13 months // 43 month update

You know what the hardest thing is about these updates? Knowing what I've already written about in the last one! I'd really hate to have like 20 of these in a row that say: So, Oliver is super into making inventions right now..

I'll do my best.

As I probably mentioned in the last update, we held a birthday party for Dakota. For her birthday we bought her some new clothes, a bike helmet so that we can go for bike rides (Ollie won't likely fit in my front baby seat this summer, plus he has his own bike to ride) and a new kid-sized couch. The couch has been amazing for movie nights... it unfolds into a bed which fits both kids side by side, so we can put on a Disney move and cuddle them up together. They love it.

One day while my mom was watching the kids, Dakota had a dirty diaper that went pretty rogue. Like, she destroyed every item of her outfit. My mom stripped her down, threw the clothes in the wash, gave her a bath and then did what any sensible grandma would do: she found an old outfit of Oliver's that she used to keep as a backup and put Dakota in it. So here she is in some clothes meant for a 2 year old boy.

Dakota was so precious at church last weekend, she kept singing along and raising her hands. I had to snap a sneaky photo of it!

Oliver is working through a list of "Kindergarden readiness" items that I collected. Before September I'd like him to be able to write his name, recognize his name written out by someone else and be able to spell it outloud. I'd like him to be able to write, recognize and list more letters and numbers. I'd like him to be able to fully get dressed without asking for help, and we need to buy him some velco-closed shoes since all of his are shoelaced. I'd like him to be able to use the bathroom totally unassisted (he can for "pees" but...) and open packages, like granola bars, by himself. I'd like him to feel more comfortable sharing, and listening to instructions, and being okay with it when plans change from what he was expecting. And other things like cutting in a straight line, tracing dotted lines in different patterns, counting objects in front of him, and sorting patterns. Some of this he's already really good at... like this activity we did about sorting jelly bean colours. I wasn't sure if he'd get it right away but lo and behold...

 "What, Mommy? This 'posa be hard?"  You can also see the fishing game we worked on, which was a series of x's and o's with paperclips that he would fish up with a magnet on a string. O's are points and X's are GAME OVER. Every point gets a jelly bean. That's how he earned them, then I made him sort them.


Oliver has been doing incredible in his skating/hockey class. At his age they only offer Parent and Tot lessons, so I (or Cal, or a grandpa) need to be on the ice with him, but he's totally independent and can skate on his own... now. That wasn't the case at first.

We are considering putting him in Timbits next year. Or doing another year of skating lessons. There's a floor hockey program that runs through spring but unfortunately Cal and I are both reluctant to commit to it since it's every Saturday and we both rotate weekends at work.

And lastly, here is our family motto for the month:

Ollie & Koko Update! She's 1! He's still 3.5!

I suppose even though I did a "Happy Birthday Dakota" post, it's still important I write an update. After I do have TWO kids. We shan't forget all the happenings in the world of Mr. Oliver Wolfe.

The kids have been well: they are transitioning to the fact that now Mommy & Daddy both go to work in the morning. They are watched by my mom, Cal's mom or our wonderful nanny/friend Laura. Oliver announced two days ago at 6:45am, with his arms out to the sides, "NOBODY IS GOING TO WORK TODAY. NOBODY." It's definitely hard to leave them, but they're in good hands. 

Oliver is still quite obsessed with "inventing". It's ruining our home. We find piles and piles of electronics ("Leck-ronics") plugged into each other, often in correct pathways but definitely sometimes not. We haven't lost anything to an incorrect voltage yet, but it's almost certain we will at some point. If you have any spare usb cords, or things with usb ports that cords could plug into, please consider donating to the Oliver Thinks He's the Main Character From Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Fund Inc. When he's not inventing, he always says hilarious things ("I want to marry Abby because she gives warm hugs, and we have true love, and she is easy to hide things from") and he is beginning to be a better eater. It's not that he's picky, in fact he recently asked Laura if she could make him a salad because he was hungry, and ate sushi like a champ, he just doesn't have time for eating. I'm trying to give him more calm tasks like writing in notebooks (it's actually a detective pad, sorry!) and playing with dinosaur stickers. He is sweet and lovable, but also gets a ton of time outs.

