Dec 19, 2013 | Heavy on the Heart, Life
 |
| You and your mom, December 17th, 2013. |
Dear Bennett,
It’s your Auntie Renee, but I’ll be known as “Nay” to you for the first few years of your life. Although you don’t know me yet, I already know so much about you and you were only born two days ago. In case you’re still confused about me, you can ask your big brother, Nathan, to fill you in. I’m pretty sure he’ll tell you nothing but really cool things about me. I wanted to write you this letter to not only tell you a little bit about your family, but to also tell you how much you’re loved already and hopefully one day when you’re old enough, you can look back at this and be reminded of just how much. And, if you’re anything like your aunt, sentimental things like this will be right up your alley.
I’m not one to be usually stuck for words, but I can tell already just how hard writing this is going to be. The reason why this is going to be so hard is because there is honestly not enough white space staring back at me here now to describe how special your family is and just how much they mean to me. I will try my best to keep this short, though, because I don’t want this letter to be a bedtime story that your parents use each night to put you to sleep.
Well, you’re now the second child for your mommy and daddy, and I’m sure you might be thinking that the second child is never really as special as the first. But, as the second and youngest child myself, I can tell you that you already have such an advantage over Nathan. Yeah, sure he has the first born thing going on, and yeah, you probably will get stuck with all of his hand me downs, but you get a big brother to look up to, and I can guarantee you Bennett, that is better than anything else in this world. I can not picture my life without having your mom as my big sister (and honestly I wouldn’t want to), and even to this day at 28 years old, I look up to her probably even more than she knows. But you’ll find that out for yourself when you get a little older and want to hang out with your brother and all of his friends. Don’t be surprised, though, when he shuts his bedroom door and then moves his dresser across the door so you can’t get in. Not that I know anything about this, but I’ve heard screaming bloody murder will help you get inside the room pretty quick. Oh, and another really, really cool thing about being the youngest is that your mom and dad will probably be a little more relaxed with you, or at least that’s what our parents told us. You can ask your mom about that one day, though, because I’m sure she has a lot of stories of some of the things she would get punished for compared to me. Don’t forget to make her tell you the good ones, okay?
I will tell you, though, that neither you or Nathan will have a very good chance at getting away with things because your mom was famous for never getting caught at some of the things she did growing up. Because she knows all the good secrets now, it’s going to be next to impossible for you guys to try and outsmart her. So, good luck to you and your brother with that.
If in fact you do happen to get in big trouble, I’ll only be a phone call away or a quick visit to Newfoundland away. Okay, I guess Newfoundland isn’t that close, but it’s close enough that you’ll get to visit often. You’ll soon quickly realize that Newfoundland will be your home away from home. Oh the fun you’re going to have; going to the cabin, the beach, going fishing and going for bike rides with poppy (he’ll totally let you press the gas throttle), and even helping nanny with her flower gardens. You have to promise me that you’ll keep an eye on Charley while you do that, though, because she has a tendency to tear up all of the flowers. Just ask Nathan about all the fun you’re going to have when you visit. This past summer he got to do all of those fun things, and he even dug up his own worm to put on his fishing pole.
The time you get to spend with your nanny and poppy, Bennett, will be some of your best days ever. They truly are the most special people, and you are so lucky that you have them as grandparents. Nanny will teach you to be the kindest and most honest person you can be, and your poppy will teach you to go out of your way for other people. That reminds me, if you ever stay over at nanny and poppys when you’re older and you need to be picked up late at night, ask poppy because, trust me, he’s your man. Even though nanny will be in bed while you’re out, she actually won’t fall asleep, though, until she hears the door knob turn and know that you made it home safe.
And where do I even begin with your parents? I really don’t think I need to tell you all of the wonderful things about them, because I know you’ll soon start to see them for yourself, if you haven’t already. I will tell you, though, that weekends at your house are going to be awesome and they’re probably going to involve your moms famous pancakes. The hikes you’re going to go on with your family will become a weekend routine, and even when you get older and you can walk by yourself, your dad will still carry you on his back. But if your dad ever tells you you’re getting too big to carry, you tell him about the time before you were born when we all went on a six hour hike and him and Uncle Todd had to keep taking turns carrying your big brother. If he could do it then, he can do it now. Oh, and let’s not forget about another person in your family that will be your best friend until you’re old enough to not drop your food on the floor. But even then, I’m sure your dog, Boston, will still be your friend if you continue to purposely drop the food you don’t like (no hints, or anything).
