From the Week

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

And just like that, another week is in the books. This one just FLEW by! How is it already mid-February? I am so confused.

Monday: Breakfast a super delicious smoothie (vega + sweet potato + oats + almond milk + ice).

It was sunny and warm-ish out so I took Wes to Bowmont park for a walk.

We didn’t stay long because I brought the wrong stroller (the citi mini gt isn’t that great on somewhat icy/rocky/snowy/terrain and I left the BOB at home) and Wes kept taking his hat off! Silly boy.

After we got back home, I walked us down the street to our mini makeshift park and introduced him to the swing for the first time. HE LOVED IT. As soon as I put him in, he grabbed the handles and just sat there enjoying me pushing him non stop for EVER.

We had burgers for dinner and they were so good, I had a second patty. I could have probably eaten three. We gave Wes some burger to try and he loved it too. He’s just like his daddy- loves burgers and pickles and cheese 🙂

Tuesday: I remembered there was a baby playdate scheduled at our local library, so we walked over there to see what it was all about. It was another nice day out, so it was great to get even more fresh air! Plus, we live super close to the library and it would take just as long to load and unload him from the car as it would to just walk on over.

They had set out a bunch of blanket with various items for babies to touch and play with. Of course Wes wanted to just shove everything in his mouth. I was dying on the inside about all the germs but what are you gonna do?

There were about 10 other babies and although Wes wasn’t the oldest..he was definitely the biggest. The other moms were shocked when I told them how good of a sleeper and eater he is. And I got to brag about it a little bit 🙂

We went back to the swings again later that afternoon and it was still a hit.

We had chicken tortellini for dinner- it was a Costco find and we didn’t think it was that great. Not bad, just not yummy enough to buy again. Good thing we have two more packages of it in the freezer ha.

After dinner I was playing with Wes and did the worst thing EVER…I spilled a full glass of water all over my laptop. Tyler quickly swooped in and took my laptop of to the laptop ER (the bathroom counter) to inspect the damage and set it up to dry out. I was a nervous wreck and took the doggies on an even longer walk that night because I was having heart palpitations over the potential cost of buying a new one.

Wednesday: I drowned my sorrows in a batch of sweet potato pancakes. It did the trick for the time being. I’m pretty sure anything drenched in maple syrup helps.

We went over to Safeway to pick up some produce (thank GOODNESS they lowered their prices on produce. It was over $2 PER PEPPER before!) and Wes got a kick out of sitting in the cart. So much so that he was doing his Tarzan call over and over again to entertain other shoppers.

I love that the cover has a couple of loops in the front to attach toys so he can’t launch them onto the dirty floor. (This is the one I have)

We had chicken tenders for dinner- they were so good! I could have eaten way more, but wanted to leave some leftovers for lunch the next day. Next time we have these, I’m going to prepare 4x more to put in the freezer for quick meals in the future!

AND GUESS WHAT? Tyler tested my computer and it was fully functional! Hip hip hooray. We already ordered another one just in case, but will be returning it (free of charge) once it’s delivered. I did a major happy dance. Major.

Thursday: I posted a Parker & Posie giveaway. Have you entered? You’d be crazy not to! These soft soled baby shoes are to die for!!!

Not much got done since Wes decided to only have one nap. It’s crazy how much that can affect my productivity! I still managed to get some stuff done around the house and before you know it Tyler was home and I was headed out the door for a brewmasters dinner downtown.

At the very last minute (and I’m VERY thankful for it) I got two tickets to the Bomber Brewing Beer Dinner at National on 8th. It was a 5 course meal with beer pairings from the Vancouver brewery as it was introducing its beers to the Alberta market.

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Thankfully, Brie was able to go with me (thanks Brie, and sorry for the last minute invite!).

With the exception of the first course which I didn’t eat (oysters…ew) the food was really good. Like, really really good. I was really glad I wore stretchy pants. I’m not a fish person by any means, but the cod dish was my favorite! And who doesn’t love grilled cheese? It was paired with a spicy tomato soup- perfect for dunking. Then there was the brisket which didn’t even require a knife to cut. And the dessert I could have eaten 10x over because I have the world’s worst sweet tooth.

The beer was pretty good too! A bit too hoppy for my taste (as a stand alone beer), but I think they did an excellent job of pairing each with great foods that really complimented the flavors. My favorite was the chocolate porter that came with dessert- that one I could probably drink on its own! Check out Bomber Brewing here.

All of our beers went unfinished since we were both driving home. Womp womp.

