We were doing so well! A few nights ago we made a record five and a half hours of sleep in one shot! I couldn't believe it, and then the next night six hours in one shot! Plus when the baby woke up he ate and went right back to sleep to give us another three hours of sleep! Wow! I should have known it was too good to be true considering here I am at 5:43 am sitting on my lap top with a little baby beside me slowly falling asleep... finally. Last night we only got about two hours of sleep at a time adding up to around a five hours total, and so far tonight I have only received a total of 3 : (
So what happend? My guess is the baby's schedule got thrown off by having company, not their fault but how on earth do I get back what I had! So frustrating!!! Hopefully I can get him back to where we were this week but only to have him thrown back off for when my family comes to visit this coming weekend! Ahh!!! Lol, oh well can't live in a shell though it does sound tempting right about now haha.
Anyway, so the baby is looking calm after a good crying! Can't always hold him and rock him to sleep, he needs to learn how to fall asleep by himself; he is fed, changed, burped, warm etc so what more could he want? Hayden is pretty smart and figures it out fast that I'm not picking him back up just because he is crying, and never cries for long. He is almost sleeping right now, which means it is almost my turn as well!
I remember with my oldest son when I would let him cry it out it would bother me, I would want to hold him and thought that would help but now, I know better. It is funny how the second child you are so much more wiser! I guess that is why grandparents are so good with grand children. Having patience is everything when it comes to children and I know I lack them, but am doing much better this time around.
Maybe I spoke too soon, baby's eyes are wide open, but no crying at least! Oh well it can't be long now, he has been up since 3! I better see if he needs another changing and feeding and hopefully now he will sleep! Lol so much wishful thinking : )
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Final Thank You To Green Works by Clorox & Matchstick!
Over the past four weeks I have not only been trying the Clorox Green Works but also the all purpose cleaner as well that was so kindly sent to me from Matchstick. Most of you have heard me say either on the phone or face to face how much I have enjoyed using the laundry soap but also the all purpose cleaner. Everyone who knows me knows I hate using chemicals in my home! The all purpose cleaner was a very nice treat for me to use and like the laundry soap I plan to continue to use this product since it works and smells so great! I plan on trying out the toilet bowl cleaner and the dish soap as well and since I am running very low on both I will be doing that in the very near future. Even though the program is ending I will provide my feedback on these products to my readers as well!
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me out in trying this fabulous product and who took the time to write their opinions into my blog. I know there are still a few of you who plan on it and I look forward to finding out what you all think too! Others, like my grandparents, don't have a computer but have expressed a liking for this product and believe me someone like my grandmother is a hard one to get to switch a product! But Green Works has won her over! lol
To Clorox-Green Works and Matchstick a very big Thank You on behalf of myself and family and friends who greatly appreciated the opportunity to try this product for free! How often does that ever happen anymore? Not too often anyway and I am very flattered that I was 1 of the 50 Canadians who got to be an influencer and help spread the word! I hope I have done my job well and will continue to use word of mouth to influence others into going green! Thank you again!
Please don't forget to complete the survey, a $2 donation will be made to Redwood Women's Shelter a Toronto based safe haven for abused women and families.
http://www.feedback.matchstick.ca/se.ashx?s=439B5E1D0F98116D
I'd like to thank everyone who helped me out in trying this fabulous product and who took the time to write their opinions into my blog. I know there are still a few of you who plan on it and I look forward to finding out what you all think too! Others, like my grandparents, don't have a computer but have expressed a liking for this product and believe me someone like my grandmother is a hard one to get to switch a product! But Green Works has won her over! lol
To Clorox-Green Works and Matchstick a very big Thank You on behalf of myself and family and friends who greatly appreciated the opportunity to try this product for free! How often does that ever happen anymore? Not too often anyway and I am very flattered that I was 1 of the 50 Canadians who got to be an influencer and help spread the word! I hope I have done my job well and will continue to use word of mouth to influence others into going green! Thank you again!
Please don't forget to complete the survey, a $2 donation will be made to Redwood Women's Shelter a Toronto based safe haven for abused women and families.
http://www.feedback.matchstick.ca/se.ashx?s=439B5E1D0F98116D
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Crib Recall
As many parents in North America I am frightened, angry and upset by this Strokcraft recall, especially considering I have one of these cribs. My oldest son apparently slept in a death trap for the first year of his life, I'm not impressed! I understand that the company has a "repair kit" for the cribs but do they seriously expect parents to feel that their children are going to be safe in their beds?! I'm NOT going to risk it! This is my child's life and I'm not about to gamble with it.
The CEO of the company, Jim Moore, said to CTV News "I know our product is safe." Seriously? Come on! Children have died and you are saying that your product is safe! When did you lose your soul?
My husband and I have decided to ditch the crib, do a little research into some other brands and hopefully we can come up with a solution. For now the baby can stay in his bassinet beside my bed with his angel care monitor on so I can know he is safe beside me!
What a frightening thing it is to be a parent as it is, who would have ever thought you would have to be frightened of your child's bed; how sad.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the children who have died and been injured.
The CEO of the company, Jim Moore, said to CTV News "I know our product is safe." Seriously? Come on! Children have died and you are saying that your product is safe! When did you lose your soul?
My husband and I have decided to ditch the crib, do a little research into some other brands and hopefully we can come up with a solution. For now the baby can stay in his bassinet beside my bed with his angel care monitor on so I can know he is safe beside me!
