Mommy to Libby and James

Father's Day

2011-06-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

I have never been good at finding something "right" for Father's Day, but I'm super excited about what James and Elizabeth and I have made this year! I'm not a great photographer, but I'm really happy with how this has turned out. I realise now that the tree and sky are pretty distracting, but it took me an hour to get all the letters in "Daddy" and "Grandpa" so there's no way I'm going to do it again!

Now, off to do the other!

Mother's Day and Birthday Gifts

2011-05-08T21:17:00.000-07:00

Today was my third Mothers Day . . . it should have been my fourth, but my son decided to stay put until the day *after* Mother's Day the year he was born. Turkey.

We had a very nice day, we went to pick Paul up from work and then stopped in town for some groceries. James picked out his (second) birthday gift: Mac from the Cars movie. It fits his Lightening McQueen perfectly, but sadly he's nowhere to be found. Hm.

Had BBQ scallops, asparagus and hamburgers for supper (my pick!) and after the children were sent to bed, Paul got this out for me:

and we got to work.

Elizabeth has everything a nearly one-year-old could possibly want, so we were really stumped about what to get her for her first birthday. And then we realised that we don't really have a really nice set of blocks. I really want to get her the gorgeously perfect Haba set, but they're rather expensive so we've been looking at alternatives that are a) big enough that she can't choke on them b) in a big enough set that we can all play together with or c) a smaller set that you can add on to.

So we looked around and upon realising that one of our maple trees needed a few big branches pruned off, we came up with these!

They're not bad for a first try, and they still need sanding and sealing, but so far I love them! They're cut in 2cm increments, so will hopefully fit ok with a smaller, cheaper set of the super fabulous Haba ones. (I can't see myself making a dome or an arch out of a maple branch!)

My little prince and princess

2011-04-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Since 4am was a bit early to get up, even for a royal wedding, we set the PVR and hit play as soon as we got up this morning.

What a beautiful wedding! James kept asking me "WHY are you saying 'awww', Mommy?" Even Libby was watching! I was pretty excited that they're named Baron and Baroness of Carrickfergus, which is Paul's hometown, and where we were married.

Look, Mommy! A princess!

But how can you not love our newest royal couple? They look so head over heels in love and are going to make some beautiful little princes and princesses . . . although not nearly as gorgeous as mine <3

Easter

2011-04-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

After 6 long months, 5 feet of snow, and -37 temperatures I think spring is finally here in earnest. It's been around 10 degrees every day, most of the snow is gone, and we have a bouquet of pussywillows on our kitchen table. Life is good!
We've been busy doing lots of Eastery baking and crafting: hot cross buns, egg shaped cupcakes, jello eggs, and dying regular eggs too. James is crazy for crafting and baking, so he was a very happy boy all week!

Easter was fun, James really "got" the whole Easter Bunny thing this year. He wasn't as in to the hunt as last year, because last year it was all about finding eggs and this year it was about eating eggs.

We didn't go too overboard on treats this year, but I (or the Easter Bunny, rather!) found some playsilks and wooden scenery from a few Etsy shops (Beneath the Rowan Tree and The Enchanted Cupboard) and both the kids are really enjoying them!

And here's Miss Elizabeth modelling her new Easter skirt . . .

She tried a bit of chocolate for the first time and it went over ok, but she was just as happy to get back to her egg yolk :)

Pam the Builder

2011-04-04T15:34:00.000-07:00

I have to share what I just built for the kids' bedroom!

James loves his Thomas trains, but he's annoyed that they are starting to get chipped in the bag he keeps them in. I've been looking for something to keep them in for ages and then decided to just make something.

"My shelves are so beautiful, Mommy!"

*Someone* doesn't want his sister touching his trains...

The plans are from Ana White, which is my new favourite website! I made them all by myself! Ok, Paul held the boards once or twice while I was drilling, and he pounded a few nails, but the rest was me . . . I even used the big saw! It was tons of fun and James is thrilled with his shelves.

The books are so much better displayed this way too, little Robert Munch books and the like are hard to find when they're all spine-out. The moment he finished putting them all up, he grabbed one to read.

And no, that's not all his books, the rest are under Libby's crib and we'll circulate!

The Nursery

2011-04-03T16:06:00.000-07:00

I love this little room, it's my favourite in the house. It used to be this horrible dark room with old curtains, an orange rug over brown tile linoleum and dark (fake) wood paneling. Like a 1970s basement. The fake wood paneling is still there, but thanks to Mr. Moore it's a creamy white. The floor is just laminate, but it's such a friendly, cheerful little room!

Libby's dresser

Art from Etsy

Lib's side of the room

James' side of the room


Toys and Art Gallery

Lib's bed

James' crib is now exchanged for a double and we still haven't got "kid" linens for it, so he's making do with the brown sheets from the days we used his bed as a spare bed.

Ok. Really. I'm Going to Blog.

2011-04-03T15:33:00.000-07:00

See, I'm not under any illusions that I'm going to have masses of loyal followers. But I DO want a place where I can record all the little things from when my kids were babies, so I can look back and remember everything.
For example. James splashing away in the puddles today. The look of pure joy he had on his little face was priceless. The way he leaped from puddle to puddle, and the way he was drawn towards the irresistible, biggest, deepest ones. I took a ton of pictures. I didn't, however take a picture of him after he fell face-first into one. He was covered in sand and water was dripping from his muddy little curls. Ooooo but I wanted to! Poor kid.

