A quick judgement

I was driving to the dentist last night and I saw a man, with his back to me, walking on the sidewalk with no shirt on. Other than the no shirt, he seemed of sound mind (he was wearing pants and shoes). I thought to myself,

"Dude, I know it's warm but GEEZE - put a shirt on already!"

My next thought was "Canadians - any sign of warm weather and we're in shorts, flip flops and no shirts!!" In short, I thought he was a lunatic.

As I got closer to him, he turned around and to my shock and surprise, he was carrying a newborn baby, covered in a blanket, right on his chest. I gasped. Then I cried. This man is pacing the sidewalk, with skin-to-skin contact for his newborn baby, calming it, getting it to sleep. And here I was thinking this guy was some yahoo galavanting around without his shirt on for mere sport. Shame on me. My next thought was to the mother, who (I will venture a guess) was likely in the house trying to cope with the craziness I call Week 1 with Baby. Was she sleeping? Crying? Just trying to cope? Who knows.

I passed such a quick judgement only to realize I was completely off. How many times have I done that without knowing the full story? I will certainly know better next time.

Good night, Mommy. I love you.

Things change right before my eyes - before I even know they've changed. Most notably are the phases of my daughter's life that just seem to pass before I've even realized they are gone.

Tonight I sang a rousing rendition of "The Goodbye Song" from Bear in the Big Blue House (thankfully I know the words) and a not so perfect version of "Teddy Bear's Picnic" (I have since looked up the words). When did this little ritual begin, I wonder? It has been going on for as long as I can remember. Me or my husband, sitting beside her bed singing and patting her back.

It got me thinking about all the other little things we would do for her - especially at night - and when they just stopped? When did rocking her in the glider stop? Walking and bouncing? Nursing? Night waking? (ok, she still does that last one sometimes) I feel though that when I go through each of these 'phases' it seems that they will never end. Then she outgrows them or they outgrow her - or better yet - we just get tired of them all and move onto something else.

As I looked at her in her bed today, I still couldn't believe how big she's gotten, how she says "Good night Mommy, I love you" and gives me a kiss and hug. I also know that this phase too will pass. I hope it never does or better yet, I hope I never forget it.

Introducing....Mom

My 2 and a half year old has very recently decided to stop calling me 'Mommy' and start calling me 'Mom'. When did that happen? But more importantly, why??

I love hearing her call me Mommy -- Mommy let's go for a walk, Mommy let's play, or the big cry, Mommmmeeeeeeeee! But no longer. Now it's just a very grown up and succinct - Mom.

'Mommy' is cute. It's endearing. It's what little kids call their mothers. 'Mom' is something that I call my own mother. But I'm a grown woman. I'm not 2.

Every time she does it, I gently suggest 'You can call me Mommy'. And she replies, 'Ok, Mom'. I hate when I'm outwitted by a toddler. Unfortunately, it happens quite often.

It's not just me. 'Daddy' has also become 'Dad' and my husband isn't impressed either. Aside from correcting her - it technically isn't even a wrong term - I guess I shouldn't make a big deal out of it. Maybe she'll revert back to 'Mommy' on her own? I'll likely just get used to it and be glad she isn't calling me 'Joanne'.

Additions to the Checklist

For anyone really paying attention...here's a couple more 'must have's' for travel with child.

1. FRS Radios - aka: walkie talkies. You will split up from your partner, and it's nice to be able to find each other. Nevermind also being able to eavesdrop on other people's conversations.
2. Flashlight - perfect for when the baby is asleep by 8 pm and you still need to find all your things. Doubles as toy in a pinch. Make sure to have fresh batteries.
3. In addtion to #2 above, bring a night light. Works like a charm for all the same reasons you have one at home.
4. Apple - Not the computer - the fruit. My daughter was perfectly happy with an apple she could eat whole. Brilliant packaging! This may not work for all kids, but dammit it worked for me. Add this to Snacks #16 below.
5. Pre-wrapped cutlery (in addtion to #24 on list below) You know the kind you get at fast food joints - it's got a fork, spoon, knife, salt, napkin and wet nap all in sealed plastic wrap? Well stock up on those! If it means eating more KFC than so be it. They come in very handy and offer up the wet nap as a bonus.

