Pet Peeve

Okay, so it really has come to my realization that if there is one thing that will turn me off forever, even propel me to shun you, is bad customer service. Included in that is a laisez faire attitude when you are working in the customer service industry.

For example, today I was looking at Soft Moc in the mall. Nobody in the store. I was browsing around, seriously looking to purchase something. Unfortunately there were no prices on everything I picked up. Didn't see a shop assistant so I kept looking, trying to gauge how much each item would be. I finally saw a lady at the cash counter. I, I however, was quite far away, with a stroller. I just figured she'd make her way to me, as it was quite obvious that I was in some need of assistance. Nothing. I then hear her turn to two elderly ladies, who were browsing, and says to them, "If you want to look at something I have to do it for you". I promptly walked out of the store.

On another occasion, about 9 years ago, I was double charged at Future Shop. I knew it had happened at the time, brought up my concern but was assured that the first transaction did not go through so it was ok. When I saw my bank statement I realized that I was in fact, correct and was double charged. I took my bank statement and receipt back to customer service to ask for a refund to which they refused. Haven't been back since.

West Coast Kids. Walked in there, visibly pregnant with a two year old, looking for double strollers. Not one person asked if they could help. I finally found someone to talk to, at the checkout, and she actually went and looked for me. All they had was the broken floor model, but I was assured that they would be getting more in 4-6 weeks and would I like to be on the call back list for when they came in, I said yes, and gave her my information. Over a year later and I'm still waiting for that call. Won't shop there anymore.

In conclusion, hire people with good work ethic and customer service. I might be just one customer, but you've lost my business.

Meet The Teacher

Reid had his meet the teacher day at school today. We've been talking about it for weeks and he was so so so excited about it. We got there, found his new room and then he just broke down. Cuddled right into me and just started to cry. Poor guy. No idea why.  He tends to get "shy" on his initial visits and meetings with new people lately. Then we saw Miss Lindsay, his teacher from last year, and found out she's going to be one of his teachers this year. It relaxed him. Meanwhile Nolan was mowing down block castles and spinning in the special helper chair the whole time. He saw a couple of friends from last year, but I don't think that any of them are in his actual time slot. I'm worried he'll be upset about that. We chatted when we got home and he seems happy about going back. When he relaxed a bit he started to have fun. Drew pictures, played with the toys.  It's going to be a busy fall. He started back at CrossFit kids today and there are so many new kids this session. It's awesome!! He had so much fun! Now we have things to do Monday to Friday. Wow!

Best Idea

I don't know if any of you other mums have this issue, but we have our toy boxes and then in those toy boxes are just random junk. A lot of it goes together, but because they are so small they are just all over the place. Well, I found a solution. I bought a bunch of clear binder inserts today and grouped the same/alike toys in each bag (army men, Cars toys, etc...) and now it's way more tidy!! Reid even helped me organize it, so he gets it. Love it!just thought I'd share.

Why Didn't I Know

Seriously why didn't anybody tell me how hard being a parent was going to be.  I'm not talking about the late nights, and the crying and whining all the time. I'm talking about something different...

Reid has a new little friend, Emily. She lives down the street. She was over multiple times a day for three days last weekend. Then we just haven't seen her since Monday. Reid asks every day if she's coming to play. And I just tell him that is she comes, then she is welcome to play (she's 5).  I see her playing with the other kids I the street all the time (also they are a kind of sketchy family, she's always dirty, up at all hours of the night, her dad is always yelling and swearing at them). Today, again, Reid asks if Emily is coming to play. I said, no cause it was almost dinner time. He pouted and said, "is she ever coming over again?" And I told him, if she came over then she could come in to which he replied, with a pouty lip, "but she's my friend". Heart broken.

Two months...

...and it's Mexico time. I've been really trying to be good these last two weeks that Christien has been gone. No break, minimal everything else. I am starving. There's gotta bean easier way to drop a few lbs then to starve yourself. Don't get me wrong, I'm eating enough calories to sustain myself. If I wasn't active, but now I'm trying to run at least once a week (would like it to be more), CrossFit three times a week, and once Christien gets back I'm getting back into yoga.  We are super healthy, but I'm so hungry :)

We've got a somewhat busy 2 weeks when Christien comes home. The Lockharts are coming to visit for a night! So excited to seethe,. Going camping with the Wilds the weekend after. Also very excited. Those boys have a great time together. Davis and Reid play and Charlie takes care of Nolan. I love it. Hopefully we'll be able to head out to Sikome Lake next week. Reid had so much fun when we were camping at Gull Lake the other weekend.

