So Fawned

Today The Mercury Pushed 17°

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:51:00 +0000

We soaked up as much of the sun as we could in the big park across from our house. We were actually quite overdressed in our sweaters.

Gretchen passed the grass and leaves from hand to hand as we watched all of the dogs and their people playing on the lawn. Pugs, and Bassets, and terriers -- oh my! So many cute little pups & their humans, out to enjoy the sun.

Gretchen quite enjoys the company of pets (much to the chagrin of our own) and she petted their little heads and they licked her cheeks.

After all of the coughing and sniffling from the past month or so, a lovely, lazy Sunday in the sun was exactly what we needed.

I'm feeling recharged and ready for the week.

Love List

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:38:00 +0000

♥ snuggling up on the couch

♥ under a knit blanket
♥ with a mug of Earl Grey
♥ and the first book in the Twilight series

Cardinal Love

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:32:00 +0000

Details. Inspired by Elsie Cake.

Socks Are For Suckers, But Tights Are Alright

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:07:00 +0000

In the first two photos Gretchen is wearing our new favourite outfit -- tights & a onesie. In the third photo she's demonstrating the inspiration for the new fashion trend -- this baby is a sock bandit.

The Power Of Attachment Parenting

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Yesterday morning I witnessed firsthand the overwhelming power of attachment parenting.

Over the past two months Gretchen has been battling a virus which left her with what we now know to be a minor chest infection and an asthma like chronic cough. For the last 21 nights I have been up every night with a coughing babe who couldn't sleep and my heart was just breaking for her. The warm eucalyptus baths before bed, the elevated mattress, the vapourizer, the rosemary oil, the baby massages -- these all helped a little, but nothing could stop the cough. Our doctor said to give it time, but as time went on with no improvements, I scheduled another appointment.

Yesterday morning I took Gretchen back to see our doctor who then ordered a chest x-ray. I took my daughter down to the lab and after a bit of a wait, we were ushered back to meet the nurse. She warned me that "all babies scream bloody murder" when put into the x-ray restraint (which looks like this, if you've never seen one). I was a little nervous as I took Gretchen's onesie off.

To help the nurse put her in the restraint, I held my babe's arms up so that the contraption could be secured around her. I continued to hold her hands to keep her still.

Gretchen stuck her lip out and made the tiniest little whimpering sound.

The nursed stared at me and said "umm... all babies scream in this thing... we actually want them to cry because it gives us a better x-ray," while Gretchen held my hands & looked confused.

The nurse stopped for a moment and waited for the crying to start. Eventually she gave up, shrugged and took the x-rays while Gretchen sat confined & oh so quiet with her little pouty mouth.

As she opened up the restraint I lifted Gretchen by her arms and the nurse took her so I could take off my lead apron -- only then did my kid let out a cry because the nurse had freezing cold hands. Ha.

To me, this is a huge testament to the way that I parent. The attachment parenting philosophies come very easily to me -- even though I sometimes find myself faced with those who disagree with them. I know myself, my family & my daughter -- and I do what I feel is right for us. That moment in the x-ray lab, when Gretchen was expected to feel fear & anxiety, tested the bond between us & proved just how strong a bond it is. At just over nine months of age my daughter must trust me enough to stay calm in a situation where even medical professionals are sure she'll panic. I feel honored to have that trust.

Later in the evening we got a call with the results of the x-ray & a prescription.

Last night, for the first night in TWENTY ONE NIGHTS, we slept. No coughing, no hours of nursing and rocking and walking and sighing. We slept & I'm grateful.

My fingers are crossed that tonight we shall sleep again.

Goodnight.

Fawned Friday

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:45:00 +0000

The first week of November is already in the past -- daylight savings, first snows & the end of autumn are upon us.

Here's what I've been fawning after since the beginning of the month:

01. The cookie cake pie.

02. Paper lantern love.

03. Neat guest book idea.

04. Book clock DIY.

05. Cute if not expensive chair.

06. Considering family cloth.

07. Pretty new blog to love.

08. Yarn love.

09. The cutest little basket dog.

10. Neat shoe storage solution.

11. Nerdy sleeping bag love.

12. Beautiful Waldorf style play kitchen.

13. What a pretty place to live.

Happy Friday, my little fawns.

