Survived!

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE MIKEY! We all love ya, hope you have a good one!

Yes, we survived round three with the shots yesterday. Ariel was brave, up until the part when the needle was in her leg. She was uber red and in high pitch screaming mode. Eep. I'm glad she doesn't seem to blame me, and just gives the doctor the dirty looks. She got 2 in one leg and 1 in the other. While we were waiting the 15 minute reaction time, she was happy again and smiled at the doctor as if to say, your forgiven. What a girl.

Her stats are as follows, she is 17 pounds and 26.5 inches long. Looks as if she is hitting the stride that I read happens at about 6 months. They don't bulk up as fast. Looking back, she has indeed doubled her birth weight of 8lb 11oz, which is right on cue. Her milestones are being hit, and overall, it was a good checkup. She was pretty mellow the remainder of the day, and had a 3 hour nap which always helps. This time I gave her some pain medicine before we left, so that when she would need it, the stuff was already working. It really made a difference from last time, when she hit dinner time and screamed for a few hours. No screaming this time, in fact, she was a little cuddle monkey. Awe.

During the afternoon once she awoke from her nap, I sat her down to play while I did some work for the client. Ariel was happy and babbling away. When I looked down, I realized she had been having a great time with the folded laundry instead of her toys. Not surprised at all, haha.

Tonight we are going to Nana's for dinner, as Kyle and Uncle Bill are passing through. Kyle is off to Calgary, like so many people I know. He is even buying a truck to fit in with the local, lol. Safe trip, and see ya later tonight.

Busy week, hope to keep you posted, but if not, enjoy the pics!

And the Oscar goes to....

Whoa, so that had to be one of the most surprising Oscar shows yet. Lots of things I didn't see coming, as I am sure others who follow this stuff to were shocked by. Some I was happy about, and some I sat sort of open mouthed. Really? They won? Either way, we had a good time at home with our party of three. Ariel was dressed as an Oscar, here is Ken with his award. Lol. We made up snacks and parked in front of the tv from 5pm for the red carpet, (awards started at 5:30) until 9ish. Not the longest running show, but still a long haul. Thats what happens when you bring back the producer who loves having performances of the nominated songs.

They also had these wacky gymnastics people behind a screen, that created these shadow shapes of some of the nominated films. It may sounds stupid on paper, and maybe it was a little weird to have at the Oscars, but it was still amazing to see. Our fav, the penguins. Ellen did an pretty good job at hosting, but man you could totally see she was nervous. I don't think I have seen her like that before on stage. It was odd. But still love her! Yay Ellen!

Loved the Will Farrell and Jack Black number. The other musical areas could have been cut. Love Celine, but even that was too much for even me. Apparently, Hollywood didn't like Dreamgirls as much at the public did. Can you count the ways? Lots of surprises.

Cars didn't win animated feature, boooooo. Stupid 'Happy Feet'. I like penguins, but that and the other nominated film, 'Monster House', are generally motion capture. Hello! Thats cheating in my books. Animate it, just animate it PLEASE. Cars was a far deeper film, and for those who fail to see that, its your loss. Sorry, thats my feelings, so moving on. Blah.

Spielberg, Coppola, and George Lucas present Best Director, um that wasn't a total set up that Scorsese was going to win it right? When we heard that friday on ET, Ken was like, oh well you know who is winning it then. Haha. Sigh. At least the guy deserves it.

The icky Departed movie won. I hate blood, really I do. Would have loved 'Little Miss Sunshine' to win, but comedies never win best picture. Rules are rules. Oscar has many of them. Blah. So its over for another year. Ariel seemed to enjoy it. In fact, she may have been the only one who loved the musical numbers. Yayayaydadadad.

During the show, our weird neighbours (the ones the police seem to visit annually) must have had a fight or something. She was either locked out or he locked her out on purpose (about time dude!). Anyways, she kept banging on the door, leaving, then coming back and banging again. Finally after dark, there was a lady cop there. Oh good grief. This time, to our surprise, they arrested HER! Forget Oscar, that was the real show! She has caused so much trouble, it was interesting to see her in the handcuffs this time. Guess I shall see if she returns.... stay tuned.

