Homing from Work

I am a full time working mom. Both full time mom-ing and full time work-ing. And today I have been, similar to many days in the last few months, writing blog posts in my mind. Writing blog post in my mind is not quite as fulfilling as chair dancing but it's surprisingly efficient.

I can write blog posts in my mind while taking a shower, getting BABY ready for daycare, commuting. I can write blog posts in my mind during status meetings and presentations. I can write blog posts in my mind while grocery shopping, cleaning and cooking. My best blog posts in my mind are crafted during those hazy moments before I go I settle into REM sleep or just between snooze one and snooze two in the morning.

Just this past week I have dreamt up engaging blog posts about the holiday, love and marriage, a recent visit to Florida for a family member's funeral, the second Christmas for BABY, Kwanzaa, a year in review, New Years Resolutions, why I need a vacation. And today, I thought of a couple more blog posts as I rolled into the office. Yes, I am one of the few brave souls that is working today. (It seemed like a good idea at the time).

As one of the brave souls holding down the fort at our office this week, I had to physically be here. Since my daughter has a doctor's appointment this afternoon I thought it would be easier if I brought her to the office with me. Afterall, I'm one of the only ones here anyway. Her doctor is close to my office. And, there's no way I can leave her, pick her up from daycare and make the appointment in time. Bringing a toddler to the office is something that I must blog about - outloud that is.

How has my day been so far? Well...

9:05 am - Arrive at office.

9:13 am - Bang funnybone on desk trying to unload huge purse with laptop, gym bag with BABY gear, one toddler in full winter gear. Try not to drop toddler in full winter gear.

9:16 am - Greet Vice President as she pass your office and laughs out loud at the hilarity. Turn on computer so that you can look at least partially productive.

9:18 am - Set up BABY in chair beside desk with paper and crayons.

9:21 am - Remove crayons that BABY is now trying to eat. Replace with Playdough, cookie cutters and other plastic tools.

9:22 am - Empty gym bag of all toys in hopes that something will catch her attention. Realize that the usual suspects - those loud toys with the lights and songs and silly phrases do not compare to a brand new, never been drolled on - well maybe a couple times - office.

9:29 am - Create fort using office chairs, toys, stacks of books, aforementioned toddler winter gear.

9:33 am - Break out the snacks!!

9:35 am - Clean up ground Cheerios, Goldfish and Blueberries from Carpet.

9:45 am - Allow toddler to play with phone, keyboard, pens, calculator. Hope that this can hold attention for the next seven hours.

9:55 am - Realize that not even an hour has passed.

9:56 am - Visit coworkers around the office. Allow toddler to run down hallways. Hope this feel mean an early naptime.

10:21 am - Try to talk unsuspecting coworker into babysitting for a few minutes. Or hours. Doesn't work.

10:38 am - Find other office supplies that can double as toddler play things.

10:41 am - Snacks? Anything left? Snacks!

10:51 am - Reintroduce toys. Look at your own toy laptop and cellphone!

11:37 am - Lunch time!

11:59 pm - Regret bringing lunch that is sooo messy.

12:00 pm - Turn off lights in office, put in lullaby CD and pray.

12:29 pm - Put BABY into stroller to sleep beside desk.

12:31 pm - Begin blog post and importantly countdown to quiting time in my mind.

Let's see how the rest of the day shapes up.

~humps

It's the little things like this that make me happy!

Have you ever come across something and were so impressed that you wanted to tell everyone about it? Yes! Well that just happened to me about 30 minutes ago.

This is not a sponsored post. This is genuine blog loving.

I'm pretty close to becoming a professional bridesmaid. I'm the maid of honour in one of my best friend's wedding at the end of October. I am absolutely over the moon for her. So in love with her husband to be (he's already my daughter God Father) and eager to do anything that I can to help. Another one of my close friends has asked me to be a bridesmaid in her weddding - set for next summer.

Planning the bridal shower for wedding number 1 right now, and just like I did for baby's first birthday, soaking up as much online inspiration as I can. In the process I came across Printable Press. They're a great online source of invitations. They allow you to customize invitation themes, and then print them yourself.

