Christmas Cards

There has been a lot of talk around the blogosphere lately about Christmas cards and where to order them from.  So many of you are talking about Shutterfly and to be quite honest, I had never heard of Shutterfly before and immediately became intrigued, especially when I saw that they are offering bloggers 50 Free Holiday Cards!  Seriously, how did I not know about Shutterfly before?!  The Christmas Cards they have available on their site are adorable and I am having a tough time deciding what design I would choose.  Here are a few examples:

Love the pointsetta print

Simple and modern

I am LOVING all things monogrammed this year, these two are perfect

I love the simplicity of these two!

 Simple, to the point and ADORABLE!

I am really having a tough time deciding what card style I would like to use for our Christmas cards but I am hoping to have it decided on by Friday so that I can order our cards and be ahead (just slightly) of the game this year.  I'll let you know which one we end up choosing and I will definitely keep you posted on my Shutterfly experience and from what I hear I won't be disappointed!

I also just noticed that they have a great selection of Wall Calendars, SCORE, these will be easy enough gifts for our parents as a little something extra!  I already love Shutterfly and I'm just beginning.  If you are a blogger head on over here to sign up for your 50 Free Holiday Cards.

My Little Patient

Yesterday was Cole's surgery (as mentioned here) and I am so happy to report that all went well and that my little man is back to normal.  We arrived at CHEO (the most amazing children's hospital in all of Canada, seriously, I have NEVER heard a bad thing about this place and we as well have rave reviews) at 6:30 a.m. and got signed in and within an hour Cole and Ryan were both dressed to head in to the operating room.  When the nurse asked if one of us wanted to go with Cole until he was under the anaesthetic we both said yes and Ryan looked at me and said 'I'll go'.  I began to protest but he looked at me and reassured me that it was better him than me going in as I would only cry and scare Cole.  He was right because as soon as they were gone I was sitting there wiping tears off my face and continued to do so until the doctor came to tell us all went well and that he was on his way back to recovery.  The nurse came to get one of us when he was beginning to wake up and I jumped up and all but ran to his room and on my way in my eyes started to tear up, but just as quick as they did I heard him and it stopped all of my tears.  He was groggy and scared and as a result of that he was thrashing around on this little bed screaming.  I ran over to him and kept reassuring him that all would be fine and he slowly began to calm down.  Every few minutes he would start to whine and kick and ask for his 'fox shirt' but in his whines I couldn't make out what he was saying.  Then it dawned on me.  His shirt that he wore to the hospital had the tiniest little fox on it and when we got him dressed in the little pj's that they supply he begged us to put his fox shirt back on.  The poor guy was still thinking about this during and after his surgery.  The nurse got C a Popsicle and some juice and soon enough we were off to day care surgery to be discharged.  Once settled in that room he asked to snuggle with me so we did for an hour to make sure that all was well.  Within 20 minutes of sitting in that room he was back to normal and wanted to play and run around. The nurse sent us off with post-op instructions including to keep him calm and sitting for the next WEEK.  We both laughed and she said that she understood, after all, he is a little boy, but to try our best.  Well we did, yesterday.  There really isn't much we can do to keep him sitting and doing nothing.  We put a movie on and sits for 20 minutes and then he's on the floor playing with his monster trucks and trains.  I tried to color a picture with him and that worked for another 20 minutes and then he was off to find a book.  Oh well, I guess it's not a bad thing that he is up and at it like nothing happened.  We are just so lucky to be so close to CHEO if anything were to ever happen to him, what an amazing hospital.  I am loving being at home to care for Cole while he is recovering, but that will end tomorrow when I go back to work and he spends the day with his Nana and Papa.

Please take a moment and hold your loved ones close today (and everyday), this past weekend in Ottawa there was a tragedy when a 14 year old girl took her own life.  Please encourage everyone you know, especially teens to talk to someone, anyone and please take a moment to pray for the Richardson family and all of Daron's friends.

If You Aren't MODGing it, Heck You Aren't Living

First off, super important news...

Please go here and vote for MODG and then go here to sign up and vote for Plankton's nursery because it is basically the coolest nursery EVER!  Oh and also, if you don't know MODG, you don't know nothing!  I really hate to tell everyone about her and have to share her, but she will fill your life with sparkles, rainbows and hearts and maybe even a little Danny Tanner too.  Why am I telling you this...just go and you will see for yourself.

Back to your regular broadcast...

I was so spoiled this week!  Ryan's parents came over on Tuesday for a visit and to do the cat litter while Ryan is away (apparently you aren't to do it while pregnant?) and not only did they do that, they took the garbage out, vacuumed the floors, made supper and helped with Cole - seriously, how fantastic are my in-laws?  They absolutely love to help with anything they can and I am so lucky to have married into such a great family.

