Just a quick note today - hoping everyone is enjoying the sunshine the past couple of days! It makes such a difference to the mood and feel!
Have had a busy time lately - will make up for dragging my heels with my next post. Just had to comment on the weather today.
Here's hoping you got a chance to take your baby for a walk! I'm so ready for summer now, had forgotten how great it is. The sun really makes the dreary winter seem so much better.
Stay tuned for more detailed thoughts on some more baby topics coming soon!
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Monday, March 11, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Missed Vacation
Sigh. It's snowing outside. Again. The wind is pounding my house, snow sticking to my windows and my driveway is heavy with large chunks of the stuff. I know, it's winter and it's all part of it. It's just that I wasn't supposed to be in the winter season this week, I had plans to spend this week in the sunny south. Those plans rapidly disintegrated after this wild weather weekend, however.
In October of 2012 we booked our first flight vacation as a family of three. We were going to brave it and take our infant on a plane ride to a warmer place. The time we selected was in the middle of winter to escape the depressing snowstorms and slip into a time of shorts and sandles, something I have never done in the month of February. I was very excited to say the least.
As with any vacation, the anticipation is a large part of the fun. Imagining yourself sitting in a pool, shopping in outlet stores, visiting local attractions, seeing palm trees and feeling the warm sunshine on your face. There is a lot involved in going on one of these trips too. You get things ready. You purchase special travel items good for plane rides and away from home stays. You get passport pictures taken and apply for your passport. You eat all the food in your house so nothing goes bad. You do laundry. You pack and write lists so nothing is forgotten. You mentally start checking out of your every day life and start getting excited to get away from the mundane everyday chores - even if only for a little while. Then you sit and wait for that magic time when you leave for the airport to board your flight that will carry you into your much needed escape. All of that happened for me these last little while, all of it, except the trip to the airport and the plane ride.
About a week ago, I saw the dreaded 5 snowflake display on the Weather Network's display and the looming giant green snow bubble on the CBC weather report that was moving along the coast. Then they put a name on this storm - Nemo. I had a sinking feeling when I heard that this storm had a name that I may not be escaping the winter after all.
Well, Nemo found us and did he ever. A yucky windy day on Saturday led first to a delayed and eventually a cancelled flight. I wasn't super surprised, but I was disappointed. I got on the phone with the airline as soon as I read that dreadful word "cancelled" on the airport website and after 40 minutes on hold and another 45 minutes re-booking I felt good. Sure, we were losing 2 days of vacation but at least we were still going. And we had a better flight, it fit better around my little baby's schedule. I came to terms with what we had lost but looked forward to making the most of what we had left and focused my attention to waiting for our Monday flight.
On Monday morning, I got up and started to get ready to head to the airport. I kept checking the airport website and just about every time I discovered that we were delayed yet again. Suddenly our ideal flight time was getting less than ideal and arrival was later and later. Every second we were delayed was yet another second that we were missing out on our hard earned vacation. Not to mention what the waiting was doing to me. I had held it together after Saturday's cancellation but on Monday after the third delay I started to crack. Finally, the inevitable happened. Flight cancelled. Because it was now cutting into more than a third of our total vacation, we decided to cancel the entire trip, cut our losses and try again another time. Sigh.
So I had to unpack without ever having used anything in my suitcase. It had never been so tidy when it was unpacked! I had to switch gears and realize that there was hardly a scrap of food in the house and that I better get moving before any more weather hit and restock my cupboards. I needed to turn off the mental excitement and get back to the reality of winter. And I was sad. I had been so looking forward to this trip and just couldn't believe that I wouldn't get to be where I had dreamed of being for months.
So in attempt to stay positive here are some "it could be worse" statements that have helped me realize this isn't so bad.
I'm pretty sure that I'm burned from ever wanting to book a vacation in the dead of winter ever again. I might as well keep my shorts boxed up until June.
In October of 2012 we booked our first flight vacation as a family of three. We were going to brave it and take our infant on a plane ride to a warmer place. The time we selected was in the middle of winter to escape the depressing snowstorms and slip into a time of shorts and sandles, something I have never done in the month of February. I was very excited to say the least.
