Yesterday was the first day I left Griffin for more than a couple of hours. A big step in our relationship and one that I was dreading! I spent the day at school and Jay stayed home for the day. I am so thankful Jay has some flexibility to help out as we make this transition, I felt better leaving him with Jay, he is daddy after all!
I figured it would be tough and knew that it is better to deal with this now instead of April 2nd when I am teaching, so we jumped in! I went to leave though and my car got stuck on our driveway, making me panicked that I was going to be late. Jay helped me get it more stuck, and then drove his car past my stuck one and let me take that. I was stressed because I was going to be late, and not happy about it, giving me zero time to worry/cry/think about leaving my precious baby boy! Seriously, how often can you say getting stuck is a blessing?? Yesterday it certianly was!
Although I did miss my boy a little during the day it could have been much worse. When I got home at 4pm my little boy was happy to see me but had a good day with dad! Jay had to leave him in the crib to help me in the morning and then later to get my car pulled out, but other than that there was little crying. Plus Jay actually got to participate in his work confrence call. I was pretty impressed! Dude didn't drink much milk so we spent lots of time nursing last night, but he was happy. So good to know we will all survive this transition!
I am really excited to start my new job, and even more so now that I have spent a day there. I was reminded how much fun kids are and how much I love teaching. While these next weeks will be an adjustment the exitment of change will help me as I grieve the loss of days spent with Dude. After yesterday I have much more confidence that Dude will adjust (although it will take time) to daycare and his new routine. Plus in three months I will be at home again on summer break!!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Growing Up is Hard To Do!
My little boy (who is asleep in his crib right now) is creeping closer and closer to his first birthday. He is growing up crazy fast. Every day he learns something new, he has already taken his first steps, and practices walking and falling all day long. At 10 months he keeps me busy!
Next week all this growing up will be a hard pill to swallow (for me maybe more than him). I plan to spend a good chunk of the day at school on Monday. Jay is staying home with the Dude and I am sure they will have fun together. I, however, will be adjusting to not having my days filled with laughter, songs, and love. Thursday we go to daycare for an introduction, and Friday he will spend a few hours there alone!! Not sure if I feel more worried for him or the staff! All of this is to help him transition to daycare full time by April 2nd. He loves other kids and I am hoping that this will help distract him, but I also know that it is rough for him to be away from me for long periods of time (okay maybe it is rough for me to be away from him for long periods of time)! I know that once he adjusts we will be okay, I just know it is going to take time. As I was organizing all this the other day I actually almost cried on the phone with daycare and certainly cried on the phone with Jay. If I was queen for a day Maternity leave would be paid for 5 years and I would be staying home! But I am not, and I am excited about my job, but oh how my heart hurts to be leaving Dude!
Next week all this growing up will be a hard pill to swallow (for me maybe more than him). I plan to spend a good chunk of the day at school on Monday. Jay is staying home with the Dude and I am sure they will have fun together. I, however, will be adjusting to not having my days filled with laughter, songs, and love. Thursday we go to daycare for an introduction, and Friday he will spend a few hours there alone!! Not sure if I feel more worried for him or the staff! All of this is to help him transition to daycare full time by April 2nd. He loves other kids and I am hoping that this will help distract him, but I also know that it is rough for him to be away from me for long periods of time (okay maybe it is rough for me to be away from him for long periods of time)! I know that once he adjusts we will be okay, I just know it is going to take time. As I was organizing all this the other day I actually almost cried on the phone with daycare and certainly cried on the phone with Jay. If I was queen for a day Maternity leave would be paid for 5 years and I would be staying home! But I am not, and I am excited about my job, but oh how my heart hurts to be leaving Dude!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
BLEH!
So lately Dude has been asserting his independence and letting us know his likes and dislikes. It happens in everything: the back arch/throw back is a common occurrence when he wants up, down, or another parent, he whines when we aren't doing what he wants or when the book is over and he wants another story, but my oh my is it clearly evident in his eating! Dude was an AWESOME puree eater, he loved everything I made and spooned into his mouth, veggies, meat, fruit, beans, etc. were all hits! These days he won't let us feed him (the odd time I can be successful with a fork and spoon but not often), he needs to use his fingers to eat or he won't be eating. I could deal with it, the mess doesn't really bother me, and is pretty simple to clean up with a cloth or paper towel. However, these days he is getting more and more picky when it comes to WHAT he is eating, and this is driving me a bit crazy. Green Beans, blueberries, bananas, cheese, cream cheese, peas, carrots, corn, melon, seem to be on the "like" list, notice any type of meat is not on the list, and beans (like kidney) aren't there either. He will sometimes eat wraps and real oatmeal, but other grains are iffy. I have tried mixing tiny bits of chicken in cheese, tried a number of kids of meat, and trick him by stuffing the meat into his mouth as he tries to put something else in.