Aunty Malia and Uncle Christien

...plus two cousins!

It's official, my brother is now a dad! Wow. That sounds so crazy. Little Cole Vance Langis was born into this world this morning at 4 am. A healthy 7 lbs 13 oz and 21 inches of him to love! I cannot wait to meet the little guy who has forever changed my brother and Stacey's life. What a blessing. What a miracle. Now my boys are cousins!!! 9 months between baby Nolan and baby Cole! Best friends? Mortal enemies? I hope best friends!! Cannot wait to move to Edmonton and let the three of these boys grow up together! I am beyond excited for them, and cannot wait to meet him this week! Way to go Stacey! You survived childbirth, now everything else will seem to be a joke! You can overcome anything! My heart is so much bigger today and filled with so much love.

New Baby??

As I wait for my nephew to arrive, I reflection my babies coming into this world. I remember the first time I saw them. The first time I held them. The first time I smelled them. I just can't wait for my brother and sister in law to have the same experience. I get to meet this little munchkin on Thursday. Will he be 3 days old? 2 days old? Aggghhhh... I'mm so excited and happy for them. Even though I know what they are in for ;) Much love to my ever growing family!

Happy Mother's Day

Just wanted to give a shout out to all the wonderful mum's out there. You make the world go round. I always knew my mum was special, but until I became one myself I didn't realize and appreciate how much she did. Love to you all. Hope you had a magnificent day.

40th Birthday

My friend, Kristin, had her 40th birthday today. Her boyfriend and sister have been planning today's festivities for months now. All day, Kyle would give Kristin little clues, and some money and send her on her way to her next adventure. She had pedi and manis - and was met there by a group of her friends. Dinner with another group of friends. Then Jasmine and Curtis, their boys and my boys all met her at the dog park with a gaggle of balloons to have a little walk with her. Then she was on her way to get her make up done and for dinner, then a surprise party. I was supposed to be there for the party, but my sitter cancelled at the last minute and then I got really sick, and wasn't able to make it.  But what a great birthday for her. Glad I was able to at least see her for an hour today. She makes 40 look flawless. Happy Birthday Kristin!

Swimming

Reid started un-parented swimming lessons a few weeks ago. He goes with his friend, Rylan. They are so cute. And he's so good at it. There are only 5 kids in the class, and you can tell that the instructor structures his interaction with each kid to meet their skill levels. He's pretty hands off with Reid. Probably cause he's the best three year old swimmer I know. He floats and kicks and jumps off the ledge. He's so brave and fearless. I love it. Nolan was supposed to have lessons too, but about a week before they were to start, they got cancelled. Low enrolment. Sucks. We'll try again in the summer. He needs to have no fear like his brother.

I was going to look for a gymnastics class for him as well, but CrossFit kids is going to start soon, and I'm totally putting him in that. Christi is teaching it, and Reid already knows, and really likes her.it's going to be Saturday mornings during our regular class time. So that works perfect, cause we'll already be at the gym. He's going to love it.

Off topic: I did a 45 pound Turkish Barbell Get Up yesterday. I'm pretty strong 💪, it even surprises me!!

The Boys

Nolan is 6 months old today!! How did that happen? Seriously! Time flew with Reid, but it seems to be on super speed with Nolan. We've started him on some foods. The cereal was awful. Brought back memories of his unpleasantness. Talked to Reid's naturopath about it, and she said that cereal is really hard to digest. So we took a couple days off and then just tried real food. So far: bananas and egg yolk. Can't say he loves either, but he was opening his mouth to take food off the spoon today. So that was cool. Have some melon I. The freezer right now, and am going to out it in those net things for tomorrow. Cold on the teeth, plus a new flavour.

He is on the move now!! Been rolling like crazy for months. Just a few days ago he got the idea of crawling. It's crazy.in a matter of a few days he's gone from being stationary to all over the place. It's quite the army crawl, but he moves... I'm going to have to get those safety gates up sooner then I thought.

Reid is doing great too. Growing into quite the handsome little guy. He's taking swimming lessons with his friend Rylan. It's the cutest. All unparented, but we can sit and watch them from the deck (I think we have to). They are just so awesome. I'd say they both won "Best Listener" awards. The other kids are bad and just do whatever they want. They are constantly being put in time outs. Reid and Rylan just sit and wait their turns and do what the teacher says. So proud of them.

