Not My Shining Moment

Small Human has a cold again. I read that kids have at least 9 colds a year before they are even school age, so it's normal, but still annoying. He's been sleeping 13 hours a night for several months now, but that's out the window because of this double whammy of a cold plus molar teething (and also a bit of gas, it sounds like).

He woke up twice in three hours on Friday night and wouldn't go back to sleep. I felt really bad for him, but I was so tired. I find it very difficult and taxing to be nurturing and selfless when all I wanna do is lay catatonic on the couch in front of the television watching a marathon of Girls.

You haven't got a choice though, so you push through the exhaustion. Do you know what happens when you push through the exhaustion? You do things like clean and refill the stupid Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier that you bought for your son for precisely this type of situation, and then drop it on the kitchen floor while it's full of water. It didn't just fall, it is broken, I cracked it.

I was just winning at life on Friday night.

I'm trying out this new thing (for me), where I just breathe deeply and think about all the things that I am grateful for when I am at the end of my rope. Then I keep going. If I focus on the total suckage of the moment, it makes it ten times harder than it has to be, and I turn into a horribly surly woman. I have such a low tolerance for other people's surliness, I definitely don't want to add more of it to the world.

What was I grateful for when I was on the floor mopping up my royal spill and picking up the broken pieces of the humidifier I had smashed?

1. That we had the resources to buy another humidifier
2. Amazon Prime for 2-day shipping (yes, I am serious)
3. That I had really absorbent kitchen towels
4. A husband who was rocking a beast to sleep
5. The sweet beast that I would do anything for
6. My facial peel scheduled for the next morning

In the wider scope of life, the everyday stresses are all just very minor setbacks. The best any of us can do is handle what life chucks at us, get sleep, eat properly, and live life the best way we know how. For me, writing helps a lot, so thank you for reading and commiserating.

Lilibeth xoxo

Playing with the broken humidifier Saturday morning

Small Musical Human

During Thursday's music class I got a little bit embarrassed. Noah's the youngest in the class, so he doesn't always understand everything like the bigger kids do yet. He comprehends more than I realize, but he's still just a baby of course. Anyway, I got embarrassed because he threw a huge tantrum when it was time to put the drums away. We are talking the works, tears, screaming, limp body, acting like the teacher had killed his pet. It was intense, but we got through it!

This got me thinking though, sure, he's younger than the other toddlers, but no one else seemed quite as passionate about drum time being over as my little guy. I'm glad we've found an outlet for him in this class, and I am seriously starting to think he's already found one of his loves. He loves to dance every day, and if he doesn't like a song that pops up on Pandora, he certainly lets me know by either turning the volume down or yelling at the speakers.

How can I hone this at such an early age? As of right now we let him play with percussive instruments and Dada's guitars, and I'm going to continue looking for fun music classes to attend. Things could still change, but it's lots of fun to speculate at what kind of boy and man he might become. The future is bright and musical for this one!

Have a fun weekend everyone! Small Human and I recommend rocking out in your pajamas one morning, at least. xoxo

Stoopid

I danced all the stupid happy dances one person could conceivably dance yesterday afternoon. This was because Noah had the longest nap to date, 2.5 hours! We are talking textbook toddler nap here, and I couldn't be more ecstatic. I felt like such a lady of leisure. Well, after I finished dusting the apartment, washing all the sippy cups and snack containers, and putting away all the toys after wiping cheese string and cheese puff residue off them.

Then I felt very confused and tried to remember what I had been wanting to do if I ever got a moment of spare time. So I cleaned the fridge out, packed up the nipple balm I had promised to send my friend in Canada, made a grocery list and sorted coupons. Apparently I no longer know what to do when I have "free time".

After all this he was still asleep, so I sanitized my phone, did some yoga and core strengthening exercises, a Barre workout, and exfoliated, toned and masqued my face. Even after ALL of that he was still napping peacefully.

Bananas. It's probably related to his 2am wake up the night before so I shouldn't get my hopes up, but I could really get used to this, Small Human. More please, thank you.

The Rainy, No Good, Teething Day

The weather in Seattle was more schizophrenic than usual yesterday. It was drizzling, pouring rain, windy, then sunny, then sun showers, and more pouring, and more dry, sunny spots. Usually we like to have fun dance parties when it's like that outside, so that we can burn off all that extra toddler energy! I am no fool, I know what needs to be done to keep my babe and I sane.

