From one #momblog to another

I have been wanting to write something in ages, and bc I am just so exhausted from work, house, toddler and unreal exhaustion from what our family is going through right now, there can be a sense of loneliness that can happen..

and frustration. Im too tired to write, but writing gives me peace.

Read this post below; I know this girl. And she is hilarious. and parents need laughter when facing the reality of parenthood.

Laura summed up toddlerhood/parenthood so well! I enjoyed this read. It was what I needed- thanks Laura!!!! XO ☺️❤️

Laura’s blog post

Meal Planning/Budget tips

As we are a family on a very tight budget, I have picked up a few great tips to stretch our money out and now have some routines revolving around groceries and meal planning.

Between 2 adults and 1 child, we spend about $700/month on groceries (this includes diapers right now, and the odd bottle of wine..).  Not bad I think! (this does not include dining out, which we do once a month if that)

In order to stay within that budget, and to cook up quick meals within the half hour time frame I have when I get home from work, I had to figure out some little tricks/tips to meet my goals. 

Here is what I have learnt:

1.  Meal Planning.  I never believed that this worked, but it is actually SO important!!  You do not have to stick 100% to it (some people are very diligent and get a meal planning calendar), but I usually have at least 7-10 meals planned within a 2 week span.  note: try and plan your meals around leftovers for lunches as well, this has really helped us save!  
2. Stock the Freezer.  Every other weekend I will make a couple of freezer dishes- giant batches of chili, spaghetti sauces, soups, shepard’s pies, etc.  I buy in bulk and cook in bulk so there are leftovers for lunches and for the freezer-this saves time and money!
3. Waste not.   When I cook a meat (ie a ham, chicken, roast), I try and make at least 2 meals out of it (and lunches if I can).  Meat is so expensive these days, and by splitting it into 2-3 meals (ie-for a whole Chicken–1)chicken with rice 2)chicken nachos  3)stuffed peppers), you really save money!   note: you can always freeze the left over meat by wrapping in siran wrap and into a baggy for another week, incorporate it into your meal plan for a stir fry backup!
4. Couponing/Grocery Apps.  Living in the modern world, there aren’t as many paper coupons out there (I still find the odd one that pertains to my grocery list!), but there are so many apps out there that help you save on your grocery bill!   Here are the 3 main apps I use:

Flipp-This app contains all the flyers in your area.  You can clip deals and compare grocery store prices, and it also provides coupons that you can print!  This app is great for meal planning as you can compare this week’s flyer and upcoming flyers to determine the best pricing for certain items.

Checkout 51– This is an app where you actually get money back!   Each week there is a list of items (food, toiletries, diapers) offering money back after purchase.  Scan your grocery receipt with the items on it, and you will receive money in your account almost immediately.   I started this account half a year ago and I have earned $34.50 (any cent counts)!

PC Plus– The main grocery stores in our area offer the PC Plus points system, so I use this app a lot.   There are instore points and online points, so if you follow this app well, you will save more!  When my usual food staples are being offered, I stock up.   I have received over $500 in savings with this app in the past couple of years!

5.Recipes Organization.  I am a big pinterest fan for gathering recipe ideas and then making them my own.  When I use the recipe a few times, I put them in a ‘favourite recipes’ category.

There are many ways to store recipes- recipe box, recipe apps, and recipe books.

I am a huge fan of the recipe book. I had too many recipes in multiple books, so I finally bought this amazing recipe book to put my favourite go-to recipes in!

I’ll play around with this one, but I also have my eye on a recipe box as well.. (nice and easy to organize in categories)

Happy planning!! until next time..T. xx 

Reflection: Toddlerhood

As I compared pictures of Norah from last year to this year, I realized something- my little baby girl is not a little baby anymore!  Where did that time go?  It feels like yesterday I was carrying her everywhere with me, propping her up with pillows so she could practice sitting, spoon feeding her pureed foods, and (I miss this the most) swaddling her and rocking her to sleep.

 

Honestly- where did that time go?

