Harrison is 1 year old!

Well, the day finally came. My baby is a baby no longer. Yesterday, Harrison turned one. To say a year has gone by fast is an understatement. It has flown. But, I've enjoyed every minute of it. Harrison has been a wonderful little baby. We've been blessed to have such a happy carefree child. He has truly made it a pleasure to have him in our lives.

Harrison, just a few hours old

Harrison's 12-month picture on the sofa

Harrison has changed so much over the past year. It's amazing to think how much they change, learn, experience in 12 months. They go from a helpless little baby dependent on you for everything to a little boy who is getting ready to walk his way into a new stage of his life. He's starting to point at things and request them in his own way, still eats everything in sight, and now stands, teasing us with the possibility of first steps. He actually thrilled us all at the party yesterday (except for Daddy) with a half step. We all cheered and he applauded. He knows what we're waiting for.

So, as mentioned, we had his 1st party yesterday. His day began with pressies from us (minus his gift from Mommy which is still being made), and his Nana & Grampsy, Nan and Auntie Jenny in England. He then partook of pancakes and fruit for breakfast. After a couple of errands with Daddy and Charlotte, he came home and had a 2.5 hour nap to prepare for the afternoon festivities.

Harrison had a wonderful time at his party. He had lots of family and friends there to help celebrate such a special day. He even had his friends Hudson, Thomas, Gabby and Jude attend and make it extra special. He was spoilt with lots of lovely gifts and of course, who can forget the cake? I think all in all, it was a great 1st birthday.

Mmmmm, breakfast

Charlotte made Harrison a poster and we added his monthly pictures to it

Making sure the munchies are OK and bopping to the music

Harrison's friends having fun

We had a jungle theme. I made the animals from modelling clay. 

Happy Birthday to you!

Blowing out the candles (with a little help from Charlotte, Dominic and Joshua)

Not too small, Mom!

Oh, that's good cake!

Don't give it all away!

I love all my gifts! Thank you!

Harrison is Eleven Months Old Today!

There's only 1 month left before my baby officially becomes a toddler. My last baby (yes, that's right, my last baby), will be a baby no more.

Harrison's been as busy as ever this past month. He's been growing steadily, eating like there will soon be a shortage of food and making us laugh every day.

He continues to be a very quite baby. Only crying if he's tired or hungry. He's finding his voice in other areas though. He grunts if he's not being fed fast enough, cries out if he wants your attention and even seems to have taken up singing.

He has the best smile ever. And he knows how to use it. He just makes eye contact with the ladies wherever we go and then smiles that smile and they are his. He's realized now that if he doesn't get them just with the smile, a grunt and a wave usually makes the contact and then it's just a matter of reeling them in with the smile. Very clever is my boy.

Eating continues to be a favourite pastime. While it's slowed down over the past week, his appetite for a while was huge. We couldn't seem to keep him satisfied. There were times when we thought he'd pop but he'd still be asking for food. Luckily, that's passed now otherwise he'd be a big round ball with little short legs.

Hi favourite person? Still Charlotte. She makes him laugh to no end and now she goes in and greets him in the morning when he wakes. All you can hear over the monitor is the two of them talking to each other. Charlotte is convinced he said her name, but so far only Da Da and Bye have been confirmed.

Harrison isn't walking yet, but he does sometimes stand for around 5 sec before sitting down. He has also taken up dancing. If the radio is on or there's music on TV, he starts to bop up and down. It's very cute. He'll soon be dancing around the room next to his big sister.

Laugh. He laughs, we laugh. He makes us all laugh. He has got such a great little personality and I can't wait to see it develop.

I'm going to enjoy this month (like I have the others) before my baby becomes a little man!

Love you babes!

My new business

I've been hinting for awhile that I've had something brewing in the background. Well folks, today, I officially launched my new business Thyme to Dine. It's a Personal Chef business and I am so very, very excited. My pulse is actually racing as I write this post. The idea of this business has been in the back of my mind for sometime now. Try three years. It wasn't until I had Harrison and I started really thinking about it that I thought it could even be possible.

I've wanted to have my own business for a long time. The business part wasn't the problem, it was what the business would be that I wasn't sure of. I've often thought if I had my time back I would have gone to school to be a chef or a carpenter. While two quite different careers, they both have one similarity. You use your hands to make things. I love to cook. I like to dabble in a little woodworking once in awhile. Cooking won out. Upon further investigation into a Personal Chef business, I found the Canadian Personal Chef Association who were offering a bootcamp in Toronto. They explained how to start your business and gave you the opportunity to spend a day in the kitchen with a chef. I jumped at the chance. Once I got in TO and went to the course, I knew this was what I wanted to do.

So, I got back in town, got in contact with a dear friend who is a graphic designer, and told her what I wanted to do and what I needed. A few weeks later I had a logo, designed business cards and I was designing my website.

