Every night, just before we are ready to put Lil J to bed, the three words out of his mouth are:
"EAT!!"
"WATER?" (which sounds more like "vatah")
and "MILK?" (which sounds more like "mill").
And these words are said after he's had his cereal, water and a sippy cup full of milk.
Sigh. How do kids learn defy their parents at such a young age?
- swank|mama
5.31.2011
out of the mouth of: daddy g
I just finished washing a cup by hand and turned around to put it on the counter without drying it. A stream of water dropped to the floor without me noticing. Daddy G says while snickering:
"You are such a terrible housewife."
I turned and gave him the death stare.
"But that's why I love you so much", says Daddy G without realizing that he was already in the doghouse.
Kidding.
- swank|mama
"You are such a terrible housewife."
I turned and gave him the death stare.
"But that's why I love you so much", says Daddy G without realizing that he was already in the doghouse.
Kidding.
- swank|mama
the journey 2.0: blogging and double strollers
By now you would have thought that I would have told my husband about my blog already. But no, I hadn't and when I was telling him yesterday about how I was thinking of expanding my blog to include reviews and giveaways, his response was:
"You have a blog?"
I have to admit - when I first started my blog, I was kind of embarrassed. We're very private people and we don't like to share everything with anyone and everyone. We do tell his mother a lot but not everything. Some things in a relationship should be kept private. But then I came across this phenomenon known as mommy bloggers. I read and read and was intrigued. I could do this, I thought! At first I was an occasional blogger - one or two blogs a month. Now I try to write one a day or every two days. I have loyal followers on Twitter and I'm currently working on my blog and Facebook followers.
I was also worried that he would think I was sharing too much information. I don't use our real names but I do post pictures and lately I have been sharing our "journey". I hope that he enjoys my blog when he does read it. Oooops...I forgot to tell him my blog name...an accident, really!
Anyways, back to what I was saying. I was telling him about my ideas for reviews and giveaways and how I would eventually like to review a stroller. I told them that I hope they send me a double stroller.
DOUBLE STROLLER?
His response: huge, wide eyes and a grin that stretched from cheek to cheek. Not a bad reaction at all. Maybe we are ready for baby #2....and kid #3. Miss S is getting so much older now I cannot refer to her as a baby anymore (as much as I'd like to).
I have to admit that I secretly checked out folic acid in the pharmacy aisle at Walmart yesterday. I almost bought a bottle but thought I should check the expiration date on my old bottle first. Huge step..or should I say...baby steps.
- swank|mama
"You have a blog?"
I have to admit - when I first started my blog, I was kind of embarrassed. We're very private people and we don't like to share everything with anyone and everyone. We do tell his mother a lot but not everything. Some things in a relationship should be kept private. But then I came across this phenomenon known as mommy bloggers. I read and read and was intrigued. I could do this, I thought! At first I was an occasional blogger - one or two blogs a month. Now I try to write one a day or every two days. I have loyal followers on Twitter and I'm currently working on my blog and Facebook followers.
I was also worried that he would think I was sharing too much information. I don't use our real names but I do post pictures and lately I have been sharing our "journey". I hope that he enjoys my blog when he does read it. Oooops...I forgot to tell him my blog name...an accident, really!
Anyways, back to what I was saying. I was telling him about my ideas for reviews and giveaways and how I would eventually like to review a stroller. I told them that I hope they send me a double stroller.
DOUBLE STROLLER?
His response: huge, wide eyes and a grin that stretched from cheek to cheek. Not a bad reaction at all. Maybe we are ready for baby #2....and kid #3. Miss S is getting so much older now I cannot refer to her as a baby anymore (as much as I'd like to).
I have to admit that I secretly checked out folic acid in the pharmacy aisle at Walmart yesterday. I almost bought a bottle but thought I should check the expiration date on my old bottle first. Huge step..or should I say...baby steps.
- swank|mama
5.30.2011
i became the mom i said i wouldn't be
Before I became a mom, I told myself I would never be one of those moms that neglect themselves. And here I am, toenails so long they look like Aunt Hilda's, so many split ends I don't think a haircut will help and (this may be TMI) desperately in need of a bikini wax.
Tonight I decided to fix one of the above. I gave myself a "pedicure". This consisted of a quick removal of a month and a half old polish (yes, gross right?!), swift cutting of my toenails (thank god) and speedy application of base coat, two layers of polish and top coat, which I did way too fast because half of the nails need to be redone.
Did I become the mom that I vowed I would not become? Sort of. I mean, I make sure I get myself ready in the mornings before Lil J wakes up to make myself presentable at work. I try to keep makeup minimal and to just straighten my hair quickly with a straightener. But because my hair has become comparable to Rapunzel or that character from "Tangled", the hair part is probably taking longer than it should.
I really need to call my hairdresser.
And my waxing lady. She's amazing. My hubby thinks I have a love affair with her because I will refuse to go anywhere else to get waxed. But you women and mamas know that once you find the perfect one, you do not go anywhere else! That goes for my hairdresser too.
So I do have freshly painted nails....no more hideous overgrowth. Okay, that's exaggerating but I kind of felt like it looked like one of those evil witches from the Disney cartoons. You know, with the warts and all. Kidding.
- swank|mama
Tonight I decided to fix one of the above. I gave myself a "pedicure". This consisted of a quick removal of a month and a half old polish (yes, gross right?!), swift cutting of my toenails (thank god) and speedy application of base coat, two layers of polish and top coat, which I did way too fast because half of the nails need to be redone.
Did I become the mom that I vowed I would not become? Sort of. I mean, I make sure I get myself ready in the mornings before Lil J wakes up to make myself presentable at work. I try to keep makeup minimal and to just straighten my hair quickly with a straightener. But because my hair has become comparable to Rapunzel or that character from "Tangled", the hair part is probably taking longer than it should.
I really need to call my hairdresser.
And my waxing lady. She's amazing. My hubby thinks I have a love affair with her because I will refuse to go anywhere else to get waxed. But you women and mamas know that once you find the perfect one, you do not go anywhere else! That goes for my hairdresser too.
