We've been thoroughly enjoying our first Christmas with The Bean and I will post more of an update later this week when things have quieted down a little!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Merry Always, Happy Everything!
We've been thoroughly enjoying our first Christmas with The Bean and I will post more of an update later this week when things have quieted down a little!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
2011 Holiday Craft Exchange
Last year when I saw An Offering of Love's Holiday Craft Exchange, I thought it was such a nice idea, but hesitated too long to join in. This year when S posted about it again, I signed up right away! I worried about what to make, but think in the end that I came up with something nice. I can't wait to see it on our recipient's tree!
And today our parcel arrived! I was very surprised... I didn't know Canada Post made deliveries on the weekend.
We were sent some beautiful beeswax candles surrounded by Hershey's kisses and a gorgeous photo card of S, R, and their three sweet girls.
Thank you S!
And today our parcel arrived! I was very surprised... I didn't know Canada Post made deliveries on the weekend.
We were sent some beautiful beeswax candles surrounded by Hershey's kisses and a gorgeous photo card of S, R, and their three sweet girls.
Thank you S!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Merry Christmas to Me?
Each year at Christmas and at the end of the school year the parents in my class have all chipped in to get me a mall gift certificate. It is an awesome gift as it allows me to buy things that I usually really need like shoes or clothes for work.
Last summer I put off buying anything with my gift certificate, and I'm pretty sure in a few days I'll be getting another, which should give me enough to pick up something that I could reasonably argue that I need, but is also something that I really WANT.
That something is a new digital camera.
My old camera is really starting to show signs of wear. Not surprising since it is a number of years old and in the past eleven months I have taken what I am sure amounts to thousands of photos of The Bean.
So, I'm thinking a digital SLR. A Canon or a Nikon. I've heard the Canon Rebel is a nice model, but which version? Is the standard lens fine, or should I also think about getting a second lens?
I know a lot of you are photo junkies like me, so for those of you with DSLRs, which models do you have and what features of those models do you like or dislike?
Last summer I put off buying anything with my gift certificate, and I'm pretty sure in a few days I'll be getting another, which should give me enough to pick up something that I could reasonably argue that I need, but is also something that I really WANT.
That something is a new digital camera.
My old camera is really starting to show signs of wear. Not surprising since it is a number of years old and in the past eleven months I have taken what I am sure amounts to thousands of photos of The Bean.
So, I'm thinking a digital SLR. A Canon or a Nikon. I've heard the Canon Rebel is a nice model, but which version? Is the standard lens fine, or should I also think about getting a second lens?
I know a lot of you are photo junkies like me, so for those of you with DSLRs, which models do you have and what features of those models do you like or dislike?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Mid-December Blur
I had quite grand ambitions posting each day throughout December. But then there were report cards to write... and post-report card burn-out... and Christmas shopping to be done... and holiday cards to send... and on and on. All that to say, I haven't been around quite as much as I had hoped.
December is off to a good start though. I am very excited about the holidays this year. I know The Bean is really too young to understand most of what is going on, but I hope that he still enjoys seeing friends and family and feels some of the peace, joy and wonder that make this season so special.
We've got a reasonably busy schedule from now until the new year, and the new year will bring a whole new level of business when Jen starts back to work. I will try to keep updating though, even if it is only with brief posts.
So, an early Happy Holidays to all, from The Bean & Co.
P.S. Shutterfly is awesome! We were not only able to create our cards on their site, but have them address, stamp and send them all for us!
December is off to a good start though. I am very excited about the holidays this year. I know The Bean is really too young to understand most of what is going on, but I hope that he still enjoys seeing friends and family and feels some of the peace, joy and wonder that make this season so special.
We've got a reasonably busy schedule from now until the new year, and the new year will bring a whole new level of business when Jen starts back to work. I will try to keep updating though, even if it is only with brief posts.
So, an early Happy Holidays to all, from The Bean & Co.
 | ||
| Not the way we signed cards to our family, just edited for blog purposes. |
P.S. Shutterfly is awesome! We were not only able to create our cards on their site, but have them address, stamp and send them all for us!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Eleven Months Old!
Today The Bean is eleven months old!
-Our active boy is down off his tiptoes, but still isn't walking on his own. He cruises around the furniture and uses his lawnmower a lot and has also started pushing other (non-walker) toys around. His steering could use some improvement!
-Surprisingly, for an apartment-dwelling boy, he has become quite adept at climbing stairs. As long as he's in non-skidding socks he's able to climb to our third floor apartment with very little assistance!
-On a related note, it has become a lot more challenging to have him in the stroller for longer periods of time as he really wants to be up and about.
-He now does a ton of "actions." He'll shake his head, stick out his tongue, drum on just about anything, shake a toy when we say "shake, shake, shake", throw up his arms when we say "yay!", dance when he hears music and is almost waving.
-He's also become quite a little chatter box. He babbles away and will mimic noises. When someone is laughing he'll join right in. This makes Mama laugh even more and we often end up rolling on the floor with tears in our eyes from laughing so hard.
-He continues to be a good eater and is becoming increasingly interested in exploring his food. He's starting to feed himself a lot more finger foods, but Mama and Mommy are still in charge when it comes to cereals and yogurts and the like.
