Shaking things up

I left work in August of 2010 and never looked back. It was the best decision for the three of us, and I've loved it more than I ever could have imagined. I'm still in school, and I do want to go back to work, but I really do love being a stay at home Mom. It's not easy. It's exhausting, and frustrating at times. But it's also pretty amazing to be there for every milestone and watch your child grow right before your very eyes. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, and it's a learning curve, but I know one day I'll look back and cherish these moments.

I'm not ready to go back to work yet, but I am getting a little anxious to mix things up a little. I need more adult interaction on a day-to-day basis. There isn't much to do around here, and gas is too expensive ($1.34 this week) to go far. Addison is really starting to get attached to both of us, and we're quickly seeing the benefit of her spending time with other people, and other babies. She loves play group, and visiting friends and the girls. She loves going to our parents houses and spending an afternoon away from us, outside of her normal routine.

We're going to Ottawa next month for my birthday. Hopefully I can see some old friends. It will be an adventure with her in the car for three hours, but I'm excited. I can't wait to go there more often now that it's nice out, and show her all that our capital has to offer.

Soccer starts a few days after we get back. I'm not sure what age I'll be coaching yet, but I'm ready for a new challenge. I did it years ago and had so much fun. We'll have one practice during the week and one game either Friday night or Saturday morning. Addison will go with grandparents or Ryan during the week, and hang out with Isaac on the weekend. Once it's dry, I'm sure she'll enjoy watching from the sidelines.

I was recently offered a job at the Garden Centre, which should start up in April. I'm also looking into Summer School, providing the courses I need are available. It will be nice to get back into a bit of a schedule. It will make for a busy Summer, but I'm ready for a change.

17 MONTHS

Weight: I have no idea. She'll be weighed at her 18 month appointment in April. I hope she's back on her previous curve and that we won't have to do any testing. I'm sure she's just a small baby - like her parents - but it's still worrisome. It's a good feeling FINALLY being able to put some clothes into storage and pull out the next size. We did it recently for the first time in months. She's now in mostly 12 month clothes, but some 12-18 months. I take this as a good sign.
Length: See above. I don't know how long she is.
Recent milestones/new things: All four 1st year molars are in. She mimics everything and is obsessed with shoes (any kind, any size). She tries to put them on herself and walks around the house piling them up, saying "shoes, shoes shoes." She took a few steps backwards this weekend.
Words: Mama, Dada, Nana, uh-oh, oh ya, wasat (What's that), dis (this), dat (that), hey, up, hi, ball, shoes, mmmnana (banana), chee-EE-eese (said as three syllables), eyes, no (rarely in context), diddy (pretty), guck (truck, or sometimes car), quack quack (for a duck), boo (for a cow)
Signs: All done, more, diaper
Favourite toy: Mega Blocks
Sleep: 7:30 or 8 pm - 7 or 8 am
Diapers: Love Pampers Baby Dry (4)
Food: She isn't a great eater these days but she's been sick often, and teething. She still loves all veggies, and most fruits and meats. She'll eat all kinds of foods, just in small portions. She's a big snacker, too.

A quick update

Historical Data! Norm: -4 to +5 (25 to 41)

• It was bright and sunny all day. 24 (75) degrees in March! Record-breaking!
• Addison LOVES being outside. Can you blame her?
• She's still not eating well or sleeping great, but she looks much better and is slowly feeling like her normal self again
• We went shoe shopping on the weekend and Addison scored three new pairs of shoes for $26. Pictures to come once her feet heal and she can break them in. Runners, sandals (similar to last year), and Mary Janes. I also picked up black flats for myself for only $10.
• Addison goes outside after lunch and will scream bloody murder when you finally have to bring her inside for dinner at 5:30. She wants to stay out there and collect sticks.
• Xplornet sucks.
• Addison loves it outside.
• Isaac is working nights.
• Soccer registration is this week. I'll find out in early April which age group I'll be coaching: U7, U9, or U11. Cross your fingers that the fields dry up in time.
• The Easter bunny will be here soon!
• Hannah is almost one!
• Have I mentioned how much Addison loves being outside in this great weather? She'll do laps around the house, inspecting the trees and gardens. She has to touch everything.
• I'm almost 25! I'm excited to get up to Ottawa for a visit with some old friends.
• Morgan is almost two!

Where have the past two years gone?

Something to look forward to

Next week!

Glorious weather

For my American friends, that's 68, 70, 68, 70, 63, and 57

Really, 2012? Really? [Edit]

Addison has Roseola (Sixth Disease) Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood

It's been a bit of a whirlwind week, but we're getting through it.

