The Little Things

I catch moments with my girls that make me stop and say "I need to remember this."  I want to record some moments I have had recently with each of them that I hope to keep in the memory vault. 

My Claire

You started to say a cute phrase when asking someone a question. 
"Do you want to colour with me?  Yes or No?" It makes me laugh every time.

You will often tilt your head to side when you ask someone something. Adorable!

If you become upset you will go into your tent and say "I'm frustrated!" 

If you spill or knock something over you will say "No big deal, right?" 

When you find Abby playing with one of your toys you will go and get her a baby toy and switch with her.

You ask me if we can have a dance party in the living room. You also get mad if I don't dance too "dance mommy dance!" 

You crazy curly hair in the morning. I love running my hands and twirling my fingers around your cute little curls.

You will take your doll in your arms and tell me you are going to put her to sleep. You make sure she has a blanket and you rock her in your arms while saying "sh sh sh!" 

You always want to brush Makena with one of your tiny baby brushes.

You will sometimes ask to have a shower instead of bath before bed

When your dad or I are cooking in the kitchen you will push a chair against the counter and crawl up the chair and ask to help. You make a wonderful sous chef!

My Abby

Since getting your top tooth you are trying to whistle. It's so cute!

You laugh your hardest when we tickle you.

You sleep just like your sister, with your legs tucked under you and your bum up in the air.

You know how to go from your stomach to sitting up on your own.

You love to watch your sister play and can't wait to join her one day.

You smile with your eyes wide open like you're so shocked.

There are times when you're breastfeeding and you will stop and look up at me and smile. It just melts my heart! 

You sit up in the bathtub on your own now, that baby bath is long gone! 

Ahhhh! Ahhhh! is the sound you will make before you fall asleep.

You will often grab my face and dig your nails in before giving me an open mouth kiss. I love those!

Your cute little rolls on your arms and legs. I just want to eat them up! 

Last Week Adventures!

Kyle left last Sunday for Whistler, so the girls and I were on our own for three nights.  Monday, my sister came over in the morning to watch the girls while I went to a dentist appointment.  I left an hour before my appointment to go shopping for some material at Fabric Land, it was so nice to be able to enjoy time to myself.  Then after the dentist my sister was able to stay later so I could go for a workout at the gym.  In the evening the girls and I went out for a nice walk.  The weather was perfect!

Bath Time Fun!

Out for a stroll

Tuesday, we had our friends Frank and Walter over for a play date with their mom Katherine.  Frank is 6 months younger than Claire and Walter is only a month younger than Abby.  Claire and Frank enjoy playing together.  Well Claire really just loves to boss him around but what girl doesn't like to do that with a boy.  After the boys left I noticed that Miss Abby's top tooth broke through her gum.  It explained the drooling and fussiness the day before.  Now Abby has 3 teeth!  Once the girls went down for the night I tackled the shelves in our basement office.  I have various craft supplies, fabric, paper and some school materials.  It was wonderful to get things organized and fixed up before our move.  Don't get me wrong we still have a ton to do! 

Abby's top tooth (hard to see but it's there)

The whole gang hanging out

It may not look organized but you should have seen it before!

Wednesday, we had a friend of ours, Scott come and continue working on mudding and tapping the basement.  We are in the process of finishing our basement before we put our house up for sale.  An interior designer, through Century 21 came over in the morning to discuss staging our house before the sale.  She gave me detailed notes of what to change in each room and parts of the house.  It was extremely helpful for us.  The girls and I spent the rest of the day outside because the weather was beautiful!  After the girls were sleeping I headed down to the basement office to work on a couple sewing projects I was trying to finish.  Kyle arrived home after midnight, I never heard him come home, I was out like a light.  

