I was so thankful for all the help that was offered to me while I was pregnant with Cameron. Friends and family and people I didn’t even know sent boxes of baby clothes and letters of encouragement. Having a baby has the simultaneous effect of making one feel so frightened and alone and yet laden…
Cameron
Saved Money, Spent Nerves
Earlier this week, we were that family with that kid. It all started with a trip to Walmart. I’m not sure if anything good can come out of starting a story like that, so I don’t know why I was at all surprised. We had our Walmart goals: Film needed to be developed, bubbles needed to be acquired, and…
The Crappy Parts
I used to be so good at this. Sure, it took me months to figure out the perfect combination of activities that made for one ideal, child-friendly, productive and peaceful day. But once I had that routine down, I was doing good. I was a stay-at-home-Mom keeping a baby happy while maintaining a reasonably clean…
He Laughed
Our house functions like a well oiled machine. My husband and I have both taken on certain roles and responsibilities to make our schedule flow as seamlessly as possible. Things are often left out of the equation, like the evening’s dishes, but for the most part we do a pretty good job juggling parenting, home,…
Sensitive Instinct
Some people come to me for advice. I try to keep my mouth shut unless asked, but sometimes I just can’t help it. If I have been there, done that, then I often feel the need to share what I have learned. One of my most prized pieces of advice really isn’t advice at all….
In and Out
It had been a long week. The demands of regular life, work, and motherhood had been compounded by additional requirements, unreasonably high expectations and the resulting disappointments, illness, social engagements, guest preparations, and insomnia. While each individual task appeared feasible on its own, together it became insurmountable. Impossible, even. So by the time Thursday night* rolled…
Picture Me
I would guess that most people hit some sort of “rock bottom” before starting a serious and consistent weight-loss regimen. At least, that is what happened to me. I had previously decided to lose weight a number of times in my life, but never once did I actually do much to accomplish this goal – not until…
Wordless Wednesday: Patriotic Play
From our Canada Day Photoshoot: 15 months, 3 weeks, 4 days old [Click on the photo for more pictures from this series] Laura (@LauraORourke) is a photographer who lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A wife to Dan and a mother to Cameron, she spends her free time blogging and reading. Her blog finds its home…
Riding in Planes with Boys
We have done the long, 1778 km trek to my in-law’s three times since Cameron has been born. The first time we drove. Straight. Through. Halifax to Saint John to Toronto. That equates to more than 21 hours of driving, not including stops for food and fuel and bodily needs. Picture us, Nursing Mom, New…
Daddy’s Boy
When I was growing up, I had a great relationship with my father. Daddy’s Girl. Every daughter with a Dad can claim this title at least once in her life. This was the reason I thought I wanted a daughter when I was pregnant. I really wanted my husband to experience this deep connection with his…
The Art of Hugging
HUG [huhg] – verb : to clasp tightly in the arms, especially with affection; embrace See also: Something my ridiculously cute 15 month old son does. Cameron wasn’t born knowing how to hug, but he was born with a desire for closeness; a desire that was recognized during those initial skin-on-skin moments. There, while nurses swarmed and…
