My mind is actually blown at how quickly summer flew by. Is time not speeding up??? I think so. I'd like to think we made the most of this summer. We went camping twice, spent plenty of time in the park, had a number of picnics, and had a few good swims. It is now apparent that Hayden has inherited Ty's Ukrainian skin since she is already far more tanned than I have ever been in my life, and that's with being sufficiently shielded from the sun so I don't know how that happened.
Fall always just creeps up on us all of a sudden doesn't it!? August is jumpstarted with this epic long weekend and everything is saturated in sunny summer bliss. Then 3.5 short weeks later, summer is over and it feels sort of like a nasty trick.
Compared to July with it's full schedule, August was a clean slate. We totally made our schedule up as we went along and it was really nice. We listened to lots of live music going on around downtown and The Forks. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at The Cube/Old Market Square there were live acts at lunch time so we took advantage of that when we could. It's easy for us to go downtown on the bus since we live so close to Main Street. It's literally not even 10 minutes and it's so nice not having to drive around trying to find somewhere to park. Other than that, we had a few awesome playdates and made some new friends.
Quarry Days weekend was memorable. I had fully intended to take Hayden to watch the parade and then go on some rides and check out the petting zoo on Saturday morning, BUT the night before Tyler decided to make margaritas which turned out to have way more alcohol in them than it tasted like. Before he mixed them I strictly said, "Not too strong! I don't want to get drunk!" I had no idea. It doesn't help that I've hardly drank anything since before being pregnant. I felt so horrible the next day, I couldn't do a damn thing and I even lost my hangover KD on the side of #8 hwy (a first for me). So I layed in bed at the farm all day while my mom and nana played with Deacon. Tyler took Hayden to the midway. It worked out in Hayden's favour because I would have never taken her on The Sizzler and let her have mini donuts for supper. I was magically feeling better at around 7:00 after eating a pickle and so Tyler and I went back to town and went on some rides.
The day after, the kids and I attended a friend's baby shower and it was just beautiful. I could have easily eaten all the food and cupcakes and even the insanely gorgeous cake that actually looked too lovely to eat. I've realized that I've become one of those people I hated when Hayden was a newborn. I'm now obsessed with newborns and babies. Because I value my friendships, I will totally control my baby hoarding urges.
On August 23rd Tyler's dad got married to his longtime girlfriend, Pete. It was such a wonderful wedding! Just a small backyard event. Everything was so nice and very "them". The weather was a bit tempermental that day but it ended up cooperating perfectly.
The long weekend was pretty uneventful! I took Hayden and Deacon down to the Forks for the Prairie Barge Festival on Saturday night. I hope they continue to organize this event for future summers because I really enjoy it!! I generally just enjoy The Forks at all times. Hayden and I would go there quite often when she was around Deacon's age but we had to stop when Hayden got to the age where she wanted to run away from me and apparently never come back. Just when you think they're out of the stage where they take off running in the opposite direction they go into escape mode when you least expect it. At least Hayden does. We had a rather embarrassing run around Target the evening before Tyler's dad's wedding. Haha.
So now you go outside in the evenings and sniff the air and you know that familiar smell! It's fall! For me, it's grain dust - the unmistakable smell of harvest. The days are getting shorter and the temperatures dip way down at night. Tyler and I have begun our annual dispute over which window to leave open at night and how wide.
As of right now, we're off to Dollarama to search for birthday supplies for Hayden's 3rd birthday party! Only one of the many fall birthdays for members of our family.
Happy Fall every one!
XO Liza
Tuesday, 9 September 2014
Saturday, 23 August 2014
Peace is the Objective
I've been wanting to post to the blog for a long time now but I haven't because truthfully, I've been super agitated lately and I don't want to write from a place of negativity. Anyone who knows me well knows that I can be very emotional, very sensitive, and I can complain a lot when things aren't going smoothly. Here's the thing about my complaining: I do not internalize anything. When I feel negativity inside me, I need to get it out. Be it by journaling, running, complaining etc. Sometimes I even cry. But I don't hold anything in. Any "negative" emotion that infiltrates my headspace is questioned and analyzed and dealt with and released. Because I can't be a good mom when I'm in that place.
