Three days after Mila turned one, she decided she was done with breastfeeding.  As in, refused to latch, pointblank, period. As in, turned her head AWAY from me - her mama, for the first time in 368 days. Basically she told me she's a big girl, done with my breasts, and ready to apply to uni across the country. Ok ok, so I'm being a bit dramatic. But in all honesty, I was completely devastated. I was certainly way more emotionally prepared for her first birthday, than this. No one had warned me; I wasn't given a heads up, nor a count...

Dear Mila, Tomorrow you will be one. It's hard to believe that exactly one year ago, you began your journey to join us and make us a happy family of three (plus Lexi). Sure I expected that life would change, but little did I know that I would also change; that I'd learn so much from such a tiny being, and that I was about to experience the greatest, most overwhelming love there is. The last few days have been extra slow in our house. Lots of snuggles, drawn out wake-ups in bed, and thanks to the beautiful weather - lots of backyard picni...

In the last year, I've gotten a little bit more serious with my sewing. By that I mean I've moved on from hemming pants and making table runners on a hand-me-down sewing machine that chewed my fabric 96% of the time. At the time, I was happy to have any machine, but needless (or should I say, needle-less? #momjoke) to say, it was high time to get a new one!  So, I finally got my own sewing machine. I chose the Singer Heavy Duty machine, based on price and reviews, and so far I am very pleased with it. I love that the bobbin just drops...

Happy Mother's Day! I know this day is difficult for many - those who are yearning to become mamas, those who are grieving their babies, those who are missing their own mamas, or have strained relationships with mamas or children. My heart goes out to those who struggle on days like today.  This is my first Mother's Day. My heart is so full - not just because I'm a mama, but also because I truly understand now, what my own mom has given me. Unconditional love, support, understanding, and endless sacrifices to ensure a better life for me. I'l...

Children are inherently curious and drawn to nature from a very early age. Like most babies, toddlers, and children I know and have taught, windows are a huge point of interest. Windows give way to so much fascination, curiosity, and wonder. In fact, when I taught in a Full Day Kindergarten classroom, one of our classroom windows was called the 'Wonder Window' - complete with a special frame the children made to make it even more inviting and wonder-full. Children can look and gaze out the window for long periods of time - there is so much to...

Well, spring has finally sprung around here! It has been rainy all week (in anticipation of April, I suppose), and our perennials have broken ground in our garden. We also have a bunny! I mean, (s)he lives outside, and only visits when our pup Lexi doesn't scare him off, but he's a regular and we love watching him hop around.  Mila is currently fascinated by all animals. Her eyes light up, and she flips her little hand as if to say, "what is that?" whenever she spots a squirrel, another dog, or of course, our backyard bunny. It's so ne...

If it were up to me, I would own every single children's book out there - the good, the bad, the old and the new. However things like budgeting and a mortgage exist, so I don't - haha. That being said, there is still a heavy rotation of books in our house so we never get bored (but we also love rereading our top faves). Our sweet babe is now 7 months old and although she mostly loves a good book chew, she also really enjoys being read to and makes it known when she likes/dislikes a story! Of course, there are tons of fabulous board b...