Monday, July 13, 2009

The Play In Closet

I came across these incredible images on DosFamily & I just knew I had to share them will you.



What a neat idea.

This space is a remodeled closet turned child's haven -- grass on the ceiling, sky pillows, climbable shelves and a nook for reading! What a fantastic idea.





Click here for more!

(Thank you Iris!)

Our New Backyard

Another little sneak peek at our new place.

The backyard has this crushed limestone walkway, surrounded by garden. It's a work in progress, but when it's all set it will be covered in Creeping Jenny, instead of lawn -- cushy to walk on and no mowing.



There are tons of flowers (poppies!!), many of which I can't name, but they're all beautiful.

I think someday we might plant cedars, or lilacs -- or both! -- across that back fence for some more privacy (but from which I hear those neighbours don't use that part of their yard anyhow).

Just 15 days til moving day! We can't wait.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Ergo Love

On Friday I ordered the Organic Dark Chocolate Ergo carrier.

I've had my eye on it for a while, so I saved a little & decided to treat myself (and Gretchen!) to this gorgeous babywearing device.

I kept hearing fabulous things about it (like Steph's review and the video on the My Favourite Baby Carrier site) and wanted to try it out myself. I also love the dark brown colour, and though it was a little more pricey, I went with the organic one (and got some of the sucking pads for my little teether).


I can't wait to add to my babywearing collection -- isn't it beautiful! It should be here either late this week or next week, but rest assured, there will be photos as soon as it arrives.

I also think it shall make moving easier since I'll be able to pop her onto my back!

Have you tried the Ergo? What are your thoughts?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Jolly Jumping




Wedding Jewelry

I've been searching around online tonight, trying to find the perfect jewelry to wear when I'm a bridesmaid at the end of August. However, I may have become a little sidetracked and have been looking at all kinds of jewelry, not just wedding specific, but alas -- tis the danger of Etsy.

Here are some pieces that I'm falling for.



01. Minnow Earrings

02. Vintage Deer Locket Pendant Necklace

03. Divine Lariat



04. Black Forest - Vintage Brass Forest Stag & Filigree Necklace

05. Deer Embroidery Frame Brooch



06. Vintage Camera



07. Antler - Silver

08. Fern Lace Ring



09. Peacock Post Earrings



10. Candy Girl Ocean jasper Bullseye Necklace

So many pretties to choose from -- and this is just the teeniest list possible. Thankfully we also have some really great jewelry shops downtown which I've yet to exhaust as possibilities.

Weddings are fabulous excuses to treat yourself.

Guten nacht, mes amis.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Fawned Friday

Have a charming Friday, mes amis!



01. Beautiful kids' rooms.

02. Morning chocolate.



03. I love you, blogs & coffee.

04. Freshen your workspace.



05. Fabulous home tour!



06. I wonder.



07. This makes me want to learn how to play.

08. Zoological typeface.



09. Hangy things.



10. Braid love.

Whichgoose



I just bought this beautiful headpiece from Whichgoose to wear in my friend's wedding next month. I've been swooning after her work for over a year now & I'm so excited to finally have a piece to call my own.

You can browse her Etsy shop or find her on twitter. She also writes a delightful blog.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Love List



♥ joining the gym
♥ starting a tumblr
♥ drinking LOTS of water
♥ enjoying fudgesicles
♥ going to the movies alone (with the babe)
♥ watching Gilmore Girls

Desiree Fawn: Gym Member

I am officially a member of a gym.

Starting Monday morning I have my first of six appointments with a personal trainer to get started. Then I'll be on my way to becoming a gym pro -- classes, cardio, strength training, spinning!

I'm a pound and a half away from my pre pregnancy weight and I want to start toning and really getting into shape -- time to become less... squishy, I suppose.

I've been wanting to join a gym for a while but since Gretchen is always with me I thought it would be impossible. This gym, however, has a really great little daycare with qualified staff, and since I'll be in the same building as her, I think I can handle her being away from me. I think she might even enjoy being around some other kids -- they always make her smile so much! The staff was really nice and said that since I am nursing, if Gretchen was hungry while in their care they would come and find me so that I could nurse her -- such a bonus (for the mother who has visions of her inconsolable child in the arms of a stranger for two hours). I think this will be good for me as well. I still won't leave her with anyone but my own mother (and Ryan, of course) but being in the same building isn't as panic inducing.

