Jack is 2!

Jack turned 2 today. I woke him up singing happy birthday and he loved it.  We celebrated his 2nd at our place on Sunday with our close family and a few friends. It was perfect. Lots of food, yummy cake, a beautiful day (made use of our deck for the first time this season) and lots of love in our little house. So grateful!

Here are a few favourites from our party:

2 Cakes for our Large Family ~So lucky to have so much Love <3

He could not wait to eat his 'cup cake'

War Paint from Dadd-o

Before Dunk in the Tub

  

Best Friends <3

Inspiration of the day...

"Be happy with what you have and are, be generous with both, and you won't have to hunt for happiness."


William E. Gladstone

Big Boy Bed!

Jack has been sleeping in his twin bed for 4 nights AND he has been sleeping completely through the night.  I am so very proud of him and so very excited to actually be getting enough sleep to feel rested.

These milestones are becoming increasingly more bitter sweet as it is amazing to see him growing up but sad to think I can never get those baby days back.

2012: Goals & Updates

Holidays are over. Decorations are away. Routine is back in place. I am back to the gym. Ready for another year. Here is to wishful thinking that 2012 is going to be my best year thus far!

Approach = I’m gonna make this year all about me (where possible). I’m sure you are thinking this is sounding a bit selfish but is it really possible for a mom to be selfish? Not in my world. What I mean by this is I am going to start squeezing in more time for myself wherever I can find it. Time to read, time to study, time to exercise, time to socialize, time to relax. Can’t wait.

I am sure if you scroll down through previous blog posts you will see that I have said this before but I am about to repeat anyhow: Being a working mom has got to be one of the most exhausting jobs out there or maybe it is just exhausting for me at this moment because my little one is hitting the terrible 2 stage and there is a lot going on with Jack these days??? Please tell me it gets less tiresome…please?! Shouldn’t complain too much as I know I am not cut out to be a ‘stay at hom'er’ either. I need to have that reason to get up and get going, do my makeup, and put on something other than a hoodie in the morning. For me that reason is my career and as tiring as it is doing both it feels great to have that purpose that is solely designed for me each day. Goal number one for 2012 = turn the exhaustion around through daily exercise on my lunch hour which will help me focus and really push myself in my career this year.

Goal number two = bottle banishing. Staying at home over the holidays did help with the latest major accomplishment in our home. Jack has given up his bottle (he was so attached it was becoming a prop in every single photo we took of him). It happened by force not by choice. I always thought I would let him decide when he no longer needed it but I was beginning to think if I went with that game plan he would never let it go and would be dragging it to school in a few more years. As tough as it was we have done it! He has finally let it go and I withstood the cranky days and sobbing bedtimes. It took 3 straight days of total upset and then an additional 4 days of adjustment but I really do think we might finally have it conquered at this point. Cheers to that!!! Feels great to accomplish a goal so early in the year.

Fits. Another thing that is becoming more and more common with my precious little boy. How on earth do I stop them? They seem endless right now. Fits over everything. Ugh! Anyone have any good reads on this topic? If so – I am INTERESTED. Goal number three = determine and stick to a discipline tactic that works for us. This is going to be the hardest of them all!

So there it is. My plan for 2012. My personal & my motherly goals. It's almost exciting to jot it down and make it official.

Christmas Is Coming!

Jack and I have been busy decorating for the holiday season. We plan to get Pat involved this weekend as we have tasked him with hanging the lights outside. It does seem early this year but everyone else on my road seems to have their decorations up so I guess we will follow suit.

I am so proud of my little man. He is a total chatter box. He seems to be able to pronounce and remember any word we teach him. A complete sponge! Recently he has been learning about snowmen and Santa. He knows that Santa says ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and when asked “What do you think Santa will bring you for Christmas Jack” he responds quite quickly with “A Bike!”. Bikes are still his favourite. Of course there are many more meaningful things to teach him about the holidays, we are just getting started.

Last night we attended the Tree Lighting in our town’s centre. It draws a crowd every year and it is so nice to see the community out and about together as a community. This upcoming Saturday we will be front row centre for the Santa Claus parade in Nanny’s porch. I LOVE that the Christmas spirit is already in the air. Such a magical time of year especially when seeing everything through a child’s eyes.

Gross!

This is why boys need their fathers...


Pat & Jack find a mouse

 

Jack LOVES animals...especially gross ones

  

No we did not let Jack touch this...but he REALLY wanted to

All dolled up!

It is very rare that Pat and I are both this dressed up at the same time so thought I would share a few pics from our friends wedding a few weeks ago. 

...And yes...I know his pants are too short.  I tried to get him to try them on after we picked them up but of course he did not get them on his a** until an hour before the wedding.  Sorry T!  Why is it that dressing a man becomes the woman's responsibility after you move in together?  Because I always feel like it is my responsibility when his shirt is not ironed.  Oh well, he still looks very handsome...short pants and all ;)

Awwwee!

Trying to do a cool photo booth pose and failing miserably!

These photos were taken by Fredericton, N.B. photographer Andrew Kelly.

"The purpose of fun is to live it."

Mommy for a day (or 3)..

Last week I headed out on my first business trip since Jack was born.  It was difficult to leave my boys at home alone but I was excited for some alone time, shopping and to allow the two of them to bond even more.  Being a mommy in my household means working from sun up till sun down, something you may hear me complain about from time to time.  I have to laugh at how much I missed doing all of that work while I was gone.  It just proved to me that this is what I live for right now, working and caring for my family.  A little reminder is always nice though ;) 

Turns out daddy and Jack made out just fine without me around but I know they were both happy to see me walk through the door Friday night.  They may have made due without me to cook, clean and do bedtime routine but one thing is clear....they both need my fashion sense.  Below is a photo a friend took while I was away.  Notice Jack dressed from head to toe in Camouflage.  Daddy's Touch! haha This is a keepsake photo for the album :)

Squash*Sweet Potato Curry Soup

Here is a yummy fall puree soup.  A friend passed this on to me after a girls dinner party we had and I LOVE it.  Adjusted the recipe a bit - like I always seem to do.  It is fairly easy to make with only a bit of prep work peeling, cutting and cursing at the squash.

In a medium stockpot heat for approx. 5 mins

• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 chopped onion

Add ingredients below and simmer for 30 to 40 mins

• 1 squash
• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 medium potato (optional)
• 1 cup carrotts
• 4 cups chicken stock (I like the homestyle kind)
• 1 tsp curry powder

Puree in blender
Stir in desired amount of milk and serve (you can also add some honey if you like)

If you like these veggies you will like this soup!
ENJOY :)