The Bus Cake

Last year Stinx had a pretty plain 1st Birthday cake. He wasn't tolerating wheat at the time and I hadn't introduced dairy yet (in fear he might take after his father) so his cake was gluten & dairy free. It was a great cake, but a little on the boring side. This year, since Stinx is eating pretty much anything now, I wanted to get him a cake he'd love. I was a little late planning this out but Alisha recommended Simply Sweet Ltd and Krista was able to make the cake with only 3 days notice. It was awesome!!! Stinx loved it, though it didn't last long... well, the front of the bus is still around. Perhaps I'll let him play with it tomorrow :)

Breastfeeding - not always easy...

This post is about how hard breastfeeding can be at the beginning. It is NOT about formula vs. breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding. It seems like a simple concept. But really, it can be hard work. It's a skill that takes practice and doesn't come totally naturally. It seems like it should come naturally, since after all, it is natural. But I really do think that pregnant women need to learn as much as they can about breastfeeding before their baby is born. I think it helps to read about it, and most of all, to talk to women who have successfully breastfed. I also think that going to a LLL meeting is a good idea when pregnant. It's just good to hear about other women's experiences with this totally natural experience.

A great website on breastfeeding is Dr. Jack Newman's. If you are planning to breastfeed please check it out! He even has video's to show what a proper latch is like. And definitely read the section called Starting Out Right.

I want to share a little about my experience starting out with breastfeeding. I have two close friends, Alisha and Sandra, who I like to credit for my breastfeeding success. Both were mothers who had breastfed their babies past one year old (which is a whole other topic!). They really encouraged me and gave me realistic expectations. Alisha had a hard time with breastfeeding at first and gave me some really good advice. Talking with her really gave me the heads up - that it might not be easy. After Stinx was born she dragged me to a LLL meeting just so I could connect with other breastfeeding moms. At the time I didn't see why it was important, but now looking back, it could have been crucial. Thankfully for me, breastfeeding had gone pretty smoothly, but if it hadn't, I would have got plenty of excellent advice at the meeting. And I also remember phoning Sandra all the time in the first month after Stinx was born. I'd just call her with all these random questions. Heck, I still ask her random questions all the time! These 2 friends were a HUGE support to me in the begining, and still are.

It must have been both of them that really pressed the importance of the latch. And perhaps I had a really good nurse who knew what she was talking about when showing me how to nurse Stinx. After all, she had nursed 2 children as well. Somehow, I knew the latch was important. Every single time, and I mean, EVERY single time I nursed Stinx while in the hospital, I would get a nurse to check his latch. I wanted to make sure it was right.

When Stinx was 3 days old and it was our last day in the hospital, a nurse told me he had lost 10 % of his body weight. (Which is totally normal!!) She said we should supplement with formula. Thinking back, it must have been Alisha who told me that supplementing was not a good idea. I told the nurse no way. I said I would try pumping if they insisted. I did so and pumped 1 oz. I remember thinking, "oh no! That's all I got?" A doctor came in and was so thrilled I had pumped that measly ounce. She told me how newborns have tiny tummies and can only drink 1-2 oz's to start. AND, if I could pump 1oz, Stinx was definitely drinking more than that. And that is because babies are much more efficient nursers than a pump can be. They sent us home with the instructions to pump and then breastfeed. I only really remember pumping occasionally in the first week to relieve my engorging breasts! I pretty much stuck to nursing Stinx on demand... which is by far, the best breastfeeding advice I could give anyone. Nurse on demand!! The day after we got home the public health nurse came and weighed Stinx. He had gained all his weight back... which normally occurs 2-3 weeks after birth... I am so glad I didn't bother supplementing - it would have been totally unnecessary and may have caused more problems.

