Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Sneak Peek

     Yes, I realize we are missing Miss Ella but she hasn't had her Christmas pictures taken, so there will be plenty more to come, this is just a little sneak peek.  Photo's Courtesy of Karlee Slattery.

Half a year Harmony!

     Sorry for the delayed post today but it's been one of those days.

      I seriously can not believe Harmony is 6 months old already.  The time is flying by and my baby dear is growing up much too quickly.

Harmony at 6 months wears:

• Size 1 diapers
• Size 1 shoes
• 0-3 month , 3 month and  a few 3-6 month clothes

Harmony at 5 months eats:

• Still  breast fed  but with  a 6 oz bottle of formula a day
• has tried squash ( threw it up), rice cereal (seems to make her cranky and she doesn't love it), home made apple puree (super cranky but she loved it), A slice of mashed banana (loved it but cranky again)
• Loves her Baby Mum Mums

Harmony at 5 months:

• is 13lbs 7oz and 24 3/4" long
• enjoys her exersaucer, bumbo, bouncer, swing and jolly jumper.
• babbles non stop
• is going through a rough sleep patch
• loves being talked to by anyone and rewards them with big smiles
• loves shopping because everyone tells her how pretty she is
• excellent hand/eye coordination
• loves being naked
• loves bath time
• has taken an interest in the dog
• sits well

     Harmony's nicknames at 5 months:

• Little peanut
• pumpkin or chunkin (chunky pumpkin)
• Shoulder Monkey (she sort of perches herself like a little shoulder monkey)
• Tune (Papa A)
• Petunia (Grandma J)
• Hazel - her second middle name (Uncle S)

     Harmony's favourite people at the moment

• Everyone, she is a little social butterfly

Things I never want to forget:

• Those Big Baby Blues and you know how to use them already
• Your Temper
• Your heart melting smiles
• Your priceless expressions

Privacy... Oh how I miss you!

      I love, love, love being a mom but sometimes I wished someone had prepared me a little more for the complete lack of privacy.  It's one of those things they forget to mention in all those pregnancy books that are supposed to prepare you for motherhood.  At least a heads up from some of the mothers out there would have been appreciated.   A little warning perhaps, so you can mentally prepare yourself for say the next....oh right, rest of your life of never, ever, ever having a private moment to yourself again. 

     It really starts before the baby is born.  Plenty of doctors appointments where you are poked, prodded and asked to undress, pee in a cup and have your belly man handled and measured on a frequent basis.  Its all for the health of you and your precious unborn baby, so its all worth it but it's annoying none the less.
     
     The whole birthing process is amazing, but during which any shred of privacy you have managed to  maintain up until this point will be completely gone.  By the time the baby has made its grand entrance, everyone in the entire world has seen your bits or at least it feels like this and you know what you really don't care anymore.  You just pushed out a the most beautiful human being out of your own body and you are a freaking super hero.  You really don't care who saw what and don't worry your privacy will be invaded a 1000 more times before you leave the hospital. They check you a billion times to make sure you are healing, that the little monster that just split you end to end is latching properly. The good news is that if it would have embarrassed you before you were a mom, it doesn't bother you now.

     Once you have a child or children be prepared to never again pee or shower in peace, EVER! Once they are old enough to not follow you everywhere, don't worry they still will. If you ignore them they will just talk louder through the door, shove stuff under the door or bang on the door so much that you may as well just left it open. If you haven't become a mom yet, savour every long shower and pee break like its your last because before you know it you won't have time to do either and if by some miracle you get a chance, most likely you will be toting a baby with you.

    As a parent you may as well forget ever having a private conversation as well.  I would truly love to have a conversation with anyone really that I don't have to worry about it being repeated by a toddler or told to a teacher at school. Like the day I told Ella that its too  darn bad that the teacher wants you to take a litter less lunch on your field trip because I don't care what your teacher says you are getting what you get.  Mommy doesn't have time to take out all your food and repack it.  I have a hungry newborn and a sick toddler, be thankful you are getting food at all. Yep, first thing she told her teacher when she got to school that day.  I didn't even feel bad though, after all I did have a newborn less than 2 weeks old and a sick toddler who was in and out of the ER 3-4 times that week. 


     Oh and bedroom privacy which is non existent since toddlers don't knock and don't care whether you are changing and have company over which you would prefer not see you naked.  They don't care if they interrupt your alone time with Daddy even though they are supposed to be sleeping but can't because they like Mommy's bed better.  Camden shared our bed for the first 2 years of his life, I am amazed we actually had another baby.

