"Bolby"

I don't know where the days go, but it seems like lately, the weeks are flying by! Last week, we had a playdate on Monday morning with Irene and her little girl, Evangeline. We haven't seen them in quite a while, so it was nice for the two kids to have some play time again. Evangeline is about 2 months younger than Colby, so it's great to have a playmate so close in age! On Tuesday I had my 34 week prenatal check-up. On the drive there, I was telling Colby that Mommy has to go to the doctor for a baby check up. So when Dr. Currie came in, he greeted her with "Hi Docker... baby cheek-up?" It was great! I think he's starting to understand that a baby will be coming home soon and is helping with all kinds of things in the baby's room. I am crossing my fingers that this little one decides to turn one of these days! She is not head-down yet and most babies are by this point. I go next week for my 36 week appt. and Dr. Currie will do an ultrasound if she's not certain that she's moved yet. Not sure yet if she'll try to move her manually too or not... ouch!! Will keep you posted!

My cousin, Leanne, and her son, Connor, came over on Wednesday morning for a while. Leanne is starting her first year of teaching this fall, so we chatted about a few things and of course, Colby and Connor played great together! Colby sure misses seeing Connor all the time!! Tracy and the kids came for a visit on Friday morning, which was great! It's always great for Blake and Colby to play together... and Tracy and I to visit! :) We headed out to Jody and Mike's house on Saturday afternoon for a birthday BBQ! There were lots of other kids there and being on an acreage, they had lots of room to run! Colby especially LOVED the cows!! We spent a lot of time looking at the cows and talking to them!! We had a very lazy day on Sunday around the house! While we have many projects that should've been getting done, it was really nice having some quiet family time together. Yesterday, we went to the city with Kristy and Landon. We did a bit of baby shopping (2 stores plus lunch). I don't know how I'm going to venture out with 2 kids soon!! Colby doesn't really enjoy being in his stroller too long and always wants to walk (more like run!), so that was a bit challenging. Anyway, always fun when we get together with them!! Whew... busy week!

Now to the title of this blog... Colby has learned a new word... his name!! While it's not exactly his name, it's pretty close! He calls himself "Bolby". Not quite sure why he can't say the "C" at the beginning, as he can say "cow" and "car", but still says "Bolby". Must be the combination of letters or something. Anyway, it's pretty cute! He's using it as in "Bolby coming too" or "Bolby sticker? Uh huh". "Uh huh" is his "yes" and we hear it a lot!! LOL! Anyway, we love hearing him talk and are amazed with how much he is stringing together and remembering! What a great age this is!!

I'm beginning to become more uncomfortable with each passing week. I have just over a month to go (Sept. 27th is my due date) and it seems like I'm out of breath more and more! I don't think my belly is as big as it was with Colby, but am carrying differently, so it just feels differently. I'm enjoying being able to nap with Colby when I want to since sleeping through the night doesn't happen anymore (for me, not Colby!) Just can't wait to meet our new little angel very soon!! We're working on getting her room all organized and I'm really enjoying buying pink!!! Trying not to buy too much, but it's all just so darn cute!! LOL!

Take care everyone and have a great rest of the week!
Gerry, Lesley, Colby and Baby!

"I wuv you!"

Colby has picked up a new line... that absolutely melts my heart whenever he says it! We have two books, "I Love Mommy" and "I Love Daddy". He loves reading these stories and now is saying, "I wuv you Mommy" or "I wuv you Daddy". Aah, one of the best things in the world!!

I have said before how much I love bedtime (and not just because it's quiet in the house then!) but after story time, I always sing a few lullabies to Colby. He ensures that we have singing time by reminding me with "Mommy sing, Mommy sing"! Apparently he enjoys them because he'll say "one more" several times before it's time to climb into bed. Sometimes he'll say it while I'm in the middle of a song too! LOL!

