In Honor Of My Two-And-A-Half-Year-Old

Watch "You'll Be In My Heart-phil collins" on YouTube


This is my song to Leah. Ever since to was a tiny, wee little bebe in my bellay. I would listen to it, sing to it, cry to it (ya know, being the emotional m.e.s.s. that is pregnancy). I planned for this song to be on our dvd of her at 33 weeks 3D ultrasound. But i couldnt figure out how to bring it in for them. So, now there is this extremely boring lullaby music on the dvd that will literally put you to sleep. Oh well, its the actual ultrasound, being able to watch her move around, yawn, suck on her hands, and blink thats the most important, and amazing thing. Actually, that day we also bought a teddy bear and recorded her heart beat. Now that sweet little womp, womp, womp, is lying within a teddy bear tummy, waiting to be hugged. Every now and then i'll give it a squeeze so I can hear that unforgettable sound, and wait for the flood of memories it brings. The 41 weeks that she was in my belly were 41 weeks i'll never forget. Well, i guess it was actually 36 weeks that I'll never forget, since i found out ar 5 weeks.

I'm so proud of the little girl that she is. Everyday she makes us laugh. She has an incredible personality. And i see so much of myself in her. I see so much of Matt too. But shes just a complete mini-me.

At two-and-a-half:
She is 34" tall, 26.6 lbs, has gorgeous wavy blonde hair, and the most beautiful blue eyes that ive ever seen.
Her favorite food is spaghetti, pizza, toast, apples, oranges, baby carrots and dip, and macaroni and cheese.
The things she enjoys doing the most is building with lego blocks, puzzles, playing pretend (with anything and everything), reading books,  and playing outside with her friends.

Shes crazy, wild, spunky, funny, polite, loving, and so friendly.

I'm beyond honored to be her mommy.

Some days i think we got so incredibly lucky with her that maybe we shouldn't have anymore. But then I love her so much that it makes me want more. :)

Children. 

Her One-Thing-Does-It-All Tool

See what I did there? Haha Yes, that's a Cat in The Hat reference. Except no, her One-Thing-Does-It-All tool is not an elephant's trunk. ....assuming you've seen that episode. Otherwise your probably making a real funny face right now, thinking "What in the world is this chick talking about!?" ....sorry if that's the case. :)

Anyways. Her One-Thing-Does-It-All tool. Last night this kids mind was on extreme mode. Within an hour she went from being "supa hero Weeya" to "cowboy Weeya", "Doc Doc Weeya" to "Monster Weeya", "Pirate Weeya" to "baby Weeya". It was so much fun. Her absolute favorite thing is when people play pretend with her. It was her lucky day, she had both mommy and daddy on the floor pretending with her. Somedays she refuses to answer us as "Leah", we must call her "Princess Weeya" as she says, or whatever shes pretending to be at the time.
But it really sort of hit me last night. That an imagination is the best tool you can posses. It gives you the ability to dream and become whoever you want to be.
Our children learn so much everyday, and we teach them so much on a  daily basis. But we can also learn so much from them. We should take pointers from our little toddlers, our un-tainted, care-free, joyous little people. Because they have so much they can teach us too. I know I could use a little help in the "care-free" department. Sometimes maybe you just need to leave the dishes, or laundry, clean the bathrooms tomorrow because whats one more day? And just enjoy. Enjoy anything. A walk, a book, a game with your little one, a bath, a drive, anything to put your mind a little a ease. So you can just breathe.
If we could just find a little more enjoyment from the little things, take a little time to just soak this up, this age, our time with our children now. Then maybe? Maybe we could all have a little less stress in our lives. Maybe. But its worth a try...isnt it?
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Have a great weekend! Happy Canada Day Weekend! Hope your all able to get out and enjoy some festivities tomorrow!

Hakuna Matata

Guess!What! I got to sleep-in this morning. Like, legit sleep-in. Leah woke up at 7:30 and i took her to go pee, then it was like her whole world came falling down on her (and it sounded like it too), all because Daddy was getting up and dresed to go downstairs with her. Pretty sure she was crying for about 45 min to an hour. I feel bad for him when this happens, which is every time he gets up with her. Hence why i dont usually get to sleep in. But, you gotta keep trying right? Im so thankful that he did get up with her though, even though she was upset and mad (call me terrible or whatever) but i needed this sleep. I knew she was safe and being taken care of, as much as she'd allow.

And so...she fell into yet another blissfull, and worry-free sleep.

