Summer Fun

 My brother Michael and I in the summer of 1985

I love summer and I’m so glad it’s finally here!  I’m so excited for all of the activities I have planned for Ben and I throughout July and August.  He’s at such a great age right now; I know we’re going to have a blast.  As much as I love Music Together and the free drop-in library programs we attend, I’m looking forward to having a break, to waking up each morning and seeing where the day takes us.  I’m hoping to cut out Ben’s morning nap so we can spend more time outside before the day heats up.  I have a list of activities/outings I would love to do this summer.  Let the fun begin!

Daytime Activities/Outings

• Go to an outdoor pool
• Play in the wading pools at the Legislature
• Go to a splash park
• Visit the parks I played at as a child (I know they’ve changed but it’ll still be fun)
• Go on lots of walks and explore some new neighborhoods
• Have a picnic in the river valley
• Go out for ice cream  

Family Activities/Outings 

• Go on lots of family bike rides.  We’re picking up one of these at MEC tonight.  Ben is going to love it!
• Go to the zoo
• Go to the Devonian Botanical Garden
• Go camping at Elk Island National Park
• Go to the St. Albert Farmers’ Market
• Go to a u-pick farm (I’ve been meaning to visit Peas on Earth for a few years now)   

Wordless Wednesday

Bizarre

It’s springtime and Ben is standing in the empty fountain, laughing at the school aged children as they walk by.  I sit, watching him and I think to myself, how bizarre it is that he’s here.  In this moment, he’s crossing over into my world, into my past, standing in a place that has so much meaning to me.  This is where we use to come and sit.  This is where we use to talk, mostly about boys but sometimes about our hopes and dreams.  The possibilities seemed endless back then, our lives a blank slate.  But now, he’s here.  Running, laughing, smiling, breathing.  So full of life.  He’s a part of me and a part of what I had hoped for so many years ago.  

There are so many places I love, that I want to share with Ben.  I want him to play in the parks I enjoyed as a child.  I want him to explore our river valley, touch the earth with his bare hands, smell the damp leaves in the fall.  I want him to walk along side me in the neighborhoods that I love.  I want him to experience what I felt as a child.  But sometimes it feels strange for him to be present somewhere that holds so much meaning to me.  It’s almost as if he’s out of place, out of context.  Intruding in the life, I had before him.  A life, in many ways, separate from the one I live in now.  As much as I love him, I want there to be pieces of me that aren’t about him.

The truth is, when Ben came along he turned my world inside out and upside down.  The most beautiful feeling, a love like no other.  And a year and a half later, I’m still sifting through the life I lived before, trying to piece it together with the reality I live in now.  He’s the center of my universe, the bridge between my past and present, running around in my memories.  A bizarre feeling at times...

18 Months Old

How does someone so tiny and perfect...

Grow into such a curious, energetic, funny little boy in 18 short months...

  

How did you grow so big overnight.  How did you get so smart and bright.  Yesterday you were asleep in my arms.  Today you’re growing off the charts.

-       Frances England

Ice Cream Overload (at Grandma and Grandpa's)

 

Kawaii One-Size Pocket Cloth Diapers

 On Ben: Cow Kawaii Good Night Heavy Wetter One-Size Pocket Cloth Diaper

This morning Ben woke up in his Kawaii good night heavy wetter one-size pocket diaper.  Kawaii diapers are good quality and are a fraction of the cost in comparison to most cloth diapers.  They’re perfect for families on a budget who want to cloth diaper.  My only real complaint about these diapers is that they’re bulky, in both the front and back.  We currently have five Kawaii diapers that Ben wears primarily around the house and as an overnight diaper.  I purchased my Kawaii diapers online at diapersupply.ca for between $7.99 (CDN) and $8.50 (CDN) each.

Things I Love:

• Great price, good quality.
  

Things I Don’t Love:

• Very bulky.

GroVia All-In-One Cloth Diapers

 On Ben: Planes GroVia All-In-One Cloth Diaper

This afternoon Ben played in his GroVia all-in-one diaper.  These are my favorite diapers. They’re no larger than a disposable yet they’re surprisingly absorbent.  They come in a handful of beautiful prints too.  We currently have two GroVia diapers (I would love more) that Ben wears primarily when we’re going out.  I purchased my GroVia diapers online at so green baby for $26.95 (CDN) each.

 

Things I Love:

• GroVia diapers are trim and fit under any outfit without added bulk.  
• I love the stretchy side panels. 
• Beautiful print selection.

Things I Don’t Love:

• They stain easily.
• The print and color selection is limited in comparison to other brands.