School is almost over for Reid. He loved it! He's enrolled for next year. Three days a week. Now I'm just struggling with whether I out him in the 3 or the 4 year old class. That's all dependant on whether we start him early or late. With a February birthdate we have the option. I was set on holding him back, but I have a rammy friend (😍) who thinks he needs to go early. We are going to meet with his teachers in the next few weeks and see what they have to say about it.

Reid has been so great with Nolan. Until recently. And I wouldn't say that he's bad with him, but all of a sudden I'm seeing the jealousy. If your attention is focused on Nolan for more then 15 seconds, then Reid is all over you. We're not sure how to tackle this issue.

He's potty trained! But not at night yet. It's great!!

And that is our boys at the moment....

Extraction

Ugh. Got my wisdom teeth out on Wednesday. It was, and is awful. It's been over a year in the making. First I had a referral and consultation at a surgeons office in October 2011. Booked for April 2012. Was going to get all four pulled, so they were putting me right under. Got pregnant with Nolan, so had to cancel that appointment. Then found out that my current dentist office brings in a dentist who only does wisdom teeth extractions, once a month. Booked in for April. They weren't really forthcoming with a lot of information about what to do and how to prepare for this "procedure", so I called the morning of and found out that I wasn't going to be put under. So that freaked me out a bit. I was reassured that he's really good at what he does and that there is really no need to be put totally under. So in I went. Drove myself. Worst thing ever. Froze my face like crazy, then I was awake for every sound that happened during the extraction. Cracked teeth, drill, ugh... Everything. It was the worst experience ever. The worst. I wasn't comfortable driving home. Christien, and the kids came to get me. He dropped my prescriptions off for me and then picked them up later. I couldn't even talk. Dada took the boys to Chuck E Cheese for dinner to give me a chance to relax. I think they actually had a blast. When they got home, Christien and Nolan were telling me about all the stuff they did and Nolan couldn't stop cracking up. It was too funny.  I've been on a diet of pudding, sorbet and Popsicles for two days. Caved and had some soup and mashed potatoes. Man I'm hungry. Everyone keeps telling me about this dry sockets. And it's freaking me out. My jaw doesn't open that wide so they had to lamp me really wide open. So I have to deal with that pain too. Ugh and ugh. I'm no longer in major pain, but I'm still really sore. And swollen.

Happy Easter

We'll almost Easter. Reid, Nolan and I are on our way to uncle Ty's tomorrow. First road trip for Nolan! And doing it solo. Yikes. I think it'll be good. Going to the gym in the morning, and he rarely sleeps while I'm there. So I figure he'll be tired when we're done and sleep all the way to Edmonton?? I hope. Reid is good I the car these days. Make sure I have the iPad charged and we should have no issues. Weather has been nice so the roads should be a breeze. Reid is pretty excited. He loves his uncle Ty. We packed up all his toys and clothes today. He totally helped. We seem to have a lot to bring (Christien would hate it), but I knew he wanted to play hot wheels with uncle Ty. And then there's puzzles and colourings... So, you do what you gotta do.

Went to the zoo today! Nolan's first time. He was in the baby Bjorn the whole time. Seemed to like it. We saw one of the last penguin walks. It was pretty cool. The King Penguins have been doing a little walk about of the zoo for the last few months. It's getting to warm for them to keep it up so I thought this would be fun. Reid loves penguins. Although, we pulled up at the zoo and the lot was blocked. Line up to enter the parking lot and then it dawned on me. Beautiful day..., Spring break.... Right.... It was jammed packed in there. Worst then a Saturday. Oh well. We had fun.

Excited to see the folks tomorrow too. They got back from their sojourn in Bali last week. Will get to check out the progress on their house too. Exciting! Sent Ty on a shopping spree for me. Eggs. Food dye. Milk. Lol. All the stuff I need but it's just been too hard to get these guys organized to do it. You ca only do so many chores in a day. They deserve a little fun too plus Reid is off school this week.

Hoppy Easter to all!

Reid's Birthday

Okay, so it was his birthday a few weeks ago!  My little guy turned three.  We had a great party.  Decided to do a swimming party at Village Square (same place that we had his party last year).  The kids seems to have a really good time.  We had food, then played a game where everyone won a coloring book and, thanks to my husband, we had crayons for them to color in for a bit, then everyone in the pool.  Not sure if the dads or the kids had more fun.  At one point I came back to the pool deck and the mums and some of the kids were sitting around, when I asked where the dads were, I was told that they were in line to go down the big slide one more time.  So much fun.  Here's a couple of pictures.  The cake, I wish I could take total credit for, but really, I found it on Pinterest, made the actual cake and then got Christien to decorate it.  So he gets the credit.  I think it's awesome.

