The Daily Hailey

Daytona Homes hosted its second golf day in Saskatoon today. Last year, I could only make it for the supper afterwards, and it had been fun! Good guys, good food, and a very short work talk. I liked it. I was excited to be able to go this time around for the whole event!

My parents came to our house around 9:30 to watch the kids for the day, and we took off shortly there after. We made it to the Willows about a half hour early and I met a few of the guys Brady works with. Last year, he hardly knew anyone, it seemed, but there were so many more people this time around, as the builder grows and expands and needs more guys. We headed into a sea of golf carts and finally found ours, marked for Brandy and Hailey Born. Tee hee 🙂

We all golfed in groups of four, so we were joined by Bradys J&H supplier as well as one of the site supervisors that he sees on a regular basis. I have to say, we had the perfect team 🙂

In case no one knows this about me, my hand eye coordination is laughable. Or non existent. Whichever. I cannot make the club hit the ball for the life of me. So I was just a ride along, but I walked to each and every hit with the guys, and was the moral support/eye candy/heckler. They were great sports, and only forced me to hit twice. I hit water once, and missed a putt on the other. Who’s surprised? No one. But it was funny and embarrassing and I liked it. One of the guys treated the rest of us to lunch and drinks along the way, and by the end, our score was +2, so not too bad, but certainly not a winning score. It was just really nice to get out in the SUN!, since the 80% chance of thunderstorms didn’t come. Yet. The rain started on our very last hole. It spat a little, and as soon as we were inside, the clouds opened! It was awesome!

After we golfed, we dropped off our carts and went inside for food. I hope no one hates on me here, but I wasn’t super impressed with the food last year. Yet I know really good mass produced food is hard to come by. I’m not a picky eater, but I just went into it not expecting it to be wowed. I have to say, the salads were weird. I ate a couple bites of the ones I picked, and then pushed them all together in a pile so they wouldn’t mush into my other food. However, the steak I got was INCREDIBLE! I asked for medium rare, which often gets me something yummy, but often more like a medium. But I lucked out and received a steak done to perfection. It was comically large, but embarrassingly enough, I destroyed it, and would have gone back for more had I not been where I was. I could have eaten steak and garlic toast all night.

What I liked about being at this event that was obviously more geared towards men was that, once everyone had eaten, they got to the talking, and then it was over. I like visiting, but not for hours and hours on end with people I don’t know very well, so this was good. They announced winning teams and gave prizes, and then drew a few names for other prizes. Very few things on the table were things we would really want or use, except the job site stereo. Brady reeeaaally wanted that. So I won it! When they called me, our table burst out laughing, and I went to claim my prize. We had a great table of guys, almost our exact same table as last year actually, plus two hilarious guys added in. It felt good to be rooted for anyway 🙂

Once all the prizes were over, we headed out and ended up walking with another man from J&H. We had such a nice visit, talked family a little bit, and at the end, he said he really enjoyed our company and would love to see us for lunch sometime. I loved being involved in that. I think I even asked “Me too?” And he said yes! Its just so refreshing. I don’t want to be rude towards anyone, but at Bradys last home builder, there was no trade appreciation, and people weren’t warm like this. I felt awkwardly welcome, and while I was definitely the only spouse invited, I felt like I fit it. I don’t remember the last time before tonight that someone from work hugged me.

It was a really really great day. We grabbed some ice cream and headed home to our beautiful kidlets. They were up for about a half hour before we tucked them in and let our parents go on their way. Now for a soak and some Netflix. What a great way to end a wonderful day!!

Stay safe tonight, everyone. Tornado warnings everywhere!!!

While we had a great trip to the lake, I was very much looking forward to being home in my house with my family. I can pretty honestly say that I felt lighter at the lake 🙁 I’m not sure if its some psychological thing or what, but I already feel heavy, and I’ve only been home for a few hours. Hopefully that passes once I settle in and get back in the groove of my life. But so far, I just wish I were still at the lake. On that semi-pessimistic note, PHOTO POST!!!

 

At least the little sweetie slept part of the way to the lake! The other part, she cried.

 

 

Hanging on the beach with these non-swimmers.

