Finally....eyebrow game in the DC girls house!!!

It only took one month short of 9 years but my beautiful, porcelain white skinned, blue eyed, blond haired child finally.......GREW EYEBROWS....THAT YOU CAN SEE! I was so excited when I looked at her and realized this this weekend that I could barely contain myself from squealing and jumping up and down in excitement. 

Keep in mind this is coming from her tan skinned, freckle faced, brown eyed, Mama who was practically born with ONE eyebrow across my forehead instead of two, and I could have used a good waxing or threading by the age of 2.

Thanks for that Russian and German heritage DAD! 

ME: "OMG! Look at me! You have eyebrows now! OMG! I can't believe it!  I've been waiting 9 years for you to get eyebrows!"



BELLA: "Moooooooooom. It's not THAT exciting. Geez. Stop hugging me so tight."


Am I the only Mom who get's excited about these silly little  things?  Wait......AM I?


Love,
Jess

Life with an almost 9 year old....priceless moment #12874387495809432

Last night after I made my loooooong ass commute home to the burbs from my office in Vancouver, I picked up my little lovely from her after school care program.  Nothing unusual about this, it's all part of our daily Monday to Friday routine.  However, the following 10 second conversation between us was one of my million reminders of why the commute, the long days, the tired nights, the expensive holidays and all the stress that goes along with being a Mama is well worth it! 

Me (Looking back at her in my rear-view mirror): "Have I told you how much I LOVE YOU yet today?"

Anabella (Not taking her eyes off her iPad): "Have I told YOU how much I LOVE YOU yet today?"

Me: "Have I told you how EXPENSIVE you are?"

Anabella (Still not flinching or taking her eyes of her iPad): Have I told you how PRICELESS you are?"

Awwwwwwww. I made her! That sweet, beautiful child is MINE. Well played my child. Well played. Or wait, did I just get played by my own child?

Moment's like that make everything worth it. 

What are your priceless moments? Do you capture them somewhere to share with your children when they grow up? A blog? Another creative way? Share with me please!

Love,
Jess

How many calories in a tooth...I wonder?

So Blondie McBlonderson has had four wiggly teeth for MONTHS.  She can barely eat and despite being in love with the the tooth fairy and counting down the years until she can get braces (she thinks getting braces is the coolest thing ever for some reason....who's kid is she again?),  she will not wiggle them or attempt to pull them out.  At Christmas I was so ready for the one tooth to come out, I told her that if her tooth came out the week of Christmas the tooth fairy leaves $20.00.  Usually money bribery will get this mama anything I want, but nope not this time.

 

The other day she was playing at a friends house on a first play date and somehow got hit in the mouth...bam...pow...3rd baby tooth of her lifetime popped out. SUCCESS!   Which brings me to the priceless moment part of this blog post..... 

 

The following day, Anabella and I were in the process of making popcorn and drinks to settle in for movie date together.  Anabella was excitedly chatting away and drawing when I asked her if she wanted a drink.  She walked over, grabbed a water bottle took a few chugs and walked away.  A couple minutes later she turned to me to say something and something was VERY different.....in that moment a look of shock crossed my face and at the same time a look of shock crossed hers....

"Mama....mama....I think.....my tooth....my tooth.....MOM.....MY TOOTH.  My tooth is gone!!! Where's my front tooth?"

 

Frantically she started running around looking for her top front tooth and to our horror it was nowhere to be found. 

 

"I SWALLOWED MY TOOTH! I SWALLOWED MY TOOTH! I can feel it in there!!!!"

 

I could not even contain myself....that little girl made me laugh harder than I've laughed in ages.  She looked in the mirror, and smiled so huge at the hole in her smile.  "I look so cool Mom." 

 

My little toothless wonder...

 

I can't believe she swallowed the damn tooth...the BIG one we've been waiting for, for MONTHS.  Her first "big" baby tooth to fall out and it's gone. Bam. Pow. Just like that. So, ow I'm left with this ever growing toothless adorable 7 year old blond child who has recently taken a liking to calling me "Jessica" instead of "Mama" and decided she wishes we were sisters, but that's an entirely different priceless moment post.

