~Happy Birthday Love~

So it’s the hub’s birthday today...I’ve celebrated 9 of his last birthdays with him and boy have they changed...We use to celebrate by whooping it up with a night on the town with tons of friends ~ Then we had a few years where we lived abroad and now it’s come down to a McDonald’s brekki & if Noal behaves a nice dinner out...Gotta love life & the changes it brings...Happy Birthday my love- no matter how we celebrate I’m so happy you were born & you’re mine...

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Noal likes to know he's loved...

I think Noal is a happy baby- that being said I think a lot of babies are happy...But, this boy laughs at anything & besides my crib drama has been a delight...Here’s a video of our everyday life & how my Bubba lights up my world...Sorry for my annoying tone & constant “love you’s” but hope he brings a smile to your face...


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Pin Thirteen: My first 8/10 Quiche...

So I’m no Chef or as I like to say Cheft...For the most part the hubs cooks elaborate, complicated, delish dinners & when it’s my turn we have one of the five things I normally make: a chicken salad, shrimp pasta, grilled cheese, stir fry and on really special nights beans & toast...Now, I personally love those 5 meals and have no problem eating them as often as I need to...But the hubs is sick of them and claims he could go without ever eating a chicken salad again...
So, I have as of late been kicking it up a notch in the kitchen, with of course the help of Pinterest...I have so many “food” boards & the ideas are fantastic but the time to plan, make & prepare them seems to disappear with my motivation and passion to cook...I’d much rather eat a peanut butter toast than trouble myself with cooking or dishes when Craig isn’t home...

I've tried a few things so far from Pinterest & here is one that the hubs gave me an 8/10 for...I make him grade each meal I make with suggestions on how to cook it better or such so that I can learn as I go...

Pin Thirteen: My first 8/10 Quiche...

Here's my creation- I think the hubs gave me extra points for my creative pepper placement...I also put extra goat cheese- Sweet Jesus, I love me some goat cheese... 

Pin Thirteen was inspired by this:

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Pin Twelve: Just a twit walking in the rain...What a glorious feeling, I’m happy again...

I use to walk all the time when I lived in Dublin...I use to be somewhat fit & now I find myself jealous, in awe, & feeling bad for those devout work-outers...I’m jealous & in awe of those gals motivation- determination & strength...But, I also feel bad for them when I see them running in the rain & I’m pulling in to get a donut & a coffee to go home & watch a movie on my arse...I’m a softie right now...literally in every sense...I’m sooo unbelievably lazy, have no motivation & sometimes I feel carrying around the Bubs all day is a workout in itself...I mean walking around the block with the hubs & boys right now is leaving me huffing & puffing...Sad I know...

I liked that about living in a city...It kind of forces you to just walk everywhere...I loved that about Dublin- we use to walk to work every morning & night...Dublin was one of the best years of my life- I knew it at the time...I could just feel it...Just like I can feel it now- this moment with Craig & Noal- It’s gonna be one of my all time favs...Looking back Dublin & now will be times that shine brightly...

So, as mentioned when we lived in Dublin, every morning the hubs & I would walk to work...Now, ask any close friend of mine- I’m a gal who- the thought of walking in the rain, & the havoc it would do on my hair is something I try at all cost to avoid. So, living in one of the rainiest countries in the world at times had me trotting {my version of running- kind of a skippy trot}, wearing or holding jackets, shirts, bags, or papers covering my head & buying an abundance of umbrellas- I lose them a lot...well to be honest, I’d buy cheap ones at Penny’s and sometimes if I didn’t want to be bothered lugging them around all day/night I’d “leave” them  or “pass” them on for someone else caught up in the rain to find...Either way I definitely don’t love the rain, the gloominess it brings or the attendance record it had in Ireland...I do, however, love a rainy afternoon, cuddled up with a good book & cup of tea...Sheesh I’m ranting now & I can tell it might get worse before it gets back on track- Ireland does that to me...So back to the walking- we’d walk to & from work- and in turn got our exercise, explored this new fascinating city, & and it was easier than relying on trains, buses, or cabs...

