Many Moms I talk to have told me that once their children start eating table food, they end up gaining a bit of weight too. A few of my Mom friends have told me that they end up eating their babies' leftovers or they pick at their babies' food. There are always leftovers, so they end up having to finish their babies' meals.

This isn't the case for me. I've actually lost 6 lbs in the past two and a half weeks. The brand new jeans I just bought at Old Navy? The one new piece of clothing I bought for myself as a treat? Those new jeans that I love are now way too loose and hang halfway down my legs. No joke. They fall off me whenever I walk. How? Well, Little One is a bottomless pit. Sometimes I think the kid has tapeworm or something. Friends joke that she has fourteen hollow legs, because the kid can eat! Just to give you an example, she ate an entire chicken breast, half a sweet potato, broccoli, green beans, yogurt, and half a mini bagel for supper...AND after she polished her meal off, she chased it with some milk.

Yeah. The kid can eat!

What normally ends up happening is that she'll eat her food and then eat from my plate. I rarely end up eating a plate of food to myself, because my 14 month old daughter always wants what I'm eating. Funny, because she eats whatever we eat! With me not eating a lot at meal time (because Little One scarfs down my food), and by the time I'm done cleaning up after her (she has got to be the messiest eater I've ever seen!), I am absolutely exhausted. I often end up too tired to eat.

On the flip side, Hubby has GAINED weight! Those 6 lbs I lost? Hubby has acquired them. I suppose it doesn't help that I've discovered how to make his favourite treat in the world! Hubby LOVES cinnamon rolls and the beautiful, funny, and talented Momisodes shared her recipe here.

Unfortunately Fortunately, the recipe is super easy to make and takes no time at all to whip up a batch of cinnamon rolls!


I made them for our friends and they gave them two thumbs up. We get together with friends once a month for what we call "FAT FRIDAY". It's actually "wing night" at our friends' house. Little One plays with their 2 yr old son and 13 month old daughter. Mommy and Daddy get to socialize with other adults. It's a win-win situation. Good food. Good friends. Good times. Fat Friday is also the only night I make dessert for and it's the only night Hubby gets to eat dessert (or any junk food for that matter). Spicy chicken wings, fries, Caesar salad and dessert = Hubby's favourite meal of the month! Haha!

There are certain things in life that are so very private and intimate that you sometimes don't even want to share them with your spouse.

My love affair with my Neti is one of those things.

I was introduced to my fair Neti a few years ago. A friend highly recommended Neti and sent her my way. We have been inseparable ever since.

Neti and I have had our quiet, special moments together. Just her and I. In the bathroom. In the kitchen. Hovering over the sink.

My husband has seen Neti before, but he has never witnessed the special relationship we share. At least, not until today.

I accidentally left the bathroom door open while Neti and I were doing our thing. I didn't notice Hubby standing in the door way in silence.

"Having fun, honey?"

I gasped. I was caught red-handed. I didn't know whether to be embarrassed or not. After all, this was a very normal, natural thing. Why should I be embarrassed?

I suffer from allergies and sinus related issues. When you live on a farm, apparently you are not supposed to be allergic to anything. My Neti Pot has helped me tremendously with my sinuses and allergies. I have to admit, that it was a relief for me that my husband actually witnessed me with Neti! Now I don't feel like I need to use the Neti Pot in secrecy anymore. The process is kind of gross, but the result? You're left feeling oh-so-clean and refreshed!

*Photo from Google Images*

There are certain things in life that are so very private and intimate that you sometimes don't even want to share them with your spouse.

My love affair with my Neti is one of those things.

I was introduced to my fair Neti a few years ago. A friend highly recommended Neti and sent her my way. We have been inseparable ever since.

Neti and I have had our quiet, special moments together. Just her and I. In the bathroom. In the kitchen. Hovering over the sink.

My husband has seen Neti before, but he has never witnessed the special relationship we share. At least, not until today.

I accidentally left the bathroom door open while Neti and I were doing our thing. I didn't notice Hubby standing in the door way in silence.

"Having fun, honey?"

I gasped. I was caught red-handed. I didn't know whether to be embarrassed or not. After all, this was a very normal, natural thing. Why should I be embarrassed?

I suffer from allergies and sinus related issues. When you live on a farm, apparently you are not supposed to be allergic to anything. My Neti Pot has helped me tremendously with my sinuses and allergies. I have to admit, that it was a relief for me that my husband actually witnessed me with Neti! Now I don't feel like I need to use the Neti Pot in secrecy anymore. The process is kind of gross, but the result? You're left feeling oh-so-clean and refreshed!

*Photo from Google Images*

When I look at Little One, I often think of how good it was to be young and carefree. Our biggest worries when we were kids were being away from Mom for an extended period of time and what toy we'd play with next. I remember warm summer days and playing with my brother, cousins and friends until dark. Those were the days when we used to run around and play street hockey or hide and go seek without our parents worrying too much. Everyone on the street knew everyone. It was still relatively safe for us to play outdoors (sort of unattended). We'd run through sprinklers and go on make-believe journeys. We'd ride our bikes and play outside until our parents called us in for dinner.