The first few weeks after having a baby are pretty rough, and on top of that, you are nursing your baby every couple hours. Your breasts are sore from all that attention! It is really is hard work. The biggest trouble I had with breastfeeding was a couple tiny sores I had got from a not so great latch (even a couple feeds with imperfect latches can give you trouble) and my doctor was worried I would get Mastitis so she gave me some really awful advice.. She basically told me to put some Canesten on the sore, heat it under a lamp and then wash it off before I nursed Stinx again. She wanted me to do that after every nurse! I did it for a few days and then saw a lactation consultant because I didn't trust my doctors advice. The LC checked our latch and said it looked good. She checked the sore and told me it wasn't infected and to stop with the poor advice my doctor gave me. I went back to using Lanolin (which is a life saver!!!) and it went away very quickly. Things went pretty smoothly from there, and the only other time I had some trouble was when Stinx was 11 months old and cutting a new tooth. I went to a LLL meeting then and got some good advice. It seems over time the latch can become lazy, and since Stinx had a tooth coming in, it was rubbing in the same spot every time, and I had been nursing him in the same position, hence a sore was starting. So I started nursing him in a different positions every time, and put some lanolin on, and made sure the latch was good and presto, all better. And since then I have payed close attention, every time Stinx gets a new tooth, breastfeeding is a little uncomfortable and I have to remember the advice I got.

Anyways, breastfeeding can be tough at first but it is soooo worth it! It is such a special experience. When I nursed Stinx for the very first time, the only word I could use to describe it was "Beautiful". Thankfully we didn't have too many battles to face and it was fairly uncomplicated. But after talking with so many other breastfeeding moms, or moms who tried really really hard to breastfeed, it can be a difficult path. I have several friends who tried for months to breastfeed their babies but due to problems had to give up in the end. I know for both friends this was a difficult time for them. Thankfully, both of these friends went on to nurse their 2nd babies successfuly!

There are so many things that can make it a difficult to breastfeed, even starting with the birth. Sometimes women who have emergency c-births have trouble getting started. Many women have supply issues, too little milk being the most common. And I have even met a woman who said she had too much milk to breastfeed(Hmm... I think that's a very poor excuse to quit breastfeeding! I know women who would kill for that breatmilk! Sure, having too much milk can have it's own complications but a reason to quit??)... I don't know about that. Anyways! My point is that it is hard, and MUCH of the advice new mothers get from medical professionals is contradictory. Many mothers just don't know which advice to follow. It's heartbreaking really!

I know this is getting kinda ranty.. my point is that breastfeeding is hard and if a new mom doesn't do her research and educate herself, and just thinks it will go smoothly because it seems so natural, she might find herself struggling. I think many moms end up using formula because some of the medical professionals gave them poor advice. They are pushed formula at the hospital and it seems like the best answer because they know their baby is being fed (as they can watch their baby drink it down) but it can really hinder the start of breastfeeding. Obviously in some circumstances babies do need to be supplemented but for the most part women have enough milk, and the more they nurse the more their milk will come in. And for some women they are comfortable using formula but for the women who had their hearts set on breastfeeding it can be really hard on them.

Ok.. seriously, I'll end this now. If your heart is set on breastfeeding, do your research prior to baby's arrival! With some knowledge and a lot of determination, most women can successfully breastfeed!

So if you could give a new mother breastfeeding advice, what would it be?

Happy 2nd Birthday Stinx

Two years ago I was stoned out of my tree in a hospital room. I might have been high as a kite, but I was extremely euphoric with the love for my baby boy. Sure, the birth didn't go as I had prayed for, or planned for, and sure, I get depressed thinking about that stuff, but that doesn't mean it wasn't the happiest day of my life. It doesn't mean I was joyless. I was thrilled to be a mom. I was thrilled to see the little baby that grew inside of me those 39 weeks.

It's hard to believe two years has flown by so quickly. I know, how cliche. But really, it's unbelievable. Stinx is truly a boy now, not a baby. He is running, climbing, jumping, dancing, talking.. and just surprising me every day with all the things he is learning. He is figuring stuff out all the time.

Here are just a few things I want to remember most about Stinx when he turned 2:

• His love for buses, trucks, trains, planes, boats etc
• His love of books and being read too
• His growing vocabulary... like "fall down"... when mommy fell in the snow... lol.
• How he likes to hold hands with his little pals
• How he asked me for a hug this morning at 5am! lol...
• The unexpected hug he gave me later in the am which was followed by a surprise kiss

A little boredom mixed with spice

The lovely spice rack Bubga got us as a gift last year.

The left over spices which over flow out of the Tupperware container. I've been collecting them like this for years...

The extremely simple fun activity I did out of boredom.

Now all the spices have a home.

Even Dad feels motivated to cook.

Actually... He was the one harassing me to put the spices in jars.

I'm glad he did. It makes me feel so much more organized.

