Tag: family time

Posted in Travel/Vacations

Super Sunday

Posted on by Mama
A small portion of the spread!

I had every intention of starting our Sunday morning early, however baby girl had other plans throughout the night. She had a bit of a rough night; waking up, feeding and struggling to get back to sleep. Then when she had finally gotten to sleep, or so we thought, she would wiggle her little body to-and-fro and wake herself up, sometimes wailing like a banshee. Needless to say, it was a tough night for the three of us and I know it was her gums that were bugging her.

After the last morning wake-up, which I think was around 7 AM, maybe I’m not entirely sure because the night/early morning was a little fuzzy, my husband and I just crashed. Apparently so did Valeria because we all slept until 10.

Oops! So much for my early start.

After we all crawled out of bed, my husband and I got baby girl ready for the day and ourselves ready for the gym. My mom was kind enough to watch her, seriously the best mom/grandma.

We walk into the gym, only to see my oldest brother there working out, it was pretty funny. We knew he went to the same gym, but we’ve never run into him. We spoke briefly and then he headed out, we were going to see him later anyway. The gym was a struggle today for me, my leg muscles were sore especially my hamstrings (back thigh muscles). Unfortunately, that caused me to either stop the leg workout I was attempting or skip it all together so I didn’t cause myself an injury. I lift weights at the gym, it’s what I enjoy and leg day is always my favorite. However, after being away from the gym for so long, I forgot it takes time to recover, get used to lifting and gradually grow your strength again. It was a good workout regardless! I am going to take a rest day and head back to the gym Tuesday instead.

We got home and found the bassinet my mom keeps upstairs in the kitchen, a burp cloth on the floor…it was chaos! We both looked at eachother and didn’t see mom or the baby, we went downstairs and found them laughing and playing on the couch. We laughed and asked what happened upstairs, for which my mom laughed and went on to explain that she didn’t want to disturb my dad who was sleeping on the couch, so she brought the bassinet in the kitchen, but Valeria didn’t want to sleep there so she went downstairs with her. Even though she was laughing and in good spirits, Valeria was tired and you could see it on her face. Grandma had some things to do and once she left Valeria didn’t fight us on sleep, she pretty much passed out.

Once she woke up, we got things together and headed to my nonna’s. Today is the Superbowl, a big event especially in the U.S.A. Although I can appreciate the sportsmanship and the way it brings people together to spend time, I also don’t understand the sport whatsoever. I either skip out on it or, like today, I go to just spend time with my family. There was tons of food, laughter and conversation, even when the game started. I made the cheeseball with the crackers (which is delicious! May have to post that recipe). It was nice to see and spend time with everyone.

Valeria was getting sleep so we decided to head home, it was around 8 when we said our goodbyes and headed out. She passed out on the car ride home and has been asleep ever since. I’m pretty wiped myself so I’m going to call it here.

Hope you have a wonderful day or evening wherever you are in the world!

Ciao!

Posted in Daily Life as a Parent

What a Week!

Posted on by Mama

Well another week gone and it feels like a complete blur! Let’s recap, at least what I can remember anyway.

I finally got to take pictures at Century Manor, I went back to the gym, my daughter rolled for the first time this week (Yay!!), my internet went out…AGAIN, went to the post office to send out a return, I unintentionally went for a two hour walk with my daughter, requested an exchange on a book order, rescheduled my dental appointment and Salem went back to the vet for a recheck. I think those are the big highlights.

It was a hectic week and I really didn’t expect it to be, it just kind of turned out that way. So I apologize in advance if this post is boring or too domestic compared to my usual posts.

I ordered some books from an online place called https://bookoutlet.ca/. It’s fantastic and I am a lover of physical copies. So, when I ordered they were doing a buy 4 get the 5th free; well I had to get books for myself and Valeria! I came across this one series, a book of three, and I thought I had ordered all three books. But when I got my order this week I had two copies of book three. I was confused, checking my order and somehow I had mistakenly ordered it. When I went back online, book one was no longer there, I was sad. I contacted their customer support requesting a return or exchange, I was even willing to ship back the book at my own cost. They got back to me the same day and stated they will refund me, and to donate the book instead of sending it back. Frankly, some of the best customer support I’ve ever received! So I will happily be donating that book.

Next up, I ordered clothing online. I know what your thinking…Ugh online shopping and this time I have to agree. I ordered two pairs of black pants and this cute hoodie with a cut-out at the upper chest, however I was severely disappointed. They fit WAY too small, the material on the one pair of pants felt more like fabric you’d wear at Halloween, the sweater was a teeny tiny crop top that barely fit over my boobs….needless to say, it was a disaster! I requested a return and sent it back. Which is why I went to the post office….

Next story..

