Ideally speaking...

My high school sweetheart...10 years later.

2012-02-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

Today is my husband's birthday, and as I went to post the ceremonial (and obligatory) facebook post of birthday wishes to him, another fact hit me. He is 29 today, which means that our very first date was exactly 10 years ago today!

Singing in the talent show together.
This is where I started to fall for him!

Now I would love to say that our first date was a magical evening, filled with long stares and romance...but honestly it was a night of drinking and loud music. I am 100% sure that my husband, who was celebrating his 19th birthday that night, doesn't remember a damn thing. I recall friends coming up to me and saying, "oh it's so sweet how close you and Adam already are. He's been all over you all night!" I resisted the urge to correct them and let them know that really I was just holding him up. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have remained standing.

At Adam's Sr. Prom. 6 months into dating.

But somehow it worked. Fast forward 10 years and here we are. Married 5.5 years, in a cozy starter home, 2 cats, one dog and the most perfect little 18 month old daughter that anyone could have possibly created (I am not biased at all). Life is fantastic.

Fresh faced newlyweds! Less than a year into our marriage.

Don't get me wrong, there are nights I think I could strangle him...and many more that I am sure he could strangle me. We can drive each other absolutely crazy and life is not always perfect. However, I am constantly amazed at how all of the little aspects that made us 'US' ten years ago are still there. I still get insanely excited when I know he is coming home and watch each minute on the clock. We still say I love you each night, each morning and at the end of each phone call, without fail. I still look forward to the 10 minutes we spend spooning each night....even if we then turn our separate ways in desperate need of stretch-out space.

Christmas morning, 2011.

My wish for us is that we can still maintain all of these great little traits for many decades to come. And although it may not happen by age 17, ideally everyone will find the love of their life early and get a head start on building their dreams. Overly cheesy, but perfectly fitting :)
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Rediscovering the joy of winter

2012-01-12T20:12:00.000-08:00

I have always hated the winter. I was the kid whose parents had to drag her out of her bedroom, and away from her books to go tobogganing. And once they got me there, I wasn't any more cooperative. I would do one or two runs, then go down again, steer off into the trees, and hide out in there with my best friend Heather. We'd talk about boys and ignore our parents yelling at us to come back up. Thank god I always knew they would be too lazy to come down after me :) Part of me thinks that maybe if I take up a winter sport, I would enjoy the season more...but I haven't been skiing since I was 12....

Well I have discovered something much more fun than a winter sport. Experiencing the fun of the snow all over again, through my daughter's eyes.

Exploring the snow for the first time!

This past weekend, Lilly and I ventured out into the front yard to play with the dog and build her first ever snowman! We had a blast. She giggled with each snowball that our dog, Rinnie, tried to chase....poor Rinnie never seems to understand where the snowball went, when it lands in more snow....Lilly also seemed to love the challenge of trying to walk on the snow, falling on her butt every minute or two.

The real fun came when we started to build the snowman. Lilly seemed completely amazed that mommy could grow a giant snowball just by rolling it around the yard. I'm magic, I know :) She caught on quickly and helped me grab and pat snow into place around the three parts of the snowman.

Once we were finished, I sought out some fixings to give the poor guy a face. Lilly pointed with massive excitement at the fact that it was shaping up to be a person made of snow. Excited to the point that she decided her snowman needed a hug. Adorable.

Leaning in to give our snowman a big hug!

Now don't hold your breathe, I am sure I will never be what you call a winter person. However, if I can always get this much enjoyment from watching my kids have fun, I think that is an ideal balance.

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Some ideal resolutions...

2012-01-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

I should be sleeping. My very first resolution of the 2012 is to get to bed sooner, so that I can try to regain the status I once had of being a 'morning person'. It's now 11:55pm and I am still wide awake, typing away. It's is January 4th and I have already broken my first resolution....not such a good start...

Looking back on 2011 (2010 & 2009 too if I'm being honest) I have definitely been severely lacking in the organizational department. Now, anyone who knows me well knows I am ~~majorly~~ a bit scatterbrained by nature, but I used to have some semblance of a routine to my life.

In 2006-2008 I used to have what I affectionately called my organized chaos. I made lunches & dinners for my husband and I, stayed on top of laundry, made it to the gym 3-4 times per week, walked my dog daily, read at least 1 chapter of a book everyday and found time to write (either poetry or on my poorly neglected novel) at least once per day. I spent time with my girlfriends and saw my family regularly. I also found time to make it to and/or organize several monthly meetings for various additional organizations and donate my time at many events. Skip ahead to 2011 and I completely suck at all of the above.

I know I can cut myself some slack because I did go and start a family and all that jazz. I knew life wasn't going to be the same after I got pregnant, but this downhill slide happened long before all of that.

So here I stand (at an unacceptable hour) and make my claim for what I want to get back on track in 2012. I figure by stating it publicly for all of the social media network to see, there must be a stronger level of accountability...I hope...

Go to bed at a reasonable time & get up a reasonable time....starting tomorrow!
Bring my lunch to work at least 4 times a week.
Keep a family meal plan. This will help with making dinner, organizing groceries as well as resolution #2!
Go to the gym at least 2 times within a 7 day period.
Get back to doing yoga at least once per week. Even if this means in my own living room on a Saturday morning. I can't even touch my toes very well anymore, which really brings a tear to my eye.
READ! I won't say everyday, but at least 4 days per week. And even though I sometimes read them a dozen times per day, Lilly's books don't count!
WRITE! I can't even say I am 'writing a novel' anymore, because it has been over 2 years since I actually touched it. Sad fact that needs to change. I also think I should write something for my daughter. She inspires me everyday, just need to find the time to put it on paper.
Be a better wife/daughter/sister/friend/coworker/volunteer/leader - I suck at follow up. I have to say I am likely the best at it with OnlyGreen, which is great, but also sad. It has become a joke that my friends, family & fellow volunteers have a better relationship with my voice mail, twitter & facebook accounts, than they do with me. That is changing come hell or high water.