Had a pretty good weekend in general. Only one major emotional breakdown, ok two. Feeling better today, so lets hope thats behind me. Don't really want to get into the issue, but basically just feeling overwhelmed, disappointed, frustrated and hurt. Argh.

Saturday, Ariel had her first real play date with Carter. She had a great time playing with different toys. Carter was sleeping for the first half of the visit, but was all smiles when he got up. He was showing his new teeth off, very cute. Hoping Ariel's show up soon, I grow tired of the lead up, as I assume she does too. Speaking of the princess, she is still sleeping, and its 9am already. She must know we are going to the doctor's this morning. HA! Yes, we are getting those pesky shots finally. Then its a happy 6 months with out any more until she is a year. Yay.

Apparently, we start March this week. Dang. In a month (and a bit) we will be taking off for Michigan. Wow. We are having Natalie and Peter over next Sunday for lunch (and she is bringing the main course, NICE) and most likely a run down as she is coming to house sit again. Yay. She reads this so, Hi Natalie!

I can't think of anything else... bye.

Everyday

"Everyday, it's a gettin' closer,
Goin' faster than a
roller coaster,
Love like yours will surely
come my way."
-Buddy Holly

Our world changed today with one of those milestones that basically turns parents on their heads with joy, sadness and fear. Ladies and gentlemen, Ariel is crawling! I tried to get the camera out in time, but really only got a small sampling of the new movements. I will try and get a better clip up soon, cuz we all know that now that its happened, there is no going back. Guess we are gonna be buying some gates and baby proofing stuff. It was funny. Those lyrics were the first thing that popped into my head when it happened. Not sure why, but it fits I guess.

Other exciting stuff, we received our Valen-christmas presents today in the mail from Dianne! Ariel got some cute shirts, LOVE EM! She is wearing the funny hot chocolate one with the marshmellows jumping in. Lol. I clearly need to design kids clothes, because this is totally my taste. I got a super cute pink, kermit the frog pencil bag. Thanks so much sweetie! (Thanks also for the words of encouragement, tis very true. I guess no matter what stage of life we are in, we are still all the same.) Dianne got it on her trip to London. I guess they like Kermit over there too.

Yesterday, Nana, Ariel and I went to the mall for some retail therapy. Lol. I was after the Easter dress! All the shops had gotten in the spring fashions and I wanted first pick. It is her first Easter, and thats a big one like Christmas. So where do all crazy parents go when they want to spoil the babies? Gymboree... needless to say, they didn't disapoint. I got the uber cute dress of the year, with matching sweater. It will also be the offical mother's day dress I believe. Its just so gorgous. Nana also picked up a dress for Ariel at the Children's Place, as her Easter present. Its really a cute patchwork style dress. Perfect for the warm days ahead.

I ran into my friend Sofie, and we chatted while waiting for our burritos. Gonna try and have coffee sometime with her. I drove us home, so Nana could relax a bit. Had a peaceful night, but a weird sleep. In fact, I didn't actually get to sleep until 2am. Not sure why.... weird.

Here is Ariel performing her lastest trick. She loves to flip to tummy in her bouncer, then slide down to her knees to play with the toys. What a girl.

Today was a late start, after last night, so surprise. We stopped to visit the improving Papa. Still not %100 but feeling better. Dang flu. Then we walked to get some bananas for Ariel and to make some bread for the World Day of Prayer next week. Also got some sweet potato to make some new baby food for the princess. She is doing so well with solids, its really a treat. I think she was soooooooo ready, the whole grabbing things from our plates was a good indicator.

This weekend is Oscar weekend. Not going to the uber party this year. Hope to get back next year, but with Ariel nursing still, and the fact that the party is as long as the Oscars (what was the total time last year?) it be a long night for her to be with a sitter. So, I shall be having a private party for 3. Maybe I will cook something special.... hmmm.

I shall leave you with the snippet I got of Ariel on the move.... more to come... eep!

