Blog Worthy?

The longer I go between posts, the harder it is getting to end this hiatus. I am constantly questioning myself... Is this blog worthy? The nattering voice at the back of my daily activities is verging on sounding as neurotic as Elaine from the Seinfeld episode "The Sponge."

It probably doesn't help that I am devoting all my computer time to my gossip addiction. My life could not come anywhere close to being as interesting as the celebrities that are dodging the paparazzi and filling the columns with their drunken debauchery. I may have to do something drastic like get a tattoo or force myself to get pregnant. Oh that Gwyneth sure has a way with words.

Thankfully I spied a challenge from Sweetney. She asked for everyone to Come As You Are. When I saw Assertagirl and Motherbumper were already on it, I knew this was a bandwagon to jump on.

Enïd could hear the sound of my camera phone snapping from her next-door office. I took the deny route when she called over, "Are you taking pictures of yourself?" There was no fooling her. She knew better because we traveled to Vancouver and Austin where she came to know my love affair with my camera. Hey, I'm not as bad as Miley. Well at least I wear more clothes. Earlier tonight there were some girls standing beside me at The Raconteurs that were preoccupied with smoking dope while taking photos of themselves rather than paying attention to the band. Now those girls definitely have more of that self-loving Miley attitude.

I am just happy that you cannot see the top of my head in this photo because I have taken an even longer hiatus from colouring my hair.

Recycled

Now for the really bad joke of the day:

Why was Strawberry sad?

Because her mom was in a jam.

(Thanks. I'm here all week.)

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If you are thinking about going to Blog Friends Fest, check out all the new information! Ooooh what fun... Plus there is a survey. When you add your thoughts ~ Presto ~ BFF will magically turn into the most awesome blogging haven in the East this July! Don't be scared away by my jokes. I pinky swear promise that I am much funnier after a few shots of liquor.

Two's a Charm

No one promised that having babies was easy. Well maybe Paris Hilton did but she has yet to become a parent and will have a team of nannies to correct her mistakes when the time comes so we cannot go by what Paris may or may not offer up.

I have luckily already gone through the sleepless part of two and I am thrilled to pieces that we may be on the verge of being completely out of diapers. Saying things like that as part of a baby shower for some wonderful ladies that are about to give birth is about as smart as something that comes out of Paris Hilton. My apologies. Let's start this post over again.

Dear Mrs. Chicky, Mrs. Chicken and Her Bad Mother,

You are at that magical point in your family when you go from one child to two. I remember trying to get tons of special time in with my first born before the second one made her grand appearance. Little did I realize that Strawberry was not going anywhere. We still have plenty of time together to bond as I do with my youngest Buttercup. Everything seems to multiply when you add another baby to the mix. The fun, kisses and hugs, the plastic sea of toys, the laundry and the not so fun tantrums.

There is a time for adjusting to having another person in the family. These growing pains go by quickly. I barely remember how Strawberry would jump on my back and try to hug me with the tightest squeeze whenever I was holding Buttercup.

Being the older sister meant lavishing attention on the roly-poly new baby. Placing kisses on little toes can abruptly turn into a sudden jealous bite. It's confusing having this new sibling at first but the love comes rushing to the surface.

I remember worrying that if one woke up crying that the whole family would be crying a chorus of tears through the long night. Thankfully that was unnecessary worrying. I keep my children so tired that when one wakes up in the middle of the night, the other sleeps like a rock.

I quickly discovered that having two children means that you will always have at least one angel. Whenever one decides to act up, the other goes pie eyed with pure innocence and looks at the other like they could never display behaviour that naughty even if it was their turn five minutes ago.

As the little one learns all the same tricks as the first has mastered like holding their head up, sitting, talking, walking and running well then the real fun begins. Seeing my children happily play together is worth all those growing pains. Hearing my children sing together makes my heart just about explode. I can see their bond and know even though they are going to have plenty of trying arguments, there will be even more hugs. The two of them are going to be the other's anchor, cheering each other on and sticking together through thick and thin.

Life with two is a dance party. Load up your MP3 player's ladies and let the good times roll.

Warm and fuzzy

Kgirl wrote 7 lbs, 7 oz about the differences she's discovered in her daughters and the perfect love that she has for both of them. She wrapped her words into such a beautiful piece that I must present to her a Perfect Post Award.

Having a child is awe-inspiring. My eyes and my heart opened. I think that in having a second child that I never realized that there would be more to discover. I probably assumed that I was doubling the love and the experience. It's within their differences that my world expands.

