Hilary Visit

My oldest friend Hilary has been in Canada visiting the last little while. (She sadly went off to school in Idaho and married a boy from Maryland and is living there.) She has an adorable little girl, Sierra, thats about the same age as Jack (just a few months younger) and I'm soo glad we were able to get together with our babies this past week.

Hilary came down and we all spent the day together. It was a great day and honestly our little munchkins have such similar personalities, they are both a little crazy and a whole lot of fun. We had a busy day of activities for them and had so much fun!

First we had them create some pudding art. Well, atleast we tried. They seriously just ate the pudding and got alot on themselves and the floor and shockingly little on the paper for how much of a mess the rest of the floor was. They loved their pudding and had so much fun eating away. They were hilarious Hil and I were nearly peeing our pants laughing at the two of them.

It finally ended in catastrophe though when Jack slipped in some pudding, fell and devolved into tears, then Sierra devolved into tears upon having her diaper taken off and neither Hilary or I had any desire to hug and comfort our pudding covered little ones. why oh why do events with babies always end in catastrophe?

Anyways after that we took our crying messes of babies off for a fun little bubble bath together. They were totally adorable splashing away together and they got all clean. The bubble bath too, however, ended in the catastrophe. Hilary and I were busy snapping pictures of our little ones and poor little Sierra slipped under the water and it took Hilary like 2 seconds to get here because of the camera factor and this was just unacceptable to Sierra she was so upset and it was so sad! poor little one!

After Hilary finally got Sierra calm, we all had some lunch. The babies had quite a little feast. we had everything for them, chicken, grapes, cheese, crackers, corn and green beans. But they just gobbled up the cheese fast as good be and ignored the other stuff until we got them some more cheese. Crazy kids.

After lunch, they both had naps! (amazing children) and Janeth was happening by the house so she came in with Luke for a bit which was nice (and the crazy lady had her baby the next day!)

Later in the afternoon once they were both up we took them outside to play. We got them into their swimsuits so they could play in the smallest pool ever. it was pretty cute. Then they both got obsessed with climbing up the slide together... sooo cute!!



For dinner, we had a bbq and Hilary's sister Heather and her husband Ken and two little girls came over. It was really nice to all spend time together.

All in, it was a fabulous day. I just wish Hil lived closer so we could have play dates like that for Mommies and babies every week!

Here I am as promised!

Well the last few weeks have been very busy for us MacLeans. As you know my maternity leave finished and I'm back at work and Branden is also working for the summer. both of our jobs are going as well as can be expected and we're starting to get into the swing of things. We are so exhausted most of the time and being very minimally social, but we are still having fun. Its been really hard though and we're just hoping it gets easier with thime.

It took Jack awhile to adjust to daycare, but he's adjusted and he's in a great daycare. The ladies there love him and he loves them. They even fight over who gets to hold him and cuddle him when he's in the mood. He LOVES all the toys they have there. His favourite is the slide, he climbs up the stairs and goes down the slide for hours at a time. Every time I pick him up he's going up and down and up and down. I really wish that I could be home with him, but this daycare is great and is definately the next best thing since I can't be.

We've been trying to have alot of fun doing stuff together as a family on the weekend, since its our main time together.

A few weeks ago we hopped a fence and broke into a private school park and played together. It was pretty fun!

We had a big delicious waffle breakfast together that Jack loved!

We introduced Jack to the world of bubble baths and he loved them more than anything!

We had a picnic at Waterloo park and Jack got to see all the animals. He, however, was not all the interested in the animals and was more interested in shaking the fences and scaring them away. Then he got too excited for words for no reason ran away and pushed a random little girl who was walking hand in hand with her Mom and then hugged her Mom. he was out of control, but it was alot of fun.

We also went to a play place called busy bees with the trinks and their daughters. Jack was a smide overwhelmed by all the toys, but he definately had alot of fun!

We went to Brantford and Jack got to spend time with his grandparents and meet some of my old friends from Browntown.

Life in general has been pretty great, but busy. I promise though I will be better at keeping up from now on!

bad blogger

I have been a bad, bad blogger lately. I promise I'm still alive and doing somewhat interesting things. I am also dead tired like noones business at the end of the day and have no energy beyond basic existance most days so blogging has fallen by the wayside. BUT I don't like that my life is going by undocumented (because you know if blogging isn't happening, journaling most certainly isn't happening) so I promise a return this weekend. Multiple posts, many pictures. I swear it!

Jack is One

Today Jack officially turns one years old! We really didn't do anything special, although I am making him a birthday cookie right now.

