Carrie and I were pleased with our 'reception' at Children's hospital. Here's us, 30 minutes after the birth:
More pics of our gorgeous family to come!
Gordo
(Sorry, I forgot the camera at the hospital)
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
She's Here!!!
Little Isabella Grace Sheppard. Born: April 25, 2006 at 3:55 a.m. 8 pounds 12 ounces. Some number of centimetres long (less than 1000). Cute as a little peanut. Here is a cute picture of her and Ben:
Carrie and I were pleased with our 'reception' at Children's hospital. Here's us, 30 minutes after the birth:
More pics of our gorgeous family to come!
Gordo
(Sorry, I forgot the camera at the hospital)
Carrie and I were pleased with our 'reception' at Children's hospital. Here's us, 30 minutes after the birth:
More pics of our gorgeous family to come!
Gordo
(Sorry, I forgot the camera at the hospital)
Monday, April 24, 2006
Well...
Just a quick update. Carrie and I were in the hospital for a few hours today - everything is all right! Carrie was (is) having a weird pain on her right side, and she hadn't felt the baby move all night Saturday night. So...in we went to the hospital this morning to get things checked out. The baby is fine - it's moving fine and the heartbeat was really good. Carrie was (is) in low level labour, but still not dilated more than about 1 cm. So, we wait until tomorrow for the fetal assessment and Doctor's visit. There is some talk that they might induce her then.
I'll post more when I know more. For now, I'm off to bed.
Gordo
p.s. A BIG thank you to my Mom for coming out and taking Ben. She was instrumental in making today bearable.
I'll post more when I know more. For now, I'm off to bed.
Gordo
p.s. A BIG thank you to my Mom for coming out and taking Ben. She was instrumental in making today bearable.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Nope...
I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and there was absolutely no change from last week. Bummer. I am now 4 days overdue. Not much else to say. They won't induce until I'm at least 10 days overdue, so I guess we wait. My OB told me to walk for a couple hours yesterday - so I did. And another hour today, with an upcoming hour after I'm done this blog entry. My feet are sore. I have contractions when I walk, but they stop when I'm done walking.
Gord and I were talking tonight about general stuff, when Ben walked up and said, "Daddy, it's complicated!" We stopped talking (obviously, as a 4 syllable word was just spoken by our son!) and just looked at each other with puzzled expressions. I asked, "Where on earth did he get that from?", and then answered my own question. He has this book called "What's inside?" and it talks about what's inside Mommy's tummy when she's having a baby. But it starts out asking "what's inside the suitcase?...what's inside the present?..." and in the middle, it asks "what's inside the television?". They then show a picture of the inside of a TV, with all the wires and switches and stuff. The text says "oh, it's complicated!" So THAT is where he got it from. But still, we were stunned that he just came out with it for no apparent reason. What a kid!
Here are a couple of pictures, for your perusal...
Saying "cheese" last night while having his bedtime snack of Cheerios!
A pic from tonight - in his cool "Mr. Men" shirt!
Gord and I were talking tonight about general stuff, when Ben walked up and said, "Daddy, it's complicated!" We stopped talking (obviously, as a 4 syllable word was just spoken by our son!) and just looked at each other with puzzled expressions. I asked, "Where on earth did he get that from?", and then answered my own question. He has this book called "What's inside?" and it talks about what's inside Mommy's tummy when she's having a baby. But it starts out asking "what's inside the suitcase?...what's inside the present?..." and in the middle, it asks "what's inside the television?". They then show a picture of the inside of a TV, with all the wires and switches and stuff. The text says "oh, it's complicated!" So THAT is where he got it from. But still, we were stunned that he just came out with it for no apparent reason. What a kid!
Here are a couple of pictures, for your perusal...
Saying "cheese" last night while having his bedtime snack of Cheerios!
A pic from tonight - in his cool "Mr. Men" shirt!
Saturday, April 15, 2006
No news...
Nothing yet. A few contractions here and there, but nothing to write home about (or blog about, as the case may be!). Due date...come and gone...
We headed back to the dog park this morning. Ben did not get wet, except at the end when he was stomping in the puddles. Charlie was soaked to the bone, as per usual. Ben and I came home and went for a three hour nap. Nice.
I know there has been tons of stuff Ben has been doing that I could write about, but I'm drawing a blank.
Oh, we have some friends whose son Zack is Ben's age. Ben and Zack have a bit of a love/hate relationship. They talk about each other all the time, but when they're actually together, it can get kinda rough. Different personalities, ya know? Anyways, Ben's latest thing is to say, "I be Zachery" and then proceed to scream at the top of his lungs. Very shrill-ly. And the kicker is, that's what Zack does. A couple of weeks ago, they were fighting over a toy and Zack took it from Ben. Ben started to cry, and Zack gets up in his face and screams. And Ben only started doing this the past couple of days. How does he remember that?
Ben also loves to play kitty. He'll come up to you and say, "be little kitty" and then meow and meow and meow at you until you pet him, scratch him behind his ears, and tell him what a cute kitty he is. What a character.
Did you know that Ben has a baby in his tummy too? He likes to tell you that while he's lifting his shirt up to his armpits. Mommy does not do that.
That's about all for now. As always, I'll keep you blog-readers posted.
We headed back to the dog park this morning. Ben did not get wet, except at the end when he was stomping in the puddles. Charlie was soaked to the bone, as per usual. Ben and I came home and went for a three hour nap. Nice.
I know there has been tons of stuff Ben has been doing that I could write about, but I'm drawing a blank.
Oh, we have some friends whose son Zack is Ben's age. Ben and Zack have a bit of a love/hate relationship. They talk about each other all the time, but when they're actually together, it can get kinda rough. Different personalities, ya know? Anyways, Ben's latest thing is to say, "I be Zachery" and then proceed to scream at the top of his lungs. Very shrill-ly. And the kicker is, that's what Zack does. A couple of weeks ago, they were fighting over a toy and Zack took it from Ben. Ben started to cry, and Zack gets up in his face and screams. And Ben only started doing this the past couple of days. How does he remember that?
Ben also loves to play kitty. He'll come up to you and say, "be little kitty" and then meow and meow and meow at you until you pet him, scratch him behind his ears, and tell him what a cute kitty he is. What a character.
Did you know that Ben has a baby in his tummy too? He likes to tell you that while he's lifting his shirt up to his armpits. Mommy does not do that.
That's about all for now. As always, I'll keep you blog-readers posted.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Mommy's update!
OK, I had a doctor's appointment this morning (which turned into the afternoon - one of the rare times my doc is running late!). Baby is still just fine - the head is low. She gave me an internal exam too - I'm only 1 cm dilated. But it's a start. And as she said, it doesn't necessarily mean anything - they don't know what causes labour to start. So I came home and walked 2 miles on the treadmill to get this kid to drop and get labour started! I had some contractions (or strong Braxton Hicks?) during the walk, but not really since. I was hoping for Friday or so, but that doesn't seem likely! We wait and see...
That's about all for my update! I'm tired now...
c
That's about all for my update! I'm tired now...
c
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
What a day...
...in a good and funny way!
The day started with us heading to the Pediatrician for Ben's checkup. His weight is normal for his age, but his height is in the bottom 25th percentile. Thanks mommy! Other than that he was declared healthy and in a very high percentile for cuteness.
After I came home, we had dinner (Ben is eating like a champion, by the way. Finally.) Usually when we eat dinner we turn on the stereo for a bit of music. After dinner is finished, Ben usually becomes a "Dancin' Fool" (that reference is for you, Garth). He INSISTED that mommy and daddy get up and dance with him. So we had our own pregnant lady, fat man, crazed kid and manic dog mosh pit for a while. (While Ben dances, he sings "Dancing, dancing, dancing..." over and over. SO cute.)
Speaking of eating, the other day Ben wanted some watermelon. He asked for some "watermelman". Hee hee.
We then decided to go for a walk. While we were getting ready, Ben said "Go walk dog park?" We figured that was as good a place as any, so we packed up the kid and the dog in all of our crappy mud gear and out we went. We weren't even 20 meters into the park when Ben decided to splash in the puddles. Splash splash. So, while he was otherwise occupied we turned around to watch Charlie chasing frogs in the flooded ditch. Then, (you know what's coming, don't you?) SPLASH! WAHHHHHHHH! Ben had decided to follow Charlie and he fell almost up to his neck into stinky, yucky, dirty dog poo runoff ditch water. Carrie took a booter while running to get him, and almost tumbled in herself. SO...5 minutes after the start of the walk we loaded up the stinky dog, the stinky kid (now sans all clothes except a partially soaked shirt and a completely soaked diaper), the stinky mommy, and the stinky daddy (I didn't fall in - I just smell bad) and we headed home - with a stop for slurpees of course. Ben got a grape slurpee. We asked him what it tasted like and he said "Tastes like purple." What a kid.
So, after a long bath for Ben and mommy it was time for beddie boo. I leaned over to kiss my sweet boy on the back of the head just as he whipped his head back to find a book - headbutt to the lower lip and teeth. So I left crying like a little girl - leaving mommy to fend with the book reading by herself.
I'll leave you with a pic of the bug playing outside. What a cutie!
Blog ya later!
Gordo
The day started with us heading to the Pediatrician for Ben's checkup. His weight is normal for his age, but his height is in the bottom 25th percentile. Thanks mommy! Other than that he was declared healthy and in a very high percentile for cuteness.
After I came home, we had dinner (Ben is eating like a champion, by the way. Finally.) Usually when we eat dinner we turn on the stereo for a bit of music. After dinner is finished, Ben usually becomes a "Dancin' Fool" (that reference is for you, Garth). He INSISTED that mommy and daddy get up and dance with him. So we had our own pregnant lady, fat man, crazed kid and manic dog mosh pit for a while. (While Ben dances, he sings "Dancing, dancing, dancing..." over and over. SO cute.)
Speaking of eating, the other day Ben wanted some watermelon. He asked for some "watermelman". Hee hee.
