I am always on the hunt for gluten free dairy free baking that doesn't taste gluten and dairy free.  In our house it's always a test to pass it by the kids and my husband and have them not question it.  When my husband tried these he was sure they weren't gluten free.  YEAH WIN!!!  I ended up making everyone who eats gluten free to try these.  They are soft and chewy and absolutely addicting.  They hit the spot for this pregnant mama.

Enjoy!

Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

This is always a really tough subject to discuss.  I had always dreamt of being a mom,  it was something I always wanted.  Now it was really important for me from day one to be a very involved mom.  I never intended to add children into this world unless I was willing to do the work it took to raise them well.

Quite often it is very easy to lose "you" once you have children.  Life becomes all about these little people you are now nuturing and teaching.  It is the most satisfying jobs I have ever had, however it is extremely easy to lose yourself.

How do I balance life now being a mom?  Good question.

First off,  I expect a lot from my children.  This is ok.  I adore the baby phase.  I cherish every moment because it goes so fast.  However those sleepless nights are challenging on families.  Not just us moms.  I am blessed with children who sleep.  Sleep is so very important to me.  I began ensuring that we had regular routines were in place very early on.

Routine is key for me as a mom to balance daily life.  I know personally if I wasn't so strict with routine my life would feel like chaos.  I give parents credit that can fly by the seat of their pants.  That doesn't work for our household at all.  It's important for me to be present in raising my children, but having said that come dinner, bath, book, and bed, we are all done!  I need a balance of kid time and adult time.  I enjoy quiet evenings with my husband catching up on our days, or chatting about things we can't chat about in front of the kids.  I have learned early on to stick with routine, if it's working don't fix it.  However routine does need to be altered.  For example,  my kids start bedtime routine at 6 pm and my littlest was in bed by 6:30 and my oldest at 7:00.  They would always sleep 12 hours however when they started getting up a little earlier each day I realised that they were growing and not needing as much sleep.  So adjusting their routine is important.  We found our oldest slept better when he went to bed at 8 pm.  However the youngest we moved to 7 for a few months and then back to 6:30.  Playing around with bedtimes is so important.  Sometimes we feel it's too early to put them to bed however I've seen the other side where you miss that incredibly important window!

Me time!  Now having said that I don't get much of it.  Literally I just said to my husband "I hope you don't take for granted the ability to go to the washroom in peace".  We have made the choice to homeschool our kids and I'm grateful for that choice.  However that also does mean there is very little "me" time.  I am ok with that.  It's a choice I have made.  However let me tell you, come Saturday morning........it's a little me time.  Even if it's just the ability to have a relaxing shower and blow dry my hair in peace I take it.  My husband looks forward to cooking big breakfasts with the kids on the weekend so while they go down to the kitchen I take a little "me" time.  As well I am blessed with a very flexible job being a photographer and I include that in "me" time because I really feel it's my time to focus on something I am really passionate about.

We are also finding it important to spend one on one time with each of your children.  This gives me balance as well.  So it's not always total crazy (and yes we are adding a third child this summer so I expect crazy to be a way of life).  It's really nice though to spend one on one time with your kids.  As a mom it's rather rewarding to slow it down and give them ALL your attention.  This doesn't have to be all the time however every once in a while its important.

When you need help.....ask!  This is something that took me years to be able to do.  If you ask my husband my favorite line has always been "I got this"  We have a hilarious story of the birth of our second child where I literally looked at him and said "I GOT THIS!!" after delivering her and well.....let me tell you.....I didn't GOT THIS!  Learning to accept help was a struggle for me however now it comes much more natural.  We do work as a team and ask each other for help when we need it.  This is really important.

Many mom's don't ask for help.  So if you know a mom out there who you think really has it all together and doesn't need help try to do something nice for her.  Whether it's taking her kids for an hour so she can go for a pedicure or even grocery shop in peace.  Even dropping her off a coffee (let's face it the challenge of making and drinking a coffee before it gets cold is just that a challenge).

Different yes.......thankfully he is different.  I don't want him to be "normal" by todays standards.

Part of why we choose to homeschool is so they develop their own character not just conform.  When people meet my son it's never " oh he's socially awkward" or "that kid is definitely homeschooled "

However I do personally notice he's different from other kids.  I have no issue admitting this.  He is in many extra curricular activities not just activities with homeschooled children.

Here are a few reasons I can tell my kid is different.

