tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56868681736140572982024-03-05T05:31:11.996-05:00love as a verbLAAV is a blog for the happiest things in my life. It acts as a break from the negative to showcase the wonderful acts of the day to day, that occasionally can be taken for granted. I hope you'll love it too! For sponsorship opportunities or if you would like to guest blog feel free to email me directly at rachel.e.doerksen(at)gmail(dot)com.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-8425621180396009982016-08-06T13:11:00.002-04:002016-08-06T13:11:40.961-04:00minutes with mila | vol.one<div style="text-align: center;">
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a new post! a new post! also, dare i say, a revival of LAAV? fingers crossed for yes.this spot of the internet i call my own has always been a nice outlet for me, but more than anything, it's been the best to reflect on. pre baby, post baby, it's just good times.</div>
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with m, i did so well at documenting her infant moments but really fell silent during her toddler years. there have been so many stages where i confidently feel like "this one. this is the best one yet." don't get me wrong, it's not without challenges but man can those good times mask those challenging times in a second. </div>
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lately, m's vocabulary has expanded and her imagination has taken off. the two together is like a fun factory cocktail. i feel like i hang on her every word sometimes because who knows where it will go next. sometimes it's totally normal and then other times her favourite animal is "batman". this kid, seriously, this kid. </div>
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miss mila, i adore you.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-64338511154867885582015-01-09T22:42:00.000-05:002015-01-09T22:42:08.155-05:00let's catch up!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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hi there!</div>
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<i> where have you been?</i> </div>
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okay but really, where have i been is more like it? absent...vacant...yes. i've been pretty MIA for no particular reason and when i looked back at my last post i couldn't believe it was in september! have i seriously not blogged since then? eek! before i get back on the blogging trail i thought i would take this post to catch up. a lot has happened since little mila turned one. she basically went from baby to toddler in one sleep. i swear she noticeably grows in a blink.<br />
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i went back to work at the end of august! i found the process to be somewhat of an emotional roller coaster where some days i couldn't wait to jump in and share my creativity again; and then there were days when i couldn't even get in the mindset, was so nervous, felt displaced and really timid about knowing anything outside of feeding and nap schedules. eventually i settled on not settling on any emotion and to just ride it out because there was no accurate way to feel about any of it. i plan to have a more official blog post on the matter but after a few months in the "new normal" this life feels pretty standard now. not only do i like being back but i love seeing mila in her school setting. her little individual is budding more and more every day and it's fun to see how she forms relationships with other kids and teachers on her own.<br />
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we celebrated a lot! the end of the year is always my favourite time because it's when the importance of family and friends is heightened a bit more then usual and i have always get reflective on the past year while feeling excited about the year to come. there is also jay's birthday and my favourite holidays in the mix. i'll admit i feel like i failed on this year's costumes for halloween. we went as three blind mice but everyone thought we were mickey mouse. must rectify for 2015!<br />
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this handsome guys and i snuck out for an anniversary date night to a movie theatre in our 'kind of new' hood. it was the sweetest two screen theatre that reminded me so much of northern california. it was really great to spend time with just the two of us too. those days come at a premium now so even if we are sitting silent next to each other in the theatre the post movie synopsis' we talk about always makes for a perfect date. <br />
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m and i flew out to colorado to surprise my mom before christmas. it was a really special trip because it was also the first time i got to meet my new baby niece and mila got to meet her new cousin- plus my mom's reaction when she saw us was priceless. i grew up with this side of our family and to reconnect with everyone, meet new babies and hug my grandma is just about the most wonderful way to end a year if you ask me. it's amazing how even after being removed for so long i can still come back and feel right at home there.<br />
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we experienced our first 'real' baby fever which ended us in the ER and a diagnosis of a double ear infection and upper respiratory viral infection. everything has worked itself out just fine, another three ear infections have come gone and we are currently battling a double ear infection now upping our count to five. i recently recovered from bronchitis so our house has been no stranger to antibiotics, rest and disney movies.<br />
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last but not least, in case any of you remember, i <a href="http://love-as-a-verb.blogspot.com/2014/03/au-revoir-cocoa.html">gave up chocolate</a> for a year last valentines day and have stuck with it! more on that to come as well but for now, it's just a little update and i'm pretty proud for sticking to it!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">hope you all had an amazing holiday season and happy 2015!</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-50094382625656814472014-09-06T22:27:00.000-04:002014-09-06T22:27:00.890-04:00ONE!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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we are counting years instead of months now and every day i wish i could just slow down all the time we have with her. like how is she one guys? i still remember so clearly when we were driving to the hospital in the weeeeeeee hours of the morning and i kept telling myself not to get my hopes up because the nurses where probably going to send us home. and then when we got admitted i asked the nurse about a thousand times if she was <i><b>really sure</b> </i>our baby was coming <i><b>that day</b></i> because i was beyond myself with excitement and i couldn't bare the thought of not meeting her <i><b>that day</b></i>. then that first announcement when we knew our mila was here; that first time i held her and never wanted to let her go; that time a high strung nurse chased jay down the hall because he wanted to show her off to his folks; that time the night nurse sang to her and rocked her forever so i could eat; those first few days when i when i was overwhelmed with love and terror; those nights i stayed up reading and reading and reading because i was sure i would eff something up; those nights i made myself not read for fear of being paranoid; those walks where i took her in her sling, just the two of us with her fast asleep and me afraid of walking too far away in case she woke up and started crying; those times i felt like i had everything under control and then realized i actually didn't; and that time i finally realized control just had a different definition now.</div>
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from day one ms. mila, you stole our hearts. but from that day we first met you, you melted us completely. we often reflect back on the day we found out we had a daughter and the first few weeks we tried to figure it all out. i can't begin to express what an honor it is to be your mama and to watch you grow daily. you are the biggest blessing we have ever known and it's hard to imagine the days before you were here, because it feels like you have always been here, right with us. </div>
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your smile. ugh! your smile. i would try every trick in the book to make you smile kiddo- lucky for me, you kind of smile a lot. really, it's not that hard to make you happy. you are the most beautiful, genuine little creature and we seriously can't get enough of you. to our baby girl, we love you a million times over.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>xo.</i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-77433619963005416312014-09-06T14:20:00.001-04:002014-09-06T14:21:15.675-04:00on mamahood :: month 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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this is it! the conclusion of the mamahood series. we officially have a toddler in our house and i have been back to work for two weeks now. this past year just flew by and i terribly miss my full days at home with her every single day. i even have this crazy amount of anxiety for every minute that stalls me from getting to her after 5pm. seriously guys, it's something i'm really trying to control. you have no idea how many times i've dreamed of having a go go gadget car after work. i plan to do a post on her first birthday in a bit so i'll save the sap for that (because there is a lot!) but for any new parent about to start their journey with a babe, or for any parent currently in the throws of the first year i leave you with this: document as much as you can. when you can. every parent young and old told us it goes by so fast and in just one short year, i fully agree. </div>
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LAAV on mamahood, month 11:</div>
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<li>tooth count: six</li>
<li>she said "dadda"!!!! (and can't stop)</li>
<li>she stands on her own for a few seconds</li>
<li>if there is a snuggle to steal i'll do it</li>
<li>she finally took to formula after jay tricked her by putting strawberries in her sippy nozzle- i couldn't be more grateful it worked and more bummed i didn't think of it first. </li>
<li>she still hates grass</li>
<li>i felt so confident about her going to daycare and me going to work until one afternoon i just started crying making her a peanut butter sandwich. jay had to take over lunch at that point. </li>
<li>i cried a few times after that peanut butter moment too</li>
<li>she plays "sleeps" anywhere, anytime. just ask her to play sleep and she'll tuck her hands under her belly and lay down stiff as a board</li>
<li>book winners of the month: <i>hand, hand, fingers, thumb, the going to sleep book,christmas touch and feel book, </i>and<i> goodnight colorado</i></li>
<li>she loves pulling all my makeup out of my makeup bag</li>
<li>baths are her favourite thing (thanks to everyone for the tips on washing her hair without getting water on her face!)</li>
