Happy Birthday, Miss Emerson Faith

Technically, belated at this time. We've been too busy eating cake and opening presents to make a blog post. It's a tough life, I know.

On Saturday, February 20, 2010.. our baby girl turned 4 years old. It's hard to believe 4 years have passed since that amazingly wonderful day I became a Mom. It's gone by in what seems to be an instant, and as much as I want to keep her my baby, I am excited for what lays ahead for her.

We have been through so much in these past 4 years. From Pavlik Harnesses to Febrile seizures, we've covered quite a bit of ground. Thankfully, Emmy has weathered the setbacks like a pro - better than me a lot of the time! She's done a great job at teaching us to be parents.

This has ended up being the birthday that just keeps on giving. Emmy had a party at daycare on Friday, with all her friends. We brought a cake, some blow horns and some party hats. Denise is sending me photos of the actual party, but here is the cake

On Saturday, Emmy and I hung out, went shopping for a bit and grabbed some lunch out. When Keith came home after work, he brought Emmy her "big present"...her very own "Big Girl bike with training wheels. And the fact it is a Disney Princess bike just added to the excitement Emmy had for this bike...

On Sunday, we went to Grandma's for a small party with Grandma, Auntie Lorna, Cousin Jenna, Auntie Joan and of course Emmy. She had a great time, received 2 new puzzles, some and some new clothes.


Emmy with her fort she built out of blocks


Emmy with Auntie Lorna and the puzzles she put together (Em loves puzzles!)


Emmy with Grandma, giving Grandma a picture she made for her and snuggling with Grandma



Finally, for those counting, the second cake of the weekend



So overall, Emmy has had presents every day since Friday as she received a card and gift card from Uncle Whitey, Aunt Julie, and cousins Melissa, Micah and Malcolm today. She previously received one from my Aunt Trudy which she opened on Saturday. I would say she had a good birthday overall, with lots of family showing their love...and isn't that what matters? In the end, it's all about family.

Valentines Day 2010

Yesterday, Keith and I took Emmy to see Grandma, and ended up having a few hours Emmy-free as Grandma offered to watch Miss Emerson while we went shopping. Keith and I headed to Costco for a bit, and went for smorg. Emmy had a blast playing with Grandma and was even well-behaved. Grandma made it through Emmy's incessant barrage of questions without flinching! That takes some serious patience! :) If I haven't mentioned it, Emmy has hit the silence-is-not-golden-and-needs-to-be-filled-with-noise-at-all-times phase.It's fun stuff, I tell you! LOL

As annoying as it can be, she amazes me with what she comes up with and her skills at things. She was playing on my computer on Saturday night and without any bookmarks, found the site she plays on Keith's computer. How? I don't know...but she does.

Below is Emmy's picture for Keith and I for Valentines Day.




So, all in all, it was a nice day. Happy Valentines to you all :-)

You have to crank the sound to hear the music, but here is Emmy dancing to the Wiggles song on their web page.

Spot the Stewie

Keith and I have an ongoing debate at the house regarding what TV shows Emmy is exposed to. I would say of her TV viewing, 90 percent is either Treehouse, YTV or a Disney movie. When we turn something on in the living room that is questionable for Emmy to watch, we turn on a Wiggles DVD or a movie for her to watch on her TV.

So the discussions tend to focus on his favorite shows, which due to the animation, Emmy likes too, namely The Simpsons and Family Guy. However, the content, although freaking hilarious, is not appropriate for a nearly 4 year old who absorbs everything she sees.

So a few months ago, we made a deal, Keith would stop watching the Simpson's(as I felt it was the worse of the two) on the main TV but Family Guy could be watched. We still try to have her watch something else while it's on, but we are not always successful.

So, when I witnessed her artwork in the bathtub, I had to share it. I think it's pretty darn recognizable as "Stewie" don't you think? Considering she isn't even 4 yet. Heck, I can't even draw a better one and, well, my age is far more "established" LOL
"Stewie" for those not familiar


Emmy's Bathtub Art (click the pic for a bigger view of all pics)



A closeup of one stewie

The toy from HELL...

I know it looks innocent enough, cute and fuzzy, but believe me, this toy was made in Hell. Or by someone who doesn't have kids. Or a job that you need to be awake for. Or just a vengeful sort that wanted revenge for the toys of the past.