So there they are. My ideal resolutions for 2012. Let's hope I can stick to them and make them more than just idealistic.
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I own nothing...we've entered the "mine" stage...

2011-11-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

I no longer own any of my possessions. It's true, just ask my daughter.

Lilly's new favourite word is "mine", which she has decided can be said about everything in our home. If she sees something that she wants, which is typically everything, she will point and state "mine". If I try to respond with "No honey, that is Mommy's", she looks at me like I'm off my rocker and points again, stating "mine!" Her enthusiasm for the word increases in direct correlation to the number of times I try to correct her.

Last night alone, in the short time between dinner and bed, she determined that the following things were "hers":

the groceries I brought home
the new baby monitor I was carrying
the box that the new baby monitor came in...which she snagged off the table and ran down the hall with...
my iPhone...ya right kid...
our sauce bowls. GLASS sauce bowls that she tried taking off the shelf
the baby monitor once it was set up in her room
her books on her shelf. oh wait, those are hers, but she didn't need them while I was changing her diaper, as she thought she did
anything in the fridge, since she said it any time I opened it
my laptop...again, ya right kid...
countless more I can't even remember

Now, it should be noted that her demanding list of possessions do not just reside in our home. Our daycare provider informed my husband when he picked her up yesterday that everything there was "Lilly's"....so for any of our friends we visit in the near future, be forewarned that my daughter will lay claim on everything you own.

With all the annoyed chuckles that we have had from this, there is one truly amazing declaration that my little girl made. As we had our pre-bed cuddles last night, she was taking some time to examine my face (a new fav activity apparently). She was grabbing my nose, poking at my eyes, trying to grab my braces - charming - when she leaned in for a kiss. After her kiss she wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, put her forehead against mine, looked me square in the eye and said "Mine!" I almost cried.

Yes Lilly, my love, I am forever and always, yours!

Ideally, I will have an infinite number of amazing moments just like that in my lifetime as a Mama.
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Learning the language of Motherhood

2011-11-13T19:12:00.001-08:00

Over the years, I have had the pleasure to be around many of my friend's little ones. I have watched them grow from beautiful babies to rambunctious kids. I remember all too well that awkward phase where they were learning their first words and trying to have conversations with the adults around them...

I can remember having thousands of 'conversations' with my godson Ryan, where I smiled, nodded and listened intently....then looked over at his mom, Christina, and asked "what the heck did he just say?" She would laugh and translate. I thought it was amazing that my friends always knew what their child was saying and thought I would be completely screwed when I had my own. I couldn't understand toddler speak!! How would I ever be able to know what my child was saying to me??

Well, it's magic! I don't know how, but as Lilly fumbles through her words, I know exactly what she is saying. Now, I know I am a bit ahead of myself. She isn't making sentences yet, but she finds new words everyday!

Here is what we have picked up so far:
Daaug - Rinnie (our dog) or any other dogs
Caa - cat
Dawie - Dolly (specifically her Cuski doll)
Daddy/Daa - she's master this one
Mama/Mommy/Mum - Me!!
Mooo - Cow
Daaah - Duck
Daaie - Upsie Daisy from In the Night Garden
Hi - mastered this one too! And uses it in combo with Mum and Daa
Suh - Socks...she is obsessed with putting on her socks and shoes...gets WAY to excited for this activity

Then of course there are the B's
Bebe - Baby
Baba - Bottle
Baa (said in combo with smacking the bathroom door) - Bath
Bauu - Ball
Buh - Book

Playing farm with the daaah and mooo!

Obviously many of these have been learned in combination with her pointing and grabbing things to help us know what she is referring to. It just amazes me how much she has picked up. She also knows the words for many other things, but just can't say them yet. If you ask her, she will point to her belly, hair, toes/feet, knees, nose, the outside, fan, door, car and pictures of Grandma, Grandpa, VaVoo, Nana and Grandpa Jim. She will also wave, clap, high five, blow kisses, and walk up to us smacking her lips to demand a real kiss...which is my favourite gesture of all, of course!

Ideally, babies would each come with a built in translator for all those that are not their mothers...but thank god as their mothers, we are built to understand every word!
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Unloading some stress...

2011-11-03T19:08:00.001-07:00

Well it's almost 10pm and my Hubby and I are on our way back from writing our full provincial life insurance exam. I gotta say, it feels great knowing one more thing is checked off my mental list....provided we both passed ;)

Things have just been so incredibly insane that my stress level has expanded to all new heights. My workload at the office is by far the highest it has ever been and yet I'm still trying to do it all in my personal life, of course! I wouldn't be me if I didn't. But occasional it starts to take a toll.

Here is my report card for the last 2 months. Personally I try to get to the gym at least 2x per week...fail.
I try to get on twitter at least once per day...fail.
I try to call my mother and my BFF at least once each week or two...epic fail...especially for my BFF....miss you Colleen!
I try to blog at least 2x per week...fail.
I try to spend some 'wink wink' time with my hot hubby as often as possible...am I failing there? Well that's just none of your freaking business!
Add to all that the fact that we are becoming Primerica agents and I am considering Visalus on the side.

The one place I know I never fail though is with Lilly. I am diligent that when she is awake I am focusing on her. From the moment I get home until she goes to bed it is playing dollies, chase mommy, peak-a-boo, blocks, dinner, bath, books and of course (most importantly) cuddle time. I am proud of that fact...even if it means that at 8:35 (post nigh garden and bed time) I'm cracking the computer and back at the grind stone. For a period of time I am just mom. That's a great feeling.

As of right now, it just feels good to know that I can scratch 'studying insurance' off my plate. It might be a little thing, but it feels massive.

Ideally things would just magically get easier and easier from here on out...but I'm sure many more experienced moms would laugh and tell me that stress as a mother just never truly ends!

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An ideal visionary.

