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!

It's Christmas time, Pretty Baby...but no snow is falling on the ground...

Ahhh...Christmas.  The tree, the food, friends, family, a warm fire, snow...ok, no snow here but you get the idea.  Don't you just love Christmas? 

We had the best Christmas ever this year because we had our dear darling Elysia join our little clan.  Such a joy she was!  Of course we had to wear a pretty dress and visit Santa.

Hmmm....are you sure you're the real Santa?

Yep, I've been a good girl!

I just Love Christmas!  Ooohhh...is that a real candycane for me to teethe on?

Ahh...after a tough day of visiting Santa, a good bevvie is just what we needed.

Six Months Old and Definitely a Genius

Well, my Elysia turned six months old a few days ago.  6!  It's funny, I used to hear people say that time flies when you have kids, but I never really thought so until my Elysia.  How can she be 6 months?  How precious (and often crazy!!) those months have been!  It seems like only a few weeks ago that I was excitedly waiting for her arrival. Happy Birthday, my dear, darling Elysia.

OK, Winter...Here I Come!!!

Gotta love the hair!

Pucker Up!!  It's picture time. 












Elysia amazes me all the time.  OK, I admit it...my kid is a genius.  Her latest accomplishment?  She can now...(drum-roll, please)...sit up on her own!!  Not long now and she'll be running around the house and playing Mozart on the piano that I am going to have to buy her.  Yep, it's true.  My kid is a genius.  She must get it from her mama.  

Tis the Season to be Jolly

Christmas spirit has invaded my house.  It started early in the morning on November 30th when sounds of the song, 'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,' invaded my dreams.  Steve got up early, dug out the Christmas CDs we purchased last year, dusted them off, and put them on to repeat over and over and over again...

Let the decorating begin!

Steve started by putting up Christmas lights outside our home.  With the garage and front door now adorned with lights, the two of us set our sights on our living room.

Candles, snowmen, twinkle lights, and a Christmas Moose have turned my living room into an explosion of lights, colour and sound.  Of course I had to bake some yummy cookies!!

My Christmas Tree.  Hmmm....looking at this pic, my tree looks a wee bit crooked....

Just need to hang the stockings!

Christmas Moose.  Annie the cat used to sit on Moose's head when she was a baby.  I think that may be why his ears are a little bit squished now.

Yep, Christmas Spirit has invaded my house.  I love it!!

More pics to come.....