Happy Halloween!

Before the ghouls and goblins...err...neighbour kids...come to the door, a little picture post of our night at the pumpkin fundraiser and our day with, sadly, our broken pumpkin

Do You Tweet?

Let's talk Twitter for a second...

C has a Twitter account. It's part of his new marketing strategy for his work and he tweeted tonight that we were off to a pumpkin fundraiser for our local food bank. Then, when we were leaving...he took a picture on his phone of the pumpkins and tweeted that it was a great event for a great cause.

It got me thinking...do any of you moms have Twitter accounts? Do you Tweet?

I could clearly follow Paula Deen (does she have Twitter?), Brooke Burke (momma extraordinaire), Giada (C would love that), Bakerella and other cake designers like Duff Goldman, Sweet Ashley...

I could clearly tweet about cakes and cupcakes that I'm working on...

I could clearly tweet and post twitpics of things that we're up to...

Do you Tweet?

Your Three Words

Today is the 5 year anniversary of my Dad passing away...

I have no words...only pictures

Dad and I dancing at my Godmoms wedding

Snuggles from Daddy and Godmom

The last picture I have with my parents...my University graduation in 2005

Looking to my Dad for strength of the biggest day of my life...

The only way he could walk me down the aisle...

The same picture of my Dad, tied to his drumsticks, that sits on Owen's dresser

I love you, and I miss you very much

Teething 101

We've received a tonne of advice over the past week about how to deal with an early teether.

Co-sleep

Tylenol before bed

Wet washcloths frozen in the freezer

Hylands Teething Tablets (recently recalled by the FDA)

Cool bottles

Teething rings and toys

Well...I'm happy to say, we have a few things that work! Last night, Owen was in bed by 10:30 and he slept solid until 5:15am!

What worked??

A combination of Tylenol about 1hr before bedtime (which we don't want to get dependant on...I'd rather stay away from OTC drugs), a big 'ol 8oz bottle, and one dose of....

Ah-mazing! I heard about them from a mommy friend and and old roommate...and seriously...fabulous! It's an all natural remedy, which I love personally, and is chamomile based. They come in ready to use doses, and you squirt it in their little mouth...ensuring the drink it all.

LOVE this!

What helps during the day?

These are fantastic! They have a handle for the bambino to hold, which encourages self-soothing, and has a tonne of textures...so he can chew on any part of it!

Linking rings! He shews on these things like they're going out of style...and talks the whole time, like today at the mall when he was showing off for anyone who would stop to say hello. They are hard, which apparently he likes for the counter pressure, and he can throw them around...and hello...what little boy doesn't like to throw things!?

So...to all of you who haven't experienced teething yet...oh it's not fun. But, as with all other firsts you'll find your own way and your kiddo will lead you to what works for them.

In the meantime, I highly recommend the Camilia! You can get it at any health food store, and even some grocery stores!

HUGE thanks to the two moms who pointed us in that direction!

Y3W!!

It's here, it's here!!

Not the best picture...but it's there! and over to the left is another..and back to the right behind his lips is another...and there's one on the top too that's trying to come through!

We. Are. Tired.

If you have ANY sleep suggestions, please please drop us a line in the comments section!

Y3W Fail

I had every intention on posting the best Y3W ever this week, entitled "my first tooth"

However...

1) Owen has an issue with his tongue...he seems to want to stick it out and giggle every time his dear mom tries to pull down his bottom lip to take a picture of his first tooth

2) Godmomma got ENGAGED!!! So Owen and I were off to our hometown to celebrate with her and her fiance (who I've known for 22 years! wowzah!) on Friday. Oh, I love weddings and this one has been highly anticipated! I'm so happy for her!!

3) C was off on a work retreat in Niagara...so I was playing solo-mom for a few days (since Thursday afternoon)

I. Am. Tired.

C got back this afternoon, right when I got home from wedding planning and excitement with Godmomma, Grandma Jo and Auntie Bobo.

Owen was ALL smiles when he saw his Daddy. It was so funny. C and I wanted to have a nap like something bad, but Owen was having none of it. He was lying in between us, and giggling up a storm. Talking and jibber-jabbering away! We couldn't help but laugh, and C got dressed to spend time with the kiddo.

So...I'm pooped...and I'm sorry. I will try to get Y3W - the Tooth edition, up as soon as Owen doesn't think it so funny to lick my finger and giggle at his mom.

Which mom Are You?

I am the mom who could talk for hours about the consistency of poop and how some diapers are great, while others suck the big one.

I am the mom who take a million pictures in a day on the off chance that her kiddo with smile, giggle or make a funny face.

I am the mom who is excited and eager about making her kiddo's baby food, and already has all of the recipes planned, cups and bowls purchased...and is sitting on pins and needles for the next month and a half (give or take).

I am the mom who plans activities with other moms and has started a group in her area for new moms to get together with (and without) their kiddo's to craft, read stories, play and chat.

I am the mom who takes video after video of Daddy playing with the kiddo, of Daddy's friends playing with the kiddo and of every possible milestone he can possibly hit so that we don't miss a beat.

However...

I am also the mom who can't stand a wiggly baby and is quickly frustrated at bedtime when this sweet little boy thinks it's play time and wiggles out of his sleeper....over...and over...and over.

I am also the mom who has thrown soothers across the room in frustration when said sweet little boy is screaming and won't take the soother.

I am also the mom who expects too much of herself and feels like a hot mess, and one gigantic failure, when those expectations aren't met

I am also the mom who thinks to herself, out of exhaustion, I don't want to be a mom today

Conversely...

I am the mom with an amazing husband who is helping me through this challenging time.

I am the mom who is confident that I can overcome PPD (PostPartum Depression) without medication.

I am the mom who won't give up or in, and won't let PPD define who I am.

I am the mom who would give her left arm for her child, should she need to, and without a doubt loves that little boy with everything that I am.

What kind of mom are you?