Final summer haul for Scarly

A little final summer shop for Scarlet before the weather turns on us.  I find that I love her in soft pale colours so I snatched up these cute items to contrast with some of her strong pieces (dark denim, bright leggings, etc).  So although these all look like they're in the same colour family, I probably wouldn't put her in too many at the same time.  

We went to Carter's, Osh Kosh and baby Gap (which I am in LOVE with).  There are so many adorable things there - it's hard not to scoop everything up all at once.  Ka-ching!

How adorable is this combo?  AHHHH!  Little button up dress shirt with a long sleeved tee underneath.  

Ok, we will, so long as you don't ACT like one ;)

Birdies!  Since almost everything to Scarlet right now is either a dog, a baby or a bird I thought this pattern was fitting.  She will point to older kids when we're out and loudly proclaim 'BABY!'  Some of the kids are really mortified.  I say back to Scar, 'no, YOU'RE the baby compared to them.  That's a little boy!'  They seem somewhat satiated afterwards, but the look on some of their faces.  It's like I grew a second head or something. 

Another dress shirt with a small floral pattern.

Might have to get a little puppy one day.  I myself am not a massive huge fan - I like dogs, but Scarlet is obsessed.  She has even been known to squeal with delight and get tears in her eyes when she sees them when we're out walking.  It just warms my heart.

Cute little pants.  I bought the 12 month ones because she is still so petite.  We're JUST starting to fit 12 month clothing even though she is 16 months old.  Teeny girl!

These pants have SPARKLES in them!  My camera didn't pic it up in the first shot, but the pic below has a few that you can see.  In real life they are quite glittery.  Super cute!

These two pieces were on sale.  I thought they would be nice additions to a Christmas outfit with gold accents so I bought them in size 18 months with hopes that she will be a bit larger in three and a half months.  

Not to forget about our little hooligan ;) 

I found (haha - couldn't help myself) a few pieces for him too.

THE cutest hoodie I've seen in a little while.  This is so Nate in a miniature version.  It was crazy.  I got home and Nate was like - 'I would totally wear this in my size!'  AHHHHH!  I'm dying of the cuteness.

Little hipster onesie.  I'll pair this with some patterned leggings and a little drool bib.

Cream coloured waffle shirt.  Amazing.

ORIGINAL APPROVED AWESOMENESS? - Yup that sounds about right

26 weeks pregnant

Weekly Pregnancy Update

How far along are you?

26 weeks!  

How are you feeling?

Pretty great but also feeling BIG!  After eating a large meal I feel even larger and I say to myself ‘wow, feeling uncomfortable, don’t do that again’ and then about two hours later I’m eating again. 

Any weight gain? 

 2 pounds this week for a total of 16 pounds putting me at 131

New symptoms?

Constipation!  :(  Awful symptom of pregnancy and I’m really hating Metamucil right now.  It’s been un-fun for sure.  Also, heartburn is back with a vengeance.  BOO!

General mood?

   Very very happy.  Loving life and everyday that this nugget STAYS PUT! 

Gender?

Boy!

What foods are you craving?

Sweet moist (I hate that word) things like muffins, cake and donuts.  Also sushi…

  Do you miss anything?

It's back - the mad craving for Sashimi, Sushi and Wine.  I’m sooooooo going on a binge after this babe is out.  Watch out Globefish.  I stare at pictures sometime of the things I’m missing and it kinda helps but also feels like torture at the same time.  HAHA  I know - it's weird.  I also miss fitting into my regular clothes.  Guess I'm going to have to shop! ;)

Sleep?

Pretty good except for the trips to the bathroom every two hours or so.  I set up my pillows in bed very strategically.  One between my knees and one between my gigantic ‘twins’ that I hug all night long.  If I don’t, those girls pull me down onto my stomach and I end up squishing the bump which totally freaks me out.    

Working out? 

Walking almost everyday with Scar.  I’m also doing some very light weights again.  

Best moment this week?

