Nine Months: S'not Always Fun and Somersaults

We've been sniffing and sneezing for nearly a month here - a month! It's been rather annoying, I must say, because September is such a fun time of year and I hate to miss out on activities or limit them due to runny noses, watery eyes and the works. But it hasn't been just all fall colds here either. Ben actually developed a low grade fever this past month (when he cut his second tooth) and it was a huge challenge for us all considering it was the first fever we've experienced. Poor boy was absolutely wiped out, sweating, whimpering and only wanted to lie on my chest. Did I mention that this kid is NOT a cuddler? It was so sad but also reminded me how grateful I am to have a normally healthy child. What we experienced those few days doesn't even compare to what a lot of people have to face (and worse). So snot and sniffles, coughing, projectile vomit and multiple wake-ups at night for a few weeks is okay - we'll survive it and it will go away eventually.

We've been introducing Ben to a variety of new foods and textures - not just the strained stuff anymore.  We don't push anything too hard but want to expose him to a few different flavours (this coming from a girl who ordered chicken fingers and fries at nearly every eating establishment that was frequented from age 6-12). I love watching Ben's facial expressions whenever he tries something new - usually a look of disgust followed by 'more' 'more' or 'I refuse to open my mouth ever again'. He's now happy eating rice crackers, puffs, small pieces of bread and soft fruit bits. He loves feeding himself and almost always tries to grab the spoon from us when he can. Not surprisingly, it's a bit messier around here at dinner time.

My workout regime has also increased this month. It's nearly impossible to keep up to this boy. I've got to watch him like a hawk because he gets into absolutely everything and at lightning speed. So much for sitting on the floor and quietly playing with a toy while I shower. Nope, he's pulling to stand on most surfaces he deems suitable and is wanting to make his way around the room. Time for the serious baby-proofing. He also loves riding on top of Danny's shoulders and bounces up and down with enthusiasm when its time to 'giddy up'. Don't even get me started on Ben's game of launching himself off the bed  into Danny's arms and finishing with a summersault. I have to close my eyes.

Feeling like we're settling into a bit more of a routine now that the hustle and bustle of summer has quieted down a bit. I've been loving this unseasonably warm weather lately so we've been making more walks around the neighbourhood, at the zoo, around the reservoir and through rainy mountain towns. We hosted a few dinners and had play dates with some old friends but are mostly at home practicing how to wave/say hi (he totally gets it now) and clapping our snotty hands together. You're welcome.

Off to rub some Baby Vaporub on my congested boy!

Apple Crisp

Everyone knows it is apple season so I thought I'd share a recipe for apple crisp I made last week. I was actually in the process of of making it when some unexpected company stopped by (score 1 point for my inner domestic goddess). Ended up being such a hit that I had to wash the baking dish that night too. Read: We ate it ALL.

Modify as you wish...

Ingredients:
4 large granny smith apples - peeled and sliced
1 1/2 C brown sugar - packed
1 c flour
1 c oats - I used a bit more
1 1/2 sticks soft butter
2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375'F
Place sliced apples on the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish
Combine sugar, flour, oats, butter and cinnamon (should be a coarse meal)
Sprinkle on top of apples
Bake for 30min

Serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream.

We ate this up so quickly I didn't even have a chance to take a proper photo but it looked a lot like this one from Eco Chef.

Toronto Condo Tour

When we moved to Toronto last year we knew it would be temporary. We knew it would be a year to 'soak it all up and enjoy it while it lasts' or 'suffer through it and count down the days until we're back home'. It was probably a healthy combination of the two, to be completely honest, but even with that approach in mind, I didn't want to live in flux either. I feel so strongly that a home has to be a space where you feel grounded, settled and calm...something that would prove to be a challenge for me but a welcome one.

When selecting a place to live we had two main search criteria; (1) that it be close to where Danny worked to cut down on his commute time and (2) that it fit my taste seeing as I would spend a significant portion of my day there. It was definitely a stressful process to find accommodations in an already tight market, not to mention we were moving during peak season. Fortunately we found a two bedroom unit that fit the bill. Not only was it located literally across from the hospital parkade but it was brand-spanking new and had never been lived in. Score!

I was so thrilled that we had found the space but the new challenge was how to transform it into our home, or at least a place where we could eat and sleep. The first option (which was not even a 'real' option) was to find a furnished place to rent... but being the first tenants in the unit and all, this obviously wasn't going to happen. Alternatively, we could purchase all new furniture, appliances, kitchen supplies etc. and start from scratch but that would limit us to fairly inexpensive (read; cheap quality) options and although I do like a good deal, I don't like to live entirely surrounded by cookie cutter self-assembled furniture from a big box store. Plus my craftsmanship is probably pretty shoddy at best. Additionally, if we went with this route, we would still have to figure out where to store all my existing furniture. So in the end we ended up picking out the essentials from my existing furniture, shipping it across country and storing the remainder in a basement.

