The twos are coming…
Today marks a very special birthday of a very special little gal I know (two!). When her birthday hits, it means dancing and sweets and super photo-ops. It also means that Eli's birthday is in just two short days (two!).
I decided to put all of my hand-lettering practice to the test, and wrote a quote that describes this wee girl's mama quite nicely - and I thought it was fitting for her birthday. It turned out pretty nice, if you ask me.
Happy birthday little L. (and happy birthaversary to her fabulous parents)
xo.
bits.
today I...
- took some photos
- painted some furniture
- sold some books
- baked some zucchini loaf (sort of)
- cheered for an amazing friend completing a triathlon
- ate two tomato & basil sammies
- drew some pictures for a traveling art project
- did some laundry and organizing
- watched a wedding through my binoculars
- sang some songs
- finished up some etsy orders
- chatted with some friends
- tweeted
- snuggled with my wee boy
xo.
Eli: Guest Blogging revisited.
Eli here.
My mom has been on hiatus from blogging (and she feels really bad about it). She's learning how to balance being back to school, etsy orders and dealing with a death of her co-worker. She is spending a lot of good times with me and daddy, but hasn't had much time to herself to blog or paint or chat with friends.
Me, on the other hand, I am moving and shaking and doing all sorts of super fun things. For example.
I love breaking into cupboards to get a snack. The moving shelf is so fun to climb. The bag of quinoa makes a great rattle and banging the cans of tuna and adobo peppers allows me to make awesome music. Mom doesn't seem to mind, she thinks it's fun when I explore.
Playing with the toilet is one of my favourite things to do. Sometimes I just flush the toilet, other times I play with the roll of toilet paper. I love opening and closing the lid, and splashing the toilet water with my hands is the best. I have this fun game I play too. I get mom's attention. Then I run towards the bathroom. I stop and turn around to make sure she is still paying attention. If she tries to chase me, I giggle and run faster. If she doesn't chase me, I still play anyways. Who wouldn't want to play with water?
I love my friends. I can't wait until mom is finished teaching for the year and we can play with even more. We play in tunnels, share snacks, go for walks, play on swings, read books and play bocce ball. I am going to try my best and not be a bad influence with my daredevil tendencies - but don't you think it would be so much fun to jump in Aly's pond to catch the fish?
Lately I've been chasing the neighbourhood dogs ("Doggie!") and the lawnmower when Gramps or daddio cut the lawn. I would spend all day outside if I could. I also clap at everything that I like and have figured out how to open all of the door handles in our house. Mom doesn't think I can go down the stairs forward, but I'll show her!
i’m here!
Where the heck....? I am a bad teacher-blogger turned mom-blogger turned teacher-mom-blogger. It's been almost a month since my last post - eek! Here is a quick update (with many more frequent posts to follow - I promise!).
I've had a huge influx of Etsy orders (maps, seating charts AND paperdolls). I've drawn 6 maps, 2 sets of paperdolls and 3 seating charts - and it is only April. Do you want to add to my madness? http://funkylindsay.etsy.com (or maybe wait a few weeks)
We have a walker! It started with just a few steps and in a matter of days Eli is doing laps around the living room, carrying objects, picking things up and pulling himself up without any help. He is so sturdy and so excited. Sometimes he gets a little too excited and tries to run. This has resulted in two fat lips, a bloody nose, a black eye and an assortment of other bumps and bruises. He barely crawls anymore.
I'm still loving being back teaching and I am working smarter than ever too. I carpool with a girl who doesn't like to get to school too early, I don't linger after school in the staff room after school to chat, I use very good use of my prep period, lunch and recesses that I don't have duty, and it is my 7th year in this grade. I am only doing school planning once Eli has gone to bed or Sunday nights when my parents arrive for their weekly reunion. The last two months are my favourite time of the school year because so much is crammed in such a short period of time. It is nuts, but I love it. (Medieval Times trip, Track & Field, EQAO, performances and assemblies, rumours about the next school year, and gym outside!) This year I decided to take a break from producing/directing an epic school musical - but I can't wait until next years!
I have 1000+ unread blog posts in my google reader, 15 unwatched tivo'd things, 6 games of words with friends awaiting my turn and personal blog posts swirling in my head. I have a slew of marvellous things I want to make and do. And emails to reply to and letters to write before June.
xoxo. Stay Tuned.
525,600 minutes: a First Birthday
On Monday, February 20th, Elijah turned 1. I didn't want to throw a big indoor party in the middle of winter, but I love the little touches of planning a party. Read about my earlier birthday dichotomy here.
