Last Christmas, Lucas was just six months old, thus he wasn't really aware of Santa and presents. Sure, the gift wrap was a hoot to play with, but he couldn't comprehend where the presents came from and why.
In previous posts, I mentioned the four sets of grandparents (and other extended family) that Lucas is lucky to have. Last year, Lucas had a gift from Santa at each house (including ours) as well as a stocking.
This year, he's a little more aware. As I was wrapping presents, he watched and waited, only to try and tear a piece off once complete. He thinks the tree is funny with all its lights and helped us decorate and sing songs.
Next year will be a critical year.
I'm of the mind that Santa should visit one house. Our house. On Christmas morning. I know this takes away a bit of the magic for our grandparents, but I'm also aware of how spoiled Lucas could be thinking Santa leaves a gift for him everywhere. A single Santa visit will be more than enough for Lucas and his grandparents (and family) can spoil him with gifts directly from them. And isn't that still a bit magical too?
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Snuggles
Motherhood brings anxiety and worry. However, I'm pretty open about the anxiety I suffered before I became a mom.
I remember it as far back as my early 20s, but it likely existed before that. I would feel sick on the subway on the way to work, having panic attacks before I knew what they were. Sometimes panic attacks would last for days, taking my appetite along with it. I started dropping weight, not because I was starving myself, but because my stomach would turn and I couldn't finish what was on my plate.
It got to a breaking point where I needed to seek out professional help of a counsellor and a dietitian to get me back on track. And every once in a while, if I find myself in the middle of an anxious moment, I also have medication that can calm me down.
I haven't taken a pill in more than two years and I think it's due to the snuggles.
This weekend, I found myself anxious again - probably worse than I've felt in a long time. Tonight as I put Lucas to bed, tears began to fall and Lucas could sense something wasn't right with me. He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and snuggled in even tighter. Lucas usually reaches for his bed, but tonight he stayed in my arms, his snuggles acting as the best medication of all.
How's that for modern medicine?
I remember it as far back as my early 20s, but it likely existed before that. I would feel sick on the subway on the way to work, having panic attacks before I knew what they were. Sometimes panic attacks would last for days, taking my appetite along with it. I started dropping weight, not because I was starving myself, but because my stomach would turn and I couldn't finish what was on my plate.
It got to a breaking point where I needed to seek out professional help of a counsellor and a dietitian to get me back on track. And every once in a while, if I find myself in the middle of an anxious moment, I also have medication that can calm me down.
I haven't taken a pill in more than two years and I think it's due to the snuggles.
This weekend, I found myself anxious again - probably worse than I've felt in a long time. Tonight as I put Lucas to bed, tears began to fall and Lucas could sense something wasn't right with me. He looked up at me with his big blue eyes and snuggled in even tighter. Lucas usually reaches for his bed, but tonight he stayed in my arms, his snuggles acting as the best medication of all.
How's that for modern medicine?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
It's a World of Laughter, a World of Tears
We just returned from our second family trip to Disney and to sound cliche, it was magical.
Last year, Lucas was just a wee one so our day at the Magic Kingdom involved a lot of walking, some eating and the occasional ride on the train. This year, everything changed. Lucas was able to walk (or run) as well as enjoy many of the sights and sounds of Disney. And boy did he enjoy it, as did we seeing it through his eyes.
The most moving moment for me was when we embarked on the Disney classic ride, It's a Small World. It was almost 30 years ago, my grandma and grandpa took me to the Magic Kingdom and I took a ride through this world of wonder. Now I had Lucas on my lap, watching as he gazed at the moving dolls and clapped along with the song. Tears filled my eyes.
It's true that you really do experience things all over again when you see it through your child's eyes. I caught myself welling up with tears many times during our Disney adventure, all because seeing the pure joy on Lucas's face was almost too much for me to handle.
I can't wait till our trip next year.
Last year, Lucas was just a wee one so our day at the Magic Kingdom involved a lot of walking, some eating and the occasional ride on the train. This year, everything changed. Lucas was able to walk (or run) as well as enjoy many of the sights and sounds of Disney. And boy did he enjoy it, as did we seeing it through his eyes.
The most moving moment for me was when we embarked on the Disney classic ride, It's a Small World. It was almost 30 years ago, my grandma and grandpa took me to the Magic Kingdom and I took a ride through this world of wonder. Now I had Lucas on my lap, watching as he gazed at the moving dolls and clapped along with the song. Tears filled my eyes.
It's true that you really do experience things all over again when you see it through your child's eyes. I caught myself welling up with tears many times during our Disney adventure, all because seeing the pure joy on Lucas's face was almost too much for me to handle.
I can't wait till our trip next year.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
He's a Big Boy Now
Lucas has grown by leaps and bounds in the weeks since my last post.
His comprehension has improved greatly, nodding yes and shaking his head no to questions we ask him. Knowing where to go when asking for milk, running to his change table when we say it's time to change his diaper, and yes, crying or pitching a small fit when we deny him something he wants. I know many of my mommy friends said this, but it really is a relief when they finally start to understand you.
His walking is also less weebly wobbly and more steady steps.
He has taken to feeding himself. Sure, he would do this before with finger foods, but now he refuses help in spooning peas, cereal, soup or anything from a bowl. He must do it himself and whines if my fingers near his utensils.
And the best part of all, he's starting saying Mama. Not indiscriminately, but purposefully when he wants my attention or just a snuggle.
I caught myself looking back at photos from his first few days with us, growing slightly nostalgic for the tiny baby boy I held. Next thing I knew, Lucas had walked up to me and wrapped himself around my leg - and I was thankful for the little boy who now can hug me back.
