Breakfast, Crackerjacks, Baseball, and Fireworks

What a day!

A few days ago it was my husband's 31st Birthday, so to begin our day we went out for breakfast.  Elysia loved the French toast, and she was quite the little hit in the restaurant!  It was really nice, she was all smiles and chatty, and Steve and I were able to enjoy a really pleasant breakfast.

After breakfast the three of us headed out to Steveston for a walk through the little seaside shops and along the water.  We brought Cody (our great big puppy), put Elysia in the stroller, and away we went.  I really like the little shops in Steveston, and unlike my hubby, I love to go in and look at all the funky things.  I walked by this cute little children's clothing shop and I, of course, couldn't just walk by and not go in!  So while I was perusing the little shoes and adorable outfits, my husband called me from outside.  I hurried out to find that Steve had been stung by a wasp!  Well, we think it was a wasp.  Whatever it was, it sure was nasty.  Something was in his hair, and when he flicked it out it stung him.  His finger and hand began to swell, so we headed over to the Pharmacy where I bought him some Benadryl. 

My hubby on Benadryl is quite funny.  It makes him extremely drousy, so we decided it was best to leave Steveston.  So now it was my turn to drive, as hubby fought the desire to fall asleep.  Next stop, my parent's house. 

We spent a little while at my parent's house while the Benadryl wore off, and then Elysia spent the evening with Grandma and Grumpa while Steve and I went out to see a Baseball game.  The Vancouver Canadians were playing their home opener, so we thought it would be a fun way to spend the evening.  We bought overpriced hot dogs, beers, and settled in to watch the game.  Half way through the game we saw the people behind us eating Crackerjacks and we just had to have some!  When was the last time you ate Crackerjacks???  I used to love them when I was a kid.  So the two of us enjoyed this yummy treat while watching the home team win their home opener.  Perfect!

Not long after the game ended, there was an amazing fireworks show for all the fans.  It was awesome!  Steve and I loved it, and it was the perfect way to end the day.  What a Birthday!!

The Trials of Parenting

Steve is really easygoing, and I was a very pliable child. Neither of us has a bad temper, and we never imagined that we would have a child with one.


My daughter turned one a week ago, and she seems to have already hit the terrible two’s. Everything seems to be a battle lately, and she is testing me daily. For example, when I change her throughout the day, she gets really angry, twisting her little body, arching her back, and trying to crawl away. Add to this screaming, clenched fists, and a very red little face, and you have one mad child.

I’m also having issues with feeding her. At breakfast she will sit in her chair and angrily scream if her food isn’t there fast enough for her. At other meals, if she doesn’t like what she is eating, she will raise her hand and shove you away. This causes the food to spill onto the floor, her clothes, and the chair. I decided when Elysia was able to eat regular food that I would give her pretty much everything I ate. This worked for a while, but now she is really determined to eat what she wants.

Bedtime is another trying time. As I write this, my daughter is screaming in her crib. She doesn’t want to go to bed, and she is letting me know it! If you’ve read my earlier blogs, you probably know that I have a terrible time getting Elysia to nap. This now often extends to bedtime.

I’m not really sure what to do. I mostly go on instinct, but I also always question my decisions. All this, and she’s only 16 lbs! Sigh...I guess she is 16 lbs of pure attitude.

One frustrated and confused Mama here.

A Few Pictures of Elysia's First Birthday

A Few Birthday Pictures!!

My Dad, Steve, and I singing the 'Happy Birthday' song to Elysia. 

I tried so hard to keep the Princess Crown on Elysia.  Lucky for me, my friend was able to take a picture with her wearing it!  She had approximately a 0.3 second window to get this shot.  :-)

Apparently the 'Princess' Crown suits me too...

Elysia sure loves her Grandma!

Time for Cake!Yummy Princess Cupcake, that is!

Yes, it was a fun 'Princess' First Birthday!!

A Birthday to Remember

My dearest Elysia is now a one year old.

We celebrated her party yesterday (even though the official big day is today) because her Daddy had to work today.  We had approximately 28 family and friends join us for our little celebration, and thankfully the sun shined and the day was beautiful.

It was a Princess themed Birthday Party, with princess invitations, tablecloth, napkins, plates, balloons, streamers...it was a pink explosion!  Elysia even had a lovely tiara shaped cake made of cupcakes.  Yum!  I'm so grateful to everyone who helped, too.  My friend Carla came early to help me decorate (she also helped me stay calm when it was almost time for people to arrive and I still had so much to do!!), and my family brought a lot of the delicious food for all to enjoy.  Where would we be without the love of family and friends?