We decided to have a birthday playdate with some of Elijah's besties - brunch, babies and broo-ha-ha. We normally play together on weekends, so it was an easy fit. I wanted to share some of the crafty details with some great maman friends.
I made an awesome cake out of a tin can, some drywall compound, a little bit of paint and some sparkles. I didn't really want to give Eli a real cake to smash or eat, but I did want a photo op and a good laugh. I made a similar cake for our rehearsal dinner in 2007. A definite inspiration from Amy Sedaris. I had guests write wishes to Eli and tie them to the candle on the cake. I'd like to do that for his future birthdays too. The wishes were very sweet and I hope that they all come true.
I made some CD favours (an awesome assortment of non-lame kids musak), a fancy balloon wreath for the door and tasty sugar cookies. I printed some monthly photos and strung them together in a garland-like way. I made Eli head toppers for all of the different food, updated my chalk boards and finished my baby book in time to share.
We served chocolate dipped bacon, yummy pear French toast bakes, pumpkin and coconut muffins, fruit & veggies and cheerios (of course!). Each dish was graced with a party hat wearing Eli head.
We tried the ancient Zhua Zhou birthday tradition of fortune telling - Eli chose calculator and then broccoli. That prediction leaves us with a nature-loving scientist (like his daddy).
And now, in honour of the past year, I am going to treat myself to a little charm from The Vintage Pearl.
I'm happy. I've had an entire year of sweet baby love. I'm sad that he won't be a wee little baby much longer, but I am so excited for the adventures to come. Bonne Fête Elijah! xoxo
12 months
weight. over 20 lbs or something. You have your one-year shots next week.
height. Still short enough to stay in your first carseat
eyes. big, blue and sparkly. you rub them when you are sleepy.
hair. Red in some lights. It is pretty thin and you even have a bit of a curl at the back.
feeding. Your top teeth have cut. New foods you've tried since last time - salmon, noodles, green pepper, melon, chicken, mozza and cheddar, multigrain bread, "pizza", "muffins". You seem to like it all but still like the boob best.
sleeping. Having a wee bit of trouble napping every day, but we'll fall into a routine soon enough once you figure out the packnplay business.
things you love. banging everything together, climbing stairs, climbing up on things, the toilet, taking a bath, talking, the washer & dryer, books, walking along furniture, laughing, being upside down, playing the cowbell.
things you don’t love. being sick, falling over
other [new] awesome things you do. climbing stairs (fast!), opening doors, walking along furniture, have full "conversations" with yourself (the occasional new sound too)
xo Elijah.
11 months
weight. over 20 lbs or something
height. Still short enough to stay in your first carseat
eyes. big, blue and sparkly. you rub them when you are sleepy.
hair. Red in some lights.
feeding. Your top teeth are so close to be cutting through. Any day now. New foods you've tried - green beans, black beans, chickpeas corn, kiwi, bagel, bran flakes, ham. You seem to like it all but still like the boob best.
sleeping. shorter naps, but longer at night. I guess I can't complain? I think I preferred it the other way. But maybe you are helping me adjust to going back to work.
things you love. banging everything together, exploring the house (especially the plants and bathroom), playing with any sort of paper you can find, talking, peek-a-boo, books, pulling books off the shelf and reading them, laughing, being upside down, playing your bells.
things you don’t love. being sick.
other [new] awesome things you do. pulling yourself up on everything, crawling (and sometimes crawling faster if I chase you), pushing a cart by walking, walking along furniture, lean in for kisses (or nose rubs), dancing (i think?), climbing stairs*
xo Elijah.
*note: For stair climbing you aren't interested to go over and try to climb them yourself... yet.
The Next Chapter…
I have one more month left of my Maternity Leave.
This time last year I was apprehensive of being away from my passion for an entire year. I didn't want to stop teaching. Teaching inspired me, motivated me, challenged me, excited me and brought out the best of me. It also fostered my creativity and shoved me completely out of my comfort zone. I loved the thrill of a zillion projects on the go and making lists and schedules and newsletters and mini-lessons. I also liked collaborating with teachers and modelling lessons and daily staffroom banter. I knew that I was going to miss it.
The other part of me was giddy to begin my new role as baby maman. I knew that I was going to have a year unlike any that I have had before. And I was right. It started off with a teensy little newborn in my arms and is ending with a baby zooming around the living room and talking up a storm. I couldn't have imagined today back then. In those early wintery months, I spent days on end in pjs with Eli sleeping on my chest while I watch Saved By The Bell and the Golden Girls. He ate a lot (and we overcame some breastfeeding challenges together), napped infrequently (the bouncy chair was a saviour) and cried if he wasn't near me.
