must be in the Munchkin's blood. He enjoyed bath time from day one, and splashes like a champ. Our local rec center has swimming lessons for babies starting at 4 months old, so he was registered for the first set of lessons that started after he was 4 months. I was a little anxious on his behalf. Pools are super bright and loud, so you never know how he will react.<br /><br />He loved it! The Munchkin was a little tentative at the beginning, but was calm the whole time. The lessons are great too. A lot of it is teaching the parents what to do, how to hold them, how to get in and out of the pool with a baby, baby CPR, lots of good stuff. They also had 'games' to help with their motor skills and build their comfort level in the water. Yesterday was our last lesson :( He has to be 18 months to move up to the next level, but we'll do this level again in the spring. I really want to keep him in the water as much as possible. Both Hubby and I want to make sure he is comfortable in the water and learns to swim ASAP. My parents have a summer place on the lake, and we stay there for a few weeks every year so it's important that he learn to swim.<br /><br />I didn't get any pictures at the pool, maybe I'll remember when we go to the pool to 'practice' our swimming after Christmas.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-87241821639955868212010-12-16T16:19:00.000-08:002010-12-16T16:19:00.293-08:00Christmas Cookie Exchange<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTt4LD4fFqa8TWftQOIcYbi7Q6lUJSmyCM838fd2xcxeM3y5uKh4AU5fL8lUelxg2nMfWVlAHicJ5pww1S7U99YevKus-cW8f1pYRK4ibaDDnYUo8jut1z8PftWNWXOC7N0bZi0GyNz8/s1600/IMG_4214.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTt4LD4fFqa8TWftQOIcYbi7Q6lUJSmyCM838fd2xcxeM3y5uKh4AU5fL8lUelxg2nMfWVlAHicJ5pww1S7U99YevKus-cW8f1pYRK4ibaDDnYUo8jut1z8PftWNWXOC7N0bZi0GyNz8/s320/IMG_4214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550327544412588418" border="0" /></a>I love to bake, I'm sure I've told you that before. I've always wanted to do a Christmas Cookie exchange but have never had enough time. It's a lot of work making 6+ dozen cookies. This year, being on maternity leave, I knew I'd be able to get some baking done, so I put the offer out there and had 8 people interested! A few people had to back out due to some reason or other, but in the end there was 6 of us in the exchange. We all did our baking and then met at my house Sunday afternoon to hang out and munch on some cheese dip (unbelievable dip mmMmm).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVVmLbGZXWc-eBm2G81_UM6GfhG73RWaTDG3uxADalSqgb6TmzrOlSmo5yorkaNNLdxLk5Z0tH-rSeZq9AFmLHl2fnobyBjlT2KGF6Mo_GfZSN3e26QboBMVeF_zorTQnp_-cYJcCClI/s1600/IMG_4211.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVVmLbGZXWc-eBm2G81_UM6GfhG73RWaTDG3uxADalSqgb6TmzrOlSmo5yorkaNNLdxLk5Z0tH-rSeZq9AFmLHl2fnobyBjlT2KGF6Mo_GfZSN3e26QboBMVeF_zorTQnp_-cYJcCClI/s320/IMG_4211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550327539643752978" border="0" /></a>At the end of the day we each took home 6 dozen amazing cookies! No bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal, chocolate peppermint sandwiches, sugar cookies (those were mine!), lemon wreaths, carrot apple shortbread and black forest cookies. Sooooo good!Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-58515214242581840762010-12-14T12:48:00.000-08:002010-12-14T12:48:00.160-08:005 Months!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQnq9RSJOP_f1kfGo_vT1yHg39RizzXENie1fC8y-f_dx3B7rcflQH6mM1NqZhgMWITJwRZC1lJnzQpn3r2JYvsdWtPnZURAObZ6XQs_APjTJ4eha8cbcoLARwLhdQlSEM51DqOOHEgs/s1600/IMG_4208.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsdHrObmDAVPOn6NuV_tERpgN6760Lt7pQ4xMMnRwtrO0HaS7WbDDS80ql5lmwzq9T8epO2nSpdPNeXS1Ssu_SxEQbqFuW35rgwQ7bKQaFEdJQUDy2mYA8N15mSYfJN9eJv7n9C-slkk/s1600/IMG_4204.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsdHrObmDAVPOn6NuV_tERpgN6760Lt7pQ4xMMnRwtrO0HaS7WbDDS80ql5lmwzq9T8epO2nSpdPNeXS1Ssu_SxEQbqFuW35rgwQ7bKQaFEdJQUDy2mYA8N15mSYfJN9eJv7n9C-slkk/s320/IMG_4204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550318898239903442" border="0" /></a>5 Months old! How did that happen? It feels like just last week I was getting up every 2 hours to feed him...oh wait.. that <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">was</span> last week. This has been an interesting month. It started with a Doctors appointment for the nasty eczema on his cheeks. He got a prescription for hydro cortisone cream that helped for a few days, and then seemed to do nothing. At about the same time he stopped sleeping through the night. (*sob*) He had been doing so well, it was a bit of a shock to my system to be getting up every few hours again.