6.7.12

I decided the best way to spend a day off in 28° weather would be to haul the kids up to the beach to try to get some pictures of Paige.  We had her 1 year photos professionally done and she looked perpetually surprised in almost all of them.  Now, to be clear, I didn't decide to take them because I think I'm a better photographer (ha ha ha ahhhhh), more so I wanted to take them because I knew exactly what I was looking for.  I think I got a few good ones.  Wyatt was a good sport for the most part - he said he didn't want his picture taken, which is why I don't have any close ups of him.
While looking through her pictures again, I realized just how incredibly blessed we are to have Paige in our lives.  Even though the first year has been a challenge (she is a complete and total opposite from Wyatt, so it was like starting all over!), she is a constant source of joy and entertainment.  When she smiles (and I mean, a real smile), it starts in her eyes.  Whether it be giggles or tears, she is expressive and intense.  She's just beginning to hug, and I don't know what is better than those (kind of) chubby little hands digging into my neck.
Now, to remember these things when she wakes up for the day at 5:23. ;)

6.4.12

The set up

 Little Miss Giggles cake!

 Snacks - Rainbow Goldfish, Twizzlers and popcorn!  And of course, Mr. Rude.

Little Miss Naughty cutlery. :)

 Cupcakes!

 Paper straws...

 Rice Krispie Pops!  These were so easy to make - just form Rice Krispie squares into balls and stick a lollipop stick into them.  I drizzled white chocolate on top and added sprinkles.

 Rainbow fruit kabobs....

and Jello - with sprinkles of course.

 Guests wrote their birthday wishes to Paige inside her Little Miss Birthday book.

 Little Miss and Mr Men water bottle labels.

 The birthday girl and her cupcake.

 I'd say she enjoyed herself...

 a lot!!

Thank you to everyone who came out for Paige's first birthday, and for the wonderful presents.  She is well loved! :)
And thank you to everyone who put up with me posting about planning her party for the past two months. ;)

6.3.12

Wyatt's a real trendsetter. ;)

5.29.12

Whoops, been slacking on posting this week.  I should have Paige's birthday pictures back soon, so I'll be making up for it.
Paige got her first real haircut today.  We just cleaned up the sides a bit, and I got her bangs thinned out a bit to avoid the "Dorothy Hamill" (right, Kaeleigh?).  Looks better already.  Her eyes are a little puffy because of this silly head cold she's battling.
She also had her one year check, weighing in at a whopping 21 pounds.  To compare, Wyatt was over 20 at his 6 month check.  Yikes!  She eats like a bird. :S  She's not underweight or anything, but we're supposed to try cutting back her milk and formula to 16 oz a day to see if she'll eat more.  She's just like Wyatt (and well, everyone in this house), loves her milk.  We go through 2 4 litre jugs a week, if not more.  Strong bones all around!

5.26.12

Today we celebrated Paige. :)
Thank you to those who came to celebrate with us, we really appreciated it!

5.23.12

Happy Birthday to my little monkey!  I can honestly say this past year has flown by.  I vividly remember pacing the hallway at home a year ago, waiting for Josh to get home from fire drill to take me to the hospital.  She has changed our lives so much from the moment she arrived.  Full of energy, curiosity, laughter and love.  We love you so much Paige! xo
PS. She's playing with the gift Wyatt picked out.  He said she wanted "something with wheels" - who do you think he was really thinking about? ;)

5.17.12

No pictures today....I don't have any.  After I took that one of Wyatt on Monday, I didn't take another single picture of either kid. :(  Guess that's what happens when you have 2 hours to jam in supper, bathtime and bedtime.
Can't say that I'm enjoying being back at work.  I think a lot of people misunderstand when I complain (yes, I will openly admit I am complaining) about my job.  It's not that I am against working.  I WANT to work.  I just don't want to work where I work.  I won't get into all the details, but it's not a challenging position for me (unless you count trying not to fire off a stream of profanities at your co-workers a challenge), it does not pay well enough for it to really be worth it for me to work 40 hours a week, and all the "behind the scenes" goings on is quite enough for me.
Wyatt is not adapting well to being in daycare full time.  I know there are aspects he enjoys.  I know he is making some friends there.  I know his daycare providers are doing their best to accommodate his noise sensitivities, but it's hard with 6 or 7 other small kids.  Who love to make noise.  Paige apparently is a little social butterfly, is loved by all the other girls there (and some boy who kept putting the moves [read = hugging] on her today).  I've noticed that when I get home though, she is very clingy (which is unlike her), but I have more faith that she will adapt.  Wyatt I'm not so sure about.  His behaviour at home is getting increasingly outrageous (tons of tantrums, pushing, shoving, hitting, head butting, etc).  He's exhausted when he gets home and has had some stomach issues the past two days.  I'm just not sure what to do.  There are lots of situations where I know he is uncomfortable (but I know he will benefit from the experience), so I try to help him navigate through those.  I don't know about this situation.  My gut is telling me something is off, but it has only been a week, so maybe we all need a little time to get used to this.
Or not.  Cause if I can find a way to get water from a stone, I am definitely blowing that popsicle stand.