dear lil j: another milestone!

Dear Lil J,

Today is a milestone day for you!  I dropped you off at daycare this morning without your Pull-Ups!  Don't worry - you have a bin full of back-up clothes just in case you have an accident.  And, just know, you're allowed accidents {once in a while!}.  I keep thinking about you - thinking how your day is going and if you're using the potty.  Thinking how fast you've grown up and that I can't believe you're ready to leave your Pull-Ups behind.  I'm SO proud!

I also forgot to wash your rain jacket on the weekend so that means you're without one, so I hope you don't get soaked if you go to the playground today.  It was pouring rain when this morning!  Not so much now but you should be getting ready to go for your daily nap as I type.  Gosh, I'm such a bad mommy for forgetting to wash your one and only rain jacket!  Sorry!

I'm also daydreaming about this summer and the year to come.  So excited to be able to spend the entire year with you and your soon-to-be brother or sister.  You say you want a sister but I think you've been brainwashed by your older sister haha!  She has been telling me she wants a sister since she found out I was pregnant - only so she can play dolls with her and take her shopping.  Trust me, you're not missing out there!  I used to make your Uncle J play Barbies with me when we were little.  He's scarred for life now.....

You and your own airplane creation!

Well, I can't wait to pick you up after work today and hear all about your day!  We have the best conversations now that you can fully communicate.  Your verbal skills are amazing for a kid your age and your memory is even more amazing.  You've known your ABC's since before your second birthday, you favourite song at the moment is "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" {yes, you know all the words}, you can count to almost 30 {a Kumon teacher said you are way ahead of the game!}, you have natural soccer skills {does this mean I'll be a soccer mom?}, you love to tell me about your day at school {you mostly go to the playground and go down the slides}, you already know when we're almost home - usually when we're 10 blocks away - and you know when we're heading to swimming lessons or Gong Gong and Po Po's house {amazing!}, you like to clean up your toys and you declare to me, "Don't touch my toys!" {I'm not going to argue with you on that one.  I'm just going to enjoy the moment - who knows how long it'll last!}, and you're now sleeping in your big boy "monster bed"!!  Wow, I could go on and on.

See you after work little one!

Love,
Mommy

monday giveaway linky {4/30 - 5/7}

I'm always so bad about getting this linky up on time but here we go....

Time to link up your giveaways!

This linky will stay open until Monday, May 7th.

In the "Link Title" box, please submit your giveaways in the following format:

"Name of Giveaway - Country {End Date}"

Please leave a comment after you have linked your giveaway and don't forget to check out my current giveaways!

$50 Stella & Dot GC - CAN 5/3

Beba Bean Knit Hoodie & Pant Set - US/CAN 5/9

RoomMates Peel & Stick Decor $50 GC - US/CAN 5/10

Now it's time to link up!

{swank}reviews & giveaways: RoomMates Peel and Stick Decor

CONTEST CLOSED!  Congratulations to Jen S. - winner of the $50 RoomMates GC!

Over a year ago, I started blogging about Lil J's new monster room and dubbed it "Project Monster".  Fast forward to present day and the project is still in progress.  We delayed it a bit with Lil J co-sleeping with us for a while and also because we hadn't found the perfect mattress for the perfect price yet.  Now that the mattress is in place and Lil J is sleeping in his monster bed, I started thinking about how I was going to update his walls.  Thankfully, RoomMates came to the rescue with their cute wall decals.

RoomMates are removable, repositionable, and resuable wall  decals, peel and stick borders, murals, laptop skins and more!  They are perfect for spicing up otherwise boring walls and giving them some life, and come in designs suited for adults, teens and kids alike!

Image courtesy of RoomMates

 RoomMates sent me their Monster Wall Decals and Invasion Chalkboard Wall Decals to review.  I haven't used any other wall decals besides our Ikea ones and when comparing the two together, I would say the quality of RoomMates' decals over Ikea's would win hands down!  I didn't have to worry about ripping the decals when peeling them off the plastic or when rearranging them on the wall {or when Lil J starts to move them around}.

The Monster Wall Decals look exactly as pictured above - vibrant colourful creatures and enough monsters to cover the two walls surrounding Lil J's bed.  Love, love the different options we have if we ever want to switch things up - we can just move the monsters around to different positions!  These wall decals are printed on clear material and is recommended for white or light coloured walls, as dark coloured walls tend to show through the decals.

