More Photos from the 6th Month Shoot

I thought I might post a couple more photos from our September - 6 Month photo shoot with Marijanel Knight. Click here for her personal website!

In just 4 days I'll be doing Monster's 7th Month Photo Shoot! I can't believe I have an almost 7 month old!

My cute, cute boy sitting in the Corn Field!

Little Smiles!

Here we're trying desperately to get him to laugh! Silly Boy!

YAY Cuteness! :)

Checking out Cloth Diapers!

Earlier this evening I blogged about considering transitioning Monster to cloth diapers, ultimately becoming a greener, more cost effective parent!

Today I decided to put on my green-mommy-big-girl-panties and head down to our local "Green Mommy" store Nurtured By Nature to check out their selection of cloth diapers and cloth diaper inserts. Don't get me confused with someone who actually knows anything about cloth diapers, because I most certainly don't. I'd probably need a demo DVD to actually teach me how to put one on properly.

One in particular caught my eye because of it's price. I am cheap, therefore color, texture and costs are usually the first things I notice about anything clothing related. This particular cloth diaper, plus two cloth inserts was cheaper then another brand's cloth diaper (no inserts included). The Bamboo Minky All-in-One Cloth Diaper. Holy Hannah was that the softest thing I've ever laid my fingers on! At 15.50 per diaper with 2 inserts I could afford a few per shot.

Is it terribly sad that I am actually excited for this new cloth diapering adventure? That is when I finally decide to take the plunge and buy some! :)

Considering Cloth Diapering!

During my pregnancy and when Monster was in early infancy my thoughts on cloth diapering were something along the lines of: You must be nuts.

I will admit I was not open minded to learning about them, and really thought they were too much extra work to even consider. That was until my dear friend Enyo decided to bombard (I say this in the best way possible!) whattoexpect.com with blogs about the sheer awesomeness of cloth diapers/diapering. She has admitted that she is somewhat obsessed!

Please visit her blog directly here
and become a fan on Facebook here

Lately I've been considering transitioning Monster to cloth diapers part-time. I don't have the extra money to purchase a whole bunch of different kinds of cloth diapers, especially if I'm not completely sold on whether I can handle the extra work and laundry. I was thinking I'd buy two cloth diapers and slowly build up my stock of diapers and inserts as I learn which brands I love.

The plan would be to eventually have a full stock of cloth diapers and inserts that I adore, be a cloth diapering pro and happy with becoming more green by the time my second child rolls around. That way with my second (and third..?) child can be a 95% cloth diaper child. I just can't deny how cost effective cloth diapering will be, next task: Getting Hubbs and the rest of my family as enthusiastic about learning how to use them!

Halloween Costume Super Find!

I am so grateful I listened to Hubbs when he said we should hold out on ordering the Dalmatian Halloween costume from OldNavy.ca.

Not that the Old Navy Dalmatian costume wasn't adorable (click here to view) but when we were looking at ordering it not even a week ago it was 26.50 plus taxes and shipping. I couldn't see spending that much on a Infant Halloween costume that Monster will wear twice in a two week time period. However, I was going to make an exception if that was the only Dalmatian costume that I could find.

Today, not even thinking about Halloween costume shopping my mom and I headed downtown with the intention to browse some local stores. Along the way, on a whim, she suggested we head to one of our town's thrift stores. At risk of sounding like a terrible person, I'm going to be honest in saying that it's not my favorite place to be. The lack of pricing, organization and friendly volunteers makes me itch.

The first thing I saw when I walked in the door was the rack of children's Halloween Costumes. My eyes hit something white with black spots.. So I literally ran to the rack. A Dalmatian Halloween Costume in Monsters size! I found the perfect costume, in perfect condition, for TWO DOLLARS!

I should have bought a lottery ticket, because that was unbelievably random, amazing luck! Mission complete! Now onto my costumes finishing touches...

Ugh! Sick Baby!

Well, my fear was realized not too long after writing my blog (Signs of an Infant Cold) blog about Monsters infant congestion!

All and all it hasn't been terrible during the day. He's pretty much his usual happy, awesome self except for random sneezing, coughing and snot bubbles. Yes, I love my Monster enough not to be grossed out when he wipes his snotty nose on my shirt shoulder. Some ways we've kept the symptoms at bay during the day are;

1. Hanging out in the bathroom while a hot, steamy shower is running

2. Vicks VapoRub for Babies on his chest and back

3. Saline Rinse up the nose, followed by a nasal syringe

4. A lot of time bouncing out his snot in his exersaucer

At night though, it's a whole different ball game. It doesn't matter what, or how much we do to help our Monster, he is still crazy congested! On average for the last two nights he's woken up at least 3 times which completely unusual for my Monster, who normally doesn't wake up once. Hubbs has been on compressed shift for the last two nights so it's just been my pug and I in our king sized bed... I haven't been hesitant at bringing Monster to bed with me after his 3rd time waking up during the night.

It's amazing how the best medicine for a sick infant is sleep, but night time is when the cold is unbearable enough to force them awake.

Signs of Infant Cold!

Uh-oh! It sounds like the first signs of an infant cold!

My mind is frantic, my heart is racing and my Monster is sputtering! He woke up two hours after falling asleep for the night doing his little "fake" cough. The cough he does, staring straight at you trying to get your attention. I heard it over the baby monitor and rolled my eyes.

