Ah, "quiet time". That's our new term for what used to be nap time. It involves Seb going into a room with a door and just "being" for an hour. Optimally, it is timed for Sophie's nap. Hopefully, it is not spent doing laundry or dishes.
Somehow, it vanishes in what seems like 10 minutes. But it is my time to surf the net, read an article, write to a friend, and well, do some laundry.
Today, it has been enforced because we are heading to the city tree lighting ceremony and family story time at 7. Seb is excited that CBC's very own Rachel Cave-Bauer will be reading. Me, I hope to slip away and do a grocery run.
Gotta go. Sophie has decided that quiet time is done.
Friday, 30 November 2007
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Bliss is...
At the end of a long, hot bubble bath, having your 1 year old pad over to the tub and proceed to learn how to blow bubbles.
Feed the fish
Seb had wished for a fish for his birthday or Christmas, and Auntie Cathy made that wish come true last weekend. We are now the custodians of “red & blue fish”. That’s its name. Nothing seems to be able to sway Seb toward another moniker. We always remark at how creative this boy is and the tales he can tell and the stories he inhabits, but seemingly not when it comes to naming pets. I have also noticed that when we build certain things; to him - at the moment - they have to look like the picture on the packet or they are Wrong. That’s with a capital W. I think we should ask former Saint Johner and 3 year old, Henry, to come up with a cool name as he seems to have a great talent for excellent band names.
Well, as parents all over Canada could have warned us. It is the adults who are changing the water, feeding the fish and even remembering to feed the fish. 3 out of the last 7 nights, one of us has remembered during final ablutions (amazing what one thinks of while brushing one's teeth, isn't it) or jumping - finally - into bed. It doesn’t help that he (it’s a male Betta) is stuck high up on a shelf in the kitchen (an open shelf in case you were wondering). But the floors slope in all the rooms and the shelf seemed more level. Plus we realised that the kids’ bedroom was too cold for a tropical fish!
But red&blue has made it through he tricky first 48 hours (and the only ones guaranteed by the pet shop). So let’s hope he is with us until next year; I mean that’s not asking too much; it's only 5 weeks away, right?
Well, as parents all over Canada could have warned us. It is the adults who are changing the water, feeding the fish and even remembering to feed the fish. 3 out of the last 7 nights, one of us has remembered during final ablutions (amazing what one thinks of while brushing one's teeth, isn't it) or jumping - finally - into bed. It doesn’t help that he (it’s a male Betta) is stuck high up on a shelf in the kitchen (an open shelf in case you were wondering). But the floors slope in all the rooms and the shelf seemed more level. Plus we realised that the kids’ bedroom was too cold for a tropical fish!
But red&blue has made it through he tricky first 48 hours (and the only ones guaranteed by the pet shop). So let’s hope he is with us until next year; I mean that’s not asking too much; it's only 5 weeks away, right?
A dream come true
I was supposed to do a day of paid work today and while the child care came through (as always), the work itself didn't yet. So it's time to sweep the floor and wipe the coffee table and do all the small tasks that never get done around here. It's also time to update the blog, which devotees know is a rare event too these days.
We haven't downloaded photos of the Shamu/Sea World adventure. Besides, everyone who wants to see them was in Florida doing the Shamu wave anyway. I am putting up a lovely snap of Sophie with her dad and Seb figuring out how he too can ride the new-to-us sports-buggy (i.e. big wheel machine for snow drifts that thankfully have yet to appear).
It's day 3 of a crew tearing up the pavement along our street for a gas line. We have a great view from the apartment and all the action thrills Sophie and her brother - jack hammers (muted somehow), diggers, back hoes, dump truck and more. Yesterday, we returned home at 5.40 and they were still at work with the equipment's lights all on. I commented how late it was to be working and that perhaps we should offer them a cup of tea given how cold it was. Ever the sweet tooth, Seb suggested cookies instead.
So we took out the box of baked goods and he told the foreman that "You are working late and hard, would you like a cookie?". Of course, he was a terrific hit. And when they all asked him if he had helped to make them with his mum, he replied that no, his dad had made them alone. Needless to say, Seb got his cookie too.
This morning, the team let him sit in a digger! What goes around...
Friday, 16 November 2007
What we are learning in Seb's absence
1. that we do really like 9 hours of sleep and that we would naturally sleep in till 8:15 or so
2. that Sophie's favourite place in the apartment is the pots & pans cupboard; unfortunately, that's right underneath the only chopping counter and next to the larder, so there are constant bottle-necks
3. that when Seb phones home, it's to talk to Soph...
