On a cold and rainy day in January, I made these children friendly crayons to pass some time.  First while children are playing gather all the broken crayons you can find, and rip off paper.  To get the children to help you can be frustrating, and they get bored very quickly (or mine do).

Get a large plastic bag, something to hit with.  We used a meat cleaver, however you could use a can of soup/a hammer/a book..really anything.

Line muffin tin with paper cups (I suggest doubling them up/or triple) as when we did it the wax went right through, and getting wax out of muffin tin isn't that easy. Pour crayons from bag into muffin cups.  We were able to make 3 large crayons from the amount you see above.  Also the other empty cups should be filled with water to avoid warping the muffin tin. Wait for crayons to cool before removing the paper liners. When children use the crayons for the first time, show them how to turn on different edges to get different colours.  Enjoy!

It is day 9 and I haven't broken them yet.  For this I feel I deserve a medal, and big marching band.  In the past I have made resolutions that didn't even last 1 hour.  Ones like" Think before I text".  Now I ask you what fun is that?  When my partner doesn't take out the recycling and it spills all over the counter, and now there is sticky juice I have to clean up as well as take out the cans,,,,of course that deserves a " you are a whatever text".  Another that failed was buying too many hair products.  I get bored, I like different shampoos/ conditioners/body gels.  That one didn't last either.

So this year I did the KISS method.  Keep it simple stupid
1- Don't add any of these to your list: Don't bride kids, Don't yell at kids...So I am a normal parent. I bribe my kids, and yes after asking nicely 5 times to get boots and jacket on I sound like a screaming banchee.

This Year
1- vary up exercise. For years I have done kickboxing and spinning. I love both, however it is partly since we do what we are good at.  Therefore it is good to switch things up, and work different muscle groups.  That won't include running however (I HATE running, I start and think if I can make it to next hydro pole I can stop).  It will include swimming, skiing(both types), and various aerobic classes that are bound to kill me.

2- Take more time for me
Not just to exercise but to read a book, other then moo baa, la, la, la.  Sip a glass a wine, go skiing by myself, walk to the store, or simply enjoy time with friends.

3. Just say no
This I will struggle with the most.  I am a product of mommy guilt. Yes I will bake the class cupcakes, yes I will drive to your house so you can buy my child's boots for $5.00 off kijiji, and yes I will host that dinner party.  Really what I want to say is NO.

I had 1 more..but really it is for the children.  Add more veggies.  As they go through stages of pickiness I find myself craving veggies, after we have had grilled cheese/ p and j/mac and cheese.  Therefore I am hauling out the food processor and adding veggies to everything (ok maybe not cookies).  Pastas/meatballs/ pizza..and so on.  I will feel better knowing they are getting more (ie less mommy guilt), and I in turn will have a healthier diet too.  Win win.

Traveling around Ottawa today, I noticed lots of babywearing.  It is colder out, but yes you can still wear your baby or child.  Pictured above is the Onya Baby carrier.  Both my son and daughter enjoy being in this carrier as it has a high back, and a wide base for their bottom.  The high back allows comfort for the child, as they feel stable and more secure. When the back collar is rolled up it is 18 inches tall. I noticed one mom out today wearing a Beco gemini (however the panel was snapped down) (14inches) and the baby was bouncing around on her back.
 
Some suggestions I have for babywearing in colder weather are:

1. Use babylegs.  You can find them at Elmhill Kids located in Signature centre in Kanata. When my children go on my back their pant legs ride up creating a space between the boots and the pants.  I like to put babylegs on their calfs to cover this space up.
 
2. Visit a local Consignment shop to pick up a Mec fleece suit: Three bags full on hazeldean rd, often has them.  The Mec fleeces offer fold over hands and feet to keep babies warm and cozy. Keep in mind that these suits are ideal if you are wearing baby/child on top of your jacket.  If you are wearing baby inside you vest/coat the fleece will be too warm.  Babies are tiny little furnaces and will generate lots of body heat.

3. I don't have a special babywearing vest or jacket. Instead I use my partner's fleece vest, and zip it up half way so that baby's head is still visable. You can also still get use out of your maternity coat, and do it up half way as well.  You want to make sure baby is "visable and kissable" throughout.  If wearing a wrap, make sure baby can breath, and you can see baby.

4. Buy some non-slip-ice grips.  This is what you see postal workers wearing.  They slip over top of your boots and provide traction on the snow and ice.  Often it looks like light fluffy snow, but there is a layer of ice underneath!

