Category :Uncategorized

Saturday Smiles: Little Miss Smarty Pants

 Sweater – Smart Set
Jeans – Gap
Boots – Locale
Hair bow – F21
Necklace – gift from my Babcia

This week was a challenge I tell you because I’ve been in a bit of a funk, but here’s what I’m thankful for:

1. Games night with friends – more on that tomorrow.
2. Comfy jeans *pictured above* for weeks like this where I hate most of the things in  my closet.
3. Red wine – so delicious and comforting after a long, long cold and wet day.
4. My smarty-pants little girl – she’s a hoot! *see below*
5. All of you – the best readers a girl could ever have!

True Story:
Andrew gets up with Baby and starts our morning routine.  
At one point, she asks for a cookie and Daddy tells her no.  
Several minutes later Mama comes downstairs, gets her coffee and joins the family.  
Daddy then says he’s going to take a shower and leaves the room.  
As soon as he leaves, Baby gets up and goes to the fridge and asks for a cookie.  
Mama, thinking nothing of it, says, “Ok” and gives her one.  
Then Daddy comes in the room because he forgot something and notices the cookie, “Where did you get that miss?”  Baby’s hands with the cookie immediately drop into her lap and her head drops down *what she does when she’s guilty, embarrased or been disciplined*  
Mommy asks, “What’s going on?”  
We realize it’s the first time she consciously played one of us against the other.  
Smarty pants.

Guilty Confessions

Sweater – Esprit
Dress – Trollied Dolly from Ruche
Tights – Hue
Boots – Locale

I’m going to confess something that I’m not sure I should confess but I kind of need to because it’s weighing on me and I need absolution. Here goes:

Andrew often snores, and so I have to wear earplugs because I can’t sleep through it.  He was going to be leaving for work at 7am, so he told me he would get up with Baby and wake me just before he left.  But at 7am she still wasn’t sleeping and he wondered if he should go up and take my earplugs out, but he decided that he didn’t want to wake me.  Not a big deal since I usually hear her crying through the plugs anyway.  But I didn’t this time.

I woke up at 8:45am…and panicked!  My first thought was irrational – that he had left for work and left her unattended alone downstairs.  My second thought was fearful – that something happened to her and she’s not breathing in her crib.  I ran into the room and found her lying there wide awake sucking her thumb.  That’s when the panic and fear were replaced by sheer, unadulterated guilt.  I had neglected her.  She might have been there crying awake for an hour and half and no one came for her!  Yes, she was safe and could not come to any physical harm in her crib, but the thought that she might have felt neglected or abandoned for so long sent me into a downward spiral of guilt.

I hugged her and apologized to her three times and explained what happened *though she probably didn’t understand*  My guilt let her watch two shows that morning and have a cookie as part of breakfast in the living room.

Mother’s guilt!

I felt better the next morning when she slept in until 8:30am – that means I might not have ignored her or if so then perhaps only for 15 minutes.  Phew!

Outside The Box

Cardi – Old Navy
Top – Threadsence
Pant – Le Chateau
Boots – Feet First
Ring & Earrings – F21

I’ve been thinking about my sartorial attitude and I love that I’m really coming out of my own box when it comes to what I buy and wear.  I’m no longer afraid of being “cute” with dresses or sweater with penguins on them, and I’m trying things out I wouldn’t have tried before.  This top is a case in point. I really liked it when I saw it on the website but I wondered how in the world I would ever wear it, and whether I would actually wear it.  But I liked it so much I thought, “I’ll do it.  I’ll figure it out when it comes.”  And I’m so glad I took a chance because this asymmetrical chiffon top is wonderful, unique and feminine.  I’m so glad I took a risk and went outside my comfort zone to try something new.

True Story:
While sitting on the couch and reading an animal book, Baby takes my index finger and uses it to point at the animals asking, “What’s this?”  She continues to use my finger as her pointer, with her chubby fingers wrapped around it, for the duration of the exercise.
At which point I could retrieve my finger.

