Meighen

Grammy and Grampy left this morning so Meg and I took advantage of sleeping in. It was a whirlwind few days. Saturday was our annual bbq and Meg had fun playing with Little Ben. I’m surprised she’s not overly interested in babies but it comes in handy when I get to hold the little ones. We had 10 adults and 5 kids so it was a good group. The weather was questionable but it stayed dry for most of it. I think that was the theme for the week.

Monday we toodled around east Toronto with G&G getting an oil change and shopping. Grampy was in his glory having Meg pull him around by the walking stick. It  kept her close but she moves a bit too fast for him. We stopped at Chapters on our way to lunch and Meg got a new Llama Llama book. She adores the one Benny got her when she turned 2 so Grammy got her a new one and also a Rubix Cube. Meg loves colours and puzzles and has fun spinning the blocks around. Lunch at Red Lobster was great as usual except they didn’t have any fish or lobsters in the tank. Meg was disappointed but we knew she’d have her fill at the zoo on Tuesday.

Meg had a blast at the zoo although she was tired going in. We were this close to being the 1 millionth visitor. The winners made it in about 30 seconds before we did and won souvenirs, one year Toronto Zoo Family Membership, FREE Zoomobile rides, lunch, a Behind the Scenes Tour for 6 people and overnight accommodations, including parking and buffet breakfast, at the Toronto Delta East Hotel! (pulled from website) Would have been nice! Anways, back to Meg… her favs were the rhino, fish, turtles and snakes. The kid is crazy for icky things (she loved the maggots at the museum). She insisted on riding the carousel and had a huge smile plastered on her face the whole time. We hit the gift shop, got a couple things and called it a day. Meg was pretty tired or else she would have loved the water park. Ah well, maybe next year.

Wednesday we had a quiet morning at home then picked Grammy up for a couple hours at the museum, which is free on Wednesday afternoons. We did what most parents/grandparents do and went straight to the dinosaurs. Meg called them “dragons” which is a pretty good observation. They could be dragons by today’s definition. We also hit the bird observatory and other interactive things waiting for Daddy to come for dinner. We went across the road to Gabby’s which is our 3^rd fav wing place.  Meg loved the sweet potato fries but not the chipolte mayo so much.

That brings us to today, our first morning sleeping in. It was nice. I’m spending the afternoon going through Meg’s clothes and getting her ready for fall. Shoe wise – a six is pretty snug on her but a seven is a bit big. Better big than small I guess. I’ll have to pick her up some warm socks soon. Otherwise I think she has lots of stuff from her cousins so we’re set. Don’t need to buy boots or a snow suit this year, hooray!

Yippee!! It’s been almost 5 months since my last vacation and I can’t wait for the day to be over to officially start my week off. It’s going to be a busy one!

Ben was off this week to hang out with Meg. They did Daddy/Daughter coffee/Timbit runs most of the week with the exception of one McDonald’s run. They watched lots of ‘101 Dalmations’ together and went to the park. One day was spent in Oshawa with her cousins and another afternoon downtown visiting me at work. The week went good and we’re moving into a busy weekend.

Tomorrow is our 8th annual Richard bbq. We’re expecting around 15 people throughout the day. Meg has some of her little friends coming so last night I was cleaning out her pool, wiping down the ball pit and mowing the lawn in preparation. Tonight/tomorrow will be cooking/baking then we can chill when people arrive. Those with kids are coming in the afternoon and the child-free adults will tricking in throughout the evening.

Grammy & Grampy arrive tomorrow to spend a few days with me and Meg. The weather looks promising so we’ll be doing the Zoo and Centreville. There’s talk of spending an afternoon at the ROM as well (it’s free Wednesday afternoons). Unfortunately Grampy won’t be able to join us for many of the activities, too much walking involved. We’ll be sure to work in some Grampy-friendly activities too. I don’t think they’ll be around later in the week when we go to Buskerfest and try to get to the Ex. Meg’s in for one exciting week. Oh, we’re still waiting to hear if she’s doing the modeling gig next week too.

