Back in the Saddle

Well over a year since I've posted in this blog, and I'm totally alright with that! I'm not even going to summarize all of the things that have happened in that time, except to say that our family has a new member: little R born in the summer of 2014. He's now 9 months old and about as mobile as a baby can get without independently walking. He's crawling, standing, squatting, and cruising using furniture and even moldings on the walls! Today, both hubby and I noticed him standing independently for a few seconds at a time.

I made the decision, when I started this blog, not to share face pictures of my kids. I feel sometimes that it limits my ability to add visual interest to my posts, especially because they're so darn cute! I like to limit their online profile and let them dictate that for themselves when they're older.

Instead, you'll get cute pictures of them in action from behind, and pictures of my crafting. Speaking of crafting, I recently picked up two panels from the clearance section of Fabricland. They were the last two, and the surprise was I thought there was only one! Such a great surprise at the til, since I've got two boys. I've decided to make them each a lap blanket, for snuggling on the couch when they feel sleepy or sick, or for long car rides. They'll be identical, except for the backing and binding. I bought some bright green and saturated blue flannels (not as good a deal, unfortunately, but what can you do?) and I'm going to alternate them for the backing and the binding for contrast and to distinguish them. I'm even thinking of doing an applique of the first letter of their names on the back of each quilt. Should be fun! (famous last words... I'm sure I'll be swearing during the applique process).

Artsy picture from two years ago

While looking for appropriate fabric in my stash (I didn't find any), I came across a blanket of sorts that I started for Z during that year off. It's made from flannel receiving blankets that I got as a shower gift which were never really a good size to use as receiving blankets. So, I did what anyone would do, I hummed and ha-ed for an eternity and then cut them into strips and turned them into a blanket. Except, I made it a bit interesting (challenging) for myself by placing the strips slightly off kilter. I did this to maximize the size of the blanket (it's still quite small... maybe closest to a crib blanket).

The back

The front (standard bad cell phone pics)

Only a little bit left to go!

I think I originally thought Z could use it as a daycare blanket, but in true ME style, I got about 85% done and then put it aside because I was tired of it. That is so typical me when it comes to craft projects. I don't know what it is about the finish line, but I seem to like to avoid it, only to rush towards it with renewed vigor when I pick the project up again years later. Regardless, I was pretty happy to come across it and realize that I only had the two shorter sides of binding left to do, one of which was already machine sewn on one side and pinned and ready for hand stitching on the other. Woohoo!


Anyways, I finished the hand stitching on the pinned binding the other night while watching a Miss Marple murder mystery that I had PVRed. I already have the remaining piece of binding (I did each side as a separate piece), so I just need to machine stitch that and then watch another movie and it'll be done and all ready for R to enjoy!! Good thing I found it when I did, otherwise it would have had to be a baby shower gift for someone else (which would have been nice as well).

ETA: Just found my post about starting the above project... July 2012!!!! So, there you go... 2.5 years later and finally finishing it!

The good life

Oh, how much better one feels after a full night of sleep! Z has been giving us a little grief during the night time as of late, either waking up around 330/4am looking for a feed, or deciding that 530am is a great wake up time. At just shy of a year old (it's only a matter of weeks now!) I know he can go the whole night without a feed. Anyways, last night we ate spaghetti (that kid can pack it away!), and then I took the little one for a walk along Willow's Beach. It was such a beautiful night; we started at Estevan Village, walking past Willows Galley Fish n Chips on our way down to the beach. That reminds me, I need to get a fish n chips meal in before the end of summer; it smelled so good walking past that place! Z kept his little sunglasses on the whole time and we had a nice peaceful walk, seeing all the other families and groups of friends enjoying the beach and the playground.

I want to highlight the dinner I made last night. I decided to try something new with my tried and true spaghetti recipe. First, I added zucchini to the sauce; I've been trying to get more veggies in where-ever I can. Second, I decided to make spaghetti squash to cut some of the noodles out. This was the second time I had spaghetti squash. I was pretty impressed the first time I made it, with the ease of prep (I seriously just poke some holes in it and microwave it whole for 8-10 minutes, turning it over every couple of minutes), how tasty it was, and how much it actually resembled noodles... so cool! Anyways, it turned out really great... I think it helped that we also had some fresh baked (not by me) focaccia bread to go with it.

Tonight we caught an outdoor show of Towers and Trees. They're a new local band, of which my brother is a part. Also, my sister in law, his wife, sings vocals sometimes. It was such a wonderful night. The show was early enough that we actually both got to go and bring Z. Normally we kindof flip a coin to decide who gets to go, and who stays home to watch the munchkin. You couldn't ask for better weather, and the food on the patio at the Canoe Club was so tasty. It was pricey, but we both agreed, it was a great evening. Plus, little one did a lot of cruising around with all the patio chairs that were available as anchors.

