baby

Family Day

February 5, 2015

I had known my whole life I would one day become a mother. Some people do, others may take a bit longer to decide. There isn’t a right or wrong way, it’s all just a path we wander along at our own pace.

The day it happened, I felt prepared. I knew things would change; that each day going forward would be different than each that had passed. You hear things from everyone when you begin your family, those words of wisdom that get handed down from generation to generation. The obvious clichés. Of course life changes with kids! You will do anything for your children! You learn an entirely new level of love! But these phrases don’t seems to really speak at full volume until your kids finally do become a part of your family.

It all changes from that special moment when you look into their eyes, (which may not be until later in their lives- baby blues post to come soon!), and you realize that yea, you would probably do anything and everything in your power to give this person the best life imaginable.

You learn to accept the difficulties; the sleep deprivation, the early mornings, the wasted food. You learn to enjoy playing on the floor all day, repeatedly drawing semi-trucks, and laughing maniacally at something just because it makes your kid laugh. You embrace the idea that sometimes you don’t get to do what you want to do, and instead you just have to enjoy what it is your kid wants you to do. Just because they love you, and you love them.

We learn what it’s like to be a family, all over again, when our kids are born. That generation old advice finally has a new grasp on us, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone we know. We reignite the cliche for the next generation.

Happy Family Day to each of you incredible parents out there- go spend some time with the little people in your lives who make them so worth living!

-Erin

Happy Mother’s Day

May 7, 2014

I have invited 6 moms with children age 7 months-32 years old to take part in this questionnaire. Mothering is more than giving birth as one mother has an adopted child and mothering isn’t always smiles as one mother has lost her son shortly after birth. Mothering is something very special, emotional and loads of hard work and I would bet it doesn’t end when your child graduates, gets married or even sleeps through the night!

These moms are all special to me and I’m proud to have them impacting the way I mother my daughter. I appreciate all their emotions and heart filled answers.

1)How old are you children/child?

– 7 months NH

-Children are 3 years and twins at 5 months. LA

-4.5, 2.5 and pregnant LB

-I have 2 boys (16 and 18) years old. MB

– 18 3/4 SD

-23 and 32 LM

2) My family is…

-My everything NH

– One of the most important things in my life. LA

-Growing LB

-Better together. MB

-Amazing SD

-The most important thing to me LM

3) Bedtimes are…

– Snuggles, warmth and love NH

-Bedtimes are a relief and often don’t come fast enough LA

-Late LB

-A time when I have the best and deepest, most meaningful conversations with my kids…still my favourite time of the day.MB

-Random….(He’s almost 19….and puts himself to bed. If I were still in charge he would get the “proper” amount of sleep needed for this age group.) SD

-Early and getting earlier it seems LM

4) meal times are…

-Messy and fun. Experimentation NH

-Loud and chaotic LA

-Interesting with 20% on the floor LB

-Far too rushed with work and sports schedules but strive to eat together MB

-Regular, we like to sit down as a family and eat dinner together SD

-A time to reconnect LM

5) One mommy moment that stands out to me is…

-When baby first kissed me NH

-Hearing my son talk to his sisters and telling them all the things they will do together when they are bigger. LA

-When I gave birth to my son and felt an instant, overwhelming bond you can only understand when you are a mother. LB

-Earlier this year my 18 year old shared with me what he was submitting for his personal grad write up in his high school yearbook…it was a tribute to me as his mom and what I have meant to him…he fell into me crying as I read it…which in turn had me crying…great pair we are!!! MB

-The day our son arrived. I felt so happy and amazed that this incredible child would be my son. SD

-Camping trips singing in the car, being there through all their childhood illnesses and hurts; emotional and physical ones, first days of school, last days of school, dinners that flopped (I am remembering the failed salmon loaf recipe), pants that were too short, too long, too old, too loose, too tight or too great to take off to wash, friends and then girlfriends/boyfriends, soccer and scouts and blue hair dye and laughter and tears and all the things that make up a life LM

6) How often to do you recall your birthing experience?

-Never, I don’t remember it NH

-Whenever a friend has a baby LA

-Almost everyday- LB

-On my kids birthdays, whenever a friend or family member has a baby, at milestones my kids have reached over the years…and sometimes when I walk into their rooms late at night and see these young men sound asleep in their beds…I kneel by their bedside and say a prayer of thankfulness for them. MB

-Never SD

-Occasionally, always on my children’s birthdays I tell them the story of their birth LM

7) How do you feel on your child’s birthday?