Dakota is crawling up and down the stairs like she's a compulsive exerciser looking to lose weight before a vacation. She can walk with assistance, but no steps on her own yet (very soon I imagine). She is long, long, long, to the point that we may have a car seat flipping to forward facing earlier than expected (or desired). She has just a smidge more hair now, which is lovely. At this rate she'll be able to have a french braid by age 13. She has figured out that when she's done eating she can just cry really loud and I'll take her out of her high chair, so that's been a fun one.

Here is Oliver using my lens cap as an eye patch, and a toy from his doctor set as something else? Dakota isn't pleased about any of it.

Here is a photo I took in the Apple Store at Masonville mall while our friend Mariza (visiting from Brazil this month) bought an iPhone. I kinda wish they could fit in one mall-car forever. Also, that their dispensing thing would be broken forever so that the car rental would be free, like it is now.

This was literally the best photo I could get of them together on the couch. NOT having it.

Here they are at the cottage "playing chess". You can see who the bossy one is.

And here they are in a snowball fight on the lake. It's everyone vs Calvin, as you can see, except for me who happily documented it from inside the warm cottage.

It's been a fantastic January: my littlest little is one year old. I can't wait for the months to come -- especially the warm ones!

Oliver Update

With so much about pregnancy and the new baby coming I thought it might be nice to post an update about what's new in the life of Oliver.

Here is Oliver at my staff Christmas party eating a candy cane. He insisted on helping as an elf for the Secret Santa giveaway. On stage, without my prompting. So, a real ham.

Age: Almost 2 1/2 years old! His half birthday is on Feb 5th.

Clothes: He wears basically all 2T. Sometimes I'll randomly find an 18M shirt or pants in his drawer and it often fits. Most of his jeans need a belt because he's a skinny little bird. His shoes are 9's I think. And his undies are 2T/3T which surprises me.Favourite Foods: I think tomatoes and cherry tomatoes will eternally be his favourite since he has personally grown them in "his" garden since birth. He calls them 'matos'. On the healthier side he loves all fruit - especially apples, clementines, halved grapes, bananas (unpeeled only, don't even think of cutting them for him unless it's going in a smoothie) and so much more. He is hesitant about kiwi if it doesn't have honey drizzled on it, which is only fair. Blueberries ('blues') and blackberries ('blacks') are popular right now. He likes every vegetable too - he had a giant serving of Brussels sprouts last night, he eats salad like a champion. He likes meat but calls it all "meat" unless I tell him it's chicken. Beef, pork, etc. is just "meat". He often asks for "dipper please" which means vinaigrette, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce or yogurt (if it's something sweet). He does love yogurt. He drinks only water unless he's in the mood for "hot cocoa" which he can practically make himself -- makes tea too (with ice cubes - "tea, cold, please"). What else? He always wants daddy's chips. He recently tried a pb+j and loves it. And just cheese all the time. 

Favourite Words: I'd have to go with "mess" and "turn". He loves to point out when he's spilled something or tracked snow on the hard wood, or if someone else has. If he leaves his trucks out in his bedroom he'll come notify me: oh no mommy mess! And telling us it's his turn for a TV show is a more frequent thing than I'd like to admit. Beyond that, he asks to call my mom a hundred times a day "Phone Maamo?" That and "Oh MAAM" instead of oh man.

Favourite Activities: Playing trucks or tractors could easily take up the entire day. He likes his new play kitchen and making me eggies and noodles. Train set, for hours. He really likes bubble baths. He will colour for a new minutes. Reading books for a while too. Smashing things with his play tools. And actually, I'd say "helping". He loves helping -- with laundry, with putting away dishes, with picking his clothes, tidying up... He is an amazing helper.

Favourite Things: His favourite things would have to be Fireman Sam episodes, Tobblerone bars, his best friend Abigail, when daddy hugs him and pretends they're "stuck", when he gets to stay up and "party" with the boys in daddy's band ("Mama, party please?"), asking for refills on his water sippy cup, the days when I don't go to work ("gerk"), talking on the phone, and wearing jeans ("please Mommy, no jammies.") 

Signature Moves: He has a mean twerk when he hears "booty booty booty booty rockin' everywhere" or that new Drake song. He likes to hop around and say he's hoppy instead of happy.
 

