helllllllllooooooo summer!

Summer has arrived and I love it!!!!! The sun is shining. I am out on my bike again with an added little companion being towed behind in my bike trailer. It's wonderful. And on a sidenote...I feel like my bike was meant for a kid. The little baskets have great storage, it only goes three gears...I predict there will be quite a few bike rides in our future...not just the 4 we have had in the last 4 days.

What has happened in the last month....

With the little: she is practicing her gymnastics skills lately. Swinging on any bar she can find (even if it means it's right above the slide (mom panic). Practicing somersaults. And continuing her love of swings and slides, going head first down the latter. Not to mention the independence that she takes doing them. These adventurous skills were taught lovingly by her dad. She is turning more into a monkey as the days go by (and growing up).

Growing up so much that we are finally starting to see more sleep nights than wake up nights. WOW. I never thought I would see that day come and had no idea it would take a year and a half! Phew!

Her favourite song right now is Handclap by Fitz and the Tantrums. So much so that if you play it, it will need to be played over and over and over again or we will get our out "tantrum" ha. She loves it as it is fast to dance with and slow....but obviously she needs a companion, so as soon as it goes on she must grab a stuffy or doll.

As far as words, we are getting lots of no, and yeah's. Mom is definitely being said with meaning like Daddy and doggie. And we are getting the nods and shakes of the head. She really loves to say car and truck and being in both (the front seat playing that is). Whenever she sees a red truck she always points to it and says "Daddy" which cracks me up. Plus little words everyday that I can't keep track of. ABC's is still a fun song to sing and Frere Jaques, Shaker song, 5 little ducks and the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Plus counting to 10 (can you tell her dad is a teacher...good dad).

We have had dates with friends that she particularly loves. Even though she has to assert herself that she is old too and doesn't need to be carried around all over the place. One particular fun day was going to the spray park/park with friends. All the adults got to sit around, eat pizza and talk and the young ones got to jump around on the playground and splash around in the spray park. It was a great night. Lots of geese and poop though...but still fun all the same.

Our gardens are in full swing. The veggies (Mark's passion) in the back and the flowers (mine) in the front. And some future landscaping next year as we tragically lost a tree last week in a wind storm. Crazily so, that we both watched it as it went from slightly bent to all the way over. The ideas now are flowing with some edible shrubs and pumpkins along with flowers and rocks. Next years project obviously as this years is all about the....

Bees. They have arrived. They have a home and it appears that they are producing. All good news and I am sure more to say except I am no beekeeper and really know nothing about it. Except to say that they are extraordinarily fun to watch. When people say "busy as bees" I actually know what that means now as they are busy. The combs look like artwork. And Mark seems to be enjoying it quite a bit which is fun to watch. Oh and only one stung person so far...me as I stepped on one when they first came in. Not bad. In all seriousness they really do keep to themselves and you can go right up to them without fear as they don't seem bothered. Now mess with their home....that's different.

Now it is just time to sit back and enjoy the BBQ's, the ice cream (toddler's with ice cream are hilarious), sport ball (golf last time) and the weather.

My car broke down the other day (oh game of life) and because of summer I am not even bothered by it. Mainly because of my dear bike (going back to the beginning of this post). I love that bike! However picking the car up tomorrow, fingers crossed!

In the news: The oilers are out of the playoffs. Sad night for me as I really started to get into it. Surveys are out to redevelop the playground in our neighbourhood (yay)!

I just finished Girls the last season. Girlboss. Beauty and the Beast 2017. Gifted. All wonderful shows and movies. And I watched Moana again because I love that movie so much! Also saw Love the Coopers...meh.

That's about it!
Happy Summer
xoxo

Springly Things

So it is still kind of winter...and by still i mean an occasional snow fall seems to be emerging every now and again. But spring is a coming. Why? The snow is melting super fast. The sun is out for super long periods of time. The trees are budding. It rains more than snows. AND it's April! :)

So what have we been up to in the last month...