I was home by 10, in bed by 10:10 and still managed to get my 8 hours of sleep. Can’t hate that!

And that’s the week in a nutshell! There were some baths, long doggy walks, and workouts in between. Never mind the fact I polished off the entire batch of nutella muddy buddies I made on Sunday. Oops!

Have a great weekend everyone!

wee nation

Posted on February 4, 2016 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Oh my gosh you guys, I have the best [and coolest] thing to share with you.

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Wee Nation is a brand new monthly curated box for baby…of Canadian products! How cool is that? When I first found out about wee nation, I quickly contacted the power mamas behind the brand. I needed to get in on this!

Their idea behind the box is to provide age-specific, gender neutral Canadian goodies (with an occasional surprise for parents). You have the option of subscribing on a month-to-month basis, 3 months, 6 months, or gift a box! While the boxes are comprised of Canadian goodies, they’ll ship to the US. You’re welcome in advance, US friends. 🙂

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Last week, I received their first box and it didn’t disappoint. In the least bit.

What a beautiful and fun array of goodies! This particular selection was the Big Baby box (for 4-12 months of age). Other options include Newborn (0-3 months) and Toddler (1-2 years). The box also came with an insert that talks about each of the products included for the month.

I think that’s a super cool idea! It gives you a little info on each company and there may even be a few promo codes for discounts on future purchases. Who doesn’t love a discount? (I totally typed that with an Oprah voice in my head)

PS: There may even be a promo code for a wee nation box at this end of this post!

Included were: a book, stuffed animal, two food pouches, a paci clip, eczema balm and chocolate. FOR ME.

Right away, I loved this collection of goodies because I knew they’d ALL be put to great use. The book has been read 100000x times, the pouches (and chocolate) have been consumed, the balm is in the diaper bag, the pillow is already covered in drool and dog hair, and the paci clip may or may not be gifted…or saved for the next babe…since Wes is paci-free.

And the info card had me back on social media for a hot minute to find all the shops online and follow them.

But the best part of subscription boxes like Wee Nation? All these awesome things come together in ONE BOX. Which means: less hassle with shipping. Which also means: A way funner (not a word, I know) delivery.

No wait…..Here’s the best part—> The lovely ladies at Wee Nation have offered $5 off your first box with the promo code NUTCASE5.

Thanks, Wee Nation!

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Wesley Arlo- 9 Months

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Oh man, where do I start. Nine months. 3/4 of a YEAR. Whoa, that happened all too fast. This past month, I think my baby got on the big boy highway and I need him to slow down ASAP. (doesn’t every mom say that?)

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Today, Wes had his 9 month check up and weighed in at 21.7 lbs and 29.1″ long. They’re not SUPER accurate, but at least it gives me a ballpark. (His next round of shots are at 12 months and they are way better at weighing and measuring him there!)

He’s in size 5 diapers (they’re huge, but he fills them. I bet he’s glad I told you that). Most of his clothes are in the 18 month range, but it depends on the brand. He hasn’t been going through sizes as quickly, so it has been way better on my wallet. But way harder on the washing machine 😉

Eating: still breastfeeding 2-3x/day, 2 meals of baby food/puffs/smoothies, and a full bottle before bed. He’ll have some water here and there, too. We’re starting to incorporate more foods he can eat on his own, but I want to make sure he’s still getting enough calories for that big belly!

Sleeping: A 45ish min nap at 10:30am and an hour-ish nap at 2:30pm. Bed is anywhere from 7/7:30pm-7:30/8am without interruptions. EXCEPT this past week where he has been waking at night for a feed (growth spurt?!). He’s used to being held until he falls asleep which usually takes no more than 5 minutes.

Play: He’s still obsessed jumping in the jumperoo. OBSESSED. He’s also really enjoying a ton of new toys he got for Christmas. His finger dexterity is getting a bit better so he can actually play with the toys rather than smack at them…even though that’s what he does most of the time.

Tricks: He will ‘hoo’ when his toy owl does, he can blow raspberries, and he uses his hand to blab with his mouth. Sounds boring, but I promise it’s super hilarious to watch as his mom :). He loves to take off his bib and chew on the velcro part. Or just wave it around like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.

He has been trying to crawl lately! So far, he’s only managed to get one knee up so most of the time he’s rolling like a bowling ball all over the floor. Note to self: start looking into buying baby gates. Note to self #2: baby gates will also be great for the dogs. Why didn’t I get them sooner?

