And He's Three...

Help yourself to more cake!!!

Yesterday's birthday was perfect!
Okay, so the cake for breakfast kind of made us all a little ill, but it was fun. I can't remember the last time I donned a birthday hat at breakfast and ate chocolate cake.
The day was pretty laid back. We made his real birthday cake, we ate junk food, we watched The Incredibles. The thing with a birthday being on a statutory holiday is that nothing is open so you are forced to take it a little easy. I liked that.
Matthew loved his gifts. Our big gift to him was a sand and water table. Since we have a backyard (a little one) now we figured we could put that outside.
The weather didn't exactly cooperate, but we still managed to fill the water table part up and have lots of fun with it.
He also got other fun stuff - a hula hoop, some books, a truck. We didn't overdo it (shockingly) and we had fun.
Then last night Matthew had his birthday party.
Because life has been busy, and because our house isn't exactly in the best condition ever, and because we are a little lazy - and mostly because my 4 year old niece thought this was the coolest idea ever - we booked Matt's party at an indoor playground.

It was really fun!
We didn't have tons of kids -I think there were 15 in total. It was such a laid back way to have a party. The kids ran around having fun and playing. The parents chatted off and on. We had a super cool monster truck cake. It was just a lot of fun.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Matthew!

To my baby, my big boy, my Love Bug who turns 3 today,

I can hardly believe it when I tell people that you are three. It seems so young and so old, all at the same time.

Three years ago today you were born.

You were such a surprise to me. I was lucky. I found out that I was pregnant with you when I was already three months along. I had no morning sickness. I didn’t fight for years to conceive. You were a surprise and a blessing.

Stupidly, since my pregnancy was so easy I thought that actually having a baby would be easy too. From the moment I went into labour I learned that I was sadly mistaken. You were born a couple of weeks early. I hadn’t even gone on maternity leave yet. In fact, when I was in the early stages of labour I was on the phone with my boss, going through notes for a meeting the next day. As I was discussing the location of files he was convincing me that I would probably want an epidural. I was in complete denial about what was to come.

Your birth almost killed us. Literally. I don’t like to talk about your birth story. For me it’s very sad. I thought birth would be a breeze. I thought you would come out and I’d love you to bits and life would be roses. I assured everyone that we’d be home a couple of hours after you were born.

I was totally wrong.

Your birth was traumatic for both of us. I only saw you for a minute. And then they took you away. We were both injured. You slept in an incubator. More accurately, you screamed in an incubator while I laid in my room a little dazed. We didn’t see each other for hours. And, when we did we didn’t bond. You wouldn’t stop crying. I didn’t know how to react.

I was terrified. I’d just given birth to a child who didn’t even like me.

Now I know I was wrong. That realization took me awhile.

We were in the hospital for a few days. We came home on Good Friday. I was so grateful that it was a holiday because it meant that your dad couldn’t go to work. It meant that I wouldn’t be alone with you. You scared me. You cried all the time. You were starving but didn’t nurse well. And I was in so much pain.

My whole life I’ve been so confident in myself. Maybe even a little cocky. You took me down a notch. You taught me that sometimes I can’t do it all. You taught me not to give up.

Our first year was a little rocky. We both cried a LOT. I have a calendar of your first year. Looking back, the entry that amazes me the most is the one when you are about 3 months old and I wrote “I made it through today without crying once.” That, Love Bug, was a turning point for me. That day I realized that I could survive motherhood.

As you have gotten older I’ve learned this more and more. When you were 15 months old I went back to work. I thought you would hate me. Instead I learned how much you loved me. When you first started daycare I didn’t want to pick you up – I made Daddy do that – because I was afraid that I would see you sad – or that I’d see you happier than you were around me. I was totally wrong. Picking you up became the highlight of my days. When you saw me you would come running to my arms. You’ve never stopped that. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to have a child look so thrilled to see you. It amazes me how you are never angry that I leave you. You’re an amazing person. You are so happy. You are happy to be with your friends all day, and you’re happy to get home.

Something that has defined you since birth is your strong will. You are a child with determination. When you’re happy we all know it. When you’re angry we know that too. When I take you to gymnastics classes it amazes me how much you stand out from the crowd. Some of the kids do things because their parents make them. You don’t. If you don’t want to walk on the balance beam no one in the world is going to make you – not mommy, not your coach, not any of the other kids in your class. Sometimes that frustrates me. It’s hard to have a child with such a strong will. But, I know that this will is going to get you far in life. I know that you will not be pushed around. I hope this is a characteristic that defines you as you grow up. I know we’ll struggle with it, but I want to encourage it also.