As with any vacation, the anticipation is a large part of the fun. Imagining yourself sitting in a pool, shopping in outlet stores, visiting local attractions, seeing palm trees and feeling the warm sunshine on your face. There is a lot involved in going on one of these trips too. You get things ready. You purchase special travel items good for plane rides and away from home stays. You get passport pictures taken and apply for your passport. You eat all the food in your house so nothing goes bad. You do laundry. You pack and write lists so nothing is forgotten. You mentally start checking out of your every day life and start getting excited to get away from the mundane everyday chores - even if only for a little while. Then you sit and wait for that magic time when you leave for the airport to board your flight that will carry you into your much needed escape. All of that happened for me these last little while, all of it, except the trip to the airport and the plane ride.
About a week ago, I saw the dreaded 5 snowflake display on the Weather Network's display and the looming giant green snow bubble on the CBC weather report that was moving along the coast. Then they put a name on this storm - Nemo. I had a sinking feeling when I heard that this storm had a name that I may not be escaping the winter after all.
Well, Nemo found us and did he ever. A yucky windy day on Saturday led first to a delayed and eventually a cancelled flight. I wasn't super surprised, but I was disappointed. I got on the phone with the airline as soon as I read that dreadful word "cancelled" on the airport website and after 40 minutes on hold and another 45 minutes re-booking I felt good. Sure, we were losing 2 days of vacation but at least we were still going. And we had a better flight, it fit better around my little baby's schedule. I came to terms with what we had lost but looked forward to making the most of what we had left and focused my attention to waiting for our Monday flight.
On Monday morning, I got up and started to get ready to head to the airport. I kept checking the airport website and just about every time I discovered that we were delayed yet again. Suddenly our ideal flight time was getting less than ideal and arrival was later and later. Every second we were delayed was yet another second that we were missing out on our hard earned vacation. Not to mention what the waiting was doing to me. I had held it together after Saturday's cancellation but on Monday after the third delay I started to crack. Finally, the inevitable happened. Flight cancelled. Because it was now cutting into more than a third of our total vacation, we decided to cancel the entire trip, cut our losses and try again another time. Sigh.
So I had to unpack without ever having used anything in my suitcase. It had never been so tidy when it was unpacked! I had to switch gears and realize that there was hardly a scrap of food in the house and that I better get moving before any more weather hit and restock my cupboards. I needed to turn off the mental excitement and get back to the reality of winter. And I was sad. I had been so looking forward to this trip and just couldn't believe that I wouldn't get to be where I had dreamed of being for months.
So in attempt to stay positive here are some "it could be worse" statements that have helped me realize this isn't so bad.
- we did all of our waiting at home, not stuck in some airport or on a tarmack
- our trip was cancelled because of weather and not because of sickness or issues with us or our family
- we didn't have to take a partial vacation after the first flights were cancelled
- my son is too young to even notice what is going on so he is not crushed with disappointment
- baring any insurance red tape, we should get a refund and can re-book a new vacation for later
I'm pretty sure that I'm burned from ever wanting to book a vacation in the dead of winter ever again. I might as well keep my shorts boxed up until June.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Winter Blahs
It's cold. It's windy. It's enough to cut ya. It's January. Blah.
I have two minds this winter, like the proverbial devil/angel on your shoulder. Except instead of these two guys, I have a warm and a cold momma sitting on opposite shoulders. The warm momma is curled up with baby in an armchair, a fireplace roaring, warm blankets, tv, and hot tea. This momma is saying, stay home, it's too cold, what could possibly be more important that sitting here in the warmth? She reminds me of my stupidity to not get the remote start for the my car when I have to trudge outside to do it, and scrape with snow up past my boots. I think of the mess of salt on my pants and baby blankets and the sharp wind that actually hurts your face when you race across the parking lot at a busy store. When you sweat inside those stores because you are dressed for outside frigid windchills of below -20 and not heated stores. Hats and layers are bulky and hot and this can make you more easily frustrated. This is the time when getting out of your toasty warm car (or house) is the last thing you want to do.
Then there's cold momma who, although cold is still getting out and "getting the smell of house off her". That momma encourages trips to play groups and scheduling playdates, going to reel babies and for walks around the mall with baby, and just visiting friends or having coffee dates - snow, salt and wind included. That momma makes sense and keeps you from getting into a rut, but she's COLD!!!
I am somewhere in the middle, but warm momma is stronger. She can talk me out of a planned but "unnecessary" trip out to run some errands better than cold momma can get me to bundle baby up. Sigh. I have to let cold momma get stronger as I can't stay home so much. I always feel better when I do go out. In spite of my frosty fingers and cold legs, I am glad to have gotten something accomplished or to have stood up to mother nature and visited some friends. I hope that winter is short, can't wait for flip flops and tank tops and not having to put 4000 layers on baby to just so we can leave the house!