What a frightening thing it is to be a parent as it is, who would have ever thought you would have to be frightened of your child's bed; how sad.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the children who have died and been injured.
Friday, November 20, 2009
So Little Space, So What Can You Do?
Personally I hate clutter! But it just seems like anything I want to do or enjoy doing comes with that clutter that I just hate and gives me a nervous twitch! When we are in the car making our excruciating journey down to my home town and back is just ridiculous! We seriously have next to no room to breathe let alone have something to entertain ourselves. Our house isn't huge either and I hate when things pile up in a coroner or on a table, especially books! Well I received some great news to help me with that little problem, e-books!
Weather you are like me and your lap top has become an additional body part, or you use a BlackBerry, iPhone etc... it is a much easier way to keep yourself entertained without the clutter or the additional weight to carry if you are on the go in the city or need extra space in your car!
Indigo has a great new thing called Shortcovers, it is an e-book service that provides you with a free way to find your favorite books online with the technology you already own and use on a day to day basis! Not only is there approximately 100,000 titles to choose from but there are also 1,500 free titles to choose from as well! So if you are looking for something new to read, something poetic or just something short and sweet this is surely the thing for you!
So this great new offer Indigo has ends November 23rd and is for Canadians only! What is this offer? It is 33% off any one title when you sign up for Shortcovers e-books at chapters.indigo.ca! Such a great way to save space, reduce clutter and keep up with your love of reading!
Weather you are like me and your lap top has become an additional body part, or you use a BlackBerry, iPhone etc... it is a much easier way to keep yourself entertained without the clutter or the additional weight to carry if you are on the go in the city or need extra space in your car!
Indigo has a great new thing called Shortcovers, it is an e-book service that provides you with a free way to find your favorite books online with the technology you already own and use on a day to day basis! Not only is there approximately 100,000 titles to choose from but there are also 1,500 free titles to choose from as well! So if you are looking for something new to read, something poetic or just something short and sweet this is surely the thing for you!
So this great new offer Indigo has ends November 23rd and is for Canadians only! What is this offer? It is 33% off any one title when you sign up for Shortcovers e-books at chapters.indigo.ca! Such a great way to save space, reduce clutter and keep up with your love of reading!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pre-Deployment Briefing
Last night my husband and I went to our first pre-deployment briefing together. The point of this briefing is to prepare the families of the troops for what is to come once tour begins. I was given information on who to contact if I need help or someone to talk to. Paper work to fill out for my family plan; so if something happens to me while my husband is away who will be responsible for my children until my husband can be contacted or sent home (depending on what has happened to me). Also, I was given information on programs for the children so that they can have fun days with other kids who have parents over seas and so that the parent who is home can have a few hours to do whatever, nap, clean, shop etc...
One of the booklets I was given explains the different stages of what a person is or may be feeling prior to tour and suggestions on who to deal with those feelings. It also gives a check list for legal issues we need to have done before such as will, power of attorney, power of guardian, life insurance etc... Other things we need to have in order are financial issues, health, home (maintenance), and the family support system.
Another part of the night was to listen to some members of the military speak about the upcoming tour but we only stayed for about 20 minutes of the presentation. Basically they were talking about what is available to the families and the responsibilities of each soldier to make sure his family is well informed about the services available.
Overall I think the military does a pretty good job at making sure the families have someone and somewhere to turn to when they need help and are just feeling discouraged. Many services are available to the adults and to the children to help them prepare for the long, worrying road ahead. It doesn't just end there though, not only do they have programs to help you prepare for when they leave, they have programs to help you while they are gone and even when they come home but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I think in my house right now there is a bit of a denial thing going on, we all know it is coming but we are pushing it out of our minds for the time being. I guess with the new baby we don't want to drop our spirits by talking about war. My husband brought home his gear for tour the other day, it bothered me to see it since it just made the whole thing a little more real.
On a positive note, this will all be over in a year! The count down is on : )
One of the booklets I was given explains the different stages of what a person is or may be feeling prior to tour and suggestions on who to deal with those feelings. It also gives a check list for legal issues we need to have done before such as will, power of attorney, power of guardian, life insurance etc... Other things we need to have in order are financial issues, health, home (maintenance), and the family support system.
Another part of the night was to listen to some members of the military speak about the upcoming tour but we only stayed for about 20 minutes of the presentation. Basically they were talking about what is available to the families and the responsibilities of each soldier to make sure his family is well informed about the services available.
Overall I think the military does a pretty good job at making sure the families have someone and somewhere to turn to when they need help and are just feeling discouraged. Many services are available to the adults and to the children to help them prepare for the long, worrying road ahead. It doesn't just end there though, not only do they have programs to help you prepare for when they leave, they have programs to help you while they are gone and even when they come home but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
I think in my house right now there is a bit of a denial thing going on, we all know it is coming but we are pushing it out of our minds for the time being. I guess with the new baby we don't want to drop our spirits by talking about war. My husband brought home his gear for tour the other day, it bothered me to see it since it just made the whole thing a little more real.
On a positive note, this will all be over in a year! The count down is on : )
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Green Works - By Clorox
I hope all my many friends and family who have received a sample of Green Works from me, provided by a company called Matchstick, have enjoyed using it as much as my household has!
I was very impressed while I was standing in line at the store the other day when a women complimented me on the smell of my laundry detergent; my jacket had just been washed two days prior using Green Works. I told her about the product and just so happened to have one of the sample packs in my purse that was sent to me and gave it to her to try for herself. I love when I don't need to wear perfume and can still get compliments!
