Grampa Phil found this rocking moose at a garage sale.
Chance had just woken up, hence the tears and red spot on his forehead (he had been sleeping face down).
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Visiting Gramma Jo and Grampa Phil
3 days.
It took Chance only 3 days to tip the plant stand. It happened this morning while we were doing up the breakfast dishes. There was a big crash and the sound of breaking glass and I pitched my yellow rubber gloves into the sink and ran to the living room.
The plant stand was in the middle of the living room floor, dirt and broken leaves everywhere. Chance was standing by the wall with the "uh-oh" look on his face.
We got the dirt and glass vacuumed up. Poor Gramma Jo's African violets won't be the same for a while. It was like they got frightened and all their leaves fell off. There were 2 spots on the carpet where water had spilled, so we cleaned those up too.
We've had some busy days so far. We took Chance to Grampa Phil's office on Thursday, and we visited my cousin Jocelyn at her new house in Edenwold yesterday. Today we visited with the Kristoffs over lunch hour (Chance ate his first french fry!). Tomorrow we are visiting Great Granny Anne and Great Grandpa Gordon in Indian Head. We will travel to Moosomin to stay with Auntie Jen on Tuesday, with a noon hour lunch stop in Broadview to visit Great Nana Vi.
This visit is going by so quickly. Chance is always on the move. We think he is cutting teeth again, when he opens his mouth his gums arond his eye teeth look bulgy...not sure if they are supposed to arrive now or later or what. Also I am expecting a 4th bottom tooth any time now. To date Chance has alway cut his teeth in pairs, and a third bottom tooth arrived 3 weeks ago but its partner did not show up as expected...so it could be any one of those three teeth (or all of them!) causing the troubles.
[[[TMI WARNING]]], Chance has had diarrhea the last 2 days. 2 days of 8 diapers a day, all very poopy. Chance has not experienced such "classic" teething symptoms before. To date he has just been a little cranky when the teeth are coming in, with some night-time wake-ups, but nothing too bad. I have to say the diarrhea is pretty gross. And no Daddy to help change diapers, boo! Sometimes we are revisiting his newborn days, with explosive action and stained clothes. This is the first time I have traveled with Chance and didn't pack the Amaze (super strength laundry treatment stuff). I never needed it on my other trips....so I boycotted it this time during packing.
He has not had a fever and is otherwise in good spirits, still eating well, and drinking lots of course, so I'm not too worried....but just the same I feel a bit bad that he is having such tummy upsets. On the positive side, the pesky bum rash that has been hanging around for about a week is finally seeming to lessen somewhat.
OK, I am done writing about poop for now. There is something about being in Regina that makes Chance wake up at 6:00 AM. I don't know what it is, maybe something in the water. Anyways, it will be a good schedule to keep, as when I return back to Calgary it will be one short week before heading back to the office. And despite the disruptions to schedule and new surroundings, Chance is sleeping through the night, something that has not happened before. He has always resumed his night waking patterns when we are on vacation.
Anyways, time will certainly be flying by, that is plain. We are having a good time and the weather in Regina has been lovely. Crisp fall days with leaves falling and nice warm sunshine. I am taking Chance for walks in his little stroller every day. Yesterday was very lucky as while walking I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk!
It took Chance only 3 days to tip the plant stand. It happened this morning while we were doing up the breakfast dishes. There was a big crash and the sound of breaking glass and I pitched my yellow rubber gloves into the sink and ran to the living room.
The plant stand was in the middle of the living room floor, dirt and broken leaves everywhere. Chance was standing by the wall with the "uh-oh" look on his face.
We got the dirt and glass vacuumed up. Poor Gramma Jo's African violets won't be the same for a while. It was like they got frightened and all their leaves fell off. There were 2 spots on the carpet where water had spilled, so we cleaned those up too.
We've had some busy days so far. We took Chance to Grampa Phil's office on Thursday, and we visited my cousin Jocelyn at her new house in Edenwold yesterday. Today we visited with the Kristoffs over lunch hour (Chance ate his first french fry!). Tomorrow we are visiting Great Granny Anne and Great Grandpa Gordon in Indian Head. We will travel to Moosomin to stay with Auntie Jen on Tuesday, with a noon hour lunch stop in Broadview to visit Great Nana Vi.
This visit is going by so quickly. Chance is always on the move. We think he is cutting teeth again, when he opens his mouth his gums arond his eye teeth look bulgy...not sure if they are supposed to arrive now or later or what. Also I am expecting a 4th bottom tooth any time now. To date Chance has alway cut his teeth in pairs, and a third bottom tooth arrived 3 weeks ago but its partner did not show up as expected...so it could be any one of those three teeth (or all of them!) causing the troubles.
[[[TMI WARNING]]], Chance has had diarrhea the last 2 days. 2 days of 8 diapers a day, all very poopy. Chance has not experienced such "classic" teething symptoms before. To date he has just been a little cranky when the teeth are coming in, with some night-time wake-ups, but nothing too bad. I have to say the diarrhea is pretty gross. And no Daddy to help change diapers, boo! Sometimes we are revisiting his newborn days, with explosive action and stained clothes. This is the first time I have traveled with Chance and didn't pack the Amaze (super strength laundry treatment stuff). I never needed it on my other trips....so I boycotted it this time during packing.
