Our baby is one!
I've come to the conclusion that being a parent is just one big time warp - Some days can feel like an eternity when you are stuck inside the house with a teething baby and seemingly attention-starved preschooler - but man, does the year fly by!
I must say, that seeing my "baby" turn one year old today, definitely brought on a few emotions :)
Tomorrow I return to work after a year off and it really doesn't seem like that long ago that I was preparing all my projects/tasks for the person covering my maternity leave. At the same time, when I reflect on the year and how much both my children have grown and changed and the many activities we've packed into 12 months, it seems like a lifetime ago. I am excited for the change of pace that returning to work will bring - I miss using my brain and talking to other adults without conversations and trains of thought constantly being interrupted by the demands of children - and I'm not going to lie - I'm looking forward to the "break" of being at work. One child is definitely no walk in the park, but being home with two kids full-time is emotionally and physically exhausting! I don't know how you can feel so busy all day, and so tired by the end of the day while feeling like you've accomplished so little....I guess keeping two little people clean, fed, happy (and hopefully developmentally-stimulated) is still an accomplishment, but in the moment of an individual day, it doesn't always feel that way. I guess a good reminder for all the moms and dads at home with kids every day - it isn't always the most glamorous job (basically never actually), and we may not notice the changes that take place each day - but over the course of a year, these kids grow and develop like crazy and our jobs as parents are so important.
Anyway - enough with my contradictory, rambling thoughts. Lucy is one! What a little character she has become. She has been a fairly content girl since she was born and that still holds true, but she is learning to fight for herself now that she can communicate a little more (shaking her her head 'no' and pointing and whining go a long way it turns out). I think she is going to say some funny things once she gets old enough to talk. She is definitely a joker and loves doing things that make others (and herself laugh).
She is very active and adventurous. I try not to compare Lucy and Evie too much, but it's hard and I also like looking back at memories/milestones of Evie and trying to remember what she was like (I also can't believe how easily you forget those times and am forever thankful for the unlimited storage of videos we have on Amazon Prime!). Lucy is definitely more of an explorer than Evie ever was. I swear we could have not baby proofed our house with Evie, and nothing would have happened. Lucy is a whole other story - if she sees a cupboard door open, the stairs open, or anything she can use a stool to climb, she is there in a flash (and silently too). She doesn't hesitate to climb anything and everything. She's pulled herself into the bathtub (fully clothed), made it to the top of the stairs on her own (I almost had a heart attack after that parenting mistake), and has definitely drank and spilled her share of dog water.
Playing in the ball pit at a play place
She loves climbing and bouncing on this chair in Evie's room
Fun at a play place
We like to take Evie to drop in gymnastics - Lucy is really starting to love it too
Trying to copy her big sister
We recently made our basement into a playroom, so both girls love going down there. Lucy will sometimes just bang on the door and yell to go down.
Yes, there is a full-time potty in our living room (baby gates also make it impossible for Evie to get to the bathroom)
Of course, as we're getting ready to go out the door I come down to find Lucy has taken out all the tupperware and is using it to drink and dump the dog water all over the place.
Lucy enjoying her first "bike", a birthday present that we're hoping she can use to keep up with Evie this spring and summer (if all this snow will ever melt).
Lucy loves Evie and is starting to mimic her a lot - it is super cute. She has also started giving hugs in the last little while, so it really melts my heart when the stars align, and both girls are in good moods and want to hug each other (even though it often is like a headlock and someone ends up falling down and crying). Evie definitely tries to include her a little more in play now that Lucy responds and laughs at her all the time. I am really looking forward to the time when Lucy can be a a part of Evie's elaborate plot lines (which tend to be a melding together of Paw Patrol, Frozen, and whatever bedtime stories she's been reading lately). Does anyone else find you can never play the "right" way with a three year old? Evie basically just gives Craig and I the lines and actions we have to say, and that's that. Anyway, as an oldest child, I can relate - and I am looking forward to when Evie can just order Lucy around instead of us ;)
Lucy learning to colour on the chalk board (and always eating the chalk when I turn my back)
Some sister hugs (I can't take enough of these pictures!)
