Pumpkin Carving

This year Adam wanted to carve a pumpkin. So with Jackie’s help, he gutted it – the actual face carving happened after she was in bed.

Names

Well, I got quite a few great mane suggestions from some of my faithful readers. I have to admit as good as the name Blueberry Hill would be for our little boy - we are going to pass on it.

We have narrowed the name selections down to just 4.

- Anderson
- Damien
- Sebastian
- Zachary

Adam and I have picked our final selection and will reveal the name one he makes his grand entrance into this great world.

I am doing good - tons of Braxton Hicks this time (I had none with Jackie) everyone at work thinks I am ready to explode - but I look the same as I did with Jackie (I guess they are just not used to someone working right to the end).

I am done work on Friday, then if all goes as planned - have a week off and have the baby right on schedule (yeah right - when have they ever listened to what they are suppose to do?)

Keep you posted...

Not yet...

For those of you waiting for baby news - no baby yet.

I thought I would have this little guy early - my boss was convinced it would be the weekend past - but I am working today.

I have had lots of Braxton Hicks - and I am still just under 2 weeks out from my due date - so lots of time to be early still. I will keep you all posted.....

Teeth

Jackie’s absolute favourite thing in the whole world to do right now is to brush her teeth – if we let her, she would do it 10 times a day; we only let her do it after a meal – so on the weekends – max 3 times – on a week day – right before bed.

She is very funny – knows her routine quite well, change into a sleeper, have a bottle, then runs upstairs yelling “teeth”.

These pictures are of her brushing her teeth for Grandma in Canmore.

A New Look

Adam has glasses!

My dear Hubby realized recently that he can't see some things very well or at all - so off to the optometrist - and now he is sporting a new look.

I think he looks great - but I have told him he needs to start wearing nicer clothes to make the neck up look match the neck down....

Pretty Puppies

A little while ago I gave Jackie some play jewelry, whenever she or I put it on her - I said "Ohhh, Pretty!". Well this has translated into her thinking all jewelry is actually called "Pretty". Because it is cute - we have continued to call her jewelry 'pretty'.

This past weekend - Jackie decided Brutis needed some pretty too - so Brutis became "Pretty Puppy". I don't think he was too impressed.


This is Roxie - Shane and Brenda's dog - at least she is a girl....

Vegetables

A funny story about my dear Hubby…

Sunday – I had to work (big sale at Trail and so I had to work 4 hours in the morning), so I gave Adam a shopping list. We were having some friends over for dinner that evening so I put on the list and told him – a fresh vegetable – but no broccoli (he always gets broccoli) – I even suggested green beans.

Well – fast forward to me coming home – the grocery shopping is done – and this is what he bought.

Yes that is an Eggplant and 2 Parsnips.

After I was able to speak (completely dumbfounded at his choices) I questioned him about those choices. He said – well I like Parsnips – and you cook with them (yes, I do – but only when I am doing a roast and they are roasted along side with carrots), the eggplant – I don’t know if even he can answer why he choose that vegetable – I have never bought one myself before – nor do I know if he has even eaten it before.

Anyway – he has gotten the same reaction from his mother and our friends – completely dumbfounded at his bizarre choices.

3 Years Ago

3 years ago we woke up – super early – neither one of us being able to sleep any longer.
3 years ago, we left each other, said good bye with one last engaged kiss.
3 years ago, I excitedly got my hair and makeup done.
3 years ago I stepped into my wedding dress and though about what you would think when you first saw me in it.
3 years ago I walked down the isle with a smile so big I knew it took up my whole face
3 years ago we shared our first married kiss
3 years ago, we ate, drank and celebrated with all our friends and family.
3 years ago I said “I do” and so did you.
3 years ago we agreed to continue on the journey we started 2 and a half years before.

3 years ago I was not aware I would be pregnant for exactly half of that time.

In those 3 years:
We have added a very furry, very lovable member to the family.
We have sold a house.
We have bought a house.
We have had a daughter.
We have both changed jobs.
We are almost done making our son.
We have laughed.
We have cried.

