Being Aedan's and Amelia's Mom

Who needs a nursury anyway??

2010-11-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

This morning I woke up to my kitty Mocha being spastic at my door, she came into my room and starred at my ceiling as if something was there.

After my fog of sleepiness lifted, I heard what she was so focused on. It sounds as if a squirrel has decided a nest in our attic to avoid the chilly weather

Times like this, I'm often glad we rent, it isn't REALLY my problem and the property management will deal with it.

So I called George, our super. He said he could come over later in the day and check it out and see if he needed the contractors involved.

When he arrived to peek in our attic with a flashlight to see what he could see. he needed access through Amelia's closet. Now you need to understand Her closet is VERY well stocked with all her cloth diapers, all the medicines, changing creams bathroom stuff, all her clothes toys etc - basically everything a baby might need in their first year. There is not one inch of space wasted in that closet.Also, while I'm not the most neat freak there is - I DO have a deep appreciation for organization in my living space, so I have spent quite sometime making that closet what I need it to be.

While George was up there with his head in the attic, he couldn't see much with his flash light, and in an attempt to be thorough, took one foot off the ladder and meant to rest it on a shelf to give him better leverage to look a wee bit further.

Well he misjudged the weight he should bear and down he came, and so did EVERYTHING in our closet. Every shelf was knocked down and all the brackets warped.

It must have been quite the fall. I was worried about George, George was worried about the mess, and profusley sorry.

In his haste to try to fix some of it- stepped on a bottle of grape seed oil I use for her skin after her baths- and yup- that went all over the floor too.That poor man though is probably going to be pretty sore tomorrow. You can't fall like that and not have some pulled muscles.

Poor George felt so bad and just kept making the mess worse in his haste to fix it, I told him just go home and rest himself.( before he slipped in the oil)

I tried tackling the mess myself, but there was just too much going on, so my mom popped by as back up. An extra adult between 2 kids, dinner being made, the mess and the craziness of the evening goes so much further.I'm glad she was here as the job would have easily taken 3 times as long without her.

So for now, the mess is out of the closet, I need new shelf brackets - they are all twisted and warped.

I won't be putting it all back together until the contractors assess ( they will be in and out of the attic) Yes I'm frustrated I can't really have a functional nursery for hopefully just this week - But I'll survive.

I managed to snap a pic mid way through clean up attempts, I laid newspaper over some of the oil to stop it from spreading about. not that it helped that much Oil is tracked all through the house.

DISASTER!

Someone remind me to post an after pic when it's all cleaned up?

My Flip cloth diaper review

2010-11-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

If you care NOTHING about cloth diapers, but want to see a cute picture of Amelia - scroll to the bottom of this post.

This is a post from a cloth diaper forum I'm on that I originally posted my review. I decided to post it here as I begin to resurrect my blog.

Some background information to those who are reading this blog more as part of my story, I Cloth Diapered my son from 11 months until Potty training, before that point we had severe diaper rashes and were constantly using prescription creams.

I also suffered immense guilt knowing the carbon foot print we were leaving on his world, I was debating using G-diapers but before I tried them found some Mother Ease One Size(MEOS) fitted diapers in a consignment store - we bought a few Thirsties Covers to go over them and that was that, My son, rash issues disappeared my guilt was gone, and he was cloth diapered.

This time I'm starting fresh cloth diapering a small infant,( rather than a nearly 30lb 1yo) his old stash doesn't work so great on her small body without tonnes of bulk.

Some good friends have loaned me 36 small prefolds and an army of covers. While they are between babies ( hoping for another!)I'm grateful, they have had heavy use, but I don't like using them like I used my sons fitted diapers, and about %50 of the time have still turned to disposables.

Also, fitted + cover or prefolds + cover, is a 2 part system that has been taking more time at the moment of diapering than I care to invest while I have a 3 year old also craving my attention, so the search is on for the perfect diaper for my small baby. that offers a quick change at an affordable price.

I've had a bit of tunnel vision in that I want to invest in a one size system so it grows with her and hopefully I won't have to buy more.

I did find a seller online who has sold me 10 bum genious diapers for a great deal.... I'm waiting for them to arrive, I have one of those I have purchased already to try. The same distributor, Cotton Babies - has a less expensive All In Two ( AI2 ) diapering system called Flip.

Here begins my review

Flip has the option of having Stay dry inserts made of all man made fabrics like microfiber etc,They have inserts made of all natural fibers, and they even have disposable inserts

I bought a stay dry day pack.

It comes with 2 One Size snap covers and 6 One Size inserts. 8-35lbs

The idea of this diaper is very similar to laying a prefold, trifolded inside a cover.

Except - they have a small ruffle at the front AND the back of the cover to help keep the insert from slipping out. This allows you to also pre-stuff the diaper.

Also the fabric is not natural fabric so it is trimmer and can still holds a lot of wetness. Its also nice not to have trifold, and to lay a stay dry liner on top, Its already sewn on. So it is much faster to use - super convenient if your use to prefolds, you may fall in love with this system- I suggest picking up some inserts to try under your present covers for more convenient changes

I could imagine if I had an older baby, crawling, walking, climbing this system is probably not fool proof, you would be relying on a very well fitting cover, but for my little baby who doesn't even roll over yet, I like it. I'm sure I'll drift away from it in time.

On my almost 2 month old, its one of the trimmest options I have in my house.

I even tried this diaper overnight, the ultimate test of a cloth diaper - not one complaint from her for 11 hours of wear in it being heavily saturated by morning, and she does complain about sposies overnight, so that's pretty good. The stay dry top on these really did still feel dry to the touch and my baby's skin felt dry too.

Out of curiosity, I decided to also try the inserts in my Thirsties Duo size 1 velcro wrap ( won't work in their snap covers) and a small Bummis Super bright cover... the OS insert folded down fit perfect in them both! If I did this again, I'd consider buying inserts only and not the covers - I don't have a complaint about the flip covers, I just like my Thirsties better for the gusset design. The velcro also made it much more convenient and quick over the snap covers. I bought this system to compliment the Bum Genious in hopes of it being a space saving diaper bag system of convince while on the go.

I may be buying 6 more inserts - they are cheap for how well they work, and can act as great doublers down the road even if I fall out of love with this system.

Oh - and she did poop in it, and as I had expected - newborn poop goes everywhere, so yes the cover was soiled and needed to be washed. I could see this system frustrating to moms of super poopers if they didn't have enough covers.

Washing - it didn't hold her poop stains like other systems do, but drying takes FOREVER, I was hoping being more of a AI2 system it might be fast drying, but the microfiber with several layers does not want to give up the moisture.

I would give this system about 4.5 stars out of 5

It Looses points for dry time and potentially needing more covers than is suggested...

It gains points as a good night time system, and the liners being adaptable and the entire system being super affordable.

If your curious about this system, and already have some PUL covers, grab some inserts, they are cheap, you will probably like it, and if you don't, you have some fantastic overnight doublers.

I might try the organic inserts too.

Here are the pics!

First the insert front and back... The rough microfiber side goes down, the smooth stay dry side goes up. It has a running stitch across the insert showing you where to fold, and it does a good job helping the fold stay put.

Here is the Flip beside a BG... you can see the front and back flaps for the insert to go in on the pink flip cover

when closed, they look virtually identical.

Here is the flip with the insert inside a Thirsties Dou wrap size 1 and a Small Bummis Super Bright

And Closed

The reason I bought them - They are trimmer than 3 stuffed diapers, and 3 prefolds in a diaper bag taking up less than half the room.

Then of course - the model shot. My 11lb 2 month old in her flip diaper

My sensitive boy

2009-05-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Aedan is a rather sensitive 2 Year old, His sensitivity to people, animals and the world is something this mom admires in her little boy.

This is one of Aedan's first times watching Dot and the Kangaroo. This is the sad ending when the Kangaroo is hopping away and waving bye to Dot.... and well, Aedan isn't too good with good byes....

Aedan can draw faces now!!!

2009-03-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

I'm a proud mamma!

Nap time woes.

2009-02-20T10:58:00.001-08:00

I’m pretty lucky to have a child who loves to sleep. A comfortable secure sleep is something we have always put importance on and fostered for him with co-sleeping and gentle go to sleep methods, never letting him cry to sleep, it may be something to do with that, or it may just be his temperament, who knows. But I feel lucky for it. I remember fighting bed time and naps, I’ve taken care of enough kids who hated to nap or sleep. This was just something I didn’t want to fight every night with my own child. SO I’ve worked hard at that.

He will wake at night frequently, still at 2 years old (Uhg!) But the wakings are less and less frequent, so I don’t make too much issue of it, and these awakenings are something we have expected when we took on our go to sleep methods.

At night he fusses mostly that he woke up at all and settles back down rather quickly. He loves bed time and nap time and will often declare it so he can go lay down. Nap time and bed time fights are a rarity with him. I can spend 5 or 10 minutes with him in his bed, give his goodnight kisses and leave the room and he puts himself out in five minutes or less.

I know many mothers ( and fathers) have a fight many nights for their kid to go to bed. It could still come to me, I’m not naive, but for now I feel lucky it’s this easy – USUALLY.

Naps are still a huge part of his day; lots of kids will drop naps all together around two years old or take micro naps of 30 minutes Aedan still goes down faithfully for at least 2 hours sometimes three, I’m sure this makes up for the night time waking as I’m able to accomplish many other things for myself and my home in this time.

When something goes right everyday, you get used to it. You don’t even notice how good you’ve got it. That is, until something goes wrong.

That would be today’s nap time.

He hadn’t declared nap time at his usual time today so I waited about 30 minutes and declared it for him.

I took him up to his bed, and he didn’t get that relaxed sleepy look he usually puts on his face. No, not today, he was smiling ear to ear, and making funny noises and funny faces – not a good sign.

I read him an extra book, and tucked him extra tight.