We were still fooled though, because I thought the rain had finally passed so we went out for a walk, got some coffee and then got royally rained on. Blerg! No biggie though, it's just rain, but it did mean we'd have to go back indoors.

The teething was pretty bad today, Small Human's getting more molars and canines. We both had to take ibuprofen today cause it was just one of those days.

My guy was totally manic, alternately happily excited and dancing one moment, and crazy crying and clingy the next. It was so much fun. I can honestly say that I tried my best, because I played every card in my deck until it was time for bed. I made it through the day without any overly dramatic fake suicide emails to my husband, or resorting to screaming into a pillow, so I'd say I nailed today. (#nailedit)

Today sucked. My poor, sweet usually happy boy.

Up to no good, don't worry, I was in control of the situation. Look at that, he knows how to swipe an iPhone!

Feelin' Good

I've been feeling really great lately and I think that it is due to feeling like I am accomplishing lots in a day. When I can balance fun, housework, Me Time, and playing with my Small Human, I just feel really good. Makes sense, right?

I did 3 loads of laundry on Monday (yes, even folding and putting away), washed dishes, cooked meals and cleaned the bathrooms and living room. Not only that, but we just had so much fun laughing and running and dancing together, at home and at the park. I can set him loose in the park now and it's beyond hilarious, he's like a wind-up toy that chases after birds, dogs and squirrels!

He scared the living daylights out of me though, because he headed straight for the big kid play structure, climbed up all the way, and nearly threw himself head first down one of the steepest, highest slides! I managed to run up after him and got him to sit on his butt before he squirmed out of my reach down the spiral slide. I don't know how he's this fearless, but I'm both happy and nervous about it. At the bottom he just got up and proceeded to run over to some big kids who were climbing a rock climbing wall. My 14 month old tried to scale a wall and run with the big kids. (!!!!!)

I see myself being very stressed out in the near future.

Small Human, the stuntman.

Luxe Weekend

My Saturday was freaking amazing. I spent most of the morning and afternoon getting pampered and swathed in relaxation at the spa. It had been so long since I experienced anything that sumptuous that I informed the staff I was never leaving.

My services included a hand and foot moisturization treatment with heat therapy mitts and boots; a 75 minute full shebang facial with massage; a 90 minute full body massage; a leg and foot massage and scrub with yummy essential oils; and of course, I napped in the sauna like any good mommy escapee. Between services I lounged on a daybed in the Relaxation Room with Glamour magazine and a bunch of mixed nuts that I washed down with cucumber water. Really, what more do you need?!

Brendan and I go for monthly 90 minute massages, but this was just deliciously opulent for me. I feel a bit like a new woman, and it really helps that Noah has been extra hilarious and the weather has been gorgeous. Add food, fun and friends to the mix, and that makes for a really wonderful weekend in my book!

I have to admit that I felt really guilty and a bit sad to leave for the spa. Then when I walked out of the spa, I saw another little toddler walking around and making his daddy laugh, which was the perfect thing for me to see as I ended my day of alone time and relaxation. I wanted to go home to my boys, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Monday! May spring warmth and sunshine reach all of you, wherever you may be. (specifically Montreal, sorry guys)

In the dark Relaxation Room :)

Strong Mommy

I guess I never realized how physically strong I have become during these past 14 months. Yesterday morning, Small Human and I had our usual 9:30am music class up the street, but we were running late so I just picked him up and carried him there. It's about a 4 minute walk, but that can be difficult when you're carrying a 26 pound human being uphill. I realized afterwards that it wasn't that hard for me.

Small Human is usually really independent and barely notices I'm in the room, but this class he started to get tired and wanted me to carry him so that he could still be part of the action. This required skipping, dancing, hopping, jumping, galloping and singing while carrying Noah. That music class was a great workout for me!

I thought we could walk home, but wrangling a toddler to go in the direction that you want him to never works out the way you intend. I carried him much of the way because all he wanted to do was dart out into the street. Walking home was like carrying a human baton that was self-twirling and extremely heavy. Not once did I drop that child, and not once was I unable to hold him securely.

