A Week of Money: Where Pre-School Drop Off is Finally Cry-Free

DAY ONE

5:58 a.m. — My partner wakes me by getting up to go shower and then Baby Bun wakes up whining: “No today school!!! No schoooooooooollllllll!!!!!” Oh this day is getting off to a good start. Sigh.

6:18 a.m. — I try to deflect his focus on today being a school day and I talk about how we had such a good weekend and if he wants another Train Day, then he needs to go to school. In addition, for every day he goes to school, he gets a star and 7 stars means a treat. Yes, I have ABSOLUTELY implemented the same Starbucks Star Rewards system at home with a Reward tracking chart for good things he does.

6:38 a.m. — My partner gets his lunch ready and gets ready to leave.

6:58 a.m. — I get ready, my partner leaves, and I allow a protesting Baby Bun to wear his favourite shirt to school even though it is only meant for the home and was chewed up by European washing machines during our trip and now has holes on the shoulder. Don’t give AF right now. I will look like a super well-turned out mother with a degenerate hobo for a child and WILL get judged but do NOT CARE. If he is out of the home and on the way to school without being dead weight to drag, I am FINE with this label.

7:23 a.m. — We get to school and he throws a fit in the lobby, then inside the room he loses it again. Sigh.

8:10 a.m. — I get to the office plop down, say hi to everyone, grab a tea and start working. I bill for my month of work, knowing I need to do it or else risk getting paid late, it takes 30 days before I get paid and I just need cash flow to stop selling off my investments.

8:38 a.m. — I make a mental note to review my budget and come up with a reasonable budget that isn’t $7000 a month every month. That was insane in July.

9:35 a.m. — I start working and basically finish everything before a big meeting. Everyone is on vacation. I need to wind down at work and stop working at full-speed or I’ll burn out and become resentful again and self-sabotage myself at work. I vow and make a POINT to go out every lunch for an hour or longer to calm down.

11:10 a.m. — I eat my lunch early at my desk and finish a spreadsheet with calculations.

11:25 a.m. — Satisfied, I leave for a walk. I need to mail back my return to the government to get a credit back of the import duties and fees on that returned Seafolly swimsuit from Anthropologie.

11:37 a.m. — Before leaving I apply a layer of SPF with BareMinerals foundation so that I renew my protection from the sun again. I am paranoid but plan on having skin as clear and as wrinkle-free as as a toddler (not a newborn they are wrinkly AF).

11:57 a.m. — I drop the letter and the form off and walk to the Starbucks where I shamelessly steal air conditioning at full blast and a seat in the corner where no one can see me secretly manage my blog. Yes, I’m paranoid.

12:40 a.m. — I walk back and don’t feel hungry but suppose I ought to buy something because I won’t get a chance to eat dinner tonight as my partner typically doesn’t do dinners at the start of the week (our dinner treats are EXPENSIVE … like cheeses and fancy foods so the family food budget gets blown every night on this stuff).

12:42 a.m. — I decide to use my Starbucks reward and get that sandwich today, I really love the Chicken and Artichoke Sandwich. But they don’t have any left so I decide to get a Poké Bowl instead. $14.89

1:32 p.m. — At the office I try and clean up my files and shuffle emails around. Really, I’m doing nothing but listening to podcasts at this point. My brain needs a break. I can’t take it.

2:30 p.m. — An hour of pretending to work and I can’t take it any more. I start micromanaging a project I’m on by creating draft emails to send and organizing stuff a month in advance. I’m a workaholic.

2:32 p.m. — My mom emails me to say she tried to take my nephews & nieces whom they have for a few weeks out to walk around the Pioneer Village to “rough it out” and learn about the old ways. They cried uncle after half an hour in the heat and refused to walk any more. I emailed back saying maybe they weren’t used to “roughing it” because there is no A/C and aren’t used to walking a lot. It reminds me of the time I made Baby Bun at 3 years old walk 3.5km back home. I didn’t want to pay for the bus and I only had to carry him a few blocks here and there but WE MADE IT. As a result he is probably tougher than most kids because when they go out on outings at his pre-school with bigger kids who have long legs (only a measly 1km walk) he is the smallest and the youngest but never complains, they say.

4:18 p.m. — I leave early and pick up Baby Bun who was FINE by the way, they said, and head home.

4:58 p.m. — At home, I take him to the park and tell him we will get a sticker for him because he went to school today.

5:00 p.m. — He weirdly is obsessed with Jean-Coutu a pharmacy here and keeps asking me to take him there. Why? No idea why. I promise the trip will be his treat if he gets 7 stars in a row. I suspect he just likes saying “Jean-Coutu” and I never let him go there often because he likes to re-arrange the displays and products and I feel very bad for people who have to fix his awkward toddler organization. My brother used to stack & face shelves as a job in high school at night (meaning stack and turn products out so the label is facing the customer), and it has always stuck with me how tedious that job was.

5:30 p.m. — We head inside where I start laundry and take out another bag to clean out and organize. Maybe I should get rid of all of this excess packaging. I’m a pack rat for bubble mailers and boxes because when I need to mail something I hate being caught off guard without proper packaging and I HATE paying for boxes or bubble mailers.

5:45 p.m. — I decide tomorrow I will go through ONE category of clothing (tops, etc) and be ruthless based on what I can actually wear now based on my new body type (bigger bottom and thighs, expanded torso) and eliminate crap that I can’t fit into. Let’s face it, I don’t plan on working out more, losing weight or dieting and frankly don’t need to, so I might as well accept my body.

5:49 p.m. — I finish drying the laundry and read one book to Baby Bun, then I apply some cream on my sunspots (I think one is fading!!), and read a chapter more of my book.

