The Life of a Modern Housewife

Mexico!

2012-01-28T14:09:00.002-05:00

Posting about our roadtrip made me realize I never got around to posting pics from our trip in December! And everyone knows that the only reason to travel is to post pics on fb and your blog when you get home right?
We went to the same Mayan Riviera resort we went to last year. ( Bahia Principe Coba), and once again had a great time. Nothing crazy, just one trip to an eco park, a lot of time on the beach, a couple cervecas ;) and a whole week to spend as a family. In other words - heaven.

I cant wait to go away again!

ROADTRIP!

2012-01-28T13:12:00.006-05:00

Me and the hubby were recently had the chance to go on a (kid free!) road trip.
We started in Kelowna BC, (well actually, he started at home, and I flew out to Kelowna to meet him.) and across BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
This was a huge chck off our bucket list and it was a drive to remember thats for sure! I can tell you this though, I dont know how people drive for a living, that was a loooong time in the car.
Canada is a huge and beautiful country, I feel so blessed that we were able to do this. We saw the gorgeous Rocky mountains in BC and alberta, the prairies were endless and had a solemn beauty to them that i didnt expect, and Northern Ontario with its lakes and hills has some of the most unique views Ive ever seen.

I would love to do this drive again, with a little more time. We spent three days driving in total, and I would love having a little more time to explore. It was a great trip though, and it gave me and my hubby a little time to reconnect and just be us, which we really needed.

We started off our trip with a few days at a friends house in Kelowna. We toured around a bit and I even saw wild mountain goats! Kelowna is such a beautiful place.

On the first day of our drive our goal was to reach Airdrie Alberta just outside of Calgary. The weather was perfect for driving and the views were amazing! I spent half the drive in absolute awe of the mountains, they really are breathtaking.

We made such good time coming through the mountains that we were bale to stop at Lake Louise, ive always wanted to see it, and i actually got to walk on the lake! It was freezing though, like minus fifteen plus windchill freezing so we didn't stay too long.

The next day we went through Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The praires are really flat ! Like crazy flat. I always thought those old jokes about watching your dog run away for three days were exaggerations, but you can see for miles!

Just before sunset the sun hit all the fields and turned them gold. It was amazing.

Day three saw us back in Ontario and we started driving just in time to see what has to be one of the most beautiful sunrises in the history of the world.

Ive heard a of of people argue about what the most beautiful view in the world is, but I can tell you, with 100% surety, that it lies here in Canada. It was waiting for us when we pulled into my moms driveway. My girls.

Lazy Saturday

2012-01-28T11:38:00.003-05:00

As different as every mommy is, theres one thing we can all agree on. Lazy days,the kind where you can just kick back,relax,and let the world fly by, are very few and far between. Im not talking about the days when you spend your time cleaning, cooking, and running errands and yet it still seems like nothing gets done. Im talking about thebtimes when nothing gets done ON PURPOSE.
It is now almost lunch and I have done nothing. Me and the girls are still in our jammies and my only plansbfor the day is a whole lot more of the same. Even the baby is on it!
I love days like this.

2012-01-14T12:21:00.001-05:00

Dont Carpe Diem

2012-01-10T10:00:00.003-05:00

I recently read an amazing blog post by Momastery.

We've all been there, out shopping, or at the bank with a screaming baby, a crazy toddler, and about three seconds of patience left before we say screw it, and either sit down in the middle of the lineup and cry, or run screaming from building. Of course that's when some well meaning older lady or gentleman will tap you on the shoulder, tell you how beautiful your family is and that you should Carpe Diem.
I try to remember to savor the small moments, I do, but its not always possible is it? Sometimes entire days can go by in a blur and before you know it the kids are asleep and you realize that even though you were with them all day, you really didn't DO anything with them, you didn't stop to smell the roses, and you certainly didn't Carpe much Diem.
So the mommy guilt begins to seep in.
This is a great read for every mommy out there who lives a busy life, who has more to do in a day than to stare lovingly at her children for hours on end soaking up every. last. second of their childhoods. I actually printed it off and out it up in my kitchen.
Enjoy.

Dont Carpe Diem

Drool

2012-01-10T09:56:00.000-05:00

Love this look!

My day today

2012-01-10T09:36:00.002-05:00

Today I am babysitting my nephew, he's 8 and the girls love him.
I was going to take this opportunity to get some laundry done, maybe stock up my freezer with some meals, clean up and do all the little things that can be one when you have an extra set of eyes on your kids.
Except that this is what has happened so far,

Kids say the darndest things

2012-01-10T09:13:00.003-05:00

This is an actual conversation that transpired in my house yesterday, while I was on the phone with my mom

Sophia: mommy, mommy,mommy

Me: Hold on baby mommy's on the phone

Sophia: Mom, mommy, mama, mama, mama, MOM, mommy, mom, mommy MOM, MAMA, mamamommymommamamommyMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMA
MOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMOM
MOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMMOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMMOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMMOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMMOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMMOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMMMOMMOMMYMOMMAMAMOMMYMOMMOMMOMMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMOMMAMAMOMM

Me (hand over the receiver): What? What? What?

Sophia: Go away mommy

Mom (who is oh so sympathetic): Wow! you're raising a little you.

Oh the joys of a two year old.

Braids, must have braids!

2012-01-10T09:01:00.002-05:00

Is anyone else reading the Beauty Department? Can I tell you how much I love it?
Its yet another of my Pinterest finds.
I am inept at hair. My hair lives in a ponytail, a plain boring uninspired ponytail. If i want to get a little fancy, i may even sidepart it. Then I found The Beauty Department and my eyes were opened to a world of braids, buns, twists, waves and combinations of them all.
Unfortunately I have a dirty little secret.

I don't know how to french braid. You're shocked right? I knwo , I should have warned you that a revelation was coming.
I have tried a few of the tutorials and although i seem to be following the directions, i never end up with the smooth glossy even braids they show, more like a strange bumpy mess.
but Im getting better, and I keep trying.
One of these days I am going to post a picture of the perfect french braid i put in my own hair.
Until then, Im probably going to stick to my ponytail though, with one of these thrown in every now and then to break it up,
because that ones actually pretty easy =)

D@mn you pinterest!

2012-01-10T08:53:00.003-05:00

Does anyone else feel like Pinterest is slowly stealing all of their time?
Every. Single. Time. I go there, i am bombarded by amazing food, projects, hairstyles, clothes, trips, babies and i want to do it all. I have boards and boards of cool stuff i want to do (read, cook, paint, glitterify) and zero time to do it all.
I had a list of my top three faves, I was going to stick to it. I wasnt going to get sidetracked and start a new project until everything else was complete.
but then I logged on, and saw this;
The pin
and I must have it! (hangs head in shame)
Does anyone know of a Pinterest addiction group in the Greater Toronto Area?

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-20T15:56:00.003-04:00

Its been a bit quiet around here....

2011-07-20T15:53:00.002-04:00

but for a great reason I swear. I am so proud to announce the arrival Of Vanessa Leigh on Friday June 24th (5 days late). Mommy and baby are doing great, and Sophia loves being a big "sisser".

Our Maternity/Family Photos with Michell Collis Photography

2011-06-16T15:55:00.005-04:00

Me, the hubby and Sophia were recently lucky enough to get together with Michelle of Michelle Collis Photography for a combination maternity/family photo shoot.
I desperately wanted to have maternity photos done when i was pregnant with Sophia but we just never had time, and with all the complications we had at the beginning/middle of this pregnancy I am so happy to have made it to a point this time around where we could do it.

Michelle is an amazingly talented photographer and her suggestion of a conservation area just north of Toronto was perfect for the vibe we wanted. Here are some of the pics she took for us, you can see more on her blog here. While you're there take some time to check out her work, especially the sweet little babies, you'll be glad you did.

