Showing posts with label Montreal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Montreal. Show all posts

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Eliana turned 18 months old and Happy Easter!!


First of all I will have to just say...Happy Easter!! Our Easter was fairly unorthodox. We missed the bus for church. There was a lot of grumpy shenanigans all around...and I have no idea what is going on with my hair, lol. I seriously never wear my hair parted down the middle like this. Oh well, the point is we were altogether for in a picture for  Easter.


 photo Easter2014_zpscb10295b.jpg

It has been a couple months since I have done an update post! One is due for Parker too. So much has changed with both of these kiddos. 

Eliana's 18 month stats

Weight: 20.5lbs (< 5th percentile) 
 Height:  31.5" long (25th-50th percentile) 
Clothing size: Wears 18-24 month clothing and some 2T
  Shoe size: 5/6

 photo 18months2_zpsc4208737.jpg
Eliana's vocabulary has grown SO much since my last post. Amazing how fast she picks things up. I remember Parker being a lot quieter at this age and Parker used sign language more and knew more signs then Eliana. She has had an easier time with her words, that she has pretty much stopped using signing for communicating with us. She still does sign please, more, and change.

I find it so cute when little ones are first learning their words. I hope one day I can make a book for each of the kids with some of my blog posts. I love re-reading the posts I wrote for Parker and seeing how different the two were at the same ages.

Some cute words Eliana says:

Grandpa                                        owie
bye bye                                          cheese
I uv oo (I love you)                        eww
juice                                                stinky
popcorn                                          yucky
Elsa                                                pee pee      
Olaf                                                tubby (bath)
please                                             happy
sorry                                               ball
scary                                               cracker
mine                                                baby
bo (which is her way of saying, "no") backpack
outside
shoes



 photo 18months_zpsf832080d.jpg

As you can see from the above picture, Eliana is such a happy, fun loving and silly little girl. She loves to sing at the top of her lungs when she hears a song she knows. She finds ways of making us laugh, all-the-time! The combination of Parker and Eliana together, makes for a lot of fun times. Together they are both so funny. 

Though Eliana is very funny and goofy, she is very sensitive. If we tell her, "no" she will break down and cry. It's so sad. Nearly, the exact opposite of how Parker would respond to, "no." For Parker, it was a challenge and for Eliana, it's the end of the world.
  photo 18months5_zps7ca66206.jpg
'
Eliana just cut 4 more teeth. 2 are barely poking out of the gums as of today. She now has a grand total of 16 teeth!

Eliana is getting better at eating. She will only eat a few bites of her breakfast and lunch(sometimes she refuses to even eat breakfast,) but she does have a fairly good appetite by dinner.

She is still nursing, a lot. All day and at night. Obviously, this has a lot to do with her not eating enough food. It's not for lack of trying to get her to eat. If she's not going to eat, at least she is getting her calories and nutrition from nursing. She is only nursing once at night, but during the day it's quite often.  I don't remember Parker nursing so much at this same age, but after a certain time I stopped blogging about it so I'm not really sure. We are letting Eliana self-wean. We did the same thing with Parker and he ended up stopping a couple months before his 2nd birthday. We are hoping for the same timeframe with Eliana. 

 photo 18months4_zpsff98e61b.jpg

Eliana knows and can say a lot of the parts of her body. She will point and say where her eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, tongue, chin, armpit, belly, toes, hands, hair and butt. I didn't get them all in a video I took of her, but she did a lot of these. Her little voice is so cute to hear.


Eliana isn't officially "potty training," but she does understanding sitting on the potty. She knows you pee-pee in the potty. She will take off her diaper and sit on the potty, but she doesn't ever go. Anytime I'm in the bathroom she HAS to go in there and also sit down and "potty." Nolan and I have never been the type to push any of the kiddos to potty train. We will talk to them about it and tell them what it means to potty. We are very open with bathroom talk. When we see that they have a good understanding of the concept, we start to work consistently with them to potty train. They see daddy and I go potty and learn that the potty didn't eat us and it seems to help them not fear the potty. We let Eliana flush the toilet, when needed, so they aren't afraid of the sound. We did the same with Parker, so I think that has a lot to do with why Parker's potty training went so easily?? Vanessa was very easy potty train also.  Again, I can only hope Eliana is the same way. 

