Beautiful Baby Gifts by Aston Baby

I am always looking for baby gifts. It seems, lately, someone I know is having a baby or about to have a baby. I love buying useful stuff, but that are pretty and nice at the same time, and make you say "awe." However, often enough, I do find myself in the store thinking, ok this is not on the registry, or I wonder if they will know this is useful, or this is not as "pretty" as a gift as I would like to present.

I recently found a website, that literally takes all the guess-work out of getting the most beautiful of baby gifts. Gentle, angelic, warm, are the words I would use to describe my new favourite baby gift website.  If you are looking for a beautiful site to purchase some of the cutest, and most elegant gifts for a baby, I think you need to check out Aston Baby.
Visiting the site gives you an airy and smile-worthy feeling, it is warm and inviting.

Owner, Rebecca, mom to two little girls, wanted to create a space where anyone can find some of the best products around.  She carefully has hand-picked some great items, that create a wonderful gift.

You can purchase items on its own, however, one of the things I love most are the pre-set gift bundles. These are items that go together to create a well-rounded present, if you choose to purchase all together. Best of all, each bundle comes with a free gift box, wrapped in tissue, ready to gift away.

I am sure this site will grow in time, but here are the gift bundles currently available...

Go West Baby Gift Bundle
bib, book, leather mocs for the little boy you love to spoil...an awesome gift no doubt

Bath Time Deluxe Gift Bundle
everything you need to make bath-time fun, including a beautiful bin and ducky!

Beautiful Basics Gift Bundle
every baby needs a muslin blanket, that and a gorgeous bib, you can't go wrong

Dainty Darling Gift Bundle
takes the beautiful basics a step further, with a scrub bar and really darling book (I love all the books on this site)


I had the pleasure of receiving a package from Aston Baby. I loved opening it and have no doubt I will be back on the site to gift these to a friend, and to stock up myself.

The gift box itself is simple elegance, in it a cute sprig of lavender.

I absolutely love these reversible Boho bibs, made by Billy Bibs. How cute...seriously?

I was excited to try this coconut & oat milk bath by bebe de Luxe.

This bath smelled amazing, was gentle to the touch, and great in Rayna's bath. I admit, I tried it also and loved it.

These were just a couple products, but urge you to check out the entire site. Rebecca at Aston Baby, has a real nack for picking out some wonderful products. 

I am sure your friends will love any of the gifts from here.  

I know I do!

Start shopping at Aston Baby here.

Top 5 Things No New Mom Wants to Hear

As a new mom, it is common to pick the brains of those that have recently gone through the newborn phase, or those you trust. However, sometimes, ok almost always, you are faced with a plethora of advice that comes your way. Some warranted. Some overwhelming. Some just annoying.

For some reason, there are always women that decide to offer up some tidbits upon new mothers, which is frankly not advice at all. Unlike actual advice, these come as question pangs as they are sometimes coupled with an undertone of “well you aren’t doing it right.” Although not ill intended, I'm sure, sometimes people feel nervous for new moms, which is crazy because new moms are nervous for themselves enough. 

We all have been there, on the receiving end. But how do you avoid becoming one of those annoying women that people really don’t want to hear from, well that new moms don’t.

Here are some of the things a new mom does not want to hear. If she didn't ask, try to refrain from offering up these tips or asking these questions. If you do, you may have gotten an eye roll, or a finger behind your back, or told the “we won’t be home” if you have asked to visit again.

The top 5 list of things not to say to a new mom, and what the new mom is likely thinking is as follows:

Why is the baby crying?
It is a baby right? That is what they do…right? I'm just trying to figure it out myself, because I haven’t met a newborn that can articulate what it needs yet. But thanks for asking genius.

Is your breast milk in yet? Maybe you should give formula.
Ok, my nurse told me it takes a bit. But don’t you worry, when I am filling up or spewing liquid I will call you to ensure you I am not starving my child. Please go away now.

Oh when Charlie was a baby we used to give him honey.
Ok Charlie is 29. I am sure some things have changed since Charlie was a baby. But then again what does my medical doctor know...I should listen to you. 

