I really love being a mom. This last year was just the worst year I have ever experienced. There were so many lows and so many unexpected disappointments. The days felt very heavy, and my heart and soul sank under their heaviness. When I found out about my little Mouse - I never imagined the joy she would bring with her. I couldn't begin to imagine how one little itty bitty baby could lighten the days and warm the heart. She is an angel on earth for me. Her smile fills me with so much love and pride and happiness. The sound of her little voice reminds me that life is truly a miracle - and each day should be experienced with a freshness and a burst of happy anticipation. The end of each day should leave you feeling grateful and jazzed for a new tomorrow. This little girl started our year with joy, and everyday since February 1st, she has managed to outdo the one before. I really love being Pacey-rae's mom.
Last Friday, Standard Aero threw us a BBQ Shower. It was great. P-rae and I went around 11:30 and of course, she was dressed to kill! Although this time, Daddy picked out her outfit, and insisted on something new - from the Gap no less. Obviously it did not take much arm twisting for me to go ahead with this idea! Anyhow, the shower was wonderful. It was so nice to put a face with a name and a story. There are so many nice people working there, and I was so happy to meet them all! They loved our little P-rizzle and she got a ton of attention! The best part was they gave her a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey - Daddy was thrilled!!!
Yesterday afternoon, Pr and I headed over to Linwood for our Baby Shower there - I must admit, it did me some good old fashioned soul filling to be with the awesome people I work with - I feel the school itself is just cursed with a big, massive, caring heart - and that spirit is contagious. It is truly a fantastic place to work! It was wonderful to see everyone and catch up on the latest in their lives. The best part about the day was that we shared it with 3 other amazing moms and their adorable little peanuts! We were in great company!
I chose not to go upstairs to see the kids of Team f5 because... a.) it was the end of the day b.) it was Track and Field day c.) frankly folks, i'm not that crazy!!!
It is so fun when Pacey wakes up from a nap or her sleep! She is always smiling and laughing. The first of the morning smiles are my favourite. Quite often she is content to lay in her crib for almost a half and hour and chatter away to herself. Her conversations are lasting longer and longer and she is beginning to add different expressions - very cute! Jason and I both agree that her little smile sure makes a crummy day disappear. She lights up our hearts when she bursts into one of her big old grins. Some of her smiles are so big they are hard for her to contain and she wiggles around and pulls her knees up and down in excitement. She's a peach - morning, noon, and night! Lucky us!
Summer is coming! Pacey-rae is ready for the beach, ready for the fun in the sun, but most of all excited to spend some more time with family and friends. At the beginning of July, she will see her Grandma Cheryl again and meet her Auntie Lyn! Daddy will have some time off and we will probably head out to the beach a few times and possibly take a trip to the States. We will be taking regular family walks in Assiniboine Park with Saedi and Cos, and spending a lot of time with family and friends on the deck BBQ'ing and serving up some cold beverages. I am excited for July and August because my teacher friends will be off and ready for some visits and outings! It would be nice to head out to Island Park in Portage for an afternoon - maybe we'll see if Grampa wants to head out!
Our girl does not cry very often, but when she doess - she makes it worthwhile. She really knows how to giv'er that is for sure. We call this "flipping a switch." She does not do this nearly as much as she used to (Thank Goodness!) When P flips a switch - the windows shake, the dogs whine, and the mommy and daddy panic!! In one moment she will be smiling and happy and then the next instant she flips her switch and begins to scream - for a long time it was anyone's guess as to what set her off, but Jason and I are pretty good now at determining what she wants. Now she really only cries when she is really hungry or really tired.
Once she has flipped her switch, she goes into a state we call "the red zone." It's not a pretty site and takes a long time to come down from. In short, it is absolutely nuts! Her fists clench, the muscles in her body tighten, and she planks herself straight. Her mouth opens as wide as it can, and her eyes cinch shut. Three words for you... 1. Over 2. The 3. Top.
This little guy has a soother attached to him. Pacey doesn't so much enjoy the soother as she is quite attached to the NUK pip, but she sure loves tagging him along places. She often holds onto his arm or sucks on his arm or leg! He is nice and soft. She also has Ooie the Monkey but she is not nearly as fond of this guy - poor monkey!
Rob the Robot TV show on Knowledge Kids
Pacey-rae loves this TV show. She can sit and watch full 10 minute episodes and she squeals and smiles when they "pick a planet." There is many bright colours and interesting things to look at, and I have to say, the music isn't half bad!
