Oliver's Library

It's been a while since I've done one of these posts

but I just picked up a few books from the This Is series to stash away for Christmas

and thought they might make great gift ideas, so a must share!

 book preview

I picked up the This is London, Britain, Edinburgh, Ireland and the World to start but am excited to collect them all! One of the greatest gifts my dad gave to me was to open my eyes to the world around us. He traveled a lot when I was growing up and it ignited a curiosity in me, a passion to learn about other places and how other people live . One of my goals is to teach my kids about other countries and cultures even if we can't travel there. 

First up learning about Britain and the UK, where my dad was born.

our home away from home, even if I've only actually passed through on a connecting flight. 

It's in my blood.and theirs too!

41/52

week forty-one

conversations with Georgie

me " Georgie what's your favourite animal?"

Georgie: "I don't know" shoulder shrug

me: "You don't?"

Georgie: "I don't know" shoulder shrug "Whatever"

me: "what?!"

when did 2 years turn into 16? Anyone approaching the two's, word of advice.... 

buckle up!

first bath

this is so incredible, 

and makes me wish she would give me a bath!

a much different visual then we see in North America.

oh the madness and a half birthday!

how incredibly fast the days seem to pass. 

it feels like just yesterday sweet Finn entered into the world, 

although my tired body says otherwise

and yet in the the blink of eye we've already celebrated his half birthday!

each addition to the family somehow speeds up the clock, 

we reach milestones so much faster. 

gone are the days of waiting around for them to do "something"

the "somethings" are happening fast and furious from all three kiddos. 

and I'm trying to keep up. 

some days it feels impossible to meet all of their demands, their needs and wants 

and other days we manage a perfect rhythm. 

life is very busy with three littles, some sleeping but mostly not

it's like musical beds most every night

but I know it my heart that these are perhaps the simplest of times of head

their needs still mostly primal, a hug and kiss still mend boo boos

they need a snuggle and for you to watch their "cool" trick 

I know in later years we will be longing for them to want us or need us like they do now. 

or at least I will. 

so I'll take the sleep deprivation, not going to the bathroom alone (in four years)

and sleeping wedged between Georgie and Finn every night as some of the best times of our life 

because all those wistful faces of sweet grandmas at the grocery store can't be wrong. 

conversations with Oliver

on our way into town this morning Oliver says to me:

" are those giraffes on your shirt?"

me: "Yes, do you like it?"

 "I don't really like giraffes"

 "so you don't like my shirt?"

"not really"

a boy and his mama

this mothers day is a little extra special for me this year

because it also happens to be Oliver's fourth birthday!

My goodness, four years since I became a mom, 

and my whole life changed. 

Oliver has become such a little boy, 

no baby or toddler attributes left in his features

he loves transformers and rescue bots 

and turns everything into robots while making these hilarious sound effects. 

he's still quite sensitive and emotional 

and hasn't come to terms with "if you dish it out you better be able to take it" 

when it comes to instigating things with his feisty sister. 

he's caring, smart and oh so 

 proud of his role as big brother. 

gosh four years went fast.

i just busted a gut

this article slayed me, honestly its so hilarious(ly true!).

thankfully my kids are too young to jump on the bandwagon of exploited holidays but I feel it coming. 

Oliver is already commenting on this toy or that one, we don't have cable or satellite so he doesn't see commercials at our house but of course everyone else we know does... 

this article is a hysterical reminder to everyone to bring the holidays down a notch!

Oliver's Library

Oliver has always loved books, even as a baby he was so content to sit and listen to story after story. 

Georgie was very different, she had no time for the stillness that reading required ... until recently. 

True to Georgie's style she picks the time and the place when she's ready for a book by bringing one to me and saying  "read it"

I've recently discovered some greats reads so I thought I would share. 

First up. Farm Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of Country Life by Julia Rothman

Now this book is a little advanced for a 3 1/2 year old but he did really enjoy it!

 There are so many great things to learn, from barn styles to how to make a chicken coop, to identifying different plants and flowers and even great recipes. I know this book will be a favourite for years to come for him and me. 

microbirth

Please take a moment (or nine minutes rather) and watch this trailer. 

it's about a feature length documentary looking at birth through the lens of a microscope. It explores the latest scientific research into the microscopic events that occur during and immediately after birth. 