<li>when she first wakes up in the morning, she'll hand me her teddy bear right away. i hug it and give it back to her.</li>
<li>at nap time i ask if she wants to take a snooze and she'll nod her head yes</li>
<li>it hit me while clothes shopping for her that at 1 year she is no longer a baby, she is a toddler (i may have cried here too)</li>
<li>she likes to do walking laps around her crib before falling asleep</li>
<li>she practices standing on anything she can simultaneously stopping my heart every time she does</li>
<li>the only kisses she gives out are to herself in the mirror</li>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">and fin!</span></i><br />
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hope you had as much fun reading as i did sharing. </div>
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for the full mamahood series click <a href="http://love-as-a-verb.blogspot.ca/search/label/mamahood">here!</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-41689464710711240172014-08-08T16:11:00.000-04:002014-08-08T16:11:47.561-04:00beautiful things. beautiful people. beautiful world. the happiness collective.<div style="text-align: justify;">
every morning when i get a little quiet time i like to catch up online with friends and current affairs. i get lost in instagram and my rss feeds that are a mixture of blogs and news syndicates. i basically see it as my time to catch up.</div>
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one of the <a href="http://love-as-a-verb.blogspot.ca/2012/02/little-bit-about-me-my-blog.html?spref=fb">reasons why i started this blog</a> was because at the time, i always seemed to land on a negative piece of news. "this war here..." "this explosion here..." "this arrest made..." you get it right? by no means am i saying these articles aren't newsworthy, the absolutely are and i am happy they are shared so proper awareness can be given. i just felt personally that i commonly gravitated towards news that was heartbreaking or devastating not heartfelt and uplifting. today after reading about the newest airstrike order i thought now might be a good time to search the web for reminders that the world we live in isn't all bad. that not all news is upsetting, and really beautiful things happen all the time should our eyes just be open to them.</div>
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below are a few links i wanted to share. hopefully they will lift up your day the same way they did for me!</div>
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<a href="http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2086/How-Hummus-selfies-can-help-achieve-world-peace.html">hummus selfies</a> via deseret news national:</div>
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a new social media campaign taking a small stance on a bigger message. sure it is adding light to a very horrible conflict with israel and palestine but it's swaying the conversation every so slightly to find a common ground for equality, even if it starts with the silliest thing, it's a start nonetheless. there is even a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Thehummusinitiative?fref=nf">facebook page for the hummus initiative</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbego4CGP8g/U-UmaCaogcI/AAAAAAAADIc/FxvqEXysGq0/s1600/train.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbego4CGP8g/U-UmaCaogcI/AAAAAAAADIc/FxvqEXysGq0/s1600/train.JPG" height="156" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/australian-commuters-tilt-train-cars-to-rescue-man-stuck-in-station-gap-1.1947961">60 people in australia help one man on the subway</a> via ctv.ca (video in link)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
i found it incredibly heartwarming that so many people worked together to help one person. no one left it up to the platform workers or seemed bothered to shove a super heavy train to help this man. look at the diversity of the people helping, it really is a wonderful group effort.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TH78QWxPOyc/U-UrC6aWAwI/AAAAAAAADIo/HOBZJbKV-mQ/s1600/dr+mulualem.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TH78QWxPOyc/U-UrC6aWAwI/AAAAAAAADIo/HOBZJbKV-mQ/s1600/dr+mulualem.JPG" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.diretube.com/insight/meet-dr-mulualem-gessesse-head-of-neonatology-unit-yekaktit-12-hospital-video_92e98ab13.html">dr. mulualem gessesse who significantly decreased infant mortality rate in ethiopia</a> via directube.com (video in link)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
dr. mulualem gessesse is one incredible woman who deserves a lot of attention for her work with newborns. she has spread her education through multiple hospitals allowing for neonatal practice to be given on a regular basis. she started with very little and turned what little she had into a miracle network for families.</div>
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<br /></div>
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and then there is this kid...</div>
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<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/rz5TGN7eUcM" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>happy friday all! </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>hope you guys have a great weekend!</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-57394084407735111362014-08-04T16:37:00.001-04:002014-08-04T16:37:33.654-04:00a few tips for museum going with baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5FfsJrXfnfnJ5b-Z6a4qDG9_fucbNcmhlYNV-NLqklYCsxBje8T3IWOD6qdPUcfShfqAUduQNZX4kAR0_dA_VWPc-L32z12a5mxliMeKQt-YfJLzPrNZQjVBEjqQqNIhwIKfRjaEffdv/s1600/2014-07-29+03.22.13+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5FfsJrXfnfnJ5b-Z6a4qDG9_fucbNcmhlYNV-NLqklYCsxBje8T3IWOD6qdPUcfShfqAUduQNZX4kAR0_dA_VWPc-L32z12a5mxliMeKQt-YfJLzPrNZQjVBEjqQqNIhwIKfRjaEffdv/s1600/2014-07-29+03.22.13+1.jpg" height="828" width="700" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">i try to get out with mila every day (with
the exception of a few lazy days here and there of course). we typically go for
longer walks during the day because it's free, we don't have to find parking or
navigate the subway, and we can quickly come back home to cool off or nap or
whatever. seeing as i have a few weeks of mat leave left and i sort of love
museums of all varieties, i have been taking mila on a little tour of toronto
museums. some i have been to before and others i have always wanted to go to so
i decided to take full advantage of my time off with just her and myself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">my first museum trip with mila was a
little awkward because even though i was with her, i sort of felt alone. i was
also a little nervous of a meltdown, or poo explosion, or some moment that i
knew i couldn't control. there is something about that sweet retired couple
viewing historical artifacts when all of the sudden a toddler decides to scream
their face off in the middle of the room that i didn't really want any part of.
the more and more i have gone, the more comfortable i feel going though. it's
actually some of my most favourite mat leave moments. so for other mama's who
have a few public fears like i did. i put together a little list of tips that
hopefully help you out and allow you to explore more of what your city has to
offer!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFADNCGX6OWrzNjp6C_EXbLpKnjhu_Q4MeL60EY6NedwC_SmwF40tdYrl7fQzPDtMCHjfG0GpT2rgdHXT7v_D3zXV-awA5GSG2Mwcq8VJzBcGO9pCeoS2BqFHjyiKvF0gx0ManyjKhvE-D/s1600/2014-07-29+09.44.18+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFADNCGX6OWrzNjp6C_EXbLpKnjhu_Q4MeL60EY6NedwC_SmwF40tdYrl7fQzPDtMCHjfG0GpT2rgdHXT7v_D3zXV-awA5GSG2Mwcq8VJzBcGO9pCeoS2BqFHjyiKvF0gx0ManyjKhvE-D/s1600/2014-07-29+09.44.18+1.jpg" height="420" width="700" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>go to a place<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>you</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>want to go to</b>: the way i see it, one day, all of our
outings and activities will have a strong 'kid' focus. which i'm really excited
for truly, but i doubt i'll be able to say "let's go see japanese
paintings from the floating world!" and they are going to say
"totally!" so for now i'm taking the opportunity to see as many
places and as many exhibits that currently interest me while mila is still
small enough to tote around. besides it feels like a fun way to share my
interests with her and one day i hope she shares hers with me!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="font-family: inherit;">check the museum's website in advance to see if there is stroller
accessibility:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b><span style="font-family: inherit;">most museums we've been to have some type
of stroller/wheelchair accessibility option but check in advance just in case. the ago , rom and science centre in toronto are really good at helping people with babies/kids navigate their </span>museum<span style="font-family: inherit;">! however there was a historic place we visited last january that had an elevator for
wheelchairs but wouldn't allow strollers and i found that out including their reasoning (which made perfect sense) from their site. needless to say i was happy i figured
that out early. by checking ahead you can have a good heads up on baby carrying
options.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>know the best way to get there:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>when you live in the city like us, transportation can be
tricky and can easy tack on more time to your trip. while there is a decent
public transit system here and most all major museums are on a subway stop,
there are very few stops with escalators let alone elevators. and there is no
way i am lugging a twenty pound stroller with a twenty pound baby up city
subway steps. unless i plan to carry mila (which is proving to be difficult the
bigger she gets) i typically drive. there are parking lots all over the city
but some closest to the museums can charge more per half hour then one say two
blocks away. i have found finding these off the beaten path lots to be the
best, the cheapest, and the emptiest allowing for a seamless park and unpack
start to our trip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>pack "no mess" snacks and water
(depending on babes age of course):<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>this doesn't apply for littles who aren't
on solids just yet, but for those who are, i found packing snacks like dry
food, bits of cheese and water to be really helpful. rice rusks, puffs, and
bread are easy to store, easy to eat, and won't leave a sticky smudge on
picasso's sitting lady should it be flung from little hands. dont forget food
and drink for you too!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>go during off peak times:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>this is more a consideration for you and baby in regards to
other museum patrons. i personally find it less stressful knowing i can push
the stroller wherever i want without having to navigate large crowds of people.
