3.8.11 :: 14 weeks & 218 weeks

Quentin is 14 weeks old & Sean is 218 weeks old today.

Today I tried to tackle some of our never ending laundry. (Seriously, it's really never ending!) I was just telling Jamie the other night that it never ends, and that I was getting somewhere with it, and then when we went to go put the kids to bed... what do you know? A full basket in their room. Laundry breeds. I swear. Today I finally took care of a toy load, that I have been meaning to wash for Quentin. I also finally picked up a tsp just for the laundry detergent. The Sears guy that came last week told me that I have been using way too much laundry detergent per load for a front loader. He said forget those cups that come with the detergent, and for a small load use 1 tsp and for a larger load use 2 tsp of detergent. Seriously? That's all? Yep.. you wouldn't believe how much suds there still was in the machine with just that little amount of soap. He said that the soap build up from that much soap could ruin the inside of my machine (where it drains) causing my machine to drain slower, not work as efficiently and break down quicker. I don't want that happening... so I shall listen to the Sears repair guy.

I really don't know why it has taken me 3 kids to get a bottle warmer? Sean & Mack both liked their formula warm and then their cow's milk (until maybe last year I was still heating Mack's milk). It seems Quentin likes his formula warmed too. I thought it was about time I invested in a bottle warmer and I am so glad I did. We have a lot of First Years products, and I can say that I am very pleased with them.

Today I made 4 loaves of banana bread (recipe here). 2 whole wheat for our house (one with chocolate chip and one without) and 2 in regular flour. I made those 2 for 2 of my neighbors. One that her son is friends with Quentin, she was saying the other day how she loves baked goods but that her son doesn't let her bake, and the other for my other neighbor who just had surgery for breast cancer and had some expansions done and was in a lot of pain (and home with a sick child too). She was saying on Facebook how she was having the most rotten day ever, so I thought a little banana bread would cheer her up. Plus, it's always good to be "neighborly", right?

So after the loaves were baked, fresh from the oven, I set on foot and walked over with Quentin to my 2 neighbors. Quentin had something to give one of his friends, anyhow, and one loaf was for them, and the other for my neighbor who just had her expansions (as explained above). By the time we got home, Quentin was fast asleep. His first time exposed to fresh air (usually outside in his bucket I close his bundle-me to cocoon him in from the harsh winter cold), but alas the weather is getting a little warmer. (Doesn't Quentin look ridiculous in that large snow suit? I don't know what I was thinking getting 3-6 month size)

Today's Link Love:
- Recipe for Whole Wheat Goldfish Crackers.
- Love this chick's photography blog.
- This tea cup cozy is really cute.
- Love this girl's photos from her trip to San Fran in 2011 and 2009.
- Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards 5 free Points: BKKDNLKMKHRHPGB

Don't forget that by commenting, you will be entered into my giveaway for a copy of Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. The contest runs until March 16, 2011, and I will draw a winner that evening when I blog. All you have to do is comment on any post this blog.

Today is my dad's birthday... he doesn't read my blog, and I've already wished him a great day several different ways (phone, facebook, etc..!) so I hope he had a good day!

3.7.11

I found one bathing suit for Quentin. It's 3 month size and ridiculously large. The waist is too wide and the top is loose on him too - but for now, it's better than the other one (which is 3-6 month size) that comes down to his ankles. This one is Gagou Tagou, and the smallest the store had in stock. I'm really looking for a NB, 0-3 or even 3 month one piece. (Above it's 2 pieces, and I am worried about the shirt riding up). I really want one that would cover him like this one. Most of the websites I've actually found small suits on, won't ship to Canada.

Today a few of us ventured out for playgroup. We had a bit of a snowstorm so most canceled. I had to leave the house anyhow to pick up the kids from daycare at the end of the day, so I figured I'd head out to my friend's house anyhow. Quentin sported the Baby Surprise Jacket I had knit for Mack when he was born, as well as the Sweet Baby Cap. They both fit him perfectly right now. I was going to have him wear again today, but of course he had to spit up all over the front of it just as we were leaving the house today, right?

Today at playgroup, I was talking to one of the moms that I just recently met and become friends with, who happens to live up the street from me (standing in my driveway I can see the back of her house) and we discovered that we BOTH did the same exact photography degree and we both did the same exact graphic design degree at the exact same schools. She did both of hers earlier than I did - she is a few years older than me (4 years I think), and we did them in the reverse order. She did Graphic Design first, and then Photography while I did my Photography degree first, then my Graphic Design degree. She has no job to go back to once she's off maternity leave as the department she was working in up until 2 months before she had her son, was closed, so we were brainstorming possibly going into business together - who knows... I have so many ideas of things I want to do... but for now, I want to enjoy the rest of the year on maternity leave with Quentin.