Stinx 1st Hair Cut

So today Stinx had the pleasure of getting his very first hair cut. It wasn't desperately needed, but it was getting to the point where it was getting in his face a little much, a little too long around the ears.. and well, I figured it would be fun to get his hair cut right before his 2nd birthday. The cut went really well. Stinx was very excited to see the quad and other cool "rides" at the salon. Once sitting on the quad he turned very serious, which is.. well, pretty much Stinx in any public situation. He's a serious guy! What can I say. He seemed to enjoy it. He wasn't freaking out from excitement, and he wasn't blowing a fit in fear. He just was. So that helped the nice hair dresser to do her job. She was very fast. I guess that's just how it goes in kiddy salons. They must have to work fast because who knows how long the kid will sit still for. Anyways, now Stinx has had his 1st official hair cut. Ta-da!

Unexpected

I thought it was a little unusual when Stinx slept through the night for 11 hours straight last night. It's not freakish of him to STTN but he doesn't do it all the time. It's more freakish that he slept for 11 hours straight... He's done it before, occasionally, but usually he is a 10-10.5 hour night sleeper, including the night wakings. He is usually asleep shortly after 8pm and usually up by 6-6:30am. He was up at 7:30am today. That is freakish.

I loved that he slept in that long. But I did panic that something might be wrong.

All seemed well until I was getting him dressed to go out. He seemed a little warm.. It didn't seem like a fever though. I figured he was just warm.

Our plan was to go pick up some maternity clothes for Anti-Kels and I.

No, I'm not pregnant, just looking for some nice maternity clothes for the future. I can plan ahead right?

Going off track here - A few weeks ago I put an add on kijiji looking for some maternity clothes, for either Anti-Kels or I. I got quite a few responses back but most of the clothes were kinda lame.. Like pastel pink shirts... Not quite what either Kels or I would wear. But a couple of women emailed with some nice stuff. Both women lived quite far south and I arranged to go all the way down there this morning - planned a week ago. After picking up the clothes I was also planning to visit my cousin and her kids since they live in the south.

So I get Stinx all bundled up and into the car. We're driving on the free-way-ish road for about 5 minutes and then I notice Stinx coughing. I look in the rear view to see Stinx throwing up on himself. Poor guy. I felt so bad. But since we were driving 100 km's/hour on the freeway, I couldn't exactly pull over. And he wasn't upset or anything, he seemed really intrigued by it.. He was checking it out. TMI?

So instead of picking up clothes I drove to my cousin's place where I wiped Stinx off with my cousin's baby wipes, because being the knob I am, I left the wipes at home. (Mental Note: always keep spare wipes in the glove box). And of course I didn't have a change of clothes for Stinx either... (Mental Note: keep a spare set of clothes in the car).

So yeah, no wonder Stinx slept through the night like a log, he was sick. Poor little thing. Once we got home he didn't really act sick or anything. I am praying that he was just a little queasy in the car. Hopefully he'll be feeling himself when he wakes up from his afternoon nap.

Too sweet

The past few nights when reading Stinx bedtime stories he's been doing the sweetest little thing. Well, at least to me it is. When we read the Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle, he always makes me feel the pages. What both Stinx and I love about the book is that you can feel the spider, her web, as well as the pesty fly. All 3 have a texture so when you run your hand along the page you can feel them. So in the past when we have read the story, I run his fingers along the pages.

But lately, he insists on holding my finger and making me feel them. Omp. It's deliciously sweet.

And even today when we were getting ready to go swimming, he tried putting my shoes on for me. So helpful. I love those little moments when he wants to show me things, or help me with something.

Scratch that off the list

I finally got around to buying a white noise machine today. I found it by posting a want add on Kijiji. It's kinda sweet because it also has an alarm clock, a bit fancier than the one I left behind in Tampa a few weeks ago.

