A Day In The Life–Before Returning To Work

 

Happy Friday everyone! Well, my last full week of Maternity leave will officially be over at the end of today. It’s been amazing. Lately I have been feeling overwhelmed with work and think it’s time for me to get back. But for today, I’m going to soak it up! I figured to give myself a little reminder of what our lives were like, I’d do a little Day In The Life post! Do one now, before I return to work and after!

4:50 AM- My alarm goes off. I use to push snooze all the time but not any more. I don’t want to risk waking Sam with it. Ryan and Sam are still asleep. Ryan is back at days now and starts work at 7.

I start my coffee machine. While it warms up I get ready. Hair, makeup and etc.

6:00 AM – I am all ready for the day and I have settled in front of the TV with my laptop. Lately I’ve been watching the local news. While the TV is on I usually post a blog and check e-mail, respond and etc. All while slowing sipping my coffee. This is my favourite time of day. I consider it my “me” time. Life is slow at this hour.

7:00 AM – I actually forgot to take a picture here. But I go and wake Sam up at 7 if he doesn’t get up on his own. Ryan is gone to work now. I change Sam’s diaper and nurse him. Usually I would get dressed at this time but because this is my last week of Maternity leave I decided to stay in my PJ’s a little longer.

8:00 AM- Breakfast time! Sam has already gobbled down his banana and is now polishing off a slice of toast with peanut butter. I use to eat with him at this time but can’t now because he just wants to eat my food. 

9:00 AM- I’ve gotten Sam cleaned up and it’s time to play! His favourite thing to do is play with Tucker right now. He “throws” his toys and laughs as Tucker brings them back to him. Soon Sam will go down for his morning nap.

10:00 AM – Sam fell asleep around 9:30AM. I grab a quick smoothie and head to the office because there is something that needs to be finished today that I’m not confident I can do during Sam’s afternoon nap.

11:00 AM- I only ever let Sam sleep for an hour in the morning so he was up at 10:30. I gave him a sippy cup of milk and then we headed off to enjoy the beautiful day!! I loved that I didn’t have to bundle him up in a huge snowsuit! We went and visited Ryan at the shop, took a nice long stroll around the sheds and then headed back to the office to visit everyone there!

12:00 PM- Mom had told me before about grabbing salad ingredients and invited me to stay for lunch. I packed Sam a lunch as well.

1:00 PM- Still at the office! We are all done eating but need to head home soon so I can put Sam down at 1:30!

2:00 PM – We are home now and I just laid Sam down for his afternoon sleep. I am waiting for him to fall asleep so that I can begin more work. I can’t focus unless he is sleeping! He is more interested today in standing in his crib then sleeping! Working on those new skills!

3:00 PM – Because of doing some work in the morning I finished up my work early. I putter around the house which included setting out the St.Patty’s day stuff!

4:00 PM – Sam is always awake by 4 and today I even had to go wake him up. We live by a pretty strict schedule. It works for us and makes life a little easier. I gave him a bottle after his nap today because I had to be heading out the door by 4:30 PM and usually he is slow to drink it.

5:00 PM – On Wednesdays I go to my piano lesson! I’ve got my homework all done and I’ve practiced really hard this week. Hoping that I get stickers so I can move on to some new pieces for next week!

6:00 PM – Happy to be home with my boys! Ryan had given Sam his supper. When I get home Ryan goes and takes a shower. Sam and I play in the basement and he “helps” me fold some of his diapers. This is Sam’s most active time of day! It’s like he plays so hard to tire himself out for bed!

7:00 PM – Sam is nursed, bathed, put into PJs, read a story and said his prayers. He is in bed by 7 PM. Any later and our boy is a BEAR! Ryan and I usually eat with Sam but not on Wednesday. We grabbed our supper, warmed it up and enjoyed eating together. It was crockpot orange chicken with rice.

8:00 PM – This girl is not a night owl! I would much rather get up early! By this time I am usually in bed setting the PVR and watching some recorded TV or reading.

