Urban Suburban Mommy

Monthly Archives: March 2017

The many voices of Mommy

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

I expected a lot of physical changes when I became a mom. For the most part, I wasn’t disappointed; everything that was once stationary went south for the winter, the travel luggage under my eyes is now a matching set, and I’ve generally modified my personal style and hygiene so as not to alarm anyone.

One thing I did not anticipate was my voice changing. Not that awkward change. Nothing has descended, there’s no extra hair anywhere (save the lone wiry hairs now sprouting from my post-menopausal face). But it has adjusted in both timber and tone in order to accommodate the parenting scenario.

For example:

1. Normal Mommy: Everything is status quo; I’ve had my coffee, the kids are dressed and ready for school, everyone is fed, and the eldest child is being particularly clever and/or witty. It’s a sing-songy lilt, cheerful and vibrant. Woodland animals perch on our balcony to hear me use this voice. I use this voice 1% of the time.

2. FBI Mommy: This is fact-finding, investigative reporting mommy. It’s all business; not “loud” but definitely “assertive”. We need to get out the door. Where are your shoes? What do you want to eat for dinner? I put the emphasis on the last word because the men in my house function on brevity – we’re a bullet-point family. Use too many words and you’ll see eyes glaze over.

3. Clenched Mommy: By the time I’ve used this voice, something has gone sideways. Perhaps the eldest has refused my five thousandth request to get in the car or the thirty thousandth request to wash his hands after he pees. When I speak through clenched teeth, consider it a warning shot across the bow. The people I live with know they have roughly 30 seconds to autocorrect. During this time, other muscle groups may or may not be clenched.

4. Bellowing Mommy: I’ve had years of theatre training and voice work. As a result, I’ve developed a bellow that comes not from the diaphragm, but from the darkest recesses of my soul. The approximate volume is roughly a hybrid of foghorn and T-Rex; it breaks the sound barrier. I reserve this voice for imminent danger. We were at Centre Island one summer, and a much younger Nathan took off running towards the road – with a truck belching across his path. I let out a “STOP” – Nate stopped, as did the other 50 or so parents around us. I think the truck stopped too. And the birds. Bellowing mommy is for emergencies only.

5. Savage Mommy: I won’t bore you with this one. We all have this voice. Roughly the pitch of sonar, “savage” only occurs past the point of no control. I hate Savage Mommy, I avoid her at all costs. Most of the time, I’ll just remove myself from the situation and cry in the bathroom until it passes.

If emotional temperature can be indicated by tone of voice, I feel like I’m always running a fever. I try to stay in Normal Mommy mode as much as possible. Totally doable with two young boys, right? So how do you keep yourself even-keeled? What’s your Mommy voice?

To birthday party or not?

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

Recently, for some reason, discussions about birthday parties keep coming up. Mamas that get stressed over how many kids to invite. Dads that can’t fathom sorting out food for all the dietary restrictions. Parents that feel the expense is ludicrous. The mama on my right declared that “Parties are such a waste of money!” while the mama on my left retorted “Seriously? You’d deprive your child of a birthday party? That’s selfish!”

And before the big guns could come out, I tried to diffuse the whole conversation with a nice solid “Everyone has to do what’s right for their family.” which worked.

(It always works!)

Personally, I think we’ve gotten a little out of control with expectations that are hard to fulfill. It’s happened with Weddings, it’s happened with Sweet 16s. Now it’s happening with birthday parties.

When one mom started talking budgets, she mentioned a cake for over $150. Food was hundreds of dollars because they’ve got a big family. Loot bags, branded theme paper products, an entertainer, a hall…

And then I understood why the budget was just bursting!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you *shouldn’t* throw a gala affair for the little one’s first birthday. Go ahead and find the perfect venue for the your kid’s 7th birthday. Spend what you want.

But realize you don’t have to.

Sometimes expectations get out of control. Sometimes it’s us parents – we forget that they’re just kids and don’t really understand. Even more – the party is not for them, it’s for us. We like throwing parties and we want to do it up. We have a vision. It becomes about fulfilling that vision.

I’ve thrown birthday parties for under $100 and I’ve thrown them for hundreds, (and gotten a smidge carried away, I admit).

