Dear Littlest Babe....

My how you have grown.


xoxo The Mama

Babe Phrase(s) of the Moment

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Eldest Babe Song:

"I take off my hands because they don't work"

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While walking with Asha (a cat), The Eldest Babe asks if Asha could introduce her to Cognac (another cat friend)

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Mama:  The Littlest Babe put juice in her spaghetti

Eldest Babe:  Uh...Why?

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Eldest Babe:

Don't be a Drag just be a Queen

We stayed at the cottage for a week this summer and I had an ongoing list entitled "Cute Things as of Recent", that I found in a pile the other day.  So I present to you these funny phrases.

18 Week Baby Bump

The bump of 2012 is gradually increasing as well as my waddle, awkward sleeping, and anticipation.  In a week and a bit we discover the sex of the baby.  I have finally wrapped my head around having a boy which I feel like I might be having.  The pregnancy feels slightly different.  Cravings are more overwhelming than the first two pregnancies.  I am expanding quicker, which by most accounts is due to muscle memory.

The Papa, as always, is my saviour.  When I get concerned about the prospects of me rearing a boy, or uncomfortable from standing too long, or just am my hormonal self, he is so there for me.  He has also put some of his feelings aside to venture out in the middle of the night for non-vegan snacks.  He never expects me to apologize for it which is good because I am not going to apologize for a chemically altered brain when it comes to me and my pregnancies.

Although the anticipation of The Littlest of Babes is exciting it also presents fears.  With the birth of the eldest babe, I truly felt as though I was on cloud nine.  With the birth of the second I experienced that which could only be described as post partum depression.  I find it very difficult addressing this issue with myself at times, let alone others or those who have never experienced depression.  I think in general, people refrain from addressing problems they may have for the fear of being looked upon always as "the person with the mood disorder".  You feel as though you can never truly be sad because people will just assume you are depressed or off your rocker.

Depression hurts!  It is painful and draining.  It is a numbness, emotionally and physically, that you cannot explain to someone who has never experienced it.  It pulls you away from experience and doesn't allow you to open your heart and mind.  It is vicious in that it prevents you from nourishing your body.  That nourishment gives you life but when you don't have it you don't feel like living (in the experience sense and sometimes the literal sense - although I have not felt that way in a decade).

As a mother, you need to be involved with your children constantly and I am.  But lately I have felt out of sorts.  I do all my motherly things:  provide attention, love, discipline, nurturance, nutrition and education; all while feeling as though I am floating.  It is something that I am watching so carefully and will be addressing medically but it is also something that I am putting out there to ease my mind and fears as well.

There are parts of my life which I feel have altered my makeup in a way that I do not wish do go into.  So those of you who may be reading this and say just "get on with it"...you don't know experiences that I've lived through, pain that I have held or genes which have possibly been passed down.  Please recognize that depression is a serious issue that the person living it does not choose to live through for attention.  It pulls you away from those you love when all you want to do is love and be loved.  It plagues the soul, scars the mind and drains the heart.

Can You Say Anemone?

Pure

Friday's Child: Nursery Ideas

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Lay Baby Lay is a website that is a collection of nursery styleboards that a graphic designing mom, Joni to one Vivi Charles creates as a creative outlet and inspiration.  I am just in love with her amazing creations and posted my faves here.

I know they may seem a bit gender specific, because they are, but that is no indication of us knowing the sex of the baby or an indication of a preference of one over the other, or even the fact that we don't have the room for an official nursery.  I just think they are swell!

Babe Phrase of the Moment

Source: missindiedesigns.blogspot.com via Novi on Pinterest

The Littlest Babe awakes to a racket in the kitchen to find Eldest Babe.

Eldest Babe:

"Did I wake you?

Littlest Babe:

"Yes"

Eldest Babe:

"I'm sorry.  I'm collecting ice."

Littlest Babe looks and points (I'm guessing because we were asleep in bed listening) at the painted cupboards.

Eldest Babe:

"The cupboards?  Our parents painted them because they wanted to make them purple."

17 Week Baby Bump

My Perfect Saturday: by Elizabeth Hay

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While ellipticalling in the gym and skimming Chatelaine magazine, I came upon "My Perfect Saturday" by Elizabeth Hay, author of Alone in the Classroom and Old Ottawa Southite.  The article grabbed my attention immediately because there was a map of Allen's childhood neighbourhood, including his street, and mention of all the things I would love to see on a Saturday in Ottawa:  The Mayfair Theatre (our wedding venue), the river, vintage clothing, french fries and Mother Tongue Books.

Reading this article made me feel kinda special.

