Family Photo Session

 I think my ladies are pretty awesome and the fella in my life is pretty rad too! We ventured out with our whole extended family a few weeks ago to snag a few family pics. We try to do this every 2 years and have had the same photographer the last 3 times, so fun. I totally love the images she captured (extended family pics to come). It was a beautiful sunny day and the location was lovely, a picnic area and old train bridge right in Fort Sask...crazy the things you discover even after living somewhere for 5 years.

Anyway, although the prep for pictures is

usually CHAOTIC it is always worth it!

Mrs. P

Crayons Are No Longer Cool

 Bring on the markers!

Ahh markers have entered my world.  Amelia goes through phases of spending hours (literally hours) colouring and then won't touch her art cupboard for weeks.  Well she is back into drawing and this time she's fallen in love with markers.

Then...

Now...

I am a bit afraid of what might happen if I turn my head.  She's given me no reason to fear... yet!  The woman loves to draw swirls and circles, recently she's taken to zig zags.  The coolest thing happened, she drew a happy face complete with dots for eyes and an attempt at a smile, so fun!  Mia's love of Elmo shines through even in her art - she asks us to draw him at least once a colouring session.  Also a popular request, the moon, a momma moon and a baby moon (we don't know why).  Anyway so fun! 

I am eager to see if her interest in drawing will continue as she gets older.  A possible talent?

~ Mrs. P

Right on!! BUT wrong

When shoes were on the wrong feet growing up my mom would say 'one is going to Fort McKay and the other to Anzac' so I guess now I can say to Mia 'one is going to Lamont and the other to Sherwood Park'.

Gotta love independence! 

 It seemed like for awhile I may be dressing a 10 year old Amelia, she just had no interest in getting things on or off by herself (other short folk I know are continually pulling clothes off).   I would pull out two outfits and let her choose, she actually sorta cares about this and favors her Elmo dress.  I would also put out her shoes before we left but she had no inclination to do the dressing thing independently.  She would always say 'help please'.  Well things are starting to change around here. 

Ta da Amelia Ann put on her own shoes!!!! 

Granted she was still in her pj's and granted they were on the wrong feet but I had to praise with excitement 'Right on Mia'!!  Honestly, it was a big deal and I am proud of her.  She was beaming with pride and so was I!

Oh the things that make us happy.

~ Momma P

Beach Days

Mia has been LOVIN the beach, the cold water and the sand. Serious fun!

Our two women enjoyed the beach a little differently.

 Clearly Mia was 'diggin' the diggin. hahahaha  She got seriously nasty, seriously!

We have a picture of the sisters three years ago, same beach but both Alyson and Leslie had round tummies.

Snapped a pic of the big girl with her gran and gramps.  Love family time!!

~ Mrs. P

Not so sleeping beauties!

Stella was already awake this morning when big sis Amelia started making noise in her room.  Little sis and I went in together to say good morning and rescue Amelia from her crib (she is content and safe in there so I'm not changing stuff up just yet).  Amelia was super pumped to see Stella and asked to hold her right away, I asked 'In your bed?' and a got a 'yup' with a big smile.  Big sis was so excited to have little sis in her bed.  It was adorable, songs were being sung, kisses being given, it was all good until an eye was poked. 

 Oh my adorable little ladies!!

~ Momma P

Mia's First Hair Cut

  Before                                 After

It was a big day for Amelia Ann, well maybe it was a bigger day for the momma. We cut our lady's hair.  It is in a sweet bob now and most of the baby whispy hair is gone.  We went to a cool children's hair salon called Beaners. They totally know how to do it!  Amelia sat in a pink jeep, watched a movie and had a container full of colourful beads to keep her distracted while they snipped away.  We talked about getting our hair cut all day but sometimes Amelia likes talking about things and then doesn't like actually doing them...I was a little worried but it went great.  She looks so old to me now! Oh my big girl sitting so nice.

 

Time is flying by way to fast!  Baby to big girl goes quickly.

~ Mrs. P 

Miss Spazzipants

So our sweet little Amelia has completely morphed into a toddler.  For the most part this transition is good, she can do more her self, she can verbalize more BUT one thing she also does more of...the spaz!  When she acts/reacts and slips into spaz mode sometimes the cure is getting laughs, thus distracting from the spaz. Tickles, kisses, whatever it takes to avert a needless negative situation.  Graham was home so I asked him to grab the camera and capture the spazout to laughing transition.  Note baby Stella in the background, probably making detailed observations.  This being parents gig can be tough sometimes.  Navigating toddler hood is a challenge and as we are learning with babe #2, everyone is totally different!!  It is fun  though and getting the laughs instead of the mounting spaz is a good outcome.  I just had to record this stage in our lives because Amelia is going to be the perfect teenager and this will be the tough stuff (a mom can hope).