Mom's Proudest Moment: A very short lived one... we had friends over for dinner and our salad had cherry tomatoes in it. He had finished all of his and asked if he could eat one of mine. I said yes but I said: darn, it was my last one! So right before he put it in his mouth he said, "ok, mommy eat" and gave it back to me. I thought it was terribly sweet and generous, but as soon as I swallowed it he realized he'd made a terrible mistake and demanded I check the fridge for more tomatoes. I've also been very proud of his eating habits, his using "please" and "thank you" constantly, his new words every day, and so much more.

Dad's Proudest Moment: I'd have to ask him... Probably when we were watching a Leafs game and Ollie yelled JOFFREY! to something that Lupul did -- it was actually unreal.

Other Milestones: I can successfully feed him chicken drumsticks, tossed salad, and oranges without being scared he'll choke. He can properly pronounce the name Thomas (his train). He is fine to have a bath by himself while I do other things in the bathroom (hair, makeup) - until recently he always wanted me to come in and play. He can put his socks on. What else? He can choose and close tv shows on Netflix (not proud), count to who knows what (depends on how he's feeling, most days he just says 2, 3, 2, 3, 2, 3) and say the alphabet in his own special way (A B C D O E O P Q S O yay!) He's cool to go on the potty as long as we sing every song from his Elmo book and he's promised chocolate after, but he rarely follows through and asks me to give him the chocolate, very weird. He is okay to wake up, and be told it's not morning yet, so go back to sleep - huge milestone! And he's just been overall really mature the past little bit, as we see him interact with his friend Abby who is younger than him he know he's going to do his best to be an awesome and caring big brother.

Lastly, here's the monkey with his Maamo (upper) and me (lower) as we drove home from the Farmers Market.

Another Pregnancy Update

I happened upon this fun pregnancy survey and I DID just get back from a midwife appointment, so really I'm almost obligated to do this for you.

How did you find out you were pregnant?  A pink-style Dollar Store pregnancy test, at about 6 in the morning in my bathroom.

What kind of Pregnancy test did you take?  Ah darn it, I already answered this above! I will add that I paid the $1.07 in basically nickels.

How many?  One! I was already quite far along, the hormones were buzzing!

What were your 1st symptoms?  Feeling grossed out by a number of foods, and feeling queasy in the morning.

Who did you tell first?  My Calvin. Then no one for a week or two. Then our families and close friends.

Who was with you when you found out?  By myself for the first view of the 2 lines, but I walked over and told Calvin (who was sleeping) about 15 seconds later.

My 1st reaction:  Hurray!

Was your baby planned?  More by God than us, but I had just gotten my lady-cycles back after a long bout of pregnancy & breastfeeding.

When was the baby conceived?  I should not be the one to explain this to you! But it was early May and I don't know any specifics.

How far were you when you found out?  I actually think I was almost done the first trimester!

How did your parents react?  They were so happy. We were eating at a Thai restaurant and we wrote it in a card to my sister.

My baby

Due Date:  January 26th, 2014.

Do you know the sex?  Nope! Not even a faint idea.

Any names?  We know his or her last name will be Harrison.

Any Ultrasounds?  Two -- early one for dating since I didn't know how far along I might be. Another one around 18 weeks for anatomy scan.

Have you heard the heart beat?  Many times. Today the heart rate was about 160.

Who do you think it will look like?  Likey Oliver.  

Will the baby have siblings?  At least one.

Have you felt the baby move?  Dumb question.

Miscellaneous

Did you have morning sickness?  "Sickness" seems like an over-exaggeration. I never threw up.

Did you have any cravings?  I've been kind of thinking I haven't had many cravings but when I really think about it: yes. Very tart/sour apples, condiments, salty anything but especially pickles, vinegar even when it's not appropriate, smoothies, peanut butter, buttered toast... Okay, this is just a list of things I always crave even when I'm not pregnant.

Did you have any mood swings?  Calvin would say yes. My best and most memorable is when I called over to the kitchen "Hey do you wanna stop at Arby's before we get on the highway? I'd really love a roast beef sandwich." and he said "Oh, I just started making us lunch. Maybe another day." and I burst out crying. Like sobbing.

Are you a high risk pregnancy?  Nope.

Any complications?  Nope.

Formula or Breastfeeding?  Breastfeeding all the way! I actually think if I medically couldn't do it I would hire one of my friends to do it for me.

Have you bought anything for the baby yet?  Bedroom paint? That's pretty much it.

