‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’.  

Well, maybe.  But for me, it happens to bug me a wee bit…and by wee bit, I mean sort of a lot.  This past week when a few of my photos were ‘taken’ on Instagram, was when it really started to bother me.

I heard the above quotation by Charles Caleb Colton many times growing up.  I would come home from school really upset because someone would have copied a drawing that I did, or bought the exact same shoes AFTER making fun of me for having ‘weird clogs’.  But my parents would sit me down and explain that those people wanted to experience the same joy and happiness that I had and they thought that the things or ideas or the clogs that I had in my possession might be able to bring them that same joy.  I was told that I should take it as a compliment and brush it off.  So, I would huff and puff about it but in the end would try to let it go.  Key word: Try.

It’s happened throughout my life - and even as an adult, I still get a bit bothered and think ‘Hey…come up with your own ideas!’  whenever I see something that I feel as though I invented reappear, but this week on Instagram was enough to make me go crazy and delete the app all together.

To make a long story short, I had a few people and accounts use a few of my photos as either their profile picture, or in their feed to draw in more followers.  I personally had to request to two separate accounts to please remove MY photo from their profile picture and use their own.  It felt so weird.  Taking a picture for people to see.  Then getting upset when people loved it so much that they wanted to ‘share’ it, but then for me to get upset that they were sharing it on THEIR account.  It just seemed confusing and backwards and really exciting and sickening all at the same time.

Even writing this blog post I’m mad and honoured at the same time.  What a strange sensation to feel in the same moment.

So, Nate and I had a few long deep conversations about it.  He asks me:  Why do you take pictures?  and I respond: ‘For memories, to be creative, for people to see what I’m up to’  Then he says to me ‘Do you want to have control over who sees what you take pictures of?’ and I say ‘Yes…, and no.’  He says ‘ You can’t have it both ways love’ and I say ‘but…’ and then he reminds me that once it’s out there, on the internet, on Facebook on Insta on whatever medium I choose to open up my life to others who may or not be strangers ‘it’s gone’  It’s mine but it’s not really totally mine anymore.   

Ok…

So, now what?

Well, after the 17 accounts - (yes 17 different totally separate accounts) that took a picture from me without asking permission and the two accounts that used one of my photos as their profile picture, …I’m trying to take a deep breath, and exhale slowly.  I’m really working on viewing this as a huge and sincere form of flattery.  I take photos so that people can see them and so that I can be creative and so that we can share what we were ‘up to’ and so, I need to be thankful and grateful that another individuals think so highly of them.  That is wonderful.  So that's what I'm going with right now.  Hopefully, I'll be able to embrace this idea a bit more as time moves forward.

Just to let you know if you're wondering, these were the shots that we're 'shared' without my aok.  But you know...it's like, not a biggie anymore.  It's all good.  I'm honoured, I feel blessed that they are very desirable photos and I'm happy people are viewing my beautiful little daughter and I having some serious girly time.  If one other human being's day is brightened by Scarlet's smile - so be it.  That is AWESOME SAUCE!!!

Hope everyone has a happy and lovely day. XO  and please don't steal my photos...

Haha!

-Kate

How I deal with Mommy Guilt

 See this face?  

You might be familiar with it.  It’s the ‘holy crap - what the heck - screw this right now - screw everything right now - I suck at this parenting thing’ face that I, Kate Weiland, manage to feel pretty much on a daily basis.

Moms of all ages, races, socio-economic status and every financial income bracket you could imagine - without a doubt - face the perils of mommy guilt.  I mean it.  For me, it’s every.  Single.  Day.  

Like for example.  I have just put down my sleeping son and my daughter is having quiet reading time in her bedroom.  I open the fridge cause I’m hungry.  I see with have both soda water and an opened bottle of chilled Reisling.  It’s 4:30.  I pour myself a spritzer and sit down to write this post.  Cue slight Mommy guilt.

Or how about this one:

You’re in Superstore and you’re walking down the isle with your toddler (and baby if you’re really brave) and the two year-old sees her favourite cookie.  

‘Mommy, can I have one?’ 

