always a good time

The highlight of last week was Lindsay & Derek came up to visit. It was fun what can I say we mostly just hung out, chit chatted & let the kids do their thing. It was a good thing we went to Chucky Cheese for Alden's birthday party, because after that it didn't matter what else we did for the kids. I'm pretty sure this is like Disneyland to a kid who doesn't know any better.

I think this was the favorite they stayed in here for quite a while.

I sent some pictures to my mom and I think she thinks that Barney is Chucky Cheese, I laughed to myself. Oh Grandma.

Also on Friday night we (meaning No kids) all went out. It was sweet! We got a babysitter and headed out for dinner and a movie. I've really got to do that more often it was great.
After they all left Sadie & I were still sick and we didn't feel like doing much, mostly just laying around. I guess that is the beauty of being a stay home mom, we did just that. She cuddled with me and just lazed around. She just layed on the floor doing nothing, not even watching t.v. weird I know. Ryan cam home early to see her and she was so not in the mood for anything he tried. She is feeling better, just got to get her napping again.


And lastly I feel like she is a decent sleeper now. So we are on to the next thing, eating, so far she is terrible. Any moms who have experienced this, know how annoying and frustrating it is. I may be to blame as I used to give her snacks and now that is what she would like for lunch and supper. She loves breakfast, no problems but it just goes down from there. I have tried a lot of things & will just keep trying. Unless it is one of the few things she likes she throws it on the floor or if i try to give it to her its like poison when it hits her lips. I'm trying to be tough so she cries through a lot of supper and goes to bed hungry. Is that heartless & cruel or will it work? Any tips?

And here is Ryan & Sadie before bed, and Ryan the baseball LOVER changed the channel from the World Series to Treehouse!! Just because he would do anything for this little girl.

thankful

I have always had so much to be thankful for. It is nice to take some time to remember and enjoy them all. To list just a few

I am so thankful for my own little family I just love them!

For a husband who is so motivated and works so hard and puts in some long days.

To be a mom staying home with Sadie everyday & just doing pretty much whatever we want.

For great families that are so close and we get to visit them often.
For the basics in life (house, food, clothes) there are so many that go without or have lost them.

I AM GRATEFUL
everyday.

JAMES & SADIE

It was meant to be an ode to James & Sadie. I realized the few pictures I took this weekend were of them. These 2 are so cute together.

Sadie & James are starting to have more in common. James has been so quick to do all the baby things. Sadie is by no means caught up but she is getting closer and they are both starting to realize they have a few things in common and are going to be seeing a lot more of each other so they might as well be friends right?!

Just for fun a few random things about these 2

• both bad sleepers (Lindsay & I have exchanged stories, tips, good nights and bad nights way too often) they are both way better now.
• both have extremely blonde hair
• neither of them have a ton of hair (I know I will be corrected for this YES James definitely has more)
• James is as pasty white as can be and Sadie looks like she basking in the sun all summer
• both have worn dresses see Lindsay latest post
• both were sick yesterday yuck
• right now Sadie eats like a lady, James like a total boy
• both make some funny crazy faces
  
• both love having baths and playing in the water
  

It is fun to see what James is up to because it makes me see what will come next for Sadie, which is exciting & also makes me enjoy some phases just a little more.

• This is James' awesome face that totally cracks me up
  

Sadie's nose crinkle face (I think I'll being seeing a lot more of this one)

a sweet moment of sharing

As soon as we got to my parents James was already there he walked on over saying "saDDiee, SaDDieee, Sadddiee. and totally checks out her shoes, her shirt and gives her a hug. I love it I hope he always looks out for her you know in a big brother sort of way. They played together which meant actually sitting and playing sometimes or him bringing her some toys, them battling it out for the same toy (sadie not giving in). James occasionally slowing down trying to hold her hand to help her learn to walk. Aren't this two so cute?

I love not a toy in the tub and they are as happy as can be.

I'm excited these guys are coming up for a visit tomorrow, I just don't think we could EVER get sick of them.

getaways

Ryan & I both had getaways on the weekend. We both went our separate ways for own getaway. Sometimes its better to have time away. In this case, this was true as I do not share the same passion for golf. He went out to Kimberley which has some great courses he would know because we went at the beginning of summer. Most of his time was spent golfing and relaxing.

