food for thought

olives new sentences..

"your my mama"

"its my daddy" (pointing at dust)

"i fell dooooown"

so stinkin cute!

July 29th, 2010

we are off to the okanagan again this weekend! this time we are hitting up westbank (not west kelowna ;) we are excited for fun in the sun with the daddy!  the camera is charged..and the phones are not!  

as bon jovi would say..

I want to make a memory..

 

heres to fun in the hot okanagan sun!!

see you all next week :)

goodbye umbilical..

July 28th, 2010

the time has come.. I need to cut that invisible umbilical cord that still floatsbetween me and olive…  she is becoming a big girl.. and I need to embrace it and step it up.. i need to get over the fear that she will choke on anything she puts in her mouth..  she has mastered the stairs.. she is learning a mile a minute.. and I am ready to embrace it all.. easy or hard..  right now she is eating the largest bowl of cheerios for breakfast.. by herself.. big bowl.. big spoon.. and most importantly.. no mess!

so this is for you umbilical cord… 

JUDO CHOP!!

now.. back to sewing a belt for my little bubbas waistline.. because her skinny jeans that I bought 6 months ago.. still don’t fit.. and she is riding low.. 

ok.. but first.. I jsut came across these photos me and dust did on the ferry to Santorini.. no sleep.. so stifling hot.. and we were going down.. fast.. nothing was funnier at this point in time..  and for those of know how incredibly awkard me and dust laugh out loud.. you get the picture!

ahh.. life it to short to be uptight

well.. this came out of no where..

July 27th, 2010

so this morning.. we started potty training!  um.. ok. slowly but surely.. she was naked.. I smelled toots.. the rest is history… she received cheers and high fives.. clapping.. and if I had chocolate.. it would have been hers! 

ok.. maybe this is my most “mom post” to date.. 

I spared everyone the photo of her.. you know.. 

oh mr.sun.. sun.. mr. golden sun..

July 27th, 2010

oh.. he is shining down on me! and my new grass for that matter.. now we cross the next bridge.. about buying something to cut it! I am loving these rays.. my skin is crisping up.. (via sunscreen of course) and plans are a coming along..

Happy Birthday to my brother Luke :) the big 31.. woot woot

its not as dirty as his thirty was.. but I hope you have a great time!!

Babies babies everywhere!  I want more babies.. I love babies..  especially cute little baby boys like these ones..

peek a boo.. I see you

Mr. Thomas making his big debut.. 

me and dust have always said that we think we will have a famalia full of little ladies.. but oh how much fun it would be to raise a sweet little gentleman in this big world.. teach him how to be a great man who treats people with respect and let people know that chivalry is not dead! 

my little peanut is becoming a cheeky monkey.. what to do.. what to do.. ;)  the “no” head shakes are upon us.. I have had a face slap.. the whiney cry for things I wont give her.. and there are many!!  her raging body flails when I strap her into her car seat every day..  magical times here people!

grandma was gracious enough to give us one of her two wagons while we were visiting up there.. I was in the process of purchasing one.. but we will take a lightly used free one any day.. olives little umbrella stroller is getting old in her eyes because she wants to walk everywhere now.. so what better to cruise the town center in than a red wagon with seat belts.. and we brought it up to date by adding a dvd player.. so we cruised to work yesterday in my work uniform .. with olive singing and yelling “barney” all the way to work while people eating in restaurants and drinking in coffee shops just pointed and laughed.. the daddy died when he saw us strolling in the restaurant.. 

I would be way to embarassed to walk around the town center in that!!

little did he know.. he would be marching home with her in about ten minutes! If I wasnt running behind.. there would be pictures.. 

time to get ready for the water park.. today is going to be a scorcher!!

sand and ice cream.. does it get more summer that that?!

clean.. simple.. ikea

July 24th, 2010

I remember being 15 years old dreaming of a hope chest..  something that would contain all my treasures for when I moved out and lived on my own!  and than Ikea came into my world.. me and my friends would pack up my moms Oldsmobile… drive into Richmond and plan out things we were going to buy that would change our lives forever! I clearly remember giving the group a “pep talk” as we walked from the car to the giant blue building.. 

ok guys.. now.. don’t forget.. we are only getting great things that we cant get somewhere else.. lets not go nuts.. ok!!