~ Momma P

Farmer's Market Date

One of my favourite things about Fort Saskatchewan is the quaint Farmer's Market that happens each week.  I seriously look forward to it every spring. 

I love a few things about it:

* you can buy fresh produce from locals (not being a gardener I 'dig' this hehehe)

* things are unique and handmade (I love finding cool things to wear or for our home)

* sellers are often mom-entrepreneurs which I love to support

* buskers play lovely music (one of Graham's boys from church plays the harp each week)

* it is outside so we enjoy the summer weather

* we can have dinner there as a family which can consist of hot dogs (supporting the boys n girls club) or Mexican or donuts and lemonade if we choose!

The market isn't massive or really busy but it makes for a fun thing to do as a family each week.  Amelia was even given a sunflower by one of the sellers, so kind! The local Farmer's Market is definitely one of my favourite things of summer. 

~ Mrs. P

In love with her fist!!!

 Stella has found her fist!  This woman has been a sucker since birth, eventhough she will not use a soother without us holding it in for her.  Well she has found her fist.  I think this is a good thing?  She seems to prefer her fist to almost anything.  Since making this discovery she has been able to have longer periods of alone time and tummy time, where previously she would only be ok for very short stints alone in her chair or on the floor.  Perhaps she is just maturing a bit or perhaps it is the fist....either way we're happy!

Last night we were playing with the rattle and she got a little sidetracked....with her fist!  Oh we love this woman.

~ Momma P

Sun Shower

There are some days when as I crawl into bed at night and I think 'ya today was totally awesome' and other days when I think the opposite!  Today was shaping up to be the later until my sweet Amelia helped me stop and enjoy the beauty around us.

I was overtired and a did not have the patience I should have so decided we needed to change the scene, walk down the street to go get the mail.  Everyone got their shoes on, Stella got nestled into the sling, mail key and mail bag found (a bag Mia likes to put the mail into). Tula escaped through the front door as we made our way out bahhh - NOT a good start!!!   Again, bad attitude from Jenny as I had to go find the leash and chase down the dog.  Amelia fell again recently so I wanted her to hold my hand, Stella was fussing so a bouncing step was required and Tula enjoying her freedom was pulling the leash exploring the smells....I almost turned around home.  Needless to say we made it, emptied our box and headed back.  It was 30c and a dark grey cloud rolled in over top of us, slowly the drops started.  Big, fat whoppers started coming down, we started running.  Amelia loved it and was giggling saying 'rain, rain' so we sat under the protection of the porch watching.  It was actually beautiful and lovely after a hot, sticky walk and a frustrating day!  After the rain stopped Mia didn't want to go in, so I put a sleeping Stella in her bed and we stayed out in our bare feet...wonderful! so wonderful!  More giggling and exclamations of 'yoggi, yoggi' (Mia's word for water), how could our day not be better?!

I love my ladies!  The joy Amelia exudes as she experiences things brings joy to me, it really was a beautiful day.  I am so blessed.

~ Momma P

A Girl's Best Friend

 Our dogs have been a huge part of our life!

Tony and Tula joined our family in 2002 just three weeks after we were married (yes we did jump right into a ton of responsibility with naive but big hearts).  They have blessed our lives!   Last May we had to let Tony go and we worried how Tula would respond as they were litter mates and had been together their entire lives.  A tender mercy unfolded in our home, Amelia Ann started to become very interactive with our lone dog Tula.  Our 1 year old Amelia at the time had enjoyed watching the dogs but it was around the time that Tony passed that she really started interacting with our critters.

 Tula was groomed today and Amelia asked about her a few times before we went to pick her up.  The reunion of girl and dog was sweet, truly adorable...loves all over!  Amelia was telling Tula how 'soft' she was and wanted to put a blankie on her saying she would be 'nice and cozy'.  Oh how patient Tula is with the 2 year old, I think she must visualize sitting under the table during dinner.

Tula really is our girl's best friend!

~ Mrs. P



Being Carried Is What Stella Likes

These pics show Miss Stella in her 'Happy Place'...nestled close to her Mom or Dad!

We have a sweet girl on our hands. 

What is can be more lovely then a babe that likes to snuggle?!

