Fabulous Finds

I receive daily emails from Daily Candy (http://www.dailycandy.com/all-cities/) that gives me up-to-date information on what is going on in fashion, beauty, travel, food, kid-related things, and anything fun! If you don't already subscribe to Daily Candy, I highly recommend that you check it out and sign up for the updates.

Recently, they highlighted a product called the Ouch Pouch in an article regarding First Aid Essentials for Kids (http://www.dailycandy.com/kids/online/article/84800/First-Aid-Essentials-to-the-Rescue). It was a pretty timely article since I was thinking that I should put together a small first aid kit for Arabella's diaper bag for when we go to the park and pool. So I had to check the Ouch Pouch out. And as soon as I saw the patterns and the price, I knew I had to have one (or two). The Ouch Pouch is an Eco Friendly -Reusable First Aid Pouch with an Easy-to-View clear front pocket for your first aid essentials. What makes the Ouch Pouch great is that it is available in 4 different sizes and comes in a variety of patterns. The clear front pocket makes it easy to see exactly what you are looking for which is crucial for when you have a screaming toddler with a boo boo! I also liked the price, they start at $5.95 and shipping was reasonable ($2.00 to Canada and I received my Ouch Pouches in less than 10 days).





I was so excited that the 5 x 7 Ouch Pouch that I purchased holds everything that I need and still has some room left.



It also fits perfectly in both of my Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper bags. And I was very happy since I have been carrying my Cross Town Clutch in stead of the Boxy Backpack since I don't have to carry as much with me anymore. It takes up hardly any room in the clutch and I still have room for the essentials of diapers and snacks!



I am thinking of ordering a the largest size for when we go on our cruise later this year since I need to bring a few other first aid supplies that I normally would carry with me in the diaper bag. So if you are looking for something to hold first aid essentials, head on over to the Ouch Pouch Boutique on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop/PillowSewCute

Nap Time

This afternoon, at the end of my workout, Arabella woke up from her nap early and she was crying and upset. Jay ended up getting to her first so he decided to lay down with her to see if she would go back to sleep. And sure enough she did. When I came upstairs this is what I saw in our room



And it brought back memories of some pictures that I took of Jay and Arabella when she was just a few months old.

Can't A Girl Get Some Greek Yogurt, Part 2

You may remember my post from March and my inability to find Greek yogurt in Montreal, , well, that has changed. The Greek Yogurt Gods have granted my wish and I can now find it at Loblaws! I thought I was seeing things when I saw it advertised in the flyer last week. Jay even commented on it, so when he said something I knew it must be true. When Arabella and I went shopping Monday morning I was all excited and couldn't wait to pick some up...but when we got to where it should have been on the shelf, it was empty. Bummer, I was disappointed since I had been looking forward to the creamy and tart flavor. So I asked if they had any in back...no luck, but they would have some back in stock on Wednesday morning. Fast forward to Wednesday and Arabella and I head to the store when she got up from her nap. As I am pushing the cart down the aisle, I notice that the shelf is still empty. You have got to be kidding me, so again I ask, and when the clerk comes over to me with one container, I let out a little yelp, I was so happy to see the container. Arabella looked at me like I had two heads and said "Mama, Mama" like something was wrong. I think the clerk also looked at me like I was crazy. But he then asked if I wanted another container and I said "Sure" and was super excited then, 2 containers, all to myself (Jay and Arabella are not a fan, and besides, they like the full fat Liberte yogurt)! I think he must have felt sorry for me because he handed me 3 containers instead of 1 so, now I have 4 in the refrigerator. And when I had it yesterday for lunch, I was in heaven. Amazing! Now, it is more expensive than I am used to paying (but then again, what isn't more expensive here???) but I did get it on sale for 2 for $8.00 when it is regularly $4.79 a container! And yes, it might not be "raw" like I have been eating, but there are a few things I am not ready to give up just yet and this is one of them!

Thursday's Thoughts

Hearing: The faint sound of a train and birds singing outside the window.

Tasting: Liberte Greek Yogurt with fresh raspberries! It was the perfect lunch.