-His newest finger foods include freeze dried fruit and chickpeas. He seems to be enjoying eggs more now that Mommy makes them with onion and garlic for him. He's also started drinking cow's milk. Oh, and he had his first bite of a cookie. YUM!
-He is very observant and any time we change something around the apartment (like when we put up Christmas decorations) or go somewhere new he is wide-eyed checking things out.
-His favourite toys this month are his nesting cups (which he likes to pretend to drink from) and his jingle bells which he loves to "shake, shake, shake!" He also still love his lambskin rug.
-His favourite books are touch and feel ones, Biscuit Visits the Petting Zoo has not left his bookshelf all month.
-His favourite spots around the apartment are the full-length mirror in Mom and Mama's room, the bookshelf and the end tables.
-He is starting to hear the word "No!" a lot more. It seems like he understands because he will stop and look, but he doesn't always listen!
-He's sometimes only been going down for one nap during the day and has been waking more at night. We're hoping that this is just a phase, as he seems to do better with two naps and we do better with more sleep overnight.
-He had his first illness this past month. A high fever and then, when that let up, a rash. Our pediatrician said it was Roseola. Shannon called that one!
-He celebrated his first U.S. Thanksgiving this November at his Nan and Pap's house. On the same trip he also visited Santa for the first time. Our social boy didn't seem to be the least bit phased by the big guy.
-Thanks to our advent books, The Bean has been learning to rip open wrapping paper. He's getting pretty good! Bring on Christmas!
-Our active boy is down off his tiptoes, but still isn't walking on his own. He cruises around the furniture and uses his lawnmower a lot and has also started pushing other (non-walker) toys around. His steering could use some improvement!
-Surprisingly, for an apartment-dwelling boy, he has become quite adept at climbing stairs. As long as he's in non-skidding socks he's able to climb to our third floor apartment with very little assistance!
-On a related note, it has become a lot more challenging to have him in the stroller for longer periods of time as he really wants to be up and about.
-He now does a ton of "actions." He'll shake his head, stick out his tongue, drum on just about anything, shake a toy when we say "shake, shake, shake", throw up his arms when we say "yay!", dance when he hears music and is almost waving.
-He's also become quite a little chatter box. He babbles away and will mimic noises. When someone is laughing he'll join right in. This makes Mama laugh even more and we often end up rolling on the floor with tears in our eyes from laughing so hard.
-He continues to be a good eater and is becoming increasingly interested in exploring his food. He's starting to feed himself a lot more finger foods, but Mama and Mommy are still in charge when it comes to cereals and yogurts and the like.
-His newest finger foods include freeze dried fruit and chickpeas. He seems to be enjoying eggs more now that Mommy makes them with onion and garlic for him. He's also started drinking cow's milk. Oh, and he had his first bite of a cookie. YUM!
-He is very observant and any time we change something around the apartment (like when we put up Christmas decorations) or go somewhere new he is wide-eyed checking things out.
-His favourite toys this month are his nesting cups (which he likes to pretend to drink from) and his jingle bells which he loves to "shake, shake, shake!" He also still love his lambskin rug.
-His favourite books are touch and feel ones, Biscuit Visits the Petting Zoo has not left his bookshelf all month.
-His favourite spots around the apartment are the full-length mirror in Mom and Mama's room, the bookshelf and the end tables.
-He is starting to hear the word "No!" a lot more. It seems like he understands because he will stop and look, but he doesn't always listen!
-He's sometimes only been going down for one nap during the day and has been waking more at night. We're hoping that this is just a phase, as he seems to do better with two naps and we do better with more sleep overnight.
-He had his first illness this past month. A high fever and then, when that let up, a rash. Our pediatrician said it was Roseola. Shannon called that one!
-He celebrated his first U.S. Thanksgiving this November at his Nan and Pap's house. On the same trip he also visited Santa for the first time. Our social boy didn't seem to be the least bit phased by the big guy.
-Thanks to our advent books, The Bean has been learning to rip open wrapping paper. He's getting pretty good! Bring on Christmas!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Advent Activities PDF!
So, when thinking about ways to celebrate advent I came across many ideas that included the idea of an activity to do each day. Only the activities weren't always included. So Jen and I decided to make a list of advent activities. We ultimately went with the book-a-day advent calendar because we felt that The Bean was too young to enjoy many of the activities we came up with, but we thought others might enjoy the list. I'm not really a computer whiz, so there's a funny row of blank cards at the end of the first page, but it should be easy enough for anyone who wants to print this list just to cut away that row. Oh yeah, we also tried to include more activities than are needed for an advent calendar, so that if you chose to use this list for advent, you could pick and choose the activities that suited you and your family best.
Enjoy!
Advent Activities PDF
Enjoy!
Advent Activities PDF
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
To Tree or Not to Tree?
There was some debate whether or not we should decorate for Christmas this year, and if so, what decorating should entail.
The biggest decision was about the tree. With an active eleven month old and a small-ish space, we just didn't know if it made sense to put up a tree. In the end, Jen ended up making the decision --she put up the tree while I was at work. I was happy to come home and see it twinkling with multi-coloured lights. It does feel more like Christmas with a tree up.
Over the weekend we hung ornaments on the tree. This year we opted only to put our non-breakable ornaments on. We also put up our stockings and displayed our Santas (one from each year that we have lived together). Our delicious pine scented candle is out on the buffet and there are also some lights in the window. I would still like to hang up a bunting that holds Christmas cards, but I need to get some of those removable hook things to do that, so maybe this weekend.
