January Days

 Things are great here at the Whidden (well, still technically Low) household! We are loving all the warm weather we have had lately - hooray for chinooks! I can't even believe how warm it's been for January! I am LOVING it! Southern Alberta winters are amazing! It snowed again yesterday and I love that it's all clean, fresh snow outside! Not the hard, icy, compact snow that is impossible to play in! After all, we aren't ready to say goodbye to the snow just yet! Renne still needs to go snowboarding! ;)

We have had a lot of people ask us lately how the house hunt is going. Well, it's slow, but we are really grateful we have the luxury of taking our time with this major decision. There are so many factors when buying a home that go beyond just the actual house. It gets overwhelming. And something has to give somewhere - as first time home buyers, you can't have everything that's for sure.We have a house that we really like that we are seriously considering, but will probably be here with my parents for a few more months still.  They really don't seem to mind actually! I am confident that we will know when and where is right for us and our family. I know things do work out how they should. Tim is loving his job, he works with wonderful people and I know it was meant to be. He is very happy and comes homes smiling, as the usual wonderfully content Tim normally does. I got on some sub-teaching lists just this last week and am going to start subbing soon which I am actually very excited about! I am eager to get a little time in the classroom. :) It will be weird leaving Renne but I am going to take it slow.

Renne is busy busy busy these days. I feel like in the last few months she has grown up so much! She went from being my baby to a toddler in what seems like a day. She is motor crawling everywhere, and loves to race me to the stairs! She's not afraid of anything! Needless to say, I have had quite a few moments lately of "RENNE!!!!!" followed by heart failure. The other day, I literally grabbed her ankle just as she was about to fall down the stairs (she had already slid down two steps) she just giggled and thought it was so much fun. We could really use Ruby's old gate these days. Don't worry, it's on the to-do list.  ;) Renne has this new thing where she thinks she is being chased whenever we are carrying her up the stairs. Tim and I take turns "chasing" her up the stairs, and she giggles so hard and squeals with glee. Even when no one is actually chasing her, she looks over her shoulder and giggles in anticipation. Our girl is stubborn and very determined. When she sets her mind on getting something, she is so focused and gets frustrated when she can't do it or reach it. She is hilarious and is constantly making us laugh - even though sometimes we shouldn't be! When she's being naughty, we say "No, no, no" and she shakes her head ferociously side to side haha. Little monkey. She has also reached the "unload" obsession. She loves to open doors and closets and cupboards and dump everything out. She is currently going through my purse and chewing on my credit card. haha. I pick my battles.

A picture of Renne and I both smiling and looking at the camera!? Amazing!

Can't believe how big my baby girl has gotten!

9 Month pictures

her face in this kills me. what a cutie pie

Renne weighs 17 lbs 3 oz and is 28'' long

She has two more teeth and more are coming in!! She's been trying more foods, and eats mostly what we eat now, which is crazy to me. This month Renne decided she was done with breastfeeding and around 9.5 months, she quit cold turkey one day. Like I've always said, this girl knows what she wants. Renne isn't crawling yet, but she is shimmying across the flow on her tummy like crazy, and always gets where she wants to go, one way or another! Renne loves living at Grandma and Granpas and especially loves Ellie. Ellie isn't always so sure about Renne though, and Renne loves to reach and grab her hair, and taunt her with her toys! It's quite the show. Renne is getting so good at communicating! She lets me know when she needs something (usually by screaming) but it's nice to know. She has the sweetest little laugh, and loves to play games with her daddy that get her hyper! As you can see, her hair continues to sprout! It still sticks straight up in the air! It's like a little halo.

10 Month pictures

(taken at Christmas time)

Renne weighs 18 lbs 5 oz and is 28.7'' long!

She is getting much stronger, and can now pull to standing on the couch, and can push herself up to sit from her tummy! She likes to feed herself now, and is very determined to be Ms. Independent. She doesn't love bottles, but has only 3 times a day. She crawled for the first time in Vanderhoof for Christmas! She still mainly army crawls since i think she's decided she likes that better anyway. This girl loves to clap, wave bye-bye and loves to play with her tongue! I can't help but notice in these pictures just how long her legs are getting! She is built like her daddy for sure. She is so cute, it kills me. I can't imagine a more perfect baby.

