Life on Lee Avenue

Week In the Life 2011 - The Completed Album

Today I am being induced! It is hard to believe that 9 months have passed and that soon Baby H will be here. I may be a bit negectful over the next few days, but I hope to share our wonderful news soon! Wish me luck :)

In the meantime, I have had chance to finish my 2011 Week in the Life album. This year, I decdied to capture the week using instagram photos from my iPhone.  I used repeating design over two double page spreads. Clearly there is a focus on photos and words. I was going for minimalist and modern feel. Below are the scanned pages from my album. 

Cover Page

Monday

   

 

Tuesday 

 

  

Wednesday

 

Thursday

   

Friday

Saturday

 

Sunday

    

Thanks for looking!

Happy Monday!

WITL 2011 - Sunday Photo + Words

Photos |

                          

                        

                        

                          

                      

Sunday in the Life Schedule |

 6:01 AM Can't sleep. Take Charlie out and immediately start worrying about Simple Scrapper deadline. It is today at 5 pm and I need enough time to take photos and edit photos. As I walk downstairs, I feel enormous. I think my belly popped another 8 inches last night. Realize I am now 26 weeks. Attribute the growth from all the steak I ate last night. 

10:58 AM Charlie is getting "beansy" as we would say. I scraped the morning away while Aaron slept in. Rally Aaron out of bed and get dressed for a morning walk. As we eat breakfast, he picks up his red squeak bone and wants to be chased. I run around living room and hall way entertaining / distracting Charlie. We head towards the beach.

10:59 AM Realize that it is incredibly hot and that I am probably waddling from the extra weight. Decide that

2:22 PM Photograph and edit the August Simple Scrapper Page and Project pictures. Am amazed that it took 2 hours to complete. Email Jennifer. Decide to reward myself with a snack. Watch reruns of Friends while eating an apple, cheese and crackers. Decide that I should really have some leftover pie with frozen yogurt. Immediately feel sleepy. Decide to reward myself with a nap. Aaron heads to the movies to see Harry Potter 7.2.

4:47 PM Wake up and feel unwell. I head downstairs to feed Charlie boy his dinner. Look at the hutch with wedding china. Remember that I was going to organize the kitchen this weekend and de-clutter. Think that I will do that some other time....promise that it will happen before the baby comes. Head out for an afternoon walk.

7:38 PM Feeling restless. Aaron is on the couch with Charlie reading a book. I feel the need to finish WITL blog post. Start on entry. Look through all the comments the blog received this week and am overcome with emotion. Think about how much I like scrapbooking. As I type the last words, I am feeling a bit more calm. Looking forward to just being tomorrow, without having to worry about my phone is. I am a bit sad by happy by what I have accomplished this week.

Words |

Gratitude: 

• Am deeply touched by all those who visited this blog this week. For the lovely people who left comments, I am forever grateful. Sharing your words of encouragement, has allow me to complete this fun but sometimes overwhelming project. My sincerest thanks!
• Grateful to Ali Edwards for envisioning this wonderful project and mobilizing + creating a sense of community. It is an amazing feeling to call myself "a scrapbooker."

2011 vs 2010 |

 Differences: 

• Last year, I didn't have a blog. This year, I am so happy that I have a forum to record my thoughts in real time. My online life is quite busy and full.
• Last year, I wouldn't have considered myself a scrapbooker. This year, I feel deeply rooted in this movement to document my life including the everyday. 

Similarities: 

• I feel like this was an incredibly valuable project. Although I hope my future child will take an interest in his or her parents lives in the future, regardless, I am completely fulfilled by this project creatively speaking. 

Note to Readers | 

Good luck with your own WITL projects. I can't wait to see what you have created and to show you how my album comes together! 

Cheers and thanks for looking!