‘No sweetie, we’re going to go home and have lunch in a few minutes’ 

‘Please mommy?’ 

‘No my love - no means no.’ 

‘PLEEEEEEEEEAAAASE????’  (Add a puppy dog glance from superstore lady stranger who is on your toddler’s ‘cookie team’ - especially since she said please)  But no!  You are the mommy and you’re sticking to your guns.  

‘I’m sorry.  The answer is still no Scarlet’.  

Cue tears, cue disapproving glare from superstore lady stranger, cue Mommy guilt.

Then there’s this one.  I left the house with the kids the other day to allow our cleaning lady (who comes twice a month which I also have a sliver of guilt about) access to the space without us getting in the way.  I left prepared.  I had a diaper bag full of toys, books, extra clothes, shoes, baby food, toddler snacks, toddler water bottle and a stroller just in case we popped into the mall.  What did I forget?  Toddler lunch.  Ok.  No problem.  We’ll get a teeny tiny bit of fast food.  I’ll have a salad and my little one can have a kid’s happy meal.  They’re not that bad right?  The apple slices and the yogurt?  I mean come on - that’s basically a protein and a healthy carb right there.  But as soon as I see that deep fried extra crunchy not organic chicken nugget going into her mouth with that sugar sweet and sour sauce - you guessed it.  MOMMY GUILT.

Didn’t get outside for long enough with the kids today - mommy guilt

Went ahead and let Netflix roll into the next episode of ‘Paw Patrol’ - mommy guilt

Neighbour revving his motorcycle during nap times and I still haven’t talked to him yet - mommy guilt

Church when it’s convienent - mommy guilt

Dinner purchased again - mommy guilt

Haven’t set up an educational savings account for second child yet - mommy guilt

Haven’t completed picture baby books - mommy guilt

I ate first - mommy guilt

Spent fifteen minutes in the bathroom - mommy guilt

Did my makeup instead of the laundry - mommy guilt

My hair instead of the dishes - mommy guilt

Took a shower too long - mommy guilt

Said ‘no’ without an explanation - mommy guilt

Said ‘no’ for the millionth time - mommy guilt

Said ‘no’ - mommy guilt

Didn’t register for gymnastics five years ago and now we’re on a waiting list - mommy guilt

The list goes on...

Am I crazy?  

Well - I think the answer is yes, but also no.  Because I guess I have to ask myself why am I feeling guilty?  The answer is because I really do care.  I want things to be perfect for these sweet peas.  I care that they will have the best possible childhood.  I want them to enjoy their life because of me and what I’m doing for them.  I care if they get a full balanced meal and a solid nap (or two) and the best education etc etc etc.  But let’s face it - I’m human, moms are human and we can’t be perfect.  We can’t do it all by ourselves or BE it all or expect our kids to be everything in return, even though they already are.  I always need to remind myself about balance and happiness and letting things go. 

  Really letting it go.  

But it’s a process and one that I’ll be working on for many years to come (I’m sure), but in the mean time, I’m going to go ahead and finish this spritzer without too much nasty guilty baggage because it’s OK and I deserve to enjoy it.  Haha.  

Hope everyone has a lovely week ahead.

Kate 

XO

I'm HOW old?

Will’s seven month update

Personality:

You know it - a world class ladies man.  He has begun to really play favourites/strange - especially when he is teething or sick.  All he really wants is his Mommy when he is craving a cuddle but he loves to play and mess around with Dad too.  He’s totally enthralled with Scarlet and babbles constantly to her.  He also grabs at her face and squeaks when he’s excited to see her.

Sleep:

We’re in a nice rhythm now.  Three naps per day (which I’m currently trying to transition to two) and he’s sleeping through the night most nights.  No swaddle, no soother, just a little bouncing on the core ball or rocking in the chair with a lullaby and he can drift off in my arms.  It’s pretty heavenly.  Sleep training SUCKED but it was well worth it.  I rarely let him cry it out when we were in the thick of it (just cause I didn’t have the heart) but all of the other techniques were attempted and he did really well once he got the hang of it.  

