The Return Of Monday Go Time

Haven't done this in a while...

Gogogogogogogogogogogo.

Hair freshly shaved off (Arfeli passed by yesterday) and I'm ready to go git it

Happy International Easter

So like I've said in this space before, my parents are funny even (especially) when they try not to be.  For instance, we all went there for Easter dinner today.  On the menu?

Well:

-Korean BBQ

-Afghan rice

-Jamaican jerk chicken

-Chinese style crab

-Polish perogies

-Canadian mixed vegetables (lol...frozen veggies)

-Indian ras malai

-Italian bakery pecan pie

Everything tasted really good.  But again...really interesting selection

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Well, looks like I'm all committed to buying a new car...not that there's anything wrong with that.  (right?)

I know I'm not supposed to have emotional attachments to objects, but this car has been with me for like 8.5 years.  It's also the car my Lola helped me purchase.  I will never forget that.

I have to do the unenviable task of figuring out how to sell my car.  I fear I will end up getting lower than what I think it's worth.  Sucks.

Anywho, I went to go "look" at a Honda Fit this morning, and within 10 minutes I was test driving one.  wtf?

I had to endure the stereotypical car salesman pitches and tactics, and get the feel of the car.  I like it.  We even went to another Stealership in the afternoon and even looked at a Hyundai Stealership at the Accent.  I think I'm set on the Fit.  And once I'm set on something...

Argay seems to be interested in the same car and I'm trying to get Ian to be interested in it too. I figure if we all get it at once, we'll get a big group discount!  LOL...if only life were that easy.

Oh yeah, and the big question:  where exactly will I get the money for this car?  It'll come from somewhere.  That's what I always believe.

Speaking of which, I really have to get on this budgeting project I've been meaning to get back on.  Figure out things before I make this commitment

Like A Crab...

...I'm shellfish.

I'm trying hard not to be, but sometimes...

Sigh.

Don't need to know where I'm going as long as I keep moving forward

What A Work Week

If only all work weeks were two days.

Played ball this morning...was fun.

Went to work and started realizing/thinking that my bff and I are going on separate paths right now.  I can't get mad, but I am saddened.  Such is life.

Went to Melodie/Pete's new place.  Some of the renovations they are doing is some of the hardest ones (stripping varnish, restaining/painting stairs).  I feel bad for them.

Rolando is coming tomorrow...can't wait

*  *  *

May you have everything you ever wished for or even what you didn't know what you wished for

And It Is How I Thought It Was Going To Be

Got to the office, exchanged pleasantries with everyone, told the same story ("loved the experience, I do miss is, but the boy does have some growing and maturing to do, etc."), sat at my desk and did work, went for lunch with Kats, talked some more to peeps...time went a bit slow compared to when I was at home.

But still...it was familiar but different.  Kathie described it perfectly:  "you have a different perspective on things like work after you come back from a parental leave".  I was only gone for a month; I can't even imagine what it's like for people who were away for longer.  I somewhat hope this newly acquired apathy doesn't stick around too long.  I just gotta pick and choose my spots.

Now to get to part 2 of going back to "normal": hit the gym tomorrow

*  *  *

The kiddo is adjusting okay to daycare.  We are a bit concerned that it was the second time he was outside in the backyard playground but not bundled enough properly (he was cold to the touch).  Keep in mind he's only 1 right now.  Hopefully they'll be a little more careful when Sharon says something to them

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Oldie but goodie that had been in my head:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0syaLvBjW8

One Of The Best Experiences I've Ever Had In My Life

I can't be too upset/mad about going back to work.  Everything good comes to an end.

This parental leaves has been one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life.  I loved spending 1:1 time with the boy, seeing him smile and grow, living the "domesticated life".

I also know that I have to go back to reality and that reality is not always too bad.

As predicted, I didn't accomplish the one task I haphazardly thought I was going to do while on parental leave:  finish the crown mouldings.  There will always be time for that (I hope).

I really lived it up today:

-brought the boy to the Doctor for his one-year vaccinations.  Poor kid had three shots and cried like crazy.  But he stuck it out like a champ

-took him to the daycare.  Cried like crazy...lol

-I made a kick-a** chili in the crockpot

-I went to the annual Broken Broom Challenge with my "Team Irish" (Kats, Ralphy and Jenny).  It's always fun to curl, and it's a tradition Kats and I have (5 years running!)

