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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Best Christmas Gift Ever!!!

Brianna has slept, in her crib, since Christmas, without a peep from 9pm to 9am!!!!! I can't believe it. I was starting to think that sleep at night was never going to happen, she was waking almost every hour the last couple weeks.

I hope I'm not jinxing it by posting this, but I'm much too happy not to. She's also decided that she's perfectly happy taking a single 2 hour afternoon nap around 1pm instead of 2 shorter ones. Works for me, she seems so much happier and so am I.

And the best part of all this? We didn't have to do anything, she just changed her sleep pattern all on her own. I mean, she doesn't even wake once in the middle of the night. Best Christmas gift ever :) Let's just hope it stays this way -fingers crossed.

Friday, December 24, 2010

And The Winner Is....



Congratulations Jenny!! And thanks to all who entered :)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

My 1st Review & Giveaway

If there is something I always remember to do before leaving the house, it's make sure Brianna has a beautiful accessory in her hair -and this has been the case since the day she arrived. I have tremendous love for Michellene over at Princess Couture Designs.

All her hair accessories are gorgeous, original and extremely well priced. She has a great eye for design and can create anything you think up. She also makes sure to add no slip grip to all her clips, so even those little ones with barely there hair can enjoy her beauties.

I have been working with Michellene for almost a year now. I started buying from her before Brianna had even arrived. Every single hair accessory Brianna owns -with the exception of gifts from others- has come from Princess Couture Designs. I love, love, LOVE her stuff! Not only can she create beautiful bows, clips and headbands, she can also make custom bracelets and pacifier clips. If I could buy everything in her shop I would -I just don't think Clint would be very happy with me;)

If you or someone you know is expecting a little princess, make sure to take a peak, I know you'll be impressed. I have only great things to say about Michellene, she makes sure each and every customer receives the royal treatment!

So just in time for New Years, Michellene has decided to give one of my lucky readers a free clip set. Read below on how to enter!





To enter this giveaway:

Go visit Princess Couture Designs and tell me which clip set you would choose if you won (mandatory).

Extra entries:

1) Like Princess Couture Designs on Facebook

2) Follow my blog and tell me you are

3) Follow Princess Couture Designs and tell me you are

4) Make a purchase at Princess Couture Designs (5 extra entries)

Good luck, everyone!

Winner will be announced Friday December 24th, so be sure to check back then!

This review is my honest and true opinion of the product. I have purchased from Michellene many times, I was not given any items for free in exchange for the review.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Highchair Edition

Rawr!!!!!

Wearing daddy's hat.

Chewing on her keys.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

8 Months!!!

How did my little baby get to be 2/3 of a year old??? The last 8 months have honestly flown right by. I can't think to another time in my life where the time has gone by just as fast. I really wish time could stand still some days!

Here are your accomplishments thus far.
  • an expert at crawling
  • pulls up on anyything and everything, shimmies along furniture and is now trying to stand sans support
  • claps her hands together when excited
  • instead of improving, sleep has gotten worse!
  • prefers jarred food over homemade ...sigh
  • refuses to take a bottle or sippy cup
  • has officially transitioned to big girl baths, no more baby tub
  • hair is growing in like crazy, and coming in blonde!
  • no longer my toothless wonder, 2 bottom teeth have popped through (both within a couple days of each other)
  • preferred way to communicate is growling
  • this close to saying uh-oh! and still refuses to say mama :(
I could not be a prouder mommy. We have her pedi appointment this afternoon, so I'll know her weight and height then.

Stats are:
29.5" long, 17 3/4" head circumference, 19lbs 7oz (Length = above percentile 95, Weight = between percentile 50 and 75, Head Circumference = between percentile 75 and 90)

Here are the necessary monthly photos.








Sunday, December 12, 2010

Meeting Santa


This is just a picture of the picture -taken on my cell phone. I love the way they had it all set up, it's so different from other ones I have seen. I love that she was so comfortable while they took the picture, except Santa is looking off to the side so his eyes are a tad creepy.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Christmas Shopping For A Baby

I always thought that shopping for Brianna would be a breeze. We would get her lots and lots of toys and things she needs, and then she could enjoy ripping off the wrapping (with our help) on Christmas morning. Well, it doesn't appear that shopping for her this year is turning out to be all that easy.

First off, my parents are both first time grandparents. They have both expressed their desire to purchase each and every age appropriate toy out there for her, which leaves us with very few options ourselves.

Secondly, this is the first grand daughter in Clint's family (his brother has 3 boys, and Clint is one of 3 boys), so grandma and grandpa want to buy her lots of pink and purple goodies.

Thirdly, did I mention they all live on the other side of the country. They haven't been around to see her on a regular basis so when they shop, the sort of over do it. I just hope that they get it all out of their system now, I really don't want her to expect this sort of treatment when she is older and think that she can get whatever she wants from her grandparents.

