A fun weekend

This past weekend seemed to go by in a bit of blur - but a fun blur, not a omigodwhenisitgoingtoend blur - which is a nice change from all the sick/teething/bumrash weekends we seem to have endured recently.

After being in daycare on Tues, Wed and Thurs, Maddie got a break from it and hung out with Mommy on Friday.  She slept in a bit that day, we lounged around after breakfast, went outside to play for an hour before lunch, and by then she was sleepy.  (Side note: we're doing the transition from 2 naps to just one nap a day - tyring to get her used to going to sleep after lunch as that's what they do at daycare, so why not try and make the schedule work in both households, right?)  She took a nap at noon, was up again by 2pm and out we headed to get some errands done at the store, played outside a bit more and that was that really for Friday.  

On Saturday Seth had baseball all morning, while Maddie and I cleaned up around the house.  Well, she played and splashed in the toilet (ewww), and unrolled the toilet paper (annoying), and pulled on the vacuum cord (ummm, dangerous), while I ran around trying to get some shit done.  Then we had lunch and I put her down for her nap.  Three hours later (and starting to run late on the whole, "go see Daddy play his last baseball game before heading out to a birthday party" plan for the afternoon) I just started slamming around and doing my best to rouse sleeping beauty.  It worked, she got dressed for the party and we headed out the door.  Of course we didn't make it in time to see any of the baseball game, but we got to visit with all the tall baseball boys, who Maddie of course flirted with and charmed the "sox" off (haha - sorry, too punny!).

Then we headed to her first little kids' birthday party.  She wasn't the youngest there, but of the mobile ones, she was.  And it's funny to see how she deals with being in a busy, kid-filled situation.  Pretty much like I think I used to.  She ignores the other kids and heads into the other room to play quietly by herself until she feels comfortable, then comes out and kinda plays around, but really sticking pretty close to Mommy and/or Daddy.  

It doesn't really bother me that she's not one of those kids getting in there, into the thick of it all.  Probably because I get it.  I still hate being forced into a group situation where I don't really know anyone.  I'm much better at hiding my uncomfortable-ness and acting all social and outgoing.  But I'm secretly cringing and hating every minute of it.

And that's why I'll never be that mom that says, "Oh go on Maddie.  Go play with the other kids.  Be social!"

Sorry - tangent.  So we had our bday party and I have the cutest pics of Maddie sitting at the table "like a big girl" with a party hat on her head and eating spaghetti like everyone else.  She was so happy and proud of herself sitting there it almost made me cry.

I should also mention that we had a weekend growth spurt on our hands - so we could, literally, not fill the child up.  She just kept eating.  And eating.  Andeatingandeatingandeatingandeating.  It was bananas.  And I more than once pulled out the line, "Where the heck are you putting it all?  Do you have a hollow leg?".  Yes, I've turned into that cheesy adult with the corny lines I used to roll my eyes at.  Sweet.  Now I really am a grown up!

Wow - another tangent.  Okay - so back on track ... After the bday party was over, it was time for the adults to enjoy themselves a bit.  We played a bit of Wii.  Drank a bit of wine.  Watched a bit of SNL.  And another newsworthy event?  Maddie slept. Through. It. All.  Upstairs in her playpen, just slept away like she did it all the time.  Awesome.  Our social life is officially on an upswing.

On Sunday morning Seth had another baseball game, which Maddie and I tried to actually make this time - unfortunately we made it just in time to see them lose the game by one run.  Harsh.  So instead of spending the morning in the fresh air at the ballpark, we did the next best thing.  Headed to the nearest McDonald's and initiated Maddie on the art of the Big Breakfast.  And holy shit, did she love it.  Couldn't get enough of the sausage, we eventually just stopped giving it to her.  And so smiley and happy and proud of herself sitting in the highchair and looking around at all the other people smiling and commenting on just how much of a cutey she is.  Yes, she was in her element.

After a big long afternoon nap (and a lounging afternoon for Seth and I), Maddie headed out to Uncle Greg's with Daddy to watch some late afternoon football, while I got myself ready and headed into the city for my date with the Goddess of Pop.  Yep - the Madonna concert.  It was good times - and I had lots of fun getting out of the house for a little girlie fun.  Although, when I got home, I have to admit it was nice to hear that Maddie had already woken up for her bottle and apparently was asking for me by name "Mam-mam-mam-mam".  How adorable is that?

So that was our weekend - hope you all enjoyed yours just as much.

xxoo.S

Happy October!

Isn't that just the cutest pic?

xxoo.S

It's a bit lonely

Working from home is a bit harder than I thought it would be.  Trust me, I'm not complaining.  I know I've got it good.  I'm lucky.  All that jazz.

But it is harder than I expected.  It's far easier to be distracted (just ask my fridge, it sees the light of day more often than I'd like to admit).  And it's far easier to procrastinate (as you just have to flip on the tv during "lunch" and then look up and an hour has passed.

And it's kinda lonely.  I talk to people on the phone, yes.  But really, at the end of the day, it's just me sitting at my computer and working in a silent house (silent because anything else is distracting and/or leads to procrastination).

It's only the 2nd week, it is was a short week at that - so the schedule isn't quite "there" yet.  We'll see.  I'm sure I'll get used to it.

At least Maddie and Seth are getting nice home-cooked dinners.  And the house is staying clean.  And the laundry is getting done.  Those are definitely all bonuses that I'm not overlooking.  And hey - who's the superwoman that's working + cleaning + cooking all at the same time?  Oh hey, it's me.  Gooooooooo me!

xxoo.S

Maddie's Year in Review

I wanted to do a year in review - but instead of trying to recap each month, I'm just going to let the pics speak for themselves...

Her first hour - October 9, 2007:

Stretched out sleeping - Oct '07 (1st month):

Already a Daddy's girl - Nov '07 (2nd month):

Her first sit on Santa's lap - Dec '07 (3rd month):

Happy after her bath - Jan '08 (4th month):

Snow angel - Feb '08 (5th month):

First taste of solids - Mar '08 (6th month):

Sitting up now - Apr '08 (7th month):

Leaf's fan (getting pudgy) - May '08 (8th month):

World traveller!  Ireland - Jun '08 (9th month):

Canada's Wonderland - Jul '08 (10th month):

Loves her books - Aug '08 (11th month):

Mischevious - Sept '08 (12th month):

Birthday Girl!  Oct '08 - One Year Old:

xxoo.S

I'm thankful for...

• Being blessed with an amazing, supportive, fun-loving family.
• Having a great group of friends, old and new, that come from so many different areas of our lives.
• Living in a fantastic house that I still can't quite believe that we live in, although I am getting more and more used to it (and looking forward to renovation season!)
• Finding a way to work from home, for however long I'm able to, so that I can spend a bit more time with my little girl as she grows up so fast.
• And of course - for a loving, laid-back, down-to-earth husband who is the perfect complement to my neurotic, high-strungedness.  And for an adorably smart, gorgeous, loving little girl who has made our lives much more rich by just being here.

xxoo.S

PS - pardon the cheese - but hey, it's Thanksgiving.  What are you thankful for?

A fever and some new slippers!

Well, Maddie had another first along with her first birthday yesterday - her first fever!  I dropped her at daycare in the morning and she had felt warm, but when I had taken her temp she hadn't registered over 37.3 (like 99 degrees Fahrenheit?).  I asked Alexise (our daycare lady) to keep an eye on her and to give me a call if she thought she was getting any warmer, I would come pick her up.

She called me at noon to say that she was acting fine, but that she was getting warmer - registering a fever of just 100 at this point.  I knew she'd be fine if I left her - but I figured, she would sleep easily here, and that if she was feeling crappy, she definitely needed her sleep - so off I went to pick her up.

I only got about an hour and a half nap out of her, then she was up for the rest of the day and totally dragging!  I gave her some tylenol and tried to keep her up as long as I could - but by 6 she was ready for her bath (more than an hour earlier than what we usually do).  Before her bath I took her temp again and this time it was 38.6 (around 101.5 f), so I gave her more tylenol and she was tucked away in bed before 7pm.  I had to wake her up around midnight to give her a bottle (as she refused it before bedtime) and she felt sooo hot at this point.  I wiped her head with a cool washcloth and put her back down to sleep.  She was up again around 4am and I gave her some more tylenol and rocked her back to sleep - where she stayed until 8:30 this morning.  Almost 14 hours of sleep!  But the fever was gone - which is good.