I have this thing about birthdays. My mom taught me that we should celebrate ourselves, and I take birthdays very seriously (as in, it’s all about moi!). It’s the one day a year that you can make it all about you – and I do believe everyone deserves their day, including my husband and myself!

Favourite clothes, favourite food, a gift that they’ve really wanted, That’s the start. The kids never have to go to school on their birthdays – in fact, I’ve never worked on my birthday, and I’m 45.

I always ask the boys what they want to do. They can go ride rollercoasters, ask to go to a hotel for a weekend (check out my post on staycations) and they can also have a party if they want one, and they’ve always wanted one. (If they didn’t, that would be a different story).

I like to do big parties with all of their friends – the whole class and the whole daycare – because I want to celebrate my child. I want all of their friends to celebrate them, too. They won’t remember the presents, they won’t remember exactly what went on at the party, but they’ll always remember the big celebration and the fuss made over them.

When they were younger I invited family and some of our friends, but by about 3 they had enough friends for a party – and the family? I’m sure they weren’t too hurt to be let off the hook on a Saturday afternoon.

I’m lucky that one of my kids has a summer birthday. Although I worry about the weather ruining the party every year, I have a big party in the park (no venue fee) and I’ve never been rained out yet. My younger one has a May birthday, and we’ve had to keep it inside. I’ve found really inexpensive venues – the community centre has a cool event room for $29/hour – and they can go swimming too! I live in the city (Urban Mom Elisa) and my home is way too small for anything more than 4 or 5 kids, or I’d have the parties here.

My husband and I have celebrated milestone birthdays for each other with big parties, but the kids really love the tradition. It’s always what they want though, not me. I like baking the birthday cupcakes so the cake has never bit my budget. I have a big box of decorations, plates, napkins, and each year I add to that box, using what I have left over from last year’s festivities. Kids are easy to occupy, they like to play. It’s actually much easier than it sounds to occupy 25 kids for 3 hours.

One year one child wanted a movie birthday, the other wanted a play birthday, some years it’s costumes, other years it’s waterguns. One year we found a mini-zoo to come to the party, the boa constrictor was a huge hit.

Kids are easy to please. Parties don’t need to be $800 at the best local destination. They don’t need to be $2,000 affairs with custom loot bags. They should reflect what the little one wants, without breaking the bank, and most importantly, without bringing on stress. Parties are supposed to be fun – I don’t know how that was forgotten along the way, probably as specialty items became the “must-haves” and the costs started adding up.

There really is no right or wrong answer, and you need to celebrate your child’s birthday (and your own!) the way you see fit, but I love that it’s become a day to celebrate myself, and it brings me great happiness to see that my kids are learning to celebrate themselves in style!

 

One-pot baked pasta

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes, Domestic Goodness .

Whenever I ask what I should make for dinner, the answer is always PASTA!!! This pasta is a go-to in our house, a favourite for those busy nights. Its well received by kids and adults – there’s just something comforting with Spaghetti.

And what’s better than a good meal that’s quick and simple to prepare?

Easy clean up!!

If you could prepare a delicious pasta meal and only clean up one pan with a total prep time of approximately 30 minutes, would that make your night?

Sure it would!

Does having the right tools in your kitchen aid in making your meals quicker and easier?

Sure does!

Pull out your oven-safe and stove-top safe Dutch Oven.  If you don’t have one, you can check out my favourite one here   It’s called a RockCrok and it is a ceramic coated stone (all natural) – a must-have tool for your kitchen.  I use this item at least 3 to 4 times per week.

Let’s “ROCK” this Pasta.

What you need:

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 large cooking onion
  • 1 1/2 cups mushrooms (optional)
  • 2-4 cloves of garlic
  • 2 cans of San Marzano tomatoes (diced tomatoes will work too)
  • 1/2 can of tomato paste
  • 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 package spaghetti pasta (not prepared)
  • Parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded (optional)

See the Video of this recipe:

What you do:

  1.  Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat Dutch Oven at med-high on stove top. Add oil.
  2. Add onions and mushrooms and stir until onions are cooked (translucent) 3-5 min.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more
  4. Add tomatoes, paste, oregano, and bay leaf.  Stir.  If needed blend here.
  5. Add water and pasta and bring to a boil.
  6. Ensure Pasta is submerged in sauce/water. Put the lid on.
  7. Place in the oven for 25 minutes with the lid on.
  8. Add Mozzarella cheese to top, broil for 5 minutes with lid removed.
  9. Let stand for 5 minutes and serve with Parmesan and parsley along with your Favourite Salad.

