Basking in the Glory...

Of SO MUCH GOLD!

Proud to be a Canadian! All our athletes did us proud.

What in the world will I watch all day now??? hmmmmm?

Attack of the Cold:(

If you've got the time- click my "MOM WITHOUT A MAP" button ------------------------------>
and check out some of my recent posts! Some cute pics of big Z and some of my frustrations with trying to figure out how to feed a 9 month old who is so independent!

Now, onto the important news:)
Big Z has a cold. Poor little monster. No idea where he got it from- we're not sick and none of his "friends" are sick. Poor boo.

He had a few really rough nights before the the cold actually appeared. I thought pretty much nothing of it because, let's face it, he's not the best sleeper to begin with. Waking up a few times a night is not a huge anomaly in my world. But then he got whiny. And tired after just an hour or less of playing. And didn't want his bottle. Poor little boo-boo got a runny nose and then a cough and I'm pretty sure he had a wicked headache. The trifecta of colds.

Anyway, I think we're on day 3 (maybe day 4) of the cold. It was really bad for the first couple of days- hacking cough, so stuffed up, tears over everything. But he seems to be getting better- the snot is draining from him nose at a rapid rate and his cough is looser and seems less painful. I did have him checked out by the doctor and she said to watch out for an ear infection, but nothing has given me a sign of that yet.

All that being said, we have had some pretty crazy sleep patterns. Suddenly, my little sicko is sleeping through the night (he needs the sleep, so I'm very happy!), taking the most random naps (this morning he went down at 7:30am for his first nap) and eating whenever he darn well pleases. No rhyme or reason. So we've been staying inside- much to my chagrin- and hanging out.

But has he lost much energy?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Is he wanting to sit on mommy's lap and watch TV? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Where in the world does this energy come from? WHERE?

Pea Soup Fail/ Book Reviews

Tired!

Baby said to me last night-"I don't want to sleep". I gave in at 10pm and let him come and watch some Olympics in the living room. He thanked me by falling asleep at 1am. Silly boy.

I'm thinking about a new idea for Lent. I think almost everything I eat contains some type of white in it. I can give up white bread easily, it's just all the other stuff. I'm thinking that I need a doughnut and a hot chocolate. Or some fries and a sundae from McDs. Don't know which one I'll get yet, but one is certainly in order.

I'm bored of all the filler on the "Olympic Networks". Just show events and put on real programs in the interm. You are boring me with all this jibber-jabber. Boo-hoo, Canada hasn't "owned" the podium. I'm fine with how we're doing so far- I couldn't do any of these sports so whatever. They're doing better then me.

Today, however, I get a gold medal in mothering. I fed my child Pea Soup. He cried. I squeezed some through his pursed lips because I was sure he'd like the second bite. Full body shivers and bigger tears. Please NO MORE MOMMY! I love Pea Soup. Seriously. We'll be trying that one again.

BOOK REVIEWS
Again, I was incredibly blessed to receive two novels from WaterBrook Multnomah.
The first novel is by an author that I have ADORED since I was a teenager. Robin Jones Gunn really helped shaped my love for novels with her Christy Miller series. I am certain that I read every single novel that she published from that series, and a few from her Sierra Jensen series, and certainly, all of them, more then once.
Her latest offering is a novel for adults entitled
"Secrets". Gunn weaves a tale similar to those in her Christy Miller series- using unlikely romance, a searching main character, supportive & prayerful friends, and a circumstance that only faith in God can overcome.
While not an overly challenging plot, Gunn creates characters that resonate on numerous levels and a story that captivates your imagination. So much that I, in fact, stayed up well past 2 am because I could not put it down. "Secrets" is the first book in the Glenbrooke Series and you can rest assured that I will be purchasing the rest of this series!!
If you are a fan of plain old good writing, heartwarming, positive and encouraging writing, then "Secrets" by Robin Jones Gunn is for you.

"The Golden Cross" by Angela Elwell Hunt is a historical fiction novel revolving around Aidan O'Connor, who seeks to escape her life in the slums using her artistic ability as a catalyst.
Although I was unfamiliar with Hunt's writing, and not generally a fan of this genre, I was captivated by the intricacies of the characters and the personal connection I felt with the plot and it's weaves and bobs. This book is thick with adventure, romance, ups and downs. Through it all Aidan is forced to hope in the Lord and believe in that which she can't see or understand.
In all honesty, I had a hard time starting this book. It is the second book in a series, The Heirs of Cahira O'Connor, and I felt like I might be missing some back story. However, as I hit the third chapter, I was hooked and, again, stayed up way too late trying to squeeze in the last few chapters just to know how the story would pan out. Hunt has a way of making you care about what happens to the main character and allowing just enough romance and adventure to keep you wanting more.