I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by. I can believe my baby is no longer a baby he is a little toddler! I just stare at him in awe as I watch him walk around exploring his world and figuring everything out.

He is really so amazing and Branden and I honestly feel we really lucked out. He somehow managed to come into this world and only get both of our best qualities and leave our truly terrible ones behind (which makes us terrified for whenever we have another that it will get all the terrible ones).

He is so smart and funny. Seriously he's starting to figure out jokes and will do anything to make us laugh. He loves to play peekaboo he will hide behind anything and jump out at us.

He LOVES being chased more than anything. Branden and I probaly spend a half an hour an evening chasing him from one end of the hallway to the other, him laughing hysterically all the while.

Jack is getting so big and loves getting into trouble. He is at the stage where he just tears everything apart and loves carrying stuff. He takes all the things that belong at one end of the apartment and takes them to the other and vice versa.

Jack is always on a mission. He marches and runs around the house like he has so much to do and so little time. Its hilarious to watch!

He think his tummy is hilarious. Whenever he had a big meal and his tummy is full and slighly distended he walks around pulling his shirt up and patting and slapping it laughing and grumbling.

I could seriously watch this wonderful little boy all day. he is endlessly entertaining to me. We love him so much!!


Happy Birthday to my fabulous little boy!

Mother's Day

Today is my first Mother's Day as an actual Mom (last year was just a week before I had Jack). I want to start off by recognizing my own Mom who has taught me so much about how to be a Mom. My Mom is great, she is the least selfish person I know. She is funny, an amazing listener, strong, smart, spiritual and just all around wonderful. I don't think I'd be half the Mother I am without here example. I love you mom!!

Next, lets talk a little about how my day went. I woke up early with Jack and he was perfectly adorable and somewhat cuddly for a bit in the morning and then became ridiculously whiney and tired all of a sudden. So we had to give him a nap before church which in turn made us late for church. Branden and Jack did, however, present me with my Mothers day gift of Hypnotic Poison perfume. It is my favourite perfume EVEr and I ran out a few months ago, so I was pretty happy.

Then was church which was quite delightful and Jack managed to hold it together reasonably well. after church naps and then Jack woke up. I noticed when I went to grab him toys that his play pen was covered in pen. The day before he had somehow found a pen and bit it in half and gotten ink all over himself. It took us forever to clean him up and we didn't even think to check his playpen. Today I discovered the mess. pen all over his toys, the carpet is blue from one end to the other. UGH. Branden and I spent hours scrubbing it and we have most of it out, but ground zero (where the initial explosion happened) is still a mess! UGH! Then Jack spent the evening whining, we put him to bed early and awhile later heard massive crying went into check and he had pooped out of his diaper and onto my bear Branden got me he sleeps with. My kid dumped on my teddy bears head! oh man, that took awhile to clean up to!

So parts of today good, parts bad. Tomorrow work starts so hopefully that goes well!!

1 Week Left

How will I ever leave my little pudding Hitler!

Today I have just one week of maternity leave left. It is frankly quite depressing and I am feeling far more emotional than I thought I would. I'm trying really hard not to think too much about it, because I'm sure once I'm in the habit of things it won't be terrible. I know Jack will be okay, we had a meeting with his daycare last week and he got to play with his teachers and the kids and he just loved it so much. The ladies, Mary Anne and Gayle are amazing and loving and wonderful and the kids are great and entertaining. I'm quite sure it will be harder on me than him. I can't imagine leaving my little nugget, I'm going to miss him so much. Add to that I am going to be exhausted! All this week I am making ahead freezer meals so I don't have to worry too much about cooking for the first bit I'm back at work. I figure one less thing on my plate is good. Today I made 8 shepherd's pies to freeze. YUM! Tomorrow I go into mass production of lasagna. It will all be okay, I just have to keep telling myself that!

Jack's Birthday Party

Birthday boy excited to celebrate!

Well, Jack isn't yet one, but we did celebrate his birthday yesturday. Branden starts back to work tomorrow and me next Monday so we decided to get the stress out of the way before we get super busy.

It was a great party. We had it at my parents house and lots of family was there. Jack had so much fun, but was dead tired by the end of the day.

I tried to go all out for it, I mean you only turn 1 once right! Branden thought I was ridiculous, but it all turned out really great. Except my monkey truffle pops. they tasted good, but did not look as nice as I had hoped and definately were not worth the 5 hours of effort.