Just choose the theme, it can be customized in as early as a week, download the final files as a PDF and print yourself. Whether it's 20 or 200 your costs are the same. With pricing like $70 for the invitation, $30 for the response card and insert card, $40 save the date, you can't go wrong.

My only disclaimer is that I have't ordered it myself. But with designs like these how can you not be excited!

Beautiful and genius. Not only will I tell my bride to be friends, I also wanted to share with you too.

~ humps

The Humidity Diet

It's freaking hot. Northeastern US and Central Canada - including where I am in Toronto - are under the vice of a heat wave that has lasted for the past few days. There are extreme heat alerts, heat advisories, UV warnings, smog advisories, humidex advisories. However you slice it, the weather is making even the most die-hard fans of warm summers days, like myself, run for cover in the air conditioning. Yesterday, I went out over the lunch period and feared, to be quite honest with you, that I might melt into asphalt. It was sick and disturbing.

As I sat under the AC vent in my office with my blouse unbuttoned to career-limiting degrees, it occurred to me - a miraculous benefit to the crazy weather. A benefit it is much need and surely will be embraced by many. I'd like to call it the Humidity Diet. There are just three key elements:

1. Avoid any extraneous physical activity to acquire food, such as going to the grocery store, grocery shopping, packing groceries and loading groceries into a vehicle.

- This will encourage you to optimize the food that you do have on hand. It requires true creativity to make a family meal with tuna, condensed soup, pie filling and saltine crackers. Think of it as a culinary experiment and opportunity to watch those calories. Plus slaving over the stove must be good too.

2. Don't go anywhere. If you are fortunate enough to be able to spend your daytime hours in an air conditioned environment, don't go anywhere. If you are home, stay home. If you are at work, stay at work. Waiting out the peak period is a blessing. You can re-emerge in the evening, when you are less likely to melt into the asphalt.

- There are waistline benefits of this too. You are encourage to plan and prepare lunches ahead of time. Your organizational skills will blow others away and increase your confidence. Not going outside can only boost your productivity. I see a raise in your future.

- If you have forgotten to bring a lunch, you can still benefit. Scrounging around the office for lunch - that granola bar in your desk drawer, cheese stick in your purse, peppermints on your co-worker's desk and cup of coffee could be a suitable, impromptu meal and great lesson in portion control.

3. If you do go outside, aim for the hottest time of the day - noon! If you're lucky, you will happen upon other lunch-goers on the roads, in the parking lots, and food establishments of your community. Bonding with others and fostering your patience and empathy, particularly during extremely uncomfortable temperatures, is great for your personal development.

- The potential weight loss benefits are numerous! The sweltering midday humidity has been known to suppress appetites. Chances are that you will opt for a lighter lunch or skip the meal all together. (Zero calories are the best kind of calories.) Plus, you'll be sweating a whole lot too. That's good for at least a few pounds of water weight. A portable sauna, for free!

I encourage to you embrace the humidly this summer and think of it as an opportunity to shed a few lbs. Please note: like any new diet or fitness regime, consult your doctor.

~ humps

Point of No Return

I call it the Point of No Return. The exact moment when a mother realizes that her boobs will never be the same again. And that moment for me was Friday, February 12th at 11:55 am.

After nursing BABY on Friday, I held her up. When I looked down to adjust my shirt, put the boob back to it's secure holding place, I noticed that there just wasn't as much there as before. Not the typically kind of post-nursing deflation. No. It was something else. I knew then and there - holding my daughter to one side and looking down at the boob at the other - that it was over.

There will be no more humps in "Humps and Baby Bumps". My precious lady lumps are no more. It was a sad, sad day.

With BABY now nine months old, I should have expected so much. I've been benefiting from extra delicious cleavage as a result of breastfeeding and hormones. Those kind of gifts, when not appreciated, don't last. The closest thing I received to someone noticing my boobs, was showing a slight rash to my single young doctor. And that just sucks.

