A few weeks ago, we had the honour of being invited to celebrate the first birthday of a very special little girl. We're so blessed to have shared in her special day. I've always had faith that we would be celebrating her big day and every night since her birth Austin has always added a request for God to take care of his friend Kay.

Working at the IWK, and having been engaged with families who had similar stories, I thought I was prepared when I rushed to the 5th floor to check in on our friends Lisa and Pete and see how everyone was doing. Baby Kay (as Austin always calls her) was born early and weighed just over 2lbs. Pete was so excited and couldn't wait to show off his new daughter so the two of us headed down to the NICU. I thought that I knew what to expect and didn't anticipate that I would have any issues. I walked in, scrubbed up and met Kay.

When my eyes fell on her, I held back tears. I couldn't believe how tiny she ways. I glanced up at Pete and he was just looking at her with absolute adoration. She was so adorable and was being a trooper laying in her incubator wearing her little shades and kicking her little feet to let everyone know that she ready to fight.

It's been a tough road for Lisa and Pete and through it all they have been incredibly strong and positive. I admire their courage. They are incredible people and Gordon and I are honoured that they include us in their circle of friends. I felt guilty so many times that I wasn't able to provide more support in person. Austin had a bad spell with germs and it seemed like someone in our house was always sick. There was no way that we would risk exposing Kay to anything that might potentially harm her, so I dropped by when we were well, cooked when I had the chance to feed them and prayed everyday.

Kay and her mom and dad have spent more time at the IWK in her first year of life then a classroom of kids combined. But despite it all, they are still smiling and are currently enjoying having their precious little one home with them. Kay is doing so well and I just love every chance we get to visit with her. I have to admit that I hogged her for a while at her party, I couldn't help it and neither could you if you had the chance to be there. 



Love those bright eyes!





 Happy Birthday Baby Kay and Happy Anniversary of becoming her parents Lisa and Peter. We love you and can't wait to share so many more memories with you!

One proud Papa!

"I really am your gift. I am not just a little person who needs to be "raised" and taught, and taken to activities....I came to the people in my life to bring a message: slow down. Feel. Be. Over and over again. When you do, you will notice immediately, that I am not an obstacle to your work, or inconvenient to your daily life. Instead, you will come to appreciate my honesty, humor, presence and love." -- Bruce Scott

I just love this quote. Because it is true, becoming a mother has taught he to slow down and soak in life's moments with not only my children, but with my husband, family and friends.  I spend less time worrying about the state of my house and what others will think if my sofa has a spot or there is dust in the bathroom. The laundry piles up until I have to suck it up and get it done and we've eaten more take out then we should BUT my boy is happy, I am happy. Memories are made and hugs and kisses are given out freely. Austin makes G and I laugh and makes us able to really laugh at ourselves. He speaks his mind and shows his emotions. Gordon and I are amazed with him each and every day and look forward to what the next day will bring.

Faces get dirty but adventures are had and those adventures are what make life worth living. Happiness is like bubbles, at least to Austin. There is something about that bubble, how it's made, the smile it brings and the wonder that comes from chasing it up to the sky when all a little boy wants to do is pop it and laugh at the accomplishment (rain or shine).

Yup in the hockey game of life, we've scored big time! Now I'm going to turn off my laptop and finish watching the game.

Baking

I have been baking despite my lack of posting about it. A few of my recent creations:



A special cake for a special girl!



 The cake and cupcakes were for Baby Kay's first birthday party. The cake was made with the cake recipe below and I had some fun with fillings. The top tier is filled with peanut butter icing and tiny peanut butter cups. The bottom layer was filled with a dark chocolate buttercream. Hungry yet? The cupcakes were topped with seven minute frosting(like marshmallow fluff only WAY better) Thanks to Janice for making all those flowers and sugaring the tops of the cupcakes. I would never have gotten this all done without you!

