I found this post from a few weeks ago that didn't get published. Usually I just delete forgotten drafts, but I kind of like this one, so even those it is a couple weeks old, written on New Brunswick Day, here's a little glimpse into my life.
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Little C. is just over 9 months now. Looking back over the last year, I can't believe how much my life has changed. I'm sitting here at 8:30am on a holiday Monday. He's fallen asleep after getting me up at 5:30am. This time last year, I probably would have still been in bed. (Oh, how I loved a good sleep-in day.) We probably would have had a lazy, carefree day. Maybe we would have checked out the happenings around town for New Brunswick Day, maybe not. We never had to worry about the time, and meals were casual - when we got hungry, we'd eat; if we weren't, we wouldn't.
That seems like an entirely different life. It's hard to even imagine now. I know, I know, people always told me that life after kids was a lot different than life before kids, and I believed them, but I think about the impression he's made on our lives and realize how big it really is.
For such small people, babies certainly know how to take over a house! Between toys, chairs, strollers, books, diaper bags, burp cloth and bib piles, walkers, playpens, blankets, bottles, sippy cups, and so on and so on, they really leave their mark. There isn't a single room in our house that doesn't show signs that a baby lives here.
Our living room is the most obvious, with all the toys, but also our kitchen, with a cupboard full of bottles, sippy cups, and little dishes, and a freezer full of baby food. Go down to the basement, and you'll find outgrown toys, swings, and piles of laundry in various stages of done-ness. Pop into the bathroom and you'll find bath toys and baby shampoo and bubble bath. There's a big old Tonka Truck in the corner of the stairs that he can play with when he's older, baby gates dividing up the house, a disgarded soother peeking out from under the couch, and a teeny tiny hoody hanging from the coat hook by the door.
When I think about it, it makes sense though. He's the focus of our life, so that should show in our house, shouldn't it?
I say good riddance to that old life. I wouldn't trade a single 5am wake up, when he's standing in his crib, peeking over the rail, watching for me to come get him, with a huge smile on his face, for a month of sleep-in mornings. I'll happily replace lazy rainy days with busy afternoons full of play time giggles, messy piles of toys, and naps with my little buddy. I'd rather listen to the Absolutely Mindy show on Kids Place Live in the truck than any of my music, and board books with fuzzy animals in them are way better than some of the books I was reading before he was born.
He's completely taken over every aspect of my life... and has made it so much better. I love that and wouldn't change a single thing.
Wednesday, 13 August 2014
Blend & Extend! Tomato Hamburger Macaroni
I tried it again! I blended & extended one of my go-to recipes. Blend and Extend is a concept that Ontario Beef and Mushroom Canada is promoting. I had seen it and thought it was a great idea. I few weeks ago, I made my own version of their taco salad recipe. Last week, I was making a batch of Macaroni with Tomatoes and Hamburger for the freezer. I thought it would be perfect for the Blend and Extend idea, so I gave it a try. It's a great way to add extra vegetables, cut back on the amount of meat you're consuming (because it's often too much!) and keep the same taste, or even make it better!
As a bonus, this is probably my son's new favourite food. He's only 9 months old, so I figure that's a big recipe win! Warning: for little ones, it can be very messy! My son fed himself, so this was a "from high-chair to bathtub" meal. I don't think anything hit the floor though, so it has the Little C stamp of approval!
Tomato-Hamburger Macaroni
Ingredients: (This was a double batch, and made a LOT, probably around 10 servings)
1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and add garlic and onions.
2. Put a pot of water on to boil. Once boiled, add pasta and cook according to instructions on box, until al dente - it will cook a little more when added to the other ingredients, and I think al dente is always good when freezing.
3. Once the onions start to cook, add mushrooms. I usually put a pot lid over the mushrooms until the water starts to come out of them and they start to steam a bit, and not just stick to the pan. Once mushrooms start to reduce, I take the lid off.
4. Add ground beef.
5. Add salt and pepper. (Note: Watch the total salt content of your recipe. If you have diced tomatoes that have added salt, I wouldn't add salt at this point. Remember there is also salt in the soup, so if don't overdo it!)
6. Cook beef mixture until no longer pink and beef starts to brown. Break up beef as it's cooking. Drain off any fat. (I had used extra lean, so there wasn't much.)
7. When beef/mushroom mixture is done, I usually put a little splash of chicken broth in the pan to help scrape off all the little tasty bits on the bottom of the pan. I think they add a lot of flavor, so I don't want to leave them behind.
8. In a large pot, add beef/mushroom mixture, diced tomatoes, soup, and cooked macaroni. Stir and heat through.
I served with a salad. If you want to be fancy, you could add a little grated cheese to the top. :)
You could also add additional veggies to this recipe. I think zucchini would be a good choice, especially if it was grated. (Need to hide the green from yourhusband kids? Just peel the zucchini before grating.) Next time, I think I'll try that, and I would also add even more mushrooms. They mix in so well with the beef to camouflage themselves.
This was really yummy, and very easy to freeze. It's an easy, quick meal.
As a bonus, this is probably my son's new favourite food. He's only 9 months old, so I figure that's a big recipe win! Warning: for little ones, it can be very messy! My son fed himself, so this was a "from high-chair to bathtub" meal. I don't think anything hit the floor though, so it has the Little C stamp of approval!
 |
| Not the best picture, but I was too busy eating to take pictures! |
Tomato-Hamburger Macaroni
Ingredients: (This was a double batch, and made a LOT, probably around 10 servings)
- ~1T oil
- ~1t of diced garlic
- 2 cups of finely chopped mushrooms - I used baby bellas
- a splash of low sodium chicken broth (although water would work)
- ~1/2 cup onion, chopped finely
- 300g ground beef
- salt & pepper
- 2 cans (28oz cans) of diced tomatoes (The brand I used wasn't watery, like some diced tomatoes can be. The liquid was thick and tomato-y. Since I planned to freeze it, I didn't want to worry about my final product being too dry, so I didn't drain. If I was using tomatoes with a lot of water, I would drain one can.)
