The Baby Plan

HELP?!!!… A Party For My Love…

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Good Monday my lovely ladies :).

Hope the day is going well for everyone, but if you need an inspiration please stop by TC30s – I’ve started contributing again.

Now on to my post title.

I need HELP, because in ~~two weeks~~ nine days, my lovely hubby will turn 35. I want to throw him a birthday party – that will be the very first one – but I don’t know what to do.

Source: imgspark.com via Stefanie on Pinterest

Some of my friends are willing to help me organise something but obviously they will like some directions from me. That’s why I want to turn to you my friends for more tips ^__^!

Questions: Have you ever organised a birthday party for your better-half? What do you suggest I do? House party or out party?

Please share with me.

Long Lazy Sunday #4

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:46:00 +0000

Today we went to church. It felt good to listen to the word of God. The message was very beautiful and touching. The preacher reminded the congregation that Jesus’ might is there to help others and we shouldn’t be afraid to ask Him and His Father {our Father} what we most desire. It was a great message to return to church to.

Once we came home hubby grilled the home burgers he prepared in the morning before church. He served it with grilled bacon, wrapped in tortillas bread with salad and cheese. He also fried potatoes chips, everything was YUMMY.

Well, after such heavy lunch we both felt we needed to relax. We lounged in front of Netflix. Little Miss AOI just finished feeding and she is sleeping :).

I am off to read some pages and then fall sleep.

As you can read, today was a VERY lazy Sunday in my city :). I really enjoyed this weekend.

How was your weekend? Hope you too had a great one.

Week 9 – We Are Proud To Be Your Parents

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:10:00 +0000

My dearest Miss AOI,

We are proud to be your parents – I am writing on behalf of daddy because he is always on about you. Every day that passes you make our head bigger than ever. We pray for happiness, love and life for you. I love, LOVE, LOVE you, love you SOOO much. Though you are out of the womb, like flesh and bones, we are merged together as one. You are my everything and I cannot live without you. One day you will experience such feelings and it will clear what I mean by this, my dear daughter.

This morning after feeding you I decided to read some of my favourite bloggers and I was directed to Melissa Jordan’s letter to her son. For me it was a sign that you will not mind me sharing my feelings one day. In her letter Melissa wrote:

“God knew I could use a little humility. God knew our family could use a little magic. […]” Melissa Jordan

She was inspired by Arianne Segerman’s deep poetic story in which she wrote:

“God makes children so specifically for us, each of them.” Arianne Segerman

Re-reading some of the letters I wrote to you whilst still in my womb make me feel good. Without knowing it God guided me to write some words that I would have not thought about. Each day that I sat down to write he gave me a message. Each letter was spontaneous and after you were born I understood the greatness of Almighty’s protective wings. One letter that stands out among the many is Week 34+5day=Perfection Is Not All. You see I never prayed for perfection, I prayed for your health, life and happiness. In that letter I wrote:

“Little child, life is not about striving for perfection but more about laughter, love and living life to it fullest. Also, […] I would like you to remember that you are the LIGHT even when you feel like you are surrounded by darkness in this world.”

But these two ladies’ stories encouraged me to share the words I penned in my journal twelve days after you were born. The language is poor, it lack poetic flair or power but they convey my fragmented thoughts in that moment.:

I enjoy every second, every minute, every hour, every day and every week with you in my life. By the time you will read these letters you will know that I have many words written about my feelings in my offline journal. That I have some answers ready for you in case some people ask you cruel questions. Among the list I wrote:

“I asked God to make me humble. Because God knows I am already strong with one.”

I could go on and on, but as I said before sometimes less is more. But before I conclude this letter I would like to say that your beautiful shines from inside out and you are our bright LIGHT in this life…

and we are so proud to be your parents.

All our love and pride,

Mummy and Daddy

To Anyone out there…

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:53:00 +0000

I had a different post ready but today I want to share this video.

I will let it speak for itself…

Do you ever wish you could write back to your younger self?

Please share.

The Wor{d}s They Called My Skin

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Eyes like stars

in the beauty of the night! (T.A-A.I)

Source: blackblonde.tumblr.com via Hollygolightly on Pinterest

You have lovely dark skin. There is a shine to it which reminds me of the colour purple. My grandmothers and mother complimented my skin. These words made me strong like seeds in the soil turning into strong and tall trees. And just like a tree it was difficult for the bullies to break me when they started to attack my skin colour.

Growing up in Ghana, for what I can remember, it was a bliss. Well people called me names because I was too skinny and looked like a boy. But I always saw the glass half full. I didn’t mind having my school teacher call me ONE because he said my face was thin as the number.

On the other hand the boys wanted to play with me because I looked like one of them. Not so pretty and delicate like the other girls whom had ribbons in their hair. In my opinion every disadvantage came with another advantage.

Then I moved to Italy and the power of words started to make sense to me. The worse period was the last year of middle school – age 13/14 – after which I decided to take a break from my education.

I was not called names because of my weight, I was normal healthy weight and I looked like a girl. But what I had different from all of my classmates was the colour of my skin. My skin became a tool of derision.

The girls were envious because I don’t have hairy arms. The guys and some other people out of school called me all kind of degrading names just for their own amusement. Simple words as: Kaffir, negra, imbianchino (literally translated white-washer), pipistrello (bat), mora (dark girl) and when they wanted to be friendly they called me bella moretina (beautiful little dark girl). I didn’t even know the meaning of some words until I went home to look in the dictionary.

Their words made me wonder would I still be beautiful if I wasn’t mora? Am I beautiful because I am mora? Or am I beautiful because I am a beautiful girl! I always resolved that I am a beautiful girl – full stop.

However, there were months I couldn’t see the glass half full. I managed to pass my exams and get out of that horrible experience. Also that experience helped me love my skin colour even more, and made me feel proud for my background and my life experience. But I don’t wish anyone to go through that period in their lives.

Have you ever had any bad experience in life due to your skin colour, gender, religion or simply for being yourself?

Please share with me :).

Our Long Lazy Sunday #3

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:59:00 +0000

Another snowy Sunday here in my city.

We didn’t go to church, because we were late in getting ready. Oh, shame on us. Once I managed to get out of my pjs I had a shower and then hubby took some pictures of me trying to be fashionable after lunch I had the remaining almond chocolate bar I prepared yesterday and then I took some pictures of Miss AOI, trying to be a photographer. In the afternoon we went to see some friends, hubby went to skate with the husband of our friends, while I stayed with the wife talking about our babies (she has two children, one is one months and ten days older than AOI) and to finish Miss AOI played on her play mat. now she is feeding and soon she will be off to bed.

that was my long lazy Sunday in my city :).

how was yours?