We then decided to go for a walk. While we were getting ready, Ben said "Go walk dog park?" We figured that was as good a place as any, so we packed up the kid and the dog in all of our crappy mud gear and out we went. We weren't even 20 meters into the park when Ben decided to splash in the puddles. Splash splash. So, while he was otherwise occupied we turned around to watch Charlie chasing frogs in the flooded ditch. Then, (you know what's coming, don't you?) SPLASH! WAHHHHHHHH! Ben had decided to follow Charlie and he fell almost up to his neck into stinky, yucky, dirty dog poo runoff ditch water. Carrie took a booter while running to get him, and almost tumbled in herself. SO...5 minutes after the start of the walk we loaded up the stinky dog, the stinky kid (now sans all clothes except a partially soaked shirt and a completely soaked diaper), the stinky mommy, and the stinky daddy (I didn't fall in - I just smell bad) and we headed home - with a stop for slurpees of course. Ben got a grape slurpee. We asked him what it tasted like and he said "Tastes like purple." What a kid.
So, after a long bath for Ben and mommy it was time for beddie boo. I leaned over to kiss my sweet boy on the back of the head just as he whipped his head back to find a book - headbutt to the lower lip and teeth. So I left crying like a little girl - leaving mommy to fend with the book reading by herself.
I'll leave you with a pic of the bug playing outside. What a cutie!
Blog ya later!
Gordo
Thursday, April 06, 2006
A post about nothing in particular...
Life is chugging along at the Sheppard house. No baby yet.
Ben is good. His sleeping is better again - no more waking up at 5:40 a.m. He's sleeping in until about 7:30, which is MUCH more reasonable, even for Gord.
I figured that he'd sleep in a bit this morning, because I had him out late at our friends' house last night. We didn't get home until about 10:15, so Ben wasn't ready for bed until 10:45 or so. But nope, he woke up at about 7:40 - and REALLY wanted his mommy. I tried to explain to him, as I rushed around, that I had to go to work. Cue the waterworks. So I told him only two more days, and then I can stay home with him. For a whole year. I don't think he really got it.
It's funny...this morning he wanted only me - Daddy wasn't good enough at 7:40 a.m. - but last night, Gord worked a little later and picked me up from work. I went into the house first, and he came running to the back door, saw me, and stopped short, just staring. I said hello to him, but he just looked at me like I was an alien. Then Daddy came in the door, and he belts out, "DADDY! DADDY!" And for the next little while, he wanted only Daddy. Last week was great timing for the baby coming, 'cause it gave Ben and Gord some quality time together. They bonded. So when Mommy constantly has a baby attached to her in a couple of weeks, Ben has a back-up.
I had another prenatal appointment on Monday. All is well. I think the baby is definately lower now, which is a good thing! My OB isn't overly descriptive in what she's doing - blood pressure "great!", heartbeat "good", "moving at least 10 times a day?", "group B strep negative", "could be anytime now!" That was my appointment. But baby is moving lots, and I feel weird things at what I would imagine is the bottom of my uterus/cervix. But I'm speculating, of course. I'm no doctor.
One and a half days of work left. As of 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, I'm on mat leave. Can't say I'm not glad - I feel exhausted at days end. It sucks sitting in a chair all day too - when I get up to inevitably take a bathroom break, I feel like I have a medicine ball between my hips. Ah well, only a couple weeks to go, if that.
We got our new furniture on Tuesday night. It is soooooo comfy. Of course, the old furniture is still upstairs, so we are still reminded daily of what we had - it makes us appreciate the new stuff that much more! Maybe I'll get around to posting pics of the furniture and of the kitchen this weekend, 'cause there are some people out there who haven't seen either!
Uncle Chris moved out this week too. Ben will miss him. Gord and I, not so much. JUST KIDDING! I liked having him around. But now he's heading back up to Gillam for 6 weeks. Then he's done his stint up there. And he'll be posted permanently in Brandon after another 3 weeks of training or something like that.
OK, that's it. I'm going to eat my lunch and then go to the bathroom, again.
sheppard out
Ben is good. His sleeping is better again - no more waking up at 5:40 a.m. He's sleeping in until about 7:30, which is MUCH more reasonable, even for Gord.
I figured that he'd sleep in a bit this morning, because I had him out late at our friends' house last night. We didn't get home until about 10:15, so Ben wasn't ready for bed until 10:45 or so. But nope, he woke up at about 7:40 - and REALLY wanted his mommy. I tried to explain to him, as I rushed around, that I had to go to work. Cue the waterworks. So I told him only two more days, and then I can stay home with him. For a whole year. I don't think he really got it.
It's funny...this morning he wanted only me - Daddy wasn't good enough at 7:40 a.m. - but last night, Gord worked a little later and picked me up from work. I went into the house first, and he came running to the back door, saw me, and stopped short, just staring. I said hello to him, but he just looked at me like I was an alien. Then Daddy came in the door, and he belts out, "DADDY! DADDY!" And for the next little while, he wanted only Daddy. Last week was great timing for the baby coming, 'cause it gave Ben and Gord some quality time together. They bonded. So when Mommy constantly has a baby attached to her in a couple of weeks, Ben has a back-up.
I had another prenatal appointment on Monday. All is well. I think the baby is definately lower now, which is a good thing! My OB isn't overly descriptive in what she's doing - blood pressure "great!", heartbeat "good", "moving at least 10 times a day?", "group B strep negative", "could be anytime now!" That was my appointment. But baby is moving lots, and I feel weird things at what I would imagine is the bottom of my uterus/cervix. But I'm speculating, of course. I'm no doctor.
One and a half days of work left. As of 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, I'm on mat leave. Can't say I'm not glad - I feel exhausted at days end. It sucks sitting in a chair all day too - when I get up to inevitably take a bathroom break, I feel like I have a medicine ball between my hips. Ah well, only a couple weeks to go, if that.
We got our new furniture on Tuesday night. It is soooooo comfy. Of course, the old furniture is still upstairs, so we are still reminded daily of what we had - it makes us appreciate the new stuff that much more! Maybe I'll get around to posting pics of the furniture and of the kitchen this weekend, 'cause there are some people out there who haven't seen either!
Uncle Chris moved out this week too. Ben will miss him. Gord and I, not so much. JUST KIDDING! I liked having him around. But now he's heading back up to Gillam for 6 weeks. Then he's done his stint up there. And he'll be posted permanently in Brandon after another 3 weeks of training or something like that.
OK, that's it. I'm going to eat my lunch and then go to the bathroom, again.
sheppard out
Saturday, April 01, 2006
No real news...
Nothing too exciting happening lately - sorry blogland!
Ben stayed at his Grandma Susan's last night. We haven't heard yet how he did sleeping - in the playpen to boot - hopefully, he was a good boy for her. He didn't eat a lot of supper last night, but he did eat TWO bites of chicken. Real roasted chicken. The night before, he ate a whole sausage. Dipping it in ketchup sure helps! He then proceeded to eat four or five whole baby carrots. Can Mommy say "Wa-hooooooo"?
Gord has had a good time with Ben this week - well, the last three days anyway! Once the napping issue was sorted out, things went a lot smoother. Apparently, the past two mornings when Ben went to "wake up Daddy", he climbed into bed, leaned over to whisper into Gord's ear, and said, "Sweet-heart"!
I really think Ben liked his week with Daddy! Yesterday, Gord set up the biggest train track yet and Ben played happily with his trains! He is really starting to play more independently now too. He'll play with his cars and trucks and trains all by himself. He'll jibber-jabber to himself, lord only knows where his imagination is taking him!
Baby #2 is good - still hanging in there! I have one week of work left, so the baby has to stay put until at least next weekend! My department went out to lunch yesterday, and I had the spiciest thing on the menu. Everyone was joking around that I was trying to get the baby out, but really, I just wanted the Kung Pao chicken! Nothing happened anyways... Two more weeks until I am officially due - and we've got the most important stuff ready - some clothes, diapers, the car seat. But I still need to pack a bag for the hospital...that's on this weekend's "to do list".
Our little nieces, Fiona and Ruby, went home this week. The new little family is coping well, from what we hear. We even got a little movie of the girls emailed to us yesterday...gosh, I wanna hold 'em, just to feel what a 4 1/2 pound baby feels like. Ben was twice that, for goodness sake! We've gotta get their little baby gifts sent...another "to do" this weekend!
Just as an aside, I just finished watching "Meet the Fockers" on TV. I love that movie. It is too funny.
later gators.
Ben stayed at his Grandma Susan's last night. We haven't heard yet how he did sleeping - in the playpen to boot - hopefully, he was a good boy for her. He didn't eat a lot of supper last night, but he did eat TWO bites of chicken. Real roasted chicken. The night before, he ate a whole sausage. Dipping it in ketchup sure helps! He then proceeded to eat four or five whole baby carrots. Can Mommy say "Wa-hooooooo"?
Gord has had a good time with Ben this week - well, the last three days anyway! Once the napping issue was sorted out, things went a lot smoother. Apparently, the past two mornings when Ben went to "wake up Daddy", he climbed into bed, leaned over to whisper into Gord's ear, and said, "Sweet-heart"!
I really think Ben liked his week with Daddy! Yesterday, Gord set up the biggest train track yet and Ben played happily with his trains! He is really starting to play more independently now too. He'll play with his cars and trucks and trains all by himself. He'll jibber-jabber to himself, lord only knows where his imagination is taking him!
Baby #2 is good - still hanging in there! I have one week of work left, so the baby has to stay put until at least next weekend! My department went out to lunch yesterday, and I had the spiciest thing on the menu. Everyone was joking around that I was trying to get the baby out, but really, I just wanted the Kung Pao chicken! Nothing happened anyways... Two more weeks until I am officially due - and we've got the most important stuff ready - some clothes, diapers, the car seat. But I still need to pack a bag for the hospital...that's on this weekend's "to do list".
Our little nieces, Fiona and Ruby, went home this week. The new little family is coping well, from what we hear. We even got a little movie of the girls emailed to us yesterday...gosh, I wanna hold 'em, just to feel what a 4 1/2 pound baby feels like. Ben was twice that, for goodness sake! We've gotta get their little baby gifts sent...another "to do" this weekend!
Just as an aside, I just finished watching "Meet the Fockers" on TV. I love that movie. It is too funny.
later gators.