And he called me back up. He wanted his water.

I went back downstairs…. I heard him start jumping on the bed.

Back up I went with my “Mad mommy” face on to show I was serious about nap time and not being impressed with his jumping, which brought him instantly to tears. He was feeling extra touchy today, and he was tired. I tucked him back in and he said he was going to sleep.

I went back downstairs… 5 minutes pass, silence. He must be asleep YES

I pass the monitor by again 10 minutes later and he is counting and singing “ you are my sunshine” to himself… *sigh* At least he’s trying to put himself to sleep.

Another 10 minutes pass and then he’s yelling “Baby-Aedan” need a mommy!”
( Instead of “I” he refers to himself as “Baby-Aedan”)

I march up the steps being sure that my steps sound firm as they fall on each one ( the mean mommy act) I open the door and he’s standing in the middle of the bed with his arms outstretched for a big hug.

It’s hard to deny this attention. He’s so stinking cute… but it’s near an hour since this “nap time” adventure began. I mean business. This child WILL sleep.

I tell him “Time to lay down!”

I scoop him up; lay him down tuck the blanket firm up to his chin. He gets that this was business, closes his eyes so tight and tries to sleep.

I tell him “ No talking, no playing, Keep your eyes closed – GO to SLEEP! Mommy all done coming upstairs”

I leave the room, and go downstairs

I’m silently so frustrated. I worry when our routines get messed up as it can unravel his behavior for a few days. I’m naturally an anxious person so this leads to the “stress” of repairing this nap time gone wrong.

10 minutes pass and I hear him start to sob. We always go to him when he cries. This is very important to us and has never lead us wrong. There is always a reason for tears. I told him I was all done coming upstairs… but I had to go back on that.

I stepped firmly up the stairs again. He stopped crying but I was still going to him.

As I opened the door I asked “ Aedan, Why are you not napping?!?”

… and he is now standing on the bed back to me looking over his shoulder, and sticking out his fluffy cloth diapered bum and pointing to it..

“Mommy , Baby-Aedan got poopy mess in there!”

I suddenly get hit with a familiar stench

Sure enough he must have pooped 4 days of meals all at once.

I know he couldn’t sleep now because his tummy had business. More than an hour to go down to sleep because of POOP! Being a parent, sometimes it feels it’s always about poop.

I changed his bum. And as soon as I opened the bathroom door to let him out, he ran to the bed, crawled in, pulled the sheets to his chin and declared “Nap time!”

He looked sleepy finally.

I kissed his head, closed the door. And he was out in 2 minutes.

- phew, I’m glad there was a REASON to this nap time madness.

Slideshow of pics from January 2009

2009-02-19T05:48:00.000-08:00

Chicken

2009-02-07T04:18:00.001-08:00

This morning at 6:30 we were all awoken by the sudden and sharp cries of my son screaming “Chickeeeeeeeen NEED CHICKEN!!”

A little disgruntled at it being morning I realized I wouldn’t be going BACK to sleep at this point I told him. “we don’t eat chicken nuggets in the morning, but we can have cereal, or waffles or yogurt”

He continued to wail.

I Hadn’t fed him chicken nuggets in at least 2 weeks, they are a favorite food of his. I got them for him last night for dinner, he had been eating like a horse yesterday, and in times of other growth spurts and eating frenzies, chicken has been requested at 2 in the morning.

Now I was now regretting giving him chicken nuggets for dinner, some of his foods form a one food obsession. My day was starting with the stress of breaking him of his addiction and dealing with the aftermath of a toddler coming detoxing off his favorite food.

He continued to wail … for chicken.

He paused mid wail and coherently stated “ Where chicken go?” I told him “ You ate it for dinner last night, it went in your tummy – He said “ No THAT chicken – NEED . HUG. CHICKEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!!” and broke down in sobs again.

It dawned on me – maybe he didn’t wake up hungry for food….. maybe he’s just annoyed he woke from a good dream.

“Aedan, did you dream a chicken?”

“ YES! Where gooooooo??? “ he was now controlling his sobs and wore a huge pout , snotty nose, and his eyes were welled up with big fat tears.

I had to tell him it was a dream, The chicken wasn’t real, it was like playing a video in his head when he sleeps. I told him it looks and feels real, but it was just a dream.

I have to wonder if all those other times he woke screaming for chicken in these past months was for food , or if this chicken is a frequent guest of his in his dreams, but he didn’t have the language to express them.

I comforted him by telling him he can visit his chicken at night time and in naps.

That calmed him right down , and he started to tell me his Chicken was Red, it played trains with him, he hugged it, he pet it, it played in his play kitchen with him, and he cuddled it in bed. He showed me it was as tall as his waist, its name was “Happy” and it said “O buck o buck o buck” ( different from farm chickens that say “Bock bock bock”

I was startled from my bed this morning, but I sit in awe again, of my boy , he dreams, he talks, he loves. I’m amazed at how he has grown.

A Very Good Article

2009-02-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Apple

2009-01-24T20:01:00.000-08:00

They say you are what you eat... if that's the case Aedan is a mix of cherrios, grapes, chicken nuggets,goldfish crackers, cheese, yogurt rice and apples.... these are staples in our house and his favorite foods and at least 3 of them make it into his diet daily.

Ever since Aedan started solids, he has always had a bit of a strong gag reflex, and as much as he loves apples, their texture, and especially the skin is hard for him to swallow. I've watched him eat apples with skin and keep making coughing noises as he is irritated by the rough skin... but he loves them so much, he will eat them with those tears you get in your eyes when you feel that sharp irritation in your throat.

I've made a point over the last many months to cut his apples into "apple fries" where I cut away the skin and then cut it into long skinny sticks resembling french fries and he'd eat those down without too much irritation.

Well today Aedan asked for apple and as i pulled it out of the fridge, and grabbed a knife he started to howl as if I were to murder someone.... he immediately fell to the floor pleading me to leave the apple "Big ball stay"

I didn't understand him at first, his words sounded garbled especially through the loud dramatic crying, and I hadn't heard these words in combination before.

It took him to yell at me " No knife, no cut" "Big Apple - Big Boy Aedan"

This is a big deal - my boy will be 2 years old next Sunday. He has still been referring to himself as "Baby Aedan" This is the beginnings of him shedding his own identity as a baby, and becoming a "big boy".

So I sat him down in the highchair, he held his apple, inspected its roundness, commented that it was red, he even smelled it and commented "Mmmmmmmm!"

It took him nearly 5 minutes to take the first bite out of it with his teeth and mouth slipping over the peel and the firm round apple- he was determined. But once he got that first bite, all the others came slowly but easily after.

He sat happily intently gnawing on his big apple for near an hour and almost finished it completely.

My baby is asserting himself as a big boy more and more everyday... I guess it will be only a matter of time before he won't let me call him "my baby".

One of those moments

2009-01-23T19:06:00.001-08:00

Aedan didn't stay down for his nap very long today He's still trying to cut through those eye teeth and is very uncomfortable... He also was up too early... so he is running on very little sleep. We have news his friend we visited the other day has the flu or food poisoning - so we could be in line for that too... I hope not.

He's also growing rapidly right now and this is causing him intense leg and foot cramps. I've had to rub down his legs a couple times a day to relieve him of cramps. Some call it the terrible twos I guess.

Pain + no sleep = monster baby.

Its been a tough day tantrum on tantrum crying over everything... and clumsiness that isn't like him so he kept bumping into stuff, and that would just cause him to melt down.

Screaming, whining , crying and sobbing ALL.DAY.

2 words to describe Aedan today

Fragile and Explosive.

Its been so intense there were moments I thought I would cry too... But I wouldn't let myself. I had to keep strong.

Bath time though, is always a release for him. Something about water just calms him right down. Of course bath time was almost an hour early with a day like today... and he didn't quite feel ready to sleep, even though I let him stay in about 30 minutes longer than usual. he was all wrinkled and pruney when I pulled him out of the tub.

I swaddled him in a towel and he melted into me for one of the biggest hugs he's ever given me... he said "love mommy, cuddle mommy"

I needed that.

I couldn't put him to bed right away.

I took my baby all snuggled in a warm towel downstairs. I put on the TV in a dark living room and lay on the couch together we watched "In The Night Garden" He snuggled down onto me, put his head on my chest and I know he was trying to listen to my heartbeat. His body was comfortable, and he was relaxed and happy. That's all I wanted for him all day.

We both fell asleep and I woke up when the show finished.

I carried him upstairs, dressed and diapered him while he was passed out solid - and after some crazy moments today where I just wanted to lock him in another room and plug my ears, at this moment while he was peaceful and warm, happy and quiet, it was hard to leave him.

It's in these moments I feel how in love I really am. I controlled myself earlier in the day... but I couldn't help but weep tears for all the love I have for my boy.

"I see Santa!"

2008-12-11T12:55:00.000-08:00

We've been to the mall a few times and pass by Santa's "house" and I ask Aedan if he wants to meet Santa.

He tells me "no - Jus,looking" so we watch other kids go up and sit on Santas knee, get a piece of candy and leave... Aedan want's none of it. I think there is something about the display and the big red suit and the formality of it that makes him nervous or shy.

Well standing in line at the corner store, Aedan starts exclaiming " I see Santa, I see Santa"

An older man with a long white beard, dressed in green cords, green plaid shirt red suspenders bald and half moon spectacles was wandering through the store and came in line right up behind us.... it couldn't have been better - he was buying egg nog and candy canes.

Well I guess he heard me call Aedan by his name... and when Aedan waved and said "Hi Santa" He replied back " Hi Aedan, have you been a good boy?"

Aedan nodded yes - and he gave him a Candy cane.

"Santa" had a brief discussion with Aedan over my shoulder while I paid... then we said bye, as we walked out of the store "Santa" told me "Merry Christmas Rebecca"... I'm sure he didn't hear my name... all I could say back was "Merry Christmas Santa" with a bit of an awkward smile, he winked at me and I headed off.

