Finn is sick...until the end of time

So my welcome back present from Finn when we came home from Vegas was two weeks of viral diarrhea. Yes, TWO WEEKS...hence the lack of blog updates. All I have been doing is laundry, laundry, laundry and all I have been feeding him is bread, bananas, and bread.

The DAY that he got over the aforementioned nastiness, he got a runny nose, cough and fever.

He has the worst diaper rash EVER and says 'ow' every time I get out the diaper creme. He also makes the sign for 'hurt' and points to his bum...it breaks my heart.

I think he may have an ear infection.

And his last two teeth are coming in.

Oh please say that the magical season of Spring will finally come for good and make all this gross Winter sickness go away...I'm ready.

Viva Las Vegas

Elvis baby! He just married the happy couple and now he is serenading them with a little "Love Me Tender".

Last weekend Aaron and I went to Vegas for his step-sister's wedding. We had such a blast! She got married in the "Viva Las Vegas" wedding chapel by Elvis himself. The ceremony was so cheesy and so incredibly fantastic...I loved every minute of it. After the vows, Elvis busted into singing "Viva Las Vegas" while the happy couple danced in celebration. He even had the congregation join in for the chorus! Picture a bunch of people sitting in Sunday dress raising the roof while belting out "Viva Las Vegas!"...it was so awesome. Here is a video:

We are so happy for Nikki and Aaron...looks like their marriage will be an adventure!

Outside the "Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel."

After the ceremony, we met at an Irish Pub for the reception. It took FOREVER for the food to be ready, but we had a great time visiting with the fam while we were waiting. Luckily my pregnant self was sitting right by the food line, so I was taken care of :) Me and my sister-in-laws: Julia, Jessica (Brooklyn) and Bobbi.

Matt and Aaron after a few too many...root beers that is. They couldn't pass up a fake drunk pose since it looked like actual beer...I'd say they pulled it off. I think this picture is hilarious.

Aaron and I sporting the suh-weet party favors: Elvis sunglasses!
Nichole showing off her bling.

After the reception we went to see Penn & Teller at the Rio. The show was awesome! It is not just a regular magic show...they are both great performers and they even show you how a few of their tricks are accomplished. We were all thoroughly entertained...I would recommend it to anyone!
Matt, Jake, Aaron and Dan outside the show.
Aaron and I before the show started.

Aaron and I with Penn. They always go out to the hall after the show to sign autographs and take pictures. Aaron was so excited.

After the show we went back and visited with the fam in our hotel until 3 in the morning. The night before the wedding, we also had a great time walking around Vegas. We ate a really nice dinner and Aaron even let me ride the New York New York Roller Coaster with the gals. All in all it was a fantastic trip...we were sad to see it end!

Rides Rule!

Milo overjoyed about the rocket ride with Finn and Gemma cruisin' behind

Last Thursday was Milo's birthday and Finn had a great time at his party. It was at Jungle Jim's in Midvale which is basically like ChuckECheese's but WAY better because they have a ton of kiddy rides too...and Finn loved them all! His favorite was the "ho-see" ride (the carosel) and the "ca-ca-ca!" ride (cars on a track). It was so fun for me to see him having such a great time. He went on a bunch of the rides by himself or with cousins and I was so proud of him...it is just so exciting as a parent to see your child try new things. We stayed late so by the end he was pretty burned out but he sure enjoyed himself!

Riding the "Ca"...Finn loves to steer!

Racing with Uncle Tom

Milo, Gemma and Finn on the swings

Here is a video of Finn 'driving' on the jeep ride:

We're Back...for now

Well, I survived another whirlwind trip to Canada. I was worried about how well Finn would do in the car for 12+ hours, but he actually did really well. Most of his good behaviour was due to the fact that we let him watch his "Big Bird Sings" DVD on repeat more than a few times. Hooray for portable DVD players!

I am so glad that I was able to be at my Grandma's funeral, and so glad that Aaron was able to be there with me. All but two members of my extended family were there which is quite a feat since there are over 70 of us. It was a great chance to reunite with family that I haven't seen forever, and a great chance to say a final goodbye to my Grandma. She looked so peaceful, and so much better than those last few days in the hospital.
Grandma's final resting place next to her husband Doug. She passed away almost exactly 7 years after him.
The only picture I got of Aaron and I...and his eyes are closed! The day of the funeral was so cold...only about 10 degrees F and SO windy!
My sister Brittany, Finn and I. We hardly ever get to see Brittany's family (my only sibling that still lives in Canada) so it was so nice to get to spend more time with them.

My dad and each of his siblings spoke at the funeral and each did a wonderful job. I learned a few new stories about my Grandma that really touched me. One was about a time that she was home alone on the farm and a homeless man came to the house. She invited him in from the cold and made him a meal. When my Grandpa came home, he was angry with her for letting in a stranger that may have harmed her. As he was chastising her, she replied: "How do you know it wasn't the Savior?". My Grandma was always serving others and was such a great example to me. I came away from her funeral wanting to be a better person.

Now we are back...but we are leaving again on Friday morning! Aaron's step-sister is getting married in Vegas and a bunch of his family will be there...and we'll be there too! My sisters have graciously agreed to watch the little guy so it should be a fun-filled, kid-free weekend. After that, it will be nice to just be at home for a while, I've really missed the place.

We'll Miss You Grandma

Last weekend, some of my siblings and I took a quick weekend trip to visit my Grandma Harker in Alberta (12 hour drive). My sister Brittany met us from Calgary and my parents came from Regina. The weekend before, my parents had a nice visit with my Grandma who was quite alert and talkative. Just before we got there, however, she got a bladder infection and hadn't eaten for several days, making her very week. She was only able to open her eyes a few times and did not eat or drink at all while we were there. Although she was very ill,, she knew we were there and often responded to us with sounds that let us know she was glad we came. Saying goodbye was emotional for me, because I knew it was the last time I would see her in mortality.

Me, Grandma and Dad

Me, Andrea, Brittany, Mom and Megan

The fam at our cousin Taylor's hockey game. Megan made signs out of paper plates that spelled his name. That's one thing I miss about Canada...all the hockey. Basketball games just aren't as rowdy.

Me and my friend who lives in Lethbridge. We had a great little visit...thanks for coming to see me Linda!

The morning after we got home, I got the call telling me that Grandma had passed away. I was sad and relieved at the same time. She was 88 years old and had a long and happy life and seeing her the way she was helped me know that she was ready to go. She lost a son to Leukemia when he was only 17 and my Grandpa passed away several years ago so I know she is with them now.

Aaron, Finn and I are driving back tomorrow for the funeral. It will be another quick trip for such a long drive, but I am glad that I am able to go to support my dad and the rest of my family.

I just remembered a project for my Media History class that she helped me with a few years ago: http://mildredsmediamemories.blogspot.com/ The questions relate mostly to the media, but it is still nice to read through. I will miss her stories. Thanks for raising such a wonderful family and for being such a great example Grandma. I love you and know I will see you again.

It's a Girl!

Yup. Just had the ultrasound this morning and immediately purchased this little number:

We really didn't have a preference either way, but it IS nice to know that a girl is possible for us. Knowing the gender makes this pregnancy so much more real for me, I'm getting really excited!

Hooray for Real Furniture!

Aaron and I have had a hand-me-down couch our entire marriage. We have gone through a few different couch covers over the years, yearning for the day when we could stop tucking and retucking and retucking them...over and over and over. That day has arrived! We found a nice used leather couch online for a really great price and couldn't pass it up. Thanks to Tom for helping us get it to our house. It is really comfortable and most importantly, we can snuggle on it! Hooray!