I miss those days.


Yes, life is pretty sweet when you're a baby.

Rosemary Wells' Read to Your Bunny is one of Little One's favourite books. Every day and every evening, I read to Little One. She just loves books and being read to. The tactile sensation of touching the images and words with her fingers, feeling the pages of her books and being able to turn the pages really appeal to her. I am always amazed that she can sit on my lap and listen to two or three books in one sitting.

This is something that I love and treasure too. This special time I have with my daughter is priceless.

When she was in the NICU for the first two months of her life, I used to read to her every day. Even when she was in her incubator, I read to her. I don't know just what extent she was able to hear the stories from her books as I read, but I did it nonetheless. Sitting by her incubator/isolette every day, and not being able to hold her all the time like a new Mom would do if she were able to be at home with her newborn baby, I felt that was one of the things I could do to bond with my baby.

It's amazing, because now Little One knows just when to turn the pages of her books. She's heard the stories countless times and seems to really enjoy being read to.
Little One has been feeling icky and has had a fever on and off for the past few days (she's cutting her fifth tooth), but still wants to be read to. She even fell asleep on her play mat...hugging her copy of Read to Your Bunny! Funny kid!

I heard the news this morning and fell to my knees and cried. I gave my Little One an extra big hug and held her for a very long time.

Lisa (a friend of mine from when I lived in Toronto, but now lives in Texas) and her husband just lost their son this morning to a terrible disease called MLD. I had never heard of Metachromatic Leukodystrophy before and I have been following Ryan's journey since he was diagnosed.

"Ryan was diagnosed with MLD at the age of 33 months.Metachromatic Leukodystrophy is a progressive genetic metabolic disorder that affects the neurological system. There is no known cure and his condition is too progressed for him to even be considered for a Bone Marrow Transplant."

He received his Angel Wings early this morning.

Thoughts and prayers are with Lisa, Jerry and their family.
Rest in peace, sweet Ryan.

I disinfect all of Little Ones toys, her play mat, the door knobs (front door, bathroom, etc), and commonly touched objects (remote control and telephones) every time we have visitors...and especially when our visitors are Little One's friends!

It's one of my many quirks. No, I'm not that paranoid. I know Little One needs to be exposed to germs in order for her to build up her immune system. At the same time, I still want to keep things clean so she doesn't get sick if it can be avoided.

Surprisingly, my husband hasn't really commented much. He's a farm kid and believes that "a handful of dirt a day keeps the doctor away". He believes that Little One eating a fly isn't something to freak out about. In fact, he joked that it was "extra protein". Gross!
Anyway, he saw me disinfecting all the toys and the play mat after our friends left today and just said, "That's a good idea" and went about what he was doing.

My friends (E, SuperAmazingMommy and SuperAmazingMommy's two boys) came over for a visit and we had a great time catching up. Both E and SAM were very impressed with me at lunch when I let Little One feed herself in her highchair WITHOUT a bib! Actually, I had forgotten to put one on her and when I realized it, it was too late.

Me: Oh. I forgot to put a bib on Little One! Ah...I guess it's okay. It's going to go in the wash anyway.

E: Wow! I am so impressed! You are slowly starting to let go! You just let her eat without a bib! Good for you!

I am trying to loosen up about these things. For one, when Little One eats, she makes a mess. I'm fine with that. I know feeding herself is part of her development. It's good for her. The only thing is that the clean-up is a pain. When I forget to put her bib on, she stains her clothes. Grrr! Again, I need to let go and realize that the cleaning up will not end. Not even when Little One is a teenager! ;) Well, she'll be cleaning up after herself soon...right? Haha!

SAM's two boys (aged 2 and 4) decided it would be fun to pull apart the play mat. I said they could, under the condition that they put it back together before they went home. Sure enough, they had tremendous fun tearing everything apart. The putting things back together was even more fun. SAM, E, the boys and I were on the living room floor and trying to piece together the alphabet play mat. It was quite comical. I wish we had it on video!

The mat was put back together...only NOT IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER!!!! :) I have to admit, the haphazardness of it all was rather cute. I think SAM and E were probably wondering how long it would take after they left before I took everything apart and put the mat back in alphabetical order.

You know your friends love you when they find humour in all your OCD moments.

Do YOU have any quirky little secrets you'd like to share? :)

Maddie's Mom (aka A Scrapping Mom) and I took our girls swimming today. When one sets foot off Island, one revels in simple joys like treating oneself to things one does not get on the Island. Don't get me wrong. We LOVE the Island. We love that there are no huge corporations like McDonald's, KFC, Wendy's, Dairy Queen, or Tim Hortons. This said, when we go to the city, it's nice to have a treat once in a while.

Maddie's Mom and I had been craving a breakfast sandwich at our trusty 'ol Tim Hortons. I purposefully didn't eat breakfast so I could have a breakfast sandwich. *drool*


Last time we took the girls swimming, we popped over to the Tim Hortons "drive-thru" in Stinkynola and anxiously awaited our turn so we could set our hands on the much coveted breakfast sandwich. Maddie's Mom placed our order and we were stunned at the response. STUNNED!