You look tired.
___ off. 

Oh I'm sure you will lose the weight.
I didn't ask. I don't care right now. Why do you?

These are some of the most common things, I heard, or heard from colleagues.  As a new mom, you have to learn to roll your eyes and laugh about it. You cannot take it too personally. 

As a person visiting a new mom, please, pretty please try your best not to annoy a newly tired woman who is just learning the ropes. You may mean well, but trust me, you will be labeled as “that aunt” or “that friend” or “that former friend”. 

All in good humour of course ;)

So tell me, what are some of the best/funniest or flat out worst things you may have heard? 

To Rayna - Happy Birthday

With almond shaped eyes, when you smile your whole face glows.
I can't get enough of that sweet face, those hands, those toes.

You laugh an infectious giggle that brings us so much joy.
It is no wonder that the laughing duck is your favourite toy.

You love to cuddle and be held in our embrace.
I love to kiss you all over that cute cute face.

You are our angel, a blessing, and we thank God everyday.
For you and your brother are the best gifts, is not enough to say.

I love dressing you up and making you girly.
I love to do your hair even though it's so curly.

I cannot describe the love I have for you my beautiful baby girl.
But I hope we show you by trying to give you all that you ever need and want in this world.

Happy first birthday sweetheart.

Love mommy, daddy, and your big brother Caiden.

xoxoxo

"What I Have Learned" Series - Featured Mommy: Emily Payne

Emily seems like a super-mom, she wears a few hats, and momma to 3. Her gorgeous kids are Jake - 6, Mick - 4, and Natalia - 2. With three little ones, a busy career, she definitely has her hands full on a daily basis; however, this smiling beauty never seems frazzled, but assures us that all moms have their moments...and that is ok.

Career-wise, Emily has always loved interior design.  She works for the Federal Government with the Accommodations Unit, where she facilitates the fit-up and design of office spaces, coordinates moves and projects - basically an interior designer for the government.  She does this part-time, and in other work she has her own business, Emily by Design.  Here she does residential design, mainly for newly constructed homes (everything from the ground up), and has been doing so for the past 10 years.  If you are interested in getting in touch with Emily for interior design, please visit her link here.

Aside from work, kids and general life, Emily and her husband, Josh, learned that their middle child, Mick, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in December 2014. Adjusting to life with diabetes, and learning to take care and manage it for their little boy isn't enough for this family.  They are active in the juvenile diabetes community by creating awareness to the cause and fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, so that hopefully one day we will find a cure.  Please see Mick's story here and please donate to the cause.      

Here is my interview with this amazing mom.

Did you always know you wanted to be a mom?
I never really thought about it like that, it was just one of those things that was never a question.  I knew I was going to be a mom someday, after marriage comes baby...just a natural next step. 

What would you say is your biggest learning since being a mom?
Patience. I sometimes get frustrated and feel like nothing is getting through to the kids, "don't swear, don't put your hands there, stop doing that."  I sometimes feel like I am just on repeat and don't see the results that way.  As the kids grew, I kind of see that things just have a way of coming to fruition.  If you keep with the lessons, keep speaking and showing them, it eventually just works out...I hope...they are still young. 

What was the hardest about transitioning to mommyhood?
Personally, I found this was a big life adjustment. I used to be so caught up in keeping the house clean and entertaining at home, and at times this was a priority over spending time with my kids or napping when they were, as newborns. It was a complete mind-shift for me, which made the transition to motherhood easier. For example, we would be having a party at home, and it would be time for another feeding, and I would think, "oh shoot, I have to leave the party to go nurse for 45 minutes." But instead of looking at it that way, I had to turn it into a positive, like "oh I get a break from everyone and I get some quiet time with just me and my baby;" everything made more sense after that.  I wish someone had told me that before, and that it is ok, that life does change. I wasn't a natural mom, as people say, I had to learn everything, so it took me a while to adjust, and I feel like I still am adjusting, even after 3! However, once you do, everything, although different, is totally ok.

