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...

Emmy's first day at the lake

On Wednesday, Aug 24, we finally made it out to the lake. By finally, I mean that the last time we were out, I was pregnant with Emmy. It was a perfect day weather-wise, and we all had a good time. I am still recovering from the massive sunburn I received despite the 2 coats of SPF 50 I had put on. Ugh.

2009 PGX

This afternoon, we took Emmy to this years Prince George Exhibition. To say she had fun would be an understatement. Such a difference from last year. A. She is a year older and just that much more aware, B. it was a gorgeous day, unlike last year.

We had some fair food for lunch and then Emmy went on two rides. It was the first year she got to try the rides and makes me wish we had a bigger fair where she could have tried more.

We toured the animal barns, but Emmy just wanted to get back to the "Fishy ride", so it was toured quickly. Emmy got another ride on the fishies and even won herself a stuffed duck at the duck game. Daddy won her a mini guitar at another game.

I have to admit, I have fond memories of my Dad at the PNE when I was young. My room was always filled with HUGE stuffed animals won from the games. My dad was a wizard at the baseball into the basket game, although now I think, "what didn't I know at that time?" since I tend to be jaded about my youth now. Ahh, that's a whole other post...lol

Bottom line, Emmy had lots of fun, we spent lots of money without much to show for it and she had more sugar than she's ever been allowed before. Sounds like a great family day to me.

Here are some pictures and video...
Emmy on the fishy ride




And Again...




And yet again...





on the fire truck on the car ride



with her goodies from the fair

NOTE: The only kid screaming (even in joy)is Emmy lol

Bye Bye Pull-ups

Today, Emmy's Daycare provider advised me that Emmy can come in panties to daycare now, as she has proven she can remain dry all day and use the toilet. We weren't sure when this would come as she has 4 year old in pull ups still. However, our little girl proved to Denise that she is a big kid. It' bittersweet really. My baby is growing up. However, I AM DONE CHANGING DIAPERS!!!!!! Oh yeah, baby!!!

Here is a cute video of Emmy cooking some pancakes (imaginary) for her Daddy and me, and informing Keith what he needs to do before he can get an egg. By egg, they are referring to Kinder eggs, which we gave Emmy as rewards when she pooped on the potty.
She shuses me at one point as I was laughing so hard.
Not sure what crackaroni is... LOL

Emmy's first movie (in a theatre)

Today, after much anticipation, Daddy and I took Emmy to her first movie at the Famous Players 6 at Parkwood Mall. We went to Ice Age 3. Em calls the Ice Age movies the "Elephant" movies and she has been excited since Friday when I told her the plan. It was almost like Christmas around here, counting down the sleeps and everything.

She was actually free admission-wise, Keith and my tickets cost around $20. The the concession robbed Em of any inheritance. Oh, I kid, kinda.
We got her the Ice Age combo so she could experience movie-style popcorn, and a Strawberry Fruitopia (which was the closest thing to a "healthy" drink they had outside of the extremely expensive water. She absolutely adored it.
The movie was good, not as good as the first two, but funny and enjoyable the same.
Some highlights of Emmy's first theater experience:
1. Emmy saying, "Is my elephant movie coming on after all the commercials?"
2. During the movie, the word "stupid" is said, which is a no-no word at daycare and at home. Emmy says emphatically (and loudly) to the screen, "You no say that word!" which caused parents around us to giggle.
3. Emmy's laugh, which is quite distinctive and the kind the just makes you laugh with her, causing random strangers to laugh with her.
4.Keith and I actually went to a movie again. The last movie we attended was 50 First Dates, many moons before Emmy was here.
It was a great outing out for all of us.

Imaginary friend? Check.

Emmy introduced us to her imaginary friend this weekend. Although age seems to change from 1 to 3 intermittently, the other details are very consistent. Emmy's friend is named "Lisa" and she does everything with her from riding her trike to playing on her new swing set. I have moments of "This is normal part of childhood, right?" but have managed to Not Google it. That is a big accomplishment for me, being as neurotic as I am. LOL

Speaking of the swing set - Keith did come through with his promise of a swing set should Emmy be potty trained. Months ago, I swore she was done - then she took a giant leap back. Not good. However, she is definitely done now - I would say night too, but my aforementioned neurotic-ness prevents me from letting her sleep without a pullup - even though she always wakes up dry and takes it off herself when she has to pee in the morning. I promise I will let go of this before she's 20 LOL

I don't want to jinx it...