AOI’s Birth Story: Breathing Baby Into The World

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:30:00 +0000

You can start by reading:

AOI’s Birth Story: The Day Before and AOI’s Birth Story: Week 39 +4 days.

_______________________

The rest was as if in a dream.

The lights in the living and dining room were turned off. They left on the lights in the kitchen and in the hall. A. put on Berry Birth Playlist Soothing and Classic. Bella’s Lullaby began to fill the room and my body relaxed.

Each following contraction I let my body relax further. D. was wiping my face with cold wipes because I was sweating so much from the heat of the water. At intervals A. brought cold water for me to drink and pieces of banana to boost my energy. I couldn’t eat anything else.

At one point I had to get out of the pool desperately. I needed to pee. Someone told me to do it in the pool but the idea of accidently having a bowel movement there forced me to get out and go to the bathroom. I think that was the third stage of labour contractions. I went into the bathroom and sat on the toilet. D. came to count some contractions with me. Meanwhile AMI and A. were changing the water of the pool.

When I got out of the bathroom D. examined me. I was not making progress therefore she suggested I walk up and down the stairs. The contractions came stronger after each walk and I felt fluid dripping down my legs. “I am peeing myself.” I said near to tears for the embarrassment. Both A. and D. tranquillised me by saying that was amniotic fluid which meant that the baby was coming down. Their words gave me renewed energy and power. I walked for about two minutes then decided to stop because the contractions that followed were too strong to bear. D. asked if I wanted the pitocin. I turned down the offer because I could still go through the contractions, plus I didn’t want medicated pain reliefs. Though I didn’t need anything I asked which other non medicated pain relief was on offer. There must be something else apart from the water I thought. But there was nothing apart from my mind, my labour partners and the water. I went on my knees near the pool to give more room for baby to descend.

When D. checked again I was dilated enough because she began the preparation for delivery. She was very discreet and quiet but I could tell what she was doing because I was still alert of my surroundings. She checked the water to make sure that it was at the right temperature 38ᵒC-39ᵒC (that’s how I liked it). I needed to pee, after that she asked me to go kneel on the bed for some contractions. “I can see the baby coming.”

After those contractions I wanted to lie on the bed but A. encouraged me to stand up because she told me that, though lying on the side made labour contractions comfortable, it slows down labour. There was no way that I wanted to slow down labour so I got off the bed.

Downstairs D. was ready; she was waiting for me to decide what I wanted to do next. She asked if I wanted to give birth in the pool or not.

“In the pool.” That was all I wanted.

______________________

I changed again, this time I wore my swimming top. At half seven I was in the tub, when I overheard D. telling A. to get ready to help her in case the baby arrives before the second midwife reaches our house. But luckily the second midwife, R., arrived just before eight o’clock. Things started to move fast from there on.

D. told me that from that moment on I could push if I felt the urge to do so. I didn’t know if I was doing it right. I was worried that I was never going to know that urge or that due to the strong desire to too see my baby I was going to push without that urge. These thoughts made me ask “Am I doing it?” to which A. answered

“You are doing it.”

“Am I fully dilated? Can the baby come?”

“Of course, you’ve been ready for the baby hours ago.” D. confirmed.

I was happy, relaxed ready to receive my baby. The music was going. “Listen, Mozart, Enya and Tchaikovsky...” D. pointed out to R.

“...The music I like.”

I breathed to the music, letting my body dance to it during the following contractions. Teardrop by Massive Attack began, I felt my baby coming further down. I could imagine my baby descending. It gave me encouragement. I wanted to welcome her to such beautiful song. I let myself go. The music put me into a trance, it was surreal “I can see the head... do you want to touch it?” D. asked.

“No... I am... worried that if I touch it I might not do the pushing right.” I was breathing with each push so I like to think that I breathed my baby into the world.

Then I started to chant “I can do it.”

“Yes, you are doing it.” A. encouraged me

“O. bra.” O. come I called to my baby in Ghanaian. Daddy was sitting behind me in the water on a blue bucket. He called to our baby in Ghanaian too. It felt magical and enchanted as I wanted it to be.

But I was worried that I was going to lose the energy when her head was in my perineum. It burned as if someone had put chilly down there. When they told me that it was the head of my baby giving pressure in that area, I didn’t mind the burning anymore, because I knew that in few seconds I was going to see my baby.

I held tightly to the tub handles. A. held my other hand and AMI supported my back. D. told me that during the last stages she wanted me to breathe more so that she can catch my baby for me. I did my best. She caught our baby at 8:30pm and brought her to me. I proudly received my baby girl.

I closed my eyes to savour my baby girl, my beauty, my dear daughter AOI. AMI and I were so happy.

*******************

Happy 2nd month in our lives my darling sweet daughter!

AOI’s Birth Story: Week 39 +4 days

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

You can start by reading AOI’s Birth Story: The Day Before.

_______________

18^th November – 39weeks and 4days.

At 1.45am a sharp contraction pulls me out of bed – Hollywood style. I throw my cover off and, without thinking, bounce and run into the bathroom. After cleaning myself I see a very faint blood. I knew it was showing because weeks before I asked my sister-in-law “How would I notice that I am in labour?”

“You will see the showing.” So I kept eye for that. But that morning I was not convinced I was seeing right therefore I called AMI to come double check “Is that blood?”

“Yes, light blood.” Good! I was afraid that those contractions were tricks of my imagination because for the past weeks I have been daydreaming about the encounter with my baby.

I made numerous trips to the bathroom. When I returned to bed it was difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in. I couldn’t sleep because contractions were coming every five to ten minutes apart lasting one minute. However, at this point they were not uncomfortable therefore both AMI and I thought they were preparatory contractions. One thing that bothered me was contractions getting me caught lying on my side, because it felt as I was frozen. I tried various positions on the bed, such as open knee-chest to help me relax and hopeful fall asleep. But I couldn’t sleep so I snoozed. I made another trip to the bathroom, I felt as if my menstrual circle was imminent.

I didn’t keep track of the time, but AMI was timing each contraction. I couldn’t sleep so I brought my exercise ball onto the bed. I embraced it while kneeling on the bed. It felt great; suddenly the pressure on my back was relieved. I managed to relax and fell into a comfortable position. I was about to sleep but decided to check the time. It was 6am so I opted to get out of bed.

Once up I called A., my doula, to inform her of the events. I was talking to her when a contraction hit me. I passed the phone to AMI who finished the conversation. I believe A. said to keep doing what I had been doing the whole morning, focusing on my breathing. With each contraction I relaxed my body and concentrated on the breathing letting all the jabs wrap me without fighting them.

After the telephone call we decided to start our day. I still felt sleepy so I made AMI bring out of the studio the desk chair, a sleeping bag and my exercise ball. I sat on the chair wrapped myself warm and lifted my feet up. I slept for nearly one hour. The contractions kept coming but they were not uncomfortable, just annoying. I got up at seven and went for a shower, I let the hot water run on my shoulders and then my lower back to relieve the pressure.