Image courtesy of RoomMates

The Invasion Chalkboard Wall Decal is a great addition to Lil J's walls and it also teaches him to be creative.  He's able to draw {or scribble} pictures with chalk all over the decals without worrying about it being permanent.  Or should I say without Mommy worrying.  All it needs is a quick wipe with a cloth or chalk eraser and Lil J is free to draw whatever his imagination pleases!  The chalkboard decal is printed on opaque material and is suitable for any wall colour.

RoomMates also offers the option of making your own custom wall decals.  These can be designed from scratch, from a template, or with popular licensed characters from your favourite TV shows, movies and more!

{RoomMates Contest}

Head on over to RoomMates to enter their ongoing contest.  You can enter once a day and your results will be emailed to you automatically.

You can also submit your photos of how you creatively used your RoomMates to decorate your walls for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate.

{Win It!}

RoomMates is generously offering one of our readers a $50 gift certificate towards your next RoomMates purchase!  To enter, please use the Rafflecopter entry form below.  The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only and ends at 9pm PST on May 10, 2012.

The views expressed in this review are my own and do not represent the opinions or views of RoomMates. Note that {swank}mama does not accept responsibility for sponsors that do not fulfill their giveaway duties.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen.

misbehaving?

Oh no.  Gone are the days when my sweet Lil J was a perfect angel.  And enter the days of the terrible twos {or "testing twos" as I like to call it}.

While I was picking Lil J up from daycare this afternoon, one of his teachers let me know that Lil J had started misbehaving this week.  Just this week, she said.  That was a semi-relief to me.  Apparently he wasn't listening, he was running around when he should have been sitting down, he was laughing and though everything was funny, and he was basically not taking anything seriously.  The teacher told me that he's been in at least two time outs per day.  Great.

I do believe that Lil J could be rebelling a little bit and I did have a talk with him right away, and will continue to talk to him about it and remind him what the rules are until he goes back to daycare next Monday.  But I do partially feel that the teacher's remarks could be slightly exaggerated.  The reason being is that my husband and I both got a strange vibe from her - like she couldn't control her anger when and if the children get slightly out of hand.  Every time I pick Lil J up from daycare and she is there, I carefully watch how she interacts with other children.  And it's not all good.  She snaps at them, she shuts them down, and she is quite abrupt when a child does something she doesn't like but isn't necessarily out of hand.  You know, just normal kid things.

I'm not saying that Lil J is a perfect little angel.  I don't doubt that he is outspoken and tries to test his boundaries.  I see this on a daily basis.  But I do have to wonder what is on this teacher's agenda.  After all, the kid that was picked up by her mother while I was getting Lil J packed up was scolded the exact same way as Lil J.  This girl apparently wasn't paying attention during circle time.  Hmmmm...makes me wonder....

There are a couple of younger teachers at the daycare that are incredibly nice and whom I trust more than the "mean" teacher.  My plan next week is to get some feedback from them - in hopes that it will either back up the other teacher's claims or completely contradict what I was told.  Either way, I know that behaviour like this needs to be "nipped in the butt" asap.

Has your child's teacher ever complained about their behaviour at daycare/school?  How did you handle it?

{swank}review & giveaway: beba bean

CONTEST CLOSED!  Congratulations to our winner, Rochel Rand-Sidell!!

"Fall in love with Beba Bean fashion" declares Beba Bean on their website.  Yup, one look at their products and I already have.  Made with love and care, Beba Bean thoughtfully designs the very best in baby products and specializes in that one-of-a-kind baby gift that will become treasured forever.  Each Beba Bean design has a personal touch and is made with only the highest quality products.

Knit Hoodie & Pant Set in Striped Ivory

We were given the Knit Hoodie & Pant Set in Striped Ivory in size 3-6 months to review and when I opened the package, I was squealing with joy!  It was the perfect 'going home' set for our pending arrival {due in early June}.  Although the size may be a bit big when baby's born, I am determined to put him/her in it!  From the soft 100% cotton knit material to the gorgeous design, colour combination and detailing {look at the vintage wooden toggle button detail!}, this outfit is sure to impress and even possibly make other newborns a tad bit jealous.  I can just imagine the buttery soft material against baby's skin and me just sitting there admiring him or her draped in the luxury set during those sweet, tranquil moments of a newborn's first few days.  I'm also excited that the set will last for a few months down the road!

