Best January face....

Another I Heart Faces photo challenge today. This week's theme? Best Face in January.

I scrolled through the pics and came up with this one. Not traditionally beautiful in the sense that Aviecakes is smiling up at the camera, all adorable in frills and lace. Definitely not a sweet baby portrait most people would have matted and framed. Instead, she's devouring her lunch in a don't-come-between-me-and-my-tourtière kinda way. But her eyes!

The midday light from the window just made her eyes sparkle--like two little blue gems staring out from a sea of mushed up potatoes, corn and ground pork pie. That's love right there, folks.

Either we have a future gourmande on our hands or a little girl with a VERY healthy appetite. One way or the other, 15 years from now, she will hardly be impressed that I published this pic....

It's People's Choice Award, so anything goes. Keep your fingers crossed that I get a vote, peeps! (And, if you want to vote for my pic, head on over to I Heart Faces. Mine is #439.) Got feedback? I'd love to hear it.

Happy Monday, folks.

Hockey meets Marvel Comix?

Last post of the night. Promise.

Just saw this on MSN and had to share before I forget about it. Apparently, NHL teamed up with some animators to develop a series of team superheroes that they have just unveiled. Each superhero takes on the likeness of it's team icon, with traits and attributes tailored to the individual team's strengths and weaknesses. Twenty-three new superheroes, sporting the team colours, for comic book fans everywhere to wilt over.

It's like every 12-year-old Canadian boy's dream come true! (And, probably a good number of the 30-year-old boys, too.)

I post this in honour of them.

BenGy: Besides being a neat addition to any adolescent boy's poster collection, what's the point of these NHL superheroes, anyways?!

Midnight money musing

Before I sign off for the night, I just read about a little money-saving tip in ''Today's Parent'' magazine (can't recall which issue, I'm afraid, and too lazy to go back to the bathroom to find it--think it was new?) that I had to share with everyone. If you're hoping to start 2011 off on a more budget-savvy foot or trying to save up some cash for a trip down south, RRSP contribution, new car or what-have-you, here's a little suggestion.

If you are like me (a person who simply can't stand banks), then you probably do most of your banking online. Well, everytime you go online to pay a bill, round out your accounts by transferring the odd amount and change to a savings account.

So, if your chequing account reads $586.27, transfer $6.27 to your savings account. It's not a big enough sum that it will matter much to your chequing account--you won't even miss the six bucks--but the gradual accumulation of these small transfers (especially if you e-bank once or twice a week) can easily save you a couple hundred bucks a year.

Something to think about.

Just sayin'. ;)

A weekend earned

Another short post--really just want to share some random pics before we head out. Will be leaving after B's swim lessons tomorrow morning for a weekend in Tremblant with my sister's troop and another set of friends.

It won't be a long vacay--more like 24 hours, really--but a well-earned rest, I think. We're going to stay at a cottage on a frozen lake with an indoor pool and an outdoor jacuzzi. Tramping through the snowy village by day and cozying up by the fire, wine bottles and nachos by night.

There will be 14 of us in all--6 weary adults, 6 wild kids (one of whom is celebrating a birthday--Happy Day, Masyn!) and 2 teething babies. Should be a good time. (And, I don't write that in my usual sarcastic tone. I really think it will be a good time.)

Anyways, I snapped these today because I just loved Brooke's outfit. Santa brought those fuzzy leg warmers for her (courtesy of Dollarama) in her stocking and she wanted to wear them today. Still, it's a little chilly to be running around the house in a miniskirt, so we opted for some grey leggings under the skirt and beneath the leg warmers. We're Canadian, so we dress in layers, right?

What I didn't notice until after I had downloaded the photos is that I had also captured some of Brooke's writings on the floor. Yup--my kid just turned 3 and she can already read and print her name with absolutely no prompting whatsoever from me.

Not only does she know how to spell her own name (and can type it on the computer, too!), but she knows the first letter to Hubby's name, Avie's, Dave's, Grace's and mine. She's that smart. Natch. (Brushing knuckles on lapels.) We clearly have another brilliant writer in the family.

I especially love how she writes her 'B.' It's like she has already taken ownership of her initial and that just warms me inside. She always makes a curly loop between the first and second bumps--a really cursive, beautiful 'B.' (Just like her.) I love it--and I love her.

Anyways, after she 'wrote her list,' we went to wrap Masyn's gift and make her a birthday card. Brooke even signed it by herself. Adorable. I almost don't want to give the card to Masyn--even after Brooke worked diligently at decorating it with all of the stickers (and I do mean, ALL) to bedazzle it in Masyn's honour.