 

WITL 2011 - Saturday Photo + Words

Photos |

                       
                       
                       
                       

Saturday in the Life Schedule |

9:45 AM Good morning world! Today is a sleep in day. Aaron gets up with Charlie to do his AM business while I  catch up on some much needed rest. After breakfast, Charlie falls back asleep and starts to snore. Have a bit of a panic attack when I realize how late in the morning it is. Friends are coming over tonight and the to-do list is long. 

11:42 AM At the grocery store buying items for tonight's dinner + to stock up on our staples. This evenings menu includes: marinated flank steak, grilled portobello mushrooms & asparagus for main course and strawberry rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.  I pick up carton of orange juice. I check the expiry date and immediately start to freak out. When the date on the carton of oj is close to my due date I realize that the impending arrival of Baby H is near!

2:00 PM Groceries unpacked. Check. House is somewhat clean. Check. Time to relax.....Aaron reads while I scrapbook. I work on a page of August templates for Simple Scrapper. Am amazed at how easy the layout comes together.

4:23 PM Prep work. Make homemade lemonade with a juicer we received as a wedding gift. Love how simple it is to use. Promise self I will make more smoothies this way. Aaron is outside cleaning the deck. Charlie it relaxing in the chair watching me from the living room. I pretend to be a host of the Food Network and talk to the dog as if he were watching me on tv. Realize the absurd this is and stop immediately.   

10:44 PM As happy as a clam. It was lovely night with friends. Enjoyed self but realize I didn't take too many photos. Get over the fact that Saturday is a little skimpy on documentation and head to bed. 

Words |

Grateful: 

•  Thankful for a husband that helps out and who is able to put things in perspective for me. 

2011 vs 2010 |

Differences

• Last year, Aaron had to work most weekends. This year, he is able to help out more around the house and with the yard work. Love that this is different!
• Last year, I would have gone all out  entertaining and not enjoyed myself when friends were over. This year, I realize that is stressful on my body and I am able to regroup and refocus. I feel that I am able to relax.

 Similarities 

• Love having friends over. 

Note to self for Tomorrow |

Enjoy the last day!

Thanks for looking!

WITL 2011 - Friday Photo + Words

Photos |

   

 

Friday in the Life Schedule |

6:56AM While in the shower, I hear Aaron talk to Charlie. The conversation proceeds as follows: Aaron: "Are you winking at Daddy?" Pressumably Charlie looks at Aaron. Aaron: "You winked at Daddy again!" Aaron looks closely at Charlie. Aaron: "Oh...I think you have an eye infection." Hop out and see what the deal is. Confirm it is in fact an eye infection. Immediately decide it will be a "glasses day" for me. 

8:32 AM Hello Starbucks. I have resisted you successfully for the last four days. However, today is not one of those days. You are my Friday treat. Instantly, I feel better. Regardless of the caffeine I will consume, I feel like it will be a relaxed kinda of day.  

3:44 PM. Blink. I was wrong. I remember sitting down at my desk and by quarter to 4, the day has flown by. I try to remember if I ate lunch or went to the bathroom recently. The baby and my body would indicate that I have not done either of those things. Feel horrible + guilty on so many levels. Run to grab my lunch and check my email. Relieved the day is almost done. 

5:40 PM Rush home for a same day appointment with Dr. Young at the Boardwalk Animal Clinic. As we sit in the waiting room, Charlie stares intensely at the door. Its as if he is trying to say, "get me out of here!" After weighing him on the scale, we head into the examining room. Dr. Young is great and Charlie calms down. No scratch on his eye, just an infection. We head to the beach for a play. It is approximately 107 degrees outside and I feel like I am 1000 pounds. Call Aaron to see if he will come pick us up when we are done. He agrees. Feel kinda like a princess. Realize I can only play the pregnancy card when I am actually pregnant. Immediately get over it and look forward to being picked up.

8:51 PM I scrap a layout for my pregnancy album. I am creatively recharged. I am listening to PRT and then the Digi Show on my iPhone. After I pull together supplies for my week in the life album. Looking forward to the tactile part of the project, but promise myself that I will take a creative break for a day or two after Sunday ends. Aaron is upstairs watching videos on Youtube and laughing. I am inside myself recovering from the day that was today.  

