Expiring June 2012

We are thrilled to share that the little lady will soon have the title of "Only Child" expire. 

Baby #2 is expected the end of June :) 

 

another session done

It finished today.  Another session is done.  I can't say that I am sad to see that it's over.  I take her because I know that she likes it and that she has so much fun, but I am not a fan. 

Swimming lessons.  They are finally done.

I'm not afraid of water and I am actually a fairly decent swimmer (having completed my Bronze Medallion, I can actually say that with confidence), but I just don't love swimming like some people do.  The pool is always cold... the change rooms are always freezing, and my daughter loves to splash.  People who know me, know that I just don't like to get wet.  Not in the rain, not in the lake, and definitely not in a cold pool 

Of course, that is part of the mommy-role.  To offer new experiences, introduce her to new people, and allow her to play and build confidence in new situations.  I am happy to do it as I love to see the big smile on her face as she blows bubbles in the water, plays with the toys, and jumps into my arms from the side of the pool.  However, 9 weeks is lots for this mommy.

Until next time....

Enjoy the ride

The first little bit of snowfall came.  Our little lady stood at the window saying "nooo" (meaning snow).   So daddy bundled her up, and out they went to play.  It seemed like daddy had to do all the work as the princess got to sit back and enjoy the ride.  Life is good, wouldn't you say? 

 

 

 

November already

We've had a busy few weeks since my last post on Halloween.  It's become quite a bit cooler so we had to break out the warm clothes for a play outside :)  It was quite a hunt to find Kennedy a winter snowsuit this year as they all seemed so huge on her.  I finally hit the jackpot by buying her a separate piece where I could buy small (size 12 month!) snow pants and a larger (18 month) winter coat.  It's amazing how many people tell us how tiny she is.  When compared with other little toddlers her age, she is on the short side, but we know that good things come in small packages!

We had a nice weekend away with a bunch of friends at an indoor water park.  Kennedy loved splashing in the water and watching all the people.  The adults had a great time too!  We will definitely be going back in a few years when she is older to experience different attractions as it was a fun place for all ages!  When Sunday came, and it was time to go home - the daddies packed up the kids to take them home and the mommies hit the road to go on an overnight shopping trip. 

It seemed like it came out of nowhere, but our hometown Christmas was this past weekend.  All of the stores downtown were open late, with the main street being closed down for all the shoppers.  Horse drawn rides, reindeer, and other little attractions were on the street - including the one and only Saint Nick.  Kennedy was happy as a clam waiting in line saying "ho ho" when she saw the big man. However when daddy went to place her on his knee, she clung to home saying "noooo" and starting to cry... she sat there for about 5 seconds for a quick picture before daddy saved her again.  I guess I would be scared too if I was stuck on a strange man's lap.  I know in years to come we will laugh at this photo (heck, we're already laughing!).  I just hope she isn't traumatised. 

Halloween

This year Halloween was on a cold rainy night.  It was also on a Wednesday, which means a work day for mommy.  Luckily for our family, daddy was off that day so he was able to come around with us to enjoy the festivities for the evening.  We started right after work (we were on the road by 4) and hit up a total of 8 stops.  We made a stop at the grandparent's houses (which are pretty spread out!), two aunts, and the next door neighbours.  It was enough for our little butterfly and we made it home for supper, a bath, and bed!  A perfect little Halloween night!

 

 

Our little butterfly flapped her arms to show everyone how a butterfly flies.

 



Kennedy helping to sweep on our stop at Grandma's.  I guess she thought she had to work for her treats. 

I YOUUUUUU

I remember a time when I was excited to have Kennedy lay her head on my shoulder and give me a hug.  When the day finally happened we were thrilled to finally feel those tiny arms around our neck - on purpose.  Recently, we have been over the moon excited with her newest melt-your-heart comment.  She's saying her very own version of "I love you".  As adorable as it is, she is missing the most important word (the love word) but she oh-so-cutely says "I.... Youuuuuuu".  We know what she's trying to say and get all giddy each time she does it.