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
What a day...
Well, I thought I'd continue the theme of 'terrible twos' with a post of my own. If you don't know already, I am on spring break. This means LOTS of 1 on 1 time with my little bug. Now as a disclaimer - this is a GREAT thing. I love spending time with Ben. Today however...
- Got up at some disgustingly early pre-dawn hour (again)
- Was the best little dude ever up until naptime (he even promised not to tell Mommy that her flowers were purchased to disguise the fact that Daddy bought King Kong at the ONE DAY ONLY amazing price of $19.99)
-Would NOT go for a nap. This is after Grandma and I talked yesterday about how AMAZINGLY he goes for a nap. Well, he refused today. ("I'm awake" was the quote of the day.) So I finally capitulated (sp?) and let him stay up.
- He was okay until about 10 minutes before we had to leave to pick Mommy up from work, at which point he pulled a Bill. For those of you that don't know, that involves the eyes closed head-bob while sitting on the couch. When I woke him up (which was about as easy as waking up Bill) he started BAWLING.
-I got him dressed and ready to go. Once in the car I took a left - he wanted to go right. 10 more minutes of bawling.
- We went shopping (with Mommy) to find him something to block the light from coming in his window so brightly in the morning. He was only happy when allowed to do EXACTLY what he wanted, when he wanted to. Any suggestions to the contrary were ignored.
- When leaving the mall, he stood in the line to Moxies saying "French Fries". Although we were amazed at his memory skills, and were loving his cuteness, his obstinace was a little unnerving. We managed to get him away only after teaching him a new word - McDonalds.
- When putting his jacket on, he freaked out.
- When not turning right into someone's front yard, he freaked out.
- When pulling into Burger King (and NOT McDonalds) he freaked out.
- When forced to eat a french fry (this makes no sense to us either) he freaked out.
- When having a bath, he freaked out.
Now, I realize that most of these freak-outs were the result of no nap. We kept telling him "When Daddy tells you it's naptime tomorrow, GO FOR A NAP." But yeesh. My patience has not been worn as thin EVER in the last two years.
Again - don't get me wrong. I LOVE my little man - sometimes I am in awe of how much. It was just an off day. He is now sleeping like an angel in his new bed, with his wee tushie poking up in the air. What a guy.
Rant, rant, rant. We are going to Chapters tomorrow morning for the big chain store version of what my sister does for a living. (Among other cool library things, she hosts (hosted?) a very popular children's storytime in an Ottawa library). Hopefully the intense concentration required will exhaust him - leaving him in a near catatonic state from which I can just duct tape him to his bed for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Thanks for all the comments, crazy comment people! It's always nice to know you're out there. (And no, my fingers AREN'T broken - and the phone works - but you all know what I mean!)
TTYL
The ramblin' Gordo
p.s. I think Ben's cutest word right now is puh-STIP-tons. Anyone want to guess what that means?
- Got up at some disgustingly early pre-dawn hour (again)
- Was the best little dude ever up until naptime (he even promised not to tell Mommy that her flowers were purchased to disguise the fact that Daddy bought King Kong at the ONE DAY ONLY amazing price of $19.99)
-Would NOT go for a nap. This is after Grandma and I talked yesterday about how AMAZINGLY he goes for a nap. Well, he refused today. ("I'm awake" was the quote of the day.) So I finally capitulated (sp?) and let him stay up.
- He was okay until about 10 minutes before we had to leave to pick Mommy up from work, at which point he pulled a Bill. For those of you that don't know, that involves the eyes closed head-bob while sitting on the couch. When I woke him up (which was about as easy as waking up Bill) he started BAWLING.
-I got him dressed and ready to go. Once in the car I took a left - he wanted to go right. 10 more minutes of bawling.
- We went shopping (with Mommy) to find him something to block the light from coming in his window so brightly in the morning. He was only happy when allowed to do EXACTLY what he wanted, when he wanted to. Any suggestions to the contrary were ignored.
- When leaving the mall, he stood in the line to Moxies saying "French Fries". Although we were amazed at his memory skills, and were loving his cuteness, his obstinace was a little unnerving. We managed to get him away only after teaching him a new word - McDonalds.
- When putting his jacket on, he freaked out.
- When not turning right into someone's front yard, he freaked out.
- When pulling into Burger King (and NOT McDonalds) he freaked out.
- When forced to eat a french fry (this makes no sense to us either) he freaked out.
- When having a bath, he freaked out.
Now, I realize that most of these freak-outs were the result of no nap. We kept telling him "When Daddy tells you it's naptime tomorrow, GO FOR A NAP." But yeesh. My patience has not been worn as thin EVER in the last two years.
Again - don't get me wrong. I LOVE my little man - sometimes I am in awe of how much. It was just an off day. He is now sleeping like an angel in his new bed, with his wee tushie poking up in the air. What a guy.
Rant, rant, rant. We are going to Chapters tomorrow morning for the big chain store version of what my sister does for a living. (Among other cool library things, she hosts (hosted?) a very popular children's storytime in an Ottawa library). Hopefully the intense concentration required will exhaust him - leaving him in a near catatonic state from which I can just duct tape him to his bed for a couple of hours in the afternoon.
Thanks for all the comments, crazy comment people! It's always nice to know you're out there. (And no, my fingers AREN'T broken - and the phone works - but you all know what I mean!)
TTYL
The ramblin' Gordo
p.s. I think Ben's cutest word right now is puh-STIP-tons. Anyone want to guess what that means?
Monday, March 27, 2006
What a week...
Where do I start?
Last Saturday, we went furniture shopping. The horribly ugly but kinda comfy couch and loveseat we currently have - well, we've had enough. While we were out searching and sitting (a lot!), my chest started to get really itchy. I didn't really think anything of it, but it got worse and by Sunday, had spread to my upper arms and a little on my big tummy. Then it spread some more. Can you say unbearable?
I had an OB appointment on Monday, so I asked her what on earth it could be. She said it looked like an allergic reaction, but I scoured my brain for something that would have triggered it and came up empty. She said that I could take Benadryl and she gave me some hydrocortisone cream as well. I ended up only using each once, 'cause the itchiness had subsided by Tuesday.
Monday night, Ben woke up throwing up all over the place. Not fun. He had a bit of a fever, but had puked himself out by about midnight. He did wake up a couple more times heaving, but in the morning, he seemed okay (so we sent him to daycare - of course, his babysitter and one of the other boys have since got whatever Ben had).
Tuesday, my throat started to get scratchy, which I'm figuring is because my immune system went down a bit after I was up all night with a puking child. So, I got a chest cold, which isn't so bad when you're pregnant. Then, on Wednesday night, it crept up to my sinuses. Hell, I tell you. I can't take anything besides Tylenol. Urgh. So Thursday and Friday, I stayed home sick. Saturday and Sunday were better - I was still stuffed up.
This is all made worse by the fact that Ben won't sleep past 6 a.m. now. Grrrrrr.
So I thought I was good to go back to work today. But I was up visiting the toilet all night. Then this morning, I puked my guts out. What is wrong with me? I think that I'm just catching everything all at once, since I've had a healthy pregnancy and winter so far. I'm just paying for it all in the span of a week.
I won't say whether the boys have caught anything, as I don't want to jinx them.
And we bought a new sofa and loveseat - here they are.
I'm going back to bed...
Last Saturday, we went furniture shopping. The horribly ugly but kinda comfy couch and loveseat we currently have - well, we've had enough. While we were out searching and sitting (a lot!), my chest started to get really itchy. I didn't really think anything of it, but it got worse and by Sunday, had spread to my upper arms and a little on my big tummy. Then it spread some more. Can you say unbearable?
I had an OB appointment on Monday, so I asked her what on earth it could be. She said it looked like an allergic reaction, but I scoured my brain for something that would have triggered it and came up empty. She said that I could take Benadryl and she gave me some hydrocortisone cream as well. I ended up only using each once, 'cause the itchiness had subsided by Tuesday.
Monday night, Ben woke up throwing up all over the place. Not fun. He had a bit of a fever, but had puked himself out by about midnight. He did wake up a couple more times heaving, but in the morning, he seemed okay (so we sent him to daycare - of course, his babysitter and one of the other boys have since got whatever Ben had).
Tuesday, my throat started to get scratchy, which I'm figuring is because my immune system went down a bit after I was up all night with a puking child. So, I got a chest cold, which isn't so bad when you're pregnant. Then, on Wednesday night, it crept up to my sinuses. Hell, I tell you. I can't take anything besides Tylenol. Urgh. So Thursday and Friday, I stayed home sick. Saturday and Sunday were better - I was still stuffed up.
This is all made worse by the fact that Ben won't sleep past 6 a.m. now. Grrrrrr.
So I thought I was good to go back to work today. But I was up visiting the toilet all night. Then this morning, I puked my guts out.
I won't say whether the boys have caught anything, as I don't want to jinx them.
And we bought a new sofa and loveseat - here they are.
I'm going back to bed...
Friday, March 17, 2006
Master manipulator
Ben has discovered that different emotions elicit different responses. For example, this morning, I told him to come lay down on the floor so that I could change his supersoaked diaper and get him dressed. He then looked at me with downcast eyes, and said, "No. Ben sad." I guess he thinks that by saying that he's sad, we'll fall all over ourselves to make him feel better, which would hopefully include not making him lie down to have his diaper changed and to get dressed!
Ben was awake at 7 this morning, which is quite early for him. He better not be up that early tomorrow morning - Mommy wants to sleep in! Anyways, I was in the shower and I glanced through the shower door and saw that the bathroom door had been opened and that there was a little blue figure standing in the doorway. Sure enough, Ben came looking for his mommy (awwwwww). I hope I never forget how he looked though - his big blue eyes were wide open and his hair was fuzzy all over. You may not believe me, but the sight of my son in the morning, bedhead and all, is just beautiful!
c
Ben was awake at 7 this morning, which is quite early for him. He better not be up that early tomorrow morning - Mommy wants to sleep in! Anyways, I was in the shower and I glanced through the shower door and saw that the bathroom door had been opened and that there was a little blue figure standing in the doorway. Sure enough, Ben came looking for his mommy (awwwwww). I hope I never forget how he looked though - his big blue eyes were wide open and his hair was fuzzy all over. You may not believe me, but the sight of my son in the morning, bedhead and all, is just beautiful!
c
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Odds 'n ends...