From the above, sounds like I handled it like a pro, huh?  Not likely.  I was pretty scared and nervous and, I don't know, whatever it is that new Mom's go through on their first time with a feverish baby.  And with Seth in Montreal the past few days - well, let's just say it wasn't a fun night for me - but I guess whatever I did worked, because she's back to her old self today.

Oh - and she got the coolest birthday gift from Alexise, our daycare lady.  These adorably small Padraig wool slippers.  Both Alexise and her two-year-old daughter are always wearing them when I drop Maddie off, and I've made a few comments on how comfy and cute they are ... so she got Maddie a pair for her birthday - how nice is that??  Anyways - I think they may be my Christmas gift for everyone this year - they are pretty cool.

Have a turkey-lurkey weekend everyone!!!

xxoo.S

Dear Miss Maddie,

Happy birthday little one!  You are one year old today.  Exactly one year ago Mommy and Daddy were sitting on a hospital bed, staring down in wonder at the tiny little being that now ruled our life.  I remember being so afraid of breaking you everytime I touched you - and yet, I couldn't stop touching you, holding you, cuddling you.

And you still amaze me bubbs.  Just yesterday I watched you stand up on your own without any support (or coaxing from me) and I was almost moved to tears.

I just can't believe how much one little person can grow, learn and do in just a year.  You have learned so much and so have Daddy and I.  We've learned how to have a 2 minute shower.  How to get dressed in 30 seconds flat.  We've learned to enjoy eating a cold dinner, as your feeding needs come first.  We've learned to live without tv much of the time, as we're too busy playing with you.  And that a trip to the park to play on the swings can be the highlight of everyone's day, not just yours.

I look back at our life just over a year ago and am shocked at just how different it is.  Daddy has changed jobs twice since last year - all in an effort to have more flexible hours and be home more often to spend time with his little sugar pop.  Mommy is still off work, opting to work from home instead, which gives us lots more freedom and time together - at least for now, while you're still getting used to daycare.  We don't go out to dinner, rarely order in take out, and I can barely remember the last movie we went to at the theatre.  Our Saturday nights consist (maybe) of a rented video and some popcorn after we've tucked you in for the night.  And we are blissfully happy with that arrangement.  Priorities have changed, shifted, focused.  We are a family now and you made us that way.

I was going to write you a letter that highlighted a mood, feeling, or memory from each month of your life - but then I realized that is what this blog is already.  It's my diary of our lives to you.  And I hope someday you enjoy reading back over the first of hundreds of entries - as much as you may silently roll your eyes and chuckle at just how novice of a mother I once was!

So instead, I'm writing to you today about who you are right now.  An inquisitive little one year old, that flirts with everyone you see at the grocery store, park, mall.  An extremely loving, happy, laughing little girl that is also strong-willed and demanding of attention.  

You are happiest playing with your toys while either Mommy or Daddy are sitting there with you.  You absolutely love when we play games with you - chasing you around, letting you chase us, "racing" you across the lawn, hide and seek, peek a boo - you name it, if you have both Mommy AND Daddy's attention on you at once, you are laughingly, giggingly, happy!

Your sleeping is getting better, but you're still no star sleeper - and I'm guessing you may never be.  You need to be reassured at night when you wake up - maybe you don't like the dark, maybe you don't like being alone, I'm not sure.  But it's a rare night when we don't spend at least a few minutes rocking in the rocking chair and having a quick cuddle before you go back to sleep.

You're getting used to daycare and you seem to like other children, but you still won't sleep for her and rarely take a bottle from her.  But you never cry when I drop you off and you're always laughingly happy to see me when I come pick you up, so I think you like it well enough.

You are still a tiny little thing, barely wearing 12 month clothes.  Most of the 'warm' stuff I have for you is still a bit too big - but you don't seem to care, notice or  mind.  The one thing you do care about though, is your shoes.  You like to play with your shoes in your closet.  You love when we try different shoes on you.  And you really enjoy when we're out shopping for new shoes and showing you the different choices.  Never did I think that it was possible that a shoe addiction could be genetic, but you are your Mommy's and Grandma Thompson's little girl in that regard.  And we love you for it!

Your best friend right now is Simon, the kitttttyyyyyy.  You love to cuddle him, lay on him, give him hugs and kisses and more hugs and more kisses.  And he loves you too.  He wouldn't be around, sitting directly in the middle of your play area constantly if he didn't.  Although I have to say, I feel sorry for Garfy (the more timid kitty) when you start running around.  He's going to need nerves of steel very soon.

It's been a fast, but also long, year for us.  It feels like it's flown by, but it also feels like we've been doing this forever now.  I can't imagine life without you sugar pop - you are the apple of our eyes.  I hope I always remember just to enjoy the moments - because that's what this past year has been all about.  We've (both) been happiest when we're just enjoying each other, spending time together and playing.

You are a very special little girl.  We love you monkey. 

Love,

Mommy

Milestone day

Maddie stood up on her own today and took some steps, unprompted.

She stands up by sticking her butt up in the air, straight legged, and then just straightening up.  After many tries, I finally got a video this afternoon - I'll post it soon.

Such a big girl now - it's kinda crazy how fast it all happens.

xxoo.S

The partaaaayyy

So we had Miss Maddie's birthday party on Sunday - and it was a success to say the least.  My main concern was how Maddie was going to weather all the attention and people, and I'm glad we kept it small, as I think she was close to the breaking point a few times.

Everyone was very generous and there were lots of presents to open.  And Maddie was actually pretty interested in the opening presents part (with the help of her cousins, of course!).

After we finished opening presents and Maddie got a chance to play a bit (and the grownups got to eat a bit), we moved on to cake!  We stripped Maddie out of her party dress, down to her diaper, for the cake eating event - there was no way I was letting that pretty dress get ruined by the red icing!

I was pretty happy with the cake, and it was so worth all the work it was to see Maddie's face when I showed it to her.  She loves her Elmo!

We let her get a taste of icing before giving her a piece of cake with most of the icing scraped off (yes, mean Mommy) - she liked the cake, but not as much as the icing!

She had a great time at the party - and when everyone left - slept for almost 2 hours that afternoon!  

Thanks again to everyone for making the drive up for the party - it was definitely appreciated!

xxoo.S

PS - I can't believe I forgot to tell you how she looked like she was going to cry while we all gathered 'round and sang Happy Birthday.  She just kept staring at me the whole time, like "what the heck is happening mom?  please make it stop!" ... I guess it's hard to understand what really is going on at that age - luckily she got her mind off the attention by digging into the cake as soon as the singing was done ... here's a video of the action...

Playgroup pics!

Here's a few pics of Maddie hanging out with her playgroup friends...

Big girl now

So big that she actually recognizes those words.  If you tell her she's a big girl - after say, walking a few steps, or trying to brush her hair with her brush, or actually getting the spoon in her mouth - she practically squirms with delight.

She can now stand on her own quite well - and does so of her own accord fairly often.  She is also able to walk a few steps towards me (or daddy) before teetering over.  She points at things she wants, says "momma" a lot more now (usually when she wants something - the manipulative little bugger!), knows how to turn the channel with the tv remote, and make random calls with the phone.  She is constantly getting into stuff, and learning more and more to play on her own (VERY good skill!).

She's also almost completely on table foods now too - she loves loves loves to eat anything I'm eating.  Will never ever ever turn down food that comes from mommy's plate - which is kinda like a newfangled diet, as I seem to be sharing my meals more and more with a hungry, growing little girl.

And she's sleeping better and better at night.  She still wakes up sometimes, but I do my best to give her a chance to put herself back to sleep, and it seems to be working.  I'm guessing all this eating of "grown up" foods is also helping her sleep longer.  Let's hope this trend continues (fingers crossed).