Blokus! So a few weeks ago I went to the tabletop cafe with my besties. We played some pretty cool games like hamsterrolle, cards against humanity, dutch blitz (a fabulous classic that i still love) and blokus. Funnily enough I owned this game. Mark and I got it from his sister's family two years ago! YIKES. Life with a newborn seemed super busy and exhausting that we never did play the game...but since that fateful night at the tabletop....Mark and I haven't been able to put that game away. Although I may need to take a break as I keep losing. CURSES!

The game of life reared it's head once again as I managed to get a ticket and had to enroll into a car seat safety clinic. It's all good in the sense that I should know all this information. But that ticket is nasty. And with all the stuff that happened over the last three months and just a week after my car getting fixed all I could do is let out a big sigh....cause really that is all you can do.

The little gal is sure growing up. Lots of words being said: shoes, hot, socks, coat, cold, apple, nana, water, up and the list continues to grow and grow. She loves her dolls as she takes them to bed, the bath and they seem to be little companions as she plays with her toys. Singing songs like ba ba black sheep, zoom zoom, and the itsy bitsy spider. Really she sings the rhythm more than the words but she does seem to manage the actions too! She loves brushing her teeth, she knows her body parts and is a great little helper unpacking groceries, peeling onions, sweeping, and cleaning up after herself.

Her new adventures are dog walks as she insists on walking yet can't quite do all the distance that we cover so in and out of the stroller, our shoulders or the new (and used) little car we got her. Outdoors is definitely her new love at the moment. Jumping in puddles, throwing rocks, playing in sand/dirt, going to the park and playing with all her different sport balls.

We continue to go to the same places. We have checked out cafe o play again with a mom friend and her little boy. She is definitely getting more out of that place than she did before. We visited a petting zoo and some little play houses at the Mom and Tot's Fair. Been to our fair share of mini gyms and even managed to do a family swim trip to St Albert.

Dinner out x2 for us and pizza in x1. Special kind of awesome this month as I was exceptionally tired of cooking a couple of days and we eat fast and she can now eat restaurant food. I think she liked Boston Pizza over New Asian Village...but like I said....we eat fast.

Mark is busy with his bee making...really the hive making and he discovered his love for the redo centre. I have joined a Quality council at work that I am enjoying. BUSY BUSY BUSY.

In entertainment I have seen some movies: Logan (really good), Manchester by the Sea (too sad for me), The Light Between the Oceans (sad but really good), Trolls (LOVED IT), Girl on the Train (enjoyed) and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (a little blah). I finished the third season of Grace and Frankie (hilarious), have enjoyed Riverdale and just started watching reruns of Road to Avonlea again.

In books I finished a series finally that I started quite awhile ago. The Pittacus Lorre series. Very much a tween book series but light all the same. I am thinking of starting up on L.M.Montgomery again....

Loving the sunshine. Can't wait for all the fun the outdoors has in store for us this month.
xoxo

February you were short and sweet

Oh love month how fast you sweep through our lives. A little month in review again.