Not much is new with the Sheppards, as usual! We went to Morden on Saturday, just for the day, so that Ben could visit with Great Grandma Lil, Great Aunt Nancy and Great Aunt Simone. He charmed the pants off of them, as expected! He cheered them on while they were curling - and they won! Gord wants to take credit for being their good luck charm, but I think it was Ben...
Ben is using a new phrase now..."How 'bout nooooooo!" (from Austin Powers, I think. Daddy apparently says this to Ben, and now our little shadow has picked it up. It amazes me every day at how he picks things up. "They" say that kids are sponges, and boy do we know it!
Baby #2 is good. Gord commented last night that I'm "getting big", but then he tried to backtrack and say that maybe I'm just carrying differently. Nice try hon! So now I'm afraid to go to my prenatal appointment on Monday...I'm demanding that my OB tell me how big this baby might be. Last time, she kept saying that Ben would be average - um, hello? 9 lbs is NOT average! I need to be prepared...
Now, an update on the Ottawa babies - Fiona Beatrice and Ruby Amelia! Both are doing very very well! They've been drinking from bottles really well, and Ruby didn't have an infection after all, so her IV was removed. From all accounts, they are "soooooo cute" and both have dark hair. Kathy is likely going home today, so she'll have to travel back and forth to the hospital a lot, but it should only be a couple of weeks, if things continue to go as well as they have been. Still no pictures though...
c
Ben is using a new phrase now..."How 'bout nooooooo!" (from Austin Powers, I think. Daddy apparently says this to Ben, and now our little shadow has picked it up. It amazes me every day at how he picks things up. "They" say that kids are sponges, and boy do we know it!
Baby #2 is good. Gord commented last night that I'm "getting big", but then he tried to backtrack and say that maybe I'm just carrying differently. Nice try hon! So now I'm afraid to go to my prenatal appointment on Monday...I'm demanding that my OB tell me how big this baby might be. Last time, she kept saying that Ben would be average - um, hello? 9 lbs is NOT average! I need to be prepared...
Now, an update on the Ottawa babies - Fiona Beatrice and Ruby Amelia! Both are doing very very well! They've been drinking from bottles really well, and Ruby didn't have an infection after all, so her IV was removed. From all accounts, they are "soooooo cute" and both have dark hair. Kathy is likely going home today, so she'll have to travel back and forth to the hospital a lot, but it should only be a couple of weeks, if things continue to go as well as they have been. Still no pictures though...
c
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Well that was unexpected!
So last night I was talking to my sister on the phone - she told me that they were going to give her a c-section around next Saturday "if she could make it that long."
She couldn't.
Last night (this morning actually) at about 3:00 a.m. she gave birth to 2 little baby girls! Congratulations! The babies are doing very well considering the early birth. They are both breathing on their own and the doctors are very positive about everything so far. They are going to have to be in the hospital for a while - but things are as good as can be expected!
If you're reading this Kathy (or Greg) we're extremely happy for you and can't wait to see the cute little babies!
I'll post again when the names are finalized.
Way to go Ottawa team!
Gordo
She couldn't.
Last night (this morning actually) at about 3:00 a.m. she gave birth to 2 little baby girls! Congratulations! The babies are doing very well considering the early birth. They are both breathing on their own and the doctors are very positive about everything so far. They are going to have to be in the hospital for a while - but things are as good as can be expected!
If you're reading this Kathy (or Greg) we're extremely happy for you and can't wait to see the cute little babies!
I'll post again when the names are finalized.
Way to go Ottawa team!
Gordo
Friday, March 10, 2006
I know you've all been waiting with bated breath...
At my prenatal appointment, I'd only gained a pound in two weeks! Whoopee! My doc even said that it was refreshing not to have to give the speech again - she'd been giving it all morning! So there - I'm at 24 pounds so far. I'm still not counting my chickens yadda yadda yadda - I still have 5 weeks to go. Otherwise, the baby's heartbeat was good and he/she is measuring on target. I did have to have the group B strep swab taken - I'll spare the details. I tested negative earlier on in the pregnancy, but they retest near the end too (I was negative both times with Ben, so I hope my luck will hold!). I go back on the 20th, and then I'm down to weekly appointments - I'm sure my manager will love that.
Gord's sister Kathy was out of the hospital, but now she's back in. They're hoping that she can go back home, provided that baby A is behaving! Gord's mom (Susan) went out there this week to help her out, 'cause she's on strict bedrest and Greg (the soon-to-be-daddy) has to work - someone has to! Anyways, keep the positive thoughts coming.
Ben has been on ventalin for the past couple of days - Monday night, he started wheezing a bit after some active play (consisting of chasing Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Chris around the house). All that night, he coughed and wheezed and didn't let Mommy get a lot of sleep. So I took him to his pediatrician's on Tuesday, where the ped said that it didn't sound like croup, but maybe asthma. Hence the ventalin. Ben's stopped wheezing now, but he still has a cough and his nose is running like crazy.
Gord's schedule has changed again - his classes don't start until noon. So he and Ben spend their mornings together, waking up when they want, leisurely eating breakfast and getting dressed. This morning, Gord said that Ben wandered into our room at about 20 to 9 - so I guess he woke up, opened his door, and went searching for his Daddy. (Not yet sure if this is a good thing or not - Ben realizing that he can get up and wander around, but time will tell...) We've been keeping his door open during the night, so I can hear him better and his room stays warmer, but I usually close it in the mornings when Chris and I are getting ready for the day so we don't wake him up.
That's about it. Ben being sick has shadowed the whole week. Oh, I bought the latest Harry Potter movie when it came out on Tuesday. We've already seen it, but it's pretty exciting nonetheless, dontcha think? :)
c
Gord's sister Kathy was out of the hospital, but now she's back in. They're hoping that she can go back home, provided that baby A is behaving! Gord's mom (Susan) went out there this week to help her out, 'cause she's on strict bedrest and Greg (the soon-to-be-daddy) has to work - someone has to! Anyways, keep the positive thoughts coming.
Ben has been on ventalin for the past couple of days - Monday night, he started wheezing a bit after some active play (consisting of chasing Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Chris around the house). All that night, he coughed and wheezed and didn't let Mommy get a lot of sleep. So I took him to his pediatrician's on Tuesday, where the ped said that it didn't sound like croup, but maybe asthma. Hence the ventalin. Ben's stopped wheezing now, but he still has a cough and his nose is running like crazy.
Gord's schedule has changed again - his classes don't start until noon. So he and Ben spend their mornings together, waking up when they want, leisurely eating breakfast and getting dressed. This morning, Gord said that Ben wandered into our room at about 20 to 9 - so I guess he woke up, opened his door, and went searching for his Daddy. (Not yet sure if this is a good thing or not - Ben realizing that he can get up and wander around, but time will tell...) We've been keeping his door open during the night, so I can hear him better and his room stays warmer, but I usually close it in the mornings when Chris and I are getting ready for the day so we don't wake him up.
That's about it. Ben being sick has shadowed the whole week. Oh, I bought the latest Harry Potter movie when it came out on Tuesday. We've already seen it, but it's pretty exciting nonetheless, dontcha think? :)
c
Sunday, March 05, 2006
It's all happening so fast...
Gord and I finally got our act together this weekend and finished setting up Ben's new room. We had to put up some new trim, hang some curtains and arrange the furniture. Check, check and check! Saturday night was Ben's first time sleeping in his big boy room. He did pretty well, easily going when it was bedtime. We were both a little choked up when we went to check on him before we crashed for the night - he seems so little in the bed! Where did our little baby go? I was woken up around 2:30 by him crying, so I went in to check on him. Here he was, curled up on the floor, bawling his eyes out. I think he woke up and was freaked out being in a different room. So after I told him that he couldn't go back to his old bed (which he really wanted to do), I got him settled back down and told him that we were very proud of him and that he was such a big boy. I think he went back to sleep fairly quickly, but I sure didn't! I just lay there, trying to figure out if the squeak from the fan was actually from the fan, or if it was Ben whimpering. I didn't really get back to sleep until 4:00. And then at 8:30 this morning, I went to listen at his door, and I could hear him playing in there. I went in, and he was still in bed, but he had a bunch of books sprawled everywhere and was playing with his little James train.
Today, he napped in there no problem, and then went to bed just fine too! So far, so good! We'll have to post some pics of the new digs, now that it's all painted and set up. I'll put in on our "to-do" list...
Otherwise, not much happened this week or this weekend. Gord went out to a monster-truck show today. He had a good time, but said that it was crazy loud. And there were apparently lots of little kids there, most of them plugging their ears! Ben and I stayed home - he napped and I baked lots of cookies. I love cookies...
I am convinced that baby #2 is a wild child. There was a 10-minute period tonight where I don't think the baby stopped moving. And he/she has a foot up near my ribs, and boy does it hurt! We have another prenatal appointment tomorrow - I'm sure I'll get heck for weight gain...she's been pretty forgiving lately, but it'll catch up with me sometime!
Speaking of babies, send good luck vibes to Gord's sister - she's due with twins in April, but is currently in the hospital. She should be able to go home tomorrow, but I think she'll really have to limit her activity so that the babies don't come any sooner than they need to! So babies, if you're listening, stay put!
Take care all...
c
Today, he napped in there no problem, and then went to bed just fine too! So far, so good! We'll have to post some pics of the new digs, now that it's all painted and set up. I'll put in on our "to-do" list...
Otherwise, not much happened this week or this weekend. Gord went out to a monster-truck show today. He had a good time, but said that it was crazy loud. And there were apparently lots of little kids there, most of them plugging their ears! Ben and I stayed home - he napped and I baked lots of cookies. I love cookies...
I am convinced that baby #2 is a wild child. There was a 10-minute period tonight where I don't think the baby stopped moving. And he/she has a foot up near my ribs, and boy does it hurt! We have another prenatal appointment tomorrow - I'm sure I'll get heck for weight gain...she's been pretty forgiving lately, but it'll catch up with me sometime!
