Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Isla gets a new Do

Isla is almost 2 and she has never had a real haircut before. Yes, I have trimmed her mullet a couple times, but nothing substantial or worth noting. Yesterday, I had had enough of her shag. I explained to her what we were going to do and she couldn't stop pointing to her hair, saying "Haircut Mom". So, for her first time, I just had to take her to Beaners. She was extremely excited when we walked in and she saw the various contraptions for her to sit in. She picked the Red Hummer... that's my girl! She sat SO still for the entire 4 minutes it took to give her a big girl bob. She loved it. And consequently, pranced around all afternoon touching her hair.

before.

bubbles to calm the nerves.

still.

pretty ponytail.

all done!

the best picture I could get of the new do.

Schellenberg's Do Candy Cane Lane

As mentioned in a previous post, Isla loves lights. And that really is the understatement of the century. Obsessed really. Last Friday was such a beautiful day, that we bundled her all up and took a walk down Candy Cane Lane. I thought she was going to lose her mind. She was SO excited... she pointed to literally every light, every Santa, every horse (did you know you can take a sleigh ride down... it's only going to cost you $14/person) and shouted "Woh", "Lights", "Santaaaa" and of course, her horse sound, "EEE-Haw" (a donkey really). We had so much fun and it made me so nostalgic of my own childhood and our family's Christmas traditions. This walk is certainly going to be a staple in the Schellenberg Christmases to come. Next year, 2 kids. 


cutest.


snuggles for Mama.

she HAD to walk, which could have been the reason it took us hours.

30 Weeks.


The countdown is on...

Monday, December 12, 2011

I turn 27.

This past Saturday, December 10th was my 27th birthday! All I can say is this was pretty much the best birthday yet! It began with a delicious breakfast out at Socrates... the local dive in St. Albert. We were just planning to take Isla swimming after breakfast, so I thought we had all the time in the world... until Cam informed me when our meal arrived that we had officially 5 minutes to eat until we needed to be somewhere. I was clueless. It wasn't until we pulled into Sweet Momma when I realized what the agenda actually was! Cam had surprised me with a Spa Package at Sweet Momma (a spa designed especially for pregnant women) called Luscious Mama... a massage, a facial AND a pedicure! It. Was. Glorious! The massage was on a heated waterbed and lasted an entire 60 minutes... I was in heaven! For those of you who have been pregnant, you understand the toll it takes on one's body. This massage was absolute bliss. I was then led to the room where my facial would happen... 60 minutes of relaxation and skin hydration. Not to mention a head massage. It was incredible. And then all of this followed up with a pedicure? I couldn't believe it! It was just perfect... and my husband is the most amazing man of all time! I am blessed.

The rest of the day consisted of an eggnog latte, a couple hours of house cleaning and then a night out with the one I love... Cam. (a big shout out to Chris, Nicole, Maddie and Kenzie for babysitting Isla... I know she had a blast!). We went out for Thai food... my absolute favorite! The King and I on Whyte Ave... it was delicious. We followed that up with a brownie and lemon poppyseed cake at Vi's for Pies and then a drive down Candy Cane Lane. It truly was such a perfect day... I am so blessed to have such an incredible husband and daughter... and of course, my friends and family who bombarded me with such kind words, cards and gifts! Thanks to everyone who made me feel like the most special person in the world!
Us (and my baby belly).

Outside.

At The King and I... awaiting our feast and enjoying each other's company.

We Make Gingerbread.

Another Christmas activity... building a gingerbread house! I went to 3 stores before finding a Gingerbread kit... needless to say, I was SO excited to do this with Isla. It turns out that Isla was MUCH more interested in sneaking the treats and eating them than the actual construction of the house. I think Cam and I had much more fun than she did. That's ok... it's another special memory we are making as a family.

the construction begins.

all smiles as they decorate the gingerbread man.

notice Isla's hand in the mouth... I think she has just sneaked treat number 123. 

me in absolute hysterics because our house kept collapsing and for some reason, I thought this was hilarious.

us 3 and our completed masterpiece.

Monday, December 5, 2011

December Festivities

I love this time of year! I love the lights, the music (ummm... Justin Bieber, Boney M and N'Sync Christmas circulate the airwaves), the sparkling Christmas trees in people's front windows, the atmosphere of warmth in the air, the giving, the activities this season brings, the family time, the love, eggnog lattes, Toblerone, Cranberry Bliss Bars... and I enjoy it all even more because I get to share it all with Cam and Isla. She is getting to the age where she gets excited about things... she understands Santa and that he brings gifts. She LOVES the lights and all the treats!