7:09 p.m. — Baby Bun does a few puzzles then gets ready for bed with my partner. I charge my laptop, planning on going to the library after work to blog as Baby Bun will be at home with my partner.

8:19 p.m. — I read a few more books to Baby Bun before bed and apply a clay masque to my spots (maybe it dries it out?) and then explain the outside to Baby Bun before we sleep.

8:59 p.m. — Bedtime.

Saved: $0

Spent: $14.89

DAY TWO

5:19 a.m. — I wake up EARLY (can’t sleep) and decide to do some yoga. I manage to get in a 15 minute relaxation routine with my Gaiam app but I am really annoyed they switched to a subscription based payment plan rather than a one-time fee. Now I can’t recommend them to anyone. 🙁

5:37 a.m. — After my routine I log on to try and clean up blog emails but Baby Bun thunders out rubbing his eyes looking for me. We cuddle and give kisses. He immediately starts looking at the clock squealing: NOOOOOOOO! NO SCHOOL!! (He can see the calendar day and knows it is a weekday).

5:41 a.m. — I try to calm him down to no avail before my partner says from the bedroom if he wants to stay at home with him today. Baby Bun nods, then says: “Stay with MOMMY?!?“, hopefully. I shake my head and tell him he can come to school with me if he wants (which he DOESN’T). That’s what I thought.

5:50 a.m. — I make myself some green tea, put away last nights laundry and change Baby Bun into underwear. I dress in what is becoming my favourite skirt (watercolour flowers from BR) even though it is polyester it looks more luxe.

6:40 a.m. — I get ready then I snap a shot (I have to schedule these outfit…) then get ready to head off to work to my much closer parking spot.

6:51 a.m. — Baby Bun gives me a big hug and kiss good-bye and eagerly runs off with his father to do puzzles and “stay at home and play with all the toys” as he puts it. Phew. No screaming today.

7:15 a.m. — I arrive just about the same time as the other spot but the walking is much closer than before. Yay! Boo to the price!

8:01 a.m. — The preschool emails me the cost for August and I write out a cheque from the blanks in my drawer. $644 – (only half is my share)

8:15 a.m. — I start working (huge barrage of emails), and take on a few extra tasks on my own because I’m bored.

8:35 a.m. — My colleague pulls out (evilly) a NEW huge bag of Kit Kat bites and open them. I want to cry and hug him but decide to try and ignore them as they sit behind my back, taunting me with their crispy, milky chocolate deliciousness. I never should have told them I loved these things. Now they GLEEFULLY keep the office stocked with them.

9:10 a.m. — I have to stay strong. My skin is a HOT mess this week, I have 4 HUGE cysts from eating a lot of rich foods from the visits a week ago and I want my clear skin back. I have been piling on a ton of products, from Fresh Umbrian Clay on the spots to Peter Thomas Roth serum samples.

10:45 a.m. — I take out my whole wheat pasta lunch and start eating. I’ll go for a walk later on and relax a bit. I finish my lunch, and head out. I consider buying a snack but restrain myself because I really want to clear up my skin and rein in my budget.

11:07 a.m. — Instead, on my walk I plan out my base budget so I have an idea of what my spending allowance would be.

11:45 a.m. — I get back into work and another colleague “spills” a whole handful of those KitKats on my desk saying it isn’t my fault, they just happened to fall on my desk!! I get egged on and end up eating them. It barely makes a whole Kit Kat stick, to be honest. Evil.

1:45 p.m. — Work work work.

4:05 p.m. — I pick Baby Bun up early (he was FINE and had a great day), and we head back home.

5:05 p.m. — I end up playing with him, reading books and later we sit down for a nice dinner of an omelette and mushrooms.

7:05 p.m. —I do the dishes and Baby Bun finishes off all the bread. He watches me wash everything and comments on each piece I wash.

7:12 p.m. — I crack a plate in half. How did that happen!!? I carefully package it up and put it in a spare box to recycle and toss.

8:19 p.m. — After dishes, wiping them to let them dry and cleaning up the stove, I read to Baby Bun and we chat.

8:45 p.m. — I get him ready for bed and then he refuses to sleep.

9:38 p.m. — I’m frustrated and I tell him he needs to lie there still and stop moving or Mommy gets very tired and becomes sad.

9:41 p.m. — He sobs on my chest screaming: “No Mommy sad!!! No Mommy upset“, And climbs up on me repeating: “Love Mommy Love Mommy …” over and over again. I may have scarred him for life, and immediately feel bad.

10:09 p.m. — I lie back down and he crawls on top of me where he basically sleeps on me as I pat him to sleep then shift his body off me to the bed.

Saved: $

Spent: $322 – My half of the pre-school costs

DAY THREE

??:?? — Baby Bun shifts and moves multiple times.

??:?? — Baby Bun squeals in pain a couple of times. I think he’s having a very bad nightmare. I wonder what it is. I hope it isn’t about me leaving him….. or abandoning him. I feel immediately guilty.

??:?? — I can’t seem to stay asleep. I am worrying about everything and nothing at all. What is going on?? Maybe I need to cut back on the tea during the day.

6:00 a.m. — Baby Bun wakes up and immediately starts on his No School protest. He’s been working on it during the night, as he’s added new addendums to say: “No go to school. Mommy go to work and stay home with Daddy? Stay at home? Want it to be Friday? No school day? Friday stay at home with Daddy” Now he wants it to be Friday so he can stay at home with Daddy. “I wish it were Friday too”, I tell him.

