Monday, January 23, 2012

Six week check up news!

As I stay home breastfeeding with baby in one arm and the remote control in the other , I find myself witnessing two extreme battles: DEA and A Baby Story. Well as soon as Phil leaves the room it's all eyes on the baby! I

and pause.

As I check this draft today, Monday, January 23 I wonder where I was going with that thought when I started that paragraph days ago. I get so many blog ideas that I want to write but for some reason I am sooo easily distracted nowadays! I love my baby and I want to share our stories and photos with the world. By the end of this year I am going to have one very long blog for 2012.
Today was our six week appointment, or so I thought. It turns out it was only a check up for me- and baby needs to return in two weeks for her two month appointment. So Phil took Annabelle back to Uncle Jerry's van while the doc spoke to me. She was impressed when Phil immediately grabbed the diaper bag and proudly showed off our baby as he left her office. Just that gesture alone showed her he's hands on and I began to say all the other good stuff he does. I mean, if she was so easily impressed watching him carry his daughter out of the office imagine her face when I told her he changes her diapers no problem!
As I type this I just heard her rumble. So cute.
His attitude is what I would expect... It's your baby- change her. It's your baby- pick her up! But I know deep down that I am blessed with someone- a man, as hands on as he is. And it shows. Makes me proud to tell the doctor I have no postpartum depression. I have an awesome baby and amazing partner. After my exam she looked up and said " It doesn't even look like you had a baby" down there... yay! Good job docs.
Successful day for me, brownie points for dad, and Annabelle is on her second two hour nap.

Better go change that rumble!


39 days old! Such a cute outfit :) 

xoxoProudPRMOM

Baby Bump Brides!


Here's an album from people.com shining light on Baby Bump Brides.

 While I don't see myself playing Bride dress-up in the near future, I know that I have made a baby with my best friend and someone who will care and love us endlessly before, during and after the white dress-up day comes. I definitely belong to this crop of women who say mommy-to-be before bride-to-be. I was raised Catholic and still attend the church occasionally with my family up north. (I still have yet to find a church in Toronto as we're still discussing Annabelle"s baptism because it's something that Phil needs more time to think about whereas in my family there's no question about it).

 I'm thankful that today we aren't pressured and sentenced to make marriage decisions immediately. I've heard of so many stories where the only way to show respect to your family is to get married right away- it's not about the two people being emotionally or financially ready-its about what everyone else thinks. It should have been planned you say? Well I say it was. Annabelle came at a time where I needed to start a new beginning between graduating college and moving away from my first job in PR. Phil and I needed someone to kick our ass into gear for to work harder towards our future because we were moving in together before baby! I know that some young couples still fall under the pressure as we all have our elder relatives still answering to the old ways and we do want to respect them. That's why when the old Italian lady on the bus asked me how long I've been married, I said 2 years without hesitation!  That's why whe Grandmaman brings up marriage, I smile and say "soon when we're ready" and see nods in agreement knowing I've got a good head on my shoulders and things are different nowadays.
To some people marriage is a life sentence! To us, it will be a celebration of our love and I am thankful that my our families are understanding. At this point it will be exciting to have Annabelle old enough to be apart of it. We're #TeamAMP after all!  


35 days

36 days

37 days (Saturday, Jan 21-KOTD's Blackout)

38 days, Lazy Sunday!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Battle Rap Baby

I love my tiny girl. The one who is constantly smiling and making noises while her eyes are locked on my face! I'm so in love. I feel like a five year old girl taking care of her first dolly, dragging her around everywhere and having one-sided conversations.

Life/Work: I went out this weekend to King of the Dot's biggest rap battle event to date! Well, I went from 1:30p.m.-4:00 p.m.. I got to see three battles and bring the crew two very large poutines. I had to check out the event that they've been preparing for for so long! These guys work so hard and they brought out over 700 people to witness some of the greatest matches mixing hip-hop and comedy from artists around the world. They've attracted some larger celebrity names lately like Drake, Classified, Raekwon and Epic Mealtime. Even the guys on the front lines- Organik, Gully... are getting known from kids-youth-artists of all ages. And they all stay so true to the roots and their artists. It's a family I've grown to adore and respect and I plan to continue supporting their events not only because they're entertaining and awesome but Phil is the main videographer and I hope to continue helping from PR and marketing aspects for their events and maybe do some writing for the magazine! Check em out here: www.kingofthedot.com 

It was definitely hard to leave Annabelle this time around because I had to head down and abck home alone because Phil was working. I backed out three times before I gave in and let her Oma watch her as I ran out the door. I kept looking at the time and picturing my  daughter's gummy smile. I couldn't get home fast enough and when I did it was worth the big hug, smile, cuddle, kiss and diaper change.

