Ginger Snaps

Day 113

2010-06-04T17:04:00.000-04:00

Carter needs a hair cut, and well he has been asking for a mohawk forever but I always said no due to school pictures ect. Since the school year is almost done and all the photo's have finally been taken I gave in. This is what he wanted, he is starting to get a mind of his own, very upsetting.

Day 112

2010-06-04T14:53:00.000-04:00

Sydney's hair is finally starting to grow, and it is coming in curly. She has always had this little tuft of hair on the top of her head that can rather be controlled and cute, or out of the control cute. Well now she has little ski jumps forming at the side of her head, and of course in my eyes she is even cuter. I am always amazed at how fast babies hair grows.

Day 111

2010-06-04T14:50:00.000-04:00

OK I apologize for the slacking of the blogging, I know it isn't an excuse but I have just been drained by a teething baby.

What is better then an in house babysitter? One that is a pretty fish tank. Since Sydney is cruising around she loves to stand and look at the fish. She squeals and screams at them, they are probably deaf by now but I think it is cute to watch her look at them.

Post 110

2010-05-25T12:11:00.000-04:00

Gardening season is upon us, and this year we are doing some vegetables this year.

Red and White Onions, Romain Lettuce and Green and Red Peppers. Marigolds to keep the critters away.

Herbs, Oregano, Basil, Purple Basil, Rosemary, Parsley, Green Onions and Thyme.

Pumpkin, Cantaloupe, Cucumber and Beans

Tomatos and Romain Lettuce

Day 109

2010-05-25T10:45:00.001-04:00

So after school Carter wanted to wait for Chris to come home on the front lawn, so score for me perfect photo opt of the kids hanging around outside.

Day 108

2010-05-21T13:05:00.002-04:00

Hide and seek Carter style lol.

Day 107

2010-05-17T00:20:00.000-04:00

When Carter was a baby he got a hold of the kleenex box and meticulously pulled out each tissue one by one, and he made a big snowy mess and it was funny and cute at the same time. Sydney gets a kleenex box and she shreds it and tries to eat it. Ok cute but not funny.

Day 106

2010-05-15T13:29:00.000-04:00

Now if you were a child in the 80's you should remember the jelly shoe craze. I love my jellies, yes every year I got a pair and yes every year I got blisters from them, but pain is the price a beauty right? lol. I was talking with my friend and I mentioned how I loved my jellies and how I would love a pair for Sydney. Well being the avid shopper that she is, she new that they had them at the gap and in her petite size. Even better score was it was in the two for such and such a price so of course I had to get two pair, pink and clear. We have only worn the pink pair and I have to say her chubby little feet look adorable in them, I love them!

Day 105

2010-05-14T22:33:00.001-04:00

Recently we were given a 10 gallon tank with all the fixings. We have been debating on what to do with it, fish, turtle, lizard ect. First idea to be thrown out was the lizard, no live food for our pets. Next was the turtle, as much as Carter would have been over the moon with a turtle after researching and asking some experts they are a lot of work, and really we are low maintenance kind of pet people. So Melissa mentioned that they were going to a Aquarium store tonight, and I thought hey we could meet you, the boys can visit and we can research what kind of fish we would eventually put into this tank.

Well this was overwhelming, and after looking at all the fish and seeing some scary albino frog things, we came across the Betta's once again. Now we already have one male Betta that would be Zaboo and we don't want one fish for a this big tank, so we decided on two female Betta's for now. Betta's are great fish, low maintenance, and 2 for 5.99 can't beat the price.. In two weeks we will add two more to the tank.

I am sure you can imagine the anticipation look on his face...

So let me introduce you to........ Dori, the picture doesn't do her justice she is pink, purple and blue.

And here is Princess Fiona, she is multiple shades of pink, yes they are girls so I picked out girly ones lol.

And the tank itself with the girls swimming around...

Day 104

2010-05-13T23:42:00.002-04:00

So Chris was driving home today and almost got into an accident trying to miss the mallard duck crossing the road. Chris swears this duck is out to get him because when he went to get Carter from school he went and looked out the back window and saw the duck in our back yard. Chris believes the duck is out to get him. Yes dear a killer mallard duck waddling around is trying to get you lol. Carter came home and tried to feed it bread and well it ran away into the neighbours yard.

Look at that killer duck lol

Day 103

2010-05-13T01:42:00.000-04:00

My favorite peeps.

Day 102

2010-05-11T22:44:00.000-04:00

Ok it is May right? Because it feels like November and I am finding this upsetting. Tonight we were in the house for the night after Carter got home from school, and as much as I wanted to watch another rousing episode of Magic School Bus I thought game time. So Carter and I enjoyed about 20 rousing games of Go Fish. Carter is always asking how I know what he has, and when I explain he says NOOOOOOOOOOOO I hold them right, well now I have photographic evidence lol. I have no idea how many each of us won but he had fun and that is what counts. So I think Go Fish before bed is a great thing every night.

Me: Hey Carter I can see your cards
Carter: No you can't, and no cheating mom
Me: Really Carter because you have a starfish and sea turtle.
Carter: MMMOOOOOMMM stop cheating

Now clearly here I am not cheating as this is they way he holds his cards.

The Piles

Day 101

2010-05-10T23:35:00.000-04:00

I know I know it has been the Sydney show, but seriously she is growing up too fast, we are in so much trouble she is into everything. Here is a little montage of her moving and a shaking.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh stairs, now how do I get up them?

I know I am supposed to be in bed, but I know how to stand now and I am going to play with my toy until I want! lol

Take that Little People Farm, who needs King Kong with Sydney in the house!

Day 100

2010-05-09T21:16:00.004-04:00

Ok so the lap top is back up and running, so I can get caught up.

So last Thursday I got a call asking for a birthday cake for my sister, I had no time to think about what to do or theme, so I baked an pulled the theme for my sisters birthday cake out of my arse so to speak. 4 hours later this is what I had done, it isn't perfect but I am pretty happy with that it looked like with the time allotted.

And while I was making the cake my daughter needed to be with me in the room, so into the highchair she went, this is what she did lol.

