Month 37

When do you stop writing months? I feel funny writing 3 years and one month. 37 is just easier?

 Oh Audra, you just keep growing and getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I know it's the way it goes, but it still amazes me. You started preschool this month with your buddy James. You guys go once a week, to a more classroom type setting, and play and learn and have so much fun. You had no hesitation leaving mom (small tear for mom!) and running off to play. We barely had your nametag on, before you bolted off. You look forward to it every week.
We also enrolled you in a little dance class. It's called creative movement, and you do various dance and gymnastic things. The shuffle out the parents (another tear) so we don't really get to watch you. But I know you have so much fun with Miss Olivia. I have peeked in the little window and have watched you tear around with the ribbon on a stick and a huge grin on your face.

 My little helper. You want to help with everything, and be doing what mom's doing. Which is great to help you learn things and I have to remember that when you are so under foot and in the way. I know that there will come a time that you won't want to help me, so I need to treasure these moments.

 My little left-handed miss. Grammy showed you how to hold your pencil more properly and you are doing really well with pencils, crayons. and even your paintbrush. You love to be creative.

You love your leap pad, it's great for your little sponge of a mind. You don't want to play it all the time and usually ask, which is great. My favourite is when you call it your iPad. lol. There are some really great games for it, and I love when you repeat the alphabet sounds. Yay for learning.

Potty training is a still on-going battle. We are almost out of diapers and then the fun will begin. You have to learn one way or another I suppose.

My little crazy monkey. We love you, and no matter how crazy you act, you are a good girl most days. You always add a bit of spark to our days. Things are never dull or boring with you around. 

Instagram'ing

 Some of my favourite instgrams of the past couple of weeks. The above picture is from my yoga studio and it's a giant mural and makes me smile every time I enter the building. (maybe because I know there will some relaxation in my night! lol)

 We have been doing some valentines day crafts. I know valentines is such a hallmark holiday, but having kids makes it special. All the little cards and hearts just make me happy.

 I actually forgot to post these pictures on Eleanor's three month post. I did take them with her sticker but forgot to post them. I love when she is all smiles. I need to see those smiles more often. They warm up my heart good!

Fancy manicure and pedicure with some of my favourite sparkly nailpolish.

 A fantastic mail day when my DAVID'sTEA  order arrived. Jamie and I have been loving the loose leaf tea. They sent samples as well and we discovered more varieties we would like! Yum!

 This picture wins for best, quickest, yummiest crockpot meal. It was baby potatoes, fresh green beans, onions and sausage. It was sooooo yummy. Will definitely be making that dish again. May add some tomato sauce, but other then that, it was perfect.

And this was the best picture! Nooooo! I don't want to be a Maple Leaf's fan. hahahahaha. Again, we have to humor the only boy in the house. I did get some not bad shots, but we will have to try the jersey again.

Life lately

Life around our house is never dull or boring. 

Eleanor just keeps getting bigger and bigger. We keep trying tummy time, not a fan!

We have been having some great bubble baths, both girls love the tub!

 (help I'm drowning in bubbles and my mom is too busy taking pictures to rescue me!)

 Sisters, so cute together!

 We have some laughs, and one of these days there will be more laughs then tears. Or so I'm told! lol

 Crafts with a little supervision from the little miss.

 Someone is joining us nightly for dinner and sitting like a big girl in her highchair.

More crafts, painting, and being creative seem to fill our very cold days. We don't get out as much as we would like, it's been so chilly! Here's hoping it gets just a touch warmer then we can bundle up and go outside. There is of course a tiara on Audra's head. This one is homemade by mom. Princesses represent! lol

Who's Ready to Rumble?

 One mini wrestling belt plus one mini person equals cute!

 We have pictures of Audra with the same belt. It's a little mini replica of a real wrestling belt. It fits Jamie like a bracelet, but is the perfect size for babies.

In a house full of women, we have to humor Jamie somehow!

