Just cause I can.

A snuggle from my good luck charm before my interview (which ended with a new job for me, so he IS my good luck charm)

Hanging out this morning, making his growling noise:

He LOVES music and always goes straight to the stereo when I turn the music on every morning. He now knows that the buttons DO things.

He LOVES his toast. When I ask him if he wants toast, he crawls to his highchair.

Just sitting around, playing with his toys while mommy is in the kitchen

Interview #3

Didn't go too well either. Lots of reasons (again)

1/ She was older. I would rather have a young mother chasing after my son. Think of me what you wish.

2/ I like seeing a house with toys scattered all over (much like mine)

3/ The playroom was the basement, bare walls and just didn't look cosy.

4/ The backyard wasn't fenced in

I have a few more leads (every day I get more) so yay! Even less stressed today.

Carson and Sofia on Thanksgiving. Yes Carson is in the flowery highchair. Yes, Sofia is frowning at me (she was giving me the GREATEST faces that day) and yes Carson is cute as hell (I knew you were going to say it anyways). What a complete and utter joy he is these days. It's killing me to find someone to take care of him when I go back to work, but when I see him with other kids and chasing them around and playing with them I know that daycare is what's going to be best for him.

Daycare Interview #2

Went really well! Through a licensed agency, she's a new mom (Kiera is 1) and couldn't fathom going back to work. She's super nice, she's speaks French (which is great, I want Carson to learn French), and part of me always wanted someone as new to the game as I am. So we could learn together. Who knows, I could be totally off the ball on this one (some people might think they want someone who's been doing it for a long time so they know exactly what to do) but, references would be nice.

I still want to interview more people, I got a really good feeling from her, but what if there is someone better? I have a few calls in, and hopefully will talk to a few ladies tomorrow (wait, not tomorrow, tomorrow is INSANE) ... at least I'm not as stressed.

Heh - Carson is giggling now. He's been laughing and smiling for a while, but only if we did something to make him laugh. Now when we walk into his room after his nap he giggles. If we look at him funny he giggles. He pushes this funny ball around and giggles. He sees himself in the mirror and giggles. It's hard to explain, but it's something new, adorable, sweet and completely makes my heart warm and fuzzy.

Pumpkin Patch

I have to start learning how to use my camera outside, the light is horrible! But he was so darn cute.

This was taken seconds ago

After the first peek of the night. Jeff didn't want me to take the picture, but Carson didn't flinch. And, the room IS dark :)

In the morning...

Things are always better! Nothing new to report on the daycare front, but as I said I would, I feel fine in the morning.

I was talking to a friend this morning about what foods I'm feeding Carson, and I was thinking that it's so much easier to feed Carson now that I'm feeding him everything and anything. Well, no sweets or juice or anything like that, but all meats, veggies and bread/potatoes/rice. And because Jeff and I are always eating very healthy dinners, I have no doubts about blending up whatever we are eating and giving it to the little guy. He's getting his taste of all different types of foods and he's enjoying it. Sure, there are some he wants nothing to do with, but overall he's digging "real people" food. It's an easy way to keep eating healthy - I wouldn't dare try to blend some chicken fingers and fries :) And I'm lazy and don't want to have to cook two different meals.

Thanks Anne

For the comment. Thank you.

No go on the daycare...

Our first interview was today. Now, think what you like, but this is MY blog and I can say what I want about the kind of care I want for Carson. She was sweet and someone I would use as a babysitter, but not for full time care. There are a few reasons:
1/ She was young (mid 20's maybe). No daycare experience. She was a nanny for 11 months, but no ECE or daycare experience.
2/ A single mom of a 6 month old (and I was raised by a single mom so don't think I have anything against them) Her son's name? Carson (this had NOTHING to do with why we didn't go with her, just thought I should point it out. I haven't heard of any kids around his age with his same name)
3/ She was taking on 4 more kids. The oldest? 17 months. To me - that's ALOT. 5 kids under the age of 2??
4/ We asked where Carson would sleep. She said they would be sleeping in a room with a bed and two playpens. I'm sorry but I don't think 3 - 1year olds are going to sleep in the same room.
5/ She was charging MORE then the licensed daycare.

