Ikea's New Duktig Play Food

Apparently, these adorable sets of play felt food will be hitting US Ikea's by the end of summer for approximately $10 each. Hopefully, they don't take too long to arrive in Canada. They are so, so sweet! I can't wait to get my hands on them for Judah, adding them to his pile of future play things.

A game we played with my girlfriend Courtney on her recent stagette/pub girls' night was to ask her fiance a series of questions about their relationship and courtship beforehand and then quiz her, comparing their responses. Seeing her reaction to his answers was hilarious, especially because he got them nearly all wrong!

Cleaning up last night, I can across my draft of questions and decided to pose them to Jody, just out of curiosity.

What did we do for our first date?

Our first date or the first time we met? The date was to the arcade in Metrotown and the first meeting was for coffee.

[He was covering all basis in order to answer correctly. Ha.

We were set up on a blind date, so we'd never actual met in person, just talked over the phone. I don't know which one I'd consider our first date either... Probably the arcade. Where I won mostly everything. Because I cheat. He brought me blue flowers (yuck!) and kissed me on the cheek afterwards. :) The pre-requisite coffee date was just to make sure we didn't repulse each other.]

If there is one thing of mine you could burn, what would it be?

All your scrap papers.

[I have a bad habit of ripping pages out of decorating and cooking magazine. I have the best of intentions, but don't actually use them very often. But I'm also not willing to part with them either.]

When did you know I was "The One"?

When you broke up with me.

Really? Why wouldn't you get back together with me then?!

Because I was scared.

[This answer caught me off guard; it was totally not what I expected. I broke up with him for a few months because he's a rascal. Then I realized I couldn't live without him. And he stopped being a rascal. Win win]

Who made the first move?

Me. Tenatively. In Elaine's driveway.

[I remember that moment very, very clearly. That's when I thought I might keep him around for a while longer...]

What is your favorite body part of mine?

(cheeky grin) Your boobs.

[Guys are so typical. Emmanuel said the exact same thing about Courtney!]

What did we do for our first anniversary?

My parents got us a gift certificate for Whistler and we went to the Hilton.

[I'm ashamed to admit it, but I had no idea the answer to this question! We ordered room service, wandered the village and ate some fabulous meals, including the most amazing stuffed french toast for breakfast!]

What is your favorite meal?

Pizza & beer.

[Obviously. They are staples in our house.]

(Image from Jamie Delaine. Check the girl out - she is amazing!)

Last week was a whirlwind of activity around our house: surprise out of town visitors, a bridal shower, test wedding cakes, a friend's photo session, a late night of wine & apps with some great friends, a 30th birthday party, a backyard wedding. It was extraordinary, exhausting and exciting; we enjoyed every minute of the chaos.

Here's a few of my favorite photos:

Jody's cousin, Leslie, visiting with two of her three kids from Grande Prairie. She has remarkable children, especially considering they are all in their dreaded teen years. She gave me great tips on motherhood and raising compassionate, caring, creative individuals.

Classic bridal shower games.

Judy, I apologize for posting this picture, but I love the moment. I know you will forgive me.

Our bride judging the toilet paper dresses.

She flatly refused to wear the feather boa or garter, but did entertain our requests (read: demands) to wear the veil.

The wedding day!

After only three weeks of planning, Courtney and Emmanuel's backyard was wonderful. It was intimate and captured their love for each other and their new daughter, Gabriella, perfectly. It is a special thing, especially as adults, to connect with people quickly and Jody and I feel very blessed with their friendship and to be a part of their wedding day. Emmanuel is French Canadian and his wedding speech, along with his saucy accent, gave us all a glimpse of why he captured Courtney's heart.

My stylin' dudes.

Some of my mommy friends.

Melody & Max. Me & Jubs. Judy & Mason. Who has a baby, but this isn't it.

Missing Wyatt (Judy's little man) and Kate (Mason's mama). Random.

{ The Weekly Budget }

I'm ashamed to admit it, but when Judah was first born, I began watching 'Til Debt Do Us Part' nightly as I nursed. I have never watched the show before and decided to PVR it for those 12 a.m., 2:00 a.m., 3:30 a.m., and 5 a.m. feedings. I couldn't seem to stay awake without watching t.v. and feared crushing my baby in moment of tired weakness. Hence, numerous, repetitive episodes of Gail Vaz-Oxlie giving budgeting advice to couples in horrifying amounts of debt. I think I've watched every episode.

