Mommy Lessons Prt. 2

Mommy Lessons I've Learned So Far, Continued

11) Mommy's food is always preferable.
It doesn't matter that she just ate a huge bowl of the same meal pureed. The food on Mommy's plate is where it's at.

12) Diaper changes cut into valuable playtime, and escaping while bare bottomed is always hilarious.
She can crawl amazingly fast while half-naked, probably because she's less 2lbs.

13) The t.v. remote is more fun than any other toy.
Way more fun that a toy, slightly more fun than the phone and TONS of fun when all the electronics shut off at the same time when the power button is pushed.

14) Standing in the tub is the ultimate thrill.
Mostly because I have to keep saying "on your bum" and sitting her down, just to have her laugh and pop back up again.

15) EVERYTHING MUST BE TASTED.
Flecks on the carpet. grass, twigs, shells on the beach, rocks, mommy's face and the odd time, even food.

16) Kitchen cupboards and drawers are much more fun to play in than the toy chest.
Throwing towels, hot plates, utensils, pots and pans are much more exciting - plus they have the added benefit of making WAY more noise.

17) Kisses can make anything feel better. 
But we all know that.

18) Dropping a nap can be a good thing!
Just no sleeping after 4pm or that little party animal will be up 'till midnight.

19) "Baby Einstein" can be a lifesaver. 
Need 20-30 minutes to do a task? Pop that baby in, and get 'er done.

20) Board books are an awesome teether.
I have board books used just as chew toys and are full of little tooth dents.

Peace,

Dear Eloise: A Letter To My One Year Old Daughter

Dear Eloise: A Letter to my One year old Daughter

To my darling daughter,

It's 8:30pm right now, and exactly 12 months ago at this moment I was shaking with contractions and working harder than I ever have my entire life, to meet you.

At 4:07am, tomorrow morning you will have been born, and will have changed my life forever.

I saw, through bleary, tired eyes, your tiny face and Papa holding you up to me, and gently asking “What should we name her?”

We decided on “Eloise” a French name, meaning “warrior.” An apt name it turns out, as we battled though 28 hours of labour together; but you were born healthy and strong, weighing 7 lbs and 8 oz.

I had to have an emergency cesarean, your heart-rate was too fast and we decided that you had been working hard enough, it was time to meet each other, and I didn't want to wait any longer.

You won't remember this, but Papa always will.

While I was getting my stitches, Papa got to take you into a quiet room, sit in a chair in the corner and stare down at his new beautiful daughter.

Papa told me you looked right up at him and watched him intently, and thats when he fell in love with you.

Shortly after Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Nessa got to meet you, and Papa introduced you to your new family.

You were a very happy baby, and a very hungry baby, you had no problem figuring out how to nurse, and it was your favourite place in all the world, to be cuddled up against me and it was my favourite place too.

After two days in the hospital, we went home, and then you started to grow.

Everyday you did something new and amazing. Overnight you would change and get a little bit bigger, a little bit heavier, a little bit stronger.

Too quickly you outgrew your little cradle that sat beside our bed and moved into your own crib.

I remember being amazed as I watched you grab for things above you, and how you'd laugh in your sleep.

Suddenly you were sitting upright by yourself and playing with toys, you laughed all the time and were eating solids.

When you were 8 months old, you figured out how to crawl and started getting into everything.

Now you're walking along holding onto me, and I will rejoice and be a bit sad the day you let go and walk by yourself.

You are amazingly smart and talented, and every day I see you getting smarter and more talented.

These past 12 months have been the most amazing, precious, challenging and exciting months of my life.

The last year has flown by, and though you're still a baby, you're creeping up on toddler-hood, another stage I'm excited to go through with you.

God has blessed us immeasurably when He gave you to Papa and I; you are the most precious thing in the world to us, and we thank God every day for such a gift.

We love you so much, and we will always love you, we will always be there for you, we will always help you, and we will always be on your side, no matter what.

Happy Birthday, beloved daughter, my darling Eloise.

Mama & Papa XoXoXo

Cloth Diapers

I remember when my sister went crazy for her cloth diapers.
All she wanted to do was show me her new diapers, covers, laundry detergent and wet bags.
Of course, at the time I couldn't understand why anyone would be so excited to use and clean what her baby was doing all his smelly business in.

This is no longer the case. When Eloise turned four months I tried some of my sisters cloth diapers, I found they soaked too much, and were a pain to take on and off.
I was discouraged enough by the whole thing that I decided it just 'wasn't for me.'

This went on for a few more months until I saw a friend using "Flip" diapers with pre-fold inserts.
It looked easy and clean enough, I like that you could re-use the cover, plus, was it just me, or did they get cuter looking??

So I went to a local cloth diaper store and excitedly took a "sample" of a bunch of different types of diapers. I found out what didn't work (fitted motherease) what kinda worked (pocket diapers) and what I LOVED. My flip diapers with inserts.
Now I was the one spouting off words like "pre-folds", "AIO's" and "Stripping liners" without so much as batting an eye.
My sister grinned at me as I told her: "I've never been so excited about something Ella poops in."

I can't say I'm a complete convert, as I only cloth diaper during the day, but I love being able to wash and re-use them. Not having to buy box after box of non-deteriorating diapers, and well, there's all the pretty covers too!

I haven't had any issues yet with bum rash; Eloise seems just as comfortable in them as any disposable, and I just do a simple cold-water rinse with a hot-water wash, using Nellie's detergent.

Now it's my husband who keeps looking at me oddly every time I go off about how cute my diapers are are and "don't you just love them?!?"

When Baby Wakes Too Soon

When Baby Wakes Too Soon

From the bedroom back yonder, I hear a small cry.