He has not had a fever and is otherwise in good spirits, still eating well, and drinking lots of course, so I'm not too worried....but just the same I feel a bit bad that he is having such tummy upsets. On the positive side, the pesky bum rash that has been hanging around for about a week is finally seeming to lessen somewhat.
OK, I am done writing about poop for now. There is something about being in Regina that makes Chance wake up at 6:00 AM. I don't know what it is, maybe something in the water. Anyways, it will be a good schedule to keep, as when I return back to Calgary it will be one short week before heading back to the office. And despite the disruptions to schedule and new surroundings, Chance is sleeping through the night, something that has not happened before. He has always resumed his night waking patterns when we are on vacation.
Anyways, time will certainly be flying by, that is plain. We are having a good time and the weather in Regina has been lovely. Crisp fall days with leaves falling and nice warm sunshine. I am taking Chance for walks in his little stroller every day. Yesterday was very lucky as while walking I found a $20 bill on the sidewalk!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Toys for BOYS
Yesterday was the RGH Baby Birthday Party. Hard to believe that nearly a year has gone by already! What a milestone! We had a delicious and baby-friendly potluck lunch. I think Chance nearly ate his weight in mac and cheese and meatballs!
Lined up in birth order, from L-R: Cara and Tyler (September 29), Kelly and Amaya (October 3), Chrissy and Katie (October14 17), Gloria and Landen (October 16 18) and me and Chance (October 31)
We also did a birthday gift exchange. Chance received a Leap Frog fridge toy, it is magnetic and sings songs when you push a button or match up animal magnets on it. He loves the music it plays.
Additionally Chance received a set of stacking cups and a bottle of bubble solution. We tried the bubbles out last night in the tub, and he was really impressed!
Also on the weekend I did some birthday shopping for Chance at a used toy sale at a nearby church, but those toys are waiting for Chance's proper birthday on October 31. When I returned home with my backpack of toys, Cam was so excited to play with one of them that he started pushing buttons and when it started making noises, he stuffed the toy into his armpit and ran around the house looking for a place to "hide" it. Chance was sleeping.
There was one thing that I specifically wanted to buy for Chance at the used toy sale - a small broom. It sounds strange, but every time I bring out the broom to sweep the kitchen floor, Chance gets SO excited. But they did not have any toy brooms at the used toy sale. So we headed over to Toys R Us and bought Chance a little broom. We didn't want to wait for his birthday to give him the broom, who knows, by the time Halloween rolls around, maybe the fascination will have worn off. Chance looooooves his new broom. He uses it like a little walking stick more than a broom, or even uses it for balance when he's doing his "yoga" moves. Sometimes he rides it around like a hobby-horse.
Now this is where my feminista side gets a little bit riled: we looked through the toy store for this broom for a while. I was starting to think that they wouldn't have one at all. Then I saw the Barbie display. Right next to Barbie was an army of Easy Bake Ovens. I rounded the corner, and yup, there was the broom. Of course. There was a display of play sledgehammers and shovels and rakes right next to the hockey sticks. The brooms? They're next to the dollies.
Lined up in birth order, from L-R: Cara and Tyler (September 29), Kelly and Amaya (October 3), Chrissy and Katie (October
We also did a birthday gift exchange. Chance received a Leap Frog fridge toy, it is magnetic and sings songs when you push a button or match up animal magnets on it. He loves the music it plays.
Additionally Chance received a set of stacking cups and a bottle of bubble solution. We tried the bubbles out last night in the tub, and he was really impressed!
Also on the weekend I did some birthday shopping for Chance at a used toy sale at a nearby church, but those toys are waiting for Chance's proper birthday on October 31. When I returned home with my backpack of toys, Cam was so excited to play with one of them that he started pushing buttons and when it started making noises, he stuffed the toy into his armpit and ran around the house looking for a place to "hide" it. Chance was sleeping.
There was one thing that I specifically wanted to buy for Chance at the used toy sale - a small broom. It sounds strange, but every time I bring out the broom to sweep the kitchen floor, Chance gets SO excited. But they did not have any toy brooms at the used toy sale. So we headed over to Toys R Us and bought Chance a little broom. We didn't want to wait for his birthday to give him the broom, who knows, by the time Halloween rolls around, maybe the fascination will have worn off. Chance looooooves his new broom. He uses it like a little walking stick more than a broom, or even uses it for balance when he's doing his "yoga" moves. Sometimes he rides it around like a hobby-horse.
Now this is where my feminista side gets a little bit riled: we looked through the toy store for this broom for a while. I was starting to think that they wouldn't have one at all. Then I saw the Barbie display. Right next to Barbie was an army of Easy Bake Ovens. I rounded the corner, and yup, there was the broom. Of course. There was a display of play sledgehammers and shovels and rakes right next to the hockey sticks. The brooms? They're next to the dollies.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Quote
"While the rest of the species is descended from apes, redheads are descended from cats".
-- Mark Twain
I miss you, Chancy!
It's been a while since I uploaded a video. Here's one from last month, but it captures the essence of what a typical morning was like with Chance.