The theme as you can guess from my last paragraph was monkey's! everything was monkey, the birthday sign, the cupcakes, the treat bags, the truffle pops. It was great.

Jack got some great gifts, including a motorized bus from my cousin Zach and his girlfriend Kiera, a block dump truck from his aunt and uncle, a trainset and adorable outfit from grandma and grandpa, an awesome winnie the poo suit case from cousin Bailey and the ability to pick out his own gift from the toy aisle from Aunt Sue and Uncle Randy.

He loved his first cupcake experience. He seriously could not get enough of it and went onto a serious sugar high for about 10 to 15 minutes after it. At one point he ran across the room screaming at his cousin Thomas, attacked stole he bottle and nearly killed the baby. He was out of control hilarious running and screaming until he pretty much collapsed from exhaustion.

All in all It was a great time and I'm so grateful for everyone that came and celebrated with us.

Now, onto some pictures from the event.

Monkey Treat bags for everyone to take home.

Our Jack inspired Beverages

A fuzzy view of the happy birthday sign I made

Monkey cupcakes

Decor outside

Jack playing in his bus

So excited by the candle and cupcake

Loving the first cupcake bite.

Jack could not get enough of the cupcake!

T-dot

Well I'm slow writing, but Branden has had this week off so we've been busy and Jack's birthday party is today later on and I've been soooo busy getting all the details for that ready. but I have a few minutes right now and Jack is off with Branden directing traffic for some Osmond thing thats going on with the church so I thought I would blog.

Monday night Branden and I spent our first night away from Jack. I missed him alot, but it was less than I thought I would, mainly because we had SO much fun! I forgot to take any pictures though so my words will have to suffice.

Monday we dropped Jack off at Branden's parents in the late morning, they were kind enough to watch him for us. Then we went over to my friend Opper and his wife Natalie's house in Toronto for lunch. It was so good to see him, since we hardly do anymore. they made us a delicious lunch, then we went and got the most amazing gelato. It was great.

Then we went to our hotel in downtown toronto. It was really nice and we had a King bed, which was so nice! I really want one of those one day! We got changed and went out and did some shopping. Went for a really nice dinner at City Grill. It was so nice to shop and eat dinner without Jack. It went so fast compared to what we are used to.

Then we went back to our hotel room for the night and the next morning it was pouring, so our plans for much outdoor walking were cancelled so we went to ikea to get Jack a toy chest and some other assorted items. We picked up Jack and spent some time with Branden's Mom. Jack seemed like he had tons of fun, he didn't miss us at all but he certainly was excited to see us when we got there.

It was so great to just get away and spend some time alone. I recommend doing that to anyone, its so refreshing. We're going to take advantage of my parents next time sometime later this summer and get away for a day or two again!

Jack Explosion and Another Type of Explosion

Lately Jack has exploded in his development. He’s gone from drunken staggering to being able to walk fairly competently between things atleast. Distance is still an issue, but he’s getting better by the minute. He’s saying more and more words: Mama, dada, baba and up. He’s quite a little copy cat now and Branden and him love to have raspberry blowing contests. He’ll clap and wave goodbye and hello. He loves to yell and yell, he pretty much thinks it’s the funniest thing ever. He’ll scream at the top of his lungs as long as he can until his face is about to explode and then laughs at himself like crazy. He dances so cute when Branden and I are playing guitar hero world tour.He pretty much just leeches onto one of our legs and shakes his arms around like a crazy person. He’s just getting cuter and funner by the day.

And now onto the other explosion. This past Friday I was at a girls night and several girls were discussing the enjoyability of flax and the health benefits of it. So I decided to be healthy and bought some over the weekend for Jack and I to try. I’ve been adding it to my cereal in the morning and his oatmeal and let me tell you it has increased the efficacy of my bm’s and Jack’s A LOT. Which I don’t’ know how I feel about it, since I’ve always been a regular girl to begin with and Jack is more than regular. I’m okay with the effects on me, but him.. BLECK I have to clean that crap up times a lot more now. NOT FUN! But I think I’ll power through and keep it up, because it is healthy and all. Trust me though every time Jack has an explosive diaper I will be cursing you Cheryl and Jenn.

4th Anniversary

Today marks 4 years since the day I married my lovely Branden. We're not doing much to celebrate today as Branden is in the thick of exams, but we are going away on our first night away from Jack on Monday. We found a cheap hotel deal at a really nice hotel in downtown Toronto so we'll be there and Jack will be with his grandparents. I'm looking forward to it!