His comprehension has improved greatly, nodding yes and shaking his head no to questions we ask him. Knowing where to go when asking for milk, running to his change table when we say it's time to change his diaper, and yes, crying or pitching a small fit when we deny him something he wants. I know many of my mommy friends said this, but it really is a relief when they finally start to understand you.
His walking is also less weebly wobbly and more steady steps.
He has taken to feeding himself. Sure, he would do this before with finger foods, but now he refuses help in spooning peas, cereal, soup or anything from a bowl. He must do it himself and whines if my fingers near his utensils.
And the best part of all, he's starting saying Mama. Not indiscriminately, but purposefully when he wants my attention or just a snuggle.
I caught myself looking back at photos from his first few days with us, growing slightly nostalgic for the tiny baby boy I held. Next thing I knew, Lucas had walked up to me and wrapped himself around my leg - and I was thankful for the little boy who now can hug me back.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Myth of Daycare Germs
I've got strep throat for the third time since Lucas started daycare and I returned to work.
Everyone warned us. Once Lucas was in daycare, we were going to be the sickest we have ever been - exposed to a whole host of germs.
There is a problem with this theory. My husband hasn't been sick once since Lucas started daycare. Every once in a while he's a little tired or achy, but he hasn't had to stay home from work.
Meanwhile, I'm on my third bout of strep, with a few cough/cold symptoms thrown in here or there for good measure. This is making me think that daycare is getting a bad rap.
I realized that I been in a cocoon for a year, spending most of my time with Lucas or my husband, with various infrequent visits with friends and family. But now I have returned to a hot bed of germs - the workplace. After working non-stop for almost 10 years, I regularly had fought off illnesses, but the year of maternity leave took me out of the circuit. All of a sudden, I'm back at square one.
Something to think about when blaming daycare for bringing home sickness - it's likely the person in the office next door that's to blame. I shake my fist at you!
Everyone warned us. Once Lucas was in daycare, we were going to be the sickest we have ever been - exposed to a whole host of germs.
There is a problem with this theory. My husband hasn't been sick once since Lucas started daycare. Every once in a while he's a little tired or achy, but he hasn't had to stay home from work.
Meanwhile, I'm on my third bout of strep, with a few cough/cold symptoms thrown in here or there for good measure. This is making me think that daycare is getting a bad rap.
I realized that I been in a cocoon for a year, spending most of my time with Lucas or my husband, with various infrequent visits with friends and family. But now I have returned to a hot bed of germs - the workplace. After working non-stop for almost 10 years, I regularly had fought off illnesses, but the year of maternity leave took me out of the circuit. All of a sudden, I'm back at square one.
Something to think about when blaming daycare for bringing home sickness - it's likely the person in the office next door that's to blame. I shake my fist at you!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Weebly Walker
It's been weeks since I posted - with good reason.
Lucas has started walking and for all the parents that read this blog, you'll know that means that I've started running.
New things are within reach. A new level of baby proofing, or should I say toddler proofing has begun. I can no longer safely type while he plays a few feet away.
He's also stronger, being able to lift items that should remain on the ground. Lucas is like He-Man. I just realized he won't know who He-Man is.
When he strings a series of steps together, tears come to my eyes. Tears of joy for the newest accomplishment and tears of sadness for my boy who is growing up. I realize that he isn't the baby I could snuggle in the crook of my arm, he's a big boy who walks and feeds himself. With a fork and spoon.
But he hasn't outgrown everything. He still likes his special good night song with a cuddle from Mommy. And hopefully that won't change anytime soon.
Lucas has started walking and for all the parents that read this blog, you'll know that means that I've started running.
New things are within reach. A new level of baby proofing, or should I say toddler proofing has begun. I can no longer safely type while he plays a few feet away.
He's also stronger, being able to lift items that should remain on the ground. Lucas is like He-Man. I just realized he won't know who He-Man is.
When he strings a series of steps together, tears come to my eyes. Tears of joy for the newest accomplishment and tears of sadness for my boy who is growing up. I realize that he isn't the baby I could snuggle in the crook of my arm, he's a big boy who walks and feeds himself. With a fork and spoon.
But he hasn't outgrown everything. He still likes his special good night song with a cuddle from Mommy. And hopefully that won't change anytime soon.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Date Night
Before Lucas was born, my husband and I would reserve Fridays as date night. We would either go out for dinner or order in (so no cooking!) and spend the time catching up on work or discussing things in our life together.
Once Lucas was born, date night all but disappeared. Sure, we still ordered in on Fridays, but that was usually followed by an early bedtime due to our baby wake-up calls. In the craziness of being parents, we lost sight of being a couple.
So this past Saturday, we had a date. Lucas' uncle came over to hold down the home front while the little man slept and we slipped out for a meal and a night of fun. It was dinner and a show at Memories of Japan - the show being the Teppanyaki chef. Then off to Cosmic Bowling where my DH had a turkey (three strikes in a row!).
It was amazing to get out of the house without a child on the hip and re-connect as adults, not parents. Now we just need to make sure it happens regularly.
Once Lucas was born, date night all but disappeared. Sure, we still ordered in on Fridays, but that was usually followed by an early bedtime due to our baby wake-up calls. In the craziness of being parents, we lost sight of being a couple.
So this past Saturday, we had a date. Lucas' uncle came over to hold down the home front while the little man slept and we slipped out for a meal and a night of fun. It was dinner and a show at Memories of Japan - the show being the Teppanyaki chef. Then off to Cosmic Bowling where my DH had a turkey (three strikes in a row!).
It was amazing to get out of the house without a child on the hip and re-connect as adults, not parents. Now we just need to make sure it happens regularly.
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