Crochet Knit Blankets {multiple colours}

Beba Bean also carries gorgeous Crochet Knit and Herringbone Blankets, adorable shoes and hats, cute knitted toys, and the perfect shower gift for baby boys, the Pee-pee Teepee.  I used the Pee-pee Teepee with Lil J when he was younger and it prevented any unwanted accidents from spraying into an unsuspecting parent's face during diaper changes.  Seriously!  It might sound funny but they actually work!

Pee-pee Teepee

If you're looking for a gift for baby-to-be, visit Beba Bean's gift ideas section and they will include a handwritten note to your recipient.  It's the personal touches that count and Beba Bean has you covered!

{Beba Bean Mother's Day Contest!}

Beba Bean is hosting a special Mother's Day contest from May 1-10, 2012 where you can share your favourite "Mommy Moment" on their Facebook or Twitter pages and be entered into a draw for a gift basket of Beba Bean items with a retail value of $259!  Full contest details will be posted to their respective pages on May 1st.

{Win It!}

Beba Bean is generously offering one of our readers a Knit Hoodie & Pant Set in Striped Ivory {size 3-6 months} - a $66 value!  Perfect for your newborn or as a baby shower gift!  To enter, please use the Rafflecopter entry form below.  The giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only and ends at 9pm PST on May 9, 2012.

The views expressed in this review are my own and do not represent the opinions or views of Beba Bean. Note that {swank}mama does not accept responsibility for sponsors that do not fulfill their giveaway duties.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen.

wordless wednesday: model material {linky}

On Sunday night, I missed the Gap Casting Call deadline by 43 minutes.  Here are a couple of pictures we were considering:

Which one would have made the cut?


Please feel free to link up your Wordless Wednesday posts below, leave a comment & say hi {not mandatory}.  Thanks!

the journey 2.0: random thoughts

{This post is more or less a jumble of random thoughts I'm having leading up to the birth of baby #2 - bear with me!}

As my due date approaches closer and closer, I can't help but wonder who is going to look after Lil J while I'm at the hospital in labour.  We have a lot of options - parents, siblings, etc. - but I want all of them to be at the hospital with me!  Well, not necessarily in the actual birthing room but just at the hospital.  Kind of selfish isn't it?

Lil J on his "birth" day

 I keep daydreaming about the day - wondering how I'll handle the labour pains, hoping that I'll be able to deliver via VBAC.  There are so many things to consider and so many things that could happen.  After Lil J's birth, I've finally accepted that the situation is completely out of my hands.

I also can't fall asleep as easily at night anymore.  Probably because my mind is running 1,000 miles a minute thinking about all of the possible outcomes that labour and delivery can bring.  I'm nervous, terrified and excited.  Definitely a mix of emotions.

Who looked after your kids while you were in the hospital?  How did you handle anxiety leading up to the birth of your child?

the {joys} of pregnancy

 To celebrate my 33rd week of pregnancy glow, I've compiled a list I'd like to call "The {Joys} of Pregnancy".  Here it goes:

33 weeks & 4 days :)

The {Joys} of Pregnancy

1. You may have morning sickness and/or nausea during the first three months of your pregnancy.  For you unlucky ones, this could last the whole damned time.  That means 40+ weeks people!  For you lucky ones {yes I am one of the lucky ones - don't shoot me}, you won't experience any of this.  Actually, I lied.  I did experience a week or two of slight nausea - but only while driving.  Go figure.


2. You will get fat.  It doesn't matter how small you were before you got pregnant.  You will still be bigger than you were pre-pregnancy.  This isn't a bad thing as gaining weight is beneficial to your growing fetus and the amount of "recommended" weight gain varies from person to person.  But you will feel fatter than your usual self.  Guaranteed.


3. The pregnancy "glow" will wear off after 3-5 months.  Trust me.


4. You  may or may not get cankles.  I was lucky when I was pregnant with Lil J - I only got it for about two weeks and then they went away.  Unfortunately, this Baby Making Machine was not as fortunate.


5. People will come up to you and caress your belly.  Sometimes without asking.  Whether you like it or not.


6. If you're carrying extremely small, people will automatically think you're not eating.  Or remark, at least once a day, that you're really small.  I get it people.  My baby is small.


