Updates

Brendan is at his first day of daycare today :( I miss the little guy so much already. He seemed to like the other little boys and I'm sure he'll be fine and I'll enjoy the much needed time alone but he still seems so small.

Things have been pretty busy around these parts lately. Yesterday was my sister's birthday. We went over and had dinner with her. Here is a picture of my sister, my mom and I from last Easter (when I was pregnant with Brendan).

I am nearly done reading the book "Twilight". I decided that I had to read it due to all the hype over the book. I am still undecided on whether or not it has won me over. Regardless.. it has been nice to just sit and read for pleasure.

I ordered my seeds for my front porch container garden - unfortunately our yard will be nowhere near ready for a garden this year. I ordered from Johnny's. Dan from the Urban Veggie Garden Blog was particularly helpful in this aspect. I have no clue when it comes to importing seed from the US. I ordered three types of sunflower seeds (Buttercream, Firecracker and Strawberry Blond), tomato (Mariana and Green Zebra), cilantro, northern pickling cucumber, chamomile, calendula, and lavender (lady). I'm pretty excited!

In other news, our washing machine kicked the can. We got one load out of it. Couldn't it have atleast worked until I found a job???..I guess we will be buying a new washing machine very soon. I've been applying for jobs like crazy. I should really get back to it!

Family Day and The Birthday.

Michelle and I out celebrating both our birthdays on the 13th in Peterborough. The drinks just turned out fuzzy for some reason. It mirrors my state of mind at the time :)

Today I turned another year older. This year was pretty special. This was my first birthday with Brendan. I really cherished the time I spent with him all day. It made me think of how lucky I am to be able to spend all day every day with him when so many other women have to go back to work sooner. I've been really lucky. It also made me think that there will probably be not too many more birthdays like this one where I am not working. Last year I got pretty lucky as my birthday fell on our new stat. holiday "Family Day". I was pregnant with Brendan then. Ryan had the day off work and we went out to dinner, went to see a movie and had ice cream. Seems like so long ago.

Today's Events

• Woke-up at 8:30am and cuddled with Brendan for a good 20 minutes in bed.


• Went out to the grocery store to pick up some groceries.


• Treated myself to a coffee and bagel for breakfast.


• Recieved several calls (and many more facebook messages) from family and friends wishing me a happy birthday


• Ate a nice dinner with Ryan that he helped prepare (complete with wine)


• Put Brendan to bed and got a visit from friends who brought with them cupcakes for my birthday and Sarah (my MOH) got me a wedding planner and a DIY bride book which I absolutely love! - these will definitely help me plan my shoestring budget wedding. :). 

As for Family Day...This year, Family Day was on the 16th, we went to mom's house for a turkey dinner. Even Brendan got to enjoy dinner. He ate wee pieces of broccoli, cauliflower, potato and turkey. This was Brendan's first time having non-pureed turkey. He really liked it. I enjoyed taking the left overs home for some fabulous home-made turkey soup.

On the agenda for tomorrow.. shopping for used books and thrifting for clothes for Brendan oh! and ordering some seeds for my container vegetable garden I have planned for this summer.

All settled in. Kinda.

So we finally made the big move last weekend. The new place is really starting to feel like home, each day that passes and the more we get more unpacked. Yesterday I re-potted my hibiscus and a few other plants that survived the move - tough plants - and planted some herbs again.

On Wednesday, Brendan and I went to visit a potential home daycare around the corner. The lady looks after all boys and therefore caters almost all of her activities to things that little boys like to do which is pretty neat. Brendan seemed to enjoy the other boys and I felt pretty comfortable with the sitter as we chatted and I toured around her home. We will likely be starting him a few days a week to ease him into the full-time before I head to work. I have very mixed feelings about being away from him. On the one hand, I am really happy he is so easy-going and becoming more independent but on the other I sometimes miss the dependence (mostly the cuddles which are getting fewer and fewer).

Tonight Ryan and I are going up to Peterborough to celebrate mine and my dear friend and former roommate's birthday which we used to do together all the time in university but haven't in a couple years. My sister is watching Brendan for the evening. It will also be nice to actually go out somewhere without Brendan. Usually when we go out with friends one of us is watching the baby.

I have been meaning to post some pictures and will just as soon as I locate the camera which is still packed in one of these boxes!

Progress!!

I can officially check off one of my previous resolution postings. I have signed up for two consecutive cake decorating courses this Spring in hopes that if I feel comfortable enough, I can make my own wedding cake for August.

Some inspiration...

This cake is from the website of my favourite coffee and dessert place in Peterborough - Black Honey. No doubt it is vegan, organic and as local as can be :) Really my fall back plan if my cakes don't turn out well!

Another reason why I wanted to take this course.. Brendan's 1st birthday is coming up April 30th. I'd love to make him a really cool cake.

I just really loved this cake. Isn't it gorgeous?

Somewhat late resolutions...

This year I was so busy I failed to make any New Years resolutions.. a 25 random things about myself note made me think of some things or rather goals that I would like to accomplish this year. Here it goes:

- Volunteer more. Ideally I am hoping to volunteer at the young mothers help center nearby. As a young (fairly young - by today's standards) mother, I feel like I could really help some young women which is really important. Especially when many of them do not have the support that I was very lucky to have. I also already have my name in as a volunteer for the city's peony garden. It would be nice to help the community and enhance my "green thumb".

- Buy less, buy less new stuff, and buy more local - in these tough economic times, we need to help our communities the best we can.

- Read books for fun. This is something I haven't done in a loooong time. Since I am done with school I can finally read for pleasure. Not that I didn't really enjoy most of my university readings. Infact.. I loved most of them.

- Get back to running. Something I gave up a long time ago and really made me feel good.

- Find a job I really like. This one is pretty important, I think. Ryan enjoys his job working outside. I would really like to find a job that I would love to go to every day. Especially since I am leaving Brendan. It would be nice to atleast enjoy the place I spend 8 hours a day at.

- Various home reno projects. This time small ones! Fencing in the yard, reupholstering the dining room chairs, getting the lawn and gardens under control. Planting some organic herbs, veggies and a small tea garden.

- Take various interest classes --> Cake decorating, flower arranging...

and finally... spending more time relaxing as a family.

(These have been on my mind lately. I love peonies. Once I get my garden in order I plan on planting a whole bunch of them. They are a very strong contestant for my bridal bouquet at the moment. I can't wait for spring.. and I did mention volunteering for the peony garden in the above note so the picture is somewhat relevant)