Surprise! Surprise!

 

 

Hilairous Source, it's a must read blog.

Gemma bit me! Yup you heard me right, my three month old angel-face has two bottom white tips of teeth that she is using to knaw on my nipple! Fun Fun Fun! 

But I don't know it doesn't sound nearly as bad as Revenge of the Molars. Any advice out there for a bleeding Mommy?

Love and Hugs  

Gemma is three months old!

Here's our funny little Christmas girl!

Giving me one of those cheeky sideways smiles like her Daddy

Our Gemma-roo-roo is all grown up! I am pround to announce on Sunday night she slept 6.5 hours in her bassinet from 11pm to 5:30am!!! What a rockstar! I don't care if the next night she only slept 2 hours and last night only 4 hours. She's got to be on a roll right? Or am I kidding myself?!

Her smiles are getting bigger and bigger. She now opens her whole mouth wide and wiggles her tongue at me. And then I eat her! No just joking, but yes I do want to eat her.

She's jibber jabbering and it's the sweetest thing. Sometimes I leave her in bed in the morning to go get my coffee and she is talking so loud to herself I can hear her in the kitchen!

I'm starting to feel drained from breastfeeding and have been considering transitioning to formula. Then I read about ear infections and colds and all the natural antibodies I am passing on to her through my milk and I stop thinking that way. Then I see a bottle of wine and my bed and I start thinking the other way again....

We're on our way to France in a week and a half and so excited to introduce Gemma to her Frenchie family. The little ones are so excited and see her on Skype every weekend and keep asking WHEN? when is she coming already!

Merry early Christmas everyone!

Love and Hugs

Wine minds think alike

How absolutely beautiful is this photo by Carina Okula? Vince and I are both missing France bigtime right now. Vince thinks it's that weather and I think it's Guelph. Could be a mixutre of both, the damp grey skies are definitely reminiscent of winter in Paris and then there are the old brick homes and horse motifs around exhibition park in Guelph that remind me of Fontainebleau....
Either way we are on a bit of a wine kick. (You can't think France and not taste wine right?) We've been researching the vintages at the LCBO along with Beppi's suggestions in the Globe and have come up with some good bottles such as this outstanding Languedoc from Foncalieu for $15.95.

It's soft and full and just want I have been missing from French wine this past year. Can't wait until I can have more than 1/4 of a cup a day!

If you'd like a few more tips about buying and choosing wine please check out my post on the Foire aux Vins from last year.

Love and Hugs

Gemma is two months old!

Here she is our little miss.

Side profile of the total cutness that is her cheeks.

Just hanging out and loving her purple bow.

Well holy macaroni Gemma is 2 months old. I swear we just brought her home from the hospital yesterday didn't we? She is growing leaps and bounds and we are so deeply in love with her. She has rewarded all our efforts through her first month with beautiful gummy smiles and solid eye contact just for us. It's totally infectious and melts my insides every time. 

We are officially mobile! Gem and I have been all over town this last month. Hitting infant playgroups at the community center and internet mommy meetups and even a breastfeeding clinic last week. Our goal in the next two weeks is to make it to a Mommy/Peanut yoga class.
Our little babe got a bad case of infant acne. It's finally starting to subside but boy was it sad. For me that is, not Gem. She had no idea and was happy as a clam. It was great taking her to those mommy meetups and hearing that it's so normal and so fine. 

Since our last update she's been sleeping a little better, hence I could sit here and write this post today. She's also slowed her feverish breastfeeding pitch and it's so nice. I honestly thought she would be nursing non stop for the next 8-10 months without a breath. But finally we are getting a full-ish feeding and a deffinite break... now if we can only get her to take that break in the form of a nap in her bassinet!

Love and Hugs

Can't think, too tired.

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Wow this is hard! Gemma is going through one continious growth spurt and meanwhile I am begging her to take a break and sleep! 

She wants to eat non-stop and when she does drift off it's only while in her mama kangaroo carrier or beside me in bed. (Which stresses me out to no end) 

Thank goodness I've got good women around me. I've started going to Momstown meetups and Britt gave me some incredible advice about using compression to get a fuller feeding thus a longer sleep. Last night Gemma slept for over 2 hrs straight! Alone! Can you believe it? 