We have now been soother free for over a week!! Yippee!! Both Gerry and I have been pleasantly surprised with how much easier it has been than anticipated. He doesn't even ask for it anymore at all, so I think it's done! While it does take him longer to settle into naptime and bedtime, I think it's worth it. "Baby Jack" has a soother and he has really been helping us with baby stuff lately, so I'm hoping that he's now realizing that he's too big! He has been doing quite well in his new bedroom and new room, plus being soother free! I guess he's a pretty resilient kid already! He has been through a lot this past year, so I guess everything has made him stronger!

We had a busy week last week with going out a few mornings and lots of play time before and after naptime. With the weather being a bit cooler last week, we did some walking and played outside in the afternoon. Colby loves playing with Parker, one of our neighbor's sons. He just turned 3, but Colby and Parker get along really well! It's nice having them live right across the road! I often hear, "Mommy go Parker house? I go Parker house?" He especially loves his water table!!! Great for a nice hot afternoon!! On Thursday morning, we met Tracy, Blake, and Emerson for a bit of shopping and lunch at WEM. Colby did fine while shopping (with Blake there to keep each other entertained!) but was a bit of a monkey at lunch time!! He hasn't had much of an appetite at all lately and hasn't eaten very much throughout the day. To top it off, he slept in, he was in the carseat and stroller, and then had to sit for lunch. So, I guess it's expected he had some energy to burn!!

We went to my cousin's wedding yesterday in Sherwood Park. It was a great afternoon and fun reception (with very little sleep on Colby's part!) He only slept for 25 minutes on the way there and then wouldn't nap after the mid-afternoon ceremony. He did really well actually, considering he hadn't really napped and was definitely ready for bed at 9:30. He and Landon both went to sleep in playpens in my parents' trailer without a sound! Again, a bit of a surprise!! :)

Everything was fine at my doctor's appointment last week. I am now 34 weeks and go again on Tuesday. I'm measuring right on with my weeks, so that's good. Not too big, not too small! Only 6 more weeks to go now! She still likes to be most active at night when I lie down in bed, so some nights it can take quite a while to get comfortable enough to fall asleep! Only in time to sleep a couple of hours and get up to go to the washroom! LOL!

Have a great week, everyone!
Gerry, Lesley, Colby, and Baby

Crazy summer storm!!

Luckily, we weren't home last weekend when one crazy summer storm hit Stony Plain! We were camping at Ol'MacDonald's Resort and found out through voicemails and cell phone conversations what had hit the town and our neighbourhood! Westerra was hit the hardest with rain, hail, and strong winds... enough to uproot many trees and damage siding on houses, put many dents in eavestroughs and downspouts, and dent vehicles!! Everything came from the west/northwest, so we are very lucky that our house is still looking pretty good. We have about 4 or 5 holes and a few more cracks in the siding, lots of dents in tin and trim, and quite a few dents to both vehicles that were outside at the time. I cannot believe some of the other houses!! Entire sides of houses will need to be re-sided due to this crazy summer storm!! The clean-up was on all week in the area...

Colby and I had another great week. I sure am loving my time alone at home with him!! We are playing lots and doing lots too! I was supposed to have a doctor appointment this week on Wednesday, but my doctor had to deliver a baby in the city, so I am going on Monday instead. We've done some shopping for his room and the baby's room too! It's both fun and stressful decorating rooms... since I'm not anything close to an interior decorator!!! Oh well, they'll look cute, I'm sure!

I cannot believe the vocabulary and memory of our little man! Today I had to convince Colby to take a nap because we were going to play at Parker's house when he woke up. He ended up having a great nap, as usual, and surprised me when I opened the door. He said, "Hi Mommy... Parker house?" Crazy! I am amazed at their little minds and what he remembers and makes connections with! I have a feeling we're going to continue to see more of this now! It's so cute how everything is being mimicked these days... we continue to watch what we say around him, that's for sure!! LOL! Tonight at bedtime, I cut off the end of Colby's soother. He is completely attached to it and would have it 24 hours a day if we would let him. I really wanted to get rid of it by age 2 and before the baby comes in case she ends up having one too. I thought it would be easier now than when she has one as well. Not too bad for the first night... he didn't quite realize that it was 'broken', which tells me he doesn't need it for the sucking and just 'likes it'. But eventually, he said 'broken' after me and he threw it in the garbage. He cried for a few minutes, but then was off to sleep after a while. Hopefully the next few days go alright... could make for some very long nights, but I'm still crossing my fingers for the best!!