We really hope to get her items that she can use both now and into the future. I would hate to buy things that will only keep her attention for a month or so. So if you have any ideas or tips, please feel free to share them with me. I could really use some help! Thanks.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

And Voila!


This is what we chose for our Christmas card from Shutterfly. I am so happy with it, I cannot wait until they arrive!!!

Thank you, Shutterfly.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Preview

Here's a sneak peak of the pictures that were taken during our Christmas card photo shoot last weekend. I love all the ones of Brianna, the photographer did an amazing job! I'm not a big fan of the ones where it is all 3 of us, I seem to have some pretty big bags under my eyes, good thing she offers airbrushing/retouching of the prints when you order.

I've already ordered about 15 prints to include in gifts for Christmas for our family. I am so excited to get them. The one of all of us that I posted will be used done up in canvas and put over our fireplace in our living room. I hope to do the same with the one where she is holding the rattle in black and white for in her room.

Enjoy!








Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Christmas Cards and Shutterfly

So I heard through the grapevine that the awesome people over at Shutterfly were giving away 50 holiday cards for blogging about them- how could I resist? I have personally never used their site, but my MIL is obsessed with them. She has a ton on albums of all her grandchildren that she shares with family and friends and orders prints from them, too. She has some pretty high standards when it comes to her pictures, so if she says she trusts Shutterfly with her photos, I believe her.

With the Christmas season fast approaching, being a new mother means sending out holiday cards to all our family. Who would say no to a cute card with an adorable baby on the front?? Not me! So while browsing their site to find one I would like, I came across a bunch of contenders. Here they are...




And my personal favourite


I suggest that all of you holiday card senders head over to Shutterfly and take a look at their cards. They also do online photo storing, printing, and other things like calendars and gifts- they are awesome!!!!

Shutterfly website

And here are a few of my favourite links on their site!

Photo Christmas Cards - http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards
Holiday Invitations - http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations
New Year's Cards - http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/new-years-cards

Wordless Wednesday - Video Edition



Look who can pull herself up onto furniture now!!

*Please ignore my screeching :P

Sunday, November 21, 2010

My 1st Award!!

The wonderful Sammie over at The Lamay Bakery awarded me with my first award.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Thanks so much girl!

To accept this award, there are a few rules that must be followed:

1) Thank the person that gave you the award:

Thanks for reading and enjoying my blog, Sammie! I'm so happy that you enjoy reading my blog!

2) Share 7 things about yourself:

-I am so scared of spiders, that even the mention on one gives me the total creeps!
- When I was younger, I was known as a hypochondriac, I was sure I had any and every illness known to man. Thankfully, I grew out of that, eventually :P
-As hard as pregnancy was for me with Brianna, I really hope that I get to experience it all again someday
-My wedding band and engagement ring don't match, like at all. I hate my set so much that we have been shopping for a new matching set for over a year. I'm so picky that I haven't found anything I am in love with yet.
-I love to drive. I know some people hate being in a car, but for me, it calms me. I used to live out in the country and have to drive over 90 minutes to work every day, I loved it. Hated paying for gas, but enjoyed that time in the car alone with my music and coffee.
-Love, love, love watching trash TV. I'm like a teenager in that respect.
-I need to start a diet and work out like last week. Enough of carrying this extra weight. I feel gross all the time.

3) Pass on to some bloggers you think are fantastic!!

Exploits of a Military Mama
Very Vera
History of the Harveys
Live, laugh, love and more
Our Silly Rodriguez Family
The Adventures of Two Under Two
The Little Things
The Power of The Pink Lines
The Thomas and Ben Chronicles
As The Foreste Grows

4) Contact the bloggers and let them know about award

Congrats, everyone!!

The Festival Of Trees

Each year, our town puts on something called the Festival of Trees as a fundraiser for our hospital. Each year we go to see the beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and to shop a little at the gift shop. This year, we bid on a really nice wreath that we were eventually outbid on, so sad, but I think I will get over it. It was great that this year we had Brianna to enjoy it with. She was asleep for most of the time we were there but woke up for the last 15 minutes or so, so we were able to get some pictures of her.

This Wednesday, they do the tree light up at the civic centre. Santa will be there and we will get her picture taken with him for the first time ever. I am so excited for her to be placed on his lap and to see what kind of reaction she has. I already have a bet going with Clint that she will be in tears when they take the picture. Either way, I will be happy to be able to get her up there with Santa.

This week should be pretty busy for us, but I will try to blog a little more now that our routine is coming back a little. I'll leave you with some pictures from the Festival of Trees.





*On a side note, I'm pretty sure I will be burning this shirt now that I have seen these pictures. Not flattering AT ALL!!!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

My Mom Left

She was here for just over a week, and now she has gone back home. It went by so quickly, I couldn't believe it was time for her to leave already!