Not only was that a terrific night, I got to visit with Jamie and Ella on Wednesday night after Cole and I had a movie/dinner date on the couch.  Ella is 6 weeks old and precious, oh my gosh!  Last night my mom spent the night and we had a great evening just relaxing.  Cole loves having my mom around, he

I was checking out The Lo Down this morning and came across this website.  This is such a touching story and the little boy's drawings are pretty cute!  Amazing at the amount of drawings they have sold and how much it has helped this family out in such a time of need.  It really makes you realize just how many amazing people are in the world.

I hope you have a terrific weekend and don't forget to go and vote for MODG, she (and Charlie) will change your life.  You best tell her I sent you so I get extra sparkles...thanks.

Wordless Wednesday - Love ♥

Top 2 Tuesday - Thankful

Taylor is hosting Top 2 Tuesday as per every week and this week is the top 2 things you are thankful for.  This should be an easy one right?  Unfortunately it's not, I mean how do you narrow down all the great things in life to the top 2?  I'm going to cheat just a bit :)
 
1.  My boys, family and friends.
There is no way that I could lead the wonderful life I am today without all of the amazing people who are in it.  I am so lucky to have two sweet boys in my life who fill my days with love.  I have a large family who are always there when I need them and who do everything that they can for my family and I.  Then there are my friends.  What would I do without all of you wonderful ladies who keep me entertained day in and out?
 
My boys, family and friends?!  Heck yes!  They are all my life and what a wonderful life it is!
 
2.  My health.
I am a pretty healthy person with the exception of the odd cold.  I have been so lucky to lead a healthy life to date and I only pray that I will continue to live this way.  I think of so many people who I know that are suffering and dealing with sickness and I feel so terrible for them and wish that there was some way to help take their pain away. 
 
Taylor, thinking of you and hoping your week is going better. x
 
Head on over to Taylor's and link up to play along and while you are there stop by with some well wishes.

14 Weeks

How far along? 14 weeks today

Total weight gain/loss:  0lbs

Maternity clothes? not yet

Stretch marks? just the ones from Cole

Sleep: I can't get enough

Best moment: Cole went to show a friend of ours where the baby was by rubbing my belly but he rubbed one of my boobs.  Hilarious but adorable!

Movement: nothing yet

Food cravings:  fruit mainly but anything sweet at all will do (especially left over Halloween treats!)

What I miss:  the little bit of energy I did have and being able to do drinks with the girls

Anything making you queasy or sick:  refer to my previous post...

Have you told family and friends: everyone knows


Gender:  unknown

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? in
Happy or Moody most of the time:  I'd like to say happy but this week has been a trying one at home, moody if I'm being truthful.

Weekly Wisdom:  SLEEP!!!  I can't stress this enough.  With an almost 3 year old and the pregnancy tiredness it is tough to make it through most evenings so I am taking full advantage of any sleep I can get.

Shitty & Pissy

When Cole and I got home tonight Ryan pulled in the driveway behind us from taking Bailey to the vet.  I was really concerned about Bailey and was happy to hear that he's expected to be fine but that he has a bladder infection which has spread to his kidneys.  He has to eat special wet food (which he won't eat), we are to give him a little pill (should be fun) and the best part of it all, he got his ass shaved and now we (I'm coming back to this 'we' issue in a moment) have to put cream on his tender tush.  Ryan is telling me this and I am still feeling terrible for Bailey until I realize that WE don't have to do all of this, nope, I have to do this.  Ryan is leaving to go hunting for a week and it's up to me...or Cole, although my almost 3 year old darling spawn has already come to the conclusion that 'Bailey's bum is dirrrrrty Mommy!'.

Not only have I had this thought in my mind all evening, I have had this lovely scent in my nose.  The little __________ (fill in the blank) peed on our couch earlier in the week and the smell is not coming out no matter what Ryan does to it.  He bought a steam cleaner and that didn't work, he tried some vinegar concoction and that didn't work and tonight he went and bought some odor out nonsense and of course that hasn't worked.  The cats (oh yes we have 2 of these little angels) are corralled down in the basement and I let me tell you, that is where they will be staying for the next week.  They are not outdoor cats so that won't be a problem, but I have no clue how I will clean up after pissy-pants (if this continues) while rushing home after work, making supper, bath, laundry, cleaning and prepping everything for the next day and finding time to get my exhausted self to bed. 

Just an FYI:  pregnancy = heightened senses (especially smell), therefore, cat pee stench + pregnancy = vomit on my husbands head tonight...possibly. 

Not impressed. (obviously)

That's my rant for now.

Pre-Op

We went for Cole's pre-op on Tuesday and all is good and ready to go.  Not sure if I mentioned it before or not, but Cole has a hydrocele testis and will be having an operation on November 15th.  According to his surgeon this is quite common as they do around 15 procedures weekly.  I will be happy when this is all over and done with and when Cole is running and jumping around again.  He's is having absolutely no pain right now with this issue and it won't cause any damage at the moment but if left it could down the road.  I know there is nothing to worry about but the scary part is having to leave him to be put under anaesthetics and just sit and wait.  Thankfully he likes doctors and isn't scared of them yet so getting him there is not the problem.  However, the mask for the sedation might be an issue.  Now we wait until the 15th, Cole none the wiser and me full of worry.