I would not change these past 3 years for anything, and look forward to many more to come….

35 1/2 weeks

Today I am 35 and a half weeks pregnant. The top picture is me today - pregnant with Peanut - the bottom picture is me a year and a half ago - 35 1/2 weeks pregnant with Jackie.

Daddy's Little Helper

September Long weekend sadly concluded our 2008 camping season, but we have big things to prepare for - and still lots to do.

Adam spend some time finishing up the deck, and he had a great little helper - she handed him screws.

She is quite the little Daddy's girl. If he is around, she wants nothing to do with Mom.
I think it is absolutely adorable!

Princess

For over a year now, Jackie has been the only Princess in our house (yes, I got demoted) but this past weekend Adam seems to have been appointed to the role.

Here is the story:
A few weeks back while we were out at the lake – Adam’s sister Kristi came to visit for the day. Since Adam and Kristi love to water ski, our friend Ed took them out on the boat, well, if you know Adam and Kristi, they are relentless in their sibling rivalry and ribbing. So needless to say, Adam was giving Kristi a hard time, well when it came his time to water ski, she threw him the rope and said “here you go Princess”. Well this brought on a lot of laughter from Ed and by the time they got back to the campsite – Adam was princess.

I know he was hoping it would die that weekend – but no. On Saturday we headed out for a bit, and when we got back – this was the sign hanging off our trailer.

Everyone got a great laugh - and we left the sign up - I am sure he is going to have quite a reputation when we go back in the spring....

Preparing for a baby...

In my Internet travels I came across the funniest website ever - it has a bunch of diagrams for new parents learning what to do and what not to do with a new baby. The 3 posted are my favourites - but check out the website for yourself here for a few more laughs.

Labor

In honor of Labor Day weekend, I thought I would participate in a Labor MeMe. I would love to hear your labor stories, if you have a blog and would like to participate, please feel free to post your answers.


How long were your labors?
Jackie – 11 ½ hours, from the very first contraction to the moment of birth
Peanut – hopefully 10 minutes, can I please be one of those people that doesn’t know they are in labor until the doctor tells them it is time to push?.....

How did you know you were in labor?
Jackie – since she was my first, I was not sure – also having had absolutely no Braxton hicks and all my contractions were in my back (lovely back labor…) but I knew when I was able to time them and they became constant – 15 minutes apart.

Where did you deliver?
The hospital – thankfully – I fear being one of those people that delivers in the car or worse yet at home – I have told Adam, if things progress super fast with Peanut and I have to deliver at home – no matter what – drag me off the carpet and onto the kitchen floor – I do not want to have to replace the carpet!

Drugs?
Yes, with Jackie my drug plan was try and go epidural free – but if it turns out to be back labor – screw it – and bring on the drugs. Well I tried the laughing gas (which did not make me laugh by the way) and it worked for about 5 contractions – then it was like they turned off the gas – and we had the wonderful glorious epidural. I was happy I was able to stick to my drug plan, but with Peanut, it is considerably different – bring on the Epidural from the get go – but of course I am planning one of those super duper short, I did not even know I was in labor, labors…..

C-section?
Thankfully, no and hopefully no!

Who delivered?
My doctor. I was referred by my family doctor to a team of women doctors where all they do is deliver babies. They take rotations through the office and being on call in the hospital, so out of the 4 ladies you get a chance to meet all of them, and will get one of them no matter when you deliver. They were fantastic! I am very happy to have the same team for round 2.

My Love / Hate Relationship

.... fall.....

For those of you that live in Calgary or area, you know what I am talking about – fall is here. I know not officially, but it sure feels like it. Not only are the days getting shorter and cooler, but this morning I actually had to scrape the ice off my windshield before leaving for work!

Fall and I have a love / hate relationship.

The Hate:
I hate fall because it means the end of summer.
The end of wearing sandals, shorts, tank tops and sun screen.
The end of just going somewhere – no jacket or prep time required (pre-starting the car).
The end of camping.
The end of long summer days.
The end of walks to the park.
It means the beginning of snow! I hate snow and most snow related activities.