9:58 PM Write this blog post. Make edits to my Simple Scrapper post. Crash into bed. Love that I go to bed early on a Friday night. Wonder if I will be "snor-tastic" tonight. Get over the fact that I use to be somewhat of an urban hipster. Embrace the tired, hormonal pregnant lady side of my identity. I sleep, sweet sweet sleep. 

Words |

Gratitude: 

• I am thankful for caffeine. Need I say more? 
• I am grateful that Charlie just has an ear infection. Wonder how he will adapt to Baby H's arrival.
• I love having a comfortable bed. And clean sheets. Its an ideal combination.  
• I love Aaron's laugh and how it makes me feel cheery.

2011 vs 2010 |

Differences

• Last year, I would go for a run after a long stressful day at work. This year, I am unable to sweat out my stress. 

Similarities 

• Fridays, I usually treat myself to an expensive coffee at Starbucks. This year is no different.
• Fridays, I typically feel tired. Although I have decided to work "summer hours", meaning no clients after 5 pm, I still feel incredibly knackered by the end of the week. Still love looking forward to  the slow pace of the weekend. 
• Aaron and I typically stay in Friday nights. We did that last year, this year and I have a feeling we will be doing that in the future too!

Note to Self for Tomorrow |

You are in the home stretch! Just two days to go......keep it up!

Thanks for looking!

WITL 2011 - Thursday Photo + Words

Photos |

                      
                         
                      
                      
                     
 

Thursday in the Life Schedule |

8:12 AM It's a work from home day. Appreciate that I can take a 15 minute shower. Fourteen of those minutes are spent trying to shave my legs. Remember fondly of a time that I use to be able to touch my feet standing up. Call in to the office and check messages. Make some work calls before friends arrive. Throw a load of laundry in before I head out.

11:53 AM Bonjour, Bonjour Brioche. Spend time with Lauren and Jenn talking, laughing and catching up over brunch. I order a tomato basil flan. Think that I have never met a flan I didn't like. Love being in the company of old friends and pick there brains about baby related stuff. Laugh hysterically when Lauren tries to explain breastfeeding 101. Bummed when the Instagram pictures of the three of us don't upload.  

1:42 - 5PM After getting a pedicure, we hit a children's bookstore called ellaminow......get it? Try saying it out loud ;) Hint its pronounce L, M, N, O....:) From there we shop at Lapin Calin. Resist the urge to buy anything. It is not the right season to buy clothes for a newborn. After saying our goodbyes, I reward self with some work. Make more phone calls and then relax over a rerun of Law and Order. 

6:03 PM Hello Uppa Baby! Aaron bring home our fancy new stroller. Marvel at the pretty packaging. Given the price, I  wonder if a nanny is included. Realize that that is ridiculous as she could never fit in that size of box. In all seriousness, I breathe a little sight of relief knowing that we have a bassinet, stroller and crib for Baby H's arrival.  

7:26 PM Work diligently on Simple Scrapper guest post. Promise self that I will submit it by tomorrow evening. Head out for a family walk with Charlie. 

9:30 PM Feeling like I am attached to the computer. Literally. Eyes are weary, knees are not weaky. Aaron comments sarcastically that he wishes I would spend more time on the computer. Realize that I am enjoying WITL but am amazed at how much work it takes to complete. Love that the blog posts will be a record for me to refer back to next week. It is all worth it!

Words |

Observations:

• Not only are we thinking and talking about having Baby H, but physical objects, like a crib and a stroller, are starting to appear in our house. We are transforming as a couple and family.  

Gratitude:

• Grateful that friends can pick up right where we left off
• Grateful for a husband that wants to be an involved father

2011 vs 2010 |

Differences

• Realized that this time last year, I was nervous about getting pregnant. This year, I feel confident in our decision to have a family.
• Last year, we only went on family walks during on weekends. This year, we are able to spend more time together through the week.