This week has for sure been eventful!  Bailey (one of our cats) isn't feeling well and has peed several times outside of his litter box.  It's almost as if he isn't making it there on time and has very little control over it.  Ryan noticed that there was blood in his urine as well.  They are at the vet right now, hopefully figuring out what is wrong with him.  I am by no means a lover of these cats, they were Ryan's when we started dating and while they are part of our family, I am not their biggest fan.  They both shed like mad and the meow at all hours of the night right outside our bedroom door.  That being said, I would never want either one of them to be sick or in any sort of pain.  Here's hoping all goes well as Cole absolutely adores them both.

I won a fantastic give away over at Amanda's Blog, if you haven't been over to check her out you definitely need to.  She is a fashionable and sweet mom of two boys who are ADORABLE!  Thanks Amanda.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner...

It's time to announce the winner of my first giveaway, but first, a very special thank you to Susan from GirlSunday Designs for her generosity and just for how awesome she is to work with.  The winner will get 1 snack bag and 1 sandwich of their choice from Susan's Etsy Shop.

Using random.org the winner is...

Stacy from Stacy's 101 List.  Congrats Stacy, e-mail me at ashleysmith_82{at}hotmail{dot}com with you info. and I'll have Susan contact you.

Another huge thanks to Susan, it was so much fun working with you and hosting this giveaway.  I absolutely love my snack and sandwich bag and use them both daily and have gotten so many compliments on how cute they are and what a great idea.  If you haven't had the chance, head on over to GirlSunday Designs, Susan is offering free shipping right now.

On another note, I had a fabulous evening with my parents and Cole.  We had pizza and Dairy Queen for supper and we had a great visit with them.  I was so spoiled this year, I got some adorable Halloween decorations from my boss and this little purse/wallet to put in my purse (great for when you want to run to the store, it holds your cell phone, money, cards, etc.

{via}

{via}

 It was just such a great day, thank you so much for all of the e-mails, comments and loving birthday wishes.  If everyone had a day as good as I did we would all be so happy.

The Most Special, Important and Awesome Day of the Year

You read that title right, today is the most special, important and awesome day of the year.  That my friends is because today is my birfffday.  I am officially 28 years old and I don't feel a bit over 16 (ya right!)  It really hadn't felt like my birthday up until last night.  One of my favorite girls came over a for a visit and brought me cheesecake, a beautiful flower arrangement and an adorable birthday balloon.  It was such a nice visit and a relaxing evening.  She's definitely one of the best...

 Last night my boys gave me my birthday present early seeing as Ryan will be working this evening.  I got my favorite perfume which I was out of and some money for my shopping trip in late November to the states, needless to say, so far I have been spoiled rotten.  My day has already been filled with lots of love and birthday wishes and it really makes you realize just how lucky you are. 

On another note, today is an important day because it's the last day to enter my giveaway...what are you waiting for?  Get going!

Sleep?! Who Needs It!

I need help, actually my whole family does.  We have a loving, energetic almost 3 year old ball of fire on our hands and he thinks that waking up anywhere between 4:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. is acceptable - EVERY.FREAKING.DAY. and truth be told, it's not.  We are all exhausted and this is causing our evenings to be really, really tough. 

I've googled and read every possible thing on what you can do for a child who is constantly rising really early in the morning.  So far the following have not worked for us:

Going to bed later
Going to bed earlier
Covering him up with extra blankets
Making his room darker
Trying to get him back to sleep
Trying to convince him to play quietly in his room
A night light

The only other thing left to try that I can think of or read of is white noise.  We are going to try a fan in his room to see if that will work, but other than that I am at a loss. 

At first we thought it might be that Ryan's alarm wakes him up, but low and behold on his days off Cole is still up.  He runs into our room asking us to play and then proceeds to fly down the hallway turning on all of the light switches (for some strange reason our light switches are at child height, weird I know).

Please, oh please send me any and all of your suggestions.  But please don't say toughen up and deal with it that's the joys of parenthood, because I am an overtired expecting mother and I may just hunt you down and sick him on you for a good solid month.  All others would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and don't forget to enter my giveaway.

My First Giveaway!

Happy Hump Day (finally!), is it just me or has this week been dragging on?  Today is my 12-week appointment with my doctor and I am so excited to get an ultrasound referral.

I have been lucky enough to befriend this lovely lady Susan who is so kind, has a great blog (go check it out) and an adorable and creative Etsy Shop - Girl Sunday Designs.   Susan started making snack bags a couple years ago when she sent my daughter to pre-school and noticed how many zippy bags she was throwing away. She figured there had to be a better way and had just started sewing at the time and thought this would be a easy project to work on. Little did she know a whole business would evolve from it.