Dear Tooth Fairy...

God bless this beautiful girl and that toothless smile. Take a peak at her note to the tooth fairy and the tooth fairy's note back.  Her father and I don't see eye to eye on some things "magical" and have had one to many discussions about the tooth fairy's choices on financial compensation.  He's a stern $2.00 a tooth kinda man and I'm a flexible "thinks if you swallow a gigantic tooth you deserve some extra compensation" kinda mama.  Oh ya, now I remember reason #765473 we got divorced when she was 2. 

The tooth fairy also left a photo of herself and a second of her best friend on Anabella's iPad as per Anabella's request in the letter.  Who knew the tooth fairy would be so hot?

End of the day...my child believes in the tooth fairy, the love fairy, the easter bunny, the elf on the shelf, Santa Clause and all things magical. I'll keep the magic alive as long as humanly possible or die trying. You only have one time to get it right people....let your kids be kids. Let the magic be real. Let them BELIEVE.

Dear Anabella...



And a second tooth fairy note just in case the first one wasn't enough ;-)

My baby grew up...

Well today was another momentous day for the memory box. My baby who started her full day Montessori preschool at 2.5 years old while still wearing her "almost big girl" pull ups just had her very last end of year preschool picnic.  Where did the time go? I seriously blinked and she grew up?!

I didn't realize just how much until today when I sat and observed Bella amongst the newest little students (aka the "sleepers") of the school.  The newbies who are still so little that they toddle around needing their mamas and talking in their cute little "baby" voices.  Meanwhile in the background my BIG girl (aka the "kinders")  prances and runs and leads the other kids,  all while being a helper and assisting the teachers with all their "picnic responsibilities". She went from baby of the class to teachers helper and leader of the little girls in a few sweet breaths. 

Here are a few photos to remember her special day. I feel so fortunate to be able to spend these special moments with her. 

Remember these three things:

1) Your "grown up" life is always going to be busy.

2) There is NEVER going to be enough time in your day.

3) You only have ONE chance to get it right for your kids, so treat them like the gift they are and spend the time with them that matters.  You can't go back and have a "do over" for the days, months or years you miss.  So don't miss them. No matter what.

jess & bell xo

A few faves for the memory box....

Special gifts...

Special notes...

Love notes...

Funny faces...

Jess & Bella xo

Love. Lead by example...

People often ask me:

"Why are you so nice to your ex-husband after all that's happened and how can you stand living so close to him?"

Here's your answer:

This morning after a "ME" night I woke up missing my baby...got ready for work...and walked 4 minutes to his house where I crawled into bed with Bellabean and had morning snuggles for 20 minutes before I left for work. THAT is a blessing and luxury that I am grateful for. SHE deserves it and we are able to always put her happiness first. We are both happy, in love and moved on - but we are our own unique modern day jointly loving co-parenting Anabella "family".

This may not be the "fairytale" or "dream" I envisioned during my whirlwind relationship, pregnancy and marriage to her father but what it is - is a strong dose of maturity, love, selflessness, faith and commitment. Commitment to raising an authentic, happy, loving, confident, secure, kind, compassionate, trusting, bright, honest, forgiving, intelligent and open little girl who will one day become all of those things and MORE in a woman. Not because she was told how she should be or who she should become but because she was raised experiencing it, living it, observing it and learning by the example that has been set out for her by at the very least her Mama and fingers crossed her Daddy too.


Her Dad and I are both happily divorced and have both been blessed in our individual lives to have each found happiness with new partners who not only love us, but also love Anabella. I have a best friend and partner who not only accepts and loves me for exactly who I am, but who confidently and encouragingly stands beside me hand-in-hand and encourages me to continue to co-parent Bellabean with the consistency and stability she has grown accustomed to in her own "unique little modern day family".


Love. Lead by example.

