Braxton Hicks Contractions at 25 Weeks

I will be 25 weeks prego tomorrow and I couldn't go to sleep last night due to the contractions and I woke up at 5:30am(????)with minor contractions. I've never had BH Contractions before. I thought they weren't supposed to hurt...These don't exactly feel that great. After further research on the internet, they are pretty common this early with the 2nd or 3rd child. Also extremely common in women that don't drink enough H2O. Wow...that's me to a tee...

Time to Go Home

This happens a few (60x) times a year... I get tired of the constant snow. Truth be told if it weren't for Travis's job I would not live here a second longer. Other then the mountains and kind people I find very few redeeming qualities about Alberta. I get lonely for my family and friends. I miss intellectual conversations with other people then just Travis. It is wonderful being a mom, but I am clearly in over my head these days. I am slowing down and the girls are just speeding up. Travis is a wonderful dad but is gone 6 days a week until 5:30pm at night. It gets lonely up here. It gets depressing listenning to all of your friends talk about their families and fun family activities they have planned for Saturday. There comes a point when I just want to go home. Home to nice weather and home to family. 11 days to go...11 days....

Jaya on a Horse - Aka Daddy

Elynn on a Horse - aka Daddy

Can't Believe She is ONE Tomorrow

She took twelve small steps on her own yesterday (a new record)! She says momma, dad, hi dad, Jaya, more, and of course NO! She makes kissing sounds and loves to give dad kisses on the cheek. She is still in the bucket car seat, due to the fact she only weighs 16 pounds. She is sleeping through the night and still takes two very short naps during the day. I would write what her favorite foods are, but she will literally eat anything and everything. She thinks Jaya is the coolest person in the world. Elynn was the best Christmas present last year!

Matching Horse Sweatshirts

We gave them both matching sweatshirts for Elynn's party. They both looked amazing...

Happy Birthday to Elynn Video

Elynn's 1st Birthday Winter Wonderland

It's the one day of the year each of our kids get specifically recognized - their birthday. We make it special (super special). We had fun winter blue and white decorations and balloons. We had lots of fun things to eat and drink. To drink we had White Snowflake Punch and coffee. To eat we had meatballs, veggie dip, atrichoke dip and chips, goldfish (an Elynn favorite), baby and toddler mum mums, and cupcakes! The party was on December 4th and went from 2-4pm at the Parent Link Play Center in High River (Elynn's favorite place in the whole world right now).












We invited all of our friends and their children. So the ages ranged from 0-6 which made the party even more fun. We ended up having 20 children and 16 adults. Travis and I both wanted to give families somewhere to bring all of their children for an afternoon of fun....It was a huge success and Elynn specifically loved the ball pit and baby slide!


















WHITE SNOWFLAKE PUNCH Recipe

2 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 tbsp. almond extract
3 (1/2 gal.) cartons vanilla ice cream, softened
6 (2 liter) bottles lemon-lime soda, chilled

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add evaporated milk and almond extract; let cool. Chill until ready to serve.
Combine milk mixture and remaining ingredients in punch bowl, just before serving, stirring to break ice cream into small pieces. Yield: about 3 1/2 gallons.

The Party Planning Cupcake Team

Staring Travis and Rimini Hickey....Start time? 10pm. Finish time? 1am. Once again we continued with our cake/cupcake birthday decorating tradition. We had a blast although moderately strung out on sugar and coffee. Elynn's birthday theme was "Winter Wonderland," so we felt that snowmen were appropriate for the party. I am never sure who has more fun...Travis and I decorating the cupcakes? Or the kids at the birthday party?

23 Weeks Pregnant with Baby #3

I am growing bigger everyday. However, I am feeling the best I have ever felt being pregnant. I workout 2x a week, I stay active with the girls, and sometimes I am so busy I forget I am even pregnant. It's by far my easiest pregnancy, despite the fact I barfed my guts out up until week 16. We are now 23 weeks prego and over half way home. Elynn and Jaya kiss my tummy everyday. This baby is pretty laid back so far. I get kicked about once per week. I nice change from the karate class both girls gave me from week 14 on...The girls are in serious "big sister" training mode right now. March is just around the corner and although time is flying we all can't wait to meet this little blessing!

Elynn's New Duds

When you are the second girl in the family, new clothes are a special event. Here are Elynn's new birthday duds from Oma and Grandpa Joe. She felt special... She now holds up one finger to show everyone she's ONE!

Grandpa Pat

Grandpa Pat came over to celebrate our US Thanksgiving last Monday (only 5 days late...but we do live in Canada). We ate supper and then it was "play with Grandpa time" That was by far the best part of the night!