Over at Petroville and Suburban Turmoil you will find some of the best posts of April!

No Kisses

Finally, after what feels like forever, I'm feeling better. Since I've been so run down and stressed I got not one, but two cold sores. So attractive. I want to hide in my house for a week. I'm embarrassed to even go to the coffee shop. I've been so busy that I've managed to hide behind my computer. Fortunately the awesome people that I work with have been delivering coffee and sustenance to keep me going.

I have been having a super hard time holding back the kisses to my girls. After few days of big hugs, I was struck by a revelation. I had not once stopped myself from planting a big one on my husband. While we are a touchy feely couple we are not kissy kissy. I think when I am healed, I'm going try and work on this. Kisses make everything better.

Since I am in hiding out mode, I received an advance copy of Petite Anglaise by Catherine Sanderson. I would love nothing more than to lounge in my backyard with a frosty beverage and devour this novel.

If you live in the Toronto area and would like your own copy email me at cmcreate[at]gmail[dot]com.

There is a bonus to this offer, as you will also get an invitation to a blogger's brunch launch party on Friday, June 6th. Say that three times fast and this is going to the first three people who are fast!

You can look for this book in stores as of June 17th and check out Catherine's blog petite anglaise.

Evidence

She came to the city.

So we showed her a good time.

We had to share stories.

We took this time to bond.

We might have had a couple drinks.

They graciously smiled while my flash blinded these lovelies.

One of the most popular drinks of the night was Perrier.

The memories will last longer this way and the photos are worth a million bucks!

Sorry that I didn't capture all the beauties!

(Kind of) Wordless Wednesday
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March Bender

I had every intention of blogging through SXSW this year but then I decided not to take my computer with me. Miraculously I survived almost five whole days without the internet. Withdrawal from not being attached to my email plenty of free drinks left me woozy but my time was packed full of fine fun.

Texas was blazing hot! Let me tell you that rock and roll marinated in booze, BBQ and heat does not smell so pretty. However there really is no other place in the world like Austin during SXSW. The sounds of guitars come at you from every direction. The energy is dynamic. Scheduling which bands that I wanted to see was trickery particularly on the Friday evening.

I made a last minute attempt to connect my newly upgraded cell phone into Twitter but success was not mine. Instead I text messaged Colin. I think he enjoyed playing secretary by recording my updates. (Thanks Hun!) Like the time that I went to The Velveeta Room to hear a singer songwriter from Vancouver and who ended up at our table but Elijah Wood! He has very stunning, pretty features. He seemed spectacularly sweet, taking time to pose for photos with numerous women. If you'd like my take on the music from the festival check out Pop Rocks.

The icing on the cake was when I enjoyed dining on Mexican food with honest to goodness, divine Texans, Kyla and Julie and another Canadian gal NotSoSage! I was full of beans and over the moon. Put a few bloggers around a table and you have the most stimulating conversation on a whole slew of subjects from politics to celebrities and everything in-between.

This past weekend I got to share some imported beverages with Metro Mama and our spouses before we spent an evening with the Foo Fighters. Not only are they one of the best bands in the universe, but Dave Grohl is a witty genius. The last time that I had the pleasure of having a conversation with Dave was back in 1999, but I think we were meant to be best friends.

Other than all the music, drinks and sweet blogger merriment that has filled my days, I also joined in on concocting ways to have more, more, more... Two brilliant friends and I opened some wine and shared laughter while we thought of a way that will make a weekend in July the ticket to so many smiles that I anticipate the possibility of a few new wrinkles from incredible happiness.

That is the kind of glow that you don't want to wipe away with botox. Blog Friends Fest is open to all, plus smiles are free so please say that you are in!

Drum Roll Please

A special thank you to Eugene and Enïd, the Director of cue cards, everyone who entered and Picnik for giving me something to give away. Congrats to the winners!

Bottled Up

I took all my thoughts and put them into a bottle. It was floating in the ocean until a giant whale came along and swallowed it. They now sit idle in a whale's belly. Sorry whale for causing you indigestion or constipation.

I have been fighting the urge to put everything into draft mode and go quietly into the night but that would not be conducive to having more fun with some of my favourite people. Plus I'm thinking of Posey.

Here's to hoping that regular posting will resume in good time.

Heart Warming

Oh most beautiful Internets,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

You are always there. As if by magic, you know exactly what I need. You lift me up when I am feeling low. You wrap me in comfort with acceptance. I am never alone because somewhere out there you are sitting and staring back at the glow of a computer screen. Somehow you stumbled your way here and then sometimes you even make your back!

