Confession Friday

I confess that 1 month from today I have to go back to work.  I have very mixed emotions about this.  I am looking forward to adult conversation during the day.  I am sad and anxious about leaving Addis all day.  I also found out yesterday that I'm going to be working on a different team because they are short staffed.  I worked in this department 4 years ago and worked very hard to move up into my position.  I feel a little like I've been demoted.  This is supposed to be temporary but that doesn't mean short lived by any means.  It looks as if I'm going to be there until at least the summer.  I worried about being bored.  I'm hoping though that this will lead to some bigger opportunities as there are many changes that will be occurring in this department.

I confess that yesterday was officially 7 months together.  I can't believe where the time is going. 

I confess that Addis has not been interested in sweets until we started opening up the advent calendar doors.  He now loves chocolate.  I love watching his face when he gets his chocolate in the morning.  His smile is so big.

I confess I went to my work holiday lunch today.  It's a dressier event and I put on a pair of heels for the first time in about 8 months.  I had a hard time walking in them.  I felt ridiculous.  It was like I forgot how to walk in heels and I looked a little like a little girl playing dress up in her mother's high heels.  I think I might have to start wearing them around the house and practice a little before I go back to work so I don;t make a fool out of myself.

I confess that tonight we will start wrapping Christmas presents. 

I confess that I had finished my Christmas shopping (with the exception of Brian) and then I saw a few more things Addis would like so I bought them.  I may have gone a little overboard this year.  I am just so excited for Christmas morning.

I confess that I finally took the time to post some pictures of Addis on Facebook.  I've been meaning to for a while and just haven't gotten around to it.  There's some really cute ones so take a few minutes and take a peek.

Confession Friday

I confess that last weekend was AMAZING!!!  Our room had a gigantic hot tub.  I was able to soak in the tub for hours while watching a movie.  Luxury.  I even spent about 10 minutes with my feet on the jets and afterwards they were humming in pleasure.  We each had a margarita at Margaritaville and shared some wings.  My drink was called License to Chill and it was deeee-lish.  It came in a glass that was huge.  Good thing we were just across the street from our hotel by this time and no longer needed to drive.  We had stopped earlier at the outlet stores and I bought 2 pairs of Nine West shoes for less then the price of 1 pair at home.  I need new shoes to go back to work since the heels I was wearing have cracked soles.  We also went in the Coach store and Brian bought me a lovely bag for our anniversary and Brian picked up my xmas gift from Addis there as well.  We ate dinner at East Side Marios.  On Sunday we crossed the border and went to the Buffalo Bills/Tennesee Titans football game.  We had a great time.  Our seats were sooo close.  We were 20 rows off the field.  Brian and I have never sat that close to the field.  The game was good and the people watching was a lot of fun too.  We saw a lot of people get thrown out of the stadium by the yellow jackets.  We lucked out with the weather.  We came prepared for cold weather but it ended up being warm enough that we were comfortable in our jackets and even had to take off our hats and mitts.

I confess that we only have one holiday party to attend this year.  I'm really looking forward to it.  We are getting together with two other adoptive families.  I can't wait to see the new photos one of the families has of their son and I'm excited to meet the other family"s little girl.  I'm so very grateful to have these friends.

I confess that we finished our family holiday card this week.  It was a more difficult project than I expected but I'm very pleased with the finished product.  Some have been sent out in the mail, I'm still collecting some addresses and some will be hand delivered.

I confess that we did our second post placement report this week.  It was nice to be able to get that out of the way before the holidays.  We were able to show off our new house to our practioner.  More importantly we were able to brag about all of Addis's accomplishments.

I confess that I only have 1 Christmas gift left to buy.  I'm behind on my Christmas shopping this year.  I'm one of those sick people who likes to have everything bought, wrapped and under the tree by December 1st.

I confess that today's paper had a schedule of all the holiday specials on tv and I immediately ripped it out and sat down with a highlighter and have marked all the ones we want to watch.  It's now sitting on the side table in our family room so we don't miss any of them.  I can't wait to see some of my favourites.  The Grinch, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty.  It was however missing my very favourite holiday special.  The Disney Christmas Parade.  It's always on the morning of December 25th.  I always tape it and watch it later that afternoon once the turkey is in the oven.