Abby hanging out in the shade

Claire brought her doctor kit outside

Claire throwing the ball for Makena

One of my sewing projects

Thursday, Kyle stayed home from work to spend the day with us girls.  I headed to the gym in the morning while he watched the girls.  I felt so energized after getting home from the gym, I have really enjoyed getting back into running and weight training.  I have noticed I am more toned in my legs and arms and I run at a faster pace as well.  Here is the link I used to get back into things at the gym, the workouts are quite intense so some days I break one day into two. Milk-Friendly .  When the girls woke up from their afternoon naps we made plans to go check out our house in Bridgwater Forest.  Kyle called ahead to have them leave the door open for us so we would be able to check out things inside.  It keeps looking better and better each time we go to visit, the wiring and plumbing was all complete and they just need to finish up the ventilation before the drywall can go up.  It was a little slow going these last couple months but we are still hopeful it will be complete by end of November.  

We had to bring Makena to check out the house too!

Out on the deck taking in the view!

Claire always wants her sister in the crib with her

Checking out the second floor of the house

Friday,  I spent part of the morning making brownies and banana bread for our friends who just welcomed their baby girl on August 10th.  I also cooked up a yummy spinach lasagne for them for dinner.  I had been looking forward to our visit because I had yet to meet their baby and I just love new babies.  Our plans had to change slightly because Abby got really sick all of a sudden.  We had given her rice cereal around 11:30, one tablespoon mixed with breast milk.  She ate it all up with no trouble.  Later, I breastfeed her before I put her down for her nap around 12:45.  Around 2:00 she woke up and was crying I noticed on the monitor she had thrown up all over herself.  We quickly went to get her and there was breast milk and cereal everywhere.  She continued to throw up after we got her up so we called Health Links and asked what to do.  They believed it was either an intolerance or allergy to the cereal.  They ruled out stomach bug because she didn't have a fever or any other symptoms.  After dinner she had stopped throwing up and was feeling much better.  Thankfully she was able to breastfeed and keep it all in.  Phew!  I went with Claire to visit with our friends and the baby and bring them food.  She was adorable and so tiny!  I couldn't even remember either of my girls being that small.   We are looking forward to future play dates with them.  We use to get together almost once a week when we had our first babies together so it will just be like old times.  Our other friends are due with their second on Sept 4th so it will be so nice having the whole group back together again. 

Caught this in the morning! So cute!

Saturday, despite the rainy weather we headed over to my cousins house for a pool party in the late afternoon.  They just put in a pool this spring and were eager to have us out for a swim.  Even though it was raining all morning we still decided to go and believe it or not it stopped raining for a couple hours so we could go for a swim.  Claire loved playing in the water with Kyle.  My cousin has two kids, and they enjoy playing big brother and sister to Claire, its sooo cute!

Abby with Grandma

Claire our little water bug

Having a good conversation with Auntie Erica

Sunday, we met some of Kyle's coworkers with their little ones out at Thomas the Train at Prairie Dog Central.  It was not raining, thank goodness, but it was sure mucky and muddy.  Claire sure loved the activities they had there, colouring, stamps, stickers and mini train's on the railroad tables.  She was hesitant about getting a temporary tattoo of Thomas but now that she has it she is so proud of it.  She has been protective of it all week to make sure it doesn't get wet and come off.  When it was our turn to board the train, Claire was in awe of it all.  The train cars are in great condition, with the interior dating back to the 1900's.  It was a nice way to get out of the house and spend the day.

Abby and I snuggling

Claire hesitant about going for a mini train ride

Claire colouring Percy

Look at these two twins! Daddy's girl

Our train ride with Thomas

Our Weekend!

Gorgeous Day to Tie the Knot!

  My friend Crystal got married this past Friday.  We met while completing our education degrees in University.  She asked me to be a part of her big day as a bridesmaid.  I was honoured to stand up there for her.  Thursday she asked the wedding party to meet at the Forks for the rehearsal.  After we did a successful run through I quickly came home to feed Abby, put her down for the night and then went out to find a pair of heels for the wedding.  Yes, I know I leave things to the last minute.  I decided on a nice pair that was a steal of a deal, $40.  

Sexy or what?!?