After the shower I ate fried eyes, then played on the Wii Fit alternating between Rhythm Parade and Obstacle Course.

{what the… was I really wearing that? LOL}

We phoned D., my midwife, at eight o’clock to let her know that labour contractions have started. She told us she was coming around 11am to check my progression.

AMI had a meeting that morning so I told him he could go because this stage could last 6-12 hours. But he called it off because he wanted to help me all the way. I loved having him fussing about me, making sure that I was comfortable, eating and drinking water. He became my focal point at each contraction; he would breathe with me while looking in my eyes, it was good to see his relaxed face. It made me feel secure and strong. At one point I even said “Why did we pay for a doula? You are doing so well by yourself. But maybe it will be difficult later on.”

Around 11am D. arrived. During one of our many telephone conversations in the weeks leading to this moment, my mother had told me that my birth will be like Jerusalem birth. I guess she meant calm and peaceful. I phoned her as soon as D. came because knowing that a specialist was with me would have cut down her guilt for not being near me during this miraculous moment. My mother sent me her best wishes and prayers. When I phoned her that day she told me that everything will be fine. She thanked D. and asked her to take good care of me and pray for me. She said she was sorry she couldn’t be near me. I was not sad because the thought that we were in her prayers set me at peace. I phoned my sister but she didn’t answer because she was at work. After some contractions D. decided to check how much I was dilated. During one of our visits she told me that she stays with the pregnant women once they are 4cm dilated. I was worried that I was not dilated enough for her to stay but I was fine with the thought.

She examined me and I was 7cm dilated. “What?” we were all in disbelief but every excited. After the examination D. told AMI to phone A. to let her know. After the phone call D. asked if we needed something for the house because we might not be able to get anything after today. Both AMI and I agreed that we need milk and bread. We phoned A. once again. She said she would come home first.

In my mind the loving thoughts began to overlap each other “What? I am in labour, is she right? Am I having the baby? OMG, am going to see my baby maybe today or tomorrow?” Because I thought it could take us the whole day even if to get to 7cm didn’t put too much strain on my body.

I was going by the book.

A. arrived around 1:30pm. Before she came I told D. how I envisaged snow outside while I was in labour and that I’ve already told A.. “It would be nice to have some pictures in the snow.”

We found ourselves, at 1:45pm, taking pictures as the snow picked up falling down. Outside the cold air eased some contractions. I walked for a minute or so and then I posed like a super-diva pregnant woman, kicking the snow and laughing.

When we got back indoors, D. pointed out to A. “She doesn’t look like she’s about to give birth.” We all smiled pleased. I was jolly and chatty, and they contractions were like special drugs to me, I was in this peaceful place. Meanwhile AMI, A. and D. were covering the living from floor with plastic shower curtains, old towels and blankets ready for the birthing pool. I went into the water around 3pm when the stronger contractions began, AMI came in to support me. I believe that was the beginning of the second stage of labour. This time I started to believe that maybe, just maybe I would see my baby tonight. It felt good to be in the warm water (37ᵒC), because each strong contraction was felt less. Throughout the day I had Berry Birth Playlist Love playing. The music was on loop and I believe some songs played more than others. After about an hour of being in the water I came out because I was getting cold.

I went to change into a different outfit.

_______________

To be continued…

AOI’s Birth Story: The Day Before

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In the afternoon of 17^th November I sat at my desk, opened my journal and wrote:

I have three diaries, one for my poems, another for my thoughts to you. This one is for my thoughts about the days leading to your arrival. I feel emotional because I don’t know when exactly you will make your debut in this world.
I am excited and full of nerves. I feel your delicate movements more than ever, in fact I think you want to come because the room is getting too cramped for you.
I imagine your face but it is not clear in my mind because I think you are beautiful more than the way my poor imagination can describe you.
I am anxious because I really want you to debut in November and I don’t know what to do when you are overdue, to give another week before inducing or shall I wait until you decide to come. I don’t think it will be good for both of us if I wait too long I will be overly paranoid.
I will do what my instinct tells me to do around your due date.
I am feeling stronger jabs in the lower back and I hope they are helping the cervix open more.
This week has being nice.
Monday= I went to have manicure and pedicure.
Tuesday= I went to the chiropractor and massage therapist. In the evening we went to watch Contagion.
Yesterday I was reading and trying to find ideas for a poem or short story I want to write to submit to a writing magazine.
Today I am writing and also doing my hair.
I am presentable to meet my baby, I can say.
I wonder if I should squat more to help you descend.
I believe last night I dreamt that you were lying very low in the womb. It looked as if you were about to drop. I didn’t see which day.
But there are some scenes of how I envisage your birth.

It will happen early in the morning, when true labour begins – early morning around four o’clock. I will focus on cleaning your nursery, making it is clean just to have something to focus on.

Outside it will be snowing. We will have the water ready in the pool. Once I’ve done the nursery I will go have a shower for half an hour or more. I will oil my body and put myself in the grey vest dress with a scarf around my neck. I will be squatting and then go in the pool when I feel like I need my contractions to relax. We will be listening to Berry Playlist Love on loop from the moment I wake up.

Daddy will be supporting me throughout and the doula will be taking notes of my progress and pictures.

After four hours of active labour I will start breathing you and by nine o’clock you will make your debut.

Sounds easy right? Wishing, praying for and envisaging doesn’t harm.

______________________

That evening when AMI, my hubby, came back from work we went to the library to return some books because I didn’t want to get more fines. We came home just in time to see D., our midwife, who had to leave the birthing pool in preparation for the due date, 21^st November. Once in the house AMI decided to blow two levels of the three levels pool.

When he finished I whispered to Berry in my belly “You can come now, we are ready for the delivery.” I felt such serenity around me. We went to bed around eleven without suspecting anything. Outside was snowing as per my wish, I was so happy.

________________

To be continued…

Your Questions Answered: #4 Travels

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:25:00 +0000

All Travels

Source: anthropologie.com via Janet on Pinterest

Travels

“Cottage by The Sea”: It seems you love to travel. Where will the first place you will take your baby and what do you imagine you will have to take with you when you pack for a baby?

God’s willing, her first trip will be in April. We are going to Britain and Italy for a month. I believe the essentials things will be her stroller, diapers, changing bag, onesies for the night, baby jeans, jumpers, dresses, jacket, bath items, feeding bottles and mummy.

Keya: How long will you be staying in Canada? How do you feel about raising your daughter in Canada?

