Friday Photo

Friday August 22nd, 2008

Sydney showing her excitement that it's Friday - Happy Friday everyone.

What do we do in the hot weather

Thursday July 17th, 2008

Well it's Summer in Michigan and it's hot - thank goodness we decided to get the air conditioning in the Spring! - yeah. It's not on all day, just afternoons and in the mornings I have the kitchen door open to let in the morning breeze.

Miss S is enjoying her first summer and loves to splash around on her splash mat. Well this is what S does to keep cool. I sit next to her and we have a canopy tent which we sit under after her splashy, splashy time where we eat snacks and have drinks. It's a lovely way to spend the avo together.

J resting on the job!!

Monday - cute pic time

Monday July 14th, 2008

This is what happens when Miss S wakes up way to early on the w/end!!

Party's and Gifts

Saturday July 12th, 2008

The other w/end S attended her first birthday party for a playdate friend who was celebrating his first birthday. I was surprised S was such a trouper lasted 3 hours and seemed to really enjoy herself. S was the only girl - yet again! - looks like she won't be short of dates when she is older, like 21!! - lol

I made the gift for the b'day boy - a "no sew blanket" in Disney "Cars" theme and placed the blanket in a drawstring bag made of tonka car/truck material. The blanket was completed by 90% help from my Mum and rest help from my little bro - Thanks for the help, otherwise I wouldn't have had it completed in time. Instructions for how to make the no-sew blankie

Opening of presents - oh look it's our pressie!!

Mum and Dad with B'day boy

Let him eat cake!

S inspecting the balloons - hmm - yes they are ok!

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Today is another important person's birthday - my dear hubbie - Jameson, who is turning the big 40. We are going out for a posh lunch at a nearby restaurant and will have his cake at home. I'll post pics of his cake later.

Happy Birthday J - May you have many, many more - Lots of Love from C & S xxx

Friday Photo

I think I'll have a little rest!

Finished Projects

Wednesday July 9th, 2008

Finally finished a couple of projects that I was working on for S - yeah! Love it when projects are finished - see previous post re beginning of project - http://10minutecoffeebreak.blogspot.com/search/label/Knitting

Blocks

Making S's blocks became a family affair - Thanks to Mum for sewing the blocks together, straighting my very tight knitting (well it's a learning curve) Dad who cut the foam for the blocks, my little bro who sorted out the patterns and color scheme for each block. J supervised the whole process! Picture of finished blocks below

S playing with her blocks

Booties
I also knitted a pair of baby booties for my gf who baby is due within the next couple of weeks. Big thanks again to Mum for sewing them together for me. They turned out a tad big - for 3 inch foot, so he (they know it's a boy) can wear them in the winter. Actually they look like footie boots lol! Pictures below

Now I'm knitting a striped cardigan for Miss S - I'll post later about that.

Oh boy it's Monday.....

Monday, July 7th 2008

Oh how the w/end just flew by for me. Actually the last couple of weeks have been a total blur for me. So much has happened... Let's see.

My family arrived from OZ - first time for them to meet Miss S. A lovely time was had with S meeting Grandpa, Grandma and her Uncle. It's a shame they don't live closer the 20+ hour flight is abit far to just visit for an evening! Let's hope we win lotto!

Sitting with Grandma

S giving Grandpa an Eskimo kiss - a lucky few get this treatment!

After my family left we drove to Traverse City (4 hr drive w/out S) - our first break away with Miss S. Our mini break ended up being only 2 nights (we had originally planned 3 nights, 4 days) after Miss S decided to scream bloody murder each night when going to bed. In order to solve this problem we drove around the town for 1hr - 2 hrs until S finally feel asleep. On the 2nd night we decided it was too much for her and us and packed our stuff so we could leave the next morning. Sorry my holiday pics are not very exciting - our plans of visiting the beach and vineyards went amiss when we decided to leave early.

Leaving home

Driving to "Up North"

My new project - helped make the hours fly by during the drive.

S enjoying her first bath away from home

Separation anxiety

S is going through separation anxiety at the moment, unfortunately we have now resorted to letting S CIO (Cry it out) - I know alot of people are against this but after J and me cuddling her till she fell asleep (40 mins each) and having her wake up the moment you lie her down into her crib, the decision was made lets try CIO. Tonight will be our 3rd night.