In what seems like a blur of time, Norah now insists on doing everything on her own.  Her independence in one year astonishes me!!  Bedtime now consists of HER reading to US at least 3 stories (or the same story 3 times..). She only wants to use a fork at dinner (a spoon is so last year), even if it takes an hour to eat 15 peas.  She has to put her boots on with no help, brush her hair with no help (and all of ours-including the dogs),  and go up and down the stairs with no help!

Um hello…am I not needed anymore?  

The good news is- she has replaced all of the joys that she brought to us as a baby with new, different joys!   She talks a mile a minute- and her little voice is so adorable!  She has gone from unpronounceable words to full sentences in the blink of an eye!   Always asking us questions and imitating our phrases.

She also is mimicking our parenting actions.   I saw her scold Josh with her little pointy finger one day (it is hard not to laugh at those moments) and she now does her complete bedtime routine for her little dolly each night (changing diaper, doing her hair, reading stories, putting on bedtime music)- so cute!

As she continues to change, so do Josh and I as parents.  Trying to evolve as she does.  We are definitely in uncharted territory right now.  Just as we became “baby experts”, Norah transitioned into an entire different realm:  Toddlerhood.

This is an entire new world to us. For example, we now have to watch what we say at all times (you never realize how much you swear until a child repeats your every word)!  We also have started to hide eating certain snacks (ie chocolate, popcorn) because let’s face it- kids always want to eat what we are eating! (admit it parents- we aren’t the only ones hiding the junkfood!) 

and can we talk about temper tantrums for a moment?  WOW.   I love my daughter with all my heart, even when her little face turns red and her tiny lungs are screeching at me.  Most of these outbursts are due to the difficulty in communicating at that age.  She was an early talker so thankfully those tantrums will be short-lived.

But then there is the power struggle tantrum.  Battle of the family- Parents vs kid.  Who will give in first!  These are the tough tantrums.  The ones where Josh and I have to help each other to not throw in the towel!  Survival of the fittest.   (I fear these will last a lifetime…..)

There are so many other elements of toddlerhood to expand on, but I think the most important highlight of this stage is the bond we have with Norah and how our love grows each day.

 

Next up- potty training….  until next time, T. xx

 

 

Reflection: Resolutions for 2017

I was trying to write a blog to reflect on my holidays over Christmas, and to try and transition it into the new year, but there are so many details that I could not possibly write them all out!  There were some rough moments with my family and friends-sickness, conflict, and hard emotions to face– but I started out the holiday telling myself to be positive, which allowed me to enjoy every single moment with my loved ones.

I have faced many obstacles in 2016– personally, with my family, with my husband, with my work, with my friends- just as anyone has. I have recognized the breakthroughs and accepted any setbacks.  I am going to learn from these and take what I have learnt in 2016 and apply it to 2017.  I hope to increase my meditation, to slow life down to enjoy the little details, and to be positive and full of love.

 

There are 3 basic resolutions I would like to accomplish:  

1.  STOP COMPLAINING.   I feel the world in this day and age complains more than we need to. I catch myself doing it all the time!   “that driver was too slow” “my throat hurts” “I’m so tired”  “I had to work late”

I don’t want this to be the way I communicate anymore.  I have been truly inspired by a couple of people dear to my heart- whose lives consist of constant suffering- yet they have no complaints!  They just keep living.  By doing so, it is maximizing the value of their life here on earth!   So, I am going to try and stop complaining, and start living!

2. ATTEMPT BALANCE.  As a new working mom, I am really struggling with where to put my time and energy.  I know the solution is to create balance.  This will be a very hard challenge for myself.  It is a continuing task that is also linked to my anxiety and OCD.

I am going to increase my meditation this year, because that keeps me focused.  It will slow me down and allow me to center myself and branch out to what I should be concentrating on.

3. SIMPLICITY.  This really ties into the balance portion of my resolutions.   The best way to balance is to simplify your life!  I hope to really minimize a lot of “things” around the house like clothes and other items not being used.  I hope to minimize my activities/focuses so I can have more open time for spontaneous adventures, date nights with my husband, and quality time with family and friends.  

A simple life actually creates a full life if you think about it!!

