As you may remember from this post, we have a wedding to go to the first weekend of August and we're bringing Pierce with us. My last post discussed how we were dealing with food and this post I'll talk about naps and sleeping.
For the past little while, Pierce's sleep schedule has been messed up. I don't know why, but his usual schedule is as follows:
Wake-up: 7:30am
First nap: 9:00am - 10:30am
Second nap: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Bedtime: 8:00pm
I'm hoping I can get him back on this schedule before we go to the wedding.
When we put him to sleep, we use music we have on a CD as well as on the laptop. This is convenient because we can play the same music for him in the car as well as at home.
The wedding is in Quebec, which is the next province to the East of us and it will take us about 5.5 hours of non-stop driving for us to get to our hotel in the city where the wedding is taking place. The wedding starts at 5pm, and we'll need to stop for lunch as well as time to get ready at the hotel. I'm planning on having us leave the house at 8:30 so that we can get on the road (and stop for breakfast, of course!) in time for Pierce to have his first nap of the day. We'll play his sleep music in the car during this time and when he wakes up at his usual time (fingers crossed!) we'll play fast paced music to keep him awake until noon when we stop for lunch. Maybe I'll sit in the back with him, too and play with him a bit so he doesn't get bored. After lunch we'll get back in the car with Pierce's sleep music playing so that he can have his second nap. I don't really have any doubt that this will work for us because it's worked before. This plan will hopefully get us to the hotel by 3:30, which will give us each enough time to get ready for the wedding as well as a few stops along the way for breastfeeding and diaper changes.
What I am worried about, however, is night time sleeping. When I booked the hotel reservation, they asked me if I wanted a crib and I said no because we're planning on bringing his Pack & Play with us for him to sleep in. I wasn't worried about this until recently when I tried to put him in the playpen at my parent's house and he woke up while I was putting him down. (It's a long way down and I can't keep him close to my body the way I can when I put him in his crib at home.) I'm trying to decide if I should call the hotel and tell them I've changed my mind about the crib. Maybe I should put Pierce in his playpen at home when he goes to sleep so that he gets used to it? The thought of putting my child in a crib used by many other children grosses me out a bit. I mean, I know they wash the sheets, but what about the rails of the crib? Kids put those in their mouths all the time, and really, I don't have any way of knowing how clean it is. Also, if we were to go with the hotel crib, I'd bring my own sheet for it. I just like to know that things that Pierce uses are clean and safe. I am far less concerned with cleanliness when it comes to me than I am with Pierce if that makes you think I'm less crazy.
I really hope he sleeps well at the hotel. I don't do well on little sleep. I get frustrated very easily. But I'm hoping that, at least if he doesn't sleep well during the night, he'll make up for it in the car on the way home the next day.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
I'm Sad
One of my best friends is moving to Alberta, and I'm so sad!
Her husband has been out of work in this province for a while now. He actually went to Alberta for work a while ago and has only been back for a few months. He worked for part of that time and is now out of work without any prospects, so all three of them (they have an adorable son who is almost 2 years old) are packing up and leaving. Actually, he left on Friday morning and she is just here until the house sells and then they're going as well.
I'm so sad. I know it's what's best for them, but this is such a sucky situation. I'm going to miss her and her son so much. There were so many things coming up that I was looking forward to with her. Pierce's first birthday, her son's second birthday. I can't help but worry that I will never see her again. I know I more than likely will because they both have family in the area.
I'm trying to remain strong for her on this because I know that she's really upset about having to move and she doesn't need me to remind her how much it sucks.
Her husband has been out of work in this province for a while now. He actually went to Alberta for work a while ago and has only been back for a few months. He worked for part of that time and is now out of work without any prospects, so all three of them (they have an adorable son who is almost 2 years old) are packing up and leaving. Actually, he left on Friday morning and she is just here until the house sells and then they're going as well.
I'm so sad. I know it's what's best for them, but this is such a sucky situation. I'm going to miss her and her son so much. There were so many things coming up that I was looking forward to with her. Pierce's first birthday, her son's second birthday. I can't help but worry that I will never see her again. I know I more than likely will because they both have family in the area.
