… then again, there comes a time when it’s best to unplug and delve inwards, to stop over-documenting life and start truly experiencing it instead.
That’s what I’m feeling and so, for the time being, we are retreating.
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” Walden
mxo
Some days I find myself complaining a lot. It’s ludicrous really because life is pretty darn amazing.
I have a baby boy who has brought me more joy than I ever thought was possible. He is happy and healthy. He eats and sleeps (kind of), and moves like there’s no tomorrow.
I have a husband who is my best friend and always makes me see the beauty in things.
I have three awesome families, a boatload of tremendous friends, a beautiful home to call my own, a job, and a fridge that’s always filled with food. You see? Life, it sure is sweet.
SO I’m proposing a wee challenge to myself to help keep my focus on the sweetness:
… of something awesome, something I am grateful for, or just simply something that makes me smile.
You can follow it here: instagram.com/mayacollum
Life is short. Take too many pictures. Say thank you often. And always order sprinkles.
mxo
Today I woke up grateful. And happy, like deep down in my soul happy.
Today is my 30th birthday and it has been an absolutely perfect day.
Today I realized that all of my dreams have come true. Every single one.
It scares me to say that, as if saying it will bring something bad on, but there’s so much crap in the world that sometimes we all have to shout out loud about the good stuff.
And there’s a lot of good stuff everywhere.
So, dear world, thank you for making this gal feel so darn loved.
Hugs,
mxo
I often get asked what I do all day now that I’m a mommy on mat leave. Here goes:
Ry and I had an awesome day planned – first, a play date and then some shopping for mommy. Neither happened.
After Ryan conveniently slept through his play date, we packed up and decided to hit the road for another adventure.
We ended up at Capital Espresso, owned and barista-ed by an old friend of mine. One delicious cappuccino and blueberry muffin later, we wandered around Queen for a bit, got my rings cleaned, and picked up these cute puppies at Made You Look:
That brings us to 11:00ish. We hit the road for Sherway. The kid has recently taken to HATING the car so we didn’t quite make it.
About half way, I decided my shopping adventure just wasn’t worth the amount of bloody-murder screaming we’d both have to endure. So we made a turn and, for the first time in YEARS, got “lost” in Toronto (as lost as you can get with a nav system in your car and a smartphone handy).
So we drove back home. Ryan had organic apples, spinach, kiwi, and broccoli with quinoa for lunch. It came out of a green pouch. I ate out of random tupperware containers with a fork.
1:00pm. The nap attempt begins.
1:45pm. The nap begins.
2:15pm. The nap ends.
Kid was awfully cranky at this point (tooth numero dos is coming in) but daddy, who was thankfully working from home, took him for a few minutes. I went to Timmy’s to get daddy a coffee.
With still so many hours left in the day, we packed up yet again and headed for a looooooooong walk. Over 8km later, the kid took his third nap. I waited in the stroller line-up for this bad boy:
We walked through the zoo at High Park and I bought cookies from some kids running a lemonade stand up the street (are those things still legal?). I think they thought my impromptu math test was pretty lame.
5pm. Almost dinner time. We did our exercises in the basement (kid in the Exersaucer, momma picked up some weights). Then dinner: Ryan ate organic apples, sweet potatoes, carrots and blueberries, this time from an orange pouch. I don’t remember what I ate.
I won’t lie, I started the bath 15 minutes early because solo parenting during dinner, bath and bedtime make for a looooooooooong day. Mercifully, the kid fell asleep instantly. I think he was pretty sick of me.
Plus, the kitchen, living room, and everywhere else still had to be put back together.
It’s now 8:00pm and there’s a rather large glass of wine in front of me. I’m eating the cookies I bought from the lemonade stand kids and I’m in my pajamas. I kind of miss the kid already.
In the words of my good friend, Mags:
Happy Friday!
mxo
Cappuccinos and croissants. Rainbow Songs and happiness.
mxo
Alright, alright, enough moping.
As Mr. W. Dyer says:
Let’s bring back the happy because, well, everyone could use more happy in their life!
Today’s daily joy: my new DSLR camera and this face…
mxo
There’s a lot of resistance in me… a lot.
Change makes me anxious and any positive lifestyle changes seem to really drive me b*tsh*t crazy.
Case in point: I’ve been reading a lot about the evils of sugar recently. The stuff really is poison. I don’t eat much of it but as soon as I decided to cut back, I started to get the twitch… you know, the twitch that only six chocolate chip cookies could calm. Six!
When my friend told me she’s been minimizing her dairy and wheat intake and feeling great, I made some crack about maximizing mine and then ate an entire box of mac and cheese at home (I had to go out of my way to buy the stuff at the health food store).
And don’t even get me started on exercise…
WHAT’S THAT ABOUT?!!
In War of Art, Steven Pressfield states that the more resistance we feel towards something, the more important it is to our soul’s evolution. The more we run, the more we need to stay. Here’s my question: HOW?!
Maybe I should keep reading the book…
Sigh.
mxo
Inspired by one of my new favourite blogs (little miss momma), I made a life list. It took awhile but it was fun!
In no particular order:
What’s on your life list?
mxo
One of the many amazing things about having a baby is that strangers stop to chat. At least once a day someone stops us to comment on how cute Ryan is (probably the cutest ever, really). Then they tell us a bit of their life story, which is always such a privilege, and inevitably they end with something along the lines of, “enjoy it. It goes too quickly.”
My kid turned six months this week so I know it’s true: time evaporates. Life has this way of marching along and, if we’re not careful, we’ll miss it. Better enjoy it while we can.
mxo
Source: notonthehighstreet.com via tattoo brain fodder on pinterest
I’ve spent a lot of time wishing away moments and trying to “fix” things. Those are times I’ll never get back.
But these days I’m working on something new: being present, being here and now, and soaking up the moments so that I can remember many fondly one day.
And so that this will never again be my truth:
“What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner!” Colette
My favourite moment this week:
mxo
maya c. 