Great Grandma's-Journey's- Partylite-Airmiles...

Hmmm, there are many things on my mind tonight. But some things are better left unsaid. At least for now.

We had a visit today from Joshua's great grandma who lives in B.C. We have not seen her in a while, so it was nice to visit. This was Joshua and Great Grandma Doris's 1st meeting. I am so blessed to have a baby who doesn't make strange with people - at least not yet. I cheated tonight when I put him to bed, I put him in bed with me and let him fall asleep beside me - then moved him to his crib. Not that he'll last the night in his own bed... but we try. Joshua also got to cool down in sink tonight, which he really enjoyed. And apparently a cold wash cloth does wonders for a teething baby. Who knew?

We made the annoucement in church on the weekend that Ray and I have accepted a Job in Windsor. Over all it was well recieved, I think. They are hoping to have us start there the middle of Septemeber, which puts us in a frenzy to wrap things up, pack, find another place to live, move, and say our goodbyes. That will be the hardest part. I feel as though I have grown from teenager to woman under the friendship/leadership of some really great women at Durham Church Network. That's the hardest part: leaving the close proximinty of friends and family. Knowing that the relationships will continue, but just transform into something different. All relationships are a journey, sometimes you journey side by side and other times your farther apart, the point is that you journey together.

Have you ever been to a Party Lite party? Ange, you did a great job hosting, and the food and treats were fantastic! I love the product, but have to admit that it's pricey. I am totally excited about what I bought though... which is nice. Ray is the candle person though, not me. He is also our home decorator, which he likes to do. I am not really into the decorating thing, because until we get a place that is our own... (sigh) I just don't see the point of spending our own money to decorate someone elses property, it's not like paint comes off the walls, and can travel to your new location! hey - they need to invent peel and stick paint. Paint that is transportable, just peel it off. Kind of like the new nail polish manicure stuff from avon that's peel and stick.

So I am thinking about Christmas gifts already and am trying to weigh out the cost of using my airmiles to get gift certificates for people. Now try and follow my logic... hopefully you can. $20 = 1 airmile right? So I can get a $20 gift card for Chapters by redeeming 185 airmiles great deal right? at least until I do the math and figure out that for that $20 giftcard I spent $3700.00... ah what...? (185 airmiles x $20 (1 airmile for every $20) = 3700.00) Am I crazy? Or I could just go spend the $20 and get a gift card... do you see where I am coming from? When you look at it that way, it;s not a "free" gift card. Granted I would have needed those groceries that I collected the airmiles for anyway, but still! It's the principle. I mean at least up the airmiles for every $20 - help a body out! The more free stuff the better.

Well folks, I will leave you pondering just how many airmiles you have and how much $ you spent getting them - this entry is the late night musings of a new mom.... take from it what you will and leave the crap ( although - there is no crap tonight) Good night folks ... happy grocery shopping!

sickly sippy cup

So, RAy was sick earlier this week... and normally what he catches, I do not. However this week is an entirely different story. I have had stomach cramps, and I vomitted and just about passed out - which isn't that bad except that I was alone with our son Joshua and wasn't sure he would be safe. It took me 3 tries to get Ray on his cell phone, and when I told him I puked he's like" your serious?" - Ah nope, in the words of Joey Ferreira "I just jokin'". Whatever! Thankfully he understood the gravity of the situation and came home, and proceeded to take our son with him to his evening meetings; where I am told Joshua actually drank from a bottle (no small feat) and wasn't fussy at all. I love my son, but I was glad that Ray took him... aside from not feeling well - I needed the break.

I went yesterday to Walmart to pick up the pictures that I wrote about in my previous entry, they turned out great! I am so happy that the effect worked. I also went looking for a cup for Joshua... do you know there are like 30 different cups to choose. I was baffled... I mean really how hard is it to find a cup? I wish there was a sign that said "1st time mom's recommend (brand name)". And some don't even tell you how old your child should be before using said cup... Anyway I bought one, a heinz one, and I am still not sure if Joshua likes it - if not I still have at least 29 more brands to choose from!

