First of all, I must apologize for the lack of blogging lately. Has it been a month already?!! That's September for you, once you have someone in school. We've really kicked it up a notch in our business, too. But there's no excuses! I know that if I'm really serious about creating a blog that's worth coming to, I need to be more regular. I'm also hoping to make it a little less bland in appearance. If you have any feedback as to what would make this more interesting to you, please leave a comment or email me.
I've been reading a book from the library called "Babies Need Books" by Dorothy Butler. I'm finding it to be an excellent resource. Although the cover would suggest an outdatedness, the information inside is timeless. Basically, the author talks a little about why books are important for children from early on (if you haven't started yet, don't worry though!) and then she basically goes year by year talking about the different developmental stages and all the best books that are suitable for that stage.
What I love about this book is that I can take one of my kids' ages, look at her list, search for them at the library, and request them. This has a couple of benefits: I can just pick them up when they're in (either by myself or as part of a trip to the library with the kids), we get great books guaranteed, and we get access to books that aren't actually at our library.
I tried some from her 3-4 Book List. We discovered a new favorite author: Shirley Hughes. She's British, so there's some new vocabulary, but she has a fantastic understanding of children and ordinary family life. We enjoyed "Lucy and Tom's 123 and ABC", Alfie Wins a Prize, Annie Rose is my Little Sister, Ruby and the Parcel Bear, and Alfie's World among others. One of the funnest discoveries for my daughter and I was a collection of poems for Children gathered by Jill Bennett, called "A Cup of Starshine". We now have five or six poems we can say from memory together. Here's the craziest one:
No Harm Done
As I went out
the other day
My head fell off
and rolled away.
But when I noticed
it was gone,
I picked it up
and put it on.
Here's another one:
The Elephant
The elephant goes
Like this and that
He's terribly big
And terribly fat.
He has no fingers
He has no toes
But goodness gracious
What a nose!
I think my daughter will be an actress someday!
Some other books that I recommend: "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak...a classic that seems just perfect for little boys. While I'm talking about boys, mine have loved Byron Barton books as toddlers and now as early readers. Our favorites are "Machines at Work" and "My Car". The pictures are bold and bright and there is one or two phrases per page...perfect for short attention spans. We have read them over and over. He also retells the Three Bears (and Goldilocks), has a book on being an astronaut, and a cute story about the "Wee Little Woman".
By the way, when you're searching for books, it seems to work best to search by author and sort by Title. If you've never requested books or used the website before, Winnipeg Library can be found here. Go to the first menu called "Find Books & More" and choose "Search Catalogue". Once you've found a book you want, you can "Add to my List" (which you can access later at the top of the page) or you can request it right away. When requesting, make sure you change the library to your branch so that you don't have to go the Millenium Library to pick it up (unless that's your favorite one). You'll need your library card to make any requests.
Happy reading! And if you or your baby just aren't ready to get into reading together, don't worry about it. My third took a lot longer than my others, but he's now hooked, too! If you're the one having trouble wrapping your mind around a visit to the library, maybe requests by computer will be your new favorite way. The only thing to keep in mind is that you will get a couple of phone calls likely, telling you when the books have arrived. You have one week to pick them up or you get charged $1.15 per book. Other than that, it really can simplify life. And that's always a good thing.
Tuesday
Off to School!
Tomorrow is my eldest son's first day of grade one. We went to visit his teacher today and she asked (along with his old kindergarten teacher) how I was feeling about it. The truth was, I haven't even thought of that yet. The biggest thing on my mind was how we were going to give him enough time to keep our relationship strong in just the after-school and week-end hours. I haven't even contemplated missing him! I guess the two others at home and our business will keep me more than busy...but still I wonder how I'll feel in two weeks.
It was six years ago when I was in the throes of early motherhood for the very first time. And our first gave us quite an initiation. This boy was like a bright light that never quite completely turned off. Sleep deprivation was normal for a veerrrrrryyyy long time. Actually, we're just starting to come out of it...I think. He wouldn't accept anything but us for his soothing (and to be honest that's the way we wanted it...most of the time). He's still very good at getting what he needs...and if tonight was any indication, he still doesn't like to shut off easily. But he's a keen student and a bright kid. We love him and will look forward to his return at 3:12 every afternoon.
