january nineteen

This morning we kind of just lounged around the condo. My mom and sister went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff that we needed for lunch and anything else for the rest of our trip (our flight home is tomorrow).

My grandmother took Sean for a long walk, and Mackenzie fell asleep after a bottle. So while he napped, I got some much deserved me time. I neded it. I found a spot in my grandmother's solarium that I got wifi. Since it was in the air, I had to create this contraption to use my laptop:

3 telephone books on a stool on a chair. Bingo - wifi station that works! LOL. Amy thought it was too funny when she got back so she had to take a picture of this! Thanks Ames!

After lunch we finally got to go to the beach. Our first time near water this trip. With the weather in the 50's to 70's it really has not been swim weather. Today was actually one of the few nice days we had. No bathing suits were worn to the beach, but I wanted the boys to have the opportunity to play in the sand at least once while we were in Florida.

YEY THE BEACH!

Sean checking things out!

Playing in the sand.

Mackie enjoying the fresh air!

Mackie checkin' out the sand.

My Mr. Blue Eyes!

Putting our feet in the water.

Enjoying the beach.

Knittin' on the beach (didn't get much done, but still, it came out to play!) The colors of the yarn were muted for this picture, since the pattern/yarn is a surprise for something - you'll find out soon!

And how could I go to the beach without Habs Gear (I'm also wearing a Habs hat!) I picked up this Habs beach towel before we left Montreal. GO HABS GO!

Deerfield Beach, Florida

Our shadows in the sand.

We were going to take a walk on the boardwalk, but after rinsing off all the sand off both boys, and diaper changed them as well, we decided to head straight for dinner. My mother had wanted to try a restaurant called Too Jay’s. My grandmother had eaten there once before said it was good. What a horrible experience we had. Basically, they screwed up on four out of the five meals. The only one that came correctly was Sean's kid's meal. My mother asked for Broccoli instead of the aspargus with her meal, and they brought it out with asparagus. My grandmother asked for light cheese on her lasagna, and they took it as in "diet/low fat (light) cheese" and not go "light" on the cheese instead of piling it on heavy... They forgot my cheese blintzes all together (eventually I did get them about 10-15 minutes after we reminded him about them). And Amy's meal.... all together was a huge disaster. Because she has stomach problems, she usually orders pasta with sauce on the side. This time, instead of plain pasta, she asked for a chicken pasta dish with sauce on the side with none of the herbs that were supposed to come with it. The first time it came right, just with the sauce on it. So she sent it back. The 2nd time it came with the sauce on the side, but they left the mushrooms she didn't want plus the herbs on it. Well, the herbs didn't sit well with Amy and she got sick. The waiter blamed it on the kitchen, and I bet the kitchen blamed it on the waiter, who was new. The guy wrote it down, how could they screw up, and Amy was 150% clear on what she wanted.

Mackie got to sit in a booster seat for a bit during dinner tonight.
He was too cute and looks like such a big boy!

Tomorrow's going to be a long day. I better get some sleep!

january eighteen :: 107 weeks old

Today Sean is 107 weeks old.

Me & my boys.

Sean & Mack

My sister got Sean this Harley Davidson outfit when she went to Port Dover for Friday the 13th. Sean fit right into it, it's a summer outfit (comes with orange shorts). Sean was 6-9 months over the summer of 2007. Mack, a summer born baby, will be 12 months old at the start of summer this summer. I had one opportunity for him to wear it - this trip. He's 7 months old now. (It's a 6-9 month size outfit, which Mack's fitting into now). It's super cute.

Come on, look at this face.

It comes with a biker hat and all! Too bad it was a little chilly for him to wear the matching shorts. So today we wore pants with it.

I found this bib while in Florida (along with a ton of other cute bibs (like one I posted yesterday of Mack wearing). Today's reads "I'm The Little Brother". How perfect?!

This morning after getting up and getting ready, we headed to Walmart as I needed Formula for Mack as I wouldn't be able to make it until tonight. I found a small container, 400g for $8.44 (pricey in my eyes with the exchange rate). That should be enough to make it back to Montreal. It's a half can. I have plenty more formula at home as I am pretty sure I stocked up before leaving. I ended up picking up some more pacifiers by MAM which is by Sassy. Mack likes those and I've never seen them at home. Mack likes the 0-6 month size, probably because he's small for his age and his mouth is still tiny. His weight (and head size too) is still in the 10th percentile. I hope when we go back in February for an extra check up, he's grown from the 10th percentile, I'm hoping for the 25th percentile (which he's been in before). (Born in the 10th percentile he was in the 25th percentil by 4 months old and now is back in the 10th percentile).

