Changes

I just happen to be blogging right from my very own desk at my very own office for my very new job. I STARTED BACK AT WORK YESTERDAY!!! I can hardly believe we have entered this new phase in our family life. Connor is in Day Care now - he just started full time on Monday. He went for 2 weeks part time and now it's the real deal. He's been doing quite well. He gets better every day. At first he wouldn't eat or drink, but I was just talking to Susanne (Day Care lady) and he ate for the first time today!! *Insert applause here*.

It's actually been an easier process then I thought it would be. I figured with being away from him and such that I would be a big ball of sookiness for the first little while - but it's been fine. I guess having peace of mind knowing that he is OK makes all of the difference in the world. HOWEVER, he'll be switching day cares tomorrow because of our other big news...we're moving! We bought a house in Lincoln Heights and will be moving next Tuesday. I'm stoked about this. I'm sad to leave our current house for only 3 reasons; 1) It was the one that we brought Connor to after he was born and 2) We've recently fixed up the back yard and it looks fabulous so I will definitely miss the yard and 3) I will miss our awesome neighbors. Other then that...see ya later 31 Birchwood Crescent!

So needless to say, Con-con is going through some serious changes these days. Between going to Day Care...and then a new Day Care...and then moving - he's not going to know if he's coming or going!

And it doesn't help that our house looks like Hurricane adult Connor hit it. It's stuffed with boxes -full and empty, and since we will be renting our current house out - the people that are renting it asked if they could drop some...correction...all of their stuff off a week early. So...yeah...stuff is EVERYWHERE! The upside to the disaster is that cleaning up is pretty much pointless. So I don't.

Dear Connor...

You can't say "uh-oh" if you did it on purpose.
If you throw it on the floor - it's not an "uh-oh".
If you kick it - it's not an "uh-oh".
If you hit it - it's not an "uh-oh".
If you spill it on purpose - it's not an "uh-oh".

Just a little edumacation for ya'...

Love, Mommy

Sicky sick sicko

Warning: Gross content ahead...

WHAT A TERRIBLE WEEKEND! Probably our worst yet since being joined by our little midget. It all started on Thursday night when Connor stood up in his bed at 10:30 p.m quietly-yet still urgently-yelling "Mamamamamamamamamam". I waited it out a little as I always do, just to make sure his request for my presence was truly needed. When he didn't let up, I went up to his room, opened his door and got hit like a tonne a bricks by the most awful stench ever! I knew within seconds that Connor had been sick in his bed. I was immediately upset with my 'Momsense' for not magically sensing that Connor was sick upon uttering his first 'mama'. I turned on the lights and sure enough Connor's whole bed was full of red and green peppers, peanut butter and juice. But not in a way that one would want to find those things. In a Gross way...all chewed up and thrown up and such. Long story short...he continued to throw up the above mentioned food for six hours until 4:30 a.m. It was heartbreaking to say the least. He was afraid to throw up in a bowl so I had to cycle through towel after towel so he could throw up on that.

Fast forward...Friday night...11:30 p.m. I throw up, and throw up, and throw up and throw up times about...ummmm...TWENTY!!! I actually had hundreds of dots all over my face from broken blood vessels from straining so hard (and so often) to throw up. I threw up a few times more on Saturday morning, continued to feel like a giant piece of crap throughout Saturday afternoon and finally came around on Sunday afternoon. I must add that I have NEVER been so sick in my life. It was awful. Mike played super dad all weekend while I played super bed sleeping person.

Fast forward..Sunday night...11:30pm. Mike gets chills, followed by hot flashes, followed by chills, followed by achy sore muscles followed by the desire to throw up. He's done for the whole night and also for Monday. He actually called in sick which he NEVER does. But there was no choice this time. He couldn't get out of bed let alone go make me some money!

But all is good now in the Waugh household. Mike was finally able to eat something tonight at 7:30 p.m, I can finally hold down food and Connor just has a common cold. How lucky art we...

Here is a pic that Mike took of Connor and I lying in our bed the morning following my sick night. Connor was so so sweet that morning. Mike told him that I was sick so he brought me a cracker to bed and layed with his head touching mine. He gets very sad when you say someone 'has a sore tummy'. Also, notice the sippy cup under the pillow. Mine, not Connor's. Mike bought me some children's Pedialite because I was so thirsty but couldn't hold down water. I requested he put it in a sippy cup with 2 ice cubes. What? It's easier to drink without having to sit up and there's no risk of spillage! Mike didn't even bat an eye.

Is it time?

Connor follows me into the washroom. No, this isn't weird for us. We do it all the time. If by some miracle I happen to beat him there and manage to get the door shut, he whine's, knocks, tries to turn the knob or gets his hand stuck in the space under the door while trying to get it open. So I just let him in now - I figure I'll save him the pain of decapitating his little hand. We obviously failed to convince him way back when that there is not a secret exit out of the house from the bathroom. "I must exit through the same door I entered so therefor, I AM COMING BACK!" Anyhoo, back to my point...his intentions for the follow in seem different lately! Before, he would tag along just to fit in a quick play with his bath toys (very quick-I'm a fast pee-er) but lately he is really paying attention to how this whole using the bathroom thing really works. First, he started flushing the toilet for me after I was done. And then Mike mentioned something about Connor being enthralled with the fountain like beauty that is a man peeing. But this last time took the cake. He pulled toiled paper off of the roll and wiped himself as though he just had a poo.