 

Could have done without the engine light… Pretty sure we’re just due for an oil change though. No biggie. 

 

Playing in the condo with the kidlets.

 

 

Feeding Laela was a highlight for both mom and I. Dozy little girl.

 

Anyone’s kids get massive red marks along with mosquito bites? Dekkers turn into these enormous bumps and spread like crazy, but they don’t bug him at all. Laela’s little bug bites stay tiny. Go figure.

 

Dekker: “Oh, donty!”

Someone is happy to be home!

Upon arriving home, I put my two exhausted children down for a nap. Child #1 slept like a log, while Child #2 wailed her face off. So she came up and played with me instead. Then she barfed everywhere. Then she went to bed. Now I can’t get Dekker to shut up, as he chatters away in bed.

It would appear we’re all still coming down from holidays…

 

My doctor heckles me about making everything into verbs, or what I like to call “verbing.” See what I did there? Yet I’m not sure what other word could convey exactly what it is I’m doing here. This is what I’ve learned.

Being at the lake, this time around anyway, is not actually about being at the lake, ie the water, the sand, the umbrellas. While that is all incredibly fun and an experience we should all have at some point, I am seeing that being “at the lake” is more about lake life. This morning, being at the lake meant laying on the futon in the living room until noon while the kids climbed all over the room and played toys. We hit the beach right at nap time, haha, and lasted just less than an hour. We brought their little red bodies in and put them straight down to bed.

Dekker was out like a light, while Laela wailed and wailed. She wouldn’t have it, and she didn’t. I finally got her up and she had some milk and watched some home buying/selling shows with the ladies. She didn’t nap at all, which made for a pretty hands on evening. But we didn’t surface. We kept an incredibly low profile and stayed in. One notable thing about today is that Laela is the best little puppy in the world. She sits on the floor next to my chair at the table (I didn’t bring a high chair) and eats little bits of whatever I pass her. She also LOVES to drink from a glass! That mouth hangs open like a baby birds in anticipation. And the water soaker her shirt doesn’t bother her a bit. I can’t believe how much she’s grown up!

Not willing to forfeit the ice cream tradition, my mom and I are settling in for some while we pick a movie. What a perfect evening.

We are at the lake!!! I couldn’t be happier!

After a bit of a tearful ride thanks to my two little backseat drivers, we arrived around noon. We couldn’t get into our room until 3:00, so we played on the beach, blew bubbles, and drove aimlessly while the kids napped. When we got to our room finally, I felt refreshed immediately. We have a HUGE condo! It had a big entrance with a full kitchen and a living room with futon, two puffy chairs, and a tv. Then upstairs, there are two bedrooms and a full bathroom. The whole place is clean and welcoming and just exactly where I want to be. Of course, I would love it if Brady were along, but I think he and I need to miss each other for a bit. Don’t you think, love? It’ll be good. And my mom and I neeeeed a holiday. I’m so happy we’re here!

We ordered in big chunky salads for supper so we can justify snacking this evening. Apart from forgetting their blankets and Dekker’s pillow, the kids fell asleep almost immediately, without issue. Soon, there will be some bad food and a movie, and I just can’t wait.

I’ve come to some realizations recently that I’ll talk more about soon, but being here is just warm and fuzzy to me. I feel more at home here than I do in my house. No, not being without Brady. He isn’t my problem one bit <3 I just feel a different comfort here than I do in my house in my town. This is clearer air somehow. This is where I’ve needed to be the past two years.

The lake. I love the lake.

Danishes and sticky buns for breakfast tomorrow!

My mom, the kids, and I are laking it up starting tomorrow! Brady and I started packing earlier this evening but at about 7:30 we realized that we should take a break and play with the kids, since they’ll be away from their daddy until Wednesday evening. So we hauled ourselves downstairs and played toys and ball and Laela crawled all over the place (I can’t believe its happening!!!) and got into all the stuff she shouldn’t, and we just got a good fill of them. But then it was 8:00, so everyone went upstairs for diaper changes, jammies, cuddles, and nighttime. Laela’s just working on her bottle, and then we’ll be back to full packing mode!