6:40 a.m. — We end up getting ready anyway and he asks to go to Jean-Coutu (the pharmacy) again, to which I refuse gently saying it is closed (all true thus far). I ask him if he wants a star sticker for going to school and he pauses, wrestling with the idea of getting a star and having to be in school.

6:53 a.m. — He takes my hand, we get into the car and head to work/pre-school.

7:07 a.m. — Fascinated by the new parking spot we have underground (yes I sucked it up and paid for it knowing Winter Is Coming #GameofThrones), we make it to the pre-school without him whining at all.

7:09 a.m. — He even curiously repeats that “Mommy and Baby Bun go to park AFTER school”, in wonderment. We make it there and I snag yesterday’s afternoon treat of whole wheat Cheerios and shake the bag desperately in his face saying: TREAT! TREAT!! He excitedly says back: Treat! Want treat! (They’re eerily similar to a puppy…)

7:09 a.m. — We end up going into the room without any crying (Huge!! First time!!) and he says: Mommy? Stay with Mommy go home??, and I tell him no, but distract him with the treat, end up sitting him facing away from the door and give him a BIG kiss. In a confused state (I think) he looks down as his treat and we kiss again good bye and I leave. NO TEARS. NO SCREAMING! OMG!!!!!!!

7:17 a.m. — I get into work completely happy and flushed with success at a great drop off. I make myself a tea and am on a high all morning from it.

7:37 a.m. — I start working.

10:51 a.m. — My colleague tosses Kit Kat bites on my desk which I of course eat but start on my lunch beforehand.

11:09 a.m. —  I head out during lunch for a break and go to Sephora to return the BarePro compact but after 15 minutes an educated that sunscreen compacts do not exist to “touch up” during the day. Instead, I am directed to spritz on some Shiseido SPF spray which I do and then I try to combat the shine with a compact but end up creating a terrible mask of dry skin flakes, powder and oil. It looks SO BAD. I wipe off the bad spots and restart my makeup there.

11:34 a.m. — On the way back to work, I reflect that I need a REAL solution. Thus far I have found SuperGoop and Coola as possibilities but need to try them out first. Sigh.

11:37 a.m. — I get back to work.

1:37 p.m. — The lights start flickering. I feel green and nauseous. I try to leave my desk and go elsewhere to do other things that don’t require the computer but am unable to do so.

2:00 p.m. — OMG is it only 2 p.m.? I can’t make it to 5 p.m. I just can’t. I’m already starting to feel like I’ll vomit.

2:34 p.m. — I ask and am given a reprieve to go home and work from home until it is fixed. It is a real condition my motion sickness and I am super sensitive and grateful for the help and understanding.

2:50 a.m. — Damn. I realize I can’t pick up Baby Bun too early because he will think Mommy gets him early all the time, so I hang out and chat with the director at his pre-school.

4:00 p.m. — Finally I go and pick him up to go home which he loves. He peed all of his things today and I have to wash his sneakers again. Sigh. At least he has spare sandals on.

4:15 p.m. — HOME! THIS PARKING SPOT IS AWESOME. I check the mail, realize my Banana Republic one-shoulder Grecian dress is in (yes, I re-ordered it after returning it and reviewed it here but this time took it in a 4 PETITE) and try it on. The bust is MUCH better in the 4 Petite, although the waist itself is slightly higher on my torso. Not such a big deal on me, but for taller or longer-torsoed ladies, this will not work.

See how in the 4 it is a little too drape-y and loose above? The Petite 4 fits perfectly in the bust ,but the waist/tie area is a little higher than my natural waistline, and I probably have a regular-proportioned torso (not too long or short).

4:17 p.m. — I start Baby Bun’s laundry quickly and toss his sneakers in to wash.

4:35 p.m. — I putter around trying to get undressed, wash my face, manage Baby Bun…

4:55 p.m. — My partner sails in the door. I scramble to move crap out of the way (whenever we come home, I have so much to put away and organize just from the day alone).

4:57 p.m. — Baby Bun turns into a hyper kangaroo and jumps towards his father, squealing for bread (he sees the baguette tucked under his arm, French-style).

5:17 p.m. — We have a nice quick dinner and I do all the dishes.

6:50 p.m. — I organize my notes and things, and will stay at home to work tomorrow but AFTER I drop Baby Bun off at pre-school to have a TRUE free working-at-home day.

7:07 p.m. — I spend the night reading books, at least 15 in total to Baby Bun which he loves. He holds his “babies” (his stuffed animals) against his chest and reads a few words here and there as well, protesting when I try to read them instead. I am loving how fast he is advancing in our shared reading. I am also half-talking to my partner while reading to Baby Bun.

8:15 p.m. — As I am getting Baby Bun ready for bed, he turns, looks at me seriously and says: “Time for bed. No crying, no screaming, no “eh eh eh eh eh” (his sound for whining), and no Mommy get upset.” I nod, impressed and give him big kisses.

8:35 p.m. — We are in bed, and he falls asleep readily with ZERO protest and crying. I know they took them out for a long walk today so perhaps that had something to do with it. I plan on taking him to the park after his pre-school tomorrow.

Saved: $0

Spent: $125.31 – I am keeping this dress!

DAY FOUR

6:18 a.m. — Baby Bun woke up a few times during the night but I couldn’t sleep, I kept being restless and shifting, my back is hurting. I need to do yoga after I drop him at pre-school.

6:28 a.m. — I get him ready for school (which he starts protesting about, asking and demanding that today be Friday so he can stay at home with Daddy). I tell him that tomorrow is Friday, not today, and he will get a treat if he goes to school, that is if I can find anything in the afternoon snack basket at his pre-school. His father gets his lunch ready. He knows I am not keeping him at home.

