He took long enough about it, but Jamie rolled over front to back on Sunday, and then back to front today! Time to start keeping the floor tidy!
We are all suffering from massive stomach flu here. Hopefully we can all feel better soon. I feel particularly sorry for Ian, who is just crying and saying he wishes this day would end. Poor baby.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Car update.
I decided to go start the car early yesterday so that I would have time to deal with it if it wouldn't start. But it started just fine. I let it run, got Jamie ready, and went to leave. It stalled at the end of the driveway and wouldn't start again. And it was blocking the driveway so I couldn't get the van out. Luckily, I have good neighbors. One neighbor was getting her kid from school so she offered to pick up Ian, and another neighbor helped push the car into the centre of the court so that I could get the van out.
This morning, I decided to go try the car again to see if it would start, and magically it did, so I very quickly moved the van and put the car in at the top of the driveway. So now I have both vehicles parked in the driveway, with the van accessible. We are expecting a lot of snow over the next couple days, and I figured the plow wouldn't take kindly to my car being parked in the centre of the court. So I am pretty happy with the situation. Ok, happy isn't the right word. But at least I can just drive the van until Travis comes home and then he can deal with the situation.
This morning, I decided to go try the car again to see if it would start, and magically it did, so I very quickly moved the van and put the car in at the top of the driveway. So now I have both vehicles parked in the driveway, with the van accessible. We are expecting a lot of snow over the next couple days, and I figured the plow wouldn't take kindly to my car being parked in the centre of the court. So I am pretty happy with the situation. Ok, happy isn't the right word. But at least I can just drive the van until Travis comes home and then he can deal with the situation.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Cars are stupid and expensive.
Travis is sailing as of this morning. He's going to be gone for 10 days or so. I dropped him off last night so I wouldn't have to get up too early today. Before he left, I told him to fill the car up with gas but not to fill the van because I will drive the car around while he's gone because it's better on gas. So I have a close to empty van and a full car.
This morning I got up, got everybody ready, started the car, loaded the kids in, and got ready to go. The battery light came on. It's a new battery, we just changed it this spring. I drop Ian off, then the radio shuts off. And now the check engine light is on. I parked it when I got home and turned it off then back on. It started, but reluctantly. So I left it there, in front of the van. That was probably a mistake. Anyway, when I go get Ian today, I will probably move it to the back of the driveway and take the van instead because I don't trust that car at all. Hopefully it starts. Anyways, it sucks because all the gas is in the car and I was hoping to get by on $40 worth of gas while Travis is gone.
Not a good start to the week. Not at all.
This morning I got up, got everybody ready, started the car, loaded the kids in, and got ready to go. The battery light came on. It's a new battery, we just changed it this spring. I drop Ian off, then the radio shuts off. And now the check engine light is on. I parked it when I got home and turned it off then back on. It started, but reluctantly. So I left it there, in front of the van. That was probably a mistake. Anyway, when I go get Ian today, I will probably move it to the back of the driveway and take the van instead because I don't trust that car at all. Hopefully it starts. Anyways, it sucks because all the gas is in the car and I was hoping to get by on $40 worth of gas while Travis is gone.
Not a good start to the week. Not at all.
Monday, January 24, 2011
So how am I doing?
My eighth post in 2011! I am going to beat my post count for 2010 and January isn't even over yet!!! I don't have much to say today, though. Really searching my empty head.
Oh, I know! Yesterday we went to the Museum of Natural History because there is a tyrannosaurus skeleton there. We thought Ian would like to see the bones. He did really like it. I like that the beast is exactly the right size to eat Ian in one bite. Also, it looks like a fried chicken. I bet it tasted just like chicken. Maybe a little gamier. Although chances are that nothing ever ate a t-rex....
Anyways, Ian was really good through the whole museum until we went to the gift shop and he wanted me to buy him a colouring book that cost $14 and I was like "no way are you getting a $14 colouring book" and he got all sulky and whiny and started telling me he didn't love me and didn't want me for his mom, so I told him it was time to go and he started howling. Total meltdown. Kinda ruined the good family afternoon mood.