S needs to relearn how to fall asleep for all her naps and night sleep, time and patience are now needed and the later is again being tested. I thought we had just gotten over this hurdle of sleeping - we had this problem at 2 months which lasted till 4 months of age at that time it took up to 2 hours of walking and rocking for S to fall asleep. I'm hoping this week will help with everyone gone and her routine going to back to normal, here's hoping that S can get back into her old habits of sleeping - like a baby!

Friday Photo...

Friday June 19th, 2008

Notice that S is wearing the same colours as my gf!! - it's like they planned it.

Strange thing.... when my gf and I worked together yrs ago we often came into work wearing the same colour outfits, so S is just carrying on the tradition - good girl!

Happy Friday everyone.

Friday Photo

Friday, June 13th 2008

Well it's black Friday everyone so stay away from black cats, walking under ladders and don't step on a crack!! - lol that is if you believe in superstition's (which I do.)

Some pics from this week with S to make everyone smile.


Have a great w/end.

Friday on my mind - when it's Thursday

Thursday, June 12th 2008

Sorry I've been MIA this week, busy with 4 play dates for S, catching up on my household chores and just generally being Supermum!

Thought everyone might want to see what S does on hot days...

Friday Photo...

Friday, June 6th

We visited a petting farm the other day & this is what S thought of it all. - yeap not very impressed.

All she could say was "hmmm." - Not sure if it was the smell, or the animals that she was not pleased with. & after her Daddy mentioned it was smelly, S then wrinkled up her nose while we walked around the barn.

Next we ventured outside to see the other farm animals. S decided to let us know she had enough by loudly saying "Aboo" followed by raspberry blowing. Oh dear, looks like my little girl is a City girl, sorry J no camping trips for us!!

Growing leaps and bounds....

Saturday, May 31st

Last day of May & June is just around the corner - yeah! along with summer. Earlier in the week we had some early morning frosts so J had to wrap up his tomato plants in a blankie. Poor J the tom plants have not survived twice now - lucky he has some more still in the seed trays in the basement. So more re-planting both on the deck and in the veggie beds later today.

Thought I would give everyone an update on S - I'm totally amazed at how fast S is progressing and growing - real leaps and bounds. In the last couple of weeks the following changes have happened with S:

• Crawling like a mad woman from Borneo. Watch out world here I come, real stomping around the house, when your in the basement you can hear the thump, thump, thump, thump of her crawling along the kitchen floor, this stops for a second or two for S to catch her breath then it starts again. (& for the grandparents I'll send CD's with video clips within the next week.)
  

• Starting to eat by herself - some small finger food items that contain banana and sweet potato.


• Her first bottom tooth is starting to poke it's way through the gum, I only know it's happening since the other day she grabbed my finger and put it straight into her mouth and ouch I felt a little sharp thing. Won't be long till I can clearly see it in her mouth.


• Sitting in her new big girl buggy (aka stroller) - thanks to S's economic stimulus payment!


• Nearly growing out of her 1 year old clothing
  
• Sitting upright in the bath tub so longer using her baby bath


• The crib is now lowered to almost lowest point, S has started to pull her self up, only for second or two.

I can already hear the world of Toddlerhood knocking on my door!

The last couple of weeks have been a total whirlwind to me, our house is 95% S proof - just have to finish the other 5% ; I ran out of safety items and had to purchase more in the week. I'm hoping she doesn't start walking before the end of this w/end!

Happy Saturday

Christmas in May

Sunday, May 25th

The other day it was like Christmas at our house, no we didn't experience a snowstorm, though it is not unheard of having a snow storm in late May. The Postman Pat truck delivered numerous box's for us. - yeah!!

J rushed into the foyer to inspect the boxes then quickly pounced on a couple and ran upstairs with them, I have since learnt that they where my Mother's Day presents. A midsized box arrived for J, which contained an adapter cable so I can now download photos from my camera phone to the computer - so more S pics!

Plus a huge parcel arrived for Miss S - I picked up the parcel and placed it on the kitchen table, wondering how long it would take for her to notice it. Once she was placed into her chair she immediately noticed the parcel and smiled at me, thinking "its for me...." I told her we would open up the parcel once she had finished her supper.

