Babies and Tiara's (not quite)

Winning Photo

So, you know when everyone thinks they have the cutest baby, well, hate to burst the bubbles, but there are a lot of babies that start off a little rough around the cute edges. I was actually looking back at a few of Greta's pics, and I do think she was a fairly cute little newborn, but wow, do I ever think her looks have improved with age. She did have a pretty well shaped head, and her eyes were sweet from the beginning, but there are a few pics that I have to say - why did I share those. And I was looking at the Facebook Comments - she is beautiful, cute, OMG Adorable - and then I realized, people have "standard lines" as over the past 9 months a lot of babies have been born and the same people who commented on Greta's pics, also know these new babies and guess what, they are making the SAME comments...the standard lines. I try to refrain from saying, look at all that hair - only because people know it's my hidden meaning comment of yikes, your child is ape like, but I have actually seen a few babies recently that look mighty cute with lots of hair, but I'm almost afraid to write that in case the hormonal mama will have a break down because they know what lots of hair usually means to be - I'm calling their baby an ape, sometimes I have gone as far as writing, "Really, I'm serious, I really, really mean that the baby is cute!" Anyway, I now can say - I do have the cutest baby! Well, at least the cutest baby of submitted photos during the months of December to March on Canadian Mothers Resource, but that is just a few details, really, I have the cutest baby! Miss Greta Claire just won her "first" photo contest, and with this win comes a generous gift certificate for Toys R Us. Looks like the little miss is holding her own for income and off to buy herself a new car seat and maybe a few new toys. We'll be the practical parents and make her buy something she'll need (car seat) and what is left over well, we'll let her pick out what she wants (because 9 months old surely can point and say, that is what I want). Darren thought she would like an XBox, but she voted against that - with my help. It was a lovely surprise, as I must admit, I totally forgot about submitting the photo. I submitted the picture because so many were saying, you really should submit a photo to a contest - so thanks to all who persuaded me to do so. The gentleman who called to tell me the news of the win was so kind, and it was almost funny to hear him say how cute she was, and how the picture was adorable. I could see the girls saying it, but to hear him say it just struck me funny. Anyway, I think we were both pretty proud. Now, this DOES NOT mean I'm off to the pageant world and we'll be recreating a Toddlers and Tiara's scenario, I just got a lucky shot of a cute little grin and a wide eyed tilted head little Greta, the truth of the matter is, I probably took 50 pics to capture that one perfect shot - a professional photographer I will not be. I hand it to those who can do children's photography, it wouldn't be for me. On to other news - well, I don't have much news, it was a lovely weekend, a tad chilly and it has come and gone too quickly. The big accomplishment of the weekend - I have Greta's 1st Birthday all set. Yes, it is 3 months away, but I was online shopping ( I know, shocking ) and found the perfect birthday dress, NWT (new with tags for you non Ebay users) it has a sweet band on the dress that says Birthday Princess, so I had to get it, the big dilemma, the size, I bought 12 months, it was the smallest I could buy, so she has a lot of growing to do, or her birthday pics will be taken at Xmas instead of June. She is currently wearing 6 months, I bought her 9 month summer outfits, but I feel optimistic she'll look cute in the dress even if it is sweeping on the floor. And on to my other favorite online shopping experience, Etsy. For those that don't know much about Etsy, it is the homemade goods version of Ebay. All items are hand made, so I order clips, bows, hats, you name it. I found a sweet ad and inquired about birthday items and have just placed an order for homemade invitations and a homemade birthday banner (in pink and brown of course). Can't wait to see them, the buying experience has been wonderful. I can just sit on my butt and hit a few buttons and presto, everything is taken care of. I'm starting to realize I would make a good hermit. So, that ends another weekend, and almost the end of another month. Where does the time go! In two months, I'll be preparing for my first day back to work, I'll enjoy the next month or so lounging in my pjs until noon, what a challenge it will be to wear real clothes other than pjs and yoga outfits, I'm afraid I won't remember how to zip up dress pants! And I better practice wearing my high heels, slippers just won't cut it as office attire. I'm on a roll for posts, but just in case I don't make it back this week, have a great and enjoyable week. For my friends returning to work after their year maternity leave - good luck and enjoy the adult conversations, for one special person who is going to kick cancer in the ass, good luck with your radiation treatments I will be thinking of you and to those coming for a visit, I thank you in advance and am looking forward to seeing you!!! Toodles!

