Day 25 - Weekly photo

Weekly photo time again.
I've been ill since Wednesday and haven't done anything exciting so here's Scarlet's weekly growth photo and other one of her smiling!!

Day 24 - Nana

First I have to start off by saying that my family is extremely lucky to have both sets of grandparents living so close to us. I only saw my grandparents when I was young on special occasions and holidays
My in-laws live on the same street as us and my parents live within walking distance. It's nice to have the support
My MIL and FIL came to visit Thursday evening to drop off a birthday card for me and to see the kids.
I took the opportunity to get a picture of Scarlet and her Nana.

Day 23 - Not much is new

Wednesday morning I met up with some mommy friends and their kids at a local bookstore for story time. Declan would rather play with the Thomas train set than sit and listen to the story but I did catch him listening from afar a few times.
Usually in the afternoon I take Scarlet to the library for mommy and baby time and grandma stays at the house while Declan naps. That didn't happen this time.
I was so sick :(
This pic is of Declan just chilling with his sick mama after his nap.

Day 22 - Turned my back and too many frozen bananas

Today I used up all the frozen bananas that were taking up too much room in the freezer. The house smelled so good!







This afternoon Declan sat at the table with his crayons and stickers and made some beautiful pictures for our fridge.
I was making dinner and had my back turned for 30 seconds and this is what I turn back around to.
He's usually sticking stuff to Grandpa's face but I guess since Grandpa wasn't here, he had to find a fill in..LOL

Day 21 - Love

About 1/2 way through my last pregnancy I started wondering how Declan would deal with being a big brother. He's always been the centre of his grandparents universe (he's grandchild #1) and the only grandchild to his Nana and Papa that lives close.
He got so much attention from everyone and I worried that once he had to share that attention that he might get jealous and dislike his sibling.

I'm happy to say that I worried for nothing...........at least for now. LOL
Declan loves his baby sister SO much. He's always kissing her up and wanting to snuggle with her.

I actually have to pull him off her sometimes when he forgets how little she is and he's trying to give her a bear hug. When she's upset, he'll grab her soother and talk to her and tell her that "everything is okay". I love watching him with her. He really has fallen in love with Scarlet.

I hope that they grow up to have a close relationship with each other. That is something I never had with my brother as a child and I always envied others that did.

Day 20 - I thought it would be easier the 2nd time

Anyone who knows me knows that I had a lot of problems breastfeeding Declan in the beginning. We saw the Lactation Consultant's at CMH so often that I think they knew my voice on the phone when I called to make an appointment. THANK GOD for the LC's, who knows if I would have struggles through those nights of crying and frustration. It's damn shame that CMH was so stupid and got rid of them :( ..........but that's another topic all together.

We finally got the hang of it at 6 weeks and it was smooth sailing from then on. We went on to BF for 18 months. Looking back, I regret weaning him at that point but I can't turn back now.

9 months after weaning Declan, Scarlet was born. I thought nursing would be a piece of cake the second time around. Boy was I wrong!! We've been to see an LC and her diagnosis was exactly what I thought was the problem...poor latch. I still can't for the life of me get her to stay latched properly. She pulls off all the time causing pain and blisters. As much as it can hurt, I WILL NOT GIVE UP!

I think it's time I call the LC again and maybe I should work on my 101 list and attend a LLL meeting? I've got to make it work!

This photo makes me remember why I breastfeed. It's a beautiful thing and it's free! ;)

Day 19 - Paper is better than toys

Declan found a bag full of tissue paper and had a great time playing with his little sister and me! Why do I spend so much money on toys again? I wish I would have recorded it because his laugh was priceless.

Day 18 - Happy Birthday Hat

The theme at the library yesterday was Happy Birthday. Declan enjoyed the birthday stories but most of all he loved the songs and crafts. This is his happy birthday cake hat creation

Day 17 - Toys Toys Toys

We received this great Hot Wheels hangy thing for Christmas last year but at that time Declan only had maybe 4 or 5 cars and it seemed pointless to put it up. I'm so glad that we got it though because this year after Christmas............well, the photo says it all! This is most of them but not all of them.