Something else that defines you is your beautiful, beautiful personality. You love shines through everything. I love how you always give extra kisses and extra cuddles. I love the huge smile that you give me when I get home from work. I love how you can be so angry one moment and then the next so loving.

You constantly amaze me with your humour. I love how you are learning jokes. I love how you say silly things just because you know they are silly. I love how you can convince me to buy you a banana split for lunch. Your smile lights up our lives.

Guess what, Love Bug?! We made it through the “terrible twos”. But you know what? I’ve loved them. I’ve loved spending the last year watching you learn and grow. There have been a lot of ups and downs. Some of the downs I could have lived without. The bus temper tantrums almost did me in. When you went through that biting stage – and I was afraid you’d grow up to be a bully – that really sucked. But, so much more of it delighted me. I loved taking the McDonald’s bus with you. I love going on train rides with you. I loved visiting the CNE with you and running through the sprinklers.

But, most of all I enjoyed getting to know you. I could never have imagined loving someone so much. I never thought that I’d wake up every day to a little boy who wants “just 2 more minutes” of cuddles. I never expected that I’d have a child who could see me sad and say “Mommy, you need a kiss and a hug.”

Three years ago you scared me. I couldn’t really imagine how I was going to handle being a mom. I had no idea who this little being was who had just entered our lives. I knew I loved you – that was never in question. I just never knew just how much love I was capable of. Thank you for loving me and letting me learn and grow along with you. I love you more than you will ever know or imagine.

Happy 3^rd Birthday, Matthew Thorin Wayne!!!

Love,
Mommy

Tag ... I'm it - AGAIN!!!

Yet again, Haley has tagged me. And, we all know I love a good tag. So, here are a few things you may not know about me. Or, for that matter, care to know about me.

1. Seriously, what the heck does "Misadventures of (Mommy) Laural" mean?
To be honest it wasn't that well thought out. Most of my life is a bit of a misadventure - you know, I always plan to have a straight forward kind of day, and that never ever happens. I added the mommy part in brackets because I love that part of me, but it's not all of me. However, so many of my misadventures happen when I am with my son, that I had to include it.

2. Dog person or cat person?
In the sense of ownership, I'm definitely a cat person. I have (had) a dog who now lives with my in-laws. I'm just a good cat owner because I like that if I want to play with my cat or dress her up I can (okay, I've only dressed her up once), but I can also just leave her to her own vices most of the time. Perhaps owning Jack, the worst behaved dog ever, kind of turned me against dogs. Because he peed on me, and everything in our house a lot. And he drove me crazy. I feel like if I owned a nice loving boxer, and had a dog walker then maybe I would be a dog person. Other people's dogs I love.

3. Brad Pitt or George Clooney?
Hello - I'm not even 30. I think they are both old enough to be my father! If I had to choose, I'd go with Brad Pitt (because I'm such good competition for Angelina).

4. What was your major in College, and what made you choose it?
I studied Journalism (print) at Ryerson. I chose it because I love to write and because I also debated PR which a lot of people go into from that program. As soon as I read the course description I knew it was the program for me. It helped that my big sister went to Ryerson (for Interior Design) so as much as I wouldn't have admitted it when I was younger, it was really cool to know I had someone around. For the two years she was there with me we would make sister dates and go for lattes every Tuesday. (I miss that tradition - though we do go to the gym on Tuesdays now!)
The program was amazing. I didn't end up becoming a writer but I loved a lot of the classes. I learned about a ton of things from diversity (Sabrina? Laural? Who are you?) to media law. I learned that I'm not nearly as good a writer as I thought I was, but I also learned that I enjoy editing, something that I would not have guessed.

5. What’s your biggest fear?
I am terrified of snakes. I HATE them!!! I don't know why, but I always have. I spent a summer in Africa, and did not realize until I read a guidebook on the plane that the particular region we were in was known as the snake region of Senegal. At first everyone thought it was hilarious, and someone had even brought a rubber snake to play jokes on people. But, people soon learned it was a definite phobia. I wore rubber boots everywhere I went for the longest time (which is how I got the nickname Rubber Boots). By the end of the summer I had sort of conquered the fear, had touched a snake, and didn't run away when I saw one. I also was taught (by a Senegalese man) how to kill a snake using a walking stick. I think in a pinch I could probably still do it. And, I can now go up to a glass case with a snake in it and NOT freak out. However ... snakes are still my biggest fear.
By the way, if I was a celebrity I would never admit this because then I would be afraid that people who hated me would send me snake postcards and stuff. So, if I ever become famous, please keep this fear to yourself. And, no, I have not seen the movie Snakes on a Plane. Duh. I'd have nightmares.