The First 30 Minutes
It's been 30 minutes since Cam and I dropped Chance off at the day home. When we got there, the house was dark, but there was a light on over the doorstep. So we rang the doorbell.
Nothing happened.
Then the door swung open and a man, presumably Mrs. G's husband, said that they were a bit unprepared for such an early start.
Crap. It was 7:05 AM.
Of course we had discussed when we'd like to drop Chance off when we visited Mrs. G a few weeks ago, but when I set up these 2 days of practice day care for Chance, I guess it wasn't understood that we would be doing the day just like it were a regular day of work.
Anyways, Mrs. G took Chance from me, I handed over the little baby backpack filled with diapers and lunch and extra clothes. I stroked Chance on the head one last time before closing the door behind me. It took me a loooong time to close the screen door. Cam was waiting by the truck.
I took Cam to the C-train station and dropped him off, then went to deposit our recycling into the city bins. The bags of milk cartons and tin cans had been sitting in Cam's truck box overnight, got rained on, and then they froze, so my hands felt like shredded meat by the time I was done. There was a Starbucks across the parking lot, so I went in and ordered a big foamy coffee. The last time I was in a Starbucks, it was -30° outside and I was meeting with the RGH moms with a 2 month old baby, still feeling as awkward toting around that little bundle as I do now without him.
Well I am going to go get organized for today's lasagna-thon. I will be going to the Y in about an hour for a kickboxing class, that will get my thoughts off Chance for an hour or so.
I'm really really really trying not to phone Mrs. G right now. Really.
Nothing happened.
Then the door swung open and a man, presumably Mrs. G's husband, said that they were a bit unprepared for such an early start.
Crap. It was 7:05 AM.
Of course we had discussed when we'd like to drop Chance off when we visited Mrs. G a few weeks ago, but when I set up these 2 days of practice day care for Chance, I guess it wasn't understood that we would be doing the day just like it were a regular day of work.
Anyways, Mrs. G took Chance from me, I handed over the little baby backpack filled with diapers and lunch and extra clothes. I stroked Chance on the head one last time before closing the door behind me. It took me a loooong time to close the screen door. Cam was waiting by the truck.
I took Cam to the C-train station and dropped him off, then went to deposit our recycling into the city bins. The bags of milk cartons and tin cans had been sitting in Cam's truck box overnight, got rained on, and then they froze, so my hands felt like shredded meat by the time I was done. There was a Starbucks across the parking lot, so I went in and ordered a big foamy coffee. The last time I was in a Starbucks, it was -30° outside and I was meeting with the RGH moms with a 2 month old baby, still feeling as awkward toting around that little bundle as I do now without him.
Well I am going to go get organized for today's lasagna-thon. I will be going to the Y in about an hour for a kickboxing class, that will get my thoughts off Chance for an hour or so.
I'm really really really trying not to phone Mrs. G right now. Really.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Days Like This
What a morning it has been. It all started at FIVE A.M. when our carbon monoxide detector went off. I went to check it out and it turns out all it wanted was a new battery. I tried to pry the lid off the battery compartment only to find that it was jammed. Meanwhile the alarm is going off. I bee-lined for the door in order to take it apart outside, where (I hoped) the alarm wouldn't wake up Chance. I finally got the battery door open and went to work on the batteries themselves, which proved difficult while you're freezing your buns off in bare feet and a housecoat. Mission accomplished, I opened the door and went back inside.
I listened, and all was quiet, except for the pad-pad-pad of Scarlet's feet as she approached from the hallway. She wanted breakfast. NOW. With Scarlet screaming her fool head off, I went back downstairs to fill her kitty dish. I closed the door behind me. Scarlet would be fine with her breakfast, her litter box, and plenty of dirty laundry to curl up in if she wanted to go back to bed. No sense having her playing with kitty toys and waking up Chance at 5:30 in the morning.
Just as I passed Chance's door on the way to our bedroom, I heard a squeaky "aaaahhh???". It sounded like the noise that Who makes in the Grinch cartoon. Chance was up. Just count to ten...he'll wind down on his own, I thought to myself. I counted to 10. Chance wound himself up to a full blown cry in 10 seconds flat. I cuddled with him until he got drowsy again, and then gave him his soother and blankie and popped him back into his crib.
Wearily, I stripped the housecoat off and crawled back into bed. Cameron made an annoyed sound. Mmmf. I bit my lip and rolled over, giving the covers a selfish tug for good measure. Nine minutes later, Cam's alarm clock went off. I must have fallen asleep right after that, because I don't remember him leaving.
The next thing I knew, the phone was ringing. The answering machine picked up and it was my friend Nickie, who I was supposed to meet for a walk this morning. I lurched out of bed, shocked to see it was 8:45! Nickie was cancelling the walk due to her daughter's cold, that was OK, but the trash hadn't been set out yet and also the cleaners were coming in 15 minutes to get acquainted with the house (i.e. where's the vacuum?) and also get a key. Chance was awake, babbling in his crib. I was tearing around the house like a madwoman.
I managed to put out the trash, shower, tidy the house somewhat (dirty laundry on floor, fish out the dirty diaper soaking in the toilet, etc!) nurse and change Chance's diaper and get myself dressed before the cleaning lady showed up. Whew! The whole time she was here Chance was tearing around the house in his jammies and screaming. Not crying, but just yelling and laughing and acting like a monkey. I was distracted and forgot to give the key to her, I will have to figure something out.