For those of you who have tried the samples I've provided you with let me know what you think and please take a minute to complete the following survey, for every one completed a $2.00 donation will be made to Redwood, which will help families that are less fortunate. http://www.feedback.matchstick.ca/se.ashx?s=439B5E1D0F98116D.
Thanks everyone and enjoy! : )
I was very impressed while I was standing in line at the store the other day when a women complimented me on the smell of my laundry detergent; my jacket had just been washed two days prior using Green Works. I told her about the product and just so happened to have one of the sample packs in my purse that was sent to me and gave it to her to try for herself. I love when I don't need to wear perfume and can still get compliments!
For those of you who have tried the samples I've provided you with let me know what you think and please take a minute to complete the following survey, for every one completed a $2.00 donation will be made to Redwood, which will help families that are less fortunate. http://www.feedback.matchstick.ca/se.ashx?s=439B5E1D0F98116D.
Thanks everyone and enjoy! : )
Lest We Forget
A day like today is a sad but proud day for me and other family and friends of our Canadian armed forces; today is Remembrance Day.
Today I feel saddened by the enormous loss our country has suffered due to war.
I am saddened that so many men and women died for our country and were never given the same opportunity to live like we have been given.
I am saddened that children have and will grow up never knowing their mothers or fathers.
I am saddened that war is still a very present aspect of our everyday lives.
Today I feel proud that I am part of a country who believes in freedom and will stand up against evil doers.
I feel proud that I am married to a Canadian soldier who will, without complaint, answer his country's call when they need him.
Today I feel proud thinking of all the men and women from past and present wars who were/are willing to give their lives or did give their lives to protect our future.
Today I am proud to be a Canadian!
RIP to our fallen, We will NEVER forget!
To all of our men and women in uniform, past and present, THANK YOU!
Today I feel saddened by the enormous loss our country has suffered due to war.
I am saddened that so many men and women died for our country and were never given the same opportunity to live like we have been given.
I am saddened that children have and will grow up never knowing their mothers or fathers.
I am saddened that war is still a very present aspect of our everyday lives.
Today I feel proud that I am part of a country who believes in freedom and will stand up against evil doers.
I feel proud that I am married to a Canadian soldier who will, without complaint, answer his country's call when they need him.
Today I feel proud thinking of all the men and women from past and present wars who were/are willing to give their lives or did give their lives to protect our future.
Today I am proud to be a Canadian!
RIP to our fallen, We will NEVER forget!
To all of our men and women in uniform, past and present, THANK YOU!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Change can be a good thing!
I was given an opportunity to try a product I had never used before, Green Works laundry detergent by Clorox. Personally one of the biggest factors for me with laundry detergent is the smell of it, so as soon as it arrived the first thing I did was open it up to see if I could tolerate the smell of it or not. I was extremely surprised at how fresh and clean the smell was! It isn't over powering and you can tell just from the smell of it how gentle Green Works really is. I love that it is environment friendly and actually works!
I first used the product on my clothes after giving birth to my second child and believe me after coming home from the hospital my clothes were desperate for a washing! Green Works lifted any stains I had on my clothes, cleaned and freshened them better than my old laundry detergent did. Since I was so impressed with how great of a job the product did on my clothes I decided to use it on my baby's clothes as well. Everyone knows that babies need soaps that are gentle on their delicate skin so why not use a soap that is made from natural plant based ingredients? You can really tell the strength of the product if it can clean a young child's clothes! The real benefit of using using Green Works on the baby's clothes is the fact that I don't need to do two separate loads of laundry. It is such a pain having to do a separate load of laundry using baby detergent for 3 or 4 items and it cost more with water and so on! Now I don't have to worry about that and I can throw in my baby's sleepers, blankets or whatever with mine, that is convenience at its finest!
I first used the product on my clothes after giving birth to my second child and believe me after coming home from the hospital my clothes were desperate for a washing! Green Works lifted any stains I had on my clothes, cleaned and freshened them better than my old laundry detergent did. Since I was so impressed with how great of a job the product did on my clothes I decided to use it on my baby's clothes as well. Everyone knows that babies need soaps that are gentle on their delicate skin so why not use a soap that is made from natural plant based ingredients? You can really tell the strength of the product if it can clean a young child's clothes! The real benefit of using using Green Works on the baby's clothes is the fact that I don't need to do two separate loads of laundry. It is such a pain having to do a separate load of laundry using baby detergent for 3 or 4 items and it cost more with water and so on! Now I don't have to worry about that and I can throw in my baby's sleepers, blankets or whatever with mine, that is convenience at its finest!
Just in the nick of time!
So it finally happened two weeks ago, we had our baby boy! At about four a.m. my water broke and so we quickly packed the car and began our four hour drive to my dr. in my home town. Some people may think that is crazy but I needed to be where I felt comfortable. As we were driving my contractions began and started to become closer and closer which started to concern me since we still had another hour of driving to go. We stopped at a hospital that was about 45 minutes from where we were headed to see if we could continue the trip or not. I got the go ahead from the doctor at the hospital telling me that I was 3 cms dilated and that I would be ok to get to my doctor. By the time we pulled into the parking lot at my hospital I couldn't even walk due to the pain and how close my contractions had become. With in about two hours of arriving at the hospital it was time to start pushing and my little miracle was born!
