Growing towards a dream

Lula clips, I love these magnets!

2012-02-09T12:35:00.000-08:00

Have you heard of Lula Clips? I haven't until this week.

These cool magnetic clips are pretty neat!

Have you ever had to lay your baby back down in their car seat when they are sleeping and then struggle with keeping the buckles to the side?.... I have! Or having to pull the buckles from behind the sleeping baby soo slowly to make sure you don't wake up your sweet little one. This happens to me ALL the time!

I'm so glad I have these Lula Clips now. They are really easy to pin up on the sides of the car seat and have a safety pin so no one can get pricked. They can be placed on all types of car seats.

I wish I had these sooner, they make life that much easier when placing baby in an out of the car seat. *Happy mommy dance* :) I have some baby showers coming up, and I will definitely be buying these clips to add in for the new mommies.

See more on Lula Clips here

Peaceofmindbaby.com is offering 15% off all orders (excluding clearance items) until May 1st 2012. Check them out! Use Code DREAM15 at checkout.

Disclosure: Opinions on this product are my very own. I did receive lulaclips for compensation of this review

Baby and Mommy class

2012-02-08T12:46:00.001-08:00

Today we went to a baby massage class. I learned massage techniques for my little one. From improving digestion to congestion and simple burping.

Little Kristian was so happy at first haha smiling and babbling away for the first 45mins... Then the babbling turned to whiny cries. He had enough and was hungry. So the rest of the class I fed him while I watched. ;)

I got to meet other moms which was nice. It's nice to hear how other moms care for their babies too. We learn different things from each other.

Tomorrow we have salsa babies!

Happy hump day!

Sleeping in the crib

2012-02-07T10:45:00.001-08:00

Every parent has their own views on their children's sleep arrangements. I don't think any is wrong. I for one still have my 3 month old in my room in the bassinet and co-sleeping sometimes. My SIL didn't put my niece in her crib until 4 months, friends did as early as 2 months or right from birth, and some moms co-sleep for a while. All ok in my eyes. My little guy seems fine in his crib, so I guess you can say I have him in my room because I want him close!
Having him in my room right from birth made it easier for me to feed him or soothe him through the night. Slowly I'm transitioning him to his crib... Slowly haha! Mama can't let go!!
I received the Angel care video monitor as a gift. I must say a video monitor is great to have. Baby is in his room with the door closed (so miss kitty won't bother him) with a white noise ball, while I just blogged and going to do laundry ;) (they say no blankets on baby, but it's tucked under and I'm watching on the video monitor ;)

Do you have City Grips for your stroller?

2012-02-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

GERMS!! If you are a germ scared mom like I am then you keep the hand sanitizer close by ha! I have one in my coat pocket, my purse, my car.. oh boy!

It's easy to just wash our hands and clothes to keep germs away but what about our strollers! Of course we can wipe them down with sanitizer or wipes, but that can lead to deterioration of the surface. We don't want that!

I recently received these cool designed city grips for my stroller handle. I absolutely love them. They protect my handle from every day wear, they are easy to put on with velcro and come in many different cool designs. I got black and white zig zags ;) and green circle ones for a friend of mine.

City Grips on my Peg Perego Skate Stroller

baby approved!

They are soft with cushion too, very comfortable for our hands. What I love most about them is that they are machine washable, something we can't do with our stroller handles. So this is a perfect stylish way at keeping those germs away. Check out all the good things about City Grips here

Peaceofmindbaby.com is offering 15% off all orders (excluding clearance items) until May 1st 2012. Check them out! Use Code DREAM15 at checkout.

Disclosure: Opinions on this product are my very own. I did receive city grips product for compensation of this review.

Fitness Friday!

2012-02-03T14:17:00.000-08:00

It's the 4th week of Fitness Friday! Last week I missed the blog post but I still followed the goal for week 3. Week 3 was NO french fries... I was doing so well until last night, I slipped up. However not bad for slipping up once in 7 days.

So far I have lost 30lbs and have 20lbs to go to get to my first goal weight.

This week was pretty busy and haven't counted calories and ate wayyy too many sweets! eek!

