Day at the park

Okay, so how amazing was the weather this weekend!??! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!!! So I kind of already posted about what we did on Saturday. Sunday we had my friend Christina over (Christina and I go waaaay back....). Pictures to come shortly, they're on my other computer. We caught up on everything she's been up to over the past few months. She always has fun stories. Then I went and got a much needed (and deserved) hair cut.
When I returned home it was still light out (loving the DLS!!) so we decided to take Mad to the park. Here are some pics of her first time on a big swing.

She really did enjoy herself. She had a big smile on her face when I pushed her. She also seemed to really like watching the other kids play. For those of you who haven't been to our place, we live only a few feet away from a great park that all the neighbourhood kids and their parents seem to descend upon on a nice spring/summer evening. After a long winter of hibernating, I'm starting to look forward to meeting some of them.

Saturday - Party Dress

We headed to Markham on Saturday night to visit Michael's Dad for dinner. Maddy decided to get dolled up in her party dress.

We had a lovely dinner and Mad was on her best behaviour. We were on the road home by 7pm and she was in bed by 7:30....can't mess with the schedule when it's working :)

Gotta run - Christina (Chrap) is on her way for a visit today. It's her first time meeting Maddy.

Check out my hair!

Look how long her hair is getting :) Also, Maddy has a new buddy. Introducing her Teddy. Teddy came from a company in Australia. Our friend Kate just looooves her Teddy and we found them 40% off online. So I thought that maybe Maddy would like one too. Turns out she is also a fan of this very soft, flat and faceless teddy.


Here's a link to the sale - they're now 50% off.
http://modernkid.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=72&products_id=4263

From the weekend

Here are some pics from the weekend. The big developments over the past week have been her ability to sit on her own and play with the toys in front of her and also her desire to eat a lot of baby food!
The "sitting on her own" is quite a fun new stage. It allows me to put her on her playmat with a bunch of toys around her and she'll entertain herself for a good hour. The downside of this is that she can't get to that position on her own yet, so if she falls, I have to keep sitting her back up. Things she's loving to play with these days? Her Einstein table (with legs off), her sippy cup, Sophie, random kitchen items I bring out each afternoon as something "new and exciting" (for both of us!). Yesterday it was a rubber spoon. I wonder what I'll find today.
In the solid food department - she's eating almost anything I bring to her....and lots of it. Fruits are still the favourite but she is also really enjoying veggies now. Zuchini, Broccoli and Cauliflower are current favs. We have also introduced meats. Turkey and veggies were served and recieved pleasing results. I'm doing a mix of giving her food that I make and the store bought Organic baby foods. I haven't tried to puree meat yet - it seems bit more difficult. Maybe I'll put that on the "to do" list for next week.
Here are some pics from the weekend.
Eating her blueberries and pears.... Posing for Mommy

Playing with her LeapFrog table....

With Daddy at brunch on Sunday. We took her to my fav brunch spot - Universal Grill. They have the best pancakes there. I have actually become a bit of a regular there.....I try to convince someone to go with me almost every weekend. This weekend it was Michael and Maddy's turn. She was on her best behaviour. Sat on the table in her Bumbo and charmed the other brunch patrons while playing with her Sophie. Mornings are definitely her time to shine!

New sounds

Madeline has been working on some new sounds. I think she's aiming for "B" or "M". Either way, super cute. I often wake up to her in the morning chatting to herself saying "bbbrrrrppppppppsspppp". Best way to wake up in the morning!!!

The Dog

Some of you reading this post may find it surprising to learn that we have a dog. Surprising because I don't know if I've mentioned him before. It's true. We have a 5 year old Basset Hound named Winston. We've had him since he was a puppy - seems like forever and 5 addresses ago. There's a reason you haven't really heard much about the dog and it's probably time that I admit why. I will probably come across as heartless and selfish for saying this, but I dislike the dog.
If you talked to me a year or two ago I would have gushed about my love for this dog. He was my "baby". Winston slept in our bed, he had a personal dog walker (which cost about $300 a month) and we took him everywhere. We even attended multiple Christmas and birthday dog parties hosted by his dog walker and his puppy-friends.
This was all before I was at home with the dog everyday, while also taking care of a newborn. This dog has now become a constant pain in my side. If he's not dragging in dirt for me to clean, then he's barking at me for using the vaccuum to clean the dirt. He is always at my feet about to trip me. He leaves hair EVERYWHERE!! I swear he waits until the baby is napping to want to go outside. He runs to the door whenever someone comes by ..... try opening a door with a crying baby while also trying to hold back the 65lb dog that wants to run out onto the street. Did I mention his hair is EVERYWHERE!!
Okay. So maybe I don't 100% dislike the dog. Those are strong words. Maybe I just needed to get that off my chest. He did just puke on the floor and I had to clean it up. This really pissed me off.
Has anyone else felt this way about their pet after they had a baby? Kinda worried it's just me and I'm a heartless person.

Mall Research

Ever wonder who is at the mall on a Tuesday afternoon in mid-March? I had the chance today to do some research on the subject and have broken it down into the following categories:

1. Moms and their babies (not a surprise, given that I was there). We're usually alone although some come in groups. I've never understood the group mall walk. Do we all just follow each other into every store? Do we then wait until everyone is done in that store? It just doesn't seem convenient. I saw one of these groups today and had to hang back so that I didn't suddenly merge into their group with my stroller (it only takes a stroller to make it look like you're part of their group). I guess I just figure, if I had someone to be hanging out with, why would we be at the mall?? Why wouldn't we do something a bit more fun.
2. Mall walkers (usually of the 70+ demographic). Also saw a few of these today. They, like me, are probably sick of sitting inside and head to the mall to have "fresh air". By "Fresh air" I mean any air that isn't the air in my home. I've been breathing it all winter and it is no longer "Fresh".
3. Mall workers. Yep. The only other category of people I saw at the mall today were people who worked at the mall. They must take turns coming to each others' stores on their breaks. Perhaps they are scouting the competition.

Hopefully nice weather comes soon and I won't need to be at the mall next week.

New teeth

Just wanted to let everyone know that Madeline has new teeth (top 2 front). They kind of just appeared! I didn't really notice she was in a lot of pain (at least not like last time). Probably another week or so until I can get a picture of them, they've just cut through the gums.