Mmmm.... pasta!

Lesson learned: tomato sauce, if left on too long, can stain creamy white skin!

8 Month marker

at 8 months Hailey is:

• crawling all over the place
• climbing stairs
• sitting up, kneeling and standing
• saying 'mum'
• not sleeping through the night
• NOT going to anyone but mommy (at least not without complaint)
• still teething (we are not the lucky ones who all of a sudden find teeth with no warning. We are the VERY unlucky ones who get to suffer MONTHS before any appear). She still only has her 2 bottoms that she got over 2 mths ago.
• loving baths and swimming
• eating more 'adult' foods
• 'talking' very loud
• throwing tantrums
• can 'gimme five'
• falls and hits her head all the time
• can walk with a walker
• stands up in her crib and holds onto the rails
• LOVES to brush her teeth (so funny)
• sings with mommy
• and has lost weight but grown in length

She is such a handful and we hope we don't have another just like her but we couldn't live without her or imagine our family without her personality. Good heavens... what does my future hold with this one???????????

A busy April

We have been plagued with illness at our house for probably a couple months now. I had 3 colds straight, Ian 2 and Hailey had 2 colds and now a tummy virus.... NOT FUN! We are hoping that the remainder of the year is as healthy as can possibly be.

At the beginning of April we all went down to Regina on a trip (previous post) and then Hailey and I spent 10 days in Edmonton with my family while Ian returned to Regina for more exams. Some delays have been encountered on Ian achieving his Saskatchewan Land Surveyor designation but hopefully by the fall it will be past us.

The week (10 days) was great with my 2 oldest sisters visiting from Vancouver as well. It was almost the whole family minus my sis, BIL, and nieces in Switzerland. Hailey was pampered, spoiled and smothered as much as she would allow. It only took 5-6 days for her to get used to everyone and leave my arms but finally it happened. I am hoping now that she will be more accustomed to others and not so clingy (the illnesses haven't helped this factor).

We also said goodbye to my youngest sister Katrina as she headed into the MTC. We are very proud of her and will miss her.

We have also been trying to baby proof and recently got a new shelf for our T.V./electronics that has doors so Hailey won't be able to get at them. We are super excited for all the projects we have planned including a garden, new locks for the doors, carpeting in the basement, new light fixtures and hardware in the kitchen, a storage room in the basement and more. I hope Ian realizes that his 'honey-do' list will never end now!

AND this month isn't over yet with Ian's birthday coming up next week... YES HE WILL BE 30!

We are SUPER thrilled for spring/summer (once this crazy snow melts again) and look forward to hearing about your adventures as well!

Here are some new pictures of Hailey

Trip to Regina

It was tiring but it was worth it!

I knew as we prepared to leave, with Ian and myself sick already, that it would hit Hailey while we were gone. Sure enough she started to cough and had a fever most of the weekend. It is so sad to see your little ones suffering.

We were a little worried that sleeping would be a problem as Hailey only seems to sleep in her crib at home. We tried to get a suite so that at least we could put her in a separate room so we wouldn't wake our 'light sleeper'. The hotel was fully booked but we lucked out with a large walk in closet. It worked like a dream. The best part was that it was pretty sound proof. We could hardly hear when she was crying (I promise she was not neglected).

She survived the drive there and back fairly well but had a meltdown each day. It was nothing that a nap couldn't fix. I attempted to go to most of the events I was signed up for but gave up on Friday and just stayed in the hotel room with Hailey so she could sleep. On Friday night was the big formal dinner and dance which I was definitely NOT taking Hailey too. We were one of the 2 couples who brought their babies. Thankfully we had Ian's sister in Regina who offered to babysit.

Now it is sad to admit but that was the first time Hailey was babysat by someone besides my Mom or a close friend (for a short amount of time). I felt terrible leaving her, especially since it was the first time she met her aunt, but mostly because she doesn't do well with anyone but Mom. I called a few times during the evening to find that she was indeed having a rough time. Luckily auntie figured out a walk was a good idea which turned the table. She was fine after that and fell asleep. I still felt guilty the whole night 'abandoning' her so we had one dance and went to pick her up. I am proud of myself for leaving her (even for only 3 hrs). It is a start. Hopefully it gets easier and Hailey gets used to other people besides me. Thanks a bunch Auntie!!!!!

We are happy to be home and know that next year we will be doing this event without the baby. You can watch her for a weekend, right Mom?!?!?

22 Things I've Learned as a Mother

1. Mommy's can always make it better
2. It is harder than I thought it would be
3. Sacrifice is the very essence of everything Mom's do
4. When spoon feeding a baby you DO make funny faces
5. Your own child's poop is never as bad as someone else's child's
6. There are no "days off, time off or breaks"
7. No one can care for your child as well as yourself
8. NOTHING in the world feels better than your little baby's snuggles
9. Everything new your child discovers is just as exciting for you
10. You can't protect your child from everything and shouldn't (I've tried... now I am trying to stop)
11. Daddy's are fun... Mommy's are comfort
12. The more stressed out you get, the more stressed out your child gets.
13. Plan for the worst but expect the best
14. Always have an escape plan (this is a big one for me... when Hailey is having a break down I get really stressed out. I need to know that if necessary I can leave whatever I'm doing to get Hailey settled down). I never thought I would be so embarrassed to have her screaming in public.
15. Crying IS the best form of stress release
16. Mothers have an INSANE ability to hear their child crying over any amount of noise.
17. I could NEVER do this alone. I am grateful everyday for my loving husband!
18. I appreciate and understand my own mother more now that I know what she has been through.
19. Sleep is a thing of the past!
20. 5 hr+ trips with babies in car seats are NOT fun
21. I have so much more to do and learn
22. This face makes every struggle, every hour of lost sleep, every dirty diaper worth more than any treasure in the world!

My days are filled with this...

Now that Hailey is mobile she is into everything. Of course it is always the things she shouldn't be into that are the biggest attraction. Her favourites are cords, electronics, remotes, shoes, the fireplace and garbage cans. I obviously still need to baby proof but am not ready to admit that my baby is growing up. Luckily she has not yet discovered the kitchen!

So my day is filled with a lot of "no" 's, kissing bumps on the head and restraining Hailey in some sort of play equipment (playpen, swing, exersaucer, highchair) when I need to leave the room and do something. What is going to happen when she starts crawling faster?!?

Lonely

Does anyone like being home alone? I don't and this week I have been alone far too much (well alone with Hailey). Ian was gone to Regina Sun-Wed and then today to Edmonton for the day. I'm going through adult interaction withdrawl. I need to get out more. Even this beautiful weather doesn't seem to motivate me. I need a schedule again... something where I have to get up and do things. Who wants to volunteer to make me get out of the house (disclaimer - you may have to actually come push me out)!

I need plans... any takers? Of course you have to be local which cuts most of my readers out. Let me know though if anyone is coming to Lloydminster to do some sight seeing ;)