Anyways, things get crazy around here with Tyler on the road so much. Deacon's started scooting around and getting into stuff so he requires a bit more energy. On top of that he's teething and not sleeping well at night. It's not uncommon for him to be up 3 times in a night. This past week I decided I am done with night-time nursing. I feel like if I don't stop now, I may be stuck doing it forever (obviously not forever but longer than I'd want to). He doesn't care to use a soother so getting him back to sleep is challenging, but he's actually getting the hang of it! After the first couple nights, I was very tired during the day. You don't feel like doing anything when you're so exhausted, yet there's so much that needs to be done! I find that it feels so much easier to be out and about with the kids than be at home where I can see everything that needs to be done but cannot find a way to tackle it. It has also been very refreshing to get out of our daily routine by going on little excursions.
Tyler is home today and today only for his dad's wedding and I am totally taking advantage of the extra parent in the house. I went to the gym this morning which was awesome but even just having another person to defer Hayden's millions of questions to has been a huge relief. It's the little things that require so much patience. "Mommy, what is this?" and "Why?" are big ones right now.
What I've been meaning to write about over the past week but couldn't find a way to say it without sounding distressed is: Where are all the inspirational leaders/spiritual teachers/"life coach" types that are also MOTHERS? I've had days when I just feel so done with cleaning up sparkles and changing diapers. Sometimes I feel resentful or bitter and I don't want to feel that way because I am SO grateful for my babies and my life. I LOVE them so much I can't even bear it, yet they drive me bonkers! So I go to the library and I read Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Robert Holden. I understand their messages. They make perfect sense to me. Be grateful, free yourself from your ego, live peacefully, follow your dreams, create your own reality, trust in God! Honestly, I can't think of how grateful I am without getting tears in my eyes. There is no reality that I can or would want to create where my babies don't need me to be there for them 24/7. Like most mom's, I live for my children and that is something I know you cannot understand unless you are a mom. My list goes on: Oprah, Gabrielle Bernstein, Instagram's @yoga_girl - all women I look to for inspiration and guidance, yet none of them are moms. I'm just going to throw this out there, sorry if I offend anyone - Jesus, was not a mother. Buddha, was not a mother. Mother Theresa, not a real mother.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that sometimes it feels like on the path to enlightenment there's a toll booth and mother's are asked to pay just a little bit more than everyone else. Because we're carrying our little ones with us. Do you get what I'm saying?
I hope everyone enjoys their weekends!! All my love and gratitude. And to the other moms out there feeling like sanity is a struggle, we're in this together!
XO Liza
Anyways, things get crazy around here with Tyler on the road so much. Deacon's started scooting around and getting into stuff so he requires a bit more energy. On top of that he's teething and not sleeping well at night. It's not uncommon for him to be up 3 times in a night. This past week I decided I am done with night-time nursing. I feel like if I don't stop now, I may be stuck doing it forever (obviously not forever but longer than I'd want to). He doesn't care to use a soother so getting him back to sleep is challenging, but he's actually getting the hang of it! After the first couple nights, I was very tired during the day. You don't feel like doing anything when you're so exhausted, yet there's so much that needs to be done! I find that it feels so much easier to be out and about with the kids than be at home where I can see everything that needs to be done but cannot find a way to tackle it. It has also been very refreshing to get out of our daily routine by going on little excursions.
Tyler is home today and today only for his dad's wedding and I am totally taking advantage of the extra parent in the house. I went to the gym this morning which was awesome but even just having another person to defer Hayden's millions of questions to has been a huge relief. It's the little things that require so much patience. "Mommy, what is this?" and "Why?" are big ones right now.
What I've been meaning to write about over the past week but couldn't find a way to say it without sounding distressed is: Where are all the inspirational leaders/spiritual teachers/"life coach" types that are also MOTHERS? I've had days when I just feel so done with cleaning up sparkles and changing diapers. Sometimes I feel resentful or bitter and I don't want to feel that way because I am SO grateful for my babies and my life. I LOVE them so much I can't even bear it, yet they drive me bonkers! So I go to the library and I read Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Robert Holden. I understand their messages. They make perfect sense to me. Be grateful, free yourself from your ego, live peacefully, follow your dreams, create your own reality, trust in God! Honestly, I can't think of how grateful I am without getting tears in my eyes. There is no reality that I can or would want to create where my babies don't need me to be there for them 24/7. Like most mom's, I live for my children and that is something I know you cannot understand unless you are a mom. My list goes on: Oprah, Gabrielle Bernstein, Instagram's @yoga_girl - all women I look to for inspiration and guidance, yet none of them are moms. I'm just going to throw this out there, sorry if I offend anyone - Jesus, was not a mother. Buddha, was not a mother. Mother Theresa, not a real mother.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that sometimes it feels like on the path to enlightenment there's a toll booth and mother's are asked to pay just a little bit more than everyone else. Because we're carrying our little ones with us. Do you get what I'm saying?