Then we came home and had chicken soup for dinner. It tasted just like t-rex....
Oh, I know! Yesterday we went to the Museum of Natural History because there is a tyrannosaurus skeleton there. We thought Ian would like to see the bones. He did really like it. I like that the beast is exactly the right size to eat Ian in one bite. Also, it looks like a fried chicken. I bet it tasted just like chicken. Maybe a little gamier. Although chances are that nothing ever ate a t-rex....
Anyways, Ian was really good through the whole museum until we went to the gift shop and he wanted me to buy him a colouring book that cost $14 and I was like "no way are you getting a $14 colouring book" and he got all sulky and whiny and started telling me he didn't love me and didn't want me for his mom, so I told him it was time to go and he started howling. Total meltdown. Kinda ruined the good family afternoon mood.
Then we came home and had chicken soup for dinner. It tasted just like t-rex....
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Cloth Diapering IS For The Faint of Heart!!
I have been cloth diapering Jamie about half the time. So I guess I have been saving money. Let's think so far. I figure I have gone through about 5 cases of diapers. I haven't bought that many though. I received some diapers as gifts. So since he wears cloth diapers about half the time, I guess that I saved myself the same number of diapers as what he's worn. So about five. If I had bought the diapers, at about $25/case, it would have been about $125.
Not counting the diapers I had from Ian and ones I recieved as gifts, I have spent about $175 on cloth diapers. But I received $100 as a gift which I used towards the diapers, so I actually only spent about $75 of my own money. So the diapers have really paid for themselves already, and the baby is only about four and a half months old. I still have roughly two years of diapering to go!
I have six diapers left from when Ian was a baby, flannel ones that require a cover. I have four Mother Ease covers which I really like, and several other covers which I don't like at all. I have six pocket diapers my awesome friend Shelley made for me, three FuzziBunz diapers which are nice, and then I have four "Babyland" all-in-one pocket diapers which you can get at Bliss and Klassy Kids. I like them the best, mainly because they are about half the price of the FuzziBunz.
I use disposables at night, mostly because they hold more and I don't have to change him until morning. But that is only one diaper at night or maybe two depending how wet he gets. I use disposables when I take him out, because I am not keen on carrying dirty diapers around with me. But the main time I use disposables is when I need to wash the laundry. I probably shouldn't wait until I have used every single diaper before I wash them.
They really aren't that much extra work, although the diaper pail can get a bit stinky. And the poos are going to get a bit more interesting with the food, but hey. I'm tough!!
Not counting the diapers I had from Ian and ones I recieved as gifts, I have spent about $175 on cloth diapers. But I received $100 as a gift which I used towards the diapers, so I actually only spent about $75 of my own money. So the diapers have really paid for themselves already, and the baby is only about four and a half months old. I still have roughly two years of diapering to go!
I have six diapers left from when Ian was a baby, flannel ones that require a cover. I have four Mother Ease covers which I really like, and several other covers which I don't like at all. I have six pocket diapers my awesome friend Shelley made for me, three FuzziBunz diapers which are nice, and then I have four "Babyland" all-in-one pocket diapers which you can get at Bliss and Klassy Kids. I like them the best, mainly because they are about half the price of the FuzziBunz.
I use disposables at night, mostly because they hold more and I don't have to change him until morning. But that is only one diaper at night or maybe two depending how wet he gets. I use disposables when I take him out, because I am not keen on carrying dirty diapers around with me. But the main time I use disposables is when I need to wash the laundry. I probably shouldn't wait until I have used every single diaper before I wash them.
They really aren't that much extra work, although the diaper pail can get a bit stinky. And the poos are going to get a bit more interesting with the food, but hey. I'm tough!!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Whoot!
I am making bread today in the stand mixer. As my Faithful Facebook Followers (FFF's) know, my beloved bread machine kicked the bucket (pan?) last week. I have been putting off making bread since then but since we have been reduced to eating freezer burned bagels and raw flour, I figured I better bake.
