Life on Lee Avenue

Right Now

Time: 4:51pm

Eating: Vanilla yogurt.

Drinking: Water.

Watching: Ellen.

Planning: A trip to the passport office tomorrow.

Downloading: The first season of Downton Abbey and continuously checking to see if the new PRT has been released

Texting: Aaron. Seeing what time he will be home.

Feeding: Both Charlie and Rowan.

Feeling: Content. Just went to the Fox Theatre to see "The Muppets". Love that there is such a thing as "Movies for Mommies".

Thinking: I can't believe this is my life - I wouldn't have it any other way.

Happy Wednesday!

Sent from my iPhone

Simple Scrapper: February Pages

I am so excited to announce that I am continuing on with the Simple Scrapper Design Team! With Rowan's birth in November, it's been a while since I showed you any of my layouts. So below are three pages I created for Simple Scrapper over the past few months:

"Your Nicknames"

Template: Simple Scrapper's Premium Membership

Cardstock: White, Recollections

Letters: Pink Chipboard, Basic Grey; Black, American Crafts; Grey, Amy Tangerine, American Crafts

Hearts: Remarks, American Crafts

"The Red Centre"

Template: Simple Scrapper Premium Membership

Cardstock: Brown, Bazzill 
Letters: Pryus, Basic Grey; Marquise, American Crafts 
Embellishements: Muse Tokens, Tim Holtz; Just the Edge Cardstock Strips, Bazzill 
Stickers: Traveller, 7 Gypsies 

Journaling: 

The third part of our Australia trip included three days in Yulura. We spent this time feeling like we stepped into another world. We hiked around Ayer’s Rock and through the Olgas and King’s Canyon. The soil was deep and rich in colour as was the land in terms of its history. Perhaps our favourite part of the trip was visiting Urulu’s cultural centre and reading letters from the “sorry book”. Apparently, there have been a large number of tourists who took pieces of Ayer’s Rock home and then experienced bad luck. These people then returned pieces of the Rock to the Aborginal tribe who live on the land. Not wanting to temp our good fortune, Aaron and I only touched Ayer’s Rock to make a wish. June 2011

"The Journey"

Template: Simple Scrapper's Premium Membership 
Cardstock: White, Bazzill 
Pattern Paper: Paper Reverie Noir, Making Memories; Amy Tangerine, Oh Happy Grey, American Crafts 
Letters: Doll, Thickers, American Crafts; Yellow Tiny Type, Cosmo Cricket 
Stickers: Craft embellishments, Sassafras for Studio Calico 
Type: Arial 

Journaling: 

Now that I am 39 weeks pregnant and about to give birth, I am so very thankful. I am thankful that Aaron, my family, friends and coworkers were supportive. I am thankful that I embraced and enjoyed my changing body. I am thankful that I felt so good. Looking back, I can see from these photos how I am transitioning towards motherhood. During my second trimester, I felt the baby move daily. Strangers started asking me when I was due. I started nesting and organized the closets in our house like a crazy person. I began thinking about what life with a child would be like. Although I don't know what the next part of the journey will bring, I am excited for my future family life. 

Interested in the Premium Membership with Simple Scrapper? You can go here to learn more information. 

Happy Tuesday!

Project Life: Week 2

Hello Project Life, Week 2! 

I'm currently looking for my date stamp. It's not at the top priority on my to do list, but once I've located it, I will start stamping the 4 x 6 Title Cards. 

I have used more labels over the last two weeks than I have in the  last two years. I will be ordering some more labels like these from Paper Source. I have found that I am continuously searching through my embellishment drawer too. Being a subscriber to the monthly Studio Calico kit, I have received many cute supplies that I have never used. I am excited because I know I will use more of my stash over the next year. 

I am so thankful for this project. I feel as though I am more aware, more mindful and more open to my experiences with Aaron, Rowan and Charlie. I find that it is helping me to express my emotions as I navigate my way through mamahood. Also it is fun to look back at a week and be reminded of what was front and centre for us. This is important because sometimes, I don't always know what day or time it is! Hee!  

Happy Thursday!

Project Life: Week 1

The blog-o-sphere is all a buzz with Project Life - and I too have jumped on the bandwagon. I ordered the Amber core kit before Rowan was born and I am super excited to be documenting her first year of life. In just a few short weeks I can see small, noticeable changes......so cool! Above is a picture of my first week. 