We could definitely do more, but for our space and the point we are at in our lives right now, this feels like enough.
I'll try to update with photos later in the week.
What do you do in terms of decorating for the holiday?
The biggest decision was about the tree. With an active eleven month old and a small-ish space, we just didn't know if it made sense to put up a tree. In the end, Jen ended up making the decision --she put up the tree while I was at work. I was happy to come home and see it twinkling with multi-coloured lights. It does feel more like Christmas with a tree up.
Over the weekend we hung ornaments on the tree. This year we opted only to put our non-breakable ornaments on. We also put up our stockings and displayed our Santas (one from each year that we have lived together). Our delicious pine scented candle is out on the buffet and there are also some lights in the window. I would still like to hang up a bunting that holds Christmas cards, but I need to get some of those removable hook things to do that, so maybe this weekend.
We could definitely do more, but for our space and the point we are at in our lives right now, this feels like enough.
I'll try to update with photos later in the week.
What do you do in terms of decorating for the holiday?
Friday, December 2, 2011
Advent
Growing up, advent wasn't really a big deal in our house. Most years we got a chocolate advent calendar, which we enjoyed, but after being sucked into the vortex that is Pinterest, I though maybe we could step it up a notch for The Bean.
Here are some of the lovely ideas I found:
However, this year we decided to go a different direction. We spent Wednesday night wrapping 24 winter and Christmas books (that we already owned) for The Bean. We tied a ribbon around each one with a numbered tag on it and put them into a basket. Every night at bedtime we plan on opening that day's book and reading it to The Bean as one of his bedtime stories.
This may not be the tradition that we end up following each year, but it's one that I think is nice for this year.
Oh, and The Bean's Oma brought over a chocolate advent calendar for him. He's still a little young for chocolate, but his Mama doesn't mind. ;)
Here are some of the lovely ideas I found:
However, this year we decided to go a different direction. We spent Wednesday night wrapping 24 winter and Christmas books (that we already owned) for The Bean. We tied a ribbon around each one with a numbered tag on it and put them into a basket. Every night at bedtime we plan on opening that day's book and reading it to The Bean as one of his bedtime stories.
This may not be the tradition that we end up following each year, but it's one that I think is nice for this year.
Oh, and The Bean's Oma brought over a chocolate advent calendar for him. He's still a little young for chocolate, but his Mama doesn't mind. ;)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Holiday Traditions
This year will be our first Christmas as a family of three (or four, counting the cat) and I've been thinking a good bit about what kind of holiday traditions would be nice to have.
The Christmas season has always been such a special time of year to me, in large part, because of the many special memories I have of it. Going out to chop a tree down, and decorating said tree. Playing out in the snow until we were soaked to the skin and then coming in for a drink of hot chocolate in front of the fire place. Putting our shoes out for St. Nicholas. Baking dozens and dozens of cookies to take to our neighbours. Some of these things were annual "events" others happened more organically.
What traditions stand out in your memories of the holiday season? What new traditions, if any, have you started with your family or would you like to start once you have children?
I'm planning on spending some time this month blogging about traditions, both old and new, that we're thinking of holding with our family of three (or four, counting the cat).
Monday, November 28, 2011
First Step
First off, thank you so much to everyone who's commented on our last few posts re. daycare and especially re. The Bean's fever. Your advice and support is so appreciated! The Bean woke up at 8:00 this morning with a nice normal temperature. We still took him to the peditrician, where everything checked out okay. Looks like we made it through our first illness.
Secondly, The Bean took his first step this morning! We were in the kitchen where I was making tea and he was standing up banging on his step stool. He likes to be up looking at things in the kitchen and was reaching over towards me, then he took his other hand off the stool and just stood there for a second, then he lifted up his left foot and took a step. Then plop! Down he went! I scooped him up off the floor while shouting for Jen to come in because he'd just taken a step. Well, maybe a half step. But still! Our little guy is growing up!!
Secondly, The Bean took his first step this morning! We were in the kitchen where I was making tea and he was standing up banging on his step stool. He likes to be up looking at things in the kitchen and was reaching over towards me, then he took his other hand off the stool and just stood there for a second, then he lifted up his left foot and took a step. Then plop! Down he went! I scooped him up off the floor while shouting for Jen to come in because he'd just taken a step. Well, maybe a half step. But still! Our little guy is growing up!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sick Baby
It had to happen at some point. The Bean got sick. I guess ten and a half months is a pretty good stretch to go without getting so much as a sniffle, but I still feel really bad for this little guy.
We were visiting family for Thanksgiving and noticed on Saturday that he seemed to be a little warm and fussy and just not himself. But it had been a busy weekend... and he was cutting some new teeth... so we thought (hoped) it might just be that. Nope. It's definitely a full blown fever.
We've been giving him medicine every four hours or so. We've been trying to make sure that he's eating and (especially) drinking enough. We called Telehealth Ontario for advice. We called MedVisit to send a doctor over. (What a great service!) They pretty much confirmed that there's not much else we can do but wait for the fever to break. It's been hovering around 103 all evening.
Our little guy is not at all himself. He's so sleepy and sad. All he wants is for us to hold him when he's awake and then, after a short time, to go back to his crib to sleep.
