Tis the season!!

Hope you all enjoyed a very Merry Christmas!!

Christmas is always special to me because it means spending time with family.
This year, it was Ericka's 2nd time experiencing Christmas. I love how she is understanding the concept of Christmas and actually participating in the present unwrapping portion of the day ;)  Ericka loved all the presents she received from Norm & I, family and friends. She was spoiled... we can't thank enough everyone who contributed to her thoughtful gift(s).

The morning portion of the day was spent with Norm & Ericka (and baby in belly of course). We did the present thing and then had breakfast and even snuck in a nap.  Nothing is better than being with my little family. 3 years ago (2008) Norm surprised me by proposing to me Christmas morning with the most gorgeous ring ever!! What a memorable moment that was, and I'll always remember it every Christmas morning.

My surprise from the hubby this year!!  

<3 my little family

So, it's not always about the presents.. like I said, it's about being with family. I got to spend it with my little family and then enjoyed the day with my mom, siblings and uncles. We travelled to Kitchener to have a wonderful dinner prepared by my mom--Prime Rib! Unfortunately, being pregnant, I couldn't enjoy the succulent medium rare cuts dripped in gravy like I usually do. I had to settle for the end piece.. the "hamburger" as Phill calls it? lol It was too tough for me. It was good, but "well done" is just NOT my thing. But on the bright side, there were ribs and other sides that were delicious and kept me  happy and full!

What's left of the food and the people remaining at the table

Ericka keeping busy

Emma being cute!

A fav pic of hubby and daughter :)

My belly.. 26 weeks along! I'm wearing a marshmellow shirt too, so I look x-tra big ;)

Afterwards, we had a secret santa gift exchange for the kids. It looks like everyone enjoyed their gifts!

Love this photo of the kids... haha

But this is awesome!
Emma was mad Ericka was touching her Ken doll I think lol

Alexis pretending to be Taylor Swift

We gave my mom a Lululemon sweater.. she said "What am I, 26?" I hope she liked it? lol

All in all, the day was fabulous and filled with joy. I love this time of the year because I know I get to spend time with my family, which I love!  (Minus my brother Al and family as they travelled to Ottawa to be with Annik's family this year. Next year we get them!!)

Ericka snuck into the Phill's family photo! lmfao Look at both Ericka's and Emma's faces.

Ericka wouldn't stay still for our family photo

The kids (minus Alan) with mom

Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to see hubby's dad on Christmas day... but we're making time this week to visit him!

Until the next post.. Hope you've enjoyed the holiday season so far!

The Mad Dash

Check out this video I took this week of Ericka at the end of our Little Gym class.

We always end the class with a good-bye song... Ericka decided to sit on the other side of the room of me. She participated with the clapping et al, which is kind of unusual of her...
The next part.. she waited for the moment the teacher mentioned "time to go on home and get a stamp" to make a dash to the door where all the kiddies get stamps on their foot, hands and tummies.

She's hilarious!

Moving to a big girl bed

Last night we made the switch from crib to toddler bed for Ericka!!!!

After consecutive days each morning and night of her climbing out of crib.. my hubby and I decided it was time for us to remove the front panel of the crib so it was safer for Ericka to get in and out of her bed.  I knew she climbed out of her crib when I heard a big thump or a distinct whine that sounded like she did something wrong.. you know that whine?? As a mom of a toddler, it's getting easier to decipher what whine means what.

Who knows why she started this trend of climbing out of her crib. Maybe because she loves climbing things. Maybe because she knew she could do it easily and swiftly. Or maybe she wanted our attention, hence the whine of "I did something wrong, come see me!"  Either way..  I must admit.. when she climbed out of her crib on her own, it was cute!

Nothing like being in bed in the morning.. not quite ready to pull the warm covers off.. and then all of a sudden, your child is walking into your bedroom ready to say "Morning mummy & daddy"!
It really solidified one of the reasons why you become a parent.

I did my best to be stern with her and explain that she is too little to be climbing out of her crib, but it didn't seem to sink in. She is only 22 months. So, the next step was to convert the crib to a toddler bed.

Here are a few photos of the monumental moment for us. We added a bed rail that we've had on our bed since she was little (and we were co-sleeping) to the front. I don't think she's a pro at sleeping with an open side yet!?? But we left a little opening at the 'foot' of the bed so she can climb in and out.

Front panel OFF!! 

Hello toddler bed!

Yup, her mobile is still intact! lol

Last night she slept like a pro... She did have a little whine-cry when I put her in because she was unsure of the new 'look' of her bed. But after a few hugs and reassuring kisses, I asked her to put her head down and go to sleep.  I left the room.. hung out in the spare room beside hers, then snuck back into her room for a peak and there was was... fast asleep!
My heart melted.  She was taking it like a champ (or the fact she was too tired to fight it... we'll see what night #2 brings us).

I know, she sleeps like this alllllll the time. And yes, she loves her Grobag still!

And this morning.. she didn't cry or fuss for us to get her. She didn't even climb out! She laid there and enjoyed her new surroundings!

When I went to greet her "Good Morning!!" she had the biggest smile on her face.
I told her she was such a big girl for sleeping in her new 'big girl bed' and she loved hearing it!

Next up.. potty training. Oy!