ABBY CADABBY talking doll
Pacey's cousin Calli has this little doll and when Pacey saw it she couldn't stop smiling! I mentioned it to Daddy and of course we were at Toys R Us the next day finding P her own Abby doll. She really likes to touch Abby's hair and she is starting to laugh a little when she hears her talk.
DOUGIE the frog
We just recently got Dougie from our favourite online store Snugglebugz.com. Super store - deadly on the wallet! Dougie is a baby bottle buddy and her bottle fits into his tummy and she looks at him while she has her bottle. She smiles and coos at Dougie and when she is done she often has a quick little conversation with him! We love Dougie!
Activity Mat
Pacey spends a lot of time under her activity mat. She loves to kick the panda and duck. She also quite enjoys checking her sweet little self out in the mirror. She does a lot of talking and squealing as the little guys fly around. It is fun to watch her move around underneath it, as she has figured out how to move herself in a circle from one side to the other. My smart little mouse!
Lamaze Stroller Toys
Pacey loves these stroller toys. We usually put one or two on her carseat for driving and then if we are shopping we like to put them on her stroller as well. She likes the contrasting black and white, reflective details, and bright colours. They all have so much to look at, so it is no wonder they are able to keep her focus for so long.
Winkel Ball
This was a recommendation from Nixon's mom, Ainsley - who always has the best ideas, I might add. It is a great toy that P likes to hold onto and she loves when we shake it for her. The Winkel is easy for her to grip and she likes holding it in the car seat and stroller, or just when she is playing at home
Small Potatoes TV Show
Pacey loves watching this show while she has her afternoon bottle. It is a quick 5 minute show that focuses on one word or idea a day and offers a song and some fun ways of showing what the word means. The potatoes are pretty cute and they have British accents! Love them!
Our Mamaroo
Grampa bought Pacey-rae this Mamaroo long before she was even born. It is an amazing machine and we love it! The idea behind the Mamaroo is that it mimics the different motions a mother makes while her baby is still in the womb. Pacey loves her Mamaroo and often has a little snooze in there during the day. The Mamaroo has 5 different natural motions as well as 5 different speeds. You can play the music embedded into the machine - which are nature sounds, or you can hook your iphone or ipod up to it and play music through there. Great find!
Babies Go and Rockabye Baby CD's
We love these CD's. They are awesome to listen to for Pacey, Daddy and Mommy. They are our favourite songs and artists, only they have been remade into instrumental renditions. They are super relaxing and easy on the ears. We have Babies Go Madonna, Coldplay, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Aerosmith, Lady Gaga, and Bob Marley.
Pacey-rae loves these CD's as well. WHen we put them on in the car, she coos away or just falls asleep listening to them. She is not a fan of when her mother tries to sing the song to the music - can't say I blame her! The exact same idea as the Babies Go CD's, except a few different artists to choose from. We have Rockabye Baby Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Nirvana, Green Day, Dolly Parton, Ramones, No Doubt, Rascal Flatts, and Weezer.
My first Mother's Day was awesome - a better one than last year that is for sure! We went for a long walk in Assiniboine Park in the late morning with Daddy, went to Starbucks for Frappy Hour, and then we came home and relaxed. Daddy went overboard on presents, and got me some really lovely things - way too much, but all so appreciated! Pacey and I had an afternoon cuddle and we read some books and then Daddy made us dinner - ribs, corn on the cob, broccoli, and beans. It was such a nice dinner. I thought about how much has changed in a year and what joy my little baby brought not only to me, but to all my family and my mom's friends. Who knew such a little tiny person had so much power???
At the beginning of May, mommy decided it was time to become a little more familiar with the camera. She set up a few little shots, went shopping for props and outfits, and started snapping! We think the pics turned out quite nice and hope you enjoy them.
It is amazing how quickly Pacey-rae is growing. Every day we notice her doing something she couldn't the day before. Lately her head is getting stronger, she is becoming more vocal, and she is able to focus on actual objects and follow sounds. The most exciting, and terrifying development is that she now rolls onto her tummy - but has yet to figure out how to roll back!
Her favourite activities include weekly walking dates with Bentley, Nixon, and Talia - 3 of her BFF's; bath time with singing (yes, believe it or not, Mommy belts out a number or two to get through the bath!); watching Rob the Robot or Small Potatoes; chilling in her Mamaroo (thanks Grampa!); kicking the toys on her activity mat; and Stroller Bootcamp at Fort Whyte on Thursday mornings. It is so fun to see her doing each of these activities and watching how she acts and reacts to different stimuli. I do love to watch her learn and grow!