january twenty :: 31 weeks old

Mack is 31 weeks old today.

This morning when trying to figure out how to pack Elmo to bring him home, we joked around about me wearing Elmo at the airport, and taking him onto the plane. I decided to try him on. Sean got a kick out of that. Elmo fits perfectly in the Snugli.

So Sean decided he wanted to wear Elmo too. However, the sling is rather large on Sean. It was cute anyhow! My funny little boy!

We got to the airport early as we had to have the car rental back for for 1:00pm, but only had a 4:15 pm flight. My mom ran around with Sean in the airport, he couldn't sit still. She took him on walks, and kept him entertained. Amy & I were happy to find free wifi at the airport. That helped us pass a bit of time.

Our flight left on time, which is good. It was supposed to leave early, and then there was a major traffic jam for the run way (apparently it was rush hour at the airport) and we got into the air.

It was a long flight home. Sean couldn't sit still in his seat and he didn't nap today. He decided to play the "Let's see how loud I can scream" game. Fun. And my 2 kids were the only 2 kids on the flight. So they knew where it was coming from. Sean also wanted to turn off and on the light above our seat. They turned off the lights half way through the flight, so he got to see that there were lights above our seats. In order for him to reach it, he had to stand on top of the arm rests of the seat. Argh! That was a disaster. Amy & I on numerous occasions had to sing different versions of "the wheels on the bus" over and over again to Sean, to get him distracted from what he was complaining/screaming/whining about.

We had 2 blonde stewardesses on this flight and they were really good to Sean. He flirted with them of course. What else is new, he likes blondes. at one point we had to get the stewardess to tell Sean that the light was broken, so that he wouldn't play with it anymore.

I got to knit 2 rows on the plane. That's all I was able to get done.... hoping to have more knitting time once I get home! Traveling with 2 kids = no knitting time!

We got home in record time, the flight ended up being under 3 hours, but since we were the last off the plane, and until we went through customs and then til we got our luggage, it was almost 9 pm by the time we got home. What a long day!

Sean crashed hard on the way home from the airport - knew it! He was snoring as we transferred him into his pj's with a clean diaper and into his bed. Mack also fell asleep and was an easy transfer to his crib.

I don't even want to think about pre-vacation laundry (I came home with all clean laundry) or unpacking my suitcases tonight. Going to go hang out with Jamie and have a glass of red wine.



ps- I've located some Munchkin Single Serve Formula Dispensers, and shipped them to a friend's house in the USA (couldn't find a single place online that would ship to Canada). I should have them soon! YEY!

january fifteen

Again, as predicted, both boys were up at 7:20 am. Thank heavens neither of them got up in the middle of night. Though, now I’m probably cursing myself. Sean slept successfully on the twin sized air mattress. I did have to move him over onto it after he fell asleep in my bed first. The transfer was at some point when I woke up to go to the bathroom. I got a fantastic night’s sleep after transferring both boys to their beds last night. Mack’s been sleeping wonderfully in the playpen. (I love love love this photo above of the two boys chillin' together in the morning).

I swear, this morning’s getting ready took longer than yesterday. Slow pokes!

Mack's new suss. "I heart Mommy"

Sean running around on the property of my grandmother's condo.

Our first stop today was to the Deerfield Mall. I needed to check for something at Walgreens. Though, they didn’t have what I was looking for, (the single serve formula dispenser by Munchkin – which I hope to find before leaving the USA). A friend of mine who has a baby boy about 3 weeks older than Mackie got them from Target in New York, so I know they exist. I did end up buying a few other items from there, all from the baby section. I ended up getting a suss holder, since as of today, Mack’s finally taking the suss. I think it was the brand I had, that he didn’t like. But this new one, he’s taking! And he likes. Maybe it was the texture of the material the suss was made of, maybe it was the shape he didn’t like. Maybe the size of the pacifier was too big for his tiny mouth? It could be a combination of different things. Anything’s possible. The suss that he’s taking now are the 2 months + by MAM which is by Sassy.

I then found a shovel & pail at Dollar Tree. I bought it because someone who lives in Century Cemetery Village told my grandmother that buckets & shovels, or rather beach toys, are hard to find this time of the year, because it’s “out of season” for Florida. We’re hoping to go to the beach, weather permitting. I also found Mackie a bib that says “I (heart) my brother”.

I then had to go back into Walgreens to get a new sippy cup because the one I brought for Sean was leaking. We didn’t know if we’d find one at the mall, and we didn’t want to go back to the condo in Century Cemetery Village.

Of course Sean fell asleep in the car, 5 minutes before we got to our destination.

We then headed to Sawgrass Mills Mall, which is in Sunrise, Florida. When we parked the car and were loading up the kids into the strollers, etc, I saw a piece of paper that I thought may have fallen out of one of our bags, so I picked it up to see what it was. The note read “You should be happy I didn’t key your car douche bag”. I guess someone had left that on someone’s car.

