The Whidden Fam: 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.