4. that a one-course meal isn't "supposed" to last 40 minutes
5. that we aren't misplacing as much stuff around the house
6. but that we are missing him.
2. that Sophie's favourite place in the apartment is the pots & pans cupboard; unfortunately, that's right underneath the only chopping counter and next to the larder, so there are constant bottle-necks
3. that when Seb phones home, it's to talk to Soph...
4. that a one-course meal isn't "supposed" to last 40 minutes
5. that we aren't misplacing as much stuff around the house
6. but that we are missing him.
Thursday, 15 November 2007
and the winner was...
A few weeks back, I asked friends to send us some suggestions for family board games to buy as there is such a range and at $20-30 (or more) a pop, we don't want too many duds. Have to admit that I didn't get much of a response. And what I did get was mostly negative - for the record, Jr. Clue was rated badly, "Diego" was considered "ok", Archrival was found at a dump and thoroughly enjoyed (one person's garbage is another's wasted childhood) and the good ol' classics (snakes & ladders - which is surprisingly hard to find un-branded/charactered!, Sorry, cards, etc). Ros maintains that board games are a parent's nightmare as until the kids are 10 or so, you always end up picking up the pieces and if you lose one, the game can be useless.
The only game that got a couple of thumbs-up was Apples to Apples, but it will be several years until the kids are old enough for it. Strangely enough, it was recommended by one friend Wendy but given to us 5 years ago by another friend Wendy.
So, we just ordered a junior set of chess that describes each player as its medieval equivalent. Did you know that the knight moves in the L-formation b/c he carried a shield to one side? That kind of thing.
The only game that got a couple of thumbs-up was Apples to Apples, but it will be several years until the kids are old enough for it. Strangely enough, it was recommended by one friend Wendy but given to us 5 years ago by another friend Wendy.
So, we just ordered a junior set of chess that describes each player as its medieval equivalent. Did you know that the knight moves in the L-formation b/c he carried a shield to one side? That kind of thing.
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
Seb's update
Well, there are 2 aspects to Seb's update. The first is that he saw Shamu. For those of you not yet in the loop, our big boy is in Florida for a week with his grandparents as his birthday present (or perhaps it was their present to me b/c it sure is easier with just a baby!). They are spending a day at Sea World and a day at Busch Gardens (not drinking alcoholic pee water). At the former, Seb and the gang "dined" with Shamu the orca and saw him do some pretty amazing tricks (great lighting and pump up the volume music help). Seb reported that other highlights were when Gramps fed "stinky fish" to the seals and when he got to let loose the water cannons on a pirate ship.
The 2nd aspect to the update is to take stock as Seb enters his 5th year. His Nana dug out his dad's baby book and it appears that our young man might be even skinnier than his dad (where did my genes go?). Sopping wet, he might weigh 33 1/2 lbs. His Nana maintains that he is 41" but that seems a tad tall to me, so we will have to double check next week. He is still severely allergic to peanuts and shellfish, but coping well with it. His eczema is under-control, except in Issigeac where we have to wage a battle with the water. The brush this summer with asthma seems to have been a false alarm. The dentist says every tooth is perfectly aligned (how did that happen?!) And I am thrilled to say that he doesn't yet need glasses. His dad figures that he' ll have them by 8.
More importantly, he remains an incredibly chatty, creative fellow. We hoped for a verbal child and we got verbose as well!!!! He loves books and anything theatrical. His interest in knights/medieval ages/castles/dragons/weaponry is still going strong. He likes his train set, though is a bit over-focused on the know-every character-of-Thomas aspect of it. He was just thrilled by the tree dollhouse that we gave him and especially loves the pulleys and ladders, so he may be ready for meccano in '08. He is proud to be "bilingual", though I think his French is slipping as we don't use it every day.
I can't say that he loves daycare/school. He likes it some days and tolerates it on others. We often have to use strong persuasion to get him to go. Often, he just wants to stay home and play with his toys. He claims to like baking but in reality, he does it for a few minutes and then wanders away till it's time to clean out the bowl and/or eat the goods. He has a couple of friends here - a boy and a girl both 4. Each is a 5-10 minute walk away but it's amazing how even as a mostly "stay-at home mum" we have to schedule to see them.