Another pic of Brooke ballerina-ing it in the living room, while Avie watches Caillou. And, yes, you'll note that the room looks a little like a toy typhoon blew through it--and you wouldn't necessarily be wrong. (Hey, at least the tree is gone. Took me almost a month to get everything packed up again. The Xmas boxes are still sitting in the dining room awaiting to be returned to the garage.) And, if you'll note--heart garland over the window. Getting ready for HappyHeartsDay! :)

I wanted to do a proper photo shoot today with the girls all dolled up in sweet little sugary dresses, but I just couldn't be bothered to clean up the destruction left behind the typhoon. (You should see the tiny terrorized faces frozen upon the forever-staring eyes of the dolls. To know the things they know! To see the things they've seen! The horror!) I'll have a go at it next week. Promise.

And, check out Avie's hair. My little sugarbee's hair was all over the place après nap. Love that flyaway baby hair. I swear, I'm not cutting that hair until she's well into her toddlerhood, either. Give her some glitter and a guitar and you could call my little punkrocker MiniPink. Too damn cute!

Okay, final photos. B in her own little winter wonderland.

Look at the expression on her face. Enjoy as she does.

Innocent Wonder -- I Heart Faces Photo Challenge

Happy belated birthday, SnapHappy! A year and nearly a month after beginning this blog and I find myself reflecting on its purpose.

Originally, this little venture into the World Wide Web was an attempt at chronicling my journey into motherhood for a second time. I was going to spend 365 days photographing life at home with my young girls, documenting their childhood and the special moments that make up our memories. I was going to share my photos and my thoughts with my audience with the aim to amuse and entertain. I was going to research and compile and publish articles and how-tos on all things mommy, like where to find local water play parks or how to make pinwheel pencil crafts.

Silly and fun, thought-provoking and profound, the blog postings were going to be printed and bound, souvenirs of a mother's unconditional love for her crazy, kooky kids.

Unfortunately, that is not what the universe had in store for me. This summer, the blog became a vehicle with which to inform family and friends about the recent goings-on of Brooke's diagnosis and subsequent cancer treatment.

A valuable tool--the blog allowed me to convey the innermost workings of my mind to my loved ones without my having to say a word. After repeating the story 101 times to various doctors and family members, I was mentally exhausted--and the blog became my retreat.

Writing--and photography, for that matter--has always comforted me. So, it was natural that I took to the blogosphere to heal from the shock and the ordeal that we endured this summer and fall. Thank you, SnapHappy, for allowing me to pour out my heart to you. And, thank you, readers, for continuing to tune in. I apologize that SnapHappy did not live up to its purpose, but hopefully, one day I will get back to my simple plan and chronicle that mommyhood journey.

And, to that end, I recently stumbled upon a website I am sure to follow obsessively called I Heart Faces. It's a photography website for amateurs. A whole community of snaphappy folks gather there to be inspired, improve their photo-taking skills and share their talents behind the lens. The site also hosts a weekly photo challenge with themed entries.

It's a long shot, as I am in no way a professional, but I thought I would take a stab at contributing to this week's photo challenge, if for no other reason than to force me to sit down in front of Picasa and sort through the images that have haunted my SD cards for months now.

This week's theme is 'Innocent Wonder,' which as you can imagine, is about as broad a theme as you can perceive. I figured my entry would be a photo I took this summer before all the hoopla began.

My 'Innocent Wonder' entry is a photo of my daughter enjoying the first fruits of the season--teeny, tiny strawberries that were as tart as they were delicious. I like this photo because of the expression on my country girl's little face. Thoughtful and delighted. I can only imagine what wonders she was mulling over.

Wander over to I Heart Faces challenge and let me know what you think. A chance in hell? Hardly, but inspiring nonetheless. Enjoy!

Status quo maintained

So, quick post. CT scan and MRI results are in: the status quo is maintained. No change in the lesion on her kidney (which they have believed to be a physical anatomical anomaly since June) and no further evidence of pulmonary lesions. Her remaining kidney has grown in size, which is great since that's what it is supposed to do, now that she is down to one. So, all in all, she's in the clear once again.

Cardio- and echograms next week, then just monthly returns to the MDU to flush out her port-a-cath until they schedule a surgery to remove it. To me, it won't really be over until the surgery, which likely won't take place until May. B will still have to take weekly doses of Septra (the preventative antibiotic) until the end of June, but so far, it looks like the mists are clearing and some sunshine is appearing in the distance. The road before us is opening up and the surroundings are becoming more and more familiar to us. An end to our journey come early summer? Definitely a cause for celebration!