It was really nice out today after I got the kids from daycare, and they wanted to play outside in the snow for a bit. I haven't ventured out much in the snow this winter being home with a newborn.

Today I called Munchkin yesterday to find out where I could buy more of their Single Serve Formula Dispensers in the 2 pack and they told me they are discontinued. The ones that I have from Mackenzie who used them are starting to crack. If anyone has some that they are no longer using and can send me, please let me know. Even the ones we had we bought in the USA, had them shipped to a friends house who shipped them to me, as the online shop wouldn’t ship to Canada. It's frustrating when you want to replace a product you love & use, and can't find it anymore.

I have a proposition to ask any of my readers who crochet. I'd like a few cute crochet hats for props. Examples on Ravelry are this one or this one or even this one or anything cute of the likes. Non Ravelry links of examples are this one, this one or this one, and anything similar. I’m looking to start my own newborn photography business once I am back at work after maternity leave and I’m not the greatest crocheter in the world. (I’m more of a knitter!) I am willing to give anyone who also knits a copy of my Sock Collection, or we could work out another deal? Yarn? Something else? Swap services of some kind?

Today's Link Love:
- This lego quilt.
- Have you seen this Youtube video? If so, it's pretty cool. I'm a technology geek.
- What do you guys think about truncated posts (for posts that are long?) Here's a tutorial on how to truncate your posts in blogger.
- I love these angry bird tutorials! They are so cute.
- This bathtub is heaven.
- Paper weaving looks like fun.

3.6.11

I bet we can make these books best sellers is a facebook group that I am a part of. Right now they’re having a BOGO (Buy one, get one) deal. I picked up a book, emailed the organizer (who happens to be lovely Catherine McKenzie herself) and I will be mailed a free book of my choice, from the Reader's List. If you're interested in checking out some new books, this is a good opportunity.

I've been doing a bit of crafting lately, and I made this for Quentin's room. I had recently stamped his feet (with non-toxic ink made for babies) and have one for his baby book and had an extra foot stamp and wanted to do something special with it. (And who knew that modge podge can go bad? I had to get a new jar because I went to take out mine and it wasn't good anymore).

This morning we had a birthday party for a friend of Sean's who turned 4 this week.
They had a magician come, and they kids really loved it.

I started another Wyatt. This time I started it in size 5/6T. I figured if I make the largest (5/6T) and it doesn't fit Sean, at least Mack can wear it.... right? And then I'll see how the 5/6T fits Sean, to see what size to make Mack. I want to make them each a matching sweater, and then take their pictures all together. Oh, I love my 3 sons. For Sean's sweater, I am using the same yarn that I used for Quentin's in the same colorway (plan to do the same for Mack's sweater too - which is Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in Blueberry) and this time I used yarn that I frogged from another project that I had started back in late 2007. Hoping that some blocking once done will help it look nicer? I had started a sweater for my nephew that I have no intentions of finishing as he is now 2-3 sizes bigger than the sweater I started then.

I leave you today with a cute picture of my own locally grown.

Today’s Link Love:
- I love this decoupage plate tutorial.
- This pattern (Personalized Pennants) by my cousin, Jennifer Lori.
- I love this periodic table of fibres.
- I love this crochet headband tutorial.
- I love this recycle your magazine station.
- I totally want a space like this in my house.
- I like this cartoon.

Don't forget that by commenting, you will be entered into my giveaway for a copy of Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. The contest runs until March 16, 2011, and I will draw a winner that evening when I blog. All you have to do is comment on any post this blog.

3.5.11

Today after the boys had their skating lessons, we checked out Jukebox.

The boys really enjoyed it there, and I had a fantastic grilled chicken breast salad.
I was even able to "make it" myself. It was so good.
We definitely will eat there again.

When we got home, we set out to paint.

We received a dinosaur skeleton from my friend Eugenie, and the boys decided they wanted to paint it. I picked up some acrylic paint, and some paint brushes and I let the boys go wild on it. It definitely killed a few hours this afternoon.

This evening Jamie and I watched the movie The Fighter. Not my usual style movie, but it was good nonetheless. While I watched the movie, I worked a bit more on organizing my stash on Ravelry. I've been double checking what yarns are already listed, and what isn't yet listed and listed in, providing it's already photographed. I'm getting there. And once it goes back into my yarn room, I then have it organized as best as possibly by weight.