I got Chance's breakfast fixed and ate my oatmeal with him. Drank tea. Did dishes. Breathed.
Around 11:30 Chance's high spirits abruptly changed to dispair. He was past due for a nap, but I wanted to keep him awake so that: 1) he takes a good quality nap this afternoon and 2) he is sufficiently tired at bedtime so that Cameron has no problems putting him to sleep. I am going to Mise En Place tonight with a group of ladies, to put together a few weeks' worth of freezer meals. Anyways, my already frazzled nerves were starting to twang, so I packed him into his car seat and I went to get mymug shots passport photos taken.
I love naptime. It's a good time to reflect and regroup.
I'd like to say that tomorrow morning will be better....but it's the first day at the day home for Chance. My bets are on me being an emotional wreck, forgetting to pack something that Chance will need and getting a phone call from Mrs. G...."Chance is upset and I think it would be better if you looked for alternative day care.....". Yeesh.
I listened, and all was quiet, except for the pad-pad-pad of Scarlet's feet as she approached from the hallway. She wanted breakfast. NOW. With Scarlet screaming her fool head off, I went back downstairs to fill her kitty dish. I closed the door behind me. Scarlet would be fine with her breakfast, her litter box, and plenty of dirty laundry to curl up in if she wanted to go back to bed. No sense having her playing with kitty toys and waking up Chance at 5:30 in the morning.
Just as I passed Chance's door on the way to our bedroom, I heard a squeaky "aaaahhh???". It sounded like the noise that Who makes in the Grinch cartoon. Chance was up. Just count to ten...he'll wind down on his own, I thought to myself. I counted to 10. Chance wound himself up to a full blown cry in 10 seconds flat. I cuddled with him until he got drowsy again, and then gave him his soother and blankie and popped him back into his crib.
Wearily, I stripped the housecoat off and crawled back into bed. Cameron made an annoyed sound. Mmmf. I bit my lip and rolled over, giving the covers a selfish tug for good measure. Nine minutes later, Cam's alarm clock went off. I must have fallen asleep right after that, because I don't remember him leaving.
The next thing I knew, the phone was ringing. The answering machine picked up and it was my friend Nickie, who I was supposed to meet for a walk this morning. I lurched out of bed, shocked to see it was 8:45! Nickie was cancelling the walk due to her daughter's cold, that was OK, but the trash hadn't been set out yet and also the cleaners were coming in 15 minutes to get acquainted with the house (i.e. where's the vacuum?) and also get a key. Chance was awake, babbling in his crib. I was tearing around the house like a madwoman.
I managed to put out the trash, shower, tidy the house somewhat (dirty laundry on floor, fish out the dirty diaper soaking in the toilet, etc!) nurse and change Chance's diaper and get myself dressed before the cleaning lady showed up. Whew! The whole time she was here Chance was tearing around the house in his jammies and screaming. Not crying, but just yelling and laughing and acting like a monkey. I was distracted and forgot to give the key to her, I will have to figure something out.
I got Chance's breakfast fixed and ate my oatmeal with him. Drank tea. Did dishes. Breathed.
Around 11:30 Chance's high spirits abruptly changed to dispair. He was past due for a nap, but I wanted to keep him awake so that: 1) he takes a good quality nap this afternoon and 2) he is sufficiently tired at bedtime so that Cameron has no problems putting him to sleep. I am going to Mise En Place tonight with a group of ladies, to put together a few weeks' worth of freezer meals. Anyways, my already frazzled nerves were starting to twang, so I packed him into his car seat and I went to get my
I love naptime. It's a good time to reflect and regroup.
I'd like to say that tomorrow morning will be better....but it's the first day at the day home for Chance. My bets are on me being an emotional wreck, forgetting to pack something that Chance will need and getting a phone call from Mrs. G...."Chance is upset and I think it would be better if you looked for alternative day care.....". Yeesh.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Brrrr!
It is snowing today, people. Snowing.
Chance is sleeping in a sweater and sweat pants. I'm downing cups of tea and waiting for the house to warm up. It was 18°C inside when we woke up. The furnace has officially been turned on.
Chance is sleeping in a sweater and sweat pants. I'm downing cups of tea and waiting for the house to warm up. It was 18°C inside when we woke up. The furnace has officially been turned on.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Weekend Summary
We went to the Farmer's Market in Millarville bright and early on Saturday. It was chilly out so Chance was bundled up in his new toque and warm fall jacket. We bought peaches, a zucchini, a jar of grainy garlic mustard, sausages and... blackberries!!
Here is Scarlet showing off her feline stupidity. She hauled the speakers down with her when she failed to land this jump. Lately she has been acting up, scratching the carpets and she has been extra vocal. I think she can sense that there is a change coming up. Chance, on the other hand, has no idea what is coming down the pipes in just 4 days. It's currently 8 AM and he's still sleeping peacefully. Friday is his first day at the day home.
