VirginiaMiddleton.ca | Category Archives: 2013

Mommy Musing Monday – Just Roll With it

Posted on January 20, 2014 Posted in 2013, Baby, Family, Musing Monday, Parenting .

Parents are often their own worst critic. Whether it’s mommy guilt, paranoia of what strangers think, or having someone you know roll their eyes because of some quirky parenting thing that works for your family.

But sometimes you’re in a situation and just roll with it. Now what I’m about to describe is by no means epic or something to be documented for the ages, but it’s something I’ll remember and it’ll probably happen again and again.

A couple of weeks ago, Missy Moo and I had a pretty busy Friday. She managed to have a short morning map, but it was clear she was still a very tired baby.

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#ThrowbackThurday – attitude

Posted on January 16, 2014 Posted in 2013 .

I will be the first one to admit that I have a stubborn streak. I try to avoid confrontation and I’m not one for a heated debate. Passionate discussion yes, but if it’s Confrontational I don’t want any part of it.

That being said, if I feel strongly about something, I can be a stubborn as a mule; a real pain in the ass. I’m sure my parents can vouch for me and if you ask my husband he’ll probably laugh (and that’s his way of agreeing with you).

We’ve started noticing that our daughter is showing signs of a stubborn streak and I think we’re in trouble.

I found this photo of me when I was pretty young.

This child is clearly plotting her next move.

I clearly mean business. With my arms crossed and looking so fly in my jogging suit. I can neither confirm nor deny that it could be a velour/crushed velvet suit… I’m going to hope that it was cotton and leave it at that.

As cute as I was (yeah I’m bias), I could easily have a hissy fit without warning if things didn’t go my way. I actually started pre-school a year early. Growing up, I figured it was because I was super bright and could benefit from the early exposure. I was later told that the main reason I went early is because I was getting pretty settled into the “MINE!” stage and since I didn’t have any siblings or cousins within a couple of years of my age, it was an opportunity for me to be around other kids my age so that I could get it out of my system. I think it’s hilarious looking back and my parents definitely made the right move there! Thanks Mom and Dad!

Back to the photo, gotta love the 70s/80s style of having two-toned carpet and matching knitted blankets. It just makes the photo better in my opinion. Classic.

Mommy Musing Monday – Bunny

Posted on January 13, 2014 Posted in 2013, Baby, Musing Monday, Parenting, Products .

Growing up, I had a favourite blanket named Blue Pink (although it was actually more green and not very blue or pink). It had a flannel-like feel and I literally rubbed the flannel away. I still have it somewhere and I’ll be dammed if I’ll ever throw it away. Blue Pink and I are together for life.

Most kids will have a lovie or something that they cuddle and sleep with. We wanted to encourage Missy Moo to have such an object because it can help with self soothing.

This is Bunny.

Bunny is very important. He has a couple of tags still attached that apparently are very tasty (this is entirely my child’s observation, I have yet to see for myself). He’s soft and cuddly and we have a pacifier (nummy) that’s attached to him with a clip made by our talented friend Christina. Check out her Etsy shop!

I have a secret. We actually have two bunnies. But we really need at least one more. If we ever lose one, there could be trouble.

Normally, Bunny lives in the crib, but often goes out for trips in the car (he really loves the car). But he doesn’t come out and play during the day (he’s a bit shy around others).

Yet sometimes that’s not always avoidable…

Look who just found Bunny? Unfortunately, he’s behind bars.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been struggling with naps and bedtime. Apparently sleep is so not cool with the kids these days. Little miss actually gets quite mad. It’s pretty funny and I can’t help but laugh when I see her stomping in her crib.

But that’s caused poor Bunny to be the receiver of our daughter’s wrath. She will literally swing Bunny around while holding onto the nummy. She’ll toss him to the other side of her crib and then crawl over and get him.

Most recently she’s been actually throwing Bunny out of her crib. Once this happens, she’s even more upset because now she’s all alone. I’ve even gone so far as to give her one Bunny and then poke the second one in a back corner of the crib… but she’s caught on to that and will often toss the back up Bunny before evicting the one she’s holding.

A few days ago when attempting to have her nap, I gave her Bunny like always and took a blanket bear that’s a similar concept to Bunny. It didn’t go well…

This is what happens when you throw something away without evaluating the consequences.

It seems that both Bunny and the bear have big heads that do not easily slip between the bars of the crib. Poor, poor Bunny.

If you have seen a Bunny like ours, please let me know. I’m trying to track down one that’s exactly the same. The brand is Blankets and Beyond for Carter. He does not have a rattle inside his head and his blanket is pink and his head is white with pink on the underside of his ears.

We have a couple blanket bunnies that are similar, but I would really, really like to get another exact copy.

#ThrowbackThursday – come ride with me

Posted on January 9, 2014 Posted in 2013, Family, Nostalgic, Throwback Thursday .

Because it’s still early January (in my opinion at least), I’m compelled to share this photo for #ThrowbackThursday.

Grandma and Papa Radford

It’s my favourite photo of my paternal grandparents. Grandma’s birthday was January 3 and every year I think of her; this year was no different. Her birthday was always the final party for my father’s family during the holidays. My father is one of three children, so they each took a day to host – Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and Grandma’s birthday. Grandma’s birthday was our evening to have everyone over and it was a nice way to finish off the holidays.

This photo was taken before I was born during a family trip to Disney World that involved my grandparents, my parents and brother, and my uncle (Dad’s brother), aunt and their three children.

There’s just something about this photo that I love. It’s a casual in-the-moment photo. Something you can’t catch if you try too hard. And this was back in the late 1970s, so there was no digital cheating or retaking available.

At first glance, I feel like the photo is from an old movie. I imagine Papa is a smooth talking stranger who happens to notice Grandma and starts chatting her up.

Imagine what they were discussing. The weather? What to eat for lunch? Reflecting on how nice it was to be on vacation with some of their children and grandchildren? Who knows.

My grandfather passed away when I was only four years old, so my memories of him are very limited. I really only have two that I can recall and even those are pretty fuzzy, but I cherish them.

My grandmother was a tough o’l bird and someone you didn’t mess with. She was with us until my last year of high school. Being the youngest of her grandchildren, she never did get to see me graduate. She also passed away just a couple of months before her first great-grandchild was born, but she was always very proud of her “nine perfect grand children”. No doubt she would be very pleased with her 13 fabulous great-grandchildren that our family now has.

More photos like these to come down the road. I plan to raid my parents’ old photo albums in the coming months.

See ya later 2013

Posted on December 31, 2013 Posted in 2013, blog, books, Holidays, Nostalgic, Running, technology, Tely 10 .

So first off, I’ve been sick for the past few days and missed another Mommy Musing Monday post, but I’ll make up for that in the new year. Sometimes life and ill health happens.

Like most New Year’s Eves, it’s time for the usual reflection on the past year. I’m not one for setting resolutions exactly. I like to think of them as annual goals. Not full on SMART goals, but things I can realistically try to achieve within the 12 months ahead.

So lets review last year’s goals…

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