     I almost forgot that there is also phone calls, mail, email - all listened in to, then questioned about - who, why, where what, when and how, opened and read before you get a chance, checked without your knowledge same with facebook.  Smart 6 year olds are sometimes a curse and have the ability to make you feel like the child.

      So let me give you this gentle reminder as a sort of duty, to all people who have yet to have children.  Not to scare you off because truly you would be missing out on the best thing life has to offer but more as a reminder to enjoy every private moment, telephone conversation, letter, potty break and shower.  Once these little monsters blessings enter your life it will be a very long time until privacy is restored.  Enjoy it well you still can, trust me, you will look back fondly on the times you could pee alone with out a toddler trying to help you wipe.

Special Edition Saturday - Etsy Anyone oh and Epicure!

     So I have been thinking (yes, I know very dangerous), after some urging from friends and family, I am possibly contemplating setting up an Etsy store. 

     I am looking for advice, tips, yays or nays....anything at all really.  Is it hard to set up? Is it worth my time?  Do I need a cool name (this may be hard because I am so not cool)?

   I am wee bit scared and a wee bit excited.  So if anyone has any experience out there and would like to share some wisdom with me, I would really appreciate that.  If you don't have any experience with this and you still want to tell me how much you love me and how talented I am (You can pretend) you can do that too! Everyone needs a confidence boost once in a while.

   As a reminder,  I am holding an Epicure Party at my house Monday night at 7pm.  Would love to see you there.  Bring a friend and there is no pressure to buy anything.  I may force you to try some delicious food though!  Be sure to message me, call me, leave me a comment if you are coming so I can add you to the list of people to let in my house....HAHAHAHA! Everyone welcome, but just let me know so we can make sure there is plenty of food! If you can't make it but want to order you can either  drop by and look through the catalogue and order or you can order online.  If you plan to order online, let me know and I will get you the info you need so it can be added to my party.

     Have a good weekend everyone.  Be safe and have fun!

My Day Off!

     Today has been my day off of sorts.  Yes, I still had the baby but I ONLY had the baby.  Mike was off work today as well.  What a nice quiet relaxing type of day. 

     We got up and headed out to get some deals during our towns attempt at Black Friday.  Not really the greatest deals but a couple of items we needed to finish the kids shopping happened to on for a decent price. 

   We cleaned together and chatted.  We laughed, while I folded laundry and Mike watched tv (nice huh).  He made lunch while the baby napped.  Then after lunch I napped.  Just a nice,easy relaxing day. 

     Tonight is my Niece's Birthday party.  Sorry Kira, Mike will not be attending until later.  He is being sent out to obtain a Christmas tree cheap during midnight madness.   I hope he comes home with a tree and a sweater I had my eye on. 

    So sorry for this non-specific rambly post but its my day off today.  What did you expect?

      Oh, as a side note, if I am on anyone's christmas list this year and you just dont know what to buy me...I think I have found my one, true love...It really puts my snuggie to shame.  They are called Forever Lazy and Mike refuses to let me be seen in them, but come on I am Forever Lazy, these are made to be mine...*sigh*

     Have a safe and happy weekend!

Felt Food Feast

     It may or may not look like someone threw up a felt food feast all over my dining room.  OK, if you know me and my crafting ability you already know what me and my dining room looks like while I craft (Yes, I am sure Michele and a few others will never let me live down the Modge Podging experience of 2006).  There are threads and bits of felt everywhere, as far as the eye can see.  Usually not a big deal, who cares right, its my house.

     Company is coming over for dinner.  Like a real home cooked dinner not of the felt variety and they may want to eat it off the table without coloured fuzzy bits all over the pork loin.  It's literally everywhere. Its on my PJ pants, it was on the baby when I got her out of bed.  It even managed to migrate downstairs into Camden's room.

     Maybe, I will just feed them a felt dinner and tell them Camden cooked? 

Ravioli and Sauce

Eggs Sunny Side Up

Sushi

Carrot

     Yes, these pictures are just a couple from last years but I can't post pictures of the new stuff yet.  Ella likes to read this. Plus if I took pictures of the new stuff it would just have been a procrastination to avoid cleaning up said mess...

    

Wordless Wednesday - Hometown Santa Clause Parade

Photos courtesy of Uncle Tony and Cousin Karlee! Thank you!

