Halloween at IHS

On Friday we had a Halloween Potluck at work. It was so fun seeing everybody all dressed up...well at least all the girls! There was so much yummy food to be had that by mid afternoon, we are tired and had tummy aches! Here are some photos of the day:

This was Julia. She was a truck driver/Bob the Builder/Rigger

My shoes and socks....Can you guess what I was? Answer at the end!

Woody, Dustin and Caroline as Cruella Deville....Great Costume!

Tannis was a female pimp. I wish I would've gotten one with her insane hat & feather boa!

All the girls with Josh in the back. The boys from our dept had to clean up since they didn't participate!

Mandy....AKA The Sexy Witch

Aliya was Bollywood. Her outfit was beautiful. I loved it!

I was Pippi Longstocking, NOT the Wendy's girl!! Can you believe somebody asked me when I got off the C-Train if I was dressed up for Halloween. Are you serious? I am 30 not 15!

Can't wait for you to see Finley in her costume!! SO AWESOME!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Thank You Finley

Thank You Finley

Thank You Finley for being patient with your daddy and I while learned how to be a mommy and daddy
Thank you Finley for feeding every 4 hours and sleeping almost all of the time in between
Thank you Finley for sleeping through the night at 8 weeks
Thank you finley for never needing a soother and for not sucking your thumb
Thank you Finley for adjusting well to your crib at 9 weeks
Thank you Finley for travelling well during our many long trip to Saskatchewan
Thank you Finley for loving sports and for wanting to attend your first Calgary Flames game at the age of 3 weeks. We were so proud at how great you behaved. I swear everybody in our section wished they had a baby like ours!
Thank you Finley for your love of shopping. Shopping in the USA & at West Edmonton Mall & whenever Aunty Kristy came to town could be an exhausting experience. But you were always such a trooper!
Thank you for loving the mountains & camping! We are so happy that you have the same love for the outdoors as we do. Although Daddy is wondering when you are going to carry him down the mountain?
Thank you Finley for not hating me when for awhile, I was giving you less then your required amounts of formula in your bottle. (it was only for a week, she rebounded wel)
Thank you Finley for eating all of the food I prepared for you. You ate things I wouldn’t even eat and for that I am so proud!
Thank you Finley for attending Roughneck, Vipers & Stamps games. Even on days we thought you were misbehaving, people still commented on how good she was.
Thank you Finley for loving your swing which enabled mom to get a moment’s peace
Thank you Finley for justifying not getting dressed for days, for not doing anybody’s laundy but yours, for not cleaning our house and for just sitting on the couch enjoying each other’s company.
Thank you Finley for giving a new found respect for mom’s everywhere – especially mine.
Thank you Finley for filling our lives with such a joy that words simply cannot explain.
Thank you Finley for allowing us to love more then we ever thought possible.
Thank you Finley for not forgetting your mama when you got to leave the hospital and I had to stay in.
Thank you Finley for choosing us to spend the rest of your life with and trusting us to do what we think is right for you.

But most of all Finley, Thank you for being you. For your wonderful smile that makes me feel like a million dollars even when I don’t deserve it. Thank you for your unique personality – I love every stubborn inch of your tiny body. Thank you for your beautiful blue eyes that sparkle so brightly when you are happy. For your laughs, your cuddles, your delightful conversations.

Thank you Finley for giving meaning to our lives. Happy Birthday Peanut. We love you!

Happy 1st Birthday Finley

Wow! Today my baby is a year old. I still can't believe it! What an amazing year it has been - such a wonderful gift to watch her grow and evolve the last 12 months. Here are some photos of Finley - exactly 12 months ago right after she was born and then some of Finley this morning when she woke up.
Finley was born at 8:52am, was 21 inches long & weighed in at 7lb, 6oz. As you can see, she didn't look to happy to leave my nice warm womb...

This was the first time I got to hold Finley. Look at my hair! It's awful!!

I can't believe how big that sleeper looked on her. I didn't even think she would ever fit it since it looked so small. She always was so expressive with her hands!