So my goal this week is to get back on track with counting calories and exercise. I'm so glad I joined the salsa babies class, which is once a week.

I really want to get back to posting recipes on my recipe blog. The other night I made coconut red curry chicken with jasmine rice. It was yummy! I posted the recipe here.

Week 4 goal...Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast

What are your weekly fitness goals?

Sushi and Salsa!

2012-02-02T19:33:00.001-08:00

This week was busy!

I went out for sushi lunch with friends twice this week. Yum! A new place opened up just down the street from my house so we had to try it out. It's a cute small place and sushi was delicious ;)

Today I had my first class of salsa babies fitness! The class was full! There were about 20 mamas. The class was so fun and everyone was friendly and the instructor was really nice. What's salsa babies? It's learning how to dance salsa while holding your baby in a wrap or carrier. I used the baby bjorn carrier for this class. Kristian loved bouncing around and listening to the music and I had a great workout.

Followed by a sushi buffet lunch with a friend haha.

Tomorrow is fitness Friday! I forgot to post last week so I need to catch up!

Finding a bottle baby likes.

2012-02-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

There are so many different types of bottles, standard size, wide neck, special ones for breast fed babies... So these are all the bottles I have.

Avent, Nuk, Medela calma, dr brown, playtex drop ins, tommee tippee, and Playtex vent aire.

My SIL tried to give Kristian a bottle (dr brown standard) on Sunday at my sister's shower. He just bites on the nipple but doesn't suck.

It's not the biggest deal since I love breastfeeding anyway... but there are some days where I need to leave him for a couple of hours so I'd like to feel calm knowing that he will eat!

We tried me leaving the room, even the house while someone else feeds him... we tried giving him the bottle when he is really hungry.... yesterday DH tried with the tommee tippee bottle and seemed like he was ok with it, and wasn't chewing it. Looked like he was also ok with the playtex drop in bottle.

He only ate a little so we will try everyday until I'm fully comfortable but I like the tommee tippee bottle :) yay!

Did you have trouble getting your breastfed baby to take a bottle?

My Sister's Bridal Shower!

2012-01-31T15:03:00.000-08:00

The most delicious cake!

Sunday was my beautiful sister's bridal shower! It was soo pretty! She had a purple theme and the whole set up looked beautiful... The pictures say it all!

The bridal head table :)

Centerpiece, Cakestand with a teapot of hydrangeas and pearl decor

Gift boxes filled with cookies, purse holder and a thank you card

My sister the bride did pretty much all the baking for her shower!

We played a bunch of games too... About the bride question games, a fun poem centrepiece game and the fun toilet paper bride ha!

Haha my great aunt looked adorable!

The bridal party :)

My sister had a wonderful time... We always do with our family and friends.

Cookies!

Kristian was sooo good! I think he was confused with seeing soo many people haha he slept a lot that afternoon too. He met many members of my family for the first time too.

My sweet baby, he is excited for his aunt's wedding!

The wedding is in 2 months!!!!!!! This weekend we go for our dress fittings! I can't wait!


My sister beautiful bride to be!, Niece and SIL and me and Kris.

My baby is 3 months old!

2012-01-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

3 months old!

What are you doing these days....?

You are always smiling! and you let out cute little laughs and screams ha!.
You pay attention so much when we speak to you and try to talk back
You love the tv and always turn towards it
You are always looking around and love getting to know the world.
You babble to yourself when riding in the backseat of the car, and I turn the radio off and just listen to you :)
You get distracted so easily now when nursing, if I'm talking or laughing you look up at me and want in on the fun

You love our attention and love playtime
You let us know when you are bored and already have a whiny cry which is so cute ;)
You have a strong neck and hold yourself straight up when we hold you
You love bathtime, you love being pampered
You still hate being cold, so we need to dress you quick!
You hate a wet diaper and need it changed right away. Making mommy a diaper changing machine haha
You finally found your thumb and suck on it until you poke yourself with your other fingers and cry ha!
You are EBF and still wont take a bottle, making sure ill never leave your side :/
You still love to relax to the sound of water/rain from my iPhone or sleep sheep, it totally calms you down.
Your sleep schedule is all over the place and you are changing it on me all the time. I'm having a hard time getting it to any kind of normal. But we will get there! ;)

1 day old

I love you sooo much! I'm soo happy to be your mom.