On Sunday we woke up with Chance at 7 and ate fresh farm eggs for breakfast before splitting up: Chance and Mommy to the YMCA, Daddy to the basement to do his boxing routine. When Chance and I returned home the lawn was being cut. I fed Chance a snack and then he napped. Cameron was starving, so he fixed a bit of an early lunch and then he and I quickly did a few garden things...dug our remaining hills of potatoes, cut back the rhubarb and perennials, and also started our compost bin (finally).
In the afternoon Chance had another good sleep and then we went on a long walk in Fish Creek Park. It is beautiful there this time of year, and of course I forgot to bring my camera. The leaves were falling everywhere and they were floating into the open Chariot, Chance had leaves stuck to him everywhere when we lifted him out!
Chance ate chili on toast for supper while we enjoyed potatoes from the garden (Chance doesn't like potatoes), corn cut from a couple of roasted ears our neighbour brought over for us a few days ago, and Korean BBQ pork chops. I never thought of it, but the neighbours who brought us the corn are Korean...I wonder what they would think of "Korean" BBQ pork chops...?
We watched the latest Bond flick (Casino Royale) in 2 parts this weekend, and I have to say that it was quite entertaining. I was surprised, because the only other Bond movie I have seen was Die Another Day, and I thought that one was terrible.
Chance slept well all weekend, that is a relief. He had woken up at 4 AM very upset on Thursday night, but all has been quiet since then. Maybe a nightmare? Anyways, it's now 8:10 AM, I should get showered myself and wake up that little ragamuffin.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Big Boy Jam Jams
Chance got his first pair of big boy (2-piece) jammies last week. We had to wait until we had a cool enough night to wear them. I think they are so cute. I bought them at a kids' consignment store for $3.50. They are a little long but have snug elastic cuffs, so when he walks around in them, they look a bit like Aladdin pants. The fabric reminds me of a cartoon I used to watch as a kid called Astro Boy.
The next morning during breakfast I took a picture of Chance's little feet sticking out of his high chair.
Today he ate scrambled eggs for the first time. And he is starting to like peaches more now....that figures, as peach season is nearly finished. He is getting so big so quickly. Cliché!
The next morning during breakfast I took a picture of Chance's little feet sticking out of his high chair.
Today he ate scrambled eggs for the first time. And he is starting to like peaches more now....that figures, as peach season is nearly finished. He is getting so big so quickly. Cliché!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Trip to the Zoo
Chance took his first trip to the zoo on Friday. Cam likes to joke that I should have left him in the monkey house.
We went with my friend Kim and her son Matthew, who is 4 months old. Also a friend of Kim's came along, with her 6 month old daughter in tow. When we all met at the agreed upon spot, the two women stated that they had been up at 5 and 6. I almost felt shameful admitting that I had gotten up around 8, and Chance woke up after I had taken a shower. I was quick to point out that it wasn't always this way!
Our first stop was to the hippo tank. But the hippoes were outside. Once outside, we figured out that the hippoes weren't doing much, outside. Then we saw the giraffes. There was a baby giraffe born a few months ago. Let me tell you, that guy is huge! He was running around his pen. He approached us and then panicked and took off again. Chance seemed to be watching him run, that was cool. The reason we haven't taken him to the zoo is that we didn't think he'd be interested in watching animals.
The next exhibit was the lion cage. Two lions were laying together in a sunbeam, bathing each other. Cute. Then a second pair of lions, a male and a female, started pacing around their fence enclosure. I wheeled Chance up closer so he could see them through a part in the tall grass. The female stopped right in front of us and stared at Chance. Chance stared back at the lioness. The male continued on his patrol, to the opposite side of the pen. Then the lions started to growl and give short loud calls. This was pretty facinating, and us mothers were impressed. Then we checked on the babies. Matthew was asleep. The little girl was watching people go by. Chance was wide eyed staring at the lioness, who was still 2 feet away from us, with a horrified expression on his face. I wheeled him away before he started to cry. It was a good 2 minutes before his expression changed.
So we visited the apes, and the elephants, where we stopped for a nursing break. Well, the other two moms nursed, Chance drank formula from a sippy cup and toddled around with a cracker. It was the first time I hadn't nursed him in the morning, and I felt a little strange not joining the other moms. Chance didn't seem to mind.
We took a stroll through the Canadian animal section of the zoo after back-tracking from the elephants as Kim noticed that Matthew had kicked off his shoe. I bet the number of kids clothes, hats, soothers, etc. found at the zoo at the end of the day is staggering. Never mind trying to break your kid's pacifier habit...take a soother away from a cougar and watch the temper tantrum, haha!
Here is Chance enjoying his lunch. It was not until I snapped this picture that I realized we were in front of the Grizzly Bear cage. Extra Mom Points for parading a food-smeared toddler thirty feet in front of a snoozing Grizzly.
All in all it was an excellent day at the zoo. The weather was fantastic and we managed to avoid a lot of crowds by being there early. I think we'll hold off on another trip until Chance is a bit older, I can't wait to hear him say "Look Mommy, the hippo is pooping!!!".
We went with my friend Kim and her son Matthew, who is 4 months old. Also a friend of Kim's came along, with her 6 month old daughter in tow. When we all met at the agreed upon spot, the two women stated that they had been up at 5 and 6. I almost felt shameful admitting that I had gotten up around 8, and Chance woke up after I had taken a shower. I was quick to point out that it wasn't always this way!