–I don’t know yet! NH

-I feel excited and reflective LA

-It’s different for each child. because my son passed away after his birth I have a mixture of emotions. Sadness over the loss and that I couldn’t protect him. Mindful of how far we have come as a family. Thankful for the time I held him in my womb and a sense of wonder what it would be like when we meet again. For my daughter I feel joy that I get to watch her grow and blessed that we have her here. LB

-give me cause to be incredibly joyful and thankful…as well as a little melancholic knowing my time living under the same roof is coming to a close. MB

– Amazed (and a little sad) that the time has gone so fast. SD

-Grateful that I know this amazing person LM

8) Mothering is…

-Amazing NH

-Intuition, patience and a lot of prayer. LA

-A journey, I learn something new everyday. LB

-my greatest accomplishment, joy, calling and challenge in life…nothing could ever compare to the satisfaction I have in being a mom MB

-A beautiful responsibility that is colored by blessing after blessing SD

-A privilege LM

9) For Mother’s Day I would love…

-A quiet day with my family NH

-I would love to sleep in and spend some time at the spa! LA

-To be with my family LB

-I would love to have a nap and not have to cook dinner for my mom and mother-in-law every year…none of the men in my life can cook!!! MB

-A conversation SD

-to be with my family LM

10) My favorite Mother’s Day was…

-This one is my first! NH

-I loved when my husband made a homemade card from my son. LA

-The first one with my daughter to hold LB

-My very first one as a mom…I couldn’t have been prouder or more honoured to have been given the privilege of being a mom…still stands to this day! MB

-Last year. I got a homemade care with amazing words of affirmation about my motherhood from my son. I thought I might have actually done a few things right…. SD

-Too many to name just one LM

happy Mother’s Day to all the Mother’s out there!

Baby, Belly and Kid Show

March 18, 2014

I was asked to host a table at the Belly, Baby and Kid Show at the Act in Maple Ridge. It was first a shock that someone knew who I was to contact me. I started my little business formally in May 2013. That’s when my website and blog went up and when I decided to try and turn this passion into a career. So for me to know in less than a year I have a) made enough money to afford a table and b) get recognized in the community makes me very proud I followed my heart.

Besides over 40 vendors a few other things are happening…

-interactive family fun zone
-stage performers (dance, karate, magician)
-mini seminars (sleep consultant and nutritionist)
-the Easter bunny!
-queen Elsa is visiting
-200 swag bags

Come out to support local businesses in our community and to spend time with family and friends.

Oh, and don’t forget to come by and say Hi… Maybe buy an essential oil or book a birth doula interview. My and my assistant will ready to help you!

Essential Oils for Healing

February 18, 2014

So, when I’m not at a birth, helping a mom postpartum, encapsulating a placenta, being a mom or a wife or working full time…. Phew, I decided to distribute Essential Oils For Healing.

Now this is not something I thought i was going to do, it was actually something that was relativly new to me. Not until I was pregnant in 2009 did I learn more about Essential Oils and the benefits. I’ve since used them in cleaning products, in my cloth wipes, in baths, in diffusers, orally, topically…. (and probably more). I’ve decided to write a few ways I use them in my day to day life.

Diffusing

If you asked my husband he would say my new favorite past time is researching diffusers and then purchasing them. Well, partially true, I have 3 very different diffusers. I have one that is a plug in (think Glade without chemicals, only pure essential oils) and I have a candle diffuser (I think its about 15 years old from the Body Shop, but it’s a goody) and lastly my most prized possession is a cold air humidifying diffuser.

These allow me to diffuse my favorite scents (right now eucalyptus, lavender and grapefruit). Some are for healing– (I have a nasty cold right now and the eucalyptus helps my nostrils do their job properly). And some are for air freshener– our bathroom smells like grapefruits, better than what it has smelled like in the past.

My Every Day Cleaner

When I was pregnant I started reading labels of household cleaners and freaking out a bit. So many chemicals! To make me less paronoid I started concocting my own cleaning products. After many attempts I think I perfected my everyday cleaner. Here is a simple one I use on a regular basis.

4 cups of water

1/4 cup vinegar

20 drops or tea tree oil

1 tbs castile soap

Home Made Bum Wipe Solution

This is so simple and much easier and healthier for your baby. No nasty ingredients you can’t read or pronounce.

–Roll up your soft cotton wash cloths and place in a wipes warmer

–add 2 cups of warm water

–5 drops of Tea Tree Oil

–1 tablespoon of coconut oil

What do you use Essential Oils for?

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Happy Birthday and happy day YOU birthed!

January 10, 2014

Never did I realize the importance of birthdays until I brought a child into this world. January 11 2010 was the day I birthed my daughter. Did you catch that? the day I birthed her. Where is my cake and party hat? Who is pampering me as I wipe away hidden tears because my baby is 4 years old? Is there at least wine when she goes to bed at night?!

I am making a choice to celebrate birthdays for the parents…

For the dads that walked blocks and blocks with their wives (ME!) who were 42 weeks pregnant and were trying everything to encourage their babies to slide down the birth canal, for the dads that applied pressure on all the aches of labour and for the dads that learned quickly that love is meant to be expressed with kisses, cuddles and silly voices.

For the moms that carried children inside them for 10 months, for the moms that changes their eating habits for their child because of heartburn, Gestational Diabetes or to just eat clean, for the moms who sat in the dark at 2 in the morning breastfeeding a newborn every 1-2 hours while in tears because they were wondering if they are going to be a good mom.

I celebrate you! Happy Day you birthed!

***Feel free to share this post with all your friends and families that are celebrating the day they birthed… they will appreciate your awareness***