Day 99

2010-05-02T21:03:00.001-04:00

We got our couches back today, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! they aren't fixed that is another ordeal, but look at what my 10 month old decided to do when they got back, why oh why is she growing up so fast?

Day 98

2010-05-01T23:48:00.000-04:00

So this morning at 7am, there was hammering going on outside my house, very upsetting it is the weekend people. So when I finally decided to get out of bed I looked outside and this is what was across the street and along the street. Lets remember for the next time, please put the signs for the wedding together before you get to the site in the neighbourhood as PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING. I have no comments about the sign itself as my mom told me that would be rude.

Day 97

2010-05-01T01:53:00.002-04:00

I love pictures that make my kids eyes stand out, I love the colour of blue they both have.

Day 96

2010-05-01T01:52:00.002-04:00

Ok so the reason for the delay in posting has to do with this post. A friend of mine's son turned one yesterday and his party was today, so I have been busy in the kitchen getting my Betty Crocker/Martha on to make this sweet little boy a cake. Here is the Cake and smash cake, because really who wants to eat cake that a 1 year olds hand have been in.

Here we have the cake itself, it was white cake with vanilla butter cream filling. Ok it looks burnt but it wasn't lol just the lighting in my kitchen.

While the cake cools and sets it is time to make the decorations.

Streamers, chopsticks what a good idea by moi!

And the bow parts along with the Z for the smash cake.

Now it is time to dirty ice (as the cake boss says) the cake. This is the layer that makes the fondant stick to the cake, very important that it is smooth.

Next we put the layer of fondant on, mmmm marshmallow and icing sugar you can't go wrong.

Now we need the ribbon

Add some polka dots and put everything on and voila we have a birthday cake.

And the main cake with smash cake.

Day 95

2010-04-28T23:22:00.000-04:00

My princess, that is all there is to say. She is mine and she is my princess.

Day 94

2010-04-28T00:20:00.001-04:00

Ok I know I am 10 minutes late with this. Honestly I completely forgot, Sydney is rather sick or teething or both, the symptoms for both are very similar, and you can see her teeth they are right there but no gaping holes yet so maybe she is getting a cold that her brother seems to be fighting. Anywho this means for very very very long nights with her, which then means that my brain is running on empty and there is this fog that I feel like I am walking through, so back to my original point, this is why I forgot. So since I have been dealing with crankiness I thought it would only be fitting to share with everyone this face.

OK I will have to add the picture later, apparently blogger has done something and i can't figure out how to add the picture, so please hold.

Day 93

2010-04-26T16:49:00.000-04:00

Well today my Sydney is 10 months old. And she has decided to pull herself up. I cannot take this, she is growing up too fast, once again clearly she isn't going to be the lump like her brother.

Day 92

2010-04-25T22:00:00.005-04:00

Ginger Snap One and Ginger Snap Two

Day 91

2010-04-25T22:00:00.004-04:00

I am not too sure what the child labour laws are, but I figure if I can get the cheap labour I will take it. Carter loves to pick the dandilions so why not put it to good use and have him help with the front yard. Now I know he isn't digging out the root that is for Chris to do but even getting rid of the yellow flowers makes it look better right?

Day 90

2010-04-24T18:19:00.000-04:00

Carter decided that the caterpillar should wrap itself around my head and he should lock the legs together so that it will stay put. Then when mummy puts her head up he placed his head on the back of her head and pushed it down hard into a face plant. Now I know laughing at this shouldn't have been was I was doing but I couldn't help it, he was literally shoving my face down to keep me from getting it out of the caterpillar hold. Chris decided to document this by taking pictures, I was asking him where was the baby while this was going on, he said she is fine, clearly he wasn't paying attention because he started to laugh when he took one picture and saw where she actually was. Oh a day in the life of the Phillips Family it is never ending.

Day 89

2010-04-22T23:14:00.001-04:00

First we have fornicating spiders in the tv, and then tonight as I was going to give Sydney a bath there was a Spider in the tub, so bath in the sink for her. She loves it when I bath her in the kitchen why I don't do it more often I don't know, because it is easier on my back and uses less water. Clearly I am missing something in this since I don't continue to do it. So here is Miss Sydney in her nakedness, don't worry nothing below the belt that would be wrong.

Is she happy?? I can't tell.

You want me to do what with the cloth??

And my favorite, because her toothless smile will be gone soon.

Day 88

2010-04-21T14:30:00.000-04:00

Calling all you single ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Up for grabs is an adorable 4 year old looking for a mate. He is housebroken and has been well trained by his mother. Look at him doing those dishes with such concentration and force, and he is totally comfortable with his manliness to use my pink gloves. He will cook, well he will put a banana in a hot dog bun for you (blah I know but it is his specialty). Get him while he is still trainable!

**Please note all dishes were rewashed after this**

Day 87

2010-04-20T14:40:00.000-04:00

Carter is a very animated child, he loves his animals, loves his animal puppets and well loves to put on shows. Yes it is more like animal kingdom where the bigger animal eats the smaller animal, but hey he has learned that this is the standard food chain for survival. Kind of nice to teach him that now so he isn't freaked out about what he sees from time to time.

Day 86

2010-04-19T21:35:00.002-04:00

So Chris and I were watching Castle last night and we noticed a spider on the TV screen, he went up to inspect and it wasn't on the tv screen it was IN, yes I said IN the TV on the screen. What is worse it was actually two spiders fornicating in my TV. As much as I love spider porn, I hate spiders, like freeze in a spot scream for Chris to come and kill it hate. I couldn't even watch the show because of the fornicating spiders. Eventually Chris banged the screen and I think he shmooshed them to death and they fell to the bottom of the screen out of site. I was freaking out, but hey at least they died in the thrills of passion!

Day 85

2010-04-18T19:03:00.000-04:00

Today was my good friend Andreea's baby shower. She is expecting in June, and is having a little boy. Now since she has not shared the name of the baby with anyone I have nick named him Zack Morris. So here is Andreea or in my world Mandreea in all her pregnancy glory. I can't wait for her to be a mom and become part of the club, then I can say I told you so.... lol.

