Post

I officially love the comparison shopper feature on Canada Post.com. It is so refreshing to find a Canadian site with prices in Canadian dollars and products available for purchase and shipping in this country. Image via Torontoist.

Vegetables

Carolee Beckham is about a week ahead of me in her pregnancy, which means this photo series (where she includes a photo of herself and a fruit/vegetable that is the same size as her baby each week to document the growth) has been particularly interesting for me to follow. Right now, our baby is a Chinese cabbage, is about 14.8" long and weighs approximately 2.25 lbs! Believe me, I'm feeling every bit of those 2.25 lbs in our little man's kicks (which are becoming more frequent and stronger).

Art

Right now, I am working on a big art project for baby's nursery, inspired by these CarsonToo cards.

Update June 6, 2011: Yay, I've finally completed this project! I'll share a nursery tour in the coming weeks!

Words to Avoid

I'm a civil servant by day, so my list of words and phrases we "don't" say includes: on a go-forward basis, incentivize, massage, close the circle/loop, COB (close of business), KIV (keep in view), synergy, drill down, engage, due diligence and fulsome (used in lieu of the term thorough). *Note: I'm a public servant too and I've never used any of these horrendous terms...or at least I won't on a go-forward basis! Greg*

If you're a journalist, perhaps your list looks like Kurt Andersen's (above). Via Swiss Miss.

Anniversary

"I have for the first time found what I can truly love–I have found you. You are my sympathy–my better self–my good angel–I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you–and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one." - Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte

Happy 1st Anniversary, Gregory. I love you! xo

Magpie Lovely

In preparing our nursery I've used every colour imaginable in the decor and accessories to create a cherry and jovial space for the boy. Given our nursery's styling, it shouldn't come as a surprise that I'm smitten with these booties from Magpie Lovely.

P.S. I love this nursery!

Update: This afternoon, while browsing a local fabric store, my mom and I came across a great pattern for booties, and some fun fabrics. I'll post the results when available! After this, my next DIY project will be homemade bibs.

Future

Some images snipped from Le Dans La, which I anticipate being reflective of our home in the coming months and years.

Redfish

This evening, post-work and pre-dinner (as per habit), Greg and I soaked up a little evening sun (after a quick rain shower) while strolling the thoroughfares of downtown St. John's. On our journey, I spotted the most beautiful baby kimonos in the window front of Gingersnap. Aren't these pieces beyond beautiful? Images via Redfish.

Pillows

I love these Blue Clouds animal pillows and am inspired to fashion something similar but larger in size to use as floor pillows in the nursery and den. Image via Blue Clouds. Found via Unruly Things.

Rocker

My friend Josh shared this awesome rocker with me. Isn't it the perfect place to perch with your loved one and debrief on your workday? Image via Bless This Stuff.

P.S. I'd forgotten about this tune, and am now listening to it on repeat.

Alligator Pie

I just thrifted a mint condition copy of Alligator Pie for baby's library at my church's spring sale for $1. Score! Images of Alligator Pie's illustrations via Draw! Pilgrim.

Battleship

Aren't these toy cargo ships amazing? Via Coos & Ahhs.

Cartoon

Cartoon via Cup of Jo.

Dragonette

Awhile back, Greg switched our morning alarm from a pulsing beat to a top 40 radio station. Generally, the pop music makes for an upbeat way to embrace the morning. This morning, we awoke to Martin Solveig and Dragonette's Hello. I love this tune! What songs do like to wake up to?

Thank You

Have I mentioned that Greg and I have the most generous parents? Seriously, we are beyond blessed. Couriers and postmen have been arriving at our home in a flurry over the past few days with a string of beautiful, modern - including a high chair, stroller and baby lounger - for our little guy. In honour of our parents, I wanted to offer this simple post as a public thank you for all your support, love and generosity. You're all going to make wonderful grandparents. Image via Anna Bond.

Mothers

In honour of Mother's Day (Happy Mother's Day Mom, Grandma, Nan and MIL!), here's a round up of some of my newly found favourite resources for parents of babies and tots in and around St. John's. If you're aware of other fun links, I'd love to hear about them, so please do leave a comment.

Other St. John's ParentBlogs:

• St. John's Mom
• St. John's Toddler
• Kids NL

Out and About Town With Baby - fun locations and activities for tots:

• Anna Templeton Centre
• Arts and Culture Centre
• Bowring Park
• Bumble Beats
• Brighter Futures
• Family and Childcare Connections
• Geo Centre
• Lester's Farm
• Munchkin Music Factory
• The Rooms

Baby Gear:

• Baby Gear to Share
• Bellies and Bundles
• Coo Chi Coo
• Gingersnap
• Kijiji
• O'Baby Swap and Shop - St. John's and Surrounding Areas (search on Facebook)
• The Tickle Trunk

Other Resources:

• Doula Collective NL
• St. John's Baby and Toddler

Image via Abby Sharp.

MOMA

In my favourite Dwell magazine to-date, there's a quote from one of the homeowners about how children appreciate modern design. While I've repeated this sentiment back to myself (and would like to believe it so), I'm not entirely convinced. My uncertainty seems confirmed in reading childrens' reactions to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Aren't they the cutest? Found via Handmade Charlotte.

Rainbow

This cake looks amazing! Via Bump Smitten.

Toy Chests

While there are so many fun, educational and colourful toy options out there to amuse baby, I am reluctant to accept that our now tidy home will be strewn with toys in a few short months. My first brainstormed solution to curb this anticipated clutter is to keep small toy chests/bins/baskets in our den, nursery and living room. This will allow us to sweep up the toys and stash them away with a moment's notice. It also ensures that there's always something fun available to occupy the baby no matter where in our house we're hanging out (with a three-story town home I'm reluctant to hike stairs all day with a newborn in my arms). Enter the Ruuturouva Basket from Marimekko for Crate & Barrel and you have the perfect storage unit for our den (or maybe the nursery). It's on my wish list.

Cabin

Spring is in the air so it's time to start bugging Katie again for a cabin. I think this one will get past the screening stage. Image from themoderncabin.

Closet

Our nursery closet is very similar to the original closet on Young House Love - narrow, no door, one rack and one shelf. But their solution proves to me that we can make that little space super functional for our son. I'm excited to get started. By way of progress thus far, I have a slew of baby hangers and a second rod ready for installation. The balance of work will have to be completed after the room is painted.