Fourtieth Week

This week started off with daddy's work Christmas party. Alee was really good the whole time, except when she met Santa. This was her first experience with Santa, and she was not too impressed. She also does not like teddy bears that sing, so this Christmas season a lot of things scared her. At the party she received a very cute Fisher Price fishing boat, it goes in the bathtub, and she really likes all the things you can do with it.

Most of this week daddy got to stay home with Alee and mommy, and that was very nice. We spent Christmas eve at Grandma and Grandpa Hughes playing cards, and board games. We then went home to bed, and woke up to Alee's first Christmas morning.

One of the traditions we wanted to start was to open Alee's stocking on our bed in the morning, and we did just that. Their was not much in there this year (socks, a few toys, some mum mums) but she really liked to bang everything together and make noise. I am sure that as she grows older this will become one of her favorite things to do on Christmas morning.

Later on we opened presents with Grand maman, Popo, mommy and daddy. She was not very spoiled, because she has a lot of things already, and she will not remember this Christmas as much.

Christmas night was spent with Grandma Hughes, Grandpa Hughes, Aunt Shelley, Uncle Trevor and Cousin Eric. Alee got two really nice pairs of Nike shoes, some toys, an ornament and of course a beautiful new Red Wagon (sure to be used for many years to come).

Alee and Eric also got matching Pajamas and got their picture taken in front of the Tree, hopefully that is another tradition we can continue with the cousins as they grow older.

All in all Christmas was great, and next week will be busy with New Years.

Tis' the season to be busy... falalala.

Thirty ninth week

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas... We attended Ben and André's Christmas pageant, along with Uncle Mic, Aunt Cheryl, Cousin Troy, and little Julie. Alee enjoyed it, as usual she was quiet and calm during the whole thing. She really enjoyed the music, and sat with Popo the whole time. We also got to see Tante Carmen this week, she really liked Alee, but I think she liked our two black kitties more.

This week was also spent recovering from Alee's ear infection, which turned into an allergic reaction to the Penicillin she was given to cure it. Poor little Alee developed a rash all over her body, so we had to switch her to another medication. By the end of the week though, she was starting to look and act a lot more like herself.

Hopefully she is all better for her first Christmas.

Thirty eight week

Aleenah had a very exciting weekend. On Saturday we started our first-of-many, new Christmas traditions. We went for a brunch at Grandma Hughes, then along with Aunt Shelley, Uncle Trevor, Cousin Eric, Grandma Hughes, Daddy, Mommy and Alee we went to pick a Christmas tree. We went to a place in Norwich, and after a little bit of searching, we found a beautiful blue spruce.

After bringing our new tree home, and setting it up in the stand we had to get ready for a Christmas party at Jimmy, Erica and Maya's. Their was a lot of little ones Alee's age, and it was cute to see them all play together. Unfortunately we had to leave early as Alee was starting to run a fever, and needed to get to bed. She slept from 8pm to 11pm, and when she woke up the Christmas tree was all decorated. Alee, Vollie and the kitties all enjoyed playing with the fallen ornaments. It was finally starting to feel like Christmas.

On Sunday, Alee and mommy did some Christmas baking, and throughout the rest of the week Alee was sick. She had a bad ear infection, so she spent most of the week in bed. Hopefully next week she feels better.

Thirty Seventh Week

Well this week was very normal. We spent most of it at home, playing with the kitties and Vollie. Alee is growing so quickly, and she just loves playing with all her toys now. She will sit for hours at a time mesmerized by the toy she played with the night before for an hour. It's great to see how everything excites her at this age. Like every other week, Aleenah went to Grandma's on Tuesday night, to hang out with Eric and Grandma. She really seems to enjoy it, and I think it's great for Eric and her to see each other on a regular basis, they just love to play with each other.

Alee also got to hang out with her other cousin this week, André, he was sick from school. They played, and he read her books, she really likes all her cousins.

