A.musing.mama! 3.4

If you live within a forty-mile radius... and hear a blood-curdling scream, no worries, it's just our son with a tiny bug fluttering near his face.

Good grief, going to the park is an exercise in torture for the wee man.

Any tips for getting your kids to not fear a fly?

Also, our older daughter shrieks the street down when she spots a worm/caterpillar.

 So either way, going outside is an adventure!

A.musing.mama,

Mel ;o)

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You can find the previous parenting comics HERE!

 

Our little big man:

Big sister took his picture here... swoooon.

And just like that the baby boy we snuggle and cuddle is turning 2 today!

I love this guy.

Lately he's traded in his white-knuckle grip on toy cars.. for books.  All day he's carrying little books around and flipping through their pages quietly.

We went and thrifted some more stories for him today.

It will be a birthday weekend of reading books, eating cupcakes, crunching in the snow and visiting with family!

*(Or, if we're really wild... having a 'twin' sister that's two years younger than him.. ha!)*

Happy Birthday to our handsome Hudson.

We love you lil' blondie.

Mel ;o)

rainbows in winter.

Today is a snowy, icy, blustery, wintery Monday.

The sky and the ground are white washed.

So we are splashing the palette of the rainbow inside today!

Have a colour-full Monday friends!

Mel ;o)

the huge update:

By 'huge' you know I mean.. pregnancy and what not, right?

Because, yeah, I'm hitting that ginormous side of massive lately it feels like... pretty soon I'll be the new gravitational pull for all you fine folks who thought it was the Earth's job.

And, I still have a looonng way to go.

I think I've been in my fifth month for about a year now... in fact, I keep having to Google my due date to remember how far along I actually am.

Which, is 26 weeks by the way. (6+months!)

Only around 100 days left... um, can I get a chocolate advent calendar for that?

Speaking of chocolate, I get to do that Gestational diabetes test thing with my midwives this week... meaning: I get to eat a box and a half of SMARTIES and then they take my blood to screen/test my sugar levels... or, something like that.

Basically, I get to eat chocolate for my health.

So, I'm in.

In fact, I've been practising just to make sure I'm ready for the test, being a good mother and all.

Which leads me to acne,

I mean, the every-mama-feels-it moments of wanting a 'make-over'!

I've let my hair grow out to a big nest of frizzy fullness.

I drape my clothes around my growing form.

I still get acne like a kid in highschool.

You know, those little elements that help a woman feel like a sack of porridge left out too many days.

Now I know my heart matters more than the shallow surface of my skin.

And I value character more than cosmetics.

But we all have our weaker moments don't we?

I even want/need a new pair of glasses, and frankly, our lil' Hudson looks way cuter in them any way!

So that's just the mini-ramble on where I'm at here lately.. and I'll have you know that I'm also crafting for an upcoming Christmas show (Focus Fair -dec.8th!) so that's fun!

What's new in your corner of the world friends?

Mel ;o)

up to date updates...

 

 Azriel

 * Almost FOUR, in just over a month!

* Still loves pretending to be a baby to get 'more snuggles'.

* Must do.everything.by.herself (getting dressed, potty, singing a song, etc).

* Always wants 'just toast.. with white butter'.

* Eats like a bird.

* Still asks "who are we going to visit today?" every.flippin'.morning when she gets up.

* Loves to be silly, make us laugh, and play make believe.

* Throws down an epic emotional meltdown if suffering an *injustice (accompanied by such phrases as: "that's NOT fair!!"  "this is the worst day of my life" at 7am... "nobody loves me ever again!") you know, if she doesn't get her way in a given moment.

* A sweetly helpful big sister 90%.. and harmful one 10%.

* Loved by her family 100%.

 Hudson

* 19 months old.

* Heavy as a cinder block.

* Eats like a champ.

* Gave up his morning nap.. despite waking up ridiculously early each day (5-5:30am).

* Has a wide mischievous toothy grin, and content nature.

* There's always a car, truck, book or gadget in his pudgy grip.

* He's fascinated with getting on a chair, off again.. repeat.

* Currently words are few: Daddee, Mommee, Ahhzi, Hey'O, Dat, Nigh Night, Uh-Oh...

and basically every.little.thing is his world says: "Grrrrrrrrraaw".

* He loves to be chased, and squeals with delight and fright at the notion.

* If we say "belly" he yanks his shirt up and smacks his bulging tummy.