- 2 cans of condensed tomato soup (you could probably use tomato sauce)
- 2 1/2 cups of macaroni - I used whole wheat
1. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat, and add garlic and onions.
2. Put a pot of water on to boil. Once boiled, add pasta and cook according to instructions on box, until al dente - it will cook a little more when added to the other ingredients, and I think al dente is always good when freezing.
3. Once the onions start to cook, add mushrooms. I usually put a pot lid over the mushrooms until the water starts to come out of them and they start to steam a bit, and not just stick to the pan. Once mushrooms start to reduce, I take the lid off.
4. Add ground beef.
5. Add salt and pepper. (Note: Watch the total salt content of your recipe. If you have diced tomatoes that have added salt, I wouldn't add salt at this point. Remember there is also salt in the soup, so if don't overdo it!)
6. Cook beef mixture until no longer pink and beef starts to brown. Break up beef as it's cooking. Drain off any fat. (I had used extra lean, so there wasn't much.)
7. When beef/mushroom mixture is done, I usually put a little splash of chicken broth in the pan to help scrape off all the little tasty bits on the bottom of the pan. I think they add a lot of flavor, so I don't want to leave them behind.
8. In a large pot, add beef/mushroom mixture, diced tomatoes, soup, and cooked macaroni. Stir and heat through.
I served with a salad. If you want to be fancy, you could add a little grated cheese to the top. :)
You could also add additional veggies to this recipe. I think zucchini would be a good choice, especially if it was grated. (Need to hide the green from your
This was really yummy, and very easy to freeze. It's an easy, quick meal.
Monday, 11 August 2014
2 DIY Saving Money Tips
I love saving money... almost as much as I like to spend money! I try to stay on a budget, so I can spend more money on the things I like and less on the things I need.
Being on maternity leave has meant that I have really needed to tighten up my budget. Some things were obvious changes - eat out less, more coffee at home, and in general, less frivolous spending. Other savings have been a little more creative.
1) DIY Foam Soap: I love nice smelly soap. I especially like the foam soap that can be bought by the handful at the mall. Unfortunately, each one costs over $6! Sure, they go on sale, but then I spend even more money, because I can't pass up a good deal. To top it off, you're left with all these plastic bottles. It seems very wasteful.
Earlier this year, I saw a Pin about how to make your own foam soap, so I jumped at the chance. This is all you need:
1. Fill 1/3 of the bottle with Castile soap and 2/3 with water.
2. Add some essential oil for smell. I used about 10 drops or so. If you're not sure how much you want, add some, swirl it around and smell. Too weak? Add some more!
3. Gently roll the bottle around in your palm so everything mixes, without foaming up.
Voila! You have your very own foam soap!
You can find various "recipes" for this online. Be careful, because some seem a bit strange - like the one I saw about using shampoo and food colouring for hand soap.
I use tea tree oil, because I love the smell of it, and it has disinfecting properties. I think that I'll use the Tea Tree Oil Castile Soap next time, and buy different essential oils that compliment the tea tree oil. Maybe I'll give the rosemary/mint combo a try! Really, the possibilities are endless!
I have refilled my bottle about 6 times and can probably refill it again at least twice more with the one bottle of Castile soap. The essential oil is still very full. I would say that each refill of soap costs about $1.50. That's a great deal, and as a bonus, there aren't the chemicals that you'd find in the store bought foam soap!
Being on maternity leave has meant that I have really needed to tighten up my budget. Some things were obvious changes - eat out less, more coffee at home, and in general, less frivolous spending. Other savings have been a little more creative.
With the help of Pinterest, I have found some ways of cutting out expensive "must-haves" and replacing them with DIY versions. Here are some of my favourites:
Earlier this year, I saw a Pin about how to make your own foam soap, so I jumped at the chance. This is all you need:
- Liquid Castile soap - (~$12) I found Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile soap in the organic/natural section of the grocery store and have since found it at a natural store in town. It's certified fair trade and is made with organic oils. It comes in a lot of scents, like lavender, tea tree oil, peppermint, citrus, almond, and eucalyptus. I used the unscented one, because the store I bought my first bottle in didn't have many scents.
- Essential oil (~$5) - I used tea tree, but I've seen recipes with mint, lavender, and various citrus scents. I think mint and rosemary would be nice.
- Water (free!)
- A foaming pump (free!) - I reused some from my store-bought foam soap.)
1. Fill 1/3 of the bottle with Castile soap and 2/3 with water.
2. Add some essential oil for smell. I used about 10 drops or so. If you're not sure how much you want, add some, swirl it around and smell. Too weak? Add some more!
3. Gently roll the bottle around in your palm so everything mixes, without foaming up.
Voila! You have your very own foam soap!
You can find various "recipes" for this online. Be careful, because some seem a bit strange - like the one I saw about using shampoo and food colouring for hand soap.
I use tea tree oil, because I love the smell of it, and it has disinfecting properties. I think that I'll use the Tea Tree Oil Castile Soap next time, and buy different essential oils that compliment the tea tree oil. Maybe I'll give the rosemary/mint combo a try! Really, the possibilities are endless!
I have refilled my bottle about 6 times and can probably refill it again at least twice more with the one bottle of Castile soap. The essential oil is still very full. I would say that each refill of soap costs about $1.50. That's a great deal, and as a bonus, there aren't the chemicals that you'd find in the store bought foam soap!
2) Vinegar & Baking Soda: I guess I knew that mixing baking soda and vinegar is kind of magical, but I hadn't really taken advantage of the fact that they can also replace some more expensive (and chemical-filled) cleaners. They're like the dream team of simple cleaning products.