The family day that we had together.  It’s just been the best summer at the beach.  

What are you excited about?

Getting my hair done!  It needs it soooo badly I can’t even tell you.  I want to keep it nice and long and blonde so I’ll probably just get a little trim and my roots done.  I know I’ll be eager for a change when the weather hits and/or when the baby arrives - I don’t know why, I can just feel it so I want to ride the long blonde wave for as long as possible while it’s here.  It’s too funny, as soon as I change it I regret cutting or dying it and then when I have it, I want to change it!  Can we ever be content with our hair?!?!  Sheesh!

Kate

xoxo

Taking it right out of me

It's the honest truth - I'm really REALLY good with names.  I don't know why or how it happened, but I can remember names (first, last, middle) of someone that I met two years ago at a party three glasses of wine in.  Yah, I'm that accurate.  Maybe it was all of the years teaching at Fowler with the beautiful but extremely complicated ethnic student names.  Or perhaps it was the one time at Teacher's convention when I sat through a two hour session and all the speaker spoke about was association tricks.  I just don't know, but it's something I take great pride in and get excited about when I see the look on peoples faces when I run into them at the grocery store and say 'HEY!  What's up Sharon Marie Isaacson!?  How's your dog Dexter and cousin Jeremy?'  

That was up until about a week ago when the third trimester of this pregnancy hit.  I've officially become totally dumb.  Like, duuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmb.  If you're a teacher and you're reading this, we're talking like code 43.  It's that bad.  My ability to remember names has completely gone straight to the curb.  I couldn't remember my own next door neighbours name.  This is a woman who I've known for two years, has had our family over multiple times for dinner, given Scarlet birthday and Christmas gifts, offered to babysit and be on call for our son's delivery and I see her almost every other day watering her flowers or sweeping her front door stoop.  I can't remember her name?!?!?!

But names (although terrible right now) aren't even the start of it.  I've been so dumb lately that I've put away our remote control in the fridge freezer and once in the dishwasher.  ???  I've gone to Starbucks, ordered a full drink order (snack included) only to drive up to the window and realize my wallet was still at home.  I called Mastercard to dispute an unauthorized charge on my credit card, had it removed, and then the very next day call them again to do the exact same thing that I did the day before!  'Ahh, Ma'am, this charge was removed from your bill less than twenty-four hours ago'.  

And my energy is totally zapped.  The first trimester was bad (don't get me wrong) but this 3rd one pales in comparison when we're talking energy bust.  I don't know why, but Scarlet didn't make me half as tired as this sweet boy.  I'm soooooo zonked!  A few of my girlfriends who have both boys and girls agreed with me that  boys (for some reason or another) take it right out of you when you are pregnant.  I would completely concur.  I know I have a ways to go (hopefully he stays put) and I know the exhaustion will continue when this little prince arrives, but hopefully after he gets here I'll have a few of my abilities return to me.  Preggo brain is hilarious and scary. 

Actually come to think of it, breastfeeding is something that also drains me.  It's like the little babes are sucking the brain cells straight out of your nipples.  Seriously though - it is.  We'll just have to hope that Nate will be able to make up for my fried head for the next little while.  Thank goodness he's on board.

Scarlet's girl cousins!

 Sweet Emma

This is Emma and Alex, some of the cutest kiddos around.  You'll have to excuse the poor quality that the photographer (ME) was able to capture.  These three are BUSY GIRLS!  It was dang near impossible to get one shot of the three of them all together at the same time looking at the camera.  I guess this is what my future shots are going to be like for a little while - blurry with zero composition.  

Anywho, Nate’s sister Robin came for a visit from London England this summer and we were lucky enough to get two days with the three of them.  These cuties are really dear - they even have slight British accents which amps up the fun factor.  My favourite thing about Emma is that she greets you with the largest hug and kiss regardless of how long it has been since the last time she saw you.  My favourite thing about Alex is how feisty she is becoming.  This one pushes the limits and it’s so fun to see her test her boundaries (partly because I as a mommy get to learn how to deal with these ‘tests’ in about 7 or 8 months).  Here are a few pics of our time with the Kolubinski girls.  Again, sorry about the pic quality.