I'm contemplating starting to bake my own cookies now that I have a child in school full-time. Something about fresh-baked cookies after school that just makes you feel loved. Well, we'll see how often that happens, but it's worth a try, right? It would give me something to do with my little girl when her little brother is sleeping (and I'm not catching up on sleep or working on the computer!)
Happy mothering! The years fly by too quickly.
P.S. If you want to find one way to commemorate that special bond with your kids and support a mompreneurial business, I encourage you to read the Free Press article in today's paper on Enamoured Heart owner, Lori Bettig. She actually came in for a newborn session with her youngest, when we were still a home-based business.
It was six years ago when I was in the throes of early motherhood for the very first time. And our first gave us quite an initiation. This boy was like a bright light that never quite completely turned off. Sleep deprivation was normal for a veerrrrrryyyy long time. Actually, we're just starting to come out of it...I think. He wouldn't accept anything but us for his soothing (and to be honest that's the way we wanted it...most of the time). He's still very good at getting what he needs...and if tonight was any indication, he still doesn't like to shut off easily. But he's a keen student and a bright kid. We love him and will look forward to his return at 3:12 every afternoon.
I'm contemplating starting to bake my own cookies now that I have a child in school full-time. Something about fresh-baked cookies after school that just makes you feel loved. Well, we'll see how often that happens, but it's worth a try, right? It would give me something to do with my little girl when her little brother is sleeping (and I'm not catching up on sleep or working on the computer!)
Happy mothering! The years fly by too quickly.
P.S. If you want to find one way to commemorate that special bond with your kids and support a mompreneurial business, I encourage you to read the Free Press article in today's paper on Enamoured Heart owner, Lori Bettig. She actually came in for a newborn session with her youngest, when we were still a home-based business.
Thursday
Thankful
We are extremely thankful to God in the Braun household today. As Rod was headed down Main Street on his way to a meeting this morning, a man accidentally ran a red light at Logan and broad-sided our van on the passenger side with such force that the van was tipped onto its side. Many thoughts raced through Rod's mind as he was skidding along down Main, face inches from the pavement with his window open.
Construction workers came to rescue him immediately. An off-duty police officer quickly assessed the situation and told Rod he was concerned about fluid leaks and getting him out as soon as possible. A bunch of guys got the van back on its wheels and Rod was able to get out. Miraculously, he has the mildest of skin abrasions on his cheek and chin (not even really visible) and a tiny cut on his forehead (from a shard of glass I assume). There were some glass shards in his shoe. Of course, his left shoulder and hip are getting increasingly sore and stiff. But it could easily have been so much worse. The car following him ended up somehow in between both vehicles with minor scratches. Also a miracle. The driver of the other car is also "okay". Rod had a chance to talk to him...a very nice guy who just happened to miss the light change as he was adjusting his sun visor. Traffic was blocked off for a four-block radius for about an hour.
So many phone calls today already. We will be replacing three car seats (as a precaution) and looking for a new vehicle. Rod just went to pick up a rental and will be heading to the chiropractor after that. Lots of decisions and uncertainties ahead, but we are so grateful that Rod's life was preserved and that no major injuries were sustained. The accident will probably be in the news...lots of cameras and reporters. I don't even know if I want to see the aftermath.
Life is precious. It is good to be reminded of the fragility of life. Each day we have with those we love is a gift. So enjoy today. Give your babies and your honey a hug. And be thankful. I sure am.
Construction workers came to rescue him immediately. An off-duty police officer quickly assessed the situation and told Rod he was concerned about fluid leaks and getting him out as soon as possible. A bunch of guys got the van back on its wheels and Rod was able to get out. Miraculously, he has the mildest of skin abrasions on his cheek and chin (not even really visible) and a tiny cut on his forehead (from a shard of glass I assume). There were some glass shards in his shoe. Of course, his left shoulder and hip are getting increasingly sore and stiff. But it could easily have been so much worse. The car following him ended up somehow in between both vehicles with minor scratches. Also a miracle. The driver of the other car is also "okay". Rod had a chance to talk to him...a very nice guy who just happened to miss the light change as he was adjusting his sun visor. Traffic was blocked off for a four-block radius for about an hour.
So many phone calls today already. We will be replacing three car seats (as a precaution) and looking for a new vehicle. Rod just went to pick up a rental and will be heading to the chiropractor after that. Lots of decisions and uncertainties ahead, but we are so grateful that Rod's life was preserved and that no major injuries were sustained. The accident will probably be in the news...lots of cameras and reporters. I don't even know if I want to see the aftermath.