If It's Dangerous, She Will Find It

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:42:00 +0000

Yesterday I did a little rearranging on the main floor -- moved one of the couches in front of the window & kitty-cornered the television.

I'm also in the process of babyproofing and creating as safe an environment as possible for little miss scooty bottom.

She's moving a mile a minute from room to room and sometimes down the hallway to the bathroom or the office. She's also seeking out each and every potential danger. Her fascination with the pet's water dish is astounding -- as is her love for wires.

We call her our little terror (or sometimes our little terrorist, though I feel that's a little less than PC).

One of her favourite new games is to move the tables -- the side table and coffee table are both super lightweight vintage pieces and she's figured out that she can push them wherever she'd like. This is a bit frustrating for the mama who now has nowhere safe for her tea/coffee to rest. Ha.

Though things are getting busier & busier with her newly found freedom, I absolutely LOVE watching her learn and explore and engage with her world. Now that she can follow me around, advance on the pets (who hide under the couch) and hunt down whatever she wants I feel like she's absorbing so much knowledge. She's my little baby sponge.

I can only imagine what my life will be like once she starts walking.

I'll start bracing myself now.

Wordless Wednesday (A Rare Jaunt With The Stroller)

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:11:00 +0000

The Skrinchy Face

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:04:00 +0000

She makes this face at me a lot -- I think it's somewhere between smiling & wondering, "What the heck are you up to, mama?"

Gretchen Is Officially On The Move

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:58:00 +0000

Gretchen is no longer a stationary baby! This week she's been perfecting her adorable scooting abilities.

Time to babyproof! Must move kitchen garbage, and pet food and computer wires! Must put plugs in the outlets & locks on the cupboards. Must cringe every time she heads near our many cornered coffee table.

Batton down the hatches -- this baby is on the go!

PS. Please note a) the part of the video where poor Winston thinks I'm calling him & then I rudely tell him to go lay down & b) that poor little stubborn cough. She's a trooper.

Meet Fi-Fi

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:46:00 +0000

Say hello to little Miss Fi-Fi!

As promised, here is Gretchen in her second costume. This one was borrowed from Kim, whose daughter Jane wore it last year!

I'd have to say that Gretchen's first Halloween was a success -- we didn't have very many trick-or-treaters (I have a bowl of Rockets to prove it) but the ones who came were cute & polite! Add 'handing out candy' to my growing list of things I love about living in a house!

I hope you all had a fabulous & safe Halloween night -- or just a happy Saturday overall!

Peace.

Happy Halloween

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:28:00 +0000

A couple days ago we watched The Great Pumpkin and it was so incredibly nostalgic. I'm not sure I've seen it for maybe 5 or 6 years, which I suppose isn't that long, but it still made me think of being a little kid and watching all of the Halloween specials on tv. I love sharing piece of my childhood with Gretchen. It feels so special.

What is your favourite Halloween memory?

My Little Wookiee

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:21:00 +0000

For Gretchen's first Halloween we've been lent two different costumes -- here's the first:

My little Chewbacca babe.

Thank you to Felicia for letting us borrow this costume!

PS. Costume #2 shall be revealed tomorrow.

Chai Love

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:25:00 +0000

When the fine folks over at Prudent Baby asked me to share a DIY the first thing that came to mind wasn’t exactly crafty, but, surprise, surprise – tea related! You all know by now what a vital role tea plays in my life.

I’ve actually wanted to share this recipe with you all for quite a while now and I really hope you’ll all give it a shot.

Ingredients:
♥ 3 cups of water
♥ 1 cinnamon stick
♥ 10 cardamom pods
♥ 8 whole cloves
♥ 1 cup of milk
♥ 5 teaspoons sugar (or to taste)
♥ 4 teaspoons of loose black tea (or you can use 3-4 teabags)

First, grab your mortar & pestle to crush up all of your spices. Pour the water into a saucepan, add the spices & bring to a boil. Cover & simmer on low for about ten minutes – you’ll already be drooling at the aroma which will have consumed your entire kitchen at this point. Now add your milk & sugar and bring back up to a simmer. (You can also finish the recipe without adding sugar at all so that everyone may add as much or as little sugar as they’d like to their own mug.) Once you’re simmering again, toss in your tea leaves (or bags), cover & remove from heat. After a few minutes, strain into cups & enjoy!

