Short Week

Back into another week we go. Lucikly for me its a short week. Andy had yesterday off (with pay! Yes!!) so we did some shopping and had a nice day together! Man, after spending 4 days together its been hard having him back at work today!

Eli & I ventured out to do some Christmas shopping this morning and I was surprised how much I was able to get done. Usually Im in and out of a store within minutes because Eli doesnt have the patience to hang out in his stroller, but today as long as I kept him distracted he was good. I'd really like to set up our Christmas tree soon, I know its only mid november but I feel like its time! We'll have to see how to go about setting up our tree, and putting presents underneath with the little guy around. Im sure its going to be a new fun looking toy that Eli would love to get his hands on. So, I may have to reconsider putting it up so early.

One of the things Eli and I have been doing lately is going to the new library in Sherwood Park. Its so nice! Eli loves running around, playing with the train set and walking in and out of the miniature house! He is definitly in his element there, even though he has no interest in the books. Boy, if only I could get him to sit for long enough to finish through one book.

For those of you that are American and reading my blog I have to tell you, Im counting down the days till next week. You know what Im talking about right? American Thanksgiving!! My baby sister is coming home to visit. In reality she is not a baby in any way shape or form, she is a beautiful young woman who is growing up like crazy! Because its American thanksgiving she gets a few days off and is going to come. As a family we've decided to do Christmas next weekend all together. My older sister will be in Prince George with her inlaws for Christmas, and Katherine will be in Brazil so its going to be Andy, Eli and I with my parents. I cant wait to see my sister. She's half way through her DTS (discipleship training school) and this is a perfect break to see her. I cant wait for Eli to see her. Even though he hasnt seen her in months Im sure he will recognizer her right away! He was talking to her on the phone on Sunday night. He kept saying "Hi!" and then he'd show her all the words he can say, which let me tell you his vocabulary is growing by the day! Its insane!

Tonight Im off to the gym, its been close to a month since Ive been... and I dont want to go but I know once I do itll feel so good, and I need to take some time for myself!

For those of you in Sherwood Park/Edmonton I hope your enjoying the cold, and the snow thats about to come this week! I guess we had it pretty good up until this point!

Canmore Weekend Away - Just the 2 of us.

We're home from Canmore.

What a wonderful weekend we had! Nothing like relaxing and just being together for the whole weekend.  We arrived in Canmore around 5:00ish on Friday evening. Our drive was quite uneventful, and quiet. For supper we went to an Italian restaurant in Canmore. Not bad, but I probably wouldnt go back. After that we got ready to head to the hot springs. It was nice just to relax and be together. We didnt stay too long before we decided to head back to the hotel and watch some tv. Our hotel had sleep number beds which to be honest I wouldnt invest in. Not the most comfortable bed Ive ever slept in.

Saturday morning we got up for breakfast and headed out to the gondola. Because we had voucher through our package, the hotel was supposed to give us our tickets but they didnt have any. One of the guys at the front desk called and got it sorted out but once we got to the gondola there was still a bit of an issue. I didnt think it was that big of a deal but when we arrived back to our room that afternoon there was a card to apologize for the inconvenience and 2 drink tickets for us!

The gondola was nice. We hung out for a few hours and did a bit of a hike. After we got back down the mountain we did some shopping on main st Banff, and then headed back to Canmore for some lunch and then a nap before our dinner reservation in Banff. I took a nice hot bath and was able to relax in the quiet. I loved it!

Our dinner was really nice, and very enjoyable. After we finished eating we went back to the hotel and sat in the lounge where there were 2 couches for us to sit on and have our drinks and an appetizer. We sat by the fireplace, and watched UFC. Not exactly my idea of romantic, but it was so nice to be able to just sit and hang out.

Sunday morning we got up for breakfast, did a bit of shopping and then headed out of town. We made it home in just under 4 hours.

Eli did so good with his Grandmas. He slept 12 hours straight for both of them, and was only a tiny bif confused when they traded off on Saturday night. He was a tad but confused when we arrived home and wasn't too sure what to think of us, but warmed up quickly. He kept saying "Mommy." My mother in law was telling me all of the things they had him eating, things which we've given him before which he would just spit out. Stir fry, chicken, all sorts of stuff. And tonight he showed us how good he has been eating. Lots of chicken, rice, veggies, its great!

Another thing he has also been doing over the weekend is talking alot more! He wants to copy everything you say. If he wants something and you say "Say Please, Eli" he says "beeze" he was saying light earlier, he tried to say zipper... its just crazy what a chatter bug he is, and how much he understands! I feel like he's grown up alot just over a few days of not seeing him!