• the first two weeks I was still in NB with my parents and the little lady. Lots of walks. Lots of family. Lots of eating. A bit of shopping. Lots of movies: La La Land, Hidden Figures, Passengers, Arrival, Lion, Edge of Seventeen, Sing, and I am sure a few more that have been forgotten. AND I finished a few more pages in my colouring book...something I hadn't done since the last visit! A wonderful visit for both of us
• had a few little troubles when we got back as the adjustment to jet lag was a bit hard on both of us. I feared that I may have had the early toddlerhood drama come upon me and I wasn't ready for the tantrums just yet. Let's just say Valentines Day was a little nerve wracking. The best present given to me was a child taken by her father to the library so I could sit in peace with a glass of wine. Plus the flowers were nice too (wink wink)
• after a week, she settled into a routine and the parents did too. A few dog walks that have become a little slower due to the growing independence of little miss. She only takes to the sled or the stroller for a short period of time and insists on walking the rest. Slightly time consuming but cute when the puddles entice her to play. The other day she walked probably close to a 1.5 km to 2 km as her mom dragged the sleigh behind. As we got to the car she took a look (knowing she hates the car seat more than anything right now) and climbed promptly in the sled and looked at me in a pleadingly to take her on another walk. 
• Just as I write the above I think of other fun little ditties that she does. Like this am she watched as I made her her cereal and shook her head repeatedly when I was about to poor the milk. So she had her cheerios milkless and would repeatedly dip her banana in the dry cereal to get the cereal to stick. Innovative and hilarious (at least to her parents).
• I have been working quite a bit of weekends this month (mainly to make up for the ones I took off when I was on vacay). But we did manage to sneak away as a family on family day no less. A walk in the morning and winter fest (or slush fest in the afternoon). We missed a bit of the events in the afternoon due to nap schedule but we did have some most excellent food truck food (mini doughnuts and poutine). 
• Dad and daughter have been having a blast cruising the city with trips to the swim pool, sea life cavern, library and even shovelling a bit of snow. Plus lots of dancing around the house. Wheels on the bus is hugely popular. And a few rap songs mixed in.
• And I have seen some of my favourite people (Casey and Jeaninne) which is always fun. Casey even babysat for me one afternoon so I could attend a work function. I heart my friends with all I have. 

in the news

• The academy awards just came and left. Huge controversy as the best picture was named La la Land but it was a mix up in the envelopes and it was Moonlight instead. Never saw the actual show as I was working but it sounded embarrassing. 
• Garth Brooks came and went. Played 9-10 shows. I'm not a particular fan of his but was pretty impressed with all that I heard he did in Edmonton. Plus a friend of mine saw Trisha Yearwood in Zara. That was cool for her!

i have been enjoying

• supernatural. 
• working out again. 
• wine and baileys (not together..ha)
• reading the last pittacus lorre book
• getting a bit more engaged in work as i have joined a committee 

that's about it of the month of February. Bring on March. Although I may be a little absent from social media as I decided that is what I am going to try to give up for lent. Facebook, instagram and snapchat! wish me luck!

love

You're 1, You little ball of fun!

Oh goodness gracious we have hit the 1 mark. So many things to say on so many levels but in this post I want to focus on you.

You are just a special treat to both me and your father. We (probably like most parents) think you are just the greatest in the world and guess what? You really are. You amaze us with your sense of discovery of the world. Your unconditional love for those that love you. Your contagious laughter. Your love of silliness, games and so much more.

This will probably be my last post of your little accomplishments for awhile. I have a private place I can interact with you. I really wanted to document your first year of life. Mainly cause I had so many questions towards others and I just figured if you had these same questions maybe you can take a little gander at this blog.

So what are you up to? Well you love your books. Really love them. In particular, Dr. Seuss (anything Dr. Seuss) and "Flip Flap Fly". I have just recently managed to smuggle a few new ones in as I am getting a little weary of the same books. Probably how you were a little weary of "Good night moon". But really you are starting to just love books. You will grab them flipping the pages, babbling to yourself as you look through the pictures/words. It is too cute!

You have officially started walking a few weeks ago. As your father said, you started off like a baby giraffe but you are getting quite sure of yourself as the days go by. And with that comes more action like ball pit jumping. shaking your "shakers", dancing to Raffi and Disney music and playing "ever so gently, in your 1 year old way" (sense sarcasm) with all your little friends on playdates.

And speaking of friends you have a number 1 friend in your household named Bentley. Most days he is trying his best to avoid your lovely pets. But other days he will play a little fetch with you, even to my disbelief let you take the ball out of his mouth. Such a good dog and such a good daughter. Really the best time of the day is meal time for both of you. Something that is going to get our puppy a little chubbier in the coming years.

Little one. Happy birthday! Seek happiness, Love and be loved and live a wonderful life. It really is just the beginning. The journey is yours and we can't wait to tag along for a little bit of it.