But the weather for the past week has been beautiful!! We have been outside as much as we could be to take advantage of it. The weekend has just flown by with the gorgeous weather and being outside. Emmy is still enjoying her swimming lessons, and did learn the hard way on why you don't run in the change rooms as she fell hard on Thursday, but was fine - just lots of tears and hugs. Didn't even get a goose-egg..Other than that, everything has been good. Good news? We have had a fabulous week. Bad news? Absolutely nothing witty to say. So here...look at my kid instead...LOL
I think she's pretty cute!!!

Swimming Lessons

Last week, Emmy started her first swimming lessons. She is in "Sea Turtles 2" which confuses me as she has never been in Sea Turtles 1...oh those wacky lesson names!
Anyhow, her first lesson last Tuesday, she played shy the whole half an hour, but still threw a fit when it was time to go. Thursday's lesson she was much more social, and interacted well with her instructors and keeps asking daily if she has swimming lessons tonight.

Here are some pics...

I am thankful

for so many things in my life. Keith, Emmy, my friends, my family, my job - I know I have many blessings in my life. And I am grateful for each and every one of them.

Yesterday, as I was out on my lunch break, I narrowly missed hitting a truck that ran a stop sign. The driver was going so fast I didn't even see a license plate, let alone get it. I had to slam my brakes on so hard that I am sure I left rubber on the road.

If I was going any faster down Victoria Street, I don't know that I would be here to write this blog post. It was that close. Although I was doing under the speed limit at the time (the upcoming light was red} I would say he was going at least 70 KM/H.

So, I am thankful. thanking God for keeping me safe. I am sure Keith and Em appreciate it too :-)

Another Optomitrist appointment

I took Emmy for her check up on her eyes since getting her glasses. All was going well, and then the optometrist said Emmy would need a patch as she has a lazy eye. What????? Since when????? He mentioned nothing of this last appointment!

Images of my daughter playing pirate for the next few months went through my mind. I mean, come on now...she was in a brace for the first 6 months of her life, now needs glasses and a patch????

My initial panic was for nothing, as Emmy passed the sight test the second time with absolutely no hesitation. Sometimes, a 3 year old just doesn't want to tell you what the pic is Doc...she can be a bit moody.She's 3!!

So, all is well, Em doesn't need a patch and her eyes are working well with the glasses.

Recent pictures

These are recent pics of Emmy as the weather seemed to *finally* take a turn for the better and we began to experience some spring-like weather. Despite saying that, it still snowed a week ago.

All of these were taken during the shed building extravaganza (more about that in a later post).



Flashing the biggest smile I have ever captured on camera


Just a nice pic...of course, I am biased LOL


Emmy with her Tonka Fire Truck. Daddy let her pick a toy from the Walmart toy section - and this is what she fell in love with.



Blowing bubbles. I could not get this to work - Em had no problems at all! LOL


The look I get when I ask Em to smile.

Lactose Intolerant?

Emmy has never (since switching off formula) been a big milk drinker. It often stressed me out as I would offer milk consistently, but she would not drink it. I gave her calcium and vitamin D enriched orange and apple juice instead of milk, figuring she just didn't like it. I also gave her appropriate calcium supplements depending on how much juice/cheese etc she had consumed during the day.

The past week, I have discovered she will drink flavored milk, her favorite being strawberry. Eagerly, I pounced upon this as I could control the amount of flavoring/sugar that she was getting in the drinks.

Coincidentally, this past week, she also has had more stomach issues this week. I have been trying to figure out if it is just a bug or whether it is something else.

Today for example...I have changed 3 poopy (nasty scale of 10+)pull-ups. Em only wears pull-ups when she sleeps at night/nap time - so to have 3 in one day is nasty! She has complained twice that her tummy hurt today and she has had 3 cups of milk today in total (breakfast, lunch and snack). So I am wondering if she is reacting to the milk or just has a bug? She is not acting sick,no fever or sluggishness etc which leads me to believe its the milk. And then my neurotic mind starts thinking maybe the reason she wouldn't drink milk before was that it made her tummy hurt but didn't express it? And by me flavoring it, she thinks it's a different drink??