2011-10-05T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am an apple girl through and through. I am hooked on my iPhone, yet still carry my 120GB classic and just recently let go of my 9 year old iMac....it's now in well loved hands with my little sister-in-law. If money grew on trees I would also own a MacBook Pro and an iPad, just to cover all my bases :)

That all being said, I am not going to write a long post on Steve Jobs. Honestly, there are a lot more beloved Apple techies who are far more dedicated than I and they will be posting all night, I'm sure.

But in looking back at the life of Steve Jobs, one quote has always stuck with me. Probably because I feel like it was said about me. It was definitely said about people like me. Anyone who knew me growing up knows that misfit suits me well. I never fit in back in my small town and I don't always easily fit in now. Just how it's always been, and I am completely ok with that.

So here is the quote, the one that stands up for all the geeky, different odd balls who stand out from the conventional norm. Rock on Steve Jobs! You were an amazing visionary and an unbelievably aware human being.

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~ Steve Jobs

Oh, I also have to add that as a completely nerdy advertising/marketing junkie, the 1984 Apple Superbowl Commercial rocks my world.

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Blogging with the lights off.

2011-09-30T20:23:00.001-07:00

Our power is out. I'd love to say that this is a rare occurrence, but here in Tiny township, it happens with the slightest bit of rain. At least we're used to it.

We have an obscene amount of candles lit around the house and I've been using my phone to provide Internet to my laptop, but now the laptop has died. Thank god for iPhones.

But this leads me to the troubling issue that has popped into my head. When did so many of us (I can only assume/hope it's not just me) become so reliant on the need to be connected? Yes of course I understand the whole Maslows and all that, but at the more basic level, the need to always be connected to everything outside of the house.

I've started a really great book, The Night Circus by Erin Moregenstern, and I should be content to curl up and read that via candle light...at least my last tweet said I would...and my former self in my pre-cell phone days gladly would have. And yet I'm craving my Facebook, twitter and emails.

I think it's going to have to be a personal goal to start spending my of my personal time disconnected from all electronics and getting back to the basics.

On that note its time to go read, but to be honest, ideally our damn power wouldn't go out so often.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Paying my dues...the curse of the perfect sleeper!

2011-09-15T20:56:00.000-07:00

For the first 12 months of my darling daughters life, I was the envy of many of my girlfriends' (those that are mamas). I had many of those perfect dream stories...'oh she's slept 4-5 hours straight since we left the hospital.'...then at two months 'she's sleeping 8 hours. it's great!'....and when transitioning to the crib 'bedtime is so easy and she sleeps 12 hours, till like 8am!'...

Basically I had the types of stories that made other mothers want to bitch smack me in their sleep-deprived anger.

Aside from a week stretch at 8 months and the very odd night here and there, Lilly has been a nearly perfect sleeper. She definitely loves her sleep, which is fantastic since we do as well. However, as enjoyable as the first 12 months were, they left my husband and I lacking the tolerance build-up needed for the last month of hell that we have just encountered. We have gone from having a household full of sweet dreams to a reoccurring nightmare of massive fights at bedtime, 12-2 am screaming fits, all which usually result in an almost hyperventilating baby girl.

It all started really one very fateful evening when Lilly and I had a late night throwdown. (Read all about it here!!). Since then she has had very few of what I would call 'good nights'. And right now my bar for a 'good night' is likely a hell of a lot lower then it used to be.

I know a lot of this could simply be growing pains, teething, separation anxiety from starting daycare or just general restlessness, but it's hard to maintain that rash level of thinking after 2 hours of screaming at 2am. My wonderful (lucky bugger) husband manages to sleep through about 95% of it...which isn't really his fault. He's a dad. It's what they do. So I am left to deal with much of it. There are nights where I seriously think about sleeping on her floor...

In all honesty, I think I ideally would have taken 6 months of shit sleep while on mat leave, over a month of shit sleep while balancing motherhood, a very busy office, a provincial campaign (that I'm trying to find more time for!), an on-the-side financial business my hubby & I are getting licensed for, plus my blogging and my increasingly neglected gym membership.

....I think I'm even more tired after reading that list...

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Ideally finding the time...

2011-09-04T12:11:00.000-07:00

This week could not have possibly been any busier. I am, without a doubt, complete and utterly exhausted. In fact if I am being honest, I would rather be sleeping right now, rather than blogging...But, the baby is napping and I need to capitalize on the limited time I have...

And there it is. The whole reason for this post. Will I ever, in the next 18 years, get a bit more than limited time?

This has been building for a while, especially when work gets really hectic and I spend literally every waking moment either taking care of Lilly or working. Don't get me wrong, I love every moment I spend with her. I also love my job. I just would also love some occasional time to do the little things...like working out more than once every 2 weeks...or painting my nails...or getting my damned hair cut (my attempt yesterday failed when I ran out of time).

And this is where I turn into the typical ranting wife. My husband is fantastic. He's an amazing father and a very loving husband. He really is a huge help around the house and with Lilly...but mostly when I'm either at work or here with them. I know its mostly just the difference between moms and dads. It's easier for them to be away then it is for us. 99% of the time, if I go out (which I do get to often enough) it is always just to a girlfriends place and it is almost always after Lilly is already in bed. That is largely my own fault because I feel guilty taking time. I know that. I guess I just get a bit jealous.

He has had a trip to Cuba, a couple nights of all night drinking with the boys (where he was last night), a few nights where Lilly and I went away and countless evenings of hockey games.....and I have spent ONE night away since she was born....

Don't misunderstand, he doesn't take advantage of me. I have never said no and I wouldn't. I want him to get that time. I just wish I could take some of that time too. I want to be able to go out while the baby is awake...for more than work...to spend some time on me. Maybe get my damned hair cut! :) And I don't want to feel guilty for it.

I think that is the catch. As mothers we don't get to have our guilt-free cake and eat it too. Maybe it's a matter of being better organized or maximizing the time I am away. Doing things right after work so I can still get home for Lilly...I'm really not sure. I just know I need to have my hair cut at least once in the next 18 years....

