The Journey of Life

The best and the worst part about life is you can never really plan your journey. All you can do is keep walking forward along the path in front of you. Maybe its an easy downhill walk with beautiful scenery - only appreciated after you see the hill in the distance that inevitably, you will have to climb. Maybe you were forced on a path that you wish you weren't on. Maybe you'll wish you had walked just a bit slower when you had the opportunity. Maybe you should have turned down another path that didn't look as appealing. Maybe...

Almost two years ago I was faced with two paths. One path was straight, and I could see where I was going for miles. One path, was a mountain.
The straight path can tempt some, but not me. I knew that somewhere on the mountain path I would pick up a tiny little passenger, so I started to climb.

Two years ago, if you would have asked me where I would be at this moment, I would have said somewhere in Asia- traveling, teaching, learning, growing- preparing myself for Teacher's College in September. Then who knows where I would be after that.
What am I actually doing? I'm a single mom trying to find some sort of child care for my daughter so I can return to a job that I never saw myself staying with after I graduated from University. A job I need to support us. A job I now, can't leave.

It is hard thinking I will be going back to work only to give half of my pay cheque to childcare. Even harder knowing that, just when she is really starting to become her own person, she is going to be raised by someone else. Even worse, there is so far, only ONE person able to take her in, so I don't really have a choice where she goes.


Here I am, still climbing that mountain. But on my journey, I picked up that passenger. And she is the perfect companion. The climb is still difficult, but the view is spectacular.. and it will only get better as I climb.

9 months!

Well, it's here. 9 months old tomorrow. Another month closer to a year old. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... where does the time go!??? You are so grown up. So many people have said that you have lost your baby features, and they are right. You are just a giant bundle of want-to-be toddler. My favorite thing about this month, is that your personality is really starting to come out. You are such a little observer. You watch and study everything with an intensity that I will never live to know myself. You are so loud and playful when you know your surroundings, but when you are in a new place you quiet right down and cautiously observe. You are also very clever. If you want something, you will find a way to get it. You can climb and maneuver with the best of them, won't stop until you've reached your goal,no matter how many times someone tries to stop you. Determined. That I expected. Your Dad and I both have that quality as well of a pinch or two of stubbornness, so it is only natural for you to be the same.

Over the past two months you learned to wave and clap by request, say and sign "more", sign "food", sign "milk". You call me "mama" and you call grandma "nana". You can also say "banana" and your favourite syllabol is "da". You pick up story books all the time, but don't like when I read them to you anymore. You want to read them to me! And you do it so proudly.
Two giant milestone that you mastered in the last two months were walking with things and standing by yourself.

Two days ago you braved taking a step, mouth wide open with excitement. You landed on your bum, beaming with pride.

It is so hard to wipe that smile off your face these days. You are such an extremely happy baby!! I don't even remember the days that I had to walk around and bounce with you because all you would do is cry. Now, all you do is smile. And, if you aren't smiling, all I have to do is smile at you and you do it right back.

It's funny how your looks change. For about 5 months straight now, you were a mini me. Looked exactly like all my baby pictures. Sometimes it felt weird looking at you because it was so unreal. The last few days though you look a bit like me, but A LOT like your Daddy. You both have the same expressions and it is funny to see.

You weigh 18lbs and are 28 1/2 inches! So tall!! And you cut your first tooth two days ago. FINALLY! It looks like there are a bunch more ready to come out.. so I am trying to soak up your gummy smile for the small amount of time that I have left.

And last, but not least, you sleep. You sleep for 10-11 hours straight and I love you so much more for that, if it is even possible.

Wordless Wednesday

She loved playing with the clover garland!

Riding her favourite horsie

AND I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the bum-in-air sleep position

Finally!

