Ballet

Lastnight we drove up to Squamish to get Grandma and return to Surrey so she could babysit you today. Mommy and Daddy were going to the ballet for the first time and you were staying at home with sister. The ballet we saw was of the Nutcracker and after we went to dinner at a pasta restaurant on Hastings Street in Vancouver. It was a nice day but we missed our Carly! We left home around noon and returned at 6 30 pm which is the longest time we have ever left you and also your very first babysitting experience other than the time we moved into the house and grandma babysat for awhile during the trips back and forth from the apartment to the house with our belongings.

You were probably as happy to see us as we were to see you when we got home tonight. Mommy and Daddy missed your smile and kisses so much!! Grandma fed you some rice cereal and bottles of formula today while we were gone. You were such a good baby she said and are very happy to be home. You are a real homebody thats for sure.

Its now nime pm and you are just drifting off. I can hear you talking a bit to yourself before you find your thumb and fall fast asleep. See you tomorrow my little princess as it will be 2009!!

Lovin da food!

You so love your rice cereal Carly. Your mouth opens wide like a bird and mommy spoons the cereal in and out it comes again! You managed to eat an entire tablespoon of that yummy stuff with formula tonight and after you were done mommy gave you a few ounces in your sippy cup to try. You really liked that cup and fussed when mommy tried to take it away. You tried to bite it and that seemed to entertain you quite a bit as you are teething right now. You did manage to get some milk from the cup too which is good as its the next stage in growing up.

Mommy was upset today while she was folding your laundry. Your clothes are getting so big now! You are growing way to fast my baby girl, mommy wants you to stay her baby forever. Daddy wants you to walk though haha.

Brother Levi is still visiting from out of town and played with you awhile today. You really love your brother and give him kisses on his face. You did manage to spit up on his shirt today which he wasnt too impressed about, but mommy thought that was pretty funny. So did you actually, as you gave him a big grin. Sister likes to read you a story and you just like to eat the book, but sometimes Angela manages to read a page or two before you grow impatient.

Mommy, Daddy and you got to spend some quite time alone at home tonight as Levi and Angela went to the movies in the City. You slept some and woke up later on and cuddled with daddy and mommy on the couch and watched TV. You grew sleepy though and now you are all bundled up in your sleep sack fast asleep. Night night hunny bun!

Nom nom nom!!

Cool day for the tiny one as mommy went to the store and got you some rice cereal and fed you a tablespoon of it with some formula. Daddy took your pictures as sister, brother Levi and all of us watched. You ate it all up like a champ and really enjoyed it. You also had a tiny taste of mashed potatoes at the restaurant we were at this afternoon. Mommy also bought you a sippy cup but you dont quite know how that works so we will continue to try over the next few days. Practice makes perfect!!

You are such a sweet girl Carly. Daddy turned your pram into a stroller today so you got to sit up like a big girl and really enjoyed that. We took you out shopping and you were smiling at everyone who stopped to say hello.

Today your favourite toy is the toy cell phone we got you for Christmas. You fussed when it was taken away. I forgot to say this awhile ago but your grandma calls you the 'caboose'. There are so many grandkids now and you are the last one and there is a large age gap between you and Hailey so grandma calls you caboose. Its cute.

Your sister dressed you into your pjs this evening and they are small for you. You are so tall that they are too short on the legs for you. So you are wearing this white sleeper with reindeer socks and it looks pretty funny. You are almost ready for bed now and are hungry. Nighters hunny bunny.

Its Christmas!

Wow, its been a busy busy few days! I wasnt able to come online at all to update your blog so I will try my best to remember all the way back to update.

It all began on the 23rd when we drove up to Squamish and had Christmas celebrations there. We left the house around 1 pm and you slept most of the way up there with your sister and brother in the backseat with you. We got to grandma and grandpa's house and you visited with everyone for awhile before you zonked out again. Auntie, Uncles and cousins showed up and we had a nice dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. Of course you didnt get to eat anything which sucked, but there is always next year.