Speaking of babies, send good luck vibes to Gord's sister - she's due with twins in April, but is currently in the hospital. She should be able to go home tomorrow, but I think she'll really have to limit her activity so that the babies don't come any sooner than they need to! So babies, if you're listening, stay put!
Take care all...
c
Monday, February 27, 2006
Happy Birthday Gord (a.k.a. Daddy)!
Well, my old man is 33 tomorrow. Ben and I wanted to sing a song for him - it goes a little something like this:
Happy birthday to you!
You live in a zoo!
You look like a monkey...AND
You smell like one too!
sniff sniff...I say!
Anyone guess what movie that's from? If someone gets the right answer, Gord gets to have Jeanne's Cake. Gord, you can't guess!
It's pretty easy, so don't worry honey...I'm sure you'll get some cake!
Happy birthday to a great husband and an even greater Daddy!
Love Me and Ben
Happy birthday to you!
You live in a zoo!
You look like a monkey...AND
You smell like one too!
Anyone guess what movie that's from? If someone gets the right answer, Gord gets to have Jeanne's Cake. Gord, you can't guess!
It's pretty easy, so don't worry honey...I'm sure you'll get some cake!
Happy birthday to a great husband and an even greater Daddy!
Love Me and Ben
Monday, February 20, 2006
Terrible twos - fact or fiction?
I'm sure it must just be our imagination, but now that Ben is 2, it's like a switch has gone off. He acts like he never has before - tantrums about everything! See list below:
movies - unfortunately, we taught him how to change a DVD. So now it is a constant battle - him, opening the glass door to the entertainment centre, opening a movie case, taking it out, playing with it a bit, closing the case in some bizarre way, turning on the DVD player, putting the movie in, getting him to hit the "close" button only once, then having to sternly tell him not to open it again, trying to talk him into closing the glass door, only to have him change his mind and want a different movie, *repeat process*. It is exhausting and soooooooo frustrating.
food - wants to eat in the living room, at his kid's table, or in the kitchen on a big boy chair. We don't have a booster seat for him either. So he insists on STANDING on the chair, trying to bring a forkful of rice to his mouth. But alas, most of the rice falls off before he gets it to his mouth, because he has to lift it so high from the table to his mouth. It's a wonder any rice gets into his mouth at all. He actually ate a few bites of chicken - real chicken breast - last week. And a couple of carrots. Sheer amazement on my part. Of course, he been refusing these items ever since. Back to rice and fruit.
clothing - hates to have his clothes changed, unless you withhold a movie from him. I've had to become aggressive mean mom to get him dressed or even a diaper changed. Twice last week, he went to bed in his pajama pants and the shirt he wore all day. Now I've got a collection of pajama shirts in the drawer, but no pants. (Which reminds me...I've got to do his laundry!) Saturday night, he wouldn't even let me change his diaper, so he wore the diaper I managed to get on him after his nap. Let me just say that it was very heavy on Sunday morning.
boots/jacket - this is a whole other ball game from regular clothes. It is hell. We have taken to bribing him with trips to Grandma's house and books and movies to show to his daycare buddies. Sometimes even "little treats".
*As an aside, my darling son now requests "little treats" for breakfast.
"What do you want to eat for breakfast Ben?"
"Yittle tweets"
"Ben, you can't have a little treat for breakfast! You can have Cheerios, Rice Krispies, toast, an apple, oatmeal..."
[eyes light up] "Ice cweem!"
Yah right kid. If mommy can't, you can't.
bathtime - I must have bought the tear-ful shampoo instead of the tear-less shampoo. OMG. He freaks out when I have to wash his hair. But two days worth of bedhead just won't do! Not on my son!
So, are the "terrible twos" fact or fiction? I'm sure you can figure out my vote. Please note: some of these behaviours he's been exhibiting for longer than the past week (i.e. boots and jacket tantrums).
Now for the other kiddo - I'm now 32 weeks into this pregnancy. We went to an O.B. appointment this morning - all is well. I've gained [gasp] 23 pounds in total; I think with Ben I ended up around 32 or 33 pounds gained, so I seem to be about the same this time around. Baby is head down, but my doc said that he/she is still floating up (i.e. not engaged in my pelvis - is this too much information for you blog readers?). Baby is measuring exactly 32 weeks. Heartbeat was good - in the 140s. Blood pressure, hemoglobin, etc. were all very normal. I'm not anemic; glucose test was normal. She asked if the baby is moving at least 10 times a day. I laughed at her and said, "More like 30 times a day!" This kid is constantly moving, poking and jabbing in very uncomfortable places! Right now, he/she must be dancing or moving furniture around. I don't remember Ben being quite so active. Does this mean that this baby is going to be a handful? I sure hope not...I want another just as relaxed as Ben was. Pretty please?
movies - unfortunately, we taught him how to change a DVD. So now it is a constant battle - him, opening the glass door to the entertainment centre, opening a movie case, taking it out, playing with it a bit, closing the case in some bizarre way, turning on the DVD player, putting the movie in, getting him to hit the "close" button only once, then having to sternly tell him not to open it again, trying to talk him into closing the glass door, only to have him change his mind and want a different movie, *repeat process*. It is exhausting and soooooooo frustrating.
food - wants to eat in the living room, at his kid's table, or in the kitchen on a big boy chair. We don't have a booster seat for him either. So he insists on STANDING on the chair, trying to bring a forkful of rice to his mouth. But alas, most of the rice falls off before he gets it to his mouth, because he has to lift it so high from the table to his mouth. It's a wonder any rice gets into his mouth at all. He actually ate a few bites of chicken - real chicken breast - last week. And a couple of carrots. Sheer amazement on my part. Of course, he been refusing these items ever since. Back to rice and fruit.
clothing - hates to have his clothes changed, unless you withhold a movie from him. I've had to become aggressive mean mom to get him dressed or even a diaper changed. Twice last week, he went to bed in his pajama pants and the shirt he wore all day. Now I've got a collection of pajama shirts in the drawer, but no pants. (Which reminds me...I've got to do his laundry!) Saturday night, he wouldn't even let me change his diaper, so he wore the diaper I managed to get on him after his nap. Let me just say that it was very heavy on Sunday morning.
boots/jacket - this is a whole other ball game from regular clothes. It is hell. We have taken to bribing him with trips to Grandma's house and books and movies to show to his daycare buddies. Sometimes even "little treats".
*As an aside, my darling son now requests "little treats" for breakfast.
"What do you want to eat for breakfast Ben?"
"Yittle tweets"
"Ben, you can't have a little treat for breakfast! You can have Cheerios, Rice Krispies, toast, an apple, oatmeal..."
[eyes light up] "Ice cweem!"
Yah right kid. If mommy can't, you can't.
bathtime - I must have bought the tear-ful shampoo instead of the tear-less shampoo. OMG. He freaks out when I have to wash his hair. But two days worth of bedhead just won't do! Not on my son!
So, are the "terrible twos" fact or fiction? I'm sure you can figure out my vote. Please note: some of these behaviours he's been exhibiting for longer than the past week (i.e. boots and jacket tantrums).
Now for the other kiddo - I'm now 32 weeks into this pregnancy. We went to an O.B. appointment this morning - all is well. I've gained [gasp] 23 pounds in total; I think with Ben I ended up around 32 or 33 pounds gained, so I seem to be about the same this time around. Baby is head down, but my doc said that he/she is still floating up (i.e. not engaged in my pelvis - is this too much information for you blog readers?). Baby is measuring exactly 32 weeks. Heartbeat was good - in the 140s. Blood pressure, hemoglobin, etc. were all very normal. I'm not anemic; glucose test was normal. She asked if the baby is moving at least 10 times a day. I laughed at her and said, "More like 30 times a day!" This kid is constantly moving, poking and jabbing in very uncomfortable places! Right now, he/she must be dancing or moving furniture around. I don't remember Ben being quite so active. Does this mean that this baby is going to be a handful? I sure hope not...I want another just as relaxed as Ben was. Pretty please?
Sunday, February 12, 2006
2 Years!
Dear Ben-Ben,
I honestly have been wanting to write a letter to you since, oh, you were conceived. But, one thing you may already know about me is that I procrastinate...a lot. (I sure hope that it isn't hereditary!) So, on your second birthday, I thought I would *try* to articulate all of it into one letter! Here goes...
I am in awe of you, and have been since the get-go. Not just the biology part, but all of you. I am in awe of your intelligence. I am in awe of your physical prowess, although admittedly, after you've walked into a wall, I have to wonder... I am in awe of your sweet and charming nature - you must get that from your daddy. I am in awe of the unconditional love you have for us, that you have known, somewhere deep inside, that you love us and that we will take care of you. I am, and I suspect, always will be, in awe of my love for you. I knew I would love you like nothing else in this world, but even that isn't close to what I feel.
I always thought that your baby stage would be the best. It was great, don't get me wrong - how you fit into my arms, how it felt so perfect and complete. But I've learned that every stage is the best, just in different ways. Now, you're becoming your own little person, with wants and needs, the ability to express them and yourself. How you crave the spotlight and love to entertain the people around you - a coy little smile, playing "shadow", counting...the list goes on. And we just eat it up! Your grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, and most of all, your parents, think that you hung the moon and the stars.
Your father thinks that I worry too much. At first, it was about how much you were eating/drinking ("Do you think he's getting enough? Is feeding him every hour too much?") Then it was tummy time and rolling over ("He doesn't like tummy time! He'll never roll over!") Then it was crawling, and then walking, which I admit, was stupid, since you were walking before you were 11 months old. Then it was your speech ("He doesn't say a lot of words - do you think there's something wrong? Can he hear o.k.? Maybe we should try sign language!"). Now, at two, you eat and drink just fine (well, I still think you need to eat more veggies and meat!), you roll and climb over just about everything in your way, you crawl under tables, you want to walk everywhere by yourself, you jump! jump! jump! all around the house, you run at the mall, you mimic everything we say and pick up on new words and phrases in the blink of an eye.
