A Walk in the Park...

These pictures are pretty angelic really.  Not really the truth of the whole experience...  Admittedly.  But I hope my children remember going to the park and pretending to fish and climb trees and chase each other rather than the panic I felt in my brain that 1) Maggie would run into the lake, 2) Gabriel would fall in the lake while pretending to fish with his fishing rod made of a tree branch, 3) The dog would meet another dog and go ballistic toppling our stroller and dragging it and its contents all through the park, 4) One of the three of them would run into the busy road only meters from where we were standing, 5) One of them would eat goose poop, 6) That the stroller would topple over (dragged by the dog chasing another dog) walking a narrow stretch between the road and the lake, Maggie would topple into lake while Gabriel would run into the road and I would be the one with my face down in goose poop unable to stop any of it from happening.  What do we call this condition?  Mama-brain-induced-catastrophization? 

When did I become such a nut-job anyway?  But, when did taking three dependent bodies out for a stroll in the city's park become such a chaotic venture.  This is what I get from reading too many books or browsing too many of those precautionary articles on facebook.  Tell me, mamas, does anyone else go a little bit freaky when taking their multiple three-and-unders and/or dogs out to new places?

Anyways...... Here are some lovely pictures from my littles at the park today who are so deeply fond of each other and who, despite my constant precautionary commands, will hopefully remember it as a wonderful (safe) time. And can we just talk about how green and beautiful the grass is getting here!  I love it!

The BIG Reveal!

Well......  I was going to wait for another few weeks for the "Big Reveal" of baby girl's room.  But the truth of the matter is that we are just too excited!!  (And I have a feeling that with Christmas coming and company and then baby girl arriving as well...  That I just might end up being too busy).  So for all my friends and family who have been asking, here you go!

The lamp above was my grandmother's lamp and when my grandfather recently passed away, it was one of the most treasured items passed along to me.   If there was anything I remember about that old house behind the hardware shop from my childhood, it was this lamp.  Now restored to its original beauty, it just had to be a part of baby girl's room.  This is completely what inspired this room--the vintage floral theme with pinks and greens and aqua.  Feminine.  Whimsical, but not too overdone.

So along with a few other family treasures--a chair and painting belonging to Jordan's grandparents, and a rocking horse from Jordan's childhood--and other things we picked up along the way.... well, it appears the room is just about done.  And now just waiting for baby girl.

Mom and I had so much fun putting this room together--unpacking all of those adorable girl's clothes and putting up pictures and mirrors.  I think Mom and Dad are really looking forward to having a little granddaughter they can spoil.

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My Life, Pureed.

At first I was in denial.  My son loves Baby Led Weaning--that is giving him a soft fruit or veggie that he can mush into his ear, the chair, the floor, the dog's fur.  Then one day, I found myself sitting at the table that was littered in dish towels and wet cloths, my hands were sticky and he was sticky.  I was frustrated and wanted to cry.  He was crying.  And hungry. It was going to take me half an hour to clean up this mess once he went to sleep.   I gave up.  I bought a baby bullet.  I have since ventured into the world of the "dreaded puree." 

Funny thing is, I love it.  Wildly adventurous me, each day is a challenge: try a new blend.  Each one combined with either banana or avocado (or sometimes both) as the "base."  I never knew zucchini or sweet potatoes could taste so good!  I've determined, EVERYTHING is better with avocado.  Naturally, I try everything that Gabriel eats.  I won't give him something I don't like. 

Fun combinations:
Zucchini, Banana, Avocado
Sweet potato, broccoli, avocado
Plum, pear, apple, avocado
Blueberry, apple, avocado

Gabriel looks at this oddly coloured puree like it's a decadent chocolate cake--eyes wide open, tongue out, drool down his chin.  He leans forward, smacking his lips, making emphatic "Ummmmmm" sounds.  I think it's the avocado. 

And look at this.  The nutritional value of an Avocado (thanks to Wikipedia).

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	670 kJ (160 kcal)
Carbohydrates	8.53 g
- Sugars	0.66 g
- Dietary fiber	6.7 g
Fat	14.66 g
- saturated	2.13 g
- monounsaturated	9.80 g
- polyunsaturated	1.82 g
Protein	2 g
Water	73.23 g
Thiamine (vit. B1)	0.067 mg (6%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)	0.130 mg (11%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	1.738 mg (12%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	1.389 mg (28%)
Vitamin B6	0.257 mg (20%)
Folate (vit. B9)	81 μg (20%)
Vitamin C	10 mg (12%)
Vitamin E	2.07 mg (14%)
Vitamin K	21 μg (20%)
Calcium	12 mg (1%)
Iron	0.55 mg (4%)
Magnesium	29 mg (8%)
Phosphorus	52 mg (7%)
Potassium	485 mg (10%)
Zinc	0.64 mg (7%)
Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Databas

It's basically a superfood.  And best of all, any veggie or fruit can be hidden amongst avocado, and suddenly, it tastes amazing.  Really.  It does.  You should try it.  Really, avocado is a metaphor for the small joys of every day life--chocolate, wine, a latte, a walk to the park, wearing your favorite shoes, a trip to Ikea, a telephone call, a visit, a favorite television program, a photograph, something you read, a cuddle.  These are the moments that get us through when things go sideways: your baby is screaming, you have run out of diapers or groceries, a guy cuts you off on the highway, you know, the every day "mini disasters." Avocados are the silver lining.