And on that note, Lilly is awake and crying...so much for moving to one 3 hour nap...I couldn't have planned this timing better if I tried.

Ideally speaking, I would have an on call nanny...who doubles as a housekeeper, editor, manicurist...and of course, a hairdresser....so I can finally get my damned hair cut!

The loss of a leader.

2011-08-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

My Monday morning was rocked today, as I'm sure it was for many Canadians, by the news that Jack Layton has lost his battle with cancer. This news comes as somewhat of a shock because I think many of us just had the mindset that Jack could beat anything. But he was just a man. A great man, but still human. In light of this, I'm very glad I took the time a few weeks ago to write about how he has inspired me.

My heart instantly goes to his family, and the days that they have ahead of them. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and their mourning will be shared on some level with many fellow Canadians.

Jack, strongly raising his cane in celebration after the amazing
results of the 2011 Federal Election.

Just as I thought I had finished my subtle tears throughout the morning, I came across Jack's final letter that he prepared two days ago. It amazes me that even in the final days of his fight, he was still thinking of Canadians. He was still willing to take the time to share his wisdom and inspiration for us to read. Everyone should take a moment and read the parting words of one of Canada's greatest politicians.

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." ~ Jack Layton, August 20, 2011.

In an ideal world, people this incredibly exceptional would never have to leave us.
Read Jack's full letter here.

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From the cries of a baby to the screams of a little girl. Learning the art of the temper tantrum!

2011-08-17T20:40:00.000-07:00

Last night my daughter and I spent some great quality time together. We had some great cuddles, kisses, lots of 'Mama loves you so much' moments and plenty of holding hands through the crib...all between the hours of 10pm and 2am!

Now, I have to admit that I am basically one of those moms all other moms hate, because I have a great sleeper. Honestly it was 5 hour stretches straight home from the hospital, 8 hours straight by 2 months and 12 hours by 3 months. Please don't throw things at me. I am well aware we are lucky.

It is because of all this that I feel extremely ill prepared for the middle of the night scream fests. Especially since I am back to work now and have to get SOME sleep! Most of the time, she is still great, but when it's bad, it's friggin bad.

Last night I tried a new tactic. After about the 6th time of entering her room and cuddling, I tried the 'stern' approach. She is 1 now and she does understand much of what we say. If she listens or not is a whole different story. Anywho, I stormed in there and said 'Lilly, that's enough. It's time to go to sleep!'

Thus began the transition of my little crying baby, into a full fledged screaming toddler girl. I swear to god it was like watching a volcano erupt. I wanted to run for cover...or go kick my peacefully sleeping husband out of bed to take over. I took the first option. I stared in disbelief for a moment, then left the room. My thought process was, 'Ok, when they throw temper tantrums, you are not supposed to give in, right??' So I closed the door and walked away.

The very second she heard that door latch closed (which was a bloody miracle over her screaming...remember that superhuman hearing I said babies have?) she escalated. Badly. She lost her shit completely and I lost my strength as a result. I did what I assume is the 'bad mom' thing, went back in and brought her out. I carried her to the living room and we cuddled on the couch while she calmed down.

After that it was smoother sailing. She relented and I went to bed. She gave it a final few kicks at the can with some whimpering on and off for the next 45 minutes, and then she was out. We slept for what was left of the night and both woke up with bags under our eyes. Well, at least I did. I don't know that I have ever wanted coffee so badly in my life...even when I was preggo.

I guess this is supposed to be one of my Mama learning experiences. Though, I don't know really what I learned from it, except that my daughter has an incredible set of lungs! I refer back to the easy street we have had with her until now and figure this is just catch up. Ideally, no parent would have nights like this, but I know many have had it far worse then me.

If this is the sign of things to come, I may need bigger bottles of rye. I mean for me! Come on people. I wouldn't do that to the kid. I'm not that desperate...yet.
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Mastering the morning...maybe.

2011-08-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

I am always late. This is not some self deprecating statement nor is it an exaggeration. It's simply a fact. I am always late. For instance right this minute I am feeding Lilly lunch, writing this post, waiting for my clothes to finish drying...and I have to meet the girls at the Zoo in 45 minutes...I'll make it I swear ;)

Knowing I am always running behind, I was really worried about how my mornings would be when my husband went back to work. He starts at 7am, so not only is the daycare drop off on my plate, but he's not even around to lend a hand.

My first few mornings only proved to add to my worry when Lilly decided to wake up 45 minutes earlier than normal. That might sound like a good thing, but if you're a mom, you know the moments to yourself are crucial! Things were not starting off promisingly. Then yesterday happened.

I woke up at 6:30 (ugh) and somehow managed to not ignore my alarm. I got my butt out of bed, and got myself dressed. Thank god it was Friday since my desire to 'dress to impress' was seriously lacking. Jeans and t shirt days rock. I then proceeded to do my hair and makeup, make a coffee and back up my stuff, all before the baby woke up. Golden!

That's right, my shirt says "# Keep Calm and Tweet On".
I'm a twitter addict.

When Lilly woke up, I was already prepared with her outfit for the day. My baby is stylish :) Then it was onto breakfast and milk. After that she got 10 minutes of playtime while I packed up her diaper bag for the day. Now, it didn't hurt that during all of this, the little angel felt like actually being a little angel.

Lilly sporting the tend of tunic with leggings
in this summer's hottest colour, hot pink :)

Getting out to the car was the regular balancing act of my briefcase, diaper bag, purse and baby...but we made it. All buckled in and on the road in plenty of time to get to daycare and then work on time. I know, it's a miracle!

If I can continue to master my mornings this well, that would be extremely ideal :) Remember, I am the eternal optimist...but I am also accepting all fingers crossed and prayers from more experienced Mamas!

Things you learn in your first year of motherhood.

2011-08-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Well it's official. I survived my first year of motherhood and the child is still alive! Score one for me :)

There are many quirky things you learn when you become a parent. I thought I would share a few of my personal favorites.