"Breakfast is now over" was what we heard via the static-filled speaker.

HUH!?

"What do you mean breakfast is over?"

"It's after 11."

"Ummm...But, it's only 10 after 11!"

"That's right. Breakfast ends at 11."

"Oh, come on. You can't tell us that there are absolutely no more breakfast sandwiches. It's ten minutes after 11!"

"Do you still want to order anything?"

"No thanks."

Disappointed, we drove away. We were starving though. Incidentally, Maddie's Mom is pregnant. She needed something to eat. We ended up getting a bagel or something. Grrrrr.

Fast forward to today.

Maddie's Mom: This time, we are getting breakfast sandwiches!!!
Me: Yes! Let's leave the Island a little earlier so we can make sure we get there before breakfast is over!

Tim Hortons is exactly 74 minutes by car from my house. Door to door. Pathetic, but I've actually timed it.

Anyhow, we made it to Stinkynola at exactly 11AM. We pulled into the drive-thru and...

Tim Hortons lady: May I take your order?
Maddie's Mom: Yes. Could we have two breakfast sandwiches, a French Vanilla, and an apple juice, please?
Tim Hortons lady: Breakfast is now over.
MM: What? Oh, come on! Seriously?
THL: Breakfast is over at 11.
MM: Wow. It's 11:01! You mean to say that as of a minute ago, there are no more breakfast sandwiches?!?!
THL: Yes. Do you want anything else?
MM: No.
THL: Would you like a bagel BLT instead?
MM: No.

Maddie's Mom ended up getting a bagel with light cream cheese and a French Vanilla. I ended up getting a bagel BLT and an apple juice. Once again, our hopes were crushed and we were left disappointed.

Tim Hortons, you know we love you. We do. Your Iced Cappuccinos and your French Vanillas are the best. Hubby loves your Tim Bits and Crullers. Your chili and sandwiches are also first rate, but COME ON!!! What's with the no more breakfast sandwiches ONE MINUTE after 11?!?! We are sooooo unimpressed. Seriously? ONE MINUTE after 11?!?!

**Maddie's Mom's alternate blog name, "A Scrapping Mom" is derived not from the fact that she likes to get into lots of scraps with people. She's not like that at all. Her name comes from the fact that she loves scrapbooking! :) **

Unless you've had a pet, it's difficult to understand the relationship humans have with their animal companions. There's a sense of companionship, trust, faithfulness and love that words cannot fully describe. Sometimes I think that should anything ever happen to Chance, I couldn't ever have another dog. Ever. The pain of losing Chance would be too much. I don't think I would ever want to put myself through something like that again.

My canine baby, Chance has been with me for seven years. I got him when he was just a few weeks old. When I got him, he could fit in the palm of my hand. Now, he's 50 lbs and still thinks he's a puppy! He tries to sit on my lap whenever he gets the chance and doesn't realize that he practically knocks me over every time he does that.

Chance has been with me through thick and thin. He's seen me through a difficult relationship that ended badly. He's seen me through the death of my aunt. He comforted me when I ditched my vehicle a few winters ago (someone drove me off the highway).

Chance has also been there for the happiest times of my life. He moved from Toronto with me and found his new home on the Island. He became a farm dog and left his city life behind him.

He's had his fair share of close calls and disasters. When we lived in Toronto, he got his back paw stuck in the elevator door as it was closing. When we moved to the Island, he ate something funky and ended up sick for a week. He wouldn't eat or drink and just seemed so lifeless. After a few days, he was back to his old happy-go-lucky self again.

When we made our new home on Hubby's farm, Chance enjoyed the taste of true freedom. His new freedom cost him his pride and landed him in the veterinary clinic though. Chance had an altercation with a porcupine. His entire face had quills embedded so deeply into his skin that the vet needed to sedate him to take the quills out. He even had a few coming out of his eye socket. Needless to say, that was the very last time Chance ever messed with a porcupine.

Today was the most horrible day by far though. The strange thing is that I had a dream that Chance was pulling Little One on a sled and then they were playing at the beach. When I woke up, I thought that I really need to spend more time with Chance. Ever since I gave birth to Little One, my canine baby hasn't been getting as much attention from me as he used to.

Just before 7AM, I got a phone call from Hubby's cell. Chance had been run over by the school bus and was very badly injured. Great. What a way to start the week off. Hubby had to go on his bus route and couldn't help me, so I tried to make Chance as comfortable as possible. I grabbed something to keep him warm with. I tried to lift him into my van, but he was in too much pain and if he had sustained some internal injuries, I didn't want to make things worse. I waited for Hubby to return, all the while staying with my canine baby. I did go in the house a few times to check on Little One, who was still sleeping and to make a few phone calls.

Chance was taken to the vet, was checked and had x-rays taken. It turns out, he has a crushed pelvis. He will be on pain meds for a while and hopefully won't have any major complications.

I cannot tell you how relieved I am that he is still alive. Some would say that "a bullet is much cheaper than a vet bill" or "he's only an animal". Chance is so much more to me and the idea of losing him today was just too hard to deal with.

Chance definitely lives up to his name. Chance in French means Luck.