WAHM

When I was pregnant the question was often, "How are you going to do it when the baby comes?"

The "it" was work as much as I do and care for my children simultaneously and I said I didn't know, it would just work out. And it has, mostly. If I didn't love what I do so much I wouldn't be able to keep going the way that I do. I love knowing that I have a hand in one of the most important days in someone's life. I love being there when my clients create memories and I feel fortunate that I can put my creativity to good use. When I am not at home I never worry about Eloise and Spencer. I often feel guilty for leaving them so much and that my work takes up time that we should have together, but I never worry. My parents are dream caregivers and Chris is an exceptional Dad. In fact, Chris handles caring for both kids so well that at my last wedding he sent me a photo of Eloise in the bath, Spencer bathed and in bed. It was 6:56pm. I'm lucky if I get Eloise down by 8:30pm when I'm on my own.

The biggest struggle, I am finding, comes with the day to day. I am struggling to figure out the best way to handle endless emails, field phone calls and work on projects for clients while keeping both kids entertained, making sure everyone is fed and staying ahead of the housework. I never seem to accomplish it all in a day and if I don't write down what I need to do it doesn't happen. An entire conversation or idea gone - poof! - unless it's on paper.

What I am trying to do now, as a WAHM (that's Work at Home Mom), is not easy. My 'office' is in the middle of the living room which means shutting myself off to the needs of my children or only working when they are asleep or with my parents. My Mom & Dad often offer to help with the kids before I even have to ask, but I still run around like a crazy person trying to get it all done. These days I never sit down unless it is for the purpose of feeding Spencer or working on the computer, if I am up from my desk there is something to be done around the house. Phone calls are an opportunity to fold laundry.   

Last Saturday I took on my biggest wedding to date, doing all of the planning and handling all of the decor. I handmade each sign, every piece of stationery, picked up every decor item and assembled a team to set it all up. It was a lot to take on and in the week leading up to the wedding Chris was in Toronto where he was the best man in another wedding. I spent several late nights working on seating plans, making place cards and hand lettering chalkboard signs, scared that I could not complete everything during the day with both kids underfoot. My parents assisted a lot with Eloise and Spencer and it all worked out (of course), but a crazy few weeks and made me consider what I can do to make life easier on myself. For the sake of my family it might be time to hire in a little help.

Mid-Season Blues

I was up in Harrison Hot Springs for a wedding this weekend, but just as an Assistant. It had been a long week and my partner Devon insisted I come up to help for the evening, but only after I spent the day poolside (she sure knows how to drive a hard bargain). I even went to the gym in the morning, without the guilt of relying on my parents for childcare, putting off work or ignoring the housekeeping. It was only a few hours of solitude, but I can't express just how fantastic it was to be on my own. I read halfway through Revenge Wears Prada, finished the newest issues of US Weekly and listened to my favourite kind of playlist of Jay Z, Drake, A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce (and just a little Katy Perry) all while working on my tan.  

Molly is back from her family vacation now so I am back to juggling her schedule with ours. Getting Eloise and me up, fed, dressed and out of the house for the day is not so simple when mornings still require a good amount of time at the computer answering to clients. My house is a nightmare, Chris is neglected and a dozen more weddings to go this year lead to what Devon calls the mid-season blues. 

But will you have a look at Eloise and Molly on their first day back together? 

That's some pretty sweet sisterly love and I'm thankful to give them this time together, even if I am completely worn out. 

The Trouble with Vacation

The trouble with vacation is that it always ends too soon.

We took off for the Okanagan over May Long weekend for some R&R and ended our trip with a bang in Osoyoos for my best friend Lindsay's wedding. It was such a nice trip. The weather wasn't entirely amazing, but Chris and I got just what we needed: time to relax, time for Eloise and each other, and time to sleep. We also toured wineries, lots of wineries.

Eloise seems to have grown up more during our trip, increasing her vocabulary with more complex words (conversation, disappear, excellent) and full sentences, becoming more independant and keeping us wholly entertained with her energy and antics. She loved spending time with everyone at Grandma Pat and Grandpa Bill's, swimming in the pool, terrorizing the pets and galloping around the house several times over. She was such a good girl the whole trip I am reminded how lucky we are to have such a special, charismatic child to share with the world.

Here are a few snapshots from our time away.

"Grandpa Bill sits on the lawnmower. It's funny."

"I want to smell the wine. Mmm, smells good."

"I a bit scared to ride my bike. Too big for me." (maybe next time?)

"I drive the cart too, Dada."

The view from our suite at the lovely Spirit Ridge.

Have you ever seen a more beautiful bride? I am so lucky to have been part of Lindsay & Lorne's wedding with these amazing ladies, what a perfect way to complete our trip.

Five Weddings

And the theme of the year was weddings.

Over Labour Day weekend Chris and I attended wedding five out of five and ended our "year of weddings" with a bang. I should mention that only one of the five was in the City, so we were going to weddings literally all over the place - Puerto Vallarta, Toronto, Victoria and Quadra Island. My dear friend Ari's wedding to Tyler was the perfect way to finish with a weekend-long celebration on beautiful Quadra. It was a very special wedding and we had way too much fun with many of my oldest friends. Turns out these parents still know how to have a good time.

Don't get me wrong, I love weddings. Love, love, love weddings. But after attending five weddings since April I have learned that it is a very different thing to be a guest than to plan a wedding like I do for work. Travel plans and expenses, careful outfit selection and gift giving, being a guest requires personal rather than organizational planning, which turned out to be more challenging. Plus, if it's smoking hot like it was in Toronto you can't retreat to the kitchen with the caterers to cool off.

Next year I hope we can take it a little easier. I am already looking forward to the weddings of two of my best friends (that's you Linds & Kel!) and am planning to jam-pack my schedule with as many clients as I can handle, but for now I'm just happy to look back on the photos from this year's weddings with fondness.

Five weddings, five outfits and only one skirt repeat. Yay me!

Breezy and bright in Mexico for Devon & Kris.

Pastels and a fascinator at UBC Farm for Julien & Bracken.

Gauzy for 40+ degree weather in Toronto for Katherine & Gus.

Just the two of us (and a favourite dress) in Victoria for Ruth & Ricky.

Family time in a floor length dress for Ari & Tyler on Quadra.

Whimsical Weddings

Images from The Wedding Artists Collective homepage

Strolling through blogland yesterday I stumbled upon the beautiful wedding photography of Nashville-based photog Tec Petaja. His images have such a dreamlike quality, but what attracted me more than anything weren't his actual photographs (though they are very good!) but the totally amazing weddings he captures. Each and every wedding on his blog just looks so whimsical, so full of detail and so fun! What's more, Tec is part of a group called The Wedding Artists Collective which features an even greater selection of wonderful weddings on their blog as captured by a variety of photographers, an invitation designer and a videographer.

These truly inspirational sites are sure to keep my creative juices flowing in the lead up to wedding season!