You never really realize just how limited your time can be until you have a child. I remember always thinking when I was pregnant.. "Well, I work two jobs, go to University full-time, am an intricate part of a large stage production at the University, AND I'm pregnant. I'll be fine." HA! HA HA! I was so naive.. then, I was up at 6 or 7 every day and in bed by about 1, jam packed with things to do, and I find myself busier now. It took me ONE FULL WEEK to paint Abby's room, the bulk of which I did when Abby was with her Dad yesterday. I tried all week to get it done before Monday so I could have some relax time, but it just didn't happen. I think I had forgotten how much work it can actually be to paint a room. This room was the most work for sure, because I had to move everything out of the room and normally I'd just move it out of the way. I probably could have done it sooner if I didn't walk with Abby for almost every afternoon nap, but it was so nice this week. I found a great route that is about 2 hours and the majority of it is along the canal. There is also a little picnic area with a playground about half way that I think will be a perfect pit-stop when she gets a bit older. Anyways, now the painting is done and I just have to wait a couple days to let it cure so I can get everything up and moved back in! Abby has been fantastic sleeping in my room. I have really been enjoying it. Once this week she woke up at 3, but the rest was 5-7. I think I finally have a full-night sleeper! And it was just too cute when I would come to bed. She likes sleeping on her stomach now, with her bum in the air. I always put her down on her back, and every night when I have gone to bed this week I peaked in her crib with the light from my phone, and every time she would be in a new place, bum in the air, and cute as a button. I find it so funny that I look forward to her naps and bed time to squeeze in some "me" time, but when she is actually asleep, all I want to do is scoop her up and cuddle with her. I plan on moving her things back into her room by the weekend, but have a feeling that I won't actually get it done until Monday..! So, until next week!
Oh! Side note, today is Abby's 9 month doctors appointment! I can't wait to see how much she weighs and how tall she is!!

Wordless Wednesday Easter Dress/ Birthday Dress

Not only will Abby be celebrating her first Easter, but my birthday falls on the same day! Therefore, the girl needed two dresses for the occasions!

Now a picture of the next dress will NEVER do it justice. I love this dress more than life itself. Abby was a bit restless from the first dress photo attempt so I let her just wonder around with this one.

She loves waving at herself in the mirror. And I love it too. After all, getting to see two of her is definitely better than one :)

More Renos!

So, here it is. Pictures of the rest of the house. Lots of work, but I am motivated to get it done!

So this is the entrance way. I'm ok with everything there, except that it's pink. Yes, pink. I am starting to get used to it, which is why I need to change it. I was born a neutral girl and I will die a neutral girl.
My livingroom. Do you see the big empty wall staring back at me?! This picture does not do the space justice. The TV is 42" if that gives you a better sense of the space. There is only one solution to this problem, and it is art. Lots of art. And then, there is the pink factor. Also, a strange outlet just floating there on the wall. Not sure what to do with that either.. I am sure there is some need artwork that requires electricity out there though.. it's just a matter of finding said artwork.

This is the diningroom, which is just a continuation of the livingroom. What do you see (aside from my oodles of craft stuff)? More wall. Yes, more wall. Eventually I hope to fill this space with a piano, but for now? More art. I did purchase a fairly large mirror the other day though that I think will look great, it is just a matter of putting it up. And then there is the "pink" factor... yikes.

This, obviously, is the kitchen. There isn't too much I'd change about it. Infact, I am inlove with this kitchen. It, and the entrance way, is what made me love this house so much. The walls are in good shape and don't need paint, and I like the colour, but am not sure it will go with the colour I am choosing for the livingroom etc.. so I'll have to play it by ear. Also need to get a new table, but that is not a necessity. What DOES need to go, is that crazy excuse of a light fixture. Lime green, orange, and white should never hang together.. ever. At least in my kitchen.

Bathroom. Besides the PURPLE walls and the window sheer, I love everything about this bathroom. Especially the sink unit. I know I am going to go with a brown for the walls, but I haven't decided what shade. There are so many colours to grab from between the counter and the floor that it is hard to choose.