I confess that I bought myself a little present this week.  I picked up a copy of the movie The Help.  I loved the book and can hardly wait to see the movie.

I confess that I was sick again this week.  Is my immune system ever going to be strong again?  I swear Addis is a little germ factory.  Luckily he's only a carrier and of the 7 times I've been sick since May, he's only been sick 2 times.  I'm definitely over being sick all the time.  I'm not joking, it's a once a month thing.  Enough already!!!

Confession Friday

I confess that today has been a frustrating day.  It was almost as though the photography Gods were against us and then with us, then against us, etc.  They were a flighty bunch today.  We got the call to come pick up the professional photos we did of Addis a week early (bonus! after they told us after taking the darn things that it would take almost 3 weeks) only to have the studio closed for an afternoon break.  The photographer failed to mention this when I told her we'd come by later in the afternoon to pick them up.  We left to take Addis to see Santa and while we got a great shot, the picture would not attach to the email the Santa Experience sends.  They send all photos by email and then you print them as needed.  There is not cost just a donation to the Child Witness Centre. (great idea in my opinion). Anyway, we had to go back to the mall and investigate because there was no phone number on our receipt or the website and all we had was a blank page with a little memo saying "thanks for using the Santa Experience".  We not only got a re-take, but were able to salvage the first picture.  However, Addis was tired and not interested in sitting alone with Santa the second time around.  He caused a scene.  We ended up having to sit in the picture too.  I guess this is a good thing because we got a nice(ish) family photo with Santa.  However, the people in line were not Sandau family fans as they thought we were line jumpers.  The elves felt so bad about our photo not attaching and having to make a return trip that they ushered us to the front of the line and made everyone else wait. 

I confess that I got bad news about a friend tonight and my heart hurts.  Get well soon friend.  I miss you very much.

I confess that this is the weekend Brian and I are getting away.  YIPPEE!!!  Not sure what I'm most exicted about.  The hot tub, the ability to sleep in (no dogs whining for breakfast at 6am or baby crying because he hears the dogs), the football game or the Nine West outlet just down the road from our hotel.  Oh, the endless possibilities!!!!

I confess that I went to the mall for one item and came across a Yankee Candle store.  WHAT???  When did that come to Canada?  I was very excited and then had an "Oh NO" moment after I spent money I probably shouldn't have.  Oh well, my house will smell wonderful at Christmas.

I confess that I tried making our Christmas card on the Costco website this evening and had no luck.  It was going well earlier today but when I went back in to edit, it turned into a gong show.  Sometimes I think I have no business around a computer.  I think I will go into the store armed with my USB loaded with pics and if I run into trouble, hopefully somewhere there can help me.  Even if that someone is just a passing customer.

Confession Friday

I confess that I am sitting all alone right now enjoying blissful peace and quiet after getting a chance to sleep in.  It must be my lucky day.  Addis was up REALLY early (out of character) and Brian got up with him to let me sleep in.  When I finally woke up at 9:30am, they were both heading back upstairs to go back to bed.  So now I'm sitting enjoying a cup of tea and getting an early jumpstart to my blog.

I confess that I am still working on the referral story post.  Stayed tuned.  It's a good story. 

I confess that this week (Nov 23) was our 9th anniversary.  We are planning an overnight trip to Niagara Falls and a football game in the near future so we kept our actually anniversary low key.  This is the first year we had to decide to either get a babysitter to go out or keep our plans kid friendly.  Isn't it wonderful?!  We decided on the kid friendly version.  I took the dogs for a walk while Brian and Addis went to get dinner.  We sat in our family room and ate Subway while watching the movie Rio.  I think this was one of the best anniversaries we've had in a long time.  Who knew sandwiches and cartoons would be better then steak dinner and martinis?

I confess that I'm really making more time for self care these days.  When Addis first came home I was lucky to get in a shower and brush my teeth.  If I put on clean clothes they certainly didn't stay that way for long.  Well, six months later I shower daily again, I get out of the house in clean clothes and they stay that way 99% of the time, I put on make-up, I find some time now and again to workout and I've even been taking time to use my favourite scented body lotion.  I am feeling like myself again.

