blogformyinsanity-blog
For My Insanity
Parenting Fun, DIY Crafts and Recipes
35 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
artofnocturne
Nocturne
aruka707
Aruka
abidawn
❤️Abi's Place❤️
god-of-this-new-blog
God Of This New Blog
Photo
These two gangsters had their Christmas drive donations dropped off to Project SHARE today. They gave a Thomas the Train, Minnie Mouse car and a Fingerling toy and a bracelet. Dylan was the youngest to tour the facility to date. If anyone still looking to donate they really need presents for teens. The christmas drive supports 4500 people in Niagara Falls #projectshareniagarafalls #donate
0 notes
Text
F**k this! Things I didn't know would happen being back to work.
So it’s been awhile since I have written a post. The reason is I’m back to work after 1 year of glorious maternity leave, thank you Canada. I mean it. Now here I am, back to accountability, emails, meetings, conferences, coaching, training, goals, stakeholders, presentations, ETAs, KPIs, ASAP, etc. Yup, typical white collar grind. I knew things would be a hard transition from being with my loving happy beautiful baby every day. What I didn’t expect was this:
People expecting you to know everything. Decisions and changes were made while I was gone, which is to be expected. Things don’t just stop because I’m gone. But it seems like everyone assumes I know about them or even worse was a part of them and support them. I have been thrown into a sea of assumptions that I am still after three months am still discovering.
Taking on too much. I have brought things on myself. Like discovering that there was a knowledge gap and enrolling in a school course. Of course, I chose to do an accelerated version that takes 2 years of content and completes in 5 months. Yeah fucking stupid.
Coming back to work into a situation worse off than when I left. There are things I didn’t bring on but I have to handle it anyway. That’s the job. Coming back to work, I landed in the middle of very big change. Even though I wasn’t the cause and coming back I inherited the state of things this way. I see people are looking at me like I am responsible for it. Which has been a huge heavy weight on my shoulders and it probably one of the biggest causes of my stress.
My diet sucks. When I was playing with a baby all day and had no option but what was in the fridge I ate light and healthy. Planned meals and had healthy dinner, all lined up 5 days a week. It was routine! Now I leave work, pick up the baby and enter my house with a dark sky. I have under 2 hours to feed, wash, change and put my baby to bed. Do I have time prepare a meal now that I am back to work? No, the answer is no. If you said yes you are a freak of nature. Don’t even tell me to plan on the weekend, I’m not there yet. Anyway, so naturally without leftovers from dinner my 45-minute lunch is fast-food filled. So things are getting jiggly.
My house is suffering. Back to work all day and school. Say goodbye to regular house efforts. Laundry piles up until it needs immediate attention which generally ends up in an all day laundry marathon.
Friendships that are just gone. Friendships change after your first child, period. Now take the ones you still have and cut them by 80%. Maybe you will find one night in 6 months you are both available and doesn’t get canceled by a day-of-issue. But I think I have hung out with 2 friends since being back to work.
The endless colds. Did you know that when your child attends daycare or school with a bunch of kids for the first time to expect 8-12 colds in the first year? ME NEITHER. So Boo Boo Chicken and I and also my husbands are constantly coming down with, just getting over or in the middle of a full blown cold. I don’t think I have been able to taste anything since I have been back to work.
Stress and sleepless nights. Being in my position, I am finding myself in a haze of vague direction, high expectation, multiple urgencies, involved in numerous high-value projects and an inbox that is constantly increasing. The result waking up and going over conversations I may never have, planning presentation content and outlining how I am going to tackle situations from 1-5am.
So do you know what? Fuck it. Fuck it all! What do I care about? My family. What should I focus on? My family. What should I not stress about? The things I can’t control. I am going to the best I can. This will pass and I am going to be back to being on top of my game. Being back to work is an opportunity to show everyone what I am made of. So Monday get ready, you are in for it!
In the meantime, I am going to give anyone in this situation this advice:
Drink the wine
Eat the cupcake (I’m having two)
Take a time out
Regroup
Get back in there
You are awesome. You are strong. You will get through this.
If you need to say it out loud: FUCK THIS!
But know this: YOU GOT THIS!
Please follow and like us:
F**k this! Things I didn’t know would happen being back to work. was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Text
I'm Sorry For Being a Selfish Mommy
Today is the first day that you to meet your new friends, at what will be your daycare when I go back to work. As the little faces crowded around you with excitement, you looked at them like they were aliens. Right there I saw that I have failed you, for that I am sorry.
