New Mom

Does size matter?

2017-08-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

This mom is now a mom of three, youngest is now 9 months old, so two boys and one girl! Going from two to three has its challenges but I couldn't imagine life any other way. Although of course, everyone says "I read somewhere...that having three is the most stressful", or "the age gap of three years is when they fight the most", well what are you going to do, we all learn to love and hate our family but as I always say be nice, because they can be your friend for life and you never know when you are going to need them. Sure would life be a little easier with less kids or maybe we might have more disposable income (what is that anyways), but you know what they bring me so much joy and I feel more accomplished if I bring up human beings who give back and are kind human beings than having done anything else with my life (so I have better chances that one out of three will be those people...just kidding, kinda). I do believe I have to find ways to spend individual time with each one, because they need that one on one attention because they are so different.

Of course having three kids, can be financially stressful at times, and it has been five years since having a full time 9-5 job,but I have been blessed to be able to be available for my family. I also have been inventive as to making our dollar stretch and continuing my entrepreneurial endeavours, (follow me on instagram @dishlicious.ca). Although I still have to be more organized to make better use of my budget and knowing when the online deals happen.

One of my most recent discoveries, is glasses online through GlassesShop.com, a lot of inventory so many choices and I was skeptical because of the price being so low but I was impressed by the quality so far (only had them for over two weeks). My prescription eyeglasses was right on and I love, love the pattern I decided on. For the affordable price I decided to go with something completely different, and bigger than I think I would of chosen otherwise. Now I am not one who dyes there hair so I don't really do anything exciting so having a few different pairs of glasses, is a nice treat for this mom. They also offer prescription sunglasses. Now I know most health care plans with your work are usually only every two years so having affordable glasses that you don't feel will break the bank when you aren't covered, is a nice treat, even better they knew my readers (other fellow mothers) would appreciate the deal, so are giving my readers 50% off for all eyeglasses and sunglasses with free lenses only throughout their website (sorry not on sales frames) using special coupon code GSHOT50

All in all my family 5 works for me ( I could even be convinced to have more kids, my husband not so much), but I know its not for everyone. So what works for you and how do you make it all work??

Sustainable living..the one working parent dilemma

2013-10-26T11:59:00.001-07:00

Always in a state of flux. I feel like I am always torn with making the right choices for my family. I decided not to go back to my full time job, when the second child came along and try to find more local work that I could do on my own time, around my husband's 9-5 job.

I have picked up work, being my own independent business but still I need to be making more income until I get my business really going, and the stress of it is a lot. Not to mention that I don't want to compromise on the health of my family, because I buy organic, and I buy natural products, because I believe in the long run it it is the best for my family. I don't buy lavish items and we have cut back on a lot. So it makes me think is it really possible for a middle income family to really able to have a stay at home mom, if we don't want to compromise on our health and well being?

I do pride myself on always finding an opportunity and work through networking and making relationships with people who see how hard I work and how much I love to continually learn. But I want to know how do stay at moms really do it, if there husband doesn't make ALOT of money, just average?

I do coupon, and buy used when I can, but also there are not a lot of coupons out there for the organic products I look for, or NOT for the fresh produce that I mostly consume. I am growing my own year round now, Tower Garden, so that will help us save in the long run, and allow us to not compromise the wellbeing of our health.

But who out there really thinks it is sustainable...do you think eventually both people have to be working, to pay back any debt, or do anything that isn't the bare necessities?

Learning to deal and understand what my kids need from me.

2013-05-29T09:54:00.001-07:00

I think every parent can tell, when their kid is tired or hungry, or not feeling well, because usually they get a little grumpy (or a lot grumpy), and I am sure as adults we are the same way but we try to not take it out on those around us, as adults (well some of us do). I have been reading about how to teach our kids to deal with their emotions, and also I am realizing that you can just parent behaviours but you really have to understand as a whole why they are behaving a certain way, are they just hungry, tired or is it something they have yet to learn how to deal with, or behave.

Of course in this process I am teaching my self patience, learn to be calm and to see a bigger picture, so that I am not just reacting, but don't get me wrong, this is a work in progress.

What I am also exploring is how what we give our kids also plays a huge role in how they behave. If we don't feed the mind properly how can we expect them to focus, be rational? Think about it, if you don't eat right, are you as productive, clear minded or just overall as nice of a person as you could be (probably not)?

I don't know if I did post on this blog about my group Dish-licious.ca, but it is a mom group centred around food. I want to encourage moms and families to eat right, eat real food, which means just making cooking and nutrition a priority, because we make time for priorities, no matter how busy. Food plays a huge role, in our life and that is why I have even choose to endorse Juice Plus, a whole food, to make sure my family is not missing anything in their body, that we need from food. So please I encourage you to read about it, and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Also please add my other blog, linked to my group, which is www.parentslearntocook.wordpress.com, to get recipes and cooking tips and inspiration to eat better, which starts with cooking.