Well Bennett, I hope you enjoy reading this letter as much as I loved writing it, although I will tell you I’m here now crying like a baby (not that you’re going to do any of that, though). But, it’s all happy tears and they truly are the best. Before I say goodbye, I want you to know that whatever you become, without a doubt, we only want you to be happy. It may sound cliche (get your mom to tell you what that word means), but you’ll quickly realize that we one hundred percent mean that in this family. And although I won’t get to see you everyday, just like your family hikes, face time will also become a part of your weekend routine. Before you know it, just like Nathan, when you see me on that screen, you’ll automatically start asking for Charley and Uncle Todd.
Oh, and one more thing that’s pretty important. I know your mom is probably going to teach this to you because our mom taught this to us, but make sure you never, ever, ever go to bed being angry with someone (which, trust me, will always work in your favour between you and your parents if you do something bad).
I can’t wait to meet you in one week, Bennett, and help celebrate your arrival with all of your family.
Dec 18, 2013 | Healthy Living, Life
It’s week three, you guys, which means we only have one more week to go until our inner child comes to life. But I’m sure you already knew that and didn’t need a ‘healthy countdown to Christmas’ reminder, right? And I’m also pretty sure that the majority of our child-like behaviours have probably already started to come out by now, because I know mine has. Then again, it really doesn’t take a whole lot to bring mine out. Coffee, chips, and new necklaces are just a few of the things that tend to make me go all giddy.
Speaking of chips, I think I’m starting to forget what they actually taste like. Did I mention that being dramatic is one of my child-like behaviours that I posses? Since I didn’t eat chips this week (does nachos count?), let’s take a look at how I did over the last few days.
In case you missed:
Healthy Countdown To Christmas- Week 2
Healthy Countdown To Christmas- Week 1
Weight Loss Journey
The amazing:
– I dragged my butt to the gym, not once, but twice. To some this may seem oh so very minor, but not to this girl over here. Insert more child-like behaviours. When you haven’t went in months a while, it’s really not easy doing the walk of shame to the front desk so they can swipe your card. Luckily, it still worked, which was a good thing because I’ve been paying for that place to stay open. And since I’ve last been there, I’ve learned that they’ve painted and remodeled their floors (i bet that’s where my donations have been going).
-Another thing that was amazing was that I managed to take those selfies at the gym without getting caught. It’s really not as easy as it appears, folks.
-And this week our office has been flooded with every possible treat and I’ve avoided THEM ALL. I know it’s okay to have treats, but I’d much rather save my treats for something I love, like chips. Cool ranch, to be exact.
 |
| No, I will most certainly not eat you! The good: – I still continued to impress myself with my eating this week. Here’s just another sample of some of the things I packed in my lunch bag for work. |
The bad:
-Nachos, a burger and fries and some drinks Saturday night. This is really starting to feel like dejavu! But in the best possible way, of course.
So with all of that said, I think I did pretty good. I’m thinking that this next week is going to be the hardest week yet, but I’m going to give it my best shot.
And on a separate note, thanks to everyone who sent congratulations to me yesterday on becoming an Auntie again. I’m over the moon excited because I have a brand spanking new nephew, Bennett, who weighed 9 lbs, 13 ozs. I now have to patiently wait eight days until we fly to Toronto to see them, (which is going to be harder than dragging my butt to the gym), but I seriously can’t wait to squish his chunky little cheeks.
Happy one week ’til Christmas, everyone!
Dec 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
If you want that one extra Christmas decoration to fill some extra space in your home (like me) but you don’t want to spend a crazy amount of money on one (like me), well then I think you will really love this DIY project. By the way, when did Christmas decorations become so expensive?
I saw this project on Carly’s blog,
Sunday’s Grace, and before I even had the instructions read, I knew that I was going to be attempting this myself. Not only is this super simple to make, but it actually looks like something I would buy from one of those fancy decoration stores. Honestly. And plus, reindeer decorations are huge right now, which also works in your favour. But then again, if reindeers aren’t your thing, the list of free stencils on the internet that you can throw glitter on are pretty much endless.
Here’s what you’ll need:
-Christmas stencil (found online)
-White construction paper
-Paint Brush
-Glue
-Glitter
-Picture Frame
Trace your stencil onto the construction paper, fill in the outline with glue, and sprinkle glitter all over the object. Wait for it to dry (which surprisingly doesn’t take that long), and then place it in the picture frame.
Believe it or not, it’s actually one of my favourite decorations and I’d love to do another one again next year.
I’ve now shared my first two DIY projects that I’ve ever done in my entire life (the other one can be found
here). I think my craft skills will now be put to rest, and it is safe to say that they might not reappear until next Christmas. I mean, I don’t want to be too much competition for Martha, who apparently I’m on a first name basis with.