In other news, we’re still doing great with potty training. Not much progress since the last update but we’re still having success. She’s been sleeping awesome too. It’s been good to get some solid sleep.

It’s the middle of August already, which means we’re almost on vacation! Daycare is closed for two weeks starting next week so Ben will be off then and I’ll be off the week after. Grammy’s coming down to hang with me and Meg and play tourist in TO. We’ll likely hit the zoo and Centre Island. Should be fun.

This week another modeling opportunity came through Ben’s office for Meg. Back in December she did a shoot for Astra Zeneca but she came in 2^nd and didn’t make the brochure. This time, the client is a children’s bike company from Europe. We’ll find out in a couple days is Meg is one of the chosen ones and if so, she’ll be shooting at the beach during the week I’m off – perfect timing. If she goes, Grammy will be able to come too! Even better is that it’s at the beach she hangs out at with daycare so she’s familiar with the environment and will be comfortable and relaxed. This one isn’t a paying job but each child gets a bike (over $200 value). We’ll keep everyone posted.

On the potty training front, we have good days and super awesome days. A couple nights ago she stayed dry from after daycare right through to bedtime. She did all her business in the potty (#1 and #2). This morning, she woke up with a dry diaper and did her morning business in the bathroom – awesome! We’re totally making progress. I procrastinated a bit when it came to training but I’m glad I got the ball rolling. She’s doing amazing. All it takes is a lot of patience, understanding, lollipops and stories.

Another good weekend for summer 2010! Saturday I took Meg to Oshawa to go swimming with my girlfriend and her stepdaughter. We checked out a rec complex in north Oshawa and it was pretty sweet. Somehow Meg and I got in for $2.80 total, wow! The pool was huge and totally kid friendly. There wasn’t much of a deep end but had a kiddie pool with shoots of water coming up, a waterslide, whirlpool, hot tub and other water type fun. Life jackets were available so I put one on Meg hoping it would give her confidence to float without me but had no luck. As long as she can touch the bottom she’s totally ok with being away from me, when she can’t touch, she prefers Mum. That’s ok, lots of time to learn to swim. We spent about two hours in the pool and will probably end up going again.

Sunday morning was my day to sleep in. When I got up Ben had come back from a mini shopping spree with Meg at Walmart, after the ritual Timbit run of course. She came home with Hot Wheels, a placemat, a jumbo Cars colouring pad and I think there was something else too. She was quite pleased with herself. Good job Daddy Later that afternoon we headed to my Aunt/Uncle’s who were having a family bbq. Another afternoon in the pool. Meg was great, shy at first but once she went swimming she opened right up. She loved floating around in her Cars boat and jumping into our arms from the deck. She also had fun chasing Uncle Rick around, playing in the swing with Aunt Kathy and tossing beanbags. There were a lot of people there I didn’t know but one of them was my Mom’s cousin. As soon as we arrived she was asking me if Meg was potty trained and if we could use any training diapers. Hell yes! She had her daughter bring us two cases of girls pull-ups. Amazing! Talk about luck, were getting ready potty train hard core now that Meg’s showing all the signs (again, should of jumped on it the first time around). If it doesn’t happen before our vacation in two weeks, that will be a perfect time.

Just a quick update on Meg’s molars. I found the two news ones the other week and now the last two are breaking through. She’s a trooper, hardly any fussing.

Got a short week this week. We’re off Friday and Monday for the long weekend. Got a few things planned, hope it works out.

Here’s to another good week and weekend. Meg had an awesome time going around TO with Robyn. She took the kids to the Bata Shoe Museum, ROM and AGO. Good thing Meg is a downtown kid, she had a blast! From the sounds of it playing dress up at the shoe museum was a hit and Meg loved the ROM. She was asking to go to daycare each morning. What a great opportunity.