I'm trying not to jynx it but I'd love to know, how do you insure your 1 month old goes the F#$%K to sleep?

Love and Hugs  

Gemma is one month old!

Here's my little lady. She's getting so big, seriously where did the last 30 days go?! Time is no friend of mine that's for sure. Let's see if I can remember a few things that have happened in the last month:

-Gemma is a rockstar at breastfeeding but not so much at sleeping. If she had her way she would eat around the clock FOREVER! When she does finally nod off she'll only stay sleeping if she's beside us in our bed. (I kinda love that!)
-She loves bath time and even sleeps happily through most of it. Go figure!
-She's started smiling little by little and giving me solid eye contact which melts my heart everytime.
-Gemma speaks in a series of loud grunts. Funniest thing you ever heard, that is unless you are Vince and trying to sleep cause you have to wake up at 5:45 to drive to Sarnia for work and your daughter won't stop loudly insanely grunting through her 3am feeding!

Every day I wake up she looks even more grown up than a few hours ago, apparently this girl has places to go and people to see, move out of the way folks, my girl is on the move!


Love and Hugs

3 weeks later......

 39 weeks and 6 days ( the night before my I went into labour)

 

Gemma at 3 weeks

Hi you guys! I'm so sorry I've been missing in action this little while but WE HAD A BABY!!!!!

I had the 40 week pic all ready to upload the night before my due date but you know what? My water broke at 5am on my due date! Gemma Marigold was born 31.5 hours later on Sept 12, 2012, and it was Awesome! And she is Awesome! Everything is Awesome!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the lovely cards, and gifts and well wishes. We are so blessed with the best family and friends in the world! 

We're still getting used to our new groove so bear with me as I wade back into the world of blogging. I promise to post updates and pictures as often as I can. Love love love love you!!!!

Love and Hugs

39 weeks and out of control!

Today we are 39 weeks pregnant! Whoooohooooo 7 days to go! I am drinking lots of raspberry leaf tea and taking primrose oil and shopping my face off!

I just can't stop buying anything with bows on it. Please help me! Bows for her hair, bows for her feet, bows for her neck, bows! bows! Bows everywhere!!!!

Hopefully she will come soon so the shopping can stop and we can just cuddle her instead.

Love and Hugs

Be- 38 weeks pregnant

Hi you guys! Well we are officially on Klein baby watch 24/7 over here. She is welcome to come anytime. Unfortunately I think she's kinda camped out in there and may not come out EVER! Or maybe it's just that feeling (I'm scared) that my fate is to remain a pregnant person for the rest of my life!!!!!!!!

Okay get it together freaky Sam.

Other things that have been happening:

-We have all the necessary supplies for a successful home birth bought and in the living room wating for the big day. We also picked up our birth kit from the Midwives which includes all the emergency medications to be keep in the fridge and other stuff like an IV thingie and forceps. You never know!
- Umm I have gained 32 pounds. She is a monster in there these last 3 weeks. I am afraid if we get to the 42 week mark I will be beating that woman in China who gave birth to a 22 pounder.
- I can't stop crying. Everything is the worst and hurts my feelings. I feel like a 14year old who just got her period for the first time.
- But then there is all the meditation we've been doing which helps a lot! I love it! I'm a spiritual junkie! And really excited for her birth. Everynight I go to bed it feels like Christmas and I think maybe tomorrow.......maybe!


Love and Hugs

Me and my brother

So I saw this video this morning and it totally reminded me of growing up with my brother. I guess its on my mind all the time becuase he just had a baby boy a few months ago that looks just like him. When I hold him I feel so much love and I get lost and then think "wait, what! I'm 33 years old holding my infant brother!" Oh okay no it's my nephew Will! Whoa!

Has any other Auntie out there felt that before too?

Anyways here's the awesome funny 4 year old dancing video that makes me miss hanging with my brother dancing to Micheal Jackson on 8 track in the living room. Ryan would wear his pleather red zipper Micheal vest and I had a cool white crinoline Madonna skirt and we would seriously rock out man!