On Friday evening, Alee came with me to "Kevin's Welcome Home party". The party was at Boston Pizza, and Alee hung out with all of her mommy's friends for over 3 hours. She never fussed, she was such a good girl the whole time, she even ate a lemon.

This next weekend will be awesome, we are finally getting our Christmas tree!! :)

Thirty Sixth Week

This week started off really fun. We went to Alee's very first Santa Claus parade. It was Alee, daddy, Grandpa, Grandma, cousin Eric and mommy. Aleenah is still too young, she fell asleep during the whole thing, and did not really enjoy any of it. It was funny to see the contrast between her and Eric, he was bouncing up and down in his stroller, clapping his hands, and well, she was passed out in hers. I'm sure next year it will be far more entertaining.

Alee spent a lot of time on her belly this week, still trying to get her to crawl. She still hasn't and doesn't even show signs of trying too at this point. I have learned to enjoy it, because once she starts I won't be able to stop her.

Other than that, this week, we hung out with Vollie and the kitties, went over to Grandma's, and we went to the lighting of the "Tree of Hope" in Kitchener. It was really cold, but we went to support Chad's boss who was making a speech. Alee really liked the lights, and she was pretty warm in her stroller.

The Christmas events have officially started, this should be a busy month for Alee!

Thirty Fifth Week

This week was definitely not too exciting. We spent the majority of it spending time at home, and running a few errands. Alee is still not crawling, and showing no desire too either.

At the moment she enjoys playing on her blanket with all her toys and she loves to sit with her animals. When she plays on the blanket theirs usually Vollie (her dog) laying behind her, and the two cats laying on each side of her. It's like their not even there.

Alee went for a nice walk with her Popo this week, they went down to the park. It was the first time we got to put her snowsuit on, and one of the last as she was already getting to small for it. On Friday, we had to babysit André and Benjamin, her cousins. It was a P.A day for them, Alee had a lot of fun with them. All they want to do is play with her, and they just loved her toys. We went to the Park with them as well, and we brought Vollie. Unfortunately, her leash broke so we had to head home early. I doubt she will be crawling next week, but I'm sure she will do something to amaze us, as she usually does...

Thirty fourth week

This week was very ordinary, we did not do very much of anything. We hung out around the house for the most part, and Aleenah discovered the ABC song on her new toy. Everytime it would play she would clap, and get so excited. She knew exactly what button to press, and needless to say we heard that song alot this week. The weather was also alot nicer this week, so Alee got to wear some Summer dresses that I did not think she would ever get to wear. She looked so adorable, I was never a fan of the dresses but now I am.

Aleenah is starting to get her first tooth, she seems to be more irritated by it in the evening. She still sleeps through the night, but before bed she is usually making weird sounds with her mouth. It shouldn't be long before the one next to it starts to come out either.

Thirty Third Week

It was Halloween this week... but poor Aleenah was sick. She did not get to come trick or treating with her cousins, instead she stayed home with her Popo and Grandmaman. Once we were done trick or treating, her other set of grandparents came over to see her in her awesome monkey costume. She stayed in it for maybe five minutes, she was getting fussy and was very tired. She went to bed around 8 pm, so Alee's first Halloween was pretty boring. Hopefully next year is a better experience for her.

On Sunday we went to visit Corey, Karen and Justin. They have a beautiful new house and had us over for dinner, our other friends Evan and Rebecca and their two daughters Emma and Natalie were also there. Also Eric, Aunt Shelley and uncle Trevor as well... it was a full house. All the kids played in the play room, it's always nice to see all of them together. They will all surely be good friends.

After dinner, Alee and Justin hung out on the couch, in their diapers. They looked so cute, and we got a nice picture of them and Eric.

Other than that we had a quiet week, hung out with the kitties, and just stayed home.

Maybe next week will be more exciting.