I can't believe it's time for her birthday party already.  We have it planned for this coming Sunday - keeping it small (just family) so it doesn't overwhelm her.  My big project for the week will be preparing for that party (Elmo theme - yee haw!), and figuring out how to make the cake.  I've found a cake pan that is Elmo's face - now I just have to find a recipe for the cake + frosting.  I want to make from scratch so her first taste of cake is the real thing - not from a box (or can for that matter) - but trying to find a "good" cake recipe is proving to be daunting.  And figuring out how to do the icing is going to be a bit of a trick as well, but you know me - I like a challenge, and at worst, it will at least resemble Elmo, right?

So that's the news from the Valliers this week.  She's off to daycare tomorrow and Thursday while I get the house ready for the weekend and run some last minute errands.  It's best to keep myself busy when she's at daycare, as I get pretty lonely.  Yes, I'm a sap.  :)

xxoo.S

WOW! Her first steps!

So we were sitting in our bedroom, hanging out with Maddie just before getting her in the bath, and Seth was trying to teach her how to get down from the step in our room (as she often just crawls over it and falls flat on her face).

Instead, she decides to grace us with her first steps!  So I quickly run to get the camcorder and manage to capture her 2nd set of steps on film...

Don't mind the nekkid-ness - she has a bad bum rash and we've been leaving her dipe off as much as possible to try and air it out.

What a big girl, huh?  I honestly didn't think she was going to actually take her first steps before her first birthday, as she had shown very little interest in even standing on her own (even though she was cruising around with her walker like crazy).  

I guess she decided to prove me wrong.

I don't expect that will be the last time that happens...

xxoo.S

First words?

Here's a question for the experienced parents out there ... how do you know when the first word is "officially" said?

I only ask because I know that Maddie couldn't possibly have started talking at 8 months - but that is when we started hearing discernible words coming out of her mouth. Although the "dadadadadada" really was directed at almost anything.  And the "it-thay" was clearly "kitty" - but was it really that clear?  Or was it because we are her parents, and know what she is trying to say?

She now says what sounds like "daddy" and quite strategically pulls out the "mama" whenever she's upset or whiny (and yes, it gets me everytime).  And I'm sure she's said "hi" and probably a few other "words" that may or may not be discernible to an outside party.

But now that she clearly is trying to say lots of words, understands a tonne of words, and does say some words with frequency and fairly acurately - how do you pinpoint the "first official word"?

Crap - just another thing for me to get wrong in her baby book...

xxoo.S

As requested...

Maddie started this hilarious habit a few months ago of making the funniest "frustration" face while in her highchair.  I had friends over for dinner one night and they got to see it and where killing themselves laughing.  And then told me that I absolutely had to make sure I got a vid of that and posted it.  So here it is (although she doesn't do it half as well as she does when she makes the face spontaneously)...



xxoo.S

I think she likes spaghetti

Starting a morning off right

Maddie has learned the art of the "hug". She cuddles right in and gives a strong little squeeze, gripping onto my shoulders like a monkey.

Love it...

xxoo.S

An update post

It's been a couple of weeks since I've written - it's just been a busy time for us with lots going on.  I'll update you quickly on the latest at casa Vallier ...

• Seth is starting a new job on the 29th.  Yes, another new job - but it's a great opportunity for him to work with some old colleagues that he enjoyed working with in the past, working in an industry in which he's very well-versed, and no overnight travel - which was a big plus.
• My mom came up to visit the weekend before last for several days - and spent the Saturday babysitting Maddie while Seth and I went to a friend's wedding.  It was nice to have a night out and it was a beautiful wedding.
• Maddie spent 2 days last week in daycare - for full days.  She's still not loving it, but getting used to the idea and managed to nap for a couple of hours there.  From what I'm told - the sleep is the biggest issue usually, so we're lucky that she'll actually do it.
• And as you probably deduced from the above, Maddie is now taking the bottle quite well.  The secret?  We got her taking an old-school (BPA-ridden!!) Avent bottle, so went out and bought some (more) new bottles for her - the new BPA-free Avent bottle.  Details aside, she's taking the bottle.  Yay for her.  Yay for us.
• Maddie is sooooo close to walking.  She walks and steers her "walker" like a pro - and is able to stand on her own for a few seconds (as long as she's not really realizing that she's doing it).  I'm so exited to see her become the little toddling toddler that I know she will be in just a few days?  Weeks?  Months???
• This past weekend Seth's parents came up for a visit.  And again, we spent Saturday night out w/ friends, while the grandparents babysat.  We are definitely getting spoiled these days!  Loving the new freedom though.  And Maddie loves her grandma and grandpa, so she didn't miss us at all.
• To keep myself busy and not losing my mind of loneliness while Maddie is at daycare, I've been trying to scratch off all those outstanding projects before I head back to work and my spare time gets drastically reduced.  It's kind of like reverse-nesting-instinct.  Instead of the rush of getting organized before the baby gets here, it's the rush  before you have leave your baby for 12 hours a day...
• I'm We're definitely looking forward to having two paycheques coming in again - just in time for our little girl to officially turn one.  We're planning on a small birthday party on the Sunday (5th) before her birthday.  Now we just have to figure out what to get a little girl that really doesn't need anything...

There you go people.  You are updated on the ins and outs of the Valliers' life as we know it right now.  I will do my best not to leave you so high and dry again.  I know you missed me!  ;)

xxoo.S

She says "Mama"

She started saying it really properly last night.  

And honestly, as heartwarming as it is, it's also heartbreaking.  

Because she's saying it admidst sobbing cries from her crib at 3:15 a.m.

Damn child - will you ever sleep??

xxoo.S

Dear Miss Maddie,

Happy birthday my sweet!  You are 11 months old today and I am amazed at how fast you are growing and learning and growing and learning!

This past month we had Mama Hat up for a visit, we finished your room (finally!), we went to Kingston for a week-long visit, went to a family reunion and introduced you with many 'oohs and ahhs', tried daycare for the very first time (you hated it), endured a nasty case of thrush (and resulting yeast infection 'down there' - grossness!), and also the worst baby-cold-flu that made your previous colds look like a breeze.  

It's been another busy busy month with it's share of ups and downs - but the biggest milestone of all I think is your new (and elusive) ability to sleep through the night!  You've done it a handful of times and I'm hoping that we'll eventually string together a solid week of them.  It's my fault that we stopped the trend, as we went to Kingston for an overnight visit just as you were getting the hang of it - so that screwed it up.  Then you got sick - which also screwed with sleep and eating and Mommy's nerves as my happy-go-lucky baby was nowhere to be found for almost a week.

But through all that chaos, you still have managed to continue to learn how to walk - you are constantly walking around pushing your highchair, the kitchen stool, your baby-walker-thing, the piano or just cruising from chair-to-ottoman-to-tv-stand-to-couch.  You also love to walk while you have an adult holding your hands.  So we spend lots of time doing this every day as well.  You haven't quite got up the nerve to try out a step or two unassisted, but with all your practicing, I know we'll get there soon!

You got your first haircut the other day - just a bang trim - but it immediately made you look so different!  We were so used to seeing your scraggedly hair everywhere, and now it's just a straight cut of bangs across your forehead - it makes you look like a little girl!

And your eagerness to learn continues to blow our minds.  If I ask where Daddy is, you point to him.  If I ask where the kitty is, you find it and point to it (or give the lucky kitty the cutest full-body-hug anyone could ever ask for).  If we ask for a kiss, you (usually) oblige.  You're learning eyes, ears, nose and mouth - and enjoy grabbing our faces (sometimes quite hard!) during it all.

You also love to point out things you're interested in, especially when being carried.  You point to the CDs and I take you over to them and you would spend forever just touching them, looking at them, doing your little "ooh" and "ahh" noises that you make when your thinking about something.  You love visiting the bookcases, the pictures in the bookcases, the microwave, the radio in the kitchen, the pictures of the "baby" (you) on top of your bookshelf, Teddy, and the lightswitch (which you obsessively turn on-off-on-off as long as we'll let you).