No matter what the commercials say, diapers DO NOT hold everything. You will learn this lesson hard. For instance, while on the first day trip to see family and you precious little one destroys two full diapers. All you are left with is a receiving blanket to wrap around her because every other piece of clothing you brought (which is never enough) is covered in shit. Good times.

Did you know you have zombie like abilities? You do! They come out in the middle of the night when you can wake up, take a baby out of the bassinet, change a diaper, nurse, burp (the baby, not the husband), wrap a baby in a blanket, then go back to sleep....all having barely opened your eyes! It's incredible!

You can do much more with just one hand then you ever imagined. You can whip up and eat an entire meal, do complete loads of laundry and prepare a baby bottle, all with only one arm free.

No one tells you this, but baby's have superhuman hearing. I kid you not. If you so much as tap your ring finger on the wall on your way out, that sound asleep baby is wide awake and screaming! As a new mom, you will develop ninja like skills for escaping out of the nursery unheard after the 3rd middle of the night crib visit.

Your house has a strange, outer dimensional type of abyss that sucks in various parts of toys. You could hunt for missing pieces until you're 80 and you will never find them. Some speculate that the couch eats these poor unfortunate toys. This is the leading theory.

Your husband thinks you have god-like abilities. He may have never shown it before, but when you can simply look at the baby and fix what ever is wrong, your husband will look at you like you are the most amazing women he's ever know. You are :)

Once your baby begins to crawl, they are NEVER quiet. Don't kid yourself. Don't think, 'oh she's just playing with her toys peacefully.' Bullshit. She is hidden beside the couch, taking apart the remote control that she swiped off the couch using her stealthy baby moves. They are NEVER quiet without reason.

Lilly on her 1st birthday!!! And yes, this was taken right after I had to stop her from going into that diaper pail behind her....never quiet!

Now, you also learn that no matter how bad a night goes, that first thing in the morning smile is the best thing you have ever seen.

You realize that you will go to any length, even making a complete ass of yourself, to make that baby laugh because it is the greatest sound in the world.

You'll wonder about how many kisses you plant on her in one day alone. You can't even help it. Don't try keeping track, it's impossible.

You will honestly believe there is not a baby in the world more beautiful than yours. I'm sure your little one is adorable, but mine is cuter. Sorry.

Even the smallest things are HUGE milestones to you. The first time she smiles, holds your finger, holds her head up, sleeps in her crib all night, grabs a toy, sits up alone, eats solid foods, crawls, waves, stands up, blows kisses, GIVES kisses (big one!), says 'Hi Daa' or 'Mumma', etc, etc, etc. Each one feels like the greatest day and it only gets better from here.

Lastly, you learn that time goes by so quickly. One minute you are pacing your bedroom with braxton hicks waiting for this little miracle to join you, and the next thing you know you are putting together goodie bags for her 1st birthday party. Try to just take in as much of it as you can.

Ok. Now I'll just wipe away this little tear and focus on how much fun tomorrow will be! Chocolate covered face pictures will be posted!

Ideally, babies would just stay precious and little forever...oh,but they would be potty-trained ;)

PS. Feel free to post some of the funnier lessons you've learned in your role as Super Mama. I'd love to hear them!
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Leadership, wisdom and courage. How Jack Layton inspires me.

2011-08-03T20:07:00.000-07:00

Stop right there. Before you read further, get comfortable. This has taken me over a week to finish and it’s a tad lengthy. I’d say I’m sorry, but I’d be lying. In light of everything I felt inspired to write this, no matter how long it wound up being. When writing about a personal hero, it has to come from the heart and this does just that.

I have had a strong interest in politics from an unnerving age. I was always one of those abnormal children who actually loved watching the news. I don’t think I really got a grasp on it however, until I was much older. I can remember being 16 and begging my mom to let me put an NDP sign on the front lawn…and so it began.

I got involved with the Simcoe North NDP in a roundabout way. I had taken a few years off from any political involvement, and found myself longing to get back in at the start of the 2008 Federal Election. I was really questioning how I felt on a few key topics, so I was making my way to a few different events for each party, asking questions and gaining a better understanding. I walked into the NDP nomination meeting to just talk about a few things…and walked out a campaign volunteer.

We ran a strong campaign and I met a lot of really great people. I knew I was hooked again and wanted to make a bigger contribution. I mentioned I would maybe want to consider a position on the Board of Executives for the riding….so they made me Federal President. No big deal.

I know, I know, it was a HUGE step up. I was ~~terrified~~ ~~worried~~ ~~overwhelmed~~ excited by the opportunity ahead of me! Truth be told, I know the reasoning. I am a young, energetic female who is passionate about many topics and learns quickly. I’m the type of ‘fresh blood’ that riding associations really look to plant seeds with. The first order of business was to ship me off to Federal Convention. I was going down east for a family visit anyways, so the 2009 Halifax Convention was a perfect fit. If you’re involved with politics at all, make a point to try and attend at least one convention. It is a truly amazing experience.

Naturally, the highlight of convention was meeting Jack. My hubby and I had purchased tickets to one of the dinners, where I knew I would have the opportunity to get in a few words with the party leader. Walking up to say hi felt kind of like how it might when you meet a rock star, because really, especially when you’re in the middle of convention, that’s basically what Jack is. He’s our rock star.

He greets everyone with an incredibly warm smile, a firm handshake, and a direct look that tells you he is really intent on hearing what you have to say. I started off by telling him who I was, that I was there as a Youth Delegate (just barely) but yet I was still one of his newest Federal Presidents. I definitely admitted that I was a little nervous about taking on the roll and concerned about doing a good job. He very quickly assured me that all the resources are there for me to succeed and that the National Office is always there if anything is ever needed. He handed me his business card and told me not to hesitate at all if I felt I needed anything.