Playroom Inspiration

This summer, one of my big projects is to finish Ben’s playroom.  It was on my to-do list last year but by the time we returned from our vacation, the summer seemed to slip away.  Over Christmas holidays, Boris and I cleaned out the family room, bought a few IKEA shelves and moved some of Ben’s toys downstairs.  The room still needs a fresh coat of paint, new carpet and kid friendly art and seating.  I want the playroom to have the same feel as the rest of our home yet be a place that inspires Ben’s imagination.  Here are a few ideas’ I love:

A-Frame Tent (Cakies)

 

Doorway Puppet Theater (Etsy)

Pumpkin Pillows (Martha Stewart)

Wordless Wednesday

Charlie Banana One-Size Cloth Diapers

On Ben: Black Charlie Banana One-Size Cloth Diaper

Today Ben is wearing his Charlie Banana one-size pocket diaper.  These unique diapers are a 2-in-1 system that can be used with either a washable or disposable insert (we use washable inserts in ours).  We currently have two Charlie Banana diapers that Ben wears primarily when we’re out and about.  They’re slim fitting under his pants and very absorbent.  I purchased my Charlie Banana diapers online at diapersupply.ca for $19.88 (CDN) each.    

Things I Love:

• Charlie Banana diapers are so slim fitting Ben doesn’t look like he has a big bulky cloth diaper under his pants.
• These diapers are adjustable within the elastic casing instead of a snap system at the front of the diaper.
• Nice bold color selection.  

Things I Don’t Love:

• These diapers are suppose to fit a baby from 0 – 36 months, however I find them small compared to my other cloth diapers.  I’m skeptical whether they’d actually fit the average three year old. 
  

bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Diapers with Snap Closure

 On Ben: Jet Setter bumGenius 4.0 One-Size Cloth Diaper with Snap Closure

Today Ben is showing off his bumGenius one-size pocket diaper.  We originally started out with bumGenius 3.0 diapers with hook and loop closure but I found they wore out quickly.  The Velcro began to curl after a few months of use and the diapers would turn into a diaper chain in the wash as a result.  I loved the diapers themselves (minus the hoop and loop) so I decided to switch to snap closure.  We currently have six bumGenius diapers that Ben wears primarily at home and I couldn’t be happier with them.  I purchased my second set of bumGenius diapers online at Enfant Style for $23.95 (CDN) each.   

Things I Love:

• The elastic around his legs fit snug but do not leave red marks.
• Great quality and absorbancy.  In the nine months Ben has been wearing bumGenius diapers he has never had a daytime leak.
• Beautiful color selection, including some great prints for the new 4.0 series. 

Things I Don’t Love:

• Our original hoop and loop diapers began to wear quickly.
• I'm not a big fan of the microfiber inserts simply because of the way they feel. 

Cinnamon Buns

Yesterday we invited my parents over and cooked the most incredible Father’s Day brunch (there aren’t any pictures because I was too busy eating).  Boris and I made an incredible spread of food; turkey bacon, scrambled eggs with asparagus, homemade hash browns with onion, garlic and parsley and pancakes with real maple syrup.  For dessert, we had fruit salad and Boris’ homemade cinnamon buns.  It was truly decadent.  I’m still thinking about all of the wonderful food.  I’m usually an advocate of healthy eating, I try to cook and bake with natural ingredients, whole grains and as little sugar as possible.  But sometimes it’s important to indulge in something as wonderful as these cinnamon buns...Father’s Day was the perfect excuse!  

Cinnamon Buns (Makes 12 Cinnamon Buns)

1 cup warm milk (110F)

2 eggs, room temperature

1/3 cup margarine, melted

4 1/2 cups bread flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 cup white sugar

2 1/2 tsp. yeast

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

2 1/2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

1/3 cup margarine

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup margarine

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/8 tsp. salt

Place first seven ingredients in the pan of the bread machine.  Select dough cycle and press Start.

After the dough has doubled in size turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, cover and let rest for 10 minutes.  In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon.  

Roll dough into a 16X21 inch rectangle.  Spread dough with 1/3 cup margarine and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Roll up dough and cut into 12 rolls.

Place rolls in a lightly greased 9X13 inch baking pan.  Cover and let rise until nearly doubled, about 30 minutes.  

Preheat oven to 400F.  Bake rolls until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

While rolls are baking, beat together cream cheese, 1/4 cup margarine, icing sugar, vanilla and salt.  Spread icing on warm rolls before serving. 

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com (Clone of a Cinnabon)

Happy Father's Day

A man’s worth is measured by how he parents his children.  What he gives them, what he keeps away from them, the lessons he teaches and the lessons he allows them to learn on their own.