<br /><br />On the plus side, he's sitting up for longer periods of time, but not long enough that we'd leave him without his backup pillow. He's still teething with nothing to show for it, but can put the teething ring in his own mouth now. He's still a happy little guy, even though he's only pooping every couple of weeks. Just a week or so ago we had to move him up a size in clothes. He is growing out of everything fast and furious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsdHrObmDAVPOn6NuV_tERpgN6760Lt7pQ4xMMnRwtrO0HaS7WbDDS80ql5lmwzq9T8epO2nSpdPNeXS1Ssu_SxEQbqFuW35rgwQ7bKQaFEdJQUDy2mYA8N15mSYfJN9eJv7n9C-slkk/s1600/IMG_4204.jpg"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQnq9RSJOP_f1kfGo_vT1yHg39RizzXENie1fC8y-f_dx3B7rcflQH6mM1NqZhgMWITJwRZC1lJnzQpn3r2JYvsdWtPnZURAObZ6XQs_APjTJ4eha8cbcoLARwLhdQlSEM51DqOOHEgs/s1600/IMG_4208.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQnq9RSJOP_f1kfGo_vT1yHg39RizzXENie1fC8y-f_dx3B7rcflQH6mM1NqZhgMWITJwRZC1lJnzQpn3r2JYvsdWtPnZURAObZ6XQs_APjTJ4eha8cbcoLARwLhdQlSEM51DqOOHEgs/s320/IMG_4208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550318910456191394" border="0" /></a><br />17 Pounds 26.5 Inches.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-61359248580246636972010-12-13T11:19:00.000-08:002010-12-13T11:19:00.249-08:00Oh Christmas Tree.I love decorating for Christmas. Unfortunately my budget has never really had room for any quality decorations. Our tree, for example, is a hand-me-down. My first year on my own, my manager had brought her old tree to work with her to throw in the dumpster. Her family had just bought a great big new one that came with the lights already in it. When she found out that I wouldn't be getting a tree that year, she gave me the dumpster bound tree.<br /><br />Growing up, we had a <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">real</span> tree every year. I was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to have my own real tree, but at least I had a tree! In the years since I acquired the dumpster tree it had managed to stick around. I just haven't been able to justify buying a new fake tree when I had one that did the trick. This year may just be the last year though. It's looking pretty sad.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2NMldDnNPkpaL61maJm8DeHDJzNZNVxXIp3i-szgLkLvVjm7U_kuyl1qloj4xcw3hKgrQw_9GfF_ugrvc29I4ZuYeSDIPbyMRzq7X50ehNRWa7oMzfcq9QL7KWvyewzlwxkaiusH4zI/s1600/IMG_2349.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2NMldDnNPkpaL61maJm8DeHDJzNZNVxXIp3i-szgLkLvVjm7U_kuyl1qloj4xcw3hKgrQw_9GfF_ugrvc29I4ZuYeSDIPbyMRzq7X50ehNRWa7oMzfcq9QL7KWvyewzlwxkaiusH4zI/s320/IMG_2349.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547085783763445282" border="0" /></a><br />It curves to the right, and has some pretty substantial bare spots. Plus, in only holds about a quarter of the decorations I have for it :P Maybe next year when the Munchkin is old enough to appreciate it, we'll get a nice big one. With the light already on it.<br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/Jacki/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Previews/2010/12/03/20101203-120827/IMG_2349.jpg" alt="" /><img src="file:///Users/Jacki/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" />Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-8581698596201231242010-12-10T10:03:00.000-08:002010-12-10T10:03:00.964-08:00Bath and Body WorksI have an affinity for soaps and lotions and all things that smell pretty. We have 3 bathrooms in our house, and every one of them has a pretty smelling hand soap. I have a couple of different ones in the bath for bubble baths and showering. I have a bottle of lotion next to my bed, my computer, and on the coffee table. I have 3 different perfumes in my medicine cabinet, and a dozen more in the linen closet. Each one of these is a different scent.<br /><br />One of the stores that always <span style="font-style: italic;">makes</span> me spend the most money is Bath and Body Works. They have everything all in one place! Lotion, bubble bath, soaps, hand sanitizer that actually smells good, perfumes, and sooo much more! The closest one to me used to me across the border, so I could only get there every once in a while. I'd stock up pretty well of course, but when I ran out sometimes it was like going through withdrawal until I could get across the line. Recently the built one about an hour away! But even better......it's in the same building as my mom's office! Now I just have to go online, make a little list of what I would like, e-mail it to my mother, and it's at my house by the next weekend! Sure she's here to see the Munchkin and not deliver my crack ( ahem ) I mean goodies, but it sure feels like my birthday every time.