A few Fall purchases

Just to get the ball rolling.  

Even though the weather is nice, it's been a little chilly in the mornings so knits are always nice to have around.  Here are a few little things Scarly and I picked up for her and her little brother ;)

HnM leggings for the cutie pie!

We love you more ;)

Little knit dress for Scar from HnM

 Polka dot sweater from HnM for Scar

Warm socks!

Another #jj Instagram feature!

It’s still a big deal for my pics to be featured on epic Instagram accounts like Josh Johnson, #joshjohnson, but it’s a really big deal when it’s a set-up timer shot of my right foot in the dirty basement in an old pointe shoe while I’m six months preggo - just saying.  Makes me laugh too, and definitely pushes me to take other different and unusual shots.  I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY!  I really can't wait to get enrolled in those classes.

Munchkin Meals

What does my toddler eat?

Hey guys!  I thought it would be fun to do a little write-up of what my 16-month old daughter Scarlet eats.  This is what a typical day of food looks like for her.  She is and always has been a very good eater and I personally have a theory as to why that is, but I'll explain later.  Here are a few pictures of what we give her almost everyday.  But just understand - we're not perfect.  We're only trying to give her the most nutritious and delicious meals that we can think of and come up with easily.  

Hope you enjoy!

BREAKFAST

Healthy time Oatmeal made with water and a heaping spoonful of full fat greek yogurt.  1/2 a banana on the side.  Carbs, healthy fats and protein.  Winning meal right there.  I should also mention the oatmeal is jam packed with toddler essentials.  You read the box and immediately feel really good about giving her this stuff.

She's a true morning person - I can barely capture her pic when she's eating because of how excited and happy she is.

As you can see there are some cheerios in front of her.  I give these to her to nibble on while I'm prepping our breakfasts and hers.  Unfortunately, most of the Cheerios end up on the floor because we 'share' with Milo who LOVES cheerios.  She feeds them to him almost everyday.  It's really cute.

SNACK #1!

Edamame - no salt.  

I usually break the round beans into two and give them to her that way.  I'm slightly paranoid about choking but thankfully still have a valid CPR training under my belt if it does happen.  HAHA!

She also loves these little Goldfish crackers.  I'm not a huge fan of giving them to her (because of the salt) but I usually hide them until she's had a good serving of veg.

Fuelled up and off we go again!

LUNCH!

Full boiled egg, 1/2 an avocado, fruit and cheese toast.  Yes - she will eat every single bite of this meal.  It's awesome to watch.  Strategically, I have to give her the egg first or she won't touch it after she sees the other food.  Fruit comes last and we call it dessert.

 SNACK #2 and Milkshake

 Organic Homo Milk with the other half of the banana and spinach blended in.  

Nate is allergic to Milk and really Lactose Intolerant.  I myself have had some milk related problems - psoriasis flared up and minor Lactose Intolerance when I was younger.   We as parents both struggled with giving her cow's milk at all; but after hearing doctor after doctor after doctor and reading article after article about WHY it's important for babies and toddlers to have homoginzed cow's milk I felt it was right for our family.  She gets half of what is 'recommended' because this is what I was most comfortable with.  We supplement other nutritional needs with foods and dairy such as cheddar, cottage cheese and yogurt as you can see.  This is the only time during the day that she gets milk (right after her nap) unless she ever asks for it.  If she does, we do give her more but it's rare.  

I feel like we are in a happy balancing act right now.  I will continue to regulate and watch her very carefully with cow's milk and the first sign of disrupted sleep, or itchy skin, or whatever - you name it, we'll be trying something new.  So far, so good so we'll stick with it!

cottage cheese and 1/2 a mandarin orange

DINNER!

Someone looks hungry!  

Scarlet is at the stage where she can eat what Nate and I eat for dinner (within moderation).  Tonight she had steamed asparagus, sautéed mushrooms and pasta with some of the Salmon her Daddy caught on his fishing trip with his Dad.  And yes - she ate the entire plate.  My theory is because she doesn't have the full 16 oz of milk 'recommended' she is not overly full of liquid and can take all of the food offered (and more).  I have a few friends who struggle with their kids eating, but see that they have bottle after bottle of milk and I wonder if that might have something to do with it.  I know after I have a latte I'm not super hungry anymore.  Who knows, I just think that what's going on in our pad is working well and Scar has consistently been healthy, no sickness yet (knock on wood) and within if not slightly under a healthy height and weight.  There it is!  Hope you enjoyed.

28 weeks pregnant

Weekly Pregnancy Update

How far along are you?

28 weeks!  

How are you feeling?

Pretty good.

Any weight gain? 

No weight gain this week.  Total of 18 pounds so far keeping me at 133

New symptoms?

Glucose intolerance.  

I took the gestational diabetes pre-screening test and was told that I needed to do the second 

more intense test.  After completing the;

 drink-orange-syrup-every-hour-for-three-hours-while-I-poke-you-many-times-with-needles-and-make-sure-you-fast-for-a-day-beforehand-exam,

 I learned that the placenta is effecting the way that my body metabolized sugars into my system.  A possible complication is that the baby will be too large for delivery (SOOOO not a concern at this point), but the precautions must still be implemented.  So, unfortunately for the rest of the pregnancy, I will have zero sugar, minimum simple carbs and small meals every two-three hours.  Ok, I can do that.  But already, I can tell that with the change in my diet, weight gain and fundal measurements will be affected.  