I was really proud of myself! But then I got sad because soon Small Human won't be so small, and I won't be able to carry him like he's a squirmy backpack. Right now the most impressive things he can do is point to the light and say, "Aights!", run to the fridge and say, "Dis!" when he wants milk, and lift his fat legs in the air when you tell him it's time to put on pants.

One day he won't need momie to bring him to music class with her, or get his milk from the fridge for him. He won't need me at all, and I'll still be happy that I did my job in successfully raising a self-sufficient man. But I know that my heart will ache a little bit for the teething little boy who can still be comforted by curling into a little ball and laying his whole body on mommy's torso, and absentmindedly pinching the skin on her neck. I don't ever want to forget these sweet little things that he does, but he changes so quickly and I find myself struggling to write it all down so that I will never forget them or lose them.

I know that I complain a lot but I'm mostly really happy. I'm so grateful for the life that I am living and the privilege of raising the sweetest little boy. He has made me a stronger person.

Have a wonderful weekend with the ones you love most.

-Lilibeth xoxo

Highs & Lows

Life is full of them, otherwise it wouldn't be worth living. You need the lows in order to appreciate the highs, and you need the highs to get you through the damn lows. I fully understand this, but it doesn't mean I don't feel completely beat up at the end of a hard day and yes, hard days are relative.

The day started off well enough with a great play date with some awesome friends, tasty quiche, and a fun photo shoot for a book that we are making. Yes, a book, because we are the coolest mommies around town!

After this, it started to go downhill. My Small Human got a 20 minute power nap on our drive home, despite all my psychotic efforts to keep him awake. I sang Lithium, Toxic, Jingle Bells, and the theme song to Sesame Street at the top of my lungs while clapping at every stop and screaming "Yay! Woohoo!" and pinching his feeties, to keep his eyes open. When we got home he was more awake than Ernie on cocaine.

Then the cranky whining began, accompanied by much drooling and what I think was gum pain. After this was screaming, the throwing of any object within reach, and repeatedly falling on his face. He only cheered up on our walk. It was too brief, but so wonderful and very much needed by both of us!

I looked in the mirror tonight after this long and difficult day and I looked older. Obviously this is inevitable, being on borrowed time, but is this even something I can control? Will trying to relax and not worry help? I know I make such a big deal out of napping but the fact is, if he doesn't sleep life is just plain crappy.

My only consolation is that even amidst the tumult, we still managed to live and love and sing and dance. Just another day in the life of a stay at home momie.

How can we not be cheered up by this beautiful west coast weather?

And then the non-stop crying came back. He was soooo tired.

30 seconds after I took the last crying picture

No Humble Bragging Here

If you want to brag, just come right out and do it. Don't pretend it's anything other than what it is, because everyone can see right through it anyway. You know what I'm talking about. We can also see through your pity party when you fish for compliments. People can tell when you are being genuine or full of it, I promise you!

My complaints about my body were SO genuine that it was starting to get depressing for me and annoying for everyone who had to hear about it. But now I am finally in a place where I am happy and on the right track to being healthy Lilibeth again. Of course, this happens right before we are starting to think about baby number two. Fabulous.

I gained 40lbs when I was pregnant with Noah, and I'm not ashamed of it. I'm not going to lie and say I only gained 22.75lbs. I gained a bunch of weight, had a million stretch marks, and had a perfectly healthy, happy pregnancy and baby. I had a Cesarean section because his head was facing the wrong way and was too large to fit through my cervix after 18 hours of labour. I breastfed for just under 6 months. There is no shame in breastfeeding for less, and there is no medal for doing it for longer, so we all need to stop lying about it or feeling shame and guilt over it.

14 months after Small Human's birth, and after three false starts, I am happily back to my old body. My skin is a little saggier in the belly region, but I honestly had no idea I could get it back as much as I did. I feel stronger, slightly more energetic, and absolutely more confident! I did this in 2 weeks of pretty much eating a little bit better and exercising moderately. I'm pissed at myself for not doing it sooner, cause I was able to do it so damn quickly.