Emmy does not play with this toy often. She has had it since her 3rd birthday As such, we have not had much experience with this toy.. This is important to note as it plays an important part in the upcoming events.

Last night, we saw this toy for the first time in months as Em had brought it downstairs and was playing with it. All was good.

I went to bed a few hours later and Emmy joined me, sleeping quite soundly beside me.

Then it started.

That toy began making noise when no one was near it, or touching it.

The first time it happened, I woke up to it, and not really conscious of what was going on, yelled out, "Emmy, stop playing with that toy and go to bed!"
(She was asleep beside me)

From that point forward, it seemed to make noise every hour or so. I did my best to ignore it but as any noise that occurs in the quiet of the night, it always wakes you.You may be wondering why I didn't get up and turn it off, or kick it, or do something to stop this psychotic piece of &@^$ stop making noise. Well, basically, I was not all that brilliant at 3 am with seriously interrupted sleep. Sad, but true.

At 6 am, I heard Keith fighting with it and eventually, he was able to turn it off. Too bad it was time to get up by then.

Moral of the story: Don't buy annoying toys.

I have a plan...

Due to my emotions since December 30, 2009, when I found out about Michelle's passing, I never got around to listing my resolutions for 2010. My first one actually will help with the second one.

1. Eat less take-out.
2. Lose weight
3. Be more patient

We have gotten into a lazy habit around here with cooking. Keith comes home around 6:30 pm and then we do the 'dinner dance' aka the roundabout questions about what either of us want for dinner. This goes on for awhile and before you know it, we are ordering in or making mac and cheese because it is getting too late. So, starting this week, I am going to be organized. I have planned the meals out, we are about to go shopping, and each day will have the plan for dinner so there won't be a question.

You may wonder why it's taken me so long to come to this simple plan. Well, the main reason is I am a terrible cook. Not only am I a terrible cook, is that I really, really really don't enjoy cooking. I don't mean any disrespect by this but I learned from my mom, who was not a great cook. My father was the better cook out of the two of them, and neither actually 'taught' me anything - I was not allowed in the kitchen while they were cooking.

So I have learned some in these years but I am not a great cook by any means. I can cook the basics, the very boring basics, but my meal plans for the next two weeks include things I have been scared to try before. So, we will see how it goes. At the very least is that I am trying?

Michelle Lang 1975-2009 - A Reporter's Passage

Michelle Lang 1975-2009 - A Reporter's Passage

This is a beautiful article from the Vancouver Sun about Michelle. It is worth the read.

I watched the Repatriation Ceremony today . I had put Emmy n a bath just before I realized that it was going to start. Keith was kind enough to take over for me(without me asking) as he realized I needed to watch it.

My best friend Kate called as well from New Brunswick to make sure I knew it was on, and let me cry uncontrollably during it.

My heart just breaks for her family as I cannot imagine how hard today was and how hard the coming weeks will be. My heart goes out to all the families.

Remembering Michelle Lang

What feels like a million years ago, I worked at a newspaper called The Prince George Free Press. During my time there as the office manager, I developed good friendships, a few that still exist to this day, despite the frequency that people tend to move on in the newspaper industry. During my time there I became acquainted with an intern reporter named Michelle Lang. She was beautiful, had a smile that could light up a room, bright and funny. Her dedication to work was phenomenal, as she was often working well after everyone else had left for the day. I tended to work a lot of overtime myself, so I often witnessed this dedication.

As time went on, we both moved on to new challenges and places. Last year, we caught up on Facebook and I was so happy to see her happy and thriving in Calgary.

On Monday afternoon, I was watching some mindless program( I am on holidays lol) and was somewhat dozing on the couch as Emmy was napping in the other room. I was somewhat aware of my program being interrupted by a breaking news report. A moment later, I was fully alert as the reported announced that a reporter had been killed in Afghanistan while covering the war for the Calgary Herald. The reporter said Michelle Lang was killed when a make-shift explosive device had exploded killing her and 4 soldiers. I ran to my computer, desperately hoping and praying that I had heard the name wrong, that it was another Michelle Lang, anything but what my gut was telling me was true. Unfortunately, my quest for proof that it was not her was unsuccessful. She had died earlier that day. Grief overwhelmed me and I cried, as I have many times since then as reports are frequent and always bring tears to my eyes.

