Time for a few Pictures!

We spent the day at Grandma's house and such fun was had!

What could be more fun than playing with Baby?

Yes, Elysia loves her new Baby!

It's also fun riding around on Daddy's shoulders.

Hmmm....is that a bald-spot I see?? 

Yes, we had a great day!

She's a Mover!

I'm a proud Mama!  My little Elysia has figured out how to move.  OK, it isn't the traditional crawling, but that's ok because my kid likes to be unique.  Who needs to crawl when you can roll?  That's way more fun, and very effective in getting where you want to go.

I was visiting my parents yesterday and that's where to big move happened.  I put her on the floor for some play-time and away she went!  She looked so cute and incredibly pleased with herself.  With every roll, she would lay on her tummy and lift her head to see who was watching.  Then she would give a big gummy smile and roll again.  There's no stopping her now!

Yes, I definitely think she is enjoying the independence of being able to move.  She used to get so frustrated trying to reach for things and now she can get them herself.  It is awesome to see her confidence grow every day.  I tried to put shoes on her earlier today and she kept rolling!  It took me a lot longer than usual.  My new normal, I guess!  When Steve got home from work, he tried to put her pajamas on and she kept rolling away from him.  It was hilarious trying to see him button up her pj's while she was trying to roll.

Such changes in my little one!  She moves, sits up on her own, chats...I love seeing her learn new things, and now they seem to be happening almost daily.

Today she and I also had a great time together.  It was such a beautiful day that we just had to get outside and go for a walk.  Elysia hates her car seat (which sits in her stroller and faces backwards), but loves to sit in her stroller facing forward.  So this time I put her in her stroller facing forward and away we went.  She had a blast!  Elysia looked at everything and happily baby-chatted away.  We walked all the way to Tim Hortons where I enjoyed a Coffee and she enjoyed a well deserved Mum-Mum.  Then we walked home where she had a nap (for about a whopping 30 minutes) and then played until her Daddy came home.  After that she had some chicken and rice for dinner (another first for her) followed by a very necessary bubble bath.  Chicken, rice and Mum-Mum now washed out of her hair, she got in her PJ's and went to bed.

So now it is my time to rest.  Dinner is done, dishes are done, laundry is done, and tea is in hand.  Tomorrow is a new day, filled with many more firsts...and rolls!

The Movie Adventure

"It's Complicated"...

Not really.  I went to the movies earlier today with my little Elysia and saw the new Meryl Streep movie called, "It's Complicated."  The first thirty minutes or so, Elysia was awesome.  She layed in her car seat, watched the movie screen, and just looked adorable.  It was like she and I were really watching a movie together.  Too cute!  I wonder what she was thinking when she was watching that giant theatre screen.  Hmmm...Perhaps she is the next Scarlett Johannson or Julia Roberts? 

I know my kid is cute, but I also know that this peaceful movie watching can't last.  So after the first thirty minutes, I was prepared.  I had already made a bottle for her and had it sitting in the little drink holder beside me.  I had also brought a secret weapon...Mum Mum's.  Never heard of em'?  Neither had I until only a few days ago.  When my daughter started teething, we had to cancel a get-together with my neighbours because Elysia was rather grouchy.  They have a baby only a few weeks younger than Elysia and suggested we try these cookies, so the next day Steve and I went out and bought a box.  She loved them! 

So when my little girl started to get fussy during the movie, I handed her a Mum Mum.  She happily squished the rice cookie in her fingers, her dress, her bib, and her hair.  I'm not sure how, but I think she also managed to eat a little of the cookie.  Well, at least it gave me another fifteen minutes of movie watching.

With the Mum Mum gone, so was Elysia's patience.  She was ready to move!  I took her out of her car seat and she sat on my lap drinking her bottle rather happily for a few minutes.  I watched the movie, casually pulled out the Mum Mum remains from her hair, and enjoyed the peace.  Bottle now finished...

Time to jump, shout, growl, and squeal!

OK, it wasn't that bad.  But we did have to leave our seat and go for a little walk.  The good news?  The two of us were able to see most of the movie, including the end.  Was it worth it?  Yes, I think so.  It was really nice getting out for the afternoon with other moms and enjoy a movie.  Even if I am still finding Mum Mum's in my daughter's hair!

Can't Sleep, ummm...Won't Sleep

My baby sleeps through the night now...mostly.  Once in a while she wakes up, but usually she'll sleep until 7:30 or 8:00.  Bed time isn't the problem, nap time is.  Every day I put her down for a nap around ten, she goes to bed happily, but by 10:25 she is screaming.  Same with her afternoon nap.  What do I do?  She is tired and cranky, but she screams until I go and get her up.  At seven months, she still needs to nap!  She did it again today.  After 45 minutes of crying, I went and picked her up.  She instantly stopped crying and was quite the happy little girl.  I feel so awful if I let my baby cry, yet I also think she needs her sleep.  Sigh...Any suggestions/advice? 

We Got a TOOTH!