This will be good for me and good for Gretchen -- fabulous!
Peace, mes amis. Stay tuned for details after Monday!

Do any of you go to the gym? Do you use their childcare facilities? What do you like/disklike about being mamas at the gym? What is your favourite workout?

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Weight Watchers Weigh In: Week Thirteen

Today was a fabulous weigh in, ladies and gents.

I'm down 3.5lbs to 180.5lbs!

Feels good. Feels great. Feels AMAZING!

...

Just 5.5lbs til my July 29th goal of 175lbs.
Just 20.5lbs til my final goal of 160lbs.

(Our New) Home Sweet Home



Now that things are final and I'm heading to pick up our keys today, I'm ready to share our news: we found a HOUSE to live in!

Yes, yes, I know what you're all thinking: did we just move in December? -- Oui, however, opportunity knocks and we've thrown the door wide open.

A friend of ours let us know that her neighbour was looking for tenants so I went to look at the house, on a whim, and fell in love.

Reasons?

♥ It's a HOUSE and not a 2nd floor apartment (with neighbours who chain smoke and smell up the hallway)
♥ We'd have a backyard! The owner of the home has just put in gardens, and a bit of a walkway and the flowers are beautiful -- and oh, the creeping jenny -- I swoon!
♥ Poppies! Sumac! Flowers which are pretty, yet nameless to me!
♥ The neighbour hood is in my favourite area of the city
♥ The street is so quiet & friendly
♥ One of my near and dears would be my next door neighbour (tea dates!)
♥ There's a huge park across the street with paths and the river
♥ The Better Home Bakery is down the street and oh my word -- baked goods are a bit of a weakness (to say the least)
♥ Another fabulous friend (the one who was at Gretchen's birth) lives but a few blocks away
♥ The school that Gretchen would go to is one that I went to at one point
♥ No noisy drunken bar traffic walking past our home at 3am
♥ I can hold yard sales
♥ No carpets -- all old hardwood (well, there's some carpet on the stairs, but that's all)

I could go on for hours!

Our official moving date (aka the day the UHaul is being rented) is July 28th, however, I'm picking keys up today and we're being welcomed to move bit by bit if we'd like. The landlady is a really lovely woman who raised all of her children there and simply wants someone who will care for her house as she did.

She fell in love with Gretchen.
I fell in love with her home.

I am ecstatic about living in a house for once! I haven't lived in an actual house since I lived with my mother -- it's always been apartments, or parts of houses with crummy neighbours.

More photos will be shared soon.

This house will be our home.

A place to raise our daughter (and possible future fawns).
A place to call our own (even if we don't technically own it).

A haven, if you will.

And you're all invited for tea.

Wordless Wednesday (My Little Bumbo Baby)








The Blue Dress

Today I treated myself to two dresses.

First, this blue number...



... and the second? I shall share it soon.

Both dresses are for some upcoming events (wedding shower, bridesmaid tea, etc.) and considering I haven't bought myself any nice pieces of clothing since before I was pregnant, it was a nice change.

I'm actually feeling fairly sexy tonight (and less like a frumpy mama).

It feels good.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Let The Teething Begin

This afternoon we were visiting a friend and, while Gretchen was chewing on her hand, she noticed a little rough spot -- a tooth! Sure enough, her little bottom right tooth is just starting to peek through the gums.

This explains her sleep patterns being a little off, and it may also explain her pulling at her ears the past couple days (though I'm calling our doctor tomorrow to make an appointment, just to be sure).

I'm actually shocked that teeth are happening already -- the friend who we were visiting has a 10 month old with just two teeth, so I had it in my mind that I had some time before Gretchen grew into a chomping machine.



So far she's been kind and hasn't been biting too much when we breastfeed. I'll cross my fingers that she stays gentle.

She's growing so fast!! I'm in awe, really.
Complete awe... every moment, of every day.