MEGO: My Eyes Glaze Over

Mobile Picture of the Week

Sep 6, 2009 A Good Laugh, Family and Friends, Short and Sweet

Out for a Sunday drive at Centreville

Popularity: 42% [?]

Tags: driving, family, kids, pictures

Camping

Sep 5, 2009 Family and Friends, Vacations

Every year since 2002 my husband and his work friends have gone on an annual camping trip. The first year they went it was just the “boys”. In 2003, the girlfriends started attending, and starting in 2004 the wives arrived, and in 2005 so did the kids.

Over the years the camping trip has obviously changed – both the attendees and how the days played out. Certainly the men still pretend that they are cave men and can do anything – like start fire (argh!) And, the women try to find free time to relax and read a book. But, now with kids on the trip it is less about relaxing and more about finding activities to keep the kids busy.

At the end of August we went on the annual trip – and this year including the kids there were 25 of us. Over 7 or 8 campsites. We left the baby at home with his grandparents since neither of us wanted to spend the weekend chasing a crawling baby through the sand, soot and woods. We were looking forward to taking Bear for a canoe trip, hike, and swim at the beach.

We were able to accomplish one thing on that list.

Unfortunately, this summer has not been kind to us. We have planned weekends away – but they never work out as planned. This one was no different. Friday we arrived set up, had dinner with friends and then hit the air mattress (we camp in style). We woke up on Saturday morning and discovered over cast skies, and of course this was followed by RAIN.

Bear and his friends didn’t seem to mind and chased each other around in the mud with their umbrellas. We grumbled but made delicious eggs and bacon (they always taste better when camping!).

A trip into town for coffee, ice and firewood was next – where we discovered that everyone else had decided to the same thing. I counted 36 people in line at Tim Horton’s. It was a long wait – but Bear was kept happy by promises of chocolate Timbits

Back at the camp site we gathered the troops and headed on a hike while it wasn’t raining.  It was mild out – which made for decent walking weather, but the winds were high along the beach. There wouldn’t be any swimming at the beach this camping trip, the sun wasn’t out and the water was chilly and the waves were powerful. No canoeing it turned out either – after we finished the camping trip Bear got a fever….so day 2 ended up being our final day as we packed up the tent and gear and headed home.

There is always next year.

Popularity: 39% [?]

Tags: camping, family, summer

Singing Sensation

Mar 19, 2009 A Good Laugh, Family and Friends

Popularity: 86% [?]

Tags: family, kids, video

Eat Dirt

Mar 12, 2009 Books, Environment, Family and Friends, Parenting and More

image from stock.xchng: lusi Cute Toy

I recall a friend telling me before I had my first child that with your first child you sanitize everything, that nothing gets put in babies mouth without a deep wash, and that bottles are boiled after each use. With the second child she said you stick everything in the dishwasher, and toys that fall on the floor are wiped clean with a pant leg or a wet wipe if you have one handy. By the third you rinse things in the sink, make sure there are no grimy bits and toys are handed back to baby after a stint on the floor.

I have never been a big proponent of  “sanitize everything”. We had a bottle sanitizer that we used for about three weeks, and after that bottles went into the dishwasher, or they were washed by hand if I was short on dishes. Toys, get laundered somewhat frequently when I think about it, or when baby goobers on them with peas – but I admit to picking up toys from the floor wiping them on my pants and handing them back to them (and this was with my first child and second- no discrimination!). I always felt that a little dirt couldn’t hurt them. The fact is – it is easy to monitor a baby but what happens when they are two? three? four? I know my nearly four year old often touches some pretty gross things, and puts gross stuff in his mouth when I am not looking (I have caught him chewing the side of those grocery carts shaped like Cars) – so if his immune system broke down at every germ – he would be sick all the time! When I was growing up my parents didn’t Purel their hands every step of the way, or disinfect my toys every 24 hours in case of a stray germ. Guess what, I am a healthy 30-something (seriously, I have to do math to figure my age out – every time!) and growing up I wasn’t sick any more than any other kid. I also don’t have any currently known allergies.

Today I see mom’s carry around hand sanitizer in their diaper bags and purses. Whipping them out at every cough, sneeze or breath. Anti-bacterial wipes are swiped across every surface their baby might dare touch, and then there are the blankets or cart draps that parents sit their kid in at the grocery store. They wash their floors, tables, toys, and even fabrics with anti-bacterial cleaners (yes- Febreeze now has Anti-bacterial spray); and they ensure that NO ONE touches their baby without a scrub down first. I may be slightly exhaggerating the situation, but I find some people are absolutely paranoid – and I kept thinking that all his “clean” can not be good for a growing child’s immune system.