I'm looking forward to this long weekend. My hubby is off tomorrow, and Monday is a civic holiday, so we'll enjoy a good four days of family time. I'll leave you with a debut video from Towers and Trees.

In which stress is just a state of mind

That is what I keep telling myself. I find it so easy to get stressed out, even when things are going wonderfully, somehow there's a way to find stress in the situation. A friend of mine recently shared a cartoon on facebook and I so identified with it:

via

I just found out yesterday that I got a position teaching summer school. This is a good thing; this is a great thing! This will be a good way for me to get back into teaching, to dip my toe in, so to speak, to have a trial of leaving Z with someone else before the big go-back-to-work move in September. Plus, this will be excellent for our finances, considering that my EI runs out at end of June.

So, why am I feeling anxious? Because, I haven't taught in an entire year. Because, I've never taught this course before (let's face it, that's always the case, so that's nothing new). Because, I've never had to leave Z before on a regular basis. Because, I'll have to figure out childcare for him, and I'm worried about someone else taking care of him... taking the same care of him that I feel like I'm an expert in now. Because, I only have a couple months left before I really return to work, before crazy, hectic life change begins, and I love him so much, and I cherish my time with him, and I NEVER WANT IT TO END!!!!!!

And yet, there are days when I wish I was working again, days when I feel I'd like that different challenge. I've been tutoring and I certainly enjoy teaching, it's something I feel is a true passion of mine. But, being a mommy is a true passion of mine as well.

In all of this, I am trying to shift my perspective, because, really, what is the problem? That I have a job? That I have a wonderful baby and a wonderful family that I love spending time with? All of these things are blessings. I'm trying to process this looming change in a way that doesn't disable me, in a way that allows me to savor the moments (like the morning walks I take with Z in the carrier, held close to my chest). I'm trying to allow myself to have the feelings, and to ride them for the natural things they are, the natural life changes. To see and acknowledge them as what makes life so precious... but, let's be honest, it's still shitty - the year is almost done!

A study in eating

Morning snack... fresh bread and jam

Mmmmm...

Sleep retrospect

Last night we lowered Z's crib. For you non-parents out there (or perhaps parents who didn't use a crib), a crib typically has two settings for the mattress, a higher setting and a lower setting. We've been pretty lucky, being able to keep it at the higher setting for so long, as the little man is now 10 months old. I should also say that he is a big baby boy, weighing in around 25lbs, and the same size as some 1-1.5 year olds. Needless to say, if the little guy were to pull himself up, the crib rails would only come to his waist at the higher setting, and we think it won't be too long before that happens, so it was time. It's a bit of a sad time for me though. I used to nuzzle him with kisses when I laid him down, as he nuzzled his blankie and bear getting his dozzie self ready for sleep. Now I can't reach that far down! *sad face* I think it seems like a whole new bed to him as well, being that much closer to the floor and having a slightly different view of his room. Oh little man, you're growing up!

All of this, and a trip down facebook memory lane (perhaps the one pro of FB's timeline) had me thinking about the past year and how much my sleep has changed. It's quite dramatic, having a little one, it instantly changes everything. But, before that fateful day when the baby enters this world, it's pretty common for the bursting pregnant momma to have troubles sleeping.

June 16, 2011: so tired... I think I've reached that lovely stage in pregnancy where a full night sleep just doesn't happen anymore

I would have been 7 months pregnant around that time, which is almost and entire year ago!That's right, an entire year of shit sleep... hahahahaha... it hasn't been all bad, actually I feel like my little guy has been a pretty good sleeper, and for those rough nights it has helped to have some perspective, maybe a little help, and a nap!

When my little guy came along in August, my sleep was completely redefined. Suddenly, two hours of sleep seemed like a good chunk, and four or more was absolute heaven! (well, maybe not heaven, but pretty amazing nonetheless). Babies don't begin to produce their own melatonin until 6 weeks, so it follows that night sleep doesn't start to organize until that time (therefore, to the baby, day and night are not that much different!). I remember during that first month, Z would always be awake around 3/4am for a good couple of hours. It was tough, but I always felt it was a blessing that it was the height of summer, so the night didn't really last that long. I used to say that my baby gave me the gift of a sunrise, because I never missed a single one during that time.