Source: NYC Taught Me

Happy Friday party people!

Love and Hugs!

Be- 36 weeks pregnant

So we have officially entered the stretchy pants portion of the pregnancy. With 4 more weeks to go there are no pants in the house that fit except for this above comfy ugly pair and my "fancy" pair which are tighter and knee length, ooooooh I know!

A few other things that have been happening:
-The baby is growing and moving and causing lots of awesome weird side cramps and shooting pains in my pelvis.
-We had our baby shower and it was a hoot! Friends came from far away and my sister in law rocked the house as the super host. We are truly blessed!
- Hormone mood swings are back in full effect with crying and irrational behavior and cravings for coca cola. Fun times!
-Sleeping is weird, walking is weird, everything is weird! I can't wait till next week when I can start eating hot peppers by the boat load and jumping on trampolines to get this kid out of me!

Love and Hugs

35 weeks and a blubbering mess!

Have you guys seen this birth video? Do you remember "The baby story" on TLC? Me and Mom used to watch it all afternoon and cry and cry but Theo's birth is nothing to compare. Or maybe it's my hormones? but it seems like the most emotional beautiful birth ever.

I'll let you decide.

Theo's Birth video from hailey bartholomew on Vimeo.

Love and Hugs

Be- 34 weeks pregnant

Hi my friends! Here's the ole bumpa lump at 34 weeks! It seems to really have popped out in the last week as the baby makes a major growth spurt! Here's a few things that have been happening:

-We had our final ultrasound that confirmed the placenta has moved off my cervix and we can safely birth at home.
- The midwife says the baby is measuring at a perfect pace and she is already facing down locked in my pelvis ready for takeoff! Yikes!
- Milk has been leaking out of my boobies. Wierd and kinda scary. Actually sorta glad it's happening early so I can get used to seeing it a little at a time until the flood gates open.
- I've gained 26 pounds to date and am officially over the recommended weight gain for my BMI during pregnancy by 1 pound. Apparently I am set to gain 1 pound per week in the last little bit of pregnancy so that kinda sucks. Maybe I should have laid off the ice cream?! Too late now! Mauhahahahhahaha!
-Hormonal surges come and go but it's the tiredness that is really taking over right now. So far I have been waking up at 9am and then am back in bed twice during the day for 3 hours naps. This is good right? Cause once the baby is here I will never sleep again? Ever?

I love you guys. I am off to try and finish the nursery so I can take pics and show you soon!

Love and Hugs

33 weeks and the birth pool is on it's way!

We've ordered our at home birth pool today and can't wait to get it! 7 weeks to go before our little one will enter the world via warm plastic bathtub!

Anyone else out there delievered their babies in water or at home for that matter? I'd love to hear!

Love and Hugs

Be- 31 weeks pregnant

Hi guys! Here's the belly on our 1st wedding anniversary last friday all dressed up for dinner. She cleans up well don't cha think? ;)

What's been happening in the last little bit:

-We just moved into our new place and got internet finally so I am back in the loop my friends! Also means lots of house projects are on the go and needed to get completed before the butterball arrives. And at 7months pregnant that can be friggin exhausting. Good thing I've got a great team of Husband, Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister in law, nephew and doggie to help out.
- Being pregnant during Ontario summer heat waves is making me seriously begging the baby to come early. Not too early but earlier you know what I mean girls? I'm eating 14 popsicles a day at this point. Where's my good ole fashioned Nova Scotian non-summer when I need it!
- Got a proper pregnancy pillow called the Leachco Snoogle. Whatever dumb name, the thing works! However Vince is less than impressed, he said I whacked him in the head with it yesterday in the middle of the night. HA!
-Listening to my birth affirmations on repeat these days. My favs are, "My mind and body are calm" (yeah right!) & "I put all fear aside as I prepare for the birth of my baby" (Geeze I wish!) & "I surrender my birthing to my body and my baby" (What the?!) . We'll see how well those work when I am in over controller/panic stricken lady mode! Hoping for a miricale over here!

Love and Hugs my dearest friends! I miss and love you deeply!

