A Real Page Turner

Well, Aryana has 2 teeth, has a horrid diaper rash and is pooping a dozen times a day. She's still her happy self though. She even learned a new trick. I can't believe how fast she caught on. I asked her to turn the page one afternoon and by the next day she was a pro!

She is sitting really well, she is unsupported in the video. Her vocabulary has expanded from muma to baba and squealing. It is amazing how much she has changed this week!

Peek-a-boo

It has been awhile. I thought I would share our game of peek-a-boo with you. Aryana is learning so much, so fast. She even had her first little tantrum a couple days ago. I took something away and she screamed until I gave it back (it was the wrapper from my fruit-to-go). It was pretty funny actually. She seems to be teething but has not cut any teeth yet. Two nights ago she woke up every hour until I gave her some Tylenol.

I've been busy cleaning up the vegetable and flower gardens, processing and freezing tomatoes and carrots, making and canning salsa, cleaning the house (it was a disaster, even Ben thought something was wrong with me), celebrating Ben's 28th birthday, and taking care of Aryana (who is always on the move). I'm working hard to get all of my chores done so I can enjoy a restful long weekend!

Life's Challenges

We finally bought a second vehicle. We purchased a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe. It's pretty nice. I was amazed at how strong our wants could blur the reason of practicality. Ben and I took an hour to finally decide to purchase the used car and save approximately $10,000. I swear there is something about the new car smell and shiny new metal that gets you high or something.

But since then the shifter cables in the Corolla broke, it'll cost $800 to fix. Ben tried to get the part from a scrap place but there seems to be none available. As far as Corollas go it seems like we got a lemon. We've had to fix the fuel injector twice (I think that's what it was), our brakes have always squeaked (we've had them checked and apparently they're fine) and the car won't start sometimes. Oh well.

Also this week our drier broke. The sensor no longer works so the drier just keeps running and running. The drier was on for at least an hour and a half before I realized it was still going. I turn the beeper of when Aryana is sleeping. It still works if I enter a time though.

I really hate how things worth thousands of dollars are designed to break the instant the warranty is done. (We had 4 years on the Corolla, it is now 5 years old. We had 2 years on the drier, it is now 3 years old.) Our TV has broken twice (the color wheel and power supply), fortunately we bought the extended warranty, and it's only 4 years old. And we have a 4 year old DVD player that won't play DVD's. As much as old things weren't energy efficient at least they worked. For example, we still have my GRANDFATHER'S snow blower. It needed a little TLC from Nick but it works (I think it's 40 years old now). Do you really save money and the environment if you have to replace everything every 5-10 years instead of 20-25 years?

I'm just feeling a little helpless. Our budget was tight to begin with and now we've maxed out our credit with the Santa Fe and everything is breaking when we have no cash reserve to fix it. I must admit this is the first week I've been tempted to just continue working full time instead of looking for a part time job (I'm continuing to look for a part time job, nothing's available so if anyone hears of something please let me know.). I do know that my time spent with Aryana will be worth so much more.

Aryana is so much fun. She is babbling a lot, she even says 'mum'. I now know what Alisha was talking about when Gavin said mum when he was little. Aryana is eating solids, it's pretty funny. Instead of just opening her mouth for the spoon, she also sticks out her tongue as far as it can go. And when she takes a bite she always says, "mmmmmm". She's rolling like crazy and trying to coordinate crawling. She can get her bum in the air but then doesn't know what to do with her hands so she usually ends up with her face in the carpet. Her hair is definitely blond now and her eyes will be hazel, like mine. (I kinda wanted her to have Ben's blue eyes.)

Laughs

Aryana's new favourite toy. This entertains her even when she's grumpy!

Does anyone else think it's hilarious when I sit down?

Ahhhhh...

...the simple things in life!

Milestones

I can't believe how fast Aryana can learn something new. Just last Sunday she suddenly figured out how to roll and roll and roll. I do have a short video, she rolls more when the camera is not on her (she gets distracted). She is also learning to feed herself a bottle. She's not so great at it yet.

Aryana's Baptism

We had a busy and fun filled weekend. We celebrated my Nana's 80th birthday on Saturday and Aryana was baptised on Sunday.

Chris, Karen and Michelle were all able to return to Winnipeg for the celebrations. It was great to see them but I was not able to spend as much time with them as I would have liked. I saw cousins who I have not seen in probably 10 years as well as familiar faces. We had delicious food on both days. I can't thank Linda, Michele and Yvonne enough for preparing such a delicious spread at Aryana's baptism celebration.

Aryana handled all the festivities with ease. She even napped well at my parents place. She smiled a lot and enjoyed playing with family and friends (as long as we didn't hold her too long!).

I was able to speak on Sunday without crying. I watched a video though, I guess I tend to talk A LOT with my hands when I get nervous. Oh well. Aryana giggled when Rob was baptising her. My dad got a good picture of that. I can't wait to see Joey's pictures and Micah's video.

Auntie Michelle showing Aryana how to pose like a Boyko.

After all the festivities we realized we did not take a family picture. So after a few attempts of setting the timer and Ben running into the photo we did get a couple pictures.

It always amazes me that a love between two people can grow into such a large family!

The Boykos.The Postmas.

Aryana was smiling away! I hope I never forget it!

Daddy's Little Girl.

Four Generations.

Playing with Uncle Chris and Auntie Karen.