Jack and I in Halifax, August 2009

We carried on a great 10 minute conversation about about running a campaign using social media and new technologies. We also talked about why I believe in the NDP and how the party is fully engaging a younger demographic and making them feel motivated. I'm sure I rambled on about how I am a green freak (and embarrassingly showed him my recycling tattoo on my wrist), but that I am also a wife of a unionized worker and would one day raise a family. I mentioned that I care about the environment,but I also care about education, equality for women, health care and economic stability for ALL classes of society, among so much more. I know I can talk a lot (the post is case in point) but not once did I feel like he was rushing me along. He really took the time for me and it showed. It was truly an awesome experience for me.

Over the past two years I, like many other NDPers, have interacted with Jack through emails and town hall phone calls. In spite of everything he has had going on personally over the last few years, he has taken the time to ensure that members of his party, as well as the rest of the country,know that he is hear to listen to what they have to say. He displays an incredible amount of courage as he continues to fight for what he feels Canadians deserve. This level of determination and perseverance is an asset in a politician, and has even more added value in one as passionate and down to earth as Jack.

It is because of these qualities that I look up to Jack Layton as the type of politician I aspire to be. Ideally speaking, all politicians would be this inspiring.

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Today I got pissed on. I only wish I was speaking metaphorically.

2011-08-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

I have a beautiful daughter. The type of adorable little angel that waves at people, smiles her nearly toothy grin to make people laugh and loves to cuddle. She gives big sloppy kisses to her father and I (and the talking hippo app on my iPhone…) and is genuinely a terrific, chilled out little sweetheart.

Today, that little sweetheart, pissed all over me.

Now I would love to proclaim that this is the first time I have endured baby pee, but let’s be honest, she’ll be one this week. If I had made it this long without being peed on, I’m sure I’d be hailed as a messiah among mothers everywhere. However, I haven’t been peed on since she was about 3 months old! Even when it did happen, it was while I had her on the change table, when I first took off the diaper. Totally acceptable.

Today was a different story. I was all out of diapers in her room, so our live-in Manny (my darling little bro who’s staying with us) ran downstairs to grab some. Lilly, being the great little mobile monkey that she is, decided she would take this opportunity to stand up on her change table and hug Mama. She even did the whole lock her arms around my neck and lay her head down. I thought it was pretty sweet.

Then I hear a little sound, like a small stream of water, and I’m thinking, “What…The Hell…Is THAT?” She had literally waited until she was standing up against me to pee all over the place. I’m talking down my front, onto the floor, all over her and the change table. A friggin mess.

The best part? She looks down at her foot, then gives me this look. Like it’s MY fault her foot is wet! Then she starts fussing, because apparently she doesn’t like the way her foot feels. Well no shit kid! You peed on it!!

So naturally I holler at my other half, who is laughing and telling Lilly good work for ‘peeing on MumMum!’ and tell him to do something useful like run some water in the tub so we can get cleaned up. He was still snickering as he walked away. That’s fine. Karma’s a bitch. Maybe she’ll crap on him J

So where do I go from here? No where. This is part of baby making, as disgusting as it may get. There are 100 other things she does each day that simply rock my world.

Maybe we’ll get lucky, evolution will kick in and humans will be born fully potty-trained! Now wouldn’t that be just be ideal!

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No, no, we don’t kick the kitty in the head….

2011-07-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

Lilly’s first birthday is just around the corner and as such, our little lady is really starting to develop her personality. It’s incredible. I love experiencing the new faces, sounds and reactions she has to things she either loves completely…or completely hates. Unfortunately, she is starting to show a love/hate relationship with one of the cats.

Let me start off by saying we have a house full of animals. Our german shepherd, Rinnie, is her best friend and main playmate, who achieves the most pointing and the title 'Daag'. My cat Star, (because my husband would never claim her as his) is an overly fat, cranky old girl that really wants nothing to do with the baby, and is really only there as someone for Lilly to chase and annoy. Our crazy, guaranteed to be in-bred cat Scurvy…don’t ask, the name requires a whole other blog post to explain…is the competition.

Scurvy started out as the highest level of fascination for our little Lilly. She was the only animal in the house with the guts to approach the baby, even if it was out of desperation to hang out with the hubby and I. I would be holding Lilly on the couch and the cat would hop right on up to join the cuddle. At the time Lilly wasn’t really mobile so she would really just touch the cat’s ears, stare and coo at her. Very cute.

Then Lilly started to crawl, walk along furniture, develop some words and determine that Mama is HER Mama. Now Scurvy is screwed. That poor cat can’t spend 5 minutes with me without Lilly excreting her position in the pecking order of the household. The worst display of jealousy usually rears its ugly head in our morning cuddle time. Lilly joins Dad and I in bed for a bit of pointing at the ceiling fan and cuddling, and Scurvy still bravely partakes. This is ok with Lilly, since she still does like to play with the cat. However, if that cat has the audacity to try and curl up on me, it’s game over. Our loving, gentle and sweet little daughter lifts herself into downward dog position, lifts one leg and hoofs Scurvy in the head! If that doesn’t work, she literally just sits on top of the cat until Scurvy throws in the towel and leaves.

We have of course tried to tell Lilly no and correct the behaviour, but she’s just an infant, so it doesn’t exactly sink in just yet. Ideally, everyone in the house would just get a long…but I don’t see that happening in the near future.

Here is the progression of the Lilly and Scurvy relationship. Enjoy.

Baby and Kitty, peacefully enjoying some Baby Einstein.

Mild terrorizing/exploring begins with the Kitty.

"Get out of my chair cat."

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I look at blogs from both sides now...

2011-07-29T19:27:00.000-07:00

We Don’t Work for Free, But We Aren’t For Sale…

I just finished reading this great article by Janice Croze, one of the bloggers for 5 Minutes for Mom and a contributor at MomCrunch. I started to respond with my thoughts via twitter, but I quickly realized I had a heck of a lot more than 140 characters worth of insight onto this topic.

I think (I could be wrong) I am somewhat of a different animal when it comes to the world of blogging moms. Many women in this industry get into it because they have something to share. They have opinions, ideas, funny stories, and so much more to share with an online audience. Over time, some of these moms start to really harness an expert level of knowledge and start to break into the corporate world, either as social media consultants, PR influencers or a type of CorporateExec-to-BloggingMom translators :) I am completely the other way around!