Add-on:  Meatballs or Ground Beef make Excellent add-ins here!  Go with what you have and make it your own!

What is your family’s favourite meal?  Please share with me in the comments below!

For More information on the Products or Other Tools for your Kitchen, contact: Danielle@daniellereid.ca

Independent Consultant for the Pampered Chef & Master Meal Planner


Danielle’s Pampered Kitchen..Healthy Meals in Minutes

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Sick and tired: They’re sick. I’m tired.

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

The stomach flu made the rounds in my house.

I love being thrown up on (said no mother, ever).

I really do hate vomit, like nothing else, I hate it. I hate doing all of the laundry after. Puke laundry is the most miserable type of laundry in the world. It smells, it stains and the pre-cleaning part of it is…

Right, there’s no need to explain it to you.

Sometimes it all makes me sit back and wonder:

A) How did I get appointed the cleaner of the puke?

B) Why must my son stand on the stairs when he throws up?

C) Why must he lose his bladder, lose his bowels and lose his breakfast all at the same time? (On my stairs)

D) Why did he sneeze on me after?

E) Why didn’t I picture this when I imagined what motherhood would be like?

But the other part is that it’s so hard to see them sick. They’re not themselves. They’re quiet. Little.

My boy isn’t his usual hurricane self, and as crazy as it seems when I think about it, when he lies there snuggling into me, curled up and glassy eyed, voice soft, it makes me crazy. As much as always I think I want him to behave and just quiet down and listen to me, when he gets this way and does – it makes me realize how much his wild, super-charged energy is what makes him, well, him.

I also don’t understand why my child being sick is so exhausting to me.

It can’t be the energy I waste on worrying. It’s probably not the 100 trips up and down the stairs doing load after load of laundry, because stripping and changing a bed and his pajamas all day long isn’t actually all “that much” work. It can’t be the effort it takes to get the toast just the right amount of crispy and the tea not too hot and not too cold and not too sweet and not too tea-ish, like he wants it, just so he’ll keep down some fluids. It can’t be the 12 times he woke me up to tell me he can’t sleep. It can’t be the hours I spend watching him breathe, toss, turn and sleep restlessly, nestled into my side, hoping he won’t throw up again.

Oh, but maybe it’s that I’ve had to go through this twice. Just can’t wait till it’s my turn.

 

 

Old Downward Dog, New Tricks: How I’m Namastaying Active with Yoga 

Posted on by Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that 2016 wasn’t exactly my year. I won’t bore you with details from the dumpster fire that was my life, I will only say that 2017 brings new promises and better offerings.

About two months ago, I started doing yoga. Nothing spectacularly difficult, no stretching my legs behind my head or rooms so hot they could bake bread; just a weekly trip to the local community centre. The decision to participate in a physical activity went part and parcel with my new year’s decision to be more active, try something new and be mindful. As though my anxiety-crippled, hyper-driven mind was something I could turn off. I figured if I was going to be trapped in the fourth circle of cerebral hell, I might as well get some physical activity out of it.

Sproutonline.com

I never played team sports. Ever. I wasn’t coordinated, athletic or particularly competitive, and nobody wanted to coach that kid. After being told repeatedly that I wasn’t any good at sports and being chosen last for every team (track and field days were and remain my idea of purest hell), I just stopped trying. I did, however, get very good at coming up with elaborate ways to get out of PhysEd. I refined the art of excuses, coming up with reasons why I shouldn’t move my body and get active, which is fine when you’re in your twenties and can lose 5 pounds just by thinking about it. When I reached my 40’s, I realized that:

  1. a) I had to get active not just for my sake, but for my two young boys, who could out-run a cheetah and re-define the Doppler effect.
  2. b) Muscle memory only occurs when you’ve used your muscles in the first place.

Yoga is hard. Apparently, Namaste is Hindu for “I’m going to calmly and gently kick your ass.” Who knew that holding poses named after nature and cute animals could cause you to break a sweat? Oh, and you have to breathe. I’m still working on that part. I may have passed out once or twice.