Daddy got a good picture of you opening your very first Christmas present which you received from your grandparents. It was an Elmo live stuffie that talks and dances. You LOVED it! The look on your face was priceless. You opened other gifts as well as the night progressed and your sister and other family members helped you. You did pretty good actually as long as someone started to open the paper you grabbed it and stuck it in your mouth. You like paper haha.

We stayed the night there and the next day drove back to Surrey where more relatives showed up and cuddled with you. You were so happy to be home though as you do like to be here in your swing and bed. We put your jumperoo away because its so big and we needed the room for your sister's present which was a Wii. You do like to watch the game and find it facinating.

You looked so cute all dressed up in your fancy Christmas clothes Carly and other than being a bit cranky because mommy wasnt paying you a ton of attention like you are used to. Mommy was busy making dinner etc for our guests though and daddy helped by holding you and playing with you.

I would say your favorite presents right now are the Jumperoo and the piano. You are getting really good at jumping in the roo and smile very happily when you make music on the piano. Another new thing you do now is blow raspberries at everyone. Spit seriously gets everywhere, but you love this new game! Too funny.

This is a list of the presents you got:

Mommy and Daddy:
Jumperoo (which we gave you early)
Silver earings
tons of clothes for the summer
Picture frames, globe and other baby first christmas things
A bunch of tiny stuff in your stocking, like socks and rattles
Pig remote control
A cell phone with keys

Grandma and Grandpa:
Ceramic doll
Elmo Live
Set of three books

Angela
Fisher Price rocking roll ball

Uncle Allen, Ashley and Haley gave you a beautiful glass flower which wasnt a Christmas present but a baby gift given late. Its so beautiful Carly!

Auntie Sue and Jack
Large bag of rattles and a bib that says "I love Daddy"

Auntie Avrielle
Large bag of assorted chewie toys

Darlene and Laurie:
Little Tikes Piano (which you really LOVE!)

Auntie Barb, Carlene and Travis
Fuzzy outfit with a matching onsie...all in pink and white

And she rolls!

Its an eventful day for you today Carly. You rolled over when mommy was taking your picture!! Angela and I were sitting on the floor with you and you were on your belly and while mommy was trying to take your picture you flopped over onto your back. So exciting!! Such a big girl you are!

Other than that it was a quiet day, you slept while Angela and I decorated the living room for Santa. When you woke up we showed you around and really loved the paper chain that was along the valance. We tied ribbons on it and hung globes off the wall and you thought that was pretty neat. Daddy isnt here right now as he had to work tonight so when he gets home he will hook up all the lights so you can see that too.

Tomorrow we go to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas dinner and to see all your family and open presents. Mommy will update when she gets home on the 24th as we will be sleeping there that night.

You have also discovered your feet these past few days and like to try and put your toes in your mouth. Its too cold to keep your feet uncovered though, but when you get a chance you like to suck on your big toe. Its pretty funny. You also make puckering kissy faces at everyone and scrunch your face up. You continue to play your game with daddy and love it when sister rocks you in her arms and feeds you a bottle.

You are almost ready for bed now and are getting cranky so mommy has to put you to bed now....night night chicka.

Your brother...

Today (20st) you met your brother Levi for the first time! He took the bus from Ft St John to come home for Christmas this year and arrived by bus in the afternoon. Levi got to spend some time getting to know you and thought you were very cute. He and you enjoyed some time together and Daddy took some pictures of this very special day.

Mommy is going to try and get your Santa pictures done today, (the 21nd) but we had yet another dump of snow lastnight so we will see how the roads are. Mommy wants to dress you up in your Santa clothes and show you off to the crowds. hehe you are just the cutest baby too!!

Its a busy time for all of us right now. The 23rd we go to Grandma and Grandpa's house in Squamish to have Christmas celebrations there with everyone. You will open your first gift there and we are quite excited!! The next day Daddy's family are coming from Vancouver Island and we will do some more celebrating!! Your first Christmas is quite a time of wonderful memories Carly!

