Meighen

When we wanted to have a child our intention was not to pimp them out and make them a star. When Meighen arrived gorgeous and very photogenic we thought (and were told by a few people) about getting her in commercials or something. It was just said in passing and we never intended to act on it… till now.

Ben and I both work in advertising and one of his clients was looking for an older baby/toddler for a print ad. The rumour around his office was that Meg was super cute and she had just been in for a visit. So, the account lead on the project asked Ben if we’d be interested putting Meg forward for a print ad for a pharmaceutical company who’s pitching a heartburn medication. Seeing that I’m on a daily prescription for heartburn I’m totally ok with it. Anyways, we put a couple pics of Meighen forward and waited to hear the results… she was picked! Well, she’s one of two children who will be photographed that day for the ad. They’ll decide after who makes the cut. Our doopie, already making more money than we did at her age, hehe. The shoot will be in December or January and could include a bit of a haircut, wardrobe changes and a day on the set. Even if she doesn’t make the ad it’ll be a neat day for all of us. Ben and I plan on going too. It’ll be great to see a shoot being in the industry and never having attended one. I’m sure they’d be willing to share some of the photos with us and we’ll bring our camera anyways to take some candid shots of Meg on set. If she makes the ad we’ll probably pick up a few copies of whatever magazine it ends up in and send to the grandparents. What an amazing keepsake for the scrapbook!

We’ll keep everyone posted on the progess.

This was a good weekend. It was half chilling at home the other half shopping.

On the way home Friday night we stopped in at a Sears outlet to check out their selection of stoves. We didn’t see anything we liked but they have an awesome selection of sheets and toys. Meighen found a little half couch without feet so it was close to the ground. She climbed right up and made herself comfy. It was cute.

Saturday we hit the mall and bought a new stove at the regular Sears store. They had a great sale on and we saved $300, which was just given back in way of delivery charge, removal charges and extended warrantee. It’s scheduled to be delivered next Saturday so we only have a week of stove-top meals to deal with.

After the stove, we went to Auntie Julie’s for dinner and had a nice visit. Meighen’s really making herself at home there – she knows right where the toybox is. Before heading out I blew up the inflatable ball-pit from my co-worker. Meighen loves it, holy cow does she ever. She goes around and around, stuffs balls up and down the cute and has a blast. So cute. I never imagined having one of those in the house. It’s super huge so it may have to come down for a while till we sort out a spot for it.

Sunday was fun, fun, fun. Auntie Julie got us into her company Christmas party for kids. It was at the science centre and included lunch, activities for little ones, a photo with Santa and a gift. They goofed and gave Meg an age ‘0’ toy but that’s ok. The ‘1 year’ gift was a small set of mega-blocks, which we have two of already. The gift Meg got was a little stuffed animal that plays music when you pull on his bum. After doing the luncheon we strolled through the Science Centre. Meg had a blast running, playing and checking everything out. We’ll have to go back when she gets older and can enjoy more things there.

Meighen’s really taken to dancing. Not only does she bop while sitting down she’s dancing around the living room. It’s cute, it’s a cross between some crazy jazz routine and Cliff Huxtable. Very cute.

Should be quite this week and next weekend. Things will start picking up soon for Christmas though. Gotta decorate, order Christmas cards, start baking, shopping, and wrapping!

I got a nice surprise at work today. My co-worker brought in some toys from her little girl for Meighen. Her little one is three years old and outgrowing some of the toys so Meighen’s going to inherit them – how awesome. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting – maybe generic toys but she came in with an inflatable ball pit! Gosh, I never thought about having one of those. We haven’t blown it up yet but it sounds and looks amazing online. Hopefully we’ll get to try it out tonight. My friend also gave us one of those wire puzzles that you slide wood beads along, the ones you see in doctors offices. Meighen loves these things. It looks brand new so we’re going to tuck it away for Christmas and maybe have that as her stocking gift.

