The Fit and Active Family

I'd like us to be one of those.  That was one of our main deciding factors for moving out here, so that we can instill a love of outdoor activity in our children.  Afterall, how could you not live in a town like this and not enjoy all it has to offer?  Neverending bike and hiking trails, ski slopes on one side and the bay on the other.  We'd be silly not to get involved.

But it's not that easy!

When I go to the Y I am surrounded by all these fit moms.  I listen to them talk about their cycling marathons or discuss how intense their latest spinning class was.  I watch them drop off their kids at the childminder's then hit the gym.  I see them drive off in their SUVs with bike racks on the back and kayaks on top.  In the winter they'll trade them for ski racks.  Outside the bikes lined up all have trailers attached to the back of them.

Did you know that bike trailers aren't just for bikes?  You can buy attachments for jogging and cross country skiing as well! 

I do want us to be one of those families.  I want to be able to go on long bike rides with the kids in tow, throughout all the amazing trails around here.  Kayaking looks like great fun, and I definitely want to be a skiing family as my dad used to take my brother and I skiing when we were kids and those are some of my fondest childhood memories.

Well all that stuff is bloody expensive.  I looked at bike trailers when I was checking out double strollers, but we don't even have bikes and they're certainly not in the budget for this year, or next for that matter.  Kayaks, skis, are you kidding me?  Maybe one day.  We'll have to work up to that.

But what about me?  I want to be a fit and active mom!  Ok, I got my stroller and so you will find me marching all around town.  I pretty much refuse to drive anywhere, even when it's raining.  And twice a week I put on my workout gear to hit up zumba.  But for now, that's about it. 

The gym is not my thing, mostly because I feel lost in amongst all that equipment.  I much prefer group fitness.  I really want to try a group cycle class, it looks like so much fun and a great way to get fit.  But I am so intimidated by them.  When I walk by and peek in and see all the super strong people in there, spinning away with sweat dripping off them, I can just picture myself in the back looking like a fool struggling to keep up.  I had a wellness coach show me how to adjust the bike, but I'll be darned if I can remember how!  If only I had someone to go with me and walk me through the process, I'm sure a few times into it and I would feel more comfortable.

There is also a 20-20-20 class on Monday mornings that I think I would do well in.  Right now though we have only budgeted so that I can put the kids in childminding for one hour a week, for my zumba class (the other one being in the evening so Tyler watches them).  So it's not looking like I will be trying cycling or any other weekday classes any time soon.

On the weekends there is a yoga and a pump circuit I want to try.  It just seems like we are always rushing off to do something.  Or like in the case of this weekend, Tyler isn't even around to watch the kids for me.  Hmpf.

So being fit and active is not as straightforward as it seems!  But it is yet another goal to work towards as we build our life here.

I do look forward to when the boys are older, and hopefully we can enjoy all these activities together as a family.

Eeek!! Grey hair?

When I was pregnant with T, about 3yrs ago now, Tyler discovered one lone grey hair one day.  I thought he was joking.  Until he plucked it out and showed me.  I cried.  Seriously, right there the tears started flowing.

Since then there have been one or two more.

Then these past few days, not one but THREE!  Which makes me wonder, how many more are lurking up there that I can't see?

So this is it then.  I will be 30 this year which I suppose marks the end of...what?  My youth?  I don't know, all I know is I'm not too impressed to be getting older, and now apparently looking older too with my newly discovered grey hair.  I don't feel 30, I still feel 25 (most days anyways).  I don't think I look 30, I've always tended to look younger than my age.

But then again, maybe I do look 30!  When I met new moms, I often wonder how old they think I am.  Most of the time I assume they think I am young.  In my mind they are thinking "Wow, that mom looks way too young to have two children!"  But then the reality is, no I probably don't.  Maybe they even think I look older (heaven forbid!).

I know I know, age is just a number, and it's all about how you feel.  I do feel good, and I plan on looking and feeling good for quite awhile yet.  Just hoping my hair cooperates a little bit longer.  I'm not keen on whipping out the boxed hair dyes any time soon.

Oh well, at least the wrinkles seems to be holding off for now.  I guess I'll get really upset when the first one of those makes it's appearance!

The Bad and The Good

Maybe because it is dreary and rainy out.  Or maybe it's because T has been sick this week and it has just been so draining dealing with all the whininess or clinginess.  Or maybe it's because Tyler has taken off on one of his fishing trips, and I hate it when he's gone.  I'm just feeling so uninspired when it comes to thinking of something to post about.

But it's not all bad.  There is some good.  I guess I'll talk a bit about both.