And teething! Whoa. His front bottom right tooth finally broke through on Friday January 7th and the thing is razor sharp. No wonder kids have a hard time with teething- it’s like knives in their mouths! With teething comes drooling- as you may very well notice in most of these pictures.

He’s still really good in the car and prefers to be carried in the Ergo as opposed to the stroller when we’re out running errands. I don’t mind it so much because it’s hard as hell to push a stroller through snow-packed parking lots.

He’s getting better and better with the doggies (and vice versa). Some mornings we have some puffs on the floor and Layla is his best friend. Reggie, on the other hand, has eaten entire canisters of puffs so he’s not allowed near us when we eat. BUTTHEAD.

I’ve noticed Layla will come in his room when I am in there with Wes, and Reggie will go in his room when Tyler is in there with him.

He still loves being on the change table, although he’s about an inch away from no longer fitting on it. Still doesn’t love stuff going over his head, but giggles like a maniac when getting everything else done (diaper, pants, socks..).

He loves to be bounced around, thrown in the air, and swung back and forth between my legs. Basically, he’s fun-loving and adventurous. I can already see his dating profile now. No wait, he won’t ever date. He’s my baby!

He’s mama’s #1 fan. Do you know how happy that makes me? VERY.

He is so happy. Except when I have to use the snot sucker…then he hates me for about .000002 seconds. So I make it up to him with snuggles and kisses. And bath time is one of his favorites! We spend a good stretch of time in the tub with his bubbles and toys and floating books and he loves to splash. Side note: I actually got in the tub with him once because A) I was cold, and B) I wanted in on the fun, too!

He’s so observant! Everyone we’ve met has commented on how much it looks like he’s soaking everything in. (And then they’ll try to hold him at which point he will cry until he’s back in my arms, but that’s a whole other story..) He can recognize the different rooms in the house, loves looking (and patting) himself in the mirror, and staring at his night light. Why he thinks me turning it off every morning is the greatest thing ever, I’ll never know.

He’s the best little boy (ahh I said it…’boy’. He’s no longer a baby! I’m so sad. I’m crying. Please pass the wine) and I get all tingly just thinking about how lucky I am to have him. Borderline obsessed since I scroll through photos of him on my phone every night before bed.

I’d like to think that his next monthly update will tell of how he’s crawling and gobbling more foods, but then that means another month has gone by and it just needs to slows the heckkkkkk dowwwwwwwn.

I love you Mr. Wes, you’re the best little guy! (He’s not reading this now, but I’m sure he will eventually…)

Random Things Thursday

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

I’m gonna quit saying I’m looking forward to the weekend because I could just let time freeze for now. I’m loving my time with my baby boy, I’m loving (shock and awe…wait for it) doing chores around the house, and I’m loving being able to run errands during the day and avoiding the wretched weekend crowds. Tomorrow my little man will be 9 months old which brings me even closer to my return to work and I am getting more and more sick to my stomach about it!

Wes tried smoothies for the first time this week! The first one was a mixture of fruits, greek yogurt, oats and almond milk and the second had some spinach added to it. The LOVED the green smoothie- I had to slow him down! He uses this cup and it seems to do the trick in ensuring a slower flow. He’s also been able to munch of some rice husks which seem to disappear in the blink of an eye. This guy loves his food!

2. Thanks to Brie’s post earlier this week, I was able to take advantage of Victoria’s Secret sale- buy a sports bra, get a legging for free! I had a store credit, so it cost me nothing AND I rounded out my quick shopping trip with a stop at the used kid’s store and picked up some oldie buy goodie books for Wes.

3. Dinners from the week have been pretty easy and super tasty! Monday: Slow Cooker Gnocchi in Creamy Pork Sauce (I used chicken) Tuesday: Mild Italian Chicken Sausage with couscous and sautéed zucchini Wednesday: Asian Turkey Meatballs with steamed broccoli and rice. I plan on making a slow cooker pot roast tonight with leftovers for tomorrow!

4. Monday and Tuesday nights have been tiresome! Wes got up at 5am Tuesday morning and 3am Wednesday morning to feed and each time it took him nearly 90 minutes to get back to sleep. I don’t mind because he rarely does this and I love the extra cuddles, but it really gets to my brain and body when I try to get some shut eye afterwards! It’s a good thing he’s cute.