The plan is to stay here fore 5 years, but hubby’s work could renew the contract for more than ten years. I believe Canada, especially were we live, is upcoming. Meaning unlike some of the big city this place is still developing and the schools here are very good, with small classes and French immersion. So I feel quite good about raising Miss AOI here, but then we might change plans because I felt like there is so many opportunities for me to raise my girl wherever I choose.

Unknown Mami: If you could live anywhere in the world where would that be and why?

In a small village in Japan. In Italy I was brought up watching Japanese cartoons and reading manga magazines. I believe that was in part the reason I’ve always been fascinated by the country. Its costume and culture make me wanna learn more about the it. Plus… …I was in love with the main characters of Orange Road, one of my favourite Nippon cartoons.

_________________________

There you have it.

I really enjoyed answering all your questions. Thank you again for asking me something to write about.

All the best, TOI.

Question: Which items do you thing I will need to pack for a baby when travelling?

Your Questions Answered: #3 Life Experience {Ghana, Italy and Britain}

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:13:00 +0000

All About Some of My Memories in Life

Source: anthropologie.com via Janet on Pinterest

{Ghana}

Faith: I really would love to know more about your time in Ghana. were you born there? when did you leave? do you plan on visiting any time soon? do you plan on taking Berry there in the future?

I was born in Ghana. One thing I remember is moving houses a lot after my father died until I was brought to Italy sometime in the 90s. I have some fond memories of my childhood. I lived for sometime with my maternal grandparents. My grandmother is the sweetest woman in the world. She is so kind. She is petite and used to have long hair until she used chemicals and I remember that started to break her hair because she didn’t maintain it.

I remember wrapping one of her cloths around the waist and running wild on the streets of the little town we lived in. {via}

note: above is a model, because as I know only children go around running with cloth tied around their waist... Unless that person is called TOI ;D! kite day in London

Sometimes when the rain was falling I would go wild once again and bared chest run like there is no tomorrow. My granny and great-grandmother would call me telling me to stop being tom-boy and stay out of the pouring rain if I didn’t want to catch a fever. Another fond memory was telling my great-grandmother that I was hiding in the shadow when she called me telling me to get out of the sun if I didn’t want to have headaches. I miss those days.

My grandfather died in 1994, he was my favourite man. He used to have a goldsmith lab and he did a horse earrings for me. I don’t know how he knew about my love for horses, but maybe it was the fact that he used to read the Bible to me and my cousins and there were pictures of horses. He was tall and very handsome. He and my grandmother didn’t stay married forever but they were so friendly to each other.

Fingers and toes cross, if health and finances allow us we plan to go back this Christmas, that means Berry {aka Miss AOI} is coming with us. But I would LOVE to spend longer one day so Berry will have some of the wild moments I had there. But I hope that wherever we are she is going to a little tom-boy to explore her freedom and nature.

Pegster: When was the last time you went to Ghana? Do you miss it?

Last time I was in Ghana was January 2008. I went there with my sister, sister-in-law and her first born Miss B. Hubby didn’t come because it was a girly holiday. The previous year hubby and I went there in March. That was my first time back after more than 16 years away. Everything was so small in comparison to how I remembered. I had the most amazing time and hubby did too.

Apart from my grandmother, brother, sister-in-law and nephew I miss the warmth and natural resources of the place.

{Italy}

Mrs H.: I didn't know you lived in Italy? How long did you live there? What part? What do you miss most about Italy? What do you miss least?

I am from one of the providences of Vicenza which distance circa 60km from Venice and 50km Verona. I moved there when I was still attending elementary school and lived then until I finished high school – I was older student. After my diploma, which I completed in 2004, I worked for some time and then moved away to Britain after my wedding, 30th July 2005.

I miss the corners of the whole town, full of precious memories.

Summer 1995, sitting on the window at the top of the castle were I got married in 2005. That castle is full of my teen’s memories. I had a friend who lived there so sometimes I had sleepovers.

The spring, the dark windows which make the rooms pitch black but once you open them the warm weather pours into the room filling your soul with it beauty. The summer at the swimming pool, while people look at you strange as if a Black girl can’t be there because she really doesn’t need the sun because she’s already Black, LOL :).

I don’t miss the mindset of the people, close to different cultures.

{Britain}

Pegster: How did you like living in England? Are you guys planning to move, back there again?

We lived in London for five years, but my in-laws live in Devon therefore we were up and down a lot. Plus, one of my favourite spots was a campsite in Folkstone, Kent, from there we could the France. One summer we did a motorbike road trip and I loved it. And the time my family from Canada came there and we toured London together. My sister and I made awesome poses on one of the lions.

The bird in Piccadilly and the Lions in Trafalgar Square have seen a lot of this lady here.

Also London was the first place hubby and I shared our first marital home. I did my degree and read poetry sometimes, when I didn’t feel too shy to stand in front of the mike. Like any big city London has many free entry museums and art galleries. I would go there with hubby and my nieces.

One Sunday afternoon we went to Tate Gallery and I was inspired to paint

Plus, I’ve always been interested in discovering different cultures, and London gave that opportunity because there are so many different cultures living side to side. I know some of my friends living in a small town where its citizen discriminate against foreigners, now they tend to discriminate or look above other foreigners.

This is the reason I believe travelling is so good when one can afford it, because it opens our eyes to the wider world.

I know I went off the track with this question, but that shows how much I enjoyed living in Britain with all it flaws.

OOh, at the moment there is no plan of moving back but we might move back one day because as the saying goes never say never!

_________________

I have few more answers for you, so please stay tuned.

Questions: Have you ever been to Ghana, Italy or Britain?

Please share with me :).

Snowed In

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:24:00 +0000

We woke up with snow and wind blowing it everywhere which made me decide to stay home from church. The snow outside recalled the snow that was outside when Miss AOI made her debut.

So Instead of church I baked something for breakfast. Then invited some friends over for a warm homemade pizza {base from scratch} for lunch.

Then we played on Wii. Once our friends left we played Your Shape on the Xbox to get some excise. To conclude the evening we are watching the Golden Globe and some films.

This is how my Long Lazy Sunday was in my city.

How was yours?

Week 8 – Shoulders To Lean On

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 03:44:00 +0000

Sweet Miss AOI,

eight weeks since your birth, eh?

You are so alert, bright and active. You are talkative {baby talk} and laughs a lot when we sing the wheel on the bus. When I see your face looking at me I get so excited like a little child with too much sweets, and I ask myself what I did to deserve such a beautiful-wonderful daughter. Your eyes are expressive, when you fix them on me my head spins, because they pull me into your deep and beautiful soul. Some people say you look like me but I think you are so much beautiful than me and nothing can compare to you.

On Tuesday we went to a writers workshop. You were the first baby there. Nobody noticed though because you slept most of the time. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again – you make this woman enjoy motherhood so much.