Here is the cake recipe:

Black Magic Chocolate Cake


Heat oven to 350. Grease two 9" round pans which you'll fill 3/4 full, no more than that.
Make ahead the coffee by adding 2 tsp. of instant coffee in 1 measuring c. of boiling water
and let cool. (I used brewed coffee and got a great flavour)

Combine in large bowl getting out the cocoa lumps by whisking together:

2 c. sugar
1 3/4 all purpose flour
3/4 c. cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baling powder
1 tsp. salt

Next add the wet ingredients:

2 eggs
1 c. strong cooled black coffee
1 c. buttermilk (or 1 c. milk & 1 Tbsp of vinegar, this makes the milk sour)
1/2 c. veg. oil
1 tsp vanilla
Beat together for 2 min. until mixed on med. speed.

Bake 40 mins. at 350 or until tooth pick comes out clean



Peanut Butter overload anyone???

 Yeah this recipe is from the Tasty Kitchen blog....An absolute must try!

Maybe some baking will get this baby on the move....off to the kitchen!

Poppy he's getting ready!

To join you on the green...

A great day on the Farm

The sun came out and it turned into a pretty perfect spring day after all, so we did what any self respecting family who wasn't cooking a turkey today did....we took our boy to Hatfield Farm to hunt for Easter eggs. Mayhem and pure joy followed!

searching for eggs!

Adding the slapshot to golf...a la Happy Gilmour!

Austin had a blast and we enjoyed knocking over the other littles to get the most eggs (just kidding but man some of the parents need to get out of the way and let the kids play!) playing hockey/golf with him and just making a few great memories.

The Buzz: Sisters, big brothers and new babies.

Sue Siri is an incredible photographer and once we found out we were expecting another baby, there was no question that we'd be booking our maternity and newborn pictures with here. She's posted a preview and I really don't know how we're going to choose!!

The Buzz: Sisters, big brothers and new babies.: "I have been so busy lately that I have not been updating the blog as much as I would like. Today I will remedy that with not one but two ent..."

Giveaway!

http://www.homeiswheretheysendus.com/2011/05/giveaway-precious-frocks-bag-or-shirt.html?spref=fb

Jen's giving away some pretty nice items and I want to win! :) I've shared her blog before but it's worth sharing again. Not just for the free stuff either. She is an incredible mom of 3 and shares her experiences on her blog on a very regular basis...unlike me.

I swear people I am trying to keep up but at 37 weeks I'm been a little busy...more on that to come.

L

Happy Easter

This morning my monkey toddled across the hall, climbed into our bed and promptly told me that he had to potty right now. It was very cute and I was amazed that his want of smarties won out over the colourful eggs that the bunny had left in the hallway.

Business done, Gordon and I steered Austin towards his empty basket and the trail of eggs that led to the bunny jackpot!

We are not baseball fans in our house. But I am in need of Austin to like another sport. Hockey is great but Mommy needs an off season!! Plus a t-ball set for the backyard will make a good addition to our backyard playland!

Easter inspired breakfast!

Boys like to grow things so the bunny was so kind as to leave some dinosaurs!

It's not a perfect spring day, it's raining and wet so I'm hoping it will clear by noon so that we can take Austin to the farm for an Easter Egg hunt....Enjoy your chocolate bunnies!

I'm in trouble....

So I follow baking and cooking blogs.

Today I stumbled across the Tasty Kitchen and I have a four day weekend....pretzel rolls, peanut butter stuffed hot fudge cupcakes, 4am french toast. It's going to be a tasty Easter!

Royal Wedding watch

Because the Royal Wedding is just a couple of weeks away and because I love me a good Royal You Tube video!!!!




Could you imagine?! :)

Right now...

I should be on a plane headed to Baltimore to attend my first NACCU conference. Although let's be honest, the real appeal was that I was going to hang out outside Charm City Cakes until I was successful in getting pictures with Duff, Mary Alice and the crew. Instead I am sitting on the sofa nursing a head cold while my husband takes care of me and our boy. My Dr gave the no fly order a couple of weeks ago and didn't change her mind this week. Just as well...I'd be in crazy pain on a plane today.