I found a passion for cloth diapering, grew a collection of wraps/slings/carriers, found a deeper love and appreciation for my hubby, renewed self-esteem about my body (I was proud of my mama doughiness), met best friends through La Leche League and fell in love with sharing a bed with my entire family. We went on picnics, made scenes, went swimming, had playdates, took photos, rode the streetcar, traveled north and south, read lots of books and sang lots of songs, and most importantly formed a trusting relationship with each other.
Like teaching, mothering inspires me, motivates me, challenges me, excites me and brings out the best of me. It has fostered my creativity and shoved me completely out of my comfort zone.
But I think it is time for the next chapter. I feel similar feelings as I did a year ago. I will miss being home with my baby tremendously, but I am giddy to resume my role as Mme Wright. I might not put in as many hours planning for my class as I once did, and I'll squeeze my extra-curriculars in during recesses instead of after school, but I will have a fresh new perspective in my profession. I think that is a good thing. xo.
“Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.” - Buddha (via a Being Erica episode)
10 months
weight. you are a 20 lb baby. (They say you roughly triple your birth weight by age 1)
height. The doctor thinks you are tall. I think you are perfect.
eyes. big, blue and sparkly. you rub them when you are sleepy.
hair. Red in some lights.
feeding. Still only 2 teeth. Since last month you've tried cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, salmon, celery, bread... You re-tried peas. This time whole peas instead of puree. You didn't seem to hate them as much in their "natural" form. We shall try some beans next.
sleeping. your naps have started getting shorter and shorter. boo.
things you love. playing with any sort of paper you can find, giggling, drinking from a cup, talking, putting things in your mouth, jolly jumping, swimming, your baby friends, hanging upside down, books, scooting around the room as fast as you can, sitting under the Christmas Tree, squishing food in your hands, discovering how different objects sound
things you don’t love. being sick.
other [new] awesome things you do. pulling yourself up on some things, move like crazy all over the place (it looks like you are either swimming or scaling the wall like spiderman), reach with both hand towards me to be picked up, choose your own toys from the basket, stand up holding on to things without me holding you.
xo Elijah.
a streetcar named mei tai
Today Eli and I drove to the big city they call Toronto to meet Andrea and Catamo for shopping fun. We've been a couple of times as a new family, but this time we were without daddio (since he has to, you know, work). I drove and parked at Sarah's just off of Roncesvalles and took the streetcar over to Yonge. There was no way that I was going to bring my stroller along (I don't even really like using a stroller to begin with), and so I didn't. My heart belongs to babywearing.
With a strategically packed backpack and diaper bag, our gorgeous Freehand mei tai carrier (yay ebay!) and the TTC tokens Rob found in his change jar, we were off!
Even thought I look a little bit ridiculous, I was really quite comfortable - and never once did I wish I brought the stroller. (What about for shopping you ask? The Eaton Centre provides complimentary stroller loans in case I want to try on some clothes - and my maman body is definitely ready for some new clothes!)
I'm excited to spend the next couple of days with my sister and my mom.
ps. If you've never tried a Mei Tai carrier - I recommend it! The best of both worlds between a wrap and structured (without any annoying plastic buckles).
9 months.
weight. We'll find out this week. You keep getting heavier.
height. I haven't measured in a while. You keep outgrowing your sleepers. I'd say you are growing.
eyes. big, blue and sparkly. you rub them when you are sleepy.
hair. it keeps growing and growing. Reddish blondish.
feeding. you have two lower teeth to help you chew things. Since last month you've tried egg yolk, turkey, grapes, blueberries, broccoli, pumpkin, cheerios, oatmeal, plain yogurt, peaches... The only thing you seem to really hate are peas (and I don't blame you)
sleeping. you are the best snuggler.
pooping. i haven't mentioned in a while how awesome cloth diapers are, have I?
things you love. giggling, drinking from a cup, talking, jolly jumping, swimming, hanging out on all 4s, your baby friends, hanging upside down, naps, pulling wipes out of the container, reading, playing with kitchen accessories, hair
things you don’t love. being sick.
other [new] awesome things you do. try pull yourself up on me, scootch around and around in circles, reach with both hand towards me to be picked up, choose your own toys from the basket, stand up holding on to things without me holding you.
xo Elijah.
Home: This is Where the Magic Happens
This is a guest post written by a genuinely magical mama. When she isn't leaving secret surprises on my doorstep or hosting awesome theme parties, she is inventing games for her daughter, exploring the outdoors and baking cookies on her maternity leave from teaching. Aly's passion for motherhood is incredibly contagious and I wanted her to inspire you, like she inspires me. Please send her some comment love.
