Two

Two years ago, I was patiently anxiously awaiting your arrival, nine days after your due date.
Two years ago at 11:59 am, tears filled my eyes as we heard "It's a girl," followed by your little lamb cry.
Two years ago, I first counted your ten tiny fingers - complete with one hang nail - and ten little toes on your great big feet.

In the past two years you have gone from sleepy, squishy little newborn, to a happy, friendly toddler.
I look back at times when we struggled to understand your different cries. Were you hungry? Wet? Tired? Now you ask questions, tell me what you want, and say please and thank you.


You make me laugh every single day, even if one (or both) of us is having a hard time. You have taught me patience. I'm still working on it, but I see a big change in myself from two short years ago. You have taught me to enjoy the small things. It is amazing to watch you experience such pure joy over the tiniest things. I love seeing you experience everything for the very first time. You remind me to stop and smell the roses; to take a big deep breath and enjoy these special moments with my little girl in this great big world.

I love watching you perch yourself in the west window every morning and afternoon, watching the school buses drive by, and kids walking to class. I love listening to your baby babbles as you wake up in the morning and after nap, then seeing your face light up when you realize Mama or Dada has come to get you from your crib. I love hearing your silly laugh, and learning what you find humourous. I love when we ask you to do something you don't want to do, and you close your eyes, curl up, and pretend to go to sleep. I love that you say "Wow" when you sneeze, and "Achoo" when anyone else does. I love when you run into your room, grab more books than you can carry, and throw yourself into my lap, asking to hear the stories over and over. I love your enthusiastic counting "One TWO! TWO! Five! Two! TWOOOO!" I love how much you love the great outdoors. Most of all, I love watching you when Daddy comes home after four days away at work. Nothing warms my heart more than the man I love with his little girl.

Being a mom is the hardest, most amazing experience I ever could have imagined. It's so rewarding and fun, but it's also exhausting, and a challenge at times. It's a learning process for all of us, and I can't wait to see what life brings us in this next year.

I love you more than you will ever know. Daddy too. You will always be Daddy's girl.

Happy 2nd birthday, baby girl.

 

My craptastic day (Coles Notes version)

• Had a follow-up for my knee with the family doctor. I was under the impression that I had not broken anything this time round. The paperwork the hospital sent her states otherwise! The hospital also "forgot" to send a copy of my xrays to her, so she's sending me back for more.
• Addison has at least two teeth coming through, and screamed through Morgan's birthday party today.
• I still need help with Addison, as I'm in an immobilizer and on crutches. The people who offered to help me tomorrow and the next day bailed today, with no explanation. I'm on my own with her, and I have no idea how I'm going to do it.
• Isaac is working all weekend.

 

Shaking things up

I left work in August of 2010 and never looked back. It was the best decision for the three of us, and I've loved it more than I ever could have imagined. I'm still in school, and I do want to go back to work, but I really do love being a stay at home Mom. It's not easy. It's exhausting, and frustrating at times. But it's also pretty amazing to be there for every milestone and watch your child grow right before your very eyes. It's the hardest thing I've ever done, and it's a learning curve, but I know one day I'll look back and cherish these moments.

I'm not ready to go back to work yet, but I am getting a little anxious to mix things up a little. I need more adult interaction on a day-to-day basis. There isn't much to do around here, and gas is too expensive ($1.34 this week) to go far. Addison is really starting to get attached to both of us, and we're quickly seeing the benefit of her spending time with other people, and other babies. She loves play group, and visiting friends and the girls. She loves going to our parents houses and spending an afternoon away from us, outside of her normal routine.

We're going to Ottawa next month for my birthday. Hopefully I can see some old friends. It will be an adventure with her in the car for three hours, but I'm excited. I can't wait to go there more often now that it's nice out, and show her all that our capital has to offer.

Soccer starts a few days after we get back. I'm not sure what age I'll be coaching yet, but I'm ready for a new challenge. I did it years ago and had so much fun. We'll have one practice during the week and one game either Friday night or Saturday morning. Addison will go with grandparents or Ryan during the week, and hang out with Isaac on the weekend. Once it's dry, I'm sure she'll enjoy watching from the sidelines.