We tried using props to try and bribe her to stay still

you want a smile huh? how about this face?

We love our friend in the mirror! Grandma has a mirror at the end of her hallway leaning against the wall and Renne absolutely loves it. However, It's right next to the stairs so watch out!

Just playin in her diaper

Renne and Auntie Jocy

squinting for the camera!

Renni girl and mom

We love to play on the floor together

what could mommy be hiding back here?

11 Month pictures

Renne weighs 19 lbs 4 oz and is 29.5'' long

She can finally manage to get her hair into an elastic! (the pic above makes me laugh so hard- look at that hair) This girl now has…are you ready? 8 TEETH!! She loves to feed herself, and throws food on the floor if she doesn't like it! Monkey. She thinks she's so funny, and likes to be a menace, and has a super cute cheeky grin while doing it! Renne can now pull up and stand, but isn't walking! In fact, I think she will take her time walking, if I were to guess. We shall see. Renne is obsessed with the stairs and could climb them all day long! She also loves to get into Grandma's cupboards and empty them out! She loves anything that isn't a toy, cellphones, remotes, cords, wallets, dishes. She knows that us adults are getting something that she doesn't and is very aware of those items. They are her favourite, and she's super sneaky! She likes to shake her head "no" when we say "no no Renne" I'm not going to lie, it's pretty stinking cute! She loves to play with her daddy when he gets home, and also have huge smiles for Grandpa at the end of the day too! So very loved, but we are the lucky ones. 

Love this face

hehe love the shifty eyes

i'm not being naughty mommy…no clue what you're talking about

Next month we will be blowing out a candle!

Small and Simple Choices

This was a blog post I wrote a while ago that I never ended up posting:

Yesterday the theme for our ward relief society was introduced. It's based on one of my favourite scriptures that is very dear to me. "By small and simple things great things are brought to pass" I've been thinking a lot lately about choices. Not about major life-changing choices, but small day-to-day choices, and what they mean. How they really can have the power to change us. I have really tried working on making better daily, small decisions. Decisions that really don't make a huge difference to my day, but have the power to completely alter the person I am. Choosing to smile when I'm frustrated. Choosing to laugh when I ruin supper. Choosing to get up, and get out the door and go for a run. Choosing to savor those amazing discovery moments with Renne instead of worrying about my to-do list. Choosing to ignore my judgements, and give people the benefit of the doubt. Choosing to read goodness rather than watch time wasting trash. The list goes on. I really have seen how these small things make all the difference. I have changed because of them. Not only am I changed, but those around me change as well. When I make a conscience effort to watch my thoughts, I am so much happier. I have an inner peace, a sense of control. My family notices, and they are happier, and home life is calm, and inviting rather than hectic and stressful. Mothers really do have such a major responsibility to inspire and create the home dynamic. I really believe that. I have a long way to go, but I really believe the following is so true, as cliche as it may sound:

“Watch your thoughts for they become words.
Watch your words for they become actions.
Watch your actions for they become habits.
Watch your habits for they become your character.
And watch your character for it becomes your destiny.
What we think, we become."

A little food for thought...

Christmas Break

We had such a fantastic Christmas break! We got to see so much family, and had Tim home with us for 12 whole days!! Here are just a few highlights…

Christmas with the Whiddens

Vanderhoof, B.C.

We were thrilled to spend most of our holidays in beloved Vanderhoof with quite a big Whidden crew! It was awesome to see everyone who could come, and spend some quality time in Vanderhoof! We hadn't been there in 2.5 years, so it was time for another visit! Our activities included the classic gingerbread house building, snowmobiling, card and board games, lots of visiting and eating great food! Oh, and don't forget hitting up all of the classic v-hoof spots, including seeing the Hobbit in the Theatre and eating Tim's favourite Chinese food! 