Seeing: My newly cleaned and organized office!

Smelling: Freshly laundered sheets and towels.

Feeling: A twinge of sadness that another month of Summer is almost over, how can August start in 2 1/2 days?? But on the upside, I have a lot of fun planned for August - a weekend away for just me, a week in Prince Edward Island and the Maritimes with Jay and Arabella, and my mom is coming to visit!

Session 2 Swim Lessons

Toady was the last day of Session 2 of swim lessons for Arabella. She has done so well over the past 2 1/2 weeks that we are going to try for the next level, Paddlers, again on Monday when Session 3 begins. She has had so much fun in the class and she has loved splashing, kicking and blowing bubbles with the help of her leader, Dominique. Since today was the last day of the class, they focused more on playing games and having fun, even if there was cool breeze blowing. Keep up the great work Arabella!!

Wordless Wednesday

A few of the blogs that I follow have a regular Wednesday posting where they just post a picture and nothing else. I think this a fun idea to get people thinking and to allow a "picture to be worth a 1,000 words" all by itself. So check back on Wednesdays for the wordless posting. Here is the first...

Fabulous Finds

Do you remember the "jelly" shoes of the 80's?? I loved mine and used to wear them out. I was surprised when Arabella and I were in Florida in April and Baby Gap had jelly sandals. They couldn't possibly be making a come back, could they? Since they had rally cute colors and at the time Arabella was about to grow out of all the sandals that she had, I bought her a pair. Not only are they cute and perfect for the beach and pool, but they were reasonably prices ($12.50 or 2 for $18)and they have worn really well. She loves them and wears them with everything! And since she out grew the first pair, we have bought her some more! Don't you just love the perfect summer colors?



Now if only they made them in adult sizes...but no such luck. However, I did find these great sandals when Lori was visiting in July. They come pretty close to jelly sandals since the "thong" is jelly material. They are a perfect shade of pink and I love the medallion in the middle. It also doesn't hurt that they are Coach and they were on sale, you can't beat $39 for a pair of sandals! So here are my cute jelly sandals:

Another Day At The Pool

We are so lucky to belong to a pool club that is so close to our house. We just pack up out pool bag and the stroller and walk on over. It is so nice not to have to load up the car just to get to the pool and back. And, the past few days have be perfect Summer days so we have spent a lot of time at the pool in the morning. Arabella's lessons are going well and she really likes the Leader that she is working with in her class. It is so cute to watch her have so much fun, she is constantly laughing and smiling! After her lessons in the "big, big pool" (what she calls it), we head on over to the baby pool where she can splash and play. Today she tried out her new kick board that we bought for her over the weekend. She picked out the kick board her self, it is pink and is a smaller size, just perfect for her. She had fun today and really loves to swim! And with all the swimming she works up a great appetite for lunch and then takes a great nap in the afternoon, usually 2-3 hours!!

Summer Sunday

Today Arabella had a fun Sunday helping Dad with some projects on my car. First, they washed the car and Arabella had fun playing in the puddles the water made in the driveway. Then, Dad got out his creeper and they checked out what was going on underneath the car. Arabella had a fun time laying on the creeper and getting pushed up and down the driveway on it, she just giggled the whole time and loved it. And before dinner tonight, Arabella supervised while Dad changed the rear brake pads on my car. She also had fun drawing and coloring on the driveway with her chalk and practicing her heading her ball in preparation for potentially playing soccer. (It is nice to know that we are working on making her well rounded - sports, shopping, working on cars!) All in all, it was a fun Sunday.

2 Year Well Baby Visit

Arabella had her 2 year well baby visit today, it was about 2 months overdue, but that is what happens when you can't find a pediatrician that is accepting new patients. (I will save my rant about doctors and the health care system here for another posting.) Her appointment was uneventful except for the screaming and clinging to Jay and I that she did, which was so unlike her, she has never done that before at any doctor's appointment and she wasn't even getting her immunizations (we had already had those done at the CLSC, a clinic that does immunizations). Anyway, she is doing great and everything is on track for her development!! Her head circumference is 50.5 centimeters which is in approximately the 97th percentile, wow! She is 35.5 inches tall (approximately 60th percentile) and she weighs 26.5 pounds (approximately 50th percentile). Way to go Little Bean, you are growing like a weed this Summer!

