Um what?

I only have two more months of leave before going back to work full time.  Um what?  WTF did the time go?  She was just born wasn't she?

I certainly will have mixed feelings.  I love my job.  I work at such a wonderful place with wonderful people doing something that really matters to me.  Helping children, helping parents.  I will miss my time at home with my two beautiful kids.  Nothing lasts forever and once the adjustment period is over I know I will be okay.  The anticipation is always the worst part.


It will push me
It will change me
It will not break me

Roasted chicken with vegetables

I'm not a very enthusiastic cook.  I really don't enjoy cooking at all.  There are however a few meals that I can throw together without much strain on my brain.  They are mostly dishes involving one pot and 10 ingredients or less.

You will need:

1 whole chicken
2 large white or yellow potatoes and/or sweet potatoes, cubed
2 carrots, peeled and cut into large pieces
1 onion, chopped
whole garlic cloves (a handful)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
fresh ground pepper

In a large roaster, place chicken in center, surround with chopped veggies, garlic at the top.  
Drizzle vinegar, sauce over all ingredients.  Add water slowly at the side of the dish, do not wash the sauces off the meat or veggies (as much as possible).  Grind pepper over everything.  Place bay leaf inside.
Cover and bake at 375 F for 1 hr 15 mins, or until juices from the leg are running clear.

N.B. I like to cook my chickens upside down.  That way it self bastes.

This is one of my families favourites.

Bon appétit!

Why I choose vaccination

I am not here to publicly flog those who choose not to vaccinate their children or themselves.

I am here to say why it is I choose vaccination.

Vaccination prevents diseases that pose a much greater health risk than any risks associated with the vaccine.  Tetanus, polio, diptheria, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, pertussis.  I experienced two of these, one as a child (pertussis) and one as a teenager (varicella) and the memories are traumatic enough that I never want my own kids to experience them. 

No matter what anyone says I will never believe that vaccines cause Autism. 

There are very fragile adults, babies and children who legitimately cannot be vaccinated due to their health conditions ie. cardiac, cancer that rely on others to vaccinate to protect these fragile darlings.  Also, healthy babies under 18 months cannot be given the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine and so are susceptible.  Immunity via exposure does nothing to protect them because a non vaccinated person can easily be a carrier of the disease and infect others without ever becoming sick themselves.

Travel to other countries puts you at risk of diseases that may not be prevalent here in Canada.  I traveled to Dominican Republic and sought advice about what I may need to protect myself against.  Hepatitis A and B are common there especially in contaminated water (ice cubes!).  There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C but was cautioned about what to avoid to better protect myself. 

These are the biggest reasons why I am wholeheartedly in favour of vaccination.  If there is something I can do to protect my children, family and those who are vulnerable to diseases that are easily prevented, I will do it.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you.

It has been a whirlwind of a year, lots of ups and some downs too.  I find myself with mixed feelings this holiday season.  Excited to celebrate Baby Doll's first Christmas with us.  Excited to see Bug flip out on Christmas morning when he sees the gifts under the tree.  Excited to spend time with all of my family and see friends over the coming weeks while school is out.

Also a bit sad.  Thinking about those who are not with us anymore.  Thinking about how things have changed since they left us.  Thinking about what might have been if things had worked out differently. It's not about regret.  To regret certain things would mean I don't appreciate or love what and who I have now.  It is just about remembering, and giving myself permission to acknowledge the grief. 

I am also thankful for everything I have.  I feel so rich in so many ways even if my pocket book tells a different tale :) 

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, may this season bring you joy, love, peace and time to spend with your loved ones. 

Chatter

As I sit here I am listening to my sweet baby doll chatter in her crib.  Is there a sound any more heartwarming or beautiful?  At 5 months old she already has so much to say!

I am also struck by my 6 year old enjoying some imaginary play downstairs.  He talks while he plays so I do get the gist of what is happening, sword fights, stealing treasures and crawling down hidden passageways.

I'm taking a moment to just enjoy before I jump in!

Three years?

Today is my blogs third anniversary!  Happy anniversary to you dear blog!

Not sure whether I will keep blogging, my readership is depressingly low.  Perhaps it's not quantity but quality?  I'm not 100% sure.  I also have not had that much to say recently.  Time has become such a different thing since my family grew by one.  I'm twice as busy yet twice as fulfilled by my family that writing has had to move to the back burner.  I am less "out there" and more "in here" as we discover our new rhythm since our baby doll has arrived.  I am enjoying my mat leave, enjoying the new babe, and enjoying the time with my bug before and after school, something I have never been able to do with him.  Mornings, bus pick up, drop off, homework before snack time.  I will be sad when the year is up.  Sad that I won't get to do it again.  Don't get me wrong, I won't give up my job because I love that too, it's just too bad we can't have everything.  Next July will be a big change, but we've still got time :)

Happy Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween!  Hope the rain rain goes away...

May all the little ghouls and goblins have a wonderful time trick or treating, please be extra safe!