I Tumble For Ya...

Yesterday was a little crazy. We had the whole day planned out because of doctors appointments, voting and the little lady's new gymnastics class.

We went to vote first thing in the morning so I could get one thing out of the way. Then, headed downtown for a doctor's appointment at the hospital. I wasn't told ahead of time that I needed someone there to watch Lu so you can imagine my shock when I was told that I couldn't bring her into the quick procedure I was having done. Ugh! The nurse said that I should ask someone in the WAITING ROOM to watch her...ummm NO!! Who does that??

"Hey lady, yeah you...the one in the gown picking her nose...could you watch this kid for ten minutes?"

Seriously, what kind of parent would I be if I handed my child off to a complete stranger? So I told the nurse that that was not an option, she scurried off to see what she could do. I told her I could reschedule if this was going to get crazy but she said she'd figure something out. Five minutes later she comes to get us in the waiting room and ushers me to the nurses lounge. Five young nurses greet us at the door and tell me they'll keep an eye on her. Fabulous! So I wheel Lu's stroller into the nurses lounge and hand her my Iphone with the flashcards app and away I go!

The procedure ended up taking 40 minutes :/ I hurry back to get Lu and find her surrounded by nurses and doctors. One of the doctors looks at me and says "She is SO SMART!" I was floored, I thought she would've been tearing the place up, freaking out because I'd been gone for nearly an hour. A nurse chimes in with "We were looking at flashcards, then we played Angry Birds...and she told me all about Facebook!" My little lady surprises me sometimes.

After grabbing a quick veggie dog we sped off to Lu's first gymnastics class all the way back uptown.

I finally decided to look into something more for Lu since soccer only happens once a week for an hour. She looks forward all week for it but it's over quickly then it's back to pestering me with "Soccer day??" every hour. I wasn't sure if she'd like it but I decided to give it a shot.

We get to the class with ten minutes to spare phewww then it's a trip to the potty and a costume change. I wasn't sure how it was supposed to work since she's only 2, did I need to go in with her? How would she react to making new friends? Well....she bolted into the gym and sat with the group so that meant I was off the hook! I could stay in the "lobby" with the other parents and watch behind the glass. This ALSO means that I can leave for an hour and grab groceries or a coffee! I might try that next week if she's in a good mood, although, I do enjoy watching! She was running, bouncing, twirling, somersaulting and laughing up a storm.

So happy she's enjoying it and I even managed to make a couple new mom friends which is always welcome.

Today is a day of recovery, taking it easy and watching movies. Quiet days are going to be few and far between the next little while so we best enjoy it while we can.

New experiences...

Lu and I decided to check out our local Early Years Centre yesterday. She's 2 and we've never been to check out our free government child programs. It's weird I know, but I have a stroller phobia. Dh and I saved for months during my pregnancy to afford a Bugaboo. It's the Cadillac of strollers. I'm not pretentious and I didn't purchase it because it cost like a grand, I bought it because we don't drive. I needed a nice set of wheels, something that could turn on a dime and get onto buses with ease. It's traveled internationally too and works everywhere we've been.

My stroller is my car. I have used it everyday practically for the last two years. I can't even fathom the miles it has on it and sorta wish I had an odometer. It has never failed me and has been worth every last scrimping. Anywho, I'm getting away from the point...I fear my stroller being stolen. It happens quite frequently in the city, I read stories all the time. Craigslist ads from people putting out APB's..."It has a scuff near the wheel!" like their car is missing. Losing a stroller is tragic, especially if you have a small child.

So, the Early Years Centre doesn't have a safe place to put strollers, they're left outside near the front door. I might as well put a sign up saying "SWIPE THIS INSANELY EXPENSIVE, EASY TO SELL STROLLER!"

So yeah, I've been avoiding the Centre even though we could really benefit from the extra baby hangout times and it's free! I did some research and realized there was an off-site drop-in location and it was literally across the street from me! We went to check it out and sure enough there was a little spot inside to park strollers and I was like the 4th Bugaboo parked there. I felt safe and decided to venture into the class and sign up.

Lu ran directly to the little kitchen set up and played away happily. Mother's nursed, babies rolled around and some of the grandparents who brought their grandkids stared at me. I HATE being stared at by people. I'm tattooed, have a sleeve done and my chest...feet...legs...back...k I'm pretty much covered. I don't mind people staring at my work and love when people ask me what it's about but I HATE when people give me the side eye. I'm a good person, friendly and generous. I don't warrant angry looks and do not appreciate judgement calls without meeting me. If you meet me and think I'm a jerk, fine...then we're cool.

So my view of the Early Year's Centre...it was well-organized, staff was friendly, some mom's were approachable. No one introduced themselves to me but I chatted with another mom who seemed nice. It all felt a little cult-ish though. Everyone knew the songs and leered at me for not singing along. I just could't get into the mentality of singing and dancing with people I didn't know. I'm going to take her back again on Monday and hope it gets a little easier, otherwise we'll just do our own thing like we've always done.

Today we attended soccer. Lu loves soccer, she loves the coaches and the other kids. I love how she looks forward to Thursdays all week long. She attends "Little Kickers", it was started in the UK and now they have branches throughout the US and Canada. I can't say enough about the group, it's been a lifeline and we love attending every week. It's really helped her with learning to run and she has been working on her colours through different drills. Lu has a hard time naming colours and pretty much calls them all "blue". The sticker she receives at the end of soccer is her favourite part though, no matter what colour it is. Today a little girl shouted out "I like gymnastics better than soccer!" and we all laughed. The whole class is just hilarious, kids running amok and coaches trying to keep them in line. I have multiple friends who love to come with us because it's just so funny and awesome.