So Aedan finally got to meet Santa... and maybe I did too!

How being a mom has changed me

2008-11-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

Before Aedan, I used to ride my bike up and down all the hills around here. I loved my bike.

There was one hill that was very steep and tall with a few sharp curves in it.

It was my favorite.

I used to fly down that hill on my bike, no brakes, bowing my body into each curve. I loved the rush and the wind - I never felt fear; it always brought a sense of ultimate freedom.

Now - I get to the top, I think of Aedan, my heart races, and my brakes help me to go down slow.

Who needs hills anyway?

Face Painting

2008-10-29T13:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloe'en!

2008-10-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

Cheesy smile

2008-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

Aedan sometimes LOVES my camera... he did the day I took these and was flashing his Cheesy smile at me.

These are from back in September - but they make me smile every time I see them, so I thought it was worth sharing.

Enjoy!

Aedans Lunch Order

2008-10-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Aedan woke up from his nap, wandered over to the baby monitor and started yelling into it.

Mommy Mommy!!
Aeda eat!
Aeda eat ,turkey meat , corn.
turkey meat, corn - PLEEEEEASE!!
Aeda EAT!

Good thing we still have thanksgiving left overs!

I have to brag

2008-10-16T19:17:00.000-07:00

ISN'T HE SO STINKIN' CUTE???

OK I'll get on here and do a really big post really soon.

Yes he may be cute, but we are also dealing with teething, a head cold through the whole family, this mommy had the flu... and he's so busy all of the time now - this mommy is also busy being a playmate.

But I thought I'd at least share this pic!

Pennsic

2008-08-15T15:18:00.001-07:00

Every year for the past 9 years Andrew and I have made the pilgrimage to our August camping vacation called Pennsic War. Basically a medival tent city of over 10,000 people sets up ,camps out, parties like its 1399. That means singing, camp fires , eating great food, story telling, shopping, bartering, and of course fighting a war!

This year we had the pleasure of bringing Aedan to such an amazing experience.It was a bit of a head spin for me to figure out everything we would need to bring to keep not only us, but out 18 month old comfortable.

He slept well to the drums which kept ringing out through the night until 3AM. He played with many children in camp, saw many sights that I'm sure most will never see in a life time.... and of course, stuck to mommy like glue.So I didn't get to take all the pictures I hoped to take - but here is a mild sampling of the things we saw at war.

This is one of my favourite views. In the mornings I love to take a walk around the lake and see the camps bordering the water

This is the "gate" to RAven Spittle - A camp of pirates. They are near to our camp and you can guess this was one of Aedan's favourite attractions

Camp life isn't without some trickery. Last year in our camp about 50 pink flamingos were placed while we were all asleep in the night. they became camp pets, and at the end of camp were packed up... this year we brought them out again, many went missing as the week went on - but we also found out they were fertile. About 4 dozen pink hardboiled eggs were "laid" all over camp while we slept. It made for a great breakfast.

Naturally it was like a second Easter for Aedan

After all the eggs were collected and we had a wonderful breakfast... the kids broke out the bubble machine and had a tonne of fun!

Aedan loves bubbles!

As fate would have it - the bubble machine died - no amount of shaking tapping and banging brought it back to life and the kids were a little sad.

One of the nights we went up to the shopping area - and were lucky enough to catch a very cool fire show! Aedan learned to say "fire" or "eye-er" as he calls it.

Here are some of the shops at night - it was very beautiful!

When Daddy went shopping he found a pretty cool dragon puppet by Melisa and Doug - naturally it became Aedans cool Dragon puppet

Then there is the main event - FIGHTING.

these are pics of the big melee field battle on Friday. Hundreds of people on each team - one side against the other. They line up, a cannon blows and the fighting begins.

This is the first Year Andrew didn't fight, It was a year he dedicated to hanging with Aedan... but since the squee was stuck on me, Andrew took these pictures

Aedan loved the fighting! He kept asking for "more" everytime they finished a battle and had to wait a few minutes for each side to reassemble.

Aedan had a lot of fun at Pennsic

Aedan's Newest toy!

2008-08-15T13:40:00.000-07:00

Seriously - if you don't already - consider buying anything you "need" used from classified ads.

It's a goal of mine to not buy things new if I can help it.It takes a bit more effort, and patience, as well as planning. But It reduces waste, saves you money, makes someone else some pocket change and gets something out of their basement.

I keep a list of "wish list items" and a list of items that may need replacing in the next year due to wear and tear. I search classified ads such as kijiji , craigs list, and my local freecycle group almost daily.

and recently on kijiji, we found a wish list item for Aedan for only $75. A train table, with storage baskets underneath.track, the round house, bridges and trains. Anything plastic that you see on the table Aedan had already - the rest is from our kijiji find... and there is still tones of track and structure in the bins underneath not pictured.

I think Aedan is going to have a tonne of fun!

While I'm posting a million pictures of Aedan....

2008-08-02T13:30:00.000-07:00

Daddy says this one needs to be shown off!

Paddle on the beach

2008-08-02T11:35:00.000-07:00

Mommy's eyes

2008-08-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

Very often i hear of how much my boy looks just like his daddy. Of course I'm proud of that - his daddy is so very handsome - but a mother can't help but wonder , what other than her flintstone shaped feet has her son inherited from her..... then I saw this picture of Aedan, and it reminded me of one my father took of me when I was three.... I say my boy has his mommys eyes.

Funny Faces!

2008-08-01T19:15:00.000-07:00

Picking Cherries

2008-07-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Thomas the Train.

2008-06-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

Aedan has a toy train set that we got him at Christmas time, the trains and tracks are all interchangeable with the Brio and Thomas systems ... and I did manage to get this whole system under $20

He loves it and plays with it ALL-THE-TIME!

Well the other day a kids channel got left on and a Thomas the train episode played.

Aedan was shreiking and near tearing his Face off with excitement!

THEN we were at Chapters today and they had the whole set up, all the trains ect... He sat there playing with trains with for about an hour, I'm SURE he remembered the show. We did keep reminding him to put the trains down anytime he wanted to wander closer to other kids or other toys that were set out. He got that they weren't his and thats the way it was.

But then we wandered past the big display selling all the different trains.

He flipped out with excitement again, shrieking and grabbing the ones on the low shelf off, He's been to stores with me to pick out toys on his own... he understood these ones were for sale to bring home.

He had a James in his hand, the one from the episode, he recognized it over and above the other trains... then WE saw the price !?!?!?!?!?!?

Any single train we could have got him was more than the whole set I got him for Christmas... UNBELIEVABLE!!!

UHG.

DH and I were debating any purchase at all... ad then Aedan started begging by signing wildly "HELP, HELP, PLEASE HELP PLEASE PLEASE THANK YOU PLEASE LOVE LOVE LOVE HELP HELP PLEASE LOVE THANK YOU PLEASE THANK YOU"

He hardly has words and he was BEGGING through sign.

I decided this could be daddy's choice

Daddy chose a Thomas train ( instead of James) that came paired along with a video, because you know, fueling this expensive obsession will help our pocket book.

I brought Aedan up to the front of the store and stood him on the counter, he thrust his box set in the face of the very amused cashier. I gave Aedan the money to give her, she gave me the change back.

As she passed the box back to Aedan he took the box and pointed down at her bags and said "ah-ah-ah- ah" indicating she didn't give him a bag for his new toy.

She placed it in the bag and gave him the bag. He now sat down on her counter took his box out of the bag and asked her to open it by pointing at the tape and saying "help"

There was no one else in line and really this excited bossy little 16 month old was just too amusing... she was more than happy to open the box for him.

It's been about 2 hours and Aedan has barely put his train down and has already watched his whole video.

To say Aedan likes trains would be an understatement.

Making Bananna Muffins

2008-05-16T09:24:00.001-07:00

Mommy's helper

Mmmmmmm... cream cheese icing!

Test tasting

Washing up!

Making muffins is hard work for a baby.

This is one rockin Daddy

2008-05-07T18:08:00.001-07:00

I loved this!

BPA

2008-05-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

BPA

I finally returned all my Avent stuff yesterday and got almost $200 store credit. While I'm not an alarmist about BPA - I do know they have discovered some issues with it, and don't know it's extent of contribution to hormonal issues today or any of it's long term side effects with humans. - How could they?? Its everywhere! We've all consumed it. It's Even lines the inside of tin cans!!! and the sealants at the top of glass baby jars. It also leaches into our water and effect the environment, maybe more than it directly affects us.

So Canada has taken a pro-active lets get rid of it until we understand it further approach. Maybe a little hasty as it is going to cause a hit to the companies that make these items, but also it's hurting the retailers - there are major costs in hiring enough people to take all these bloody returns. Then there are the Canadians buying up the Avent bottles from Ebay from people in the states or abroad who haven’t gone forward with the returns yet … just to re-sell them for more credit! I don’t know how ethical that is…. But I guess that’s another rant.

When I went to Zellers there were 5 people ahead of me on what normally would be a slow Monday morning at opening - all with BPA returns. It did make me think - Can I stomach the value of these items and turn and walk away?? I DID know that some plastics were bad when buying a pump and bottle system - but I didn't research instead trusting the company. Should it be more of a Buyer beware situation??

I did almost turn around thinking of all the other consequences. Cost to the retailer, Zellers shelves were stripped of any plastic not containing BPA making it hard to get a hold of. Many glass bottle systems were available.

All of this was whirring as I stood there, always too conscience of consequences. Then I thought of the trust I put in Avent – to give me safe products. They do know this type of plastic is causing effects on people and environmentally, they have a responsibility to create a healthy product. The emotion of being misled or “used” got me to the front of the line for the return.