Tiny conspirators

      My kids have it in for me.  Call me crazy but Mike will agree they have been plotting.  Of course, not my Ella though.  Ella, my kind and gentle little soul is too sweet to give her Momma such a hard time.  The little two on the other hand, don't let their cuteness fool you. 

     You may have recently heard about the shortage of sleep around here lately.  It begins the moment my head hits the pillow.  I hear the first cries of the evening.  I get up feed baby or console toddler and crawl back in bed.  It will take no longer than a minute for the other child to start up.  I deal with the other child, then once again get back into my warm comfy bed.  I may squeeze a few minutes rest in and finally get to the stage where you are just dozing off and then it starts all over again.  Repeat all night and you get the kind of sleep deprivation I am dealing with.

     I have tried going to bed early to trick them.  No such luck. They know and the whole process starts even earlier.  Going to bed later results in even less sleep.  I am at a loss.  How do I get more sleep?  I could nap but that doesn't always work. 

   Well off I go to down large amount of caffeine to keep this days on track.  I can already feel myself dragging and its going to be a busy day.  Any coping strategies? A few sleep tricks to share?

The Boy that Breaks my Heart

     Camden told me he didn't love me today.  He loves his daddy, sisters, dog and backhoes, not mommy.  Actually he doesn't like me.  I have to be OK with this but I will admit it hurts a little bit.

    He is going through a Daddy phase ( I hope its a phase).  First thing in the morning he screams for Daddy or if he is being his typical funny self he asks for Michael.  Daddy plays, wrestles and gives in to all his demands.  Maybe because I am trying to potty train him, make him give up his suckys or bottles or maybe its because I am busy with the Baby a lot.  Who knows?

     This wee sweet boy wipes off my kisses and breaks my heart.  He screams at me and it really doesn't matter what I am asking him.  He does the exact opposite of whatever I say.  I now only ask him the opposite of what I want him to do (Don't sit on your chair and don't eat your food) and it works because he refuses to do what I ask.  He tells me to go away.  He won't hug or kiss me either.  He won't even play with me or let me watch a show with him unless I'm the only one home and even then not all the time.

     I know its a temporary thing but I secretly hope he's a Momma's boy.  I don't think he will be though.  He never really has been.  He refused to even acknowledge my presence until he was 18 months old and finally decided he would call me Mama. I can dream though right, after all its me that gets up with him a million times a night, changes his bum and gets his food. I bathe him, wash his clothes and clean up his messes.  He owes me right?

     Am I alone on this? Is he the only one who is like this? He can't be the only stubborn one out there.

Weekend Wrap up - Zombie Mom Edition

     Zombie mom, as in this Momma is soooooo tired I am now at official Zombie status.  Total sleep this weekend I am guessing somewhere between 4-6 hours.  Last night, I sleep a whopping 2 hours.  I am not even sure it technically counts as last night as I didn't get to sleep until 5:30 am.  It wasn't for lack of trying on my part.  The kids just like to systematically keep their Momma from a good nights sleep.

     The weekend was filled with Christmas shopping, a Santa Clause Parade and pictures with the big man himself.  Camden is continuing his tradition of screaming like a maniac for his yearly picture.  As you will notice once again a hand forcing him to remain in the picture.  By the next shot, he was gone.

"Let me go!!!"

See, No Camden.  He couldn't get away from Santa fast enough.

     We even tried luring the kids with new Christmas shirts from Old Navy for the picture.

"Love Your Elf"

Ella likes hers and loves having her picture taken.



"Define Naughty"

Harmony didn't seem to mind hers and even seemed right at home on the old man's lap.

"Dear Santa, I can explain..."

Camden liked the shirt but hates having his picture taken.  I couldn't even sneak one while he was eating.  Maybe this is part of why he didn't want to get his taken with Santa.  He loves Santa and loves old guys in the mall.  I am at a loss.

         I am exhausted and even after only a 2 hour nights sleep I still managed to wash floors, vacuum. do laundry and keep the kids alive.  I am off to bed after our Sunday night tradition of Dexter. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did this weekend, with perhaps a little more sleep.  If you did, don't rub it in OK? Thanks!

Its beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas.

     Christmas has started to rear its ugly head ( not the true meaning of Christmas but all the commercialized, blinking, ho ho ho, plastic crap version).  In light of the fact that we have 3 young children we have decided to take the day and go shopping for presents.  I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I'll see you back here for the Weekend Wrap Up on Sunday!