I'm bragging and proud of it! Mostly, I'm relieved to have my confidence back. Man is motherhood tough! Everyone thinks you just pop back to normal physically, emotionally and mentally, but that's just not the case. I'd like to be more active for the next pregnancy, so that I can keep it up and not lose too much steam. With Noah, I had a subconscious fear of losing the baby if I did anything beyond walking around. That was dumb, especially since I wasn't a high risk pregnancy.

If my lazy, McDonald's loving butt can do it, anyone can!

No sticking my arm out to make it look skinnier, no angling, just me.

Noah Goes to Pike Place Market

Small Human and I started the week off right, with sunshine, proper napping, lots of eating and drinking, and a brisk walk down to the market! Seattle is known for it's very famous Pike Place Market, and Noah's already been many times in his 14 months on earth. (Even in utero)

We said hi to Rachel the Pig and the fish throwers, we snacked on Beecher's cheese curds and French pastries from Le Panier, and even brought some home for Dada so he doesn't feel left out. Then we went to Momie's favourite Italian grocery store to get some fresh goat cheese & caramelized onion ravioli for dinner! I made it with vodka sauce, yum!

Noah laughed at all the dogs we met, including one positively enormous and gorgeous Irish Wolfhound, who wished Noah a very happy St. Paddy's Day. The mirth that overcomes my son when he sees a friendly animal is just infectious to everyone within earshot, and so beautiful! If I ever question what it is that I did in life, I can at least say that I gave the world one very happy little boy with a lust for life and meatballs.

Before we headed back home, we stopped at City Target for a diaper change, Sephora for moisturizer (where we are embarrassingly well recognized), and the GAP because of their 40% off the whole store including sale items! We scored a $20 Paddington Bear shirt for $6, woohoo!

Small Human's tooth count is at 11 now, going on 12 but it was a good day because it seemed pretty pain-free, thank goodness. I am happy to report that we were monsterless today, only lots of smiles, giggles, singing and dancing.

With his favourite toy, my kitchen towel. (Tidbit Ball photo bomb)

My monkey sitting in a very small box. No he isn't pooping.

Baby Monster

I just realized that sometimes, I treat my son like he's a monster. I am not afraid of him per se, but I do catch myself trying to appease him or act like accidentally waking him up would destroy the whole village.

Ever since I was a teen, my hips crack when I initially start to walk. It's weird I know, but most people have a similar problem with their knees so you know what I'm talking about. Okay, I am not saying that this is something that I do regularly (anymore), but after I lay Small Human down in his crib, to avoid disturbing him with my oddly loud hip joints, I shuffle out of the room backwards, hunched over like I'm genuflecting, and using my legs from the knees down only.

It makes me feel like I'm Will Ferrell in some silly movie, and I often have to resist the urge to burst out laughing. I have woken him up with my cracking joints before, so I'm not crazy! Not only do I do this, but I also avoid making eye contact with Monster and try to leave his line of sight as fast as humanly possible. The things we do as mothers.

My freakish mommy behaviour usually only manifests when my son is teething, of course. If you are a mother, you'll understand how calling your baby a monster isn't far off base when they are teething. They're in pain so naturally they'll be ornery. The thing is, if my baby is ornery,  I will also be ornery which in turn makes my husband ornery. Then we're just one big ornery family. Hence the monster-appeasing.

If this kind of odd behaviour has been occurring in your house, it is not unique to your family, I promise! We've all been through it, you are not alone. I just wanted to put that out there so that you know "your people" understand. We've all got our own little monsters.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Kiss him, he's 1/4 Irish :)

Pay Things Forward

Being so far away from most of our friends and family, we didn't get a lot of help when Noah was first born. It was tough, but we did it. And we are so eternally grateful to the people who did come to visit and help us out. Postpartum Lilibeth was not a happy camper. I was in a lot of pain, still swollen, kinda sad, had a lot of headaches, and was just generally bitchy and tired over all.

If you're anything like me, you'll hate asking people for help and might even decline any help when it's offered to you. Please take it from me: Accept all offers of help. You know why? Because it won't last long. Once your baby is older, people seem to think you've got the whole parenting thing figured out and won't help you anymore. This makes me sound really entitled, but that's not what I mean, I'm just pointing out a reality.

Obviously, at some point you and your partner need to get your act together and raise your child like everyone else in the world does. Then, once you're finally settled, and kindasortamaybe know what you're doing, when it comes time to help out your fellow new parents, pay it forward with acts of kindness.