We kicked December off with some baking... chocolate cupcakes! She was the best paper liner putter inner ever... her ultimate favorite part though? Licking the beaters of course. Look at her adorableness here.




This past Saturday, we took Isla, along with Momo (Cam's mom) to the Festival of Trees. Isla was a tad overwhelmed at first, but after a few minutes, she loved it all! We listened to singers, we watched glitzy dancers, we ate treats, we sat on Santa's knee (reluctantly... Cam & I had to accompany our teary lady),  we visited the hospital where Isla bandaged a hurt Elmo, got a finger cast covered in glitter and a star band-aid on her "owie". We, of course, took in the beautiful trees and all of the magnificent gingerbread houses... all in all, a lovely Christmasey day with the ones we love.



(she is a little unsure of the cast here)

 my loves.



Looking forward to lots more holiday fun!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Pajama Tea Party

The weather today is awful. As a result, Isla and I have neither gotten dressed or left the house. Instead, we had a tea party in our living room with Isla's baby. It was a lot of fun. Watching Isla play pretend brings such pride and joy to my heart. She is incredible.






ps - she is going to be such an amazing big sister! 

November...

24.5 weeks

Isla and Dad, all beautified.

showing her Oiler pride

helping decorate

us.

gearing up to frolic in the freshly fallen snow.

our little reindeer.

giving Santa some love.

loving her "be-bo" in her new Christmas jammies.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Things I am Crushing On...

As the birth of Annie draws closer and closer, we are slowly starting to design and put together Annie's room. I have been spending an unusual amount of time on Etsy... shopping, dreaming and wishing.
Here are 3 stores I am crushing on:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodenOwl - we purchased a custom made Owl clock for her bedroom... should be here soon! Yippee!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/HopSkipJumpPaper - the little signs are adorable. I just fell in love.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LilypadLaneDesigns - the ABC garland is just too much cuteness for me.

We haven't purchased much, but I am hoping Cam will let me splurge a little on some cute things to complete the nursery. We'll see.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Small Isla

Today while Peanut was napping, I decided to look at some old photos of her when she was a new baby. I can hardly believe she was ever that small... that delicate, that pure, that helpless and that trusting. She still is all those wonderful things, but she's growing up... and fast, which unfortunately means an inevitable loss of innocence, that first devastating hurt when someone breaks her heart, that first blow when someone betrays her. As her mom, I just want to protect her, and Annie, from all of these things but I can't. I can just be the best mom I can and raise my girls with integrity and self confidence and be there for them in a real, non-judgmental, sincere, loving way. I digress... a little, but as I stare at these images, I can fast forward my life 20 years and envision myself doing the same thing. She just looks so content... so beautiful and untouched. I love her. And I continue to aspire to be a better Mom... day in and day out, I pray that I am everything she needs. Always.

so dreamy.

 safe and protected in the arms of someone who loves her most of all.

love.

ps - sorry for the unveiling of the heart here... must be the preggo hormones making me all emotional and nostalgic. 

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Happy Halloween!

This year's Halloween festivities were quite fun! Isla is getting old enough to be excited about things. She was SO loving her costume and wanted to wear it all the time! She was walking around saying "Tick or Teat" all day! We were practicing... by the end of our evening, she was yelling it at each door! So cute! 

On Friday night, we did a little pumpkin carving... however, Isla was a little weary of the "gunk". She doesn't like 'mess' on her hands, so she just sat with daddy and watched him. She joined in by adding her touch to our pumpkin's face







On Halloween night, we headed over to Chris and Nicole's place to do a little trick-or-treating with them and Isla's cousins, Maddie and Kenzie. Isla was a little slower then those girls, but we had a blast! Isla lasted about 15 houses and got quite the loot that we added to her potty basket... not before picking out our favorites however (Caramilk anyone?). She had an absolute blast but boy, was she ever tuckered out at the end of it. We ended our evening with a visit to Nana & Popi's place for a little Kit Kat and some photo ops. Already looking forward to next year... what shall our 2 little ladies be? 


Kenzie the Snow Tiger, Isla the Giraffe and Maddie, the Black Cat.

best. shot. ever.




note the chocolatey drool...

and Isla's 'too much sugar' face.

And, just for funsies, last year... Isla the Peacock.