When we first decided to move to Dublin, we both thought we’d aim for career type jobs but if we ended up getting work tending bar, we’d be okay & live it up regardless...We were big dreamers- right out of College & feeling the world at our fingertips...I ended up getting two jobs back to back...The first job was for the famous Gresham Hotel on O’Connell Street... I was an executive assistant to the boss man...What a Irish gentleman he was...That was a fabulous job in itself & I worked there for about 2 weeks- I probably would have had a great experience working there but I interviewed at a national newspaper & can remember shaking and jumping {sometimes when I’m beyond excited I do a little jump up and down cause I simply can’t contain myself} when I got the call & the job...It was a job in the field I went to college for- I was interested, it was a great salary & I’d be working with management right away...It was an awesome experience, challenging to boot & I met some of the loveliest people I will ever meet in life...

The hubs on the other end had to change his field completely- He came from a psychology degree & the social work scene I believe would have been harder area to get into...His first job was a no go for me...I had started at the paper by then & he had gotten a gambling call centre sales rep type job- It was okay pay but the hours were 11 pm till 7 am- So, just as I’m going to sleep he’s heading out to work- Wasn’t gonna work from the get go in my mind...

On really rainy days when I’d take the bus I’d be lucky to see him walking home from his night shift from the bus window- He’d look up at me, with his adorable face & blow me a kiss...I use to think this was terribly romantic at the time...And I’d be listening to a James Blunt song so that really made it all the sweeter in my 24 year old head...I can remember being just so in love with him, with where we were & with my life...This is exactly how we found our wedding song...I heard it for the first time on the bus when he starred up at me & grinned- I could barely breath because the words John Legend was singing was sooo true of what I felt for Craig...That night we both laid down on our tiny bed, in our tiny one room apartment, each with an earphone attached to my tiny iPod, holding hands & being so deeply happy...Hearing those words again on our wedding day when I became his wife was extraordinary...I really do adore this boy...

Anyways, because of the hours, me feeling scared in a downtown {Parnell Street for those Dubliners} not greatest neighbourhood & us moving across the world to explore it together- he quit & thankfully got a wonderful opportunity with Grandore Business Centres & absolutely loved working & learning from his entrepreneurial boss...We often wonder what our lives would be if his dad never got sick, if we didn’t move to his hometown, if we didn’t completely switch career fields {me from journalism to human resources & the hubs from psychology to now becoming a certified financial planner- that’s a hard designation to obtain & my hubs did it in one shot- he’s a rockstar...We sometimes wonder would we still be in Ireland & what we would be doing...When I’m really day dreaming I wish that my media career switched from print to tv- Working for RTE or Sky1 would have been fabulous...

Okay so whole point of blog- Was to get me off my lazy arse...Got way off track there with Ireland- I tend to do that when I’m talking about my time there...It’s kind of like a romantic lost love...You think back extremely fondly, get lost in memories & miss a little part of them...So, on that note Pin Twelve is a memory too lovely to not share: A picture of the bridge I'd walk everyday to & from work...

So right, back to getting er done...Besides not fitting into my wedding dress 4 months before the wedding & having to trim er down because the dress was made out of lace & it wasn’t an option to let it out...I worked my arse off more than I ever have in that case...But since Ireland & my wedding I haven’t really done too much- So, I gotta get doing something again...A walk around the block with the fam should not tire me out...

So this is a big ShoutOut: to the ladies out there who are strong, healthy & getting er done...Your facebook status’s about running marathons, losing pds, eating healthy all make me feel like a slob and a half...But thank you for showing me you can do it...I’m gonna get on it this time...This blog kind of makes me accountable in a weird way- I know I posted this 10 day eat clean pledge & exercises but really I failed that miserable...If it weren't for the blog I’d continue to start something for a few days and then give up constantly, but writing it out for all to see makes me realize what a twit I am...