Thursday's Thoughts

Hearing: The buzz of cicadas and the faint rustle of leaves in the warm Summer breeze.

Tasting: My new summer elixir - seltzer, a splash of Santa Cruz organic lemonade and fresh raspberries.



Seeing: Arabella laugh and giggle while splashing in the pool, it makes my heart and face smile!

Smelling: The faint smell of sunscreen and chlorine on my skin.

Feeling: A sense of accomplishment as I finish another book on my Summer Reading list!

Yummy Dinner!

Arabella loves whole wheat pasta and she loves any type of beans. I try to not give her the same food over and over again, but sometimes she can be picky and will want the same food day in and day out. So that got me to thinking, what could I make that she would love that was different??? I've got it, I will go to an old family stand-by that my Aunt Rose used to make us for dinner. I can still see myself and Mike sitting at the kitchen table in the Beach house eating it for dinner, it was so simple, wholesome and we loved it. Past(a)-n-Beans! So I whipped up a batch and Arabella loves it! Last night she was jumping up and down saying "Pasta, Pasta" - my good little Italian girl!



To make it this yummy meal you need whole wheat elbow pasta, a can of chick peas, a can of tomato sauce, and fresh herbs of your choice. I used garlic, oregano and a little basil. After the pasta is boiled, you mix all of the ingredients together and you are ready to go!

Swim Lessons

We had a little hiccup with Arabella's swim lessons last week. For Session 1, I did a Mom & Tot swim class for her...she was way too advanced for it. Most of the tots in the class were infants and even her instructor said she should be in the Paddler's class based on her ability and age. So when Session 2 started last Monday, she was in a Paddler's class. However, she would not go near the pool or her instructor. Part of the issue was that her instructor was a male and I think she was afraid, even though he did look a little bit like her Uncle Mike. In her defense, the other 2 kids in her class were scared as well. So each day last week, we tried to get her into the pool with the instructor and each time, she hung on to me tighter and kept saying "No, No, No, No John (her instructor's name)" and pull me towards the baby pool. So on Wednesday, I gave up, I didn't want to, but I also didn't want her to be afraid of the water and the pool and I figured we would try again with the Paddler's for Session 3. I am also going to enroll her in classes either at the Y or in Pointe Claire for the Fall. So, imagine my glee, when the swim coordinator at the Club approached me on Wednesday last week to see if Arabella would like to do the Mom & Tot's class with a junior instructor! I was so happy, and Arabella was excited too. She has taken such a liking to Dominique and she loved every minute of the class. It was hard for me at first, letting go of her hand to let her go with someone else especially since she had such a hard time with John, but I knew it would be good for her. Her first class was great, and the next and the next! She is loving the lessons and has a smile on her face the whole time. It is wonderful to be able to watch her as she works on kicking and blowing bubbles. They also sing songs, play some games and jump into the water from the side of the pool. She even enjoyed her class today and she is feeling a little under the weather. Keep up the great work Little Bean!

Mastering The Kick Board

Arabella loves playing with the kick board in the pool. It is so cute to watch her swim around the pool with it. I love how she keeps it under control. Who knows, maybe she will be a swimmer as well as a gymnast!