I want to send a huge thank you to Michelle for these pics, they came out so amazing and I can't thank you enough! If you're in the GTA and looking for a photographer I highly recommend you check her out.

Amazing Deal Alert - My Little Legs and My Little Noggins

2011-06-16T15:29:00.005-04:00

If you are a fan of baby leggings you need to head straight over to My Little Leggings

They are having a sale right now that saves you more the more you buy. In addition to that you can use the coupon code Summer2011 to save an additional 10%, and they're offering free shipping to Canada and the United States.I just scored 15 pairs of leggings for under $40.

This is an amazing deal when you consider that some brands (cough cough baby legs cough cough) are charging close to $20/pair!

I love these leggings i used them on sophia all the time!
In the winter underneath looser fitting track pants so her legs stayed warm on walks.
In the summer with little skirts or just onesies they look adorable and make diaper changes a breeze.
They are lifesavers for the crawling stage and the learning to walk stage, i cant count the number of times they've saved her little knees from scrapes
Im also going to use them when were potty training, so much easier than pants.

So head on over to My Little Legs and score some for yourselves. While you're there check out their great selection of hats, headbands and skirts as well.
Happy Shopping.

You too can be a (semi)extreme couponer

2011-05-30T15:52:00.002-04:00

I have recently become addicted to the show Extreme Couponing on TLC.
I am amazed at the deals these women are able to get, and while I may not be willing to spend 60+ hours a week getting ready to go grocery shopping, it has definitely inspired me. Unfortunately what i quickly discovered is that here in the great white north couponing is not as easy as it is in the US.
Most of these women rely on loyalty cards loaded with ecoupons (not available in ca), coupon stacking (not available except at one chain of stores that isnt in my province), and stores that offer coupon doubling (again nowhere in canada). Another hurdle Ive come up across is the refusal to accept printed coupons found on the internet.
What i have discovered though is that there are a lot of brands and websites that alow you to order coupons that are then mailed to your home. And while the savings dont add up to the hundreds (thousands) that the shoppers of extreme couponing are enjoying they can add up. I was able to save $27 off of a $100 shopping trip last week, and next week im hoping to do the same. It may not be much but it can add up. ($27 saved off of a biweekly shopping trip can add up to over $700 a year).
If you want to get started with your own no-quite-extreme couponing these sites are a great start;
(note all require you to sign up using your email)

save.ca
gocoupons.ca
websaver.ca
brandsaver.ca

and my personal favorite Mrsjanuary.com which is a great site because not only does it link you with new coupons mulitple times a day, it has also cataloged all the couponing policies for most of the larger stores in Canada. The best part about MrsJanuary though, in my opinion, is the coupon match up. Once a week the site will list all the sales that the major retailers are offering (from their flyers) and automatically match up the deals with recent coupons, this is a great way to save a ton of $$$, or even get things for free!
Check it out here, MrsJanuary

Happy Shopping
Jaymi

Happy Mothers Day from Modern Housewife

2011-05-08T22:35:00.002-04:00

I suddenly have the urge to be fitted for a bra Semi NSFW

2011-04-18T11:07:00.001-04:00

Guidelines for dealing with pregnant women

2011-03-14T14:25:00.000-04:00

I seriously need a few copies of this to give out,
Dear Non-Pregnant Person,

I hope you find these guidelines helpful in your interactions with pregnant women, as failing to follow them may result in serious physical harm. If you are thinking, surely she doesn’t mean me – then you should probably read this twice.

1. The appropriate response to a couple telling you they are having a baby is ‘Congratulations!’ with enthusiasm. Any other response makes you a jerk.

2. Through the wonders of science, we now know that babies are made ONLY by the mother and father – not grandparents. Unless the baby is in your uterus or you are the man that helped put it there, you may not ever use the phrase ‘my baby’.

3. On the same note, unless you made the baby as defined in 2, the pregnancy, birth, and raising of the child are not about you. You do not have input. No one wants to hear your opinion unless they ask for it…

4. The body of a pregnant woman should be treated the same as any other body. You would not randomly touch someone’s stomach if they were not pregnant, nor would you inquire into the condition of their uterus, cervix, or how they plan to use their breasts. Pregnancy does not remove all traces of privacy from a woman.

5. Likewise, no woman wants to hear comments on her weight…ever. A pregnant woman does not find it flattering that you think she is about is pop, must be having twins, looks swollen or has gained weight in her face. Telling her she looks too small only makes her worry that she is somehow starving her baby. Making such comments invite her to critique your physical appearance and you may not act offended. The only acceptable comment on appearance is ‘You look fabulous!’.

6. By the time we are 20-30 years old, most of us have picked up on the fact that the summer is hot. We are hot every summer when we are not pregnant. We don’t need you to point out that we will be miserably hot before the baby comes. Nor do we need to know how badly you will feel for us because we will be pregnant during the summer and how glad you are that YOU will not be pregnant this coming summer.

7. There is a reason that tickets to Labor & Delivery are not yet sold on Ticketmaster. Childbirth is actually not a public event. It may sound crazy, but some women really do not relish the idea of their mother, MIL, or a host of other family members seeing their bare butt and genitals. Also, some people simply feel like the birth of their child is a private and emotional moment to be shared only by the parents. You weren’t invited to be there when the baby was created, you probably won’t be invited to be there when it comes out either.

8. Like everything else in life, unless you receive an invitation, you are NOT invited. This includes doctor appointments, ultrasounds, labor, delivery, the hospital, and the parent’s home. You do not decide if you will be there for the birth or if you will move in with the new parents to ‘help out’. If your assistance is desired, rest assured that you will be asked for it.

9. If you are asked to help after the birth, this means you should clean up the house, help with cooking meals, and generally stay out of the way. Holding the baby more than the parents, interfering with breastfeeding and sleeping schedules, and making a woman who is still leaking fluid from multiple locations lift a finger in housework is not helping.

10. The only people entitled to time with the baby are the parents. Whether they choose to have you at the hospital for the birth or ask for you to wait three weeks to visit, appreciate that you are being given the privilege of seeing their child. Complaining or showing disappointment only encourages the parents to include you less.

Sincerely,

All the Pregnant Women in the World

Look what I made

2011-03-11T09:57:00.002-05:00

Not bad for a beginner....

A "weaningful" poem

2011-03-02T16:47:00.001-05:00

I came across this poem this morning on a message board i frequent and it made me bawl.
I hope you enjoy it.

I know that our relationship is growing and changing,

But I still need you. I need your warmth and closeness,

Especially at the end of the day

When we snuggle up in bed.

Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.

I know you think I can be patient,

Or find something to take the place of a nursing -

A book, a glass of something,

But nothing can take your place when I need you.

Sometimes just cuddling with you,

Having you near me is enough.

I guess I am growing and becoming independent,

But please be there.

This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,

Please don't break it abruptly.

Wean me gently,

Because I am your mother,

And my heart is tender.

~ Cathy Cardall

Im home

2011-03-01T16:08:00.002-05:00

and im loving every minute of it. Today at least. Yesterday was a little more difficult.
Yesterday i was discharged form the hospital after lunch, i was so happy to be going home. There really is something magic about being in your own surroundings, it can make you feel a thousand ties better in an instant, and it did.
I wasnt prepared though, for how shell shocked i would feel when i got home. It was like i was in a daze. Thank god for my wonderful husband who took care of Sophia for me so I could just relax. I think yesterday was when all the weekends events really sank in. Its so scary to think how close we came to losing Vanessa, I cant imagine. I just cant.
After spending a night in my own bed under the same roof as Sophia and Donald though, i feel a lot better today. Donald had to go to work this morning and so I came over to my moms so that she could take care of us. Its not my house but its still home and i can feel my spirits starting to come around to the positive side a little bit more.
Tonight we go and see our midwives, im so happy that we get to continue seeing them. My midwife J. has been a huge source of support through all of this, and I am looking forward to having her as a part of this pregnancy and hopefully the birth. I have so many questions for them, though i doubt there are many answers at this point, we just have to wait and see. I have another ultrasound booked for Friday so have a few more answers then.
I want to apologise if my writing has been all over the place in the last few days, i expect it will continue to be for a while, its how my head feels right now, all over the place. I will keep everyone updated as I learn.