<br /><br />I was running low on hand soaps so last week I 'put in my order' with my mom. My all time favorite scent from Bath and Body is Country Apple. The name has changed over the years, but the luscious scent has stayed the same. I still have at least one of those in reserve, so I thought I'd live dangerously and skip it this order. Instead I got the seasonal apple scents :P<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_IGfTbxYrNFwyKgO1FHenPY-v8hiaifARdOhybnOAFxu2pLlzWD3m-9IeIkW3LKCGYyxXEdyHXnnkB9iyKjwDYy05J8wHtTS1joL26rmQx7qjmWBAuaHQEi8J43eq2X_X0d_JLUoi1c/s1600/Caramel+Apple.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_IGfTbxYrNFwyKgO1FHenPY-v8hiaifARdOhybnOAFxu2pLlzWD3m-9IeIkW3LKCGYyxXEdyHXnnkB9iyKjwDYy05J8wHtTS1joL26rmQx7qjmWBAuaHQEi8J43eq2X_X0d_JLUoi1c/s200/Caramel+Apple.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547082627455458530" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJbdzvrRQ3OIRaVjlWSCrbSlN_4ZBLM_ilRwDYdNsHcfpzdGXaTcXUksXm_iq_DijVIbKrTPT2TPC71HbkLK6b2HSqKqTh_UNYMZuzevy0MO7ux69BZJ4bvYU8qqgWjsFS0yB_MLEpJY/s1600/Winter+Candy+Apple.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJbdzvrRQ3OIRaVjlWSCrbSlN_4ZBLM_ilRwDYdNsHcfpzdGXaTcXUksXm_iq_DijVIbKrTPT2TPC71HbkLK6b2HSqKqTh_UNYMZuzevy0MO7ux69BZJ4bvYU8qqgWjsFS0yB_MLEpJY/s200/Winter+Candy+Apple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547082901682738674" border="0" /></a>And then a wonderful citrus scent.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvzV_l0vQUWdnpMB1jR7v9ubZJezHG-Trrj88-AuhE1E-E1eFEP8dQVL2NhLnupKtq4yJTphOeZMW0TY0tao6MBkKVDStUYoNHgVWECx7ZsShVK5yarkwIC48OH6MN1B2v7r34QqzN18/s1600/Pink+Grapefruit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvzV_l0vQUWdnpMB1jR7v9ubZJezHG-Trrj88-AuhE1E-E1eFEP8dQVL2NhLnupKtq4yJTphOeZMW0TY0tao6MBkKVDStUYoNHgVWECx7ZsShVK5yarkwIC48OH6MN1B2v7r34QqzN18/s200/Pink+Grapefruit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547082889738823186" border="0" /></a>Another Christmas one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEpSc2OLXdP-syKYfkZpOznMrndDcsMMoxQdZTeoSWbK18iUBWihCHTtVxWMvqpPBmzvb37gWJqAqfYQt7IeKonXsS0rg1v67PQC7z7EY9FhY6t0nDJjULujOu51vcKONeayG5Y68yBQ/s1600/Vanilla+Snap.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEpSc2OLXdP-syKYfkZpOznMrndDcsMMoxQdZTeoSWbK18iUBWihCHTtVxWMvqpPBmzvb37gWJqAqfYQt7IeKonXsS0rg1v67PQC7z7EY9FhY6t0nDJjULujOu51vcKONeayG5Y68yBQ/s200/Vanilla+Snap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547082898511763906" border="0" /></a>And the last one is a total random one for me. I usually can't stand floral scents. I find them way too overpowering, and not at all fresh. However, my mom has this one in her bathroom at home, and I love it!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8nUJ_Hn-_wpV-HRrFmoTIZ_V0jCMXbZ3Fqro75nxPIfpk2HAdNx9L4YoCpYK92-nX8y6t1LoyoQl4XpMDEjKt83eUmSjWD8KF-a2iA5gFOlrkZiS7Nbv8qMqJXkq5yFDc7EkHy0yA5g/s1600/Sweet+Pea.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8nUJ_Hn-_wpV-HRrFmoTIZ_V0jCMXbZ3Fqro75nxPIfpk2HAdNx9L4YoCpYK92-nX8y6t1LoyoQl4XpMDEjKt83eUmSjWD8KF-a2iA5gFOlrkZiS7Nbv8qMqJXkq5yFDc7EkHy0yA5g/s200/Sweet+Pea.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547082891607045650" border="0" /></a>MMmmmm. I want to go wash my hands now.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-44388977536334427512010-12-09T10:53:00.000-08:002010-12-09T10:53:00.440-08:00Kids PartiesNow that we have a kid apparently we qualify for kiddie parties. When we were DINKs (Double Income No Kids), we were never invited to kids parties.<br /><br />Having a baby is like involuntarily becoming part of a not-so-secret society. Suddenly it's acceptable to make plans in the middle of the day, as long as there are tiny humans present. The friends with kids that always <span style="font-style: italic;">said</span> they wanted to make plans but didn't really mean it, actually <span style="font-weight: bold;">mean</span> it now. You know, because you have kids too. Every old person on the face of the planet feels entitled to touch your baby, and occasionally you too. People everywhere talk to you, and share way too much information on the texture and consistency of their child's bowel movements.