He saves his worst behaviour for his parents (and occasionally his sister). His anger has been something terrible over the past year. He seems to have matured some in the past 2 months, certainly helped by returning to the city. He isn't hitting, though he still storms off, loves a good door-bang, and can scream till someone might think to call 911... He calls us "mean' several times a week, which usually leads to some larger melt-down (mine or his). While at the library this weekend, we checked out "how to parent your strong-willed child" books. We noticed that his ability to play by himself has really suffered in the past 6 months. That might be the fact that parents were always available over our parental leave and that he has some insecurity about the last move. He is perturbed by the fact that we are only subletting and weekly asks where we will live next. Perhaps the next move will be our last for awhile. I hope so!
I'll upload some photos soon, especially of the groovy treehouse. Plus his dad will set about editing "Seb - the 4th year" video any day. Expect it in all your stockings.
Sophie's update will be found here next week after she turns the big ONE. I'll save you all my birthday update, though I am happy to say that I weigh the same as I did 5 years and 2 children ago. Not quite the same shape though...
The 2nd aspect to the update is to take stock as Seb enters his 5th year. His Nana dug out his dad's baby book and it appears that our young man might be even skinnier than his dad (where did my genes go?). Sopping wet, he might weigh 33 1/2 lbs. His Nana maintains that he is 41" but that seems a tad tall to me, so we will have to double check next week. He is still severely allergic to peanuts and shellfish, but coping well with it. His eczema is under-control, except in Issigeac where we have to wage a battle with the water. The brush this summer with asthma seems to have been a false alarm. The dentist says every tooth is perfectly aligned (how did that happen?!) And I am thrilled to say that he doesn't yet need glasses. His dad figures that he' ll have them by 8.
More importantly, he remains an incredibly chatty, creative fellow. We hoped for a verbal child and we got verbose as well!!!! He loves books and anything theatrical. His interest in knights/medieval ages/castles/dragons/weaponry is still going strong. He likes his train set, though is a bit over-focused on the know-every character-of-Thomas aspect of it. He was just thrilled by the tree dollhouse that we gave him and especially loves the pulleys and ladders, so he may be ready for meccano in '08. He is proud to be "bilingual", though I think his French is slipping as we don't use it every day.
I can't say that he loves daycare/school. He likes it some days and tolerates it on others. We often have to use strong persuasion to get him to go. Often, he just wants to stay home and play with his toys. He claims to like baking but in reality, he does it for a few minutes and then wanders away till it's time to clean out the bowl and/or eat the goods. He has a couple of friends here - a boy and a girl both 4. Each is a 5-10 minute walk away but it's amazing how even as a mostly "stay-at home mum" we have to schedule to see them.
He saves his worst behaviour for his parents (and occasionally his sister). His anger has been something terrible over the past year. He seems to have matured some in the past 2 months, certainly helped by returning to the city. He isn't hitting, though he still storms off, loves a good door-bang, and can scream till someone might think to call 911... He calls us "mean' several times a week, which usually leads to some larger melt-down (mine or his). While at the library this weekend, we checked out "how to parent your strong-willed child" books. We noticed that his ability to play by himself has really suffered in the past 6 months. That might be the fact that parents were always available over our parental leave and that he has some insecurity about the last move. He is perturbed by the fact that we are only subletting and weekly asks where we will live next. Perhaps the next move will be our last for awhile. I hope so!
I'll upload some photos soon, especially of the groovy treehouse. Plus his dad will set about editing "Seb - the 4th year" video any day. Expect it in all your stockings.
Sophie's update will be found here next week after she turns the big ONE. I'll save you all my birthday update, though I am happy to say that I weigh the same as I did 5 years and 2 children ago. Not quite the same shape though...
Back off, hyenas - get your own $80 diaper
ONCE AGAIN, I AM GRATEFUL TO ANGE FOR PASSING ALONG SEB'S FATTY BUM-BUM DIAPERS AND ERIN FOR VIRTUALLY ALL OF SOPHIE'S! I EVEN HAVE THE NEXT SIZE UP WAITING FOR SOPHIE TO SWITCH INTO ANY WEEK NOW.
ADRIANA BARTON
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
VANCOUVER — They lurk. They pounce. They cackle with glee after seizing their prey.
In the cyber-jungle, they're the hyenas - diapering moms who prowl online boutiques to snatch limited-edition cloth diapers before others get a chance.
Their hunger for the latest in baby-bottom fashions is insatiable, according to Kendell Schafer, a Calgary-based mother and seamstress who gained a cult following with her Freshies line of flannel, fleece and wool-knit "dipes" (diapers to the rest of us).