"This compelling, brand new science is starting to indicate that if the natural processes of childbirth are interfered with or bypassed completely, this could have devastating consequences for the long-term health of our children. Just to be clear, this film is not calling for an end to interventions as many times they are essential and they can be life-saving. But as this new science is starting to indicate, the use of synthetic oxytocin to induce or speed up labour (Pitocin / Syntocinon), antibiotics, C-section, the routine separation of mother and baby immediately after birth and formula feeding, could significantly raise the risk of our children developing serious disease later in life. And as the film shows, the medicalisation of childbirth could even be contributing to a potential global human catastrophe predicted to happen by the year 2030. 

This catastrophe could have a devastating impact for the future of our species.

The clock is clicking down to an event that we have been describing as "global warming for the species".

But there is hope. "MICROBIRTH" suggests a potential solution. For this new science is presenting us all with a golden opportunity. For if we act now to make change happen, we could improve the life-long health of our children and we could even put the brakes on this impending global disaster.

This is a factual, scientifically rigorous documentary featuring academics from, amongst others, Ivy League universities and leading institutions from the United States, Canada and Europe. 

We believe this film is the most important film we will ever make. But we need your help to get the film finished and seen around the world. So that together, with your help, we can make change happen. 

We believe this is a moment in history.

The choice of what happens next is a choice that belongs to all of us."

 via One World Birth

Please check out their indiegogo campaign to find out how you can support this incredibly important film!

let love reign

sorry for the silence lately, 

we have been totally consumed with snuggling and loving on our new little bundle. 

Finn Ezra arrived on Dec 27th

born at home in the wee hours of the morning. 

We are beyond blessed to have this healthy, beautiful boy join our family. xoxo

what we learned about having babies in 2013

this is a great article by the Huff post summarizing key research published about having babies in 2013. While there is so much information out there, it can hard to sift through and process all of it. But having knowledge is power and the key to making the right decisions for you and your family. 

8 things we learned in 2013 about having babies

"When it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, it seems like parents-to-be often fall into two camps: Those who devour every bit of information they can get their hands on about what to expect and how to prepare (heh), and those who take a less-is-more approach when it comes to the latest research.
But really, keeping up with all the information being thrown at you -- at the same time that you're doing the very hard work of growing your family, or trying to -- can be overwhelming. That's why we assembled this list of eight of the biggest health research findings about preconception, pregnancy and childbirth to come out in the last 12 months -- with the caveat that science is a process and any finding requires replication and verification before it's considered definitive. Because while we at HuffPost Parents support anyone's decision to put their heads down, ear-buds in and do this whole baby-having thing their own way, we also believe that being informed can help parents-to-be make decisions that feel right to them -- in consult with their doctors, nurses, midwives, etc.
So with that in mind, here are just eight of the most interesting things researchers learned about making and having babies in 2013:

1. Sleep and diet can affect fertility.


What makes one couple particularly fertile, while another struggles for months or years to get pregnant is, in many cases, a mystery. And though infertility is often due to factors that are entirely out of a couple's control, more and more research suggests that, in some cases, certain lifestyle factors, like sleep and diet, can make a difference. One study found that women who do shift work (working outside of the typical 8 to 6 framework) may have disrupted menstrual cycles and reduced fertility, while another found that getting between 7 and 8 hours of sleep each night was linked with the best outcomes among patients undergoing IVF. In terms of nutrition, one preliminary study suggested that women with polycystic ovarian syndrome hoping to conceive may benefit from eating a large breakfast and a smaller dinner in order to help with insulin levels, which can affect hormones.

2. Specific fertility treatments lead to more multiple births.
 
A major report that delved into why the number of twins and other multiples in the U.S. is so much higher now than it was four decades ago found that a third of all twin births, and more than three-quarters of all triplet and higher-order births (i.e. multiples of three or more) were due to the use of some form of fertility treatment. But notably, the report also found that in vitro fertilization -- often singled out as the main culprit -- was, in fact, no longer the greatest contributor to the rate of multiples. Instead, other treatments, such as ovulatory medications, were the top cause.

