Flying with a Baby

Okay...so....

First plane ride!

Owen did really well on the plane...me...not-so-much. I was so concerned with everyone else on the plane...

Is he being too loud?

Oh no...he's fussing!

What do I do when he needs to have dinner?!

How do we manage Owen and luggage in Orlando?!

Seriously, stressed about everything. Thankfully, C got me calmed down, got Owen down for a nap and we had a really smooth ride!

A few travel tips to any of you who need to fly soon with a baby

- Try and keep them distracted during takeoff and landing...it'll help with the ear issue.

- Our dr. had told us to give him a bottle during both, which we thought was a little much. We stuck with routine, and he did really well.

- If you're feeding solids, and need to do so on a plane

1) yes you can take homemade baby food, just make sure that you tell security when you're going through the checkpoint that you have it in the bag

2) a diaper bag is an allowed extra carry on

3) pre-mixed concentrated formula is your friend - take it out of the diaper bag when you're putting it through the security checkpoint as they'll want to inspect it

4) have one parent hold the kiddo while the other feeds...it works well when there is no high-chair/booster seat!

- Soothers during take off and landing work just as well as bottles. They need the sucking/swallowing to make their ears pop, not the liquid.

- Preboarding is AWESOME! Wow! It makes such a huge difference to get on first and get settled, then get off last and have help from the flight team!

- You can totally grind and pack oatmeal infant cereal (if you make your own) in a small rubbermaid/tupperware container (in a suitcase)! I was unsure that we'd get away with it, but we did! I labelled the top "Infant Oatmeal Cereal" and it was fine!

- You can also pack cans of powdered infant formula, unopened or opened! Again, put it in a suitcase!

Lastly, try and stay calm! It's a huge ordeal, and honestly, Owen didn't know what was going on and didn't seem to care that he woke up on a plane, was carried through two airports, had his dinner up in the air while being held by Daddy, or that the climate was totally different when we got here. They won't know the difference, and I think alot of it has to do with sticking with routine...we haven't wavered once from routine, and he's slept through the night and been a super happy camper since we got here.

Travel safe!

Y3W

Tomorrow is going to be a busy one, so I'm posting Y3W in advance and will wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, especially to those who are having their first Christmas with their kiddo's! May it be merry, and bright!

Today we spent some very special moments with some very important people...My Family!! Owen met his little cousins (Andrew and Ella) for the first time, and the got some snuggles from the Monster

Too bad my kiddo wouldn't look at the camera. Looking good, though, Andrew!

Chillin' out with mommy's cousin, S!



Change of scenery! Hand off to D!

I couldn't resist posting these...they were the first things that I bought Owen when we found out that we were expecting a boy. They barely fit, so it's probably the only time he'll ever wear them..but I love them! He looked like such a little man today...a very loved little man!

Stay Tuned...

I've been avoiding picture posts since Tuesday...

I got my hair all chopped and funky, with my signature red through the bangs and left side, and I want to surprise C's parents when we see them on Saturday....when we arrive in FLORIDA!

Thank goodness! I've had enough of this snow!

I got thinking yesterday while working on some awesome new products for Sweet Stella's, and I have decided to do a board book giveaway in January.

The story will be written just for your kiddo, the papers picked out and approved by you, and the pages embellished with 3dimensional effects and clear photo corners for you to slip in your favourite pictures of family members. Owen's book turned out really beautifully, and I can't wait to share it with you all in the new year.

Until then...stay tuned for....

pictures with my fabulous cousin, S from The Kerr Family!
new hair pictures!
vacation pictures!
Christmas morning pictures and video!
pictures at the aquarium!
playdate pictures with Miss Rylee and her Momma A!
pictures from the zoo!!

We have an action packed vacation lined up, and even a date night at the Habs game for me and C! I will be sure to whip on every once and a while and blog some pictures!!

Meeting Aiden

Well!! Momma T had her baby...and boy...it's a BOY!!

~Aiden David Daniel~

Tonight we spent our little Christmas get-together in the waiting room of the hospital, and nothing could have been sweeter!

Congrats, Family Knopf!! He's perfect!

Owen HATES Apricots!

Owen is NOT a fan of apricots...which sucks because we have about 45 portions left in the freezer! We'll try again tomorrow, and then try mixing with apples and/or oatmeal

Sweet Stella's: Welcome to Sweet Stella's

Sweet Stella's has its own blog! From Mompreneur Monday's, to How-To Tuesday's, it will feature everything creative for the Stay at Home Mom!

Sweet Stella's: Welcome to Sweet Stella's: "Well hello there! I've got to say...I've been very busy this weekend really ramping things up with the store. From new products and packages..."