Baby Photos

These photos were taken by a mommy friend of mine who is starting her own photography business...K. Shiell Photography She's an amazing photographer and a wonderful person. I know she's going to do very well! Here are a few newborn photos she took of Scarlet Enjoy

Day 16 - Yummy Eeyore

You put anything near a baby's mouth and they'll suck on it. Hell, even my 2 1/2 year old puts everything in his freakin' mouth. I feel like I'm constantly saying, "Declan, take that out of your mouth!"
Anyway, here are a couple photos of Scarlet sucking on Eeyore, the toy Declan picked out for her for Christmas.
Declan tried to take it away but realized it was soaking wet with Scarlet goober so he gave it right back...LOL

Day 15 - Funny Faces

Declan and daddy have been perfecting their funny faces in the past few weeks. This is Declan's favourite at the moment. He holds it for as long as possible and then starts giggling. Not very fierce!

Day 14 - Ring Sling

Here are a couple crappy photos of my newest baby wearing apparatus. I made this one myself (still need to hem the one end) and I'm still trying to figure it how to use it. I've mastered the Wrap, Mei Tai and Ergo but for some reason this one is taking a little more time to learn how to thread properly. I think it might have to do with the weight of the fabric. I think I'll have to get my butt to a baby wearing meeting sometime soon.
I certainly didn't need to make a ring sling to add to my "not so tiny" baby wearing collection but what's a girl to do?! LOL

Day 13 - It Finally Fits!!

Scarlet received this beautiful outfit from a good friend who lives in England just weeks after she was born. I've tried it on her a few times and up until today, the skirt and tights have been too big. Well, it fits now!! LOVE the outfit! I wish we had a NEXT store in Canada. Thanks, Nic! xxoo

Day 12 - Fairy Nursery

I've been dragging my butt with finishing the nursery. Scarlet's still on our room so I haven't felt the rush to get it all done. I've finally decided that I should just bite the bullet and get it done so that when we decide to make the transition I won't have anything left to do.
The crib, glider, change table etc are all ready to go but I still need to finish decorating. I haven't been able to find a plain white bedskirt to dye to match the crib quilt I made so I think I'm going to have to sew one..........I'm not looking forward to that!
I spray painted the flowers raspberry pink, put up the vinyl lettering and more fairies. We went to Ikea today and bought a new bookcase as well as a shelf. Hopefully we'll get those up tomorrow.

Day 11 - Mr. Mom

Tonight right before bedtime, right after I had changed Declan's diaper, he insisted the Scarlet's CPK had a poopy bum and needed a diaper change too.
I played along an put a blanket on the floor for him to use as a change pad. He struggled to get her clothes off so I helped him out. He took off her poopy diaper and said, "it's dirty", and wanted to throw it in the garbage. I told him that I would take care of it (because it wasn't poopy!) and put it on the change table. He got really upset and demanded it back so he could throw it in the garbage. I gave in and let him throw it out.
Next he needed a wipe............Silly me, I forgot to give him a wipe to clean the poop off her bum! He did a wonderful and very thorough job cleaning her butt crack. It was squeaky clean by the time he finished.
Next came the diaper and then the clothes.
Declan's quite the little Mr. Mom. As soon as he perfects his diapering skills I'll move him on to changing Scarlet for me ;)

**********for some reason the photos I uploaded are showing up backwards. Look from the bottom up to see his progress********************

Day 10 - Weekly photos part 2

Time again for our weekly photos! Declan wanted to be first this time. What a little ham.

Sometimes I look at him and see who he is going to be when he's grown up. He's growing so fast!

It's hard to believe that Scarlet has only been with us for 10 weeks. I feel like I've know here forever. She's such a sweetheart.