The Love:
I love fall because it means we are closer to Christmas.
Halloween is around the corner – and this time we are taking Jackie trick or treating.
It means no more re-runs on TV and new shows are starting.
It means sweaters – for those that know me, know I am a sweater girl.
It means socks and shoes.
It means a hot cup of coffee on a cold morning.
It means turning the fireplace on.
It means cooking and baking.
It means putting the down duvet back on the bed.
This time, it means we are getting closer to Peanut’s arrival!

Pig Tails

We have been very lucky with Jackie in the hair department, not only was she born with lots of it, she never lost it all, and it grows nice and evenly. So far the only thing we have had to cut is her bangs.

But she will not sit still long enough for me to get a pony tail or pig tails in her hair, on Monday we were over at the Chibry's for Fun Monday and Shelby succeeded - here are a few shots of the two of them.


Not only was she super cute, she left them in until they fell out.

Summer Holidays 2008

This summer we took a week off together and headed out to our place at the lake. We all had a wonderful time and really loved being able to be there for 10 days instead of a normal weekend or the odd long weekend.

Jackie got to experience her first boat ride; twice we had friends take us out; her first canoe ride (Grandma and Grandpa Hill came out and brought their canoe); we spend some time down at the beach, a few days trips - overall a great trip and no one wanted to come home...

This is Adam's idea of bringing the beach to you.....

On a side note, Adam finished the deck too - sorry I forgot to take pictures - I promise to take some next time we are out - the place looks great with the grass and now a deck.

Summer Holidays 2008 - Kimberly

Day trip - or rather afternoon trip...

We headed up to Kimberly, only 20 minutes north of Cranbrook, jsut before you get to Kimberly though is a small little town called Marysville, with the Marysville Falls - so we took the short walk to check them out, I was not wearing the right shoes, the path was not wagon or stroller friendly, so with Jackie on Adam's shoulders, there was only so far we could go, but I think we saw the biggest one.

After the falls we headed to the Bavarian part of Kimberly and had a great dinner where Jackie not only impresses us with her restaurant manners but the 2 nice old ladies sitting beside us.

We stopped for ice cream, and the ice cream shop had this stuffed bear - as you can see, Jackie loved it!

Summer Holidays 2008 - Swimming

When you have a beach and a lake.....

Summer Holidays 2008 - Kokanee Brewery

Since we are only 45 minutes from Creston, we took the opportunity to take in the Kokanee Brewery tour. I enjoyed it, Jackie however did not really allow Adam to enjoy or hear any of it. She came on the tour, but constantly wanted down to run around - the tour was not toddler safe for running around, and the last thing she cares about is how beer is made... one day maybe, but not now.

Since I do not drink beer, this was an acceptable tour to go on, due to pregnancy, all winery tours were banned this year....

Outside, they have a photo op - I love the one with Jackie as the Sasquatch...

Summer Holidays 2008 - random shots

Summer Holidays 2008 - Water Skiing

Kristi joined us for the day on Saturday and some friends with a boat took her and Adam out water skiing. They had a blast and heckled each other the whole time - but Adam will admit - Kristi is better than he is...

Adam

Kristi

Kristi

Cake

Earlier this month we celebrated Adam's birthday, we had a few good friends over for dinner and cake. The reaction we were looking for on Jackie's first birthday finally arrived - not only did she love the cake to eat - she loved it as a face cream, hair gel, makeup, and hand cream.

We all had a good laugh and then Dad took her for a much needed bath.

Anna's Birthday

Jackie - before the party

Anna (as mentioned in previous posts) is our super duper amazing day home lady. (Can you tell we love her and so does Jackie); well she had a birthday this past week and her family (husband, son and daughter in law) always put on a birthday party and invite not just current children, but children she has looked after in the past as well (oh and the parents are invited too).

We joined them this past Saturday for some amazing home cooked Hungarian food (Anna moved to Canada with her family 12 years ago from Hungary), cake and good company.

Jackie and Anna

Jackie wore a super cute dress that Grandma Hill bought for her and had a wonderful time - also thrilled us to see her eating foods for Anna she never eats for us (apparently this is very normal for kids in day homes).