After Walmart, I checked out both Walgreen's & CVS as they were across the street and I'm still looking for those Munchkin Single Serve formula dispensers. I had no luck, though I did find at Walgreens was a package of 2 No Throws. These are perfect for my 2 boys who like to throw things. (Like their sippy cups/bottles). I see it being very useful. I've never seen these before, but they're only distributed at Walgreens in the USA.

We then got back to Century Cemetary Village and headed over to my great Aunt & Uncle's condo down the street from my grandmother's condo. They live on the same street within the community. They were having a brunch for about 12 of us (family that were in the area + my grandmother's boyfriend, and her best friend and her boyfriend). We had Einstein's Bros. Bagels, which are pretty good but still don't compare to Montreal bagels. (We just have the best bagels in the world).

We stayed there for a couple of house then came back ot my grandmother's condo. Sean finally went down for a nap, but boy was that hard getting him to get to sleep. Mack also took a short nap as well.

I got another load of laundry done while the boys napped, I really needed to get that done. I wasn't anticipating cold weather in Florida while we'd be here, so I didn't bring as many pairs of long pants. I even bought Sean 2 pairs of track pants while here, but he's been leaking through his diapers so much that I've had to constantly change him and wash the laundry. (Plus I really don't want to go home with pee smelling clothing in my suitcase - Not fun).

Sean finally got his first real nap of the trip. So we let him sleep until he finally got up around 7pm on his own. I wasn't waking him up. By then we'd decided that my mom and sister would go out and get Sean McDonalds and next door was Ruby Tuesday's. So they picked up from there as well. I love the Avocado Turkey Burger, it's just sooooo good. (And on whole wheat buns! Served with brown rice!)

It was nice & relaxing tonight. Just what we needed, a swe're all pooped from this week. I did some organization of our stuff, the boys stuff got unpacked and is in the wall unit in my grandmother's bedroom (where we're sleeping) and I'm living out of my suitcase since we got here, but there was stuff every where. Cleaning up was a good idea.

This evening we all sat down to watch Desperate Housewives, the only TV we watched all week. Sean has watched some TV (kids shows) but that's been minimal as well. The TV has been on for the weather channel too though.

january seventeen :: 7 months old

Mack is 7 months old today.

This morning Mackie was sooo cute in his sink bath. (The only place I can really give him a bath in Florida, due to the doors on my grandmother's tub, it's just too hard).

He had a good time splashing around in the sink this morning! It was just too cute.

This morning I wanted to shower so I figured it would maybe be easier to give Sean a shower instead of a bath, so I prepared clothing and a diaper for after, and washed Sean in the shower. He liked it at first, his first shower ever, but at the end, I'm not so sure he was a fan. My sister grabbed him and dressed him while I showered. I didn't even get a full hot shower for myself, which sucked, as the hot water tank is super small here.

This morning I had to do another load of laundry. It's 2 doors down from my grandmother's condo and it's 50 cents for a wash (35 minutes) and 25 cents for the dryer (45 minutes). It's the cheapest and newest machines in Century Cemetary Village, accrodign to my grandmother.

Sean woke up this moring wet , which is actually the first time on the trip he's woken up wet. (The other wet diapers that soaked through were during the day). Anyhow, I had to wash his pj's and his sheets (1980's He-Man sheets!!) and all the other laundry we had).

Amy tired Sean out a bit before we headed out today. He needs a lot of exercise!

Amy came back pooped! Sean, we'll he's got a LOT of energy!

Then Amy & I took a walk to the picnic benches outside the clubhouse, and hung out there for a bit. Sean talked to a man playing shuffle board, it was cute. Mack again fell asleep on the way back to the condo. The picnic benches gave us free wifi.

We had lunch, and then headed out to Festival Flea Market (again). Amy was in search of a lugguage set and there was something I wanted for a gift for someone. I'm also in search of a black square onyx ring in size 8 or 9. (Or even 7). I had bought one in Victoria, B.C. when I was there, and then eventually I had lost the stone, and then one day I found the stone (which I still have) but lost the base that it was on (the ring base). I really want to replace the ring. Hopefully I'll find something soon (or maybe online).