I miss this chubby little princess

2011-02-28T10:15:00.000-05:00

but hopefully ill be home with her tonight

UpDate #2

2011-02-28T09:35:00.003-05:00

I am officially wireless as of 8 am this morning. My IV has been removed, and it feels great! It is such a huge PITA to try and be comfortable when you cant move your arm.
Im trying to not read too much into it though, even though i was told theres a good chance I can go home today, because the only reason they took it out is because my vein burst, which is not actually as bad as it sounds, but my arm is really swollen. Luckily it didnt happen until after I got the last bag of required antibiotics into my system.
I really want to go home today, i do not enjoy being in the hospital at all. I wanted nothing more than to be with Sophia and I spent the entire night Saturday in tears. I have to say it was the worst night of my life. I was terrified for Vanessa, i had no idea what was going on, if she was going to make it through this or not.
I have to say being told it looks like your water is broken and your child will have a next to zero percent chance of survival is something i would not wish on my worst enemy.
I felt so helpless, this was my child, i should be able to protect her.
The first gush of fluid had happened at 9:30 saturday morning and my only comfort saturday night was the fact that I had had next to no leaking all day and that the ultrasound taken 5 hours after the gush showed my cervix was still perfectly long and closed and Vanessa had a normal amount of fluid around her still. Then at one oclock in the morning it happened again, another gush. No nearly as much as the last time but a gush of clear fluid none the less.
I called the nurse in tears and was told that they didnt want to do another amnioswab becasue of the risk of infection but they were going to watch me closely for leaking and contractions. my vitals and babies hb were doing great so they told me to get some sleep. That didnt happen.
I stayed up all night praying for my daughter. I am so thankful to know that I was not the only one, and I will never forgot the wonderful support, love and prayers our little family have received over the last few days.
By morning, i had no leakage still and had not had a single contraction, and i started to let myself hope. The dr on call came to visit me after lunch and he seemed so positive. He thinks that the tear has already gone a long way towards healing and that, I may even be able to go home after 48 hours of antibiotics had been put in my system. Just as long as i continued to not leak and had no contractions. 48 hours of antibiotics were complete as of this morning and now I just have to wait to see the dr today. I am feeling so positive today. Vanessa kicked up a storm last night and I just cant imagine that anything could happen to her, I am so in love already with this little girl.

UpDate #1

2011-02-28T09:34:00.000-05:00

I just finished talking to the dr. on call here, it looks like they think the tear has already sealed itself up pretty well. I have had next to no leakage since yesterday which is a great sign and if it keeps up I should be able to go home tomorrow!!!!!
Between now and then I need to have another steroid injection, three more doses of antibiotics, and no more leakage.
Ill keep you updated as I learn more.

2011-02-26T22:13:00.000-05:00

Today has not been a good day for me and my family.
I am currently sitting, at 23 weeks 6 days in labour and delivery because it looks like my water is broken.
I got here at about 11 this morning and have had test after test after test, including a 2 hour ultrsound and a consult with the NICU that was pretty grim.
So far the tests have all come back inconclusive as to exactly what is going to happen but it looks like its a tear not a full rupture which gives us a chance at least. I had soemthing similar with DD but I was 34 weeks and it was a lot less fluid.
Ill keep everybody updated as I find out whats going on but we could really use some positive thoughts and prayers if you can spare them.

Drool

2011-02-24T16:25:00.002-05:00

How absolutely insanely gorgeous are these baby boots by ZuZii?

23 Week Appointment

2011-02-24T14:14:00.003-05:00

Weight gain: 7 lbs! In 5 weeks ! I think I need to lay off the pudding. Or maybe I need to not weigh myself, I haven't decided which.

Blood Pressure: 100/60 Good

Heartbeat: 140 but you could barely hear it with all the jumping around going on in there.

Questions/Concerns: None. Everything looks great. It seems Ive entered the boring part of my pregnancy. Nothing really coming up in the next few weeks. I like boring though, boring is good.

And just for fun, here is my 23 week belly

Gorgeous blue nursery for a little girl

2011-02-14T08:26:00.003-05:00

Since my husband has veto'd blue as the main color in our baby girls room, I must live vicariously through other people nurseries, like this gorgeous blue and orange room.

Sunday Night Funny

2011-02-13T22:14:00.000-05:00

22 Weeks Pregnant

2011-02-13T10:54:00.000-05:00

Baby's now the size of a papaya!
Baby's settling into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.

Milestone: Not too much exciting this week

Feeling: HUGE!

Cravings: Chinese food and poutine

Wishing for: a window in my belly

Looking Forward To: painting the nursery

Reading: The Killing Kind by John Connelly

Favourite clothes right now: PJs

Current Project: getting the nursery ready

Drool

2011-02-12T11:26:00.000-05:00

Have you seen these two new prints from Petunia PickleBottoms Organic Collection?
Deco Dandelion

and Moonlit Moments

Available at Layla Grace

The Green Monster

2011-02-11T12:26:00.000-05:00

My daughter has always been a Daddy's Little Girl. She adores him, and doesn't keep it a secret. Its been that way since day one. Don't get me wrong, she loves me too, its just that in her eyes, Daddy is the greatest. I cant say I blame her, she does have a great daddy.
It's not that I doubt that she loves me, i get so many hugs and kisses all day, every day that it would be impossible to doubt, but there's no denying that daddy is her rock star.

Every day it seems Sophia is learning new things, new words, new ways to express herself, new games, she is constantly learning. Her new thing is sentences, she is so proud is herself when she learns a new sentence. It started with "Bye-Bye Daddy", then there was "whats that?" which she uses about a bazillion times a day.

Her newest sentence though, blew us both away. We were sitting at the dinner table, and both me and Daddy were playing with Sophia as she ate. Out of nowhere, in a voice as clear as a bell, she said,

"I love you Daddy"

It was probably almost thirty seconds before I could pick my jaw up off the floor. Sophia hears the words I love you at least a hundred times a day from me and Daddy, but she has never said them back,
Never.
I was overjoyed, my little girl just declared her love.
I wanted to jump up and grab her, give her tons of hugs and kisses, but Daddy had already scooped her up in his arms and was dancing around the living room.

I let them have their moment, and later on after we had tucked her into

bed, when we were sitting on the couch talking about the day, and he was just beaming with pride thinking about his little girls adoration, I tried not to let my jealousy show, but I will admit it was hard.

It's been a week since she said it, and she has yet to say it again. I try constantly to get her to say it, the kid must hear "I love you Chickadee" no less than 200 times a day, but she's holding out. I think she knows if she makes me wait, she can milk this. Many of you may doubt that a fourteen month old can have the plotting power of a James Bond super villain but its true. You just watch, she'll say those words again, and I bet you it will be in a toy aisle.
and It will probably work.

Lusting

2011-02-11T11:21:00.003-05:00

Oh My God I just have to have this amazing chandelier from Layla Grace!
Its exactly what Ive been looking for for Vanessa's room.
I'm just waiting for them to have a 95% off sale, since an $800 chandeleir is a little out of my budget....

