Toddler Communication

We are getting to the point in our parenting journey where parents and children begin to get frustrated with each other. It is the age where they know what they want but cannot express it. Parents don't know how to make it easier on them and both parties end up frustrated in the end.

We have decided that we would try to alleviate some of this frustration by teaching Sydney baby sign language. So far she only know a few:

~ Milk

~ All Done

~ More

~ Food

It isn't much but it has made life a whole lot easier. She signs for her milk instead of yelling at me and always tells us when she is done with something.

Her vocabulary has also been expanding at an incredible rate. We have been making every effort to teach her new words on a regular basis. I run through her words with her whenever I have a spare moment and we often point to items and name them for her. So far she says:

~ Mom (Mum Mum)

~ Dad (Dad Dad)

~ Baby (Baba)

~ Bubble (Bubbo)

~ Poop

~ Blue (Boo)

~ Moo

~ Banana (Nana)

She will point to the Banana and say "nana?" or point to the bubble gun and say "bubbo?" She also nods her head yes or no in response to questions. When I ask her if she is tired she will either rub her eyes or shake her head no. Slowly but surely we are getting there!

Mrs. E

Triathlon Season!

Triathlon season is officially in full swing!

I am super excited and nervous at the same time. It means that we get to see many of our racing friends but it also means that I am about to get even busier! David and I are both Alberta Triathlon officials so from time to time we jump in to officiate a race or help out by volunteering. We both race (although, I have not raced since having Sydney). And, planning is really ramping up for the Kids of Steel Triathlon.

I am still trying to decide whether or not I should sign up for a last minute race. I think it may be fun to get one good race in this year! We will see!

Mrs. E

Too Busy To Breathe

I have gone into mommy overload.

Lately, it is everything I can do to keep on top of the things that are piling up on my to do list. Between the SEVEN weddings that I am attending this year, the travel, Dave's Ironman training, the Kids of Steel Triathlon that I am organizing, full time work, parenting, being a wife, and helping out with our family foundation, I have zero time to myself.

I am seriously experiencing mommy burnout. I can't help but think that this would be so much easier for me if I was working part time. The problem is finding something that still pays well. I am also super attached to many of my co-workers and would have a very tough time leaving them.

All in all, life is pretty crazy right now. I can only hope that it starts to slow down sometime soon. I would love to stop being that asshole friend who cancels on everyone and has no time to hang out. Soon...

Mrs. E

A Saucy Sunday

Last Sunday was the first time I ever let Sydney eat messy food by herself (Aside from her birthday cake).

I am such a control freak. I can't handle when she gets super messy or runs food through her hair. I cringe every time her dirty fingers trail food to another part of her face. Not only does it get on her face and head, it somehow always finds its way into her diaper and all over her legs. I don't get it.

Anyway, here are a few photos from her first solo sauced pasta meal.

Mrs. E

Creative Moments

I am a massive fan of introducing creativity to children at a young age.

I believe that it it truly important to expose kids to new things all the time. As parents, it is our job to ensure that we foster their creativity and encourage them in all of their pursuits. I understand that Sydney is still very far away from making any decisions on what she is interested in, but we are trying to show her the things that we are interested in.

I am very passionate about art and all things creative. I often feel like I have too many ideas and not enough time to get them out. We took some time this past weekend to sit down with Sydney and teach her about coloring. She loved it and with our help, she created her first masterpiece.

Expect to see it hanging in our home sometime soon!

Mrs. E

Summer Slasa

Salsa is one of my favorite foods... can we call it a food? Ok, let's say that it is my favourite condiment.

The problem with salsa is that they are all so very different. I am very particular about the consistency of salsa and I can never find one that I like. So for the past few years I have been making my own salsa from scratch and jarring it. It is super easy, healthy and incredibly delicious.

Ingredients ~

(Add or subtract spices as you see fit and feel free to make as many changes as you want)

~ 10 Cups of Roma Tomatoes

~ 1 Cup of Red Pepper

~ 1 Cup of Yellow Pepper

~ 1 Cup of Bicks Pickled Peppers

~ 1 Cup of White Vinegar

~ 2 Cups of Onion

~ 6 Garlic Cloves

~ 6 Tbsp of Fresh Cilantro

~ 6 Tbsp of Fresh Parsley

~ 6 Tbsp of Lime Juice

~ 3 Tbsp of Crushed Chilies

~ 3 Tsp of Paprika

~ 3 Tsp of Oregano

Tools ~

~ Large Soup Pot

~ Wooden Spoon

~ Food Processor or Hand Blender

~ Mason Jars (your choice of size)

 

~ Chop all vegetables, garlic, parsley and cilantro.