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Operation Ellen ~ Video Three

Well, I’m  really running out of ideas here to get Ellen’s attention...I went as far as surprising the hubs at work to get his thoughts on the matter...Friends do you have any ideas?

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Battle Continues....

Mummy~Hood: Well I spoke or wrote too soon- As soon as I posted this blog, Noal was up & at em & ready for a battle...From 10 pm till 12 he fiddled in his crib- constantly trying to climb out, screaming or playing contently but not sleeping...Finally at 12:30 exhausted myself, I climbed on back in the crib & he fell asleep in minutes...I slept beside him again on my couch cushions & he woke up a few times throughout the night but had no problem when I’d put him back in the crib...Finally though at like 7 am after a few wakings & a tired mumma- we slept cuddled in on the couch cushions...

Next Night: We did the routine again but this time instead of screaming or crying he just wanted to climb & get up for a good 45 minutes...The past few days he has been on the go more than ever before- using anything possible to pull himself up to a standing position- He’ll than look over at us like he’s so proud of what he accomplished...

Same goes in the crib- he’ll pull himself up & then be so darn happy you can’t help but smile at him...This picture is in the dark around 10 pm after trying to get him to sleep for a good while...

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I'm soft, I know it & I'm okay with it...

Mummy~Hood:
So, a few of you have asked how goes Operation: Get Noal in his crib....As mentioned in my Yipppeee post, Noal has got the nap thing down...I thought after my roadie with Couver I’d be back at square one but thankfully Noal remembered & went to sleep for naps in his crib with no problems....

Last night however, was my first go of getting him to sleep in the crib overnight...Again, I kept pushing it off as long as I could & used Mother's Day as my last go of it...Writing this is hard because my whole left side is kinked & my little stumpy legs are still numb from the experience...I did the routine, you know- bath, cuddle, read, ning...But as soon as I laid him in the crib he went off...Just lost his mind- screaming even though I was right there with my hand on his chest through the crib rails...He just wasn’t haven’t it...I tried for a good hour- of him not really crying more like screaming- letting me know he was not having it...He is sooo stubborn & he really is a drama queen...I believe he gets that from the hubs...Speaking of the hubs, I then got him to give it a go & after listening to Noal still going mental I couldn’t do it...So in I go- back in the crib like I did when teaching him to nap...He cuddled right in to me & fell asleep...Stinking, smart little monkey...Then I tried to crawl out of the crib without waking him- tougher than it may seem...Even then I couldn’t leave him alone on his first night...So, I made myself a little bed of couch pillows & such & slept beside him so when he woke he knew I was still right there...Thankfully, he only woke up twice & I got him back to sleep in the crib within minutes each time...Holding his little hand through the rails...

Tonight we did the same little routine and when I went to put him down in the crib he gave a half hearted little protest but within seconds was sleeping...I’m planning to sleep on my couch cushions again tonight just so he’s comfortable, feels safe & knows I'm there...Well worth the kinked up neck in my mind...I know some must find me crazy & way too soft...But, I can’t help it...I really can’t...I just keep thinking he's only this little once & it's already going by faster than I ever could have imagined...So what if I have to rock him to sleep- those moments with him will be with me for life...

On other Noal updates: As mentioned he is on the move & life has taken on a new form of busy...He's into everything & everyday he seems to do something different...What an amazing gift watching someone grow up...He still loves sticking out his tongue almost like it's a trick now...

He of course has a zillion toys but loves Deac's water dish the most...

We also got lucky & friends gave us their swingset for our backyard...Took some getting use to!

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Didn't realize how special my first would be...

Today is my first Mother’s Day & the hubs went over the top to make it special...Who knows what bloody time he woke up to get everything ready but he made me feel like the best mum in the world & loved beyond belief from my boys...     

My lovely day started with a sleep in & cuddle with my boys & brekki in bed...I’ve lately been lovely up McDonald's lattes- so the hubs got me one to go along with his homemade muffins & apple butter {who makes apple butter- my lovely boy!}...

