Cake Smash Photos

Ever since I had Ethan's newborn photo's taken by the AMAZING photographer MaryJane Howland, I KNEW I had to have his 1st birthday/cake smash photo's done by her!! (and I am just realizing now that I never posted his newborn photo's on here!!!)

So month's ago, I contacted her and booked his Cake Smash photo's but ended up having to cancel because of the circumstances our family has been put into. She ever so graciously offered to do his photo's for FREE!! I was absolutely taken aback by this and cried when I read her email! She now has customers for all our photography needs in the future! I am ever so grateful for what she did for our family!!

Well seeing how I never posted his new born photo's I'll post them a long with his cake smash photo's!!

These are just a few of the AMAZING photo's we got!!

From newborn to Toddler!!

And here are a few of the AMAZING photo's from his cake smash!!

Ever so grateful for such an amazing photographer

MaryJane's Website Check it out!!

Victoria Santa Claus Parade

We have started the Christmas celebrations already!

That's right, mid November and the cities are already starting their Santa Claus parades, and lights. Christmas waits for no one!!

I am having a bit of a hard time getting in the mood for Christmas this year...normally by now I am itching to put up my Christmas tree and decorate my house, but this year I just can't seem to get out of this slump (I know the reason's why I am feeling this way, and hoping things pick up soon)

But when you have a child in your house, its fun to take them out and show them all the wonderful things that make Christmas, well Christmas besides the presents(even though we all know to a child that is the most important part)

So we took Ethan out to see the Victoria City Santa Claus Parade, I have to admit I truly enjoyed it and it did lift my spirits when I saw my little guy's face all full of wonderment and happiness :)

Watching all the lights and music go by, look at that face! Wide eyed and open mouth the whole time!

This was one of my favourites, I don't know what it is about trains and Christmas but they just go together!

Here he comes!! He comes Santa Claus!!

Santa Claus!!!

Look at that smile!! Loved seeing him watch all of this happen!!

Out for a very yummy dinner and White Spot after the parade, Ethan coloured and then chewed crayons!!

I'm so very happy we went, even with my slump of a mood, I will be taking my little boy to as many Christmas parades, and lights and things as possible, because that's what Christmas is about now, its all about him!!!

Xo

From Infant to Toddler in a Blink of the Eye!!

When did this happen???

My little boy has gone from a sweet little infant who needed mommy for everything, to a little toddler who runs around, demands things and can now communicate what he wants and if he's not happy!!

It feels like this happened over night!! Some days I miss my quiet little boy, who would just lay there and need me for everything. But then other day's I love that my little boy can do things on his own without my help!

Tonight was one of these examples, I was brushing his teeth after his bath like I do every night and he got mad, took the tooth brush and pushed my hand away, then proceeded to move it around in his mouth on his own!! Sigh....

Xo

Second Hand Children's Clothing Shopping Addiction!!

Ok, I NEED to come to terms with this!! I HAVE A HUGE SECOND HAND CHILDREN'S CLOTHING SHOPPING ADDICTION!!!!!

So now that I have it out there!! Will I stop? No probably not!! But how can you go wrong?

For those other mom's out there you know what I am talking about when I say, kids go through clothing WAY TOO FAST!!! 

So on Facebook there are swap and shop sites that I have joined and the quality of clothing you get on there for the price!! Can't beat it! Considering most clothing only get's worn a handful of times before its too small!

Too all you mom's out there who feed my addiction, THANK YOU!! You are saving my family a LOT of money and I appreciate it!!

Now on to more shopping!!

Xo

Weaning SUCKS!!!

Well, we have reached that milestone where it is time for Ethan to no longer be breastfed and time to only drink whole milk. (anyone ever wonder when/why humans started drinking another animals milk? Kind of weird don't you think??)

Anyway we are on day #4 of no breast milk, and it hurts!!

I know I know, I had a post about 6 months ago about how much breastfeeding sucked!! But after another 6 months of doing it and not as often it got so much easier and better!! Now I'm at the point of almost giving in and getting him to breastfeed just to take the pressure off.

But I will stick to it and let my milk dry up and that way he is no longer solely reliant on me to take care of him. Am I sad? Yes in a way I am, but I am so enjoying the freedom of knowing I can leave him all day and not have to worry about rushing home to feed.

On to bigger and newer things in the life of having a toddler :)

Xo

Little Link Halloween Costume

With this year being Ethan's "first" Halloween we went all out and made a home made costume, as we couldn't find what we wanted in stores. Dad set out to find a original Halloween costume for Ethan, and he sent me a link one day to another mom's blog who posted about "little link" and I fell in LOVE!!

For those of you who don't know who Link is, he's the main character from Zelda.

http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Littlest-Link-Kid-Legend-of-Zelda-Costume/ (here is the website we got our idea from)

 (I originally wanted to dress him up as a dragon, which I could have just ordered off the internet, have it shipped to my house and all I would have had to do was put it on him, but the blood, sweat and tears were worth the out come. And yes...there was blood (from pin and needle pricks) sweat(from all the work) and tears(a few melt downs when needles on the sewing machine broke)

I used one of his shirts as a guide for his tunic, but just extended the bottom

Here is a picture of the tunic

After the shoulders and sides have been sewn

You know your a mom when, you can sit and use a sewing machine with your child in your lap

Ethan watching mommy make his costume

Ethan with his hat

Here are all the pieces of his costume, the boot covers I got from http://sewing.about.com/od/hallowee1/ss/costumeshoe.htm

The final product!! Love this, it suited our little boy SO WELL!!!

Xo

Halloween 2012

Ethan enjoyed his "first" Halloween!!(I say first because he was 5 days old last Halloween and couldn't enjoy it like he did tonight)

We carved pumpkins the night before and then took him out trick or treating tonight! 

Getting ready to carve his first pumpkin

Watching daddy clean out the guts

Watching mommy

Mommy trying to convince him to get into the pumpkin but he had no interest

Sitting with mommy watching me carve our pumpkin

Ethan's Elmo Pumpkin

Mommy's witch boots pumpkin

Our pumpkins 

Ethan's Link Halloween costume!! (which is hand made by mommy and daddy)

Our little link

Our trick or treating

I have to say it was a great night, Ethan did SOOOO well trick or treating!!!

And of course there is a MAJOR stash of candy now for mommy and daddy!!!

XO

A Sesame Street 1st Birthday

This past Saturday we celebrated Ethan's 1st birthday with a BIG Sesame Street themed party!

These were the invitations

The food table and decorations

Ethan's high chair with balloons

The big cake for everyone to eat (ps mommy made this for him with the help of his nana)

Opening the presents everyone brought him (he was soooo spoiled!!)

The smash cake (mommy made this one too)

Everyone singing happy birthday to Ethan

Smashing his cake

What a mess!!

Playing with his balloons after the party

He loved these things!!!

Daddy and Ethan playing with one of his new toys!

All in all it was a wonderful busy day and I am so ever grateful for everyone who came out and celebrated with us! We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!!

Xo