<br /><br />It's kind of great.<br /><br />Last Sunday we were invited to our first ever kids party. One of Hubby's co-workers invited us to his son's birthday party. I go to a play group with his wife, so I know his kids pretty well. Having a baby opens you up to a whole new group of friends. Bring on the parties!Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-43771775917751060022010-12-08T23:53:00.000-08:002010-12-08T23:53:00.687-08:00Picture with Santa!On Wednesday last week we decided to head to the mall for The Munchkin's first picture with Santa. My parents took Roller Auntie and I to see Santa every year since I was born. My mother has kept all the pictures and has made them a part of her decorations. This is a tradition that I am more than happy to carry on.<br /><br />The Munchkin and I go to a play group on Wednesday mornings. We left a little early so that he would still be in a good mood by the time we got to the mall. We would have gone fist thing in the morning when the Munchkin is usually adorable and chatty, but Santa sleeps in apparently. The Munchkin fell asleep in the car, so we wandered the mall until he woke up and had a snack. I was determined not to get a picture of him crying with Santa. There were only a few people ahead of us, so we didn't have to wait long. I was surprised it wasn't busier, but I guess December 1st isn't as significant as I thought it would be. I make it a rule to wait until December first before I do anything for Christmas.<br /><br />He did great! The Santa looked a little sketchy, but the Munchkin had no problem hanging out with him. Mrs. Clause was really good at making him smile, so we got a great picture! I'm so proud of my little man :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYZ2KWnGV6ZeM9FFywRj004b0L4EwPCOJd0TSxuqjiDBnhs-8Xvv6w1-o5tZ5LA6tHAmQQYPxYk61UDWbePM57d4yUznU4UjHu0cF7M18oVhUjRV5UohxMUgq9UtpuVeA7vCSjrg7-Go/s1600/LOGAN.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYZ2KWnGV6ZeM9FFywRj004b0L4EwPCOJd0TSxuqjiDBnhs-8Xvv6w1-o5tZ5LA6tHAmQQYPxYk61UDWbePM57d4yUznU4UjHu0cF7M18oVhUjRV5UohxMUgq9UtpuVeA7vCSjrg7-Go/s320/LOGAN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545871683350890866" border="0" /></a>Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-18509802639316497192010-12-07T23:54:00.000-08:002010-12-07T23:54:01.051-08:00Imagine Kids BookFor the year before The Munchkin was born I worked at a <a href="http://www.revivalartsstudio.com/">photography studio</a>. They are unbelievable artists, and I love what they do. I was the admin assistant, although I should have been called the production assistant. I did all the printing, framing etc, with a little but of answering phone call and e-mails. Shortly after I started they came up with a fabulous project. They do amazing child photography, and decided to make a book dedicated to it. All the session fees were donated to <a href="http://www.mattshouse.ca/">Matthew's House </a>. Each child had a page in the book, and were invited to the book release party as VIP's.<br /><br />The book release party was this past weekend and the Munchkin and I were invited to go. There was a red carpet for all the VIP's, and each child had their picture taken with their page in the book. It was so much fun to meet all the kids who's pictures I had worked with all year.<br /><br />The Munchkin was pretty cute too.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9knga-dgTGsw6Jts2BjNR_RWoP_ALxwR9Jk8LWkKWZGS5EW6ZJ3HdbwiLVIZmDyikCC3y3Qm2NfutkOHoLeB9hsEQ6J1y75IQ8rnFUKXOaihSdS6GqmfTeyCMB0iT0fzfgfWBDVun080/s1600/Imagine"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9knga-dgTGsw6Jts2BjNR_RWoP_ALxwR9Jk8LWkKWZGS5EW6ZJ3HdbwiLVIZmDyikCC3y3Qm2NfutkOHoLeB9hsEQ6J1y75IQ8rnFUKXOaihSdS6GqmfTeyCMB0iT0fzfgfWBDVun080/s320/Imagine" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545867181396845858" border="0" /></a>Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-34827915994289167322010-12-06T23:54:00.000-08:002010-12-06T23:54:00.714-08:00The NutcrackerI was lucky enough last week to have a night off of mommy duty to go see one of my favorite girls in The Nutcracker. She is a beautiful ballerina! Her dance company performs The Nutcracker every Christmas season, hiring a pair of professional dancers to play the lead roles. I was able to see her perform two years ago, and it was my first time seeing the ballet. This year I was even more amazed. She has grown like crazy into an amazing dancer. With the amount of time she dedicates to it I shouldn't be