Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Haliburton Weekend

 This past weekend we decided to pack up and leave the GTA. We headed north to my Dad's house up in Haliburton. He lives there during the week for work and so he rents out this cute little cottage right next to Sir Sam's ski hill. It makes for a great getaway for us!

Saturday morning we went for a great little hike around the Sir Sam's ski hill area. They were hosting a road/trail race for the locals and we got to watch parts of it during our hike. We bought a Snugli for Grayson as we left ours at home. We had a friend give us theirs and go figure, we left it at home. So we had to purchase another one on the way up to Haliburton.
 We were able to enjoy some spectacular weather and sunshine. We took in wake boarding on Head Lake and some dinner at McKeck's.

We visited Geoff's friend from high school who owns the Bonnie View Inn just off the main drag (if you can even call it that) in Haliburton. If you are looking for a cute getaway....may I suggest the Bonnie View Inn. It's adorable. The rooms are great (you can also rent cottages) and the food is some of the best you'll find in the area (Andrea's husband is a fabulous chef).

Mira coincidentally stayed next door to the Bonnie View Inn with her Dad's side of the family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) for 4 days so I was able to pick her up Sunday morning and take her to Bonnie View Inn and let her play on the giant water slide and trampoline.

Geoff and I got our little romantic getaway (with a 3 1/2 week old attached to our hips) and then we were able to spend some time with Mira on the Sunday. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend :)




Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Daddy-O

In the past 3 1/2 weeks, Geoff has proven to be an incredible Daddy to little G. He has loved every minute of fatherhood thus far (and it helps that he doesn't have to get up for midnight feedings or suffer through the initial stages of breast feeding). He has been an incredible support to me and has really stepped up to the plate when it comes to Mira. He has gone out of his way to make sure that Mira still has her "special" time, some one-on-one attention since Grayson has arrived. I'm so fortunate for such a loving and considerate partner. He has made the initial days after baby #2 so easy. He has taken care of all of the other things in the house and I've taken care of baby Grayson and Mira. Sharing the load makes it so much more enjoyable and less stressful.

He has been the rock on the days when I've been with little sleep and may be emotionally stretched to my max. Never has he shown his frustration with the late night feedings, fussiness or the consuming nature of breast feeding. I am blessed that I have found a man who can truly be an equal partner. Parenting, especially in the early weeks and months, can really test a couple. So far, we've been a steady ship in some rough waters. Our baby boy has been incredibly good and easy. We have remained respectful and kind, despite the irritability we sometimes feel due to sleep deprivation. We have remained affectionate and loving. These elements are key.

 I feel blessed for 2 children who have been so content. I am blessed on so many levels. Geoff, I love you with all my heart and I love that you are the father of our son. I couldn't have chosen a better man. Our little family has grown in such a magnificent way and I love what we have created together. 



Saturday, July 14, 2012

Week 3

We have hit the 3 week mark since Grayson was born and I think that we have finally sorted out our routine. Mind you, as soon as I say that, he'll change up his daily feeding and sleep preferences.

He continues to be our dream baby. Such a sweet boy. Right now he is curled up in Mira's lap, sound asleep, after fighting sleep. Content as can be in the protection of Mira's arms.

Mira, who has come down with bronchitis and a sinus infection, continues to gush over her little brother. Mira is my trooper. She's had this cough for several weeks and after it didn't go away, she was taken into the walk-in clinic to find her sinuses infected and her chest infected. You would never have known my little girl was sick. No fever. No complaints of any kind. I know that when I've had a sinus infection, I've been knocked right down on my butt and there is no shortage of complaints!

Last night our neighbours all threw a neighbourhood party for Grayson. Our friends are so sweet and considerate. It was a wonderful night out. The weather cooperated and we enjoyed drinks and bbq. I love summer on Lynden!


Sunday, July 8, 2012

Summer Bliss

Enjoying a nap on his play mat
 Summer is here and we've been as busy as always. I can't just sit by and let summer fly by without taking advantage of the nice weather.

So we've been out and about again this week. The weather has been beautiful and our both the kids have been in good spirits. Mira has continued to love her little brother to pieces. She sings to him, reads him books and has introduced him to Saturday morning cartoons.


Mira decided that Grayson needed a toy to snuggle with

Mira introduced Grayson to cartoons
This summer is going to prove to be very busy with both of the kids keeping us occupied. Grayson keeps us busy with night feeds and diaper changes. Mira keeps us busy with parks, pools, splash pads, play dates, library visits and all the other fun things that 5 years olds like to do in the summer.

We have had bridal showers and Canada Day parties. We have a weekend planned up in Haliburton at a cottage, golf tournaments, and Great Wolf Lodge. We have a wedding up in Caledon and a weekend at Hockley Valley.

All the wonderful things of summer to look forward to and Grayson arrived just in time to enjoy it with us :)

Monday, July 2, 2012

Week One


 We survived week one! Grayson is now 10 days old and we've done quite a bit in the last 10 days! We were discharged from the hospital on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday we had a bunch of friends and family come by to visit and meet baby G.

Sunday was a busy busy day, but it was wonderful to see all of our loved ones. Monday we went down to Mississauga to visit Geoff's parents and their neighbours. Geoff's mom kept calling Grayson a "cool little dude" and I have to agree. He's our little chill baby. He's so easy to please. Nothing upsets him except for a rumbly tummy when he's hungry.

Tuesday we went out to the stores to pick up a couple of things after going to watch Mira's big SK graduation. Wednesday we went to watch Mira's soccer game. Mira was pretty excited that her little bro was coming to cheer her on. Too bad baby G just slept through the entire game. Mira is pretty excited that her brother has attended every single one of her big events since being born. He's just trying to be a supportive little brother.

Friday I took Mira and Grayson to the splash pad. It was a PD day and the splash pad was relatively busy. Grayson and I enjoyed the shade while Mira hooked up with some of her buddies from school in the playground.

Saturday we went to the Farmers Market here in Georgetown. I love the Farmers market here. It's definitely a social event. You always see a few friends wandering the booths. We hit up our friends Matt and Sam's pool with their 3 daughters in the afternoon. The 4 girls got along really well and exhausted themselves in the pool.

Yesterday, Sunday, Canada day, we headed over to Eric and Ali's house for a pool party in celebration of Canada's 145th birthday! Grayson did awesome at his first pool party. He was passed around and spent the afternoon napping heavily with the occasional break to feed.

The transition to a two-kid household  has been relatively easy, especially with Geoff being so helpful and supportive. Breast feeding has been good and he's eating really really well. I just forgot how tiring it is to breastfeed! As my girlfriend says, "it's like strapping a treadmill to your chest". It's so true. I'm grateful that it's working out well for us so far. Geoff does get a little frustrated that he can't help with the feeding, but it won't be long before Grayson will be on solids and Geoff will have his fair share of feeding him. 
At Mira's soccer game