Thirty Second Week

This Sunday was so much fun. Alee, grandma and grandpa Hughes, and I went to the park to take some pictures. Who would have thought that Alee would love leaves so much. It was so cute to see, she was just having a ball. We took pictures with three different looks; casual with hat, casual with hood, and giraffe costume. This is Alee's first fall photo shoot, and I was so happy with how it turned out. She of course made he silly faces, but she gets tired with the camera constantly on her... the one thing that makes her smile everytime; GRANDPA!!

At our house we didn't do to much, we did go get our H1N1 vaccine. I thought it was in Alee's best interest to get it, although alot of people have conflicting views. Chad and I still can't get it due to the High risk getting it first. At this point Alee is vaccinated and I feel safer knowing that. Alee also came to Volleyball once this week, between Daddy and I we play three, sometimes four nights a week. We are really trying to bring her as often as possible so that she can get used to the sport, and hopefully one day play.

Tomorrow is Halloween!! I can't wait to put Alee in her monkey costume, and go trick or treating!

Thirty First Week

We spent a major part of this week recovering, Alee was pretty sick and it was not until later into this week that she started feeling better. She is usually a very good sleeper, but just like last week she slept for 5-6 hour stretches (more than some people get), then needing a bottle and going back to sleep. She was also very whinny, but I can imagine that she was in some pain.

One day this week, daddy came home a little earlier than usual, which was nice because we got to play with him. They look so much alike, especially in Chad's baby pictures. I am still trying to get Alee on her stomach as much as I can, to promote crawling... but I think she will do it when she's good and ready. She just gets upset, she would rather sit up and see the world from that perspective for now.

The kitties are also an ongoing source of excitement. Every time she sees them she claps, and grabs them. She loves to play with them, although she is a little rough. I have not brought Alee to the clinic lately, it will be fun to see how much she weighs when we finally go. She is eating so much more food, and more often. This is the stage where it starts to get fun... let's see what new, fun thing she does next week!!

Thirtieth Week

This week started off with Alee's favorite thing; FAMILY! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving/Benny's Birthday dinner at Grandmaman's and Popo's. That was really fun, although Alee slept most of the time that we were there. Her two older cousins, Ben and André really do love to play and cuddle with her. I'm sure they will protect her when she gets older.

The next day, we went to Grandma Hughes and Grandpa's for dinner. Auntie Shelley, uncle Trevor, and Eric were there. The dinner was fantastic, as always. Alee got to eat peaches, and she definetly found them sour. She looked like her grandpa Hughes when he eats "Fuzzy peaches", quite funny.

The rest of the week, we spent it relaxing, not too much going on, other than Alee getting sick. She had a bad ear infection, sinus cold and now she's on Antibiotics. Hopefully next week is better..

Twenty Ninth Week

Who knew? Aleenah loves cats! This week, daddy came home with two little kittens; Spook and Boo. They look practically identical, they are both black with white on their chest. We thought Alee might be unsure about them, but as soon as we put them in front of her she tried to eat them. It was very amusing. The best part was that the kitties just purred, they liked being tormented by her. Needless to say, we now have a full house but it's really fun. Other than that, Alee and the kitties like to play in her playpen, she just thinks they are one of her teddy bears. With all the animals that we have running around, we did not have to go far to have fun this week. We stayed in, and it was pretty boring. Next week is Alee's first Thanksgiving, maybe she will try some sweet potatoes, and pie...

Twenty Eight Week

This week was a blast!! Daddy's started volleyball, so we got to go watch. It was fun because baby Maya and her mommy were there. Aleenah and Maya are always fun to see together, Maya sits up perfectly on her own, and Alee is doing it now too, so they can play with toys and actually enjoy their surroundings a little more.

We tried pears this week, and Alee really liked those. We have now tried; pears, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, all cereal and chicken.. She is not a fussy eater, but the chicken was definitely the least favorite. I can;t blame her, it smells, and looks like cat food.

