Exercise....or lack thereof.

I was so much looking forward to today. I had a soccer game this morning, and I have not played in WEEKS. We were actually playing a good team today which is a rare occurrence....which makes it even more sad that I got called into work and then couldn't go to my game. Arrrrrrrgggghhhh!!!

Which leads me to my point. I have not had a significant stint of exercise in way too long. And it is starting to drive me crazy. It worries me that I will never find the time to do it and it is something that I actually enjoy. I thought maybe if I was dedicated enough I could maybe do a few morning spin or power classes every so often. But if I get home at 7:15 from a 6 am class, that is nowhere near enough time to get both Lucas and myself out the door by 8:30.

After work, I pick up Lucas at 5:15 and I only have a few hours to see him before he goes to sleep at 8. I need those hours with him, that's the only time I see him all day. So working out after work is out too. By the time Lucas is in bed I am beat from the day's activities and all I want to do is collapse on the couch. This is the only foreseeable time that I could possibly exercise. And that does not leave me with many options as to what to do. No classes at the gym start after that time. I am no longer a weights-and-treadmill gymgoer. I like classes and playing soccer and running outside. Working out at home is OK I guess. I just find that I don't work hard enough and am way less motivated when I'm at home.

I don't know how other Moms do it. When do you find the time??? This is yet another adjustment I have to make in my life in order to fit in work and family, which I am happy happy happy to have to do, I just don't know how to adjust this one.

I was so desperate for exercise this weekend that I offered to do Terry's job of shoveling our walk and driveway (twice!).

Long time no post

Photo: Lucas ASLEEP in his sled. How do you fall asleep while being dragged across a bumpy, snowy road I have no idea.

Hi blog. It's been a while and it's not entirely my fault. My computer completely shut down on me and has been in and out of the shop (Future Shop that is....) for the past 2 months. That's no excuse you say? You're right.

I missed blogging about a lot of things, namely Christmas. And Amy's visit. To sum it up, Amy's visit and Christmas were great, and I really really missed not having her around when she left. Not only because she was a super huge help with Lucas and they got to be great buddies while she was here, but I missed just having her around to hang out with. Amy you can come back and stay annnytime.

After Christmas came Boxing Day. Boxing Day shinny to be exact. For the past 4 years, all of the soccer girls get together for a Boxing Day shinny game. The usual soccer girl-hijinx ensues and it is always, always a great time. This year was especially great because our team won!! (For the first time in four years, but that's a minor detail). A little bit of insight into the craziness that goes on before, during and after the game:

Before: The draft is held. This is serious business. Team captains (Amy and I on one team and Jenine and usually Parker on the other) compete for first round draft pick. Then the secret draft is held and only the first round draft pick is revealed, the rest of the draft is top secret.

During: This is no "let's just go have fun and not worry about the score" kind of shinny game. Everyone's competitive edge comes out and it can get a little rough.

After: Win or lose we hit the booze. Enough said. I would post pictures of our Boxing Day madness but I feel they are not blog-appropriate.

Enough about Boxing Day. Onto what Lucas has been up to. I SWEAR that his first words are:

1. Dad (My feelings are a little hurt Lucas. Whatever. I just carried you around in me for 9 months and then gave birth to you and then nursed you for months and months no big deal...what has Dad done that is so special??!? Huh?)

2. Cheese. OK so not really the full word. But he threw a tantrum the other day in his highchair when he saw me cutting cheese for my sandwich until I gave him some. He makes this "chussss chusss" sound whenever he sees cheese.

3. Hi. Clear as day this morning.

Ahhhhhhhh. Best thing ever.

NA NA NA NA NA

Pretty sure I am going to win the $20 million LottoMax Jackpot on Friday....just throwing it out there.

Went for Lucas' 1 year checkup yesterday. After waiting for almost an hour (when I clearly had an appointment) we finally saw the doctor. Poor guy had to get 4, yes 4, needles. 3 of the normal 1 year immunizations and a seasonal flu shot. That is one needle per limb. After the second needle Lucas was screaming "NA NA NA NA NA NA" at the top of his lungs, which was kind of a funny cry, but I still felt so bad for him. Don't think he was traumatized by the whole ordeal. After lunch and a solid nap, good as new.