Life is precious. It is good to be reminded of the fragility of life. Each day we have with those we love is a gift. So enjoy today. Give your babies and your honey a hug. And be thankful. I sure am.
Wednesday
Amazing family
I recently had the pleasure of photographing a client who is an acquaintance and his new family. Colin was such a proud daddy and looking at his beautiful wife and amazingly good looking child no wonder he was proud. I don't know that I can ever really express how much of an honour it is to be a part of photographing a child for the very first photoshoot of his/her life, and this session was no different.
Thank you Colin & Jeannette for involving me in your special occasion.
Friday
Grocery Shopping Turned Disaster
It's good to laugh at what could otherwise make us cry. Here is the story of my shopping trip with my youngest today.
Oh my goodness! Grocery shopping over the lunch hour turned into disaster today. Thankfully, I only had J2 with me. Even so, I had my hands full.
It started out with me getting distracted by school supplies and other such sundries. I kicked it up a notch when I remembered that I had a lot of groceries to pick up and another stop after that.
J2 did really well for the most part at Superstore. We had the chips, the canned goods, the cereal, the cookies (in hand and mouth, of course), the milk, the fruits and veggies, and then it started to get interesting.
J2 started standing up in the bulk section. I would temporarily acquiesce him with a hug and some extra attention and ply him to sit down again. After the bread, we backtracked for pizza and chicken. (Oops, never did pick up the bacon!) The standing up was becoming more frequent.
Finally we were at the check-out (not without dropping my list and retracing some steps first), and for the second time in two weeks, had a delightful soul take an interest in J2 and even give me a hand with a couple things. The drinking box had just come out and this early 40's mom discussed the flavor of the juice with J2 and the benefits of using the straw, and then congratulated him on getting the straw back in the hole. She even offered to put the out-of-reach chicken onto the conveyor after I pulled the cart too far in to get at it.
I was throwing things on the counter, checking on J2, trying to start bagging and boxing things, coming back to pay, trying to keep him from pressing the buttons, realizing I'd forgotten to ask for a subtotal after the bar, and having to re-swipe my card and enter my pin and keep little man out of the interac machine yet again in order to pay for the household and kids' items.
By this time it was 1:00. Neither of us had eaten lunch and it was already nap-time. We drove to IGA. The van was sauna-like.
I knew there was no way I could persuade J2 to sit in a cart again--he wouldn't even be carried into the store--so I did the unthinkable. I took a tired, hungry 19-month-old boy into a grocery store and let him run.
At first, he was enamoured with his very own basket. But that didn't last long when tantalizing plums and pears were within reach. There's a real problem when produce shopping with a toddler who is not contained. You need two hands for picking and bagging and you can't hold your baskets much less your escapee's hand. I managed to pick up five pears before we moved on.
Waiting at the deli seemed absurdly impossible at the time, so off we went in search of other meat. "Hmm, what's the price on this roast...come back here big guy...sirloin tip...why not....ah, J--, oh, it's bloody on the bottom---what the hey--we gotta go! This way, J--, over to the farmer sausage. Okay. Ah--wait for me!"
Back to the deli and produce. By this time, he's really getting out-of-sorts: sitting down, throwing himself down and oops, his pants are down! I had already tried to hike up his shorts and super-saturated diaper several time as he was developing severe plumber's butt. But in the chase to the deli, his bottoms had worked themselves to his ankles. I checked to see whether anyone had noticed. No one seemed to be smirking, so I breathed a sigh of relief, undid the diaper and tried to fasten it more securely.
Then I tried to explain how much shaved corned beef I needed to an 18-year-old male while I intermittently chased and scooped up my little protester. I managed to pick up a bag of apples after that--how, I don't know. Then, it was a basket in each hand working as little tugboats trying to steer an unwieldy ship to harbour--the cashier.
Oh, oh...total meltdown. His shrieks had already garnered the disturbed gazes of several, but here was a little 75-year-old woman giving us the evil eye. I grab him off the floor, pull a burnt almond dark chocolate number off the shelf and rip off the wrapper in desperation, all the while explaining he's tired and hungry and hoping I don't look like I make a habit of bribing my children with sugary treats.
The wrapper is off and we split it 50/50. I need this chocolate every bit as much as he does. We each take a big bite and visibly relax as the smooth sweetness soothes and satisfies. We walk down to the express lane, me clutching my purchases and he tightly holding his wrapper in one hand and the melting chocolate in the other. I think mine is already devoured at this point.