On Friday morning my sister and Derrick came over to babysit the girls while we went to the wedding. The ceremony started at 2 pm, it was extremely hot but thankfully it didn't rain like the forecast was predicting.  The ceremony took place at the Forks Historical Site, it over looked the river and the St. Boniface Basilica across the way.  Crystal looked gorgeous in her dress and her hair was beautiful!  Crystal and Ryan read each other their own vows and they were very touching.  They were so happy.  After the ceremony the wedding party went on to take photos with the bride and groom around the Forks and then over to the Legislative Building.  As we did pictures I had my sister drive and meet me at the Forks with Abby so I could breastfeed her.  It was quite funny as I sat in the car with my dress unzipped and Abby eating away.  You're probably thinking, why did she need to feed her, well glad you asked, I thought it would be too long to go from 12:30 pm when I last breastfed her until 1:30 am when I would probably arrive home from the wedding. So I asked my sister to bring her at around 3:30 pm the time I usually feed her anyways. That way I wouldn't be busting at the seams either.  I also had Kyle bring the breast pump to the reception and I pumped again around 7:30 when I usually feed her before bed.  It couldn't have worked out better.  She took the bottles my sister had given her as well before bed.  

I didn't trip and fall thank goodness!

Crystal with her mom and dad before walking down the aisle

Our friends Janeen, Matt and Ava

Kyle and I 

The reception was lots of fun.  Dinner was good, a buffet with lots of variety and delicious desserts.  I was able to enjoy a refreshing glass of Pinot Grigio after dinner.  They had a great photo booth that we could go and get pictures taken. We had a hoot taking funny photos with our friends through out the night.  We got home pretty late around 1:30 am so I was able to just stay up and feed Abby for her night feed.  That was our Friday.

Saturday Kyle and I cleaned up around the house.  Kyle had to finish putting up some drywall in the basement and organize it. Today we are having someone come and do the mudding and taping.  I cleaned up the main floor and played outside with Claire in the morning.  Kyle cut the grass in the back and front.  After we put both girls down for their nap I went to lay down for a nap as well.  I was still pretty tired from the night before.  We were invited to our friends Mark and Laura's for a BBQ so I decided to make Key Lime Pie and Rookie Cookies for dessert.  Once I was done baking the girls were up from their naps and we headed over to their house.  It was a gorgeous evening for a BBQ.  Claire had a great time playing with her little buddy Greyson.  Mark and Laura have a fun swing set in their backyard that they both loved swinging and climbing on.  We left by 8:00 to put both girls to bed. 

They are so cute together!

Greyson and Claire swinging away

Sunday Kyle left early for his flight to Vancouver.  He had a taxi pick him up at 5:30 am.  He was flying to Vancouver and then renting a car and driving up to Whistler for a work conference.  The girls and I stayed home.  We did our usual routine for the day,  breakfast, Abby went down for her morning nap and then before lunch we walked down to the park to play.  When I put both girls down for their afternoon nap I slept as well.  I guess I was still tired from Friday night.  My parents offered to come over and bring the girls and I dinner.  We had a nice visit with them and my dad cooked a yummy dinner for us.  Once the girls were in bed I worked on a couple sewing projects I started last week.  That will be a future post.  I love that I have time to get back into crafting.  Thanks to Abby and her successful sleep training I am able to do the things I love again.  

Fired up the sewing machine

Abby's 6 Month Update

Stats:  You weighed in at 16 lbs even on your 6 month check up on July 23rd.  I switched you to size 3 diapers after you turned 6 months.  I was finding you had many blow out diapers in size 2.  You are wearing mostly 6 month clothes.  You fit some 3-6 month and 6-12 is a little big on you.  You started to wear 9 month sleepers this week and they are a little big as well but they do the trick. 

Feeding:  You sure get enough milk from me.  You feed usually every 2-3 hours a day.  Each feed has become shorter, anywhere from 5-10 minutes and you feed on both breasts for each feed.  Your bottom two teeth popped up before you turned 5 months but just last week you started to really bite me when you are breastfeeding.  One day last week you bite me so hard I started bleeding. You can be a little stinker sometimes! 

