Thursday, August 30, 2012

Here's to You and Me Mommas!

Yesterday a friend of mine posted a link to a blog. As soon as I read it, it really spoke to me. It was this blog entry. It was just written by another mom, but what she had to say meant so much to me. My favorite quote from it is
"You are a good mom. You matter. You are making a difference.
You can do this. One step, one day, at a time."
This is my new mantra and from here on in I am going to try my very best to live by it.

I realized after reading this that my stress is rooted in trying to be everything to everyone and have everything perfect. Well, nothing is ever going to be perfect, there will always be moments when things go wrong. And you know what? A little dust on the shelves, a little paint spattered on the wall from finger painting or a pile of laundry that didn't get done yesterday...or today doesn't matter in the end. What matters most is that my kids are happy, truly happy and they have a mom that treats them well and doesn't get frustrated over the trivial things in life. I need to be here for my children to teach them and love them not to get frustrated with them.

I think there is too much pressure put on moms to be perfect and keep the house (and their kids) sparkling clean, have the laundry washed, folded and put away, the kids fed and entertained and supper ready when hubby comes home. The lady that wrote the blog entry is correct though- people don't realize how much work it takes to be a mom and handle even just the day to day stuff that comes along with your job. Us moms deserve a pat on the back more often than we get one! Being a mom is a 24 hour job, you don't get time off for a sick day or a break when it's bedtime because you never know when you child will wake up sick or with nightmares or just need a drink or snuggle. I am making it my mission to start patting my friends who are moms who really deserve it on the back more often and all of the husbands, boyfriends, partners and kids out there reading this should do the same.

Starting yesterday the way I live my life changed and I decided that I am not going to sweat the small stuff. And starting yesterday I noticed happier kids, a happier hubby and a happier me too!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Banana Yogurt Pancakes

I'm sharing another one of our family favorite recipes. I took a recipe from the Food Network and altered it a bit to suit our tastes. After some experimentation, I found the perfect combination of flavours. So, here are my favorite banana yogurt pancakes. I usually make a double recipe and stick a bunch in the freezer for quick breakfasts!

1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup vanilla greek/balkan yogurt
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
2 extra-large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Unsalted butter
2 ripe bananas, diced, plus extra for serving
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
Maple syrup

Whisk together the yogurt, milk, eggs and vanilla.

- Add the flour, baking powder and salt and stir until just mixed. Add chocolate chips if you are using them.

Melt a small amount of butter in the pan.

Use a ladle and pour a couple of Tablespoons of batter per pancake onto pan/griddle

Lay banana slices into batter in pan and cover with a little more batter.

Cook until bubbles form around the edge of pancakes then flip and cook until browned.

Serve with maple syrup and banana slices.

I even made a few tiny ones for Abbey and she loved them!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Breast is Best

I saw this quote somewhere online and had to make my own little picture featuring Abbey. The picture is of her when she was only a few weeks old, passed out after a big drink of "boob milk".

7 1/2 months of exclusively breastfeeding and still going strong!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Yogurt Cones

Our oldest daughter Ceili is all about the snacks. If she could eat snacks for meals, she would be all over it!

Tonight I made her favorite snack before bed. She thinks it's a huge treat, but it's really fairly healthy! All you need is yogurt and an ice cream cone. If you have fruit and sprinkles it's even better. Just fill the ice cream cone with yogurt and fruit and top it off with a few colorful sprinkles. Yum!

As you can see by the photo, she is quite pleased with her snack.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Moody Mommy

I've been compiling this post for a few weeks in my head, but haven't had the chance to put it all down into words in here. I have finally admitted to myself and my family that I need to get some counselling.

I have been having some issues with stress. I know it's normal to have some stress being at home with 2 busy kids and a puppy, but I have recently come to realise that some days I just feel like I can't handle it and that's when I feel alot of anxiety. I'm sure it's a common mommy problem because we're always trying to be everything to everyone.

I have found myself snapping at Ceili and Matt for no reason and I can't even catch myself before I do it which worries me. WhenI get mad like that, I feel like I'm not even myself. My family doesn't deserve to be yelled at which is why I am going to the doctor to be referred to a counsellor. I feel so guilty for doing it and it makes me feel like such a terrible mom.

Part of my issue is exhaustion. When I have had a long night and been up multiple times with Abbey then up early in the morning I definitely have a shorter fuse. I know that I put too many expectations on myself like laundry, dishes, cleaning, taking care of the kids and dog, walking the dog, etc all in one day but if I don't feel accomplished I feel like I'm not doing my "job" since I'm at home with the kids right now. Matt says "are the kids cared for?" when I say "yes" then he says, "well you're doing your job then! The other stuff isn't important" but I guess I like to try and exceed expectations.

I am hoping with someone unbaised to talk to I can spill out all of the feelings and thoughts I have sitting inside my head and start to try to deal with the unnecessary stress so I can start fresh. I want to be the best mommy and wife possible which is why I'm seeking help. I love my girls and husband too much to make them have to live life walking on eggshells.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Remembering Grandpa T

Last Saturday, my husband Matt called his sister to see if she wanted to get together since we hadn't seen her in a long time. She mentioned that his Grandpa in Ontario had passed away that day.

His grandpa was 94 years old and suffering from dementia. His grandma had recently made the decision to put him into a nursing home because he had a hard time even knowing what time of day it was. He would wake up at 1am thinking it was lunchtime and turn on the stove to cook. Not the safest thing for someone with trouble remembering to do.

My parents were nice enough to buy all 3 of us plane tickets last May so we went to visit them. We had always wanted to, but could never afford the $3000+ for plane tickets. We had such a nice visit with them. I had never met either of them before because they had always been too ill and elderly to fly. His grandma was such a sweet little lady. As soon as we stepped in the door she was offering us cake and tea! His grandpa was also a very nice man- full of stories from his past and love for his great grandaughter. He kept insisting that she take things of theirs that she showed interest in home, like a magnifying glass with a light in it! We had to keep reminding him who Ceili was, but he admired her so much. He kept saying "who is that sweet little girl?". I'll never forget the moment when Ceili stopped being so standoffish with him and they started driving toy cars up and down eacother's arms and laughing. It was precious!

Sadly, his day came and I'm sure Grandma T is very heartbroken as are we. They were the love of eachother's lives, they knew eacother from the time they were children. I had lost all of my grandparents before I even met Matt. He is lucky to have had his grandpa in his life for 33 years and I know that he realizes that too.