Five on Friday

It's been a pretty busy week around here. We have been taking advantage of the nice weather and spending lots of time outside, and running errands. Lucas and I have slowly moved into our warmer weather routine that always includes daily walks and at least three visits to the park a week, sometimes more when we make it out in the evening with Daddy. Here are some highlights of my week!

ONE

Lucas spent a few weeks in April waking up super cranky from his naps, it was instant crying and fussing and wouldn't stop until either Daddy got home or well until dinner time. Not even a snack would make him happy and those weeks were plagued with some awful weather so we couldn't even go outside to ride out the bad mood. I'm happy to say that we are over that little road bump. Kid has been super jovial and playful the moment I grab him from his crib. We have been enjoying some time in his room reading some stories or just being silly and it makes for a more relaxed progression into our family time evenings.   I mean this face says it all, someone woke up on the right side of the crib!!

TWO

Growing up summer always meant lots of time outside, playing with water, and summer treats!! My all time favourite guilty pleasure was orange creamsicles. This week while at the store I spied a box and my big pregnant self could not resist and they made their way home with me. Just as I was about to indulge in some after dinner sweetness I decided to offer some to Lucas to see if he would like it  (kid is not the hugest sweet lover so I wasn't sure how he would react). Well he took one lick and the rest is history, and gone was my sweet.  I have to say though its amazing how much a pleasure it was to watch him enjoy something that is such a staple of my own childhood, and rather than grab another one for myself I just sat there and watched him devour it!

THREE

Sometimes Lucas is just so easy to please!  We headed to the mall this week to grab some water essentials for a mini family getaway and they have those contraptions that all parents dread and which brings instant glee to all kids.  The small mall rides that usually entices tantrums galore when the word no passes any parents mouth.  Usually Lucas doesn't show much interest but this week he was so keen when he say a car one, but I sadly did not have any change, or bills to even make change (it was seriously not a ploy, I would have actually gladly let him ride on until his heart burst with glee), I calmly told him I didn't have change but let him sit on the ride anyway since there were no other waiting children.  Well to my own happiness he was happy just pretending to drive the car for a good ten minutes.  Mom win!!

FOUR

Speaking of family getaway, we really have no means for an extravagant family vacation this year, with the new babe on the way, the hubby having a hard time getting time off since he's being transferred as foreman to a new job site next month (and needing all his precious time off for the new arrival anyway), added to all that we try to live on a very strict budget as a single income family so that we can always try to put as much in savings as we can.  So we decided that we will be spending the summer taking Lucas on several day trips to local attractions, with the exception of the beginning of June  We are off to Niagara Falls for three days where we are staying right on the falls and visiting the FallsView Water Park.  I cannot wait to see Lucas' face when we go to the water park, he's literally a bubble guppie during the summer, and visiting the splash pads are usually enough to bring him immense joy, this is going to totally blow his mind.

FIVE

I have been suffering from some bad back muscle aches, and to add to that I pulled a muscle in my left arm getting Lucas into a shopping cart yesterday.  So to say that I am looking forward to an hour long prenatal massage my husband is sending me off to tomorrow is really putting it lightly.  I mean I seriously cannot contain my glee!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, I will spending it with the handsome boys in my life, and speaking of handsome I leave you with this pic of the little guy.

Five on Friday

This week has literally flown by in a flash.  Lucas and I have been busy and I'm sure that has helped pass the time.  Even though the weather was pretty crappy in these parts with rain pretty much every day we made the best of the situation and went out when we could and did crafts and puzzles to pass the time.  On to some highlights.

ONE

Boys and their trucks!  Lucas is a very typical boy in that he is obsessed with anything that has wheels.  I still can't believe that with another boy on the way my life and house will forever surround around cars and trucks.  This past weekend my in laws got this little four wheeler for Lucas for the summer, and to say he was excited to see it is putting it lightly.  He doesn't even wheel himself that much in it, he just likes to get in and out of it.  Love this pic of him with his new wheels.