I panic momentarily when I see no one at the checkout. Then, I let out a sigh of relief as one of my favorite cashiers, a forty-something Aboriginal woman takes her place at the till. She recounts an equally harrying story of her daughter and grand-daughter going shopping recently. Ah, someone who understands! There is a moment of concern as J2 resists handing over the wrapper to be scanned, but he complies and is quickly given it back.
Groceries are bagged. Card is swiped. J2 takes off for one more mad dash. I find him half-way down one the aisles and snatch up the gleeful little chocolate monster. Thankfully, IGA isn't very busy and no one is breathing down my neck for holding up the line.
Back to the hot van and off to pick up the other two from the studio. As I strap my little charge in, I try to figure out how to minimize the mess. I end up with some of his chocolate in my mouth, bemoan the fact that the other kids are going to feel ripped off with no chocolate for them, and grab a Kleenex to wipe off the thickest chocolate from his little hands.
As I drive off the parking lot, I marvel at what I have just survived and brace myself for the next challenge: unloading, making a late lunch for over-hungry kids, and making it through the afternoon with no naps. I remind myself that I'll have an extra-long evening to myself, and somehow I make it through.
Oh my goodness! Grocery shopping over the lunch hour turned into disaster today. Thankfully, I only had J2 with me. Even so, I had my hands full.
It started out with me getting distracted by school supplies and other such sundries. I kicked it up a notch when I remembered that I had a lot of groceries to pick up and another stop after that.
J2 did really well for the most part at Superstore. We had the chips, the canned goods, the cereal, the cookies (in hand and mouth, of course), the milk, the fruits and veggies, and then it started to get interesting.
J2 started standing up in the bulk section. I would temporarily acquiesce him with a hug and some extra attention and ply him to sit down again. After the bread, we backtracked for pizza and chicken. (Oops, never did pick up the bacon!) The standing up was becoming more frequent.
Finally we were at the check-out (not without dropping my list and retracing some steps first), and for the second time in two weeks, had a delightful soul take an interest in J2 and even give me a hand with a couple things. The drinking box had just come out and this early 40's mom discussed the flavor of the juice with J2 and the benefits of using the straw, and then congratulated him on getting the straw back in the hole. She even offered to put the out-of-reach chicken onto the conveyor after I pulled the cart too far in to get at it.
I was throwing things on the counter, checking on J2, trying to start bagging and boxing things, coming back to pay, trying to keep him from pressing the buttons, realizing I'd forgotten to ask for a subtotal after the bar, and having to re-swipe my card and enter my pin and keep little man out of the interac machine yet again in order to pay for the household and kids' items.
By this time it was 1:00. Neither of us had eaten lunch and it was already nap-time. We drove to IGA. The van was sauna-like.
I knew there was no way I could persuade J2 to sit in a cart again--he wouldn't even be carried into the store--so I did the unthinkable. I took a tired, hungry 19-month-old boy into a grocery store and let him run.
At first, he was enamoured with his very own basket. But that didn't last long when tantalizing plums and pears were within reach. There's a real problem when produce shopping with a toddler who is not contained. You need two hands for picking and bagging and you can't hold your baskets much less your escapee's hand. I managed to pick up five pears before we moved on.
Waiting at the deli seemed absurdly impossible at the time, so off we went in search of other meat. "Hmm, what's the price on this roast...come back here big guy...sirloin tip...why not....ah, J--, oh, it's bloody on the bottom---what the hey--we gotta go! This way, J--, over to the farmer sausage. Okay. Ah--wait for me!"
Back to the deli and produce. By this time, he's really getting out-of-sorts: sitting down, throwing himself down and oops, his pants are down! I had already tried to hike up his shorts and super-saturated diaper several time as he was developing severe plumber's butt. But in the chase to the deli, his bottoms had worked themselves to his ankles. I checked to see whether anyone had noticed. No one seemed to be smirking, so I breathed a sigh of relief, undid the diaper and tried to fasten it more securely.
Then I tried to explain how much shaved corned beef I needed to an 18-year-old male while I intermittently chased and scooped up my little protester. I managed to pick up a bag of apples after that--how, I don't know. Then, it was a basket in each hand working as little tugboats trying to steer an unwieldy ship to harbour--the cashier.