I have been running the marketing department of OnlyGreen for just over 4 years. I love my job. I like to tell people that I get paid to play on facebook...but really that's only about 5% of what I do! One thing I focus on is trying to stay on top of marketing trends and ensuring that we are using the most up-to-date forms of communication. The world of mom bloggers has quickly moved to the forefront of my radar....as well as lured me in as one of their own :)

This article talks about the idea of trust and integrity amongst bloggers and how it can be compromised when they are paid to represent a company's service or products. Janice holds true to her own belief that most mom bloggers value the trust that they have build with their readers, and that they use that trust to determine what a good corporate partnership could be. I really think she is right, but then again I am the eternal idealist...

However, looking at it from both sides, I feel that the need for integrity should not lie solely with the blog author. In my opinion, a marketing executive who is looking to use bloggers to promote their company, should be choosing a blogger who aligns with the focus and value of their company's image and target audience, as opposed to choosing them strictly based on their number of readers. There is something to be said about quality over quantity. Don't get me wrong, an adequate reach is definitely necessary for a successful marketing campaign, but only if that reach is being received by an engaged audience that will trust and believe in your message.

Honesty counts. For instance, it is great to think that I could have OnlyGreen's products or business opportunity represented by a blogger who has a 50,000+ following, but if that blogger also promotes conventional product lines that are chalked full of harsh chemicals, are they really the best fit for us? Is it really an 'honest' looking approach if we have a blogger talk about using our all natural, handmade, safe products, when in the next post she discusses how much she loves neutrogena (ranks as one of the worst companies on the safe cosmetics database)?

When entering the arena of online product placement, both the company and blogger have to take a very close look at each other and ensure that they are building a relationship that will make sense to those they are each trying to appeal to. They both need to assess if the partnership will really bring value to the brand that they are each building.

Ideally speaking, all professional marketers would think this way...but I'm not THAT naive!
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My epic conversation with Fabio!

2011-07-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

On Saturday morning, while scanning twitter like the addict I am, I discovered that both the Old Spice guy and Fabio for Old Spice had twitter accounts. This made me laugh. What a great campaign on Old Spice’s part…create an online rivalry between their two spokes men and have them ‘dueling’ in front of everyone.

I just had to comment on the hilarity of it, so I sent a tweet drawing attention to their accounts. Little did I know, Old Spice is all over this type of comment and would reply! Instantly! Before I knew it, I was having a twitter convo with “Fabio”!! Now, I have to admit I wasn’t overly nice to poor Fabio. He’s just not my type. But I was impressed with the level of interaction that I received from this account.

By doing this, Old Spice has created an incredibly smart campaign that mixes humour with a new low level of cheese factor. They have people watching the commercials and youtube videos, following both the guys on twitter and best of all, talking about it. My coworkers and I spent the first few minutes of lunch watching the youtube videos, reading the tweets and laughing hysterically.

What’s more is today their paid/promoted twitter trend had spilled over into unpaid, natural trends within hours. They have people organically talking everywhere about their brand. As a society today, we are inundated with ads all day long. We don't just want to be talked at, we want to be social. A brand needs to give us a reason to include them in our social networks. Old Spice has done this effectively. This is definitely one of the better ad campaigns I have seen in a while. Bravo.

Check it out on twitter and youtube now. Even if you hate it, or find it to be the most ridiculous ad campaign you've ever seen, you know you’re talking about it and you can't look away!

Ideally speaking, all ad campaigns would be this entertaining, no matter what they're selling. Now go watch some more Fabio on youtube....I know you're dying to!

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An upfront helpful software company. No joke!

2011-07-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Free Vocus Social Media Strategy App

I've just finished this amazing app produced by Vocus. Taking a total of 10 minutes, I literally clicked a few buttons, input all goals and details for OnlyGreen, and the program spit out a completely personalized, FREE Workbook! This is how they wowed me.

For starters, the application itself is incredibly visually appealing. It is interactive and creates a sort of 'fun' feeling that you don't always get during a software pitch. There are six spheres, each representing a different step in the process. As you click each one, they come alive on the screen and guide you though. You are then taken back out to the main screen to select the next step.

Throughout the process, I was able to select and then rank, goals, audience details, challenges and tactics that are specific to OnlyGreen. At the end of each step, a selection of resources (PDFs, whitepapers, etc) were displayed for me to choose from, knowing they would be available to be at the end.

After completing the 6th step, I was given a link to download my workbook. And it really was MY Workbook. It included all of the specifics I had input, along with measureables, learning and a ton of blank worksheets for each section, all wrapped up in a 35 page PDF! Don't get me wrong, this Workbook is still a sales tool. They have subtle of examples of how their solutions can help our business, but they have provided tremendous value regardless.

It's not too often that I feel the urge to gush about a product, especially marketing software, since it makes me look insanely geeky, but this was above and beyond needing a nod. Ideally, all software companies would be this helpful before they try to sell you their services.

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Just park next to George...

2011-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

I spent this past Saturday evening hanging out at the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival with my little sister-in-law, Alaina. We had a great time. The fireworks were pretty darn good...well at least by Mount Forest standards.

There was a mid-way with games, rides and all the cotton candy you could eat, plus a well packed beer tent, and of course, a lengthy fireworks display set to music and everything! Now, it's been 9 years since I attended this festival, so my enthusiasm might be overdone, but it's come a long way in that time! However, for as upscale as the fireworks festival may have been, you simply can't take the small town out of Mount Forest....

As we drove into the parking lot, paid our money and moseyed to the very back where there was paking left, a great moment occured. It was one of those moments that very quickly reminds you where you are and that it is in fact, a very small town. We approached the kind man who was directing usjust after he had finished directing (and chatting) with the big pickup in front of us. He peered in our window, said good evening and said we can park 'just over there, beside George' and proceeded to point in the general direction of all the rest of the vehicles. I stared back at him for a minute until he realized, then he corrected himself and said, 'by that big truck.'