The Fun Mom

     I've really tried to be the "fun" Mom lately.  I'm sure you know her.  She is the one that does a million crafts with paints, glue and glitter in every colour.  She bakes cookies, cakes and muffins just for fun  Everything is a hands on learning experience with her kids and she does it all in her perfectly coordinated apron. 
    
     I've tried really hard this week to be "that" mom. Every supper has been home made from scratch with the kids helping.  We also managed to make sugar cookies with sprinkles and icing and home made apple sauce.

       The kids cry, beg, whine to help and how can you deny those sweet little faces, after all they are only little once.  If you don't teach them how to do these things then who will. Its a responsible mothers job to help them learn or thats what I keep telling myself, anyway. To be honest though, lets face it, you want them to remember they had this awesome, fun mom, who always did a crap load of stuff with them. 

     You get half way through the most amazing fun activity ever because you are the most amazing mommy in the whole entire  world ever and they are M.I.A. You find yourself standing alone in the middle of a what looks to be a war zone.  They have gone on to bigger and brighter things, usually the tv because they are "bored" and "this part isn't very fun after all".   I usually start off with a "Life isn't always fun" speech and end up somewhere along the lines of "Get back here dammit! We are making family memories. So you better enjoy it...Oh look smile for the Camera and pretend you are having fun." *Click, flash* Ok fine go watch TV, it's faster and less messy if you don't help anyway.

     I think I still qualify for being the fun mom right? I let them try! Its not my fault they have the attention span of a flea. Please tell me I am not alone on this one?!?!

Almost Wordless Wednesday - I miss this person edition

MISSING - My Former Self

      
If you've seen her, tell her to get her skinny butt back here.  I miss her and I am sure Mike does too!

The Perfect Parent

     How Many times have you ever said, "Oh, My kid would NEVER do that" and how many times has Karma, divine intervention or whatever you happen to believe in, has come right back to bite you in the butt. Never, you say, then you are either not a parent or a big fat liar.  I was in fact the "Perfect Parent" before I had kids.   I have learned as a parent or just as a person in general to Never say Never, you don't know what the future holds.

     Here are some of my favourites, that I personally have regretted saying:

• My kids will never, ever share my bed  - Camden spent the first 2.5 years of his life there out of sheer desperation on my part and the fact that I was less likely to drop him off on someones doorstep  anonymously if I had at least a few minutes sleep here and there.

• I will never let myself "go" after I have kids. - Yep, OK because showering every 3rd day is totally acceptable, along with PJ's stained with breast milk , overgrown eyebrows and legs so hairy they could be confused with a yeti's . I am happy to report after 5 months I am somewhat starting to care about myself again.

• My kids will behave in public and know who is boss. -Oh, they know alright...and it's not me and public tantrums are at an all time low, mainly because we hardly venture out in public anymore, its easier to control the chaos at home, in their native habitat.

• I will never bribe my children. - Bribery is a necessary parenting tool, I don't care what anyone says we have all done it and do it.  If your child behaves, is toilet trained, eats dinner, behaves, goes to bed, cleans up or behaves you most likely have bribed them.  Sometimes the treat, sticker, pennies are easier than dealing with a full on melt down in the middle of church, crowded doctors office, the middle of the mall etc.

• My kid will not have sugar (juice, pop, candy, cookies etc).   - Definitely, as long as we lived in a cave somewhere I am sure we could have managed that one.  Moderation is key.

• I will not drive my child around in the car at 2 am to get them to sleep.  - Camden, Colic, Chronic Ear Infections...'nuff said.

     Being perfect is over rated anyway! Sometimes to be the perfect parent you have to realize you are in fact imperfect, which makes us better.  I strive everyday to be just a little better than I was the day before, a little more patient, a little more strict about somethings, a little more lenient about others, a little more understanding and a better parent, but never will I strive to be perfect.  What works for you, doesn't always work for someone else, or even work for you later on. 

     What are somethings you said you would NEVER EVER do when you were a parent?  I am curious.  I can't be the only one that my pre-baby parenting beliefs have come back to haunt them. The perfect parent pffffffft.  Its a myth.  There is no such thing.

