Our Newest Addition

Just like any overtired mama, I'm a little late in sharing our newest additions birth story - even though he may or may not be almost 4 months old already.

Blame it on the late night feeds.

I kid. 

For as far back as I can remember, we always had a cat. Or cats.
Or cats and kittens.
I've always felt like something was missing in our home - that certain feeling that only an animal can bring.
You get home and they're waiting for you.
That unconditional love and a certain warmth.
I wanted that for my own children.
But somebody who shall remain nameless just wasn't feeling it.
He didn't grow up with animals.
It took a while for us to break him down.
But he finally did.

Introducing Calvin James Liberatore.
Yes, he has 3 names.
And we may or may not call him Sir. 

I may be partial but isn't he the sweetest?
Just look at those eyes!

When I picked him up just 6 weeks ago, he could literally fit in the palm of your hand.
He was eating from a little can of cat food and I swear, it was bigger than he was.
We worried we would step on him. And we might have.
He looked so lost in our house, barely a quarter of the size of one of our floor tiles.
But he adjusted quickly.
And now, he's right at home.

In case you're wondering, Calvin is a doll-faced persian which means he is a persian bred cat but doesn't have the standard "flat face" that you typically see with this breed.
He's a shaded silver which gives him the appearance of white but he's really more a pale grey mix.
His paws are dark underneath and his eyes have this magnificent almost eyeliner-like appearance.
He hails from Elliot Lake which is about 6 and a half hours north of Toronto.
He's a little bit country.
And he's all ours.

We're smitten.
Meow.
xo

Party Like A Rock Star : Celebrating 11

As it relates to birthdays, the month of April is a busy one for us.

Well, it actually starts March 22nd with ms. Ava. March 28th with my mama's.

Then its my dad on the 6th, husband on the 11th, Julian on the 12th, and my own on the 29th. 

Whew.

Here's a peek at Julian's soiree to celebrate 11. 

Please know that we were leaving for Florida early the next morning hence the delay in sharing.

What was I thinking again? 

1 Welcome to the gig {my brother created these, aren't they fun?}
2/3 the candy "bar" 3/4 decor/favors
5/6/7 photo booth fun
8 even my littlest rock star gets in on the action
9/10 cake and a {somewhat reluctant, pls notice the death grip} photo with mama

The party was a huge hit even though I didn't get many takers in the tattoo parlor.
I was actually surprised by what good sports they were about the whole thing.

Rock Stars.

On Cancer

I had a much different post ready for today.  A lighthearted post about shopping for a new baby since I did that this past weekend. 

But, in an effort to be truthful to myself and to those who stop to read, I have cancer on my mind.

A friend of a friend who I don't really know that well was diagnosed. 

Stage IV. 

She is my age. 42. 42!

I still feel 27. And she? She has stage.four.cancer.

I find it unfair.

Scary.

Sad.

It is unfathomable. Unbelievable. I don't want to hear anymore.

I can't stop reading. 

I wake up thinking about her. 

I don't really know her that well.

I look at every.single.one of her face book pictures.

I do. 

I am not sure why.

One of my closest and dearest friends fathers.

Lung cancer.

He is 67.

It is found quite early. This is good.

They operate and remove 3 lobes on one lung.

They get all of the cancer.

And then, some time later, he starts to feel not so well.

The family actually thinks he might have had a stroke.

When in fact, it a brain tumor.

This cancer is like a monster. It hides and then when you least expect it, it pops up somewhere else. 

I envision it in his body. It travelling. 

What it looks like. 

I think that if I had cancer, I would want to see it once it is removed.

I think that's weird.

I receive a message letting me know that her appendix has ruptured.

It is likely caused by the cancer.

They are not sure what to do because of the cancer that surrounds the organ.

I am told they will wait for the oncologists to potentially operate.

I woke up yesterday morning thinking of her.

I picture the smiling face I saw on face book. And I have an overwhelming feeling that I am going to turn on my phone and get bad news.

I do not.

Instead, I find out shortly afterwards that she is in surgery.

Hopeful.

I also find out that what was originally thought to be stage IV ovarian cancer actually started in the colon.

I wonder if that is better. Or worse.

Or either.

At times like this, I think google can be your friend. Or your very worse enemy.

He had surgery last week.

My friend is so strong, she does not cry when she speaks to me.

But I can sense that she is not herself.

Monotone. 

I think about my own father and want to cry.

The surgery goes well. He speaks. He moves his arms. He is hungry.

She tells me it does not look pretty. 

I didn't imagine that it would. 

But for now, he is cancer-free. 

And she is cooking. And he is eating.

He will go home soon. 

And then, he will begin radiation since brain tumors do not respond to chemotherapy.

I never knew that.

I have been learning a lot of things about cancer that I never knew before.

The surgery is a success.

They have removed her ovaries. Her uterus.

The appendix.

We are not sure about the rest of the tumors that plague her still-young body.

We text and google. Google and text.

We text about what she should be eating.

What she should be drinking.
I wonder about everything I've eaten and drank. 

Her family has driven across country to be with her and I find an odd peace in knowing her mama is with her.

I don't know her very well but I know she is well-loved.

I also learn she is the baby of the family and that makes me sad. 

Further testing has discovered that the cancer has metastasized. I had wondered how it got from the lungs to the brain. I did.

They fear it may be in the lymph nodes.

Which would mean chemotherapy alongside the radiation.
Where does it end? How much more bad news?

I wonder what I would do.

If it were my dad. 