I do have to say that at 8 months pregnant she has quite the cute belly still.

I think she is looking a little chunky around the middle. Introducing Zack Morris

The blanket that I worked day and night to finish in time.

Day 84

2010-04-17T15:20:00.000-04:00

This is Zaboo, about a month ago he was floating on his side at the top of the tank. Now he is swimming around no problems, I was prepared to flush him and explain death to Carter but apparently he has revived himself.

Day 83

2010-04-16T23:59:00.002-04:00

The MumMum is a basic stable for Sydney, she sees the package and gets excited, she will gum one to pulp and then lick it off her hands in a matter of minutes. We recently tried different flavoured ones and it ended up causing some new faces for Syd lol.

Day 82

2010-04-15T22:37:00.000-04:00

If you would have told me 15 years ago that I would be spending a beautiful day outside lifting pavers I would have told you to Eff Off no way, I would be laying out in the sun getting a tan, drinking and listening to music. Sadly the lifting of the pavers has become a reality. We are getting ready to put in a vegetable garden and well the pavers had to come up. Please note that I am not the one taking the pictures, that would be my husband while I am doing the hard work. 16 pavers lifted, I have discovered new muscles I didn't know I had, there are still 4 more, that will be tomorrow as they are concrete and will probably make me cry.

Carter came home from school and wanted to help lol.

Day 81

2010-04-14T23:52:00.002-04:00

Bad hair day for Sydney, but awesome day to be outside. She coo'd and looking around, squealed for almost two hours. But her hair is the true story, I have no clue how this happens, she goes to bed with it flat and this is what happens. I do love it, helps with the personality I feel. Now my friend Andreea suggests that I should cut from the top and glue it on her bald spot on the back, clearly this is not going to happen lol.

Day 80

2010-04-13T16:34:00.000-04:00

Well tonight its back, I didn't love it at first but it grew on me. So what am I talking about you ask? Glee of course, it is on at an odd time at the fault of American Idol, once again reality TV is messing with regular shows. So in honour of it being back no kiddies today. I would not say I am a gleek ok maybe I am but shhhhh we don't have to tell anyone.

Day 79

2010-04-12T22:39:00.000-04:00

Sydney is a mover and a shaker, she is going to be my problem child when it comes to moving. Her brother could have cared less if he could have been a lump forever he would of, Sydney not so much she is all over the place. So this morning I am checking out my Wundermums boards and she was in plain sight just rolling around having fun, Carter turns to me HEY MOM and then tries to convince me that Veggies and Fruit are a new kind of species, don't ask lol. So anyways after the fight with him on how they aren't I turn to look at Sydney who has gone quiet, and as we moms know that is never a good thing, and this is what I saw.... of course instead of getting her out of the situation I grab the camera, I know I know I totally have my priorities in check lol.

After this one I went to investigate, she had dropped her MUMMUM earlier and wanted the rest of it right then and there lol.

Day 78

2010-04-11T20:51:00.002-04:00

Not a lot going on today, we were pretty boring this weekend, spent most of the afternoon outside but I forgot to take some pictures, ooops. But I did remember while the kids were playing inside after dinner so not as good as they could have been but alas what can I do? I can't tell does she like her Naartjie outfit? lol

Day 77

2010-04-11T20:50:00.002-04:00

Today we borrowed a new lens to try out from a friend and I love it, I can be across the room and boom the pictures of my kids are right in their faces. So this was me just playing around.

Pretty cute one of Carter if I do say so myself. Once again I love this lens it is going on my Christmas list.

Day 76

2010-04-09T22:35:00.002-04:00

Before we start lets set the mood shall we? Think in your head the song, Let's get physical, physical, I wanna get physical....... Now for some of you get your mind out of the gutter.

Over the past week Sydney has heard that she has chubby feet, questioned on what I am feeding her because she is so squishy cute and chubby so today she decided to put in a good effort at a work out. Kiss those chubby feet goodbye lol.

Ok so it has been a while since she has been in a door frame, clearly if she can sit on the floor we need to adjust the height. Her face says it all I think lol.

Okay warm up time, squats anyone?

Next we move onto our America's Next Top Model pose, Tyra would be proud, if only we had gotten full face picture.

Baby got Air

And the sure sign that any work out is done is when you get a Jolly Jumper Wedgie

**disclaimer** this is a joke, I know my baby isn't chubby and doesn't need to work out, so please don't take it the wrong way.

Day 75

2010-04-08T19:01:00.003-04:00

Anybody who knows my son knows that he is an animal enthusiast. It isn't just a phase for Carter it is a obsession. I decided that it was time to pull his little people figures out for Sydney as something easy for her to play with. She concentrated on the animals, mainly the elephant. So apparently as of right now the animal obsession is a gene based thing so not by choice lol.

Day 74

2010-04-07T22:20:00.001-04:00

Ok I know I have done this concept before but it just makes me giggle. Once again Sydney took to her front window perch and coo'd at the cars going by and enjoyed herself for quite some time.

"How much is that Sydney in the Window?? The one with the red curly hair?? How much is that Sydney in the window?? I do hope my baby isn't for sale"

Day 73

2010-04-06T19:22:00.000-04:00

First I will start off with warning, what you are about to see isn't very pleasant to the eye and I have proof for him.

This is a daily conversation,
Me: Carter get your finger out of your nose
Carter: It isn't in my nose mommy
Me: Carter it was in your nose I saw
Carter: No it wasn't mommy.

So tonight while laying on the floor playing with the kids I didn't even know he was doing it but I put the camera over my shoulder and just shot, when reviewing the pictures this is what I had taken, fankly I am disgusted yet impressed at my blind camera skills.

Afterwords the convo went like this.
Me: Carter were you picking your nose?
Carter: No I wasn't
Me: Really?
Carter: Nope I wasn't
Me: Carter come here I have something to show you on the camera
Carter: What is it.........Oh yeah I was picking, sorry mom.

