Making Memories Last

When I was expecting Pip I had some Maternity photos done, and wanted badly to get newborn photos, including some nursing photos done - I never ended up getting any of the maternity photos and never had the time/money to get the newborn photos done. So this time round I was bound and determined, and am I ever happy I did.

As someone who is interested in photography, I always assume I will be able to find the time to take beautiful photos of my own. But that rarely ever happens. It is so worth it to have had these beautiful moments to look back on. When I saw that the lovely ladies at Glow Maternity had hired a photographer I decided I would inquire, and was so happy when I finally met Stephanie during my maternity shoot.

Here are a few of my favourites from the maternity shoot:

I was so happy to be able to capture a few moments with Pip. Unfortunately Daddy was not home that day so he missed out on the the photo op. We are lucky we fit it in when we did, because less than a week later, little miss Emi decided to make her entrance (5 days early).

These are a few of my favourites from the newborn shoot:

So precious. I love all of them, and I have no idea how I am going to choose which to print. However I am so glad I made the investment of time, energy and money to get these. In 20-something years when they are both grown I will be so happy to have these to look back on.

If you live in the Peterborough area and are looking for a maternity/newborn/family photographer I would highly recommend Stephanie from Glow Maternity. She is a beautiful person, and takes amazing photos!

xox
Margot

Welcome Babe!

We have been home a little over a week, but I haven't had the patience (until now) to sit down and share a little bit about our new family member :)

Pip would like to introduce his new baby sister, Emi (just a nickname).

She was born on Thursday October 30th, in the late afternoon and weighed 8lbs13oz. We couldn't be happier with the new little addition to our family. A few photos:

 Sleeping peacefully in her brother's hand-me-downs ;)

 I'm keeping this one for when she is a teenager... hehe

 A sneak peak of her newborn photos, I took this one, the photographer has many (better) others!

So there she is, our little bundle of joy! And our family is complete :) I will sleep again in 20 years or so.
xox
Margot

One...

Enjoying some sunshine on the deck!

It has been about one month since I posted on here. (Time is just flying by, I feel like I am dreaming.)

It is exactly one week until I start back to my summer job - full time here I come.

A little less than a month until my baby turns one!

It is all such a rush, sometimes I struggle to keep up - One day at a time!

Here's to summer, just around the corner!

xox

 

Lies on Facebook, and elsewhere...

I read this blog post a little while ago on Raising Kvell. I'm not Jewish, but this post still rang very true with me. The author shares her posts from facebook, which depict a happy, shiny family getting along perfectly well on a beautiful sunny morning. Then, she proceeds to describe how her day actually rolled out - very different.

I'd recommend if you have a minute to read the post in the above link. It's entertaining in the least, but I am sure we are all guilty of sharing only the happy parts of our lives in facebook - so we can all relate. Anyways, in light of this post I thought I might share a couple of the not so happy moments with little Pip. Just so you all know he isn't always a perfectly happy little fella!

 Only a few weeks old, he was so cold and mad when I decided to take his photo post bath.

Daddy and I have both attempted to use our computer while holding the baby - it is impossible now as he is very interested, and given the chance would love to mash those keys :)

Waiting for daddy to load the boat when leaving the cottage, the tired hungry little guy was not happy to be placed in the 'soft' grass.

 When photo shoots are most important... and baby's comfort not. (2 months)

  Again, too many photos make an unhappy babe.

Not particularly happy on his tummy, the smile lasted about 3 seconds, and turned to this expression followed closely by a loud scream. (about 7 months)

I'm bad for mostly taking photos when he is happy and smiling. I think after the post I read I am going to try to share some 'real life' photos and stories, along with the happy, smiley ones.

Hope your Friday is wonderful!

xox

Time Flies...

...when you are having fun.
...when you are raising a baby (or child of any age).
...when you are attempting to run a small business from your home.
...when you are tying to network through social media.
...when you have too many crafty hobbies and interests to count.

Lately I have been feeling as though I can't even blink, or I might lose a whole hour. Sometimes I think I am trying to do much, sometimes I feel like a lazy bum. But right now, while Pip is sleeping soundly and Gunner is snoozing near-by, I know that things are moving along just fine. Time does fly by, and the older you get the faster it goes. Some days need to be slow, with snuggles, smiles and lots of play time. And other days are good for visits, errands or getting chores done. I can't expect every day to be productive and focused, sometimes you just need a little chocolate and free time (or whatever you like have in those ughhh moments).

Like I said, time flies when you are having fun! And we are having lots of it, see above photo for proof! :)

What makes time fly for you?
xox

Pip Update: 8 Months

From the eyes of a sweet little Pipster!

I'm getting big, you'd never believe it! The last month has been so busy I feel like it might have been more, but mama tells me it was only a month. I'm growing into clothes that were bought quite big and given to me as gifts - I think mom is hoping the growing slows a little so I can wear some of these cute things for more than a minute.

I like to snuggle with daddy on the couch, which was great in late December because he was off work for a little bit, and I got lots of snuggle time in. And of course I had my first Christmas! It was completely overwhelming. We went to daddy's parent's house on Christmas day and I had two very long naps, then on boxing day we visited mama's family and after a busy day, late night and morning of travelling I decided not to nap. But everyone kept me entertained with rides on shoulders, new toys and of course delicious holidays dinners :)

The few days after Christmas were great for lounging around! With Gunner in his Christmas collar and my in my candycane pjs; there is nothing cuter!

