15 week Bump!

Unfortunately my little model friend decided he wasn't up for it today and went for a nap instead.

Needless to say it just isn't the same without him!

  

Hey, We've Been Busy

It's been busy out in the sticks lately, and i am not here as often as i'd like!

Hopefully the exhaustion will ease off soon, and i will be able to get more done that just nap

(although napping rocks my socks).

In the mean time, remember a long time ago when i mentioned the school for smart kids?

Yeah um, we expect them to come knocking any day now : )

Not only is he cute, but he eats with chopsticks too.

(and that rocks socks too)

Photo of the Week

Week #14

{ The Simple Things }

Eighteen

18 Months!

Happy half birthday my little friend!

You are watching and listening and emulating everything we do, that (unopened, btw) 

beer in your cup holder will attest to this!  

You are silly and funny and utterly adorable, and sometimes when we are out i look at the people around us in disbelief, 

are they not seeing this insanely delightful little boy? Um, hello people!

There are many words now, and when you say them in your high pitched baby voice my heart puddles in my shoes a little.

You are demanding and needy and independent all at the same time.

You love milk, chasing the Hannah dog and getting dirty.

Outdoors is your favorite place to be, and there are often tears when i eventually drag you inside,

but once in you are happy to play with your trucks or snuggle with your whinney the pooh.

I am having moments, when i realize that the days of just you and me are numbered, and it kinda makes me sad.

We have been virtually inseparable since the day you were born, and i treasure each and every minute we spend together.

Take it Outside

There are times when this kid is exasperating, stubborn, and totally strong willed.

There are times when i am frustrated and annoyed,

and moments when i am utterly and completely exhausted by him (and his sibling-to-be).

But to see him outside, exploring the world and LOVING every minute of it, is to see with new eyes.

This is what it is to be a mom, to have another chance at firsts.

I always manage to put all of that negativity aside, and no matter how tired, irritated, or overwhelmed I may be, 

I can always find it in myself to follow him around the yard, throw rocks in a puddle, blow bubbles,
or teach him how to blow the seeds off a dandelion.

Because I know that sooner than i will ever be ready, he's not going to want me to follow him at all...

{ This or That }

14 Week Bump!

Buh-bye first trimester, take your nausea, fatigue and total exhaustion with you : )

( oh i wish! )

Second trimester, here we come!

Photo of the Week

Week #13

And yes, that is a blob of drool rolling down his chest : )

{ And Then She Snapped }

On Mothering Boys

Recently I was approached by a lovely and uber talented friend of mine, Lyndsay Doyle, 

to share my thoughts on being a mom to a little boy.

She compiled our stories into the most amazing book:

"From Butts to Boogers - Surprising things Mothers have learned from their Sons"

I was more than happy to contribute to such a neat project!

Here's my take on little boys:

"I always wanted my first to be a boy.  If you asked me when I was pregnant what I hoped the baby would be of course you would have heard the standard answers:  "one that doesn't cry too much," "one that sleeps through the night," or "doesn't matter, just as long as it's healthy."  But deep down I fervently hoped for dirt and noise over pink and precious, because let's face it, girls totally scare me.  Being the mom of a boy seems far less complicated than that of a girl, with fewer dramas and a lot less pressure to find the perfect tutu.  

When I had Jake I was euphoric, as all new moms are, to be finally cradling my little bundle of joy.  I was also relieved.  Gone where the worries of leggings that don't co-ordinate with blouses, shoes that have to have just the right amount of glitter, and the terror of learning how to french braid.  And although sometimes pee winds up on the floor, with a boy it's easy.  It's ball caps and camo, trucks and lego and playing in the dirt.  Being a bit of a tomboy myself, these are all things I understand, and I'll happily ride BMX's with him till the streetlights come on.  I can teach him how to skate and throw a ball, and how to do his laundry and cook a meal.  When he grows up I won't have to worry (as much? maybe?) about catty teenage girls, or princess complexes that never go away.  And he'll probably never ask me to braid his hair.  

As he's getting bigger we are having more fun together, and I couldn't be happier hanging out with my little boy.  Sure there will be many bumps along our road, but I know I can help him over them, and there are so many things I can't wait to teach him.  And now that there is going to be another addition to our family in the fall, I feel secure in knowing that the new baby will have a big brother to take care of it, regardless if it's a girl or boy.  Because everyone needs a big brother to look out for them."