I also bought some fabric for my Mei Tai project at the local Good Will. I also happened to come across a Baby Bjorn carrier in excellent shape - It seriously looks brand new. It was $2.99. Anyone want it? If not, I am selling it for more $$$ and making a profit :)

Time to get crafty

Ok, so for the first time in a really long time, I am feeling crafty and creative. I want to tackle a couple sewing projects. Like I have already mentioned, I'd really like to try and make a mei tai, and the other idea, is one Alisha gave me. Which I want to keep as a surprise in case it works out well. If it sucks, well then, it'll stay a secret. Haha! I think I will try to make the Mei Tai out of recycled material, which means I will have to go thrift shopping! Yippee. I'm really excited about this! I have been lacking a lot of motivation in my artistic department for a long time, maybe years. I don't know why. And I can't blame it on motherhood, that's definitely not it. I guess it's safe to say that since I started working at the shelter, my creative side dwindled. I have no reasons for the correlation. But anyways, please wish me some determination to go with this motivation!

Parenting Styles

This post is not meant to be critical of any of the parenting styles (as I see myself using bits of all of them), rather to just organize my thoughts about what I've been reading. My thoughts on the parent I would like to be.

*

So lately I have been thinking a lot about parenting styles. Not the typical attachment parenting vs. mainstream or traditional parenting, but the disciplinary styles. When you research parenting styles in discipline, you usually find 3 types. For examples, read this or this. Most information says that not one way is right, but that usually the most balanced approach is best.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't imagine anyone wanting to be the permissive parent, and most probably don't want to be the extreme authoritarian parent either. I think most parents want to be in the middle, with the democratic-authoritative style. We want to set rules so our children have an idea how to live (ie. We don't hit people). We want to give our children some freedom to learn from their own mistakes. We want to set boundaries and guidelines, and be consistent with them.

It's all about balance.

What scares me about the authoritarian style, is that the kids often have low self-esteem and often don't have the ability to say "no" because they haven't learnt to make choices for themselves. And as I read here, they often fall into peer pressure because they're used to people telling them what to do or because they want to rebel from their parents.

And it's easy to assume a permissive parent would never spank their child. I think parent's that spank can still be permissive parents. For example, a parent that ignores their child's negative behavior 90% of the time, and then blows up the other 10% and gives a spanking, is still permissive. That parent doesn't provide boundaries 90% of the time and then blows up and spanks their child for 10% of the time. It's the lack of consistency.

And like most of the research says, parents aren't just "authoritarian" or "permissive" or "democratic". Most parents are mostly one but a little of the other two. And I think most parents want to be democratic. I also think that parents either parent the way their parents did, or the exact opposite.

I know for myself, I am a bit of all 3. My goal is to use the democratic style. It will take lots of practice and hard work but it's my goal. I need to work on the consistency. I've made lots of mistakes already, and will make many more in the future, but I hope that I will see progress in this journey of parenting.

I want Stinx to have rules and boundaries so he knows what is OK and what's not, but I also want him to be able to make some choices and learn from his mistakes. I want him to be able to say "No" when someone tries to mistreat him. I want him to be respectful but I also want him to be able to think for himself.

***

And what I've also been thinking about is how people mix people's parenting choices, with discipline styles. For example, some people might assume that a "mainstream" parent would use the authoritarian discipline style. Or vice verse, and I think this misconception happens a lot more - an attachment parent is a permissive parent. When really, if you really think about it, any parent uses any of those styles. Many mainstream parents are permissive parents, and even an attachment parent could be a mild authoritarian parent. And both mainstream and attachment parents use the democratic style. Because choices, like whether to crib sleep or co-sleep, breastfeed or bottle feed, wear your baby or push a stroller, have NOTHING to do with a parent's discipline style. Seriously, unrelated!

Drooling...

So since Anti-Kels told me she is pregnant, I've been looking at a few things on-line. Namely, cloth diapers and baby carriers. Since she told me she wants to try cloth diapers I thought it would be a good idea to buy in with her. I am hoping to have a baby not too long after her. I don't have any small sized diapers, and my BG 3.0's will probably be too stretched to use on a small baby (unless I get around to the replacing the elastics by then... not sure if I am brave enough for that). So I'm contemplating small diapers... (pockets, or fitted's, maybe All In Ones) and in the search I come across the cutest little diapers and things. Like these Blueberry diaper covers. Or this delicious Good Mama fitted diaper that I could never afford. If Anti-Kels has a girl I will save all the money I get from recycling cans and buy this diaper for her :P. Then I find myself drooling over the Jam Tots Berryplush diapers. They look so soft and cuddly.

I wish I was crafty enough to make this kind of stuff myself.

Ok, so that's just some of the diapers I was looking at. I've also been looking at carriers.