we walk through the mini door that you would follow up into the big warehouse.. and there was this tiny bin holding a 3 piece wooden spoon set for 99 cents.. and I got so stinkin excited.. I grabbed them and was like.. 

oh my god!! look guys.. three wooden spoons for a dollar!!!

yah.. so much for my pep talk..  fast forward to the day when I finally move out on my own and start furnishing my house.. MY HOUSE! no roommate.. no parents or annoying family member stealing my things.. just mine.. 

long story short.. my house looked like page 6 from an ikea catalogue.. These days I have found the balance of clean and simple.. and a little bit of country home warmth..  with that being said.. I have found some recent items that bring me back to my simple Ikea days.. and I welcome them with open arms!

how cute.. a “wheat grass” drying rack.. yes please!

not just a cute little bubbas chair.. 

you use your kids crib mattress to make a mini bed!! cute little Swedish boy not included.. 

how fun are these! if I didnt have 3 strollers sitting in my garage already.. this would be a major purchase!!

how cute is this nursery! you can never go wrong with mint green and yellow! and the best part is.. olives papa owns two of those exact chairs in his living room as we speak :)

I think I birthed a little person

probably my most “mother” post to date…

July 23rd, 2010

ok.. so the higher powers blessed me with not only a tiny red headed peanut pop.. but a tiny red headed peanut pop with digestive problems.. from day 2.. she wasn’t eating enough.. drinking enough.. gaining enough.. or pooing enough.. yes .. I just wrote pooing on my blog post!  this terrible run literally started from day 2.. probably because on day one she was in a c-section drug coma.. 

for almost 20 months now.. I have tried so many things to fatten her up.. while not giving her gas and constipation.. because this girl gets constipated!!   painful.. fetal position.. death cries.. staring at her mama for help.. and than 2 seconds later.. its over.. and she is a hot mess downthere..  I also have a doctor who.. like most.. like to prescribe 3 things at every appointment to help out in some way. all of which are not natural and cost bling..  don’t get me wrong.. I am not against unnatural.. but if there is a cleaner greener way to help her out.. yes please!! she is going to have 80 years of prescription drugs.. sprays.. pesticides etc to clog her up.. why start this young when everything can be diet controlled.. the worst part is when I go back to the doctor for a follow up.. and she goes.. so how did . *insert prescription here* work? and I go.. well.. um.. I ..um..actually never picked it up.. I tried this.. the doctor is always ok with it.. the poor people at my drugstore that have 18 prescriptions sitting there.. probably not so much.. 

but alas.. I think I may have found the solution! that doesnt involve medicine/drugs.. 

note the “with fiber part”

I was just buying the regular ones for the fat and carbs and protein content.. but than 3 days ago.. I noticed the one with fiber. same price..grocery store brand version.. and I thought.. why the heck not! I mix them with her bottles now at bedtime and nap time and they are working wonders! she is regular 2 times a day so far..  and her legs are looking thicker.. and her little tummy that looks oh so tiny when she lies down.. isn’t looking so gauntly.. I know this isn’t forever.. and once she starts eating more and better.. she can start eating that stuff.. and she still eats her 3 meals a day.. but now we include this drink with it.. not a substitute.. I am hoping that we can break free from the 19 lbs on the scale.. and finally hit the 20 lbs marker!! because the older she gets.. the taller she is getting.. and the skinnier her little twig legs are growing.. 

and for those mamas out there that have skinny minnys.. or just babies with constipation.. you will totally get this post!!   we have been battling it for almost 20 months.. and I am ready for it to be over!!

and a special shout out to my mama! it is her birthday today.. and we wish we were there to celebrate today.. but we will be up tomorrow :)

I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.

July 22nd, 2010

 Last night me and olive were playing on the floor after dinner.. a dinner that took place for the first time on our new patio furniture!  finally..  nothing like bbq’d drumsticks.. pasta salad and grilled garlic bread.. daddy came home early to surprise us and enjoy some daylight with us :)

while we were rolling on the floor.. we were lying face to face. and she was laughing her toothy grin having the time of her life.. and I just said out loud ” I will never leave you bubbas” and than it was like this rolling thunder cloud poured over me and hit me like a bus.. one day I will leave her.. and this sweet little baby will be mama/dada ‘less..  (in body form anyways).. it was such a crazy feeling.. I went to bed sad and wanted to wake her up for some more cuddles.. I just lied there thinking of all the badthings that could happen.. someone could break in and take her… we could be in a car accident.. she could drown in a pool… just random unnecessary thoughts that were taking over my brain at midnight when I should have been planning beach trips and walks outside ..  when she woke up at 5:45 due to a bottle leak and because the temperature dropped and my little peanut was freezing.. I grabbed a blanket and just cuddled with her.. and when the blanket fell off her back.. she reached down to scoop it back up.. she knew how sweet this moment was.. she even tried to take this opportunity and start talking and wanting to play.. and when she felt my body shift to put her back in bed before I lost the window.. she just lunged into hug mode.. my heart melted.. 

