Gone to the Zoo

Cove was just a week old and Morgan was dying to get out of babyland, so a trip to the Valley Zoo was exactly what Dr. Seuss ordered. I was still feeling a little sore from the birth, but the fresh air and sunshine was just what I needed. It felt great to walk around and have some fun with our little monkey.

Petting Zoo? What petting zoo, more like three lazy goats. Boooo. She was dying to get her hands on a bunny, but it was in the 'do not enter zone'. Like, what is with that and how do you explain that to a 2-year old? That ponytail just cracks me up- so darn cute.

A lady who likes to be seen.

An awesome daddy perk- 'shoulder rides'.

Covey.

Good ol Lucy, out for a stroll.

The choo choo chain was a BIG deal for Morgan. She wanted to ride it again, and again, and again, waving and saying hello to everyone who went by- just as if she were the queen.

And... she's all zooed out.

Rosey cheeked and topped up with ice-cream.

The perfect summer afternoon.

When we got home, we decided we should do Cove's tiny hands and feet prints. Well, we of course had to include Morgan too... Love the lighting this time of day.

Anything to do with paint, she goes nuts over.

We have so many incredible artists in the

family, it doesn't surprise me.

And here we go!

A masterpiece! He he, not exactly perfect, but a sweet memory anyway. I wished they stayed that small for a little while longer... I love her little knees in the background. These are the moments to treasure. I know we are going to look back at this time and think...wow, we are so damn fortunate. Never-mind, miss them like crazy.

Meet Baby Cove

This is going to be kind of quick. I am dying for some sleep here, but I thought I'd sneak down while both kiddies are dreaming to give you a little picture update of our new arrival, Cove Patrick Edwards. Our sweetie was born June 29th at 7:14am. The birth was incredible, everything went as smooth as pudding and we were blessed with our 9-pound darling boy. Here are some of the first pics...

The term 'waterbirth' took on its meaning in many forms. It rained, it poured, the earth cleansed itself to welcome new baby Cove.

Cove: 'protected inlet of calm waters', or, 'circle of male friends'. I've only ever seen this name in one baby book, and it was the one my mom kept in her book collection while growing up. I came across it at about 12-years old and tucked it away until he arrived.

Introducing, Cove Patrick Edwards.

Sweet as a button.

Cuddling with Auntie Erin. She held him for hours

while mommy had a well-deserved nap.

Cove's BIRTHday cake, lovely

compliments of Grandma Bev and Auntie Erin.

Morgan couldn't wait to get her hands on it.

Mmmm, almost forgot already just how blissful this is,

and its only been 2-years! Morgan seems like a giant now.

An ecstatic daddy.

In the midst of all this excitement, I turned 30 on July 1st. It will go down as one of my favourite birthdays, no fireworks, no red flags, just a new baby to love. Now that's a GIFT. My girlfriend brought over this divine tiramisu from the Italian Centre- we didn't even try and cut it into pieces. The four of us sat around the coffee table like children with forks. It was the perfect way to celebrate 30-years.

He's our little angel. We don't have

any blankets for him yet, so he's

snuggled in a pink one of Morgan's.

Brydon's nose, mouth and chin.

Very similar eyes to Morgan when she was born.

Full chubby cheeks, mommy's long fingers and toes and

hubby's thick arms- like little love sausages right now.

Meeting her baby brother for the first time.

Morgan was so excited and gentle. Now...not so much.

The first kiss.

Adjusting to planet earth.

What a journey.

I could gaze at his soft, heavenly face forever.

I can't believe I have a son.

Day 5

Packed up and headed to the lake to meet the family.

Love the tiny gas smiles.

We are elated with gratitude and bliss.

Our family of four feels amazing,

and I'm just soaking in every breath.

xxoo

Baby's Nursery

I had so much fun putting this nursery together- tricky to keep it gender neutral, but I think we succeeded. It is such a tiny room, and I mean itty bitty- doesn't even have a closet, so we had to be smart about storage, and I'm sure we'll be squeezing more in as time goes by. The nursery was inspired by the tiffany blue dresser my husband sanded, painted and refurbished all by himself- turned out amazing considering he's never done anything like that before. Now- baby you can come anytime-pleeease.

38-weeks and about to burst. Would love to see that baby in

the crib, instead of my belly now.

This dude is so cool.

My hubby picked up this beauty for free when one of his clients didn't want it anymore. I was more than happy to take it off their hands and give it a makeover.

Pom poms over the crib!

Baby will love these happy balls.

Maggie and Colin- Baby's little monsters

Love this little glass birdie vase I picked up at Urban Barn-

gotta get a blooming stem in there asap.

Can't wait to spell a name!

Bird pillow I want to pick up for the crib.

Ohhh, ahhhh.

I've always loved vintage inspired crystal hardware,

so this dresser was getting them no matter what.

So lovely with the blue, don't you think.

The mirror adds more light to the room and I love its finishing. It hangs right over the change table so we can play peek-a-boo baby!

Picked up these storage boxes from Homesense. They have such a unique nature pattern on them- fresh, and just right.

I wanted the nursery to have real plants in it, so I picked up these sweet pots and butterfly plants from Ikea, love the element of nature in there- I hope they thrive. The yellow lantern was an impulse buy. They've been available at Ikea for ages, but I've never seen one in yellow before, this was the last one so I snapped it up and hoped it would fit in somewhere. I think it likes its new home very much.

My little princess taking a bath this morning after our walk (my waddle) to the park. Before she knows it, she'll be a big sister and will have to share her bath time! She loves the shower nozzle and thinks she's like mommy and daddy. She says, "Look mommy, I'm showering!" so proud and precious.