3. Miscarriage is more common than most people know.


When researchers with Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx polled a group of more than 1,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and 69, they found that they grossly underestimated how common miscarriage, or the loss of a fetus before the 20th week is: More than half said it occurs in fewer than 6 percent of all pregnancies, but estimates suggest it actually happens in roughly 15 to 20 percent. Moreover, many respondents wrongly identified the major causes, citing stress, oral contraceptives and physical exertion, when, in fact, chromosomal abnormalities are most often to blame. The study wasn't meant to stoke fear, but rather to point out how much misinformation there is about miscarriage, and how that can leave the women and men affected by it feeling very alone.

4. Maternal exercise benefits newborns' brains.

Exercise is, understandably, the last thing on many women's minds when they're exhausted, sick and can't remember the last time they saw their toes, but one study showed that just a bit of moderate exercise (in addition to helping with things like mood and sleep) might also boost babies' brain activity, by contributing to a healthy fetal environment. Babies born to women who clocked at least 20 minutes of moderate cardio three times a week appeared to be better at processing certain sounds, which may have implications for overall brain development. "Our results show that the babies born from the mothers who were physically active have a more mature cerebral activation, suggesting that their brains developed more rapidly," the study researcher told HuffPost.

5. Junk food addiction may start in the womb.

It was a highly preliminary study done in rats, but an investigation out of Australia nonetheless raised interesting questions about what can happen when women eat a significant amount of junk food during pregnancy. Researchers found that rats whose mothers ate diets high in fat and sugar (think sweet cereals and potato chips) had a greater preference for high-fat foods after birth than those whose mothers ate a diet that was low in fat and sugar -- and the gene expression in the reward pathways of their brains was changed, so that they had a greater predisposition to a junk food addiction later in life. Though it's too early to say if the findings can be extrapolated to humans, the study's main researcher argued that the "take-home message for women is that eating large amounts of junk food during pregnancy and while breastfeeding will have long-term consequences for their child's preference for these foods."

6. Pregnancy interventions are common ... and not always welcome.

Despite the fact that roughly 60 percent of moms in the U.S. who were included in a survey about birth practices and beliefs said they feel giving birth is a natural process that shouldn't be interfered with unless it's absolutely necessary for medical reasons. However, one-quarter of the women surveyed said they had at least three interventions during birth, from taking drugs to speed up or start labor to having a C-section. Twenty five percent of respondents who were induced or had an epidural said they felt pressured at the hospital to do so, as did 13 percent of those who had a C-section. 

7. Midwifery care is linked to better outcomes.

Most women in the U.S. rely on doctors to provide their primary care during pregnancy and birth, but a growing minority rely on midwives, and a Cochrane review lent some serious support to that model. The review found that consistent midwifery care throughout pregnancy was linked to better outcomes for mothers and their babies, compared to women who saw family physicians, OBs, or some mix of health care providers. Women who worked with midwives had lower rates of episiotomy and epidural useand they were less likely to deliver their baby prematurely. None of the studies cited were conducted in the U.S., but the review's lead author argued that the findings are still relevant in this country.

8. Delayed cord clamping has benefits.


The clamping and snipping of the umbilical cord can be a memorable post-birth moment -- particularly for hands-on fathers and partners -- but an investigation released in 2013 suggests its best done at least a minute or two after the baby is born. The review of 15 previously published trials from around the world found that delaying by just one minute can increase a newborn's iron supplies for up to six months post-birth." article source

things you should never say to a pregnant woman

as I approach the end of this pregnancy and the glow from 2nd trimester definitely fading... 

I thought I'd share a list of things never to say to a pregnant lady. 

Actually some of these brought some serious LOL's, read the article here

“Was it planned?”

  Does it really matter? Whether it was planned or not, she’s obviously sharing the news because she’s happy and excited not because she wants to answer to nosy people. Questioning her decision-making is unnecessary (and kind of rude). What to say instead: “Congratulations, kids are great!” 