The past couple of months have been a mixed bag of emotions. Mostly excitement followed by a little "what am I doing" followed by even more excitement. Everyone I've told have been very excited for me and all have said they think it's a great idea. I think so to.

Without reciting my entire website (as I want you all to visit), I will tell you a little about Thyme to Dine. Thyme to dine gives you just that. Time to dine in the comfort of your own house. Time to catch up with your family as you eat a home cooked meal prepared just for you in your home. Time to sit and find out what your kids did in school that day, how your husband/wife's day went, a chance to tell them how yours went. It's time for a professional couple to spend time together over a delicious healthy meal after a long day at work or after returning from the gym. It's time for a single person (professional or senior) to have a healthy meal without having to worry about cooking just for one. It's all time that you wouldn't have if you had to go home and cook your supper. Let's face it, it's quite likely that after a very long day, you're going to the nearest take out restaurant or grocery store and getting their roasted chicken. Again. I know, I've been there, done that.

Thyme to Dine gives you back time. Time to do whatever you want, whenever you want. I make up the menus, do the shopping, come to your house with all supplies needed to cook and package the custom meals for you to enjoy after a long day. All you have to do is meet with me for half an hour to discuss your likes and dislikes and I take it from there. What could be more simpler?

Excited? I am. I hope you are too. I'm sure you know someone who could use my service. If so, send them my way. Give them my details and I will help them get their time back. I also have business cards and an info email blast that I can send you if you'd like to send it to a friend or two. I'm here to make it as easy as possible to get the word out about Thyme to Dine and I appreciate any help you can give me.

So, enough of my sales pitch. Before signing off I want to thank some people. First and foremost, my husband. From the moment I mentioned my idea to Andrew, he supported me. There was never a moment of hesitation and for that I will be forever grateful. I thank Andrew, Charlotte and Harrison for testing the recipes with me. If they don't like them, they don't get added to my database. Until the warmer weather came, they were eating a different meal almost every night. We're getting back into that again as my business is going to heat up now! To Sarah Jones, my very own Graphic Designer. She's the lady behind the logo and business cards that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. Thank you. You are AWESOME! Finally, I want to thank my family and friends who have all supported me in this venture. They've been here for me from the get go. From the time that I first told Jill that I had decided to start a PC business rather than open a MEC store (she thought it was a much better idea) to all the people who looked at my logo/business card options and gave me their thoughts, to all those who have eaten my food over the years and enjoyed it, I thank you all. Never once did anyone question my decision. Instead, it was always such positive, wonderful feedback and because of that, Thyme to Dine launches today.

So, thank you everyone. Please visit my website and 'like' my facebook page. Help me spread the word that Thyme to Dine is open for business and I am ready to make people's lives easier. One meal at a time. I'm taking bookings for August.

www.thymetodine.net
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thyme-to-Dine/460879660597621

Jennifer x

Summer Fun in June

Wow. It's hard to believe that it's been almost a month since my last post. That's what happens when you're having fun I guess. The weather so far this summer has been fantastic and we've been enjoying lots of fun in the sun. I thought I'd post some pictures of what we did in June.

Harrison picked up a new habit.....

The T-shirt pretty much sums this one up!

We attempted a family photo on Father's Day...

Andrew's Mum and Nan came to visit for a week. We had a wonderful visit with them.

Nana (aka Andrew's Mum) with the two grand children

We always said Nan was like the Queen Mum!

We went to Middle Cove to see the capelin rolling but they were taking a break

Getting ready for the family BBQ

The first S'mores of the summer

Hanging out at Salmonier Nature Park. Yup, Andrew pushed Nan AND Charlotte along the entire trail.

Ditto on the hanging out.

Our trip to Dildo completed the tour for this visit

So, that was a little glimpse into our June. We're almost half way through July and still having lots of fun. Pictures to follow at the end of the month!

Hope you're all having a wonderful summer.

I am....... a runner

This morning I dragged my you-know-what out of bed at 6:15. No, not to feed Harrison. No, not because Charlotte had woken early. I was going for a run. Not a long run, but a run. A 5.4km run.

If someone asked me to describe myself, I'd say I was a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a confidante, an optimist (most of the time), a princess, a queen, a prince, a frog, a horse (all thanks to Charlotte and the games we play), a taxi driver, a personal shopper, a personal chef (in more ways than one), a crafter, a knitter, a lot of things, but never a runner. I don't know why, I just don't consider myself one.

When I go into a shop like The Running Room I feel out of place. Why would someone like me be in there? I feel as if people are looking at me, wondering just that. When I'm running along the roads, down the trails, around Quidi Vidi, and my legs are hurting, my face is red and dripping in sweat, I expect someone at any moment to call out and say "Hey lady, what the hell are you doing?" I think if someone actually did that I'd probably say "I have no idea" and stop, so I'm glad no one has.