Oh, oh...total meltdown. His shrieks had already garnered the disturbed gazes of several, but here was a little 75-year-old woman giving us the evil eye. I grab him off the floor, pull a burnt almond dark chocolate number off the shelf and rip off the wrapper in desperation, all the while explaining he's tired and hungry and hoping I don't look like I make a habit of bribing my children with sugary treats.
The wrapper is off and we split it 50/50. I need this chocolate every bit as much as he does. We each take a big bite and visibly relax as the smooth sweetness soothes and satisfies. We walk down to the express lane, me clutching my purchases and he tightly holding his wrapper in one hand and the melting chocolate in the other. I think mine is already devoured at this point.
I panic momentarily when I see no one at the checkout. Then, I let out a sigh of relief as one of my favorite cashiers, a forty-something Aboriginal woman takes her place at the till. She recounts an equally harrying story of her daughter and grand-daughter going shopping recently. Ah, someone who understands! There is a moment of concern as J2 resists handing over the wrapper to be scanned, but he complies and is quickly given it back.
Groceries are bagged. Card is swiped. J2 takes off for one more mad dash. I find him half-way down one the aisles and snatch up the gleeful little chocolate monster. Thankfully, IGA isn't very busy and no one is breathing down my neck for holding up the line.
Back to the hot van and off to pick up the other two from the studio. As I strap my little charge in, I try to figure out how to minimize the mess. I end up with some of his chocolate in my mouth, bemoan the fact that the other kids are going to feel ripped off with no chocolate for them, and grab a Kleenex to wipe off the thickest chocolate from his little hands.
As I drive off the parking lot, I marvel at what I have just survived and brace myself for the next challenge: unloading, making a late lunch for over-hungry kids, and making it through the afternoon with no naps. I remind myself that I'll have an extra-long evening to myself, and somehow I make it through.
Monday
Another easy crockpot recipe...
Here's a recipe that calls forth images of summer:
Lemonade Chicken (from flylady.net if I remember right)
9 chicken thighs without skin (half of a club pack I think)
1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 can or so of frozen concentrate lemonade
Brown chicken in oil (you can dredge in flour and 1 tsp. salt if you like first). Put chicken in crockpot. Mix lemonade, brown sugar, vinegar (use regular vinegar if you prefer) and ketchup and pour over chicken. Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or low 6-8). When ready to serve, remove chicken to (warm) platter and thicken sauce with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water (I skip this part), and serve along with chicken. This is EXCELLENT and quick and easy.
Serves 2 adults and three small children fairly well unless one adult has a larger appetite/does hard labour etc.
Notes:
I make it with brown rice and peas. You can make the rice any time during the day and reheat it for supper.
I've also used bone-in thighs. You can use any chicken pieces really. I used to only buy chicken breasts, but now that I know a few good recipes for thighs, I rarely buy them. Usually quite a bit cheaper.
Quick salad idea:
coleslaw from a bag (Dole colourful is one)
sliced apples (well, diced almost)
creamy poppyseed dressing
Rodney updated the EveBaby.ca site recently...check it out!
Lemonade Chicken (from flylady.net if I remember right)
9 chicken thighs without skin (half of a club pack I think)
1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 can or so of frozen concentrate lemonade
Brown chicken in oil (you can dredge in flour and 1 tsp. salt if you like first). Put chicken in crockpot. Mix lemonade, brown sugar, vinegar (use regular vinegar if you prefer) and ketchup and pour over chicken. Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or low 6-8). When ready to serve, remove chicken to (warm) platter and thicken sauce with 2 Tbsp. cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water (I skip this part), and serve along with chicken. This is EXCELLENT and quick and easy.
Serves 2 adults and three small children fairly well unless one adult has a larger appetite/does hard labour etc.
Notes:
I make it with brown rice and peas. You can make the rice any time during the day and reheat it for supper.
I've also used bone-in thighs. You can use any chicken pieces really. I used to only buy chicken breasts, but now that I know a few good recipes for thighs, I rarely buy them. Usually quite a bit cheaper.
Quick salad idea:
coleslaw from a bag (Dole colourful is one)
sliced apples (well, diced almost)
creamy poppyseed dressing
Rodney updated the EveBaby.ca site recently...check it out!
Wednesday
Great Stain Remover
Just a quick post to say we're back in the province and to let you know of a stain remover especially made for the "biological" stains of babyhood. It's OxiClean Baby, in a clear blue spray bottle, available at Superstore and other places I'm sure. Fragrance free, dye free and chlorine free.
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