The Holiday

We've been in Timmins for nearly a week and we haven't stopped! Charlotte's first Christmas was amazing! She got so many new toys and was the highlight of everywhere we went!

Melvin and my dad got up at 5am on Boxing Day to hit the sales at Future Shop. My dad was there 3 times before 7:30! The first round they got: a laptop for us and a Kobo E Reader for me, and one for my dad. They came home, and my mom decided she wanted her own Kobo. Off my dad went again. Then, when he got home, she decided with all the new toys, they may as well get a new laptop too, so on went the boots and off went Jerry back to the store, with a stern warning this was the last time he was going! Melvin and I went to the Source for 9am to get ourselves or eachother the new iPod touch. We got the last 2!!

It's been pretty cold in Timmins! Yesterday morning it was -40 with the windchill and today it was -30, thankfully no windchill. Charlotte hasn't been out much, but that hasn't stopped me! I think I've been to the mall 3-4 times! And it's just a teeny tiny mall! Ofcourse, I've bought a few things for Charlotte and a few things for Melvin, and possibly a thing or 2 for myself! The sales are pretty good, and there are way less people here than there would be in Toronto!! I bought my first pair of back to work pants at Ricki's last night. It was kind of a bittersweet moment! Happy to see I'm the same size I was before, but sad that back to work is so close I have to start thinking of my wardrobe!! I am way overdue for new work clothes though and they were 70% off!!

My obsession/collection of David's Tea has gotten a little out of control. I had ordered some tea online last week and had it sent here, I got some in my stocking + the stash I have at home. I will be drinking tea until Charlotte leaves for University! My mom got me the David's Tea Timolino (http://www.davidstea.com/timolino-travel-mug-with-infuser), the lady at the store told her the tea would stay warm for 2 days. We are going on 3.5 hours with just boiling water and it's still steaming! It'll be interesting to see tomorrow morning!

My new fascination is sewing. Before I came to town, I bought a pattern for reusable sandwich bags (think fabric Ziplocs but with velcro) on Etsy. I bought this pattern without having a sewing machine and any idea how to sew, but with big plans to make them! Thankfully my grandma just happened to have an extra machine around the house and my mom has some experience sewing. I bought everything I need today to make 10 bags. So we will see how they turn out! Pictures to follow!!

Charlotte is tiring everyone out, but having so much fun playing with all her toys! Melvin is napping, or I should say gone to bed, since it's 8:15, my mom is on the floor playing with the Little People House and my dad is recovering from his earlier game of catch with Char! It's almost PJ and bottle time though. And then I think everyone else will be heading to bed shortly after!

Next up is my friend Roxy's wedding reception on New Years Eve!!! Then it's home time and back to the grind! Or well, swimming lessons and mommie and baby fitness for us!

I can't find where Melvin has hidden the pictures on this new computer, but here is Charlotte playing with her toys Christmas morning!

Where do I begin??

This Friday, we are leaving for Part 1 of our drive to Timmins. We decided to spend the night in North Bay to cut the drive in half. My Mommy and Baby Fitness instructor is having a holiday party on Friday morning, Melvin and the dogs are picking Char and I up and we are leaving from there. That means I have to be packed and ready to go Thursday night, or get up and rush around Friday morning. I think not. I've been making randoms lists for the last week or so in an attempt to get organized. Thankfully Melvin is self sufficient and can pack for himself. That just leaves me the 2 dogs, Char, myself and all the goodies we are bringing. The dogs are easy; food, leashes and a blanket for the car. Charlotte may be tiny, but she sure doesn't travel light! We have my mom's pack and play for the hotel, pump, bottles, medicine (just in case), clothes, extra clothes...the list goes on. Thankfully, my mom keeps an extra supply of bath soap, towels, wash clothes and my grandma already got us a case of diapers! Then there's me. I want to go running in Timmins, I have a wedding reception, snow boots, nice flat boots...Oh and did I mention both Melvin and Charlotte have a cold? It's been a fun week and it's only Tuesday!! Today, we are doing some last minute errands at Costco for my mom and picking up a few last minute gifts. I'm also trying to finish everything in the fridge, so dinners might get interesting by the end of the week!!