I should of taken you to baby groups where you would be familiar with other kids. Instead I kept you home with me. Sure we hung out, went for walks, the mini zoo down the street, shopping, watched TV, went on vacation, visiting GG and Gramma weekly, lounged around and snuggled (snuggling is my favorite). But when it came to adapting you right from the start to kids and that I would not be here full time; I couldn’t. You are too precious, I want you all to myself and so I kept you. For that I am sorry.
As you start to get comfortable around your new friends, you leave my side and play alone. That took guts and I am proud of you. I wonder if we made eye contact would you realize how far away you are and come running back, but you don’t. You keep playing as more and more kids start coming between my vision of you. But you are fine. And there is something in me that wants you to come back, to not want to be there, for even thinking that I am sorry.
Then it happened the moment I knew you are going to be okay here. You took off crawling, then began to climb and walk along everything you could grab with a big smile and spouting cute baby talk. It hit me right there; I am going back to work and you are going to be fine. I have never felt so sad in my life. For that selfish pity, I am sorry.
An hour passes and you are clearly comfortable, so there ends your first intro to your new daycare. Next time I am going to leave for a few hours. I know you will be fine. Me? Ya I’ll be fine too. Eventually…
We have the rest of the summer together before I go back full time again. Guess what, your not going in any baby groups. I am going to keep you all to myself for a little bit longer, so we will keep going for walks, shopping, lounging around and my favorite snuggling. For that I will never be sorry.
Please follow and like us:
I’m Sorry For Being a Selfish Mommy was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Photo
When you can't get down because there is an evil robot after you. #babyproblems #roomba #endisnear #robotapocalypse
0 notes
Text
Babywearing 101
Babywearing wasn’t something I was familiar with. I started noticing parents wearing their children when I was pregnant. I became intrigued, it looked so comfy. I had to learn more.
What is Babywearing?
It is exactly as it sounds, wearing your baby using a wrap or carrier.
After giving birth, I really found a need for a carrier. So I messaged a friend who I saw who posted pictures wearing her baby and she directed me to a facebook group of women in my community who babywear. The group had regular meet-ups and everyone was welcome. There is always a baby carrier seller and expert there to answer questions and brings a variety of carriers for mommies and babies to try.
Different types of Baby Carriers
At the meet-up I learned there is a variety of carriers shown in the image below:
Image via BabyVibes
After trying a few different ones out, I decided to move forward with doing a consultation with the baby carrier seller at her home where she had even more carriers to try.
Choosing the right carrier for you
Baby carriers are all about what is comfy for you and your baby. So its really important to try a few before making your decision. The second I put my baby in the Chimparoo Mei Tai she snuggled right in so I pulled the trigger and made the purchase. I bought a colour my husband would wear too so he could enjoy the carrier. As she got older and more wiggly I found tying up the Mei Tai more cumbersome so we made the switch to the ever coveted Tula. Tula’s I learned is like being a member of a club. Tula parents out in public head nod at our Tula wearing parents. They even have their own hashtag #TITW (Tula in the wild).
Benefits of Babywearing
There are a number of reasons why we babywear, here are a few below:
First of all, what freedom to have your arms back!
Babies who are worn cry less
Ditch the stroller, making it easier to travel and grocery shop
Effortless bonding with baby
Safer for child to be strapped in a carrier then on the hip (falls, child abduction)
Parents can keep the baby warm
I would encourage parents to give babywearing a trying. Its cozy and allows you to get stuff done. Everyone is different and there is a carrier out there for everyone.
What carrier do you think would be best for you?
Please follow and like us:
Babywearing 101 was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Text
Hangovers as a Mom BLOWS! Here is 5 reasons why they suck more as a parent.
Cover Image
I rarely drink anymore, I have a 9 month old daughter who I spend almost all of my time with. For some reason the thought that I have a little one to take care of today completely eluded me last night. Too much wine and delicious strawberry rhubarb beer seemed to make me not think about the inevitable hangover that would follow.
I knew it was bad the moment I opened my eyes today and couldn’t remember going to bed. Then BOOM let the hangover begin…
1.Hangover Headaches with a baby
Headaches are bad enough, now have one with a squealing, yelling and high pitched crying baby. Don’t forget the annoying repetition of those baby toys you have to get them. If that doesn’t send you running for the hills, don’t worry there’s more.
2.Upset Stomach with a Human Jumping Bean
So you feel gross and now your sweet smiling little one wants cuddles. So you take a deep breathe and pick them up. The ugh feeling in your stomach happens and you try to sit still. Then after a 2 second hug she is crawling and jumping on your stomach. You really start telling yourself that you will never drink again.