May 2012





May 2012: Happy Bella=Happy Mama & Kent:-)



 

One year later.... "Free for all"

My oooooh my, who knew so much could change in one short little year?  Apparently, the year my daughter was 3 would turn out to be the year that barely was? Oh look, I blinked...it's gone. She's 4!  F-O-U-R.  My baby is now a "little big girl" and went ahead and got all independent and grew up on me.  

It's been a crazy two years since I first "restarted" this blog and apparently being a "separated(now divorced), co-parenting, single (now in love) super mama, sister, daughter, friend, girlfriend, ex-wife and Executive Assistant to a President & CEO" can really take up a lot of a gal's time.  So much in fact, that an entire year can pass between blog posts...oh wait....make that 15 months!  F-I-F-T-E-E-N entire months.  Yes, I spelled 15....I live with a four year old little girl who's obsessed with printing and spelling any and every word. So much has gone on this past year both personally, professionally and in Mama-world that I truthfully don't even know where to start. I'm thinking we'll call today's entry a "free for all" and just let it flow....

So in short this past year while I disappeared from the blog sphere:

• Mama turned 36.
• Bellabean turned 4.
• Auntie Tracy moved.
• Auntie Robbie moved.
• Auntie Bev moved.
• Uncle Jim went to heaven.
• Mama got contagious Pneumonia...and lived to tell about it (holy hell, that was the worst sickness I have ever experienced in my entire life)
• Bellabean became fully potty trained with no pull ups even through the nights (that was like a year ago though).
• Mama became the Executive Assistant to, not one but TWO, Presidents & CEO's of amazing companies. 
• Our bestie baby Kaya was born.
• Bellabean learned to spell and write:  her name, mama, daddy, nana, papa, cat, dog, pop, love, etc....
• Bestie baby Makenna was born.
• Mama had her very first Christmas Eve and Christmas morning without Bella...and it hurt....the joys of sharing a little girl.
• Baby Reagan was born.
• Bellabean learned addition and subtraction.
• Bellabean had her first pre-school graduation.
• Bellabean started finally eating meat, well chicken (which was a much needed addition to the only other meats, salami and bacon, that she'll eat) 
• Bestie baby Juliana was born.
• Bellabean's Daddy bought a townhouse in our neighborhood (just a brief 4 minute walk away and that's with a 4 year old walking....Ummmm..ya)
• Mama &  Daddy finally became officially D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D! (Does anyone else hear party blowers and see a fireworks display when they read this sentence? Just wondering.)
• Bellabean got her first "little big girl haircut" (and instantly went from my baby to my big girl)
• Mama  met her best friend and fell madly in love with him (the most amazing, adorable, kind, thoughtful, funny, active, loving, motivated, smart, loyal, dedicated man...Kent)
• Bellabean became obsessed with making lists and writing lists on the topic: "What makes a good neighbour".  
• Bellabean started sleeping in her big girl bed in her big girl room all  by her big girl self:-)

I can't wait to start writing again, for my beautiful little girl who will be 16 years old the next time I blink my eyes.  I feel like I've missed writing about so many amazing moments we've had over the past year, but I'm certain I'll make up for it this next year.  

Another year has come and gone, I've weathered the entire divorce storm from beginning to official end and I can still stand today with my head held high, my integrity intact, a smile on my face, love in my heart and say that without question: creating, growing, birthing, raising, sharing and loving Anabella April Gracie has been the absolute biggest blessing and best thing I have ever done in my entire life.  Any one, any experience, any hurt, any personal growth and change it took along the way to have her was well worth it for the blessing of her sweet, smart, stubborn, sassy, beautiful, cheeky, thoughtful, loving, blond haired, blue eyed "big little girl" self in my life.  She makes me wake up every single day smiling, genuinely happy and striving to be the example I want her to not only see, but BE. She makes me want to be a the best woman I can be but accepts me and loves me for exactly who I am.  Anabella's Mama.

xo

J&A

Winter Love...

Stylish little diva...even in the ice cold snow.  We'll be happy when winter is OVER:-))

Happy 35th Birthday to me....

Better late than never....