I didn't have enough flour for whole wheat bread, and my usual cracked-wheat bread wouldn't work as well without the timing apparatus of the bread machine, so I just kind of winged it. I put 2.5 cups of water, 2 tbsp of sugar, and 1 tbsp of yeast in the oven to proof, then Jamie woke up so I left it there for an hour. It was nice and foamy when I came back to it. Then I put that in the mixer bowl with about half a cup of flour (it was about 1/2 whole wheat and half white, mixed together), and two teaspoons of salt. Mixed that for a bit, then added 1/4 cup of oil and a glob of molasses. I don't know how much, maybe two tablespoons. Then I just kept adding flour. Just over six cups of flour, until it was pulling away from the sides in a ball. I let the mixer run on 3 while I farted around on the internet. (way to knead... whoot!) Then I put a splash of oil in and let the hook move the dough around so it was covered. Then I stuck it in the oven to rise.
I always rise bread in the oven with the light on, and a pie plate full of boiling water to get the perfect warm, steamy environment. I set the timer for an hour and called my sister. Then I got the dough out and noticed it had stuck to the top of the oven. (way to rise... whoot!) So I punched it down, made loaves, and put it back in the oven with a new pan of water. I will take it out to preheat after I get Ian, and bake it at 375 for 30 minutes. I will let you know how it turns out, since I didn't use a recipe and it may be total crap.
I went to the dentist yesterday and he had to stick me with way to many needles to get it to go numb, then he found an extra cavity next door, so I got two teeth filled. My jaw really hurts today and my gums look all chewed up. So hopefully I don't get a gross abcess and die of a raging infection. Luckily, the painful jaw bone has made me all optimistic today and junk.
I was going to vacuum and mop today but instead i did nothing at all. I didn't even have a shower. (way to procrastinate... whoot!) My excuse is that my mouth is making me grumpy. But I guess I better go change into real clothes now and get the boy. Campbell's soup and grilled cheese tonight, and then I am going knitting. I can clean another day I guess.
Meh.
I didn't have enough flour for whole wheat bread, and my usual cracked-wheat bread wouldn't work as well without the timing apparatus of the bread machine, so I just kind of winged it. I put 2.5 cups of water, 2 tbsp of sugar, and 1 tbsp of yeast in the oven to proof, then Jamie woke up so I left it there for an hour. It was nice and foamy when I came back to it. Then I put that in the mixer bowl with about half a cup of flour (it was about 1/2 whole wheat and half white, mixed together), and two teaspoons of salt. Mixed that for a bit, then added 1/4 cup of oil and a glob of molasses. I don't know how much, maybe two tablespoons. Then I just kept adding flour. Just over six cups of flour, until it was pulling away from the sides in a ball. I let the mixer run on 3 while I farted around on the internet. (way to knead... whoot!) Then I put a splash of oil in and let the hook move the dough around so it was covered. Then I stuck it in the oven to rise.
I always rise bread in the oven with the light on, and a pie plate full of boiling water to get the perfect warm, steamy environment. I set the timer for an hour and called my sister. Then I got the dough out and noticed it had stuck to the top of the oven. (way to rise... whoot!) So I punched it down, made loaves, and put it back in the oven with a new pan of water. I will take it out to preheat after I get Ian, and bake it at 375 for 30 minutes. I will let you know how it turns out, since I didn't use a recipe and it may be total crap.
I went to the dentist yesterday and he had to stick me with way to many needles to get it to go numb, then he found an extra cavity next door, so I got two teeth filled. My jaw really hurts today and my gums look all chewed up. So hopefully I don't get a gross abcess and die of a raging infection. Luckily, the painful jaw bone has made me all optimistic today and junk.
I was going to vacuum and mop today but instead i did nothing at all. I didn't even have a shower. (way to procrastinate... whoot!) My excuse is that my mouth is making me grumpy. But I guess I better go change into real clothes now and get the boy. Campbell's soup and grilled cheese tonight, and then I am going knitting. I can clean another day I guess.