And so we circle back to mindfulness. Yoga forced me to be in my brain in such a way that I had to focus and pay attention. I had to compartmentalize my thoughts and be present. You cannot, just cannot do tree pose if your brain has already jumped ahead to the groceries you need to buy or remembering to call the dentist. The only times I didn’t wobble or fall over were when I was focused, breathing and listening. After just a few months I was calmer, writing more and, to be honest, yelling less.

I have no aspirations to become a career athlete. There are no bus tours to an ashram in my future. I may never lap my kids at the park, but at least my back no longer hurts when I pick them up. I’ve found a form of physical activity that doesn’t hand out ribbons or require sticks, balls or pucks. I may not always look forward to going, but I’m always glad I went. Namaste!

Broccoli Stir-Fry with a Tamarind Twist

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

Happy Spring… Enter all vegetables NOW!!!!  What better way to bring them together than in a stir fry!  Instead of going with the usual teriyaki version, we are going to use tamarind.  It’s a fruit grown in tropical areas and is commonly known to be from Asia.  The pulp from a tamarind once ripened has a paste-like texture and has a sweet/sour taste – giving a stir fry and new and refreshing flavor.

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

Sauce:

  • 2 Tbsp Fish Sauce
  • 2 Tbsp Lime Juice
  • 4 tsp Honey
  • 1 Tsp Sriracha
  • 1/4 Tamarind Paste
  • 1/4 Cup Water

Mix together and set aside.

Meat:

  • 500g sirloin or flank steak cut across the grain in thin strips. (you can also use chicken if preferred)
  • 2 tsp of corn starch
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 4 cloves of garlic inced

Whisk the yolk, garlic and corn starch together.  Toss with the steak strips (this will give the steak a silky texture when cooked)

Veggies:

  • 4 cups broccoli
  • 1 red pepper – matchstick
  • 1 onion sliced thinly
  • 1 cup mushrooms (optional)
  • 3 cups bean sprouts (optional)

Other:

  • 2 tsp vegetable oil
  • salt & pepper
  • 200g rice noodles Cooked per directions

WHAT YOU DO:

  1. Heat 0il on med-high.
  2. Add beef, cook until seared (3-4 min).  Then remove from pan
  3. Add onion and red pepper.  Cook for 3 min.  Add broccoli (and other veggies)
  4. Add sauce, pinch of salt and pepper (Place Lid on for 3 min)
  5. Add noodles and meat back in.  Stir and serve.

Independent Consultant for the Pampered Chef & Master Meal Planner

Danielle’s Pampered Kitchen..Healthy Meals in Minutes

 

daniellereid.ca

 

That lucky little kid

Posted on by Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

With a hubby whose background is Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that doesn’t go unnoticed.

We don’t do green beer and we don’t do the “Kiss me I’m Irish” because I don’t need any tshirt telling me what to do. We do, however, sport some green, have some fun and enjoy some Irish Stew or a good Corned Beef and Cabbage – and just a bit of a good Irish Whiskey with some friends. The kids join in with treats: Cake with green frosting, some dress-up bling and some lovely shades of clothing to make the Emerald Isle proud!

Need some inspiration to get your green on? Here’s our favourite greens, which will be in high style this spring, as the Pantone of the Year – Greenery – will be everywhere in fashion and for the home, to be sure. May the luck of the Irish be with ye all day – and that lucky little kid you have, too!

This toddler T is perfectly unisex. Perfect message for St. Patrick’s Day – and every other day of the year! Good Luck Charm T from 12M to 5T at Old Navy.

Dying over this little green Gucci cardi, available at Saks for well-dressed bébés from 9M to 36M.

What else would you expect for their tender little tootsies than this season’s Natives. Go for the Jefferson Kids in Giant Green! (available in mom and dad sizes, too)

You had us at “palm fronds” but you still kept going until you hit bow-tie and collar. That’s the kind of commitment that gets your kid voted best dressed hipster baby! Palm Frond shirt from 6M to size 5 at Hipster Baby.

The Little Cozmo dress in Ocean is sweet and subdued – the little muppet wearing this will want to complete the look with floppy hat and sunglasses. Sweet William has the a sophisticated take on kid’s clothing.