Anyways, Hubby just returned from a week in Vancouver and is jetlaggedly napping in the next room. He'll need his rest for tonight, as we have dinner with friends and a Sens game to attend tonight. Meanwhile, B is busy making Valentines (yeah, we start crafting and decorating early in this house. As Hubby explained it to his brother--''decorating is more of a marathon sport for Ginger. She starts early and takes her time because there's a lot of it.'') and Avie has conked out for her own much-deserved nap. I guess I'll go do some laundry.

BTW: Avie's photo did appear in the Baby Beautiful issue of The Review! She looked great. Unfortunately, she wasn't one of the winners of the $50 gift certificates, which is fine because the town is a little far for me to go to get her a haircut. As her grandparents have noted, either the winners were randomly selected or the contest was rigged. My kid is certainly more adorable than some of the winning children featured. Yeah, must've been rigged....

And, speaking of Avie, plans have commenced for her first b-day bash. Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE party planning? I am obsessed with theme parties and papercrafts and unique ways to entertain or present food or favours or cakes....

My latest obsession? Checking out the Real Parties section of Hostess with the Mostest. The photos--all of the colours and textures and details--are just scrumptious! Each entry is a visual feast for the eyes. And, the site has some wicked do-it-yourself decorating and entertaining ideas. Definitely a site to check out if you are craving some inspiration.

Have a great weekend, readers!

Waiting

So, I did it. I succumbed to the motherly instinct, and even though I know it's silly, I did it. I entered my Aviecakes into a beautiful baby contest hosted by my ol' small-town newspaper.

I'm not entirely certain of the prize--I think it's like $50 in gift certificates for local businesses--but it's not about that. It's about my gorgeous little baby girl and how her smile actually makes tears spring to my eyes. She is so beautiful and delicious and just pure bliss that I can't fathom someone saying: ''Cute? Yeah, I guess she's alright.'' C'mon! She's damn near perfect.


I know, I know, I'm biased. But aren't we all?

So, let's have a panel of editors and journalists decide for us. My baby against the 90 other children entered into the contest! (One of whom is my youngest nephew, Big LG. And his face is as delicious as Avie's, but in a toothy-grinned, Dave Letterman-esque little boy way. I won't begrudge him winning as the photo is fantastic. Kudos, Jax.)

In the meantime, I cross my fingers and wait excitedly for the results. Yes, it's a little sad that waiting for the Beautiful Baby results (Wednesday, folks--I've got to wait until Wednesday to see if her photo will be in the paper!) has me all-a-twitter, but I suppose, it beats the alternative.

I'm also waiting for the results from Brooke's CT scan and MRI. I expect good news (as she seems to be perfectly fine, head injuries aside, of course), but I am also on edge. I worry. I don't know if it is needlessly or not, but I can't seem to shake it. I feel like I've just swallowed a ball of air as I do when I have the hiccups, and that ball is just sitting there in the middle of my chest, not dispersing as it should.

And, naturally, the scans were performed on a Friday, which means we'll only hear from the doctors likely on Tuesday or Wednesday. That means I've got two or three more days to go.

I'm not certain if this worrisome feeling is entirely CT scan-related or if it is because Avie's new milestones (crawling, sitting up on her own, eating big people food, and 'Mama-ing' all over the place) is a constant reminder that the clock is ticking and the calendar pages are flying past. Maternity leave is up in just three short months.

I've got all the logistics of daycare and school registration and work routines to sort out before I return to the office (and anyone who knows me knows these sorts of things stress me out), when all I really want to do is shout 'Do over! Do over!'

It wasn't the leave I had imagined in my head and heart. It was beautiful and wild and every bit an adventure, but it wasn't restful. It wasn't peaceful. It wasn't the year full of tea parties, park picnics, and kinder-playgroups that I had hoped it to be. Don't know why I ever convinced myself that I was going to be on a 'vacation' of a sorts for a year, because I'm sure my maternity leave would have been every bit as chaotic even if B hadn't been diagnosed with Wilms!

Anyways, that puts me back to waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting.... Rest assured that I'll have news for you this week. Keep your fingers (and your toes, knees and arms) crossed for an ALL CLEAR! on the CT front. A photo of my precious babe in the newspaper would be great, too! ;)