So, crappy stuff from this week.  First off, F's failed meds wean.  I tried, it didn't seem like he was ready, so I put him back on.  I was pretty disappointed, but seeing as how his mood and sleep improved pretty much immediately I'm fairly certain he needed the full dose back.  He had his 1yr checkup this week though, and the doctor really wants to see us try to wean again soon.  I agree, I do want to try, but it is just not that straightforward.  I'll probably give it another shot in a few weeks.

I was also disappointed to learn he really has not gained any weight since his last checkup, 3mos ago, and really is a teeny little thing.  I figured he was at least 20 lbs, but he's not, he is only 18 lbs 12oz.  Not even 19 lbs!  I think T was about 20 lbs at a year.  I know he is fine, I know he is really active, and that he doesn't eat that much, and that with my genetics my children will never be huge.  But it has made me want to focus more on his eating as it is just rubbish. 

Then there has been T's mystery virus which has made for a very difficult week.  On Tuesday afternoon he came down with a fever, and by dinner that night he was a wreck.  I can't remember the last time I saw him like that.  He managed to sleep it off, and while he was feverish on and off for a few days after it really didn't progress into anything.  However as a result he has not been sleeping well, and he has been soooo whiny.  Like whinier than he has ever been.  And clingy.  It has been hard to deal with.  I know he isn't feeling well, but at the same time I just want my happy toddler back!

And finally, Tyler's fishing trip.  I like that he has a hobby that he really enjoys, but I hate that it consumes him so much.  I also hate his trips where he goes away for a few days.  I don't really like it when he's gone, but it's not just the time he is gone.  When he plans one of these trips, he spends so much time preparing, sorting his gear, shopping for stuff, making stuff, and packing it's ridiculous.  It means that for a trip where he'll be gone 2 days, I actually lose his company for the better part of a week.  It's depressing.  It's made even worse when things are off with the kids (like T being sick) and I know I'm left to deal with it on my own.

I think that is the hardest part for me.  My job does not end, it is almost 24/7.  So as much as any working adult, I look forward to the weekends when he is home and I have a little help with the kids, and maybe get a little break.  Particularly after a week like this, where the boys have both been hanging off me and whining in my ear, not to mention sleeping poorly which means I have not had much sleep myself.  The weekends are a chance for me to hopefully get some help, and maybe a little rest.  Well, not when he takes off.  To me it feels never ending, last week bleeds into next week with no break in sight.  Exhausting.  I guess too that I'm a little resentful that he can just take a break from all the whining, and crying. 

But that is enough with the miserable stuff, how about the happy stuff, eh?

Like, we had a really great play date this week!  One mom friend I have made invited me and the boys over on Thursday morning and we had a really great time.  The boys all seemed to play well together, and M and I had a chance to chat and get to know each other better.  Their house is just lovely and they have the most amazing backyard.  T got to jump on a trampoline for the first time which he really enjoyed.  We took a stroll down to the stream and all the boys ended up stomping through the water, getting soaked.  The older boys had to walk home with wet pants and shoes, but we stripped the younger ones down to diapers and shirts and walked back.  It was loads of fun, and I am so happy that we seemed to have clicked with another family.

We had some beautiful, warm weather this week.  The boys and I tried to get out a lot, and actually I got to chat with some other moms at the park that I've seen around the neighbourhood.

T is officially enrolled in Montessori for September, yay!

I made it out to zumba twice this week which is great.  I always feel more human when I get to escape and exercise, even if it's just for 2 hours a week.

Today after swimming we went to the Teddy Bear Picnic at the YMCA.  It was inside since it was raining, but was good fun nonetheless.  There was a bouncy castle (T's favorite!), arts and crafts, balloon animals, and all sorts of other activities.  T got to sit in a police car and push the siren button which he really liked, and he was so excited to see a real fire truck up close.  He got to pet a snake as well.  We had a really nice time.

So there you go, the bad with the good.  Gotta look at both sides!  Hopefully I will feel more inspired next week.

Flowers and Bugs

T loves flowers.  LOVES them, just like mama.  When we go out for walks, he is always asking to pick the flowers.  Red, yellow, purple, he loves them all.  It is so cute seeing him walk down the street or sit in the stroller with his little bouquet.  Sometimes he pulls the petals off, other times he just holds them.  I love it when he brings me one and says "Here's a flower for you mommy". 

He doesn't discriminate either.  Dandelions and other weed-type plants are just as treasured as the tulips and the daffodils.  Today he learned how to say "grape hyacinth".

He is also into bugs.  That's right, we've made some great progress on the bug fear.  He still doesn't like ones that take him by surprise and kamikaze him, but then again none of us do.  When we walk home from the park, I swear he has to stop and look at every, single, ant.  "Look mommy, an ant!  An ant!  Look look, TWO ants!  Two ants mommy!  LOOK!".  This goes on all the way home.  "Yes Tristan, there are ants.  There are lots of ants.  Lots from here until we get home". 