So I do have freshly painted nails....no more hideous overgrowth. Okay, that's exaggerating but I kind of felt like it looked like one of those evil witches from the Disney cartoons. You know, with the warts and all. Kidding.
- swank|mama
5.27.2011
swank deal of the day: Hallmark cards & more!
Since I keep finding these amazing deals, I'm thinking of just posting them as a daily thing but not necessarily every day. Just whenever I find these deals. Because I definitely don't want to spend money every day (not exactly true) and my husband has a secret panic attack every time I bring home a new shopping bag. I know he does!
Yesterday we went to The Bay in Metrotown and I found Hallmark cards and a Fiskars oval shape template for 99 cents each! I went crazy mad stocking up on cards for the rest of the year. It seriously made me sick thinking about how much I spend on greeting cards. Especially when most people just throw them away.
I'm a pack rat so I keep every single one of my cards.
Just saying.
My hubby was also proud of his deals at The Bay. He got Lil J a Baby Bjorn potty for $10, Boon Fluid sippy cup for $3 and a double pack of Diego sippy cups for $4. Everything was marked down plus an additional 60% off. He looked down at that shopping bag with such pride and joy. Like he had accomplished something so profounding (is that a word?), that he forever altered the future.
See?! Shopping bags are not your enemy.
- swank|mama
I'm a pack rat so I keep every single one of my cards.
Just saying.
My hubby was also proud of his deals at The Bay. He got Lil J a Baby Bjorn potty for $10, Boon Fluid sippy cup for $3 and a double pack of Diego sippy cups for $4. Everything was marked down plus an additional 60% off. He looked down at that shopping bag with such pride and joy. Like he had accomplished something so profounding (is that a word?), that he forever altered the future.
See?! Shopping bags are not your enemy.
- swank|mama
the journey 2.0: almost ready!
Over the past month, we have experienced two devastating loses in my husband's family from cancer and it has got me to thinking about my journey to motherhood...again. I keep thinking that life is too short and that I (or we) should just take the plunge and get knocked up because we never really know when our time is up. I have been carefully planning our next baby (my hubby says it's up to me - whenever I'm ready). When we should start trying, if we should buy a bigger place first, if I should finish more classes first, etc, etc. All the while, Lil J and Miss S are getting older and we aren't getting any younger.
Should we just "wing" it? Not "plan" anything and just see what happens?
I look at the tears of sorrow around me and think that I shouldn't wait any longer. As I learned with Lil J, you can never be fully prepared for a baby. It is never really the right time. Not everything will be perfect at first but everything will fall into place. Everything is meant to be.
So I'm thinking of suggesting to my hubby that we should just see what happens. See where this road takes us. Sure, babies are expensive. Sure, they require a lot of work. But they are sooo worth it!! And I think I'm pretty much ready to embark on this next journey....
- swank|mama
Should we just "wing" it? Not "plan" anything and just see what happens?
I look at the tears of sorrow around me and think that I shouldn't wait any longer. As I learned with Lil J, you can never be fully prepared for a baby. It is never really the right time. Not everything will be perfect at first but everything will fall into place. Everything is meant to be.
So I'm thinking of suggesting to my hubby that we should just see what happens. See where this road takes us. Sure, babies are expensive. Sure, they require a lot of work. But they are sooo worth it!! And I think I'm pretty much ready to embark on this next journey....
- swank|mama
5.24.2011
swank bonus deal of the week: J.R. Watkins Lemon Butter Cream Hand Cream
Maybe I should re-name my "swank find of the week" posts to "swank find of the day" since I find so many good deals throughout the week! But this would only encourage my shopping and spending weakness so let's just say this is a bonus find of the week.
Since the soups at IGA all sounded disgusting today, I made my way to the back of the store to pick-up some instant noodles (disgusting as well, I know, but I wasn't craving anything else) and I came across their clearance section. Most of the time I by-pass their clearance section as it is not nearly as good as the Shoppers Drug Mart clearance next door. But this past weekend, my mom had raved about a hand lotion that I was using so I wanted to see if I could find another one for her.
And I did! I actually paid $3.49 for my tube of J.R. Watkin's Lemon Cream Hand Cream the last time I found it in the clearance section. Today, I scored a tube for only $1.49!! As an added bonus, I also found a tube of Aloe and Green Tea Hand Cream for the same price. The tube was a bit dirty and dusty but the contents inside were undisturbed. I can always wipe off the tube and it would look brand new!
J.R. Watkins products are 97-99% natural and promise the following:
- swank|mama
* This review is from my own words. J.R. Watkins did not solicit me to write this review and I did not gain anything from this post (except an amazing deal!).
- 95% Natural and above
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate Free
- Paraben Free
- Phthalate Free
- Mineral Oil, Petrolatum free
- Dye Free
- swank|mama
* This review is from my own words. J.R. Watkins did not solicit me to write this review and I did not gain anything from this post (except an amazing deal!).
swank deal: Clek Oobr Booster Seat
It isn't time for Lil J to use one yet but I can't stop ogling over these gorgeous modern booster seats from Clek. I love this version as it grows with your child with a removable back. It also features LATCH connectors that attach securely to your vehicle's lower LATCH anchorage system in 10 seconds or less in most vehicles.
Clek uses Crypton® Super Fabrics that provides stain, moisture and bacteria resistance (except on Oobr Drift). The durable fabric is easy to clean while the seat base cover is removable and machine washable.
There is also a convenient detachable cup holder which can be placed on either side of the seat and can be transported straight to your dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Right now, the Paul Frank Skurvy pictured below is on clearance for $199.99 USD. That's a savings of approximately $125.00!
- swank}mama
Clek uses Crypton® Super Fabrics that provides stain, moisture and bacteria resistance (except on Oobr Drift). The durable fabric is easy to clean while the seat base cover is removable and machine washable.
There is also a convenient detachable cup holder which can be placed on either side of the seat and can be transported straight to your dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Right now, the Paul Frank Skurvy pictured below is on clearance for $199.99 USD. That's a savings of approximately $125.00!