 We have discovered a few things about Stella, one of which is that she is the happiest being cuddled, snug and warm against our chest.  Using a carrier has become a daily tool which enables me to chase and play with big girl Amelia, while giving Little Stella what she needs.  Amelia enjoyed the sling too but Stella LOVES it, LOVES being held and I LOVE her for it!!  I wanted to write a post about this to remind myself and her of the many hours she spent being loved and cuddled in the sling/wrap!  I came across another mother's comment awhile back and saved it...she writes so eloquently and I completely share her thoughts.

"All of my babes have spent much time in this sling. But today, I'm thinking about my birthday boy in particular - because really he's clearly 'outgrown' the sling itself, but certainly not the sentiment behind it, and I don't think he ever will (do we ever? I don't think so.) So now we get that same connection in other ways, and just as naturally - a snuggle, a hug, a touch, or even just the way we look at each other.

I carried him in this very sling for hours upon hours of every day of his new life six years ago. He slept in it, nursed in it, shed tears in it, and laughed in it. And even as he grew, and started to crawl, then walk, run, skip, and eventually cartwheel...it's always been a place of refuge for him - however brief the visit to it might be. The snug little spot that it is - either in the sling or out, where he puts his head right next to my heart and I can see in his eyes that he knows he is loved, cared for and safe. And I have a moment of peace, pride and confidence -however brief it may be - that I know that I'm doing my job well. And that everything is exactly as it should be.

I can (and do) pop a baby in this sling in seconds even in the middle of a sleep - it feels so second nature. Knowing just where the little hands and fingers will lay along my side, where the seam of the sling fits on their body - it's all etched in my mind. And it's etched in my body - etched in the way that one shoulder and arm is so much stronger, and bigger, than the other from always carrying on that side. The way my hip bones have surely shifted to accommodate this. The same way that one breast is larger than the other from more frequent nursing. Long after there is no baby in my sling, or on my hip, or at my side, I'll still have these reminders. And my greatest parenting hope is that my babies will have them too. That as they leave my breast, my sling, my hip, and our home, they'll remember it. They'll remember it with their bodies in a way that they never doubt, and in way that they no longer need me for, and in a way that forever brings them peace and comfort. They'll remember that they are loved so very completely." (source SouleMama)

 I say it often but it is SUCH A PRIVILEGE to be a mother, a parent!  

I am blessed!

~ Momma P



Big Sister & Little Sister

 

Big Sister and Little Sister are so cute together! 

It is soooo true that no one can make the baby smile like a sibling.  Amelia gets the super sweet toothles smiles from baby Stella.  I makes me so happy thinking that they have each other, they will always have a friend.

A                                                   SISTER                                             IS                                          A                                         FOREVER                                   FRIEND!

~Momma P

Visiting Gregoire Lake

It was a great day! We headed out to the lake just before lunch, Uncle Brent and Auntie Rocky were out there camping with grandson Marcus. As we drove out the clouds got dark and it started to sprinkle.  Alas we thought the day was doomed!  However the sun returned by the time we got to the campsite and it stayed nice all afternoon. It was so fun to visit, it was so quiet and peaceful out there.  Yahh for the outdoors....and bug spray!! Uncle has a cool boat that the kids played in for most of the afternoon, that and Amelia was throwing rocks into the fire.  We also had smores and watermelon for our afternoon snack, the basis of a good summer experience.

I love this watermelon eating, trailer step sitting girl! 

Oh and Uncle Mikel always helping.

Summer fun! 
~Jenny

Sweet Stella

Oh how we love this woman! 

 Sometimes she is fussy.

Sometimes she wakes up numerous times in the night.

Sometimes bopping and bouncing is the only thing she likes,

BUT

when she flashes her sweet smile all is forgotten.

I've heard baby smiles called their 'self preservation move'.  Hahaha I get it!

Our sweet Stella Bella.

~ Mrs. P

Heritage Day in Fort McMurray

Today we checked out the Heritage Day Festival with Auntie Jenn, it was fun.  We played a few games and checked out the petting zoo, which was totally the highlight for Miss Amelia. They had a stage and dancers which Miss Amelia also enjoyed, she danced a bit shakin her booty.  It was a beautiful sunny day, a rarity for this summer....we've had a ton of rain!  

Later we ended up meeting up with Grandma, Auntie Alyson and Auntie Leslie for Japanese food.  Having a girls lunch date at Fuji is a Fort McMurray tradition. Family is important!

A good day!  ~ Jenny