You seemed a bit cranky yesterday and slept well lastnight and got up around 8 am this morning and ate well. Hopefully this day finds you happy and well my little cutie!

Its a snow day!

Daddy took you out in the snow today!! There were big flakes coming down and we got probably close to 6 inches of the white stuff. It was definitely a day to stay home for little Carly. Daddy took you for a walk in the driveway and let you have your very first taste of snow. You werent sure about that but didnt complain. Your cheeks were rosy when you came in and you and daddy looked like little mugwums.

Other than going for a short walk in the snow with daddy today it was a pretty quiet one. You have been having shorter naps these past few days and Im not sure if you are out growing the longer naps or stuffed up and having a tough time breathing. Icky cold. I hope it doesnt last too much longer.

You looked so cute in your pink dress with frilly butt diaper coverup today and now you are all snug in your bed for the night. Good night my precious one.

Daddy dances

So its ten pm and little fusspot refuses to sleep. Its way past your bedtime and are enjoying another one of your favourite pastimes. Dancing with daddy. He sings to you and rocks you in his arms and has done this since you were born. You enjoy it so much that you fuss when either the song ends or you dont like daddy's choice. Its a beautiful sight to see your dad and you dance together and its amazing how many songs daddy knows the words to as he sings them in your ear. Normally you are asleep about half way through the second song, but as I sit here and type you are still wide awake and enjoying some daddy time.

You were up bright and early as per normal today and are still a bit stuffed up and hate it when mommy has to de-booger you. You fuss and look at mommy like I am torchuring you or something. You ate a good breakfast and got your diaper changed and all dressed up in purple. You look good in purple and later mommy when shopping and got you a t-shirt and shorts with purple flowers. I know its December and really cold right now, but I couldnt resist. Mommy also bought you a pink coat as your snowsuit is getting small. You are so tall that your toes touch the end!

You have been sucking on your bottom lip for a few weeks now and today you discovered a new thing to do with your mouth. We pucker our lips and make kissing noises at you and you pucker your lips back at us sometimes. Its pretty cute. Another game you started to play with daddy today was when he stands you on his lap you bend over and head butt his belly and try to stand up again and when daddy helps you do that you smile wide and repeat the game over again. You like daddy's belly and daddy had to make you stop as his shirt was all wet from baby drool. We enjoy you so much Carly, you are the sunshine of our lives. Daddy played your music box for you tonight. The one with the song "You are my sunshine"

Well it would seem you are asleep now...It took three songs. You were so overtired you just couldnt settle on your own. Good night my precious.

A quiet day

You had a pretty quiet day today. Shorter than normal naps because your nose is a bit stuffy and you are finding it harder to breathe. Poor baby, this is the second cold you have had already and you are only 4 1/2 months old!

You were still up bright and early this morning (around 8 am) with a gorgeous smile and a soggy diaper haha. After you ate mommy changed and dressed you for the day. Later on we took a walk but it was a very short one as the temperature outside was bitter cold and I didnt want you to catch a chill. I used the front pack thingy which you seemed fine with at first, but soon grew tired of the lack of movement this allows and began to fuss a bit. I took you home and you had a nice nap, but just a short one. You are sucking your thumb more today but I think its because you dont feel that well or possibly because that thumb tastes really good!

You played in your jumperoo for a bit and on the mat on the floor. You had some tummy time which you didnt like much but mommy is trying to get you to roll over. You dont seem to have much interest in that whatsoever! I think its our fault though as we just want to hold and kiss you instead. Later when Daddy came home from work we went for a drive in the van. We got home rather late and you were pretty sleepy. Night my darling girl. Oh, and daddy calls you squakie talkie which is so cute! I have to cut your fingernails soon, you scratched your face today.

kia

A day to remember...