Is it time...dun-dun-dun...to potty train? That means I must prepare myself for poop on the carpet and pee on my couch. For singing potty songs and awarding potty presents. For celebrations and setbacks.

I'm not convinced that it's quite yet time...

Doggie soothers?!

Connor tried desperately this morning to feed his soother to Buddy. He even swapped sookies trying to figure out if Buddy had a preference like he does, or if any old sookie will do. When Buddy turned his head at every attempt, Connor started getting frustrated. We told him that 'sookies are for babies and Buddy is a BIG boy'. And just like that Connor went and threw all of his sookies in the garbage.

...and then I woke up.

How do you say...?

This is just a little video to show Connor's extended family how smart the little man is getting. It's a combination of some sign language and some words...sign language has been quite helpful since there are some sounds he just can't make right now. This allows him to communicate even though he can't actually say the words. I would encourage anyone to use sign language with their baby.

Connor got a haircut!!!

...and he was soooooooo good. He didn't even flinch one little bit. His hair dresser was AMAZING! Probably the best hair dresser of all the hair dressers in the world. Can you guess who it was? I got Mike to sit in the chair, I gave him a marshmallow and cut his hair. When Connor saw that getting one's haircut resulted in a marshmallow he was more then willing. Also, seeing his idol - his Dad - get his haircut made it all the more cool. So today, Connor went from mullet to clean cut and cool. Here are a few pics of him post haircut...he had to take a tub due to all the hair that had fallen all over him (there's nothing worse then itching all over because you got a haircut!)...

I love this picture of him (above). He looks so sweet and innocent (but so grown up!!).

Here he is after his tub with Dad. He always cuddles with Dad after a tub. Today was no different!

Here he is after his tub, experiencing real finger painting for the first time. He had a ball...for 20 seconds or so...

Here's Daddy getting Connor cleaned up.

All about you @ 18 months

April 8th, 2008

Age: 1 and a half years old!!!

Weight: 29 pounds

Height: 3 feet tall (off the charts!!)

Hair: Getting pretty long! You need a hair cut!

Favorite Foods: Yogurt with sprinkles on top...or 'kuls' as you like to say, Mozza cheese (as of 3 days ago), bacon, french fries, fish sticks, any color pepper, apples, rice cakes, marshmallows...and the list goes on...

Favorite Meal: Fish sticks and fries, homemade mac n' cheese

Favorite TV shows: Curious George, Bo on the Go.

Favorite Activities: Playing in your play room, playing on your slide, playing ball

Favorite Outing: Kingswood Park, Wednesday Playgroup, going for walks

Favorite Words: I'll just list all of your words; Mama, Dada, Papa, Jessie, juice, sprinkles, shoes, yep, that, this, please, stairs,

Words you can sign: hungry, more, drink, all done, no

Dislikes: Getting your diaper changed, getting dressed, going in the car..these last 2 just started a few days ago. You've been throwing tantrums when I try to get you to do these things.

*Love Mommy

Spring is in the air

Connor and I enjoyed some sunshine today. We took a walk around our block on a mission to find the block's best puddles. We succeeded. An hour later and Connor was pretty much soaked from the waist down...

I'm in a bit of a pickle, and quite frankly very upset. We have two dogs who are basically Baby 1 and Baby 2 and then there's our child, Baby 3. Baby 1 and Baby 2 where pretty great until Baby 3 came along...now they have something to hate. Buddy and Jessie were really good with Connor when he was little, but now that he is growing and is twice their size, I think they are intimidated. I should also mention that Connor likes to hit, slap, pull hair, steal dog bones and play with their dog food, so they are intimidated for good reason. Therefor, when he does the nice things like kiss them, hug them and pet them, the dogs are defensive. They have recently started growling and gnarling, showing teeth and sometimes go so far as to snap at Connor. They've never actually bit him, but my gut tells me that isn't far off. They don't seem to have any tolerance for him anymore and this scares me. It's actually gotten to the point where I never feel at ease anymore. It's exhausting. Every time Connor goes near them, I cringe. I could never forgive myself if it they bit him.

I was so upset about a gnarl today, that I spent some time Internet researching to see what other conclusions other people in my same situation have come up with. It nearly brought me tears. I came across a chat site about aggressive dogs. A lady was having basically the exact same problem as us...toddler, two dogs, aggression, fear of something worse happening. These answers given by other readers basically sums up all of the other comments on the page;

-"Keep the dog away from your child! You owe it to your child and your dog to keep your child safe. If you want to follow your heart, you should consider how you will feel if/when your child is bitten. Anyone who has ever seen a child bitten (often in the face or neck) will advise you to take no chances."