The words are pouring out of her and she has started to say two at a time.  "Up please" is a common one we hear.  She is also obsessed with her babies right now.  She carries them all over the house and makes sure that if we go up or downstairs, the babies come too.  She pushes them in her baby stroller (best $8 Walmart purchase), rocks them as she walks around, and makes sure that everyone shushes when they are sleeping in their crib. 

She also loves our babysitter's youngest daughter.  Every time we get into the car to go anywhere, she says her name with hopes that she is going to the babysitter to see her.  When I drop her off in the morning, it's a quick kiss and off she goes to see her little friends.  I love that she is so happy going there when we are working. 

At almost 19 months, we have all kinds of firsts happening each day.  Today, it was our first code brown in the tub.  Although not the cutest moment, we still have a good laugh. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Hopefully everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had a family filled weekend with lots of turkey.  Just as Thanksgiving should be. 

Kennedy enjoyed playing during our Sunday supper with her two favourite cousins.  They had fun jumping on the bed, chasing each other all over Grandma and Grandpa's house, and hiding behind the couch.  So cute to watch! 

 

18 months

Wow - 18 months.

 

18 months has flown by.  We now having a running, happy, chatty little girl with a splash of attitude.  Our little baby isn't so much of a baby anymore. 

fun at the fair

 

cowgirl boots/hat from Grandma and Grandpa

loves to colour

obsessed with her baby

kindergym!

Happy Fall!

Today is the first day of fall.  It's been an unpredictable week of weather with wind, rain, sun, and grey skies.  Here's hoping that the warmth and sun come back to join us as we enter into the first few weeks of this new season.

 

Fall means a new wardrobe for Miss Kennedy.  We had lots of fun shopping with Grandma and Great Grandma picking out some new (bigger) duds.  My (almost) 18 month old girl swims in some of her outfits as she is still a petite little monkey. 

 

Fall means trips to the Pumpkin Patch --- and having to wear a winter toque to go because of the cold, bitter wind. 

 

Fall means picking out Halloween costumes (we got ours second hand this year and it is the cutest thing ever).  We picked out an animal costume this year.  One of the animals that she knows the sound or action for, so when you see her trick or treating, she will be able to show off her animal skills! You'll have to wait for a Halloween post to see what it is. 

 

Fall means lots of new words for K - she is talking up a storm and repeating things that you ask her to.  Her newest word that she says a lot is "no".  But our silly little lady doesn't always know how to use the word.  "Kennedy, do you want a cookie?"  "No" she replies in the sweetest voice ever, not fully realising that she's turning down a treat. 

 

Fall means swimming lessons and kindergym are starting soon!  It also means our 18 month shots at the doctor in a couple of weeks.  Luckily daddy is off that day too :) 

 

Lots of things to look forward to this fall! 

No work all play

Today is my first day of child care leave and I am oh-so-happy to be home today with K.  It's a beautiful day outside and we have had a busy morning already!  After a walk through the market with Grandma, we visited a bunch of our little friends and their mamas at the park, then came home for a nice lunch and it's nap time already.  I'm busy uploading picture to have printed - a job that I have been putting off and off and off since before Christmas!  And our afternoon is going to be topped off with visiting a brand-new baby this afternoon.  A new second cousin for K.  :)

The sun is shinning and it's a great day to not be at work! 

Fast forward

The other day I was talking to a friend whose daughter is a little older than my own.  She had just had her 18 month appointment and the doc asked her how many words M knew.  Apparently, this doc hopes for 10 words by the time they are a year and a half. 

In my head, I started thinking --- 10 words?  K only says Dada (not only to daddy, but to everyone) and had just started to say mama.  I wouldn't say that I had a panic, as I know all children are different (that was what my undergrad degree was in, so sheesh, I should know that no.two.kids.are.the.same) but I did start to wonder when K would start whipping out more words. Then we wondered if her sign language would count as words as she is able to communicate through sign...that surely would add to the list!

So the other night I actually *thought* about it.  How many words does she know and to my amazement, I was able to count 10.  Now to be honest, some of these words may only be understood by mommy and daddy as they are her own version of the word, but when she says it *we* know what she means.