I came home and broke into tears. I just lost it. Not because the first interview wasn't the girl we decided to go with. More so because everything was just falling into place and this was the first stumbling block. I just came home and snuggled with Carson, was reading him a book and the tears started flowing. Maybe I was too confident thinking that I'm OK with this. But when I went out, and started to actually talk to people who potentially could be helping me raise my child, it freaked me out. I'll be OK tomorrow, I have 4 more interviews set up and I'm going to keep on making more. I've got the word out with quite a few people who are also asking around for me, so I know something will come up. I will just have this uneasy feeling in my stomach until I do.

Cute....

I just went and peeked (my third time of the night) and he's lying flat on his back in the star position. Arms and legs wide out. He looks like he's 5 years old.

I covered him with his blanket, stared at him for a few more minutes and left.

Eek - nervous!

So tomorrow is my first meeting with a woman who has space available in a home daycare in Riverside South. Get this - her son's name is Carson.

Her ad was the first one that really clicked with me. Healthy meals, lots of indoor and outdoor time and the name was "Little Adventures". Anyways, I know you can't "judge a book by it's cover" but I am really hoping to get a good feeling from her tomorrow. I thought I was prepared for this. I have a long list of questions, but now I'm trying to make sure I covered everything. I doubt I'll even ask all of them - if we get along I'm sure the conversation will flow and all my questions will be answered in our conversation. At least I'm hoping :)

I have 4 interviews scheduled in the next week and a half so I'll at least feel a little better, like there IS hope out there.

I'm looking forward to going back to work. For me. But I'm not looking forward to the part of leaving him with someone else. For the whole day. I do spend lots of ME time, but it's normally after he goes to bed. You become quite the pair, he's like my better half right now, he's attached at the hip and I like having him there. But I'm also ready to start my new role - of a working mother. I will wear the title with pride but will miss my little boy.

My sweet little boy

Is 10 months today! Ten.whole.months! I feel like I've said it all in the past month, so here are pictures. Yes, I know, I don't post enough pictures :)

Oh yeah - he goes down slides now! It's pretty cute. I met a woman in the park today, and she gave me the name and number of this woman that she always sees in the park with the kids she looks after. The woman I met had originally started talking to her because in a year or so she'll be looking for care for her little guy, Rowan. She said this woman is fabulous with the kids, and always in the park. Which is fantastic. So she gave me her name and number, because I told her I was looking for care and I will be calling tonight. I've gotten a few leads, but I'm a bit picky of who I want looking after him so each lead so far has one or two things I'm not keen about, but won't get into it on here as I don't want to offend anyone!

Anyways, here are the pictures of my gorgeus little boy and what we've done today so far on his "birthday". Hugs and Kisses to Grammy and Grampy!

The last thing Jeff said

Before he left was "Now Carson don't do anything new while I'm gone..."



So why is this new? Crawling isn't new to him, he's been moving (starting with the inch worm) since he was about 7 1/2 months and he's gotten up to a pretty good pace and can move freely around the house. But he still does it on his stomach. I can't remember the exact statistic but the majority of babies who crawl do not crawl in the typical fashion. They drag legs, slide on their bum, wiggle etc... and Carson's method of crawling makes him like he's going on a recon mission - he drags himself forward with his arms and uses his leg to shimmy himself. But yesterday he started crawling in the "normal" way. He doesn't do it all the time, only if the distance is short enough. If you put something about 2 feet away he'll crawl this way. Otherwise, he'll drop back onto his stomach. I think it may have something to do with the fact he feels more comfortable grabbing something if he's on his stomach. At the end of the video you can see him drop onto his tummy right as he reaches out to grab the ball. It's cute as hell though, I must admit.

Heh.

Carson has been in bed for his afternoon nap for 2.5 hours and hasn't slept yet. He's talking, playing and making bubbles. Hilarious.

A few things

1/ I withdrew from our Friday morning swimming classes. They were fun, but a really bad time for us. Carson normally wakes up at quarter to 7 (which is PERFECT for me!) and goes down for his nap around 8:30-9. This class is at 8:30 and he's just really really tired. This morning he woke up a bit earlier (6am) and by the time the class came he was exhausted. His eyes were red and he was pretty lazy the whole time. He crashed SO hard in the car that I brought him inside, changed him and put him to bed without him waking up. So now there is a credit on my account which we are bound to use up soon enough! I'll just take him during leisure time. Sure the songs were great (I always sing to him) but I think he'll have just as much fun during the leisure time.

