Bugaboo

Hi, I am a stroller-holic. I bought a Bugaboo off Craigslist. I was reading the instruction and playing around with my purchase, but only to find out the stroller's handle bar is stuck -- so I can't adjust the height. I called their customer helpline to see how to trouble shoot --- and here is how the conversation went.

Customer service - "I am sorry, but we are doing inventory so we can not send anything out this week. Sorry for the inconvenience, but as soon as we are able to send next week, we will send you a new one"

Me - "No, it's not broken, but it seems like it's stuck. Is there a way to make it lose so I can adjust the height"

Customer service - "oh when that happens we will replace the part"

Me - "But how do I take apart the handle bar?"

Customer service - "no, we will replace the chassis"

I was totally shocked. Essentially I am getting a brand new stroller then. The seat and the basket is only part that will be used. So I guess that's why Bugaboo charges so much for their stroller. I definitely give them A+ for customer service, although I wonder if there is a way to fix the chassis...

I am also trying to contact the seller.. I am annoyed that they didn't tell me there is a problem. I asked how to adjust the height and they just said oh it's easy just pull up or down, but I should have known better when they wouldn't do it.

My Sweet Prodigy

Micah just celebrated his three month birthday yesterday. We went to baby story time and he rolled over. It's not a typo --- he just rolled over from tummy to back. Everyone was shocked. It was definitely a big milestone.

In addition, he is starting to pull on toys to play -- such as the toys on the bouncer and his playmat. He makes coo coo sound.. and gets frustrated if he can't swat the one he wants (well at least that's my interpretation).

He definitely had a very productive three months - he learned to go on the potty for number two, rolled, and stared to coo coo.

Tales from the Crib

I recently started reading novels again -- and I came across Tales from the Crib by Jennifer Coburn at the library. It begins by Lucy (the main character) announcing being pregnant after several miscarriages on the day her husband, Jack, decides he wnats a divorce. Jack feels the best arrangement would be for them to stay together for the sake of the child, but have an open marriage. Lucy goes through her turmoil of staying in this bizarre arrangement and watching Jack and the new girlfriend take their baby out. She found comfort in the Le Leche League.

I thought it was interesting how they had couseling throughout the novel. From marriage counselig to child psychologist visit after a birthday Barney got into a fight with the Dad. The other day someone suggested maybe Mattie needs counseling for being so jealous of Mikey. It makes me wonder if my kids will require counseling --- why do we need to talk about everything? Can a person just be upset? And is really talking to some group better?

At the Le Leche League, they discussed children. They compared and boast about their children. Does that really make the child feel better? Everyone knows I adore my two boys --- even if Mattie isn't the fastest, smartest, or whatever... I think by talking to people it actually makes me depress about the boys. I remember thinking how all the kids in the playgroup seems to be talking faster, running quicker, and they can .. JUMP. If anything I feel that by talking about kids make me feel even more inadequet as a parent.

Anyhow, now I am reading a depressing novel --- World Without an End by Ken Follett. It's a historical fiction --- it definitely take your emotions up and down with all the ups and downs through people in one town. Definitely a good read if anyone is up for a 1000 page turner.

Nature versus Nurture

We came up to Ottawa last Friday to accompany Peter for his Principle of Surgery exam. It rained the whole entire way --- took us 7 hours. The boys start of well, both asleep for like 2 hours, but once Mattie woke up, he was bored. Mattie wanted to play and move. Mikey just stared out and sucked his fingers.

Once we got here, Mattie immediately feels like home. He grabbed his great aunts and uncles and went all over the house. Micah just slept. The first two days we had a great time shopping at the mall and on this artsy part of the town, but starting Monday night, Mattie started having a fever. He didn't break his fever until Wednesday night. The entire time Matte was sick, he wanted to be held and cradled like a baby.

It's very interesting, Mattie is always very attached to me and wants to be held. Ever since he was a baby, he would want to cuddle with me in bed whenever he can (probably why he still sleeps with us). He loved to be in the Baby Bjorn and always preferred facing in. However, when Micah couldn't sleep on Sunday night, he did not want to be cradled. He wanted to be held to look at things he can't normally see. He prefers to lie on his back to look around rather than to be held.

I don't think we did anything differently with the two boys since I do believe in attachment parenting and we practice on demand feeding. Essentially, we let the babies tell us what they want -- but it seems like Micah is just more independent. He prefers to look at the world rather than lie in my arms. I wonder how they would be as children or adults.

I also celebrated my birthday here. Here are some pics, although it looks like we are celebrating Mattie's birthday.



Another one of the family:

Boy Chases Girls

A boy once told me that boys should chase the girls and do all the courting stuff. Boys should open all the doors, pay for all the dinners, buy flowers, etc. Ok, so he was definitely one of those that would fit well in Medieval Times, but secretly I liked it.

I always want to raise my boys to be like that -- to treat girls really nice. Mattie is definitely girl crazy. Today at the playground he wanted to do everything Lila did. He climbed up a really high slide, but then he realized he never came down by himself before -- on any slide. But the Lila came down... so he did. I was shocked since we had try everything other than having a girl to convince him to come down even a baby slide by himself. Mattie chased Lila all over the playground. It was really cute. *Note, Lila is only 18 months, but she is much more adventureous than Mattie.

Our New Schedule

Spring is here and we have a new schedule now. Mondays we go to play group first and then we go to toddler story time at Lillian Smith Library. Tuesdays we have music time and a different playgroup. Wednesdays will be our swimming day. Thursdays will be family story time at Sanderson Library and play time at a community center. Fridays will be a flex day between play group and Native Indian center.

In additon, we are also exploring the city more. It turs out the libary is having this musueum program where they are giving out passes to toronto museums every week. So far we have gone to the Textile Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. We are hoping to see them all through the summer. It's a pretty neat program -- but waiting for the passes is definitely a challenge. I couldn't believe people would get up and wait in line at 8 in the morning on a Saturday!

I am also hoping we will squeeze in some workout schedule. I want to lose the baby fat soon...