Things I never realized, things I did not know

2012-01-27T19:13:00.001-08:00

I never realized that sooo many delicious foods are the cheesiest most chocolatey, most spiciest ones ha!
All of which I'm staying away from while Breastfeeding.

I didn't know that all the books I bought to prepare for motherhood did not have the info I really needed. Much of the information/advice I was looking for came from family, RL friends and twitter friends ;)

I didn't know how much I would enjoy Breastfeeding to the point that I feel sad when I think about weaning after 6 months.

I didn't know anything about 'growth spurts' the frequent feedings and the huge extra supply it brings on right after.

I didn't know how quickly babies grow out of their clothes haha!

I didn't know that the baby's force when pooping would send poop dripping out the side of his legs or up his back. Haha!

I didn't know suctioning out the baby's boogies would be such a fun thing to do.

I didn't know how hungry you get while Breastfeeding. I'm hungry all the time! !!

I didn't know that I am awesome at multitasking.

And most of all, I didn't know how much love I could have for my little boy, love that gets even stronger as days go by.

Turning 3 months this weekend!

Not a wordless Wednesday

2012-01-25T18:30:00.001-08:00

Last night was rough, baby didn't sleep well and I have noo idea why. His sleep pattern changed since last week (growth spurt) and the lack of sleep is getting to me. Total zombie mom right here.

Tonight I left baby K with DH for an hour while I went to do my nails. It was the first time going out without him! It was weird not having to lug the diaper bag or carseat ha! But sitting doing my nails I could only think of my baby boy!

I had left a bottle with DH but Baby didn't take the bottle, so we still need to work on that. But overall he was good!

My diet has been all over the place. Breastfeeding makes me sooo hungry. Today I did really well and stayed within my calories ;)

Here are todays iPhone pics ;) (using blogger app so not in any order)

Busy Chocolatey Monday

2012-01-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

The day started off slow, baby and I slept in which was nice. When we woke up the baby's diaper had leaked! Pee and poo! So I had to clean up a mess and give my little guy a bath. Bath time is so fun, I think my little boy lovess being pampered haha!

We didn't end up ready until about 1pm, so I decided to just get dressed and head out for some fresh air and breakfast, well lunch I guess :). We we went to a nearby plaza and did a little shopping. I bought some nursing bras, a new tall tumbler cup, new large wine glasses and some baking supplies.

This weekend I did a lot of baking! I made my yummy banana bread (using whole wheat flour and added coconut flakes) I also made chocolate cookies for my sisters bridal shower. I made another batch of the chocolate cookies today too... This time I gave into temptation and ate 4 cookies! I'm off of chocolate because I noticed chocolate bothers my baby's tummy (breastfeeding). So lets pray it doesn't today!

Hope you all had a great Monday
:)

Future Blogger haha!

Fitness Friday - Week 3

2012-01-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

It's fitness Friday with Cait over at http://cait-theblessedlife.blogspot.com/

Week 2 was "Move every day" I think I did really well with this. Walking in the mall, cleaning the house while my little one plays nicely in his playpen, or just walking around the house to get baby to sleep :)

This week was extra hard when counting calories. Baby is going through his 12 week growth spurt, and has been nursing every 2 hours during the day and back to every 3 hours a night. So I have been really hungry and have not been doing well with portion control.

Today while out I was soo hungry and was about to hit a fast food place for a burger and fries! But thought, I'm was doing so well with not going to fast food drive thru's (Tim Horton's not included :) so I went to Tim Hortons instead for a sandwich.

In 2 weeks Salsa Babies fitness class starts! And the mom and baby fitness dvd i ordered should arrive soon!

We are on week 3 of fitness Friday: Drink hot tea or coffee in the morning instead of soda

I'll do well with this goal because I don't drink any pop, we don't even have any pop in our house.