"Helping" to unload the dishwasher
Lucy is reaching that stage where she wants to do everything on her own - like use her own cup, spoon, fork and have her own plate/bowl....which gets very messy because she also really likes to lure Hudson in with food. I am always thankful to call in the dogs to clean under the high chair when mealtime is over.
Licking her plate clean
A favourite game right now - putting the pom poms in the bottle.
She likes brushing her teeth, which is great - unfortunately, she only wants to do it on her own which isn't the most effective.
Love this girl
While this post is mostly about Lucy, it's hard not to talk about the other dominating presence in our house that goes by the name of Evelyn. It is pretty incredible how much she has changed over the last year too. I find you notice the changes less in this age group, until you compare over a period of months. The most incredible change to me is still the development of language skills, and ability to apply these skills. Sometimes I have to stop myself from engaging in arguments with Evie, because she is just so much like me and Craig - we all need to be right, all the time....I honestly almost said to her today "well, you made me mad first" (I thought about it before it came out though haha). They are so smart, and just have incredible memories. Evie is very kind and often surprises us with how mature she is (sometimes using words and phrases that I don't even think she understands). This past week, Lucy started dayhome and to my surprise our provider said that Evie actually had the harder time. She was upset whenever Lucy was crying and felt like it was her job to take care of Lucy and make her stop crying....I'm pretty sure that was my fault as I would say things like, "Lucy is going to come to dayhome, you'll have to help out and give her hugs if she's sad, etc...."...not really thinking she'd take it to heart. Anyway, she is so sweet, and I had to tell her that she doesn't have to worry if Lucy is upset. She is so smart, but wants to learn things on her own terms and doesn't want anyone to see her "fail" or make mistakes while she's learning. For example, if you ask her to write her name, she will not do it if you're watching - but a couple days later, she'll call you over and say "look what I did" - she just wants to do it for herself, before she shows others. Which, again....is just how I was growing up (and still am like).
Craft time is serious business in our house
Evie's drawing of our family - Evelyn, then Lucy, then daddy, then Mommy according to her
I'm going to miss spending lots of time with this girl, as exhausting and busy as she is
Getting outside with Lucy has been a challenge (she really hates the snowsuit and basically just cries the whole time we are out there if she isn't being held)....so we are looking forward to spring. Evie on the other hand really loves all this snow. Hopefully next winter we'll have two girls who love shoveling and sliding.
As I mentioned, Lucy started dayhome last week....it was also my week of freedom (slash guilt for not spending every last minute with my kids). I needed it though! I spent a couple days in the city doing a bit of shopping and prep for Lucy's birthday and got to spend 3 glorious days doing mountain activities. If there is one thing I miss most about my pre-kid life, it is getting out to the mountains for long days of physically-challenging days coupled with breath-taking views. I really want to be a parent who gets out there with my kids, but honestly at this age, it is so tough (especially with one who pukes in the car during any trips longer than 20 minutes). I know that Craig and I will get them out there, but at this point, it's so much work and they just don't like it like we do (literally, Evie told me she doesn't like camping after we trekked across the province last summer). Anyway - it was amazing to get out there and breathe some fresh, rocky mountain air.
Cross country skiing in Bragg Creek with my friend Amber
Sweet views at the Canmore Nordic Centre Cross Country Ski Centre
Downhill skiing at Nakiska after a 4-year hiatus from the sport....luckily no major injuries (just a few bruises)
We had a couple people over for dinner to celebrate Lucy's birthday. Now when you invite a couple people, and everyone has babies and toddlers the chaos erupts quickly in the 550 square foot space that is our main floor. It was still a lot of fun, and Lucy LOVED her first cupcake. Today, we had a couple more cupcakes, and as soon as we took them out she was pointing and crying until we gave her one...she may have an even bigger sweet tooth than her sister.