 * Loved by his family 100%.

Mel (photo taken by daughter who wanted a 'silly face').

* Currently 17 weeks pregnant.. or almost HALF WAY which seems freakier to say!

* Early bedtimes and erratic sleeps are the norm around here now.

* Getting the 'itch' to change the house around before Winter.... maybe just paint the bathroom.

* Still working part time at our Benjamin Moore shop in town.

* Savouring the mornings spent with the kids.. and afternoons while Ben works now.

* Learning to plan meals/make grocery lists/cook dinners like a boss again.

* Embracing fall with all my love of layers, warm drinks and cozy toques.

* Life seems simple, quiet and beauty-full when we declutter and focus on our faith.

* I'm a blessed gal with this family, good friends and most of all - a loving Saviour.

---

Just a little update of sorts, where we're all at in this point of life... (minus dragging the handsome hubby into it - since he prefers it this way).

How's it going in your journey there?

The seasons are changing,

the kids keep growing,

hope you're well, friends?

warm socks + pumpkin lattes,

Mel ;o)

 

sweetness + squeezes.

Yes friends, as you can see, our gal Azriel has mastered the 'choke-hold' hug for her little victim brother Hudson.  You may recall she started practicing this affection-attack from a real early start.

"I love you sooo much I just want to squeeze you to death!"... literally.

Mel ;o)

[M.M.19] Savouring these sweet seconds.

Welcome back to Monday Mamalogues:

linking up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood.

Ok, so this week I just have to gush a bit more about this guy.

Our chunk of Hudson is now entering his 16th month... and lately he seems so long (which we say since he's still a crawler, maybe if he walked we would say he seems so tall!).  Now when I go to nurse him it feels like I need to drape him across my lap.. and the couch!

So, that's weird.

It's just been hitting me lately, he's not my little bundle of baby pudge anymore.

I'm missing that stage already.

I'm also freaking Ben out with murmurings of: "how about just one more baby....?!"

Although we both still feel exhausted from this guy's terrible sleep habits.

(Side-note: when your baby cries during the night.. you always want to have the adoption agency on speed dial.  But when you see that sweet cherub fall asleep in your arms you suddenly want to hold them forever!  Parenting, it's bi-polar).

I keep reminiscing about how adorable they were as babies.

I keep wondering what characters they are going to grow in to.

I keep trying to savour the moment I'm in right now with them...  

Looking back, looking ahead, looking here.

Do you find yourself caught in this constant state of flux as well?

As for right now, I love how he beams a big toothy grin at me every time I see him.

How he squeals when his Dad or sister *chase* him.

How he goes wide eyed and "OOOoooooohs" at every truck driving past.

How he can undo the bolt under our dining table (despite how tightly we screw it back on).

 These little moments, I don't want to forget.

What do you want to remember right now with your kids?

Feel free to link up today!

mama Mel ;o)

[M.M.17] still holding on...

Welcome back to Monday Mamalogues!

'Linking up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'.

Yes, this bundle of pudge still falls asleep in my arms.

Yes, it melts my heart every.time.

The hardest part is heaving him into the crib letting him go. 

---

Thanks for all your encouragements last week, when I announced my partial return to the 'work world'.  So far it's been a nice transition.  I enjoy my work and am eager to play with colour!

Coming home to my family is like Christmas every time too... this lil' guy comes racing (crawling) over to me and clings like a koala around my neck.  Daughter Azriel tends to pretend she didn't even notice I was gone... yeah, that stage.  Either way, I soak up all the snuggles I can to last me through the work days... and savour time spent with them all the more (except when the whining drones on.. that's still hard to enjoy).  But I adore them!

So, here we are - both parents working'ish... both home with the kids'ish.

Two - or three - shifts a week, just enough to keep the balance.. balanced.

----

This blog may seem a little topsy-turvy as we all try to find our rhythm here.

Days at work means spending the days in-between on household duties/visiting/everything else!  Blogging will be the bonus when/if I have the energy for it.

But I hope you'll stick around, friends - you're still a sweet part of my world here!

*Stay tuned for tomorrow's giveaway too!* 

Feel free to link up to today's random mama rant with anything on your mama heart,

Mel ;o)

same shirt...

...different day darling.

Ok, holy gushing gerbers Batman! but this mama is having a moment... and I just can't get enough of these adorable 'comparison' shots of our two babes.  I just re-discovered this awesome batman onesie yesterday while clearing out the closet - it fits Hudson perfectly now!