I'm trying to remain strong for her on this because I know that she's really upset about having to move and she doesn't need me to remind her how much it sucks.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Baby's Food when Traveling
We have a wedding to go to the first weekend of August and I've been nervous about how Pierce will do (he'll be coming with us) so I've started getting ready for our trip now. Last week I decided what we'd do for his food.
I'm planning on taking a small cooler with us so that we can bring his homemade food. I don't know what he'll be eating then because it's more than a month away, but last week I bought some glass containers to put his frozen food into. I'm planning on putting his separate individual meals in the different glass containers so that they can be heated in the same container they were transported in. It makes me nervous to heat foods in plastic containers because chemicals from the plastic can leech into the food, so I always heat Pierce's food in glass or ceramic bowls.
I'm hoping that the hotel we're staying at, as well as the venue where the wedding is being held, will be accommodating with heating his food for us. I'm sure they will be, but someone I spoke to told me that when she went on vacation with her kids she was told that it was restaurant policy not to heat foods that were not prepared at the restaurant. They did bring her some boiling water to heat the food in although it didn't work very well. Hopefully we won't run into any of those problems.
I didn't realize how traveling with a baby could be so stressful, there are so many different things to think about. This will be a series of posts as I get everything in order for our trip.
I'm planning on taking a small cooler with us so that we can bring his homemade food. I don't know what he'll be eating then because it's more than a month away, but last week I bought some glass containers to put his frozen food into. I'm planning on putting his separate individual meals in the different glass containers so that they can be heated in the same container they were transported in. It makes me nervous to heat foods in plastic containers because chemicals from the plastic can leech into the food, so I always heat Pierce's food in glass or ceramic bowls.
I'm hoping that the hotel we're staying at, as well as the venue where the wedding is being held, will be accommodating with heating his food for us. I'm sure they will be, but someone I spoke to told me that when she went on vacation with her kids she was told that it was restaurant policy not to heat foods that were not prepared at the restaurant. They did bring her some boiling water to heat the food in although it didn't work very well. Hopefully we won't run into any of those problems.
I didn't realize how traveling with a baby could be so stressful, there are so many different things to think about. This will be a series of posts as I get everything in order for our trip.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Meal Planning Monday
Here's what we're eating this week:
Monday: Spaghetti
Tuesday: Chicken Stir fry w/rice
Wednesday: Burgers & salad
Thursday: Pork chops w/veggies & rice
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Chicken w/veggies & rice
Sunday: Salmon w/veggies & rice
Monday: Spaghetti
Tuesday: Chicken Stir fry w/rice
Wednesday: Burgers & salad
Thursday: Pork chops w/veggies & rice
Friday: Tacos
Saturday: Chicken w/veggies & rice
Sunday: Salmon w/veggies & rice
Friday, July 9, 2010
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!
Due to some privacy issues that have recently come to my attention, I have changed the name that appears in my profile to Mrs. B. My husband will also only be referred to hereinafter as Mr. B.
Also, do you LOVE the new look of my blog?! I hope so, because I sure do. It's the work of mompreneur, Becca from Jumping Jax Designs. I love this girl! I placed my order and sent her the answers to her Blog Questionnaire on Friday afternoon and she emailed me back within half an hour to let me know that she was currently working on 7 other blogs, but that she'd be working on my order all weekend long despite having house guests. I got my proofs from her late on Tuesday night when I was up because I was too excited to see my design to sleep just happened to be on the computer. She was so helpful when I didn't quite like some elements of the designs she'd done and she was completely accommodating when I asked her to make specific changes. Her prices are also incredibly reasonable. People, I paid $10 for the header and button she designed for me!
So, seriously, if any of you have been thinking about getting a design for your blog, you NEED to talk to Becca.
Disclaimer: I was not in any way compensated for this review of Jumping Jax Designs. I decided to purchase the service and write about my experience with it here by myself. I did not know Becca before ordering from her.
Also, do you LOVE the new look of my blog?! I hope so, because I sure do. It's the work of mompreneur, Becca from Jumping Jax Designs. I love this girl! I placed my order and sent her the answers to her Blog Questionnaire on Friday afternoon and she emailed me back within half an hour to let me know that she was currently working on 7 other blogs, but that she'd be working on my order all weekend long despite having house guests. I got my proofs from her late on Tuesday night when I was up because I was too excited to see my design to sleep just happened to be on the computer. She was so helpful when I didn't quite like some elements of the designs she'd done and she was completely accommodating when I asked her to make specific changes. Her prices are also incredibly reasonable. People, I paid $10 for the header and button she designed for me!