You are also completely obsessed with removing the air duct grate in the kitchen, opening the drawer with the ziplock bags and pulling them all out, unloading the tupperware cupboard, 'helping' load the dishwasher (by climbing in it), unrolling the toilet paper at every chance, splashing your hands in the toilet (ewww), splashing your hands in the cat dish, and dumping and examining any trash can/recycle bin you can get your hands on.  Please.  Stop.  Doing.  That.

I can't begin to explain how much I've enjoyed spending every day with you this past year, monkey.  You've taught me patience and understanding.  You've taught me to slow down and just enjoy the moment.  That sometimes you just need to dance!  You've reminded me how important it is sometimes just to stop what you're doing and have a giggle.  How tears can turn into a smile pretty quickly if a person really tries to make it happen.  And that sometimes making spills or crashing items together are just a learning experience and aren't necessarily all that annoying.

I hope I'm keeping my end of the bargain up and teaching you lots of useful things and doing what a mom is supposed to do.  And at the end of the day, I hope when you go to sleep, you feel warm and cozy and cherished and loved. 

Because you are.  Immeasurably so.

Love,

Mommy

Another milestone

Well the weekend was a bit crap as I was sick the entire time (still sick today - whatever this virus was - it was a doozy!), but Maddie definitely seems to be over it, which is nice.

As for the milestone - we cut her bangs last night.  I was trying to hold off on cutting her hair until she was at least a year old (I had heard that it was bad luck to cut a baby's hair before a year - whatever) ... but her hair was so long it was constantly getting in her eyes and was clearly bothering her.  So now she has straight little bangs across her forehead.  So sweet!

Maddie didn't do her 1/2 day at daycare today as the daycare lady's daughter is sick (yup - she's been once and already infected kids - nice one).  So we took a pass on today and will be doing her half days on Thurs + Fri of this week.

Seth has today and tomorrow off work - so hopefully we'll do something fun.  I think it's nice enough for the park today - I'll see if I can convince him...

xxoo.S

And now I'm sick...

Crap.  Crap.  Crap.

xxoo.S

An (almost) 11 month old just kicked my ass

Both physically and emotionally. I don't think I've ever been so glad to see her go to sleep (yes, I'm sure I'm exaggerating here and that I have in the past been just, if not more, glad to see her go to sleep - but it's hard to see through the pain and anguish that today has been to remember past pain and anguish-filled-days).

Seriously though. You know what's more exhausting than having a kick-ass cold yourself? Having a hubby with a kick-ass cold... make mine a double and add an (almost) 11 month old with a kick-ass cold of her own and thrush on top of that.

While we're at it ... let's triple it up with a dose of "hubby leaving for fishing/boys' weekend" - leaving me alone with aforementioned child with kick-ass cold and a side of thrush.

Damn. Could I feel more sorry for myself?

Good thing I planned a retro-girls-sleepover-night for Saturday. If not, I would seriously have been playing the odds for a nervous breakdown.

Instead, I say, "Bring on the Bellinis!!!"

xxoo.S

First day of daycare...

...and it went not so well. As I had posted earlier, Maddie's been sick (and therefore sleeping even less than she usually does) and just not herself lately. But we had to do the 'first day' at daycare at some point - can't wait for the right time, because like most things, if you waited for that, you'd be waiting forever.

So off she went - 8am to noon was all she was going to be going for, and even though she hadn't slept well, and wouldn't eat breakfast, I still had my hopes up that it would be okay. Because Maddie loves other children. So much so, that I was hoping it may help keep her happy, occupied, interested and not-grumpy for the 4 hours she was there.

Ummmm, not so much. I dropped her off - she was in a great mood - wanted down on the floor to chase after the kitties (itttt-thay!), gave the daycare provider a big smile, and seemed not bothered in the slightest when Mommy gave her a big hug and kiss goodbye.

So I headed out, ran some errands, picked up some groceries, feeling good. Feeling like, hey, this isn't so bad after all. (Especially after a nightmare night with a baby that wouldn't sleep)

And then I go to pick her up, right at noon. I'm happy - I missed her, but not terribly - and am very interested to see how her morning went. I walk up to the door. And see my daughter crawling down the hall... crying.

Ummmm - shhiiiiiitt.

So apparently she didn't have a great morning. Apparently she wouldn't let the daycare provider put her down - ever. Apparently she was exhausted, but wouldn't sleep - fought the closing lids so badly (like she does - that didn't really surprise me). Apparently she freaked out about ... toys that made noise, the other kids, the outside, the swing, getting sprayed with water (don't blame her on that one), being inside, not being held constantly, having to sit on the floor. Yeah, just about anything. Superfreakoutattacks.

So the daycare provider asks me - does she need to be held all the time? I'm like - uh, no. She usually doesn't want to be held - she wants to be down on the floor, go-go-going. She asks, does she not like to be rocked to sleep? That one - harder to answer, as she sometimes does, sometimes doesn't - and does like to fight sleep. She asks, does she often not drink her milk? Um - yup.

I couldn't get a read on whether the daycare lady was upset with Maddie. I know she was sad that her first day wasn't better, but I got this feeling like she thinks Maddie will be more effort than she originally thought. Which is a bummer, because I know just how easy Maddie can be. And happy. And fun. And joyful.

All of which she was not, this morning.

Poor little bugger.

I am so not looking forward to Monday - our next 'half-day' in the daycare orientation plan.

xxoo.S

PS - one thing that did make me feel better, was that at least she felt solace in the daycare providers arms. I mean - that's something right? That she felt comfortable enough with her to want her to comfort her?

Weight update

In my haste to update you dear readers on Maddie's poor snotty nose/warm forehead/cheesy mouth, I forgot to tell you that I also got Maddie weighed while we were at the doctor's.

I didn't get her naked, so I guess it's not "official" - but she weighed in at 8.3 kilos - which converts to approximately 18 pounds, 4 ounces.  Two pounds more than two months ago.  Yaaaaayyyy!  Also bringing her back up from the 10th percentile for weight - not quite back to the 25th percentile, but definitely up a bit.  Double yaaaayyyy!

xxoo.S

Another first

Although not a first that I was looking forward to - Miss Madds has a fever. She woke up on Monday morning with a bad case of thrush in her mouth, but as it was a holiday, we could get her to the doctor until yesterday. Poor thing must have also caught some viral thing at some point over the weekend, as she's now running a low grade fever, has a runny nose, cough and has thrown up a few times the past couple of days.

We're sticking close to home today and hopefully with some Tylenol and the medicine the doctor prescribed for her thrush, will be feeling a lot better by tomorrow. Because tomorrow is another milestone day - her first "trial" at daycare. She's supposed to be spending a half day with our daycare provider tomorrow morning - to ease her (and me!) into the routine.

But I guess that will depend on whether she's sick or not...

xxoo.S

Weekend update

We left for Kingston on Tuesday afternoon and spent the rest of the week there, visiting some family and friends, doing some shopping and laying low as much as possible. I love going home to Kingston with Maddie, but it does get tiring as I feel like we're constantly running around from place to place. So we didn't do nearly as much running around as we usually do - and still it was an exhausting week...

Wednesday we headed to the States for some shopping at Target with Grandma Vallier. We stopped in at a Friendly's to grab lunch on our way, and Maddie had her first 'off the menu' meal. Grilled cheese, mashed potatoes and brocolli. That was the absolute healthiest option on the children's menu ... and that was after our waitress suggested a hotdog + fries (ummm, she's 10 months old - I don't think so...), and then asked if we wanted gravy on the mashed potatoes. I literally laughed out loud at that suggestion. Again, she's 10 MONTHS OLD. Gravy Really

After our healthy meal (including a desert of vanilla ice cream) we headed on to Target where weshoppedshoppedshopped. I do love that store. I do wish they would come to Canada. Or at least let Canadians order from their website.

Friday saw us doing some more shopping with Grandma Thompson this time (Mama Hat!) - at a new children's store in Kingston - Bonnie Togs. GREAT store. Lots of Osh Kosh and Carters stuff - so Maddie got some more fall clothes and some cute pumpkin pajamas. And later that day, when Seth finally got to Kingston, I took a much needed nap!