When I got there, there were 3 more BPA returns behind me and there were 5 grocery shopping carts behind the returns desk- all filled with BPA products - they were trying to find room in the back to put them all somewhere as the back was already stuffed with who knows how many more. My conscience thought again, is this “fair” to do this Then I remembered reading Avents official statement on BPA bottles, and they seem to skim over the fact that BPA is hazardous not mentioning any effort to change… a lack of responsibility on their part - I returned the bottles.

How concerned am I really about BPA, I don’t think I’m THAT concerned, I’m glad I've mostly breastfed and my baby's potential exposure has been minimal. If I were a formula feeding mom relying on bottles and know they are in and out of microwaves and dishwashers leaking the stuff - I'm sure I'd be pissed!

I'm sure it will be a long while before it is completely banned. And taken away. I'm taking the stance of it is best to limit exposure.

BPA has been in our plastics for Decades now, We are just discovering it's effects in the last few years. All you can do is weigh potential future risks against your comfort with it.

Sucks being a mom and making all these decisions. I'm just glad there was some flexibility for me to return these items get some money back so I can research and find a more responsible company... I do hope the flexibility will be available for other non- Canadian mamma's, and am very happy that moms-to-be can be aware of this issue to prevent exposure at all!

I do recommend this blog if you are in a similar circumstance of researching new BPA free, responsible manufacturers.

A little personality!

2008-04-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

Aedan is talking and running and climbing. He has a full on personality that just can't be beat. Also, as of the last couple days - manners too!

Aedan is good to say "peas" and "Que" when you remind him to use his manners. Nothing cuter than a baby asking for cheese.

"mama! , Deeeezzz Peeeeas!"
Then with a big bight of cheese in his mouth "Que!"

Or when he woke up next to Drew in the morning and I had already gone downstairs.

"Dada! Dada! Mamma gaaaaw (gone)..., Mamma gaw downnnnn"

And some random pictures that have nothing to do with the posting

( but they sure do show off personality.)

I've been playing with Photoshop - Enjoy!

Egg Hunt

2008-03-22T09:28:00.000-07:00

Our Outdoor Easter egg hunt today was SO MUCH FUN!! My parents never took me as a kid so I had no clue what to expect. The weather was crisp and just at freezing keeping the snow from melting into big mud puddles, It was a festival like atmosphere and there were mobs of children and parents and strollers.

There were firetrucks and ambulances for kids to explore, Colouring contest draws, bouncy castles, SOOO Much stuff A stage with children's singers and performers, most of course Aedan was too young to enjoy, but made us excited to bring him next year too.

So we headed for the main attraction, the egg hunt.

They taped off a huge section of field on the top of a hill, I had no clue the kind of eggs, but as I got to the top of the hill the smell of chocolate filled my nostrils! You could see it hitting everyone and get everyone reved up and excited. Its a rare person who doesn't like chocolate.

They spread out thousands of foil wrapped eggs all over the snow. The sun was bright today so they were glistening.... making the chocolate greed even bigger. Everyone stood around the perimeter packed in a good 20 people thick the whole way. I thought this is crazy madness to bring my 1yo here.

@ 9:30 they opened the field to kids aged 1-3yo... kids went running in with their parents scooping up eggs off the ground. Many of the parents were grabbing up handfuls and throwing them in their child's basket, but I decided to let Aedan to figure it out by watching and pick up as many as he could on his own while I just physically guarded him from the mobs with my body.

He did really well. He carried his own basket and would stoop down to pick up the eggs or even sit next to a pile and pick them up and put them in his basket all by himself.

Of course near the end of the hunt he took his basket, and just like he does with toys, dumped them to the ground. We helped him to pick them up fast before the mob of kids would tackle him.

It was a crazy fun chaos and of course way off the mark of what easter is really about. But otherwise we have some fun crazy memories of Aedans "first" Easter ( we didn't do anything last year).

Who Stole a cookie from the cookie Jar?

2008-03-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

Aedan had been asking me for cookies all afternoon , yes our kid is already hooked on sugar though he gets it very little, he will indeed beg for it.

Well I kept redirecting him and saying no to the cookies all afternoon....The last time I said no he put up a huff and wouldn't come near me, a new attitude that has emerged lately... then he managed to get a hold of one of the dining room chairs and started pushing it - normal.... pushed it into the kitchen - not so normal.

So I followed him... as soon as I realized what he was doing I grabbed the camera... he had already made his way up onto the chair.....

Old Soul

2008-02-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

I think the stongest term that comes to my mind when looking into Aedans face is that he is an "old soul". Not a very common thing to see in a childs face, but he is full of contemplation and sometimes seriousness, he does laugh and smile and do all those cute baby things... but this photo I think really captures a deeper part of his personality.

CHEESECAKE

2008-02-17T18:21:00.000-08:00

Gotta post the cheescake pose!

Guess what I learned today!

2008-02-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

Today Aedan learned to climb stairs like a big boy!!

More heart attacks for mommy!

SICK! SICK! SICK!

2008-02-12T08:06:00.001-08:00

Being a mom and being sick is the worst... We got the flu here, it struck us down one by one it's been about 10 days of illness here.

Poor Aedan got it first. His first day was throwing up, several times, while I tried to keep him hydrated and rested. Of course being mommy, I was deemed "catcher" every time he got sick, that also means, I had full on exposure and the countdown began until I too would be sick, and all I hoped was that he would be over it when I got struck down.

Aedan's second day, I thought he was over it, He was fussy, and sleepy, but easy to handle and easy to comfort... I was wrong.

Day three was the worst. He started getting runny diapers hourly, and cramped so bad he could barely sleep more than 20 minutes here or there and wake up in pain again. In a 24hour period he got maybe 3 hours of sleep. Andrew offered to stay home that day to help me. I told him no - go to work, it would only be a matter of time before he or I got sick, and thats when we would really need him home.

After 24 hours of illness we procured kaopectite to firm up what was going on on his insides to give my poor tortured babe a break. It isn't recommended to give this sort of thing to a young babe, but I weighed sleep, healing sleep, ahead of flushing the bug fast. It worked withing 5 minutes! His cramps stopped, his poop stopped and I declared this simple pharmaceutical a miracle as I too went down for a rest. We "napped" for about 5 hours and at 10:45 the medicine had worn off and my babe was up gassy and crampy again.

The smell of the gas made me VERY nautious... by 11:00 I was puking - and Andrew??? still at work for 2 more hours - Suck!

I had that energy you get after vomiting in which I tried to calm Aedan down again, nurse him, I tried to go without that medicine as he had some rest and we really needed the bug out. As I was nursing him, the Nausea crept back up again and I found myself huddling over our toilet as my baby cried. It was horrible. I started trying to call Andrews Cell to let him know I was sick, if he could get off early I needed him. He works in a call center and it's impossible to get through during regular business hours, the chances of getting through at night were slim.

It got to the point where the smell of my babes skin, the warmth of his body, and the sound of his voice just all made me more and more nautious and worked up those reflexes even more. By the time Andrew came home I was a limp rag and our baby was so worked up worried for himself, wondering what was wrong with mommy, and just plain needing sleep.

Andrew himself had had maybe only 3 hours of sleep in something over 24 hours and I'm sure was only thinking to crawl into bed.

He really stepped up. Poor Aedan only wanted me and Andrew did his best to help Aedan and not take his cries as rejection. We played musical beds me trying to sleep on the basement couch - living room couch, - then not having enough time to get to a place to empty myself , while Aedan and Andrew would take to a separate floor so the sounds of his cries and the smells of his bum wouldn't aggravate me anymore.

All the while I was just trying to keep some gravol down and keep hydrated so I would be able to Nurse Aedan when he needed.

By 5 AM we decided me in our regular bed and Andrew and Aedan taking up camp on the main floor was the best arrangement

At 5 Am the Gravol finally stayed down and I started my fitful gravol-sickness induce hallucinogenic dreaming - Waking occasionally to take sips of water, wich somehow managed to keep refilling itself( thank you Andrew )

Sometimes when I woke, I would hear Aedan crying downstairs, I wanted to go to him so badly, Id get up and weakness and dizziness would get the better of me and lay back down. I wanted to cry - I was too weak. So I repeated the mantra the best thing I can do for Aedan is sleep, the best thing I can do for Andrew is sleep, The best thing I can do for me is sleep, I need to sleep to get better.... - back into my hallucinogenic dreams I would go.

It was ugly.

Finally at about 4 in the afternoon I woke up, the gravol would have been long worn of, I wasn't nautious, the babe wasn't crying, I leaned over, sipped my water and didn't feel dizzy - I stood up , I was damn weak, and still tired - but I needed to rejoin my family.

I took me and my "just in case bucket" downstairs to see a dog tired Andrew and a beaming happy baby open his arms and come flying at me. It felt so good to hug him.

The next day was a tonne better for me... then of course thats when Andrew started to get sick. He's finally on the mend himself, and it's about Airing, cleaning and disinfecting the house now.

This was hard! but we got through it and I'm so proud we did. Now to avoid getting sick again... hmmm , no more play dates .....

Dirty Diapers II ... Trying cloth!

2008-01-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

At my favourite children's consignment store Emma's Closet I found a huge lot of Motherease cloth diapers - 2 dozen diapers and a dozen doublers for about $100, thats about a quarter of the price if they were bought new! It seems at inspection of these diapers that the previous owner of them washed them up to "fluff" them and prepare them for diapering, and then backed down. They were in "like new" condition... WOW... what a steal!

Still $100 is a steep investment, and I hesitated and asked the clerk to hold them for me while I did a bit more research to see if this was a purchase I really wanted to make. I scowered the manufacturers website, I took advice from My online Moms group, I hit forums that rated different cloth diapers and read every bad review I could find, I searched about resale value on kijiji and Craigslist And found that these really are a favourite cloth diaper for family's that do cloth diapering, and if it doesn't work out for me, I can re sell them for double what Emma's closet was asking for them.