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For the last eight months, my wee girl has been the one bringing magic into our home on a daily basis. I love her version of magic (giggles, first kisses, toothless smiles) and how it has changed my world and renewed in me hope, pure love and a belief that anything is possible. Now, I find myself daydreaming of the days when I can return the bliss and bring a little magic into her world. I want my girl to BELIEVE; in magic, in make-believe or whimsy, whatever you want to call it. If only one message has been clearly communicated to me by some greater power over these last many months it is a resounding- screaming from the rooftops- that
Time.
Passes.
Too.
Quickly!
It actually does fly (as if it has wings, a cape and fancy rocket shoes!). So, I feel compelled and inspired to squeeze as much wonder into her youth as possible- to fill her childhood with spirit and magic. Thus, I have plans galore (and pins a plenty) for the tooth fairy and Santa Claus, Leprechauns and garden fairies, pirates and frog princes. I have traditions planned for Valentines Day and the first day of school, for the last day of summer and for annual scavenger hunts. My wee girls’ closet will be filled with
wings and wands
pirate patches and princess dresses
treasure maps and tutus
safari hats and swords
capes and crystal balls…
and all the things an explorer needs to travel to foreign lands.
Wishes will be made on stars, and while crossing bridges with held breath and, of course, on fallen eye lashes. I AM TAKING ACTION! I will make sure that the magic in my girl’s world is not left to Disney and Pixar, but instead will be brought to life by Daddy and Mama.
If your child meets mine in the classroom or school yard or at swimming lessons, please remind them to be tolerant and accepting and kind…to not ruin the secret of flying reindeer, or tell my wee girl that kissing frogs will never turn them into the best of friends. I consider these to be unimportant truths, better left for later when the pixie dust of childhood inevitably lifts. For now, let’s work together to keep an air of mystery and wonder in the lives of our wee ones. Here are some ideas to get us started (and please click the links):
1. Create a Tooth fairy entrance. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this teensy door that can be attached to your wee one’s wall as safe passage for the tooth fairy. It only makes sense that if Santa comes down the chimney, fairies must have their own entrance too!
2. Leave evidence of garden sprites or gnomes. Create some magic on the move in your yard. Find or make a few colorful, whimsical outdoor decorations (a bright toadstool garden ornament is my suggestion) and place them in a spot in the yard or garden. Every once in a while move them in secret to a new part of the yard- somewhere a bit hidden- and tell your wee ones that the garden sprites move them to keep from being located. Each time the kids go outside they will have fun searching for the decoration and trying to track down the elusive garden sprites.
3. Create a magical land in your backyard with Fairy berries. These small clear balls have a little white LED light inside which shines for more than 20 hours on land or in water. “Each one has a tiny glowing white LED that fades on and off slowly”. Used en mass, these “berries” could fill your yard with “evidence” of tinkerbell herself!
4. Enroll your wee one in spy training camp. Tape red streamers or painters tape to a hallway wall and make a laser area for kids to try to crawl through (without touching and setting off alarms!) like spies. Challenge them to a mission impossible!
5. Send the tiniest of correspondence the form of Tooth fairy letters. It doesn’t have to be the tooth fairy, you could send your wee one mail from any multitude of teensy creatures: munchkins, leprochauns, The Littles, The Borrowers, mice, a pet gerbil…. Whatever you choose, these miniscule letters are sure to keep your wee one believing in the mystery of snail mail.
6. Create your own holiday. While sugarplums dance in their heads, decorate the house with streamers and a big sign that says “Happy _____ Day!” (Dog Day, Backwards day, Queen for a Day, Milkshake day, Purple Cow Day…) Make up traditions for the day together– you must wear purple, it’s traditional to eat ice cream for breakfast, whatever.
7. Create the Animal tracks of mythical or extinct creatures. Weather its in the backyard or along the beach these DIY animal track shoes are sure to create quite a stir with your wee ones and maybe the local paper too! Imagine the stories that would follow!
8. Make a wand, light saber, cape or marshmallow shooter (and go on an adventure to slay dragons or defeat any creatures known to be on the dark side.
9. Create items from Santa’s workshop or orchard. Identify the items as those produced in the North Pole by using these Santa stickers. Giverslog has free labels that you can turn into stickers to put on the orange in your wee ones stocking, or any other produce or treat.
10. Install your very own wish machine! Buy this poster, or use it as inspiration for installing a vintage doorbell inside your house to be used as a wish button. Imagine the wonder on your wee ones faces when they return from school to find their very own wish button installed!