Here are some of the ways I use vinegar and baking soda:
Here are some of the ways I use vinegar and baking soda:
Washing Machine: I have a love/hate relationship with my front-load washing machine. One of the downsides is that they can start smelling not so fresh - not something you want in a washing machine. In addition to leaving the door open when it's not in use, every month or so, I sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda inside the washer and about 1/2 a cup of vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Then I turn it on to the hottest (but shortest) setting I can. I think it's usually perm press on hot wash, cold rinse. It cleans everything out. After a quick wipe of the rubber on the front of the drum, it's all fresh and ready to keep washing!
Dishwasher: Similar to the washing machine, you start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, fill a mug with vinegar and place in the top rack of the dishwasher. Start a cycle that uses a high heat (although I try for the shortest cycle, to avoid wasting power.) Your dishwasher will smell better and it will get rid of left over residue from food and soap.
Dishwasher: Similar to the washing machine, you start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher. Then, fill a mug with vinegar and place in the top rack of the dishwasher. Start a cycle that uses a high heat (although I try for the shortest cycle, to avoid wasting power.) Your dishwasher will smell better and it will get rid of left over residue from food and soap.
Kitchen Sink/Ceramic Stove Top: For the sink and stove top, it's a similar process. Sprinkle baking soda in the sink and on the stove. Then, I use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to generously spray over the baking soda. You'll see little reactions happening. That's the fun part - (carefully) involve the kids! I let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub off with a cloth. The baking soda will help scrub and shine the sink, without scratching. If the stove has any spots where pots have boiled over and burned, I use a "Scrunge" sponge to scrub without being abrasive. (Note: Make sure the stove is cooled off... I'm not sure what vinegar and baking soda would do on a hot surface.)
Microwave: This is great, because it takes such a short amount of time! vinegar and water into a microwavable bowl (I usually do one part vinegar, two parts water) and pop it in the microwave for about a couple of minutes on high. It really depends on your microwave, but at the end of the minute, you should see that it's steamed up a bit in there. Don't let it boil too much - you don't want things getting too hot. You don't want any explosions! The steam softens up the hard crusty bits and the vinegar up the microwave, softening everything while the vinegar gets rid of odours. Wait a couple of minutes before opening the door - make sure it's not too hot, then wipe off the sides of your microwave. It will be SO easy!
The only issue I've ever had was using red wine vinegar instead of white to clean my microwave when pregnant. I'm not really sure what I was thinking. I should have just steamed it with water. Let's just say the smell was like nothing I'd ever smelled before, so without going into details, you can imagine what happened when my pregnant-self caught a whiff of it! Not fun! (To this day, I can't smell red wine vinegar without getting a little queasy!)
These have all worked for me, so I hope that someone else finds them handy! What have you done to finds ways to cut down on materials commonly used in your house? I'd love to know!
(My next DIY money-saving project is to make my own Diaper Genie refills. Those suckers are expensive! Do you have any tips?)
Microwave: This is great, because it takes such a short amount of time! vinegar and water into a microwavable bowl (I usually do one part vinegar, two parts water) and pop it in the microwave for about a couple of minutes on high. It really depends on your microwave, but at the end of the minute, you should see that it's steamed up a bit in there. Don't let it boil too much - you don't want things getting too hot. You don't want any explosions! The steam softens up the hard crusty bits and the vinegar up the microwave, softening everything while the vinegar gets rid of odours. Wait a couple of minutes before opening the door - make sure it's not too hot, then wipe off the sides of your microwave. It will be SO easy!
The only issue I've ever had was using red wine vinegar instead of white to clean my microwave when pregnant. I'm not really sure what I was thinking. I should have just steamed it with water. Let's just say the smell was like nothing I'd ever smelled before, so without going into details, you can imagine what happened when my pregnant-self caught a whiff of it! Not fun! (To this day, I can't smell red wine vinegar without getting a little queasy!)
These have all worked for me, so I hope that someone else finds them handy! What have you done to finds ways to cut down on materials commonly used in your house? I'd love to know!
(My next DIY money-saving project is to make my own Diaper Genie refills. Those suckers are expensive! Do you have any tips?)
Saturday, 9 August 2014
World Breastfeeding Week - My Experiences and Thoughts
I'm going to get a little personal with this one, folks. It's World Breastfeeding Week. I think it's wonderful that Breastfeeding moms (and their supporters - dads, kids, friends) get a full week to publicly celebrate breastfeeding. At the same time, I wonder what all the media attention does to mothers that don't (for whatever reason) breastfeed, especially those who would, if they could.
I think a lot about the breast vs. formula debate, so I'm going to attempt to sort out my thoughts here. I'll start with my own experience.
I was able to breastfeed my son for six and a half months. I'm very proud of that, but it wasn't easy, and simply saying that I breastfed for over six months makes it sound like an easy success. You see, after having a C-section, and already feeling like a bit of a mommy failure, I was even more determined to breastfeed. In my mind, I wasn't successful at the birth, so I had to be successful at breastfeeding.
On top of that, I was a long time believer that breastfeeding was the only choice and didn't understand why some mothers wouldn't do it. Looking back, I think I was naïve, because it's really not that simple. Of course, the videos at prenatal classes and the pictures of breastfeeding mothers that frequently get shared online make it seem so easy. Why wouldn't I think that?
To make a long (and quite emotional) story short, after a horrible experience with breastfeeding in the hospital, I ended up needing to supplement with some formula. I was quite sure I wasn't going to be able to breastfeed at all - disappointment doesn't come close to describe how I felt. The day after leaving the hospital, (a five day stay) I visited the hospital lactation consultants and they helped get me back on track - I was able to breastfeed with the aid of a shield. I was so relieved. Something was finally going asplanned. Unfortunately, after numerous attempts in the following weeks, we weren't able to wean my son from the shield. I was told that this is often cause for concern, but for me, it was okay, because he was gaining weight and was healthy, and it didn't cause me any issues. It didn't feel as "natural," but it was what we needed to make it work, and at that point, I was willing to do just about anything.