I was recently offered a job at the Garden Centre, which should start up in April. I'm also looking into Summer School, providing the courses I need are available. It will be nice to get back into a bit of a schedule. It will make for a busy Summer, but I'm ready for a change.

A quick update

Historical Data! Norm: -4 to +5 (25 to 41)

• It was bright and sunny all day. 24 (75) degrees in March! Record-breaking!
• Addison LOVES being outside. Can you blame her?
• She's still not eating well or sleeping great, but she looks much better and is slowly feeling like her normal self again
• We went shoe shopping on the weekend and Addison scored three new pairs of shoes for $26. Pictures to come once her feet heal and she can break them in. Runners, sandals (similar to last year), and Mary Janes. I also picked up black flats for myself for only $10.
• Addison goes outside after lunch and will scream bloody murder when you finally have to bring her inside for dinner at 5:30. She wants to stay out there and collect sticks.
• Xplornet sucks.
• Addison loves it outside.
• Isaac is working nights.
• Soccer registration is this week. I'll find out in early April which age group I'll be coaching: U7, U9, or U11. Cross your fingers that the fields dry up in time.
• The Easter bunny will be here soon!
• Hannah is almost one!
• Have I mentioned how much Addison loves being outside in this great weather? She'll do laps around the house, inspecting the trees and gardens. She has to touch everything.
• I'm almost 25! I'm excited to get up to Ottawa for a visit with some old friends.
• Morgan is almost two!

Where have the past two years gone?

I think she likes her new toy

We bought her this play table for her birthday. She loves it! This was her first time playing with it.

Happy Birthday, Stinky Poo

I can't believe tomorrow's the big day. At 11:59 tomorrow morning, you, my baby girl, will be one year old. I wish Daddy could be here to see you when you wake up in the morning, but he's stuck at work until Thursday. I know he'll be in Toronto thinking about you, and all of the amazing things you've accomplished this year.

At this time last year, we had just come home from the hospital. I was making no progress, so the doctor's had scheduled an induction for October 26. I went in for a different procedure to get that started on the night of the 25. In typical 'unlucky T.J.' fashion, my water broke as soon as we got home, so we basically turned right around and headed back to the hospital. 16.5 hours later, you were here.

Where has this past year gone? Sometimes I look back at newborn pictures and find it hard to believe that you were ever that small. Other times I feel like just yesterday, you were learning to crawl, and the day before that you were learning to sit up on your own. Now you're a walking, talking, soon-to-be toddler.

You love being outside more than anything. It doesn't even matter what we're doing. You can be having an absolute meltdown, and your face lights up the minute you take a breath of fresh air. You say "Mama" and "Dada" somewhat regularly, even if you don't know exactly what those words mean just yet. When Nana tries to get you to say her name, you laugh every single time. You dance like a rock star, shaking your butt and wiggling your shoulders. Adele is your favourite, but Beyonce has also got you moving on more than one occasion. You decided a few days ago that you're too cool to crawl, so you're walking more often than not these days. You like to tickle Mommy's feet, saying "Daydayday," and then laugh about it. You were pretty proud of yourself when you recently learned how to flush the toilet. You love playing with the volleyball, and keyboard, and it's hard to keep you away from any sort of electronics.

You're such a happy, easy-going baby. With four teeth currently coming in at once (making eight total), it can be an absolute nightmare for everyone at times, but your smiles and laughs get us all through the day. It's all worth it, just to see your face light up. The most amazing feeling is when I see the look in your eye every Friday night when Daddy comes home from work. It usually takes you a minute to figure out what's going on as he comes into the house and calls your name, but then it clicks. You smile and laugh, and stomp your way over to him.

You've taught me patience and how to enjoy the little things in life. Sometimes it's hard to be alone all week with a cranky baby, while trying to do school, and keep a clean house. Then I look over at you crawling into the cabinet beside the crockpot eating your own sock. Sometimes all it takes to make you happy is letting you roll an empty container across the floor, or pretending to sneeze (which always makes you laugh).