I’ve laid out all of my clothes, and the kids clothes. I still have to pack toiletries, shoes, electronics, toys, and food. I think thats it, but I’ll have to check. Just looking at my bed covered in clothing, I’m questioning whether or not I might be wildly overpacking. But rather have extra than not enough, right? You never know about the weather, and what activities you’ll take part in along the way. So the kids have waaay too many clothes. We’ll be there for two full days, and I’m bringing denim shorts, jeans, lulu capris, hoochy shorts, and sweats. For two days!!! Overkill, perhaps. But you never know!

As long as I remember a baby monitor and a fan, I think we’ll be in good shape. Anyone jealous of our weekday lake trip? I’m sooo excited to finally have a holiday!!!

Brady was a doll and let me really sleep in today. We woke up to the kids shortly before 9:00 and Brady told me to keep sleeping. I woke up around 10:00, which was crazy, because a) I never sleep that late! and b) I had places to go today! I hung out with the fam for a little bit but eventually got up and ready for the day. Dekker was sad when I left because he wanted to come too, but it was a day of grocery shopping, running to several different places, and really not a good day for him to come.

I listened to my music all the way to the city and hit up Costco first. For anyone interested, they have their yummy fuzzy sleepers in again! Not lots of colors or designs, but I got a really pretty pink one with foxes for Laela and, believe it or not, a blue wolf one for Dekker! They go up to 5T! Dekker never wears sleepers anymore, but I thought it would be sooo cozy for winter! So I got him a 4T, since he’s in 3T right now. Besides that, I bought a few staple things, and a couple cans of formula. If any of you see that on sale anytime soon, please tell me! We try to stock up when it goes on uber sale but apparently under estimated last time. No one wants to buy full price if they don’t have to, right?

I went to Walmart next for some snacks for next week, baby wash, and bubbles. I’ve never hung around the bakery area much, but I bought some salted caramel chocolate chip cookies that I am SUPER excited to taste tonight! Sooo delicious.

Starbucks was next, where I grabbed a venti (go big or go home) passion tea lemonade. I could drink that stuff all day. My tip to you is ask for light ice. Otherwise they tend to add waaay too much and its over way too fast. So I got that, and drove pretty much across the street to KFC. Don’t judge me for this, I know fast food isn’t good for anyone, but I wanted popcorn chicken, and it was my day away. Sue me. The guy working the drive thru came over the speaker just laughing uncontrollably. He could barely take my order, but I loved it 🙂 Two men greeted me at the window, full of smiles. I liked seeing people having fun at their job. One of them told me he loved my hairstyle, which I really appreciated. Its been a hard one for me to rock, but he was actually really encouraging, and said it suited my style. Nice guys. All of that, and my “small” order of chicken seemed pretty humungous. I liked them.

I went to Bath and Body Works after that to visit Jerilee on their locations first birthday!!! I bought a candle and lotion and left. It was a shorty visit, but I had time and no one to haul with me, so why not?!

I did some quick Superstore shopping before I hit up Value Village. I know it seems silly, but I love going through that store at my leisure, and just finding what I find. Sadly, for my first time ever, I did not find one thing 🙁 I found my ideal slouchy fall/winter boots, two sizes too big. I found a great little winter jacket for Laela, six months too small. I went in specifically to find a pair of shorts. I’m going to a golf day with Bradys work next week, and I need to dress like a golfer. All of my shorts are denim with an unfinished hem. So I need something to wear! My first trip to the change room was every womans “merp merp” experience. I had thought too much of myself and had chosen every pair in a size too small. So that sucked. I got over it, put my own shorts back on, and headed back to the racks to find some bigger shorts. I picked three new pairs to try on. And they all sucked. TIGHT around the waist and balloony in the legs. I gave up and left. I’m not sure I’ve ever left Value Village empty handed. Its probably not a bad thing. Except that I really do need shorts.

On my drive home, I discovered that I am indeed old. I was sooo tired. It was maybe 3pm and I was wiped out. I drove quickly but with my music turned way down. Often my mind runs wild in those quiet moments, and thats usually when my car cries occur. But I didn’t even think. I just drove. About three minutes from home, I saw a motorcycle accident on the side of the road and that was just about enough for me.