-got home, made the boxed tricycle for Eamon.  He loves it, which make us so dang happy

-went to play ball with Ron, Don, Rye and their friends.  The extended amounts of inactivity really showed out there.  It wasn't a pretty sight.  I somehow forgot how much I enjoy exercising/sweating/running.  I get that endorphin high

Only two days left of work before the long weekend...I feel a bit recharged and ready to go (for work.  General physical state?  Maybe not that recharged...lol)

Dammit...Is It Back?

The restlessness?  The sleeping problems?

Woke up at 2:30am-ish and couldn't get back to bed.  I managed to "snooze" a little here and there, but otherwise I went on the computer as there was nothing else left to do.  Then I went back to bed and just thought about...life (what else do I do, really?).

I'm thinking I might also be a little anxious because it's a new "era" with the boy going to daycare and all and me having to go back to work and just, well, everything (drama).

I'm sure it's just a blip and I'll sleep better tonight.  Gawd I hope...I can't go back to how it was a few years ago when it was really bad.  Can I?!?

Only One Once

Nice/good times!  And tiring.

But it was all worth it for our boy.  And I'm sure he enjoyed; well, at least his first real taste at joyous, joyous sugar from a cake.  Yikes.

Tomorrow he officially starts full-time daycare.  Man oh man...I can't believe it's over already!  I really have to accept time moving faster and life going on.  But still, it sometimes makes my heart a little pained.

Especially knowing that I will be back at work in a few days.  Maybe that's what that pain in my mid-section is all about...lol

Well Someone Is Excited For A Party

That or he just couldn't sleep.  And I'm not actually talking about me...Eamon decided to wake up at 4:30am.

I'm hoping he's not going to be a disaster at the party.  I'm sure he'll be knocked out after we go swimming

*  *  *

Spent a few hours last night looking over all of my car maintenance/repair bills and inputting them into an Excel spreadsheet.  Crazy how much owning a car cost (I even predicted way before when I first got the car that I would regret how much money I spent on the "crap" I got for my car; luckily I braced myself for it way back when so the regret is actually not too harsh.  It signified a time when I actually l had a little bit of money...lol).  I should've done this from the very beginning though, so it would be even more accurate.

Whatever next car I get (I'm wanting the Honda Fit), I'll be sure to do this properly from the get-go

The Weekend Of Parties

So yesterday the family came to celebrate Eamon's Birfday with noodles.

Today we went to Noah's party at a play-centre (Noah happened to be borned on the exact same day as Eamon).  Fun times!

Tomorrow is the big party for the baby-boy.  I hope he's up for it and doesn't get too cranky.

I'll tell you what is cranky: my stomach.  It's been churning the past few days.  I hope it goes away soon

One Year Ago Right Now...

...Sharon was pushing.

Within an hour one year ago, our lives changed forever.

And since then our lives have never been the same (that's not a bad thing).

While he brings us frustrations, it ultimately means nothing because the happiness he brings is incomparable.

I love you my baby-boy, my mini-me.  Happy Birthday!

He'll do whatever he wants to do

Happy Birthday Early Birthday Eamon...

...I bought you a, ummm...speaker for the TV.  Because, you know, you deserve it and all.  It's not for Daddy at all.  Nope.  Not at all.

Speaking of my boy, he apparently did pretty good at Day 2 at Daycare today.  I find it hilarious that he slept on the outdoor swing.  First of all, he doesn't really like swings.  Second of all, he fell asleep at 9:00am, which he never does.  I swear, he's doing this on purpose, like "I'm really not liking this.  I'm going to sleep and when I wake up I'll wake up from this bad dream."

But he did eat there (of course), so that's good

*  *  *

Went for a run today for the first time in a long time.  I say this every year, and I'll say it again:  I'm dead in May for the 10km race

*  *  *

Tomorrow is my last full day with Eamon as he goes back to daycare part-time on Friday, and full-time on Monday.  I think I'll take him swimming.  Whatever the case, I'm gonna enjoy it.  I've absolutely loved this time I've had with him; I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world.

So if he gets a sibling, I hope I get to do it again.  Whether or not I'm the biological parent of that sibling, well...that's not in my control...lol

Dude...You Still Have A Week Left

Why are you a horse?  Why such a long face?

Snap out of it and enjoy these moments.

I have found that that is one of the problems with me:  I look too much to the future and not enjoy the present too much.  And gawd knows I look way too much into the past.

Gotta find that balance...

And His First Day...

...resulted in him taking a nap in the Joanne the caregiver's arms?  He doesn't fall asleep in ours, and it wasn't even his bedtime.  And when she tried to wake him up, he wouldn't.  As a result, he didn't even eat lunch (he was only going to be there half a day).

