Happy 1st Birthday Morgan

I can't believe she's one...

She showed that cupcake who's boss.

'Follow the pink and brown ribbons to our secret place by the lake.' The boys found a killer site nestled in the trees in front of the lake at Hawrelak Park. There was the perfect amount of sun, shade and grass. It was quite secluded in the woods, so we had to paint the back window of my car to point our guests in the right direction. A fun clue for a fun party. I just hope it comes off!

The weather was stellar. Spring buds everywhere.

Follow the pink tulle.

Practicing her b-day strut with Auntie Bianka.

What a view!

Mommy and daddy showing Morgan how to blow out her candle.

'Come on baby, let's boogie.'

Ready to be beautified!

Grandpa Ken and Grandma Bev having some love time with Morgan.

Leala's beautiful girls, Indigo and

Anika painting up their gorgeous creations.

The sparkles were a big hit thanks to Martha Stewart.

BBQ Picnic heaven.

Mmmm. Everyone loved the cupcakes

topped with mini clouds of cotton candy.

Maddy, the heartbreaker.

Grandpa Gary getting in his birthday girl snuggles.

The gifts were so thoughtful. Thanks everyone.

Beautiful mama Suz and adorable Nathan.

Can't go wrong with gumballs.

Jarod (aka. Uncle Manny) creating his masterpeice for Morgan.

What a sweetheart.

Tutu dancing in the breeze.

Mr. Gerber Baby himself, sweet sweet Conner.

Happy 1st Birthday darling.

She celebrated in mommy's old highchair, just like mommy did!

Just a few of the masterpieces.

We love Levi.

The fam. and lovely Anika.

Anika shocked us with this stunner for Morgan- truly amazing.

Indigo helped open almost every present,

she was a wonderful de-wrapper.

Linus rocking a yellow bow.

And that's a wrap. Nighty night sweetpea, we love you to bits and bits. It was such a perfect day. The only thing that would have made it better is if my mom could have been there. She would have loved it. She would have added so much to it. I wore her gold cuff with the big turquoise stone to remind me of her all day, to have her there in some way.

The tragedies in our lives make us so much more thankful for what we have. The love and support in our life is phenomenal and very much appreciated. Morgan's first year has come and gone, and what a year it was. She is so loved, so treasured, so Morgan.

The Great Outdoors

"Hello friend, I am part of your soul"...

Photo Credit: Thompson Family Typepad

I love this photo. Can you imagine if life was always this rich with character, this pretty. All that's missing is a mason jar full of golden honey. I'd live in this world 24/7. There's an earthy chicness to it that just tugs on the ribbons of my spirit. I'm so excited to have a big backyard someday, where I can create little sanctions like this one.

Photo Credit: Fliker

When I was a little girl, I spent so much time outside in nature. As an adult, I don't spend nearly enough time out in the great outdoors. I used to have such an intimacy with the earth and trees, as children we can almost speak 'Tree'. I remember spending entire afternoons on this little side porch of our home studying rocks, mixing potions and playing in the dirt. Those are truly the most meditative times of my life.

Morgan has such a natural fascination with nature already. She is constantly pointing at the door to venture out. She teaches me that we belong in the fresh air, in the sunlight, on the grass. I must always remind myself of how calm and clear all of these things make me feel, even if they make me sneeze.

Photo Credit: Cup of Jo

I still have a romance with rocks. They make me feel grounded and centred inside. Just to look at them puts my mind at ease. It's interesting to see how your childhood passions transform. I shouldn't be surprised that I make jewelry now and am fortunate enough to be surrounded with beautiful rocks and gemstones all the time.

It's funny how certain rocks speak to us. I love those moments when you're on a walk or at the beach and this certain rock jumps out at you and says, "Hello friend, I am part of your soul." It's amazing how we can feel such a deep connection with such a small piece of nature.

Sometimes we pick up our special rock and put it in our pocket, other times, we acknowledge its beauty and let it remain. Maybe rocks are our mirrors. The beauty we see in them, is a reflection of our own innate beauty...

Being in touch with nature is being in touch with yourself. There should be no line between us, but sometimes we draw one when we're too busy with life. I'm erasing that line today and going outside, my rocks are calling me.

Mother's Day 2010

What a day...

Today I got so many kisses from Morgan, I was constantly covered in her slobber, but I didn't mind one bit. I'm not sure if she knew it was mommy's special day, or if she was just feeling extra kissy. I savoured every smooch. Check out her elbow dimples!

