Pure Joy

I can't believe it my baby is 2 already. We had her big birthday party on May 3. It was sort of a combo event seeing as how my sister and nephew's birthdays are the same weekend. Abby was so cute she was wired all day knowing it was her birthday. We had put balloons up. She wouldn't take a nap and wouldn't go to bed that night either. We had a nice BBQ although we ate indoors as it wasn't super nice.
I brought out the cake I made. It turned out super cute but was really a labour of love since the night before I was ready to throw it out the window because it wouldn't cook properly. Abby loved it and it tasted great. What more can you ask? We call it the ladybird beetle cake. I always thought it was a ladybug but my great father in law always corrects me. The reason I called this entry pure joy is because when Abby opened her presents she was so happy and thrilled with each one. It was amazingly cute. She got a bouncy ball, bubble blower, and slide. She was so excited she had to have a lovely two year old temper tantrum that night when I tried to get her to come inside. Anyway I love watching children get someone they love and are just so full of joy!! There is no hiding their emotions and I think that is an amazing quality!!
As per tradition I will share some of my favorites about my two year old
1. She loves food and you always know when she loves it. She is always saying yum yum or no!!!
2. She has an amazing giggle that can make anyone smile or laugh.
3. She is ultra sensitive and when she sees Mom or Dad sad or upset she gets the same way. Now it is sweet not sure how this will pan out in the teenage years but for now it's cute.
4. She loves the outdoors. She would play outside all day and night if I let her and if we lived somewhere a little nicer weather wise.
5. She is saying many words now and out of the blue comes out with a new one. So cute!!
6. She can curl her tongue and does it on demand.
7. For the most part she is sleeping in a big girl bed and going potty with few accidents.
8. She has her first crush on her nursery leader. Him and his wife are moving out of the ward soon so I am sure she will be sad when he leaves. It is pretty darn cute though.
9. She still loves books and loves to read. My favorite thing is listening to her at night reading to her stuffed animals before she falls asleep.
10.She comes up to my belly says baby and gives it kisses. So cute!!!
I can't believe what a blessing and joy she has been in our life. We love our Abby and are so excited to continue to watch her change and grow!!!
Here is a pic of her first portrait done by her Great Grammy Smith. She did an amazing job for someone who can't see well. She is a pretty amazing lady. Abby loves looking at it on her wall.

Yeah for Spring

I am so excited that the snow is finally gone. We were able to get our yard raked this week and Abby and I are back out doing our daily explorations of the neighborhood. It is so much fun.
We headed out to Bird's Hill Park last weekend for Ryan's first race of the season. It was pretty fun although Abby and I truly missed all of the action as we were walking back and forth looking for the action. Silly us.
Abby turned two yesterday but we aren't having the party until Sunday so I will save my post about her for that day.
I have started to really "blossom" as everyone calls it with number 2. I am feeling huge and not so lovely with the pregnancy but starting to really get excited. I am over 30 weeks now and am on the countdown of shifts left to work.
We bought Abby a big girl bed a few weeks ago and surprisingly it has been going amazing at night time. She loves going to bed now if we can only get her to get back to sleeping all night again that would be super fantastic!!A few weeks ago we had company the Drennan's. It was so fun to see them again and have them stay for a few days. Isaiah and Abby have so much fun together. Hopefully it won't be too long before we get to see them again. It is so nice to have such great friends who you don't see for a while but you still have lot's to talk about.

Happy Easter

It has been a fun few weeks adjusting to Ryan's "normal" work schedule. He is loving his new job and I am loving having a husband home every day at a quarter to 5. I know not everyone is this lucky but I am super grateful. It has been the typical spring with lot's of flood forecasts and predictions. Yesterday they opened the floodway and we headed on down to see the major ice jams.Check out the poor shed buried in the water.
It also helped that BDI opened up and we enjoyed our first ice cream cone of the year. Abby was pretty much in heaven being outside and getting ice cream. You will notice in the second picture Abby trying to run straight into the mud!!
Once again I decided to take on the project of sewing an Easter dress. I guess part of me wants to keep up the tradition that my Mom always made me dresses when I was growing up. Let's face it however I am not a natural seamstress and usually it comes with a lot of sweat and yes occasionally tears. However with my mother in laws help I was able to do it again this year and of course I think she looks adorable.
Today Abby and I decorated some Easter eggs. Usually this is a Good Friday tradition but we are heading to the temple tomorrow so it happened today. She had a great time but wanted more eggs. OOPS. I only boiled 4. It reminded me of Easter when I was little. My cousins would come to the farm we would all color Easter eggs then the parents would hide them outside. After all the eggs were found we would have races with the eggs down the hills at my parents house. My Grandma always made these delicious chocolate covered gelatin eggs. YUM YUM!!! It was such a fun time at the farm with all the new animals being born. One of my favorite seasons and holidays. Of course I love the true reason for Easter and the miracle of the Resurrection and the Atonement. For primary on Sunday Ryan and I get to act as people who knew Jesus and teach the children about the event. Ryan gets to be Joseph Smith and I Mary Magdalene. I am sure it will be great.
Today as Abby and I headed outside for a walk she was so independent wanting to pull her own wagon by herself. I guess this is good because soon I will be carrying another one and won't be able to do it all but she seems so independent already. She cried when we came inside. This girl of mine is all outdoors. I love it.Hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!!!!