As for my tags ... I'm tagging one person because she said she has nothing to blog about lately. That is my adorable, Miss Lisa. Bonus points if you do this as poetry. Anyone else who feels like doing this tag, please go for it!

April Fool's ... And Other Fond Memories

I used to love April Fool's Day.
One of my best memories from growing up are my memories of April Fool's Day.
The best person to play an April Fool's prank on was my Grandpa. No matter what we thought up my grandpa "fell" for it. Every. Single. Year.
I can remember building up to the big day every year. My sister and I (with the help of my parents) would come up with something wacky and wonderful to trick Grandpa. My mom reminded me yesterday about the year we decided to tell my non-animal-loving grandfather that we had gotten a dog. My mom said that she practiced with us - helped us pick a name for the dog and everything.
One time I called to tell him that I was a refrigerator repairman and he needed to check his fridge (and he did). One time I told him that there was a snowstorm. (and it was sunny)
And each time I would scream "APRIL FOOLS!"
Of course he didn't believe any of these things. But, I didn't know that. I firmly believed that I tricked my grandpa every time.
That's just the kind of person that he was.
He was the kind of grandfather who let us put barrettes in his combover.
He was the kind of grandpa who taught us how to make pinocchio noses out of maple keys.
He was the kind of grandpa who had more patience than you would think humanly possible. And he was the grandpa who had about a million stories to share. And trust me - they were long.
He passed away a few years ago. It was hard. Over time the grief from his death turned into some really great memories - memories that I cherish.
But, on April Fool's day I always think of him. And I think about his amazing capacity to love. And the way he showed that love - with his patience, and good humour, and willingness to play along.
I was lucky. I had 23 years to experience this amazing person. To learn from him and to love him.
And, now I watch my own child with my dad - his Grandpa. A lot of the time I see the same characteristics. My dad plays with Matt. He loves him. And he's patient with him. And, I'm looking forward to the April Fool's ahead of us - when Matt understands the value of a good joke. And we can call and "trick" his grandpa.
Just like I did when I was little.
So, Dad, here's your warning ... when Matthew calls you next April 1st and says something like "Guess what ... we got a puppy." Check the calendar. Let the tradition live on!

My future April Fool's Prankster with his Grandpa

The Post that was Interrupted by a Major Meltdown

So Friday night we had a date night. Like a good, old fashioned, child-free date night thanks to a husband who planned it and a sister who offered to babysit.
It was wonderful.
I was a little afraid that I would not be able to handle the evening. The night before I had an extra glass of wine when I went out with some friends from work. (okay, so maybe a few too many ...) and I was not looking all that pretty Friday morning. I would, in fact, say I was looking a little green. But, I managed to make it through the day with the promise of a yummy dinner and even yummier movie theatre popcorn in the near future.
Mike picked me up from the train, and we went to Milestones. We love this restaurant because a) the food is yummy and b) Mike designs them and we can marvel at what an amazing architectural technologist he truly is.
We decided to not only order meals, but to also order our absolute favouritest food ever -- spinach and artichoke dip -- to start. Yummy! And quiet. We just sat and ate and enjoyed the fact that there were no fingers in our food and no screaming toddler. I couldn't get through my pasta, but I wasn't really trying. I figured there was no point in stuffing myself when I was going to get some yummy popcorn.
Then we went to see Blades of Glory.
As soon as we heard about this movie we knew it was made for us. I love figure skating. Mike likes comedies. We both LOVE Will Ferrell.
And, it did not disappoint. In fact, the whole evening did not disappoint. It was just fun fun fun. And, every so often you need that. You know, puts everything in perspective.

Easter Eggs

Since Easter is coming up Matthew and I decided to do Easter Eggs. More specifically, I decided to make easter eggs and show Matt how to do it.
Ever tried explaining the concept of painting eggs to a toddler?
The problem I had is that whenever I bake I let Matt help me, and his favourite job is cracking the eggs. He's quite good at the task. He's been doing this for a good year with me.
So when I told him we were decorating eggs not cracking them he was a little disappointed.
When he asked me why we were painting them I didn't have an explanation.
When I was growing up I didn't believe in the Easter Bunny. We attended church and we learned the traditional Easter story. (and we'll be brining Matt to church Easter Sunday). As much as my parents gave us Easter chocolate, I don't really remember them ever explaining the concept of the Easter Bunny to me. Or how the eggs relate.
So with that helpful lack of knowledge I was basically able to tell Matt "I don't know - but we are painting eggs."
I tried blowing the yoke out of a few eggs. This made them very fragile. And when I let Matt paint them (with a cool egg painting kit my friend gave us) he was quite happy to destroy the eggs. I was annoyed. So I gave up and hard boiled the other 9 eggs.
We ended up going and buying one of those kits where you colour on the egg with a magic crayon and then dip them in the colours. Matt was not into the colouring so much because he couldn't see what he was drawing. So, I finished up the colouring and then we dipped.
Basically we have ended up with a bit of a mess.
But the best part of the whole thing was at the end. When we mixed all the dyes. That was the best part. Matt loved mixing colours. I got into it too.
So .... to recap. We may not have any easter eggs in our house, but we are quite clear that pink and blue make purple and yellow and green make yellowish green. It's all about the learning experience.

