the mish-mash blog vol. 1

*sigh*. there is so much going on around our little nest and so little time that i've decided to implement a series i'd like to call "the mish-mash blog". i am a person that thrives in organization but as of late, things are here, there and EVERYWHERE. so, today's blog will consist of everything that is going on in my head and hopefully it will all make sense to somebody out there in bloggy land. hehe.

1. i'm on a big child care giver hunt. we have been blessed with family members who are willing to give up their time to watch our girls while the hubs and i go to work  but there are a few days where we need someone to take on the days when they cannot. our  biggest issue currently is that we only have one vehicle so with me starting work at 6am, it doesn't seem fair to be waking the kids up very early and dragging them out when i could have someone come in. i've signed up to canadiannanny.ca and have contacted a few people that meet our requirements, but nothing is better than a referral from a friend! so for all you local mamas that follow my blog, ANY leads would be greatly appreciated!

2. i swear ever since i've gotten this job (which i haven't even started yet) its like a switch has turned on in olivia and she's become clingier than cling wrap (which btw really only sticks to itself). i put her down, she cries. she loses sight of me, cries. she stumbles, cries. housework and other obligations have come to standstill because i can't seem to do anything unless she's attached to my hip. which kinda has me worried. she is comfortable with family members but as soon as i'm around its as if the world is ending and she stops at nothing to be next to me. somebody please tell me this is just a phase.

3. i have found my favorite mascara of all time and i have the pictures to prove how awesome it is. its l'oreal's telescopic explosion water-proof mascara. i always purchase water-proof because it holds the curl from your eyelash curler than regular mascara. i have also learned in the importance of replacing the padding in your eyelash curler regularily..its amazing what a little change can do!

before

the tools

after

pretty crazy eh! it worked so nicely i thought it was worth sharing!

4. this week we prepare to go away to the okanagan for a dear friend's wedding. i have the pleasure of making their wedding cake, which i will do my best to track progress of..and really, have our last family trip together before we're back to the usual grind. that region of bc is well known for its wineries, warm weather, fresh fruit and scenery..i will definitely have lots of pictures to share when i get back.

well that's it folks. mish-mash blog vol. 1 over and out. it's pretty safe to say i've got a lot on my mind right now eh? thanks for reading!

teeth and carseats.

what do those two words in the title have in common? they're both milestones olivia has hit just in the last week. her one tooth turned into two on the weekend and just today, she's switched from her infant carrier to a "big girl" car seat that faces forward.

the teething thing has made olivia miserable with diarrhea and everything. i've been doing my best to make sure she's getting advil every 6 hours and doses of camilia which seems to help and watching her diet, making sure she's eating well. she's literally attached to the hip these days and nothing seems to make her comfortable. today i didn't get out of my pj's until 3pm this afternoon! but there's nothing more rewarding than knowing that all your little one wants is to be comforted by you so i certainly didn't mind that i was in my jams most of the day!

this evening we put away her infant car seat at my parents and olivia had her first ride home facing forward. not to worry folks, she meets the weight requirement and although its advised that babies are rear facing until the age of one, our little weed has legs that are unbelievably long that being rear facing is torture for her! we played cinderella on the dvd player and it certainly caught her interest. i think car rides are going to be a lot more entertaining now that she can see everything!

these two little things may seem so nothing to some, but to me it reminds me that she's another day closer to being a year old. it reminds me that this is the last time i will go through this experience; having a little little one to nuture and teach and snuggle. i keep waffling everytime i think about having another...like right now i'm thinking in my head "no, 2 is perfect." but then i hear beautiful news, that a friend of mine just gave birth yesterday and all of those memories come flooding back. its such a tricky feeling. you can get so invested in children, but then so invested in yourself. i'm determined to get back to my pre-everything weight before i turn 30, so i can look as good as i feel and be a mother who is around for every milestone my future grandchildren and great grandchildren will have.

but what's one more right?! ahh who knows, but for the time being i'm enjoying every waking moment with olivia and emma, watching her fawn over her big sister and seeing that love connection grow. i mean, how cute is it when your little one pulls herself up to her big sister's bed and leans in for a kiss good night? there are so many more of these little moments i have to look forward to. and i'll try my best not to think about how fast my olivia is growing, but to appreciate her as she is and marvel at how she's becoming her own person.

time for the hospital? heres what to bring.

when you're pregnant for the first time, all you can think about is when that big day will come. sure the doctor gives you a due date, but only a small percentage of women actually deliver on that day. most of the time s/he will come late, and you'll be counting down the minutes til that first little cramp. you'll drink raspberry leaf tea, start re-re-organizing your house, heck, even take some castor oil like i did! the point is, as mothers we prepare like crazy, so here are my recommendations on what to take with you when its time!

