Happy Birthday Grampy!

The day after we got to Windsor just happened to be Grampy's birthday. We managed to be there for both Pammy and Grampy's birthdays this year!

We had a nice dinner and Cailin amazed us with her cake handling skills. Then, of course, off to the tub.

While in Windsor, Cailin would insist on rolling around and playing on the bed with Grampy and Pammy every night before bed. Wonder if she'll remember that next time we're there?

Back to Windsor

Ryan's Nan is very sick. We flew back to Windsor to visit her in the hospital and stayed for a week. Despite the difficult circumstances, Cailin and I managed to have some fun and go for a few walks. We went over to the barn to see the lettuce eating goat.Cailin loves the horses. She poked this one in the eye but it seemed to forgive her.
While there, Cailin started walking for real. I was cleaning under her highchair when she walked by me. She loves to open and close the patio screen door and wander around on the deck. It was so cool that she started walking and hasn't looked back.

While we were walking around on the lawn, she reached down and picked something up and brought it to her nose. I thought she was picking and sniffing clover. Aw, how cute! I pulled something mushy off her nose. Strange, I thought, that doesn't look like clover. Then she bent down and tried to pick something off the lawn again - and I realized that she had stuffed a mushroom up her nose. Yep, only my kid would do something like that.

On the Edge

So Cailin was sitting on the couch playing with remotes when she decided that this was much more fun:She climbed up the couch and looked over the ledge into the dining room effectively giving mommy a heart attack. She's not scared of anything! Except walking of course.
The protesting was long and loud when I took her down from there.

Walking Continued... and School!

Cailin has officially scared herself off walking without help. She won't walk by herself anymore except for a few short steps between furniture or to me from her walker toy. The walker seemed like a bad idea when I bought it, but it's become Cailin's freedom in house. She walks everywhere with it and can maneuver it around corners, toys and other obstacles. She chases Bailey with it and laughs and shrieks when cruising around. Poor Cailin has a bit of a cold so it was declared a pajama day and we don't plan on going anywhere today, except maybe the movie store.

Exciting news! I got accepted into the Black and White Film Photography course. I've been to two classes so far and I love it. Yesterday found me outside quickly shooting my first roll of film in the park and other places around the city. Next week we get to process film in the dark room and I'm both excited and nervous to get started.

Today I got out the digital camera (instant gratification!) and tried to apply what I've learned in class to photos I took around the house. I decorated these letters to spell Cailin's name for her room.
I love Cailin's room. I worked hard on it in March and can't wait to put out her big girl bedding (Hello Kitty) because it matches perfectly with the paint colors I chose. Cailin loves to play in her room. It's right off the kitchen so I can keep an eye on her.
I took over 50 pictures this morning trying to apply the rules. That's easy enough to do with landscapes because your subject doesn't move, but Cailin is sure wiggly. Wonder if they have any advice on how to keep your 14 month old to stay still?
I hope she starts feeling better really soon. Also? I gave her bangs a trim. They are pretty straight-ish. It grows back right?

Cailin is WALKING!!

Well folks, she finally did it. Cailin is officially walking on her own today. It started with her letting go of furniture and simply taking a few steps this morning to full on walking across entire rooms tonight.

She started walking at Nana and Papa's house, and they were really excited! They were sad to miss her first steps while at Nanny and Grampy Brend's house over the weekend.

Of course, Cailin still wants help walking across the entire length of the house. While walking through the bathroom with me, she let go of my hand and made a dash for the tub but completely missed and hit her head on the edge of the tiles surrounding the tub on the way down. A nasty blue welt immediately began to form and she cried hard. It must have hurt, poor baby! The only way she calmed down was for Papa to take her outside and distract her while barbecuing dinner on the grill. She loves Papa.

After that, I didn't think she'd want to try walking again for a while, but she proved me wrong and started walking on her own in the living room. It's absolutely amazing when your sweet baby hits that milestone. Wow, walking! I can't believe it. This is definitely the start of a new era.

Baby Steps

GG and Papa Ray stopped in for the night on their way home from camping. It was such a nice surprise to see them!

Cailin knew who they were immediately and met them at the baby gate to greet them. She insisted Papa Ray pick her up. Then she tried to dig in his shirt pocket for his pen and notepad (pen = fun). Bailey was also ecstatic to see them. Secretly I think Bailey would go home with them and never look back.

Then Cailin took her first real steps on her own to GG. She let go of the ottoman and walked right over to a surprised GG. No one could believe it! She is so ready to start walking.

Labor Day Long Weekend

On Thursday we loaded up the car and took off to Olds to visit Nanny and Grampy Brend for the long weekend. The trip down was pretty smooth and uneventful. Cailin was really good and Bailey behaved herself nicely. We stopped at Pizza Delight for dinner and Cailin found her new love - garlic fingers (glorified pizza bread with cheese). She tossed her own dinner aside and ate a surprising amount of garlic fingers instead. We got into Olds late and went to bed.

The next day Cailin surprised us by napping for nearly 5 whole hours! She loves Nanny's chocolate lab, Tucker, and played with him quite a bit over the weekend. And by play, I mean she layed in his bed with him, stole his toys and pulled his tail and paws. Lucky dog! She would also get in the doggie toy basket and sit in there amongst the toys.

On Sunday we drove to CrossIron Mills Mall. Wow, I love that mall. Of course we hit up the GAP, Gymboree and Toys 'R' Us. We spent a small fortune on Baby GAP stuff. Cailin got sick of riding in the stroller and insisted on walking while holding my hand through the stores. She pulled a bunch of clothes off tables in American Eagle, but no one thought twice about it. Guess she got away with it because she's cute. Also because I picked up all the clothes.

Later that night, Cailin took her first guided steps between Nanny's and my arms. She's almost walking!

Monday saw us going for a long walk around Olds with Grampy Brend and the dogs. Bailey really enjoyed herself. Cailin had a nap in the stroller. It was so nice to be out in the fresh air and to admire the leaves turning colors and bask in the fall sun.

Tuesday came too soon. We packed up the car and headed for home. Bailey didn't make a peep the entire way home and we wondered if she was even in the car. Cailin fussed a little, but with two quick pitstops we were home in record time. What a nice weekend had by all!