Our Little Princess is a Bully!

Yes you read that correctly – she is a bully! Jacqueline is the youngest at her day home – there are a total of 5 kids – Jackie – 16 months; Lauren – 19 months, Luke – 2 years; Marti 2 ½ years, and Jorja – almost 4.

Since Jackie was not walking when she first started going, she was also the new baby, Anna (super amazing day home lady) was very insistent that everyone be very careful around her – she is the baby, etc. Well, I fear that all the babying has made Jackie realize she can get what she wants with a little bit of muscle.

It first started with some ear pulling. For whatever reason, she saw a need to come up behind one of the other kids at day home and pull both his ears. Yes, we laugh too – and Anna said she could barely contain herself as she saw this, but the poor little boy was crying, so Anna swallowed her laughter and Jackie got a time out. But that did not stop her, she has continued with some hair pulling, a few more ears and even some biting. The other day it was just the 2 little girls (Jackie and Lauren) and Anna was making them lunch – well Jackie must have been super hungry because she tried to take a bite out of Lauren.

So our little princess has turned into a bully. We are working very hard at teaching her to be nice to other people and seem to be getting better (now, the good days out weigh the “time-out” days).

Talking – her new favorite word is “BABY”. Right now all dogs are “baby”, but so is my belly. She will point to my belly and say baby – to which, I respond, yes, there is a baby in there – then she pulls up my shirt and pushes my belly button in – as far as she can if I don’t catch her in time. To that I inform her that she is going to poke her baby brother’s eyes out. It is super cute – but I think she thinks my belly button is called baby – I know she has no idea there is an annoying future little brother in there.

A New Chapter

Today I write this post with a heavy heart. I have caved. I have fallen. I have been trapped into the abyss, the minivan world has finally gotten a hold of me and will not let go….

I swore I would never enter this world! I swore I would always be an SUV driving Mom instead of a Minivan driving Mom. Not that I hold it against any of you out there that have a minivan – but I did not want one. I loved my SUV, I still love my SUV, but life changes…

Adam and I have made the decision to purchase a minivan – for a few reasons.
We were leasing the Blazer, and our initially plan had been to buy it out and then get Adam a pick-up truck; but with the price of gas the way it is – a truck is just not the best option for us.
That means that our biggest vehicle would be the Blazer, and with Peanut on his way, we are realizing we are going to need more cargo space for hauling 2 kids (in their massive car seats), a small wiener dog (but in a decent sized kennel), and all the amazing amounts of stuff a parent needs to haul in order to function with children outside of their house (this in itself is truly amazing and worth a whole post on it’s own).

Anyway – we are entering the world of minivans. After much debate, dealership visits and hours spent on the internet, we have decided to purchase a new 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan. They have re-designed it and added tons of new safety features. I have to admit, I am now looking forward to the new vehicle and the new chapter in our life it is leading us into.
I will post a picture once we get it – should be in a few days.

Talking

Jackie is quite the little jabber mouth, unfortunately she knows very little English. She is however very fluent in baby talk – not sure if this is the same dialect all babies speak or she has developed her own. But needless to say she is a very good little talker.

So far we have been able to introduce a few English words to her:
First word: Dada
Second word: Mama
Third word: Anna – day home lady

Dada or Da as it became shortened to, was her favorite word for a while – everything was “Da” – me, Adam, the dog, a tree – everything. But now her favorite word is Anna – she knows we are Mama and Dada, but everything else is Anna.

Name Update

I thought I would update you since some of you have submitted some "wonderful" names.

Al & Sarah - you truly had the best - Blueberry Hill would be a great name - no one would ever make fun of him.

Megan - unfortunately - Benny Hill is just not a name I can go with - I get Jenny Hill changed to Benny Hill all the time - and although he has been dead for a long time - people still remember.

Starr - I love the name Sabastien - however - Adam is not the biggest fan of it - so off the list it went.

There are a few names on our list right now - and Anderson is leading right now - but who knows that could change overnight....