A fantastic Woodland Nursery for a little boy

2011-02-11T11:15:00.003-05:00

How gorgeous are the colors in this room?
I love the natural accents in the light and the carpet as well

21 Weeks Pregnant

2011-02-06T07:42:00.000-05:00

Baby's now the size of a banana!
Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

Milestone: We actually got started on her room, and I bought her very first sleeper, also I saw my belly move for the first time this week

Feeling: hungry

Cravings: red velvet cheesecake, im eating a piece right now

Wishing for: a window in my belly

Looking Forward To: painting the nursery

Reading: nothing at all

Favourite clothes right now: PJs

Current Project: getting the nursery ready

In honor of the Super Bowl

2011-02-05T11:32:00.002-05:00

I have deemed tomorrow a munchies day! Sophia is going to have a field day.
Heres what I'm making.

Restaurant Style Salsa
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Chili Beef Quesadillas
What are your favorite party snacks?

Something to think about

2011-01-31T21:59:00.004-05:00

Whenever anybody finds out that I am planning a VBAC ( vaginal birth after csection) I can almost bet that the first question they are going to ask is, aren't you afraid of your uterus tearing open? In truth, yes, I am afraid of uterine rupture, but not nearly as much as I'm afraid of being cut open again, having 6-8 weeks of painful recovery, dealing with the risk of infection and anesthesia, and all of the other potential risks that are brought about with a repeat C-section. I dont know why, but people seem to think that Cesareans are safe, yes, I understand that they are performed millions of times over throughout the world, but it is still MAJOR surgery.
I have been reading up on VBACS since I had my daughter, it was never really an option in my mind to not try for one. I just feel that for me, its the right thing to do, and thankfully my husband and midwives agree.
I recently came across a really interesting article over at Sage Femme on uterine rupture during VBAC that I thought I would share with you all.

Ruptures are more common than dying in a plane crash. Henci Goer's review of the literature on VBACs found 46 ruptures in 15,154 labors. This equates to a 0.3% rate... or 1 in 333, if you prefer. Your annual risk of dying in a plane crash is 1 in 4000, according to one source, and 1 in 700,000 according to another.

Since you asked, here are some more probability statistics for you:

Your risk of dying in a car accident, over the course of your lifetime, is between 1 in 42 and 1 in 75. This is roughly 4 to 5 times greater than the risk of uterine rupture.

You're about twice as likely to have your car stolen (that's an annual risk) than to experience a uterine rupture.

Your odds of being murdered are 1 in 140 over the course of your lifetime. That's 2 times more likely than the risk of rupture.

The annual risk of having a heart attack is 1 in 160, 2 times more likely than rupture. Your risk of dying from heart disease is roughly 1 in 6, or 55 times greater than your risk of rupture.

If you're a smoker, your risk of dying from lung cancer is 1 and a half times more likely than a VBAC mom rupturing during her labor.

You're about 17 times more likely to contract an STD this year than you are to have a uterine rupture; more likely to contract gonorrhea than to rupture, as well.

You're 13 times more likely to get food poisoning than to rupture.

You're more likely to have twins than a uterine rupture. Odds of twins: 1 in 90. That's about 3 1/2 times the likelihood of rupture.

If you ride horseback, you're 3 times more likely to die in a riding accident than you are to experience a uterine rupture.

If you ride a bike on the street, you are 4 times more likely to die in an accident (annual risk) than you are to suffer a rupture.

Having a serious fire in your home during the next year is twice as likely as experiencing a rupture.

You're ten times as likely to win at roulette as you are to have a uterine rupture.

If you flip a coin, you'll be more likely to get heads (or tails) 8 times in a row than to rupture.

The risk of cord prolapse is 1 in 37 (2.7%), or nearly ten times more likely than that of rupture.

And a final irony (heads up, those of you who want a doc to give his/her opinion on your likelihood of rupture next pregnancy!)...

You're 6 times more likely to have a doctor who is an impostor than you are to suffer a rupture. Two percent of docs are phonies (1 in 50), according to several sources I found.

So instead of worrying about rupture, why not take a few minutes to check up on your doctor's credentials? ;) It'd be a more profitable use of your time, and a substantially more likely cause for alarm.

20 Weeks Pregnant

2011-01-30T10:21:00.002-05:00

Baby's now the size of a cantaloupe!
Baby gulps down several ounces of amniotic fluid every day, both for nutrition and to practice swallowing and digesting. And, these days, those taste buds actually work! Studies show that after birth, babies respond best to tastes they've already had via amniotic fluid. Meaning, think about what you'd like your future child to eat as you prepare your own lunch.

Milestone: We found out last Wednesday that were having another girl

Feeling: Tired yet unable to sleep, but also starting to get really excited

Cravings: everything from fish and chips to chow mein to salt and vinegar chip sandwiches.

Wishing for: a window in my belly

Looking Forward To: getting the nursery started finally

Reading: nothing at all

Favourite clothes right now: PJs

Current Project: getting the nursery ready

It's A . . . .

2011-01-27T09:31:00.001-05:00

Modern Housewife is so incredibly pleased to share that our upcoming bundle of joy is.....

! ! ! A GIRL ! ! !

We are so thrilled to be expecting our second little princess Vanessa in June.

Dear Daughter

2011-01-27T06:41:00.000-05:00

Gorgeous grey nursery

2011-01-26T16:47:00.002-05:00

I came across this grey, white and yellow nursery on Project Nursery this morning. I love this combination. Grey can be a tricky colour in the nursery but I think this mama did it just right.

Booby Traps

2011-01-25T14:54:00.004-05:00

I recently came across an article through Best For Babies that really spoke to me.
It talked about the "Booby Traps" or roadblock that almost every new mom faces if she decides to breastfeed. A lot of them are things you wouldnt even think would affect your feeding choices, for example whether or not your mom or friends breastfed, but these seemingly minor details can have profound effect on you if you are already doubting yourself even a little bit.
And lets face it, we all doubt ourselves even under the best of circumstances, and becoming a mother, with all of the responsibilities involved with it, can be one of our most vulnerable times.
If you've been reading this blog for a while you know I am very pro breastfeeding, and while I know its not possible or even desirable for every mom to breastfeed, I really do beleive that a lot of women who do want to breastfeed are given road-blocks every step of the way.
For me, breastfeeding my daughter until she was 13 months old is a huge accomplishment. I loved doing it, and there was never a doubt in my mind that i wouldn't do everything in my power to continue our relationship as long as it was mutually beneficial, but at the beginning especially, there were a lot of people and situations that made it a lot more difficult than it had to be.
There were two in particular from the article that I could especially relate to;

You’ve taken a childbirth preparation class, and think you are ready, but breastfeeding got only an hour tacked on at the end, or you took a hospital breastfeeding class but, that unbeknownst to you, included myths and misinformation and was given at a hospital that does not have a good track record for breastfeeding continuation (ask how many moms leave the hospital exclusively breastfeeding if you really want to know how committed they are).