i typically try to be considerate that i take up more space so often i push the
stroller to side or make it a point to get out of people's way. if you go
during slower times you'll have more room to go where you please and see things
head on versus cramming yourself in a corner somewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>know you'll be a
bit noisier than others and it's okay:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></b>this may seem obvious to most people with babes because
this happens on a daily basis, but when you are naturally in a silent
environment, chances are you mirror the same level of noise...but baby won't
ever do that will they? mila chatted her way through the entire art gallery of
ontario the other day, like seriously removed her pacifier<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>just</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to chat and giggle. and seeing as i am
her mama and her little personality kills me, i found it only necessary to chat
and giggle along with her and it. was. awesome!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sXP7kcih9JP53jDhf50hCUcyPTAhUDcG6VH1c-r9p4ZVJFhtEE8_lg6v2HedeRyeYliD1TxB6p78eNcGW1HNDguHOEj-zkyuSWt1zRU2RmjlI2GqfzNyipID0SO43zcnmDCDi5c4moKU/s1600/2014-08-04+04.13.14+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-sXP7kcih9JP53jDhf50hCUcyPTAhUDcG6VH1c-r9p4ZVJFhtEE8_lg6v2HedeRyeYliD1TxB6p78eNcGW1HNDguHOEj-zkyuSWt1zRU2RmjlI2GqfzNyipID0SO43zcnmDCDi5c4moKU/s1600/2014-08-04+04.13.14+1.jpg" height="860" width="700" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">there you have it! hope these little tips
help a bit and if there are any tips you have feel free to share them here, i
would love to know them!</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-51943385026652296302014-07-30T09:43:00.001-04:002014-07-30T09:43:50.649-04:00on mamahood :: month 10<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBYBi1aDYMUGDPHi_P-GDTLoq0z6CpMzhnI0XDHxlprYZuMkvjFIY0G8GISK7s9W6Zwo3BVaPf_N8Z8J839nEyUnoMWDAFRg4C3PW2eoJgzYo4MRPLNu0W3HQnGnLozQOMwECYvIiAE5E/s1600/month+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBYBi1aDYMUGDPHi_P-GDTLoq0z6CpMzhnI0XDHxlprYZuMkvjFIY0G8GISK7s9W6Zwo3BVaPf_N8Z8J839nEyUnoMWDAFRg4C3PW2eoJgzYo4MRPLNu0W3HQnGnLozQOMwECYvIiAE5E/s1600/month+10.jpg" height="828" width="700" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span id="goog_284095789"></span><span id="goog_284095790"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">it's funny how every month i think "this is my favourite
month!" with mila. i guess it's just fair to say that i really enjoy
having this little lady in our lives. month ten has been incredible though! she
engages more and seems to be learning at a faster pace. she has these little
personality traits that are all her own and every day it seems like she is
growing more and more into her own little self. it really has been the best to
spend every day seeing her grow and change. i swear it happens so fast!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">on a personal note, i know i have openly talked about my mixed emotions
about going back to work. selfishly, i am very excited to get back to it,
really. but mom guilt always seemed to creep right in there making me think the
worse about daycare and the worse about leaving her. over the past few weeks, my thoughts on it have really
changed. we had family come and visit a few weeks back and i was pretty much
non-existent, but i really needed that. it was good to see how she interacted
with others and how much fun she had with new faces. for the first time, i'm
really excited about taking her to daycare and giving her the opportunity to
become more of an individual, to learn from other people and make new friends.
it's a pretty great little feeling i tell you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">LAAV on mamahood, month ten:</span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">tooth count: four<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she is a crawling master!<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she taught herself how to
sit from a crawl in one morning and can't stop doing it.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">my stomach is finally
seeming more "normal".<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">weaning is the new thing i
am fully freaked out about doing. especially when she strongly refused
formula for over a week.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she scrunches her nose every
time she smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">when she throws her head all
the way back we say "ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh yes.yes." and she nods
with us.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she fake giggles in the
nerdiest way and genuinely giggles in the cutest way.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">climbing the stairs is her
greatest victory.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she grabs books and holds
them up for you to read. she'll still turn every page for you too.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">yogurt is her most favourite
food along with anything fruity. except mangos, she doesn't like those.
(which is weird because mangos sums up my first trimester. all day. every
day. couldn't get enough!)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she pulls things out of the
carpet even though i<i> swear </i>we just vacuumed.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she fits in 12-18 month
clothes now.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">pulling cards from our
wallets is her favourite morning activity and guarantees us at least 10
more minutes in bed. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she cuddles in to my shoulder at every sleep while i sing to her <i>till there was you</i>.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she'll drink from her sippy
just fine until she is done with it. then she puts the sippy to her mouth
and spits water all down her shirt until she is soaked. she smiles the
entire time she does it too.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>brown bear brown bear what
do you see, ten apples up on top, m is for maple</i>, highlights <i>hello
magazine</i> and <i>wake up nigh</i>t are the book winners for
the month.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she cuddles with her toys
(fluffy or not) and my heart implodes.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">her "dessert"
(which is </span>partially<span style="font-family: inherit;"> frozen fruit) comes out to the tune of star wars or
the rocky theme song depending on if mom or dad is bringing it to her.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she hates grass.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she'll throw all of her soothers and her teddy bear out of her crib and call for us to come get them. she rarely does this more than once per sleep so we don't mind indulging her.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she refuses to sit in baths,
only stands, making it a two man job again. please send reccos on how to
best wash their hair without getting water all over their face.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">she understands more and points
to things when you ask her to find them. our noses/eyes/chins, pictures of
her cousins, or sheep and trucks seem to be the most fun to find.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i love taking her to museums
even though she can't fully grasp how great they are just yet.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">i say to her "one day,
dad and i will take you to rome, or prague, or the amalfi coast, wouldn't
that be fun!?" one day.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-44419104361622054192014-07-21T10:38:00.001-04:002014-07-21T10:38:35.358-04:00a bit of our weekend<div style="text-align: justify;">
we got around to exploring more of our new hood this weekend! saturday we spent a rainy afternoon walking around the leslieville spit. it rained our entire time there but it was nothing two umbrellas and a rain guard for the stroller couldn't fix. it was our first time walking around there and while it was a really pretty walk, biking it the next time (preferably in the sun) may be a bit better. on sunday we got lucky when the rain held off so we could tour around the beaches jazz festival. both jay and i are pretty happy about our east end living now. there is always so much going on in the summer and it's nice to be so close to it all!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we took some video of our weekend to share. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>hope you had a great weekend too!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
music by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theapplesinstereo" target="_blank">the apples in stereo</a> (who are from denver for all you colorado folks to swoon over)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="393" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/101299730" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="700"></iframe> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