It was so wonderful having her here. Not only did I get to have my mom and my daughter spend some much needed time together getting to know each other, I got to have someone cook me all my favorite meals and let me take naps when I needed them :) It was glorious!

She taught me how to cook a bunch of my favorites, she fed and put the baby to sleep each and every night, was constantly cleaning (not that my house is a mess, she is just a compulsive cleaner and nothing is ever clean enough according to her), and always thinking of ways to spoil her girls. She must have spent a fortune on Brianna, but it was worth it to her, she loved being around her petite cocotte and watching her smile. I really wish we lived closer to family, it sucks being a 6 hour flight away from everyone.

And on top of all this, Clint finally started his new job, so he was hardly home the entire visit. I'm glad he's back at work, things were starting to get tight, and now that he's back at work, I am finally able to breathe a little.

Here are a couple pictures of Brianna and her grand maman!



Sunday, November 14, 2010

Things That I Am Loving Right Now

Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes - this always gets me into the cold weather spirit

Big and chunky knit sweaters for both me and Brianna

Spending time with my mom cooking and eating - Will regret this when I can no longer button my pants!

Community craft fairs with amazing Christmas tree ornaments, baked goods and homemade candles

Sleeping with a great big comforter and the fire place going - Crackling puts me right to sleep

Watching movies that make me laugh so hard my cheeks and sides hurt

Taking long afternoon walks with friends while Brianna is all bundled up in her stroller, sipping on a Pumpkin Spice Latte - yum!

Taking down the warm weather decorations and putting up a nice big Christmas wreath on the front door

These are just a few of the things I am currently enjoying! What are some things you are enjoying right now?

Saturday, November 13, 2010

7 Months!

How is it possible that my little Bri is already 7 months old?? Whenever I think back on the last 7 months, I feel as if they have both dragged and flown by at the same time. It is sad to think that she is closer to being a toddler than a newborn :( And lets not forget about party planning her first birthday. I am no where near where I want to be in the preparations! I know I have lots and lots of time, but honestly, it will be here before you know it, and I want to have everything ready and decided before the time comes in case I do end up going back to work (but that will be a post all in its own!)

So without further ado, here are her stats for this month.

  • is a crawling monster, still preferring to do the army crawl, but getting better and better at regular crawling each and every day
  • can pull herself up on almost anything from lying/sitting position! Craziness!! This one scares me
  • can say baba, dada, wawa, yaya sounds
  • has developed quite the personality already. If she doesn't like what is going on, or if she is happy about something, she lets you know
  • will sleep anywhere from 7:30-9:30 at night to 8-10am depending on how well she naps during the day
  • will only take 2 naps a day, sometimes only 1 if she is in a particularly unhappy mood, and will only sleep for about 30 minutes most of the time
  • loves to fake cough and have you fake cough back at her, this to her is HILARIOUS!
  • has moved out of her hammock baby bath and now takes baths in the tub like a big girl
  • wears only 6-9 or 6-12 month clothing, with pants needing to be 12 months as her legs are so long
  • is still not a fan of solids at all! It's a struggle but we are working on it. Breast feeding on the other hand is still going marvelously
  • and last but not least, she is still a toothless babe!
I still need to take some pictures, but with my mom here, we have been doing other things and haven't been home much. This afternoon we have our first family photo session with an actual photographer, so excited! I will post her 7 month pictures when I take them, which will most likely be sometime tomorrow :)

*And here are her 7 month pictures!







Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


My baby now takes her baths in the tub like a big girl.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

My Mom Is Coming To Visit!

My mom has never been out here to visit us since we moved out West almost 3 years ago. She has never met Brianna, other than me sending her pictures and videos, and talking on the phone. I am so excited that she will be here in less that 24 hours! We pick her up at the airport tonight at 11:30, so so so excited!

I have some posts that I wrote up ahead of time so all I have to do is add some pictures and then they will be ready to go for while she is here. I want to spend as much time with her as possible :) We have so many activities planned for while she is here, it's going to be great!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

I believe...

in a great book, a big glass of wine, and a nice hot bubble bath. The moments where you can relax and enjoy some alone time are amazing!

in friends calling just to see how you are doing.

in baby smiles and giggles.

in a stranger telling you how nice you look when you feel like you have never looked worse.

in taking long walks followed by a long nap cuddling with your baby.




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


Love her more than words can express.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Halloween



We went with a monkey costume for our own little monkey. I wanted so badly to dress her up as a little bumblebee, but the reality of it was that with where we live, the weather would have been too cold for that. We think she made an absolutely adorable monkey! And best of all, she was warm then entire night handing out candy to all the trick or treaters. Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Beautiful Fall Day

We took some pictures of Brianna with the pumpkins we had bought to carve up for Halloween since there are no pumpkin patches anywhere near us. She refused to look at the camera for more than a second, but at least the weather was beautiful.