Similarities

• Love getting pedicures. Period. It doesn't happen often but when it does, i have "happy feet".

Note to self for tomorrow |

Just keep going! The week is almost done! 

Thanks for looking!

WITL 2011 - Wednesday Photo + Words

Photos |

                      

                        

                       

                     

                      

Wednesday in the Life Schedule |

4:39 AM Go to the bathroom. Baby H has been kicking the whole night. Assume he or she has mistaken my bladder for a football. 

5:23 AM Can't get back to sleep. Think reading blogs at this ungodly hour would help me fall back asleep. Test this theory and find out that I am wrong......and wired.  

7:02 AM Find clothes to wear before I hop in the shower. Trying actively to not feel scattered today. Feeling successful and kinda cute in the outfit.

7:45 AM Kiss Aaron goodbye. Review with him plan for the day. He has a work dinner, so I am on for the walk with C-man tonight. Load dishwasher before I leave. Reward self with dark coffee from the Remarkable Bean. Thank god my OB says I can have 1 cup of coffee. Think this dark substance is truly the nectar of the gods. 

10:51 AM Work closely with the Dr. K in clinic. Keep her up to date and informed of clients I see. 

12:10 PM Lunch time. Am so hungry, I could eat a horse. Decide on salad with tuna instead. Buy a dairy milk chocolate bar to go with main. Co-worker says to me, "I see you are eating more stuff you shouldn't be having...". Make a mental note of comment and add it to my list of things not to say to hormonal pregnant women. 

4:49 PM Email with Lauren and Jenn about "girls day" tomorrow. Am so excited. In our mini reunion, we will go out for brunch and get a pedicure. Can't wait! 

545 PM Talk with Aaron on the phone. Catch up on the day's happenings. Even though he hates talking on the phone, hearing his voice makes me feel at ease.

6:03 PM Arrive home from work. Charlie shoots out the door  like a torpedo. He has a wee FRAP in the backyard. He picks up "bunnapus" a bunny /octopus stuffed toy and acts like he wants me to chase him after it. I decided to play along. We run up the stairs and then around the main floor. Soon we are playing tug of war. 

6:42 PM After feeding Charlie and downloading the latest episode of PRT, Charlie and I go for a walk. As we make our way to the dog park, we stop in to the corner store. I buy 8 sour keys and immediately eat them. At the dog park, Charlie jumps in the water to get his blue squeaky ball. Weather is lovely. Make mental note of how great the weather in Toronto can actually be. 

9:17 PM Eat sweet potato maki for dinner. Flip between watching SYTYCD and Triple D. 

10:38 PM Start blogging and realize that I am super tired. The bed is calling my name. Aaron arrives at home. We joke and sign songs to the dog. It's a good end to the day.  

Words |

Gratitude: 

• Thankful that I have a good sense of humour and that in my "old age" I've developed thick skin.
• Thankful I live in an amazing neighbour that has a dog park close to the lake
• Thankful that PRT was available for early download this AM :)
• LOVE that I can still drink coffee and eat vegetarian sushi.

Favourite Moment: 

When I realized that I have tomorrow off and that I get to hang out with old friends.

2011 vs 2010 |

Differences:

• Last year, Aaron worked late almost every night. This year, it is only in a blue moon that he has to work past 7 pm. 
•  Last year, I was more up tight. This year, I feel as though I can laugh at myself easier. 

Similarities:

• Hands down, I am still a morning person. Once I am up, I am up. 
• When we work late, Charlie continues to have FRAPs.

Note to Self for Tomorrow |

Just go with the flow and see what happens :)

Thanks for looking!

WITL 2011 - Tuesday Photo + Words

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Tuesday in the Life Schedule |

6:00 AM Aaron's alarm goes off. He gets up with Charlie for the business routine. Love that I get to roll over for another 10 minutes. 

6:35 AM After breakfast, Aaron heads to the gym.  I kiss him goodbye and realize that I can no longer neglect the chores that need to be done. Hello dishes, taking out the compost and making the bed. I rewarded myself with some internet time. 

