lgbtq

Back to Work – Oh, No! OOTW

style

I have been making the very best of it in nursing gear and feeling more and more comfortable with a messy bun, leggings and duck boots as my daily go-to. But lo and behold, it’s time to go back to work. Mat leave is done. Sob.

So, I cut my hair. And scoured the internet for outfit inspo to return to the daily grind (and not the kind that involves scouring the floor for renegade cheerios and packing, repacking and schlepping a diaper bag all over the city). I tried to make my life easier by inviting myself to a party  – a plan two weeks of outfits so you can get up at 5 am, get a one year old ready, get out the door on time and go be profesh… without having to think of what you’re wearing. It’s the weekly meal-prep of outfits.

Chop chop! First, I needed a fresh bang to start work and feel as cool as the new near-zero temperatures.

 

From Monday to Friday, I basically recreated these looks:

 

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From Dress Design Queen

 

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For the snow day… black sweatshirt and tee, with a toque and leather jacket.

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From Always Judging: crisp oversized dress shirt with big gold chains (buttoned up, obvs). High waisted denim. Leopard print oxfords. Red lip.

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Merrick’s Art : This blog has a great range of wearable inspiration and outfit ideas. 

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Who What Wear – check it out

Crushed it. First week down. The funny thing is… I feel like I never left. Maybe some of that is dressing for something other than nursing. And dressing for myself was pretty key to feeling right at home in front of a class for the past five days. Can’t wait to keep this pretty ball rolling.

Real talk. It’s hard to pull it together she. Your day starts at 5 am.

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Out and Proud

Love, Open Letters, Wedding

Saw a lovely post from a teacher who speaks about coming out, after marrying her wife.

He roost reminded me why I came out and keep coming out each year, each semester, in each new class. Being out in my classroom is one of the most valuable lessons and teachable moments I have to offer. It shows closeted kids or those with queer family that it’s possible to live a beautiful, rich and happy life; to be a professional; to be respected and successful as a queer person.

What else motivates me to be out in my classroom? It provides visibility and hope to kids and a learning opportunity about the diversity within our community. So many important steps towards inclusion and acceptance begin with the risk of being seen. For many it is about knowing someone and having that relationship spark the curiosity to question what we have learned or previously taken as truth. It’s hard to bear hatred or intolerance when you have a face to put to the name, whatever the marginalized group or person may be. I am their teacher. Someone they know and care about. Someone who has modelled caring and for respect for all the things that make them who they are. I actively teach anti-oppression and critical thinking about diversity, myth-busting the rhetoric that too frequently is used to promote intolerance.

If it’s safe to do so… come on out. Our kids need to see you there.

Jet Set – Travel to Jamaica with our Little One

Indulge, Mom and Babe

K getting comfy for his second trip. Photo: @thisiseyecandytoronto

We are off again, this time to Jamaica for a wedding. Last time we travelled, he was 2.5 months. Now he will be 7 months. Here is our list of top tips from our travels the first time, followed by an itemized (to the last detail) list of what is in his (and our) suitcase.

Our first trip was to Mexico with a 2.5 month old. I was and still am breast feeding, with some bottles to supplement and he is sleeping in a travel crib.  In Nuevo Vallarta, we had a dishwasher while there, but also boiled bottles on the stove to sterilize. We brought a carryon with his formula and diapers and packed his clothes with our stuff.  Since he wasn’t mobile we had his infant car seat and stroller for the car rides and for getting around the condo, amenities and city.

For our Jamaica trip with a seven month old, skip to the next section.

FOR MEXICO

For a 14 day trip, here’s what worked for us:

-our regular infant carseat strapped into back seat of taxis and shuttle, rear facing, using seat belt
-some people hold their babies on transit (don’t know if you’re comfortable with this; I wasn’t)
-beware the cobblestone streets, it made wheeling a napping baby around a bit touch and go
-used coconut oil as sun protection (but kept him totally out of sun/shaded/screened)
-took a baby carrier, but it was quite hot to wear an infant! This was a good option for shorter trips
-people were so lovely with baby and very friendly.
-breast fed everywhere I went – literally everywhere.
-I was nervous for the flight, but fed him while I was going up and down
-take a change for baby (several) and for you (poop explosion on landing made me VERY happy I had a change of top (couldn’t change him due to turbulence)
-took a travel bassinet which was great cause we could drape it (no bugs and shaded) for when he slept indoors and out. It’s a small folding kind that fits easily in a suitcase and under the stroller.
-I took a small rolling suitcase of formula and extra diapers so we’d have what he is used to – ready to serve Good Start (so we didn’t have to mix at all).
-I had a drink while feeding or right after, which meant I didn’t need to dump. Fed him formula if I’d had more than one drink.
-Try not to be nervous. It was a great vacation, but the pace is TOTALLY different than before I had a baby (which I expected).