And then...without any warning at all, there was a huge Thump! I roll over to hear the Hakuna Matata song start up. I look down, and hear are my two favorite people in the world. Singing, yes! My two year old was singing! And it was the most cutest thing. She had her arm wrappedaround her Daddy's neck and the other arm stretched out singing "No worriiieeeeeeess.....dayyyyyys.....pobem freeeee....una tata!!" And then? She gets all up in her daddy's face doing this heavy metal rocker thing with her mouth stretched open, singing at the top of her lung. Yep. Then my heart exploded with cuteness and love for these two spunkey monkeys.
And i thought...what better way to wake up? Your daughter singing to you...no worries.

****
Have a worry-free Thursday! :)

10 Apps I Coudn't Live Without.

...yeah, I said. Couldn't LIVE without? OK not really but, still. You know what I mean. Nowadays pretty much everyone has a phone to which they can download apps on. I've seen the elderly use these phones... these times is cray-zay yo.

So? These are my favorite...so, you should probably just go get 'em. They make everyday life a little easier...er tolerable...convenient? Fun! ....all the above.

Top ten favorite apps. Ever.

1- Instagram {well, this one is self explanatory isn't it? *sigh* love me some insta-photography}
2- Dictionary.com {You'd be surprised how much I use this. I'm always looking in the thesaurus.}
3- Goodreads {book worm in the house. I love the website. The app is just as amazing. Search books, read reviews, add to your 'shelves'. Love. Love. Love}
4- Picsart { for making picture collages, and editing}
5- Picsart Kids {Leah loves this app. Its basically a giant colouring book with so many pictures to choose from.}
6- Blogger {without this my blog just wouldn't exist. Well, barely. You can't do as much as you can on the website, but it gets the job done}
7- Add Watermark {Add words to your photos so they can't be stolen}
8- Plume {in my opinion? The best app out there on android, for Twitter}
9- The Weather Network {so convenient, love it}
10- Flixster {We like our movies. This shows you new reases, theatre releases, coming soon etc. A-w-e-s-o-m-e.}

(Not in that order)

Your welcome.

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Happy hump day folks.
M.

Tuesday Treasures

Its so simple to be sidetracked and forget all of the luxuries that you have to be thankful for. And sometimes you dont realize how fortunate you are for these little "treasures" until they are no more. So, I've taken it upon myself to make it a little more clear (to myself) just how grateful I am for such things.
Today's treasures:

*gorgeous windy days that are just the right temperature, pretty uncommon this time of year.
*morning cuddles right next to pretty much the best little cuddle ever.
*homemade cheesy scallop potatoes, the best. period.
*The Help by Kathryn Stockett -- the book I'm currently reading. And one I'm already thinking I should of bought.
*a clean house. for now.
*a refreshingly delicious Ice Cap before 9 am.
*my Blackberry -- given to me by my dear friend when my android broke.
*library visits spent reading book after book to my little book worm
*a little who manages to make me crack up, even at 12:30am...waking up asking for pizza and toast.
Its the simple things. But today, its these treasures that I appreciate the most.
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psssst, by the way? Feel free to take the picture and do your own 'Tuesday Treasues'.

Little Miss Attitude

Sometimes you have to wonder where in the world your child learns things. But it really does just take one time for it to stick in their little heads. Tonight when i brought leah up for bed, I read her stories, brushed teeth, said prayers, and gave kisses. Then she sat up, kicked her blanket off, threw her teddies, crossed her arms, scrunched up her face and said, "hmph! I don't want to!" Trying to reason with a 2.5 year old is pretty pointless but i tried my luck anyways. She continued her little protest with that sweet angry face of hers and got all sulky. Hopefully she gets that she doesnt get to weave her way out of bedtime by crossing her arms and being Miss Bossy Pants. It aint happening girlfran.

I truly fear her teenage years. Heck, i fear the next five years.

We'll get through it. ....right? ;)
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Life Without Makeup?

Makeup has become a huge part of our everyday life, its not hard to see that. From fake eyelashes to hair extensions, foundation to Photoshop. Its advertised in magazines, TV, and billboards. Its what we see as normal. Accepted. Beautiful. 

Some people go all out. But I've come to really appreciate natural beauty. A lot of people don't realize just how beautiful the "aux natural" look actually is. Personally, I think it shows confidence and that they're comfortable in their own skin. Unfortunatly, we are engineered to think that flawless is beauty. I mean, yes, of course, there are gorgeous celebrities but its just a shame that we sometimes feel like we have to have the same characteristics that represent beauty. Because on camera, in magazine, billboards, and other advertisements they are just that. Flawless. But in actuality, its fake.

And I'm not exactly sure why we as the audience have to view them as that. Why not just let them model without that airbrush in Photoshop? Why must they add that extra shine to their hair? Erase "beauty marks" all together?