It is thanks to Ryan's friend Tom that this golf getaways continue to happen. Tom has a place out there to stay, he is single therefore when he has a free weekend he doesn't think twice and just goes.


I headed up to Edmonton for my own fun. I had a blast in Edmonton. I stayed with Brooke & Brett, they just might be the best Aunt & Uncle to visit. (Peter & Gab you are just to far) Since they are kidless they LOVE playing with Sadie and give her soooo much attention. They love Sadie & Sadie loved them. I even got her to babysit for me while I went out. It was pretty cute when I came home and caught Brooke & Brett in the 2 man act of changing her diaper and putting on her pyjamas. he he. Brooke even woke up and came out at 4 am when Sadie was screaming her head off, offering her help.

It was Abby's birthday while I was up. I love that girl, we have so much fun and memories together. She is an amazing girl. She just opened up her own Salon, it is awesome. So she is older and wiser, and lets add beautiful. Love you Abby.

We hadn't seen her in a while but Sadie still loves her.


Loving the fall in Edmonton down in the river valley.
Maren snapped these of Sadie & I.



Yes it was fun to go back to Edmonton. It was so fun to be in a city where I know where everything is (never getting lost). Seeing & visiting friends. Going to WEM. Seriously it is the best I even went on Saturday & it wasn't too crazy, not worse than the traffic here. Where else can you go and have the best shopping (in Canada) and its all in one spot, get a bite to eat, check out flamingos, sea lion show, the waterpark, an amusement park (I can't believe I forgot to take Sadie there) you can say meet me at the whale & everyone knows what I'm talking about, and even run into some friends. Yes I love that mall.We did watch conference did anyone else here the talk where the speaker was listing a few simple things to do to brighten someones day it was something like, a friendly smile, a kind word, a comment on the blog. These guys are in tune, any blogger knows how sweet it is to get comments, but I'm sure he is a non blogger but he knows. I thought it was funny anyway. And the rest of conference that I heard was good too.

It was a birthday weekend! Alysha turned 27 too! I stayed an extra day to have a suprise night out for Alysha. Alysha is the sweetest friend and I am always amazed that she is such a great mom to her 4 kids!!

I was a little sad to leave Edmonton but I was excited to come back home to Ryan (sometimes his weeks are soo busy it seems we hardly spend anytime together). Ryan was soo excited to see Sadie too. Another good reason for the separate getaways so fun to be back together again. If only Ryan was actually home right now....

her favorite

Most kids have a favorite stuffie, pillow, or blankie of some sort growing up, right.? If you thought really hard you could probably remember being attached to something that you HAD to have to go to sleep with & perhaps some of you are still hanging on to. Any mom knows what her child needs as part of the bed time routine & knows what it is like when the item is missing (lots of tears, and no going to sleep until it is found)

Does Sadie have a favorite? Well many may know because I tote it around or because it is in many pictures. Sadie has had a favorite blankie for quite sometime. It is a cute one made by a friend of mine, it has a soft fuzzy crotched edge that is perfect to rub up against her face before closing her eyes.

What you may not know is that lately she is obsessed and finds comfort in holding a spoon in her hand. Some my think this is lame, absurd, weird, funny, peculiar that I am writing this. I definitely think it is a little odd. But I'm not kidding she gets the baby death grip on a little plastic spoon and refuses to let go. So since I noticed this I took a few pictures of her in action. You'll see what I'm talking about.

Correct and proper use of the spoon here

getting ready for bed spoon in hand

crawling around with my spoon

spoon going for a bath

nothing better than a sleeping baby ... with a spoon in hand

good morning mom.. don't worry I got my spoon in hand alreadyI didn't even notice it her, but it looks like Alli swiped her spoon making her a tad upset.

As seen in the pictures its not one particular spoon she is attached to it can usually be changed at meal time. Anyways she is our little spoon girl for now.

On another note the other day I was out doing a few errands with Sadie. As I was approaching the door to leave the building a man rushed over and said, "let me make your life easier." he proceeded to open both doors and let Sadie & I through (I was pushing her in her stroller). I of course thanked him. Then I thought hmmmm what would I really like to make my life easier, it may change daily but today I would choose an in house chef.. how great would that be. What would make your life easier? A maid, nanny, errand runner, taxi, baker, masseuse, or do you love every single aspect of your busy little day and have enough time for it all without losing your cool ever?