And I also have a few things to add to the list, now that baby will be older:

  • travelling with a baby I have considered bringing along my nursing pillow for the flight and a large outdoor blanket to use in the airport (one that folds up really nicely – that way when waiting at the airport and at the resort we can let him do floor time)
  • Having a roll of dog poop bags would be handy for diapers
  • Bring a plastic bag big enough to wrap around your baby in case of gate-side blowouts or deplaning incidents
  • quiet activities for the plane
  • hard bottomed shoes for when he wants to ‘walk’ around on public surfaces

FOR JAMAICA

We checked out a great photo popup museum called This Is Eye Candy for these fun family shots

 

GEAR

  • Graco Infant Carseat
  • Diaper Bag
  • Stroller gate-check bag
  • Collapsible umbrella stroller
  • Blanket/quilt
  • Jolly Jumper for playtime at the hotel and my in-laws’ house
  • clip on Inglesina travel high chair (also figure we can leave him in this at the table to play)
  • Inflatable pool floatie/chair with sunshade
  • Milk Snob stroller cover for shade in his carseat
  • UV/solar blocking bug net for stroller
  • Stroller pad with heat-reducing cushion
  • Carabiners for attaching diaper bag to the collapsible umbrella stroller
  • Mattress cover for hotel crib mattress (washable)
  • Beco baby carrier
  • one soft toy, a rattle and a few chew toys 
  • baby stroller clip-on battery powered fan ** a mom friend recommended this!

Health and Care Products

  • Nosefrida and saline drops
  • Camelia and Coryzalia natural remedies for tummy upset and congestion
  • Infant Tylenol
  • Bottles (2) 
  • Formula (premixed)
  • squeezie packs of food, baby Mum Mums, dissolving star crackers, baby oat cereal
  • diapers and swim diapers (plus reusable swim covers)
  • wipes
  • thermometer
  • sleep owl nightlight and sound machine
  • body wash and shampoo, lotion and diaper cream
  • 2 baby spoons, 1 bowl, 1 360 sippy cup
  • noise cancelling headphones
  • sunglasses
  • bibs
  • Change of clothes in the diaper bag (2 for baby, one for mommy)
  • Vitamin D drops
  • Baby sunscreen
  • Anti-mosquito stickers for baby’s clothes
  • Baby cot mosquito net
  • Medication and vitamins for mommy (in my case, daily vitamin and Domperidone)
  • video monitor

Clothes

  • swim diapers (2)
  • rashguard suits (3)
  • towel (if there aren’t ones at the hotel) and washcloth
  • socks
  • 3 pairs shoes
  • bibs (4 for drool, 3 for feeding)
  • 3 footed sleepers
  • 5 pairs of shorts
  • 3 pairs of pants
  • 2 hoodies
  • one long sleeve linen shirt
  • 6 short sleeved bodysuit
  • 13 shorties onesies (rompers). We figure he’ll go through two a day of these.
  • 2 burp cloths, 3 large muslins (1 each for the plane)
  • change pad
  • wet-dry bag
  • 2 swim hats, one cap
  • 1 short romper for wedding. 1 longsleeve wedding ‘gentleman’s suit’

 

Off we go! Wish us luck and let us know if there is anything I forgot on this list!

Weekend Getaway

Mom and Babe

I love a quick jaunt out of town. Getting out of the house with baby is a must for this stir crazy new mom.

I headed to Niagara on the Lake, picturesquely snow-dusted and quaint, for four days – while my wife went to Montreal on location for a work shoot.

Travelling with little man is much easier with a solid place to land and since my parents retired in Niagara, it makes for an easy retreat … replete with breweries, trivia nights, great restaurants and all the charm of a turn of the century village – (plus nana and papa’s house has lots of great toys).

Falling asleep early with the moon over the snowy orchards is also pretty sweet. As is having a few extra sets of hands to make showering and brushing your hair possible.

Niagara on the lake, NOTL to the locals, makes for a nice relaxing staycation (with family). And just like that, our little babe is 15 weeks old. We played cards, ate half priced filet mignon burgers and beer tastings. It gave us both a chance to get dressed up to go out.