We did some shopping, ok, a lot a of shopping. We did a lot of walking as well. Good exercise! The mall is huge, and there aren’t that many bathrooms, so I kept having to walk back to the food court at the beginning of the mall where we entered from, and got a lot of exercise. We were in the mall from about 1pm until we at dinner at the Rainforest Café at around 7pm.


By the end of the day Sean was restless at the mall (I don't blame the kid) and was being chased by Auntie Amy from under clothing racks! I hope none of the store clerks noticed!

Sean & Mommy

Serious Mack.

Smiley Mack!

Silly Mack!

Dinner as I mentioned before was at the Rainforest Café. I really like that restaurant. I had the Planet Earth Pasta and it was delicious. Sean loved it whenever the Apes that were near us would move/talk. It was funny/cute. He’d mimic them. He got a kick out of the restaurant. Glad that he actually sat still and behaved during dinner. Too bad we don’t have this restaurant in Montreal. Closest Canadian location (1 of 2 in Ontario) is in Toronto. I’ve eaten there before. I’ve also eaten at the one in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. (When I was just pregnant with Sean).

There’s another themed restaurant, which I wish I could take Sean to, called T-Rex. It’s a dinosaur themed restaurant. However, it’s in Orlando, which is about a 3 hour + car drive form here. There’s only 2 in the USA, one in Orlando, FL and one in KS. Maybe one day when we bring the boys back to go to Disney. (If it’s still there!)

The best deal of the day was an Elmo, about the same size of Sean, I swear, that talks. It was from KB Toys and since they’re going out of business, everything was 60-70% off. The Elmo doll, which would probably retail close to 50-60$, was under 10$. Actually, according to Jamie KB Toys is out of business, but they still had some stores left across the United States, but once they’re stock is gone, they’re gone. Anyhow, we’d seen this Elmo at the beginning when we got there, and so on our way out after dinner, I picked it up for Sean. You should have seen the look on his face. I made my 2 year old one very happy boy. He clung to the doll like you wouldn’t believe. He hugged it, and kissed it. He’ll be sleeping with it tonight, that’s for sure.

Look at the size of the thing - it's almost as big as Sean is!

Sean wanted to tuck Elmo in to sleep on the way back to my grandmother's condo - how cute!

Some cool things I got today included a case for my hair straightener, that I can put it in there hot, just after using it. Makes me feel safer using it with the kids around. I also got Mack a 12 month onesie from Carter’s that says Little Brother. I got a Gemini onesie for Mack at the Gap with a nice pair of pants to go with it, and 5 long sleeved shirts for me. I got Sean a size 3 pair of pj’s that says Captain Heartbreaker, which he used to have in a smaller size. It was a cute pair of pj’s so I had to get him another pair, in the next size up form what he’s in now. (He has sooo many pairs of size 2 pj’s, that I started working on his next size wardrobe).

I also picked up (dirt cheap) some airplanes and a helicopter and an Elmo train toy at KB Toys. I couldn’t believe the prices with the liquidation. It’s really too bad that KB Toys is out of business. I guess the only real toy stores now are the little guys, plus Toys R Us. I really can’t think of any other chain of toy stores. I know at home we have Tour de Jeux, but they’re more games than toys.

Alright, time to hit the sack for the night.

I also picked up some earrings from Claire’s for myself. I love love love earrings. But you all know that.

My index finger is healing nicely, as the rest of my skin. It’s honestly the nasty cold Montreal weather that is running my skin. Gosh, do I wish I could live somewhere that is mild all year. (I hate the extreme cold and I hate the extreme heat). I like just in between. Somewhere around 50°F-70°F weather. That would be great.

I think I’ll crash early again tonight, I’m zonked. Yet again. Yes I have help from my mother, sister & grandmother, but being away from home with both boys is certainly tiring. I just hope I survive the week!

december twenty-one

Sean's 2nd birthday party was today. First to arrive was his cousin Oliver. (Who is 4 months older than Sean). We don't get to see Oli & his parents often, but it's fun when we do!

We had a Sesame Street puppet theater perform for the 5 kids at the party. There were supposed to be about 12 kids (and all their parents too), but there was a HUGE storm today, and the weather was nasty. Some kids also got sick over the weekend, and were hoping to feel better by today, but weren't.

Sean absolutely LOVED that Elmo was in the show.

Sean wanted to give Kermit a kiss.

The kids had a great time playing with bubbles.

Then Elmo came out:

Sean couldn't believe that Elmo was there. He even showed Elmo his book to make sure that was really him. It was priceless.

Sean was giddy with excitement.

He just wouldn't let any of the other kids see Elmo, and wouldn't let him leave.