Yesterday we went to see the midwife for the final check up. She was surprised to see how grown you are, you are already 60cm. She said you are growing beautifully and you are going to be quite tall.

The other day you were crying because you wanted to sleep. I was doing the dishes so I put you on my back in the carrier, then I wrapped the Ghanaian cloth daddy bought for our engagement. I took the carrier away and voila’ we had Ghanaian way of putting a baby in a sling. That was the first time I was carrying you. You fell asleep straight away. Daddy tried the same trick but without the cloth. It was so precious to see :). You like to be carried around. Our precious angel, always remember that you have our shoulders to lean on when you are need for shoulders to lean on.

All our love,

Mummy and Daddy!

Your Questions Answered: # 2 Marriage, Motherhood and Miscellaneous

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0000

ANOTHER PERSONAL POST AHEAD

Source: anthropologie.com via Janet on Pinterest

Marriage:

Keya: How long have you been married?

This year hubby and I will celebrate our seventh year of marriage.

Alida: How has married life changed since the birth of the baby? What have you learned about yourself and your husband since becoming a family of three?

Wow, these two questions make me reflect a lot on our relationship since becoming parents.

I believe our marriage has strengthened since the arrival of Miss AOI. With her in our lives we take our relationship seriously, not that we didn’t before but having her to look after makes us talk about grown up stuff, like our goals in life. Where we want to be and which type of education we would like Miss AOI to have and where. We work together as a team even when we don’t agree on something we try to find a common ground without behaving like spoilt brat {this is me}.

Also, our little girl springs into reality the love we vowed to each other when we got married. However intimacy is not the same as before because my body as tuned into a state where I don’t want nothing from my husband apart from kisses and hugs. When I started breastfeeding I didn’t want to be touched by hubby, but slowly my body is getting less tensed and the fear is subsiding {you know what I mean?}. He is so understanding, supportive and loving.

I’ve always known that hubby is great! Now great is understatement for how he is with Miss AOI. He is a doting dad, ready to help in changing, comforting and dedicating time to our little daughter. He is very proud and protective of Miss AOI. One thing he can’t do is breastfeeding her. He is looking forward until we introduce the bottle because he wishes he could feed her, but that can wait because I love that special bonding between my daughter and I.

Also her arrival has made me appreciate even more his love and dedication to our relationship and family. On my part I’ve learnt that I can be ULTRA proud and protective of my child like a cat with her kitten. I love her so much that I would sacrifice anything to see her happy. And the same applies to my relationship with AMI and our little family.

Motherhood:

Keya: Do you plan to be a stay at home mom?

One of my wishes was to be able to combine two passions: motherhood and writing. I wanted to be able to work from home so that I can take care of my children. At the moment this wish is reality in part because I didn’t find work outside the house when we moved to Canada. So, I am enjoying being at home with my daughter but I am trying to fit time in my daily routine for my writing because I would like to be published and that would be my work. I call myself stay-at-home-something because, though I spend most time with Miss AOI, I am working on something for publishing but until I find an agent/publisher then… yes, I am going to be a stay at home mom :).

Mrs Pancakes: What has been the most challenging aspect of motherhood so far?

I would say that the challenge starts as soon as the baby is handed to you. As I say it: babies don’t come with manuals. Sometimes the love you feel for this little person will not replace the fear of getting it wrong along the line, you just have to pray for God’s guidance to help you make the decisions for this little person whose life depends on yours for the next tot years.

As most of you may recall I wrote a post, months before my little girl was born, in which I expressed my anxieties for the future when my child might be boxed in by society because she is a daughter of a Black woman and a White man. Colour is not an issue in our household, once she is outside into the real world things might be different.

But I didn’t have to wait till she hits the playground before the challenge presented itself. My baby was born with one hand with five fingers and the other one was restricted by amniotic sac therefore no fingers. It doesn’t matter to us but as soon she came out from the womb we were faced with a decision: how to announce it? Shall we tell everyone about the hand or shall we let Miss AOI present herself like she did to us, so that they can see her for who she is in her total glory as opposed to marking her for what is missing? That was one challenge that I believe we managed to overcome – {I will explain more in another post}.

However on a trivial note, it has been a challenge to feed my baby when we are out and about because, though I am open about my belly on this blog, I don’t like people looking at me while I feed my daughter. I become so nervous and Miss AOI doesn’t settle easily. Also my sleeping has changed. Don’t get me wrong Miss AOI sleeps very well, but my body has set itself into baby alert mode and I wake up maybe twice a night to double check if baby is doing fine, of which I have to feed her. For this reason I am finding it a challenging to fully complete Miss AOI’s nursery because the thought of her sleeping in her own room, though is five steps from our room, terrifies me.

Miscellaneous

Optimistic Mom: I'd like to ask what makes you feel your best. Many new moms forget what it is like to have a day when its all about themselves. So tell when is TOI at her best?

Please ladies, don’t call me egocentric or shallow… but I feel at my best after a HOT shower, oiled/creamed body and well dressed. Sometimes I would spend about ten minutes taking self-portraits making funny faces and not taking myself too seriously.

Also listening to music and moving around makes me happy and makes Miss AOI smile. Then writing, for instance Tuesday I went to a writer’s workshop and that made me feel at my best.

Just like now, writing these answers make me feel ALIVE.

_______________________

Thank you ladies for your questions, they really blew my mind and gave food for thought. I hope my answers make sense. I have more questions to answer, but today I will stop here because I don’t want take too much of your precious time.

xoxo, TOI!

Based on the questions above, please share your thoughts with me :)!!!

Your Questions Answered: # 1 Post-Pregnant Belly

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

THIS POST CONTAINS PICTURES OF A POST-PREGNANT BELLY

Source: anthropologie.com via Janet on Pinterest

First thing first!

a HUGE thank you to you all ladies. Your questions and requests triggered my mind for interesting posts.

I’ve put them into category: marriage, life experience {Ghana, Italy and Britain}, travels, motherhood and fitness/body image, I will be writing posts for each category.

Oh, I thought I might not receive no question so thank you again for helping me out. I think I might make Q&A a habit, LOL. I will see ;D!

Based on Monique's request/encouragement:

i really like when your write short stories. your love story about meeting your husband and reflecting on weight gain/loss were so interesting. I think your really a great writer and you should nurture this skill whether fiction or nonfiction.

today I want to talk about my body after pregnancy because I’ve been procrastinating about the topic.

Yesterday I started working out again. To move my way smoothly into getting fit I like to use the Wii Fit, because I can keep track of my progress. However next week I am hitting the gym for a class dedicated to mums and babies.