On Wednesday, Aleenah got her little tiny ears pierced. She did surprisingly well, probably better than I ever would. Grandma Hughes held her, and they did both ears at the same time. She cried for about a minute, placed her two fingers in her mouth, sucked them and fell asleep on the way home. We got them done at Roots to End, and I was really happy with the way they turned out.

I guess other than that, this week was fairly quiet. We see Alee's little cousins everyday, so she is really enjoying spending time with them. Benny and Andre are school aged, but the love to play with Alee ( I think it's because they miss their little sister). The fun never stops around the house, especially with little Alee growing, and doing different things everyday!

Twenty Seventh Week

Aleenah turned 6 MONTHS this week!! YaY! On the day of her 6months birthday, we attended Christine, and Nick's shower for little Lincoln. It was really fun, we got to go to Auntie Mel's, and hang out with all the family we hold so dear. Little Eric and Maya were there, and we met another new friend "Nova Lee". All baby's are so different, Eric was playing with cars, and enjoying the lovely assortment of food, Maya was sitting on her tummy mat, playing with every single toy she could find, and little Nova was just getting used to this new skill she had acquired: "walking". Little miss Alee, well she just watched, and then had a nap.

This week Aleenah has been sitting up on her own a lot better. She actually holds herself up and plays with her toys, she is growing so fast. Other than that we had a pretty relaxing week, still eating cereal (oatmeal, barley and rice) and vegetables (mostly just sweet potatoes).

On Thursday night we brought Alee over to Auntie Mel's and Mike's. They got the joy of babysitting her for us on Thursday night - Friday. I guess they had a lot of fun with her, and said that she was the most easy going baby. I am glad they can get their practice on before having one of their own.

Next week we will go get Alee's ears pierced, I'm scared but at the same time super excited!!

Twenty Sixth Week

This week was really fun, we went to the Western Fair with Alee, and she seemed to really enjoy it. Uncle Tyler, Auntie Jess, Daddy, Mommy and Alee all went and just walked around. In the petting zoo, their was a corn maze, and Daddy decided to take Alee in it. They were so cute walking around, of course Chad was tall enough to see over the bales of hay, and he knew where he was going, but he still pretended to get lost.

Afterwards we went and saw the baby goats, pigs, and a little baby cow that had been born only minutes before we got there. It was pretty exciting. Aleenah played her first "fair game", the one where you have to pick a duck... she did not like it at all. As soon as I put her down beside the water where the rubber duckies were, her bottom lip stuck out and she started crying (very unusual). So I picked it for her, and she won a cute little snail teddy.

On the way home, Alee fell asleep holding Uncle Tyler's finger, it was very cute.

Aleenah also started eating carrots, and peas this week. She is not a fan of either. She seemed to actually despise both, she will probably like sweet potatoes like all the other babies.

She is sitting up on her own now, still a little wobbly... but it should not be long. She is still small, weighing in at 16lbs 3.2oz this week. Even her little cousin Maya is bigger. Maya and Erica came to visit on Friday. Maya is sitting up perfectly on her own, and it was very cute to watch her and Alee play together.

This weekend we have a baby shower/BBQ for another baby on the way, should be fun! :)

Twenty Fifth Week

It was a pretty calm week this week, filled with many different outfits. Aleenah is so cute, that it is hard not to want to put her in different outfits every few hours. I think my favorite one of the week was her little Old Navy look. Almost everything she wears is bought second hand, but it does not bother me because she still looks great.

This weekend, on the Sunday we went to Niagara Falls. It was our first time there with Aleenah. It was just daddy, Alee and I. We walked the strip, went to the outlet mall (they have an OshKosh & Carters outlet ) and then we went to the Great Canadian Midway. Chad and I played for like two hours, with loud noises and bright lights she did not wake up. She could sleep through anything.

She is still eating cereal, and we have tried Oatmeal, Barley and of course Rice.. and she loves all of them. Next week we will attempt some carrots.