So here is to 2017 being the start of a simple, balanced life full of positivity and love!!  May you all find peace in your lives this year.  xx

 

Life as a Working Mom

Well, I haven’t written on here in ages.  My life has drastically changed as I went back to work and learnt a whole new adjustment of working full time in a high demanding job, and coming home to being housewife and mother.  This, along with other stresses such as loved ones becoming seriously ill, and financial stress (coming back from mat leave), it has taken 6 months for me to finally realize I need to reflect on this.

Having a child in my 30s has been a difficult transition.  I lived my life only worrying about myself, and then added pets and a husband- and now my little daughter is here, 18 months old and full of toddler energy.

During the week we all have a routine in the house and it is a very busy time.  Before work we all rush around before leaving the house, and after work has completely changed.  I pick Norah up, we rush home and I make dinner within 30 minutes. (I will have to start posting 30 minute meals, I have really learnt a few good recipes on a very tight budget!)  After bath and bedtime routines, dishes, packing up the lunches for the following day, I struggle with sitting down and doing something for myself.

I look around, and the house isn’t in shambles, but my mind is whirling- there is vacuuming, dusting, laundry, all of the daily chores that are ignored throughout the week.  Why do I expect a spotless and tidy home when I have 2 shedding dogs and a toddler?   Why would I risk quality time with my husband and family just to clean something that will need cleaning again tomorrow?

the only one who would pose under the tree

 

I have set expectations in my life that are completely irrelevant to LIFE itself.  I have loved ones battling serious illnesses- yet their focus is on the happiness in their lives.  It is truly inspiring.  It has taught me to accept my happy mess, and to enjoy the life I have and the loved ones around me!  Life is a gift, we should all appreciate it!

enjoying cuddle time

 

 

 

 

Live Nativity

In all the hype and rush to accomplish everything on the “to do before Christmas” list, I sometimes need to remind myself to take a step back and enjoy this time of year!  Between the cleaning, packing, cooking, baking, wrapping, it is easy to get lost and forget the meaning of Christmas!  Driving around looking at all of the houses decked out with bright lights is one of my favourite Christmas activities!  Listening to Christmas tunes and looking at each house decorated in their own creative way.   It helps me slow down while enjoying the magical displays.

 

Having Norah has helped us to go out and try new activities during this season!  As she grows older, I can picture us skating on the local outdoor rink and tobaganning down giant snowy hills.   

 

Last night, we bundled her up in her stroller, and took her to see a live Nativity with some family friends! She may have slept the entire time, but it was still a fun little outing!  It was a beautiful scene, run by one of the local churches- who have been doing it for 29 years!    

 It was really well done.  There were angels, wise men, carolers, sheep and even a donkey; all participating in this beautiful re-enactment. Seeing this nativity brought the true meaning of Christmas to life! 

 
Afterwards, we walked around the grounds, looking in awe at the wonderful light displays.  

 My favourite was the GIANT light tree!  If only I could have that in my yard!  

 On our drive home, we of course took the long way to view all of the decorated homes.  So pretty with their lights! 

 It was a wonderful night filled with wonderful memories (did I mention the free hot chocolate?) and I’m looking forward to many more this season!  

 
God Bless xx

The Routine of Change

Well, our little Norah is growing up. I feel like I’m going to blink and there she will be-a teenager and fighting my every word. I’m trying not to think too far ahead though- she is only 6 months old.  

 A lot has happened in 6 months! And unsurprisingly, the only constant has been change. Norah is very much like myself in which she loves routine, but I try and not get too comfortable with our “perfect days”. The fact is, with these perfect days, comes the complete opposite- “what the heck is going on/everything I know about babies is out the window” days. And then the guessing games begin. Is it teething? Growth spurt? Developmental spurt? Weather? Gas? I just pick all of the above now, and we have learnt to go with the flow on those days (a huge accomplishment for me as I am not a ‘go with the flow’ type of person).  

 The milestones seem so small to an outsider, but here in Norah’s world, I am beaming proud over every accomplishment! Sitting, grabbing her feet, her coos, giggling, holding toys, rolling, and eating from a spoon-which is yet another change in our routine.  