I know we're extremely fortunate to have a baby who up until this point has been quite healthy, but it's still hard to see him like this. I hope he's doing better tomorrow.
Any tips on helping a baby get over a fever would be much appreciated.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
The Daycare Debate
As much as we would like one of us to be able to stay home with The Bean until he starts school, it is not a viable option for us. So, for the past several months we have been talking about what we will do once January comes and Jen's maternity leave is over.
Daycare waiting lists can be a little ridiculous in the city. We knew this before The Bean was born, but didn't really give it too much though. After he was born we started thinking about it a bit more. When he was maybe a month or two old I thought I'd check out one of the very reputable daycares that just so happens to be right across the street from my work. We picked up an application and I inquired about how long the waiting list was. The woman behind the reception desk told me that if he didn't have a sibling already attending the daycare, we were looking at about three years. Three years! I mean, how is that even possible? You'd have to get on the list when you start thinking that you might want to have a child one day. Despite this, we paid the ($50!) application fee and got our names on the list. Then we did the same thing at about three or four other places.
As the year went on we started thinking about other options.
A nanny might be nice if we found one we really liked. But it would also be super-expensive. Like, hardly worth going back to work expensive.
A nanny share could work though... if we could find someone who wanted to share a nanny. We couldn't.
Maybe a small home daycare then. We called a local organization that oversees licensed home daycares. There was one near our home that they hooked us up with and another one near our work. Jen went to visit the one near work. The provider seemed really, really nice, but there were some issues with the space (a small, dark, basement apartment). We went together to the one near our home, but had major issues with it (a virtually empty --read: prison-like-- room for the kids to play in, a lunch menu that consisted of some variation of pasta everyday, what seemed to be a strong aversion to any type of outdoor time throughout the entire winter, to name a few).
Jen also had a business card of a woman who had approached her in the park one day, so we called and set up a meeting time with her. She ran a licensed home daycare/preschool. We had some concerns about The Bean being the youngest in what would be a group of five children (him included), but overall this seemed the most positive option. Jen was gun-ho and I was on board.
But we had already made plans for me to visit the home provider who was really, really nice. And I really, really liked her. And I didn't think the space was as bad as Jen had made it out to be.
Then a daycare that we were on a waiting list for called.
Just when we thought we had made a decision...
So we discussed some more. Jen was still really sold on the daycare/preschool and I was on the fence between the two. We decided not even to check out the other daycare. It just seemed too overwhelming. Ultimately it came down to location, price, and long-term potential, with the daycare/preschool being the front-runner in all three categories.
We stopped by again last night to fill out all the paperwork and pay our deposit.
It's a relief to have it done.
I hope we made the right decision!
---
It makes me wonder how other people deal with the decision of what to do for child care and what leads them to the choices they make.
So, dear readers (those of you with children), what did you decide and why?
Daycare waiting lists can be a little ridiculous in the city. We knew this before The Bean was born, but didn't really give it too much though. After he was born we started thinking about it a bit more. When he was maybe a month or two old I thought I'd check out one of the very reputable daycares that just so happens to be right across the street from my work. We picked up an application and I inquired about how long the waiting list was. The woman behind the reception desk told me that if he didn't have a sibling already attending the daycare, we were looking at about three years. Three years! I mean, how is that even possible? You'd have to get on the list when you start thinking that you might want to have a child one day. Despite this, we paid the ($50!) application fee and got our names on the list. Then we did the same thing at about three or four other places.
As the year went on we started thinking about other options.
A nanny might be nice if we found one we really liked. But it would also be super-expensive. Like, hardly worth going back to work expensive.
A nanny share could work though... if we could find someone who wanted to share a nanny. We couldn't.
Maybe a small home daycare then. We called a local organization that oversees licensed home daycares. There was one near our home that they hooked us up with and another one near our work. Jen went to visit the one near work. The provider seemed really, really nice, but there were some issues with the space (a small, dark, basement apartment). We went together to the one near our home, but had major issues with it (a virtually empty --read: prison-like-- room for the kids to play in, a lunch menu that consisted of some variation of pasta everyday, what seemed to be a strong aversion to any type of outdoor time throughout the entire winter, to name a few).
Jen also had a business card of a woman who had approached her in the park one day, so we called and set up a meeting time with her. She ran a licensed home daycare/preschool. We had some concerns about The Bean being the youngest in what would be a group of five children (him included), but overall this seemed the most positive option. Jen was gun-ho and I was on board.
But we had already made plans for me to visit the home provider who was really, really nice. And I really, really liked her. And I didn't think the space was as bad as Jen had made it out to be.
Then a daycare that we were on a waiting list for called.
Just when we thought we had made a decision...
So we discussed some more. Jen was still really sold on the daycare/preschool and I was on the fence between the two. We decided not even to check out the other daycare. It just seemed too overwhelming. Ultimately it came down to location, price, and long-term potential, with the daycare/preschool being the front-runner in all three categories.
We stopped by again last night to fill out all the paperwork and pay our deposit.
It's a relief to have it done.
I hope we made the right decision!
---
It makes me wonder how other people deal with the decision of what to do for child care and what leads them to the choices they make.
So, dear readers (those of you with children), what did you decide and why?
Friday, November 18, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Guest Post on 2moms2dogs2babies
Hey all,
I wanted to let you know that I have a guest blog post over at 2moms2dogs2babies on what it was/is like being a twin. Please check it out and feel free to comment!