And then...i feel a real sadness for those in the big spot light. Imagine how it would feel going into a photoshoot, only to realize all the later (and unnecessary) touch-ups that will be done to make you qualify as acceptable for an ad?
And i realize these "Photoshop tricks" aren't always done, but they are used a lot. And i just find it unnecessary.

So, the last four days I've gone without make-up. And i realized some things:
1) Its a lot easier to rub your itchy eye when you're not wearing makeup
2) Doing my makeup doesn't usually take a whole lot of time but I have a little extra time in the mornings to do whatever I want.
3) I look in the mirror a whole lot less.
4) I have this feeling of just...comfort. Its comfortable not wearing makeup.
5) Face clothes aren't getting stained.
6) I'm saving money not using makeup.

Pretty sweet, right? I thought so.

And now for my BEFORE and AFTER  makeup pictures.

see?...not a whole lot of makeup anyways. Just some liquid eye liner on top, mascara, foundation, bronzer blush and Baby Lips lip chap! I keep it simple usually. If im going somewhere ill add some gold or pink-ish gold eye shadow. 

I didnt start wearing makeup until i was 14. Then all throughout highschool i wore it all the time! And then there was a time when i wouldnt leave the house without it. So, i've made some improvements with my self esteem and confidence and as a result, I've made an oath to wear zero makeup at least twice a week. :) Seems doable right?

Because no makeup, is beautiful too.

***
M.

Mini House Tour

So, this morning was pretty much like every other morning: wake up at 6:30 with Leah, go cuddle on couch while The Little watches tv, and doze in and out of that sweet sleep which i dont see enough of these days. But then, at 10am i got an invisible kick to the butt. It was b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l outside, rather than the sticky and uncomfortable humidity we've had the last week. My house needed to be cleaned. Like, bad.

So, then this happened....

We settled on pink and mint green as the paint colors. I painted her a tree and three little owls. Who, obviously, are mommy, daddy and Leah. And yes, she doesnt have a bed at the moment because she likes to roll out!

Our down stairs half-bath. And potty time. Your welcome.

Stuff got cleaned!

My favorite room. I love the sea foam walls, the bight pink curtains, the natural light, the coziness.  

Its been a long time since we've had a dining table. Actually this is our first one. I love the antique-ishness of it. this room is so warm and cheery.

So, that concludes my little house tour. I would of showed off my basement, which is the giant room of toys at the moment, but i went down and realized there was two loads of laundry down there that needed folding. And you know... the apocolyptic mess that is Toys, needs organizing and cleaning.

And then there's our bedroom. Which, has clothes all over the places and a giant box filled with a baby playmat, teddys, and parts of the play yard. And whatever else i pulled from the spare room (which is getting its carpet replaced soon). But? i'll just tell you, its nicely painted a light grey with a yellow accent wall, so its got that going for it.
I did have pictures of the upstairs bathroom, but they didnt want to work for me so...there's that.
Oh yes. The kitchen. It was a disaster. also not up to my standards. So that will also be left for another day.
Baby steps people...its all about baby steps.

Well, hope you enjoyed my little house tour! These pictures were taken today after my freak on set of motivation. No, it doesnt always look like this. Trust me. I like to believe im somewhat normal.
:)

***
M.

The fathers day post. Take four.

Well, here goes try numero four. For most other failed posted or accidentally deleted posts, I would probably just throw the towel in with that particular post. But seeing as this was for fathers day...well, one of the most important men in our lives deserves for me to complete and not accidentally delete his very own post.
So that's what I intend to do.

This fathers day, poor 'ol dad had to work. That didn't stop us from celebrating him. Leah made him a sweet little card and on the inside said "I love you". The part that made it so special was she actually wrote the o's. Monday morning, when she woke up, she grabbed the card and ran into our room saying "a-piiiise daddy!" I think it will be something I always remember.

All day Monday, we spent at the African Lion Safari learning, discovering, sweating, playing, 'ooo-ing', and 'awh-ing'. Fun!Times!

I am so thankful that we have him. He takes being a daddy to a whole new level. He works so incredibly hard (sometimes pulling 60+ hrs a week) so I can stay home (for now). I'll be honest, when he's not working he does spend a lot of time catching up on missed sleep. But when he's not sleeping? He's either down on the floor playing with Leah, or helping out with the cooking or cleaning. He even allows me to drag him out and about to the park, or swimming, or walks etc.
I never had a dad like that, and I'm beyond blessed to have him as my daughter's father. And one day, when she fully understands the gist of fathers day... she'll know she has the best dad ever too.

***

You Can Call Me The Memory Keepin' Mama

Its obvious that, being a mom, you're going to take a lot of photos. You know...sleeping, eating, potty-ing, and of course the real sweet stuff too. Lately I realized that I carry my camera around more than I do my purse -- or even my cell phone for that matter. And that's saying something.

