Pretty in Pink

I am super excited for the photo and cake smash session I booked for Tayah's 1st birthday with a photographer I met today at the Baby & Kid's Show,  Robin Marchadour. 

http://www.robinmarchadourphotography.com   

Of course now I am on the hunt for an adorable outfit and a pettiskirt for her to wear!!  Something like this... it's even somewhat daddy approved...  

I am a total sucker for the cuteness factor and totally not thinking about the most probable one time use factor Dino is thinking of.  Gotta admit, pretty darn cute!  Something every little girl requires.

February 26, 2011

TLC Overload

Today was spent relaxing and doing a bunch of nothing as I am now starting to feel craptactular as well.   I was very happy that it was Friday, which meant it was pizza night, so no cooking, yahoo!  After dinner, we settled down for a night of TLC.  First up was DC Cupcakes... such a fun show, Amaya and I both have a thing for cupcakes.

Then it was time for Dino's favorite, Say Yes to the Dress.  Poor man hates the show, but with 3 girls in the house, he was outvoted!

We ended the night back with the girls from Georgetown Cupcakes on DC Cupcakes. 

You will notice there are no pictures of us today.... this just mayyyyyyyyyy be because Tayah still looks sick and sad,  Amaya looked like a ragamuffin, I look like crap from taking care of a sick baby all week, and Dino hates pictures.  

Our little one is on the mend and has started to take some fluids, so we should be back to our fun selves very soon!

February 25, 2011



Get Well Little One

It has been a tough few days with Tayah being sick.  It's heartbreaking to hear her crying for hours on end, coughing, and crying more.  We of course give endless hugs, kisses and cuddles but right now that just isn't enough. 

At this point we are just hoping she will take some fluids, as we did go to Children's Hospital with her and had the biggest a$$ of a Dr, who told us she was perfectly fine.

Our poor boo boo bear.   At least she has been able to nap.

She has been napping in her carseat, seems to be her cozy place these days.

Such a sad look in her little eyes

Amaya has been so awesome and is just the best big sister ever.  She does everything she can to try to make Tayah smile.   She's such a great kid, we could not be any luckier.

February 24, 2011

What's Up Doc?

Tayah has not been feeling well since the weekend.  Last night was tough, lots of coughing, lots of crying, a very congested chest and a lovely fever.  We decided we shouldn't take a chance of her getting much worse so off to the Emergency Room we went. 

This is just after we got into a triage room....  she played with her bottle but wouldn't actually drink any of it.

I have to say everyone was really awesome and so sweet with Tayah.  Of course every time we would get her to sleep someone would come in to poke her. 

In the end, although she is a bit dehydrated, and does have pneumonia, they let us come home with antibiotics. 

February 23, 2011

And.....

Miss Tayah is pretty sick, will return tomorrow.

February 22, 2011

Thanks Louis

Today was Louis Riel Day in Manitoba (ie: Family Day) (ie: an extra day off work for Dino) (ie: an extra day off school for Amaya).   In the morning we just did some stuff around the house, fun stuff like cleaning and laundry!  And in the afternoon we made use of our Y membership and took the girls swimming.  

I thought I was being such a great wife getting a bag ready for Dino with a nice big towel.  Until, as we were walking out of the house he said "Wow, thanks for giving me a grocery bag".  Oops.  Didn't quite think of it that way till he mentioned it.

Bag for me and the girls on the left, and super fancy boy bag... err grocery bag... for Dino on the right.

Both girls just love the water, so it's always fun to take them to the pool.  We had never been to that specific location before, and it was just so awesome.  We also got to test out our new Wetbag from The Sling Sisters.  Worked like a charm, and held all of our wet suits!

Our Sling Sisters Wetbag

Itty Bitty Baby Suit (too cute not to post a picture of!)

Because we didn't leave the house until almost 4, that meant it was going to be very late when we actually got home to make and eat dinner.  So I'd like to make a special shout out to Wendy's for being on the way home and making us some very yummy burgers and potatoes!

All in all, a fantastic day spent with my wonderful little family. 

February 21, 2011

Old Faithful? Not Today!

When planning what we are going to eat each week, I tend to stick to the tried and true. The things I know Amaya (and Dino) will eat and enjoy. Let's face it, there is nothing more heartbreaking than spending hours and hours making some fabulous new recipe, only to have your family tell you it tastes like dog food. (Yes, this has happened) .. (Ok mayyyyyyyybe that one recipe did kinda taste like dog food).

We do all love pasta, however truth be told, I hate stuffing those darn little shells so I really never make manicotti. I find it's messy and gets boring fast.

When I was watching tv the other day, because you know that is all us mamas on mat leave do.. watch tv, eat bon bons, and go on facebook.. I saw a cool recipe for Manicotti Roll Ups. Looked and sounded super yumma!