How Long till The Terrible Two's Are Over???

We're less than a week away from 3. I've enjoyed Matthew being 2. Mostly. I don't generally give in to the whole "terrible two's" theory. I can say that I 100% enjoyed 2 over the newborn stage and have often thought if I have a second child I would like to adopt a 2-year-old.
However ...
These temper tantrums.
Today we went through temper tantrum hell. I'm thinking, and hoping, it was Matthew's last two-year-old hurrah.
First we had gymnastics. The facility we go to is gigantic. And Matthew had a complete temper tantrum. He was on the floor kicking and screaming. I think every single person in the gym could hear his wails of wanting to play in the sponge pit.
I tried EVERYTHING to calm him down. Five minutes later he did calm down when I let him do a sommersault on a mat (ironically the temper tantrum was because he did not want to do a sommersault in the first place).
But, on went the day and it wasn't that eventful. Until I took Matt to the grocery store.
All I wanted to do was get stuff for dinner. We are fortunate to live across the street, so we just walk over and pick up what we need, visit the fish and head home. Matt enjoys it. I enjoy it. We kill some time and get some dinner.
But again, an easy visit was not in the cards. Why? Because Matthew DID.NOT.WANT. TO. GO. IN. THE. CART. okay. he also did not want to walk. Or be held. He wanted to scream. So, as everyone on a nice, busy Saturday afternoon was doing their shopping my son was wailing. and wailing. and wailing.
I finally took him over to the little coffee shop area. I tried to calm him down. I tried to compromise and I finally just let him cry. And, for the first time in ages I felt like a truly horrible parent. People were staring. One lady commented. But, now that I'm a veteran mom of a toddler I was able to block it.
And then just as suddenly as the temper tantrum started it stopped. And Matthew said to me
"Mommy. I am very thirsty. Can I sit in the cart and have a drink?"
Ooooookay.
And then it was fine. I got him a drink. He sat in the cart. We had a very productive shopping trip.
And I wondered to myself whether or not the temper tantrums will end next Friday. I'm kind of hoping they will. I'm kind of thinking they won't.
We're now debating ending the evening with a trip to Chapters ... I'm thinking I'll test out the promise of the store manager that my child is welcome ANY TIME. We'll see ....

Wednesday Afternoon Randomness

Did you know I actually look forward to Wednesdays now because of America's Next Top Model? LOVE it. In an addictive kind of way.
What I also love is the slightly (more) obsessed people out there who enjoy writing the re-caps. I do not have the time or ambition or obsessive nature to write a re-cap. So here is a really good one. It's hilarious. What's also hilarious is in this week's recap the guy refers to someone as a Twink. And, though I never knew the meaning of the word until my good friend, who I nicknamed Twink explained it to me, I love the nickname.
So ... enjoy. It's funny.
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And in more randomness, cause today is the day for it, a new Matthewism.
Last night I went upstairs to bed and Matt was in my bed. Wide awake. So I cuddled in next to him and he got all excited and gave me a hug.
And then said to me (while rubbing my face) "Mommy, let's make some deals."
The child is almost 3.
He was trying to convince me to
a) let him watch Treehouse
b) go downstairs for awhile
c) play some games.
I said "one deal. you go to sleep."
He said "No Mommy. Two deals. First I play. Then I go to sleep."
Oooookay.
Looks like 3 may be just as challenging as 2.
Who wants to make a deal?
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And, finally, what is up with Facebook? I keep getting added. I love it. It's like all of my friends are suddenly appearing on Facebook. And, then Bloggers, like one of the coolest bloggers out there added me today. I know. Really. I'm a big dork.