1. a big duffel bag. you need to bring a lot, so one big bag just does the trick. this way it can hold your items, the babies items and your toiletries.

2. for mama:
-a tank dress or super soft stretchy cotton pyjamas with a tank top or button down top:  comfort is absolute key. you will be sore, your nether regions will be swollen, you don't want anything that is going to feel tight or that will chafe.
-a lightweight robe: this is handy when you don't want to wear the hospital gown anymore and don't want to wear a bra just yet.
-a sports bra: my fave is the elita brand. no fuss no muss and super comfortable..and perfect for something to wear on the trip home. you probably won't need a nursing bra at this point, but do bring breast pads and your lanolin as the chapping occurs pretty quick.
-full bum underwear: and i mean FULL bum. you will have to wear the overnight sized pads so your cute little thongs and bikini cut underwear will have to take a back seat to the granny underwear. i promise you'll be out of them in about 4 weeks.
-jogging pants & hoody with zipper: whatever variety, just make sure its not tight. remember that after birth you'll look like you're about 6 months pregnant as it takes time for the uterus to shrink down to pre-pregnancy size and that you'll need easy access to the milk machines ;)
-slippers: or flip flops, you'll want something comfortable and easy to get in and out of as you go from your bed to the bathroom/shower.

3. for the babe:
-onesies: i suggest bringing 3. you'll want one for them to be dressed in after birth, one for after their bath the next morning and one for going home.
-sleepers: i suggest bringing 2.
-going home outfit: make sure its warm and covers the legs and arms. babies can not temperature regulate themselves, so they get cold very easily. remember that for every layer you wear, your baby should have one extra. i suggest making sure the size you have is newborn as your baby will literally be swimming in 3 month sized outfit. carter's makes adorable sets, here's what olivia wore when she came home:

-scratch mittens & socks: babies come out with razor sharp nails and they tend to want to grab their own faces, so its handy to have scratch mittens in case they're needed. little socks are handy too to keep those tootsies warm!
-toque: the hospital will provide you with one when baby is born and its nice to bring home as a keepsake. bring an extra one (i recommend a knitted one so it fits a range of head sizes) for travelling home.
-receiving blankets: bring atleast two, so you can snuggle your baby in it. each hospital is different, but at bc women's they advise against swaddling as it takes away baby's defense system which having their hands near their face. you'll also enjoy skin to skin contact (the quickest way to warm up a baby) using your receiving blanket over you.
-diapers & baby wipes: the hospital does provide diapers and i highly recommend taking advantage of what they've got! its always worth it to bring some just in case. hospitals do not carry baby wipes, they have an equivalent which is a dry synthetic cloth which you can wet and use. i suggest just bringing them as they're better at wiping up the meconium! (baby's first poop)
-big chenille blanket: these are available almost anywhere nowadays. they are fluffy and warm and perfect for cradling your little one with as well as bundling them into their carseat with.

4. your toiletry bag.
- toothbrush & toothpaste
-hairbrush, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, hair elastics: after an experience like childbirth, you're gonna wanna wash everything!
-bar soap
-body lotion/body spray
-razor/anti-perspirant
-kotex overnight pads: the hospital will have some but i found that the kotex ones are better contoured to your body.
-breast pads
-lanolin

5. baby's car seat: the nurses will want to inspect your car seat with your baby in it before you're allowed to leave the hospital. hubby can always bring this in the next day or before you're going to be discharged.

6. for papa. hospitals try do to their best to accomodate expectant fathers, but lets face it..mama is the star of the show so her comfort comes first. be sure to pack a comforter or thick blanket of some sort and a pillow. at bc women's they actually have a padded cot for dads to sleep on but surrey memorial has those convertible chairs.  rooms are air conditioned so it does end up being a bit chilly at night.

