2 years (almost!)

As tiv is fast approaching the big '2' - I have been updating her baby book and finding that she's almost the exact height and weight that afton was at two.

Her speech is getting better each week although there is still lots of ewok speech in there. She's also been doing pretty good on the potty. We have a bad habit of her peeing on the chair when Jeff comes home at lunch time. It's been our only accident all week but it's like a puppy excited to see his master and she seems to forget to go pee when Jeff's home at lunch.

She's a quarky little kid and is pretty good at making a silly face or doing something goofy to try and get out of trouble. She's addicted to Justin Beiber music videos and begs for them all day. I'm about at my breaking point for how many times I can listen to it a day.

The girls don't really watch any tv at home any more - it's all music videos on the apple tv.

I forget how much she resembles her sister at this age as I see their personality differences more than anything.

happiness

 Happiness to Hadz is some play time after her nap. Spinning on her tummy - surrounded by her sisters and toys.

Happiness to Tiv is when I say she can watch justin beiber videos. again!

afton dance

This is Afton's first year in dance. She loves it! Dancing, twirling, pink - what's not to love. Last week was parent's watch day and they showed off some of their routine - showed their warm up (chicken dance) and this was their cool down song.

hadley sneaking away

Hadley reminds me a lot of Afton. Very strong and determined. She now rolls all over the floor and can do a spin on her tummy to change directions she's facing.

She does a weird back wiggle flop thing and can move herself along the floor. She has also discovered this works well for her play chair and carseat so now we can't just put her in the chair to hang out - she always needs to be strapped in or she tries to get away.

She can't get herself out of the bumbo chair, yet, but wow she is so close. Tiv hung out in these without ever trying to escape.

That's Hadley

The other day, Afton was introducing our family to a friend:

that's tivy - she's crazy

that's hadley - we mostly leave her in the truck

(oh goodness!!!)

my wall of fame

After talking about building my wall of fame for a long time, I finally started building it the other day. With a box full of nails and a hammer, I have started building the wall at the end of my hall with pictures, drawings, handprints of the kids, etc.

My goal is to fill the entire wall - top to bottom with as many pictures as I can fit in there. I need a ton more pictures and frames but the start of it is up and I like how it looks.

The kids love seeing the pictures of everyone there in one place to stare at. I am missing some family pictures!!! Please email me some pictures:

dave and kelly f
dave and kelly w
mom
kaelene (some new ones of the kids)

I love having one place to show off all of the people in our lives!

+4

Who would have guessed we'd have plus temperatures in january. This is crazy!!!

What is even more crazy is that I am missing the snow. I would love to actually be able to pull the kids on the sled without hitting cement all the time.

The other day, we did  a big walk, played on the swings and shoveled the driveway. Hadley still has a bit of  a runny nose so I pulled out my scarf to keep her warm. Although the picture looks like I am trying to suffocate her, I assure you - she could see over the scarf and was happy as could be.

afton then gave Hadley a 'fast' snow ride. (man i hate how i sound on video)

If this weather keeps up, I think we should set up the trampoline for the kids they got for christmas. Did you hear that old man winter - you give me snow or we setup summer toys!

4 months side by side

I love my side by sides of the kids. Tiv was smaller in weight but those cheeks!!! Hadley has been pretty sick the last week or so and still has her watery eyes to show for it.  Hadley reminds me more of Afton at this age. Very strong and determined. She can already wiggle off her mat to try and get at her sisters. She can roll and loves her jumperoo.

She is the loudest talker of all three. That scares me a bit.

At the moment, we are doing the bottle fight. You'd think after my battle with Tiv I wouldn't have done this again. With my england trip fast approaching- it's time we tackle that battle once and for all!

With her temper, the neighbours might hear our showdown. Another personality trait she seems to share with afton. That temper of hers. Wow!  If this keeps up, her and I will have another showdown at 3. ug.

Christmas 2011

 We welcomed Santa this year with lots of excitement and cheers!! Afton was very excited for everything and her excitement spread to Tivian.  Hadley didn't know it was a special day but she did enjoy all of her new toys! She flapped her arms while the girls ran around opening presents.

Santa came to our house and then after we had a few moment to relax, it was off to grandma and grandpa's house to open more presents with cousins.

 It was packed full of family and gifts! Who thought any of us needed anything!? Afton was excited for gifts and probably more excited to play with her cousins.

 Auntie Syd and Auntie Hayley tried to get a photo with all the nieces and nephews. Since hayley's grad there are two more additions and everyone is a bit older. Still a funny time to try and get everyone looking at the camera and happy to sit where we put them. We took lots of photos trying to get a good one.