She always separates her big toe from the rest of her toes like that- kind of funny, had to capture it.

Well, everything is ready, hope you like it. Just gotta have a baby now................any day now....maybe any minute now............hope he or she likes the space mommy, Morgan and daddy created. I know we do! I'm ready, like really ready, so hopefully its not too much longer- I'll keep you posted! xo

The Key to My Heart

Photo credit: Kiss the Groom

What Do You Love?

In no particular order...

love KISSES sweet dreams CHOCOLATE laughter SYDNEY my children BALLOONS hot tea BEAUTIFUL SHOES whispers CHERRIES neck rubs HOME smiles GIFT WRAP my camera NUTELLA AND STRAWBERRIES lazy afternoons FAMILY PHOTOS snuggles EUROPE naps HUGS a long walk with no where to go CREAM ANYTHING shells SCRAMBLED EGGS honey MAUI scarves BEING PRESENT vanilla YOGA my dad OLD DOORS tissue paper TULIPS clean sheets MORNING LIGHT windows SLEEPING IN mother goose GOOFING AROUND easter TRAVELLING a well-tailored red coat GRASS honesty LEMONS tenderness MY HUSBAND baths TREES pink lemonade KINDNESS shopping ESSENTIAL OILS the soft space nestled just between being awake & asleep GENUINE AFFECTION ocean SPARKLES poetry SWEETNESS the country-side SEA-SALT wood burning fire places HORSES music DISNEY decorating DANCING kiwis TENDERNESS kisses for no reason at all BELLINIS down comforters MUSIC humility COLD PINEAPPLE swimming FRIENDSHIP sweet peas LAVENDER grand cayman MOVIES berries ORGANIC ANYTHING sugar snap peas SAND BENEATH MY TOES sunglasses LOBSTER cheese JEWELRYorganization with just a hint of chaos LOYALTY expressive eyes AVOCADOS mountains HOT POOLS hand written letters on pretty paper MASCARA the perfect pair of jeans VINTAGE FURNITURE cards CARAMILK the sound of my husbands voice RAINY DAYS affection TRUTH memories FAMILY yellow HANDMADE QUILTS flip-flops LIFE artists GARDENS deep dark chocolate SELFLESSNESS unexpected blessings FAIRIES swings APPRECIATION wedding dresses GENTLENESS holding hands ROMANCE newborn babies LAUGHING wood floors CURLS somewhere over the rainbow PAINTING hot cocoa SEX pillows HOPE a good book & time to read it YOGURT soft kisses SPOONING old friends TOMATOES unexpected generosity ROCKS beautiful lingerie SOFT LINENS my wedding ring WRITING wishes INSPIRATION pretty backyards TEARS sprinklers BUBBLES my hands CLOUDS ketchup chips SUNSHINE feeling my babies kick inside me BIRTH cobblestone QUIET TIME soft housecoats MY MOM beach towels BOOK STORES waterfalls BUTTERFLIES potions LAUGHING morgan COOKING eating SINGING ginger-ale & orange juice MY HUSBAND'S FACE baby toes SOFT SKIN farmer's markets BUNNIES lemon meringue WOOD bumblebees MASON JARS candles MARSH-MELLOWS calligraphy HOT SHOWERS popsicles VACATIONS loveliness DR PEPPER magazines DRESSING UP dressing down BIRD HOUSES wineries LONG LASHES day dreaming NATURE WALKS bedtime stories

MAKE IT, FRAME IT, LIVE IT

xoxo

Happy Father's Day Brydon- 2011

Happy Father's Day Brydon.

Our wedding day- Aug. 4th, 2007.

This October, we will have been together for 10-years!

Love this man...

Photo Credit: pinterest

When he comes home, I light up inside.

I sent Morgan to the lake this weekend with his pillow- he, he.

She loves it and doesn't even want to

share it with him! He doesn't mind one bit.

Its been raining like mad all weekend, all week really. But it couldn't be any greener in our neighbourhood, and I as much as I'd prefer the sun, the air is fresh and clean, and our newly sodded yard looks spectacular. This weekend was truly dedicated for nesting. Brydon's mom and dad took Morgan to the lake so we could tie up some big last to do's around the house, like paint the nursery (I know, we've left it so late, it's been driving me nuts), hang the curtains (so my home birth doesn't turn into a block party) and get all the baby laundry DONE.

Here is my yuka taking a nice little shower. Looks so happy, doesn't he? In 2003, when we did our yoga training in Costa Rica, the first evening it poured over the massice thatch dojo, drenching the rainforest with a musical cleanse, thundering until the clouds were content in the morning. Our gurus shared that a big rain signifies change and growth, and boy were they right. Its rained this entire week, and I know my voyage is about to hit shore (hopefully glide-in, preferably) and life is about to change drastically once again. SO excited and a touch anxious all in the same cherry bowl.

I had no signs of pre-labor with Morgan and so far none with this one either. Suddenly my water broke and boom I was in full-on labor. I wonder how its going to happen this time? The mystery is so incredible and just 'so life'. Once this nursery is totally set up tonight, I'm going to have a little whisper with this darling in my belly, letting him or her know her sanction is ready and she is welcome anytime.

Its been so nice to have the weekend to ourselves,

and so easy to get things done!

But...I still miss her.

She'll be home this afternoon.

Chef Morgan.

38-weeks today and going strong!

Boo-ya!

This was my afternoon pick-me-up snack yesterday-

a perfect mix between devilish and delish,

especially on a rainy day.

Photo Credit: lil bee

Love this photo- such a subtle and

powerful image of love and friendship.

Photo Credit: Kiss the Groom

Cuddling equals happiness in our home.

Happy Father's day babe. You are so loved.

xx