Evie helping with the decorations. She did surprisingly well with the birthday party (and it not being her party). She didn't seem jeaolus at all, and was happy to have Lucy share her presents :)
"Helping" to make the cupcakes...basically I have to make sure everything within her reach is not going to be served to anyone as there are most definitely samples being taken.
The birthday girl
Digging in to her cupcake
The living room after three 3 year olds have had a fun night
Happy birthday Lucy! We are so lucky to have such a happy, healthy girl who is a perfect fit in our family! I can't wait to see what your second year brings as you explore the world around you, and become your own little independent person. We all love you!
I must say, that seeing my "baby" turn one year old today, definitely brought on a few emotions :)
Tomorrow I return to work after a year off and it really doesn't seem like that long ago that I was preparing all my projects/tasks for the person covering my maternity leave. At the same time, when I reflect on the year and how much both my children have grown and changed and the many activities we've packed into 12 months, it seems like a lifetime ago. I am excited for the change of pace that returning to work will bring - I miss using my brain and talking to other adults without conversations and trains of thought constantly being interrupted by the demands of children - and I'm not going to lie - I'm looking forward to the "break" of being at work. One child is definitely no walk in the park, but being home with two kids full-time is emotionally and physically exhausting! I don't know how you can feel so busy all day, and so tired by the end of the day while feeling like you've accomplished so little....I guess keeping two little people clean, fed, happy (and hopefully developmentally-stimulated) is still an accomplishment, but in the moment of an individual day, it doesn't always feel that way. I guess a good reminder for all the moms and dads at home with kids every day - it isn't always the most glamorous job (basically never actually), and we may not notice the changes that take place each day - but over the course of a year, these kids grow and develop like crazy and our jobs as parents are so important.
Anyway - enough with my contradictory, rambling thoughts. Lucy is one! What a little character she has become. She has been a fairly content girl since she was born and that still holds true, but she is learning to fight for herself now that she can communicate a little more (shaking her her head 'no' and pointing and whining go a long way it turns out). I think she is going to say some funny things once she gets old enough to talk. She is definitely a joker and loves doing things that make others (and herself laugh).
Playing in the ball pit at a play place
She loves climbing and bouncing on this chair in Evie's room
Fun at a play place
Wishing this game at the Science Centre was a ball pit
We like to take Evie to drop in gymnastics - Lucy is really starting to love it too
Trying to copy her big sister
We recently made our basement into a playroom, so both girls love going down there. Lucy will sometimes just bang on the door and yell to go down.
Yes, there is a full-time potty in our living room (baby gates also make it impossible for Evie to get to the bathroom)
Of course, as we're getting ready to go out the door I come down to find Lucy has taken out all the tupperware and is using it to drink and dump the dog water all over the place.
Lucy enjoying her first "bike", a birthday present that we're hoping she can use to keep up with Evie this spring and summer (if all this snow will ever melt).
Lucy loves Evie and is starting to mimic her a lot - it is super cute. She has also started giving hugs in the last little while, so it really melts my heart when the stars align, and both girls are in good moods and want to hug each other (even though it often is like a headlock and someone ends up falling down and crying). Evie definitely tries to include her a little more in play now that Lucy responds and laughs at her all the time. I am really looking forward to the time when Lucy can be a a part of Evie's elaborate plot lines (which tend to be a melding together of Paw Patrol, Frozen, and whatever bedtime stories she's been reading lately). Does anyone else find you can never play the "right" way with a three year old? Evie basically just gives Craig and I the lines and actions we have to say, and that's that. Anyway, as an oldest child, I can relate - and I am looking forward to when Evie can just order Lucy around instead of us ;)
Lucy learning to colour on the chalk board (and always eating the chalk when I turn my back)
Some sister hugs (I can't take enough of these pictures!)