-       Lisa Rogers

The Upside of Teething

The last few weeks have been difficult in our house.  Ben has been cutting four new teeth and to put it politely, he’s cranky.  He spends his waking hours whining, crying and throwing himself on the floor.  I spend most of the day trying to survive between naps, waiting for Boris to come home, counting down until bedtime.  It feels like my son has turned into a little monster, someone I barely recognize and I’ll admit, he isn’t very enjoyable to be around.  Last Tuesday Ben also came down with a fever and he lost his appetite.  By Friday he was still burning up, despite our round the clock regime of Tylenol and Advil so we took him to the doctors.  As it turns out, he also had an ear infection that required antibiotics.  

There were two wonderful things to look forward to through the weeks of sleepless nights, tantrums and tears. Ben is the best little snuggler when he isn’t feeling well.  Last week after naptime we would lounge on the couch together; his head against my chest, his body sprawled out on mine, Bear tucked under one arm.  We’d lie like this for a long time and I’d close my eyes, soaking it all in.  I know there will come a time when he no longer wants or needs my comfort.  But, right now, he’s small and in pain and all he wants is his mama.  

To keep from losing my sanity, we also went on lots of long walks.  I’ve always enjoyed walking and Ben is at his best when he’s outside.  The fresh air has always had a calming effect on him.  So when I couldn’t handle it anymore I’d peel my crying boy off the floor, throw him in his stroller and we’d walk.  For the hour or so we were out he was at peace and I got a much needed break.  

Yesterday morning Ben woke up happy.  He smiled, laughed and was content for the first time in a long time.  His appetite finally came back too.  It’s like someone flipped a switch and my sweet little boy returned.

Wordless Wednesday

Rundle Park

Great Cleaning Tip – The Microwave

There are three areas in the kitchen I hate cleaning; the fridge, the microwave and underneath the sink. It usually takes a major spill for me to roll up my sleeves and get cleaning.  As I’ve been making my way through the kitchen over the last few weeks (see Getting Organized) I’ve been avoiding the three “yucky” areas.  Last night I finally broke down and tackled the microwave.  It was time.  It’s been gross for a while now but last week’s lasagna explosion really pushed it over the edge.  

A few years ago I can across a great tip in a magazine (I can’t remember which one) for cleaning the microwave without chemical cleaners.  It’s so simple, I really don’t know why I don’t do it more often?  Take 1/2 a lemon and squeeze it into a small bowl (you can leave the lemon in the bowl after squeezing).  Add a few Tbsp. of water and microwave on high for 2 – 3 minutes.  The lemon water will steam the microwave making it easy to wipe off all that caked on food.  I had to repeat the process twice last night to loosen everything (you may need to add a little more water each time).  

I love finding healthy, natural ways to clean.  We rarely use chemical cleaners in our home.  Baking soda, vinegar and Norwex cloths do the job just as well.  I’m so happy that my microwave looks and smells great again...now let’s see how long it lasts! 

Cloth Diapering

When I was pregnant with Ben, I made the decision that I was going to use cloth diapers (whenever possible) over disposables.  Inspired by a few of my cloth diapering friends I also loved that they were better for the environment and would be a healthier choice for my baby.  Cloth diapers have come a long way in recent years (no more safely pins and plastic pants) and can be found in a wide range of beautiful designs and colors.  

A few months into my pregnancy, I began researching cloth diapers and I’ll admit, it was daunting at first.  There were so many choices it was difficult to know where to begin.  Once (I thought) I knew what was best for our family I bought diaper fabric and my mom sewed the most beautiful little diapers I’d ever seen.  Sadly, they didn’t fit Ben’s long, lean body once he arrived.   He leaked through those homemade diapers every single time I put one on and then he quickly outgrew them.  My mom never did sew the next size up for him.  I was a little sad and discouraged that we had put so much time and effort into making diapers that just didn’t work for Ben’s body type.  Afterward, it took me a few months to get brave enough to purchase some new cloth diapers.  

Now, 17 months in, I’ve tried many great brands of cloth diapers and I know what works for us and what doesn’t.  If I could go back in time and do it again, I would have done a diaper trial once Ben hit the eight pound mark.  It would have taken a lot of guesswork out of the equation for me.  For instance over time, I’ve learned that I prefer one-size diapers to sized diapers and snap closure over hook and loop.  The truth is, what works well for one baby or one family may not be what's best for another.  

Next week I’ll be showing off some of the diapers we love, along with the pros and cons of each.  In the meantime, (here, here and here) are a few great resources to check out if you’re thinking cloth diapering your baby.