Let's face it. In the midst of changing diapers and soothing a cranky baby, I don't have a lot of extra time to scrapbook. Commiting to document a whole year is somewhat overwhelming. So I am taking it day-by-day, week-by-week. So far so good. I feel more alert and more open to little daily life experiences.  

I document my weeks starting on Sunday, ending on Saturday. On the weekend, I start printing out my pictures. As the week progresses, I work a little on it during Rowan's nap time.

It seems like that I am using alot of Instagram photos. In addition to taking pictures on my phone, I am also using it to write weekly notes.  I also use tweets to cue my memory as what happened over the past week.

As you may notice, there isn't alot of extras in my album. It is mostly photos and words. It would be nice to have time to make it prettier, but at this point, it is just getting it done and documented. I feel like I am scrapbooking all and the time. It is incredibly rewarding to finish a week.

Are  you doing Project Life? Yes? No? Why? Why not? 

Happy Tuesday!

Five on Friday

1. I made the above layout last week for an upcoming Simple Scrapper assignment. I plan on using it in Rowan's baby album. I'm still working out the details for her baby book. Regardless, I love these pictures and I am glad they have been documented in a layout.

2. This past week, Rowan and I have met up with friends at Lil'Bean and Green. It is this super kid friendly coffee shop that has a play space for little ones. I think I will be spending alot of time here in the upcoming weeks and months. 

3. Tomorrow night, my wonderful in-laws are coming to babysit Rowan for the evening. Aaron and I will be attending a party for friend at the Comrade, an uber hipster beer bar. Yeah for adult alone time!   

4. Although I don't play tennis, I love watching it on TV. The Australian Open is currently on and I'm in heaven.  

5. I love the new Kathleen Edwards album and I can't wait to hear her on Q next week.  

Happy Weekend!

Two Months

 

Hello, two months old!

It has only been eight weeks since Rowan-girl was born and I can't remember what life was like without her. Literally and figuretively. Seriously, my mama brain is in full effect. I am constantly looking for my keys and often I am unable to finish sentences.

Since the holidays, Rowan and I have been carving out our daily routine. Typically, we go for our "daily walk of sanity" in the mornings while afternoons are reserved for naps and puttering. I'm so thankful to live in a neighbourhood that is both baby + dog friendly. Oh and did I mention the 5 Starbucks in walking distance of my home? No matter the time or date, I am always caffeinated. 

Rowan-girl is a content baby.  She started to smile at 3 weeks and talk at 5 weeks. She now recognizes us and smiles when we pick her up from her bassinet. Melts. My. Heart. Everytime. Totally worth the spit up, poopy diapers and numerous early morning wake up calls. Rowan also has a fiesty personality. She gets very upset when she is hungry and when she has to get dressed. Lord help you if have to put an article of clothing over her head. She loves to wiggle, especially when naked on the changing table. Aaron and I often joke that she could win the “Wiggle Olympics”. We think she will skip crawling and go straight to running. Also, we hope the fondness for being naked subsides before she enters preschool.  

Lately, she has had an insatiable appetite. Last week, she started to drink 6 ounces at any given feeding. As a result she is outgrowing her 0-3 month clothes. She has more clothes than Diana Ross, so the fact that she is busting out of her outfits like the Hulk is a non issue. Currently she measures 23 inches and weighs in between 11 to 12 pounds. Her eyes continue to be deep blue. 

We look forward to seeing what the next month will bring!

Happy Thursday! 

Five on Friday

1. Rowan and I spent the last two days visiting my parents. It is incredible to watch them evolve into grandparents. I don't know if my father ever held a newborn, but he seems to have become a natural over the past few months. Something about the above photo that makes my heart hurt....in a good way.

2. Weather permitting, tonight I am going to a midnight crop! Rowan will be staying at home to spend some quality time with her Daddy. I will be working on my Project Life title page, week #1 and #2. I hope to share my progress with you next week.

3. Monday, I bought the Steve Jobs biography. I have only read the first few pages and at the rate I'm going, I hope to be done by 2016. Although Rowan is a great sleeper (knock on wood) I am exhausted by the time I get into bed at night. Right now it is all about priorities and reading has taken a back seat to sleeping, showering and scrapbooking....and not necessarily in that order :)

4. I am anxiously awaiting to download the new Kathleen Edwards album. It is co-produced by her boyfriend, Justin Vernon (aka Bon Iver) and I've heard nothing but good things. 