According to the baby counter on the left hand side, I now have 51 days until Baby #2 is due! Yikes! I've started to wash up some clothes and we are trying to decorate her room, too. I'm sure the next 7 weeks will go by quickly too, just as the entire pregnancy has!! I love being pregnant and enjoy it because I feel well most days. Although, I'm waking up a lot at night and am finding it more difficult to nap during the day, so I think she's trying to prepare me for the lack of sleep ahead! I can't wait to meet our new little baby girl!!

Have a great weekend, everyone!
Love,
Lesley, Gerry, and Colby

Summer Fun!

I know it's been a while since my last post... I really thought I could keep up a little more without working full-time!! I'm working on it! :) We haven't been up to a whole lot these days... just little things here and there that make the days and weeks seem to fly by! I can't believe it's already the beginning of August! We've had several play dates with friends, going on lots of walks, and bouncy house fun to keep things entertaining!


Gerry and I celebrated our 4th anniversary on July 30th! Again, it doesn't feel like we've been married for 4 years already! Since it was a Thursday and company was coming to our house, we went out on Saturday, July 25th for a little date night! It was great to get out!! Colby had a sleepover at my parents' house (in a nice air-conditioned house!!) and Gerry and I went to dinner and a movie. Just to add to the lateness of the evening, we came home and worked on finishing up Colby's new bedroom. Gerry is an amazing husband and a wonderful father... I am very lucky to spend my life with such a terrific man!


Some of Gerry's family arrived on Thursday, July 30th before a big camping weekend out at Ol'MacDonald's Resort near Stettler. It was a great time!! It was nice having our basement relatively developed, as there was plenty of playing room for all of the kids and room for everyone to sleep too. On Friday morning, we set out for the campground for the long weekend. It is such a fantastic campground for families and we really enjoy going there. The beach and lake are great, our sites were really nice, and overall, I think everyone had a great time! Colby didn't nap very well in the trailer this time out. Not sure why, but I think because he can get out of his toddler bed now, he has figured out how to climb out of his bunk bed in the trailer with no problem! It was also quite hot at the beginning of the weekend and it took a long time to get him to nap. We would go in the trailer to check on him, only to find him playing with toys, reading books, or up on the couch peeking out the blinds, greeting us with a lovely "Hi..."!! LOL! Too cute, but quite frustrating at times! Not sure where next year will take us with the Cameron crew...

Speaking of toddler beds, Colby is doing fairly well with his. We've only had a few nights where we've had to go in more than once or twice and put him back in bed. He enjoys playing in his closet or lying next to the fan, etc.! It is going MUCH better than I anticipated, so I've been happy with that! He has definitely adjusted to his new bedroom and loves playing in the new space! Without the glider rocking chair and book case, there is definitely more room in his new bedroom, which he loves to run and play in!! So far, so great!!

I'm now 32 weeks pregnant and still doing fine. I've heard quite a bit lately how small I am, which is kind of nice!! :) I'm carrying quite a bit differently with her than I did with Colby, so that makes a difference too, I think. I was supposed to have another check-up today, but my doctor had to do another delivery. That has happened several times now with re-scheduling. Oh well... could be me in about 8 weeks or so causing others to re-schedule!! We are working on getting her room set up and making it a bit more "girly". While it's very gender-neutral with the bedding and paint color, I'd like to add some pink in there, just because we can! :)

We are home this weekend and are looking forward to doing some work in the basement (doors up, etc.) and maybe working on setting up the kids' rooms a bit more. Colby has no decor up or anything yet, so that still needs some time!