So, that is what we had today. This is how it went....

Make mixture something like this:
Cottage Cheese - Some
Ricotta Cheese - More than Cottage Cheese
Parmesean - Just dump a bunch in
Egg - (not not with the shell)
Italian Spices - enough to make it look spiced up
Spinach - 1 package of frozen spinach defrosted
Chopped Onion & Garlic - small onion, enough garlic so you have smelly breath.... sautee

As you can see I had a very specific recipe to follow.
Cook the lasagne noodles and let cool. And then follow photos below:

We all really enjoyed it, though I would put in a bit less spinach and add a bit more to spice it up next time.  I was really happy that although this was not one of our Old Faithful recipes, we can now move it into that category!

Just That Kinda Day

Today was the start of a long weekend for us.  Our plan was to head out to visit my dad and uncles.  Sadly, Tayah has not been out there at all, and I was excited for her first trip to the farm.   Unfortunately, there was snow in the forecast and we weren't sure how bad it may get, so we decided to be safe and stay home. 

That meant we didn't have anything at all planned for today.  So, this is what we did....

Yes, those are our jammies.  We stayed in our jammies all day long, and it was awesome!

Baby Gourmet = Happy Baby

I am a firm believer in making my own baby food.  Neither of my girls ate jarred baby food, aside from a few emergencies.  Truth be told, alot of it tastes just like it looks ... disgusting.

My mama friend Trudy blogged the other day about Baby Gourmet, and I was intrigued.  Not only is it food that tastes great, but it's a Canadian company. 

We tested it out today at lunch, miss Tayah enjoyed the Old Fashioned Apple Crisp, and I think these pictures are self explanatory!  

Seconds after this was taken she shoved her face into the bowl.... crazy baby loved it!

All gone, she devoured every bite.

Looking forward to trying more Baby Gourmet soon!

February 18, 2011

Great Gift, Bad Wife

My husband has become really great at picking out gifts he knows I will love.  He actually listens to what I say I might like, and knows I would never buy for myself.  Enter bad wife. 

2 years ago for Christmas, I got two really amazing gifts.  The first was a digital picture frame, I mean obviously someone who takes as many pictures as I do would love this.  Still, it sits with nothing uploaded. 

The second was a Cricut Personal Cutter machine.  I was overwhelmed with excitment.

Then, we had to sell a house, build a house, move, have a baby... all within a few months, and well, you get the picture.  Life got in the way of me using this amazing toy.

As a mama on maternity leave, I have spent countless hours online, alot of the time reading blogs.  And then I got my inspiration.  I came upon a blog, happylifecraftywife, and wow, the things she makes.

So, I ordered 2 Cricut cartridges and hope to be crafting soon!!  The one specifically will be for Amaya's Cupcake themed birthday party!!!  Super duper excited mama!

Get Us Outta Here

Today I got an inquiry from my neighbours to do some research on a vacation for their family.  Aside from booking our own travel, I haven't done alot of research since I have been on maternity leave.  Reality hit when I went to log into one of our research tools, and for the life of me I could not remember how to get into it.  Oops.  Thankfully, another TPI Associate came to the rescue and shared the information. 

It was fun to spend some time looking at cruise and vacation packages.

Mama doin some work!!

February 15, 2011

We.Love.Stairs

Over the past week or so, Tayah has discovered the stairs.  At first she just enjoyed standing at the bottom looking up.  Then she braved the first step.  And, well, the rest is history.  My days are now spent on the stairs behind her as she goes up.  Then I carry her down, and she goes up again.  Rinse, and repeat. 

This is her "Look at what a big girl I am Mama" look

Disclaimer:  I was superfast at taking this picture.  No babies were injured during this process.

February 15, 2011

Love Day

I love the concept of Valentines Day but even more I love getting my girls dressed up and buying them special little fun things.  Here is Amaya before she went to school today, all dressed in red, and looking supercute.

Once we got Amaya off to school, Tayah had a nap to get ready for her first date.  Her "boy"friend Caden asked her to go to Stars & Strollers for Valentines Day.  We went to the movie No Strings Attached, hope that wasn't a hint from him!

Before we left, I set out the treats for the girls.  And don't worry, I didn't forget about Dino, I made him a card that is front and centre in the next picture :) 

Dino called just as we were leaving the movie and said we were going to go out for dinner, so we all enjoyed some very yummy ribs at Montanas.  

Another successful Love Day.



February 14, 2011

Happy Birthday Jaida

Today Tayah went to her friend Jaida's 1st Birthday Party.  This was her first official birthday party, and omg it was so cute.  It's so fun to watch all the little ones crawling around and interacting with each other.  Here she is in Jaida's playroom all dressed up.

