seven years ago

It's hard to believe that seven years ago today, I was rolling around on a Pilate's ball, trying to breathe and naively thinking "that this isn't that terrible, I can have this baby right here in the comfort of my own home".
"I can do it!"
"It can't be too much longer now."
Little did I know, that after almost 24 hours of being in labour at home, that I would be begging for some serious pain meds, barfing into a recycling bin in the hallway of a hospital in the middle of the night and swearing at a student doctor sipping his Starbucks while I was in what you would call a very "vulnerable position".
Something about "who the F. let Doogie Howser in here?" and "Get him the F. out NOW!!!!!"
That part I don't really remember because by that time the epidural had worn off.

All the while I was pleading with big daddy to PLEASE  PLEASE not ever make me do this again.
He kept that promise.
I guess I'm far too wimpy to do that craziness all over again.
I hate to admit that it's definitely one of the perks of having an only child.
At least I won't ever have to go down that road again.
Thank-you Jesus.

But 36 excruciating and exhausting hours later, it was all so so worth it.
I had a tiny bundle of healthy perfection in my arms.
Well technically she wasn't put in my arms right away since she had a bit of trouble breathing on her own at first.
Big daddy wanted to stay with me (north of the border for the record) but I told him to quickly go to Lulu and make sure she was okay.
She was.
Thank G-D.
Once I finally got to hold her, my first words were "oh my g-d...she's a a a Human!"
Umm duh..
I was delirious, what can I say?
And I know it's such a cliche, but I would do it all over in a heart beat.

But whoever said that you eventually forget the pain, is such a liar.


So here we are, seven years later.
I can barely believe that Lulu was once even a tiny baby.
It really feels like a life time ago already.
She is so mature and such an old soul and she is constantly surprising us with her stories and ideas.
This year has been especially amazing.
I know, I say this every year.
But it truly has.
I love being her mother more than I can ever put into words.
I have to admit though, I'm happy that she hasn't changed physically too much since last year.
She's already practically up to my shoulder!
Can't have her towering over me before grade 3..
Much to her dismay, she still hasn't lost any baby teeth.
Not even a wiggler.
I'm for one am glad she still has all her perfect little baby teeth.
The poor thing went through hell getting her them in the first place, might as well enjoy them for as long as possible.
And just wait until we get to the training bra stage- if she's anything like me she'll be the last in that department as well.
Lucky girl.

She's also still wearing a size 13 shoe just like this time last year.
This is a good thing, because I went a little crazy buying her shoes.
So many cute ballet flats for girls these days!
Don't even get me started on all the cute clothes.
Bonus that she completely lets me pick things for her to wear.
In fact she usually loves what I choose.
I so hope this lasts until she's at least 21.

But her sense of self and who she is, has come so far in just one year.
She really knows what she likes and what she doesn't.
Her awareness and sensitivity towards others always leaves me feeling so proud of her.

Seven.
Wow I have a seven year old. (or at least I will by 3:28 tomorrow afternoon)
It's sad to say good bye to yet another year.
And boy, do they slip away faster and faster the older she gets.
But I am looking forward to watching her continue to blossom & grow, just like the tree in our back yard.
I love that it flowers on her birthday every year.
Because she really is my special flower.

Happy Birthday Lulu.
I love you so very much.

Mama xo

happy belated EasterOver

Yes, another gratuitous photo of my lovable puppy.
The poor little thing puts up with so much shenanigans around here.
She never protests even when we do completely ridiculous things to her.
Like for example dressing her up like the Easter Bunny.
But how cute is that?

Lulu & her friends treat her like one of their toys, and she never makes a peep.
Mind you I'm always near by to make sure it doesn't go too far.
I am uber protective of my little pooch.
I can't believe how dog obsessed I've become.
I honestly can't imagine our home without her in it.
She is completely a part of the family and we truly won the doggie lottery and found the sweetest dog in the world.
Getting her was the best decision ever.

Moving on...
Last weekend was a bit of blur.
Between Matzo & countless amounts of chocolate mini eggs, the weekend was jammed packed.



This has to be hands down one of my favorite times of the year.


I love Seders and I especially love how Lulu is really starting to understand some of the traditions and participates in them.
We always have one here at home and then go to friends for a big fun (often very loud) Seder.
Easter is usually spent with my family.
Traditional "kosher" ham and of course an Easter egg hunt.
So much fun.

The trees are starting to blossom, it's been sunny and nice out for weeks and everyone seems to have a little extra spring in their step.
'scuse the pun...
Bonus that the week kind of flew by and once again it's the weekend.
Spring has sprung!

my current obsession (aside from Mad Men)

Gosh, when was the last time I posted about food?
I guess I've fallen into the busy school year/ fast & easy midweek/ same ol' same ol' meals.
I never thought it would happen to me.
Meatless Mondays.
Taco or rotisserie chicken on Tuesdays.
Tofu, rice & greens on Wednesdays.
Fish on Thursdays
Pizza Fridays.
You get the point.
But time is of the essence these days and I rarely get to peruse cookbooks and food magazines for inspiration like I used to.
So nothing really exciting to post about I guess.

Not that fast, easy, tried & true dinners are a bad thing.
In fact we still eat really well here at casa petite gourmand.
But I find I tend to make many of the same things through out the week.
Especially when it comes to breakfast & lunch.
We consumed copious amounts of homemade chicken soup this winter.
I'm pretty sure we had it at least 2- 3 times a week for the past 4 months actually.
Not that much beats a good homemade warm bowl of chicken soup in the middle of the day.

But now that it's spring, I've been craving something new, healthy, fresh and most importantly-tasty.
Not to mention super fast.
I love salads, but I rarely have time to do all that chopping in the middle of the day and I'm never organized enough to plan it the night before.
Besides, we usually have some sort of salad for dinner.
I feel super guilty if I eat sandwiches or wraps everyday.
Not that I'm carb free, but I try not to eat too much wheat especially of the white variety.
The only bread I usually buy is for Lulu and it's the high fiber white chia Cobs bread.
Which is healthy and fresh, but I like my bread much darker and denser with lots of seeds.
Which brings me to my newest obsession.

Toasted rye or pumpernickel (European style the denser the better) Topped with sliced Avocado & thinly sliced Radish, sea salt & pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
Open faced.
YUM.
or my other new fave- Toasted rye with Avocado & Sardines.
Double YUM.

I can't believe I had never tried sardines until now!
I've been missing out all this time.
The thought of them kind of grossed me out, but after reading something about sardines being SO good for you and considered to be a super food along with avocados I figured I would give them a try.
Delicious.

how about you, what do you eat for lunch everyday?
Inquiring minds want to know..

april fools

I snuck downstairs this morning and put blue food colouring in the milk container.
So fun to play a prank on a six year old (not to mention a 41 year old!)
Big Daddy & Lulu were perplexed.
"What the heck?...momma the milk is BLUE!!! quick come and see!"
hee hee.

oh and bonus that the milk was almost empty so that we don't have to drink blue milk for a week..