Meh.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
No More Mr. Rice Guy
I'm such a hypocrite. I had all these grandiose plans to make all of Jamie's baby food, including cereal. But truth be told, I'm a lazy slacker. So I got him some baby rice cereal. He's been looking hungry lately. I feed him and feed him and feed him and he's still hungry. Anyway, I gave Ian rice at four months and Jamie is four and a half months old so I figured I would just go ahead with it.
The result? OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!! He ate the whole tablespoon or so I gave him and cried for more. But I didn't give him any more. I just sat down and nursed him a whole bunch of times until bedtime. Basically, he ate the mush for supper and then guggled milk for the next hour and a half until bed time.
And then he slept until 5:15! Go baby!!
I am now looking forward to New and Improved Diaper Contents. Yay!
The result? OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!! He ate the whole tablespoon or so I gave him and cried for more. But I didn't give him any more. I just sat down and nursed him a whole bunch of times until bedtime. Basically, he ate the mush for supper and then guggled milk for the next hour and a half until bed time.
And then he slept until 5:15! Go baby!!
I am now looking forward to New and Improved Diaper Contents. Yay!
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| I can haz pablum? |
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| Om nom nom nom! |
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| Mastering his swallowing technique. |
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| I hope you are all aware I AM handsome. |
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
ayeEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
I was in a bit of a tizzy yesterday because I confirmed a dental appointment for Wednesday with no clear plan as to what I was going to do with the kids. But luckily Travis's cousin pulled through for us and will watch the boys while I get things repaired in my mouth. I have a hole in one filling and I am also getting fitted for some kind of bite thing. The last time I went to the dentist they said my teeth looked quite a bit worn and I must be grinding them. And I was all like "no way I grind my teeth" and they were all like "yes way" and I was all like "no way" and then we all decided to agree to disagree.
Anyway, I spent the next few months noticing how much I grind my teeth. Like, constantly. I grit my teeth after every sentence. I grit my teeth after I yawn. I grit my teeth every time I swallow. I grit my teeth while I am sitting doing nothing at all. But I am doing it just once and not very hard, so that's why I didn't notice. I have been making an effort not to do it, to the point where even when I was in labour, half of my mind was like "OMG I'M GOING TO DIE WHY DID I THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA!!!" and the other half was like "FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T GRIND YOUR TEETH!!! HOW WILL YOU EXPLAIN IT TO THE DENTIST?"
So yeah. Dentist tomorrow.
In Jamie news, he has discovered the ability to create a loud, high pitched squealing noise that causes the hair to stand up on the back of my neck as well as several minutes of ear-ringing. It's cute. He does it when he wakes up and then keeps going until he falls back asleep, unless I shove something in his mouth. The problem is that he has replaced all vocalizations, both his happy babble and his normal "fix it, Mom" cries with this squealing noise. So now, I can never tell if he's mad, happy, sad, hungry, wet, or just trying to hold a conversation. No matter what, I just hear "eeeEEEEE!!! AAAyyyyEEEEE!!!! WEEEE!!!!"
My response?
:::gritgritgritgrit:::::
Anyway, I spent the next few months noticing how much I grind my teeth. Like, constantly. I grit my teeth after every sentence. I grit my teeth after I yawn. I grit my teeth every time I swallow. I grit my teeth while I am sitting doing nothing at all. But I am doing it just once and not very hard, so that's why I didn't notice. I have been making an effort not to do it, to the point where even when I was in labour, half of my mind was like "OMG I'M GOING TO DIE WHY DID I THINK THIS WAS A GOOD IDEA!!!" and the other half was like "FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T GRIND YOUR TEETH!!! HOW WILL YOU EXPLAIN IT TO THE DENTIST?"
So yeah. Dentist tomorrow.