I don't blame breastfeeding. In fact, I recently heard that it's not breastfeeding that causes "limp lumps" but hormones related to pregnancy. So whether you nurse or not, having a baby is enough to "impact your rack".

Even still, I would nurse all over again. It's better BABY uses them, because I'm certainly not.

~ humps

The Day After

It's been a while since my last post. All week I have been busy planning a surprise birthday party for one of my closest friends. You guys don't understand how hard it is for me to keep a secret. I'm a terrible liar. And I talk to her on a daily basis! I also couldn't write about it on this blog or Twitter on the odd chance that she was reading it. The torture!!

The party was Friday. Big success. Lots of fun. All day I have been vegging on her couch eating leftover appetizers and cake. And BABY is decked out in her day after-party tracksuit, playing with an assortment of toys on the floor.

None of my pictures turned out any good - partly because I couldn't find my camera for the first half of the night.

But since it's been a while since my last post with BABY's pictures, I thought that I would share this one taken recently. So... my little baby:

It's Not Nice to Laugh At Others

My friend C over at Random Thoughts and Musings From The Island just published a post - a tribute of sorts - to People of WalMart. While I could draw on my extensive vocabulary of adjectives for this one, a picture is worth a thousand words, and there are a few interesting pictures on her blog. On a more disturbing note, there are a ton of pictures on the People of WalMart website. An alarming number of pictures in fact. I would like to think that some of the events captured are isolated incidents but based on the sheer volume of pictures, I don't think so.

Both C and I would like to teach our daughters that it is never okay to make fun of others, or laugh at their expense. But frankly, these People of WalMart are making it really hard to parent now-adays. Seriously, ya'll!

So for the good of all shoppers, young and old, I put together some rules. The Top 5 Things That You Should Remember Before Visiting WalMart (So That I Don't Have to Explain Who You Are and What You're Doing To My Daughter):

5. Remember that you just can't pull it off, before heading to WalMart.


4. Remember, to wear pants to WalMart.

3. Remember, to wear pants that fit you to WalMart.


2. Remember that the thong song was not written for you, before heading to WalMart.


1. Remember there's somethings that we just don't want to know, before you get to WalMart.




~ humps

The Ultimate Mom-Baby Playlist

On Sunday, I had a little get together for family and friends after BABY's baptism. Just a little brunch at my place. I didn't want to do anything too fussy. I wanted it to be low key, casual and comfortable.

And that's how I approached the planning.

I started by inviting an intimidate group of my really close friends and family. The ones that I see and talk to regularly. The people that are really connected to BABY and see her often. I skipped the catering, and planned a menu of appetizers, sandwiches and salads that I could prepare the day before. While I would never call myself an expert chef, I do enjoy cooking for people.

But before groceries were bought, or a pan was put on the stove, I was preparing for the most important part. The music. I made the ultimate of Baptism after party playlists, that began as one celebrating the love between moms and their daughters.

Since I am very much a giving, generous and good spirited blogger, I will share this with you - in hopes that it too can be the foundation for the parties you are having. Baptisms, birthday parties, baby showers, Mother's Day, Labor Playlists, whatever the need maybe. I got cha!

On this playlist, it was important to me that the songs represent different eras, different artists - you know, since that's how I roll! I wanted it to be something that my older family members and younger friends could sing along to. So you will see that there is everything from Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations to Dixie Chicks, Michael Buble, Whitney Houston to Jay-Z, Lauryn Hill, Kanye West.

The songs also included "love songs" - such as This Magic Moment and No Air - but I felt that it still fit the theme.

Check it out:

You can either build the playlist so that the sequence of songs is perfect, or hit "shuffle" for more spontaneity.

For the Baptism I added to that some more reggae - as a tribute to my West Indian family, which included some Beres Hammond, Tony Rebel, Tarrus Riley, Sizzla, more Bob Marley. I also added another playlist that I had with some of my favorite gospel from Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and even 'Jesus Walks' from Kayne West and 'Faithful' from Common. (Unfortunately Playlist.com didn't have all of the songs that I used.)

