Life on Lee Avenue

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!

One month

                                          

We are beginning to see the light of day here on Lee Avenue! Literally and figuratively. Rowan is sleeping well and we are finding our rhythm + routine as a family. Like my pregnancy posts, I thought I would continue to mark the passage of time with a monthly photo and some reflective journaling. Of course, my posts are always dependent on Rowan and our schedule. So although Rowan is almost 7 weeks old, here are my ramblings about our first month together. 

Month 1: 

As just like that, in a blink of an eye, my Rowan-girl is one month old. It is hard to believe that she came into this world a little over 4 weeks ago; and yet, it is hard to imagine life without her. My life has certainly changed....who knew that going to the bathroom alone would be so exhilarating! Aaron and I joked that I would be pregnant forever. But thankfully Rowan-girl arrived into this world 10 days after my due date on November 15th at 5:35 pm. She weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces and measured 19.5 inches. Today, she weighs 8 pounds 5 ounces and measures 21 inches.  

Although it feels like I lifetime ago, there are so many things I want to remember from those early days. I want to remember the outpouring of love we received from family and friends in the hours and days after her birth. I want to remember her "cute" faint cry and instantly feeling the need to protect her. I want to remember how resilent she was as she had an echocardiogram done at Sick Kids Hospital. I want to remember thinking if the nurses realized how little we knew about looking after a newborn, they wouldn't let us leave the hospital. I want to remember her skinny legs and the sweet squeaks she makes from her bassinet when sleeping. I want to remember the relief I felt when she started to gain weight. I want to remember how we struggled and perservered with breastfeeding. I want to remember the appreciation I felt for my mom for all the things she has done for me and my family in the first days of Rowan's life. I want to remember  how proud I was when I managed to go to doctor's and grocery shop on the same day. I want to remember how happy and fulfilled Aaron and I feel our lives are at this very moment. There are so many things I want to remember. 

Now a month into this world, Rowan is starting to coo, smile and kick. She is incredibly strong and likes to wiggle when she gets upset. Overnight it seems like her head and neck are more stable.  Her eyelashes are never-ending and her eyes remain a deep colour of blue.  It is unclear if she will be left handed or right handed. She is either content or crying. Rowan likes to be held and prefers to be held + walking. Everyone says she looks like her daddy. 

It has been and interesting journey with some high and low points. We look forward to watching Rowan grow and seeing what the next month has in store for us. 

Happy New's Years! 

December Daily 2011 - Day 1, 2 & 3

Hello December Daily! I still can't believe this month is upon us and that I have a newborn. Instead of posting daily, which is unrealistic for me right now, I will be updating my progress through this month in batches. Here are a look at my first few days:

Day 1 Photo: 

Day 1 Page: 

 

 

Journaling:

You and Me, Rowan-Girl - We're finding our rhythm as mama and daughter. Today you slept and ate so well. Life is good. 

Day 2 Photos:

 

Day 2 Page:

  Journaling: 

Daddy rushed home after he heard you and mama had been in a car accident and had been rear ended. We spent the afternoon and evening at the collison reported centre and at Sick Kids Hospital. You are okay, but we are a bit shaken up Rowan-girl. At two weeks old, we would do anything for you....love mama and daddy.

Day 3 Photo:

Day 3 Page: 

   

Journaling:

We returned to Dover St for this year's Campbell Christmas. When Mama was a child, her favourite holiday memory was going to Auntie Linda's house to celebrate. We would sit around the big kitchen table eating good food, laughing and playing board games. Hard to believe that 10 years have past since Auntie was alive. Funny enough, Rowan-girl, this year's celebration was magicial. I don't know if it was your presence or the return to the traditional Campbell house, but this year's celebration was filled with many warm wishes and love.   

For more information on my album, especially the foundation pages and my approach to this year's December Daily project, please check out this blog post. 

Happy Monday!