We tried feeding you brown rice cereal the day you turned 6 months but you didn't like it at all and threw it all up including everything else in your stomach.  The doctor told us to wait a couple days before we tried it again, we did and you ate it better but still didn't like it.  We have put it on hold for now and will try again probably next week because we had started sleep training you and thought we should space both of them apart. 

Sleeping:  Before you turned 6 months you were not sleeping well.  You would sleep for only a few hours at time and would need to be fed 2-3 times during the night.  I would also need to nurse you to sleep every night and when I put you down for naps as well.  I would nurse you for over an hour before bed and then burp you.  Once you burped I would swaddle you up and carefully put you down in the crib for the night, the whole process would take almost 2 hours and it was exhausting.  For naps you would usually have your first nap in the morning while we were out and about in the car seat. Sometimes you would just have a snooze while you were nursing.  You would only nap for 45 minutes max.  At least I could count on you to have a longer nap during the afternoon when your sister went down for her nap. You would sometimes wake up after 45 minutes and need me to put you back to sleep.  You would then have a late day nap before dinner for 20 minutes or so usually on the breast when you were nursing. 

Your doctor said we could start sleep training you at 6 months because you would be ready developmentally.  We decided to start sleep training you on Saturday July 26th at bedtime. I had used the Sleep Easy Solution book to help us sleep train your sister so I reviewed the book again.  I had to make sure during your feed that you didn't fall asleep on the breast before bed.  We put you in a sleeper and made sure we took away the swaddle as well.  We put you down fully awake with a little blankie and larger cotton blanket.  You only fussed on and off for 13 minutes and then put yourself to sleep.  We were amazed that was all it took, we expect you to cry for a whole hour.  You were just ready for this.  You woke up 3 times that night but I only fed you once.  The next morning we decide to tackle naps as well, you surprisingly did just as good.  You were able to put yourself to sleep, you woke up after 40 minutes but then slept again for almost another 2 hours.  It felt like this huge weight had been lifted when you were able to go to sleep on your own.  

Milestones:  Just before you turned 6 months you started to do a push up and started an army like crawl.  You will usually do the army crawl to get to a toy across the floor.  Just yesterday I noticed you started to go up on your hands in a push up and then tuck your knees under to get into a crawling position.  You haven't quite figured out what to do after that yet.  

You started to blow raspberries when you get excited.  It's super cute!  You love to give open mouth kisses to everyone who will get close enough and then dig your nails into their cheeks. Ouch! 

You learned how to sit up on your own last week.  You can stay up longer and longer each day, I guess your core muscles have been working well.  Sometimes you will topple over to the side after awhile when you are sitting up. 

You love to still roll over both ways when you are on your mat.  You don't even mind if your head ends up on the wood floor.  You love to play in your Exersaucer, jolly jumper and play mat. 

You love to laugh especially when your dad or I play peekaboo with you.  You also laugh when your sister talks to you and makes faces.  Claire is your best friend (this is what your sister says) she loves saying your name. She likes giving you toys to play with and giving you big hugs and kisses. 

Social Life:  You are a busy girl.  We have done lots of fun things since you've turned 6 months old.  You don't mind being in your car seat now and will often fall asleep on your own.  You love your stroller and going for walks to the park and hanging out watching as things go by us.  You also enjoy going in the baby carrier either around the house or when we are out.  This past Saturday you went for you for your first swim in a pool.  You really enjoyed the water and were not fazed by the coolness of the water.  I think you are going to be fearless when it comes to doing things, the complete opposite of your sister who is extremely cautious.  You also went strawberry picking with us on Sunday morning.  Most days you like to hangout outside in the backyard with your sister and I.  

Our August Long Weekend

My favourite pic of the weekend!

Friday morning I headed off to Super-Lite to finalize our light fixtures for the house.  Kyle stayed home with both girls so I could have a break.  I stopped and bought a coffee and enjoyed picking out lights. It was a relaxing morning.  On the way home I stopped in at McNally on Grant to do some shopping.  I love that store, so much to look at. 