We bought a couple vynil covers from Sears... Kushies brand name. They aren't the best for covers,as in they could let out more heat and breath better, but they work for now and get us started.

So this is cloth diapering day 1! My conscience is feeling cleaner, and hopefully this will be healthy for Aedan...I'll let you know how it goes!

Dirty Diapers

2008-01-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

Lets talk diapers for a minute...

Aedan has been having a couple days of "cleaning out" and Ive changed more than a weeks worth in just a couple days. when this happens, I of course feel sad for my son who's insides won't let him rest, but I even feel more guilty for the mark it leaves on our planet.

Baby's go through a tonne of them, well more than a tonne if you want to be literal. I'm environmentally conscious and wanted and hoped cloth diapering would work for us.... Several yeast rashes later... it didn't cloth just holds too much moisture close to the skin and the PH of urine isn't very friendly to my baby boys sensitive skin.

So pampers is what we use...

I just found out about gdiapers.

They are a cloth-disposable hybrid, the insert is flushable and biodegradable, compostable liner inside a cotton washable diaper pant and my curiosity is peaked.

I'd rather not continue to litter landfills with my sons diapers that may see 5 centuries beyond me.I hope to use them , that they are kind to Aedens posterior and I'm hoping to find a local(ish) retailer, as for me, it's just not worth buying them online.... I'd rather run out and get some when the fancy strikes me.

Hopefully I can find them and they will be economical. But if they don't work out for us, hopefully some other mom or dad out there will see this on my blog, and try them, and help reduce waste in our landfills.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if other big brand diaper companies were this environmentally conscience?

Aedan Gets a Big Boy bed.

2008-01-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

Over the Holidays we finally set up Aedan's "Big Boy Bed" He figured out how to climb out of his crib, so although early for a bed- it was most definetly time. He loves being able to get in and out of it himself, And pulls toys and books up onto it and lounges on back.

The most interesting part about this simple bed is Aedan's daddy slept in it when he was little, so did Aedan's Grandma Painter when she was a little girl. this bed was made by Aedan's Great Granpa Robert Jones. What a wonderful heirloom!

First Tooth

2007-12-31T11:53:00.000-08:00

Well 2 days ago I was feeding some food to Aedan off my finger and to my suprise felt a razor sharp edge, I couldn't figure if it was in his food, but then realized Aedan had cut his first tooth.... a top tooth !

Upon inspection, we could tell a second one had broken on the bottom as well.... could feel it's sharpness, but it wasn't visable yet , though it is today.

Today I can also feel the second bottom one and the top gum for that last 4th front tooth is so swollen it's about to come through too.

Saying goodbye to gummy smiles is a little hard but I am welcoming those big toothy grins!

Baby it's Cold Outside...

2007-12-26T18:53:00.000-08:00

Aedan really wanted out for a walk today, it was so cold, we only had a short time out. He so loves going outside though so he spent lots of time looking out a window... poor baby - it's too cold outside for mamma!

Future Teenager

2007-12-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

So I think my Camera can see the future, Cause I'm sure this is the face of my future teenager!

Merry Christmas!!!

2007-12-24T14:06:00.000-08:00

This Mamma's got a Rebel!

2007-12-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

Well Drew really spoiled me this year and got me a Cannon Rebel. I'm on a learning curve with it, but already I'm impressed with the sharp pics I'm getting on it's automatic settings, I'm trying to remember all my old stuff for working the manual settings and learning how to use all the new digital filters... I've got a new toy!!

Big Smile!

2007-12-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

Peek-a-boo

2007-12-24T13:53:00.000-08:00

This pic makes me giggle.

2007-12-02T07:53:00.000-08:00

Aedan's First Snow Fall

2007-12-02T06:55:00.000-08:00

Video of Aedan climbing the stairs

2007-12-01T07:38:00.001-08:00

He's such a big boy!!! - now to teach him how to climb back down.

Merry Elfmas

2007-11-20T11:19:00.000-08:00

Click here and enjoy

Aedans walking continued

2007-11-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

For this past week Aedan has been taking unassisted steps, somewhere between 5 and 7 steps before falling down. He attempts it nervously and then falls into my arms.

Yesterday at the early years center he crawled right up to their favourite walker and wouldn't let it go as he zoomed back and forth for an hour, with me of course changing it's direction for him each time he hit a wall.

Then tonight, Aedans confidence in walking pepped up, he is now taking over 20 steps before deciding he's through or falls down.

It's amazing to watch him, he so proud of himself... I'M so proud of him... but at the same time there is this deep bittersweet ache watching my baby transform from infant to toddler... He might be ready to walk, but I guess part of me that loved cuddling my tiny swaddled bundle that stares deep into my eyes just isn't ready to let go.

Goodnight lights

2007-11-05T15:35:00.000-08:00

Aedan and I have a bedtime ritual. After getting bathed, diapered and dressed into snuggly Pyjamma's we wander through the house saying goodnight to all the lights as we turn them out one by one.

At first, a few months ago, it was just me waving at them.

Then I slowly held up Aedans arm and waved it while I waved with my other hand

Now he is quite good at waving goodnight on his own as he looks at the light and waits for it to click off.

Well Daylight savings has come and gone, and Aedan is none the wiser of the new time. Aedan is often ready for bed by 7:00 - 7:30, that would now be 6:00 - 6:30

We hadn't done bath or reading or any other bedtime things yet, we are trying to hold off Aedan and change his clock.

But before a single eye rub, at 6:15 Aedan started waving at the lights in the house. It's so cute to see my little boy using our little ritual to tell us he's tired.

So without anymore delay, we skipped bath time, quickly put on a fresh diaper, and he is left in his T-shirt from the day, nursed down and sleeping peacefully.

Goodnight light, Aedan is going to sleep tight tonight!

Dear Aedan

2007-11-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

Today is a big day for you.

Today at 12:52 marks you living your life in the real big world longer than you lived inside mommy's tummy.

You Celebrated this moment by taking your very first unassisted steps at that very minute.

We are SO PROUD of you!

Love Mommy and Daddy!

Aedan

2007-11-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

My beautiful son!

2007-11-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

How you know your baby is teething

2007-11-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

Aedan and Daddy

2007-11-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

Baby Legs

2007-11-01T18:10:00.000-07:00

I Was interested in Getting Aedan some "Baby Legs" a type of Leg warmer for babys, good for crawling, diaper changes, quick and easy... But Expensive @ 12-16 a pair + shipping... OUCH! Do you know how many diapers that could buy??

Then I found This site showing me how to make them myself.

The first pair I took over an hour staring in confusion at the directions and pictures... But when I figured it out, I could pop them out in less than 10 minutes a pair. Aedan now has a rather LARGE wardrobe of baby legs that we hope will keep him warm.

After I filled a small drawer with my modified socks, I decided to teach our play group a couple weeks back. Fun was had by all, we have many baby's sporting their own warmers in our group now.

And Now my friend Jen is interested in making some for William...

Have fun making your baby legs Jen and William!

Aedan with a pair of his baby legs looking all rocker like ...and really cute!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-30T19:59:00.000-07:00

~RAWR~!

Baby in a Pumpkin patch

2007-10-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

Talking

2007-10-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Aedan has "talked" for quite a while. saying mama, bu-bu (bye) urse for nursing ect.

But he usually repeats the syllable over and over like a babble. Bu-bu-bu-bu- upupupupupup, dadadadada

He means what he is saying, he knows that sound has meaning. But he hadn't mastered it into a single syllable word.

I've been noticing this week he is not repeating it as often and bringing it down to less syllables.

So today when I was sitting on my bed typing a letter to our playgroup about our meeting, I only had a few lines left to type. Aedan was mildly fussing for me to pick him up next to the bed.

I kept my head down typing as fast as I could... I Had to complete the letter , it had already been interrupted 4 times!

He then let out a loud grunt - it got my attention, I looked at him and said "Aedan what would you like?"

He raised his arm high, scowled at me for not paying him attention earlier and forcefully, in a low and commanding voice, with one syllable said

"UP"

I nearly burst laughing at this - My little boy was being so serious and finally caught onto saying it like a word and said it with such energy I HAD to laugh.

He didn't think it was very funny and as he sat on my lap he grunted again and kept his scowl at me.

I tried not to smile to show my empathy at the seriousness of his situation.... whatever it was I still did not know. Apparently picking him up wasn't all he wanted.

I just said Oh I'm sorry for laughing, is there something I can do for you?

With the same force and seriousness he then in a low powerful voice said

"URSE!"

Yup... he was hungry and stayed latched on for a long time too.

I guess we will be moving into the realm of real words... I'm so excited and love this communication with him.

Does he sleep through the night?

2007-10-13T19:33:00.001-07:00

The easy answer would be yes. No one would believe me, and it would be a lie, but sometimes this is all I want to answer as people don't believe the other part I have to say to the truth.

The truth is no, he does not sleep through the night, and I love that.I've grown used to sleeping in smaller chunks and just going to bed a little earlier to get all my hours needed

I love my baby waking in search of me, wanting my touch to help him ease back down to sleep. I love being wanted and needed the way he needs me. While the responsibility of night time parenting is often looked on as a burden, I really do look onto it as an extension of the love and attention I can give him in the day. It's an extra chance to bond. In the still quiet of the night, I can study his face, his skin his long eye lashes, hug him, watch his chest rise and fall, rock him and kiss him, and it's only in the night he won't squirm away to play.

I know night waking is only a small season of parenting my baby, and I'm patient with it, knowing it soon will pass, and I will miss my midnight cuddles and quiet time with my baby boy.

My Baby Latley

2007-08-18T14:03:00.001-07:00

Aedan plays hide and seek

2007-08-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

I let Aedan play on our living room carpet while I get stuff done while I'm in the livingroom, folding laundry, sort papers play on the lap top ect.