Playing in Dirt

It seems that I may be right, an article in the Ottawa Citizen – Honey, Eat Your Dirt points to new research that proves that cleanliness CAN lead to illness. Everything in moderation people! Even too much hygiene is a problem. According to the article, which references a new book titled Why Dirt is Good by Mary Ruebush, a baby’s immune system is “like a computer that is hasn’t been programmed. It needs to practise responding to bacteria and viruses and other things found in dirt to learn what it should fight and what it should ignore.” Further to this a New York Times article states recent studies and epidemiological observations “seem to explain why immune system disorders like multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergies have risen significantly in the United States and other developed countries.” So essentially kids raised in an ultraclean environment are not being given the chance to develop appropriate immune systems and will suffer later in life because of it.  Dr. Ruebush says that the current fetish for the many  (well-marketed) antibacterial products may just be a false sense of security and could “actually foster the development of antibiotic-resistant, disease-causing bacteria.” (NYTimes)

So if you are a Hand Sanitizer-toting, germaphobic, anti-bacterial obsessed parent – what should you do? According to these articles just use less anti-bacterial products. Soap and water is all you need, and a little dirt . So, go – eat dirt. I dare ya.

Popularity: 72% [?]

Tags: family, Health, Immune system, kids, Ottawa Citizen, Why Dirt Is Good: How Our Obsession With Killing Germs Is Making Us Sick

Wordless Wednesday: Canadian Idol

Mar 11, 2009 A Good Laugh, Short and Sweet, Wednesday Wisdom

Popularity: 64% [?]

Tags: family, wordless wednesday

Spring Forward

Mar 9, 2009 Family and Friends, Short and Sweet

I bought spring coats for the boys, took the bundle bag off the car seat, and started looking for my sneakers (have to start early the basement has exploded with baby gear!) – so if it snows in the next week – blame me.

I really hope, however, that Spring is here. I can’t wait to see more of this:

Spring Spring Spring

And, less of this:

winter winter winter

At least the clocks “sprung forward!”

Update:  Just checked weather….isolated flurries. argh.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Tags: family, spring, weather

Gone Rollin’

Mar 8, 2009 Family and Friends, Games and Toys, Short and Sweet

We have all been going through a lot of these this past week:

box of tissue: picture from stock.xchng (scol22)

First my husband was sick, then the four year old, then me. We are all feeling much better except for some runny-noses and  coughs that keeps hanging on. Oh, and the four year old continues to whine. But, that might have nothing to do with the illness.

So, today we needed to get out of the house. We had missed out on the nice weather on Friday, and of course as luck would have it Sunday was gray, and chilly. We decided to head out to the bowling alley. At first Bear was too cool for bowling (or rolling as he calls it!).

too cool for school

Then he got some lessons from dear ol’ dad who apparently didn’t forget how to bowl despite not having played in 10 years!

Bowling Lessons

Fun was had in the end! Despite the ugly shoes.

And, as you can see Bear was quite the pro!

Popularity: 18% [?]

Tags: Bowling, family, fun with kids, sports

Kids Say the Funniest Things #3

Mar 1, 2009 A Good Laugh, Family and Friends

The Funny Kid

Once again I have tried to collect the silly things my 3.5 yr old says…I hope they make you laugh and smile as they did for us!

Feel free to check out the previous Kids Say the Funniest Things – #1, #2 as well!

Carrots on the Brain

The night before Santa was set to arrive we put out cookies and milk for Santa Claus. I suggested to Bear that we also leave some Carrots for the Reindeer. He agreed whole heartedly. I asked if he thought they might like some dip as well, and Bear said, ” No mom, dip is not what they need.”

Two days later he seemed to be still thinking about carrots as we were driving in the car and he says, “I smell carrots! Are the reindeer here?”

The Little Boss Man

My son has become a bit of a boss man, when his buddies do something wrong “No, you can’t play with that, it is not a toy.” he waggles his finger, and squints his eyes in his most serious look. When he is scolded for something sometimes he likes to turn it around on you – arms crossed, again eyes squinted, big pout – “You sit on the time out stair, mommy!” (when a time-out is required we use the bottom step, away from the main room – Bear hates being alone). He also often offers his best advice in the role of little boss man – one day when I was angry at him for not listening (again!) he says “I want you to smile and be happy, mommy.” How is that for melting your heart? How could I possibly be mad at him for anything?  Bear is often a great back-seat drive. “Stop sign mommy!”, “Catch up! Catch up! You are almost there, go, go go!” “Mom, your a slow driver” ” Be a race car mom, vvvvvrooom”.

He also has great ideas on solving problems. We were visiting on his grandparents out east and is Papa G went out to shovel the snow. Owen desperately wanted to help. He said he would get his shovel and help. I reminded him that his shovel (a gift from Santa) was at home. “That’s ok you can go and get it for me.” I told him that we were a long way from home, and he solves that problem: “That’s ok mom, we can fly home and get it.”

A Few Other Goodies…

Upside down grocery cart at the store: “Look it’s Wall-e”

Playing a game: “You count to ‘S’ and then come look for me”

My Blackberry vibrates on the counter: “What is your Smart Phone doing mom?” (Seriously, who told this kid it was a Smart Phone?)

