5 Months, Really! ♥

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living my baby you'll be."

I can't believe my baby girl is 5 months old already, where the heck did the time go?!

Anya is growing and learning so much everyday I love to watch it, everyday she amazes me more and more!

I'm still not sure if she will have brown or red hair although everyday it seems to get lighter! She just may end up being tall like her daddy, she's 23 inches already! She is still pretty tiny and weighs 12lbs 3oz (at her needles last week).

I recently put away her newborn and 0-3 month clothes and she wears some 3 months and some 3-6 month. We also opened our last box of diapers that were given to us last week and they are size 2! So no more size one diapers!!

Anya started eating rice cereal about two weeks ago. She started to watch John and I eat and would cry when we didn't give it to her and would refuse her bottle so although it was early we tried it and she loved it! We have since started making some different fruits and veggies for her! She loves cauliflower and Bananas (she had to try bananas a few times before she liked the). She is not a fan of the mixed veggies you buy at the store (peas, green beans, and carrots). Mel gave her pineapple while she watched her yesterday and she ate it but was definitely not to sure about it so it may take a few tries of that for her to like it as well.

She can now roll front to back and back to front, no more leaving her on the bed while I get dressed or shower. She grabs at everything including my face and hair! She is trying really hard to sit herself up, she gets about half way there! She can sit up if I sit her up all on her own for a few seconds before she falls over! It went be long before she can sit all by herself! :)

I can't believe how fast she is growing, where did my 5lb newborn go?!

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Mommy Must Haves ☆★☆

Sorry guys I've been a little MIA this week our internet was down. :(

So during the holidays my brother and sister in law asked me if there was anything Anya needed for a Christmas gift or if they should just get things they love having, my nephew is 5 months older then Anya. I told them to get me things they love that they have and I am so happy I did! So I thought I would pay it forward a bit and tell you guys the things I couldn't live without as a mom and as Anya grows I will add to the list of 'Mommy Must Haves' every few months! I also invite all other mommy to share in the comments or you can write a guest post about your Mommy Must Haves!! :)

First thing I couldn't  live without as a mom is Anya's wrap onsies!

Sorry the pictures sideways but that is a wrap onesie! I love it for so many reasons first one being that your don't have to pull it over babies head! Second it is double layered over babies chest so keeps their chest warm when it cold, awesome for winters that's for sure! I buy mine at H&M and they are organic so that's definitely awesome but I do know that Gerber makes some but they are only sold in the states, well that's the only place I've seen them. And they are super adorable!!

I have never really touched base with you guys about my breastfeeding experience or why it was never successful but you all know that I unfortunately could not breastfeed Anya. Not because of lack of trying that for sure! But my next Mommy must have is my formula containers! One of the things my brother and sister in law bought Anya for Christmas!

 I love my formula containers and am sooooo thankful that my brother and sister in law got Anya one! It makes life solo much easier especially when we go out of the house or when someone watches Anya for us! It also is one of my life savers at night time when Anya wakes up for a bottle! The formula storage containers, if like me you couldn't breastfeed, is one of the most convenient things baby related that I own!

My next Mommy must Have was given to me by one of the parents I Nanny for. I used it when I first started watching the little boy in the family (he was 5 months old) and I am so beyond thankful that they passed it on to me cause I couldn't live without Anya's tube! :)

The baby tube is a life saver and if you can get one I highly recommend it! If your a soon To be momma definitely put it on your baby registry! I am able to put Anya in her tube with some toys and do some cleaning, laundry, or any other house work and know she's safe!   Not only does the tube ensure baby is safe from falling over and hurting themselves it also teaches them how to sit up and strengthens their core muscles! Anya is also at the age right now where she just wants to stand or sit up so she loves her tube too! :)

My last Mommy must Have has more to do with me then Anya! Its my Keurig coffee maker!! I definitely couldn't live without my coffee that for sure!! I remember when I was in the party stage and didn't drink coffee and would stay up till 3 in the morning then go to work at 6 and it never phased me. Looking back now I have no idea how I ever functioned like that! For the first time ever I dont think my day would be complete without my morning coffee!!

