When you buy your infant carrier or car seat, put the manual with your car manual. We keep both of ours in the glove box. That way when you realize your Little One is starting to outgrow it, or you have a question, it's nice and handy and easy to find.

It is very difficult to assess your baby's body temperature. There's a good rule to follow when dressing a newborn or infant that cannot tell you they're too hot or to cold. First, always have them wear one more layer than you. If you're comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, then have them wear pants, a onesie and a light sweater or blanket. Then if you're still unsure, say at night time when the sun goes down, you can always feel a baby's actual temperature easier by feeling the back of their neck. It is the most accurate spot.

I have had some success in selling some of my art. One piece went to a dear friend and another to a couple with 2 children. I am inspired to continue drawing, and I need to get on finishing my alphabet and counting cards to sell on Esty.com The couple suggested it, and I have come up with a selling price for some of the work. Although I am more interested in selling prints (as they're easier for obvious reasons) then I am custom work, I still believe the custom work will pay off.

I have procrastinated a little today by starting to build a new website. I think I will use it as a reward for when my other projects (see to do list below) is completed. Once all of it has been checked off I will then continue to build the site.

I have one more item to push to the priority list though - I have been asked to design the logo for the Therapeutic Clowns International. That will not take too long, so I'm not too concerned about that.

I mailed in my portfolio yesterday. It was signed for today. Now we wait. I am really keeping my fingers crossed that Annick Press likes my work, and some Author will want my art to accompany their book.

I am nervous, as this is putting my art and my talents out on the line.

So I never met my previous deadline for submitting my portfolio, and frankly I am not at all disappointed that I didn't. My new work is really good, and I think it will show better than the old stuff.

Now to stop procrastinating and take advantage of Mia's morning nap! Time to paint!

I have this love affair with Hello Kitty and Chococat ... as a matter of fact I make my husband toast his bread with a Hello Kitty toaster that actually burns a kitten face into the bread. (Poor guy)

Well tonight I was looking on e-bay and decided to look up Hello Kitty things and actually won an auction for a watch for ONE PENNY!! I am super excited to see my purchase in about 3 weeks as it will be shipped from China.

Then I continued and found Diaper pins ... now if we were using the traditional style cloth diapers and not the Bummis I would have bought them, only because they're so darn cute!

Yes this is what I do with my 55 minutes of spare time before I head to bed.

Stain Removal 101

Poop stains: OxyClean Baby - works really really really well ... Shout does not!!

Spit Up stains: OxyClean Baby - works really really really well ... Shout does not!!

Olive Oil stains: OxyClean Baby - works really really really well ... Shout does not!!

Now for the exam:

Which of these products are pointless when removing stains?

A)Shout

B)Shout

C)Shout

D)All of the above

If you answered D you are correct!

OxyClean ... you are my friend!

Before I was pregnant with Mia I was a full fledged Vegetarian for nearly 6 years. I still ate eggs and dairy, and the odd fish with much guilt ... then we moved to Mexico, where finding a source for protein, other than meat, proved very difficult. (Yes there were a lot of beans there, but they feuded with my picky taste buds) Once I found out I was pregnant I chose to start eating meat again, simply to get more iron for the growing baby.

Well I am back in Canada, Mia is healthy, and I am starting to find myself veering away from meats again. (Oh my family will just love this!) Now that my body is starting to go back to its old self it no longer craves those heavy proteins. I have found my fear of eating fish is disappearing, the desire for red meat gone now (Too bad too, as I just cooked my first roast beef ever, and it was rather good) and a true hankering for carbs, veggies, fruits, and eggs again. I am slowly starting to feel like my old self.

I felt lighter being a veggie lover ... and although the eating of meat (especially torn off a big ol' bone) is super fun and sometimes really yummy ... it's not enough enjoyment for me to really continue munching away on it. I also find that it leaves more cravings in the long run. I want more salt, and more sweets. I need to put an end to these cravings ...

Mmmm ... to veggie stir fries, soups, lasagna, pasta without meat, veggie burgers (although I am still really enjoying the turkey burgers currently)

Maybe we start with step one: No more red meat ... here we go again .. one year of just chicken and turkey, by next summer I'll be full veggie again I am sure. Or maybe I only eat it on the rare occasion, although I have no idea what I'd call myself then!

