Monday, December 31, 2012

2012... You're awesome.


2012 has been a crazy year for us! This year we bought a house, had a baby, and that baby grew big and learned to crawl.

     Aside from delivering C at the hospital, no other emergency room visits were had. That's right...not one single spinal fracture, concussion, or puncture wound reared it's ugly head. It's kind of a big deal for us, as one of us usually ends up with a combination of the three. Go us!

     This year we brought our baby girl home, survived a long, hot summer with a newborn (thanks to our good friend, the Kraken), and managed to stay organized and somewhat sane living in a renovation zone with C's grandpa.

     The first half of the year was spent growing a child and the second half ... trying to keep her smiling. 

     All in all, I'd say its been a pretty successful year and I'm beyond excited for what's in store for 2013.

Things I'm looking forward to:

~ C's 1st. Birthday
~ Completion of operation income suite
~ Finally decorating our home
~ A potential engagement (if I get brave and agree to it)
~ A new career path for me
~ Beach time this summer


Wishing you happiness and love in the new year, friends!



Thursday, December 27, 2012

Winter Love Photo Session

After some much needed down time following our first Christmas as a family of three, we ventured out to enjoy the snow and some fresh air.

 C tested out the sleigh that her Nana gave her.










Thursday, December 20, 2012

Momma's Wish List

     Obviously, since having the babe, we are on a pretty tight budget.  Except when it comes to her of course.  She gets the best of the best and we eat frozen pizza.  That's just how it is and I'm more than willing to give up luxuries to give C everything under the sun.

     It's expected that our first year as parents will be a pretty frugal one.  Especially since we didn't exactly plan for it. I decided to quit my job and take a full year of maternity leave and without my chunk of income, the hubs has been working his little butt off to give us everything we need.

     I know that money doesn't equal happiness, so as long as C has 37 new toys that she can completely forget about in a week, I'm happy.  We are very blessed.  This is my dream wish list.  Did I mention how we think we'll be teaching C the value of money and responsibility if she pays for her own post secondary education?  You know, so mommy can shop.




Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Reminiscing on my Nursing Days

     C is basically her own person now, ready to venture out into this cruel world and kick some major ass.  Not really, but that's how it feels.  When I think back to the days when she relied on me for milk and compare them to now, it feels like she's shipping off to college.  It's awesome how breastfeeding really does make you the single most important person in your babies life.

     I loved my nursing days.  I had massive boobs, and I'm pretty sure it was solely responsible for helping me drop all my baby weight.  Oh, and more importantly... it created a strong bond and a connection with C that no one else would ever have blah blah blah.

     Part of me wishes I could have held out a little longer, when I think back on the day that I decided to start supplementing.  I wrote about that here.  Just because, how cool/weird would it be to breastfeed a six month old baby?!  It's blowing my mind even thinking about it.  She totally knows what's going on now.  I wonder if she'd be grabbing my boob and holding it to her mouth like she does her bottle.  Or if she'd be fatter or sleep differently.

     I wonder if it will be a whole different story with my next baby.  If, because I already know what to expect, I'll hold out a little longer before I throw in the towel.  (And I'm not talking toddler stage, because that's just nuts)  I hope I will, if not only for selfish reasons, (ie. looking awesome in a strapless dress & saving a tonne of cash not having to buy insanely expensive formula), but for a new experience all together.

     That is, of course, if the hubs ever agrees to knock me up again.  It's a long shot that may only become a possibility if I drown him in Kraken and swear that we ran out of protection, and how inconvenient is it that the drug store is closed at that exact time??  Yeah... I've thought this through. haha

Anywho... here's a C pic update since it's been a while.


Who wants to breastfeed this toddler?  Slowwww down!


Friday, December 14, 2012

Flat Butt Syndrome

     You mean sitting on your ass for 18 months doesn't give you a nice lean bootay?  Hmm...well I guess that's where I'm at then.