Now, I've only had a few different carriers. First was the Hotsling Alisha gave me. Which I used first, and still use on occasion. It really is the type of carrier you can use at all ages. My favorite carry being the hip carry (8 months up-ish). It's just so easy to slip on and put the baby in. I used this a lot when I had to go in to the bank or store to do an errand. What I also loved about the pouch sling was that it was simple to use. It's so simple, you can't really mess it up. I say this because wraps scare me. They look intimidating and confusing. So starting with the sling really helped.

I also used a Baby Bjorn on occasion. I think every mom uses one at some point. But there are much much better carriers out there, one's that will last beyond 6 months.

I also had a Mayawrap ring sling which I never really mastered. I ended up lending it to a friend who never returned it.

When we moved into this house Stinx was 14 months old. Sure, he was old enough that I could put him on the ground to let him play, but I feared not being able to unpack everything with a curious toddler around. So I asked Alisha (my babywearing guru) what I should get if I wanted to carry Stinx on my back. Her first answer, a Babyhawk. When I looked at the site I knew I had found something I was looking for. I picked out the color's and fabric and chose the Toddler size since Stinx was already past 1 year old. It was sooo awesome! I was ticked that I had not thought to get one sooner! I could have been giving him piggy back rides much earlier.

Though I still really like my ToddlerHawk, I have realized I wished it had a couple extra features. The first being a padded waist band. The babyhawk's have padded shoulders and head rests but the waist band is just a strap (essentially) which is OK - but... I have noticed that with wearing an almost 2 year old for more than 30 minutes my lower back does start to feel sore. I've seen and tried on other carriers that have a bit more padding for support on the bottom and it does seem more comfy. The second feature I wish mine had, a hood. Stinx is really too big to be sleeping in this carrier now, but when he was 14 months it was do-able. And when I have my next baby, guaranteed the baby will be sleeping in there once in awhile. So the hood really makes sense. Once the baby is asleep you pull it over to protect their head from tossing all over the place, and from exposure to the sun. So maybe I will have to attempt to make my own Mei Tai...

Anyways, so I've been looking at carrier's to give Kels some ideas (and yeah... for me too...) and I came across some I really like. I really like the Kindercarry carriers (and look here for her flickr stream). They can come with hoods and have the extra padding on the waist band. The prices are a bit out of my league though considering I already own a Mei Tai. Other carriers I've been drooling over are the Beco Butterflies, this Bamberoo Mei Tai. Though I do think I will buy a wrap with next baby. Maybe a Didymos? Or a Hoppediz? Too many choices really.

So I want to know, what is your favorite cloth diaper and or favorite baby carrier? Give me more to drool over!

Update on our Eric Carle Book search

So since I posted this, we've come a long way. The collection has grown. A few from thrift shops, a few from Christmas gifts and other presents. The new additions to the collection are:

• Have You Seen My Cat?


• The Very Busy Spider


• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?


• The Very Lonely Firefly


• From Head to Toe
  
• Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?
• My Very First Book of Numbers

It's pretty obvious I love Eric Carle. I mean, I guess it's more my collection than Stinx. It's not like he asks for Eric Carle books. He was totally obsessed with "Brown Bear, Brown Bear.." but he doesn't seem quite obsessed with the other books. His favorite book of late was Raffi's Wheels on the Bus. That lasted for about a month.. But even that seems to be on the way out. So I guess I am just waiting to see what his new favorite will be.

Fresh Diapers

I'm not sure why, but I always feel very satisfied after washing and stuffing my pocket diapers. It gives me great fulfilment. That's so lame. I know. Should I seek help?

Stinx Specs

Stinx has destroyed a few pairs of my old glasses, and maybe even a pair I actually needed. I got some new glasses in the spring and just a few weeks ago Bubma asked me where she should get some. I said SuperStore Eyewear... they're affordable and not too shabby. So we went on a little trip to Eyewear with Bubma and helped her pick out her new glasses. While there, Stinx kept trying to pull glasses off to try on. So I tried a bunch of glasses on Stinx to keep him content. He looked sooo cute in all the glasses (Especially really huge thick black men's glasses). Just as we were leaving I saw they had a sales rack. I found a kid's pair for $5. I thought it'd be great for Stinx to have his own glasses to play with and wreck. I paid for them and the clerk wanted to adjust them. As she was adjusting them, the glasses snapped in her hand. I was kind of bummed but not really... However, she insisted I take another pair. She insisted I take a brand new pair! I tried to fight her on it since Stinx doesn't need glasses at all. I was only buying them for him to use for dress up. But no, she insisted. And surprise surprise, his glasses are already crooked from him busting them up. But hey - that's why I bought them... So he can bust up the $5 ones and not mine!