Tonight, you were traipsing around the living room, when Charlie knocked you face-first into one of the chairs (from the party). You ran to me, having trouble catching your breath while crying. I grabbed you and held you tight, trying to calm you down while simultaneously trying to calm myself down. I get this lump in my throat when you get hurt - I think it's called panic. I pulled away from you to see if you were bleeding, which you were, but just a little - you cut your top lip on your teeth - so I took you to the bathroom to get you cleaned up. While I was wiping your mouth off, you looked at me with this expression of wonderment, and said, "Blue eyes. Mommy blue eyes". How you can make me feel so many things at once - panic, sadness, then drunk with joy - is beyond me. I just want you to know that I am grateful to have the chance to experience it.
You are still my baby (even though I tell you that you're my big boy), and I wouldn't change a thing about you or the time we've been together. Well, I might want to go back to tonight to keep you from dropping the f-bomb (in your defense, your dad said it first, after he was sacked by the dog) but that's about it.
Love ya kiddo,
Mommy
The party rundown...
We had Ben's birthday party today, even though his birthday isn't until tomorrow (actually, it is after midnight, so "HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!")
He had such a good time! We had some kids over and they all played so well together. And the adults played together well too! Gord barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, and we had some pasta salad, lots of munchies, cake and cupcakes!
As usual, the kid got quite a haul. Such good stuff! Now Gord and I will have to go through the toys and put away some of the "younger" stuff...at least until the new baby is at the age to be interested in them. It is ridiculous how many toys we've accumulated over the last two years...
I'm planning on writing a nice sappy birthday letter to Ben tomorrow...and post it here for all to read. But I have to give it some more thought...
Hope all is well out there in blog-land. Sleep well...I'm going to bed.
He had such a good time! We had some kids over and they all played so well together. And the adults played together well too! Gord barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, and we had some pasta salad, lots of munchies, cake and cupcakes!
As usual, the kid got quite a haul. Such good stuff! Now Gord and I will have to go through the toys and put away some of the "younger" stuff...at least until the new baby is at the age to be interested in them. It is ridiculous how many toys we've accumulated over the last two years...
I'm planning on writing a nice sappy birthday letter to Ben tomorrow...and post it here for all to read. But I have to give it some more thought...
Hope all is well out there in blog-land. Sleep well...I'm going to bed.
Finally...the A to Z Learning Zoo!
I've been trying to get my hands on one of these for a long time...
Saturday, February 11, 2006
What does your birthdate mean?
| Your Birthdate: June 5 |
 You have many talents, and you are great at sharing those talents with others. Most people would be jealous of your clever intellect, but you're just too likeable to elicit jealousy. Progressive and original, you're usually thinking up cutting edge ideas. Quick witted and fast thinking, you have difficulty finding new challenges. Your strength: Your superhuman brainpower Your weakness: Your susceptibility to boredom Your power color: Tangerine Your power symbol: Ace Your power month: May |
Does this sound like me? I don't think so either. Now for Gord...
| Your Birthdate: February 28 |
You have a Type A personality so big it makes other Type A's shrink away in shame. You never shy away from adversity - and you love to tackle impossible problems. Failure is not an option for you, and more than a few people are put off by your ego. You tend to be controlling, and you hate leaving anything up to chance. Your strength: Your bold approach to life Your weakness: You don't accept help Your power color: Bronze Your power symbol: Pyramid Your power month: October |
I don't think this one is accurate either - you don't accept help? Nah. Controlling? Nah. An overpowering ego? Well, maybe...JUST JOKIN' HONEY!
And now, for tomorrow's birthday boy...
| Your Birthdate: February 12 |
You're a dynamic, charismatic person who's possibly headed for fame. You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December |
Oh yeah...the charming strangers thing? Getting what you want out of them? Affectionate and loving? This one is pretty bang on!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
It's all coming together, sorta...
We finally decided on a theme for Ben's big boy bedroom. Who am I kidding? "I" decided that my idea was better than Gord's idea. So we went to e-children yesterday and bought the bedding set that I wanted. Isn't it awesome? Even if you don't like it and would have sided with Gord on the whole "Thomas the Tank Engine" theme, too bad. You lost. I won. That's all that matters to me.
In all honesty though, I think Ben is going to love it. He wasn't all that interested in it at the store yesterday, but give the kid a break! There's so much to destroy in a beautiful children's store like that! When I was at the counter (paying the nice lady too much money for the quilt and lamp), I was perusing their stock of cute impulse buy items. They had a neat little nursing bracelet that helps you keep track of which side you nursed on last and for how long (although, honestly? It's not hard to figure out when one side is mushy and flabby while the other side is rock hard and 2 cup sizes bigger...anyhoo, I digress), as well as "pee-pee tee-pees" - little flannel cones that you put on your son's little pee-pee to avoid the "shower" that you may get when you change his diaper. How adorable are those! Completely unnecessary, but still adorable!
On a crappy note, it seems as though the bed and dresser we ordered for Ben is going to be delayed until the end of the month. Yikes - that's cutting it close to get him into his big boy bed for the recommended 6 weeks before the new baby comes along. But, if worse comes to worse, I won't have the baby until May. NOT! What's that you're suggesting? Put a mattress on the floor until the bed comes? What a wonderful compromise! : )
Later gators...
the pregnant one
In all honesty though, I think Ben is going to love it. He wasn't all that interested in it at the store yesterday, but give the kid a break! There's so much to destroy in a beautiful children's store like that! When I was at the counter (paying the nice lady too much money for the quilt and lamp), I was perusing their stock of cute impulse buy items. They had a neat little nursing bracelet that helps you keep track of which side you nursed on last and for how long (although, honestly? It's not hard to figure out when one side is mushy and flabby while the other side is rock hard and 2 cup sizes bigger...anyhoo, I digress), as well as "pee-pee tee-pees" - little flannel cones that you put on your son's little pee-pee to avoid the "shower" that you may get when you change his diaper. How adorable are those! Completely unnecessary, but still adorable!
On a crappy note, it seems as though the bed and dresser we ordered for Ben is going to be delayed until the end of the month. Yikes - that's cutting it close to get him into his big boy bed for the recommended 6 weeks before the new baby comes along. But, if worse comes to worse, I won't have the baby until May. NOT! What's that you're suggesting? Put a mattress on the floor until the bed comes? What a wonderful compromise! : )
Later gators...
the pregnant one
Saturday, February 04, 2006
YUP!
We bought Ben a big boy bed and dresser last weekend - they're not here yet, but should be in a week or so. Then we've got to try to get him to sleep in the darn thing! Any tips? And I have to try to find some bedding for him. Daddy and Mommy are disagreeing on what to decorate his new room in - Thomas the Tank Engine, Jungle, etc.
Gord has our email software set up so that when we get a new message, a quote from the movie Tommy Boy plays: "Housekeeping! You want mint for pillow?" When Ben hears this, no matter where he is in the house, will say, "Yup!" I guess that I've got to start stocking mints! Maybe that's how we'll get him to sleep in his new bed!
p.s. Ben's birthday cake is gonna rock! That's all I'm saying for now...
Gord has our email software set up so that when we get a new message, a quote from the movie Tommy Boy plays: "Housekeeping! You want mint for pillow?" When Ben hears this, no matter where he is in the house, will say, "Yup!" I guess that I've got to start stocking mints! Maybe that's how we'll get him to sleep in his new bed!
p.s. Ben's birthday cake is gonna rock! That's all I'm saying for now...
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
12 days and counting...
Wow. Ben will be 2 years old in 12 days. It seems like only yesterday he was our heavy little Butterball turkey. Maybe it's because the new one's arrival is getting closer - that's why he seems so...old.
He usually likes to help us feed Charlie - using the scoop to put food in her dish. Now, he'll scoop the food, go over to the dog and ask her to "shake" and then he'll say "brate!" (which is "break", our release command for her). All on his own.
Last week, I was buckling him into his carseat, and he starts counting. To nine. "two...four...five...six...seven...eight...nine". What a proud mommy moment!
Ben is very happy to have his Uncle Chris here. He loves his "Untoe Tris". Chris had him giggling so hard last night I thought he was going to pee his pants. Ben, not Chris. Chris is staying here for a couple of months while he's taking a course at Red River.
We'll update more later...
CS
He usually likes to help us feed Charlie - using the scoop to put food in her dish. Now, he'll scoop the food, go over to the dog and ask her to "shake" and then he'll say "brate!" (which is "break", our release command for her). All on his own.
Last week, I was buckling him into his carseat, and he starts counting. To nine. "two...four...five...six...seven...eight...nine". What a proud mommy moment!
Ben is very happy to have his Uncle Chris here. He loves his "Untoe Tris". Chris had him giggling so hard last night I thought he was going to pee his pants. Ben, not Chris. Chris is staying here for a couple of months while he's taking a course at Red River.
We'll update more later...
CS
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Now it's Nickelodean!
We were up extra early this morning, 'cause Mommy had a meeting halfway across the city...Dora was on Treehouse. Since we (well, mainly me) like Dora so much (c'mon, you can learn some Spanish!), I turned it on. Now I have the Dora theme song in my head. But it is waaaaaayyyyy less annoying than the Thomas song, so I won't complain yet!
"Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer!"
Awwwww man!
Carrie (in Spanish)
"Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer!"
Awwwww man!
Carrie (in Spanish)
Monday, January 23, 2006
Darn you Britt Allcroft!
I am going out of my mind...I have had the "Thomas & Friends" theme song running in my head since Saturday! Ben and I were watching that morning, and I was singing along with the song, letting Ben dance around. And now I sing it over and over and over to myself.
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight
Shunting cars and hauling freight,
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the Really Useful Crew!
(o.k. maybe I can't remember every line! edited to add: "They've all got different roles to play," - believe it or not, I CAN remember every line!)
'Round Tidmouth Sheds and far away,
Down the hills and 'round the bends,
It's Thomas and his friends!
Why is it so catchy? Maybe it is the British kids group that sings it - their accents are what make me eat, drink and sleep this song?
MAKE IT STOP!
They're two, they're four, they're six, they're eight
Shunting cars and hauling freight,
Red and green and brown and blue,
They're the Really Useful Crew!