Then bam.  I wake up this morning and she starts out with THREE more new words before lunch!  I was flabbergasted and so excited! I emailed daddy at work to tell him and wanted to get it on video but haven't caught them yet. 

And so it begins.  Her vocabulary is expanding and mommy thinks it's exciting!

Back to the grind

Well, our little family is back to the grind.  Back to the days of waking up to an alarm, the days of making lunches, and the days of school.

 

The first week is behind us and I sit here typing, excited that I have a three day weekend!  With many three day weekends in the near future due to my child care leave that I took from work.  Teaching Tues-Fri is going to be just perfect to establish relationships and routines with my students and still have lots of quality time with K.  We are fortunate to have our great babysitter back this fall, and Kennedy loves going there and playing each day.  We are also lucky to have a shift-working daddy as he gets to have "daddy daughter days" a lot.  In fact this week's schedule only had K going to the sitter for a day and a half.  The rest of the time was spent at home.  We're all signed up for swim and kindergym on Mondays so our "mommy Monday's" will be busy for the next few weeks too.

 

It's been a busy summer and I know that fall will be just as crazy, but we look forward to it!

 

Hopefully with a more structured fall, I'll be able to keep up with these posts a little better. 

 

 

16.5 months

The past few months, it has been amazing watching as Kennedy develops from a little baby into an intelligent little toddler.  It makes me sad to say that T word (toddler), but that is really what she is now. 

She is now surprising us daily with her ability to communicate through sign language.  Telling mommy and daddy "more, all done, please, help" etc has really allowed us to understand some of her needs and reduces her frustration.

She knows a few words (dada and finally mama, duck, uh-oh, tickle) as well as many many animal sounds (and some actions).  Whenever somebody is visiting, Kennedy likes to show off her tricks by doing the sounds for cow, dog, cat, snake, pig, lion, tiger, bear, elephant, and actions for butterfly, fish and lizard.  It is the cutest thing in the world.

She's finally obsessed again with books (we went on a little strike from books for a couple of months and this teacher-mommy was sad as I want her to be a reader!)  She loves to sit with mommy or daddy or by herself and (quickly) read through the pages, looking for animals she knows.  It's adorable when she picks up a familiar book and brings it over to me saying the animal sound that she knows is one one of the pages.  We will flip flip flip through the pages quickly until she recognises the page that she wants and will point and make the animal sound.  Adorable. 

She loves to tickle and be tickled.  She tickles all over the body saying her cute little "ticka ticka" sound and even enjoys tickling inanimate objects.

She has thirteen teeth and uses them well when eating!  She's a fruit eater that's for sure.  Give her a peach, some grapes or blueberries and we have a happy girl!

When she runs she "gallops" like a horse.  Her little legs move so quickly and she still stumbles upon her feet at time as her feet move faster than her body will let her go. 

She loves going to the park.  Up and down the slide, the ladders, and swinging on the swings (she signs swing too!).  We also like our neighbourhood park as it is surrounded by little rocks, which of course she loves to put in her mouth.

She has her babies that she rocks, burbs, and gives bottles to.  When we cover her baby with a blanket she says "shhh" in her own little form.  Adorable. 

She climbs up and down the stairs when minimal assistance (although we are always right by her side as she sometimes gets distracted and wants to look down the stairs).  We still have baby gates up though as we aren't 100% confident on them yet. 

She loves being outside and going for walks.  Less time in the stroller these days and more time walking the streets on her own. 



She still loves the bath tub and really enjoyed time at the cottage in the water this summer.  She splashes like a little fish!

It's all these little things that we see on a daily basis that melt my heart and I'm worried that one day I won't remember all of the cute things she used to do.  Thank goodness for pictures, videos and blogs (well, if they are updated).



slacking

Wow - the middle of August already?  Where has the time gone?  Well... about four weeks of it was spent up at the cottage and the rest has been filled with day trips and quiet home time.  It's been heavenly.

Now, we've got only a couple weeks left of summer to enjoy, before it's back to school for mommy.

And I promise that I will then be back in the blogging world!