Be- 28 1/2 weeks pregnant

Hi my friends! I'm so sorry I am behind on the pregnant posting this last week! Whew it's busy around here....I always feel like I'm saying that, am I always saying that? ;)

This pic is from last week when I was 28 weeks and started the 3rd trimester! Whoohoooo almost home free! A few things that have been happening:

-Met one of the midwives that will be attending our homebirth here in Guelph. She's awesome and I love her.
- Having major hormone surges (mood swings) with anxiety and crying. That sucks.
-Fatigue and nausea  are baaaaaack! URGH!
-Started birth classes that incorporate meditation which has been fantastic so far. We did a visualization where we had to take the place of our baby and during it the baby told me she is fine and big and healthy and I should stop worrying. That is wasn't fair I was thinking she would die like the previous baby. That she thought I didn't believe in her. So yeah that was pretty powerful in shaking myself out of all these negative thoughts.

So that's about it! We're moving into our new apartment/house this Sunday so I might not have the 30 week preggo pic for you until the following week when we get the internet up and running.

But enough about me, how has your summer been? Any awesome cocktails? Festivals? Events? Shopping? Come on girls give me the details!

Love and Hugs

The Man is here.

Check him out! Seriously breaking my heart!

My nephew William Maxwell Dodge-Vernon was born June 07th at 10:31 am and weighed 8 pounds 0 ounces. He's a tall babe at 21 inches long and it's an understatment to say we are all head over heels in love.

Britt and Will didn't mess around and were in labour overnight at home and then 1 hour at the hospital before he arrived!

Holy crap I know. Ok go ahead gush away, we're used to it! 

Love and Hugs

Be- 26 weeks pregnant

Sorry for the late post you guys. I'm not loving this picture and have been trying in vain to get another one done but real life is getting in the way. Anyways it's not that bad if I don't blow it up to big on the screen! ;) (Holy boobies!)

I'm feeling extra preggo over here and it's sorta gross but mostly awesome. I can feel the baby moving quite a lot but that also means I feel her putting pressure on organs in there which is umcomfortable. I have also noticed walking is becoming a problem in the last few days. I feel like my tank is almost empty you know what I mean?

Other than that and a weird burning sesation in my lower uterus everything is great. Saw the midwife yesterday and she listened to the heartbeat with a fetoscope and said the babe has a fast strong heart! My blood pressure is excellent and I am getting closer and closer to having a home birth. Whoohooo!

Now I just need a new bra/underware, my blonde hair back and I will be in tip top shape! 

Love and Hugs

Be- 24 weeks pregnant

We're doing it guys! We made it to 24 weeks already! Did you know this means that the baby is viable? She can now survive outside the womb if delivered prematurely. Of course I seriously hope she stays in there and makes it to full term but after having a miscarriage in the past this comes as really comforting news.

I think I told you that I didn't feel the baby move for a long long time. Then she started moving big time.....and then she stopped, along with my heart. (I was so freaked out!) Thank goodness she started again a few days ago. I think maybe she just swam into the back where I couldn't feel her anymore?

I find my belly shape really changes, some days I feel huge and then somedays I feel scared I am too small. I think it has to do with her movements in there and I am trying to relax about it! Good luck with that!

She is also developing her taste buds this week so I am eating all kids of blue cheese, weird veggies, grains, a few ounces of rosé wine and even some green algae for good measure. Although it seems the only things she likes or jumps for are sweets. On the weekend we had a picnic in Niagara and the baby kicked for the delicious strawberry rhubabrd pie! What are you gonna do? The girl likes what the girls likes. ;)

Bring on the pie!

Love and Hugs

Taste- Tomatoes!!!

Hey kids we are heading out to Niagara on Sunday for Tree and Twigs heirloom tomato seedling sale. Anyone want to join? I know Andrea might be interested....

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Mom and Aunt Jill went last year and said it was a mad rush! Apparently they have a white tomato! What the what! Have you ever seen one of those?

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I am seriously after a yellow/orange one called Big Rainbow. And Vince is requesting tiny sweet cherry ones. What about you? what are your favourites?