- swank}mama
swank find of the week: Skip Hop Zoo Mitt
My find of the week was at Winners where I found a Skip Hop Zoo Mitt and bath hook in the clearance section for $5.00! Might still be a bit pricey for one bath mitt but Skip Hop's quality and cuteness make it worth the extra $$$. Plus it's extra, extra soft.
Lil J got a Penguin Zoo Mitt like this one:
Just washed the mitt and will test it with Lil J tomorrow. It's guaranteed to be a hit!
Regular price on Skip Hop's website is $10.00. Zoo Mitts can also be found at Raspberry Kids!
- swank}mama
Lil J got a Penguin Zoo Mitt like this one:
Just washed the mitt and will test it with Lil J tomorrow. It's guaranteed to be a hit!
Regular price on Skip Hop's website is $10.00. Zoo Mitts can also be found at Raspberry Kids!
- swank}mama
5.23.2011
overreacting or not?
I'm back from my brief blogging break and this post represents a milestone for me - my 100th post!! How exciting!
Today I'm wondering if you have ever been so frustrated with your other half that you just wanted to hurt them?! Not literally but you just have all this rage in you that you're dying to get out? I had a sort of breakdown this afternoon after succumbing to the pressures of the past few weeks and blaming it solely on my husband. I was sort of feeling like he doesn't support my schooling and that he feels I should do everything I usually do, plus find time to study, write my papers, etc.
Of course, I was just completely overreacting but he really was being a tard. And this man can be just as stubborn as me.
Although, of course, I always win.
I was frustrated because he hasn't helped me out with Lil J all week (except for Saturday, when he looked after Lil J all day because I took my mom out for a belated Mother's Day celebration. And even then, I felt guilty for leaving Lil J) and I was trying my hardest to study. Did I mention I also took a two day course at a local university for executive education? The course was during work hours but it completely drained me by the time I got home and, therefore, I wasn't able to study for my regular class.
So I asked my husband if he could help out with Lil J today. He sleeps in until close to noon. Then spends an hour in the washroom and then announces that he's going to go see a movie. Ummmm, excuse me? My paper and discussions are due today. I haven't even finished reading the text yet. And Lil J is super clingy to me. What am I supposed to do?
So while the hubby is in the washroom for the second time of the day, I attempt to put Lil J down for a nap for about 40 minutes. Nothing works. He's fighting sleep. Of course!
I start bawling my eyes out and Lil J is looking at me like I'm crazy. I can't stop crying as I "hear" my husband leave for the movies. I am completely stressing about how I'm going to get my assignment done. Almost hyperventilating.
Then I decide that if Lil J isn't going to sleep in my bed, he's going to his crib. Which he hates. I go to his room to put him in the crib and find that his sheets are in the wash. Completely forgot. I go to get fresh sheets and Lil J runs off and screams, "Daddy!!". I thought he was being delusional because Daddy was at the movies.
Turns out Daddy is on the couch and playing with Lil J. Silence is the key now and I quietly slip into the kitchen to work on my homework. Everything is normal and my husband probably has no idea I had a breakdown. Let's keep it that way.
In the end I was able to read the remaining 10-15 pages out of 33 pages of contract law and write my paper and submit my discussion answers. God bless my instructor for making our writing assignments a lot easier than the first few weeks.
So was I overreacting? Was the past few weeks just so stressful for me that I just was at the end of the road? Crying sure helped me get it all out and I feel 100% better now. What would you do in this situation?
- swank|mama
Today I'm wondering if you have ever been so frustrated with your other half that you just wanted to hurt them?! Not literally but you just have all this rage in you that you're dying to get out? I had a sort of breakdown this afternoon after succumbing to the pressures of the past few weeks and blaming it solely on my husband. I was sort of feeling like he doesn't support my schooling and that he feels I should do everything I usually do, plus find time to study, write my papers, etc.
Of course, I was just completely overreacting but he really was being a tard. And this man can be just as stubborn as me.
Although, of course, I always win.
I was frustrated because he hasn't helped me out with Lil J all week (except for Saturday, when he looked after Lil J all day because I took my mom out for a belated Mother's Day celebration. And even then, I felt guilty for leaving Lil J) and I was trying my hardest to study. Did I mention I also took a two day course at a local university for executive education? The course was during work hours but it completely drained me by the time I got home and, therefore, I wasn't able to study for my regular class.
So I asked my husband if he could help out with Lil J today. He sleeps in until close to noon. Then spends an hour in the washroom and then announces that he's going to go see a movie. Ummmm, excuse me? My paper and discussions are due today. I haven't even finished reading the text yet. And Lil J is super clingy to me. What am I supposed to do?
So while the hubby is in the washroom for the second time of the day, I attempt to put Lil J down for a nap for about 40 minutes. Nothing works. He's fighting sleep. Of course!
I start bawling my eyes out and Lil J is looking at me like I'm crazy. I can't stop crying as I "hear" my husband leave for the movies. I am completely stressing about how I'm going to get my assignment done. Almost hyperventilating.
Then I decide that if Lil J isn't going to sleep in my bed, he's going to his crib. Which he hates. I go to his room to put him in the crib and find that his sheets are in the wash. Completely forgot. I go to get fresh sheets and Lil J runs off and screams, "Daddy!!". I thought he was being delusional because Daddy was at the movies.
Turns out Daddy is on the couch and playing with Lil J. Silence is the key now and I quietly slip into the kitchen to work on my homework. Everything is normal and my husband probably has no idea I had a breakdown. Let's keep it that way.
In the end I was able to read the remaining 10-15 pages out of 33 pages of contract law and write my paper and submit my discussion answers. God bless my instructor for making our writing assignments a lot easier than the first few weeks.
So was I overreacting? Was the past few weeks just so stressful for me that I just was at the end of the road? Crying sure helped me get it all out and I feel 100% better now. What would you do in this situation?
- swank|mama
5.18.2011
i'm a godmother!!!
Over the weekend my sister-in-law called me to ask if my hubby and I would be godparents to their newborn baby boy. Of course I said yes!! My first godchild! It made me feel so special!
