Gung Hay Fat Choy

Happy New Year Everyone - we are ringing in the year of the Tiger. We were not sure if we were going to do a family celebration this year as we have had a lot going on with Wes's surgery and his recovery, Christmas, finding a good babysitter, which we thankfully did and getting Mommy and Sarah use to going to daycare. After much thought we decided that we were going to need a number of trials before we got a New Year celebration that worked and was uniquely our families so that meant we better start sooner rather than later, that way we would have everything right by the time Sarah was old enough to understand. Sarah got all dressed up in the dress we brought back from China - it just fit her even though the size says it's two sizes bigger than what she is wearing - she just looked beautiful in it.

We had tried pig-tails earlier in the week and Sarah is very good at letting you put them in - she wants to see what they look like and is very willing to pose for a picture - then - she wants them out.

Grandma was very pleased that she let her put pig-tails in once she was all dressed up - Sarah was happy to pose for her picture - then they came out.

I did manage to get some great pictures of Sarah in her dress. Luckily Daddy bought Mommy a new camera that has a setting for pets and children as Sarah insisted on showing how you can jump in her dress.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of our friends and family, or the tons of food we had. We tried a combination of making some simple items like rice and doing the M&M thing for some other dishes and then we just broke down and ordered a couple of the others.

Our neighbour was kind enough to make a couple of dishes for us - she makes spring rolls to die for and I'm not a big spring roll kind of person but I just love hers. Sayham came over early to drop off her wonderful home cooking and I got a quick pic with Sarah.

At the end of the evening I also managed to remember to take a picture with Auntie Nancy.We think we did a pretty good job with our first Chinese New Year Celebration - we had too much food but we think everyone enjoyed themselves. Sarah started the morning off not feeling too good and needed to cuddle with Mommy for a while, which I didn't really plan for - a quick call to Grandma who then came extra early to help out to save the day and Sarah then had a good nap on Daddy and then she was up happy, feeling better and ready for the party. Sarah is so well behaved we just can't believe how lucky we are with her and again she was just as perfect as can be at the party. I do need to give a huge thanks to my Mom for coming over early and helping me get ready and all her help during the party as well - also a huge thanks to Auntie Lolo and Kiki for all the wonderful and yummy food they brought and all their help during the party - I really couldn't have pulled it off with out you.

Potting Training on the Horizon

We have known for a while that Sarah was showing an interest in using the potty so we got a potty for the downstairs bathroom and she sits on it and copies us using the toilet from time to time. She also asks to be put on the toilet, mostly when we are getting ready for her bath - she sits on it for a few seconds - announces that she is all done and wants to wipe and wash her hands. Well tonight we had a first. We don't have a potty upstairs but we have a stool and Sarah asked to sit on the potty tonight. She did the usual few seconds and announced she was done and got down - we were running the bath and she was selecting the toys she wanted in the tub and was putting them in. It looked like she was almost crossing her legs and she asked to go back on the potty, so back up on the potty she went. I suggested that she just relax and push a little and sure enough we got some peepee in the potty - Yay!!!!! Well she was very pleased with herself and we called Daddy up from downstairs to tell him and he was all excited. Then we had to call Grandma and she told Grandma that she did peepee in the potty. It looks like Sarah may start her potty training without us. We had discussed potty training with our babysitter. She has a little boy one month younger than Sarah so we thought we would train both at the same time to make things easy at daycare. Our sitter suggested more in the warmer weather so we don't have to deal with snow pants and the layers of clothing which sounded like a good idea but now - I'm not so sure Sarah is prepared to wait for the warm weather. We will have to see how things go from here and of course now we better get a potty for Sarah's upstairs bathroom.

