Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Is it seriously October 26??

Where oh where does the time fly? Not just on a day to day basis...but really, are you my two year old?

Today we went to Belinda's to spend some time with her & her 4 week old twins. They are about 6.5 pounds each now and I fed them both and cradled them in my lap the same way I fed you a bottle when you were just 4 weeks old and weighing a bit more than that. The memories flashed at me and the thought of you, who was peering over my shoulder as I fed little Ruby, being the same girl as the one who once fit on my knees like Ruby now did, with her eyes half shut drinking her milk...man, it was a total flashback!

So we've had a super busy month, which I will recap here for fear that those memories too will be forever gone (my memory is failing!). Your nana came for a visit this month. You guys had an absolute blast together. You played with her non stop and you were a total angel. We all went to Sea World, and the pumpkin patch. You had a great time at both and I should mention they were big deals because of long car rides...but you did it in your undies and stayed dry! Superstar!

The pumpkin patch was a ton of fun and fabulous photo opportunities! There is just something so adorable about little kids surrounded by massive veggies and plants :) When we were driving there you suddenly yelled out "gourds!" and it was like you had a teeny flashback of our pumpkin patch visit a year ago. You loved it then too, and had picked out 6 little gourds that became your playmates all year long. You still shake those things :) This year we picked six more to add to the collection.

Sea World was great too because you actually enjoyed some of the things that typically frightened you. You enjoyed the Shamu show, and the dolphin show, which was fun. You also went on your first amusement park ride...the Abby Cadabby Teacups! You were a tad freaked but you did have a great time over all. You sure are growing up babe...

The weather's been cooler too so we've actually been playing outside more and heading to the parks. Your newest thing is that you are no longer terrified of the slides & playground! You amazed me by climbing up and sliding down all by yourself...something you had little interest in 5 months ago. It's really neat.

Oh and your performing streak is really out and about too. Last night you decided to do a performance of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and you had dad & I in hysterics! You would tell us that you were going to sing, then you would climb over an Ottoman to get to your 'stage' which was just the floor nearby. But you made it seem like you were going from back stage to main stage and you made a big deal out of it! Then you looked at us, asked "Ready?" and waited for our enthusiastic YES and next thing you know you belted out Twinkle and then clapped with pure joy. Then did it again. And again. And again. So cute!

I think I'll stop here for now and just upload a few great pictures from the last few weeks.

Love you babe.

Do not turn up your volume...

You know how whenever someone send an email with a video they say "make sure to turn the volume up"? Well for this video, make sure the volume is not set too high! You will quickly see why. I think Ryan's ears may still be ringing today!!

This little video was taken last night. You, my dear Finley, helped mummy throw a sweet little birthday dinner for Emily. Amber cooked the entire meal (now THAT is the way to throw a dinner party- have your friends cook everything!) and you three girls were so sweet together. I set up a 'kiddie' table for you guys and we attempted an adult meal. Attempted is the key word :)

Anyhow...as it got later into the evening you & Abby ended up being your nutty selves as sweet Mia watched and wondered how she wound up with such kooky buddies ;-)

You guys had fun, and so did we, so a good night was had by all. Happy Birthday Emily!

SO much to catch up on! Post #3

Happy Birthday to daddy!

It was Dad's birthday this week and you were very excited to give him your handmade card! When Daddy saw it he said "Finley! Did you make this?" and you looked at him and said "Yeah, Mummy make it." Honey, that was supposed to be between us! ;-)

But we had a lovely day...pancakes for breakfast and then a trip out to the bookstore where we hung out reading books. You love books so bookstores are always a hit with you!

Since it was Dad's birthday I asked you if you wanted to wear your party dress! Oh yes you did!! You ask me quite often to wear this dress and this silly mum always says 'no honey, it's too fancy to wear to walmart!' but that's silly right there. You should wear it before you grow out of it...which you soon will at the rate you are growing!

So you were so pleased to wear your party dress and a big "oooohhhhh" came from you when you saw your reflection all dressed up. Oh you are such a girlie girl!

So much to catch up on! Post #2

How cute are you in pigtails? :) It's been forever since you let me put 'piggies' in your hair! But you finally relented for a moment (I think you were captivated by Dora on tv or something when I put them in!). I haven't been able to get new ones in since!

But you did enjoy another night of painting in the back yard with Daddy. You beg to paint every day but it's still so hot we usually wait until nigh time... It's now too cold to swim every evening so it looks like painting will be its replacement for a while :) I'm cool with that!

SO much to catch up on! Post #1

Maybe to make this easier I'll make it into separate posts...going from a few weeks ago to now. This way when you are older and reading this you won't be over loaded with my ramblings....

Let's start with this:

This was the scene the night we launched Happy Chickadee. I know I haven't mentioned it much on this blog, since it is a blog dedicated to you, and not my business ventures. But this too is becoming a big thing in my life and I want you to know about it. And also be inspired by it. Women can wear so many hats, and lucky for me I can multi task and be your mother and a work at home mom! I hope you achieve whatever your dreams are sweet girl.

Anyhow, we launched our website on a Wednesday night, Sept 17. Moments after we launched your daddy called me into the living room. The above was what I saw. Cake and cookies and candles to celebrate the launch of a new business (yes, inspired by you too! See you are always behind everything I do!). How sweet is your daddy? Super sweet :)

So you kind of have an idea that I work, because you now can say "mummy working", "happy chickadee" and "mummy office". Though I am not sure you quite understand what working/Happy Chickadee means, but that's ok! I think I like keeping business and pleasure separate too :)

There's post #1. I will attempt more today to catch up on September. But perhaps now you'll understand why I was so busy in September 2008 and barely took any pictures of you or blogged about you. You've got a lifetime kid. ;-)

A little bit of mama...a little bit of dada...

Someone pointed out to me how comfortable you look with a golf club or paintbrush in hand! Wow, I totally didn't notice it before but now I do! It's funny since your dad and I have never been able to pinpoint who you look like, either he or me. People sometimes say you look like Dad, or me, but we still can't see it. Then some people say you are a perfect blend of the two of us. Nope, can't see that either. BUT, now we can see you take after a little bit of each of us in your personality.

Daddy, as you will one day find out, is an accomplished golfer (he in fact shot 61 in a tournament today) and played professionally for many years travelling the world and competing. Just before he & I met he stopped playing professionally and went amateur again (I hope I am using the right terms. I am pretty dense when it comes to this stuff!). Dad will tell you more when you are older! Anyhow, I hope you enjoy golf because it can be such a fun way for you guys to spend time together and enjoy the great outdoors! I love golf, although am not very good, nor do I actually know how to play...but I do love it anyhow. So by the looks of you and your little involvement with golf so far...I think you will be a natural!

Then it seems you love to paint too. As you will also come to learn, Mummy is the artist in the family and while I never painted for a living (though have sold some pieces) art was definitely my living for a long time. I would love for you to enjoy art and creating so when I watch you paint my heart flutters for a moment and I hope that it's another connection that you & I will have.

So while you may not look like either of us per se, you certainly have some of our best traits. And that my dear, is wonderful.