It did get me thinking, though, about our family goals. Primarily, to travel without going into debt, landscaping our backyard (yikes!) and renovating our kitchen. The kitchen currently has no handles because I took the bronze ones off in a moment of interior design rage and they have remained handle-less ever since. I refuse to pay for cheap, temporary silver ones until we renovate and the permanent fabulous ones go on. I know, I'm a freak. So, handle-less we stay. Its gets confusing for company.

A few weeks ago, in a moment of ingenuity, I thought of implementing Gail's budget tips to help us become more aware of our spending and, hopefully, achieve our goals faster! Jody was all for it.

Our new budget looks like this:

* Weekly Allowance: $20 each (sigh.)

* Transportation: $30 (Jody has a work vehicle, so its just gas for me!)

* Food: $125

* Entertainment: $25

* Other: $25 (usually spent on Starbucks dates with my girlfriends or Jody!)

It has made us very, very aware of our spending and allowed us to save more than I realized, even on my measly maternity leave pay cheque. The most difficult part has definitely been the food budget. I'm going to start meal planning next week, in hopes it will help. Thank heavens for the Costco trip before starting the budget... I cheated a little in the meat department, knowing this budget was coming! :)

(Note: Thankfully, Judah now sleeps a lot better and feeds a lot faster. No more Til Debt Do Us Part for me. Luckily, I've already watched them all. ha.)

:: Random Things ::

* I found a dirty diaper in my diaper bag today. And I can't remember putting it in there. Never a good sign.

* I have an addiction to this season of the Bachelorette. And have already reminded myself that its on tonight multiple times today.

* I tried GEO Cashing yesterday for the first time. It went like this: Find coordinates for Object #1. Walk to pier. Search for Object. Get mad. Search more. Get distracted by gelato. Continue searching. Nothing. Get mad @ the GPS. Decide to skip to Object #2. Hike through a sketchy, blackberry bush trail. Search. Tell Minnow to hurry up (she's dodging blackberry prickles 20 feet back). Find nothing. Give up & go home. GO Cashing stinks.

*Things I call Minnow: The Pig, Piggy, Minnie, Min, MinMin, Little Lady. Amazingly, she responds to them all.

* I love Betsy Johnson socks, usually purchased from TJ Max. Even when its 30 degrees and I have no need for socks, I buy them.

* I started a diet today. To help aid in removing the baby weight spare tire I'm rockin'.

Sometimes I think I'm Captain Oblivious. It never even crossed my mind to use my breast feeding pillow for tummy time until someone recently mentioned it to me. Seriously, caffeine deprivation, anyone?! But it has made tummy time, one of Judah's most hated past-times, much easier. I even got a smile last week!

{New Things}

Last week, no longer afraid of the bobbling head issues, I introduced the bumbo & the exersaucer. He doesn"t do much yet except for cling desperately to the toys, but it made me realize (again) how precious this time right now is.

Judah didn't know what to think of either of them at first, but quickly relaxed and started taking in everything.

Bumbo awkwardness.

:: A Moment Cherished ::

This moment will forever be in my heart.

Jody was playing with Judah in the pool and Judah laughed! It was the first time we'd heard it (while he was awake!) and I love that I was able to capture Jody's reaction.

His face is priceless.

I've always loved the smell of babies, snuggling into their soft, sweet skin. And I always imagined mine would smell the best. I may be slightly biased, but I was right... Judah smells like honey, fresh laundry, a summer day and a dash of heaven.

:: Vegas Road Trip ::

Christmas time is one of my favorite times of year. I absolutely love the lights, the festivities, the celebration with family & friends. Christmas 2009 was no exception. Some people may have got socks, new underwear, chocolate. Well, I got a sister. Technically, a half-sister. Who lives in Las Vegas.

Surprise!

She found my brothers & I through facebook. There were tears and confusion initially but I am so blessed to have her in my life. In some small way, her appearance wasn't total surprise and actually personifies the dysfunction that is my family. Although we had been chatting on facebook and emailing often over the last six months, a detour to Vegas during our Arizona trip was the first time meeting her in person. And, she's 4 1/2 months pregnant. Getting to share this special time, as we both journey into & navigate motherhood, is amazing.