So instead of stalking Duff, I am desperately trying to wrap my head around the fact that we've got a baby coming soon. My to do list is super long and I'm stressing that it won't all get it all done. I had a little spurt of energy after my shower and dug out the newborn clothing that I had packed away after Austin out grew them. I have to admit that as I was sorting through and looked at the size of the sleepers, I just couldn't believe how small they were. Seriously, my little boy is now over 3ft tall and says things his that just make you stop, look and say "Did he just say what I thought he did?!"

Long story short, I've added newborn onsies to my list of things that I need to pick. Austin was a fall baby so there aren't many short sleeve hand me downs to reuse on this little one and I have about 7 weeks to get the following stuff done:

1. Home renovation (I'm planning to have G move a wall but if that doesn't happen there is still a lot of painting to do!)
2. Write the birth plan and talk to my doctor about it
3. Maternity photos
4. Spring clean the house
5. Set up bassinet and change table
6. Wash small and one size diapers
7. Pick up new one size diapers
8. Make and freeze several meals and muffins
9. Pack bags for the hospital
10. Pick a name
11. Get everything wrapped up at work.

Okay I'm exhausted just looking at that list....who wants to help?!

Still behind! Bust a Move (and a bump!)


March 26, 2011 was a very exciting day for me. I got up, got ready and headed to the Canada Games Center in Clayton Park to participate in Bust a Move for Breast Health. The event is put on by the IWK Foundation and the QEII Foundation working towards the common goal of improving Breast Health services in Nova Scotia.

Before I left G wanted to get a 30 week belly shot and then Austin wanted to get in the picture too. It's too bad he wasn't in his Superman or Batman jammies....that would have made this picture so much funnier. As it was he did say "Up and Away!" when he posed.

Austin wanted to be a superhero too!

I got to the venue and met up with my awesome team. Everyone was pumped and the energy in the air was electrifying. People were dressed in crazy outfits, men in tutus and others in Viking helmets with bras hanging from them. People had crazy bras on the outside of their outfits, super hero capes and crazy make up. I really wish I was more brave because it would have been awesome to paint up the bump and left it out for all to see.

Hour 1 started with a dance routine that was a lot of fun. Hour 2 was Zumba. I didn't quite make the whole hour as the bump didn't like all the twisting, but I think post baby I would like to try it again. Hour 3 was yoga. Hour 4 was strength training. Hour 5 was an awesome cardio workout (seriously my favorite of the day). Hour 6 was Paula...but I was fading fast. My calves were twitching and I knew that if I didn't head home soon I wouldn't make it there. So I made it about 1/3 of the way through Paula, hung around on the sidelines for about 30 minutes before realizing that I didn't have the energy to jump back in. I admitted defeat and headed home, very proud that I had given it my all.  Here are a few pictures:

JBN stretching for us all

The IWK Knocker Rockers

Me,  Robbie and the bump

Zumba from the sidelines

Paula and her crew

I was in bed by 8:30 Saturday night. Sunday I just kept moving to ensure that my body didn't seize up but I couldn't shake a headache that had started Saturday night. Monday it had turned into a full blown migraine and I ended up spending the day in bed. I've never had a migraine before. It was horrible! Thankfully after 5 hours in bed and three doses of tylenol it was gone.

Now to decide how to raise my money for next year!

The Good Ol' Hockey Game!

It took us awhile but we finally got Austin to a Mooseheads game. I wan't really sure how the outing was going to go. Oz hadn't napped and G had been out helping his sister in the morning so I had him a little worked up (playdoh and hockey will do that to my kid!) I fed him some lunch, got him dressed and once G came home we jumped in the car and headed into the city. I think G and I were more excited than Austin. He didn't really understand until....

DE GOWIE!!!!

