Back to Normal

Cadence is feeling pretty much back to her old self and thus life is almost back to normal around here! We did anticipate some difficulty getting her back into her own bed, but surprisingly she did quite well Monday and Tuesday. Of course we were proactive ... me in my usual 'spot' and daddy 'in the rocking chair' on the first night ... but hey, it worked. Oddly enough, when I went to put her down tonight, she whined for a bit and said, "I sleep in mommy and daddy's bed." Ah, no ... you don't ... nice try sweetie! As much as I do love snuggling up, and know how soon those days will fade, I also know it is the right thing to halt this now ... we can still do our 'thing' in the mornings ... sometimes, the very early mornings!
With the holiday season well upon us, I've taken little photos ... in fact I don't think I've taken any in a week! By now though most of you should have received this:

I was happy to include both these photos. I thought she looked so old in the smiling one, yet the standing shot seemed to capture more of her toddler image ... plus I really wanted the dress in full too. I had originally planned to order about 30 ... turned out I had to order at least 50 ... good thing ... I only have 2 left!
Well, I really am ready for the holidays ... everything is bought and wrapped, the house is decorated, (the cleaning lady comes Friday!) and let's face it ... heading home to mom means I don't have to cook or bake! All that is left is to pack our bags and try to fit everything into the truck ... that should prove to be a feat itself!
To date, this has been a very exciting start to the holiday ... Cadence has lit our little corner of the world with her joy! She literally was jumping up and down chanting "my Christmas tree!" when it was all set up and she is totally into watching "Christmas specials"! We had to laugh when we realized her impatience had to do with the fact that she's never watched a program that had commercials in it! I am looking forward to enjoying it all and capturing as much of it as I can ...
We've a few Christmas parties this weekend (four to be precise) so there should be some photos next week ... probably ... likely ... maybe!!!
Cheers!

Rough Days ... Rougher Nights!

I know ... there has been a lack of posts this week! There has also been a lack of clean bedding, sleep, patience and confidence. The good news ... I THINK we are on the mend. At least I am hoping so! Although, there are other issues to work on as a result, I'm afraid.
The shorter version of events goes something like this:

-weeks probably of runny nose and cough
-cough inducing vomiting during the nap 2 days in a row
-day 3 - repeated vomiting at bed time (seems to be brought on by coughing at bedtime)
-day 4 - doctor says, "healthy", but does prescribe a short term antibiotic ... bedtime ... Treehouse to 2am, screaming til 3:00
-day 5 - seems better but WILL NOT sleep in crib at all no matter what, reluctantly goes to bed at 10:15, wakes coughing 30 minutes later, small amount of ... ya you know what, brought up
-day 6 - wakes up CRANKY, will not be soothed for an hour, head to clinic, right ear VERY inflamed, throat mildly inflamed, some rattling on the right side to follow up on in a week (not quite pneumonia yet!)
WTF!!!!!

Bottom line, today's doctor says, she's not well ... you don't say!!!! On a good note, he at least prescribed the same meds as our family doctor. I just don't know where to go with this. Obviously, I am feeling a HUGE lack of confidence in my family doctor ... but GOOD luck to anyone trying to find a doctor these days! I'm thinking perhaps of asking for a pediatric referral????
Although Cadence seems to be better right now (post 3 hour nap and 3 pancakes ... yay!), I am afraid of what bedtime will bring. Sean and I think she may be freaked out now by the puking and associate it with going to bed in her crib. Looks like we will be starting back at square one in a way .... argh!!!!

On the lighter side: this week's language ... "Doing mommy?" in the form of a question for everything and when I answer she says, "Oh!", like she gets it! She's too cute (except when she's sick ... which explains the lack of photos too!).

Reading: A+

Here is a clip of Cadence reading one of her books! Truly ... she can read it!
As for the clothing optional state of our little one in the last few blog entries ... I have no comment!

The Halls are Decked!

It took a village, but we got it done! Believe me when I say it is no small feat ... and I was keen to just put 4 of the 6 sections up again this year. I have to admit, I'm glad Dave was keener to see it in all it's glory because to tell the truth ... it looks pretty amazing! And to see Cadence's excitement was just the star on the top!!!! I truly wish I had captured her in action.
I set out to capture each addition, but quickly got too caught up in the action ... maybe next year!
Check it out:





It was a nice afternoon/evening all around. The girls enjoyed getting playdough into EVERY fibre of the carpet downstairs, the other 'girls' enjoyed the first rum and nog of the season, the boys did the 'man' stuff and we all enjoyed a great dinner. After bath and video, our girls were all set to crash ... ours did ... YAY!!!!!
Thanks again, Unckie Dave!!!!!

Of Things Past, Present and Future

Some 'quips' to catch you up on:

Not only did I end up with pink highlighter everywhere while daddy was away ... little miss Cadence also managed to lock herself in the bathroom! The following 'conversation' ensued:
Mommy: (while not quite frantically jiggling the doorknob) Cadence turn the little button honey.
Cadence: No, mommy, you do it!
What happened to the usual, "Me do it!"??????
After a few minutes of failed attempts, I decided to phone the firefighter brother in law, before the actual fire department.
As luck would have it, I figured out the secret to unlocking the door from the outside just as Dave picked up. Phew!!! One disaster averted!

I've discovered my daughter is a 'closet eater' of sorts:

Okay, well it's actually a cupboard ... same idea! Even though I said no to the cookies, the crackers were of reach!
And after 'snacking', my little monkey put on a video ... then she decided she needed to "pee pee toilet". Minutes later, I discovered her sitting on the toilet while watching Dora on the DVD player on the floor! Honestly!
By the time I came down with the camera, she was pretty much done:

For the record ... I was preparing dinner!

Cadence went to her first 'organized' birthday party today! We chose not to partake in the swimming aspect ... there is NO WAY this mommy is putting on a suit at this time of year! I was a little concerned as we set off ... Cadence, after having just celebrated her own birthday, didn't quite get that the wrapped present we were carrying wasn't for her. In the end though, she did great!!! She coloured and ate, did a craft and graciously gave the present to Gwen. Mommy and daddy were very proud ... but mommy and daddy, didn't bring the camera! That is sooooo not like me!

Also want to let you know Santa here has smartened up! ALL the gifts are now wrapped! See ... I'm gettin' it!
Not only that, I'm just about done shopping and most of the holiday decorations are up ... tomorrow, we tackle the tree! Even the Christmas cards are in hand ... just need a new gold marker and I can start sending them out tomorrow ... perhaps, if you're good, I'll post a preview here ....

Well, that really is about all folks ... It is beginning to get a little crazy and hectic but I will try my best to update as much as possible. Enjoy the balance of your weekend ........... They really do go by so fast!

Santa Rookie

Yep ... already I suck at doing the big red man thing. I had NO clue a two year old could actually find their Christmas presents.
This Santa has GOT to find better hiding spots ... yeesh!

Wordless Wednesday