If it were me.

I hate cancer. 

I am dedicating this post to a man who could be my father and a woman who could be me. 

Mama Monday : A New Feature

If I'm being honest, ever since I made the decision to leave my corporate job and stay home, I have struggled with how much life has changed.
Don't misunderstand, I know what a blessing it is to be able to spend this time with my little one;something I wasn't able to do with her older siblings. I am thankful, yet, it was {and is} a complete change compared to the life I used to lead.
No longer getting up and getting "ready". No longer rushing out the door, grabbing coffee and quiet time in the car. No more incessant phone ringing. 
And in that, a certain peace, yet also a strange feeling of not contributing...not knowing where I fit in anymore. 
I often wonder what led other mother's to making a decision either way. To work or not to work.
Here, in this forum, I hope to share some of those stories with you and in that, selfishly, a chance to hear how other mother's are feeling. 

Christina from The Olive Tree is mama to 3 beautiful little ones, 2 girls and a boy! 
She provides me with inspiration almost daily and is one of the most helpful and kindest girls around. Not to mention beautiful, inside AND out. 
She also loves sweets almost as much as I do. Obviously, we're soul sisters. 

blog...shop...pinterest

  Do you work outside the home or are you a stay at home mom? What led you to either decision?
I am mostly a stay at home mom. About 10% of the time I work outside the home and about 35% of the time I freelance from home. My husband has a very unique work schedule so we work it out that one of us is always home with our kids. I was very adamant about not having kids until we were in the position to for me to be able to stay home with them, so I guess that was always the decision from the beginning.

 Did you always see yourself in this role? Was it a dream of yours?  
I have to say deep down inside I really wanted to stay home. Then, when motherhood became a reality it really did become a dream...a dream to mold them, be with them, care for them...

What frustrates you most? What would you change if you could?
Potty training! lol. I actually wouldn't mind working/freelancing more from home but the second I take on more work is the second I realize my kids are the ones who suffer from it.  It is very tough finding a balance without my kids being the ones who bare the brunt of it. 

If you are home, do you plan to return to work one day?
For sure! In about 10 years I will have 3 teenagers...3!? If anything I'll have to go back to work to stock the 
pantry ;) 

Any words of advice for mama's who are struggling with this decision?
I think my biggest advice would be for those who are struggling with the money aspect of staying home. It is very doable...hard to lose the extra income, but very doable. Don't let the money part rule your whole decision. If you budget out and eliminate extra expenses you will realize how much you don't really need. Remember, they are only little once you can always work later. And if you make the decision to work, go, don't beat your self up, lots of mamas work... I grew up with a working mom and I never felt like I was lacking. In the end as long as your kids are loved it doesn't really matter.

The decision to work outside the home or stay home with your children is such a personal one. There is no right answer or right decision but rather, I truly feel each woman must do what is right for her and her family.
I commend each and every mother out there for this. It is not easy.
We are women and man, we're amazing.

A huge thank you to my sweet friend Christina for being here today and for sharing her voice with other mama's. 

Well, Hello There Cupcake

I've never really met a cupcake that I didn't like.

I like them most the day after and preferably first thing in the morning.

Somehow, I feel least guilty then.

Witness the cupcake love that was shared this past weekend.

And then, just when we thought there could be no greater sweetness...
my sister in law surprised us with these lovelies.

By far, the very best red velvet cupcakes I have ever tried. My children, aka the cupcake connoisseurs wholeheartedly agreed.

I may or may not have found the last cupcake's wrap in Julian's room this morning.

A boy after my own heart.

She used this recipe and emphasized that the whole baking soda fizz part {such a baker I am} was by far the most important. So if you plan to make them, and I highly recommend you do, like today, pay close attention there.

And then, send some over. 

Happy cupcakeTuesday!

Friday Fancies.A Blogiversary.Group Giveaway

March 23rd.

Exactly a year ago today, I wrote my very first blog post.
I didn't really know at the time what direction the blog would take.
I like that it's morphed into a hold memories.share inspiration.look back at our outfits kinda place.
All things that make me happy.


This week's prompt at Long Distance Loving was your hoop team's colors/March Madness. Since we Canadians don't do the college ball team thing, here's what I got.
I kinda miss the purple that used to be a signature for our T.O. Raptors. But this will do.
{to see full outfit details, follow me on Polyvore here}

And now, onto the group giveaway!!

Winner takes it all!
To enter:
You MUST be a follower of Ava Grace's Closet via GFC.
For additional entries:
1 entry for each of the sponsors blogs.shops.facebook.twitter.pinterest followed or liked :: all direct links below
Please leave a separate comment for each!

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*Contest closes on Friday, March 31st at midnight*.
**open to U.S. and Canada** **Winner will be chosen by random.org**

Good Luck! 

Big Brothers

I grew up with a big brother. Much older. 12 years.
He was the best. 

I was basically an only child with benefits. 
Benefits including a built-in babysitter who could take you to cool places. Including NYC for your 16th birthday. oh yeah.

Still I always wished for a sister.

Not sure why. She would probably just have annoyed me and stole all my clothes.

Ms. Ava is a lucky girl.

She has a big sister. And a big brother.

It took a while for our Julian to warm up to the idea of another baby. A female one specifically.

But now, I don't think he would change her for the world.

And funny enough, he is her very favorite.
He who makes her laugh more than anyone.
He who is rougher than I would prefer.

She doesn't seem to mind.

I know she will look up to him for years to come.
Just like I still do.
Love you bro.