We may or may not have stopped at McDonalds when we were at Walmart that afternoon for some ice cream, just in case he was still feeling bad because of his needles. McDonalds inside Walmart is a hilarious place. I mean the people that eat there are pretty hilarious. I won't go into detail, but lets just say that I am pretty sure the people that eat there do so on a regular basis, like every time they go to Walmart to pick up a new wardrobe. Geez Amber so judgmental. Yes, yes I am. I am allowed to judge because I was looking super glam in my jeans and bunnyhug.

Speaking of looks, I look extra fab today with my quasimodo eye. My skin has been breaking out lately (must be all of the stress of staying home and trying to enjoy my last few weeks of mat leave) so I used this benzoyl peroxide lotion on my face. It has been forever since I have used something like that and I seem to have forgotten that I am allergic to benzoyl peroxide. Woke up with my right eye swollen almost shut. Yep, just the one eye. Looks hot. Every time I blink it is a struggle to open my eye again because my eyelid is all huge. Awesome.

Christmas baking I want to do:

Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes
Gingerbread Cupcakes
Vanilla Cupcakes with Eggnog Buttercream
Snowflake Cupcakes
Gingersnaps
Biscotti (so excited to try this one, biscotti is my new favourite food)
Peppermint Brownies
Sugar Cookies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies (you know, the peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss on top? mmmmmmm)
Peppermint Marshmallows

That is a lot of baking. Two problems: 1) Going back to work is definitely going to cut into my baking time. 2) Avoiding temptation after all of the baking is done and my freezer is filled with sweets.

Back to work so soon?

Totally slacking on my blog. My maternity leave with Lucas is slowly coming to an end. A friend on my soccer team asked me when I am going back to work and I replied with "The end of the month....booooooo...." Her: "Oh are you not ready to go back to work or are you just sad to leave Lucas at daycare". Which got me thinking that it is actually neither. I am ready to go back to work, strangely enough I miss it. I never thought in a million years I would say that but then again I have never gone this long without working or being in school. In a perfect world I would probably only work 3 days a week, but that is just not reality. As for daycare, I think it will be great for Lucas to go and play with some other kids and get some time away from me. He is a pretty clingy baby, which I am not sorry to say I have totally enabled up until now. Daycare for 5 days a week is a little much, but again, not living in a perfect world. He'll do great, I know it.

Again, I can't sleep because I am thinking about cupcakes. Lucas' birthday cupcakes to be exact. I am not doing anything extravagant or over the top, but I am stressing about them because they are for Lucas. I make so many cupcakes for no reason at all, and this time they are for a very special reason so I want them to be right. Not that he will notice!! But I want them to be great. I may or may not have spent the last hour scouring Flickr for cupcake inspiration. There are some amazing cupcakeries out there. But they have a whole bakery at their disposal!! I just have me and my oven.

I hit a little personal bump in the road last week, nothing major, just something I had my heart set on didn't quite work out. I was so so so disappointed for about a day. I had to remind myself that I have many, many amazing people and things going on in my life and I am extremely fortunate. A job I want to go back to, a healthy and happy baby, an amazing husband and wonderful family and friends, just to mention a few. Picture: What I am most grateful for.

H1N1

This morning Lucas and I braved the madness and joined the caravan of MV's (minivans....duh....) and headed out to Prarieland to get his H1N1 immunization. Picture is the line ahead of me when I got there and the line behind me that formed was even worse. I knew it was going to be a crazy madhouse, but I was pleasantly surprised that it went so smoothly. I mean as smoothy as a 3 hour process to get a needle can go. We got there around 830ish and there was already a line about 200 people long. THERE WERE PEOPLE THERE AT 4:30 AM!!! Seriously....don't people work? I don't right now but I'm pretty sure not all of those people are on mat leave.

I thought I was so organized, had everything ready the night before, had my little guy bundled up and ready to wait in the cold, stroller loaded up and ready to go. Get to the back of the line and strike up a conversation with the guy behind me, who is waiting by himself so his wife can bring his kids later. I see his Tim Horton's cup and suddenly realize......I LEFT MY STEAMING PERFECT TIM HORTONS COFFEE IN THE VAN. Uggggggggggghhhhhh. I tell him this and he offers to hold my spot in line while I go grab my coffee. He clearly understands what a huge deal it is not to have your morning coffee while standing in the cold. I asked him if he minded watching Lucas while I SPRINTED to the van to get my coffee. That's right.....I left my son with a perfect stranger. Mom I hope you're not horrified right now. Dudes he was a Dad, and there were nothing but parents around. Gone for 2 seconds and back in a flash, no harm done. Not something I am going to make a habit of don't worry. I got to repay the favour when his wife came, holding his spot in line while he went to meet her and park the car. Just an example of the camaraderie (had to spell check that one) you develop with other parents while waiting in line for something like this. We waited about 45 minutes outside and then I don't know how long inside, but it didn't seem that long. Lucas was such a brave little guy and only cried a little. And he didn't even fuss the whole time we were waiting which was surprising since he was falling asleep when we pulled in. Ahhhh glad to have it done. Got some groceries this afternoon and picked up some ice cream for Lucas for being such a brave guy. Just for Lucas of course....I think his favourite flavour is mint chocolate chip....