Her vividly coloured designs are in such demand that Ms. Schafer took a two-year break from her sewing machine and "all that hyena business," she writes in an e-mail. "It's exhausting being stalked."
For earthy moms with money to spare, cloth diapers aren't just a greener alternative to disposables - they're wearable art. Diaper connoisseurs pay up to $80 (U.S.) for a single diaper that's been handmade, embroidered or appliquéd by a work-at-home mom.
Diapers have fetched staggering prices at online auction sites such as HyenaCart.com and eBay.com (until it banned the sale of diapers earlier this year, stating hygiene concerns).
One creation by designer Ann Hall sold at auction for $150. Bids for other diapers have reached $300.
Working from her home in Denver, Ms. Hall is famous for her Righteous Baby designs embroidered with animals - there's even a hyena - and stitched portraits of her clients' infants.
Equally coveted diaper lines include Muttaqin Baby, Daisy Doodles, BeccaBottoms and Bizzy B Hive.
Playful diapers with tie-dyed, plaid, camouflage or planetary motifs have become such status symbols that many parents allow their children to wear them only after a poop to avoid spoiling the fabric art.
Some mothers don't even use them. "I've been told by people that they were going to frame my diapers and put them on the walls instead," Ms. Hall says.
For the hyena set, cloth diapering is both a pastime and a competitive sport.
"It's a collector thing," says Inge Brunner of Moylan, Pa., who sells several dozen brands from her online store at DiaperWare.com.
The cloth diaper craze is an extension of fashion, she adds. "If you're got a little girl with a lovely diaper showing under her dress, it looks really cute," Ms. Brunner says. And for mothers who change a zillion diapers a day, "it's a lot more fun putting a pretty diaper on."
Diapers with lace frills are de rigueur, as are natural dyes and fibres such as bamboo.
Whereas the cotton diapers of the 1950s "wouldn't hold a nose blow, let alone a full wetting," Ms. Brunner says, today's cloth diapers are made of ultra-absorbent wool, hemp and other fibres.
They come in a mind-boggling array of styles - from prefolds to contoured, fitted and all-in-ones - the merits of which spark impassioned debates on sites such as Mothering.com.
Unlike disposables, high-end cloth diapers can be resold for 60 to 80 per cent of their original price on sites such as DiaperSwappers.com. "Some people see them as an investment," Ms. Brunner says.
Mothers who pad their diaper stashes don't mind being compared to carnivorous beasts, she adds. "Most of the hyenas are proud to be hyenas - they enjoy their hobby."
ADRIANA BARTON
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
VANCOUVER — They lurk. They pounce. They cackle with glee after seizing their prey.
In the cyber-jungle, they're the hyenas - diapering moms who prowl online boutiques to snatch limited-edition cloth diapers before others get a chance.
Their hunger for the latest in baby-bottom fashions is insatiable, according to Kendell Schafer, a Calgary-based mother and seamstress who gained a cult following with her Freshies line of flannel, fleece and wool-knit "dipes" (diapers to the rest of us).
Her vividly coloured designs are in such demand that Ms. Schafer took a two-year break from her sewing machine and "all that hyena business," she writes in an e-mail. "It's exhausting being stalked."
For earthy moms with money to spare, cloth diapers aren't just a greener alternative to disposables - they're wearable art. Diaper connoisseurs pay up to $80 (U.S.) for a single diaper that's been handmade, embroidered or appliquéd by a work-at-home mom.
Diapers have fetched staggering prices at online auction sites such as HyenaCart.com and eBay.com (until it banned the sale of diapers earlier this year, stating hygiene concerns).
One creation by designer Ann Hall sold at auction for $150. Bids for other diapers have reached $300.
Working from her home in Denver, Ms. Hall is famous for her Righteous Baby designs embroidered with animals - there's even a hyena - and stitched portraits of her clients' infants.
Equally coveted diaper lines include Muttaqin Baby, Daisy Doodles, BeccaBottoms and Bizzy B Hive.
Playful diapers with tie-dyed, plaid, camouflage or planetary motifs have become such status symbols that many parents allow their children to wear them only after a poop to avoid spoiling the fabric art.
Some mothers don't even use them. "I've been told by people that they were going to frame my diapers and put them on the walls instead," Ms. Hall says.
For the hyena set, cloth diapering is both a pastime and a competitive sport.