Our first stop was to the hippo tank. But the hippoes were outside. Once outside, we figured out that the hippoes weren't doing much, outside. Then we saw the giraffes. There was a baby giraffe born a few months ago. Let me tell you, that guy is huge! He was running around his pen. He approached us and then panicked and took off again. Chance seemed to be watching him run, that was cool. The reason we haven't taken him to the zoo is that we didn't think he'd be interested in watching animals.
The next exhibit was the lion cage. Two lions were laying together in a sunbeam, bathing each other. Cute. Then a second pair of lions, a male and a female, started pacing around their fence enclosure. I wheeled Chance up closer so he could see them through a part in the tall grass. The female stopped right in front of us and stared at Chance. Chance stared back at the lioness. The male continued on his patrol, to the opposite side of the pen. Then the lions started to growl and give short loud calls. This was pretty facinating, and us mothers were impressed. Then we checked on the babies. Matthew was asleep. The little girl was watching people go by. Chance was wide eyed staring at the lioness, who was still 2 feet away from us, with a horrified expression on his face. I wheeled him away before he started to cry. It was a good 2 minutes before his expression changed.
So we visited the apes, and the elephants, where we stopped for a nursing break. Well, the other two moms nursed, Chance drank formula from a sippy cup and toddled around with a cracker. It was the first time I hadn't nursed him in the morning, and I felt a little strange not joining the other moms. Chance didn't seem to mind.
We took a stroll through the Canadian animal section of the zoo after back-tracking from the elephants as Kim noticed that Matthew had kicked off his shoe. I bet the number of kids clothes, hats, soothers, etc. found at the zoo at the end of the day is staggering. Never mind trying to break your kid's pacifier habit...take a soother away from a cougar and watch the temper tantrum, haha!
Here is Chance enjoying his lunch. It was not until I snapped this picture that I realized we were in front of the Grizzly Bear cage. Extra Mom Points for parading a food-smeared toddler thirty feet in front of a snoozing Grizzly.
All in all it was an excellent day at the zoo. The weather was fantastic and we managed to avoid a lot of crowds by being there early. I think we'll hold off on another trip until Chance is a bit older, I can't wait to hear him say "Look Mommy, the hippo is pooping!!!".
Special Dinner
We cooked a special dinner last night, just because. Blue cheese crusted filet mignon with horseradish mashed potatoes. I record a TV cooking show called Chef at Home every morning, Chance loves the close-ups and he usually dances when they play the music.
Blue Cheese-Crusted Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce
Steaks:
2 x six-ounce filet mignons
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
2 ounces blue cheese
1 slice whole grain bread, cubed
1 Tbsp stick butter
Fresh ground pepper
Red Wine Sauce
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season the filets and rub with olive oil. Place in the hot pan and sear for 1 minute on each side.
Place on a cooling rack fitted over a baking sheet. Reserve the pan.
Puree the blue cheese, bread, butter, rosemary and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
Pack blue cheese crust onto the tops of the filets and bake in oven until meat is medium-rare, about 8-10 minutes.
The meat and crust may be prepared in advance, refrigerated, then baked just before serving. If so, add a little more baking time.
Add the wine to the searing pan over medium-high heat.
Scrape loose the brown bits and reduce the wine to a syrup-like consistency.
Whisk in the cream and continue to reduce until the mixture thickens to a sauce like consistency.
Season and serve with the filets.
Blue Cheese-Crusted Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce
Steaks:
2 x six-ounce filet mignons
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
2 ounces blue cheese
1 slice whole grain bread, cubed
1 Tbsp stick butter
Fresh ground pepper
Red Wine Sauce
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Season the filets and rub with olive oil. Place in the hot pan and sear for 1 minute on each side.
Place on a cooling rack fitted over a baking sheet. Reserve the pan.
Puree the blue cheese, bread, butter, rosemary and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
Pack blue cheese crust onto the tops of the filets and bake in oven until meat is medium-rare, about 8-10 minutes.
The meat and crust may be prepared in advance, refrigerated, then baked just before serving. If so, add a little more baking time.
Add the wine to the searing pan over medium-high heat.
Scrape loose the brown bits and reduce the wine to a syrup-like consistency.
Whisk in the cream and continue to reduce until the mixture thickens to a sauce like consistency.
Season and serve with the filets.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Conclusion of RGH Moms & Babes Draws Near...
We got together with the RGH Moms & Babies group last week, I'm sure it will be one of our last meetings as some moms are due back at work towards the end of September. We have a "birthday" party planned for September 22. There has been so much change in the babies since last year.
I missed the first few meetings as Chance was the last baby to be born and it was about 3 weeks until I felt well enough to get out of the house. These RGH mothers have been such an important source of encouragement and support this year to Chance and myself. RGH Moms, if you are reading this: THANK YOU for all the fun times! We have really enjoyed our time together this year and I hope that we can occasionally find a time to get together in 2008!
The RGH Babies in January 2007:
The RGH Babies in September 2007:
I missed the first few meetings as Chance was the last baby to be born and it was about 3 weeks until I felt well enough to get out of the house. These RGH mothers have been such an important source of encouragement and support this year to Chance and myself. RGH Moms, if you are reading this: THANK YOU for all the fun times! We have really enjoyed our time together this year and I hope that we can occasionally find a time to get together in 2008!