Elmo stayed for cake time (thanks to Nana for making the cake!)

After everyone left, Sean got to open his birthday presents. (His fave I think were the Elmo slippers from Jamie & I).

And Mackie wanted to help open gifts.

Tonight's the first night of Chanukah, so we lit the candles tonight.

We want to wish everyone a happy chanukah!

Sean's birthday party was a success, and Elmo was a huge hit. (I was sooo scared that life size Elmo would freak the kisd out). Sean didn't nap today, maybe he was too excited for Elmo coming to his party, so I'm super glad he's in bed now. I've got to go give Mack a bottle on the couch, and probably fall asleep with him, I'm that tired from today. Jamie's out at the habs game tonight, with my brother. GO HABS GO!

december three

The Things I do for love. Sean loves Elmo. So I wore Elmo last night so Sean could see it this morning. He loved it. I love that he loved it. (PJ's courtesy from my mother!)

Today I had my 6 month dentist check-up/cleaning. No cavities. Never have, never hope to have. That's the way I like it.

I brought my car right to Acura on my way home since it was making funny sounds. My mother was able to pick me up from there and we ran some errands while waiting to hear about my car. I picked up some stuff for the kids for Sean's birthday and for Chanukah/Christmas. Almost done my list. Getting there. Just a few more gifts to buy people - working on it.

They couldn't find anything wrong with my car. It's going in on Monday, I booked an appointment for regular servicing, and they'll look more into the issue my car is having. They think it's associated with my car starter. I guess anything is possible. Basically while driving (it happened to me 2 times yesterday and then three times on the way to the dealership (but of course didn't happen when they took it out for a test)), my car was doing 3 things at the same time. It would a) the dashboard lights would flicker off/on b) I would hear a weird honk/beep sound coming from the engine and c) my doors would lock, or attempt to lock if they were already locked.

STRANGE. But apparently my car is still safe to drive. Phew.

This evening I went knitting with the West Island Knits Group and I picked up Eugenie on my way. Eugenie made me this really cute pin cushion as a thank you for the lift. How sweet is that of her! (Eugenie, you really have to join Ravelry if you haven't already!) I love it - thank you!

Tonight, we tried out Broadway Cheesecake. The waiter was horrible, he wasn't so polite, he goofed on orders, and though he tried to fix it by giving us each a free cheesecake muffin, I am not sure we'll go back. We were a rather large group tonight (11 of us including Mackie!). I got some knitting done, and still had a good time.

For those of you who missed out on the August kit, my pattern, Mathematical Equation is now for sale on Ravelry. I finally got my account set up and I'm very excited about that. There will be some neat things that will be available on there within the next few months!

november twenty-nine

I didn't take Sean to his swim class today. I was too afraid because of his stomach the last couple of days. The last thing I needed was for him to have diarrhea in the pool. Not fun. Though, I said if he didn't have it in the morning, then we'd go. However, it took until this evening, and yey, no more upset stomach! But how was I supposed to know that?? Fine by me anyhow, I got to sleep in a bit. I've been mad zonked lately. I need to get more sleep. No more of this going to bed at 3 o'clock in the morning. There you go. My first resolution for 2009. GO TO BED EARLY. Think I can keep that up? I need to get on my kid's schedule and not think that I can stay up late and then be up early. It doesn't work so well that way.


Found! I found it! I made a stop this afternoon during my errands, and found Elmo candies for the cupcakes I plan on making for Sean's birthday party. The place that I found them at is a life saver.

They also had an Elmo cake topper. We're just going to have Nana make a chocolate cake and put this on it with the "2" candle I got. Sean's obsessed with Elmo. I hope this works!

I've been meaning to post about some yarn I acquired from a Destash. Photographed it way back when and forgot to blog about it. Finally remembered. So here you go - some yarn p0rn.

Yarn Pirate Merino/Tencel in Patina

Yarn Pirate Bamboo/Merino/Nylon in Sweet Lime

Yarn Pirate Superwash BFL in June Bug

Yarn Pirate BFL in Cranberry Ice

Wollmeise in Pillars of Fire

Sundara Sock Yarn in Lenten Rose

Sundara Sock Yarn in Dahlia

A great bunch of skeins to add to my stash. I love it. Love it all.

This evening we went out for dinner for Jamie's best friend's birthday. He turns 33 on Monday. which means Jamie turns 33 9 days later. 33. Crazy. I'll be 28 this June. I am kinda not looking forward to 30 even. I can't imagine 33. Though, I've spoiled my husband this year for his birthday, I cannot wait to give him all his gifts. (And it's all stuff I'd want too! Hee hee - stay tuned!)

Going to go finish watching the Habs game. Jamie's just about to leave for hockey and I plan on sitting on the couch & knitting. Good plan.