My husband and I have decided we’re done having kids. No, we’re not shipping our two kids away. We’re just not having any additional children. I have been waiting for this decision for a long time. I’ve even made many of my goals contingent on finishing my days of procreation. You know what I mean.
After I’m done having kids, I’ll…
…lose my pregnancy weight once and for all.
…buy new clothes for myself.
…start exercising.
…get fitted for a bra.
The one that I tackled recently was getting fitted for a bra. I have been buying the same old 34B bra size for years, pre- and post-pregnancies #1 and #2. I think I was in denial. But there was no denying the droopy silhouette that I faced when in front of the mirror one morning. My boobs had fallen and my bra wasn’t helping them get up.
So I went to my local lingerie shop and decided to get properly fitted for a bra. I had never gone before because I was too self-conscious to ask anyone to help me with my boobs. I have personal space issues that make me lurch backwards whenever people come at me for a hug and that put me in dark clothes most of the time so as not to be too conspicuous. So how was I going to let someone look at and examine my chest?
Well, I don’t know how I did it, but I did. I got measured and after trying on about 24 different bras, came out of that store uplifted, in spirit and in boob.
I feel like a new woman. If you had a baby and haven’t got fitted for a bra, do! You very likely are a different size now than pre-pregnancy. Your newly fitted bra will give you a boost. Mine did!
Now I’ve got to get going on those other goals of mine…
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Push presents
Push presents. They’re the trend these days: new Daddy gives new Mommy a gift for carrying and delivering (‘pushing’) baby. I’ve heard of moms getting expensive diamond earrings, a car or a vacation upon the birth of their first and in some cases, second too.
There is no etiquette attached to giving a push present. Husbands give their wives what they feel moved to give them: from a simple bouquet of flowers all the way up to thousands of dollars worth of bling.
While I didn’t get a material push present, I did get a lot of support, help and love from my husband – for myself and my newborn. For me that was worth more than any jewellery – after all, what’s a shiny new ring going to do for me when it’s 2:30 am and new baby has been screaming her lungs out for the last four hours?
But I have to admit a little streak of envy when I recently heard about what some mothers have received! A new ring sounds pretty good right about now, 18 months after my last child’s birth… especially because after pregnancy and delivery, my knuckles still haven’t gone back to their pre-pregnancy size!
Did you receive a push present? If so, what was it? If you didn’t get one, would you have liked one? What would you have liked? What do you think of the push present?
There is no etiquette attached to giving a push present. Husbands give their wives what they feel moved to give them: from a simple bouquet of flowers all the way up to thousands of dollars worth of bling.
While I didn’t get a material push present, I did get a lot of support, help and love from my husband – for myself and my newborn. For me that was worth more than any jewellery – after all, what’s a shiny new ring going to do for me when it’s 2:30 am and new baby has been screaming her lungs out for the last four hours?
But I have to admit a little streak of envy when I recently heard about what some mothers have received! A new ring sounds pretty good right about now, 18 months after my last child’s birth… especially because after pregnancy and delivery, my knuckles still haven’t gone back to their pre-pregnancy size!
Did you receive a push present? If so, what was it? If you didn’t get one, would you have liked one? What would you have liked? What do you think of the push present?
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Wooden Boat Festival
If you're looking for something to do this weekend, besides going to the PNE, this event will really float your boat.
The 19th Annual Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival takes place Aug. 24 - 27 at Granville Island. There will be knotting classes, wood carving and plenty of races including a wooden canoe race. You and your kids can learn to make a boat together and young ones can also build a toy boat. Wooden boats will be on display too; visitors can vote for their favourites. For more info, visit www.vancouverwoodenboat.com or call 604-688-9622.
Make a day of it. Visit all the fun kid stuff at Granville Island: Kids' Market, the Public Market, local artists' studios, the duck pond, the playground and water park, and the Aquabus.
Don't let this fun event sail away from you!
The 19th Annual Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival takes place Aug. 24 - 27 at Granville Island. There will be knotting classes, wood carving and plenty of races including a wooden canoe race. You and your kids can learn to make a boat together and young ones can also build a toy boat. Wooden boats will be on display too; visitors can vote for their favourites. For more info, visit www.vancouverwoodenboat.com or call 604-688-9622.
Make a day of it. Visit all the fun kid stuff at Granville Island: Kids' Market, the Public Market, local artists' studios, the duck pond, the playground and water park, and the Aquabus.
Don't let this fun event sail away from you!