7. You may be constipated.  Or you may be lucky like me.


8. You will look at those hideous maternity jeans at least once.  Whether you decide to buy them or not is up to you.  Myself?  I live in black leggings.


9. You just may need a whole new wardrobe.  As in maternity clothes.  That's like a down payment on a house.  Well, no, not really.  It will be a huge investment.  Again, lucky me was able to make do with my current wardrobe of stretchy materials.  Viscose is my best friend.


10. If you're pregnant with your first baby, you will go gaga over everything baby.  You will also probably buy a lot of unnecessary stuff that will never see the light of day, so plan what you need very carefully.


11. Also, if you're preggos with baby #1, you will spend countless hours and days researching nothing but the best for baby.  Even after all that research, a number of your purchases will get recalled within the first year and baby will most likely surprisingly survive his/her first year without any serious mishaps.  Our ancestors did and they didn't even have half the resources we do nowadays.


12. Your partner will ask why you're in a bad mood.  You will respond with, "(#&$* )*#($&^ (#$&&**!!!!!!!"


13. You will finally snore louder than your partner and you won't even know it.  Luckily, your partner will make sure you know you snore like a horse {do horses snore?}.


14. You will be constantly hungry.  The kitchen, fridge & pantry will be your best friend.
    


15. Being tired all the time is an understatement.  If you are pregnant with baby #1, you will have the luxury of taking naps or sleeping whenever you want.  If you are pregnant with baby #2, #3 and so on, you will be exhausted 24/7.


16. In the later months of pregnancy, you won't be able to give yourself a pedicure due to your growing bump.  Use this as an excuse to escape to the spa!


17. Take maternity pictures!  It's a great way to remember your journey because as much as you think you'll remember your pregnancy, you probably won't remember how big you got.


18. Ever heard of pregnancy brain?  The rumours you hear are true.  Short term memory loss is a side effect of pregnancy.  If you think it ends there, it's also a side effect of motherhood.


19. You'll have to swear off your favourite foods, drinks and alcohol for 9 months.  No vino for 9 months??!!  That's enough to make a woman go insane!  And to top it off, I abstained from vino and spirits until Lil J was at least 6 months old because I was worried I would harm him while breastfeeding.  Truthfully, I don't think I'll have that kind of will power with baby #2.


20. You might have trouble sleeping.  This doesn't help with #15 on this list but you don't really have a choice. 


21. The toilet is your new best friend.  No, really.  In between bathroom breaks and/or morning sickness, you will really bond with your toilet.  The bathroom breaks definitely contribute to #20.


22. You may experience back pain.  With Lil J, I was fortunate enough not to go through this but with this little bugger, the lower back pain is here with a vengeance.  Plus it doesn't help that I strained my back during our recent Disneyland vacation.  Thank goodness for my Warm Buddy {a heat wrap not a sex toy, you sickos!}.


23. Nesting is a wonderful thing.  It could mean, although, that you'll go crazy rearranging the house, purging anything you think you don't need, etc etc.  It's not a bad thing though but it might make your partner go crazy.


24. You will receive unsolicited advice from family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers.  Take the advice with a grain of salt.  Only you know your body best.  Not some random Joe Blow.


25. You may be hit with serious congestion.  Congested sinuses that is.  I haven't been able to breathe since I found out I was pregnant and had to stop my allergy meds.  At least I'm not subjected to my husband's fart smells anymore.


26. People are extremely nice to you when you're pregnant.  Enjoy it while it lasts.  When baby comes and is screaming and crying in public, everyone will look the other way.  Parents will give you that knowing look while thinking, 'Thank god that's not my child'.


27. You get to lather your belly in moisturizer or "butter".  My absolute fave must-have is Mama Mio's Tummy Rub Butter.  Yum!


28. Your first pregnancy will probably go by super slow.  Your second, third and so on - super fast.  Like lightening speed.


29. Go on date nights with your partner.  Go to a movie, take a walk on the beach, take a mini weekend vacation.  After all, you're growing a baby right now - you don't have one yet.  Once baby comes, you'll be covered in spit up and poop and you'll seldom find time for just the two of you.  If you have other children, arrange for family or a babysitter to look after them for the night.