Materials Coordinator

Well I got a lot of comments asking what exactly will Ryan be going so here are the details of his new job. He will be the Materials Co-ordiantor for a company called Aero-Inventory. It is over by the airport so we are getting a second car on Tuesday. It is a total Mommy car but it is newer and it will run smoother. It is a 2006 Ford Focus Wagon. Ryan also got called as YM President today. Life is never dull at our house.
After enduring five days without running water I can truly say I am grateful for all the conviences that a modern home has. I used to dream of being a pioneer because I thought it would be so adventurous not anymore. However we were able to utilize our home water supply from our food storage and it really made me grateful that we were obedient to the counsel to keep a small food and water supply. A water main brake on our street caused them to turn off the main supply and when it got turned back on our houses pipes were frozen. Luckily it was on the city side so we didn't have to pay for it. Another blessing.
The snow is all starting to melt and yesterday Abby and I headed off to St. Vital Park and although we came home soaking wet it was so much fun to be outside.

Good News

It is true my amazing husband got the job he applied for. He will begin working at the end of the month. Yeah for us. So exciting to start saying goodbye to the student life.
A new chapter begins in the Smith home and we are both looking forward to the changes whatever they may be!!!
Thanks for everyone's support we appreciate it.

(I just realized I posted this under my husband's profile. oops!)

How can you not smile?

I finally found our computer cable and have some new pics. How can you not love this girl?


We have been stuck in the house again for awhile due to some extreme cold weather. It makes for creative times. Yesterday Ryan created a slide with a mattress and Abby is in heaven. Oh I can't wait for spring!! Until then we are having fun in the snow when we can get outside without freezing. Abby loves building snowmen.
On a side note baby number 2 is going to be a boxer I am sure of it. The amount of moving and kicking this kid is doing is insane compared to how Abby was. Hopefully we can come to a happy medium soon or else there will be one tired Momma on everyone's hands.

A Day in the Life

It has been some time since I last posted. I keep using the excuse I can't find the camera cord to download pictures so why post when I don't have pictures then I decided this is a silly reason.
I thought this was fun on someone's blog so I am copying it.

A Day in my Life
8am-Abby wakes me up by talking to her penguin "Puffy". She doesn't really talk yet we are still working on this. It is slightly baffling as she loves to read and is constantly reading her books but time will tell. I am sure one day the sentences will just pour out.
8:10-Off to breakfast. Abby loves oatmeal what a trooper. We had oatmeal every morning growing up and I can honestly say I do not miss it. I love my Mom for making me such a healthy breakfast every day.
8:30-Honestly I had a pounding headache and Ryan was still in bed since he didn't work until 10. I turned on Sesame Street and hit the pillow. Feel slightly guilty but after my 20 minute nap I felt a whole lot better.
8:50- Started getting Abby ready for the day. Today was a good day lately this has been a fight with her not wanting to get dressed but wanting to run around in her beautiful skin. Put on the Dora panties. Here's hoping for a good potty day.
9-10- Ryan left for work. Got ready for the day. Read a few books. Lately Abby's favorite is The Giving Tree by Silverstein. Really good book with a lot of good meaning.
10-11 Headed outside for a walk. Yeah it is finally nice enough to head out for a walk. Abby loves pushing the trailer instead of riding in it and falls often on the ice but still loves being outside. I discovered those nursery teachers are amazing. I started singing the Snowman song and Abby starts doing the actions. Love it. Put up three stickers on the potty chart so far. YEAH for no accidents.
11-2 Went shopping with Grandma. Bought material to make Abby an Easter dress. Appointment with the obs/gyne (everything looks good). Went to natural bakery and bought some bread. SO YUMMY!!! Grocery Shopping and then home.
2-3 Looked at my package that arrived in the mail from Cardston Book Shop. I spoiled myself and Abby with some new books, CD's, and coloring books. So much fun. Got a phone call from Ryan and he is invited for part 3 of an interview process for a great job. YEAH!!! Here's hoping.
3-5Went outside again because Abby loves it and built a snowman. Took the camera to try and catch the huge amazing snowflakes but by the time we all got ready and out it had quit snowing.
5-7 Made a yummy stifry, cleaned up the kitchen, colored with Abby and relaxed.
7-8 Read some more stories, got Abby into bed and packed my bag for work tomorrow.

That pretty much sums up my amazing day. I have been pouring over websites looking for creative ideas for my new calling as Enrichment Leader. Anyone who has any fabulous ideas give me a shout.
All in all I have a pretty great life and just wanted to share some of my exciting moments that happen around here.