Returning to Work

Firstly, can we take a moment to appreciate all the cuteness that is Ella's kiss face. She started this about two weeks ago and I seriously cannot get enough! The funniest though is when she's doing this to the dog, who wants anything other than to be kissed, and she just crawls around following her with this face. It makes me bust out every.single.time.

On other less cute and happy news, this coming Monday marks a week before I return back to work. I've never been so excited and sad to do something in my life. I always tell people, if I didn't have such an awesome job, I wouldn't go back. But I do. Not that work is more important than my kids because it isn't and never will be. However, I can't help but always think, god forbid something happened to Fraser, I would have my job to fall back on. I would be able to take care and support my children. That's why I'm going back.

People also inquire about my Etsy shop and why I don't just do that and work from home. A) my shop is only just starting to get busy/busier B) it does not have dental or health benefits for my family and finally C) it's not reliable. I have no idea how many sales I will get in a month so I would have no way of planning, which is a big no no for me being slightly OCD with planning and organizing. I enjoy running my shop and making pretty things for people but it would need to take off a lot more for me to ever consider doing it full time.

It hasn't fully hit me yet that I'm returning to work in just over a week and it probably won't until Ella's birthday weekend (the Saturday before I return). Then I anticipate lots of water works and anxiety to ensue. I love my girls so much and would love nothing more than to stay at home and watch them grow and learn. I've been literally soaking up every last minute with them, taking them outside everyday, doing crafts and lots of cuddles. But it is coming to a end. I will only get to squeeze them for a short time in the mornings and will get home just in time to feed them dinner, bath them and tuck them into bed. I will cherish weekends as it will seem like the only time I'm not rushing around getting things done, where I can sit and play with them. Okay, maybe the water works won't wait until next weekend, sigh.

I'm so lucky and grateful to be these girls momma's. I seriously cannot believe some days that they are mine. That I created them. I carried them for 9 months each. And would do it again in a heartbeat! Love you my sweet Harper and Ella, to the moon and back!

27th Birthday Festivities

This past Friday marked my 27th birthday. That's right, I turned 27 on the 27th of May - that's never going to happen again! Fraser took the day off work to hang out with me and the girls. Our original plan was for Fraser and I to go out for lunch while my mom watched the girls but since the weather was so nice I thought we would bring the girls to the park. I couldn't think of a better plan than to bring Harper and Ella to Storybook Gardens. Harper had only ever been once and this would mark Ella's first time.

The last time Harper was at Storybook was right after Ella was born - so last summer! She was still really small and didn't get to enjoy everything like she did this time around. She was OBSESSED with the mini houses and buildings and since it was a Friday there was barely any kids which made it easier for her to play. She particularly loved the grocery store and the little cottage/house. 

And can we take a moment to talk about how freaking cute she is in her sunglasses. I'm lucky if I can get her to eat breakfast without wearing them!

The go-karts were still too big for Harper but Fraser pushed her around a few times which she loved!

These two were melting my heart walking around together holding hands.

My sweet lady and I - gosh I could eat her all up sometimes!

Our sweet Ella pretty much chilled in her stroller while we walked around since it was super duper hot out and she was really tired. However, the second we rolled around to the parks splash pad, Ella nearly jumped out of the stroller. This girl goes banana's in the water, she is completely fearless and is a fish in a babies body. She was literally in her glory playing with her Daddy in the water. She was sticking her face and hands right in the stream of water. Harper on the other hand, took a few minutes to warm up to the water. I walked around with her coaxing her to splash around. Before I knew it she was running around playing.

Overall my birthday morning was amazing. I spent it with those that I love and finished off the day with a lovely dinner out with my hubby. I seriously love these guys to the moon!

Hope everyone has a lovely rest of the week! xx

Fun outside + Birthdays

We have been having a blast outside playing lately with all of this gorgeous weather we are having here in Canada. I want to enjoy the sunshine and my girls as much as I can before I return back to work in the next three weeks - insert the water works.

Harper Lynn is OBSESSED with going outside. The first thing she says when you are changing her diaper in the morning is "outside after". She is totally an outdoor baby and I love it. She doesn't even need toys to entertain herself. All she needs is rocks, leaves, pine cones and dandelions. She loves to collect little things and walk around the backyard.

Ella is obsessed with playing in the water and with this Little Tikes cozy coupe car. We got her the smaller version that has a handle for her birthday but now I'm thinking I need to get another one of the coupes since the girls are starting to fight over it. And so it begins.

These girls would stay outside all day if I let them.

I'm super excited because my birthday is this Friday. We're going to bring the girls to Storybook Gardens in the morning and then Fraser and I are going out for dinner and to do a little shopping. 

I'm still planning the last few things for Ella's first birthday party. Usually I would have it all done by now but its been a little hectic over here with small renovation projects, gardening and just our normal routine. How do people juggle work, babies, errands and projects? There just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to get everything done. Somehow we make it work! xx

Don't forget to add me on Instagram @aliciaseveryday

Ella 11 Month Update

Oh my sweet Ella baby. I cannot believe she is only a month away from turning one. Where has the year gone?! It makes me want to hide in a corner and cry a little. She's our last baby so I'm literally holding onto every.single.moment with her. All of the "baby" moments like how she still curls her legs and feet up to her chest when I change her bum, as if she's still crammed in my tummy! Waaaahh.

Ella is FULL of personality still. She always has been. She is full of laughs, giggles, screams - always making noises. I call her a menace because she's always into everything. Every time I turn around for 30 seconds, she's doing the mad dash into a cupboard or drawer - and the best part is she will see you looking at her and she will make the biggest and cheesiest smile ever. Love it. 

Sleep: Ella has been doing amazing this past month and a half with her sleeping at night. For the most part she sleeps through the night with the exception of waking up at 5:30am some mornings to nurse and then going back to sleep until 7/7:30am. She has also dropped her morning nap and only napping once after lunch when Harper also goes down. This has actually been amazing. She naps for 2-2 1/2 hours which means I get a nice break while the girls nap.

Nursing: Ella still nurses 5-6 times within 24 hours. There's a few nursing sessions that will obviously be dropped once I'm back to work (the countdown is on). 

Eating: For the most part, Ella's a really good eater. She will try almost anything and very rarely spits anything out. However, like her sister, she doesn't care for too many veggies - apparently they take after their momma! Fruit though, holy moly, I cannot cut fruit up fast enough for her.

This monkey is the light of my life along with her sister. She is one of the funniest babies ever. She is so smart it's scary - always watching her sister do things and trying to do it as well. I give her until the end of May and I think she will be walking. She has been pulling herself up on everything and walks with her walker toy. I don't think I'm ready for her to walk, she just seems too tiny!

I am almost done collecting everything for her 1st birthday party, including some things I make myself and sell on my Etsy shop: photo garland  , cupcake toppers , place cards/food cards , favour tags.

I just want to slow time down, my babies are growing up so fast and I want them to stay little forever and ever. 

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend! xo