6:58 a.m. — I don’t bother with makeup. A hat, sunglasses, a new favourite dress (military one) and I’m out the door.

7:09 a.m. — LOVVVEEE THIS SPOT!! I drop him off at pre-school, NO CRYING AND SCREAMING THIS TIME!! I managed to snag 2 snack packs of whole wheat Cheerios — (look at me, a Mommy who doesn’t give AF about proper food choices at this moment), and shake the treat bag in his face on the way in (omg.. like a puppy..)

7:10 a.m. — He sits down facing away from the door (YAY!) and I give him the snack packs which he eagerly tries to open. He’s already forgotten about me. The educator is amazed and surprised. She gives me a HUGE smile and whispers: “YESS!” (it has been about 3 months now, including the vacation time etc), and tells me to have a GREAT day. I tell her I will.

7:48 a.m. — Back at home with tons of time to spare, I log in but notice that my VPN is acting up. Oh well. I start working on replying to emails in a leisurely manner.

8:18 a.m. — I break for some tea, start laundry, and make a list of other things to get done today during my breaks: Mail returns, Fix my iPod, Cut my own hair (for real I loved the results of my own DIY haircut), and clean the floors.

Yes, that’s matcha green tea with milk & chia seeds.

9:22 a.m. — I stop for a break and get up to do some yoga with my mat. THIS WORKING FROM HOME IS AWESOME. I wish I could do this daily. My back is hurting and my knee is out of sync so I really need to stretch it out.

10:02 a.m. — I stop with about 15 minutes to go in the 1-hour routine. I have to answer an urgent email.

10:47 a.m. — Done with the email. ONE EMAIL. Finally. I’ve lost my desire to go back to finishing the routine, so I put away the dried laundry I started.

11:28 p.m. — I warm up my lunch and work while eating. The day is almost over. *sob* This is like a vacation for me.

12:06 p.m. — I finish up my lunch and I go and give myself a haircut. You can read about what site I used and how I did it here. I flip it out and take a shower right after. It dries, and looks AWESOME. It really does look like I went to a salon.

12:29 p.m. — I am still hungry. I wonder if I should go get some food to eat. Sushi.. or a lunch.. I could bring my laptop and work there if they have wifi.

2:23 p.m. — I was recommended a documentary on a podcast called: “Seeking Asian Female” a documentary by Debbie Lum. I make a note to watch it on the weekend on my Mommy Day Off. He seems like a nice person with a specific obsession (kind of like guys who obsess over blondes, for instance) and she seems like a genuine person. It is hard to judge another relationship when you aren’t the ones in it.

2:48 p.m. — I reply to a whole barrage of emails back and forth on another urgent issue (is there any other one?).

4:19 p.m. — I decide to go out and grab a quick meal (I AM TOO HUNGRY) and go to pick Baby Bun up from pre-school after dropping off my returns. I had purchased this (I thought) lovely GeoPuzzle of the World for Baby Bun with the puzzles PROMISED to be the shape of countries. Turns out, it is really tiny (I know, I know, READ THE DIMENSIONS, SHERRY), but the actual puzzle shape itself was terrible.

It sort of comes apart where Chile is (there is no interlocking shape at the end to hold it as you can see above where I’ve sort of separated it), the puzzle bits are confusing, some are small, and not all of them are country-shapes. Maybe 6 at best, and Canada which is pretty big, isn’t even a WHOLE country as a shape but in a few pieces, but of course, the United States is one big piece (they’re an American company). My partner took one look when I dumped the pieces out and declared it would have to be returned. He hated it, and he’s such a fan of maps.

4:25 p.m. — I go out and get some sushi and wolf it down I’m SO HUNGRY. $13.79

4:41 p.m. — I then go and drop my packages off to be mailed. Why is this car taking up 3 spots with his doors flung wide open!?!? Talk about rude. I quickly drop it all off at the post office, and get back in the car to drive to get Baby Bun.

5:15 p.m. — Traffic was intense. I reach him, he’s a little anxious but fine, as he saw all the other Mommies and Daddies come and pick up their kids (like in a petting zoo it seems), and he runs into my arms squealing with happiness. At the preschool he JUST wet himself as I arrived and I change him into new clothes. Sigh. He was apparently having too much fun doing puzzles and didn’t want to go. All the other times, he doesn’t make it to the bathroom in time.

5:35 p.m. — I chat with the educator for a bit and we reminisce and bond over the fact that we were INSANE mothers with our children (see: What I wish someone would have told me) and I pick up 2 snack packs on the way out — half a blueberry bagel and some trail mix.

5:37 p.m. — Baby Bun and I hang out in the park to eat before getting into the car to go home because I DO NOT allow eating and drinking in my car under any normal circumstances — it better be a snow blizzard outside and nowhere to eat for miles for that to happen. That is how rats get invited in for a feast and I don’t want rodents in the car. I remember a friend not knowing my strict policy, handing her child a bottle of milk which I gritted my teeth against but then the kid promptly spilled the milk ALL OVER THE SEAT AND FLOOR. I had to spend the next half hour cleaning it up (we do not want the stench of sour milk nor bacteria being harboured in a car).

6:05 p.m. — Back in the car, we drive home.

6:11 p.m. — We’re back home, without any traffic on the way back (naturally), and my partner is already home, preparing the meal for tonight (eggs and bread).

7:15 p.m. — After dinner, we play with puzzles, I read a ton of books and we hang out together chatting about our day. I tell him how nice it was to work from home, and he agrees, his Fridays are the best days of the week.