I hope everyone enjoys their weekends!! All my love and gratitude. And to the other moms out there feeling like sanity is a struggle, we're in this together!
XO Liza
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Do You Snooze Cruise?
Today we went for a snooze cruise. In other words, I drove around aimlessly so that I could get a break while my children chilled out in the back seat. I've only ever had two such jaunts in my time as a parent. I'm pretty conscientious about burning unnecessary fuel, so only in desperate times does the snooze cruise ensue.
I'll start from the beginning:
Two nights ago, Deacon awoke in the wee hours with a small but noticeable fever. Putting him back to sleep was difficult. He was hot and uncomfortable and super grouchy, not wanting to nurse OR be held. Eventually, I rocked him back to sleep. Same night, Hayden was up and down because of an itchy rash she had acquired during the day somehow. It was bothering her and I had to keep applying cream to it throughout the night.
Needless to say, the whole next day I was feeling pretty sluggish. But on the bright side, Deacon seemed fine! His fever had vanished and he was his normal self all day. As for Hayden, she wouldn't stop itching this damn rash! I'd decided she must have gotten poison ivy somehow. We had just been camping, after all. We continued with the hydrocortisone cream, which really seemed to help.
Well, then night came and all hell broke loose! Deacon's fever returned and Hayden wasn't sleeping. Deacon's crying woke up Hayden, then Hayden would reciprocate the gesture. I finally got to bed at around 4am. Hayden eventually crawled into bed with me at some point after that (which would never fly if Ty had been home).
So this morning Deacon's fever was gone again, which was good, but when I went to change his diaper, this terrible rash had cropped up out of no where! Was this somehow connected to the fever? I didn't know. And what was I going to do about Hayden's "poison ivy"? I called Health Links! "Bring them to the Dr.!" she said. OK. So I called their Dr. and luckily was able to get them in at 2:30, during naptime, but oh well.
It turned out, Deacon's fever was not at all related to the rash but because he has a tooth about to pop through (DUH! Why didn't I think of that?) and Hayden's rash is not poison ivy but possibly heat rash. She sent me away with a prescription for Deacon's bum and pep talk about keeping diaper rash at bay.
Off to the pharmacy we went! We only had to wait 15 minutes for the prescription to be filled, but 15 minutes of walking around a pharmacy with a two year old can be deadly! She picked out a brand new tooth brush and tooth paste, some bubble bath, a nail polish, some baby food for Deacon, and some candies that were on sale for 50 cents so I let her keep them. Everything else was left on some random shelf. I treated myself to an organic, naturally sweetened dark chocolate bar.
We got back into the car, strapped everyone in, and drove out of the parking lot. I gave Hayden her candies in the backseat and I opened my chocolate bar. Well, it was such a tasty chocolate bar, I decided I'd just drive around a bit longer until it was finished! Then, wouldn't you know it, Hayden, for some reason, didn't like her candies so I ate those too! Before I knew it, I was cruising down the perimeter with two sleeping kids in the back seat and a serious sugar high. I turned the tunes up and drove off into the sunset...and then down Chief Peguis and then home.
I have to say, this was a truly blissful experience amidst a very trying day. I returned home feeling SO much better. I have to wonder, do other moms snooze cruise?
Goodnight all!!
XO Liza
I'll start from the beginning:
Two nights ago, Deacon awoke in the wee hours with a small but noticeable fever. Putting him back to sleep was difficult. He was hot and uncomfortable and super grouchy, not wanting to nurse OR be held. Eventually, I rocked him back to sleep. Same night, Hayden was up and down because of an itchy rash she had acquired during the day somehow. It was bothering her and I had to keep applying cream to it throughout the night.
Needless to say, the whole next day I was feeling pretty sluggish. But on the bright side, Deacon seemed fine! His fever had vanished and he was his normal self all day. As for Hayden, she wouldn't stop itching this damn rash! I'd decided she must have gotten poison ivy somehow. We had just been camping, after all. We continued with the hydrocortisone cream, which really seemed to help.
Well, then night came and all hell broke loose! Deacon's fever returned and Hayden wasn't sleeping. Deacon's crying woke up Hayden, then Hayden would reciprocate the gesture. I finally got to bed at around 4am. Hayden eventually crawled into bed with me at some point after that (which would never fly if Ty had been home).
So this morning Deacon's fever was gone again, which was good, but when I went to change his diaper, this terrible rash had cropped up out of no where! Was this somehow connected to the fever? I didn't know. And what was I going to do about Hayden's "poison ivy"? I called Health Links! "Bring them to the Dr.!" she said. OK. So I called their Dr. and luckily was able to get them in at 2:30, during naptime, but oh well.