Friday night we had dinner with Auntie Julie before she heads to Florida next weekend. Meg always has a good time over there. We left around 7:30 and Meg was pretty tired. She slept all the way home and I was able to get her into her jammies and bed no problem. She stayed down all night, how awesome. The downside being she got up at 7 something the next morning. Ben had to go get an oil change so it worked out alright. Meg seems to enjoy going to the dealership in Pickering, they have a kiddie area and Daddy hits Tim Horton’s for on the way for Timbits. After the oil change we had a family breakfast then headed out to Oakville for our playdate with the Howies. What a good time! Little Ben and Meg played so well together sharing toys and being cute. We’ll definitely have to do it more now that the kids are older. We also got to meet the new baby. I was a bit surprised that Meg wasn’t more interested in her and she didn’t mind that I was holding the baby. I thought she’d be a bit more jealous, that’s a good sign. Saturday night after dinner Meg and I took off to Oshawa in hopes of swimming with my friend and her step-daughter. The pool was closed due to a power so we just hung out at her place and we made plans to go next weekend so hopefully that works out. Sunday was a lazy day at home. Meg helped me plant seeds from my Lupin plant, played in her pool and we all went to the park (including Daddy!).

This week should be quiet but our weekend is already full. Saturday is swimming with my friend and step-daughter and Sunday is a family swim/bbq at my Aunt’s. Good times! After that it’s a four day week before heading into a four day long weekend – yippee! We might daytrip to a provincial park to go swimming with Meg, are going to check out the Scarborough ribfest and who knows, maybe even take in the zoo.

This month is going by so quickly. In a few days it will be the middle of July. I think we’re making the most of summer so far, can’t complain.

This weekend we went to hang out with Auntie Julie for a bit, which we’ll do again this Friday. Auntie’s off to Disneyworld for a writers convention soon so we need to make sure Meg gets her fill before she goes. The rest of the weekend was spent lounging by the kiddie pool and continuing my work in the gardens.

This is going to be an interesting week for Meg. Our daycare has enrolled two of her sons in a day camp this week which happens to be two city blocks away from my office – sweet! While the older kids are in camp, she’s going to hang with Meg and her youngest boy downtown during the day. It makes pick up/drop off easier being so close to the office but I’m a bit worried about Meg missing naps and the comfort of air conditioning. It might also rain this week so I’m a bit worried about that too. Otherwise I’m thrilled Meg gets to spend a week downtown. I wish she had more time down here, the sights and sounds seem to have a calming affect on her, just like Mum.

I’m not sure what possessed me to do it, but I stuck my finger in Meg’s mouth this weekend to see how the molars were coming. The bulges appeared months ago but nothing ever broke through. Sometime in the past month two have come in! Maybe it was the slight fever or couple grouchy days when it happened. It’s hard to tell with Meg, she cuts teeth unbelievably well.

The last thing on the go this week is a trip to Oakville on Saturday to visit our friends and meet their new baby. We all went to UFC in Montreal back in ’08 while we were expecting our first babies, now they have number two. I’m looking forward to Meg having a play date and being around a newborn – she’s been interested in babies lately and I’m curious if she’d take to a sibling. I’m sure she would, she’s such a sweet girl. Now don’t be starting any rumors. We’re nothing thinking about a second anytime soon. Meg needs to be closer to kindergarden for that.

Meg’s still talking up a storm. She’s getting new words and sentences on a daily basis. Lately she’s been asking us what we’re doing… “What you doin’ daddy?” “Washing the car” “Washing the car?” and this goes on over and over… hehe. It’s very cute. Each night she tells me where she wants to sleep, either in Meighen’s bed or Mummy’s bed. Thankfully she’s been choosing her room lately, we’ve been on a “sleep with Mummy” kick for the last month or so. As much as I love sleeping with her, I enjoy getting my half of the bed without her.

Now that Meg’s birthday is out of the way the next exciting thing is our vacations at the end of August, which reminds me I need to start planning our summer bbq… but back to vacations. Our daycare is off for two weeks towards the end of the month so Ben and I are each taking a week. Grammy’s thinking about visiting while I’m on vacation to hang out with Meg. There so much I’d like to do (but won’t be able to do it all). The CNE will be in town, not sure if we’re going with Ben’s friends or just ourselves. Buskerfest is also happening while I’m off (coincidence!). I’ve took Meg last year and want to make it an annual tradition. She’ll love it this year. I’d also like to take her to the zoo. She’s learned so many animals and gets excited when she seems them in books and on tv. She’ll have a blast this year and they have an amazing water park too!