After that we went on a lovely drive trying to find a spot to have a picnic because the Provincial Park the hubs originally thought was still closed...Now you need to understand that this is not your average picnic friends...My hubs is over the top wonderful...He made from scratch some of my favourite things: Reuben Sammy’s with homemade thousand island, homemade coleslaw, deviled eggs & fresh mint ice tea...Isn’t he the absolute greatest thing...So sweet and so special and so delish...I’m a lucky girl...

Having Noal & being a mum has been the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life...I can’t wait to celebrate many more mum’s days especially when Noal is old enough to make handmade cards & little prezzies...I remember as a little girl being so excited to make them for my mum...I now realize why she treasured those things & still keeps them...Priceless gifts for sure...

So Happy Mum’s Day to all you beautiful mum’s out there...And a big ShoutOut to mine...Love you Mum & wish I was home to go for lunch with you...Missing you..xoxo

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Operation Ellen ~ Video Two

Well here’s Operation Ellen-Video Two...I wonder how many I’m going to have to make?

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Bubs is on the move...

Life is about to get extremely busy...My baby boy finally got the concept of crawling forward- Up to this point he was rolling, crawling backwards, or scooting to get where he wanted...Now he’s full on racing to things like his puppy’s water dish...So thankful I got to catch his first “steps” crawling...

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Road Tripping with Two Cute Babes...

Just got back from a little roadie with Couver & our babes...For two, 9mth old’s, I gotta say they were pretty great in the car {except Noalene the last hour or so on the way home}, at restaurants, even shopping for hours on end...Her little doll Charlotte is so sweet, calm & relaxed...Noal is definitely more stubborn, loud & loves getting attention...Everywhere we went he was smiling or laughing at someone, such a little flirt...I definitely noticed a difference between little girls & little boys...It was so cute seeing them together for a couple days...Watching them play & "talk" to each other was just about the cutest thing ever, until we gave them a bath & seeing their little bums just about killed us...Charlotte was all smiles & calm in the bath & of course, Noal was loud, excited & thought splashing Charlotte was the funniest thing he could do... 

Our whole reason for the trip was for little Charlotte...She was recently diagnosed with Plagiocephaly & we were going to SickKid's in Toronto so she could see a specialist...Couver received good news & the treatment seems to be working so thank God for that, but being there seeing children terminally ill really broke my heart. The hospital itself is fantastic but I found myself really emotional after being there...Sweet Jesus, I really don't know how I would ever deal with things if Noal got seriously ill- To all those parents who unfortunately have to, the strength & love you have for your children is inspiring...I felt so helpless being there, but at least I know where the Hubs & I will be donating to now... 

Couver & I also indulged in some great eats: Taco Bell, gnocchi, sushi, delish apps, Rocky Mountain carmel covered apples & of course more cake pops & Starbucks than anyone humanly should consume in 3 days...No judging right? And I'll get back on track one of these days...

Here’s some pics from our little trip...

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Fired again...Forced to launch Operation Ellen...

So I’d give anything to take a bit longer to spend with my Bubs...But financially it doesn’t make sense for our family...That being said, I have to go back to work in August...I thought – well delusional dreamed that once I started the blog, that it would just take off...I didn’t really know too much of the blog world and I thought I was being so open & so creative...But in reality, everyone is doing just that....So, before I discovered the beauty of blogging & this whole creative community I just too confidentially thought what I was doing was new...But it’s sooo not- people have been doing it for awhile and have such amazing sites, ideas & photos...All I got is me...Truly...I don’t have an amazing talent that I’m teaching others about- like hair, fashion, or cooking....I don’t really have any all inspiring thoughts and my photos are from a blackberry torch that I constantly have to super glue together {wishing beyond belief for an iphone} and a spanxed camera....SideNote: About this spanxed camera....My fabulous friend & Guest Blogger, Matthew Montgomery will be sharing soon a story just too funny to not laugh out loud...He promised me after the night he’d never tell a soul...Yet I've personally caught him numerous times feeding the story to a crowd...It’s one of his all time favs...