During my hospital registration and hospital stay, it was drilled into me that my hospital was pro-breastfeeding, but I found this to be the opposite of the truth. I was told before going in for my C-section that I would be able to breastfeed in the recovery room. After two and a half hours of waiting I finally asked the nurse when I would be able to hold my baby and breastfeed her, and I was told I had to wait until I got a room because they wouldn't be able to transport me with the baby in my bed.
I had my husband bring her to me anyway and I fed my child for the first time under the unapproving looks of he nurse. Once I got her though, I didn't want to let go, and the porter never even batted an eye about taking me to my room as I held my daughter.
The second obstacle I faced was when the weighed my daughter, she was born at 6 lbs 11 oz and by the second day she had dropped to six lbs. The nurses started talking about supplementing her with formula. I asked to speak with the lactation consultant on staff before I did that and was told I would have to wait, possibly until the next morning.
Luckily I had packed the contact information of a lactation clinic that i had already decided to use for my follow up care. I called them and explained the situation. They told me that it was in my best interests to supplement with the formula, but to use a tube attached to my nipple to do so.
I had learned about this technique through my prenatal classes and was comfortable trying it. When the nurse came back though, I asked her if the hospital supplied the tubes, she had never even heard of them. I asked a second nurse and she told me that the tubes were impossible to clean, difficult to use and very uncomfortable.
This went against what I had read about them before, and so I sent my husband in search of one figuring one of the twenty plus stores in the hospital would have it, but no luck. In fact the only breastfeeding supplies he could find i any of the stores were pumps and they only carried one type from one brand .I couldn't beleive it, you could buy everything from a christmas tree to a coffee mug to a welcome mat, but nowhere carried breastfeeding supplies.
In the end we ended up having to use the bottle provided by the hospital. I figured supplementing for one night wouldn't hurt, and the next day after we were released we could track down a tube.
I was so mistaken, after the very first bottle my daughters latch changed, after the second it was as if she had forgotten how. Even though we were breastfeeding at every feeding
(feeding for twenty minutes per side, then pumping for twenty minutes per side, repeated every two hours) the bottle was completely undermining our efforts.
I was so stressed out and I didnt know what to do, on one hand Sophia needed the formula in order to gain weight. The words failure to thrive were already being whispered by my nurses and threats were being made about keeping her in the hospital. On the other hand the bottle was destroying her ability to latch. Even worse, we still hadn't seen nor heard from the LC.
Luckily, we were released the next morning and were able to see the lactation clinic of our choice that afternoon. The difference between the hospital and the clinic was night and day. They listened to my concerns, they watched me feed her, weighed her before and after and concluded that she was getting milk. They showed me how to hold her chin so she would latch properly, provided us with a feeding tube and most importantly gave us the confidence that we could reverse the damage done by the bottle.
Now this was pro-breastfeeding.
They also told us that Sophias weight at birth had probably not been a true weight. I had had an extended labor before the C-section. For almost forty eight hours I had been hooked up to steady stream of pitocin, antibiotics, and fluids. According to our Dr at the lactation clinic, most babies born after similar labors lose more than 10% of their body weight when they lose the excess fluid from the labor. I was shocked, this hadn't even been brought up in the hospital.
They told me that it was up to me if I wanted to continue supplementing or not, but they recommended that i did just in case. I went with their recommendation and they taught me how to tube feed her the formula, they also told me that i only needed to supplement an ounce a feeding, and as I was able to pump more and more I would need less formula.
Happily, after almost a week of breastfeeding and pumping every two hours around the clock, as well as daily visits and weigh ins at the clinic, my milk was in enough that we were able to stop supplementing, and within two weeks, she was above her birth weight.
I am so glad that I had been proactive about choosing a lactation clinic, they were immeasurable helpful to me in the first few days and weeks. Had I relied on my "pro-breastfeeding" hospital to guide me through, I doubt I would have made it.

Your pediatrician charts your baby’s weight against formula-fed babies and thinks she/he is undernourished, undermining your confidence and self-esteem. Compared against breastfed babies, your baby is healthy and thriving, but your pediatrician doesn’t know that breastfed babies have different growth patterns so he recommends you supplement with formula.

My dr. was constantly telling me that Sophia was underweight, or gaining too slowly. She was consistently in the tenth percentile according to his charts. Luckily I knew that Breastfed babies grow at different rates than formula fed babies according to the WHO. I followed the chart on KellyMom and never worried about her growth.

It can be hard to know who to trust when everyone is giving you conflicting information. The best thing you can do for yourself and your child, is to educate yourself in advance of giving birth, on the choices you have. Talk to your friends and relatives that have breastfed and find a lactation clinic in your area before you give birth. Ask questions, and dont be afraid to question any information given to you. Demand second opinions.

But most of all, trust your instincts, dont let anybody make you doubt a decision you made in the best interests of you or your family. Always remember that you are the expert on your child.

Click here to read the rest of the Booby Trap Article at BestForBabies.com

This is one of may all time favorite photos from the first few days after having Sophia. I loved feeding her, and she loved to eat, actually she still does to this day.

Pom Poms

2011-01-25T09:14:00.001-05:00

I never would have thought to put paper pom poms in a nursery, but they look so great!

Mommy Wars

2011-01-24T12:20:00.002-05:00

I recently came across this article on the Bump and I wanted to share it with you.

As moms, we've all heard our parenting skills being questioned or even criticized at one point or another. (Hey, it's practically a rite of passage.) But while some comments might be easy to brush off, others sting a little bit. Maybe it was your mother-in-law's "sage" advice at the family barbecue, warning that you’re swaddling too tight; or what's-her-face from Mommy and Me class preaching the wonders of Cry It Out and how you've been spoiling baby with too much attention. No matter what kind of unsolicited advice, snarky comment, or off-the-cuff remark has been hurled your way, chances are it’s left you thinking the same thing: Maybe you’re not really that good of a mother after all. Find out why we all fall victim to the mommy wars and how to win the next battle.

Read the entire article here.

Calm and serene nurseries

2011-01-24T07:08:00.002-05:00

I love the sense of peace that these nurseries invoke.

Meal Planning Week 2

2011-01-23T12:59:00.002-05:00

Monday
Cheesy Baked Penne

Tuesday
Maple Dijon Chicken

Wednesday
Speedy Chicken Stir Fry

Thursday
Club Quesadillas

Friday
Date Night!

Saturday
Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

Sunday
Grilled Pork Chops with Paprika Rub

Enjoy

Polka Dot Nurseries

2011-01-23T11:00:00.002-05:00

19 weeks Pregnant

2011-01-23T09:17:00.000-05:00

Baby's now the size of a mango!
Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

How's Mommy Doing This Week?

Milestone: We have our big utrasound on Monday and I cannot wait!

Feeling: Hungry. All. The. Time

Cravings: I have been a hoover this week eating anything and everything I can get my hands on. My husand is impressed.

Wishing for: Wednesday to hurry up and be here

Looking Forward To: Wednesday, Lol

Reading: Would you beleive me if I said Faust? Ok, I mean Cosmo

Favourite clothes right now: PJs

Current Project: getting the nursery ready

Sophia loves her pacifier...

2011-01-22T14:26:00.000-05:00

maybe a little too much . . .

There should be a law

2011-01-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

against pregnant women reading cooking blogs. I would'nt follow it mind you but it should still exist, and this is why.

Baked Potato Soup
by Smitten Kitchen

Baked Potato Soup

Serves 6

1 head garlic
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium leeks, white and light green parts halved lengthwise, washed, and chopped small
5 to 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (I used 5 cups; add the extra cup after pureeing if you’d like a thinner soup)
2 bay leaves
Table salt
2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup sour cream
Ground black pepper

Toppings, optional:
Minced fresh chives or scallions
Bacon bits
Sour cream
Grated cheddar
A drizzle of melted (or melted and browned) butter

Rinse the head of garlic to remove any outside grit or dirt. Cut the top third off the head and peel any loose papery skins off the bottom two-thirds. Instead of discarding the top third (CI’s suggestion), pop out a bunch (or all) of the garlic clove tips and mince them. If you’re Deb, breathe a sigh of relief that you have wasted nothing.