For the love of God, bring those poor, sleepless souls some coffee grounds, milk, eggs and bread. Bring them a giant package of toilet paper, and a whole balanced dinner to eat. Fold their endless amounts of laundry for them. Wash their dishes, or take out their garbage and recycling. Watch baby for 20 minutes while they take a much needed shower or nap. It doesn't take much to save someone's sanity, so why not?

The world would be a much better place if we thought about others more. Happy parents have happy children, and happy children are healthy children who will one day run our world. Happy weekend, friends, spread the love.

The Truth About Stretch Marks

I'm really not sure why stretch mark creams even exist. Probably so some lucky schmuck can make loads of money by preying on desperate pregnant ladies. If you religiously slathered cream on your belly during pregnancy and didn't get stretch marks, it's probably cause it isn't in your genes to get stretch marks anyway.

You have probably deduced that it is also predetermined by your genetics if you will get them. I was part of the unlucky stretch mark lot. My first one showed up right at the beginning of my third trimester. I was horrified. I think I cried. I am also pretty sure I took a picture of the offending first stretch mark and sent it to all my friends for their opinions and analyses. 

By the end of my pregnancy, I had huge streaks under my belly and on my sides. My worst stretch mark moment came after my c-section with Noah, when my doctor finally removed my dressing. I had an allergic reaction to the glue and it caused my biggest stretch mark to rip open and bleed. I have all the luck.

Once baby has arrived, the state of your stomach skin is the least of your problems! You forget about it, and slowly but surely, they start to fade. Mine are still apparent over a year later, but they don't bother me much. I think the norm is for them to fade to white or skin colour again.

So for all you first time expectant mothers, don't bother with expensive creams, even though I know you are tempted! Just moisturize to keep the itch down to a minimum, and focus instead on strengthening your core before you get too big to lie on your back. It'll help to get your stomach back to normal more quickly postpartum. If you're curious about your genetics, ask the women in your family if they got stretch marks cause that is absolutely the best indicator of whether you'll get them or not.

Here's a picture of how my worst stretchmarks look today. They have faded to a pinkish brown and some are shiny white. They used to be very dark and huge. I dunno, they may be ugly to some but I'm kinda proud of them. :)

Miss Sensitive Lips

My name is Elizabeth, and I have a lip balm addiction. If for some reason the Lip Balm police had a search warrant and ransacked my house for evidence of owning too many lip balm products, I would be beyond busted. 

In my defense, this is because finding ones that I am not allergic to is like my hobby. Your run of the mill drugstore balms just don't cut it with my sensitive lips, well except for most EOS balms. Chapstick, Blistex, Carmex and the like leave my lips scaly, more dry than when I started, or produce an itchy, bumpy, rough rash that sometimes weeps. Yes, weeps, it's awful, no one wants painful weepy lips.

This is why when friends mention lip balms that they love that sound too good to be true in awesomeness, I am always wary. However, I am willing to give them a try because: addict. My lovely and gorgeous buddy Christina had been raving about these Hurraw vegan lip balms that she was obsessed with, not just because of a great product that delivered but because the company offered impeccable customer service as well. 

How can I not be lured by that, I mean, seriously? Well, I gave them a try and I am pretty impressed so far. I bought the Coconut, Almond and Orange, and they gave me a Black Cherry one as a freebie! Apparently this is common practice, which I truly appreciate because I go through lip balm like it's going out of style.

They're pricey but worth a try at $3.79 a pop for the "regular" balms, plus $2.95 shipping to the US. Obviously it's more cost effective if you buy a bunch. They're vegan, organic, fair trade, preservative-free, non-toxic (not as duh-worthy as you might think), and they smell great, fragranced with fresh pressed oils. The almond is to die for if you're an almond kinda gal or guy.

The best part for me: No bumps or weepiness, just healthy, regular lips that are soft. Hurraw balms aren't my number one favourite, that honour goes to Badger's Classic Lip Balm Stick in Madacascar Vanilla, but it's always nice to find a fun, new product from a truly great little company.

You can find them here!: Hurraw!