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Thank you Aly! xo.
chomp chomp chomp.
Last week, Eli cut his first tooth. His right mandibular central incisor. And my cockiness of being a super-breastfeeder slapped me in the face.
He's been drooling and chewing on things for months, but the past couple of days he's been drooling like a faucet and gnawing on things like a dog would with a bone. He has some pimples on his rosy cheeks and his nose has been extra snotty. He's waking up more frequently in the night. He is also acting a little squirrely: extra clinging, rubbing his face (burrowing?) into me constantly and squealing (not crying) a lot. He's definitely working on a second tooth.
Normally when he makes a certain noise, I know he is telling me that he is hungry. Yesterday morning, I was starting to feed him as normal, and oooooouuuuuuuuchhhhhhhhh!! CHOMP! I got bit. And i yelped. And he let go - startled. I knew I would get bit one of these days, but that tooth is mighty sharp and it surprised me. Elijah laughed - he wasn't actually hungry. I have now learned that his hungry noise is also his "I need to chew on something. ANYTHING. Right now!" noise.
Ok. I can do this. I'll be prepared. When he shows signs of hungry, I'll feed. If he bites again, I'll pull him towards me to get him to unlatch. I'll have a teething toy ready. I'll tell him "No biting" gently but firmly. And then I'll let him feed again if he is really hungry. That's what all the websites say to do.
It happened again. I brought him to latch, he clamped down and would.not.let.go. I shed some tears and got him to unlatch. He did that a couple of times. At that point, I got tense and was afraid to try again. I gave him some extra pears.
No, I am not planning on stopping breastfeeding anytime soon. "When your baby is latched on correctly and nursing actively, getting milk from your breast and swallowing, it's physically impossible to bite. This is because your baby needs to stop sucking in order to bite. When latched on properly and nursing, your nipple is far back in your baby's mouth. In order to bite your baby has to adjust his tongue and allow your nipple to slide forward towards his teeth." - La Leche League International
Which tells me that Elijah isn't biting because he is hungry, he is biting because he is teething. He'll eat when he's hungry and bite when he's not. If he's hungry, he'll cry when I unlatch. If he isn't hungry, he will laugh and move on to something else.
We will get through this. [everything is a phase]. My mantra for the next little bit.
Nursing will not be my automatic baby soother anymore - I'll try to read his actions and sounds more closely (perhaps a finger first to see if he sucks or chews?). I'll keep cold teething toys/cloths nearby. A hungry tummy doesn't rule the world of a 7.5 month old quite like it did for a newborn. He'll be okay.
When I offer to nurse, I'll be extra careful about positioning, listen for the sound of drinking and pay attention to mouth movements. No pinning or chatting or sudoku-ing! I will enjoy and savour our time together.
I will offer smiles, hugs, and kisses. Try not to yelp - Even if I am in extreme pain. The last thing I want is a nursing strike.
I'll be extra careful with unlatching.
I will try to relax (but know that shedding a few tears is normal until we become champion breastfeeders again.)
(thank you kellymom.com and llli.org)
Global Breastfeeding Challenge
All over the Internets in August, some of my favourite mom blogs were writing heartfelt posts about World Breastfeeding Week - but I didn't. Canada's breastfeeding week (why is it different from the rest of the world? no idea) is happening now!
To kick off the week my awesome La Leche League took part in the Global Breastfeeding Challenge. On October 1st communities around the world gathered together to raise awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding and getting the public more comfortable with the idea of nursing mamans (No we don't have to leave the room! No we don't have to use a cover! No it is not sexual!). Breastfeeding moms latched on at 11am at the library and our supporters supported. We had over 45 people show up and 12 nursing moms whose babies latched-on at 11am.
Of course, my creative and inspirational group couldn't just have a latch-on. Oh no. We had to make it more fun than that! We created an art exhibit (inspired by this video) for the walls. We asked moms, dads, grandparents, friends to hold share their thoughts (positive or negative) around the theme "Talk to me about Breastfeeding". We had over 70 people submit photos for our exhibit. They were displayed in jewel cases around the room.
The pics were also used for a video, we made cupcakes and 1-inch buttons and had door prizes (and all participants got 20% giftcards for nursing bras from our local lingerie store and 5$ off at Momzelle).
Below is a mosaic sampling (30 of the 75), and if you'd like to see how the video turned out - leave a comment and I'll let you see it in it's exclusivity. xo
Here is a photo of some besties (minus a couple). I hope you stay friends forever.