6 MONTHS Old!

Y3W coming to you VERY late...but it's here!

And, drumroll please......

Weight: 20lbs7oz (91%!)

Height: 28" (90%!)

Head Circumference: 17.5" (57%)

Our Monster is huge. The words "big", "healthy", "happy" and "chubby" were used often throughout his 6mo checkup on Friday.

He got his shots...which, I feel like a terrible Mom but I giggle everytime. He's so happy just before they poke him, and then lets out the most high pitched squeal of a scream and instantly looks for C or I. I guess I giggle as my nervous reaction, but, in a way, I think that it's good for him to see that Mommy and Daddy don't freak out and rush to his side in a panic...but see a smile on our faces!

After a snuggle from Daddy, and a bottle from Mommy, he was excellent all day. We went mall walking with my friend M, and her kiddo Colin, and were able to test out our new fancy stroller. LOVE it, but hate getting it in and out of the trunk. It's big and clunky, so it'll take a little while to get used to.

This next week is going to be crazy busy! We had Christmas with Grandma Dale on Saturday evening, then a bridal shower today for a Sorority Sister who I adore. Tomorrow I don't think we have anything on, so I may slip in a visit to the gym for some cardio. Tuesday, I have my training session with my new trainer (who I will brag about later, I LOVE her!) and then a hair appointment to get this clown-mop taken care of in the afternoon. Tuesday night, we're off to my hometown for Christmas with Godmomma, her kiddo T and fiance J, Momma T (a very pregnant Momma T), her hubby R and sweet little girl, O. Christmas may end up at the hospital if Momma T has anything to say about it! Wednesday we're getting together with a friend to catch up...Thursday I'm getting together with my lovely cousin, S from The Kerr Family, and then Friday is Christmas eve!!

AHHH!! SO busy...but I love it!

Anyhow...the point of this post...

Happy 6 months, Monster. We love you with every breath that you take...every little step you're trying to take right now when you stand up, holding out fingers for support...every piece of carrot and peas that gets "shared" with us...and every sweet little smile that you give us to let us know you love us as much as we love you.

Playdate!

Just a few photo's from our playdate with Owen's buddies, Eliot and Matthew, and their lovely momma's P and A!

Tossing the ball back and forth

The gang's all here!

Sharing toys...and eyeing Sophie the Giraffe

How cute is Matthew!! Answer: VERY!

My handsome boy! He's 6 months old TODAY!!!

A Sweet Reminder

The Giveaway over at Baby Shmizz closes tomorrow evening at 11pm EST!

Have you entered???

Do YOU want to win a super cute and whimsical Personal Piggie or Tooth Fairy Box for your kiddo???

Enter today by clicking on the links in this post and commenting on the Baby Shmizz blog!

Roses and Teal ™: Featured Vendor • Sweet Stella's

Roses and Teal ™: Featured Vendor • Sweet Stella's: "Happy happy Tuesday! Would love to introduce my first featured vendor to the blog - Shannon Moyer-Szemenyei of Sweet Stella's. I met Shannon..."

Amazing! Thank you SO much for featuring Sweet Stella's, Rosita!! You truly are, one of a kind!

Owen's Food Adventures

First taste of rice cereal...



First sweet potatoes...not so sure...


Carrots are messy!


It's okay buddy, I got it...you concentrate on being a mess

Holding his bottle...all by himself, for an entire feeding!

Snowmageddon

Bear with me...I'm doing this one-handed while Owen sleeps on me.

Over the past week, we have had approximately 140cm (56") of snow...

I'm not kidding. Would I kid about something so terrible?? No.

What have we discovered this week?

1) Our road seems to be the last one plowed and is a disaster because of all of the construction vehicles tearing up the road, Our Elantra is not made for off roading.

2) Mommy has super human strength when shovelling the driveway

3) Daddy hates winter but makes a mean cup o' cocoa with peppermint schnapps

4) Our beautiful Quinny Buzz stroller is not made for Canadian winters

5) Boston Pizza delivery is the best thing ever


We've actually had to go and get a new stroller. I spent an entire week looking at all-terrain strollers...comparing brands...looking on kijiji for deals.

The best deal? Babies r' us....Baby Trend Velocity jogging stroller...originally $249, on sale for $149.

Merry Christmas, Owen! You get not toys and fun things, but a fancy stroller under the tree.

I wish when we'd been looking at things like strollers and car seats, that I'd taken more time to consider the practicality of our selections. I wish I'd thought about 140cm of snow over the course of five days and how Quinny's small, smooth wheels just will not do. I wish I'd thought about something that we can use all year round, rather than going for the cool turquoise, sleek and chic contraption,

Oh well...hindsight is 20/20 or, in our case, $149

Owen LOVES His Feet!