Mamahood Exposed: Regrets

Hey guys, my Mamahood Exposed series – the good, the bad, the hilarious – continues today with a fabulous post from Michelle of The Momma Bird.  She’s absolutely wonderful, and I especially like how open she is about her regrets and choices.  Enjoy!

Before my 1st was born I made sure I read ALL the books. BabyWise, What To Expect During the First Year, Baby Whisperer…and the list goes on. I had been around kids my entire life but I didn’t have a clue about schedules, growth spurts, eating habits, nursing problems, baby blues. I was excited and nervous about having this baby.

cohen 

When little C was born nothing went how I thought it would. While in the hospital I made sure to let him sleep in the nursery at night in-between feedings. When we got home I made sure to follow those books to a ‘T’. I didn’t hold him all the time. I kept him on a strict schedule. I documented all of his pees & poos. I timed his feedings. I timed the time in-between his feedings. I didn’t nap with him. I made sure he had lots of tummy time. I put him to sleep without rocking. I swaddled him up. I didn’t give him a paci. I was doing what I thought was best for him…..

cohen 

Week 2 of little C’s life was hard for him & me. I had some slight baby blues, he HATED being swaddled, nursing was really hard for both of us (he would only nurse with a shield) and he was already in his own room. (we slept on the floor of his room during this wk bc family was in town and had our room) I remember one day during a late night feeding just crying, silently as to not wake my sleeping husband next to us, because it felt like the whole world was my responsibility now. After a few days that weight was lifted a little bit, but those first few months were hard.

cohen
I was able to be home with little C until he was 4.5 months old. I kept with my rules. No napping together unless sick. No holding all the time. Practice independent play. I did break on some of them – he hated to be swaddled and wanted rocked & nursed to sleep. I figured it was okay to do since it was the only way he’d sleep. I did break this habit at 6 months and he would only get rocked to sleep on rare occasions after that.

cohen
I regret so much of my parenting during that time with C. I look back and feel like I was so distant. Not that I didn’t cuddle & snuggle with him – or love him to pieces – I absolutely did! I just wish I would have taken naps with him. I wish I would have held him close as much as I possible. I wish I would have snuck him into bed with us on random nights to hold him close and smell his sweet baby-ness. I wish I could have stayed home with him & not gone back to work. I wish I knew how fast they grow up and that every moment is so special.

cohen
So now when C wants to ‘lay with me mommy” before he falls asleep, I gladly climb in next to him. When C wants to “sit with me mommy” while watching his favorite cartoons, I smile and plop him in my lap. I steal cuddles every chance I get, I swap eskimo & butterfly kisses when he lets me, and I praise God that I still get these little moments with him before he gets old enough to not want them anymore.
cohencohen

What is your biggest regret in parenting? 

Are you an Mama with  a story to tell?  
Send in your submission to joanna.haughton{at}hotmail{dot}com. 

Social Media Rant

Top – Freeloader from Body Blue in Toronto; Jeans – Gap; Boots – Locale.

I have two social media pet peeves *read: huge rage inducing irritants*
Commence rant.

The first is Four Square – just checked in at the McDonalds on so and so street. To the people who use it: I don’t care.  I don’t care where you are at every moment of the day.  My universe does not revolve around your day.  I am not your stalker, nor do I want the position.  Honey, I hate to break it to you, but you’re not that important and this is making you think you are…which is not becoming.  More so, it’s making you think that you’re entitled to things like jumping the line, getting free stuff, and not paying cover fees/tickets prices.  Guess what?  The line starts back there around the corner, pay for your own crap, and fork over the entrance fees like every other regular person.  You are not Brangelina, no one cares that you’re at Starbucks.  I don’t even care if Brangelina were at Starbucks.  Get off Four Square.

The second thing is posting pictures of your food/drink. I’m not talking about the exotic stuff.  If you’re eating monkey brains where ever in the world it is that they eat monkey brains, yes post that please! Or if you’re giving me a recipe along with it, sure, show me a picture of what it’s supposed to look like.  But I honestly don’t care about seeing a picture of your cereal, granola, or your first cup of coffee.  And that roast chicken, yeah I’ve seen a chicken before, your point is?  Again, it’s giving you a false sense of self-importance and entitlement.

