Easter Happenings

Hippity Hoppity! This is what Sadie & I spotted in our front yard last week, Easter is coming! We were at my parents for the weekend, as soon as we got there we were all anticipating the arrival of the newest addition.... 'Baby Gavin" Brooke made it all the way from Edmonton to show off the new little one. Let's just say he was well loved all weekend long.


We enjoyed all the sun and Lindsay was out trying to be the best mom before she left for Mexico (ughh jealous). Pulling all three of the kids around, that's how she rolls in the small town. I'm jealous she makes it look fun and easy.
The Easter Bunny came on Saturday which was genius I think, and didn't bring too much chocolate or candy which I also think is genius. (thanks Linds) It was Lindsay's idea & I was all for it, I felt a little stingy and grinchy at first but when all the candy was pretty much gone in a day it was good.

Sadie had her first go at colouring Easter eggs, she took it very seriously.

We took the eggs out to the 'BIG' Hill in the backyard to roll the eggs. Again a hit with the kids.

But even better was rolling them down the slide followed by a wee

We ventured over to the town Egg hunt and I know I am from southern Alberta, but the wind was crazy. So it was really a race to get a couple eggs and run back inside.

Sadie totally loved Baby Gavin and loved holding and smothering him all weekend. I hope it lasts.

uneventful events

In no particular order some of the uneventful things still going on here and there....

giving up the soother for some golf clubs... this was HUGE for the both of us you have no idea how much I loved it too. Really hasn't been too bad either.

The night she gave up her soother, she also gave up her crib, the floor for the night

trip to the zoo with these cute girls

freezing and flying kites with the Hudsons

obsessing over sunglasses on sunny days

taking naps less and less, but none the less still taking some

working on her mommy skills
for the last week I anticipate the moment she actually gives in stops requesting for anything and everything she can think of and finally falls asleep

watching James ride his bike...

and his mom come to the rescue to fix the broken wheel

looking and feeling more preggo everyday. My friend and fabulous photographer Alysha took some pictures the other day (35 weeks) you can see her photography work here

I know I will be feeling the effects of less sleep and lack of energy after the baby joins us, so I am trying to enjoy a few last lazy days here and there. Some mornings I pretend I am on bed rest and teach Sadie the importance of independent play. good plan. My due date is April 19th so 3 weeks or so to go.

less is more

I 've heard this quote before I read it again today & I love the little reminder.

“The biggest mistake I made as a mother is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

-Author Anna Quindlen

Today happened to be a pretty good day. I didn't capture too many moments on my camera (which if you know me I do love to do). But together the 2 of us created many unforgettable memories in my mind. First I did go to my 5th ultrasound & STILL don't know what we are having (by our own choice). Sadie played over at the Hudson's. We went to Toys R Us & it totally reminded me of New York where we would spend a good portion of the afternoon in the toy stores there & never once would she want one of the toys, so I think that has stuck she seriously did not ask for any toys just looked and played with them. We were there to get a toy but that is a whole other story I can't even talk about yet. We stopped at the playground where she had so much fun. She played with some of the other kids, & just kept herself busy. Before supper she totally invited me into her little pretend world, it was so fun to see her little imagination go. Pulling out cushions, rowing her boat, saving parrots and turtles, yes it was good times. Had a bath where again a whole other world of play opens up. Yes, she can & does play by herself. Sometimes I like to just listen & watch, sometimes I am forced to join, and sometimes I await the invitation to PLAY!
So it is the end of the day & yes I suppose I "got a little less done" but I don't think I would change a thing.

I really think my mom 'treasured the doing' with all of us kids and for sure I see both her and my dad do it with all their grand kids. So here they are just doing what they should be doing.

Tell me my dad isn't the only one who has been doing this for as long as I can remember, it never gets old with kids.

If you haven't heard

30 is so the new 20! I am loving it.

I had the most fabulous birthday week, because when you turn 30 you celebrate for a whole week. It's so great, and it was so worth going down to my parents so I could celebrate the first half there, and when they were done I came home. I had to inform Ryan the party must continue, he wasn't thrilled but he is a sport and spoiled me.
Here are some of the reasons why the week was soo great.
Friends - I am ridiculously lucky I have some great ones.
Simone planned a little surprise get together with a few other girls which was really fun. Super cute little 80's theme (the year I was born) so we had some good laughs about all the fads of the 80's. I really felt so special and spoiled.
Got together with a couple of my 'high school' friends down south always a good time.
Family- I had 2 birthday dinners with my family in Raymond, and then one with Ryan & Sadie.
Sadie napped on my birthday. loved it.
I have had way too many birthday cakes, desserts and treats. I think I'll just blame the added weight gain on the baby not me.
so many sweet little thoughtful gifts from friends and family.

I guess I was too busy having fun I didn't really take many pics to document the BIG occasion.
Thanks to everyone who made my day so great. 30 is so my year! Maybe don't ask me how old I am for a while I am still getting used to it.