Don’t you love a cute dress that DOESN’T have to be pink! This striped tulle dress comes in sizes from 12M to 5yr Baby Gap

Spiralizer Sweet Potato Rice

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

Are you looking to reduce the Starches in your Diet?

or

Are you just looking for a different take on the “Same-Old” Meals

Check out a new take on Vegetables!  The Spiralizer!  Turn Cucumber into Lettuce, Turn Zucchini into Zoodles, Turn Sweet Potato into Rice….and so much more.

In this Simple Recipe, we are going to make a main dish full of Vegetables!

WHAT YOU NEED:

  • 2 Sweet Potatoes (peeled)
  • 1 Can of Black Beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 Can of Corn (drained)
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 Cup of Cilantro
  • 1/2 Cup of broth (vegetable or chicken)
  • 1 tsp of Lime Zest
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 tbsp Oil
  • Salt to taste.
  • Sour Cream (optional)

WHAT YOU DO:

  1. Using your Spiralizer on the fine spaghetti setting, spiralize both sweet potatoes.  Lay the Spiralized Potatoes on a cutting board and dice into to “rice-size” pcs.  * A Julienne Peeler will also work but may increase the cook time slightly.
  2. Add Oil to 12″ saute pan and heat to med-high.
  3. Once heated, add sweet potato, stirring regularly.
  4. After 4-5 Min (sweet Potatoes should be cooked tenderly)
  5. Add Broth, Lime Zest, Lime Juice, Corn, Black Beans, tomatoes and Salt.  Heat for 2-3 more min, or until hot.
  6. Just before Serving, add cilantro.
  7. Serve with Sour Cream (optional)

Need More info on the Spiralizer – get in touch with Danielle!

Meal Planning, Meals in Minutes and Independant Consultant for the Pampered Chef

www.facebook.com/daniellespamperedkitchen

Danielle’s Pampered Kitchen..Healthy Meals in Minutes

WEBSITE: www.pamperedchef.biz/daniellereid

 

Pregnancy & Baby Hair – Fact or Fiction

Posted on by Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

We at Urban Suburban Mommy thought it was about time that we got to the bottom of some popular hair myths. We asked our amazing beauty contributor Erica Wearing to help us answer 5 popular questions about hair.

FACT OR FICTION

1. Shaving a baby’s head: A lot of people insist that shaving a young baby’s head will get their hair to grow in thicker.

Erica: Answer: Fiction

Shaving your babies head won’t make their hair grow in thicker because hair grows from a follicle beneath the scalp . It will how ever make it feel thicker because it grows in evenly all at the same length and time.

I shaved my lil guy’s head and regretted it after I did it 😫he was bald forever but once it finally started to grow in it did come in evenly and thicker feeling.

2.You shouldn’t color or chemically treat your hair when pregnant: Can hair dye or perm/straightening treatments hurt baby?

Erica: Answer: School’s out on this one.

FashionLady.com

I never like to answer this for my pregnant clients because there isn’t enough research out there to prove whether this is true or not. What I would suggest is waiting till second trimester before root touch ups   Or a safer option is highlights as this does not have contact with scalp .As for perms and chemical straightening I wouldn’t recommend it. Buy yourself a flat iron or curling iron. Answer: School’s out on this one.

3. My hair got thicker and grew faster while I was pregnant: Does hair really grow faster while you’re pregnant?

Erica: Answer: Fact.

I loved my pregnancy hair it was so silky, grew fast and majorly thick. The hormones will cause your hair to grow in faster and thicker but this isn’t permanent usually around when baby is 6 months old, we start to see all of this lustrous hair come to an end and end up with a head band of beautiful baby hairs around our face.

4. Styling gels, mousse, and sprays are unhealthy for kids: Can you use styling aids in children’s hair? Is there an age considered too young?  

Erica: Answer: Fiction (but be careful about harmful ingredients for adults or children)

I usually use a little bit of what my husband uses for styling products – the styling clay by Moroccan is a great choice. Just don’t use anything to harsh. It  won’t be fun when your trying to rinse their hair in the tub😭

5. Everyone’s hair grows faster in the summer: Does hair really grow faster in summer? Does it depend on season or actual climate?

Erica: Answer: Fact

Soak up and enjoy the vitamin D because hair does indeed grow faster in the summer but only as much as 10% in comparison to growth in winter months .