I confess that there is a piece of super rich chocolate cake in my fridge that is calling my name.  Yes, even though it's only 10am, it's calling my name.  I would eat it for breakfast and I'm aware that this is totally disgusting to eat rich desserts this early in the morning but I'm a sucker for chocolate cake.  However, I won't be eating it just yet.  Even though it's call is getting louder and louder, I am going to resist temptation until Addis gets up so I can share it with him.  Ok, those of you that know me really well can pick your jaws up off the floor.  Yes, Ange is going to share food.  What can I say, it's love?  I love Addis chocolate cake big.

I confess that my friend who has been sick is getting better and nothing could make me happier.  Prayers really are answered.  Welcome back honey!  You were missed more then I can say.  Can't wait to finally see you.

I confess that I really enjoyed deocrating for Christmas this year.  The past few years we have decorated but our hearts weren"t really into it.  This year neither of us channeled Scrooge while putting up the tree.  We laughed, we smiled, we made some wonderful memories.  We even put on a Christmas Jazz station and listened to xmas music.  Again, people that know me well can pick up their jaws off the floor. I listened to Christmas music.  I even, dare I say it, enjoyed it. 

I confess that normally I do not enjoy Christmas music.  I don't mind hearing it Christmas day but this nonsense about playing it the day after Halloween is lost on me.  Also, my tastes for xmas music usually run to the inappropriate.

I confess that we took Addis to get photos done.  He wasn't overly cooperative.  He's too busy to sit and have some strange person take his photo.  We got a really nice shot but I'm not sure I'll do that again until he's a little older.  I have a friend who's a photographer and I think we'll just get her to do family shots from  now on so that we can work around Addis and his personality.  I'd rather have shots of him playing and having fun and full of life than a posed picture anyway.  Don't get me wrong, the picture we have is lovely and I'd be happy to send anyone who wants one their own copy when we receive it, but trying to get a little boy to sit still can be like trying to catch lightning.

I confess that tonight we are going to rent a movie and I am going to indulge in some popcorn with loads of butter.

Confession Friday

I confess there was no Confession Friday last week because we went to the in-laws to celebrate Christmas with them before they went South for the winter.  We couldn't get wi-fi access until later in the weekend.

I confess Addis and I had another cold last week.  That makes 6 times in 6 months for me.  I expected to be sick a lot once Addis was in daycare but what on earth is going on now?  Where are we picking up all these germs?  With any luck maybe we'll have built up a nice immune system by the time he goes to daycare and won't have to worry about being sick all the time when I go back to work.

I confess that Addis seems to be entering a phase that I knew would come, but can do without.  He's testing his boundries and limits.  He does things I've told him 1000 times not to do.  Not only is he doing them, but he looks at me first to see if I'm watching and then he grins at me.  He's clearly challenging me.

I confess that tonight we had our first opportunity to follow through on a threat that was made.  I don't want to be one of those parents making empty threats like "If you don't stop doing (insert behaviour here), I'll turn this car around" or "we'll go home", etc.  So when Addis starting acting up in the restaurant at dinner we were presented with the opportunity to put up or shut up.  Addis threw a piece of his snack on the floor and I sternly reminded him that we don't throw food and told him that if he didn't change his behaviour, we'd leave.  So when he threw his sippy cup at the man sitting at the table next to us, we had no choice but to follow through.  Brian took Addis outside to talk to him.  They came back in but only to ask our waitress to box up the food as soon as it was ready and pay our bill.  While Brian was doing that, I put on Addy's coat and brought him out to the car where we sat waiting for Brian.  I'm not sure how much actually registered with Addis since he is so young, but I think it's important to start establshing rules and patterns early.

I confess I have actually started working out again.  It's just been a few days but it's a start and certainly more then I've done in the past 7 months.  I'm sore all over, but it feels good to be doing something again. 

I confess that Brian and I have booked two days/one night away.  For our anniversary we are going to Niagara Falls for a day and staying the night and the next day we are going to a football game.  I'm so excited.  I can hardly wait to go!!!

I confess that I had a massage today and it was delightful to endulge in a little "me time".

I confess that I bought Brian, Addis and I matching personalized stockings from the Disney Store.  I can hardly wait for them to be delivered.  I also bought a matching advent calendar.