So there I was the other day being my daughter's personal teething ring.  This isn't a new thing, as she has been teething since she was about 3 1/2 months old.  When she got a little older and was able to hold things, she would grab my hand and put my finger in her mouth and chomp.  It was ok at first as it was all gum, but last time there was a definite sharp pain.  There, on her bottom front gum, was a little tooth!  Congrats, little Elysia.  Ummm...can you stop using me as your teething ring now?

She and I have also discovered a 'Mommy and Me' group in our neighbourhood.  Last Monday we met at our local Starbucks/Chapters and hung out with four other moms with babes.  It was so nice meeting them, as I love where I live but it's been a bit lonely for me.  At this meet-up, my girl was the senior baby there (the other kids were 6 months and under) and she knew it!  At 7 months, Elysia knows how to be the cool kid in the bookshop.  She was standing, smiling at people as they walked by, and chatting with anyone who would listen (and even if they wouldn't!).  Quite the little charmer.  So cute! 

Next week my Mommy and Me group are going to the movies....now that should be interesting!

The Growl

Yes, my daughter is sweet.  She looks at you with these great big eyes and gives a grin that would melt even the grouchiest of people (just ask her 'Grumpa'!).  But make my little muffin mad, and watch out!

I know she's only 7 months old, but don't let her young age and teeny-weeny size fool ya.  She is one feisty cookie (why is it that when I describe my baby, it's always with food references???).  Hmmm...perhaps I should call Dr. Phil.  Or Jenny Craig...

Anyway, enough side-tracking.  My daughter seems to have a bit of a temper.  Ever heard a baby growl?  No?  Neither had I until I tried to make Elysia sit down instead of stand.  "Grrrowl..."  Hmmm, I suppose she would rather stand.  I took her to Church last Sunday, and I guess she didn't really enjoy the sermon (sorry, Pastor Bob!).  "Grrrowl..."  Apparently they heard her five rows ahead!  Someone told my mom that they thought she was snoring until they figured out it was a growl.  It is so funny to hear this bad tempered sound come out of this tiny little girl!  Perhaps I can record it and make her listen to it when she is older.  I'm sure she'd just love that when her friends are over!

But that's not all.  My multi-talented little peanut (there I go with those food references again) also does this baby sort of yell.  If you don't believe me, just try putting her down for a nap. 

Hmmm...I wonder what Frosty did to make her mad?  =)















Yep, my Elysia has a temper! Grrrowl.....

The Joy of Baking

I love to bake.  Cooking really isn't my thing, but baking is so much fun!  Cookies, cakes, pastries, breads...If it sounds good, I'll search for a recipe and bake it.

The other day I decided to make peanut butter cookies.  I don't even like peanut butter!  It wasn't until I had used up the entire jar of peanut butter and had filled the oven with about two-dozen cookies that I realised that my hubby doesn't really like them either.  Good thing my family and the people Steve works with likes em'!

I seldom eat what I bake, I just enjoy making things.  One moment I'll be having a cup of tea or doing laundry or something, and the next moment I'll have the urge to make something yummy.  Bananas getting too ripe?  Banana bread!  Chocolate chips in an un-opened package (hard to imagine, I know)?  Cookies!  Hmmm...is that brown sugar sticking out of the cupboard while I'm trying to reach the salt?  More cookies! 

If you're going to bake, you gotta have the hat!

In December I was able to share my love of baking with my friend, Linda.  I spent the afternoon in her lovely home and we made delicious oatmeal raisin cookies and other yummy treats.  Coffee, laughs, conversation and baking.  It was so much fun baking with a friend! 

My friend, Linda.

Perhaps we'll have another bake-athon soon!!

Ready or not, 2010 here I come!

What a year 2009 was!

So many things happened in the past year, both good and some not so good, and here we are entering the next decade. 

Last year:

• My husband started work at a new department.  This was a great move, as he is much happier and works a much better schedule for our little family.
• Our beautiful baby girl joined our little family.  June 6th brought us Elysia Grace, and our world hasn't been the same since!
• My father started his second bout against Cancer and is still fighting strong. 
• Allister, (my brother) came home from a few months of living in China.

Now what will 2010 bring?  So far...

I started 2010 with optimism, as we rang in the New Year with dear friends.  We played cards, watched movies and ate tons of food all evening long.  Then, on New Years day, we went to my husbands family for a big dinner.  It was there that I fell down the stairs and promptly landed on my butt.  Of course I was carrying my daughter at the time, so the two of us went flying through the air and I did everything I could to cushion her fall (thank you Christmas junk food for adding to my cushioning!).  She burst into tears, which were promptly followed by tears from her mama, but thankfully the two of us were fine. 

So there you have it.  If I've learned anything from my 2010 experiences so far, it is that there will be good and bad, but helping me through it all will be my wonderful family and my dear friends.  More good news?  The extra cushioning is obviously necessary.  Cookies and cakes, here I come!

OK 2010, I'm ready for ya!