Taylor-isms

Number one:

Taylor: Mommy, I'm so proud of you.
Me (baffled): Why?
Taylor: Because you're so beautiful!

Awwwwwwwwwwwww!


Number two:

While watching me use an electric breast pump, Taylor said incredulously, "What are you doing to your bosom???"

lol

Baby Pics

I posted pics on Facebook but not here. Baby is now 2 1/2 wks old and still nameless.

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Baby Girl Arrives!

It still amazes me that we haven't decided on a name for this kid yet... I had one tentatively picked out at the beginning of my pregnancy but my brother-in-law warned my how popular a name it was and ever since, I've been scouring the web and books for a replacement name. There are plenty out there, just not so many that Shawn agrees with. Why does he get so much say again? Meira, Gia, Vienna, Clara, Farrah, Paige, Caira, Ellena, Mara, Andrea, Desirée, Delia, Sophia... He actually started suggesting names right near the end. One of them I had previously discounted from my list of names but after hearing it from him, didn't mind so much anymore. Of course, he changed his mind on Mia later on. So we'll probably just end up using that first choice anyway: Emma Lindsay. Sorry, Aaron!

Anyway, little girl was born June 8 at 1:55pm after being induced due to growth drop off (I've had several ultrasounds for this). Turns out her placenta was rather small. She weighed a whopping 6 lbs 10 oz (more than a pound less than my previous kids) and was 20 inches long. She's so tiny and precious! She and momma slept well while in the hospital.

The kids loved visiting baby. Avi crawled all over her and Taylor's already protective of her. Will get pics and videos up soon...

Calling Myself

I was on the phone with my neighbor when call waiting indicated I had another call. I checked Caller ID to find that my cell phone was on the other line! After determining that no one was actually on the other line, I searched for the phone in question and found Averi had gotten access to it. Somehow she had used the speed dial to call home!!!!

Heritage Park Opens Again!

After months and months of listening to Taylor ask about going on the "big train," we finally got to go to Heritage Park! Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera with me.

Our neighbor planned the fence-raising of us and 4 of his other neighbors besides himself. So the community of men are all working on the fence posts today. Wonder how long to get everything done? Anyway, with Shawn thus occupied, he suggested I take the kids to Heritage now that it's open again.

As per usual, the train came first. Then the kids were kept occupied at the amusement park. This was Avi's first time on the kiddy ferris wheel and she cried a bit here and there while the kids were all being loaded on but she quieted up while the ride was going. Taylor kept his hand on hers the whole time but it wasn't until we started saying "Weeeee!" that she got the idea it was supposed to be fun. She did pretty well. Then we went on the boat swing, the carousel and the Whip. Avi didn't want to get off the boat swing, she was uncertain about the carousel until it got going and she really enjoyed the Whip (probably because I was right there).

I treated the kids to those $1 baby cones. Talk about the perfect size for the kidlets! No messes and they were both satisfied. I tried to get Avi to pet the wagon ride horses noses but she was more content to just get a good look at them. Taylor was just disappointed that the water pump was no longer present.

After a luncheon of tray buns from the Alberta Bakery, we headed back to the van and home. Mommy couldn't handle all the stairs in order to take the kids on the ferry or even just having 2 kids to run after on the boat. Next time!

Ultrasound Update

I've had a couple of extra ultrasounds to determine why my baby is measuring small. Turns out she's just petite. Who'd'a thunk I was capable of a petite baby?!

Around the Corner

Well, there's a month left 'til baby comes. Am I ready? NOPE!! All my baby clothes were relocated and haven't been returned, we don't have a plan for what to do with the kids when I go into labor, the baby crib's not ready, I need a chair for the nursery, we've yet to replace our video camera, and the thing that freaks me out the most..... we still don't have a baby name!!!

One Trike, Two Kids

There's a constant battle in our basement over who gets to ride the one trike. Even though Taylor can ride his bike (w/training wheels), it's obviously much more fun skidding around on a tricycle. Avi can't reach the pedals but she pushes herself around regardless.

Yesterday, I witnessed Taylor take turns with Averi on a purely voluntary basis! Nearly every time she started freaking out because she wanted to try, Taylor would hop off! The only way to distract her so that Taylor could have a turn was to remind her to push her "baby" around in Taylor's dump truck. That worked nearly every time.

I love witnessing progress!

Avi and Dollies and Babies, Oh My!

Avi has been quite interested in babies for some time but it wasn't until recently that she's shown maternal appreciation for any dolls she can get her hands on. She shushes her own baby dolly (a birthday gift from Great-Aunt Lola Kay) while rocking her to sleep... It's the sweetest thing!!

For the Baby

Taylor will often give me drinks from his own cup or share his snacks "for the baby!" How sweet!

4-Layers of Sumptuous Dessert

I've always wanted to try out this recipe from Kraft. I didn't know there was a video but there are some hints in it that while helpful aren't absolutely necessary to worry about. My version is definitely not as polished, but it was still delish!

Injury

Averi had her first major mishap a couple of mornings ago. She ran right into the piano bench and bit her tongue. There was some blood but she got over it soon enough. I didn't think too much of it until inspecting it later during the day. While it was only a half inch across, it was quite deep and would gape disgustingly wide with very little manipulation. *shiver* Poor baby!

It's healing quite well.

Where're the Kids?

Whilst busy in the kitchen after dinner this evening, both my children disappeared. I headed upstairs and asked Shawn where they were. Since he didn't know either, we both set out in search of them. They were in the bathroom, Taylor trying to help Averi get toothpaste on her toothbrush.

Aaaaawwwww!!!

Morning Hugs

Avi tends to wake up before Taylor. The first thing she does once Taylor awakens is to go to him with outstretched arms. She loves her morning hugs with Taylor! It's about the only time he's willing to be affectionate with her.

You Know What They Say About Assumptions...

After a quick trip to the mall, I removed Avi from the stroller to "lock and load" her into the van while Shawn took care of installing Taylor. It wasn't until several hours later that I realized that while I had assumed Shawn would load up the stroller, he, uh, hadn't. Thankfully, the stroller was still present in the parking lot when I went back to retrieve it!