Downtime...

Well- that's about all i can say! Life has been busy. Kids are all consuming and I have not been good about taken much time to do the things i love...
so as i sit here on our rainy long weekend- i am taking some time to catch up on our world.

Ryan and I enjoyed a week of child-free relaxation in Cabo back in March. Yes- it already feels like it was a dream from a long time past. But that week was amazing. We did a vacation without children a few years ago and have made it a must do tradition annually. To be able to recharge ourselves as individuals- but also as a couple- is so important...a must do.

In the world of a parent, there is no downtime- you are always on. And to say the least- it can be very exhausting. Usually, aside from yourself, your relationship takes a back seat. Ryan and I have learnt that if we don't work at it...then it wont happen- to put it matter-of-factly. In order to have our amazing kids- there had to be an us to begin with- and to maintain that... we have to make sure the 'us' is priority.

And so- we had a wonderful vacation, just the two of us.

Funky Town...

Pardon the title, I still had Tuesday nights episode of Parenthood in my head.

This topic may make some uncomfortable; and knowing my parents read this, its making me a little uncomfortable!

SEX...TOYS. Yes, that is the nature of this blog. A topic that many people speak of...behind closed doors!  Mom and Dad, sorry to be blogging sex toys...but yes, kids are the product of the act with my husband :-P

Well today, I am bringing it to you because an old friend from high school days has launched a new business targeting this marketplace...A business that is huge already, forever growing, and rarely spoken openly about.

Que, the LuvBox.

Luvmybox is a monthly subscription that ships to your door a discrete black box filled with 'fun and flirty products' that will 'let your imagination get the best of you.'  They promise a new experience every month by offering different products to cater to your every mood.

Photo above not one from Luv my Box

The best part about Luvmybox, aside from its awesome name, you don't know what will be in the LuvBox...adding to the excitement yet again.

The sex toy industry is a multi BILLION dollar industry throughout North America, and yet is one that is not talked about often...nor without a red flush across our cheeks. For the ones that will admit to going into a sex store, most find themselves slightly embarrassed for being in there. In such an open culture, we generally are quite the prudes!
I love the concept of this product as it gives you a product, a thrill of wonderment, excitement...and then something new to 'try.' Adding spice to your love life is always a bonus, right!? Giving a new spin to the passion parties: with more excitement and intimacy!

For me, a mom with three young kids...my husband and I lack the element of adventure often. Finding time while not being exhausted is limited! I think this will be something that we can both enjoy from receiving the package to discovering what the months Theme is!

With the book "Fifty Shades of Grey" having won may peoples hearts...and aided to many peoples love lives, the first edition of the LuvBox was themed after this popular trilogy.

I cant wait for my first box to arrive...wonder what's gonna be inside!

So, would you try this service??
It will be interesting to find out how many will admit to it...

One thing's for sure... this is an expense I don't think my husband will question ;)


To order yours, or find out more, check out:
Luv my Box

Thoughts for the Everyday...

Sometimes, I have things in my head that just need to be written. No matter if they make sense or not...whether they are in order or not...they just need to get out :) Today is a bit of that kind of a blog...

Each day offers something so different. Some are filled with work; some are filled with laundry...all are filled with kids. Yes, I have help with the kids a few hours a week...but after a few hours of either working or running household errands, the kids fill the rest of it. Each day is different. Some days, our days feel long...sometimes, they fly by too quickly. Kids wake up cranky, they wake up happy...they love each other, they fight. Each day is different.
For me, as long as I get 1 hour in the day to myself, I feel re-charged (some days only a little, some days completely). 
Of course some days are longer than an hour. And when work is busy, I am in and out of the house often. But remembering that I need at least one hour of ME time is important.
With kids, we often put ourselves last. And with ourselves, our relationship hides out down there too. I am reminding myself to make sure I not only say those three little words to my husband everyday...but to show him. Actions speak louder than words...even a 6 second hug.