“Did you take fertility drugs?”

Getting pregnant isn’t easy for everyone and the struggle with fertility is emotionally and financially exhausting. When a woman is pregnant at a certain age or is carrying multiples, be mindful of the delicate story that may be behind her joy; intrusive questions just rain on her parade. What to say instead: “Do multiples run in your family?” 

“You look like you’re ready to pop!”

(What she’s thinking: What’s your excuse? I’m carrying a life!) Come on, women are self-conscious enough as it is and when she’s carrying an extra 20 or so pounds she’s extra sensitive about her looks (and everything else for that matter). What to say instead: “Do you know what you are having?” 

“Can I touch your belly?”

  (What she’s thinking: I don’t even know you!) Unless you’re a close relative or friend, this is just awkward for her. Just because a woman is pregnant doesn’t make her belly community property. What to say instead: “Wow, you look great! What a cute belly!” 

 “Have you picked a name yet?”

  It seems harmless, but trust us, she doesn’t want to answer this question and subject herself (and her partner) to your opinions. It’s hard enough agreeing on a baby name as a couple and input from strangers just makes the process more difficult. What to say instead: “Are you having fun picking a name?” 

“Enjoy ____ now because once the baby comes, you can kiss it goodbye.”

Pregnancy is an emotional time for a woman especially if it’s her first. She’s very aware that her life is about to drastically change. She doesn’t need you to suggest that she’ll never enjoy sleep, skinny jeans or a minute alone ever again. What to say instead: “Parenting is certainly full of ups and downs but it’s worth it!” 

 “You shouldn't be eating/drinking that.”

(What she’s thinking: Thanks Dr. Stranger, but I’ll eat and drink whatever I please and if you get in the way, you may lose a finger.) Pregnant women are well aware of their new dietary recommendations and restrictions and if you don’t trust she’s making wise decisions, keep it to yourself. What to say instead: “Boy, does that look delicious!”  

“I never had morning sickness.”

All pregnancies are different, so bragging to a mother who is sick as a dog about your lack of pregnancy symptoms is downright insensitive. What to say instead: “How have you been feeling? Any morning sickness?”  

“I was sick my whole 9 months.”

On the flip side, a pregnant woman doesn’t want to be any more terrified than she already is. Keep the horror stories to yourself. What to say instead: “Don’t worry, you will feel better soon enough!”  

“I was ripped open from end to end.”

 This falls into the horror story category. Like pregnancy, giving birth is different for every woman. And the fact is, most women don’t end up “ripped from end-to-end" — one bad experience shouldn’t set off panic in the mind of a new mother! What to say instead: “I had a rough experience, but not all women go through what I did.” 

“Get an epidural!”  

 Deciding how and where to give birth is extremely personal — it’s about what she wants, not what other people think she should want. Though hospital settings and epidurals are mainstream, not every mother chooses to go that route. Questioning her decision to do something you didn’t gives her zero credit for making an educated decision. What to say instead: “I decided to get an epidural because…but everyone is different.” 

But these have to be my absolute personal favourites from the article.....

• “Are you still with the father?”
• “When I told my boss I was pregnant (with my first child), the first thing he said was: “Are you going to keep it?””
• “Although I had been with my husband for nine years, my MIL had the nerve to ask if the baby was his.”
• “We were having our weekly ultrasound and my doctor didn’t say anything about the baby’s heart or lungs…instead, she said: ‘And there are his balls.’ Really? Is that the medical term?” 
• “I was working in a restaurant and attempting to seat some people, when they requested a table on the opposite side of the restaurant and said: ‘You look like you could use the exercise anyway...’”
•  “As a 44-year-old pregnant woman I often heard: ‘You know, the likelihood of Down's syndrome goes up as you get older.’ Nice, huh?”
•  “When I told my MIL I would be opting for an epidural, she replied: ‘I hope the doctor doesn't paralyze you, that would make taking care of a new born really difficult.’ Ugh, seriously?” 
•  “When I was seven months pregnant someone asked me if I’d ever considered losing weight.”
•  “My OB was concerned that I was measuring very large as my due date was closing in and said: "I just want to make sure you're not having a monster baby."
•  “I had someone tell me that they couldn't picture me as a mother. How do you even respond to that?”