I greive with her family and friends. I grieve with her fiancee. I grieve for the 4 soldiers lost in the same blast.
Rest in Peace, Michele. I will miss you. Heaven is just a bit brighter with your smiling face up there.

Our Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas overall. Christmas morning was the three of us, opening presents. Keith bought me a new computer chair and a convection/toaster oven. Keith received LOST season 5 on Blu ray and other smaller items he asked for. In the afternoon, we went to Keith's brother's house for dinner. It was filled with family, which Christmas should always be.

Video attached is a different video than the one on the post below - just starts out the same way.

Merry Christmas my friends

It is our hope that your Christmas is full of family, friends and most importantly, lots and lots of love this Christmas Day.

Dentist Appointment

Emmy had a dentist appointment this morning for a checkup/cleaning. (Some moron (me) booked it for 8 am on the day we both tend to sleep in. FUN!)

Surprisingly, we actually made it on time.

Em was great for the hygienist, although I thought she was going to snap as Em kept moving when getting the x-rays taken.The cleaning went far smoother and Emmy had no cavities! Yeah Mom! (Since I brush her teeth daily) Emmy picked out a toy and had her picture taken for the wall of no cavities.

I won't be booking early morning appointments for the next visit due to the two non-morning people!

Santa Photo - Christmas 2009

As you can see from the above photo, Emmy was not too excited to sit on Santa's lap this year.

As her and I stood in the lineup, she was absolutely ecstatic. " I am going to sit on Santa's lap and tell him I want a Barbie and a Glow globe!" She could barely stand still she was so excited. I was pumped, as if you recall, last year I had to be in the pic with her because she was too scared. Not this year, I thought.

We got to the front of the line and the Elf came to walk Em to Santa. Em got to the walkway and it was like something came over her. Step 10 she was happy and bouncing, step 11 she realized what she was doing.

She refused to sit on his lap at all. The elves were jumping around like lunatics trying to get her to smile. Finally, they resorted to letting her hold the bells and bribing her with a candy cane.

This was the first pic and the best of them. She looks like she's saying "who the hell are you?" to him. Oh well, she looks cute and I didn't have to be in the pic.

Ahhh the joys of the flu

So, here is the reader's digest version of the past month. I got sick, started feeling better, then Emmy got it. We spent 4 days where her temperature was the only thing either of us discussed. We were so worried we would end up back in the hospital with her. She got better thankfully.,
Then in some weird mutation, I got it back and spent a week at work constantly losing my voice and blowing my nose. Fun stuff when you work in a call center.

Now we are all feeling better and just waiting for Keith to come down with it. So far, he's managed to avoid it.

Other than the crazy germs, everything is good. We have decorated for Christmas and Emmy asks daily if Santa has come yet. She's just a bit excited LOL.

I have attached a video of her singing "Fifteen" by Taylor Swift. She absolutely adores this song. She knows how to find it and play it on her Dad's computer which impressed me to no end.

Snow 2009

Yesterday, Keith took Emmy out to play in the snow. I took pics from the safety of the covered porch as I am sick with my 15,559th cold of the year(possible exaggeration there).

Emmy had fun eating snow, and Keith managed to mangle the zipper on her coat to unrepairable ends. But it's all good because the kid had fun, and I didn't get pneumonia.










On a completely different topic...
Tonight, I was watching the Series Finale of Jon and Kate Plus 8. Normally, when a series ends after a long run, I tend to be sad. However, this ending has me jumping for joy (and then hacking and coughing because of my cold). It is time to give those kids a life without cameras around them. I haven't watched the show for many months, but I cannot stand it now. In fact, within 5 minutes of tonight's episode starting, I said "Bullshit" at the TV and the crap that were pouring from the "parents"
mouths.

*whew* that was a rant a long time comin'!

Halloween 2009

The days leading up to Halloween were full of a very excited Emmy telling us tales of spooky ghosts and introducing her to some classic Halloween TV specials like,"It's the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Keith and her carved a pumpkin (he carved, she said, "Make it a happy pumpkin, Daddy!"