(o.k. maybe I can't remember every line! edited to add: "They've all got different roles to play," - believe it or not, I CAN remember every line!)
'Round Tidmouth Sheds and far away,
Down the hills and 'round the bends,
It's Thomas and his friends!
Why is it so catchy? Maybe it is the British kids group that sings it - their accents are what make me eat, drink and sleep this song?
MAKE IT STOP!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Ben's First Haircut!
Well, tonight was Ben's first haircut! We thought it was about time as his hair was going really wacky, especially in the back. So, we headed to the Hair-do Zoo for the first cut.
Ben behaved really well - he only got nervous once and that was quickly taken care of with toys! Now he is a well-groomed little man! Pics below for your enjoyment.
Ben behaved really well - he only got nervous once and that was quickly taken care of with toys! Now he is a well-groomed little man! Pics below for your enjoyment.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
The long awaited ultrasound pics...
I have attached two ultrasound pictures below. Nothing too exciting this time...with Ben's ultrasound, we got a lot of cute pictures. This ultrasound? A lot of non-descript body parts. Although we did get a couple of little movies this time around. The best one is a 7-second vid of the baby sucking its thumb! Cute stuff!
Just a reminder too, you can click on the pictures to get a bigger view.
Good night people!
c-dog
Just a reminder too, you can click on the pictures to get a bigger view.
Good night people!
c-dog
And the new year begins...
Happy new year everyone!
Sorry I/we haven't updated everyone on our Christmas, but since a lot of you were either there or we've talked to you since, we've been lazy.
Ben had a great Christmas. He got spoiled rotten and enjoyed every minute! Of course, Mommy and Daddy made a big faux pas and forgot to bring batteries to power his new train set, but we just hid that box from him and he forgot all about it! There was enough activity to distract him, what with all the food and books and toys around!
We had a great time in Brandon at (Uncle) Chris & (Auntie) Sheri's house. We also got to visit with my Grandma Lil, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Rico and Aunt Simone (very quickly I might add!), and Jason. On Christmas Day, Chris and Sheri played host to Sheri's parents, sister and grandparents as well, so it was a full house that day!
We came home on Boxing Day and had supper/gift opening with Susan (Gord's mom). By then, we had batteries, so Ben and Daddy (well, really Daddy) tore open the train set. It took Ben a day or two to warm up to the darn thing, but now it's all he wants to play with!
We had a birthday party to go to on the 27th, and I will say that Ben is really getting into birthday parties! I don't even want to tell him that his is coming up...he'll drive us crazy asking to open presents and go to the party.
I was back to work last week for a couple of days...it was pretty quiet though. Then on New Year's Eve, Mom and Dad came in and Dad and Gord tiled the backsplash. We then had rousing games of '31' and 'Hearts'. I sucked at both.
Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. Baby #2 is kicking me ALL the time now. I love it! I think I'm around 25 or 26 weeks...I'm expecting my due date to change after the ultrasound I had a few weeks ago...my next appointment is on Monday and we'll see what my OB says. Oh, and I don't want to be weighed - at all! I don't think that'll fly though... Kathy (Gord's sister) tells us that her and our nieces/nephews are doing great too! We FINALLY got to see some ultrasound pics of them - they're already adorably cute in all their twin-ny glory! Wait, we haven't even shown ultrasound pics to anyone...I'm a big, fat hypocrit (but I'm pregnant, so take the "big, fat" reference for what it's worth).
My brother has headed off to his next 6-month-posting in Gillam...I think it would be neat to be so secluded, but only for an hour or so. At least he has email...
later dudes,
c-pot
Sorry I/we haven't updated everyone on our Christmas, but since a lot of you were either there or we've talked to you since, we've been lazy.
Ben had a great Christmas. He got spoiled rotten and enjoyed every minute! Of course, Mommy and Daddy made a big faux pas and forgot to bring batteries to power his new train set, but we just hid that box from him and he forgot all about it! There was enough activity to distract him, what with all the food and books and toys around!
We had a great time in Brandon at (Uncle) Chris & (Auntie) Sheri's house. We also got to visit with my Grandma Lil, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Rico and Aunt Simone (very quickly I might add!), and Jason. On Christmas Day, Chris and Sheri played host to Sheri's parents, sister and grandparents as well, so it was a full house that day!
We came home on Boxing Day and had supper/gift opening with Susan (Gord's mom). By then, we had batteries, so Ben and Daddy (well, really Daddy) tore open the train set. It took Ben a day or two to warm up to the darn thing, but now it's all he wants to play with!
We had a birthday party to go to on the 27th, and I will say that Ben is really getting into birthday parties! I don't even want to tell him that his is coming up...he'll drive us crazy asking to open presents and go to the party.
I was back to work last week for a couple of days...it was pretty quiet though. Then on New Year's Eve, Mom and Dad came in and Dad and Gord tiled the backsplash. We then had rousing games of '31' and 'Hearts'. I sucked at both.
Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good. Baby #2 is kicking me ALL the time now. I love it! I think I'm around 25 or 26 weeks...I'm expecting my due date to change after the ultrasound I had a few weeks ago...my next appointment is on Monday and we'll see what my OB says. Oh, and I don't want to be weighed - at all! I don't think that'll fly though... Kathy (Gord's sister) tells us that her and our nieces/nephews are doing great too! We FINALLY got to see some ultrasound pics of them - they're already adorably cute in all their twin-ny glory! Wait, we haven't even shown ultrasound pics to anyone...I'm a big, fat hypocrit (but I'm pregnant, so take the "big, fat" reference for what it's worth).
My brother has headed off to his next 6-month-posting in Gillam...I think it would be neat to be so secluded, but only for an hour or so. At least he has email...
later dudes,
c-pot
Friday, December 23, 2005
Merry Christmas to you all!
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
At this time of year, we can't help but think of all of our loved ones and friends, near and far. We hope that this holiday finds you happy, healthy and in good spirits.
So from our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder
At this time of year, we can't help but think of all of our loved ones and friends, near and far. We hope that this holiday finds you happy, healthy and in good spirits.
So from our family to yours, Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Surgical update and other odds and ends...
As some of you may (or may not) know, when Benjamin was born, neither of his testicles had descended. So back in April, he had surgery to bring the left one down. By all accounts, this one was successful.
Fast forward to this week. Thursday, Ben was scheduled to have surgery to bring down the right testicle. The thing was, we (well his urologist) wasn't sure where the testicle would be. Back in June, he had an ultrasound and they couldn't locate it. She's never been 100% sure that she could feel it anywhere in his groin. So it was basically going to be a fishing expedition! One of four things could happen: she could find it and move it down into the scrotum, she could find it and move it partway down and then move it all the way down at a later date (to give the blood supply time to grow and stretch), she could find a small testicle that wouldn't be worth moving (she'd take it out), or she wouldn't find one at all and Ben would have to have a laproscopic procedure later to try to locate it. It is very important to find it though, as his doctor needs to be able to check it (i.e. for cancer when he's older). Whether it stays in or is taken out, we needed to know where the heck it was.
On Thursday, our little boy was a real trooper. He wasn't really scared at all. I, on the other hand, was so anxious! I couldn't stop thinking about him being in pain, or scared, or both. The urologist was in and out in about an hour - she found a good-sized testicle in his groin! Gord and I were very pleasantly surprised - we had resigned ourselves to the thought that IF they found one, they'd just take it out; we didn't think that it would be a good testicle. I could tell that the doctor was also pleasantly surprised. She did say that the blood supply is under a bit of tension, but she didn't seem to be preparing us for the worst or anything. All in all, it was a successful day! Ben did take longer to come out from under the anesthetic, and we had to wait until he drank and peed and could walk around before we could come home, which took longer too. But we are relieved and happy that he won't have to go through this again.
The ultrasound for baby #2 is tomorrow...I can't wait to see him/her bouncing around! S/he is very active, giving me the ol' one-two every couple of hours, just to remind me that s/he is in there! Like I would forget!
We are r-e-a-d-y for Christmas! Gord is very excited to hang out with the family and enjoy some quality time together...and I agree! Our shopping is pretty much done and everything that we have is wrapped. I haven't put everything under the tree yet...we're not sure how well Ben will understand that not every present under the tree is for him and is therefore free game. We'll see...we're still working on tree issues...
I'm going to post a few cute pictures too...
Carrie
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
A mover and a shaker!
The boy loves to dance...if any music comes on the TV, he'll start dancing. Even the 'Jeopardy' Final Jeopardy song. BUT, if I tried to play Christmas music, he just stares at the cd changer. Until now...
I have this Christmas tree shaped door thingie - it has bells on it. Therefore, when you open and close the door, the bells jingle. Ben really likes it, and asks to play with it quite often. Last night, he was busy with it, and started shaking it. Gord started to sing "Jingle Bells" and Ben really got into it! He made us sing it at least a dozen times! It goes something like this (imagine Gord and/or I singing - or don't, we're horrible!) :
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh!
Hey! - at which point Ben drops the bells, throws his hands up and says "HEY!", then has to pick the bells back up so we can continue with...
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh!
Hey! - at which point Ben drops the bells again, throws his hands up and yells "HEY!"
My oh my, he's so sweet! This is going to be a fun Christmas!
I have this Christmas tree shaped door thingie - it has bells on it. Therefore, when you open and close the door, the bells jingle. Ben really likes it, and asks to play with it quite often. Last night, he was busy with it, and started shaking it. Gord started to sing "Jingle Bells" and Ben really got into it! He made us sing it at least a dozen times! It goes something like this (imagine Gord and/or I singing - or don't, we're horrible!) :
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh!
Hey! - at which point Ben drops the bells, throws his hands up and says "HEY!", then has to pick the bells back up so we can continue with...
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way!
Oh what fun it is to ride
in a one horse open sleigh!
Hey! - at which point Ben drops the bells again, throws his hands up and yells "HEY!"
My oh my, he's so sweet! This is going to be a fun Christmas!
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Gearing up for Christmas!
The tree is here (but still outside) and the gifts are bought - heck, they're almost all wrapped! We're all set to start enjoying the season!