A Bad Case of the Mondays

     I went to bed way too late last night.  Dexter was on and then who can fall asleep right away after watching that...not this girl.  I did some laundry, loaded the dishwasher very important, exciting stuff that I wouldn't get to do if the kids were awake and finally headed to bed sometime after midnight

     A little boy woke up sometime around 3ish and was scared and I think it had something to do with a certain someone( not naming any names but it does rhyme with Bike) letting him watch Scooby Doo before bed.  Harmony was up around 5 am to eat and then decided it might be a nice time to start the day. 

     I'm tired and feel slightly ill.  I'm still in my PJ's.  All I can hear is the constant screaming of a highly displeased toddler chucking things around out of anger.  It's only 10 AM. 

     Everything has been a battle this morning.  His breakfast was oatmeal cookies, a bottle of milk and Halloween candy and I am OK with this.  He has watched TV since he woke up this morning and I'm OK with that too. We can't be the perfect parents everyday, especially Mondays.

     I hate Mondays! Mondays are almost always a long screamy day trying to piece back your life after the weekend.  Routines have to be re-established, nap times enforced and some semblance of sanity needs to be restored. 
     Now that Miss Harmony is down for a nap, Mike is gone grocery shopping.  Any guesses as to when she will wake up? The precise moment Daddy walks in the door is my bet, ensuring Mommy doesn't get a nap.  Mike is on afternoons and gets first dibs on nap time before work. 

     Excuse me while I go console the two year old terror that is currently residing here (where did my nice little Camden go) and maybe sneak in a shower, by myself before chaos engulfs us all.

And the Winner is..My Memories Suite Giveaway

The winner of T.E.C.H. TALK's very first giveaway, a copy of My Memories Suite is ...

COURTNEY WHITE

She was chosen using this random names picker from classtools.net.

Thank you to everyone who participated and made our very first giveaway a success. 

If you didn't win and would like to purchase a copy of My Memories Suite for all your digital scrapbooking needs use T.E.C.H. TALK's Exclusive code: STMMMS45299  to recieve $10 off.

Courtney, I will be contacting you shortly with details. A BIG Thank to you the awesome people over at My Memories for this cool giveaway and to everyone who entered.  Please continue to read T.E.C.H. TALK. for all your Blog Reading needs and who knows...maybe more give aways in the future.

Weekend Wrap Up - Lazy weekend edition

     Another weekend has come and gone.  A lazy weekend filled with mundane chores and perhaps a bit of crocheting (eeek).  We did manage to make it out of our small town and hit up another city's Santa Clause Parade. 

     The parade was rather meh but what made it great was the company.  I finally had the chance to meet up with another BBC Awesome April Momma and that made my weekend.  Camden enjoyed seeing the different things at the parade but really he just enjoyed strolling through the city taking in all the sights, sounds, hustle and bustle.  We don't venture out of our small town often and it was so cute to see the excitement in his eyes as he took it all in. 

     Miss Harmony is teething and is a bit out of sorts so I am glad we didn't have much planned.  She did enjoy spending time with her own personal baby whisperer Uncle S.

     Not too much happened but I do love my lazy weekends.  Don't forget to enter the My Memories Suite giveaway.  You can enter here.  You have until tomorrow morning to get in your entries. So stay tuned for a winner and some more exciting blog posts.  Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend.

Fill You in Friday!

     First off, I want to Thank all those who fought for our Freedom and continue to fight for it.  I don't even want to know what life would be like with out our Freedom.  So Thank You! Since we live close to the local airport I can hear and see the Harvard Airplanes flying over on their way to the ceremony at the Cenotaph in the middle of town.  I am filled with conflicting emotions as I am sure many are.  Sad for all who lost their lives and happy that we live in a free country, that my kids can be free.

Ella - Remembrance Day 2009 with her and Camden's wreaths they made for the Cenotaph

    I also would like to thank everyone who stopped by my blog yesterday, a whopping 300 + views, incredible really, so thank you.  It's not too late to get in on the giveaway for My Memories Suite so just click here if you want to enter.  A winner will be randomly picked and posted Monday.  Also, if you would like to buy a copy click this and use my code to save $10 off the purchase price. 

    Today I am also looking forward to my new gas stove that is being delivered.  As some of you may recall the one that came with the house crapped out 3 weeks after we moved in.  Instead of getting it fixed we opted to purchase a brand spanking new one.  I am so glad we decided to get a new one, the old one fell apart when My dad unhooked the gas last night. What I found behind it was truly revolting and needless to say I emptied almost a whole bottle of Clorox Spray back there.  Mike came home from work and was pretty sure I opened a public pool in the house.  The smell of bleach was overwhelming and immediately brought back memories of my childhood swimming lessons.  Getting back to my point, it was pretty nasty back there and well thanks to bleach its squeaky clean.