Brydon and Jarod bought Cathy and I the most gorgeous bouquets from my favourite Italian florist, Zocalas. They went perfectly in this pretty French craft I normally keep a messy bunch of daisies in.

We enjoyed a fabulous brunch at The Manor Cafe on 124th.

I had the Mr. Eggs Benny of course! Not the best pic of me, but it'll do.

Love those little toes.

She looked so sweet in her dress. I could have just eaten her up all day.

Happy 30th honey. Your mom's Pennsylvanian Dutch cake was mmmm so good. Morgan- you even got to sit in daddy's old highchair. You look great in vintage sweetpea.

Cassidy's version of smelling the roses. I like how she rolls.

Jude sneaking a little kiss from Morgan. Look a those curls!

Oh Mimosas, you are dear to my heart.

Oh those sweet eyes.

My sweetie got me the little ducky charm for my Tiffany charm bracelet. A perfect token for the last year of serious sleep deprivation...and heaps of joy. Love you babe.

Sharing a moment with Nanabelle.

My first Mother's Day was so special. I'll never forget it. Being a mommy is the best gift ever, I feel so blessed. Sharing it with Brydon was double the celebration and fun. I can't wait until next year! In the mean time, I'll enjoy the next 364 days of mommy bliss! xo

Happy 30th baby...

My gorgeous husband is turning 30 tomorrow.

I can't believe we've been together for seven awesome years.

Brydon,

So much has changed since our first year together. Now, you are a business owner. A husband. A father. We've done so many wonderful things together. We're no longer two young pups frolicking on the beach anymore. You have always been a wise old owl with the kindest of hearts. I can't believe how much you've accomplished in your twenties. I'm so thrilled we could do so much of it together. Wow, it's really been the greatest adventure of my life, and it's only just beginning. I'm so blessed I get to share every moment with you. Especially the small ones that quilt together this big old life we're creating together. We both know its going to sweep by in a flash. So I'm trying my best to savour it. Savour you, my love.

Look at you holding Morgan at a week old. She's so tiny in your beautiful man paws. You've earned those man paws! You were a father to her the moment you new she was inside of me. She is so lucky to have you as her daddy. She really must have done something wonderful in her past life to come into this world as your little girl. You are such an incredible father already. She loves you so much Brydon.

I love you two in the morning.

Sleepy eyes. Warm skin. Endless snuggles.

Your endless energy and passion for life inspires everyone around you.

You still make my heart pitter-patter. I can't see that changing over the next 65-years. Happy birthday baby. I love you with my everything. I'm thrilled we get to celebrate my 1st Mother's Day and your 30th on the same day. Well, kind of.

Love,

L

xxoo

I Heart Cupcakes

I have always had a bit of an obsession with cupcakes. My mom was an elementary school teacher and she would often come home with an extra cupcake just for me from one of her student's birthday celebrations. This made me a very happy girl. They never looked quite like this, but they were still so yummy.

Ohhhh, I must do this tutu cupcake tower for Morgan's b-day one of these years. Its just so pretty.

Can you believe cupcakes this beautiful even exist in this world? I'm putting my request in now. Screw being an eagle! I want to come back in the soul of a cupcake please.

They're so pretty, I want to scream.

Cheeky or what. Love.

Oh cupcakes, you're so freakin adorable and tasty. Anytime anyone wants to surprise me with a cupcake is just fine with me! And don't worry, even if it's this pretty, I'll still eat it. Happiness is a piece of cake.

An Ode to Books

An Ode to Books

I have always loved books. They speak to my soul on many levels. I'm one of those people who could live in Chapters, really. There's nothing better than spending the afternoon in a lovely bookstore on a rainy day. Oh, and with a hot steamy drink in hand too. I also beleive all bookstores should have big old-fashioned fireplaces and over-sized comfy chairs. I guess if that was a reality, enthusiasts would never leave!

I love the way books smell, the cracking sound the binding makes the first few times I open them, the velvety smooth pages on my fingertips, but mostly how they make me feel after I've just finished a real goodie. Happy. Complete. Inspired.

One of the many perks of being a mommy is that you get to read so many wonderful children's books all over again. Morgan is so fortunate to have quite a collection of fabulous books already. You can never start too young! I just love when she gets a book for a gift. Especially when its signed with care from the giver. She'll have it forever, and it just means more quality snuggle time with mom and dad. She loves being read to, and turning the pages, well, that's the best part! She is a professional page turner.