What is your favourite thing to do with your children?
I love quiet time.  When I can just sit and snuggle with them, or read a book.  Because they are getting older, they are always on the go, playing and running.  So it's nice to be able to have them close to me, when we are silent and just cuddle...I take that in.  The peaceful moments mean so much...the most.

How do you balance work, family and hobbies?

I don't even know.  It just works out. I don't feel too stressed about it to be honest. I do what I can, and can only do what I can do. I try my best and don't stress about it.  I also have an incredibly supportive husband, who is one of the most amazing dads I know, also parents who are there for us at a drop of a hat.   
I don't have too much time for hobbies right now, but I do love real-estate and always have my eye on exactly what is going on in the housing market in our area. It's all so exciting to me. I would also love to find time again to travel in the future. Particularly, I love Croatia, it's where my family is from and I grew up going there in the summers. I want my kids to see that and learn about their background. So I try to speak it to them and tell them stuff, so that they know.

What advice would you give to new moms?
Don't worry so much about all the typical entertaining/cleaning duties, that you may have been used to.  You don't have to keep things perfect.  The most important thing is to focus on the kids and yourself and relationships.  That thing they say about sleep when the baby sleeps, people say it but don't always do it...do it!  Don't take that time to clean or do errands, especially when you are exhausted.  Take those naps when you can!  Don't worry about messes, in the long run, that's not what matters.

Is there any item or anything in general you would say is a must-have or must-do for parents?
A rocking chair in the nursery!  I didn't think I needed one, but we got one of those gliders from a friend and loved it.  I don't know what I would've done without it.  That thing is like perfect for snuggling, it's awesome.  I 100% recommend it.

I was very excited about sharing Emily's interview with you all, for various reasons.  One reason being, I know so many can relate to her honesty, her warmth as a mom, and also be inspired...inspired to accept things you need to do, want to do, cannot do or should relax on. It always helps to know we aren't alone in thinking we feel overwhelmed some days, but Emily reminds us that it's not worth stressing about, just adjust and enjoy.

Please remember to visit the family's page for raising awareness for Juvenile Diabetes by clicking here.

Emily with her family, husband Josh, Sons Jake and Mick, and Daughter Natalia

Emily and her little loves

Greek-Style Quinoa Cakes - Kid Approved

I am super excited about this kid-tested, several batches botched but finally perfected, tasty, easy to-do recipe.

Excited for several reasons:

• It's got quinoa - hello! Protein and fibre, such an awesome grain
• It actually can be used as a snack or meal (add a salad, or some pasta sauce and side veggies)
• It is freezable, so you can make a batch and freeze for whenever you need
• Completely filling and so versatile
• My kids ate it!!!

I had friends try this as well, and a few of you have asked for the recipe, so without further or due, here you are.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked quinoa

1 small chopped red onion

1 diced red bell pepper

2 handfulls of chopped baby spinach

2 tablespoons of feta cheese
finely chopped green onion
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
a dash dried oregano

3 eggs
breadcrumbs

Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients (except for the eggs and crumbs).

At this point this makes a great greek quinoa salad.

Crack the eggs in the salad, one by one and mix thoroughly.

Then add bread crumbs slowly while mixing until you get a mixture that is sticky but mold-able to hands.

Slightly grease a baking pan with olive oil I found this gave the cakes more of a crunch vs. just baking on parchment paper). 

With your hands take a golf ball size amount and roll, then slightly press into patties or cakes.

Bake at 350 for about 20 min, until browned and crisp.

If not eating right away, let cool and then freeze in a freezer bag. 

Tip:  If frozen, just pop into the toaster oven.  Or pan fry on low heat.  Add lemon juice to moisten.


Enjoy!

  

My Endless Day, That is Still Going...

They say when it rains it pours...I say when it pours, put the kids to bed and pour open the wine!

I am all about positive loving parenting and spreading that warm, precious, heart clenching feeling.  That is all there, even in the bad days...but I would not be honest if I were to say I didn't sometimes want to scream "ok seriously??".

