Mummy Madness
I got married and had two children all in 3 years. My son, also my first child, was born with a health condition that required surgery and we spent our first 6 weeks of parenthood in a NICU at a children’s hospital. It was the most difficult time of my life. Even after he came home I struggled with anxiety, depression, fear and anger. I turned to writing and my words slowly allowed me to crawl out of the hole I had dug myself into. I was forever changed. I began to realize that I had the ability to help others who were struggling with their journey in parenthood. As parents, we all have moments where we aren't sure what we are doing. I continue to write and share my experiences in hopes that I can help part the clouds for someone who is struggling.
Messages to my Pre-Mummy Self
I’ve only been playing this game of motherhood for six and a half years. I’m really still a rookie. I haven’t quite figured everything out and I have moments when, as the tears well up in my eyes, I wonder if I’m really cut out for this job. Yet I wake up every day and I keep going and sometimes I even think to myself, “I’m kind of getting the hang of this whole Mummy thing.” I often think of how much I stressed in those early...
What’s for Dinner: Mum’s Cypriot Meatballs
I called my mum the other day because I missed the meatballs she used to make when we were kids. I was hounding her for the recipe because I've never been able to make them the way she does. I got the ingredients right and they taste great, but they're never as good as my mum's. Here is the basic way to make them. Feel free to add your own spices and herbs to personalize them to your taste. Oh, and if you're wondering, in Cypriot they're...
Mommy’s Night Out
A mommy friend of mine had recently written a blog about her experience of going out on the town now versus back in the day. I found myself laughing out loud to her comparisons and comments only to discover the very same reality check when I went out recently with a few of my girlfriends. When we were in our 20's we would venture down to the city about once a month to either a club or bar and party until the early morning hours, wake up...
My Story of Loss
She would have been born in May. It was too early to know the gender of the baby but I knew it was she. I felt it, deep within my heart. It’s funny what your instincts tell you. I knew that I was pregnant even before I took the test. I peed on the stick and anxiously awaited the two pink lines. As sure as I was that I was pregnant I was equally as confident that this baby wasn’t meant to be. I tried to avoid feeling anything at all. I told...
I’ve Been Pregnant for Five Years
Sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? Well, it is, for the most part, entirely true. You see, about halfway through 2010, I got pregnant with Henry who is now 4. He was born in 2011. Then, in fall 2012, I got pregnant with Lauchie, who was born mid 2013. Again, in fall 2014, I got pregnant and am due to have a baby in aproximately 7 weeks (but who’s counting?). Five years of pregnancy, fourth trimester, nearly one year of postpartum depression and...
5 Zones for a Perfectly Functional Nursery
When thinking about designing a nursery, some parents get lost in cute blankets and wall art. Over the next year, you will be spending more time in the nursery than possibly any other room in your house (ok, probably the laundry room!) You need to make the nursery as functional as it is adorable. Here are a few nursery design tips to separate your space into five purposeful zones: The Sleep Zone. Most new parents agree that getting baby to...
Daycare Considerations
Looking for a daycare facility can be one of the toughest searches you experience. There is so much to consider and you always want to make sure you make the right decision when it comes to your little ones care. If you are going back to work because you want to or because you have to you will put a lot of thought into the daycare you choose and the choice won’t be as simple as centre, home daycare or nanny. There are some additional...
2nd Birthday Party Madness
It’s been one heck of a year! Since their first birthday parties the girls have sprouted a mouthful of teeth, taken their first steps which have now turned into a full-on sprint and gone from eating mushy food to gnawing on chicken wings. When you hear people say that “time flies” they aren’t joking. I can hardly believe the difference a year makes. So when it came time to plan our twins’ second birthday party it should have...