Clementine and Mungo by Sarah Dyer is one of my favs. I actually bought it long before I was even pregnant and put it away. Its the cutest story ever, and Morgan loves the illustrations. You can never go wrong with sassy little pigs. Especially a brother and sister duo.

Ever though this classic is written for children, I think every adult should have it in their own collection. The lesson is fantastic. I often read it to myself every so often, and I'm enriched every time.

The fact that Julianne Moore wrote a children's book doesn't surprise me at all. She's smart, sexy and definitely author worthy. This is my next buy for Morgan. Its sure to be one of those read over and over and over and over again books. Gotta love those.

I'm a sucker for the classics like Corduroy. He's the sweetest bear that ever lived. Bath, book, bed. The best routine ever.

My goal is to someday soon get my children's books published- Morgan and the Gumball Disaster, and Morgan and the High-heel Tea Party. Soooo fun.

Happy reading!

Lane xo

A Rainbow Kind of Day

A rainbow tootsie kind of day...

I love those lazy afternoons when you don't have to be anywhere but the cozy confines of your own home. On these days, Morgan loves when I take photos of her, especially in her favourite rainbow leg warmers that she rocked yesterday.

I'm just not sure if I can ever part with her tiny feet. Her tootsies provide me with more bliss than giant clouds of blue and pink cotton candy (and that's blissful). I could kiss those itty bitty toes for a century, and never grow tired of her giggles when I blow raspberries on her silky souls. What will I ever do when they grow big...? Buy her fabulous shoes of course.

A Letter to Morgan

My darling Morgan,

The moment I had the tiniest inkling that I was with child, I had a strong feeling that you were a little girl. The evening I told your father that we were expecting we laid in bed giggling, so ecstatic that you were growing inside of me. Both of us were pretty definite you were a girl, especially your father, he would have bet his life on it. It didn't matter either way, but secretly inside, I wished on my lucky stars that my little girl would come first.

When your daddy pulled you out of me into the water and then placed you on my chest, I kissed the top of your head for a long time, inhaling you, holding your tiny slippery body tight against my heart. An overwhelming feeling of complete bliss and relief washed over me. I'll never forget how moist and soft you felt from living inside me, never mind the way you smelled...heavenly. And yes, our intuition was right.

Giving birth to you was a rebirth for both your dad and I. It was the most empowering experience of my life, and I'd never take away all that whopping pain that came with every contraction and every push. I couldn't have predicted how that would feel, no matter how many mothers tried to describe it to me, but feeling your life force move through me made me feel more alive than ever. All I could do was breathe, breathe, BREATHE. Heaving in that breath to fuel the thundering strength I needed to release you into our world. I swear I sucked in every ounce of oxygen in that room. Shocking that there was any left for your dad and our wonderful midwife, Noreen. I just kept telling myself, 'Your body knows what to do Lane, just let your body do the work and keep breathing. BREATHE.'

When I was carrying you, your head was down for so long that your nose had been resting against my pubic bone for who knows how long. Your poor sweet button got a little smooshed to the side, so when you came out you had a little trouble breathing. When we brought you home, I slept right next to you with my head almost touching yours just to make sure you were always inhaling, exhaling, inhaling, exhaling, inhaling... You made all sorts of funny sounds. Little snorts and grunts that made me nervous as heck, but you were ok, my tiny sleeping beauty.

Those first days seem like forever ago, and you're only turning one this month. Now you don't make a peep when you sleep. When I was pregnant with you, we used to take long soaks in the tub, where I would read you birth story after birth story. Together in the warm water where soon you would slip out into your father's arms at 3:27am on a snowy May long weekend, we would relax and read until my hands and feet were crazy wrinkled.

I would call your daddy in to sit on the toilet next to me and listen to those birth stories that spoke most to my soul. Both of our eyes would fill with tears from the raw elation of all these families that came to be in there own divine way. My hormones were his hormones. We were both drenched with emotion and excitement.

In the mean time, you would roll around inside my belly, as if to ensure us that you were listening and antipicating your own sacred birth... maybe practicing your yoga moves to limber up for your journey. I would tap the wet skin in between us and ensure you that your birth would be beautiful, and you'd come to us in the night, maybe at the same time I'd wake up in the wee hours for the last couple of months for what seemed like no reason at all- 3:30am.

I cherish those days. But you know what I love more? Holding you in my arms, against my heart, kissing your sweet soft head.

Love,

Mommy xxoo