She went as a Princess this year, which she was very excited about. Keith and I took her around to about 5 houses this year, and she did perfect! And she didn't even try to go into the houses like last year LOL!

Happy Birthday to me...

Yesterday, October 23, marked my 36th birthday. It was a nice day at work, no bad phone calls,(always a plus) lots of"Happy Birthday's" from my coworkers and my Facebook wall was covered. Made a girl feel special. After picking up Emmy and waiting for Keith to get home, we went for dinner at Boston Pizza where Em was very well behaved. We had a lovely dinner, and then spent 30 minutes in the washroom as Emmy was fascinated with the automatic foamy hand soap dispenser. Poor Keith was probably thinking we had deserted him as his daughter was ensuring her hands were the cleanest in the world :).

We came home and Keith took Emmy into the kitchen where obviously he was trying to get her to do something as she was talking in her faux whisper..aka a loud whisper you can hear across the room but is super-cute as she is actually trying to be quiet.

Here is what she brought me:



I had to scan it because it is completely captures a 3 year old's artwork...or perhaps just my 3 year old's typical artwork, but I think it's just perfect. It's a moment in time.

After that, Keith surprised me with a Dairy Queen ice cream cake, which Emmy was EXTREMELY excited about. I am guessing we will be eating cake for a while as there is only the three of us. LOL

So, overall I am a year older, grateful for the time to spend with my loved ones, friends and maybe to have made the difference to a client or two.

Thankful...

I have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day...

I am thankful to God for the many blessings in my life, for the health and happiness of my family.
I am thankful for my family, for Keith and Emmy, and the joy they bring to each and every day.
I am thankful for my extended family, my brother, sister-in-law Julie, my niece Melissa and nephews Malcolm and Micah. Although I don't see them as often as I'd like, I am thankful for our relationship.
I am thankful for Keith's family, who have always made me feel included, cared for, and a part of the family.
I am thankful for my Aunts Anne and Trudy, who really have become closer thanks to the power of the internet. They both sent gifts for Emmy, despite never meeting her and really make me feel valued and that Emmy is part of their thoughts. Since my own parents have chosen to ignore their children/grandchildren, it makes it so valuable. Family is valuable.
I am thankful for my job, and the power I have to help people in need. At it's core, that is what I do. I remember telling a friend once that my job was what I dreamed to attain, and that was 5 years before I got the job. It truly is my dream job.
I am thankful for my friends, who despite my short-comings and screw-ups, still like me.

I know there are lurkers out there who never comment, it would warm my heart if you would tell me what you are thankful for.

The Wiggles invade Prince George

On Saturday, the event that Emmy had been counting the sleeps down to finally came. That would be the Wiggles concert, of course. To be honest, I was kind of dreading it as the last concert we went to (The Backyardigans) was so terrible that Emmy wanted to go home at intermission and we had to convince her to stay. So, I was expecting the worst.

And I cannot express just how wrong I was. Yes, internets, I am admitting I was wrong.

This was no cheap production. The sets alone were beautiful and colourful. There was no guy dressed in black that we had to pretend we couldn't see operate a puppet on the stage. *cough*Backyardigans*cough*
The Wiggles themselves were energetic, charming, funny and proved themselves to me anyhow that they know how to entertain.
Emmy had a great time, was clapping along, woohoooing after the songs and singing and dancing. I have to admit, I had fun as well. I was never once bored and the 90 minutes flew by. It was a great family afternoon out (Keith came home early to come with us).

I have added some pictures and video. The video is of my favorite part where Emmy sings along.

Things I will miss when she grows up...part 5,71

As infuriating Emmy can be at times, this is such an incredible age as she is such a little person now rather than a baby or even a toddler. She comes out with things that are so mature for a 3 1/2 year old!

Some of my recent favorites are:
-When I pick her up from daycare, on the way home she says, "So, how was your day?". She asks Keith as well when he gets home.
-She asks us to turn up music in the car and she sings along, which is the cutest thing ever.
-She asks where my coworkers are. Apparently she is concerned they work too hard and too long. LOL
-The nights she comes and sleeps in bed with me. There is nothing better than snuggling with my baby girl.
She recognizes Keith's work, my work, and the "Princess castle" aka the Sikh temple as we drive by them. She has only been to our workplaces a couple of times.
-She has an incredible memory. She was telling me yesterday that the book I was reading was from our neighbour.This is true - when I broke my ankle back in 2007, our neighbour dropped off a bag of books to keep me entertained while being laid up. It's not like we talk about it often, but she remembers!