He drops the food he doesn't want onto the floor or "hoards" it in his chair so: HOW DO I GET HIM TO EAT MEAT?!
He drops the food he doesn't want onto the floor or "hoards" it in his chair so: HOW DO I GET HIM TO EAT MEAT?!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
This Blessed Life I Lead!
Things have finally calmed down and we are taking an easy day at home. It has been a whirlwind around here! January always seems like a busy month, within 10 days we have 3 birthdays to celebrate (Ash, me, and Joel). So on the weekend of the 21st we headed into the city. Jay had a curling bonspiel to coach at so I hung out with the family. Mom, Ash, the three kids, and I headed to the Children's museum; Mika got a ton of exercise as she ran around, got soaked at the water table, and explored, the little ones rode along.
We came home and enjoyed a quiet week, with my usual Out and About days and cleaning and prepping for company on the weekend. I thought the company was my sister-in-law, brother and nieces; however on Friday morning a loud thumping knock at my door woke me up. Standing there was my husband and Megan (my old roommate/friend) from Calgary. My husband had flown her (she now lives in Vancouver) out for the weekend for my birthday! Such a fun surprise. It was nice to catch up with her, plus my little boy loved her! There were plenty of people involved in keep the secret and it was so much fun to be surprised!
On that Sunday we drove Megan to the airport and stayed in the city so Jay could go to meetings on Monday and for him to fly to Ottawa for a conference. A week without Jay made me realize why parenting is a two person game!! I was thankful for my mom's help one night as my little guy screamed. On Wednesday I had the privilege of hanging out with G and my two nieces (23 months and 7 months). After we figured out how to get everyone happy, and full we had a good, albeit busy, day as Joel and Ash started the moving into their new place process.
G and I rushed back home Wednesday night. The original plan had been to stay in the city until Jay came home on Thursday but that changed when I got called for an interview (read that last word again folks). I applied to the public school in Arborg and had an interview to go to. For the first time I left G with a babysitter (okay second, but I was in the same building the first time) and went to my interview (yes, G cried the majority of the time I was gone). The tears from him, and my nervous days leading up to the interview paid off as I was offered and accepted the position :) !! As of April 2nd (the same date as I was previously scheduled to go back to work) I will be teaching a Grade 5/6 class at Arborg Early Middle Years school. It is scary to be changing jobs, and even more so because this is only a term until June but changing schools is something that is really good for our family right now. Hopefully I will be able to find something come September!
So many blessings: My husband, my friend Megan, my family, my Little Man, and my new job; for these I am grateful!
We came home and enjoyed a quiet week, with my usual Out and About days and cleaning and prepping for company on the weekend. I thought the company was my sister-in-law, brother and nieces; however on Friday morning a loud thumping knock at my door woke me up. Standing there was my husband and Megan (my old roommate/friend) from Calgary. My husband had flown her (she now lives in Vancouver) out for the weekend for my birthday! Such a fun surprise. It was nice to catch up with her, plus my little boy loved her! There were plenty of people involved in keep the secret and it was so much fun to be surprised!
On that Sunday we drove Megan to the airport and stayed in the city so Jay could go to meetings on Monday and for him to fly to Ottawa for a conference. A week without Jay made me realize why parenting is a two person game!! I was thankful for my mom's help one night as my little guy screamed. On Wednesday I had the privilege of hanging out with G and my two nieces (23 months and 7 months). After we figured out how to get everyone happy, and full we had a good, albeit busy, day as Joel and Ash started the moving into their new place process.
G and I rushed back home Wednesday night. The original plan had been to stay in the city until Jay came home on Thursday but that changed when I got called for an interview (read that last word again folks). I applied to the public school in Arborg and had an interview to go to. For the first time I left G with a babysitter (okay second, but I was in the same building the first time) and went to my interview (yes, G cried the majority of the time I was gone). The tears from him, and my nervous days leading up to the interview paid off as I was offered and accepted the position :) !! As of April 2nd (the same date as I was previously scheduled to go back to work) I will be teaching a Grade 5/6 class at Arborg Early Middle Years school. It is scary to be changing jobs, and even more so because this is only a term until June but changing schools is something that is really good for our family right now. Hopefully I will be able to find something come September!
So many blessings: My husband, my friend Megan, my family, my Little Man, and my new job; for these I am grateful!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Nine Months!