Coffee & Keyboards Don't Mix

Have you ever had one of those moments where you just laugh.
Tonight was one of those nights for me.
My sister came over for coffee after we went to the gym. Matt was playing and being silly while my sister and I went on Facebook. (we both just recently discovered this). The one thing that really bugs me is when people don't put pictures on their profiles. And that's what Becky had. A BIG.GIANT.QUESTION MARK.
The thing is, Becky is stunningly pretty - so the question mark did not do her justice. (trust me - when we were younger we would go shopping together and people would stop her to complement her)
Since we couldn't find a really good picture, and since Becky is convinced she doesn't have a good picture of herself, I put this as her profile picture.
I forgot just how funny this picture was. And, the look of shock and horror on her face, combined with the moment, and just how funny the picture was I burst out laughing.
The only problem ...
My mouth was full of coffee.
Oops.
The shock turned to horror when the computer froze and we couldn't get rid of the picture.
It was hilarious. And, to add to the moment Matt chose that moment to hop up on a chair and bow and say "thank you. Thank you so much."
I haven't laughed that hard in ages.

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On another note, several people have asked me why I haven't blogged about switching jobs. Truthfully, I'm happy and it's great and I like it. I just don't want to blog about work.

You Can't Make This Day Up

There are some days where at the end of it you realize that maybe you should have just stayed home. Like today.
When Matt got up we decided to skip gymnastics. He has a cold, and I didn't really feel like chasing him around gymnastics when he's extra cranky. And, he didn't want to go.
I should have planned a quiet day in. You know, Matt is sick. I have a cold.
As if.
Since I'd be promising Matthew a trip to Toronto on the GO Train I decided to take him. He was excited. By about 10 we were ready to go. Mike had checked online and was sure there was a train leaving the closest station to us (I didn't think there was weekend service). When we got there it was locked up. And we had about 12 minutes to get to the GO station 11 minutes away.
The fact that Matthew kept saying "where's the GO station" and I kept saying "we'll never make it" did little for Mike's driving skills. And in our hurry he hit a car.
We missed the train.
No one was hurt. Thank goodness. In my rush I'd already taken my seatbelt off.
One fight, one bathroom break and one hour later we got to the train.

Mike dropped Matthew and I off while he went home to paint.
The first couple of hours went well. We took the subway. We took 2 streetcar rides. We went to the Disney Store and spent forever.
Then we had lunch. Lunch was great fun. Matt decided that he wanted to have ice cream for lunch. I did try to get him to eat something else, but considering it was our fun day and I really didn't care, I let him have a banana split and orange pop for lunch. The waiter thought I was crazy after I explained that no, we weren't splitting first the entree and then the ice cream, but that I was having a sandwich and my toddler was having a banana split.
To make it seem better I said "don't worry - the bananas are pretty healthy." He rolled his eyes. Seriously.
And, while we were waiting for our lunch we played cars. I got pretty into it.
































Once we were done lunch (for the record, my roast beef sandwich sucked, but the banana split was really good). We did a little more wandering around the Eaton Centre. I'd promised Matt that we'd go and look at the big fountain.
The strangest thing happened. While we were sitting there all of the power in the mall went out.

No one knew quite what to do. All the stores closed and everyone just sort of sat not quite sure what to do. I took a couple of pictures, and then thought that maybe we should get going.
The plan was to take the subway, but I was worried about getting caught underground, and since it's actually a quick walk from the Eaton Centre to Union (I would normally walk it anyway, but Matt loves the subway ride) we went outside. Matt was really disappointed that there was no subway ride until ...
We saw several fire trucks go roaring down the street. It turns out that the power had gone out because there as an underground fire. So, we skipped our scheduled train to watch the excitement of the fire. There was a lot of smoke and then at one point a huge lot of flames. I think we watched for about 20 minutes. Twenty long minutes since Matt was on my shoulders the whole time.

When we finally figured out our timing with Mike we made our way back to the train.
I was pretty happy to see the train pull in because I was tired, Matt was cranky and I really wanted to sit. Matthew had other ideas though.
First he asked me for candy. I opened not one but 3 different bags of orange pop soaked candy. Each time the candy flew through the air. And then when it landed on the floor Matt tried to pretend he was a dog and eat it off the floor.
And then, since my feet were up on the seat across from me Matt decided to walk across "Mommy's Bridge". The thing is he walked over the bridge and knocked the emergency strip. Ooops.
There's a big rule in our house that you don't touch emergency stuff, and Matt knew he was in trouble. But, the poor kid was so tired and freaked out that he looked at me and burst into tears. And, then the GO train people came running and he got hysterical. So, there we were stopped at the station, they are trying to determine the emergency, Matt is freaking out and I am trying my best not to giggle and/or cry (or both).
Once I convinced them it was a mistake, that the black eye had nothing to do with the emergency strip and that it wouldn't happen again we were on our way. Matt cuddled up with me and fell asleep, and the Japanese tourists who happened to be on the same car as us came over and took pictures. (Thank goodness I had my hair done!!!)
After that we made it home in one piece.