34 days old :)


xoxoKOTDPRMOM

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

She was all Yellow




32 days ago I was born at St-Josephs!

33 days- First dress!

These next photos show that Annabelle was unimpressed with mom's photo shoot idea but she looks too cute!
what a face!

aww face!
mwah!

Thank you love.

I wrote this January 6, 2012 but I wanted Phil to read it first. I also wasn't sure if I should post it but the deciding factor is I want to see it in print if it happens again. Just a couple words <3


I've spilled my heart out in seconds again...


Thank you

Thank you for putting on my boots
Lending me your hand
Sharing your heart, your bed, your soul
Thank you for your patience, understanding,  and passion
Thank you for seamless transitions
Thank you for friendship, love and respect
Thank you for everyday excitement, everyday memories and our everyday future
Thank you for the crazy nights out, drinks, cozy nights in and making coffee again and again
Thank you for the book, all of our 'first times' and every other one to come
Thank you for growing with me from dating to pregnancy
Thank you for the baths and many gatorade and sugar craving walks
Thank you for Annabelle, our daughter, our life, our soul
Thank you for helping me deliver, holding my hands and feet and keeping me cool
Thanks for keeping your cool, keeping us calm and bringing Vogue into our delivery room
Thank you for getting us home safely, laying her between us and gazing at each other with happy tears
Thank you for us, for you’re our rock, Team AMP’s crazy glue
I’m always crazy for you
Thank you for your crazy smile, your goofy personality, never getting fazed and staying bright eyed
Thank you for making me stronger, goofier and excited for every step of life with you.
Thank you for always picking me right back up
Thank you for being so carefree, so easy going, so down to earth
Your reflection on me and our daughter is positive- we’re stronger because of you
Thank you for the New Year, new goals, new dreams- same us
Thank you for Annabelle, our daughter, our life, our soul.
My best friend, soul mate, daddy to my girl!
Best boy friend a girl could ever dream for
I cannot ask for more
Thank you for being a parent with me
As I love being a parent with you
Thanks love. 

xoxoPRMOM
(excited to see this printed in next year's book!)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

To Annabelle- Our one month old beauty

Your little arms are flying all over the place! Your lips are blistered from breastfeeding and you open your wide gummy mouth to protest that you need to poop. One hand is a little fist ball and one stay open with your light fingers resting on my chest. You look up with your beautiful eyes filled with large pupils excited and alert to take in everything.
You already think you're so smart ;)
You lift your head and you recognize our voices and faces. You're smiling and you let out the funniest noises. Your favorite place is on top of the change table where you turn to the right and coo in the direction I've placed an Anne Geddes photo with babies. Phil and I love to tease you because we swear you said "Hi Cows".

You're still sooo little and petite. You're so cute I grind my teeth and squeeze you tightly while taking in your smell. You're looking more like your dad with some of my fine features. Showing attitude yet still needing to be held like a baby. Sometimes your hair sticks out the side of your head like an adorable balding old man. I can't remove you from my arms. Next month we look forward to you giggling and acknowledging our poor singing and silly improve chants. I love you Annabelle!! :)

One month old baby girl :) 

Zaira came over and we made cupcakes. It was Phil's first shoot for Out There since her birth! I tried to make one cupcake with a number 1 on it with no icing for Phil...now it looks like a turd and he still hasn't eaten it. They were fun to make considering I had planned to make Christmas cookies the Thursday she was born after that appointment!!!

Post changes

It begins with a glow to show the world



And fades into the heart ... leaving a very dry looking face with complimentary straw hair.
I wish I could have enjoyed my glow a bit more that first week but my sore butt was stealing the spotlight. Now The exterior glow has calmed down, my face is back to it's complicated self and my hair is worse than ever. I'm still taking a prenatal vitamin everyday and I hope that after my "six weeks" the hormones and all that jazz gets back to normal. I know I'm still healing. I also have to remember that I can't give in as easily to my want of food as easily as I could when I was a beautiful pregnant lady. Except of course on days like today when Phil makes a perfect pound of bacon and eggs. Mmm!

