Starting back

I'm jumping back into the world of blogging. I miss it too much. BUT... I am changing sites. I think I need to. I need a new start.

I would like to know who is joining me though. I know it sounds weird, but this blog was given out so much when Aubrie was a baby, that I've lost track of the readership. I know that family, friends, work collegues etc may still be reading (most have lost interest due to my lack of posting though). I also know I have lots of blog-land friends who understand the "therapy" of blogging. PLEASE come join me, even if it's an initial hassle to find me...

Send me a quick email at cari001@gmail.com. I'll send you to the site from there :)

Greetings!

From my girl who is growing up WAY too quickly...




Sometimes, they really make you wonder what they're thinking, don't they?

To blog, or not to blog...

I've been debating for a long time whether to post another blog entry. Why? Because if I do, it tells people I'm coming back. And, well... I can't really guarantee that. I will try... but I have a lot of things on my plate right now. We'll see how it goes.

I spent much of December preparing for the inevitable - my return to work. Christmas was great (I hope to post some pictures soon), though Aubrie had a nasty cold over Christmas. Unfortunately, Christmas was also a sad time as both of Chris' grandparents were in the hospital. His grandmother is recovering quite well from her stroke, but his grandfather passed away shortly after Christmas.

I went back to work at the beginning of the month. Aubrie doesn't seem to mind when I'm gone, but is acting differently when I'm around. That is something I didn't really expect. It's challenging when all I want to do is spend some nice time with her, but she's acting up due to me being gone. Pair that with the frustrations and stresses of work, and it's just not all it's cracked up to be! But, perhaps I'll leave that for another day...

She's doing very well. She had her one year check up and vaccinations. She's 19lbs 6oz and 29.75 inches long. She's not walking yet, but loves to cruise around furniture and walk while holding hands. She's very tentative about standing on her own. She loves to throw things now, especially when they make a loud noise when they land (ceramic tile works best for this). She also loves to share her toys. I'm sure that won't last long! She's loving books a lot more these days - not just for chewing. Many nights I have had to put her to bed with the book of the evening. She eats pretty much everything, though not every day is the same. She hates left-over anything. She drinks milk now, only in a sippie cup during the day, but gets the one bottle at night. She LOVES that bottle!!!!

I hope to be around more often. I can't promise anything... but I'll try. Here's a picture of Aubrie on her birthday in her new Canucks jersey and in her wagon (which she LOVES!)...

So quickly

Everyone keeps telling us how much Aubrie has aged in the past few weeks. It's true... it's like she's aged 2 months in a matter of weeks. I think it's just something that clicked in her brain. All of a sudden she's in to totally different things, investigating objects differently, trying so many new things. It's like she understands things perfectly now. She will try to work her toys the way they are supposed to work (instead of just licking them), she tries to carry on conversations, she "calls" me whenever I leave the room (by "call", I mean AAAH AAH AAH AAAH at the top of her lungs). We have a little person on our hands now.

I'm sad to see the baby go... but so excited for what the next few months brings.

Ooh, and if you're wondering why I don't post many pics any more... this is why...

Christmas is coming

So... I finally got the tree decorated. It's been up since Saturday, but took this long to get finished. Presents are almost all bought. It's time to get into the Christmas spirit.

So, thanks to Emma for this great Christmas meme!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate..... Totally hot chocolate. I REALLY do not understand the whole egg nog thing. Ummm, ewe....
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He sets them all up by the fireplace.
3. Coloured lights on tree/house or white.... WHITE!!!! And, if it's colored, it better follow a theme... none of this "random" stuff.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope
5. When do you put your decorations out? After my birthday Nov 21. Sometimes it takes awhile though. Lights aren't up yet... too much snow - aack!
6. What is your favourite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Perogies!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: It's sad... but I don't really have one. I really enjoyed Christmas' that we went to Saskatchewan and stayed with my Baba and Gido. I always enjoyed all the games my Baba played with me.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I totally don't remember. Maybe I just always knew.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Uhm... a gift??? Try all the gifts!!!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Silver, white and purple, all matchy matchy.
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread it!!!
12. Can you ice skate? Have you ever fallen on the ice? Yes, I can ice skate... though I haven't done it in AGES. Have I fallen? Probably... don't remember though, so it couldn't have been bad.
13. Do you remember your favourite gift? Uhmmm, no.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Faith and family.
15. What is your favourite Holiday Dessert? Shortbread
16. What is your favourite holiday tradition? All the Ukranian cooking
17. What tops your tree? An angel, given to me by my Baba
18. Which do you prefer... giving or Receiving? Giving, though receiving is a tight second!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Angels We Have Heard on High. I have no idea why.
20. Candy Canes? Mmmmm, candy canes....

Preparing

I've been putting it off... but I can't any longer... I need to start preparing for work in January. It's daunting, but it needs to be done. I keep approaching it in spurts, thinking it will make it easier - but it doesn't. I'm completely overwhelmed at the thought of condensing my previous 60-80 hour work week into something that I can manage and still have time for Aubrie. I love my job... but let's face it... I love Aubrie a heck of a lot more.

That's why I've been sparse lately. I want to blog... I really do... but on top of it all... well... it's daunting too.

My 10 month sweetheart

I love this new pic of Aubrie, taken a few days before her 10 month "birthday". Enjoy!