At Oast House Brewery a gentleman came up to tell us that my son was the best dressed person in the bar. In buffalo plaid, he matched the barkeep and was channeling Gaston (in style only) for an Uber-ironic nod to lumberjacks and small-batch-brewing hipster style.

Side note: If you ever wondered who goes to breweries and keeps them open on a weekday?…it’s a popular meetup spot for nursing Moms. No lie. Seriously… we were at Henderson’s Brewery in Toronto last week, in a snowstorm, on a Tuesday and it was FULL of mommies with babes in arms.

Cheers to another beautiful week with this little guy!

Where is your favourite go-to quick getaway?

Travel with Baby

style

Planning our trip to Mexico with a two month old, was a great challenge for these new moms. It was a grand success. Check out the photos at the end. Drumroll…here is what we packed:

  • Infantino Carrier
  • Travel bassinet
  • wipes
  • diapers and swim diapers
  • formula (pre-mixed or concentrate)
  • birth certificate, parent letter and passport
  • breast pads/washable inserts
  • pump (we skipped this since I’m now producing enough milk on my own, with some formula top-ups)
  • bottles and tops, enough to have spares
  • lactation aide (we also skipped this)
  • baby shampoo, creams (diaper cream, lotion, etc.), bug repellent (safe for babes)
  • rashguard, swim diaper, sunhat and sun glasses
  • baby headphones
  • pacifier/soother
  • clothes
  • carseat, base (or learn to safely install without the base), stroller attachment
  • changes of clothes for you
  • I’m investigating, in advance of travel, to see if our destination stocks the formula, diapers and other things we like for baby. If we can avoid taking a week’s supply, that will really save on space 
  • Also, look up whether breast feeding in public is safe/legal/recommended in your destination
  • Sleep Sheep or white noise machine
  • medications (like Domperidone, for me)
  • vitamins for you and vitamin D for baby
  • coconut oil for sun protection for the babe
  • a UV protecting cover for the stroller. Jolly Jumper makes a great one and Milk Snob has a great cover that doubles as a nursing screen
  • Diaper cream and corn starch
  • Baby paper and some simple toys (we ended up getting some beautiful, colourful pompom garlands in a market, which he couldn’t take his eyes off. These now hang over his change table! But careful that he isn’t unsupervised, as with anything that involves string)
  • Nosefrida (for air travel and stuffiness)
  • Infant Tylenol
  • Gripe Water if you have a gassy baby
  •  

We upgraded our tickets and baby’s first trip was in Business Class.

First Class Flyer – extra leg room, wider seats and a bulkhead gave us ample room for him. No tears at all on either flight to and from Mexico! Bravo little traveller!
This was the main entrance to the condos we called home for two weeks.
Watching the sunrise. Three generations.
A boy and his Mama
They see me Strollin’


Sun-protected

For Clothes, we knew we’d have access to in-suite laundry, so we packed:

Bibs

Layettes

Shorts and pants

Short-onesies/rompers (this was the majority of the outfits)

Pajamas – for the plane and at night with the A/C

Burp cloths and muslin wraps

Socks

A knit jacket/sweater for air conditioned spaces and the plane

Swimsuits/rashguard

Sunglasses

Hats

Copy of his birth certificate, immunization record, passport, health card

Swimming with baby was an amazing first.

We loved all the time with each other, with him and with our family. For the rest of the trip photos, scroll down, past the last of the items from our travel must-haves.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Fanny pack, a carry on for us, carry on Diaper bag, small purse, big suitcase x 2 (one for us and one for all the baby stuff), a small suitcase of diapers and formula.

We made a call to set up/confirm our travel insurance/health insurance, etc.

We arranged a cat and house sitter, and also opted to use the Park ‘N Fly valet service (plus detailing) so we came home to a happy cat, safe home and a clean car.

Adios, Mexico and Gracias for a great first vacay with our blossoming family.

 

Now, listen…
Always time for a tasty snack.

Enamoured of pom poms


Stroller styles


Our little global traveller


Nautical vibes

Out at the Tuesday Market


Family photo at NickSan

Baby-wearing

Big Baby-sized Beer

Hot Mama, with our Milk Snob Stroller cover

Babiators. And a babe x2
Hard to believe our little one is 11 weeks old!

What are your travel must-haves? Share your faves in the comments!

Week 38 Bump OOTD

style

Still rolling along with little one on slow cook. Fall temperatures have brought some relief, but Summer seems to be making a comeback with some warm and sunny weather. This far along, dresses are my best friend.