Lately, that big soft spot I have, has seemed to have grown. We've been moving things around this past week, and I've come across pieces of her little bassenett. The softness, gosh -- how small it is. It fits in a box?! Yep, she used to be that small. It just blows my mind that this growing a kid business happens so quickly. You'll never get yesterday back, never be able to get back that time. Pictures, video, and your dear-old memory is all you got.
Its just what i do. And in all honesty? I think I have more toddler photos an I do baby photos. But I have a lot of baby photos too. Like two whole SD cards. That now huge soft spot I that have (that's also making me want another little one around) is just yelling at me to snap these memories up forever. It doesn't matter to me if we're walking to the park, at an amusement park, or just sitting in our backyard, those are memories. And camera in hand, ill bottle those memories up. Happy times (Well, I've captured some pretty "sad" times too). I want to look back on these photos and see a story.

This age? Two... is unbelievably amazing. The learning, growing, talking, the imaginations -- oh my the imagining, the little mini-humans that they are. So tiny, but still...big. Almost full grown kids. Little kidlets, for lack of a better word. Mind blowing. Yes, the two's are quite a leap from One. But it is just so much fun.

Sadly, I'm waaayyy overdue to get some printed. Its on my to-do-list. Trust me.

So, you can call me The Memory Keepin' Mama. Its what I do. I mom, I photographer, I write, I remember. I love. Above all, I love. I love this kiddo, I love her amazing daddy, I love this life.

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I'll leave you with that.
:-)

M.

An Update Of All Sorts

I'll save you all from my sobb story about why i habent been writing and all that fun stuff...and cut to the chase.

Leah.
She's 100% amazing. Getting smarter and cuter and more beautiful everyday. She's certainly growing. And so is my heart. I am so filled with love for this little one. The things she says, "kank you mommy, helping me", "pease help me mommy", saying "sorry" when she is in someones way or just 'thinks' she's in someomes way. That adorably heart melting little voice. I could listen to her talk for ever.
She will be exactly 2.5 at the end of June! I can't believe it. How fast time goes by. How much they change. Everyday they are changing.

Bath time.
Thank baby Jesus its getting better. We tried the shower for about 2.5 weeks. She was pretty uncomfortable in there. We tried a bath a few days ago and she cried for about 10 minutes. I was heart broken, but I knew this had to stop. Daddy and i sat there next to the tub with her the entire time. Eventually after we let her cry for a bit, some distraction worked to help ease the tears. And to my surprise, she washed herself and let me wash her hair (which used to be the worst part) without crying. We decided on pulling the plug after she was out of the tub. So the last two times she has had some fun in the tub, and not as many tears. And of course, all the toys need to be thrown out before she leaves. You know, just in case they happen to go down the drain. No really. That's why. Well, her reason anyways.
So this, my friends? Is us getting somewhere.... and i hope we'll be back to where we were with bath time in a couple months or so.

Potty training.
Yes, it is still a topic and still in progress. Only during the night of course ;) And I'm proud to announce that my big girl is almost trained through the night. She usually pees before bed, and sometimes she will wake up for a drink. Depending on how much she drinks, she may have a little in her pull up in the morning. But most mornings, she wakes me up at 6-7am running into my room doing a little dance saying " ake up mommy! I pee I pee!" So, obviously there's so gradual wake up around here anymore. I pretty much have to jump out of bed and get her on the potty.

I'm so proud of her. In more ways than I can say.

Me.

Well, things haven't gone as planned in the sahm department. Things are pretty tight at the moment. A little to tight for comfort. So, I'll be looking for work in the near future. There are thing we want to do this summer as a family and with friends. With me working it may be a little more difficult, but without me working it will also be difficult. So, sadly, I'll be going back to work. I just don't know where or when. But I'd love to look and get in somewhere that I actually want to work. Somewhere where I'll like to work. I'm hoping a children's store of some sort. Clothing, toys... whatever. Although, there isn't too much of an option here. I think there might be a couple places.
As for the weight loss thing.... I haven't weighed in yet, but I feel it working its magic! So, I'm happy and excited about it!

Us.
We're planning a family trip to the African Lion Safari on or around June 20. I'm unbeleivably excited! This will be Leah's first zoo-type experience! So many pictures to come!

Last week we took Leah swimming for the first time this year. She loved it. She even started kicking and moving her arms. And now, its something we 'plan' to do every week. And perhaps in the fall, we'll sign her up for some swim lessons!

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No matter how hard times have gotten, love is flowing through this house at an all time high. I'm thankful for what we do have, and what God has done for us. It doesn't go unnoticed.

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M.