7:21 p.m. — ACK! IS THAT THE SOUND OF PEEING!?!?! It sounds like a fountain splashing all over the floor. Baby Bun sees my face and immediately senses my mood, saying: “No Mommy upset? No MOMMY UPSET?“, his voice rising in pitch and tears forming in his eyes. I have to calm him down that it’s an accident, Mommy is NOT upset with him, but Mommy would really like it if he thought about his underwear more and tried to keep it dry which means getting to the bathroom when he FEELS a little need to pee, not just a big one. He nods, tearfully, wiping away mini tears that started.

7:27 p.m. — Baby Bun runs off and finishes his puzzles after I finish cleaning him and the floor up.

8:05 p.m. — Baby Bun gets ready for bed with my partner. Thank goodness. No argument this time.

8:57 p.m. — We’re all in bed after our “routine” of a billion books (in reality, I say 2 books and he squeezes in 4 readings), and then explaining how the whole world is also going to sleep.

Saved: $0

Spent: $13.79 – Mmm sushi.

DAY FIVE

5:41 a.m. — Baby Bun is up early. Not crying or whining or anything. I feel somewhat rested, my back has been hurting the past couple of nights, but I have started changing my sleeping position to be curled up with my back slightly bent rather than straight on my back and it has been better. I need to do more yoga to strengthen my muscles. Maybe I’m developing a hump. OMG.

5:49 a.m. — I leisurely make some tea. Baby Bun doesn’t even ask for his milk, and goes straight into finishing a puzzle he had abandoned the night before.

6:18 a.m. — I very leisurely get ready, and Baby Bun helps open and pops a Biosil (1 pill) and Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver (1 pill) into my mouth. He knows Mommy takes supplements and likes to help open the bottles and take out a pill to feed me (under strict supervision of course). By the way, that stuff is amazing. My hair looks bouncy, thick.. people are jealous and I promptly reply: BIOSIL supplements. LOOK INTO IT.

6:48 a.m. — I start to put on my shoes to leave and get ready and Baby Bun looks up at me: No Mommy work? Mommy stay at home?, he pleads. I explain how Mommy has to work to pay for his train rides, his food, the house, etc. He nods, and plays with my necklace while cuddling with me on a chair. I tell him if he wants to come with Mommy then he has to go to school. He shakes his head violently and opts to stay at home with Daddy instead. (Okay this confirms it. I can NEVER stay at home with him ever unless he is sick because he’ll just think it’s a possibility and want it all the time.)

6:50 a.m. — He sees me about to leave and starts to anxiously hop back and forth on either foot, saying: Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?, I tell him again he has to stay with Daddy at home or come to school with me. He nods, and says: Okay, Bye bye Mommy work. He goes up on his tiptoes and says: Mommy kiss bye bye. BYE BYE!! and waves at me, while pushing me out of the door with my partner just behind him. Well that was easy.

7:18 a.m. — At work. Yay.

10:18 a.m. — I email my partner who queries why I am trying to claim my parking at work (the net after 20% taxes removed as I do get it back from my company of course) as part of the household cost because I could just expense it to the company; I write back that I would not have this spot if I didn’t have to do pickup and drop off of Baby Bun, but if he doesn’t agree, he can remove it from our household budget.

11:02 a.m. — I ask my partner how Baby Bun is doing. He writes back almost immediately that it was not good. He cried for an hour before falling asleep for an hour and a half. Alarmed, I write back asking WHY he cried, and he writes one sentence: “He wanted his Mommy.” Oh dear. Poor baby. “Well, he has to suck it up“, I say. The sooner he gets used to it the better. I make a note NOT to go home early.

12:08 p.m. — Lunch at my desk. Oh. This pasta tastes off. I eat it anyway because I’m hungry but it has a strange sour taste to it.

12:28 p.m. — Hmm. Still hungry. I decide to go to Starbucks and use my free Star Reward on a chicken & quinoa black bean salad bowl. It is NOT MY THING normally but I do not like the other options they have and they don’t have my favourite Artichoke & Chicken sandwich. $0 – FREE! (Only took 125 stars or $62.50 to get this $8.95 sandwich for free. 😛 I know it’s a scam. I buy it anyway as a treat.)

4:05 p.m. — Wow is it already past 4. I have to finish this. I REALLY DO NOT WANT TO .. oh screw it. I’ll leave it for Monday, it will be easy to complete on Monday as it is time consuming but not pressing.  I’d rather leave early and go get some Mommy time to myself at the library.

4:15 p.m. — Crap. It’s raining. And I wore my cute magenta suede shoes today too. Dang it.

4:16 p.m. — I switch out my shoes with a pair of crappy thrifted leather flats I keep JUST FOR THIS PURPOSE, and grab my spare umbrella. (Oh yeah, I’m totally prepared for anything at the office. I’m one of those women.)

4:56 p.m. — At the library I update my in-progress Week of Money post with notes from today (it really does take a long time to do these things, but I love ’em).

4:58 p.m. — I spend the next 15 minutes browsing Victoria’s Secret for any possible strapless options that won’t suck. I wonder if I can just take a bra I have (old nude one), jerryrig and snip off ONE shoulder strap on it, and just wear it as-is. Yeah. Let’s do THAT. I do need to get new bras soon though, maybe next year. Although….as a foundation piece of a good outfit, I really shouldn’t neglect this area. I search for: Wireless T-Shirt Bras and review all my options that are not Push-Up (that’s just false advertising, in my opinion)

5:01 p.m. — Oh! This one also has a mesh front version to it, for modesty maybe? Not really modest with a mesh if they were going for the fake tank top just like that On TV My Cami Secret you pin to your bras? It looks really perfect though. Lightly lined, which means the cups are not mini pillows and wireless. Aaannnd.. of course it’s sold out in what I want. Of course. Good. My wallet lives to see another day.

