Way Late

I signed up for a Christmas gift exchange back in November, and it has taken me this long to post about it. Talk about being a little behind. *cough cough*

I was matched with the wonderful Susan over at 'Susan Heim on Parenting' and she was kind enough to send me a cute little basket which included a shimmery lip gloss, and sweet pea scented body lotion, shower gel and body spray. I love spritzing myself with the spray every morning, and the lotion is perfect for my dry hands and lugging in the baby bag.

So thank you very much, Susan, I love them all!

Heading Back to Work

*Warning, this is a boo-hoo me post.

Our plan had always been for me to stay home and raise however many kids we ended up having, but with some things that have come up within the last month or so, it looks like the plan for now will have to involve me returning to work. Insert super sad face right here.

In all honesty, I think this is even harder since I never really saw myself having to go back in the first place, so my whole system is in complete shock right now. The good news, if there is any, is that my employers have decided to give me a raise and a new position, which if I absolutely need to head back, makes it a little more bearable.

I have absolutely no clue how moms deal with this whole leaving your child to go to work. I know I sound super melodramatic, but I have never left her for more than 2 hours, and the few times she was left with someone, it was either with family or my best friend who nannied during university and is now a teacher.

& since I've only recently come to the conclusion that I'll be returning to work, every daycare centre/in-house daycare I've called is currently full. GREAT. Hopefully I find someone soon.

/End vent

9 Months!

3/4 to a year, baby! As I always say, time is going by much too quickly, and I need to find a way to slow it down.

As a 9 month old, you are

• taking every single nap in your crib, and sleeping most of the night in there as well. You usually go down around 9:30 and are up again the next day by 8 or 9. Still taking 2 naps, one in the am and one in the pm.
• eating 2 meals of solids a day, breakfast and dinner. Pretty sure I will be introducing lunch into the mix soon. Also, you still refuse anything but purees and puffs. Lumpy food isn't something you enjoy at all.
  
• back in disposable diapers, you have gotten quite the sensitive tush in the last little while and cloth was only irritating it.
  
• has
  
• a real conversationalist :P You can say mama, dada, uh oh whenever you fall down or anything else does, and wow when something is cool to you.
  
• on your way to having 4 teeth. Your top 2 have broken through the gums, now they just need to drop down.
• in love with your banana toothbrush (see monthly photos for proof)
  
• this close to walking, taking your first couple steps last Saturday to your daddy. We're still working on getting you to take more than 2 at a time.
  

I am so proud of all you have accomplished! You are in such a fun stage, I love every minute being home with you!

And some pictures.

Who Suffers From Insomnia?

This person right here. Horrible picture but what can I say, it's 1:22am and I am nowhere near close to tired. So what does one do when they can't sleep and everyone else in the house is out like a light? Let me tell you.

- I've added tons and tons of books to my amazon wishlist.
- Caught up on all my favorite blogs.
- Shopped for an entire new wardrobe. (you know, when you add all kinds of things to your shopping cart but never actually check out because the total is ridiculously high. I do this much too often.)
- Paid all my bills for both this month and next. So responsible of me.
- Counted calories for every single crumb I have put into my mouth today. (New Years diet was started yesterday.)

And now Bri is up crying, off to perform my mommy duties. Night all!

Best Christmas Gift Ever!!!

Brianna has slept, in her crib, since Christmas, without a peep from 9pm to 9am!!!!! I can't believe it. I was starting to think that sleep at night was never going to happen, she was waking almost every hour the last couple weeks.

I hope I'm not jinxing it by posting this, but I'm much too happy not to. She's also decided that she's perfectly happy taking a single 2 hour afternoon nap around 1pm instead of 2 shorter ones. Works for me, she seems so much happier and so am I.

And the best part of all this? We didn't have to do anything, she just changed her sleep pattern all on her own. I mean, she doesn't even wake once in the middle of the night. Best Christmas gift ever :) Let's just hope it stays this way -fingers crossed.

And The Winner Is....

Congratulations Jenny!! And thanks to all who entered :)

My 1st Review & Giveaway

If there is something I always remember to do before leaving the house, it's make sure Brianna has a beautiful accessory in her hair -and this has been the case since the day she arrived. I have tremendous love for Michellene over at Princess Couture Designs.

All her hair accessories are gorgeous, original and extremely well priced. She has a great eye for design and can create anything you think up. She also makes sure to add no slip grip to all her clips, so even those little ones with barely there hair can enjoy her beauties.

I have been working with Michellene for almost a year now. I started buying from her before Brianna had even arrived. Every single hair accessory Brianna owns -with the exception of gifts from others- has come from Princess Couture Designs. I love, love, LOVE her stuff! Not only can she create beautiful bows, clips and headbands, she can also make custom bracelets and pacifier clips. If I could buy everything in her shop I would -I just don't think Clint would be very happy with me;)

If you or someone you know is expecting a little princess, make sure to take a peak, I know you'll be impressed. I have only great things to say about Michellene, she makes sure each and every customer receives the royal treatment!

So just in time for New Years, Michellene has decided to give one of my lucky readers a free clip set. Read below on how to enter!





To enter this giveaway:

Go visit Princess Couture Designs and tell me which clip set you would choose if you won (mandatory).

Extra entries:

1) Like Princess Couture Designs on Facebook

2) Follow my blog and tell me you are

3) Follow Princess Couture Designs and tell me you are

4) Make a purchase at Princess Couture Designs (5 extra entries)

Good luck, everyone!

Winner will be announced Friday December 24th, so be sure to check back then!

This review is my honest and true opinion of the product. I have purchased from Michellene many times, I was not given any items for free in exchange for the review.