Hope you enjoy!
~ humps

Revelations About Baby Clothes

When your poor baby girl cannot move her little feet, raise her arms or touch her toes, you may want to "retire" that too tight sleeper. (The latest revelation and the kind of expert mom advice that you are going to get by reading my blog.)

To make matters worse, it was actually my mother who insisted that BABY's sleepers were too tight to keep wearing. I didn't want to believe it. I ignore her. I didn't want to acknowledge that she was right. I turned the other way. I washed that sleeper and put in the drawer. I put BABY in it a few days later. This is commonly known as denial.

Don't fault me - it is hard to look at the situation objectively when you are in love with an outfit. It's hard to say goodbye to baby outfits before their time. Ok, ok before my time.

I have attachment issues. I get attached. I fall in love with these little baby clothes. I find myself in the baby clothing section of stores - including my grocery store (hello Joe Fresh!) - holding a new little girl outfit in the air and picturing BABY in it. Seeing her cub cub legs and rolly polly arms filling out the clothes to perfection.

Adult clothing is very different. If they were my clothes I would wear them. I would love them as I was wearing them. I would find more ways to wear them more often - layered over things, under things. I would accessorize. I would dress it up and dress it down. If I wasn't completely fulfilled by wearing it for the initial term (however many months that would be), I would still keep it. I would stow it away in big plastic Tupperware containers in my storage room, or in tiny little white cardboard boxes from Ikea, or under my bed. Maybe I would hang it in the back of my closet. I would come back to it next year when the weather changes. I would wear it year after year. Maybe I would give it away - to a friend or family member. The clothes would have a long life span - at least as long as I liked them.

Baby clothes are a whole new experience. It is an experience that I am still getting used to.

You see with baby clothes, I buy them. They are super cute in many different ways. A touch like smaller versions of adult clothes with their tiny belt hoops, polished hems, collars, and little pockets. These childrenwear designers know that a 2 month old doesn't need a belt or to put anything in their pocket. It's all to provoke a sense of familiarity. We're hooked. Then they sprinkle on the little details - baby only details - that make us ohhh and aahhh.

The cuteness of the design is not even the whole problem. I could probably live with design cuteness. In fact, I EXPECT a high level of cuteness for the entire baby fashion industry. The real problem is what happens when these clothes are brought home. We take them out of the bags, and we wash them. We put them on our cub cub, rolly polly children and they look so damn cute. Our children sit there, big smiles and sporadic movements, while we ohh and ahh. We take the children out where others swoon over them. These clothes become our favorite outfits. We find occasions to showcase these outfits because our children look so damn cute in them. We are attached.

In three washes our children start to grow out of the outfits that we love - our favorite outfits. The buttons pull apart slightly. The arms and legs become just that much shorter. Our children out grow them before we are really finished loving these outfits.

And that's how it all began for BABY's too tight sleeper that I am attached to. Now it's... well it's too tight.

~ humps

Dear Belly Fat

Dear Belly Fat,

It's been a long time since we last spoke. How are you?? Hope things are well.

You ran across my mind today. I was reminiscing about the years that we shared together. I just had to sit down and write you an overdue note. I haven't had time to write, but please know that you were always in my thoughts. I have always had a special place for you, Belly Fat, in my heart.

You see Belly Fat, we are BFFs. I've known you longer than most people! We shared a lot together. From baby fat to baby bump. You were there for me as long as I can remember. Elementary school, the prom, graduation - we shared some incredible moments together.

Even at my most athletic, when I turned my back on you in favour of sports and my first gym membership, you stayed by my side. You never let those training sessions, yoga classes, elliptical machines, or free weights get between us. They were never able to wear you down or wear away our connection.

Boyfriends came and went, but you stayed. School, work and play. Jobs, then internships, and the beginnings of my career. We became closer than ever - with our hold on each other growing stronger and stronger in the last few years. We shared many a sushi lunch, Mexican takeout and iced cream together. Remember those McCain Deep & Delicious nights we had? That was a blast wasn't it. Belly Fat, we had some great times hanging out.