For that I give you my undying love.

xoxo...



That makes me feel a bit dirty. What is this blog turning into? Oh my!

Okay, this one is a little more heartwarming.

It's Not Always Smiles and Giggles

First things first. Thank you to everyone who left the most awesome, thoughtful, intelligent comments on my last post. The understanding and support that this medium holds amazes me. I colour the people that come by my little spot happy shades because you all brighten my blue.

There is certainly enough guilt to go around for everyone. I am over thinking things. If I wasn't thinking, I would be exercising and that would just be frightful.

Now on to new business... Have you seen Jon and Kate Plus 8? They have twin six-year-old daughters and a set of sextuplets that are three. They have eight times the madness. Eight is enough. No actually eight is unimaginable. They have a remarkably clean house and even more wondrous is that they get all the children dressed and they leave the house. They go out! I get tired just thinking about it. Not to mention that they have a camera crew recording the daily insanity. I would lose.my.mind. I'm in awe. I have huge admiration for these parents.

A few more of us and we could rule the roost!

There are days when two parents and two children leave us feeling matched. Other days make me wish to become octopus like and grow eyes in the back of my head. Negotiating with two in public can drain you faster than a keg at fraternity party. However nothing can stop a Mom About Town. Metro Mama has given me a prime slot to share a day out in the city.

I can barely lift my arms to the keyboard. It seems that walking around the Science Centre taking turns holding our daughters is a great work out. Before heading over to KidSpark, we thought we would tour through the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition.

Continue reading here...

Expanding Our Family

It is babies, babies and more babies in 2008. Our family is growing!

Our Jewel Cichlids are doing all the breeding in our house but that is not the case for mothergoosemouse. Her virtual baby shower is happening today!

As we both have two daughters, our lives have probably resembled each others, a mix of pink and purple ponies and princesses. Julie will soon have something baby blue, the adoration of a beautiful boy.

The only real advice that I can offer to you on your third child is don't eat your small fry. I have been watching our fish gobble up many of their babies. It seems their offspring make a nice snack. To say that I find this disturbing is an understatement.

Soon your daughters can help dress up their little brother in cute outfits. They will share their hilarious humour. Your home is sure to be filled with laughter and love and that is the best kind of home that there is!

Fly Like An Eagle

I hide in bloglines

when it is delurking day.

Is it safe to surf?

But next time around

I promise to leave my mark

With just: "I was here!"

I can't spare a square

I am stuck in deadline hell

Time keeps on slippin...

With 131 feeds and 111 subscriptions, I am very likely reading your blog. It's a case of too much reading and not enough commenting. I will work on this. Pinky swear. If only I could buy time. I can't bring myself to unsubscribe to anyone. Do you edit your reading list regulary? Mine keep growing and growing probably until my head explodes.

Secret Agents

Hey, look way up! I think we've been Motherbumpered.

Ooooh-weee! I could stare at this new design for hours. Hmmm... Mom seems to have a soft spot for 70's wallpaper. This retro thing she's got going on sure is pretty. Strawberry, are we children of the zero's?

No, I'd prefer to call this the decade of the double O's. That's secret agent code.

What do you think Buttercup? Does my princess disguise work better now or what?

Will Blog For Bananas

Last year this time I was giddy and singing.

"Everyday, everyday, everyday I write the blog."

This year I am relieved.

I have to say I have been whipping some of these late night posts out with zero brainpower and I am afraid it shows. Badly. Seriously I should have hired a monkey.

My favourite posts this month that likely got lost among the filler were an ode to Buttercup, pondering marriage and of course a video of our girls wish lists from the big guy, the one and only person who has the power to get them to put their toys away. That's right. Santa won't bring any more toys if they are not all put away nice and tidy. I have to make that work for at least forty five days a year.

Probably the best thing I wrote this month was one of the rare comments that I left:

"Most children are afraid of Santa. There is something about that jolly man with his white beard and red suit that is scary. On the other hand, children from around the world flock to Brad Pitt. I say we change the image of Santa to Brad Pitt. Women will be lining up from coast to coast to sit on his lap."

This was in response to this post.

Now that December is upon us, I will concentrate on getting more intelligent thought on to this page. Hopefully it will occur a little more regularly but obviously it is something that cannot be forced.

An extra special thank you to those that continue to pay me a visit and ooey, gooey sweet cookies to those that leave me a few words. I am forever in debt to you!

By the way, I don't even like bananas.