Had an amazing 35th birthday weekend. My first birthday as a separated woman....have to say I think 35 is the new 21;-)

Mama's night out with two amazing wing-women followed up by a morning cupcake surprise from Blondie McBlonderson and finally a birthday feast at the Mamanista BFF's house.  Big thanks to Kelly & Erin!  

And of course, the missing Calgary BFF sent a photo message from the airport in Thailand that made me SMILE. (Hint: It's the last photo of the set, and check out the photo Jewels is holding:-))

Feeling beyond blessed for the amazing family, friendships and love in my life.

Priceless Moment #14: Happy 3rd Birthday Wishes...

"Mama, I open the pink one first!!!"

So last night on the night of Anabella's actual 3rd birthday...


(We had an island family birthday party last weekend with balloons and presents and cake and kids. Then on the big day she had a birthday morning "Timmy's" breakfast "all together" with her Daddy AND Mama and then a morning full of opening presents from Mama, Nana & Papa, and Aunties. And now tonight we have a third little birthday dinner with her little best friend Elliot....so I guess when you turn 3 you get three little parties instead of ONE GIANT party like the two birthday years prior!)


I got her a special birthday cupcake, put a "3" candle in it,  walked up to where Anabella was snuggled into the sofa, knelt down and held the flaming cupcake before her and sang the entire Happy Birthday song to her alone for the first time ever.


The smile and look of love and amazement on her face was priceless. 


After she blew out the candle, I said "Make a WISH Anabella".  Without hesitation she smiled,  looked me straight in the eyes and said:

"I wish for me and my Mama and my Daddy to ALL play together."

Simplicity.  My daughter reminds me daily how easy life really should be.  All the presents in the world... the biggest party in the world...can't make up for what she really truly wants, craves and needs (along with every other child ever born) "To play with her Mama & Daddy TOGETHER".


Thank you Anabella April Gracie for blessing my life in a way I didn't know existed, teaching me life lessons every single day that I didn't even realize I needed to learn, rewarding me in abundance, loving me unconditionally, making me giggle like a school girl, showing me the bigger picture, bringing out the best of me and still loving the worst of me, and reminding me of how simple life really is when you open your eyes and your heart.

Eating her red velvet birthday cupcake with pink sprinkles...

What she woke up to... 

"But Mama, how you do this bow?" 

Tangled Princess Doll for Princess obsessed Bellabean

"It's just what I wanted Mama!!!"

Barbies, barbies and more barbies...my girl loves her barbies
 ("Just like Jaidah & Lainah Mama!")

Someone was excited to get a CRAFT BOX from Nana & Papa...

Priceless Moment #13: Alien Girl Friend...

"Alien GIRL Friend"

"Alien GIRL Friend" not to be mislabeled or confused as "Alien BOY Friend"  has become a firm and constant presence in our life this past month. I'm not quite sure what day she showed up or where she came from, but I can safely say she has NEVER left and I don't really see any signs of her leaving Bella's side anytime soon.


"Alien Girl Friend" goes everywhere Anabella goes, plays with Anabella, eats with Anabella, goes to school with Anabella, sleeps with Anabella and apparently even sleeps with ME.  When I asked Bella if  "Alien Girl Friend" gets squished when I roll over in my sleep, she confidently said "Oh no Mama, when you roll over - Alien Girl Friend rolls over too."


One day after a frantic, upset search of the house and no sign of "Alien Girl Friend" anywhere, we even had to call her Daddy to see if "Alien Girl Friend" was hanging out at his house.  Thankfully she was safely staying at Bella's daddy's house and that seemed to relieve her fear of "Alien Girl Friend" being lost. This was some SERIOUS business and there were even tears shed over the concern for "Alien Girl Friend's" safety.


A couple of days ago at about 10pm Anabella went up to her Auntie Robbie and asked her to turn on the computer for her.  When Auntie Robbie told her it was too late and asked why, she told her that it was very important and she needed to send an email to her "Alien Girl Friend".


Everything we do and everywhere we go, "Alien Girl Friend" is there.


