Big Girl

She is on her way to being a big girl! Sitting up in her Bumbo.

"Baby" Shipment

We were entitled to a large shipment of baby goods from Houston to Canada because we had Eliza. It really should have been called a "Big Girl Shipment"! It was full of primarily goodies for Olivia. We had everything we needed for Baby Eliza, but decided to ship all of the "too big to carry on the plane" toys Olivia had been collecting in Houston along the way. It was like Christmas in August. Olivia was thrilled to see all of her loot! I officially need to enter a 12 step program for buying toys on Amazon.com. Our house looks like a toy store!

Tricycle, helmet, tutu, and rain boots

Rocking camel from Doha

We slipped a few items in for Mimi (you have to take pity on a poor Canadian child with their limited access to cheap goods) and so they came over and enjoyed all of the new stuff!

Testing out her new cot and sleeping bag for when we travel

Plasma car, giant stuffed Maya, camel

Eliza did get one item from her Nonna in the shipment!

Maya got her old kennel back!! We bought huge air kennels when we moved to Doha and left this one behind

Giant giraffe that Eliza gave Olivia

Galaxy Land

We have been to West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in North America, several times. We have been to most of the attractions except the indoor amusement park. It is the real deal--a couple of real roller coasters and all! There are about 5 rides that little squirts can do. After her big time at Capital Ex, Olivia was now a pro at all the kiddie rides! We went with our buddies Mimi and Carolyn.

Of course we had to hit the carrousel, the only one in Edmonton! Mimi and Olivia choosing their horses

What's Next?!

Biker chicks

On a helicopter

Eliza, doing her usual :)

Olivia was the gunner, Mimi, the pilot!

You can see the big roller coaster in the background

They didn't want to do the real carrousel again, just the little grocery store style ride

Good Morning Smiles

Eliza wakes up once in the middle of the night and then once again in the early morning. If she wakes up again (before 9), I go get her and let her "dance" on my bed while I try and wake up. Mike has gone to work, Olivia is still asleep, and all is quiet for our special time together. It is the sweetest moment of my day to lay her down and get lots of precious "good morning smiles" that absolutely melt my heart. This was taken during one of those moments:

A Playmate in Eliza

Olivia has started "playing" with Eliza. It is cute to see that Eliza has earned the status of a worthy playmate! I am sure there are many years of playing between my girls (nicely and not so nicely).

She brought her tea and cupcakes

Olivia is "helping" Eliza complete the puzzle

Go Horns Go!

It is never too early to start thinking about cheering on the Horns! Olivia now picks out her outfit every morning, refusing any input from me! This morning she picked out her size 4T "Bevo Dress" that Aunt Jenny gave her. I have started hiding her "not so cute" outfits and things that don't fit because that is what she goes for every time!

Apparently Olivia is really excited for another Longhorn football season (and so are we!!)

Nonna

Nonna extended her trip for a few more days and we were so thrilled! We just LOVED having her here! It was truly so much fun. Olivia has such a special relationship with her Nonna and I know Eliza will too. Mommy loved having some help and the extra sleep in the morning. Some days when I went in to get her after nap, Olivia would say to me, "I was calling my Nonna. I want Nonna to get me out of bed"! We miss her terribly and were so sad when she left on Friday :(

Nonna story time for the girls

Playing in the backyard!

Sharing a special silly moment :)

Our 'Hood

Our new neighborhood has so many parks. We went last weekend to the one closest to our house. Hopefully, I will be brave enough soon to go by myself with both girls!

Eliza enjoying her own personal shade. With highs in the 70's, we can sit outside in the sun without getting hot!

Lion enjoying the bumble bee

Lion had to give up his seat for her new friend

A Friend!

The one good thing about living in a house that was built in the 1980's is mirrors! There are lots of full length mirrors in the downstairs living areas. These are great for dancing and Eliza found her first friend...herself! What a cute little friend she found to smile at!

Capital Ex

After Calgary Stampede is over, all of the midway rides make the 2 1/2 hour drive north to Edmonton for "Capital Ex". We decided to check it out this year. Olivia (or Eliza) has never been to a fair. We all had a BLAST! Olivia got to ride all kinds of fun rides (so did Daddy and Nonna)! Eliza was awake at first and then enjoyed a long nap (then Mommy could relax) :)

First stop, the carrousel, of course!

Eliza enjoying her own shade

Second stop, the swings! These went pretty high and fast, but she insisted. Good thing Daddy was there for big cuddles!

She waited very patiently in a long line to ride the bumble bee

We needed some fuel for more rides! Olivia had her first corn dog and her first funnel cake!!!

After a few rides with Daddy, she was ready for a solo ride. Luckily there was a bigger boy to be her co-pilot!

As we made our way out, she wanted to do all the same rides again...even the swings that scared her! Nonna's turn this time.

Hiding her eyes and getting really close to Nonna!

Back on the carrousel

Last stop, Olivia's first pony ride! When in line, she spotted, "Esmeralda" and said she wanted to ride her. Luckily she was second in line and got to pick her.


What a fun day!