Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Camouflage

So, our morning routine consists of:
7ish - Waking up
7:02 - Watching Sesame Street (and she actually does watch it... sure she plays too, but she seriously LOVES it... so do I)
Today, we were learning all about Camouflage. As I was watching, I was reminded of these super adorable photo's of Isla playing in the leaves in the back yard. Now, I know I have already done a 'Fall' post, but these need to be shared.
Where's Isla? Her nice orange shirt really compliments these fall colors. Or shall I say... she is Camouflaged?



Not that Isla is a big girl, but the belly on this kid is one of epic proportions. At my 35 week ultrasound, the technician did say that her belly was THE biggest she had ever seen. Things haven't changed. Take note here that Isla's snap on her jeans is undone. Her belly is simply too big to be contained in the waist of these jeans. I do it up, she breathes out, snap undone. 


Eating Leaves. 
Man, I love this girl. 

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Fall Frenzy

We love the fall!!! And I absolutely just love fall walks. The leaves are so beautiful, the air is so fresh and crisp and the sound of crunching leaves under my footsteps is like music to my ears. I know another little person who also happens to love the fall! We try and get out for a walk everyday, even if it's a little one. The looks on Isla's face range from wonderment to pure elation. She just sits back in her stroller and watches. She stares upward toward the trees and looks back and forth at the colorful leaves and the leaves falling slowly to the ground. I enjoy this time with her... watching her learn and discover new things! Today, we were chilling in our front yard and Isla was playing with the leaves. When she wasn't trying to eat them, she was grabbing handfuls and throwing them in the air, squealing like a pig in mud. She was in love for sure. I tried to capture this all, but managed only a few... I was trying to balance picture taking and making sure Isla wasn't feasting on dead leaves.





Isla's New Room

Hooray!! We have finally painted Isla's room! We have been wanting to get her room ready for ages now and time finally presented itself for us (and by us I mean Cam) to paint. Before, it was a tan color and pretty barren. We had a wooden panel blocking the sunlight... let's be clear here, it was in desperate need of a makeover. We had decided prior to Isla's birth that we would do a black & white nursery so we had a friend's very talented Mom make her crib bedding (which is so beautiful and I continue to fall in love with it every time I see it). It is black, white and pink so it all just looks so great. Not EVERYTHING is up yet in the room, but it's mostly done. Here are some photos.



The photo's don't do the room justice :) It really does look great. It only took us 9 months....


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jolly Jumper Hate-On

Ok. So I have discovered that babies change SO much. Rapidly, crazily, daily... never stop changing. One day, Isla loves sweet potatoes, the next day she hates them. One day, she loves being on a walk (literally, we went on a walk with dear friends on a Tuesday... she was mostly pleasant. I did the same walk 2 days later, and she was miserable and screaming), then she hates it. Same goes with the Jolly Jumper. We have had it for a while now, and when we first got it, Isla was tickled pink. She would just jump and swing and twirl with nothing but pure joy on her face.
This photo was taken back in June... notice the smile, the look of happiness radiating from her face. Now...

It's hard to tell here, but her legs are off the ground and she is very upset. She is refusing to jump and protesting that her awful parents would subject her to such misery. Oh Isla.

It's okay though. I just love her so much. Watching her change and grow is just the best. Here are 2 more pictures... just for funsies. 



Sunday, September 19, 2010

He Just Keeps Getting Better With Age

Today is Cam's 27th Birthday. As I was writing his card, I was reflecting on the fact that I have been in Cam's life since he was 18. This is the 9th birthday we have celebrated together... a crazy thought really. And as the saying goes, it certainly rings true for Cam. He is an amazing man, a forgiving & loving husband and an absolutely incredible father. He really truly does get better with age. To celebrate, Aunty Nicole willingly volunteered to hang out with Isla while Cam and I went to Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria for dinner last night. A-MAZING. We shared 2 enormous, impeccable pizza's and for dessert, we had a Nutella Pizza, complete with real pizza dough and banana's and heaps upon heaps of delicious whipped cream. We were glutenous and it was just perfect. Afterwards, we came home to some friends at our place and had a lovely time sitting around a warm and cozy fire. All in all, a flawless evening.
Us, on our way to Famoso.

Today brought us church and then a lunch date at our friends place. Our hosts made scrumptious Beef Wellington, mashed potatoes and salad... a feast fit for royalty. And for dessert, home made brownies. YUM. We had a lovely time sipping tea (the boys sipped 'Birthday Scotch'), chatting and watching our children play together. A great way to spend a birthday Cam says. Tonight, Isla and I sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed some home-made birthday cake (which was anything but tasty... but Cam still choked it down 'cause that's the kinda guy he is). He blew out his candles and has no girlfriends... lucky for me :) I captured some moments on film. Take a look. 
My awesome cake.
Isla helping Mommy sing and Daddy blow out the candles.
Notice the icing on Isla's fingers... she just wanted that cake so bad.

Isla's face after tasting the icing - droolworthy. 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Shiloh... NO MORE!

If you read my earlier posts, you would know that I was slightly mystified that Isla's second top tooth had not yet poked through her little gums. Her first top tooth emerged August 6th... so clearly, a significant amount of time has passed since then. I thought they always came in pairs... guess not. So, today, I discovered when staring into my lady's mouth that indeed, her second top tooth has sprouted! Hooray! No toothless wonder here! Needless to say, I was quite pleased. I can't wait when she smiles with all 4 teeth... too adorable. Another big moment in our lives... Isla has discovered standing! She was playing with her toys and I look up to see her standing, hanging on for dear life! I congratulated her and she gave me this look like "Mom, I did it!!! I am SO proud of myself!" She just smiled so big, so confidently... her little face so full of pride. I was proud too. I am looking forward to many many more moments where this look emerges and my heart fills with love and pride for my child. However, this look lasted for mere seconds... as did her stance! No photos were taken. But I did manage to snap a couple cute ones of her (obviously).

