Beautiful Christmas

I will have to say this has been the most memorable Christmas in the history of Christmases! We made chocolate chip cookies on Christmas Eve and put them on a plate with some rice milk for Santa Claus. (Daddy informed us that Santa doesn't like Soy milk but he LOVES rice milk). After C's bath which was filled with singing "Jingle bells, Jingle bells" we read Twas the night before Christmas, three times.

I don't think I have ever been more excited. I couldn't wait until the morning came to see her face when she saw the presents. This means so much to me as I never had the Christmas experience growing up. I must say, having my own children and watching them experience the magic of Christmas makes up for it all.

In the morning we had cocoa and buttered toast while opening gifts. Seeing our little girl opening her presents was undescribable. She couldn't understand that all of the packages under the tree were for her to not only OPEN but to keep! She opened the first one which was a little book and looked through the entire thing twice and then talked about it for ages. We had to keep reminding her to open the next gift as she was so enthralled with the one in her hands. It took her 1 1/2 hours to open everything. It was completely magical. I can't even put into words how I felt. Truly, truly magical. The look on her face was priceless!

And next year there will be two. Two little angels opening their gifts on Christmas morning. I want to cry just thinking about it.

We spent a lovely morning at a friend's house today. C is still talking about it. She wanted to take her little friend home with her. So sweet! I love seeing this side of her. The side that enjoys another child's company, the side that I will get to see soon with this new being inside me. My baby is going to be the eldest, the big sister. Wow, still so hard to imagine...

I feel pretty sluggish lately. Don't feel like exercising very much or going for walks. Also a heavy blanket of exhaustion hits me every day without warning in the afternoon. Something which I have no control over. My body is tired and stretching to its maximum.

Lunch consisted of tomato sandwiches as there isn't much to eat in this house of mine. Tonight's menu consists of Ratatouille and green onion flatbread. Yum!

It is so flipping cold out today! Supposed to be even worse tomorrow. This morning the wind was so strong you could hear it howling outside. Makes you feel safe, warm and cozy in your bed though.

Made the cutest booties for the babe yesterday out of fleece. I bought the pattern on Etsy and it turned out beautifully! The pattern sizing only went up to 18 months but my husband bought some graph paper so I can try to enlarge them as I really want to make a matching pair for C. I'll work on that a little later.

Made all my baby wipes yesterday out of old flannel sheets! Doubled them up and used a zig zag stitch around the edges. Now just waiting for the diapers to arrive and I will be a cloth diapering mama!

Taking the plunge..

I've been thinking and rethinking this decision for quite a long time and have finally decided to give it a full out try. When I had my daughter the idea of cloth diapering was great however not suitable given our situation with a home business. Now after researching for quite some time I have come to a different understanding. Cloth diapering is definately not what it used to be. When I saw all the different styles and options out there I was so excited. There are all in ones, one size fits all, easy to use cloth diapers as well as the traditional inserts and plastic covers. The all in ones really appeal to me as they are easy to use and wash. No presoaking required yeah!

So needless to say I placed an order last week and am eagerly (yes I know it sounds ridiculous to "eagerly" await the arrival of DIAPERS) waiting for them to arrive.

Speaking of waiting of things to arrive, where have I been over the last 8 months? On another planet? Why is it that I have JUST recently (last 2 weeks) realized that I need things for the baby which I haven't even thought of until now. I had 8 months to prepare and purchase these items. 8 MONTHS! But no, instead I decide that shopping for baby items in the smack dab middle of the holiday season is a dandy time to do so.

SMART!

My heart is full of Christmas cheer

We went to a choir performance at the church tonight in our little town. It was wonderful and oh so relaxing. We all had a great time. My husband and daughter by my side and our unborn child in my womb sitting in the pews of a beautiful church in our little town listening to the traditional Christmas carols sung by a choir. It was beautiful!

C sat through the entire thing with the help of the hymn books (which she went through at least 20 times). All four of them had to be looked at then put back, over and over again. There was absoloutely nothing to look at except for music notes and writing but she thought they were just great.