Who sent S a parcel? (Granny and Grand Dad had sent it from UK). I explained to S that the parcel had traveled on the plane just for her - no excitement at that comment. After opening the package I took out the contents, assorted clothing items and a book. I showed her the dresses and sweater, but they produced no excitement - just a mmmm, nod of the head, and a cute smile.

The big winner was this book , since she already owns a couple of these Touchy, Feely Usborne Books within her library. Well I only had to show her the book, not even open it up and she started to kicking her legs in excitement, moving her hands and arms around in the air, and almost hyperventilating.

Once I gave S the book their was no way she would part with it, so for the next half an hour before bath time I read the book a couple times and let her play with it. Then S read the book and told me, in her language what to touch on each page. S's reaction was adorable, utter amazement and excitement for her new book.

On that day for S Christmas had come early, it's nice to see S starting to recognize and realize that certain things are only for her.

Favourite Toy

Friday, May 23rd

Miss S's new favourite toy is her exersaucer. My gf lent me her daughter's a couple weeks ago, since her little one is 2, and a tad too big for it. Well S loves it, and when she is not in it playing she will crawl to where it is in the room and try to get into it.

I now have to move it out of the room before her sleep time, otherwise she will crawl over to it and won't leave it alone. I worked out how to solve this dilemma, I produce another toy for her to play with, this distracts her enough so I can move it completely out of the room.
Kinda like when you give a dog a bone!

For me it gives me some freedom so I can get some cleaning done around the house, I just take S into the room I'm cleaning, place her in the exersaucer and she plays happily for 20-30 minutes. Just enough time to get some jobs done quickly.

After researching the cost $100 - I thought maybe I might be able to find a second hand one at a local thrift store. Well I ended up finding one for $25 - barely used - yeah! So I grabbed it.

Well this is the best $25 I've spent, a toy that amuses her for more then 5 minutes is really priceless. It's great when you can find a bargain, that you want or need. The purchase then becomes more worthwhile.

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Next Week:
I saw this in blogland and thought it would be fun. Every day of the week is dedicated to a color (see below) and participation only involves taking and posting photos that include the color of the day.

The colors for each day are:
Monday - green
Tuesday - yellow
Wednesday - Orange
Thursday Pink and Red
Friday - Blue

If you want to join in, post a comment including your blog link and I'll add it into my blog. I'm looking forward to this project, should be fun.

Happiness is....

Monday, May 19th

Wikipedia states the definition of Happiness (also called felicity) is an emotion in which one experiences feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense joy.

Happiness for S is being pushed in the shopping cart, this produces shrieks of joy and lots of giggles. & When you go outside with the shopping cart the shrieks and giggles become louder once the wind starts blowing through her hair.

Last Friday we visited the local park where S meet up with some of her friends from my exercise class. I placed S in the infant swing, at first she was very unsure about it, but after pushing her a couple of times she understood what was happening and held onto the swing. Next the bout of giggles started producing a huge smile. For S this is pure happiness and joy infact utter contentment.

When you hear S giggle and laugh it only makes you laugh, its very contagious. On Sat she had another play on a swing at a BBQ, J pushed her faster and higher - like only a Daddy can!

On Sun she went in the swing within our subdivision park - though this one was not an infant one and had no support in the front other then a chain! - so I wasn't able to swing her so high and therefore didn't produce has much excitement.

It's lovely that such a simple activity can keep S amused, content and happy. Happiness for me is hearing her giggle, laugh and finding delight in what is new.

I believe that some people are naturally more happy then others, I hope S is happy, content and fulfilled with her life when she is older and still able to find joy from the simple things in life.

When you are content, fulfilled and overall satisfied with your lifestyle/life you are happy. Maybe more people need to find their own "swing set" that will provide them with bouts of giggles, laughter and happiness.

1 step forward, 2 steps back...

Saturday, May 17th

That is what happened this week, S decided very firmly that NO lumpy solid food is not for her. So I had to put her supper back into the blender and re blend - grrr. At least this solved the problem of me wearing her supper - yeah!

I know some people think I'm crazy making her food from scratch, but at least I know what she is eating without all the added preservatives and additives that her body does not need.

