HELP!

Annie is miserable. Grumpy, not sleeping, irritable, gnawing, drooling, upset, red cheeked, snotty and coughing. This time, I can assure you, it is her teeth. Her gums are white, bulging and sore. She was up several times last night, screaming. Poor thing. And she won't drink her bottles. So, I need some suggestions to alleviate her pain. We've been doping her up with Tylenol, which I am all for, but I'm hoping for some techniques to help her throughout the day. Thoughts?

11 Months...

This means that in one month's time I will be hosting a 1 year old birthday party. This blows my mind. I simply cannot believe it has been 11 months already. Annie is growing up *sniff*. Haha. What's there to report? She is on the move! She hasn't perfected crawling but she scoots backwards and twists and turns to where she wants to go. It's quite funny to watch. And when she can't get somewhere, she gives up, burying her face into the ground crying and kicking her feet! It's also quite funny... and annoying :) Teeth? The answer is NO. I can hardly believe it. She is toothless. I'm beginning to wonder if she even has teeth... for real. I can see the bottom ones and lately she has been both grumpy and drooly. Not to mention gnawing on anything hard in hopes to relieve her gum pain. However, I have been thinking she's been getting teeth since she was 5 months old, so honestly, I have no clue. I have visions of this toddler totally toothless, talking like an old man who's misplaced his dentures. But she has managed well without them. She's a beast, a savage, an eating machine. She eats anything we put in front of her, and then some. She does not discriminate. Veggies, meat, fruit, eggs, peanut butter, dairy, cheerios... you name it, she eats it. So, who needs them anyway? She is still a delightful little lady who most of the time is quite pleasant and fun! She still does not sleep through the night and I've stopped holding my breath. I just need to let go and understand that this will probably never happen. My days of glorious sleep are over. Small price to pay for a healthy, beautiful, irreplaceable daughter (or at least I tell myself that).

my beauty.

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How was everyone's weekend? Mine was fantastic! Wonderful in fact. I had a relaxing Friday night which involved me, a good book and a bag of milk chocolate chocolate chips. And yes, I devoured the entire bag. It was delicious. *note: Becky, I may need to change our fast to ALL sweet treats*. Saturday was a perfect "me" day. I'm not sure what made Cam so generous, but he said that Saturday was my day. And I really needed that. And appreciated that. Sometimes, I swear he reads my mind. He's a good man. Anyway, I headed to the gym for an invigorating workout. Gosh, I love gyming. And I love starting my day that way. Then, after months of wanting to see this movie and never finding time, I went to see Silver Linings Playbook. And... it does not disappoint (for your viewing pleasure, I linked the trailer). It was such a powerful story... so moving, hilarious, sad, intriguing, lovely, original and beautiful. A few things I learned:
1. Bradley Cooper deserved his title has 2012's Sexiest Man Alive. He is. Extremely. And his portrayal of Pat, a broken-hearted man with mental health issues is so poignant and breathtaking.
2. I knew I loved Jennifer Lawrence (or J-La has Will Ferrel wittingly coined her) but I love her even more after watching this film. She is such a versatile actress which is both refreshing and welcomed. Her interpretation of a grieving widow is beautiful. And so much more than that.
3. They should date in real life. And make magical, acting machine babies. With eyes so magnificently blue.
4. This is such a unique and original screenplay. It is a story of love, of forgiveness, of friendship and of discovery. It is a must see event!

In the evening, my parents and sister-in-law came over to babysit our girlies while Cam and I headed out for dinner and a movie (I do not remember the last time I saw two movies in one weekend, let alone the SAME day). We had gift cards to The Keg, but after discovering it was an 80 minute wait (INSANE), we ditched that idea and went to Moxie's instead. We decided to see This is 40 as our movie of choice (trailer also included). And... it is HILARIOUS. All caps lock kinda hilarious. Anyone who is married must see this movie. And laugh out loud... in almost every scene. I love Paul Rudd... always have, ever since Clueless. And Leslie Mann is also hysterical. It is just so good. With such a warm fuzzy story too. Also is a must see event!

Sunday was a relaxing kind of day. Church, home, a snuggly nap with Isla on the couch and then we headed back to church for a family prayer night. It was a time to drop in and receive prayer from our pastoral staff. We have never done anything like this, but as we enter 2013, we knew it was a perfect time to do so. We wanted to start our year off right. It was a very uplifting and encouraging experience.

All in all, a wonderful weekend!

To Chop or Not to Chop...

that's the question.

