Operation Spend Less...

Just took a quick picture today, Ethan looked so handsome with his sweatervest on and spaghetti sause all over his face!

Today Kelly informed me that I need to cut down on my spending.... Is this possible? Well I'm going to say yes, Pretty much I can justify in my head and to Kelly every single thing that I buy, but most of the things I don't REALLLLLLLY need I just REALLLLLLLY want. SO for the next week I intend on purchasing as little as possible. We went and did a huge grcoery shop last week so I should have enough food to keep Ethan and I alive for the next 6 days.

SO no spending money on Food. I have to buy a few things, that are essentials (gifts etc.) ohhh and I also want to get some photos developed. It is so hard to hold back from spending when you have a new house and a baby on the way. I tell ya... But I will give it my best shot. Starting tomorrow today, since today we went to Costco and a few other fun shops. SO as of tomorrow i'm going to be thrify.

I went to my surgeon today to book my C-section. So she has booked me for October 29th. Unless I go into labour before hand our little Baby number 2 (Still un-named) will be born on the 29th. Meaning I will have to miss Ethan's second Halloween. My mom is coming out for awhile to watch Ethan while i'm in the hospital. I think I will have to give her strict instructions on trick-or-treating. I mean he has to get a full bag of candy... Speaking of candy DID you know that CADBURY now makes CREAM EGG CHOCOLATE BARS? It is true, i'm in heaven. I've only indulged on one and since i'm on a strict diet and money budget I can't get more :S

I bought Ethan a potty today, not because i'm going to start potty training but I just want him to start to understand the entire toilet situation. I've put it in the bathroom beside the toilet. He has gone and sat on it a few times and since he freaks out if I leave his sight he comes to the bathroom when I go so tonight after he bath while I was going to the washroom he also sat down, didn't pee but sat. That is all I want at this point....

I'm going to attempt a major house clean tonight, but we will see how distracted I get!

August is over ALREADY?

New Clock for the kitchen

A sneak peak at Ethan's Halloween costume ;)

Enjoying a ride on the fun swing!

My dad pushing Ethan and Lochlan. Granny and Grandad ordered Ethan and the new baby a new double bob, picked it up last week. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Ethan's worksho, which is set up in our bonus room upstairs. Ethan LOVES this thing!

Nolan, Ethan and Caleb at the always exciting Edmonton Zoo!

Wow, so I was just reminded that I haven't really updated my blog in quite sometime, so here is my recap of what was August, a super busy month for us!

I think the last time I updated I was still on my trip to Vancouver Island and just heading out for Vancouver. Well Vancouver was a bit of a gong show, Ethan for some reason wasn't himself, we were staying at the River Rock, and for all three nights he just wasn't sleeping. The first night up ALL night screaming. The entire family took turns (well no not Claire) but everyone eles, trying to calm him down, Grandad being the most successful out of the bunch. My cousin's wedding was amazing, so beautiful and Ethan actaully behaved enough that I got to enjoy the dinner and the speeches, then we headed back to the room.

Flight home, Oh where do I start, Ethan was SCREAMING the entire way, I was sweating, the fellow in front of me asked me to get Ethan to stop kicking his chair when he had a very empty seat beside him (and I didn't even after asking four different flight attendants for one). I wanted to scream....

Anyways home, quick few days to recover, Kelly came home, my parents arrived with my sister on the same day that Autumn and Lochlan arrived for a good visit. We had a very successful baby shower for Michelle and Atti, then puttered around for awhile.

The following weekend my sister came down for a soccer tournament, the weather wasn't great but it was nice to have some company at home.

For Kelly's days off this time, it feels like we haven't even had time to breath, now relaxing what-so-ever. We were in the market for furniture. We went to every possible (afforable) furniture store in Edmonton and found a couch, loveseat and sectional all from Leon's that we were happy with..... Well little did we know this would be the start of a HUGE two day process.

Kelly of course, being Kelly opted to take the couches home in his truck (even though they offer free delivery) anywys he saved 3% doing it himself. We brought one set home on Saturday, set it up, looked great. The next morning he left bright and early to pick up the sectional for upstairs. We finally get it home, and it's broken, the frame is broken, so Kelly and MIke (wonderful Mike who came over four times in total to help us with this mess) loaded it back into the car and headed back to Leons. They gave us a new one and back he came. Got it up the stairs, RIPPED and all the staples were coming out. GRRR.... so back in the truck, another trip (the place is an hour away), back home, new sectional. We looked over it while we were there, everything seemed good. Got it all set up, began relaxing, watching TV. I leaned over to turn on the light only to find that the inside of the frame was shattered....