Day 72

2010-04-05T23:42:00.003-04:00

Syndey has her dad wrapped around her little finger, she cries he picks her up, she whimpers he picks her up. He is like putty when it comes to her. And why wouldn't he be, daddies little girl right?

Day 71

2010-04-04T20:17:00.000-04:00

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE FROM THE PHILLIPS FAMILY. Apparently two of my kids have turned into cotton bunnies.

Day 70

2010-04-04T20:13:00.000-04:00

So I am knitting a blanket that is time pressing, and well I have to do it when I can. So to keep Sydney occupied I let her play with my knitting basket right in-front of me, good thought in theory, but after the mess she created and having to untangle the yarn. But she had fun that is what counts. Please note all the toys in the background could not entertain her as well as this.

WOOHOO Yarn, screw the toys I want to make a big mess!

Ohhhhhhh what is in here???

45 minutes to get herself entangled in yarn.

Day 69

2010-04-02T20:51:00.003-04:00

Well we did Easter today as Chris is off but has to work on the weekend, Carter came into our room this morning at 7:14 and announced that the Easter Bunny had been here. So Chris and I dragged ourselves out of bed, but Princess Sydney was sound asleep so I left her, thinking she would be up soon. Yeah not so much she slept until 9:30am, I had to take a picture of the princess in her beauty sleep state.

Day 68

2010-04-01T21:34:00.003-04:00

Today was a beautiful day, Carter had his first dentist appointment to get that tooth looked at, he was such a trooper. Afterwords Chris' friend Paul came over with his son Cody and his dog Jasmine. Cody has a game called beat Jasmine, she takes it all good, and well he taught Carter, who tried to do with it my moms dog the next day. Not a good game people, not a good game, but the look of concentration on their faces is hilarious. We told them to stop after this picture, as you can see she didn't care lol.

Day 67

2010-03-31T21:01:00.000-04:00

My daughter hates fruit, it is odd, she just doesn't like it, this is the face I get when I give her pears or apple sauce.

Day 66

2010-03-30T20:26:00.000-04:00

Maybe the mood of today is because the day has two 6's in it not sure. I hasn't been the best day for Carter. He coughed all night long and was a crank pot this morning. Carter has never been to the dentist it was on our to do list but the events of today have made me bump it up to this Thursday. Carter was playing on the jungle gym at school and well, when you have 14 kids playing on one place is just asking for an accident, and an accident it was. Carter tripped and fell forward and caught his mouth on the on the medal step, there were tears, blood and lots of freezies afterwords. All in all he will survive lol, some cuts on the gums, a tooth that has been pushed back, and well a get out of brushing the front teeth for the night. The picture just shows the big cut not the little ones and the torn middle part. Poor dude, he was a trooper though didn't cry for that long.

Day 65

2010-03-29T17:07:00.000-04:00

Easter week is upon us, which means the Easter Bunny is coming and this means pulling out the sign. So here is the sign to make sure that the Easter Bunny does not bypass our house.

Day 64

2010-03-28T21:34:00.003-04:00

I noticed when Sydney was born that she looked an awful lot like her brother, pretty much they put her on my chest and I thought OH MY is this 3.5 years ago. Over the last 9 month Sydney has gone through many stages with looks but it has been over the last month that I have noticed that she is a smaller version then Carter. Apparently Chris and I have one formula when it comes to making babies, yes she is a girl and he is a boy, but this is pretty scary how much they actually look alike. So does that mean that Carter looks feminine? or does she look masculine? OH well who cares in my eyes they are pretty darn cute and we are blessed to have them.

So here we have side by sides of Carter and Sydney at the same age.

Day 63

2010-03-27T18:59:00.000-04:00

Let me start off by admitting this picture was from yesterday, we have been super busy so I kind of planned it that way.

Anywho, I have joked more then once over the past 4 years that my son Carter is really my sisters child, or a copy of her at least given to me. She doesn't like meat, he doesn't like meat, she has Casper white skin, he has Casper white skin ect. My mom has told me a story on more then one occasion on how my sister used to love eating lemons like an orange. Well yesterday Carter proved that he as well likes to do the same. Proof once more that he might be hers lol. I tried it with him, and ew ew ew it was puckerville for me, but he said yummy more please. Odd child indeed.

Day 62

2010-03-26T18:40:00.000-04:00

Today was a write off for sure, Sydney has been a cranky butt munch, and besides the 20 minute nap she had she has been demanding being held the entire day. She didn't sleep well last night which meant I didn't sleep well. But being the good wife and mother that I am I must prevail and cook dinner to feed my guys. So what to do when Chris is out, and Sydney is screaming because she doesn't want to be put down, well you wrap her that is what you do. But I needed a new style of wrapping because the front facing usual way had too many limbs that can flail about and well I didn't want to cut anything off by accident. So Kangaroo hold it was. You can see the look of WTF on her face lol.

Day 61

2010-03-25T17:49:00.000-04:00

So today I didn't pull out the camera, and I was thinking what am I going to do. It is a crappy cold day out and I am not inspired. But then I remembered that it is Thursday night. I love Thursdays, so I thought that I would share who I am going to spend my Thursday night with.

First I plan on starting off the evening with the Salvatore Brothers, it has been a while since I have spent an hour with them and I am super excited to see them again. I do prefer Damon but they are both yummy.

Next I will be hanging out with McDreamy..

With a side order of McSteamy....

And then to finish off my night, Mr, Sam Bennett

Good thing Earth Hour isn't on a Thursday because I would miss my dates :)

Day 60

2010-03-24T20:53:00.000-04:00

Such a beautiful day, I wish the weather would make up its mind, cold one day and warm the next. So after picking up Carter from school we decided to play out in the backyard on the swings. Carter was upset because he can't ride in his baby swing anymore, and he doesn't want to share it with Sydney, hence his face.

Day 59

2010-03-23T22:41:00.000-04:00

So a few blogs days ago I blogged about my inch worm. Well my inch worm has turned into a army crawler with inbetween moments of being up on all fours. She is so close, another week and she will be crawling, and I am dreading it. She is so proud of herself as well when she gets up on all fours, she just doesn't know what to do when up there, Chris shows her and I say no no no stay my baby, and then she laughs. I am in trouble.

