Anecdotes From A Modern Mom

Seriously, He's the Pickiest Eater on the Planet

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:50:00 GMT

As I write this, my oldest is happily munching on a pumpkin-cranberry muffin made by Grandma, while my youngest pounds back animal-shaped cheddar crackers. It’s about the only thing he eats. How on Earth did I end up with quite possibly the world’s pickiest eater?

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Another Baby? Nope

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:23:00 GMT

A friend recently asked if we were going to have another baby. I really didn’t have to think about it. I'm done.

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Oh, How They Can Cry

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:32:00 GMT

My youngest appears to be starting to cut out his naps. I don’t mind for the most part, except for the fact that he hits the wall around 4 or 5 in the afternoon. He’s tired to the point of inconsolable. He cries his little heart out, and that in turn breaks my heart. But it also brings me back to those newborn days, when babies can just cry and cry and cry and cry. I remember the Shh-shh-shh, bounce-bounce-bounce, pat-pat-pat-on-the-back dance. And I’m reminded of how hard those moments can be.

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Learn-to-Ski Tips for Kids From a Pro

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT

I don’t know about the rest of Canada, but here in Vancouver, most people are feeling a little sad that the Games are officially over. But the cherry blossoms are out and the daffodils are just about ready to burst (sorry, those out East). Besides having so many good memories of getting to live in the Olympics host city—did I mention the sea of red and white on display every single day and the overwhelming good cheer at every turn?—I got some awesome tips for parents thinking about one day enrolling their kids in skiing or snowboarding, from the CEO of the Canadian Snowboard Federation, no less.

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Last Dose of the Games and I'll Miss it All!

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:00:00 GMT

My parents are coming to visit this weekend to take in some of the Olympic fervour that’s taken over our home town. The boys have got their Canada shirts ready, the older one picked out a Canada flag for Grandpa to fly from his car window, and we’re heading out tomorrow rain or shine to see the cauldron and maybe this time even get some photos.

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Happy Day!

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:47:00 GMT

Just got my hands on the latest issue of blush, and I’m so excited! I can’t wait for you all to see it. That, plus I’m writing right now from the heart of the Olympic host city, and everywhere I look people are wearing red and white. And I’ve gotten tons of sleep in the last few days. Whooo hooo! Go Canada go!

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Really, Honey, Cleaning House Can Be Fun!

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:52:00 GMT

My two little ones have this new thing: they think it’s hilarious to take baby wipes and clean the house. They’ll wipe down our dusty living-room shelves, the bathroom door knobs and mirrors, their stuffed animals, their toys, and sometimes themselves. Is it wrong for me to exploit this child labour?

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The Olympic Spirit Has Moved Me

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:03:00 GMT

You don’t have to be in Vancouver to get caught up in the Olympic excitement. This is coming from someone who does live in the Games headquarters who resisted the scene at first: the traffic. The line-ups. The expense. I admit I was a naysayer. But I’ve been won over—largely because of what the Games are teaching my kids, and it’s not just sports-related stuff.

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Big, Bloody Owie Tested my Nerves

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:48:00 GMT

I’m usually tough when it comes to the “gore” of the human body. Once, for a story I wrote on anesthesia, I observed a man having his knee replaced, his leg split wide open, all tendons and bones revealed. When my husband was going though treatment for lymphoma, I watched a doctor drill a thick needle into his pelvis to draw bone marrow. I used to love watching Operation when I had time for TV. But when my oldest son smashed his mouth on our floor in an unspectacular face plant and the blood gushed out of his fat, purple lip, I had a hard time taking it.

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Britax Blink Stroller Recalled

gail.johnson@blushmom.com — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:52:00 GMT

No one's been hurt yet, but Britax is conducting a voluntary safety recall of its Blink stroller. There's a potential for injury when you try to open or close the stroller. If you're a registered owner of one, Britax will provide you with a free "remedy" kit.

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