Juice Plus site: https://canada.juiceplus.com/nsa/content/Home.soa?site=eg23046

Stay at home boredom and moments to yourself

2013-05-22T10:50:00.001-07:00

As my second child is reaching one year old (still can't believe it), a lot of people are already asking if I am thinking of having a third. It is funny because I did want to have three kids, but as time passes, and your kids can start doing things for themselves, and you slowly get a little more freedom (breast feeding coming to an end), you start to enjoy these little moments to yourself, and enjoy getting your body back! Therefore it is tough to think about loosing all that again. Ok it sounds a little selfish I guess, but it is the truth.

Also while I am speaking the truth, I have decided to work only part-time, not in my career field, just something to pay the bills, but allows me to work after my husband gets home and on weekends, so that I could spend more time with the kids and no daycare. Although I have to be honest and say it is getting tough, because their is no time to myself, my job doesn't have interaction with other people, so no socialization, and so it is tough to be 24/7 in mom mode. I want to be able to not get stuff on my clothes, look nice sometimes, and not be entertaining at level of a three year old or younger all the time.

Yes I get bored and I will say it, you get frustrated with your kids sometimes, you need a moment to yourself. You truly appreciate locking yourself in the washroom, doing your nails, having a glass of wine. I think those moms that try to act like they aren't bored, and enjoy being with their young kids 24/7 aren't fooling anyone, it is reality we are adults and sometimes like to have adult time.

I am going to a wedding this weekend, and even though it is one night away, and I totally don't want to leave my youngest right now over night with family, because I hate the thought of my little one getting up at night and I am not there to comfort him, I do have to say totally looking forward to being a grown up, and having a dance with my husband again. Why is there always guilt with almost every decision you make? This is the first time since I had my first kid (Mateo is almost four years old now), that my husband and myself have spent a night away from our kids, it is going to be tough and heart wrenching, wonder how I will do, because I know the kids will probably be fine, but who knows how I will be...actually a drink will probably help with the worrying (ha, ha).

Anyways feel free moms to put your two cents about your thoughts of being a stay at home mom, and am I crazy for being bored but also feeling guilty when I do have time away?

This is a shameless plea!

2013-04-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

I am asking on every social medium today, and until April 30th, to help get my son Harrison on the cover of Today's Parent by voting for him everyday! Just follow this Facebook link: http://todaysparent.upickem.net//r/3JGn3rwBpGZ and continue to visit to vote.

I know people out there have mixed emotions when it comes to putting pictures of their children out there for shameless promotion but sorry this mom is trying to showcase that cute face to the world :) Hey if this helps get money for college or help with his first house ( I know this contest doesn't pay money but it gets his face out there), I am going to try. I would of done it with my first son but I was trying to just get comfortable in my new skin of motherhood.

Ok so please help and vote http://todaysparent.upickem.net//r/3JGn3rwBpGZ

Mom contributor: Easter Smoothie.

2013-03-31T04:46:00.001-07:00

I was approached by another great mom, to post on my blog, and I jumped at the chance, as I love hearing from other moms, and I think we can all learn from other moms. This mom, Kendra, is a world traveller, and hard working mom. I thank her for sharing this fun Easter snack.

I would like to add that you can probably use, almond butter or silken soft tofu instead of peanut butter, for the protein. Also just using a natural plain yogurt, instead of low fat, personally because I find they put a lot of other things when they lower the fat content. For our child's easter trail we use dried fruit, he loves it, and we know he gets so many treats from everyone else, that we don't need to add to the treats, plus it looks like Bunny poop leading to an Easter present so it is hilarious for me.

I hope everyone enjoys their Easter and the Easter bunny found there way into everyone's house and memories.

Family Favorite Strawbunny Easter Smoothie

On my last trip to Las Vegas I stayed at the wonderful Cosmopolitan, ranked amongst some of the top hotels in Las Vegas with great restaurants. While staying there they introduced to this fabulous strawberry and peanut butter smoothie I had one morning for breakfast. This decadent drink was so delicious and such a great source of protein that I thought about how my kids would absolutely love it.

So I turned it into a Strawbunny Smoothie that I have served for Easter the past few years and it is an absolute hit in my house! This low fat treat is a very tasty and filing snack, a good thing to eat before engorging on all the Easter candy. This healthy treat is a great way to start every Easter Sunday.

Strawbunny Smoothie:

(Makes about 2 cups)

Ingredients:

- 1½ cup of frozen strawberries

- 4 teaspoons of low fat vanilla yogurt

- 2 teaspoons of peanut butter

- ½ cup of skim milk

- 2 Marshmallow Peeps

The process of making the smoothie is simple. Grab a blender and put everything in it and blend them all together. Sometimes it is easier to add the strawberries in only a few at a time to make sure they blend up easy. It is even so simple perhaps ask the children to join in and teach them how to make this smoothie. This makes only a serving of two cups so make sure to double the recipe when needed.

In order to make the drink more festive there are several things you can do. Make sure to put a marshmallow peep on top of the drink. The frothy mix at the top of the smoothie is perfect place for the peep to sit. Another great way to decorate the smoothie is to add Easter grass down around the base of the cup.