TWO

Lucas' new favourite hang out is on my belly lately.  He is just so sweet as he lays between my legs and rests his head against his brother.  Its really endearing actually when he's excited about something and talking up a storm his little brother is already responding to his voice, cause its at moments like those that I feel the baby move the most.  Cannot wait for him to get here so the brotherly bonding can begin in earnest.

THREE

I have been really enjoying my morning coffee this week.  The brew of choice is Paradiso for Tassimo, I refuse to drink decaf so I limit myself to one regular coffee a day, sometimes a tea in the evening.  I love that Lucas is usually great at entertaining himself after his morning bottle, and I enjoy sitting on the couch or the floor with him, and sipping on some much missed caffeine. To add to the pleasure of enjoying coffee, and the morning shenanigans is this adorable insulated mug I gifted myself for Mother's Day!

FOUR

I had the luxury this week of waking up at 7am on Wednesday, when Lucas decided to "sleep in" for a change, so I took advantage of his good mood and the rainy weather and we headed to the mall for the morning.  We always stop by bass pro shops to check out the fishes, and he was just so happy to see them that day, it helped that it wasn't busy there for a change.  We enjoyed doing some summer shopping, and then made a stop at Ikea for some lunch and play time.  After Tuesday had been a write off of a day with Lucas being a super crank pants, it was nice to have a good day right after and restore my faith in my mothering skills. :)

FIVE

We capped off the great week with a family date night last night.  After a three hour nap we went out to dinner, and then some chapters fun where Lucas is pretty much obsessed with the train table there.  On the way home Lucas enjoyed his first cake pop and devoured it!  I don't think I have ever seen Lucas so quiet in the car before!

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend, for my fellow Canadians a much deserved long weekend.  I'm pretty excited to take Lucas to his first fireworks this weekend!

Five on Friday

Its been a long week for me and the little man.  We dealt with tantrums, poor sleep, and overall just sheer exhaustion.  I'm so glad the weekend is here for some upcoming pampering coming my way.

ONE

I have spoken before of my worries and constant anxiety over Lucas' language skills and overall development.  Earlier this week I had a huge mommy meltdown over it, I was overtaken with worry, and felt like I wasn't doing enough for Lucas, or that he was presenting serious delays in this department and knowing that boys develop later in this department was just not putting my fears to rest..  I turned to my mother in law who is the only one I know and trust who has raised a boy herself.  I'm so grateful for all her kind words about my mothering, and for putting what was really a hormonal outburst to rest.  I realized that I just need to enjoy watching Lucas grow, and realize that he understands so much more than he is able to communicate to me.  I was rewarded the next day though when we were getting ready for an outing to the park and as I grabbed Lucas' coat he turned to me and said "oh that's mine".  I really should learn to not have outbursts while pregnant and my hormones are at an ultimate high.

TWO

In my over zealousness at wanting to do as much as I can for Lucas' development I bought on Amazon at the encouragement of a fellow mommy blogger the Preschool Company Prep DVDs.  They teach letters, numbers, colours, shapes and words in a way that appeals to the developing mind. We started with the letters DVD.  Each letter is repeated often, and they become figures of words that start with that particular letter (example, the letter D becomes a dancer).  I had previewed the DVDs on youtube to see how interested he was in them before I made the investment, and he was mesmerized.  He even tried to repeat some of the words when we previewed the sight words' DVD.  We have been pretty busy this week and we have probably only viewed it twice, but so far we are huge fans.