I always find the sweet in everything! because there is no other way to live.. when you break down the nitty gritty of everything.. all we are here to do on this earth is have fun and love!!  that’s it..  yes.. we have to work and do things we don’t like.. but the reason we do it.. is to have money to do more fun things that we love.. and people only want more money .. to do more fun things.. when you think about how easy life can be.. you wonder why these thoughts creep into your head at midnight on a random Wednesday night..  I am thankful that these thoughts don’t happen everyday.. or else I may go crazy..  I remember when I first had Olive and I thought the c section recovery was going to literally kill me.. I took her home and just had these thoughts like.. I love this little thing so much it hurts.. to the point where i wish that I had never had her.. cause than nothing bad would ever have to happen to her.. and I would never have to lose her! I could just selfishly float through life and be alone and no one would ever suffer.. of course.. this doesn’t make to much sense.. I have wanted children my whole life.. and this is why we have children.. to raise them into little ladies and gentleman who conquer the world and learn things daily..  and you get to have pieces of your heart walking around outside your body that are reflections of you..

I mean.. who else can raise a sweet little lady like my olive?!?!

this takes skill.. and  a lot of crazy fun!!

well.. I guess we can always rely on Barney! this kid loves him.. its the first thing out of her mouth in the morning.. after naps.. and before bed.. 

now.. time to get back to the small things… 

A+ for effort…?

July 22nd, 2010

look how clean and fun this looks!!

so.. for those who know me.. they know when I get something in my head.. I go for it.. I mean… how hard could it really be?  and nowadays.. anything you have questions about.. you just google right?!  well.. for Christmas.. I asked.. and received a sewing machine.. thank you Santa!  and today.. I finally brought it downstairs and warmed it up..  now.. I was a pretty bad ass sewer in high school.. oh yes.. I said bad ass.. I even had the teacher comment on how I  ”sewed the best sleeves on a sweatshirt that she had ever seen!”  

that was 1995.. flash forward to July 2010..  

first of all.. it took me more than half an hour just to thread the thing!! I almost gave up at this point.. ok ok.. keep going

second.. I barely remembered how to spool a bobbin.. which is key when you want two pieces of clothing to stick together.. and this new digital machine doesn’t require you to loop them together before starting.. so that threw me off.. 

the pattern is cut!

I than walked over to the beautifully layed out fabric.. and pulled out the 15 foot pattern.. and started cutting.. at this point.. I was having major flashbacks.. cut 2 pieces.. using those little pin things.. which by the way.. this was my first one

BENT IT..

I started to make a little jumper for olive.. but alas.. I forgot to buy two of the crucial pieces.. elastic.. and something called interface.. 

attempt number 2

I am now going to attempt to make a pair of pants for Olive.. how hard could it be?  I pulled out a pair of her gap stretchy pants and made a “pattern” and by pattern.. I mean I free cut the pants and went for it.. of course.. sewing the legs together.. but hey.. at least the machine gave me a seam ripper! sewing.. back pain.. sewing.. dinner break.. sewing.. pocket?.. yup.. pocket.. and finally a try on.. 

not to shabby if I say so myself.. except again.. no elastic.. so tomorrow I will go and buy some elastic.. because apparently everything I want to do requires it! who knew.. 

I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship..

and yes.. Olive looks like she is rockin skater/golf pants! please note the pocket :)

outlets and lunch..

July 21st, 2010

nothing like an outlet mall and a nice BLT sandwich on a beautiful sunny day! it definitely complimented my poo poo morning.. If i ever get homesick.. there is no better place to go than Seattle outlet malls.. my people are everywhere there!  or at the very least I can stare at their license plates.. 

we rolled back into our safe bubble of the mill creek town center..  and headed over to the fire station deli for a nice extra toasted BLT sandwich with just the perfect amount of mayonnaise.. fresh sliced tomatoes.. crispy bacon.. and way too shredded lettuce… topped off with a hot bowl of spicy tomato basil *bisque.. 