My first thoughts were funny until he coughed a few more times in a continuous stream, and then started crying. When I went into his room and picked him up his breathing was congested and I was instantly sad, crazy and disappointed all at once.

I take pride in having a "Healthy as an ox!" baby. Monster has yet to be attacked by the dreadful infant cold. Perhaps he's fine and I'm overreacting but it's what I do, I'm dramatic.

Only time will tell and in the mean time I will just replay everyone he came into close contact with in the last week so that I can send bad karma vibes their way!!


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Thinking Thanksgiving

Our second fall family tradition is just a round the corner, Thanksgiving!

A typical Thanksgiving is usually a Sunday Turkey meal at my in laws. It's crammed full of food, people and love. With a family of 15 there is rarely enough stuffing to go around, but no one notices because were usually too busy joking and laughing.

Hubbs and I usually get two Thanksgivings though! A tradition that will continue for our family of 3 until we move into our much larger forever-dream-home. When that happens I plan to be hosting every single holiday meal, and just handing out open invites to each family member.

My mom does Thanksgiving Supper around everyones work schedule because our family is much smaller (a mere 7, 2 of those are new this year!). It's usually the Saturday or Monday.

I guess you can call this Thanksgiving tradition a temp-tradition for Monster. Especially because we're not even sure if Hubbs will be participating due to his crappy work schedule this month!



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Warning: Complaint Enclosed!

I am so grateful that Hubbs has a secure job that provides our family with a home and food in our bellies...

Having said that, I am displeased with the various scheduling issues we've faced in the last year. Since Hubbs is a responsible, loyal employee the company paid for him to receive his Level 3 First Aid certification, and paid for his two weeks off to receive the education. It's great! I love that he has the ability to respond in an emergency at home or on the job, and the pay increase when he is the lead attendant on shift isn't terrible either.

I do not love that his schedule gets flip flopped according to when and what shift he is needed. For the next 4 weeks Hubbs will be stuck working the compressed shift. Essentially it's three 10 hour shifts in the span of 48 hours.

Not only is that difficult physically and emotionally by he'll need a couple days of recovery after it's finally finished.

It doesn't seem right to complain, because in the end Monster and I will get more time with Hubbs at home but as his wife it's my duty to complain on his behalf. Bah!




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Oh My Crawling -- Photos!

Last night I blogged about how Monster had mastered balancing in the CRAWLING position. See that post here : Oh My Crawling!

In the meantime, please enjoy some photos of the epic event!
Note: He is not wearing pants because we have laminate flooring and it's pretty slippery when you have pants'd knees.

Wish me luck! Now the fun really starts! ;)

How to Play with your Baby!

Finding new things to do with an almost seven month old can be tricky, which is why I'm glad I have a monthly subscription the Today's Parent magazine!

This months magazine had a great article called "How to Play with your Baby". The article finds fun in simplicity. Really, babies don't need hundreds of toys surrounding them, because a large wooden spoon from your kitchen drawer will be much more entertaining to them anyways.

A baby will learn just as much from play and parental interaction as they will from an expensive "learning" toy. A couple suggestions from the article are:

Splish Splash! Supervised messy play time with water! The article suggests spreading a plastic table cloth out on your floor and letting your baby play with various sponges, spoons, cups and water safe toys. It suggests a shallow pan that isn't easily tipped. Maybe not the best suggestion for clean freaks or the busy parent who don't have time to supervise.

Shake, Rattle and Roll! Fill empty clear plastic eater bottles with fun unusual items! Rice, buttons, jello, or soapy water! Just make sure the lids are tightly secured with packing tape to prevent crafty chewers!

Finally, the most fun especially before bath time! High (chair) Art! My suggestion would be to strip your little one down to their diap, feed them their supper and then let them play! Homemade finger paint, play dough, thick pudding or jello -- things that are safe to ingest if they put their fingers in their mouth.

Those are my favorite ideas, which Monster and I shall be trying soon! Click HERE for the whole Today's Parent article!


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Oh My Crawling!

Just when I gave up on the idea of Monster starting to crawl....

Ok, I hadn't given up on it ever happening but I had given up on thinking he might hit that milestone earlier then average babies. I don't want to gloat but he's hit most of his milestones early or exactly on time... He is a genius. :)

Today Monster and I were diligently practicing his crawling by lying on the floor playing with his toys on our tummies. My evil mommy plan was to lie facing him with his toys just out of his reach. My plan failed because Monster didn't pay any attention to his toys, he was totally entranced by our pug pet LOLA.

That's when my plan changed. I decided to just put him on his hands and knees and see how'd he do. Well, all our practicing paid off because it worked!!

No, Monster didn't take his first crawling "steps" but he did balance on his hands and knees for a couple minutes! He balanced long enough for me to let go of him, run for the camera, and snap a few pictures of his glory!

Once he lost interest he pushed forward with his legs and ultimately fell onto his tummy again. It's his first step to independence, maybe crawling isn't that far off!

I better get serious about this baby proofing business!



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Halloween Fun!

I am ecstatic that Halloween, my favorite holiday, is just around the corner! Add to that the fact that it's Monsters first!

We decided a couple if months ago (yes, I plan that far in advance) that I'd be going as Cruella and Monster would be my Dalmatian but that hasn't stopped us from trying on other costumes!




That is Monster as a Polar Bear! He looks concerned because there is a scary decoration in front of him. Poor little man!




Auntie TG got Monster to model some devil horns!




Finally these are just some awesome glasses our old waitress brought for him at a restaurant.

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