 Oz spent most of the game in awe. We were in the second row from the ice and had a great view! His jaw dropped and he cheered and shouted at the players. The biggest problem that we had was that between periods Austin wanted us to get his skates and hockey skates because according to him it was "Austin's turn to pway hockey". The statement was followed by tears before we were able to distract him with Hal or a game on the ice. He made fast friends with the ladies sitting in front of us. In fact one of them game him her bell so that he could cheer even louder!

Checking out the hockey mans with Daddy.

 We need to do this with him more. What a great memory and a great family afternoon. Nothing crazy, just fun times together. I love my family. I wish I had something deeper to say but really, it's pretty simple. I have an awesome husband, a great little boy and another baby on the way.  Life is good!

Catching up: First day of Spring

I'm behind, but I promise I will catch up! Not too long ago  it was the first day of Spring. It was a gorgeous day, G had to work, so Austin and I went adventuring!

Oz eagerly got into the stroller (I was so worried he'd fight it and want to walk on his own), I grabbed my camera and we were off.

Bird's nest (we scared away the birds when Oz called out to them)

Home from a walk with Mom!

Austin took this one....pretty good!

Here come the tulips!

This plant didn't even grow last year so I'm impressed!

I cannot wait for the spring weather to set in. We've had some chilly wind and snow since spring started. I just want to get outside!

4 more sleeps!

You'll notice that my blog has gone pink to the extreme... That is because in 4 days I will be participating in Bust A Move to raise funds for a world class breast health centre right here in Halifax.

I want to thank all of my friends and family who have helped me raise money for this very worthwhile cause. I am always impressed and humbled with your generosity. People think I'm a bit crazy for participating in this at 7 months pregnant but I really think that 6 hours of exercise is nothing. When I think about the battles the women and men who have breast cancer go through for their lives, it is the very least that I can do.

Sadly, we all know someone who has been touched by this terrible disease. The wife of a former coworker of G's found out she had breast cancer shortly after finding out she was pregnant with her first child. I can not even imagine the roller coaster that Cara and Simon rode...the incredible beautiful high of finding out that you have created life and that a baby will be joining the family, and then the blow of hearing that dreaded word..cancer. How do you wrap your mind around something like that? I can not even begin to put myself in their shoes. Thankfully their beautiful baby boy is doing so well and Cara is still in treatment.

Cancer has claimed more than its share of my family (my grandfather and my great uncles on my Dad's side) and has impacted more than one friend. I am glad to be doing something, anything, to help people dealing with cancer.

If you've been thinking about making a donation and haven't yet done so, I encourage you to visit my home page and donate online. Every penny counts. Gifts of $10 or more get you a tax receipt!

You can make a difference in the life of someone who needs you. Donate, participate, volunteer.

Post a comment and share a story of someone you know who has been touched by cancer. Inspire us all to do our part!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Thanks Kelly for snapping this pic!

And a very happy birthday to my awesome sister Janice! Hope that you have an awesome day!!

Bust a Move with Paula? Yup and I'm bustin' the Bump too!

Only 16 days to go before Bust a Move 2011!!! I can't wait to participate in this event. Yup....me and the Baby belly are going to join hundreds of other people in a six hour work out banaza to raise money to establish a world class breast health centre right here in Nova Scotia.

Last year I worked my butt off to raise $1000 in order to participate. I worked out 4 days a week leading up to the event and then, the weekend before, I had just about the worse gallbladder attack ever. I begged and pleased that it didn't need to come out right away and managed to persuade the over worked, overbooked surgeon to let me make an appointment to schedule the surgery. All was good. I was back on track to join my team mates at the event...until.....

I ate French Onion Soup.

Maybe it was to cheese, or the red wine in the broth but either way one hot, delicious bowl of cheesy, onion goodness later, I landed back in the ER Tuesday night, was minus one internal organ on Thursday morning and was forbidden from participating in Bust A Move on Saturday.

I was crushed. I really, really want to join in and so I signed up again this year....and then found out I was pregnant. I've talk to my doctor and she said I could do it as long as I took it easy. So I'm going to!