Anyways, the point is I was beyond confident and maybe I really do dream in rainbows & butterflies, but I just really didnt have a clue...And to boot, besides the piss poor photos, missing talent & ideas, my writing is ridiculous...I know it- I just write how I talk- take it or leave it...I’m sure for some of you dear friends, at this point, you want to ring my neck about my writing style...to those literary geniuses...loosen up...don’t judge....just don’t think about it and enjoy...

So in my delusion- I beefed up the concept in my mind, that I would be making moula off the blog...you know sponsors or advertisers...So, I signed up for Googles Ad Sense & agreed to this bloody long agreement without realizing what gets you “fired” so to speak...Well, looks like I got fired...I looked up my site a lot on my phone & friends might have clicked ads- I’m not 100% sure...either way- I didn’t have a lot of money- maybe close to $45...Anyways, she’s a gone & I’m a fired...I’ve only been fired once in my life when Laurs & I worked for a Greek Community Banquet Hall & pretended to be Greek...Good times!!! Once the manager caught me pretending to “talk” Greek to the drunk old men, I was a gonner...

Then my other idea -Operation Ellen seemed to be brilliant in my head- but once I saw how ridiculous I look in the videos & realize just how many people try to get her attention that got a bit deflated too...But if I'm putting it all out there on the blog, I might as well follow through...So please, no judging...Trust me I feel as much a tool, as you think I am in the videos...So, here goes...Operation Ellen- Video One:

Also, big ShoutOut to my lovely sister-in-law & Guest Blogger Ash, for her creative ideas, videography skills & listening to me dream up silly ideas like this...

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t5...The watermelon smash still gets me...

t5...So this is my first t5 post {t's tinsel town tv talk} & I'm not really sure why it's taken me so long as I'm slightly obsessed with shows...So a few quick thoughts:

• Are you watching Revenge??? Loving up this show but it's one of the ones the hubs won't watch- so I'm constantly catching up online...
• New Girl in my opinion is as funny as Modern Family- Both shows have amazing writing, funny characters & make me happy in my heart...
• American Idol is losing me...I stay tuned in kinda but more out of loyalty than out of real love for the show...The hubs & I even use to have a big cribbage tourney & the winner got first pick...He has beaten me for like 8 years & only really watched the show and such because he loves me...But this year he gave me first pick of the pones without winning & my heart's not really into it anymore...
• I will however replace this void with X Factor- When Craig & I lived in Ireland we got wrapped up in the British show & I was beyond excited for that witty Simon to bring it here...
• I'm also tuning in to Fashion Star when I can stay up till 10...My fav designer so far is definately Nzimiro...
• Amazing Race is one I watch cause I do actually like it & cause it's a show me & the hubs watch together...The watermelon smash a few seasons made me laugh like nothing else...Weird right?
• I would have loved to see Rachel shave her head in the fast forward & I was sad to see Mark & Bopper go home...Would you have shaved your head???
• The Real Housewives of Vancouver has started & it's a hoot to watch...Are these woman serious??
• And lastly, I am pretty pumped for the Bachelorette to return with Emily...I found her overly almost fake-sweet, absolutely gorg & think the men will be all about her...Should make for an interesting season finally...

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Yipppppeeeee....

Mummy~Hood: We are getting there- with our own little "sleep" method...So Noal has had 3 naps in his crib!!! Today he only fussed for about 5 minutes before cuddling up to his mouse/rat & drifting away...We're at the point where I have to sit beside the crib and keep my hand on his chest or hold his hand until he falls asleep...I'm okay with this...Maybe we'll get to the point where I don't have to do this but really I don't mind one bit...

Next week me & Couver are going to Toronto for a few days with our babes- But, I’m thinking I might take on the night time battle after that...I have mixed feelings about it- I'm so happy that he’s finally learning to sleep on his own...But sad that he’s growing up oh so fast...I had to put a bunch of clothes away that are too small- why is this such a sad thing for mummas?

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