30. You get to pick out multiple names and daydream how well they flow with your last name.  You will also find out your partner's taste in names as well as your family and friends {all of which will be quickly crossed off your list}.  If you choose to share your name choice, be prepared to receive both positive and negative feedback.  Basically, tell everyone to just screw off.  You didn't name their poor child Dick or Gertrude.


31. Eat as much junk food as you can.  It's good for baby {don't quote me on that!}.


32. You will probably experience pre-contractions also known as Braxton Hicks.  It feels sort of like minor period cramps, only more annoying.  The first time I felt them they lasted half a day.


33. Even though you are pregnant, you are still the cook, janitor, doctor, psychiatrist, lover, coach, teacher, caretaker........  You still need to do laundry, cook dinner, kiss boo-boos, give baths, read books, lie halfway falling off your toddler's twin bed while you get him/her to sleep........any of this sound familiar?

This list was compiled out of love and to make mothers around the world laugh.  All sarcasm aside, I actually really do enjoy my pregnancies and hope that I can have at least one more little one in the future {if Vancouver becomes livable again}.

Here's to the {joys} of pregnancy!

monday giveaway linky {4/23 - 4/30}

Time to link up your giveaways!

This linky will stay open until Monday, April 30th.

In the "Link Title" box, please submit your giveaways in the following format:

"Name of Giveaway - Country {End Date}"

Please leave a comment after you have linked your giveaway and don't forget to check out my current giveaways!

Wildflowers Aromatherapy & Gifts Warm Buddy Heat Wrap - US/CAN 4/25

PottyCovers Toilet Seat Covers - US/CAN 4/25

$50 Stella & Dot GC - CAN 5/3

Now it's time to link up!

{swank}review & giveaway: stella & dot

CONTEST CLOSED!  Congratulations to Sarah Hood - she won a $50 Stella & Dot gift certificate courtesy of stylist Stacy Williams!

I have been obsessed with Stella & Dot for a couple years now after a close friend of mine introduced me to the company.  How can a woman not be obsessed with necklaces, earrings, rings, purses - you name it!  So you can imagine my excitement when Stella & Dot stylist Stacy Williams contacted me to host this stylish giveaway opportunity!

Stacy Williams

Stacy signed up with Stella & Dot approximately 4 years ago with the intention of earning some side money to support her designer shoe and clothing habit.  She was already a jewelry fanatic and thought Stella & Dot would be a great way for her to earn it for free and half price, all while making cash to spend on other things {like designer shoes and clothes!}.  Her Stella & Dot "hobby" turned out to be so fun and lucrative that Stacy now runs her business full-time.

Stella & Dot just released their Summer 2012 Collection and, let me tell you, it is drool worthy.  I am loving the bright colours that have me dreaming of a tropical island vacation.  One of my favourite pieces from this collection is the Palamino Necklace with gold and coral detailing :

Palamino Necklace - $144

Since the necklace is heavily detailed, I would wear it together with a classic pair of gold studs, such as the Essential Ball Studs {as seen in InStyle}:

Essential Ball Studs - $39

And a Lindsay Bangle {multiple colours} in Orange:

Lindsay Bangle - $64

I am more of a earring girl so I couldn't help but drool over the Capri Chandelier Earrings {$54}, Marchesa Studs {$32} and Charlize Teardrop Earrings {$39}.  Can you see a {turquoise} pattern here?!  I also love the Bianca Tassel Necklace {$144} and Paige Enamel Bracelet {$64} - swoon.

All prices quoted above are in Canadian dollars.

{Become a Stylist}

If you like what you see and are interested in Stella & Dot's stylist opportunity, or just simply want to discuss the possibility, contact Stacy Williams via her Facebook page.  There is an amazing special for new stylists available during the month of April where you can receive $500 + in free jewelry plus a beautiful Ikat Print Tote and Jewelry Portfolio.

Or if you just want to add to your jewelry collection, think about hosting a simple and easy trunk show and win $250 + in Stella & Dot jewelry and more items at 1/2 price!

Stacy is offering an added bonus for any new stylists that signs up with her in April and launches in May.  If you're interested, hop on over to her personal webpage and sign up now!  New stylists will be gifted with a Lindsay Bangle in the colour of their choice courtesy of Stacy.