1)  Confident - there is no question he does not lack confidence.  I feel this is something that can be destroyed unfortunately in the wrong situations.  I am able to nourish his confidence.  Continuing to build him up each day.  This doesn't mean I build his ego when it's not deserved.  I'm sure to tell him when something isn't done well.  However when he does accomplish something well I am sure to acknowledge it.  It doesn't go un-noticed.  This is preparing them to enter adulthood with the confidence to continue on that path.

2)  Social - This is where I always have a good laugh.  Many people have a typical stereotype that homeschool children are anti-social.  I actually find it's nearly opposite.  These kids interact with all different age groups so are able to adapt to most social settings.  I witnessed my kid leave one of his weekly classes saying "see you all next week!"  they all looked at him like he was odd.  WHAT.  It was odd that he was being kind.  Another mom leaned over and said "wow is he ever sweet".  I thought this was normal.  I guess not.

3)  Life Skills - Yes we are very focused on book smarts.  So before you judge we do focus on ensuring we cover all required curriculum if not extra.  However we also have time and energy to focus on life skills.  I didn't really notice this until I noticed my kids having manners.  This is something we drill into them every day.  However I couldn't imagine how challenging this would be if I only saw them a couple hours each evening and on weekends.  I don't even ask my son, but he ensures he holds open doors for people.  Some look at me in such awe because he's being kind.  However there are the odd people who look at me wondering why such a little man is holding open a door.


Now before anyone thinks I am biased that only homeschooling creates these differences please understand that is not what I am trying to get across.  I am just noting that I do see my child as different but I'm appreciative of different.

So the big day came for us to visit Sneak a Peek for our gender reveal ultrasound.  The whole family was so excited.  We discussed how it didn't matter whether it was a boy or girl, because we already had one of each.  I also explained to everyone we can't be disappointed if we wanted something different than what is growing in mommy's belly.

So I drank my big glass of orange juice and we headed into town.

Boy or Girl?  This is so exciting.  While some may feel they don't want to know and they love the surprise.  This is the best experience ever.  It makes us all feel so much closer to the baby.

When we got to Sneak a Peek we were greated by Carrie who is seriously AMAZING.  The kids were full of energy and very excited.  She took us into this beautiful room.  They had toys in the corner for if our daughter couldn't focus (she isn't 2 yet).

Now Carrie asked my son what he thought it was.  He replied "it's definately a boy".  I slightly cringed and explained we are excited with a boy or a girl.  Right?  She explained to him how he was going to be the first to see it.  She told him to look for a turtle for a boy, or a hamburger bun for a girl.  So darn cute.

Watching this baby move around and open it's mouth and wave to us is so emotional.  She then stopped on an image and asked our son what it was.  He looked hard.  "Is that a hamburger bun? A girl"  She showed him that it was a TURTLE.

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

It's a BOY!!!!!!

Our son was right again.

Both dad and I cried.  It's what we were hoping for.

Then Carrie spent time showing us his heart beat and letting us watch him open his hands, feel his face, kick his feet, and show off his muscles.  This is by far a MUST for any expectant mom.

Mom's this truly is a one in a million experience and made us feel so much closer to our baby.

Sneak a Peek is by far the most incredible place EVER.

Call them.  Book and appointment.  I promise, you will leave wishing you had done it sooner.

Now before you all think this blog is going to bash men.  Please understand that is entirely not the case.  I'm wanting to show my appreciation for men who really STEP UP and try to be the best they can.

I feel like each week I have someone contacting me,  a lot of moms.  They are feeling like they are losing control of their life.  This makes me sad.  Don't get me wrong every day isn't going to be amazing however when you struggle that should be a once in a blue moon issue not a continual challenge.

This blog is probably going to take a turn towards supporting mothers.  Probably because I am a mother.  However this stands for all men.  Having made some major life mistakes with men when I was younger I now realise GREAT ONES do exist.

I appreciate so much the ones raised in not ideal situations but want to change that.  I see men raised in abusive situations yet they want to stop that cycle.  I see men raised with very little affection because they are boys, yet they realize that doesn't allow them to create healthy relationships.

I am blessed with an incredible husband.  My children are so very lucky to have an amazing father.  I have also learned over the years to expect that from him.  Ladies it is ok to expect amazing.  He works very hard to ensure I am able to stay at home raising and schooling our children.  I talk to other stay at home moms that feel they can't ever complain or say anything because their spouse is allowing them to stay at home and providing for them.  I love my husbands outlook on it.  When I say to him "love thank you for working so hard allowing me to stay at home" his response is always "oh my goodness thank you for choosing this for our family as I could never do it!".