She's 1!

Yep my baby is 1! Part of me can't believe it, was it a whole year ago I was walking around with my big ol belly and then the dr. said lets induce you on Saturday or Sunday & I was like Sunday 1 more day I'm not ready yet. Then Sadie came early Saturday anyway. Then there is part of me that is like yep sure feels like a year. We definitely can't imagine our life without her....

Wow the birthday girl showing some excitement.

Checking out the dream car

Grandpa Steeds surprise visit, he just had to see her all grown up

Huh what its my birthday? Yeah Sadie didn't really care for the cake which is unfortunate I made 3! She poked at them and finally took a bite and ate some ice cream.

Anyway we sure did party for this girl. It all began on Saturday when her Nana & Grandpa Tilleman came up to kick off her b-day celebration. She was spoiled with presents, we took a trip out to Ryan's Uncles farm. Where it became apparent that both Ryan & I aren't real animal lovers and she is turning out the same so far. We've given her a chance to see little pets and big ones too but she looks and then holds onto us real tight. Well I am not gonna force that. We went out to eat and came back for some birthday cupcakes.


On Monday my mom, Lindsay and her kids came up to celebrate. Rhonda brought her kids over it was a real PARTAY! I won't lie I am not used to having many kids in my house but I LOVED it. It was all the things you would imagine crazy, loud, screaming, laughing and FUN. We are so glad that you all made it.
Thanks to Lindsay, Rhonda & me for making the cake. way to go team. Oh and Lucy & Alli

This is us stalling while we were waiting for Ryan to walk in the door, the girls kept saying Happy Birthday Sadie, hoping it would get them cake sooner.

The 3 girl grand kids. Aren't they just the cutest. Alli & Lucy both turn 3 next month, so they are all about the birthdays

Sadie & James kind of sitting still for just a second.

A few things I will remember about "baby" Sadie
she was such a good eater.
she was a horrible sleeper
loves to be busy with her toys
can be content to sit and play with toys
was bald
went a lot of places
loved the water
gives a cheesy smile, nose crinkle and all
watches t.v
was a momma's girl
thats all for now
We Love our Sweet little Sadie Jane
HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!

LOVING the FALL

Who isn't loving the fall. We have been trying to spend as much time outside as possible it is just so lovely(yes that is the kind of words you use to describe fall). It is simply delightful to go on walks to the park, swing on swings, slides, visit with friends, eat our picnics, go to the lake, let my kid get filthy, eat dirt, rocks, sand all because it is just too nice to resist.

Look its still shirts off weather.

She is loving the fall, she found the golden leaf.

I think she looks a little chubby here and I'm pretty sure I had her laughing

Sadie on the move, a whole new dirty world for her to discover on her hands and knees.

Yes fall is a time of reflection for us all. Sadie very deep in thought.

We went on a "nature walk" this morning & it turned it to quite the journey we ventured down to the river and back up (that was the hard part). Our walk included sounds of birds & bugs chirping, water rushing and splashes from rocks, we saw lots of grasshoppers, dragonflies, a snake, picked flowers, smelled some sweet peas (love them, more spring than fall but whatever), threw rocks, tasted rocks, tried to drink the river water, dipped our feet in the cold water, saw lots of leaves all changing colours, tickled our nose with wheat and long grass, climbed on the rocks and in the dirt and grass, we almost forgot we were in the city. It was so fun.
And I took a tutu and my camera so I took a zillion pictures of my little darling. There are so many that I think are so adorable, but I think this should more than satisfy any blog reader.

Taking pics of Sadie in the tutu and the fall totally reminded me of last fall in Edmonton when a bunch of us took fall pics of our kids and this was Sadie then.....

THEN it was lunch and Sadie is trying transition from baby food to more real foods and lately she just tosses everything I give her on the floor. SOOO today I did what I thought I would never do made and fed her a PBJ sandwich. I have nothing against any mom who does this multiple times a week for her own child. But I HATE peanut butter like you don't understand. I despise the odour, taste, creaminess or chunkiness, the lingering smell on your breath, but like so many other things that comes with being a MOM I"ll get over it ...

The results are in I'd say she LOVED it!

They are so messy and gooey. Am I going to have to bath my child after every meal?? Is that I sign that she totally and thoroughly enjoyed it? Independence is good but good but it comes at a price.