The day after I gave birth my belly felt as if I've been in a boxing match and lost but not before getting loads of punches in the stomach. Though hubby was impressed by how small the post-pregnant belly looked, for me it looked squishy and hanging low like a cow’s belly. But still I was flattered by what he said. However, my back was bothering me because I've always bad back, and my belly being what it was was not helping, so I had to find a way to erect my posture.

I knew of a Ghanaian old school method, tie cloth around the lower back and the belly for extra support after birth. I felt supported and I could stand straight without feeling pressure on the lower back. My mother phoned and asked me if I was doing that. "Yes mum!"

From there on every time she phoned me she would remind me to do that and to sit on a bucket full boiling water because the steam was going to help my uterus contract and help my belly return to how it was. Of course I wanted to have my belly back because it is one of my favourite body parts. But I was not too obsessed about it because it reminded me of the joyful pregnancy. I ate every thing I wanted without worrying about health, because I wanted (and want) milk for my daughter. However she kept reminding me to use those two methods. So I did everything sporadically to keep both happy.

But by supporting my back and tummy with Ghanaian old school methods a week later the my tummy reduced a little bit. The progress was steady.

I want to show you the progress, are you ready?

***BE WARNED POST-PARTUM PICTURES AHEAD!!!***

Hopefully the belly will tone up a little bit more but I am aware that it might not return to how I had it before baby, I will be okay with that. My weight is far from the ideal weight but as long as I am happy the scale doesn't bother me, because I believe in toning more than sliming. And I started towards the toning, soon I will start eating healthy food that help me produce milk as opposed to junk food – enough of peanut butter, after the big jar finishes.

Phew, I managed to put the post out here, thank you again Monique your words of encouragement mean a lot to me :)! Yesterday I went to a writer’s workshop, I am working hard to nurture my passion for writing :).

Questions Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:55:00 +0000

I was looking through my old posts, and I noticed that I am becoming boring and close to that mother that doesn’t do anything else but talk about her child forgetting that she is a human being with her own likes/dislikes. I never intended to become a mummy-blogger, therefore I promised not to turn my online space into my child’s online space because she might not like it one day.

After all this blog is called Life of TOI and not life of Miss AOI – obviously she’s part of my life so now and again a post about her will appear.

As much as I love my daughter, thanks to the posts from my guest bloggers I remind myself daily that I am a woman, a wife and a mother with her own passion which is not only her new family.

But everything that pop into the head seems to be related to her, it hard to write a post, but I really want to write.

For this reason I would like your help. It would be nice to have a ball rolling towards me so I can catch and throw back. All that boring sentence just to say that although I am not cool or glamorous as some bloggers out there, it would be nice to have some Q&A posts to delight this lady here.

Source: anthropologie.com via Janet on Pinterest

If you decide to help out your questions will not appear at the comment sections because I will keep it private until the answers are posted, but then you might not ask anything and that will be ok but I will be a little SAD.

You can ask me about anything: my memories in Ghana?, Italy? or Britain? Marriage?, Motherhood – the dirty laundries?, my favourite food? musician? books?, my writing journey {post one of my poems?}, … anything you fancy. Just ask me something fun, mind blowing and good please :).

Our First Long Lazy Sunday as Family of Three

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:45:00 +0000

I am so happy Mrs Pancakes is starting this Long Lazy Sunday link up, because I’ve been asking her to do a link up for so long.

Thank you Mrs P. ;)!

Today was the first Sunday of 2012 that AMI, Miss AOI and I are alone together as family of three – last weekend my brother was here.

We went to church in the morning and once back we had lunch and then a long Lazy Sunday made of:

playing on the Xbox, baking bread and watching my two loves sleep while I enjoyed reading blogs through the dashboard like when I started blogging – I love it so much, I am going to keep that up.

Have lovely dinner, now we are going to lazy around watching something on Netflix, play with Miss AOI and then feed her before bed.

This is how I spent my long lazy Sunday.

What did you do on yours?

Please share with me :).

Week 7 – I Captured A Smile

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:45:00 +0000

Darling Miss AOI,

today I managed to capture your beautiful smile on camera.

your smile opens a whole new world in me. it makes me wanna stand high on a skyscraper and shout out of happiness. your smile makes me believe that maybe i am doing something right as a new mother. and At My Most Beautiful by R.E.M came to mind

At My Most Beautiful by R.E.M. on Grooveshark

sometimes i can’t stop wondering how this beautiful child is my child, MY OWN child, mine… and daddy’s too – something that happens every day until i fall asleep at night.

our most intimate moments are feeding time, that’s makes me so special.

i look at you, your tiny feet playing in my free hand, your sweet baby defined arms, i kiss the knuckles and wrist, i kiss the warm cheeks, my heart melts like tropical sun, i hold you tight, to no avail like many waters trying to quench Solomon’s love. to be a mother to such a diamond is such a pleasure.

happy 7th week out of the womb.

all my love and more,

Mummy TOI.

My Day on 5th January

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:06:00 +0000

Today my brother left for London, he said he had fun and relaxing time with us. We did have a great time with him here and we are so grateful he insisted in spending the holidays with family and he didn’t choose anybody but us. It was nice to have him here and I told him so. I am quite sad that he is gone, but it is nice to have some quiet and tidiness after a busy three weeks. But his departure made me think about how much I’ve changed.

I remember when I was 16, my sister came to visit us one summer and when the time came for her to leave, instead of saying goodbye I hid in my bedroom to cry.

Today instead of hiding my feelings, I told my brother how nice it was to have him here. I didn’t think it would have been the way it was. I thought I was going to be the big boring sister, but I didn’t do that. I let my brother be himself. We talked but I never let him feel little. His conversation and behaviour with other made me wonder when did my brother grew up? I don’t know this guy. He is so different from my younger brother. But then he reminded me of his old self when he played on Xbox or keep throwing snow balls at me. Sometimes he was the one in disbelief that I am a mother. He showed how proud he is of me and Miss AOI. Though sometimes I was overly protective, it felt natural letting him hold my daughter – the same with my mother in law (MIL). I observed him with my little daughter and my heart warmed each time, he was such an amore with Miss AOI. He knew how to steal a smile from my lovely girl.

He came here to represent my mother, my sister and brothers – he told my mother “TOI doesn’t say it but she needs you to be here.” When I said “Miss AOI has this rash all over her neck.” He said “Don’t worry, all the babies have that, it will go.” For real? when did my little brother become all grown up? His affection for Miss AOI reinforced the knowledge that Miss AOI is truly blessed and that she is going to be showered with pure love by everyone. Even though some visitors bring noise and mess, his presence made me miss those who can’t come to visit, hold and talk face to face to Miss AOI until April or later.

Oh life, slowly but surely we are growing up. Now, I do understand why I didn’t want people coming here as soon as I gave birth because now that he is that sadness normal people feel after a loved come visit and leaves is here.