Fun-Filled Morning

This morning, Small Human and I headed over to the Jefferson Community Centre to meet up with our friends Eliza, Bea & Viv. After a 40 minute parking fiasco on my part, and a poopy diaper on Noah's part, we finally got to play!

The babes seemed to have a great time, and I don't blame them because this place had bouncy houses (that Noah was terrified of), all kinds of little vehicles to ride, tricycles, balls, foam play structures, it was great. The only bad part was when Noah ate it while pushing around a Buzz Lightyear spaceship and fell on his face. They strangely made me fill out an accident report. Is that a thing? I guess it is. I'm of the Kids Fall Sometimes generation, so this is all very weird to me.

Anyway, pictures! Also, I wanted to wish our baby friend Jeremy a very happy first birthday! xoxo

Checking his blind spot

Always gravitates towards the instruments

All that playing builds up an appetite!

Third Time's a Charm?

This weekend we went on house touring session number seven million and forty three. You'd think our spirits would be completely broken by now and yet we still persist. Lofranco-Wilsons never give up! We are definitely more to the point on the tours, no more politeness or pleasantries about what we don't like. If we don't like it, we don't waste time trying to like it, we get in and we get out.

Well, we found a house that feels like it could be home and would like to make an offer on it. If we stand a chance or not, depends on whether or not there is another insane bidding war. I'd like to say that we have a chance, and I'd love to say that the third time's a charm. We shall see and hope and pray.

Either way, it isn't a total waste because Noah loves house touring. He likes going anywhere new and is easily entertained, especially if there are stairs he can climb. What a monkey!

It was such a nice day in Seattle that we had to go to the park, but of course as soon as we got there it turned cold and grey. You can't let that get in the way of fun in the Pacific Northwest though, so we made the most of it. We ended the weekend with a dinner trip to IHOP, where Small Human happily shared pancakes with momie! He was so well-behaved and charming at dinner that momie and dada were both able to eat their meals without rushing and in perfect peace. Fancy that. :) Happy Monday! Here's to a bright new week to start afresh.

Mint & Grey Nursery Colours

Don't get excited, I'm not pregnant, we're not quite ready but I am already planning baby #2's nursery. I think that mint and grey is such a sweet colour combo, and perfect for a boy or a girl! The thing is... I chose yellow and grey for Noah's nursery because it was gender neutral, but also so I could reuse everything for the second baby.

Boo! I want to be frugal, but it's such a fun idea to give each kid their own colours isn't it? We'll see. I'm kinda jumping the gun on this one, but Noah also had a whole wardrobe before he was even conceived, that's just how I roll. I don't believe in "jinxing" things and I have zero superstitions. I'm OCD enough as it is without adding more rules to the mix.

So many of my friends lately have decided to keep the gender of their baby a surprise. I would never be able to do that, I need to know if I can buy a couple of pink outfits, ya know what I'm sayin'? I'm kinda scared of girl clothes these days, there is no way any daughter of mine is going to sport a sparkly pink onesie that says "Daddy's Pretty Princess" on it. If anything, she'll wear one that says "Smart Like Mommy", and she can wear it with a purple tutu if she so desires.

I can't believe I just wrote a whole post about this! Maybe I am ready after all. ;) Enjoy your weekend, friends! I will be in pamper city and I hope you will be too.

Lost It

You know those people who are really good at giving advice and helping people out? Well, that's me. My problem is that I should really learn how to take my own advice.

I keep stressing to my other Stay At Home Mom friends that they need time for themselves or they will absolutely lose it. That taking care of your own sanity is a must in order to be an even better mommy to your beastlets.

Well people, I officially lost it today. I'm probably making a way bigger deal out of this napping thing than I should, but it's too late. We went from one morning nap and either 0 - 30 minutes in the afternoon, to ZERO NAPS. It was not my proudest moment, but I let Small Human cry for 40 minutes in his crib. I just could not deal with it. I did everything I could. He was dry and changed, fed, watered, comfortable, he had a stupid cool mist humidifier going. I rocked him side to side, I rocked him back and forth, I sang to him, I kissed him, I patted him and rubbed his back. Nothing.

Sooo I let my child scream his face off for 10 minutes, which turned into a steady whimper with intermittent screams for 30 minutes, at which point he finally fell asleep. I wanted to turn myself in to CPS, but that's really not even a joke, and also let's face it, I'm too tired.