     While prancing around our bedroom in my undies the other day, cleaning up various articles of clothing and water bottles, I snagged a glance of myself in our full length mirror.  My jaw almost hit the floor and my reaction was pretty similar to Kevin's reaction during his incident with the aftershave.  I know it didn't disappear over night, but seriously how did I not notice that my once roundish butt was slowly pancaking itself.  Flat as a board, missing the line separating my butt from my hamstrings... basically... 'what butt?'

     I know I've been busy, you know, wiping butts and dressing butts, but how is it that my 6 month old has a better bubble butt than me?  Seriously, this kid is stacked.

     So anyway, after a depressing day of self realization, the hubs arrived home from work and of course the first thing I had to do was ask him if he knew all this time that I was losing my butt and didn't say anything to warn me??  He just looked at me like I was all insane, laughed, and said something like, "It's not a big deal, do some squats."  WELL THANKS TIPS!

     But really, what can I expect?  During my pregnancy I tried to be active, but I wasn't about to do anything more than my preggers yoga DVD, because well, eff that.  This was MY time.  So I did A LOT of Pinning, A LOT of reading, and A LOT of desk work at the office.  And voila! Flat butt syndrome, as I like to call it, is my reward.

     What are ya gonna do?  It's inevitable that your body changes after having a baby, things are looser, extra jiggly and a little saggy.  It happens.  I guess 15 minutes a day of squats or lunges will help... or maybe I'll just buy some easy tones.  Perfect! shoes that work out for you.  Riiiiiiight...



Thursday, December 13, 2012

This Job Is Hard, But Rewarding

     Who knew right?  Being a mom is like receiving a nice big package all wrapped up with bright wrapping paper and bows.  Then you open it up, all excited, and its actually a box full of shit.  Okay not exactly if you picture it, but that's how it feels sometimes.

     Some days are easy peasy.  So easy that I can't actually believe that I'm raising a child.  And those days aren't one in a million or anything so I feel pretty lucky to never have had to deal with some of the things people warned me about before I became a mom.  Like colic, projectile vomit, baby tantrums, nipple confusion.  Nope, none for us thanks.  So while it seems like I'm bragging about my so far so good attempt to care for a life other than my own, I'm actually trying to brace myself for what's in store for the future.

     I'm completely terrified.  And I know when the time comes, I'll be able to handle it.  I'm just not sure how well I'll be able to handle it.  I'm a worrier.  I get freaked out when C makes the tiniest little fuss.  I don't let her "cry it out." I never have and I never will.  I get flustered when she starts fussing.  I'm pretty sure I recall having several emotional breakdowns while we were sleep training.  And did I mention... we are dealing with the easiest of easy babies here.

     I've been told a million times, "oh just wait, your next one will be a devil child."  Oh! why thank you for the awesome advice and warnings friends.  Now I'm gonna go home and get right back on the hubs and start trying for another since you're all making me so excited.  C may end up an only child after all.  Sorry Kid.

     I "pray" every day that my patience is growing stronger so that I'll be able to deal with C in her toddler stage.  I swear, every time I picture her in her terrible two stage, a little voice in my head whispers, Gemini, Gemini, Gemini.   I'm so screwed.  I can already tell that she is going to do things her way and on her time.  She's a baby and she already has a mind of her own.  "Peas?! Oh hell no woman, I'm just going to steal this spoon and hide it somewhere in my chair so you can't feed me this crap."  Yah...it happens daily.

     Some days I'm exhausted.  By no means am I as exhausted as half of the new moms out there, I'm sure.  But for me, I get pretty wiped.  Will there be a full nights rest for me any time in the near future? Nope, probably not.  Will I get to put my feet up and finally finish that book I've been trying to get through for four months? Not a chance.  How about celebrating my quarter century Birthday in a fancy hotel with endless wine in a Jacuzzi tub.  Keep dreaming.