Children’s Books – June Favorites

We love books in our house!  Although Ben’s a busy boy who rarely stops from morning until night he will sit quietly, cuddled in our lap for story time.  Boris and I read to him at least three times a day, before naptime (X2) and bedtime.  He can sit through eight or nine children’s books in one sitting, so on average we read at least 25 books to him a day.  That doesn’t include the ones he flips through and studies on his own or the ones he brings to us to read over and over again.  I take Ben to our local library once a week to choose a new selection.  I grow bored of reading the same stories day after day.  We’ve probably taken out every single board book from our library.  Some have made it into Ben’s book basket several times over the last year.  We all have our favorites.  I’m drawn to the books with beautiful artwork.  Boris loves the ones that rhyme. And Ben likes anything with cars, trucks and trains, although sometimes his favorite of the week surprises us.  Here are a few we’ve enjoyed recently (I’ll try to post our favorites once a month from here on in).  Enjoy!

 

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Eco Babies Wear Green by Michelle Sinclair Colman

 

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle 

Wordless Wednesday

Outside on a Cold Morning in June

Eat-Clean Hummus

Hummus, coupled with whole wheat pita bread and a handful of vegetables is one of my favorite lunches (Ben likes his spread on crackers).  It’s healthy and super easy to make.  Best of all, it’s freezer friendly.  I freeze mine in individual portions so I always have some on hand for a quick lunch or snack. 

Eat-Clean Hummus

2 to 3 cloves garlic

540 ml canned chickpeas, rinsed and well drained

1 tsp. sea salt

1/3 cup tahini

Juice of 1 fresh lemon

2 Tbsp. olive oil 

Place all ingredients in a food processor.  Pulse for a few minutes until well combined and serve.

Recipe adapted from The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook

Ending May With a Bang

We ended May with a bang in our house the other night.  Actually, it was two big thumps, a loud cry followed by an unconscious little boy and a trip to the hospital.  I guess we hadn’t quite reached our quota of excitement this month. 

Boris and I were in the living room talking about what to do for dinner when Ben fell off a chair.  We heard a loud thump and then another.  We rushed into the kitchen and Boris picked Ben up, who was crying, huddled in a ball on the floor.  Ben reached out for me, as he often does when he’s hurt or upset and I took him in my arms.  He was silent, trying so hard to make a sound.  I can always tell how badly he’s hurt by the pause between his cries.  This one was long, too long.  He was struggling and I could see the panic in his eyes.  Then, he went limp and his eyes rolled back into his head for a second or two.  Ben wasn’t breathing and once his is eyes rolled back they were lifeless.  For a moment, the little boy unconscious in my arms didn’t resemble my son.  I yelled at Boris to call 911, he scrambled to find a phone and then, thankfully Ben began to cry.  It all happened within a matter of seconds.  Time slowed down, it felt like an eternity had passed.  Afterward, I rocked him and spoke to him softly until he calmed down.  He sat quietly in Boris’ lap while I phoned Health Link.  They recommended we take him to the hospital for an assessment, just to be safe.  By the time I was off the phone he seemed to be back to normal so we grabbed some burgers on our way to the emergency room.  They checked Ben out from head to toe and monitored him for a few hours before letting us go home.  Fortunately he was all right.    

Even after Ben’s fall the other night, I’m still quite relaxed when it comes to letting him explore the world around him.  I believe it’s important for children to learn their own boundaries.  It’s my job as a parent to protect him as much as it’s my job to teach him how to stand on his own two feet in this world.  Parenting is about knowing when to hold on and when to step back and let go.  Unless Ben is in clear danger or behaving inappropriately, I allow him the space he needs to figure things out on his own.  Ben wasn’t in imminent danger the night he fell.  He spends half his day standing on a chair against the kitchen counter playing, learning.  If I stand behind him, hovering, afraid he might fall or get hurt I’m not preparing him for life. I want him to be confident; I want him to continue to be brave, not fearful.  If I had a different child maybe I would parent differently.  However, Ben is whom we were graced with; Ben is who was meant for us.  We’re all learning together.  I know Ben’s going to spend his whole life testing the limits, that’s just who he is; adventurous, fearless and brave.

Getting Organized

I’ve been working my way through the kitchen pantry all week and although it has taken me a little longer than five minutes a shelf, I should be able of open the door without embarrassment very soon.  It’s turned out to be a busy week in our household; my mom and I went to the U2 concert last night and we spent Tuesday evening in the emergency room with Ben (I’ll leave that story for a separate post).  Overall, getting organized is going well.  The pantry is getting quite the overhaul and I’m having a good time using my label maker!     

Wordless Wednesday