My face- breaking out
My hair- Straw. I'm definitely taking up Salon Daniel's offer.
My body: Pudgy pockets, tribal marks, but all in all it's getting back to normal. I can't wait to do pilates again! I also can't wait for friendlier walking weather.
My nails: BOOMING! I have never had nails like this and I'm not even trying.
Baby: All worth it :) She is also booming, getting pudgy pockets and her hair is sticking right out...just like her father's. oh dear.
My nails are real nice!

Gotta go- baby is in a cute dress today but slightly whiney. I hear Phil playing with her. I'm going to go and make her smile too :)


xoxoPRMOM


Monday, January 16, 2012

Annabelle's First Girls Night!

When I met Phil, I met some awesome girl friends and we've proceeded to organize some of the craziest girls nights. This last one, held last Wednesday (27 days old) was tamed down just a tad, as the guest of honour, Annabelle, (Ares the pup was NOT impressed) was the centre of attention. She actually decided to be hungry so we spent most of our time feeding! Annabelle is the first baby of my immediate group of friends. We're all still growing together and developing some amazing careers in Communication, Marketing, the Arts and so on... She did give the girls (and Roberto) some special smiles and we couldn't be happier to have the girl friends we do xox.
photo by Susan

Mommy and baby Love Xtina






Saturday, January 14, 2012

Annabelle 22 - 30 days!


I began this blog dayss ago and I'm finally posting it up thanks to my baby girl sleeping in the swing! So proud of her. Phil and I had our first night out last night. We went to Demetri Martin's show at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It was so nice to be downtown Toronto again. I wasn't pregnant- I felt so good and I thought it even smelled amazing! Of course when we get to the theatre we see our good friend George from the Mod Club and he treats us to some VIP seats. True Mel and Phil style. Us two <3 Thanks George! 
Yes it was great to feel like ourselves again. It was a paranoia I had my entire pregnancy. Worrying about our relationship, Phil going out alone, spending more time at home than ever before, growing up, missing the baby... Truth is we're still our "old"selves with or without baby. We love our baby girl and boy we were both thrillllllled to come home to her sleeping in her Oma's arms. We're better people now. When we're out on the town we're ourselves plus one. An amazing little one who makes us hold our head up higher than ever before. 

22 days! Shirt (organic cotton) from aunt Carlie and a cute Teddy hat

22 days- first walk outside in the carrier. Mmm french vanialla from 711 haha

23 days (see previous post for more from this day)
24 days

25 days
 Pretty in Pink

26 days- This one is just so funny looking.
27 days
28 days

29 days

30 days- eat and sleep. eat and sleep. 


Friday, January 13, 2012

Annabelle is 4 weeks! 28 days of love.

Today is our baby girl's 4 week old birthday! She's 1 month on Sunday! I can't believe how hard I was pushing this time four weeks ago. I always love reliving the moment. I've become addicted to TLC's A Baby Story and all the baby shows. I didn't have the stomach for them before but now I love to relate, compare and cry with the moms and babies.
Life: Starting to eat healthier. I notice I'm hungry often so I'm trying to prepare snacks (and have them accessible when baby is in arms!)
Baby:
( I had to finish this blog the following day- baby comes first of course!)
She was a feeding machine yesterday and today she's a sleeping machine. No two days are ever the same! She now weighs 8.12 and she's filling out sooo nicely. Phil just brought up the fact that she could have been born this big- or bigger! I think I like our tiny newborn :)
PRMOM: My life involves feeding and TLC's What not to Wear and a Baby Story. I woke up with a major kink in my neck which sucks while breastfeeding.
Love: We are going to a comedy show tonight! Demetri Martin at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. It was a gift from Phil's brother so Annabelle is staying with her Oma. I hope to goodness she doesn't turn into her mommy only feeding monster! I know I have to trust that Oma will be just fine but i'll be thinking about my baby crying for me. I do have to be honest and say she is pretty good at distinguishing night and day. She tends to settle at night so in the end I'm sure we'll all be just fine and Phil and I get to head out! For two people who made a life of nightly outings it's funny to have us going out together as a 'mommy and daddy' treat.

Here are some photos of Annabelle yesterday! Oma was showing us how Phil used to sleep so we tried it with Anna and got a kick out of how cute she looked with her bum in the air. She was up shortly after of course!




Monday, January 9, 2012

Today was my first day out walking on Bloor West as a new mama minus baby. As much I missed my baby girl I walked with my head up high knowing she's with the most amazing man and father. I walk proudly knowing I have the most beautiful family at home waiting to love me back. This is also the first blog from my Blackberry 9790- an intro to touch screens while holding onto my keypad a new start to my PR life for 2012 :)

XoxoProudPRMom

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Annabelle's First Beatbox Show!