This was taken this morning around 640am. She hates being woken up. If she wakes up on her own, she is very happy, but if you wake her up, look out!!

We were singing Happy Birthday to her, but she realy didn't care...as you can certainly tell...

Finally, she woke up a little, and was at least a little happy!

This was Finley on her way to daycare this morning. Still not impressed!!

Happy Birthday Finley!! We love you so very much!

Love Mama, Daddy, Quincy, Luci & Iggy

Finley's Birthday Cake

On Saturday, October 24th, we celebrated Finley's upcoming 1st birthday party at our house! We friends and family come from AB & SK to celebrate!! It was a great fun-filled weekend and we are so happy that our family was able to help us celebrate our beautiful little girl. If all her presents were a indication of your love, she was one lucky girl!

Here are some photos of her birthday cake and then her eating her cake! I thought I uploaded in order but I guess I didn't - oh well they are still pretty cute!

Finley at the Rider Game

A few weeks ago, Greg, Finley & myself headed down to McMahon Stadium to see the Stamps take on the Riders. While Finley had been to several Stamps game and watched ALOT of Rider games on TV with daddy & Frunkl Jack, this would be her first time seeing the Riders play live. She had a great first half, a grouchy 3rd quarter and then slept the rest of the game away. Here are a few photos from the game:

H1N1

I can't believe Calgary only has 4 H1N1 vaccination clinics in a city of over a million. I heard today that as of right now, the estimated wait for the vaccination is approximately 7 hours. Seriuiosly? Who has 7 hours to wait in a clinic - especially if you have small children?

I am planning on getting the vaccination mostly because if I don't get the shot and get the flu then I will be as good as dead. Last year after Finley was born I was rushed to the ICU with double pnemonia which means it is in both lungs. My lungs don't have what it takes to beat the magnitude of the H1N1. And because of my high risk condition, Greg & Finley both have to get the shot as well. It's very scary when you see people in my age range dying from this flu.

I guess one good thing coming from the 7 hour wait is that people are taking this seriously, which is good to see!!

Will let you guys know as soon as i get it & give you all the fun details!!

First Week Back!

My first week back to work was an eventful one to say the least and was barely survivable.

It wasn't unsurvivable because I was back at work and away from Finley but due to a major medical emergency that occured. I only managed to work 2 full days this week so really this week will be the real test for me.

I went to the hospital Tuesday afternoon and had emergency surgery at 330am on Wednesday. Everything is ok and I am doing much better. Thanks to all my friends and family for your concern, love & support!!

Friday I had off because a bunch of family arrived for the weekend as we gathered to celebrate Finley's first birthday. I will have a post regarding her birthday either tonight or tomorrow night! She very much enjoyed her cake!!

I will check in this weekend to let you know how this week went. So far, so good!

A Sneak Peek of Finley's First Year Photoshoot

This morning we went and met the very uber talented Virginia from Sweet Ginger Photography at Shouldice Park for Finley's first year photoshoot. After watching her in action and seeing all her creativity and cool ideas, I now know why she is an amazingly successful photographer and why I never will be. She is great at her job, great with kids and efficient at what she does. She already has a sneak peek on her blog:

http://sweetgingerphotography.com/blog/?p=688

If you want to check her out her website is:

http://sweetgingerphotography.com

You won't be disappointed with what you see! She is the best!!

Totally can't wait to see the rest - especially the cake smash photos!!

Thanks Vee!!

Back To Work & Daycare

Only 4 more days until I return to work!

I have been mentally preparing myself for this months so I was so sure that I would be ok with this happening. It turns out, now that I am approaching October 19th, that I am not. I think it started on Tuesday when I dropped Finley off for her first day of full daycare. That's right - 7am - 5pm which will be our new routine. I was fine until we got home from picking her up and then I made supper, we ate supper, I cleaned up after supper and then I realized that it was already time for bath and then bed!!! I told Greg that I felt like I was a bad mother for only being able to spend between 2 - 4 hours a day with her. Of course, he said I wasn't but I really don't think he understands how difficult it is for me to come to terms with the whole situation.