The Strawbunny Easter Smoothie is a very healthy treat to start Easter morning, so feel free to add a little bit of Easter candy throughout the decorated grass around the table. This sweet treat is a great start to Easter morning for the children. The children will love to drink this smoothie before going out to find their Easter basket. Enjoy! J

Finding deals and buying second hand to help a mom save

2013-02-21T14:11:00.003-08:00

So I am one of those people that do not go on a Facebook very often, so when I do go on, I spend a lot of time catching up. Man do I miss out on a lot of friends having kids. Anyways I did read one friends' New Years Resolutions and found it very interesting, which was to try to buy as much as possible second hand or at least try to get a good deal, of course this person is a mom. Any mom has probably bought or sold on Kiijji but I thought I would go one step further and search out some some other sites that were second hand or how to get the best deals online, so if other moms know of other sites out there please share.

Now I personally found this one amazing, Trend Trunk, you can buy or sell designer clothes, handbags and more. You can feel a little less guilty buying yourself something, instead of the kids.

If you have a groupon deals person already, have you tried Ethical Deals? That is right get great deals on ethically made or good for you products.

For current Deals that you can take advantage of:

Lego (an essential in my house). What has been great is having these lego books that my son will read and then recreate with his lego characters. Current deals with lego: Get a FREE city police helicopter with order of $35 dollars(check out the clearance page on the site too, some great deals)

Always remember, online is great for the clearance sections, and bundling it with free shipping times is always better, so you can save on the gas of going to a store too! Even WalMart has clearance blowout deals to get, so check it out.

When I find more deals I will make sure to post, because as a mom of two young boys, I know how important it is to save where you can.

Tomorrow I am working on posting my hilarious/ humiliating stories that I want to share for other mothers out there, so they too can look back and laugh at themselves now :) I hope it makes everyone laugh tomorrow.

Fighting the germs that children ALWAYS pick up!

2013-01-11T18:37:00.001-08:00

Wow since the holidays, it seems like we keep battling with germs around here!

My three year old just seems to be getting over, dare I say it out loud (because I am still grossed out), but pin worms. Now, he went to bed today with the sniffles, so I pulled out my bag of tricks to fight this head on, so that we don't have another sleepness nights with a cold. He went to bed with crushed garlic in socks, I took that tip from Dr.Oz, and it worked to fight off a cold I was beginning to get one time. Then when my son falls asleep I am putting an onion in his room, with the top and bottom cut off, which is said to absorb the toxins. I might even do the onion thing in all our rooms tonight, just in case.

Besides the pin worms, that had made my son get up at night complaining (which is completely understandable), our little six month old is still not sleeping through the night. I am fine with the baby getting up once or twice but what I am feeling bad about (at the moment, as motherhood always seems to have some kind of guilt) is that he got a little cut on his finger that got infected, and after fighting with salt soaks, and a mild cream (from the doctor) we finally had to give him antibiotics. Seriously lately I feel like we have to stay indoors, and only get a little yard time, with no interaction with other children, like at playgroups, sports, and especially not daycare, to insure we aren't sick every other month.

I know kids get sick and our immunity will build (believe me I am trying to build that immunity with the food we eat too), but I just want a full nights rest, no children coughing or complaining in the middle of the night, just good old rest.

I have never been one to call myself a germa-phobe and would just do the regular wash your hands, try to clean the cart handle at the grocery store, use tissues and cough in to your arm type of person, but children and their ability to harbour everything around us, is making me a little more paranoid!

Feeling guilty when they get sick, and helpless is becoming a little second nature to me but I always have to remind myself that I must be doing a lot right, when I see that I have two really happy boys! Man are they ever two happy, always laughing, funny kids, and man am I lucky (ok NOW I don't mind getting up in the middle of the night :) ).

Getting Back to Routines

2012-12-27T13:08:00.001-08:00

Holidays are extremely tough on kids, especially if you are like me and have to drive and stay at families' homes during the holidays. Also on my side of the family our custom is to open presents on midnight Christmas Eve, so being tired and cranky is a regular thing for us. We haven't even really gotten our six month old to sleep through the night yet, so the recovery after the holidays is a must.

First I think it will start with our diets, getting back to our regular meal times and items, will be a must. Then also once all the goodies have been eaten (by my husband and I of course) we will start the sugar detox. My personal course of action for this is making homemade baked goods with fruit, and using agave and coconut sugar minimally to help cut down. Now I know getting ride of flour and wheat is a must to really cut out the urge for the sugar, but personally it is hard battle for me, and I always believe moderation is key for me.

Then getting the kids back to some regular exercise activities and a lot of down time, the new lego should help with that. We are really trying to get that down time in, to bring them back down off that Christmas high, so no car rides for now. We desperately had to go grocery shopping, so I sent my husband with the list, while the kids were napping, so that our kids did not have to put in the car, and my husband would not stress with the six month old if I was to go grocery shopping.

Most important step will be to just relax, don't worry about the "To do list" for a while just spend some time with kids because around the corner is another year and more to dos. The kids and especially me need to "veg" out.

