Of course it's not ALL fun and games....

Especially with a husband like mine ;) There are some less-fun items on our "SPRING BREAK TO-DO LIST". Booking a flight home, taking the car for a routine maintenance check, figuring out how to secure Nory's citizenship, picking up some WD40 at True Value, and organizing/purging a certain someone's closet/dresser/rolly-trolley of clothes (AH-HEM....so maybe this last one applies to ME).

Nory helped to decide which items should stay and which items should go!  She remained pro-pink ;)

Anyhow, I was much too embarrassed to take a before and after picture of the anxiety-inducing situation that existed in the aforementioned clothing storage areas.  Phil almost had a heart attack as he pulled out entire drawers and shelves full of wrinkled and disheveled clothing items.  And at a mere 7 weeks of age, I have an inkling that Nory felt similarly overwhelmed....

See - this face doesn't exactly scream "MOM THANKS FOR PLANNING THIS FUN ACTIVITY FOR US TO DO AS A FAMILY!"  Haha, I couldn't even kiss this one better....

The good news is that we are more than half way done organizing my big mess!  And I re-discovered many pre-pregnancy clothing items that I really love.  They don't all fit of course....but they are there for the day I've lost all this excess fat that random people keep commenting on.  BAHA.      

The idea is to finish up tonight!  Thankfully, Phillip views organizing as a relaxing past time.....

Out & About in BUTTERFLY SOCKS!

Yesterday the dust had cleared and we took Nory to Babies 'R Us and the Avenues.  We picked up some fancy new bibs (her Gerber ones are starting to strangle...), a fun facecloth/handpuppet owl for bath time, DIAPERS (a permanent resident on our shopping list), and plain white baby socks (there IS such a thing as TOO MANY PRINTS).

We also stopped for lunch at the International House of Pancakes (IHOP), making this very restaurant Nory's premiere dining experience!  The wait staff adored her and couldn't get enough of her strawberry blonde locks.  She was a complete doll too - quietly taking in all of the different sounds and cat-napping when our food arrived at the table!  (Although she did go on to express starvation the minute we packed up and left causing us to re-situate at our "secret" Starbucks in Debenhams, haha).

Spring break is the best.  Nory is too :)

She's PET-SITTING!

Nory was asked to look after "Sushi the Fish" during spring break!  Of course she was thrilled about the opportunity (you know, as thrilled as a seven week old can express) and "SOOSH" is sitting happily on her bedroom shelf. 

This work ethic makes Ma and Pa very proud.  University is expensive, Y'ALL!  Way to accept such a BIG responsibility Our Darling ;) 

XOXO

OUR SLEEPING BEAUTY!

To top it off, she slept in my arms for another two and a half hours this morning.  Her look of bliss held strong as we made a tea and watched three episodes of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills!  And let me tell you - remaining relaxed and peaceful during the latter activity can be an honest-to-goodness TASK ;) 

I think we'll stay inside today.....

This calls for all-day movies & cuddles!  HIP, HIP!

THOSE Moms.

As I've shared before, I really think that women become a walking "judge me now and judge me often" billboard as soon as they become pregnant.  "You're not gaining enough weight.  You're gaining too little weight.  Get out of the heat.  You shouldn't eat that.  You need to drink this.  You're exercising too much.  Why are you taking the stairs?  You shouldn't be working."  Ah - it goes ON and ON and ON.

Then you become a Mom.  And you expect the comments to continue because you've become accustomed to it during the last 9 months.  "Your baby is too cold.  Your baby is too hot.  Your baby shouldn't be leaving the house.  Your baby needs to be on a schedule.  You're going back to work?!  Your baby is sleeping too little.  You shouldn't hold your baby so much.  You need to breastfeed exclusively.  Why does your baby sleep in the other room?"  Once again, it goes ON and ON and ON and as I said, I expected it to. 

What I didn't expect was for most of the criticism to come from other moms.  Moms, I've sadly learned, tend to be the WORST.

Oh dear me, I said it! 

It's one thing to laugh at the unsolicited advice offered by those who are without children and clueless (like I used to be!).  But for OTHER MOMS to be your biggest enemy?!  Moms who know what it's like to be new to the gig and struggling just to make it through the day without having a major breakdown losing your composure (ha!)?!  That's really thrown me for a loop.  And I think it's going to take me a while to get used to it. 

As I sit here right now, I question how the choices I make as a parent somehow influence another woman's life in a way that is extremely offensive and hurtful.  One would think I was doing something awfully unkind to THEIR child, rather than executing a much discussed and thought about decision for the well-being of my OWN.  Can't we just trust that Phil and I are doing what we think is best for our baby?  I suppose not.  In that case, I will nicely ask you to mind your own business and keep your comments to yourself. 