Anytime I got discouraged, (and there were many times) I would say to myself, "I just need to make it to 3 months," then "I just have to make it to 6 months." I will return to work when my son is 10 months old, so I had said from the beginning that I would breastfeed until 6 months so I could take time to slowly wean and make sure that he was happy and comfortable.
At a point between 5 and 6 months, I had to start supplementing with formula. Even that was an emotional decision, because I wanted to be able to do it on my own, but also knew that he was needing something more and wasn't quite ready for solids.
Finally, at almost 7 months, it seemed like the right time for my son to make the full switch to formula. He seemed ready. I felt like I was finally getting the swing of things, but if he was ready, then that was what mattered. Even though it had been difficult most of the time, I was a little sad. Even now, I still miss the closeness sometimes, but when I do, I just gather my son up for a cuddle or we have a snuggly nap, and I know that it's okay. He's fine. Actually, he's more than fine - he's healthy, growing, and very happy.
In the later months of breastfeeding, I was also feeling increased pressure from the media, because at that time, a study had come out about there not being a difference between formula fed babies and breastfed babies. I'm not sure how accurate or how comprehensive the study actually was - all I know is that it added fuel to the mommy wars. Everywhere you turned, there were messages of "Breast is best!" or "Formula feeding is best!" It was a lot to take in, and I found myself agreeing with both sides.
I also noticed that many would say, I think breastfeeding is best, but formula feeding is okay if you have to, in an attempt to show non-breastfeeding mums that they supported them. (That's probably what I would have said before having a baby, too.) I think the problem is that even that statement could make it seem like mothers who have to (or choose to) formula feed made the "other" choice, not the "best" choice. As a mum you always want to make the BEST choice.
So, 9 months into motherhood - 6 months breastfeeding and 3 months formula feeding - here is my thinking on the debate:
Maybe we should just cheer on every mother (or father) who feeds her baby. I know it sounds silly, but to me, it's that simple. That's what a baby needs. They need nourishment. Just as important, they need parents who love them and are able to enjoy the short time that their little ones are little, and not be stressed out over something as basic as feeding them. If I had chosen to formula feed my son from the very beginning, he would be fine. He would probably be the same healthy, happy little boy that he is now. We would have snuggled just as much while I was feeding him. He would know that I loved him, and our bond would have been just as strong. I'm still glad that I was able to breastfeed, but in hindsight, knowing now what I do, I could have formula fed him and felt good about that decision, too.
So, if breastfeeding was your choice, and you are happy with the decision (despite any little bumps in the road), then breastfeeding is the BEST choice! Great job mum! Enjoy this time with your baby!
If breastfeeding isn't quite working out or causing you or your family undue stress, then you have to figure out what the BEST choice is for you and your family. Either way, great job mum! Enjoy this time with your baby!
If formula was your choice, then it's the BEST choice for you and your family! Great job mum! Enjoy this time with your baby!
In the end, you need to figure out what works for your baby, for you and for your family. Parenthood can be a pretty tough job. I'm only 9 months in, but it is both the most amazing experience and the most difficult, because I always want to make the best decisions for my little boy. We parents need to stick together and support the choices our fellow parents make. Our families may be different, but we're all just trying to do our best. Breast? Bottle? A mix of he two? In the end, we want happy, thriving babies, and only the parents of each individual baby knows what's best. After all, we wouldn't make a choice that was anything but the best!
That's my two cents.
I think a lot about the breast vs. formula debate, so I'm going to attempt to sort out my thoughts here. I'll start with my own experience.
I was able to breastfeed my son for six and a half months. I'm very proud of that, but it wasn't easy, and simply saying that I breastfed for over six months makes it sound like an easy success. You see, after having a C-section, and already feeling like a bit of a mommy failure, I was even more determined to breastfeed. In my mind, I wasn't successful at the birth, so I had to be successful at breastfeeding.
On top of that, I was a long time believer that breastfeeding was the only choice and didn't understand why some mothers wouldn't do it. Looking back, I think I was naïve, because it's really not that simple. Of course, the videos at prenatal classes and the pictures of breastfeeding mothers that frequently get shared online make it seem so easy. Why wouldn't I think that?
To make a long (and quite emotional) story short, after a horrible experience with breastfeeding in the hospital, I ended up needing to supplement with some formula. I was quite sure I wasn't going to be able to breastfeed at all - disappointment doesn't come close to describe how I felt. The day after leaving the hospital, (a five day stay) I visited the hospital lactation consultants and they helped get me back on track - I was able to breastfeed with the aid of a shield. I was so relieved. Something was finally going asplanned. Unfortunately, after numerous attempts in the following weeks, we weren't able to wean my son from the shield. I was told that this is often cause for concern, but for me, it was okay, because he was gaining weight and was healthy, and it didn't cause me any issues. It didn't feel as "natural," but it was what we needed to make it work, and at that point, I was willing to do just about anything.
Anytime I got discouraged, (and there were many times) I would say to myself, "I just need to make it to 3 months," then "I just have to make it to 6 months." I will return to work when my son is 10 months old, so I had said from the beginning that I would breastfeed until 6 months so I could take time to slowly wean and make sure that he was happy and comfortable.
At a point between 5 and 6 months, I had to start supplementing with formula. Even that was an emotional decision, because I wanted to be able to do it on my own, but also knew that he was needing something more and wasn't quite ready for solids.
Finally, at almost 7 months, it seemed like the right time for my son to make the full switch to formula. He seemed ready. I felt like I was finally getting the swing of things, but if he was ready, then that was what mattered. Even though it had been difficult most of the time, I was a little sad. Even now, I still miss the closeness sometimes, but when I do, I just gather my son up for a cuddle or we have a snuggly nap, and I know that it's okay. He's fine. Actually, he's more than fine - he's healthy, growing, and very happy.