Babysitter

Today was was the first day that we left Sarah at the daycare. We have been over so Sarah could get use to the babysitter and the other kids. Sarah seemed to have adjusted well to the daycare and seemed very comfortable at Christine's home. Now it was the big moment - Mommy had to leave for a short while - Mommy was not happy about this but short of becoming instantly independently wealthy - Mommy was going to have to go back to work and Sarah was going to have to go to daycare. We also felt that it is good for Sarah to have this socialization - she seemed to be ready for it. So Mommy stayed for an hour and a half to make sure Sarah was settled and then Mommy told Sarah that she had to go to work for a short time and would be back. Christine and Sarah walked Mommy to the door and Mommy gave Sarah a kiss and a hug then Mommy left. Mommy cried in the car all the way home - luckily it's a short drive then Mommy thought it would be good to keep busy for the hour I was suppose to be gone - so - Mommy called the vets and re-ordered Bear's medication, called the surgeon and left a message for a follow-up visit appointment, tidied up toys, made a cup of tea, emailed her girlfriends at work for support, vacuumed the family room, talked to a girlfriend at work for 5 mins (she called me to give support), swept the tile floor then mopped the tile floor, put away bathmats, drank my tea - now it was time to go get my poor, poor little baby (Mommy had been watching the clock very closely for that hour to pass).

As you can see Sarah had a great time, after I left, Christine and Sarah went back to the family room and she asked for Salsa Tots CD to be put on and she played with the other kids, finished her snack, listened to stories, danced and all around had a great time. No need for Mommy to be worried. She at least asked about me once and she was told I was at work and would be back soon and Sarah was good with that. We go again on Wednesday and the plan is that I will say goodbye at the door since Sarah seems so comfortable - the babysitter is literally in the next block with instructions to call if she seems distressed or disturbed or is crying and can't be comforted and distracted. It appears that the only one distressed or disturbed is Mommy but if my nerves keep up - at least I will have a very clean house on Monday's and Wednesday's.

First Christmas

We got what we wanted for Christmas back in March and have been waiting so long to have a Christmas with our daughter - it was exciting, joyful and exhausting. My family lives close by and we have lots of traditions - first my Mom and Dad come over and we exchange gifts and open stockings - then it's off to my brother Greg's for a meat, meat and more meat Christmas breakfast (it's something you just have to experience - you are very full and satisfied by the end of the meal and there is always tons of food left over)- then usually back home to rest for a bit then off to my other brother's Kevin where we enjoy a fabulous dinner that Heather makes. It is a lot of running around all in one day and this year we got to experience that running around with Sarah - now Sarah comes with a lot of luggage - remember Mommy has never travelled light so besides bringing our gifts to give we have all of Sarah's "things" that we need to bring as well. This year was extra interesting since Daddy had his shoulder operation a week before Christmas and needed help as well. I can tell you that Mommy was pretty tired by the end of the day but well worth it.

Now on to the pictures of the day. Sarah, we believe, has never experienced Santa coming to the house and she seemed a little overwhelmed by all the gifts around. Some of Santa's gifts were wrapped and some were not. We got up early and then came downstairs to see Daddy (Daddy is sleeping in a recliner to help support his shoulder- since that sounded a little strange after I wrote it) - it was still dark outside when Sarah woke up so she really didn't see all the gifts under the tree. We then took her into the living room to see what Santa brought her since she was such a good girl all year - couldn't have asked for better!

Sarah seemed to know that the gifts were for her and had no trouble checking them all out.

Santa remembered what Sarah had asked for in their stocking - Kit Kat and there it was!

Now the best way to search through your stocking is to sit on your new step stool while you dig everything out.

I just happen to like this picture as it shows how organized Sarah is - she has her new car dish and bag of Kit Kat's all set up on her new stool, ready to go.

Sarah was very clear to Santa that she wanted CARS for Christmas - yellow, blue, red, green, brown just to name a few colours and she was not disappointed. Santa brought cars, cars and more cars.

Now the time leading up until Christmas there are flyer's in the paper - when Sarah saw this picture of the match box type cars she just went crazy for them - to the point that she had to have that page of the flyer to look at each day. Here are some pictures of Sarah opening her present from Santa - we are pretty sure all the colours are there.

Sarah bought Mommy a new camera for Christmas as her old one was being held together by an elastic - what I can't believe is that I forgot to bring it with me to Greg's meat, meat and more meat Christmas breakfast - you really have to see this spread of food that also includes pancakes , eggs(any style) and toast with jam - unfortunately everyone will have to wait until next year for pictures. Sarah of course was spoiled at Uncle Greg's as well.

Grandma helped Sarah open her gift to her - they both seem to work together very well.

Sarah got an extra surprise from Aunt Clare and appears to really like her playdoe gift.