I'm enjoying this nice break from the crazy hot weather we had near the end of July! Take care everyone!
Lesley, Gerry, Colby, and Baby!
xoxo

Keeping busy...

Where has the time gone? I can't believe it's already July 20th! Good thing I'm not heading back to school in the fall... usually I take July off and then start thinking about school again in August! Colby and I have been keeping quite busy during the days while Daddy's at work. Usually our outings are in the mornings (before lunch and naptime in the afternoon). Colby (and Mommy!) need to stick to a regular napping routine! LOL! On Wednesday morning, we went swimming at the Tri with friends Tara and Logan. Colby is a HUGE fan of the water (or should I say "otter") and doesn't like to be held or hold Mommy's hand in the water. We stopped in at the playgym for a while afterwards and then headed home for lunch. On Thursday morning, we took in the Capital Ex parade! It was fun with my cousin Leanne and her son, Connor, Tara, Logan, Tanya (Tara's sister), and her two kids, Madalyn and Justin. It was crazy driving downtown, but well worth it, as the kids had fun!! On Friday, Colby and I went to the new Play Park in Spruce Grove and the playgym for a bit with "Atty Kisty" (Auntie Kristy) and "Annie" (Landon). The huge new Play Park is a bit too 'old' for the boys yet. Soon it will be better for them. We got ready to go camping in the afternoon and finished packing the trailer for another weekend away!

We headed down to Jarvis Bay Provincial Park (near Sylvan Lake) for the weekend and met our great friends, Mark and Corinne Koppel, for the weekend. They live in Strathmore and we met in 2003 when I first moved down there. It was great for Colby to play with their boys, Matthew (5) and Cameron (3). We went to the waterslides on Saturday on a very hot and busy day and then to the beach on Sunday morning before packing up and heading home. I've decided weekends are much too short!! It's a beautiful campground with large sites, so we'll definitely head back there soon!!

We are continuing to work on Colby's new "big boy room"... slowly, but surely. His new bedding and matching decor wall hangings arrived from the States, which is so exciting!! Now we can work on putting it altogether. I need to get some curtains and the blind has been ordered, so hopefully soon!! He gets excited when new things go in there, so hopefully the transition will go as smoothly as possible! He's such a funny kid... he loves to play cars, trucks, choo choos... it doesn't matter! He always seems to be driving something on the floor! It's pretty cute! I really enjoy hearing the sounds he makes and the little chatter he does when he's playing!

On the baby front, I'm feeling very large these days!! I think all of my June stress eating and staff room snacking at school has caught up to me in the past two weeks!!! Ah well, right?! Sure, we'll go with that! The baby continues to be very active in the evenings when I go to bed. It has been very fun knowing that she is a girl, as I've been watching for sales and have already picked up a few things here and there (mainly sleepers for when she first arrives)! Gerry's quite nervous that having another girl in the family (combined with my shopping habits) is going to seriously affect his wallet!! LOL!

Hope everyone is enjoying this heat wave... looks like it's going to stick around for a while! I'm thankful for our cooler basement on the really hot days when it's a nice 26 degrees or more upstairs! Ugh...
Talk soon.
Love,
Gerry, Lesley, and Colby

Dr. appt.

I had my 28 week check up yesterday morning and everything is still fine with the newest baby Cameron. My weight gain has slowed down slightly (thank goodness!) and I'm measuring only 1 cm bigger than I am in weeks, so my doctor said that's fine. The heartbeat is holding steady each time and was 142 bpm yesterday. She had a difficult time finding it at first because the doppler kept picking up both mine and the baby's heartbeat. Once it was distinguished, then it was fine. My next appt. isn't until August 5th and then I start going in every two weeks. Colby and I met friends Tara and Logan at the playgym after the doctor appt. and the kids had a great time there! Colby loves the different toys and always has fun. He actually gets pretty upset when it's time to leave. We're hoping to take the kids swimming one day next week, so that will be fun!