So, seriously, if any of you have been thinking about getting a design for your blog, you NEED to talk to Becca.
Disclaimer: I was not in any way compensated for this review of Jumping Jax Designs. I decided to purchase the service and write about my experience with it here by myself. I did not know Becca before ordering from her.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Thankful on Thursday
This week I am thankful for air conditioning. Holy crap it has been hot around here. The temperature has been hovering in the high thirties, but with the humidity it's felt like low to mid forties around here.
On Monday I drove my sister in law to the airport and we don't have any air conditioning in our car. (Stupid move, it was about $50/month cheaper and we went with it.) Poor Pierce cried pretty much the entire ride home, which was about an hour. I felt so bad for him, but even the wind has been hot lately. We were supposed to visit a friend and her daughter for a play date on Tuesday, but I had to call it off because she lives an hour away and I didn't want to put Pierce through that again.
This insane heat wave is supposed to be over tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm not going to lie, I'm going a bit stir crazy trying to stay inside in the air conditioning for Pierce.
On Monday I drove my sister in law to the airport and we don't have any air conditioning in our car. (Stupid move, it was about $50/month cheaper and we went with it.) Poor Pierce cried pretty much the entire ride home, which was about an hour. I felt so bad for him, but even the wind has been hot lately. We were supposed to visit a friend and her daughter for a play date on Tuesday, but I had to call it off because she lives an hour away and I didn't want to put Pierce through that again.
This insane heat wave is supposed to be over tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm not going to lie, I'm going a bit stir crazy trying to stay inside in the air conditioning for Pierce.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Nine Months
Dear Pierce,
Nine months. How did we get here already? I feel like just yesterday I was at the hospital, holding you in my arms, wondering what the hell I'd just gotten myself into, and now we're here. You are three months away from 1 year old, and I have 2.5 months left in my maternity leave.
You are learning so much right now. You are pulling yourself up to stand and still trying to figure out how to crawl. You can hang out for a while on your hands and knees, but when you try to make yourself go anywhere, you end up immediately on your belly. This frustrates you to no end, and of course, I have to come rescue you and put you right again. You have also lately started pushing yourself up on your hands and tip toes. I have often wondered lately if you'd stand independently or crawl first.
Very often when I rock you to sleep at night I sit and stare at you asleep in my arms and wonder what you'll be when you grow up. I can't predict the future, Pierce, but if you go after whatever it is you're meant to do in this life with as much perseverance as you've got trying to crawl right now, I know you will be amazing, AMAZING, at it.
You can do anything you decide, Pierce.
I love you,
Momma
Nine months. How did we get here already? I feel like just yesterday I was at the hospital, holding you in my arms, wondering what the hell I'd just gotten myself into, and now we're here. You are three months away from 1 year old, and I have 2.5 months left in my maternity leave.
You are learning so much right now. You are pulling yourself up to stand and still trying to figure out how to crawl. You can hang out for a while on your hands and knees, but when you try to make yourself go anywhere, you end up immediately on your belly. This frustrates you to no end, and of course, I have to come rescue you and put you right again. You have also lately started pushing yourself up on your hands and tip toes. I have often wondered lately if you'd stand independently or crawl first.
Very often when I rock you to sleep at night I sit and stare at you asleep in my arms and wonder what you'll be when you grow up. I can't predict the future, Pierce, but if you go after whatever it is you're meant to do in this life with as much perseverance as you've got trying to crawl right now, I know you will be amazing, AMAZING, at it.
You can do anything you decide, Pierce.
I love you,
Momma
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Happy Canada Day
Thursday was July 1 and July 1 in Canada means Canada Day, which of course, means fireworks.
I love fireworks, but maybe more than the actual fireworks, I love going to the park and socializing with everyone there, seeing old friends, making new ones, and eating greasy chip truck food.