This year has been amazing. Thank you for being such a wonderful little girl. I'm so happy to have you in my life and I cannot wait to see what this year brings. Happy Birthday, to my favourite little girl in the world. I hope you enjoy it.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than words can describe.

- Mommy xo

To-do List

Between now and Nov 7:

• Clean the house!

• School: PSYC readings: Chapter 2, 3, 4, 5
• Wash Addison's birthday outfit (The one gift she'll open on her actual birthday)
• Ottawa: Pick up playpen from Mom's, Book hotel (Oct 28-29), Pack 1/2 bags (1/2 done), set aside outfits/shoes with a blanket and coat, stock up diaper bag, pack play pen sheets
• Addison's party: Banner, wreath, quilt, table for presents/cake, buy tablecloth/card/drinks, make cupcakes/mac salad, blow up/hang balloons
• Halloween: Buy box of Candy to bring to Ryan's, set aside outfit/shoes to wear under costume, with a blanket and coat

• Oct 26: Addison's birthday
• Oct 28: Ottawa/LAWS midterm
• Oct 29: PSYC midterm/home from Ottawa
• Oct 30: Addison's birthday party
• Oct 31: Halloween
• Nov 7: Isaac's birthday

What's next?

• September 5: Meg's birthday
• September 8: SCHOOL!
• October 1 September 24: Ryan and Nicole move to their new house 
• October 6: Provincial election
• October 10: Thanksgiving
• October 26: Addison's 1st birthday
• October 29: Addison's 1st birthday party
• October 31: Halloween
• November 7: Isaac's birthday

Throw some mid-terms in there, and I am booked solid this October! More details to come. I'm too tired right now.

You're almost one!

And the brainstorming has begun for her fall-themed party. Here are some ideas:

• Make/mail cards (layout idea) by September 26
• BBQ dinner: Pulled pork, chicken, salads, cookies, cupcakes and ice cream for guests, smash cake for Addison
• Make pendant for high chair, flowers or pendant for back wall behind gift/treat table, make wreath with burgundy/brown/yellow flowers for front door (and leave up for Fall)
• Buy Addison a burgundy/brown/yellow outfit, birthday bib
• Gifts: Finish baby scraps quilt, books, Leapfrog Potsy? Picnic? Violet?
• Birthday photos (Meg?)/scrapbook pages

Keeping busy and enjoying the weather

We finally got a week or so with no rain. YAY! Unfortunately it's coming back with a vengeance tomorrow, but that's besides the point. For now, we shall enjoy it! It's currently 24 outside. LOVE!

So our crazy month is just about up. Easter, Hannah's birthday, my birthday, election, Mother's Day and Morgan's birthday have all (finally) passed. Next up is Ryan's birthday, then the craziness dies down a little.

Somehow I didn't get a chance to get on here and talk for days about the election. Long story short, I didn't get to work it because Elections Canada cannot accommodate nursing mothers. Hopefully I'll get to do it next time. While I'm very upset that Harper won a majority government, I'm incredibly happy with the many other stories that came from May 2. NDP is our official opposition for the first time in Canadian history. Go, Jack, Go! Ignatieff stepped down as Liberal leader after an abominable finish, and Duceppe resigned, as the Bloc loses recognition as a formal party. Finally, Elizabeth May won her own riding and got the Green Party their very first seat in Parliament. There is one heck of a silver lining here after all. We can only go up from here, Canada.

Mother's Day was nice and quiet. We had my (belated) birthday party on May 7, after which Isaac, Addison and I stayed in the trailer. It was a really nice afternoon/night out at the lot with a camp fire and a few good friends. I got to sleep in the next morning as Isaac cleaned up. He made me breakfast at home and Addison and I spent the rest of the day shopping in Belleville with my Mom. It was perfect, being able to spend the day with my Mom and daughter. Mom bought us some flowers so we spent the afternoon fixing up the front garden beneath the picture window. It looks so much better already!

Morgan's turned one on Wednesday. I still cannot believe she's already one! Where did this past year go? She'll hold on to your finger and walk pretty quickly all around the house, and she can get up and down from the couch by herself. She's drinking milk and using sippy cups now. I see her often and I'm still in disbelief.