That's it for now. Any more travel ideas most appreciated.

My Perfect Travel Checklist

I have returned from my first vacation avec enfant. What an adventure! [Editors Note: There needs to be a specific post just for the vacation itself. Stay tuned.] Before I left, I searched the world wide web aimlessly looking for the perfect travel checklist. I never found it.

I have now created my own PERFECT TRAVEL CHECKLIST. I know exactly what you need to bring. You can thank me later.

I pack too much all the time. Better to be safe than sorry. This list will be for those things that I found indispensable. We traveled to warm weather, yet most of this will still apply for winter related travel. Just be warned.

These are in no particular order other than in the order which I remembered them.

1. Favourite stuffed animal and blanket (Make sure not to lose them. I tagged them with our email address)
2. Potty seat (the one that goes right on top of the toilet seat). If your child is in diapers, well bring those too.
3. Clothes pegs to keep curtains closed, hang all those hand washed clothes
4. Laundry soap (you will hand wash something)
5. Dish soap (to wash all those sippy cups, #24)
6. 2 pairs of flip flops/swim shoes (you won't get the sand off the first pair)
7. Sunscreen (we went through almost 2 bottles)
8. Bathing suit cover up
9. Sunshirt (the ones with SPF protection)
10. Toys - only a few favourite ones, we found that brand new toys as 'surprises' worked really well. The mini 'magnadoodle' was great too for using in the umbrella stroller (#12)
11. Books - keep a few very handy in case your luggage gets lost and you are sitting on the floor of the airport near where your baggage should be trying to occupy your child as your husband searches for "the desk" to make a claim.
12. Cheap umbrella stroller. The kind that if it gets lost, broken or stolen, you won't mind.
13. Fold up rain umbrella (can be used for sun too)
14. Sunglasses
15. Sun hat (more than 1 because you inevitably will only be able to find one on any given day)
16. Snacks We loved the small boxes of animal crackers, mini boxes of cereal, apple sauce cups (don't forget cutlery #24), fruit cups. Difficult to find goldfish crackers in Mexico. Yet another use for Ziploc bags (#19) and lunch bag (#21).
17. Clothes (tshirts, shorts, bathing suits etc) This is really a no brainer. But you will inevitably hand wash something so don't forget the laundry soap (#4)
18. Baby wipes - big container and small for day trips. Really helped at the beach wiping sandy hands and salt water in the eyes, even trays and dishes. Not just for bums. Who knew?
19. Ziploc bags (so many uses, you'll never know what you did without them. I packed nearly everything in these. 1 for qtips, 1 for meds (see #20)...I could go on...) Different sizes would work well too (big ones for wet clothes, sandwich size for everything else)
20. All over-the-counter medications that your child has ever used. Tempra, Dimetap, Advil, Polysporin, diaper cream, children's Gravol, bug spray, hydrocortizone cream, eye drops, bandaids, rubbing alcohol - everything. Just bring it. Go into your cupboard and get them all. Make sure they're not expired and bring the dosage droppers too. You'll be glad you did if they get sick.
21. Lunch bag (to go with #16). You know the kind you use for work lunches. It was excellent for day trips and travelling in the airport and on the plane. I even used the ziploc bags (see #19) filled with ice to keep stuff cool. Brilliant indeed!
22. Stickers. Buy them at the dollar store. This activity alone occupied my 2 year old for minutes at a time. Once she was done sticking them on paper, tables, plates, chairs, she handed them out to everyone. Good sharing! Great to take to restaurants and places you don't want to lug all the toys.
23. Hair elastics, barettes etc. Just bring three million and be prepared never to find one when you need it.
24. Cups & cutlery Bring sippy cups (more than 1) plastic cutlery and don't forget the dish soap (#5)

I think this is about it. I reserve the right to add another when I remember it. If you have anything that worked for you, please let me know. I'll add it to the list and give you all the kudos you want.