     I hope everyone today Remembers that Freedom is Not Free and someone paid the price for yours.  Enjoy your weekend!

My Memories Suite Give Away - 50th Blog Post

     Hi Everyone!  This is my 50th yes, 5-0 blog post.  Would you like to win an awesome give away? I bet you would and it just so happens the amazing people over at My Memories would like to give one lucky T.E.C.H. TALK reader a free copy of My Memories Suite, an awesome digital scrapbooking software program. How cool is My Memories for giving one of you this program for FREE! Who doesn't love Free? I know I do. 

     If you are a busy mom who likes to preserve the sweet memories of their kids then this program is for you.  I know personally at the end of a long day you want to pull out all your scrapbooking goodies, but lets face it that will be a big huge mess and hassle.  If you are into digital scrapbooking already you have probably already heard of this program, My Memories Suite  because they consistently rank at the top in digital scrapbooking software reviews.

     My Memories software makes it super simple to create pages in minutes with their pre-designed templates.  If you want to get a little more creative or its the kids nap time you can make your own templates and get really creative and use all the neat embellishments to really make it your own.  It is user friendly and you are in control from image size, cropping, text, fonts , colours, layers and much more.  I have already created several pages and if I were better at making choices quickly it would have taken me minutes. 

     And that's not all!  You can also make videos, photo books, cards, printables, and tags.  It's really a one stop glue mess, paper cut free way to do all the cool stuff you want to with out the constant mess that seems to consume your dining room table while crafting/scrapbooking.  My Memories wants to give one of T.E.C.H. TALK readers their complete My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Suite for Free.

     The My Memories Suite Software can be used on a PC or Mac. The software has design tools that help you build entire albums easily, using one of the many installed templates or designing your own pages from scratch. This software retails for $40.

     I posted an example of one of the pages I made with My Memories Suite yesterday but just for your viewing pleasure, a little eye candy perhaps, here is another one, just so you can see how much I love this product.

To Enter:

1.   Visit the My Memories website and then come back here and tell me what you like and don't forget to include some way for me to contact you. 

For 3 Additional Entries

2.  "Like" My Memories on Facebook and come  back and tell me about that too.

(leave me a comment and don't forget to tell them T.E.C.H TALK sent you) 

3.  Visit the My Memories Blog, and come back here, and leave me a comment telling me you did.

4.  Follow My blog T.E.C.H. TALK and if you become a follower I will give you another chance to win.

Just can't wait?  Well, for a very limited time, My Memories is offering a $10 discount with the code:

STMMMS45299

A winner will be posted on Monday November 14th, 2011. 

I thought it would be a nice way to beat the Monday blahs next week. Good Luck! 

My Very First Give Away!

     I am very excited to be holding my very first GIVE AWAY ( I feel like OPRAH).  I will tell you about it today and tomorrow you can come back and enter for a chance to win.  Sound like a good deal? I thought so too!

     Right now I am exploring and enjoying a new-to-me product called My Memories Suite.  I love scrapbooking but haven't had much time lately to do any(I wonder why...new house, new baby, crazy toddler ect.).  This highly rated, digital scrapbooking software is fun, easy to use and won't leave paper scraps all over your floor. I am looking forward to using this to create lots of keepsake pages for my kids without spending countless hours and mega bucks on matching paper and embellishments (never understood why stickers were so pricey).

      So if you would love a chance to win this cool software to make awesome pages like this ....

       Please come back tomorrow to find out how.  Even if you don't win I still have something for you. So tomorrow be here or be a loser (sorry I hope I didn't hurt your feelings but you can't win if you don't stop by). Until then my friends check out My Memories Suite Website to see everything this software can do and what they offer.

All You Can Eat Booby Buffet!

      If you are mom chances are you generally end up showering or bathing with one or more of your children.  I go it alone as often as I can but sometimes when Mikes on afternoons and I stink like tears and desperation this Momma needs a shower. 

