baby | co-sleep | kids | motherhood | new mom

Three Nights

Oh…my heart….

This isn’t really how I expected to feel this morning.

I have been looking forward to today for almost a whole year. Today begins the Canadian National Training Conference for my home-based business. Thousands of people are coming to Edmonton, a stone’s throw away from me, including people in my own Area and Nation and I am beyond thrilled. It is a weekend away to develop both personally and professionally. I’m rooming with some girls from my team and it is going to be great. (*Re-reading this section just now I noticed the distinct absence of exclamation marks…)

Except that I just dropped Monkey off at Lady’s house for daycare and I feel closer to tears than euphoria. I thought I would see him off and then come home, crank some tunes, and dance around while I pack. Instead, I’m sitting here with a weight on my chest and uncried tears burning the backs of my eyes.

 

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baby | kids | motherhood | new mom

Okay, let’s be honest

I’ve gotta be doing some things right. Right?

Before I had Monkey, I didn’t give a lot of thought to how other people parented their children, other than to form thoughts like, “Oh what a great idea” or, of course, “I will NEVER do that” *cough, cough, If I’d only known…*

When Monkey was born I very quickly realized that I didn’t know a thing about being a Mommy. I trusted my intuition sometimes, asked for advice from fellow moms, and did a lot of reading. I always felt like I was just treading water, smiling on the surface but kicking like hell under the water just to stay afloat. I assumed that once Monkey reached the age of “x” I would feel confident in my parenting.

 

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baby | co-sleep | kids | motherhood | new mom | sleep

One Days (Yes, plural)

Hello again! I just came across this in my “Draft” folder and realized it never got published. So to honour the mood I was in that day, it finally makes it into the bright light of public viewing and scrutiny. 
Voila!

And for you tonight, dear readers, a list of One Days.
You know, One days. As in, “one day I will do this….”
I make no promises as to the clarity or sensibility of this because I’m really tired but I was in the mood for writing so you get what you get tonight.

The A Type personality in me really like lists, so here is another one for you.

 

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baby | co-sleep | new mom

I Never…

Cast your memory back to those university days when you may or may not have played the drinking game, “I never” (or a variation of the same title). Well now that we’re all grown up (at least, some of the time), let’s play the Mama version.

I’ll start – I’ll write something that I NEVER thought I would do as a parent but HAVE DONE. If you have also done this then you indicate that and then write your own, “I never…”

I never let Monkey sleep in bed with us (and I “never” do this about every third or fourth night…more if Hubby is away!)


Okay, your turn. And don’t leave me hangin’, here!! Remember, if you HAVE let baby sleep in bed with you then you say so and then write your own “I never” statement. Feel free to comment more than once to keep this going for a bit!

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baby | favourites | new mom

Favourite Baby Things

As a (relatively) new mother there are certain things that I very quickly learned I couldn’t live without. I love these products so much I thought I would share them with you! Pictures of items are taken from Google or directly from the product website.
(Note – these are listed in the order they came into my mind, not in the order I like them best)

 1. Moby Wrap

I couldn’t live without this! Monkey is NOT a good napper during the day and for the first 5 months of life would seldom nap in his crib so this was the only way I could get stuff done! Even now, weighing in at a hefty 20lbs I still use it all the time.

2. I’Coo Pacific Stroller

This little baby is one sweet ride. Forward or backward facing, bassinet to seat all in one piece. Awesome on snow, sand, grass, whatever and it folds down quite compactly. I’ve received many compliments on it!

3. SoftBums Cloth Diapers

We spent about $600 when all was said and done on our SoftBums stash and have never looked back. We never need to buy disposables except when laundry isn’t available (like in hotels for extended periods) or in rare occasions like now, when we are battling a night-time leak situation that I’m sure is due to something we are doing NOT the diapers since I have several friends who use these without any issues. I HIGHLY recommend cloth diapering! As you can see from the picture, you can start using most of them right from the very beginning!!

4. Foaming Tot Wash by Rocky Mountain Soap Company

This baby wash is easy to use, smells good, is easy on their skin and good for the environment. ‘Nuff said, no?

5. The Baby Bullet

Now that Monkey is eating solid food, this bad boy comes in really handy. You can take your time and cook up something special just for him, or toss in a banana, avocado, peach, or whatever you’re having for dinner yourself and blend it up in seconds (providing it’s safe for your babes to eat what you are having, of course).

I’m sure as soon as I post this I’ll think of many other things that I love having, but that’s a start at least!

Your turn! What can’t you live without for your kiddo(s)?

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military wife | new mom | new town | pick-me-ups

Pick-Me-Ups

Never underestimate the value of sending someone flowers.
I’ve been having a bit of a hard time adjusting to this new life. Six weeks ago I had a circle of friends to visit, a best friend a few streets over, baby play-dates, and a generally fulfilling life both at home and socially. But now everything just seems so quiet and still. You know that cliche of crickets chirping in the silence to indicate when things are just THAT quiet that that sound is all you can hear? Some days it feels like that sound is the metaphorical soundtrack playing in the background.
My parents were just here for their first visit and it was wonderful. They were only here for a week but they did painting, housework, groceries, errands cooking, taking Lucas for walks, feeding the dogs and anything else that I asked them to do. It was great…just like living at home again where at 5:00 you ask, “What’s for dinner?” having put no thought into it yourself because you knew it was taken care of. My hubby is working nights for a military exercise right now and sleeping during the day so I doubly appreciate all the help. Needless to say after I returned home from dropping them off at the airport and the longest 2 1/2 hour drive ever (thank you, crying Lucas) the house felt bigger and emptier than it did before. After Hubby went to work the evening started to go down the kind of self-pitying path that is never good and a phonecall home to my parents just turned me into a blubbering child. But Mom’s loving words made me feel better and I went to bed happy…enough.

Today my wonderful parents sent me flowers. Flowers! Such a relatively common gesture to many people but it had such a huge impact and really picked me up.

What kinds of pick-me-ups do you enjoy when you’re feeling a bit down? A bath? Wine? A jog?

Mel

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