I’ve spent the evening with my beautifully family, eating supper, playing toys, watching Overhaulin’, and having baths. Actually, Brady was the golden boy again and bathed both kids. Dekker did better than he has in a while, and I got to be the lucky one to give him a special treat at the end. We don’t really operate much of a reward system around here, as Dekker responds incredibly to verbal praise and celebration, but today he got a chocolate egg. Rather, gold. As I unwrapped it, I was telling him that he had done sooo well not screaming and trusting daddy, and that I thought he would like a special treat. He didn’t hear a word. He was memorized by it, unable to control those little hands just wanting it sooo bad! It was adorable, and he loved the candy. I love him.

Kids are clean, tucked in, and definitely not asleep at all. Moments ago, we looked at the monitor and Dekker was sitting up, while Laela was kneeling in the corner of her crib playing with the Christmas lights. Those kids are trouble. But at least they’re happy and tucked away. Time for a snack and a bath. New bubble bath!!!

I’m not sure how many green thumbs read my blog, but I think I have a couple, so I thought I would post some updates on our garden! I went out in my jammie pants and rubber boots (because I’m cool like that) and took some pictures of everything.

Our carrots look great and lush so far! We’ve never had especially successful carrots. The one year that they grew well-ish, they had zero flavor. No good. What we learned: The tape seeds don’t produce the flavor or the real thing!

Our cucumbers are probably the lamest thing in our garden. Not sure if they’ll produce or not.

Beans!!! They’re flowering and getting little mini beans on them already! Can’t wait for fresh green bean casserole!!!

Corn and sunflowers are growing sooo well! They also took a bit of a beating with all of the wind last night, but as far as I can tell, no stalks are broken.

Potatoes!!! These are beautiful and budding and I’m so looking forward to fresh potatoes 🙂

My one and only peony plant even produced, but the two flowers got the crap kicked out of them by the storm last night. Plus, my only beef with peonies is the amount of ants they bring into my house 🙁 Bummer. So I kind of missed them this year, but there’s always next year. I should plant more…

The other big new progress in our house is that little Miss Laela is ready to move!

Time to move her crib down again!

Yesterday we saw her first tiny little shuffle towards a toy, and got really excited. Well, all has changed. She crawls. Not perfectly, of course. She falls over onto her head a lot, and spends more time on her hands and feet instead of hands and knees. But hey, polar bears do it and they’re cute! I couldn’t get it on video, but this is something anyway.

She’s pretty proud of herself, and Dekker is actually excited by it! I once lived in fear of the day that she would crawl, and touch him, and he would cry and cry. But now, he will lay on the floor with his face in her face, begging her to touch him head. Its going to be sooo great! For those of you who are expecting your first, don’t let people tell you it will be miserable when your kids can move around on their own! It is incredible and exciting and frankly, I think it helps with the kids independence to a degree! Sure, you’ll potentially have to baby proof a bit more, but you’ll learn that quick. Its sooo exciting to see this happening, and knowing how soon after walking will come!

Thats the end for tonight. Brady and I are in dire need of a date night, so we’re going to go make popcorn and drinks and find  movie to cuddle up and watch downstairs. Hope you all have a great Friday night!

The kids and I spent the day with my mom, playing on swings and enjoying some good company. Once we finally dragged them inside for lunch, we offered Dekker grilled cheese (aka GOLD) for lunch. He said “uuuh…no. Detter wants ham.” Whose kid is this?! By some miracle, my mom had ham in the fridge, so while she and I devoured grilled cheese and fruit and veggies and chips for lunch, Dekker ate ham. And fruit and veggies and chips as well. Whats lunch without all the goodies?? Laela ate blueberries, bread, cheese, and watermelon!!

Because the kids slept in way longer than usual (unmoving at 8:30am!) and were revved up from being in a new environment, I napped them both at 2:00. Its not an uncommon time at all, but Laela hadn’t napped at all in the morning. She slept until after 4:15 and then got up and ate and played a bit. But she was pretty touchy and bushed. Dekker started to wake up right around supper time, so when he got up, we opted to put Laela back down for a shorty nap. But she cried and cried. So that didn’t happen. You know when you’re overtired that you can’t sleep? Ya, she does too.