-Allison.
I wanted to let you know that I have a guest blog post over at 2moms2dogs2babies on what it was/is like being a twin. Please check it out and feel free to comment!
-Allison.
 |
| Jennifer on the left, me on the right. |
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Wonderful Weekend
This is going to be a quick one, since I've given myself until 10pm to finish up on the computer for the evening.
This weekend I was my school's "Midterm Break", which means I got both Friday and Monday off. It was AWESOME. The past several weeks have been extremely busy with events at the school that I have had to attend in the evenings. It was really starting to take a toll on me. But this weekend I got to spend four wonderful days with Jen and The Bean. I intended to do work stuff, but somehow got distracted by...
...bagels and "birthdays"
...bagels and "birthdays"
...puppies and kitties
...swim classes and sweet smiles
Hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend too!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Sono
I went in for my sonohystogram yesterday morning. There was no reason to think that anything would come up, but I was still worried that something might. The doctor was able to give me the results right away and in her words, we are "ready to rumba". What a relief.
I'm still worried that it will take more than three tries to get pregnant and then we'll have to go to the clinic in Buffalo which will be quite a bit more difficult logistically-speaking. I'm really worried that those three tries won't work out. If they don't, I know it's not the end of the world, but I still think it'd be nice if The Bean and his future sibling could share a biological link.
To end on a positive note, the sono didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would. It wasn't comfortable, but I thought I'd be in some pain following the procedure. Nope. I got home and Jen and I took The Bean out for brunch and a walk around my old neighbourhood and a little shopping. It was a really nice day.
I'm still worried that it will take more than three tries to get pregnant and then we'll have to go to the clinic in Buffalo which will be quite a bit more difficult logistically-speaking. I'm really worried that those three tries won't work out. If they don't, I know it's not the end of the world, but I still think it'd be nice if The Bean and his future sibling could share a biological link.
To end on a positive note, the sono didn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would. It wasn't comfortable, but I thought I'd be in some pain following the procedure. Nope. I got home and Jen and I took The Bean out for brunch and a walk around my old neighbourhood and a little shopping. It was a really nice day.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Ten Months Old!
Today The Bean is ten months old!
-He's always been an active baby, but The Bean has been REALLY active this past month. He crawls all over the place, he cruises from one piece of furniture to another (or one mother to another, as the case may be), and he's all about pushing his "lawnmower" around. Even though we're in an apartment he has figured out how to climb stairs, although we need to stay close by. And recently he has taken his hands off whatever he's holding onto and stayed upright for a couple of seconds, making us think that first steps will be coming in the next month or so.
-He's eating pretty much everything now. His first breakfast is a piece of toast. If he's up around the same time as me he'll also pretend to share my tea. It's pretty cute. His second breakfast before he has his morning nap is usually has yogurt and a fruit. Veggies and a grain later. And usually a meat and another veggie for dinner. Sometimes he manages to squeeze in an extra meal. And there are lots of snacks. Organic corn puffs, dried cranberries, etc. He's really taken to feeding himself finger foods. His pincer grip is improving.
-He's started taking a bottle! He really started chomping on Jen when nursing, which lead us to making more of an effort with the bottle. He usually has some breast milk after waking up from naps and water to sip on throughout the day. Some days he drinks more than others. Jen still nurses once overnight when he's usually too tired to bite.
-He's getting very interactive. Now he babbles away quite a bit of the time. He especially likes to talk to the baby in the mirror (who we think he recognizes). He says "Mum" and "Mama" and we think he knows that's us. He sometimes copies sounds we make. When we say "Yay!" he'll throw his hands up in the air. Or sometimes, he'll throw his hands up and wait for us to say "Yay!" LOL. We've been working on waving hello and goodbye and he seems to be sort of catching on. I'm trying to teach him to clap, but that's still a work in progress.
-He's gotten a lot clingier. Sometimes we'll put him down and it's quite obvious he wants to be held. He'll come over and tug on our pants and whine until we pick him up again. Sometimes he cries. Other times he's still content to be down and playing more independently, but there's definitely been a change. He'll still go to other adults pretty willingly which makes us happy since we're starting to think about what we'll be doing for childcare come January.
-He loves to be around other kids and babies. Sometimes it's a bit hard though because he doesn't really get being gentle and will go over and grab or pull up on whoever is around. Most kids and babies don't seem to thrilled with this. Neither does the cat.
-He loves the outdoors. Jen's been taking him out for lots of walks and over to the park to go in the swings. He loves crawling around on the grass and picking up all kinds of twigs and leaves. He also still enjoys swimming and bath time.
We've been thinking a lot about how soon our baby will be one year old. It's been so great that Jen has is able to spend this first year with him and we're sad that it will be coming to an end soon. We're hoping that we'll be able to find somewhere that he will be well cared for. He grows and changes so quickly and it will be hard not being around to see it all.
-He's always been an active baby, but The Bean has been REALLY active this past month. He crawls all over the place, he cruises from one piece of furniture to another (or one mother to another, as the case may be), and he's all about pushing his "lawnmower" around. Even though we're in an apartment he has figured out how to climb stairs, although we need to stay close by. And recently he has taken his hands off whatever he's holding onto and stayed upright for a couple of seconds, making us think that first steps will be coming in the next month or so.