Two days in a Row

Don't fall off your chairs, I am posting another blog a day after my last post, actually, 24 hours has yet to pass. It is a multi-tasking evening: I'm typing obviously, watching re-runs of the Big Bang Theory (what a hilarious show), thinking about the cleaning I should be doing and watching Greta drift off to sleep in Darren's arms as she loudly chomps on her soother and rubs her blanket between her hands. How can such a little gal be so noisy chomping, I have never done well with noisy eaters or drinkers, and I am afraid we may have created one.

It was brought to my attention this morning that my blog site has somehow made its way to the PEI INFO website, someone has obviously submitted my blog and there it was this morning, right alongside the blog updates from the Guardian, Eastern Graphic and the Charlottetown Police Reports. So, I felt it was my obligation to welcome any new readers and to confirm, I'm not quite as messed up as the blogs may make you believe...really, I mean it, okay, most of it is true, but I have normal moments of motherhood too! I also must apologize in advance, I can't possibly review every post to edit out bad language, poor grammar and my take on Motherhood could very well offend you. So...be warned, if you are overly religious, don't like swearing, or think baby snot, crappy diapers and peas sneezed out of a baby's nose are the best things about motherhood, you better find another blog to read. But, if you are looking for a little big of reality and want to read what I have no doubt many new mothers think but don't dare admit it, well, you may just have a fun time reading so I suggest starting at the beginning of my journey! (Pre Baby blogs I have to admit, were much more exciting).

We had a pretty full day, Darren's sister came by for lunch...thanks to leftovers, we had quite the spread at lunch and of course, Greta was the main attraction. We put a lot clicks on the stroller, two walks today, little Scarlet's legs could hardly keep up, my idea years ago to get a dog that would be a good walking partner were not well thought out...walking and Shih Tzu means short little trips, at least I didn't have to carry the dog home this time. Naps, house cleaning, eBay surfing and presto, another day is done. One tragic thing for the evening...I realized I will be in the USA shopping for William and Kate's wedding...oh my. I had a moment - shopping just isn't worth missing it!!! Darren bowed his head in shame, but a royal freak like me, really needs to see the full Royal Wedding. I remember watching Charles and Diana's wedding as a young girl, I had all the Royal books, even had a pop up book when William was born, you pulled the tab and William crawled on the blanket that was spread out in front of Windsor Castle. So, to miss it for my other passion, shopping, well, it's a sacrifice. The deals better be amazing, and I mean, really amazing! I was in NYC when Diana's funeral was on, I chose to stay in and watch the procession ... how is that for a Royal Watcher!

Tomorrow marks Greta's 9th Month, will pick out a fun outfit for her Monthly Birthday Photo Shoot, 9 months just sounds so old. Above pics are Greta and big cousin Haley during Haley's spring break vacation a few weeks ago.

Toodles!

It has been a little while....

What a long time between blog posts, guess you can say I've been having a month that resembles toilet paper stuck to the bottom of your shoe, bird crapping on your head just as you leave the hairdresser...okay, so those things didn't really happen to me, but should sum up the month! There were a few good times too...

Lets see, not a hope I will remember a full month of activities, but Greta of course is a growing little weed, she celebrated her 8th month with quite a few "firsts"...she said her first word, a shout out to her favorite person...no, not Mommy or Daddy...not even Scarlet (although I would be pretty impressed if an 8 month old said the word Scarlet)...but her favorite is Casanova, and we hear "Kitty, Kitty" quite a bit in this house. It is pretty cute I must say, a little dig at us perhaps, I mean, if she likes the cat so much, maybe we could take a break and let the cat take care of her! Also fair to share the news that Mom was her second word...Well, more like Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum... we are claiming it as MOM and not the yucky rice biscuit that kids choke on. She is quite observant and seems to know everything we are talking about, well, maybe not everything, but when we are discussing objects, toys, animals, she will look for the item.