It turned out, Deacon's fever was not at all related to the rash but because he has a tooth about to pop through (DUH! Why didn't I think of that?) and Hayden's rash is not poison ivy but possibly heat rash. She sent me away with a prescription for Deacon's bum and pep talk about keeping diaper rash at bay.
Off to the pharmacy we went! We only had to wait 15 minutes for the prescription to be filled, but 15 minutes of walking around a pharmacy with a two year old can be deadly! She picked out a brand new tooth brush and tooth paste, some bubble bath, a nail polish, some baby food for Deacon, and some candies that were on sale for 50 cents so I let her keep them. Everything else was left on some random shelf. I treated myself to an organic, naturally sweetened dark chocolate bar.
We got back into the car, strapped everyone in, and drove out of the parking lot. I gave Hayden her candies in the backseat and I opened my chocolate bar. Well, it was such a tasty chocolate bar, I decided I'd just drive around a bit longer until it was finished! Then, wouldn't you know it, Hayden, for some reason, didn't like her candies so I ate those too! Before I knew it, I was cruising down the perimeter with two sleeping kids in the back seat and a serious sugar high. I turned the tunes up and drove off into the sunset...and then down Chief Peguis and then home.
I have to say, this was a truly blissful experience amidst a very trying day. I returned home feeling SO much better. I have to wonder, do other moms snooze cruise?
Goodnight all!!
XO Liza
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
Goodbye July!! Part II
OK Reeewinnd!!! Before I continue my recap of wonderful July, I have to mention that I re-read Part I and realized that it might come across as negative to some. That was not my intention at all and please know that my personal feeling towards our whole experience is very far from negative. I am not going to lie, July was a challenging month: Ty was out of town a lot and we had a packed schedule. I found myself stepping out of my parenting comfort zone on many occasions. BUT with challenge comes growth and grow I did. I am steadfastly approaching super mom status.
Also, I forgot to mention a very joyous reunion that took place between myself and my longest, dearest friend, Miss Sara Jolene. She came home from Salt Spring Island for a few days during Folk Fest where she was working in the Hand-Made Village. (I love you Sara! xo)
July 19th marked the wedding day of our long time friend, Lee, to his wonderful fiance Mel. It was a beautiful wedding!! The weather was great. All of our friends, new and old, were there from near and far. We laughed, we cried (well, I did.), we danced, we sang, we ate, and drank, until the wee hours of the morning! Truthfully, I didn't drink nor did I stay very late because hungry Deacon was waiting for me in Balmoral but I still had an amazing time. The next day we returned to the wedding venue, Camp Manitou, for post-wedding festivities. Hayden and Tyler swam in the pool and we filled up on a yummy Ukrainian lunch.
That was a very busy day. I tried and tried to get Hayden out of the pool so we could get to a birthday party on time, but it was not easy. We were late and naps were skipped, but we eventually made it to our friend Grace's 2nd birthday! We were the stragglers, arriving after most guests had already left but we still had a great visit/play.
The whole week after that, I think we must have had some down time between events but I can't honestly remember. One thing of note is that Hayden is part of the Winnipeg Library's Summer Reading Club! So we've been spending quite a bit of time at the library (which is literally across the street, AND air-conditioned!!). On our slow days we usually walk there and I plunk Deacon on the floor in the kids section while Hayden and I search for books. Right now she loves Richard Scarry books and books about dinosaurs! Haha.
Oh yes, I mustn't forget a visit I had with one of my favourite people, Jodi Bonkowski, visiting alllll the way from jolly old England. It was so great to see her and this is just a minor observation, but she looks more and more lovely every time she comes home so I think London must be agreeing with her.
The last Tuesday of July Deacon had his 9 month check-up. He'd gained 1.5 lbs since his last weigh-in. So now he's almost 27 lbs putting him in the 99th percentile for weight and 97th for height. He's big. As you can imagine, I am becoming very very strong.
The last week of July a whole bunch of my family went up to Hecla for more camping! There were very few mosquitoes and the weather was again beautiful. It was quite the party. Altogether we occupied 4 camp-sites and my cousin, Katherine, and her 2 little ones stayed at the hotel. It was nice to have someone staying there so we could take advantage of their bathtub and the swimming pool! Rocky was SO well-behaved that trip! He had so much fun at the dog beach fetching gigantic timbers from the water.