Thank you.
End rant.

True Story:
Rants must run in the family because Baby stands on her stool in the sun room heckling and talking at the people walking by.

Sometimes

Headband – F21; Sweater – hand me down; Jeans – AE; Shoes – Payless; Socks – Hue.

Some days are slow.
Sometimes I just want big boyfriends jeans and nothing else. 
Sometimes that’s all you really need.

Quote of Today:
“How do you kill that big zombie with the little one on it’s back?”

Random Sundays: Office Space

The wicker baskets are from Walmart, and the rest is Goodwill and DIY restored.

I tweeted a while back that I was working on creating a new home office space for myself.  I was desperately lacking storage and and my tiny one drawer desk just wasn’t cutting it.  So armed with very little cash and a fierce determination I set to task.

First, I found a used desk off Kijiji, where someone was selling it off for super cheap ($130).  It came with two large storage areas and a hutch.  Then I set about creating a fun storage space.  Choosing a white, blue, and silver color scheme I set off to Goodwill *a second hand store* to pick up some things I could turn into creative storage areas.  I picked up mugs, glasses, wicker things, and large bins – and all of it came to about $15.  

Then came the DIY part.  One can of white primer and one can of silver paint, and a lot of taping.

Some items primed.

Before: a box taped up and ready to be primed.

After – silver and I decided to keep the gold.

Before – plain wicker kitchy duck

After – silver and fun.

Before: old rusty and wicker mail sorter.
After: sparkly!

Before – three simple mason jars.

After – silver and shiny!

Bought a new fun mousepad off ebay for $7.

Here’s the complete desk and storage creation.

I decided to use an old canvas above the desk as a corkboard type thing where I can display some of my favorite pics from shoots I’ve been in and shoots I’ve shot.  As well as my recent amazing showing my first time learning to shoot a gun.

I’m pretty happy with it, and I like the whole shabby chic look of everything.  It’s really cool that everything was used and re-used and nothing is new, but it feels new to me!

Saturday Smiles: Good Stuff!

Hat & Leggings- F21; Arm Warmers – Ruche; Top – Trixie in Toronto; Dress – H&M; Leg Warmers – ?; Shoes – Thrifted.

Chocolate is officially off the list!  Only because I’m banning it, not because it doesn’t make me smile.

  1. The commercial shoot I did earlier this week – felt good to be on set, and felt great to book the first audition my new agent sent me on. 
  2. Red Earmuffs!
  3. Grandparents – thanks to which I could go to auditions, callbacks and shoots! 
  4. Foot massages – with the whiny baby I’ve had this week these have been a lifesaver.
  5. Days spent bumming around in slubby sweatshirts *see picture above*

True Story:
Baby and I both have tea *mint tea* in the afternoon, me in my mug and her in her antique china teacup. 

Mamahood Exposed: Good, Bad, Ugly, And Funny

Here’s an uplifting post in the continuing series about Mamahood.

Good Day Moda Mama Readers!!!! 

I’m Hanna from {bouffe e bambini}. I am honored to be here today guest posting about MOTHERHOOD!!!!!!

Why? 


Because it has changed my life in every way I can possibly imagine!!!!

I have two children. Milton is 2 and Ginger is 11 months. They are 13 months apart. I was literally pregnant for 2 years straight. That is a post all unto itself. 

Lets start with 

THE GOOD:


I have realized that I have COMPLETELY changed and I mean completely. The moment I laid eyes on my sweet baby boy my whole universe changed, everything inside me changed. Suddenly there was no way I could ever find anything to complain about or be grumpy about. I was over filled with JOY and GRATITUDE. It was amazing. It literally happened in a single instant. The way I acted my entire 30 years of life completely changed in a split second. Now, I find myself updating my facebook status everyday about how grateful I am and ordering T-shirts that say things like “YES!!” and “LOVE IS FREE”. I’m just happy, truly happy! I think I drive my husband crazy half the time with my ridiculously happy outlook on everything!!! HA!!!