more little family videos can be seen <a href="http://love-as-a-verb.blogspot.ca/search/label/fancy%20family%20videos" target="_blank">here!</a></div>
<div>
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-88443074912489869952014-07-11T09:21:00.002-04:002014-07-11T09:21:39.838-04:00on mamahood :: month 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FC7qsMZSDN-i3kYPFclv4xXzV2qPy94kQ__I924Sk38mr99huLWZK5IkOugFng76gecscRqrGBBFd3bschoYLu4qaOiFQiKIwZ4nrOGxGxLK2YBbVp44v_CW3VpGBOn8KxzLNIjsTB3I/s1600/month+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FC7qsMZSDN-i3kYPFclv4xXzV2qPy94kQ__I924Sk38mr99huLWZK5IkOugFng76gecscRqrGBBFd3bschoYLu4qaOiFQiKIwZ4nrOGxGxLK2YBbVp44v_CW3VpGBOn8KxzLNIjsTB3I/s1600/month+9.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
holy smokes is this a late post, and regretfully i didn't update my list as the month went on like i normally do. so sadly, this is a recall of month nine rather than a running list of all the little things mila did or discovered. month ten will be a good one i promise (seriously, because she has been so fun this month)!<br />
<br />
LAAV on mamahood at nine months:<br />
<ul>
<li>tooth count: 1</li>
<li>she commando crawls like a pro!</li>
<li>first splash pad experience = major cool parents </li>
<li>i'm convinced she will never fill up if she is eating strawberries, blueberries, or cheese</li>
<li>she tried peanut butter for the first time and my panic level raised to code orange- she was fine and actually really loves it</li>
<li>her little bum sticks up in the air when she sleeps and it's the cutest thing</li>
<li>i have worried every night about the temperature in her room because i can't seem to regulate it</li>
<li>waving to herself in the mirror her favourite game</li>
<li>she's a mama's girl and i love it more than i can explain</li>
<li>stroller naps are officially a no go now (unless we exhaust her enough to <i>finally</i> fall asleep on the go)</li>
<li>she hates eggs in all forms even masked with cheese</li>
<li>i took her to her first museum trip and she pointed our way around the dinosaur exhibit</li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-36152418765231513132014-06-21T08:58:00.001-04:002014-06-21T08:58:20.018-04:00longest. move. ever!<div style="text-align: justify;">
a quick vent.<br />
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i swear it doesn't matter how many boxes i unpack or how many times i organize one construction filled corner of a room, i still feel unsettled. i can't find anything, anything! okay that's not entirely true but i have been looking for one box of mila's clothes for two weeks now. it's the one box i set aside because it is filled with the clothes she wears on a regular basis. where are they? yeah. wish i knew. so much for setting aside.</div>
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typically, i take mila's nap times as an opportunity to relax but there is no resting in this house. not now and it feels like not ever. yesterday was the first day i put on makeup and did something to my hair other than throw it back since last week. i actually <i>made myself</i> keep it down all day despite how much humidity messed with it. i may have spent the day in the same shirt i slept in (whatever) but my hair stayed down.</div>
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how do you other mamas do it? i swear i see so many well put together moms and babes out there. </div>
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anyone want to come help me unpack and find a home in our house for things i forgot we owned? anyone? actually, until this home is up to snuff we may be more visitors than hosts. but one day, one day i will sit with tea on a couch thinking "homeownership is the best". because it is, <i>right? </i>okay that's all. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-69154024054760303492014-06-14T21:44:00.000-04:002014-06-14T21:45:10.891-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLoWGW2u2tlew23bomsg5VZVOQ5waAqOLngKlavdgt6GHtNBqOd7mv5YJ5hl8opCUBqjPr2Hyqu7_QKOgrRmd_e4y6Rti62JrZz5BnhUIERFqFggMDqws2uTHQ76h1ujWIrxlHkvydwF7/s1600/FATHERS+DAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLoWGW2u2tlew23bomsg5VZVOQ5waAqOLngKlavdgt6GHtNBqOd7mv5YJ5hl8opCUBqjPr2Hyqu7_QKOgrRmd_e4y6Rti62JrZz5BnhUIERFqFggMDqws2uTHQ76h1ujWIrxlHkvydwF7/s1600/FATHERS+DAY.jpg" height="700" width="700" /></a></div>
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this man. this man has always been some kind of amazing. watching him as a dad over the past few months has been the most incredible experience. he is kind, patient, helpful, funny and will do anything for this little girl of ours. mila sure is lucky to have a dad like him and i sure am lucky to have a partner like him in this crazy parenting journey.</div>
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happy father's day to all the papas out there but a special one to you handsome. there is no one who can make this little girl laugh as easy or as much as you can. the relationship between you two is something i could sit back and watch all day long. thank you for being the great father you are!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWREiu4ya8Dv2pHcii8z9OECyZkfehM-lRQGCoYVDMlv8LonQHzVqLNbv13U-4eSkG4jK2d-xwHub3rDGmnNqHVYk24xyibTPXwCl0KKR9nrxisUH1Telr48lXbIfkZWl1z9SWuv8hO2T/s1600/babymila+websize+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWREiu4ya8Dv2pHcii8z9OECyZkfehM-lRQGCoYVDMlv8LonQHzVqLNbv13U-4eSkG4jK2d-xwHub3rDGmnNqHVYk24xyibTPXwCl0KKR9nrxisUH1Telr48lXbIfkZWl1z9SWuv8hO2T/s1600/babymila+websize+098.jpg" height="486" width="700" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-62579171481934290662014-06-11T23:33:00.000-04:002014-06-11T23:33:17.266-04:00a little update - our first home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo5K_ypYNpI5C2QY9sZWB4vswO7jMWn81-mnxfuvhWx7Zak-XfSb3S4Hv-1q-ZCr1mOIUflcgLlwrfLNoX-IHUI-20B3L8dF0YckwEvGOFUR-uTA7WRog0eKKEdcIyuLebJAZh-qf9IqV/s1600/2014-04-24+12.06.52+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFo5K_ypYNpI5C2QY9sZWB4vswO7jMWn81-mnxfuvhWx7Zak-XfSb3S4Hv-1q-ZCr1mOIUflcgLlwrfLNoX-IHUI-20B3L8dF0YckwEvGOFUR-uTA7WRog0eKKEdcIyuLebJAZh-qf9IqV/s1600/2014-04-24+12.06.52+1.jpg" height="800" width="640" /></a></div>
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i haven't posted in a bit but there are good reasons i promise; we bought our first house, ahhh!! it is something jay and i worked pretty hard for and are happy to have made it work without sacrificing our love for city life. i haven't posted any pictures because frankly there are boxes and paint cans and contractor tools in every corner of every room. i thank god mila isn't fully mobile yet and is in a somewhat 'cuddly want to be held a lot' stage. </div>
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the move process has been a tiring one for all of us but for different reasons. everyone's schedules have been fully thrown and i don't know how we had packed away so much stuff in that tiny apartment of ours. but we managed to get it all packed and moved over the course of a month and with help from some amazing family members. </div>
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it was a bittersweet move and i'll admit, i cried, i usually do when an old chapter closes and a new one begins. i'm a sap, there i said it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMWTbb9PXDpVUusYlMC4iepUu7RLsg6-k2T0utENS46wyX00c5JmBVMmhwrstF3DzLoPR0t7_4i23xiKIZvJKNcpeyRrd3sVlvn7QCGnAYf667gJHOdNzAr3f8ZiuprpyGGWbklN74z4-/s1600/IMG_20140531_225628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMWTbb9PXDpVUusYlMC4iepUu7RLsg6-k2T0utENS46wyX00c5JmBVMmhwrstF3DzLoPR0t7_4i23xiKIZvJKNcpeyRrd3sVlvn7QCGnAYf667gJHOdNzAr3f8ZiuprpyGGWbklN74z4-/s1600/IMG_20140531_225628.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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jay and i moved to that complex after we got married. it was our first place in the city. we lived in the <a href="http://love-as-a-verb.blogspot.ca/2011/10/goodbye-to-first-apartment-we-had.html" target="_blank">first floor apartment</a> then moved one floor up to score a private balcony a few years later. i wrote a little <a href="http://love-as-a-verb.blogspot.ca/2011/10/home-new-home.html" target="_blank">post here</a> when we made the move because i was pretty excited about the charm that apartment had compared to the one below it. while we were finishing up cleaning the last day i saw mila playing ever so contently with just her soother in our old living room and that's when all the tears started. there are a lot of memories wrapped up in that place that i'll always be fond of.</div>