3. No feel better naps
Remember when you could hid in your bed or lounge on the couch and watch your favorite TV shows and drift in and out of sleep on a hangover? Ya that’s not happening with a baby that needs your attention, thus dragging out the horrible feeling you are experiencing.
4. Running to the bathroom in a child proof death trap
You think ok, I ate a half a banana and a ton of water. I am going to feel better soon! Nope, your stomach decides those are horrible food choices and they must go. So is a panic you sit your little one in a safe spot and make a mad dash to the bathroom. But first you must hurdle toys, fumble with baby gates, its a miracle you made it in time. Of course as you are heaving up your sad breakfast she’s crying. Great!
5. Changing a poopy bum with a queasy stomach
Then it happens. The red face, the grunts and the bubbling sound. No not me, her. Oh my god it stinks. Someone has a poopy bum and guess who needs to deal with it. YOU! Of course is a Poonami of epic proportions, I marvel of a specimen that required 10 wipes and almost came out of the diaper. Your only saving grace is that you were too lazy to dress her so she is just in a diaper.
Finally I am starting to feel better but what a day. If my husband wasn’t here taking care of Boo Boo Chicken I would have been calling my mom. Special thanks to that man of mine for being a parent of 2 today. You rock babe.
Oh and I am never drinking again.
Please follow and like us:
Hangovers as a Mom BLOWS! Here is 5 reasons why they suck more as a parent. was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Text
Mini Raspberry Cheesecake Bites Recipe
This little recipe is awesome and sure to win the hearts of any cheesecake lover. Mini Raspberry Cheesecake Bites Recipe has minimal ingredients and is super easy to make.
My family and I were invited to the 1st Annual Summer BBQ for our neighborhood. The subdivision we live in is brand new and its the friendliest place ever. This would be the first time we were meeting many people so I wanted to do a dessert that would impress. I landed on this recipe for mini cheesecake cupcakes, as a base for my raspberry cheesecake cupcakes. I made a few alterations as I used mini cupcakes and that changed the bake time and the quantity of some ingredients. If you are using mini cupcakes its best to use 2 mini muffin trays to maximize your time. Using paper liners is a must or your cheese cakes will break apart trying to remove them from the pan.
When I went to the local fruit stand I discovered that strawberries are now out of season so I grabbed raspberries instead. I and the neighbors were not disappointed.
This Mini Raspberry Cheesecake bite topping recipe can be using with any berry you choose, I would try with wild blueberries or strawberries as well.
Prep time: 40 minutes
Bake time: 25 minutes
Mini Raspberry Cheesecake Bites Ingredients:
1 CUP graham cracker crumbs
4 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
18oz cream cheese, softened
½ CUP plain fat free Greek yogurt
¼ CUP granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 TSP vanilla extract
Topping:
2 cup raspberries
1 TSP lemon juice
2 TSP sugar
Direction:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Line your mini muffin tins with paper
Bottom layer: Melt butter in the microwave and combine in a bowl with the graham crumbs. Mix until the crumbs are no longer dry and has the consistency of wet sand. Using a teaspoon scoop the mixture and add to the bottom of each paper liner. Using the back of the spoon pack down the crumbs so they are flat. Pop the trays in the oven for 4 minutes to harden up the crumbs. Remove from oven and allow to cool before adding cheesecake.
Cheesecake: In a large bowl add softened cream cheese and mix with hand or bowl mixer until smooth. Then add yogurt, sugar, eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Using a tablespoon scoop mixture into the paper liners filling just below the top of the liner. Place in oven and cook for 12-15 minutes. Watch for the tops to start showing faint cracks on the tops. Pull them out as they are beginning to get overcooked. Its ok if they jiggle a little. Let them cool in the tins and then remove and refrigerate.
Topping: Over low heat, in a saucepan add raspberries, lemon juice and sugar and stir to mix. Using the back of the stirring spoon break up raspberries so the whole mixture in a consistency of a chunky jam. Remove from heat and let cool.
When the cheesecake are nice and cool, scoop topping on the tops of each one. Pop them in the fridge and pull them our just before serving.
Please follow and like us:
Mini Raspberry Cheesecake Bites Recipe was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Text
Baby Art Shadow Box Craft
For Father’s Day, I wanted to find a way for my 9 month old to give her Daddy a gift just from her. I didn’t want to do another craft using her hands and feet impressions as I did for Christmas. Although they are super cute! I wanted to create something that could be updated every year. To create a tradition for my daughter and encourage creativity to boot! After some searching I decided to do a baby art shadow box.