Recap of Plan:

1. Get the meals under control, and get the rich, big meals, or sugar out!

2. Get regular exercise back and get some good down time.

3. Just breath and relax, the house clean up and things to do can wait a little!

I am hopeful that my plan will work for my family.

Sleeping, what is that again?

2012-12-05T11:15:00.000-08:00

So today is the second time in a row that I got both my kids to nap at the same time in their beds. I am amazed and also feel like I deserve a reward for this amazing task. Sleeping at night has become the big issues again, with both our kids.

My husband has to deal with the three year old at night and I am on baby duty at night. We get so tired that we sometimes beg with the other one to deal with both kids but we were both screwed the other night when at the exact same time we heard Mateo (three year old) cry and ask for dad and then Harrison (baby) start to cry over the monitor, needless to say our dog decided to sleep in our bed because I guess she thought we didn't need it anyways. Napping and sleeping through the night is not coming easy right now for either of my kids. The 5 month old was sleeping so well and then he turned three months and started to get up every two hours. My three year old keeps waking up crying at least twice a night, and we can't figure out why. He also seems to have a little bit of difficult breathing, yesterdays' nap was the loudest snore (and no he does not have a cold), he is also coughing only when sleeping, and drooling. I have meet one person whose child was diagnosed with sleep apnea but also a friend also suggested checking him for any allergies, that he could be getting from a blanket or pillow. I am bringing him to the doctor and I will write about what we find out.

I wonder too if it could be just as simple as nightmares or wanting attention still because of the younger brother and hearing us get up with the baby at night. Whatever the case we are eliminating all possibilities so if your three year old had these same problems let me know how you dealt with it and what you came up with.

Believe it or not I even make sure to get a banana into my three year old close to night time because I learned through Dr.Oz it helps to quite the mind/or relax...yes I will try anything for sleep.

We have always had a calming bath, reading routine as well so I don't think relaxation is the problem though.

This is to be continued as I work on this with the kids. I will share what I have learned and what has worked (yes I have faith in sleeping before retirement).

Getting through the age of three

2012-10-30T05:18:00.001-07:00

Thank heavens, my three year old is starting to calm down and behaving in group activities. The terrible threes are still upon us for a long time but we are both not being brought to tears :)

I have been practicing a lot of patience and I am always talking to my three year old before we leave to do any activity like playgroup or gymnastics about the rules and what is not acceptable behaviour and slowly but surly it is working. Actually we began with a mantra of "No hitting, kicking, or bitting...use your words", now we were able to move on to listening to the teacher and about sharing. He is actually starting to listen to instructions and doing it on his own without me. I may have aged and gotten more gray hair, but consistent work with him is paying off, so I encourage other mothers to be consistent and really continue to calmly talk with them and learn how to better help them deal with there behaviour and emotions. They are learning on how to react to situations and need to know what is acceptable and what isn't.

Now I am not saying I am an expert (for sure not), but I did actually seek out advice but the biggest thing for me was getting over the feeling of being embarrassed and just learn to deal with the situation and learn what he needs from me.

We are actually at a fun stage of pretend play, where we keep dressing up, so Hallowe'en is really going to be enjoyed this time, as he already dressed up as a superhero, astronaut and then we are going to be a robot on Hallowe'en night. He is also fully aware now that "Trick'or'Treat" means getting candy, which doesn't mean he is going to be able to eat the candy (as I am not really a strong believer of allowing him to eat candy at such an early age) but he is excited and looking forward to it.

My next post will include all our Hallowe'en costumes, and any good stories that came out of the night. Also we are planning to go find Hallowe'en costumes on sales after to have dress up options at home. As I have already found these online sales from WalMart..LIMITED TIME ONLY - 50% OFF Selected Halloween Costumes + FREE Shipping

Have a good Hallowe'en everyone!

Frustrated, disappointed, helpless and sad

2012-09-17T19:36:00.001-07:00

Frustrated, disappointed, helpless and sad is everything I have felt with my three year old this week. In playgroup everyone seems to be playing well with others...my kid is just doing his own thing. Everyone is sitting down for snacks, mine is running , everyone is playing parachute, mine is still running.
When I could not find his lego rocket before we had to go to swimming, it was nuclear meltdown time, Then it was complete rebellion in the supermarket, throwing himself on the floor and complete refusal to any of my requests. Then gymnastics...oh gymnastics...something he has been looking forward to for weeks now, since we went to the 1/2 day gymnastics summer camp, but what happens? He wouldn't sit still to wait for his teacher and is running around the waiting room. Then his group is getting called to the mat, he gets a sticker and then starts to cry and wants his mom. Then they go to warm up, he tries to run around where they group is not, so one of the teachers decides to hold his hand and make him walk around with her while he bawls and wants his mom. I convince him to watch the group, and then he wants to go participate again, but as soon as the teacher asks him to do something, like follow the group in a straight line, guess who wants their mom again.