This whole scenario was a surprise as I had no issues with any of this in my first pregnancy, but all along, the placenta has been a concern so I guess I shouldn’t be too shocked. 

General mood?

Still pretty darn happy.  

   

Gender?

BOY!

What foods are you craving?

nothing really.  With the change in diet, I find I’m unusually fuller for way longer.  Complex carbs are pretty good and tasty.  I especially like the Ezekiel sprouted bread!  

  Do you miss anything?

hmmmm.  Not really this week.  The weather is back to being beautiful so we’ve been out and about.  Actually, I miss my best friend Jenny.  She and her famjam have been up at the cabin for a few weeks and I’m needing some time with her.  Fortunately, we have a dinner date planed.  YAY!

Sleep?    

Really good.  You won’t hear me complaining.

Working out?  

Scar and I walk in the morning or go run errands, enjoy the park, the beach, a play date etc, and then we all walk as a family every night after dinner.  I’ve been given the ok to do this so I’m taking full advantage!

Best moment this week? 

Seeing my daughter full-on run towards me (with serious speed I might add), and then right into my arms for the first time.  It was so special.  She is now doing it to Nate too and it’s amazing to watch her run so fast and just plunge with full trust into his body.

What are you excited about?

-Decorating the nursery (that’s happening very soon)

-My sister-in-law coming in Sept with my nephew

-I’m excited about fall this year.  The gorgeous leaves, the scented candles, the new clothes and it’s all bringing us closer to the due date.  YAY!  I change out house pillows, decorations and our flower planters with seasonal items so I’ll have to go shopping to keep things seasonally current.  

hmmmm, poor me.  Haha. 

Kate

xoxo

Thug life

Today I felt like Scar looked like a sweet little gangster baby.  I think it was the rag head band and cardigan combo.  I don't know.  But even though she looks like a total thug, she's such a little quiet, sweet angel.   Gotta say - I'm diggin' the vibe Scar...

Although it was a rainy, we still wanted to get outside since I can just feel that the fall cool months are creeping upon us.  (Nooooooooo!)

Scarlet was excited to see the new park just around our place but I was a little disappointed that there weren’t any other little kiddies playing on it.  We’re very social ;)  Usually these places are packed but I guess the rain scared a few away today.  Oh well, we were able to have the place to ourselves which was still really fun.

See ya Mom!

Here are a few pics of Scarlet discovering the area.  She LOVES the slides and is starting to get more and more used to the swings.  She and I sat on one for a long time together without talking to each other.  So very sweet.  It's like when you have moments with your best friend where you don't need to say a word, you just both know.

I see a bump on Mommy!

I see a DOG!

Oh man, there is a DOGGIE there!

Cutest face.

Brave little chicky!

Our JOTI!

Our beloved Joti, but sometimes we call her Jasmine - only because she looks like the Disney character...not because she's East Indian.

Ok - again I went a little bananas prior to taking a picture of this absolutely delicious dinner and ate most of it.  I know I say this a lot because I’m such a food lover, but honestly, this butter chicken is the best Indian meal I have ever had.  Like - it totally trumps Moti Mahal (our all time favourite Indian restaurant that we’ve been going to for years).  It tastes like you’re eating the most delicious fancy meal straight out of the Taj Mahal in India, and you’re wearing a beautiful sari.  The rice alone!  I mean.  I’ve never had rice like this!  It’s like she puts a spell on it or something, or just lot's of fennel.  Ok, now I’m getting a little carried away, but seriously oh man.
 This dish and Joti are two very special treats in my life!

I had an entire plate and then realized - I DIDN'T TAKE A PICTURE!!!  So this is a little second helping.

We have Joti coming in about once or twice a week to help out.  She plays with Scarlet (so I can get a few things done around the house), cleans and cooks.  It is such a gift on the days that she is here.  I’m looking forward to next time as she has asked if she can do a vegetarian style dinner for us.  Ummmmmm, let me think about that…YUP! 

Kate 

XOXO

Heritage Park

Hell on Wheels - one of our new favourite shows on Netflix.  That's what sparked my interest in
Heritage Park again.
Four of my former theatre students from Central Memorial (Sarah Troyer, Shae Keebler, Meredith Pritchard and Kayley Bruce) have been featured on this gorgeous and suspenseful show.  I was so PROUD!  The show just got both Nate and I interesting in checking out one of our cities great historical sites, which ALSO btw had some scenes from the show filmed right on site!
So Awesome.
As promised here are a few pictures of our fun morning:

Waving to the train as it goes by.

But there are also PLANES!

The Haunted house at Heritage Park.  It really is haunted.

Pretty during the day - terrifying at night.

In the little tiny kitchen.

I LOVE this shot of Scar.  Creepy and cute at the same time.  Taken in the haunted house kitchen. 

Room on the second floor of the house.

This just LOOKS haunted.  

Yah - don't want to be in this room late at night.  Thanks...

And we're out of here.

 RUN SCARLET!

Gorgeous girl and handsome hunny!  I'm a lucky lady.

Main street where some of Hell on Wheels was filmed!

I thought this was cute.  Strollers laced up vs horses.  

The old General Store

CANDY SHOPPE!  Scarlet and Nate didn't come in because we thought she might pull an entire jar of candy down onto the floor. 

Hearing a real train 'CHO-CHOO!' for the first time.  We were both looking at Daddy, but the sound startled us a bit.  I was still a little jumpy from the house.