Happy

You know what I love most? Wherever I take Aryana whether it be the supermarket, the park, church, the mall etc. everyone says, "Wow, she's sure happy!" Aryana has the best smiles (especially for the boys) and she is very sociable. I love her personality and watching it develop!

Tea Party

Ben and I have had an eventful May. Ben's parents had an open house, his Oma and Opa and Grandparents were visiting from Ontario, Chris and Karen were in Winnipeg from Minneapolis (although we missed them because I was working), Ben wrote 4 exams, a few prospects have developed with my work, I took a course on exercise prescription for people with osteoporosis, planted flower beds and vegetable garden (which may have washed away with the storms) and of course Aryana is keeping us on our toes!

Aryana is understanding more and more. Fortunately, she says "yeah!" instead of "no" so far. She loves to play outside, which makes all these rainy days a little difficult. The best thing about the rain is the humidity, it makes Aryana's hair SOOO curly! She is very curious and never sits down. She loves to push/pull her wagon/stroller/chairs/tables/toy lawn mower etc. She has even pulled ME in her wagon, which makes me think she has her daddy's strength.

Below is a video of Aryana and I having a tea party.

Video Fest

It's hard to believe I have been back at work for a month now. Aryana seems to be adjusting fairly well. It's really helped that both Linda and my mom have been driving here to babysit. It was a rough start when she was at my mom's for a whole day. I think she would handle it much better now though. She doesn't cry much when I leave but she is MUCH more attached to her soother and blanket now. She sucked on her soother all day today, whereas she only used her soother before bed when I was home. Oh well, I'll worry about weaning the soother at a later date.

Both my jobs are going well. Hunter Physiotherapy seems to be a great place to work. They are very focused on providing client centered care by allowing us to spend more time with our patients. They book only 2 patients an hour when usually it's 4 per hour. So that results to a less stressful day and more satisfied patients. Another great thing is that I'm an employee so I'm earning hours for EI benefits to use if I'm fortunate to have another baby. It is also really great to see people soon after the injury occurred. The hospital has such a long wait list the most the the conditions are chronic that we see, which results in a longer treatment time and poorer prognosis.

I do miss my friends at Concordia though. I was "buddying" on Wednesday so it was great to see everyone. There isn't as much companionship (is that the right word?) in private practice. It's great to have so many people to ask for help or share ideas with at the hospital. Working weekends is going really well.

Aryana continues to entertain us. She does say a few words and is walking around everywhere. She mostly likes to be carried as she points to where she wants to go. Which can be annoying sometimes if she doesn't quite know what she wants because we end up going in circles. Aryana continues to eat and sleep well which I am very grateful for.

The first video is the first time we were able to record Aryana walking. She took her first 3 steps on February 6 and this is on her first birthday, February 27.

The second video is when Aryana discovered how to make her walkie talkies beep. I just love the faces she makes!

The third video is Aryana playing. She was having a blast going from one toy to another. She LOVES the blocks that Oma Linda got her. She's quite good at stacking them (not so much in this video though).

The end...a new beginning

I have not had much time to post lately. I have been busy making curtains for Ben's work, sewing, studying my physio stuff (I can't believe the dates on my note are from 8 years ago!), preparing to start promoting Norwex products, taking care of Aryana, trying to get all dentist/doctors appointments completed before returning to work, crocheting receiving blankets, maintaining a household etc.

I cannot believe my little girl turns 1 year old in 5 days. I asked Ben yesterday, "Could you imagine if we had lost Aryana?" (I was reflecting on my pregnancy, surgery, bedrest) He quickly snapped, "I don't even want to think about it!"

She has been such a blessing. Her smiles and laughter are amazing. My favourite thing about Aryana is her pure joy and wonder of everyday things. For example, she played with broccoli for a whole hour which allowed me to make supper, her highlight every morning is playing with her empty yogurt container, she laughs uncontrollably when she hides in the curtain to play peek-a-boo and her favourite "toy" is a Winnie the Pooh SLIPPER. I'm kinda dreading returning to work and listening to people COMPLAIN all day. I think that was the hardest thing for me to deal with in my profession.

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Aryana is such a good eater. I am so happy about that. Last night she enjoyed a rice dish with mushrooms, onions, spinach and feta! She was getting mad at Ben because her wasn't feeding her fast enough!

Aryana is kissing the monitor receiver. I was in her bedroom speaking into the monitor. She didn't know where I was! She could hear me through the receiver so she gave it a kiss!

She is not so sure about the vacuum cleaner. Ben got this great picture of her peeking aound the bed to watch me vacuum!

Aryana enjoying her empty yogurt container!

Aryana is slowly learning to walk. The longest distance she has walked has been about 6 feet. She is a very determined little girl and knows what she wants. If you're holding her she will steer you to where she wants to go. Below is a picture of her pushing a kitchen chair around as a walking aid.

She also knows a few words "mama", "dada", "jus" (juice) and "sh" (shoe). Although she will not say the words on command or repeat you yet. She still does not enjoy cuddling but she will sit in our laps for a bit to read books, this is another of my favourite things.

I don't have too much else to say. I'm nervous about returning to work next week. I am so thankful it is not full time and Grandma and Oma will be babysitting Aryana and not a stranger. I am also VERY thankful that we are provided with the wonderful benefit of a 12 month maternity leave! I could not imagine returning to work after 6 weeks (like in Minnesota). Thinking back I couldn't even sit when Aryana was 6 weeks old!

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My friend said to me the other day, "Wow, Aryana is the type of child that sucks you into having another!" Well put.

Laundry

Aryana loves to "help" with the laundry. She will ignore the giant pile of clothes/towels and crawl to where I have folded a few items. I have learned to fold a pile for her and then put each individual item away when they are folded. For the video I obviously put the folded towels by her. Notice how she doesn't want the towels when they are in a messy pile.

Aryana work out

Aryana is having a blast playing with Grandma. Ben and I say we should design an Aryana work out video. Seriously, try flapping your arms around for 10 minutes. It's exhausting!

Smiles

Aryana discovered the cold air return vent. She keeps looking at daddy (Ben) and smiling. She's getting into more trouble now. She will have a fit if I don't let her play with our entertainment center. She's spunky.