5:05 p.m. — Should I go home to see Baby Bun? I feel bad hiding out in the library knowing he cried for me…. *guilt* In the meantime I check eBay for NEW bras. I would never *shudder* if I could help it, buy bras or underwear that is used. If I had really bad financial circumstances, I would grin and bear it, but those are the very few things I’d NEVER EVER BUY THRIFTED or secondhand.

5:20 p.m. — Whoa. Time to go. I pack up to leave.

6:07 p.m. — I come upstairs after checking the mail and getting my new dress I ordered 2 days ago (whoa, quick shipping!), and for some reason my Banana Republic returns got re-mailed back to me. What the heck?? I re-tape it and plan on re-sending it back. Maybe I’ll return it in person instead tomorrow.

6:21 p.m. — We have a nice dinner together and Baby Bun is not hungry (he filled up on cheese bread), and he whines and tugs on me while I am trying to eat the chicken wings my partner has grilled.

6:37 p.m. — I finally foist him off on Richard Dawkins’ application The Magic of Reality on the iPad where he plays Frogs vs. Snake.

6:44 p.m. — I finish my chicken wings and decide to leave the dishes for tomorrow morning. I’m in no mood to do them and can do them while watching a video and foisting Baby Bun off on nursery songs.

7:14 p.m. — I spend the time reading books and doing puzzles with Baby Bun.

8:44 p.m. — It starts to rain outside and I excitedly explain lightning, thunder, rain, and how when the clouds are dark, it means it’ll rain. We go to sleep right after.

Saved: $8.95 — Got a free Starbucks salad but I regret my choice.

Spent: $0

DAY SIX

5:15 a.m. — Baby Bun thoughtfully wakes me up in time to see the red sun rise.

5:17 a.m. — After a bathroom run I tried to take him back to bed to sleep but he wasn’t sleepy enough to comply so we got up after 20 minutes of furious bum petting. I’m sure he is going to end up being one of those teenagers who wakes at 3 p.m… At the end he was climbing all over me and then playing with his trains while I attempted to go back to sleep, you know like a good Mommy role model to show him how it is done in a desperate bid for him to follow suit. The whole time I was half dozing thinking: Please don’t stomp on my head or kick me in the eye again…

5:47 a.m. — I wearily get up and look in the mirror. My skin has been playing Acne Whack-A-Mole lately and every time I shut down an acne bump, another appears. I have a total of 9 right now all down my T-Zone but at least the major ones are now somewhat gone and flat.

5:55 a.m. — I’m convinced with this Peter Thomas Roth serum worn with a Fresh Umbrian Clay mask at night works, but will get another sample to be sure before I spend that money. I apply more of the Fresh Umbrian Clay mask. As I wear it overnight as a spot treatment and it looks like I have been afflicted with Game of Thrones-style greyscale all over my T-Zone. LOL

6:11 a.m. — I make a cup of matcha tea — I have been neglecting this morning lately.

6:12 a.m. — The lady who did my facial the last time told me to try cutting out milk because of the hormones in them (obviously, pregnant lactating cows = milk). I looked at her like she was nuts but I did it and it didn’t seem to make a difference for the better; I stopped my green teas and then my skin revolted. I play with Baby Bun and give him wiggle hugs (I hold him tight in a hug and we wiggle together).

6:20 a.m. — Then I iMessage my friend who just had a newborn (10 weeks), she wanted some advice and said: I GET IT NOW, all the parents trying to quiet their kids and I judged them. Yup. We all did.

7:30 a.m. — My partner finally wakes up after I play with Baby Bun and play some episodes of Julia & Jacques Cooking at home for him.

7:59 a.m. — Ooo! The My Room Project book is out. I’ve wanted it for a long time, because I’m nosy and I like looking into bedrooms. I gladly pay the photographer/author online and order my version. $40 USD

If you like this kind of nosiness, you’d like my other physical book purchases (yes I actually do buy physical books when an e-reader just won’t do), and they are fantastic coffee table photo essay books:

• Material World: A Global Portrait (what everyone owns around the world)
• Women in the Material World
• What I eat around the world: 80 diets
• Hungry Planet: What the world eats

8:08 a.m. — I sew on little hook & eye enclosures onto my latest military dress, it is more of a vest, less of a dress and the material is a VERY thick cotton so it tends to gape at the most unfortunate spots (my stomach and between my legs). I noticed it when I wore it the other day and made a mental note to do it.

9:18 a.m. — Baby Bun is happily watching videos in French, learning the alphabet etc. I don’t mind giving him those videos because at least he is listening to another language which reinforces what he learns at home as English is his primary language.

9:40 a.m. — I cut up an old nude bra, frustrated with the lack of wireless, lightly lined, soft cup, comfortable bras in beige and IN MY SIZE IN STOCK. There. DIY at its best. It actually holds up pretty well, I don’t have a lot up top to begin with, but the dress is pretty tight up top and will hold in whatever may be a little loose or floppy (e.g. the cut cup side). I was also not willing to go buy a specific bra just for one dress (I HATE BRA SHOPPING, the one thing I hate), nor am I willing to go bra-less. I don’t have much up top, so this works out just fine for me. If you have a lot up top, I’d suggest going braless. It’s freeing!

10:10 a.m. — I wonder if I should go out today. It’s raining. Or should I stay in and work? Hmm. I did want to hit up that Sephora to get a few more samples, particularly this Thomas Roth acne solution before I buy the full sized bottle. I also wanted to pick up my tailored items.. *sigh* I need to think about it. Maybe it can be a half Mommy Day out & another half when I come back and go to the library to work on the blog. Unless I get it all done in the morning.