Set the scene: Beeswax candles lit, one lamp dimmed, Jazz playing softly in the background, Mia sitting beside me on the red sofa, Luna and Pica sleeping ... ahh ... a moment for myself ... I may just make a cup of tea shortly too.

So here I sit ... call it what you will - procrastination, dawdling, avoiding ... I am have yet to send my portfolio away. I decided to add two more drawings (going for A-One perfection here) This was Luca's idea, in a way. We were reading Stephanie's Ponytail to Mia the other night and Luca commented on all the illustrations with the groups of children, and how I had only focused on one or two children in each illustration. So I have drawn up one, and ponder what the next one should be.

I have also decided to change my business card ... to this cute little drawing I found in one of my old sketchbooks. I need to update it though, as it has Potter in it. (for those of you who do not know who Potter is ... Potter was my big fluffy black cat that I brought with me to Mexico and who decided to run amok and never return. This is how we came to adopt 2 Mexican kitties. I was lonely and wanted a furry companion. Well the fuzzball I chose came with a sister ... and now we have two tiny black kitties.)

I have finally finished my thank you cards, and although I am extremely grateful for all the beautiful gifts we received, there's a big part of me that is tired of writing thank you cards!! Just think in one year:

Bridal Shower = 22
Wedding = 53
Baby shower #1 = 19
Baby Shower #2 = 14
Random others = 5
Totaling 113 Thank You Cards, written, signed, and stamped!! That's a lot of thank yous in one year!!

Well this has rambled on long enough ... and it's just bright enough in here to keep drawing ... so I think I'll make that cup of tea (which does not taste nearly as good from the new cups ... and I really miss the big polka-dot cups we left behind in Mexico) but anyway, one cup of tea, maybe some toast as I am hungry after a long Mia meal.

Signing off ...
xx!

I have so much to do, and so much I want to do, and so little time to do it ... I am going to Blog my to-do list ... gently wounding two mosquitoes with one swat (wanted to give the birds a break today)

TO DO:

Organize Linen Closet - done - looks fabulous .. now to keep it that way!!

Put away Mia's clothing from Shower - done .. the child has more clothing than her Dad and I put together ... yet nothing fits!

Finish Portfolio - done (THIS WAS A BIG ONE!)

Clean bedroom - done, needs to be done yet again ... sigh

Wash bedroom linens - done - see above

Do dishes - done and done every day

Make Luca's lunch - done - see above

Clean kitty litter - done - see above above

Possibly rearrange bedroom - no ... it works best the way it is

Paint LARGE painting for dinning room ... thinking cute ants possibly

Paint chest of drawers - done .. FINALLY!!

Breathe - huh? what's this breathe thing people speak of?

Things I will need:

Fresh towels for Luca (boys and white towels are not a good mix) - done ... bought orange

A large piece of canvas

... To be continued

Continued - print new photos for collage frames

Reorganize hall closet

Organize Art baskets in living room

So being a Stay-At-Home-Mommy is very fulfilling, but I still want to work from home on my art and illustrations. Today was a rougher day as Mia wouldn't sleep a wink ... fact it is 10pm and she's barely asleep now. At least she's quiet now (after a bath, story endless feedings, lullabies, tummy time and lots of cuddles.) It got me thinking though, as I stare at my unfinished project(s) ... most importantly my portfolio I wanted to send away last Friday, how will I work from home when she's home all the time too? I sincerely hope that in time, when she has a much more steady schedule I will have the time set aside to all my work. For now though, it's do it when I can, and work around her lack of schedule. It tough ... but I love her and she's worth all my time ... I just don't want to lose out on an opportunity like this one.

Thrush ... Yeast infection of the mouth and throat, most common in newborns and elderly

I never knew this. If you were prone to yeast infections pre-pregnancy there is a high chance of you and your baby getting this. In the mouth it looks like patches of white 'goo'/ or scum on the baby's tongue (If severe all over mouth cavity) It can cause pain in the baby's mouth, and feedings generally become frustrating for both you and the baby.

On mommy it effects the nipples, and may not have any symptoms other than painful feedings. The painful feedings can be confusing for mommies because during the first few weeks breastfeeding is actually quite painful for many. I digress, if severe it is best to see you Doctor ASAP ... as the infection could spread into the milk ducts, which is extremely painful.