My production line to make baby food for S happens once or twice a week, by hand - using our hand blender, just boil or steam the veggies or meat. Once its cooked and cooled place it in the blender for a couple whirls, checking the consistency - (now that Missy Moo refuses lumps). Then scoop it into ice cube trays, freeze overnight and voila - instant baby food. Then a couple times a week I take out some cubes of various sorts, fruit, veg, meat and thaw this out and place in plastic containers in the fridge and serve for her meals.

If you opened my freezer you would be surprised by the variety of multi-coloured baby food cubes - applesauce, pears, carrots, broccoli, chicken, turkey, potato, sweet potato and couple others that I can't remember what they are!

Some foods are not worth me making - such as peas, I found this out the hard way after cooking 1 pound of peas and being left with lots of pea skin and only 2 tablespoons of pea mush. The quantity produced wasn't even worth freezing so S ate it that afternoon.

Fruits are a favourite - of course something sweet, applesauce, pears, bananas, peaches and banana yogurt. I'm yet to introduce tropical fruits since they are not in season. I have to admit that sometimes I do fall back on store brought only if it's not worth me making and if the fruit or vegetables are not in season.

The other day I gave S some of my homemade treacle steamed pudding - which J had made. Well you should of seen her face, you would of thought I was trying to poison her. So no not progressing on that front either learning to feed herself.

So far I've learnt you have to be patient, what I would like is not what S would like. Once she is ready I'm sure she will eat lumps and eat finger food. I guess you can't rush these things.

Well like the title says - 1 step forward, 2 steps back, I'm learning to take baby steps along the way - it saves me having to change my clothes several times during the day.

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday, May 11

Happy Mother's Day - to all my Mother friends, My Mother, Mother-in-Law, Sister-in-law and anyone else who is a Mum or waiting to be a mum.

Today is my 1st Mother's Day very exciting, J got S up, changed and dressed and feed S all before I woke up - yeah!! -so I was able to have a sleep in, first time in 8 months.

I came down stairs to a happy little girl and her Dad playing in the family room. J made me breakie of poached eggs and bacon on a english muffin.

Unwrapped my numerous presents - thanks S - How did you know I needed some PJ's for summer, face srub and my fav chocolates.

S decided to help me write my blog this morning.

Now I can experience the joy's of Motherhood.....

I love hearing S laugh, chuckle, and say Mummum - she may not know I'm her Mum yet but knows I'm very important to her, where ever I go S will try to find me in the room. It's lovely to have someone to care for who inturn loves me unconditionally - warts and all!

I hope everyone enjoys today with family and or friends, and you are treated like a Queen for the day.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY xxxxx

Controling our household monster!

Friday, May 9th

No my house was not invaded by a scary creature, just S terrorizing our house. S moves around by using a combination of going forward a couple steps then stopping, army style crawl and bunny hop. When I want her to move quickly I'll just show her my red leather coach handbag, she loves it, infact she even decided to eat the shoulder strap the other day. I wonder if coach have handbags for 7 month olds!

Anyway, started on the childproofing of the house the other day. Boy is this a huge, no a massive task. I stupidly didn't realize how big this task was until my friend came over for a playdate the other day, well everywhere the little one crawled he pulled, tugged and tried to put everything into his mouth. It was a great way to realize what needs to go and what needs to be childproofed. After analysing what we should do in each room I started to write up a list - yes one of my famous lists. This is what we needed to buy:

• Toilet seat locks
• Cupboard locks
• Drawer locks
• Door locks
• Power outlet covers
• Power outlet covers to hide cables
• Gate for top of stairs
• Gates to stop S crawling out of family room, this involves blocking 3 passageways
• Couple shelf's to move our Knick knacks from the side table's
• Door wedge's to stop fingers sticking into side of door
• Covers for our blind cord's
• Move bakers pantry from kitchen to lounge/dinning room
• Swap coffee table for ottoman

This is the beginning, I have a whole bunch of more stuff due to arrive from our local baby store any day. One nice thing I was able to pay for this with my ebay money that I made last summer by selling our unwanted stuff - yeah!

Looks like another weekend will be spent installing more gates and other childproofing gadgets.

Gate at top of stairs

One of the gates in the family room