This is a day of many firsts for you my little sweets. It started early when daddy got you up and dressed while mommy got dressed for the day. After you had your breakfast mommy dressed you up in your bunny snowsuit that Grandma bought for you and took you outside where you saw and touched your very first snow! You frowned when daddy took you outside as the world was so bright. Daddy talked to you and told you all about snow and took your little hand out of the snowsuit and put a small bit of snow on your fingers. It was cold and were happy when daddy brushed the snow off. You looked so cute with the bunny ears and pink fuzzy body. Later on that day we took you to the mall so we could do some Christmas shopping and mommy wanted to get your picture done with Santa, but you were wearing blue jean overalls and I didnt want your first picture with Santa while you were looking like a boy. Daddy calls you Carl when you where those overalls and its really cute. We continued shopping and bought you your very first stocking, Christmas decoration for the tree and a picture frame to hold that Santa picture. I cant wait until daddy takes your picture and we get you all dressed up in the little red dress mommy got for you.

After shopping at a few other stores for gifts for your Grandparents we went to the food court for lunch where Daddy couldnt resist...Okay, mommy too, and allowed you a tiny taste of vanilla ice cream! You really loved that and sucked on the ice cream and fussed a bit when we took the ice cream cone away. Its too soon for you to have ice cream, but you did enjoy it.

Later on we got into the van and headed for Dairy Queen for Angela's birthday cake. She is having a few friends over so we waited a few days to buy the cake. I left daddy in the van with you while I went inside and ordered the cake and when I came out the van STUNK!!! I said DADDY did you FART!!??? He said yes and I said that he was torchering our poor daughter by making her smell that. His reply was that he was getting you ready for your future husband. HAHA. I guess it must be a 'guy thing' to fart...but geez!!!

Anyway, we went home after getting the cake and you ate and zonked out while Angela had her friends over for cake and games. You got up after an hour or so and visited a bit with them before they all had to go and we had to have dinner and take Angela to her swimming. Tonight is the last night for swimming for Christmas break and Angela is dreading it as she is afraid it will be extra hard. You love to watch your sister swim and kick your feet while sitting on my lap. Mommy took you for a bit of a walk while sister swam because you were tired and fell asleep. When we got home you visited with Daddy and mommy went for a bath. After awhile Daddy put you in the tub with mommy which is one of your favourite pastimes. You kick your feet so hard and I think you are a born swimmer Carly! You soon grew tired of all this and daddy took you out and Angela dressed you in your jammies and sleep sac. Mommy fed you and very soon after you were out for the night. Good night my sweet cheeks.....

In the Beginning

This blog is started on December 12th which is late because mommy didnt think of doing such a thing until then. So we have to backtrack 4mths!


Every year your dad and I go to the place we met and have lunch at Hons and after go up to the rooftop where I had parked the car and chat, take pictures and plan for our future. It was on this day that we decided to try and have a baby. The next chapter in our lives had began.

There were some rules that we had agreed on as at our advanced maternal age we werent even sure it would work, but we were determined to try! We began as quickly as possible and soon found out I was pregnant and due to sad circumstances I had a miscarriage. We didnt give up though and a year later found I was pregnant again. Once again, I lost this baby and our hope was beginning to dwindle. The rule was that we would only try three times and if it didnt work then having a baby wasnt in the cards for us. The very next month after losing the last baby I found I was pregnant again. Oh the fear that was in my heart was incredible because I knew this was the last time for us. But you are our three times a charm baby! Daddy took a picture of the pregnancy test too!

I went to the Dr. and right away had an ultrasound done and lo and behold there was the most beautiful sight I had ever saw. Your heartbeat!! It was so strong and you were wiggling around and it looked like you were waving to us...reasuring us that all was well and soon we would meet. We were so happy Carly, you have no idea! We were literaly jumping for joy that day and phoned everyone to tell them that all was fine and it looked like you were on your way!

The months seemed to fly by and I had another ultrasound at 18 wks and was able to see you sucking your thumb and Angela was able to come with us this time to see you. The shine in your dad's eye was a look I will never forget. The tech said that it looked like you were going to be a girl and dad was shocked as he thought for sure you were going to be a boy. I knew though, in my heart you were a girl. I made daddy drive right over to the store to buy your going home outfit which we never did end up using as I had found another dress I had liked better.

