Look at this adorable little angel sleeping. Truly, he is the love of my life.

Owen does not sleep with me every night but I will not turn down my little one if he tries to crawl into bed with me. It’s amazing how when your child sleeps they have that sweet peaceful look that they did when they were a baby, I can’t believe he will be turning 4 years old next month, how time flies.

Often I say that I wish I could rewind time and Owen would magically be a baby again, but I have to tell you, especially lately, I have enjoyed being a Mom and watching him grow more than ever before. Three was a tricky age, very tiring, amazing at times, I loved to watch him grow into his own person, but I found 3 to be the most challenging age. But 4…. 4 is good. We joke and we’re silly, as if Owen was an adult. He yells out “awkward!” and makes me smile every single day.

I often find myself saying that my happiness depends on Owen. When I don’t have him, and he is with his father, I’m not as happy, I miss him immensely even when I know its good for me to have time on my own, and that’s a lot of pressure to put on a little one, something I need to work on.

 Truly, I am completely grateful every single day for you Owen. You make me a better person, and have truly shown me what love means.

Love you, always.

What better way to bring your new bundle of joy home than in a Organic Muslin Swaddle by Aden + Anais.

These lovely blankets designed by Aden + Anais were worn by the new baby Prince George himself! The beautiful baby boy sparked much buzz while leaving the hospital looking cozy and comfortable, wrapped in his swaddle. The swaddles became an immediate online demand!

Organic Muslin Swaddles are made of organic cotton, a gernous size of 47” x 47”, versatile to use as a burp cloth, tummy time blanket, nursing and stroller cover, and become softer with every wash. They come in fashion forward prints and soothing colors. If only Owen was small enough to swaddle! I miss those days. :)

These adorable swaddles also come with great benefits to baby, they include: a better sleep for baby, fewer scratches, helps with a fussy baby, and gives comfort to your newborn as they are used to being “snug” in the womb.

Find them here: https://www.babyorganicjoy.ca/category-s/2250.htm?searching=Y&sort=7&search=swaddles&show=15&page=1

Other wonderful products from Aden + Anais include: Bed sheets, Burp Bibs and Snap Bibs, Security blankets and more, which you can find by clicking here: https://www.babyorganicjoy.ca/category-s/2250.htm?searching=Y&sort=1&cat=2250&show=9&page=2


Comfort for baby never looked so good! :)

I tend to write about things that I have learned through my experience as a Mom, but this topic I have not yet encountered. Although, Sean has recently started dating, there has not been a serious partner in his life that I have had to meet or worry about. Many of you have had to go through knowing your child is spending time with you ex and their new partner, which quite frankly for most, would be a scary thing.

Here is how I look at it, all that I can do is believe in Sean's good judgement, that the person he eventually chooses to date and to bring into our sons life, is a good person. Worrying wont do me any good, and hiding in the bushes to ensure that this person would be a great role model to Owen (has crossed my mind) but would take up too much of my time. ;) I would rather get to know his new partner myself as much as I could, if not be friends--to be friendly. I believe that is the best for all. 

Below is an article on Sharing your Kids with your Ex's New Love. I found it to be helpful-- I hope you do too!

Sharing your Kids with your Ex’s New Love

by RHODASOMMER • APRIL 1, 2012

I’ve been through this process with many clients & it is not easy. First there is the jealousy that the new love may have something cool to offer your kids; like a swimming pool or they never seem to lose their temper. This is a very normal reaction because it’s hard to share your kids.

Because my kids are adopted I’ve been sharing my kids since they first arrived. Even though they’ve never met their birth parents I’ve never been one to pretend they don’t exist. The most important part of my life has always been shared & that reality matters for the well-being of my children.

When the family breaks up there is a new reality to endure that sharing your kids with people you don’t know will be part of the new deal.

I believe in the african proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child.” I believe it’s important for children to experience different ways of doing things & different rules. Experience teaches children a lot. They can learn to roll with things & be more flexible. These are ideas with which to soothe yourself.

It’s important to reassure yourself that your relationship will always be unique because of who you are. In all likelihood there will be things that the other person is better at than you. Balance this hard truth by knowing there will also be things that you will do best. Try to give up your own competitiveness because it’s not useful in this situation.

The first time your kid says the other person’s name with a positive enthusiasm will hit you like a small earthquake tremor. You must learn to live with knowing that it hurts your own heart; without demanding that they reassure you about loving you more. That’s your job, not theirs.

Transitions are part of every major change & adjusting to someone you don’t choose & have no control over is tough to be generous about. It’s good practice for being a future in law, which is another relationship you have no choices about.

The goal is acceptance. You have to learn to live with it. It’s an opportunity to add an element of grace to your life.

It’s not always what they say, it’s how they say it.

The best part of making my son’s lunch in the morning is adding in a little love note. I have written one each day and stuck it inside Owen’s lunch pail and each day he comes home and tells me he found my note. I know it means something to him, and it means a lot to me.

The other morning as I was getting ready for work and Owen was sitting on my bed, he walked up to me with a little note he had scribbled for me, and said: “Here Mom, I have written you a love note, it says: Dear Mommy, have a good day. Love, Owen.” Of course, this melted my heart and I placed it in front of my bathroom mirror so I could see it each morning.

 Now, as you can see if this photo below, I have a collection.

Being a good example really starts with you, the parent.

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.--James Baldwin”

The trip I took with my best friend to Chicago was incredible! I could have stayed a few more days, but my little boy was at home waiting for me and I could not wait to see his darling little smile. We ate A LOT, walked around the city; saw the tourist spots and spots that only the locals knew about. We met a lot of new people some we hope to stay in contact with. Went to a cubs games, shopped (mostly for Owen), went to pubs and nightclubs, we did it all!

Some of the spots that we tried and loved while we were there: RPM Italian, GINO’s Pizza, Grand Lux Café, Chuck’s Manufacturing, The Underground Night Club (where we met some and spotted some celebrities), Paris Club, Violet Hour, and we had some really amazing tacos in a really fun and trendy neighborhood called Wicker Park .

We had a wonderful time, and we’re already planning our return! See you again soon *Chicago*! :)

A little bit of our trip in Chicago! :)