Y'all remember I'm crazy for Batman right?

Not, cr-aaaa-zeee...but just convinced he's the coolest superhero around.

So yah, that cuteness right there just made my day.

Have a super one yourself!
mel ;o)

[M.M.16] when to wean...

Welcome back to Monday Mamalogues:

'Linking up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'.

 The bond between mother and child is so amazing, isn't it?

I always love to hold, snuggle, cuddle our kids close.

I'm a *touch* love language kind of gal.

So, for me, breastfeeding has always been a beautiful moment to literally flow love right into my baby.  For over a year now, 4 - 5 times a day... we have our little affection feast.

Me, staring down at him with wonder.

Him, gazing up at me with his big blue eyes.

 Now, as most babies tend to do, he's getting bigger... and bigger.

Those pudgy fists are now foraging for food, instead of being the helpless hands that once lay on my neck.

 Those chompers are getting bigger too!

Nothing makes you more eager to wean a kid than when they test their *bite* on your tender bits!

Soooo, needless to say, the time for weaning seems to be upon us.  But to be honest, I'm in no rush.  Because, I really... reaaaallly am struggling to let go of this baby stage with our Hudson.

He's totally a mama's boy.

And I'm just as much wrapped around his pudgy finger.

Maybe that's why he still wakes once (or more) times in the night... because I just can't let him 'cry it out'... I want to hold him, nurse and comfort him.

I think it's the 'last child' factor.

 Since Ben and I are fairly *certain* we're done spawning more kids... its makes this stage all the more significant to me.

He's the last baby I'll nurse.

The final use of the bassinet, and crib.

Clearing baby clothes from the dressers...

Weaning - like change - is sometimes hard to face.

But changes keep coming... some of which require me to wean him sooner than I may like.

 Oh, how my heart does a bittersweet <squish> when I think of how deeply I love these kids.

When I think of how their yesterdays have vanished like hour-glass sand.

When I think of how small their hands once were in mine.

How tiny their bodies were snuggled beside my heart.

They keep growing.

More to love.

They keep changing.

More to learn. 

When will we wean from these things?

Hopefully never.

mama Mel ;o)

here + there.

logs + laces.

wide open spaces.

savouring the scenery.

taking home the 'greenery' (pussy willows).

caught snuggling.

 again, that face.

fancy feathers + boot envy.

quilting + colour crushes!

Wow, already halfway through another week?!

I guess it's flying by because it's been full.

Full of nature walks in the sunshine.

Painting canvases during naptimes.

Visiting friends, doctors (for lil' Hudson - all good!) and family.

Quilting in every other spare moment. (more on that tomorrow).

Playing with the kids.

Washing the dishes...

...and all that jazz.

We truly are blessed.

Even in the trials - I see so much to be thankful for in these simple moments around our Nest.

I think Springtime is breathing some fresh life/hope in these parts.

How about you, ya sweet nutters.

How's your world spinning this week?

Mel ;o)

[M.M.11] ...just because.

Happy (Easter) Monday Mamalogues!

'A link up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'

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 Because somedays Motherhood feels like an endless game of whack-a-mole.

Because the kids seem to co-conspire to unravel your last thread of sanity.

Because a baby-wipe looks like the closest thing you'll get to a shower in a day.

Because keeping shoes/pants/hats on your child is tantamount to torture.

 Because dumping yogurt all over the cracker is just how she likes to eat it.

Because food is all they want alllllll day... except when a meal is served.

Because your husband comes home and thinks your right eye is twitching.

Because you have to abruptly end a phone call with "oh she's pooping!!" (#pottytraining101).

Because some days you wonder how your heart can hold such a BIG love for such little folks.

Because you see a mini-you and a mini-husband in their eyes.

Because you melt when they snuggle in close to your neck.

Because they crack you up in a new way every.single.day.

Because after the babies are sleeping, the laundry is done, the dishes are washed... and the house (for a brief moment is quiet).. you sit and realise how blessed you truly are. 

.......

Yes, for all these reasons, and more... are the answer to: 'why are you mamas so crazy?'...

crazy in love with these lil' nutheads.

What are your reasons?

Feel free to join in with your own mama-rants and rejoicings!

Mel ;o)

[M.M.8] the little things.

Welcome back to Monday Mamalogues!

'Linking up to share the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'.