{Buy It!}

Shop Stella & Dot for yourself or that special someone via Stacy's personal webpage!  Better yet - Stella & Dot makes a perfect Mother's Day present!  Order before Sunday, May 6th at 11:59 CST {US and Canada} for guaranteed Mother's Day delivery.  US residents have a few more shipping options which can be found here.

{Win It!}

Stacy is generously offering one of our readers a $50 gift certificate towards your next Stella & Dot purchase!  Please use the Rafflecopter entry form below.  The giveaway is open to Canadian residents only and ends at 9pm PST on May 3, 2012.

The views expressed in this review are my own and do not represent the opinions or views of Stella & Dot or Stacy Williams. Note that {swank}mama does not accept responsibility for sponsors that do not fulfill their giveaway duties.  Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond, otherwise, a new winner will be chosen.

washroom drama

Sometimes I think that my husband thinks I dislike my step-daughter.  He takes certain things I may say or do {obviously} the wrong way.

Take last night for example.  I had just put Lil J to bed and went to the washroom to take a shower.  Just as I was jumping in the shower, Miss S knocked on the door asking if she could use the washroom.  I told her I had just gotten in the shower and she knows that I don't take that long.  My husband, on the the other hand, can take up to two hours in the washroom.  It's a known fact.

The problem with our situation is that we are currently a family of four with only one washroom.  Yup, you heard that right.  One washroom.  Miss S is a tween going on 16 so you know what that means.  At least two washrooms are needed in this household.

Anyways, my husband questioned why I hadn't unlocked the door while I was in the shower so that Miss S could use the washroom.  First of all, I was in the shower.  Secondly, I've unlocked the door before and she didn't want to go while I was in the washroom {understandably so} because she obviously wanted her privacy.  Lastly, I take pride in my showers.  It's the only peaceful alone time I have to myself in the day where I can sort of just relax.  It's my me time.  So I'm sorry that I refuse to share the washroom with Miss S but I feel like I have the right to 10 minutes alone.

Then my husband brings up the fact that he always unlocks the door for me while he's in the shower so I can use the toilet.  Ummm...duh....I'm pregnant - in case you haven't noticed.   Miss S isn't.  Plus did I mention he takes 1-2 hours in the washroom?  A pregnant woman cannot wait that long.

And, no, Miss S never uses the toilet while he's in the shower.  That's kind of wrong.

This isn't the first time my husband has gotten all huffy about something he thought I had done to Miss S because of my apparent dislike towards her.  One time I had washed all the white towels and left her towel {which was a dark colour, by the way} because 1) it wouldn't fit in the wash and 2) I don't mix my whites and darks.  He didn't seem to notice all the other dark coloured towels still hanging in the washroom.  Good lord.

I was just offended, once again, by my husband's comments.  If I didn't care for his daughter or if I had a problem with her, I wouldn't be with him let alone factoring her needs in our plans to have children {I didn't want there to be a huge age gap between Miss S and her siblings - if I could help it}, consistently nagging her about her homework, etc etc. If I truly didn't care for his daughter, I just wouldn't care.  Period.

I think the reason why I'm so offended is because I've helped him raise her for the past 6 years.  She lives with us full-time and I feel like any kid that lives in our household has to live under our rules.

Do you think my husband was overreacting?  Do you think I'm overreacting?

monday giveaway linky {4/16 - 4/20}

Time to link up your giveaways!

This linky will stay open until this Friday, April 20th.

In the "Link Title" box, please submit your giveaways in the following format:

"Name of Giveaway - Country {End Date}"

Please leave a comment after you have linked your giveaway and don't forget to check out my current giveaways!

Bopomo Pictures - Free Session + $50 GC - Vancouver 4/17

It's To Die For Banana Bread by Erin Ireland - Vancouver 4/19

Wildflowers Aromatherapy & Gifts Warm Buddy Heat Wrap - US/CAN 4/25

PottyCovers Toilet Seat Covers - US/CAN 4/25

 Now it's time to link up!

picture perfect

When Lil J was a baby, he used to pose for the camera all the time.  I had no problems getting the perfect smile or the perfect picture.  Now that he's older, he definitely has a mind of his own.  He'll only look at the camera if he "feels like it" or if I ask him to show me his "I'm happy" face.  Even then I might get one or two good shots before he starts playing hide and seek with the camera.