Susan is currently offering free shipping right now on all of her snack and sandwich bags and she is also doing fundraising by donating a percentage of the sales back to schools or day cares who fundraise through her shop.  If you are interested, please contact Susan directly, I can tell you first hand that she is very personable and easy to work with, not to mention quick!


Susan sent me a snack bag and a sandwich bag to try out and talk about an all around fantastic product!  The prints are so, so, so adorable and I have cut my disposable sandwich bag use down by quite a bit.  Here are a few pictures of the bags in use:

Cute packaging

Snack Bag

 Sandwich Bag

 Snack bag full of pretzels for Ryan's lunch

Snack bag full of popcorn, one of Cole's favorite treats

 Sandwich bag used for all my goodies in my purse

 Less mess in my purse, love, love, love this!

Susan has been kind enough to offer one lucky ready a chance to win one snack bag and one sandwich bag from her Etsy Shop.
To enter to win a snack bag and sandwich bag from Susan's Etsy Shop you must:

1st entry (mandatory) - go to Susan's Etsy Shop and tell me what you favorite product is

2nd entry (mandatory) - must be a follower of my blog  (you do not have to have a blog of your own)

3rd entry - go and check out Susan's Blog

4th, 5th and 6th entry - blog about this giveaway

Leave me a separate comment for each entry with your e-mail address by October 27th at midnight and I'll announce the winner on the 28th.

Good luck and thanks so much Susan!

Vote for Kari B...PLEASE!

Happy Friday everyone!

A friend of mine has entered a contest to win a trip to Australia and I need your help.  It will only take you a minute to vote for her and trust me, she most definitely deserves this trip.  KB is a genuine person and will always make you smile.  Take a minute to watch her video and then vote for her - please oh please!  It only takes a minute and you could help her make this happen.  Also, please leave her a comment with some love, I'm sure she'd appreciate it.  :)

Australia Campus Perks

Her video is Tour Down Under with KB

What are you waiting for?  You can vote daily, so please do!

And So It Starts

Now that the news is out in the open I feel great and can finally tell people all about it.  First off, a confession - I have been lazy, no I have been beyond lazy.  When I was pregnant with Cole I was sick (so sick) every.single.day. for the first trimester.  I would wake up in the morning and I was sick.  I would get in the shower and I was sick.  I would brush my teeth and I was sick.  I would put on a sock and I was sick.  I would wait at the bus stop and was sick.  I would get on the bus and then off again at the next stop and I was sick.  Get the point?  This time - I wasn't going to be sick, that I was sure of.  Why I never got Diclectin from my doctor is something Ryan and I asked our selves a million times.  When we found out I was pregnant I booked an appointment with my family doctor that week.  She is fantastic, but unfortunately she doesn't deliver babies, although I may have tried bribing her into doing just this one (didn't work - YET).  First thing she asked me 'are you all pukey and stuff again?' and thankfully, no I wasn't but she felt my pain from all we went through with Cole and prescribed me Diclectin right away for this sweet little one.

As luck would have it, I haven't needed Diclectin yet.  I have been nauseous like you wouldn't believe some days, but luckily it's nothing that Sea Bands and a piece of gum won't fix.  So the sickness isn't terrible, but on to the fatigue.  I am so tired.  I can barely force myself to do anything but lounge when I don't have to make supper or do any motherly duties.  This little one is sucking every ounce of energy that I have out of me.  Bed time at 8 or 9 p.m.?  Yes please!  Hopefully that will pass shortly as I need to clean my house on a regular basis again and start feeling like myself.

Enough baby talk for one day.  I promise this won't become all about the baby, but yes you will hear lots about it, and see plenty of pictures (but don't worry Dancy - nothing graphic, I promise).

I was tagged last week by Stacy in a fun little game of tag, where she answered 8 questions from someone and then she had to make up 8 questions and tag 8 others, so here are my answers:

1. What is your favorite thing to cook?
I love to cook anything with lots of garlic, but my favorite has to be pasta sauce.  Tomato or Alfredo, it doesn't matter, as long as there is lots of garlic.

2. What is your favorite TV show and why?
My favorite TV show is Grey's Anatomy and seriously, why wouldn't it be?!  Grey's Anatomy is THE best show on TV and I absolutely love Meredith...she's a riot.

3. If you had a $10,000 shopping spree to anywhere, where would you pick and why?
I would have to pick a $10,000 shopping spree to any shopping mall so that I could get all sorts of goodies from different stores and not just be limited to clothing or decor.  A cheat, I know.

4. What song are you likely to sing at karaoke in a bar?
None.  I am tone deaf and would never, ever, do that again.  I promise - never, ever.

5. If you could take any kind of class, what would you take and why...ie. Dance/Art/Photography?
I should say Dance class as I am so rhythmless, but really, I don't care because I only dance when I am drinking and by that point I don't care at all.  That being said, I would take photography so I could learn how to finally work my camera properly and hopefully capture loads of cute moments of Cole.