Hope you guys found some of these helpful! If you'd like to add some just comment or send me an email and you can write your own 'Mommy must Haves' post and be featured on my blog!! :)



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Rainbow Lights ♥♥♥

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen!"  Michael Jordan

As many of you know in September 2011 my father in law passed away from CLL, a form of Cancer. He had been in remission for 7 years but was re diagnosed in February of 2011. He was only with us for a short time after he was re diagnosed but we lived everyone of those days to fullest! Last year John's cousin Erin, my father in laws niece, was diagnosed with SLL/CLL.

Last year Erin's sisters started a group called, Rainbow lights, for the Light The Night Cancer walk to raise money for cancer research. https://www.facebook.com/ltnprairies This is a link to the page The group was even featured on the page on Feb 18th for having a goal of $3000 last year but raising $26,000! That's more than triple the goal! Such an amazing accomplishment!! :D :D

This year a goal of $30,000 has been set to be raised by the walk that will be held at the end of the year!! So I have decided, seeing as I spend 90% of my time at home with Anya right now, that I am going to help them reach the goal they have set this year and would like YOU to help me too!! 

I am looking for companies (any company) to donate items so that I can make a basket (hoping more then one) that we can sell raffle tickets for with all proceeds going toward the $30,000 for cancer research!! Items can be anything, even gift cards, as long as it is new and unused! If you would like to donate an item please send me an email and we can arrange to have to sent to me or if your local I can pick it up or it can be dropped of! I will also give you all other details and answer  whatever questions you may have. My email is mandie5683@gmail.com

Please if you know someone who many be interested in donating and helping this amazing cause please share this!! And dont forget this is also an awesome way to spread some news about your business! I will advertise your business with a blog post for people so they know what they are getting! 

TOGETHER WE CAN KICK CANCERS BUTT!!! 

"Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it!" Unknown

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Make a Mess ♥ Guest post by Erin♥♥

My husband and I bought a 4 bedroom house when we were childless with every intention of filling it.  When I slow down and look at the gifts my older daughter, Q, has given us, I see she has turned this "house" into a "home."  It sounds very cliché, but after seeing her have a non-febrile seizure one evening, I see it for exactly what it is.  Windows don't just let light in, they are looking glasses to finding the moon, peeking at rain or snow storms and waiting for mommy or daddy or Nana to arrive.  The area rug in our family room doesn't just "anchor" the room, it provides a cushiony spot between hardwood and bums for sitting and playing…or spilling cheese, milk, juice, and crumbs of every variety. 
 In fact, all carpet is meant for play, whether it be rolling on, wrestling on, or being tickled by her favourite play mate, her daddy.  Shiny stainless steel can't last 15 mins after being cleaned without smudges and tiny handprints…I love those tiny hands.  We started out with one nursery and a guest bedroom but now we are blessed with TWO little girl, princess rooms.  My walls are marked, my hardwood is dented, all of my cooking utensils or kitchen accessories that are at Q's level have been licked, yes, licked at some point and put back by her, without washing.  My house is my home.  It is where little feet run, and adventures and fun happen.  I don't give a damn about late nights out or people who are too "busy" to visit.  I am here, living my dream and my door is always open for the people who are real and love me and can appreciate what I'm doing here.  I don't need weekends away for a "break."  As crazy, hectic, exhausting child-rearing is, I didn't decide to take it on to leave it behind.  I am, will be, always be, here for my children during the night as long as they need me for comfort.  It is my promise to be "present" for them, and I love to breathe them in and re-live the adventure of being innocent.  Life to so beautiful when you stop and look at how simple it really is, and listen to your child breathe in and out as they sleep.  Today, I am a more devoted mom, writing this in hopes that you will take the time today to just play, and not worry about the smudges, the crumbs, and the new dent in your wall.  All this can be fixed when they grow-up.  ~Erin Burgoyne 

  

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