Did you know how powerful a hug can be?
Research shows that if we hold a hug for at least six seconds, we optimize the flow of mood-boosting chemicals in our bodies.
Studies show that a family member is 47% more likely to feel close to a family member who often expresses affection than to one who rarely does. Saying “I love you” is great, but sometimes it’s good to express that thought without words.
Furthermore,  frequent huggers have lower blood pressure and higher levels of oxytocin -a chemical that promotes bonding and mood.
Interesting eh!
Try out a six second hug and let me know what you think!
We haven't done this in a while, I think we need to again. Trust me, somehow it just brings a smile to your face and love to the heart. Corny I know! But it works...its in the research ;)

Today has been a pretty low key day. The kids spent a few hours with their Nana while I hit the gym. A great "re-charge" i must say~ I have been spending the afternoon with the kids doing house chores. Laundry is a never ending task over here, cleaning and now making a great dinner for Ryan and I tonight. Everyone seems to have colds again over here, and the afternoon now includes a Dr's visit...including one for baby T. Hope her chest is clear and the "crackles" I feel are nothing.

Is it weird that those little things, of getting organized in house and having a nice meal planned for my family, can make me feel like a better wife...and mom?
Funny hey...on a list of to-do's a mile long, it is home that can bring the biggest satisfaction.
A wise man once told me, in not quite the same words, "try not to stretch yourself too thin: the only person who notices you doing it all is you." Isn't it true. Trying to be "Supermom" (so to speak) is impossible. Why do we try to do it all?  There is nothing wrong in asking for help. I am working on it...and making progress ;)
I give my best and the best is all I have. Sure, I spread myself too thin sometimes:  I make mistakes or wish I had done something differently: I am only human.
Today I am mom. Today I am wife. Today I am me. And I am doing a pretty great job at it :)

Love, tonight we are having Seafood Bouillabaisse for dinner. The kids colds are getting checked out and the laundry is almost done...for today ;) No work...for money today...just a lot of work out of love.

I am thankful for everyday. I am thankful that every day is different. I am thankful for my family.

"There's really only one thing that more important than being dedicated to what you do, and that's being dedicated to who you do it for." Smuckers Commercial

P.S- thanks to the wise man for the advice that struck a cord. ;)
"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad."
~Anne Geddes~

Happy Friday~

Snow Days...

How could you not love them! Breaking up our usual RAIN with snow and even sunshine...these past few days have been awesome!

The kids love getting outside. Walks in the snow, snowball fights...snow castles. They have been having a great time; and with enough layers, they have been staying warm allowing us to stay out for hours at a time! Lots of fresh air and fun moments.

You would think this would aid in sleep...but not with our kids!
Last night Si got to go for a sleepover at Gee-Gee's house (aka Grandma)...from this, we have officially ruled that Si is the bedtime problem. Kai will go to bed...and sleep in. It is his sister that adds to the enticement of playtime all night long...and she, being the early riser, then wakes him too. Last night, thanks to her overnight, even T slept for 8 STRAIGHT HOURS! Pure peace.
Now, our chore...getting Si to sleep!

Here are a few photos from snow days...

bundled and ready!

not impressed with the camera

staying warm...but can barely walk because of it.

Did you notice the hat...

Yes, he likes it. Yes, it's warm. Yes, his wife thinks he's a dork...but loves him anyway!

~Priceless~

I'm having Deja vu...

Daryl Hall

The Band Poison

;)

Date Night!...

"Be ready for 6:00."
"Sitter taken care of."

Two of the best texts I have gotten in a long time! Ryan has planned a date night. Not only is a date night much needed...the spontaneity of it, and him organizing all facets of it, make it all THAT MUCH MORE AMAZING!

Yay to Friday Night Date Night. The perfect way to start a weekend. Quiet time with my love.

Do you and your husband/partner do date nights? If so, how often do you try and do them?
If not...why not?

Ryan and I used to have a scheduled sitter once a week, Wednesday nights were our set Date Night. Sometimes it was dinner, sometimes a movie, sometimes a bike ride or a run. Really it was all over the map...but it was our night. For whatever reason, we lost that night. Time getting in the way...or lack there of. And yet, it is probably the most important thing that we gave up! After this baby enters our world...I am re-instating date night!
It is a night all about you and your partner. No kids. No TVs. No obligations or things to get distracted by. Just the presence of one another.

What doesn't sound great about that. And why the h**l did we loose it!?

It doesn't have to resemble THIS...



OR EVEN THIS

Date night is what you make of it!

Although, I could take a little of this right about now...


;-)

Looking forward to tonight!

Sexy Back...

I came across this article today, and well, it seemed fitting!

Husbands: How To Make Your Wife Feel Sexy After Baby (click on title)

Everyones' circumstance and position (no pun intended) on this topic are different as per work and family life I am sure. But for us being on our third baby...I know what is to come in the sleep department for the next while.