I walked out of the room 2 MAYBE 3 min to get a snack and when I came back in Aedan wasn't there.

"OH MY GOD... Wheres My baby!!!"

We live on a busy street and I occasionally worry that someone might walk in the house... take the baby... you know that irrational paranoid worry that's ingrained in every mom.The mom paranoia makes me always keep the doors locked.

So, naturally the first thing I did was run to the front door to check that it was still locked.

Thankfully it was, but I've still lost my baby.

I was near loosing it while I went back to the room and I heard "mama" back toward the living room... or maybe was it the dining room.

I get in there I can't see him or hear him... Am I loosing it??

Then I hear it again, "mama" ,very muffled.

He was UNDER the couch under the skirt of the couch.

***RELIEF***

I've never felt so worried over something so ridiculous... and probably should have been obvious.

Moral of the story?? The irrational panic has to be shelved and my life of being a mother of a mostly immobile baby will eventually come to an end, baby proofing must begin.

- I think I'll start by taking the legs off the couch.

Solids ... yuck!

2007-08-10T12:04:00.001-07:00

They arn't going so well... Aedan isn't really a fan of them.

We are taking a break from trying anything right now and I'm coming back trying a new theory of baby's first foods called "baby led weaning" that doesn't use any puree's ect. Here is a website with a quick overview

And here is how solid feeding is going so far... with almost any food we've tried.

6 months old!

2007-08-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Time has just flown! I can't believe my little boy is already 6 months old. He has so much personality now, seems to have his own sence of humor and can predict whats going on next by observing us - one of his favorite hobby's is people watching.

He squeels with glee, has full blown belly laughs, an infectious smile. Hes grown so tall and so strong at over 22 lbs now. His eyes are still vivid blue,has a facination with other babies and children, all my mirrors are coverd in wonderful baby finger prints.

He gives hugs and kisses and misses us when we are gone. When holding him in a cradle hold he is too long to stay cuddles securely in your arms and instead has a limb or two outstretching from your body.

Over this past month he has learned to clap. He does it to ask for singing, or just when he is so overcome with happiness. Its so cute to see him smile so big his cheeks squish his eyes into little half moons as he so great fully celebrates with his little chubby hands and fingers coming together.

He is a pro at sitting on his own and is beginning to push himself back up if he falls sideways. He is not showing many signs of wanting to be mobile, but he is learning to be a bit bossy as he sits there with an outstretched arm and hand as he forcefully yells "AHHHHH AHH AHH AHH" at an object till someone else gets it for him.

He is learning to pull up, he has always loved standing. And if it were his choice, he'd spend hours jumping in his jumper.

Our little boy is growing so fast. It's unbelievable.

We're a package deal!

2007-07-17T05:07:00.001-07:00

It's amazing how a little baby can bring a couple even closer. When we got married some changes in our relationship came. I always talked about it like falling in love again.

But having a Baby - wow, has that totally changed our life! Especially our commitment as a family.

Even after we got married we did sort of split responsibilities, money, chores and expected the other to do certain things. ( when it was the others turn to do dishes, we would let them pile sky high cause "it wasn't my turn ...")

But having Aedan has made us pull together stronger. Everything we do is for the our family. He is so dependent on us - so there is no time for "games" of who's turn it is to do a certain chore.

There is that biological need right now too that bonds us together. Breastfeeding has been an amazing experience. Nature has programed moms to stay by baby's side.I'd like to think that the protective and helpful side of Drew is completely choice, but I'm sure instinct plays a bit of part for him as well. I know a couple single mom's and I'm awe struck what they do by themselves. I don't know I'd be strong enough to go it alone.

I had minimal understanding before why parents would want to stay in with their baby or drag their baby with them everywhere they go.I sure know now, it's not a burden at all. Between that instinctive closeness and biological needs parents feel,the best part of all is just the genuine love and excitement to watch your baby in everyday activities. Every experience for the parents is a new learning experience for your child. The world does revolve around your amazing creation.

Also all the time we spend together is pretty precious to us. Aedan is growing so fast and there is so much to show him. There was a time when we'd be ecstatic to see him smile even just once in a day - even if it wasn't really a smile and only gas. Now we live for that one time in the day he gets up on his knees on his own, or breaks out in a giggle fit without prompting him. Watching him figure out how to clap his hands, and watch other people and babies with intrigue.

I'm lucky to stay home everyday to watch this. Drew has to go off to work and only has a few hours everyday with Aedan. It's tough on Drew, but he squeezes in all the time he can with him. Something surprising ( though it shouldn't have been) is Drew has decided to put going to his guys night on hold for a while. Between wonky work schedules, and not seeing his baby for a whole day - it just wasn't worth it to him.
He misses the guys - But really enjoys his time with his son more than he misses them.

I too have passed up a couple events that wouldn't be appropriate to bring Aedan. I love my friends, but I love my baby more.

Drew and I have been out on only a small handful of short baby-less dates, and while we had fun - We talked about how we missed him through much of those dates.

So for the time being - I guess were a package deal. We need and want to be together.If your expecting only one of us to show at an event - your probably mistaken for now. It'll likely be all three or none at all.

Sorry If we've turned down an invite here or there, we love our friends and extended family, but were still getting to know our little family, and nothing could be more important than that right now.

Emotional Challenges

2007-07-10T06:35:00.000-07:00

I think the biggest challenge as mom for me , so far ,is to see my baby in pain and not be able to do anything more to comfort him except hug him.

He's been sick a few times, and had to deal with his shots, and all of this has really sucked.

And now he is having teething pain. I can use the homeopathic drops, the numbing gel, the pain reliver medications.

But still he whimpers in my arms. As I rock him in my rocking chair.

He so desperately wants to sleep,He pushes his head against me and closes his eyes as tight as he can, But the pain is so bad he grinds his jaw, grips me so tight he has left little bruises on me. With each rock backwards lets out a whimper . His body sweats as he works through the pain,my shoulder gets soaked in his drool, its too painful to swallow. Sometimes I feel every muscle in his body tense up.After maybe 20 - 30min ( when we are lucky)he'll finally fall asleep, Only to wake again 20 min later because of the pain. and we start the process all over again.

It seems so unfair. My job as a mom is to love him, protect him and keep him from harm. All I can do is hold him, rock him, and tell him I love him.It breaks my heart that this isn't enough.

Before teething began, I was sort of sad at the prospect of loosing those gummy smiles.It would mean my little boy is growing again. That soon he won't be my little baby and be my little child

But now I can't wait for those teeth to come through so he can get some relief.

More 5 month pictures

2007-07-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

I found www.scrapblog.com to use with Picasa... so I have some new addictions.

2007-07-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Aedan is 5 Months old!!

2007-07-02T12:57:00.000-07:00

WOW does time fly!

Aedans First trip to Niagara Falls

2007-06-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

I'm begining to Love Drews Days off, Advetures are so much more fun with him!

We picked up the backpack child carrier at a consignment store for a really good deal and decided it would be worth a try to check it out on a hike to the falls.

Aedan stayed awake until we started our whole walk down the length of the falls.. He didn't like the mist of the cold water falling on his face so much, he kept shaking his head and brushing his nose, I have to admit on a hot day like today it felt like icy pins and needles, welcome to cool you down, but kind of not at the same time.As we got close to the edge with the rush and the roar he stared wide eyed in amazement, nothing could take his gaze off! It's amazing as a parent to watch your child veiw the world with fresh eye's. You just have to wonder what he was thinking.

We walked through some of the gardens in the parks and nursed under a huge shade tree then called it a day to get back to the infant massage class at 6:00

On our walk back Aedan finally passed out against his daddy's Back for a good long nap.

an "Ah-Ha! " moment

2007-06-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Our house has three steps and a porch for both our front and back doors.

It hasn't been a problem when he fit into the infant carrier and I just clipped it out to bring in the house. But he is getting a little big for that now... he is so heavy to lug around, I've been walking with just the stroller now.

When Taking Aedan for a walk and I get home and if he's sleeping it's been tricky to pick him up out of the stroller and lay him down without waking him.... I've actually gone walking longer just to let him get a good nap in before I have to wake him when we get home.

Well I FINALLY figured out how to get the stroller up the steps with a sleeping babe in it.

I go backwards rolling the back wheels up slowly slowly, just like you would a dolly holding a pile of boxes, then into the house we can go and I can let him finish his nap in the stroller.

WHY oh WHY didn't I figure this out earlier

Crunchy Mama!

2007-06-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

5 months ago I had no idea the mom I was going to be. I did a tonne of reading and had all sorts of perspectives and professionals differing opinions ready as tools to help me help my baby when he came. I knew most of it would fall into place as it comes, but I was so nervous about my new role that was about to come.

Now I'm pretty confident about the kind of mom I am. Its amazing to think of me on my due date nervous of my new role to come with our new arrival.

I've already been called by several people "over protective" a "Germophobe" and told I'm "Spoiling" my baby. I've been told I should be feeding my baby solids earlier, that our sleeping habits are wrong, and that I'll get him to used to being carried if I keep picking him up when he cries. I've been told "Oh thats how all first mothers are" and so on.

At first some of these statements used to make me second guess how I was managing my baby, I'd re-evaluate what I'm doing compared to others opions. But all it needed to come back to is what works for Aedan and me and his dad and I would see it's working out almost perfect, that what we were doing felt right in all of our instincts as parents.

I'm actually becoming prouder of these slightly judgmental statements as it's telling me I'm doing my job.

I'm proud to say I'm a Breastfeeding, baby wearing, co-sleeping attachment parenting Mama. ( I would be cloth diapering too if it didn't cause my baby so many rashes).

I didn't expect to become such a crunchy mama. But here I am. It works and it just feels so right.

Aedans Vaxinations

2007-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Aedan has had quite a few adventures with me since I've last posted here. I seem to be barley home to touch the computer... I'll try to get some updates in while he naps today. I'm hoping t have a couple more quiet days to get caught up with general housework, email and phone calls... oh and blogging too!