In the later months of breastfeeding, I was also feeling increased pressure from the media, because at that time, a study had come out about there not being a difference between formula fed babies and breastfed babies. I'm not sure how accurate or how comprehensive the study actually was - all I know is that it added fuel to the mommy wars. Everywhere you turned, there were messages of "Breast is best!" or "Formula feeding is best!" It was a lot to take in, and I found myself agreeing with both sides.
I also noticed that many would say, I think breastfeeding is best, but formula feeding is okay if you have to, in an attempt to show non-breastfeeding mums that they supported them. (That's probably what I would have said before having a baby, too.) I think the problem is that even that statement could make it seem like mothers who have to (or choose to) formula feed made the "other" choice, not the "best" choice. As a mum you always want to make the BEST choice.
So, 9 months into motherhood - 6 months breastfeeding and 3 months formula feeding - here is my thinking on the debate:
Maybe we should just cheer on every mother (or father) who feeds her baby. I know it sounds silly, but to me, it's that simple. That's what a baby needs. They need nourishment. Just as important, they need parents who love them and are able to enjoy the short time that their little ones are little, and not be stressed out over something as basic as feeding them. If I had chosen to formula feed my son from the very beginning, he would be fine. He would probably be the same healthy, happy little boy that he is now. We would have snuggled just as much while I was feeding him. He would know that I loved him, and our bond would have been just as strong. I'm still glad that I was able to breastfeed, but in hindsight, knowing now what I do, I could have formula fed him and felt good about that decision, too.
So, if breastfeeding was your choice, and you are happy with the decision (despite any little bumps in the road), then breastfeeding is the BEST choice! Great job mum! Enjoy this time with your baby!
If breastfeeding isn't quite working out or causing you or your family undue stress, then you have to figure out what the BEST choice is for you and your family. Either way, great job mum! Enjoy this time with your baby!
If formula was your choice, then it's the BEST choice for you and your family! Great job mum! Enjoy this time with your baby!
In the end, you need to figure out what works for your baby, for you and for your family. Parenthood can be a pretty tough job. I'm only 9 months in, but it is both the most amazing experience and the most difficult, because I always want to make the best decisions for my little boy. We parents need to stick together and support the choices our fellow parents make. Our families may be different, but we're all just trying to do our best. Breast? Bottle? A mix of he two? In the end, we want happy, thriving babies, and only the parents of each individual baby knows what's best. After all, we wouldn't make a choice that was anything but the best!
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Bloglovin
Follow my blog with Bloglovin
I just discovered Bloglovin! It's site that allows you to follow all your favourite blogs in one spot - you never have to worry about missing a post again - kind of like Facebook for blogs! Try it out, and add me!
I just discovered Bloglovin! It's site that allows you to follow all your favourite blogs in one spot - you never have to worry about missing a post again - kind of like Facebook for blogs! Try it out, and add me!
What a Deal!
I like a good deal. I have always tried to be frugal, but since being on maternity leave I have become even more budget conscious. I'm always looking for ways to save money. This weekend, I hit the jackpot! After procrastinating for hours over going for groceries on Sunday, I had an hour and a half to get to Sobeys before it closed on Sunday. It wouldn't have been that big of a deal, except Monday was a holiday here in New Brunswick, so I really needed to get groceries. My cupboards were looking bare!
Soon after I entered the store, I heard an announcement that said all store made bread in the bakery was now 50% off. Great deal! I pushed my cart into the bread department and got a loaf of multigrain bread (my favourite) and two loafs of garlic bread for the freezer. I was happy with that.
Then I rolled into the meat and seafood department and found even better deals! A lot of their fish and meat was 50% off as well. I checked the dates, and they had only been packaged the day before, so I started stocking up. I guess they only like to keep them on the shelves for 2 days, and since the next day was a holiday, they wanted to clear them out. I picked up fish, pork, and a beautiful looking roast.
This is what I bought at 50% off:
Now my freezer is a little fuller, and my grocery bill should be a bit lighter for the next could of weeks. I love saving money!
Next time there is a holiday, I'm going to go an hour before the store closes to see if I can get some similar deals!
Soon after I entered the store, I heard an announcement that said all store made bread in the bakery was now 50% off. Great deal! I pushed my cart into the bread department and got a loaf of multigrain bread (my favourite) and two loafs of garlic bread for the freezer. I was happy with that.
Then I rolled into the meat and seafood department and found even better deals! A lot of their fish and meat was 50% off as well. I checked the dates, and they had only been packaged the day before, so I started stocking up. I guess they only like to keep them on the shelves for 2 days, and since the next day was a holiday, they wanted to clear them out. I picked up fish, pork, and a beautiful looking roast.
This is what I bought at 50% off:
- loaf of bread
- 2 loaves of garlic bread
- Beef Inside Roast
- 4 Salmon Portions
- 3 packages of Haddock Fillets
- 2 boneless pork chops
Now my freezer is a little fuller, and my grocery bill should be a bit lighter for the next could of weeks. I love saving money!
Next time there is a holiday, I'm going to go an hour before the store closes to see if I can get some similar deals!
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Less than 3 Weeks to Complete my Summer Bucket List
August is here. That means that summer is coming to and end. Worse than that, my maternity leave is quickly coming to an end. I have to make the next three weeks count. I have an incomplete Summer Bucket List!
I didn't make any real progress on my bucket list this past weekend, but I think I can get it done before work starts up again. I need a plan though. Because I'm stressed about going back to work, I'm in total scatterbrain mode. I need to have some fun and make every day of the next few weeks count.
So, here it is. This is my plan to complete my bucket list in three weeks:
1) The Zoo - Magnetic Hill Zoo, on our way to PEI (If C. really likes it, I may try to sneak in a visit to the Cherry Brook Zoo at some point in the next month.)
2) Kings Landing - This one may be a September trip, because there aren't many unplanned weekends left. I think they usually have some special events in the last summer/early fall, so it could be a good alternative, if we can't get there before school starts.
