OMG! OMG! OMG!

FINLEY HAS A TOOTH

It's just peeking through the gum -fairly low too.

It's the lower left tooth.

Finley in is a drool monster who likes to chew everything.

My boobies and I are terrified. Enough said.

Sit Finley Sit -Good Girl!

Finley 4.5 Months

So, I just gotta do what I practiced with daddy and I'll be fine.

Oh Hey, I'm sitting.

Wait a Minute I'm SITTING!!!

Look ma NO hands!

Hey dad, I place one hand down for balance right?

I totally meant to do that - Hi Cecil.

A little "shout out" to say THANK YOU to Ashley & Bark for the cute Gymboree outfit.

It fits her so well.

I'll bring it to CR for Jane in January!

(almost) Wordless Wednesday

Photo courtesies WhuDat & Donkey Dish

Ted Kennedy February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009

Seven Miles Over

I was thinking, as I set the cruise control to exactly 55 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone, how this was the first time I had ever done that. Usually, I set the cruise at seven miles over the posted speed because I know I can go at least that speed without getting pulled over and ticketed. But, today, I set the cruise at exactly the speed limit because I was not in a rush to get anywhere and the wee lass was sound asleep in her car seat and I wanted her to sleep for as long as possible.

We all push the limits and test the boundaries in our everyday lives but have you ever thought about why you do it? Why not just do what is reasonably asked? What do you get out of pushing the limit and bending the rules just a little to suit yourself? I pondered this for the remainder of the car ride. I tried to explain why I like to think I got away with something or what benefit I think it gives me. I came up with no justifiable reason. So long as there are no consequences is it alright? What part of human nature makes us want to try to test the limits?

When it comes to child rearing there will be many rules. They will be tested and bent and there will be consequences when they are not followed. But what about when my clever little child sets herself to just seven miles over. What then?

Makeup By Lucky B!

Want the scoop on all things make-up and skin care related?

Check out this ARTICLE written by my dear friend and MTV Canada's Key Makeup Artist

posted on yummymummyclub.ca

Look out for her tips on what your makeup kit should include and how to get celebrity looks in minutes - because we all know how fast things have to be done in mommy mode!

Fin in fact held my mascara for me while I curled my lashes today.

This Is What

6 Kids in 3.5 Years Looks Like

These are Finley's cousins on her Daddy's side.

Left to Right

Kaylee 3.5 years, Fin & Noah 4 months, Gavin 2.5 years, Zoey 2 months, Bastian 22 months.

EC

We started Elimination Communication this week.

IT TOTALLY WORKS! I was amazed. I mean I know people who have been successful, but, I had no idea I could be successful with it too!

We have caught the last 4 out of 6 poopies in a potty.

No, I am not nuts.

No, I don't have too much time on my hands.

Yes, in the long run it will save me time and be more hygienic and environmentally friendly.

I'd rather clean a potty into a toilet than clean poop out of a cloth diaper. For that reason alone I am gonna stick with it. Then there is the public toilet change facilities (gross) I usually change her in the car but what if I can just hold her over the toilet and not carry soiled diapers around in my bag? I also really like the idea that the potty is introduced early so it's not a foreign object introduced after I have trained my baby to go in her pants. This can be our reality.

More on this to come. Here's a recent article from the Toronto Star.

You Should Learn Some New Songs

On our car 16 hour ride to Ontario I entertained our 3.5 month old with my arsenal of songs. Sometimes, when I am playing with Fin, out of my mouth comes a new children's song, one that I hadn't thought of in years. Other times, I start a song and somewhere along the way I forget the words and wind up humming along to the tune, then pick it up again and lately, I just make some words up.

My repertoire is varied; Finley likes everything from the Dead and Dylan to Britney and Rhianna and as far as kids songs go I thought I knew quite a few. I have the nursery rhymes down and a handful of other great songs about sharing and peanut butter and jelly, little worms, skipping songs, the old lady who swallowed a spider, Bunny Fou Fou and teddy bears who picnic. It doesn't matter that I can't carry a tune Finley loves the sound of my voice and somehow my singing is both entertaining and soothing to her.

Fin's favorite lullaby is the ONLY lullaby I know all the words to. It's our song. Every time she is fussy and having a hard time going to sleep I sing: Ann Murray's Mocking Bird song from the album There's A Hippo in My Bathtub. It was my favorite album as a kid.