I am so happy that the pregnancy is over with and my little boy is here. I can't believe how much he looks like his big brother! I pulled out some new born pictures of Liam the other day and compared them to Hayden and the resemblance is amazing!
It has been very nice to have my husband home with me for the past couple of weeks to help out with everything, I just hope that the army gives him next week off as well. I'll give my husband credit, he has been an amazing help to me I just wish he had boobs! Liam isn't interested in the baby, but isn't uninterested either. I think at this point he just thinks the baby is boring and would rather play with his friends or watch tv.
Overall things are going pretty well around our house with the exception of lack of sleep! With that being said I need to go and take a nap before I kick myself later for not sleeping with my little love bugs was. : )
I am so happy that the pregnancy is over with and my little boy is here. I can't believe how much he looks like his big brother! I pulled out some new born pictures of Liam the other day and compared them to Hayden and the resemblance is amazing!
It has been very nice to have my husband home with me for the past couple of weeks to help out with everything, I just hope that the army gives him next week off as well. I'll give my husband credit, he has been an amazing help to me I just wish he had boobs! Liam isn't interested in the baby, but isn't uninterested either. I think at this point he just thinks the baby is boring and would rather play with his friends or watch tv.
Overall things are going pretty well around our house with the exception of lack of sleep! With that being said I need to go and take a nap before I kick myself later for not sleeping with my little love bugs was. : )
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
And the penalty for high sticking goes to...
For the record, no baby yet...
Anyway, tonight my husband and I took our son to his hockey practice. I haven't been to the last couple of practices so tonight I could really see the improvement in Liam's skills. Most of the kids seem to have more confidence on the ice and can actually stop without having to slam into the boards! Watching a group of six year olds on the ice is funnier than going to the circus in my opinion, I haven't laughed that hard in a while! I couldn't believe the amount of competitiveness some of the kids had, including my own. They were doing little exercises where they had to chase each other around, kind of like tag but just two of them at a time. They would go around in a circle until you caught the other person. Well one of the kids got the bright idea to use his stick to trip the kid so he would win! Liam if in a game would have got a penalty for hooking and another kid would have had one for high sticking! These kids sure know how to play rough for such a young age.
I think putting our son into hockey was one of the best investments we could have made. Seeing him tonight was amazing! I'm so happy he is loving it and doing so well... Even if he is trying to be a little Tie Domi. Who knows maybe we have a Team Canada player on our hands? He's been saying it for years now that he wants to play professional hockey when he grows up and I really do believe him!
Anyway, tonight my husband and I took our son to his hockey practice. I haven't been to the last couple of practices so tonight I could really see the improvement in Liam's skills. Most of the kids seem to have more confidence on the ice and can actually stop without having to slam into the boards! Watching a group of six year olds on the ice is funnier than going to the circus in my opinion, I haven't laughed that hard in a while! I couldn't believe the amount of competitiveness some of the kids had, including my own. They were doing little exercises where they had to chase each other around, kind of like tag but just two of them at a time. They would go around in a circle until you caught the other person. Well one of the kids got the bright idea to use his stick to trip the kid so he would win! Liam if in a game would have got a penalty for hooking and another kid would have had one for high sticking! These kids sure know how to play rough for such a young age.
I think putting our son into hockey was one of the best investments we could have made. Seeing him tonight was amazing! I'm so happy he is loving it and doing so well... Even if he is trying to be a little Tie Domi. Who knows maybe we have a Team Canada player on our hands? He's been saying it for years now that he wants to play professional hockey when he grows up and I really do believe him!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
No baby yet and no win for the Leafs yet!
I was thinking earlier that the baby will come when the Toronto Maple Leafs finally win a game, I was thinking tonight is that night! Well... I'd hate to say it but I was wrong! At some point this baby is going to have to come, wish I could say the same for the Leafs and a win.
Well I am hoping that tonight I get a better sleep than I did last night. I think I only sleep at most an hour and a half at a time. That is mainly due to the baby pushing on my bladder, but last night the little guy was crushing my ribs! I really don't see how some women love being pregnant! Don't get me wrong I love the baby!!! I just don't love what my body is going through... I still strongly believe that babies should come from storks!
Hopefully by this time next Saturday the leafs have their first win of the season and I will have my baby boy (or who knows they could have been wrong and it's a girl), we'll just have to wait and see...
Well I am hoping that tonight I get a better sleep than I did last night. I think I only sleep at most an hour and a half at a time. That is mainly due to the baby pushing on my bladder, but last night the little guy was crushing my ribs! I really don't see how some women love being pregnant! Don't get me wrong I love the baby!!! I just don't love what my body is going through... I still strongly believe that babies should come from storks!
Hopefully by this time next Saturday the leafs have their first win of the season and I will have my baby boy (or who knows they could have been wrong and it's a girl), we'll just have to wait and see...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Waiting for baby is like watching grass grow in winter
Here we are the middle of the month and 10 long days away from my due date. Lately I've been going through what is called "nesting", going crazy with the cleaning of the house. I recently just learned about some new products called Green Works and am looking forward to trying them soon! There is nothing worse than worrying about the kinds of chemicals we bring into our homes with children and animals around, plus worrying about the effects they may have on the environment. Green Works Natural Laundry Detergent is suppose to be so gentle to the skin I may even be able to use it on my newborn baby's clothes! We'll have to wait and see! But how much easier would that make things if I didn't have to separate baby's clothes from the rest of ours? Oh soo much easier!