Today, Bella's Daddy called me to tell me that Bella has informed him that her "Alien Girl Friend" is also a princess who has a Mommy and Daddy who don't live together either.  She told her Dad that her and her "Alien Girl Friend" are "the same".


Oh my....my heart broke and I smiled so huge all in one split second. From the mouths of babes.


Bless my little girl and bless her "Alien Girl Friend".


The good news is that "Imaginary Friends" are a common and positive trait amongst 3 year olds.  It's a sign of great creativity and imagination. Clearly this little Alien has arrived for a reason and seems to bring some form of happiness and peace to Anabella.  Wouldn't it be great if we could just imagine up our own special little friends who could bring along with them a sense of happiness and peace for OUR lives?  Oh in a perfect world.


Love my girl.

Love....

My goal in 2011 is to continue to raise my (our) beautiful, healthy, happy, loving, open, sweet, considerate, funny little girl with LOVE. Lots and lots and lots of LOVE.

To be the BEST co-parent the world has ever seen and to continue to practice forgiveness, patience, integrity, faith, friendship and unconditional love. 

To lead by example not just words and to cherish each and every day for whatever it may bring me US.

Anabella LOVES spending time with her "Mama & Daddy together".  Since Mama & Daddy have been separated for 8 months now,  this is something we are both happily and easily able to do FOR HER.  Still seeing us as a "family unit" of sorts makes our daughter happy and SHE is what matters most to the both of us. 

To all my friends out there with children who are going through the trials and tribulations of separation and divorce? I leave you with this final thought: Our children's peace of mind, our children's happiness, our children's stability, our children's love, our children's security is what truly matters most at the end of each and every day. DIG DEEP. You only have one chance to "get it right".   

Below are some photos from our "family time" at the park by the ferry.  Look at Anabella's little face....need I say more???

Bellabean & her Mama

Cheeky Monkey

Bella & her Daddy playing hide and seek

Bella & Mama

Secrets

 Bellabean & Daddy

End of a year...Good-Bye 2010, HELLO 2011!!!

It's here.
It's official.
We have all survived another year.


This is the last day AND the last blog post of 2010. The next time I wake up, the next time I'm typing my blog post it will be "2011 - The best year ever". Mark my words people, I know this for a fact. I can feel it in my bones:-))


2010 may have been the worst and best year of my entire life all wrapped up into one perfect little package of life lessons and self growth.  A year of extreme lows combined with extreme highs and a few thousand other emotions and experiences in between.  There were days I thanked my lucky stars and grinned from ear to ear, followed by days that I practically cried myself to sleep and thought it was truly possible to cry myself to death.  But through all of it I grew and I grew and I GREW as a woman, as a daughter, as a sister, as a friend and most importantly as a MAMA and I learned more about myself this past year than I ever did in the 33 years prior to that combined.

I learned what defines true success. Love.

I learned what makes the difference between a house and a home. Love.

I learned what truly matters in a child's eyes. Love.

I learned what defines a true, unconditional friendship. Love.
I learned humility. Love.

I learned who and what matters in my life and why. Love.

I learned the true definition of "integrity". Love.

I learned how to truly smile and be happy. Love.
I learned faith. Love.

I learned how to properly hurt and heal. Love.
I learned patience. Love.

I learned how and what creates laughter. Love.

I learned why life is worth taking risks. Love.

I learned acceptance. Love.

I learned FORGIVENESS. Love.

I am so grateful for the change, growth, experience, love and wisdom that 2010 brought both me and my beautiful little Bellabean.  I am POSITIVE that 2011 will be the best year ever and "2010" will merely be a brief reflection and reference point of just how great a year 2011 and the rest of the years to follow really are.


I feel overwhelmed with gratitude and love for my amazing, beautiful, loving and independent almost 3 year old little big girl.  She is FULL of personality and love and fire...and she is my walking, living proof that every little thing happens for a reason.  

Good-bye 2010 and all that you have taught us. HELLO 2011 we can't wait to see what you have in store for us. BRING IT!!!

Lots of love,

Jessy & Bellabean