I’m writing about postpartum depression today at UrbanMoms. Care to share?

I know I’ve been quiet ’round here since we got back from our trip last week, but I have a horrendous head cold to blame for my silence, as well as the fact that we’re moving out of this house in a few days and I’ve been packing up like a fiend.

But, without further adieu, here are some long-awaited photos from our amazing trip to California!

We had a long day of flying and finally arrived in San Diego at our beautiful resort. My mind was blown away by the beauty we were greeted with and I can’t say enough about the place we stayed.

We crawled into our beds for the night and got rested up for the next three days which were a whirlwind of Sea World, The San Diego Zoo, and a tour of the USS Midway.

Sea World

Sea World was a kid’s dream come true! Avelyn marveled at all the creatures and she loved the sea lion show, seeing Shamu, and she could have spent all day in the Elmo’s World Kiddie Park.

The San Diego Zoo

We got to go on a guided tour of the zoo and see all the animals up close and personal.

The USS Midway

This stop was Steve’s idea/dream of a lifetime. He loves all things aircraft related and was mesmerized by the power and operations that went into running such a huge military ship. He could have spent a full two days there, crazy guy!

After our tour on the USS Midway we hopped in our rental car and braved the freeway traffic to Disneyland.

To be continued…..

Last night I went to an amazing play called “Mom’s the Word” and I laughed until I wept. It is a fantastic performance by five women that traces the journey of motherhood right from the excruciating pains of labour, to the trials of toddlers’ temper tantrums, the adjustments made to a marriage, and finally to the challenges of teenagers, all told with humour, emotion and a little full-frontal nudity (not even kidding….a woman in her 50’s reenacted a scene where she lost her young son while getting changed at a public swimming pool and she literally streaked across the stage - cellulite, flailing breasts and all - TWICE. It was hilarious and beautiful). So great.

Whenever I go to the theatre I feel a bittersweet twinge of longing: I want to be ON the stage, not sitting in the audience. Drama was a huge part of my life in my adolescence and I can’t count the memories I made being a part of all those plays and musicals I did in high school. The friendships you forge with cast members is so strong, the adrenaline rush of performance is addictive, and the satisfaction of entertaining a crowd is beautiful. I miss it. Unfortunately, being involved in theatre is not at all conducive to being a mother of young children. Rehearsals are time-consuming and often in the evenings, which is the only time I get to connect with my husband. Preparing for a show is stressful and becomes a huge focus of your life, leading up to the performances.

I have been lucky enough to be involved in some local theatre productions in years past, but not to the extent that my spotlight-craving soul desires. And that’s OK, for now. I feel as though while my family is young it’s simply not worth the sacrifice to really pursue it any further.

But seeing the play last night, a fabulous play written by amazing women, made me wish I was the playwright, the star. They are living my dream, a dream that I’ve put aside.

Maybe one day my time will come. And then I’ll be the 50 year-old naked lady sprinting across the stage as the audience shrieks with horrified laughter. (Ha!)

Until then, I can write. I can file away the memories that will perhaps one day be the makings of my own script. I can work with the time I’ve been given and not just mope about what I’m missing out on.

Have you given up any dreams that still tap on your heart every now and again?

It’s a GIRL.

Another one!

You can read all about my thoughts on the matter here.

My newest post is up at urbanmoms.ca and it’s probably the one and ONLY time I will ever blog about sex. Don’t miss it!

PS: Hi, Dad!

I went for my ultrasound today and all the details are posted here! How’s that for alluring?

My newest post is up at urbanmoms.ca and it’s about how I feel U-G-L-Y.

I know posting has been light around here but we’ve had company for the past week or so and I haven’t had much time. I’ll be back soon, though!

The days just keep rolling past in a blur of kids’ activities, half-assed housework, play dates, and deliciously downloaded television shows watched on the laptop in bed at night. My belly grows bigger each week, Avelyn seems an inch taller each month, and Karenna is adding new words to her vocabulary by the hour. My favourite of her additions is her version of the word “treat”: TOOT! She’ll come toddling over to the kitchen and start rummaging around the cupboards in search of a “Toot? Toot?!? TOOOOOOT!” She has also taken to hitting and hair-pulling and this really endearing and primal guttural bellow when she’s angry. Such a little lady.

Our house renovations hit a few hiccups and we’re still at the mudding and sanding stage. Hopefully the painting will happen soon, then things will get rolling again. I can’t wait until we’re all settled in our new/old home, because Steve is pretty beat from working on it all hours of the day and night. Last night I said to him, it’s like we’re running a marathon: you’re running the first half by building the house, then once we move in I’ll run the second half by squeezing out a new baby and not sleeping for a year. Sounds delightful, no?

Do you have a kid who wakes up at a disturbingly early hour? We had been going through a rough patch with Avelyn where she’d be up before dawn, but then be super sensitive and exhausted and meltdowny for the rest of the day and it was basically destroying my will to live. Then we got this nifty little gadget called the Good Nite Lite and now I don’t feel like jumping off a bridge anymore. It’s a little light that glows like a moon when it’s night time, then glows like a sun when it’s the morning. We just tell Avelyn she has to wait until her clock turns yellow like a sun before she can come out of her room and it’s worked like a charm. Of course, now that I’ve gloated about our success she will undoubtedly regress and start waking up at 4:30 am to spite the Blog gods. Anyways, we have been pleased with the product* and I highly recommend it for kids who are too young to tell time.

My new post is up at urbanmoms.ca and I’m writing about whether you should be able to find out the sex of your baby before he/she is born. Check it!

*Not a paid endorsement. Just sharing the awesome.

I am breaking out and it’s not pretty. My latest post at urbanmoms.ca is up and it details the glistening whiteheads on my chin.

Today at urbanmoms.ca I’m writing about how I hate breast-feeding. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Sorry that posting here has been so light. I am working on getting a belly shot ready so you can see my bump in all it’s chubby glory. Until then…