Today while we were walking I could see a little girl about T's age coming towards us with her dad.  As we approached I could see her on all fours, scrounging the ground while her dad kept telling her to hurry up.  I just laughed and said "ants?", he chuckled and said "yup".  I can just hear her in my head, "Look daddy LOOK, an ANT!".

In the backyard today T wanted me to put a boxelder bug into his bug cage.  Boxelder bugs are creepy.  Well, at least to me they are.  Here is one for your viewing pleasure.

And we have them everywhere here.  I mean EVERYWHERE.  These are some of the bugs that he was previously scared of, but now he seems to be interested in them.  He walks right up to them now, and even tries to feed them flowers.  But he still won't touch them.

The thing is, I won't touch them either.  There is nothing stupider than a mother who is afraid of bugs trying to teach her 2.5yr old not to be afraid of bugs.

T:  "Mommy, put bug in the bug house"
Me:  "You can do it.  Use your hand to grab it and put it in"
T:  "Mommy do it"
Me:  "Mommy can't.  Mommy's allergic to bugs"

Do you think he'll buy it?

I love flowers, and I hate bugs.  Pretty strange combination for someone who has made a living as a gardener.

Well actually, bugs and I have a love-hate relationship.  I hate that I fear them, but I secretly think they are cool and wish I weren't scared of them.  I actually find most bugs really fascinating and enjoy looking at pictures of them.  They do still creep me out though.

I follow a really cool bug blog though called Bug Safari , check it out.

Bugs and flowers, they go hand and hand.  They need each other.  So as much as I don't like bugs, I do love flowers and so I guess I better learn to appreciate them.

What I do love though is the excitement and sweet fascination with which my toddler looks at both. 

One Year On the Bay

Today it occurred to me that yesterday marks the one year anniversary of us moving out here from the city.  Wow.  A whole year has passed, it's so hard to believe.

Originally the plan was that I would stay in the city for a month after F was born to finish out our post natal care with our midwives.  But after F arrived Tyler didn't like the idea of me alone by myself during the week with both kids.

So we decided to go sooner.  We left Toronto when F was only 9 days old.  I suppose it was the right thing to do.  But then at the same time it would have been good to stay near family and friends who could help, and around the midwives and my family doctor for any medical care F or I may have needed.

Oh well, doesn't really matter now!  We made it. 

And now, one year on, we are starting to feel settled.  This town feels like home.  Occasionally I see Toronto on the tv and I remember how much I miss it.  But the feelings of wanting to go back haven't creeped up for a long time now.  That's a pretty good feeling.

We've resolved to make it work here.  We're going to give it a shot.

Happy One Year Anniversary, Life on the Bay!

Illness...Teething...Reflux...Argh!!

Just after F's birthday I wanted to try weaning his reflux meds again.  So I started giving him only 1/2 his regular dose a day.  For the first week everything seemed peachy, he was doing great.  But over the weekend he was all out of sorts.  On Saturday he was kinda feverish and just grumpy, but he slept fine that night.  On Sunday he was just downright miserable for most of the day, but again he slept fine at night.  I was convinced that he needed his full dose back and was going to give it to him Monday morning, but he woke up chipper and was in a great mood all day!  Then last night was terrible, and today has been hit and miss.  He's been relatively happy, a few grumpy moments, but he keeps crying out from his nap with for him is usually a sign on some sort of discomfort.

Thing is, he is due for more teeth too, so all this could be teething. 

Then yesterday T came down with a bit of a fever, and so he has been grumpy and miserable all yesterday and today too, so maybe they've both caught a little bug.

I hate the guessing game!  If I knew it were simply reflux I could just put him back on his meds and breathe a sigh of relief.  But if it's not, and he's outgrown the reflux, then weaning the meds is a good thing. 

I don't know, I just don't know.  I want to just give them back for peace of mind, but I don't know if it's the right thing to do.  Obviously I don't want to be medicating unecessarily, and he's already been on them for 9mos.

Not to mention that T is driving me nuts with his constant whining.  I know he doesn't feel well, but it's so hard when they're upset and clingy and you can't do anything about it.

Well, F is up there crying after his nap and it doesn't sound like he is going back to sleep.  This does not bode well!  Better go.

Ontario needs birth centres | Ontario Midwives

I was excited to read in the latest newsletter from our Hypnobirthing instructor, Jennifer Elliott, that midwives are currently lobbying for birth centres in Ontario.  Please visit their website and click on support midwifery to show your support and find out how you can help bring birth centres to Ontario!

Ontario needs birth centres - Ontario Midwives