I loved this. The first thought, which I quickly chuckled out loud to Alaina, was only in Mount Forest does this stuff happen. Only here does someone direct traffic in a several thousand person event by saying 'just over there, besside George.' And while smiling with the most pleasent mayberry smile no less! It was perfect.

It's a moment like this that reminds me why my husband and I decided to settle in a smaller community (though not nearly as small as Mount Forest....). Sure, we could have stayed in Barrie or commuted from just above Toronto like so many others, but we'd miss that small communtiy feel. Ideally speaking, everyone would think it's acceptable to direct traffic to park 'just over there, by George.'

Dedication to the cause.

2011-07-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

Do you ever get that overwhelming wave of motivation? Where you leave a place/meeting/event feeling so alive for the cause? This is the feeling I walk away with each and every time I get together with one particular group of individuals...

I just attended the Annual General Meeting for our Mothers Against Drunk Driving chapter in Barrie and Simcoe County. I walked in there knowing full well that I would be saying goodbye to the board position that I have held as Director of Youth and Education for the past four years (max term allowed to be served in the same board position). I was sad. Even though I have had a significant decrease in my participation since the arrival of my lovely little Lilly, I still feel a strong tie to the anti-impaired driving movement and to the people that make up our local MADD chapter.

I have been involved in the fight against impaired driving since I was 12 years old...yes, add that to the long list you read in my first post about me...It started out when I joined the OSAID (Ont. Students Against Impaired Driving) chapter at my jr/high school. I continued my involvement throughout high school and even ran the chapter for grade 11, 12 and OAC. I might add those were three of the chapters most successful years! I had attended the local MADD chapter as well and worked on bridging the gap between the Youth and Adult sections of this cause.

It was this connection that motivated me to seek out the local chapter after college and get re-engaged. MADD Barrie/Simcoe welcomed me with open arms and was incredibly grateful for my strong connection to OSAID and willingness to go directly into schools and work with Youth. I truly loved my position. It was as if there are two different groups, speaking very different languages (teen-speak vs parent-talk) and I was a translator :) It was because of all this that I was very sad to see the end to my board term.

I thought this would be it, I would move on and just become a regular volunteer for the time being. However, while doing our voting for the new positions, I realized we were going to be short a Director At Large...my hand shot up. I was powerless to stop myself. I have gotten to know this group of highly dedicated, caring and wonderful people and I can't imagine not being around them in a stronger capacity. They, Jason (now past pres), Sari (new pres), Kim (prev. past pres and all around chapter queen), and so many others, make you want to be there. Only a few members have been personally affected, while the rest of us simply want to help bring about change. Tireless hours and hard work are put in to ensure that the message is getting across. It is NOT ok to drink and drive. You CAN KILL someone, or ruin them/their family's life forever.

As I looked around the room from my new spot back at the head table, I can see Sari so happy that I stepped back onto board and with so many other new, eager and equally passionate board members, and I know that this is something I will ALWAYS be a part of.

Ideally speaking, this is how all organizations should make volunteers feel.

Welcome to Ideally speaking!

2011-07-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

Let me start off by saying I am not new to blogging. Just new to blogging for me! It is incredibly freeing to know I can write what I want, when I want, using as many opinionated statements as I so feel inclined!

I am a writer and a poet (I hope). I was first published at the tender age of 12…but that was in my itsy-bitsy hometown, so I don’t know how much clout that really earns me. I went on to further write for the town’s newspaper as an intern, and later as my school’s page editor. I have written a mix of poetry, journalism, short stories, screenplays and am currently tackling my first novel. This has been a slow process, but I'm sure will be a worth while experience.

I’m an avid marketer of anything I like and full time Marketing Manager for an amazing eco-friendly company called OnlyGreen. So it goes without saying that I also consider myself an environmentalist...I have the recycling symbol tattooed on my left wrist to prove it. There is an incredible rush that comes from finding something interesting, be it green, fashion, tech (for my no-so-inner geek), political or family oriented, and sharing it with the people in my network. It’s that ‘Check This Out!’ factor that makes a good find so much more worth it. I love the mass invasion of social media just for that reason! Share and share alike!

I am definitely an aspiring politician. I truly hope I never lose that. There are so few young Canadians with a strong interest in our country’s political system. Sad. I don’t know what level of impact that I will have on my county or it’s politics, but I know will have an impact none-the-less. That is enough for me. For the record…GO JACK GO! NDPs rule, just ask Quebec.

I am a social influencer in the making. I have suffered from the same level of facebook addiction as the rest of the world for many years. You figure it’s safe, everyone is doing it. But it’s true what they say, it is a gateway drug to larger commitments like twitter, blogger, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon or Readit. I am very quickly finding myself down the rabbit hole and lost in a digital world. My iPhone helps me obtain a regular fix throughout the day. There’s an app for that…and then some.

Now everything you have just read about me is all well and good, but none of it compares to the largest aspects of my life. I am a loving wife & deliriously happy new mother. They are my world, both online and off. It is incredibly cheesy to say that you don’t really know love until you become a parent, but it is true. It is truly the most wondering feeling being a mommy J She is the most incredible thing I have and will ever do! I don't think I can ever really put into words the immense love you feel instantly as a mother. As for my husband, we have so much in common and yet are completely different. I am overly social and love to interact with large crowds of new people. Him…ya not so much. However, at the end of the day after he has guarded the house and I have made new friends, we sit down to a bowl of popcorn and challenge each other to Jeopardy, watch Rick Mercer and the news and play scrabble….we’re very equally nerdy and I fear for my daughter’s cool factor as a result…

This is bliss.

Above all, I am mildly naïve & wildly idealistic. Peace on earth and all that jazz. I am well aware that this is both my best asset and my worst trait, but I embrace it nonetheless. So this is me, ideally speaking.