Physicality:

Will weighs 17 pounds and has two bottom teeth!  He got them about a week or two ago and they are so stinkin' adorable.  I’ve got to try to get a pic of them.  He’s also growing some hair right on top of his little head which is completely opposite of Scarly.  She didn’t start growing any hair till she was about 19 ish months old and her’s kinda came in at the back of her head first - mullet style.  Haha.  Will’s hair is a medium blonde silky shiny texture.  I LOVE IT!   It seems to want to grow into a mohawk and I’m SOOO down with that.

Food:

Well, it’s no surprise that he’s not a huge fan of cooked egg yoke (I tasted it and shuddered - it tasted so nasty.  I can’t believe Scarlet ate it no problem), but his favourites are pears, yams and he likes rice cereal with prune juice mixed in.

Me 7 months postpartum

How are you feeling?

I’m feeling pretty good.  A little bit anxious about our upcoming trip because it’s never easy for me to fly on an airplane, but I have some back up meds if I get claustrophobic so hopefully it will be ok.  I’m also going to pray lots and lots about it.  That always seem to help.  As does a mimosa before the flight… 

Any weight loss?

Yes and I’m not totally thrilled about it.  I’m really working on trying to add a few healthy pounds to the current 107.  It’s truly the nursing that is taking the weight off and I find it really hard to keep up with the calories going out - especially running after Scarlet all day with a baby in my arms… not to mention the rushed meals that always seem to haunt moms.  Will is still feeding every three to four hours during the day so my body is working hard to produce the milk.  Let’s say that getting to the gym to build some muscle has got to become a priority for me. 

Best moment this week?

Going to the beach in our neighbourhood!

What are you looking forward to? 

The vacay with my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and my own famjam!

Serious Pose.

Fedora was a bit big but I couldn't resist putting it on him.

Have a great day friends!

Kate 

XO 

While watching a slightly suggestive movie with me the other night, my loving, gorgeous, down-to-earth hubby felt he had to share some of his thoughts out loud.

These are his comments, word for word, while watching.  I died...(of laughter).  The movie was pretty bad, but his reaction to it and commentary made it so much better. I read the books a few years ago and was curious about the cast / set / prose - if any.  Can you guess which movie?

*     *     *

NATE:

'That’s not masking tape that’s duct tape.'

'He sits in the front seat and has somebody else drives for him?  That’s ridiculous… who is this guy?'

'I’m gonna get a three piece grey suit'

'Who even owns a flip phone?'

'"Necrophilia’s not my thing" - That’s funny'

'Nice helicopter, I'll give him that...'

(To the characters in the movie) 'Hey guys.  You should turn the lights on cause I’m pretty sure you can’t read that.'

'That’s it?  Really?'


*     *     *

Soooooooo?  Can you guess what we watched?

If you guessed 50 Shades of Grey bravo!

But as mentioned, the movie (and the books for the matter) were fairly underwhelming.  But as a serious tribute to the assumption that the colour grey plus the bedroom plus a gorgeous man without a shirt on equals bliss - here are a few pictures in honour of that idea.

Happy Monday friends!

Kate
XOXO

20 weird ones...

Random, weird, but true things about MOI!

1. I'm totally addicted to the tv show Wheel of Fortune.  I watch it almost every single day and seriously want to be a contestant.  It’s on my bucket list.  I actually practice.

2. In the decade that I taught high school, I was asked every single year if I was a teacher or a student.

3. My last meal would be rare sirloin steak with roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts and salad with a glass of full bodied red wine (nothing watered down thank you very much).  Dessert would be warm sticky chocolate lava cake w vanilla ice cream.

4. I really hate Karaoke.

5. I want to go to a masked black tie Royal ball and dance a Viennese Waltz in a gigantic gown.

6. I thought I was going to be a homeless person after I failed a math test because I thought I wouldn’t be able to get a job.  Harsh Kate, harsh…  

7. I don’t like regular Oreos but I LOVE double stuffed.

8. I dislike anything with a melon taste - cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew.  Just no thanks.

9. I can do a back flip on a trampoline.  

10. I still have a hard time calling older people by their first name.  It just seems disrespectful.

11. My love of kids and animals runs so deep that when I see commercials on tv where the animal is abused or the child has been neglected or abandoned or mistreated - I literally get red in the face and my heart rate rises.  I have had fantasies about hurting (torturing) the people that harm animals and children.  I’m not proud of that, but it’s true.

