Eloise by the Sea...

Just got back from our first vacation with Eloise... A beach getaway to Southampton, Ontario. You may remember last years trip here.  It was a little different this time around. This year not being pregnant was pretty awesome to say the least but I quickly learned that vacations with babies aren't exactly relaxing. Eloise decided that sleeping on vacation wasn't really something she wanted to do so we didn't do much of it. Not exactly what I had in mind but it was pretty exciting showing her the beach and letting her explore. She was particularly impressed by waves, flags, and grass. The week was exhausting but I'm sure looking back we will remember it fondly. Not living in the same city as our parents make weeks together more special. Here are some pics of our time away.

It started with some much needed unwinding after a long drive. We used a car service which made the journey pretty stress free but travelling anywhere with a baby has its challenges. Have you ever nursed a baby in a car seat while still wearing your seat belt? I have.

 Aww yes, the empty beach...the best part.

 The Uppababy...king of all strollers.

 She's snorkeling with excitement.

  Baby tourist.

 So many patterns!

 I'm obsessed with this hat...all the way from Australia! (thanks Jenny and Ryan)

 She wasn't impressed.

 

And after a night of no sleep...neither was I.

 But how can you resist that face!

 Old cars, oldies beats, and I'm eating an ice cream cone...pretty solid day.

 Her first sunset but I don't think she cared.

 Lanterns and fireworks make any trip special.

 Post card.

 SAND

 My new profession? Family stylist.

Hope you're all having a nice day...It's been a while since we've talked. I'm the worst blogger ever. : )

Love Desiree

xo

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Help a Brother Out!

I am absolutely beaming with pride this morning! My youngest brothers Asa and Colton have officially announced the opening of their brewery: Brothers Brewing Company, located in Pelham, Ontario.
 This has been such a labour of love and I am so happy to see their dream coming together after watching the many years of hard work they put into it.  I have NEVER met harder working or more sincere young men in all my days and I'm not just saying that because they're my brothers; they really are something special. They've been working toward this brewery since before they were even legally allowed to buy beer! In high school, while many of their friends were simply mastering the art of chugging beer, these two were learning how to brew it, reading as many books on the subject as they could... and of course taking a break every once in a while to sip a 70 year old stout (or some equally obscure beer... I really have no idea). 

When they graduated they both got jobs right away and began working like crazy to save up enough money to start school the next year. When you're the youngest from a family of five the bank of mom and dad is pretty tapped out and you learn the value of money fast, and how to earn it. Asa enrolled in the Brewmaster course at Niagara College and Colton started his business degree at Brock University. With the help of my mom and dad they lived at home and studied diligently. Since then they have blown me away with how far they've come: Colton has excelled in University and is currently in something like the top 20 percent of all business students in Ontario, and Asa has finished his course with top grades, a spot on The Rick Mercer show, and had a ton of job offers right off the bat! He started with Sleemans and is now a brewer with Muskoka Brewery. He built a brew system for a local craft brewery, one for himself of course, and made a ton of amazing beers for the family to enjoy. I am eager to finally try some now that I'm not pregnant! Colton, meanwhile, has been working with Sawdust City Brewery on a coop placement where he's been able to help them open from the ground up.  

 

The community element of their business is really important to them as well. Our family has lived in Pelham for hundreds of years....on the same road no less! Needless to say they're pretty passionate about the area, its history and it's people and want to celebrate it doing what they love with the people they love, in a place that they love! I'll drink to that!

Long, gushy story short: they're an amazing team and teach each other everything they know so they can both be more knowledgeable on beer-making and business. Plus I don't think you could find a better business partner than your own twin brother! They were made to work together! They're both holding down full time jobs right now, starting up this brewery, and have managed to hold onto their beautiful girlfriends... When do these kids sleep?! I really believe they have the drive, skill, and the talent to make this thing happen. Funding, however, is a bit harder to come by, which is why they've started a Kickstarter Campaign.  The goal is to reach 25k by May 30th. The prizes are pretty great but the personal satisfaction of seeing these boys succeed would be prize enough for me so I think you should...Help a  Brother Out!

  

Thanks for reading!

Love Desiree

Check out the Kickstarter here
Like them on Facebook here

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Love...

I didn't think it was humanly possible to love James more than I did last Valentines Day, but alas, I do:) I think having his baby had something to do with it. I don't normally feel it necessary to publicly announce my love via social media but once a year I make an exception. This man of mine, goddam he's one of a kind! On top of giving me the most beautiful gift of all...Eloise, and being the ultimate husband and father, he also left these on my vanity this morning...