So next day, loosing our mind, we insist that Leon's come and pick up the couch, they said they would for 50$. NO WAY... So i made Kelly call back and be MEAN, I gave him a good pep talk.... So they said they would come pick up the couch for free, OH but wait, not until SEPTEMBER 9th..... I don't think so.... SO back in the truck the couch went, got our money back.... Finally the ordeal is over....

LESSON: PLEASE don't buy the cheap crap from Leon's.... NOT WORTH THE HASSLE. Terrible Customer Service. Kelly asked them what they could do for the wasted two days he went through, NOTHING, they said they would give him a discount if we chose another item from them.... Yeah NOT going to happen....

Anyways we have now purchased a very nice couch from Ikea, which will be delivered on Saturday... $80 bucks for delivery is nothing if we don't need to do that again!

Ok that is my rant, probably could have been a blog post in itself but anyways. I will try to stay more on top of the blogging.

BC - DAY 8 - Final Visits/Shopping/Campbell River

Ethan with his Grandma Teresa (Kelly's mom).

Grandma Teresa brough out all her toys, the kids had fun with the little pool, hose and little car.

Our two little eaters, devouring the grapes.... Ethan's mouth is completely full by the looks of it.

Ethan loved the swing, I have to admit I was just a little worried about the chains, I mean they are 27 years old and Ethan is by no means a lightweight!

Grandad put our old swing up in the yard (this swing was my baby swing when I was little). Super cute!

Today, oh Today. I am exhausted, more than normal. For some reason. Woke up around 7:30. There have been some forest fires over on the mainland and their smoke has ventured onto the island. The entire Comox Valley and Campbell River are in a complete cloud of smoke, at some points you could hardly see the sun, and yet it is still 30 degrees and SO muggy out.

Mom and I went and did some shopping this morning, purchased nothing but still looked around. I don't know why but I was incredibly grumpy the entire time.... (Prehaps the heat and the sleepiness). Anyways I wouldn't go into stores where we were the only ones in there cause I didn't feel like talking to the clerk. I went into one store, a clothing store, and the clerk wouldn't leave me alone. I wanted to just say to her "LOOK lady, if I needed your help I would ask". Anyways I didn't, but I grumbled around a little more. We went to one children's consignment store, very dissappointing. I guess i'm used to store that only take quality used clothes, but all of these clothes were junk and very worn and tattered, so again I grumbled out of there. Most of our shopping was for clothes, and well obvioulsy buying clothes for me at the moment is kind of silly. Dad watched Ethan.

Ethan and I headed over to Danika and Darren's for a quick visit and goodbye. Ethan played with the THREE dogs that were there. Loves animals, just hasn't mastered being 'gentle'. ON the way home from Danika's I saw a snake slithering across the road (Disgusting I know), anyways I thought excellent i'm going to Kill the yucky thing, but at the last minute I had some strange change of heart and scooted around him. I looked back in the mirror and he made it safely across the road. Gosh just thinking about it makes me all itchy. I should have just kill it, but maybe I wasn't as grumpy as I though and maybe I felt bad for the snake. I don't know, don't worry it won't happen again.When we got home we both had naps. SO tierd. While Ethan was still sleeping mom and I headed to Liquidation world to check it out. I found a pair of shoes, and when I took them to the till..... TWO dollars. What a deal... haha, we will see how long they last.

Off to CAmpbell River for Ethan and I. Went to my FAVORITE bubble tea place, made my order, they changed the recipe or something, it wasn't NEARLY as good as it was. I'm finding that with a lot of the things on this adventure. Somewhat dissappointing. Oh well perhaps this will get me off of Bubble teas. Save me some mula (or save Kelly some money)....

Went over to Brian and Andrea's, Ethan and Jorja played for half an hour then we hopped (well drove) over to Teresas, with Dinner in hand, for a BBQ. Teresa brough tons of toys out and the kids played. I was so tierd chasing Ethan around. It is definately nice to have another eye with you all the time. So by the time I was done eating, Ethan was most definately ready to go (and everyone eles could tell by the screams it was bedtime). Back in Courtenay now, i'm going to have a giant glass of water, pack and head to bed. We are off to Vancouver tomorrow.

BC - DAY 7 - Friends/Goose Spit/Chinese Food

Snack time with Grandad, fairly hilarious. My dad doesn't like anything messy, Ethan had sand everywhere, all over the food all over Grandad. HAHA too funny

Chasing the ball all around as usual.