Growing Memories and Triple Treat Pumpkins

Bake and Destroy Apron Contest Submission

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Well, it is official!  Each year I enter the Bake and Destroy Cupcake Provocateur Apron contest.  The winner receives bragging rights and gets a custom made apron in their design.  I find it really fun because it is an opportunity to dream and design...two of my fave things.  This year I have a very cute little number that incorporates lemon, massive bows (a traditional design feature of mine) and lace.  I like it.

I hope you guys too!  And when the contest voting is open, I urge you to vote for my design.  I would love to have this made.  And if I do win...cupcake partay for all voters and friends.

Have a great weekend and happy baking!

Love the Mama

Our Easter

Easter for us isn't a religious holiday but one that focuses on getting together with the family and friends.  We have an amazing and delicious brunch and just hang out with each other.  The morning is filled with a hunt prepared by the Easter Bunny.  Throughout the year the Babes get very few treats.  They are limited to holidays and birthdays.  Even on our celebrated holidays, the gifts are few but well thought out by the gift giver.

I get a special kick out of Easter especially because it also represents new life, colour, and endless crafts!  The girls and I blew up balloons and covered them with glue and tissue paper.  Once dried we popped them to create giant stain-glassed eggs to leave on the couch to possibly be filled with treats.

The morning of the hunt was awesome.  The Eldest Babe had a blast discovering eggs on her first hunt and was kind enough to share with her sister, who was more concerned with eating as much chocolate as possible.  Each girl received a craft or puzzle, a stuffy, a kaleidoscope stamper and a finger puppet.  It was simply fun and appreciated!  It is nice to see the excitement in your children's eyes.

BABE PHRASE OF THE MOMENT

"Rain is when Sky Bears pee on Tooth Fairy"

Littlest Babe's Rainy Day explanation at Dinner Time

16 Week Baby Bump

Pregnancy has been pretty good lately.  Occasionally I get all-day long headaches (days in a row) and I need to rest every several hours.  The way the Littlest of the Babes (well all my babes) sits and moves my internal organs has put pressure on my left lower side.  It means that you may find me throughout the day preparing meals with a raised leg on a counter, standing like a flamingo or blogging with a leg resting on a pillow.  I know as the pregnancy continues my leg will continue to be in more pain and become more zombie like.  Sounds cool but after the birth I'll be looking into surgery and a new tattoo to cover it up.  Bittersweet!

I have a feeling my iron is really low.  The feeling is so recognizable after years of being anemic.  There is tiredness but an extreme zombie-like feeling.  It also puts me in a depressing kind of mood and contributes to my lack of motivation.  To combat, I've been taking a liquid supplement daily and have upped my vegan food intake and have been creating "The Ultimate Feel Good Smoothie" with a Vega Whole Food Optimizer.

In other news, we are looking forward to finding out the sex of the baby.  I personally do not like surprises and like to start a connection with the Littlest of the Babes.  It has been difficult to wrap my head around having a little boy.  Although growing up being a girl who was equally obsessed with fashion and lathes, JEM and Star Wars Figurines, dancing and sports, it is hard for me to think of a boy because I had only a sister and my girls are a set of sisters.  I understand that relationship.  Being the boy born to two older sisters is a lot different that being the eldest boy with two younger sisters.  I have also never played with little boys.  My child rearing has been entrenched in little girls.

Regardless, we are so lucky to be blessed with another Babe and they are and will be loved truly.  But when any family is adding a new member to the family there are some worries about how the new member will work into the existing family and how others will adjust.  I have every confidence in my ability to do this job although I also realize the task we are taking on with rearing 3 Babes under 4.

Our names have come along and if we have a little girl it is pretty nailed down.  Who knew coming up with a little boys name was so difficult?

Also, in taking a note from Danielle from Sometimes Sweet :

Obsessing over:


Chef Chloe.  She is this cute little vegan chef I found while searching the web.  She has really inspired me to go fully vegan again or at least incorporate some new recipes into our week.

Working on:


Painting our kitchen cupboards and sketching an apron design for a contest.

Thinking about:


The Universe.

Anticipating:


The ultrasound in 2 weeks.

Listening to:


Deadmau5 "Raise Your Weapon" feat Lights.  The Juno performance was awesome and I think I might like Lights now.

Eating:


well sipping on a French Vanilla Latte from Timmy's.  I didn't realize they increased the size of their cups.  I felt like I was at Starbuck's and it was not a good feeling.  I just wanted my SB Tall-Sized French Vanilla.


Wishing:


I had just one full day by myself so I could shower, workout, clean the house, read, make an amazing dinner, plan my week, come up with an amazing activity for the girls and rejuvenate.

Babe Phrase of the Moment

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"That is glorious!  Glorious means beautiful"

spoken by the Eldest Babe when describing a suncatcher blowing in the wing