My son seems to want to do his own thing, like run, and do puzzles and build things on his own, but he struggles to stay still with a group activity which involves listening to instructions. He does have great attention to detail to do a puzzle or build lego things. Although if something doesn't work out after awhile, like a lego rocket breaks apart, he gets very frustrated and will bite the lego.

I am trying to understand why I feel a little embarrassed by my son's actions, because I feel like a bad mother or parent, that I do not know how to correct these actions or help him deal with his frustrations or grow. Also I worry that something is wrong. But I realize these feelings are selfish, and just plan dumb, and trying to educate myself and get him in touch with the right people, because I am not admitting failure as a parent (which is my first feelings), but rather I am being a good parent by not trying to hide or brush off things. No one is born a parent which is what I keep telling myself and I have to learn from those before us, go with my heart, and try to educate myself as much as I can.

This week really pushed me to become proactive, I talked to some other people, and got my son an appointment to do a screening to see how he is developing, also I have found a workshop for parents to help there kids deal with emotions and recognize there emotions. The best thing I really did was just come out and ask people, instead of just keeping it to myself because that got me and my son nowhere.

I hope this post really helps others, that may have experienced similar moments and hope they to, talk about it to the right people, so their kid can be the best person they can be, and we as parents help them in every means possible :)

Just learning to be the best mom,

Keeping a three year old busy while having a newborn at home

2012-08-31T13:14:00.002-07:00

I have a very active three year old, so being home with a newborn all day is not an option. So I am trying to find at least one new thing a week to try to do, because we already go to the park, and splash pads religiously.

Swimming lessons are once week in the evening with dad because I watch the newborn. But I go to all his lessons with the newborn in tow to cheer him on. Plus when he is having a bad day, mom needs to do some smooth talking to get him in the water and listen to his teacher. But this is an activity that needs a parent to participate in still, so the tricky thing is, finding something that he could do on his own, or we could do while I was pushing a stroller was the challenge.

We tried the gymnastics summer camp once, to see if he was comfortable being there, before we signed it up for once a week lessons in the fall. Of course he loved the large space to run, he thinks he is a gymnastics superstar now, and tries to do summersalts everywhere. This is one of the few sports that he can start at the age of three without me participating, so it is perfect.

Together we visited the Muskoka wildlife centre, and it was rather perfect, a little rough terrain for the stroller but very doable, and perfect trails for my three year old superhero to run around. Also he got to touch a few of the animals like snakes which made a rather unforgettable moment for him. He loved this place, and asked to me to come back next year already.

But of course all of these activities cost money so we can not do them all the time. So we had to come up with a few of our own homemade items:

Homemade paper rockets: just some paint, toilet paper rolls, or plastic bottles, paper, and tape and blast off. Of course these make shift rockets don't last too long in the hands of my toddler, but it made a day of fun...until he ripped it to shreds.

Playing superhero: we used one of those thin baby blankets as a cape and some sunglasses and a superhero was born in his eyes. This is great for me to help him work on learning what "pretend" means, as he has to understand pretend fighting doesn't actually mean physical contact. My son may kill me later for this, but he didn't know what the word "pretend" meant (well this what I am hoping was his reason for doing this) when his four year old friend told him to "pretend" to eat some wood chips around the park, and his friend looked like he was having fun, so what did my kid do...ate some wood chips, all the while laughing alongside his friend; not one of his finest moments.

I don't consider myself one of those uber creative or crafty moms, but I have had to come up with some games, to keep the three year old active all the while watching that three year old. I even came up with one weird game, that has no name but he loved it. I hid three different coloured papers in different rooms of the house, not only did he have to find them, but he had to leave them in the rooms. So he had to use his memory to remember what room had which coloured paper and we worked on his colours, repeating the colour name in english and spanish (my background is spanish)

So I am really flexing that creative side of my brain this summer, so now let the fall games begin...leaves can be fun right? :)

New mom again

Baby boy number two has arrived!!

2012-07-25T19:34:00.002-07:00

Well, I am finally getting around to writing about having baby number two on June 21st and man is it different this time. I remember with baby number one the first six months were a blur and you felt like a walking / milk leaking zombie but man I realize now the baby stage isn't as bad as entertaining a three year old, or as exhausting. I am lucky that baby number 2 sleeps 3-4 hours at a time at night,and no issues with breastfeeding or medical issues, so just the typical fussy periods where they want to be held. The amazing part continues to be realizing what you are capable of when you are dealing with a baby in one arm and trying to help the toddler on the potty in a public toilet.
I never expected to say sure I will play Lego with you or race cars with one kid while I have one hanging off the boob, not weird at all. I really do not know how I or any mother does it but we seem to make it all work.

My three year old loves his baby brother, a little too much and doesn't realize he can't snuggle with him just yet. Also his favourite thing to say is "Oh the baby", kiss his head and then say "I love the baby" or "the baby is so cute". He does worry if the baby is crying and tries to help me when we need to get out the door, so I am very lucky. I guess though we are all a little tired at the end of the day, with the new addition to our family and summer activities

In the next month I am working on finding where I can get a little me time again, at least one night a week to go get some kind of workout in, be it back to my yoga classes or work on a personal goal of mine to building my swimming skills / endurance so I can really feel comfortable get into kayaking. I also need the exercise, in the hope that baby number two didn't leave too many lasting effects on my body.