Our family on Christmas Eve

My mom made us matching PJs with sock monkeys on them. It turned into our theme of the year - all about baby Renne, our little sock monkey (we also dressed up as sock monkeys for Halloween). My favourite is that she even has a matching hair bow! Hehe. I love this tradition!

Christmas morning! 

Opening her very first stocking!! Nana sure spoiled us!

I just love them

Daddy, are those presents all for me??

Renni and Nana

All the Whidden cousins! Well, those who were there of course!

(Of course Renne's not looking)

There, now she's looking, but the pic is fuzzy…I just can't win!

This was my favourite part of our entire trip - watching Renne with her cousins! She just loves each of them, and watches everything they do! You could just see the awe in her face when they'd show her something, and it was so precious to watch her eyes follow them around the room, and giggle when they smiled at her. I grew up so close to my cousins, they were my best friends, and I adore watching Renne with hers. 

I love tired baby Christmas morning faces

Snow Play in the 'hoof!

Our snowman is probably taller than your snowman…just a guess.  

I have never seen such dedication and focus in building a snowman in my life! These crazy brothers spent hours outside rolling massive snowballs to create this guy. Tim kept using his neck and head to roll them, and not surprisingly had a sore neck for a day or so! Get these guys going on a project, and they always see it to the end. We even had a few people drive by and honk at our epic snowman! My favourite part is his hair - made from an old decaying sunflower stem! Haha, sure does the trick though eh? good times.

Weeeee!

Christmas Day Snowmobiling!

We tied a sled to the back of the snow mobile, and rode around for a few hours. It was a blast

Hold on, Papa's driving!! :0 ;)

 Playing together in Vanderhoof

Renne kept making this silly face whenever I got the camera out. It was like a squinty-blink smile, so she could avoid the flash of the camera. Haha! 

Renne and Kaysa

haha what a face!

Renne loved playing with her cousins who were so patient and sweet with her! Pretty sure she already idolizes this girl!

Mommy, can this girl please come home with me? 

With Ryker, Kaysa and Airlyn

I wish i had more pictures will all of the cousins!! I need to be better at remembering to take pictures! 

 A few pics in her Christmas Day Outfit!

Yes, that hair is for real. And no, I don't have jell for it, but I've been told I should consider getting some. I kinda like it au naturel. What do you think?

Christmas with the Lows

Coaldale, AB

 

Grandpa and Renne trying on her new fancy jacket!

I love this expression!

My little chia pet!

One very loved girl! She has so many Aunties who adore her, and spoil her!!

Not really sure about present opening…"Wait, so after a month of No no no, you're telling me it's ok to rip these to shreds now??"

She loves her new dolly from Grandma

New Years Day Party!

New Years Eve was pretty quiet for us! We had a nice relaxing night in with my parents. Tim was sick, so it was just what we needed. My parents invited everyone over for a New Years Day party which was so much fun! We watched football, played Fox and Geese, ate yummy food, played bored games, played sports at the church gym, and visited all night! 

Here is a picture of Renne with my Aunt Patti who made this adorable knitted hat for her! She is so lucky to have such a talented Great Aunt who makes things for her!

Renne and her second cousin Laura trying to share toys. Renne isn't the best at that yet. We are working on sharing...

Renni girl and Grandma

With cousin Jonny!

It didn't take her long at all to warm up to this guy! They were wrestling and making faces at each other in record time. 

 Matching Sister Date!

My sisters, my parents and Renne and I were planning to go to Jackson Hole, Wyoming after New Years to do some snowboarding, but due to some sickness, we had to postpone our trip, and Renne and I ended up staying behind in the end. So my sisters and I made the most of our day, and decided to go see Frozen at the theatre. We braided our hair, and wore matching Lulu Lemon outfits and patagonia puff coats! We can't help ourselves sometimes…it's just a sister thing!

Haha we are goofs.

Well, that's all for now. We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wish you the best in the New Year ahead! Renne's first Christmas was definitely a success!