 It seems that when a baby reaches the stage of eating solids, they also reach the stage of extreme curiosity and the need to touch everything, causing there to be a whole new level of patience required as the parent. I always pictured myself quietly feeding my baby, and her gently taking each bite with extreme concentration. In reality, that lasts about 2 seconds. The goal is trying to get her to eat while the food is warm- waving the spoon in front of her wandering eyes to get her attention, while keeping everything out of her reach (including the spoon). Note: do not leave bowl on highchair tray for even a second-babies are fast. 

  Another change has been the sleep routine. We were pretty lucky with Norah- she was sleeping 8-11 hr nights by the time she was a month old!  However, now with her teething/developmental spurt/growth spurt, she has slightly regressed. Just a couple of weeks ago, she had a cold and her immunization needles thrown into that mix and it felt like she was a newborn all over again.  This meant a lot of sleepless nights and zombie-like “just try and survive” days (it didn’t help that I was sick too). Our routine was to not have a routine and just get through each day!  

 Norah is also a good napper. During the day, she was doing at least two long naps (1.5-2hrs) and one little catnap. Was. Now, she seems to be shortening her sleeping during the day and it will only get shorter as she gets older.  

  This means my free time has shortened- the quiet time in which i spend the first half hour trying to decide on what I should do with this free time. I never knew how much “time to myself” I had, until I had a Norah. Now I have a list (I’m a list person) of daily tasks and I pick some items from the list to accomplish during nap time. Some days, we have a great routine and I get a lot done around the house at the same time! Other days, I have ‘nap’ or ‘shower’ written down, to feel like I’ve completed at least one thing on the list that day.  

 Amongst these ups and downs of change, there are tiny little constants to keep me going and make me smile. When she’s cuddled up to me in her adorable pjs as we read “GoodNight Moon” before bed every night, when she giggles while her daddy dances around the room with her, when she is lying in her crib every morning with a giant smile on her face. Those precious moments help connect each change and make it all worth it!  

 ……….still to come: walking, talking, and terrible twos. 

stay tuned and God Bless xx

  

Motherhood

Norah Anne was born 8lbs 9oz on June 17th,2015 (10 days past her due date). The labour, c section, hospital hours and the first few weeks with our daughter almost seem like a distant dream.

Certain memories stand out from that month-long blur. A hot summer’s night- our family in the cool basement watching baseball games while Norah slept on my chest.  Norah’s first coo. When she started sleeping 8 hours a night at only a couple of weeks old. Her first bath. First smile.

During these times, I questioned everything. Am i doing this right? Is she ok? Is this normal? Is that normal?  (It turns out, everything is “normal” with children)

I have observed other moms and their reaction to parenthood.  Most seemed so calm and collected-naturals from the start.  My nurturing insticts kicked in immediately, but I was still unsure of my role as a mother- my confidence was blocked by this wall of fears and uncertainties.

Over these past few months though, that has completely changed. Norah and I have grown an incredible bond as mother and daughter.  I have welcomed motherhood and the joys that come with it. Norah went from newborn to baby and continues to change each day!  Not just physically, but in all ways. She giggles constantly, loves when her daddy flies her in the air, observes everything around her, is slowly starting to eat solids, grabs the dogs’ fur as they lie next to her, the list goes on.  My love for this child continues to grow as fast as she does!

I have now let go of all anxieties and am fully embracing motherhood! She will be 5 months next week-time has flown by and I appreciate every second with her.  She is my everything and I thank God every day for bringing her into our lives. ❤️

The Homestretch

Well, I am now 38 and a half weeks pregnant.  Our little girl could arrive at any time, and we are ready to meet her!  The time really has flown by, and it still feels surreal!!

It is beginning to get very uncomfortable, as I have heard it would get in the final weeks.  How I miss the simple things in life: sleeping comfortably in bed, good circulation, putting shoes/socks/pants on without struggle, WINE.

A lot of my time is spent reading with my feet up.  I know, rough life.. but I am one who struggles to “just relax”, so this has been quite the challenge!

Of course Ive tried all of the old wives’ tales.  I eat spicy food, go for walks with Josh and the dogs, and take bumpy car rides on our little backroads.  My mom has told me that no matter what I try, our baby girl will only arrive when she is ready! I think she is right..

In the meantime, we just pray that she comes into this world healthy and happy!