10:30 a.m. — I have another facial coming up, I guess I may need it. I call and ask to make it a full facial instead, which bumps it up to a $130 instead of it being $40. I feel like my skin needs it though. I don’t know what is going on. I will say this though, if this facial makes it worse and I get another round of acne again (this time with GOOD eating habits and taking care of my skin), I’m going to stop facials altogether.

10:42 a.m. — He hops around asking for food. I feed him his vegan soup & oatmeal.

11:02 a.m. — I finish feeding Baby Bun, and remember I have to dry the laundry now, he is regressing in his potty training. Sigh. He gets too excited or is too busy to go and then is surprised when he pees.

12:08 p.m. — My partner saunters in with a baguette under his arm and the groceries. Yay! With Comté cheese, no less (my favourite).

1:12 p.m. — Baby Bun is finally down for his nap, and I leave. I normally leave before his nap but today I felt like dozing off a little (which I did) while I snuggled beside him for his nap, to refresh myself.

1:44 p.m. — I decided to drive to my work garage and park, then walk to the metro, and it worked out well, all things considered. Took me 20 minutes to walk to the nearest metro station, which I don’t love but I just need to learn the other buses that come by here. I take the metro to go have sushi. $2.25

2:28 p.m. — I finish my chirashi (raw fish on rice), and the owner (who knows me) waves goodbye. I’ve really been craving it lately. $20

2:22 p.m. — I somehow end up at the Musée des beaux-arts gift shop and look for a world puzzle for Baby Bun. Ever since we returned that world puzzle, Baby Bun has been hassling us for it: “Wuhr-ld puh-zzle pwease!!” .. I need to find a substitute if I can.

2:48 p.m. — I end up leaving not finding anything, and resolved to not buy anything (which I didn’t), not even that gorgeous Breton striped shirt, nor any of the jewellery I would have loved. *pats self on back*

3:00 p.m. — I end up at an Aritzia trying on a wild range of things. The Jallade pant was cute, but the legs are too cropped and too wide (really? this is still happening?), I also tried on a Lis skirt on sale but I can see why no one bought it, YOU CAN’T WALK IN IT! I also find an incredible pair of wool tweed pants but unfortunately the wool was too itchy (even lined). *sigh*

3:20 p.m. — I am at Lululemon now, enamoured by their high-rise pants. They finally have them!!! They look comfortable. I pick up the Tech Run version in Indigo (beautiful colour) and the regular one in a size 6 (my regular size 4 feels tight in these things). I’ll decide which one to keep if any at all when I am at home. $271.40

4:12 p.m. — At Sephora (my current kryptonite due to my stress about my terrible skin these days and major breakouts), I end up buying the full-sized bottles of the Peter Thomas Roth Cloud Cream (amazing texture & very hydrating), the Peter Thomas Roth Acne Spot & Area Treatment Cream (which I got a sample of and LOVED even though the sulphur stinks a little like rubber), and the Clinique Pep Start SPF 50 tinted sunscreen; my Tarte Tarteguard sunscreen ran out this morning and surprised me so I have to buy this in the interim until I can place an replenishing order at Paula’s Choice (once they have a decent 20% off sale that is). I also pick up a few samples of some makeup removers as I am not completely sold on this Fresh Cleansing Seaberry Oil, it leaves a film on my contacts. $158.67

5:09 p.m. — At the checkout I also use my 500 point reward on the Peter Thomas Roth sample gift set. YAY! I can try out all the mini samples and make this stuff last longer.

5:15 p.m. — WHOA IT IS LATE. How is it already 5!?!? I have to get back home. I wait for the bus which should arrive in 10 minutes according to my schedule which I keep on Google Drive, stored as Offline.

5:25 p.m. — Where. is. this. bus.

5:39 p.m. — The “second” bus arrives way late for the 5:42 p.m. shift. That’s screwed up.. there was supposed to be a bus in between this but either they left too early (impossible, people were WAITING when I arrived), or they just never had this bus. Only my luck could have this happen when I want to get home. Had I known they would screw up like this, I would have just taken the train and walked 20 minutes, it would have been faster. $2.25

6:19 p.m. — In the door super late. I like to be home by 5:30 latest for dinner …. normally.

6:35 p.m. — I try on the Lululemon pants for my partner and he wrinkles his nose at the price tags. I give him the eye. He gives me the eye. I decide I’ll return both, and wait for a sale if ever. At least I know my size (6) and the kind of style I like (high-rise).

6:37 p.m. — We eat dinner of some grilled chicken on bread with a salad.

6:57 p.m. — I do the dishes.

7:21 p.m. — I read from the photo essay book My Room (Baby Bun is obsessed with it now and makes me read it), and my partner lies down, listening to the stories and making comments at the end.

8:02 p.m. — We get ready for bed, and I read a few more books to Baby Bun.

8:42 p.m. — We all go to sleep and Baby Bun falls asleep pretty readily.

Saved: $0

Spent: $434.57 – Pending returns though!

DAY SEVEN

6:00 a.m. — Right on the dot. Baby Bun is up, and as he drank his milk I slept beside him trying to catch more Zzzzzzs. I’m tired. My neck has a strange crick in it that hurts. Today is “Train Day!!” Baby Bun is so excited he can’t stand it. He reminds me multiple times that we are going to the park and then after lunch and a nap, it will be the train!!