It's time for a Giveaway!!

That's right...a giveaway!

I was recently asked by Shizz...(Ok, so she has a real name...a fabulous name...Shannon! But I will forever refer to her as Shizz) over at Baby Shmizz to participate in a reader's appreciation giveaway!

There will be two ever-so-lucky winners chosen on December 17th by Random.org, and one will win a Sweet Stella's custom Personal Piggie, while the other will win a custom Tooth Fairy Box!

Wanna know how to enter?? It's easy, and there are four (count 'em, 4!) ways to participate.
1) Become a follower over at Baby Shmizz...if you already follow, let Shannon know that you do in the comments section of her giveaway post
2) Become a follower here, or let Shannon know that you already are over in the comments section on her giveaway post
3) Leave a comment for Shannon with a sugestion of a post topic that you'd like to see
4) Head on over to Sweet Stella's, then leave a comment for Shannon letting her know what your favourite item is!

Easy, peasy...and you'll end up with a custom treasure for your kiddo if you are one of our two lucky winners!!

Good luck everyone, and thanks for your support from both Shannon and I!!

Well...There Goes That

Hello folks...you're probably wondering where the hilarious pictures are of Owen eating solids. You're probably wondering where we've been for the past few days. You're probably wondering a lot!

Well...first off, we've been stuck in the house since Sunday (ahhhhh!) under a blizzard. Yes, that's right - BLIZZARD, and not the ooey gooey yummy Dairy Queen kind! We have had 100cm+ since Sunday. My arms and shoulders are crying after shoveling twice yesterday, and I can only imagine how C feels as he shoveled th e majority of it.

We've watched many a movie and episod of Handy Manny, but today - we're bustin' out of this popsicle joint! The roads are finally clear, and I have things to get for Sweet Stella's!!

The second thing...our laptop seems to have died. Or at least, it's broken. This blogpost is actually courtesy of C...he was kind enough to post it via e-mail this morning.

Watch for tomorrow as there will be exciting giveaway news!! To tease you all...Shizz over at Baby Shmizz asked Sweet Stella's to participate in a giveaway on her blog! The contest opens tomorrow, and I (or C...) will post the details in the morning!

Stay tuned!

Owen Eats Solids...For the First Time!

YAY! Go buddy!!

I'll post pictures shortly!

Owen and Stella

aka...bad parenting...

Sweet Stella's Kids Line

Today is a big day for Sweet Stella's!

We're announcing our kids line!

Our first product of the kids line are Personal Piggies...personalized piggy banks with hand drawn designs to suit the style and personality of your kiddo! Here are two that were created for a beautiful blue-eyed girl who loves butterflies, and an energetic go-getter boy who loves space!

Our second product are cute and whimsical Tooth Fairy Boxes! HUGE Shout out to Shizz for the idea - they turned out beautifully and I'm so happy to offer them at the store!

Instead of hiding their lost baby teeth under their pillow, your kiddos can put their teeth in a special Tooth Fairy box to await token from the Tooth Fairy!

With a wide selection of papers to choose from, let Sweet Stella create a Tooth Fairy box just for your little one! If you have a colour scheme in mind, let us know and we will find the perfect papers for you!

Stay tuned to Sweet Stella's, as we'll be introducing custom made Board Books in the new year, as well as wedding and party decor!!

The Grinder

Are we ever on a roll with this baby food production, or what?!


Last night, I ground about 2 or so cups of brown rice in this...(1/3 cup at a time)



Ah-mazing!


The instructions from the Wholesome Baby Food site are to grind for 10seconds, pause...another 10seconds, pause...and then a final 10seconds. Super easy and takes such little time!


I was looking at the ingredients in the Gerber Rice cereal while we were at the grocery store today, and I was really surprised by everything listed. The added sugars...monodewhateveryouwanttocallit's....milk powders...Basically, red flags all over the place. And the price! Wowzah! $4.00CDN per box?! No thanks...I can take 30 seconds to grind my own!


*Shizz - I didn't get to check an organic one...it seems that our selection of commercial infant cereals is rather lacking here!*


What's even more awesome about making our own cereal is that one batch can be stored in the fridge for up to 72 hours, or can be frozen in cubes the same way that peas, carrots etc. can!


Now that the rice is ground, we'll be moving onto grinding oatmeal!! Super exciting...or I lead a really dull life!


Oh! And tonight I made sweet potatoes for Owen! 2 large sweet potatoes (and man those things are huge!) will yield about 45 cubes of baby food!