So there we were in a new condo and trying to furnish it with the bare essentials. Danny was really great and didn't complain too much when I would pick up a few little accessories here and there over the next few months - fully realizing that whatever we brought in was temporary and would still need to be shipped back home at the end of his Fellowship term. We were fortunate to have huge windows with wonderful views of the city, sky and water so in essence that was our 'real' decor. It was a work in progress and I'm happy to say we made this little temporary space our home for 12 short months.

So without further delay - here's a little tour of our downtown Toronto condo!

Our living room faced East and had floor to ceiling windows that bathed the room in wonderful light. I liked the hardwood floors as they reflected said light and were really easy to clean. For the first time in my life my houseplants thrived! Too bad we couldn't bring them back with us. This was also the best room to watch the reflection of the sunset on the windows across the street.

The kitchen was galley style and a dream compared to my dated kitchen in my previous place. I liked the granite countertops and two-toned cupboards although I have no idea how someone of a shorter stature could function in that space. I'm over 6 feet tall and would still have to pull up a chair to get to those top cupboards! 

See that long dark column on the far right? That is the world's smallest refrigerator and freezer. They definitely taught us to become very economic with our space. I guess most people who live downtown eat out a lot?

Our bedroom was located just behind a sliding glass panel (North East Corner) and showcased the best view of the whole suite. I loved laying in bed at night looking down Bay St. at City Hall, numerous skyscrapers and the waterfront. Again, this room was flooded with beautiful light in the morning (which I liked but Danny didn't so much).

Looking back towards the living room and mini dining room area leads us into Ben's nursery. Even though he would only be living there for six months, I really wanted to make a special space for our first born child - something where I could retreat to in the middle of the night and rock him to sleep. As it turns out he stayed next to us in a little bassinet at night, but I still loved having a separate space for our little boy. Danny and I painted that back wall a soft grey - a challenging feat  involving a seven month pregnant lady balancing on her man's shoulder's and barely managing to tape/paint a border around the top of a 10 foot tall wall. Yes, it was a bit ridiculous, and I realize I should have just asked maintenance for a proper ladder - but I was determined and we all know not to argue with a pregnant lady.

We kept the furnishings really minimal (plenty of baby junk to fill up the space when he gets older) and just added a few little pieces here and there. Again, we took advantage of the marvellous view out of his South facing window, a window which provided a lot of great light for his monthly photo shoots!

The bathrooms and office den were also pretty sleek and minimal but I didn't get around to photographing them because (a) who needs to look at another person's toilet and (b) we were really pressed for time in the last few weeks.

So here you have it! Not a perfectly staged magazine portrayal but hopefully a glimpse into our little 800sq ft home in the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto for twelve months. It served its purpose well and will be a chapter we can look back on with fond memories.

Oh, and that view?...

Man I sure miss it some days.

Eight Months: Travel, Tumbles and Teeth!

We've got a couple big things in the works this month and I wasn't sure if I'd even have time to get Ben's 8-month post up. But it's Friday night and everyone is sleeping (except me) so I thought it would be the perfect time to whip together a little write up. After all, I know I'll appreciate keeping up with these posts even more in the future when I look back and reminisce. Its so easy to forget each stage as we're continually adjusting to the new ones.

Ben's advancing mobility has been the biggest change this month. Four weeks ago he was just learning to get up on all fours and could almost sit by himself unassisted. Seems like ages ago now. Kid is sitting up for 20+ minutes at a time and is crawling around like mad (it started off as inch-worming at the beginning but is now full on crawling). He'll pull himself up to a standing position and work his way around the furniture. He only needs to hold onto our fingers when walking or running around the house. Lots of tumbling over as a result but fortunately he doesn't seem to be affected too much. I like to think it has something to do with me not giving him a big reaction when bumps and falls happen (something my brother taught me) and so far it has worked pretty good. Or maybe he's just a tough kid...who knows?

You'd think with all this moving around he'd be thinning out a bit but I think he's actually packing on the weight instead. He's still a great eater and enjoys feeding himself for most meals. We give him water from time to time which he's happy to drink and, like every typical baby this age, he explores absolutely everything with his mouth.

Speaking of which, I am so happy to announce that he has cut his first tooth! Oh how I waited and waited for this moment (and finally gave up talking about it after 4 months of excessive drooling and so-called teething signs). But there's definitely a sharp little tooth making an appearance and I can feel some more little buds nearing the surface.

Ben and I took our first big road trip this month - visiting family and friends in my hometown. The car trip itself was waaaaaay less stressful than I had anticipated and he did a marvellous job entertaining himself most of the time with the random toys I'd launch back to him every few minutes. I didn't even have to pull over once! We had our first official beach day and rode in a motor boat (he fell asleep). He met his three cousins in person for the first time as well as many out of town guests who had traveled to see us. We strolled around our new neighbourhood a few times and learned how to wave/say 'hi'...realizing that it is more of a high pitched 'hhhhhiiiiiiiii' squeal than an actual verbal expression but I'll take what I can get.