6. What is one thing that you couldn't live without and why?
Assuming people aside, I couldn't live without water.  Now, I know this is obvious but even if it weren't a necessity, it would still be my choice.  Besides drinking tea, I drink a lot of water.  You will rarely catch me without a bottle of water in my purse or car.

7. What is your favorite season and why?
This one is tough, I love Spring, Summer and Fall.  I love Spring with the exception of the mud, muck and the smell of dog poop.  I love the feeling of warm weather approaching and being able to drive with your window down and enjoy a warm breeze.  I love Summer for the beautiful weather, flip flops and being able to enjoy the longer days.  I love Fall for the crisp cold air, the beautiful colors and the smell of Fall.  Again, a cheat.

8. What is your favorite color and why?
I love the color black.  Okay so it's a shade, but anything looks good in black.

Questions:

1.  Who is your favorite actress/actor?
2.  What celebs fashion style do you absolutely lust over?
3.  What is your greatest accomplishment to date?
4.  Do you have an addiction (purses, shoes, etc.)?
5.  If you could meet one celebrity who would it be and why?
6.  What do you consider to be your best personality trait?
7.  What is your favorite store to shop at?
8.  What is your biggest fear?

I am tagging everyone and hope to see some answers soon!

Insert Happy Dance Here

We have big news.  Huge news.  Exciting news.  Heck, I could do this all day.  I'll let Cole show you instead...

We are expecting our second child and we are beyond thrilled.  Due in the first week of May and feeling great.

101

I have been working on my list of 101 things I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days for about 2 weeks now and I am only half way through.  I started adding some things last weekend but when I really thought about them I realized that they weren't substantial enough, rather that I was just adding random things to finish up my list.  I have several things that I really would like to accomplish and some that I may not get done but I am planning to strive for completion of all of them.  When I told Ryan I was first thinking of making this list he looked at me as though I was absolutely crazy and said "Do you really need to find more things to do?" and while I see where he is coming from, I just don't see myself doing all of the things that I want or need to do in any set amount of time without this list.  I tend to put things off seeing as life is so busy.  For example, making a will.  That is number 1 on my list and is so important for us to do but I just keep saying that I'll get to it soon and that started 3 years ago.  So this is it, I am going to finish my list this week and get started on it.

Do you have a list of things to get done? 

I hope to post my list later in the week for everyone to see and will most definitely be posting pictures and recaps when an item is checked off.

Results

Please don't judge my 'I'm terrible exhausted' look for it has truly been a terrible long week (I think I may have mentioned that already in a previous post.  I will most definitely post a better picture with make up, decent clothes and not after a 15.5 hour day.  I have 101 excuses for why I am exhausted and why I look so drained and tired but heck I'll save that for another day when I have the energy to list these reasons.

Here is the my new hair do, we didn't really pick one off my list and Kristen did what she wanted and I am pleased with it.  I can't wait to style it myself and get comfortable with it.  Until then here it is and again - please don't judge my face.  Terrible, I know.

Do

It is Thursday - finally, thankfully!  This week has been so terribly long that it is unbelievable.  I have been waiting all week for today as I have an appointment to get my hair done with the lovely Kristen.  Kristen is one of my best friends, we've been friends since we were just little rigs at daycare and I gave the poor girl chicken pox.  That's how great of a friend I am.  She took the rap for most bad things we I did and that's how great of a friend she is.  I'm super excited for this as I LOVE to get my hair done.  There are few things that are more relaxing, plus she gives a killer scalp massage.

I need your help, what should I do with my hair?  I am tempted to get it cut off into one of these styles

{all images via google}

I am also getting a color done, next question - what color?

HELP PLEASE!!!

Bust A Move

It's (almost) Top 2 Tuesday over at Taylor's and this week is your top two favorite songs.

Right now I am addicted to Teenage Dream by Katy Perry.  Every time I hear it on the radio I can't help but smile and think of this:



I am also loving OMG by Usher featuring Will I Am...makes me bust a move EVERY.SINGLE.TIME...yup, I am that girl at 7 a.m. giving 'er in the car.



What are your favorite songs?  Any new ones for me to check out?

Head on over to Taylor's and link up.

Sick

I have a cold.  Blehh.  Not just and ordinary cold though, I have a sinus cold, a sore throat and sore ears.  So basically I have a man's cold and I am tired and whiny and at home.  Meaning, I am at home, on my couch and going to make some warm, delicious cookies from Emily Ann to make me feel better. 

Hopefully tomorrow I will have something more for you, until then - make some cookies and send me some please.  I also like soup.

6 More Sleeps!

Because I am super bored today at work I am posting twice...imagine that.  I'm linking up with Jen for Favorite Friday and this week it's your favorite t.v. show.