Dad usually brings his guitar camping to play around the fire and when I had to chance to play it, I was so surprised at how much I remembered. I rarely practice and I didn't play at all while I was pregnant. Yet it all came back! It totally reignited my passion for music and now I'm actively seeking people to jam with so if you're interested, feel free to join me in my basement after my children to go bed!
That just about sums up the month of July! August has a lot to live up to. But if it turns out to be a more mellow month, I don't think I'll be disappointed.
XO Liza ;)
UPDATE: It has been called to my attention that a couple very notable events weren't mentioned! Hayden, Deacon, and I attended Ballet in the Park at some point in July. Hayden didn't seem like she was really paying attention while we were watching but apparently the ballet made quite the impression on her because she's been doing little pirouettes and pointing her toes ever since! I can't wait to put her in dance classes!!! :)
Also, I had a major day of relaxation on the Saturday afternoon before Hecla when I went in to town for cupping and a hot stone massage by my good friend Catherine Waterer. When you deprive yourself of these "spa treatments" you really truthfully do not know what you are missing. I strongly urge everyone to take the time to treat themselves to an afternoon of self-care. It makes alllllll the difference.
Also, I forgot to mention a very joyous reunion that took place between myself and my longest, dearest friend, Miss Sara Jolene. She came home from Salt Spring Island for a few days during Folk Fest where she was working in the Hand-Made Village. (I love you Sara! xo)
July 19th marked the wedding day of our long time friend, Lee, to his wonderful fiance Mel. It was a beautiful wedding!! The weather was great. All of our friends, new and old, were there from near and far. We laughed, we cried (well, I did.), we danced, we sang, we ate, and drank, until the wee hours of the morning! Truthfully, I didn't drink nor did I stay very late because hungry Deacon was waiting for me in Balmoral but I still had an amazing time. The next day we returned to the wedding venue, Camp Manitou, for post-wedding festivities. Hayden and Tyler swam in the pool and we filled up on a yummy Ukrainian lunch.
That was a very busy day. I tried and tried to get Hayden out of the pool so we could get to a birthday party on time, but it was not easy. We were late and naps were skipped, but we eventually made it to our friend Grace's 2nd birthday! We were the stragglers, arriving after most guests had already left but we still had a great visit/play.
The whole week after that, I think we must have had some down time between events but I can't honestly remember. One thing of note is that Hayden is part of the Winnipeg Library's Summer Reading Club! So we've been spending quite a bit of time at the library (which is literally across the street, AND air-conditioned!!). On our slow days we usually walk there and I plunk Deacon on the floor in the kids section while Hayden and I search for books. Right now she loves Richard Scarry books and books about dinosaurs! Haha.
Oh yes, I mustn't forget a visit I had with one of my favourite people, Jodi Bonkowski, visiting alllll the way from jolly old England. It was so great to see her and this is just a minor observation, but she looks more and more lovely every time she comes home so I think London must be agreeing with her.
The last Tuesday of July Deacon had his 9 month check-up. He'd gained 1.5 lbs since his last weigh-in. So now he's almost 27 lbs putting him in the 99th percentile for weight and 97th for height. He's big. As you can imagine, I am becoming very very strong.
The last week of July a whole bunch of my family went up to Hecla for more camping! There were very few mosquitoes and the weather was again beautiful. It was quite the party. Altogether we occupied 4 camp-sites and my cousin, Katherine, and her 2 little ones stayed at the hotel. It was nice to have someone staying there so we could take advantage of their bathtub and the swimming pool! Rocky was SO well-behaved that trip! He had so much fun at the dog beach fetching gigantic timbers from the water.
Dad usually brings his guitar camping to play around the fire and when I had to chance to play it, I was so surprised at how much I remembered. I rarely practice and I didn't play at all while I was pregnant. Yet it all came back! It totally reignited my passion for music and now I'm actively seeking people to jam with so if you're interested, feel free to join me in my basement after my children to go bed!
That just about sums up the month of July! August has a lot to live up to. But if it turns out to be a more mellow month, I don't think I'll be disappointed.
XO Liza ;)
UPDATE: It has been called to my attention that a couple very notable events weren't mentioned! Hayden, Deacon, and I attended Ballet in the Park at some point in July. Hayden didn't seem like she was really paying attention while we were watching but apparently the ballet made quite the impression on her because she's been doing little pirouettes and pointing her toes ever since! I can't wait to put her in dance classes!!! :)
Also, I had a major day of relaxation on the Saturday afternoon before Hecla when I went in to town for cupping and a hot stone massage by my good friend Catherine Waterer. When you deprive yourself of these "spa treatments" you really truthfully do not know what you are missing. I strongly urge everyone to take the time to treat themselves to an afternoon of self-care. It makes alllllll the difference.