Love
XOXOX

11 months and counting

Oh my little but not so little one anymore. You are losing your baby face and starting to look more toddler-like everyday. You are full of life, love and goofiness. You mimic our laughs when we laugh, our coughs when we cough. You babble when we talk, even reading me a story or two in your own little language. I think I hear a few more sss, mmm, baa sounds in your little lips.

And let's just say you are everywhere and anywhere. Lots of new games, like me putting all your toys in either a tupperwear container, pot, basket....really anything and you tearing through it and dumping it everywhere. Ha Ha. We need to work on you putting things away next. ;) You also enjoy, "catch me mommy". That involves me chasing you around or holding you down as I try to change your diaper or clothes. RASCAL!

You love to climb up our stairs squealing with delight. Especially if it involves shoving a piece of dog food into your mouth or spilling all the water on the carpet. You pull all the DVD's off the shelf, go in our cupboards, and pull apart my dresser drawers or laundry basket. Plus you take apart the toilet paper and occasionally explore the toilet. Really you are just full of mischief and busy as can be.

You are itching to walk like no other. So much so that if we have done a few laps around the house with you holding my hands and I decide to take a break you may just "breakdown" yourself as you didn't want it to stop. You have a love/hate relationship with your walker as you love that it takes you places but hate it when you bump into things as you can't seem to steer it away from walls yet. I have caught you scaling the walls walking and your dad says that you took a few steps towards him the other day.

Yup, walking is on your mind. Dog walks have kind of made you a little infuriated as you don't want to be stuck in a carrier or stroller at the moment. I have even made a point of taking your walker to the dog park and let you test it out on the paved paths. AND people find you absolutely adorable, "What beautiful blue eyes and hair you have." You are catching everyone's eye.

Summer is almost coming to an end. We managed to do quite a bit. Picnic lunches with our mom's group, lots of swimming at both beach, outdoor pool, splash park and legislature, visits to see second cousins and great great aunts, corn maze shenanigans, green onions cakes at the fringe, and visits to the park. Plus we can't forget catching the olympics from time to time! Lots of fun.  And you definitely had it! You are pretty fantastic to go out and about as you are definitely a social baby. Anytime you see an older child you go right up to them with a big smile on your face and shout, "Da, Ba!"

As I say, look out world, she is a coming! :)
love

oooooooo james corden

so this guy i have a teeny little crush on...mainly cause he loves to sing in his car the way i do and his laugh makes me laugh....AND now he has done a carpool karaoke with broadway showtunes!

love. too bad the last song brought on crocodile tears from the little one. need to teach her the awesomeness of broadway as i need dates in the future!




love

The adventures/misadventures of a dog, a baby, a mom and a cat: Part 5

The dog decided to take the dad's spot in the bed last night. But his thoughts were not far from the dad as he kept his face glued to the bedroom door in hopes of seeing him come up the stairs. No luck this day. But that didn't keep his spirits down too much. It was a beautiful day out and the mom decided that it was a good day for a dog park walk. The dog loves the dog park with all his might. He thought however that it was unlikely that he would be going to the dog park again this week so he was going to take himself for an extra long walk just to make up for it. It's too bad the dog wasn't thinking another way as he would be more likely to go on more dog park walks if he stuck with the mom and baby. Alas he does not and is probably right in his prediction.

The baby had a great day. She got to see some of her older friends come for a visit after her little micro nap. She enjoys watching her older friends play with her dad's old dinosaurs and army men. She kind of wishes she could join in but she just can't move as fast as them. But they do come and say hi to her and say she is cute. Something she already knows. They all even went to the park and the baby enjoyed the swing, laughing away. It was pretty fantastic.

The baby has had a few different meals this week. Perogies which were fun. But then the mom made her salmon, green beans one day and a fish chowder the next. The mom tells her it's good for the baby. The baby wishes her dad would come back so she could go back to beef. The baby does eat it with smiles but occasionally gives her mom a two-tooth smile and a spit (disclaimer for when your older, you actually liked the fish, this is for your dad's benefit).