I can't say that every woman I've encountered has given me the stink eye.  There have been a few of you - many of whom are also new moms - who have written the kindest words to me relaying some of the very ideas I've discussed in this post.  THANK YOU - for thinking of me when you barely have the time to think about YOURSELF!  I have kept every single message to re-read during those nasty "I may actually be the worst mother ever" moments of self-doubt. 

Now I'd like to apologize to anyone who ever felt judged by my "without children and clueless" remarks and I would like to apologize even further for anything offensive that might have left my mouth after Nory's birth!  This Mom thing can be quite tricky and I really do like to think we're all in it together.

And that's that.

This little family of ours is trying our best here.  There will be mistakes along the way.  But, HEY!  That's parenthood, right?

Cheers to life's greatest experiment!  ;) 

Check-Up #2!

Yesterday Nory had her second appointment with the pediatrician.   She was a STAR - patiently waiting 90 minutes to see him and smiling throughout his routine examination.  WAY TO GO, Sweetie!  As your Daddy always says, "YOU'RE THE BEST!"

Let's talk about that 90 minute wait.  Not too shocking a duration if you're a Canadian living in Canada (I don't think).  But let's say you're a Canadian living where we do - that's when it becomes a bit strange.  These long waiting periods - particularly in regards to children - don't tend to happen too often.  And when they do happen, Phil and I are very comfortable grabbing a tea and chatting away the minutes (usually).  Well, after inquiring about when we might get to see the doctor, the nurses were shocked to learn we were there.  Of course I'm thinking, "BUT WE STICK OUT LIKE SORE THUMBS", but they insisted they weren't informed by reception of our presence.  Long story short - we decided NOT to file a formal complaint (as advised) against the front desk staff and have decided to "pocket" our doctor's words instead:  "You are too civilized for this country.  You must make a fuss.  Next time, after five minutes, you cause a problem.  They will bring you to me."  Okay then - in the future we will stray from the "Canadian" stereotype for the sake of getting in and out quickly.

Now let's talk about Nory.  Our girlie is 11.5 pounds and 57 cm long!  The doctor says she's growing in perfect amounts and we return in one month for her next appointment (a.k.a. the "they don't act like Canadians" appointment - BAHA).  He is also said that her bout of vomiting (which I didn't share on the blog because I am STILL upset about it) was likely just a one-day stomach bug and we're to let him know if it continues at all this week.  Thankfully - she seems to be on the mend.  Inshallah her Mama's sleep habits will follow.

On that note - I feel EXTRA appreciative of great neighbours who answer your frantic knocks with a big hug, a "collect yourself" break, and many parenthood-related laughs.

Hey - it takes a village, RIGHT?!
  

Nory's Video Debut!

The whole premise was to catch a smile. Turns out I caught something a little different.....

Hope your day was made!  Ours sure was :)

Fighting Anxiety with Stupidity....

After getting some lotion in Nory's eye....

Lindsay:  (panicking)  HUN!!! HUN!! Come here!!!

Phil:  (starts to panic) WHAT?!

Lindsay:  (very upset) I got lotion in her eye.  I think I hurt her... 

Phil:  (sigh of relief) Oh, she'll be fine hun.  Look - she's fine.

(Five minutes later)

Lindsay:  (rocking Nory in the rocking chair) Phil, REALLY!  Please go over there and read the bottle.  Tell me what it says about getting the product in the baby's eyes. 

Phil:  (reads bottle) It doesn't say anything about that.  But I'm sure she's fine.

Lindsay:  I feel so bad....

Phil:  Want me to put some in my eye and see what happens??

Lindsay:  (laughs) PHIL!!!!!!!!!!!

The Basketball Banquet.

Phil's basketball banquet was Thursday night from 6-8 p.m.  The picture below was taken at 5:55 p.m.  Haha.  That's how things go here.  When we arrived, the only people in sight were those who were setting up the event.  When inquired about where the owners of the home were, they had no clue!  In fact, they responded with, "WHO?!"  Haha.  Again, that's how things go here. 

Two of the players hosted the event in their family garden.  It was an ideal setting!

The event began at 7:15 p.m. instead.  Hey - that's actually pretty good!  The boys arranged for Johnny Rockets to set up a hamburger station and a pasta bar and they had yummy cupcakes delivered for dessert.  Phil gave an AMAZING speech (what else is knew?!) and he recognized different team members by handing out awards.  The boys really enjoyed it.  They listened to every single word Phil said and when it was all finished, Phil received a record-breaking amount of hugs!  They LOVE HIM.  And I can see why. 

Our first night out as a couple!  Nory had to stay at home with Nanny Kumari because of the dust!

Congratulations on another successful year, my love!  I am so, so proud of your commitment to this team.  You go above and beyond (and that's STILL an understatement) what is expected of you in your role as a coach.  Nory and I are lucky to have such a GOOD MAN in our lives.  We love you so much!

XOXO