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Goodbye July!! Part I
July was an absolute roller-coaster of a month. We were here, there, and everywhere and barely had a day to relax. So now I'm going to recap it all as best I can!!!
First, I'll just say, I know I've been really crumby at updating my blog this summer! I'm finding things getting a tad more hectic the older Deacon gets. When he was a little baby he was kind of more predictable with his naps and therefore I was able to fit in time to blog. Now, he's moving around, he's getting a lot more active and taking a lot more of my ever-abundant energy. So when I have some downtown, you can find me napping or writing in my gratitude journal (which, by the way, has helped tremendously to bring me out of my mid-summer slump).
OK so July began, as it does every year, with the celebration of our fabulous country's independence. I had wanted to plan something super fun for Canada Day. I'm not too keen on wading through throngs of people as is often the case for big Canada Day celebrations, so The Forks and Assiniboine Park were out of the question. I decided on Gimli for the day. Gimli is a favourite destination of ours because that's where Uncle Scotty lives. Plus, they have the lake/beach, an awesome splash-pad, plenty of picnic space, and on Canada Day there was to be a parade and other activities in the park. But, do we all remember how lovely the weather was leading up to this joyous occasion?? I do. And I prayed for it to be over by Canada Day. Thankfully, the rain was minimal while we watched the parade, but the wind was harsh and everything was wet and cold. Anything on our picnic table that wasn't weighted down was blown irretrievably off into oblivion. I was in such a bad mood, I think I actually shook my fist at the sky.
The following Sunday I attended a friend's wedding shower, which was so fun and a very much needed baby break. Then, as soon as I got home on Sunday afternoon I (almost) literally threw Hayden, Deacon, and Rocky into the car with all our camping gear and high-tailed it out to Falcon Lake where all our family had their campers for the week. Tyler left on his motorcycle before us as he had to be home a day early for work. It was not the most pleasant car ride as Deacon cried a lot of the way. Hayden "cried wolf" twice for potty stops, both times never actually peeing. The mosquitoes were VERY pleased with our presence on the shoulder of the highway. Camping was fun. Since I was very small my most anticipated summer events have been camping trips with the Latta's.
We came home from Falcon on Wednesday, relaxed for a couple days, then Friday we dropped Ty off at the airport and I couldn't help but be a little worried as he flew off to Las Vegas for our friend, Lee's, stag. "Where is Daddy going?" asked little Hayden. "He's going to Las Vegas." I replied. Hayden, hearing LOST instead of LAS said, "Is daddy lost in Vegas?". Egad.
Trying my best to forget about Tyler in Las Vegas, I had a stagette of my own to attend! (not my own, but of my friend, Laine.) Saturday, July 12, would mark my very first time witnessing the ridiculousness that is male stripping. I can't say I'm chomping at the bit to experience that again. But it completely fit the occasion.
Tyler made it home safe and sound on Monday. Then that whole week I think I just tried to "get caught up on housework". Try as I might, I am never caught up on housework. There are always random toys and objects littered haphazardly around the entire house. I could spend a whole day picking random objects/toys off the floor and returning them to their rightful places, only to find a whole new set of random objects/toys left in other random places when I'm "finished". It never ends! When I'm cleaning, my two main objectives are to keep the laundry done and the kitchen clean. As long as I have those two area's taken care of, I can somewhat relax. But looking at my floors makes me shudder.
Part II following very shortly!!! Much love all!! xo Liza
First, I'll just say, I know I've been really crumby at updating my blog this summer! I'm finding things getting a tad more hectic the older Deacon gets. When he was a little baby he was kind of more predictable with his naps and therefore I was able to fit in time to blog. Now, he's moving around, he's getting a lot more active and taking a lot more of my ever-abundant energy. So when I have some downtown, you can find me napping or writing in my gratitude journal (which, by the way, has helped tremendously to bring me out of my mid-summer slump).
OK so July began, as it does every year, with the celebration of our fabulous country's independence. I had wanted to plan something super fun for Canada Day. I'm not too keen on wading through throngs of people as is often the case for big Canada Day celebrations, so The Forks and Assiniboine Park were out of the question. I decided on Gimli for the day. Gimli is a favourite destination of ours because that's where Uncle Scotty lives. Plus, they have the lake/beach, an awesome splash-pad, plenty of picnic space, and on Canada Day there was to be a parade and other activities in the park. But, do we all remember how lovely the weather was leading up to this joyous occasion?? I do. And I prayed for it to be over by Canada Day. Thankfully, the rain was minimal while we watched the parade, but the wind was harsh and everything was wet and cold. Anything on our picnic table that wasn't weighted down was blown irretrievably off into oblivion. I was in such a bad mood, I think I actually shook my fist at the sky.