Day 58

2010-03-22T22:45:00.004-04:00

Everyone has "their" mug, you know the mug that you are praying is clean when you wake up in the morning, trying to remember if you turned on the dishwasher and was it in it?. Then you come downstairs and you see that it is clean, but wait, it is full of liquid, but wait again, that isn't my coffee, it is filled with someone else's tea for that matter. This is MY MUG, you know who you are. I have my eye on you.

Day 57

2010-03-21T21:30:00.001-04:00

This past weekend we have been watching Molly the dog. Carter loves having her here and loves to play outside with her. I swear they play together even though this picture says the opposite.

Day 56

2010-03-20T23:37:00.000-04:00

My first child never fell asleep in random places so I never got the cute shots, as it was always in his crib or car seat. Now baby number two is a different story, you can leave the room for 5 seconds and you come back and she is asleep where you left her. Now mind you she is sick right now so that isn't helping but these two are just too cute.

Day 55

2010-03-19T21:30:00.000-04:00

Today we went to the sugar bush and had a great time. It was another beautiful day, and really the perfect day to go. We went on our first hay ride, and Carter sat in the front all by himself with the other kids while we were in the back. This is a proud moment for Chris and I as Carter is usually too timid to do these things, so proud of him. After the tour we went and enjoyed pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Which we found out a odd tip today, pure Maple Syrup isn't that bad for you, it is good for you just like broccoli, who new.

Out we go on our first hayride. Sydney doesn't seem to be enjoying it lol

Out in the Bush with my kiddo's (Stage 1 of the tour, back the olden times as our 15 year old guide explained lol)

Listening to the Sap

Mmmmmm pancakes + Apple Juice + Daddies sunglasses = content boy

My new favorite picture.

Day 54

2010-03-18T23:50:00.000-04:00

Today we went to Greenway Saturn Park and then the Dog Park. Yes I know you are all thinking, Amanda you don't own a dog. This I know, but my mom does and she brought Molly so we took her to the park. Anyways back to my day. I think my baby girl is trying to kill me by depriving me of sleep, she cried from 2am-5am off and on while nursing in between. After a quick time out from her, just needed to seperate myself for a moment, I took her back from her father and she fell asleep on my chest while I was sitting up, this is upsetting she isn't newborn size anymore so I felt like a walking zombie. We needed to get out of the house so to the park we went, and Carter fed the ducks.

Molly Watching and cleaning up after Carter feeding the ducks

Sydney goes for her first swing ride, I think she likes it, but I am not sure lol

And finally the dog park, Molly is the black one somewhere out there lol

Day 53

2010-03-17T22:22:00.000-04:00

Today was a beautiful day to be outside. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. Sydney is fighting a cold and Carter seems to be over the runny nose part so outside for us to get some fresh air and exercise.

Hmmm maybe we should have signed him up for Soccer

The Men of my Life

And my sick baby, all the other pictures I had of her showed her snot encrusted nose so I thought this one was best :)

Day 52

2010-03-17T00:34:00.000-04:00

For the love of the shaker....

On Saturday we went to a birthday party for Cooper, he turned 5, how that happened I don't know. Anyway Carter was given a toy a kaleidoscope toy to be exact with a shaker thing on the end. Apparently it isn't his toy anymore.

I get up to make a cup of tea and walk back into this. It is now hers she had a death grip on it. Man she falls asleep fast.

Day 51

2010-03-15T22:59:00.002-04:00

As I was looking at my son today I was like how is your face so dirty, what have you eaten and why is it on your nose. So I took him into the bathroom and went to wash if face but I looked on his nose a bit closer and OMG he has freckles starting to form. Now I have a love hate relationship with my freckles more on the hate side actually, but to see his little nose with a couple of dots it was so cute. I do hope that he doesn't get covered in them like I did. I told Carter that he had freckles starting and grabbed the camera, he replied no mommy not freckles what am I going to do, wash them off. Apparently my love hate relationship with mine has rubbed off on him, so not to self keep my comments to myself or at least till he isn't around lol.

4 Little Freckles and some dirty lol

Day 50

2010-03-14T16:18:00.000-04:00

So one of the great things that happens when you have a baby is your hair falls out after-wards. I remember this happening with Carter, but that was nothing compared to the loss that I have had with Sydney. She is 8 months and I am still losing clumps. Now what happens when the hair falls out you ask? Well it grows back, and it makes little whispey hairs, and well I had most of it fall out at the front so yesterday while I was getting ready for Cooper's birthday party I was getting upset with the fact that there were all these little whisps at the front, so I grabbed some scissors and cut bangs because that is the only way I could figure on how to fix the problem. So I thought I would share some not so good pictures but of me with bangs.

Day 49

2010-03-13T14:12:00.000-05:00

ATTACK OF THE TEENAGE GIRL SLEEPOVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So my step daughter is having a sleepover tonight and her friend has been here all day, no big whoop really but OMG LOUDNESS, SQUEALING & GIGGLING.

It is times like these that I feel the need to call my mom and apologize for my sleepovers as a child. Carter was not impressed with this new person in the house, he didn't like it at all, so he chose to hide.

So since he was in my bedroom watching TV where was I to hide? In the Kitchen was where I hid, got a lot accomplished too. 4 Loaves of Cheese Bread, Shepard's Pie for the girls for dinner and the kitchen was cleaned top to bottom, look at me go!

Day 48

2010-03-12T18:32:00.000-05:00

Well today was the last day of school before March Break, so we thought what a great way to start Carter's March Break by getting him his Booster Shot. So after it was done he says ow, and then whimpers for 5 seconds and he is done. So he gets his band aid and feels like a tough guy. He did well, and he is quite happy that he doesn't need anymore shots for quite a while.

Trying to be a tough guy, kinda hard with a snoopy band aid.

The Snoopy

Day 47

2010-03-11T21:00:00.000-05:00

Ok so mommy guilt is very hard on a mother. I feel bad that my daughter plays with a lot of toys that were her brothers as a baby, so we were in the store and well impulse came over me and I had had had had had to purchase her a two foot caterpillar which she just adores.

