Today is the official last day of my maternity leave. I have no idea where a year went, and sometimes am amazed by how much this little person who I am so proud to call my daughter has grown.
I've spent the last three days tending to my sick Hannah, who has been home from daycare. We called Telehealth Ontario and finally gave in and braved the waiting room to see the doctor.
She has an ear and throat infection and she's now on antibiotics. It was weird seeing her name on medicine (not as weird as when my turtle got prescribed cream or my cat got prescribed pills, but weird nonetheless).
In a way, I feel some serious mom guilt. Because I wanted to spend more time with her before I went back to work. Obviously not under these circumstances, but still.
Maybe it's just the constant flows of "Mama" leaving her lips, usually when she is pain. A part of me knows I should feel honoured she seeks me out when she needs to be soothed and she trusts I am the one who will protect her while making things right. Another, bigger part of me just feels even more guilty because I know there is not much I can do but provide cuddles, kisses and plenty of water.
I really hope she is feeling better by Sunday. Going to work is going to be hard enough - it will be that much harder if I know she's still sick and I won't be the one taking care of her.
How do you deal with having to leave your kids when they are sick?
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Strawberry Shortcake Follow Your Berry Own Beat!
Strawberry Shortcake was one of my favourite characters growing up. I had Strawberry Shortcake shoes, a Strawberry Shortcake tricycle and of course, Stawberry Shortcake toys. I can't wait to introduce Hannah to Strawberry Shortcake, and since Hannah loves music, a great way to do that would be to take her to Strawberry Shortcake live in concert.
In this live theatrical production by Koba Entertainment, Strawberry Shortcake, and her best friends Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Torte, Plum Pudding and Cherry Jam, prove that little girls can do berry big things!
This musical adventure takes the audience to the whimsical land of Berry Bitty City where the whole town is buzzing with anticipation for the Glitzy Glaze Talent Show! Follow Strawberry Shortcake and the rest of the girls as they each prepare for their moment in the spotlight.
For the first time ever, Koba Entertainment is bringing together the iconic sweetness of Strawberry Shortcake and the wackiest siblings on television, the Doodlebops in one spectacular show! Before the sweet berry girls hit the stage, warm up your singing voice and stretch out your dancing muscles with the Doodlebops! Responding to calls from their legions of clamouring fans, Rooney, Moe and Dee Dee Doodle will take the stage in a live concert performance that gets their whole audience movin’ and groovin’. Join us for this interactive concert experience full of humour, fun and friendship: Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat! with very special guests the Doodlebops!
This never-seen-before musical package brings together an award-winning team led by Koba’s artistic director Patti Caplette. The show features new songs co-written by Lorelei Bachman and her father Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive); plus original and fan favourite songs from the hit television program. The theatrical production is based on the hit CGI-animated preschool television program Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures and draws on the success of the Doodlebops’ popular television series.
To find out when the berry girls and Doodblebops come to your town, click here for tour dates.
In celebration of Strawberry Shortcake's new show, Koba Entertainment is giving one YYZ Bambina reader a Strawberry Shortcake Book and DVD. To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below.
Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Tuesday, January 22, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
In this live theatrical production by Koba Entertainment, Strawberry Shortcake, and her best friends Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Torte, Plum Pudding and Cherry Jam, prove that little girls can do berry big things!
This musical adventure takes the audience to the whimsical land of Berry Bitty City where the whole town is buzzing with anticipation for the Glitzy Glaze Talent Show! Follow Strawberry Shortcake and the rest of the girls as they each prepare for their moment in the spotlight.
For the first time ever, Koba Entertainment is bringing together the iconic sweetness of Strawberry Shortcake and the wackiest siblings on television, the Doodlebops in one spectacular show! Before the sweet berry girls hit the stage, warm up your singing voice and stretch out your dancing muscles with the Doodlebops! Responding to calls from their legions of clamouring fans, Rooney, Moe and Dee Dee Doodle will take the stage in a live concert performance that gets their whole audience movin’ and groovin’. Join us for this interactive concert experience full of humour, fun and friendship: Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat! with very special guests the Doodlebops!
This never-seen-before musical package brings together an award-winning team led by Koba’s artistic director Patti Caplette. The show features new songs co-written by Lorelei Bachman and her father Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive); plus original and fan favourite songs from the hit television program. The theatrical production is based on the hit CGI-animated preschool television program Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures and draws on the success of the Doodlebops’ popular television series.
To find out when the berry girls and Doodblebops come to your town, click here for tour dates.
Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Tuesday, January 22, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Monday, January 07, 2013
My New Year's Resolution
Next week at this time, I will be at work. Hannah will be at daycare. And Chris, depending on his commute, will also be at work. Booyah, our cat, will probably be sleeping after meowing at us all morning.
Because Hannah has already started daycare, I have already slowly adjusted to not being with her all day. I hope this makes spending my day at work at lot easier. I hope at work I'm distracted and don't miss her as much as I currently do.
So, my New Year's Resolution is to spend at least one quality hour with Hannah a day during the week.
That doesn't seem like a lot, but she will be sleeping when I leave for work. I won't get to her at daycare until around 5:30 p.m., so we probably won't get home until 6ish. That gives me three to four hours to spend with her before she goes to bed. Factor in dinner and bath time, and one hour of quality time seems almost seems frivolous, especially since Chris will want to spend time with her too.
Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Does it deal with parenting?