6:32 a.m. — I have my tea, and Baby Bun starts in on a floor puzzle. I put away the dishes, and start reviewing what has to get done this week at home and at the office. I’ll have to make some mini trips downtown during my lunch breaks to get this all sorted out. Hmm.. maybe I can wear one of my cute dresses today. Will have to figure out the weather first. White in rain is not a good look. *cough*

7:06 a.m. — I google “Hormonal Acne Cure” and end up finding out that Spearmint tea could be a proven thing to help control hormonal acne. I am willing to try anything, and I can drink 2 cups a day at work no problem. I make a note to buy some the next time I stock up on tea.

7:26 a.m. — I putter around online and download Varage Sale, which someone recommended to me at work. I start flipping through what they have and discover it is like Kijiji or Craig’slist but you need to sign up with Facebook and be confirmed as a REAL PERSON. Okay. Not too bad. I think it is best for children’s things however.

7:36 a.m. — I make a note to sign up for Netflix and then watch everything I want in a month, including this documentary I heard about – Daughters of Destiny. It is only $7.99 a month I should do this, I love documentaries.

7:50 a.m. — I mobile deposit a cheque from my partner for household expenses. This will help cover cash flow for the next month or two. +$5373.49

8:18 a.m. — We end up going to Walmart instead (they’re the only store open at 8 a.m.) where I find underwear for girls for him. I tried very hard to find boys briefs that were soft and comfortable without too much dye (it makes it rough on the skin) and it makes his eczema worse. $18.97

8:32 a.m. — We then stop by the organic grocery store for spearmint tea (specifically!!). I will down 2-4 cups of this stuff a day if it clears my skin. Stay tuned for its effects on hormonal acne. $4.99

8:42 a.m. — I buy a quiche lorraine as a treat and share with Baby Bun along with a hit chocolate that was clearly made with water (terrible), and not with milk. I greatly regret trying terrible non-homemade or non-Starbucks drinks. I’m an idiot and should stop. $10.33

9:20 a.m. — I bring him home, eye the super dark grey skies and decide after lunch we will go out anyways. It doesn’t look that bad. It looks like it is passing.

10:56 a.m. — He has lunch early (avocado, eggs and bread), goes down easily for his nap (I told him it wouldn’t be a train day if he didn’t). After lunch, he plays.

12:00 p.m. — Baby Bun goes down for his nap.

12:05 p.m. —My neck is killing me. I’m unable to look backwards or sideways. Ugh. I lie down and rest my neck and back and start on Daughters of Destiny. I am HOOKED. Sucked into this amazing documentary on the lives of some young Indian (Southeast Asian) girls.

1:11 p.m. — Baby Bun wakes up after an hour and we head out immediately to maximize Train Riding Time. But in truth, I want to get to the restaurant if I can and eat this fried chicken i have been CRAVING. I hate but understand why restaurants need to close from 2:30 – 5, but it makes it hard when your child naps at exactly the time for lunch.

1:52 p.m. — I buy more STM tickets. I’m down to one and I don’t want to be caught off guard. $54

2:20 p.m. — I race to have that lunch and get there JUST IN TIME. $37.80

3:18 p.m. — Baby Bun and I head up to the Fine Arts Museum and play with the art structure there and walk around looking at the flags. We basically spend an hour and a half here running up and down this entire thing. It’s basically little plastic coloured rectangles glued to the floor in a pattern which you can use as an obstacle course but it is also safe to step on (it won’t trip you, it just flaps down). All the kids have a blast running up and down this thing, they love it.

4:20 p.m. — We head back on the train and go home. $2.25

4:40 p.m. — We’re still early. I stop at the park for 45 minutes with him to really tire him out, and freeze my bum off until I grab a jacket from the car I parked nearby.

5:55 p.m. — We finally head home (Baby Bun doesn’t want to leave) and my partner went out for bread and wine. I do the laundry.

6:19 p.m. — My partner comes home with a fresh baguette (he got lucky and got it just as it came out of the oven, otherwise they ruin it by putting it hot into a bag which turns the crust all soft and not crunchy).

6:37 p.m. — I end up chatting with him and playing with Baby Bun.

6:52 p.m. — After dinner is ready, I sit and eat but Baby Bun for some reason hates mustard chicken so he refuses to eat until the cheese course (yes OMG we are raising a foodie who knows every course ends with cheese). I eat and Baby Bun plays on his “house” we built out of card box, playing Frogs vs Snakes, an interactive e-book by Richard Dawkins, where it teaches the theory of evolution.

7:15 p.m. — After the cheese course comes out he bursts out of his house and settles into his chair saying: Cheese? Cheese? CHEEEEEEESE PLEASE!!!!!”, alternating between us and in languages so that we are ALL CLEAR at the table that he wants his cheese and he wants it NOW. (It is Comté by the way, one of my favourites). We are totally raising a foodie.

7:45 p.m. —  After dinner he plays and I do the dishes. He waits patiently for me to finish, explaining to us that “Mommy does the dishes! Daddy cooks!” Yep that’s how it works here. I finish dishes and start reading books to him. Love this child.

8:12 p.m. — My partner mentions that he wants me to help him but stuff on Amazon (he hates online shopping and is a Luddite when it comes to these technological advances). I log in and buy everything he screenshotted for me, mostly these Macbook Pro & iPad covers he loves. $68.97 – Will be refunded by my partner

8:52 p.m. — I get Baby Bun to go to my partner to get ready for bed and he does so willingly while I go through my facial night time routine.

9:11 p.m. — We get into bed, read two books then I explain the world outside to him and we all go to sleep. He ran HARD today on the structures so he is good and tired and drops off into SleepyLand without a peep.

Saved: $0

Spent: $199.56