 Super cute cake!  Also delicious

 Nolan's first swim!!

Mr Moustache

Trucking on...

Poor baby Nolan. Poor mama. Poor dada. This kid does not sleep. He's worse then Reid and I never thought that would be a possible comment to ever make. He actually doesn't sleep. I haven't slept in my owned in weeks, maybe months. I literally sleep in the rocking chair in his room with him in my arms. It's been awful. I too him to the Children's Hospital a few weeks ago cause it was just outrageous. Screaming, flailing, crying all night.... Can't put him down. It's just unbearable. The pediatrician said he doesn't think that it's internal cause he would be showing other symptoms, so basically he's colicky. Thank you very much, just deal with it. Good bye. That's what I got from them. They were nice about it but said that there isn't much I can do. Have stopped breast feeding which was really hard for me, and he's on a crazy expensive hypoallergenic formula. It's helping with his eating issues. He'll actually eat a whole 4oz bottle now rather then one ounce, followed by screams, only to eat another ounce n 20 minutes. So I'm all for that. Took him to a chiropractor today. Fingers crossed. She said he's all messed up. Did a quick adjustment. Seriously, if she hadn't told me that she adjusted him I would never have known, he's already been up a few times tonite, but he doesn't seem to be screaming about it. Just crying cause he lost his soother. I'm hopeful. However. He's got to go back Wednesday and Friday. She said that she normally doesn't see babies so often, but he really needs it. We also have a pediatrician appointment on Thursday. I'm keeping it just to see what she says. Sigh.... We've had a few really, really rough nights.

On a brighter note, Christien took Reid up to Edmonton for the day on Saturday to see Monster Trucks. They had a mega, mega blast. It was pretty cool to hear all the stories when they got home. Tomorrow he is special helper at his school and he's bringing his GraveDigger monster truck cause it's his favourite, and he can tell the story of going to see them with his dad. I love it.

CrossFit is going great I lost 12lbs in the first month. Haven't lost anything in the last two weeks, but I think that has to do with being overwhelmed and stressed out. I find it hard to eat right when I'm feeling like this. So that's another reason I hope this chiropractor works out.  Christien and I still go every Saturday morning together. He also goes Wednesday nights. And I do Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Reid loves going there for daycare. We actually got a babysitter on Friday so we could go and take a class together. The box (the gym) is doing an adult gymnastic class on the 20th that I'd love to do with Chrisiten. Have to see if he'll be into it. It's fun to workout together. He looks amazing!

CrossFit Day 2

As you know, I won a CrossFit membership back in September. Now that Nolan is 10 weeks old, Christmas is over and it's a new year, I thought that it was time to hit it up. I went on Thursday morning and apparently Eric wanted to take it easy on me and did an "easy" workout. Ha! I don't think easy and CrossFit go together. It was hard, but it felt great. My legs were already sore by that afternoon. I felt pretty good when I woke up yesterday but the stiffness and pain got worse as the day wore on. Didn't think I was going to make it today, but Christien and I were both there for 1030. Another tough work out today. Nice introduction for Christien :) We are going to work out together. Christien is going to try to do one  night a week plus Saturday. I'm going to stick to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We might try to get a sitter for a week night workout together every once in awhile. They did a PhysioGraph on both of us that turned up some interesting information. Can wait to redo it in a month. It's going to be tough but fun!!

The Happiness Project

Happy New Year! Our book club read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin a few years ago. I've always said that I wanted to tackle in, in my life. Not that I am unhappy at all, but, like she says in her book, "I am happy, but I'm not as happy as I should be... I have such a good life and I want to appreciate it more". That basically sums it up. I want to appreciate my life and those in it more then I currently do. I'm very excited to start this project.

Saturday is my day of resolutions. Christien was gone for New Years Eve and Day, so I really feel like I want to start 2013 with him by my side. We're going to do at least a 1 week South Beach detox, and I'm actually starting CrossFit tomorrow. Christien is going to come with me on Saturday and we're going to see if we can set something up, membership wise, for him so that this will be our thing to do together. I can't wait.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! Cheers to 2013!