The RGH Babies in January 2007:
The RGH Babies in September 2007:
Jaws
When I visited Regina in early May, Chance was 6 months old. He had two bottom teeth. While we waited for the luggage to arrive, we chatted with a woman with a 1 year old kid. That kid looked up at me from his stroller and grinned, showing off 8 perfect white teeth. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, what a mouthful of chompers. I don't think Chance will have 8 teeth by the time he's a year old! And if he does, I won't be breastfeeding him!".
Guess what? This morning as Chance finished his breakfast, I noticed that he now has seven teeth and he's only ten months old and I'm still breastfeeding (2-3x per day only). And an eighth tooth is on the way! He has always had a white speck just to the left of his centre teeth. And that speck has grown and grown and grown and it's now quite prominent. Only a matter of time!
Guess what? This morning as Chance finished his breakfast, I noticed that he now has seven teeth and he's only ten months old and I'm still breastfeeding (2-3x per day only). And an eighth tooth is on the way! He has always had a white speck just to the left of his centre teeth. And that speck has grown and grown and grown and it's now quite prominent. Only a matter of time!
Monday, September 10, 2007
**Update: Being Neighbourly**
Well the "Bobs" surprised me. At 1:30 PM on Saturday they joined me out in front of the house where I was yet again raking. They helped rake, they rolled the dirt, and they started to lay sod with me. Chance woke up then, and I tried to put him in the playpen to watch us work, but he wasn't happy with that situation. So I packed Chance up and left the "Bobs" at it. They worked all afternoon. At 4:30 the rainclouds were gathering and it looked like a storm was iminent, so I strapped Chance into the stroller and wheeled him up to the back yard and pitched in laying the last 200 square feet of sod with the "Bobs".
The job is done, and before Sunday too! Cam is happy with the work. All we have to do is return the sod pallet at Home Depot to get our deposit back, and collect $200 from the "Bobs".
The job is done, and before Sunday too! Cam is happy with the work. All we have to do is return the sod pallet at Home Depot to get our deposit back, and collect $200 from the "Bobs".
Friday, September 7, 2007
Being Neighbourly
[SCENE: back yard, last Thursday night. The long weekend awaits, and CAM and DANI are sitting in their back yard at their patio set, enjoying one of the last warm evenings of the summer, enjoying a glass of wine and a game of scrabble.]
DANI: It's your turn.
CAM: Oh...uh...OK...P-E-A-T. Peat. 6 points.
{enter "BOB", head pops over back fence}
"BOB": Hey, I saw a flyer advertising cheap sod for sale. It's nearby, over in Chaparral. Maybe this is a good time to remove that rock and put down sod, get it done. We're home all next week so it will be easy to get it all done.
CAM: Can you lay sod in the fall?
"BOB": Well....you can. Besides, the sod is on sale.
[FADE OUT]
Long story short: Cam and I spent all last week shoveling loads of rock onto our driveway. "Bob" said he'd rototill the dirt. "Bob" never got around to it, so we decided to give it a whirl last night. "Bob"'s Tonka toy of a rototiller wouldn't even break the surface. I phoned around the yellowpages trying to find a landscaper with more power (grunt, grunt).
We ended up renting a machine for $45 (Cam picked it up, I dropped it off). Note that "Bob" is not to be found. Cam attempted to till last night with the bigger tiller, but still no luck. We ended up watering the dirt for 3 hours, which resulted in leaving no option except for Cam to take a few hours off work this morning to rototill while I looked after Chance. We stopped by "Bob"'s house last night to let him know that the tilling wasn't going so well and that Cam would have to take time off work to get it done. Never mind that it was supposed to be "Bob"'s job to till.
Then the dirt needed to be raked. "Bob" said he'd do it. Funny, I was the only one out raking the dirt today. Good thing Chance takes naps twice a day. "Bob" and "Bob's wife" were busying away in their house or garage or whatever.
I stopped by to talk to the "Bobs" about getting the sod laid, and they ensured her that it would be fine for 3 days and they would get around to it. After a bit more pressing, they conceded to start on it "first thing" tomorrow morning. Anyone wanna bet that the sod is still on its pallet on Sunday afternoon???
DANI: It's your turn.
CAM: Oh...uh...OK...P-E-A-T. Peat. 6 points.
{enter "BOB", head pops over back fence}
"BOB": Hey, I saw a flyer advertising cheap sod for sale. It's nearby, over in Chaparral. Maybe this is a good time to remove that rock and put down sod, get it done. We're home all next week so it will be easy to get it all done.
CAM: Can you lay sod in the fall?
"BOB": Well....you can. Besides, the sod is on sale.
[FADE OUT]
Long story short: Cam and I spent all last week shoveling loads of rock onto our driveway. "Bob" said he'd rototill the dirt. "Bob" never got around to it, so we decided to give it a whirl last night. "Bob"'s Tonka toy of a rototiller wouldn't even break the surface. I phoned around the yellowpages trying to find a landscaper with more power (grunt, grunt).