Feel free to play around with this recipe to suit your own tastes. If you don’t want as much clove, ½ the portion, or if you want a creamier tea, add more milk – have a sweet tooth? Add more sugar, or even honey! This is a very customizable recipe so enjoy & have fun with it.

Simple, tasty & straight from the Indian food restaurant that I worked in when I was younger. (Side note: The restaurant has since changed hands & is now a Thai place called Karma's which was actually featured on Restaurant Makeover a few years back.)

This tea tastes best in the company of friends, family, or curled up in a cozy chair with a good book or a favourite movie.

I believe it’s guaranteed to bring smiles & warmth!

Peace.

Twas The Day Before Halloween

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:21:00 +0000

Details.

I love this season! We've done a tiny bit of decorating -- a cute sign on the door, some pumpkins out on our path & porch. Tomorrow night I'll get to hand out candy for the first time since I was still living at home with my mother -- years ago!

Soon I will share Gretchen's Halloween costume(s) which I think you'll all get a kick out of.

Bye for now!

Thrift Love

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Last week I picked up this gem at Value Village. There's just something so kitschy-fab about it that I just love.

It's now hanging in our bathroom & it makes me smile.

Have you thrifted anything interesting lately?

Fawned Friday

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:08:00 +0000

Good morning!

I have so many fun finds to share this week -- enjoy!

01. Hoth chocolate.

02. Tutu-torial.

03. Blue tudor rose yoga bag.

04. Subliminal messages.

05. Scissor Variations blog love.

06. Halloween themed appetizers.

07. General store love.

08. The Secret Garden.

09. All manner of cute for $3.50.

10. When she is feeling floristy.

11. Recycled soda bottle cups.

12. Vintage spool peg rack DIY.

12. An ode to blue.

13. Pumpkin carving guru.

14. Rad Swiffer cover DIY.

Have a fantastic Friday & an even more wonderful weekend!

Peace!

Love List

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:38:00 +0000

♥ my freckles
♥ baby smooches
♥ G's smiles & little nose
♥ chai (recipe coming soon!)
♥ my little Winston pup
♥ a new knit hat

Every Mother Is A Working Woman

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:31:00 +0000

Yes they are.

Source.

Nine Months

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:47:00 +0000

Nine months old & amazing in every way.

In short:
♥ She scoots (with legs tucked under, and quite quickly)
♥ She babbles (dada, baabaa, pfffttthhhpppttt!)
♥ She’s very cautious of unfamiliar people & we’re dealing with some separation anxiety (which means we haven’t been separate since August)
♥ She loves sweet potatoes and apples
♥ She can sign for milk & nurses a lot, especially at night
♥ She’s been “teething” for MONTHS, it would seem, but still just has the two bottom chompers that she’s had since 5 months (though I have a feeling the top two are coming soon)
♥ She LOVES music & sometimes will do a little dance
♥ She likes to play peek-a-boo
♥ She enjoys her book collection (especially for chewing)

We’re so in love, little miss.

Happy 9 months!

Wordless Wednesday (My Doe Eyed Fawn)

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:08:00 +0000

Hanging On To Autumn

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:28:00 +0000

Love List

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:56:00 +0000

♥ cozy baby hats
♥ taking photos in the park
♥ spending the afternoon drinking tea with friends
♥ pizza with broccoli on it
♥ snuggling & nursing my daughter
♥ reading quietly in bed

♥ the boy fixing our bathtub drain issue

♥ kind emails from my readers

♥ lower than expected gas bills

♥ hugs of all sorts

Sharing The Blog Love

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:23:00 +0000

This afternoon three friends came over so that I could teach them 'the ways of the blog'. We sat in my living room, drank tea & enjoying homemade cinnamon buns while I taught little lessons on creating a blog, editing posts & customizing their layouts.

It was so fun to share this part of my world with them & to welcome them to it!

Thanks, Caren, Karen & Astrid for the fabulous afternoon! I can't wait to see how your new blogs evolve & grow!

(Gretchen helped too.)

Robo-Love

desireefawn@gmail.com (Desiree Fawn) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:25:00 +0000

Look what my neighbour brought us! It's a cute little robot snack container/thermos type apparatus -- or to Gretchen, a fun new drum!

Thank so much, Caren!