9:00 PM – Lights out and so am I! Good night!

And that’s it! A look into a regular day of the week for us! I’m sure I’ll be looking back at it dreamingly when I get back to a little bit more of a hectic schedule when I start back at work.

What’s your day look like?

Happy Friday!

xo

Samuel–11 Months

 

Written March 3, 2015

Stats:

From appointment at February 4, he was 20.7 pounds, 73 cm long.

Wearing:

I am still astonished at how quickly Sam goes through clothes. He is in 12 to 18 month clothing, depending on what it is. PJ’s still are the biggest problem because of his large feet. His body fits in the jammies just fine but his feet are too big to fit. Footless is the only way to go with my guy, unfortunately. 

Sam is still in size 4 diapers and size 4 shoes. Although we’ll be making the switch to size 5 shoes very soon!

Sleep:

It is a whole new ball game when you kid begins sleeping through the night. Where it isn’t just a fluke but an every day occurrence. Sam has slept through the night, EVERY night in the last month. I’ve begun sleeping better as I don’t anticipate him waking up. I can see and think a little clearer! Ha ha!

There has been a few days where he has fought his morning nap and I think he’ll transition to only 1 nap a day shortly after he turns 1, but for now we are enjoying morning and afternoon sleeps! He is usually down for the night around 7 and up around 6:30-7.  Morning nap at 9 and afternoon nap around 1-1:30.

Eating:

Well, I’m a little sad to say that we didn’t go a whole year without drinking ONLY breast milk. It’s not that I have a supply issue but sometime around this month I got sick of pumping. I figured I had enough in the freezer and put away the pump. Just looking at it made me want to be sick! I had pumped everyday for the last 3 months in order to get a big enough freezer stash for daycare. We had a wonderful doctors appointment lately where I mentioned that I’d be going back to work before Sam turns 1. I also mentioned that I had pumped lots for the freezer but that I was done pumping. I asked what I should give him after the breastmilk was done. He said, “just give him whole milk, he’s ready.” I began thinking and worrying that Sam may not take whole milk because he has only ever nursed. So, this month I cut out his morning nap nursing session and replaced it with milk. So far, the transition has been very smooth! He nurses  first thing in the morning, afternoon and night and then has milk after AM nap. He had no reaction to milk and actually seemed to enjoy it.

I’ve begun feeling a lot more freedom now that I am not pumping and feeling better that Sam will take regular milk. I know that I won’t be nursing much longer then after 12 months because of returning to work. I’ll keep nursing Sam every morning (my favourite feeding of the day) until he weans himself (hoping around 18 months).

Other then that, Sam eats everything in sight. My little guy has a HUGE appetite. 3 meals a day and 2 snacks. For his breakfast he eats 1 whole banana and a piece of toast with peanut butter, his favourite meal of the day! He eats pretty much everything that Ryan and I eat. The only thing we have discovered that he really doesn’t like is eggs. He gags everytime he even touches it.  

Appearance:

Handsome little man, but I am biased. My long and lanky boy his getting taller and taller. We took a picture of him in my moms arms this month and he looked like a giant baby! Ha ha! But that’s just because he is much more a boy then a baby.

This month especially, people finally see what I have been seeing since the beginning, Sam looks like Ryan. Well Sam looks like Ryan’s grandfather but I have always found a resemblance between Ry and his grandpa as well. The only thing he has gotten from me is his coloring. Brown hair and my big brown eyes. Otherwise, he is Ryan’s twin!

Picture below is Ry’s Grandpa and Sam

Likes:

Sam LOVES food, bath time, Tucker and heating grates. He loves to clap, dance and “talk”. He is a huge snuggler and likes to get in nice and close to someone he trusts. He still only likes his NUK soothers. He loves car rides and crawling underneath tables. His favourite show is Bubble Guppies. Sam is always the happiest when he is as close to naked as possible. His favourite book is the Duck Dynasty beard story.