Back to my room, that is currently being invaded by my ever-so-sweet 8 month old. So, as you may have noticed, the walls are lime green. Yup. Lime green. I think the light fixture from the kitchen was intended for this room, but ended up hanging too low. The curtains and furniture were purchased after the house, as well as the picture frames that are still in their packaging.. oops! I keep meaning to finish my picture project for those, but I end up taking on other projects. I have discovered that it is very hard to choose just the right picture combination to say what I want it to. A picture is worth a thousand words, right? So four together? That is quite a long story.. that if not told right, runs the risk of being very boring.. although Abby is going to be the subject so I can't really go wrong. I also have a piano in my room, saxophone, trumpet and guitar that come with A LOT of music. My closet is the same as Abby's closet, and I am hoping to divide it the same and have half of it designated to storage and shelving. First thing's first though, get rid of the green. I am thinking an ashy, browny grey.. something dark. I may need to find the right bedset first because it is so much harder matching sets to walls than walls to sets.

Needless to say, I have a lot of work ahead of me. Just wait until it gets nice enough to do some outside work. I LOVE gardening. Love everything about it. I can't wait to get my hands in some dirt and there are a LOT of beds to work in here :)

Tomorrows goal? Abby. Pictures of Abby. It has been too long and that is a crime. Wordless Wednesday needs a good one!

Room Renos!

So, I have officially taken on the project of Abby's room renovation. I took some "before" pictures today and was able to get 3 coats of magnetic primer on the closet walls. Tomorrow I hope to get the chalkboard paint on and putty the holes in the walls. Maybe even put up the painters tape! Abby's room from the doorway.. notice the lovely pink walls in the hallway.... eek.

The room used to have a bear border running along the top but I took that down. I don't mind the colour really, but it needs to be repainted anyways so I'm going with a neutral colour. Also need to find something to put over her change table because the wall feels pretty empty. I am working on a little picture collage that I think will be nice, but time will tell! The light fixture isn't shown, but it is just one of those regular dome lights. I am seriously contemplating putting a little gem chandelier up, but am not sure if I can incorporate it into the jungle theme? I'm sure I can.. and then with the neutral colour on the wall her room can be transformed into the princess room I'm almost sure she will want later on in life with little to no effort.

The blind in the window needs to go.. it lets a lot of light in and.. well.. I just don't like it. The curtain rod that I had at the old place doesn't fit over the window anymore, and the curtains need to be taken up a bit. I need to staple or fasten the cords for the flower lights against the wall somehow in a safe way.. haven't figured out how I am going to do that just yet.. but we'll see.


I have this bookshelf for her things, but I am hoping to find something else to organize everything, or just use her gigantic closet . Her swing also needs to go, but I need to find space still, so it may stay there for a while longer. I made the letters for her name before I moved for the last place, but in this space they seem a bit empty, so I have some decals for the wall. I'm not sure if it will be too much, but even if it is, I am pretty sure she is going to love them. Also, the shelf is never empty.. I just took down her millions of stuffed giraffes when I took down the wallpaper. This shelf was made by my mom about 20 years ago and the other shelf was made by my brother about 10 years ago.


Her gigantic closet. I should have had the doors open so you can see just how much space is in there. There are two bars that are the full length of the closet with a shelf running along the top of each bar. I'm hoping to reduce it to one side and turn the other side into some sort of shelving/storage unit. My spoiled little girl desperately needs it!

Looking at all the pictures now, I realize that this is going to take me longer than I thought.. but I'm excited that I am finally able to get to it. One thing I have going for me is that she is, right now in fact, sleeping in my room. I don't know how tonight will pan out, but I do know that I will want my room back soon.

Good thing it is big. It may look tight, but there is actually a lot of room. I even have our glider chair in there with room to spare.. with a piano in there as well! It definitely needs some work too. The green has got to go.. but that is another day.. !