It's hard to come to the realization that you are no longer the primary caregiver for your child. When you are not the one deciding when she should nap, drink her milk, eat her lunch and so on. It's difficult when you have no idea what she is doing right now. This I think is so much more difficult then you ever could possibly imagine.

The weird thing was that when I found out I was pregnant there was never ever any question that she would go to daycare and I would return to work. I was convinced that being a "stay at home" mom was a waste of my hard earned education and all the work I had done to get me where I was. I had no idea that I would be as maternal as I have been. I think I surprised alot of people - including my self. You truly don't understand what it's like to be a mom until you become one. It's alot harder then I thought and makes everything I did before seem like child's play.

But it's a difficult choice to make and there is no right or wrong answer. I think no matter what option you choose, it is something that you will continually grapple with. I wonder if you will ever be truly at peace with the decisions that you make. As a working mom, you are contributing to the household income, you are interacting with adults who know you as Becky the Applications Analyst and not Becky the Mama of Finley, it's like you are reclaiming part of your identity - it's hard to explain but I am sure most will know what I mean!, you are using your brain for more then trying to teach Finley dance with the Yo Gabba Gabba's (great show btw). Of course the downside to all of this is the fact that your child is being raised by somebody else and may witness their first words or first steps - things that can't be redone. That is what I have hard time dealing with. Greg said that most daycare operators won't mention this unless they are cruel. I guess we will find out!!

I am sure it will be easier come Monday when I am back at work relearning my job as I am pretty sure I have forgotten absolutely everything that I know ( sorry in advance Julia if you are reading this...haha) and won't have all the time I do now to think about everything that I am missing or what she is doing. In the meantime, all I have to remember that this is all temporary or short term as I hope to have a sibling join her sometime in the next year or so.

I will let you all know how it goes on Monday....already dreading my commute...stupid downtown offices...haha

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!!

We headed out to SK for the Thanksgiving weekend. We originally were not going to leave until Thursday night when Greg was off work but we moved it up to after lunch due to inclement weather in the area. We left before the storm hit Calgary and got to Saskatoon after it had passed. The roads were excellent - with a few spots by Youngstown & Cereal that were a little rough. I just checked the weather channel and Calgary is colder then Saskatoon...I no longer wish I had stayed home!!

So far the visit to Saskatoon has been great! Had a fabulous lunch at Venice House on Central with Kristy and then went and got my hair done at POSH by the fabulous Heather!! Definitely go see her if you are looking for a GREAT stylist & colorist!!

Will post about my visit when I get back to Calgary next week!!

Happy Turkey Weekend to all my friends & Family!! Drive safely!!

Watermelon Head

If you have ever been to a Roughrider game at Taylor Field or McMahon Stadium in Calgary, you've probably noticed fans in the stands with Watermelons on their heads! I've even had the honor (dishonor?) to sit beside the drunken fans with the watermelons on their head (greg, jack, tank...). I've even been forced to drive to various Safeways & Superstores on gamedays to find watermelons big enough to fit on Greg's head. So Frunkl Jack thought that it was only proper that Finley get her own watermelon helmet so after making fruit salad, he carved one for her. She is now officially a Rider Watermelon-wearing Fan!

She was a little unsure of it at first!

It was just a tad too small for her - had it been a smidgen bigger she would've been fine with it

The aftermath of the watermelon helmut - so messy!

Playing with the watermelon afterwards - look at the gross hair!!

Thanks Frunkl Jack for the helmut! It was awesome, you are the best Frunkl in the whole world!!

First Snowy Day in Calgary

Last Sunday, we headed out to a pre-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving luncheon at Finley's Frunkl Jack's place. When we awoke, we noticed that it was snowing a bit outside so I decided Finley would wear her new fleece underneath her hot pink down-filled vest and the cute toque. She hated the toque - it lasted 2 seconds!

A Lesson For Our AB Friends....