Too much talking of feelings and emotions.

What I did after he left at 4:30am, I fed Miss AOI at 5am, slept again until 8am, had early breakfast at 6am. Went back to bed until 8:30am. Had shower at 9am, took some self portraits. 10am Miss AOI woke up for another feed, then she played with daddy. Got Miss AOI ready for the day at 11am. Went for lunch with daddy and Miss AOI at a diner. Quickly fed Miss AOI at the diner. Signed up at gym for Bellies, Buns with Baby, starting 16th Jan. 13:45pm fed Miss AOI, I watched The Nanny Diaries and Mujhse Dosti Karoge!, she slept until 17:20pm, fed for 40mins. Now we are waiting for daddy to come home, in the meantime I will read and play with Miss AOI.

This is my first day as stay at home something.

Thoughtful Wednesday: I Am Nobody's Nigger by Dean Atta

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:31:00 +0000

Rappers when you use the word "nigger" remember that's one of the last words Stephen Lawrence heard, so don't tell me it's a reclaimed word.

I am nobody's nigger
So please, let my ancestors rest in peace
Not turn in their graves in Jamaica plantations
Or the watery graves of the slave trade
Thrown overboard into middle passage
Just for insurance claims
They were chained up on a boat
As many as they could manage and stay afloat
Stripped of dignity and all hope
Awaiting their masters and European names
But the sick and the injured were dead weight to toss
And Lloyds of London would cover that cost.

I am nobody's nigger
So you can tell Weezy and Drake
That they made a mistake
I am nobody's nigger now
So you can tell Kanye and Jigga
I am not a nigger... in Paris
I'm not a nigger in London
I'm not a nigger in New York
I'm not a nigger in Kingston
I'm not a nigger in Accra
Or a nigger with attitude in Compton
Cos "I don't wanna be called yo nigga"

How were you raised on Public Enemy
And still became your own worst enemy?
You killed Hip Hop and resurrected headless zombies
That can't think for themselves or see where they're going
Or quench the blood lust because there's no blood flowing
In their hearts, just in the streets
They don't give a damn as long as they eating
Their hearts ain't beating, they're cold as ice (bling)
Because they would put money over everything
Money over self respect or self esteem
Or empowering the youth to follow their dreams
Stacking paper cos it's great than love it's seems
Call me "nigger" cos you're scared of what "brother" means

To know that we share something unspeakable
To know that as high as we rise we are not seen as equal
To know that racism is institutional thinking
And that "nigger" is the last word you heard before a lynching.

________________________

Powerful words which inspire me to write better and i had to share on my blog.

Dean Atta is a poet/writer, you can find more of his works here.

To A Great 2012

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:48:00 +0000

AOI in my arms and AMI sitting next to us we waited for the new year together with my brother and KC, a friend of ours.

When the clock turned into 2012 the house opposite ours started the fireworks.{sorry for the poor quality}

We were all delighted!

That was a beautiful surprise – we didn’t expect to see fireworks because I didn’t want to leave the house with a little baby searching for fireworks in celebration of 2012.

So, may this year be full of beautiful and joyful surprises.

may we all…{work in progress}

as never before!!!

2012… Another Bee Year in God’s Resolution

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:49:00 +0000

As my review of 2011 revealed, this year was an AMAZING year for me and my family. Now 2012 is around the corner and I am serene, ready to welcome it with open arms and heart.

As per my usual, since 1995, I like to write down my wishes and like this year I am going to leave everything in God's hands for the coming year. He will be the one to guide me and my family while we work our best to let Him make our wishes come true.

I pray for:

1. Health – for my family and friends

2. Peace – may everyone find innermost peace on daily basis {my will be through prayers, meditation, yoga and Pilates}

3. Marriage – I will work hard to keep a happy healthy marriage and keep praying for my loving husband to love and care for our family as much as I do

4. Motherhood – take extra care of my precious daughter and enjoy my seconds, minutes, hours and days with her

5. Myself – enjoy who I am and never forget that I am a human being

6. My writing career – read more to improve my writing skills, interact more with other writers, write and publish a short children's story for Miss AOI, get some of my poems published, finish editing my YA story and find an agent/publisher for it

7. Travelling – go to UK, Italy and Ghana; may God protect us for our trips

8. Extended Family – may their heart desires come true

9. Blog-sphere – enjoy blogging, build a stronger relationship with my loyal bloggers and get to know new ones

10. Giving back to the society

11. For those who need healing

12. HAPPINESS and GREATNESS to everyone!!!

I am going to treat 2012 as a bee on honeycomb under God’s protective wings and I hope everyone does that too!

To a rich 2012…

full of joy, health, love, peace and life!!!

Week 6 - 2011… Wishes Do Come True

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 01:07:00 +0000

Dear Miss AOI,

today I compiled a list of my top ten moments of 2011, but they don’t review each wish I prayed for, therefore I am taking your sixth week entry to look back at how 2011’s wishes were for me. To start I have to go back in time.

31^st December 2009 we waited 2010 with some colleagues of daddy and it went not so well. For this reason 31^st December 2010 I took matters in my own hands. However, we ended up having a third wheel – one of my old friends who’s date stood her up. After going for a Jamaican meal and some drinks in a pub, we took the bus back home from Brixton some minutes shy from midnight.We wanted to go home to wait for the new year, but were still on the bus when the clock chimed 2011.

In my hand I had a piece of paper on which I wrote all the negative thoughts and actions I was giving up in the new year. I shredded the paper while the clock was still chiming. Before the sound ended I threw the pieces out the window into the air. Away went all the negativity I was giving up in 2011, a year in which I was giving all my wishes into the hands of God.

However, when we woke up the following day, I dreaded to have started the year on the wrong note. The sky was grey and my friend couldn’t get the hint that I wanted her out of the flat, I needed those early hours of 2011 to be alone with your daddy. Finally, posed by a new force, I took the courage and made it clear – I wanted to act on one of my 2011 prayers and God’s resolutions {2. A fulfilled, revival, happy life with my Husband!}.

For 2011 I prayed for:

1. Innermost Peace - meditation, yoga and Pilates!

I found the peace I was looking for. I took time to meditate now and again. I did Pilates and yoga to connect my body to my mind. This helped in many occasions during the year. For my pregnancy and writing, when I needed to get into a zone.

2. A fulfilled, revival, happy life with my Husband!

God helped me began the year by doing just that. Making sure that my friend didn’t stay for the day was good for my marriage. Sometimes certain friends have to be away for you to succeed in your marriage or life, because when some type of friends are around you, you can’t discuss or accomplish certain things.