I LOVE this one of Alex.  She had a bit of a rough night when they slept here - Robin said she was up from 3am - 6am so it's no doubt the little cutie looked pooped.  But this picture sums up some of her awesome personality.  She's just like 'Really? Sheesh guys...'  and rubs her forehead.  

Emma with the kids snack (cucumber and tomatoes) and Dad on a very important business call (haha)

ALMOST got them all to look at the same time

Alex is getting sick of the picture attempts.  Get the shot already Auntie!

This is a pic of them practicing 'sharing'.  There were wonderful moments and not so wonderful moments of this very important skill.  All three of these girls are definitely learning and improving though.  After Emma and Alex left the next day Scarlet kept saying to us; 'shae shae' with her arms reaching for various items that we were holding.  SO CUTE!  We would then get her to 'shae back' and she would hand things back to us.  Still working on it though.

Alex at the beach!

Auntie Robin and Emma

Just hanging

We came back the next day with Robin's friend Julie and her three kids and had a gorgeous night and a delicious BBQ.  Basically a very large part of the visit was happily spent here at the beach.  What can I say?  We're beach bums and proud of it!

How to eat your Goldfish (the Scarlet edition)

First, pour out the entire bag.

Step 2) Stare at them and say 'oooo'.

Step 3 (and the most important one): just get involved.

That's how it's done guys.  

Now I'm going to take off cause I've got serious energy back.  PEACE!

25 weeks pregnant

Weekly Update

How far along are you?

25 weeks!  Thank you to all who have prayed for us, sent us positive thoughts and well wishes.  Oh - and food.  That’s also greatly GREATLY appreciated and delicious.  We are so thrilled to have made it thus far.

How are you feeling?

Really wonderful.  The ultrasound last week set my mind at ease in so many ways.  My mental well-being has definitely improved.  I know all parents say this but this little nugget is such a rockstar and a blessing.  The ultrasound showed that there has been no further separation of the placenta from the uterus but that it still exists.  The blood clot is also still there but is not causing any issues as of yet.  Although he is measuring very small (20th percentile) the doctors are not worried.  They continue to tell me ‘you are small, you make smaller babies’.  Scarlet was small too so I’m feeling somewhat calm about this.

Any weight gain? 

1 pound this week for a total of 14 pounds putting me at 129.  

New symptoms?

My Linea nigra has started to form (the dark line that begins to appear on your belly when things get larger).  My belly button has also started to flatten out which is such a funny thing for me.  I have a very prominent ‘innie’ when I’m not pregnant so it’s really weird seeing it flat like this.

General mood?

  Happy again  

Gender?

BOY! 

What foods are you craving?

I asked Nate to pick up those double chocolate chip muffins from Superstore.  You know - the ones that are so big you have to cut them in half to get your mouth around one of the corners?  haha.  I ate half of one yesterday and felt so full I thought I was going to explode.  So awesome.

  Do you miss anything?

Back to missing wine! hahaha.  It’s like when my mood improves I want to relax with a pinot gris.

Sleep?

Pretty good, just not long enough.  Scar is waking up at 6:30 these days!!!  This is such a change for her.  We’re used to her sleeping from 7:30pm till about 7:30am!  I guess it isn’t too bad, I just love that extra hour in the morning. 

Working out? 

I started walking again this week!  I’ve been taking Scarly out on very mild and easy strolls around the wetlands of our neighbourhood.  It has been so nice just to get out of the house!  I bring my cell phone with me every time in case anything weird happens and I make sure I don’t push it or go too long.  I’m keeping this boy inside as long as humanly possible.  

Best moment this week?

Hearing the doctor say; ‘All is well, just keep doing what you’re doing’.

What are you excited about?