Yes I’m pregnant, NOT fat – here are 4 things that bug me the most

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

I’ve been away from blogging for a few months. Mostly due to being busy and just not having the energy while pregnant. We’re expecting our 2nd child in late March. I’ve been rocking the diclectin like it’s candy. UGH.

There are several things that really bug me while pregnant, but these few sure take the icing on the cake:

  • Touching my belly (without asking)

Not sure why, but maybe because I am not a big hugger. Or because it just feels wrong; like you’re invading my personal space or something. I have only had 2 belly touchers this pregnancy (other than my husband, son and Dr.), and one of them was a good friend (who asked) and the other an almost stranger! Sure, we live in a small town, and the lady (whose name I don’t even know) has served me at the restaurant once or twice before, but she thought that she was worthy of a belly touch. Umm no!  I let it happen, but I am sure that my face said it all. What. Are. You. DOING?!

  • Commenting on my size

I don’t find the comments much different than last pregnancy, but I do think that many comments just shouldn’t come out of people’s mouths! Whether you’ve experienced pregnancy or not, it should be noted that most pregnant women are likely already dealing with more emotions/over-thinking than they’d like, so, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Some of my recent favourites include: “Oh wow, you’ve really gained weight since the last time I saw you”, (and strangely on the same day), “You’re 27 weeks – you don’t even look pregnant – you better eat more!”

Whether you think I am not big enough, gaining weight quickly, or just want to remind me that I am eating for 2, just keep it to yourself.  By the way, it’s not any better when you point out where I’ve gained weight…..you’ve gained it in your face, or your butt, whatever! Just STOP!

  • Puking kids

I work in a large elementary school. It’s like working in a petri dish of germs. I know sometimes you don’t know that your kid is going to be sick (to their stomach), but for those parents that send their kids to school after they puked that morning, I want to yell at you! As well, sending students down to the office (they sit in my eye sight 95% of the time) to wait for their parents, and giving them a bucket/garbage can to puke in is not ok. The sound of someone vomiting makes me vomit, as does the smell. And this Mom has done enough puking with this pregnancy.

  • The stupid glucose test

Didn’t enjoy it last time, and definitely didn’t enjoy it this time. Over the holidays, I headed over to our local Dynacare to do the glucose test. I was so stoked to have one hour to sit and just read a book (I promised myself I wouldn’t go on social media…that would’ve been do-able, if the following hadn’t of happened). I presented my paperwork, and the lab tech said, “I will go and grab it…but it’s room temperature as our fridge broke over the holidays”. Well LUCKY me! I debated over heading home and trying another day, but it is not too often that I have it easy for someone watching Tyson (Ian was on holidays). I couldn’t imagine bringing him and having him sit in the small room and just wait for an hour after chugging that nasty drink. So, after giving myself a quick pep-talk, I uncapped the bottle and tried a gulp.

SO NASTY.

Worse at room temperature.

I tried to suck back what I could. And then at 4 minutes and 30 seconds, the lab tech reminded me that I only had 30 seconds left to drink and I wanted to cry. Both this time, and last time, she reminded me not to chug it, because if I puked (like I’m not already trying to avoid that), I would have to come back another day. So, I said that I would do my best, and keep trying to drink it. In just under 10 minutes I was done drinking it. Then she chimed in that my results might be affected (negatively) since I didn’t drink it within the time limit.

WHAT?!

Needless to say, I did remain there for the next 60 minutes and got my blood taken. I should note at my recent doctor’s visit – just hit the 30 week mark – that my results were in, and I was well under the range for the possibility of gestational diabetes.

And finally, people being absolutely baffled that my husband and I have chosen not to find out the sex of our baby. It’s not that I don’t understand why many want to know, but more so, why the H-E-double-hockey-sticks, it matters to you that we’re not finding out.

I am not a prepare-the-nursery kind of gal. Nor the themed nursery.

Or the person who feels less prepared because I don’t know what colour of baby clothes to purchase (on a side note – it is becoming harder and harder to find gender neutral clothing).  I am definitely not one for surprises, but there is something exciting about a surprise like this. As long as our baby is healthy, I am happy.

I know that it sure helped get through labor last time!

I’ll leave my pregnancy rant on a positive note – here’s a fun pic that our ultrasound technician captured at our 20 week ultrasound!