So this morning, as I was running around the roads in my area, seeing many people doing the same as me (none of which called out by the way), I wondered to myself why I didn't think of me as a runner.

Here's what I thought. If I wasn't a runner of some description, would I:
1) be running around the neighbourhood at 6:15 in the morning?
2) be running speed intervals during said run at 6:15 in the morning?
3) be looking at the guy ahead of me and wondering if I could catch up and pass him (but didn't attempt because I knew I would then collapse)
4) be thinking that I need a new pair of sneakers that I really can't afford at the moment but my knees can't afford for me not to buy them
5) be registered for the Tely 10 in July (6 weeks 4 days away)
6) be registered for a 1/2 marathon in September

Surprisingly, the answer to all the above was NO! I wouldn't be up at 6:15 dragging my you-know-what to the bathroom let alone around any road in St. John's contemplating catching anyone. No, I wouldn't be thinking about getting a new pair of sneakers and as for The Tely 10 and a 1/2 marathon, no freaking way.

So, I asked myself. Are you a runner? Yes! ...... I can't hear you. Are you a runner? Yes! ...... I still can't hear you. Are you a runner? YES! YES! YES! I AM A RUNNER!  I said to myself, YES, you are a runner. And you should be proud of what you've accomplished in the past 6 months, what you hope to accomplish over the next 6 weeks and what you are planning on accomplishing in September. I said to myself, I'm not planning on getting up early most mornings now to make sure I get all my runs in if I am not a runner. And I need all the support I can get. Especially from me and myself (who would rather be in bed to be quite honest). Although it was me who made the decision yesterday to change our route and run the trails rather than Logy Bay Road, both myself and I thanked me for that one.

But, ultimately, I am the final decision maker in this trio, and I say, we are RUNNERS!!!!! Thankfully, me and myself agree.

Harrison is Ten Months Old Today!

Well, today my baby turned 10 months old. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Wow, the time has gone by. Harrison is turning into a little man before our very eyes. His personality is really starting to shine now. He's the happiest little boy, smiling at everyone and anyone and well, he makes us smile too.

He still has just the two teeth, but I have a feeling there are more starting to get ready to make an appearance.

He sleeps through the night, waking usually around 6:30am. Whether it's first thing in the morning or after one of his naps, he greets you with one of his smiles.

Harrison doesn't cry unless he hurts himself or he's very hungry or tired. When he's happy, he's happy. He chats, laughs, calls out and squeals. I love his squeal. When I pick him up the squeals come out with such glee.

To say Harrison loves food is an understatement. His favourites are banana and peanut butter on bread. He loves to feed himself. It's not very often that we take him out of his chair and there's anything that has missed his mouth. When he's out of food, he lets you know. I like to think he's saying "Mommy or Daddy, can I have some more food please". What we actually hear is "Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh". :)

Charlotte is still Harrison's favourite person. He is constantly watching her and is always laughing at her antics. When he's tired, or if he's in his car seat and we're not quite ready to go, all I say is "Charlotte, can you talk to Harrison" and all is good. She talks to him, sings to him, tickles him and he loves it.

Walking. Well, not yet, but almost. He's all about pulling himself up on whatever he can find and off he goes. His latest trick is pulling himself up onto Charlotte's chair, getting up on it onto his knees and then standing. Charlotte and I just stared at him the first time he did it (while all the time ready to help him of course).

He keeps us guessing, keeps us smiling and we love it.

Love you babes!

What a cheeky grin!

Gone are the days of sitting still!

It's Springtime!

To say the weather this spring has been good so far is an understatement. I keep forgetting it's only May and keep thinking I'm behind in the gardening. The fact is, for the past couple of weeks we've been getting the garden ready for the summer. I don't have the greenest of thumbs. I do my best in the garden, trying to keep all the weeds out of the beds and the garden looking tidy.

Charlotte LOVES all things flowers. The house now has plants again (and I can actually say they are still alive), we've planted seeds for the flowers for her flower bed (they are coming along very well), and she cries when she sees me pulling out the dandelions. No, I'm not kidding. At the moment her flower bed has one pansy, an easter lily that is finished for the year and pulled dried up dandelions. I'll remove them when she's not watching.

Last week we repotted the seedlings. Charlotte got ready to go outside, put on her gardening gloves and helped me put the soil in the pots. She then watered the plants she has so far (said pansy and easter lily). She loves her flower bed. We need to fix the actual box, but she doesn't seem to mind. She just wants flowers. Which we'll get. Once we know the frosts are over with. After all, it's springtime in NL.

Harrison was more interested in his hat

Miss Charlotte potting the seedlings. She chose her outfit.

Watering the lily