Here are some pics and a short video from her most recent swim lessons.

Fall in Prince George

I have absolutely NO complaints about our fall so far. We have been enjoying a beautiful late summer, even hitting 30 degrees C last week. 30 degrees!!!

This weekend has been more normal as fall is making it's way here with blustery, cold winds. You will notice in the pics that Emmy is sportin' fall attire for PG - sandals with a winter jacket LOL.

October will be a fun month - Em starts swim lessons again, The Wiggles are coming to town, and "Where the wild things are" will be released to the movie theatres. This was one of my most beloved books as a child and I will admit, I am excited to take Emmy to the movie.

Here are some pics from today...

Excitement on Blair Crescent

We live in a nice, quiet crescent. We don't tend to get too much happening on our block...in fact, I think the last time there was any sort of emergency vehicle on my block was when I broke my ankle and and we had to call an ambulance. That caused all the neighbours to be abuzz for days.

Yesterday around 5pm, I had picked Em up from daycare and had pulled into my driveway as usual. I went to the backseat to unbuckle Emmy from the car seat and she started talking about a man. I didn't understand what she was saying, but unbeknownst to me, a man had walked up behind me as I was unbuckling her. When I stood up, I saw him, which gave me a fright as I didn't see him walk up or hear him for that matter. He was probably around 40-50, stocky build, 6' or so, with close shaved graying brown hair.

He had leaned over and was talking about my tires as he was touching them, referring to them as "heavy". It was quickly obvious that this guy was not all there...either off his meds or needs some new ones in a hurry. He was talking gibberish as I quickly ushered Emmy to the front door. I just knew that this guy was trouble and my first instinct was to protect my daughter and get her away from this guy.

He walked behind our carport as I was desperately praying that I could get the door open without dropping my keys for once. I kept telling him to go home and that my husband would be home in a few minutes (Keith was due home in about an hour). As I was opening the door, he reached into the carport and started touching Keith's spare tires that are in the corner, wrapped in plastic. Side note: Buddy?? What's with the fascination with the tires????
At this point, he started swearing and getting angry. I thankfully managed to open the door and get inside and lock it again.

I grabbed the cordless phone as I could still hear him ranting outside the door. I turned a movie on for Em as I called 911. I just lost it when the dispatcher answered and started crying. They took a description and dispatched police. I looked outside and he was pacing in the carport at this point. I looked again a few moments later and he was gone, or at least out of sight.

The cops found him still hanging around the house. Apparently, he is new to town and that was the third time he was picked up today. The cops kept taking him to the hospital, and they kept releasing him. (WTF???Buddy obviously needs help!) He also is known to be violent so the cops told me I did the right thing by calling.

So long story short (too late, I know!) he was on his way to talk to a mental heath social worker. Probably released 10 minutes later, but hopefully they dealt with him.

The good news? With all the stress I have had with Emmy not listening to me lately...she did exactly what I told her instantly as I tried to get her in the house. No back talk, no delaying. I asked, she did. Must have been my tone? Whatever it was, it worked.

Swimming Lessons, Part Two

Emmy officially passed "Sea Turtles 2" last night and is officially a "Salamander". She had to repeat Sea Turtles 2 the last time, as she just wasn't showing her comfort in the water. She also was the youngest in her class and it was her first lessons ever. However, repeating it was all she needed as she did great this time. Her comfort levels with blowing bubbles, putting her head under the water and jumping in have all improved greatly. Even Keith said last night that he saw a huge improvement from last time he went.(He attends the last class each time). She will start her next lessons on Sept 29, 2009. I am also hoping to put her into a dance class and/or a gymnastics class but I am awaiting for our new Leisure Guide to come out to see what is offered. Keith is not so excited when I mentioned gymnastics...after all, she in 50% my DNA, but I just calm him with the fact that I didn't start breaking bones until my 30's*GRIN*.

Here are some pics from last night...