We ended up renting a machine for $45 (Cam picked it up, I dropped it off). Note that "Bob" is not to be found. Cam attempted to till last night with the bigger tiller, but still no luck. We ended up watering the dirt for 3 hours, which resulted in leaving no option except for Cam to take a few hours off work this morning to rototill while I looked after Chance. We stopped by "Bob"'s house last night to let him know that the tilling wasn't going so well and that Cam would have to take time off work to get it done. Never mind that it was supposed to be "Bob"'s job to till.
Then the dirt needed to be raked. "Bob" said he'd do it. Funny, I was the only one out raking the dirt today. Good thing Chance takes naps twice a day. "Bob" and "Bob's wife" were busying away in their house or garage or whatever.
I stopped by to talk to the "Bobs" about getting the sod laid, and they ensured her that it would be fine for 3 days and they would get around to it. After a bit more pressing, they conceded to start on it "first thing" tomorrow morning. Anyone wanna bet that the sod is still on its pallet on Sunday afternoon???
Sweet Home Saskatchewan!
Chance has been enjoying some things from good old Saskatchewan this week. Among his goodies are:
Elk thin fry with beans and biscuits. Daddy cooked this for supper on Monday night!
Saskatoon pancakes, using the wild frozen saskatoons that were in the freezer. They were tiny little berries, but tasty!
Chance now has another sweater that was made for him by one of Cam's friends in Regina. This was actually the best picture I got of him in the sweater, he was upset when I stood him up for a better view so the rest of the photos aren't so good!
Elk thin fry with beans and biscuits. Daddy cooked this for supper on Monday night!
Saskatoon pancakes, using the wild frozen saskatoons that were in the freezer. They were tiny little berries, but tasty!
Chance now has another sweater that was made for him by one of Cam's friends in Regina. This was actually the best picture I got of him in the sweater, he was upset when I stood him up for a better view so the rest of the photos aren't so good!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
First Visit to Day Home
Chance will spend his first day at the day home with Mrs. G on September 21. And then again on the following Monday, September 24. Then we are gone on vacation and Mrs. G is closed until I go back to work, so those are the only 2 practice days we're going to do. I called today to make the arrangements and make final checks about what to bring etc. I started crying during this conversation, but I don't think Mrs. G knew, or at least if she did know, she didn't make any fuss about it.
Well my little monkey has been fed his afternoon snack of formula and arrowroot cookies & is currently humming away in his crib, it should be a few minutes before I can sneak into his room to cover him up with a blanket.
Well my little monkey has been fed his afternoon snack of formula and arrowroot cookies & is currently humming away in his crib, it should be a few minutes before I can sneak into his room to cover him up with a blanket.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Parade of Pyjamas
Chance has been sporting jammies to bed again with the cooler fall weather settling in. Here is a peek at his wardrobe. I put this together at first because Cameron has been going to work before Chance wakes up lately (the little guy has been sleeping in longer in the mornings, FINALLY!).
The jail bird jammies are actually very dark green and white striped, and they have a dinosaur on the front, but we always refer to them as his prison jammies. Too bad he wasn't wearing them when I got this shot of Chance petting Scarlet through the baby gate bars!
The jail bird jammies are actually very dark green and white striped, and they have a dinosaur on the front, but we always refer to them as his prison jammies. Too bad he wasn't wearing them when I got this shot of Chance petting Scarlet through the baby gate bars!
Daddy 'n Chance (2)
Bath time with Daddy is so much fun! Especially with the sing-alongs and puppets.
He dries me off every night to make sure that I don't go to bed with wet hair (no one likes to start their day off with bed-head!).
I have learned how to cuddle. I like to cuddle with both Mommy and Daddy. But Mommy is shy with the camera, so there are mostly pictures of me cuddling with Daddy.
Mommy bought me a backup blankie. I was given a yellow comfort blankie before I was born by Mommy's friend Laura. I took to liking it so much Mommy got concerned that she might forget it somewhere or wash it and not have it dried before bedtime and then we'd all be hooped. So she bought me a blue one to use while the yellow one is in the wash.
He dries me off every night to make sure that I don't go to bed with wet hair (no one likes to start their day off with bed-head!).
I have learned how to cuddle. I like to cuddle with both Mommy and Daddy. But Mommy is shy with the camera, so there are mostly pictures of me cuddling with Daddy.
Mommy bought me a backup blankie. I was given a yellow comfort blankie before I was born by Mommy's friend Laura. I took to liking it so much Mommy got concerned that she might forget it somewhere or wash it and not have it dried before bedtime and then we'd all be hooped. So she bought me a blue one to use while the yellow one is in the wash.
Cous Cous Salad
Cous Cous Salad:
~1.5 cups of leftover cooked couscous*
1 cob of corn, cooked in microwave or roasted on grill, kernels cut off
1/2 red pepper, diced finely
~1/2 cup roasted tomatoes, chopped**
8-10 large stuffed green olives
salt and pepper
~2 tablespoons light italian dressing
* we serve our cous cous with some sauteed zucchini and onion, usually.
** we used up a ton of tomatoes that were nearing their expiry date by roasting them in a glass pan (lined with parchment paper) for 1 hour at 350°F. I tossed them with olive oil and coarse salt and pepper before putting them in the pan. They are very delicious, good in salads like this (or in a green salad), pastas, etc.
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