The best dance move ever...

Family photo Dec 2012

Here's a family photo from Stephen and Sarah's wedding in Chicago.

Dancing Queen

While in Chicago, Marley got to be a flower girl for her uncle Stephen's wedding. She stayed up until midnight almost every night and of course, spent most of her time at the reception on the dance floor.

First haircut

We finally did it! While visiting Gerwyn's family in Chicago, we got his sister who is a hair stylist to trim her hair. Of course, Gerwyn couldn't manage to part with much, so she got bangs and a teeny little trim.

Happy Halloween!

It's amazing how much changes in a year. Last year we had to carry marley from house to house while collecting her candy. This year little miss m walked from house to house on her own and even managed to carry her own basket. She was such a big girl and the cutest cupcake ever.

Montreal!

For thanksgiving weekend we decided to take a little road trip with some friends to Montreal. We stayed at Le St. Martin which was right downtown and enjoyed poutine, Schwartz, bagels, fondue, wine and good friends! It was a great little getaway and Marley enjoyed playing with all of her friends, big and small.

Should we be concerned?

Marley's latest obsession seems to be with my shoes with a preference for high heels. For some reason she feels the need to take off all of her clothes before putting them on. Here's hoping this is just a phase.

Terrible Twos!

Look at my two year old! So far, not so terrible, but 360 more days to go.

Its July already!

I remember how July used to be so exciting when I was younger, it was the true start of summer and best of all, it was my birthday month!

These days, I feel like time is flying so fast, it is now July and I've barely noticed. In fact when Saadia asked me today what I was thinking of doing for my birthday, I didn't even know what she was talking about, my birthday felt like it was ages away!

Another sign of time flying is my lack of blogging! Hard to believe its been 3 months with no posts. Life gets a whole lot busier with a toddler. Leaving them to entertain themselves just doesn't seem to cut it. These past few months we are really enjoying getting to know our daughter. Her personality has emerged and there is no doubt, she is one saucy lady. Always trying to cause destruction and mayhem whenever my back is turned; squeezing every tube of anything she can get her hands on, toothpaste, lotion, lip gloss. Nothing can be left on any surface reachable by tiny hands.

We've discovered the Science Centre (what a great place for kids!), every park and playground in our hood (now we can't pass one without having to stop in it) and of course, Ed's ice cream and Starbucks. Marley loves to drink her starbucks ice water out of a straw and sample as many free ice cream flavours as she can. I'm so glad to live in Leslieville, its become even more meaningful now that I get to rediscover it through Marley's eyes. Just today, we tried Paulette's homemade donuts and fried chicken and Marley definitely gave those donuts a thumbs up! (A cinnamon sugar covered sticky thumb at that.)

I've been riding my bike like crazy, made it all the way to the Humber River Bridge (that's all the way in Etobicoke people!). It took me all day to get there and back and I had to ignore the fact that rollerbladers were passing me on the uphills but the point is I managed to get there and back in one sweaty piece.

Last weekend we visited the Etobicoke Ribfest and enjoyed a gorgeous (and hot!) afternoon on the straw mat with ribs and many of Marley's play mates. I'm sure y'all have already seen the photo above on Facebook, but its become one of my favourites of Ms. M and its from our ribfest afternoon so I'm reposting it on my blog. Hopefully I'll be able to post again before the summer ends, now to get back to my freshly baked chocolate chip cookies! (Something else I haven't done in awhile... bake!)

Happy Summer Everybody!!

Jamaica and Mother's Day

Jamaica was a great vacation, family, friends, and all you can eat, who could ask for anything more? I loved vacationing with my besties, and nice that our spouses also enjoyed their boys nights out (every single night!) while the kids enjoyed playing together. marley loved the ocean, ate a thousand French fries and had lots of practice walking in her new crocs. Vacationing with friends is the way to go!

This past weekend we celebrated Mother's Day, one of the perks I've really come to enjoy after childbirth. Not only is it another opportunity to be showered with presents, it's also a day to be pampered and appreciated by my family! I got to sleep in, got served a made to order breakfast, enjoyed 2 dozen roses and spent the day picking out my brand new bike! I think my husband may have had a hidden agenda there though because somehow he managed to get himself a new bike as well. Plus we also got Marley her first baby bike seat and are hoping to make our first family bike trip this weekend. As many of you know, I only recently learned how to ride a bike after my niece and nephew taught me in my aunt's yard. I hope to post a video for them so they can see what great teachers they were! I never thought I'd ever be able to ride and now I have my very own bike! I hope youre proud Michael and Jessica!