It was the day before the Christening that I received the phone call so I quickly went to my laptop and searched "godparents" in Google. I don't have godparents and I have never asked to be one, so I didn't really know what the responsibilities of a godparent were. I wasn't raised with a religion. Lil J was Christened when he was 7 months old out of respect for my mother-in-law and my husband's family tradition. His godparents are my sister-in-law (different one from the one who just had a baby) and brother-in-law (the baby's father).
It was surprising to read that the duties of a godparent is no longer considered to lead the baby spiritually in life, but instead serve as a mentor and friend. "I can do that!", I thought. And then the very next day, I was officially a godmother!!
Not a very good godmother as I didn't take ANY pictures of the special day (shame on me!). But I do have pictures of baby, his big brother and Miss S ........
- swank|mama
It was the day before the Christening that I received the phone call so I quickly went to my laptop and searched "godparents" in Google. I don't have godparents and I have never asked to be one, so I didn't really know what the responsibilities of a godparent were. I wasn't raised with a religion. Lil J was Christened when he was 7 months old out of respect for my mother-in-law and my husband's family tradition. His godparents are my sister-in-law (different one from the one who just had a baby) and brother-in-law (the baby's father).
It was surprising to read that the duties of a godparent is no longer considered to lead the baby spiritually in life, but instead serve as a mentor and friend. "I can do that!", I thought. And then the very next day, I was officially a godmother!!
Not a very good godmother as I didn't take ANY pictures of the special day (shame on me!). But I do have pictures of baby, his big brother and Miss S ........
- swank|mama
5.17.2011
mid-term exam
It's 11:15pm and I just completed my online mid-term exam. It was more of a practice exam in preparation to our final exam and, apparently, does not count towards our final grade. I still stressed about it despite that fact. It was a combination of multiple choice, true and false and short answer questions. So far, I got 37/50 with an extra 12 marks to be marked by my instructor so it looks like I have the potential to get 49/50!! I think. I wonder which one I got wrong now...dammit!
Yes, I push myself hard. My work is paying for my course and I don't want to look like I'm stupid to my boss when I submit my grades. Plus, I've always been hard on myself when it comes to education. Except for that phase I went through in my last couple years of high school and even my first year in college. I pretty much thought I was above everybody and didn't really care about my grades. If I knew then what I know now, I obviously would have taken a different approach. But you can't change the past.....
So hopefully I got the full 12 marks. I'll have to cross my fingers and wait and see. Especially since I screwed up on my last assignment and didn't write it in the format that the instructor wanted it to because...well...the instructions weren't clear. I might have to fire off an email to him. Give him my two cents.
One thing that is annoying is that my husband doesn't seem to be taking my schooling seriously. I know I have other duties and responsibilities at home as a mom, wife, maid, etc. (okay, so I'm not so much a maid as I am a mom and wife. My husband would argue that he is cleaner and more anal at keeping the house clean than I am - and I would have to, reluctantly, agree), but I am beyond overwhelmed. I keep expressing the fact that I need extra time to do my readings, online discussion input and assignments (all in one week), and every time I say this to my husband, he just rolls his eyes and says stop complaining. Excuse me, but I barely have enough time to do everything when I don't have school and now when you add school to the mix, I am just exhausted and cranky by the end of the day!
The one thing I asked my husband before I signed up for this course was if he supported me and would demonstrate his support by helping out in the evenings and weekends with Lil J. It seems like I always have to nag him and remind him that I have a heavy workload for him to actually spring into action and not take naps after work or do other unnecessary things while I'm left holding down the fort with 30-40 pages to read and an assignment due the next day.
If any of you mamas are out there in the same boat, please feel free to vent! If you have any suggestions of how I should manage my time more, let me know! I would LOVE to hear your input.
- swank|mama
Yes, I push myself hard. My work is paying for my course and I don't want to look like I'm stupid to my boss when I submit my grades. Plus, I've always been hard on myself when it comes to education. Except for that phase I went through in my last couple years of high school and even my first year in college. I pretty much thought I was above everybody and didn't really care about my grades. If I knew then what I know now, I obviously would have taken a different approach. But you can't change the past.....
So hopefully I got the full 12 marks. I'll have to cross my fingers and wait and see. Especially since I screwed up on my last assignment and didn't write it in the format that the instructor wanted it to because...well...the instructions weren't clear. I might have to fire off an email to him. Give him my two cents.
One thing that is annoying is that my husband doesn't seem to be taking my schooling seriously. I know I have other duties and responsibilities at home as a mom, wife, maid, etc. (okay, so I'm not so much a maid as I am a mom and wife. My husband would argue that he is cleaner and more anal at keeping the house clean than I am - and I would have to, reluctantly, agree), but I am beyond overwhelmed. I keep expressing the fact that I need extra time to do my readings, online discussion input and assignments (all in one week), and every time I say this to my husband, he just rolls his eyes and says stop complaining. Excuse me, but I barely have enough time to do everything when I don't have school and now when you add school to the mix, I am just exhausted and cranky by the end of the day!
The one thing I asked my husband before I signed up for this course was if he supported me and would demonstrate his support by helping out in the evenings and weekends with Lil J. It seems like I always have to nag him and remind him that I have a heavy workload for him to actually spring into action and not take naps after work or do other unnecessary things while I'm left holding down the fort with 30-40 pages to read and an assignment due the next day.
If any of you mamas are out there in the same boat, please feel free to vent! If you have any suggestions of how I should manage my time more, let me know! I would LOVE to hear your input.
- swank|mama
dear lil j: phase #5785236....
Dear Lil J,
This morning for the first time in almost a couple months (give or take - it's hard to keep track nowadays!), you woke up super happy with a million smiles and hugs for Mommy!! You had been going through a difficult, clinging phase every morning where you would scream and cry at the top of your lungs and pull and tug on my jacket as I was trying to leave for work. It was so heart wrenching. I prayed and prayed that it was just another one of your phases. You would also squirm around when I tried to change your diaper and you would resist being changed into your clothes.
