C turned the furnace on yesterday afternoon for the first time this season.
I usually protest, especially if it happens before October, as I seem to have a higher tolerance for the chill than he does, but yesterday I couldn't disagreed. Even with a sweater and slippers on and after a few cups of hot tea my toes and hands were cold.
The chill caught us off guard considering the balmy weather we've had up until recently, but the cool nights and mornings are a reminder that winter is on the way.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
The tooth is out there!
A tooth! A tooth!
What I was feeling the other night was in fact the tip of a tooth. I felt around Claire's mouth yesterday morning and the sharp nub was poking out a bit more. I got her mouth open just enough to see a bit of white showing.
This is a big milestone for Claire, and a little bitter sweet for me. As she grows and develops new skills she's becoming less of a baby and more into herself. That sounds obvious and weird, but what I mean is that all those precious and particular baby moments only last so long.
I saw a commercial a few weeks ago about some baby product, and one of the lines that resonated with me was "Your child is yours forever, but they're only a baby for a year."
It's so true. Once the teeth come in, there are no more gummy drooly smiles, once they can stand and walk, they become a toddler, and once they start talking, well, they don't stop!
I love every minute of watching Claire grow, but I will savour every minute of these last few months of babyness.
What I was feeling the other night was in fact the tip of a tooth. I felt around Claire's mouth yesterday morning and the sharp nub was poking out a bit more. I got her mouth open just enough to see a bit of white showing.
This is a big milestone for Claire, and a little bitter sweet for me. As she grows and develops new skills she's becoming less of a baby and more into herself. That sounds obvious and weird, but what I mean is that all those precious and particular baby moments only last so long.
I saw a commercial a few weeks ago about some baby product, and one of the lines that resonated with me was "Your child is yours forever, but they're only a baby for a year."
It's so true. Once the teeth come in, there are no more gummy drooly smiles, once they can stand and walk, they become a toddler, and once they start talking, well, they don't stop!
I love every minute of watching Claire grow, but I will savour every minute of these last few months of babyness.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Out damn teeth!
Claire has been teething for months now and has nothing to show for it except a mouth full of drool.
It's like Niagara Falls gushing from between her gums. Ok, not quite Niagara Falls, but definitely a remarkable amount of dribble that soaks through her shirts in minutes even when she's wearing a bib.
Her mood hasn't been so bad, but I've noticed that she has been restless for the last two days. She had her thumb shoved down the side of her mouth and today I offered her my finger to chomp on which she gladly obliged.
I've been saying "any day now" since May but I really do think we're getting close to a breakthrough. In fact I think I felt a bit of something sharp earlier this evening. I couldn't pry her mouth open long enough to get a peak, but I'll get a better look tomorrow.
It's like Niagara Falls gushing from between her gums. Ok, not quite Niagara Falls, but definitely a remarkable amount of dribble that soaks through her shirts in minutes even when she's wearing a bib.
Her mood hasn't been so bad, but I've noticed that she has been restless for the last two days. She had her thumb shoved down the side of her mouth and today I offered her my finger to chomp on which she gladly obliged.
I've been saying "any day now" since May but I really do think we're getting close to a breakthrough. In fact I think I felt a bit of something sharp earlier this evening. I couldn't pry her mouth open long enough to get a peak, but I'll get a better look tomorrow.
Keener mom
I have become a keener mom.
In addition to being a member of the daycare board of directors (going on 1 year now), I volunteered to be a Parent Link representative for Lauren's class, and volunteered to help the teacher in the JK class itself.
Parent Link involves being a liason to pass along information from the school to the parents. I'll also have to attend school council meetings every other month. I don't anticipate this taking too much time over the course of a school year and I like the idea of being in the loop with school stuff.
Claire and I start in the classroom next Wednesday during the last half hour of class. I'll help the teacher check backpacks and fill them with whatever notes need to go home to parents while Claire charms the kids with her cute babyness.
I figure that I'm home anyways so why not take advantage of the time to help out. I'll be picking Lauren up on Wednesdays for her dance class for the next two months rather than her going back to daycare for the remainder of the afternoon, so coming in a bit earlier to check school bags is no big deal. Once I'm working out of the house again there will be less opportunity to be so involved, and even less opportunity for Claire to tag along too. Claire has already been attending daycare board meetings for a while now, but being in the class with her big sister is a unique opportunity. I know Claire won't remember it, but Lauren might and hopefully the memory will be a good one for her.