Our weekend was awesome, but Im glad to be home. Andy has tomorrow off so it'll be a nice day to relax at home and get back into our schedule. We were so blessed to be able to get away and have this time together. The time away was great!!

Baby Lotion

Have I mentioned I love this little boy?

Eli has this thing where he loves to put lotion on. It all started with my girlfriends daughter Ivy who put lotion on, and she Ivy's mom offered Eli some. He put it on his hands and rubbed them together! Well anytime he sees me or andy put lotion on, he must be a part of it too. He likes to rub his hands together and any left over lotion he then rubs on his head. Dont ask me where he got that one from!! Possibly his grandpa? Well yesterday I put some baby lotion on my hands and Eli wanted some, so he rubbed his hands together and put the left over lotion in his hair. With the left over lotion in his hair I was able to spike it. Doesn't he just look like such a little boy? Obviously, he didnt get this style by doing it all himself, but between us playing and me chasing him around the house, he ended up with this hair style! Boy, do I love him!

Half way through the week

Only 1 day till we leave for Canmore! Im counting down the days and cannot wait! Andy and I could really use a few days just to ourselves. Ive made a few reservations for some restaurants, and we're just going to go and relax!

The last few days (for the most part!!) Ive really been enjoying my time with Eli. At the beginning of the week I went out to pick some groceries up for supper and left Eli at home with Andy. When I got home and walked through the door they were sitting at the kitchen table, "Boys?!" I said. Eli screamed (before seeing me!) "Maawmy!!" He's never done that before! Both Andy and I were just shocked! He's starting to talk more and more. Last night we went through all the words he can say while he was in the bath. Id say the word and he'd repeat. Are you ready? Mommy, Daddy, Grandpa (which sounds like papa) Hi, Bye (He said bye yesterday for the first time to his talking chair toy), Hello, Nana, Puppy, Fishies (as in the snack fishies), Cheese, Juice, Yes, Yup, and Im sure there are a few more in there.

Its just really neat to see how he's responding more and more. Saying yes, nodding yes, shaking his head, trying to make us laugh. I love this stage, apart from the temper tantrums that also come with the age. Yesterday he was officially 17 months old, and I cannot believe how fast it goes. Its true what people say!

This morning I got together with some great friends. Between the 5 of us there were 8 kids. Eli's getting to the age where for the most part he can play on his own. He's loving trucks these days and loves pushing them around the house and making his truck noises. It makes visiting and chatting alot easier than before. Ive realized how important it is for me to keep up with these relationships. Just sitting and visiting with other moms make me feel so great, and helps me to understand that Im not the only one dealing with a kid who at times just gets under my skin!

Thanks ladies for such an awesome morning! I love and cherish your friendship more than you guys know!

Tomorrow afternoon Im off to a Truffle making workshop with another girlfriend. Im really looking forward to getting out for an afternoon without the little guy and again just having some adult conversation. Nothing like adult conversation. Then Friday, my babe and I are off for a romantic weekend in Canmore/Banff!!

Been a few days

I was laying in bed last night I realized that I hadnt blogged since Thursday!

Our weekend was good. Andy worked a half day on Friday and Saturday which was nice (and he even got some overtime pay too!!) Saturday afternoon I ventured out to do some shopping for myself, all by myself! A tube of bright red lipstick went through the washer and dryer, I was completely frustrated and had to toss alot of clothes, BUT on top of that I washed the dryer out with some bleach, and I guess didnt clean the bleach off well enough. The load of my clothes that didnt have lipstick on it then got bleach stains on it! So frustrating! So off I went.

Andy and I had the priveledge to go out with our friends for supper which was awesome! Andy hasnt spent too much time with this couple getting to know them, but Ive spent quite a bit of time at their place so it was a good opportunity to catch up! We clicked so well! Its so nice to have another couple that we can hang out with and just chat about everything!! Good food, and good company!

Sunday morning we got up to go to church, and Eli was tired, moody and teething! We were in the nursery helping out and of course Eli was plain miserable (probably because we were in the nursery with him!!) We came home from church and down he went for a nap, and so did I.

This next weekend I've planned a "surprise" weekend for Andy. Although he found out (not on my part though, surprise, surprise!!) We're off to Canmore for the weekend, and will be venturing into Banff to check out the Gondola and hot springs... without the little guy!!! Im very excited, and am praying that Eli will be good for my mom. Hopefully it wont be a teething weekend, but I know she'll survive! We're very excited, and cant wait to get out and relax with just each other!!

Congratulations, Andy!