7:21 AM Yikes! I realize I'm late and that I've fallen too far down the internet rabbit hole. I quickly start the shower and have a 1.5 minute shower. To make matters worse, I then run around the house in search of my clothes. 

8:04 AM I feel barely out the door. Make a mental note to go grocery shopping after work. Hello hectic Tuesday....I feel scattered already!

9:11 AM Make coffee at work. Drink it "double double with milk". Suddenly the world makes sense again.

10:17 AM Receive email from Megan. Planning the Baby Sprinkle begins.

11:09 AM There is an incident with Peanut Butter at work. No one is harmed....physically. Laughter erupts.

12:32 PM Chicken curry for lunch.

2:12 PM It's a "talk on the phone kinda day". Connect with multiple clients. Organize a workshop. Describe alternative funding sources to a mom. Good times.

3:33 PM Leave work. Go to the scrapbook store. Buy cardstock for the WITL album. This year's colour theme is set: pink, plum, white and black. Only stay for 20 minutes as I only have $20 dollars and can't risk spending more money. Back away slowly from the pretty supplies.

3:59 PM Get gas. Today it costs $1.298 a litre. Cry silently to myself as I fill up. 

4:43 PM Make a quick run to the grocery store. Buy bananas, raspberries, asparagus, milk, cereal, and pop. 

5:04 PM Arrive home . Let Charlie out to do his afternoon business. Feed Charlie: 1 cup dry + 2 tbsp of wet food. Make him wait in his "special spot" before giving him the "okay. Make myself an orange, banana and raspberry smoothie. Start making dinner. Tonight will be pork chops with grilled asparagus. Watch Law and Order rerun. 

6:14 PM Take Charlie to the school yard for some ball time. Today he seems tired. We stay for only a few minutes. 

7:08 PM Meet Beth at the Pie Shack. I order and eat a large slice of Strawberry Rhubarb with vanilla ice cream.....delicious! Loving the decor and thinking this would be a great place for a shower. Talk with the owner and confirm a date for the Baby Sprinkle.

8:44 PM Drive Beth home. Discuss many baby related things

9:13 PM Arrive home and catch up with Aaron. Start to blog about Tuesday's WITL.

10:27 PM Fall into bed....happily.   

Words |

Observations

• Another sunny but cool day. I feel so much lighter on my feet on days like today.

Gratitude

• Thankful I still fit into my green non-maternity dress. Pair it with leggings. Loving that the dress only cost me $30 dollars and I have worn it non stop for the last 2 summers.
• Thankful I can laugh with my co-workers.
• Thankful for a SIL who will plan a shower/Baby Sprinkle for me considering she is also pregnant and due 6 weeks after me!
• Thankful for scrapbooking as I LOVE seeing people's posts about WITL. LOVE the sense of community I am feeling for the hobby today. Get excited and I take more pictures....:)
• Thankful for my friend Beth, our good chats and the fact that we will be on mat leave together next year.

Favourite Moment

• Thinking and planning a shower for Baby H in September. Still can't believe that I am pregnant and going to be a mama. Love that I still am amazed at this fact. Loving all the movements I feel today. 

2011 vs 2010 |

Differences

• Last year, Aaron would be too stressed to eat breakfast. Now he is working out consistently at the gym and making and eating healthy meals including breakfast.
• Last year, I was in charge of Charlie's AM routine. Glad that this year we are switching it up and taking a more "team approach" vs. "divide and conquer".
• Last year, I watched more TV during WITL. Since its summer, I don't find that I am compelled to watch as much. I supplement TV screen time with Internet screen time. 

Similarities

• Overwhelming disorganized in the AM when I don't have clinic. This has not changed.
• Loving the how I can wear a $30 dress while pregnant and not pregnant. 
• Loving how I much I still love my job, one year later. 
• Drinking my coffee the extact same way as last year: strong, with two milk and two sugars.
• Charlie's routines never really switch. He still eats the same amount of food and goes for walks around 6 pm after we get home from work. And he still loves his blue squeaky ball. 