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Because Hannah has already started daycare, I have already slowly adjusted to not being with her all day. I hope this makes spending my day at work at lot easier. I hope at work I'm distracted and don't miss her as much as I currently do.
So, my New Year's Resolution is to spend at least one quality hour with Hannah a day during the week.
That doesn't seem like a lot, but she will be sleeping when I leave for work. I won't get to her at daycare until around 5:30 p.m., so we probably won't get home until 6ish. That gives me three to four hours to spend with her before she goes to bed. Factor in dinner and bath time, and one hour of quality time seems almost seems frivolous, especially since Chris will want to spend time with her too.
Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Does it deal with parenting?
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Little ones stay warm in Little Dundi scarves
One of the joys of living in Toronto, or any part of Canada, is experiencing the four seasons. Truth be told, I enjoy spring, summer and fall (in that order) much more than I enjoy winter. Sure, I try to focus on fun things like skating, skiing and snowboarding. But it's hard not to focus on slush, shovelling and snowsuits.
Last winter Hannah was a newborn. Last winter Toronto hardly got any snow. Last winter my car was parked indoors.
This year, Hannah is old enough to take her own hat off. This year, Toronto has gotten more snow than we got ALL last winter. And most bitterly, this year my car is parked outdoors.
But there is still something positive to focus on in winter 2012/13. And that's the discovery of Little Dundi's Soft and Cuddly Scarf with Bear Pompons.
Hannah was sent one in pink, and she simply loves it. The little bears distract her enough for her to leave the scarf on. And it is SO soft. (So soft that I have already ordered a Little Dundi blanket made of the same material). And it's warm too - you have to trust mom and Little Dundi inventor Milena Perrine - she lives in Colorado, she knows what cold weather is truly like. I wish I could find a scarf like this that would fit me!
Further details:
• One Size. Fits baby 12+ months to toddler.
• 36 inches in length without the pompons. 4.5 inches wide.
• Ivory, camel or baby pink with beige bear heads.
• Assembled in USA from imported materials. All new materials. 100% polyester.
• Machine wash cold. Delicate dry cycle only.
Would you like your little one to be stylish, warm AND entertained? Two lucky YYZ Bambina readers will win one Little Dundi Soft and Cuddly Scarf with Bear Pompons. To enter, use the Rafflecopter below.
Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Sunday, January 20, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received a scarf for the purpose of this review. As always, the language and opinions on this blog are my own.
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Last winter Hannah was a newborn. Last winter Toronto hardly got any snow. Last winter my car was parked indoors.
This year, Hannah is old enough to take her own hat off. This year, Toronto has gotten more snow than we got ALL last winter. And most bitterly, this year my car is parked outdoors.
But there is still something positive to focus on in winter 2012/13. And that's the discovery of Little Dundi's Soft and Cuddly Scarf with Bear Pompons. Hannah was sent one in pink, and she simply loves it. The little bears distract her enough for her to leave the scarf on. And it is SO soft. (So soft that I have already ordered a Little Dundi blanket made of the same material). And it's warm too - you have to trust mom and Little Dundi inventor Milena Perrine - she lives in Colorado, she knows what cold weather is truly like. I wish I could find a scarf like this that would fit me!
• One Size. Fits baby 12+ months to toddler.
• 36 inches in length without the pompons. 4.5 inches wide.
• Ivory, camel or baby pink with beige bear heads.
• Assembled in USA from imported materials. All new materials. 100% polyester.
• Machine wash cold. Delicate dry cycle only.
Would you like your little one to be stylish, warm AND entertained? Two lucky YYZ Bambina readers will win one Little Dundi Soft and Cuddly Scarf with Bear Pompons. To enter, use the Rafflecopter below.
Open to Canadian Residents who are the age of majority only. Valid entries only. Contest ends Sunday, January 20, 2013. For further contest rules, refer to the Terms and Conditions within the Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: I received a scarf for the purpose of this review. As always, the language and opinions on this blog are my own.
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
HAPPY 2013!
Before ringing (I use the term VERY loosely) in 2012, I sat on the couch, super pregnant watching the Citytv New Year's Eve bash.
This year, two of my best friends came over. Chris made a yummy chicken curry for dinner, we enjoyed a cocktail and played with Hannah and all of her new toys.
Hannah crashed around 11 p.m. It was difficult, but Chris and I made it to midnight. We were in bed by 12:03 a.m.
It's funny to think a few years ago I would have been downtown, celebrating in a club wearing an expensive dress and way too much make up...and not getting home until around 4.
2012 had its ups and downs, but will always be dear to my heart. After all, that's when my first child, my daughter, my new best friend, was born.
I hope all my readers have an amazing 2013 and that you'll continue to follow my blog. Thank you for all your support in 2012!
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
This year, two of my best friends came over. Chris made a yummy chicken curry for dinner, we enjoyed a cocktail and played with Hannah and all of her new toys.
Hannah crashed around 11 p.m. It was difficult, but Chris and I made it to midnight. We were in bed by 12:03 a.m.
It's funny to think a few years ago I would have been downtown, celebrating in a club wearing an expensive dress and way too much make up...and not getting home until around 4.
2012 had its ups and downs, but will always be dear to my heart. After all, that's when my first child, my daughter, my new best friend, was born.
I hope all my readers have an amazing 2013 and that you'll continue to follow my blog. Thank you for all your support in 2012!
© 2013 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.
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