Since I was pregnant and now breastfeeding, I only drink water and occasionally ice tea.

My goals for week 3: Count Calories on My FitnessPal, Move everyday and make healthy choices.

Yummy seafood pasta!

2012-01-18T14:45:00.001-08:00

This afternoon a friend and I with our little boys went out to lunch. We went to one of our favorite Italian restaurants.
We had delicious fried calamari and seafood pasta. Soo good! Not exactly sure how to log these calories in my fitnesspal, hmm! Let's make today a bonus day.

After lunch we went to the mall to shop a bit. A walk after our meal was definitely needed. I was soo surprised how long baby K slept for. I was worried he was going to wake up and cry during lunch hahaa!

He is changing sooo much! I love it! It was a perfect Wednesday. Now we have ribs in the slowcooker for dinner!

Hope you had a great Wednesday!!

Fitness Friday!

2012-01-13T12:01:00.001-08:00

I tracked my calories this week on my fitness pal. I actually only met my goal a few times this week. It's been tough sticking to the calories I should be eating. Especially with Breastfeeding I find myself sooo hungry!

I think I did well with daily exercise, lots of walking and holding baby while doing some squats haha. I didn't to my exercise DVD but I ordered a new one so can't wait for it to come.

I haven't stepped on the scale since earlier this week, I was down 1lbs. Hoping to be down another by next week.

This weeks goal, move everyday!!

My new normal

2012-01-12T16:46:00.001-08:00

This afternoon I met up with my good friend over at http://www.believinginserendipity.com/

We went for Sushi! Our babies wanted to be held so we ate and held them haha! Sorry i forgot to take pics of the sushi, the rolls were huge and I was making a mess! But they were delicious!

By the time I fed and got kris ready and made it the restaurant and ordered food, time was ticking... It was feeding time again. As soon as we left I fed Kris in the car. Breastfeeding in the car is totally my new normal ha!

He fell asleep on the way home so i took advantage and stopped at some stores before heading home ;)

My days revolve around the baby's schedule, but I think I've been doing pretty good at organizing our days out.

Here are some pics of us mamas

2012 fitness goals

2012-01-11T10:52:00.001-08:00

I've lost 1 pound since last week which brings me to 11 pounds to get to my first goal.

Today I ordered a new baby and mom fitness DVD!

I also registered for Salsa babies to begin February (salsa babies is a salsa dance class while baby is strapped to you).

And I also registered for stroller fitness in April with my friend over at www.believinginserendipity.com

As baby K gets older I also want to enroll him in baby classes so he can socialize with other babies too.

I want to make weight loss fun and I think I found what will make it fun for me in 2012!

I'm excited to start my classes with this cute little boy!

2 months old - first vaccines

2012-01-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

I was sooo nervous today for my little guy's first vaccines!

The doctor is very happy with Kristian's weight, he's now 10lbs 13oz! Kristian even gave him smiles as he talked to him. haha. Baby K is right on track with development, cooing and smiling and lifting/holding his head up nice and strong. Love my little boy!

Then it was needle time eeeek! I was sooo nervous and really had nothing to worry about. Kristian cried when the nurse picked him up and seemed fine with the needles ha! He hates the cold more than anything.

I'm soooo glad I got through his first needle appointment! Next one at 4 months :( I think I'll still be as nervous!

Everyday is something new with my little boy, I love how he listens to me and focuses on me when I'm talking to him. He smiles and coos and lets out little laughs! Kristian also loves sucking on his hands these days, he tries to put his whole fist in his mouth and even gets upset that he can't!

Weekend recap: Over the weekend I shopped a lot! My sisters bridal shower is in 3 weeks so I had to buy an outfit. I also bought baby some clothes too, we still need to find his full outfit for the day too!

Baby slept the whole time while I shopped, which was great! :)

Fitness Friday!

2012-01-06T13:18:00.000-08:00

A fellow new mom Cait over at The Blessed life is doing a Fitness Friday Link up! So I decided to join in!

I have 12lbs to get to my pre-pregnancy weight, but 23lbs in total to get to my first goal that I want to hit.