Aedan had his 4 month shots about 2 weeks ago. His 2 month shots gave him some nasty reactions, so I didn't expect these ones to go too well either. While they weren't as bad as I thought they might be, they were a little tough for my guy.

I have a split mind about vaxinations, I used to work in health food stores so I know all the nasty stuff about them. I know some of the long term side effects that can happen, and how hard it is on the short term in a tiny baby. With most other people being vaxinated, I know that the chance of my baby's exposure is minimal on a normal daily basis.

On the other hand, the job I'm going back to, I will be dealing with immigrants. There is also a Daycare available for our clients... Andrew now works in a call center dealing with the same nasty keyboards and breathing the same air in close quarters with several hundred other people. So if a nasty exotic germ may abound,we work in the right places to bring it home.

I hate having those split feeling about these parts of parenting. No choice feels like the right choice.

He got his shots, I waited in another room to nurse him while Andrew stayed with him.Much like his 2 month shots, the first one was no issue, but there was much crying with the second one... So sad.

I held my screaming baby tightly so he could calm down to nurse. He didn't nurse as hard as he did the first time, but he had a good full belly.

After that all seemed well.

But it took until the evening for a fever to break. I kept him on Tylenol for 3 days, he still got a rash, fevered and cried a lot.Unlike last time, he rebounded to his normal self pretty quickly.

We have a check up at 5 months... thank goodness no needles for that one.

Oh and at his last check up Aedan was 17.5 lbs and 27 inches long!! Not too much longer in his infant seat, I guess we better start looking for a new one!

Baby Naps

2007-06-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

On Grey days when it's not stormy, Aedan has my favourite kind of naps...

It's one of those days today.

He Fights to stay asleep and needs me constantly to fall back asleep. He will half wake - but with his eyes still closed, fighting to STAY asleep -with this little wine that he can't fall back asleep himself, That he needs me. Thats about every 25- 45 min, but these "Naps" go on the better part of the day for 5-7 hours.

The best part about them is I can get right up close to him,he sences me there then he stops whining instantly. I just hold his tiny little hand, get as close as I can and say in the quietest voice - almost a whisper. Things like "I love you" and "Your such a good boy", as well as all the things that pour out of my heart about how speacial he is.

He will half open his drowsy eyes at the sound of my voice to look me in the eyes and give the best little smile as if to say - "I love you" "Thanks for being here - I'm SO Comfortable in my nap, I'm having the best dreams" and "Why don't you join me?"

Slowly with a smile on his face off to sleep he drifts till he calls me again.

It's these tender moments I love.

Spartian Baby

2007-05-31T05:12:00.001-07:00

Drew Likes the Movie 300
He also loves our baby
AND, he knows how to use photoshop

This IS Aedan!

Aedan can sit!!!

2007-05-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

He keeps growing too fast... I'm so proud of him

So now here is my boastful picture!

Baby Talk

2007-05-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Aedan in his green frog sleeper with most of the other babies in our baby talk group.

Aedan and I have been able to get out of the house almost everyday. But one of my favorite things has been going to our "baby talk" group held in the community room at the Superstore.It's great to be around other moms and get lots of information.

One of the best things about being in the room is you can see all sides of a babies personality in any given minute ( For example check out the little guy at 7:00)

I hope to convince some of these ladies to create a "Play group" once our last session is done on May 30th.

Baby Bits

2007-05-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend!

2007-05-05T17:29:00.000-07:00

We couldn't help but get out, At first we thought we were going to go to Niagara falls, But the idea of the traffic and crowds on the weekend weren't that appealing, so we went to port Dalhousie instead.

Parking was ridiculous there because of some motorcycle show, but we found a place and walked down to the waterfront and ate a packed lunch as Aedan felt the wind blow across him. He LOVES being outside.

Yes he took notice of the geese and ducks, his daddy carried him and his hat kept slipping over his face, but he was a trooper.

What a wonderful family day, I wish everyday was like this.

Aedan swimming with his daddy

2007-05-01T04:27:00.000-07:00

Aedans First Swim!

2007-04-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Today I packed up everything we needed to go swimming at the Y during family time and we had a lot of Fun.

We went early before open swim and I got us both dressed so Aedan could watch the other kids swimming during their lessons and get used to the big open pool environment and get used to the smell in the air.He was just electric with excitement watching everything around him. He was letting out coos and little squeals.

He charmed the lifeguards ... of course, and they came right over to meet him.

When I let them know it was my first swim with him, they got right in with me and taught me how to keep him warm and how to float him on his back get him to kick when floating on his tummy ( He kept his head up so well!) and how to "Dunk" him under because they naturally hold their breath at this age ( I didn't know that!) He had so much fun and LOVED being dunked.

I would bob him up and down while counting to 3. At "3" He would spread his arms Legs and fingers and toes as wide as he could Open his eyes wide, pucker his lips tight and as soon as he was under he would blow bubbles with his nose.

He came up smiling and Giggling each time ready to go down again!

We only stayed in 10 - 15 min... He WOULD have stayed in longer, but I didn't want to over do it for him.

The hard part was showering and dressing 2 wet bodies after - THAT takes talent

We had a tonne of fun and hope to go again on Friday with his Daddy

Aedan LOVES to cuddle

2007-04-20T05:14:00.000-07:00

Did I ever mention Aedan LOVES to cuddle?? He has a very hard time sleeping unless he's got a good stuffed animal to cuddle up to :)

Thumb Sucking accidents

2007-04-16T19:22:00.000-07:00

Aedan took a Pacifier from 2 weeks old to 8 weeks old, then stopped completley.

Aedan refuses to take a pacifier now that he knows he can EVENTUALLY get his thumb i his mouth... BUT he only has about %20 accuracy for each attempt.

That poor kid, he has the gross motor skills with his arms to get them about where he wants, but the fine motor skills need some tuning up.

Even though I have trimmed his nails, he keeps nabbing himself in the face, He has long scratches and the occasional short jab .. he actually cut the outside of his nostril... there was blood and LOTS of screaming, but still he persists

Today I decided during play time we would focus on fine motor skills so I helped him learn to grab toys off his bumbo tray using his hands ... not his arms to scoop them up, he seems to be getting it but needs lots of practice. But he still prefers to scoop his toys upto his face and try to suck on them

Who knew learning to suck your thumb could be so difficult??

Aedan is Sick

2007-04-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Poor Aedan, he has tonsillitis. We went to the Dr on Friday the 13th to get his shots, and I told the Dr. that Aedan had been acting far more cranky than usual and although he IS learning to use his arms better, he seemed to be repeatedly punching hard into the air with his left fist. That although he was on Tylenol in preparation for the shots he was hot and sweaty.

Well the Dr looked in his mouth and said there was an abscess on his left tonsil ( why he was punching on that side) and that he has tonsillitis.

What that means - Antibiotics for Aedan and wait a week before we can give him shots.

He has a rough couple weeks now, feeling icky from being sick and slide right into feeling icky from his shots.

It sure is a rough life being a baby...

Car seat instalation

2007-04-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

Featuring

"Turn the camera off" comments
instruction book flipping
Confusion and frustration
Overstuffed glove compartment slamming
Bad hair day Anger

Aedans Birth

2007-04-07T07:34:00.001-07:00

No messy business...
Peer into the delivery room moments after Aedan was born.

Starts with his first cries being weighed and first hugs with mom.

Thanks to Courtney Bishop for having the mind to grab the Video Camera and start to record this most amazing event.

Video Editing

2007-04-07T07:17:00.000-07:00

Now that I've learned how to edit videos myself, you'll be able to check back more often to see videos of Aedan. I'm working on uploading certain videos now. I may post the links before You tube is done processing the video so it may say they are not available... that can take up to 8 hours to finish processing. YEAH more to share!

Little Green Frog

2007-04-05T19:20:00.001-07:00

A Bump in the Road

2007-04-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

I've been doing pretty good these past 9 weeks. I've been proud of myself and amazed at how well my body is rebounding after 9 months of carrying a baby. Every few days I jump on the scale and am even more impressed with how the weight is shedding off. I've been eating healthy, walking everyday, and in my opinion doing everything right.

However, as a new mom we are always told to "Take it easy" which honestly I haven't. In fact over this past week I've felt like super mom getting things done, keeping a happy baby, and still getting some time in for me. But My energy was silently teetering, and a visit to my grandmothers made it crumble.

I love my grandmother. I remember as a little girl calling her almost daily and talking with her. I'd say I probably have talked with her at least weekly with the exception of the past 2 - 3 months. I've always been able to rely on her. She is a Tell-it-like-it-is sort of woman. When I watch "Everybody loves Raymond" Marie reminds me of my grandmother. She can insult you with love. I go there ready to ignore and protect myself from the occasional off hand remark.

As a side note - 2 things that should never be talked about around a new mom is her post partum body, and how she should raise her child.

She went on for about 45 minutes telling me how I looked frumpy and she was worried about me. That the last time she saw me ( I was only 1 week post partum) I seemed to have awful sticky stuff all through my hair and I ought not go in public looking like that.

-No doubt it was my hair slightly more greasy from all the hormonal changes and hot flash sweats I had been getting. If that weren't enough she threw in a few how I should be raising my son comment to boot.

the sad part is, although I only have about 3 outfits that fit me comfortably right now, Its not worth buying anything new when the weight is falling off me, I picked out the one I felt best in, the one I felt good in, she picked it to pieces.

It's ridiculous, but her words from yesterday keep coming through my head and it's chipping at my confidence each time it does and it's hard to control and quiet the thoughts.

I only remember 1 other time I felt self conscious about my body image and that was when I was 12, I was teased about my hair as it was growing out from a horrible short hair perm my grandmother had done to my hair. It took years to grow out as my hair was fried.I never wanted the perm, but you don't say no to grandma.