We switched kids around to mix it up. the 2 year olds get board, the babies get hungry - we get to try again this spring for syd's grad.

 Great grandma with some of her great grand kids. I think i should invest in a wide angle lens!

 Hadz and Auntie Syd found a quiet spot to hang out

 This year the 'big' little kids all got to eat together. The adults hardly fit anymore at the kitchen table and with extra high chairs, it was a cozy meal.

The next morning, it was up and off to the foster side. The kids were still on the excitement from the 24th and 25th so it was easy to get them out to the farm for more cousins and more presents.

It is so much fun to watch the kids open their presents!!

Yeah more sparkle craft kids!

It was crazy fun! So much happening at the same time, it was hard to keep track of everyone opening what when! Add in one small blond what was throwing up all christmas and the event was a blur.

 That night - we went back out to the other side for one last visit. All the kids played so good. Afton was sad to see them leave. Here you can hardley tell Tiv barfed just moment before.

Before heading off to the saskatoon side celebrations, we had to get out the sparkle kit and make up some hair accessories!! What would christmas be without sparkles all over my home?

I love christmas!!!

A busy week

It's been a crazy busy week. the kids and I have been rushing to one event or another. I have put in some big hours at work and with the excitement of christmas and cousins coming, someone couldn't make it through supper today.

Thinking tomorrow it will be a quiet day with the kids and jeff as I am off to volunteer for Ronald McDonald House.

4 months

 We have made 4 months! Yippee!!! This is the stage where I think babies become more 'fun'. Hadley now laughs a lot, talks, smiles when she sees you. She will play with her toys a bit and likes to kick and eat her feet.

She had her 4 month check up at the doctors. I love taking my girls in to see their doctor. He gushes over them and Afton just loves him. Tiv wasn't too sure as the last few times she saw him it was for broken bones. He was ready for her - a drawer full of marshmallow puffs and she warmed right up!

Since Hadley was the star of the show - he cooed and checked her over. She smiled and cooed right back. Of course he said she is perfect. He tells me all my kids are perfect.

Hadley weighs in at 14 lbs and 15 oz and 25 inches long. That puts her 2 lbs over tiv and 4 over afton at the same age. She's also about 2 inches longer.

I love to tell her she's my chunky girl with thunder thighs. It makes her laugh. She's proud of her rolly legs and so am I!!

She has figured that she's the baby sister. The fighting between her and Tiv may have also started a bit. Hadley loves to pull tiv's hair. Tiv likes to lay on top of 'Howie'

3 months side by side by side

My girls. Besides Hadley being about 2 pounds heavier than the girls at the same age - I am starting to think she is a mix of Afton and Tiv.

She is very alert and strong like Afton. Doesn't sleep as bad as afton but not as good as Tiv. 3am has been a wake up time for her almost since the day she was born. Not to many nights go by without me seeing 3 am. The fact that she goes to be around 7:30 and wakes at 3 and then back to sleep till 7, i can't complain too bad.

Hadley is so vocal!! She squawks, squeals, coos and grunts all the time.  She isn't upset to talk that much, just likes to put in her 2 cents. With two older sisters, maybe she's practicing to make sure she isn't forgotten.

making presents

Christmas tree is up
Presents were wrapped (ok, just the other day)

 Time for the kids to make some presents!!!

I remember as kids, making dad and the boys ugly gifts that I was so proud of. Christmas decorations, bad ties, and other items that I thought they would need when I was little.

Not it's Afton's turn. This year - we made some christmas decorations.

The girls were so excited to paint them once they dried and we've dated the little treasures to remember their mad skills at this age.

Afton painted hers her favorite color..

Tiv did a more abstract type of painting. Some on the gingerbread man, some on her tummy..

They  both loved the project and had a ton of fun. So much that bedtime had to be delayed due to some extra painting time!

oh christmas tree

Our tree is officially decorated. Afton jumped up and down while jeff and I did the lights exclaiming that christmas is more fun than halloween!

Tiv helped decorate as well. By that I mean she only hung decorations in a 4 x 4 inch spot and jammed them all in the branches good!

I think we're getting closer to being ready for Santa. Now to get wrapping some presents!

2011 Christmas Tree Hunt

And so kicks off the 2011 christmas tree hunt! This was probably the best weather we have ever had to go pick out a tree and for the first year, I left with warm feet and hands!

We found another great tree and have another family photo that marks our 2011 christmas season!

This year we also started a new tradition with 'elf on a shelf'. Afton loves this new tradition and Tiv loves watching Afton look for him. Maybe next year she will get the concept too? Either way, it's lots of fun to enjoy the holiday with my girls!