 

Dislikes:

Sam doesn’t like eggs, getting his face wiped and getting dressed.  He hates going into his crib and getting it his car seat.

Milestones:

Starting clapping and giving high fives on February 11.

First valentines day on February 14.

Starting pulling yourself up to standing on everything this month, including your crib! I really started to notice around February 15.

First taste of cows milk on February 25.

You learnt how to climb stairs this month.

First skate on February 28.

Mommy:

 

For the most part, things have been very smooth this month. I am not so emotional and have come to terms with getting back to work. I thought I would have been more upset about giving Sam cows milk earlier than I wanted but he seemed ready. And I am certainly not throwing in the towel yet with his other feedings.

Motherhood is weird. In one way, you want time to stop or rewind. You never want your little baby to grow up. On the other hand, you SO looking forward to the fun things to come. During the blistery cold days, I can’t help but looking forward to taking Sam for a swim, pushing him on the swing and watching him walk around in the grass.

Honestly, I love being a Mom and it’s amazing how in less than a year my whole life can shift. Where most of my daily thoughts and activities revolve around such a little person!

Daddy:

Daddy and you sure do have fun together! This month he taught you how to use a hockey stick and throw (not just a ball, but everything!). He was pretty proud. Dad gives you a bath pretty much every night. He also really likes reading you your bedtime story and singing your lullaby.

I think Daddy is liking how easy you are to care for now. You feed yourself and easily entertain yourself. Daddy doesn’t even think twice about how to care for you. It’s second nature now.

You are a Daddy’s boy! You SO look forward to when your Dad arrives home! I think you know he is the fun one! ha ha! 

Other:

I feel like this month, more then ever, when I look at Sam he looks like a boy and not a baby. But also this month, he doesn’t even act much like a baby anymore.

You are getting more and more brave! Between crawling stairs and exploring every inch of our home. I can only imagine how it will be when you start walking.

Speaking of walking, little interest in it at this point. I think you realize that you are fast when you crawl and why mess with a good thing? ha ha! But with all of the standing you are doing, I know that it is just a matter of time before you take a step!

Letter:

Dearest Sam,

Happy 11 months! Mommy has already started planning your big first birthday party! I hope to make it special for you. Along with celebrating your milestone birthday, we are also kind of celebrating the fact that Mommy and Daddy kept you alive for the first year of your life. You may not realize it but we had no idea what we were doing when you were first born! We were scared of messing something up or doing something wrong. Thank you for being such a good baby and letting us learn at our own pace. We have all learnt so much and it’s been an amazing 11 months.

Next month there will be a lot of new, scary and exciting changes happening to our lives. I pray that we will transition easily. I will try my best to be a strong Mommy for you and continue to guide you and our family.

Thank you for making every day so much fun! Everyday is a pleasure to have you as my son!

I love you!

Love,

Mommy

xo

A Little Weekend Fun For Mommy

 

Happy Monday everyone! Where has the weekend gone? I’ll be getting in extra snuggles with my boy this week. Staying home and soaking up these last carefree days. We are going to stay in our PJ’s a little longer, go on nice walks randomly throughout the day and PLAY our hearts out! Because a week from today, Sam begins daycare. But I don’t think I’m ready to talk about that right now so let me tell you all that happened this weekend!

Friday night was pretty low key! We had our traditional Pizza and Movie night in Beechgrove! We settled down for a little Netflix with some microwave cookies!

Saturday morning I was up early with Sam and let Ryan rest for a while. I got ready eventually and hit the road. A girlfriend and I (I actually met her through an online Mommy group for Canadian Mom’s) were complaining about how much our men have been snowmobiling lately. So, we decided to start the Lonely Wives Club and Saturday was our first “meeting”! ha ha!

