Mishka

Today was beautiful. I took full advantage of the weather by going for a walk with Noa, Margot, Jen’s mom and Jen’s mom’s dog, Mishka.

Mishka is an amazing dog. I have seen her get poked and prodded by Margot and Noa with nary a complaint (it’s amazing how some pets know to be super gentle when they’re around children!).

I grew up sans pets in my house while Jen’s family had a veritable potpourri of animals: dogs, rabbits and multiple cats. Perhaps this explains our differing views when it comes to getting our own pet; Jen is up for getting a cat while I’m hesitant about getting anything.

My main concern is that I don’t want the added responsibility right now, however minimal. Margot is handful enough without having to worry about feeding the cat or making sure the amount of fur scattered around the house is at a tolerable level. Plus, given that I’m currently the primary diaper-changer I can’t say I’m too enthused about having to pick up another being’s poop.

Jen and I owned a cat a few years ago and it was fun. Still, I’d rather wait a couple of years ‘til Margot gets older and she can pick out her own cat for her birthday or Christmas (which should, I suspect, vault me into the stratosphere of amazing dads).

Anyways, time will tell if Jen and Margot team up on me with their big cute eyes and convince me to get a pet sooner. Remind me not to teach Margot the word “chat”!

Walking on Sunshine

Remember this photo?

 
I took it on January 5, 2011, when Margot first learned to stand. Now look at her:

Go baby go! The last few days Margot’s ability to walk has skyrocketed! It’s amazing. Sure there are a few bumps along the way but at this rate she’ll be joining me on my 5 km run in May (no comments on which of us will win thank you very much!).

It's like...like...Margot’s walking on sunshine….!

Hmmm I'm sure my baby loves me. I'm not sure I'm waiting for when she can knock on the door or write to me though. That would be odd. :P :)

Exercise

I braved the chilly temperature outside this morning and went for a jog. I don't normally start jogging in March, but this year I really wanted to do it because the amount of exercise I have done during my parental leave has been pretty minimal.  Sure I've gone on a number of walks, and even gone snowshoeing and skating on occasion, but I still feel that my fitness level is low.

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not laying the blame on Margot. I realize that if I was really interested in organized sports I could have found some indoor sports league to play in. However, that’s not really my thing and the fact remains that it’s not as easy to do whatever you want to do with a baby. As for going to a gym…well it’s true that before Margot was born I used to go to a local gym franchise…however, to make it worth my while I would have to go three times a week and I don’t think I want to commit to that right now.

No. For me, jogging is the easiest and cheapest way to improve my health while maintaining my flexibility to take care of Margot. Other things I’d like to start up again this spring and/or summer is squash (with my friends) and tennis (with Jen).

Note that as a small incentive to keep running I’ve entered the 5 km run in the Ottawa Race weekend (the 10 km was sold out!). If all goes well than maybe I’ll run a 10 km race in the autumn.  But hey, one thing at a time, my name’s not Roger Bannister! Geez!