Griffin has now lived out of my belly basically as long as he lived inside of it! Crazy! In so many ways it seems so much longer, and yet in other ways it was only yesterday that he entered our lives.He is growing and changing daily, just like he should be, and has a bunch of skills that make him seems like a little kid instead of a baby.
- He is crawling. He started belly/army crawling at 7 months, and knee crawling at 8, he is everywhere now! Baby gates and shut doors keep him contained but the house is his playground.
- He pulls himself up to standing with the help of something he thinks is solid. This includes couches, chairs, tables, and our pants/legs. He has just started to walk along furniture... he is slow and tentative, but I know that won't last long!
- He is a great eater, although lately he is asserting his independence and wanting to feed himself. He can't use a spoon yet but can certainly use his fingers; beans, cream cheese, soft/cooked fruit and veggies, puffs, mum-mums, etc. If he has something on his tray he will happily eat whatever I have on the spoon. As far as what he will eat the answer is EVERYTHING! He likes pretty much everything we have offered him, from the traditional sweet potatoes and apples to mango, navy beans, and lentils he will gobble up it all.
- He is still a shy baby; he prefers mommy or daddy over others; although lately he has been willing to visit and play with other moms at Out and About, and when well rested and fed happy to visit others if mom or dad is within eye sight. When hungry, tired, or needy mommy,and sometimes daddy are WAY better options.
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| "I can't really use this spoon, but I can try!" |
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| "This is the first time I pulled myself up, don't I look proud1" |
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| "Just when mom thinks I am a big boy I fall asleep on her lap and she puts me on the floor like this, I never let her do it again!" |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011 Year in Review
One of the most fantastic years has come to a close, and I love getting all reminiscent of days gone by. It has been a busy, and life-changing year, one I wish I could live over and over again; but I am sure the next year will have many great memory making times too... so onward and upward... after I look back on 2011!
Jan.-Feb.-March:
These months had me eating a ton of pineapple, and frozen blueberries by the pound. I was finally feeling pretty good. We enjoyed a few weekends with friends from Australia, and their cute little boys; My sister threw a wonderful baby shower for Little Boaz, and work was keeping me busy. But really these three months were filled with anticipation and excitement. My belly got bigger and bigger as the baby grew and grew. Our nursery was ready and our hearts we already loving our little man (although we didn't know he was a boy just yet)!
APRIL!
In an anticipated fashion April 10th came and went without a hint of baby being born. By this time I had been off work for two weeks and was READY to meet our little one. Instead I waited, and waited and waited... I now know that that waiting was a blessing from above. Finally on the 23rd we started the eviction, and after our bumpy ride (literally and figuratively) our little guy (Griffin Allan, born Sunday, April 24th) joined the world, our lives changed forever and our hearts were filled with more love than we ever thought possible. It was a long first day of trips from my room to the NICU, but eventually we were all together in my HOT, CRAMPED hospital room. Oh, how wonderful it was to finally come home, and after the first night it was wonderful to have my mom come up to help me those first few days!
May
The first month of Griffin's life brought adjustment, and change, and love, oh, so much love. Every minute of every day he was my world, from feeding to changing, to pumping, to feeding, to pumping, to sleeping... everything I did was to meet his needs and it was (and still is) wonderful. Oh those quiet days of rocking and singing and reading, of little grunts, and cuddle-filled naps (both of us), love filled days. Those days flew by so quickly...
Jay started his new job at Sport Manitoba. He took a term position that has had him home more often in the evenings, and doing what he loves. It was great timing and has been a really great stepping stone to whatever the future may hold for him job-wise.
June
Finally after a LONG battle our routine changed as the pumping turned to nursing and I rejoiced in the lost step. Griffin was growing and changing like crazy. His personality started to develop, he started playing more and sleeping less, and routine and order started setting in. Our family settled into the new routine (or as routine as we are going to get) of a family of three.
July, August, September
As a family we enjoyed summer activities
together: camping, watching sailboat races, and time enjoying the sun
(and HEAT). On one night we had to sleep in the basement because it was
so hot! Little Boy started eating solids at the end of September and has
been a fantastic eater ever since!
October, November, & December
I waded into the baby food making business so Griffin could have yummy food, after a long weekend in the kitchen I made 24 types of food, and for the record he loves everything from brussel sprouts, lentils, and kidney beans, to more conventional sweet potatoes and apples. We celebrated Thanksgiving at home with my side of the family. I even cooked my first turkey (sort of, dad helped via phone and took over when he got here). In mid-October Griffin and I got to surprise Jay with what I thought was an awesome birthday present, it was so much fun! Of course this was Griffin's first Christmas, although he will never remember it it was fun to make some memories of this event with him.