THREE

I'm not one to complain about Lucas having a bad night of sleep since for the most part we have been really lucky in this department.  Since we slept trained Lucas at 5 months old, he has always slept through the night, even when he's been teething or sick.  One night this week he got tangled in his sheets in the middle of the night and it disrupted his sleep big time.  He was up from 2:30 until 5! He finally fell asleep in bed with me in a position that didn't really allow me to fall asleep with him.  Then the little bugger has the nerve to wake up and hour and half later and look at me as if nothing had happened.  He was all chatty and well pleased with himself.  Unfortunately nap time has been a bit of an issue lately too.  He fussed the other day for an hour in his crib so I was convinced that it meant no nap was going to happen, only for him to fall asleep in my arms five minutes later.  He knows just how to get his way!  Although I have been pretty tired this week as a result, I will cherish every moment he wants to sleep snuggled against me.

FOUR

Note to self: don't go out in public when your toddler wakes up at 5am!  Thursday I had errands to run and I was anxious to get out for a bit since Lucas had woken up at the crack of dawn.  Why oh why did I think that was a good idea.  First I ran into Chapters to pick up an order, well Lucas was none too happy when he realized we were leaving, especially since he loves that place just as much as I do, so he threw himself on the floor,and I had to figure out how to carry my screaming toddler, pick up the box that had fallen out of my hands, and make it to the car in one piece all while 6 months pregnant.  Yeah it wasn't pretty.  I still ended up going to Costco (Yup I was that foolish).  Lucas ten minutes into the shopping figured out how to climb out of the cart and almost threw himself onto the floor.  So I bribed him with a snack and put hims standing inside the cart (yup mother of the year award).  It didn't last that long, and I was literally almost to the check out when Lucas decided to show his displeasure for how long I was taking by grabbing a package of cherry tomatoes and flinging them across the store floor.  We made it home in one piece (barely) and then as I was bringing in the groceries he kept closing the door on me.  I really wanted a glass of wine after that excursion but I settled for a sugary coffee, and let him blow off some steam in the backyard.  I love this kid to bits, but some days he really knows how to test my patience.

FIVE

After all the ups and downs this week, I'm glad I made mommy plans with my sister tonight for some much deserved me time.  I told the hubby I wanted nothing this year for mother's day, just some time for myself.  So tonight my sister and I are going out to dinner and catching the new movie "Mom's Night Out", what could be more appropriate.  I'm sure we will spend more that 50% of the time talking about our kids, but it will be nice to have a meal with her without little hands grabbing at our arms requesting something from us.  Plus both my sister and I have been so busy and sick at different times this month that it will be nice to just get together and catch up.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas!

Five on Friday

I'm glad to say that Lucas is finally over his nasty cold from last week.  He's back to his usual exuberant self, and his appetite is back ten fold!  We have had a pretty quiet week around here since mother nature decided to rain on us all week keeping us indoors for the most part, but it helped me get some things around the house done that got neglected while we were sick, and rainy weather is seriously the best kind of weather for naps :)

ONE

Monday was the only sunny day we had all week, and after hibernating with sickness last week, both Lucas and I were raring to get out and play.  We hit the park pretty early in the morning and just ran around for hours.  Lucas is all boy when he's at the park, letting out his fearless little nature and always making the most of his time there.  On this particular day he was feeling more adventurous than usual and started climbing the ladder on the playground set.  He was so focused and I held him the entire time, and he was so happy when he got to the top; however I didn't let him attempt it again, there is only so much anxiety I can take while being pregnant!

TWO  

I try everyday to incorporate a learning activity with Lucas, usually they may be letter work sheets, or shape sorting, or colour recognition.  Although there are certain things we do all the time, namely reading (we do a lot of reading in this house, I recently read a study that says only 20 minutes a day with your toddler is enough to make a difference in a child's language and cognitive development, well we easily spend double if not sometimes triple that time reading a day, spread out at different intervals), we also do puzzles, and play with animals (their names and sounds), every day.  These are usually "games" that I will include in Lucas' playtime, and I find that doing them more often, and for less time during the day is easier on his attention span than doing it for a larger block of time.  This week I added a colour matching activity to his usual playtime since he got this puzzle for Easter and is obsessed with it.  He first seemed more interested in just getting the pieces in the slot, but is slowly understanding that they need to be matched in colour, and I usually get a good 15 minutes of learning time with him on this, and even when he gets it wrong I take the time to repeat often the name of the two colours.  So happy Nonna put this is his basket!