Alee also got weighed yesterday, at the baby clinic. She weighed in at 15lbs, 13oz. She is growing faster now, she gained 11oz in one week!! The lady at the clinic said it was rare to have such good weight gain, while still sleeping 12 hour nights. That's Alee though, she defies odds.

Next week should be interesting, we will see how she does with the carrots.

Twenty Fourth Week

This week was spent doing not too much, we did alot of playing on the floor, and we got a lovely little visitor at the end of the week. This week was mommy's birthday, and we spent it with Grand-maman, Popo, Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Tyler and Jess. We all had a lovely dinner at my moms, while Alee, played on her floor mat. She is always so content, she just played and chit chatted while we ate our meal. She also helped me blow out my candle, she was definetly the best gift I got this year.

At the end of the week, my niece Julie came to stay with us for a few nights. She is almost 2 years old, and she was such a joy to have around. She played with Vollie, and got good use of all the toys that Alee has yet to play with. She also helped me with diaper changes, and to pick out outfits for her little cousin.

On Friday morning, at roughly 6:00 am, Julie, Aleenah and I were downstairs. Julie decided to play catch with Vollie, which made Alee laugh hysterically... I can not wait for these two girls to grow up together. Even if they end up far apart, I am sure they will be pen pals. Aleenah never seems to amaze us, and she keeps getting closer and closer to sitting on her own!! I just can not wait!

Twenty Third Week

Aleenah started eating cereal this week!! YAY! On Saturday, we finally decided it was time to start feeding her rice cereal/pablum. Daddy sat down with Alee at her high chair, and she absolutely loved it. At first she put her tongue in and out alot, making it a little difficult, as the food was slopping everywhere. Afterwards, she started getting used to it, and really seemed to enjoy it.

This week was a pretty quiet one, as Alee had a nasty cold. It started on Thursday, and she had a really runny nose. We thought perhaps it was teething, but no teeth yet.

We set up a nice play area for Alee in the living room, with a big blanket, she sits on it and plays. It won't be long until she is sitting up on her own! I can not wait.

Daddy taught Aleenah another trick, how to make kissing sounds. Everytime we make the sound, she mimicks it, she is quite comical.

Can't wait to see what will happen next week! :)

Twenty Second Week

We had a very quiet week, mostly spent at home. We started the weekend with daddy's attempt at dressing Alee. He put her diaper cover on her head, quite funny. I know he knew the difference, he was just being silly. Later we played with Vollie, and just hung out as a family, it was great... those are the moments I want Alee to remember most.

We set up a nice big corner of blankets, and pillows in the living room for Aleenah, so that she could get used to playing on the floor. She still is unable to fully sit up on her own, but I am sure it won't be long. Her favorite toy is the four rings (2 blue, 2 yellow with little animals) she just throws them around, and enjoys the clunking sound they make.

On Wednesday, we went to Grandma's and Alee played in the kiddy pool, she loved it. Even Vollie joined her, and layed down beside her. She loves to splash in the pool, and to play with all the little toys. Afterwards we just went inside and chilled out, and Alee ROLLED over, for the first time... that we saw. We tried to catch her doing it again on video, but it didn't happen again.

Everyday our little girl is doing new things, wonder what will be next...

Twenty First Week

Aleenah spent the week getting better, she was feeling under the weather for almost a week, and this week we spent it relaxing. She slept alot, and mostly we stayed home. We met Aleenah's little cousin Jaylin Elizabeth, Lindsey's little girl.. she was a cutie. Very small little baby.

Other than that, we went and visited little baby Bailey, and we got a nice new hat for Alee, which Vollie decided to eat one day... Silly dog.

Aleenah is getting bigger all the time, it will be exciting to see how big she is this week at the clinic, and hopefully Alee has gotten rid of this bug that she seemed to have.