I hit the road a little earlier to do a couple of stops. One being Starbucks! I wanted a refreshing drink to sip on. I have found a new favourite! Peach flavoured Ice tea lemonade! YUM! And yes, I always do give Sam’s name. I figure the would appreciate the only 3 letter name!

I was gifted a Starbucks gift card for Christmas so I could buy a new travel mug. I had yet to use it but knew that I wanted a good coffee mug for my travels to and from daycare with Sam! I use to sip my coffee in the office but will now be doing that on the highway. I opted for a stainless steel one that surely I can’t break.

My next stop was Old Navy. The agenda, shopping just for me! No kids stuff. It was a little difficult but I found some really cute pieces for this spring! They were having a great sale where their clearance stuff was an additional 30% off! I got 5 items (the polka dot pixie pants included!) for only $52. I can’t even remember the last time I was in a changing room by myself, trying on clothes! It was a real treat!

I met my friend for lunch at Mangolian Village and then headed next door to get a pedicure! We had a great time chatting while getting some pretty toes! I chose a vibrant pink color because getting some Spring clothes (plus it was beautiful outside that day) put me in the mood for a fun color! 

We then headed over to the movie theatre to catch a new Will Smith movie, Focus. It was really good!

I am still finding it so hard to leave home without my boys. The thing is, I actually enjoy spending time with them! But, it is good for my soul to get a little time to myself. I’m not going to lie though, I LOVE it when Ryan would send me picture updates about their day!

When I got home I made supper and had some awesome playtime with Sam. I love that he gets excited to see me. Almost as though he missed me. He didn’t want to leave my side for the rest of the night!

Sunday morning we were all up and getting ready for our day! Ryan headed off to his last hockey game of the season and Sam and I got ready for church! I LOVED his little outfit that he got to wear. It’s a long sleeve shirt and pant onsie! It was like wearing PJ’s and he had fun adventuring around in them.

Including climbing the stairs! His new thing is climbing the stairs so I now have to put a baby gate at the stairs going up to the bedrooms!

After church Sam, my dad and I met Ryan in Shawville for brunch! We headed home and Sam went down for his nap, Ryan left to go pick up his new glasses and I settled down in front of the TV with a little craft. I am starting to collect “birthday” decorations and have always wanted to make this. I grabbed an unused foam wreath, balloons and a hot glue gun! I just have to add a “Happy Birthday” banner and this wreath is all done for Sam’s birthday!

Ryan got home and Sam was just awake from his nap. Sam knew something was different about his daddy and kept staring at him! New glasses!

Well I can honestly say it was an awesome weekend! I got to have a little solo time but also spend time with my new handsome men! The weather started taking a turn to being a little bit warmer. The daylight savings time change doesn’t seem to have effected Sam at all (thank goodness!), and we are looking forward to Spring days ahead.

How was your weekend?

xo

2015 Year Of Dates- February

 

I apologize. I tried all morning Wednesday and Thursday to post this with no luck. I am having lots of trouble with our internet lately! Hopefully it will be fixed soon!

________________________________________________________________________

Happy Wednesday! Today Sam and I are hitting the road today to get some birthday party supplies and a birthday present for Ryan. It’s hard to believe in less an a month we will be celebrating the first year of Sam’s life.

For now, I want to recap back to February and the awesome date we had! February is always Ryan's month to plan so that I can plan something of his birthday in March. Over the last 3 years, Ryan has become pretty predictable in his dates. I would have bet money on the fact that in February our date would involve either the Rideau Canal or a Beavertail (or both). Wasn’t I surprised when I opened this years date to find this…

“The romantic month of love. Can you hear the lovely tune babe???? Sleigh bells ringing in the snow, kissin neath the mistletoe, out on the farm the cattle roam, its Christmas in the valley!!! I can’t see any other way to spend a morning and lunch with the two people I love the most, by going to Ladysmith for a nice leisurely sleigh ride and a warm lunch at Ladysmith hotel…”

I was shocked! This was the most effort (pre-planning) that Ryan has put into any of our dates. Not to mention it will easily be one of the most romantic things he’s ever done for Valentines day. Before Christmas, Ryan contacedt the sleigh people and picked the day, time and pre-paid. It was all set up for our date on Valentines day!

