Posts Tagged: Disney Baby
DIY Duct Tape Holiday Banner (& Baby Shower!)
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That’s right. Duct tape. It’s all the rage, didn’t you know? So incredibly easy, perfect to be hung in a multitude of places. I made a few of them, one for our mantle, one for the dreamcatcher wreath on our door (DIY for that to come!) and another for some fun I had styling an adorable snow owl themed baby shower.
Babies Are Weird
On The Move From Misery & Reggie Watts
Since the catastrophic catastrophe (yes, that is INDEED how it’s been), of my hard-drive giving me the royal salute, things have been quiet around here.
Which I had vowed not to do since becoming a full-time writer and all. Suffice to say things are back up and running and I am slowly rebuiling what I lost since my last back-up.
My one word of advice to those of you whose world’s would some to a screeching halt if your hard-drive went BOOM?
Bliggity Bloggedy Blogging Machine?
Lately, I’ve been rummaging. Sorting. Through the deep caverns that make up the complexity of my soul and mind. Often, the two – they have it out with each-other. They wrestle and grapple to make and enjoy peace at home, joy in the little things and lapse into a graceful stride. Stride and grace as a mother, stride and grace in my career(s). With a modicum of success.
So lately, I’ve been gently dissecting Pros & Cons lists under a heavy restraint of realism, burgeoning from my dreams. How exactly does that work? I’ll let you know when I have it figured out. In the meantime, it means making hard decisions, because a mother of young babies and toddlers simply cannot have multiple careers and live a happy life.
Simple (Honest) Strawberry Shortcake. Tiered x 4.
Simple enough, I mean – it is a tiered cake after all. Tiered cakes are to be respected. Straight up. One must be gentle yet stern with them all at the same time. At least that’s why I believe this sexy cake came out so magnificently. So timely. Surely, it also had something to do with setting a vibe of tranquility. (I’ve been known to bust a move all in the name of a homemade birthday cake many a time.) Having all of my ingredients ready. Researching the substitions I would make once I decided on a recipe.
Which all ends in the minor technicality that the hour in which I profess it took me to make this cake? Well that isn’t really true at all.
I love baking and cooking. I don’t count the research and experiment time. What I can tell you is that this is the perfect cake for the summer season – or any occasion really. I made it for a dear sweet, charming young man in my life, for his 17th birthday. I now plan on making it for my dear, sweet, baby girl for her birthday in one short month. Her 1st! Onwards with this cake business.
Let go of your fear, revel in the fact that your search for the perfect cake is over and you can just get to the business of creating this masterpiece. I don’t have a fancy cake cutting wire (although that would be splendid), or probably half of the tools one could use to make this even more simple and uber profesh looking. The making part is what I’m referring to. Which is fine, because I don’t profess to be a food blog. Just a momma who believes in the inherent, magical virtues of a homemade birthday cake. Bar none.
This recipe is for all the moms who believe in that magic and appreciate the community on the internets that allows us to do so more often. Recipes, tips, inspiration, stories, support. It’s why I’m here. You are here for all that and some cake, too, right?
Love For The Win
It’s been a couple of weeks since we came home from Mexico. The whole reason for the trip being my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s wedding to a charming, top-notch fellow. I was the official (or unofficial? I’m far from a profesh.) photographer for the weeding, as well as the co-host of the reception with the mister.
Today I spent much of the day (and last night), finally wading through all of the photos I took. Editing and choosing, and grinning much of the time. Don’t even get me started. How much do I love photography? How many jobs do I already have? Oh boy. Don’t even think it, right?
Without going into too much detail, because in doing so I would be sharing stories that are not my own – I’m here to pronounce, with all the weight of my voice and belief in my soul, that blended families? They are so much more than the media gives them credit for. They are twice the love. They are twice the support. They are twice the unity. They are twice the work, sure; in many cases.
I am a firm believer that we are the masters of our own destiny and that while life is never perfect and it throws cataclysms our way that we can’t control, our reactions and how we deal are purely our own. Leading a life with integrity – holding your relationships up high; with respect and taking responsibility for ones own actions goes a long way. Which has everything to do with humanism and nothing to do with perfectionism.
This extended family that I have been blessed into, inspires me. It gives me hope and heals the jagged tears of my mind that once (partially) defined what family meant. Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, brides and grooms…to my new(ish) family, to Sarah and Jon the honeymooners – we are all living the dream. Aren’t we?
Some photo’s from the wedding…
The Baby Whisperer
By The Glow of The iPad: It’s Like Magic!
Love For The Momma
More Love For The Momma
& Yet More…
Ladies & Gent
Joyous
Family
Kiss Kiss
Yeow!
Mother & Daughter
It’s In The Small Moments…
Lift Up
Jump Up & Get Down!
Happy Family
a True Magic Moment
The Whole Family & Then Some! (Minus our little babes in daycare).
Too see the rest of the pics, head on over to my Flickr page!
10 Summertime Outdoor Activities: Toddler & Baby Edition
I’m all about merging the age gap between my 11 month old and 2 1/12 year old. When it comes to activities that is. There are enough times that each of them have their own personal play, or activities just for them, specific to their stage in development and skill. That stuff is important. Fo the most part though, we try to blend. Things aren’t always harmonious, as those of you with toddlers and babies know.
Although I am sure the same could be said for most siblings, regardless of their age. However, the baby toddler times are succinct to that of pretty much constant surveillance. Until the object launching, pushing and other forms of bodily contact become less so. Those wily little bohemians!
The summer is such a carefree, luxurious time with little ones wherein you can get messy, creative and a tad bit wild. I mean, a water table in the house? Not so much. I’ve rounded up my favourite fun and inexpensive outdoor activities to engage your littles with, during the sweetness of summertime, what are yours?
On Making Time
For the mommas and the pappas.
Seems nearly impossible. We are too tired. We are too busy. We are constantly in the thick of it: work, house and home, babies, toddlers, chores, repeat. It’s endless. And wide open. I’ve been on a slow and steady remembrance of this everyday. To not get caught up in the stress of the endless, but rather live the dream of the wide open peace. Wild, crazy, young family, peace. Not all peace has to be tranquil and quiet. But, sometimes, it should be.
To create a home filled with joy. Where we create moments, hours and days that flow more than they crash. Some would say this should come naturally. And sometimes yes, it does. But also? It’s hard work people. Sugar-coat I won’t.
Magical Moments: Pictorial
It’s been 10 months since Wyndham became a big brother and what a joy it has been to watch them grow together, and discover their love for each-other. At times, stepping in as the referee is less enchanting – usually to keep Wyndham from launching blocks at his little sister’s head…but that all comes with the territory, right?
Being so close in age; 2 1/2 (Wyndham) and 10 months (Abby), I’m starting to hit a stride. One that savours all of the precious moments and pauses on being too reactionary when Wyndham gets physical with his little sister. We’re all just figuring this out together as a family, with as much love and positivity that we can muster. Which isn’t hard really – most of the time, except when it isn’t. Moms of littles close in age out there, I know ya feel me.
With my exciting new writing gig with Disney Baby (starts next month!) I wanted to provide some of the audience I’ll be connecting with there, a real, visual sense of who we are as a family and of our littles as siblings. The best part about all of this is, it doesn’t even feel like work! I mean, talking about my babies? Sharing tips with other Momma’s out there? Right up my alley. Without further ado, here are some of my favourite pictures of Abby and Wyndham over the past 10 months. Family pics up next week…enjoy!
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER
CONNECT WITH SELENA