Ryan and Nicole had a small party for her with family and a few friends, an Eeyore cake and lots of presents. It was cute to watch her pick at her piece of cake and bat some balloons around. She got kind of cranky though, and had no interest in her birthday hat or any pictures.

Addison has just passed out on the floor in the Living Room as I write this, and Isaac is off measuring the lot with his Dad and Laine. I'm going to do some laundry. Hopefully I can get Mom's camera and upload some recent pictures.

Time flies

I can't believe it's already May! Addison is six months old. This year is flying by!

Kelly had been visiting up in Sudbury and came back home to see me on my birthday yesterday. I hadn't seen her since August. We got to catch up and play with Addison together all morning. She got engaged last weekend so there was a lot of wedding talk, of course. She probably won't get married for another few years (once she's done school) so I have plenty of time to try and convince her to have dresses like this:

 

and hats like this:

 

 Seriously though, the one thing she does know is her colour scheme: pale green and cream. So maybe something more along these lines:

Awesome, right? Haha. This will be fun. Congrats, to my best friend!

In other birthday news, we took Addison to the park after Kelly left. It was gorgeous outside. Finally! We've only had about two days so far where it hasn't been cold and rainy. Yesterday was 20+ out there. The park was flooded (as always) but the swings were fine. She seemed to enjoy herself. She hadn't slept at all the night before, so thankfully she went down for nearly two hours when we got home. After that, we went to my parents house for a bit.  Addison stayed with them while Isaac and I went for a nice long walk around town and dinner at our favourite local pub.  It was a very good day!

Upcoming events

Things to look forward to!

• Apr 21: Training to work at the election
• Apr 22: In-laws get home from their vacation
• Apr 22: Easter weekend
• Apr 28: My Niece's due date
• Apr 29: University ends, Isaac's brothers come home
• Apr 30: My birthday
• May 2: Election (That's not very exciting in itself, but I'm pretty pumped to do some easy work for great pay)
• May 8: Mother's Day
• May 11: My other Niece's 1st birthday
• May 23: My Brother's birthday (Is Brother capitalized?)

Baby shopping is overwhelming

With Morgan's first birthday and the birth of her sister quickly approaching, I've been scouring baby stores like it's going out of style. I've decided to get Morgan Leapfrog's My Pal Violet,

and will probably do the same for Addison's first birthday as well. Ryan finally decided what he wants for the new baby, so Isaac and I will be buying them the Fisher Price My Little Lamb Swing.

More about us

Isaac's home on Paternity Leave and the weather is improving day-to-day. I'm one happy girl! We took Addison for her first hike through the woods recently while there was still snow on the ground. I wore her in my Maman Kangourou carrier. Best invention ever! She cried for some food, but then she passed right out, snuggled up to me. We cooked some hot dogs over a fire. Good times all round.

Lastnight we went to my brother's for one last party before his daughter gets here. I can't wait to see her! They'll have their hands full, though. Morgan is scootin all over the place. She'll be walking in no time. I can't believe she's almost one!

I'm struggling to get everything I need for the occasions coming up. Everything is so close together. Isaac's parents get back from their trip on Easter, then my niece is due, then my birthday, Morgan's 1st birthday, my parents anniversary, Isaac's parents anniversary, and Ryan's birthday. The Easter bunny has started shopping and I know 1/2 things I'm getting Morgan, but that's it! And I have a little birthday list, but really I just want a date with Isaac.

Addison is struggling to take bottles but we're working on it. She's still exclusively breastfed (yay!) but it'd be nice to leave her with our parents and a pumped bottle for a but. We're getting there. We'll be starting solids at the end of April, which should be fun.

Addison has mastered rolling back-to-belly but rarely goes the other way. We've lost a lot of sleep lately, having to constantly flip her back over because she cries when she's stuck. It's not fun. Everyone thinks she's teething too, the poor girl. What else? She took her 4 mos shots a little better but wasn't feeling so hot the next day. Could've been better, could've been worse.

This is getting long and she just woke up from a nap so I'm gonna go. More to come!