7. camera. document, document, document!

8. to take home. be nosy in your hospital room as the items in there are there to help you. stock up on bed pads (they're blue square sheets with cottony padding on one side and plastic on the other) as those are super handy when you need to ice your crotch (just cut into quarters, wet and stick in the freezer) and to put on your own bed incase you have some leakage.

whew! you'd think you were going on vacation or something! well its going to be a lot of hard work, not gonna lie, but the end result is so worth it, and having everything you need at your fingertips will make your experience a more memorable one.

good luck!

my breastfeeding must-haves.

for those of you who know me, i'm a HUGE advocate for breastfeeding. sure, everyone has their reasons for why they do or don't but for me it was an absolute must that i breastfed my children. my first attempts with emma were a nightmare -not going to lie. i'm pretty sure my breasts hated me for all the torture i put them through, though it's a learning curve for both you and your baby so it is IMPERATIVE you get the help you need in order for it to be a success. after multiple attempts and failure to get the rhythm going, i sought out help from a lactation consultant. the doctors at the vancouver breastfeeding clinic were absolutely amazing and gave me the confidence to keep at it and sure enough i was on my way to a beautiful connection with both my girls.

i could go on and on about technique, but then you'd be cross-eyed..so if you're ever interested or need help, i'd be more than happy to give you tips. i have my sister and many friends whom i've helped establish breastfeeding and all of them became pros!

anyhow, this blog is about my absolute must-haves if you plan to breastfeed your child. they are as follows:

1. a nursing pillow. my brest friend was literally, my breast friend. it is made of a firm foam in a shape that fits post-partum tummies along with a clip to secure it from sliding off your lap. it has two raised areas for baby's head to rest on and a handy pocket for breast pads, nipple shield, cel phone -cuz once you get the hang of breastfeeding..you'll be texting a lot lol!

2. milk catchers. as you know, every single drop of breast milk is liquid gold and as your body learns to produce the right amount at the right time, they will leak. breast shells allows you to catch the milk from the breast that baby is not latched onto so that you can store it for near-future use in the fridge. the shells also allow your nipples to "air-dry" while wearing a sports bra (because they WILL get chapped). the alternative is letting your boobs hang out all day long..but that's not always practical! they ALSO alleviate engorged breasts. an absolute MUST-HAVE.

3. nipple shields. this may-or-may-not work for you depending on what shape your breast/nipple is but 2 people i know benefitted from using one. the shield which comes in different sizes will help baby latch onto your nipple especially when its chapped/cracked. my tip is to express some milk into and onto the shield so that baby gets some incentive to latch on. ;)

4. a breast pump. both avent and medela make excellent pumps -electric and manual. mine is the avent manual single pump and i love it. i used it with both girls and it definitely did the trick. my advice is to only purchase the single pump as you'll be messing with supply and demand if you're pumping both breasts at the same time. if you are doing it to create a supply for when you have to go back to work or like having it on hand, i would suggest waiting until baby is atleast 6 months old before you start "double-milking" yourself lol!

5. syringe/dropper. for the first 6 weeks of baby's life, its imperative that s/he doesn't get nipple confusion from being fed frequently with a bottle. usually your baby kit (the one that has the baby nail clipper, comb, thermometer, etc) will contain a dropper or syringe for dosing medication. use this to administer pumped breast milk or formula so that the only nipple that baby will know is yours! this will remove the frustruation of latching issues.

6. bottles. once breastfeeding is relatively established, its important to have good bottles on hand. dr. brown's makes excellent bottles with the proper shaped nipple and removes air to eliminate colic and vomiting. i suggest purchasing bottles no larger than 4oz as your baby's tummy is literally the size of a walnut when they are born. be in control of their bottle feeding as babies will typically continue to take from a bottle because it flows easily thus drinking more than they should. breastfeeding is more work for babies, so they will only take what they need!

7. lanolin.  to soothe those sore and cracked nipples, its lanolin all the way. warm some up between your thumb and index finger and apply to the nipples, areola and your breast pad. applying it to the breast pad will prevent the sticking and potential opening of a healing scab. (gross i know, but true!)