Walking by display of magazines: “Mom, it’s that guy!” Points at Barack Obama. As you may recall my three year old knows who Obama is…visit Kids Say the Funniest Things #2 to find out more.

Papa G helps him into his car seat and has some trouble with the straps: ” Do you need a three-year old to help you?”

Snow melts outside, ” Christmas is over mom, is it Halloween now?”

And, of course they also make their little brothers laugh sometimes!

Popularity: 24% [?]

Tags: A Good Laugh, Barack Obama, children, christmas, family, kids, Kids Say the Funniest Things

Wordless Wednesday: Brotherly Love

Feb 25, 2009 Short and Sweet, Wednesday Wisdom

Popularity: 16% [?]

Tags: family, kids, wordless wednesday

Sleep Like a Baby

Feb 12, 2009 Family and Friends, Parenting and More, Sleep

I’m done.  I am sick of the guilt. I am tired of the rules. Parenthood sucks. Well ok. It has it’s upsides : ) A lot of them. But, there are some deep valleys too. Like the morass of rules: “rule books”, rules of thumbs, and parental unwritten rules.  Want examples?

• Breastfeeding exclusively is best for baby the first 6 months, and in conjunction with solids for 12 months.
• Introduce solids at six months- not any earlier.
• Baby should have three naps a day.
• Baby will have two long naps and one optional third nap late in the day or into the early evening
• Introduce solids when baby shows interest by grabbing at your food, can hold and move is head away if he is not hungry,  loss of tongue reflex and ability to sit up on his own.
• Don’t put baby down at the top of the stairs unattended.
• Allow baby to cry she must learn to sleep on her own.
• Never allow a baby to cry alone in her crib, always check to see that limbs are not caught in bars or that baby isn’t tied up in the blankets
• Never allow baby to play with knives.
• Use Jumpers and Walkers sparingly limited to 15-20 minutes at a time.
• Don’t allow baby to fall asleep in swing, car seat or bouncy/rocker.
• Don’t rock, walk, sing baby to sleep it will set negative associations to sleep and will not help them learn to fall asleep on their own.

You got the point right. Some rules are obviously required, such as “never allow baby to play with knives”.   But, some rules are contradicted by others. Parenting information seems to be a big industry and there is a book out there on every possible angle of sleeping, feeding, guiding behaviour, and development.  And, there are even more moms out there willing to give away advice for free, and unasked.  Why do you think there are so many mommy blogs, mommy forums, mommy communities….because we all love to give our opinion, and admittedly we rely on each other too. Even if it means feeding the guilt.

Guilt.  I think all moms suffer from it. Every piece of neglected advice subjects you with a certain level parental guilt – as you wonder whether you chose the right course of action – the right rule.

With my first son I read every book, took every “Calling New Parents” seminar and spent time reading other advice from moms. When my first son woke every night, we tried all of the tips and hints. Pick-up, put-down. Rock. Swaddle, cry-it-out. And, in the end he refused to be trained. And, yes, we were consistent. We would try everything for four to six weeks. Most of the books claimed in a short time you would be able to “train” them to sleep through the night. Right. Didn’t work for him.

Then one night, a week before I went back to work – he slept through the night. Boom, just like that. At that time we had given up on training. My three year old is now an amazing sleeper. He goes to bed at 8 and gets up in the morning at 8. We can put him in his room, and he will either go straight to sleep – or read a book and then lie down and go to sleep. In the morning, he will either come into my room and say “Mommy it’s wake-e time”, or he will play quietly in his own room until I come to find him.

My second son is now 6 months old. Once again he seems to have Bear’s disease of waking up every two hours…and sometimes every hour. Another mom suggested reading a book by the Sleep Lady…so once again I am “sleep training”. I swore this time I wouldn’t fall for the guilt, the self-help mania, and oodles of mommy advice. But, 6 months of sleepless nights and I am willing to try ANYTHING.

All this to say, if you find my blog a little quiet these days – it is due to being up for hours on end “sh-sh-sh” my son, and standing in my “Shuffle” position for the “Sleep Lady Shuffle”. Currently, dear husband is on duty and I can hear via the monitor the boy ” wah wah wahing” and husband “sh-sh-shing”.  The good news is that naps are going really well – he sleeps for 1 1/2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon – almost like clock-work. And, putting him down during the day is simple – put him in crib (in postioner – he likes to sleep on his side only) and then walk away. He cries for a moment – for as long as it takes you to walk to the stairs – and then silence. Night times are tougher. He cries a lot before he finally succumbs to sleep.  The first week I ws often up for an hour at a time, sitting in his room doing the shuffle. Now, two weeks later once asleep he is thankfully (knock-on-wood) sleeping relatively well. Most nights he wakes up once or twice, and more often just needs you to shift him in the positioner. In this case, “sleep training” worked. Just like all parenting rules some make sense, some don’t. Some work. some don’t. Some are good for some kids, and not for others.

I hope to be back and blogging regularly quite soon! Thanks for sticking around.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Tags: babies, family, parenting, sleep