surprised. <img src="file:///Users/user/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><br /><br /><br /><img src="file:///Users/user/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-ssgaJi8-kYOBML5mrYatOFTr6_DrA7OMRwWMtqVecmTxWh8SxzCNNjIWzcgdOWdozJUrAqdj9V8CmZCKcrpPd1t51B62nfjSVTJXtQ39nloR9dhNKDgLmXOrfOv7M-ZX6ngPvPs_9A/s1600/Dance"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-ssgaJi8-kYOBML5mrYatOFTr6_DrA7OMRwWMtqVecmTxWh8SxzCNNjIWzcgdOWdozJUrAqdj9V8CmZCKcrpPd1t51B62nfjSVTJXtQ39nloR9dhNKDgLmXOrfOv7M-ZX6ngPvPs_9A/s320/Dance" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545864011698334514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While I was relaxing and enjoying myself in the theater, The Munchkin was at home with Hubby. It was his first time putting the Munchkin to bed by himself.. and I was a little anxious for him. He wasn't worried at all, but it's a mommy's job to worry. He made me take a picture of everything he needed to do and then text it to him with instructions so that all he'd have to do is check his phone to make sure he was doing everything right. It worked out pretty well! I called during intermission, and everything had worked like a charm! The only thing that didn't go so well was the bottle. The Munchkin is a boob man and has never really taken a bottle before. We've tried, but he usually just chews on it. Apparently he ate a little, but then just wanted to sleep. At least I know I can take off again for an evening if I need a night off :)Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-80219128421890983022010-12-03T23:53:00.000-08:002010-12-03T23:53:00.597-08:00American ThanksgivingNana is American, so we get to celebrate both Canadian and American Thanksgivings! I'm not a huge fan of turkey, but a plate full of stuffing keeps me smiling. And Hubby loooves a big traditional dinner like that. I'm sure it will be even better when The Munchkin is older and has half a dozen cousins to play with.<br /><br />Also a tradition with my Mother in Law was the last minute invite ;) Thursday came and went so we assumed she had decided against it this year. WRONG. Saturday evening I got a phone call inviting us to Thanksgiving dinner Sunday night. When I told her we thought she wasn't doing it this year, she couldn't figure out why. Even though Thanksgiving was on Thursday, and we hadn't heard from her all week, I should have known she would be doing it at some point that weekend. Funny enough we kind of did. We just figured she would call Thursday afternoon with the invite for that evening. We were off by a few days, and she by our standards was a day early!<br /><br />My family is the complete opposite. We know at least a month in advance when we are doing our holiday dinners, who is hosting, what time we should be there, and who's turn it is to bring the desserts.<br /><br />I think it's good for me that my in-laws are more spontaneous, it's a regular lesson in flexibility :)Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-27761209104158463292010-12-02T23:55:00.000-08:002010-12-02T23:55:00.594-08:00Shopping with GrandmaMy mom loves to spoil her only grandchild...that's a lie, she loves to spoil all of us! She single-handedly furnished the Munchkin's bedroom, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">and</span> did most of the painting.<br /><br />This past weekend she was going to forgo spending Saturday with the Munchkin so that she could get some of her Christmas shopping done. She was getting pretty anxious about it because she hadn't bought anything yet, and Christmas is fast approaching. Little did she know, I have become Super Shopper Woman! I offered to meet her half way between our two cities at a fairly decent mall and help her find something. Instead she drove all the way out here, and then we drove back to the mall in the middle to do our shopping. She had some twisted logic for that, so I didn't argue.<br /><br />We estimated that we would be gone for about 2 hours......almost 5 hours later she was in her car heading home. We started out at a strip mall a few blocks away from the 'big' mall planning to quickly check out the new Carters * Osh Kosh store. I'm pretty sure we spent almost an hour there! It wasn't even that big of a store! Grandma decided she wanted to buy the Munchkin a Christmas outfit. I thought is was a pretty good idea, and he could wear it in his pictures with Santa. Well, one outfit turned into a Christmas outfit, and a backup for Christmas dinner on Boxing Day with hubby's family. Then those 2 turned into 4 and a hoodie. Spoiled Rotten!