* I also learned today.. that not all bisques are crestation related.. I was fearful

it was a delicious lunch with really good kiddies who mellowed in their strollers and watched “bawr-knee” on the old dvd player during their nap times.. 

the sun is shining.. olive is down for the count.. and I am sippin on an ice cold diet coke..

life is beautiful

today.. was one of those days..

July 20th, 2010

me and olive were not on the same page.. all day!  she was a grumpy bum.. and I am not feeling well.. that equals a bad combination.. it may be her I teeth coming in.. it may be a tummy ache.. it may be the early start of terrible two’s.. I am not sure.. she had her first grocery store scream fit..  pouting.. and hitting mama in the face..  needless to say.. her bedtime was a stern 7:30 tonight..  it is time for mama to relax.. take a breather.. and wait for the daddy to get home from work.. 

p.s.  gripe water expires.. I will remember that when I stock up my canadian brand!

on a lighter note.. 

If I would have found this dress previous to my wedding.. It would have been what I was walking down the aisle in!

PERFECTO!

his name is jason matlo.. and he is a designer I know through dustin via a vancouver friend.. and his wedding dresses are amazing!

click here for jason matlo ’s website..

back to the okanagan we go..

July 19th, 2010

Does it get any better than arriving into the Okanagan and sticking your arm out the window.. and it is so stinkin warm.. that it feels like bath water?!?! it gets me every time.. the humidity in the air.. had all the windows rolled down.. hair flying.. olive giggling… it was magic..  

 Me and Olive just returned back from a trip to the sisters.. except this time .. the whole fam was there! It was a camping trip/backyard camping trip food extravaganza! because that’s how we Bruce’s role!  Our drive up was better than expected.. sun.. a working dvd player.. no kelowna traffic.. and no lower  back pain from sitting for 6 hours.. 

stretching out the old driving legs!

are we there yet?

Olive loves spending time with her cousins.. and I think she is becoming obsessed with Dayton!  she loves that little guy.. and he is so sweet with her.. “can baby olive have a cracker”   they played and tuckered themselves out every night for naps and bedtimes.. it was magic.. the family arrived the next day ready to set up shot and part-eh! tents were raised.. tables were set up.. booze was drank.. it was a hot afternoon!

four tents… one trailer.. and a house later.. we all had homes for the night! I was fortunate to rock their new trailer.. I even got the “cool” spot.. I remember always sleeping in The Ruleys motor home and LOVING the table bed.. ** only because once I was pushed from the top of the bunk bed!!** It felt so weird that it was a table.. but than I slept on it.. it clearly doesn’t take much to impress me these days! 

we set up shot.. put out the easy ups.. camping chairs.. lights.. and coolers.. It was our easy definition of “camping” It was a weekend of fun family time.. and my boyfriend even stopped by to say hello.. shhh.. don’t tell Dustin.. 

it was magical.. 

there isn’t much to write because it was so relaxing.. and we only left the house to grocery shop.. we lounged in the sun.. played.. watched the kiddies run around.. and ate.. and ate.. 

my little red headed needed to cover up in the okanagan 35c

our camp

and I am sure that Uncle Luke was the coolest guy there.. giving everyone lawn mower trailer rides! and Dayton is actually really happy in this photo.. even though it looks like he is screaming!

after two full days.. we packed the car back up.. and made our way home.. which of course.. wasn’t as smooth as the way there.. it never is..dvd player not working.. only had 3 bottles of milk.. my American bank company shutting my card down at the gas station for “suspicious activity” aka trying to get gas before getting on the coquihalla.. setting off my car alarm in front of 20 people at the gas station.. with one baby in my arm and trying to stuff my key into the ignition to turn it off.. hitting an accident in abbotsford right before my exit.. and olive was just done with driving.. and I don’t blame her.. when we finally arrived home and escaped out of the car… i put her on the ground and her legs were actually stuck… she couldn’t walk.. I had to warm them up and help her up before she got into the flow of things.. those little twiggies! we walked down to meet daddy at Thai rhapsody and enjoyed a much needed drink to relax and unwind!  

