Long Weekends

. . . aren’t quite the same when you’re on mat leave and your husband works 4 and 5 day shifts.

But we had a nice weekend for sure. Valentine’s Day was low-key, cards, chocolates and James got two books.

Family Day we went to see the local skating carnival and had supper at a friend’s place – complete with impromptu shows put on by the six-year-olds.

I made some new pants for James, kinda cute and kinda ugly and waaaay too big.  I might have to haul out the sewing machine to hem them, I don’t have the patience to do it by hand today.

Here’s James modelling them, and working up the courage to show off his newest trick – letting go of the couch and standing for a second or two on his own!  What a strong little boy!

Course he didn’t do it when the camera was out.  We really need to get the drywall covered.

And here he is having his morning coffee.

Sharing with Mommy.

Soooo good!

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Busy, busy!!

We’ve been on our own again this week, as Paul’s been away working.  It’s tough to keep up with housework, eating and keeping the baby happy some days, but sometimes we’re pretty productive around here.  I love it when I can sit down at the end of the day and think about all the stuff I did!

James has been running low on baby food and I’ve even resorted to (gasp!) some jarred stuff I keep as back-ups.  The problem is, the recipes from his blender baby foods book are so yummy that I end up eating most of it (pre-blended) instead of freezing it for him.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmm baby food!  Seriously!

So we made carrots with dates (so good!) apple, pear and cranberry sauce (also so good!) and summer turnips (turnipy.  So good if you like that)  Don’t you just love our retro oven?  I do.  Gas stoves are so much easier to cook with than electric ones.  It’s just a bit chipped :p

James chasing the camera.  I just LOVE him!

 

Please?

I’m trying to write a letter to the school division asking for two more months of leave, which means James won’t need daycare or babysitting until he’s 16 months.  A year is SO young to put him in daycare.  I know they’re wonderful people and he’d be just fine but I just can’t do it.  I don’t want to miss anything!  What if he walks for the first time when I’m not there?  What if he says “Mommy” and I don’t get to hear it?

We are so lucky in Canada to have a full year off, and yet, I still don’t think it’s enough.  Health Canada wants people to nurse until babies are 2, but the Government of Canada wants to back to work when they’re 1.

Anyway, I hate writing letters like this.  All I want to say is, “Please don’t make me go back yet.  I love my job but I can’t leave my son yet.  Give me until September.”   But of course, you can’t and I really don’t know how to put it.

Argh.

 

James’ New Tricks

James is 8 months old and is, of course, up to new tricks!

His current favourite thing is to hang on to a big person’s fingers and run around.  He wants to go everywhere, and is particularly fond of standing on things.  I think we have a climber.

He’s still not quite crawling, but manages to get around ok rollong, creeping, etc.

He’s eating milk products now and is crazy for puffed wheat.  He seriously can’t get enough of it.

He learned to clap while on our super long layover at Calgary airport

He can wave

AND yesterday he said his first word.  When Paul came in the room, his little face lit up and he said “Dada!!”  It was adorable.

Oh yes, and he’s starting to grow hair!  Wahoo!

 

22 Days Until Christmas!

Can you believe it??  Our tree is up, most gifts are purchased (except for my husband . . . but I know what he’s getting now!)  Some are even wrapped.  I’ve got about half my cards mailed out, including all of the international ones, so that’s pretty good, I think!

I made some yummy oatmeal raisin cookies today, I’ve already eaten 6 of them . . . but they have oats and raisins so it’s like porridge, right?

I’m being ambitious and knitting James a sweater.  All I’ve ever knit is scarves, so this might prove to be more than I can handle, but I have Grandma to consult at Christmas if I need to!  He’s going to be soooo cute in it!

So far I’ve knit an inch, and I’ve been working on it for two days.

Ah well.

Check out the 100 Days to Christmas site, and stay on track!

 

Snuggles

James and I are snuggling on the couch.  He’s eating my tea cup and I’m watching Regis.  Lazy mornings like this are so nice . . . even when the view from my seat is a pile of clean diapers to stuff and put away!

 

Fun!

I haven’t really had anythng interesting happen lately.  My husband’s been gone working and will be back sometime this morning.  James at the moment is sitting on the floor, yelling at one of his slippers.

I pureed up a pile of baby food, froze it, and left it on top of the freezer after taking chicken out for supper last night.  I can’t re-freeze it, so whatever he can’t eat in the next few days has to be thrown out.  I’m so sad, it’s so yummy!  It was squash carrot and pear and even I loved it!

I’ve been playing with the camera and photoshop, trying to get a nice Christmas card picture . . . this is the best so far, but I have another fantastic idea!