If I was 12 I would totally have a crush on Justin Bieber. I bet he is OWNING those Tiger Beat and Bop magazines. Does Tiger Beat even exist anymore?

Daba Daba

Lucas and I took a walk to the mall (maybe to buy some cupcake related items...more on that later...) and to Tim Hortons (obviously....I don't even go out anymore without going there....How do moms who don't drink coffee survive?) this morning.

This has become a regular event, and since Lucas is such a good shopper most of the time, I treat him to a Timbit on our way home. Terry found out about this little habit and asked me if I buy Lucas a Timbit every time I stop at Tim Hortons. Pffftttt not every time Terry that would be ridiculous.....it's more like every second time. Whatever, it's more like 1/2 a Timbit anyway because he never eats the whole thing. Terry was concerned I am pushing my Tims habit onto Lucas. Nothing to worry about Terry, we met a baby today who must spend waaay more time there than we do. This mom and her kid (who was 2 at the most) came up behind me at the till and all the kid said the whole time they were there is 'daba daba'. DOUBLE DOUBLE!!! I asked his mom if that's what he was saying and sure enough that is what she orders all the time so he picked it up. Hilarious.....Now I just have to teach Lucas '1/2 hot chocolate'.

Stopped at the park on the way home....figured the swings were a much better treat for Lucas than a Timbit. One of the last days for the swings I think. Video taken with my phone....unbelievable that you can take videos like that with a phone. Please ignore my baby voice/noises.




Dudes I am obsessed with cupcakes. I have cupcake insomnia. I think about cupcake ideas before I go to bed. A friend of mine asked me if I would like to make cupcakes for her daughter's first birthday, my first paying cupcake job! So now I constantly think of things to do for her cupcakes, and what I am going to do for Lucas' birthday cupcakes, and I still want to make maple fall cupcakes but I am running out of fall-time, and then Christmas is coming up so I want to make some winter/Christmas ones......you can see how this might get out of control and keep me up at night.

I made my own fondant the other night. I have never worked with fondant before so I thought I would give it a try, but it is so expensive to buy. It turned out great, wasn't that hard really, and I am so excited to make fondant tops for my cupcakes and little things to put on them.

I ordered cupcake liners and other awesome things from etsy yesterday. I had to use an extreme amount of self control to not order everything I saw from this cupcake shop..... or this could turn into a semi-expensive hobby. I think Terry would rather me develop hobbies that make money rather than cost money....just a guess.

Items I covet at this moment:

Just in case you wanted to get me a super expensive gift for no reason.....

How cute would this dress look with black tights and black heels?? CUTE.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28989964

Some black heels to go with said dress:
http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/women/pumps/platform/75464846-ledec/95

New Uggs...almost a necessity for Saskatchewan winters:
http://www.uggaustralia.com/ProductDetails.aspx?gID=w&productID=5825&model=Classic+Short

I want these!!!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32942968&ref=cat3_list_14

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33106723&ref=sr_list_3&&ga_search_query=teapot&ga_search_type=category&category=vintage.housewares.ceramic&ga_page=&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Cupcake bender....WARNING...pictures look delicious.

Enough about soccer. CUPCAKES!!!!

I went on a cupcake baking bender last week. A good way to deal with my post-nationals depression.....as long as I don't get too depressed and end up eating them all. Pumpkin Spice with Cream Cheese Buttercream, Chocolate with Mocha Buttercream and Cookies n' Cream.

To be sung to the tune of Natasha Beddingfield's Pocket Full of Sunshine: (which I hate)

I gotta freezer gotta freezer full of cupcakes, I gotta freezer gotta freezer full of cupcakes I gotta freezer gotta freezer full of cupcakes whooooooooooaaa ohh ohh ohhhhhhhhhhhh.

Take them away! Oh sweet escape! Take them away! Oh sweet escape!