My Part

Is being the mommy my only part? Sometimes I wonder that. Sure I have my freelance gig here and there, but sometimes I wish I had more to keep my skills sharp. I am trying to decide what is the best way to nurture that call. Is it developing my own business more? Maybe a part time job? Don't get me wrong, I love being at home with Ariel. But lately I feel like thats all people see of me. It hurts at times, because I know I can do so much more. Maybe I want to prove it? I don't know. Ken chalks it up to hormones, lol. I think he is right, but I still wonder none the less. Maybe I should really develop my ideas while I have this chance... maybe it will get me on Oprah one day. Hahah. I am sure either way, I will get some sort of lead from above, so time will tell.

Ariel has been getting into books these days, as you can see. She loves the mirror book her Grammy sent her. She has just figured out she can see her self in it. She will pull it close to her face to check it out. Pretty funny. She is also making crawling progress. She is now using her big toe to push herself forward. It tends to make her go in circles, but its still moving, so she is happy. Lots of babbling, and yet she is probably too smart for her own good. I try and play the mimic game with her, and she looks at me like, you think I am a baby or something? She rather chat back and forth like a grown up.



Food news, we are eating both bananas and butternut squash. Yay. Bananas were easy, the squash took a few feedings to grow on her. Now its gone in seconds. Yum. I think we will be moving on to carrot and apple later this week. I keep making my own food, and stocking up on the organic stuff when its on sale, just for backup. The jolly jumper continues to be a big hit and she is really jumping off the ground these days. Still no teeth, but lots of pain, ARGH. Bible study tonight, hoping princess is up to it, if not, bath and bed. Maybe we both need that.

More Chili Dogs?

Yes, thats what they were serving at Mike and Jo's church after the service as the kid's camp fundraiser. I still can't believe that. We haven't had them in months, and then we get them twice withing 3 days. Crazy. They were good, once we got the actual hot dog part. Hehe.

Ariel did well being a visitor in a new church today. Her Uncle Mike made her cry again. I guess she has issues with tall people. Poor Mikey. She was better when he was sitting with her. Ariel liked sitting in the pew with us. She sat at the end with pony. She babbled along and was generally happy until she was showing signs of being ready for some food. It was nice to visit a different church, but I missed ours. I guess its home right? I really can't wait for the construction to be finished, spring is coming, yay!

After church and lunch, we came home and just kept things mellow. We have been hanging out in the computer room playing. Ken is dubbing the video footage of Ariel to DVD and animating. Ariel was playing in the jolly jumper, pulling various cables and is now sleeping soundly. I have gotten the various junk put away and playing on the computer. If you haven't seen it, try out Fd's Flickr Toys, tis loads of fun. Check out my creations!

Fridays bring out the crazies!

So this morning I am taking Ariel to meet my dad for breakfast at the local ABC, only to be stopped in my tracks by a police lady. Turns out much of the street is swarming with cops, much like over Christmas time when our building was in lock down for an hour over some guy with a gun. (or so we were told, more so a lying girlfriend cheesed at her boyfriend) Anyhoo, had to take the LONG way around, so much for a short walk on an empty stomach. Ugh. I heard later that it was another gun situation. Some guy who lives above the bar and his shotgun. I would like to add it was only 8am, talk about getting an early start. A gal at the quilt shop said she heard he shot a cop earlier, but no proof of that yet... guess the local paper will tell this weekend.

Breakfast was nice, Ariel was a little out of sorts. I wish those dang teeth would show themselves SOON! She was going from happy to miserable within seconds. Waking up early for breaky didn't help either. She was pretty grouchy until she got her nap in the afternoon.

During her nap I had some work for the client, which went well until it was time to send it. All my files, except for 2, went perfectly via email. So I then had to burn a disc and drop it off in person. It wasn't terrible though, because I had to go to the store anyways. I love walking around the grocery store, its very relaxing.

Came home, and Ken arrived shortly afterwards. We had a lazy dinner of chili dogs (Ken's pick). I tuned in to the latest installment of Canada's Next Great Chef while Ken played with the princess. She got a loaner jolly jumper today from a friend at a church. Yes, its shaped like a duck. Here is a little video of her trying it out.