Daddy's are away... babies will play

 Last weekend a bunch of the guys were away for the weekend on a bachelor trip.  So the mama's were "single mom's" for awhile.  We realized that when the daddy's are away...the babies will play. 

First activitiy - a nice walk downtown.... ending up at the bar for a drink.  We arrived with 2/3 babies sleeping so enjoyed a refreshing drink on a hot afternoon.

Next adventure - jump in the truck and do the half hour drive so that the mommy's can have a nice sushi dinner.  There was lots of singing by the mother's to keep everyone happy for the drive.

After a nice sushi picnic, we hit the road again to head for home and within a short amount of time, we had three, beautiful sleeping babies :)

Although we missed daddy, it was a fun time with friends!

when you ask....

I had a comment on my last blog post to post more pictures.  Well, if you ask, then I will deliver!

Kennedy's first full ponytail!

Playing outside on a hot day

out little cutie

With daddy on Father's Day



Chillin' on my chair

Getting ready for the Teddy Bear Parade

With mommy

With Grandma Jane

With Grandpa John

She's only little once

I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher.  Ever since I was little, that was my plan.
My dream became reality five years ago when I got my first LTO (which is a fancy acronym for saying that I was covering a mat leave).  This was followed by another, and another, and another, before finally landing a half time (permanent) position.  Throw in a year off on my own maternity leave and then follow it was a 0.8 position (the teaching lingo here --- basically means that I was teaching 80% of the week).  It was an ideal situation for me.  With a one year old toddling around at home, I was fortunate enough to have two afternoon's off a week to come home and play with my little girl.  Two afternoons a week to do all of those other chores that I had been neglecting as well.

But it's finally happened.  After five years of teaching, I have finally gotten full time work.  As exciting as it is is to finally have full time (and only a 7 minute drive from my house), I was a bit sad when offered the job.  I really enjoyed my two afternoon's at home with my little girl. So after some discussion with the hubby, we decided that it would be best for our family for me to take a part-time child care leave.  I put in my letter earlier this week and I'm officially back down to teaching 80% of the week!  Go figure eh!  I am fortunate enough to get Monday's off next year.  Woo-hoo! A whole extra day :) 

I look forward to taking Kennedy to swimming lessons, and to Kindergym, and the library, and all those other fun things.  I know that I will never regret spending an extra day a week at home with our little lady.  I will never regret not having the extra moola in the bank account as it doesn't add up to the memories we will share together.  I'm happy to have made the decision (and for a supportive husband who helped make it happen).

Who knows when I will go back to full time.  It's nice to know the option is there, but I feel so fortunate that we are able to do this for our family at this time. 

And on the days when I may ponder our decision, I will remind myself that she is only little once.  I only get to raise her once. 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful daddy, and my amazing Grandpa's.

Love, Kennedy

A few of the blogs that I read on a regular basis have gone through a bit of a dry spell. My fellow bloggers were starting to slack, and I was disappointed every time I checked online to find that nothing new had been posted. So I sent them a cheeky message and told them to get their butts in gear and get typing. So they did, and I am thankful. However, now I can be the slacker. So I better get to work.

It has been a busy week in our house with lots of fun (sprinkled in with writing report cards for this teacher).  This afternoon, we set up some chairs under the tree for a little quiet time, and daddy and K had a nice little snuggle.  Melts.my.heart.

Tickle Time

It's the second day in June and it's a cold, rainy, miserable looking day. 

What happened to our beautiful May?  I want it back. 

Unfortunately due to the weather, we had to postpone a birthday BBQ for daddy today.  It's not the type of day where we want to be running around the backyard in.  Hopefully the weather cooperates for next weekend though.

This morning, before I put the little lady to bed for her nap, I did a little poking around in her mouth and felt another little staple poking through.  Another tooth will up her number to 9.  She has been such a happy girl the past two days, so it obviously isn't bothering her.  I think that I credit the baltic amber necklace that she has been wearing since she was six months old for that.  Teething has never been an issue for us - knock on wood. 