-He's eating pretty much everything now. His first breakfast is a piece of toast. If he's up around the same time as me he'll also pretend to share my tea. It's pretty cute. His second breakfast before he has his morning nap is usually has yogurt and a fruit. Veggies and a grain later. And usually a meat and another veggie for dinner. Sometimes he manages to squeeze in an extra meal. And there are lots of snacks. Organic corn puffs, dried cranberries, etc. He's really taken to feeding himself finger foods. His pincer grip is improving.
-He's started taking a bottle! He really started chomping on Jen when nursing, which lead us to making more of an effort with the bottle. He usually has some breast milk after waking up from naps and water to sip on throughout the day. Some days he drinks more than others. Jen still nurses once overnight when he's usually too tired to bite.
-He's getting very interactive. Now he babbles away quite a bit of the time. He especially likes to talk to the baby in the mirror (who we think he recognizes). He says "Mum" and "Mama" and we think he knows that's us. He sometimes copies sounds we make. When we say "Yay!" he'll throw his hands up in the air. Or sometimes, he'll throw his hands up and wait for us to say "Yay!" LOL. We've been working on waving hello and goodbye and he seems to be sort of catching on. I'm trying to teach him to clap, but that's still a work in progress.
-He's gotten a lot clingier. Sometimes we'll put him down and it's quite obvious he wants to be held. He'll come over and tug on our pants and whine until we pick him up again. Sometimes he cries. Other times he's still content to be down and playing more independently, but there's definitely been a change. He'll still go to other adults pretty willingly which makes us happy since we're starting to think about what we'll be doing for childcare come January.
-He loves to be around other kids and babies. Sometimes it's a bit hard though because he doesn't really get being gentle and will go over and grab or pull up on whoever is around. Most kids and babies don't seem to thrilled with this. Neither does the cat.
-He loves the outdoors. Jen's been taking him out for lots of walks and over to the park to go in the swings. He loves crawling around on the grass and picking up all kinds of twigs and leaves. He also still enjoys swimming and bath time.
We've been thinking a lot about how soon our baby will be one year old. It's been so great that Jen has is able to spend this first year with him and we're sad that it will be coming to an end soon. We're hoping that we'll be able to find somewhere that he will be well cared for. He grows and changes so quickly and it will be hard not being around to see it all.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Lawnmower
The Bean isn't walking on his own yet, but he does pretty well pushing his "lawnmower" (as we call it) around.
Those of you with toddlers, what age did your child/ren start walking on their own? I have a feeling we might have an early walker on our hands.
P.S. I just love the little look he gives me at the end. Don't you?
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Curve Ball
Every once in a while life throws one your way.
We met with the doctor at the fertility clinic on Thursday. It was a lot different from our first visit there. Before we went in with a list of questions, this time it seemed more a formality. Yes, Jen was the one planning on getting pregnant last time, and this time it's me, but we are hoping to go through the same process (unmedicated IUI) so there really wasn't much to ask.
The doctor had a few routine questions for us. She also gave us the good news that this time we could fore go the psychologist visit. Then she told us that we could do our first attempt in December.
December.
As in next month.
Um, I was thinking February.
She said that I could get all my blood work and a sonohystogram done this month and as long as everything looked normal we could start inseminations in December. I was half excited and half freaked out. December seemed so soon.
After taking a few days to think about it and talking about it with Jen, we've made the decision to wait. I'm the type of person who likes to have a plan and stick with it. This was not the plan. Just because it's possible to start sooner doesn't mean that we have to. I can do all the screening now and do cycle monitoring through December to be sure that things are okay in January/February. (The fertility clinic is closed for the holidays, so it all depends on how their hours and my cycle coordinate.)
Plus, we only have three vials from our donor left in Canada. If we did attempts from February through April, that would give me a month or two off and then I could do attempts over the summer in Buffalo. (For newer readers, we have another three vials from our donor in the U.S.) Whereas if we started in December and were finished as early as February, it would seem like a long hiatus before doing the U.S. attempts and I think I would get impatient having to put things on hold at that point.
I need to keep reminding myself that we are not in a rush. Things will happen when they're meant to happen, right? (Fingers crossed that things do happen.)
We met with the doctor at the fertility clinic on Thursday. It was a lot different from our first visit there. Before we went in with a list of questions, this time it seemed more a formality. Yes, Jen was the one planning on getting pregnant last time, and this time it's me, but we are hoping to go through the same process (unmedicated IUI) so there really wasn't much to ask.
The doctor had a few routine questions for us. She also gave us the good news that this time we could fore go the psychologist visit. Then she told us that we could do our first attempt in December.
December.
As in next month.
Um, I was thinking February.
She said that I could get all my blood work and a sonohystogram done this month and as long as everything looked normal we could start inseminations in December. I was half excited and half freaked out. December seemed so soon.
After taking a few days to think about it and talking about it with Jen, we've made the decision to wait. I'm the type of person who likes to have a plan and stick with it. This was not the plan. Just because it's possible to start sooner doesn't mean that we have to. I can do all the screening now and do cycle monitoring through December to be sure that things are okay in January/February. (The fertility clinic is closed for the holidays, so it all depends on how their hours and my cycle coordinate.)
