The truth of it all

For the past 8 months, I have been talking with other new moms and realized that we all have the same feelings, mixed feelings about returning to work. The pros and cons of returning re perfectly balanced - but in the end the dolla dolla bills win out. Seriously, how can you eat and live with out dolla dolla bills? So many moms return to work. Booo!

But this evening while perusing Mon Petit Amour, she posted a link to this blog article which rings so true to me. The post states the thoughts of a working mom and the thoughts of a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom). I really agree with this post and had to share with my husband and now you. I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did. I think I am bookmarking it, so on the bad days at work and at home, I can remember how it all feels.

Longing to redecorate

Bahhhh, thanks to my fabulous friend T, I am longing to redecorate and build. Redecorate my builder beige home and build our basement. Fabulous friend T has been decorating her new fabulous house they bought in Regina. I wish she was closer as her little mister and cupcake are 11 days apart in age. How I miss the mister and fabulous friend.

I really should stop watching decorating shows, they make me have the itch. I really want to redo our basement with a man-cave friendly feel, but not too man-cavish.

My husband loves sports and since we've been together, 5 years, he has acquired a variety of sports photos and since we attended the 2010 Vancouver Olympics last year, I would like to display those photos and momentos.

Well yesterday on Devine Design, Candice Olson decorated a basement for a Steelers Quarterback and a Team Canada Women's Hockey Player. I love the room, the momentos and how they are displayed, yet their is function and comfort.

I guess for now, I will just continue to dream about a basement, but for now I will look at pretty inspirations, and encourage you to go on over and check out fabulous friends blog, its not a blog about redecorating, but she is creating three adorable learning books for her son, niece and nephew. She's doing an amazing job.

Carters and Osh Kosh in Edmonton

Happy dance for Mom's in Edmonton, the children's clothing store, Carter's and Osh Kosh are OPEN.

Great deals are had by all with $6 onesies, $8 pajama's and $12 outfits. Who could ask for more, oh right, you, a coupon. Sign up at carters.com or oshkosh.com for a $10 off a $50 purchase coupon. Woot woot. Not to mention, once you sign up you will also recieve information about upcoming sales, and coupons for further discounts.

I only wish my little cupcake didn't already own everything in the store from a previous US shopping trip to Carter's and Osh Kosh. Well I guess just one more way to save money this year, but means I get to wait for summer stuff to reach the shelves.

Happy shopping Edmonton Moms.

iPhone

I live by lists, clenders, agendas, etc. I am known for always carrying an agenda. The husband says it because I am super highly crazy organized - I have two agendas, one on my phone and one that sits on my counter. I always know where I am, and where I am going.

When I recieved my iPhone I was so excited. Another way to stay connected and organized. The first app I downloaded, Total Baby, one way to stay on top of little V's diapers, feeding, bath, sleeping and so much more. It is awesome. I love it.

Since then I have downloaded many more apps, mostly cooking apps, but lately spending/budgeting apps. Awesome, one more way to keep ahead of our finances.

What apps have you downloaded?

Thank you Canada

One year ago this week, Canada celebrated the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. An experience that will go down in Canadian history as one of the most remarkable sporting events to unite a nation, in heart, speech and mind.

Walking down any street in Vancouver during the Olympics, comradier, pride and red and white maple leafs bleeding out our red mittens. Hearing the national anthem ring out in the streets, on the train, and in pubs. - We have arrived Canada.

The emotion. To explain the spirit of those games, there are no words. One year later, remembering how Canada celebrated, cheered and cried together, touches the heart. Those 16 days, Canada witnessed every emotion, we all sat at the edge of our seats, cheering loudly and proudly for our 206 athletes. Those games changed our country, we were given the opportunity to show our true North Strong and Free pride.

Thank you CANADA, thank you athletes.

Why I Love Starbucks

Let's try this again, last night I had the whole post written and one slight touch of the keyboard and all was lost. So here we go again.

I love Starbucks, ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you that I will choose Starbuck over Second Cup, Good Earth and Tim Horton's. I don't drink coffee, I drink a Grande two-pump sugar free vanilla, non-fat, extra hot, Chai Latte. Yum.

While I was pregnant the unthinkable happened, for the first trimester I couldn't drink a Chai Latte. Gasp, I often thought, what is wrong with this child, but it changed. By the second trimester. I was back at Starbucks, with a baby who kicked and jumped every time I walked into a Starbucks. Now that she is out of the womb, her face lights up when we walk into a Starbucks, haha.

So why do I love Starbucks? Well let me count the ways:

1) Their Chai tastes the best.

2) Shaken Green Tea Lemonade.

3) Consistancy. No matter what Starbuck I go to, my drink ALWAYS tastes the same.

4) No matter where I am in the world, I can find a Starbucks. Whether I am in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Kauai, Rome or Corfu, I can find a Starbucks.

5) Samples. I love how they have samples of their products, but not only product samples. They will also provide you a sample of a drink that they have if you've never had it before. Especially at Christmas.

6) Variety. I love that I can go to Starbucks and have something different, alas, I still get the good ol' standby, but if I wanted I could get something different.

7) Customer Service. The Baristas at Starbucks are always so helpful and happy. They have fantastic memories of the frequent customers. I can't count how many times, I had my drink made before I even paid for it. They knew me and knew my drink.

8) Free stuff, because my co-workers and I were such regulars, they would often provide us a free drink for someone back at the office. Love them. So thoughtful.

9) Never a mistake. And if there is, they fix it for free, no questions asked. You can even drive away and call them and they will provide you a two, if you order two, free drinks at a later time. AWESOME customer service. And last, but not least,

10) Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake and Marshmellow Rice Crispie Squares. Yum

So those are only 10, I am sure I could think of more. But let's leave it at 10.

January is post-partum depression awareness month

Post-partum depression is a common occurance in 10 to 20 per cent of new moms. In recent years, post-partum depression as eased itself out of the shadows, some women are still embarrassed to admit they are dancing with the post-partum devil.

Edmonton declared January post-partum depression month in hopes of shedding light on the truth. For those who may be experiencing it, I urge you to read "It Sucked and then I Cried," by Heather Armstrong. It is a humourous look at a serious issue. It is a great read from a great writer. She is also the author of a great blog, www.dooce.com.