Lots of dresses in my life, from top left, Anthropologie navy with white dots, Winners red and black mod flowers, psychedelic silky tunic from a clothing swap, and an oversized black and white spotted Zara dress shirt with peplum. All worn with some variation of black leggings and boots or jeans and boots. Never skip a chance to wear your res lipstick (if you’re into that sort of thing).

Baby Shower in Town

Indulge

Maternity leave has started, leaving time for a bit more writing and… waiting. So here come the throw-backs.  Allia and I were so blessed to have two gorgeous baby showers thrown in honour of our pending arrival. The first was summertime barbecue, with beautiful weather, beautiful friends and family. The second was at a friend’s stunning farmhouse Country Showers Bring Sweet … Horses!

We are so lucky to have a warm, wild and fiercely loving group of family and friends-who-are-like-family to help celebrate and guide us as we get ready to be mamas. This was shower number one of two and we already feel so spoiled… all smiles, all day. #thankyou!!! #lesbianmoms #babyshower #rainbowfamily

A backyard bbq, swimming pool and games for the kiddos was a hoot. The weather was cooperative and the decor was handmade by yours truly and my friend Lindsay.

My friends and family are a colourful bunch. My mom, in yellow, is over the moon about the upcoming arrival.

Whether poolside, or the country equivalent, being surrounded by loved ones helps the anticipation build and shows you what an incredible community is waiting to love your little one and support you on that journey.

Cheers! We are officially past-due.

Week 37 Bump OOTD

style

My last week at work flew by and I can hardly believe it’s maternity leave, starting today. I’m feeling bigger than ever, but I’ve definitely got the hang of planning outfits that still make me feel like I’ve got some personal style, as well as being comfortable – to whatever degree you can be comfortable when your bump is this big.

From top left-

1- I got this tiny floral print pink and tangerine blouse from a clothing swap, layered over a tank and paired with fall lips and nails. Simple gold jewelry.

2- This is a pre-pregnancy favorite: a gray and black striped oversize sweater, with a wide, long torso and fitted sleeves. Black jeans and a glass and silver necklace from Toronto designer Biko.

Bottom-

3- One of my very favourite sweaters, in a blanket print, maxi length with a hood and bell sleeves, from Free People. This necklace, a gift from my friend, who picked it up at H&M for a song, really takes things up a notch when layered with my summer slip dress in slate gray.

4- My wife is a fan of two things, the colour blush, and oversized, drapey tops. Fortunately this is perfect for third trimester. This blush tank is super soft and works as a base layer, under a floral kimono, with my everyday nameplate necklace from Seven Reasons and some swapped earrings.

5- This is my witchy outfit- A broad brimmed black hat, soft T-shirt style black sweater tunic, black leggings, black Blundstones, and a maxi length lace and fringe vest… Also black. I almost feel ‘not pregnant’ in this.

Maybe now that I’m on that leave, I will abandon all efforts to look pulled together. But probably not 😉

35 and 36 weeks

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Count it out! Just a few weeks to go and I’m not running out of ideas yet. But I’m ready, physically, for this to be done!

Left to right, top to bottom:

Thyme Maternity floral bump dress, I borrowed from a friend, worn with brown ankle boots, navy blue leggings, and a mask coloured duster jacket and gold geometric earrings.

Fab fit fun multicolour wrap scarf in orange fuchsia and purple, worn over a Zara XL purple V-neck tunic. With jeans and cute flats.

Black and gray 90s vintage dress, from my mother’s closet! This Maxi is stretch cotton and paired with a simple black necklace and slick ponytail, I looked way to pull together for someone who is basically wearing what feels like a nightgown.

Bottom row: Hoibo (local Toronto designer) black sleeveless swing dress, midi length, with matching nail polish and subtle purple gloss, paired with H&M tassel earrings, and a seven-year-old H&M lace top in aubergine, tucked up to accommodate the belly.

Mendocino sleeveless waffle turtleneck, tunic length, over dark denim with a feather pendant necklace and burgundy lips. Fall booties are a must, with low stack heel.

Next, from left to right:

Red and navy striped dress from market in the UK, layered over a white T-shirt with simple gold jewellery and flip-flops.

Kalijana designer dress, handed down from a friend’s neighbour, with asymmetrical hem and pockets. Necklace from The Likely General – worm with striped Espadrilles.

Bottom row: H&M blue and white printed dress with tie waist.

Colamoon blue tank dress with Stevie-inspired fringes maxi vest. Tassel necklace from H&M, With my new Fab Fit Fun faux leather carryall.

Striped Zara High low hem tunic with ruffled bottom. Necklace by White Feather Designs. Paired with dark denim.