Six Degrees of Separation

It's no secret that I wasn't the biggest fan of my last hairstyle. Really, I didn't love my highlights. I liked the idea of being blonder. I just didn't like how they were done. They weren't even and I didn't totally like the colour. Or the experience.
So, since I'm going to see my beloved Bill in a couple of weeks, I decided that I would try to get these highlights fixed.
I was trying to think of a good place to go to.I finally picked one that I drove past all the time. It looked nice, it was an Aveda salon and most importantly they were able to put me in at the time that I wanted.
When I met the colourist I had a good feeling. She was friendly, cool (but not uber cool) and east going. And when I tried to explain what I didn't like about the highlights she knew exactly what I meant and said she could fix it up. Great!
I liked her immediately.
So, we got on to the topic of why I only wanted highlights not a cut. She was cool with just highlighting. And then she asked me who cuts my hair.
I told her.
She knew him. Seriously.
THEY WENT TO SCHOOL TOGETHER.
I almost fell off my chair. My colourist went to hairdressing school with my Bill. Wow! No wonder she was so good.
And, she idolizes him also. She watches him on Cityline. And, she said that he's always had that "thing" that I describe. Even in school people would watch him and want to see what he was doing. Apparently one time he told her that she looked good with bangs and she has always had some sort of fringe since. (He would have been about 25 when he made this comment).
She told me some funny stories about him. I told her some funny stories. It was a pretty cool conversation. And,I was totally relaxed. It was the type of hair experience you want. I trusted her completely.
The finished product is pretty cool. I have no more big gold streaks. Instead it looks like I've been in the sun. I'm thinking I should go get a spray tan just to complete the look. It's so springy.
I can't wait for Bill to see it.

Real Moms ... Can Laugh

Today I got tagged by the wonderful Haley. And, this is a great Meme. The point of it is that you are supposed to answer the question Real Moms ... then explain it and add a picture. I'll tag people at the end. So ...

Real Moms ... Can Laugh! They know that being ridiculous and silly and not taking yourself too seriously works.
You think I'm kidding? Clearly you have not heard my Harold the Helicopter impression, haven't watched my lame attempts at bellydancing or caught me playing with some of the cooler McDonald's Happy Meal toys.
I took the whole parenting thing very seriously for about 3 months. There was no laughing till I cried. I was totally serious and focussed on nursing and nutrition and all of that. And, then my friends got me to smile, and eventually laugh. I'll never forget Salina putting her teeny tiny newborn in the puppet theatre while the serious moms watched in horror (she was supporting his head). I'll never forget Ginny's wheel falling off her stroller on our walk home from the grocery store with 3 kids and tons of groceries. (It wasn't funny at the time)
As Matt has gotten older I've learned that really it's a million times easier to laugh over spilled milk or giggle at a silly temper tantrum. It's more fun to run around playing tag with the toddlers instead of standing on the sidelines with the cooler parents. I've learned that there's nothing quite like laughing hysterically with your toddler over a dumb joke. And I can't tell you you the enjoyment I get when Matt says something ridiculous and my husband and I laugh about it for days. (like yesterday he told us that for lunch he had macaroni, french fries and monkeys. Monkeys??? )
I'm quickly learning that sometimes when you can't change your situation and it seems a little dire - that you may as well put a positive spin on it because being mad won't fix a situation. We've all heard the saying "Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone".
Life isn't easy. Parenting often sucks. Babies and toddlers take it out of you.
But, from me to you, here's permission to be silly.
Go ahead, do your best Dora impression (even if people stare), laugh at a silly joke, make up some gibberish just for fun and see what happens. You never know. You may just start laughing too.
Here are my tags:
The person who taught me about motherhood - My Mom
One of the coolest moms out there (whom I aspire to be like ) - Multitasking Mommy
Her Husband - because I KNOW he'll have a really good one - Sci Fi Dad
My friend who is amazing to watch in Action - Natalie
And of course - my husband - because he shares this craziness with me