Another milestone - her first REAL cold, I have discussed snot in the past, well, that was from the teeth...this month, she was hit with a real cold and cough that made us all miserable, and not just from her suffering. She actually spread her germs and there were days that Darren had to stay home from work and all three of us were ill. Worse, Darren had to stay home because I was so sick I couldn't get out of bed and look after Greta. I have almost been proud of my little bubble world, for the first time in years, I had not been sick with a cold, I was warned during my liver treatments to avoid sick people as they were stripping my immune system, not the easiest thing to do, but I really did well. I banned those with sniffles from our house, I only go out with healthy non sniffling people and I even wear gloves at stores...but germs got in our bubble and wow, having no immune system and not being allowed to take anything out of fear it could harm my liver more...well, lets just say, I've had better 3 week stretches in my life. Thankfully Greta is feeling better, she just had to let it take care of it herself, no meds were required other than Baby Tylenol, but I think I've had enough of the runny nose for a bit. I don't know how we are going to make it through germs at the sitters. I so wish we could afford a nanny or sitter to come to the house, protect my little bubble world for a little longer!

Not only is Greta healthy she is SOLID. Holy heavy to carry now, she is a whopping 17lbs and a friend pointed out this evening, it looks like she is taller, this is a new development, must be the yogurt she has been eating, as her little legs always were so short, but I must admit, she actually looks longer just in the past few weeks. And the hair - well, it is growing and filling in fast. Definitely changing in her looks.

Daddy had a break, a real break. Darren and cousins Richie and Colin cashed in on their Xmas / Birthday gifts from the significant others and headed to Boston for a hockey game, drinking nights, and whatever else they did that I didn't bother asking about. I think they had a fun time. It was my first solo 4 day stretch, day and night with Greta, although as it happened, Mom was in town for a few nights, so a little help along the way. I even got out to trivia with friends.

Probably the most significant thing that has happened to change life in the Edgett-Gallant household is I am officially Prednisone Free. I know many have followed my journey and I can confirm, for me, prednisone was the hardest thing I have done, having a baby is nothing compared to the anguish, disguist, self esteem harming, self confidence slashing this drug caused. Mood swings is on the list of side effects for a reason, holy lord, I was a royal bitch most of the time (and not my regular bitch switch), I'm talking a whole new level of I hate your guts and this is why type of bitch. Emotions were a roller coaster, every time I passed a mirror I cried, even when I was out in public, I have left stores because I would see myself. Prednisone completely changed how my face looked, how my clothes fit, a total of 15 lbs of fluid found it's way to my post baby body, which I had proudly shed all the weight I had gained in 6 weeks after Greta's arrival. Oh my, hard, hard, hard. Since March 1st I haven't had these dreadful pills and in 21 days, I'm thrilled to say, I almost look like myself again, I happily wore my Size 6 pants again, and have about 5 lbs to go. I still can't figure out if the rest is still fluid, or a result of the other side effect - increased appetite (when the dose was high) - I fully admit, I ate my fair share of cookies! Hopefully my next blog post won't be a full month away and I'll be able to report the prednisone was just a bad experience that has left no evidence.

It definitely has been an interesting month, I'm glad it will soon come to an end! Real friends once again emerged to help out when help was needed, kind gestures were provided when they definitely were not expected, and some friends...well, lets just say I have learned a lot and as someone told me a few weeks ago, I need to find just a small group who I can really trust and let others go. Which I have!

So, lying in bed, typing up this blog, I think that is all I can recall from the past month. Greta will be 9 months on Thursday, very hard to believe in some aspects, but then again, it feels like it was ages ago since I was nervously preparing for my C-section and heading to the hospital. I return to work in 2 months time, as much as I didn't enjoy being home the first few months, I have ZERO desire to return, and don't mind saying that...Not that I want to stay home, but a year off work is a very long time, out of a routine, out of dress up clothes, currently I can stay in my pjs until noon, then switch to a yoga outfit. Kind of thinking that won't go over so well at the office. And how in the hell am I going to get up, ready and out the door for work at 7am...Oh my word, it all seems impossible in my brain. Others do it, so surely I won't fail at this great task, but YIKES.

Next thing I'll have to start thinking about is her birthday - don't worry, I am not sending invites out to attend a 1 year olds birthday...but I will have cupcakes and a pretty dress for her to wear for my own enjoyment.

Special thanks to our friend and AWARD Winning Photographer Rachel Peters who took the lovely photos of Greta at the beginning of the blog. She caught a steady on her feet little gal, who actually stood up on her own, without me holding on to her, just for a few seconds during the shoot. Check out a few more pics on her blog:

http://www.blogbyrachel.com/2011/03/greta/

Toodles and my apologies for the grammar and spelling errors, much to tired to read it over again and spell check isn't working.