-"what's more important, the dog or the baby? find the dog a nice new home before something awful happens. "

-"I have to urge you to think of your children. I know what you're going through, as we also had a dog that growled and snapped, and was aggressive with other dogs. In many ways, he was a marvelous dog, and at first, he was OK with the kids, but as he got older, and crankier, and they got more rambunctious, it was an accident waiting to happen. And it did. My five year old crawled past him in a narrow hallway, with my 20 month old behind, and I don't know if he was sleeping, or guarding a ball or what, but he snapped at him and nicked him below the eye. I knew in that instant I would have to put him down, and that it was overdue. Every time I see that tiny scar on my child's face, I think of what I risked. "

The thing is, all of our options suck!!!

1) Get a dog trainer in here to fix the situation...would cost us a fortune

2) Never leave the dogs alone in a room with Connor...pretty tough and not to mention alot of extra work on my part. I don't have time to bring the dogs (or Connor for that matter) into every room I go into through the run of a day.

3) Keep the dogs and Connor separated at all times...that would mean keeping them separated from Mike and I too. What a great life that would be for the dogs.

4) Find a new home for the dogs...heart breaking.

I don't know what to do. Just the realization that our situation is not working... something has to change. I love those dogs so much, but since I've had Connor they've dropped pretty low on the totem pole. Their not my babies anymore. They may be my beloved pets, but Connor is my son and it is my job to protect him and keep him safe. Mike doesn't worry about it like I do. If they growl at Connor while Mike is around, he'll punish them, but he doesn't seem to think past the moment. I think he just hopes that it will eventually fix itself. What if it doesn't? Does Connor have to get hurt before we take action?

Happy as a pig in poo :)

Connor got a new toy today.

He hates it...see for yourself...

Thank god for play groups in the winter time

I took a few pictures today at the play group we have been frequenting on Wednesdays. It's my favorite play group so far. It's in the gym of one of the churches in downtown Fredericton. They have one half of the gym set up for car driving and ball playing and the other half has every toy you can imagine. It's a great place for Connor to play and for me to chat with some other Mom's (when I'm not playing with Connor of course!). Connor seems to like it. He's getting more and more used to it and therefor more and more comfortable. He used to just go grab other kids snacks and run them back to me with a "lets get the hell out of here" look on his face. Now he actually plays and grabs a random kids snack here and there. Good times...

Rib-it

Today, when Connor and I were playing, I pulled out his piggie bank and said "rib-it, rib-it". The words just flowed out of mouth, with no thought behind them. Then, I realized what I had said. I didn't even correct myself. I couldn't. I was so disappointed in my stupidity, I was lost for words. Why? Why must I be soooooo bad with animal trivia? Connor is pretty much screwed for pre-school. I mean, that's all they do in pre-school, right? Learn the alphabet and learn about animals. I will have to remember to talk to his pre-school teacher about our "situation" with animal trivia. Give her a little heads-up. Maybe I could go through pre-school again with Connor. Seeing as how I quit the first time around. That's right, I quit pre-school! I can't remember why. Maybe it was because all the other kids were making fun of me for not knowing anything about animals (just a guess!). I can't have Connor quit pre-school like his mother did. Maybe I could get my GED in pre-school. I'll go back when Connor goes. You know, to teach him that it's never too late to go back.

I'll have to start researching pre-schools...

Dear Summer

Where is the sunshine and warm weather? I have never wanted summer to arrive more then I do this year. I want to take Connor for walks without coming home with soaking wet pants and freezing cold hands. I want to take him to the park to play on a dry slide instead of a snow covered one (yes, we've actually gone to the park this winter). I want to swim in our pool instead of commenting on how snow covered it is. I want to play in our back yard, not just chase the dogs in it when they won't come inside. I want to eat lunch on a patio...I want! I want! I want!

Winter time sucks for a stay at home Mom. There's nothing to do. Actually, there are things to do - but nothing is as easy and stepping outside (without having to worry about jackets, pants, boots, mittens, hats, etc) and going for a walk to the park. Heck, we could kill hours by doing just that. You are bound to get out and do things in the summer where as in the winter...not so much. Connor and I can go for days in the winter time without so much as leaving the house. That's rare, mind you - but not unheard of.


Dear Summer,

Please come as soon as you can. Spring, you can just skip your visit this year. No one will miss you. Not that people don't like you. You're more liked then Winter, that's for sure. And it's a toss up between you and fall. Fall is prettier then you though. And summer? Summer kicks your &%$! Winter, we have had enough of you to last us a life time. I really hate you. I've never had a reason to like you. You make me cranky and moody...and not to mention, REALLY COLD! You bring out the worst in me. Please go away.

...see, this is what happens to me in the winter time. I start writing weird letters to 'seasons' ??!?! I really need to get out...

Connor's current vocabulary:

Incase you're wondering what the heck my kid is saying...