Plus, we only have three vials from our donor left in Canada. If we did attempts from February through April, that would give me a month or two off and then I could do attempts over the summer in Buffalo. (For newer readers, we have another three vials from our donor in the U.S.) Whereas if we started in December and were finished as early as February, it would seem like a long hiatus before doing the U.S. attempts and I think I would get impatient having to put things on hold at that point.
I need to keep reminding myself that we are not in a rush. Things will happen when they're meant to happen, right? (Fingers crossed that things do happen.)
Friday, November 4, 2011
{this moment} Skyping with Grandma and Grandpa
A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special,
extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If
you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the
comments for all to find and see.
Inspired by SouleMama.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
It's Not Him - It's You
I've been pretty honest about my feelings on nursing. Does it suck in the beginning? You betcha! Did it get better for me? Absolutely.
Until The Bean started teething, that is.
As his bottom teeth came in, little guy gave me a few good chomps. I developed the habit of nursing with one finger laying on my breast ready to shove into his mouth and pry those little choppers open. After those first two teeth popped through it got better again. Until the second set of teeth started coming through. At that point, he was biting me so much I started pumping. I do still nurse him once overnight, but otherwise I pump and we give him bottles.
At our 9-month visit we mentioned his biting to the pediatrician and immediately the doctor blamed it on a reduced milk supply. This is the second time he's indicated problems with my milk supply. The first time was months ago when The Bean went from sleeping through the night to waking up multiple times to nurse...something which Allison and I later figured out was a growth spurt.
Read: It wasn't my milk supply.
I've spoken to other moms who have had similar experiences with their peds. Nursing problem? Must be your milk supply.
As parents we are already under a lot of stress. We are pressured to live up to this ideal of a smiling mother preparing dinner with our left hand and vacuuming with our right while our little one swings from breast to breast happily sucking away. Please. And now we need to feel guilty about not producing enough milk every time there's a nursing problem?
Why is it that pediatricians automatically blame the milk supply? Seemingly without even thinking about other potential reasons for an issue.
Let's examine our recent situation.
Introduction:
Until The Bean started teething, that is.
As his bottom teeth came in, little guy gave me a few good chomps. I developed the habit of nursing with one finger laying on my breast ready to shove into his mouth and pry those little choppers open. After those first two teeth popped through it got better again. Until the second set of teeth started coming through. At that point, he was biting me so much I started pumping. I do still nurse him once overnight, but otherwise I pump and we give him bottles.
At our 9-month visit we mentioned his biting to the pediatrician and immediately the doctor blamed it on a reduced milk supply. This is the second time he's indicated problems with my milk supply. The first time was months ago when The Bean went from sleeping through the night to waking up multiple times to nurse...something which Allison and I later figured out was a growth spurt.
Read: It wasn't my milk supply.
I've spoken to other moms who have had similar experiences with their peds. Nursing problem? Must be your milk supply.
As parents we are already under a lot of stress. We are pressured to live up to this ideal of a smiling mother preparing dinner with our left hand and vacuuming with our right while our little one swings from breast to breast happily sucking away. Please. And now we need to feel guilty about not producing enough milk every time there's a nursing problem?
Why is it that pediatricians automatically blame the milk supply? Seemingly without even thinking about other potential reasons for an issue.
Let's examine our recent situation.
Introduction:
- I've been nursing fine for 9-months.
- My kid has recently started teething and biting on everything he can shove into his mouth.
- He's also recently started biting while nursing.
- Reduced milk supply. Natch.
 | |
| The Bean and I brushing our teeth VERY early in the morning. |
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sprout?
Tomorrow we're going to the fertility clinic for our first consultation regarding Baby #2 (Sprout?). It'll still be a while before we start inseminations or anything like that. I imagine we'll do cycle monitoring in December and then maybe inseminations starting in January or February. We'll keep you updated. :)
Monday, October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween everyone!
Tonight as soon as I got home from work, Jen and I got on some Halloween headwear and got The Bean into his Piglet costume and headed over to say "Trick or Treat" to my aunt, cousins and Nana. My aunt surprised us with some chocolates and a little pumpkin for The Bean.
We had to take a photo of The Bean with his pumpkin. He's in his skeleton pajamas, although with the new teeth that have come in, vampire pajamas would have been more appropriate!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Link Love
Sorry for the lack of posts lately. This time of year is the most busy for me in terms of extra work commitments. Last week I had three evenings where I had to attend work events. I'm feeling pretty burnt-out. The weekend was good for recharging though. Still no "real" posts, but I thought I would update with a couple of links I've stumbled across over the past little bit. Maybe you'll enjoy them too...
Heavenly Homemakers Haircut Tutorial
The Bean is in need of yet another haircut. I have to admit, I've given him at least one rather severe haircut in the past. I'm hoping that following the guidelines of this tutorial will help with the next one. Now I just need suggestions on how to get him to hold still.
Martha Stewart Felt Hat How-To
Okay! Totally cute! I'm thinking one of my old sweaters may have to turn into one of these.
Prudent Baby Cheater Quilt
Have I talked at all about wanting to learn how to sew? The only thing I've made in recent history is The Bean's envelope pillow cover, but I think this would make an awesome beginner project. Jen and I have been talking about buying a sewing machine. I'm hesitant to make the financial commitment. I love the idea of sewing, but I'd hate to buy a machine only to have it sit unused in the closet. Still, seeing adorable and seemingly do-able projects like these make me think maybe one day soon...
Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!
Can you believe that these alphabet cards are a free download?! Wouldn't they make a great addition to a baby gift? I plan on printing two sets to give to co-workers who are due in November along with crochet baby hats.
Heavenly Homemakers Haircut Tutorial
The Bean is in need of yet another haircut. I have to admit, I've given him at least one rather severe haircut in the past. I'm hoping that following the guidelines of this tutorial will help with the next one. Now I just need suggestions on how to get him to hold still.
Martha Stewart Felt Hat How-To
Prudent Baby Cheater Quilt
Have I talked at all about wanting to learn how to sew? The only thing I've made in recent history is The Bean's envelope pillow cover, but I think this would make an awesome beginner project. Jen and I have been talking about buying a sewing machine. I'm hesitant to make the financial commitment. I love the idea of sewing, but I'd hate to buy a machine only to have it sit unused in the closet. Still, seeing adorable and seemingly do-able projects like these make me think maybe one day soon...
Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Nine (and a half) Month Stats
We got The Bean to the doctor yesterday for his nine month well-check. No shots at this appointment, so it went pretty quickly.
He now weighs 16.1lbs, which is still under the third percentile, but he's continuing on an upward trajectory, so the doctor said it was fine. His height is 27.2 inches which is around the 10th percentile, so he's catching up there. His weight for length is about 6th percentile, so again, catching up. Finally his head circumference is 17.5 inches which is around the 23rd percentile. Big noggin'!
We got an update on the pelviectasis. The ultrasound results from August showed that he still has mild (0.6cm) dilation in his left kidney. We plan on keeping an eye on it, likely following up with another ultrasound when he's around a year old, but we aren't overly concerned since he doesn't seem to be displaying any signs of discomfort.
We have a healthy baby, so we're happy moms.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Knox Pumpkin Farm
I'm not sure how it got to be Monday evening already... I took today off of work because both The Bean and I had doctor's appointments (his nine month stats are coming tomorrow), but even with the extra day off the weekend seemed to fly by! Maybe because time flies when you're having fun? Not that the doctor's appointments were fun, but we did have a great outing on Sunday.
Shannon from Other-Motherhood generously invited us to join her and her family plus some other two-mom families at Knox Pumpkin Farm.
We left just after The Bean's first nap, which put us there a bit later than the other families, but we knew that would be the case. We met up with everyone where the kids were playing on a wagon with some hay bales on it. They were having a blast while the moms chatted and took advantage of the photo op. We were introduced around. Neither Jen or I are very outgoing, especially around new people, but everyone was very friendly and made us feel welcome.
After that it was time for a lunch break. We had snacked in the car on the drive (about an hour from Toronto), so we weren't hungry, but it gave The Bean a chance to crawl around and watch the other kids.
Something that was immediately obvious about the farm was how much there was to do there. We were a little nervous when we arrived and there were hundreds of cars parked in a field, but once we entered it didn't feel crowded despite all the people there. There was a barn, various wagons filled with hay and pumpkins, face painting, pony rides, little gardens, somewhere to eat, a corn maze, tractor rides, a playground and, of course, the pumpkin patch.
After our lunch break we got on the tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch. The patch was pretty mucky, so we just stayed on the tractor ride while it looped around back to the starting point.
Then the older kids went to play on the hay bales and The Bean spent some time crawling around and chewing on hay while we chatted with Shannon.
We took some photos and then decided we should be getting on our way. The Bean was getting tired, and we figured it would be best to avoid a meltdown. He got a bottle and then got strapped into his carseat. It only took him about two minutes to fall asleep once we got going. (It only took me about five. ;) )
It was a perfect way to spend a gorgeous fall day and so nice to meet some other local two-mom families!
Shannon from Other-Motherhood generously invited us to join her and her family plus some other two-mom families at Knox Pumpkin Farm.
We left just after The Bean's first nap, which put us there a bit later than the other families, but we knew that would be the case. We met up with everyone where the kids were playing on a wagon with some hay bales on it. They were having a blast while the moms chatted and took advantage of the photo op. We were introduced around. Neither Jen or I are very outgoing, especially around new people, but everyone was very friendly and made us feel welcome.
After that it was time for a lunch break. We had snacked in the car on the drive (about an hour from Toronto), so we weren't hungry, but it gave The Bean a chance to crawl around and watch the other kids.
Something that was immediately obvious about the farm was how much there was to do there. We were a little nervous when we arrived and there were hundreds of cars parked in a field, but once we entered it didn't feel crowded despite all the people there. There was a barn, various wagons filled with hay and pumpkins, face painting, pony rides, little gardens, somewhere to eat, a corn maze, tractor rides, a playground and, of course, the pumpkin patch.
After our lunch break we got on the tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch. The patch was pretty mucky, so we just stayed on the tractor ride while it looped around back to the starting point.
Then the older kids went to play on the hay bales and The Bean spent some time crawling around and chewing on hay while we chatted with Shannon.
We took some photos and then decided we should be getting on our way. The Bean was getting tired, and we figured it would be best to avoid a meltdown. He got a bottle and then got strapped into his carseat. It only took him about two minutes to fall asleep once we got going. (It only took me about five. ;) )
It was a perfect way to spend a gorgeous fall day and so nice to meet some other local two-mom families!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