While we were at the Flea Market today, Sean had to be changed out of his clothes twice. He once wet through his diaper (again), and the 2nd time his stomach was upset so he had a bit of diarrhea. I'm starting to think (because he's eating properly) that it may be anxiety/being away from his dad. I can't think of what else it could be?

Amy & I.

This evening was a disaster, we were supposed to just go back to the condo, make a reservation at the Olive Garden, and get Sean long pants, but the Olive Garden doesn't take reservations, and from when we'd get there, it would be a half hour to thirty-five minute wait.

So we tried to feed Sean at home before deciding what to do for us for dinner but we couldn't get the can opener to work. After a half hour of trying (which was rediculous) we decided to go to Ruby Tuesday's. It was a close by restaurant and we've all been there before and have what to eat there.

Everything was late & delayed this evening and Mr. Cranky came out to play. I was pretty cranky myself, I get that way when I'm hungry. I admit it. When I'm hugnry I'm cranky. I guess Sean gets that from me. That or it's the terrible two's.

Mack feel asleep on the way home from the restaurant and was an easy transfer to his playpen. Sean will come lie down with me in bed. We've been falling asleep together in bed every night and then I transfer him to his air matress when he's good & asleep.

january sixteen

To the anonymous commenter who left me a comment telling me that I'll have to put a stop payment on my husband's check every 6 months. You're Mistaken. Inform yourself. With my bank anyhow, a check is STALE dated after 6 months, you cannot cash it anymore. Plus, my newspaper carrier returned the envelope unopened with the check I mailed him, in my mailbox, but thank you for your anonymous concern.

On another note about anonymous comments - I find them funny. I do not publish them, because they're retarded and they do not deserve a place in my blog comments, but I find it very COWARDLY of someone to hide behind an anonymous comment. Especially when I can see the IP address. So think twice before you want to send an anonymous comment. Are you that embarrassed about what you're writing that you cannot put your name? I receive anonymous comments from time to time, and I just cannot believe that people have nothing better to do with their time than to write a nasty anonymous comment. Get a life. And didn't your mother teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, to say nothing at all? Geez...

This morning Mack got up at 6:30 am after getting up at 12:30 am. I am not sure if he was too hot in what he was wearing or not, maybe. I'll dress him in lighter clothing tonight for bed. It's hard when you're limited to what's in your suitcase. I never know how to pack for "all kinds of situations" when you're supposed to be packing light! We have a ceiling fan gong on in the bedroom and it has not been hot enough to use the A/C unit.

This morning was laundry time. I had three loads to do. One of the boys clothing, (Sean's been soaking through his diapers - not fun), and one load of mine, as well as one bib load. I do not wash bibs with other items because of the velcro (I've ruined clothing because of it).

Then Amy and I took both boys and we went for a walk, Mack feel asleep in the stroller and Sean drew on paper (and a bit on himself) while I checked my emails. We had found a spot right outside the clubhouse to use the internet, since Sean & Mack cannot go inside as they are under 18 years of age.

When we got back to my grandmother's condo her boyfriend was over to visit. He had gifts for the boys, which was very sweet of him, but totally not necessary. One of the gifts, a wooden toy for Sean , which he loves of course, is crazy big and I hope we can take it back to Montreal, providing there is room in the suitcase.

Mack all smiles!

Eventually Sherrie came by, as we were all going out together. Sherrie's grandfather lives in Boca so she flew down for a few days to visit him so she could see me as well. I hope to convince her to come soon to Montreal, as it's super hard to travel with the 2 kids alone.

We headed to Boca Raton Town center, my grandmother and mother went to Macy's to get some make-up for my grandmother and while they were there, we did a quick tour of the high-end mall (blah) and decided to sit outside California Pizza Kitchen and have an appetizer and 2 rounds of beer. The boys napped in their respective strollers, which was nice, and gave me a chance to catch up with Sherrie.

Dinner was delicious and Sean behaved for the most part. The kid at the table next to us had a DVD player with the show Skipper (cartoon) which I just learend about, and they let Sean watch too. Turns out the boy is a month older than Sean. The waitress goofed on Sean's pizza, which we ordered first so he'd get it quicker, yet it came about 10 minutes after our meals, and I had to send it back. My sister's meal came wrong as well. Turns out both Sean & Amy's meals were free in the end.

We let Sean toss (Canadian) pennies into the pond and make a wish. It was cute watching him get excited throwing them in!

After dinner we came back to the condo, transferred Mack to the playpen, he was fast asleep and now I'll get Sean ready for bed.

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!