Holy man Pinterest watch out, major heirloom tomato recipes Pins coming up! ;)

Love and Hugs

Be- 22 Weeks pregnant

So here it is the Bump I am always convinced is not growing! ;) A few things that have been happening in the last 2 weeks:

1:She moved! Finally! Made me wait till 2 days ago that little bugger but yes I am sure she is alive and kicking in there.
2:Aparently she only moves for chocolate and beer (had 3 non-alcohlic beers and she kicked up a storm). Not a good sign.
3:We have officially entered the extremly baffling world of new baby stuff consumers. The choice and price of gadgets out there you just need to have for a newborn is outrageous, and overwhellming.
4: Names are being narrowed down. A few we like are Gemma, Lucia (Lucie), Sawyer, Millicent, Andie, Aura and Axelle, I wonder which one we're gonna pick!

That's it folks. I am off to work and thankful that it will be over at the end of this month so I can get back to concentrating on my favourite people, YOU!

Love and Hugs

Bump update and Nursery design

Hi lovelies! I saw my midwife yesterday and she said everything is going great other than my placenta is low lying (otherwise known as placenta praevia) and the babes is in a posterior position. But her heart rate is strong and all the measurments are perfect. I haven't felt much movement in there and that's a little worrisome at 21 weeks but I am trying to be patient and positive! ;)

So why not plan her nursery colours I say! I've based everything on this print I found of the Paris metro on Art 20X200.

.....and my gorgeous Pronovias wedding veil. We plan to drape it above the crib. It's the most beautiful soft tulle you have ever laid eyes on. I just can't wait to see it hanging there!

So what do you think kids? Yay or Nay?

Love and Hugs

Be- 20 weeks pregnant

Hi my dearest friends! Well it's still happening. I'm still pregnant and can't believe every second of it.
I honestly can't believe this is happening to ME! Will I really be a Mom? Will I really have a baby? Could I be so lucky?
I know so many women and Moms who have and are going through hardships with concieving and motherhood. This is no picnic people and if I can get to 40 weeks with a healthy baby well I'll tell you there will be some friggin party in Guelph that's for damn sure and you're all invited!

I always secretly thought that was so annoying when you would ask an expectant mother if she was having a boy or a girl and she said, "We're just hoping for a healthy baby!" Urgh!

But now I get it. I too just want an alive healthy child. Who cares either way right?

Love and Hugs

What we've been working on....

..... a BABY!!!! A girl to be exact! 

Sunny is really excited she's gonna be a big sister in a four short months.
Too bad, Vince and I only had a boy name picked out so far...
So my friends, bring it on: any names idea, anyone? But the catch is it has to sounds good in both english and french (trust me it is not as easy at it sounds)!!

Love and Hugs!

Unplanned break :(

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You guys must be so pissed! I'm sorry friends. I am having a hard time finding the work life/blogger balance and have been failing miserably.

Things have been moving at break neck speed over here. I'm working 40 hrs a week, we're moving and Vince has news too. Oh and we bought a car in all that!

So if you could hang in there another week I promise you won't be dissapointed. I love you guys and read all your comments and will get back to you as soon as I can. 

P.S. I found a great pair of working shoes and went to Campagnolo for my Birthday dinner all thanks to you and your great advice. ;)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOX

Love and Hugs

Sam

Taste- A Birthday dinner

March 5th is coming up fast and that means I will be 33 years old! Holy crapoly how did that happen? Anyways. I get to pick a dinner spot and I have my eye on two possible restaurants.

1. The Hogtown Vegan is a kickass vegan place in the west end of town that serves comfort food such as unchicken and waffles and seitan rubens. They are hip, tasty and no animals were harmed, what more could you ask for.

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2. Campagnolo also does comfort food but in my other favourite manner which is southern Italian!  (just kicking myself here that it's not Burrata season). I've always loved modern/bistrot/minimalist Italian food and these guys apparently are awesome at it having just won a spot in the top ten list of enRoute's best new restaurants 2011.

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So what do you think, The Hog or The Italian? I am waiting for your informed opinions! 

Is there any other place in Toronto you have in mind? 

Love and Hugs 

Be- Everything

What are you doing right now that you're good at? Are you doing it will love and passion and a little bit of fear in your heart? I hope to goodness I can be just like Erma.....