"ink-uls''...(sprinkles)

''eeeease''...(please)

"nan-nan-nan"...(banana)

"ick-ul, ick-ul, ick-ul"...(tickle)

"isss"...(this)

"dat"...(that)

"ssssseee"...(Jessie)

sticking out tongue and wagging it from side to side while saying ''ahhhh''...(ball) - weird, I know! If this sort of vocabulary continues I may never understand him...don't Pakistanians talk with a lot of tongue? I may have to import one for translation purposes...

"puh"...(up)

"MAAAAAAAAAAAM"...(mom)

"dada"...(dad)

"yup"...(yes)

pointing while yelling "MAAAAAAAAAAAAM"...(every other word in the dictionary that he doesn't already have a word for)

Happy Birthday Grammie B
Love Connor
xoxo

Healthy Cookies

I made these last night and between the three of us, we've done some serious damage. They are delicious and quite healthy...I left out the macadamia nuts ('cause I didn't have any) and they were still delish.

Ingredients:

1 large banana

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup of oatmeal

1/2 cup white flour

3/4 cup wholewheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup macadamia nuts

1 apple


Directions:Mash banana and mix with butter and brown sugar. In separate bowl mix dry ingredients and then mix them together. Add the nuts and apples last. Spoon onto greased cookie sheet and bake in oven at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Prep time: 30 to 45 minutes Makes about 20 to 30 cookies

It's a good day...

I've been terrible at blogging lately, but for good reason. We made our 1st trip to emergency this weekend. Starting Friday afternoon, Connor caught some sort of bug that sent him crying, hugging and squeezing his Mommy right through to last night at 2am (...at this time, I knew he was feeling better and that it was time to put him back in bed. He had been sleeping on my chest as he had done the two nights before, only this time it was different. All of a sudden, around 1:30am, he sat up, crawled off the nest he had on me, and went right to the cheese doodles that Mike and I had folded up and left on the floor. I figured he had it rough for a few days and deserved a break, so I plopped him up on the couch and we sat together and watched T.V and ate cheese doodles. After a handful of them, I folded them up and put them on the ledge out of his reach. He then proceeded to have a tantrum...pointing to the cheesies and saying 'eeeease' (please), tears flowing as well as no shortage in the snot department. It's one thing to have a tantrum at 2am when you are as hot as coals and feeling like crap...but for cheese doodles? I don't think so! In bed you go...he slept like a baby (imagine that!) right through to 9:30 this morning). I have felt like a conjoined twin for the last 2.5 days, attached at the chest. He's really not a mama's boy at all but boy was he ever one this weekend. I must admit, the snuggles were wonderful - but I probably got enough of them in the last few days to tide me over for...oh...ten years or so.

I'm not quite sure what the problem was, whether he had some sort of flu or if it was just teething...all I know is that he had a permanent fever that only went down with Tylenol.

Oh, and he also recently dropped a pot on his big toe, not once - not twice - but three times!! The first time was at my parents. His toe nail popped right up from the pressure of all the dark blood accumulating under it. The second time was at our place a day later. Dropped a pot on it again. The third time was today, which caused the blood blister to finally pop, so I guess third times a charm. What's weird is that he managed to go 8 months of pot playing without dropping any on his toe, then BAM, 3 times in one week.

So, between high fevers, black and blue toes (and not to mention the time change!) - sleep was non existent. Notice I said 'was'. Things seem to be getting back to normal today (Thank you dear, dear god!). He was all smiles this morning and lacking a fever and he's been napping this afternoon going on three hours now.

So, Connor is happy again, my arms are free, spring is in the air, snow is starting to melt...it's a good day...

Do humans have tails?

A few days ago, Connor discovered that Buddy and Jessie have tails. First, it was Buddy's tail that he noticed. Buddy was standing in front of me - and Connor behind him. I was eating something so of course Buddy's tail was wagging in excitement for hopes of a crumb falling to his territory, the floor. I saw Connor's face light up when he noticed his newest game, Buddy's tail. He bent over and zoomed in to inspect this silly body part. He tried his best to grasp the 3 inch piece of fur. Giggling and squealing with delight. He couldn't catch it. At that point, I could see the wheels turning in his head, "If Buddy has a tail, then Jessie must have a tail too". He quickly ran over to Jessie, bent over and zoomed in on her tail. A smile and squeal quickly followed. He shrieked with the enthusiasm of someone who had just discovered the moon. Pointing with pride at Jessie's tail.

Could it be that all living things have tails? He would soon find out...

He ran over to my Mom, lifted her from off the floor where she was sitting, bent over, and zoomed in on her bum. He pointed to it with a curious look on his face.

"Humans don't have tails honey. Just animals."

...but don't ask me which animals.We all know I struggle with my animal trivia.

Breakfast of champions

Apple slices with yogurt dip - check
5 of the 25 grapes I diligently cut up - check
fist fulls of cheese doodles thanks to Memere - check

tantrum for MORE cheese doodles - check
I refuse to give him more - check
he refuses to eat anything healthy - check
I break down and give him more cheese doodles - check

cheese fingerprints all over my bed - check
cheese fingerprints all over my walls - check
greasy layer of cheesiness on all of my door knobs - check

A friend once told me that she has a book of 100 ways to show your kids you love them, and one of the ways was to give them dessert for breakfast...lets just say I showed Connor some love today...