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we have been spending most of our days making sense of endless boxes or giving the contractors some space to work freely. i mean how can you ask someone to drill quietly? most of our days consist of day trips to the hardware store but last week mila and i had ourselves a little date at the royal ontario museum. dinosaur bones are way more fun than hardware aisles.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5cstk7o9W7_LSj_SCBPuQ4JVW3q64zclNw9u6HdnwhrZXvxLiwqGaMC6346y_YEw2BpvQynHsVLqs2jHfEumSJElewY-Fex5GKFZ96pE9fb9yJjer2W3ccw1sLk7ZhZ0h5KWZjttCm-h/s1600/IMG_20140605_125106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5cstk7o9W7_LSj_SCBPuQ4JVW3q64zclNw9u6HdnwhrZXvxLiwqGaMC6346y_YEw2BpvQynHsVLqs2jHfEumSJElewY-Fex5GKFZ96pE9fb9yJjer2W3ccw1sLk7ZhZ0h5KWZjttCm-h/s1600/IMG_20140605_125106.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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since moving i have been craving new designs with fresh looks and seem to be falling more and more in love with all mid century modern designs. it really is the perfect mix of old and new, simple but bold, and structured but cozy. now to figure out how to get the look on a budget...</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-73686528075775789312014-06-11T22:40:00.001-04:002014-06-11T22:41:20.232-04:00on mamahood :: month 8<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1vuDpC_OcdIIp5n3VGhmiig4Rn_r-VZLHtgIgn3WXGAiG12wvBG3RUM-61A5rCn095YMPsdmbn-wXRm0vI4uBCPpXb_XJac3dzkFojq0tfAZ0cdLE0AoJDBbk2FKhkEV1oR1KOskV7sm/s1600/IMG_20140515_103121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1vuDpC_OcdIIp5n3VGhmiig4Rn_r-VZLHtgIgn3WXGAiG12wvBG3RUM-61A5rCn095YMPsdmbn-wXRm0vI4uBCPpXb_XJac3dzkFojq0tfAZ0cdLE0AoJDBbk2FKhkEV1oR1KOskV7sm/s640/IMG_20140515_103121.jpg" height="700" width="700" /></a><br />
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this month i couldn't stop looking at photos from when we first brought mila home. she has grown so much in month eight. her face seems more mature and her interactions with others are more engaging then last month. it's also been a ton easier to get ready in the morning or have her hang out in her exersaucer while i make lunch because she can easily entertain herself now. for at least for 10 minutes i have two free hands before she wants to get picked up again. i may complain daily about how my arm hurts or my back hurts from carrying this little lady around all day, but secretly i love it a ridiculous amount. </div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">LAAV on mamahood at eight months</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">tooth count: 0</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">she has bedhead all day, every day.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">the first laugh where she threw her head back was because of me. and i died
right there. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">when i try to kiss her she grabs my mouth and pulls her forehead to it. then
pushes me back and gives me a big smile.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">getting her face and hands wiped is her
most loathsome time of day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">she can scoot from one side to the other and wiggle herself backwards but we
are still working on the forward motion.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">she can't get enough of standing or
walking with support. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">tummy time is no longer a peaceful protest. it's a pretty obvious protest at this point.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">at her 8 month checkup we asked how mila is progressing and she said
"socially she is really advanced". she is our daughter for sure.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">she laughs when jay and i</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">kiss in
front of her.</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">she turns off light switches at bedtime all on her own.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">we are over goodnight moon. it's now the goodnight train for every bedtime
read.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">one word to describe this month: throwy (i know, that's not a real word,
but you get it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">dance parties to the beatles radio station
can last forever and it's still one of my favourite times!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">she waves hello and goodbye with her
entire arm and with everything she's got. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">i dress her in denim every chance i get.</span></li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-73723117318111533212014-05-21T22:37:00.000-04:002014-05-22T07:36:10.293-04:00on turning 30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI6MsnB74svVdbV4VI8WKidpL2vFy3W71Y9Dw-Ukhbj52mL9vsXiYzAeF1T8yNhx3EGMQc0Ft3gF9tVziKU8ble3u1AAkLNAZ56kbK6Ql612DlXcZpMZiNzsTe4aut47LGcI3h_95sCBs/s1600/P1013529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI6MsnB74svVdbV4VI8WKidpL2vFy3W71Y9Dw-Ukhbj52mL9vsXiYzAeF1T8yNhx3EGMQc0Ft3gF9tVziKU8ble3u1AAkLNAZ56kbK6Ql612DlXcZpMZiNzsTe4aut47LGcI3h_95sCBs/s1600/P1013529.JPG" height="900" width="740" /></a></div>
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i have been 30 for two months now and wanted to write a little post in dedication to what i think is a pretty awesome time in life. i always imagined i would enter my thirties super enthusiastically having spent weeks remembering my twenties in a proper "remember this" sort of way. there sure is a lot to recap from the past 10 years. there were a million wonderful memories had and challenging times to overcome. there were moments of unsurity, a lot of those moments actually, and moments of bravery which sometimes led to regret but mostly led to the best decisions i could have made (phewf). there were times i thought i wasn't doing anything right, that nothing would turn out for the better, and that i had to remind myself to stay positive, be optimistic. then there were times i thought everything was going right and wasn't really sure how i got to where i was even though i could boldly recall the steps i took to get there. </div>
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i met some of the most wonderful people. danced on many of couches (and bars, tables, cars whatever) with friends and celebrated new directions, new families, and new experiences with all of them. i had moments of missing friends and family that don't live close or ones that i hope to laugh with again once this life is over. </div>
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in those ten years i met and married jay. moved from california to colorado to toronto, back to colorado then permanently back to toronto. i found a career i love, with a company i love in an industry i adore. i traveled to places that were new, exciting and different. i became a dual citizen of canada and the united states. and of course most recently and very fondly added miss mila into the mix. needless to say, there are an ample amount of memories.</div>
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arriving at my thirties was different. instead of meeting it like i originally thought, super elated for the next decade and fond of the previous one, i met it with an unattached sort of feeling. which is bizarre because anyone who knows me knows i love love love me some birthdays and have forever felt really excited for my thirties; so feeling a sort of neutral feeling with it all was a bit strange. it wasn't a negative feeling by any means, it just wasn't, well, anything. i think that's why it took me so long to sit down and write this post. how do you write about something genuinely when you can't fully connect with it? this morning after putting m down for a nap i sat down and thought, "i'm doing this. i'm going to<i> finally</i> write that post!" and then i stalled because i wanted to take an artistic kind of photo to monument the occasion. however that, with a baby, and days spent packing is just not going to happen. so i took the photo above. me in the exact moment, still in pajamas with leftover paint in my hair from painting mila's new room the day before. barely any makeup on with my hair thrown back. it's now. no filters, no touchups, and obviously no dress up before taking it. after snapping the photo i thought maybe that was it. maybe it's not that i'm <i>not </i>excited about the years to come but more i'm just content in the moment i am in.</div>
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there are a lot of new moments i am looking forward to but for the first time i'm not so worried if they will or won't happen. i love where i am and the people i get to spend every day with. i'm proud of myself for wanting to search out new adventures and feel confident to challenge myself often so i don't stay idle; so i continue to grow as a person. it's a great feeling this self-contentedness.</div>