This morning Colby and I had some company... we had a playdate with cousins Kendra (Jody), Connor (Leanne), Hailey and Kayden (Mandy). Colby was SO excited to see Connor today and they played great together! He sure has missed his Connor since he doesn't go to Leanne's house everyday now! We'll have to make more playdates throughout the summer before Leanne goes back to work in the fall. He made sure to give everyone a "Mah" (what he says when he gives a kiss!) when they were leaving! Super cute! When Colby gets up from his nap, we are going in to Gerry's work for a quick visit and then off to Toys R Us. They have an outdoor adventure climber on sale this week that we want to look at for the backyard. It's always fun to go to Toys R Us!! :) We're hoping to have a productive weekend around the house and do some major organizing of the basement rooms and cleaning out of Colby's new room. Hopefully all goes according to plan!!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Lesley

Camping fun!

Well the school year has officially ended again! And now I'm out of school for 14 months!! Teachers really plan these kinds of things, you know... off for the summer, then mat leave starts end of August, baby in September, off for another year! :) Life is great! My summer has been off to a great start! We began our camping trip on Tuesday night after Gerry got home from work on Tuesday, June 30th. We headed down to Gull Lake... gorgeous pull-through sites, wonderful campground!! Gerry stayed Tuesday night and Wednesday and headed back for work on Thursday and Friday. Colby and I stayed with my mom, sisters, niece, nephew, aunt, cousin, and her friend. So Colby and Landon were surrounded by girls! :) We had a great time... Colby absolutely LOVES being outside and playing in the dirt, pushing toys, and staying up too late! LOL! Gerry was back on the weekend with the rest of the guys and we had a wonderful weekend! The weather was good and everyone had a great time!

It has been so great spending time with just Colby this week! I LOVE being at home!! The basement is coming in very handy already with lots of space to run and lots of toys to play with! We have a great routine (which includes some sleeping in... finally... after many months of 6am wakings!) and I'm loving my time with him. I know the summer will fly by and soon we will be greeting our little girl, so we're soaking up the family time as much as we can! We are working on emptying Colby's new room into the basement (moving the office into the scrapbooking/craft room downstairs). It's quite a job!! His bedding is finally ordered and en route to Canada, which is a relief! That has not been much fun!! I'm excited for it to arrive and to start decorating his new big boy room. We have his toddler bed set up in here right now for him to get used to it, so that's going fine. Hopefully the transition will be relatively smooth! Fingers crossed!

He is such a character and makes us laugh! He is quite the chatterbox and is imitating everything we say... we really need to be careful what we say around him! One of my new favourite things is when I go into his room in the morning when he first wakes up, he says, "Morning" in the cutest little voice!! So cute!! He doesn't say "yes" yet, but instead, it's always "Mmm hmm" or "Uh huh"! Pretty funny! At least there's a break from "no" sometimes lately! :) He can point to many body parts and is putting together two and three word phrases. It's crazy how much he remembers!! He's growing up too fast... especially when I think about him being an older brother in less than 3 months!! But it's going to be great to see him in that role, too!

I'm feeling pretty good these days... into my 3rd trimester and am 28 weeks now. I'm not sleeping very well at night lately, so that's rather frustrating and makes for some tiring days, but all in all, feeling good. Back to walking more often (with more time these days!) and I just began a prenatal aquafit class again tonight. I go back to the doctor on Thursday for another checkup. Almost time to start going every two weeks!! It's unreal how quickly this pregnancy has gone!!

Tomorrow we're going to meet Tracy, Blake, and Emerson at e-children and a lunch date! Looking forward to that! We don't live very far apart, but it seems like it's so long in between visits! :( Hopefully they'll be more regular now with us both off! Then tomorrow night we are going to celebrate my grandma's 92nd birthday at the home. She is still doing well - can't believe she's 92!! She has certainly lived a great life! I know we really need the rain, but it's putting a damper on our outside playing time! Hopefully we can balance a bit of both in the days to come! Hope everyone's July is off to a good start!

Lesley