Off he goes

This is how you 'watch Daddy go to work'...

Mmmmm, pork fat!

Can someone please tell me how is it even possible that a 1 year old baby (Ok almost 1.5) can tell the difference between the fatty part of a piece of pork and the meaty part. THEY LOOK EXACTLY THE SAME! But he knew! At supper tonight, Connor wouldn't so much as look at the good, meaty bites - he only wanted the disgusting fatty pieces that I cut off for the dogs. He pointed and yelled every few seconds for a new piece of chub to sink his teeth into. I tried to mix in some meaty pieces with the fatty ones but he'd just shake his head and swat the meaty pieces out of my hand...

Sidenote; I actually feel this is a great talent that Connor will really appreciate one day. I've spent my entire life, struggling to decipher the fat from the meat. It's really hard. There's really nothing worse then taking a big bite of chicken or pork to find out it's the fat you've bitten into.

Yes, I know it's disgusting that I let him eat it. But I figure some part of the pig is better then none, right? And I remember my Mom once saying something about the fat being the most flavourful part.

Whatever floats your boat, kid...

Sidenote 2; Now who do I feed the fatty pieces to at the end of meal? The dogs or my son? It's one thing for Buddy and Jessie to lose their mother to Connor, but now they have to lose their special fatty treats too? They're going to be pissed...

Smile

You were so pleasant today. I mean, you're usually quite pleasant, but today you were extraordinarily pleasant. You had a smile on your face from the minute you woke up to the minute you went for your nap. And I'm pretty sure you didn't hit Buddy and Jessie once today. You let them sleep in peace. Although, I don't know if they ever truly sleep in peace when you're around for fear that they might get a hockey stick upside the head. Balls, Connor. Only hit balls! Anyways, getting a few smiling pics today was really easy.

Yoga baby

Connor took a break from yoga this morning to answer a call...

Why I call you 'Hurricaine Connor'

Hurricaine Connor first made landfall at 8:30 am this morning, where it hit as a category 3 Hurricaine with sustained winds of 125 mph. The storm started out in the living room and rapidly intensified as it hit the kitchen and then reached it's peak strength in the bedroom around 9:30am. Officials warned residents of the likely possibility of the storms return around 12:00 noon after it wakes from it's 'nap', so to speak.

Report by: Peter MacReporter

Eyes

Our pups, Buddy and Jessie got a break this weekend. We went to my parents place and they just happen to have a sweet, 178 pound (guestamation) labrador retriver named Nimmy, whom Connor LOVES. Every time he so much as hears a collar clanking or paws clicking - he shrieks with joy and runs to the top of the stairs to meet his 4 legged friend. Connor has been wacking, nose poking and ear pulling all weekend. But the real break for Buddy and Jessie was with Connor's discovery of Nimmy's EYES. It's a miracle really, that Connor didn't lose a finger in the eye probing, retina poking, eyelid pulling weekend. Poor Nimmy...you really took one for the 'dog team' this weekend...Buddy and Jessie send their thanks.

No more monkeys jumpin' on the bed!

Yesterday, Connor and I shared one of the best moments ever in our 16 months together. To you, it will seem so simple, but to Connor and I - it was so great...

We jumped on the bed!

Seems so simple doesn't it?

We were holding hands-connected as one -jumping in perfect unison- staring at each other and laughing so hard that it hurt. I can't remember the last time I jumped on a bed. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard...

When we stopped to catch our breath, it felt like we had just shared the most amazing secret. I experienced childhood again and he experienced it for the first time.

It sounds stupid but I don't care. I want to remember that feeling forever...

Mr. talky pants

Connor had a good 'ol chat with Memere on the phone yesterday. He's already taking phone calls in his room for privacy reasons...

Game Face

Pictured below is #1, Connor Waugh, at the local New Maryland kitchen gym. He's focussed as he warms up for a competitive game of 'hit-spiderman-ball-with-hockey-stick-as-hard-as-you-can'. Shown here using the fridge to stretch his arm. "I really believe warming up is important!" Waugh stated, when asked what his pre-game traditions are. "I stretch and I suck on my sookie. It gets me focussed. I try not to worry about what the other babies are doing to prep for a game. It's all about me. I can only control what I do."



Below, Waugh is seen again in a great action shot. "He runs like the wind", a local Waugh fan says of the 2-foot, 27 pound brick house. "You would never know he's wearing a 4 pound wet diaper - he's so fast!" This shot was taken right after Waugh stole the spider man ball from a fellow opponent.

"I played well tonight", Waugh said of his victory. "I took the ball once when one of their guys wasn't looking and I knocked his sookie out of his mouth too". When asked how the game affects his relationships with his oponents, Waugh answered like a true gentleman; "We're best buds. We respect each others game. Once we walk off the court, his sookie is his and my sookie is mine. We leave it on the court..."