This morning she has been running all over the house and tickling daddy and I.  She wiggles her fingers against our chest or arm and says "tick-ah, tick-ah" in her own little baby way.  Of course, we pretend to giggle and tickle her back.  It's turned into her new favourite game.  I think that she learnt how to tickle from reading the book "Tickle Time!" by Sandra Boynton.  What a fun little book to read together (same author of some other popular books like Barnyard Dance).  I think we may need to get some more of these fun books. 

Mommy loves to buy books!

First Cottage Trip of the Season!

It was the first trip of the season.  The first long drive up to the cottage.  And what a weekend it was.  I can honestly say that I can not remember such a beautiful May long weekend (heck, I remember one May long weekend when there was flurries in the air).  But this weekend was an absolute gem.  We took along a few friends, including the three little musketeers (seen below having an outdoor "bath" in the pool).  Although K is the oldest by 5 and 7 months, she may just be the tiniest of the three. 

We look forward to spending many more weekends up at the cottage with these great friends (and others) and watching the babes grow up together.  

K's tree

Last year, the year of Kennedy's birth, we decided to plant a tree to celebrate the joyous occasion.  However, we were hesitant to plant it at our house as we just don't know if we will be in this house long term.  So we asked my parents who just moved (literally days before Kennedy was born) into their new home if we could plant a tree at their house.  It was a win-win situation as K got her tree, and Grandma and Grandpa got some much needed landscaping at their new home.

Fast forward to this spring.  Mother's Day.  Here we are standing by her tree.  The goal is to get a picture of Kennedy every year.  We'll watch them both grow together.

a beauty day

Today is an absolutely beautiful day outside.  We spent some of the day playing in the yard (and going for a walk with good friends - both mommy and baby).  I swear that today, Kennedy figured out how to run.  When I picked her up from the sitter, she said that she was running - and I witnessed it this afternoon.  Her little legs go go go and then the inevitable happens... she trips and falls.  Super cute to watch her little arms flail as she goes.  She loves to explore the yard and was helping mommy pick up pine cones today.  What a good helper she was putting them all in the bucket. 

She also did a couple of new signs today!  Ones we have been doing for her for a long time now.  She signed all done and also did eat!  One proud mama here!  Her favourite sign to do is more (which also means help) and she will sign bath consistently.  Yeah K!

My second Mother's Day

Even though Kennedy doesn't quite understand what Mother's Day is, she still made the day extra special for me.  With all the snuggles, smiles, kisses, and giggles.  It was truly a great day!

Baby chicks

I was fortunate enough to be born and raised on a farm.  We had all the space we could ever desire to roam, play, and explore.  As children, we spent countless hours four wheeling through the fields, playing in the river or in the corn field, riding the tractor with our dad, biking back the lane and playing around the barn.  I have many great memories of the farm.

A few days before Kennedy was born, my parents moved off the farm and into a beautiful new house.  We no longer have a field of cows behind the house or barn cats to play with.  However, we are still lucky enough to have some "farm connections".  The other day, Kennedy got to go with Grandma and Grandpa to see a barn full of new baby chicks.  29 000 baby chicks in one barn.  And yes, she said woof woof when she saw them. 

Here she is petting one with Grandpa: 

Woof Woof

We were thrilled when Kennedy started saying "woof woof" when she saw a dog.  It was amazing to watch her face light up and how she connected the animal and the animal sound together!  We started having her "preform" to everyone we saw, asking her to tell our friend what the dog says.  Woof would be the reply. 

What we don't always tell people is that the bird also says woof.  So does a cat.  What does a cow say? woof woof.....

Maybe we just need a little bit more time to perfect our animal sounds before we start showing off!;) 

Muah again

I know that every mother thinks her baby is cute... and they are... but my baby is SO cute when she kisses.  Funny thing is my last post was about K kissing everything... here is proof that she does:

Muah

I honestly can't get enough of these kisses.  She still kisses everyone - anytime - anywhere.  On the lips, on the shoulder, on the mirror, on the window as people leave the house, and of course - blowing kisses.  XOXOX Muah muah muah!