The following Sunday I attended a friend's wedding shower, which was so fun and a very much needed baby break. Then, as soon as I got home on Sunday afternoon I (almost) literally threw Hayden, Deacon, and Rocky into the car with all our camping gear and high-tailed it out to Falcon Lake where all our family had their campers for the week. Tyler left on his motorcycle before us as he had to be home a day early for work. It was not the most pleasant car ride as Deacon cried a lot of the way. Hayden "cried wolf" twice for potty stops, both times never actually peeing. The mosquitoes were VERY pleased with our presence on the shoulder of the highway. Camping was fun. Since I was very small my most anticipated summer events have been camping trips with the Latta's.
We came home from Falcon on Wednesday, relaxed for a couple days, then Friday we dropped Ty off at the airport and I couldn't help but be a little worried as he flew off to Las Vegas for our friend, Lee's, stag. "Where is Daddy going?" asked little Hayden. "He's going to Las Vegas." I replied. Hayden, hearing LOST instead of LAS said, "Is daddy lost in Vegas?". Egad.
Trying my best to forget about Tyler in Las Vegas, I had a stagette of my own to attend! (not my own, but of my friend, Laine.) Saturday, July 12, would mark my very first time witnessing the ridiculousness that is male stripping. I can't say I'm chomping at the bit to experience that again. But it completely fit the occasion.
Tyler made it home safe and sound on Monday. Then that whole week I think I just tried to "get caught up on housework". Try as I might, I am never caught up on housework. There are always random toys and objects littered haphazardly around the entire house. I could spend a whole day picking random objects/toys off the floor and returning them to their rightful places, only to find a whole new set of random objects/toys left in other random places when I'm "finished". It never ends! When I'm cleaning, my two main objectives are to keep the laundry done and the kitchen clean. As long as I have those two area's taken care of, I can somewhat relax. But looking at my floors makes me shudder.
Part II following very shortly!!! Much love all!! xo Liza
Friday, 11 July 2014
Baby Burn-Out
Yes, I know it's been a long time since my last post. Rather than not write anything at all, I'm just going to come right out and admit that I've just been feeling pretty sorry for myself lately and I don't want to be super negative on my blog. From an outside perspective I know I have no real problems but there are two things I find myself complaining about a lot lately: 1) I get very little sleep and 2) I get very few breaks.
So I'm tired, and I have serious baby burn-out. I can do "no sleep" and I can do "no breaks", but not together. It's a combination that makes for a not very pleasant human. Ask Tyler.
My bitterness is a little more intense at the moment because Ty is in Las Vegas for a stag this weekend.
Annnnd there you have it. I know: be grateful, count my blessings, remember these years go by so fast, etc. I'm always the first to say it and it does honestly turn my sour moods completely around. But it doesn't change the fact that I get very little sleep and I get very few breaks....
Forgive me for being Debbie Downer on a Friday! On a lighter note, I AM going out tomorrow and I am going to try my very hardest to not feel guilty or worry about H & D while I'm having fun with my friends because god dammit, I DESERVE IT!!!!!
Everyone enjoy your weekends and this beautiful weather!!! xoxo
Liza
So I'm tired, and I have serious baby burn-out. I can do "no sleep" and I can do "no breaks", but not together. It's a combination that makes for a not very pleasant human. Ask Tyler.
My bitterness is a little more intense at the moment because Ty is in Las Vegas for a stag this weekend.
Annnnd there you have it. I know: be grateful, count my blessings, remember these years go by so fast, etc. I'm always the first to say it and it does honestly turn my sour moods completely around. But it doesn't change the fact that I get very little sleep and I get very few breaks....
Forgive me for being Debbie Downer on a Friday! On a lighter note, I AM going out tomorrow and I am going to try my very hardest to not feel guilty or worry about H & D while I'm having fun with my friends because god dammit, I DESERVE IT!!!!!
Everyone enjoy your weekends and this beautiful weather!!! xoxo
Liza
Monday, 23 June 2014
The Soother Wars
Before I had babies I was firmly anti-soother. Why would I subject my infant to sucking on a nipplish-shaped piece of plastic / silicon? How unnatural! Humans have survived for eons without soothers. Animals don't use artificial nipples to soothe their babies. Growing up on the farm we sometimes had cats with a blanket-sucking habit. Yet those were the cats whose mothers had tragically abandoned them as tiny kittens. :|
Then I had colicky Hayden. I took many many different approaches to soothe her crying. Among them, soothers. Because when your baby is crying, you basically just want them to stop. She resisted the pacifier for weeks but then at 3 months she finally took it and never looked back. It was an instant sigh of relief. No more crying in the car, or in the grocery store, or when I needed to defer a feeding.