ANTM - My LIttle Critic

For those of you who have been reading this blog for awhile, you will know one thing about me - of all the tv I watch, America's Next Top Model (ANTM) is one of my favourite shows.
I know it's dorky. I know some people think that Tyra is annoying (just kidding!) but really, there's something really enjoyable about the show to me. I love watching the Jays and how mean they are. I love the girls. I love the catfights. I love the pictures. I love guessing who will be kicked off.
It's the one show I don't miss during the week.
But I'm realizing that Matty likes the show also.
Last night was an odd evening. I went to the gym nice and early and then got home before Matt's bedtime. But, I hadn't had much dinner and I suggested to Matt that we eat popcorn and watch Mommy's show.
Usually he says no to watching Mommy's show. But the popcorn, the models, Tyra - it was too much for him to resist.
So, at 8pm we curled up on the couch and watched ANTM.
It was adorable. He was excited by the challenges and I had him pick his favourite model. He chose Miss Jay. (the one on the left) Miss Jay isn't even a model, but whatever. (FYI I like Mr. Jay on the right)

We laughed, we chatted, we ate popcorn. We critiqued. I loved it.
I'm hoping to raise him to understand the importance of a good reality show. Besides, watching ANTM beats Dora any day. Not to mention that the other shows I watch, like House, are a little too frightening for Matt.
Besides. I would be soooo proud if Matthew grew up to be a fashion expert.

Ouchie Ouchie Ouch!!!

Today when I picked up Matthew I was greeted with this looking back at me.
Ouch! This picture just doesn't show well enough how purple his eye really is.
It turns out that he ran into a table at daycare.
I know, I know. Boys will be boys. And Matty is most definitely a boy through and through. But, still ouch!
The thing I love about our daycare is that they are pretty relaxed about this stuff. I didn't get a frantic middle of the day phone call or anything. There was an accident report when Mike picked him up. They'd given him ice and TLC and watched him at naptime. We couldn't have done anything more.
Truthfully, I feel horribly guilty about it all, but I know this could have happened under my watch. Truthfully, I don't know how it hasn't!
So, perhaps the modelling career will be put off a couple of months. There are worse things, I know, than him having a black eye for his 3rd birthday.
As I type this Matt is doing sommersault off the couch and balancing on a table. Yes, boys will be boys. And mommies will forever feel guilty when they hurt themselves in the process.
It turns out that Matt is just fine. My nerves - a little frayed.

Apparently ... I'm conservative

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 60% Conservative, 40% Liberal

Social Issues: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal

Personal Responsibility: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Fiscal Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal

Ethics: 25% Conservative, 75% Liberal

Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

Okay ... So I did this poll.
What????
I'm conservative. According to this I'm apparently completely conservative. Interesting. Check it out.
Just an FYI - I don't really agree with this. But, it's fascinating. I have to say, though. In Canadian politics I'm not so sure that this is totally accurate. Just a thought.

Eye Spy

Lately my eyes have been bugging me.
Don't worry. It's not a big deal. It's just that I've owned glasses since I was 10 years old. I used to wear them infrequently. In fact, my 5th grade teacher accused me of wearing them for fashion purposes only. (Me? never)
But, as I've grown up, I've been using them more. I don't really think this is an aging thing, since I am not too terribly concerned about aging right now. But, lately it's been really bothering me. I can't drive without glasses. I can't go shopping without glasses. I can't go anywhere without putting my glasses on.
It's getting restrictive because sometimes I don't want to always make sure I have my sunglasses (the prescription ones) at all times. I'd really like to have a pair for my car and for my purse and for a million other places. But, when they are prescription this is not feasible.
So ...
I'm looking into contacts. I know lots of people have them. And I know I'm a bit of a wimp for holding out this long. But really. I'm not sure about touching my eyeballs and all of that.
I've been assured that it's not that bad. That you get used to it.
So, my fingers are crossed that at my appointment today I'll be ready to go. And, then I'm going sunglasses shopping. Yay!!!

Top of the Mornin' To Ya!

St. Patrick's Day is kind of big deal in our family since my grandmother (who has passed away) loved this holiday. It was the day she always celebrated her Irish roots - she was a feisty red head who loved her Shamrocks (in fact, before she died she gave me her beloved shamrock ring).
So, Nana, Cheers!!!
The St. Paddy's celebrations continue to your great-grandchildren!!!

See how Irish my sister looks. Her un-Irish looking baby is compensating by wearing Shamrocks on her head.

Steve, my brother-in-law, combines his love of St. Paddy's Day with his love of Star Trek. Steve, you're sooooo cool.

Of course I got into the spirit as the Shamrock headband made the rounds. The only green thing I had was a tank top. Brrrrrr. Paige already thinks I'm crazy and she's not even 2. Oh dear (I love her expression here!)


Paige wanted to try the green beer. Yum yum.

Yummmm ... green beer.


Kyla and Matt were delighted to clink their own "green beer" (it was green juice) Wisely we provided them with plastic cups.