I'm loving this weather! Today and yesterday it got up to 15 (59)! After having a baby, I think my favourite thing about warm weather is not having to worry about layers and blankets. It's hard getting a baby all bundled up! I can't wait to throw her in a bubble and head out!

Addison is finally having a growth spurt (yay) but quickly growing through clothes (nay). Her winter boots were amazing and lasted the whole season. They were adorable and we got a great deal. They're a size three and too tight now, just in time for Spring. I pulled out four pairs of size fours and none of them fit! She grew out of a three, through a four, and into five! So now she has no shoes and never had a chance to wear those four pairs. Same goes for Spring jackets. I thought she had four, but she actually only fits into two. They'll fit until my birthday if I'm lucky! Thank God for hand-me-downs. I'd cry if I had spent all that money on clothes she never got to wear.

The snow is almost all gone now, with none in the near forecast. Spring is near! Isaac and I took her out to the lot for a hike through the grass. She tried to go both up and down a big hill, with great difficulty. She picked at grass and touched every tree branch she came near. It was hard at first, walking in her big boots, but she did really well. She's made definite progress this week in terms of running. Her confidence is skyrocketing. We're in trouble!

Not afraid of anything

Taking in her surroundings

She insists on walking along the foot path now, from the driveway to the back door. If you take her for a walk, you don't even have time to put the stroller away before she's off and running. Thankfully she does still enjoy the stroller/trailer, and walks well while holding onto our hands. She has thoroughly enjoyed doing laps around our house in the grass for the past two days.

She's feeling much better after having had Pink Eye and a cold. I can see two points of both of her top molars now, though, so she's still not quite her happy self. Hopefully they'll come quickly and she can finally have some peace for the first time since she started teething at six months.

We're starting to brainstorm some ideas of what to do this Summer. I might be working at the local garden centre, which starts in April or May. I'm also coaching soccer from early May until late June. I don't know which age group yet. It could be U7, U9, or U11. I did U5 a few years ago and I loved it but I'd like to coach a team that actually plays, without it being too dramatic and competitive like you'd get in U14 or U18.

We want to go to Wonderland this Spring when it gets warm but it's still not too busy. Preferably before June, when school gets out. I'd also like to go to the Zoo in the Summer once the hippos and giraffes are out. They have penguins now (again) too! I also have Megan's Baby Shower and a get-together in Toronto with some fellow mamas and babies. I can't wait!

The weekend wasn't a total bust

Looks like Morgan has Roseola :( Poor girl

Addison went to the doctor this morning. She thinks it's Viral Conjuctivitis and a cold, but it could also be Adenovirus. I have to give her drops four times a day for the next five days, and keep spraying her nose with saline solution. Turns out babies hate both of these things with a fiery passion.

When she was still feeling relatively well, we got some shopping done, and Isaac took her for a hike in his new carrier. Yay!

My girl is now the proud owner of this potty, and a new bathing suit from Joe Fresh (pictured below). The potty was only $20 and the bathing suit $14! Score!

Holding the lid to her Saline spray can. She wouldn't let it go.

We saw Isaac's cousin Cherise this weekend, too. She brought Addison's belated birthday gift, which was awesome. Adorable slippers (pictured above), a stuffed mermaid doll, and two great books: Little Critter, and The Berenstain Bears.

Hopefully things start to turn around for the girls soon!

Addison's new look

This is how you'll catch her at any given moment, these days. She's currently sporting the 'Sick baby with sore gums' look. Her hand doesn't leave her mouth often.

Sick and tired

2012 thus far has consisted of dealing with a sick baby, and our awful internet company.

Addison had a really runny nose at the end of last week but we blamed molars (hell on earth) because she seemed fine otherwise. On Friday she developed a small cough, and by Saturday her cough had worsened, and her right eye had turned bright pink.

I had to call the after-hours line because the doctor's office is only open Mon-Fri from 8:30-4:30. Awesome, right? Thankfully we didn't have to go to the nearest clinic (half an hour away). The doctor thinks it could just be a bad cold that has manifested in her eye, but sent in a prescription for eye drops in case it turns out to be pink eye. The doctor returned my call at 11:30 and the pharmacy is only open until noon, and closed on Sundays. Thankfully we got there in time to pick up the drops.

We haven't used them yet because it's not crusty or mucous y and we don't want to attempt eye drops on a baby if it turns out to be something else. I'm taking her into the doctor tomorrow morning to get some more information. I hope this passes soon!

Besides my sick baby, I feel like I spend all of my time dealing with the internet (or lack thereof). I hate that we had to resort to the Better Business Bureau in order to get any sort of help. Thankfully they ruled in our favour on February 28, and our case is just about closed. I can't wait to be rid of this company. It won't be soon enough!