 

  

20 things we should say more often

love this. 

ghill life lately

As I inch closer to baby # 3's arrival,my nesting mode is in full swing... 

and my hubs to do list is growing by the minute!

Even despite the rainy/snowy weather and now cooler temperatures, 

we've managed to fit in some fun!

check out our ghill life on instagram

talking to your kids

I just seen these youtube videos and busted a gut. 

Hilarious! 

check more of their hysterical videos on their youtube channel

52 weeks ago

52 weeks ago our life was like this

what felt like a never-ending Saturday at the time, 

would have completely been erased from my memory if I didn't have this wee little blog. 

I've decided to keep more of my personal moments and kids milestones off this space

and use it to persue other topics and personal interests. 

Lately I've been feeling more inspired to write here again 

but I certainly love to look back once and a while!

Amazing how quickly a year goes by...

from cow baby to playing (eating) playdoh with her big brother.
I can't believe in about 2 months this little lady is going to be a big sister!

busy equals important

I read this blog the other day and it struck a bunch of different emotions in me. 

I've never thought that working-in home moms are lazy nor do I wonder what they do all day, I know full well what they do because while I do it after working hours and all weekend and they do it all the time. I also know that sometimes I welcome Monday's because I get to go to work and you know pee alone, or have 5 minutes to myself to think or not think and enjoy silence. Also applause to this husband for being so grateful and appreciative to his wife for mothering their children, raising them and knowing how difficult her "job" is!

I also know that sometimes the judgement is coming the other way too. I've felt it from other moms (work-in-home moms) that look down at me (a working-out-of-the-home mom) for "not caring enough to stay at home" or that I'm somehow less than because I send my kids to daycare. It's tough no matter what your situation is. The grass is always greener or so we think.

"It’s true — being a mom isn’t a “job.” A job is something you do for part of the day and then stop doing. You get a paycheck. You have unions and benefits and break rooms. I’ve had many jobs; it’s nothing spectacular or mystical. I don’t quite understand why we’ve elevated “the workforce” to this hallowed status. Where do we get our idea of it? The Communist Manifesto? Having a job is necessary for some — it is for me — but it isn’t liberating or empowering. Whatever your job is — you are expendable. You are a number. You are a calculation. You are a servant. You can be replaced, and you will be replaced eventually. Am I being harsh? No, I’m being someone who has a job. I’m being real."
 

It's true though, no matter how good you are or how much you care about your job- you are expendable and replaceable. It's a sucky reality especially when you've held a lot of your self-worth in your working life. It's not to say you still can't get satisfaction out of your job but consider this....

"In any case, I’m not looking to get into a fight about who is “busier.” We seem to value our time so little, that we find our worth based on how little of it we have. In other words, we’ve idolized “being busy,” and confused it with being “important.” You can be busy but unimportant, just as you can be important but not busy. I don’t know who is busiest, and I don’t care. It doesn’t matter. I think it’s safe to say that none of us are as busy as we think we are; and however busy we actually are, it’s more than we need to be." 

sound familiar? this hit me like a tonne of bricks. YES, I totally equate being busy to being important. If you are busy and stressed then you must be important, or doing important things. It's rather twisted and definitely something I am working on in my life.

But being a mom is not replaceable, being their mom is not expendable. We make mistakes and we are not perfect but either way we love our kids. fiercely.

So whether you are are stay at home mom or a working outside the home mom- high fives! This is a rough gig sometimes, sometimes it's the greatest too.

truth

"the reason we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel"

  - steven furtick

fall days- #1000thanks

we have been having the most perfect fall days lately, 

sunshine and good times frolicking in our little forest with these two! 

my little lady has grown up so much in the past month it's bananas. 

She held out on us for a while, not really saying much other than a few sporadic words

but now that the flood gate is open she surprises us with new words daily. 

Not one to be left behind, she wants to do everything that Oliver is doing!

Thankful for these 2 munchkins 

and our ghill life they get to roam and explore together. 

#1000thanks