We picked up our new mini-van on Monday afternoon! I LOVE it!! It's so nice to drive and very roomy :) And I love the options!! The UConnect and the back up cam are my favorites so far!! UConnect allows you to operate your phone hands free, through blue tooth. It's ran by a voice recognition system and you can also use the touch screen too! I've found it very convenient! Apparently you can control your radio the same way, but I haven't tried that yet. We were going to fold both the middle bucket seats into the floor and then bring one back out when the baby was born, but Blake insisted we had the babies seat up now!! And he was pretty excited by the "little t.v." in the van, but we're not going to be using it anytime soon. He does really great travelling without watching a DVD, so as long as we can avoid that we will!!! They didn't get the car starter put in the van before we picked it up, so my Mom and Dad are taking it in on Friday for us, to have that installed, as well as rubber floor mats! The kids stayed at Auntie Lesley's house while we picked up the van and went to the registries office. I was worried Em would cry the whole time we were gone, but she didn't!! Just a short time after we left. We were very impressed by this, she must trust her Auntie Lesley :) Blake had a short crying time too ... but recovered and enjoyed playing with Colby! We brought our van back there and enjoyed a great steak dinner!! Thanks so much to Lesley for watching the kids for us and the yummy dinner!!
Cal's been busy the past few days, helping his Dad out. Bruce stayed over last night and wasn't given a moment of rest while Blake was up!! Blake loved having him here and kept him busy playing various games and with his trucks and tractors! I was worried Em might play strange with Bruce, but she didn't for long! She had fun too playing with Grandpa Bruce! We went out for lunch this morning before taking Bruce downtown. He's catching the bus back to Grande Prairie this afternoon. We went to McDonald's so the kids could play in the Play Place. Blake wanted to show Grandpa how high he could climb!!
Emerson is growing up SO fast :S She often says please and thank you now, which is really adorable :) She is loving walking and we've had quite a few people remark on how sturdy she is!! I guess she just wanted to be an expert before attempting walking?!? She loves repeating words and has fun pointing to things and learning what they are. I'm wondering if she will potty train at a younger age - she already knows what the potty is and will often point to the toilet when Blake or I are using it and say, "Potty!" I forgot how at such a young age they start following simple directions. For example, I can ask her to get her shoes and she walks on over and picks them up!! And often attempts to put them on herself, which is really adorable!! She loves shoes and is always pointing to them and saying, "Sssshhoes!" I remember Blake loving shoes too and enjoying putting on other people's and walking around! Emerson has a very expressive face ... to say the least!! She can really give you a look that could kill or could turn around and give you the sweetest little smirk. She definitely knows what she's doing! I've never seem anything like the pout she puts on!! But I've also never seen a grin so sly!! She plays shy with certain people and then will turn on her 1000 watt grin!! I swear she knows what she's doing! I still think she's a bit of a drama queen, which can be frustrating at times, but then you pick her up and she gives you the biggest hug and you forget being upset!! She can be a little cuddle bug and there's nothing better in the world then a hug from your baby :)
Blake seems to have slowed down in his growing. He's not eating near as much these days. But that's okay, I suppose he'll eat what he needs! He was at 39 lbs at Emerson's 12 month check up, so I think he's ready for a booster seat, but we haven't made the switch in our vehicles yet. My Mom and Dad have a booster seat for him and he loves it! It's also much more convenient and easier to do and undo! As long as he's in a booster seat by 2011 camping season we're good! It will be much less squishy in the back of Cal's truck if he's in a booster! Blake is also growing up too darn quick!! It's hard to believe he was ever a little bitty baby in our arms :( His favorite game continues to be hide and seek! He's getting better at hiding, doesn't tell us where he is anymore ;) Hide and Seek has really helped him with his counting. And at the young age of 3 he is a back seat driver ... Cal would say he takes after his Mom :P And he questions EVERYTHING!!! Why? What? Who? Where? What are you talking about? How come? Some days it is so tempting to say, "BECAUSE!!!!" But I know that by questioning everything, he is learning! Lately he's been very interested in everyone's eye color. He tells me that when he gets older his eyes will be green. I think he's questioning his blue eyes ... Cal, Emerson and I all have green eyes!!
We're excited to head out camping on Sunday. We're going to Ol' MacDonald's Resort with my parents. We hope to make a day trip to Drumheller and spend lots of time on the beach! So far the forecast looks good and we're hoping it stays that way!! Not one of us is a hot weather fan!! We all like around +20. It's funny because, I think Blake dislikes the really hot temps too. We've noticed he doesn't like being outside for long when it's in the high 20's or even 30's. Cal is off on Canada Day, but we're not sure what we're doing. There is a big celebration at a new park/spray park by our house, so we might check that out. Saturday morning we plan to visit the St. Albert Farmer's Market. And of course we'll be getting the trailer ready to go! Last year we were gone for almost 2 weeks and I find myself over packing this time around! We're only gone for 6 days, so I don't need to pack near as much!!
Have a great weekend everyone and Happy Canada Day :)
Cal, Tracy, Blake and Emerson