Saturday morning saw us heading to Frankford for my family reunion. It was great to see a lot of family that I hadn't seen in many years - some since my wedding, some since before that even. I wish we got together as a family more often, but it's hard as we seem to be scattered across Ontario.

Sunday we had some friends over in the afternoon for a bbq - lots of kids running around and good friends chatting - it was fun and went late into the evening. Monday was spent doing a lot of nothing - we watched a movie and relaxed at home.

So that was our week. Now September is here and the countdown is on for my return to work - October 1st officially. The next couple of weeks are already booked with plans and I expect the month will go by very fast.

xxoo.S

Her room

I mentioned in a previous post that I had finally finished her room. Here's a few pics...

I had to order the bookshelf from an online retailer in the States as I could not find one that matches her furniture (that was more suited for a child's room - i.e. rounded edges, not 6 feet tall). It's a KidKraft bookshelf, was a bitch to put together, but looks fabulous now. And as you can see, Maddie likes it!

In the background, in her closet, you can see the toy box we got her from Ikea - love the sliding out bins for her toys. Although they're already pretty full, so I think we need to stop buying toys - um, yeah. I know we need to stop buying toys.

And lastly - love the cylindrical stuffed animal holder! Another score from Ikea - although it holds less stuffed animals than you think when you see it in the store - partly because the holes are small, and partly because stuffing it full of stuffed animals makes it very heavy. So much so that my ceiling hook was creaking. So I lightened the load. Maddie points to it a lot, so I bring down a few 'friends' for her to play with each time - but also show her how to 'put toys away' when we're done in her room.

And this pic is just a side-bar ... these letters above her crib aren't actually new - I finished them a few months ago - but I just wanted to show them off!

We're headed to Kingston tomorrow afternoon for the remainder of the week. Have another family reunion to attend on Saturday, then we're hosting some friends over for a bbq on Sunday. It's going to be a whirlwind week for us - but then that's it. No more travel until ... Christmas? Who knows - but definitely not for a while.

xxoo.S

PS - uploaded new vids to YouTube - take a look. There's Maddie dancing, playing, walking (with assistance!), and in a bit of a compromising situation.

Musical genius?

It's no secret that Miss Maddie loves her music.

A just 3 months old she managed to let us know that she loved Bob. She (still) laughs at her crazy Mommy when I dance and sing along to Madonna while folding laundry. And we practically wore out the Feist CD from listening to it so much in her early jumping days.

Now that she can get around she's much more interested in creating music. By playing one of her many baby piano toys. Or pressing the buttons on her Sesame Street guitar and saxophone. Or making Farmer Tad play the banjo. Or playing her music box in her crib. Or on her activity table. Or making Elmo sing. Or her Glow Worm play music. Or, or, or...

But the best part of all, dear readers? She's learned that it's far more interesting if more than one of these toys can play at a time. As in, she sits and hits the buttons on one. Then the other. Then the first one. Go get a third toy that makes noise. Hit that button. Go back to the first one, hit that button. And on. And on. Andonandonandonandonandon.

So our house is now a constant jam-boree of various singing, dancing, music-playing toys.

I think we'll be getting this kid piano lessons. Or something...

xxoo.S

Her poor bumbum

Maddie has a diaper rash. Not shocking news in itself. Babies get rashes. I know this.

But she really doesn't get that rashy usually. And this one hurts. It makes her cry when I change her and have to wipe her little bits. She looked at me with shocked, hurt eyes when I had to wash 'down there' in her bath tonight.

I keep lathering her up with Penaten. Have given her some 'open air' time the past few evenings. But it doesn't seem to get that much better.

I'm hoping that it's a teething symptom (she has been gnawing on stuff rather frantically again). Is it possible that she could be teething again?

In the end, it doesn't matter why it's happening. I just want the rawness to go away and for my munchkin to be happy again.

Hope you're all having a good weekend - we have so far. Except for bad sleeping (again - teething? I don't know...), we spent the day at a friend's pool and out in the fresh air. Tomorrow will be visiting more friends and chilling out at home. I love the 'end of summer' weekends.

xxoo.S

A Maddie Moment

I love how Maddie is showing us more and more about herself each day.

Just now, I was sitting in the kitchen, enjoying my morning tea and checking emails, while Maddie crawled around opening cupboard doors and ripping her bibs down from the dishwasher.

Then the song "I kissed a girl" came on the radio, and I hear Maddie make a little grunt, then slap-crawl (that's the fast crawl!) over to the side of the kitchen where the radio is.

She pulls up on the cupboard doors and, while reaching up towards the radio, starts 'dancing' (that's bouncing up and down on her legs).

I took the hint.

I walk over to the radio, turn up the volume and take a little dance break.

At least she's got good taste - it's a good song!

xxoo.S

She hasn't made it easy

Today Maddie and I went to Little Feet (remember I told you about this magical baby play place?) and luckily for us there were several crawling babies around her age there for her to play with.

So while the tots crawled around the moms sat and chatted. About babies (of course!). And sleep habits (of course!). And weaning from breastfeeding to bottle (of course!).

And you know what I learned? She really has put us through more sh!t than most moms (seem to) have gone through. Especially re: the whole bottle drama. Honestly. I know it seems like I'm just complaining - but most moms have had an easier time with those things than we have. Not that I'm blaming Miss Maddie - I'm sure it's mostly my fault for doing stuff wrong. But she could give us a break on something, right?

Anyways.... so now we have gotten her taking a bottle - in fact she only gets bottles during the day - we're down to just breastfeeding in morning and night now.

And the newest little wrinkle in this development?

She'll only take 2 ounces at a time. So I feel like I'm constantly heating up bottles, offering milk in sippy cups etc. all day long to make sure she gets enough.

Maybe I liked it better when I didn't have any idea how much she was eating.

So the point to this whiny post? Any suggestions from moms out there on how to get her to take more at once in a bottle? Aside from starving her for several hours (because I've tried that)...

xxoo.S

Happy 3 year anniversary to us!

Yesterday was mine and Seth's 3 year anniversary. Oh how times have changed. Instead of a weekend away or yummy, extravagant meal at some downtown restaurant, we celebrated it at Shoeless Joes.

Let me say that again.

Shoeless Joes.

In fairness, we both had steak. I had a glass of wine. The meal was okay. The atmosphere - with a 10-month old banging her 'sippy cup' on the table overandoverandoverandoveragain - not romantic.

But I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

xxoo.S

PS - to give Seth full props - he did come home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me. I'm not a roses girl - so he brought an assortment home, featuring 3 giant callalilly's. My wedding flower. Gorgeous.

Good news?

I just found out today that my maternity leave doesn't actually end until October 4th.

I had been thinking all year long that I had to return to work mid-September. But then today I called the EI office to confirm when my last payment would be (is $ getting a little tight as my 'year-off' is ending? In a word, yes), to make sure I didn't have to go back earlier.

Instead, I find out that I don't have to go back until 2 weeks beyond what I had originally thought.

Part of me thinks, whatever, what's 2 weeks - daycare is set up for then, work is expecting you back then ... just stick to the plan.

But then another part of me thinks ... yaaaaayyyy another 2 weeks with my bubbas!

I We haven't decided yet what I'm going to do (change my return date or go back as planned). But I know which way I'm leaning!

xxoo.S

PS - Maddie now gives kisses upon request. As in "Maddie, give Daddy a kiss!", and she leans in to do it. How cool is it that she understands an instruction now? I think it's possibly the coolest thing ever.

By george, I think we've got it...

Or at least we're on the right track. It must seem like I'm constantly blogging about sleep, but if you had spent the past 10 months without longer than a 4 hour stretch, you'd be obsessed too!

Last night Maddie woke up for a nursing session at 12:30 and then went back down until 8am. She woke up a few times throughout the night and cried a bit, but really not much at all before she fell back asleep - so much so that I didn't even get out of bed (heck, I don't think I even really woke up as it's all a bit of a blur to me in the light of day).

So whatever we've been doing, we seem to be on the right track. Finally. Thank. God.