I confess I am excited about Christmas and hope to start decorating for the season this weekend

Confession Friday

I confess this has been a very busy week.  Between celebrating our referralversary, Halloween, getting ready for our housewarming party and our regular everyday life, I feel tired.

I confess I am looking forward to our housewarming party with is tomorrow. 

I confess I love to entertain.  Planning and hosting a party is a lot of fun for me.

I confess that I have been cleaning all day today and still have stuff to do tomorrow.  It's not that the house is actually that dirty but I just can't be satisfied with good enough.  I want to showcase our home in the best way possible.  We still had boxes to unpack and we hadn't put up any personal items like artwork or family photos.

I confess that today Brian and I took Addis to a playgroup at a local indoor soccer field.  They set up all kinds of play equipment and set out balls and the kids have the run of three inddor fields for 2 hours.  Addis really enjoyed being able to run.

I confess that today was our first unpleasant encounter with nosy questions about our family dynamic.  There were probably 100 children there but Addis was the only child with brown skin.  Normally we live in a very multicultural city so I was surprised by this ratio of 1:99.  I am quite comfortable with our family and don't usually mind questions if they are of a curious nature.  I do, however mind someone asking me within two minutes of meeting me what specificaly caused our fertility problems, how much he cost, why didn't his real mother want him, etc.  Seriously, what is wrong with people that they think this is appropriate topics for a childrens playgroup or for someone you just met. 

I confess that I while I think I handled the situation ok, I still think I could have handled the situation differently and better.  I mostly just deflected the questions and when this woman was persistant I just walked away.  I will have to work on just plainly telling people these types of questions are not appropriate and this info is not their business as politely as the situation calls for.

I confess that I had a nice afternoon at the salon today.  I got my hair cut and coloured and then straightened.  It was nice to have a few hours to myself.  Don't even get me started on the massage chairs at the shampoo sinks.  Massage chair and scalp massage.......Heaven!!!
 
I confess we had a great time trick or treating.  Addis really enjoyed seeing all the other kids and peoplle.  My niece and nephew came to our neighbourhood and the 3 kids went out together.  Addis and my nephew had matching dragon costumes.  This was not planned, just a fluke that turned out to be a super cute photo op.  My niece was a butterfly.  Addis got quite the haul of candy.  We had to keep emptying his Thomas the Tank Engine bucket into a Sobey's shopping bag.  After sorting through it for what was safe to keep, I sorted through again for what was safe for him to eat.  In the end he had very little left and Brian and I ended up spliting the rest.  I felt kind of bad because I literally stole candy from a baby.

I confess that I got the trick this Halloween.  Our neighbours build a haunted house on their driveway and into their garage.  They also buld a graveyard on the front lawn.  It was done really well and looked like good spooky fun.  When we walked through all the scary stuff was mechanical or rubber.  Then we came across the corner where there was a live person who jumped out to scare you.  I don't like having things jumping out at me.  My nerves are terrible.  I shrieked so loud that the people at the end of the driveway heard me and I could hear them all laughing.  I saw the creepy man run ahead and then back around to get back into place to scare the next person.  Only he crept up behind me and scared me again. Another shriek.  When I come out there is a crowd and they are all laughing at me.  Ha, ha.  Ok so you spooked the scaredy cat.  I walked to the end of the driveway and was talking to my brother's girlfriend and I then I turn around and BOO.  You guessed it, this guy jumps out at me again.  So at this point, my nerves are totally shot.  I moveto the house next door.  I stand there waiting for the rest of the group to join me and BOO.  This guy is having so much fun at my expense that he jumped through the graveyard between the houses and spooks me again.  Are you kidding me??  So at this point my brother is killing himself laughing.  If I wasn't so scared I might have been concerned my brother was going to wet his pants from laughing so hard at me.  Time to get out of there.  We move on down the street and finish up our trick or treating and return home.  I put Addis to bed and after a while shut off the lights as the amount of kids had trickled out.  Then the doorbell rings.  I pick up the bowl of candy and open the door and OMG, there is the creepiest clown I have ever seen.  FOr those tht don't already know, I am terrified of clowns.  I back away from the door and blindly hand off the bowl of candy to whoever came up behind me and run for my life into another room.  Brian and my dad start calling me back and said the clown is gone and I needed to come back to the door to see the other kids. After being scared so many times, I feeling a little leery.  Then my mom chimes in.  "Come on back, the clown is gone".  This is my mom.  The woman who would never steer me wrong.  I come back to the door at which point either my dad or Brian grabs me and shoves me into the doorway and BOO.  That creepy guy again.  I screamed so loud I'm surprised I didn't wake up Addis.  My brother had walked back down to the neighbours and aksed him to come to our place a little later.  I was so on edge that I had to close all the curtains because I was so scared someone would jump out at me again.  I didn't really sleep very good that night.  I'm told I'll laugh about it later.  I say, watch out.  Payback is coming!