Spoken like a true athlete.

By: Peter MacReporter

Surprise! ??????

I think Connor is planning a surprise party for me.


My 1st clue was that he dug out all of my pots and pans and all of my serving dishes from the cupboard...





My second clue was that he placed a number of my serving dishes neatly on the kitchen table - all by himself....

My 3rd clue is that he proceeded to fill those serving dishes with lovely snacks such as hor d'eouvres, peanuts, chips, dip, tea sandwhiches etc.

You're right, he didn't do this last part, but imagine if he did.

Have you ever seen a cuter fireman?

Connor got this fireman's hat from his great-Gram for Christmas. Until yesterday, he was afraid of it. Now he likes to yell in it, drool in it, put food in it, cover his face with it, hit MY head with it and hit the dogs with it. Everybody wins...

Hell, no!

Today was the first day in a while that wasn't freezing cold. P.S. I have a low 'cold tolerance'. Soooo, I had the brilliant idea to get you dressed and go out and play. I had just thrown a banana bread in the oven, so we had roughly 60 minutes (plus time for browning and crisping) to get ready and play outside. Simple, right? Wrong!

First I changed your diaper, and then proceeded to get you dressed in some warm sweats. After that was done, I got myself dressed. When I went to dress you in your snow suit, I realized it was downstairs. I started to go get it alone but you had a power fit. According to you, it's apparently a crazy idea to leave you alone for four seconds while I run downstairs to grab something. Excuuuuuse me! So I picked you up, ran downstairs, grab your snow suit, ran back up stairs. Now I just had to put your snow suit on...if only it were that easy! First I laid you on the floor and pulled the pants on you. But, since your torso is longer then your legs, your bum decided to eat your pants. Let me tell you - it wasn't pretty. So I had to adjust the ever adorable suspenders. Side note; is there anything out there cuter then suspenders? .

Once that was done, we went on to put your jacket on. Could I get your hands out of the sleeves of the jacket? Of course not! You have this ability to warp your hands in just the right (or wrong?) way so that it is nearly impossible for God himself to pull your hands through. I finally got both hands out of the sleeves but not without a few tears and possibly a few sprained fingers..."It'll be worth it Buddy" I told you. "Your fingers may hurt now, but soon they will be so cold, you wont even feel any pain".

Good talk!

Now, it was time for the hat. I put it on. You took it off. I put it back on. You took it back off. I gave you a toy and put it back on. You threw threw the toy and took it back off. I decided to save the hat for the end.

Next came the mittens. I don't even know why I bother with mittens because I know you are going to take them right off after I put them on. But what bugs me even more is that you show all this interest and enthusiasm for putting them on at first. You hold out your little hand ever so still, then you wiggle your fingers to encourage them into the glove. And as soon as I finally get your thumb and fingers in the correct places - WHAM- you biff the mitten onto the floor. We did this 'fun' little game a few times before I tucked the mittens so high up your sleeve, I worried that I wouldn't be able to take them off. ..we'll cross that bridge when we come to it...

Now it's the boots. Getting someone with Arachnophobia to hold a spider would be easier then putting boots on your feet. I guarantee it! I pushed, I pulled, I pressed, I cried, I pushed some more. After about 5 minutes, I was fairly confident that at least your toes were touching the sole of the boot. Prefect. I Velcro'd all six straps as tight as I could and asked you to stand up. You were wobbly at first but you made do.

Finally, we were ready to go outside. "37 minutes of getting ready, but it'll be worth it", I told myself. The joy Connor will feel from playing outside will be worth it. I stuck your hat on your head just as we walked out the door, knowing that the glare of the snow would distract you from pulling your hat off. First thing you did...fall...then you got up, tore your mittens off of your hands and off you went. You had a great time. I think it was the best FIVE MINUTES you had in a while. After five minutes - you walked to the door and cried to go inside.

"Was it worth it?", you ask.

HELL, NO!

Atleast I got some cute pictures...

How toxic is your bathroom?

I came accross this article today while doing some internet research. It's something everyone should read and be aware of.

SCIENCE / HEALTH - LOOKING GLASS NEWS
How toxic is your bathroom?
by Pat Thomas The Independent Entered into the database on Monday, October 24th, 2005 @ 14:03:41 MST

