Lots of love and Advil

Hello,

We have been MIA these last few days. Unfortunately Connor got sick over the weekend. What we thought was a cold turned into a lung infection. One doctor and ER trip later we are home. It's the worst, most powerless feeling in the world when someone you love is sick especially your little ones.

 As you can see from the picture he is on the mend-one hug and dose of antibiotics and advil at a time. Hope you are all healthy and staying warm and sane in this weird weather! 

All good things must come to an end...

Hello Wednesday!

I hope this windy day (here in sask) finds you all well! Despite the wind, we are thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather and taking advantage of the chance to get out of the house. I cannot believe its the middle of January and 2014-I still have not gotten used to writing that. Maybe by the time spring rolls around I will have accomplished that. With spring fast approaching, so is the end of my maternity leave. As much as I want to continue living in the sweet moments of our days reality has set in. I have began my search for the place my sweet boy will go while im at work. 

I have started to look locally, because It would be nice to have Connor as close to home as possible. I am very glad I began my search early because it can be difficult to find a spot for a 12 month old. After setting up some meetings I started to write down what I wanted to know when I met with these child care providers...HOW ABOUT EVERYTHING!I thought I should narrow it down just abit so I could contain my meetings within an hour and not all day. If you look on the Little Bungalow Facebook Group there is a list of helpful questions to ask prospective childcare providers. (Thank you to M.C. my facebook friend for posting that list). Aside from the question list I wrote down other things I want in a day home like low numbers of kids, local location,healthy meals and snacks etc. I have met with a few day homes/ day cares and have come up with a list of things that I have learnt along the way. 

1) Start looking for childcare well before you think you should start-finding a spot for a 12 month old can be difficult and than finding the right fit for your little one and your family will take time and attention.

2) Meet with more than two providers so you have some comparisons and choices

3) Talk to other families that have gone through the same process    they will most likley  have insights you may not have thought of and also be able to put your mind at ease 

4) Remember to  BREATHE- Even driving to the meetings I got anxiety and felt sad. It is one of the hardest things to do but looking into it thouroughly now,will make it better later

5)Check multiple references-if there is a time to be thorough this is it. 

6) Meet with your chosen provider a few times-the first time you will probably be so focused on getting answers to all your questions that you cant relax and just get to know one another or you will miss certain questions you wanted to ask.

7) Look inside and outside when doing your house/facility tour-it may seem obvious but when the weather is so miserable it can be forgotten 

8) GO with your GUT-It usually steers you right and if you feel any bit of uneasiness trust it.

9) Choose someone your comfortable being open and honest with. You want to know that you can come to this person with anything a request, a question and they will recieve it positivley and respectfully. This is your most precious thing in the world and you want to make sure the daycare provider you choose feels the same way.

10) Search out the childcare regulations of your province so you are educated on whats allowed-Ex.child to caregiver ratio

11) If the dayhome/daycare has pets ask if they will be interacting with your child and even ask if the provider has a reference for the dogs.. Ie: doggy daycare or boarding kennel where the pets may have 

stayed

It is going to be so difficult to leave Connor but if I take the time and find the absolute right fit for us It will go so much better. I started to think about all the moments and firsts I am going to miss while he is away from me. I knew if I kept thinking this way , the whole experience would be much harder. So I reframed my thinking and realized that when I see Connor do things it will be the FIRST time for ME. These moments will not be less special or less momentous. I will also ask the place I pick to send me photos or texts in the first few weeks so I feel connected to whats going on. It wont be easy and there will be tears shed but we will get through it. I Hope if you are in the same situation this helps you in some way. Have a fabulous day!

Clean Eating Update!

Morning,

I wanted to say hello and update you all on our progress with our new eating plan. We started wednesday and have made it to today with no 'cheats' or slip ups, we are very proud over here! The first day I felt alittle sluggish but that was not for a lack of food, I think my body was just getting used to the changes.  For the last few days I have felt really good, I have more energy and feel less bloated.  It has only been 4 days but I am sold on the fact that losing unwanted fat and feeling good is 80% nutrition and only 20% working out. In the past I have tryed other eating plans but I always felt hungry and that meant I did not stick to the plan for long. This eating plan has more than enough food to keep me satisfied and most of it was already a part of our normal menu.  To be successful we needed help with portion sizes, when to eat and what types of food to eat together. I have a ways to go and still need to get into a work out routine but I am very happy. I am motivated to continue which is a great accomplishment in its self. 