Anyway, I love baking cupcakes. Not just the finished product but I actually LOVE the process. Such....a.....loser.

The only thing on my Christmas list this year is this:

http://www.kitchenaid.ca/flash.cmd?/#/en/product/KSM150PSER/

It is absurd that I bake so many cupcakes and don't own one already. I think I may have to purchase it myself and put it under the tree from Santa though.....it might be out of the Christmas budget and it is definitely out of the maternity leave budget. I should have put it on my wedding registry when I got married but I didn't know then that I would become a cupcake fiend.

Sorry blog...

It's been a while.

I have kind of been in a funk in the past week. Most likely due to soccer withdrawal and nationals disappointment. All I have wanted to do is lay on the couch and watch TV. So now that I have caught up on all my shows, I need to find something else to fill my time. I mean Lucas takes up a lot of it, but he also naps lots too.

We came in 4th at nationals, which was kind of bittersweet. A blizzard decided to move in that weekend, and our team was kind of pumped about it. We usually have an advantage over other teams in crazy weather, but apparently playing in a blizzard can be dangerous or something (icy field, zero visibility, white ball to match the snow....I fail to see the problem....). So thankfully as it turns out, we headed indoors on the turf field all weekend. Which turned out to be great because the games then were shortened to 60 minutes instead of the usual 90....we would have died playing four 90 minute games in four days.....and also we had way more fans out than if it would have been outside. First game against BC we played really well and ended up tieing them 0-0. Could have won that one, lost opportunites, etc. Second game we beat Ontario 1-0. That was huge. No Saskatchewan team has EVER beat Ontario in a national competition. HUGE. I remember playing provincial team back when I was younger....in my prime....just kidding I don't think I had a prime....and we would lose upwards of 8-0 to Ontario. So a huge accomplishment. All we had to do was beat Manitoba to move on to the final. THE FINAL. Toba? Should be no problem. Too bad they were playing a flat back 11. For you non-soccer types, that means they pretty much sat back and defended all game so we couldn't penetrate into their half, got a few breaks on us and scored 2 goals to win the game 2-0. Soooooooooo disappointing for us. But alright, bronze medal game against Nova Scotia, as long as we come out with a medal that would be more than a Saskatchewan team has ever accomplished. Lost 1-0 to Scotia. Terrible.

Siiiiiiiiiiiiigggggggggggggggghhhhhhh.

The good news is I now don't have to get up at 5 am to train and the bad news is I no longer have to get up at 5 am to train and play soccer with my friends. Soccer withdrawal. When does indoor start?????

SICK!

Terry and I keep saying how lucky we are to have such a healthy, happy baby. Why just yesterday I told Terry how glad I was that Lucas hasn't really been sick yet. I think I forgot to knock on wood because last night all that changed. Three baths, four pairs of pyjamas, a lot of tears (mine) and three sheet changes later and I think we might be through the woods.

Lucas had some salmon, rice and peas for supper, same as Terry and I, which he has had before but this time I guess it didn't agree with him. He went to bed fine as always and then I heard him stirring a bit before we went to bed. I peeked in his room to check on him before I went to sleep and found him on his belly, covered in puke. Gross!! Ahhhh!! So Terry and I stripped the bed, gave him a bath and changed his pyjamas. He seemed to be his normal, happy self through all of it....and kept looking at us like "What is the big deal? Why do I get to be up so late? This is fun!" Not fun Lucas.

And then he did that 3 more times before finally falling asleep. It was so so so hard to see him sick. He's so helpless and innocent and has no idea what's going on and all you want is for him to stop throwing up and feel better and have a good sleep. I was so upset seeing him like that. It's funny how you think you know how you will react to a certain situation and then when it actually happens your reaction is the complete opposite of what you thought. I am finding that especially true with Lucas, and that I am not nearly as tough as I think I am. A big wuss inside apparently. I know kids get sick, it's inevitable, it happens. I thought that when the time came and Lucas wasn't feeling well I would have been able to deal with it a lot better. Just wasn't the case last night. Just like his immunizations, I thought I was Ms. Tough Guy....nope....to borrow a nickname from one of my soccer friends, really I am "Little Miss Sissy Puss". Quote.

Thank goodness it was just something he ate (I think and hope) because he seems to be feeling good today, just super tired from wretching and being up all night I bet. Normal happy Lucas is the best kind. Proof is in the photo I took after his 3rd bath in 24 hours (this morning).