New lessons and fears

2012-06-14T11:47:00.001-07:00

I knew that as my little guy got older I would learn something new about raising a child and about myself but what I didn't expect is that being pregnant again, I would still be learning new things about being pregnant or new information, but I guess every pregnancy and delivery is different. I am now a week and three days away from my due date, and one of the nurses in my doctor's practice gave me some great sites to check out that I never heard of before but have been around for awhile. One of the sites being if I had questions about what supplements I can take while pregnant more importantly what to avoid. The site is Mother Risk - Sick Kids Hospital . The other site was for breast feeding, from the breast guru I guess, Dr. Jack Newman.

What I really wasn't expecting is my fear of labour this time around. I had a c-section with my first, therefore there is another risk of having the baby the old fashioned way (yes I hate using the actual name for the labour out of the girlie parts). I know the risk of "uterine tearing" or eruption is very small, but if it happens man is it terrifying. I know with any labour there is a potential for risk and something could go wrong, but this was not one more risk I wanted to face. So then why don't I just decided on another c-section? Having to do a c-section the first time was a very hard choice for me, and something keeps telling me that I have to man up and that the old fashioned way is the way I am meant to do this. Also not getting to experience the delivery vaginally (ok I said it) the first time, the pain of that experience is still something I have yet to face, and terrifying. Next week though I decide for sure if I am going c-section way because they think the problem is that I have a small pelvis and unable to deliver, hence I wasn't able to with the first. As I am experience a lot discomfort this last month and my body all seems to be ready, but no way out through the tunnel, sorry baby, and sorry to my readers who find this too graphic. I will though spare my readers all the jokes my family have all come up with, to make me laugh about the situation :).

Therefore even with this being baby number two I still feel like a "new mom".

Being pregnant again...oh ya that is how it feels again

2012-01-31T14:27:00.000-08:00

Our mind has a lot of defense mechanisms one of them being that we forgot all the discomforts of being pregnant and only remember the wonderful feelings of bringing this baby to life.

You forget all the poking and prodding, the sleepless restless nights, and the nausea possible hot flashes, frequent trips to the washroom, several other things that I will spare my readers from.

The worst is catching a glimpse in the elevator with the 360 mirrors of your growing behind or those love handles that feel like they have come from nowhere. Also in a male dominated office you can not do anything like even get a cold, without them saying it is because you are pregnant like it is a womanly problem or deficiency. Although you no longer tend to care as much of trying to ensure minimizing stretch marks, or don't worry about watching your weight gain so you don't cry about it after but instead you tend to give into pregnancy more.

I guess I have to count my luck that I don't have the sickness and acid reflux I had with my first pregnancy.

I do always wonder if this child will turn out differently, just purely based on the fact that I am working full time, commute to work, and I have a two year old already. With my first I was working a part time job, and worked close to home, had time to focus on me and the baby I was carrying. I am trying to remember to set aside time to relax and focus on the baby but usually I am just happy to get extra time to sleep :)

Well here is to being a new mom the second time around....on week 19 and 2 days of the pregnancy.

A story that needs to be shared and reflected upon

2012-01-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

In all of my recent posts and tweets, I keep mentioning little moments that make you rethink what is important in life, and how you should strive to keep that as your focus, as reality keeps me working and commuting right now, making it hard to spend time with those that truly matter. I always keep thinking of how to make myself remember to not over work because work isn't what makes me happy in life at end. So when I hear of the stories that make you appreciate what you have and truly remember what is valuable in life, I want to share it.
Therefore when this girl by the name of Heather, contacted me through this blog asking me to share her story of going through one the greatest gifts life can give you, becoming a mom, at the same time going through one the greatest challenges life can give you, finding out you have an illness, like cancer, I jumped at the chance to read and share. I invite you to read her blog at http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/heather/ and just be filled with her spirit to continue, fight and to keep enjoying life, so that you can realize what is important, not giving your child every toy or game they want, but just your time and love.
I know this post is a little sappy for some of my readers, but I think sometimes we need a a little sappy. Also I am pregnant, so emotions are a little crazy, I even cried watching a movie the other day and I do not normally cry with movies.

Big news and a nice mom moment

2012-01-06T15:51:00.000-08:00

Ok so I may not be the most avid blogger right now, but now I am pregnant for the second time...just over three months now. So yes, I commute over two hours one way to work and I work full time, I have a two year old, I am trying to do some entrepreneurial endeavours, and I still believe in trying to cook homecooked meals for my family but I still consider myself very blessed and lucky to have another member of our crazy hectic gang, joining us soon.
I did have a moment that made me cherish being a mom, that is so loved. On Wednesday night of this week I stayed in the city where I work in and stayed at my sister's because we decided to wake up early and meet my parents at the airport to say goodbye as they were leaving for three months. Now my son was fine that night, went to bed, talked to him before he went to bed, but in the morning (he is a really early riser) it was a different story. He loves crawling in to bed with mom for a few moments of cuddling before I have to get ready for work, so when he realized I wasn't home yet, he cried and just started to say to my husband "I love mommy!", heart breaker but also made me feel so loved all at the same time. So needless to say this morning my son was more than happy that I was here to enjoy that cuddling morning moment. I just wondering if when he is ALOT older, like 30 and has a girlfriend (that I have approved) will be reading this and thinking "momma's boy!"!