I remember when my mom used to help out at the school library when I was in grade 1. Or was it grade 2? Ok, I can't remember what grade I was in, but I remember she was there, and I thought it was pretty cool.
In addition to being a member of the daycare board of directors (going on 1 year now), I volunteered to be a Parent Link representative for Lauren's class, and volunteered to help the teacher in the JK class itself.
Parent Link involves being a liason to pass along information from the school to the parents. I'll also have to attend school council meetings every other month. I don't anticipate this taking too much time over the course of a school year and I like the idea of being in the loop with school stuff.
Claire and I start in the classroom next Wednesday during the last half hour of class. I'll help the teacher check backpacks and fill them with whatever notes need to go home to parents while Claire charms the kids with her cute babyness.
I figure that I'm home anyways so why not take advantage of the time to help out. I'll be picking Lauren up on Wednesdays for her dance class for the next two months rather than her going back to daycare for the remainder of the afternoon, so coming in a bit earlier to check school bags is no big deal. Once I'm working out of the house again there will be less opportunity to be so involved, and even less opportunity for Claire to tag along too. Claire has already been attending daycare board meetings for a while now, but being in the class with her big sister is a unique opportunity. I know Claire won't remember it, but Lauren might and hopefully the memory will be a good one for her.
I remember when my mom used to help out at the school library when I was in grade 1. Or was it grade 2? Ok, I can't remember what grade I was in, but I remember she was there, and I thought it was pretty cool.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Key lime pie
I mentioned this desire to C ealier in the summer to which he replied, "Have you even had key lime pie?" "No", I said. "You should probably try some before you try making it". "Hmm, good point" I said.
And as if the baking fairies were listening, just a few days after that while at lunch at my sister's house, she pulled out a frozen President's Choice key lime pie for dessert! And it was good!
That was months ago, and it has taken until today for me to get around to baking it. I stumbled on a recipe recently and took it as a final nudge to get cracking.
I just pulled it out of the oven and am waiting for it to cool before putting it into the fridge for the required 3 hour cool down. So far it looks and smells ok, just have to wait another 3 hours to know if it tastes ok.
3 hours later....
Mmmm....good!! It's not the most pretty thing I've baked, but it's tasty! A touch on the tart side, but served with whip cream (as recommended in the recipe) and it would be prefect. I'll definitely try this again.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Simple pleasure # 16 - Potato masher
Eating lunch with my own two hands while Claire finds pleasure in waving around a potato masher for ten whole minutes.
Toronto FUN
Tomorrow morning at 7am is the start of registration for fall recreation for the Etobicoke York district.
I've been nervous about it for weeks as I hear that getting into classes is very competitive. It is the community centre after all, so the price is right and it's a good place to test out different activities before investing more serious time and money.
A few years ago I tried to get Lauren into a swim class, but got the date wrong and called too early. When the right day came along I called an hour after the start time and EVERYTHING was full. I got onto a few wait lists, but never heard back of course.
Lauren has been anxious to try out a dance class for close to a year now, so the pressure is on.
I've marked off a few possible classes and will set the alarm at the crack of early to get ready. I'll have phone in one hand and will be working the mouse with the other. I've heard a rumor that some people line up as early as 4am to register in person. It's this sort of thing that makes parents crazy, I tell ya.
The classes I chose are mid week immediately after kindergarten lets out so hopefully that will improve chances of getting a spot. I won't even try for the Saturday classes as those are likely the busiest. Classes available for the 3-5 years old age group are early in the morning, and quite frankly I'd rather sleep in!
So, best of luck to me that it will work out. If not, well, we'll be making up our own dance class at home until next registration time comes around.
I've been nervous about it for weeks as I hear that getting into classes is very competitive. It is the community centre after all, so the price is right and it's a good place to test out different activities before investing more serious time and money.
A few years ago I tried to get Lauren into a swim class, but got the date wrong and called too early. When the right day came along I called an hour after the start time and EVERYTHING was full. I got onto a few wait lists, but never heard back of course.
Lauren has been anxious to try out a dance class for close to a year now, so the pressure is on.