In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add leeks and cook them until soft (but not brown), about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook another minute. Add the larger part of the garlic head (whole, not chopped), broth, bay leaves and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat and simmer until garlic is very tender when pierced with tip of knife, 30 to 40 minutes. Add potatoes and continue to simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Discard bay leaves. Remove garlic heads. Optional: If you’d like an extra garlic boost to the soup, using tongs or paper towels, squeeze garlic head at root end until cloves slip out of their skins. Using a fork, mash the garlic cloves to smooth paste and add it back to the soup. [I felt our soup was garlicky enough without this. It had a great suggestion of garlic without overpowering the baked potato flavor.]

Add sour cream to soup and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Adjust seasonings, adding more salt and pepper to taste. Using immersion blender, process soup until chunky-creamy, leaving lots of potato texture intact. (Alternatively, transfer a portion of the potatoes and broth to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.) Serve with whatever makes you happy on top, or nothing at all.

Head n over to the recipe page if you want to see some fantastic food porn.

Nautical Themed Nurseries

2011-01-22T10:51:00.001-05:00

Small Space with big Style

2011-01-21T17:53:00.000-05:00

Now this is using the most of your space. I love how the pop of red and black details seem to fill this room without overwhelming it.

I am so in love with this messy little face

2011-01-21T14:05:00.002-05:00

A Nursery Fit For A Prince

2011-01-21T11:04:00.003-05:00

I am in love with this nursery. Ive actually been debating whether or not to share it since its almost exactly what I want to do if the baby Im baking turns out to be a boy. I love the soft colors and the poem decal is fantastic. One of my favorite touches though are the drown hooks in the last picture (you can pick up your own at
Careyleigh 007 and To Sasha With Love)

A beautiful and serene nursery

2011-01-21T10:44:00.002-05:00

How peaceful is this room? and I love that they used the same mobile as we have in Sophia's room.

and then there were names

2011-01-21T10:08:00.003-05:00

We have our names picked! I never thought it would happen.

Picking names this time around turned out to be way harder than either of us anticipated. With Sophia it was so easy, we loved the name Sophia, that was it. A boys name was a little more difficult but we eventually decided on Nikolas.

This time around I must have brought up 2500+ names to my husband and he hated them all. It was at the point where i was just going to give up and we would let the nurses in the hospital decide.

Our first challenge came with picking a boys name, I still liked Nikolas, but I wasnt sure about it. There are so many great names out there. Would Hunter or Mason suit our baby boy better? What about Greyson or Jett? After a few days of deliberations though we had made a decision for a boys name. It wasn't too traumatic.

Then came the search for a girls name. I pored over list upon list, i read all the film and television credits in super slow motion, I pored through magazines, searching for that perfect name for our little princess.

I fell in love with Olivia, Emmerson, Madison, and Brooke, my wonderful husband hated them all. I brought up Alison, Maya, and Diana, not the right name he said. Charlotte, Ava, Addison, Harper, Scarlet and Grace all got shot down. I brought up Abigail, thinking Abby was such a gorgeous nickname, he asked if we were having a senior citizen or a baby. Nicole, Natalie, Hannah and Leah were out because he had dated one of each. Nothing was fitting, I was starting to think we were going to have a nameless baby.

But then it happened, I read him a name and he liked it. I was elated. We had a name!

Veronica.

I called family and friends to let them know. I celebrated.

Then, fifteen minutes later, he came to me and said he had changed his mind, he wasnt sure he liked Veronika anymore, and didn't my cousin have an ex named Veronica? My heart dropped, we were so close I thought. But, to my amazement he said why don't we name her....

I was amazed, it was a great name, and not only was it a great name, he had actually thought of one himself! So now he has used his one power of veto and we are settled.
So without further ado,

drumroll please,

our names are

Nikolas Anthony Fillier or Vanessa Leigh Fillier

and that's my final answer.

Our 18 week checkup

2011-01-20T23:12:00.003-05:00

I love my team of midwives. I am so happy that we decided to go this route, especially after the gong show care I received from my family dr during my last pregnancy( but lets not get that rant started). I actually find that I am looking forward to seeing them each visit. A few days ago we went to the office for our 18 week appointment. Here are my current stats:

Weight gain: 3 lbs , which puts me at a total of 11 lbs lost. I am not goign to lie and say im unhappy about it, at this point in my last pregnancy I had gained 11 lbs.

Blood Pressure: good

Heartbeat: 140, so no gender guesses today

Questions/Concerns: IPS Ultrasound and blood work look greta, the 15 week ultrasound looked great. It looks like my subchorionic hematoma is completely;y gone, unfortunately the leading edge of my placenta is slightly raised, which is a little concerning but they're going to keep an eye on it. I haven't googled it yet, as I find dr Google is pretty much good at only one thing, terrifying me.

All in all it was a really great appointment, and I cant wait to see them again in February.

All The Pregnant Ladies

2011-01-20T21:04:00.000-05:00

What Im craving right now

2011-01-20T20:52:00.000-05:00

Bacon Onion Cheddar Biscuits from Pioneer Woman

Bee themed nursery

2011-01-20T17:48:00.000-05:00

I love the mix of colors in this room.

Bloom Baby Pics!!!!

2011-01-19T17:39:00.001-05:00

A special announcement by Therese Kerr on behalf of Miranda Kerr and KORA Organics. xxx

On the 6th of January I gave birth to our beautiful little son Flynn. He weighed 9lb 12 ounces (a very healthy and big baby boy). I gave birth to him naturally; without any pain medication and it was a long and difficult labor, but Orlando was with me the whole time supporting and guiding me through it. I could not have done it without him.

We are so happy and are enjoying our time together as a family. He is our little ray of sunshine.

Thank you everyone for your beautiful well wishes and your lovely thoughts and comments. I haven’t had a lot of time to read many comments or to respond, but please know I will when I do get a chance.

Lots of love
Miranda
Xxx

Here is a picture Orlando took of us.

Chicken fettuccini Alfredo

2011-01-19T13:13:00.000-05:00

This is a super easy meal, and my husband and daughter just adore it. You can mix it up by adding brocc0lli, carrots, green or orange peppers, peas, corn or anything really to make it perfect for your family.
This recipe is also good as a vegetarian dish without the chicken and bacon. I like to serve it with Caesar salad and some crusty bread.

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast diced into 1" pieces
6 strips of extra thick bacon
1 red pepper diced
salt & pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
16 oz. heavy cream
2 large garlic cloves, minced
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 lb. fettuccini

Directions

1. In a large skillet fry up the bacon until its almost crispy, remove from the skillet and drain on paper towel, place chicken in bacon drippings and cook until slightly browned. Add pepper, saute for about 4 minutes until just tender. Set aside.

2. Cook the pasta

3. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

4. Carefully wipe out the skillet with paper towels. Place over medium-low heat. Add the cream, garlic, butter, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir occasionally until bubbly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until well combined. Add the chicken, peppers, and bacon, cook until heated through. Turn the heat down if the mixture sticks to the pan. Season with salt & pepper, to taste.

5. Drain the cooked pasta.

6. Toss pasta in sauce and serve.

What im making today

2011-01-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

Im totally inspired by these gorgeous envelopes from the ladies at CraftyChicks, and have decided I must make at least 5 of them today to give out Sophias Vday cards. Check out the awesome tutorial here,
Crafty Chicks

Love it

2011-01-18T13:56:00.003-05:00

How adorable is this raindrop mobile?
Even better, its DIY, check out the tutorial over at UrbanCraft

Get the tissues

2011-01-18T11:47:00.000-05:00

I recently came across some gorgeous birth photography from an insanely talented photographer. I would love to have someone photograph the upcoming birth of Baby F. Modern housewife however, is going to take some convincing.
I just love how the photographer was able to fully catch all of the emotion involved in the moment. I was actually in tears a few times looking at the photos, remembering how I felt in labor with Sophia.

You can see the whole set here,

Michelle Regner photography

Pretty much NSFW though.