THREE

I have a whole post planned for my nursery plan for baby #2, but we decided that we are going with dinosaurs this time around.  We did a pretty traditional sports theme for Lucas, although we will be switching it up with some Star Wars when we move him to a big boy bed this winter.  I'm keeping the wall colour and furniture neutral and plan to add pops of colour starting with these prints from Etsy as the inspiration.  I really want to have a feature on the walls, but still debating how crazy I want to go.

FOUR

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and this year I told the hubby I don't want anything but a morning to myself.  I don't take time for myself that often.  Ok, let's me honest I don't take time for myself pretty much ever.  Its not that I don't have willing babysitters, or that my husband doesn't encourage me to go out and enjoy myself; I just have a hard time doing it.  I like to be there for my son, and letting go of the responsibility and carving me time is something I struggle with.  Being pregnant has made me evaluate the need to have me time every once in a while so this year I just want to go get a pedicure, have a coffee all on my lonesome, browse Chapters in the non kid section and feel free to sit and peruse a book I may want to purchase, maybe even go watch a matinee.  This will probably happen on the weekend after Mother's Day, cause on that day I want nothing else but to be with my little man, the person who gave me my most favourite job yet!

FIVE

I leave you with this too cute for words picture of my little man, who I realized after this picture squints his eyes in photos EXACTLY like his father!  As if they weren't already more alike!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Five on Friday

Its been a rough and amazing few weeks around here.  We had some great highs, but in the midst of it all my poor little man got his first big cold ever.  So here's how things have been going...

ONE

Things started really great last Thursday when at my anatomy scan we found out we are having another boy.  I had been feeling girl throughout this pregnancy because the symptoms have been so different this time around, but then on the morning of my appointment I had this overwhelming feeling that the news would be the other way around.  So when the technician showed me the clear indication that indeed I was expecting another energetic little man I was just so happy and excited to share the news with the hubby and Lucas.  Everything looked healthy at the ultrasound and now I am in the throes of planning a dinosaur themed nursery for my new little one, and debating names with the hubby.

TWO

On Thursday Lucas started getting really sick, and by Saturday he was just not his usual energetic and playful self.  So Easter turned out to be kind of a bust for us this year, we had headed to my parents earlier in the day and he passed out for a nap at 11:30 am which is so unusual for him, after spending the day miserable, constantly cleaning his runny nose, and nothing making him happy we decided to leave the festivities early and take the little guy home.  Sunday we skipped dinner at my in laws to keep Lucas indoors and just alternating between advil and tylenol, along with some homeopathic remedies I have at home to try and bring down his fever.  We ended up doing Chinese take out, and although the circumstances were kind of sad, it was nice to just spend the day relaxing with my boys. I snapped this adorable pic of him in the only time he was happy watching my sister's birds.

THREE

Unfortunately I got sick at the beginning of the week too so Lucas and I have been spending our days hibernating at home not wanting to risk getting worse especially with the temperamental weather we have been having.  Although its been fairly sunny its been pretty windy and cool in the mornings when we would usually go for our walks.  Lucas' fever finally broke Monday, but it makes me so sad to see him so under the weather and so lethargic, not even wanting to play with his trucks.  I snapped this pic of him on Tuesday, so cute but oh so sad eyes.  I just needed to document for his father that he was actually eating fishies, since he's been sick eating has not been high on his list, giving this mommy so much anxiety.

FOUR

Yesterday was finally a good day, and I started to see a big change in Lucas and myself.  I feel like we are at the tail end of this awful cold, and both mine and his appetite seem to be back.  My craving for vinegar took a back seat this week, and yesterday I gorged on salad with my fave new condiment sweet pickled red onions.  I had these at my mother in laws a few weeks ago, and the hubby made three jars last week.  They are divine and the perfect addition to salads and sandwiches.  Also my little man was actually playful yesterday, and I just love these photos of him.