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long post short, thirty is looking pretty great in my books and i'm happy to be able to share the experience on this little blog of mine as i go. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DfkYTPJkWAQVQeNon9-WvgyZujIHJwdd1jXTp3WBku2hxYJcjjAlI62d3x2DQ1fe8jzfPIf918NLYiBiM_fwplK4vt5RQGS66jOwOedO7kH-4XjBou8w1fE3pWQKLVS7rEcnOQuapIvm/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DfkYTPJkWAQVQeNon9-WvgyZujIHJwdd1jXTp3WBku2hxYJcjjAlI62d3x2DQ1fe8jzfPIf918NLYiBiM_fwplK4vt5RQGS66jOwOedO7kH-4XjBou8w1fE3pWQKLVS7rEcnOQuapIvm/s1600/30.jpg" height="900" width="740" /></a></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-91027762688359266222014-05-07T09:14:00.002-04:002014-05-07T09:14:26.660-04:00#redballoonsforryan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOALSUbMBbwyO17Yfm4c2Lda9CN6OgWXZ-_88qiCEFQgV3U5LQQvAw-AQ-SCAxeM0KN9tZEQxXW-_tw868lpZaTCvqTePL9qII2k7vapEwcM1eqvuviLwkc4X51qydso-0udNDFnmPt-kl/s1600/ryan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOALSUbMBbwyO17Yfm4c2Lda9CN6OgWXZ-_88qiCEFQgV3U5LQQvAw-AQ-SCAxeM0KN9tZEQxXW-_tw868lpZaTCvqTePL9qII2k7vapEwcM1eqvuviLwkc4X51qydso-0udNDFnmPt-kl/s1600/ryan.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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over the past few days i have seen a lot of chatter about a boy named ryan and a tragic accident that took place last week ending his life. i do not know the family personally, and typically hurt privately when reading about tragic events like this but after reading a <a href="http://diaryofanaddict.co/red-balloons-ryan/" target="_blank">post</a> this morning about the family requesting support from people by sharing images of the family and sweet ryan i felt compelled to send some love.</div>
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there are no words, no answers, no explanations that can be given in a moment like this. to the family, my heart goes out to you deeply. may the memory of your sweet boy live on forever.</div>
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to the friends reading this post please share the love in any way you can. seems the family is okay with using images from their personal accounts (<a href="http://instagram.com/babyboybakery" target="_blank">@babyboybakery</a> is where i got my images). a hashtag of #redballoonsforryan has been set up to rally support from the community.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqz4F2Xi9bhKml8irdM8p-xvIZawX23f1G2wUmNepXHTMi4ICc5BqJpfsIIZO4b1uZaBkcGOFPAotj9Jy3IvuFKdl4FrfqhdOVQRXZEYmHdlrc1nJwnOWsHX2pUGvDZBo37fRiz3QK7tM/s1600/ryan2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqz4F2Xi9bhKml8irdM8p-xvIZawX23f1G2wUmNepXHTMi4ICc5BqJpfsIIZO4b1uZaBkcGOFPAotj9Jy3IvuFKdl4FrfqhdOVQRXZEYmHdlrc1nJwnOWsHX2pUGvDZBo37fRiz3QK7tM/s1600/ryan2.JPG" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-87358354189670514922014-04-29T22:44:00.000-04:002014-04-29T22:59:17.349-04:00on mamahood :: month seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCX47FAkCTXooR77GBO_h5TiwJqVeRymmJGfq7_c8GQz8YgjuLBGV6xckacvPEqA-v2Zkcvo1jYgPcL4RRnRhWdnd6u76twfCVM4V0KImtxIdoojsL3ITgkSCYNMeyldyNtHO2aMW5k_6y/s1600/month+seven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCX47FAkCTXooR77GBO_h5TiwJqVeRymmJGfq7_c8GQz8YgjuLBGV6xckacvPEqA-v2Zkcvo1jYgPcL4RRnRhWdnd6u76twfCVM4V0KImtxIdoojsL3ITgkSCYNMeyldyNtHO2aMW5k_6y/s1600/month+seven.jpg" height="476" width="740" /></a></div>
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over the past few months i have been slowly sinking back into the mind frame that i will be heading back to work in a few months. it's a thought that i remain fairly reserved about because i can't balance the excitement of returning and the total sadness of being away from mila. the decision to be a working mom or a stay at home mom can't be an easy decision for any woman in my books. i have always been a worker bee. i am the type of person who thrives from multiple tasks, having a full plate and contributing to a team daily. lucky for me i have a job i love going to but boy will i miss spending full days with this little girl of ours. this time has been a dream and i will forever be thankful to have the opportunity to spend a full year, undivided, with this little one. i know not every parent is so lucky to have this time, in fact i think there are a great amount who are not able to, so i remind myself often of just how lucky i am.</div>
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LAAV on mamahood at seven months<br />
<ul>
<li>we got accepted to daycare! hallelujah!</li>
<li>i get a little finger jab or toy to the eye more often then i want to admit.</li>
<li>"ah mo mo mo" "a gheeee" "ba ba ba woo"</li>
<li>she continues to peacefully protest tummy time.</li>
<li>she can't stand hearing yellow submarine or heartbreak hotel anymore. i don't blame her, i sang them a lot.</li>
<li>we traveled with her for the first time and it made me want to do it again and again, really!</li>
<li>she has been in a mommy phase for a chunk of this month and i sort of love it immensely. </li>
<li>i have stroller tans on my hands (basically my knuckles are really tan and my arms are still winter white)</li>
<li>we enjoy any amount of sunshine available.</li>
<li>i'm starting to worry about sun protection and mosquito bites. seriously, what gives mama worry? tips please!</li>
<li>people mistake her for a boy from time to time. i still refuse to put her in super girly things.</li>
<li>jay and her have a secret daddy/daughter language that i can never be apart of. it consists of a cough, a grunt or a "gheeeee"</li>
<li>she has started to shake her head 'no'.</li>
<li>she points at what she wants. that little finger is so cute! until it whips me in the eye.</li>
<li>the thermostat and egg maracas are her new favourite things.</li>
<li>tickle spots: sides, under the arm pits and above the back of her knee. </li>
<li>i have secretly (and not so secretly) cried about how much i love this little family of mine. </li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-2085092999195143522014-04-07T16:08:00.000-04:002014-04-07T16:08:45.183-04:00YYZ >> DEN >> LAX >> YYZ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4TKykIIxuhsC9m1_Qc3vY9-iQVcP6zJNMwiz7yUexZa8Uzn4Y2u7NeifI8j4fZzpccVo4yOh6jCMs6H97dqCB225ub78TO_bGFcXwZ4MctSRd_cKZo8XUzI2gRKQDb6UCXci1jk8qReo/s1600/IMG_20140328_170540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4TKykIIxuhsC9m1_Qc3vY9-iQVcP6zJNMwiz7yUexZa8Uzn4Y2u7NeifI8j4fZzpccVo4yOh6jCMs6H97dqCB225ub78TO_bGFcXwZ4MctSRd_cKZo8XUzI2gRKQDb6UCXci1jk8qReo/s1600/IMG_20140328_170540.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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last week i turned thirty. it's a big deal that age. i had planned on writing a somewhat prolific post on how i felt going into this new decade of life....but then jay surprised me with a trip to los angeles after our already existing trip to denver. so, um, i was <i>too</i> excited to sit and really take in what thirty actually meant to me. i mean, friends. sun. beach. cheap wine. sun. sun. sun. there was too much to look forward to to do any inner thinking.<br />
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we started our trip in denver to celebrate a new little niece of ours expected in may. (read: yay babies!) lindsay's friend and i hosted a 'sugar & spice' themed baby shower for my sister complete with sugar, more sugar a little spice and some sugar. a super big thanks to our families for helping out, we couldn't have done it without you guys! and to my mom for snapping some photos for me. oh, and to my big sister who greeted us at the airport like this:<br />
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two snippets from the shower:<br />
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the four generation photo above is my absolute favourite. i am super blessed to have the family i do but my grandma has always meant the world to me. she is one spectacular women. i hope i can achieve her sort of intelligence and kindness one day. in my books, she is one of a kind.</div>
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we got to L.A. on monday and after a little issue with our hotel, we ended up staying at our friend's place in venice. he was super kind enough to relocate and give us his entire apartment which is a few steps from the boardwalk. my best friend cleared her entire schedule to hang with us which meant the world. there is never enough time to properly spend with darby so any second is pretty must the best. </div>
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friends of ours who moved to calgary a few years back postponed their return home to have a little surprise birthday dinner for me. it was amazing how comfortable it felt to be back with everyone, almost like we had never left. at the same time, and for the first time, i had this moment of peace realizing L.A. isn't home anymore. there has always been a piece of me that hung on to our memories of living there, thinking perhaps one day we would move back. but our lives are set up in toronto now. not to say we wouldn't consider and scenery change at some point, but after driving back in to the city after our week of travel, the toronto skyline and city lights made me feel so at home. it was exactly what i need after such an amazing time with so many people i love.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-76526910543942626302014-03-26T12:08:00.000-04:002014-03-26T12:08:57.952-04:00views from the phone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-76703528124825674602014-03-25T14:17:00.000-04:002014-03-25T14:52:27.682-04:00on mamahood :: month six<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yIwj0dZP3BOTgraWgI4JbW4H7csuussOYAzPbehVokHdkBSY1qvkauAWhQlWT_IC9I_OS_YLaIcPGX5Ppoib212WJGD_S977pzRZyvKFoQHHTIn60G_FdSD7yhO16JO6tPAZcEeIC6H_/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yIwj0dZP3BOTgraWgI4JbW4H7csuussOYAzPbehVokHdkBSY1qvkauAWhQlWT_IC9I_OS_YLaIcPGX5Ppoib212WJGD_S977pzRZyvKFoQHHTIn60G_FdSD7yhO16JO6tPAZcEeIC6H_/s1600/6.jpg" height="740" width="740" /></a></div>