Now our next challenge seems to be getting the Little Miss to take a bottle from someone other than me. Everything I read had warned me that she would probably not want to take a bottle from me, possibly ever, because she associated me with nursing. And yet, here we are, in the situation that she will take a bottle, but only from me. Again - not really helping me with the whole 'weaning' process. The point is for her not to need me around.

Sooooo - here's my question for you experienced mamas out there... Have you heard of this happening before? Or did it happen to you? Any suggestions on how to get Maddie comfortable enough to take a bottle from someone other than me?

xxoo.S

Maddie bits

• After bragging about Miss Thing sleeping through the night, we had another sleepless night - but then followed that up with a *real* full-night of straight sleeping. That's right - Wed night Seth and I decided to take advantage of my mom up visiting (read: babysitting) and we left right after Maddie's bath to see a movie (Dark Knight - so good - see it). Mom had to deal with her crying a bit, but after only 10 mins she was out like a light. And stayed out until I finally went in to check on her at 7:15am the next day. You read right, dear readers, she actually slept all the way through! Bliss. Too bad it didn't happen last night. And I don't have much hope for tonight. Maybe it's just the magic Grandma touch...
• As I mentioned, my mom was visiting for the week, as of last Saturday - which meant I got to get a lot done around the house. My main project was getting her advice on pruning, and finally getting my gardens under control. It went quickly when we finally got it started - on the only day of non-rain this week (tuesday). What is with this weather this summer by the way? Bananas.
• Aside from household chores, we also did a lot of shopping with Grandma. Hit up our fave store, Once Upon a Child, and picked up a tonne of fall clothes for Maddie. Between that and what she already had - I'd say her wardrobe is complete.
• She also got a new fall jacket from Grandma (and matching rain boots - too cute - seriously) at a new store we discovered, Please Mum (which I also just discovered, you can shop at online - very cool). It's a Vancouver-based Canadian store and had a better selection of fall merchandise than Baby Gap, so they got our business. I will definitely be revisiting that store as soon as I get back to work and start making $.
• Between finally getting the bookshelf delivered that I ordered months ago (from a US-based online store), and getting the toybox from Ikea this week, I can finally say (after only a year from starting it) that Maddie's room is finally *done*. I will post pics soon - it finally looks organized and I'm really happy with how it looks now.
• Lastly - Maddie has gotten super-vocal lately. A lot of "DA" being shouted at us. As in, pointing at things and saying "DA". Wanting you to stop feeding her and saying "DA". Playing with her toys and just shouting "DA" at no one/nothing in particular. I'd love to know what's going on in that little mind of hers. I have a feeling when she finally figures out the art of language, we're never going to hear the end of it...

xxoo.S

She slept through the night!!!

Yes - you heard right. For the first time in I don't know how long (ever, maybe?) - she slept all the way through the night. Well, all the way, meaning she woke at 11pm for a feed, and woke up crying at 1:30am, but put herself back to sleep before I could get in there.

So yeah, I'm calling it all the way through the night. Woo hoo!

xxoo.S

Dear Miss Madeleine,

Mommy is one day late writing you this happy birthday letter, but that's because MamaHat is visiting and we've been busy!

You are now 10 months old. I know I say it every time, but wow - where has the time gone? You are a little person now - certainly no baby. Although you still like a snuggle every once in a while, you really do like to just be down exploring the world on your own (well, on your own with Mommy or Daddy within reaching distance).

We had a busy July and spent a lot of time with family - which is a bit bittersweet, as in just about a month, we won't have the luxury of spending all that time with everyone, as Mommy has to go back to work. And that also means that we've been busy trying to enjoy ourselves and visit people in these last few weeks we have 'off'. And enjoy ourselves we have!

You've been in your baby pool a number of times, taken a dip in a 'real' pool, and dipped your toes in a lake twice! You seem to like the water, I just wish we've had warmer (non-rainy) weather lately to get you in the water more. We've got lots of swim diapers to get through before the end of the summer, so let's hope for a sunny forecast for the month of August!

And the biggest milestone... you finally got your teeth!!! Yaaaaayyyy! You now have both bottom teeth and they are growing crazy fast. Kind of ironic that they take forever to finally get here, and then once they are, they come up so incredibly quickly. So now we brush your teeth every night after your bath with a little nubby baby toothbrush. You seem to like it.

Another big milestone (but admittedly, not as big as the first toothers) - we've started to wean away from breastfeeding. You fought me on this initially - actually pretty much for the entire month of July - but I blame that on the teething (haha - those poor teeth, they've been blamed for so much these past 6 months!). But you are starting to take the bottle pretty regularly and that means we've already officially cut out one feeding (the post-morning-nap feed). We're working on the afternoon feeding now, which only leaves us with the morning and nighttime nursing sessions. Not sure when (or if) we'll wean away from those sessions - let's just focus on the daytime feeds for now, okay? You may be taking the transition like a pro, but Mommy is already getting nostalgic about it.

And last but not least - Daddy and I spent our first night away from you this past month, monkey. That's right, you stayed overnight with Grandma Vallier while we spent the evening at Uncle Greg's cottage. We had a good time, worried about how you were doing constantly, and I was very very happy to see you the next morning. Apparently you didn't miss us much at all and behaved yourself quite well. Of course you did!

What else to say? You're pulling up on everything and everyone these days and walking around using the furniture as support. I suspect you'll be trying your first steps in these next couple of months, as you're already trying to 'stand' on your own (you let go of the couch for a second or two, just to see how you can balance - it's cute and not just a little bit scary!). You also really get around quickly these days. Our lives have been invaded by baby gates, and even with all those, you still manage to get to places you shouldn't be, fall or stumble into, over, onto things you shouldn't. But you're a tough cookie and seem to be getting used to the rough and tumble.

This coming month will be a fun one, as I'm determined to enjoy every minute of it with you. I don't think I'll ever get bored just spending time with you and watching you play. You are a funny little monkey, Mommy's little buh-buh-bubbas, Daddy's little sugar-pop-muffin-tart. Love you gorgeous girl...



Love,
Mommy

Those are the things that I will miss...

I can't remember (and can't be bothered to check back through old posts) if I've posted about the issues we've been having, trying to get Miss Thing to take a bottle. Yes, she was an old pro at taking the bottle up until about a month ago. She would take a bottle from anyone, anytime - whether it was expressed breastmilk or formula - she didn't care, she'd just suck it back.

Then I decided that I needed to start weaning her in preparation of heading back to work, and Miss Thing decided that she HATED bottles. She'd push them away. Scream. Cry. Look at you with terror filled eyes that minute you moved one towards her. Seriously kid. How do you KNOW what I'm trying to do?

I had thought perhaps her newfoundlove of breastfeeding had more to do with teething than anything else (although it seems that teething was the excuse we would use for any different behaviour, and still no teeth)... but then! We had teeth! Two in fact! So I thought, maybe she'd start taking a bottle again.

We've given up on the formula route. I've tried it. It DOES taste horrible. So we're not pushing that anymore. I've got enough breastmilk in the freezer to get us through the month anyways - and we've been slowly (with Dr's permission) introducing cows milk to her as well - mostly through a sippy cup.

At any rate, she has started to take a bottle - slowly. She only takes a couple of ounces at a time (most being about 3 oz) ... and apparently a baby 10 months old should be taking 6-8 oz in their bottles. But she still nurses throughout the night, and she's tiny - so maybe expecting her to take 6 oz at a time is too much? This is what I'm telling myself anyways...

The other challenge of bottle-feeding (eventually an added bonus, but challenge initially), is that it's more a scheduled feeding routine. I guess if you expect a baby to take 6-8 oz at a time, you have to space the feedings out. But going from breastfeeding, where she definitely was a snacker - feeding up to 10 times a day ... well, that's tough to transition to. So not only am I introducing a bottle to a reluctant audience, I'm also having to semi-starve said audience to try and incorporate some type of schedule.