FIVE

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary, and this year besides the fact that we have been a house full of sickies, we had decided to keep it really low key.  We made a lovely steak dinner for the three of us, and it was soooo good, and bonus was seeing Lucas enjoy his food again.  After putting Lucas to bed we just enjoyed a home date night with tv and dessert just the two of us, and appreciating everything we have in our lives, and making plans for the future.  I love this quote I found online, it perfectly describes the humour the hubby and I have in our marriage.  No one makes annoying me as cute as that hubby of mine!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Five on Friday

This week has been pretty good, but I'm looking forward to the weekend and getting some extra sleep with the hubby being home.  Lucas' naps have been a bit off this week and I'm really feeling the lack of mommy time, I have an appointment Saturday which I'm heading to by myself, and I think a stop at Target on the way home is just what I need, with maybe a large iced Starbucks coffee while I'm there!

ONE
Thankfully the weather has been a little better this week, and we were actually able to make it to the park a few times.  I have missed being outside with Lucas, and letting him run rampant and expend all his energy! The fresh air did wonders for this mama too, I had a few mornings there where I woke up feeling just off, and going out for a walk in the breeze was just what the doctor ordered.  By the look of all these cute photos, a little someone was also pretty happy to be outside.

TWO
We endured some Mach 7 like tantrums over here this week.  Out of nowhere Lucas just lost it the other night before dinner, and nothing would calm him down.  I have to say that overall Lucas is a pretty easy going kid, stubborn and quick tempered yes, but usually he gets over his tantrums fairly easily and quickly.  This week not so much, he was thrashing around the living room, wanted to be picked up, then would push himself against us to get down, all the while crying tears of frustration, Lord knows I shed a few tears in the process.  I finally got him to calm down, and we proceeded to picnic dinner on the living floor, cause at the point I just gave up.  Unfortunately, another epic tantrum happened the next day before nap time, which eventually ended up with him snoring up a storm 45 minutes later in my arms.  I'm hoping its just a phase, he's learning to exert his independence, and his language skills haven't quite caught up to his need to communicate.  In the meantime this is one time when I wish I could pour a large glass of wine after bedtime, I guess a large bowl of ice cream will have to do for now.

THREE
Saturday we have dinner plans with my best friend and her new boyfriend who I have yet to meet.  This woman has been a big part of my life for the past decade, she's the type of friend that can go weeks without talking and then we get together and its like we spoke yesterday.  I'm looking forward to giving the new guy the first degree of interviews, but he seems to make my friend happy and that's all that matters.  Also, just looking forward to getting out with the hubby for a dinner that doesn't involve running interference between flying sippy cups, and pasta all over the floor.

FOUR
I bought the most adorable outfit for Lucas for Easter at Carters, and can't wait to see him in it.  I had a very particular look I was going for, and I was so happy to score all three pieces for a steal.  I had scoped a similar look from the gap, but Lucas has been growing like a weed lately and I just couldn't justify spending as much as it costs there.

FIVE
I leave you with this quote, cause I know it rings true with a lot of you mamas out there!  I'm off to do just that right now!

Have a great weekend!

Five on Friday

It has been a pretty good week around here.  This time around my energy level during this pregnancy has been awful, and this week I feel like I'm finally getting my groove back.  So on to a few things we have been up to.

ONE
I have been meaning to get back to taking Lucas swimming on a regular basis and we finally went this week and it was so much fun.  Lucas loves water, if I would let him he would stay in the tub for an hour!  He has gotten really good at kicking his legs in the pool if I help him float around, and he's quite fearless!  He was walking around the steps and just jumped into the pool and unfortunately I wasn't too quick to grab him so down the water he went, and not tear out of him.  I got him up and he was just laughing.  I couldn't get any pictures of us in the actual pool since our community center doesn't allow cameras in the public pool area but I grabbed this one while we were getting ready, he crouched down and was talking to another kid through the slit of the changing room.