3. Myself and to love who I am - always!

The previous year I learned to love the mature me and sure this year I LOVED myself even more. I feel confident in my new body and loving my post-partum self (more to come on this topic)

4. A healthy baby for my Husband and Myself!

My wish came SO true that I don’t know how to thank Almighty. Having my baby in November proved that giving everything into the capable hands of God is always the right resolution – just have your wish ready!

5. Healthy-happy life with my family!

The relationship with my family has always been good but this year I made the extra effort to keep the communication flowing. My mother {your grandmother} and I are always on the phone and we talk like two adults – when she remembers that I am a mother, and not just her child, LOL! But still I am and will always be her child. I wrote a poem for her and sent her a book of affirmation to know how much she means to me.

6. My writing career - to write at least 500wds a day for each one my of stories!

I didn’t write 500wds for each one of my stories but I worked hard on my main YA story, and I know where it ends. I started to let the writer in residence of my city read it and I know the importance of the story. I believe in it. I am still in the process of editing – I am on maternity leave from it until further notice.

7. My Blogging skills without compromising my offline life!
I improved my blogging skills and never compromised my offline life – THANKS TO MY READERS and my favourite bloggers who took over with their awesome guest posts and comments? The community behind this blogsphere makes daddy happy for me and encourages me to write more. He was very impressed with the letters to berry I wrote while waiting for you.

8. Letting go of negative thoughts, so that I can enjoy each day in 2011!

The symbol of throwing away the shredded paper on which I wrote all the negative actions and thought was very important. During the year, each time I caught myself thinking about something bad I thought about that action which was positive and sure enough I was very positive throughout the year and maybe my positivity nauseated some offline friends and some readers. However being positive made me enjoy 2011, even in the moment when the world looked like collapsing on us!!! We managed to look at life through a half full glass.

9. Letting go of bad friendships!
I am glad God guided me in this. He took away bad friendship [this friend stopped contacting me and made friends with another person] and I am keeping it in that way.

10. Surrounding myself with positive people!
God brought into our lives positive people who in front of all the adversities look at life through half full glass.

11. A happy smile on my loved ones face - ALWAYS!
God was loving to my sister and brought a big smile on her face during her perfect wonderful wedding with her awesome husband – wonderful BIL. Her happiness brought big smiles on our faces. Having you, sweet lovely daughter, brought big smiles on my face and daddy’s and everyone we know.

My heart goes all soft when I see your smiling face – which you won’t let me photograph yet – I can’t stop photographing you but you move alot so most come out of focus. 2011 was a year full of smiles, even when there were few tears but Almighty always wiped the tears and placed them with smiles.

12 Love AND live with all that come with!

I did and do LOVE and Live in full with all that come along. God is a loving kind God and never gives you more than you cannot handle (The Mrs – you reminded me of this quote which I’ve paraphrased). He gave me more than I wished for because He knows I can handle that. I am so happy in my life thanks to Almighty – don’t want to sound sappy but I truly am. I cannot believe that the little girl who used to run wild on the street of a little town in Ghana is now living and loving in this little town where she found out and birth to the greatest gift God can give.

I left my life in God’s hands and prayed for health, happiness and love for both my Husband, myself and our extended family. Health, happiness and love for EVERYONE that comes my way and beyond!
I lived 2011 second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour and day by day. I didn’t think about what the future held but I made 2011 my honey and many beautiful things came along the way!

Putting everything into perspective make me conclude that one has to have her wish-list ready because it’s said ask and you will be given, seek and you will find, Almighty give all you ask when the time is right.

I hope your 2011 in my womb and two months out are full of positivity and smiles! Under God’s wings I am looking forward to 2012 with all my heart and soul.

All my warming heart and love,

Mummy TOI

Our Top 10 Moments of 2011

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:56:00 +0000

I am participating in Mrs Pancakes’ awesome link up, Our Top ten moments of 2011.

1. November - Giving Birth to Miss AOI, my beautiful daughter at home in Canada (birth story coming sometime in a January).

2. March - Finding out hubby and I were expecting our first baby

3. July - Seeing our little angel through the ultrasound

4. January - The birth of our niece EFF (we went to see her in Scotland)

5. April - My sister's wedding, I was a bridesmaid (we attended that in Maryland)

6. March - Receiving our visa for Canada (before taking the flight, we had a quick holiday in Italy and Croatia) 7. March - Going to Toronto to visit family and party

8. May and October - Going to Canmore and Banff

9. July - Having our first Canadian holiday in Waskasiu (Prince Albert) – I love all the blue and green Canada has to offer.

10. December - Miss AOI's Christmas with us in Canada (paternal grandma came 8-21/12 and maternal uncle came 22/12 leaving 05/01/12)

There you have them, my top 10 Moments of 2011!!!

Wow, I just realised that 2011 was the year of many holidays!!! May 2012 top that up :)!

Thank You Buddies

noreply@blogger.com (toi) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Monique’s post was the last guest post for my time off blogging – I was always online and I don’t think you missed my presence, LOL.

It is time for me to thank all the ladies who accepted to guest blog for me. I really appreciated it. Your posts have taught me so much.

Latorsha, thank you for sharing with me and my readers the journey towards your ideal weight after pregnancy and to remind us all that our “worth and value are not measured on a scale.”

Keya, thank you for presenting us your lovely family. It was nice to read that race doesn’t really matter, because what matters is to raise children “who go on to be successful in life and accomplish their goals no matter how they look.”

Unknow Mami thank you for sharing your experience as bilingual mum. Your post encourages me to gift my daughter the languages that I know no matter how discouraging it may be when she will respond to me in her prime language: English. Because just like you “I want [her] to have all the gifts that knowing more than one language has given me… to be able to think in more than one language, to understand in more than one language, to love in more than one language.”

Mrs Pancakes, thank you for reminding us that godparenting “is less about church and more about friendships so it's important as a godparents to model friendship and love. Be responsible to the child through friendship and love.” This encouraged me to be more in contact with my godchild.

Teresha, thank you for writing a beautiful post which reminded me and my readers that we should be parents but always remember that we should sometimes “take off the cape and be a human being.” I do too believe that motherhood, unlike pregnancy, is a life time journey and we better recognise that parents are humans too and enjoy what we love doing – writing and reading.

Monique, thank you for delivering the sweet note your lovely niece and cute nephews wrote to Miss AOI. We are both looking forward to the day will make make a trip to NYC!

I loved reading what you all shared with me and my readers.

But I would have not being here without my READERS!

Every comment you left on this space filled my heart with happiness. Each comment made me aware that I was doing something write and I was not alone. This year I loved the interaction that happened between some of my readers and I.

Because of all the above, I wanted to thank everyone who stopped by my humble blog and took the time to write, read and comment.

Once again 2011 was super enjoyable because I was able to share my happiness with people who wanted to come along on my journey.

Thank you so much!

May 2012 be full of sunshine, life, great achievements and love!