Our car ride version went something like this:

Michelle (singing)

Hush Little Baby Don't Say a Word Momma's Gonna buy you a Mocking bird.

Steve (Speaking)

No she's not!

Finley (screaming)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhieaaaaaaaaaiaaiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaahhhhh

Michelle

If that mocking won't sing. Momma's gonna buy diamond ring.

Steve

No she's not!

Michelle

If that diamond ring turns brass momma's gonna buy you a looking glass.

Steve

No she's not.

Finley (screaming)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhieaaaaaaaaaiaaiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaahhhhh

Michelle

If that looking glass is broke, Momma's gonna buy you a billy goat.

Steve

Well maybe that - that's cool - you can buy that.

Michelle

If that billy goat won't pull Momma's gonna buy you a cart and bull.

Steve

I like the goat better.

Michelle

If that cart and bull turn over, Momma's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

Steve

You have to get rid of Cecil then.

Michelle

If that dog named Rover won't bark, Momma's gonna buy you a horse and cart.

Steve

You don't want a dog to bark. You might as well keep Cecil.

Michelle (Big Finish)

If that horse and cart fall down, You'll still be the sweetest little baby in tooooown.

Steve

Why don't you learn some new songs?

Or at the very least make up some other stuff to buy her and sing about.

She's HUNGRY.

Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Does EVERYONE hand a fussy baby back to the mom and say:

She's Hungry.

Why?

It drives me nuts. She's NOT HUNGRY she is just fussy, her teeth are bothering her, maybe she's wet or getting close to nap time.

BUT SHE'S NOT HUNGRY.

A breast feeding mom DOES NOT FORGET TO FEED HER CHILD!

Finley 4 months

Finley Mae - 4 Months Old

Another month has passed and this one seemed really long! I think it's because we travelled and Finley has had SO MANY developments. It's almost daily that she has something notably new to get excited about.

This month she has:

Rolled over back to belly and belly to back.

Found her voice and screech.

Found her feet to eat.

Discovered the dog, she follows him with her eyes and pulls at his fur.

She has pooped in her potty.

Started teething -her bottom gums are getting a work out on this.

Here is Finley at 3 Months

This is Finley NOW!

25 3/4 inches long and 14lbs 2 oz

If You See This WOMAN

Congratulate her!

Kelly has pulled the baby industry out of recession single handed. All to benefit a certain, not quite 4 month old, who has been showered almost weekly (since conception) with all the designer accouterments a child could handle from box stores to boutiques. Finley was dressed in NEW BORN SIZE Juicy Couture (who knew it came so small?). She is already a Tiffany's girl (mommy had to wait until she was 35 and getting married for Tiffany), has a personally autographed copy of Tori Spelling's book Mommywood, Calvin Klein onsies, Heelarious Pumps and even a Gymboree dress bought on consignment (I am so proud to know I am wearing off on you a little Kel). She almost fits the organic cotton dress and will be trying out her new bathing suit on Monday. This is just to scratch the surface of the spoiling at the hands and charge card of Auntie Kelly.

Well Kel, I can't thank you enough for all the wonderful gifts you have sent Finley. We appreciate them so much! You know I am no where near the shopper and I appreciate your interest in keeping the MunchFIN well dressed.

Since I am the MOTHER SHIP and into all things good to our MOTHER EARTH. You will not be surprised, nor think I am looking the gift horse in the mouth, when I return to you a bag of the BEST hand me down clothes when you have your baby girl. I know you will love the gently used outfits because you chose them! It's not re-gifting if it's already been worn people.

Finley's Auntie Smelly Locks/Fairy Godmother/Personal Shopper

(Also, Mommy's Betch Friend since the age of 3)

Ruby, Auntie Kelly and Finley

Kelly's motto is "Forget it Just get it! Credit or debit. Betch."

I am still certain this video was made in your honour Kel!

Thank You for all you thoughtfully chosen gifts, each one screams YOUR LOVE.

Emu's Make Great Dads

We learned at the Metro Toronto Zoo last week that Emu's make great dads. They sit on the nest to protect the eggs and the hatching's - they don't just knock feathers and flock off.

It made me think about the dads in my life. My own dad, Steve's dad and my hubby, now a dad. All very good daddy's. Generous, selfless and ever present in their own ways. Even when things are tough and they don't know what they should say they show their love by not leaving the nest.