The mom had a good time seeing her life long friends and lounging in the front yard. They had good chats about life. They relished in what the mom thinks is a new sleeping pattern for the baby. The mom enjoyed listening to the party planning of one and the vacation of the other.

The cat was feeling a bit disgruntled today. Children ranging from 4, 3, 2 (and if you count the little one that never leaves this house) were here. The cat doesn't understand them. He expresses absolutely no desire to associate with any of them yet they only feel complete desire to associate with them. Thus he spent the morning hiding upstairs. And by hiding, he was on the mom and dad's bed. Children aren't allowed in that room. Atleast he thinks that to be true.

xoxox
love

So when you are up late at night or waking up early in the morning...

try using one of the snap chat filters...seriously. Makes me laugh everytime I do it!

love

6 mos strong

"The days are long the years are short"

That is what a gentleman said to me in passing as he observed you. And boy is he right. 

You are growing growing and growing some more. And learning in between. I guess just doing what babies do best!! 

Presently you are a whopping 16.8lbs. Golly Miss Molly! I've increased your food intake a bit more as you seemed to need a little extra tastes in the day to decrease your snacking at night. Sometimes it works other times no. But so far you haven't been having parties at 2-4am like you did a few weeks back (putting your mom in a tearful state). 

Speaking of food you have increased your cuisine. Parsnips, pears, beef, chicken, eggs, cheese and yougert, just to name a few. 

Feeding you can be a little challenging at times as you like to get your hands on everything! And I mean everything...that isn't food. Whether it's the fruit basket, books, or even your bumbo tray. You seem to be showing indicators that you are going to give me a run for my money. 

And back to the sleepless nights. We are fully comitted to sleep training you now. And some days are fantastic. Especially if we get those naps in and catch you at just the right time for bed. You will just turn your head after your book and song and fall fast asleep. Other times you may cry for two hours straight. And boy can you cry/scream! Yikes!

You are a monkey. But I see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Who knew I would be this obsessed with sleep but as my mom put it, I haven't had a full nights sleep in 6 mos. and really before then two mos. with sleepless pregnancy sleep. So guess what?! I want sleep too! Ha ha. 

In all seriousness we are having lots of fun. I've enrolled I stroller aerobics and you are the cutest. As I am working out you are rolling around and shrieking your baby shriek with your toys.

We continue to go swimming and you love it you water baby. You particularly had fun when we were in the pool in Jasper with Granny and Daddy. I think baby swimming is in your future! 

Speaking of Jasper we had a great time with your first visit to the mountains. And the weather was fantastic!! Sunshine shining. Little walks around the hotel. Eating fudge, making smores (more your dad and mom and grandparents...you had cantaloupe and watermelon). 

And you even did another milestone...you got on all fours! And since then you have learned to motor around the floor without crawling. Rolling front to back and catapulting yourself forward. Sometimes doing a few face plants in between (hence your nose and forehead is looking a little rosy).  Poor thing. 

If we really want you to do some moving we just have to put the phone in front of you. And you manage to move right towards it. Not to mention your biggest cheerleaders, Grammie and Grampie encouraging you along via FaceTime. And let's face it you love FaceTime, or you love my phone. Either or. 

We continue with moms group and are having lots of fun. And we have joined another new fantastical group. A music class with Granny on Saturdays. It's full of songs and dance. And you seem to love it. The bouncing and singing. 

Like I said we are having lots of fun. I love you my little munchkin. And summer is coming so the fun in the sun is just beginning. 

Love 

Adult colouring book

Whenever I think about that title I laugh because my mother in law said it sounds a bit x rated. Muhaha

This has become my obsession and my love of something to do with a semblance of creativity as I just can't seem to find the time to scrapbook or work on any of my other diy projects. 

I was staring at them at Costco with my mom when we were visiting them. And low and behold what was in my suitcase as a surprise for me?! Mom's are the best!!!

Yes it's colouring. It is lovely. It is a stress relief. Helps me with mindfulness.  And lets me decompress. It's awesome. 