On the way out we stopped to look at the nativity scene in front of the church and C named off every animal and "Mary, Man (Joseph) and baby Jesus".

Earlier today we were listening to the "birds singing kismas" translation = Chipmunk's christmas cd. She was dancing up a storm with her daddy. Hands in the air, twirling around, jumping around. Ahh my heart...

I made chocolate truffles and cranberry, orange and walnut biscotti this week. Tomorrow I'm planning on making Bryanna Clark Grogan's Panettone from Nonna's Italian Kitchen. As if I need to gain anymore weight with this pregnancy! But now see its Christmas weight so its allowed (I'm trying to use this as a brainwashing tecnique for myself but its not working).

Appointment

Everything looks peachy. Blood pressure is low which is good however I've been prone to some dizzy spells lately. A cookie, piece of fruit or something sugary usually fixes that problem.

They are estimating the babies weight to be between 6-6 1/2 pounds right now! I thought that was pretty big considering I'm 35 weeks although I feel as if there is no room left. When I lie down this little munchkin moves her bum from side to side or stretches her legs out. You can almost feel the toes when she kicks!
We had a ton of errands to run after the appointment and didn't even have time to finish everything. 2 more weeks until we go again.

Everyone is talking about how people aren't spending as much this year however after yesterday I would have to disagree. The shops were jam packed from 10 am - 3pm! We were in Canadian Tire and they had 5 cashiers open with lines reaching down the isles. While waiting in line I saw a tall, rough, older man wearing work clothes and suspenders. He was one of those guys who just don't shop. The type that avoid shopping at all costs, who you don't usually see in a store unless they are being dragged by their wives. This man however was by himself, waiting patiently in a never ending line up to purchase one item. A Tonka truck. Christmas turns even tough guys into softies.

We had a single man rent a room last night from a town not too far away. He was driving a volkswagen with a broken heater and and was on his way to BC. After 2 hours of driving in a snowstorm with CANDLES lit inside the car to keep his windshield clear he decided to head home the next day. Apparently the blanket he used to cover his legs wasn't enough to keep him warm. Umm.... yes I can understand that.

Christmas cards are finished and the tree is up. C runs around the house singing "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells". Why is it that something so simple as a child singing jingle bells can touch you right to the core of your soul like magic? It is the sweetest thing. (She loves "Saka Cause" too and thinks his big black boots are just the cat's meow.)

It is so beautiful outside today and the temperature is just right. The snow is glistening like little diamonds in the sun. Gorgeous!

I have to go through all of my files now before putting the drawers back in my desk (oh joy). Must take advantage of this wonderful time in the afternoon when C is having her beauty rest. Why is it that no matter how large the desk there is never enough space for anything. And why do we insist on shoving papers in drawers when we have FILES to store them in. Laziness I tell you its laziness. Early New Years resolution NO MORE MESSY DESK DRAWERS.

Well I feel much better now; "I can see clearly now the rain has gone". Sheesh I just seem to be breaking into song lately at any given moment ha! Ah well, music is medicine for the soul.

December "the month of Christmas" has officially begun! We were going to put our tree up today but unfortunately there is a file cabinet and hutch that has to be moved into our new room upstairs so I don't have anywhere to put it until Wednesday or Thursday. Lots of other things to do in the meantime.

I bought the two cutest figurines the other day. So many Christmas decorations are tacky or distasteful but I thought these were adorable. I have a real soft spot for the "Victorian Santa Claus". I'm not a big fan of the new florescent red and brightly bleached white one of the current day. The charm and innocence just isn't there like it is with the original. I am biased though as I'm a real sucker for anything Victorian, vintage or otherwise.

C's jumper is finished! It was so easy to make and took me 2 days to finish. If I had really sat down and finished it from beginning to end it would have probably taken me 2-3 hours so it was a quickie/ I was debating on making a size 2 or 3 and then settled on the 3. Its a little large but she'll grow into it within the next couple of months.