Click
For the last four years or so, I have felt my attempts at disciplining my son, shaping his behaviour, and molding him into a decent human being, were futile. But, on I pressed. Some other wise mom told me that one day, it will just “click” and I’ll suddenly see my son being that person that I hope him to be.
“CLICK!” It came last week. When I witnessed my son changing his clothes by his own preference; washing his face and brushing his teeth without complaint; staying on his chair at the table for entire meals until he had finished what was on his plate; comforting his sister after spills with a back pat and by saying, “It’s okay, little dude!”; greeting adults with a handshake and a “How do you do?”; saying “thank you” and “please” without being prompted; washing his hands by himself after playing outside; cracking the eggs for pancakes or French toast; and putting his toys away before bed without too much asking from me.
My seemingly repetitious and pointless lessons (only because they didn’t seem to have any affect on my son at all) actually worked!
If you’re a parent who’s little one doesn’t seem to care one iota about the lessons you want to teach him, I say, “Persevere!” One day it will just “click.” Indeed it did for me!
“CLICK!” It came last week. When I witnessed my son changing his clothes by his own preference; washing his face and brushing his teeth without complaint; staying on his chair at the table for entire meals until he had finished what was on his plate; comforting his sister after spills with a back pat and by saying, “It’s okay, little dude!”; greeting adults with a handshake and a “How do you do?”; saying “thank you” and “please” without being prompted; washing his hands by himself after playing outside; cracking the eggs for pancakes or French toast; and putting his toys away before bed without too much asking from me.
My seemingly repetitious and pointless lessons (only because they didn’t seem to have any affect on my son at all) actually worked!
If you’re a parent who’s little one doesn’t seem to care one iota about the lessons you want to teach him, I say, “Persevere!” One day it will just “click.” Indeed it did for me!
Monday, August 21, 2006
A real talent
My 18-month-old daughter is very good at entertaining crowds. In fact, she may have a career in show business ahead of her. Why, this past weekend, while we attended our first-ever Quaker-style wedding (which is characterized by long periods of silence -- makes for an environment ripe for childish antics and outbursts!), my daughter took her 15 seconds of fame right then and there, and repeatedly called out in her best outside voice, "Bum! Bum!" over and over and over again. She even pushed her derriere out from underneath her party dress to demonstrate what she meant in case anyone misunderstood.
By the end of the ceremony, she was famous!
By the end of the ceremony, she was famous!
Monday, August 14, 2006
Teethbrushing tantrums
As babies/toddlers, neither of my kids has enjoyed having their teeth brushed. I’ve managed to quell both of their teethbrushing tantrums, but with very different techniques.
What worked for my son:
When my son was about 1-1/2 years old, brushing his teeth was literally dangerous. If you dared get near him with his toothbrush, you’d be risking injury including scratches, a kick in the nose, and screams that could pop your eardrums.
I asked for advice from our doctor and she suggested I lay him on the floor, in between my legs with his head closest to me, and with his arms and legs underneath each of my legs. This position left me hands free to brush his teeth and hold his head. Although he still screamed and cried and wriggled with all his might, at least I was able to brush his teeth well. He has since grown out of resisting.
What works for my daughter:
I tried this method with my 18-month-old daughter but to no avail. She is a regular Houdini and can wriggle her way out of anything!
Then I read an article by Sarah Dakin about talking to your baby (you can read this article in the Fall 2006 issue of Urbanbaby & Toddler or on our website at urbanbaby.ca after Sept. 4). She doesn’t directly address how to brush your child’s teeth, but she does address talking to your child about everything that’s going on and making it fun. She recommended a dialogue that engages your child in the teethbrushing exercise. Now we’re going to brush your teeth. We brush your teeth to make sure you don’t get cavities. What’s that I see back there? Is that an elephant? No! It must be jam from lunch!
My daughter loves it when I start ‘looking’ for animals in her teeth… so much so that I can brush her teeth effortlessly!
What worked for my son:
When my son was about 1-1/2 years old, brushing his teeth was literally dangerous. If you dared get near him with his toothbrush, you’d be risking injury including scratches, a kick in the nose, and screams that could pop your eardrums.
I asked for advice from our doctor and she suggested I lay him on the floor, in between my legs with his head closest to me, and with his arms and legs underneath each of my legs. This position left me hands free to brush his teeth and hold his head. Although he still screamed and cried and wriggled with all his might, at least I was able to brush his teeth well. He has since grown out of resisting.