Photo Booth

Here you will find me striking a pose at the Dove Party at BlogHer '07 in Chicago with super models the Chocolaty Birthday girl and Motherbumper! Let's just say that glass of red wine was not a prop.

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Push It

There's nothing like taking advantage of the time change and waiting for the last few minutes of NaBloPoMo day four to keep the thrill intense.

My need for sleep almost won. It almost always does. Like last night in the movie theatre with my husband and George Clooney. His cooler than ice character rolled nicely with the gripping story line. The drama was filled with double-edged dialogue more cruel than violence. Couple that with a few jump out of your seat moments and you got yourself a fantastic blockbuster.

It was so quiet in the movie theatre that I was afraid that munching on popcorn would be too noisy for the person next to me. Forget about trying to unwrap candy.

I felt overwhelmingly tired as I ran errands this morning but got a burst of energy being surrounded by some lovely women this afternoon. We wanted to celebrate kgirl and nomotherearth's bundles of joy. Nomotherearth's baby decided to be born yesterday, likely in consideration of his mom, so that she can soon pour herself a big glass of red wine.

Kgirl looked absolutely radiant in her last few days of pregnancy. I encouraged everyone to eat chocolate mice from Frangipane Patisserie. There was never a lull in the conversation being surrounded by such enchanting women.

I still have one million things that I have to do before the end of this weekend. Definitely a lot more than one extra hour is going to buy me.

Go Team!

Did I ever tell you that I love you, sweet internets? I do! To clarify I'm talking about the most awesome people that take the time to comment. The support given is mind blowing. Of course if you encouraged me to jump off a bridge, I would listen to you because your power is invincible.

I have officially signed up for the November blogging challenge. I'm #679. Yes, I'm now reduced to a NaBloPoMo number. This is where I go all cheerleader on your ass and with boundless enthusiasm add "You can do it too!" Or would you rather I woo you with my seductive voice? "The water's warm. Come on... You know you want to..." I'll save the begging for later but by golly there are prizes to be won! Of course there is the blog bling.

In other news, a very happy Irish potato head is being held by Australian customs officers. Upon its arrival down under, nearly 300 grams of ecstasy was discovered inside the toy. That Mr. P. Head is probably facing life imprisonment. Who knew he was such a bad boy?

Wee Willie Winkie Day

You might have noticed that I am in training for next month. I don't want to sign up before I know that I can handle the commitment because I cannot subject myself to failure. I don't need anything that will make me think badly about myself. Then again, how proud can I be if I'm just throwing out odds and ends, like ummm... today? I'm pressed for time so I admit that I'm whipping this up.

Delurking makes me think of a creepy Scot running through the town in his night gown.

So go on... tell me if I should sign up for nablopomo. Are you?

Or let me know about a fabulous online store. In all things pink related: The mighty Canadian dollar could buy a lot of Chick Chocolates. One hundred percent of the profits from the Survivor Chick sales go to Athena Partners to continue the fight against women's cancers. That sounds like guilt free chocolate!

"Hey Willie. If I give you this flower, can I stay up past eight o'clock?"

Altered

This past month I started sharing on Google Reader. It has enabled me to be in complete awe at the sheer volume of perfect posts that are out there. Lisa b's post "Different" brought me back to December 20, 2002.

It was the Friday before Christmas. I was home early that day when the phone rang. It is crazy how your life can change simply by answering the phone. It was my doctor saying that there were some indicators in my test results warning that my pregnancy was abnormal. Being that I was 19 weeks along we would be rushed into genetic counseling.

On Christmas Eve we sat in the same building as Lisa where we were told frightening numbers. The odds that our first child would have Trisomy 18 were not good. Due to the fact that only a small percentage of babies survive the full term and then typically only live a few days, the counselor explained how we could terminate the pregnancy. I left scared, confused, discouraged and feeling all alone.

I remember walking though my neighbourhood. The houses were all lit up with twinkling lights while I felt pregnantly empty. I was completely disconnected with everyone and everything. We immediately scheduled an amnio to confirm if the ultrasound and the blood work were correct. That January was the longest month of my life. The next altering phone call came on January 30th when we were given the all clear.

Lisa's description of her own Different experience is chilling. She is a strong woman and I admire her deeply.

Please visit Petroville and Suburban Turmoil for all of September's Perfect Posts.

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You may have noticed that I'm going pink!

This month I'm turning this blog pink. I'll be educating myself regarding issues related to breast cancer. Stay tuned as I increase awareness and uncover some interesting information.