 photo 18months6_zps700f3438.jpg
Eliana loves:

-playing hide and seek with Parker and Vanessa...one of her favorites. She runs around cracking up the whole time. Doesn't really ever hide. 
-pretending she is a kitty. She will crawl around the house, meowing. 
-going to the park. She LOVES the slides. She will climb up the stairs and slide down all on her own. Though she is still terrified of the swings. 
-playtime with daddy. She might always seem to want mommy, but honestly she is a daddy's girl. So cute when she calls for him. She loves talking to him on the phone when he's at work before her nap. 
-baby dolls. She loves baby dolls. She walks around the house with no less than 2 dolls at a time. She has about 6 dolls and loves them all the same. 
-her red Fisher Price car she received at Christmas. She sits and plays in that car all the time.
-craft time with big brother. We do a lot of preschool crafts for Parker. Helping him to learn weather, time, letters etc. and it's one of Eliana's favorite times of the day.
-loves to cuddle mommy. She will stop everything she is doing to lay in my lap when I go to sit down. 

 photo 18months8_zps461bc7e6.jpg
Eliana doesn't like:

-to sleep in her own bed. To be honest, we aren't really pushing her a whole lot. I love to cuddle my little miss. It will be nice to one day have our bed to ourselves, but for now I'm okay with our sleeping arrangements. Having a 14 year old really puts in perspective just how fast these kiddos grow up. We do have the kids' room all set up for both of them to share the room. We separated the bunk beds and we decorated the room for each of the kids. Parker's side is firetrucks and misc. vehicles and Eliana's is just random cute girly things.
-swings at the park.
-to wear clothing. Unless we are going outside, she takes off everything I put on her. Most times she will leave on her diaper.

 photo 18months7_zpsda022681.jpg

I can't believe how big she is getting...so fast too. It's amazing that we are in our second Spring and heading into our second summer here in Montreal. With all that went on last year, in went by so fast.

Here's to another amazing, wonderful and happy month...happy 18 months my little miss :) We love you so very much. 







Thursday, May 30, 2013

Mama Memoirs: Public Transportation

When Nolan received the news that his company was closing their Phoenix location, and they wanted to relocate Nolan to Montreal, we both just knew it was something we wanted to do. We then had to make choices on what we could live with and without when we moved, due to the increased cost of living in Montreal. One of the decisions we made was to sell both our vehicles. It was weird to think about not driving a car, as I have driven and owned a vehicle since I was 16 years old and there were very few times periods that I went without driving. We now, however, rely 100% on public transportation, our legs...and on RARE occasions, a taxi, LOL!

 photo IMG_0444_zps9830a50f.jpg


 photo IMG_0932_zps5c703ebc.jpg We moved to Montreal in January. Luckily, at first, we were right downtown and next to where Nolan was working. That was nice...sort of "eased" us into getting around the city. I had a little bit of anxiety, and all the worst-case-scenarios went through my head about getting on the metro the first time. A fire, an accident, a thug would come behind me and push me...the world would come to an end and I would be stuck in there. No joke, lol. I stood quite a ways back from the edge of the platform for a while. It's different now, I love riding the metro and using the buses to get around.

  photo IMG_0954_zps4dd7de66.jpg There has only been one or two extremely frustrating times while using public transport here, but that is it...a couple of times! I can't tell you how many times I would get stressed while driving a car. Add to that the fact that our cars seemed to always break down and in the back seat sat a hormonal teenager, an upset two year old and a screaming baby. Oh, and a husband that was "directionally challenged." Needless to say, I was...well, I loathed driving near the end. 


 photo IMG_0914_zpsdcfaf299.jpg There is something about using public transport, or just plain walking, that makes me feel accomplished. All the walking is making me a healthier person. Eliana is usually sitting in the carrier on my chest or back, so I'm getting a dang good work out. Parker LOVES riding on the buses and the metro. Vanessa is learning to navigate the transit to get to school and back and I think it gives her a little independence.

 photo IMG_0612_zps3452abd0.jpg
We save by not paying for gas, car insurance or car maintenance. We figured that to be at least $200-300 a month. Plus, at the time we were still paying off one car so that is an additional $250 per month. We also save money on groceries, as most of the time we have to carry home what we buy...

edit: Okay, I have a confession...we don't save on groceries because we are a milk loving family. In Montreal milk is very expensive, comes in tiny bags that seem to get drunk in one sitting and never goes on sale, EVER!!

 photo a04b0188-3b54-4504-a84a-8a15d00fc112_zpsb3daf715.jpg
I know this isn't the deepest of topics, but I'm so happy about all the changes we've made for our family. It has been so exciting for us out here. We are learning a new culture and a new way of life, with regards to transportation. It's nice to have a fresh start.




Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Wittle People Wednesday: Dandelions!

Linking up with Ramblings and Photos for, "Wittle People Wednesday!"

 photo dandelionsupdated_zps1328c0c1.jpg
The weather has been unbelievably GORGEOUS! I'm experiencing seasons!! In AZ, you have hot and less hot. The park is so close it makes it real easy to get the kids out during the day to play.


 photo dandelionsupdated2_zps0c83b8bc.jpg
I was teaching Parker how to "make wishes" with the dandelions. He was trying so hard to blow the "puffers" off.


 photo dandelionsupdated3_zps96442bb6.jpg
It was a little windy that day, so most of the time the wind would blow them all off before he had the chance to.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Wittle People Wednesday: Sewing for boys

Linking up with Ramblings and Photos  for, "Wittle People Wednesday!"


 photo Newshorts_zps1d70100a.jpg
It's starting to get warm here in Montreal and I realized that I had only 1 pair of shorts for Parker! I went to the store and clothing here in Montreal is much more expensive than in the states. On top of costs, most of the shorts have buttons/snaps and zippers and we are working on potty training Parker. I wasn't planning on making shorts, but I came across a cute pattern for cargo shorts. I was able to find the perfect fabric at the local fabric store and 2 yards of this fabric was less than what it cost for ONE pair of shorts at the stores.


 photo Newshorts3_zps3da6fadf.jpg


 photo Newshorts2_zps34ba27ed.jpg
 You can find this pattern at this ETSY shop. It was an instant download. Easy to read directions with pictures and quick to sew from start to finish. My favorite thing about these shorts is that they don't LOOK homemade. I don't know why, but I'm kinda picky about that.

 photo Newshorts6_zps1034ffaa.jpg
 Of course, boys will be boys...they didn't last 5 minutes before Parker decided he needed a sand bath. I was far less concerned because I didn't spend a fortune making them and I loved that he was having so much fun.

 photo Newshorts4_zps0e98a15c.jpg





Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

My new goal for my blog is the post a couple times throughout the week. I used to participate in, "Scavenger Hunt Sunday," when Parker was little and slowly I stopped doing it. I'm a little late posting for this week, but it will be a post that I strive to do each week.

1. Walking

 photo atthepark-1_zps31865339.jpg
We are finally getting some "non-jacket" wearing weather. I enjoyed the snow, but it is nice to be able to go outdoors without spending 45 minutes getting everyone ready. Eliana enjoyed her first time sitting with Parker in the wagon. She kept trying to lay on him.


2. Yummy To My Tummy

 photo atthepark4_zpsa3669d59.jpg
 photo atthepark5_zps429d8c66.jpg

At the park I let Eliana explore her surroundings. She was a little afraid at first and wasn't wanting to sit in the grass, but she warmed up after a few minutes.



3. Favorite Toy

 photo 25weeksold2_zps2dd016c9.jpg
I don't know if Eliana has a true favorite toy yet. I know she recognizes a lot of her toys. One item she likes to grab any time she has a chance, is my camera lens cover. 



4. What I Did This Week

 photo atthepark12_zps48976315.jpg
 Parker kept asking for me to put Eliana in the "tunnel" with him when we were at the park. 



5. Anything

 photo mustachebaby_zpse1298f56.jpg

 photo DSC_1195_zpsb69c5cc4.jpg
I wanted to share this photo last week, but it ended up being a busy weekend. Eliana is just too much in the first picture! This is what she looks like when she gets angry at me. The second picture to me is absolutely precious, I never want to forget these little baby hands and feet.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Wordless{ish} Wednesday/Wittle People Wednesday: Trains

Today I wanted share pictures of Parker and his trains. He has a small obsession with them. We weren't able to bring them all on the plane with us, he just has way too many. These few trains are his favorites though.
 
 
Photobucket

Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...