I am crossing my fingers that today is the start of another phase. I am cheering you on. I love, love, love your hugs, smiles and laughter first thing in the morning. Especially since Mommy is not a morning person and I tend to be grumpy. But you put me in a wonderful mood this morning. Thank you!
I love you more than you could ever imagine.
Love,
Mommy
- swank|mama
This morning for the first time in almost a couple months (give or take - it's hard to keep track nowadays!), you woke up super happy with a million smiles and hugs for Mommy!! You had been going through a difficult, clinging phase every morning where you would scream and cry at the top of your lungs and pull and tug on my jacket as I was trying to leave for work. It was so heart wrenching. I prayed and prayed that it was just another one of your phases. You would also squirm around when I tried to change your diaper and you would resist being changed into your clothes.
I am crossing my fingers that today is the start of another phase. I am cheering you on. I love, love, love your hugs, smiles and laughter first thing in the morning. Especially since Mommy is not a morning person and I tend to be grumpy. But you put me in a wonderful mood this morning. Thank you!
I love you more than you could ever imagine.
Love,
Mommy
- swank|mama
5.16.2011
the journey 2.0: are we really ready?
Nights like this, I am really reconsidering my semi-decision to expand our family. First off, Lil J will not put himself to sleep in his crib anymore. We either have to stay with him until he is relaxed and groggy or we have to let him fall asleep in our bed. Tonight, he screamed every time we put him in his crib and wouldn't fall asleep in our bed. I tried for over half an hour to get him to sleep in our bed - not counting the other hour I tried getting him to fall asleep in his crib. My hubby even tried putting him to sleep but he was also busy with Miss S and her never-ending homework and lack of brains. Miss S and her homework is a whole other (frustrating!) post in itself.
I have no idea what Lil J is doing right now. I don't hear screaming so I'm guessing my hubby has picked him up and his feeding him. Or maybe he's soothing him because I've lost all patience tonight. Am I a bad mom for giving up? I'm over-tired, over-worked - but my hubby probably is too. Not to mention, I haven't even started studying for my mid-term exam which is due on Wednesday night. I'm royally screwed.
And after I finish writing this post, I'm going to feel guilty and get up to see what I can help with in coaxing Lil J off to a distant slumber....to dreamland he goes.....hopefully!
Just another day and venting in the life of ....
- swank|mama
I have no idea what Lil J is doing right now. I don't hear screaming so I'm guessing my hubby has picked him up and his feeding him. Or maybe he's soothing him because I've lost all patience tonight. Am I a bad mom for giving up? I'm over-tired, over-worked - but my hubby probably is too. Not to mention, I haven't even started studying for my mid-term exam which is due on Wednesday night. I'm royally screwed.
And after I finish writing this post, I'm going to feel guilty and get up to see what I can help with in coaxing Lil J off to a distant slumber....to dreamland he goes.....hopefully!
Just another day and venting in the life of ....
- swank|mama
dear lil j: a look into your future career
22 Months and 25 Days
Dear Lil J,
I wish I took a picture at the mayhem you caused this weekend. On Saturday, I left you for less than a minute so I could grab my laptop from my room and you had taken 4 keys off your Daddy's laptop! Daddy wasn't too happy but he did sure punish Mommy the next day when Mommy was in the washroom getting ready. I came out to find that over half of the keys on MY laptop have been removed by you with a FORK. Daddy was pretending to nap on the couch. Nice.
You are all about technology. Anything with a plug or remotely electronic - you will touch and play with for hours. A number of people think you're going to be an engineer or work in IT or somewhere in the field involving computers. Whatever you do, I will be proud of you. Whatever you end up doing in your career, I will support you. People can make their assumptions now - and it's fun to see what other people are thinking about you - but, ultimately, it's up to you to follow your dreams and do what interests you. Do what makes you happy. Not what others expect of you.
I wish I had started my blog from the day you were born. Or while I was pregnant. But I was new at blogging and I didn't really understand the concept of it. I am glad, though, that I have started blogging regularly and hope to continue this road so that you can have an idea about what a beautiful soul you are.
I love you so, so much!
Love,
Mommy
- swank|mama
Dear Lil J,
I wish I took a picture at the mayhem you caused this weekend. On Saturday, I left you for less than a minute so I could grab my laptop from my room and you had taken 4 keys off your Daddy's laptop! Daddy wasn't too happy but he did sure punish Mommy the next day when Mommy was in the washroom getting ready. I came out to find that over half of the keys on MY laptop have been removed by you with a FORK. Daddy was pretending to nap on the couch. Nice.
You are all about technology. Anything with a plug or remotely electronic - you will touch and play with for hours. A number of people think you're going to be an engineer or work in IT or somewhere in the field involving computers. Whatever you do, I will be proud of you. Whatever you end up doing in your career, I will support you. People can make their assumptions now - and it's fun to see what other people are thinking about you - but, ultimately, it's up to you to follow your dreams and do what interests you. Do what makes you happy. Not what others expect of you.
I wish I had started my blog from the day you were born. Or while I was pregnant. But I was new at blogging and I didn't really understand the concept of it. I am glad, though, that I have started blogging regularly and hope to continue this road so that you can have an idea about what a beautiful soul you are.
I love you so, so much!
Love,
Mommy
- swank|mama
out of the mouth of: Daddy G
This is how a phone conversation went with my husband at lunch:
Daddy G: YOUR son is cranky today.
Me: What do you mean MY son. Don't you mean OUR son?
Daddy G: Oh yeah, that's what I meant.
Weirdo.
- swank|mama
Daddy G: YOUR son is cranky today.
Me: What do you mean MY son. Don't you mean OUR son?
Daddy G: Oh yeah, that's what I meant.
Weirdo.
- swank|mama
dear blogger
Thanks for deleting my most recent "Dear Lil J" post. Of course I failed to back-up my posts of that day that Blogger decided to break down and go offline but I did not realize that you would be so inconsiderate as to not recover my post. It was my best "Dear Lil J" post yet and I'm very angry that Lil J will not be able to read it when he's older.