This is Ethan flicking the sand in my direction.

Filling the bucket with sand.

At Goose Spit with Grandad Q. Had the shovel and the bucket thing all figured out!

This morning my darling son woke up bright and early at 5:30. I grumbled down the stairs, i tried to let him cry long enough so my mom would come get him, no luck. My strategy for tomorrow, leave the door open, when he wakes up i'm just going to continue sleeping until A) Ethan falls back to sleep or B) Mom gets so annoyed she comes to get him.

A long time friend came over at 9, we walked downtown, went to Mudsharks, I've been craving one of their raspberries smoothies. (I feel like I talk and do alot of about eating, oh well what can you do). Anyways, we chit chatted back at my place until about noon. Lex came over and said she was on her way, back to Australia :(. So said our goodbyes until next time.....Crazy to think that next time we will both have two babies the same age, and I will have two!

After lunch, Ethan and I both had a nap, my dad came home and we headed up to Goose Spit. The tide was in so that was a little dissappointing, but we still had lots of fun in the sun and sand. Apparently the weather is supposed to change to rain tomorrow, hopefully not though. LOVING the sun!

We were going to have the Salmon we caught yesterday for dinner, but decided that chinese food from Quality Foods was a much better option. I fully agree, so good. I do however feel slightly ill at the moment. Ethan just had a bath and is off to bed, It is only 7:30 but I think i'm heading that way as well. Sooo veryyy tierdddd......

BC - DAY 6 - Airpark/Fishing/Dinner

Lindsay's big catch!

Beautiful Day for fishing!!

Our annual fishing photo!

Ethan getting cuddles from Linds and Heath!

Jenna, me and Breanne. We go way back to the old hiking group days!!

Ethan spent the afternoon and evening with Granny and Grandad. Must have a great time, he fell right to sleep tonight!

Teaching Grandma to play Yahtzee, she beat me.... beginners luck. I'm addicted to this game...could play it for hours.

Wow, time is sure flying, it seems like everyday has been GO GO GO. We have been cramming as much as physically possible into everyday. it seems like I need to stay longer to do everything I want to do and see everyone I want to see.

This morning I heard some rummaging in the crib, i looked at the clock, it was 5:00. I put my glasses on and looked over at the crib, yup, there was Ethan, standing and pointing again. SO freaking early. I decided I would try holding him and rocking him back to sleep... SUCCESS, Ethan fell asleep, so I put him back in the crib and went to go to the washroom, came back to a little boy standing in the crib again. I was kind of in a zombie state and in no real mood to get up yet, so I put Ethan in bed with me. I can count only 2 or 3 times Ethan has actaully gone to sleep with me in my bed, but for some reason this morning he just wanted to be close. SO he fell back to sleep for an hour. One hour later i hear 'Uh Oh'. Ethan is wide awake and standing on the bed, I guess we need to get up now..... soooo very very tierd.

Anyways up and adam, ready to tackle the day, just at a much earlier hour than first anticipated. My grandparents were still here this morning, so we had a quick chat with them and it was off to breakfast with Heath, JOn, Danika, Darren and LIndsay. We went to the airpark for a walk after. Didn't make it too far, it was so humid out and Ethan was walking (not always in the right direction). But i'm glad we got to spend a little more time with Heath and Jon.

Once we got home, I had myself a few games of Yahtzee, then Alexis and I headed out on a stealth mission the the best candy store in town. They still have penny candies..... Can't find those too many places anymore.

Ken said he would take us out fishing so we crammed into the truck and headed out. LOVE fishing the the Cottini's. And we always seem to catch lots of fish. This trip was so different. We cause two Spring and a bunch of these other fish (can't quite remember the name of them) but they remind me of blowfish. It was SO beautiful and hot on the water. I'm definatley going home with a tan. I had a tough time reeling in the fish, man-o-man, what an arm workout, and I had no where to put the end of the rod. Darn Belly.

Once we got home, my parents called, they had Ethan up at a friends place, so i headed up there to pick him up (since apparently he was starting to lose his temper). I had a good visit with everyone and then we headed home. I was going to go right to bed, but then we remembered that tonight was the Season Finale of the Bachelorette.

My gosh they sure can drag that show out.... After the final rose is on right now.... can't miss it!Another crazy busy day tomorrow.

BC - DAY 5 - Nautical Days/Grandparents/BBQ

Lovely Ladies, Heather, Lex, Me, Linds and Danika! Talked the night away!

