Thirtysomething Mama

inspiration

My dear friend Heidi is on a mission.  A mission to fulfill a dream.  I want her to win.  Please vote for her.

the 'original' african peanut soup

When I was a young girl my parents would pack the car up each summer for a family trip down south.  Sometimes we would head along the Oregon Coast into California, other times we would just camp in Bellingham at Larrabee State Park.  We would often make a stop in Fairhaven and eat at The Legendary Colophon Cafe.  I loved the Original African Peanut Soup, and still do to this day.  I got a craving the other day and decided to make it.  Was it ever good.  It took me back to those camping days.

Milwaukee & Chicago 2009

We have returned from a summer trip to Milwaukee, where we visited  Tim's sister Lou, her husband Rob and their wonderful 7 year old twins, Ella and Quinn.  It was a trip full of fun and relaxation.  Tim, Jack and I took the train for an overnight to Chicago, which was fantastic.  We wished we had longer to explore the city.  All the more reason for a return trip in the near future.  Our family treated us so well.  It was sad to leave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we got home Jackson came down with a very high fever.  We were so worried we took him to emergency.  He is doing well and on the mend now.  Just a regular flu.  I tell ya, traveling and being 30 weeks pregnant sure can take it out of you.  Since being home all I have wanted to do is sleep.  Thank goodness I have the week off work!

whistler

My little family and I enjoyed a weekend up at Whistler.  Gorgeous sunshine and plenty of relaxing.  I am so happy this weather has stuck around.  Great for the spirits.

 

Pancake stop in Squamish.

 

The boys swimming.

 

Enjoying a delicious breakfast at the Fairmont Whistler.

 

 

An exciting ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.

 

A little snack by the pool.

 

Oh, such love!

A great weekend was had.  Hope your's was too!

PS.  For those who have asked, I am well.  Thank you.  19 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty good.  I have sure noticed a difference this time around with having a toddler in tow.  Keeping me on my toes!

toronto

I leave for the airport in about 20 minutes.  Headed to Toronto for the work conference I talked about earlier.  I am feeling so sad.  Jack woke up and came into our room, smiled and said "mama".  Oh, melt my heart.  It's probably a good thing he has returned to sleep.  I couldn't bear to hear his calls at the door.

Be back Friday.  Have a great week!

news

A little piece of news to share.  The child care managers are heading to Toronto for a big conference and it was announced about a week ago that they would be taking a senior supervisor with them.  We had to submit our reasons for wanting to go and they would then chose a person.  Yesterday, at the end of our 2 day workshop they announced I would be going with them.

I am so excited, yet so sad to leave Jackson for 5 days.  When I really think about it I second guess my decision.  I have such wonderful support from my family and know Jack will be just fine.  It's my own issues that stop me. 

What I know for sure is a woman's life stops, in a sense, the moment she becomes a mama.  Everything that mattered doesn't seem to matter as much now that there is a little one to care for.  And because nothing else is more important there is this constant internal struggle to continue trying to balance who you are now with who you were before.  Does that make any sense?

What I mean is, for me, going to work each day to look after other people's children is my struggle.  I wake up wishing I could just be with my son.  Then, I get to work and I am so caught up in all I need to get done that the day goes by without a call home to see how he is.  I come in the door feeling extremely tired, but look down at this sweet child who has waited for me and somehow muster the energy and enthusiasm to start all over again.  He deserves more of me, but by the end of my work week I feel like I have so little to give.  My internal struggle...

Back on the topic of me going to Toronto.  I know in my head this is such a great thing for me.  Maybe it will boost my enthusiasm about work.  After all, my life still needs to have things that are solely for me.  What kind of mother would I be if I had no life experiences to share with my child?  He needs to know I think beyond our little family and he needs to know I have tried to make a difference in hundreds of children's lives.

Wait a minute...that line I just typed really got me..."he needs to know I have tried to make a difference in hundreds of children's lives."  I need to remember that to. 

i think we will make it

Wow!  Has life at our house been a challenge lately.  I knew jet lag would be an issue for my little guy, but I never imagined it to be this bad.  We returned home last Saturday and were all so tired.  After trying hard to keep him up Jack finally went to bed around 9.  We woke up to him crying at 2am.  I stayed up with him till 6:45am.  The exact same scenario Monday morning.  Up at 2 and then back to sleep for most of the day. 

The icing on the cake was this morning when Jack woke up at 12:50.  Tim and I were so tired, we tried everything to get him to lay down.  We finally decided to let him cry awhile, hoping it would exhaust him.  After 40 minutes of on and off crying we knew it wasn't going to work, so Tim got up with him.  A small fight ensued throughout because we were so tired and both anticipating our return to work that morning.

Not long after turning the lights on we got a hard knock at our door.  It scared me.  Tim asked who it was and we were told it was the POLICE.  When we opened the door we were told a neighbour had made a complaint or, as the officer put it, was concerned.  I can understand were the person was coming from, but I was a little ticked that the police had to come.  Especially seeing as we had not allowed Jack to continue for quite sometime.

Anyway, today was a struggle, but my mom and I had a plan.  He fell asleep at 5:30am and we woke him at 7:30.  He managed to stay up and play outside till 11 and then had another hour nap.  I got home in the early afternoon and entertained him.  Our friends Heidi and Liam came over for a short visit which helped distract him.  He adored Liam's hat...

 

After a little dinner and a nice bath Jack started to melt down.  I asked him if he would like to go to bed and he walked to his room.  The kid must be tired!  I am hopeful tonight will be better.

Night, night Jack...

macau

We went on a trip to Macau for a night.  It is less than an hour by ferry from Hong Kong and an amazing little place.  We stayed at the Wynn, which was beautiful.  We ate the most wonderful food (I'll post about that later) and enjoyed relaxing.  It was way too hot for my liking, so we didn't get to wander as much as I would have liked, but still managed to see a lot.

 

Our room

 

 

 

Enjoying the gorgeous pool

 

I took a photo while laying in bed...what a view

 

 

 

The Macau I remember...and love

 

A-Ma Temple...my favourite

A great time was had.  It went way to fast.  Looking forward to another journey there...one day.

home from hong kong

We are home from our amazing trip to Hong Kong.  Kris and Edward showed us the best time ever.  I have the most wonderful brother.  I adore him.  I miss him already.  Another trip will be planned for sure.

I will spend a few posts sharing our journey.  Hope you all get the chance to visit Hong Kong one day.

   

 

Overlooking Hennessey Road

 

 

Cat St. Market

 

View while riding the Star Ferry

 

Walking the streets of Kowloon in the scorching heat

 

Hong Kong Park

 

Central Escalator

Me riding the escalator

 

View from The Peak

see you in 2 weeks

Well, my friends, we are off tomorrow morning to Hong Kong.  I will not have regular internet access, so I don't think I will be posting anything while I'm away.  I will miss you all, but look forward to catching up when I return. Be well...