Monday, September 13, 2010

Rainy Days

The weather has been anything but desirable as of late, so we have had some days at home. Minus little outings, we have been caged up in our bungalow, playing, discovering and enjoying some lovely family time. Here are some photos of what we have been up to.
Isla and Daddy (aka 'her twin') chillin' on the couch. 

Playing in the laundry basket. Who knew the fun laundry baskets could bring?


Standing.

Winking.

Mother and Daughter love.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The First Canadian Tennis Superstar

As some of you may know, Cam (and consequently, me) love tennis. Everything about it, we love. Cam loves watching it, playing it and learning all about it. I just mainly watch... especially when Roger Federer is playing. He is my favorite. Because of this love of tennis, our ultimate desire for Isla is that she too, will love watching tennis, playing tennis and trying her little hardest to learn as much as she can (okay, maybe not our ULTIMATE desire for her life, but one of the many many many we have for her). And let's be serious, can't you just picture her all Nike-d out in one of those adorable, yet sporty tennis outfits? Too much. Today, Cam introduced her to the sport. He taught her all about rackets... how to hold one, how to serve and especially how to taste the handle to make sure you pick the perfect racket. He even let her play with some tennis balls. Check out what he captured. Darn cute I tell you.
The headband = Priceless.





Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Swim Fun

Today, we took Isla swimming to Fountain Park Pool in St. Albert. She loved it. LOVED it. The water was a little too deep for her so we sat her on her own little mat and maneuvered her throughout the water. She was giggling and laughing and splashing like there's no tomorrow. She would splash herself in the face and just beam smiles at Cam and I. We also took her into the warm, wading pool and she dipped her little toes in until she was used to it and then just slid in, like a fish. This girl loves the water. And we love watching her in it too! They had little infant lifejackets and she was just too cute in it. She would lay her back and bob in the water with this look of bewilderment splashed across her face. I, of course, took some photos to remember the day.




Monday, September 6, 2010

8 Months

Isla is eight months already!!! Wow... can you believe it? The time has whipped by, and with each new month and stage of life, both Cam and I are continuing to fall more and more in love with her (is it EVEN possible)? She is REALLY wanting to crawl, but not quite there yet. We will sit her on her bum and 10 seconds later, she is right on her belly, bum up and trying her hardest to be mobile. Soon. She is also trying to pull her little body up on EVERYTHING possible. She isn't quite standing up, but she gets those knees under her... she isn't quite sure what to do with her little feet though. She is entirely too much most days... I just watch her, snuggle her and play with her and I am amazed how each new 'thing' brings me to tears. She is laughing, smiling, clapping and dancing every chance she can. She does the cutest little bum wiggles to the beat of the music (this girl has got serious rhythm... I definitely see music and dance her future). She has also discovered her tongue and Cam and I often hear her making farting noises and blowing spit bubbles. Sleep is still something my darling has not yet mastered... but we are hoping one day soon we will get a full night's rest. She still has 3 teeth and that 2nd top tooth has yet to make an appearance (please come SOON because sometimes you make my daughter acutely miserable). And I have these awful thoughts that she might be a 'Shiloh Pitt' and only have one top tooth, which is both silly and mystifying at the same time. She eats a large variety of foods and her favorite snacks are Cheerio's and Mum Mums. She still thoroughly enjoys her baths and her bath toys. She is changing, learning and growing daily. I haven't gotten her weighed yet, but I am guessing she is topping the charts at 17-18 pounds. We just love her to bits. She is our little world. Here are some photo's of her 8th month of life.



She was trying to stand in this one. She was using her toy to assist her... notice she is on her little knees but just can't quite get those feet out.


Isla's 'mad' face... she really wants to crawl. 

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Eighty-Two and Extraordinary

Yesterday, my 'Harrison' side of the family celebrated my granny's 82nd birthday in style! We met at the Muttart Conservatory for some family photo's and then moved the party West to the Sawmill for dinner and rounded the evening out at my Aunt and Uncle's house for dessert! I just love spending time with this family. My cousin Paige and her husband, Sebastian, live in Calgary and my other cousin Leighsa lives in Victoria so we don't see each other as often as I would like but when we do, a good time is had by all and there is an absurd amount of laughter going on too! Celebrating someone has special and amazing as my Grandma is bound to be both fun and momentous. Here are some photo's from the perfect Saturday.





Thursday, September 2, 2010

Best Ever

Alright. Brace yourselves. I went to Starbucks today for my bi-daily toffee nut soy latte (only THE best drink EVER... albeit $4.83) only to discover that their Pumpkin goodies are in. If you like pumpkin... pumpkin spice, pumpkin loaves, pumpkin cookies then Starbucks is the place to go. But, nothing and I repeat nothing, is as delightfully delicious, as tantalizingly tasty and as serenely scrumptious as the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin (yes, it deserves capital letters). You must eat the ENTIRE muffin first and leave the cream cheese balls till the end. Most of the time, there are two balls of cream cheese (I wish I could bathe in it) and if there is, you must shove both in your mouth at once and just enjoy.