Well I am hoping that this will be the weekend baby decides to make his big appearance, all I ask is to get one good night of sleep before he shows up! The last few nights have been tough since every time I try to get rest the baby wakes up and kicks me for hours and hours. If I'm having sleepless nights already shouldn't the baby at least be born so I have something cute to look at while I am being deprived?
Well I am hoping that this will be the weekend baby decides to make his big appearance, all I ask is to get one good night of sleep before he shows up! The last few nights have been tough since every time I try to get rest the baby wakes up and kicks me for hours and hours. If I'm having sleepless nights already shouldn't the baby at least be born so I have something cute to look at while I am being deprived?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Is it them or is it me?
So I finally attempted to go out into the world today since I am feeling a little better and since we need food in our house pretty bad. Before I began my shopping I decided to pick myself up a sandwich at the food court and sit down and eat before I began my grocery shopping. The so called "mall" we have up here wasn't very busy but there were people in the food court sitting and chatting. I found myself a table and sat down and started to enjoy my lunch until some strange man came up and just randomly sat down beside me. So I tried to ignore it until his friend comes up and sits down as well and they start talking. So in a huff I packed up my lunch and I left.
Seriously all I wanted to do was eat my lunch and not be irritated by other peoples conversations in my ear! There were probably 15 or more other tables to choose from! I could understand if there were no where else to sit, but I think just sitting at someones table without asking is just plain rude and it totally through me into a bad mood. Maybe I have a totally different mentality than the locals do up here since I grew up around the Toronto area. I find everyone up here just takes their time and they don't seem to care if they are driving 60km/h in an 80km/h (which happens soooo often you have no idea!).
I'm just a little more high pace than this place and it can seriously bring out some anxiety in me. A really big adjustment that I've had to make is the fact that nothing is open late here. I'm use to 24 hr grocery stores, wal-marts, zellers, drug stores etc... Up here you are lucky if something is open until 9pm but many of the businesses are closed at 5 or 6!
It is funny how people around here talk trash about Toronto traffic considering up here it seems to be just as bad lately. The main road has been closed for construction for around 5 months now! What takes 5 months to complete? Do they have 4 people working on the project or something? I use to get mad driving on the 401 with all the constant repairs going on there but at least they are making some progress unlike the main street up here it seems.
While I was out I trying not to let other people get the better of me, I bought some Johnson's bedtime bath for the baby or should I say for me! I use to use it all the time when my oldest was a baby and I just loved it! It is a very relaxing product and with me being pregnant, sick and in a bad mood from the outside world I can't wait to lay in the tub tonight and de-stress. I'm sure the baby won't mind sharing his bathing products with me... not that he has a choice!
Seriously all I wanted to do was eat my lunch and not be irritated by other peoples conversations in my ear! There were probably 15 or more other tables to choose from! I could understand if there were no where else to sit, but I think just sitting at someones table without asking is just plain rude and it totally through me into a bad mood. Maybe I have a totally different mentality than the locals do up here since I grew up around the Toronto area. I find everyone up here just takes their time and they don't seem to care if they are driving 60km/h in an 80km/h (which happens soooo often you have no idea!).
I'm just a little more high pace than this place and it can seriously bring out some anxiety in me. A really big adjustment that I've had to make is the fact that nothing is open late here. I'm use to 24 hr grocery stores, wal-marts, zellers, drug stores etc... Up here you are lucky if something is open until 9pm but many of the businesses are closed at 5 or 6!
It is funny how people around here talk trash about Toronto traffic considering up here it seems to be just as bad lately. The main road has been closed for construction for around 5 months now! What takes 5 months to complete? Do they have 4 people working on the project or something? I use to get mad driving on the 401 with all the constant repairs going on there but at least they are making some progress unlike the main street up here it seems.
While I was out I trying not to let other people get the better of me, I bought some Johnson's bedtime bath for the baby or should I say for me! I use to use it all the time when my oldest was a baby and I just loved it! It is a very relaxing product and with me being pregnant, sick and in a bad mood from the outside world I can't wait to lay in the tub tonight and de-stress. I'm sure the baby won't mind sharing his bathing products with me... not that he has a choice!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sick of Sharing
One of the number one things we teach our children to do as they grow up is teach them how to share. Well I'm starting to have second thoughts on this theory that sharing is so important after my little boy decided to share his cold him me! I guess this baby is going to have to wait until I'm healthy again before he can be born, last thing I want is to give a cold to a newborn.
The last few days have been miserable, all I have done is watched the rain and wind out the window while curled up in a ball on the sofa with my Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup in my favorite giant mug. Being pregnant doesn't really give me many options for remedies to help me feel better but the Campbell's soups really do help provide some much needed relief for this sick, 37 week pregnant mama.
I just really hope that my husband is home in time tonight to take our six year old to Taekwondoe for me. I'm not sure I can sit in that freezing cold gym for an hour while he has his lesson. My husband was unfortunate enough to be sent out into the field today for training. The weather has been nothing but high winds, rain and cold temperatures up here for the last few days, I just hope he doesn't get sick too!
I can already see that this is going to be one long, cold, crazy winter for us. I guess like the squirrels who are stocking up on nuts it is time for me to stock up on my Carnation Hot Chocolate along with hand sanitizer and face masks to fight off my son's need for sharing! lol
The last few days have been miserable, all I have done is watched the rain and wind out the window while curled up in a ball on the sofa with my Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup in my favorite giant mug. Being pregnant doesn't really give me many options for remedies to help me feel better but the Campbell's soups really do help provide some much needed relief for this sick, 37 week pregnant mama.