Day 46

2010-03-10T22:43:00.002-05:00

So I got an e mail from my mom reminding me that this is a blog and questioning where the words were for this picture. Soooo I am back editing the following day.

What to say about this picture, EYEBALL, that is all I got.

Day 45

2010-03-09T21:34:00.000-05:00

Carter wanted a sword, he wanted to help make it, but you see that would have turned into a 2 hour venture when I new that I could just do it in 10 minutes. So I sent him away and made it myself, way easier, but..... that meant he was unsupervised in the living room which meant that he destroyed it. Lesson learned.

Day 44

2010-03-08T22:23:00.002-05:00

Well my little 8 month old has started to become a inch worm. Bum comes up and she slides forward. How is she old enough to be starting the crawling faze. I guess this means she isn't going to be lazy like her brother who never fully crawled just army crawled the week before his first birthday. My little inchworm is growing up way to fast.

Step 1 - Plant arms firmly on the floor

Step 2 - Plant toes on the ground and push up the bum, this makes mommy squeal NOOOOOOOO not yet.

Step 3 - Inch every so slightly forward while coming down and checking to make sure that your back end followed.

Step 4 - Look really cute up at mommy and make her tear up because I am getting older.

Day 43

2010-03-07T23:14:00.001-05:00

So today we got the new Camera, the Nikon D3000. I am not impressed with Nikon because of the original issue with our camera and how they make it cost twice as much as it needs to be, but that is another issue. We chose to get another Nikon because we could get it at a pretty good deal because we didn't need the lense as we still had ours.
The D3000 is basically the D40/60 but just has a bigger screen on the back and a couple of extra features. One of them is making pictures look like pencil drawings, so Chris took two pictures today and I made them look like pencil drawings for fun. Warning one of them is a nursing picture, no boob or nip can be seen but you are warned that there is a baby eating.

Day 42

2010-03-06T23:32:00.003-05:00

Ok so I cheated a wee bit, I actually took this the other day. This is big, she is napping, this is the 3rd day in a row that she has had a nap. My 8 month old finally naps WOOHOO, the playpen is magic. I love sleeping babies, the arms beside the head like that, who sleeps like that now, and they just sleep staying still. So precious and my little angel. Love her.

Day 41

2010-03-06T00:53:00.000-05:00

Well today was a long one. Syd ended it with having hives, and well Carter started it bright and early. So with bringing the pack in play back Carter actually got quite upset as he sees it as his. So what a better way to catch a nap then to contain both kids.

Day 40

2010-03-04T22:00:00.001-05:00

So back in October we went to Braz for a Cause and we dressed up as the Wonder Bras. We purchased pink capes and I have been wondering what the hell am I going to do with this now. Well apparently Carter brought it down and Sydney found it and loved rolling around in it, sooooooooooo it is now hers. So Sydney before bed enjoyed herself squealing away.

Ok so I have rolled myself in this pink thing now what? Ohhh look it is shiny..

Ahhhhhh I can eat it, that is what I can do...mmmm I don't know where this has been but it sure feels good in my mouth lol.

Day 39

2010-03-03T11:07:00.001-05:00

Ok so one of the things I think we forget when we think hey lets have another baby after the first, is the joys of the teething process. I am sure if we remembered how delightful it really was that we would all only have one child. Sydney is showing signs of getting her first teeth. People keep telling me OHHHH I can see her teeth in her gums those teeth are coming. If this was true she would have had teeth within the first week of life in the outside world since her teeth have been prominent under the gums since birth. But with the high crank factor and the needs to put everything in her mouth and the joy she got when I gave her her first teething ring I think it is coming soon. Carter was pretty easy when it came to teeth well the first set at least, I put him down for a nap at 9 months and he woke up with two teeth, sadly I don't think it is going to go like this for my sweet pea as she seems to be in distress mode with the impending teeth. So here is Sydney in her glory with her new found best friend the teething ring, made in China I must add so probably full of BPA goodness. (insert eye roll here)

Day 38

2010-03-02T14:40:00.000-05:00

So we have been looking for a way to contain the rolling little girl that is Sydney. Far too many times this past week I have left the room to get a drink, help Carter ect and I have walked back in to find her sucking on the plant. She is a fast little mover and well I need to be able to leave the room, a girl has got to pee you know. So we finally asked for our pack and play back and woohoo baby jail is awesome. So Sydney has been contained and it is a miracle she is having a nap and not on me, I am so excited.

Where is Sydney?? In with the fishies of course.

OMG she never naps on her own unless we are getting her brother this is a big deal WOOHOO. My little girl sleeping with the fishes lol.

Day 37

2010-03-02T00:52:00.000-05:00

OH shoot I am half an hour late.

So quite often we walk home with Carter's little friend Celeste, and they often hold hands. It melts my heart when they do this and I always kick myself for not taking pictures. So today I brought the camera hoping to get the picture and I did. So young love is today's picture. Carter has an eye for the older ladies.

Come take my hand...

Lets walk...

Day 36

2010-02-28T17:44:00.000-05:00

So currently we are watching the Gold Medal game, and Carter has learned so new words, which we call hockey words, I learned them from my dad, and I wasn't planning on keeping up the tradition, but with the states tying it, they just came out. OOopsy.
Carter wanted to make sure he watched the game in his hockey jammies and his (well mine since his were wet) Olympic Mittens.

GO Canada GO

What do you mean 3 hours till I can watch a Carter show?

Day 35

2010-02-27T23:12:00.002-05:00

I would like to title this Neighbourhood Watch, because this is her favorite pass time.

Day 34

2010-02-26T23:35:00.004-05:00

So today my baby turns 8 months, where has the time gone I just don't know. Tomorrow I get a camera so I will add her 8 month photo here after I get the picture. So here is my 17lb chubby wubby cubby on her 8th month birthday.

Day 33

2010-02-25T22:45:00.004-05:00

So I thought to be fun, and since we have the V Tech Camera I would do a post on the eyes of Carter. These are pictures that my camera happy 4 year old took with his camera.