Oh how this year has flown by, time seems to go so much more quickly as we get older! We have new things to look forward to in the next 12 months, like Griffin walking, saying mama for the first time, and other Griffin milestones. I turn the big 3-0 this year, YIKES! We also know that we have many decisions to make in the next year; Jay's term at work is up and we don't know what changes that will bring, but we know that 2011 has been a year full of blessings and whether this next year is easy or difficult God will bring us through it in His way, if we let him!
Jan.-Feb.-March:
These months had me eating a ton of pineapple, and frozen blueberries by the pound. I was finally feeling pretty good. We enjoyed a few weekends with friends from Australia, and their cute little boys; My sister threw a wonderful baby shower for Little Boaz, and work was keeping me busy. But really these three months were filled with anticipation and excitement. My belly got bigger and bigger as the baby grew and grew. Our nursery was ready and our hearts we already loving our little man (although we didn't know he was a boy just yet)!APRIL!
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| Still in the hospital but out of the NICU |
May
The first month of Griffin's life brought adjustment, and change, and love, oh, so much love. Every minute of every day he was my world, from feeding to changing, to pumping, to feeding, to pumping, to sleeping... everything I did was to meet his needs and it was (and still is) wonderful. Oh those quiet days of rocking and singing and reading, of little grunts, and cuddle-filled naps (both of us), love filled days. Those days flew by so quickly...
Jay started his new job at Sport Manitoba. He took a term position that has had him home more often in the evenings, and doing what he loves. It was great timing and has been a really great stepping stone to whatever the future may hold for him job-wise.
June
Finally after a LONG battle our routine changed as the pumping turned to nursing and I rejoiced in the lost step. Griffin was growing and changing like crazy. His personality started to develop, he started playing more and sleeping less, and routine and order started setting in. Our family settled into the new routine (or as routine as we are going to get) of a family of three.
July, August, September
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| Our first family camping trip |
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| Griffin and his two cousins in July |
October, November, & December
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| Out in the snow in his sled |
I waded into the baby food making business so Griffin could have yummy food, after a long weekend in the kitchen I made 24 types of food, and for the record he loves everything from brussel sprouts, lentils, and kidney beans, to more conventional sweet potatoes and apples. We celebrated Thanksgiving at home with my side of the family. I even cooked my first turkey (sort of, dad helped via phone and took over when he got here). In mid-October Griffin and I got to surprise Jay with what I thought was an awesome birthday present, it was so much fun! Of course this was Griffin's first Christmas, although he will never remember it it was fun to make some memories of this event with him.
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| Griffin with his sensory balls! |
Oh how this year has flown by, time seems to go so much more quickly as we get older! We have new things to look forward to in the next 12 months, like Griffin walking, saying mama for the first time, and other Griffin milestones. I turn the big 3-0 this year, YIKES! We also know that we have many decisions to make in the next year; Jay's term at work is up and we don't know what changes that will bring, but we know that 2011 has been a year full of blessings and whether this next year is easy or difficult God will bring us through it in His way, if we let him!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Christmas
We have made our way home after a busy four days of travel and family. I am not sure who was happier to be home Jay and I or Griffin. He did pretty well on our travels but he giggled and smiled and talked up a storm when we got home. He is a pretty shy little guy and he struggled with big crowds at our gatherings, he needs his down time and time alone with mommy and/or daddy. Plus lots of car time (Riverton to MacGregor, MacGregor to Winnipeg, Winnipeg to Lorette to Winnipeg, and finally Winnipeg back home) over the four days was a little much for all of us! I think next year things will need to change around here!
That being said we enjoyed our time with family and friends. We had small gatherings with both immediate families, and larger ones with aunts, uncles, cousins and Griffin's great-grandparents. We ate three turkey dinners, and enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast of eggs benedict. The cousins played, at least as much as a 6, 8 and 21 month old can play together :), and we all got very thoughtful and lovely presents. It was a busy way to celebrate the birth of our King.
But sleeping in our own bed last night was wonderful!
That being said we enjoyed our time with family and friends. We had small gatherings with both immediate families, and larger ones with aunts, uncles, cousins and Griffin's great-grandparents. We ate three turkey dinners, and enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast of eggs benedict. The cousins played, at least as much as a 6, 8 and 21 month old can play together :), and we all got very thoughtful and lovely presents. It was a busy way to celebrate the birth of our King.
But sleeping in our own bed last night was wonderful!
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