Today was my company's children's Christmas party. It was pretty fun. I wasn't sure that Ben would get a lot out of it, but he surprised me! They have those huge air-filled jumping/climbing apparatuses (apparati?) for the kids to play in, along with Karaoke, arts & crafts, food, face-painting, and of course, Santa Claus! (They give you a pager and will page you or call your cell phone when it's your turn with the big guy!) Ben HAD to go in the Thomas the Tank Engine jumping thing, and Mommy had to go with him and sit on the side. He was a little leary at first, but it didn't take long before he was hopping all around! He face-planted a couple of times, but came up smiling, so obviously he didn't hurt himself! Mommy almost bit it getting out of the darn thing, but that's another story! I also took him down the (smelly) slide a couple of times - even I enjoyed it (not the smell, the slide). We ate our hot dogs and chips and then had some popcorn. Yep, Ben ate a great lunch!
When we were finishing eating, Dr. Goodbear from the Children's Hospital Foundation came walking by. Ben was asking to get out of his stroller, so I let him go. He beelined it to Dr. Goodbear and kept smiling at him. Ben would turn around to me with a big smile on his face, so I went over to Ben and asked him if he would like to give Dr. Goodbear a hug. Well, Ben didn't just give the Doc a quick hug - he gave him a bear hug! And it lasted for almost a minute! It was so cute. And then Ben had to give him another one before he took off. I guess big stuffed life-size characters don't intimidate my kid! Disneyworld, here we come!
Carrie
Today was my company's children's Christmas party. It was pretty fun. I wasn't sure that Ben would get a lot out of it, but he surprised me! They have those huge air-filled jumping/climbing apparatuses (apparati?) for the kids to play in, along with Karaoke, arts & crafts, food, face-painting, and of course, Santa Claus! (They give you a pager and will page you or call your cell phone when it's your turn with the big guy!) Ben HAD to go in the Thomas the Tank Engine jumping thing, and Mommy had to go with him and sit on the side. He was a little leary at first, but it didn't take long before he was hopping all around! He face-planted a couple of times, but came up smiling, so obviously he didn't hurt himself! Mommy almost bit it getting out of the darn thing, but that's another story! I also took him down the (smelly) slide a couple of times - even I enjoyed it (not the smell, the slide). We ate our hot dogs and chips and then had some popcorn. Yep, Ben ate a great lunch!
When we were finishing eating, Dr. Goodbear from the Children's Hospital Foundation came walking by. Ben was asking to get out of his stroller, so I let him go. He beelined it to Dr. Goodbear and kept smiling at him. Ben would turn around to me with a big smile on his face, so I went over to Ben and asked him if he would like to give Dr. Goodbear a hug. Well, Ben didn't just give the Doc a quick hug - he gave him a bear hug! And it lasted for almost a minute! It was so cute. And then Ben had to give him another one before he took off. I guess big stuffed life-size characters don't intimidate my kid! Disneyworld, here we come!
Carrie
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Goodnight Moon, the remix
from my Feb playgroup message board (courtesy of babywaiting2003):
Goodnight, innocence
Louis Bayard
Special to The Washington Post
November 29, 2005
"Goodnight Moon," the children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown, has gone smoke-free. In a newly revised edition of the book, which has lulled children to sleep for nearly 60 years, the publisher, HarperCollins, has digitally altered the photograph of Clement Hurd, the illustrator, to remove a cigarette from his hand....
"It is potentially a harmful message to very young kids," (Kate) Jackson (editor in chief of HarperCollins Children's Books) said, "and it doesn't need to be there."
News item, The New York Times, Nov. 17, 2005
In the great green room there was ...
A cordless telephone
And a red balloon, non-helium and securely tethered out of toddler reach
And a picture of the cow jumping over the moon, with a warning label never to try this with cattle or indeed any animals without parental supervision
And there were three little bears, roaming freely in their native habitat, secure in their endangered-species status
And two little neutered kittens
And a pair of mittens, purchased from a Cambodian collective
And a little toyhouse with all potential choking hazards fastened in place by six-inch bolts
And a young and humanely captured mouse
Goodnight room, which is more than many Burkina Faso children have
Goodnight moon and all moon-related goddesses
A special shout-out to persons of color, the differently abled and victims of tobacco-company propaganda
Goodnight solar-powered clocks
And goodnight sustainably manufactured hemp socks
Goodnight synthetic tortoise shell comb and brush
Goodnight anybody who has ever been made to feel like a "nobody" by a rigidly patriarchal society
Goodnight organic whole-grain GMO-free oatmeal mush
And goodnight to the lady of mature years seeking an environment conducive to thought
Goodnight stars, which remind us that we are not alone in this cosmos and must henceforth redouble our stewardship efforts
Goodnight air, which we have done so much to pollute with our inhuman sport utility vehicles and our Weber grills
Goodnight all noises in the immediate vicinity ... .
... with the exception of the white-noise machine, the Haydn concerto loop, and the four-gallon cool-mist humidifier with the evaporative wick filter that was changed only last weekend
Goodnight to anybody whose feelings might have been injured by not being included above.
Goodnight, innocence
Louis Bayard
Special to The Washington Post
November 29, 2005
"Goodnight Moon," the children's classic by Margaret Wise Brown, has gone smoke-free. In a newly revised edition of the book, which has lulled children to sleep for nearly 60 years, the publisher, HarperCollins, has digitally altered the photograph of Clement Hurd, the illustrator, to remove a cigarette from his hand....
"It is potentially a harmful message to very young kids," (Kate) Jackson (editor in chief of HarperCollins Children's Books) said, "and it doesn't need to be there."
News item, The New York Times, Nov. 17, 2005
In the great green room there was ...
A cordless telephone
And a red balloon, non-helium and securely tethered out of toddler reach
And a picture of the cow jumping over the moon, with a warning label never to try this with cattle or indeed any animals without parental supervision
And there were three little bears, roaming freely in their native habitat, secure in their endangered-species status
And two little neutered kittens
And a pair of mittens, purchased from a Cambodian collective
And a little toyhouse with all potential choking hazards fastened in place by six-inch bolts
And a young and humanely captured mouse
Goodnight room, which is more than many Burkina Faso children have
Goodnight moon and all moon-related goddesses
A special shout-out to persons of color, the differently abled and victims of tobacco-company propaganda
Goodnight solar-powered clocks
And goodnight sustainably manufactured hemp socks
Goodnight synthetic tortoise shell comb and brush
Goodnight anybody who has ever been made to feel like a "nobody" by a rigidly patriarchal society
Goodnight organic whole-grain GMO-free oatmeal mush
And goodnight to the lady of mature years seeking an environment conducive to thought
Goodnight stars, which remind us that we are not alone in this cosmos and must henceforth redouble our stewardship efforts
Goodnight air, which we have done so much to pollute with our inhuman sport utility vehicles and our Weber grills
Goodnight all noises in the immediate vicinity ... .
... with the exception of the white-noise machine, the Haydn concerto loop, and the four-gallon cool-mist humidifier with the evaporative wick filter that was changed only last weekend
Goodnight to anybody whose feelings might have been injured by not being included above.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Our little shadow
Ben has begun repeating everything we say. I believe I may have said something to the effect of, "we have to watch our language around him" a few blog posts ago. Well, the time has really come. A couple of weekends ago, he and I were painting on a lovely Sunday morning. He had a brush, and proceeded to paint something he wasn't supposed to. Here's the running commentary:
Mommy: "Ben, no! Don't paint the!"
Ben: "No!"
Mommy: "Oh shit!"
Ben: "ohshtttt. ohshhhtt."
I'm really trying here people. I'm also trying to keep Gord in line with his language as well - mostly when we are driving. His pottymouth is much worse than mine though!
Other than that, Ben is doing great. His new word tonight: penguin. His version: "penwin" We dug out a rarely viewed Baby Einstein video (Baby Noah) and he is completely enthralled with it when we put it on. That's why it's good to have a dozen or so of these videos lying around - it's easy to cycle them out. Maybe Baby DaVinci will be next...
And of course, Ben is still displaying devilish qualities as well. He absolutely hates his "biiiiiiiig jacket" and throws a big fit when we try to get him into his carseat. What a chore - I was almost in tears last night, as Gord insisted we trek out in the snowstorm to go to Home Depot, when Ben decided that he (like Mommy) did NOT want to go out. Oy vay.
Little Baby Sheppard is also doing just fine. We finally got to hear the heartbeat yesterday - our first prenatal visit, this baby decided to be elusive. I looked at Gord and said, "Oh great! He/she is already causing us worry!" But all (my) fears were put to rest yesterday when we heart that beautiful little sound! I never get tired of it!
We painted the kitchen last weekend - I'll post some pics of the (almost) finished product. And maybe a pic or two of Ben - we'll have to see what's on the camera!
Till next time,
Carrie
Mommy: "Ben, no! Don't paint the
Ben: "No!"
Mommy: "Oh shit!"
Ben: "ohshtttt. ohshhhtt."
I'm really trying here people. I'm also trying to keep Gord in line with his language as well - mostly when we are driving. His pottymouth is much worse than mine though!
Other than that, Ben is doing great. His new word tonight: penguin. His version: "penwin" We dug out a rarely viewed Baby Einstein video (Baby Noah) and he is completely enthralled with it when we put it on. That's why it's good to have a dozen or so of these videos lying around - it's easy to cycle them out. Maybe Baby DaVinci will be next...
And of course, Ben is still displaying devilish qualities as well. He absolutely hates his "biiiiiiiig jacket" and throws a big fit when we try to get him into his carseat. What a chore - I was almost in tears last night, as Gord insisted we trek out in the snowstorm to go to Home Depot, when Ben decided that he (like Mommy) did NOT want to go out. Oy vay.
Little Baby Sheppard is also doing just fine. We finally got to hear the heartbeat yesterday - our first prenatal visit, this baby decided to be elusive. I looked at Gord and said, "Oh great! He/she is already causing us worry!" But all (my) fears were put to rest yesterday when we heart that beautiful little sound! I never get tired of it!
We painted the kitchen last weekend - I'll post some pics of the (almost) finished product. And maybe a pic or two of Ben - we'll have to see what's on the camera!
Till next time,
Carrie
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