<br /><br />We spent another hour in the same strip mall at the Hallmark store and Home Outfitters, with a short trip through Old Navy. We were all starving by this point including the Munchkin, so we headed to the mall for lunch in the food court. Grandma had gotten a huge chunk of her shopping done (you're welcome) so she wasn't as panicked after lunch. I made the mistake of letter Grandma into Babies R Us. We walked out of there an hour later with a few new toys and a try for the Munchkin's Bumboo. I hadn't spent a cent yet, but then we passed by my weakness... The Children's Place. I managed to get in and out in 15 minuted with only 2 outfits, both of which were on sale. (I told you I'm the Super Shopper!) We finished our trip around the mall, picked up something to go along with Hubby's gift, and finally headed home. The Munchkin was more than overdue for a nap, but he was still in a pretty good mood.<br /><br />We got home, put the Munchkin to bed, and sorted through all our goodies!Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-42703557911865084362010-12-01T23:52:00.000-08:002010-12-01T23:52:00.355-08:00Library TimeOur local library does something called 'Cuddle time for Babies', and The Munchkin and I went for our second series this month. Monday was the last one until January and I can't wait for it to start up again. The Munchkin absolutely loves listening to the librarian read the stories.<br /><br />Usually we sit in a circle with all the other mommies and their babies and do a name song to learn who everyone is. Then the librarian teaches the mommies some fun songs and rhymes to do with our babies at home. Then we do some fun group songs and dance around the circle a little bit. Finally the librarian reads a short story before we sing the goodbye song.<br /><br />We started the first series in October, and the Librarian was great! She was super engaging, and the Munchkin loved listening to her read, he was enthralled with the sound of her voice. All the rhymes turned into fun songs with her, and none of the babies cried or fussed at all! The November session had a new librarian leading the baby time, and she wasn't nearly as good. It was still lots of fun, and I had a great time getting to know some of the other mommies. This librarian didn't sing, she just said all the rhymes. When she did attempt to sing, the tune would change half way through! It was pretty comical.<br /><br />I feel like we're going to go through withdrawal in December without our library time! But I guess December is a pretty busy month, so I'm sure we'll manage.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-44224185333899211312010-11-30T11:15:00.000-08:002010-11-30T11:15:00.170-08:00Bad GrandmaI've always loved visiting my parents for the weekend. We have a pack n play for The Munchkin, and he has his own room at their house so we thought we'd try staying there for the weekend. Normally I think this would have worked. This weekend, however, Grandma was misbehaving.<br /><br />The Munchkin followed his usual bedtime routine, bath and all. He was in bed by 9, and fell asleep right away. He usually sleeps until 5am or later, eats, and then goes back down for another few hours. He'll wake up throughout the night, but put himself right back to sleep. Grandma and Grandpa got home from an evening out just as I was heading to bed. Grandma followed me in when I went to check and make sure The Munchkin hadn't kicked his blankets off. He was awake but had his thumb in his mouth and was drifting off again. But Grandma took those open eyes as an opportunity to spend time with her grandson. She started talking to him in an animated voice until he opened his eyes to look at her. I kept shushing her and asked her to stop, so she did. At this point he was awake, but we hadn't passed the point of no return. I escorted Grandma out of the room so he could go back to sleep and I could get ready for bed. She was worried about him not going back to sleep (suure, now she worries) and I told her that he would be fine, and if he wasn't I would feed him and put him back to bed. I went into the bathroom to get ready, and she turned the hall light on so she could peek in and see if he was falling back asleep. Seriously?! Of course he was going to be awake now! All the lights on, and Grandma standing in the doorways smiling and talking to him. At some point in the 5 minutes I was in the bathroom she decided that he was awake, so she might as well pick him up while he waited for me to come and feed him. So now not only is he awake, but he's hanging out in the hallway with all the lights on bouncing around with Grandma.