I am excited to spend the night in a hotel though. North Bay has a few pet friendly hotels so we are lucky! Although, I can picture Oreo peeing on everything, and Rambo barking at every single noise all.night.long!! We are hoping to get there early enough we can take Charlotte down to the pool and we can show off her skills to daddy since he hasn't been able to come to swim class since it's during the week. Then, we will be up bright and early Saturday morning to finish off our drive and get to Timmins! My dad has already warned everyone that he gets Charlotte first since my mom was just here last weekend, that's fine, until she gets hungry! That's my excuse!! I miss her when there are lots of people around! hah but she did surprise me last weekend with my mom and grandma. She cried and just wanted a few cuddles from her mommy!!

My goal this Christmas is to NOT get sick! I dodged this last cold going around, there is no Taco Bell in Timmins (nasty experience when I was 6 months pregnant last Christmas - ask my mom) and I learned my lesson with the raw cookie dough last weekend (again, ask my mom - she seems to visit at all the right times!) I do plan to go running a few times as long as it's not too cold. When I was in Timmins this summer I ran 8 out of 12 days and I still gained 8lbs!!

Charlotte is napping in her crib now, so I should get packing, instead, I will sit here and watch Marilyn Denis and plan my lists! Going to Costco a week before Christmas is enough for one day!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Well it's Official!

Charlotte has officially been enrolled in day care for April 2012! I called 2 day cares in our area back before she was even born in March. Some friends had told me to get on waiting lists as soon as possible. We recently visited the 2 day cares we were wait listed for. The first one was nice and clean, but just didn't feel like it could be a home away from home for Charlotte. The 2nd and winning daycare is called Curious Caterpillars. They were so welcoming from the minute we walked in the door and Charlotte even got to participate in a music class! It's a brand new building and the centre just opened in July! They have music classes once a week, do arts and crafts, learn french and sign language and the organic food is catered in daily! We were in love! Well as in love as I could be with a place that is not my arms for Charlotte! There was one remaining spot so we had 24 hours to decide. Not much of a decision really, we were only on those 2 waiting lists and we had visited both, what's the difference between deciding now or in a few months? I just came back from dropping off the signed papers and Charlotte will slowly start transitioning in March! She is also guaranteed a spot in the toddler room once she's 18 months and again in the pre school room when she's a bit older, but I can't even think about that yet. I get all teary eyed when I come within 5kms of the daycare! Seriously though, I know she will be a good fit for them, and them for her. She was so happy during the music class and me NOT going back to work was never a real option. I like my job, and the people I work with. Plus, a 2nd income never hurt anyone! My mom's advice was "as long as it's somewhere you can drop her off and feel comfortable going to work everyday" and Curious Caterpillars is that place for us!

In other news, my mom and grandma are on the way here to spend the weekend with us! We have lots of shopping planned and Melvin and I have a date night on Saturday! We are going to the Keg!! I can't wait!!

I've been enjoying my 24 days of tea calendar! Sure, there have been a few cups down the drain, but better a cup than a whole bag or tin!!

I'm off now to cuddle my baby for the next 4 months before I have to abandon her!

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas!

Well not really, but I wish it would start!! Yesterday we got nearly 50mm of rain!! C'mon Mother Nature!! That's not the Christmas Spirit! Despite the lack of snow and decorations at our house, we are starting to get in the mood. The dogs and I are going for our pre Christmas haircuts on Saturday morning and our neighbours are having a Christmas Party on Saturday night. I'm also working on some Christmas wreaths I found on Pinterest. Tomorrow is finally December 1st and I've never been so excited to start my Advent Calendar. I've already opened Day 1 (I know - but I couldn't help it!!) and I can't wait to taste it!! The whole calendar smells amazing! My mom and Grandma are visiting us the weekend of December 8 and I feel like we will be doing some serious shopping! After that, we only have a week left before we head off to Timmins! Charlotte has a photo session booked at Magenta (I got a gift certificate for a free 8x10 and session when I went to see Steven and Chris) and my Mommie Fitness teacher is having a party on the 23rd. We are also hosting our annual Christmas potluck on December 17th! It will a busy December, but I love it! I try to keep our holidays as close to my childhood holidays as possible, and this year will be perfect since Charlotte's first Christmas will be in Timmins with my family! Not that she will really remember anything and she will probably want to open her own gifts just to eat the wrapping paper, but I will remember it and that's all that matters!! We will be going to my Grandma's Christmas Eve and having Turkey Dinner at my parents house on Christmas Day! What are your favorite holiday traditions? Oh and I almost forgot! It's time to dig out my old church choir Christmas CD!!! Happy Almost December!! Enjoy the snow if you have some where you are!!