People would be impressed by your loyalty, tenacity, perseverance Belly Fat. I am one of only a few people, I'm sure, who knows that side of you. Rolling with the punches.

And last year, when I found out that I was pregnant, you were there. During those early months, was it weird for you when people would rub you when I told them I was expecting?? Yeah they didn't know that there wasn't a baby bump there yet. But it's ok. They didn't mind touching you Belly Fat. I have to admit, that made me a little bit uncomfortable. I appreciated having you around, keeping my baby well insulated in the winter and providing amble room in the stomach area for me to grow into.

But Belly Fat, I have to be honest with you. This is tough for me to say so please bare with me. Although we have had some good times, I feel that we are moving in different directions. Belly Fat, I think that I need to move on. Now that I have had the baby - she's doing well by the way - I need to lose a few pounds.

Please do not be upset by what I am saying Belly Fat. It's not you, it's me. I have new goals - like fitting into my skinny jeans, being able to wear a bathing suit to mommy and me swimming, looking attractive in lingerie someday. Unfortunately I have to leave you behind.

Please don't try to contact me Belly Fat. I don't think that we can remain friends. The best thing that we can do it make a clean break. Go our separate ways, not looking back.

I will always remember and cherish the years that we spent together. I promise. Belly Fat, this is for the best. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
humps

Caribana 2009

I went to the Caribana parade last weekend with my cousin from Florida. "Baby" stayed at home - the first time she was without mommy for more than a few minutes - while I went gallivanting downtown. But I couldn't resist dressing her up in this outfit that my mother bought in Jamaica. You gotta represent!!

Simple Times

When I was a kid I would spend most of my summers in Florida. My parents would ship me off to the extended family - grand aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends. My grandmother had a ton of younger brothers and sisters, and their kids were around my age. Going to Florida in the summer was sort of like going to Summer Camp or the cottage.

I had and still have much more family in Florida than anywhere else.

There were a handful of cousins that I was particularly close with. When I went back home to Toronto we kept in touch, in anticipation for when I would return.

Keeping in touch back then was different than keeping in touch is now. If you recall, 15-20 years ago there was no text messaging, or Twitter. We weren't on Facebook or Hotmail.

Keeping in touch meant that we would actually write letters to each other. I would receive a package in the mail from Florida that would have letters from my closest cousins (each with a unique take on what was happening in their lives and often expertly decorated), and accompanying the letter would be pictures, postcards, other memorabilia. Once I even received a cassette tape (remember thoses?) that had meaningful songs. Their voice chimed with a greeting in when I popped the tape into my stereo.

My responses always took much longer. I wrote individual letters to each person - looking for a new way to rehash my stories. Reminiscing about the "inside jokes" that we had. If you were boy crazy I would talk about my latest crush at school, if you were into music I would tell about the concerts coming up in Toronto. I would try to put a lot into my responses.

But like everything, time changes things. Growing up, moving on. So much has happened to all of us since those days. Graduations, weddings, careers, children. I went to Florida to be a Bridesmaid in one of my cousins weddings not to long ago, and now she has two children. I have a little one myself.

We do try to keep in touch - emailing, texting, long distance phone calls - when we find the time. I don't get to visit everyone in Florida as often as I'd like to.

This weekend, one of my favorite cousins is coming up to visit. This is the first time that she is meeting the baby. (I can't begin to tell you how excited she was for us when I broke the news that I was expecting.)

So although I won't be able to go to Florida this summer, like I used to, I'll have a little bit of Florida up here with me.

~ humps

On The Move!

XOXOX humps

The Lost Post

Yesterday, I felt inspired. I took some time out while reading my emails on someone else's computer to write a blog post. It was written in a word program so that I wouldn't use up much more of the already slow internet connection.

I wandered away from the computer to check on Baby, when the thing decided to restart itself. With no auto save, my blog post was gone. Lost. Forever.

I assure you that it was a great post. Reflective and honest. Full of wit. I spoke of my past and looked ahead at my future. You would have loved that post. And I know that if I try to rewrite it, it just won't be the same.