This turned out to be quite the post… till next time!

Why do long weekends have to end? There’s something extra special about them now that we have a family. With both of us working, and Meg in daycare, we don’t get a lot of time with her. When we get extra long weekends it’s hard to give her up and get back to reality. Thankfully we both get four extended long weekends over the summer, it’s a nice perk.

On Thursday I took Meg to Downsview Park to check out the festivities. Everything was free (except food) and the line-ups were ridiculous by mid afternoon. The only ride Meg could do was the carousel that I happily waited in line for. She was getting impatient by time we made it on the ride and wasn’t too keen on sitting still on the horsey. I played the “ready, set, go!” game a couple times and when the ride started she was so surprised. She got into it quick and had a cute smile plastered on her face while she went around. After that we got in line for face painting but abandoned ship a half hour later so we could grab lunch and check out the native dancing. That was the big sell for choosing Downsview. I’d love to take Meg to a pow-wow one day but would hate the long trek if she’s not too into it. She seemed pretty over everything by time the dancers came on so it was hard to tell. Ah well, there will be other opportunities. I was hoping to Meg somewhere for fireworks that night but the little kiddo was tuckered out after an afternoon at the fair. Maybe next year.

Friday and Saturday were home days and we puttered out in the garden and yard for most of them. I replanted all the stray raspberry plants in the new patch so next year we’ll have an amazing crop like our neighbours. Meg and I take a walk over to our patch and pick the ripe berries. I think this is her favourite time of night, aside from walkies.

Sunday we had some friends come over with their daughter (3 yrs) for a bbq. Jo-jo loved splashing around in the kiddie pool and playing with the ball pit. Meg was a bit shy and didn’t want to play before dinner but after, look out. They were playing together and Meg even brought Jo a bowl of ice cream. It was cute watching them say “Bye-bye” at the end of the night.

Oh, how could I forget!? Friday morning we had family photo’s done for Meg’s birthday. The timing works out well since we get them done every six months – birthday and Christmas. Since Ben and I don’t change as much as Meg we only get “family” ones done in the summer and get only Meg done at Christmas. Anyways, the pics turned out FANTASTIC! We have yet to be disappointed getting them done at the Supercentre. Fast, affordable and overall great pics. We went with the three-pose package but there was one close-up of Meg that we kept thinking about so we went back and picked up an extra sheet. What can we say, we’re proud parents and think our Meg is the cutest doopy ever.

Tomorrow is Meg’s 2nd birthday. It was two years ago she made her very long and stressful entry into the world, our lives and hearts. Surprisingly, even though it was a difficult delivery none of that has affected her and she’s such a happy joyous little girl. Ben and I are thankful and grateful that she’s in our life every night when putting her to bed.

Yesterday was Meg’s birthday party. I stayed up late on Saturday night to decorate and do what I could to reduce what needed doing on Sunday. I bought these Cars wall decorations. It was a huge plastic sheet that you hung on the wall. I cut it in two cause we don’t have that much wall space available. Meg was so happy Sunday morning seeing the giant Lightning McQueen above the couch. We had a small gathering for her (since a lot of people were unavailable) and it worked out great. It tried raining a couple of times but the sun came through and we were able to eat and open gifts outside. We’d like to say thanks to everyone who came out.

Having the party during the afternoon disrupted Meighen’s nap and she didn’t go down till 5:30 pm. I woke her up around 7, gave her a snack, played with her toys and came to bed with us. Too bad she didn’t fall asleep till 11, ug. Needless to say we’re all very tired this morning but at least Meg can nap at daycare. Thankfully it’s a short week since we get both Canada Day and the day after off, yay! We’ll be hitting Downsview Park for Canada Day and maybe a couple other places over the weekend. Lots to do in the city now that G20 is over.

What an amazing weekend. It was packed full of family fun.