Why Mommies Make Great Friends

The one thing I heard from new mommies over and over again was to join mommy groups and join them early
I have to admit I wasn't sold on the idea. Then I discovered Mommie and Baby Fitness (http://www.mommyandbabyfitness.com/) with Laura Berry. Char and I signed up for the stroller fit classes at a park nearby. Not even a week later, we were off to our first class! I felt like it was the first day of school, I had to get my 8 week old baby organized, tranferred from one car seat to the other, set up her jogging stroller and meet all kinds of new people! I was a little nervous!! As usual, I was one of the first ones there. Laura arrived shortly after with her 2 kids and about 10 other mothers slowly trickled in with their babes in tow. Some people had been doing the class for a while, and a few others were newbies like me. Everyone was beyond friendly and it was a great atmosphere. Noone judged me when little Charlotte cried the first few classes! It didn't take long before I added an extra class weekly and Charlotte got used to the routine and stopped crying. Not only did I get an amazing workout, trust me, it's harder then you would expect it to be! You try lunging up a hill pushing your baby and stroller!! But I got some excellent advice from mothers living in my neighborhood. At the end of the class, babies come out of the stroller, we all sit down on a giant parachute and sing songs and play games! I was hooked!! Sadly as summer came to an end, so did stroller fit.We went on until the beginning of October when it was just too cold for the little ones. I exchanged phone numbers and email addresses with a few of the moms I had really connected with.
Today, I had plans to meet up with my friend Jenn. Her daughter is about 17 months old. We decided to meet at Yonge and Eglinton which is about a 30minute walk for both of us. I got Char to nap this morning, then dressed, fed and bundled her up to make the treck. I packed snacks, toys and water, more toys and more snacks. Surprisingly, (well not really, as Jenn and I were always the first to arrive at class) we both made it there on time. We got our coffees and sat down. Then began the fussing. I joked that we are those moms you judged before having kids - the one with the whining baby in public! Char was happily munching her cookie when I took her out of the stroller - then Sarah got fussy - she wanted to walk around, and wasn't happy just sitting on her mom's lap. Just over half an hour later, we had to end our date. Ofcourse Sarah calmed down as soon as she got in her stroller, and Char got mad as soon as I tried to stuff her back into her jacket, vest, mitts, hat and stroller. I would call it a very successful coffee date!
The good thing about hanging out with other moms is there is never any pressure if you have to change a diaper or nurse your baby. You never have to feel bad if the baby is screaming, or spits up everywhere because chances are they've been there!
I'm so happy I stepped out of my comfort zone and signed up for the stroller fit classes all those months ago. I met some great women and loved sharing advice and watching their babies grow throughout the summer. There was lots of talk about poop, and sleep, but we managed to get our workouts in and gossip about the latest Jersey Shore episode too!
Here is a picture of Char bundled up for our walk!!

Tea's the Season!!

Some of you may know that my latest obsession is David's Tea! My friend Val recommended it to me a few months ago, and since then I've become enamoured! Every time I go, I leave with a new favourite. I got my mom hooked on it too, she runs in after work to pick up a cup instead of Tim Hortons!

My new favorite (and I've only had 1 cup) is Forever Nuts. I've been going nuts trying to find it! I went 3 times to 2 different locations and they were sold out! I finally found some at Yonge and Eglinton yesterday and man is it ever good!