 

~ Add all other ingredients.

 

~ Stir will and set on low to simmer.
~ At this point the house is going to start to smell AMAZING!
~ Simmer on low, stirring occasionally for an hour and a half.

 

~ Remove from heat.
~ Blend in batches in food processor to desired consistency.

 

~ Pour back into pot.
~ At this point it is a good idea to taste your salsa to see if you feel it needs any more spices. Adjust as you see fit.
~ Set a large pot of water to boil and set up all of your mason jars on a cutting board.

 

~ Place the jar seals in the boiling water and remove from heat.
~ Carefully fill each jar, wiping the edges to ensure that you will get a good seal.

 

~ Remove the seals from the water one at a time and dry off.
~ Place seal on jar and top with seal ring.

~ Ensure that everything it tight.

~ Place sealed jars in boiling water to process.

~ Remove from heat and allow to cool overnight.

The jars will vacuum seal overnight. At that point they are ready to be stored!

Done!

Mrs. E

May Long Weekend

I love long weekends.

Long weekends mean that I get to spend extra time with my favorite people. Long weekends during the summer mean that we get to head out to the lake! We headed out to the cabin at Pigeon Lake for some family time and sun on Sunday. The weather could not have been better and Sydney was thrilled to have some time to run around outside.

We played with the bubbles and kicked around a ball and enjoyed every minute. The only downside to the entire day was that David was working. He worked all weekend so Sydney and I tried to make the best of it by enjoying some quality girls time.

Is there really anything better than a happy kid running around in the sun on a beautiful day? Cute!

Mrs. E

Sick Babies

Last week was a rough one for Sydney.

Our poor little one had a very high fever last week. When I left for work in the morning I though she felt a little warm. I mentioned it to David and left the house. That afternoon I got a very worried call from David. With Sydney screaming in the background he told me that he needed me. He didn't know what to do for her and her fever was up around 103F.

I called the paediatrician and got her a quick appointment and left work to meet him there. Under normal circumstances I would have just gone home to help... but we had just flown in from Mexico. After a quick visit we were told that she had baby measles and that there was not much we could do or her.

We got her home and I spent hours cuddled in bed holding her. She would only sleep on me and only wanted to be held by me. Her fever finally broke at around 10pm that night and the measles never showed up.... what a mystery illness!

The only positive thing about having a sick baby is all of the sleepy cuddles that you get. :)

 

Mrs. E

Book Review ~ Sophie Kinsella

With all of the travelling we have done lately and all of the time I spend commuting on the LRT and reading over lunch, I have managed to finish almost all of the books from my favorite chick lit author.

Sophie Kinsella is hilarious. I often find that I can identify with her main characters. I am not saying that I have a shopping problem (only a small one) or that I often take on more than I can handle (only every so often), but I definitely find myself giggling at things that I would totally do. Here are a few of the books I have read in the last month and a half:

I managed to finish "I've Got Your Number" while we were in Hawaii. It was such a cute, easy read. Much of the narrative takes place through series of text messages and emails that had me laughing out loud. It was a modern way to tell the story of a quirky and often awkward romance. I honestly could not put this one down. I would get super excited every time I had a minute to read. I completely recommend this one.

As some of you may know, I am a bit of a domestic goddess myself. I thrive on making well prepared meals, playing the role of uber mommy and ensuring that my family is well taken care of. The main character in the "Undomestic Goddess" is the complete opposite. Inept in the kitchen and incapable of cleaning, she is a lawyer who finds herself in a sink or swim situation. Reading about her struggles to find her domestic side and her epic cooking and cleaning failures made for a hilarious story. I literally found myself giggling on the LRT reading this one.... completely embarrassing.

I loved "Remember Me". It was a little bit slower to build up than the others but it was truly romantic. The main character gets into an accident and forgets the last 7 years of her life. It is then up to the people in her life to help her remember who she is... including the men in her life.

The main character in "Can You Keep a Secret" has a serious problem being honest with the people in her life. She is always out to make everyone happy and often forgets about herself. When her secrets all come out during a near death experience on a plane ride her whole life changes. Funny and easy to read, this book was perfectly entertaining during my boring lunch hours.

I am almost done " Mini Shopaholic". I love it so far. I share a lot of the same feelings as the main character Becky. It is very difficult to not break the bank on cute little girls clothing when you have a daughter and her constant need to ensure that her husband is happy is something that I completely understand.

I believe that I only have one of Sophie Kinsella's books left to read. "Twenties Girl" will be the last for me.... Sophie, won't you hurry up and write another one for me please?

Mrs. E