Blahhhhhhhh!
I have two minds this winter, like the proverbial devil/angel on your shoulder. Except instead of these two guys, I have a warm and a cold momma sitting on opposite shoulders. The warm momma is curled up with baby in an armchair, a fireplace roaring, warm blankets, tv, and hot tea. This momma is saying, stay home, it's too cold, what could possibly be more important that sitting here in the warmth? She reminds me of my stupidity to not get the remote start for the my car when I have to trudge outside to do it, and scrape with snow up past my boots. I think of the mess of salt on my pants and baby blankets and the sharp wind that actually hurts your face when you race across the parking lot at a busy store. When you sweat inside those stores because you are dressed for outside frigid windchills of below -20 and not heated stores. Hats and layers are bulky and hot and this can make you more easily frustrated. This is the time when getting out of your toasty warm car (or house) is the last thing you want to do.
Then there's cold momma who, although cold is still getting out and "getting the smell of house off her". That momma encourages trips to play groups and scheduling playdates, going to reel babies and for walks around the mall with baby, and just visiting friends or having coffee dates - snow, salt and wind included. That momma makes sense and keeps you from getting into a rut, but she's COLD!!!
I am somewhere in the middle, but warm momma is stronger. She can talk me out of a planned but "unnecessary" trip out to run some errands better than cold momma can get me to bundle baby up. Sigh. I have to let cold momma get stronger as I can't stay home so much. I always feel better when I do go out. In spite of my frosty fingers and cold legs, I am glad to have gotten something accomplished or to have stood up to mother nature and visited some friends. I hope that winter is short, can't wait for flip flops and tank tops and not having to put 4000 layers on baby to just so we can leave the house!
Blahhhhhhhh!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Stormbound with Baby!
What a wild weekend, and not for the typical reasons. If you are living in Newfoundland, you know what I am talking about. For those of you that don't the best way I can explain it is with this one word - "Snowicane!"We had upwards of 70 cm of snow, winds gusting beyond hurricane force and a massive power outage to go with it. It was not my first time being without power since my son was born, but it was definitely the most challenging.
Friday morning found us buried, stuck in our house with about 5 feet of snow blocking the edge of our driveway. The snow had drifted in places, oddly enough leaving the space around my car completely open but totally burying the rest of our small parking area. The wind howled, the snow swirled and then boom, the lights went out. It was the stuff from movies.
We had taken a couple of precautions getting ready for a potential power outage- hot water stored in thermos bottles, extra candles, flashlights, blankets, batteries - all ready to go and we left our heat up high in anticipation so our house would be warmer than normal in the event of an outage. I also did my son's laundry the day before so he had ample supply of clean clothes in case the outage lasted for awhile. As it turns out all of this was great preparation but it wasn't nearly enough. I now realize that I need an emergency kit.
I have never been the type to panic over storms but this was the first time in nearly 10 years that I can remember losing power in the winter. Summer outages are usually isolated and don't affect the heat so save for no TV or stove, I never really have much to complain about. Usually we can go someplace in the city to grab some fast food, no worries about not being able to cook - or even having a BBQ is a feasible option. This was not the case with 5 feet of snow and blizzard conditions for nearly 24 hours blocking our way. Then there was the cold. We were freezing, wearing layers and fluffy slippers and hoodies, snuggling up under blankets. I wished so hard for a hot shower and some hot tea, life's simple pleasures that I have never appreciated so much in my life. In the future I am looking into a Coleman stove purchase and setting up a kit with non-perishable food and bottled water, just in case this ever happens again, for peace of mind if nothing else.
In spite of all of this, I am pleased to say that my 8 month old son appeared none the wiser. We kept him in fuzzy sleepers with blankets all around, we used the stored hot water for his food until it ran out and then resorted to things like bread and cheese which he ate readily, and we had him sleep in our bed with us so he didn't freeze in his crib. I felt his little hands the next morning and was never so happy to discover they were toasty warm. Every time I heard him babble or giggle I felt better, that no matter how uncomfortable I felt that he was getting by unaware of what was happening.
Winter can be unpredictable and I got a shock as I now realize more than ever that it isn't just about me.To be a responsible parent I have to consider my son's needs in times of emergencies and think about things that I normally wouldn't have considered in previous years.
Thankfully today the temperature was up, the snow is melting away, leaving little evidence of the havoc it wreaked all over the province just a few short days ago. Here's hoping for a warmer winter from here on out - at least inside my house anyway!