For further information on either "Secrets" or "The Golden Cross" please visit this link.

Bye-Bye White Stuff

Some years I give up something for Lent.
40 Days of denying yourself something- can be a daunting choice. There are a few things that I pondered giving up:

  • Internet- NOPE. I write two blogs, so right there it's a necessity, not just a luxury
  • TV- NOPE. Olympics are on silly. Plus, I really do use it to stay in touch with the world around me:)
  • Diet Coke- Possibility. I really love DC. However, I went my entire pregnancy without touching a drop of it, so it's not really a test for me.
That left me with one thing in my life that has become a bit of a staple since my pregnancy with Z- WHITE CARBS.

So, for the next 40 so days, I am giving up whites: pasta, potatoes, bread.
I had considered carbs in general, but I have a 9 month old to look after and know that I can be less then kind when I go off of carbs. Therefore, I'm cutting out the white stuff. The stuff I grab quickly when I need a quick pick me up. The stuff that comes with a drive thru meal. The only stuff that I could keep down when I was pregnant and just managed to stay in my diet after giving birth.

It will be harder then I think, I am sure. I don't think I realize how many things have white carbs. However, I'm going to do my best. Wish me luck!!!

Family Day and Olympic FEVER!

I've got a fever. And the only cure is GOLD!!!!

Canada has won their first Gold medal at the Olympic Games.

Congrats Alexandre Bilodeau!!!

I am just so proud& into these games and can't stop myself from watching! Winter Olympics are my absolute favourite- I love pretty much every sport, save Cross-Country Skiing. Take that love of winter sports and the fact that Olympics are in Vancouver, Canada and you've got a recipe for an amazing two weeks. For the record, because I've been asked numerous times, I do not live even remotely close to Vancouver, British Columbia. It would be at least a 5 hour PLANE RIDE for me to get there...in case you were curious:)

Anyway, today is Family Day which means nothing but Starbucks is open. Boo. We'll have to do something "family" like a walk if the weather holds out. I'm kinda hoping for a bit of nice snow- really hasn't felt much like winter without the white stuff. However, when I say a bit, I mean A BIT! Sprinkling, dusting, enough for a snowball or a midget snowman. Nothing more.

Blogger is underlining all my words. Because they are important, I assume. Makes me feel important;)

"Love and War" Book Review

As part of a blogging group, I had the opportunity to read and review "Love and War" by John and Stasi Eldredge. Having read many of their previous books, and enjoying them for the most part, I was excited to read their latest offering- one that focuses on marriage and how to stay together when everyone else is falling apart.


First, for a bit of background from the publishers:

What the Eldredge bestsellers Wild at Heart did for men, and Captivating did for women, LOVE & WAR will do for married couples everywhere. John and Stasi Eldredge have contributed the quintessential works on Christian spirituality through the experience of men and the experience of women and now they turn their focus to the incredible dynamic between those two forces.
With refreshing openness that will grab readers from the first page, the Eldredges candidly discuss their own marriage and the insights they’ve gained from the challenges they faced. Each talks independently to the reader about what they’ve learned, giving their guidance personal immediacy and a balance between the male and female perspectives that has been absent from all previous books on this topic. They begin LOVE & WAR with an obvious but necessary acknowledgement: Marriage is fabulously hard. They advise that the sooner we get the shame and confusion off our backs, the sooner we'll find our way through.
LOVE & WAR shows couples how to fight for their love and happiness, calling men and women to step into the great adventure God has waiting for them together. Walking alongside John and Stasi Eldredge, every couple can discover how their individual journeys are growing
into a story of meaning much greater than anything they could do or be on their own.

Now for my thoughts:

I really enjoyed reading this book. While most "self-help" books are of no interest to me and offer little to no practical advice, Love and War doesn't hold back. It shows a marriage full of faults, lived by two faulted people, who face realistic challenges and overcome obstacles we can all relate with.