Our pendent for the kitchen island (there will be 2 of these)

Our sparkly light for the powder room

Friday afternoon the girls and I played outside with the sprinkler.  Claire watered our flowers and Abby and I hung out in the shade on a blanket.  Kyle went to play golf with a client for work. (Rough life eh?) That was our fun Friday. 

Claire watering our flowers

Saturday morning we packed up the car early and headed out to Kyle's grandparents farm in Fraserwood.  It is about an hour north of the city on highway 8.  The land has been in his grandparents family since 1936.  The original house is still on the property that his grandpa grew up in as a child with all of his siblings and parents.  Kyle's brother Scott and wife Susie were out there with their two kids Evan and Emily.  They just put in an above ground pool as of this spring so we were excited to go for a swim.  It was cloudy when we were driving out so we were worried it would rain but luckily the sun came out and it turned out to be a hot day.  It felt so great to go for swim.  Abby was able to go for her first swim, she loved it.  After both girls woke up from their naps we all went for a dip.  It was great to go out to the farm and visit with Kyle's family and of course go for a swim too.  We drove home after dinner so we would have enough time to put both girls to bed.  We would have stayed the night but because Abby is still leaning to sleep on her own we wanted to stay consistent with bedtime. 

Abby's first swim

Dad and both girls

The whole family in the pool

Sunday morning we decided to take both girls strawberry picking out in LaSalle.  Claire woke up not feeling well, she had caught the cold Abby had. She had a runny nose and was a little grouchy.  We decided to go strawberry picking anyways.  Both girls had fun, Claire loved picking the strawberries and putting them in the basket.  After we stopped at Crampton's farmers market on Waverly and Kenaston to grad some lunch.  Man their cookies are delicious! I wish I had bought some more.  Claire woke up from her nap feeling worse, she had a fever and wasn't breathing very well.  We gave her some Tylenol and tried to get her to eat some dinner but weren't successful.  I just didn't like the way her breathing sounded and her temp got up to 103.  I told Kyle we should take her to the hospital just to make sure things were okay.  We got both girls in the car, Kyle dropped me off at Emergency with Claire and he drove around with Abby waiting for us.  It took about 2 hours total.  The doctor said she had croup, strider breathing.  He gave her steroids and said to watch her breathing.  We brought her home and over night it got worse and Kyle drove her back to the hospital at 3 am.  They gave her a mask to wear to help with her breathing.  Kyle had given her Tylenol before he left home so that helped bring down her temperature.  What a night! Our poor Claire, it's terrible listening to her laboured breathing, I felt so helpless.  I was so glad Kyle took her to the hospital and they gave her the mask.  She seem to sleep a little better once she got home. 

Claire at the Strawberry Patch

Claire and her basket

Abby loved the hay and leaves

Family time at the Strawberry Patch

Monday we spent the day taking care of Claire and making her comfortable.  She watched a lot of Caillou. She had no appetite, though we were able to get her to drink some fluids through out the day.  Her temperature went up in the morning again so we gave her some more Tylenol.  While both girls were napping in the afternoon Kyle and I went out to the front yard and did some gardening.  We had to pull lots of weeds out of the rocks along the side of the house and beside the driveway.  After we went through the kitchen cupboards and got rid of things we didn't use anymore, like glasses, cutlery and other things.  It was great to get rid of stuff before we have to move into our new house. It was a productive day.  Claire started feeling much better half way through the night when Kyle went to check on her around 1 am.  Her breathing was so much better and her temperature was normal again.  I was so relieved that she had gotten over the worst of it. 

Stuff we cleaned out of the kitchen

Claire watching her Caillou

We had a wonderful weekend hanging out as a family.  I wish both girls weren't sick but I guess that's just the way things go sometimes when you have two little ones.  Next weekend should be better because they should both be over their colds and we can plan some fun stuff to do as a family.