Bedtime was a breeze. All I needed to do was place sleepy Hayden in her crib, pop the "paci" in her mouth, and she was out. Eventually, if she woke up in the night, she could find the paci by herself and put herself back to sleep. Who needs mom?! It was great. I would fall asleep at night and think, Well, I've got this parenting thing pretty much figured out.
Then I had hungry Deacon. Since birth he really only cries to be fed. But that's like all the time. There's no deferring his feedings because he refuses to take a soother! He won't even consider it! It would be nice to not have to jump when he says jump. So he's a little more high-maintenance in that when he starts getting fussy I have to pick him up. (Wow, I feel like a lazy mom now that I'm writing this. lol) Yes, I know he has to learn how to "self-soothe". Well he can't. If he's grouchy and isn't hungry it's right into the Ergo for him. Then he's fine. And that's honestly how I get him to sleep some nights. He falls asleep in the Ergo and then I put him in his crib. No popping in the soother for night-wakings. Fortunately, he's sleeping through the night more frequently these days.
On the plus side of Deacon not taking a soother - at least we don't have to eventually take it away from him when he's two-ish like we've just had to do to his dear sister Hayden. The Easter Bunny came and confiscated her beloved "paci". She was OK with it at first because, of course, he left an abundance of Easter treats in its place. But, the first night without the paci she was up until 4 am. She has since learned to fall asleep without it THANK GOD. Hayden, my poor abandoned kitten, still often tries to sneak Deacon's unused soother into bed with her.
I still don't really know where I stand on the soother debate. On one hand, it feels wrong to let your baby be soothed by a piece of plastic. On the other hand, wow is it ever awesome to let your baby be soothed by anyone or anyTHING other than me! I know Hayden is happy with a few extra snuggles and songs from mom and dad to help her fall asleep. AND they're only this little once so I've gotta get all the snuggles I can. For that reason, I should have got rid of the paci ages ago!
Goodnight!!
Liza
Then I had colicky Hayden. I took many many different approaches to soothe her crying. Among them, soothers. Because when your baby is crying, you basically just want them to stop. She resisted the pacifier for weeks but then at 3 months she finally took it and never looked back. It was an instant sigh of relief. No more crying in the car, or in the grocery store, or when I needed to defer a feeding.
Bedtime was a breeze. All I needed to do was place sleepy Hayden in her crib, pop the "paci" in her mouth, and she was out. Eventually, if she woke up in the night, she could find the paci by herself and put herself back to sleep. Who needs mom?! It was great. I would fall asleep at night and think, Well, I've got this parenting thing pretty much figured out.
Then I had hungry Deacon. Since birth he really only cries to be fed. But that's like all the time. There's no deferring his feedings because he refuses to take a soother! He won't even consider it! It would be nice to not have to jump when he says jump. So he's a little more high-maintenance in that when he starts getting fussy I have to pick him up. (Wow, I feel like a lazy mom now that I'm writing this. lol) Yes, I know he has to learn how to "self-soothe". Well he can't. If he's grouchy and isn't hungry it's right into the Ergo for him. Then he's fine. And that's honestly how I get him to sleep some nights. He falls asleep in the Ergo and then I put him in his crib. No popping in the soother for night-wakings. Fortunately, he's sleeping through the night more frequently these days.
On the plus side of Deacon not taking a soother - at least we don't have to eventually take it away from him when he's two-ish like we've just had to do to his dear sister Hayden. The Easter Bunny came and confiscated her beloved "paci". She was OK with it at first because, of course, he left an abundance of Easter treats in its place. But, the first night without the paci she was up until 4 am. She has since learned to fall asleep without it THANK GOD. Hayden, my poor abandoned kitten, still often tries to sneak Deacon's unused soother into bed with her.
I still don't really know where I stand on the soother debate. On one hand, it feels wrong to let your baby be soothed by a piece of plastic. On the other hand, wow is it ever awesome to let your baby be soothed by anyone or anyTHING other than me! I know Hayden is happy with a few extra snuggles and songs from mom and dad to help her fall asleep. AND they're only this little once so I've gotta get all the snuggles I can. For that reason, I should have got rid of the paci ages ago!
Goodnight!!
Liza
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