"It's a collector thing," says Inge Brunner of Moylan, Pa., who sells several dozen brands from her online store at DiaperWare.com.
The cloth diaper craze is an extension of fashion, she adds. "If you're got a little girl with a lovely diaper showing under her dress, it looks really cute," Ms. Brunner says. And for mothers who change a zillion diapers a day, "it's a lot more fun putting a pretty diaper on."
Diapers with lace frills are de rigueur, as are natural dyes and fibres such as bamboo.
Whereas the cotton diapers of the 1950s "wouldn't hold a nose blow, let alone a full wetting," Ms. Brunner says, today's cloth diapers are made of ultra-absorbent wool, hemp and other fibres.
They come in a mind-boggling array of styles - from prefolds to contoured, fitted and all-in-ones - the merits of which spark impassioned debates on sites such as Mothering.com.
Unlike disposables, high-end cloth diapers can be resold for 60 to 80 per cent of their original price on sites such as DiaperSwappers.com. "Some people see them as an investment," Ms. Brunner says.
Mothers who pad their diaper stashes don't mind being compared to carnivorous beasts, she adds. "Most of the hyenas are proud to be hyenas - they enjoy their hobby."
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
one down
November is the big celebration month in our household. Seb, Sophie, me, big one for my mum this year, a big anniversary for my in-laws as well, and just squeaking into December, my mother-in law's birthday. We started it all off with a family-only joint party for the kids on Sunday. Gen & Cathy pulled out all the stops with a lovely castle cake for Seb that came complete with edible towers, drawbridge and playmobil knight. Sophie has her first bite of cake (eggless chocolate) and loved it... She got to wear her party dress that I specifically requested from Erin when I saw it on baby Jane 9 months ago... Thanks Erin!
There weren't many kids - as sadly, custody issues abound at the moment in our generation of the family. But the most recent cousin, Hannah, was able to make it and seemed to enjoy herself. Seb didn't mind and Sophie was oblivious (did I mention that she liked the cake?!).
Pops had been on a training course on Saturday, then got called in to work overnight to cover the storm/leftover hurricane. With 4 hours sleep, he was out jousting with Seb and being a great dad. Then yesterday, after only another 4 hours sleep (he covered city council on Monday), he slipped into "great dad" form again for Seb's birthday. He was up making breakfast and playing with knights and cars and going to a movement/dance workshop with Seb, followed by family hot chocolate at Java Moose and a game of junior (very jr) chess - all before heading in to work. What a guy!
Seb had a great day - dad home for the morning, dance with friends, hot chocolate, presents, phone calls, cards, play time, etc! While he didn't jump up and down about his up-coming trip to Florida with his grandparents (like he did when Deb gave him knee socks...!!), over the course of the day he did realise that it was a big and exciting deal. It was the first thing that he told his dad after work. On Sat, they are all flying to Florida for 6 days of sun and sand (and various chores for Lorraine). (If Mona is reading this, just stop here and call me instead) But the highlight is 2 days at Sea World and Busch gardens (we vetoed Disney). Not only does he do the tour and some rides but he is being taken to dinner with Shamu (the orca) and then gets to meet the trainers and others back stage. There will be sharks to see and penguins to pat. Dolphins and octopus and turtles to wonder at. I can only imagine how thrilled he will be.
On the down side, the poor guy at 4 was overloaded with books and clothes and not many toys. That was made more apparent by our gift of a tree dollhouse not arriving in time and G&L's gift being the trip and not a "thing". But he handled it very well and thanked everyone. Once he went to the loo with his dad, he said in a quiet and sad voice "but clothes weren't on my wish list". Sweet. It's all part of growing up.
Monday, 5 November 2007
Catching up on October
Our camera has been acting up so I haven't posted anything for 2 weeks+. But with 3 birthdays in the next 2 weeks, I figured I had better get something up on the site; otherwise, I will be really really behind.
So 1st off are the Hallowe'en/October shots. You can see Seb's complete knightly costume. You can see his dad's handiwork onn the fine shield. The theme continues with his family birthday party which we had yesterday (you see how far behind I am...). He got loads of loot but we were left with tons of candy too as we only had 8 kids. But I had "wisely" bought stuff that we all wanted to eat - nut-free cookies & chocolate bars, and twizzlers.
Then there is Sophie in a gorgeous summer dress - just 2 weeks ago. That's how warm it was here. Now, we need mitts and hats and I am in the process of buying a 2ndhand MEC "toaster" snowsuit for our little girlfriend.
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