Sad and frustrated

Oh how I hate confrontations with other people. My heart hurts. I dislike the whole situation, the whole reason. I don't like arguing, I don't like fighting. The feeling of getting riled up makes me sick. I used to thrive on riling myself up or having someone rile me up as if it gave me some kind of "recharge" if that even makes sense. The hotter the argument the better whereas now the thought of it just seems insane. Why can't everyone just be happy and get along or talk within reason with intelligence without allowing their egos to get into the mix? (In someways I believe we can truly learn from children.)

My husband helped me to see a different side of things. He is such a calm, level headed and understanding man who thinks clearly no matter what, where as I used to let my "passionate streak" control my actions, words and thoughts. I am happier now that I am no longer that person and feel as if I've been let out of a "box"; although can't handle "drama" as well as I used to.

My head hurts, I'm tired and as the song goes, "Make the world go away".

Appointment

Driving conditions were pretty poor today traveling to the city. Snowy, slippery and wet. Bleck! It was a pretty drive though. Everything from the rocks to the trees were covered in a thick dusting of snow. It looks like powdered sugar has been sifted on everything. It was breathtaking actually. Looked like something out of an illustration.

The baby is head down! YEAH super relief. Last midwife appointment she was still breech but the little darling turned. Boy am I glad about THAT. C loves these appointments. She sits next to me while I get my blood pressure checked. She lies next to me on the examining bed with this sweet little smile on her face while the midwife checks the babies position and heart beat. Then she talks about how she is going to be a "big tista". My baby is going to be a big sister. Wow....

Messes

Things are crazy around here! We primed and painted the one room over the weekend. They are now screwing down the sheet rock for the ceramic flooring so we should be ready to put that section of the flooring in by Friday. It shouldn't take more than a day or two to install the floor and then we can move the desk into its final resting place :).

I've given up on dusting. Last week the entire house was sparkling for a total of 12 hours until they started sanding the walls. I'm just going to leave it for now as there is no point in cleaning something that is going to be messy again in 5 minutes. 

Speaking of messes. We watched a movie over the weekend called "Yours, mine and ours" with Dennis Quaid and Renee Russo. It was a real cute family movie, however it seems to have scarred my daughter. There was a scene where the kids were cleaning up the house and ended up getting into an argument which escalated into trashing the house. C was so upset. She kept saying "Mess, mess look at mess, movie" with tears in her eyes. She has brought it up twice a day since then shaking her head and using her hands and facial expressions to try to explain to me the utter madness of the situation.  It REALLY upset her. So no more movies with "messes". 

Crafty urges

I am so very envious of all those wonderful crafters on Etsy. Their talent is enough to take your breath away. Looking at all the wonderful homemade things has been inspiring though and given me the push I need to take a deep breath, clean off my sewing table and start sewing some goodies for Christmas.

Sewing is therapeutic for me actually. It is very soothing and relaxing once you get started. Trying to keep C preoccupied is the hard part which is why I usually save it for the evenings.

C needs another dress and I didn't see anything in a reasonable price range in the stores (is it just me or do they put EVERYTHING up for the holidays?) I'll have to pick up a pattern next week for a jumper. There were a couple of Simplicity ones that were pretty cute and included patterns for pants and a couple of different tops. I already have some beautiful fine wale corduroy in a retro blue design which was picked up earlier on this year.

First Snow!

My daughter and I were walking home when we saw the Mennonites go by with the horse drawn buggy. Something such as that is so very comforting although I can't quite figure out why. Its heartwarming and just plain sweet. There are lots of sweet little things in this small town of ours. I shall devote a post to that very subject one day.

The weather is getting colder now. Not just chilly but that fresh cold that bites harshly. I really like the cold as odd as that may seem. It refreshes my mind, body and soul something that the extreme heat just can't do.

We had our first snow of the season today! A little earlier then usual and not just a dusting either so it officially counts as the "First Snow" on our calendar. Christmas is just around the corner.... Time to start thinking about Advent!

This morning as I was brushing C's hair I was astonished as to how long its grown! The curls usually hide the length but today they had formed into soft golden waves. She was preoccupied with a television show so I pulled out the comb and attempted to french braid her hair. I don't know what was more shocking, the fact that I did a decent job or the fact that she allowed me to do so and sat still?

This is the before and after. My sweet little brown haired Pippi.