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it's funny to me how much can happen in one week yet how little can happen in one month. in short, i have succomb to knowing i can't make sense of everything in this parenting journey but at the very least i can conclude i am still loving every minute. i was really looking forward to month six because it opened an entire new chapter of fun; introducing solid foods. it also introduced an entire new obsession with researching waaaayyyy to much on how to do it. i can't stop, i just can't. we really like the idea of baby led weaning, but m wasn't so keen. at least not entirely, so we are doing a hybrid of baby led weaning and mushy foods which seems to work just fine!</div>
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LAAV on mamahood at six months:</div>
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<li>she rolled from back to front! twice! that's right.</li>
<li>i could have babbling conversations with her forever.</li>
<li>the first time she reached out for me to take her my heart imploded. </li>
<li>dad is a lot cleaner with high chair feedings then mom is. i kind of like seeing her touch and smear things even if it leads to longer clean ups.</li>
<li>(she is sleeping better...<i>shhh, don't tell anyone!</i>)</li>
<li>jay is teaching her how to wave hello and it's the cutest thing ever. </li>
<li>prunes. enough said.</li>
<li>i am getting excited about heading back to work but still have that horrible <i>'crying face babe pressed up against the window at daycare' </i>visual in my head.</li>
<li>yellow submarine is the new heartbreak hotel getting a guaranteed smile every time.</li>
<li>funny faces in the mirror is our daily obsession. </li>
<li>i can't wait for sun because this snowsuit business is getting really old.</li>
<li>she loves watching me brush my teeth, but i can't sing and can't talk when doing it, i can only brush.</li>
<li>subway travel with a stroller is impossible in toronto. we need more elevators or at least escalators that go both up <i>and</i> down.</li>
<li>it doesn't hit me how big she really has gotten until jay and i are scrolling through photos from a few months ago.</li>
<li>our house feels especially small now.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-16383904718039983012014-03-20T09:33:00.000-04:002014-03-20T09:33:21.209-04:00happy first day of spring!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N4gsMqYe6BfIgjng-KjXmet7rGbwTxPZW4tz2scEvzqSkzMw5SHXoaBeNcYOFsIEhNXb-24AJEUQwU8WaTBa8-PJ6uNbke3SgaxUDqv1Czl_PYZLPuj9up-WwlDT3Thyphenhyphen4fl6qXK64EXF/s1600/spring2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N4gsMqYe6BfIgjng-KjXmet7rGbwTxPZW4tz2scEvzqSkzMw5SHXoaBeNcYOFsIEhNXb-24AJEUQwU8WaTBa8-PJ6uNbke3SgaxUDqv1Czl_PYZLPuj9up-WwlDT3Thyphenhyphen4fl6qXK64EXF/s1600/spring2.JPG" height="526" width="740" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(image of toronto's high park cherry blossoms via <a href="http://www.thepaperplace.ca/wp/2010/04/21/sakura-hanami-cherry-blossom-flower-viewing/" target="_blank">here</a>)</i></span></div>
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can i just get an amen for warm weather on the horizon before saying anything else? amen!</div>
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this winter. ugh. this winter has officially gotten under my skin. ever since first moving to toronto (and crying twice during my first winter here, seriously) i have refrained from complaining about the weather. it's just the nature of where we live and for some reason it always adds a bit more yuck to the already existing cabin fever feeling. instead i try to focus on the niceties like warm wooly sock, fluffy blankets, and as much pajama time as i can possibly get, but my optimism is dwindling. fast! this has been such a long, drawn out, freezing, and in my opinion, to many polar vortexes to stomach kind of winter. i mean c'mon!</div>
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does anyone else feel like they have arrived at spring fully exasperated like we just scrapped our way through miles of frozen tundra to see one ounce of sunshine? i actually feel exhausted by the weather and had a full sigh of relief when i saw google's homepage welcoming spring today. we have been singing a lot of '<i>here comes the sun</i>' around this house lately and just a few weeks ago i put m in spring clothes and turned up the heat a bit just because!<br />
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needless to say, warm weather we are ready for you! winter, you've been real (maybe a little too real) but please allow spring to move in quickly. we need endless days at the park, splash pads, and more importantly, sunshine on our faces!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-35602003547346647012014-03-05T15:00:00.000-05:002014-03-07T12:06:45.546-05:00on mamahood :: month five<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXc0oHXkSNbWmQRR2YlAxJUInSOoYk_i1Ln9JF9Speeo8usO81bAsLzlDwZ7LldCZPBn_z1qITsHQgFGXM9Wa27gVO4rLNpReyDxeTyQ02-ElbJeuXtUhLevE2WNuJmBdPoGBCpd0zXYL/s1600/5+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXc0oHXkSNbWmQRR2YlAxJUInSOoYk_i1Ln9JF9Speeo8usO81bAsLzlDwZ7LldCZPBn_z1qITsHQgFGXM9Wa27gVO4rLNpReyDxeTyQ02-ElbJeuXtUhLevE2WNuJmBdPoGBCpd0zXYL/s1600/5+months.jpg" height="584" width="740" /></a></div>
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this post is coming a bit late as we are well in to our six month, but lucky for me, the list below gradually builds throughout the month i recap. so late to post, but not late enough to remember. <i>phewf.</i><br />
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the time seems to be passing so quickly now. i remember in the first few months it just slugged on but i think it was because i was looking towards certain milestones as exciting markers to experience. i couldn't wait until she was able to roll over or sit up or have babbling conversations with me. I couldn't wait until she would smile and laugh at us, or we could begin to tell who this little lady was starting to become. now i find myself just living in the moment with her and celebrating the time we have together. she is growing so fast! i swear every morning i feel like she has woken up a little different then the day before. you'll see it finally hit me that i will be returning to work at the end of summer. it's such a bittersweet feeling and one i don't like to think about often, you'll see why below.</div>
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LAAV on mamahood at five months:</div>
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<ul>
<li>she refuses to roll over.</li>
<li>we are finally up to longer naps! full night sleeps are still a challenge but we'll take what we can get.</li>
<li>daddy/daughter dance parties to the beatles radio station is my favourite weekend activity.</li>
<li>singing elvis to her gets a guaranteed smile. every. single. time. specifically heartbreak hotel.</li>
<li>our lives have become musicals. we sing about everything we are doing. mainly to the tune of heartbreak hotel for obvious reasons.</li>
<li>bruce has dominated 'favourite thing' in our house. she smiles and chats with him and tries to grab his tail at every chance she gets.</li>
<li>i am incredibly thankful to know other moms. especially ones that get you out of the house to the aquarium on polar vortex days.</li>
<li>she can sit unsupported for a second or two, yay!</li>
<li>effing nail clippers. i have nightmares about them but am committed to overcoming my fear at this point.</li>
<li>i had my first tear about returning back to work which was followed by a looming vision of baby m's face pressed against the daycare glass screaming while my heart breaks walking away. that i'm sure will be a public cry fest day.</li>
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</script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-48892893060641942702014-03-03T11:40:00.000-05:002014-03-03T13:16:55.956-05:00au revoir cocoa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi890lYzcuDM6sXmOAHByPQrFNW_BaWs7Wsq38v1_GJnTeE-iofNYA46WiFJcS0mNfD0AVX0xdBR4nSsKLUMFA0FRPD2pYkkIoia7kRKFeGsNLxwQ2y8wuMUmjA-9XhHmdKuRCsNulgoYCo/s1600/chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi890lYzcuDM6sXmOAHByPQrFNW_BaWs7Wsq38v1_GJnTeE-iofNYA46WiFJcS0mNfD0AVX0xdBR4nSsKLUMFA0FRPD2pYkkIoia7kRKFeGsNLxwQ2y8wuMUmjA-9XhHmdKuRCsNulgoYCo/s1600/chocolate.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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it happened. a big decision and goal i made that i hope teaches me a valuable lesson about self control and healthier choices. for one full year i have decided to go sans chocolate. it may seem silly, but if you know me well, (specifically while in my ninth month of pregnancy) you'll understand what a big deal this is. it's a choice that has little to do with weight lose and a lot to do with my attempt to make better choices.</div>