I've marked off a few possible classes and will set the alarm at the crack of early to get ready. I'll have phone in one hand and will be working the mouse with the other. I've heard a rumor that some people line up as early as 4am to register in person. It's this sort of thing that makes parents crazy, I tell ya.
The classes I chose are mid week immediately after kindergarten lets out so hopefully that will improve chances of getting a spot. I won't even try for the Saturday classes as those are likely the busiest. Classes available for the 3-5 years old age group are early in the morning, and quite frankly I'd rather sleep in!
So, best of luck to me that it will work out. If not, well, we'll be making up our own dance class at home until next registration time comes around.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Junior Kindergarten
Today was Lauren's first day of junior kindergarten.
She's in the afternoon class as all day learning hasn't yet come to her school (which will be in 2014), so her school day runs from 12:40 to 3:15. Not too strenuous compared to the long haul daycare day.
We hung out at the Parenting Centre this morning, had lunch then I took her to line up with her class and meet her teacher, Mrs M. Then she was off. When time was up I met her at the school doors and got a great first day review. Just a few tears when they went to the gym, but she bounced back. Lauren developed a fear of gymnastics and gym class over the summer for some reason. I have no idea where the fear came from but I hope it phases out soon. In the mean time Mrs. M will touch base with us by next week to see how she's settling.
All grown up already. Sniff...
She's in the afternoon class as all day learning hasn't yet come to her school (which will be in 2014), so her school day runs from 12:40 to 3:15. Not too strenuous compared to the long haul daycare day.
We hung out at the Parenting Centre this morning, had lunch then I took her to line up with her class and meet her teacher, Mrs M. Then she was off. When time was up I met her at the school doors and got a great first day review. Just a few tears when they went to the gym, but she bounced back. Lauren developed a fear of gymnastics and gym class over the summer for some reason. I have no idea where the fear came from but I hope it phases out soon. In the mean time Mrs. M will touch base with us by next week to see how she's settling.
All grown up already. Sniff...
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Lauren's hair
I'm procrastinatng over Lauren's hair.
My plan for yesterday was to give it a good wash, soak it in conditioner and comb out as many knots as possible. For the remaining knots and matted areas I was going to snip them out and trim back the rest of her hair. Of course that didn't happen because the day got away from us as it usually does on a lazy holiday. I chose relaxing over labouring.
Dealing with Lauren's hair is not easy even on a good day, so I drag my feet about it. We knew before she was born that she would inherit some wacky do, and she did. It's thick and curly and frizzy and gets knotted and matted in her sleep. There is usually a lot of screaming when I take out or put in the hair elastics, and untangling knots is even more traumatic. I've come to realize that it's not worth the struggle, so I do minimal maintenance now and will resume a more thorough routine when she's a bit older and can tolerate the fussing.
A few weeks ago one of the daycare teachers suggested she get a trim when school starts because it never fails that there's an outbreak of lice with the school age group. Now that Lauren is officially school aged and mingling more with the older kids, her chances are greater of getting it. Pulling nits out of her hair, of all hair, would not be pleasant. At all.
Fortunately she likes having it pulled into ponytails with clips and hairbands, so I think that should help. My sister also passed on some advice from the "lice nurse" suggesting that hairspray helps keeps lice away.
For now, fingers crossed that they do stay away.
My plan for yesterday was to give it a good wash, soak it in conditioner and comb out as many knots as possible. For the remaining knots and matted areas I was going to snip them out and trim back the rest of her hair. Of course that didn't happen because the day got away from us as it usually does on a lazy holiday. I chose relaxing over labouring.
Dealing with Lauren's hair is not easy even on a good day, so I drag my feet about it. We knew before she was born that she would inherit some wacky do, and she did. It's thick and curly and frizzy and gets knotted and matted in her sleep. There is usually a lot of screaming when I take out or put in the hair elastics, and untangling knots is even more traumatic. I've come to realize that it's not worth the struggle, so I do minimal maintenance now and will resume a more thorough routine when she's a bit older and can tolerate the fussing.
A few weeks ago one of the daycare teachers suggested she get a trim when school starts because it never fails that there's an outbreak of lice with the school age group. Now that Lauren is officially school aged and mingling more with the older kids, her chances are greater of getting it. Pulling nits out of her hair, of all hair, would not be pleasant. At all.