What works for my daughter:
I tried this method with my 18-month-old daughter but to no avail. She is a regular Houdini and can wriggle her way out of anything!
Then I read an article by Sarah Dakin about talking to your baby (you can read this article in the Fall 2006 issue of Urbanbaby & Toddler or on our website at urbanbaby.ca after Sept. 4). She doesn’t directly address how to brush your child’s teeth, but she does address talking to your child about everything that’s going on and making it fun. She recommended a dialogue that engages your child in the teethbrushing exercise. Now we’re going to brush your teeth. We brush your teeth to make sure you don’t get cavities. What’s that I see back there? Is that an elephant? No! It must be jam from lunch!
My daughter loves it when I start ‘looking’ for animals in her teeth… so much so that I can brush her teeth effortlessly!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Lauren's 150th word
This weekend, my 18-month-old daughter Lauren uttered her 150th word. We had been packing up for a day spent playing outside. I was doing my usual stream-of-conscious talking with her, including what we were packing, why were packing it, and what kinds of things we would do when we got there.
At one point I asked her, “Lauren, do you want to have fun with Mommy today?”
She looked me straight in the eye and flashed me one of her brightest smiles and said, “B****!”
I wasn’t quite sure I heard what I thought I heard. But after she said it once and saw my surprised reaction, she said it a few more times, each time louder than the last. Okay, just ignore it and she’ll just stop saying it, I said to myself. Don’t make a big deal out of it. All the while, I was wondering how she’d learned such a word.
As planned, we headed out for our day of play outside. When we arrived, she pointed at all the women at the park, and cried, “B****! B****!”
Hoping the women nearby didn’t hear, I tried to stop her by distracting her, but it only got worse as we closer we got to the sand and the water. Then it dawned on me. She wasn’t saying “b****” at all; she was trying to say “beach”! Thank God. It made total sense. We were at Kitsilano Beach. Duh!
Now I should tell you the story about my son’s pronounciation of the word “rock,” replacing the “r” with an “f.” Good times!
At one point I asked her, “Lauren, do you want to have fun with Mommy today?”
She looked me straight in the eye and flashed me one of her brightest smiles and said, “B****!”
I wasn’t quite sure I heard what I thought I heard. But after she said it once and saw my surprised reaction, she said it a few more times, each time louder than the last. Okay, just ignore it and she’ll just stop saying it, I said to myself. Don’t make a big deal out of it. All the while, I was wondering how she’d learned such a word.
As planned, we headed out for our day of play outside. When we arrived, she pointed at all the women at the park, and cried, “B****! B****!”
Hoping the women nearby didn’t hear, I tried to stop her by distracting her, but it only got worse as we closer we got to the sand and the water. Then it dawned on me. She wasn’t saying “b****” at all; she was trying to say “beach”! Thank God. It made total sense. We were at Kitsilano Beach. Duh!
Now I should tell you the story about my son’s pronounciation of the word “rock,” replacing the “r” with an “f.” Good times!
Friday, August 04, 2006
Shortreading
Okay, okay. I haven't been posting on this blog very regularly or frequently, I know. Sorry! But it's because I've been so busy. So busy that I find myself "shortreading" my kids! What's shortreading? It's something that I think maybe only I do. It happens on those nights when I am so beat that I can barely keep my eyes open to see my kids' regular bedtime, let alone my own.
I always read a bedtime story for my son before he goes to bed. And he always gets to choose the book. But lately, he's been picking these VERY long books and I've found myself "shortreading" him. That is, flipping multiple pages at once (when he happens to look away -- I tried doing this without him noticing, but he caught me a few times!), or paraphrasing the story to make it shorter. It's terrible isn't it? I feel terrible about it, but admission is the first step to recovery right?
Tell me I'm not the only mommy who does this. Or am I? Or if you don't shortread your kids, maybe you do something else in your exhaustion-induced fog? Tell me!
I always read a bedtime story for my son before he goes to bed. And he always gets to choose the book. But lately, he's been picking these VERY long books and I've found myself "shortreading" him. That is, flipping multiple pages at once (when he happens to look away -- I tried doing this without him noticing, but he caught me a few times!), or paraphrasing the story to make it shorter. It's terrible isn't it? I feel terrible about it, but admission is the first step to recovery right?
Tell me I'm not the only mommy who does this. Or am I? Or if you don't shortread your kids, maybe you do something else in your exhaustion-induced fog? Tell me!
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