Thanks again and consider this your last warning.
Sincerely,
One Mad Mama
- swank|mama
Thanks again and consider this your last warning.
Sincerely,
One Mad Mama
- swank|mama
5.13.2011
dear lil j
22 Months and 10 Days
Dear Lil J,
Thank you for being the sunshine of the family and making everyone laugh with your beautiful smile in this time of need. The fact that Gram-Gram has left us has not phased you as you are so sweet and innocent. You are what is needed for us to find a positive light with this unfortunate situation. You are helping us heal faster.
I love that you have a smile or mischievious grin for the people that are close to you. You are a little wary around strangers but warm up to them once you feel comfortable, though Mommy is going to teach you not to talk to strangers. You are so loveable and people cannot stop smiling when they are around you. Here is an example of why:
And another:
You looked at a picture of Gram-Gram yesterday and when I asked you who it was you proudly said, "Gram-Gram!".
In her final months, you could light up Gram-Gram's face like no other. Even if she was feeling week, she would make the effort to sit up in her bed just so she could see you better. She smiled and asked for hugs and kisses. Sometimes you refused but most of the time you gave her lots of love. Gram-Gram's spirit was instantly gratified :)
I am so proud of your uplifting spirit and the way you can bring a positive out of a negative. You are also very polite, saying "thank you" after someone gives or does something for you. That is all I could ask for. Now we have to work on "no, thank you" instead of just "no".
I love you so so much.
Love,
Mommy
Dear Lil J,
Thank you for being the sunshine of the family and making everyone laugh with your beautiful smile in this time of need. The fact that Gram-Gram has left us has not phased you as you are so sweet and innocent. You are what is needed for us to find a positive light with this unfortunate situation. You are helping us heal faster.
I love that you have a smile or mischievious grin for the people that are close to you. You are a little wary around strangers but warm up to them once you feel comfortable, though Mommy is going to teach you not to talk to strangers. You are so loveable and people cannot stop smiling when they are around you. Here is an example of why:
And another:
You looked at a picture of Gram-Gram yesterday and when I asked you who it was you proudly said, "Gram-Gram!".
In her final months, you could light up Gram-Gram's face like no other. Even if she was feeling week, she would make the effort to sit up in her bed just so she could see you better. She smiled and asked for hugs and kisses. Sometimes you refused but most of the time you gave her lots of love. Gram-Gram's spirit was instantly gratified :)
I am so proud of your uplifting spirit and the way you can bring a positive out of a negative. You are also very polite, saying "thank you" after someone gives or does something for you. That is all I could ask for. Now we have to work on "no, thank you" instead of just "no".
I love you so so much.
Love,
Mommy
5.11.2011
swank|deals: Agoo Apparel
Vancouver based company, Agoo Apparel, is having a huge 70% off sale on all of their online merchandise (via Mother of a Sale)! Hurry over to their website and enter coupon code kissesallaround at checkout.
Last time they had this amazing sale, I bought Lil J a pair of Vancouver Canucks hockey huggers:
And a "Little Prince" t-shirt:
Last time they had this amazing sale, I bought Lil J a pair of Vancouver Canucks hockey huggers:
And a "Little Prince" t-shirt:
The quality of Agoo's materials are exquisite and has lasted many washes, and many, many instances of Lil J roughhousing. Any mamas out there with boys know what I mean!
I am not sure how long the sale will last but hopefully it will last throughout the week.
- swank|mama
5.10.2011
the journey 2.0: to do it or not to...
My brother texts me this afternoon to tell me that he reads my blog. There goes my perception that my family and friends DON'T read my blog!
This baby fever has completely taken over my mind when I'm not thinking about Lil J, school, work, what to make for dinner or anything else that occupies my daily thoughts.
I keep going back and forth, back and forth. Yes, I do want a baby! No, I can't handle another baby right now! Yes, another baby would be so much fun! No, we haven't found a 4 or 5 bedroom house yet!!
I want each of my kids to have their own rooms plus a playroom or den. I want them to have a yard. I want them to go to good schools. Everything I want for them just seems so unaffordable! Have you seen house prices in Vancouver lately?
I've been off the pill for about a month but we've also been careful due to my fear that sets in every time I imagine a newborn baby crying. Not 100% sure I can handle that right now. Plus, would Lil J have to go to pre-school/daycare full-time when I go back to work? I just found out that in order to obtain maternity leave top-ups, I have to return to work for at least 6 months after my maternity leave ends.
There is just too much to think about. I just want to get through this course, which ends in early June, and then I can get to thinking more seriously about this. By that time, it will almost be Lil J's 2nd birthday - right on our doctor's schedule! Perfect, perfect timing.
- swank|mama
This baby fever has completely taken over my mind when I'm not thinking about Lil J, school, work, what to make for dinner or anything else that occupies my daily thoughts.
I keep going back and forth, back and forth. Yes, I do want a baby! No, I can't handle another baby right now! Yes, another baby would be so much fun! No, we haven't found a 4 or 5 bedroom house yet!!
I want each of my kids to have their own rooms plus a playroom or den. I want them to have a yard. I want them to go to good schools. Everything I want for them just seems so unaffordable! Have you seen house prices in Vancouver lately?
I've been off the pill for about a month but we've also been careful due to my fear that sets in every time I imagine a newborn baby crying. Not 100% sure I can handle that right now. Plus, would Lil J have to go to pre-school/daycare full-time when I go back to work? I just found out that in order to obtain maternity leave top-ups, I have to return to work for at least 6 months after my maternity leave ends.
There is just too much to think about. I just want to get through this course, which ends in early June, and then I can get to thinking more seriously about this. By that time, it will almost be Lil J's 2nd birthday - right on our doctor's schedule! Perfect, perfect timing.
- swank|mama
5.09.2011
burnt out
I am currently burning the last flicker of a so-called flame until I'm officially burnt out. Running on 4 hours sleep is not fun. Especially when you have a 550 word paper to write summarizing 40 pages. Yep, not fun. Oh yeah, and it's due today.