Sarah seemed to enjoy all her gifts and was just going around playing with everything - here she is busily learning her letters and numbers.Now before we went to Uncle Greg's all the new cars had to be taken out and put in a line - Sarah seemed very happy with how it turned out.

It was finally time for Sarah's nap - then off to Uncle Kevin and Aunt Heather's for dinner. Sarah was once again spoiled with lots of gifts.

Grandma and Poppa got a special gift this year - a framed picture of all the Grandchildren and Heather created a book of all the wonderful pictures taken at a photo shoot at Cullen Gardens by Heather's close friend Heather. Heather added captions on the page - very touching everyone had a tear in their eye after going through it - Grandma and Poppa were loved their gift

After a delicious dinner made by Auntie Heather and a bit more visit - it was time to go home. Uncle Kevin got Sarah changed into her jammies and got her new hat and mittens on.

Then it was time to say goodbye and thanks to everyone - Grandma got one more hug in before we left.

We all had a wonderful Christmas this year.

Grandma and Poppie Visit

Better late than never I guess - trying to catch up on my posts.

Just before Christmas Grandma and Poppie came down for a visit - we all had a good time opening presents and enjoying a nice lunch and visit. Sarah was spoiled once again with some great gifts from Grandma and Poppie.
She was quite excited to open her stocking.
And you can see that she certainly loved her new Elmo from Grandma and Poppie.

Sarah was very happy to show off her new top.

Sarah also liked helping Grandma open her gift.

She then showed Grandma a new way she could wear one of her new tops.It was a great day and Sarah really enjoyed her visit with Grandma and Poppie.

Happy Birthday Daddy

I'm a little behind in my posts so I thought I better start with Daddy's Birthday. Wes's birthday is Christmas Eve. Sarah got up nice and early to give Daddy his present.

Daddy had requested that Sarah make his birthday cake which she was really happy to do - here is Sarah doing the part she does best -mixing.

Then Daddy taught Sarah how to lick the beaters - Sarah seemed to really enjoy this part.

Finally the cake was all iced and ready.

Sarah wanted to help Daddy blow out the candles.

She did a great job.

I think Daddy had a good Birthday - Happy Birthday Daddy

Next post will be Grandma's and Poppie's visit and then Christmas.

Snow and Water Play

As far as we know - Sarah has not experienced snow before - there was a bit when we got home in March but receintly there has been a significant snow fall and Sarah found it interesting. Since Mommy and Daddy are not cold weather fans - Mommy found a way to introduce Sarah to snow ball throwing in the warmth of our own home. First you open the sliding glass door and scoup some snow up from just outside the door and make it into a snow ball.

Then you pitch it through the sliding glass door into the back yard. Sarah seemed to enjoy the concept as well - I'm guessing Mommy and Daddy at some point are going to have to get all dressed up and do some proper winter play.

The next day it was time for some inside water play which Sarah really, really enjoys. She got her makeshift apron on to try and keep her clothes dry and she had lots of fun washing dishes and play - so much so that she almost forgot to smile for the camera - almost.

Santa Visit and Parade

I'm a little late in making this post as we visited Santa a while back but I now have all the pictures back and time to make the post.

We thought we should explain the whole Santa thing and what was going to happen when we visited Santa - we explained that she would sit on Santa's knee and he would ask her what she wanted for Christmas - Sarah was very quick to decide what she wanted for Christmas - here is a short video of the final practise session before we left to visit Santa.

Kitty was all cleaned and ready to go as well - we decided to go on a Friday morning thinking that it wouldn't be busy and we got lucky - we went to the 5 Points mall and there was only one other family there. They were really good as they let us go up for a practise visit to see how Sarah would do - she wasn't to keen to sit on his knee but was willing to sit on the arm of the chair beside Santa - Santa said we could try for a picture and he would just lean in - well as soon as the camera was up and ready to go our little model was all smiles. I think they got a good picture.After the Santa visit we went out for breakfast - Sarah really enjoyed herself and was really excited about the candy cane she got.That Saturday was the Whitby Santa Clause Parade - it was cold that day so we all had to bundle up. Grandma and Papa joined us on this cold day. My camera was acting up so I only got a couple of pictures.Sarah seemed to enjoy the parade but wasn't that interested in the marching bands although she liked the music - what she always pointed out was all the cars that were in the parade. Our little Sarah does love her cars.