It was BRUTALLY cold that morning but like good Canadians, we grabbed all of our winter gear and headed out for our date. When we got to the farm we were a little early and took our time getting bundled up! Our boy had napped the whole ride there so he was rested before beginning the date.

We had a few minutes to spare as they got the horses ready for our ride. We walked around the property a little and looked at all their animals they have there.

It was time to go so we all jumped up into our seats, we were then covered with a couple warm blankets and took off! The size of the horses and their strength was so impressive. They could easily pull 4 people and 1 heavy sleigh through deep snow with no problem at all. The owners has created trails throughout a bush but we also hit the road through the town of Ladysmith!

It was so fun but the warm barn was a welcomed sight after about a 45 minute ride.

Before leaving, we were invited to see the miniature horses! 

If anyone is ever looking for a fun and local thing to do, I highly recommend 710 Excursions!

We took the 30 second drive over to the restaurant. One of our favourite locations! Our favourite place for wings! It has actually been a tradition for Ryan and I to go to Ladysmith Hotel sometime during the month of February as our Valentines date. We hadn’t had any food from there in while and it was just as delicious as we remembered!

Huge congratulations to my husband for continuing to surprise me even after these years together! I would have never expected a date like this as Ryan isn’t much of planner especially when it comes to pre-booking things. But I had an amazing time this Valentines day with my boys doing something I have never done before!

Happy Wednesday!

xo  

Welcome To March!

 

Happy Monday everyone! I don’t know about you, but I feel kind of excited that March is here. February was brutally cold here and the March forecast looks much more reasonable! Being that it was so beautiful out we bundled up and got outside!

Friday was a quiet day for Sam and I. Ryan went out of the sled for the day and then came home to bed. As of Friday, I have a regular stander! He was able to do it before but lacked the confidence unless Ryan and I were there to help him in case he couldn’t get back down. It’s a whole new world for him and you can tell he is so excited to see his surroundings from a different angle!

Friday night was suppose to be Movie Night in Beechgrove but Ryan couldn’t keep his eyes open from lack of sleep. I knew this was going to happen as soon as he left that morning on the sled. So, I prepared and PVRed some good and girlie shows to enjoy that night!

Saturday morning the sun was shining and the temperatures were reasonable! We bundled up and spent the morning outside! It was great to get such extended time outside without feeling like you nose was going to fall off. We took Sam to the Beechgrove rink that Ryan and my brother have been working so hard on all winter.

Sam’s first skate!

We hung out at home for the rest of the day Saturday. Ryan headed to the curling rink to play as a fundraiser for our local Lion’s Club and I settled in with a small bowl of ice cream and more PVR.

Sunday morning we all headed to church and Ryan took Sam downstairs to Sunday School while I enjoyed the full service, sermon included! It was such a treat to be able to sit by myself (aka: not wrangling a baby) listen to the word of God and reflect.

Mom and Dad hopped into our car and we all headed down for a family lunch at Boston Pizza! The whole family loves the Cactus Cut potatoes from there. Kids can eat free at Boston Pizza right now. Normally, I don’t get Sam his own meal because he would just pick at mine. But I figured since it was free, I’d get him his own and save the rest for his supper! HA! My boy continued to amaze everyone as he gobbled down his whole plate! It was his first taste of grilled cheese and he LOVED it!

When we got home both of my guys went to sleep and I started doing some birthday crafts! I CANNOT believe that Sam will be 1 soon but I am excited to get together with family to celebrate his first year. Nothing is cheaper or prettier then tissue paper pom-poms to decorate the house!

For the evening we all hung out, Sam helped me practice piano (his new favourite thing) and got ready for a busy week ahead!

How was your weekend?

xo