I need a change. My hair has been the same for years. More or less. And I'm thinking I need a change. My hair looks and feels unhealthy, and I am just craving a new look.
I see girls with long hair and I swoon. I love it. LOVE it. The braids, the curls, the fish tails, the pony tails... I yearn for it all. But that will never be me. I don't have the patience to grow my hair out and I have recognized that in myself. And I love short hair. It is cute, sexy, fun and something I feel represents me quite well. BUT... do I cut it?

1. Anne Hathaway's adorable Pixie

This is SO cute. SO SO SO cute. But short. Very short. And I have curly hair. I do not want to look like a poodle. 

2. Portia De Rossi's sexy hair

This is the best picture I could find... it's more of a bob but the way it is styled is amazing to me. Ballsy. Could I pull it off? That's what I don't know. 

3. Strange woman's awesome shag

I also love this haircut. A little longer than Anne's and shorter than Portia's. But very nice. I call it "Long Short Hair". Is it enough of a change?

Please weigh in. Option 1, 2 or 3? Or none.

My Little Gymnast.

Isla started gymnastics today at Dynamyx Gymnastics Club in St. Albert. She is in an un-parented class with 4 other kids. After her epic tantrum this morning, going to gymnastics was all she talked about it. "I'm so excited for gymnastics". "We going right now Mom?" "When is gymnastics?" She was extremely excited about it! When we arrived, she noticed some of the instructors playing with the classes prior. "I want the boy teacher Mom. I'm going to listen to him so good". Sheesh... wanting to be around boys already! After the cutest warm up ever (they stretched!), they were divided into their classes. And guess what? Isla was with the boy! His name is Colin and he is extremely good with the kids. On the way home, Isla said "Colin is my best boy ever", "I can't wait to see Colin again". So cute, right? Anyway, she was so precious to watch! She was the youngest (or at least I think so, she's been 3 for 2 days) and the smallest. She wanted to sit beside Colin for everything and was always the first person to try out what he had asked. Her favorite part? The balance beam. She totally loved it. I was so full of pride (and right now, I need those warm feelings for Isla). She was adorable and I think she will be very good at it! She learned to do somersaults and jumped into the pit of blocks. What a little gymnast! Watch out Team Canada... Olympics 2028!

"Princess Birthday Girl has Boogers".

Yesterday was Isla's 3rd birthday. Wow. It's hard to believe that she has been in our lives for 3 whole years. She is such a kind, loving, energetic, intelligent, sensitive and funny little girl. Also stubborn, bossy, determined, independent (with certain things), sleepless and a tad more grumpy than usual. But she's mine and she's incredible. I love her so insanely much and was honored to celebrate her little life all weekend long.

On Saturday, I decided to have a little get together at my fave location, Vi's for Pies. A Princess Party. I invited 3 dear friends and their daughters to join our celebration, complete with tiaras for all the girlies (only Wren and Kinley wore them). All the girlies dressed up in party dresses and it was just too cute! I ordered a peanut butter mousse pie in advance and we sang to Isla as she blew out her candles. We opened gifts, did crafts and chatted! The girls played with balloons and had fun too! I know Isla and I had a great time! I am so appreciative of all the love showered upon her. It warms my heart to know that Isla is loved by so many. This was a very fun way to celebrate her!

The birthday girl and I.

Becky and her daughter, Livi. (well, the back of her head).

Amy and her daugther, Wren.

Amber and her oldest daugher, Kinley.

Isla licking her candles!

Wren, Kyla, Isla, Kinley and Livi. Such adorable girls in their party dresses!

And princess Annie-Roo stopped by for a little visit too!

Yesterday, we had family over for cake, coffee and other little goodies! The whole clan made it out, apart from Uncle Brock and Auntie Sue who are soaking up the Florida sun (lucky duckies). Like I said already, it just makes me feel so loved to know how loved Isla is. It was evident in our families taking the time to come over and celebrate her and for showering her with gifts of love. I am just so thankful for my family and I couldn't raise my girlies without their constant love, support and encouragement. Thanks guys! I know Isla loves her Nana and Popi, Momo, Uncle Tis and Auntie Coe-Coe, Maddie and Kenzie, Uncle Casey and Hillaee (Hillary) and Uncle Ba Bock and Auntie Sue Sue so much. She felt very loved. 

Birthday girl with her birthday breakfast (a pancake shaped into a 3) on her birthday chair.

A princess art set from Mom and Dad!

opening gifts!

Us.

Princess Cake

gearing up to blow out her candles!

All 4 Schellenberg girls. 

The most flattering photo of Cam and Auntie Coe Coe.

All in all, a wonderful day! I know Isla felt super special from sun up to sun down and that's all a mom can ask for! Happy Birthday Babe!

ps - the name of this blog comes from a quote of Isla's as she picked her nose while looking in her new mirror!

Tricks.

How big is Annie?

So

 So Big!!!