Early Saturday afternoon Ben had to go into work to do some emergency server stuff so Meg and I tagged along. The MMVA’s were prepping for the big show this past Sunday and we got to check out Miley Cirus practice Party in the USA. Of all the performers, one of my least preferred but it could have been worse – it could have been Beiber mania. Meg seemed ok with it all. She sat up on my shoulder and watched the show, listened to the tunes and didn’t seem fazed by the loud music. We were well across the street so I wasn’t worried about earplugs for Meg. After that we went over to the AGO and played in the playground. Meighen loves playgrounds. She thinks she’s all independent and climbs all the way up to the slide by herself and goes down, but only if we’re waiting for her at the bottom (good girl!). After spending a couple hours downtown we headed to Pere’s for a Father’s Day BBQ with M’oncle Chad, Auntie Steph and the girls. This time Meighen wasn’t too shy and started playing with Corrine. She’s been waiting a long time for Meg to come around.

Sunday was another busy day. Ben said he wanted to wake up to a Tim Horton’s coffee on Father’s Day, so while he was sleeping in Meg and I zipped off to make his dream come true. Meg is so cute at Timmie’s. She knows the way to the store and gets concerned when you turn the other way. When we pulled up she said “Timbit please”. When the lady passed me the bag I passed it to Meg and we get the sweetest “Oh! Thank you Mummy!” She’s too adorable and has great manners. After coffee and a homemade breakfast of French toast and strawberries we got ready and went over to the Beaches Ribfest. We had a nice lunch (chicken and ribs), picked up some sauce, ice cream and walked around. Meg noticed the two race cars right away and went running over to them (although not long enough to take a picture). After spending a couple hours there we picked up Auntie Julie at the spa and went back to her place for a yummy turkey breast dinner. Meighen loves her Auntie so, it’s cute.

What a weekend! And it’s just the start of things to come. Next weekend is Meg’s 2^nd birthday party. Grammy and Grampy are heading down on Saturday while I do the running around, well what I can anyways. Sunday will be more running around (cake and balloons) and then the actual party. It’s a smaller group this year due to availability but it’ll still be nice. I think next year we’ll move her party up a week so more people are able to come. When we’re past next weekend we head into the long weekend. Ben and I both get Thursday/Friday off for a four day weekend – bliss! Theres lots I want to do and hope Meighen can stay up long enough for fireworks at Downsview Park. There’s also the CHIN picnic and another Ribfest  that weekend too – so many choices.

June is here which means Meighen is turning 2! I’ve been planning things in my mind and just waiting for time to pass before I can start taking care of things. We’ll do something similar to last year at our place. We have a new bbq so Ben can cook up a storm. Hopefully the weather will be nice and the kids can play outside. Unfortunately we’re more equipped for little ones vs. the older kids that will be coming. There’s Meg’s slide/playset, ball pit, pool and sidewalk chalk. Since Meg’s totally into Cars right now I’m thinking of getting a Lightning McQueen piñata. She’ll have fun whacking it and the older kids will enjoy it too. I’m kinda at a loss for gift ideas. I sort of want to upgrade her pool into one with a slide. It’s amazing the blow up things you can get these days, it’s crazy! She always needs clothes and loves McQueen so maybe something Cars orientated. Auntie Julie ordered Meg a play kitchen and it arrived yesterday. Was a challenge to get home but I managed. Food sets are another bday idea.

The long weekend was good. Meg had a fever for most of it but we were able to get out to the Circus Festival. It wasn’t as good as I hoped, Busker is much better, but we still had a good time. Ben’s buddy came with us and ended up coming back with us for a bbq. The rest of the weekend we just hung out at home and played in the kiddie pool.

Meighen’s sentences are coming along really well. Yesterday while kicking a ball across the yard she said, “Mummy, watch me!” When she was throwing her balls down the slide she’d say, “Ready, set, go!” Her favourite has to be, “Mummy/Daddy stop it!” She’s usually giggling when she says it which gives us the go-ahead to continue the kisses or tickle torture. Our little parrot, picking up and applying so many words and ideas every day.