12. My eyes are always changing colour.  Blue, Green, Grey - it’s weird.  

13. I hate, like HAAAAAAAATTTTTTTE (and hate is a strong word), socks.  Oh and also tea.

14. My name spelled backwards is etak which I always loved because I feel I always attack everything with serious commitment and passion.

15. If I had to pick one colour to wear for the rest of my life it would be black.  

16. I would give up all my money, my house, my vehicles, my education, my career - everything short of my family and freedom to live on a beach.  

17. I actually love to work out.

18. I love coffee and wine so much that sometimes I feel it’s the only two things I need to consume during the day.  (Horrible, I know…)

19. I make our bed differently everyday.

20. Obsession is an understatement when it comes to photography.  

Have an awesome week friends!

Kate 

XO

Handy Hubby

Restoration hardware handles.  

Compacts

Important stuff... (yes - still reading the NT of the Bible)

Beautiful shell dish that we received for our wedding - I have poufs in there for easy access... 

A few nights ago, Nate put the finishing touches on a very special piece of furniture in our bedroom - my new vanity.  I had been looking for one for quite some time ( I have been doing my makeup in the closet over the last few years because it has a little window in it with the best light ) but it just wasn’t practical anymore for various reasons.  So Nate asked if I would like for him to build me a custom vanity.  Ummm, yes please!  And might I mention that there is nothing in this world, NOTHING that is hotter than a man who is good with his hands and can just build stuff out of nothing.  Seriously.

So, this is what I asked for in terms of design and Nate just kinda whipped up for me.  I was so excited when it got put together that I took a shot of it standing in my pj’s!!!  Haha! 

The last few days I’ve just been obsessing over it and taking pics of it in different lighting.  I can’t say I’ve ever been so excited to do my makeup in the morning and the lighting in this space is even better than it is in the closest!  As you can see, I’m not the only one in love with it either!  Slow down Miss. Scarlet, you’re way too young for makeup.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend

Kate

XO

Fashion Kids on Instagram

3.1 million followers - wow, that’s a lot.   Very surprisingly, this shot of Scarlet and I: 

was featured on Mother’s day to a massive account named 'FashionKids' who boast a 3.1 million instagram followers!  I was super excited and shocked all at the same time.   I also found it hilarious that potentially 3 million people saw me online in my housecoat, with zero makeup, and avocado and greek yogurt mixed together smothered all over my face.

 Yah - didn’t see that coming.  Here’s to unpredictability!

 Hope everyone has a fantastic day today. 

Luvs,

Kate

XO

Datey date night with Natey Nate!

Valentine’s day was a good three months ago, but it was only this past weekend that I was able to relish in my gift from my hubby.  He knows I love and adore the theatre, ballet, opera - basically anything artistic.  But perhaps one of my all time favourites is attending Cirque du Soleil.  

I received two tickets for the April performance and was counting down the days till we got to go out together.  It was WELL worth the wait!  I was so impressed with the flexibility, the characters, the creativity, the costumes, the set, just everything.  It blew my mind.  I was a sneaky little audience member and snuck a few pics of a trampoline act.  The reason it looks like the performers are so close is because we were in the second row!  Amazing and terrifying when they were literally just feet away from bouncing right on top of our heads.  Haha.  My amazing parents came over to babysit the babies and Nate and I had a night out on the town.   It felt incredible because it so rarely happens anymore.  Here’s to more date nights!!!

Our seats were VERY close

This is looking WAY up at the top of the tent

And these are the 'cheesy couple' poses that we took before heading out...

Nate said he was blinking when this pic was taken, but I think he was just feeling the wine.

Hope you all get some time with your special someone this week.  Have a wonderful week!

Kate

XO