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chocolate is an easy go to in my mind. if it's there of course i am going to eat it. before anything else in our house, that chocolate would be the first thing gone. and then the first thing to be restocked. it became a way for me to get out of the house and a quick way to treat myself. then it became a thing i shamefully ate in my car alone when no one was watching. i'll let you laugh at that visual for a sec. needless to say, it became a mindless grab that had no benefit other than allowing a quick getaway, something i think every person needs in some form or another. i would just rather my getaway be in the form of exercise or time with friends, or browsing the latest j.crew and madewell collections with a glass of wine in hand. </div>
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i'm not giving up sweets or sugar altogether, i do have some control there. chocolate however will be shelved for the next year. i started this venture on valentine's day of all days and have kept to it for the past few weeks. so far so good i would say!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">wish me luck!</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-1212839916450271052014-02-17T12:50:00.000-05:002014-02-17T12:50:39.194-05:00a date with myself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62Mcn9QsgY1Kr_LilSGwAJzlXG61hLjFEZFp9tnwDPr_jmQ0iN-FFF4vNrb8XMh7Ewx59Ua5iq374smwuqG4AkL00lFyfiJpuqnHFBHywe2Ul80ML3cXhyphenhyphenicNDvFaqFLzdtK70lHKzVTX/s1600/cupcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62Mcn9QsgY1Kr_LilSGwAJzlXG61hLjFEZFp9tnwDPr_jmQ0iN-FFF4vNrb8XMh7Ewx59Ua5iq374smwuqG4AkL00lFyfiJpuqnHFBHywe2Ul80ML3cXhyphenhyphenicNDvFaqFLzdtK70lHKzVTX/s1600/cupcake.jpg" height="840" width="718" /></a></div>
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i have wanted to have a little solo date for a few weekends now but could never find the right time to do it. i'm not one to miss out on a gathering with friends or family and at the same time i stink at setting aside time for myself. my time is split in so many directions that i typically feel bad if i am not devoting it to mila or jay or our two attention deprived cats, so my time for <i>me</i> is never really a priority. recently jay asked me when the last time i had gotten out was, just me, and i think, i think, it was to the grocery store run last week. sad right? i have been feeling a bit boxed in lately too. not by the weather but by the routines i try to stick to with mila, or the goals i have set to get outside every day now that the weather is a bit warmer. the "now we eat...now we play...now we sleep..." on repeat all day every day is starting to drive me a bit nuts. and then i feel bad for feeling bad. that's what mom's do right? feel crazy, then feel bad, then feel like we are going to be better and repeat. please tell me i'm not alone in thinking this.</div>
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yesterday i made sure my solo date would happen. it wasn't the most convenient time i'll admit. we had jay's brother and girlfriend over for brunch to watch the canadian olympic hockey game and right after eating i jetted out, not watching the rest of the game and leaving everyone at home. i didn't feel too bad because they would be coming over later in the day so at least i knew i could properly hang out then.</div>
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i started by getting a mani/pedi and to my surprise i wasn't walking down the street thinking "i wonder {insert just about anything} about mila..." {which i felt bad about later, ugh this mom guilt!} but i tried to focus on being in the moment, freezing, and not checking my phone once while i was out. lucky for me, my battery died so the phone checking part wasn't that hard. i ended my date with a spontaneous trip to the <a href="https://theweddingcakeshoppe.com/" target="_blank">the wedding cake shoppe</a> on college street which has the most amazing cupcakes! and because i have decided to give up chocolate for a year {more on that later} i grabbed a dulce cupcake to go and ate it at home while jay was tending to mila.<br />
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thanks again handsome for letting me finish my solo date barefoot, cozy and <i>somewhat</i> in a quiet space. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-2495753808343580552014-02-06T13:03:00.000-05:002014-02-06T13:03:23.468-05:00in the kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FniadqD4-aLGWTu13Fh0-muOo9sC1FdBi0Oo14EH6RBPSBk1YepjuFmf9bHsw1RUqFe_IOFiTZp3ZBSZpR2KFy3TvHMbIxBSCB9LwmI9SD-InbhT7puo90BnAWjR_FB0s_ZxCoiAy2Bn/s1600/2014-02-03+17.29.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FniadqD4-aLGWTu13Fh0-muOo9sC1FdBi0Oo14EH6RBPSBk1YepjuFmf9bHsw1RUqFe_IOFiTZp3ZBSZpR2KFy3TvHMbIxBSCB9LwmI9SD-InbhT7puo90BnAWjR_FB0s_ZxCoiAy2Bn/s1600/2014-02-03+17.29.14.png" height="498" width="740" /></a></div>
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it is a 2014 goal of mine to cook more at home in hopes of learning quick, easy, go to meals that can be fun for kiddos later on. between jay and myself, jay has always been the master chef. he comes from a family of amazing cooks who turn out a five star family dinner like it was nothing. my version of an incredible dinner usually consisted of peeling a potato,<i> that </i>meant effort. after years of feeling inspired by jay's family, and then relinquishing any hope of getting to their level of expertise, and then feeling inspired again, and then copying their recipes one by one, burning some and succeeding at others, i decided it was time to figure out this home cooking for myself. intro, homemade pizza!</div>
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i decided to start with pizza because when jay and i first started dating we (more he) would make pizza on special date nights which always seemed like a treat. he made the dough and i would usually grate cheese and sous chef whatever else we were putting on it. i also worked in a pizza shop as a teenager and hoped some long lost experience there would help me out. so far, it's going pretty great! we have had pizza about once a week at this point because i am so proud of my new found ability. eventually we will need to curve this healthier options, but for now pizza once a week is pretty great in my books. especially because i can confidently make dough rise on the first try. this was no small feat in itself, let me tell you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCu-hKcnhPgWYu1dpu6gG7gLb8S6URth5lDcVeiMr6VzPKAUpxUU6iJHnyMsz8FZ6YSqxedxRcaP0Va5K0mYvou0FTqJoq8skDT7dvOhpVVBuq_oVUF798b74bcRbNug1_yBf7PeLW_VE/s1600/2014-02-06+12.27.10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCu-hKcnhPgWYu1dpu6gG7gLb8S6URth5lDcVeiMr6VzPKAUpxUU6iJHnyMsz8FZ6YSqxedxRcaP0Va5K0mYvou0FTqJoq8skDT7dvOhpVVBuq_oVUF798b74bcRbNug1_yBf7PeLW_VE/s1600/2014-02-06+12.27.10.png" height="644" width="740" /></a></div>
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you can find the dough recipe i used <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Pizza-Dough-14646" target="_blank">here</a> on epicurious. i like to add some basil and garlic to the dry mixture for a little something extra. if you like pizza (and who doesn't really?) then for sure give it a go! it's easy, it's fun and oddly therapeutic when you get to it. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5686868173614057298.post-37218944077939829302014-01-23T22:49:00.001-05:002014-01-23T22:50:40.111-05:00around these parts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9Gy1VQtjTYFT7NNUiDfWm1ZLWp1UjYLMrLFeHdo23P0hnM6hhM1zDBcUrhQYgMA_NvzV1le56pbiH9zR0G6Qetw-lmQy0808AbXjfUZ6s3hMgua8ENULYJ30Zbie4TcpPV9cL2-rBdp8/s1600/P1012854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9Gy1VQtjTYFT7NNUiDfWm1ZLWp1UjYLMrLFeHdo23P0hnM6hhM1zDBcUrhQYgMA_NvzV1le56pbiH9zR0G6Qetw-lmQy0808AbXjfUZ6s3hMgua8ENULYJ30Zbie4TcpPV9cL2-rBdp8/s1600/P1012854.JPG" height="580" width="740" /></a></div>
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we have had a lot of inside time lately. a lot. this polar vortex keeps stopping by for a visit making our temperatures -20c most days (or -4 for our fahrenheit friends). plus with wind chill warnings i'm not too interested in taking m out for a little afternoon stroll most days. even if she is toasty and warm and covered up in her stroller i would still need to lug our stroller down our narrow staircase, baby in arms, and struggle opening and attaching everything one handed. it's just not worth it when you know what kind of weather is going to greet you on the other side.</div>
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instead, we have suckered up extra pajama time, more books, new music and daily laughs which have become a regular occurrence for m. it makes this mama's heart melt every single time she laughs but especially when we laugh together. while cabin fever hasn't set in, i do still find myself dreaming of sunny days again. jay and i have talked about where we want to travel to next and i find myself spouting off a few warm weather places before anywhere else first. seems my subconscious is sneaking sunny thoughts. for now, we are hanging snug at home while my self inflicted "stroller bruises" are on reserve for warmer days.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06837405333966140966noreply@blogger.com0