3) Make Pickles - Labour Day weekend - I'm currently searching for a good recipe. Something dilly and sweet? Or maybe bread and butter pickles? I don't know what I'm doing. Help! I need a little help, please!
4) Playgrounds - We're up to four, but we need to see MORE! I think we'll head to a playground in the city later this week, and we're going to stop at any that we see in PEI. How many can we add to our list? I'm aiming for 6 more!
5) Uptown Public Art Tour - Hopefully, we can check this out this week. If not, it will be done next week. The Sculpture Saint John kicks off on Thursday, so hopefully we can check that out at the same time.
6) Farmers' Markets - I can't believe I've only been to one Farmers' Market this year. Tsk, tsk. Maybe this Saturday will be nice and we can head over to the Kingston Market. Maybe we can hit up another one in PEI. Could I be adding too much to my PEI list? My husband would say yes. His idea of vacation (i.e. relax) and my idea of vacation (i.e. go, go, go) are very different.
Three weeks. 18 days. Can I do it?
I didn't make any real progress on my bucket list this past weekend, but I think I can get it done before work starts up again. I need a plan though. Because I'm stressed about going back to work, I'm in total scatterbrain mode. I need to have some fun and make every day of the next few weeks count.
So, here it is. This is my plan to complete my bucket list in three weeks:
1) The Zoo - Magnetic Hill Zoo, on our way to PEI (If C. really likes it, I may try to sneak in a visit to the Cherry Brook Zoo at some point in the next month.)
2) Kings Landing - This one may be a September trip, because there aren't many unplanned weekends left. I think they usually have some special events in the last summer/early fall, so it could be a good alternative, if we can't get there before school starts.
3) Make Pickles - Labour Day weekend - I'm currently searching for a good recipe. Something dilly and sweet? Or maybe bread and butter pickles? I don't know what I'm doing. Help! I need a little help, please!
4) Playgrounds - We're up to four, but we need to see MORE! I think we'll head to a playground in the city later this week, and we're going to stop at any that we see in PEI. How many can we add to our list? I'm aiming for 6 more!
5) Uptown Public Art Tour - Hopefully, we can check this out this week. If not, it will be done next week. The Sculpture Saint John kicks off on Thursday, so hopefully we can check that out at the same time.
6) Farmers' Markets - I can't believe I've only been to one Farmers' Market this year. Tsk, tsk. Maybe this Saturday will be nice and we can head over to the Kingston Market. Maybe we can hit up another one in PEI. Could I be adding too much to my PEI list? My husband would say yes. His idea of vacation (i.e. relax) and my idea of vacation (i.e. go, go, go) are very different.
Three weeks. 18 days. Can I do it?
Something Good Is Happening On Facebook
I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I use it a lot, but, from time to time, I think about deleting my account. Facebook is my go-to place to connect with friends and family, and an easy way to make plans for get-togethers. During the winter months of my maternity leave, it was sometimes my only contact with the outside world and a source of (much needed) adult conversation.
One of the big reasons that I sometimes turn Facebook off is the negativity - definitely not good for a new mum, trying to stay ahead of the baby blues, or anyone else for that matter. Whether it be people starting unnecessary arguments, posting vague status updates that are very "woe is me," or just constantly complaining about anything and everything, I don't think that it does anyone any good. The negative person stays in that mindset and often brings out that side in others. I'm not saying that everything has to be sunshine and rainbows, and I don't think that you should keep things in that are bothering you, but I think some people get into a negative groove and have a hard time getting out of it.
That brings me to the reason I'm talking about Facebook. There is something good happening on Facebook these days. Usually, I'm not one to follow the silly posting games/trends, like "I'm going to Germany for five months" or "I like it on the couch" or changing profile pictures to giraffes. In fact, I always ignore them. This one is different though.
Gratitude challenges are peppering my newsfeed with positivity. There are several different challenges floating around, but the general idea is that you post a few positive things each day - something good that's happening or something you're grateful for - for 5 or 7 days. Each day, you also nominate another person to do the same. I had been nominated for one of these a few months ago and didn't do it, but after finishing the #blissphotoaday challenge last month, I wanted to continue with the good thinking, so I thought I'd give it a go when I was nominated this time.
I'm currently on day 5. Some days are easier than others. Today, I could have complained about getting up a many times to get my son settled or the fact that I have a mountain of housework to do, but I didn't. I was able to find the silver lining. Getting up many times in the night also meant that I was able to get my son back to sleep - that's a pretty great feeling. And that piling up housework? That's the result of having a nice chill day with my little family. I'll take any amount of housework to have that.
I'm hoping that after this, I'll remember to look for the positive throughout my day. I know it makes Facebook a much more positive place to visit, and hopefully others will continue to do the same.
Here are a couple of highlights: (As you can see, some are a little more silly than others.)
-Coffee: It's a little magic. When woken up at 5:30, it really helps get the day started when my body is rejecting morning.
-I'm so thankful that Little C has two pairs of grandparents that love him so much. Grandparents are pretty special people in the lives of little ones, and he's lucky to have such great ones.
-Best feeling? In the middle of the night, when I lay back down after helping C. go back to sleep, and he stays sleeping. I go back to sleep feeling like sleep superhero. (At least until the next time he wakes up... but then it happens all over again!)
-Maternity Leave - I feel so fortunate to live in a place that allows me to have maternity leave. Many mothers (or fathers) don't have this option, so I am forever grateful.
-Holidays: Bonus days are the best! Just when you think the weekend is over, there's still a day left!
-I think Dawn Advanced Power dish detergent actually is magic. It will clean anything off your dishes in just a couple minutes of soaking. Seriously magic.
Today, try to think positive and spread a little positivity!