I glance at the clock, and I breathe a big sigh.

I trudge down the hall for a peek through the door

At baby who thinks she can't sleep anymore.

Her hands are exploring the mattress's bumps;

One foot tests the air, while the other one thumps.

She coos to her teddy and plucks at her bib,

and then she spies me through the bars of her crib.

Her brown eyes grow sparkly; she doubles her grin

And hopes that her welcome will hasten me in.

And in that brief instant, I see in her eyes

The reason she thinks she must quickly arise...

Surely now, Mom, you have seen the day fly

As it hurries to follow the sun through the sky.
And you know there is more for my fingers to do

Than I'll ever get done before the day's through.
The hours grow older, and night chases noon...

How can you blame me for waking so soon?

- L.J. Martin

Mommy Lessons Prt. 1

Mommy Lessons I've Learned So Far:

1) A (loosely) scheduled baby is a happy baby.
I was doing so well!

2) A diaper explosion will almost always happen when you're not at home, and within easy reach of a diaper or wet-wipes.
There must be a reason for this; I've yet to figure out what it is though.



3) Never fall asleep immediately; because as soon as your head hits that pillow, and you get comfortable, a soose-is-loose cry will happen.
Every. Single. Time.


4) Don't plan on eating any food while its hot, for at least 5-6 years.
It's amazing how good cold eggs can taste...

5) Constantly keep trying on clothing you think is "too big", they grow out of it while you're not looking.
I've missed so many pretty clothes this way!

6) Movie dialog is overrated.
Baby adds her own dialog, and unlike the movie, the volume cannot be controlled.

7) It doesn't matter where you go, that's where baby wants to be.
Washing dishes, doing laundry...going to the washroom, and all with an audience!

8) Don't count on wearing your first choice outfit; as baby will be sure to burble all over it as soon as you're about to leave.
The same is true for when you've just spent 20 minutes getting baby all dolled up too.

9) Never plan on being on time, guaranteed a feeding will be required as soon as you're out the door.
Make sure to thank all those wonderfully patient people who are waiting on you.

10) Stash burp blankets and soothers around the house. The best defense is a good offense.
'Nuff said.

Peace,

The Baby Won't Sleep Blues

My Friday nights sure have changed.
It's 11:00pm, and all I want to do is go to bed and sleep, it seems though I have a little party animal on my hands; and she is ready to keep on partying until midnight, at least.
Right now she's wiggling and talking beside daddy on the couch, watching hockey.
She's been giving me "tired" signs since before 10:00pm, and I thought for the briefest of moments that I had finally gotten her down for the night.
She fell asleep on daddy's chest, we moved her to the crib and she slept.
Beautiful, restful sleep.
45 minutes later, the hungry cry came. I fed her, she fell asleep on me, so I put her back to bed.
Nope! We were awake now!

Eloise will continue to party until she literally cannot keep her little eyelids open. (Though she keeps lifting her eyebrows, thinking that will lift her eyelids, it's pretty funny.)
This has been the routine for a couple of weeks now, and while she does sleep in until 9am, I would much rather be up by 7am, and go to bed at 10pm.

I've scoured my babywise and baby whisperer, but nothing has seemed to help.

Eloise is so good with her naps, but to go down for the night has been a struggle, and I can't figure out why.
I'm also so surprised at how midnight seems like such an ungodly hour to be awake, but when I didn't have a child it was the norm to be up that late regularly.

Yes, the times sure have changed!

Any suggestions how to get her down for the night at a more reasonable hour? I'd love to hear them!

Peace,

Picture Dump!

My Little Girl

What It Takes To Be A Mother

Firstly I want to congratulate my Sister and Brother in law, who just 2 hours ago became parents for the first time, to little baby Charlotte. My new adorable little niece.

While I have been excited this entire pregnancy, I suppose it was fairly recently that my brain has started to wrap around the idea of "parenting" and the fact alone that I will, in just 4 months be someone's Mother.
It's a sobering thought to know that you are now responsible for this tiny human who will need you for years and years, and even when they're older and independent - still need you.

I've watched my own relationship grow, and I believe bloom with my own Mother.
Going from small child, to moody teenager, to clueless adult and now to being a Mother myself, with what I hope is a tad more wisdom.
Our relationship has grown into better than a friendship and better than a Mother-Daughter relationship.
I'm blessed with all the perks of being my Mother's daughter - knowing I'm always getting the truth, someone who will tell it to me like it is, but is still someone I can run to when trouble hits, and know without a doubt that I'll be supported and loved. Yet, at the same time have a friend I love to hang around with, laugh with and be silly with.

What an enormous blessing its been to me - and as I find myself moving into that "Mother" stage, all I can hope is that I can have that same type of relationship with my own children.

I'm re-defining myself, and much like I did when I was a teenager; going over all my morals and beliefs. Figuring out what's really important to me - how Jeremie and I are going to raise this baby and what values to instill in her. We will, of course, being raising her in the Christian faith and try to help her to love God as much as Jeremie and I do.
It is the everyday things I need to look at: Should we own this dvd? Keep this book? Would I want my child seeing this video game?
Of course, if I have any hesitancy with an item I own - I wonder if I should have it regardless of whether or not a child will soon be here. It's a lot to comprehend, and I still don't understand the half of it.

I am proud to soon have the label of "Mother" though, and have found being pregnant one of the most feminine, liberating thing I have ever done as a woman.
I am truly amazed every time the baby moves or kicks; and day by day realizing how much of a miracle it really is.

All I can do is my best, and thank God for surrounding me with such wonderful examples of Motherhood.

Peace,
- Jenny