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

364 Days

          It has been 364 days since we met you and held you in our arms for the first time. What a wonderful 364 days it has been.  Tomorrow is the big birthday and I am up late, preparing for your birthday party and reminiscing about the past year. 

          I think back to a year ago today, as we patiently waited for contractions to pick up after they started to induce me.  Your dad and I were so excited, and both nervous as we came home from the hospital to wait it out at our house.  I don't think either of us got much sleep last night.

          I think to the first few minutes after you were born and we looked you over and held you tight.  It was so exciting to finally see your beautiful face and to share with everyone that you had finally arrived.

          I think to the first few weeks and months, and the hours we spent bouncing on the ball at night to get you to sleep.  I am amazed at how easily you go down now.  At times, when you cuddle in and lay your head my shoulder, I just want to hold you tight and not put you down at all.

          I think to your many firsts.  First time sitting, first foods, first time in the ocean, first Christmas, first time clapping... Each and everytime, your daddy and I feel so proud of you.  We love you so much. 

          When I think back to the past year - I can't help but smile and think about how fortunate we are to have a beautiful, happy, healthy baby girl.  Although you are growing bigger each day, you will always be our baby girl. 

           We love you Kennedy, and we wish you a Happy Birthday tomorrow.  Your daddy and I look forward to celebrating years and years of birthdays with you!  You are the best gift we could have ever asked for!
          Love you K :) 

 

A busy week

It's been a busy week at our house this week.  Mama is exhausted!

It started off with my first week back to work.  We all survived.  The little lady is still adjusting and is happy to see me at the end of the day when I pick her up.  She had 1 1/2 daddy-daughter days this week which was nice for the two of them.  A "back to work" blog post will be added soon, as it's a whole post in itself.

Our little lady has a new favourite game, and that is peek-a-boo.  She's always been interested in the "traditional" version of this game that we all know and love, but lately she has made her own modifications to the game.  It started with her pulling a shirt or blanket up over her head and then pulling it down as we would yell "peek-a-boo" like the crazy parents that we are.  But then our little lady found an even quicker way to play.  Instead of putting anything over her face, she just turns her head away from us, then whips her head back to look for our reaction and smiles.  Her head whips back and forth so quickly that I"m afraid she'll end up with whip lash.  But it's soooo darn cute. She hams it up as we laugh and tell her to do it again!

This morning we headed off to have a ONE year photoshoot (as she will be turning one in just seven days!!!).  It was a great shoot and we came home with some beautiful pictures (and yes, of course, I will post some of those too!)  After an afternoon nap, it was off to celebrate Kennedy's cousin's first birthday party.  After playing, presents, and a nice dinner, Kennedy decided to take her very first steps!  I was so happy that it didn't happen while we were at work and we were there to witness it :) 

Now only seven more days until we are celebrating 365 days with our baby girl!

baby-proof

Everyday I think that I have finally baby-proofed the house....

                                                                                ....she continues to amaze me.