Although you might be aware that I am a reality t.v. junkie, my ultimate favorite t.v. show is not a reality show no matter how much I wish it were real.  I never miss an episode and would stay up until early morning hours to watch this show.  After each episode I am left feeling sad that I have to wait another whole week to watch it again...I may be obsessed, slightly pathetic or both.  Don't judge.

{via}

For some reason this poster shows that the season premier is September 25th but it is the 23rd, thank goodness...not much longer to wait.

What is your favorite t.v. show?
Do you follow Grey's?

Yes, I Am Bored Today

I've come to realize.....


1. I’ve come to realize that my chest-size…is something that I would like smaller (much like my waist and ass).


2. I’ve come to realize that my job…is pretty great, I am well taken care of and I like coming to work each day.


3. I’ve come to realize that when I’m driving…I hate everyone else on the road.


4. I’ve come to realize that I need…a personal shopper and trainer.


5. I’ve come to realize that I have lost…my marbles.


6. I’ve come to realize that I hate…bold people,


7. I’ve come to realize that if I’m drunk…I'm a blast and should always be drunk.


8. I’ve come to realize that money…is something that I most definitely do not have enough of.


9. I’ve come to realize that certain people…really, really annoy me.


10. I’ve come to realize that my siblings(s)…are a huge reason that I am who I am today (and why I should be drunk 90% of the time).


11. I’ve come to realize that my mom…is an amazing person.  How she raised the 4 of us and survived to tell of it is beyond me.


12. I’ve come to realize that my cell phone…is terrible and I need a new one but Telus sucks too.

13. I’ve come to realize that when I woke up this morning…that it is finally Friday!


14. I’ve come to realize that my first love is…adorable, smart, funny, busy and only 2.5 years old.


15. I’ve come to realize that right now I am thinking about…how much I need to be at home right now doing nothing.


16. I’ve come to realize that my dad…is my favorite, plain and simple - he rocks.


17. I’ve come to realize that when I get on Facebook…I am wasting time and there really isn't much going on.


18. I’ve come to realize that today…is going to be such a long day.

19. I’ve come to realize that my best friend(s)…are my rocks and bad influences.


20. I’ve come to realize that my spouse…is my soul mate and is wonderful for putting up with me.


21. I’ve come to realize that I really want to do…is be wealthy and shop.


22. I’ve come to realize that life…is what you make it and mine is awesome.


23. I’ve come to realize that this weekend…is the last weekend before Grey's Anatomy returns - can I get a hell ya?!


24. I’ve come to realize that next weekend…is going to be busy...Cole + 2 nephews for the whole weekend...yikes!


25. I’ve come to realize that my child(ren)…is the love of my life and quite hilarious.


26. I’ve come to realize that when life gives you lemons…make lemon bars, really, really yummy ones.

Just A Quick Note Filled With Love

Dear Cole,

You are growing so much each and every day that I feel the need to stop time and hold you tight, for soon enough you will not let me hug and kiss you or hold your hand.  Soon enough I will hear 'Mom, I'm fine, I can do it on my own', and while that will bring so much joy to my heart, it will also bring the sad realization that you are growing up. 

I am so blessed for having you in my life.  The day I found out I was pregnant with you was the day life grew beyond my highest expectations.  For 9 months you grew and developed in my body, we formed a bond so special and personal that no one will ever understand just how deep my love is for you.  You are the light of my life.  From your kind smile to your wildest moments I see so much of myself in you and for that I thank you.  You make me realize that the dirty dishes will be there later, that even rainy days can be fun, that it doesn't matter if your socks don't match and that most importantly that your love is unconditional.  I don't have to bring my A game for you to love me, you just do.  I can say something wrong and you will giggle or look at me somewhat confused but never lecture me or judge me.  I can stub my toe and curse and you will think it's funny.  I can have the worst day in the world and you will make me forget all about it and show me that life is terrific.

You have made both your Dad and I, along with so many others so happy and you continue to do that daily.  You have taught me a love and devotion that I never knew existed and I couldn't be a prouder mommy.  I know you will do something so great in this world and I can't wait to be there for you, cheering you on.  Just know that I am your biggest fan, now and forever.

Love Mommy  xo

Top 2 Tuesday

It's Top 2 Tuesday of at Taylor's and this week is the top 2 things you would like to accomplish before the year is over.

I have so many things I would like to do but there are most definitely a few that stand out more than others.

1.  Learn to Sew

It's something I have really been wanting to do for sometime, I have even bought a second hand machine to learn on (unfortunately it's not as cute as the one below) and I vow to be sewing by the end of the year...wait, are we really in September already? Yikes...

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2.  Get Pregnant

We would definitely like to have another baby soon so before the end of the year I would like to be expecting number 2.  I know a certain Auntie (hi Meegan) that is just waiting to have another baby to cuddle and to spend some of her days off with us.  Meegan was definitely a saving grace for me when I had Cole, thanks love.



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What are two things you would like to accomplish before year end?  Head on over to Taylor's and join the fun.