2/ I got an e-mail from a lady who had posted an ad on kijiji about daycare. She has a spot available for December and I loved her ad, so I'm calling her to make an appt for interview. AND this lady lives on the street that our street crosses - how is THAT for convenience? I'm not saying that she's the one, but it reassures me that something will come up. Most ads are looking for kids for the next month, so it looks like it's rather last minute. So we are still a full 2 months away. I'm not nearly as worried anymore.

3/ I'm a "single mom" this weekend. Jeff and the boys are gone to Montreal for the President's Cup so Carson and I are flying solo. We have a busy weekend planned though - trips to the park, a birthday party, Mom and I are taking Carson and walking the 5K Run for the Cure and I may squeeze a little bit of shopping in there somewhere. It's good and bad that my mom lives right next to Boomerang, I'm in love with that store.

It's mine!

I was in a slight bidding war for a 2006 Chariot Cabriolet (2 seater) with the jogging and bike attachments and I won it! So excited. I've been wanting to get one all summer and was considering getting the MEC one which is much cheaper but I've stopped a few people on the street with one to ask them about it (I'm SO my mother's daughter) and they have all had little complaints about it (it's heavy, pretty basic, harder to close up etc...) and honestly all those little things add up to me rather spending a bit more money on the Chariot. I'm excited!

Welcome Petra Skye!

So Carson has a new cousin and Jeff and I a new niece! Erin and Jan had a beautiful little girl named Petra Skye! I wish we were in PEI so I could hold a newborn again. And she is just gorgeus, I can't wait to meet her. Gets me excited for baby number two too! I found out I only have to go back to work for 6 months before I can go on maternity leave and get my sweet ass top-up again.

Carson's sleeping 16 hours these days (12 hours through the night and 2 solid 2 hour naps) so he's been a dream to be with. Not because (as someone once asked me) because I don't want to be around him for those extra hours a day, but because I know when he doesn't get enough sleep and it makes him cranky and it can't be fun for him. Not to mention not as fun for me either!

I'm still trying to figure out daycare, I've gotten a few phone calls but from people not exactly in our area. If I worked at my old job, it would be perfect because it would be right on the way - but now that I work in the completely other direction it doesn't exactly make sense. But I think I may go meet with them anyways and just get a feel for what I'm looking for in a caregiver. Only two more months to go and lots to do in the meantime. But with Carson taking these wonderful long naps, I can cross a few things off my to do list more quickly. Not only does in sleep for 2 hours, but he plays in his crib before and after so he's in his crib for max 1.5 hours more a day then he's even sleeping.

We are going on a playdate tomorrow with Nadia and Sofia and are looking forward to it! Here are a few pictures from the other afternoon when Jeff and I went walking in Manotick. Carson looks so old in them!

Laughing with Daddy

Proof!

Mamamamama

He's definitely saying "mamamamma" but I don't think he's saying mamma. As in me. But it's cute. And I'm going to pretend that he's calling me. And, if I say it first? He copies me. Also, he has this rather demonic type voice he does now. He's been doing it a couple of months but now if I do it first? That's right, he copies me. So that's two new party tricks for Carson.

A great Saturday, went and saw Kate and LJ's house (all the way in Casselman!) and after his nap we went for a trip to the park with Carrie, Ethan and Isabelle. Oh, and Bailey-boxer. Carson loves animals. He loved all the cats he met during our trip and kicks his legs whenever he sees Bailey cause he's so excited. He's been ready for bed super early this past week, going to bed at 6:30.

We had our first Parents and Tots swimming lesson and we had lots of fun. He was just the cutest thing. I'm always thrown by how much of a little person he is now. We went in the water and he started kicking his legs - squealing with glee and laughing. He kept opening up his arms towards me and as soon as I got him close enough, he turned around and wanted to go back in the water. I was so totally enthralled by him, he just blew me away. I wish the class was a little earlier because he's exhausted before we even get there. But, such is life I guess.