I was especially excited for this year because it would be Pierce's first fireworks. Although I was worried that he would be afraid of them and cry. We got to the park and met my parents there. We each had something different to eat. My Dad had peameal on a bun, my mom had a burger, Mr. B had a sausage and I went across the street to order myself some wings and fries. They were delicious. There was also a funnel cake vendor so Mr. B and I shared one. It was delicious as well, but the $10 price tag wasn't so easy to swallow.
A little after 8:00 Pierce started getting fussy (8 is his usual bedtime) so Mr. B put him in the mei tai and bounced him to sleep. This was at around 8:30 or 8:45, the fireworks were due to start at 10:00 and I was sure that they'd wake him up.
We socialized a bit more and then the fireworks started. Pierce slept through the first half, which was a total surprise and then a particularly loud firework went off and he woke up, but he wasn't scared. I asked Mr. B to take Pierce out of the mei tai so that I could sit him on my lap and we oohed and ahhed at the fireworks until they were over with just a few little whimpers, but mostly smiles.
Stupidly, we forgot to bring our camera, so I don't have any pictures of the experience, but here's a picture of Pierce wearing his festive Canada flag bib.
I love fireworks, but maybe more than the actual fireworks, I love going to the park and socializing with everyone there, seeing old friends, making new ones, and eating greasy chip truck food.
I was especially excited for this year because it would be Pierce's first fireworks. Although I was worried that he would be afraid of them and cry. We got to the park and met my parents there. We each had something different to eat. My Dad had peameal on a bun, my mom had a burger, Mr. B had a sausage and I went across the street to order myself some wings and fries. They were delicious. There was also a funnel cake vendor so Mr. B and I shared one. It was delicious as well, but the $10 price tag wasn't so easy to swallow.
A little after 8:00 Pierce started getting fussy (8 is his usual bedtime) so Mr. B put him in the mei tai and bounced him to sleep. This was at around 8:30 or 8:45, the fireworks were due to start at 10:00 and I was sure that they'd wake him up.
We socialized a bit more and then the fireworks started. Pierce slept through the first half, which was a total surprise and then a particularly loud firework went off and he woke up, but he wasn't scared. I asked Mr. B to take Pierce out of the mei tai so that I could sit him on my lap and we oohed and ahhed at the fireworks until they were over with just a few little whimpers, but mostly smiles.
Stupidly, we forgot to bring our camera, so I don't have any pictures of the experience, but here's a picture of Pierce wearing his festive Canada flag bib.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Meal Planning Monday
Feel free to share your menu, or link to your Meal Planning Monday blog post in the comments below. I'd love to see everyone's menus. We could always use a little inspiration around here!
Monday: Chicken Spaghetti (a la Pioneer Woman)
Tuesday: On Tuesday I'm taking Pierce to a friend's house for a playdate with her daughter. Us Moms will have a little playdate of our own, too. I'm picturing us sitting around eating chips & salsa like the moms on the Tostito's commercial. So I'm making one of my go-to "I've had a busy day and don't have the energy to cook" meal: Egg Sandwiches.
Wednesday: Buffalo chicken nuggets with veggies
Thursday: Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice
Friday: Pizza & Movie Night
Saturday: Burgers and salad
Sunday: Salmon with steamed veggies and rice.
Monday: Chicken Spaghetti (a la Pioneer Woman)
Tuesday: On Tuesday I'm taking Pierce to a friend's house for a playdate with her daughter. Us Moms will have a little playdate of our own, too. I'm picturing us sitting around eating chips & salsa like the moms on the Tostito's commercial. So I'm making one of my go-to "I've had a busy day and don't have the energy to cook" meal: Egg Sandwiches.
Wednesday: Buffalo chicken nuggets with veggies
Thursday: Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice
Friday: Pizza & Movie Night
Saturday: Burgers and salad
Sunday: Salmon with steamed veggies and rice.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Please leave a message after the beep
Sorry I'm not here today. I'm over at Adventures in {Baby} Food with a review on The Nibbler by Nuby. Check me out here and have a good weekend. I'll be back again on Monday.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thankful on Thursday
This week I am thankful for family, namely my brother. My brother and I are six years apart in age and, although we didn't always get along well when we were growing up, we are really close now. I'm so lucky that I have such a great relationship with my brother. Even when my parents go away for a few days, we still get together just to hang out and watch movies.
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