Canada, Oh Canada

We heart you, Canada. As we were there, Ray was telling me that he could definitely live there. I agreed with him, but we were both quick to admit that it's because they're quite similar to the U.S. with some added, lovely European touches. We'd been to Canada before (and here), but up through British Columbia and never near the East. However, they do need to get more Targets and Chipotles ASAP. They're working on it. I saw the big red bullseye in construction. It was a lovely thing.

We spent the first few days on business travel and the last few days having fun with some pretty freaking awesome friends I met through blogging. Let's just say that we're so happy to have met that we'll be setting dates to meet on an annual or bi-annual basis.

The drive was 8 hours, which is about our max on driving in one day, but totally do-able! We drove through during the fall leaves changing in Michigan and that was quite lovely. And I know it's hard to believe, but B didn't cry at all during the entire 8 hours back home until about 1 mile from home. I know. Awesome.

Niagara Falls. I'd visited the U.S. side back when we were dating with Ray and his family, but this was my first time on the Canadian side! No socks. Go ahead, judge me. ;)

Notice the jacket. And the rainbow. And the other {human} rainbow.

Large waterfalls? Whatevs, Mom.

You wouldn't believe he was screaming his head off in the car about 3 minutes before this picture, eh? Niagara on the Lake is stunning,! Who knew it would be so cute with tons of wineries!?

We fully intended to visit the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest that boasts being the second largest to Germany, but babies weren't allowed in the festivities. Ray ended up going on his own with work colleagues and I spent my 30th birthday having dinner with a fab friend and her incredibly cute chiquita. I spent the majority of the time trying to prevent B from screaming and had more hummus and turmeric stains on my clothes than I'd like to admit, but it was wonderful.

The next day while Ray was working again, I headed to visit Laura and Grace. B took over the toys like no one's business.

We stayed over at Laura's for two days and had long nights of dinner and drinks and overall awesomeness with them. It was so much fun and we were so sad to drive home. This day we headed downtown and had lunch at the top of the CN Tower at the 360 restaurant. Here we are in the Distillery District in front of some disturbing creature.

At a chocolate factory in the Distillery District and B is checking Laura out. My son likes hot ladies... what can I say?

Laura's taken? I guess I'll drool {literally} over this little baby-love.

Baby dangler at the top of the CN Tower.

Friends and Rainbows.

Two very gorgeous boys that I love.

Love!

Yes, that is a crazy paparazzi taking photos that will likely be posted on the internet in Asia. And maybe in magazines. And newspapers. Our husbands don't seem to mind parading our children for the World to see.

We seriously had such a good time. Ray was nervous as we pulled up to their house and I explained that he's met many of my friends and their husbands before... and he countered that he has met many, but never stayed at complete strangers' houses two nights in a row! I'm pretty sure more words were spoken between Ray and Scott than between Laura and myself, so that apprehension was quickly nixed after just minutes into conversation over dinner. We also discussed that it was just nice knowing that they get us on all levels. We have an unspoken (or spoken!) understanding that we have sons that are no longer here and that we miss them. There was nothing taboo and nothing uncomfortable about it. Cannot wait to head back to see them again!

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day 2012

That's today.

Carly wrote a post not long ago about making a prayer flag for our babies we miss.

While I'm not crafty in the least, I knew this was something I wanted to do for Andrew, mostly because I never get to do anything for him. I schlepped B along to Joann's to find some felt and some embroidery floss to make a flag that would then be sent to Australia to be hung in a ceremony for our babies today.

Here's what I made for Andrew.

 And off it went.

Loving and truly missing not only my own firstborn, but all the babies of so many of us families that will never be fully complete without them.

...They Say it's Your Birthday...

It's no surprise that I love freebies. I'm a couponer that started once I quit my full-time teaching gig to be a stay-at-home-mom to save us some cash. I wasn't willing to give up the vacations, so I decided we would live more frugally at home and still enjoy trips and travel. I actually don't physically cut many coupons, but utilize the amazing deals from our local Safeway affiliate that has them all online with a swipe of my card at the store. I love it most for produce deals because obviously coupons are most often for processed foods that we try not to eat all that often. And for other things, I just stalk what I want like prey until it's on sale and then scour the internet for the best deals and coupons to match my purchase. I then use affiliates like ShopatHome & Ebates to score cash back on purchases I make. It's down to a science, my friends. And I'll admit... in a geeky sort of way, deal hunting is sort of thrilling. I told you it was geeky.