TWO
I mentioned yesterday in his 18 month post of how Lucas is showing more and more everyday his personality, and I snapped these pictures of him at lunch the other day, and it perfectly describes what I mean.  He talks with his hands like his mother, and looks incredibly like his father.  He gave me that little frown when I insisted he finish his lunch, yup I'm dreading the teenage years when I'm expecting grunts as answers.

THREE
We got messy this week with some painting crafts to put together something special for his grandparents for Easter.  Any chance that this kid can get his hands dirty he is game!  I mean that cuteness is well worth the clean up if I say so myself, and naked painting is always the way to go.

FOUR
Lucas and I woke up from a three hour nap yesterday with the munchies, and I realized that Lucas has never tried popcorn.  He was so enthralled with the popping sounds while it was in the microwave, and although he looked at it quite suspiciously at first, once I took one, he was all over it!  Popcorn for the win, and I see more popcorn parties in our future.

FIVE
This Sunday is my little sister's birthday!  I still can't believe she is turning 10!  Double Digits!  I remember when that was such a milestone birthday.  I have loved every minute of watching her blossom into a preteen and see her personality come into its own.  We have a pretty special relationship and she will be forever my first baby!  For now a throwback picture of her when she was roughly around Lucas' age.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend, we are still battling some frigid weather over here so I'm hoping for a change soon.

Five on Friday

Its been a rough week around here.  I have had some late onset morning sickness and it isn't fun having it so late in the game.  I hate that I have to close the door on Lucas so that he doesn't see me get sick, and he just stays behind the door waiting to see me and make sure that I'm ok, and then when I come out he wraps his little arms around my legs and its the best kind of medicine.  On to my five and what's on my mind this week.

ONE
Lucas isn't really old enough to sit through a whole movie but that didn't stop me from buying us a copy of Frozen this week!  When it first came out I youtubed the now famous "Let it Go" video, and both the little guy and I were just in love with the song.  So after a pretty rough morning we snuggled in bed and watched half the movie together (I've since finished it and I am even more obsessed with the movie).  It was another cold day and it was the perfect excuse to stay in bed!

TWO
I haven't really had a sweet tooth this pregnancy but I'm loving to bake and cook up meals which is welcome change.  This week I tried a new ginger molasses cookies recipe a friend of mine shared, and they are now my new favourite cookie to make.  The recipe is relatively easy, and I may share it later next week, for now here's a preview of their yummy goodness.

THREE
I'm a huge history buff, I do have a double degree in history and English after all.  So fiction and tv shows that have some sort of historical content are usually high on my list of fave things to do on my free time.  Right now there are a few historical shows that I'm absolutely loving namely Reign on the CW, which centers around Mary Queen of Scots during the 16th Century, while the show is geared to romanticize the story, I'm completely sucked in to the retelling, and court intrigue.  I still haven't been able to watch any of the new episodes of Vikings on the History Channel, but they are waiting for my viewing pleasure on my DVR.  I warn you its a pretty gruesome and violent show, and I originally didn't think I was going to like it, but at the urging of my husband to give it a try, I'm equally drawn to the story.

FOUR
At the suggestion of a fellow mommy blogger I started using this website 1+1+1=1 to add some more educational content to Lucas' craft time and daily routine, and I have to say I'm impressed and loving it.  I haven't gathered all the material yet, nor have I used any of the sensory box suggestions  I have only stuck to the alphabet activity sheets so far, and I have to say after about a week and half of doing activities with Lucas I have already noticed a huge improvement in his vocabulary, and even his interest in doing the activities.  I know as moms we are always trying to do more for our children, and it can get really overwhelming sorting through all the information floating everywhere; and I find this website really helps organize things for us busy moms.