The lack of sleep causes me to take some obnoxious (and cute!) photos of him 🙂

5. I finished Making a Murder on Tuesday night and Ken Kratz is just super creepy to me. That is all.

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6. I’m 90% sure about which day home we will choose for Wes. I checked out another on Tuesday and it seemed a bit too crowded plus the caregiver will be having surgery just as Wes will start there so I’m taking it as a sign it’s not meant to be. We are checking out another place today, but I think my heart lies with the place we checked out last week. It’s $$, but I think Wes will get better attention (which is the most important part!)

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7. Tyler noticed that Best Buy OF ALL PLACES had Quest Bars on sale online…the deal (keyword DEAL: regular $39.99; sale $32.99/box) was up until yesterday. So I bought three boxes. These are on my short list of things I will splurge on. Also on that list: Sodastream CO2 canisters (I go through one every 2 weeks), Vega nutritional shake powder, Bio Oil, and anything for Wes.

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8. To all my friends in the US: you can come visit me now. Do you know what the exchange rate is right now? Granted, most everything here in my expensive, but still…MORE MONEY IN YO POCKET! Seriously, come visit me. (hint hint: I’ve been here FOUR YEARS and only one person has visited!!!)

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Tell me something random!

From the Week

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Jen @nutcaseinpoint

Well, I can’t say that I have much to share from the past few days. Wes has been teething like crazy and with that has come some yucky moods, lots of drooling and SNOTS-R-US. I feel bad for the kiddo, the tooth is taking it’s sweet time and he absolutely hates having his nose cleaned or wiped.

Monday: This was Wes’s worst day. He was really stuffed up and just a bit lethargic. I put him in his feel better jammies and they seemed to do the trick….at least for the afternoon. We had lots of cuddles and play time and he still managed to get in his two regular naps.

Dinner was quick and easy: One Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

Wes went down at 7pm, so I took the dogs for a walk. When I came back, he was up again and Tyler and I took turns soothing a sleeping/screaming/hoarse baby until he went down for good again at 10:45. I felt SO bad for the little guy- he would fall asleep in our arms, but instantly scream murder as soon as we put him down. I guess he just needed some extra cuddles!

Tuesday: Wes woke up a bit better, so I was able to run a couple of errands with him in the early afternoon. I deemed it another ‘sick’ day and he got a lot more cuddles- this time from the pups too.

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And apparently it tired them all out..

We had chicken quesadillas for dinner. Correction: I had guacamole for dinner- with a side of quesadilla. YUM.

I was on some weird sugar buzz (didn’t know a handful of Skittles could produce such craziness!) and poor Layla fell victim..

Our walk was cut a bit shorter than intended after we encountered (and by encountered, I mean we walked RIGHT INTO) a coyote. The dogs wanted to play and I started screaming and running. We must’ve been a sight for a neighbors.

Wednesday: Another stay-in-the-house-all-day day. Crap weather means any trip outside of the house is most likely to a store which means money will probably be spent. And that cannot happen, my friends. I need to save money!!! So, to kill time we had fun in the tub.

Then I decided…meh the heck with the cold weather, let’s go to the library! I bundled up the Mr. in his new snow suit and we walked over to the library (which is only a block away).

Apparently the afternoon tuckered him out and he slept for a couple of hours. While he slept, I got dinner ready- we had taco macaroni casserole (I subbed greek yogurt for the cream cheese/sour cream and didn’t tell Tyler. He didn’t notice!). I could really see the white of his tooth when he woke up which got me all too excited so I wanted to commemorate with some pictures.

But..the dang tooth still hasn’t made it’s grand appearance.

I ate the last piece of cheesecake that Tyler made, so I needed to replenish my dessert stash. STAT. Double chocolate chip cookies it was. I used this recipe, I used semi-sweet chips instead of white chocolate.

I started watching Making A Murderer before bed and just as I thought- had the wierdest/scariest/worst dreams.

Thursday: I did my workout upstairs while Wes was still awake. It felt good to get it done earlier in the day than usual and Wes was syncing my jumping with his in the jumperoo. I’d like to think I burned more calories from laughing throughout my entire workout!

Obviously the grump face is from the pic being taken PRE-workout.

After lunch, I went to a prospective day home for Wes and I absolutely LOVED the woman- everything is exactly what I was looking for! It’s a great environment, I’m just nervous that it’s a bit pricier than what I can really pay. BUT- I would rather pay her rate than something less and have it be a crappy place, YA KNOW?! Kid comes first.

I’m still super jazzed about our meeting today, and I can only hope the stars align and she can take Wes starting April (Don’t get me wrong, I would MUCH rather stay home myself with Wes, but I would consider this woman to be a close second!)

PS: The outing required I humanize myself. Fashion sweats for the win!