What's happening in Halifax

Please Welcome the newest member of our family.

Yay!

My husband makes all my dreams real.

We had christmas money, and we were not sure what to spend it on. There are over a million things the money could have gone towards. A treadmill has been at the top of my wish list for years, and Justin offered this morning that we go out shopping for one this afternoon. He is the best husband in the world!

We went out shopping, and spent all our money on this awesome treadmill. We drove home with an enormous box sticking out of the back of our Jeep. Justin had to get in the back seat and hold it down when we drove up the steep hills by our house. Somehow, He got it from the car into the basement. I helped a little, but man, this treadmill is heavy.

Justin put it together while I was upstairs tending the kids, making dinner, and treats. When I came down into the basement he had cleaned and organized the kids toys, rearranged some of the furniture to fit the treadmill, and made a little workout zone.

I'm telling you, the man is perfect. At least he is for me.

I am way excited about the treadmill if it's not already clear.

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Here is a little more of what is happening here in Halifax...

Our friend Jo came by to visit one night, and her husband about put her on the missing person's list. We kept her here almost all night telling her about our families, making her watch slideshows of our kids and dad turning 50, and showing her endless wedding scrapbooks. Poor Jo. We are so cool to hang out with. Truth is we had fun, and we love it when she comes to visit. Even if it brings out some tears;)

We hadn't seen Sammy, a.k.a. Miley's boyfriend, since being back in canada so we had Jo bring him over for a play date. Miley LOVES Jolynne. Mi's will lay her head on Jo's lap and say "awww." The only other person who gets this special honor is her little brother. If you get an "awww" you know it's love. Jolynne is so sweet with kids. Miley kept bringing her books and wanting to sit on her lap to have her read them to her over and over.

Everyone told me it would be fun to have our kids so close in age because the day would come when they could entertain each other, and play together. Even though Scotlin is still little, I have already found this to be true. Just this week Miley has made Scotlin her new BFF. She constantly is getting in his face to talk and laugh to him, is trying to pick him up, gives him hugs and kisses, and reaching her arms out to tell us she wants to hold him.

It's the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

One of the best things about having two is seeing them love each each other and play together as siblings.

It's not anything new that Miley wants to do everything by herself, but it is new to try and dress herself, and everyone else around her. She picks up her shoes and tries to put them on Scotlin, then herself, then mom.

She likes to take over all the toys that aren't hers. If brother has anything it's tested and tried by Miley first.

Sometimes you just have to settle for a different chair.

We have watched her infatuation with Scotlin grow, and it is obvious she can and does feel love towards him. She will cry and yell if I take him away from her.

The other day I was fixing dinner and Scotlin started to cry. Miley's eyes got big, and she ran to him, talked to him, and placed probably 5 toys on his lap. For the next little bit I just listened to the two of them 'talk' back and forth. Not only did she get him to stop crying, but she had him cooing, and happy as can be. I know they are going to be the best of friends.

Scotlin enjoys an early bedtime these days, and can't stay up past 6 pm. He still wakes during the night usually twice, but is good to eat and go right back to sleep. He gets up in the morning sometime between 6-8. He's good to go down for naps. Still loves his swing, and prefers a nightlight.

He's good to follow a routine most days, but being the baby of the family means he's spoiled, and basically gets whatever he wants. He's so happy and mild mannered most the time, so he makes our job as parents easy and enjoyable.

Sometimes I just stare at him, and can't get over how absolutely beautiful he is.

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Miley is learning to climb the stairs at our house these days. Most days I am astonished at how much she understands and communicate. She feeds herself 100% of the time now, and can say many words i.e. "doggy, momma, daddy, bath tub, light, hot, all done, amen, hi, brother, no way!, fun, uh oh,"- to name a few. She is into mimicking everything mom and dad does, and is getting better at independent play. Loves her doll house, toothpaste, helping, and dancing. She's getting better at obeying, but also spending more time in time out. She will fold her arms to pray and end with "amen." Takes one nap each day, still uses and loves her binki, and has a favorite blanket she calls 'blank.'

Being the older sibling brings more expectations and responsibilities for Miley pie. She does not get away with too many 'baby' things much. Miley is full of energy and is an absolute blast.

She is my very best little girlfriend.