I came home in tears about the teasing and my mom took me out and got me some barettes and head bands to hold back my unruly bangs, and I made sure to comb it out frequently.

Since I was 12 I have been proud of my body. I have NEVER let anyone take me down about how I look. I have been proud of how strong it is, I've been told so often that people love my smile. I've been proud that I have been on a long portage through Algonquin, that I can lift things that most women can't -I have more endurance than most ,that I can walk everywhere ,that I carried a baby, I loved my pregnant body.That I pushed my baby out and that I am able to nurse him.

So now you have this woman who has been confident about her body for nearly 15 years have done some amazing things with it and now suddenly can cry every time those words go through her head - just like that 12 year old girl 15 years ago who got teased and bullied about her hair.

Sticks and stones may break my bones
But it's words that hurt the worst.

Sleep Training Through a Baby's Perspective...

2007-03-22T16:40:00.000-07:00

OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 7 months. The first few months were great-- I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened.

Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night). At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months.

Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle.

It goes like this:

Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed.

I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying.

Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good.

Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed.

Night 3--every hour.

Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights.

Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!!

If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change.

If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it.

Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT!

I cried for any reason I could come up with. My sleep sack tickled my foot. I felt a wrinkle under the sheet. My mobile made a shadow on the wall. I burped, and it tasted like pears. I hadn't eaten pears since lunch, what's up with that? The cat said "meow". I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL. Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room.

Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!!

It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am.

You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks.

P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, no milk will come out. Trust me.

- Author unknown

2007-03-20T10:11:00.001-07:00

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

I'm so cool!

2007-03-20T06:24:00.000-07:00

Aedan has some new sporty Sunglasses to protect his eyes from the sun.... and to make him look like one happenin' little man!

Spoke too soon

2007-03-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

I have had a couple rough nights of having the flu. Aedan still hasn't shown any signs of being sick, but it still may yet come ( I'm not bragging too loudly now that I've found my face over the toilet seat since last brag).

I'm tired, and of course Aedan is now 6 weeks old, when baby's typically have some extra growing going on, so Aedan is super hungry and feeding every hour and a half - two hours, no sleep while being sick is kinda stressful.

Hopefully a couple days of staying in bed will make me better. But staying in bed is hard when there isn't a peice of clean laundry and every dish is dirty. hmmmm....

Lets just hope Aedan stays healthy.

Yeah For Breastfeeding!!!

2007-03-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Drew is Sick ... Really sick. I'm guessing with some kind of flu and now he has a sius infection throat infection and chest infection to boot. So bad he woke up coughing and in pain that couldn't be tamed at 4AM. I'm thankful to our drug plan as Drew has a couple hundred dollars of drugs to make him better.

Back when I was about 25 weeks pregnant I took a "Homeopathic Flu Shot" (Made by Dolisos - About $11) while pregnant It was a homeopathic remedy that you disolve under the tounge that was made from the flu shot... this is the Second flu I have escaped that Drew has had. His first one he had back in December while on a car trip to Windsor. I'm crediting my wellness to this remedy since it's usually me who is sick and Drew who is healthy.

Thankfully, Aedan is reciving antibodies from me through my milk! So as sick as Drew is, The Dr says it is unlikley that Aedan will get it.

Get better soon Drew!

Keep on chugging that milk Aedan!

Fish lips and Squishy Cheeks!

2007-03-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Purple Baby

2007-03-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Aedan had his Dr's apt yesterday and he is now 11lbs and 1 oz , 24 inches long, and his head is 38 cm around. The Dr commented that he is really strong and doing very well.

However my poor baby has been trying to battle a thrush infection since he was about 11 days old... First we got a prescription of nystatin... it is this yellow liquidy stuff that we have to put in his mouth 4X a day. It didn't work after the first batch so we went on to a second batch.

Near the end of the second batch I was noticing it was only keeping it at bay and not killing it all off. Sucpisious I looked at the label and saw a Feb 07 expiry date.

We went to the Dr to talk about his still exsisting thrush and mentioned the expiration date. Our Dr. wrote out a 3rd script and asked us to double check the exiration date. This stuff seemed to be working well as well . but then it halted and wasn't so great.

Well he is 5 weeks old today and still has it. Dr recomended we move onto bigger and badder stuff to try to kill it off. Either this is one tough strain or it became resistant because of the pharmacy and it's expiration daPublishtes... now we will be moving onto Gentian Violet .

Except this stuff is near impossible to find in a non alcohol blend... I'm still on the hunt I'm told to expect everything his saliva touches to look purple. So I have to look forward to purple clothes and purple nipples. Who knows how long it takes to wear off skin, but it permanantly stains fabric.

I'll try to get his 5 week picture posted BEFORE we dose him with the gentian violet.

I'm sorta mad at the pharmacy for not watching their dates... maybe all this could have been avoided if the first batch was good .

I'm not ready

2007-03-06T04:29:00.000-08:00

But I never will be anyway.

We have introduced a bottle so he can be fed by bottle or breast. He only gets MAYBE 1 bottle a day, but goes back and forth between them very well. We did this so Drew can have a chance to feed him and have some of that bonding time with him, but also to give us the freedom should we need it to go out and let someone else care for him

I wasn't really that nervous about labour, but I'm nervous about this.

We are going to leave Aedan, for the first time, with his Nana ( my mom) for about 2 hours tomorrow night while Drew and I go see a movie. I'm sure all I will think about is him.

I'm hoping my anticipation is worse than it will actually be to leave him. Instinct just wants to keep him by my side and in my arms.

I'll never be ready, but we need to be able to trust our son with other people, and he needs to be given the chance to trust other people.

He's ready, Im not.

I'm sure the longer I leave it the harder it will be on all of us.

Aedan and his Daddy

2007-03-05T09:19:00.000-08:00

Aedan is lucky to have such a good Dad. Over this past year I have gotten to know Drew in a whole new way. I Always knew Drew was dedicated and loyal and above all else loving and passionate. But when I told him he was going to be a father I saw a fire light inside him that has just brought it all to the surface.

Many parts of my pregnancy were hard. The worst to me was first trimester when I was so nauseous. I couldn't handle the smell of anything. He cooked, he cleaned he dealt with me patiently as I laid out on the couch trying to ride out the queezies. Although it was really hard on me, he kept reminding me this was a sign of a healthy baby. He took my nausea with a smile. My nausea made him happy.

As I got bigger and bigger I was less able to do things for myself. slowly Drew started taking the lead to take such great care of me. He ended up having to do all the bending over for me to get things off the ground, or to pull me out of a seat. I don't think I would be able to say I enjoyed my pregnancy if I didn't have him helping me through it.

The best was watching the reality of a baby boy was coming into our life. When we were told at our 19 week ultrasound that we were having a boy, it was so sweet to see tears of joy come to his eyes and hear him prattle on about all the things he will get to do with his son that he felt fortunate enough to do with his own father.

It was after that I watched Drew become very protective of "Us" - more his baby, but the baby was locked tight inside my belly. More phone calls were coming home when he was at work to remind me to eat or drink or take my vitamins or get some sleep. He also started looking at me more lovingly than he ever did.

He was also such an amazing labour support. he was telling me in the weeks before he was really nervous to have to see me in pain through the labour. When things got intense, and there were many voices telling me what to do, encouraging me to push, it was his voice that centred me and gave me the strength to push out our son.

Now he is a Father, a real live daddy! Again, he has shown just how amazing he is. In the hospital he rarely left our side sleeping on a cot for 4 nights and surviving on Tim Horton's donuts. not a bit of vitamin C. He changed just about every diaper while we were there and cuddled him and helped the two of us learn to breastfeed.

He was there to support me emotionally. When I missed the feelings of my baby in my belly and when the two of us weren't having much success in a proper latch, helped me work through the guilt of being a "bad mommy" as I had to pump my colostrum into a bottle and feed him rather than giving my baby my breast.

Now that we are home, he squeezes as much love into that baby as he can. I still see Drew dreaming of all the things he is gonna do with his son, but treasuring these moments that he is just so small hoping that he could freeze time in these precious moments.

He makes sure I get time to myself on the days he has to work so I have the energy to keep loving my baby, and tells me everyday how proud he is of me.

Not only is Aedan lucky to have such a good daddy, I'm lucky to have such a great husband.

Diaper Explosion

2007-03-05T05:48:00.001-08:00

I was feeding Aedan in a modified football hold where he is sitting more upright on my lap.

Well he seems to pass his gas and stools while he feeds, I guess he gets relaxed enough to let them loose.

As he was nursing he made a sudden pause, screwed up his face while staying latched then let loose a very wet sounding bunch of gas, he took 3 more sucks, then his eyes bulged as this low note trombone sound started to sound off as poop came flying out of his onesie from both legs and up out the back of the neck all over his head, all over my shirt and pants, nursing bra and even my hair!

it dripped all over the couch... the floor... we were covered.

Who knew a 10 day old baby could have that much poop in them???

I threw down Aedans burp cloth and laid my poor screaming baby on it as I quickly stripped down naked in my living room We live on a main street and once I realized the curtains were open I closed them as fast as possible.

Thank goodness I have a makeshift change table in the living room, and didn't have to run my poopy dripping baby to the upper floor.

I stripped my poor baby down and gave him a wet wipe bath. He was crying so hard , poor sad poppy baby

As soon as I got his new diaper on him I swaddled my naked crying baby and hushed him to sleep in about 2 min flat. All that crying and explosive pooping tuckered him out.

Then I started taking off the slip cover on the couch and bundling all the poopy clothes for the laundry, You can just imagine me running around in my panties and poopy nursing bra, nursing panel down on one side, poop in my hair and my strechmarked flabby post partum belly hanging over the underwear... not the most attractive sight.

I’m so happy no one was home to see it – but I can share it here!

I guess this is my first very memorable "Mommy Moment"