I don't think it's possible to love my children more than I do today but I know I'll love them even more tomorrow

101 things to do in 1001 days

Start Date: January 14th,2010
Finish Date: October 11th, 2012

1. Finish Declan's Baby book
2. Keep Scarlet's Baby book up to date
3. Rearrange my bedroom
4. Take the kids to the cottage
5. Take Scarlet to swimming lessons
6. Read a book a month
7. Sign up for an exercise class
8. Take tap dancing lessons again
9. Finish our basement
10. Teach Declan to read
11. Tear out our ugly old kitchen floor (with burn holes from previous owner)
12. Sew more dolls
13. Sew Scarlet clothes
14. Attend a LLL meeting
15. Sponsor a family in need
16. Take a jewelery making class
17. Work on my garden in the summer
18. Finish decorating Scarlet's room
19. Stop biting my finger nails for 6 months (0/6)
20. Check out the EYC
21. Potty train Declan
22. Take Declan to see Thomas the Train in St. Thomas
23. Watch Scarface
24. Tone my flabby belly
25. Go for a day at the spa with some friends
26. Reconnect with friends I've lost touch with
27. Eat more veggies and fruit
28. Try making sushi
29. Make a Will
30. Have Scarlet Baptized
31. Throw a penny in a wishing well and make a wish
32. Pay for a strangers coffee/tea
33. Make Scarlet a Tutu
34. Go to another TFC match (or hopefully get season tickets)
35. Take my family on a picnic
36. Take Declan tobboganning
37. Give away clothes I haven't worn in over a year
38. Take a baby massage class
39. Have laser eye surgery
40. Help someone with breastfeeding problems
41. Learn to crochet
42. Alphabetize all my cds (they've been a mess since we moved)
43. Cook a new meal every night for a week (0/7)
44. Make the majority of Scarlet's baby food
45. Buy a new camera
46. Have an indoor beach party with my kids
47. Go camping with the family (and try to enjoy it)
48. Have a garage sale
49. Grow my hair longer than it's ever been
50. Host a dinner party
51. Host a fancy dress cocktail party
52. Donate toys that Declan doesn't play with
53. Finish knitting all 3 blankets I started years ago (0/3)
54.

will continue later................................

Day 9 - Tummy Time

Tummy time isn't the most popular thing in our household at the moment but my brother and sister in law bought this neat contraption to help out with keeping Scarlet's head beautiful!
She can swing her body around and play with all the different toys attached to the mat. She has managed to turn herself halfway around once when she was pissed about the whole situation and the toys make her giggle. Baby giggles are a beautiful sound!!

Day 8 - Passport Photo

I took Scarlet to get her passport photo this morning. I went as soon as she woke up so she would be bright eyed and bushy tailed!
Last night I stopped at the photo studio to ask if they had any advice for a 2 month old photo and she recommended that I put her in a 2 piece outfit so I could have my hands under her shirt to prop her up. It worked! We managed to get it done in the first shot...............but.................my poor baby looks like she was arrested! Oh well, at least she's not smiling ;) Off to the passport office in the morning.

Day 7 - bedtime

I'm not feeling the best today so I'll make this quick.....
Here's a pic of my little man before going to sleep in his Thomas bed with his Thomas books.

Day 6 - Heading South

We're planning a trip to go down south next month. I think we'll probably go to the Dominican again. Still trying to find the best all inclusive resort for the kiddies...well mostly Declan. I have to get Scarlet's photo taken asap and get the passport application to the office this week. Hopefully the turnover time is still as fast as it was last spring (1 week)
I'm crossing my fingers that some of Declan's summer clothes still fit him from last year. Scarlet will need some clothes as well but a mommy friend has offered to lend me her daughter's stuff from last year.
Yesterday I went to the fabric store and picked up a pattern and fabric to make a sweet little outfit for Scarlet. I'm hoping to start today!
Now I just need to order a solarveil sling to protect Scarlet from the sun!

Day 5 - Snow

Declan and daddy did some shoveling this afternoon after naptime. This is the first time Declan has had his entire new snowsuit on. He's so cute and getting very good at shoveling!

P.S. I took my Christmas tree down today!