I also want to get strong again, my back has been very weak these days.

I lost a total of 27lbs in 10 weeks which is awesome. I'm EBF so I read that it can burn up to 500 calories a day. However I am ALWAYS hungry and over eating because of it :(

So it's the new year and I have LOTS of occasions coming up so getting strong, healthy and weight-loss is what I am focused on.

I will be following the weekly goals that the blessed life has made along with my own.

Working out 3x a week. This will include
1. Baby and Mom exercise while baby is in the baby bjorn carrier. Squats, Lunges, Walking.
2. work out DVD while baby naps
3. Walking with baby in the stroller.
and
4. counting calories on MyFitnessPal
5. I am also going to join Mom and Baby Salsa in February!

Week 1: Track Calories... I'm on it!

I'm excited! Lets Shed these pounds! Are you?

A coconut dream

2012-01-05T09:05:00.001-08:00

I've been Breastfeeding baby boy for 2months! Breastfeeding does have its challenges and having a support group and other women to talk to helps so much! I always have a million questions.

Since Breastfeeding I noticed some foods that baby k was sensitive to. Milk/cheese (dairy), chocolate, spicy and I think coffee but I'm not too sure. I only drink a little these days and I don't see the same reaction that I do when I have an actual glass of milk.

I do miss my milk though!
My SIL suggested I try coconut dream milk. I tried it out with my cereal and loved it! It gives the cereal a soft coconutty taste. So coconut dream is my new milk!

Last week when Kristian was sick and not eating that much I decided to pump a lot and feed him with the bottle... Well to my surprise he refused the bottle! I love Breastfeeding but i have some occasions coming up and would like him to take a bottle so I don't have to nurse and can leave him for a couple hours too. So I bought the Medela calma bottle which says mimics Breastfeeding. So we will try it out!

Kristian is also becoming so aware of things, when I talk or he hears something loud, he'll stop nursing and look up at me. It's too cute, but wonder as he gets older he will want to be in the middle of it all instead of nursing with mama ;(

This week I wanted to start on some if the goals I made for myself... That didn't work out so well. Monday is my new start date ;)

Baby gear, baby talk, oh baby!

2012-01-03T13:04:00.000-08:00

Everyday is amazing, everyday my little boy changes soo much. In just 2 months he's grown so much, I can just imagine next month and the next and next. We bought him a new pillow for tummy time, but he rather sit back and look all around him and focus of the tv ha!

Baby K seems to be pretty picky, he is not a huge fan of the baby ktan wrap or the baby bjorn one either. He can only stay in them for a short time before he wants a different position. This morning I was able to organize the house a bit as I carried him around :)

Here is a little video of Kristian talking back to me :) Please don't mind my voice haha and the fact I'm talking about a poopy diaper haha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DHaEC-ySjs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

My 2012 goals!

2012-01-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

2011 wow, it went by soo quick it seems. January 2011 we took an amazing mini trip to San Francisco then got pregnant in February! I was pregnant most the year! This year has had so many firsts for me. heck, I had a baby!!

I learned so much and grew so much this year. I found strengths in me and an inner patience and even weaknesses I never knew I had. I also saw the truths of people all around me, who really care and who don't. Some more shocking than others. The year really opened my eyes to so many realities, the good and the bad.

2012 will be another one of these years that will have soo many more firsts. My emotions run from happy and excited to scared and anxious. Overall I'm looking forward to this new year and all the change it will bring.

Life is a little different now that i have the most amazing little boy in my life.
It's incredible how much I love him more and more as each day goes by. So I need to think realistic goals because I'm a mama now and 2012 marks his first year of life so all my attention is on him!

I love my little boy.

Here are some goals I'd like to reach for me and baby this year.