George Carlin's Masterpiece

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Cookies and Cookwear

I made some really yummy Gluten Free cookies from the Vegan Lunch Box. They were made with an assortment of nut butters and brown rice flour. I had made some peanut butter cookies before that turned out disastrously but these were delicious! Definitely a "make again" in our house.

And while we are on the topic of cooking I found out some interesting news the other day. Apparently Tenderflake puff pastry is vegan! Who knew? There is a recipe on the box for a wonderful apple tart with caramel sauce. That will be our Sunday dessert I believe.

Drooling over Le Creuset today. My cast iron fry pans get used constantly and these look even better. Time to save up some Aeroplan miles.

Pancakes for breakfast tomorrow! Every Sunday is our pancake breakfast and both hubby and baby look forward to it wholeheartedly. It is also our day of rest and relaxation although I don't know how much of that I will be doing considering all the business paperwork which must be tended to. Lots of paperwork to leaf through which has piled up during the week "sigh". I'll be so happy when my desk is in its final resting place and I have my little home office back again.

My daughter has been fighting a cold this past week and I haven't been able to get much done because of it. She was up most of the night because her "Nose is runnin" and yet she still looks at me with those watery eyes and runny nose and says, "Love you mama." The adoration in her eyes and that sweet innocence... I wish I could freeze these moments. 

I've been pumping her with lots of liquids and just bought some homeopathic medicine. Hopefully that kicks it out of her. 

I made scalloped potatoes last night from Dreena Burton's Vive Le Vegan cookbook. They were full of flavour and oh so creamy. Tonight is fresh bread and split pea soup or pot pie. 

I have to start "feeding the freezer" soon in preparation for the new baby. When pregnant with my first I froze a few meals and came to really appreciate the ease of defrosting and reheating when she was born. 

What do you know for sure?

I read this earlier today. I thought it was true in many ways and wanted to pass it along.

The late film critic Gene Siskel asked Oprah one day what she knew for sure. She didn't have an answer right away and thought about it for quite some time. This is the list she came up with.

The top 20 things Oprah knows for sure:

1. What you put out comes back all the time, no matter what. (This is my creed.)

2. You define your own life. Don't let other people write your script.

3. Whatever someone did to you in the past has no power over the present. Only you give it power.

4. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. (A lesson from Maya Angelou.)

5. Worrying is wasted time. Use the same energy for doing something about whatever worries you.

6. What you believe has more power than what you dream or wish or hope for. You become what you believe.

7. If the only prayer you ever say is thank you, that will be enough. (From the German theologian and humanist Meister Eckhart.)

8. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love you give.

9. Failure is a signpost to turn you in another direction.

10. If you make a choice that goes against what everyone else thinks, the world will not fall apart.

11. Trust your instincts. Intuition doesn't lie.

12. Love yourself and then learn to extend that love to others in every encounter.

13. Let passion drive your profession.

14. Find a way to get paid for doing what you love. Then every paycheck will be a bonus.

15. Love doesn't hurt. It feels really good.

16. Every day brings a chance to start over.

17. Being a mother is the hardest job on earth. Women everywhere must declare it so.

18. Doubt means don't. Don't move. Don't answer. Don't rush forward.

19. When you don't know what to do, get still. The answer will come.

20. "Trouble don't last always." (A line from a Negro spiritual, which calls to mind another favorite: This, too, shall pass.)

Chocolate and floors

I read a review on Ghirardelli chocolate today on a blog. NOT a good thing to read when your pregnant, especially when your planning on shopping for food later on.

Upon reaching the store I realized that they do not sell this blessed brand of chocolate! A substitute was made for a new mousse filled chocolate bar.

Oh.. My... Lord. Luscious, smooth, fluffy and unbelievably divine. Chocolate was the last thing on my mind until I read about it and now its all I can think about. Now I have to restrain myself from eating the entire bar. It has since been relocated to a very high area, out of reach. In order to retrieve it again I must get a step ladder. Hopefully that defers me and my insatiable craving although somehow I doubt it.