What I enjoyed the most, however, was that they didn't pull punches. No smoke and mirrors. No fairytale "I'm more in love every single day" romance. Because that's everything that marriage isn't. However, with Hollywood in your face- telling you that marriage isn't worth it if you aren't happy 24/7 and that when you fall in love you should never lose that head-over-heels ideals that you started with- it's hard to remember that we are imperfect people yet we somehow believe that we should be engaged in perfect, faultless marriages. Marriage isn't a fairytale- it's real life and it needs to be worked on everyday and requires the commitment of two people willing to tough it out in order to work the way it was supposed to be.

I think it's important for us all to remember that God created marriage for a "partnership" not so we could have a "prince charming".

All that being said, there were certainly parts I didn't fully agree with (as I have found with all of their books). I feel like they excuse actions a bit too flippantly (because that's how men are...etc...) and perhaps over spiritualize other ideals a bit too much. All in all, though, I highly recommend this book as a fantastic, must read for those wanting to get married, newly weds, or those who have been doing it for years. Love and War's take on a God-centred marriage was a truly refreshing read.

For more information or to purchase this book check out this LINK

This was book was provided for review by WaterBrook Multnomah.

MMMMMMM Egg Yolk

I gave Z scrambled egg yolk this morning. He went NUTS for it! I let him eat it with his fingers, so he probably ended up with about 3/4 of a scrambled yolk in his mouth, but wow. I had it sitting in a bowl and kept putting some on the tray of his highchair...after a while he grabbed the bowl out of my hands and started eating the scrambled yolk right out of the bowl.

By "eating it out of the bowl" I mean, he put his entire face into the bowl and licked up the yolk. We're all about the class at my house;)

You should know that I HATE eggs. The smell, the texture, the taste. I just can't get on board. However, my kiddo apparently loves them, so I'll suffer for the greater good. Sigh. The things I do for my kid;)

In addition to egg yolk, we are also very into rotisserie chicken for lunch and/or dinner. He still lets me feed him fruit (he won't pick it up because it's slimy, I assume) and yogurt and sometimes purees of veggies and meat. Sometimes. This kid I tell you.

Z's aunty Sarah was over at our house the other day. He decided to show her his new skill. New skill= face smacking. He smacks everyone's face- HARD! I didn't think a 9 month old could be so powerful. She was awesome about it and removed his arm and looked him straight in the eye saying "GENTLE". Exactly what I do. He doesn't really listen yet...but we don't let him get away with anything either. Face smacking is not a habit I want to get used to!

Z had his 9 month checkup. 20lbs, 30inches. Doctor said he's about the size of an average one year old, especially in height. I think Z thinks he is a one year old. He's a wild furniture cruiser recently and he loves to let go of everything and see how long he can stand before falling. It's good times over here folks!

Think we're staying in today. It's cold out, I don't have anywhere I need to be, and I really need to shower. He's napping right now, so I better get on that while I can. Hygiene...ya. Good thing he doesn't know what mommy used to look like.

Kind of a compliment...

I was told this past week, by an acquaintance:

"If I didn't know what you looked like before you had your baby, I wouldn't think you look big at all right now."

Hm. I'm trying very hard to take that as a compliment. Very hard.

In other news, I started a blog series on urbanmoms.ca, focusing on different parenting philosophies and ideals. Each month I'll focus on a different mom with a different view of parenthood.
My first one is up (featuring the lovely Kristy: The Enviro-Mom) and I'd love you to check it out and show some comment love: GO HERE

Houston, We Have A Tooth!! (and a fun playdate)

Yes, you read it right. Two days before his 9 month "birthday" Z cut his first tooth!! WHOOT WHOOT!!!
He'd been a grump and had a huge raised bump in the bottom right side of his mouth so we knew it was close, but we'd also thought that before, so I wasn't holding my breath. Saturday night, he was sobbing in his sleep- SOBBING- and I gave him a bit of Tylonel and he managed to get about 6 straight hours of sleep. When I picked him up in the morning, I reached in and OUCH...tooth!! Sharp little bugger too:)

In other news...we had a fun, impromptu playdate with our friends L & her baby C. Their furnace had stopped working while they were away on a trip and they needed a warm and friendly place to crash for a few hours while their house warmed up. YEAH!! Playdate:)
C and Z are born days apart and, while they've been hanging out for a long time, this was the first time they have actually interacted and had fun together. Z helped C learn how to stand. C reminded Z how to scream! It was a good learning day for both boys and fun to have my friend at my place all day!They greeted each other:)And gave me their best smiles..ahem...

And shared toys...yum!!
All in all, a fun fun fun day!

 photo copyright.jpg
envye template.