A visit with Santa

Friday I picked the jellybean up early and we went on an adventure. We were going to see Santa. This year, we decided to visit a different Santa. Last year, was a bit of a disaster, if you remember. The Santa at Bayshore Center came highly recommended. So we braved Friday afternoon traffic and drove across the city. We were also meeting my friend D. and her daughter Q.

The jellybean and I got there first. He then had a massive poop in his diaper (we are having a little more success with pooping in the diaper. More to come on that). Man, did it stink! I had to find a bathroom and fast. The Zellers was the closest. Ugh, gross bathroom, but at least we could get cleaned up.

So back to Santa, with a clean bum. At first he was excited, and then he got scared. He flip flopped back and forth. I thought maybe if Q. went first he might see that it was all OK. Well, he was a little nervous. No way was he going to sit on Santa's lap. Santa shifted over and asked if the jellybean wanted to sit on Mommy's lap next to him. He was good with that. And then Jiggles, one of Santa's awesome helpers (seriously, Jingles and Peppermint were top notch) asked if the jellybean would sit on her lap next to Santa. He said yes! Ladies man already.

So here you have the Christmas 2009 picture. It seems to help when you have a really nice Santa and some great elves.



And yesterday morning the jellybean helped me put up the Christmas lights outside. The Christmas season has officially begun in our household. A full two weeks before it usually does. I think I am in need of a little Christmas cheer.

A call out to my bloggy peeps

OK bloggy peeps. I am in need of some advice.

First, we seem to have hit a bit of a road block in the potty training. Things were going really well and then the jellybean refused to poop. He's making his little sphincter clench. You can see when he does it too. He does a little dance, says "Ow, Ow!" and then wants a snuggle. You can just see that he needs to go, but just doesn't want to.

We have tried offering him a diaper and he refuses until he just can't anymore and then finally goes, but it is with much convincing. We've tried offering a bigger prize if he poops in the potty (licorice) but that doesn't seem to be working either.

Any and all suggestions welcome.

And second, the jellybean wants to help in the kitchen. I know it's more because he wants to be where I am, but he always wants to do something. He calls cooking "mixing" and always wants to help "mix" when I am making dinner.

How much do you let a two and a half year old help? What capacities? When I makes muffins or cookies, I try to do it when he is around so that he can help put the ingredients together. But he gets really mad when it's time to pour the mix in the pan. With dinner, it's not always something I can have him help mix. Like tonight we are having fajitas. Not really any mixing opportunity there.

So what I can I do to have him help make dinner and be comfortable in the kitchen, but also be able to get dinner on the table in less than twelve hours?

Wish list

I've seen a few posts about wish lists. I figure what could it hurt. It's always fun to dream right? So here is what I would like for Christmas if we had lots of money.

1. A new camera: I think I can take some good pictures, and just wonder what I could do with a "real" camera. No, not a digital SLR, that's too finicky for me. But something a lot better than what I got. Maybe something like this.

2. Clothing store gift certificates: I will return to work one day. It's been a very long time that I was able to buy some new work clothes. Well, to buy new clothes period.

3. Gift certificate to the spa: Not just any spa. Le Nordic spa. Oooh, how lovely would it be to go and sit in the hot baths on a warm winter morning. And I'd like to be able to try a hot stone massage too.

And that's about it. I can't really think of anything else.

I've been trying to see if the jellybean gets the whole Santa thing and what he might want from the big ol' guy in red. But I don't think he gets it. I do think I know some things that he would have fun with.

1. A camera: yep, just like Mommy, the kid loves to take pictures. Actually I can't take pictures without him crying to have the camera. I think Santa or Nana might be bringing him one of those.

2. Some fun play-doh set: unfortunately I can't find any used Play-doh sets. They don't seem to make it to the consignment shops.

3. Puppets: the jellybean is all about taking off his socks, handing them to you and asking for a puppet show. A friend game me a bag of puppets her kids no longer play with. And I think I might make a couple of sock puppets for him.

4. Buzz Lightyear: the jellybean would pass out for the frantic happy dance he would do to see one of those under the tree. And I know that will be impossible to find in consignment stores this year.

Last year we bought almost everything used. This year, when we really need to be thinking that way, the things he would really love aren't consignment shop items. Then again, if I go maybe I'll find some stuff that he would like, that I just haven't thought of.

Happy shopping everyone!

One helluva day

Yesterday was a day of lots of ups and downs.

It started with lots of hope. It was the first time in six weeks that my employer wanted to get back to the negotiating table. Day 61 of the strike was looking good. Then while on the picket line a rumour started to spread. Billy Bragg was going to come join us on the picket lines. Billy Bragg? Are you freaking kidding me?

And then all of a sudden there he was, walking across the street with NDP MP Charlie Angus. Billy was supper nice, shook lots of hands, and gave us some great words of encouragement. As did Charlie. And they sang some songs! Obviously There is Power in a Union and then The Internationale. It was wonderful knowing that we had support not only from an international activist for the rights of the worker, but also from government. It was a good day.

Then the evening came. All of a sudden there are rumours of the employers negotiating team being at an event, a big party actually. I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it with my own eyes. Here we were, day 61 on the picket lines, the employer telling us they wanted to get back to the negotiating table (after being threatened with arbitration), and then they decided that going to a party was more important. It was a devastating blow. I don't know if they thought it would break us. Oh no, it made us more united and stronger to fight for a fair and just contract.

Luckily my day didn't have to end on such a terrible note. For after standing in the cold rain for a couple of hours, I attended the World Trivia Night. Lynn, from Turtlehead, asked if I would like to join her team. Ha! She obviously doesn't know me that well or was pretty desperate. But I went all the same. And glad I did. It was a great night (even though you do end up feeling like a bit of a lame brain), met some really nice people, include the very funny Bibliomama, and it was all for a good cause.

It started with hope and ended with laughter. All the other stuff will hopefully be a part of the distant past.

I love you, Mommy

The jellybean is in a totally mommy phase. He runs up to me and hugs me until he shakes with the effort, saying "I love you, Mommy!" through clenched teeth as his emotion runs so deep he just doesn't know how to process it. He continuously tells me that he's my jellybean, and that I am his jellybean. He melts my heart.

Then he says "I don't like Daddy."

I know it's a phase, but I see the hubby's heart crack a little every time the jellybean says it. I know the jellybean doesn't really know what he's saying, or how much it hurts. I try to remind the hubby that soon it will be all about Daddy.

I also point out to the hubby that all-mommy-all-the-time isn't that great. I can't sit down without the jellybean crawling all over me. I can't be in the kitchen without him being there. I can't pee without him screaming wanting to know where I am. I can't tell him no without a total melt down (Though that's not only with me, he melts down when the hubby says no too. Obviously a completely different issue.). I can't get a night sleep without him calling out for me.

But then he comes over and gives me a big slobbery kiss and says "I love you, Mommy!" and hugs me tight. And I wouldn't change a thing.

Is it possible?

Is it possible that there is light at the end of the tunnel?

Is it possible that after 60 days if picketing, lobbying, informing, laughing, crying that there is movement to get back to work?

Is it possible that management is sincere in their offer to return to the negotiating table?

Is it possible that I might see a real pay check before the holidays?

Is it possible?

I hope so. But I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

Family portrait

This is the first family portrait by the artist jElli-bEan. It will be worth millions one day, but I will never sell it.

This one I will keep forever.