Let's keep it real.  We are moms and we are always lushing over our kids and love them to pieces and see glitter and rainbows when they poop.  Yeah right...not always sunshine. 

Let me run down my day.

My car...eh-hem...my parked car gets crashed into...although it is not my fault, I had to spend the entire day talking to insurance, gathering information, estimates and a rental.  Fricking sucks...and although accidents happen, it seems unfair that, me being innocent, it still creates grief and headache for me.  Now I am stuck and wasted a day where I planned to have a shower.  There goes that.

Rayna decides today I will stand up in my crib and practice leaning over.  So of course,  lowering crib had to be done today, and for some reason did not go smoothly.  It was a series of "why is this harder than last time" feelings.  After which, led to her then deciding she completely hates her crib and wants to only nap/sleep in my arms.  (I am writing this while she is on top of me...her sweat and drool has created a nice puddle on my neckline.)

All while Caiden decides today is the day I will run around with my blue crayon and draw portraits on the walls, closet and my face.  Thank god they are washable and he likes to clean.

At dinner, they collectively decide they would like to drop dinner on the floor...one at a time...and then I join in by accidentally having my plate flop over...all after I have cleaned up their mess of course.

Babies eat and get clean.  Caiden asks for pudding.  I did leave him for 2 hours (to run and get car estimates) but took Rayna, so I thought he deserves a little treat.  That and the fact he actually asked to eat something had me over the moon.  I leave him be...tend to Rayna...only to come back and see he has fed his entire cast of angry bird toys the pudding, with his hands, and decided his shirt decided some pudding love too.   Yes he already had his shower.

Finally ready for bed.  FINALLY.  Caiden has his warm milk in his sip bottle.  I walk away for .5 seconds...and of course the sound of a bottle hitting hardwood floor ensues.  Sympathetically he says "sorry mommy..."   Of course...why not let the day end with spilled milk. 

Finally the kids are asleep.

They look so precious when they sleep.

They are so quiet.

What a fricking day.  I deserve a drink with hubs.  I ask him to pour me one...I won't have to feed now. 

I can chillax.

I sit.  I sip.  I sigh. 

The day was a monsoon of craziness.  At several moments I impressed myself by not snapping.  Vick was at work, but if I didn't have his guidance or encouragment that it will be all good...I might have gone into a corner and cried a little bit.  But it was all good. 

Sometimes things get piled on.  But even the toughest of days come to an end and the silence makes you appreciate that you are kind of a big deal...damn we do alot.

Yes managed to also do 2 loads of laundary and dishes and order Rayna's birthday supplies and email 2 preschools.

Ok time to relax. 

Ohhh Bachlerotte was Pvr'd...how thoughtful of Vick.  Ah one nice sip...my legs feel awesome now that they are off the ground.

Sweet. 

WAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Silly mommy...you're not done yet. 

Peaches N'Oat Smoothie - Better Than It Sounds

This smoothie rocks!

I am a huge fan of healthful, nutritious, smoothies, that offer protein and fibre and essential nutrients. This one is killer in those areas.  I have always played around with oats in my smoothies, but since I have Caiden helping me make them 90% of the time,  I really consider what his growing needs are too.  Especially since food is "gross" to him these days.

This particular trial combination had me like "whoa".  So I had to share with smoothie lovers.

Just blend together the following, and I mean blend well...

1 scoop of rolled oats
1 handful of frozen strawberries
1 handful of frozen peach slices
1 Tablespoon of chia seeds (or flax seeds)
1 Tablespoon of natural peanut butter (or almond)
1 dash of ground cinnamon
Top with skim milk

Tip: This is quite a thick smoothie, so add milk to your liking.  The more milk the thinner the consistency. I personally add the milk at the end and fill the remaining space with it (so I am not totally sure how much milk I use). 

And enjoy! 

By the way this is perfect for breakfast, if you are trying to lose weight...or not.  For Caiden, I usually have this with him as a post-breakfast/pre-lunch snack.  Gives boost of energy and much needed fibre, as well as essential fatty acids good for the brain and growth.