So sharpen your pencil crayons everyone! 

Love

Coming on 4 months

Little lady you are coming on 4 months. What does that mean!? I really have no idea!

I have learned one thing during this new little stage, I know nothing!  Although I get to be with you and learn about you quite a bit as I'm essentially with you 24 hours a day, you are your own person and you certainly like to mix things up for me! 

For awhile I was enjoying my morning as you liked to sleep in till 9-10. I would do a little exercise, listen to the radio, eat my breakfast. Turns out you were hearing all the fun I was having and decided to join me. But you thought why not a little earlier so we have been getting up at 7am. Ha ha. 

However you have turned the other way going to bed earlier and earlier. Yesterday was 8pm! This has been good as you give your parents a date night in as we watch a movie and may indulge in a little bit of junk food when you sleep.

I kind of started a trial routine as I'm hearing that you may be headed toward sleep regression. Big accomplishment the other day as I got you to bed by just rubbing your head. It worked! Yay! However talking with your father that has been a technique he has been using for quite awhile with results. I gave him heck for not sharing. 

There has been another little thing I've noticed. You don't seem to like to nap. Unless you're in a car seat (except in the below picture).

And guess what?! You need those naps as you turn into a grump from 0-60. Lol. Unless I'm holding you and placing my utmost attention on you whether it's play or singing. And your father has already shown his displeasure with my singing. ;p You will probably have better luck recruiting him with your songs in the future. 

Speaking of your dad you two seem to be having a great time together. Getting into mischief when I'm not around and even some when I am! You can see what you've been doing in the below posts. You haven't thrown any little fits on him yet when you are both alone together, probably lucky for both of you!

You have also spent a day with you're Granny and Grandad. And just like your Grammie, they said you were very good. Again just like your Grammie, the truth is between you and them but I will take their word for it. You still refuse that bottle though. I've had some luck but I think you do it to appease me. 

I have to say this. I'm really enjoying you and spending time with you. You may be little but I'm seeing bits of your personality from your little protruding lip when you are sad to your rambunctious laugh when daddy makes silly faces or I do zerberts on your belly. 

You are attempting to roll to the side and have rubbed the back of your head bald from all the friction. You love to suck on your fingers, and your teething toys. Your new toy is the jumperoo but much to Grammie's delight you still love that mobile (it was once mine and I made fun of it when it came to our home) .I read to you at night now and you seem to enjoy it as you babble back to the book. 

Plus you have started to go on more outings that are for you. You love the library programs with the songs, scarves and bubbles. We go to moms group where you have been hit and miss depending on the topic. Baby massage and exercising were a hit, the pharmacist not so much. You still sleep on our dog walks but the other day much to your dad's delight you stayed awake as he talked about birch trees...then you fell asleep. 

It has only begun but the journey so far has been rewarding. I was looking at a two month old the other week and still can't get over how fast these moments come and go as you grow. It's fleeting and even with you "lip fits" I'm trying to enjoy and see the humor in them (easier when I'm well slept) as they too will be long gone. Just like your little pirate eye that I loved so much at 4 weeks old. ;)

Love

Wells Gray

This is what I have learned:
glamping aka glamour camping is awesome
  AND by that I mean camping in a tent trailer, needing no air mattress and having so much more space, in an actual site and making real food on a coleman stove is fantastic!

 

day hiking is fun but not quite as exhilarating as doing a big km quest in a day.
  HOWEVER one can still see most fantastic things like waterfalls, big beautiful trees and raging waters











kayaking is fun wherever you go and it can still be enjoyable in the rain!







stopping in a town on the way home, like Jasper, has huge perks AND by that you can bulk up on more chocolate and fudge than you would normally never buy and you can take a lovely dip in the hot springs

even if your vacation is a short one you can still have loads of fun with your partner. AND by that I mean playing games, reading, talking, chatting and enjoying each others company







AND it is still nice to come home to our lovely pets!

love