Before and After

2011-01-18T10:19:00.004-05:00

Sophia's toys were taking over my house. I have an open concept living/dining room and the toys were sharing space with the dining room. The problem is, they were starting to take over! A quick trip to Home Depot solved that problem for us and now the area looks much more polished. I love it.

Why God Made Moms

2011-01-18T05:37:00.000-05:00

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them..
3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter... Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

Congratulations to Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

2011-01-17T20:49:00.002-05:00

LOS ANGELES — Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and her country star husband, Keith Urban, announced on Monday they were parents of a new baby daughter born with a surrogate.

"Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret," the couple said in a statement.

"No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."

The statement said Faith Margaret Kidman Urban was born on December 28 in Nashville and is the couple's biological daughter. A gestational carrier, or surrogate, is a woman who carries the baby to term for the biological parents.

Kidman, 43, a top Hollywood star whose movies include "The Hours" and the currently playing "Rabbit Hole," and Urban, 43, were married in 2006 and have another daughter together, Sunday Rose, born in 2008.

Source

18 week belly shot

2011-01-17T13:43:00.002-05:00

This is me today at 18 weeks 1 day pregnant, I still cant believe I'm almost halfway done baking this baby!

Meal Planning Week 1

2011-01-17T12:35:00.004-05:00

Monday
Sweet and Smoky Oven Roasted Ribs and oven Roasted Potatoes

Tuesday

Roasted Cauliflower and (Roasted) Garlic Soup

Wednesday

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Pasta

Thursday

Slow Cooker Roasted Chicken
With mashed potatoes corn and gravy

Friday
Its date night

Saturday

Baked Ham with mustard glaze
and Scalloped Sweet Potatoes

Sunday

Osso Bucco

Enjoy

Meal planning 101

2011-01-17T12:24:00.002-05:00

I love to cook, but I'm lazy. I don't mind doing the prep work and the cooking, I actually really enjoy it, but planning out meals every day can be a daunting task. That's why I love meal planning. Once a week I take an hour or so and go through my recipes, search online, read my cookbooks and pick out 6 meals (Friday is date night). Once the meals are picked I create a quick shopping list, so I can pick up almost everything I need for the week in one trip. I also put all of the recipes i'm using for the week in one spot, I use a cookbook stand that also stores my recipes. Then its just a matter of following the plan.
Its a simple concept but its saves me a ton of time, money, and frustration. It also stops me from cooking the same fall back meals over and over and over again.
Id love to hear from you, do you meal plan? What are your favorite recipes? Do you have any meal planning tips or tricks?
Jaymi

What Im attempting today

2011-01-17T08:35:00.003-05:00

Chenille backed wash clothes from Creations by Kara
Im going to make myself a set, and if they turn out I think i may make some for my neighbor...

Brownie Covered Oreos

2011-01-16T20:42:00.000-05:00

Yes.

You read that right.

Brownie. Covered. Freakin'. Oreos.

Check out the recipe at Picky Palate.

18 weeks pregnant

2011-01-16T12:39:00.002-05:00

As your growing uterus starts shifting your center of gravity (belly forward, bottom out), hormones are causing your ligaments to relax and joints to loosen. The result? Back pain and soreness. On the bright side, if you want to know baby's gender, this might be your first week for a sneak peek. Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccuping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements.

How's Mommy Doing This Week?

Milestone: Nothing exciting this week

Feeling: Hungry. All. The. Time

Cravings: Mexican food, and fruit snacks

Wishing for: a window into my uterus

Looking Forward To: our big ultrasound in ten days.

Reading: Cosmo

Favourite clothes right now: PJs

Current Project: getting the nursery ready

Weight: Down 14 lbs

This is so going in the nursery

2011-01-15T08:14:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love this book sling by Penny Carnival? I think Sophie's room needs one (or six).

11 more days

2011-01-15T04:48:00.000-05:00

Until my BIG ultraound and I can find out if this little bean is a bouncing boy or another little princess. I cannot wait to find out because it means I can shop!
Ok, Ok, it means I can openly shop, because lets be honest, Ive been shopping since the pee stick dried.

If it a little girl I am definitely picking up....

SweetHeart Rosette Trio from Little Loves Designs

Joli Petal Baby Shoe by Zuzii

Snuggle Me Blanket by Butter Brickle Baby

This gorgeous swaddle blanket by Maternal Nest

If its a little man in there, Ill be picking up.....

Aviator Newborn Hat by MaryYarn

These gorgeous baby booties by CrochetTLC

To the Rescue Hat by Ninis Handmades

This gorgeous personalized blanket by Petunias

What Im craving right now

2011-01-14T20:50:00.000-05:00

Banana Split Ice Cream Cake by Tasty Kitchen

O.M.G

2011-01-14T11:57:00.000-05:00

WADENA, Minn. – The first newborn of 2011 in Wadena survived a close call during that June 17 tornado when her mother was hit by a cow while one-month pregnant.

New Mother Samantha Wittstruck lost her home when that tornado hit; she was knocked out during the chaos and woke up with a cow on top of her. She was one-month pregnant at the time, and is thankful the baby survived the hit.

“I was glad she was okay,” Wittstruck said. “I didn’t want to lose her.”

Baby girl Skylar Schwab may be the youngest Wadena tornado survivor, and her mom paid tribute to that fact when choosing a name.

“Sky, to do with the tornado,” Wittstruck said. “We figured sky was too short, so (we chose) Skylar. It was a big part of her life and she survived it.”

Since the tornado devastated Wadena, community members keep proving to band together and help each other out. Public Health donated a crib to Wittstruck, others donated clothes and a church member made a quilt out of fabric with cows on it.

Wittstuck said Skylar will be proud that she survived this disaster, and she can’t wait to hear Skylar brag to her friends.

“She’ll probably show off the pictures that we have of our house,” Wittstruck said. “She’ll be like, ‘I was in this; I was in my mommy’s tummy’.”

Skylar was born at Tri-County Health Care in Wadena. She weighed 7 pound 9 ounces and was 19 inches long.

Source

Too adorable

2011-01-14T09:35:00.001-05:00

Another awesome deisgn by Anna White

2011-01-13T21:14:00.000-05:00

This Little Helper Tower is adjustable for the size of your child and even has a few amendments for those who might be at the top of their class (like an arched entryway!). The piece is beautiful and will save you hundreds of dollars at the store and can be put together in a weekend.

Check out the full tutorial over at Ana White's website and get busy building your own.

I am inspired

2011-01-12T20:39:00.002-05:00

by these amazing hand made pillows by one of my fave crafting blogs Felt So Cute! I think a few of these would look fantastic on my ottoman.

Free Printable Resolutions

2011-01-12T13:14:00.003-05:00

How gorgeous are these (free) printable resolution posters from LilMagoolie?

I just printed one out for above my desk.

How to Sit in a Chair

2011-01-12T10:39:00.004-05:00

By Sophia

There are many, many options to choose from when sitting in a chair, none of which include actually sitting. Let me demonstrate.

Option #1 - The Backwards Crouch.
This position maximizes mommies chances of having a heart attack every time you almost fall over, this position is best utilized when mommy is acting a little distracted, its an immediate attention grabber.

Option #2 - The Almost Climb
Make them think you're going to climb on the table, but don't. This is best used in conjunction with a crouch sit. Starting in the crouch, move quickly into this position until mommy starts to stop you, then drop back into the crouch. repeat as needed.

Option #3 - The Classic Crouch
Used in conjunction with The almost Climb. Bonus points for the look of indignation. You actually thought Id climb onto the table? Me? On the table? How uncivilized do you think I am?

Option #4 - The I'm not climbing, I'm leaning.
Self Explanatory.

