PHOTO DUMP

So as many of you know, my parents and my sister and my in-laws were all out here for Nora's birthday and Baptism weekend extravaganza.  So here are some photos of our times together.  The birthday party post will be later this week :)  Most of the pictures are of my family - but that's only because I don't know how my in-laws feel about being on my blog (and that's because they don't know about the blog lol).

 Grandpa and Nora hanging out the day they arrived.

Hanging with Grandpa!

Nora and Grandma at Tianna's birthday party.

Nora and Grandma watching Daddy's baseball game.

 

Grandpa keeping score for Daddy's baseball game.

 Trying out her birthday present from us in the living room - she knew that she was supposed to splash in it, even without water lol.

Testing out the pool on the deck.

Getting all dried off.

 Birthday cake!! Friday the 29th was her actual birthday so we celebrated with family only that night.  That's my sis in the background!

 Enjoying her first cake!

 Trying on her new Backyardigans hat from Auntie Danie

 Looking at her new glass giraffe ornament from Auntie Danie.

 Baptism Day.  She really hates stuff on her head now.

 Baptism Ceremony.

Three generations who used the same baptism gown. 

 My family!

 Christina and I downtown on Canada Day.

 Nora chillaxing in her stroller.

Me and my sis in our matching Canada Day t-shirts!

Rocking the red jeans for Canada Day Fireworks.

RMC at sunset.  LOVE our new camera.  And this picture.

 My sister :)

 Fireworks!!

 More fireworks

 Llama time.

Nora's new swimsuit from Grandma and Grandpa.

Paul and I at the lake - we were heading out for a boat ride.

Nora testing out kayaking lol.

Me and my Baby :)

Summer Essentials Swap!

I am so bad in posting this so late - I don't know where June or July went.  Down the drain really - I can't believe that the summer is almost half over!

I participated in an awesome Summer Essentials Swap hosted by the lovely Nicole over at:

My partner was the AWESOME Kimberlee who blogs over at I Have A Degree In This.  You really REALLY need to go check out her blog.  She lives in NYC and I love reading her stuff.  Seriously.  Go check it out.  Right now. :)

So I received my package (in a very timely manner - she can tell you she got hers late from me because I accidentally mailed it to myself first - WIN for Karen lol).

And I LOVE the contents of it!

First - it came in this SUPERFUN box.  Who wouldn't want a package in bright polka dots??

This is what it looked like when I opened it up - a pretty card and some awesome stuff!

 

So she sent:

1. Neutrogena Oil blotting sheets - definitely a must need for summer heat.

2. Coppertone Oil Free Face Sunscreen - I am SO thankful for this.  I hate how greasy sunscreen feels on my face and this stuff is AWESOME!

3. Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism - I haven't used it yet but it matches two of my shirts so I'm pretty pumped.

4. EOS lip balm.  This stuff is the cat's meow.  It's like a gumball shape, so cool. And it makes my lips feel great.

5.  Watermelon Extra Gum - this girl knows me too well - I have a small obsession with chewing gum and I LOVE watermelon flavored gum.  So delicious.

And that was my fun Summer Essentials Swap Box.  I love doing things like this - it makes me happy to get mail other than bills lol.

Sunday Social - What's in YOUR bag?

I'm linking up to Sunday Social for the first time - I thought it was fitting because Paul was complaining about how heavy my purse was today and that I must have EVERYTHING in it lol.

 

It's tough to talk about a "purse" because now that I'm a Mom - most often I'm carrying around the diaper bag.  But I recently changed my Coach Diaper Bag into my carryall tote that I use and Nora's diaper stuff gets put into a MEC backpack.  It's easier to carry the backpack when I'm wearing my baby :)

 

1. Favorite handbag you've ever owned

That would be either my Pink Coach purse or my beloved Coach Diaper Bag.  Both were presents from my Dad (well from my parents, but I'm pretty sure it was my Dad who bought them lol)

 

2. Dream handbag you lust over

I don't have a dream handbag... I wanted my Coach Diaper Bag and I ended up getting it so I was pretty stoked about that.

 

3. Daily essentials in your purse or work bag

- Cell phone

- Gum

- Wallet

- Keys

- Life Planner

4. What's in your purse(with pictures)

 This is the beautiful Coach Diaper Bag.

 Contents 1 - Wallet, Binder, Notebook and Erin Condren LifePlanner

 Contents 2 - the candy.  I think I have a sweet tooth lol.  Nibs, Skittles, Popcorn and Smarties and AN APPLE.  I am semi-healthy.  I swear.

Contents 3 (go clockwise starting at the top)- Receipts, Smashbook Tape, business card holder, Keys, Granola Bar, PENS, Giftcards.  I think I have a pen/stationary problem.  I love pens.  A lot.  It's an issue.  As you can see.

Contents 4 - Gum, Hand sanitizer, Nail Polish and 2 lipsticks and 3 lipglosses. 

Not pictured - the 2 packs of gum that I took from the bag and put in my back pockets at work and the water that I finished drinking before I took these pictures AND the iPhone that I took the pictures with :)

 

There you have it.  I carry WAY too much around with me on a regular basis lol.

So What Wednesday....

SO WHAT.....

- if I haven't had a chance to properly blog in over a month... it's been busy

- if my daughter has slept in our bed every night since our company left - if it means she sleeps, I'm SO cool with it.

- if it's 9:54pm and we are SO ready for bed.

- if I'm not sure I'm happy being back at work with my retail job

- if I hate the dentist and put it off for far too long and now might have a HUGE cavity - possibly even need a root canal... we'll find out tomorrow night after my dental appt :(

- if my baby may not have gained enough weight to make our doctor happy - her 1 year appt and shots are tomorrow morning... we'll see what happens but we don't think she's gained much :(

- if I just want to sleep.... 

I promise - real blog post to come this week - I have all the pics from Nora's birthday put onto my laptop now so I WILL blog about it :)

Friday's Letters

 

Dear Time:

Please slow down.

Thanks, Love Me.

Dear Blog:

I swear I will write again - it's been a crazy two weeks filled with 3 birthdays, 1 baptism, a trip to the lake today, 2 in-laws, 2 parents, 1 sister visiting and a whole lot of stuff.  Next week, it's just me and Nora at home.

Love, Busy Bee Me

Dear Nora,

OMG.  My little baby is 1 now.  You had an awesome party (post to come on that awesomeness). And now you're walking.  And you can sign please and all done.  And eating big girl food and drinking milk (but thank goodness we still bond of bf'ing at night lol).  I love you more than words can say.

Love, your Momma.

Dear Husband,

The week from H-E-double hockey sticks is almost over.  Love you lots.

Love your wife

Dear Mean People who can't be named,

You frustrate me, you anger me, and you make me very upset for my baby.  I wish you would open your eyes and realize what you are doing, but I know you never will.  I have come to terms with this.  I will never be able to please you.  And honestly, this past week has made me realize that it doesn't matter anymore.  As long as my baby girl is happy with how I parent her, that is all that matters.

Sincerely, Pissed off Mother Bear.

Dear World,

Can I please take a nap?

Thanks.

Love One Tired Karebear.

Dear God,

Thank you for all your wonderful blessings.  And the blessings in disguise too.  I know you have a master plan and I just need to trust in you a little bit more.

Love, Karen