Happy Valentines Babies

My sister and I both dressed our kids for Valentines Day yesterday. Tinkie actually had on jeans and a red hoodie as well as the heartbreaker t (which all four grandkids have now worn - at least three of them for valentine's day).

Some pictures of the kids playing in their room: I love that they're starting to do that, and looking forward to the day when they play together all the time. The kids really do love each other. Tink is alway so excited to see davey and trying to hug him and stroke his hair. Davey likes to give her kisses and bear hugs. So sweet.

Tink is well and truly sitting on her own now. Yesterday she even pulled herself straight up (crunch style) while I was changing her.

This is Davey watching Tink play. See that look of admiration? Awwww...

Since Tink immediately shoves everything in her mouth, Davey decided she couldn't have his prized engine.
But he let her have a car. And look how she treasures it ;oP

She fell over finally and I really thought she might figure out how to get up on all fours, but she sort of half raised herself, then gave up and cried. Oh well, I don't want her figuring out to move too much because we still have her in the bassinet!

Now it's bathtime. For Christmas I got Davey these bath fizzy things. They turn the water coloured. Apparently they turn babies coloured too. Here Davey is ready to be in Brave Heart. Blue belly, blue arms and GREEN HAIR! Luckily it all washed out.

Fairy Photoshoot

Since this outfit already fits Elisabeth, I thought she should get some use out of it. And if she's going to be wearing it, I might as well have a little fairy princess photoshoot.

This first picture is taken right after she woke up from her nap. Knowing what I do now, I'm really surprised she's being so happy and smiley (more on that at the end). In one hand she's holding a block and in the other a soosie. I decided that wasn't fairy-princessy enough...

So after a little diversion, we went and got some flowers for her to play with.


They were a big hit, and I think they add something to the fairy garden feel of the shoot (I really thought we'd be doing this in June one day when the sun was out. Oh well, roll with the punches. She's still adorable. I love having a girl!




So, when Elisabeth went to sleep she was holding her block. When I got her back up again she was still holding it. I thought that was extremely talented, but didn't think much else of it. Until I decided to have her hold flowers instead of a block for her pictures. Then I discovered that her little thumb was actually stuck in the hole of the block! OH! I was so worried I would dislocate her thumb joint trying to get it off. But, a little Vitamin E, some prayer, and moral support from Mum and Auntie Katt, and I wiggled it off. PHEW!

Kiss Me I'm Irish (Christine, this one's for you!)

Davey is getting really good at talking. He speaks in complete sentences a great portion of the time, and I love hearing it. Even when he's being whiny or sad. It's an amazing thing to be able to watch and hear your child develop in this way. Even better, I love how his personality is expressed through his words.

I'm not sure if it's because he hears people cooing over his sister so frequently, or even if it's because people still (occasionally) fawn over him, but lately everything is 'cute'.

Tonight my brother Dave came downstairs to use our barbecue, and decided to eat his dinner with us. Every once in a while he had to get up and check on the food he was bbq-ing. At one point he got up from the table and just as the door clicked shut Davey commented with a sigh, "he's so cute". heh. Even Uncle Dave got a kick outta that.

Have you ever watched a child dance? They have no inhibitions, probably partly because they have no idea what is or isn't acceptable. They just wiggle. Davey has some great moves going on. And he can be very sassy. This afternoon I was sitting on the floor talking to Elisabeth as she played in her exersaucer. Davey came running up to me, so I said, "Kiss Me" and started making kissy faces. He twisted his butt towards me and said, "Kiss my bum!" I SWEAR he's never heard that in our house! Little monkey. I managed not to laugh until I was retelling the story to Andrew this evening.

I got these hats at Old Navy this morning. We're very proud of our Irish heritage. On my mum's side we are some of the irish McDonalds. In fact, Christine blogged about a castle she visited when she was in Ireland. When our ancestors came to Ireland from Scotland they lived in that castle. Oh yah. I love British ancestry. It's so interesting. Andrew is also Irish and we have a lovely Irish last name. For those of you keeping record, that makes us British/Irish on my mum's side; Swiss on my dads and Irish/Canadian on Andrew's. We can trace our family line back to the 1000's on my mum's side. It's pretty darn interesting.

And Sunday

Today was NOT as nice as yesterday, but it was still nice enough that my boys were outside playing this morning. We decided not to go to church since Davey has now developed a cold with cough so I wouldn't be able to keep him in the nursery.

They were having so much fun outside I decided to bring lunch outside. It was actually alright eating out there...a little chilly towards the end, but so worth it.

Davey got a bit restless partway through his meal, so he decided to finish his peaches and nilla cookies in his wagon.
Oh how I love the impish little faces he makes!

During all of this lunching, Elisabeth was napping. When she awoke, she was desperate to come outside too!