This craft would be good for birthdays, Christmas, or even just a random thing done each year.
Baby Art Shadow Box Artwork Selection
There are tons of different ideas online you can do from making birds out of footprints, finger painting and much more. I decided to try having my baby just crawl through the paint. I thought I was anyway. More on that later.
Baby Art Shadow Box Supplies
First I needed to find an inexpensive display to place the artwork in. I ended up going with this one
off Amazon.ca. It fits a common size 11″x14″
paper and I think is perfect for this type of project.
I tried this recipe for making super safe paints for baby and it was super pale and too thick that I ended up just buying non-toxic paints.
Directions:
Ok, let me tell you how this shit show panned out. Turns out my kid hates the feeling of goop on her and had a meltdown. So my super fun, Pinterest envisioned craft went out the window. But I ended up with something that wasn’t half bad.
Set up a space outside and that is free of wind
To not make a mess on the grass, I cut open a garbage bag and laid it on the yard. Due to the wind I put some heavy objects on each corner
I took 3 pages and taped them down, 2 of which I taped across the front of the paper to create a design in the negative space.
Mix your paints and have them at the ready. I had a mini pool with warm soapy water and towel ready to clean her up and dry her off.
Dropped 1 colour of paint in areas that I intended to have my daughter crawl through, but as stated above, she wasn’t having any of that. So instead I walked her through it and maybe used her like a mini human paint brush. Gotta do what ya gotta do, right?
After each colour I put her in a mini pool so the colours didn’t mix too much
Once I had all the colours applied, I let the paint dry for the day. Once dry, I very carefully removed the tape and put my favorite in the baby art shadow box.
Doesn’t it make you wonder what the artist was thinking?
I’m thinking next year will be easier. I’m sure she will get a kick out of finger painting, here’s hoping anyway. In the end I really like the baby art shadow box idea.
What have special tradition have you created with your little one?
Please follow and like us:
Baby Art Shadow Box Craft was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Text
Why I bought my daughter a Barbie
Barbie has been catching flack for a quite few years for unrealistic body image. Some mothers saying it will or has caused self confidence issues in their daughters. Yet here I am excited for the Barbie I just ordered to come in. Here’s why:
I was just scrolling my feeds, minding my own business and there is was; Video Game Developer
by Barbie (Mattel). Holy Crapper! *click*.. purchased.
Why I Care About Video Game Developer Barbie?
She wears the same clothing styling as me, has glasses like me, love her right down to the shoes. She even had a job that captured some elements of my own, like graphic design. Now I don’t have bright red two tone hair, but I saw myself in this Barbie. How cool is this going to be to share this Barbie with my little girl and explain her job. Tell her mommy has a job like that and when Mommy drops her off everyday at daycare, this is what she is doing. Maybe it will help her understand a little bit more that Mommy has a career and doesn’t just go away to “work” and come back everyday.
Another thing I love is that this is a career in a dominantly male industry. The most current statistic is just 21% of women are in the Game Developer Industry. In a management role that is commonly a male position, I understand the extra work in proving yourself as a female. I want my daughter to be driven and not limited by perceptions of where she belongs. I don’t want here to be afraid if she doesn’t fit in with the majority.
To boot, I really enjoy a good video game, games like Grand Theft Auto, Uncharted and Lara Croft I am glued to until they are complete. See ya later life.
Pretty much this Video Game Developer Barbie is the bees knees for me.
Image: Mattel
Mattel Making Changes
Aside from relating to this particular Barbie, I have been really impressed with the efforts that Mattel has been making to adapt to the times. They now make Barbie’s of different shapes, sizes, colour and career paths.
Another great thing Barbie is doing is promoting that Barbie is for everyone, boys and girls alike, take a look at one of their commercials released October 2015.
youtube
Barbie may have not have gotten with the times right away, but they are adapting.
So yes, this girl is looking forward to the arrival of her totally amazeballs Video Game Developer Barbie! Maybe I’ll let my daughter play with it, kidding!
What Barbie career doll do you hope Mattel will make?
Please follow and like us:
Why I bought my daughter a Barbie was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes
Text
5 Ingredient Vegetable Tortellini Soup
Ok, so this Vegetable Tortellini Soup recipe is super super easy. I know its summer, but I happen to catch an episode of The Pioneer Woman and she had a delicious looking simple soup and I had to try it.
Using this recipe, I made this vegetable tortellini soup with just slight alterations and it was delicious! Even in the summer. I also found that the soup tasted better the next day after the vegetable took in the broth a bit more.