This amuses me because the way I figure Eamon's thinking is this:  "I don't know who the eff these people are.  And where the eff is my Dad?  Okay, maybe I'll just sleep and when I wake up this bad dream will be over.  And if they try to wake me up, I'll just continue sleeping."

I got there just when he woke up.

But Joanne said that he had a pretty good day (I'm not sure if she says that to everyone).  We'll see what happens again on Wednesday when I take him back

The Gutom Laru

It was a nice day today.  Like I said, life is good.

Went swimming this morning with the boy, which is always fun.

Then we dropped him off at my in-laws and we watched The Hunger Games.  It was a good movie, but I think because I read the book first it skewed/almost ruined the watching of the movie.

Then we picked up the boy and went for a nice bike ride.  Unfortunately, Eamon is teething and has been cranky lately.  But he still gives me open-mouth kisses and cracks me up...so yeah, I don't mink the crankiness all that much.

Tomorrow he starts daycare part-time to get used to it, and next week he goes full-time.  And I go back to work.

Seriously...where the hell is the time going?  Sigh

Super-Laki

So the fam and some family friends (Wayne, Crystal, Andrew, Reeva and their 4 month old baby Lariah) came over today.  Good times, especially with all the babies in the house (and Xavier, my ever-increasingly-getting-older nephew and who will be the ringleader in the future, no doubt).

Lots of preparation for the dinner:  potatoes, salad, cheated and bought rice from Mr. Greek, and the Souvlaki and Shrimp Sticks.  Turned out okay!  It was just a lot of work.  Which is always the case for the "parties" we have at our house.

I swear, next year I'm just going to order pizza...lol

*  *  *

I guess I'm going to go through my patented "holy crap I'm a year older" routine shortly.  Crazy to think that this time last year my life was completely different.  It's now a whole lot busier, but a whole lot better too with my mini-me.

I am grateful for the life I have thus far.  I better stop getting wistful.  Still a whole lot more life to live

I Knew I Jinxed It

So it was a pretty busy day today:

-swimming with the boy at the Y in the morning.  He had fun

-went to the Early Years Centre and attended the "Babies On The Move" class.  He had fun

-went to parents house where he ate lunch, slept, ate his snack and played.  He had fun

-went home, went to Trannifer's house to meet cute little Juliette.  He also met Rozzymaboo.  Who licked him on the face continually.  He might not have had that much fun

-went home, showered him, then went grocery shopping.  I am preparing food (i.e. marinating meats) for a family get together tomorrow.  So it's for my birthday, but I'm the one doing all the preparation for food?  Figures

Sometime today, I told someone (I think it was at the EYC or to Kiran at Trannifer's place) that Eamon is a good sleeper and that we got really lucky after sleep training that he sleeps through the night.

And of course...we just spent 1.5 hours trying to calm him down from his frantic crying.  Jinxed.

Best guess is that he is teething again.  Another guess, which I hope is not the case, is that he had a bad dream (like for example Roz "attacking" [really her just kissing] him).  I hate it when I have bad dreams...I can only imagine for him

*  *  *

So I got word today from Kats that I might not have to go to downtown in May for that hearing I was supposed to go to.  Crazy.  Just goes to further prove...I hate people

Now This Is The Parental Leave I'm Talkin' About

The weather was beautiful, and the boy and I went for a bike ride.  He normally hates the sunglasses and the helmet, but today...he didn't fuss.

Went to the park, where he usually hates the swing.  He didn't fuss.

Tried the "sandpit" for the first time.  He didn't fuss.

It was a good day.  I guess these are those days that people, particularly older parents, say that you never get back.

If there is one day during my parental leave I'll never forget, it's today

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I just learned a new word today that somewhat describes me:  teetotaler.

Nice

Sign Of Spring

It was the first day of spring yesterday, and there is no more of a sign that the seasons are changing than when...I change over from my snow tires to the summer rims.

This winter had been a crazy one; I do not recall the last time that it was this mild.  Sucks for people who bought snowblowers (for this year, anyway).  Also sucks for my friend Row, who purchased a "clear your driveway from snow" package from a snow-clearing company, and who I think only came once.

I always fear, though, when I change my tires.  Like, what if it snows one more time?  Although with the way the weather has been the past week (>20C), it would be hard to think that

9 Hours What

I slept 9 hours last night.  Crayyyyyyyy.

Went to the gym this morning followed by a work visit.

Dawned on me that I'll be returning to work in two weeks.  I feel quite...disheartned?  I better stop looking to that moment and enjoy these moments I have right now