He's not loving going down to sleep lately. He's all nice and calm, we go to put him down in the crib and he then he looks at us, and gives us "the looks". He pulls himself to a standing position and then if you stay peeking through the door he slowly puts his hand down and then lies down and after about 20 seconds, he's asleep. We haven't changed anything, so maybe is it anxiety? Thank god it doesn't last longer then a minute or else I'd be having a hard time with it.

What he is loving lately? Me. He would be the hapiest in the world if he could constantly have one hand on me. Jeff is a very close second mind you (especially if he's playing the game going from one of us to the other and back again seconds later) but he certainly does love his mom. Jeff's back to working regular hours (it's always a tad more relaxed in the summer) so Carson and I spend lots of hours a day together. Anyways I know it won't last forever so I'll relish in it as long as I can.

Erin's water broke this morning so if nothing happens today (she was told to go home and see if labour may begin on it's own) they will be inducing her first thing in the morning. Very exciting, we turned the ringer back on the phone in case we get a late night phone call! I say it's a girl, so we'll see if I'm right (well, me and the chinese gender predictor).

Esp for his grandparents!

When did we end up with this?

When did he turn from a little baby into a boy? He's so incredible these days. Whenever I take him somewhere he is so excited to get out of his car seat and see where he is. He looks at his new surroundings and just reaches out for the first thing he can touch. He always looks at me every couple of seconds to make sure I'm still there. He always crawls over to the front door and kicks his legs and screeches (a happy screech!) when I finally open the door to go outside. He goes all the way up the stairs (esp. if there's someone he wants to see up there), I'm trying to teach him to go down (by crawling backwards on his stomach if that makes sense?) and he's kind of getting it, but he thinks it's more fun time then something he should be learning to do. Today we went shopping and I was looking through the aisles so mom put him down on the ground. He went around a few corners and found a sitting toy and climbed up on it himself! So of course it came home with us (pictures are below). He sits on it and starts to jump up and down. It's hilarious.




On a completely different note - I'm starting to think Carson has too many clothes. So I think I will try and avoid shopping for him for as long as I can. I just can't help myself! I just put most of his summer stuff away, I left out a few pairs of shorts for this gorgeus weather we are having.

Busy with a Capital B

Holy. He's everywhere. Into everything. He easily goes down the step into the front entrance and back up again. He's at the point where he beelines for something he wants. You open the fridge door, he stops whatever he's doing and crawls super fast towards it. Close the door? He cries. This morning when Jeff opened the front door to leave Carson zipped away from the book he was "reading" and went down that first stair right towards the door. He sees what he wants and he does everything he can to try and get it! I used to think being a mom before was tired? Now there is absolutely no rest for the wicked!




He now kisses. Well, doesn't quite kiss me (well he does, just not when prompted) but he has the Animal Kisses book and I always bring the book into touch his lips on each animal. Now he leans forwards and kisses each animal. It's pretty sweet.

I'm thinking there may be more teeth coming in. The past couple days he's been a tad whiny and last night he just wasn't happy being anywhere but in mommy or daddy's arms from about 4pm on. He felt a bit hot, although I only took his temperature after a bath and it said he was OK but I don't know if being in the bath would skew the results? So we gave him a hit of Advil. He slept perfectly fine during the night and this morning was a tad whiny again. His cheeks are red and it's not quite a diaper rash but his bum is a little red. My girlfriends all swear that the diaper rash accompanies teeth coming in. So I keep looking, but don't see anything yet. Of course he may just be grumpy but so far whenever this has happened - teeth have come in.

Last couple days...

Carson has been mastering getting down after he stands up.

He used to get a bit frusterated and start to whine/cry to let us know he wanted down, and needed our help. Now he slowly bends his knees, gets onto his knees and them his bum. He's quite proud of himself as he does it. Then he looks at us afterwards as if to say "Did you see me do that?".

Today was a sleepy day. Carson has two super long naps and was in bed half an hour early. He hardly ate, wanted to touch everything in sight that he wasn't supposed to, and would let out a cry when he didn't get his way.

Each day, I tell you, he does something new that he didn't do the day before.