Update 1 - Thrill of the Hunt

So I blogged awhile ago about trying to find things I need 2nd hand before buying brand new. If you missed that blog, read here. I haven't been very successful lately. The one item I was looking for was luggage. I tried to find some 2nd hand but didn't find any in time so Dad and I got some new (on sale of course!). Someone did tell me afterwards that you can often find good luggage at the Interfaith Furniture shop on 35 ave NE. I've been there before but not for years. It's time I check it out again.

Anyways, so I want to keep myself accountable with this idea. I've added a list of the items I am looking for on the right side of the blog. Perhaps you have what I need, or maybe you've seen something I need locally 2nd hand. Then when I get the item I will give an update. That goes for when I have to give in and buy new as well. I've realized time plays a big part of whether or not I buy new or used. So I am trying to get into the habit of looking far ahead of when I really need something (for example, the twin bed).

Right now I am most in need of the white noise machine since I left ours at the hotel in Florida. It wouldn't be a vacation without leaving something behind.

What was I thinking?

Today Dad and I took Stinx shopping with us to pick up a few things. By the end of the short trip he was pretty riled up. We had been talking about eating lunch at one of our local Indian restuarants, Anpurna. By the time we got there it was already almost 11:30am. Stinx nap should have been around noon, maybe earlier. We were pushing it. Dad even suggested we just do take out. But no, stubborn me, wanted to have a authentic restuarant experience dining at a table.

What a fool I am! The restuarant was renovated awhile back and has new owners. They didn't have any boosters seats so I drove home to get one since we live nearby. By the time I got back Stinx was getting squirrely. The food came quickly and we attempted to get lunch started. It was bad, real bad. Stinx was wanting to dump the sauce cup, to throw food, throw plates and throw his most precious little toy bus. I said to dad, "We should get the rest of the food to go.... asap!".

I took Stinx out of the restuarant, mid tantrum, and got his jacket on outside. He cheered up a bit after seeing a Van and then a puppy, and a funny lady wearing a very 80's outfit. We got home and quickly had some lunch. Surprisingly he was in a good mood at home. I managed to get him down for his nap around 12:30pm, not too far off his regular routine.

But I should have known not to take him out for lunch at that time of day... it was asking for disaster. Routines have benefits, if you follow them. When I don't follow it or simply ignore it (thinking, "maybe it will be fine."), there are occasional disasters. Not every time, sometimes it's okay to go off track, sometimes it works out well, but sometimes, like today, when he was super hyper at the mall, I should have followed his cues... Not an Eat-Out-Day.

A New Role

I finally get a new role. No longer will I be just a daughter, or a wife, or a mother. I will soon take on the responsibility of being an Anti. Yes, that's right, I get to be an Anti!!! I am sooo stoked about this. When Anti-Kels told me she was pregnant, some 6 or 7 weeks ago, I seriously started crying tears of joy. Stinx will have a cousin! Anti-Kels will have her own precious little babe to coddle. Although, I admit, I am a little upset that Stinx won't be her favorite kid in the world anymore. It's okay though, I do understand.

I've been trying to gently enforce my parenting views on her, which really isn't fair, but what's a mom to do? I mostly just want her to use midwives... Pretty sure that won't happen now since the wait lists are insane.. But that's okay, I'll make sure she has a doula, takes the Birthing From Within classes. I want her to have a much more positive birth experience than I did.

She's even talking about cloth diapers already! How sweet is that? I'm hoping that I get pregger's in the spring and that we can buy some small cloth diapers together. Her baby can use them first and I can use them afterwards. It'll be perfect!

She's 13 weeks along and due in August. If she has a boy she'll have soo much stuff she can borrow from me. Tons and tons of clothes. I've already told her she can borrow all my baby crap. Heck, Kels, you can probably borrow the change table since Stinx probably won't be using it by then (hopefully).

I can't wait. I am soooooooooo excited.