4 years ago Andy started his apprenticeship as a plumber. It wasn't easy and he didnt always enjoy it. He went to school twice this year, and he finished his exams 2 weeks ago. Well, we've been anxiously awaiting the letter in the mail with the news of his exams. I got it this afternoon and quickly opened it. He told me to open it so I could give him the news instead of a letter.

HE PASSED! He is offically a journeyman plumber, and is done school! I am so proud of him! He has worked so hard, and he is done!!

Congratulations Andy! It took alot of work and even when you wanted to quit, you didnt!! Im so proud of you! I love you, you sexy journeyman!

Who am I

While my sister and brother in law were staying with us, Andy and I had the opportunity to go out for coffee one evening. To be honest we both didnt particularly feel like getting out and we werent in the best of moods but we thought since we have the chance we might as well take it. Im glad we did. Its been since last January (New Years Eve!) since we went out for coffee and just sat like that.

We talked about our relationship mostly, some issues we've been having and a few other topics. One of the things we discussed was our time outside of our relationship. Things that Id like to do for me and things Andy would like to do for him. Im going to talk about me, because its easier and I dont think its my place to share Andy's "stuff".

At one of my moms groups 2 weeks ago we had a life coach come in and speak. I think I mentioned her. One of the activities we did was if we had more time what would we do. We got into groups and wrote down everything we would do if we had more time for ourselves. From taking a walk or bath to a dance class, or just simply reading or scrap booking everything was on the list. It really made me think. When she first said the question I had a hard time with it. I had no clue. How sad is that. Sometimes I feel like I get so wrapped up in being a mom and a wife that I dont take time for myself. Not because of anyone else's actions but because of myself stopping myself.

Before the summer started one of the things I had looked into doing was taking an abstract art class. Dont get me wrong here, I in no way think that Im artistic. Im fairly impatient and dont like to take time to do anything like sewing or scrapbooking or drawing. Both of my sisters are awesome artists but I feel like I didnt get that gene. Abstract art is easy for me because its really of nothing. Its always caught my attention, and I finally picked up some canvases and did a few. I did a small conference at my parents church and one of them was on art. It was basically about being wrapped up in the spirit and having God take you on a journey through your art. It was very neat and extremely eye openning. That night after I came home and put Eli down I pulled out a canvas and turned some worship music on and went to it. When I was finished to be honest I didnt like what I saw on the canvas. It didnt look like art to me but ohwell. I put it up in my bathroom and stood back to look at it. So here's the thing, when I painted the picture I did it horizontally and when I put it up on the wall I hung it vertically, without really thinking. When I stood back to look at the picture I noticed something... in the right hand corner "Eli" was written in hand writing. When I was finished my painting, I took the excess paint on my brush and just dropped paint drops and squiggles on it... but when I hung it, it showed me more than just paint drops and squiggles.

So back to the art class. I decided not to sign up for it, being that it was quite expensive and I felt completely out of my element so I didnt go for it. When the life coach started talking about these things I felt extremely sad that I didnt take it. The only excuse I had was me. Andy had said "Go for it!" and I said "No, I dont think so." But while we were out for coffee I brought it up... over my crying fest to be honest.

 I was crying because I feel like somewhere in between being a mom and wife I've lost myself. I lost Karla. Who am I? I used to love to dance, and sing and read. I used to journal all the time, write letters or make cards to encourage friends. The list goes on, but why did I stop? I feel like I need to find myself apart from being a wife and mom.

So needless to say, I came home that night and decided I needed to take the art class. I signed up for the class, despite the price tag, despite my fears and despite the fact that I should be at home helping Andy get Eli into bed. I signed up so that I can find Karla, and learn more about me. Im excited, and completely scared, but this is a good place to start.

Picture

Eli writtenin the corner

Mmmm, hot chocolate powder.

Chocolate Face

Playing in the first snowfall

Halloween Night - Little Monkey

Chiropractor

In the past couple of weeks Ive had 2 or 3 people suggest to me that we try taking Eli to the chiropractor. Ive heard of this before, but any time I talked to Andy he was against it. Well when I suggested it to him last week once more he said "Sure, thats a good idea." Okay, so I called and made an appointment.

This morning we went in to the chiropractor that my parents see, and I saw growing up. He was awesome with Eli. We were there for probably 45 minutes, and he took his time with us. We started the appointment by just talking about my labor & delivery, nursing issues, ear infections, chest congestion, and more. Then after that he just talked to Eli to see if he'd let him get close, he asked "Will you let me get close?" Eli said "Yesh." and nodded. Pretty cute.

So the verdict was that he had his neck out of place which could be a result of the ear infections and colds. He also has a bit of an issue with his hip. All in all I was very happy with what he said. He was so helpful and a wealth of information!!

We're definitly going back this week to see him once more. Keep you posted!!