One of the big reasons that I sometimes turn Facebook off is the negativity - definitely not good for a new mum, trying to stay ahead of the baby blues, or anyone else for that matter. Whether it be people starting unnecessary arguments, posting vague status updates that are very "woe is me," or just constantly complaining about anything and everything, I don't think that it does anyone any good. The negative person stays in that mindset and often brings out that side in others. I'm not saying that everything has to be sunshine and rainbows, and I don't think that you should keep things in that are bothering you, but I think some people get into a negative groove and have a hard time getting out of it.
That brings me to the reason I'm talking about Facebook. There is something good happening on Facebook these days. Usually, I'm not one to follow the silly posting games/trends, like "I'm going to Germany for five months" or "I like it on the couch" or changing profile pictures to giraffes. In fact, I always ignore them. This one is different though.
Gratitude challenges are peppering my newsfeed with positivity. There are several different challenges floating around, but the general idea is that you post a few positive things each day - something good that's happening or something you're grateful for - for 5 or 7 days. Each day, you also nominate another person to do the same. I had been nominated for one of these a few months ago and didn't do it, but after finishing the #blissphotoaday challenge last month, I wanted to continue with the good thinking, so I thought I'd give it a go when I was nominated this time.
I'm currently on day 5. Some days are easier than others. Today, I could have complained about getting up a many times to get my son settled or the fact that I have a mountain of housework to do, but I didn't. I was able to find the silver lining. Getting up many times in the night also meant that I was able to get my son back to sleep - that's a pretty great feeling. And that piling up housework? That's the result of having a nice chill day with my little family. I'll take any amount of housework to have that.
I'm hoping that after this, I'll remember to look for the positive throughout my day. I know it makes Facebook a much more positive place to visit, and hopefully others will continue to do the same.
Here are a couple of highlights: (As you can see, some are a little more silly than others.)
-Coffee: It's a little magic. When woken up at 5:30, it really helps get the day started when my body is rejecting morning.
-I'm so thankful that Little C has two pairs of grandparents that love him so much. Grandparents are pretty special people in the lives of little ones, and he's lucky to have such great ones.
-Best feeling? In the middle of the night, when I lay back down after helping C. go back to sleep, and he stays sleeping. I go back to sleep feeling like sleep superhero. (At least until the next time he wakes up... but then it happens all over again!)
-Maternity Leave - I feel so fortunate to live in a place that allows me to have maternity leave. Many mothers (or fathers) don't have this option, so I am forever grateful.
-Holidays: Bonus days are the best! Just when you think the weekend is over, there's still a day left!
-I think Dawn Advanced Power dish detergent actually is magic. It will clean anything off your dishes in just a couple minutes of soaking. Seriously magic.
Today, try to think positive and spread a little positivity!
Friday, 1 August 2014
Photo Challenge Completed!
Yesterday I finished a month-long photo challenge. Yummy Mummy Club runs the #YMCPhotoADay challenge each month, and I had started after reading about the #BlissPhotoADay challenge on their page. Each day I posted a picture to my Instagram account that followed a daily theme, with #BlissPhotoADay. Half way through the month, I realized that it was actually a contest to win a pass to BlissDom Canada, a yearly social media/blogging conference. I can't imagine that I would be the one winner among all the participants, so I don't think I have anything to worry about. I'm not sure how I missed that detail! Scatterbrain!
I liked the idea of finding a moment of bliss in each day, and it ended up being a really good thing for me. I'm nearing the end of my maternity leave, and thinking about returning to work and leaving my son for 9 hours a day. I still have "baby blues" days. With this challenge, I found that I was looking for positives and pushing the negativity away. On the days that I wasn't feeling so great, I would make an effort to find a little bliss. Or even make myself do something blissful. 31 days later, I feel like I'm in a better place than I was before I began. Who knew that a little photo-a-day challenge would have such a great outcome!
Here are some of my favourites from the month:
As an added bonus, I found some new people to follow on Instagram. I love seeing what people post. I don't mind the food pictures that many people complain about and love to see what moments people like to capture and share. I've also found ways to be creative and take or edit pictures of my son without invading his privacy, since my Instagram is public.
I don't think I'll do another photo challenge next month, but I would definitely do it again at some point. I'll watch YummyMummyClub.ca for another one in the future. It would be a great way to get through the dull winter months.
If you want to see the rest of my pictures, or see a description to go along with these ones, visit my Instagram page!
I liked the idea of finding a moment of bliss in each day, and it ended up being a really good thing for me. I'm nearing the end of my maternity leave, and thinking about returning to work and leaving my son for 9 hours a day. I still have "baby blues" days. With this challenge, I found that I was looking for positives and pushing the negativity away. On the days that I wasn't feeling so great, I would make an effort to find a little bliss. Or even make myself do something blissful. 31 days later, I feel like I'm in a better place than I was before I began. Who knew that a little photo-a-day challenge would have such a great outcome!
Here are some of my favourites from the month:
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| Day 7: #Skyline |
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| Day 9: #Grass |
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| Day 10: Distraction |
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| Day 11: #Strength |
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| Day 13: #Cheer |
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| Day 14: #Coffee |
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| Day 15: #Bliss |
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| Day 17: #Sleepy |
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| Day 23: Fun |
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| Day 27: #White |
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| Day 29: #Cold |
As an added bonus, I found some new people to follow on Instagram. I love seeing what people post. I don't mind the food pictures that many people complain about and love to see what moments people like to capture and share. I've also found ways to be creative and take or edit pictures of my son without invading his privacy, since my Instagram is public.
I don't think I'll do another photo challenge next month, but I would definitely do it again at some point. I'll watch YummyMummyClub.ca for another one in the future. It would be a great way to get through the dull winter months.
If you want to see the rest of my pictures, or see a description to go along with these ones, visit my Instagram page!