Today's Link Love:
- This pleated bag tutorial.
- I love this space.
- I love this chick's office space.
- I love this blog post on simplifying email. I like that she talks about it being okay to delete emails. I do try myself to respond to every email that requires a response to (especially since people are taking the time to email me, but sometimes, things don't need a response, or I just don't have the time with 3 kids ages 4 and younger). Though, questions that are asked, or emails that need responding to... I do get to them.. it might just be eventually though. I'm working on catching up.

Don't forget that by commenting, you will be entered into my giveaway for a copy of Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. The contest runs until March 16, 2011, and I will draw a winner that evening when I blog. All you have to do is comment on any post this blog.

3.4.11

SPECS:
Pattern: Wyatt by Kelly Herdrich (My Ravelry Link)
For: Quentin
Yarn: 0.81 skeins (178.2 yards/38 grams) of Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash in blueberry.
Needles: US 8 - 5.0 mm
Size: Newborn-9 months size (according to the pattern).
Timeline: February 8 - February 22, 2011
Modifications: Knit pattern as written.
Notes: I absolutely adore this pattern, it’s written well, and very quick. Calls for a heavy worsted, but I’m using Cascade 220 Superwash for the Superwash aspect of the yarn, which is a regular worsted yarn, but I'm getting just about gauge with 5.0mm needles. It just fits Quentin now, who is 9 lbs 5 oz at 13 weeks old. It’s really a newborn sweater. No way a 9 month old could fit into the smallest size, which the designer marked as NB-9 month old. Most 13 week olds are a lot large than 9 lbs 5 oz (heck some babies are even born larger than this size).

I have some new knitting to talk about tomorrow... stay tuned for that.

Today we had our weekly music class.
Quentin discovered that he could chew on his fingers during class.
I am going to be sad when this class is over, there are just a few classes left...
As we're having so much fun!
Most of the kids in the class are older, and I am sure their moms will be going back to work.
Not sure what will happen when it's over, maybe we'll find another music class to do.

We had lunch at my parents house after music, since we were just across the street.
I tried to snap a few extra shots for Wyatt, and they all came out super cute.
Quentin was rather fond of these two stuffed animals that giggle.

I've been decorating my office a bit, so today I'll show you one item. (The Owl I put up months ago) but today I installed "A Mother holds her child's hand for just a short time, but holds their heart forever." It's so sweet. I love it. I have some more wall art to show you, so stay tuned.

Don't forget that by commenting, you will be entered into my giveaway for a copy of Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. The contest runs until March 16, 2011, and I will draw a winner that evening when I blog. All you have to do is comment on any post this blog.

3.3.11 :: 141 weeks old

Mack is 141 weeks old today.

This morning I took Quentin to the CLSC to get him weighed. Last week he was only gaining 18.5 grams per day and now that he's sleeping through the night, I was a bit worried that he wasn't gaining as much and the doctors would like to keep his weight gain above 20 grams per day (between 20 & 25 grams). Well, this week he's now 9 lbs 5.5 oz and he gained about 25.7 grams per day since last Thursday. So even though he's now sleeping through the night (every night for the last week), he's eating well during the day & gaining. I bet you, he'll be a chunky monkey soon enough. He really is filling out quite nicely.

This morning our new den couches arrived. They were delivered and then I had to take them out of the plastic and cardboard, put on the 8 legs (it's in 2 pieces the couch) and then place them. Gosh are they heavy. I had a bit of help but still! It's actually a sofa bed sectional, so the 2nd part with the sofa bed was really heavy. It's so exciting - our first piece of furniture that we bought together. Our playroom couch comes next week, I can't wait. Jamie says that they are "larger" in person that what it looks like on the website. It's true, they look narrower on the website. Glad he approves. Now we have to "work in" our spots.

I finished weaving in the ends on Quentin's Wyatt.
Stay tuned tomorrow for a photo shoot of the finished object & project details!

Today's Link Love:
- Thank you Maureen for showing me this Teddy Bear tutorial. It's super cute.
- Love love love this kid's shirt.
- I adore this snack bandolier (with tutorial).
- Love It's a Book, by Lane Smith. Jamie's step-cousin showed us the book recently. Here is a trailer on Youtube for the book. It's to die for in laughter. Love it.

I've got another contest for you! To be entered, just comment on any post from now until March 16th (16 is my lucky number) and I will randomly draw someone to win a copy of this book - Arranged by Catherine McKenzie. I'm currently in the middle of my copy, and so far, it's really good. I have read her first novel, Spin, last spring. I really enjoy her style of writing, and they are really good reads. (Now... if only I had more time to read!) Good luck! Have fun commenting!

3.2.11

This morning I took the boys for a much needed (overdue) haircut.

Our only challenge was that I had to hold Mackenzie during his haircut.
He wouldn't sit still and so he had to sit on my lap.