And just last week it was Daddy's birthday! Mama let me hang out with no pants throughout the day, which I thought was great until I realized she just wanted to get photos of my chubby legs - good thing I'm an easy going guy! In the evening we celebrated with Daddy's family and I even got to have some cheesecake :)

What else did I get up to this month? I went on my first ice-fishing trip, I started to clap and wave and make all kinds of cute sounds, and I'm trying to figure out how to get my toys that roll away. I'm getting there, I think before too long I'll have it all figured out, and then look out mom!

I hope everyone's Christmas was wonderful! I'll check in again in another month :)
xox
Pip

Pip Update: 7 Months

From the eyes of a sweet little Pipster...

Mama and I got it together this time to post this update on time! I am 7 months old today, on my Grandpa's birthday (Happy Birthday Grandpa!)! We get to go to Auntie Crystal's this evening for supper, which is always fun because I love watching my older cousins run around. And exciting news, I have a younger cousin! He was born on November 27th, so he's still just little wee, but in not too long he and I will be tearing up the town together!

 

I am a big boy, I can sit up all by myself. And I love to sit on the ground close to my big brother. We play with our toys together. I have been getting up a lot at night lately, and mama thinks I have more teeth coming. I know you're tired mama, but I can't help wanting to have some cuddles to make me feel better - please don't be upset, I promise to sleep better soon.

Things have been really busy around our house, mama went to her first craft show, and now she's working on finishing up Christmas presents. She says she's working on something for me, but she hasn't even let me have a peak yet! I'm excited about my first Christmas, everyone assures me I will love it when I get older. But as long as I get to visit with all my family I'm sure this year will be great too!

I'm ready for Christmas, my outfit is washed and ready to wear - I hope everyone else is ready too!

xox
Pip

Pip Update: 2 Months

From the eyes of a sweet little Pipster!

Well, a lot has happened since I posted last! I'm still eating lots and growing fast. And I've started to smile quite a bit and even make some happy sounds, I try to talk but the words just aren't coming yet. Mom is giving me lots of tummy time, which I enjoy for a little while (until I get fed up). I really love visiting with family. I'm lucky that they are so close by! A few weeks ago I went to daddy's family cottage for the third time, and we are headed there again this coming weekend. I think mom might try to take me swimming again, and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to like it.

We also went to visit mama's parents recently and attended the Mariposa Folk Festival. I spent almost the entire weekend outside in my Chariot listening to tunes, taking in the new sights and sounds and meeting all kinds of people. It was kinda overwhelming, and I slept a lot - actually I slept 9 hours in a row on the Saturday night, and mom couldn't believe it (she keeps telling people she woke twice before me, hehe)!

Molly and I did our first photo shoot, which was fun, but I didn't realize how hard it is to sit up on my own. Mama assured me this would get easier as I get older :) Mama also got me to try a bottle for the first time, I drank a little bit, but it wasn't my favourite. I'm not really sure what that's about - something to do with a wedding in a couple weeks I guess. Oh well.

Anyways, as you can see I am getting to be a big boy and changing lots all the time. I hope you are enjoying your summer! I will be sure to check in again in a little while :)

xox
Pip

From the Stash: Changing Pad Cover

It's been a while since I posted a from the stash post. But I haven't had a lot of time for sewing, until the last couple weeks. And I was so excited when Pip when down for his afternoon nap to be able to sew for a little bit. A while ago I shared some fabric that I bought, and thought would look cute as a changing pad cover. Recently I decided I was sick of staring a white while changing Pip, and found a few spare minutes to finally whip up this cover:

Since it was rather simple. I thought I would share. First measure your changing pad across the top and the sides. Add the side measurement to the length and width across the top and then add another 2-3" to these measurements. Cut your fabric to the total length and width measurements, or in my case piece together scraps to make the size you are looking for.

Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, and then widthwise. Make sure the corners are perfectly lined up and then cut a 2"x2" square out of the corner. With right sides facing, sew the edges of the cut out squares together.

I chose a bit of a shortcut for the edges of the pad. With the right side of the fabric down place a 1/4" elastic 3/8" from the edge of the fabric, fold the fabric over the elastic, and stretching the elastic out use a zig-zag stitch to hold the fabric and elastic in place. I chose to secure the elastic around the short ends and about 1/4 of the way up each of the long sides. You could go all the way around with the elastic if you wish. I did continue to fold the fabric and zig-zag stitch on the long sides.

Now to make this babe friendly I used an iron-on vinyl to make it easy to wipe up messes. You can do this before the sewing, or once the cover is finished, I felt that it would be difficult to iron on the vinyl when the edges we elasticized, so I chose to iron it on after sewing my three pieces together. And as you can see in the bottom photo I added an embellishment stitch just for fun!

So those instructions were a little quick, if you have an questions feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you! We are loving this changing pad now, a little visual interest for mom and a super easy surface to clean for Pip (while the cleaning is for mom).

Have you created anything lately?
xox