Danny and I went on our first ever date since Ben was born this month to celebrate my birthday. It's kind of sad that we hadn't done it earlier but we didn't have any babysitters until we moved back out west. Truly enjoyed our dinner and movie despite the running commentary from the random 3 year old sitting behind us. Seriously, we left our kid at home for a reason. But I digress. I also left Ben with Danny one night while I had a mountain weekend escape with some of my closest girlfriends. Figured the boys made out okay when I came home and everything was pretty much how I'd left it apart from a shirt that had been put on backwards.

Yup, lots of new milestones reached and more fun stages to come. I'd better sign off soon, however, as the little guy is an early riser despite how many Zzzzs I get.

But first, an obligatory photo dump.

Olympic Pride

There's just something so magical about the Olympics. I love watching the athleticism, competition and drive. It's so amazing to me to see what the human body (and mind) is capable of accomplishing. I know there is plenty of politics, drama, and controversy involved too but I choose not to focus on that aspect because I'd rather spend my time celebrating humanity, sportsmanship and success (in all its forms).

Good luck to all the competitors. We're proud of you and cheering you on!

Seven Months: Summer Fun

It should go without saying that this month has been all about big changes (most notably our move back across country) and I couldn't be more pleased/relieved with how well Ben handled it.

Kid's appetite is increasing along with his body mass. We're doing one solid meal per day and so far so good! He still prefers the bottle but is happy to try everything else we've offered (so far). The post-meal mess is unbelievable as Ben likes to grab the spoon, rub his face mid chew, suck on his bib, etc. while being fed. Thank goodness everything is washable.

Most of the clothes that arrived on the moving truck last week no longer fit despite being 'roomy' just a few weeks ago. The other day I realized that he fits the entire length of his change mat from head-to-toe. I can't believe his strength either. I seriously have to work hard to keep him from squirming away during diaper changes or when getting him dressed. I'm not sure who's more tired by the end.

Mobility is definitely improving with Ben getting up on all fours and manoeuvring around on his tummy in every which way. No crawling yet (and secretly I'm thankful for that) but even then it is becoming apparent that I cannot leave him unwatched for even five seconds. Ben can easily eject himself from his Bumbo chair and will wriggle to whatever has caught his interest. We learned this the hard way, unfortunately, as he's had two tumbles now...once for Mom and once for Dad. Fortunately he's just fine (although we were both a bit traumatized when it happened).

Ben is now officially in his big boy crib and no longer in the same room as us at night. His sleep habits are kind of random at the moment. We had one night where he slept through the night (hallelujah) and the very next he woke up 6 or 8 times. We bought a baby monitor which has been an awesome investment, especially now that he is 'all the way in the next room'. I think I had more separation anxiety than the kid did.

Now that we're back on 'home turf' and (finally) semi-settled...we've been running around like mad! I hosted a bridal shower/stagette for a great friend and spent my first night away from my little man that day. We giddy-up'd to the 100th Stampede with our good friends Cory, Ash and Isla for some Western fun. Baba, Grandpa and Aunty Kelly came for a visit. We met cousin Ethan who's just a few weeks old and hosted Danny's mom's birthday dinner/cake. We attended two weddings - one in beautiful rural Saskatchewan and the other nestled in the picturesque Rocky Mountains. Although the mosquitoes got the best of us in both locations we still had a blast. Danny started his position as an attending this month and we couldn't be more proud of him. I probably missed a bunch of things but I think you get the gist of it all.

Next up for Ben and I is a road trip where I tackle long-distance driving...solo! Fortunately Ben is getting better with being in the car now (maybe just one big meltdown every twenty to thirty minutes).

Wish us luck!

And Then I Fell off the Face of the Earth...

Whoa - it's mid July already???!!!

I'm writing this post as I wait for our moving truck to (supposedly) arrive. What's that you say? Didn't we move like a month ago? Well my friends, I'm afraid this isn't a typo. It has been nearly a month and, yes, we're still waiting for our stuff to arrive.

I'll spare you the excessive rant that will likely turn into a run on of expletives and just say that it has been an extremely frustrating experience. Lost vehicles, broken down trucks, poor schedulers, countless phone calls, emails, broken down communications, deadlines passed, revised deadlines passed, re-purchased wedding gifts/outfits/bridal shower materials, and a new appreciation for sleeping on your own bed (or any bed for that matter).

Deep breaths.

But it hasn't all been a complete disaster. The new house is great and I can't wait to truly settle in with our stuff. We've attended birthday parties, thrown bridal showers/stagettes, hosted grandparents, aunts, uncles, enjoyed to the Calgary Stampede, attended a fun family wedding in Saskatchewan and exhausted almost every take out menu in our neighbourhood. It's no wonder I am in shock that we're half-way through July.

Hoping to resume a more frequent posting schedule soon (although it's not as though I was a frequent poster to begin with).