<br /><br />I was hooped. I managed to wrangle him away from Grandma, send her to bed, and get him to settle down enough to eat. He was wired. He ate and the continued to tell me stories from his play pen. For TWO HOURS! He was wide awake and happy screaming from his room, so loud I was sure the neighbors could hear him. It was after 3am when he finally got cranky and hungry again. He ate again and then went to sleep until 8am.<br /><br />After all that....Grandma slept through the whole thing!<br /><br />I had to go to a crazy busy baby shower with half a dozen kids on less than 5 hours of sleep. As punishment Grandma was in charge of the cranky baby that didn't get enough sleep the night before during the baby shower.Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-68018417019302119602010-11-29T10:28:00.000-08:002010-11-29T10:28:00.207-08:00Weekend Adventure.Apparently I forgot to blog about our adventure to Grandma and Grandpa's house last weekend. The Munchkin and I headed out to visit Grandma and Grandpa for the weekend so that I could go to my cousins baby shower. It also gave Hubby the opportunity to have some time to himself and, as his co-worker put it, "nerd it up" with his brother. They stayed home and played computer games until 5am, while I stayed at my parents :)<br /><br />We dropped Hubby off at work on Saturday (poor guy) and started our 45 minute drive to Grandma and Grandpa's house. We hung out for a bit and then I put the little mad down for a nap while Roller Auntie and I went out for some amazing sushi. Sushi is the one thing I really missed being pregnant. Well that...and wine. This place was a little different than I had ever had before. In my Philadelphia roll, instead of the usual avocado and cucumber this one had a bean and red pepper. The bean was super crunchy, but I poked the red pepper out with my chop stick.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i73le8iz_PYEc1Hclvs3gWNMyIDhRQwuGt5iQ4DoNRhcWl-DVD6Pp-lcXLT4ZhMcbXhwObeMa4tblORz79lnY-dEd3_P6KC83XbpbOwTalEFArN9Ab7eH0XDNNQ6tlfC8Z2HcZErpko/s1600/philadelphia.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i73le8iz_PYEc1Hclvs3gWNMyIDhRQwuGt5iQ4DoNRhcWl-DVD6Pp-lcXLT4ZhMcbXhwObeMa4tblORz79lnY-dEd3_P6KC83XbpbOwTalEFArN9Ab7eH0XDNNQ6tlfC8Z2HcZErpko/s320/philadelphia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544857575947102658" border="0" /></a>Then it was time to head home, get The Munchkin and go see Cousin Auntie Gourmet. She is an amazing cook, so we went over to make dinner and try out a new recipe. She has a <a href="http://www.ashleylovesfood.com/">food blog</a> with her cousin, and they try all sorts of great things. We made bacon and tomato carbonara, and it was so good I made it again for Hubby a few days later.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbkYTenKl9osRnPqu8OT2e8Gus_4LOUXnqIPB0M6G8vPj9jkPr81vI7-Lxc1rcWFPUYsAoIjw0sCkgdogdOyIJAcKFAarhkTNaMCoCnodnfVzbQbQU2ryppZolqDoqnGIk3kM1Vn3EQk/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbkYTenKl9osRnPqu8OT2e8Gus_4LOUXnqIPB0M6G8vPj9jkPr81vI7-Lxc1rcWFPUYsAoIjw0sCkgdogdOyIJAcKFAarhkTNaMCoCnodnfVzbQbQU2ryppZolqDoqnGIk3kM1Vn3EQk/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544859642138140674" border="0" /></a><br />The Munchkin fell asleep while we were cooking, so Maggie took the opportunity to checkout the tiny loud human. After dinner Auntie Gourmet, soon to by Uncle K ( who needs a better name), the Munchkin and I went back to Grandma and Grandpa's to hang out, eat some more food that's probably bad for us and watch a movie. Grandma and Grandpa were out for the evening so we had the run of the place. Roller Auntie decided to join us after her plans to watch the hockey game fell through. We ate far to much junk, including the best brownies ever... and addicting cheese, and then watched possibly one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I had hear good things too, but I should have known that with Zeffron as the star it was bound to be pretty horrible.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4urduypzNlNlNbbq9Gsy0xLy2faVn1Rs47V5S8M6GFrKK9tR-mynzJOYOqaBSeeGm1lHyO3-HFteF6L5E3EO9NvTMLfS64o_XJRwAbNvaQF9MgadVKuicaHCsYhETttlH7aqRuXYxbxQ/s1600/Charlie-St-Cloud-Movie-Poster.