Still here,updates birthday parties and potty training.

2011-11-15T05:33:00.000-08:00

Well Mateo had his first drop off birthday party this weekend, I only really left for like an hour at most. It is funny though what makes you feel like the typical iconic vision you have a mother, but preparing the present and bringing him to a birthday party, really made this vision come to light.

Mateo of course is a good combination of social interactive kid and doesn't mind playing on his own, so he always seems to have a good time. He of course was happy about juice, cupcake and pizza that he got at this party. Wasn't interested in getting extra candy from the pinata instead he tried filling his bag with cars that belonged to one of the kids that lived at this house.

This was defiantely a milestone that I wouldn't forget because he had so much fun, as he always does when he gets treats and gets to play with kids (you wouldn't of even noticed they were all older than him because he has no problem keeping up).

I know I have not posted in awhile, mostly because of a hectic work schedule but learning to cope and set priorites is what I am working on. So I thought I would up date you on some other items and experiences I have been having.

My favourite moments right now, is just seeing what Mateo will say and do next. Every day it seems like a new sentence comes out of his mouth, that just brings a smile and chuckle and makes a lot of other worries and stress melt away, funny how they have that effect on you.

Mateo has his addiction to his pajamas, and will step in that door after daycare and ask to put on his
pajamas right away (just like his dad does when he gets home, funny enough).

Potty training is something that happens on occasion, but of course we are to blame because we haven't had time to focus on this, but we have started the calender and the stickers, and even some small gifts to mark a certain number of stickers, but so far Mateo chooses to use the potty only once a day and then his diaper for everything else. One day we will master this, we do want to try what worked for my friends and neighbours, which was the potty training in three days, but you can't leave the house, so if I find three days in a row where I don't have to do anything outside the house, I will first be the happiest person ever and then I will try this potty training technique. But I do regret buying the little kids potties, one because I never thought of the clean up requiredeverytime he goes to the washroom, but more importantly, the whole is so small, I really don't think he will aim everything in that whole, so straight to the real toilet it is.

On a personal note, I am still trying my hardest to work from home, tryin to find contract work in my current profession so I can be around more often at home for dinner but I really hope to focus on starting two business ventures I have in mind in the new year, and give it my full attention, not calling it a new years resolution because I don't think I have ever stick to those!

Wow this post was all over the place much like my life right now, but I think a nice quick update,

Happy 2nd Birthday Mateo!!!

2011-07-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today is Mateo's 2nd birthday ad I am amazed on how fast time has passed by and surprised at how much he can do. I will write this post to him, as a keepsake from his last two years.
You are repeating everytlhing and acting like a grown up. You no longer sit in a high chair, but still sleep in a crib because you move around at night just as much as you do during the day (which is all the time). You eat everything, recently you love your salad, but mostly you choose what you want to eat based on your mood I think.
You still know how to keep everyone wrapped around your finger with your happy attitude, amazing laughter (that gets you out of any lecture or timeout), and just a funny attitude to life.
Still way too fascinated with your weiner, which I hope stops soon because the one eyed snake comes out wherever we go. Also recently obessed with wanting to sit in the driver's seat of everyones' car and touch every button and pretending to be driving. Your father and I taught you the following funny phrases for our own amusement:
"Boohay"
"No way"
"Uh nuts"...and others.
I made cupcakes for daycare to celebrate the day, but in true Mateo fashion you aren't feeling well on your birthday. You have a Sunday lunchtime party planned with your family and close friends, where we hope to have the huge playset up that your grandparents bought and a make shift slip and slide down the outside hill because you are like a fish to water, love it.
On a serious note...
This past month I took a job where I had to commute so I left before you got up and returned as you were going to sleep. So I just wanted to write and hopefully you will read this one day, that you are still the single most important thing to me, hence why I spend all day Sunday cooking and cleaning to prepare for the week and try to enjoy every minute with you, even when you are like "grumpy bird" (the book we read). I love our muffin time, and when you let me snuggle with you, so I look forward what the years to come bring and will forever keep with me these last two years.