BAD idea

You gotta have at least one or two least favorite chores to do, right? So the other day I decided to do some of the dreaded ironing. For the most part this consists of Ryan's dress shirts. I don't know if anyone else is like me but if at all possible I'd rather not waste "my free time" at night or during a nap to do the dreaded task. I pulled out the iron and Sadie immediately started saying "no, no" like she read my mind. Then she saw some Styrofoam packaging and started poking, clawing & picking at it. I SERIOUSLY thought sweet I bet she will be entertained by this for a bit and I'll get the job done. I totally just watched (& ironed) as she made a complete mess and had a lot of fun. Harmless right? Don't get me wrong I knew I would have to clean it up, but I for real thought NO BIGGIE, I'll whip out a vacuum and woola it would be clean in no time and completely worth the mess. I finished & I got out the vacuum, then the broom, the shark, the hand held. UGGHHH Those little Styrofoam balls were EVERYWHERE & were so clingy. So it was total disaster, BAD idea. The truth is I'm still picking some stray ones up.

My finished project. yeah!

Sadie's freaking disaster, the picture doesn't do it justice. Although it is a little embarrassing how messy the room is too.

I need some GOOD ideas. Sadie doesn't eat, for real blame me, blame Ryan (he will never admit it but he is kinda picky- he refers to it as preferences.) It is true invite him over for dinner and he will eat whatever is served no questions, but it may not be what he "prefers." I say Sadie has his picky eating habits only he is not even picky compared to her. Most days I push it outta mind, but when I think about it or see other kids eat everything off their plates. I remember ahh yes lucky me, my baby wasn't a dream sleeper, and now my toddler is so not the greatest eater. Thank goodness she's got her looks. he he jk. It would be easier to make a list of things Sadie does eat than what she doesn't eat. Hasn't eaten vegetables in who knows how long, meat is tricky, I can sneak it in sometimes, but sometimes she spits it out. I try no snacks in hopes if I starve her she will eat whatever is served. But day after day I lose the battle. We've tried the dessert tactic, and as much as she LOVES the sweet stuff in the end she will hold out. She usually just walks away from her dinner & dessert. So I keep hoping one day it will all change or at very least I have high hopes of how I will train the next one. Anyways I don't want to rant for too long, just been thinking about it, and that's about it.

I wish...

Just the other day I was wishing that winter was over & it was really spring. I'm not one that likes to complain or overly talk about the weather (but I think it's just in my blood as in from my dad).
I don't think this winter has been horrible, and it has been getting nice and I just know it's gonna be a teaser and we will get more snow (and I shouldn't be surprised by this). It doesn't help that Sadie is a winter wimp and needs to be toughened up, so our winter outings are limited. On the nice days we do try to get out and enjoy it.


But do I wish I lived somewhere else of course not. Isn't everyone so proud to be a Canadian right now. Love watching the Olympics!

just me???

I would be lying if I said I am happy it won't be just me & Sadie anymore... ok that doesn't sound quite right. Am I alone in thinking that having just one little sidekick is the best? Seriously I feel like we've both got it down so good, we can head out for the day and are soo happy to do whatever the 2 of us do. Sometimes it's just good ol errands, grocery shopping, stopping in at the mall, getting a treat, going swimming, or meeting up with friends. No matter what it is it seems easy for the most part and fun. I suppose I fear the unknown, & right now 2 is still the unknown.

I am also experiencing a little bit of that anxious feeling of ughhh.... it will never be the same. Did I make the most of our little time together? I know it sounds ridiculous. But perhaps that explains the fact that in the last week I have been getting all "Sadie isn't your mom the best" as we painted, made and played playdough both for the first time, did other crafty things, took her to a little music class, had her book club friends over, planned a little Valentines get together, asked for a few more cuddles and read an extra book or two at bedtime(I don't think I really did that, but now that she is sleeping it seems like a nice thought). Right now me and 2 kids seems like a lot to handle, going to groceries suddenly sounds overwhelming and becomes a chore rather than a fun outing. Did I mention I went to the zoo today too. Enough mom bragging the other moms I went with had 3 kids with them, so I say wahoo hats off to them.

She looks so content to just do her thing. Hoping she will find good ways to entertain herself when it really counts.

I totally think this picture looks like a school photo, it was self posed.

I guess I will continue to make the most of the next couple months and try not to let this growing baby slow me down just yet. I really have pretty much nothing to complain about as far as pregnancy goes. I overheard Ryan on the phone to a friend the other day and in response to the question of how is the family and such doing Ryan said something like, " yeah she's good, other than a little tired, she is pretty much made to have babies." So there ya have it, spoken like a true husband eh. Who by the way does not pay attention at all to when this baby is suppose to come, as in he thought it was in March?? ughhh what's another month right?

I am sure I will say it every time I go up to Edmonton. I like that city. I really do like that mall, it's so great even on a Saturday. Of course fun to see a few people when we go up too.

Sadie doing the pee grab.

I think I somehow managed to look not so pregnant next to Brooke who is due in a month, lucky me for now anyway. Anyway I totally made her take a preggo picture. After harassing her she admitted she has one picture of herself preggo and didn't like it so she deleted it. I suppose she'll be laughing when I'm still large and she is just cuddling a new babe.