Teddy's Milestones

Teddy is getting sooo big! He's really showing a personality and for the most part it is bright and sunny. He loves to flirt and will do it with live people, a fake flower in our living room and with women on TV! He likes to chew on his fingers and often gags himself. We call him Drooly Joe because he is drooling like crazy!

About a month ago we started him on rice cereal because he was staring at us so intently as we ate. It was a decision that was concerning for me because he was only 4.5 months old, but when we fed him a very soupy version of the cereal he got a huge smile on his face and he did really well with it. Now he devours it and eats more and more every day. We'll start vegetables after he turns 6 months old which is in the next couple weeks. We're very happy we decided to start when we did and are happy there haven't been any problems.
**We started with Beech Nut Brown Rice Cereal first and I liked it because it didn't have a bunch of added junk. When I was shopping the other day the store didn't have it so I bought the Milupa Rice Cereal. It has so much added stuff, no fiber and it smells like sugar when I put it in the bowl. Teddy loves it and gobbles it down, but he liked the brown rice too and I think I'll keep with that as it kept him more "regular" than this white rice cereal does.

Within the past week he has really been reaching for toys whereas before we would have to put them in his hands. As of today he is now rolling over from his stomach to his back. He is also trying to roll from his back to his front. I'm so happy he's finally doing these things because all the books say he should have been doing these things at 4 months and he's almost 6 months now. I know each baby progresses at their own pace and that boys are sometimes a little slower but it can still be disconcerting. He is progressing just fine in the vocal department. He makes all kinds of noises and loves his new trick of squealing. He also yells and makes a guttural sound that often sounds like he's trying to hock a loogie.

He is very aware of his surroundings and studies them very intently. I can often see his little brain working hard trying to decipher what he's seeing or hearing. There have been a few times where I've been out shopping with him and he's started giggling at something. Its hard to figure out what he's so amused at sometimes, but it makes me smile back at him.

Bedtime is sometimes a struggle with him as he fights so very hard to stay awake. But, we are learning our methods and it is getting easier. Easier but not easy. However, when he goes to sleep at around 11:30 p.m. he usually sleeps until 8:00 a.m. There are times in the middle of the night where he wants his pacifier but we put it in his mouth and he usually falls right asleep.

Someday I shall write an ode to the pacifier, but for now I'll sign off. We are very happy with our little boy and are looking forward all the growing we will do with him.

Blogging Challenge Day 4

Day 4- A habit that you wish you didn’t have.

Oh man, where do I start? My biggest problem is interrupting people as they're talking and "trying to relate". I often find myself one-upping folks as they try to tell their tales and I can't stop myself! I don't do it to try to make myself look better, but I do it to show I'm worthy to be in someone's company. It's pathetic but its hard to police myself. I'm getting better, I think, but only others can judge that.

Blogging Challenge Day 3- A picture of you and your friends.

Blogging Challenge Day 2

Day 2- The meaning behind your blog name.

"Sarah Stories" are infamous. I often have a tendency to ramble and tell pointless stories. I also tend to tell the same stories over and over. So multiple friends have started referring to them as Sarah stories. I've been told its endearing, but I know they are probably pretty annoying. However, I had friends living in other parts of the country and wanted to keep them updated without having to send multiple letters and e-mails so I started the blog.

Blogging Challenge Day 1

Day 1- Recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself.

1. I can use a fork or spoon in either hand. I am right handed but when I was a baby my mom used to hand my spoon to me from her right hand to my left.
   
2. I actually lost weight while I was pregnant and still had a healthy pregnancy and child.
   
3. I have lived in 20 different dwellings so far.
   
4. I went to three different high schools but started and graduated from the same one.
   
5. I love crafting but don't have patience for tedious projects.
   
6. I can pack for any trip in less than a half hour even now that I have a baby. (Excluding moves.)
   
7. My husband and I have names picked for dogs based on the breed. (We don't have a dog but hope to someday.)
   
8. I sold a used car and made a $200 profit and it had been in an accident and had an oil leak and radiator problem. (All problems were disclosed to the buyer.)
   
9. When I was little everyone told me I looked like my dad. Now everyone says I look like my mom.
   
10. I once negotiated up on price with a purse-seller in Tijuana. She said $19 and I said $20. My family will never let me live that down.
    
11. I have lived in four countries and been to five.
    
12. My secret goal is to go to every state in the U.S.
    
13. I have Bieber Fever! Hee hee, just making sure you're paying attention!
    
14. I'm Team Edward.
    
15. I worked and lived with my mother-in-law and we still love and speak to each other!

Wading Back In

It has been AGES since I've written a post and to get my feet wet I'm going to copy a blogging challenge that my friend is doing on her blog right now. Here it goes:

Day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
Day 3- a picture of you and your friends
Day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been to
Day 6- favorite super hero and why
Day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 8- short term goals for this month and why
Day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days
Day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
Day 11- another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- how you found out about blogger and why you have one
Day 13- a letter to someone
Day 14- a picture of you and your family
Day 15- put your ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
Day 16- another picture of yourself
Day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them
Day 20- someone you love
Day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- something you crave for a lot
Day 24- your last five facebook status'
Day 25- what I would find in your bag
Day 26- what do you think about your friends
Day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- in this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- your favorite song

Canadian Blindsides

Okay, as most of you know, I'm now living in Toronto. My husband was born to Canadian parents in the US so he has the benefit of dual-citizenship. For reasons within and out of our control he was unemployed this summer and decided to take advantage of being a Canuck and started job searching here. He landed a good job and has been living here for a couple months without me. I was finally able to join him the Sunday after Thanksgiving (American) and am very happy to be here. However, my hubby has family who live in Canada and has therefore been exposed to Canadian "traditions" while I have not. (Now if we were to go to Korea I would definitely have the upper hand!)

Living in Canada is often just like living in the US, but there are little things that are done differently and it totally catches me off guard. Here is a list of some of those little differences that I've encountered so far:

1. Words spelled the "British" way. Ex. "colour", "favourite", "jewellry"
2. Everything gives the option of operating in English or French. Being from Texas and Colorado I'm used to Spanish being on everything.
3. I'm an immigrant! Weird.
4. Milk sold in bags instead of jugs.
5. A distinction between debit cards and credit cards. On the same note, not being able to swipe your card while the checker is still scanning items. Annoying.
6. No nationwide free long-distance calling on cell phones. Calling outside Toronto costs me 37 cents a minute! And forget calling the US, I'd have to sell our first-born, which is yet to even be conceived.
7. Fees for checking and savings accounts based on the number of transactions you anticipate making a month. (Checking my balance constitutes as a transaction!)
8. Poutin. (Okay, I already knew about cheese-gravy fries but I didn't anticipate falling in love. Seriously, sounds gross but sooooo yummy!)
9. Ranch dressing is just different.
10. Advance green. This still throws me off to no end. I don't encounter it in the city as they have turn arrows. For those who are wondering, advance green is when a green light flashes on a normal traffic light. It indicates that you can turn left. They use it instead of a green turn arrow.

There will be more I'm sure and I'm sure I've even forgotten a few. I'll keep y'all posted.