What a difference a year makes

2011-07-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

Last year when Mateo was just over a year old we had taken him camping and that did NOT workout but look at us now! We went camping with my family and we went prepared this time in case the same drama happened. We took reinforcements, my family, and made a list of different motels and INNs in the area just in case. We still learned a few things that we would of done differently like picking a campsite that was more kid friendly. By this I mean one with better facilities like a shower, a park, and a more accessible lake (or waterfront) because keeping a very busy two year old boy contained on a campsite is not an easy task and one that proves to be tiring for the adults and doesn't allow for a relaxing vacation. All and all a big improvement from a year ago when our little guy didn't sleep, was screaming and we had to abandon ship.
Don't know if we were really testing our two year old but after returning home from camping , three days later we boarded a plane to the states (only an hour and half flight)and this trip included a three and half hour road trip. Other than being "all done" (which is what Mateo says when he doesn't want to do anything any more) with car rides, we were very lucky with Mateo on these trips, with no real big meltdowns.
What we did learn is that you have to stay realistic with your child's abilities depending on age, like how long they are able to sit on a tour bus. Also you want to try to keep as much as possible the same schedule/routine because we all know what happens when they don't get that nap in, or don't get lunch at the same time they are use to, it means for one painful vacation.

valuable lesson for anyone especially a business owner

2011-06-28T03:49:00.000-07:00

If you follow my tweets you may have already noticed that I was recently upset with the globe and mail. I was very excited when a reporter contacted me because she had read one of my blog posts about my experience camping with my son when he was one year old. After a phone interview, where I explained what I believe was the reason that camping didn't go so well, which was just his age and the habits he was use to like his own bed and room but that almost a year later we would be trying it again. No nature sounds bothering him, hell we live in the country, were all we have is sounds of nature and he sleeps just fine and I would not dare force my kid to an icy cold shower (now you can see some of the wrong info this reporter wrote). Now I was so excited for the publicity that I was madly texting family and friends to buy the paper. Then the article came out and boy was I upset, for the few words where she mentioned my experience it was nothing like I had said and it did not paint a very nice picture of me as a mother. So what I learned and I believe a lot people can learn from this is that you should always make sure your words are always your own even the written ones. In this day and age with so much social media, we are lucky that we can tell the story ourselves Look how many famous people tweet out to to media themselves now because that way the writer doesn't make their own interpretation. I believe the saying "any publicity is good publicity" is a saying that is not completely true. So this blogger will be sure to continue writing her own view and accounts and learned how valuable social media is for getting "my own" words out.

weekend excitements and to dos

2011-06-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Ok so its Friday thank heavens! I can't wait to spend some quality time with Mateo. I think some open swim time at the Y and then some muffin time (terminology explained in an earlier post). Look out for a later post for next week's meal ideas to freeze for the work week. Now I have a whole list of things that need some attention because I am trying to adjust to this new job and the commute time. One of the to dos being to focus some attention on a children's book, which publishers have not picked up yet. But I might get some friends to illustrate for me and self publish because I stand behind its moral. Of course I will post details on here and many other locations I am sure about the book.
WOW HAVE YOU EVER SEEN MORE
RAMBLING THOUGHTS? This is just how I feel while thinking about relaxing for the weekend but then how much I have to get done. Wait, why as adults we deliberately take on more responsibilities like buy a house a car and then have kids and pets and a career....we are crazy?!

Earning father's day (that is right I said it...earning)

2011-06-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

With Father's day around the corner I am really making my husband earn his title and special day. I have made or atleast planned the dinners for the week but he has to deal with Mateo in the morning and at night because I leave before he gets up and arrive home just in time to feed him his bottle and put him to bed. But on top of my husband trying to find his routine and learn to multi task he has had to deal with finding a second car, used and deal with all the trials and tribulations associated with that. I have had to calm him down and given him plans of attack, because he gets stressed with the mundane instead of the big items, but I guess I can worry for the both of us on that. So I guess I will have to find a way to tell him he is doing a great job with stepping up to the plate, this Father's day!
On a side note...my child is a creature of habit and routine, our bedtime routine that is. But as he is growing older (yes just getting to two there are so many
differences) he is trying to fight us to stay up later. So my husband added reading back into his routine which has helped but now he requests the same book from him... "Rabbit" which he means "The Velveteen Rabbit" a book that my husband now has memorized. This kid just melts me every time, even with the simple "rabbit" request.

More menu ideas

2011-06-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

OK so today was my first day at a new full time job that I commute to, yes I am a horrible mom who decided our family could use the money and I needed the career. I know a lot of moms would say I should be at home, and believe me I feel the guilt but If I don't do this now I will have what ifs and will have a tough time getting back into the field later. As I said though in a recent tweet why is it when you are away from your child that you see so many cute babies around? If there are other career moms out there that mostly spend weekends with their children any words of encouragement? Tell me my kid won't grow up to do drugs or go down the wrong path in life (man I was a goody goody growing up).
Anyways after all that, for those busy moms and dads here are some more nutritional meal ideas, so you can make your shopping list and get cooking this weekend for the week. This is really everything I made, even have more in my freezer, enough for two weeks.
MONDAY Eggplant Parmesan
TUESDAY Chicken Quesidillas (sorry about the spelling)
WEDNESDAY Lasagna (with homemade sauce and whole wheat pasta of course
THURSDAY Sheppards Pie (with mashed cauliflower instead of potatoes and ground turkey instead of ground beef)
FRIDAY Pork Fried Rice (provided recipe link in an earlier post)