Yesterday was also the day of many words. Just as I thought she’s been mulling them over till perfect in her mind and they started coming out yesterday. The babysitter said she heard “stop” in the afternoon and when I was walking Meg back to the car she said “Hi da-da” a few times – very cute. We also heard “apple” and “cheese” over and over again. The other night when we were watching home videos of Meg she pointed to herself on the computer and said “that’s me!” how awesome!

So much for quiet! It was good though being out and about.

I had the afternoon off on Friday to go get Meg early and visit Ben’s office before heading to the bank to renew our mortgage. You know you’re grown up when. It was dinner time so I thought we should grab some fries to keep Meg happy during our appointment. We have the best banker ever and a father of two young boys he didn’t mind Meg coming and running around his office, which she didn’t. She sat on my lap and ate her fries for about 45 minutes. Then she coloured on an envelope for 10 minutes, sorted her crayons for another 15 minutes, munched on some goldfish for a bit then got rambunctious… 1 hour and 45 minutes later! What a stellar kid.

Saturday afternoon we all went over to Ben’s friends for a play date with their daughter who is almost exactly one year older than Meighen. It was interesting to see how the kids interacted and we had a lovely dinner. By the end of the night the two girls were sharing crayons and colouring together. Meighen really took to the little girls kitchen play set and tea set. I’ve added them to her Christmas list. Perhaps there will be more visits in the future.

I came home Saturday night to a note from my Aunt wanting to get together on Sunday. It was my morning to get up early so I thought sure, it gets Meg and I out so why not. I spent the morning getting ready and getting everything ready for a day out with Meg. I packed a cooler with carrot sticks, cubed cheese, an apple with a knife, juice and milk. I stocked up the diaper bag with a winter hat, extra diapers, full supply of wipes and a clean soother. Grabbed some bread for to feed the ducks, made sure the camera was charged, gassed up the car and took off. When I got to Newmarket and was loading up the stoller I realized I left the diaper bag at home.. d’oh! I called Ben to make sure that I hadn’t left it on the car and driven off… thankfully that wasn’t the case. Regardless of no longer being fully prepared we still walked around the pond and feed the geese with Great Aunt Kathy & Uncle Rick. After that we went to lunch and Meighen was awesome (as always). I figured since I was up that way I’d stop in and visit with my other Great Aunt & Uncle (Ken & Elaine). We were there about two hours and Meg didn’t stop at all – running, organizing coasters and playing with cars. She had a really good time. Since we were going past Auntie Julie’s on the way back I thought why not, lets get all the Auntie’s in (on my side of the family at least). We hung out there for a little bit before Meg got super cranky and wanted to go home. That’s ok, we see Auntie Julie often.

Next weekend the three of us are going to the Science Centre. I think Meighen will have a blast! Theres so many interactive things to do there. Meg is one lucky little girl. She’s been to the zoo, museum, art gallery, Wonderland, beach, and so many other wonderful places. I’m glad we’re able to expose her to new things and help her become a well rounded little girl. Now if I can get her eating dim-sum we’re all set. She even has training chopsticks waiting for her.

Other than that, not much going on this week. We might hit the mall and check out some bedding options. I want a new duvet and cover for the king bed and the online store doesn’t seem to have as much as the actual store does. Gotta get our Christmas list to Grammy soon

Oh yeah, I think we got a few new words out of her this weekend. I asked Meg if she wanted cheese and I think she said “cheese.” Then, we were watching videos of her chasing geese and I think she said “that’s me!”. Very cute.

So Meg’s been chatting up a storm lately. Of course only the occasional word makes sense but still, it’s progress. She says go and up a lot and I think she’s getting the hang of apple and shoe. We’ve recently discovered she can count too! When Meg climbs the stairs she counts as she goes. It’s cute. We go up to seven then somehow end up back at two, three, two, three. She can now go down the stairs to my liking, meaning, I don’t worry as much when she tries. I’ve seen her do it a number of times with no tumbling so I feel better about that. Of course we still use the baby gates but it’s awesome knowing if my hands are super full she can manage on her own.