     Yesterday,  I desperately needed a shower and Harmony had been fussing and on a nap strike since 2pm.  I did what any other mom would do, take a slippery wet squirmy baby in too.  I like taking Harmony into the bath/shower with me as she loves the water but hate how it takes 10 times as long to get in, clean and out.  The main reason for it taking this long is not the fact you are trying to wash your own hair while juggling 13lbs of soapy, flailing baby but rather she thinks it an all you can eat booby buffet.  I mean she sees them there and she just helps herself.  Whats even worse is taking a jacuzzi bath with the baby.  Sometimes I need me time and usually that me time involves the baby because apparently I'm her mom or something.  I like to go for  a nice relaxing bath and because she LOVES the water I will take her in with me.  The bubbles and warmth paired with on demand all you can drink booby milk, heck, its a baby version of an all inclusive trip to Dominican complete with swim up bar.  I am the only one this happens to?  Usually I take Harmony in because I think it will save me time or she will be less fussy if she has a bath too. Well less fussy is right, she usually passes out like a happy little piglet.  I mean who wouldn't like to be fed their favourite drink in a jacuzzi tub all snuggled up on boobies (well I wouldn't care so much for the snuggling on boobs part but to each their own).  So this can't only be something that happens in my family.  Anyone else feel like a 24/7 buffet?

November Age/Love Photos

A  mommy from my wonderful April Mommy friends created a picture of her son with his age and what he loves.  It was a wonderful idea and many of the other moms made one for their children as well and now its like this whole group thing.  I of course had to follow suit because it was such a great idea to remember what exactly they were like at this age.  Here are my adorable kids (yes I'm biased but they are cutest don'tcha think?).

I was right, wasn't I?  Too cute!

Making progress Monday

     We are off to a good start this morning.  After an episoide of Dexter, a good nights sleep (thank you Harmony for sleeping through the night and thank you Gampa Gampa for keeping Camden for a sleepover) and a healthy dose of coffee I'm in a much better mood.  I have already completed a few things off my list.  The christmas gifts have been organized and  a mental list made of still what needs to be bought, sadly I thought I had more things stashed than I did. The farm fresh beets are steaming as I type to be made into yummy purple mush for Harmony. Up next on the baby food front is farm fresh carrots, applesauce (to be completed once I get the apple smusher thing from my mom that was my Grandmas) and some rice cereal (I have already milled the rice). I have located a crochet hook, yarn and a beginners guide that my mom is lending me (she isn't a crocheter so she can't really teach me and doesn't the word crochet look icky when spelled, makes me think of crotch ewwww). Maybe tonight I will watch the dvd guide to using my new sew machine and whip up the recieving blankets that have been pinned and waiting since before the baby was born. The kids have also requested some more felt food since I made them some last year for Christmas and it was a big hit.  Actually, apparently its one of the reasons I am the worlds most awesome mommy ever in the history of the universe says Ella and thats why she loves me best! Awwww....and its things my kids say like that, that help me kick my bad attitude and feel much better. I have a pretty good life. Mike loves me ( he said he would have to kill me if I didn't love him back, perhaps if I die an untimely death check into that for me) my kids adore me, the dog constantly whines at me for cookies (that means the dog loves me more than you Mike - hahaha) and I have a house I am proud to call home. How is your Monday going?

Weekend Woes

     Have you ever had a weekend that just seemed to kick your butt and leave you completely exhausted and begging for Monday?  This is the kind of weekend I have had.  I am not sure why.  We didn't do anything incredibly strenous or exciting.  We watched Bridesmaids, played scrabble and enjoyed a family dinner over the course of the weekend and I can't wait for my head to hit the pillow.  I've been a little bit grumpy and a little bit needy, whiney awesome.  Ok, the awesome part may be possibly a bit of a lie, but I'm in a bit of a funk.  I am usually a happy person but for some reason I'm just been feeling a bit meh lately.  It's probably the constant lack of sleep, the time change and the non stop cleaning that has me all off balance.  It's not that I am not happy because I am happy.  I am very happy with my life, the kids, the man, the house ect.  I laughed several times over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed plenty of things but I am still just tired and blah.  I have got to stop youtubing sappy videos and snap out of it.  I am happy its Monday tomorrow.  Happy to be back to routine and calm.  I have several things I want to do this week and I don't want my poor attitude to get in the way.  I want to look into crocheting ( I am not saying I am going to start but I want to possibly look into it and contemplate a project or two), organize my christmas present stash, maybe dig out my sewing machine, whip up a batch of baby food (rice cereal, beets, carrots and applesauce) and plenty of other things that I know I won't do if I get all ho hum.  So here is to starting Monday off right with a big old grin and a merry attitude to go with it (that was probably the lamest sentence I have ever written, hope you enjoyed it).  A cuddle, a good nights sleep and a lot of caffiene tomorrow morning should do the trick.  Hope everyone had an enjoyable weekend and kept their inner bitch attitudes in check.