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4urduypzNlNlNbbq9Gsy0xLy2faVn1Rs47V5S8M6GFrKK9tR-mynzJOYOqaBSeeGm1lHyO3-HFteF6L5E3EO9NvTMLfS64o_XJRwAbNvaQF9MgadVKuicaHCsYhETttlH7aqRuXYxbxQ/s320/Charlie-St-Cloud-Movie-Poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544861624161079938" border="0" /></a>We had a good time talking through all the 'touching moments' and making our own ridiculous predictions. All in all it was a pretty good evening. That is until Grandma got home... but I'll tell you that story later.<br /><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span>Jackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8791609013366220097.post-38672805211024889072010-11-26T13:11:00.000-08:002010-11-26T13:11:00.120-08:00Going to the GymHubby and I are feeling lazy. We figure it's about time we get back to our healthy lifestyle. Hubby and I are pretty much polar opposites physically. I'm short and fairly round, whereas Hubby is taaalll and thin. I've always enjoyed swimming, so we are looking for a gym with a pool. There is a new gym opening in our neighborhood so we decided to go for the 'virtual tour'. Apparently they have great rates! Opening specials! Join now! Ha!<br /><br />We went in on Friday to do our tour and chat with one of their trainers. We'd looked at the website (which shows all these great facilities, but gives no details) so we had some idea going in when the tour would look like. Here is our list of 'needs' when it comes to a gym.<br />1. I want a pool! ( Have have bursitis in my hips so I can't run or bike for cardio)<br />2. Childcare ( Nana is close by, but who knows how often we'll be going)<br />3. Tanning (Hubby is fair and needs to bronze a little before the summer starts to avoid heat stroke)<br />4. A Ladies only zone. (Lighter weights for me!)<br />5. Later hours (Hubby gets off work at 6:30)<br />6. Maybe personal training? ( Once I lose a little weight I might be interested in toning a little)<br />7. AFFORDABLE!! ( and no super long contract!)<br /><br />So lets see how this gym measures up! Well, even though the website shows a pool....there isn't one on site....but some of the franchises back east have them....like that matters. They have childcare! But only 2 days a week, and only in the morning, oh, and you have to pay for a membership for your child too if you want to have them in childcare. So... not going to happen. Tanning! guess what? Costs extra. ladies only area? yay! They have that! But if you want to participate in any of the classes... you guessed it, extra $. They do have one thing going for them, they are open until 10-no extra fees :P How about personal training? Drum roll please......Extra $$. So I guess all that answers the last question. Affordable? I think not. Oh, and to get any of the "low introductory rates", it's a 2 year contract. And those introductory rates, not so low. Pretty much the same as all the other gyms we've been to. Makes me wonder what they will go up to after the 'introductory period".<br /><br />We considered going to the public rec center- but ew. And no chance of childcare. Finally after some searching online I convinced Hubby to check out this one last place. He had vetoed it originally because it is one of the oldest ones in town, 30ish years. But after checking it out online, and calling their new member rep, he agreed to check it out with me.<br /><br />First thing, they have a private pool that is balanced twice daily. No extra cost. Childcare is free for the first 3 months, and after that you can pay a reasonable monthly fee for an unlimited package, or just pay a drop in rate (on the days Nana isn't available). Tanning, also free for the first three months, and then there are also packages and drop in rates that are pretty decent. The ladies only zone is great, with a monitor that shows the nursery so you can watch your kid while you work out. All the classes are included, Woo! This place is open until 11 on weeknights, and 10 on weekends, so hubby will have lots of time to go after work. You meet with the personal trainer when you join, and they teach you how to use all the machines, and if you want to meet with them again to set up a workout plan for yourself it's a one time fee that's pretty reasonable. And finally, it's totally affordable! The first person pays the regular rate, which it the same as every other gym in town, and the second person gets a discounted rate. Oh, and you can pay month to month, or sign a contract for 6 months, 1 or 2 years, and get an even better rate.<br /><br />Guess where we're going? :PJackihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02216112189136978842noreply@blogger.com0