FIVE
Last week I had my sister over for the day and she was so great with her little nephew.  Its really amazing to see her grow into this little lady, and watch her care for the littles in her life.  I leave you with these adorable pics of the two of them together.

Five on Friday

Its been a long week around here.  Lucas is having a hard time teething his molars, and wakes up really early because of it, which in turn makes for some really long days, especially if he isn't in the best of moods.  We have been keeping busy with crafts and outings, but I'm usually ready for bed when Lucas goes down for the night too!  On to this week's five.

one

Next week we have our family photos for our Christmas card, and I'm pretty excited about them, more so cause its giving me an excuse for some mommy time this Sunday.  While the boys stay home and watch football, I'm going for a much needed haircut, and I'm working up the courage to chop a lot off.  I'm thinking of maybe a bit longer than this version from Katie Holmes.  I definitely need some texture and a bit of a new look, but I want still the option of being up to pull my hair up if needed.

two

In the interest of helping teach new words to Lucas, and having realized his newfound love for crafts I started a routine of centering at least three crafts a week around a new word.  This week we worked on tree, and it has been really great.  I have a whole post dedicated to our activities but for now here's a preview of the fun he's been having.

three

I recently purged several boxes of books from my collection and donated them to my brother in law's school.  It was actually a lot easier to part with them than I thought, if I didn't think I would read the book again then in the box it went.  There were a few book on the shelf that I haven't gotten around to reading yet so they are up next on my list, but all the extra space has me itching to go to Chapters and fill them up!  I'm staying away for awhile, or else.  Book nerd problems.

 

I have lost it when this has happened, especially to a new book!

four

I've slowly started getting the house Christmas ready, and I'm itching to put the tree up, but I'm waiting until next week after the Santa Parade.  I have a few DIYs that I'm working on this year to spruce up my décor, and trying to make a few non breakable things for my living room, since I have a toddler who thinks that anything within his grasp is a either a toy, a teether, or just plain his to do as his likes.

five

I've been mildly obsessed with researching events and activities for the upcoming Christmas season, since its by fair my absolute favourite time of the year.  Last year we didn't do that much since Lucas was only two months old, so I really want to try to do more this year.  Last year I went to the mall for his Santa pictures near my sister's house, and I will definitely be going back there for sure, the Santa is incredibly believable, and was just a jolly (hehe) man.  Last year we had no tears, so lets hope for a repeat performance.  Lucas is a pretty social kid, so I'm not too worried.  Can't wait for another round of cuteness like last year's, maybe with a smile though instead of the worried stare lol.

And just because here's my little man in a bout of laughter, this smile is the only thing that makes teething, poor sleep, and crankiness really that much more bearable.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Five on Friday

In honour of yesterday's Halloween festivities, here's a rundown of our day.

 

one

I dressed up Lucas in a hand me down monkey costume from his cousin, and although the pants fit fine a month ago, Lucas confirmed my suspicions that he just went through a growth spurt when there were no way the pants were getting on him.  My child will one day tower over his mother that I am sure of.  He looked absolutely adorable in the what did fit him, but it was a feat to get a good picture of him cause he couldn't stand still for a moment.

two

We went to the Halloween party at our play group, and it was a zoo, since yesterday it was for all ages.  There were so many people there, that at one point the coordinators had to stop letting people in.  Lucas always loves going to the group, and his favourite activity is always the musical toys or the balls.  Yesterday I was such a proud mommy when he figured out how to get the ball in the basket, and then that was all he wanted to do; until someone finally put some tunes on, then Lucas was the only kid just dancing up a storm in the middle of the circle, it was quite a sight.

three

Every year we go trick and treating with my little sister, and at first I thought she had outgrown us, as she had said she wanted to go with a friend this year.  I'm not going to lie, its the only tradition I have every loved about Halloween, and I was feeling a little sad that she didn't need me; so imagine how giddy I was when my mom asked if I could take her after all.  All order was restored in my world.  Lucas stayed with my parents, I still think he's too young to go out trick and treating, plus it was pouring here last night.  I'm pretty sure he and my parents were happy to spend time together if their smiles are any indication in this photo.