This picture is in honour of Multi-Tasking Mommy who always has pictures of her festive foods on her blog. I was inspired to make something green. So I came up with this jello pie. It was a little weird. But ... so is drinking green beer.

I know, I look like I had way too much green beer! (okay, it was maybe a little too much beer the night before - love the Irish pubs with friends). It's our group shot. Minus Mike who was taking pictures.
Finally, Miss Kyla, the princess. The words are spelled out in green shamrocks. Too cute!

Who I Am

When I posted about my poor driving experience on the weekend my husband asked me why I would post such a thing. Why, he wanted to know, did I feel I should put something out there about myself that is insulting to me. Don't I care that I failed so many driving tests?

Truthfully, I really cared at the time, but once time passes the things that seem so huge don't matter all that much. I think that's kind of the point of blogging. You're putting yourself out there. And if someone reads it and says "hmmmm ..." (whether good or bad) then at the end of the day I think something has been accomplished.

I also hope that one day Matthew will read this (or some of it) and realize that sometimes we can't take life so seriously. So, I suck at Bellydancing. Laugh about it. So, I damaged the car wheel. Laugh about it. And, I also hope that when he reads about my choices when it comes to him, you know the parenting decisions, he'll understand my motivation behind them. Whether he agrees or not ... that's a whole other story.

But, at the end of the day, like it or not, I am who I am. And, you know, I'm kind of liking me a whole lot these days. I hope you do too.

Here's my favourite quote. It's from Dr. Seuss. It sums my feelings up nicely.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind." ~ Dr. Seuss

Bedtime Success ... Kinda

We made it through our tough love parenting night just fine.
Last night Matthew was kind of tired. Because we had to bring the car in to get the tire fixed Matt got a lovely excursion around Canadian Tire. He then got to run through the mall, eat food court food and basically burn off some energy.
All evening we talked about the evening plan - brush teeth, use toilet, go to bed.
By the time we got home and he had his bottle of chocolate milk (no comments on the bottle at age 3 ... I know though in fairness he didn't take a bottle until his first birthday) he turned the tv off, at my prodding, and headed upstairs.
Brushing teeth time was great. He even used the toilet. And then he went to bed. After a few cuddles (and no book, but I don't know why) he went to bed. And stayed there.
He was there for an hour while I did some stuff. He was wide awake.
As is my custom, when I was ready for bed I hopped in with him, as he has taken to sleeping in our bed. You see, our bedroom has no monsters. So I cuddled up with my wide awake child and proceeded to drift off at which point he bonked me on the head, said "I don't like sleeping with you, Mommy" and went off to find Mike who put him in his big boy race car bed. We didn't hear a peep from him after that.
So let's review. After months of struggling with Matt in one night he:

1. Does not fight with us when we say it's bedtime
2. Uses the toilet (commenting that's what big boys do)
3. Brushes his teeth happily
4. Decides to sleep in his own bed

I haven't slept so well in months. Is it possible that of all the people fighting the time change it's working for us?
Knock on wood. Last night was great.
I know. I know. It's all about the routine.

Cause Monday is Always a Good Day to Start NEW Routines

We've been a little remiss in the bedtime routine lately.
Matthew is really stubborn. And this makes bedtime really difficult. We were kind of in a routine up until December, and then when we moved things got rough.
In order to get Matt to sleep we've been (collective gasp) been letting Matt have a bottle of chocolate milk. I know.
It started as a one time thing and then gradually increased.
And then I read an article on tooth decay and kids. The truth is that he doesn't sleep with chocolate milk in his mouth, but the lack of teeth brushing is really getting to me. I'm not saying that we DON'T brush his teeth, but still.
Plus, we've been in a little slow in the toilet training department.
So tonight we're changing up the routine. We're letting Matthew go to bed later than normal (8 instead of 7:30). We're having Treehouse and chocolate milk. Then teeth brushing. Then toilet. And then bed with water only.
I get that other people have figured this routine. We've just gotten into the rut of doing what's easiest. It's just that we're beginning to learn that what seems like and easy way out isn't always an easy way out in the long run.
I HATE being this tough. It sucks.
But, at the same time it's really working to be tough. Like, I am being really firm about Matt listening. Tonight Matt was running around the upper level of the mall and he saw the elevator doors open. He was about to go in (with a stranger) and from the other side of the mall I shouted "Matthew STOP!"
AND HE DID!
I was amazed. Is it possible that strict Mommy is paying off? I guess so.
So we shall see how tonight's bedtime routine goes. If I'm extra tired at work tomorrow at least everyone will know why.