If you catch it fast enough there is a great home remedy. Take a teaspoon of baking soda (bisodium carbonate) and two tablespoons warm water. Take a cotton swab and rub it gently over your little one's tongue after every feeding!! (okay the feedings at home) Then take the same mixture and rub some of it over your nipple.

Be sure to sterilize all your bottles and pumps (if you're using them) soothers and wash all your bras in extremely hot water, and hang to dry.

Also, for the duration of the Thrush outbreak stop using lanolin creams - as the yeast loves warm moist environments. I know you're thinking that the cream is the only thing keeping you from screaming in pain, but it actually will feel better in a few days, once the infection is cleared up.

Change your breast leak pads often, and never wear the same bra two days in a row!

So my plan was to send away my portfolio today - the 6th of August. I did not take into account for my procrastination and being a Mommy!! (Silly me) But I am rather proud of the fact that all my new illustrations are complete, I have written the cover letter, and updated my Illustration On-Line portfolio: http://angelasimioni.carbonmade.com/

All I have to do now is take the illustrations to Staples for some more professional printing, mount them on lovely card stock, and paint up the envelope with Sanford ... I want it to stand out so I am making the envelope fancy!

Once those three small things are complete I will be sending it away!!

I am very nervous and all excited all at the same time!

But for now ... I am off to be a mommy and spend some quality girly time with my Mia, cousin, aunt and Goddaughter.

Do not laugh or roll your eyes until you have actually tried a method and it fails you. In this case, it has really helped me. When I was pregnant I was part of this online community called The Bump. I am still a part of this community, but on the parenting boards now. It's wonderful, and mommys-to-be get together and gab via the forums about all their concerns and 'Awe' moments.

During the third trimester I was pointed towards this video/book called The Happiest Baby On the Block. It is a technique to calm colicky babies, but can be used on non-colic cases too. I watched it and truthfully ... I laughed, rolled my eyes. Partly due to the fact that the Doctor, Dr. Harvey, reminded me of my University Professor, who is also an old clown partner of mine. (If you know me, you know who I am speaking of) He said to think of the first 3 months as "The 4th trimester" ... a baby needs to feel as though they are still in the womb to make the transition to the outside world easier. He said to do this by these 5 S's:

Swaddle, Sooth/Suckle, Side, Shake, Sounds

My thoughts on Swaddling pre-baby were: It's a cruel thing to bind a baby
Swaddling Now: It's great, and actually calms her down so that she can sleep peacefully without startling herself awake.

Sooth/Suckle Pre-Baby: No soothers until she is at least 3 months old - no nipple confusions
Now: Baby likes it, I like it ... all is well in the world and no one is confused between plastic and mommy's flesh

Side: This means baby sleeps on their side in your hands - I was always fine with this .. and it works very well

Shake Pre-Baby: Who would like having their head shaken? Baby's aren't supposed to be shaken!!
Now: It means jiggle gently in your hands ... she loves it ... that's why they made those bouncy chairs - they do the same thing without the forearm workout

Sounds Pre-baby: White noise? what about lullabies? Never shush a child, especially a baby.
Now: I still sing to her, and I know she likes it because I sang to her in the womb too ... but the white noise shushing does work super well when she's uncontrollably wailing! Singing or talking to her does diddly!!

So that's it ... I am ashamed that I rolled my eyes at Dr. Harvey's techniques ... he now has a "Happiest Toddler" and I will be sure to read/watch that one too when the time is right.

If we continue to wait until the exact right moment we may miss the opportunity all together. I guess I just have to leap in, jump head first into this life without the fear of losing and failing.

Then I have this list ... this list ... unachievable ... hopeful ... this list

I want to be perfect ... this is very frustrating to me ... I long to be:

• The mom Grindle saw in the lobby ...
where she wiped the wheels of the stroller before entering
the hospital
• Slim like I was before
• Longer hair ... natural and beautiful
• A loving and supportive wife that keeps the home tidy
and cooks great meals, and bakes yummy things for her family
• An artist that actually makes money
• A woman with perfect clothing ... loose, natural, neutral, soft, clean
• Simple make up everyday ... just to look pretty
• A mommy to envy
• I want time to do everything perfectly ...
• I want to be patient all the time ... calm and collected
• Organized and orderly
• A little spontaneous
• Organic
• Yoga practicing
• Playful
• Easy-going

Can I achieve all of this?

