Today I am exhausted, and sad, and overwhelmed.

I went back to work today. I was back for two weeks in June, but it didn’t feel like today at all.

Today when I dropped Jack off at his Nanny’s, I knew that I would be dropping him off, five days a week, for the next 17 years. It’s a sad feeling guys!

My only relief is that I didn’t have to leave him with strangers. I’m feeling very lucky that my Mother-In-law was willing to take Jack for at least the first part of the year. I know that a cold drop-off would have put me over the edge.

Jack had a great day at Nanny’s, and when I got home we played cars until it was time for bed.

Hi! Yesterday was a pretty good day. Jack got to visit with his grandparents, we had only a few meltdowns, and I baked a really great pie. Life was good.

Until bathtime. 👀

I brought Jack upstairs and started the tub like I do every night. After I turned the water on- he started to cry. He usually likes bathtime, so it was a bit weird. I brought him across the hall to undress him and it happened.

He just puked. Over my shoulder, all over the wall. It ran down onto the trim, and onto the floor.

Now, I have to seriously fight my natural instincts in this situation; because what I wanted to do was drop him and run.

My secondary mom instincts kicked in after a short internal battle, and I quickly got him and the wall cleaned up, Jack undressed and in the tub.

The worst part about it was that I was unprepared. He wasn’t sick, had no fever, wasn’t coughing or gagging. He was fine! After he threw up he was fine. He slept all night.

I know this because I checked on him 12 times through the evening and night.

Today we got Nanny and Grumpy back! They have been quarantined for the last two weeks since their return from Alberta. It’s been a longggggg two weeks! (5 weeks without them total)

People always say “it takes a village”, and let me tell you- we rely heavily on our grandparent village. Hea-v-I-ly

So today was the end of their quarantine- so naturally I packed Jack up first thing in the morning and brought him over. He immediately walked into their house, climbed up on the couch and ate Grumpy’s cereal. Then he moved on to Nanny’s toast.

All was right back to normal.

He played in his swing and with his car, and was reunited with the toys that he missed. And I had my morning coffee with grownups (always a treat) 👍

Now time to gear up for back-to-work this week. Jack will be going there every day for daycare !

Hi all! We are a multi-creature household- two cats, a golden retriever and three humans. It’s a busy house, and we try our best to keep it peaceful!

When we brought Jack home, we were very concerned that the dog wouldn’t like the baby. It was very important to me that Jack be comfortable with dogs and cats, but I also want him to be respectful of pets that he doesn’t know.

Jack loves Ted, he wants to throw the ball for him, pet him and kiss him. Ted is in it for one thing: the snacks.

We try really hard to make sure we are disciplining the right creature for their wrongdoing. The thing is, Ted is a really good dog, so we can’t get mad at him or yell at him when he grumbles at the baby for pulling his tail or pinching him. He is only doing what he can do to communicate his displeasure.

We try to teach Jack to treat all dogs with respect. Give them space, not toooo much affection, and be gentle. We constantly remind him to be kind and gentle when he is interacting with a dog, and we show him how to gently pat. I always make sure to say “Teddy is telling you that he doesn’t like that- you need to listen to him”

We never want him to put a dog in a position where it feels powerless.

So we always encourage Ted to relocate if they baby becomes a bit much. We will pick Jack up, and let him have some space, and we always reward him for being particularly patient.

There is a tentative truce in our household, that is only growing stronger as Jack grows and learns (and drops more and more food)

Good morning! Today we had a coffee and play date with my Cousin and her kids. One is four and the other is 5 months older than Jack. They are our new across-the-road neighbours. We seriously lucked out.

It’s so nice to be able to have morning coffee with a Mom who is relaxed and doesn’t care that I’m still in my sweatpants 😅

The two littles played well together (some pushing and grabbing but choose your battles people…) Jack is so fascinated with the four-year-old. He scream-giggles whenever he does anything.

The house was a total disaster by then end, but the resulting nap from so much excitement is WORTH IT.

I hope you’re all enjoying the sun after yesterday’s rain. I have to say, the rain on our metal roof was absolutely as good as I thought it would be.

I am currently raising a “busy”baby. Busy is a good word to describe him. Although the way that people say it always makes me laugh. It’s usually in comparison to another baby, one who is sitting quietly on the floor, looking at a book. Meanwhile Jack has already gone through the Tupperware drawer, teased the dog, played with cars, sang a song and checked out the light switches.

They sort of get a panicky voice when they say it “oh! Wow! He’s busy!!” 👀

Busy seems to be synonymous with wild, energetic and unmanageable. I suppose he is those things…

But I wouldn’t change his demeanour one bit. He is challenging at times, especially in a new place, but when he does settle down, or gives me a kiss, or puts his head on me, I know he means it.

Busy to us means that we are always finding new things to do. We go outside and swim a lot! He runs wild through the hardware store squealing with glee.

Busy to us is synonymous with silly, fun and entertaining.

Hi all! Diaper changes were a literal nightmare in our house for the last few months. Jack HATES being laid down on his back. We tried stern, distractions, singing songs and literally pinning him down and changing him one handed.

As you can imagine (or know from your own kids) one handed diaper changes can be MESSY. I was so tired of getting a poopy diaper off, only to have him flip over and attempt a great escape off the changing table (think bleached walls)

So I thought- we need a way to change him much faster, and on the move. Enter pull-ups. He lays back (usually) long enough to get cleaned up- then we just throw the pull up on him and away he goes.

It has made our lives so much easier. They are a little bit more expensive (like 5$ a box) and to us it is worth every penny.

So I guess if I were to give advice it would be: if you find yourself endlessly frustrated by a seemingly simple situation (how hard can a diaper change be?) Don’t allow yourself to feel like a failure. Some babies are much harder to change (or feed, or dress) and that’s not anyone’s fault. Find a way that works for you- and don’t worry about the weird looks or strange questions (are you already potty training your baby?!?!)

Also: for any mommas with busy babies- try pull-ups. It might change your life. 👀

My husband woke up feeling sick this morning. He hurt his neck and was feeling nauseous.

Back in the old days- he would have spent the day in bed- feeling sorry for himself. But in our post- baby life, this is no longer an option.

Jack wanted to make his Dad feel better- so he climbed up on him and “patted” his head with a car. Then he laid on Chis’ stomach and cried whenever he didn’t share his Gatorade.

And it got me to thinking about all of the days that I felt sick and just relaxed until I got better. 😍

But Parents have to have the amazing ability to parent through their illness or muscle pains. It’s similar to a superpower I think.

I always thought it was wild when I hear moms tell stories about me everyone in their house (including them) getting the stomach flu.

No time to worry about your own vomiting when all your kids are sick 🤪 they have much worse aim.

Anywho: Parents are superheros. Call them and say thank you. Right now.

Jack had his first babysitters in the new House last night! My cousin came with a friend to babysit while we celebrated some friends of ours.

Normally- this would be a major cause of stress for me. But my cousin is so responsible for her age and Jack loved her. I didn’t worry at all! He went right to sleep and didn’t make a peep until 8am!

He was in much better spirits today than he has been the last few. He is eating better and didn’t whine as badly (colour me relieved)

I was able to do a bunch of laundry and some more unpacking! And Chris got the rail put on the deck- so we will be able to enjoy our outdoor space!