Yes it is five ingredients because you are using things like tortellini that are pre-made, but are you really complaining?
I’m keeping these ingredients on hand so I can just whip this up when I feel like it.
I also want to add that the Pioneer Woman had a lot of great simple one pan recipes that i will be trying. There is nothing I hate more than finishing preparing an awesome meal that I put all my energy into and then looking around to see a kitchen full of bowls, pots an pans. Ugh!
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
5 Ingredient Vegetable Tortellini Soup Ingredients:
1 250 gram package of Cheese Tortellini
8 CUPS (2 boxes) of Vegetable Broth
156ml can of Tomato Paste
375 grams 0f Mixed Frozen Vegetables (half a 750g bag)
3/4 CUP Cream
May use any additional spices I recommend what she used: Salt, Pepper, Basil and Parsley to taste
Directions:
Bring vegetable broth to boil and then add the whole can of tomato paste. Stir and break of clumps until completely smooth.
Add 1/2 cream, taste to ensure the soup is the creaminess desired, add more if desired. I added 3/4 cup total/
Add frozen vegetables and let the soup return to simmer.
Add Tortellini until cooked, if fresh 3-5 minutes (may take a little longer is from frozen).
Add desired spices, taste and adjust as necessary. Enjoy!
Please follow and like us:
5 Ingredient Vegetable Tortellini Soup was originally published on For My Insanity
#5 ingredient soup#healthy recipe#vegetable soup#vegetable tortellini soup#veggie soup#veggie tortellini soup
0 notes
Photo
Toronto date with @mr_curlyhead . Boo Boo Chicken is with Gramma. #tonightwedineintoronto #datenight #parentsgonewild #freedom #kidfree #the6ix #goodluckgrandma
0 notes
Photo
Yes! Mommy brain still in full effect. #mommybrain #momlife #motherhood
0 notes
Video
I'm in trouble. So it begins...#babysfirstcrawl #babymilestone #babycrawl #imintrouble #momlife #soitbegins #wheresmyfitbit
0 notes
Photo
My first bean sprout! #gardeningmom #organic #veggies #growyourown #greenthumb
0 notes
Photo
How hilarious is this?? Photo credit: A Piece of Lisa Photography. #ellen #newborn #newbornphotography #motherhood #parentingwin
0 notes
Photo
Wow #toruk is amazing!! So beautiful. #cirquedusoleil #datenight #bestbirthdaypresent #mustsee
0 notes
Text
What Bassinet to buy? - Baby Gear
Cover image source
If you are planning on having your newborn baby in your room for the first little bit a bassinet is the way to go. I tried a couple different ones before landing with my current one. At first I had the traditional style bassinet where the freestanding unit had material sides and a wide base on wheels. So whenever I wanted to check on my baby I had to hop out of bed and peek in because the base made the unit too far away from my bed. After a few days I couldn’t do it, the process of getting up and checking was affecting my already fragmented sleep. So I purchased the Halo Bassinest and have been raving about it since, it is my top purchase for baby gear. Here’s why:
Mesh sides
This makes the unit safe if baby rolls against the side of the bassinet, as they can still breathe. My little Boo Boo Chicken, would roll and smush her face against the wall so she could be as close to me as possible. It also allow you to see the baby through the walls, which was a god send for my paranoid nature. I would check every 20 minutes to make sure she was breathing.
Swivel base
Convenient for getting in and out of the bed without the baby bed getting in the way. You can also swing it so the bassinet is right on the bed next to you, which is awesome.
Push down bassinet wall
Allows you to scoop out your baby without even sitting up completely. This is perfect for those first few months of late night feeds! Easily get them in and out of the bassinet while your in zombie mom mode.
Light with Timer
This is perfect for feeding at night, the glow enables you to see without lighting the beacon from Gondor.
Vibration & Sound
More nice to haves, but the loon on the lake sound is heavenly and put my baby and me to sleep. Vibration seemed to calm her as well.
This bad boy retails for about $300, I was fortunate to find this on Kijiji for $100 in good condition, I just washed everything. If you want brand new everything or can’t find one used, you can buy it here.
Having the Halo Bassinest gave me peace of mind allowing me to open my eye, see my baby is find and fall back asleep. I also believed helped my baby sleep as she was sleeping through the night if I let her from then on (I’m not saying your baby will sleep through the night).
What baby gear items could you not live without?
Please follow and like us:
What Bassinet to buy? – Baby Gear was originally published on For My Insanity
0 notes