Worlds Greatest BFF

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Surfer Wife has asked that we make her look good submit an entry about our best friend to this contest hosted by Friends You Love.  At first I totally ignored her because that's what you do with all of Surfer Wife's crazy requests (with the exception of Sarah Colonna - she is to die for) but then I got to thinking, you all need to learn about my BFF, she is a need-to-know type of girl.  For your life is just not complete until you have what I have.  I could go on and on and blah, blah, blah about Ryan and how he is my best friend but that would be lying (not judging anyone who chose their spouse for this), because truthfully, he's not.  I love him very much and he's my husband but seriously, not even a runner up for the BFF award.  Harsh?  Maybe.

The only tough part about writing this post is where to begin?  We've been through so much so I guess I'll start at the beginning.  We met when we were both in grade 4 and figure skating and pretty much hit it off right away.  We started hanging out often outside of school (different elementary schools) and would do the usual sleep-over girly get togethers.  We went to the same high school and that's where it started.  Her parents trusted me from the ripe old age of 13 to drive their truck which was a blast to us.  We spent all of our time at her house so that we could tour the back roads of Quyon and smoke cigarettes like we were Lindsay Lohan with an anklet.

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Moving on...grade 9ish comes and we have a mutual friend with whom we are both close.  Bitch pulled some fast ones and over night we grew to dislike each other.  She said, she said nonsense.  We remained civil but really weren't super close anymore.

During college I moved in with said bitch and quickly realized that she was playing Erin and I for fools.  I called my brother and he hauled me and my furniture out of there all fast-ass like.  After that ridiculousness I stopped talking to bitch and Erin and I resumed our friendship as normal.  We became best of friends again and lived happily ever after.  The end.

Haaaaaaaa, kidding...not the end at all...that was just the boring version from growing up.  Now you need to know what makes this girl the bestest friend ever...sit back and get comfy because it's all coming at you.  And for the record - no you cannot have her.

Erin loves to love...

She will cuddle up behind me when sleeping over and ask if she can rub her feet on me.  Believe me, I have tried to say no but it is much easier just to give in and turn your back to her.  She will rub her feet together in a circular motion near or on your feet.  Strange?  Very.  But she's a cuddler.  Also on the sleeping subject, she will ask you to stop breathing so she can fall asleep first. (I never said she wasn't weird)

No one parties like she does...

Erin and I love shooters, almost as much as we love each other.  There is one evening that stands out in my mind and hers when we went out to a bar together just for a quiet night.  We wound up sitting right at the bar and decided to do a shot.  Well, one turned into at least 15 each, no word of a lie, and when we turned around to leave the bar we had a group of men watching us in awe.  The bartender said that he has never seen anyone, male or female, take shots like that.  We ventured to Erin's place in a cab and she made Kraft Dinner while I took out my contacts.  Apparently I passed out because when I woke up she was sleeping on a giant teddy bear naked on the tile kitchen floor with a pot of half eaten KD beside her, wooden spoon and all.

She loves my family...

My parents, my sisters and brother, my nephews, but most importantly, she loves my husband and my son and treats them as if they are her own family.  She snuggles Cole like there is no tomorrow and tears come to her eyes when he asks for her at 2:30 am or when he holds her hand unsuspectingly.

Ryan and Erin

Erin and Cole

She has a heart of gold...

All she wants is for everyone to be happy and have a good time.  If someone is upset it destroys her.  She cries easily and is emotional but in such a compassionate way that you know that she is genuine.  She will buy random little gifts, when I complained about being chubby after having Cole she went and bought me some t-shirts and a hoody that she knew I liked.  The little things matter to her and make her happier than anything.

She is one of the strongest people I know...

I can't even stress how strong she is.  She has an amazing head on her shoulders and strength like no other.  A year and a half ago Erin suddenly lost her father and it tore her up and still does to this day.  This man is the reason she is who she is.  She is exactly like him in so many ways and although it's not easy, he is the strength in her for this I am sure. 

This is a tribute to her father at our wedding with his best friends

She has wiped away my tears and told me that everything will be okay when things seem terrible. She has held my hair and rubbed my back (drinking problem? maybe) and even physically made me sick when I needed it (too much info. I know).  I know it's easy for everyone to say that their best friend is the worlds greatest, but I promise, if you met mine you would try to steal her.  Hell some have even tried!  She really is the greatest and the only way I can prove it is below...her maid of honor speech from our wedding.  Some of it might not make sense to you but I promise that those are the best parts of us...the craziness, the nights out or in, just being us, the worlds best friends.

Good evening everyone!

I’d like to first warn everyone that this is not a short speech, I talk really fast, way too much and I cry when I’m nervous, so please by all means grab a couple drinks!