5. Put on coat, and carrier and try baby on BEFORE leaving the house.  After going to a santa claus parade and NOT doing this, I can tell you it is a huge pain. Straps have to fit over your winter wear, as well as child's winter wear..big difference compared to summertime babywearing.

6. Always have your carrier handy.  I keep mine in the car, as I never knew when I will need it. 


Sometimes I think I should sell off some of my carriers, however I find myself in need often: in the winter months my children like to feed the birds on some of the NAC trails, however my youngest doesn't like when the birds divebomb her head so she is happier in the carrier watching safely from mommy's back. Also at a recent santa claus parade, my youngest didn't like all the noise/ and trucks, and felt more secure on my back.

When we travel, we babywear.  We bring a stroller- but really it is used as a pushcart, or to hold all our stuff. We have it down to a science!  My partner drops me off at the terminal- with all the luggage,stroller, carseats and 2 children. He then leaves to park.  When he returns we are usually at the front of the line ready to check in.  I place 1 child on my back, 1 in stroller (double)- carseats on the other side, and the luggage cart I push with my other hand. 
 
Babywearing isn't just for when they are young.  Your child might be walking, however their little legs get tired. Even at age 4, and 5, I find both of mine are still apt to want to be on my back when hiking for long periods. Below are some photos of mec fleece suit, and grips for boots.  Babywearing in winter is doable, just make sure you are prepared and enjoy!  

This year I am doing  my best to stay true to this mantra " Something they need, something they read,
something they wear, and something they want". I really feel that my children will remember the events we do rather then the toys we buy them.
As a child I have  memories of finding the perfect christmas tree. My father would take me to a  cut your own tree farm, and we would walk miles through blowing snow(his words not mine), then I would find one, and he would raise his arm up. If the tree
was as tall as his fingertips or taller it was good. We had a huge bay window that we tried to fill with christmas tree. As a side note it helped to have the bay  window as my father could wire the entire tree down to protect it from falling.  There was the time my cat climbed the tree, or the time we got a tree with tons of pinecones that made popping noises and scared us as it all opened up.  There was also the time my family did the Great Canadian ski marathon and I skied down Rideau Canal just before
Jackrabbit Johannsen (one of his last races). Do I remember the barbie with curly hair, or fashion plates, or play kitchens..not so much.

This year we chose to buy a Christmas tree from Ikea. 1- It was $20, 2. part of the proceeds goes to Barrhaven Lions, as well as Tree Canada 3. It is a TREE- it will die after 3 weeks, so why spend the big bucks?
Savings: $25-$55.  Trees at Independent were selling $45-$75 dollars

For teacher gifts I  picked up a bunch of jams at a local craft show, and I am making this fudge recipe(http://thebestmomontheblock.blogspot.ca/2009/08/orgasmic-caramilk-fudge.html) with leftover Halloween candy (it has been in hiding in freezer since Oct.31). I am adding a gift card to the 2 main teachers for Canadian tire, as both seem to be doing Reno’s.  Normally I would spend $15-20$ per main teacher, and assistants $10 
Savings: $14- so not a ton, but still a savings, and they are getting more this way


 

Children's Gifts:
My children are hard on toys. Really hard. Therefore anything with tiny pieces or breakable is out.  We already own a huge bin of Lego (thanks to garage sales). I have made a list and I am trying to find items that both children will like, and that I can tolerate. We have a slush fund which is kept in a tin. Anything that is sold over the course of a year is put into the tin. Children outgrown the play kitchen- I sell it and put money in the tin. All the money in the tin goes towards vacations, Christmas gifts, and firewood. Also I find by shopping with cash- not debit but cash has helped as well. When I am standing at the checkout and notice a diver that winds up, and putters around the bath, I think twice. It is $6.99, but it is pricey for a stocking stuffer, and will it last.
So then I don't get it. Advent calendar, we made our own this year. We took all our mismatched socks, and glued little numbers to them.  We did a clothesline around the dining room, and hung them up with clothespins. Each day they get stickers and something to do, or chocolate and something to do. Some of the ideas I wrote down were: go for a walk and look at
Christmas lights, donate a toy to toy mountain, make snowflakes and decorate windows, and watch Grinch that stole Christmas. This didn't save me any money at  all as advent calendars are fairly cheap (the ones with waxy chocolate anyways)
but I feel they will enjoy this way better.