 

Having children was a revelation for me. Immediately I thought to myself, “What was I doing with my life before I had kids?” For me having children has been the single most important, amazing, life altering experience I’ve ever had. Suddenly I knew my purpose. I knew what I was always meant to do. I was full. All those unanswered questions  about what I should really be doing with my life were answered in an instant. I WAS MEANT TO BE A MOTHER. period.

I feel like my life just only truly began with the birth of my kids.  I love it. I love my life. I love that God gave me these beautiful little beings who changed me forever in the best way I can imagine. They gave me the true meaning of my life. They let me experience the true meaning of real joy.

THE BAD:

Honestly there isn’t that much. For me the bad is having to work full time and that time I have to spend away from children. It literally breaks my heart every single night when I walk out that door for work. If I could, I would be a stay at home mother in an instant. Unfortunately, financially right now it’s not possible for us. I am very thankful that my husband stays home with them while they are still young and we do not send them to daycare. VERY GRATEFUL!

When they are sick it’s bad. It kills me to see them suffer. I would give both arms and legs to heal my babies pain. 


THE UGLY:


  I was a big advocate for natural childbirth for myself and thankfully I was able to have them both 100% drug free. That being said, boy was I in for the shock of my life when I went into full fledged labor. There is no way to possibly explain the intensity of the pain to anyone unless they have gone through it themselves. I was in labor with my son for 17 hours and by the time he was crowning I was SURE I was dying. I was begging the docs to cut  me. I laugh about it now but holy moly….all I can say it that is one hell of an experience. 

So with my daughter, I started getting really bad anxiety at about 6 months pregnant because of the pain. I knew how bad it was going to hurt but luckily she came out 2 hours and 16 minuets after my first contraction so it was more manageable but still hurt just as bad. 

So, the natural birthing process for me was amazing but not as touchy, feely and wonderful as I thought it would be. When my son came out I was so exhausted and in so much pain I could hardly even look at him. 

I think because I am a nurse I am used to dealing with much more disgusting things than my kids could ever bring on:)  A few weeks ago they both had the stomach flu at the same time and I have never been so exhausted in all my life. I was literally running to wash all the crib sheets in the  house as fast as possible because they both still sleep in a crib and they were projectile vomiting everywhere. ALL OVER ME, THE CARPET, THE CRIBS…EVERYWHERE. 

It was definitely ugly!!!! 

THE FUNNY:


For me this is mainly the state in which my house and my mind are left on a daily basis. My house literally looks like a bomb went off in it 24 hours a day 7 days a week. 

DO I clean? 

Of course. In fact CONSTANTLY!!! It is never ending. I am loading dirty dishes in and they are talking them out as I’m doing it. There is no hope in this department so I just have to laugh and I warn every guests that ever comes here about the MESS that children bring. 

I laugh when I find a dirty diaper rolled up in my jacket pocket and 4 smashed crackers. I felt like with the first baby I really had it together. I was organized; on top of it and now it’s just survival!!!! So there are many comical moments.

Thank you so much for having me today!!!! It is such an honor to share my family with you!!! Honestly these children have made me the person I have always wanted to be; strived to be. 

They are my everything; hands down the most important thing I have ever done and will ever do!!!! 

Please feel free to come visit me anytime. I love new friends!!

Are you a Mama with  a story to tell?  
Send in your submission to joanna.haughton{at}hotmail{dot}com. 
 

Another Exciting Project

Top – UO; Skirt – c/o Emerging Thoughts; Leggings & Silver ring – F21; Boots – Feet First; Bicycle ring – Spotted Moth.

Over the weekend I shot a fabulous character called ‘Nadia Burkoff’ – sex therapist, life coach and beauty queen.  This is a hilarious character created by a dear friend of mine, and one of my newest exciting projects.  So far, I’ve shot the promotion shoot *you can see some pictures here* and done a brief interview about Nadia’s new book.  But as I’ve taken on the role of producer/director for this burgeoning series, I’ve got a lot more insanity and hilarity planned for the future.  In the meantime, I appreciate you checking out the video of the interview, as well some of the promo shots.  Thanks!

True Story:
Do you think she’s trying to drink her milk through telekinesis?

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