* Lose weight - 25lbs
* Exercise 3x a week
* Reach 1000+ followers on my blog. I love meeting new bloggers!
* Focus more on my recipe blog (quick and easy recipes for a busy mom)
* Start a new collection of shoes (haha my pregnancy made my foot grow a size!)
I'm increasing my shoes by shopping on Shoedazzle everything is 39.95!
I've bought 3 pairs already! And 2 of the pairs were half price! If you want to join check out the site with my referral ;)
http://www.shoedazzle.com/invite/q7mlh855d
* Visit New York (Go to Eatly , I watch too much of The Chew ha! ;)
* Plan a resort trip with baby
* Join baby and me classes ( gym baby and me starting at 4months and stroller
fitness in the spring!)
* Take a CPR class this year
* Open a education savings for baby K
* Find a mom and me balance and be the best new mom I can be in my own unique
way and be confident with who I am now ;)


I'll add more as the year goes by. For now these are my 2012 goals.

Happy New Year!!!

Baby is 2 months old!

2011-12-29T03:33:00.001-08:00

My little guy is 2 months old! I cant believe how time is flying.

So what has changed over a month...

You now weigh 10 pounds 8oz and all from mama's delicious milk.

You will only nurse on mama and refuse mamas milk in a bottle. :/ picky little guy.

You passed the phase of crying during diaper changes, it's all smiles and talking. You are in size 1-2 diapers.

You Discovered the tv and watch it in a daze for short periods.

You smile and coo so much more these days.

You love to look around and analyze your surroundings.

You get bored fast, about a 5 min attention span.

You have such a strong neck and legs.

You are a long boy with big feet ha! You fit in 3-6 month clothes and still your feet are too big for the foot in the onesie. My tall boy!

You are a sensitive baby that does not like to be over stimulated or over tired. You will vocalize that.

White noise helps with sleep and calming down you love the sound of water it's soo soothing to you. You don't sleep without it.

You are still feeding every 2-3 hours with an occasional 4 hours in there.

You are starting to drool more often.

You discovered how to suck your hands and you have your hands to your mouth often haha

You also got your first cold ;( a bad stuffy nose and cough. You want to be held close, mama holding you makes you breathe easier. So I've been holding you most the night... Mama isn't looking so great, but I'll do anything to make you feel better.

We love you sweet baby boy. Happy 2 months!

Flu season and my baby boy

2011-12-28T07:04:00.001-08:00

I have the worst mommy guilt going on over here. Kristian will be 2 months old tomorrow and he already caught a bad cold ;(. I feel soo bad that I couldn't protect him from these germs. They were probably air born from anyone during our Christmas events. We were around lots of family and it is flu season.

Kristian is soo stuffy and coughing a lot.

Monday night we had a scare because he was gasping for air.

We spoke to tele health and they advised us to go to the ER.

We took him to the ER and he got checked out. They did a X-ray on his little chest ;( to make sure his lungs were ok.

They said it was just a cold and to be aware of any heavy breathing or fever.

I've been putting saline drops in his nose and suctioning out phlegm. We also have been sitting in the bathroom with the hot water running.

Praying he gets better soon. He's too little to be sick with a nasty cold ;(

Baby's First Christmas

2011-12-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

My sweet boy's first Christmas!

We had a wonderful weekend with our families. Christmas eve we spent with my side of the family. Our family is growing so instead of cooking for soo many of us we ordered food. We had two different types of pastas, veggies and seafood. It was delicious! Christmas day we spent with my husbands side and enjoyed a delicious Turkey lunch.

Kristian received sooo many great gifts! lots of toys and lots of clothes! I just did 2 loads of laundry just for him! He also got 7 pairs of shoes too haha!

This was our gift to baby Kristian this year. A casting of his little 6 week feet. I love it! We put it up in his room :)

We got this done with http://www.memoriesmade.ca/

My SIL gave me a gift certificate towards a baby massage class. I'm so excited to sign up in the new year!

We had a really good weekend and I'm soo happy that baby Kristian is now a part of our lives, I love him sooo much!

Last night my little boy was coughing. I was feeling pretty stressed out about it. I'm also monoritung him for a virus my little niece was just diagnosed with yesterday. I'm praying so hard that he doesnt catch it. My little niece is soo sick and in so much pain from the Coxsackie virus. Praying my sweet niece feels better soon!

Hope you all had a great Christmas