Dwindling days of summer

We're trying to spend as much time outdoors as we can while the weather is still nice, or like yesterday, even when the weather is not so nice. We drove up to Cobden, more specifically, Wilderness Tours as it was the launch of the eco-friendly luxury cottages that Rob's working on. It was raining on and off, but we bundled up, packed a lunch and drove up. We got there right at Carson's nap time, and he hadn't slept in the car at all, but he stayed awake for another 3 hours. We had a great day, Carson LOVES being outside. He just looks around, taking it all in, laughing and playing with the kids and stretching his arms out for everyone to take him. He went on his first boat ride and it was a bit chilly but we wrapped him up in a blanket and he sat there, watching the water go by. He was fast asleep in his car seat before we hit the highway.

A few notables

1. I came into his room after his nap yesterday afternoon and he was standing up in his crib. He was shaking his arms so as to rattle the crib. That was the first time he's been standing up in his crib without our help. It's funny because when Carson was just born and we'd watch him sleeping in his crib we'd say "I can't believe one day we are going to be walking into his room and he's going to be standing up". That day is here and it came so quickly.


2. He gives high-fives. You ask him for one, his eyes light up and his hand goes right up in the air. He doesn't quite know to move it and hit your hand, but he puts his hand up ready to receive a high five.


3. As I mentioned earlier, I'm trying to get rid of his third nap in the late afternoon and it's coming along quite well. He's still pretty sleepy in the afternoon but he's OK for the most part. Yesterday we went over to Carrie and Rob's for pizza to celebrate Ethan and Isabelle's first day at JK (I can't BELIEVE how old they are!) and on the way over Carson fell asleep in the car. When we got there, we left him in the car and he slept for about half an hour. Jeff and I kept going out to the car every 3-5 minutes cause the thought of him waking up in a car without anyone there was killing us, but he needed to sleep. It's the first time we've done that - but I'm sure not the last :)

The countdown is on!

So I was only going to go back to work Jan 1, but I've decided to go back after my 1 year, and start on Dec 1st. Now that it's been decided I'm looking forward to it. The last week or so I've had a horrible case of the stir-crazies and I think it's time for me to join the working world once again.

Now there is SO much to do. I had to call a few waiting lists I was on for daycare and change the date until the 1st of December when care would be required. I'm heading to the Child Care Connection tomorrow night, offered at our community center and it's for parents and caregivers to meet up and talk and try to find someone we would like Carson to be with. So I'm going to ask Lisa if she wants to come over and hang out while Carson sleeps and we head to the community center. If she can't make it I'm sure my mom will. But if she comes, it won't be enough to come over while Carson sleeps so we'll have her over for dinner or we may skip out for a bit by ourselves (that hasn't happened in a while).

Our weekend in pictures.

Saturday went to Grandma's for Ottawa South garage sale. Here he is on the front porch and really the shot is to show off his two front teeth (he has 4 on top, but at least you can see two here):

His cousins showed up!



Sitting on Daddy's lap on Julie and Tim's new deck (too bad you can't see the deck, it's beautiful!)



In my new chair that Mommy bought for a dollar at the garage sale:


With my two favourite people in the world - Mommy and Daddy.




Busy and fun-filled weekend. Carson was exhausted tonight, so he's happy, clean and in bed. I'm headed there sooner then I'm willing to admit in public :)

I knew he had grown but....

Wow. We just got back from the doctor's and here are his stats:

Weight: 22 lbs (75th percentile!)
Height: 29.5 inches (between 75 and 90th percentile!)

He had been following the 50th percentile in the growth chart until now.

Who knows where he gets his height from, because Jeff nor I are that tall. There are a few tall people in either of our families, so the genes are coming from somewhere I guess :) I can't remember the size of his head, I always forget that one.

I talked to the doctor about Carson's not-love of eating. I'm not worried that he's not getting what he needs, it's not like he's small and tiny. But I want to do my best at helping him develop the best eating habits I can and it's somewhat frusterating that he doesn't love to eat. Aren't babies supposed to love it? Anyways, now at his age he is becoming more and more independant. Dr. said to give him some finger food on his tray and let him play with that for 5-10 minutes and then try spoon feeding him. He asked if we feed him at our dinner table and the answer is yes. Carson eats breakfast and lunch with me (I eat at the same time) and he eats dinner with both Jeff and I. So we are doing what we're supposed to, he's getting 90% home made food now, so I have to have faith that it will some day turn around.

