Two weeks in New York visiting my brother and friends was just what I needed.  Trees were blooming, several days were actually warm (yeah, flip-flops!!!) and we maxed out our time with some great friends! 

The first week was filled with events at The Academy of Dramatic Arts at the graduation events for my brother, Matt King (see his bio page here) and his lovely girlfriend, Ashley.  They had final performances where they made us very proud and then a ceremony at The Majestic Theater.   When we walked in to the grad ceremony and saw James Lipton, from Inside The Actor's Studio, I knew we were in for a treat.  He was the guest speaker and was A-MAZING!  Really, he could say anything with that incredibly silky voice and I would be mesmerized but the combination of that voice with his intelligence, wit and humor and you have a fantastic speaker!  Too bad the MC's phone rang in the middle of the Mr. Lipton's address to the graduates.  Tsk, tsk, Mr. Lonnie Quinn!  Why the school asked an arrogant weatherman (who texted on his phone anytime he wasn't speaking) to be the Master of Ceremonies is beyond me.  The graduates and James Lipton deserved your respect and your attention at the very least.

We didn't end up seeing everyone we would have liked to, two weeks isn't long enough, but we are so thankful for everyone who managed to squeeze us into their busy schedules!   

Pics to follow in the next day or so.

Responsible proactive parenting is so easy in some areas and so difficult in others.  I love knowing that there are things I can do that will make a positive impact on Max's future.  I read to him, talk to him about life and God, brush his teeth (this one is so fun right now), feed him healthy foods, show him how to be active...whoa, rewind on that one, I need to show him how to be active but haven't mastered it yet myself.  Anyway, you know what I mean.  Somethings you just know are the right thing to do. 

Then we come to the grey areas.  I hate those grey areas.  Vaccinations, antibiotics, education and the list goes on and will only get longer as Max gets older.  There is no one manual to answer all these questions.  There are many websites, books, experts, friends and family who have opinions, some educated some misinformed.  There is too much information available for a mom to comprehend.  At least for this mom.  I researched the vaccination debate until I was scared to vaccinate and scared not to.  I hate being scared! 

When we were in New York, I finally found a pediatrician who I was comfortable with and trusted.  I put Max in her hands, expressed my concerns and fears and left it up to her to give the least amount of vaccinations she was comfortable with.  Now we are in Calgary and I have been told by my family doctor that the model of care here does not include a pediatrician as primary care for children.  They are specialists and by referral only.  Also, vaccinations have nothing to do with your primary care physician, they are given at a community health clinic.  What?  No continuity of care?  No child specialist who is invested in your child's health as much as you are?  Only mass vaccinations?  Now I'm scared all over again!  At least it's all free and that is no small thing.  

I would love to hear from other Alberta moms.  Does your baby go to the same family doctor you do?    How are the community clinics when it comes to listening to you and giving only the shots you want?  Are you scared too?

All this as I am on my way to the pharmacy to pick up Zithrmax for Max.  His first antibiotics.  I have waffled over giving them to him since yesterday when I took him to the walk-in.  He has been coughing pretty bad since last Monday and has a runny nose that will not stop.  The doctor said he can't be sure that it is not bronchitis or sinusitis so he should have antibiotics 'just in case'.  I am not a fan of antibiotics and certainly not a fan of medicating just in case but...we are going to New York tomorrow and Max's immune system is probably weakened from being sick this long so...I am leaning towards medicating to help him get over this and make sure he doesn't get something else on top of it.   By the time I get back from the pharmacy I may have talked myself out of giving him the medicine.  Like I said, I hate the grey areas!

Singer/Songwriter is what I am in my other life.  You know, the other life where I am not a procrastinator, I am uber-talented and the grass is seriously lush and green.  Ha!  In this life, I do love to sing and have written a couple of songs but nothing like I want to write.  If people could hear what goes on in my head from day to day it might be like an episode from Glee because I tend to react to emotions with songs that express what I feel and when there is no song...I make one up.  Unfortunately, most of the time it sounds like Rachel Berry trying to write an original song for Regionals.  Fortunately, I only sing these made-up ones to myself and sometimes to Max.  Anyway, tonight I was reminded of this crazy video which you have probably already seen but just in case...

Seriously people, the lyrics here are so  fantastic I really hope you fully appreciated them!  My version of this is darker, with everyone dressed in black and we are singing, "Monday, Monday, today is Monday, but hey at least it's almost over!" 

Actually, today wasn't bad, just long.  This weekend we had a foot of snow!!! Check this out.

Today the snow started melting away.   It was warm enough that I took Max out to play in barefeet!  We found a little ladybug and he ate half of it before I could stop him.  Spring is in the air at last!

He has been a father for almost a year and let me tell you he dove headfirst into the pool of hands-on parenting.  The first week of our sons life, it was his dad who changed almost every diaper and since then I would say he still changes at least 40% of the diapers.  He has been involved with most of the bath times, story times and feeding times.  I have watched as he takes the time to share little things with Max like the smell of freshly ground coffee beans and the bright yellow yolk of a freshly cracked egg.  I have left them alone for the day with pumped milk in the freezer and no instructions and have felt completely confident that Max would be put down when he needed to sleep and fed when he needed to eat.  I have sat with my feet up at the end of the day while father and son bundle up and go outside for a walk.  Parenting with him has been a treat because he is the best dad I could have chosen for Max.  I love him, Max loves him and he loves us.  I am grateful!

Oh yeah, AND he makes the best egg sandwiches for me!!!

P.S. This short post has been in the works since Friday when it should have been posted but it seems I haven't finished anything that I have started in the past few days.  Interruptions are the norm for me.  Are they the norm for all moms? 

I was going to finish this post with a audio clip or video of my friend Joni Ayn Clark singing The Lord's Prayer in honor of our Heavenly Father but I can't find it anywhere.  In my humble opinion, no one sings it as well as she does.  Do you have a favorite version?