When did you start to show?  I think around 14, I don't know.

How long could you wear your regular clothes?  I am wearing all regular clothes today but it's hit or miss. Tights always work.

Will you keep the baby’s clothes?  Here's the plan: everything that gets stained becomes a quilt patch. I'll save babe's clothes until Cal and I have a good chance to chat about whether we'll try for a 3rd or be done. If we decide our family is complete, I'll give them all away. Or if we decide right away that 2's enough and this one is a girl I'll get rid of Ollie's real boy-ish stuff (or, again, quilt-ify).

Home or Hospital?  A mix, ha ha. I don't wanna explain.

Natural or Medicated birth?  Mega-uber-natural.

Who will be in the delivery room with you?  Calvino, midwife, and our moms and my sisters are welcome to come visit if they want.

Do you think you will need a C-section?  No!

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time?  I'm not sure! I didn't the first time but I think I was in shock or not fully present. I'm not a crier but I do think I might.

What’s the 1st thing you might say to the baby?  Hello little one! 

Will you let anyone video tape the birth?  It would be really cool to have some videos to look at. I don't want like a full-view National Geographic one though.

Are you excited?  I really am!

Who will help you with the baby after the birth?  Every person ever, right guys? I'm putting in my requests now: I want all my pals to bring me freezer meals!

What is your favorite thing about being pregnant?  People feeding me extra.

What is the worst thing about being pregnant?  The discomfort.

What’s one thing you miss doing since being pregnant?  Amaretto, raw tuna sushi, normal jeans.  

Any days you wish you were not pregnant?  Sometimes I wish I was already at my due date.

Are you ready for a baby?  There are a few things that would make me more ready: finishing the packing of my hospital bag, buying newborn diapers, putting the crib back together, picking a name, installing the car seat base.

Do you have insurance?  Yes.

How many kids do you want?  Two or three.

Do you talk to the baby?  Yep.

Do you still feel attractive?  In a different way, but yes I do!

Have you had your baby shower yet?  There isn't one planned.

Do you like kids?  Yes, but I really, really, really like my own kids.

How far along are you now?  Full term this weekend!

25 Weeks Pregnancy Update - Survey-Style

How far along? I am just over 25 weeks pregnant. That’s “six months” for those who don’t know pregnancy-speak. I like this handy chart.

Total weight gain/loss: I had gained14 lbs as of my last appointment with my midwife which was a few weeks ago. However, I just had 3 Thanksgiving meals in a row, and didn’t hold back, so it wouldn’t blow my mind if we’ve hit 20 or are soon to. I think I’ve been a lot lazier this pregnancy because I’ve been working longer/earlier hours. There have been significantly less bike rides and hour long walks, and significantly more TV show marathons. Here’s another handy chart.

Maternity clothes?: The frugal side of me is losing a battle in my mind about whether I need to go buy more. I own 2 parts of maternity pants and one is too tight because it’s size XS. I don’t own any maternity shirts. What I do own are like 12 pairs of maternity shorts – which are less than ideal for this next October to January run. Today I am wearing the pants that are too tight (ouch, why), a long black tank, a black sweater that isn’t long enough but the tank covers that up, and a grey knit sweater, not buttoned up. If you want to drop a Motherhood Maternity giftcard – or even Target – in my mailbox it would go to good use I promise.

Stretch marks? Sure, sure, but I’m not positive if they’re anything new or just old ones. I feel pretty fine about those cute little marks, it’s more the pizza dough belly after birth that bugs me. If this is my last baby I will maybe, a little-teeny-bit, possibly consider doing an ab-based yoga routine for a few months to tighten up. If I plan to have more babies, then let’s be honest I won’t.

Sleep: Sleep has been easy and great as it always is for me. I’m the type that can fall asleep at 11:15am on someone’s kitchen floor with a band practicing in the living room beside. What’s funny is how much sleep I’ve been needing: it seems like I’m requiring minimum 11 hours per night – which is impossible while working, being a mother, etc. But so many nights I’ll bring Oliver upstairs to bed a little after 8pm, I’ll lay down beside him and then 20 min later I’m yelling “Calvin, Oliver doesn’t seem to wanna fall asleep yet but I do so can you come hang out with him?” – it’s hilarious for only me. And those nights I fall asleep before 9pm, I’m still tired when that same party-animal-Oliver comes strolling to my bed at 6:45am going, “Mama, eat?”. Because as my child of course his first thought before the sun has even come up is: breakfast. If I tell him “it’s too early, go back to sleep” he will grab my iPhone off the charger, press the button to light up the screen and go “No, Mama, it’s 8”. Eight happens to be the only time he knows. Conveniently at night when it’s about his bedtime if I say “Oliver do you know what time it is?” he’ll say, “Hm, no Mama.” Smart guy. In conclusion: I sleep enough for the both of us.