After supper (Laela tried pancakes for her first time!) we played toys, practiced music for church, and enjoyed some incredible thunder and lightening! It shook that house, and some of them went on and on, rattling my legs against the chair. The initial crash would startle Dekker, but he would recover pretty quickly, and either run to one of us, smiling away, or go to a window to check everything out. It was pouring and dark and loud and exciting. He seemed to actually enjoy the new weather!

The drive home was kind of nerve wracking, to be honest. I’m not scared of storms, but driving through them is a bit different. However, Dekker was a total peach for the drive. He asked for a toy right off the bat, and while I was madly digging for it in the diaper bag, he goes “Oh! I find it!” and he holds it up for me to see. After that, all he wanted was some music on, and he was content to watch the train driving along the highway, listen to the rain, and see the lightening. Laela slept. Luckily, she’s still pretty grumpy so I’m thinking she’ll go down well. And it is sooo time!

Let’s just pray that we all keep power tonight, and even better, than this rain somehow helps rid us of all this smoke!

I felt way better today than yesterday, and I’m pretty sure it really helped to have Jerilee out visiting. The last time I saw her was on Canada Day, and that was just to watch our kids while Brady and I went out on a date, so we didn’t even hang out! This was a much needed day, and I was just too distracted to be sick!

We caught up on everything, and Dekker convinced his aunty to play ball with him a couple of times. He was sad to go for nap time, yet he wasn’t upset when Laela wailed her face off and slept for less than twenty minutes. I gave up and went in to get her. She was all cuddled up, laying on her side, chewing a blanket, but bawling. Her morning nap was shorter than usual too. She was sooo tired, but crying consistently. So I fed her and she drank her milk, but it didn’t comfort her for long. We tried to nap her while we ate supper, and it lasted maybe ten minutes. She was so sad for most of the day, and I’m not sure why. I’m thinking teeth, but I don’t see any white or bumps, so who knows.

Laela did finally join us at the supper table and had her first mashed potato experience. And she loved it!! I know people say not to start with fruit, but I did with both. Dekker eats great, and Laela loves potatoes and broccoli and all kinds of things. I’m really not worried.

After supper was a bit whiny too, but we stayed upstairs and played music and the kids perked up a bit, but it was definitely an early bedtime kind of day. Laela will be down in a few minutes when she’s done drinking, and Deks is already tucked away. Hopefully there are no tearful outbursts in the next half hour, or through the night. I think we all need a full nights sleep!

It was a bit of an iffy day at home for the three of us. I slept much better than last night, which helped, but both kids were just whining up a storm. Dekker can get upset over little things, but I can usually talk him off the ledge pretty quick. But today, I’d calmed him down and he’d be fine, and the next second he’d whip a toy at the wall or something crazy like that. Not like him. Laela normally plays beautifully on her own. Sitting, laying down, sitting, laying down, and rolling from destination to destination, getting her hands on all the toys she shouldn’t. But today, I’d set her down on the floor, and she would look up at me with this brutal look of abandonment, and bawl like her world was ending.

I can handle two fussy kids just fine on a normal day, but today, I felt sick too. Maybe we all ate something funny? Was there a full moon? I don’t know, but I was pretty useless as well. It was probably the first day in many many days that I napped while they napped. I only got maybe ten minutes before one of those lovely recorded messages called my house saying I won points or a vacation or some other crap, but then I probably got another twenty after. And Laela woke up pretty quick after that. When I ducked in to get her, Dekker usually watches me, but doesn’t get up. I’ll say goodnight and he’ll respond back with the same. But today, he sat straight up and said “Hi mommy” instead. I asked if he wanted to sleep a bit more, and he considered it for a second. “Uuuh…no. No sint you.” And that was that.

Poor Brady came home to his three grumpy bears and handled it well. He made he and Dekker eggs and toast (never fight-worthy) and some cheesy mashed potatoes for me. He played the kids guitar in the living room while I chatted with my mom on the phone, and we tucked everyone in a half hour early. I’m sooo looking forward to a soak and hopefully I can find a delicious snack that will sit nicely in my tummy.