So instead I would like to dedicate this space to all the lost blog posts, short stories, reports, speeches, anything written anywhere that due to technical malfunctions were lost. Those written masterpieces that left us before their time. Before they were able to be truly loved, honored and appreciated. Please feel free to comment about your experiences as well. That way they may live on.

In mourning,
~ humps

Ode to Breastfeeding

I have a number of friends that chose to formula feed their little ones for a variety of reasons. I myself, have just proclaimed that I love breastfeeding. Yes. I said it. I. Love. Breastfeeding.

Not for all the reasons that they mention in the baby books. Not because of the incredible bonding that Baby and I have when she's nursing. Not because of the added nutritional value of mother's milk. While those are all well and good, I love breastfeeding for the convenience. I love breastfeeding because I am LAZY.

When Baby cries that very special cry that means, "I want food NOW" there is nothing better than just pulling out a boob to feed. I just have to unbutton my shirt - if that!! We don't worry about bottle sterilizing, formula mixing, milk heating. With the learning curve of breastfeeding, I overcame latch issues, cracking and bleeding nipples, tons of lanolin cream to nurse. It wasn't easy. But to all the mother's out there I have to tell you to stick with it. It's like a small victory when Baby and I sit down to feed.

So much so that I wanted to write an "Ode to Breastfeeding". I thought at first this tribute should be in the form of a poem. But my poetry experience is limited. It would have started with, "There's once was a girl from Nantucket..." So I decided to write a song instead. I hope you enjoy it.

In the rhythm of Single Ladies by Beyonce....

All the savvy mommies, all the savvy mommies
All the happy mommies, all the happy mommies
All the lazy mommies, all the lazy mommies

Now put your hands up if
It's late at night, have sleep in sight
And a baby that just dozed off
Climbing into bed, to rest your head
But the baby is starting to wail!
Don't pay it any attention
Pull it out your boob, there's some good food
And your baby's quiet in no time.

[Chorus] Cuz if you're lazy than you shoulda stuck with breastfeeding
If you're lazy than you shoulda stuck with breastfeeding
Don't be mad cus I'm chillin when the baby's eating
If you're lazy than you shoulda stuck with breastfeeding.

wo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh
wo oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh ooh oh oh oh

Lullaby

It’s Monday and we are now two days overdue. While it’s a shame that we haven’t had a chance to meet the baby yet, I don’t want to rush the time away. The little one will get here when he / she is suppose to. So now, I’ve got some time on my hands…

Our condo building has great amenities. While I’m on mat leave, waiting for the little one to arrive, I’m taking advantage of it. Earlier today, spent some time doing laps at the pool and hung out in the “library” browsing through a stack of magazines.

As I was sitting there in a comfy leather chairs by myself, I started talking to the baby. I thought – with the great acoustics in the room – that I should start practicing some lullabies. The problem is, I don’t know the words to any lullabies.

My first attempt sounded something like this:

Hush little baby don’t say a word
Mamma’s gonna buy you a mocking bird
And if that mocking bird don’t sing
Mamma’s gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring don’t shine….
… don’t shine… umm..
Mamma’s gonna buy herself a bottle of wine
And if that bottle of wine tastes funny
It’s too bad ‘cus mamma’s out of money.

I’ll have to brush up on my lullabies before the baby gets here. :(

~ humps

What's Your Sign??

My due date is tomorrow April 18th. I know that the likelihood of delivering on my exact due date is slim - less than 10%. I’m also not really seeing any of the early labor signs, so we may be waiting for a while...

In the meantime, I flock to the internet to look at some entertaining horoscopes. While I’m not too much of an astrology fanatic, I think that it can have some on personality. And if not, it’s a lot of fun.

When Dad-to-be and I calculated our due date originally we were excited about the possibility of having an Aries baby. He is an Aries, born at the beginning of April. Also my mom is an Aries, born at the end of March. There are a lot of March / April people around me. I think that I’ve learned to deal with the unique personality of the Ram.