Best moment this week: We had a lot of great family moments. We went apple picking, pumpkin scouting, playground playing at Birtch Farms in Woodstock. It’s about 1000x better than any other apple-picking place I’ve been to, not including Twin Pines farm which is a little too far for a spontaneous day trip but we make a point to go every year in November for their Holiday Open House which is the best! I also had a lot of fun on Wednesday because during band practice at my house I got to spend time with my good friends Megan and Jill. That was a treat, and I’ll see them again Sunday night for Friend-Thanksgiving – so excited! I always love Thursday evenings because we’ve had a chance to download the episodes we missed of Survivor & Duck Dynasty (our family’s only guilty pleasures – we watch SNL too but I don’t feel guilty at all.) Thursday night I ate dinner at 8:40pm which is unreal for me – typically if I don’t have food in my mouth by 5:50 I will start crying. Other highlights: on Saturday we ate at the Works downtown with family from out of town and my burger had pineapple, beets, fried egg and cheese. I was very pleased. And of course yesterday the double turkey meal bonanza. Delish.

Miss Anything? I miss being a coffee addict. Having a max of 2 cups per day is so weird for me. I miss wearing normal pants. I miss being awake at 10pm. I miss having our computer in the upstairs spare bedroom but since we devoted the nursery to the new baby and gave Oliver his own big boy room the computer got moved downstairs. Necessitating me to enter the man cave a few times a week. No thanks.

Movement: Yes! For a while I was feeling nervous about the amount of kicking – it seemed less than when I was pregnant the first time. Luckily at a midwife appointment I learned that this is because my placenta is anterior (or at the front) this time. I really hope this doesn’t put me at risk of back labour! I want another easy birth please!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet:  Even the people who said “you’ve popped” weeks ago, are saying it again, like a second pop. I’ve pregnant-looking enough that people open doors for me, and are willing to ask when I’m due.

Gender prediction: This time has seen more girl guesses. I don’t have a guess either way. Sometimes my brain assumes boy because it’s what I have experience with. When I brainstorm names they’re always for boys. We’ll see!

Labor Signs:  Everytime I sneeze my whole stomach, or uterus I don’t know for sure, contracts. It’s a fun reminder that I’m going to need some relaxation and coping skills to keep in control of the discomfort to come. But no, I’m 25 weeks, no labour signs.

Belly Button in or out? Right in the middle. Flat basically.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I think I’ve been happy! You’d have to ask sir husband. My patience might be less, like I said “Are we able to make cranberry sauce for the dinner?” and he’s like “I don’t see why not” and then like 3 hours later I’m like “Are you going to make up your mind? Like can we do that for sure? Like give me an answer!” and he’s like: I believe I said yes? Ha ha. But that’s the worst of it. The majority of the time, quite blissfully happy. How could I not be when I have a son who makes this alphabet joke: “Mama, A-P-C-D. HAHAHAH!” This was the funniest thing he could think of saying in his whole life and laughed like a hyena for minutes later, and looked at me like: how is this not the most brilliant thing you’ve ever heard? And I was thinking, it is.

Weekly Wisdom: Not pregnancy related but as soon as Thanksgiving lunch was finished my mom got an over-sized soup pot going and started throwing leftovers in. She had peeled and cubed extra potatoes from the ones she made for mashed potatoes, and threw those in, then some turkey meat, squash, corn, etc. She left it simmering for a few hours, and had a great dinner to serve any out-of-towners that wanted to stay late into the evening. Smart mama.

Looking forward to: What Calvin will make for dinner. (He’s gotta know if I’m working 12 hours and he gets a holiday that I should be coming home to a full meal, right?) Seeing Megan and Kelan on Thursday. Seeing Alla on Thursday, and hopefully Tiffany for some clothing swap too. And Friend-Thanksgiving on the weekend!