Honestly though, I really can't complain. It's just that I'm super grumpy when I'm tired.
As noted in my previous post, my husband's grandmother passed away just over a week ago. And yesterday, we found out that the two kids my mother-in-law adopted five years ago - their mother is in palliative care at the hospital with terminal cancer. How unbelievably sad is that? And how selfish of me to complain that I haven't gotten enough sleep.
First my mother-in-law loses her mother to cancer and now a close family friend is nearing the end of her road. I am so pissed off at the doctors who could have caught both cases at the early stages of the cancer and both would have had a chance of surviving. Now here we are. Just sitting here..helpless. Life really isn't fair.
We'll be visiting our friend in the hospital tonight. Despite the circumstances, she has maintained her sense of humour. I feel deeply for her kids who, at almost 12 and 13, are just trying to grasp what is happening to their mother. Even though their mother was not able to provide for them, they love her deeply and unconditionally. How do you tell a kid that their mother is about to die? And for them to witness her in such a horrible state? My heart aches for them.
I will keep you updated on this unfortunate situation.
- swank|mama
Honestly though, I really can't complain. It's just that I'm super grumpy when I'm tired.
As noted in my previous post, my husband's grandmother passed away just over a week ago. And yesterday, we found out that the two kids my mother-in-law adopted five years ago - their mother is in palliative care at the hospital with terminal cancer. How unbelievably sad is that? And how selfish of me to complain that I haven't gotten enough sleep.
First my mother-in-law loses her mother to cancer and now a close family friend is nearing the end of her road. I am so pissed off at the doctors who could have caught both cases at the early stages of the cancer and both would have had a chance of surviving. Now here we are. Just sitting here..helpless. Life really isn't fair.
We'll be visiting our friend in the hospital tonight. Despite the circumstances, she has maintained her sense of humour. I feel deeply for her kids who, at almost 12 and 13, are just trying to grasp what is happening to their mother. Even though their mother was not able to provide for them, they love her deeply and unconditionally. How do you tell a kid that their mother is about to die? And for them to witness her in such a horrible state? My heart aches for them.
I will keep you updated on this unfortunate situation.
- swank|mama
5.05.2011
too strict?
Yesterday was my mother-in-law's birthday and we celebrated late last night (I'm talking 10:00pm). By the time we brought the cake out, it was 10:30pm and Miss S wanted a piece. Seeing that it was school the next day and the fact that sugar does not agree with her (she gets super hyper), I refused to let her have any and told her to bring a piece home for the next day. I was pretty exhausted last night and not thinking straight and I just wanted to crawl into my bed.
My hubby wasn't home at the time - he was busy picking up his cousin from the airport. When he got home, he asked Miss S if she had any cake (by this time it was midnight) and she said no. He turned to me and demanded to know why I didn't let her have cake. 'It was a birthday!', he said. Immediately, I felt horrible and apologized but explained that it was really late and that she would be up all night. I think he was pretty mad at me. Either that or I was nagging him too much with my own demands.
So tell me, am I too strict? Should I just have let the 'no sweets' after 8:00pm rule slide for one night? (To my credit, I did let the bedtime slide, by a landslide!).
- swank|mama
My hubby wasn't home at the time - he was busy picking up his cousin from the airport. When he got home, he asked Miss S if she had any cake (by this time it was midnight) and she said no. He turned to me and demanded to know why I didn't let her have cake. 'It was a birthday!', he said. Immediately, I felt horrible and apologized but explained that it was really late and that she would be up all night. I think he was pretty mad at me. Either that or I was nagging him too much with my own demands.
So tell me, am I too strict? Should I just have let the 'no sweets' after 8:00pm rule slide for one night? (To my credit, I did let the bedtime slide, by a landslide!).
- swank|mama
5.03.2011
the journey 2.0
The feeling that I am about to confess to you has been lurking in my mind for a few months now. I want to plan it as best as I can and I keep working out the pros and cons in my head. Now, I can't keep it in any longer! And because none of my friends or family read my blog, I can tell you that I am beginning my new journey.
Prepare for my journey to motherhood...2.0! This would be my second biological child or third one including Miss S (as you all know, I am a bonus mom too!). I hope to blog about my upcoming pregnancy and bring you along for the journey. My inspiration to opening up to you is none other than the Baby Makin(g) Machine! She had recently posted on her Facebook page that she had major baby fever and I couldn't help but relate to her. We have become Twitter "friends" over the last few months and have also conspired to have an arranged marriage for our Lil J's. Yes, people still do that.
Okay, I'm obviously kidding!! All jokes aside, Baby Makin(g) Machine has blogged about her journey through her first pregnancy and beyond and has inspired me to do the same. If I am going to keep this up is another story.
So I've been having baby fever a good six months now, if not longer. Sometimes I want a baby really bad and other times (usually when Lil J is misbehaving) I am happy with just one baby/toddler for now. I can't imagine how hard it is to have two little ones under the age of 2 or 3. My friend just recently had her second baby and her son is not even 2 yet. She's struggling.
We were told by our doctor to wait at least 2 years before we started trying again because of my emergency c-section with Lil J (my birth story is a whole other post!). Back then I thought, '2 years is a long time to wait! I'm definitely going to have another one within the 2 years. This doctor is crazy!'.
Now I have an almost 2 year old: a typical, rambunctious boy who has non-stop energy - like the bunny. I now think to myself, 'How will I manage with a toddler and a newborn?'. Fear sets in and then I back up two steps.
I would like to get our financial affairs in order and buy our own place. We need the extra rooms. Although, we are pretty spoiled right now living next door to my mother-in-law who looks after Lil J while I am at work. I can't complain.
Another thought is that even though the next baby will be my second born, we will have three kids at home! Miss S is older and pretty self-sufficient but she is still a kid. It will be pretty hectic but probably in a good way.
I am also trying to complete a program I just started in school recently. I'm taking one course via correspondence which seems to be working out fairly well (95% on my first writing assignment and 100% on my first class discussion) although things are pretty busy.
