Back at work... and people wonder why I can't keep up with blogging...

I've been back to work for nearly two months now and I'm already on vacation. James was taking part in a conference this week so I needed to be home with Maggie. I tell you what, I sure miss that little girl! We've had so much fun this week and I think she has missed me too. Maggie isn't a cuddly baby, but lately she just wants to be near me all of the time... sitting on my lap, playing in the kitchen, following me around. I hope next week isn't disasterous for her, or James, once I'm back at work. Regardless, a "vacation" every two months is in order just so I can get some one-on-one time with her!

Mags got into a box of Wheatabix (don't ask why we have it), and did what we all wish we could have done with our Wheatabix when we were kids: throw it on the floor

James with a party favour from Drew's birthday. He looks totally different... I think it's the glasses.

Maggie having her turn on Peyton's new trampoline. Future gymnast?

Mags and Drew with Papa

Jordan, Jason, James and Colin, after getting into the face paint.

We had a few very hot days this summer, so Mags and I went to the water spray park to cool down. She loved it!

I came home from work one day to find the backyard set up as a water playland! Maggie just loves being in the water and running around outside. She has so much fun with Daddy!

My hat matches my car, bathing suit and ball... I'm good to go!

This is Maggie's chair, and Maggie's chair only.

We have a one-year old... what???

Everyone told me that the first year will just fly by. Two weeks ago, I would have disagreed. I went back to work on the 1st and after returning to my desk, with everything left pretty much as I left it, I feel as though I've only be gone for a month. Then I come home and I see my little Maggie speed-walking towards me, giggling, and squealing, and reaching up for a hug, and I realize how much has happened in the past year.

I can hardly remember those late-night feedings, and the world that new moms become a part of during those late nights. You know what I mean... watching 90210 re-runs at 4:OOam, facebooking and that the only other people on at that time are other new moms, seeing the Turbo Jam infomercial and wondering if you should invest in it to lose your baby weight... yes, it's a whole world that I almost forgot that I was once a part of.

But she sure is precious when she's sleeping!

I remember the day that Maggie first smiled at me, and now I can't remember a day when I haven't seen it since.

I remember how exciting it was when she first rolled over. And then how scary it was when she rolled off of the bed. (I sure hope this isn't the first time James is learning of this... I think I told him... I think.)

I remember our first swimming classes, picnics, trips to the zoo, and so many other fun trips that we have made together.

A trip with Peyton to the zoo. Clearly, he is not interested.

Mom's 'n' Tots playtime with Joseph

I remember when she first pulled herself up, and when she started crawling, and now more recently, when she took her first steps.

Walking through the spray park at Bowness Park... not a wet t-shirt contest.

So now, when I'm sitting at my desk thinking about how quickly the year seems to have passed, I am reminded of how much has actually happened in 12 short months. And how even though it has only been 12 months, I can't remember life before Maggie.

Here we are celebrating her birthday with Clark and Mooney families. It was the perfect day! She loved playing the water, but not as much as her first experience with cake and ice cream... she ate it all!

The backyard set-up

Drew liked the water!

A lot!

Peyton loved it too... a little too much!

This picture was taken a split second too soon. The slide was wet so Peyton shot down it like a rocket!

Perhaps one of the most entertaining moments of the day!

Cake time!!!!

Oh this is good stuff!!

My new wheels!

Happy Birthday Sweet Maggie... we love you!

Two months... in pictures

The best way to bring you up to speed is through pictures. Here goes...

I need to begin with an update on my little nephew, Drew. Drew is my brother Jordan and his wife, Kari's, little boy who is 5 weeks younger than Maggie. Unfortunately, little Drew suffered a major seizure 8 weeks ago and has been in the hospital undergoing many, many tests since then. While he didn't suffer any damage from the seizure, he has been experiencing localized seizures in his limbs and, more recently, his face. Please keep little Drew in your prayers. He's an adorable little boy and we pray that he will be blessed with a long, happy, healthy life.

Drew and Maggie took a swimming class together earlier this spring. Here they are having some fun together!

With Drew in the hospital, I've been able to spend more time with Peyton... and learning what it is like to have two kids! Here we are at the zoo. Maggie isn't really used to having someone in her space, but they managed. Peyton is a good big cousin and Maggie puts up with him the rest of the time!

Peacocks roam freely at the zoo, but it seems that I rarely see them fluff their feathers. This one spread its feathers after Peyton walked up to him (not closely), and yelled, "Boo, Ceacock, Boo!"

We've been on a few picnics with my Moms 'n' Tots group. Here, Maggie is playing with her friend, Charlotte. Okay, I say playing, but really she is trying to steal Charlotte's food. Looks like Charlotte is ready to claw her eyes out, but she was a good sharer. Afterwards, Maggie went around and cleaned up the bits the other kids had left. We call her, "Hoover". I guess I'm supposed to take food to these things?!

We've been spending lots of time outside! Maggie loves the water...

and the park... especially the swing

And more recently, the slide!


This is at Gymboree. I wasn't too sure about Gymboree until the third week we went. Maggie loves to explore the entire area, and especially loves the balls and hoops. On this particular day, she really enjoyed the bubbles too.

And finally, a little snack before church. Perhaps it will keep her quiet. Right.

Our little girl is getting so big! She turned one at the end of June (already?!). I'll do a special birthday blog with party pictures, so stay tuned!!

Holy 'Mokes!

So James says to me the other day, "Do you know what May 8th was?" I'm thinking was it the anniversary of our first kiss? Or the first time he told me he loved me? Or did I even miss an important birthday?

Nope. It was the last time I posted a blog entry.

Sorry, faithful readers. I know you're eagerly anticipating an update of our (okay, Maggie's) lives.

And now you're going to have a wait a day or two longer so I can get some pictures loaded. Stay tuned... a long post is to come!

Side note: The title "Hole 'Mokes" is something my three-year old nephew says. It's cute because his mom (Kari) says it all the time, and Peyton doesn't say his "s's" when they are followed by a consonent. For example, if he were to say, "You can't go swimming with snakes when it's snowing", it would come out like this, "You can't go wimming with nakes when it's nowing."

It's cute and it makes me smile.

Caden's Birthday

Saturday was Caden's birthday, and we were lucky to be able to share it with him. He is a huge fan of Thomas the Tank Engine, who happened to be on tour here in Calgary last weekend. What a party for a two-year old! I'm not sure just how much of it he will remember, but I do know that he had an amazing day and enjoyed every minute of it!

Caden, Justin, Jen, and Judy rode the train three times around Heritage Park; James, Maggie and I waved them off. I wonder what it will be when Maggie is turning two... what will we have to wait in line for for Maggie? My Little Pony doesn't go on tour. Or the Cabbage Patch Kids... whatever it is, I'm sure we will be just as excited to do it for her as we all were for Caden.

Until then, it would appear that Maggie couldn't have cared less!

There was plenty more to do at the park than just ride a train. There was singing, toy trains to play with, castles to bounce in, and face-painting.

Caden really liked riding in this old fashioned swing. So much so that he nearly fell asleep!

I took these pictures at one of the train track displays. It was both funny and disturbing...

Then it was time to go back home for a wonderful birthday dinner. Caden was so patient all day long to finally get some cake!

And Maggie, well, she was into the party, but obviously mad that she wasn't getting any cake!

She was in a better mood once she found one of Caden's new toys. Forget My Little Pony, looks like she'd rather have a dump truck!