Month three

 Snapped, a picture of you actually sleeping! See it does happen sometimes. Not quite as often as we would like. The world is just way too exciting for you. You have become quite the hand sucker. You love getting that hand close to your mouth. You will suck on the bib too if your hand missed the mouth. It's pretty cute to watch. You are still so adorable. Your hair is crazy and always doing it's own thing. You have beautiful blue eyes, that are so blue, makes me think that they might stay that way. There is not a hint of brown, so chances are if they turn, it will be more grey.

 You love to sit around and watch all the action of the house. You follow mom's voice everywhere. I can't put you down awake without feeling your eyes on me. You coo and giggle and give the biggest smiles. Certain smiles and looks, I see Audra a little bit. Other times, you are all your own self.

 Your little "I was born at McMaster Hospital" finally fits you!

 Hands are always moving. Notice the action shots? lol. We have found that swaddling the heck out of you seems to help you sleep a little better. Your hands are your worst enemy most days. I feel like you are going to rub the hair right off your head somedays when nursing.

 Like your sister before you, the jolly jumper was a huge hit!

 The hanging gym thingy, not so much! (or tummy time for that matter!)

Oh my little chubby cheeked, rolly polly gal, you are so much fun. So loud some days, so miserable, and fussy, but we're getting through it, one day at a time. You have gotten so much better during the days, and even some nights you give us some peace and quiet. You feed quickly, quietly and efficiently during the night, so getting up with you is no big deal. Your smiles are so worth it. You keep trying to pull yourself up and I am surprised that you are already doing that. I want to just push you down and say don't be doing that just yet! But if anything, this momma knows how quick all these moments will pass. How quickly you will grow and flourish. I want to say stop growing, but it's out of my power. Love you baby girl!

Goodbye 2012!

 Goodbye 2012! It was a good year. Spent the majority of it pregnant and October saw little miss Eleanor come into the world. We became a family of four, I became a mom to two beautiful girls, Audra became a big sister, and Jamie added yet another female to his life!

Heres to a busy 2013. Its going to be a great year!

Mistle toes

Thank you pinterest for the cute mistletoe idea.
I changed the design a bit, wanted to incorporate both girls feet and put the date on the back.

Onto valentines crafting!

St Billy's / Simcoe

 Up to St Williams we went to celebrate more Christmas. It was a great day with a delicious turkey lunch! Always a good time with the grandparents.

 As is the tradition with christmas, everyone got spoiled! Gramma Sue is a constant source of entertainment for Audra, which meant Gramps had Eleanor all to himself!

 After our visit, we took the girls through Simcoe, stopping to see the wonderful light display they put on. Audra loved it!

It was fantastic. A little rough pushing the buggy through all the snow, next year sled or toboggan! lol

We tried to explain to Audra that Christmas is done for the year now. She was quite sad to see the tree go and decorations put away. We assured her that it will all happen again. Onto new holidays and new seasons.

Christmas Time

 So our Christmas season kicked off with our traditional Firman/Reid get together. It was a day early, so we broke tradition, but it was still a good night none the less, and with the addition of two sweet little babies celebrating their first christmas!

 Marcus looked like a little christmas elf! So cute. Although his look says, my mom dresses me funny. Eleanor decided to hop on the fuss buss that night, so there are no good pictures of her!

Christmas Eve, Jamie and I woke up sick as dogs, thanks Audra for passing on your cold! It is rough when both parents are run down and not feeling well. Up to the Miller's we went and celebrated our traditional christmas eve, or vigilia.

Both girls got spoiled rotten. And really so did Jamie and I! So many great gifts.

 Eleanor wearing her first little dress and sweet little boots. They are the only shoes that fit her. For as big as she's getting, no shoes fit her yet. lol

 The new Mr and Mrs, celebrating their "first married" christmas.

 The next couple to be Mr and Mrs come July.

 Aunt Kat and her "mini" shorty! (and somehow Paul escaped the picture taking!)

 Christmas morning. Santa came! Presents galore under the tree and stocking stuffed!

 Matching christmas pj's.

 Eleanor really wasn't into opening her presents.

 Audra, on the other hand, couldn't wait to open everything. It was rough waiting for mom and dad to open their presents and take turns, but it was a great morning.

Merry Christmas!