But since she was in a dress again, we decided to let her play inside. I wedged a teddybear under the rocker and let her sit in it for a while.

Then she sat on the floor and played. She's able to sit for long periods now before she starts to lose her balance. Since she seems to quite enjoy sitting to play I'm hoping she'll do more floor time now. Otherwise I'm not really sure if she'll learn to roll over and sit up until she learns to crawl.
This, by the way, is her patented talking/singing face. Always with the pursed lips and her low little voice.


Observe carefully if you please: An Idyllic Scene Entitled Children Playing Peacefully

(obviously Tinky is getting rid of some energy with the furious arm flapping)
Whoops! Over she goes. Not to worry, she's perfectly safe here...or is she?
AHHHHHHH Brother Dave spots an opportunity and makes the most of it!

But Tink isn't one to be outdone. She quickly wrestles Davey into a more prone position...

And commences whopping him in the face! WAY TO GO girl'o mine!

With the bullying big brother vanquished, princess sweet cheeks can once again sing and play happily.

Here she is trying out the car Davey got for his first birthday. She really liked sitting on it.

But Davey wanted to play something fun too, so he found a box and decided to hide in it.

PEEK A BOO!

Saturday

Yesterday was so gorgeous we decided to go to White Rock and stroll the Esplanade. Unfortunately the kids weren't in the mood for a nice stroll, so we only were there for about half an hour. Still, the walk to the pier was nice.

does anyone else out there

lose sleep wondering where Max and Ruby's parents are?

Davey got himself some new boots and other tales

I think I mentioned recently that both of our kids have been growing like crazy lately. Well, I've noticed that davey's fabulous crocodile boots have been bugging him. So yesterday we went rubber boot shopping. We finally landed at Panda Shoes and let Davey pick which of the four boots he liked the best (dinosaurs, frogs, Thomas or these fire truck boots).

Today was an odd day. First of all, Tink seems to either have reverted to the schedule she was on before Christmas (YAY!) or possibly have a moderate version of the cold Davey had. She did a lot of sleeping today in anycase. I took full advantage of that fact and got a lot of housework and even some projects done (like framing a few of the pictures we had done in October).

Those of you who attend church in the lower mainland, have you ever had pictures done by Triad photographic? We've had them done twice. The first time they did quite a good job and we had cards done for Andrew's supporters. Expensive, but decent as far as studio pictures go. Then this October we had pictures done and they weren't fabulous, but they did get a great picture of Davey. So we ordered some as presents for the grandparents.

We still haven't gotten our pictures. I've called them so many times, emailed, even filed a complaint with BBB and I can't even get a call back or an acknowledgment from them. I'm so disappointed. Never, ever using them again! If our church does another photo directory I'll submit my own picture!

Anyway, that aside, here's a picture of Jadey. When they showed up at mum's today Jade just looked so gorgeous I had to get a picture. This is one outfit I hope lasts for Tinky to use!

Speaking of Tinky and outfits, she ended up wearing three different outfits today. First I put her in this little tennis dress and cute spring tights. But then I left her within reach of Jade's smoothie and she of course tried to grab it and ended up with smoothie allllll over her.

So then I put her in this outfit. This outfit reminds me of her grandma in Ontario. She would love this (in fact, she gave us the cardigan when I was pregnant.) Dad gave Jadey this dress etc. when she was a baby. Adorable, right?


But then the rain let up and we wanted to go outside, so she had to put something warmer on. I wanted to go for a walk, but the stroller was in the car (at Andrew's work). So we went for a ride in the wagon. She's big enough to sit in it now!

At one point Davey was pulling her around, but the pictures didn't turn out very good. It was very cute. She was a bit worried until she saw I was walking alongside of davey. Smart girl knowing her brother can be a bit...exuberant! I love this picture. Looks like she's saying, "who...me? awwwwww!"


chomping on my camera strap while I'm trying to snap pictures.

Davey pushed his car into his favorite puddlejumpingpuddle and used it as extra support while he bounced in the water.

And this is his favorite tree. I'm so glad there are trees on our property. When I was growing up, we lived on a farm. All around the house were big evergreens that were amazing for climbing. Their branches were perfect for going so high. AND at the bottom was one set of thick branches that split into a Y shape, with another set a bit higher, perfect for pretending you were waterskiing and bouncing up and down on.


Of course you can't go outside without stopping for a quick trip down the slide...

And on the swings. Here my beautiful boy gives his sister a push on the swings. I'm so proud of him for the way he loves on her and plays so well with her. I know he feels left out sometimes, but he does so well at adapting and never treats her poorly despite not getting as much attention as he used to. He's such a sweet, loving little chappie.

Swinging = pure glee.

One of the hazards of living in BC: Your sandbox just isn't the same after a few months of winter.

Luckily my little water lover makes the best of a soggy deal.