I just really hope that my husband is home in time tonight to take our six year old to Taekwondoe for me. I'm not sure I can sit in that freezing cold gym for an hour while he has his lesson. My husband was unfortunate enough to be sent out into the field today for training. The weather has been nothing but high winds, rain and cold temperatures up here for the last few days, I just hope he doesn't get sick too!
I can already see that this is going to be one long, cold, crazy winter for us. I guess like the squirrels who are stocking up on nuts it is time for me to stock up on my Carnation Hot Chocolate along with hand sanitizer and face masks to fight off my son's need for sharing! lol
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Battle Group Stands Up = I Break Down
No matter how hard I try to come to terms with it all I just can't seem to grasp the concept of what is to come. Some days I do a pretty good job at fooling myself that everything is going to be okay and then other days, like today, the reality sets in. Today was understandable why my stress levels were up, the battle group standing up and all (for those who don't understand it means that the soldiers in 1RCR are preparing to deploy to Afghanistan this coming spring).
I just don't know how I am going to manage, especially once this baby arrives. My husband may be leaving in the spring but he still has a lot of uncertain hours between now and then including 5 weeks in California for training. Tomorrow he is sleeping out in the field and won't be home until Wednesday night. Again, thanks for the notice! Got to love how the military is so considerate of the families. I understand that they are soldiers and all but seriously they are people too, not robots!
I just hate how we can't plan absolutely anything in advanced right now due to the fact that some higher up may decided last minute not to send them home that night or the following day. I get that they need to train at night and during the day etc but can't you organize your schedule for the week so that the rest of us can too?
I worry that everything I am trying to work towards right now is going to crumble; I hate the instability. I may just have to cut back on my sons sports to ensure that his education doesn't suffer due to a lack of time in the evenings to get some homework done! Most people say there just aren't enough hours in a day, but I think there just aren't enough hours in an evening!!! I just feel like once this baby gets here things are going to be extremely rough, rougher than originally expected. I guess the stress wouldn't feel so big if I had a stronger support system in the area but both of our families are too far away to really help out, which really sucks!
I feel pretty bad for my husband and I'm trying to hide my stress from him (good thing he doesn't go online much!), but I know he can see through me. We both wish that all of this was going on at a different time, like we had originally thought it would be when we decided to get pregnant, but this is the way the cards were dealt so I guess we are going to have to deal with it.
I just don't know how I am going to manage, especially once this baby arrives. My husband may be leaving in the spring but he still has a lot of uncertain hours between now and then including 5 weeks in California for training. Tomorrow he is sleeping out in the field and won't be home until Wednesday night. Again, thanks for the notice! Got to love how the military is so considerate of the families. I understand that they are soldiers and all but seriously they are people too, not robots!
I just hate how we can't plan absolutely anything in advanced right now due to the fact that some higher up may decided last minute not to send them home that night or the following day. I get that they need to train at night and during the day etc but can't you organize your schedule for the week so that the rest of us can too?
I worry that everything I am trying to work towards right now is going to crumble; I hate the instability. I may just have to cut back on my sons sports to ensure that his education doesn't suffer due to a lack of time in the evenings to get some homework done! Most people say there just aren't enough hours in a day, but I think there just aren't enough hours in an evening!!! I just feel like once this baby gets here things are going to be extremely rough, rougher than originally expected. I guess the stress wouldn't feel so big if I had a stronger support system in the area but both of our families are too far away to really help out, which really sucks!
I feel pretty bad for my husband and I'm trying to hide my stress from him (good thing he doesn't go online much!), but I know he can see through me. We both wish that all of this was going on at a different time, like we had originally thought it would be when we decided to get pregnant, but this is the way the cards were dealt so I guess we are going to have to deal with it.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Are we there yet?
You would think with today's technology that is available to children for long car rides they wouldn't be so tempted to say "Are we there yet?" "How much longer?" "The dog keeps breathing on me!", but I guess that is just wishful thinking! I will give my son credit that he doesn't say he needs to stop and go pee every five minutes, currently that phrase belongs to me! I'm just not sure what is worse right now, the pain in my back from sitting in the car or the pain in my head from the moans and groans from the back seat!
The baby shower this weekend went very well which is helping me ease my mind now that we have more of the essentials that we need for the arrival of the baby. My son appeared to have a great time taking on his first role as a big brother by opening up the gifts for me! My husband's family did a fantastic job planning and organizing the event for me, I am very lucky to have married into such a kind loving family.
Now that I am home and finally getting a chance to relax I am starting to feel like a bit of a hypocrite, I am feeling like my son does on the long drive. All I find myself thinking and saying is "Am I in labor yet?" "Is it my due date yet?" "The baby won't stop kicking me!". Maybe I should start feeling sorry for my husband since he is the one who has to listen to me and our son moan and groan... remember, I said maybe!
The baby shower this weekend went very well which is helping me ease my mind now that we have more of the essentials that we need for the arrival of the baby. My son appeared to have a great time taking on his first role as a big brother by opening up the gifts for me! My husband's family did a fantastic job planning and organizing the event for me, I am very lucky to have married into such a kind loving family.
Now that I am home and finally getting a chance to relax I am starting to feel like a bit of a hypocrite, I am feeling like my son does on the long drive. All I find myself thinking and saying is "Am I in labor yet?" "Is it my due date yet?" "The baby won't stop kicking me!". Maybe I should start feeling sorry for my husband since he is the one who has to listen to me and our son moan and groan... remember, I said maybe!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Over and out!