Their new Christmas product is a tea Advent Calendar. 24 days of tea! It's the adult spin on a chocolate-a-day. My friend Val's friend Jenn started a Facebook Event, we will be drinking the tea each day and reviewing it on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/events/183327538421658/) I bought the calendar yesterday, and it's going to be a real challenge to not open it until December 1! Melvin has agreed to try the teas with me, but he's definitely not as excited about it as I am!

Every David's tea location I've been to has the friendliest staff! They will talk to you about anything and everything! It's really fun and a different experience than going to Tim Horton's or Starbucks!

I walked down to Yonge and Eglinton last weekend with Char and stopped in to get some Oh Chistrmas Treat as recommended by my mom. I left with 30grams of that, 30grams of Snow Bunny and a Santa's Secret latte!! It was soooo delicious!! The only not so fun part is the giant step leading up to the store. Not easy with a stroller! Thankfully someone was nice enough to open the door for me!

Here are a few pics of the Advent Calendar. Oh and keeping with the Christmas Spirit, we were at Yorkdale yesterday and Santa had no line up, so we got Charlotte's first picture taken!!

Tis The Season!!

We got our first snow fall yesterday!! Well, it snowed for about 3 minutes and it didn't stay on the ground. It was just enough for me to get excited, toss the dogs outside and brought Char to the window to check it out. Needless to say, none of them were as impressed and excited as I was!

We are having Melvin's family over for supper tonight as a mini Christmas since we will be in Timmins and they will be back in Singapore for the holidays. I made stuffed noodles (my mom's recipe) and mini cheesecakes from The Happy Baker (http://thehappybakerchick.com/home.html). I've made them before and they are delicious with melted chocolate and fresh berries on top!

During all this cooking, I ofcourse had my holiday tunes on! We aren't decorating this year since we will be away, so we gotta keep the spirit alive somehow!

Melvin has the day off today, so after he finishes making Charlotte's green beans, we will be heading out for a family walk! It's nice and sunny, and just a little cool! The perfect fall day!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

I can't believe it's been 8 months already!!
It feels like just yesterday we were nervously driving home from Mount Sinai with our precious cargo snuggled in her car seat for the first time!!
We had no idea how much our lives would change! The sleepless nights and endless diapers became a part of our every day lives.
In the past 8 months, we've gotten Charlotte sleeping in her crib, mostly through the night. While I'm still breastfeeding, we've successfully introduced many solid foods, and she loves them all!! We are slowly starting with the finger foods. She loves to feed herself banana, peas and cheese.
I've been enjoying every minute of my maternity leave with Char. She has travelled to Timmins, Sudbury, North Bay, Peterborough, Bowmanville...the list goes on. She even went on the plane!
She has 4 teeth and wants to crawl, although she hasn't quite figured out how yet. I'm ok with that!
She keeps very busy by grabbing and trying to eat everything in sight, including Rambo and Oreo's poor tails.
It's so much fun to see this little person grow in front of our eyes.Every day she does something new.
Melvin has become an amazing father, not that I had any doubts, but he's always there to help me out. Even in the middle of the night. She loves her cuddles with her dad and he has that special touch when she just won't go back to sleep. I love watching their bond grow, it just makes my heart smile. She is daddy's little girl and already has him wrapped around her little finger.

Charlotte will be starting day care in April when I go back to work. I'm looking forward to her personality growing and changing even more when she starts making new friends.
Here is Charlotte in the very early days, and 8 months later!

My First Blog Post!

Well here we are! I've been thinking about starting a blog for months now, well probably for about as long as I've been on maternity leave. I wasn't sure I would have anything to blog about, but the more blogs I read, the more I think "hey I can do this, and people might actually be interested in what I have to say!!". I'm a new mom, so I'm learning new things every day. I'm mostly learning how to find a balance between myself, my marriage and my daugther! Throw 2 dogs and cat in there and you have my life!! Since I've been off, I've branched out to Twitter and most recently Pinterest! I don't know how I'm going to keep all this up when I have to go back to work in April! But for now, I'm trying to forget that I have to go back there at some point!! I hope you enjoy reading my random thoughts and views and please comment!! Please also be patient as I try to figure out this whole blog world!!