Life up North

For those of you who are still checking this blog (???) I have a new blog located at:
http://allymama.blogspot.com/
I was having some trouble here on this blog and it wasn't working for what I wanted anymore, so I thought it was time for a change.
Thanks, and see you at allymama! (Ally is a nickname of mine, hence...)

Evan had his first birthday on Saturday the 26th...already! Daryl believes that qualifies him to no longer be a baby, but he will always be my baby. And I'll only stop calling him that as often as I do, if and when I have a younger baby around! Crazy how a year goes by so quickly. And how your priorities can change so drastically in that year. I was very sentimental the last few days, but I'm better now :P

Daryl was home for the busy weekend (he better be..or else I would have kicked his ass!) He spent Friday doing prep outside while I baked and cake decorated ALL DAY! This was my first attempt at making a real decorated cake, and I was determined to do it properly and have a good result. I was happy to do it though and so proud of the end result (see Facebook pics). In the midst of party planning, and taking care of Evan we also had two showings of our house. One on the night before the party and one the morning of. So it was a bit stressful, but it had to be done. It's also a good motivator to do a super clean, and the house was in tip top shape for the party too!

Evan's birthday was nice, we went for a nice morning walk while our house was being viewed, and then finished up some stuff and played with Evan until his party. I had to give him his naps earlier in order for him to be awake for his party at 4pm because he usually has his second nap (yep, still 2 per day! woo hoo) till 5pm, and he did well with that. Unfortunately Evan's 2 top teeth are (finally) just starting to poke through at the same time, which made him super grumpy for his birthday. He was good for the most part for his party, but is super sensitive with his teeth, so he got upset quite a few times. He played with the big kids, and splashed in the pool, had a great supper and loads of cake (after he put out the candle with his fingers poor guy).

It was a great showing for Evan's first birthday, which is what we hoped for. We had said beforehand that this one would be the nice big ordeal, and we'll do smaller birthday parties from now on. After this party we still think that is what we want to do...there is just so much planning and prep work. And even though it was a lot of fun and was nice to see everyone, it was difficult to get the pictures or video we wanted because I was so concerned with making sure everything was running smoothly. And going through our pictures we don't have a family picture of the 3 of us from that day :(  Oh well, we had a lot of fun anyways :)

And now that Evan is one....I have baby fever...
But we need and want to be realistic and wait for other things to align first. We'll see.

So Evan is now motoring around the house on his feet. No more belly scooting he says, he's ready to take off. Evan decided today to have no fear and walk away from the furniture. Not tentatively mind you, but nearly running.....
This makes it difficult to catch him if and when he falls. I usually do, as I'm trying to keep my hands under his arms (but off of him ), but he's so quick, going around corners, or changing directions that he slipped through my fingers today and landed on his forehead on the kitchen floor. I felt so bad for our little monkey, but I know this is going to happen, and a lot. His head was all red at first, but it went away...I'm hoping it doesn't bruise because there will be plenty of picture taking next week on his birthday...we'll see. I'm sure he wouldn't be the first one year old with bumps and bruises. At least he didn't land on his nose or mouth.
I'm trying to slow him down a little so hopefully either those efforts will prevail, or the excitement of being off on his own will wear off a LITTLE and he will not run, but walk. I'd be happier with him exploring than running...
8 days till my baby is one :(

Back from our mini vacation and it is so nice to be home. I always get so excited to leave town, but then I just can't wait to get back to our house, where I know where everything is, and everything has its place. I don't know how many things I lost, misplaced, or forgot this past week.
We had a nice week away from home. The family and I went to Edmonton mainly for Daryl's cousin's wedding which was gorgeous, but we also spent some much needed time with his family because it's been a long time. We also spent some time with Evan's uncle Dave before his return to Thailand, which was nice. It took Evan quite a while to get used to his grandparents and uncles again, and he was having a great time by the wedding. He was dancing in his high chair to the music, and he was sooo good. Daryl and I were so impressed.
Evan learned a few more things while we were gone as well. He can now build his blocks up like a pro, and he knows how to use his shape sorter for something other than chew toys. Its so cool to see him knowing how to play with his toys now...driving the little cars and trucks, and petting his stuffed animals. I'm also sure that he's making cat noises when he sees his kitty (stuffed or real). Not "meow" cute noises, but the crazy howling noises they make (if you've seen or heard them, you might understand).
And we got back in town on Mon night, in time for the Canada Day festivities yesterday. Which was so handy being RIGHT ACROSS the street from our house. I will try to put up pictures of our trip and Canada Day fun today or tomorrow on facebook.
It's now officially a year since I left work. And I can't believe I have an 11 month old. Time to start planning the birthday party! (can't believe it) I'll put an evant on facebook, but it will be open to anyone that wants to come :)

So Daryl and I are looking at houses in PR for those of you that don't know. I stumbled across lots and land for sale in the area the other day, and was appalled! I can't believe how freaking expensive it is for a lot in a subdivision. They ranged from a "modest" $65 000 to a whopping $140 000. Are you kidding me??! For land...without the house...in a subdivision??! This is so frustrating. We want to move out of High Level, and PR is not catching up with the rest of the province, and slowing down and lowering their costs. It is more expensive to buy in PR than Edmonton and all areas around it!! That's so wrong.