Babysitter

I spent a lot of time when I was a teenager babysitting as a part time job.  It was often for neighbours and friends and I really enjoyed spending time with the kids.  The one family that I spent a lot of time with, had two young girls.  After spending summers, holidays, and many weekend nights with the girls, I was honoured to be asked to be godmother to their youngest.

Well, we've come full circle now.  The youngest the little girl that I babysit so many years ago came to my house this past Saturday night to babysit my baby girl.  This was the first time that Kennedy had a babysitter that wasn't a blood relative.  Mama was a bit nervous, but the night went smoothly without any problems!  She was happy when the sitter arrived, I put her to bed, and she slept soundly through the night. 

Looks like mommy and daddy may be able to go out a bit more now :)

Soak it in

Tonight after supper, I could tell that my little lady was getting tired but it was bath night and she was in need of a bath after running her sloppy fingers through her hair at dinner. 

I drew the water, stripped her down, put her in the tub, and she started splashing around as I scrubbed her clean and we sang.  I knew that a quick rinse would finish it off, so laid her back in the tub to rinse her hair.  It was then that she looked up at me as I sang totally off tune that she smiled and laughed.  I paused in my song to smile back, tickle her bare tummy, and share a giggle with her.  It was then that I realized - why am I rushing?  Yes, she is tired.  Yes it is "bed time", but what harm will it be to spend another five or ten minutes of fun in the tub with mom?  So we splished and we splashed... we giggled and we laughed... and we didn't worry about bed for a few minutes.  We soaked it in. 

Sometimes we need reminders to slow down, and soak it all in.  Tonight I got my reminder --- and it came in the form of a giggle. 

Cousins

Tonight we were treated to a Sunday Supper at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  After a yummy dinner, they kids ended up in Grandma's pantry playing together.  This consisted of pretending to mix eggs in a bowl with a whisk, taking all the soup cans down off the shelf, and crawling around opening and shutting the door. I enjoyed watching the three of them play so happily together.  It's wonderful that Kennedy has two cousins that are close in age to her that she will grow up with.  We are also so fortunate to live close by to both of them.  I wonder what trouble the three of them will get into together in the years to come.  I have many memories of things that I did with my cousins, and I hope she has just as much fun as we all did (and still do!)

Hoppy Easter!

Now that our little lady is in her second year of life, we are able to actually continue traditions that we did with her last year.  In 2011, the big egg hunt happened when she was only 24 days old.  I think that her father thought I was nuts as we took her around the backyard and in the gardens collecting chocolates and eggs to help celebrate her first Easter (I think there was lots of speculation that this was just an excuse for mom to get chocolate!).    Of course, we had to do it again this year.  Although she was still a little uncertain as to what was going on, she was attracted to the colourful eggs around the yard and crawled over to pick some up and put them in her mouth.  With lots of help and encouragement from mom and dad, we found them all!  We look forward to doing this again next year.  I've already looked at the calender and Easter Sunday 2013 actually falls on K's 2nd birthday.  What a fun way to celebrate! 

Officially one (with a picture to prove it)

On March 31st, I snuck into K's room at 8:51 and took the first picture of our one year old. xoxo

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I sit here writing this blog, drinking a glass of wine in celebration of making it our first year in Parenthood.  We made it!  Now - how many more years of sleepless nights??? :)  All worth it!

We had a great day today celebrating our baby's first birthday.

It was a "Look Whooo's Turning One" themed party, so there was lots of pink, green, and little hooters (aka owls).  For missing her morning nap, I think that we had a pretty happy birthday girl. 

Of course, when it comes to special occasions in our family --- the camera comes out to capture all the precious moments.  Here are a few of the 312 pictures that were taken at her little party..

 

Kennedy, Grandpa, and Jack

Digging in

Kennedy's First Birthday Cake (and no, I don't take credit for making it)

Mommy and the Birthday Girl

Blowing kisses during the picture

Some of the food/decorations

Cousins (Easton 1 year 1 week old, Jack 3 years 12 days old, Kennedy 1 year old --- we celebrated three birthdays in three weekends this year!)

Home from the party