There's no better feeling than that of giving to others—I've always felt that way. I love shopping for presents, I happily give things away whenever I can, and I'm always on the lookout for unique gifts that will bring a smile to someone's face. I'm the first to pass on clothes that no longer fit, or baby gear we're no longer using. I love to share with relatives and friends; it makes me feel really good.
This afternoon my own childhood collided with that of my children as we sat together on the grass in Davisville Park and watched Sharon, Lois & Bram perform live.
On the theme of Mother's Day Every Day, I think the idea of sending a subscription box gift is quite perfect. I mean, if we're being honest, Mother's Day really should be celebrated once a month. Once a year just isn't enough given all the hard work we mothers do! Which is why a subscription box is so awesome.
I've let my kids become my excuse for making excuses. I used to be the kind of person who accepted invitations with excitement. I'd go to events, even if I didn't know anyone, and I'd make the best of it. It worked to my advantage because the more I said 'yes' to invitations the more things I got invited to. I went on a bunch of press trips, I attended technology conferences, I went to book launches, and film openings. I met amazing people and got to know this city really well.
There is a lot going on my in head these days. My baby girl turned 1 a few weeks ago, and it's as if a switch went off the day we celebrated her birthday. I didn't take a formal mat leave. I worked right though baby Fi's first year, albeit much less.
So, I’ve finally weaned my almost one-year-old off the boob. She's been a boob-lover since she was born. She was amazingly easy to breastfeed. In fact, the worst part of the breastfeeding experience was the lactation class in the hospital before I was discharged. I already knew what I was doing, but seemed to lack self-confidence after three years off the job. So, I went to the class assuming I’d need a refresher. I was so tired and emotional and the nurse leading the class was horrible (she shoved Fiona onto my boob and was like, “Do it just like this!” Huh?).
I just finished making a collage of photos from our Disney World vacation. The trip made us all so happy, I wanted to preserve the memories and hang them on our wall. That way, when it's snowy and cold, and we're all feeling tired and grumpy, we'll look at the smiling faces in the photos and feel the magic. That's why family vacations are so important. Even if you're worried about money or think you're too busy at work to take the time off. Even if it takes a week to pack and another week to unwind when you get home. It's still totally worth it!
Today my daughter turns FOUR! Four years ago today I was pacing back and forth in my small hospital room at Mount Sinai trying to breathe my way through labour pains and waiting for the arrival of my baby girl. I felt totally prepared for motherhood, yet I really had no idea how much my life was about to change. Four years is a pretty long time. Four years is how long most kids are in high school for. It's an entire undergraduate degree in university.
A few years ago I went to Deerhurt Resort in Muskoka for a long weekend with my family. I had been to this awesome family resort a few times and had always had extremely positive experiences. But this particular weekend something was up. Our room wasn't ready and we were made to wait. When we finally were given a room there was a really loud noise coming from somewhere inside of it. We then had to wait for a maintenance person to come and look at it.
Once upon a time there was a baby who loved her mama's boob. But her mama loved her freedom. She loved doing yoga on Wednesday nights. She loved going to movies with her girlfriends on the weekends. And, she loved (once in a while) to have a civilized dinner out with her hubby. Sadly, none of these things involved her baby. But all required she bring her boobs along with her.
Enter the bottle!
When this mama discovered a bottle her baby was happy to drink from, her freedom was granted.
So it's the first week of January and I finally have some time to sit down and think about what I want for this new year. Pre-kids, I would have been more organized and would have gotten around to setting goals or at least thinking about resolutions while it was still December. But not anymore! The last few weeks of December were spent trying to keep my kids entertained and busy during the holidays after our plans to go to Ottawa were called off due to the crazy ice storm.
I'm always happy to spread the LOVE when it comes to stuff I love! And so...just in time for the Holidays...I present my top six gift picks that are sure to make your giftees smile.
1. The book every kid should have (and will love!)
I grew up in a small town where I was literally one of only a handful of Jewish people (a very small handful). Not only were there practically no Jews living in our town, but no one really knew anything about Judaism or the Jewish holidays. Because of this, I found Christmas to be really difficult.
At one point or another we've all experienced what it feels like to be star struck. Maybe it was someone super talented; or incredibly charming; or majorly famous. Whether you met them in person or saw them perform live—there's no mistaking that feeling.
What I didn't realize is that it can happen to a 3-year-old.
It wasn't Sleeping Beauty, who enchanted her friends at her third birthday party. Or Barney, who she recently saw live at The Baby Time Show. Or even Raffi, who she's getting to see for a second time this February.
At the end of the month, my baby girl will be 8 months old. I'm kinda freaking out. How did she get so big, so fast? And why is it getting so much harder to get anything done? I've been trying to get organized, but the 'to do' lists keep piling up and the chaos continues to mount. Every time my baby's head hits the mattress for her nap, my brain is bombarded with a bajillion things I really need to get done.
My eldest daughter transitioned from breast milk to formula when she was around six months old. At the time, we were paranoid, first-time parents and wanted to do whatever it took to ensure the bottles were sterile before they touched her lips. But we didn't have any fancy gadgets or tools, so we found a method that worked well for us. We'd boil a big pot of water on the stove, throw the bottles in, let them boil, then carefully remove them and fill with formula.
There are so many babies being born all around me. I'm thrilled to share the journey of motherhood with some of my closest friends. But, the more babies that are born, the more I'm seeing moms in the throes of those very exciting, yet totally intense days right after baby is brought home. And, the more I'm realizing how unprepared most new moms are for what they're about to experience.