Finley received this awesome bunnyhug from her Aunty Kristy for Christmas last year. She is finally able to fix it & I couldn't be more excited!! This is called a bunnyhug not a hoodie!! Get it right people!

I do wonder though, if Finley will get teased when she starts school since she will refer to said item of clothing as a bunnyhug not a hoody. Or, will she will be going to school with enough children born from SK transplants that it will be ok? Only time will tell!!

Flames Season Opener

On October 1st, Finley attended her first ever Home Opener for the Calgary Flames. She had a great time and even clapped a few times here and there - although never at the right times it seemed! It was a fabulous night with the Flames wearing there retro jerseys and beating the Vancouver Canucks!! A much better outing then last year's Season Opening game in Vancouver last year. Of course, Regehr wasn't playing so that's to be expected...haha

She was wearing the bow so people could tell she was a girl. Otherwise, it's like oh your little guy is so cute and blah blah blah. She does have a pink jersey as well but we like to switch it up.

She is just learning how to clap so it was pretty cute to see her clapping!

Finley's First Morning At Daycare

So this morning was Finley's first morning at daycare without me there with her. I dropped her off just before 7am and picked her up at around 1130am. She was happy when I left her and went willingly to Alicia & Grandma Ann. When I picked her up, she was happily playing. Ann told me that she was happy and had a great time playing with the other little girls and had a nice little nap and ate breakfast just great. I was really happy to hear this.

Me on the other hand, well I did alright. I had been mentally preparing myself for this morning for weeks now, so I was sure no tears would fall. And none did - until Greg asked me why I was grouchy and was it because "I missed Finley". Of course, I started crying right on the spot. It lasted a few minutes then I continued on my cleaning of my kitchen mission. I must say that I probably have the cleanest kitchen in all of Bridlewood, if not all of Calgary. I cleaned every last surface of the kitchen.

It was definitely weird not having Finley with me this morning, but I think I will survive. Well, at least this week. Next week she goes full days on the 13, 14 & 15th. I am keeping her home on the 16th and the two of us will have fun last day of my maternity leave. But Finley won't be in daycare forever and soon enough she will be back home again.

But until then.....

New Blog Design

I decided to change the colors of my blog. I was getting kinda bored and wanted more pink in it (surprise, surprise). I went to a new blog wallpaper site and found a tonne of pink ones but chose this one mostly because it was pink and the area where I write is black which allows me to choose any color of writing I want. The others would be restrictive to what colors I could use. Hope you like it!

PS. Sorry for the bow, but I couldn't find one similar without it. Perhaps I will try to make my own blog wall paper - but don't hold your breath waiting.....

Happy Reading
Becky

Finley Does Stairs

A few weeks ago, I cleaned out my basement so that I could convert part of the recreation room to another play area for Finley. She was getting bored playing with her toys upstairs all of the time, so I got her 12+ month toys out and put them downstairs for her to play with part of the day. It has made a huge difference for Finley!!

Anyways, the point of the blog was to show Finley's attempt at stairs. She did 2 stairs then decided she didn't want to do it anymore. Hopefully she will use her skill of stairs to walking!!

$925.00 Later

Yesterday I wrote 2 cheques totalling the above amount. One was a $600 cheque to Finley's new daycare, which she will start on Monday. The rest of the amount was a cancellation fee I had to pay her old dayhome to get out of it.

I stopped in unexpectedly at both dayhomes just to ensure that I had made the right decision concerning child care for Finley. And wow was I right.

That $325 was the best money I have ever spent.

Jon Bans TLC From His House

According to Radaronline.com, Jon Gosselin has banned the TLC crew from filming at his house and since he owns half the house, has joint custody, he can do this - according to his lawyer. He now says that the reality show is harmful to his children and no longer wants them apart of it. The letter from his lawyer regarding this was dated, shockingly, yesterday - the same day he was fired from TLC.

Seriously, what a douchebag. This dude is never ever happy. So glad Kate will finally be rid of him. 8 children are way easier to raise then 9.

Here is the link if you are interested:

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/10/breaking-news-jon-gosselin-wants-shut-down-kate-plus-8