8. breast pads. once breastfeeding is in full force, the slightest thing will make you leak. hearing a child cry (not even your own!), thinking of your baby, or being emotional will trigger a let-down. you can purchase cloth ones that can be re-washed (i don't really have to use them anymore but will use these if i know i will be away from baby and miss a few feedings) or disposable ones. i like medela's and nuk's.

9. hooter hiders. at first, breastfeeding in public places will seem like a challenge. most public places, especially malls have nursing rooms in their bathrooms. using a nursing canopy will allow you to have the comfort and privacy to breastfeed virtually anywhere. not only does it have a cute name, it comes in very stylish patterns! i own the hooter hider, but the munchkin brand is comparable.

well, there you have it. most of these items can be purchased at a babies 'r' us and definitely at a tj's the kiddies store.

breastfeeding is such an amazing gift. not only does our body carry and grow this miraculous being, it creates nutrition that is perfectly designed for your baby. some mums breeze through it and others, like me, struggle. my motto is, if you can deliver a baby, you can do anything! seek out professional help if you are having difficulties. i know its easier to prepare a bottle but in the long run, you learn how frustrating that can be. breast milk is fresh, temperature correct and best of all FREE! so with that, i wish you good luck and positive vibes on your breastfeeding journey! :)

date night = success.

so saturday night, the hubster and i managed to sneak away from the girls to enjoy a mini night on the town. a mama friend of mine told me about her husband's restaurant in downtown vancouver called calabash which serves authentic carribbean food and a crazy extensive rum list. so we kept that place in the back of our minds and as soon as a free night was available we thought we'd check it out.

we dropped the girls off at my sister's place with emma spending the night and olivia just til we got back. 4 kids under one roof! (don't worry, they already know we're returning the favor!) hopping back into the car felt very strange without any of the girls because it so very seldom happens. but we knew spending time alone together would be good for us so it wasn't too difficult to get back into date mode.

we arrived at calabash and were welcomed with a charming atmosphere and great music. the host asked us if we had a reservation -we didn't, but managed to get us a table. within minutes the place was bumpin! our server was amazing, she knew the menu and suggested dishes with absolute ease. we started off with drinks and from a drink menu that has 2 pages of just rum selections, it was difficult to choose!

hubby started with a "reggae on broadway"  and i ordered a "coconut jumby" a delicious cocktail with organic coconut water, rum, agave syrup and muddled lemongrass, mint and lime -tasted slightly like a mojito but waaaay nicer!

next was the appy/entree , followed by another appy of crab cakes lol! 

we started with this yam pave with goat cheese and thyme sauce followed by seafood curry.

if we could've ordered everything off the menu we would have..it was THAT good.

hubby also ordered zacapa, a rum from guatemala, which he thorougly enjoyed!

next was dessert..it was again very hard to decide but we went with the chocolate banana trifle..absolutely perfect.

overall it was reasonably priced and the atmosphere was awesome. we'll definitely be back for more..perhaps also to check out a show in their lounge below the restaurant! (but with reservations next time!)

we ended off the night visiting with some friends whose birthdays were being celebrated that evening. although it would've been a blast to party the night away, duty was calling in the back of my mind..so it was time to go home.

our little olivia was bright-eyed and bushy tailed when we went back to pick her up (its 1am at this point..eek!) but it was good news to hear the girls were on their best behavior so that mum and dad could enjoy a little time to ourselves. after all, its important to have that time away to grow and bond as a couple!

so as the title says, date night = success. we had a great time reconnecting..with a busy life and 2 children on top of that, you tend to lose sight of all the reasons why you've built a family with your better half. the laundry piles up, the dishwasher needs emptying, a diaper needs changing or a story needs to be read. having those few little hours to ourselves recharged our batteries and we're ready to take on our world =)

welcome one and all.

why did i start a blog. well. you're gonna think this is a bit silly, but for the past couple of months, every time something cool or not cool happened, i wanted to write about it. not only did i think it would be handy for me to have a channel to express my thoughts but i thought it'd be neat to record milestones and memories now that my life has changed since having two children.

here i'll post the goingson about my family along with information i think is vital for moms (be it new or seasoned) like neat products or baby facts. i'm in no way a certified or licensed anything, just someone who likes to share the wealth!

enjoy =)