Please go check it out, it's full of wonderful stories of the lesser talked about bond of us Mom's and our boys!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

13 Week Bump

Someone simply has to be in every photo!

I think I'll try to do a weekly photo here, thou i'm trying to convince my camera-shy self that it will be fun...

Yummy Homemade Biscuits

Growing up, my mom used to make the best buscuits.

It was always a treat to have a fluffy piece of baked dough, hot from the oven and slathered with butter.

She didn't make them nearly enough, which was probably a good thing...

Mmmmmm.  So in honour of mothers day and all good things that emerge from mother's ovens everywhere,

i give you yummy homemade biscuits....just like mom used to make.

Serves four. but actually probably less. 

Preheat oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

1 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

4 tbsp cold butter, cup up

1/2 cup buttermilk

( you can simply add 1/2 tbsp lemon juice to just under 1/2 cup milk,

let stand for five minutes and viola! )

Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

Cut the butter in using a pastry bender, your finger tips, or i even use a wire whisk.

Gently stir in the buttermilk until dry ingredients are just moistened.

Dump the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape/pat into a 5 inch round, 3/4 inch thick.

Using a floured knife, cut into four wedges (or use a round cutter or a glass to cut out circles)

Place on prepared baking sheet 1/2 inch apart.

Bake 10 - 12 minutes until rich golden brown on the top and bottom.

Try to let them cool a bit before dousing in butter and promptly inhaling.

Couldn't be easier, truly!

Although this isn't my mom's recipe, (what is your recipe mom?) these taste as good as i remember hers being, 

and i may or may not have eaten the entire batch before dr. Nails came home.

Don't judge me, but do enjoy!

Photo of the Week

Week #12

Hey mom, i totally get it now....
Happy Mother's day!

{ Show off your shot }

Spring

Finally!

Happy Friday : )

I like my trike

...even if it's pink.

Now, Dr Nails was a little upset that i was posting photos of the Little on his auntie's pink tricycle.
Personally I think it's rad, regardless what color it is, and he was soooooooo happy : )
But it's nothing a little steel wool and a fresh coat of paint can't fix!

12 Week Bump!

Yep, there's already a bump!

This is the real reason everyone knows about this so early, i honestly just couldn't hide it anymore!

My doctor assures me that it is completely okay as it is my second and because i am was skinny,

so there's nowhere for the baby to hide :)  I am choosing to believe her.

My due week is somewhere around the18th - 24th of November, and yes,

I am using the entire week.  Having just one day as THE day is just way too much pressure!

The Little's birthday is November 25th, which makes me a very poor planner, 

but on the bright side double birthday parties might be fun, right?

So I'm still trying to decide if i want to do a weekly photo here and how it'll do it,

but i like the idea of documenting this, that's what this blog is really all about at the end of the day!

We are so excited for another addition to our little family...
Come on November!

Photo of the Week

Week #11

Love these flushed after-nap cheeks!

{ The Simple Things & Sunday Snapshot }

AHEM.

Dear Jake

Your eyes get me, every time.

Being your mom is the best thing i have ever been,
and i hope you think so too...

xo

Toddler Proofing...

...the Creative Way...

The Little is into everything these days, and as i've said before, nothing is sacred.
This has created many challenges for us in keeping him (and our stuff) safe.
Being the creative types that we are however, we have come up with a few unique was to keep
the knives in the drawer, the garbage out of reach, prevent a tumble down the stairs, and keep the groceries frozen...

Spatula cupboard keeper-closer.

Drawer pulls reversed on the inside - useless to all, but safe!

Spoon key to unlock basement door.  Who chose these stupid latches again?!  Oh yeah, me : (

Wood shims to keep freezer closed.  Carpenter magic.

There are more too - like the piece of baseboard that now rests on my dresser, creating a wall that little fingers cannot reach over, and thus saving little eyes from hairspray accidents.
And there's even a few real child locks on things, but most of them are junk and have broken.
( How are they allowed to sell plug covers that are so easy to pull out, or cupboard latches that snap?! )

Hey, if nobody moves no one gets hurt.