Cool Effects...

This picture is a picture that I took of Joshua the other day, and I was playing around on the computer with a program that we have and you can make your pictures have all of these neat effects... this is the poster effect. I have sent this picture to be developed, and will let you know if it works or not.

Joshua has been super fussy today, but thats to be expected when babies teethe... or so I am told.

I am going for a walk with the lady across the street tomorrow. Which is exciting, her baby is about 2 weeks younger than Joshua. We have been living in this place for about 8 months, and we just met last month... turns out shes a christian as well. There are some huge similarities between us. We have been married coming up on 5 years, as have they; he plays guitar and sings, as does Ray; she sings, as do I; they have a 6 month old, as do we; and we are all believers. Crazy!
I went out for walk tonight, thinking that So you think you can dance was on tonight at 8pm, but I missed it (fox showed it at 8 but it was a rerun). Oh well, I will just check the website, as I won't be able to watch the results tomorrow night either...! I am hooked, sorry folks.

A co-worker of mine taped the last season of Alias for me, so I am watching that as well... I loved Alias, and am sad that it is finished. I think Jennifer Gardner is talented and beautiful. I thought she did a great job as Electra, and in 13 going on 30.

As it turns out I didn't miss the newest episode of So you think you can dance.... it's on right now! YEAH!

Always a pleasure to share my life with you folks....

Poop For Thought

The farting is heard from across the room, Joshua is playing in his excersaucer and mommy is on the computer, daddy is on his way out... and another loud fart. Mommy comes over to see what's happening, picks up Joshua and thinks "those were just farts... there's nothing up his back!" Until she sees the yellow-brown goo running down Joshua's leg... "Help Ray!" Joshua gets cleaned up... the saucer gets cleaned up, Daddy leaves... mommy notices that the Saucer needed more cleaning as there was a puddle of poop in the bottom of it! The power of Poop!

Yes this is a disgusting pic, but I just had to post it! Aside from the graphic poop, my ankles look really skinny!

Thank you for all of the comments regarding the passing of my aunt. There was no funeral, but there was a lucheon. My mom is doing well.

Joshua cut a tooth on friday and has another on the way! The cute as a button boy has rediscovered the art of biting! But I took some advice from my Sister-in-law, Gail, and flicked his cheek when he bit me... he screamed the first time I did that; now he bites me, I flick him, he just looks up at me - then leans in for a hug. Cute as a button, and knows how to push mommy's button.
Like I said earlier, CUTE AS A BUTTON! Am I right? I love this hat! I got it at the Gap... for $5! He looks so adorable in it! Joshua visited his great grandparents today and they have a rocking horse ( as you can see) and it made the cutest picture. You can see Daddy's hand and feet in the pic because although Joshua can sit up on his own now... we didn't want to take any chances with the wooden horse... or floor.

Man I love taking pictures... I am hoping that Ray gets the hint and we can get a new fancier camera (different modes, bigger zoom). This camera has been great though, and better this camera then no camera. I received a compliment regarding my picture taking yesterday. I took photos at a friends wedding, and they turned out really nicely; the couple compared my photos of their wedding to the photos a professional took at another wedding that they were at! That was super encouraging! I would love to take a course and begin taking pictures on the side. I find so much enjoyment out of it.

An update on So You Think You Can Dance; America totally voted off the right person when it came to Martha. Her solo was not very entertaining, moves were very small, and her face was hidden. Yikes. Natalie on the other hand was great, emotional, beautiful movement - I really like her though, so I could be a bit partial.

Well folks, Joshua has stopped crying (I put him to sleep), so I should go. Thanks for reading... don't forget to comment...

