Parties, Jobs and Creativity

Ok...so I've already failed on many of my year-end resolutions. I do have a good excuse though: It's been a crazy week, in good things and in bad (or maybe I should just say 'crappy').

First off, Elijah turned one!!! I can't believe how fast this year has flown by. In some ways I can't believe he's been alive for 365 days, but in other ways I can't (and don't want to) remember life without him!! I love him soooo much, he's the cutest thing ever and makes me laugh constantly!! We had a big party (more pics to follow), with his Grammy from Ohio coming for a visit. So, it's been busy, and I have had so little time to myself! But, I love my little guy, I love parties, and I love family, so I don't care!!

The bad side: I have to get a job. I know, it sucks sucks sucks, but I need to, so I've been busy searching the jobbank and writing a resume and cover letters. I'm just praying God will have mercy on me and give me a fantastic, perfect job that I love!! I don't like change, so this is a huge, painful step for me. I'm trying to embrace it and think of the good things...hum??!!

Anyway, I was super crafty last week for E's party. Here's a couple of my creations!!



My mum always made really fun, creative cakes when I was growing up, so I've always been excited to do the same for my kids. I was really happy about how it turned out, especially for my first 'fancy' cake!!




I found the instructions for this hat online, and it fits Elijah perfectly!!



Remainder of 2011

Okay, so it's been AGES since I've blogged!!
Summer is always hectic....but soooo much fun!
I'm looking forward to getting into more of a disciplined schedule in the next few weeks. Here are some goals that I'd like to see come about throughout the end of 2010:

1.cooking from scratch, and even making one meal a week vegetarian!! I made a really yummy veggie curry a couple of weeks ago, which my hubby actually loved!

2. Run 3 times a week! Hopefully the weather doesn't get bad too soon! Thanks to some amazing family friends, I now have the greatest jogging stroller!

3. Use my creativity at least once a week. In the form of painting, drawing, sewing, etc. I love to do this stuff, but always seem to run out of time...now it's time to make time!

4. Call one long-distance friend each week, and write my Granny and Poppi in Scotland and England at least once a month!

5. Blog once a week...Hopefully!

A Plethora of Carriers

I own five baby carriers...yep, that's 5!!!

Let me start by saying that I never actually bought any of them.

Two were gifts, one was FREE, and two were made (so, I guess they were bought, but for a VERY small fraction of the cost of the pre-made editions)!!!

1. In the beginning was the baby bjorn. This was on my gift registry at babies-r-us because I heard that they were great. However, after walking for an hour carrying a new-born I found that it's lack of waist straps put a lot of strain on the shoulders. Thus, on our 18km hike to North River Falls when Elijah was a month old, both Matt and I had a lot of recovering to do:

Matt from carrying a baby
Me from pushing out a baby only four weeks prior (enough said)!!

Elijah looks sooooo tiny!!

2. Ahhhh, the sling. I made this one, and am quite pleased with how it turned out!!! It is GREAT for short trips to the farmers market...

thanks to my talented li'l sis for the photo

 http://www.emilyhunterphotography.blogspot.com/

I think it is quite the 'granola' accessory!!

...but BAD for long walks along Prospect Bay!!

thanks Heather for the photo:

http://www.heatheranncrosby.blogspot.com/

3. Next is my cheap cheap cheap DIY moby wrap. This is simply 5 metres of stretchy material, but I definitely think Mr (or Mrs) Moby was very creative with the tying. I love this wrap, and wear it tons. Only thing is, it takes up a lot of space, plus I can see it getting pretty hot carrying a baby on a warm summer day!!

love this photo, also by my little sis!!!

4. The newest addition to my collection is my wrap and tie (similar to a mei tai) by infantino. This was FREE FREE FREE!! I had the infantino sling rider (a gift, which I never used cuz it wasn't cool enough for me, and I had just found a buyer for it on e-bay) which was recalled a few months back because it caused some babies to suffocate (thank goodness I never used it...guess I can't sell it on e-bay). So, this is my replacement. I took if for a test run yesterday...an hours walk with a 20 lb baby. I was surprised to find (unlike some of my other carriers) that I didn't need chiropractic work after. It passed the test...plus, it takes up less room in my suitcase and is esthetically pleasing. I think I'll be taking it with me to Ohio next week!!

5. And finally, for Christmas my mum and dad bought us this contraption...

It is my favourite...for the soul reason that I don't have to carry him!!

Sleepless...

I love Earl Grey Tea Lattes from Starbucks.


I don't love them too close to bedtime.


I've been lying here for three hours and still can't sleep.


I'm so bored.


What do you do when you can't sleep?

He Couldn't Breathe

Ever since he was born Elijah has gone around with his mouth open and drool pouring out...kinda gross, but you get used to it!!

Well, some of us do...Auntie Gemma still cringes!!

Well, In a previous post I mentioned that we got Elijah a humidifier for his room (which is really the living room that we've rearranged so a crib can fit in the corner...man, we need a bigger house)!

I have noticed that he has his mouth closed all the time now!!

Turns out the poor little fella couldn't breathe...what a mean mummy I am!!

Life must be so much easier for him!!

Will He Travel Well?

I'm a little nervous about flying with Elijah!

Ever since he was two months old, he's fallen asleep in his own bed. He doesn't cuddle. He doesn't like being rocked. So, how does that work on an airplane?

Maybe I'll just fill him up with gravol!!

I'll definitely be bringing lots of cheerios, that always keeps him occupied!!

Any tips on flying with an eight month old??

Summer Holiday

In three weeks we are flying to Ohio, and then driving to Charleston, South Carolina with Matt's mom and sister to spend a week on the beach.

I didn't know what Charleston was like until I watched the movie 'Dear John.' It's set there, and it's nice!! I love the beach!! I'm so excited!!

However, I don't think it's going to be quite the idyllic beach vacation I'm picturing. I took Elijah out for a picnic a few times in the last month, it wasn't quite as relaxing as I was hoping...Elijah tries to eat everything he's not allowed. I'm sure sand will be included in that!!! It's a good thing he has a grammy and aunt coming with us!!

I'm really excited for tons of things on this vacation...one being, putting Elijah in these super cute little boardies from his little friend Abbie in Swaziland (whom he only met in-utero, but I'm pretty sure if they lived closer they'd be best buddies)!!

Yesterday, someone said to me that Elijah is going to look so cute with blonde hair and a tan. The blonde hair...yes, the tan...I'm not sure. Afterall, this is what I'm taking to the beach...

and this...

and this...

and this...

this is not yet bought, but he needs a hat, and this one is awfully darn cute!!

...all of which are SPF 40 or higher...I'm pretty sure Elijah and tan will not be friends this summer!! However, hopefully Elijah and burn will also not be friends!!

Finally...Elijah and I went for our daily walk today...here's a cute pic of him...