Be warned: your daily beauty regime could be taking years off your life. Pat Thomas reports on the chemical timebomb in your cosmetics cabinet.
Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did something amazing. It issued an unprecedented warning to the cosmetics industry that it was time to inform consumers that most personal care products have not been safety tested.
Where the US goes, the UK inevitably follows. If the FDA starts the ball rolling by flexing its muscles, it is possible that in the not too distant future 99 per cent of personal care products could be required to carry a caution on the label: "Warning: The safety of this product has not been determined."
What concerns scientists at the FDA and at environmental health organisations throughout the world is the "cocktail effect" - the daily mixing of many different types of toxins in and on the body - and how this might damage health over the longer term.
On average, we each use nine personal care products a day containing 126 different ingredients. Such "safety" testing as exists looks for reactions, such as skin redness, rashes or stinging, but does not investigate potential long-term problems for either humans or the environment. Yet the chemicals that go into products such as shampoos and hand creams are not trace contaminants. They are the basic ingredients.
Absorbed into the body, they can be stored in fatty tissue or organs such as the liver, kidney, reproductive organs and brain. Cosmetics companies complain of unfounded hysteria, but scientists are finding industrial plasticisers such as phthalates in urine, preservatives known as parabens in breast-tumour tissue, and antibacterials such as Triclosan and fragrance chemicals like the hormone-disrupting musk xylene in human breast milk. Medical research is proving that fragrances can trigger asthma; that the detergents in shampoos can damage eye tissue; and that hair-dye chemicals can cause bladder cancer and lymphoma. An even greater number of substances in personal care products are suspected to present potential risks to human health from this known effect on animals.
If these problems had been linked to pharmaceutical drugs, the products would have been taken off the market. At the very least, money would have been spent on safety studies. But because the cosmetics industry is largely self-governing, and because we all want to believe in the often hollow promises of better skin and whiter teeth, products containing potentially harmful substances remain in use and on sale. Think it can't be that bad? Consider what goes into some of the UK's most popular toiletries.
OLAY REGENERIST
What they claim: Instantly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
But watch out: To work, the product needs to be well absorbed, so Regenerist contains penetration enhancers like disodium EDTA. But these also drive toxins deeper into the skin. Watch out for hormone disrupters such as ethylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben and potential carcinogens such as polyacrylamide, triethanolamine (which can form cancer-causing nitrosamines), and the artificial colours CI 16035, CI 19140 and PTFE (Teflon). Regenerist contains the sunscreens butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (B-MDM) and ethylhexyl salicylate; not enough for an SPF rating, but potentially enough to irritate skin.
CLAIROL HERBAL ESSENCES SHAMPOO DRY/DAMAGED HAIR
What they claim: A totally organic experience.
But watch out: It looks and smells appealing because it is coloured using four potentially cancer-causing dyes (CI 17200, CI 15510, CI 42053, CI 60730) and perfumed with synthetic fragrances that are known neurotoxins and skin irritants. Among its detergents, sodium lauryl sulphate can irritate skin and permanently damage eye tissue, and sodium laureth sulphate and cocamide MEA can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a hormone disrupter associated with breast cancer. Cocamidopropyl betaine, another detergent, is a penetration enhancer, as is the solvent propyelel glycol and the preservative tetrasodium EDTA; all allow other chemicals to pene- trate more deeply into skin and bloodstream.
JOHNSON'S BABY SOFTWASH
What they claim: Best for baby, best for you.
But watch out: Children's skin is thinner and more absorbent than adults', so is a less effective barrier to chemical toxins. The rates of eczema and allergies among children are on the rise and the early introduction of toiletries on to sensitive skin may be a factor. When soap does the job, why expose your child to skin and eye irritants such as sorbitan laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine and acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, or PEG-150 distearate, PEG-80, PEG-14M and sodium laureth sulphate that can be contaminated with the carcinogens 1,4 dioxane and ethylene oxide, or hormone disrupters such as parabens? In addition, there's nothing here that naturally moisturises the skin - only synthetic polymers (plastic-like substances) like polyquaternium-7 and polypropylene terephthalate that coat it, merely giving the impression of smoothness.
CALVIN KLEIN'S ETERNITY
What they claim: What the world needs now is love.
But watch out: Perfumes are made from the same neurotoxic solvents found in glues and adhesives and volatile chemicals common in garages and factories, albeit in much smaller concentrations. Eternity contains a staggering 41 ingredients, about 80 per cent of which have never been tested for safety in humans. The rest are known neurotoxins, allergens, irritants and/or hormone disrupters. Still think perfume is sexy?
LYNX DRY
What they claim: Spray more, get more.
But watch out: Lynx Dry contains three types of neurotoxins: solvents such as PPG-14 butyl ether; the propellants butane, isobutane and propane; and synthetic fragrance chemicals. It contains a preservative BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), which has been linked with cancer, and PEG-8 distearate, which can be contaminated with the hormone-disrupting carcinogens ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane as well as polycyclic aromatic compounds such as benzene and benz(a)pyrene. Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex GLY and aluminium chlorohydrate work by clogging pores, but long exposure to aluminium-containing deodorants raises the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer's.