Confession Friday

I confess that last week I caught myself scolding Addis for goofing off at the table and I felt like a huge hyprocrite. I have very particular ideas about table manners. Perhaps I'm a bit too rigid and expect too much from a baby. However, the rules are as follows: you stay at the table until everyone is done eating, no phone calls during dinner, chew with your mouth closed, no feeding the dogs from the table, no throwing food, dinner time is not play time. Addis was a little full of the silly bug that day and he was acting accordingly. He was happily entertaining my parents and sister. I caught myself telling him to knock it off and then realized I had broken the rules myself. I had spent most of dinner texting with someone. In my defence, there was an extenuating circumstance that led to the text conversation, however, it was still against the rules. I think mommy might have to spend time in the corner or on the naughty step.  I can't very well enforce the rules if I don't follow them myself.

I confess that I went shopping.  I bought my first pair of skinny jeans.  Not sure I have any business wearing them but... I'm going to give it a try.  I made my friend check out my butt to make sure it looked good and not like and animal fighting to get out of a burlap sack.

I confess that I also bought 2 pairs of really great boots.

I confess that I went in to work today for a quick visit and it felt good to have everyone seem so happy to see me.  I have worried over the past few months that life has just marched on without me.

I confess that I am really excited about Halloween.  Addis will be dressed up like a dragon.  Funny enought, his cousin has the same exact costume.  I'm looking forward to getting photos of Addis and my neice and nephew together.

I confess since Addis is so little and can't eat candy, Brian and I will be raiding his stash. 

I confess we had a good day at the pumpkin patch last Sunday.  We have some great family photos and some great photos of Addis.  I hope we have started a new faily tradition.

I confess that I am feeling very sentimental on the eve of our referral anniversary.  I'm not sure what we are going to do to commemerate the occasion but I did buy a bottle of the same champagne that our friends bought for us last year to celebrate.  We will toast to the beautiful little boy who has filled our hearts. 

I confess that I was surprised yesterday with photos that were taken that day.  I was laughing and crying tears of pure joy.  Beside me was one of my good friends who supported me through so many dark times.  She was also laughing and crying.  Around us were about twenty of our co-workers.  Tomorrow I will take some time to write about our referral.

I confess that tonight I will indulge in a little "after Addis has gone to bed" treat.  I have a bag of double hit caramel popcorn from kernels that I can't wait to dig into.  YUM!!!! 

I confess that I have been worried that Addis doesn't seem to talk very much.  He babbles ALL the time.  In fact this babbling makes Brian and I and our family laugh everytime we hear it, but Addis doesn't use words very often.  It's a lot of grunting and pointing.  I have come to realize that Addis is very lazy about talking.  Sometimes I worry if that's a reflection on me as a mom.  Am I doing enough?  I know he has the ability to talk, he just doesn't want to.  I try to get him to say certain words and he looks at me as if to say "I'm not your dog and pony show".  Sometimes I find myself wondering if he has these words and the ability to say them yet, then I hear him say the exact words I've been trying to get him to say when HE needs the words so I know he CANm he just doesn't WANT to.  So I am at a loss for what to do now.  Do I continue to get him things just because I know what he is trying to tell me or do I make him ask for what he wants?  I have learned over the past little while that Addis has the comprehension so I am at a crossroads.  What is in his best interest?  I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.  (I have received feedback that some people are having trouble leaving me a comment so if you have a comment and can't post, please email at jax-oz@hotmail.com or send me a message on facebook)