August 21, 2011: My baby doesn't like to miss a sunrise

Now, little one has dropped his last night feed (yay!), but is also getting up earlier (boo!) I guess because he's that much hungrier once the morning hours roll around. I'm not gonna lie, I'm looking forward to the day I actually get a continuous night of sleep again, and not an early morning wake up time. But, until that day comes (because I know that's still a ways away), I have my sweet little baby boy.

October 19, 2011: Feels blessed that after a rough night of "sleep" I have that cute smiling face to look at

How much is enough?

Lately I've been thinking a lot about our lifestyle and how much we need to get by. It's been a fantastic year, being off on maternity leave, enjoying caring for my son, but it has come with some monetary sacrifices (we won't go into the sleep sacrifices, etc). It seems to be a common theme these days: how much do you need to get by?

It's easy to look at the Jones' across the street and think that they have it so good. Maybe they are friends how are going on vacation, maybe they've bought a new car, or are doing some renovations. It's easy to look around and think that others have it good and you're the only one struggling, but I think if we actually had the chance to look at each others' financial pictures, it would probably be a sobering piece of art. It's funny, because finances is a topic that can be quite taboo, kind of like religion or politics, but I quite like hearing how people run their "operations!" I recently took a detailed look at our finances. I printed off our bank account and credit card statements for two months and categorized absolutely every expenditure (that's a great word I don't get to use that often!). It was very eye-opening to see how much we actually need to get by, even just for normal base-living costs such as the mortgage, insurances, utilities, food and gas.

I'm turning 30 this year, and as I look around me I feel like a lot has changed in the past 15 years in terms of what is a necessity, and in terms of cost of living. It does make me wonder though, is the cost of living high or is it just our particular lifestyle? I think it's a bit of both. I'm on a Canadian Issues Debate forum where I have the opportunity to converse with people from across the county. I put the cost-of-living question out to them, and I was surprised to find that Victoria isn't that much different than across the country. I mean, there are variations in food and gas prices. I think the biggest difference (at least to me) is daycare costs (not subsidized in BC) and housing costs. It is very expensive to rent in Victoria and it is also very expensive to buy, at least it can be depending on the area.

This morning, the hubby and I went for a walk with our little one in the stroller around a local trail. We got to enjoy the crisp clear air, the warm temperatures and the sun on our skin. It didn't cost us a dime. I think it's so easy to see spending as an activity, or as a necessary part of getting through the day. I'm trying my best to shift more towards enjoying myself without spending money, and making purchases that are worthwhile, and not just random. And also, most importantly even, taking the time to enjoy the things I've already invested in.

A Year to Expand

Today is December 31, 2011. I love this time of year, the week between Christmas and the new year. Christmas with all its busy-ness is done, and there’s a certain peace in reflecting on the old year and waiting for the new one to begin. It is in the spirit of this reflection that I’ve decided to start this new blog. As my profile description suggests, I’m currently off work on maternity leave with the birth of my first child, a little boy Z. I really feel like this is the first time, in a long time, that I’ve had time to pause. I hope to share here the thoughts and workings of my interests: my family, my career, and my crafting. And hopefully create a dialogue with my friends and anyone else who may come along and pay my little blog a visit. So, here goes!

I must admit, one of my favorite things to do this time of year is transferring over all the birthdays and special events from the old calendar to the new one. I take calendar selecting very seriously. This shouldn’t be surprising as I take great care in selecting many things: my morning tea cup (very important), my fork (don’t know why this matters to me), and of course, my outfit (including my undies… they’re important too!), just to name a few. A calendar is something I look to all year long, to tell me the day, where we are in the month, what appointments or fun events are coming up. I like the picture of the month to be peaceful yet inspiring. Let’s just say it’s a tall-order to find a calendar that I think is just right! This year I picked the Secret Garden Calendar published by Workman. And to top it all off, I received some lovely fine-tipped coloured pens from my MIL to fill in all the important dates. Heaven!

I know I have many a friend who enjoys good stationery (ahem Melissa! ahem). Maybe it’s the teacher in me that enjoys a really great pen and a plethora of sticky notes. I can seriously never have enough pens or sticky notes (especially teaching high school where there is always a student coming to class without a pen/pencil). But, I digress! Suffice to say I am very happy with my new calendar, and I think I’ll be equally happy with my new daytimer – also something I’m quite particular about. I usually go with a Moleskine, but this year I selected a Leuchtturm1917 weekly planner with a cornflower blue cover.

How do you like to get ready for the New Year?

This article was originally posted on http://ayeartoexpand.blogspot.com/ Any reproduction on any other site is prohibited and a violation of copyright laws.