In Jamie news, he has discovered the ability to create a loud, high pitched squealing noise that causes the hair to stand up on the back of my neck as well as several minutes of ear-ringing. It's cute. He does it when he wakes up and then keeps going until he falls back asleep, unless I shove something in his mouth. The problem is that he has replaced all vocalizations, both his happy babble and his normal "fix it, Mom" cries with this squealing noise. So now, I can never tell if he's mad, happy, sad, hungry, wet, or just trying to hold a conversation. No matter what, I just hear "eeeEEEEE!!! AAAyyyyEEEEE!!!! WEEEE!!!!"
My response?
:::gritgritgritgrit:::::
Monday, January 17, 2011
Three Minute Post
I have three minutes until I have to go and get Ian, and I wanted to share those three minutes with you, my faithful blog followers.
I am going to be making some changes to this blog in the upcoming weeks. I want to change the look, focus, appearance, and title of the blog. I am also thinking of changing the title. I may also move the posts from the food blog over and close that one out.
If anybody has any suggestions or input, now is the time. I value each and every one of my readers, (especially since I can count them on one hand) and would like to know what you think. What would you like to see more of? Less of? Leave a comment and let me know!
Oops... that was four minutes. Gotta run!
I am going to be making some changes to this blog in the upcoming weeks. I want to change the look, focus, appearance, and title of the blog. I am also thinking of changing the title. I may also move the posts from the food blog over and close that one out.
If anybody has any suggestions or input, now is the time. I value each and every one of my readers, (especially since I can count them on one hand) and would like to know what you think. What would you like to see more of? Less of? Leave a comment and let me know!
Oops... that was four minutes. Gotta run!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Happy New Year!
My friend bought us a Tassimo for Christmas. My caffeine intake has tripled since then. It's a wonder Jamie sleeps at all. I'm going to have to seriously cut back. But at least I'm getting stuff done. I'm like, three quarters of the way done the hat I am knitting Travis for Christmas. That's Christmas 2010. I'm not really getting a head start.
My New Year's Resolution is to try and get a little more organized. Specifically I want to try and stick a little better to my schedule, thereby preventing the full-blown decline of the house into a slovenly mess; stay on top of people's birthdays, thereby preventing gifts arriving over seven months late; and stay on top of finances thereby preventing Christmas from causing a cascade failure in my bank account.
So far? Well, not fabulous on the housework front. I was supposed to mop the kitchen and clean the upstairs bathroom today, and those didn't get done. We had an insurance SNAFU that I had to resolve today, and that took up a lot of my time. So I have an excuse. In the end it was probably for the best as we now have a different carrier and rate and are saving about $50/month. Which is good. Travis is going on course in May and will be taking a pay cut for the duration (about a year and a half), and we will be losing the $100/mo we get for Ian being under 6 so every bit counts. I will be most likely going back to work then as well to make up the shortfall. I'm not looking forward to it but that's life I guess.
Gift wise, well, I have to finish Travis's hat, then I have something nice in mind for my sister (birthday was in November....eek!) and then mittens for my cousin-in-law, who is going to babysit for us in exchange. I am hoping to be done by Valentine's Day. I will try to get some pictures up as I complete the projects. After all, my many faithful readers are waiting with bated breath....
As for right this second, I have big plans to make a cup of tea and sit down in front of the TV to get a few rounds done on the Hat of Doom. Go Me!!!
My New Year's Resolution is to try and get a little more organized. Specifically I want to try and stick a little better to my schedule, thereby preventing the full-blown decline of the house into a slovenly mess; stay on top of people's birthdays, thereby preventing gifts arriving over seven months late; and stay on top of finances thereby preventing Christmas from causing a cascade failure in my bank account.
So far? Well, not fabulous on the housework front. I was supposed to mop the kitchen and clean the upstairs bathroom today, and those didn't get done. We had an insurance SNAFU that I had to resolve today, and that took up a lot of my time. So I have an excuse. In the end it was probably for the best as we now have a different carrier and rate and are saving about $50/month. Which is good. Travis is going on course in May and will be taking a pay cut for the duration (about a year and a half), and we will be losing the $100/mo we get for Ian being under 6 so every bit counts. I will be most likely going back to work then as well to make up the shortfall. I'm not looking forward to it but that's life I guess.