Carter likes to add the special features.

Apparently he thought early on that his sister needed the devil application, interesting...

And up close and personal with his Half Sister Ainsley

Day 32

2010-02-24T22:50:00.002-05:00

Meeting his new sister Carter was super pumped, he has two friends that are big brothers and he was excited to be like them. So today I am reminiscing about Carter meeting Sydney for the first time, the looks on his face is precious and tells everything. He is such a good big brother, and is proud to be one. We will see how long this lasts after she starts walking and talking but so far so good.

Meeting Sydney for the first time, look at his face he is so happy.

Then this one, the look of, okay now what am I supposed to do with her now?

Oh I know what to do, poke her nose like papa does to me lol.

Day 31

2010-02-23T22:45:00.003-05:00

So yesterday it snowed, and it was great packing snow so today after school Carter had a friend over and we made snowmen. Carter had a blast, but little tip, raisins as the eyes, mouth and buttons isn't good the birds love them lol.

I took the pictures with Carter's camera and well it is crappy quality, oh please let my camera be fixed soon.

This is the one Carter and I made

This is the one Celeste and Jason made

Day 30

2010-02-22T22:59:00.000-05:00

Ok so back on pancake Tuesday I took more pictures so I will share some now. Carter is all about protecting his sister, he likes to watch her when we leave the room, even though she is properly contained he needs to be on guard. So while I was getting his pancakes made Chris and I walked into the living room to see how he had made her jumperoo even more safe in his eyes.

Yep that is my wrap that I carry Sydney in, not sure how it makes her safer, but he seems think it does.

And when we tried to get a front view he wouldn't let us past as me might break her protective shield. Many he has an imagination lol.

Day 29

2010-02-21T22:01:00.002-05:00

9Ok so here is the latest happiest day of my life, this is when my family became complete. The day Sydney was born, having her gave me the feeling of being content and complete. I had my boy and my girl. I know I say that I would have been happy with two boys, but really no, I really wanted a girl.
So Friday June 26th 2009 after many false starts we go in and were not sent home. I was in labour for 2 hours and pushed for 10 minutes not even 10 minutes really, and she came out. Please note once again no drugs, upsetting VERY upsetting. I will say that contractions are way worse then the pushing part. So at 4:55pm Sydney Lauren Phillips was born at 6lbs 3 ounces, 18 inches long.
We learned our lesson this time, we brought the camera into the delivery room :)

Fresh from the Oven

Best Face EVER lol

All Cleaned up, my little Angel.

One complete family.

Day 28

2010-02-20T23:05:00.002-05:00

Ok so the next happiest day of my life that beat out the wedding, was the birth of our first child Carter. December 4th 2005, 6 months to the day of our wedding we were at our family Christmas party, and my dad commented that I was grumpy all day, well that was because I was in pre labour and didn't know it, so I think I had all the right to be grumpy. Anywho, we got to the hospital at 10pm, and epidural wore off at 9cm, baby born at 3:17am. Carter James Phillips officially started our little family coming into this world weight a whopping 5lbs 11 ounces and 18 3/4 inches long. He was my little ethopian poster child (not to offend anyone) since he was skin and bones for a while.

First Picture - 9 hours old

I don't have a lot of pictures of Carter when he was born as we forgot the camera at home, HEY NOW, it was our first time we were panicked.

Yep I took my 4 day old baby to see Santa.

Ok to show how small he was, that is a newborn soother, it is taking over his face lol.

Day 27

2010-02-19T22:01:00.002-05:00

Ok so, since no camera down memory lane we go. So where to start. Well lets start with the first happiest day of my life, yes there are more then one as they keep happening.

So the first one was the day I married my husband Chris. Everything went perfect, June 4th 2005, beautiful day, good food, great friends and a lot of drunk people.

When I first met Chris he said he was never getting married again or having any more children. Well I think on this day I proved him wrong on both, because I was 11 weeks pregnant with Carter as well. So let this be a lesson you can change a man lol.

My sister and I practicing :)

I the bride was not impressed that this picture actually made it into our wedding video

First Kiss

My Peeps

And Us, hey one of the benefits of being pregnant on your wedding day, great boobs for your dress :)

Day 26

2010-02-18T22:10:00.000-05:00

Well today it was interesting to get this picture, our camera seems to not want to keep the memory card in it, so tomorrow it is going in to get fixed. So to get this picture we had to hold the card in and take the picture, it was quite an achievement to get it. Sydney loves her jumperoo, and Carter loves to play with her now, so this is what we walked into.

They played like this for about 10 minutes, please note Sydney is making her brother smell her feet and is totally jumping up and down on him and he didn't care lol.

Until the camera is fixed I will be doing reminissant pictures of the kids.

Day 25

2010-02-17T21:55:00.000-05:00

February is not one of my favorite months, it is cold and dreary and well, just kinda makes me blah at times, and really when you look out your window at 2 in the afternoon and this is what you see looking up in the sky, where is the sun? Oh Mr. Sun Sun Mr. Golden sun won't you please shine down on me..... maybe if we all sing it, it will happen because I hate looking up and seeing this day after day after day.
This picture is not altered and it is in colour.

Day 24

2010-02-16T16:20:00.001-05:00

Ahhhhhh Pancake Tuesday what a day to promise your child for days that he would get pancakes for dinner and then mommy (that would be me) end up with her head in the toilet for the afternoon and early evening. I perserveerd though and came through for my son. So Carter wanted pancakes, no problem, what he didn't know is that they were sweet potato's pancakes, and oh so deceptively delicious, he said they were the bestest pancakes ever!
Not going to lie making them wasn't easy we lost a couple as they were burnt from my trips from the bathroom, yes I know TMI but pft you don't have to ready if you don't want too.

Pancake in the Pan

Short Stack

One very happy boy

Day 23

2010-02-15T21:40:00.002-05:00

So Monday was all about making the baby food, I was so into it I didn't even take pictures of my kids. I had a killer headache but my daughter needed food, so that trumped the headache.