Friday morning found us buried, stuck in our house with about 5 feet of snow blocking the edge of our driveway. The snow had drifted in places, oddly enough leaving the space around my car completely open but totally burying the rest of our small parking area. The wind howled, the snow swirled and then boom, the lights went out. It was the stuff from movies.
We had taken a couple of precautions getting ready for a potential power outage- hot water stored in thermos bottles, extra candles, flashlights, blankets, batteries - all ready to go and we left our heat up high in anticipation so our house would be warmer than normal in the event of an outage. I also did my son's laundry the day before so he had ample supply of clean clothes in case the outage lasted for awhile. As it turns out all of this was great preparation but it wasn't nearly enough. I now realize that I need an emergency kit.
I have never been the type to panic over storms but this was the first time in nearly 10 years that I can remember losing power in the winter. Summer outages are usually isolated and don't affect the heat so save for no TV or stove, I never really have much to complain about. Usually we can go someplace in the city to grab some fast food, no worries about not being able to cook - or even having a BBQ is a feasible option. This was not the case with 5 feet of snow and blizzard conditions for nearly 24 hours blocking our way. Then there was the cold. We were freezing, wearing layers and fluffy slippers and hoodies, snuggling up under blankets. I wished so hard for a hot shower and some hot tea, life's simple pleasures that I have never appreciated so much in my life. In the future I am looking into a Coleman stove purchase and setting up a kit with non-perishable food and bottled water, just in case this ever happens again, for peace of mind if nothing else.
In spite of all of this, I am pleased to say that my 8 month old son appeared none the wiser. We kept him in fuzzy sleepers with blankets all around, we used the stored hot water for his food until it ran out and then resorted to things like bread and cheese which he ate readily, and we had him sleep in our bed with us so he didn't freeze in his crib. I felt his little hands the next morning and was never so happy to discover they were toasty warm. Every time I heard him babble or giggle I felt better, that no matter how uncomfortable I felt that he was getting by unaware of what was happening.
Winter can be unpredictable and I got a shock as I now realize more than ever that it isn't just about me.To be a responsible parent I have to consider my son's needs in times of emergencies and think about things that I normally wouldn't have considered in previous years.
Thankfully today the temperature was up, the snow is melting away, leaving little evidence of the havoc it wreaked all over the province just a few short days ago. Here's hoping for a warmer winter from here on out - at least inside my house anyway!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Rainy Day Contemplations
Like me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @hollymommablog
One of those cold to the bone rainy days. The wind is blowing, the leaves are zipping by, the rain is pelting hard and cold and of course - wet. The house is feeling the effects, groaning under the wind.
It's that kind of day that you are glad to be home. A day when hot coffee, a burning fire (even from a fake fireplace) and a warm sweater are all that you need. Oh yes, most important of all - a little baby for cuddle time.
Before I had my son I remember experiencing days like this and imagining the future. I pictured myself and my future children hanging out in our pajamas, watching movies, baking cookies, just feeling cozy. I realize today that I am well on my way to living that dream fully. Granted my little boy is too small to even help stir the batter or have the attention span to watch a full movie with mommy, but we still can have a great day tucked away in our comfy house. I am a big advocate for getting out and about with baby, but sometimes it's just as important to stay home. It's days like this I am so glad that I became a mom!
Momma's Musts
One of those cold to the bone rainy days. The wind is blowing, the leaves are zipping by, the rain is pelting hard and cold and of course - wet. The house is feeling the effects, groaning under the wind.
It's that kind of day that you are glad to be home. A day when hot coffee, a burning fire (even from a fake fireplace) and a warm sweater are all that you need. Oh yes, most important of all - a little baby for cuddle time.
Before I had my son I remember experiencing days like this and imagining the future. I pictured myself and my future children hanging out in our pajamas, watching movies, baking cookies, just feeling cozy. I realize today that I am well on my way to living that dream fully. Granted my little boy is too small to even help stir the batter or have the attention span to watch a full movie with mommy, but we still can have a great day tucked away in our comfy house. I am a big advocate for getting out and about with baby, but sometimes it's just as important to stay home. It's days like this I am so glad that I became a mom!
Momma's Musts
- Stay dry. When the weather is beating down outside, snuggle up with your little one and put your feet up (as much as you can!)
- Plan ahead. There are lots of fun activities that you can do at home that you probably "never get around to" because of busy schedules and nice days. Have an idea of what you would like to do for the next day you stay home and follow through! It'll be a great day!
- Savor it. Mommy moments are fun and always passing us by. Soak them up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)