The floor is being ripped out today right down to the bare boards. They have to fix it all from underneath as nothing is level. Lots of creaks and cracks which have to be repaired before the tile goes down. My allergies are acting up which is odd as I am not usually prone to allergies.

A few more weeks until completion!

I'm amazed at how this little girl of mine who couldn't stay asleep naps through loud drilling, grinding and sawing. From one extreme to another!

Romance

Woke up late and fumbled downstairs to make breakfast. It was one of those mornings when your mind feels like a whirlwind of thoughts, worries and plans. The to do list from today and yesterday that hadn't been completed; among other things. I begin to fill the sink with hot soapy water when I feel his arms wrap around my waist. My body melts into his. Time stops in that moment as my mind clears. He crouches down to kiss me and whispers, "I love you. I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for you. Thank you for being my wife." I turn around and take his sweet face in my hands. His soul shines through his eyes. I see the man I fell head over heels in love with, the father of my children and my best friend. Oh how I adore him, that beautiful husband of mine!

History has been made

The first African-American has become president of the United States. I feel so much hope and optimism for America. We need a change so very badly and I truly believe Barack Obama is the man for the job. He has so many fresh and new ideas and is geared towards change.
Even though we're Canadian, my husband and I feel such an immense feeling of joy and excitement for the future of American. President Barack Obama said last night

"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

It sure was an answer to us.


45 years ago it was only a dream. Dreams do come true. Anything is possible. Martin Luther King Jr. would be so proud.

Sleepless in Ontario

Yesterday was challenging. Excruciatingly challenging. My daughter will not sleep. She just won't. I have tried everything, my husband has tried everything and we are both exhausted. 3 days of no sleep! It is emotionally and physically draining. She will lie in her bed until we close up at midnight waiting for us! Unreal. What happened? It must be a phase. At least I hope it is. Pray it is. We need sleep!

On a completely different note, I MUST make granola today. Throughout this pregnancy I haven't had any cravings except for granola. I could eat it all day. How weird is that?

Speaking of pregnancy I feel so huge! While at Canadian Tire the other day I tried to sneak through the space between the teller and my cart to place my bags in and couldn't fit through. I tried sneaking in through the side, frontwards, backwards but to no avail. It was quite funny actually. I was trapped by the baby belly.

(you may be able to see my toes but I sure can't )

I have also recently developed Mommy-brain. Now I did have this condition with my first but it wasn't this severe. Does it get worse with every child you have? If that is the case God bless Mrs. Duggar.

Just to give an example; we were in Subway and after paying for lunch I asked the lady for "One of those things" pointing behind the counter. She looked at me questioning, "What things". " You know, I said, those things", as I began sketching a rectangle in the air with my fingers. Blessed girl finally came to the conclusion that the crazy woman needed a TRAY to place the subs on. My mind had truly drawn a blank. I couldn't for the life of me remember the word TRAY. Sigh.

Well I'm off. Lunch, mail and then try to put her down for her nap. Not necessarily in that order but I'll try.

Sick day

My baby is sick. The poor thing came down with a fever yesterday afternoon. She usually wakes up after her nap in a fantastic mood, full of energy however yesterday was a different story. I was folding laundry on our bed and she came running into our room crying. I picked her up, noticed that she was warm and lay back on some pillows. Within five minutes she was sleeping again clinging on to my shirt. Poor baby. She's feeling a bit better today but still not 100%. After she woke up I offered her a freezie and she refused! Needless to say mommy fed her herbal tea all afternoon.

I'm glad we decided not to go trick or treating last night as it would have made thing worse. Next year for sure though. Now its on to Christmas...

I've been looking into some prelit Christmas trees however most of the bulbs aren't guaranteed. Meaning if one goes out, tough luck for you as the rest don't work. Not an ideal situation when you have over 1000 lights on a tree. I came across this one today
The World's Best Pre-Lit Noble Fir.

Super Cool and its guaranteed for life.

My husband is finally taking a much needed break today after working so hard all week on these renovations. He put the beam up in the sun room, fixed all the faulty wiring (so far anyways) and put up a big post on the outside of the office. It looks beautiful! They were supposed to put two up but it ended up taking longer than anticipated. Next week is supposed to be nice though so it should be finished by then.