SEEING MY NIECES!!!  My two little sweet nieces and their momma Robin (another one of my sister-in-laws) are in Calgary and will be spending two days and a night with us.  I’m beyond pumped to see these cuties and watch all three little girl cousins interact and have fun together.  Stay tuned for some cute pics of the girls - this mom is going to be going a little crazy with the camera I think ;)

Kate

xoxo

More summer reading

The Angels of Morgan Hill is a novel from the New York Times Bestselling Author Donna VanLierre

1940’s.  Coloured individuals begin to integrate into a small town ‘white’ Christian community.  Some are welcoming, some are not.

‘Angels’ is a satisfactory read.  Although the story, setting and characters are appealing at first glance, the author chose to highlight one of the only climactic moments about 50 pages into the book.  From that moment on, the story seems to slither and dodge past potentially wonderful gems of possibilities which never occur.  It was clear that the author chose to keep the story ‘safe’ by allowing the predictable.  The courageous choices made by certain characters saved the storyline and assisted in making the novel readable.  But, the reality of those times was lost by merely skimming the surface with intent to wrap up and create a tight and pretty ‘package’.

The majority of characters are well-developed; however, there was a total lack written about the one and only antagonist that we the reader ever found out about.  This character could have been much more entwined in the story - why was this person causing trouble?  What was the history behind chosen actions?  Where did they come from?  Why did they hate so badly?  Major hole.

Perhaps the 228 pages was a factor in the author’s absence of literary development?  

Thankfully, one of a few redeeming qualities of the novel rests with the protagonist Jane and her spit-fire and feisty personality.  The majority of the novel is from her perspective but occasionally and jarringly the author switches to a third person narrative.  This allows the reader to understand scenarios of the story that Jane has not seen or experienced, but makes for a fairly bumpy path while reading.  

I should mention for anyone who comes across this post, this ‘review’ is simply my thoughts and not derived out of malice towards the author.  I should also note, I am NOT a professional reviewer.  Please don't forget to hashtag or comment on your favourite summer reads below!  I'd LOVE to see what you're reading and really need to get some 'greats' under my belt.

Kate

xoxo 

I can't help myself...

Yes, it's true.  I'm really enjoying shopping for this boy.  I was told that there are very few options for boys out there and when I see something cute, snatch it up...so I do! :)  Here are the latest finds!

Mommy's little Gentleman

This moustache onesie was just too adorable to pass by.  I LOVE IT!  I think I have a thing for moustaches, but I really don't like them on men.  Weird...

Oh hi!

Bow tie onesie with cardigan top layer.  Such a little mini Nate outfit!  HA!

Also cute with navy blue pants

More moustache is always a good thing.

Check out this little cardigan!  Suspenders on the front...

and elbow patches on the back!  GAHHH!!!

This next outfit is great because it came WITH a little slobber bib that matches the cute pants.  I love the arrows!

 More arrows.  I also have to take a second to give a huge shout out to Luxe Baby Boutique.  #luxebabyboutique  whose items you can see below.  The young female owner of the shop is from Vermilion Alberta!!!  Talk about buying local and keeping it in close to home.  Her stuff is ADORABLE and very reasonable considering it's all handmade and done with the softest and cutest material.  I bought a few pieces from her to support our young entrepreneurs.

I bought some sweet pink leggings for Scarlet too and wanted to show you how adorable they are!  They're just so soft!!!  Definitely going to shop at this boutique again.  

We didn't have these little mitts for Scarlet until she had scratched her face so badly that it bled.  This time around - I'm going in extra prepared!

And this is the latest haul all together.  I'm sensing I like blues, greys and whites the best.  I'm definitely going to start stocking some blacks and a few punch colours like yellow, green and maybe some red since the babe is expected in Nov.  We're also going to need to find some warm winter woolies for this little guy and Scarly as well.  Major sigh - guess I'm just going to have to do some more shopping ;)

Love 

Kate

XOXO