I decided instead of having my husband drive me, or take my own car which I didnt have Thuraday anyway, that I would walk down to the post office. It’s not all that far and Valeria could use her daily walk, so I decided to take her in the stroller and go. Well, because we had to walk along the main road, the cars kept rushing by on the street, which little Miss Valeria was not a fan of. So, on the way home I decided to take the back way that goes past my eldest brother’s house. I informed my husband that if I was taking longer then expected that was why. Silly me didnt realize, at that moment, that a 5 minute drive isnt a short walk. From leaving the house to the time I got home, it was 2 hours! I was sore already from the gym, then that cardio, man was I spent! Valeria had a wonderful sleep pretty much the whole time and the sun was shining, so a big positive on both fronts.

I couldn’t handle going to the dentist this coming Monday, February 12th, so I rescheduled. I seriously hate going to the dentist. Traumatized as a kid, and still can’t get over it. So I avoid it as much as I possibly can. A story for another day!

Salem’s recheck. Well, I scheduled this one Wednesday morning for today. She still was having constipation and she was turning her nose up at the food that helps her get fiber in her diet. So, I needed to find out if the problem was something else internally. Thankfully the visit was quick; assessed her from head to toe again, I requested bloodwork and some more medicine and they gave her some subcutaneous fluids for the dehydration. Not sure how she is dehydrated, I see her drinking constantly. That makes me wonder if it is a kidney issue like I fear. The veterinarian also suggested trying unflavored metamucil in her food, which I will definitely try! Then we took her home.

Can you see how chaotic this week turned out to be? I don’t even want to get into the internet thing, so I’m going to leave this post on a happy note.

It was a good week, so many good things happened and I’ve already got big plans for next week. My husband took next week off for lots of family time.

Until tomorrow, have a wonderful day or evening wherever you are in the world!

Ciao!!

Posted in Travel/Vacations

Birthday Party!

Posted on by Mama

This weekend we traveled to my mother-in-law’s to celebrate our oldest nephew’s birthday. He is turning three, man how time flies! I remember when he was born, and during the COVID pandemic no less.

He is a smart, active and playful little boy who loves cars, trucks, tractors… well let’s just say if it has wheels he loves it. My husband and I decided to get him a kids motorized riding tractor (with a remote for the parents, just incase he drives a bit too fast or far, they can stop him). We had it delivered to his sister’s home, worried if there was a delay due to shipping. Plus not sure where we would have put it in the car since there is a baby seat…

We drove down Friday night and Saturday was the party. The apartment was all decorated in Sesame Street; Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch were all in attendance all over the place. We even bought Valeria a little cookie Monster onesie for the occasion. Which was difficult to find in the first place, surprised there wasn’t more at the store. Is Sesame Street not as popular?

My mother-in-law made the cake, cupcakes and a bunch of food. We all pitched in and brought something: cheeseball with crackers, Pad Thai, schnitzel, mashed potatoes, veggies and dip, fruit with yogurt and all of it was delicious! Definitely not ideal for my diet but you know what, it’s a last hurrah for a while.

Our two nephews were running around playing, and Valeria watched intently. I know she wished she could play with them, wondering what they were doing. She is very much a quiet observer and I fear she may actually be a mini me, an Introvert. But it was cute watching her; we would hold her, standing on our laps as she watched her cousins and ever so slowly she would start leaning forward as she smiled. So cute!

Presents were opened and no surprise there was lots of excitement. The tractor was a huge success. Yay! He also got a toy tractor, a inflatable soccer ball (like a beach ball), a story time wall projector for kids and an art easel. He was a very happy little boy.

Then it was cake time and watching him sing along to happy birthday was too adorable for words! He hasnt quite got the hang of blowing out candle but almost there. It was cute watching him try and finally getting it, he was so proud of himself. It melts my heart.

Through all the party chaos, Valeria kept doing what I call mini naps, 45 minutes to an hour, and then back up. I think it was very stimulating for her to be around everyone so eventually she got exhausted from it. She was able to have her auntie read her part of a book and she seemed excited about the pictures. I think we will start reading to her daily.

Around nine o’clock, everyone started to pack up to head home. All three kids were exhausted and ready for bedtime. We said our goodbyes and off to bed we went. Valeria kept waking up and finally after the third time rocking her, she fell asleep peacefully, daddy next to her. I got to sleep on the air mattress, which to be honest, I much prefer.

Hopefully our sleepy baby girl will sleep all night and get some well deserved rest. She has had a few big adventures the last few days, this being her very first birthday party she has attended. Trust me many more to come!

Do you like themed parties for your kids? And if so, do you have a theme in mind for their next birthday? I have an idea for Valeria’s first birthday, but will need to take a deeper look into some ideas. Though that will be closer to October, so not on my To Do list yet.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend wherever you are in the world!

Ciao!