Now I'm off to make a carrot cake with vegan cream cheese icing. It feels like a carrot cake day today. I love autumn. Everyday calls out for walks in the leaves, hot apple cider, spicy carrot cake, fresh bread and anything else that fills the house with comforting aromas. Yes I love fall.

Leaving you now with a picture of my darling helping with the dishes.

Happy November 1st!

If You Give A Mom a Muffin

Saw this online and it was too cute not to post.

If you give a mom a muffin,

She’ll want a cup of coffee to go with it.
She’ll pour herself some.
Her three year old will spill the coffee.
She’ll wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she will find dirty socks.
She’ll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry in the washer,
She’ll trip over boots and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She’ll look for her cookbook. (101 Things to make with a pound of hamburger.)
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old.
She’ll smell something funny.
She’ll change the two-year-old.
While she is changing the two-year-old the phone will ring.
Her five-year-old will answer and hang up.
She’ll remember that she wants to phone a friend to come for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some.
And chances are,
If she has a cup of coffee,
Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Written by Kathy Fictorie, based on the children’s book “If you give a mouse a cookie” by Laura Numeroff.

Thrifty shopping

Gas is in the double digits! I can't believe it. I was out of town today doing some shopping when I saw the sign.... 99.9 *gasp*. Now if it lasts that will be a miracle in itself.

My little girl and I went to pick up some supplies today. The dollar store has to be one of the most fantastic places to shop. I left with a huge bag overflowing with goodies for $25! My daughter was thrilled as well with all the interesting items being bought for her. Safety scissors (discovered at a friend's house yesterday what a great idea), glue sticks, play dough, stickers, a Dora pencil case to which she exclaimed "Hode it, I hode it. Dora mama, Dora!", papers, colouring pencils etc, etc, etc.

She was mesmerized when we got home with all the goodies. Watching her squeeze and touch the play dough for the first time was a treat.

There is nothing like witnessing your children experience things for the first time. Their eyes wide in amazement and when they smile at you in wonder all for the simple things we take for granted like the crunch of leaves underneath our feet while going for a walk or the birds flying in the sky. Or like today the feeling of play dough being squished and poked for the first time :).
No, I don't believe there is anything better than that.

Miracle Children

Just finished watching Miracle Children with Celine Dion on Oprah. I don't think I've ever cried so much... You must watch this.

99 balloons

Felt Food patterns

I have been looking for patterns to make some felt food for my daughter as a Christmas present and came across Bugga Bugs . She also has a store on Etsy you can check out at Bugga Bugs heartfelt fun . Everything is so cute and realistic! If you sign up for her mailing list you can receive a free pattern. Now to make a decision on which one to get.....

Loving two.....

We are currently expecting our second child (due in January) and although I am thrilled and excited I'm also apprehensive. Not sure on how my two year old daughter will react etc. Anyways upon my web travels I came across this beautiful poem. It was if I wrote it as it describes how I feel at this moment perfectly. I shed a few tears the first time reading it as its touched me so deeply...

LOVING TWO

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship.
Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited.
And I wonder, how could I love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you.
I watch as the pain you feel at having to share me as you have never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, "Please love only me" and I hear myself telling you in mine "I can't".
Knowing in fact that I never can again.
You cry, I cry with you.
I almost see our baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared.
A relationship we can never have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty.
I'm afraid to let you see me enjoying her -- as though I am betraying you.
But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine.
The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.
But something is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just us two.
There are new times -- only now we are three.
I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how she adores you, as I have for so long.
I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments.
I begin to realize that I haven't taken something from you, I've given something to you.
I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.
I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong.
And my question is finally answered to my amazement.
Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you, only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I know you'll never share my love.
There's enough of that for both of you -- you each have your own supply.

I love you both and I thank you both for blessing my life.

---Author Unknown

Here we go...

Well I've officially crossed over into the blogging world. Finally did it :) now lets see if I can keep it up. I figured it would be a good way to organize my thoughts, ideas and interesting things I come across as well as bits of my life.