5. Three words: Golden Globe Awards. To me, this show is the official start to award season. I love the glitz and the glamour. Plus all the beautiful people are inebriated which accounts for the quirky acceptance speeches. Seriously....have you seen the list of best dramatic actor nominees !?! So many handsome men, it's ridicious. I can't wait for Sunday!

Happy Weekend!

The first night out

Last night was my first night out after giving birth to Rowan in November. Before we had a baby, Aaron and I used to see alot of movies. I mean alot. I prided myself on knowing what was currently out, who directed the film and whether or not the movie was "award worthy". I may have even created an annual oscar pool at my work to flaunt off said knowledge. So it is no surprise that my first night out sans bebe was to see a show.

With my mother-in-law as my viewing companion, we headed to the Bookshelf - a lovely little independent movie theather I use to frequent often while I was in university. The show? My Week With Marilyn. And for all you Project Lifer's out there...I saved my ticket!

Having dreamt that I would throughly enjoy my time off, I was surprised when I noticed a dull ache in my heart for most of the evening. Oh and our conversation? When the movie wasn't playing, it revolved around my little Pickle. (Pickle is an affectionate nickname we use for Rowan). And when did I start to cry? During the movie when Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe delivers the line, "All little girls should be told they're loved and beautiful".

So it's official. I'm attached.

And if you too have an oscar pool at your place of employment, I would put my money on Michelle Williams. She and the movie were fantastic!

Happy Saturday!

One Little Word 2012

In the days leading up to Rowan's birth, so many people I told me to "enjoy every moment". At the time I really couldn't comprehend what they meant. A year seemed like a long time to be on maternity leave from a job and coworkers that I am crazy about. On an intellectual level, I knew that babies grow and develop - it's just another part of the lifecycle. Since giving birth and becoming a mama, I feel that I am beginning to understand. I have never seen my own sweet baby grow. I have never seen my own sweet baby develop.

Don't get me wrong, it's not all sunshine and roses. There are days that my cup runneth over....both literally and figuretively...I am breastfeeding people! Seriously, I feel like my to-do lists are long. There is the never ending laundry and general hands-on caring for, amidst my tired state. It's a big shock to the system to have a baby when you've never looked after one. In fact, I been putting myself first for many years....and surprise, I have become somewhat of an expert at it. Although I have happily shifted my focus, sometimes I want to have a twenty minute shower, eat a meal with two hands and scrapbook on my own terms.

But then, my dear sweet Rowan-girl, will smile bigger, coo louder or outgrow her newborn undershirts and my heart breaks. As she races to every milestone, I am reminded this time is short. Life is fragile, finite and unfortunately, fast-paced. I am reminded to live in the moment. I am reminded to breathe. I am reminded that laundry can definitely wait if it means I can savour a snuggle with my girl. I think Kelly Rae wrote a beautiful and articulate post describing this phenomenon. 

So, dear blog readers, what is my one little word for 2012?

Enjoy. 

Enjoy the tears.

Enjoy the laughs.

Enjoy the journey. 

So over the course of this year, I will attempt to appreciate, relish and soak up all the moments, both good and bad, with my little Rowan-girl. 

What about you? What is your OLW? 

Happy Wednesday!

The Best of 2011

Happy New Year Everyone! 

We are ump-teen hours into twenty twelve, and like last year, I thought I would recap some of the best of twenty eleven for me!

Top Three Layouts: 

All layout templates by Simple Scrapper. Want to be on the SS Design Team? Applications are being accepted until January 5th. I loved my time on the team. I want to personally thank Jennifer, Jean, Shannon and Erin for making it so lovely and special experience. You ladies rock!

Top Three Scrapbooking Products I used: 

 October Afternoon, 5 & Dime

 

Lily Bee, This and That

 

Cosmo Cricket, Up Cycle

Top Three Podcasts I listed to: 

 1. Q Bon Iver and the National / This American Life: Amusement Park

2.  Paperclipping Roundtable: Episode 87: Questions, Lists and Prompts

3. Fresh Air: Darryl Hammond

Top Three Albums I listed to: 

1. Bon Iver, Bon Iver

2. Michigan Left, Arkells

3. Metals, Feist

Moving Forward to 2012

Twenty Eleven was a great year for me. I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who reads all of my thoughts. Thank you for you support, it means so much to me! I can't wait to see what will happen in the new year and wish you and yours all the best.

Hello Twenty Twelve!