I know it is blurry, i couldn't get a good shot of him laughing his head off, he was running around and laughing at Great Grandma, he would throw something at her, she would laugh and he would just go crazy. Super cute!

Ethan and Great Grandma had so much fun playing, Ethan was laughing his head off.

Great Grandma and Great Grandad Quilter (and Chloe and Ethan of course).

Kit the Kat. Just as grumpy as he looks. Although strangely enough he doesn't look that grumpy in this photo.

Ethan and Jorja on the slide. Jorja was trying to show Ethan how to go down the slide, but he didn't quite get it. She was even cheering him on at the bottom!

Mom and Ethan at the Comox Nautical Days. Super sunny and hot, lots of fun games, but Ethan was a little to little to enjoy lots of it. Still fun to check out!

Ethan didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning, not much of a sleep in again, although there is something about the pillows at my parents place. I have yet to find a decent one... so my sleeps have been less than wonderful. Anyways got up, had breakfast, played in the yard for a bit, then head up to Comox to check out what Nautical Days had to offer.

Lots going on up in Comox, lots of fun things for kids, but definately kids that are a little older than Ethan. I think next year will be much better, he will be able to go on some of the rides, and play in the big bouncy jumpy things. But Jorja and Ethan had a good play on the playground, we checked out some arts and crafts, I got a lemonade and that was it.

My Grandparents were at our place when we got home, we mostly just hung around the house with them for the afternoon, Ethan played in the pool and we each took turns watching him. My mom made a fabulous dinner and my dad finally got home from his long hiking trip.

Alexis and I headed up to Danika and Darren's place for a bbq around 8 and didn't get home until 11:45! It was good times chatting with everyone. I"m so tierd and I ate just one too many cupcakes at Danika's so I need to go to sleep!

BC - DAY 4 - Farmers Market/Miracle Beach/Fluid

More playing, this hole was a big hit!

ME and my boy! Ethan loved the beach, he was so tuckered out by the end of the day.

Beautiful Ladies: Alexis, Danika, me and Linds.

Ethan and Jorja digging a big hole with Grandma Teresa.

Ethan and Granny waving at the tubers going by. There has been a steady stream of tubers since I got here. I don't think i'm going to risk it this year.

Cousin Jorja giving Ethan a lovely piece of seaweed.

At the Courtenay Farmers Market. Ethan was playing in the dirt, was filthy by the time we left.

This morning started bright and early. I heard some movement in the crib, so i popped my glasses on and looked over, and there was my little boy standing with his blanket pointing at me. I guess that means it is time to get up. I'm not too sure what happened to the 10 o'clock wake ups that he does in Alberta, must be cause it isn't his real crib. So we got up, i enjoyed two butter soaked pieces of my cinnamon bread. Best thing i've ever eaten (well not ever but so delicoius).

We headed over to wake up Alexis at around 8:50. For some reason Ethan has a phobia of the Cottini house, he was happy as can be until we entered the gate, then he just started screaming, and he did the same thing last night. I can't figure it out. Anyways, we gathered Alexis and Erica and headed off to the farmers market. Lex did very well, lots of produce, and meat. Erica got a crepe, which sounded good but ended up being less than satisfactory. I just got a muffin and a gingerbread cookie. NOt awesome but not terrible. We listened to a few songs from the band then headed out. It was already getting super hot.

Mom and I headed over to Superstore and got some photos developed. I spent a good hour on the phone with Airmiles when we got back, switching Kelly's flight from next weekend over to a flight for Claire (just a heads up, if you are booking with airmiles buy the insurance).

We planned to meet Brian, Andrea and Jorja at Miracle Beach at 1:30. I crammed some food in Ethan for lunch, stopped for a quick bubble tea on the way and headed out. It was so beautiful at Miracle Beach. Kelly's mom and the boys made it as well. We had a great time just splashing and digging around. We didn't leave until 4:30!

Didn't have any dinner, cause I had plans to go to Fluid, and i usually get this awesome cheese dish there. Alexis, Kim and I met Lindsay and Danika at Fluid at 8:00. We ordered our cheese plate, and must say we were somewhat dissappointed, they seemed to have done something different, didn't taste near as good. But of course I had to eat it, don't want it to go to waste.

We sat on the deck, now i'm not sure but I thought the new law was that you can't smoke on the restaurant patios anymore. There were three people smoking, we questioned the waitress and she claimed it was legal. I'm not so sure, it really bothered me.

Anyways now i'm home, exhausted and ready for bed. Excited for tomorrow, just talked to Kelly, it sounds like he is being very productive at home, getting lots done.