ahh.. thank you Okanagan BC for creating so many memories!!

wake up little bear bear

July 19th, 2010

today olives nap schedule was off.. ok .. well maybe the last month!! I am adjusting her to my summer schedule so that we can enjoy evening walks.. pushed back naps for the beach.. and so that she can see daddy whose restaurant just got busier.. today we were at Starbucks and pier one buying our new patio table.. so she is just rising from her daily nap.. 

look at that tiny stoned face! nothing worse than being woken up from a nap.. nothing!  she is at the most fun/interesting age right now.. although I know I will say that in another year.. but so far.. this is the best.. she is talking up a storm.. she knows where her bum is.. and “does she love her mama?”  YESTH!!!  I fear my red headed love child.. may possess a lisp.. although I think it is just because she is little and it will go away :)   I lovethat she is walking.. love love love it.. it has made life so much easier..  especially when she is getting anxious.. she can now just run around and burn off some energy.. yes please!  

this is the face of a girl whose mama is in the way of her beloved Barney.. I was trying to capture her crazy bed hair..  at least barney is helping her with her numbers! although mama is going nuts listening to the same 8 songs over and over.. but what are you going to do!  I read in my 0 Comments.. the bigger the hair.. the better the sleep..  so does this mean she had an ok sleep? 

summer is among us.. and it is passing by way to fast.. although.. when summer ends.. that means fall is a comin’.. which also means tall grey leather boots.. long coats.. scarves.. and this little creation that me and my friend Shelby duplicate last season…

we made our own.. (yes.. I learned to crochet)  because the woman who was making them in NYC does not respond to emails..  although I am still in desperate need of a nice big vintage button to sew on it.. if anyone has any stores they love to buy buttons at.. let me know!! I am looking for a nice cream button to rock my rustic green draft dodger! these things are great for the cold weather.. and not wanting a big bulky scarf to stuff into your jacket!!

well.. the car is washed for the second time this year :0  its time to turn off baby bop and go for an evening stroll and find something to do!!

July 15th, 2010

6 +hours in a car…

3 bottles…

2 chicken mcnuggets…

15 episodes of baby einstein…

5 crying fit episodes…

pulling into the Okanagan with your arm out the window.. and its so warm it feels like bath water.. priceless!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DUSTIN ”34”

July 14th, 2010

 Today is my hubbys birthday.. our first one as a married couple.. not that that changes a thing.. but I love my milestones and holidays! He is a ripe young age of 34.. and unfortunately.. he is at work.. but little does he know.. I set up some staffers to come in early so I can sneak in and steal him away for some sunshine.. which he never received on his two cloudy/rainy days off..  for those of you whom know my hubby-dubby.. he is obsessed with Seinfeld.. so when I actually found a pair of tickets August 19th to his almost sold out show.. I purchased!! we can now look forward to a nice Vancouver hotel ( that was olives present.. ) a nice restaurant.. and a night on the town.. Its the least we could do for someone that leaves the house at 8am.. and returns when it is dark out.. insert pity party here..  me and oli bear rocked out some cupcakes..

yes.. I baked an frozen golden vanilla oreo cookie into half.. why.. because I can!

the card is printed out.. and chewed and sucked on.. because I turned my back for two seconds.. and Olive now has purple pen all over her face.. the reservations are made for Buca De Bepo!! for my Canadiana friends.. it is this great Italian restaurant where the walls are covered in Marilyn Monroe artwork.. and pictures of naked ladies.. and the food is family style dining only.. red checkered table cloths.. old wooden chairs.. candles.. giant bottles of Chianti.. pizza comes thin crust stacked up on cans of tomato sauce.. and most importantly.. his whole family will be there.. at 7:00 ( I hope ) and we will celebrate!! I love family style dining.. people sharing.. and laughing.. glasses of wine being cheers’d to the man of the hour! babies wiggling out of their seats and yelling.. but who cares.. because the whole restaurant is loud!

  I can already taste the ice cold Caesar salad and giant mozzarella sticks.. and by stick.. I mean actual hockey puck sized mozzarella balls..  Olive will be double napped today so that she is ready to go and party with her dahdah like it is 1999..

Happy Birthday to you.. 

Happy Birthday to you.. 

Happy Birthday from Bostons mama and olive bear

Happy Birthday to you!!