Below is a message from Paula...I'm so excited! STRAIGHT UP! I can't wait for the 26th!

Sunday

I love Sundays. We rarely make plans and try not to have to rush around anywhere. These pictures are from last and it was 1pm...lol.. did I mention Sunday is also a pj day?

Sundays are made for playing play doh and reading stories. Austin puts on his purse (otherwise known as an apron...don't ask me when apron turned to purse) and joins me in the kitchen. We make muffins, fruit salad and get supper ready. Oz loves to play at the sink and sing the washy washy song as water flies everywhere. And I don't care. It's water. The mess can be cleaned up, memories are more important!

Organic apple juice and playdoh!

Oz loves helping me cook

Today is Sunday and we've got another day of memory making ahead of us.

The whirlwind tour of Corner Brook

Corner Brook has the biggest Winter Carnival East of Quebec. And these people take Carnival seriously. One year the carnival torch was carried from Marble Mountain to Humber Gardens for the opening ceremony...only problem was that the weather was so bad that the torch kept blowing out and needed to be re-lit several times and visibility on the road was so poor that the Carnival Van hit the runner (Danny Kane) a few times before they finally arrived for the big show.

In 1998, I competed for the ultimate prize....the role of Winter Carnival Ambassador. For two weeks a slew of of local teenagers compete for the two top spots. One girl and one guy would have the honour of representing  the young people in Corner Brook. We build a snow sculpture, did some volunteer work, went curling (I spent more time on my arse than I did sweeping the rocks down the ice) and then we had a grand finale show where the winners were chosen. I was in complete disbelief when I won. I actually turned turned to one of the other girls and congratulated her! I thought she was a shoe in and I never imagined that I would actaully take home the title.

For two weeks I attended every Carnival event possible. We ate a ton of great food, danced, judged contests (seriously if I had to hear Ace of Base one more time at the lip sync contest I was going to lose my toutons!) and got locked out of my house at 3am one random night! The first day back to school after it was all over, I fell asleep in Chemistry class and I don't think my teacher was too impressed! The drawback was that I had to wear this crazy coat that, while festive and historic to the Carnival event, was not exactly my style...

Yup...the embarrassing coat fit over my bump and my mom made me wear it!



The point of that ramble is that this year is the 40th Anniversary of Carnival and they invited the past Ambassadors back to attend a reception to mark the occasion. My flight was suppose to leave at 11:30pm and didn't get off the ground until 1am. At 4am my sister and I crawled into bed and woke up in time to head to the spa. That evening I went to the event and it was great  fun! My cousin Laura was there and it was great to spend some time with her before we both headed to a bingo party...yup a bingo party!

Carnival Queen of '76, Ambassador '98 and 2000



Leif cutting the cake

So much fun being home!

More pictures and stories to come...

Our visitors from the West

A few weeks ago, our busy house got a little household got a little busier! In the early hours of February 13th, Gordon made two trips to the airport to pick up 1 university friend, 1 adorable baby boy, 1 man with giant hands and a chocolate lab. Yup Laura, John, Eli and Scotia came for the night!!!!

Austin and Eli had a great time playing and Scotia seemed to enjoy throwing his bone around the house. It was great to hang out with Laura and John. And of course I took too many pictures (although is there really such a thing?)

Dude, we were on a plane all night...I need a fix!

Who needs a real dog, I can pull this one around!

Our favorite Halifax pub!

humm...sweet potato fries with currie mayo or fried pep?

Banana.....I like food!

The face that matches the most annoying sound in the world!
Actually the sound was not annoying.. see for yourself:

It was awesome having little Eli around. I loved watching him try to stuff a full cracker in his mouth and laugh and giggle at Austin as he played with him. Austin love EI and had to hold him in his lap a few times. I was too busy freaking out about him dropping the little guy to snap a picture, so you'll just have to trust me that it was beyond cute! Austin is going to be a great big brother.