In order to make my thirtieth birthday feel like less of a sting (and no, this is not a plea for regards and well-wishes), I've been receiving coupons like MAD in my email for about 2 weeks now. They really start hitting exactly one week before the actual day and then it's a mad dash to print out and head out to revel in all that is free. I cook less in October-- known fact. Why? Because we're eating out at 50% off and that's pretty good to me.

I thought I'd share the emails I receive (minus the links to sign up because I'm lazy) in case you want to sign up for the email flood once your birthday arrives. 

Jersey Mike's: free sub and fountain drink on actual b-day

Firehouse Sub's: free sub on actual b-day (no coupon required! Just ID)

Coldstone Creamery: BOGO ice cream

Steak 'n Shake: free double Steakburger and fries

On the Border: free dessert with meal purchase

Boston Market: free dessert with meal purchase

Fuddrucker's: free 1/3 lb burger 

Arby's: free shake

TCBY: $3 off any purchase
Baskin Robbins: free scoop or soft serve

Which Wich: free sandwich

Starbucks: free drink of any size
Panera Bread: free pastry/sweet

Noodles & Company: free meal
Qdoba: BOGO burrito/meal

Flat Top Grill: free stir fry
Red Robin: free burger + fries

Vera Bradley: free $20 on anything in the store (I actually don't get this one because I'm too lazy to sign up in-store.)
World Market: 15% off home decor or 10% off food items & non-alcoholic beverages

I most definitely do not use all of these... more likely only 30% of what I listed, but it's fun to have options. I'd use more, but they have short expiration dates and I can't always make it on time. Anyone know about any amazing birthday freebies that I didn't mention? 

Leave(s) Me Alone

Not a fan.

Insta-Friday - Germany Edition

I took a good number of Instagram photos on our trip to Germany that were never actually published. Now I'm going to share some of the never before seen footage. ;)

{read: too cheap to pay the international fees to post every single picture. Also, for a tip, turn on airplane mode and you can shoot away! Each picture will "fail" to publish but will still save with the cool filters to your phone. I learned that from Pinterest.}

This one was actually published just before boarding our flight over the Atlantic. He was dressed for bed as we attempted to keep him on the schedule he usually has, at least for the flight over.

View from a room at Dad's work in Germany. Looks peaceful, except the part about me holding a wriggling baby who will. not. go. to. sleep in my arms. Hellooooo time change!

Off on a walk to the bakery...

The beauty of Dresden

More Zwinger photos in the Dresden Palace.

Bakery bread, water, and the stroller.

Typical German cookies at markets... this one found at a fall market in Dresden. Reads: I love you.

The husband just couldn't resist another sausage. This one purchased while filling gas.

This is the small town we lived in for 6 months. The thought of them having a monster truck rally is hilarious to me.

Perfection. A pretzel and Apfel Schorle. It's basically 1/2 sparkling mineral water and 1/2 apple juice. Yum-o.

Just sitting down to dinner in Nuremberg.

Mmm... beer condensation. See the grip he's got on that glass? Yeahhhh. Proud parents.

The brew.

May I help you?

The kid has good taste... what can I say?

Last night in Germany. A sink bath.

Airplane eats. Anyone know if this is available in the U.S.? If so, I'm buying a case.

Sleepy chunk on the airplane.

Not-so-sleepy chunk on the airplane.

Sleepy chunk once again. Jet-lag + time change = passed out 

Post-lunch squirrel watch session while Mom washes dishes. Possibly contemplating the meaning of life as well.

Omg Mom, what are these green and yellow things all around me?

It's wake-up time! Baby legs are now arm warmers as they're perfect for fall weather to use with his cute, but Mom's not ready to ditch all his short-sleeved, onesies. Also, Dad may have banned Baby legs from being worn on... legs.

My fave pasta in my fave pot. 

Handsome lunch date at Which Wich on a Wednesday. Alliterative what?

I can already foresee the weekend activities at our house. Leaves, leaves, leaves.

And hey, how about a video? It's just over a minute, but around 55 seconds, he proves that sippy cups are no longer made by lucifer and, in fact, are actually quite awesome. He's been doing this for a few days now, after months of coaxing him with sugar on the end of the straw and washing it everysingleday to practice. Victory!

That's about 2 tablespoons of prune juice + water in case you were curious.