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?!


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!