Long Overdue Update!

I can’t seem to update this blog anymore, yet I just can’t quit it! I am going to try to update a little more frequently, just to keep my toes in the water.

To update you: we are all doing great. Cakes continues to be a little firecracker. She is currently obsessed with Kate Middleton. Observe her Halloween costume!



Sherwood is awesome. He’s my sweet little boy. There’s just something about a little boy—it’s indescribable. He turned two in July. Can you believe it!



McHotty is great, and as hot as ever. Work is very interesting. I’ve been working on the eBook side for about a year now, and it’s never a dull moment. A few months ago I moved to a different publishing house, with a much bigger digital team. It’s been a smooth transition, and I’m having a ball.

Next update will be much sooner, I promise!

Happy Hallowe'en!

Bah! There's never any time to update this poor neglected blog. I can tell you that things are really well. Work is going VERY well. And I always have time to post a couple of cute Hallowe'en photos....

One

Sherwood turned one on July 29. How did this happen so quickly?

Separation Anxiety

Wow, over a month since I’ve posted here. I’m not keeping up very well. I’ve been managing to post at my book blog about once per week, and I’m contributing to a new book blog at Today’s Parent now. But poor Metro Mama blog is getting dusty.

I always come back here when I’m angsty though, and this time is no exception. The good news is that my employer is sending me on a fabulous course in Vancouver: Simon Fraser’s two-week Book Publishing Immersion program. The course has an excellent reputation, and work is covering all of my expenses, so it is very, very good news. The bad news is that I’m leaving Sunday, and I’m still in the process of weaning Sherwood. Also, he’s still sleeping in our bed. We’ve been trying to make the move to the crib, but it is not going well (I had about two hours sleep last night). McHotty will be looking after him most of the time I’m gone, but he returns to work for two days, and the grandparents will be taking over. They are not prepared to co-sleep. So the pressure’s on. Any tips for me?

I’m actually starting to feel a little sick about leaving him. Unlike his big sister, he is a real mama’s boy. Cakes never seemed to have much trouble separating, but he sticks to me like glue. He’s not going to be happy; nor am I.

Five

Now With Less Whine!

I don’t like to leave my whiny posts up for long without top-posting with something positive, so here it is.

There is a lot that’s good about five. Cakes is over the moon about her birthday. Birthdays are everything to 5-year-old girls, aren’t they! She has been planning her party for months: the guest list, the décor, the food, all of it. Her excitement’s contagious.

As for behavior, five is a big milestone. Cakes is a ‘spirited’ child and three and four were sometimes pretty challenging. But I see a new maturity in her now. She’s helpful, empathetic, loving and kind. She doesn’t always do what she’s told, but it helps if I explain a logical reason for doing something (I was exactly the same way) (still am, actually).

As for McHotty spending more time with her, that has been terrific for both of them. He is a magnificent father. Last night Sherwood and I joined in on story time. She didn’t want me to read to her, but requested one of McHotty’s original stories. As we listened raptly, he narrated “The Princess Pirates.” Here’s a recap: the Pirate Princesses were sailing in the sea one day when along came the Nasty Scary Pirates who fired their cannon at them. The Princess Pirates were not scared, and immediately loaded up their cannon. They have better aim, and a better ship, so their cannon hit the Nasty Scaries and their ship started sinking. The Princesses pulled up to the Scaries, stole all of their treasure, and gave them a lifeboat. Then they took the treasure to the island village and they all had a big party with cupcakes, fizzy water, party cheese and strawberry shortcake.

Speaking of parties, I will post some pics after Saturday’s big bash. And I will be happy and enjoy my beautiful little girl.