 

four

My parents live in a neighbourhood where the houses are very spaced out (think large lots) so its quite the work out trick and treating, but due to the rain, and very generous neighbours Gyselle made out pretty well last night!  Plus Lucas had his first taste of chocolate, you can't really tell from this picture but pretty sure he loved it.

five

After a long and full day, I passed out the moment I got home, and Lucas slept until well past 7am, so all in all it was a winner of a day!

Hope everyone stays nice and warm this weekend!

 

 

 

Five on Friday

Linking up as usual with Darci over at The Good Blog for a Five on Friday recap of the week.

 

{one}

I love anything British, it was my main focus of study for my undergraduate degree and senior thesis, and its on my bucket list to make a trip there one day.  Included in that love is the royal family, yes its antiquated, and there have no bearing on the government anymore, but their symbolism is far more impactful on the social entity of the British people.  I can't lie, I'm a sucker for anything royal, and the couple of Prince William and Duchess Catherine, is no exception.  I love their contemporary outlook on royal duties, and the fact that they are of my generation makes them that more fascinating.  This week they christened their adorable bundle of joy, and it made me think back to Lucas' own christening, an intimate affair with only our families, and very close friends; and I loved that this couple so much in the public spectrum chose to make this rite of passage intimate and sacred as well. 

Obviously they didn't stray from tradition with the baby's attire and amount of godparents, but the child is the future king of England!  I eschewed the tradition of a baptismal gown, and dressed Lucas is an all white silk suit, and had the traditional two godparents, and we spared no expense in portraits and the party, because he's my little prince after all

 

{two}

Lucas has been teething his molars this week, and to say its been brutal is putting it lightly.  I don't think he's ever had it this bad.  He's crankier during the day, sometimes I am at my wits end finding ways and things that will make him happy or soothe his poor gums.  I have tried camellia, teething necklace, biscuits, hard cold vegetables, and sometimes freezes and straight ice.  When all else fails, I have given him a little advil to soothe the inflammation, and help him rest better during the day.  He sleeps through the night, although he tosses and turns more than usual, and he's been waking up at the crack of dawn, so the days have been long around here, and I may be driving myself to lunacy, or at least to a mild drinking habit.   Hopefully when the second molar finally cuts through we will see some improvement.

 

{three}

I am on a serious book kick this week, I already finished my current read, and am already finished the second book I started!  I have been trying to take some time for myself while Lucas naps this week since he's been so miserable when he's awake, I need a little pick me up and recharge (and a glass of wine in the middle of day is probably not a good idea, totally necessary, but not advisable).  I found this Divergent series by Veronica Roth over the summer when the first two books were on sale at Costco, and loved them more than I thought I would.  I had no idea that the third book came out this week, so I will be grabbing that sometime this weekend.  I can't wait!

 

{four} 

I have written poetry for as long as I can remember.  Sometimes those poems have been songs, or sometimes just a few lines of artistic writing to convey a moment in time, or a feeling about an event.  My father writes poetry as well (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree), and he's been really serious about his writing lately, so it got me excited and inspired to re-read some of my poems, and write more.  I wrote a lot sporadically this first year of motherhood, and I am contemplating reworking and compiling all of it in one journal, then figuring out what I'm going to do with it.  I'm not sure if I have the guts to submit it anywhere, since I've always been pretty self conscious of my writing.

 

{five}

We have absolutely no plans this weekend, and I love it.  As long as I get to spend it with this two stud muffins, I'm pretty sure its bound to be a good time.

Hope everyone is enjoying the crispier weather, and has a great weekend.