     Did I also mention I'm a big time complainer.  Just me?  Don't get me wrong I'm endlessly grateful for my blessings and every little aspect of my life.  I just need a freaking break sometimes.

     I need to stop thinking that I'm the only person in the world who can give C proper care.  I'm one of those crazy obsessive moms who stands over the shoulder of every person who handles my daughter.  Even her grandparents who have raised seven kids combined, can't get through bath time without me watching their every move.  I put C down for every nap, feed her at every feeding, change her whenever she needs it.  The only duty that I delegate to others is diaper changing.  Luuuuuckkky people in my life!

     I've decided that all this needs to change.  Especially now that C is six months old and isn't breastfeeding anymore.  Oh, and especially because we cut the cord six months ago, Mom, hello it's time to let go a little.  I'm going a little bit insane, never leaving the house, never doing anything alone, and never feeling carefree.

     Today is a day of change!  Well actually tomorrow is.  From this day on, Friday nights are me nights.  Free from messy dinners, bedtime routines, and bottle prep.  Hell, I might just go sit at the mall and drink coffee like the old people, or I might go all out and hit up happy hour with the girls.  Either way, I'm FREEEE!  And it feels so good.



xo, Kiara

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

My Kid Loves Laundry

C is happiest sitting in a laundry basket.  We're not sure why, but she prefers a laundry basket over her exersaucer, bouncer or swing.  Sometimes she hangs out in a basket for an hour entertaining herself.
How did I get so lucky??

This is the best everrr!
You just gonna lie there? Start folding.
Watching mom get ready.
Making forts.
OMG! I'm in the laundry basket again!!
She literally spent an hour in there playing.



xo, Kiara

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Fa La-La-La La La-La La La

Next to St. Patty's Day and Hallowe'en, Christmas is my Favourite!  
Around here we are officially on strict diets of candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup!
Some festive decor with a constant rotation of apple pie and cinnamon scents.


The hubby putting up our first outdoor lights ever.


Baby girl adding the finishing touches.  She thinks we're nuts.


So fascinated by the shiny things.


Finally, this year I got two trees!  As a kid, I remember begging our parents to let us sleep beside the tree the night it went up.  There's something so tranquil about Christmas lights so I made the hubs put one in front of our bed.  He's really happy about it.


LOVE

Breakfast for Dinner Casserole



The Goods:

8 slices of fresh bread, cubed
half green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
2 cups cooked ham, cubed
2 cups marble cheese, shredded
8 eggs
2 cups milk
1 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp paprika
salt & pepper

Make It:
  1. In a lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish, spread out bread cubes.
  2. Top with green pepper, green onion & ham.
  3. In a bowl, beat eggs and add milk and spices and pour over top of bread cubes.
  4. Cover with cheese.
  5. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes ish, or until golden brown and bubbly.

Enjoy,  Kiara



Monday, December 3, 2012

Baby R is 6 Months Old

My sweet girl, 

You are one half of a year old today.  I feel like you've been in our lives forever because I can't picture one second of my life without you in it.  We're bffs, attached at the hip, two peas in a pod, except that you hate peas.  We have an inside joke going about Daddy's funny moustache that he grew for Movember, and a few others too.  We get each other.  And I know someday that will change, but for now I live for your cuddles in the mornings and your silly little laugh.

Some new things you're doing now:

you sit up completely on your own
you hold your own bottle
you're becoming a pro at downward dog
you're sneezing and snotting all over the place, you got your first cold :(
you recognize your friends and your favourite songs
you sleep through the night
you reach out and pet the cats when they walk by

Reading about Christmas baking!
Nope! Not a big fan of peas.
Play Time
I don't need you, I can feed myself now. :(
You weigh 17 pounds and you only fit in 12 month clothing
Your favourite foods are pears and carrots
Your daddy is your favourite person in the world, you get really excited and light up when he's around...
Mommy and Nana are a close second and third.


Love you little ball,
so so much.


xo, Momma