Anyway, I have decided that rain or shine, on Saturday I am going to treat myself to a day of Lilibeth Only Time. I think I need this special time every week, even if it's just for a few hours. 24/7 toddler time is taxing on my body and spirit. As cute and wonderful as he is, I need some separation. This way I don't binge on salsa and tortilla chips and let my son cry for 40 minutes straight. I hope he still likes me when he wakes up.

Is 3pm too early for a glass of wine? Screw it, it's happening.

On our walk, before the incident.

The only thing that can stop a tantrum? My wallet.

Sippy Cup Win

Alright, I have to confess that I misjudged Small Human. I thought that the transition from using a bottle to using a sippy cup would be a long and arduous journey, but it was more like a quick jaunt. We use the free flowing spout sippies for his water, and the valve spouts for his milk. This is just common sense for us because of our wall to wall carpeting. Spilled milk + carpet = bad.

I am pretty certain that our success with the transition isn't because our son is an advanced genius, like some moms like to think of their progeny, but because of our Pura Kiki bottles. Seriously, Noah's been using these stainless steel bottles ever since I stopped breast feeding at 6 months, so he's gotten used to them. What's great about them is that you can switch out the nipple for a sippy spout, and presto change-o!

Small Human is starting to dislike his water sippy cups altogether now, and would rather drink from a glass like Momie and Dada. It's messy, but worth it and kind of impressive to behold. Aack! My baby is growing up too fast!

Brendan and I are still actively trying to stay away from using plastic when it comes to Noah's eating and drinking, but it's so hard when everything made for babies is plastic, which is a shame. The best we can do is make sure he drinks mostly from glass, stainless steel, and silicone, but he really loves his plastic snack catcher, which drives me crazy. Oh well, I guess you win some and you lose some.

Here's a link to a great video and website on how you can help keep your child's environment safer.

Nap Trick Mayday

Help, I really need some napping tips and tricks for getting my son to take a 3 hour toddler nap. Please save your "Oh my perfect child just sleeps for a million hours on his own naturally", cause I don't care, that's not helpful. I am desperate and I need help. If you know me, you'll also know that I don't ever ask people for help.

This weekend, Small Human's Dada got him to take one hour+ naps in the afternoon, but for some reason, he won't do it for Momie. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but he just stares at me like I'm hilarious/crazy whenever I try to get him down. If I do manage to get him to sleep, it's usually for only 30 minutes. The morning nap has never been a problem, but I can't get him to sleep for longer than 2 hours, and I really don't think that's long enough for a 13 month old.

When he's well-rested, he sleeps for 12-13 hours overnight and we need this to always happen. I'm losing my marbles here. Maybe I'm SOL and there are no tips and tricks, but I just thought I'd put it out there. *Flashing Mommy Distress Signal*

Yes baby, I feel the same way. P.S. Look how tall this kid is!

Mr. Uh Oh

We had a great, rainy weekend here in Seattle. As per usual, our activities included lots of eating but we got things done too and ended it with pizza, salad, beer and the Oscars! I totally called all the winners except for Best Picture, and I thought it was a fun tv night over all, since we don't really watch television ever.

Small Human has been non-stop "Uh oh"-ing, which is hilarious. That was his Uncle Mark's favourite phrase too. It's the funniest to hear when he has just woken up. All we hear is a drowsy little voice calling out, "Uh ohhh!" Omghessocuteilovehimsomuch.

On Friday I got to experience what it would be like to have two babies. It was surprisingly manageable. Granted, I most likely just got lucky that both of them were being amiable and cooperative, but still. Look at these two, how cute are they?!

Talking to Elmo on the tv

Noah was happily sharing his toys with his lifelong friend

Causing trouble at Cupcake Royale

For three weeks now, we have been trying to go to Red Robin but something always thwarts us. This Saturday we were finally able to go! I'm not sure why, but that restaurant is the only American chain restaurant that I just adore. It probably has something to do with the family friendliness of the joint and maybe cause of the tower of onion rings they have on the menu. I am such a sucker for towers of food.

It's already March, can you believe it?! Happy Monday folks, and happy March! Beware the ides of March... just kidding, you should beware the ides of April, especially if you're an income tax procrastinator. ;)