Twentieth Week

Aleenah had a weird week this week. It started off pretty good, but by Thursday she was really sick. Everytime she ate, roughly an hour later she would throw up all her food. So therefore, it seemed like she was not getting much in... we went to the clinic and she weighed in at 14lbs 5oz, and they said she was gaining weight and seemed fine. However, on Friday night she was still puking everywhere so we decided to take her to emerg. She had a lot of fun playing with the stethescope, and thermometer.. once again she made me seem like a liar by being so happy :).

The doctor said she seemed fine, but I am convince something is going on with that little body of hers... we will see.

Other than that, we went to visit Alee's boyfriend Justin, they played together... it was pretty cute. We also went to lunch with Alee's other boyfriend Riley.. she is already boy crazy.. i can't imagine 16 years from now.

We spent a quiet week at home, resting mostly as Aleenah was sick.. hopefully she feels better next week.

Nineteenth Week

Aleenah had a great week, filled with her second set of needles, and photo shoots. We did not do very much over the weekend, as I was busy working, but Aleenah got to spend some quality time with her daddy. They love to watch baseball, so everytime the Blue Jays are on, you will usually find them in front of the TV. I tried to get Aleenah to watch Franklin, and Dora, but she did not enjoy it. She seems to like television shows with real people.

This week I tried to sell some of Aleenah's clothes. However, after having sold two outfits I stopped because I was not ready to part with them. Instead I lent most of them to a friend of ours and their new baby girl.

Aleenah had her four months immunization this week, and she cried when the needle went in, and about 20 seconds later she smiled. She is a strong little girl, and she then went on to sleep the whole way home.

On Friday, Aleenah went and got her pictures done, by Stefanyie. A new friend of ours. We have yet to see the finished product, but I am sure it will look great.

Well the rest of the week Aleenah spent it with family, doing not too much. Next week should be a little more fun...

Eighteenth Week

We had a great week with Aleenah. She is growing so quickly, and it's just amazing to see all the new things she does everyday. This week we went to "Auntie" Emilie's house, and we went swimming. It was really fun, and Aleenah actually enjoyed it. She wore her pink flower bathing suit, and she really enjoyed floating with the noodle. It is not a surprise that she liked it so much, it was just like an aoversized tub.

We also went to daddy's ball tournament in Stratford, where Alee sported her famous ball outfit. She looked like a little boy, but she was really adorable. It's always great bringing her because she is rarely ever fussy. This week Aleenah also got some more clothes, I think that now she is good until she is 2 years old, she has four dressers full.

Grandmaman was gone to Quebec for most of July, but she came back on Wednesday, so we went to pick her up from the train station. Aleenah seemed really into the train when it pulled up, I don't know if it was the bright light at the front, or the loud noise, but she giggled when it pulled up.

Other than that Aleenah spent a good part of the week just playing, and relaxing, alot of tummy time. We did not get her weighed because she goes for her four month needles on Tuesday.. She is sure to just love that... we shall see.

Seventeenth Week

Aleenah had a nice quiet week; she spent most of it with her daddy (he was on holidays) and her gramma. Chad and I went to Canada’s Wonderland, and Toronto Zoo, and Aleenah spent those days with gramma. We both felt she was too young to really truly enjoy it. So we got her a t-shirt instead. It’s a size 12 months so she will be able to wear it when we go next year.

Her thrush is doing a lot better; we had to bring her to the doctors again this week, because it had yet to go away. Alee is still sleeping through the night, approximately 10 hours a night, and she always wakes up really happy.

We took Alee to the Pine ridge Zoo in Grand Bend, however, it was shut down… so we had to come back home. On our way back Aleenah got to experience McDonald’s for the first time, and if daddy has any say… the last time.

At the clinic this week Aleenah weighed in at 12lbs 13oz, she is gaining good, and she is really starting to fill out. Nothing compared to her friend Logan, he is weighing in at over 18lbs, and is only 4 days older.

It’s great to watch all these beautiful babies grow, especially our little Alee.