Note to Self for Tomorrow |

Take more pictures of human interaction and the house. 

Thanks for looking!

WITL 2011 - Monday Photo + Words

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                                 (All photos are Instagram using the Lord Kelvin filter)

Monday in the Life Schedule |

6:21 AM - Wake up. Realize that Charlie let me sleep in. We go outside for his AM business. After getting his breakfast ready I pour myself a bowl of cereal and go upstairs to check email and read crafting blogs.

6:53 AM - Baby is up. I feel the first kicks of the day.

7:02 AM - Shower, dress and get ready for work. Try on approximately 3.2 outfits for the day. Finally decide on one. Put on make up and head downstair to pack my lunch. Aaron is awake but still in bed.

7:21 AM - Scrap. Print out Aaron's words for the June layout of my pregnancy album. I hear him do a big yawn. 

10:11 AM - See clients, chart and catch up with co-workers. Laugh. Eat yogurt and apple. 

12:54 PM -  Stuck in traffic en route to my doctor's appointment. Happy the sun has come out. Eat carrots and listen to podcasts to pass the time.

1:54 PM - Hear the baby's heartbeat. Find out that I am not gaining as much weight as I should be. Promise self to eat more. 

3:27 PM - Receive email from Aaron letting me know that the dresser we want for the nursery is available and half price. Super excited. Decide to reward myself with a nap.

5:02 PM - After waking up to a text from Karen, I take shower #2 to cool off. Speak with Beth on the phone to make plans for meeting up tomorrow. Watch a Law and Order rerun. Excited again, because I haven't seen this episode. 

6:11 PM - Take Charlie for a walk. See Aaron parked outside and we head to the school yard together. Talk about nursery plans. 

7:42 PM - Aaron downstairs relaxing watching BBT and reading. I am upstairs working on a Simple Scrapper guest post which is due soon. Also planning a layout inspired by YSL and Mondrain. 

8:13 PM - Aaron, Charlie and I go for ice cream on Queen St. Before we go to the shop we stop at our respective banks to grab some cash.

9:37 PM Write blog post for Tuesday. 

10:16 PM Look at the latest Real Simple magazine 2 minutes before bed. 

Words |

Observations

• Rainy morning after a night of thunderstorms. It is much cooler this AM compared to last week

Gratitude

• Thinking the plants must be as grateful for the rain as I am
• Thankful for co-workers who understand I need to leave early for an OB appointment
• Thankful to hear a healthy heartbeat at my doctor's appointment
• Happy to get a nap in the afternoon, knowing these moments are few and far between in my future

 Favourite Moments

• Receiving an email from Kaitlin from Ormolu Designs and finding out that the buttons I ordered are in the mail and due to arrive at my house shortly :) Excited to use these products.

2011 vs 2010 |

Differences: 

• Last year, I was working part time and had Mondays off. This year I work full time. 
• Last year, Aaron was working downtown, taking the streetcar into work. This year, he works as an in-house lawyer and must commute to work with our second vehicle.
• Last year, I wasn't pregnant. This year I am. 
• Last year, I owned a cheap cell phone. Now I am texting and twittering on my iPhone. This morning I woke up to 2 texts from Megan about baby shower stuff :)
• Last year, I used my DSLR to capture WITL, this year I am using Instagram App to capture all my photos...

Similarities

• My favourite thing to do when I get is to read crafting blogs....the same ones always in the same order :)
• Aaron telling me he loves me and wishing me a safe drive to work.
•  I buy coffee or earl grey tea en route to work. This allows me to arrive "just on time" at work, with no minutes to spare.
•  I listen to CBC radio and iPod while commuting

Notes to Self  for Tomorrow |

• Try to take pictures of a meal, our house and a routine

Thanks for looking!

Ready, Set, Go!

Hello Week In the Life 2011!

I can't wait to see what you will look like.