But for today a small ode to my husband, who I love and adore. Branden is by far the funniest, handsomeist and smartest person I know. He is the best Father and Jack and I are both lucky to have him. And although somedays he annoys the beejeezus out of me he is really the best thing in the world and I"m super happy I married him.

Happy Anniversary Hun!

Bath Time Woes

Bath time with Jack lately has been a little bit in the tricky side of the spectrum. He LOVE, LOVE ,LOVES bath and always has, but he gets a little too excited for his own good sometimes. He just won’t sit still. He crawls from one end to the other non-stop the entire bath. He will not sit still no matter what toys I lure him in with. So we have to bath on the go. Scrub his tush as he crawls away, his face as he crawls toward (the face is relatively easy though since he likes to shove his face under the running faucet) and thank goodness for tear free shampoo since the shampooing is done on the run and there is no way to tip him back so the water and shampoo doesn’t run off right into his adorable little face. But it’s a workout! Any Moms or just smart people in general out there have any ideas on how to get the little nugget to sit the heck still?

Fresh Prince of Bel-Baby

Not much point to this post really except to share these far too adorable pictures of Jack. I Love my baby!

Easter Finally

So it may have taken me awhile but I am finally getting around to posting about Easter. We had a fairly laid back Easter, but it was a good time. On Good Friday Jack, Branden and I went to the traditional pancake breakfast and walk in my old ward. It was great to see all my family and old friends. We went on the walk with my family and Opper and his wife Natalie and it was a great, but long walk!

After that we all hung out back at my parents place. They had done an easter egg hunt for us big kids and there was kinder eggs and baby food for the babies. Jack got about 1/8 of a kinder egg and loved every minute of its chocolatey goodness.

Jack finding the "hidden" eggs

Then we had an amazing easter dinner of steak, baked potatoes, corn asparagas and pie. It was quite wonderful.
Jack happily smashing the eggs together.

Then on Sunday we did our own little easter egg hunt with Jack. He managed to find most of the eggs (although they were not exactly well hidden). Then he enjoyed banging them together profusely until his baby snacks popped out. It was cute to watch! All in all it was a good first easter for Jack!

Jack with his Egg stash

No Smoking for Babies

The weather around here has been gorgeous this last week. And on Friday my friend Janeth and her little boy Luke (who's just a month younger than Jack) and Jack and I decided to enjoy it by going to the park for a picnic. The boys had a lot of fun and seem to be enjoying parks and outdoors more and more as the days go by. We swung on the swings, went on a four way teeter totter. Went down slides and climbed through tubes. It was great... until catastrophe struck!

The boys were sitting on the ground on a blanket eating and Jack was crawling about on the surround grass exploring and eating leaves and dirt and what not. Quite frankly I'm totally okay with him eating dirt. I think its part of being a boy. So I wasn't paying that much attention to it at all. Then I look down and Jack has something in his mouth and is making a most disgusted face about it. Upon further inspection Janeth and I discovered it was a cigarette butt! I almost cried and barfed. I scraped it out, wipied his mouth and gave him a drink post haste. I felt like pretty much the worst mom ever. I didn't even think to look for and clear out cigarette butts. It was terrible and the poor kid smelt like smoke in his mouth region all day after that, even after a thorough mouth scrubbing when we got home. It was not cool. So note to all first time Mothers scan the immediate zone and throw out all cigarette butts when you go to the park!

Jack's First Steps

Today is an eventful day. It is the day of Jack's first steps. About a week ago he ventured one small step at my parents house, but I don't count that as anything.. it is first steps not step. But today he did it, several in a row 3 or 4 and MAN were the some drunk crazy looking steps, but still its cute and awesome he's starting to figure out how to walk.

It was pretty funny how the first steps happened and I really wish we had a video of what actually happened. My dear old friend Jacquie and her husband Ryan were over visiting (I haven't seen her in like 2 years so this was amazing!) and we were playing with Jack and seriously Jack loved Ryan. He thought he was hilarious! So Jack's first couple steps were actually going from me to Ryan. So funny! Then ryan turned him around and he like seriously jogged, I'm not kidding, JOGGED 4 or 5 steps back to me. His little legs were moving so fast. Its like he thought the faster he went the less likely he was to fall or something.. hahaha.

Anyways he is by no mean a pro-walker yet. But he's starting to do a small drunken stagger. We tried to get a video of the drunken stagger. It sort of worked out, but it was the end of the day and he was tired and not doing as well, but you still get the gist of it. Oh and please excuse my baby's trailer trashy no-shirtness.... its just how he rolls.