Gift wise, well, I have to finish Travis's hat, then I have something nice in mind for my sister (birthday was in November....eek!) and then mittens for my cousin-in-law, who is going to babysit for us in exchange. I am hoping to be done by Valentine's Day. I will try to get some pictures up as I complete the projects. After all, my many faithful readers are waiting with bated breath....
As for right this second, I have big plans to make a cup of tea and sit down in front of the TV to get a few rounds done on the Hat of Doom. Go Me!!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Here I am!! I even remembered the password!
I guess that is the longest stretch of non-postiness yet! But I had a baby so I guess that is a good excuse. But new year, new beginnings, bla bla bla.
James Malcolm was born on September 10th 2010 at 7:28 and he was 7lbs 12oz.Jamie is a pretty good baby all around. He's starting to sleep through the night some of the time (which makes the nights he doesn't seem all the worse). His favourite person in the whole world is Ian. Ian was the first person to make him laugh!
Jamie has had his first smile and his first laugh, but hasn't rolled over yet. That is actually a relief because part of the reason I keep this blog is to record those kind of milestones and my posting has been pretty shoddy.
So, today we took down all the Christmas stuff, but the tree is still in the living room. That is mostly because of my unwillingness to nag. But Travis is still off tomorrow, so I hold out hope.
This is just going to be a short post today to get back into the swing of things. But here's a few pictures from the last few months. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?
James Malcolm was born on September 10th 2010 at 7:28 and he was 7lbs 12oz.Jamie is a pretty good baby all around. He's starting to sleep through the night some of the time (which makes the nights he doesn't seem all the worse). His favourite person in the whole world is Ian. Ian was the first person to make him laugh!
Jamie has had his first smile and his first laugh, but hasn't rolled over yet. That is actually a relief because part of the reason I keep this blog is to record those kind of milestones and my posting has been pretty shoddy.
So, today we took down all the Christmas stuff, but the tree is still in the living room. That is mostly because of my unwillingness to nag. But Travis is still off tomorrow, so I hold out hope.
This is just going to be a short post today to get back into the swing of things. But here's a few pictures from the last few months. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?
Sunscreen at the beach:
Jamie's room
First Day of School
My tall boy and my giant tummy.
Really tall boy...
Newborn goodness
So tiny!
Brothers meeting for the first time:
I can't believe how little he looks here!
Family picture. I'm a bit loopy.
Snuggle bug
Brothers
Daddy snuggles
First day home from the hospital
Loose tooth.
Cousin cuddles
Learning the fine art of tv watching.
Meeting our new dog. Ok, it's a tv dog.
Spit bubbles!
Bedtime Brothers
Handsome boy with Grandma
Me and my meatball
Snoozing
Baby investigation
Grandma with Yelly McScreamypants
Calm now
Ready for Tae Kwan Do
Baby's bones are showing!
Feeding llamas
With Grandma.
Cactus Jammies. Oooh! Poky!
Sly dog
Thanksgiving dinner in the Bone Suitie.
Attempted family picture. But Ian was too grouchy, Jamie was too floppy, and Travis was nowhere to be found!
A cat nap
My autumn harvest.
Brothers
I had a picture like this of Ian, and I was trying to get one the same to compare babies. In the process I got a cornucopia of Jamie expressions:
Halloween... Ian is Mario
I'm a beekeeper.
This is my bee.
Smiles!
Go Riders! Grey Cup 2010 (although he didn't make it through the pregame before bedtime. But hey, it's the thought that counts.
My little bruiser
ooo
Ready for Ian's first Christmas Concert.
Head growths.
Oooops....
Chilling while I pack parcels.
Ready to see Santa.
Velcro wall.
A holiday surprise!
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