So I will maybe switch her back to juice for a few days and see if that changes things? Gosh, will I ever feel secure I know what I am doing at this parenting thing???

Baby Talk

I often get asked if (and when) I am going to have another child. I often (and by often I mean about 50 times per day) think about it and weigh the pro's and con's. Invariably, the conversation turns to Maddie and that is the selling point. If someone could guarantee me that should I get pregnant, I would get to hold a living, breathing baby at the end of my pregnancy, I would go drag Keith's butt inside and get to work on it.

However, as you all know, no one can do that. So, instead I toss and turn about it.

The Pro's
A baby
A sibling for Emmy to grow up with
A baby

Con's
The chance of repeating the pain I felt at Maddie's passing.
I am 35, which means that whole "Advanced Maternal Age" thing which basically means higher risk, which I would be anyhow because of Maddie.

I know that my baby ache is amplified as I have a pregnant coworker who is absolutely adorable with her belly(she is due in June).

I would love to get pregnant tomorrow. However, I need to lose weight and I need to have my blood pressure meds changed to something that is safe in pregnancy. My hope is that by losing weight, I can get off the meds as my blood pressure spiked in pregnancy with Maddie and after I broke my ankle when I gained way too much weight. However, the weight loss is slow.

So, the final word on the subject? Yes, I want another child, my body aches to feel a baby move again, however...

"Where did it come from?"

"Why?" phase passed? Check.

This weekend, Emmy has entered into a new phase. She asks where everything comes from. I do mean everything. From the food she is eating to the shampoo I wash her hair with to the grass on the lawn. Everything. Anything. Cannot escape the questions.
Ah, I kid about trying to wanting to escape the questions. It is cute and it's all learning. It's just how many times can you say something came from the store? Or from a friend? Or from the store?

I admit I have started to mix it up a bit and answer "China" or "Auntie Poppy's" to keep myself fresh and excited about the questions. It doesn't phase her in the least either way.

Happy Mother's Day

I sit here and contemplate my third 'Mother's Day' blog post, and I cannot believe that this little wonder of a girl has been in our lives for three years. I know I will say it every year, but the past three years seem to have passed in an instant.

I took this picture this morning - Emmy actually gave those flowers to me on Friday when I picked her up from Daycare. Each child made one for their Mom - and it was so adorable. Emmy is so proud of hers, pointing out the stickers she put on the holder, "See the bumblebee sticker, Mommy? A bee goes Bzzzzz!" etc about all the stickers (there are about 20-30 of them)

Some recent favorite moments courtesy of Em:
Last night as I watched the Vancouver Canucks game, she was cheering "Go 'nucks go" beside me without any promting from me, she just started chanting it.
When she got her glasses and told me that she was beautiful, just like her Mommy.


I know Mother's Day is to honor the Mother, but I wouldn't be one without my Emmy. I am just so grateful and thankful for her. She brings our lives focus, constant entertainment, and so much love. I could not ask for more.

Bespectacled Emmy

Optical Appointment

Emerson went to the Optometrist today for her first check-up. She was referred from Northern Health as she didn't pass one portion of her eye check-up at the preschooler health day last Saturday. On their referral, she passed everything except they noted her left eye was not at a passing level. Today, it was determined that Emmy needs glasses, and a pretty strong prescription at that. Since I wear glasses and have since I was 14, I am not terribly surprised, but am a bit sad about it. I was truly hoping she would get to miss out on that 'treat'.

I worry that she will be teased in elementary school. I was never teased for my glasses, as I was older when I got them. The amount of teasing I got in elementary school about my weight...I shudder... Kids are merciless.

So we picked out some cute frames and paid for them (ouch!) Thankfully, my insurance from work will reimburse $200 which is 2/3 the cost anyhow. Thank you, insurance! I just got paid yesterday, and I'm broke already - daycare, car insurance, and now Em's glasses off the one paycheck. OUCH! As Keith always says - you can't take it with you.

Holidays, dentist and more...