I had been prepared  to have a natural childbirth and had expected the pain, however I didn’t expect  to have issues with breastfeeding. I guess I had thought you would place baby  near and on breast and they would latch and get fed. I mean you never in movies see women curse, cringe or scream when the baby breastfeeds. When my son was born my milk was slow to come in, we had latch issues, and my supply was low. We  hired a lactation consultant, I took herbs*(fenugreek and blessed thistle), and  I pumped. I pumped until I felt like a cow-and that was before I got the double  pump. When all of this wasn’t working and my son still hadn’t gained weight,  and yes I felt like a failure(something else they don’t tell you- all the mommy  guilt you will experience), I started *Domperidome.Domperidome is a  prescription that doctors will issue you- it is to assist with disorder of gastrointestinal tract, however the side effect is that it will increase your  milk production.

 I  was able to breastfeed until I got pregnant again, when my son was 14 months. The second time around I went on Domperidome right away, and everything went a  lot smoother.Struggling with  breastfeeding is not fun. I firmly believe that a well fed baby is a happy  baby, and it is a devastating feeling that you are starving your baby. I wish I had asked for help earlier with my son, I wish I had gone on Domperidome  sooner, and I wish I had gone to classes or drop in to talk about my struggles.  However I learned from my first mistakes and fixed them for my second child.

The other day I was volunteering in my daughter's JK classroom.  Meeting the another mother outside the door, we were talking about her youngest (how he was more challenging then her first).  Then in a low whisper she confessed not enjoying breastfeeding, and how it had been a struggle.  She was elated that I had felt the same with my son.  Breastfeeding can be challenging.  It can also be wonderful.  It can also be taxing, and exhausting.  Having other moms around to talk to, helps a lot.  It makes you feel less alone, and you can share the feelings(that chances are at least mom is feeling).  Make sure you get the help you need.  There is a link to Ottawa breastfeeding sources in our links. 


Photo from Sara M Photo .http://www.saramcconnell.ca/

Photo from NDS Photography


Cost breakdown:Cloth diaper service 0-24months (children who wear cloth diapers potty train faster)

Regular service: $2,213.71- this includes all your prefolds, diaper pail rental, scented disks, wipes, and boosters.  Only add-on's would be extra covers(the above price includes 2 covers) so if you got One size covers 4 x 11.99(47.96) you would be set.

Organic service: $2, 948.98- again includes all your prefolds, diaper pail rental, scented disks, wipes and boosters. Also means No chemicals are touching baby as diapers are washed in all natural laundry soap, and hung out to dry in sun. Only add-on would be extra covers if required which are offered at 10% discount to diaper service customers.Average child will go through over 4,000 diapers in 2 years. Keep in mind the first 0-3 months infants are getting changed 10-14 times a DAY. That's right 84 diapers a week. So picture that diaper genie sausage of 84 diapers. Then picture that in Ottawa, it is Bi-Weekly garbage pickup unless you get put on the list for weekly garbage due to disposable.

Another myth is that cloth diapers smell. Well considering I spend most of my time driving throughout Ottawa with loads and loads of dirty diapers in my car, I would have to say it is the opposite. Disposable diapers when wet or dirty have a very nasty smell. If you are one of those pregnant moms whose sense of smell increases after having a child, you will agree.

Yet another Myth..Cloth diapers aren't as absorbent. Not true. During a recent home visit, where I was explaining how to fold a prefold into a cover, I was explaining how elastics at the back of the cover kept poop explosions in. As I was speaking the new first time parents lifted the infant up as she had been sleeping on her back on a blanket, and there was the proof. From high back(shoulder blades) to the crotch the newborn was covered in yellow/orange poop. And she was wearing a little onsie. Has anyone experienced this where they have to carefully pull the poop covered onsie over the infant's head without it getting in hair/arms/ basically everywhere. The infant was wearing a disposable diaper, as they hadn't started with cloth yet.I recommended changing her in the bathtub or kitchen sink.

Cost of child in a disposable:
Keep in mind this is an estimate. I calculated the disposable diapers at .10 cents each( which is on the low-end). Average of 12 diapers a day for first 3 months, then 8 diapers a day for 1 year, then 6 diapers for 1 year.  So the grand total is $3,768.  Keep in mind this does not include diaper genie refills, the times you go and put a disposable on and the tab breaks, wipes, or the times you put a clean diaper on, only to have baby poop right away. Also this estimate is for 27 months...most babies who wear disposable will be in diapers longer as they don't feel the wetness.  So you could be adding another 1 year to this
estimate. Also this estimate is NOT based on "natural" disposable or the "green" disposable.