Then the other day I finally discovered our DSLR camera {it's technically my dad's but he got a newer one and since I had bought this one for him, I guess it's mine now right?  Haha!}.  Normally I usually opt for my smaller touchscreen camera for it's compact size and convenience but after testing out the DSLR the other night, I may have to convert!  I got a little trigger happy and was able to take 50+ pictures of Lil J in about 5 minutes.

Here's the current cover photo on my Facebook page:

And here are a couple others that turned out pretty good:

The ones with Lil J smiling directly into the camera where either blurry or ended up a little cross-eyed like this:

I think I've found my new obsession.  Yup, I'm going to be trigger happy for a while.....

the journey 2.0: prenatal classes

When I was pregnant with Lil J, I dragged my reluctant hubby to a prenatal class at our hospital in the early hours of the morning - much to his demise.  What did I get out of it?  I can't remember a thing.  All I remember is downing a cup of coffee and being completely sleep deprived.

I noticed that a lot of couples were into the class.  Me and the hubs?  Not so much.  I don't know if it's appropriate to say it's not our thing because you can never be to prepared for baby right?  I mean, it's good to get a sense of what could happen and what to do during labour.  But it definitely wasn't our thing.

This time around, even given the fact that I still have not experienced labour, I really don't feel the need to take a pre-natal refresher course.  The first class felt like a nightmare that would never end so why would I sign up for another one?!  I figure I'm going to take it as it comes and hope for the best.  The best meaning a short labour.  Too bad it's out of my hands!

So I guess all we can do is hope for the best.  And hope that I don't take a crap during labour.  I heard that happens a lot.  I could care less if my hubby sees it but a bunch of strangers?  I guess they are used to it though.  Plus I figure I'll be in so much pain I won't have time to care.

Did I mention I'm terrified?  And excited but more terrified.  Terrified of the unknown, terrified of the pain.  Just terrified.

While writing this post, I decided to search "prenatal classes" on Baby Center and I found out that they offer a free online childbirth class with unlimited access!  Seriously?  I'm so checking this out over the weekend!

Did you take a prenatal class before having your child?  Would you recommend it to others?  Would you take a refresher course for your second, third or fourth baby?

 

the journey 2.0: bedrest

At my appointment with my OB last week, she ended up telling me that she was still concerned that baby was measuring on the smaller side and scheduled me for yet another ultrasound {I've lost count already!}.  She also warned me that depending on how the ultrasound went, she may make the decision to take me off work early and, quite possibly, put me on bedrest.  Bedrest?!  My reaction definitely wasn't favourable nor could I see myself "decreasing my activity", as my OB recommended I do from now until the baby is born.

Of course I want what's best for baby and for baby to be healthy, but having a toddler at home creates a whole new dynamic.  There is never enough time in a day after I come home from a long day at work to get everything done - laundry, dinner, bath time, lunches, story time, iPad time, bedtime {you get the picture}.  Cleaning is also on the list but repeatedly gets knocked off until the weekend.  So how would all those things get done if I had to "decrease my activity" or go on bedrest?  I know the hubby will help out around the house {at times I think he's more domestic than I ever will be} but things won't get done on my timetable.  It will definitely take a little while longer for things to get done at which point I would just do it myself.

And speaking of bedrest, this is the picture that comes to mind:

Peaceful and serene right?  This is what will probably end up happening:

After I got over my initial shock at the possibility of bedrest, I did some research on it.  Baby Center has a number of articles and forums dedicated to the topic including how to survive bedrest and questions you should ask your doctor.  I also talked to my boss at work and she reassured me that I should do whatever is best for baby.  Luckily, I'm very fortunate to have excellent medical coverage and options that won't interfere with my maternity leave.  Plus having a few extra weeks off work before baby never hurt anyone!

I went in for my scheduled ultrasound on Tuesday and the technician told me that baby's head and legs were growing normally but it's stomach was in the 10th percentile.  I wonder how accurate these measurements actually are but my OB did mention to me that if the stomach continues to measure small, she'll probably ask me to leave work earlier than expected. So far, I haven't gotten a call from her so I'll have to wait until I see her next Monday.  I know she's probably being extra cautious because of what happened during my delivery with Lil J.

Until then, I'll be waiting patiently wondering if everything is okay with baby.  I assume since I haven't heard from my OB yet that everything is fine.

Did you experience bedrest during your pregnancy?  If so, how did you cope?