Libby is 9 months old now, and can't stand on her own yet (not for lack of trying, though!) so she was stuck watching in the stroller. The fresh air did her good though, she's still napping after 1 1/2 hours!

Things are crazy around here. And they're about to get crazier, my baby girl is days away from crawling and is keen to get walking too. I need to re-babyproof!

Red Raglan Baby Sweater

2010-09-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

I finished something! The first thing I made specifically for Elizabeth (as opposed to something for "baby")
It's made with a bamboo/wool blend and I looooove it!

This Can't be Good.

2010-09-05T13:41:00.001-07:00

Three entries into my blog and I'm already neglecting it!

There are so many things I want to do. I have Libby's sweater to finish knitting. I started it when she was 2 weeks old and I'm still not done. I have muffins to bake, diapers to wash, menu plans to do (to save time, ya know!) not to mention the massive reorganization my basement needs.

But these babies take up *every* second of my time. They have learned to tag team their mommy. The *precise* moment I have James in bed for his nap or night time, Libby will wake from her nap. I'm not a fan of schedules for little babies, but I'm beginning to think we need one, for my own sanity! The last four days my husband was gone I had exactly 20 minutes of time to just sit and relax, I felt like my arms were going to fall off when he got home.

It's totally worth it, though. Look at this face.

Sibling Love

2010-08-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Libby

2010-08-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Catherine Anne. My little daughter. I still can't quite believe I have a little girl, I was so sure she'd be a boy. When I was pregnant I imagined "the boys" growing up together so vividly that sometimes I'm surprised to see a little baby bundled up in pink on my lap.
Libby's such a happy little thing. She loves to lay on her blankey and kick and talk to us. She's a strong little thing, already holding her head up steadily when she was 8 weeks old. She loves to be naked and breaks into a huge grin as soon as she's put on her change pad, she knows what's coming. Her Daddy says she has two speeds: off and frantic. She's slept 5 hour stretches at night since she was a few weeks old, which makes Mommy a happy camper!

I hope I can show her how to be a strong and loving woman, the way my mom and grandma did for me. I look into her wide, trusting eyes and wonder what kind of little girl she will become and what life holds for her.

James

2010-08-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

James is two. It's funny, I always wanted a baby but I never, ever wanted one of those screaming, jammy little boys you see being dragged through Costco. It turns out, I love that screaming, jammy little boy more than life itself. James loves airplanes and anything that's blue. If it's a blue airplane, he's in heaven. Named after his airplane-loving grandfather, James does his “Papa” proud. He knows the names of at least a dozen airplanes and if he tells you that the one overhead is a Concorde he will stand his ground until you cave. He loves being outside and has spent the summer grazing in the garden. Peas, tomatoes, blueberries and the green tops of onions have been his dietary staples and I don't know what he'll do when the snow comes! He has the most gorgeous little blonde ringlets, cut for the first time this summer by his Great-Grandmother. He looks like a little angel, but he is a whirlwind and all boy.

I always imagined I would have a little boy, but I had no idea the joy watching him grow from a snuggly baby into this loud and fun-loving little man would bring me. He melts my heart every day with his hugs and kisses, and makes me laugh more than I ever have by all the funny things he says and does.

Here we go again...

2010-08-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

How to start a fresh blog?

I could introduce myself, I suppose!

I'm a mommy, a wife, a businesswoman, a teacher, a friend. I have two of the most gorgeous children I have ever laid my eyes upon (but who doesn't say that?) I'm married to a man who makes me giggle (and pull my hair out - but who doesn't say that?) I own a little online baby shop that I pour my heart into and hope one day will allow me to stay home with my children full-time. I teach the most charming, sweet and funny children, better than I could dream up, I'm sure. I have fantastic friends, although I'm much, much further away from most of them than I want to be.

I love to make things - I dabble in sewing and knitting - things for the little ones, of course! I love to bake, cook and garden. I'd make a great 50s housewife. Except for the housework of course, I really need to get on top of that! I love traveling and learning about new places. I've lived in Switzerland and England and was on an exchange to Germany when I was in high school. I tried to learn French, but I've forgotten most of it. I have a degree in Sociocultural Anthropology and one in Elementary Education. I love to learn. I'd be in University all my life if I could afford it.

Motherhood has changed how I see the world. I try to use more earth-friendly products, limiting my children's exposure to unnecessary chemicals but I still can't bring myself to throw away my bleach bottle. I look at people differently. Spending your days trying to see a 2-year-old's point of view makes it easier to see another adult's perspective.

I hate wearing make-up, but I love pretty dresses. I love a freshly washed floor and doing laundry is my favourite chore. It drives me crazy when my computer tells me that "colour" is spelled wrong. I get excited when I wake up and realise that Big Brother is on TV that day. You will often find me covered in marker stains and stickers - at work or at home. I love watching hockey and playing baseball. My favourite food is lobster, but I'm a prairie girl through and through.

That's it for a start!