Sometimes You've Just Got To Let Em' Cry It Out!

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 : )

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

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.

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!

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 : )
   
 

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! : )

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!