Ps: As much as I love to ramble on and on, I’m keeping this short and sweet today because my sister is having a baby AS WE SPEAK and there is no way I can focus on anything else right now other than that. Boy or girl? Boy or girl? I think it would be in my works best interest if they just went ahead and sent me home for the remainder of the day. There really should be some kind of Aunt holiday floating around, what do you think?
Pps: I’m adding that holiday right now on my ‘if I ever become management’ to do-list and, let’s just say that Santa’s list has nothing on this one.
Aunt Renee, actually.Dec 13, 2013 | Uncategorized
We made it through another week, you guys! Go ahead, pat yourself on the back because we all deserve it! I know that I definitely do because I’ve had about as many hours of sleep this whole week as you can count on one….paw. That’s right, and it’s been with that same paw that this little one has scratched me over and over and over again to try and wake me up each night. Mission accomplished she says.
Now, now, don’t let that innocent face fool you like it’s fooled me each night. It’s actually not an innocent face, more like an exhausted one. Jumping up and down off the bed each night around 2 o’clock can take a toll on one, you know. Just like chasing a cat in the middle of the night. Or even fooling someone into thinking you need to pee, when in reality you end up playing in the snow for a half hour while ignoring your mother who is calling out to you, until she finally has to go out in the backyard with nothing but a pajama top and some snow boots to bring you back in the house. And I also bet it’s pretty difficult timing your barking to happen at around 4:30 each morning. I’d say that takes skill. Or how about throwing up all over the comforters and making your parents start scrubbing what resembled a red plastic frisbee mixed in with a half of a sock and some other goop that they never want to think about again. “Ruff”, i tell you, “ruff”.
Either some sick person messed with Charley’s biological clock or she just happens to be really, really excited for Christmas. I think I’m going to have to start using some good ole tactics like my parents would use on me around this time of the year, like tell her that Santa’s watching her every move. Maybe I’ll scare her and tell her that if she doesn’t behave she won’t get the number one item on her list this year; bones. Actually that would probably scare me more than her.
How I even showed up to work each morning this week is beyond me. And, to be honest, I have no idea how I’m even putting these words together right now to form coherent sentences. That was actually a forewarning to you all. But then again, that’s probably really no different from any other day of the week when you come here.
So, with that said, before I start rambling on even more and chasing you all away, like Charley’s probably going to do again tonight, I’m going to leave it at that. I think it’s even a miracle that I made it this far.
Speaking of miracles, if you haven’t watched this video from the West Jet Airlines, you should seriously check it out. I don’t know if it’s because of the no sleep thing, but every time I’ve watched it this week it’s given me goosebumps.
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
Dec 11, 2013 | Healthy Living, Life
 |
| Wow, 2 weeks can certainly make a difference, wouldn’t you say? 😉 |
What? You mean you don’t believe that’s me up there? I guess I couldn’t really fool you with that hair colour, hey?
So, just as I was sitting down last night to start thinking about all of the healthy things I did this week, the Victoria’s Secret Show was brought to my attention. And when I say, “brought to my attention”, I actually mean I had feathers, jewels, and legs sticking out of my TV screen at one point.
I think
Erin summed up this day perfectly.
P.S. Happy national “last chance to stuff your face full of all the foods before you watch matchsticks walk a runway half naked” day.
As much as this show made me want to start rummaging through my junk food cupboard right then and there, I quickly decided against it because there was no way that I was adding that to the category of “bad things I ate this week”. Plus, ain’t nobody gonna get legs like that by eating junk food. Okay, so let’s see how I did.
In case you missed:
Healthy Countdown to Christmas- Week 1
A Weight Loss Journey
The good:
-I continued to eat really good this week and I know a big part of it was due to packing my lunches the night before. This really does make a huge difference.
-I really impressed myself with my clean eating on Thursday and Friday (when I wasn’t working) because I find that I have a tendency to get more off track when I’m off than when I’m working.
 |
| The recipe for the muffin can be found here |
The okay:
– I really wish I had more to share in the fitness department again this week, but unfortunately I don’t.
-I got out for two runs, but one of them was a super short one as it was freezing.
-I know this is better than doing nothing, but I really need to start picking it up a little bit more.
The bad:
-Drinks and a poutine late Saturday night and Chinese food for dinner on Sunday.
–Does walking around a mall for hours and hours counteract these things? Let’s hope so!
-But again, sometimes it helps with your motivation to sneak one (or two) “not so good” things in there.
I’m feeling much better over the last couple of weeks then I have in a long time so I’m really happy about that. It’s amazing how making small changes can do this.
I can’t believe that we have only 2 more weeks to go before Christmas!!