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Look up and ask, what am I meant to be doing? What does my soul want from me. Am I hiding and how can I come out from under the blanket?!

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Love and Hugs

Do-Take a bath

Holy man right now I am dreaming of this:

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But unfourtunately this is my reality:

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My feet are seriously sore! They are screaming on a minute to minute basis for me to sit the eff down. 

So this is it friends I need your help. What brand or even particular shoe do you reccomend to a person working on her feet all day?

I was so naive and really had no idea it would feel like this! I will pay any amount of money to work my eight hours not once thinking about this damn shooting pain. 

Thanks guys, I know you have my feet, errrr I mean back! 

Love and Hugs

Taste- what we've been making

Living with Ryan and Britt is awesome! We are always trying new things out in the kitchen. It's pretty great to have a whole second set of recipe books to browse through and get inspired by. I wanted to share a few things we tried last week that I'm in love with.

Sarah's Red lentil coconut soup.

Holy macaroni is right! It's really easy and so delicious! The only tweak I would say is it could use a little more coconut milk. But you try it out and let me know what you think. Sarah at A House in the Hills has a crazy amount of yummy things to cook, go over and check it out!


             
              Next was these Crispy Smashed Potatoes I found on Pinterest via Caramel Potatoes

What a great idea eh? When I was making them all that was going through my head was "Why didn't I think of this!" And then I burned them a little. Whoops. But seriously it's such an easy idea and great change from your regular potato side dish, just make sure your rack isn't too low in the oven. ;)

What's been going on in your kitchen the last little while? Any great recipes to share?

Love and Hugs

Be- My friend?

Aren't friends awesome? I miss mine. Especially after I watched this funny video found on A Cup of Jo. Check it out:



How cute are they?

And where are my girls anyways?! I miss you ladies! You rock and I love you eventhough we are far apart. Hey! wanna get together on skype and watch episodes of Downton Abbey at the same time with wine and everything? :)

Love and Hugs

Do- Start a new job!

Hey you guys I did it, I got the job! This morning is my first day at AVEDA and I am so excited!

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I'll be working on the front desk of the spa and the floor offering every guest a complementary wellness moment of hand massages and scalp massages! I am so excited to work within a company that connects beauty, environment and wellbeing! 

I'll tell you all more about it once I learn more but for now, please keep your loving fingers crossed for me and wish me luck! I am on my way to fufilling my dream of working in the wellness/natural/spirtual world one little step at a time.

Love and Hugs

Be- Worry free

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I want to be like this lady, footloose and fancy free dancing in the sunset feeling great and worry free.

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Unfortunately I'm going on week 3 without a job and getting a little freaked out. And to tell you the truth the task of not worrying has always been a big one for me. 

What about you? Do you worry or let it all slide off your back?

And do you have a job for me? ;)

Love and Hugs

Wear- A Baby Boy!

I know this is a little late in the evening for my Wear Wednesday post but I couldn't resist, my brother Ryan and Britt are having a BOY! Yup that's right folks, I'm gonna be an aunt for the very first time to a little buddy!
Now lets get serious.....what am I going to buy him?

Well he will certainly need this groundhog onesie for his first Feb 2nd, no?

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And he can't go on his many camping trips without looking the part, right?

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I was thinking when the weather turns cold he may like to snuggle in his dogsled onesie.....

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And slip on this comfy crocheted loafers, I mean what little guy wouldn't love a pair of these!

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What do you think? Have you seen any other cute baby boy stuff I should know about as a conserning future Auntie?

Are you an Aunt or Uncle? What did you have to have for your little one? How do you feel about spoilling your niece or nephew? Completley warranted or totally not?

Love and Hugs

Be- Fearless

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HAHA! Isn't this funny?! Aren't we all waiting for a sign? I know I am, at all times. I've applied to probably 12 jobs in the last week and a half and not one called me back. WTF! You know what I have to do right?! Get out there and pound the pavement and sell myself. I wish that excited my soul but to tell the truth I'm terrified.

But if there was ever a sign to get off my ass, THIS IS IT!

What about you guys? Do you need a sign? Will this one do?

Love and Hugs