We are here!

Hi everyone,

Oh how I've missed writing to you all. It's been a busy week for us so I'll start with the move last Wednesday. Adit and I were looking forward to the movers arriving on Wednesday morning until we learned that 2 of 3 elevators were out of order in our building. Therefore we would not have a dedicated elevator. Apparently there was an issue with the motor and the building was waiting on the part and the technician to arrive. In the meantime the movers were scheduled to arrive at 8am. This was a nightmare. However the movers were late and the part was fixed before a load was taken down, so we were lucky it worked out in the end.

The movers were really good and helped to pack the last minute items that we didn't know how to pack. They were also very patient and it was nice knowing that the same guys who packed the truck were delivering and unpacking the truck too.

After they loaded the truck and left I felt a little sad that we won't live there again. We had so many great memories there with so many people. I would always look up into our window when I'd pass by and it would be weird seeing someone else there. So I took a minute to enjoy our last view of the city, aka traffic and started doing last minute prepping for our flight.

Before I knew it, it was time to pick James up from daycare. It was an emotional time as I love his daycare and all the teachers and kids there so how do you say bye. I could tell the teachers were sad too, in particular his favorite teacher who called him "little ducky" because of his hat. We said our goodbyes and headed home so that we could meet Adit and head to the airport.

My flight was at 7:30 but we wanted to get there early in case I got questioned when moving. James was sad to leave Dada and I was not looking forward to managing James and luggage on the flight. James refused to have dinner and managed to only have bread at the lounge. He was so overtired and slept during the flight. When we arrived a nice gentleman passenger helped me with my bags all the way to baggage collection. He was so nice and wanted to help me as he was a dad himself. He even paid for my cart and was about to get my luggage when my brother arrived. If it wasn't for him I would have struggled with the bags and James. In return all he asked was that when I see another person in need was to help them however I can. This was a pay it forward attitude that I will honor. I was so touched by his kindness and he helped end a hectic day on a happy note!

As for James, he was wired when we got back to my mom's that night and didn't sleep again until 10! I was exhausted and feel asleep while nursing him. So the following day my mom and I took James around the city. He loved Riverside park and didn't want to leave. He walked the streets of NY like a proud NYer and said hi to all the dogs and pigeons!

Well that's the update for now, I'll share more about the unpacking, settling in, and the storm!

Miss you Canadians and I'll send you guys my contact soon!

Happy Reading!

Rachel

Last Friday Living in Toronto!

Where has the time gone, I feel the pressure of our impending move even more now. We are mostly packed, but I know those "few things" left will still take at least a couple hours. This week went by so fast. I spent the beginning of the week packing, it went pretty well, albeit tiring. Adit was away for most of the week working in Mexico, rough job huh! Apparently he did work long hours, but I was doing double time at home since dada wasn't here to help with James. Although James attends daycare, there are still many things that need to be done for him, for example he needs to be nursed, changed, dressed, fed breakfast, and taken to daycare. Then in the evening I'd have to make his dinner, pick him up, get him fed, play and interact with him, give him a bath, massage, then put him to sleep. I was exhausted by the time it was all done, yet I still needed to clean the kitchen and prepare for the next day. It was difficult, but I was lucky to have my sister-in-law help a couple nights with James. I enjoyed catching up with her and James also loves her company. :)

Yesterday was a dream day as I did zero packing, not because I didn't need to, but because I needed a break. I usually pack during the day, make dinner, do the James routine, rest for an hour or so, then pack again until about 1:00am. At that time I'd be so wired that I couldn't sleep until 2:00am. These hours don't work well for my sleep routine, and I'm surprised I haven't crashed yet. lol! Going back to Thursday, I had an amazing sushi lunch at my usual place with the girls. It was a great time as all 5 of us were able to attend. Even though it was an hour we shared some good memories of the good ole days of maternity leave and started planning group vacations together! :) After lunch, they gave me a photo album containing pics of memorable moments with all of us. It was so touching, 2nd best gift, runner up to the Mother's Day gift James made for me! :)

We are embarking on a new chapter of our lives and I'm a little afraid of the change. I've been in Toronto for 5 years now and met so many amazing people, how can I move away from all this? So much has changed in my life since James was born and I've made so many great mommy friends that it'll be difficult to not have that anymore. I hope that I make some friends in NJ fast so that I won't go into suburbia-depression. I've always been a city girl and it'll be strange being in the burbs, but it's the right place for us at this point in our lives. Luckily I do have family close nearby and they will come visit us once we get settled. I also home my Toronto friends will come visit us soon too!