Krystal is an amazing woman. She's beautiful, funny, warm. She has a cute American accent & knows where to shop in Vegas. We talked babies and boys, two of my favorite subjects! We talked about our dad and our upbringings. I always wanted a sister growing up and I'm thrilled to have finally met her. Who knew she was in another country waiting for me?!

Doing silly things you can't do with three brothers. Unless one of them is gay.

Judah getting Auntie cuddles.

A special "Thank You" to my hubby, who drove 4 1/2 hours each way without a moments hesitation or complaint. Who held me, gigantic and pregnant, as I sobbed when I first found out about Krystal's existence. Who found rental cars & booked hotel room as we organized our road trip. Who always checks for bedbugs and apologized for booking somewhere so sketchy ($40 / night sounded too good to be true). Who encouraged me that she would indeed like me when I cried again, sitting on his lap, the night before leaving for Vegas.

You are my everything.

My little man.

Who endured hours of driving and inhumane temperatures with smiles.

"It's these turnaround or these pivotal moments that introduce you to yourself... these small or these huge catastrophic events in your life - I do think that that's where you really meet yourself." - Sheryl Crow

:: Adventures in Arizona ::

We took a little jaunt down to Arizona from the 3rd til the 11th. My in-laws recently bought a vacation home there, unable to resist the amazing prices. It was a much needed break for Jody as he's been working 10 hours a day, 7 days a week for the last month. We filled our days with suntanning, swimming and lots of delicious food, most of which I didn't have to cook (holla)! It was definitely a treat having hands to hold Judah. I've never seen people so willing to change dirty diapers!

We were on the road very, very early! My father-in-law likes to make sure we aren't a moment late for the 2-hour preboarding check-in. Starbucks run anyone?!

Anxiously awaiting take-off. We were stuck on the runway for an extra hour while they did a "quick repair to the wing". Repairing a airplane while I'm on it makes me slightly anxious. I don't want to die.

Judah was a little rockstar & didn't cry at all the whole flight. I was prepared with Rapid Relief, Camilia, a variety of toys & books. And, in case of desperation, baby Tylenol. I don't endorse drugging your children to make travel easier, but, for fear of being "those parents", we brought the Tylenol.

Cuddles from Dodo & Nana.

Judah's mock bassinet.

He only slept there for about 20 minutes until I felt too bad and moved him into our king bed.

Taking part in a classic American tradition on July 4th. We collectively decided the best thing about baseball is the beer. Except for Jody, who's too much of a beer snob to drink American beer.

I don't want to know...

Me & my little dude.

There were lots of mini road trips to admire houses & shop, a surprise visit to Sedona, and the best pizza we've ever eaten. Wayne & Ellen, thank you for sharing our first vacation as a little family! We had a great time laughing, talking, and sharing our lives with you! Thank you for playing tour guide and indulging us with organic luxuries and not making me eat scary meat!

xo

:: My Baby Minnow ::

{Morning Nap Time}

:: 3 Month Photoshoot with Momma::

Judah, you look nothing like I imagined when I was pregnant. But sometimes it amazes me how beautiful you are.

A few days into "sleep training" and mid-photoshoot, he passed out on the floor when I went to grab a different lens. After a few trying days of naptime, this was a precious moment for me.

{Sorry for a lack of blogging. Judah's been on a new sleep schedule (aka no sleep) since getting home from our trip. Regular blogging returning now. Fingers-crossed for regular sleep to return also}

11 1/2 Weeks

I took this picture one night before a trail walk and it was the first time I realized my baby looked like a little boy, chillin' in his carseat.

Watching the daily development and discovery is wonderful; the rapidness with which they change is truly remarkable.

:: Happy Canada Day ::

: 5 years ago today, Jody proposed to me.

: 3 months ago today, our little dude was born.

: Today starts the first day of our vacation. Eleven straight days with my hubby, I can't wait! He's been working been working so much lately, we've hardly seen each other over the last month. Right now, I would be happy watching plants grow, as long as we were doing it together. I can't wait to rejuvenate, relax and savor each moment of our little family!

*insert content sigh here*