My daughter is still a terrible napper, and she usually sleeps only once in the late morning.  Thus, by late afternoon she can sometimes go from being my cute kid to a little grumpy pants.  So for her birthday, Steve and I kept her up and didn't give her a nap until around noon.  By 2:00, she was awake and in a great mood for her party!  OK, she was in a great mood until her cake was brought out.  For some reason Elysia burst into tears at some point during the 'Happy Birthday' song!  Eating the yummy cake seemed to help a bit though. 

Elysia has been blessed with so many wonderful family and friends in her life.  They love her and spoil her, and they definitely spoiled her on her Birthday!  I think I received the best gift of all though.  I have had the joy and pleasure of watching my beautiful daughter grow into a wonderful one year old girl.

How can my girl be one? Didn't I just bring her home from the hospital a week or so ago?

Pics to follow...

So Much Love

In just a few short days, my little girl is going to be One.

There are so many things I love about my daughter...

I love how she gives me this proud smile when she does something new, like when she says a new word.  I love how every time I go into the garage with her she starts making these funny little noises just because she likes to hear the echo.  I love how she sleeps on her tummy with her knees pulled up under her tummy and her bum up in the air.  I love how she says 'num num' when she wants something to eat.  I love how she starts bouncing when she sees you eating a treat that she just has to try.  I love how she growls, even when she's in church.  I love how she likes music.  She is drawn to the sounds, and starts to do this adorable little baby jig.  I love how she smiles at me when she sees me in the morning.  I love her giggle.  It's so contagious that anyone who hears it begins to laugh with her.  I love how excited she gets when she sees her Daddy.  I love how she climbs up on my lap when she wants cuddles...

My list could go on and on, so I'll end with this one.

I love how my daughter has blessed my life.  Was there life before her?

Pancake Breakfast and May Day Parade

Today we got up early and headed to Fort Langley for our first parade. Before the parade started there was a pancake breakfast that we just had to attend. After filling our tummies with a yummy breakfast, we headed over to find a good spot to watch the parade. I love community things like this! There were people outside selling cotton candy, ice-cream, and other goodies. There were also hot dogs, snacks, and people selling silly little children's toys. There was even a big church garage sale going on! The street in Fort Langley was lined with children and parents, and walking by were clowns making balloon animals, and children selling kettle corn. When the parade started, Elysia loved it. She watched as the Police motor bikes drive by, the fire trucks, and she really loved the horses. It was a fun afternoon!

We just arrived at the parade, and found the perfect place to sit and watch the festivities.

Elysia and Cody hanging out and waiting for the parade to start.

The best family pic I managed to take.

Ummm...I think Elysia is ready for her nap...

It was a fun day!!

She's Growing Up So Fast!

I can't believe how quickly my baby girl is growing up!

OK, she's still tiny, but she has her own mind and a whole lotta' spunk.  We took her shopping yesterday and put her in the shopping cart.  For the most part she likes it, but she has also taken to putting her mouth on the handle of the cart!  So gross!!!  Of course we bring a supply of wipes so that we can clean the cart before our little kiddo can munch on the handle, but it still doesn't stop me from trying to stop her from eating it.  She gets so mad when I stop her, too.  I thought we had found a way around that little problem by giving her her soother while shopping.  No such luck.  Apparently the soother isn't nearly as tasty as the yucky shopping cart!  But here's our latest problem.  When I put her in the cart at Shoppers, there was no seatbelt and she decided she didn't want to sit down.  She stood up, hung onto the back of the cart and turned herself around!  She did this twice!  So there I was standing in the store saying, 'Elysia Grace!  Stop that right now!  You have to turn around and sit down properly.'  Yeah, like that works. 

We also went swimming for the first time last Monday.  Steve, Elysia and I went to our local Community Pool and played in the water for about an hour.  Elysia loved it!  She looked so cute in her little swimsuit, too.  I'll definitely have to get a picture of her in it.  She giggled, splashed around, and really enjoyed her time in the water.  In fact, we liked it so much that we went again yesterday!  This summer, I am enrolling her in swim lessons, and I think it will be a lot of fun for both her and I.

Elysia isn't quite walking yet, but she sure does crawl.  That girl can move!  We are trying to help her get the idea of walking, though.  Today her Uncle Tory held her hands and she walked around the living room.  She had a huge smile on her face and baby-babbled the entire time.  It was so cute.  Then he let go of her hands and she stood, unaided, for about five seconds.  All by herself!!  Huge cheer for my baby girl!  She's awesome.  Thankfully my Mom had her camera handy for the big moment.  You go, girl!