Farmer's Market

On Saturday, we went to the farmer's market in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. It was not a huge market, but was just the right size and had everything that we were looking for and then some! It was so nice to be able to purchase fresh from the farm fruits, veggies and eggs. Everything tasted wonderful and was not too expensive. We purchased kale, red lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and blueberries. Jay and Arabella shared a fresh baked granola cookie and we also bought some cranberry chocolate bread, boy was it yummy! Jay even decided to try some duck eggs...I was not going to be the adventurous one, but he seemed to like them and said that there really wasn't too much of a difference in taste. They look like regular eggs, just a little bit larger and with a thicker shell. I cooked the potato's for dinner. All I did was cut them up, add some fresh garlic, herbs (from our garden) and a little olive oil and then baked them in the oven until they were a little crispy, Oh So Yummy!! After hitting the farmer's market, we walked along the canal and boardwalk. Arabella had fun checking out the boats that were tied up along the canal and also looking for the trains as the passed overhead. It was a beautiful day, a little warm, but was nice to walk along the canal. The canal links Saint Lawrence River/Lake Saint-Louis and Lake of Two Mountains at the mouth of the Ottawa River. Originally, the canal was an integral part of the Montreal-Ottawa-Kingston inland shipping route from its opening in 1843, however, today it is used mostly by pleasure boaters. It was fun to see how the canal and locks work.



Here is a video of the lock opening...it was really interesting to watch them fill the lock with water and then open the doors to let the boats out. It was also amazing how many boats they actually cram into the locks before they fill it up with water.



After walking along the canal, we had lunch at a little cafe. I had an amazing goat cheese and veggie sandwich, I think it may have been the best sandwich I have ever had. Jay had one with salmon and Arabella had breakfast for lunch...eggs, and she ate them all! After lunch, Arabella had some "cream" what she calls ice cream, she thoroughly enjoyed it!

What I Do All Day

Sometimes I am asked what I do all day now that I stay home with Arabella. It is sometimes hard to put into words and explain what encompasses our day so when I came across this article from Carolyn Hax at The Washington Post I thought I would share it with you. It puts into words what I can't.

Carolyn:
Best friend has child. Her: exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What'd you do today? Her: Park, play group . . .
Okay. I've done Internet searches, I've talked to parents. I don't get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners . . . I do all those things, too, and I don't do them EVERY DAY. I guess what I'm asking is: What is a typical day and why don't moms have time for a call or e-mail? I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events) and I manage to get it all done. I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy -- not a bad thing at all -- but if so, why won't my friend tell me the truth? Is this a peeing contest ("My life is so much harder than yours")? What's the deal? I've got friends with and without kids and all us child-free folks get the same story and have the same questions.

Relax and enjoy. You're funny.
Or you're lying about having friends with kids.
Or you're taking them at their word that they actually have kids, because you haven't personally been in the same room with them.
Internet searches?
I keep wavering between giving you a straight answer and giving my forehead some keyboard. To claim you want to understand, while in the same breath implying that the only logical conclusions are that your mom-friends are either lying or competing with you, is disingenuous indeed.
So, since it's validation you seem to want, the real answer is what you get. In list form. When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries, questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys, and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.
It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15.
It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier.
It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family and friends, well-meaning and otherwise. It's resisting constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense.
It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything -- language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity. Empathy. Everything.
It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy, and then, when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend, a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends, or marvel how much more productively she uses her time. Either make a sincere effort to understand or keep your snit to yourself.

The whole article can be found here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201554.html?referrer=emailarticle

Fabulous Finds

When Lori was here we spent a lot of time outside and by the pool. And this led to using a lot of sunscreen and we had to laugh because we both had Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen, just in different SPF levels, that squeaked each time we sprayed it. For the life of us, we couldn't figure out why it would squeak. Anyway, this led to a discussion about sunscreen and sun tan lotion and how we both desperately miss a sun tan lotion of the past - Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee. You used to be able to buy it anywhere and then probably 10 -12 years ago it just vanished. You couldn't find it anywhere. Lori thought she might be able to to find it here in Canada, but I already looked for it and haven't been able to find it. You should have seen us, we were so sad thinking about this sun tan lotion and our Summers from high school and college. It was so funny that we were pining over sun tan lotion. This is where drugstore.com came to the rescue. First we googled it and it sent us to Bain de Soleil's website, we were definitely on to something, then their website connected us to drugstore.com. Lo and behold, it was there, just like we remember, nothing had changed. Could it be true?? Yes, it could and even better, drugstore.com ships to Canada, YIPPEE!! So last week, I ordered a tube (and a few other things) and I received it today (I couldn't believe how quickly it got here)! I couldn't tear into the shipping box fast enough. Arabella thought I had gone mad and then when I got the tube open, Aah, the wonderful smell came rushing out! I am in heaven and so happy to have found a old favorite. Welcome Back Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee!