Anyways, there you have it! Tomorrow I think I'll take pictures of the other rooms in the house that Abby has taken over.. which is every room.. and talk about whats going to change. Writing this blog today made me see just how much easier it is to look at a picture of a room and see possibilities than it is to stand in the room and think of things. Spring is right around the corner and so is the nice weather. I want all of this reno stuff to be done so that I can spend some quality time with Abby and really enjoy our last few months together.

Success!!

Daylight savings was never really an issue for me until I had a child. All it would mean was an hour less or more at the bars. Back in the fall, I had my first daylight savings and vowed never to let it affect me again! It didn't help that Abby wasn't sleeping much at the time it changed, I'm sure, but it was a nightmare! You never really realize what an hour does to you! Especially when you have your whole schedule based on certain times of the day. Well, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice? NEVER! This time I slowly changed our internal clocks together before the time change. I thought it would be harder than it actually ended up being.. but it worked! And, it may not seem like a huge deal, but I am pretty impressed with myself! Abby is not phased one bit by the change and for most nights now, sleeps straight for at least 10 hours.

Now, just when we have things all figured out, I'm going to change things. I have not painted since we moved in November and have been itching to do it almost every day. I finally am going to get to it now that the weather is a little nicer out, and I am starting with her room. What does that mean? Her crib/change table are going in my room and I am going to be sleeping on the couch for a while. I contemplated sleeping in my room too, and may even try it.. but something tells me that she will be rattling at the prison bars begging to get out if she see me in there.
I am really excited about doing her room though, so sleeping on the couch is worth it to me. I will have to take before/after pictures. Right now it is a jungle theme, but I am going to keep the walls neutral so that it can be an easy change over if she doesn't like it when she's a bit older. That isn't what I am excited about though. I bought magnetic paint and chalkboard paint!! One wall of her room is giant sliding closet doors, and I am going to turn them into the best doors a little girl can have! I can't wait to see how it turns out. Anyways, all this is happening tomorrow, so fingers crossed for how she will take to the new room change. I'll get some pictures up, and some updated pictures of her because I have been slacking in that department, but have a feeling it will be picking up again soon with the weather changes.. and that she is going to be my little model for all my crafty creations that I have been making lately. Headbands, tiaras, tutus, bows.. etc you name it, I am making it! And, selling it too..! If you would have asked me a year ago if I would be doing this kinda stuff I would have told you that you were crazy. Now, here I am! Maybe I've gone stir crazy.. whatever it is, it's fun!
So, now it's off to bed to think about all the fun things I can do with her room!
Update you soon!

Abigail Laughing

I tried to upload this video, but when I did, it was sideways! So here is the youtube version of the best sound in the world.

Wordless Wednesdays

First time out in the snow

Dear Abby

You are now 17lbs and 28 inches long. Wow. You are 10lbs heavier and 10 inches longer than the day you were born and I don't know when that happened. Six months have come and gone, and today we start on number seven. Out of all of the months we've spent together so far, this last one has been my favourite by far. A large part of that has to do with how many "firsts" happened!

Your first time eating solids

And you weren't too impressed..

Second try with Uncle Aaron and you were a pro!

Your first time standing up in your crib alone which you now make a habit of doing..

Your first ChristmasAnd you loved all the attention

Your first word.. MAMA! A word that melts my heart every time I hear it..

And most recently..your first time crawling and you haven't stopped moving since..!

I have no idea what to expect these next couple months. I have been doing sign language with you, so maybe I'll get a sign back? I'm sure you will be doing some form of walking by the end of this month as well. You are already scooting over to the nearest obstacle in your path to climb and conquer it, followed by the biggest grin of satisfaction. Maybe another word? I thought for sure one of the four teeth visible in your gums would make it's entrance into the world last month, but maybe this one? Who knows. Time will tell. All I know is I can't wait to find out what's in store for us.

I love you more and more with each day that passes.

Yours forever,

Mama

The Adventures of Feeding Abigail

Ok.. so I couldn't resist.. I am in love with this video (and my child for that matter) so the whole world deserves a chance to see it!
Enjoy!!