Luckily we've made a bit of headway this week, and I'm hoping by the end of next week to have her cut down to breastfeeding only first thing in the morning and in the evening. And we'll stick with that routine for a little while - at least as long as my milk holds out. Sorry - this may be TMI for some readers ... should I have labelled this blog post with a disclaimer warning? Some content may offend? :)

Anyways - that was a very long preamble to my original thoughts that inspired me to write this post. For mothers, weaning always comes a bit of nostalgia I think. And as I've been nursing these past couple of nights, lots of thoughts of how incredibly quickly a baby grows up in their first year have passed through my mind. Just how far she's grown already just blows me away - and knowing the next few months are going to bring more and more changes - it does make you a little melancholy for your little peanut.

So I wanted to memorialize a few of the cute-as-pie things that she does - that I know she won't do forever - and that I know I will miss very soon...

• The way she rubs her feet together when she's nursing. It's such a blatant "tell" of enjoyment that I've never seen before - I love it.
• The "breaks" from nursing, where she reaches up with both hands for my face to give me a big wet baby kiss (this one is new and possibly the most adorable thing she has ever done in her lifetime - I will definitely miss those mid-nursing-kiss-breaks).
• Watching her go from agitated/revved up/hyper to a calm/dozing/blissed-out-baby, after a long nursing session. Just last night I told Seth how much I was going to miss nursing after I finally got her calmed down from a big temper tantrum/crying mess - just by putting her on the boob for a bit. It's not just for hunger, it's also like the baby chill pill. I dread the day that I can't make things all better just by 'whipping it out'.
• The phantom sucking, when she's nursed herself to sleep and I'm about to put her down in her crib. She's laying there, with her little tongue stuck slightly out, doing a sucksucksuck motion every few seconds. I need to get it on video as it's one of our favourite cute-isms that she does, and she's down it since birth, and we still don't have it documented.

There's already so many things that she no longer does that I already miss...

• Top of the list definitely has to be the "milk drunks". That drunk, dozy, half-asleep state that she would get into after nursing. This was really only a newborn thing - lasting about a month, and it would usually only last for like 10 minutes - back when that was the length of her naps! Hmmm, maybe I don't miss that so much after all...
• The ability to nurse her anywhere! I really miss that - when she was just all about food and had no concept of the outside world - nothing distracted her and I could actually just walk around with her on the breast (with the help of a baby sling) and she'd just nurse away.
• The snorting-snuffling-little-piggie sounds she used to make. Definitely a newborn thing. I used to call her my little piglet. Another thing that I wish I memorialized on video that I didn't.

But, what list would be complete without "those things that I WON'T miss"...

• The D.R.A.M.A of trying to nurse her while out and about now. If she's not able to lay down, on a bed, with no sounds/distractions going on, then she just won't nurse. Yeah - I won't miss having to ask anyone and everyone if they mind if I "use their bed upstairs to feed her?" ... some people gave me looks that blatantly said "what the...?". The spa-style nursing sessions won't be missed. Well, except for the right before bedtime ones...
• The teeth. 'Nuff said.
• Her random preferences for 'sides'. She will sometimes fight fight fight me, and then I'll just switch to the other side and she'll nurse away like it ain't no thang. So I walk around for the next 4 hours completely lopsided. (I know, I know! Stop reading if you're grossed out!)
• The sleepless nights. My unofficial poll has shown me that formula babes (on average) sleep through the night by now. And breastfed babes don't. Trust me - I know this...

Wish me luck this week and next. I hope by this time next week, I'll be able to report that we are down to 2 feedings a day, and 2 bottles a day. Hopefully...

xxoo.S

Been a while...

Wow - where did July go and how did August get here so quickly? I am officially on 'countdown' as the summer slips away and the days bring me closer and closer to heading back to work. To say I'm looking forward to that would be an outrageous lie, but you can't dread the inevitable, so I'm just trying to enjoy these last few days as much as humanely possible. Which also means we've been incredibly busy lately...

The weekend before last, my step-brother and his family came to visit us for the weekend. My nieces were so revved about getting out to Canada's Wonderland for the day - actually, I think the adults were just as excited to take them!

They arrived on Friday afternoon and Seth and Derek headed into the city to watch a Jays game, while all the 'girls' stayed home, ordered pizza and layed low. Saturday morning we were awokened by thunderstorms - not a great start to our Canada's Wonderland adventure... fortunately we decided to risk it and headed out anyways. Lucky for us, the rain tapered off just as we arrived at the park. We spent the first half of our day in the kids area, watching the girls ride (Auntie Sara joined them on a few rollercoasters). Even Maddie got to take a ride - we took her on the carousel!

The rest of the day was spent in the waterpark - really shows how long it's been since I've been there - I'd never seen it before and it's huge! We headed home late afternoon and bbq'd hamburgers and hotdogs for dinner. The girls watched some of the Hannah Montana concert (in 3D no less!) while we finally got Maddie down to sleep.

The Thompsons left us just after breakfast on Sunday morning, and we spent the rest of the day trying to relax and recoup from all the activity. On Monday I headed out with Maddie for a visit to Kingston - we spent the week there visiting with a tonne of family and friends. Tuesday morning we headed out to my Dad's and Maddie took her first official dip in a lake!

She was enjoying herself until a boat went by and the waves kind of scared her. We visited with Stef and her little boy, Quinn on Wednesday afternoon and headed to Picton on Thurdsay for a craft show. Friday was spent shopping with Gramma Vallier (Maddie and Mommy got spoiled!).

Saturday was our big milestone day - I left Maddie for an overnight stay with Gramma Vallier while I joined Seth, Greg & Liz up at Greg's cottage for the night. From all accounts she was extremely well-behaved and while she didn't take a bottle, she did sleep pretty well.

On Sunday morning, Liz and I left the cottage and headed to Stefanie's house in Inverary for an overnight visit. It's so much fun to watch Maddie and Quinn play together - especially now that they're both mobile! We headed back out to the cottage Monday morning, so Maddie got to meet Greg's parents, and Maddie got to hangout in the sunshine and take another dip in the lake with her Daddy.

It was a busy busy week, and now we're just resting up in preparation for another busy week, as Mama Hat (Grandma Thompson) is headed up for a week-long visit as of this coming Saturday. August is going to be done before we know it!

I'll leave you with a few more pics of our roadtrip...

Maddie loves her rhubarb! Especially after a good dunking in the dog's water dish!

Me and Stef with our little ones!

After a dip in the lake with her Daddy. And check out the 2nd bottom tooth! (it made it's appearance on Friday)

There's lots more pics on our Flickr account - check them out if you have a chance.

xxoo.S

I heart Little Feet

Yesterday Maddie and I met up with the Babyville girls at Little Feet. It's kinda like a Gymboree (I think, having never been to a Gymboree, I don't really know for sure).

As I explained to Seth last night, it's like baby heaven. There's a big open room just packed with different types of exersaucers, bouncers, big bouncy balls and moveable mats that come in all shapes and sizes - like stairs, slides, little houses to crawl through etc etc etc.

Maddie spent the afternoon just crawling, pulling up, standing, climbing, playing. In a nutshell, yeah, I think she liked it. It will definitely be our place to go on those really hot or rainy days I guess - at least until I have to (sniff sniff) go back to work.

It was so funny to watch her interact with the other kids there. She LOVES little kids. Large, small, younger, older - she doesn't care. She just wants to be where the kids are, doing what they are doing. And if they'll let her - kiss them all day long!

Yes, my daughter is quite free with her kisses to other kids. Mommy has to beg for a kiss, but random babies with drool and snot all over their face? Yeah, they get more kisses than they could ever want. In fact, I had to pull Maddie off one baby yesterday because she was making the little girl howl from her over-zealous-kissiness.

Cute, but also a little strange (in an adorable, funny, kids-do-the-darndest-things kinda way).

And last but not least, I'm happy to report that last night she was only up ONCE. That's right. ONCE. I know it's probably a culmination of a week of not sleeping due to teething and then one really tiring day - but I don't care. We all got 7 solid hours of non-stop sleeping last night (as the once that she woke up was midnight - to nurse and then out until 7:30 this morning).

Hopefully this is the beginning of a (much-needed, much-wanted) sleep trend. And hopefully I didn't just jinx it...

xxoo.S

So much news!

