Back to Life, Back to Reality

When I first entered the blog world I was a ghost reader. I found blogs surfing the internet while at work. I found a few entertaining blogs that I looked forward to reading everyday and created bookmarks with these blogs in them. Then I decided to start my own blog. I found a few women who would leave kind comments on my blog and I formed what I called "blog friends". I looked forward to reading what was going on in their lives, weather it was decor, food, kids, or just being a woman in general. I found women who ran their households well, where inspirational mothers and always made me wonder how they did it all and still found time to sew, exercise and DIY.

I gradually began comparing myself to these women. I dwelled on how far from my ideal life I was drifting. I beat myself up about not sewing any of those cute little outfits I had saved in a file for Olivia. I pushed my husband into home renovations so that I could take pictures and blog about them. I focused on the baby weight I still hadn't lost.

When I missed a couple days of blogging, people who knew me and read my blog asked what happened. My answer was that I was too busy living and enjoying life to write about living and enjoying life. Which was true. Olivia has blossomed into a wonderful little girl. I love filling my days with her. Any chance I get to spend time with her I do. A few weeks later, I fell out of the blog world all together, no longer reading my daily reads. A few bloggers shared words of wisdom and let me know they looked forward to my return. I started to feel the guilt of not blogging.

So I stopped.

I stopped writing my blog. I stopped reading other blogs. I removed myself from the blog world and tried hard to find again what made me happy other than Olivia and Kenrick. After all, before them I was happy, with them I am happier than I have ever been. So why do I feel unhappy and disappointed with myself? What happened to the me I used to be? I started a Pinterest account and tried to create boards that reflected who I am and who I want to be. What house I want. What clothes I want to wear. What words and phrases explain my thoughts better than I could have. What type of mother I want to be.

Then over the holidays the walls around me came crashing down. I uploaded pictures from some holiday gatherings and didn't recognize the woman in the photos. I was the heaviest I have ever been (not counting pregnancy). I have aged, and I avoided really looking at myself because I didn't want to face the disappointment. I visited with people who are at the best they have ever been and thought what am I doing? I realized I needed to hit the ReStart, I decided to do something, stop dwelling and do something.

So I made the decision to take my life back. I vow to be more in tune with what I eat, exercise more, really focus on what I want out of life and get on the path to achieving it - a satisfied existence. It's time to move on from this blog. My heart simply isn't here anymore. I hardly recognize the girl who began writing this blog. Thank you for all the times we have spent together, I will always remember the kind words and thoughts from all of you.

Take Care,Lisa

P.S. You can reach me by emailing me at spaces@rogers.com. And I hope you will. Let's stay in touch...I still hope to follow and read your blogs

Stop the World I Wanna get off

Things in my head have been spinning. I need some time to step back and evaluate. Hope to be back soon. K and O are doing great and are the light in my life.

I made it myself, O was Uniqua from Backyardigans for Halloween. She loves those guys.

Breast is Best

Last week was World Breastfeeding Week, and I wanted share a few things I love about our nursing relationship over the last 18 months (yes, we are still enjoying a little nursing cuddle every now and then) and a few things that might help you if you are wanting to breastfeed your little one.

- the sweet little noises they make as they nurse

- having the perfect antidote on hand for fussiness, pain or sleeplessness at all times

- the reminder to sit or lay down and enjoy my baby and the moment.

- the cuddles from those warm little arms and excitement from her little face

- knowing that I have provided nourishment and protection (strong immune system) to my precious baby

~ Tips ~

Go easy on yourself the first weeks. Try and rest as much as you can (easier said than done...I know!), drink lots of water, spend lots of time skin to skin with your new bundle and nurse on demand to establish your milk supply (even if it's 3-4 times in an hour). You are both learning something new and it took us a little while to figure it all out, but it was so worth it.

Establish a team of support people. My husband, family and friends were great at doing what I asked and encouraging me. Getting me water, helping me get comfortable or driving a breast pump 25 mins in the middle of the night to help me (thanks Jennie). My La Leche League group was a wonderful and unexpected find. I attended a meeting with my best friend when Olivia was only 8 days old. I needed help and wasn't afraid to ask for it. I went once and have found an amazing group of women that have great tips for breastfeeding and parenting. They are also lots of fun and we always have a good laugh.

- Read "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". You can get your copy at the LLL website and donate to them at the same time.

Get a few basic tank tops. I was given this tip from a mom at the LLL group and I still do it. Wear a regular tank top under your tops / sweaters. When you need to nurse your babe you can pull the top shirt up and your tank top down. That way you aren't completely exposing your healing body to strangers but have easy enough access to the girls.

No need to purchase expensive nipple cream. A little expressed breast milk works wonders for dry, soar and cracked nipples.

Get a good quality canopy. I know some moms say they didn't need one to breastfeed, however for the more reserved mama or for shy eyes a canopy like the one below with a built in wire helps you keep an eye on your little one.

Do you have any breastfeeding tips to share?

Take me out to the Ballgame

We took Olivia to her first Toronto Blue Jays game on Sunday. We went with my sister, her BF and his dad. O had a wonderful time. She love eating ice to keep cool and stole my hot dog. She also got a Jays t-shirt. What a wonderful day.














-Take Care, Lisa

Chalk paint

I saw this on a few different blogs lately an decided to try it with Olivia. She is just like her mama and loves anything creative. Crayons, stickers, side walk chalk, she loves it all.

The recipe is simple. Equal parts cornstarch an water. Then add food coloring and enjoy. The only thing I wish other would have told me is that the food coloring stain clothes. Oh well, Olivia had a wonderful time and so did I.


-Take Care, Lisa

Thrift Paint by number

What a wonderful idea. I think Olivia's big girl room might end up with one of these. Take a look at Under the Sycamore for details on how she did this.

Stay tuned...this blog may be changing in the near future.

Update and Block

We've made great progress in our master bedroom reno. Here are a few pictures of the new colour and the finished closet. Getting ready for work in my new closet is so much fun. At times I feel like Barbie! Would that make K, Ken?

Lately we've been busy around here. Since I've had little time to blog and read my favourite blogs I have felt the words disappearing. Slowly the posts have slipped away and I find myself struggling to hold on to them. Hopefully I will have some time to fall back into the blog world and find the words to share all that we have been up to.

Shipping and stuff

Finally! Pottery Barn and West Elm will ship to Canada from their websites. Shipping starts June 23, get your credit cards and husbands ready.

I know I've been distant for a while. We have almost completed our master bedroom reno (pictures to come soon). We are planning a trip for our 5 year wedding anniversary. Olivia is walking now. I've started running after work (despite how I loath running). So you can understand why blogging has taken a back seat. I hope to be back in full force soon.
I know life happens and it's not an excuse for not being here. I promise I'll be back soon.

Because I don't like posts without pictures, here are the flowers (yes I know they're weeds) Olivia picked for me this week on her walk to the park.



-Take Care, Lisa

Friday

Full weekend ahead! Volunteering, festival and a shower (wedding). Hope you have a great weekend.


-Take Care, Lisa

Where have we been?

I know it's been a while since my regular posting. Sorry to my readers. Between Pinterest and a large Reno project I've been pretty tired. I've also been running after work and have already lost 4lbs! So excited for summer wardrobe.




-Take Care, Lisa