As a side note, I'll share the highlight of my day with you: I was enjoying some shredded cheese earlier this evening and James was curious and wanted to have some, so I offered it to him. He quickly took the pieces in his mouth, ate it, and asked for more. Altogether he ate about 10 pieces. As he was eating I didn't see any red dots, or other reaction so I was thrilled. I quickly told Adit, then he told me that James had pizza at daycare made with real cheese and he was fine there too! This was amazing as there is hope that James is beginning to handle some dairy! It gives me hope that we can try milk in a week or so!

Well off to relax a little before bed! Happy reading!

Rachel

New Daycare Worries :(

As we are nearing our impending move, there still are some major tasks to complete: the one that is most concerning for me right now is finding a suitable daycare. James is in the perfect daycare for him, the classroom is the right size with 2 loving teachers and about 10 other children. He gets lots of love and attention. The best part about his daycare is that there is a kitchen on-site. I didn't realize how important this was until I started looking in NJ.

The centers there seem amazing with huge classrooms, lots of natural light, large outdoor play areas, good security, clean facilities, excellent curriculum (yes, there is curriculum even for toddlers), and good teacher/child ratio. However once I ask about the meals here's what most of the answers I receive are: 1) We don't provide meals, only 2 snacks a day. 2) We have outside catering and have 2 snacks 3) We do have meals, but no on-site kitchen.

Here's what this all means: 1) Bring lunch for your child and the two snacks don't mean breakfast and snack, literally only snacks. So James won't get the cereal, pancakes, porridge, etc that he's used to. 2) Outside catering is optional so all the kids won't have the same meals again, also the catered meals aren't part of the monthly fees so it's an additional cost on the already high fees. I took a look at the sample menu and it wasn't that impressive. Also most of the food contained cheese and since James has a dairy allergy I'd probably have to make his food anyway! 3) This option got me intrigued as I wanted to know about what they offered. We are used to well-balanced meals with seasonal ingredients, etc however what I saw was shocking. There were items such as tater-tots and black forest ham sandwiches! Also they only offered fruit for breakfast and on one day they offered goldfish for breakfast! That was just nuts to me. Obviously I didn't  choose any of these.

I am still on the lookout and appreciate all the advice that was given to help me with my search. I'm not settling and will keep looking until I find a chain that provides meals that are more up to the caliber that James is used to. Wish me luck!

Happy reading!

Rachel

Mabel's Labels! = Life Saver!

I'm not sure if you have heard of these, but if you have kids, you need this. Our children are constantly interacting with other people, especially kids and our biggest concern as a parent is the child's well-being. To help safeguard the kids from germs, at daycare, school, on playdates, etc, we should label their personal items, such as sippy cups, bottles, etc since most kids have the same ones you do! Mabel's Labels will help you achieve this by providing a label that you can permanently stick onto your items with your child's name. The best part of the "Sticky Labels" are that they are microwave and dishwasher safe and I can attest to them being dishwasher safe as we have put these labels in multiple times and there are no signs of discoloration, ripping or tears. :)

I love these labels, especially since they can be customized with different colors and with icons which make them personable. James' stickers have a train on them, so he points to it and says "dooo-dooo" as in "Choo-Choo". Lol!

Take a look at the link by clicking here and let me know what you think of them! I realized I needed these when I went to daycare and 3 other kids had the same color and cup that James used, it was tough for us to tell which was ours because we'd write his name on it with a marker, but that would fade by end of day. There was a better way and this is it! I would recommend these labels to everyone, in fact I am eyeing the clothing labels next!

Happy Reading!

Rachel

PS: There is a promotion on for these until Oct 19th , click the link to redeem the offer and see details below:





From now until 10/19, or while supplies last, Mabel's Labels is offering a $3 off coupon for Allergy Alert labels, with all Halloween Loot Bag Combo purchases. The Loot Bag Combo was inspired by celebrities who love to include the Mabel's Labels waterproof Sticky Labels and Bag Tags in their children's birthday party loot bags. These sweet combos make great party favours and add a personalized touch to gifts! Best of all, you save $3 off Allergy Alert labels. Perfect, for keeping your child safe this Halloween. Don't miss your chance to shop this great offer!