Fortunately she likes having it pulled into ponytails with clips and hairbands, so I think that should help. My sister also passed on some advice from the "lice nurse" suggesting that hairspray helps keeps lice away.
For now, fingers crossed that they do stay away.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Going white
The white hairs are sprouting fast and furious.
For years one or two would come up every so often from one particular spot at the top and to the left of my head. I would simply pluck them out until the next few came along. In the past year they've been venturing into new territory and at a faster pace than I can pluck.
Obviously this is common for people in their mid thirties, and of course I've noticed the whites showing on the heads of my peers, but it doesn't make it any easier for me to get used to. I still feel like a spry 20 something year old after all - just a lot busier and with two young kids, and probably a tad more stressed (which would account for the whites in the first place). And wasn't I just 20 something yesterday? Where did the time go?
Ah well, whattamIgonnado, eh?! I could dye, but once I start, I would think that it'd be hard to stop. I've never coloured my hair before (even for fun) and when/if I stopped, the change from colour to however further along my hair has gone white would be even more drastic and probably shocking.
That said I think I'll let it be, and try get used to the change gradually. And I'll try and be graceful as I grow old.
For years one or two would come up every so often from one particular spot at the top and to the left of my head. I would simply pluck them out until the next few came along. In the past year they've been venturing into new territory and at a faster pace than I can pluck.
Obviously this is common for people in their mid thirties, and of course I've noticed the whites showing on the heads of my peers, but it doesn't make it any easier for me to get used to. I still feel like a spry 20 something year old after all - just a lot busier and with two young kids, and probably a tad more stressed (which would account for the whites in the first place). And wasn't I just 20 something yesterday? Where did the time go?
Ah well, whattamIgonnado, eh?! I could dye, but once I start, I would think that it'd be hard to stop. I've never coloured my hair before (even for fun) and when/if I stopped, the change from colour to however further along my hair has gone white would be even more drastic and probably shocking.
That said I think I'll let it be, and try get used to the change gradually. And I'll try and be graceful as I grow old.
Never a dull moment
Phew, I'm tired.
Grandma B left today after spending a week long visit with us. Yesterday was a visit from Auntie B and the cousins, and the day before that was an afternoon in Oakville for cousin K's birthday BBQ.
The weekend before that was a brief visit from Auntie & Uncle T & JP & cousin C from Montreal. Before that was the annual weekend trip to the yurt. Before that was a sleepover at Auntie C's and cousin C' birthday party. Before that was the weekend trip to Niagara Falls.
Next weekend is a birthday party in the park and the weekend after that is a birthday party immediately followed by a backyard BBQ which was postponed from 3 weeks ago. And sometime in between, or after, we have to find time for grandma M to come for a visit.
Today I rest. Claire is taking a nap and Lauren is playing "raffle ticket show" and C is getting ready for a run. C and I are both too tired to cook food so we're just grazing off of leftovers whenever hunger strikes. Dinner will be leftover sushi, pizza, quiche and salad.
When I can muster up the energy I'll get Lauren in the bath so I can wash her hair, and before you know it, we'll all be getting ready for bed. Can't wait!
Grandma B left today after spending a week long visit with us. Yesterday was a visit from Auntie B and the cousins, and the day before that was an afternoon in Oakville for cousin K's birthday BBQ.
The weekend before that was a brief visit from Auntie & Uncle T & JP & cousin C from Montreal. Before that was the annual weekend trip to the yurt. Before that was a sleepover at Auntie C's and cousin C' birthday party. Before that was the weekend trip to Niagara Falls.
Next weekend is a birthday party in the park and the weekend after that is a birthday party immediately followed by a backyard BBQ which was postponed from 3 weeks ago. And sometime in between, or after, we have to find time for grandma M to come for a visit.
Today I rest. Claire is taking a nap and Lauren is playing "raffle ticket show" and C is getting ready for a run. C and I are both too tired to cook food so we're just grazing off of leftovers whenever hunger strikes. Dinner will be leftover sushi, pizza, quiche and salad.
When I can muster up the energy I'll get Lauren in the bath so I can wash her hair, and before you know it, we'll all be getting ready for bed. Can't wait!
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