When I was 20 my heart was broken, I mean smashed into tiny shards by the first guy I loved. He was six years my senior and loved the idea of falling in love but once that thrill wore off he was outta there. My dad said; "Shell I can fix your car's headlight, I fixed the screen door after a pool party you had, but, I am afraid I can't fix your heart." Since my dad is not a man of many words especially of this kind - these ones are indelible.

The dad's in my life are Emu Dads. How lucky for Finley and I.

Here are two new dads, My hubby Steve (l) and Bark (r) and their offspring.

(practising attachment parenting)

Front of the Album Cover

Back of the Album Cover

Oh Canada Meet Our American Babe

Buffalo/Niagara Boarder

Steve and I are Canadian living in the USA. We are resident Aliens. Our baby girl Finley was born in NC. She is an American. We applied for her passport and crossed our fingers it would arrive on time to coincide with booked holidays, so we could to bring our babe home to Canada. Steve bought a Garmin, set it to fastest route, lightly packed the car and hit the road to Ontario, Canada.

Niagara River Bridge

I got a little teary crossing the boarder into Canada with Fin. Her daddy said; "No Finley, Grandpa does not live in an igloo, but, if you keep our eyes peeled you might see a polar bear."

Steve told me later that he wished we had stopped to have Fin's photo taken at the WELCOME TO CANADA sign. I wish we had too. We were both trying to get to our destination with a 3.5 month old in the car. We didn't want to make more stops than necessary. The night before I could be see sitting on my knees, belted in, straddling the car seat to stuff a boobie in the starving face of baby Fin. We were on a stretch of highway where we couldn't pull over and for anyone who has had a baby knows, there is nothing worse than the sound of a crying, hungry baby. I pumped and tried the bottle but she hates the bottle STILL. Steve asked what I was doing? I said; "exactly what you think I am doing." He said he had visions of trying to explain to the officers why his wife had one boobie exposed should we have an accident. Of course the ER nurse would think of this particular situation in the form of a trauma.

We had a whirlwind trip to Ottawa and Toronto. We saw our friends at the Pig Roast and then enjoyed a family BOB-BQ at my dad's and then visited with Auntie Smelly, Kathy, and Auntie Alice all before 12 noon on the same day!

Auntie Sue and BOB aka Grampa

Finley and her Great-Aunties

Whooping it up at the Bob-B Q (every one else is in the pool) Haha!

Great, Great, Auntie Alice (91 years young) and Finley 3.5 Months

We hit the road and met the Lawrence's for coffee in Perth and then made our way to Toronto. Through it all Finley travelled like a champ (even with the car seat boobie incident).

QEW Toronto - CN Tower View - B4 the 2 Hour Traffic Jam

Finley and I had a lunch date with Auntie Lucky.

The Next Gen In The Tdot. Ella, Jane, Molly & Finley.

We stayed at our friend's house - NOT JOKING - this was the street sign on their corner.

Our Canadian citizenship is a big deal and I am a very proud Canadian. I once saw a stand up in a club mock the Canadians in LA saying they like to claim all the other Canadians. I laughed because it's SO true. Maybe, it's because Canada's identity in the global community is continually referred to in images of; igloos, moose, beavers, totem poles and to my dismay, Tim Hortons. As our national prides we as Canadians like to cite and claim people, particularily comediens.

We intend to get a Canadian passport for Finley - there will be advantages afforded to her for carrying both passports and while the United States does not recognize a duo citizenship Canada does. She will be educated in the histories of both countries, have family and friends in both countries and with time she will hopefully share in our patriotism.

Happy Anniversary Baby P

Today marks one year since I peed on a stick and found out we were expecting a baby. I was shocked despite our efforts for the positive results. I was terrified of the changes a baby would make to our lives. I was terrified I would suck as a mother. I was just plain terrified. And then she arrived healthy and whole. We brought her home put her to bed beside us, we all went peacefully to sleep like she had always been right there with us. In the mornings we stared at her little perfect person and smiled at one another. "We made her."

I was no longer terrified. I no longer questioned what impact she would have on our lives and if I would be a good mother. We were a family.

Although, it is all new, our lives are just how they are supposed to be. Neither Steve or I would want to have it any other way. We love our little Finley Mae.

Today is my mother's 62nd birthday.

Her candles were permanently blown out at the early age of 54. I think it's the first August 4th to roll around that I didn't wake up sad. New life and new memories have a really good way of turning feelings around. Happy Birthday Mom - where ever you are.

Gratuitus Cuteness

Finley's 1st Time in an Exersaucer