I have been home with Emmy for the past 11 days as her daycare was closed for holidays. It has been utterly fantastic to have this time with her - waking up when we were ready to, not to an alarm - having the time to spend together. We went swimming twice and she is signed up for lessons for June. We also went shopping, had lunch out, and just enjoyed the time together.

On Saturday, I took her to a development check put on by Northern Health. Emmy was tested at the 42 month level (she is 38 months) and she scored above average in all categories (fine & gross motor skills, problem solving, and communication) which is fantastic. The only thing she couldn't do was say her full name(first, middle and last) as we have never taught it to her - just her first name obviously, and she couldn't throw a ball overhand (we always encourage underhand). Her vision/hearing was fine. They did recommend an eye test as they noticed something with her left eye, so we are heading there next Saturday.

I took her for her first dentist visit today which went perfect. No cavities and Emmy was an angel for the dentist and hygienist. She had her first cleaning completed and laughed when she had to use the suction - it was very cute.

We are back to the grind tomorrow - back to work and daycare. Makes me a bit sad but I know I am lucky to have a job that has such good hours, and EDO days (every second Monday off with pay) to give me that extra time with her that other working Mom's may not get. I am thankful for that.

Emmy's first driving lesson

When will it be spring???

Click the picture for a larger view.

Easter Sunday

Emmy's Easter Basket full of toys, and the basket to collect eggs

I have to tell you, this day has been just amazing with Emmy. I could not have asked for a better one at all.

Emmy slept with me last night, as she has been requesting lately. I don't mind at all, as it gives me a sense of peace to see her and to hear her sleep soundly beside me. We watched Dora the Explorer before drifting off to sleep.Keith, as usual was snoring on the couch downstairs.
This morning when we awoke, I bathed her and then we went downstairs where I had hidden 9 eggs with toys in them, 3 Dora eggs and 6 Little People, for Em to have a small egg hunt. Then she opened her Easter Basket that had a Princess theme,. It had a Princess dress, tiara, earrings, ring and wand. It also came with limited candy which was a big selling feature for me!

Emmy also got a new game for her Leap Pad My First Computer, appropriately a Disney Princess one which Em absolutely adores. Keith then took her up to see Grandma for a couple of hours (I didn't go as I am not feeling well).

I rested as they were gone, and the first thing Em did when she came home was hug me and tell me that she missed me. Awwwwww. Then later as I was on my computer, she said that she wanted to sit on my lap because she loved me. Double Awwwwwwwww.

My little girl makes me so happy.

Noodles & Ichiban

My intent of this video was to capture what Emmy stated her plans were that day, which originally were to go visit Grandma and Aunty Poppy after putting on her stylin' hat. Of course, once the camera was on, her plans changed to shopping for "noodles and Ichiban". Ahh to be young again...

Emmy and the Easter Bunny

Click the picture to enlarge


As you can see, Em's picture with the Easter Bunny went far better than last year's Santa picture. However, Emmy still was not too excited about it once we were there. All week, I had been telling her we were going to visit the Easter Bunny on Thursday, and she was extremely excited. Then when we got there, she got all shy and wouldn't smile. She also looks like she is trying to get away from the bunny. Despite no smiles, she is adorable and was so cute afterward when she got her bunny ears and was pretending to be a bunny and hopping around.

I think they call it quirky

As Em was napping today, I played Monopoly on the computer. You know, 'cause the house cleans itself.

As I kicked the computer player's asses, I actually felt bad for them.

I felt bad for a computer generated player. There must be something wrong with me.

Birthday party for Chris and Tony

Emmy (posing so nicely when Mom asked her to smile pretty) with 4 year old Christopher




Check out the height difference between Tony & Em...Tony will be 3 in April and, of course Em has been 3 for over a month.









On March 21, 2009 My friend Poppy had a joint birthday party for her two boys Christopher who is turning 4 and Anthony (Tony) who is turning 3. She picked Emmy up from daycare and I met them at her house after work. After having cake and presents at Poppy's, we went to Bubba Baloos for some playtime. It was a fun night all-in-all. Emmy chose some beads as her present with the tickets we won in the arcade, which some kid promptly stole from her. The worker gave her 3 replacement neckkaces, which made Em look like she was auditioning for "Girls Gone Wild", but cured the tears.