It is kind of funny how on a Friday afternoon half the population up here packs up and heads home! Many of our friends in the military are from all over Ontario, and others come from different ends of the country. Those who are lucky enough only have a 2 to 8 hour drive to their home town. You would think the drive would be agonizing doing it that often but it's not, it is rather freeing.
Before my husband and I were married he would drive down to see me every Friday and head back up to base on Sunday nights. That's four hours in one direction and not cheap on gas! Now that we are married and I am living up here with him we don't head down as often anymore but still manage to go a couple of times a month. I guess there is something about Lake Ontario that keeps me coming back.
The reason for our trip this weekend is tomorrow our families are throwing us a baby shower. We decided to have the shower in a town just outside of Toronto so it would be a half way point for the two families (I don't think anyone would have driven up to Pembroke for it!). My husbands family will be coming from as far as Windsor and there was no way my body would have been able to handle a drive that far from Pembroke and then back again within 48 hours, Ekk! I'm still curious to see how we manage to get everything from the shower back home to Pembroke, should prove to be interesting.
My son and my niece will be at the shower as well. I'm going to use this as an opportunity to get him to start helping me with the baby. I can't really think of a better way to start the help off than to have him open the gifts for me! I think tonight when he is at his Grandma's I am going to go out and buy him a little something so that he has a gift for him too, I don't want him to start getting jealous though I know it will more than likely happen. I'm sure his jealously will be nothing compared the how jealous our dog is going to be! lol
Before my husband and I were married he would drive down to see me every Friday and head back up to base on Sunday nights. That's four hours in one direction and not cheap on gas! Now that we are married and I am living up here with him we don't head down as often anymore but still manage to go a couple of times a month. I guess there is something about Lake Ontario that keeps me coming back.
The reason for our trip this weekend is tomorrow our families are throwing us a baby shower. We decided to have the shower in a town just outside of Toronto so it would be a half way point for the two families (I don't think anyone would have driven up to Pembroke for it!). My husbands family will be coming from as far as Windsor and there was no way my body would have been able to handle a drive that far from Pembroke and then back again within 48 hours, Ekk! I'm still curious to see how we manage to get everything from the shower back home to Pembroke, should prove to be interesting.
My son and my niece will be at the shower as well. I'm going to use this as an opportunity to get him to start helping me with the baby. I can't really think of a better way to start the help off than to have him open the gifts for me! I think tonight when he is at his Grandma's I am going to go out and buy him a little something so that he has a gift for him too, I don't want him to start getting jealous though I know it will more than likely happen. I'm sure his jealously will be nothing compared the how jealous our dog is going to be! lol
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Oh shoot, a night shoot...
So tonight my husband is going to be home late, the military has him doing a night shoot. It would be nice if they could give a day or two of notice for these sort of things but what can you expect when you have a bunch of grumpy old man who are stuck in the stone age as the higher ups. I know things have to get done but can we show some respect to the families please?
I'm very curious to see how hard of a time my husband has getting his week off when our baby is born. I am not going to be a happy person if they try and ruin this for us and I will be calling base myself if these dinosaurs give us a hard time about it. I don't know exactly how the process works but I do know that there are people for the family members to get a hold of if we feel we are being treated unfairly. At this point in time I wouldn't put anything past them.
I hate to totally complain about my husband's job considering there are some good aspects to it, but the downers to the job can be so overwhelmingly stressful and outright depressing. I do love the fact that they get long Christmas breaks and extra time on long weekends but lets face it these soldiers have earned it, and so have the families! It is just hard living in uncertainty especially when you are a person who likes to have things totally planned out in advanced. I just hope as the kids get older they understand that it isn't their Dad's fault if he can't be at certain events. That doesn't really bother me, I spent our first wedding anniversary by myself but I understand it wasn't his choice to be away. I knew before I married him that he wouldn't always be able to be here but I really didn't expect that it would be happening around the time that I am due to have a baby (which is probably why I am a little more emotional than usual when it comes to this sort of stuff). Back when we found out we were pregnant we had no idea that we'd be dealing with this again since a certain somebody said anyone who has done two or more tours wouldn't be going over seas again and my husband has done 3 tours! Figure that one out, I'm still trying to!
I just really want to see my husband be able to spend time with the baby before he leaves, it will be hard enough of him being any from his new baby for 6 to 9 months. We totally expect that the baby is not going to remember him which is really heart breaking but is expected with such a young child. At least our oldest boy can talk to him on the phone and over the internet, I think my son has some comfort in that.
I'm very curious to see how hard of a time my husband has getting his week off when our baby is born. I am not going to be a happy person if they try and ruin this for us and I will be calling base myself if these dinosaurs give us a hard time about it. I don't know exactly how the process works but I do know that there are people for the family members to get a hold of if we feel we are being treated unfairly. At this point in time I wouldn't put anything past them.