I even got our hair dresser to "thin out" the back of Quentin's head so that it doesn't look so bad on the side where they shaved for his IV when he was born. It is so much better now, and hopefully it will all start to come in evenly soon. I saved a little piece of his hair and will put it in his "first curl box".

Sean and Mack want to thank Sandra and her son for sending them some Silly Bandz that they no longer were using. The boys are currently obsessed with silly bands.

The winner of the contest for a copy of Toss, Keep, Sell is…..!

Maureen who said...

This actually sounds like the sort of book I need. Hope you pull my entry!

Maureen, just email me again your address and I'll get the book in the mail as soon as possible! CONGRATS! Hope the book helps you de-clutter! Stay tuned tomorrow for my new contest to win a copy of Catherine McKenzie's Book Arranged.

Today's Link Love:
- For some good laughs I saw Hall Pass today at the theater for Movies for Mommies. It was funny yet stupid (I went into there with this expectation so I wasn't disappointed). After the movie, I had tea with a new friend and enjoyed chatting while the babies napped.
- Huggies free Enjoy the Ride Reward Point: BKTCGCLQZWZCPGB.
- 10 free Pampers points: 500000Pampers10.
- Tonight I had a friend over and we watched the movie You Again. It was really cute. A chick flick, exactly what the doctor ordered...!

3.1.11 :: 13 weeks & 217 weeks

Quentin is 13 weeks old today.

Sean is 217 weeks old today.

Today, Sears came to look at my washing machine as I have a warranty and had no idea that I was entitled to a free servicing once a year. Last week I was told to be home for Sears today from 8 am to 8 pm. What a huge time frame! Yesterday I get a call that the repair technician will call me today between 8 am and 8:30 am to let me know what time he was coming, ok that's fair. He finally called at 10 am this morning to let me know he would be here between 11 am and noon. He showed up way late, but at least he was in & out of here in like 20 minutes. The problem I thought with my machine isn't really a problem at all - there is a bit of mold in the seal ring that the door closes into (and I leave the washing machine door open while not using it - so mold doesn't form). The guy checked my machine, said it was working good and told me to wash 5 loads on certain settings with bleach and then do 1 load with washing machine cleaner (Tide sells some) and then it should be good to go. He said that I should be using the washing machine cleaner once a month. Glad to know that my machines are working well and that everything is good.

This afternoon I went to a few places with my mom to look at couches for our den & playroom. Since I've met Jamie we've never bought a single piece of furniture. Everything in our house is hand-me-down (except the crib in the nursery, which was a gift for Sean when he was born). Our bedroom set, dinning room set, couches came with Jamie when I met him (eventually we will replace them but for now they're functional). Our kitchen table came with this house. Our couches, some came with Jamie and all the rest were hand-me-downs... We have mismatched pieces in our dinning room, even in our bedroom (our TV sits on a dresser that my parents gave me). We have purchased little things like bookcases, etc... and the desk in my home office my dad got me while I was still a student... It was time, since we no longer have cats or any pets for that matter, to get some new couches. I found something at one store this afternoon, but there is a lot of garbage out there. After dinner tonight, I went back out with my mom to look at 2 more stores, but then ended up back at one of the stores I checked out this afternoon. I re-sat on the 2 couches we picked out, and in the end got this one for our den and another one (not on the website) for our playroom. Both are sectionals. Our den couch will be delivered on Thursday and the playroom at the end of next week. It's really a lot of fun to go furniture shopping. I hope that Jamie likes them... he trusted me to pick out couches, as I know his taste/style. I just hope he thinks they're as comfortable as I thought they were. Quentin was with me and he approved of both of them.

I think I can officially say that Quentin is sleeping through the night. It's now Tuesday and he's slept through the night every night since Thursday evening. It's been absolutely wonderful. And I think some of my friends might be jealous as their babies aren't sleeping through the night. Shhh! Though, Quentin told me he would have a chat with them and let them know what good it does their mama to sleep through the night. Ha! Anyhow, I really hope that by talking about it, I'm not jinxing it. (Knock on wood...)

Quentin has also been helping me organize my stash (see photo just above). He's quite the good helper too. I'm slowly organizing my yarn room by weight, so that I can see what I have to knit with. Also - slowly listing them on Ravelry so that when I want to start a project, I can go to the weight and see what I have in my stash, to use. Wow, is it a lot of work to see what I already have listed on Ravelry, if it's been photographed already if not, and plug in all that info. Also - I have a few things that are already listed in my stash, but that are classified wrong, etc.. and some of it is a huge mess. Slowly I'll get there.

With all the hoopla with the couches, I forgot to draw a name for the book giveaway, so I'll do that in tomorrow's post! Promise!