So If you have been thinking about cleaning up your meal plan-I hope we can be of some motivation to you.  This eating plan will definitley be something we can continue long term- afer the two weeks we will be re introducing a few foods we have taken out. I am so happy we have made it 4 days, we are celebrating our small success!

Have a wonderful Saturday

Helllllo Clean Eating

Happy Wednesday World,

Connor and I have spent our day playing away in the basement. He is just about to crawl, its so amazing to watch him go through all of his milestones. I can hardly believe he will soon be mobile..that will make for some interesting days. Can't wait!

Now the reason for todays post. I am making a declaration to whoever is reading this, that for the next two weeks I will be following a clean eating plan. Since having Connor I have lost all the "baby weight" but I am in a body lull as I call it. I am not unhappy or happy with my body, I am just in a lull. Before this point it was so hard to find any motivation or energy to eat "properly" or to work out because I was focused on all the things that come along with being a new mom. I am happy I took that time to not obsess over my body image but I am ready for new challenges. It has been so liberating having Connor and it has really helped me admire and feel proud of my body and what it can do.  It has also helped me be less critical of myself and focus on the more important things like being healthy and happy so I am the best version of myself-for my family. This brings me to the two week clean eating plan I have started today. I wanted to challenge myself in a way I never have. In the past I have eaten "healthy" but never stuck to anything. I have never been a person to cleanse or cut things out I have just eaten things in moderation.  So today I began this new challenge-I have a plan and I am sticking to it, well at least for the next two weeks anyways. I want to be accountable to all of you! so here goes nothing.. I am excited to see if I can complete this challenge and what it will bring me. Have a great night!

2014

So its the New year and the usual action for a lot of people is to create resolutions or goals of some sort.  In years past I have made resolutions in my mind but never written them down..probably not the best way to go about it.  I think I did it this way so that if they didn't come true there was no proof they ever existed-well no proof outside of my mind anyways. Now Cory and I have made our own tradition of doing a "year in review". We take some time and talk about all of our big moments both singly and as a family of the year past. It is a great way to see how much you and your loved ones have accomplished both good and bad and also allows you to realize how full your year really was. We discuss things we hope for in the next year-in a way it is still making resolutions but less formal and more about what we want as a couple for our family.

This year one of my favorite blogs Little Baby Garvin has inspired me to answer some questions about 2014. 

1. What is something you want to change, or a goal you want to set for the New Year & what is your plan for making it happen?

I want to stop over thinking things before I do or act on them.  It is great to be thoughtful but sometimes it is my worst enemy. I plan to accomplish this by forcing myself out of my comfort zone and taking advantage of opportunities before they are gone. 

2. Many people chose a word to reflect on, live by or aspire to for the New Year. Let us know your word, how you decided upon it & how you plan to incorporate it into 2014.

My word for 2014 is MOMENTS. I want to be present and live in the moments, rather than always  planning for the next day, month or year.  I love planning and organizing but I also enjoy everyday simplicity. I am going to really try to be in each moment in my days because as we all know life moves way too fast. I don't want to look back on my life and realize the little things were the big things :). 

3. I will make 2014 count by...

-Loving my family 

-Taking care of myself so I am healthy and happy

-Living in and appreciating each moment

-Trying new things

-Making an effort to connect with loved ones near and far

-Making time for the little things 

We all live each day differently and thats what makes us unique but in the end we all have hopes and dreams. I hope you all get what you wish for in 2014-make it count! 

Laying in the grass with my lil man.Love.

Christmas Recap

My little family has resurfaced from our great christmas vacation.  We are still barried in laundry but our hearts are full and many new memories were made.  It was so nice to see both sides of the family and to experience Connors first christmas. Every year I go into a mini depressive state after the holidays, they always go by way too fast.  Around New Years I come down from it all and realize the year will pass all too quickly and christmas will come again so I better get to enjoying it :).  Onto 2014! 

Here are some moments from our christmas, I hope you all had a great holiday and are ready and recharged for whatever 2014 has in store. 

Thank you to all our family and friends for all the love, food and traditions that were shared over the holidays. We love you! XO