COLGATE TOTAL
What they claim: 12-hour fresh breath and antibacterial protection.
But watch out: Conventional toothpastes often contain irritating detergents like sodium lauryl sulphate, which can cause sore gums and mouth ulcers, and abrasives like hydrated silica, which can erode tooth enamel. Total contains a glue-like substance, PVM/MA copolymer, that sticks the active ingredients to teeth. Saccharin, a known carcinogen in animals, is also found. The colouring CI 42090 (banned in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden) causes cancer in animals. Total contains Triclosan, an antibacterial agent that can in certain circumstances combine with chlorine in tap water to produce chloroform gas, which is easily absorbed into the skin or inhaled and can cause depression, liver problems and cancer.
GILLETTE MACH 3 SHAVING GEL
What they claim: The best a man can get.
But watch out: Helped by a global advertising campaign featuring David Beckham, Gillette shaving products have carved their way into the male psyche. If he thought about the ingredients, would the "epitome of the well groomed man" be so keen to promote the product? Mach 3 gel contains skin irritants such as triethanolamine, palmitic acid glyceryl oleate, three potential carcinogens (polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), BHT, CI 42090) and three central nervous system toxins or pollutants (isopentane, parfum and isobutane).
CLAIROL NICE 'N EASY
What they claim: Natural-looking colour with complete grey coverage.
But watch out: All hair dye sold in the EU containing phenylenediamines, resorcinol and/or 1-naphthol must carry a warning: "Can cause an allergic reaction. Do not use to colour eyelashes or eyebrows." Other hair dye ingredients - including coal tar dyes, 4-chloro-m-phenylenediamine, 2,4-toluenediamine, 2-nitro-p-phenylenediamine and 4-amino-2-nitrophenol - have proven carcinogenic in at least one animal species. In humans, intensive longer-term use of permanent hair dye is associated with breast, ovarian and bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple meyeloma and rheumatoid arthritis.
RADOX BUBBLE BATH
What they claim: Soothes emotions, cleanses the body.
But watch out: Soaking in hot water increases skin permeability and helps vaporise chemicals in products, making them more easily inhaled. Radox Relax contains potential skin irritants (sodium laureth sulphate, cocamidopropyl betaine) potential carcinogens such as the preservative combo methylchloro-isothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone and synthetic dyes, and hormone-disrupting ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. It contains perfume ingredients that are capable of irritating (coumarin, benzyl salicylate, limonene) and disrupting the central nervous system (butylphenyl methylpropional, alpha-isomethyl ionone, linalool).
NIVEA BODY
What they claim: Feel the essential care.
But watch out: Along with semi-synthetic fatty acids and waxes, Nivea Body contains denatured alcohol and glycerine, which can dry skin with repeated use. It also contains several estrogenic preservatives (methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, propylparaben), contact allergens (phenoxy-ethanol, linalool, citronellol, hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carcoxaldehyde) and a potential carcinogen (limonene). Film-formers like dimethicone keep undesirable ingredients next to the skin longer. About one-third of the listed ingredients are fragrances that are known irritants and sensitisers of human skin; chemicals that, with repeated exposure, can trigger allergic reactions.
CLEARASIL 3-IN-1 DEEP CLEANING WASH
What they claim: Clinically proven to help fight spots.
But watch out: A mix of strong detergents and surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate, cetyl betaine, distearyl-dimonium chloride and steareth-21), chemical exfoliants (salicylic acid) and solvents (glycerin, alcohol, menthol) that are capable of removing the skin's natural oils, and synthetic skin conditioners for repairing some of the damage inflicted by the other ingredients. It contains two potential carcinogens (BHT and disodium EDTA) and fragrance ingredients among the most commonly reported contact allergens in the EU (behenyl alcohol, limonene benzyl salicylate, linalool and hexyl cinnamal). These so consistently lead to skin problems that they must now be listed separately on labels within the EU.
LISTERINE TEETH AND GUM DEFENCE
What they claim: Kills the germs that cause plaque and bad breath.
But watch out: This mouthwash is 21.6 per cent alcohol. Alcohol dries and changes the pH of the mouth and throat and long-term use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes increases the risk of mouth and throat cancers. Listerine also contains a mild detergent, poloxamer 407, that is soluble in liquids at low temperatures but turns to a gel at higher temperatures (ie, body temperature). That makes it a film-former, "glueing" other ingredients on to the surfaces of the mouth for longer. Fluoride in quantity is poisonous if swallowed, and the sweetener saccharin causes bladder cancer in animals. Finally, synthetic colours, aromas and flavours are made from volatile solvents that can alter the basic flora of the mouth and may cause dermatitis.

I don't know about you but I would rather not rub cancer on my body, brush my teeth with depression, wash my face with carcinogens or bathe my son with skin and eye irritants. If you want an alternative to all this crap and other crap like it, send me an email and I'll get in touch with you.

Dance baby, dance.

One of the biggest hits this Christmas was the Leap Frog fridge magnet that you got from Nana. This is the first thing you do every morning when you walk into the kitchen...

This magnet is a hit for every 1-2 year old that I know...

Buddy the dog says...

"I can do this all day..."

Mommy's big Helper

First you helped Mommy by piling ALL of her CLEAN Tupperware into the dishwasher...



Then you realized Mommy's need to carry the top rack of the dishwasher into the bathroom (????), so you did that for her too...

What would Mommy do without you?...

That's a question I ask myself everyday!

It's my kid in a box....