Fast forward to your due date which was July 21st. It was hot, mommy was grumpy and hormonal and HUGE!!! We had your name picked out, your room all ready and all the little things you would need all folded and put away. All we needed was a baby!! No such luck though as you liked it inside mommy too much.

Your name was quick coming as mommy heard the name Carlene one day and asked daddy what he thought. He didnt like it very much, so I said what about Carly? He really liked that so Carly it was to be! For your middle name we choose Ann which is daddy's mom's middle name. We were saddened that you would never meet her but we firmly believe that she is watching over you.

I am ten days overdue and feeling really large when we went to the hospital once again for some medicine to try and get you going naturally. No going though as mommy wasnt going into labor at all. It was decided then that a C-section would be a good idea as you were getting to big to be inside any longer. The next morning surgery was planned for 6 am. Believe it or not mommy was wheeled down to surgery, prepped etc and you were born just a short 23 minutes later! You were here weighing a whopping 8lbs 4oz. You had some difficulties at first because you had inhaled miconium and put on oxygen. Daddy was so scared but he held it in very well because I had no idea there was some problems with you. You were rushed to the NICU and put on oxygen and a feeding tube was inserted and a special bed was made ready for my precious bundle. Daddy took your first picture and video when you were only 3 hours old. Mommy was wheeled back to our room shortly thereafter but it wasnt until later on that morning that I was allowed to see you. I was determined though and walked to the NICU to visit and daddy took some pictures. Angela got to hold you and watch you have your very first bath which she reported back that you hated.

You stayed in the NICU for a few days and it was like Christmas morning when they wheeled you into our room and you got to stay there out of the NICU!! We were so happy to be able to hold you without any wires or tubes. We were all fighting over who was going to hold Carly!! It was pretty cute watching you get passed from person to person. You are such a good baby too! The next morning the Dr comes in and checks you over and gives you a clean bill of health and its time to take you home! You got your hearing checked which was perfect and a few other tests before you were released. Mommy phoned daddy right away and he came to get us. It was so hot that day and mommy was tired but so very happy to be going home. You just kinda took it all in as mellow as you are. Emotions from the entire family were high that day from being exctremely happy to exhausted and weepy.

We got you home shortly and mommy has never seen daddy drive so slow before! He was worried someone would hit the van or something and wanted to get you home safely. The first thing we did when we got home was show you your new room and take some pictures of you in your new bed. You looked so tiny in that crib! We took some pictures of you in the crib and later in your new swing which you loved! It rocked back and forth and had music that lulled you to sleep and we could just sit there and watch you. All of our eyes rarely left your beautiful face.

We settled in at home for a few days to get you used to your bed and nursing habits and met mommy's dog Joey who was very sick. He licked your foot a few times as a hello to you and you scrinched up your face as it tickled. You were only two weeks old when Joey died and it was a very sad day for us all. It was like Joey was waiting to meet you before he left us.

It was time to go and visit family after those few days and went to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Squamish. Your Auntie and Uncle and cousins were on holiday so were unable to see you until a few days later when we returned from the Island and family there. Grandma and Grandpa were so happy to finally meet their caboose grandbaby!! Cuddles all around were in order that day. We stayed the night there and you slept in your pram then in the morning it was time to go see daddy's family in Port Alberni. We took you across the ferry and you slept most of the time and daddy held you close while we traveled across the water. We drove up to Port Alberni where you met your Auntie's and Uncles and some cousins. You were cuddled a lot and passed around from person to person. It was so sweet and we got a lot of pictures.

After a few days we were so tired from all the visiting it was time to come home where we spent the next few days recovering from our long trip. We took you out in the pram for a few walks which you enjoyed. It was hot though and the air conditioner in the house was nice.

You are now about 6wks old and are sleeping very well through the night. Eating very well on mommy's breast and sleeping quite a bit still. You are growing quickly and soon the newborn clothing is getting to small.

Your two month shots are taken, there were four of them and you cried so hard it just broke mommy's heart!