The fishing game - Lucy's job is to take the fish off the line after Evie catches them....she's happy to be included.
"Helping" to unload the dishwasher
Lucy is reaching that stage where she wants to do everything on her own - like use her own cup, spoon, fork and have her own plate/bowl....which gets very messy because she also really likes to lure Hudson in with food. I am always thankful to call in the dogs to clean under the high chair when mealtime is over.
Licking her plate clean
A favourite game right now - putting the pom poms in the bottle.
She likes brushing her teeth, which is great - unfortunately, she only wants to do it on her own which isn't the most effective.
While this post is mostly about Lucy, it's hard not to talk about the other dominating presence in our house that goes by the name of Evelyn. It is pretty incredible how much she has changed over the last year too. I find you notice the changes less in this age group, until you compare over a period of months. The most incredible change to me is still the development of language skills, and ability to apply these skills. Sometimes I have to stop myself from engaging in arguments with Evie, because she is just so much like me and Craig - we all need to be right, all the time....I honestly almost said to her today "well, you made me mad first" (I thought about it before it came out though haha). They are so smart, and just have incredible memories. Evie is very kind and often surprises us with how mature she is (sometimes using words and phrases that I don't even think she understands). This past week, Lucy started dayhome and to my surprise our provider said that Evie actually had the harder time. She was upset whenever Lucy was crying and felt like it was her job to take care of Lucy and make her stop crying....I'm pretty sure that was my fault as I would say things like, "Lucy is going to come to dayhome, you'll have to help out and give her hugs if she's sad, etc...."...not really thinking she'd take it to heart. Anyway, she is so sweet, and I had to tell her that she doesn't have to worry if Lucy is upset. She is so smart, but wants to learn things on her own terms and doesn't want anyone to see her "fail" or make mistakes while she's learning. For example, if you ask her to write her name, she will not do it if you're watching - but a couple days later, she'll call you over and say "look what I did" - she just wants to do it for herself, before she shows others. Which, again....is just how I was growing up (and still am like).
Craft time is serious business in our house
Evie's drawing of our family - Evelyn, then Lucy, then daddy, then Mommy according to her
As I mentioned, Lucy started dayhome last week....it was also my week of freedom (slash guilt for not spending every last minute with my kids). I needed it though! I spent a couple days in the city doing a bit of shopping and prep for Lucy's birthday and got to spend 3 glorious days doing mountain activities. If there is one thing I miss most about my pre-kid life, it is getting out to the mountains for long days of physically-challenging days coupled with breath-taking views. I really want to be a parent who gets out there with my kids, but honestly at this age, it is so tough (especially with one who pukes in the car during any trips longer than 20 minutes). I know that Craig and I will get them out there, but at this point, it's so much work and they just don't like it like we do (literally, Evie told me she doesn't like camping after we trekked across the province last summer). Anyway - it was amazing to get out there and breathe some fresh, rocky mountain air.
Sweet views at the Canmore Nordic Centre Cross Country Ski Centre
We had a couple people over for dinner to celebrate Lucy's birthday. Now when you invite a couple people, and everyone has babies and toddlers the chaos erupts quickly in the 550 square foot space that is our main floor. It was still a lot of fun, and Lucy LOVED her first cupcake. Today, we had a couple more cupcakes, and as soon as we took them out she was pointing and crying until we gave her one...she may have an even bigger sweet tooth than her sister.
Evie helping with the decorations. She did surprisingly well with the birthday party (and it not being her party). She didn't seem jeaolus at all, and was happy to have Lucy share her presents :)
"Helping" to make the cupcakes...basically I have to make sure everything within her reach is not going to be served to anyone as there are most definitely samples being taken.
The birthday girl
Digging in to her cupcake
The living room after three 3 year olds have had a fun night
Happy birthday Lucy! We are so lucky to have such a happy, healthy girl who is a perfect fit in our family! I can't wait to see what your second year brings as you explore the world around you, and become your own little independent person. We all love you!
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