I hate to totally complain about my husband's job considering there are some good aspects to it, but the downers to the job can be so overwhelmingly stressful and outright depressing. I do love the fact that they get long Christmas breaks and extra time on long weekends but lets face it these soldiers have earned it, and so have the families! It is just hard living in uncertainty especially when you are a person who likes to have things totally planned out in advanced. I just hope as the kids get older they understand that it isn't their Dad's fault if he can't be at certain events. That doesn't really bother me, I spent our first wedding anniversary by myself but I understand it wasn't his choice to be away. I knew before I married him that he wouldn't always be able to be here but I really didn't expect that it would be happening around the time that I am due to have a baby (which is probably why I am a little more emotional than usual when it comes to this sort of stuff). Back when we found out we were pregnant we had no idea that we'd be dealing with this again since a certain somebody said anyone who has done two or more tours wouldn't be going over seas again and my husband has done 3 tours! Figure that one out, I'm still trying to!
I just really want to see my husband be able to spend time with the baby before he leaves, it will be hard enough of him being any from his new baby for 6 to 9 months. We totally expect that the baby is not going to remember him which is really heart breaking but is expected with such a young child. At least our oldest boy can talk to him on the phone and over the internet, I think my son has some comfort in that.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pre Baby - Pre Deployment
So tonight was my 6 year old's first night back to Taekwondoe since June! The drive onto base tonight was quite the headache full of "I don't want to go", "I hate Taekwondoe", "My hand hurts, I can't punch with it". The funny thing is that as soon as we got there he was full of positive energy and great big smiles. I was expecting some type of disobedience from him but he followed along as though summer never happened and it was right back into routine! Maybe this was because he truly does enjoy it, or maybe it is due to the fact that his instructor is a black belt and also a member of the Canadian Armed Forces! You can't get much better obedience training than that anywhere else for a 6 year old.
During my son's lesson I enjoy having a gab session with some of the other military wives. We talk about what our husbands are doing at that point in time and what the military has planned for their (or should I say our) future. One of the woman's husband is currently preparing to deploy in the next week or two and another's only can home a few months back and is being asked to head over again in the spring.
I think it is important for people to remember that the military is a group of people bigger than the Canadian Armed Forces, it is also wives, husbands, children, moms, dads and so on. Everything that the army has planned for my husband effects me and my son (and our unborn baby). The thing that really sucks is that we don't have much control over any of these decisions that the army makes for our husbands and therefor make for us. It is a hard concept to get use to but I'm trying.
This past May the army sent my husband away for two months which was really hard on me, especially being pregnant. It is a hard situation (but worth it for the right man!) marrying someone in the military. The soldiers are always coming and going, training, deploying, working uncertain hours etc... It would be nice if they could at least build a base near civilization and not up here in the middle of the nowhere! I'm four hours away from my family and friends which makes finding a baby sitter a little difficult most of the time or just getting any help in general. I'm a little nervous about how I'll manage this coming spring when my husband goes overseas and I'm left taking care of 2 kids, a husky, 3 cats and a house all by myself! I don't even know how to mow the lawn! Guess I'll have to learn or hire someone to do it for me lol. The nervousness of how I am going to deal with things is nothing compared to how nervous I am about my husband going back over. I'm not sure anything can really prepare a person for it, and I don't have a clue on how to prepare my 6 year old. There are support groups offered through the base and I'm sure that I will be going with my husband and children before the spring comes.
The journey of work up training/pre-deployment has just begun, and I just hope that my husband will be given a few weeks off to spend with our newborn! I don't have a clue at this point of what is going to happen with that so I guess I'll just have to wait and see... I guess waiting is what an army wife does best...
During my son's lesson I enjoy having a gab session with some of the other military wives. We talk about what our husbands are doing at that point in time and what the military has planned for their (or should I say our) future. One of the woman's husband is currently preparing to deploy in the next week or two and another's only can home a few months back and is being asked to head over again in the spring.
I think it is important for people to remember that the military is a group of people bigger than the Canadian Armed Forces, it is also wives, husbands, children, moms, dads and so on. Everything that the army has planned for my husband effects me and my son (and our unborn baby). The thing that really sucks is that we don't have much control over any of these decisions that the army makes for our husbands and therefor make for us. It is a hard concept to get use to but I'm trying.
This past May the army sent my husband away for two months which was really hard on me, especially being pregnant. It is a hard situation (but worth it for the right man!) marrying someone in the military. The soldiers are always coming and going, training, deploying, working uncertain hours etc... It would be nice if they could at least build a base near civilization and not up here in the middle of the nowhere! I'm four hours away from my family and friends which makes finding a baby sitter a little difficult most of the time or just getting any help in general. I'm a little nervous about how I'll manage this coming spring when my husband goes overseas and I'm left taking care of 2 kids, a husky, 3 cats and a house all by myself! I don't even know how to mow the lawn! Guess I'll have to learn or hire someone to do it for me lol. The nervousness of how I am going to deal with things is nothing compared to how nervous I am about my husband going back over. I'm not sure anything can really prepare a person for it, and I don't have a clue on how to prepare my 6 year old. There are support groups offered through the base and I'm sure that I will be going with my husband and children before the spring comes.
The journey of work up training/pre-deployment has just begun, and I just hope that my husband will be given a few weeks off to spend with our newborn! I don't have a clue at this point of what is going to happen with that so I guess I'll just have to wait and see... I guess waiting is what an army wife does best...
Day One
Today is the first day of my new blog! I'm pretty excited to get started - there's so much to write about it. I just moved from Petawawa (how boring) to Pembroke (a step up in the world). My husband is in the military so it's not like we have a vast selection of cities to live in. And not that there's anything wrong with Pet, it's just not my type of place. I'm enjoying Pembroke so far, but mostly spending my time getting fatter with military brat #2 who will be joining us in October!
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