He did not have a fun time at the doctors. I think it's because now he knows exactly what's going on at all times. And here was this strange man laying him down on a table and pulling at all his arms and legs and poking things in his ears and mouth. He seemed pretty angry after it, but as soon as we got in the car and he realized we were leaving, he was super happy and has been ever since. No needles this time (whoops, bad mom I thought he was getting needles so I gave him Tempra before we left, the nurses laughed and said at least I would have a quiet afternoon).

Little update

The first few times I gave Carson a lemon, he didn't react at all to the taste and he quite liked them. After lunch today, I was using lemon for making my lunch so I gave him a piece assuming it would be like all the previous times. Was I ever wrong:

I pushed his naptime till 12:30 today (normally it's at noon on the dot) but I'm really trying to consolidate his two afternoon naps. Right now a typical day (sleep-wise) is this:

Wakes up at 6am

Nap at 8:30 (sometimes anywhere between 7:30 and 8:30) until 10-10:30

Nap at noon (until 1:30-2)

Nap at 4:00 (till 5 or 5:30)

Bedtime at 7pm

I'd love the two naps to be closer together and eventually just be one nap. But anyways this afternoon I was watching him go to sleep and it was quite funny. I put him on his stomach and he brings up his knees so his bum is high in the air and then he pushes himself back so he's sitting up. And is he ever proud of himself. Then he plays with the toys in his crib, then he rolls back down onto his back and cuddles with his blankets (he LOVES receiving blankets!). He did this for a while, and I stopped peeking and eventually he fell asleep.

My little boogs.

All smiles

He loved his dinner tonight. It was chicken pot pie (organic, frozen in the store) (Mother's Best I think), cauliflour with cheese sauce (I made it) and mango for dessert.

He's a smart little bugger. He laughs to get our attention now. He turns his head and tries to scramble around a corner if one of us leaves the room. He looks on the ground when you ask where the dog or kitty is (at least, I think he is). He LOVES being in the room with his mommy and daddy, then he'll just roll around looking at us both and then smiling. It's the best feeling in the world.

He went down the slide a few times today, I only let him go halfway when I am there by myself. He almost took a nosedive too (his pants stuck to the slide so he went forward to come to me), so good thing I was only halfway down. He laughs hysterically when he's on the swing and kicks his legs like he is running in the air. He's always flirting with the women there, and they always comment on what a ham he is.

My little skater boy

Final days of summer...

It happened so quickly, the 1st of September came and went without even a small Happy 9 month birthday Carson :) Now we are slowly getting close to the fall, and just a few more months that I'm off work to spend with Carson, and I happily have mixed feelings about going back.

I can't even keep up with the changes, they are happening too quickly. He's growing every single day. He's at the end of his cold, I've heard they can last for weeks, but Saturday by far was the worst (it was his first cold, forgive me, so the requirements for the worst may change drastically as time goes on, but be default the first IS the worst as there's only one to compare it to) and he's been getting better each day.

We went to Carrie and Rob's on Sunday with the gang for a BBQ and the kids were in their glory. Grant was going down the stairs (outside) in a bigwheel, Maya was telling us about her zip ride trip in DisneyWorld (she's only 3!), and Ethan and Isabelle were entertaining all their guests with showing them how to slip and slide. Carson was happy being with his family, surrounded by tons of kids who adore him.

Here is with on the trampoline with Ethan and I:

I love my Auntie Carrie!

Grant and Ethan:

Isabelle and Maya:

Enjoying mommy's garden:



Hehe I like how the tree in the background looks like Carson has a funny hat on top of his head.

Poor little booger

It was bound to happen. I passed my cold along to Carson. He was up a couple times in the middle of night and needed a snuggle. He's been up since about 5am with 2 20 minute naps. His eyes are red, his nose is running and he's sneezing. But he's happy.

We just got back from a quick walk to the park and now he's trying to go back to bed. He's fussing a bit, but it is his "I'm tired and can't get comfy" fussing noises, I have no doubt he'll be fast asleep in a few minutes.

Any weekend plans are now abolished and we will play by his rules.