When Kai was born, being our first, neither Ryan or I knew what was ahead. Long sleepless nights. Lots of little sounds...and many sleep interruptions.
Ryan, being a light sleeper, had to move to a blow-up bed in our second bedroom apartment in order to sleep and work the next day. I slowly adapted to the new sleep arrangements and got used to the sounds Kai made...and eventually was able to sleep with him in the room.  A few months later, Kai returned to his own room and crib, and Ryan to our bed.

Knowing what was to come the second time around was a little easier to handle. The first time was rough on us as a part of our husband and wife connection was re-moved and I definitely felt a lack of bond and connection for a while. A little, alone. Having a baby is an amazing and scary thing. Funny how something so wonderful can also be the most scary thing you have ever done. Kids definitely change every facet in your life...and your marriage is one that takes its toll as well. Marriage takes work: and kids put it to the test! When you are used to it just being the two of you...suddenly someone else takes the front position.

I knew for round two, I didn't want to be "separated" from Ryan for as long, and therefore Si was moved from bassinet to her own crib a lot faster.

Third time round, and I am feeling no different. At least this time we have a spare room and actual bed for Ryan to enjoy! My intentions are for the baby to be in it's own room as soon as the time permits. Hopefully I wont be missing my partner in our shared bed for too long!

All this talk on sleep and beds brings me to the topic of the article. Not sleeping in the same bed (let alone the same room!) with my partner, missing a certain connection and feeling of support obviously all have significant outcomes on the way a wife, in my circumstance, me, feels after having a baby. It is the little things that make a huge difference in the life of a new mom; and when those gestures are coming from her husband...for me, they made me feel as if he was still trying and always present.
I am fortunate for the man I am married to. He is an amazing dad and supportive husband. Although this is our third, I recognize that we are never fully in the know as to what is ahead, but am thankful that we know how to help alleviate some of life's pressures and stresses for one another. I know that he will be there for me and our kids as best as he can; and I hope he knows that I will, and do, do my best to do the same for him.

I definitely do not feel like the most sexiest person these days, but am very lucky I have a husband that thinks his wife is attractive when pregnant...and when not. But lets face it...for a man to look at his wife in the same way after labor and childbirth, likely changes. Especially if that man were one to have been south of the equator watching their bundle of joy enter the world...
Just saying.
And for the woman...having something the size of a watermelon appear from a lemon...well, likely her thoughts for a good while are "ouch" or maybe, "not a chance."
It takes some time...and it takes some work. Patience, love and support by all parties.

Back to the little things...feeling wanted, acknowledged, loved and supported make everyone feel sexy, not just the wife after baby, right!?

And if you husbands want to take the sexiness one step further...



What is more sexy than a man doing the laundry, vacuuming, changing the diapers...
;-)

"Winning isn't everything. Wanting to is."- unknown...

On Monday, my husband completed a recent goal and raced in the Vancouver Triathlon.
Not only did he complete the race in his allotted goal time, he killed it and came 40th overall!
We were all there to watch and cheer him on! We are so proud of him.

It was a great day and a huge accomplishment. The weather could not have been more perfect either! Clear skies and calm seas.

A few photos of the day.

Kai was here too... you could find him at the park:

Great Job Ry!!

"Winners make goals, losers make excuses"

- Unknown

 

A Party to Remember...

Back to a normal level of crazy! The party is over and fun was had by all, at least that's what they tell me. Ryan had an amazing time at his 30th Birthday Party. He/we really have an amazing group of friends. Thank you all who came to celebrate my husbands special day.

He knew many aspects of the party...ie that there was one, and it was likely at our home. Other than that, the who's and what's were all a surprise. Which made it fun to watch him as people walked in, and the band began setting up.

I hired the Adam Woodall Band to play the party. If you haven't heard them, you really are missing out! They play several gigs throughout our city, and are unbelievable. You must check them out.
It really made the night. The live music gave all something to watch...and after a few drinks, something to dance to.


Being respectful of our neighbours, and only one noise complaint (not bad!), we shut the band down at midnight and all were gone by 1:00. A respectful hour...and an hour that I think spared my husband meeting porcelain!

Amazing friends, music, conversation, wine and food. A fun evening and a successful THIRTY.

Pre Party Dinner

~more pics to come~