Family Friday - Niece Edition

     Today, I am happy that two of my nieces are coming to visit.  One of which I barely get to see since she is a busy girl who works in the big city( if you live in Toronto, you want this girl doing your hair) and the other one is off to college. I am very proud of both of these girls, as I am of all my nieces and nephews.  I am especially pleased to announce that Lee Lee (a nickname my kids call her) is home for her high school commencement and to deliver her speech as the VALEDICTORIAN! I am one proud Aunt.  I am sad however, I will not be attending to watch her do this (can you imagine the chaos of a graduation ceremony with 3 kids, 2 of which do not know how to sit still or be quiet for hours, plus I am promised someone will videotape it for me).  Another niece of mine is also coming home from University to attend the same commencement to also accept her diploma. I have some very smart kids in my family.  So a big congratulations to my graduating nieces. We are very proud of you and even prouder that you are off making your dreams come true at school.  We are very excited for you! Seriously, look out world some very smart, very pretty girls are coming your way....Better Watch Out!

My Beautiful Hair Stylist Niece Kait

My Beautiful Valedictorian soon to be Public Relations Niece Lee Lee

                                         

My Beautiful  graduating soon to be one Hot Teacher Niece, Ari

My Man Mike!

     Since reading another Mommy Blogger's post about her husband and having a stupid kind of week that makes me thankful for my own man, here is a tribute to him.

     Mike is amazing.  He works hard at his job everyday to support his family.  He lets me stay home with the kids because baby wrangling is what I do best.  He tells me to not worry about cleaning so much and to relax take a bath or nap ( sometimes I do, usually I don't).  He loves me, and treats me with respect which teaches our children how to treat others (our son how to treat girls and our girls how they should expect to be treated by a boy and no less).  He has a great sense of humour without going too far with it, which I appreciate greatly.  He is kind, sensitive, loving and patient (even with Camden).  He cooks dinner often, he cleans, and actually plays with the kids.  He helps with homework, changes bums and puts on PJ's. He can usually be heard answering endless rounds of "why?", reading stories, singing songs, offering kind words and sometimes a stern warning.  He never raises his voice, or says a bad word about anyone, EVER! I sometimes question if he is even human and not some Husband-Bot prototype. I am lucky! He holds my hand in the car, cuddles on the couch, always kisses be goodbye and tells me how much he loves me.   He texts me everyday on his lunch breaks to check on the kids and tell me how much he loves me once again.  He also grocery shops, does all the outdoor maintenance, does the banking and can cook a turkey.  Seriously, he is way too good for me, but don't tell him that.  We wouldn't want him to get an ego or anything.  Mike is one of the best things to ever happen to me.  For a man that never thought he wanted kids, he is honestly the best Dad ever.  He is also the BEST Fiance ever.  Who thinks Michael should, you know, maybe like finally divorce his ex and possibly maybe Marry Me? You know, since I have the house, kids, ring and um just possibly the dress? OK, I have the dress.  So who is with me? I think its about time, Don't you?

Today *sigh*

     It's been a long week and it's only Wednesday.  The weekend can't come fast enough.  I'm tired, stressed and have been living off Halloween candy and caffeine.

Today I have:

• been brave
• tried to be a good friend
• ate a lunch that consisted solely of Halloween candy and chips
• faced some fears
• listened to my baby giggle and giggled back
• let my baby nap on me (usually she won't)
• had a great visit with some girlfriends
• enjoyed a quiet house with only the baby home
• cleaned a bit
• not gotten dressed and am still in PJ pants

  Tonight I am:

• going to enjoy dinner at my in laws
• hug and love my kids up just because I can
• hug and love Mike, because he is the most amazing man ever and well I don't need a reason to
• spend some much needed time crafting with my sister, because I NEED some ME time

What have you done today?

Halloween Highlights!

      Its been a long, crappy, tiring, sugar filled day.  Here are some pictures that make me smile and will hopefully make you smile as well.

I'm so Cute it's Scary

Our Adult Halloween Party Costumes

Masquerade Princess and a Pirate

 A Butterfly

Our Family

The Loot not including our own left over candy.