Meighen’s turning out to be quite the super duper helper. In addition to helping me unload the grocery cart, wipe down her high chair and passing us her dirty dishes, she now tries to get her sippy cup in the sink when she’s done her drink. She doesn’t get it all the way in but it sits on the counter right beside the sink. What an awesome helper. The other night when I was on the ground scrubbing the bathroom floor she was right behind me wiping at newly clean spots. She’s so funny.

The holidays are slowly starting around the Richard household. Last night Meighen and I went downtown to check out Ryerson’s Winter Windowland display. Students were given a window in stores around Dundas and Yonge and $100 to decorate them. It’s a competition running this weekend. Well I’m not sure what I was expecting but $100 doesn’t go far in decorations. Most were blah but a couple caught my eye. Since it was a gorgeous night I took Meg down to the Bay at Yonge/Queen to check out their annual Christmas window display. They were beautiful as always and the crowd was light. It was nice not freezing and standing in line to check em out, benefit of being the early bird. Nathan Phillips hasn’t turned on their lights, nor has Dundas Square. We’ll probably go down again one night when it’s snowy and the other displays are lit up. I hope to make this a holiday tradition if Meighen looks forward to it.

Another sign of Christmas are the chocolate calendars that come out this time of year. I picked one up for Meg yesterday while doing the groceries. She was a true joy in line yesterday. It was super busy with only three cashiers so we were in line a while. Meg was happy colouring on my grocery list and pointing at everything around her going “what’s that?” When she got bored of this she took over my cell phone and happily added random numbers to my phonebook and deleting important ones (like Dad!). When she was done with that she played with her Christmas calendar a bit, then the cheese, my keys, etc. Ah well, she was happy as punch and totally entertaining the people behind me. We’re so lucky to have a beautiful happy little girl.

I’ll have to start my Christmas shopping soon. I’ve got things planned out in my head but I’ve got to actually get out there and get it done. I’ve taken a day off in early December where I’ll still take Meg to daycare and go hit the stores.

That about sums up our weekend. Saw Autie Juile today and going to make chocolate chip cookies now that the outdoor Christmas lights have been hung.

Halloween is over. Boy it comes and goes so quickly. Meighen was adorable in her butterfly costume – good pick Aunty Steph! She fussed a bit when we put it on but she was happy getting all the coos and awes that came with it. We did most of our street where only about 10 houses were participating – how sad! Meighen got the hang of it after a while although she wasn’t keen on holding her own bag. All the women who answered the door went nuts for Meg.. too cute. After doing our street and handing out some candy we took Meg over to Auntie Julie’s to show off her costume. I think next year we’ll hit up a different neighbourhood. Our babysitter’s area goes all out, so does my sisters, we’ll have to try something new.

Well my folks are settling in up north. The move went well and now they just need to unpack. Seven more weeks till the Christmas. I’m hoping to start my Christmas shopping soon. I found some really great children’s armchairs online. I think we may do that as Meg’s present. I’m sure she’ll get toys/clothes from the rest of the family so we tend to get her other useful things.

November looks like it’s picking up. This weekend we have a dentist appointment. Meighen comes with us so she can get used to the environment. The visit after this one, she’ll be having her own check up. We have the sweetest receptionist where we go, she watched me grow up. It’s awesome knowing she’ll see Meg grow too. Sunday I might be going out with my sister for some girly time.

The month of November is the Winter Magic festival in Toronto. There’s a different event going on each weekend. This weekend is Window Wonderland – a project put on by students of Ryerson University. A number of windows downtown have been decorated and will be on display. I’m hoping Meg and I can check it out. Next weekend is Illuminite – a firey display put on by a few troupes. Some of them were at Buskerfest, should be good. Towards the end of the month is my sister’s work children’s party. It’s free for employees and their children (or related little ones with a parent). This year it’s at the Ontario Science Centre. I’ve been wanting to take Meg for a while so this is good timing. She’s big enough to walk around and try out all the activities. It’ll be a good day. Santa and a gift are also included. There’s a powwow in London at the end of the month that I was hoping to get to but it’s a long way to go. I might just have to wait till Canada Day next year and catch one during the celebration.

That’s about it for now. More updates to come.