My husband has a son to help teach how to be an amazing man.  Who will one day make an amazing husband and father.  He has a daughter to set the bar very high so she doesn't just settle when it comes to a relationship.

There is men who will sit on the couch and play video games all day rather than being present with their family.  This is downright ridiculous.  I've heard of husbands and fathers like this and it makes me sad.  If only they STEPPED UP!  Shut that game off.  Play with your children, take them for a walk, or even fold a load of laundry.  Just so you are aware your son is witnessing you not being present and for that reason is going to either struggle in his future relationships or have to make a decision because of what he has seen to not be anything like that.  Your daughter could settle......now really think about this.  Men, picture your daughter cooking, cleaning, and raising children with a man just sitting there watching her.  Is this what you want for her?  Wouldn't you much rather she expect more.

Sometimes it is habit, sometimes it's how they were raised, and other times they just are crappy men.  However regardless of what the excuse is there is always a time to change.

Ladies its also ok to communicate if you expect more.  Don't think that you have to sit back and just accept that they aren't giving you what you need.  Communication is very important.  It's something learned so why not start today by trying it.  Now before you start nagging....that's not the best approach.  Start simple by saying "honey I was hoping tonight we could do the dishes together after the kids go to bed and talk about us."  First off don't be disapointed if you don't get the reaction you are hoping for but don't give up.

So this is just a reminder to STEP UP!  Your relationships will improve.  Your children will see that.  The more people step up the better this world will be.  Children will be raised better.  Parents will be happier.  It's a lovely circle.

We are very excited to welcome baby number 3 this summer.  Our son is 6 and our daughter is almost 2.  Now that our son is 6 he is definitely more involved and interested in this addition.

I wanted to share an experience I had with my previous 2 babies.  This is one that gets me so very excited for our third.  I repeatedly hear from friends and clients about awful experiences with ultrasounds.  I too was in your shoes.

When I was 19 weeks pregnant with my son I was so excited to find out what I was having.  This time in my life I was hoping for a boy.  I was beyond excited.  Then, my excitement came crashing down when I went to have an ultrasound done.  She was mean.  She was ruining my exciting experience.  Then she ended it with saying "No i will not tell you what you are having, I don't believe in that and sometimes women abort babies depending on the sex".  I left in tears!  I got in the car crying.  That's when I googled and made a phone call.  I called Sneak a Peek Ultrasound in tears.  They answered the phone happy and ensured me to stop crying and go get a bottle of orange juice and come straight there.  I did exactly that.

When I arrived it was a completely different experience.  While filling out paperwork they ensured me that they would be able to tell me the gender for sure.  They said they have only had to turn away one women who took a break and came back an hour later to try again.  I finally stopped crying.  I finally felt that someone cared.  Sneak a Peek does care.  They took me into a beautiful comfortable room and had me feel at ease.  Then the exciting news "I was having a boy!!!"  I left so happy I had found them.




Then when I was pregnant with my second child I didn't even hesitate to go back.  I didn't even risk having a disappointing experience.  I just called and made an appointment.  This experience was even better!  My son was 4 and was so excited.  He got to be involved and a part of this experience.  He had guessed it was a girl.  They took us all into a beautiful room and made sure to include my husband and son.  Literally she looked at my son and said "what do you think you are having?"  He was so confident it was a girl.  She told him personally. She looked him in the eyes and said "dude you are right....it's a GIRL".

Now with our third on the way we are getting close to being able to find out the gender and we are so excited.  I called to book our appointment with Sneak a Peek.  This was really important to me because I wanted my two other children involved.  I wanted a positive experience.

Many of you mom's get stuck having awful, unpleasant, and downright disappointing ultrasounds.  I literally have a friend who is expecting just after me and had an awful ultrasound done in Vancouver and I said to her she absolutely just needed to make a trip to Kelowna, BC and stop into Sneak a Peek.

If you are expecting or know someone who is, you highly recommend Sneak a Peek in Kelowna, BC.  You will not regret it.  It makes the whole pregnancy experience even that much better.

Stay tuned.....we go next weekend.  We all cannot wait to find out.

There is something to be said about taking something and saving it from the dump and turning it into something beautiful.