The funny thing is ... I am close to achieving some of these things ... but yet so so so far away it makes me want to crawl into a hole and hide away forever in its soft darkness. This way I can keep up the illusions.

So I received this little wooden dresser from Ikea as a gift from Luca to hold my art supplies in. Since we live in a one bedroom apartment with a baby, two cats and ourselves, space is at a premium. It's raw unfinished pine ... which is like a blank canvas to any artist! So I started thinking what I would do with it.

Step one: Change out the hardware.

Hardware is expensive! So ... I decided to go with something whimsical and child friendly in a Garden Theme

Each one is hand crafted from Polymers Clay, and hand painted in Acrylics

This started as a scary, yet frustrating, few days for Luca and I. Mia had been spitting up after every meal, then started vomiting. I checked her temperature, which was between 37.3 and 37.6 - which is not high enough to warrant a trip to the ER or MD. I called Ontario Telehealth, and was recommended to feed her small amounts, frequently. I was finding this method, although effective at keeping down the fluids, made for a very cranky Mia.

I decided this morning, as Mia was very hungry, to pump a bit of breast milk out first. I read that the fore-flow causes more gas, and usually has a faster letdown. Once I filled 2 ounces in an external bottle, I picked up Mia and fed her the hind-milk. She ate for a content 25 minutes and fell fast asleep.

If you're finding your Little One to be fussy between feedings, this may be the reason. It's not something you would do all the time, but on those odd occasions when your Little One has been bit by the stomach bug, this seems to do the trick!

WHAT: What is Cat & Mouse Creations?

Cat & Mouse Creations is a small business endeavour providing Child Friendly Art to people's homes and throughout the community through murals, illustrations, prints, and "Fun-iture" (painted furniture for children)

WHAT? What type of product or services will Cat & Mouse be providing?

Cat & Mouse will be providing Illustrations, under my legal name, Paintings for children's rooms, decor items (such as knobs) and hand painted murals for furniture and walls

WHY? Why does Cat & Mouse Creations need to exist?

Although there are plenty of great Artists in the world, very few work exclusively for children, making child friendly designs - fun and lively, thought provoking to children, and inspiring to them.

WHY? Why are you the right Artist for this job?

As a new mommy, previous teacher and camp counselor, Therapeutic Clown and Clown Doctor I have had many great experiences with children. I find them inspiring how they're so free to just be, learn and love in the world. I feel as an Artist I can easily tap into my inner child, and bring their stories and imaginations to life.

WHO? Who will be buying your Art?

The parents would be the primary purchasers, as well as publication houses, schools, day care centres, and any other community based program in need of art for children.

WHERE? Where would you work from?

I would work mostly from home, but would have out of home time when painting murals. I may need to travel to help sell a book here or there, but most of my work would come from home.

WHEN? When are you going to start selling this work?

I plan on sending out portfolios in the next week. My goal is August 6th, 2010 to have them in the mail.

As for the knobs and prints, I will be continuing to work on them, and will aim for a gala event, maybe in support of the TCP, to advertise my work. I am thinking late Fall, just before the Holiday Season 2010.

HOW? How will you sell your work?

The small prints and knobs I will sell on Etsy.com

I will have to advertise myself in order to start doing mural work. This is something I need to look into.

Illustrations I will send portfolios to a variety of publication houses throughout Canada and the US.

I am a Childrens' Artist!! All these long years wandering ... doodling ... dreaming ... and being told I wasn't good enough ... well I am! I was just not providing art to right people!

Giving your little one their daily vitamin D can be tricky. To help you remember keep it on or near your change table ... as you see it at least 10 times per day. Give your little one their drops before you feed them. This ensures that your little one is actually getting the vitamin (as they usually spit up at the end of feedings) and because they're hungry they tend to suck up the drops with great pleasure!

* This has worked for me and Mia so far! *
** Vitamin D usually needs to be given if you are exclusively breastfeeding ... check with your MD before though **