But the Aries sign is said to be from March 21st to April 20th. We’re sitting right at the cusp between Aries and Taurus. So having the baby next week puts us in a new category. Of course, I had to do a little bit of research.

Here’s a short overview of the two signs from Australian website Allbaby:

Aries: March 21st – April 20th
Symbol: The Ram
Ruling Planet: Mars (God of War)
Element: Fire
Gemstone: Diamond
Colour: Deep Red
Personality & Characteristics of your Baby Aries:
Those born under the sign of Aries are determined, strong willed and have all the signs of becoming a great leader. They are full of energy and love to be active, generally doing everything with lots of enthusiasm. They are loving and affectionate and can be a source of inspiration to those around them. They are often early developers and love to learn through imaginative play. Aries can be competitive, stubborn and impatient and when challenged will stand their ground very firmly.

Taurus: April 21st – May 21st
Symbol: The Bull
Ruling Planet: Venus (Roman God of Love)
Element: Earth
Gemstone: Topaz
Colour: Yellow
Personality & Characteristics of your Baby Taurus:
Those born under the sign of Taurus are generous yet determined and strong willed. They tend to think about things before they say them, coming across as conservative; don’t be fooled they can be very persistent and headstrong when needed. They are quiet and gentle and can be very clingy. They are often late developers, happy to sit and take in the world around them. A Taurus baby will be musical with many talents in different areas, especially creative ones.


With the baby really “chilling” in my body right now, being quite conservative with labor and being very clingy, I think he or she is displaying some signs of being a Taurus baby. I guess the next few days will tell.

For more baby horoscopes you can check out:
- Parents.com
- BabyZone.com
- Justhoroscopes.com (check out the Baby drop down on the right side)

Still No Baby - 6 days to go!

Although some of the friends and family were hoping for the baby to arrive over the long weekend, still no little munchkin. We're now down to the last six days. I've felt over the last month that I would be early, but there's a real good chance that I'll be late.

Have I felt anything? I have no idea. Haven't had any pre-pregnancy symptoms that we read about. At the same time, I don't really know what I'm suppose to be feeling...

The Baby Time Show

Yesterday my mom and I made our way to the International Centre near Toronto’s Pearson Airport for the Baby Time Show. It’s a tradeshow-style 3 day event that happens twice a year. It was my first baby show.

Since my mom had an appointment in the morning, we didn’t arrive as early as I wanted. It wasn’t until around 2:15 pm that we made it past admissions. (More on the why it took so long below). By that point, I missed the cloth diapering seminar that I was interested in, and the Quinny Fashion Show. Although we arrived at the main stage not long after getting there, I expected to catch the tail-end of it. There was no sign that it even happened! Can someone tell me if this was a 10 minute show or something??

But I digress… The event. We spent the rest of the afternoon – until after 5:00 pm navigating our way through exhibitor booths, and purchasing a few things. That included a few pregnant momma rests and potty breaks. Overall the day had some positives and negatives. Thought I’d share my thoughts with blog-land.

On a positive note, the Baby Time Show was a great opportunity to see a number of different exhibitors, including baby retailers large and small, baby gear manufacturers large and small, and a whole lot of services. I had a chance to ask questions and get advice from a few of the booths that we stopped at.

However, since I am only 2 weeks away from my due date, it wasn’t the most beneficial for me. I would recommend the show for someone earlier in the pregnancy, as an opportunity to do a little bit of research. Definitely check it out before you start your baby registries. There were great offers from The Bay, Sears, Babies R US for moms who started their registry at the event. A few other booths, like Savvymom.ca had great giveaway contests for dream nurseries and other stuff. Luckily I already signed up online here.

I went to the event looking for more info and advice on cloth diapers, but was disappointed that there didn’t seem to be more than 2 or 3 exhibitors – either cloth diaper manufacturer or retailers. I was also hoping to score an amazing deal on photography. My dream of being “discovered” while walking the street and getting a great offer for some free shots, hasn’t quite materialized. And I really want to book a photographer for the baby’s first pictures. I did pick up a few cards from photographers at the show that I’ll have to look into further.