In Memory of Sheila Reid

My aunt Sheila died today. I wanted to post this tonight in her honour. I remember her as a person full of life. I am thankfull that my son Joshua was able to meet his great aunt. This is a picture of him with his grandma and great aunt Sheila taken just last week. We thought that Sheila would have more time with us, but God had other plans, and took her home today. Thankfully her children, Leta and Tyrone, were with her as well as her husband, Reg and her siblings, my mom Jane and uncle John. My mom had been spending alot of time with Aunt Sheila since she was admitted to the hospital. My heart goes out to my mom, and Sheila's family. I would have liked to get to know Aunt Sheila better, and it makes me sad that she suffered the way she did, but she is no longer in pain. I will miss her, as I know her family will miss her.

I love you mom, I know you are sad, I wish I could be there with you right now. I am sending you plenty of hugs. You are so caring and loving, and the way that you spent time brushing Aunt Sheila's hair, helping her with her teeth, and other everyday things makes me realize what an amazing woman you are, full of love. I love you, I love you, I love you.

A Night of Blissful Sleep... Well Almost

So we've been trying this whole "let your kid cry it out" thing when it comes to getting Joshua to go to sleep. The first night, Joshua cried for almost an hour then fell asleep... only to wake up around 4 in the morning ( at that time I decided to break the rule and bring him back in bed with us). Yesterday, (and today) he seems to be the crankiest baby... fussy gussy, is what his grandma Jane calls him. He would not nap in the daytime in his crib, errgh! Last night I was out so Ray put Joshua to bed and when I cam home Joshua was of course crying... no big deal. I asked Ray if he gave him cereal, "yes", how long has he been crying "about 30min". I deduced that Joshua was probably wanting a drink after the cereal, as that is what I normally do. So I nursed him, read him a book, prayed with him, gave him hugs and kisses, and put him back in the crib. He cried for 7 minutes and then slept the whole night through! Praise God! I however kept getting up to check on him... that and to change my shirt and get a towel as I had soaked my side of the bed in breast milk! I was wondering why I felt so cold (we have an airconditioner now) and I felt my shirt and it was sopping wet! Leaky Refridgerator! Joshua even woke up in a happy mood. Which is the norm for my cute morning baby, full of laughter and conversation. I think that is what I will miss the most with Joshua sleeping in his crib now, waking up to him talking, laughing and having that morning cuddle before the day gets going.

The picture in this post is of Kirk, Linda, Jake, Tim and Josh Goodman. The Goodman's are the friends that we stayed with while and Edmonton. Kirk was the pastor who performed our wedding, and his son Josh was our ring barer(sp?). Kirk and his oldest son Jake return home today from a missions trip with their church to Gautemala.

Well I should shove off, and do a Lynette the Clown 10 second tidy, so that I can keep on top of all our stuff, "HEY WHO MADE THIS BIG MESS?"... Ta Ta!

This is Joshua with his bear Jr. Jones! This is bear we created at the West Edmonton Mall.

We are now home from a great week of holidays, and I am sitting here boiling hot, not haveing anyone to comiserate with, other than my son who is currently only speaking gibberish. (although I am sure that it makes sense to him)

So back to the real world, and after staying at someone's house where there was always someone around I find I am missing the company! Ray's away, so I am suffering in our overheated apartment with our son. I have a ton of things to be doing (like all of our laundry from our vacation), planning my drama camp, etc... but absolutely no energy to do anything...that and no desire.

On a more positive note, I have visited Baskin Robbins 2 times in the last two days. They had the flavor Hokey Pokey - which I was told that the discontinued! A piece of Heaven! Lizzie, I am sure that you can apprecaite my love for Baskin Robbins! I also visited the Peterborough Zoo yesterday, it was packed and extremely hot, and I was wearing Jeans! Duh!

Well, hopefully I will have something more interesting to share with you all later... until then

Build a Bear

Well folks, my good friend Lizzie has never heard of Build a bear... its a store where you build a bear (go figure!) You walk through it a pick the stuffed animal that you want, then you can put a sound box in it, you get it stuffed and put a heart in it and then give it a bath, dress it and then create a birth certificate for it. It is quite an experience! I love it! I got a pair of tighty whiteys for Jr. Jones (the bears name). I also took pics at every stage of the bears creation, for the photo album that I am going to put together.

