We Brought Him Home

We brought him home.

I remember walking out of the hospital. My husband lifted our son into the car. I remember the short drive home. We opened the car door, gingerly lifting his car seat out. I remember we shut the door and then walked towards our house. The storm door opened and then the wooden door after that. We walked inside and slowly placed the carseat with our son still in it on the floor beside the couch.

We brought him home.

I remember the sun shining brightly in through our bay windows. It was spring. The perfect time for new babies.

I remember his newborn smell. That subtle, yet intoxicating and delicious smell that new babies carry with them. I remember our cat coming to investigate. She could smell it too.

I remember the smell of the hospital was gone. That smell of sick and medicine. I had been nesting for weeks and our house felt so clean and fresh.

Everyone was quiet.

We brought him home.

I remember holding him. The weight of him felt so wonderful. He fit perfectly in my arms. I remember thinking that this small little baby was about to add so much life to our home.

I remember the feeling of his terrycloth sleeper. It was yellow and had little animals on it. He was quiet and sleeping. I remember taking him upstairs and bringing him to his room for the very first time. I remember placing him on his diaper pad. The sound of the buckle that snapped him in place because we were still very cautious as new parents. It was probably the only time we ever used that buckle.

We stared at him. Silently hoping and praying that he'd be happy here with us.

We brought him home.

I remember his skin was so smooth. His newborn hair was so soft. Everything smelled light and clean.  Everything was still. It was a happy stillness. A beautiful calm.

I remember he nursed easily, and I thought so far we were doing okay.

I remember it felt like we were moving in slow motion. Everyone else in the world, everyone else outside our home, was going about their lives. We were taking everything slowly. Every step was careful. Each one calculated. We had no idea what we were doing, and we wanted to get it right.

We brought him home.

I remember sitting gently on our couch, still store from the delivery. I remember hearing the click of the kettle as my mom boiled water for us and made us tea. Just a little bit sweet with some milk. Tea always settles my nerves. Even if they are happy nerves.

We brought him home.

And I remember knowing things would never be the same.

xo
Jenn

Getting Organized with StickerKid

The organizational side of parenting is not small. Babies tear through their clothing sizes at lightening speed, and toddlers are forever dropping their toys and snack containers wherever they happen to roam. We're in the daycare stage, so we also label every piece of clothing that our son wears, lest it get forgotten or dropped somewhere.

Enter StickerKid. StickerKid is a children's label company that makes adorable labels for kids' clothing, toys, shoes, waterbottles, or any other belongings that come along with having little ones.

StickerKid labels are water resistant, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, fridge/freezer friendly, and washer/dryer safe. They will also hold up to sun and sand. These labels are built to last.

I like using the large circle ones for boots and shoes.

And the iron-on labels were easy to use and are very soft.

There are so many cute designs, fonts, and colours to choose from when creating your labels, and I feel like their prices are comparable to other companies that offer similar products. There are even a variety of stickers for allergy awareness that I imagine could be quite useful for any child with a food allergy.

Sebastian got pretty excited when he saw all the stickers with his name on them, so he decided that he needed to label his most prized possessions, his I Spy books.

So, check out StickerKid if you are looking for help getting organized and keeping track of your children's stuff. Seb is heading to JK in the fall, so we're getting our Monica Geller on and labelling everything to keep it from getting lost!

xo
Jenn

Disclaimer - I was sent some labels from StickerKid for review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

My Favourite Maternity Photos

One of my favourite things I did while I was pregnant was take a pregnancy photo shoot. I love these pictures because they remind me that while my body is currently not (and probably never will be) the same as it was pre-baby, the result is so worth it.

I was our baby's home.

I was his safe place.

There is just no other way to get a little baby here other than growing him inside ourselves. These are more than just baby bump pictures. They are images of strength and love.

xo
Jenn

All photos via Life Photography. 

6 Thoughts I've Had While Getting a Bikini Wax

In an effort to try and feel a bit put together, I recently went for a bikini wax. There's a place not far from my house that I like to go (although you'll see in a moment, apparently not often enough). My appointment wasn't long, but in the short time it took to take care of business, here's what went through my mind:

1. Why are they playing jazz music? Are they assuming I'm relaxed right now? A bikini wax is not relaxing. Playing Nora Jones doesn't make it relaxing. Let's just call a spade a spade and play something with a bit more punch.

2. When was the last time I was here? The aesthetician tells me, "It's been awhile..." Uh...Thanks. I know. But, really, it hasn't been thaaaat long. A few months maybe, but we're not talking years or anything here, and that itself deserves a medal.

3. Would I rather be having a pap smear? Would I be more or less uncomfortable if I was dealing with a plastic speculum right now? I'm still not sure.

4. How much is she taking off down there? I said bikini...not Brazilian right?? Did she just remove everything? Should I look?

5. Well, this is a yoga position I've never tried before. "Move your leg over here." "A little bit more." "Try to relax." It sounds like a yoga class in here. Maybe next time I'll just do that instead. At least the soothing jazz music would be a better fit.

6. My husband better appreciate this. 

xo
Jenn

Sebastian: 4 Years Old: 20 Questions

Sebastian turned 4 yesterday! #wheredoesthetimego?? We had Pawsitively Pets bring 8 fun animals for the party, complete with a chinchilla pretending to be a hat!

Afterwards we did our little birthday interview with him!

1. What is your favorite color? pink, white, orange, yellow
2. What is your favorite toy? all my toy friends (all of his stuffed animals)
3. What is your favorite fruit? lemon (?!?!)
4. What is your favorite tv show? Play Doh surprise videos and Dora
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? grilled cheese
6. What is your favorite outfit? underwear and soft pants
7. What is your favorite game? books
8. What is your favorite snack?  surprise snack (when we pick a snack and give it to him so he doesn't have to decide)
9. What is your favorite animal? a cat 
10. What is your favorite song? Peppa Pig Song
11. What is your favorite book? I Spy books
12. Who is your best friend? Mr Dinosaur
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Go outside. Where do you like going? Book places.
15. What is your favorite drink? milk
16. What is your favorite holiday?  Easter, Thanksgiving, and winter.
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Sebastian monster
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
19. What do you want for dinner? Kraft Dinner
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Do computer work. But when I'm super duper big, I'll make books.

xo
Jenn  

Check out Sebastian's answers to all of these questions from last year.