 

Whaaat?! Aren't they gorgeous! Something straight off my blog. : ) He picked out each flower himself. Be still my heart!

What a guy...

I love you James!

So f&*%ing much!

xo

 

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Introducing Eloise!

Goooood morning internet! My, my, it's been a long time... To the handful of you still reading this...thanks for holding out for the past 9 months. :) I was busy making a human!

This is Miss Eloise Mae...our darling daughter born Friday December 13th 2013.

I'm so happy and relieved to finally have her in my arms and out of my body! : ) I've been trying to write this post for a while now but for one, I spend most of my day elbow deep in poop, breast milk and baby vomit, and two, it's difficult to put this whole experience into words, but I'd like to try...if not just for me, for other moms or moms to be.

2013 is a blur.  I spent 9 months of it feeling like TOTAL crap, 30 hours feeling like I will never do this again, and then the final couple weeks feeling like I'd been given the most precious gift that I must protect at all costs.  A responsibility I was elated to have but also one that weighed/weighs heavy on my newly jumbo sized and very vulnerable heart. The first couple nights were hard. We didn't have a clue what we were doing. I felt like I had been through a battle of epic proportions and desperately needed to sleep and recuperate but also had this new person to take care of. Thankfully we all survived and found our groove and Eloise is already sleeping 6 hours straight at night, having a feed and then sleeping another 3 or 4! I know, it doesn't seem fair that we're so well rested but I think it's the least the pregnancy gods could do after giving me a full term of morning sickness!

Maternity leave is pretty great obviously...especially knowing that it's -30 below and I don't have to go outside...EVER. Eloise and I spend our days cuddling on the couch, doing photo shoots in her cute little outfits, listening to music, and of course eating, eating, eating,pooing, pooing, pooing, and puking, puking,puking. Surprisingly that pretty much fills the day. She takes a few short naps when I do stuff like blog, read a book, call my mom and eat a meal. When James comes home he takes the little munchkin off my hands and I take a bath and relax for a bit.  I take her back and he cooks dinner while I feed her hers...We sit her in her little Winnie The Poo chair and she watches us eat...We all cuddle up on the couch for an episode or two of Homeland and then it's off to bed. Happiness doesn't even begin to cover it.  This is the life I always wanted. : )

Okay, that's it for the gushing. I'm sure things will continue to change as she grows but I'm trying to savor every moment because time already seems to be flying by. I've barely unpacked my hospital bag and she's going to be a month old in a few days.

Anyway, I better get going...I can smell poop...but the blog is back so check back often!

Lots of love,

Desiree

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Southampton

Hello again lovelies! Now that I'm out with my big secret I feel like I can finally start blogging freely again!

I'll start by sharing with you my week away in Southampton.  It's a quiet little beach town in Saugeen Shores near Port Elgin and I have a feeling this trip was the first of many more in my future.  I absolutely LOVED it!  James used to vacation there with his family every year growing up until he turned 14 and stole a bottle of Gin from them which abruptly ended the tradition.  They finally forgave him for being a shitty little kid and treated us to a pretty little cottage getaway.  A baby moon if you will… : ) I didn't have to cook or clean all week (not that I've been doing much of that lately anyway) and I spent my days laying on the beach, swimming, reading, knitting little baby things, eating baked goods, french fries and ice cream and taking upwards of two naps a day.  It was heavenly.  Exactly what I needed in the midst of this intense summer heat.  I tried my best to capture it all…hence the numerous photos and music video at the end…

Check it out…you may just want to head that way yourselves…

 

 Our home away from home...

Beach finds!

Such pretty little houses...

I was tired just watching him so I took a nap and ate another tart.

 William had a terrible sunburn after his nap

So he was careful the following day...

  

We took a short drive over to this beautiful church on the reserve...the grounds were pretty stunning.

 

Local knitting club.  They called themselves The Knitwitts... : ) Hilary and I were honourary members for the day but we were having too much fun and had to cut our stay short... ; )

James skips the stones and I collect the perfect skippers...we make a good team...

Will deep in thought debating whether to ever leave this place...

Glamour shots

We visited James' cousin Joyce...that's her in the picture...

French fries and milkshakes anyone!? Yes please! Don't judge me...I'm on vacation AND I'm pregnant...I'll take two of each!

Childlike sense of wonder.. : )

Car show!

Freshly bakes scones with cream and strawberries??? Sure...bring it over. : )

The downtown drag...

Happy.

And now for the music video!!!  Check it out!

Southampton from The Farmer's Only Daughter on Vimeo. Pin It