About making plans as a parent

I had a long list of things that I wanted to accomplish today – the day before Foster’s birthday! How did that happen so quickly? After dropping both kids off at daycare I had a list that included prepping some items for Foster’s party, putting together a blog post for tomorrow, and maybe even getting a bunch of the trim and doors painted in the basement.

But, Harrison had other plans for me. He woke up in the middle of the night with the flu and so he and I are home today. Luckily it seems to have just been a short-lived bug, since he seems more like himself albeit a bit less hungry. He has been a real trooper and since the worst of his illness seems to have passed I was actually able to get a lot done today.

Harry was in need of a haircut and he actually suggested doing that today. So we kicked off our day with a haircut.

Then a quick trip to the grocery store on the way home.

At home he just wanted to chill for a little while so he played with his trains, his Lego, and his peel and re-stick sticker book – all things he doesn’t get to play with uninterrupted when Foster is around. Then since he was feeling up for a change, together we baked a birthday cake for Foster’s birthday tomorrow. And also made a few egg nests for Foster’s celebration on Saturday. Harry was happy to help with putting the eggs in the nest. And licking the spoon of course.

After lunch we hit up the Bulk Barn for a few items for Foster’s party. And if that wasn’t enough, we also stopped by the toy store so Harrison could pick out a gift to give to his brother. He had a great idea last week that Foster might like a construction helmet, so we went in search of one, and to my surprise we actually found one at the first store.

So, although what we accomplished today might not jive exactly with what I had planned we still had a full day, I got to hang out with Harry, and I crossed off a lot of items on my larger weekly to-do list.

If you want to keep up with all of Foster’s birthday party prep (or the rest of my life) follow me on Instagram “heatheroleary”.

 

 

 

Friday Finds

Well I’d say this week was a bit of a write-off in terms of what I got accomplished around the house. Husbandman was away on business for two nights. Both of the boys were fighting colds and something else that came with a fever, and we had another heaping of snow. I’m very happy to see Friday arrive and hopefully a healthy weekend.

I’m really hoping that the 7-day forecast includes some warm weather. Canadian comedic genius Rick Mercer knows that the weather network can play on our distaste for winter this time of year to keep us hanging on.

And even if the forecast doesn’t include a day above freezing I can still look forward to the start of warmer weather with these 10 Spring Crafts and Treats from two twenty one.

Barack Obama is no match for Zach Galifianakis’ interview skills.

Found a new blog that I’m loving. So much eye candy on this blog. I mean seriously. House Envy is very aptly named.

I don’t necessarily agree with all of these, but here are 20 interesting parenting hacks. I love 8, 14, and 15.

7 movies that put insane detail into stuff you never notice.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, her friends decided to do a photo shoot. A beautiful act of friendship. And it was all caught on video. A must watch.

Absentee

Do you ever have one of those days or weeks that you feel super busy, and you’re running around getting things done, but you don’t really have much to show for it?

I’m having one of those weeks. I am getting caught up on the heaping mass of laundry that piled up during my Olympic coma.

Both boys have been fighting a cold and Harrison had to stay home on Monday so we went to Ikea. I picked up that “missing” basket and a few other things for the play room and we bought a bed (a story for another day). But between driving there and back (about an hour each way), shopping, playing in the play kitchen, checking out (35 minutes? seriously?!), coordinating delivery, and having lunch with my guys, that day was done.

I’m in party prepping mode for Harrison’s birthday party on Saturday. Honestly, that snuck up on me. I’m keeping it simple – ie: I’m letting Target do most of the work – but still, there are things to be done. I can’t believe he’ll be three!

After all that, I have less of a laundry pile, a bunch of furniture/stuff to assemble, and a group of bags full of party supplies, and still a house to clean!

See what I mean about not having much to show for ALL that effort?

Ah well… Some weeks that’s just how it goes.

And hey! Just for funsies I wanted to tell you that I’m loving the Waterlogue app I told you about a few Fridays ago. How sweet is this picture of Foster sleeping in the Boba last week?

Foster – Eight and Nine months

Dear Foster,

This newsletter is a little overdue. The lead up to and the Christmas holidays (aka December) were so busy that I didn’t get time to sit down and write to you about all the awesome things we did. So here it is now.

November was all about new foods for you. You continue to be a great eater munching down pretty much anything I put in front of you. You love sweet potato, eggs! and blueberries, but don’t love everything sweet. You still shudder at bananas and other sweet fruits like mango.

When you started trying to pick things up I knew it was my cue to start giving you Cheerios. And just as I suspected, you love those little morsels. And now even when I’m feeding you something else, you demand to have Cheerios on the tray at all times so that you can sneak them into your mouth between my spoonfuls. You are a tyrant about it, really.

In November we took you to the Santa Claus parade as your first Christmas-related outing. We had great weather and you were a champ as usual, just hanging out in your chair or with me or your dad.

You love playing peek-a-boo with your blanket and even seem to know when we want you to play by responding by hiding when we tell you to. You’re such a clever boy!

We also had a great family day at the end of the month and the four of us went to Ripley’s Aquarium and to the top of the CN Tower in Toronto. It was a lot of fun and you enjoyed watching the fish swim by and all the bright colours.

November was also the month that you started your efforts at crawling. You’re getting up on hands and knees, and you know that you’ve gotta get going somehow, but for November, just rocking back and forth.

December was certainly full of events and as usual you took them all in stride. More new food, lots of friendly faces, and you just took it all like a champ.

I took you to work for my work Christmas luncheon and you enjoyed the turkey and mashed potatoes. And you were a good boy at our open house too. Playing with and smiling for our many guests.

December also kicked off a good streak of sleeping through the night. You were doing pretty well until we headed to Nana and Papa’s and you slept in the front room. The silly snow plough kept waking you (and me) up at 5 am!

Speaking of Nana and Papa’s we spent 10 days there before Christmas and had some crazy weather. Lots of snow, lots more snow, and some freezing cold temperatures. Down to the -30s with the windchill! Brrr. We kept you bundled up and didn’t go out much so you stayed cozy warm.

You had your first cold in December, too. A nose that just would not stop running. You took it pretty well, but did not like having your nose wiped. I don’t blame you since I had to wipe it about once every minute. I didn’t know someone so little could make so much goob.

At the beginning of December we also saw the first buds of little teeth pop through. You got your two bottom front teeth for Christmas! Thank goodness. You were a drooly, chewy mess before they popped.

And, of course, I can’t talk about December without talking about your first Christmas.

We took you to see Santa, and although you weren’t too sure, you kept it together and we had no tears. Just a few wary looks for the camera.

You and your brother were terribly spoiled, but it’s so fun to watch you play with all your new toys. Your face lights up when the toy does. Its so cute.

We drove to London on Christmas Day for Christmas dinner with Grandma and Grampy and Jason and Megan. We were spoiled again. And just as you always are, you were a great little traveller.

December was the month that you got on the move. To your dismay you could only move backwards. This was endlessly frustrating for me you, because you had a goal in mind but could only push yourself backwards.  You could see your target but just couldn’t figure out how to motor yourself there. You got yourself into some pretty hilarious positions, though. Like under the bouncy chair, under the side table, under the arm chair. Pretty much, under anything and then you’d get stuck and start to cry and we’d have to rescue you.

December was a really happy month filled with family time (since your dad had a nice long break from work, too) and so many wonderful memories. It’s one I’ll remember for a long time. Thanks, Bean Sprout.

Love,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Hair, New Do

Foster’s hair was growing out of control. In particular over his cute little ears. So we gave him his first hair cut with a little trim around the ears.

 

That’s one cute dude!