For those of you who may not know me I am Erin and I am very happy to be standing here today as Ashley and Ryan’s friend and maid of honour. I would like everyone to join me in commending the groomsmen & bridesmaids for their stellar performance today. You did an amazing job and I know that Ashley and Ryan truly appreciate all your support. Ashley, I know that everyone will agree with me when I tell you that you look absolutely breath taking. I knew when you tried that dress on exactly how gorgeous you would look in it today. I’m not a little bit surprised, you’re beautiful. Ryan, I have to tell you that originally when I had written my speech I had put that you look handsome and very nice today in your tux but now that I see you, man…you look super smoking hot! Ash you’re one lucky lady!

It’s funny because I stand here today and look out to how many people are here sharing Ryan and Ashley’s wedding day I see how awesome everything looks and I think back to Ash and I as we grew up together. I’ve known Ashley for probably about 15 years now and never once did we talk about each other’s weddings. We never had anything mapped out and we defiantly never so much as talked about what our wedding days would be like. It’s perfect Ash and I truly believe we couldn’t have dreamt of this day and how perfect it would be. We were always too busy giving our parents a hard time…I do have to say that Laurel got the brunt of most of our jokes and harassment… she obviously had the best sense of humor… although the fatality of poor cougar hasn’t really sat well with us. We miss her every day Laurel.

I could stand up here for the next week telling stories about Ash and the girls, if it had to do with things we shouldn’t have been doing or regretted doing the next day! Our nights out or our nights in have never ever been boring. There have been nights consisting of the two of us sitting at a bar with a crowd of people watching us down shots better than most men… we’re not overly proud of this but what can I say we’re Shawville girls and our drinking skills sometimes impress and together we’re maniacs! There were also nights when we were young and I’d make Ashley wait till I fell asleep before she did… She would always fall asleep before me I’d nudge her to wake her up whining that I could hear her breathing… of course obviously the nicest and not annoyed way possible she’d tell me to quit being a baby and that she obviously couldn’t stop because needed to breathe! This was our nightly routine and I kid you not this happen every time I stayed at Bob and Laurel’s. I don’t think I need to tell specific stories of Ashley and I for everyone to know that we’re best friends or that we’ll be friends forever… I’ve decided that if I did tell stories about Ashley and her friends all people would be left with is thoughts of how wild we are, and honestly just how bad our parents really got it. I’m kidding, we were all perfect teenagers.

Whether you’re her sister, her friend, her now husband, her father, or her mother you know that Ashley is one of the most caring and generous people ever… she once gave the boots off her feet in a snow storm to a homeless man on Rideau street…. ha ha just kidding she’s not that generous. I was going to say she is patient and kind thinking about how amazing she is with Cole and Ryan but then I pictured her white knuckling her steering wheel weaving in and out of traffic screaming and yelling at everyone in front of her… all the while flipping the bird every so often at the helpless other drivers on the road…. who are simply trying to get out of her way… no Cole was not in the vehicle…. I guess she feels it’s okay to drive like this with her friends in the car… we’re no big deal really!

Regardless of her reckless driving Ashley is also a much different person than I remember growing up…. She did a complete 180 when she found out she was pregnant with Cole and is definitely a patient and incredible mother and is so so in love with Cole. I will add though that the animal has never fully escaped… we have some pretty wild stories since Cole… most recently Ash’s Bachelorette… without going into complete details we ended up hoteless at the end of the night! Ashley’s last night as a bachelorette and we made sure we went out with a bang…

I’ve only known Ryan for the past two years or so and still in the short amount of time I’ve learnt a lot about him and once almost too much. Thank god I was too afraid to open that shower curtain… there would have been nothing left to the imagination after that… eh Rye??? You complement Ashley perfectly and you’ve fit into our group of friends so well, of course we’re all wonderful people, but I’m sure everyone will agree when I say from day one that it has felt for all of us like we’ve known you for years. You like to fish, and hunt and sometimes rarely though you’ll even join us for a drink. I do seem to recall a couple stories (which I was not a direct witness to so can’t actually say if their true or not) something to do with the accomplice in the removal mails boxes and maybe even some for sale signs??... What I do know though is that you are the owner of one of the most popular beer bongs in Carleton Place… and now because of Alex and Kristen you have two more to add to your collection. In all seriousness, thank you Ryan, thank you for making Ashley happy, for helping make Cole… cutest little guy ever, and for being so easy to get along with. We love you and from all of Ash’s friends we welcome you with open arms and are so glad to have met you, Ash has made a great choice…

You are two of the luckiest people in the world, I realize that sounds like a complete cliché but besides all of your closest friends and family here today, celebrating your perfect love match… the best part is you have a sweet honeymoon booked and you’re leaving on Monday!

Please everyone join me and raise your glasses for a toast to the bride and groom.

Ashley and Ryan, always remember today. Always remember how you feel right now. Always love the simple things and never forget the little things. Let your feelings of today guide you through a long, healthy happy life together. Best wishes to the very special couple on your very special day. Here’s to Ashley and Ryan.

Love you Ern. xo