I do want Lil J's siblings to be close in age. Did I say siblings??! Whoops, I may be jumping the gun here! Haha!
I asked my husband when he wants another baby. He says, 'Anytime you're ready hun'. Ummmm okay. Guess the ball is in my court!
Before I had Lil J or even started trying to conceive, I went through the same back and forth that I am going through now for about a year before we started trying. Of course, everything happened with great timing and I couldn't be happier. And now that I'm sharing my thoughts with the world, I must be pretty serious about this! Hmmm...
I wouldn't mind having another year off either. Especially this time since my work will top off my maternity leave for the most part.
- swank|mama
Prepare for my journey to motherhood...2.0! This would be my second biological child or third one including Miss S (as you all know, I am a bonus mom too!). I hope to blog about my upcoming pregnancy and bring you along for the journey. My inspiration to opening up to you is none other than the Baby Makin(g) Machine! She had recently posted on her Facebook page that she had major baby fever and I couldn't help but relate to her. We have become Twitter "friends" over the last few months and have also conspired to have an arranged marriage for our Lil J's. Yes, people still do that.
Okay, I'm obviously kidding!! All jokes aside, Baby Makin(g) Machine has blogged about her journey through her first pregnancy and beyond and has inspired me to do the same. If I am going to keep this up is another story.
So I've been having baby fever a good six months now, if not longer. Sometimes I want a baby really bad and other times (usually when Lil J is misbehaving) I am happy with just one baby/toddler for now. I can't imagine how hard it is to have two little ones under the age of 2 or 3. My friend just recently had her second baby and her son is not even 2 yet. She's struggling.
We were told by our doctor to wait at least 2 years before we started trying again because of my emergency c-section with Lil J (my birth story is a whole other post!). Back then I thought, '2 years is a long time to wait! I'm definitely going to have another one within the 2 years. This doctor is crazy!'.
Now I have an almost 2 year old: a typical, rambunctious boy who has non-stop energy - like the bunny. I now think to myself, 'How will I manage with a toddler and a newborn?'. Fear sets in and then I back up two steps.
I would like to get our financial affairs in order and buy our own place. We need the extra rooms. Although, we are pretty spoiled right now living next door to my mother-in-law who looks after Lil J while I am at work. I can't complain.
Another thought is that even though the next baby will be my second born, we will have three kids at home! Miss S is older and pretty self-sufficient but she is still a kid. It will be pretty hectic but probably in a good way.
I am also trying to complete a program I just started in school recently. I'm taking one course via correspondence which seems to be working out fairly well (95% on my first writing assignment and 100% on my first class discussion) although things are pretty busy.
I do want Lil J's siblings to be close in age. Did I say siblings??! Whoops, I may be jumping the gun here! Haha!
I asked my husband when he wants another baby. He says, 'Anytime you're ready hun'. Ummmm okay. Guess the ball is in my court!
Before I had Lil J or even started trying to conceive, I went through the same back and forth that I am going through now for about a year before we started trying. Of course, everything happened with great timing and I couldn't be happier. And now that I'm sharing my thoughts with the world, I must be pretty serious about this! Hmmm...
I wouldn't mind having another year off either. Especially this time since my work will top off my maternity leave for the most part.
- swank|mama
new Pampers GTG code
Pampers (via Twitter) has released a new 5 point code - LOVEFROMPATTIE5. This code expires on May 5, 2011 at 11:59pm CT.
- swank|mama
swank|deals: ClearlyContacts.ca
Free glasses!! Yes, you read right! FREE!! This is one deal you do not want to miss!
Starting today (May 3rd), you can get a free pair of glasses from ClearlyContacts.ca with code FirstPairFree. Be sure to check out their Facebook fanpage and like them before your redeem your free glasses.
I chose Halston's 521 Tortoise. They are so cute and stylish and definitely worth the $14.00 shipping/insurance charge. ClearlyContacts.ca ships via FedEx or Canada Post - both options costing $9.95. I cannot wait to receive these glasses!
Hurry, the offer is only open to the first 10,000 new Canadian customers!
- swank|mama
5.02.2011
swank|deals - skoah
Today's Vancouver Groupon deal is for an amazing skoah "mother of all facials" facial treatment for only $47.00!! This offer is valid at their four locations: Yaletown, Kits, Metrotown and Lower Lonsdale (North Vancouver).
Perfect for Mother's Day or any other special day, as it doesn't expire until November 8, 2011.
I have had many fantastic experiences at skoah, my most recent one being at the North Vancouver location. Before skoah, I had never experienced a facial before so I was kind of nervous going into my treatment. But I had absolutely nothing to worry about as the girls at skoah make you feel comfortable and at ease, and must I say, the facial experience is..well..true bliss. The heated beds are definitely a plus and is probably guilty for helping me drift off to dreamland....
I have also had the pleasure of meeting skoah's owner, Andrea Scott, a couple times - once at the opening of her newest location in North Vancouver and once at a party at her Yaletown location. She is a pleasure to talk to and is very informative about her products (yes, they sell their own products too! And I believe that they are made in Vancouver. I read that somewhere but could not confirm it on their website).
So if I haven't convinced you yet, you need to purchase this Groupon!!
- swank|mama
Perfect for Mother's Day or any other special day, as it doesn't expire until November 8, 2011.
I have had many fantastic experiences at skoah, my most recent one being at the North Vancouver location. Before skoah, I had never experienced a facial before so I was kind of nervous going into my treatment. But I had absolutely nothing to worry about as the girls at skoah make you feel comfortable and at ease, and must I say, the facial experience is..well..true bliss. The heated beds are definitely a plus and is probably guilty for helping me drift off to dreamland....
I have also had the pleasure of meeting skoah's owner, Andrea Scott, a couple times - once at the opening of her newest location in North Vancouver and once at a party at her Yaletown location. She is a pleasure to talk to and is very informative about her products (yes, they sell their own products too! And I believe that they are made in Vancouver. I read that somewhere but could not confirm it on their website).
So if I haven't convinced you yet, you need to purchase this Groupon!!
- swank|mama
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)