Bye Folks.

New Face

well I have changed the template on my blog. I am having a hard time figuring out how to change things around. For instance I would like to add links to my friends blogs, but I can't seem to figure it out. Grrrr. Oh well I will figure it out when I get home and can fart around on my own computer for a while, instead of when I am visiting.

It's absolutely a sauna here at the Goodman residence. I am swetting just sitting here. I fell like I am in Ontario! It's unusual(sp?) weather for Edmonton. Figures!

Something that you should understand about Ray and I is that we are not sports people. I watch the odd hockey game but thats about it. So we are really hoping that Joshua is not interested in sports seriously when he gets older. I am not against getting him invovled in like soccer, tee ball or swimming but hockey or baseball is - well not so much! It's a good thing that he seems so interested in Ray's guitar, and loves it when we sing to him. Although that could change and we could spend the bulk of his childhood getting hemroids, sitting in a freezing cold rink, on cement benches, shelling out tons of money for equipment, and never seeing him "make it" to the NHL... wouldn't that be a practical joke on us....

I am so used to Ray being here, that when he went into the conference this afternoon, I missed him. He is still not back yet, but thats not a surprise...Ray is a talker - especailly when you get him with people that he hasn't seen in a while. I really enjoy spending time with my husband... I guess thats a good thing considering i will be spending the rest of my life with him.

Well i must sign off, i want to go check out the Build-a-Bear website, I am going to build Joshua a bear tomorrow - How exciting!!!!

The s sMiddle of the Night

Folks, it's way too late for a nursing mother with a co-sleeping infant to be up. But I am! It's that darn Coke that I drank a few hours ago kicking in. I guess thats what happens when you don't normaly drink caffeine(sp?).
So, we start our second week away... I won't say holidays because Ray is actually working. Yuck! But I get to hang out with Linda, Sue and Amanda and go shopping... so I guess it's a fair trade.
I was nursing in the West Edmonton Mall the other night, and normally I am not paying much attention to what is going on around me while Joshua and I are bonding. But at this particular time I looked up to take in the people walking by when an older lady walking with a friend of hers gave me the side long leer accompanied by the shake of her head, that translates as "look at the girl, nursing in public, what is the world coming to? Doesn't she have any self respect? How rude of her. Blah Blah Blah - I'm a old snob." I am assuming that her look is supposed to shame me - but really all it does is make me what to pull my son off of my breast and follow her to give her a piece (or two, or four) of my mind. I mean really, I was covered, and my breast was serving a non sexual purpose... what's the big deal? errr! I guess reacting to her negativity with my own would not have made the situation any better... I need a hazard sign that reads something like "bare breasts when nursing" instead of "slippery when wet". Can you think of a better one?
I am thinking that it would be wise to take a infant/child CPR course... we were at Denny's today with Matthijs, Sue and Noah; when Noah proceded to choke on his food. I had no idea what to do. Thank God that through his coughing he was able to dislodge the food in his throat. It was a scary experience for me... I have no idea how to help someone should they choke. Scary.

I haven't uploaded any photos b/c the cord I need is at home. But i look forward to you seeing just how cute Joshua is getting day by day. We are co-sleeping right now, as I mentioned earlier. They are arguments for and against this practice. But right now it is the best working solution that I have. I can nurse him in bed and he's right there, I don't need to get up. But I am finding that sleeping 3 to a bed is not the most comfortable situation. Besides the fact that Joshua won't stay down long when he can't sense me near to him. We have put him in a play pen while we are out here and he will not stay asleep. And his soother won't do to calm him; he wants my nipple! Although I like the closeness, and the bonding time, I am really hoping to break this habit and soon. It will mean letting Joshua cry it out though, and I am not great at that. The boy is almost 20 lbs, he doesn't need to be nursing through the night!
Well I should go, and try to sleep... before Joshua realizes that we moved him from the bed to the play pen... and the bed then gets cramped again.!