The weekend before last we spent in Kingston, attending the Vallier family reunion. We didn't drive down until Saturday morning, and after a few attempts, finally made it to the right location! It was ridiculously hot and muggy that day, so Maddie only lasted a couple of hours before she was begging to be taken home and put to bed.

Here's a pic of Seth and his cousins and his nanny:

Last week was a busy one - on Monday Maddie and I headed to Vone's house for a playdate with her little ones (Isla and Lilo) and Deb, Austin and Alex. We were there for the latter half of the morning into early afternoon and the kids played played played. It's so funny to see Maddie interacting with kids - she's so interested in other children. Not necessarily babies, but little kids that are older than her - she LOVES them. So Maddie spent the playdate crawling around the backyard chasing after Lilo and Austin, trying to play with them and with the ball getting tossed around. It was cute and very exhausting for her. She fell asleep within minutes of being strapped into the car seat and I was, for once (miraculously), able to get her out of the carseat and into her crib without waking her up. She ended up sleeping for 3 hours that afternoon!

Tuesday we spent at the zoo with the Babyville group. I'd say we're getting good use out of our zoo membership - at least we've officially gotten our 'money's worth' by this point. Maddie doesn't really notice/see the animals through the cages, but she loves the watching the people. I think as long as she's getting pushed in a stroller and is outside, she is a happy camper.

Seth was on the road for work the rest of the week - which was sad and tough - it's hard to be a single parent, even just for a few days! Liz came over on Wed night for a visit - we ordered take out steak salads from Shoeless Joes and she enjoyed a visit with Maddie. Thurs was spent running errands and Friday was spent getting stuff done around the house. We now officially have all our paint touch ups done, and most of the pictures/wall hangings hung. Wow, we've only been here for a year, and it's starting to look like a decorated house. Imagine that...

This past weekend Seth and I took it easy - getting things done around the house, watching a few movies and spending time together/with Maddie. She showed off her new standing abilities to him all weekend. In fact, if she had the option, she would spend all day climbing on her Daddy!

And our biggest piece of news - last night while getting her ready for her bath, I felt inside her mouth and felt a hard little pointy ridge poking through! Miss Madeleine has finally cut her first tooth!!! That explains the nightmare sleeping habits since Wednesday - she was way worse than usual and very cuddly during the days. I was thinking it had to do with teething, but since I had thought it so many times before I was still doubting myself. But apparently my gut instinct was right - and so she is now officially no longer a little gummy bear. It's her bottom left tooth, and she spent all day rubbing it with her tongue.

So now that it's here, does that mean we're going to get a bit of sleep? Even if it's just one night?

xxoo.S

PS - have updated our Flickr page with pics from June and July - take a look here.

Another milestone

She pulled herself to standing today! She's been trying to do this for a while now, but hasn't really made it past the knees - today she managed to do it at her activity table.

She's growing so fast - it's bananas.

xxoo.S

I give it to the end of the month

If I don't see at least one of her teeth by then, I'm going to get a pair of pliers and rip one of the suckers to the surface myself.

Or shoot myself.

I haven't decided which yet.

xxoo.S

PS - before you get offended by this post, I dare you to spend the next 9 months without getting longer than a 3 hour stretch of sleep. Once you've done that, you will see just how much sense the above sentences make.

First swim

As promised, here is the vid of Maddie's first try in her baby pool (it's not that pretty, but I do promise you that she enjoyed herself immensely about 5 mins later when Liz tried her in it again)...



xxoo.S

Dear Miss Maddie

You are 9 months old today! Wow - you still seem like a baby at times, so it's hard to believe that 9 whole months have gone by. Then again, you also are constantly reminding us just how quickly you are growing, as I feel like you are adding something new to your repertoire every day! Just yesterday I realized that you can climb stairs (and caught it on video), which means we really need to get more baby gates for the house!

This past month has been a bit bittersweet, as it's been spent doing (A LOT) of interviews for daycare. I dread the day that I have to leave you with someone else munchkin, and it's very quickly approaching. I keep telling myself that it will likely be harder on me than it is on you - that you'll probably really enjoy being around other kids and getting outside and playing, doing crafts - all that fun stuff, but you still seem like such a little baby, that I can't imagine someone else doing what I do all day long. That's just silly sappy mom stuff though - let's get into more fun and interesting stuff...

Some of the more memorable moments of this month include:

• your mastering the quick crawl (that's the crawl towards something I don't want you near when you think I'm not looking - like the cat's food dish)
• learning to clap (the CUTEST thing ever - and I love how happy with yourself you are whenever you do it!)
• starting to feed yourself - you've had Gerber puffs, Cheerios (you LOVE cheerios), broccoli, potato and banana
• you're trying your best to learn how to pull up and stand - you plant your feet, lock your knees and stick your bum up in the air a million times a day, but still haven't mastered that standing position - which is just fine with me! I'm still getting used to you being mobile, you don't need to learn to walk just yet!
  

You also are going through a more 'difficult' stage that means you don't like to be alone - ever. So if you are playing and look up and I've moved the kitchen, you crawl your way over to me. Or if we try to put you to bed in your crib, you are fine until we go to walk out the door. It's not fun and it's made bedtime a bit more challenging these days. You need sleep monkey - stop fighting it!

But in the end you are our pride and joy - we love you very much and can not even begin to imagine life without you now. Just try to give Mommy and Daddy a bit of a break and start sleeping through the night though, okay?

Love you monkey...

Mommy
xxoo

Camping and other updates

It was just as rainy and soggy and wet as was forecasted. In fact is was so wet on Saturday night, that many of the campers had to abandon their tents and headed to Rob's sister's house in Huntsville for the night.

We were in an older tent, and perhaps on slightly higher ground, so while soggy, we weren't entirely rained out and decided to stay. Yes. We are troopers.

Overall the trip was lots of fun, lots of kids playing, enjoying themselves in spite of the crap weather. The bugs were pretty terrible - but we had a net for Maddie, so she pretty much lived in her monkeywrap, attached to me, with a mosquito net over her. Sounds ridiculous? Well, she's the only one of us to come back with nary a bug bite on her, so I guess it worked.

The food was fantastic, the company was fantastic, it was just mother nature that didn't want to cooperate. I decided that camping wasn't all that enjoyable with an (almost) 9 month old - she couldn't crawl around and therefore was frustrated much of the time. Oh, and she refused to sleep in her playpen. So we are now officially cottage people, with the potential to go camping again when she's 3 yrs old (and as long as it's in a tent trailer).

Life since getting back has been hectic - but here's a synopsis...

• Tuesday was spent in our backyard enjoying the sun and warmth as much as possible. We had Greg and Liz over for a bbq and Maddie tried out her pool for the first time. We have it on video - will post soon.
• Wednesday was Maddie's 9 month check up - she's doing well, hitting all her developmental milestones on time, but she dropped in height and weight down to the 10th percentile (from the 25th) ... nothing the doctor is worried about, but we just have to make sure she's eating until she's full every time she eats. Which now means I feel like if she's not sleeping, she's eating.
• Wednesday also saw us do the last of the 2 daycare interviews ... I think we found 'the one'. We'll see when I call her on Monday.
• Thursday brought Grandma and Grandpa Vallier to visit for a few days - they just left this morning to go to a family reunion of sorts near London, and will be stopping back in on their way back to Kingston tomorrow. Somehow they restrained themselves and only brought one toy for Maddie with them this time, it's shocking.
• Last night we went to G&L's for dinner - and to check out their new outdoor fireplace/pit-type-thing. Fun, except Miss Maddie was grumpy so we had to leave earlier than anticipated.
• Maddie is now eating Cheerios. She loves picking them up and feeding them to herself thankyouverymuch. No, she doesn't need help. No, she doesn't want help. She's a big girl now, you see...
• I have finally uploaded all of our Ireland pics to Flickr, and written descriptions for everything so it makes a bit more sense. Click here to take a look...
  

Well, lunch is being made for me, and the weather beckons, so I'm off. Have a good weekend!

xxoo.S