Green Thumb

Arabella has been helping me in the garden and in the yard with pulling weeds and trimming flowers. She loves to pull the weeds and is so helpful. I just love to be outside and spend time with her! She also loves to make sure the plants are watered and it looks like she has been taking really good care of the hibiscus plants...







I would have never thought such tropical plants would love the Summer in Montreal. Last night Arabella also tried the first cherry tomato of the season, she loved it!



And this morning we had fun working in the yard a little bit before swim lessons. We even cut some of the beautiful white hydrangeas that we have in the yard. I think we have at least a dozen bushes and they are all starting to bloom, just beautiful, no wonder they are a favorite flower of mine.

I Think The Ohio Heat Got To Him

For the 4th of July weekend, Jay went to Ohio to visit with his Dad, Ricki and his brothers, Kris and Kraig. He had a great time and Dennis and Ricki enjoyed having just the boys visit. While he was there, he did a little needed shopping. Now Jay is not one to like to shop and it is hard for him to tolerate shopping, but everyone was going to the outlets and he needed some new summer things. He called to ask my advice on which stores he should go to for the things he needed and he also asked if there was anything that Arabella or I needed (very unlike him). I let him know to check out Carter's for some winter or next summer things for Arabella and the only thing that I wanted/needed was another bathing suit cover-up. I was pretty detailed in what I was looking for and besides I wanted one like the one I already have, just in another color. Pretty easy, right?? Well, when he called later that day, he told me about his purchase for himself and Arabella, and he told me that he found a cover-up for me, but he didn't really like the colors. Oh well. Not the end of the world. So when he got home on Thursday night, I was just looking forward to the new sneakers that I ordered and had sent to his Dad's house (call me crazy but I was able to get them at Dick's online for $70 and the same sneakers here were $150, crazy!!) and when I saw the Nike bag, I was very excited. But when he handed it to me, he said that I had to guess what it was, not sneakers, that was for sure. I thought it was a purse, but no way would he get me a new purse. He jokes about putting all of my bags or at least some of them on eBay. I was shocked when I opened the bag to see Coach tissue paper, what they heck had gotten into him. Seriously, he actually went into the Coach outlet. Now for sure I thought he was joking. But when I opened it, this is what I saw...



Holy Crap!! I can't believe it, the last time he bought me a bag, we were in NYC and he said he would never buy me one again. I just love it!! It is perfect and I have been thinking about getting a cross body bag for a while, but have been putting it off. I love that I can wear it across my body and it frees up my arms for when Arabella and I are out running errands, and it has more space, which is nice now that I am trying to not have to carry a diaper bag with me everywhere. The handles also fit on my shoulder in case I want to carry it that way too. Thanks Jay for such a wonderful surprise, you did good! So maybe the heat in Ohio did get to you or maybe like Mike thinks this could be Jay's way to easy me into the idea of him getting another project car...

Pretty Toes

I have been wanting to paint Arabella's toes for at least a year and would always have second thoughts about doing so because of all the chemicals and junk that is in regular nail polish. All that changed when I found Piggy Paint http://www.piggypaint.com/ Piggy Paint is a line of natural, non-toxic, and Eco-friendly nail polish and remover. The water-based formula is virtually odorless and the finish is pretty durable. What makes Arabella love Piggy Paint is the fun colors - who can resist names like Ice Cream Dream, Mac-n-Cheese Please, Twinkle Toes, Clouds of Candy, Forever Fancy and Angel Kisses. Another fun part of Piggy Paint is that you need to dry it using the blow dryer (not required, but recommended) - this helps it to cure quicker due to the water content. Yesterday when we painted her toes she wanted to help me and that is fine by me as it works on her fine motor skills and hand eye coordination!





She loves her Ice Cream Dream toes and they are so adorable for Summer!