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Bucket List Update - St. Andrew's and Ossie's
Bucket List Progress:
1. The Zoo (Progress: a petting farm, an aquarium)
2. Kings Landing
3.Eat at Ossie's Lunch
4. Make Pickles
5. Playgrounds (Progress: We're up to 4!)
6. Uptown Self-Guided Public Art Tour
7. Farmer's Markets (Progress: We've been to 1!Queen Square)
8.Visit St. Andrews
9.Buskers Festival
1. The Zoo (Progress: a petting farm, an aquarium)
2. Kings Landing
3.
4. Make Pickles
5. Playgrounds (Progress: We're up to 4!)
6. Uptown Self-Guided Public Art Tour
7. Farmer's Markets (Progress: We've been to 1!
8.
9.
I made some progress on my Summer Bucket List!
This weekend, we took a (quick) trip to St. Andrews. I think St. Andrews may be one of the most beautiful towns in New Brunswick. It seems to live and breathe heritage. I bet it's stressful living there, because the heritage bylaws are probably strict, but my goodness, the care and pride that they take in their community shows! Just beautiful.
We decided to start our visit with a trip to the Community Playground, aka the massive super awesome playground. I had only been there once before, with a group of students, and remembered it being really fun. It was even better than I remember. It was built 21 years ago, and recently went through some improvements, like composite boards where foot traffic is heavy.
Really, it's a kid's dream. It looks like a castle with towers to climb in. The walkways are narrow and "kid-sized" and there are lots of hiding spots. There are also many extras hidden throughout, like a chime you can play made of pipes, a plinko type board that you drop balls down, and a big kaleidoscope. It's also a parent's dream, because there are wood chips at the bottom of slides, rubber on the ground under the swings, and the composite boards make splinters less likely.
Slides were slid down, swings were swung on, towers were climbed and wood chips were (thankfully) not eaten. It was a good time.
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| Wood chips by the slide. (They look fresh.) |
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| A little "extra" - every so often, you'd see a little carved creature in the wood. I liked the whale the best. |
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| Lots of places to climb your way through. |
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| Lots of baby and mini swings! |
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| I loved all the art work too! (I'm a huge fan of public art, and since kids (literally) had their hands in this, it's even better!) |
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| More artwork - I liked the kids names in clay. |
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| I swear, you let this kid have time on a swing each day, and he'd be in heaven! |
It was almost time for the seal feeding, so we quickly headed there. We passed a smaller scale feeding. Can you tell these fish know where their food comes from? They looked hungry!
The seal pool seemed small at first, but it was definitely bigger than it seemed. I think the interpreter said it was the legal size for six seals, but they only had two. I can't imagine six in there, but it was great for two. As they were feeding the seals and giving their talk, I couldn't help wonder why I always liked seeing the seals. They are very common in our harbour - so common that our QMJHL team is named after them! (The Saint John Sea Dogs) I see their little heads poking out of the water on an almost daily basis while driving across the Harbour Bridge, and yet I was mesmerized! Maybe it's the fact that I can get much more up close. I'm not sure, but I love them!
We were just in time, so we had to stay inside and watch through the glass. This explains the fuzzy pictures, too. Outside, there were balconies to the left and right of this pool.
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|
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| A view from a balcony outside |
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| A starfish - C. was very careful! |
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| He also liked the rocks. Ha! I think he just liked the cold, salty water. |
Recently, they added a salmon tank and a seahorse tank. The salmon swim round and round and round. I wonder if they ever get bored. Do fish get bored? The seahorses have the same toy holders that Little C has!
Here are a couple of pictures from two of the other tanks. I don't know how the numbers compare to the old aquarium, but there seemed to be fewer tanks than the old building. (I could be wrong though.)
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| Grumpy fish |
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| One of the bigger tanks - it's hard taking pictures through the glass.I need to read up on how to do that. |
There were also a few displays with pictures and write ups, and some rooms that I assume they use for their kids camps. I think there is also a theatre, although I didn't see one. There were a few doors that were closed, so it was probably behind one of those. There was a little area with a boat that kids could sit in, but it was occupied, so we didn't get to see that.
Overall, I'm really glad that we visited, but I was a little disappointment on the size and number of displays for the price we paid. C. loved the seals and had a great time, so I'm satisfied, but I can't see us going back any time soon. I would say that if you were going to go, make sure that you can come and go throughout the day, so you can see all the feedings, or try to visit on a day when something special is happening.
On a side note, I have visited the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre, in Shippagan, NB, many times. It is definitely larger and more affordable. Our family would have cost $17, and the visit would have been much longer. If you are ever on the North Shore of New Brunswick, I highly recommend it.
As a finale to our little mini day trip, we pulled off the highway at exit 45, to eat at Ossie's Lunch. I haven't been there in two years. It's been WAY too long. Since I was a child, it was a "must do" every summer, on the way back from a stay in Digdeguash. Everything is good at Ossie's so you won't be disappointed, but they're known for their fried clams. (I've mentioned before the Chef Michael Smith says they are the best in Canada!) As far as I know, everything is fresh. They were recently recognized for their use of fresh local products by Food Day Canada. I know I'm getting a little off topic, but I love them so much and want them to be around for many more years! With the new highway, they are easy to miss. Don't miss them! (Exit 45 on the highway between Saint John and St. Stephen)
I got a small seafood platter, so I could get a little of everything - clams (yum), fish (yum), shrimp (yum), AND scallops (YUM!!!) It was all yum. C didn't have any of the shellfish off my plate, but probably ate half of the piece of fish (minus the batter.) Hubby had the clams. Everything was SOOOO good. They have a very light batter, so you taste seafood instead of just greasy batter. The thing I like the most is that most of the plate was filled with seafood and not fries. As an added bonus, they make their own tartar sauce - it's a dream - kind of dill-y and a perfect match for the seafood.
(On a side note, like their Facebook page - they are drawing for two free lobster rolls on Monday! - the link is above. You'll also get to see all the drool-worthy pictures of their food!)
So that was our mini-trip. I'm on my way to getting things checked off my list. I basically have three weeks left of maternity leave. I hope I can get it all done!
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