Good Idea

It's called Green Hour. I came across the website recently and think that if everyone implemented it, for themselves and for their kids, it would make the world a better place. It talks of something called "nature deficit disorder" in children, which has been a growing concern since the introduction of home computers and video games. The idea is to take your kids outside for unstructured play and discovery time at least one hour a day (weather permitting, of course). It's as simple as that. The website states that children who spend more time outside will play more creatively, have lower stress levels and have stronger immune systems (just to name a few). I know Odessa is still very young, but I'm all about trying to start good habits at an early age. I've already noticed that she sleeps better at night when we have had some good outdoor time the day before. 

Well...I better go. I should be outside.

Crawling Already?

Odessa finally got so frustrated at not being able to grab everything in sight that she decided to start crawling. Last Saturday, she started pulling herself along the ground which made her a little more happy. The day after, she just picked herself up and started crawling. Every day since then, she has become better and faster. Jeremy and I are so incredibly proud of her accomplishment, and she seems so much less frustrated with the world. Now, I just have to remember to put the cat food on the counter, because, that seems to be the first thing she goes for every morning.

Feed Me

Well...it was time. I'd been trying to wait until Odessa was six months old to start her on solid food, but this weekend I decided to give in. I must admit, the main reason for starting now is that I'm hoping Odessa will start sleeping for longer stretches at nighttime. Plus, I was getting pretty excited about the big day! Odessa was showing all the signs that she was ready...grabbing food off our plate, immitating chewing motions, and when I am feeding Aidan his food, she has been known to throw a fit when I tell her "not yet Dessi". Giving your baby solid food for the first time is such an exciting moment. Both Jeremy and I had so much fun taking pictures, and Odessa ate way more of her rice than I thought she would. It made me realize that I should watch Odessa and not the calendar.

It was important to me to find organic baby cereal with only the most necessary ingrediants. After having no such luck at numerous grocery and department stores, I made the trek out to Planet Organic, because I knew I could find what I wanted there. I found a line of baby products by Healthy Times which carries a wide range of baby food. I didn't take a good look at the jarred baby food since I am planning on making my own, but the cereal contains no soy or dairy, no alpha-amylase, and is iron and vitamin fortified. Plus, the packaging is pretty cute. It was exactly what Odessa and I were looking for. 

Happy 35th *wink* Birthday Grandpa!

Last Friday was lovely. It was my Dad's birthday and since he had the day off, Odessa and I headed out to St.Albert after dropping Jeremy off at work to spend his special day with him. We pretty much spent the entire day relaxing outside, talking, laughing, and drinking (just juice for me).  Odessa seemed to enjoy her time rolling around on the grass. It is one of my favorite things to do, sitting out in the backyard under the trees with my family. I picked Jeremy up in the evening and we headed back to enjoy a great BBQ. Just to give you an idea of what kind of guy my Dad is...even though it was his birthday, he surprised me with a gift; a day at the spa with my Mom and Sister. In just a few short weeks I will be enjoying a much needed facial, massage, manicure and pedicure. What a thoughtful gift for my...er...his birthday. 

First Road Trip

Last week, we were able to take Odessa on her first road trip to the mountains. We joined Russell and Megan, and their little Aidan in Fairmont for a couple of days. It rained a lot, but it was so nice to get away.

Lots to see.

First nature walk as well!

It really was beautiful...

First time swimming

Hanging out with Mortimer

At the rest stops, Odessa got to sit in the front seat!

Dad's Day

To all the Fathers, soon-to-be Fathers, and Grandfathers...Happy Father's Day.

I really couldn't ask for more. I have a husband who supports me and makes me feel like a good mother whenever I feel a little unsure of myself. Odessa has a father who loves her unconditionally and makes her very happy. Jeremy was there to hold my hand through my long labour, he cried with me when I felt I just couldn't go on, and he didn't let me give up on breast feeding when I was having so many difficulties. During those first scary and wonderful weeks of parenthood, Jeremy slept as little as I did, and worried about everything as much as I did. I never, ever felt alone. Now he seems to look forward to bath time as much as Odessa does and one of his first questions when he walks through the door is "Did she poop today?". Odessa and I are extremely lucky. We are loved.

No More Excuses

I remember telling people while I was pregnant that I would be using disposable diapers only for the first few weeks of Odessa's life. I couldn't imagine adding dirty diapers to the already quickly growing piles of clothes that gathered in the laundry room. Getting sleep was my number one priority. Well, here we are, four months later and I have been getting good (not great) nights of sleep for well over two months now. And, I am still using disposable diapers. . . until today. Today the excuses stop. I found a wonderful company, gDiapers, that sells a cloth diaper which holds a snap-in, plastic-free pad. You can toss the insert in the trash, flush them, or even compost the wet ones. They are  incredibly absorbent, and will break down in 50 to 150 days. When I asked the woman at the store about them, she told me customers were giving her great feedback, however, there was one problem. They would leak if they weren't put on properly. I thought to myself, "disposable diapers will leak if not used properly as well". It is a poor excuse. There are lots of good tips on their online store to ensure a proper fit, as well as a toll free help line. You only need to wash the cotton outer pant when they become dirty, which is great news for people like me (only getting around to the laundry when absolutely needed). Not only is there no landfill necessary, they look super cute as well.