Here's Annabelle's first beatbox show (but NOT her first beatbox) by Godfather Scott Jackson :)

http://youtu.be/lHbDGdB_RPs 

When boy meets girl- Love at 23 days

Here's a sweet video of Anna (23 days aka her JORDAN day) and Rex (6 months) interacting for the first time! It was our first "grown up" night out and it was filled with friends, hockey, chilli and babies! Phil and I also had our first big outing with Anna on public transportation. She was in her stroller in the entire bus ride and just as the silent bus pulled into the subway station she began whaaaaaaaling out! lol. Poor Phil pushed hard to get her off the bus asap and I scooped her up into my arms. For the rest of the trip and the ride home she remained smothered in the baby carrier. Much more content in her mom's blossoms.

She and Rex locked eyes immediately. As Phil and I realized our itty bitty girl will one day be his size, he gazed admiringly at our baby with the biggest smile. When we rested them beside each other they gazed and cooed. Anna began fussing at one point, I believe when Rex broke eye contact. I was filming so I scooped in to pick her up and no sooner had I put my arm behind her head did Rex break out crying because I was taking his lady away. It was quite an event!

This video is unlisted so click on the link to enjoy :)

http://youtu.be/u9sf-LAd5Lw




taken earlier when mom and Val stopped by

Friday, January 6, 2012

Annabelle is 3 weeks!

Here are some photobooth pics of us yesterday celebrating Anna's 3 weeks! She was so alert for me but slept when Mark, Lena and Sandy came. The sleep is definitely disappearing as baby girl finds her voice and appetite. My newborn who slept all the time is growing !
(just had to break to bicycle her little legs)
Anyways. Lost my train of thought. Who cares, I've got an amazing baby! Enjoy the pics.

Oh ya, we just booked out first Out There shoot of the year for this Sunday. Only a mere three weeks after birth. Part of me wishes I was still bed ridden haha. Tomorrow we have a big supper date with some KOTD fam and hopefully her six month old boyfriend Rex. We also may get a surprise visit from Grandma Sherrie, Hughie and Aunt Val. So busy wkd here we come!



Bear butt





I LOVE HER SMALL ROUND GOOGLY EYES <3

Mr. Adam gets snapped! and SMILES

Mark DeMontis (Courage Canada- remember those posts?!) and Lena

Sandy DeMontis

Boo!
3 week old baby in her Jordan gear

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Five days of Annabelle!

This may not be the longest post because Annabelle is currently "plopped" on my chest. I'm going to put her down but she usually awakens a few minutes later knowing that her warm, chesty bed dared to put her down for a minute.
Baby: She's definitely demanding more attention in arms, more food and way less sleep. I'm feeling wayyy more drowsy this week after all the holiday hoopla but I'm also feeling a lot better. It feels good to be able to move around the house again but I can't forget I'm still healing inside for a few more weeks. I've been going outside more- whether it's to the bank or to the corner store it helps to get some fresh air. I definitely don't like the idea of leaving my baby girl because as demanding as she's getting- it's a beautiful thing! It shows she trusts us and knows she can depend on us. She's also bright eyed and cooing, and has the cutest gummy cry. She's still our lil newborn baby :)
PRMOM: Feeling drowsy, easily teary eyed but overall excited to care nonstop for our babygirl. We went to Out There's Holiday party two nights ago and it was so much fun to show everyone our little girl. Today they contacted us for a short film shoot on Sunday! PR Mom back-to-work already? Only if I can bring my baby!
Body:- Down 20-25 pounds since her birth! And I've still got my tribal scars ;)
Cravings: I'm still loving chocolate! But I am noticing how my taste buds are getting back to normal which means back to my plain jane no extra saucy ways.


15 days

 16 days and mom and dad's completed 2000 piece puzzle!
17 Days-Annabelle and I got a sweet surprise on NYE. My mom and sisters Emi and Val surprised us so we stayed in and rang in the New Year with everyone! Everybody kissed Anna at midnight 
18 days- On dads legs and looking super cute in this sleeper

 19 days- Rocking out before her first Out There party and introduction 


20 days- Super cute gingerbread cookie :)
  

Super sweet video of our happy girl at 20 days http://youtu.be/GfDoxyN_sY8 :)