And now the “negatives”: Probably no fault of the Baby Time Show, maybe more of the International Centre’s. It was a logistical nightmare getting into the show. The International Centre seemed to have a few different tradeshows happening this weekend and the parking situation was a nightmare. As my mom and I were approaching the centre on Airport Road, the backup of traffic was crazy. Blocks of cars were waiting to get into the main driveway. As we got closer we saw the “Lot Full” signage. They seemed to be letting in one car for every car that was leaving. Most people were turning around and looking for street parking or free parking lots at the businesses a few blocks away.

Now as you know, I’m 38 weeks pregnant. And while I feel great, in great shape and pretty mobile all things considered, the last thing that I wanted to do was walk. I did think at that very moment, looking up at the “Lot Full” sign, that we should turn around and head home. We ended up finding a parking lot nearby and walking in. To my dismay, as we were approaching the side of the building where the Baby Time Show was held, there are spots all over the place. After I freaking walked my fat butt blocks to get there. Do they not know their audience?!

And for an event that charged $15 admission, I didn’t think that there were the deals or free stuff to make it worth it. The whole idea of paying admission to a place where people were trying to sell us things, was counter-intuitive. I opened my wallet with expectations that the show organizers really had to impress me. With a few exhibitors selling their merchandise without tax or similar types of minimal “show specials”, it wasn’t really impressive. Here are a few pictures of the “swag” that we picked up and despite all the reuseable bags that I received, and a few magazines, I really could have done without the other “freebies”.

So for ways to spend a Saturday afternoon pre-baby it gets a 2 out 5. I should have used that $15 for a manicure.

I'd like you to meet Curry

A few people at work have started Thai Thursdays where they take orders from the group for lunch. I love Thai Thursdays. I think about Thai Thursdays all week long. Today is Thai Thursday!!

I’ve been so fortunate that so far in my pregnancy I have been able to eat virtually anything. Luckily I didn’t have morning sickness. I haven’t had any food aversions or heartburn or indigestion. I can still eat meat and spicy foods. I’m trying to watch the sweets – basically because I know that I will overindulge – but I’ve already been cleared for Gestational Diabetes.

All of this is fantastic because I love food.

As soon as the email went out this morning with the reminder about Thai Thursday, I quickly and enthusiastically placed my order. And I did a little dance in my office. Today will be Curry Pad Thai.

And the girls that I work with suggested that Curry would be a cute girl’s name. Genius!! Why didn’t I think of any food-themed baby names?! So we started to explore that:
- Curry (girl)
- Thai (girl)
- Sashimi (girl)
- Wonton (boy)
- Tzatziki (boy)

How could Dad-to-be NOT want a delicious food inspired name for our little bun in the oven!! ;)

~ humps

Fast Food Regret

I never should have had that double cheeseburger from McDonald's yesterday. Ok, ok I had TWO double cheeseburgers. I justified that because two burgers are basically the same amount of calories as a whole meal but CHEAPER. It was the fiscally responsible choice. But still, I never should have had those double cheeseburgerS.

The double cheeseburgerS from McDonald's were so good that I can't stop thinking about them. I really, really want another one, maybe two. However, I cannot live with myself if I have McDonald's two days in a row. Pregnant or not.

But the double cheeseburger was so delicious - so soft and cheesy, with the little salty pickles. It melts in your mouth when you eat it. There is definitely some sort of drug that they sprinkle on top to make you crave them, think about the next time you can have another. I feel like this must be some sort of chemical reaction.

Oh my gosh. I have to get another double cheeseburger right now. I'll just eat it in the car and not tell anyone. I'll throw away the evidence in the underground parking lot. No one needs to know that I had double cheeseburgers for two days in a row. I'll go to the gym when I get home and work it off. And I'm pregnant damn it. I should have as many double cheeseburgers as I want!! That's it. Settled. I am getting another double cheeseburger, or two.

Calories = 430

Fat = 22g

Cholesterol = 75 mg

Eatting it = ALL WORTH WHILE!