This is what I don't understand, and maybe I am just a snob but I don't get it, why do people buy jarred baby food? It is so simple and easy to make it yourself, yes it takes an afternoon to steam, blend and then put in the ice cube trays, and then pop them out and put them in baggies and then into the freezer. It is cheaper and healthier in the long run. I don't consider myself a "crunchy" mom by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to make healthier choices for my kids. My husband doesn't quite understand the healthy food vs. fun food concept but we have gotten the timbits out of Carter's diet YIPPY. So back to my original thought, I don't understand how something so simple we can't do ourselves?

mmmmmmmm peas

Peas and Sweet Potato's going in to be frozen

And Pears ready for whenever we start fruit.

Day 22

2010-02-14T22:49:00.001-05:00

Well today is Valentines Day, nothing special going on here as Chris has to work, my mom came over with her dog Molly, Carter and I made cupcakes, and well Sydney was cute as ever sitting on her own!

My Little Valentines

The Cupcakes Carter and I made.

And Molly showing off her tricks

Day 21

2010-02-13T22:58:00.003-05:00

Today Carter was my big helper, he helped keep his sister entertained. I went to go throw out a diaper and walked back into Sydney's room and this is what I found, she loves her big brother and he loves her. I am so happy that they are starting to interact with each more and more excites me. So here they are I did a pink hue for fun since it is Valentines weekend.

Day 20

2010-02-12T21:20:00.001-05:00

So today's 365 challenge is to take a picture of a loved one. At first I was like way to easy because I could just take a picture of my kiddo's but then I thought wait I have a husband too, and apparently I love him so I decided to take a picture of him making my Valentines dinner. Chris has to work on Valentines Day so we are doing it tonight, and I didn't want anything material, just to have dinner made without it coming from the freezer and being put on a cookie sheet into the oven. So here is Chris making a very good dinner, he did very well, he just might have to cook some more from scratch again.

Chris putting the burgers together. I know I know you are thinking what burgers how is that special well just wait.

They were special because they were stuffed with Blue Cheese which is totally outside his comfort zone.

Baked Onion Rings, yep this is what I wanted nothing but class for me.

One BBQ'd Burger, ok not the most appetizing but OMG SOOOOO good.

Ok I can't do loved ones without my kids I just can't, so here is Carter after school, he had a sugar crash from his party and just wanted to veg on the couch.

And last but not least my precious Sydney bouncing away while Chris cooked.

Day 19

2010-02-11T19:36:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is Carter's Valentines Day party at school, and I was asked to make treats. So I looked though the web for something different to make as I can't just make any run of the mill cookies, and this is what I found, stained glass cookies, super easy and they look pretty cool. Of course my little baker had to help.

Carter helping to make the cookie dough.

Then I had him peel the candies from their wrappers, surprisingly he only ate one.

Ready for the oven

All cooked, I know I know ohhhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhh

Single one to show the finished stained glass look

Look out Martha I am coming for you, here is the plate ready to be taken for school tomorrow. I made mini cookie hearts as well with the left over dough as I ran out of candies that were the right colour.

Day 18

2010-02-10T16:34:00.000-05:00

Baby feet and hands are the best, a little sister holding on to her brothers hand even better, using mommies fingers as a chew toy annoying but she loves them lol.

Day 17

2010-02-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

So I wasn't sure what I was going to do tonight, to be honest I wasn't sure if I was going to make it on here as it is the dreaded bath night for both kids. So I am talking with my friend Brei on the phone and I mention that I had to bath Sydney first and then Carter, her reply "you don't bath them together yet?" My answer "nope Sydney cannot sit up yet in the tub on her own"

So about 10 minutes later I have Sydney in the tub and it is getting close to bedtime for both kids, and I still needed to wash Carter's hair as he has a hair appointment to get his mop-top-hair-shop hair cut tomorrow. So I am looking at Sydney ready to get her out and trying to do the game plan in my head on what I am going to do with her while I washed Carter's hair ect. And then I thought, why don't I bath the kids together yet? it clearly is easier and well he can do with less water as she lays down on the tub, so my reasoning for not doing it was stupidity. Which brings me to my inspiration for tonight's blog, first bath of the kids together.

"Moooom she is touching me"

Crazy clean hair, soon to be all gone.

Sydney Watching her brother in the bath in the warmth of her towel.

Day 16

2010-02-08T23:09:00.000-05:00

Well back to the beginning of a new week. Nothing really happened today around the Phillips house, school, sleep, eat, change a bum, the as per usual. So I just took some random pictures and I love the one of Syd laying on the floor, it is my abosolute favorite picture of her so far. I also did some close ups just playing around, and then finally Carter declaring that his valentines for the class were not going to be shared because he wants them all!
I also had an interesting discovery yesterday, I don't think I am big on colour pictures, I prefer the black and whites or the sepia. So as I discover my picture style you will be my guinea pigs, and you thought you had nothing really to do with the outcome of this blog, well you thought wrong.

Day 15

2010-02-07T16:20:00.000-05:00

So the past 24 hours have been very quiet around here, Carter went to Papa's last night so I got some one on one time with Sydney as Chris had to work as well. I loved it and I think she loved it too. Sydney discovered a new pose yesterday or trick and she is doing it all the time now, it is almost like she is saying, look how cute I am mommy and forget that I have been sick for a week and keeping you up throughout the night.

So while I was preparing everything for dinner later on and feeding her lunch I turned around and this is what I saw.

And then a little later in her Jumperoo

Day 14

2010-02-06T21:13:00.000-05:00

So today I used my new crock pot for the first time so I thought I would make it about food today. I love food, it is my friend lol, but we are trying to eat healthier so lots of protein and veggies. My new crock pot seems to be a relative of a friends as it seems to be on steroids, it cooked a frozen small chicken in two hours. It was nice and juicy but I didn't feel like eating dinner at noon lol. So chicken with steamed sweet potato, baby red potato and carrots mashed together and a Romain salad with Asian sesame dressing. I love cooking more then baking. It was so yummy, get a napkin to wipe up the drool lol.

Time for the Chicken to go in.

Two Hours Later all done.

Plated