For all the chaos and cuteness of children... there's two little things I hope to never forget:

* That beautiful blushing rose in our daughter's cheeks just after she wakes from a nap.

* That kissably soft sweet skin after a sudsy soapy soak.

Sometimes it's the little things that make this mama's heart burst with big affection.

------

What are your sweet things?

mama Mel ;o)

[M.M.6] more Zzzzzzz's please.

 Welcome back to another edition of Monday Mamalogues:

'sharing the beauty and breakdowns of motherhood'

This week I'm ranting sharing about that topic so many of us face:

sleep-deprivation.

How many of us could easily be in the cast of the Walking Dead... (and I'm not meaning as the pretty humans)?!  I find myself staggering around mumbling... "braaaaiiinnns.." because it often seems I don't have two of those cells left to rub together on a given day.

It's a wonder we're even allowed out in public,

let alone behind the wheel of a car.. or in the workplace.

Now I know why sleep-deprivation is used to torture people.... because, it works!

Speaking of that... how many of us mamas get an almost sick pleasure out of hearing other parent's horror stories in child-rearing?  (Just me... oh, um.... never-mind then).

When faced with a 'rough patch' we tend to think we're the only ones who have it this tough.

Until other mamas share the chaos happening in their nest, right?

Mom A: "Johnny got up twice last night, twice!!"

Mom B: "well my Jane got up ten times... TEN!!"

Mom A:  "Oh, coffee??"

 -----------------------------------------------------

This is the part where I share what I consider to be our personal year of utter chaos!

 *Ever since Hudson was born.. it's been a cluster-cuss of sleepless nights.

*That big boy still wakes up throughout the night.

*Despite his cuteness in the day... he can be a night-fury.

Don't fall for that angelic face (he's still a rascal).

***

Anyway, you may recall about half a year ago I was dreaming of the day when our two kids could finally share a room...

(read: my man and I could have our room(ance) back!).

But we're still playing musical beds around here...

So, all in all an average night in our nest looks like this:

6:30ish.. everyone, but mama, to bed (even the 'baker' husband!).

 10pm.. mama sneaks/creaks/slinks into bed.

12am... Hudson is crying... nurse, burp, bed.

3am... Baker is up to go to work!

(I now lay awake wondering if there's much point to falling back asleep)

4:00...Hudson likely needs to stretch his lungs again.

5:30... Azriel gets up and jumps in to snuggle with me.

6am... stumble out of bed being dragged by a toddler.

----

the truth!

So tell me mamas, how do you survive this stage of parenting?

Sleepless in Ontario,
Mel ;o)

*All mamas are welcome to join in this weekly link-up here... and feel free to grab the Mamalogues button from the right side bar here --------->*

colour me: in summer cheer!

 I just can't get enough of our kid's room.

the sunlight

the colours

the creativity

...it's enough to cheer up any dreary winter day.

This is my happy place.

I love to play with the kids here... or read a book on that couch while they entertain each other.

But maybe what delights me most is to see all the creativity poured into this room.

Almost every.thing in this room has been painted/upholstered/sewn by yours truly.

From curtains to clothes.

Bunting to benches.

Pillows to paintings.

It's really wonderful to be able to fill a room with love for your loved ones!

What place delights you in your nest?

Mel ;o)

here + there.

birthday boy + balloons

doily + dreamer

coffee + conversation

eye.spy.ombre.

spicy peanut Szechuan noodles...mmmmmm.

snow + sunrise

wheels + squeals

Another week.. another peek at some moments in our nest.

I'm noticing a trend here.. a slide.show of my favourite things... which aren't even things ~ it's my family.  It's so easy to just take a billion cute shots of our kids isn't it?

I really try to restrain/filter not filling this entire blog full of them!

Soo.. I'll try to get back on board with showing other glimpses of our nest here... maybe.

 -----

The birthday weekend was lovely!

Good food, family and friends.

Now it's back to the usual week of kid-wrangling, cleaning, cooking, crafting, errand running etc.

The sky was filled with big fat lazy snowflakes today... so pretty.

Our home was filled with the scent of crock pot 'beef stew'.

The kids (read: daughter) were driving me mental today.

Some days you just wake up and feel like the 'ability' to mother has vaporized.

But then I look back on pictures like these and heave a blessed sigh at how lucky I am to have them! 

Ok, that was me.

How about you.. how's the week treating you?

Mel ;o)