She won't have cake until her own first birthday party, but I did share some of the whipped cream, I really am a nice Mama you know!

February 13, 2011

Off to the Y

We decided at the end of last year that once we returned from Florida, we would join the Y again.  We all loved going when we had a membership before.  Today we went with our awesome neighbours/friends and took the kids swimming.  Although the pool at the location we went to was super small, all of us had a really great time.  And the myth that swimming makes you tired must be true.....

February 12, 2011

Hello Jane

I have nothing to say today but, Hello Jane Fonda!

February 11, 2011

Plate, Meet Floor

Today I decided Tayah would have her breakfast on a plate instead of me giving it to her piece by piece.  She was quite intrigued with it, and did really great....

Until it was almost gone.  I think we all know where it ended up after this picture was taken:

We had one very happy puppy after breakfast this morning!

February 10, 2011

Back on the Saddle

After I had Tayah, I had great intentions of working out when she was napping.  Enter the child who does not require sleep.  Even at almost 10 months old, we are lucky to get 4 or 5 hours straight at night, and hopefully one nap during the day.  I really don't remember being this tired with Amaya and still often try to catch a quick nap "if" Tayah naps.  Out went the grand plan to work out while my child had her several naps of at least a few hours each day.

Tonight, I bit the bullet and decided enough is enough.  We have a treadmill in our basement, so I went down and finally took some time for me.  Even if it's just 15 or 20 mins a day, I'm glad that I have finally taken that first step to get healthy again.

And because no one needs to see what I look like exercising, here is a cute baby who discovered her toy bin today.

February 9, 2011

I Win

I know that it is important for children to learn how to feed themselves. I also know how much of a mess those lovely children can create.  Until now, Tayah has not had much interest in the spoon.  She is usually quite content letting me feed or, or picking things up with her fingers.

Tonight however, that all changed.  Suddenly she wanted the spoon and wow was she happy when she got it out of my hand.

Victory!

Pretty sure this is the "haha I win mama" look

February 8, 2011

A Blast From the Past

When I was growing up, my mom made a treat for us called Knox Blox.  Basically any flavour of Jello, and a package of Knox Gelatin.  Yum.

For Brownies tonight, Amaya needed to bring green jello for Green Day.  At first I was just going to make a few packages of regular jello, but then decided it was time to introduce her to Knox Blox. 

You just make Jello as you normally would and then add in 4 packages of Knox gelatin.  Then put a cookie tray into the fridge, slowly pour the liquid into the tray and let it set.

The best part of Knox Blox is that you can use cookie cutters and make superfun shapes!!

February 7, 2011

Good Food, Good Wine

Yesterday we had our friends over for dinner, and since the weather was so nice, we were able to BBQ steaks.  We made lots, and had leftovers, so we decided to use it to make dinner tonight too!  I'm not ususally much of a wine drinker, but yummy sweet wine is good every now and then. 

I love that my girls are good eaters, and we can all enjoy dinner together.

February 6, 2011

Thrift Store Score

I think pretty much everyone knows how much I love shopping.  Today Amaya and I went on a girls date to do a bit of shopping.  Of course Michaels was on our list, as we both love anything crafty.  Then we headed to a thrift store to find some treasures.

Sometimes I find nothing, sometimes I find something really great, and sometimes it's something that is just really great for me.  Today was one of those days.  Tayah LOVES The Backyardigans, but because they are not the most popular characters anymore, it's really hard to find anything related to them.  This was our little treasure today, for $2.00!

February 5, 2011

We Love Winter..... Sometimes

Although we complain about it quite often, there really is something magical and fun about winter.  Especially on a day like today, when the weather was just beautiful.  After a very long cold spell, it was time for us to get out and enjoy some fresh air.  I convinced Amaya that shovelling off the deck would be fun.

Note that the snow is being thrown directly behind her, right back onto the deck.

Both girls loved being outside without freezing and even found some time to cuddle.

Eventually Tayah was ready to go back in, she was getting a bit fussy.  Amaya saw some of her friends were outside playing so Tayah and I headed in.  This may have been why she was done with being outside.

I guess her snowsuit isn't waterproof, ooops.



February 4, 2011



The Best Helper

I know that alot of my posts are about Tayah, mostly because I'm at home with her all day long.  However, Amaya really does deserve so much credit. She is such an amazing big sister, and a really great helper.  Tonight Amaya asked if she could feed Tayah, I'm not sure who loved it more.

February 3, 2011

Quiet Please, I'm Kinda Busy

If there is one thing that makes miss Tayah happy, it's The Backyardigans.  A few weeks ago, she would sit quietly and watch an entire episode.  Then she learned how to pull herself up on the furniture so now she does this:

February 2, 2011