Option #5 - The Stand
This position needs to be carefully executed, but if you do it right, its very effective in terrifying mommy. I like to use The Stand while mommy is in the kitchen making lunch or dinner.

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial on How to Sit in a Chair.
Talk to you soon
Sophia

Valentines Day - Etsy Style

2011-01-11T20:27:00.000-05:00

With Sophie's birthday, Christmas and New Years behind us, its time to start looking forward to the most romantic day of the year, Valentines day. Here are a few valentines Day Etsy finds that are just irresistible!

True Love Burlap Pillow with Embroidered Wedding Date

Something of Love -- Valentine's Day Monster

Cream colored infant crochet beanie hat with detachable red gerbera daisy

I Love You-Amour-Je t'aime-Valentine Red Eco Felt Pillow-14x14 inch

Valentines Day Heart Soap

Happy Shopping
Jaymi

What Im craving right now

2011-01-11T08:58:00.001-05:00

Double Espresso. 1 sugar. Drool.

2011-01-10T20:16:00.000-05:00

How freakin' adorable are these monster face cloths from Frank and Me?

This is going to be one good looking baby!

2011-01-09T21:13:00.001-05:00

Miranda Kerr and hubby Orlando Bloom welcomed a baby boy on Thursday in Los Angeles, according to multiple media reports.

The child is the first for the couple, who said "I do" in July after getting engaged in June. News that she was pregnant emerged shortly after the wedding, with a source telling Us Magazine at the time, "She poses in lingerie. It will be obvious soon enough."

The Victoria's Secret model and "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor have been together for more than three years.

The baby weighed almost 10 pounds, according to a Radar Online source. X17 was first with the news, after a photographer overheard Bloom talking about "my son."

17 Weeks Pregnant

2011-01-09T20:57:00.002-05:00

Baby's now the size of an onion!
Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. His umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes now feature one-of-a-kind prints.

How's Mommy Doing This Week?

Milestone: How am I 17 weeks already? This pregnancy is flying by!

Feeling: Hungry. All. The. Time

Cravings: Food, i love it all

Wishing for: a chef that lives in my kitchen.

Looking Forward To: our big ultrasound two weeks from now.

Reading: nothing

Favourite clothes right now: My Isabella Oliver wrap top

Current Project: getting the nursery ready

Weight: Down 10 lbs

What Im craving right now

2011-01-09T20:46:00.000-05:00

Sweet and Smoky Oven Spare Ribs from Smitten Kitchen

11 Step Program for those Considering Parenthood

2011-01-08T20:13:00.004-05:00

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.

2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.

3. Go home.

4. Pick up the paper.

5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their…

1. Methods of discipline.

2. Lack of patience.

3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.

4. Allowing their children to run wild.

5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child’s breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.

Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel…

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)

2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.

3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.

4. Set the alarm for 3AM.

5. As you can’t get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.

6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.

7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.

8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.

9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive)

Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? To find out…

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.

2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.

3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.

4. Then rub them on the clean walls.

5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.

6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.

2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out.

Time allowed for this – all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don’t think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don’t look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.

2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.

3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.

4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week’s groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.

2. Make a small hole in the side.

3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.

4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.

5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.

6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air.

You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you’re thinking What’s ‘Noggin’?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying ‘mommy’ repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each ‘mommy’; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the ‘mommy’ tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.

This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say ‘it’s all worth it!’ Share it with your friends, both those who do and don’t have kids. I guarantee they’ll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you’ll need when you become a parent!

Bright and Cheerful Nursery

2011-01-08T15:45:00.003-05:00

How absolutely stunning is this teal and yellow nursery from OhDeeDo?
I am love with this color combination for a girl, but I had never even considered it for a boy!
Now I love it twice as much.

16 weeks Pregnant

2011-01-03T20:53:00.000-05:00

Baby's now the size of an avocado!

Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

How's Mommy Doing This Week?

Milestone: Nothing really exciting this week

Feeling: tired

Cravings: Smartie/Caramel Mcflurries and anything salty

Wishing for: a window into my uterus and a chocolate bar that never ends

Looking Forward To: Gender scan on January 26th

Reading: nothing

Favourite clothes right now: pajamas

Current Project: kitchen reno

Weight: Down 10 lbs

14 weeks Pregnant

2010-12-20T15:23:00.002-05:00

How's Baby Doing?

Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over her body for warmth

How's Mommy Doing This Week?

Milestone: Officially in the second trimester!

Feeling: Pretty good! Still nauseous sometimes but Im not complaining

Cravings: Chicken fajitas and chow mein

Wishing for: A vacation somewhere hot

Looking Forward To: Christmas

Reading: no time right now.

Favourite clothes right now: pajamas

Current Project: christmas

Weight: Still down ten lbs

I hate you Pioneer Woman

2010-12-16T15:29:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was dying for some chili. I probably would have traded my soul for it had that been an option. So this morning bright and early I woke up and got it started. It has been simmering for 6 hours, it smells great! Its going to be soooo satisfying, as only a pregnancy craving can be.
At least it would have been before I went surfing and found this.

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta

"I added some grilled chicken to the top of this pasta dish at the end…but the grilled chicken is really secondary. It’s the pasta here—a creamy concoction of lemon, cream, and basil—that deserves top billing." - Lee Drummond, Pioneer Woman

How absolutely divine does this look? Now I want chili for dinner about as much as I want to eat my husbands work socks for dessert. Sigh.
At least I know what I'm having tomorrow.

Clicky here for the full recipe

Send some joy

2010-12-16T15:17:00.001-05:00

Many Food Banks across Canada are requesting help these days. Food donations have been down in many towns and cities. Perhaps you have not been able to contribute this year or you have already donated food items.

In any case, there is a new way you can help without costing a cent except for your time. All you need to do is send a free ecard to someone special, and Kraft Canada will donate $2 to Food Bank Canada! Kraft Canada will donate up to $50,000 between now and December 31! How easy is that!

All you need to do is click on the “Preview” and after your new window pops up, click on the gift tag.

What a deal to help Food Banks across Canada and create a smile to the one who receives your ecard! A double blessing! Go here for more details.

13 weeks Pregnant

2010-12-13T15:20:00.000-05:00

How's Baby Doing?

Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)

How's Mommy Doing This Week?

Milestone: I'M 13 WEEKS PREGNANT! YAY!!! Only 3 more days until I'm officially out of the 1st trimester hurray!

Feeling: Tired and nauseous but it all seems to be settling down now.

Cravings: Smartie/Caramel Mcflurries and anything salty

Wishing for: A girls name we can both agree on.

Looking Forward To: Officially being in the second trimester. My midwife appointment this week

Reading: Duma Key by Stephen King

Favourite clothes right now: My maternity clothes... Yup - I'm officially in my mat clothes!!!

Current Project: Christmas

Weight: Down 10 lbs

Wanna know a secret?

2010-11-29T10:01:00.004-05:00

It look like the Modern Housewife Family is growing again, because I'm 11 weeks pregnant!

Baby's now the size of a lime!
Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. But fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive future.

Sophia is super excited to be a big sister and I cant wait to meet this little one in June!

A quick note to say hi

2010-10-20T16:35:00.002-04:00

Hello all,
I know I have been conspicuously absent for the last bit, but man has this month been crazy! We, as a family were lucky enough to take an awesome vacation down to the Mayan Riviera at the beginning of the month, we came back to an engaged cousin and preparations for a destination wedding, and now a surprise two week trip to England at the end of this week and man are we pooped!
But keep checking back readers, we have some great stuff coming your way, including some incredible contests and a big announcement. . .

Wordless Wednesdays

2010-10-20T16:33:00.001-04:00

Wordless Wednesday - Busted

2010-09-22T11:37:00.000-04:00