Valentines Day

Valentines day, what a holiday. We usually don't do much on Valentines day. Josh thinks its a big scheme Hallmark came up with. We went out for dinner a week or so ago, so we counted that as our "Valentines" dinner. Even so I wanted to do something to show Josh I loved him. So I came up with this. There was whip cream too, I just didn't have time to put it on the table. I had to take a picture before Josh saw it or I don't know if he would have let me take a picture.

Josh wakes up at 6:20 a.m. to be out the door before 7 to catch his bus he's on for an hour. To make it easier on him, I usually get up with him and make him a lunch, and some breakfast. Usually its just an english muffin, or either cream of wheat or Oatmeal in the microwave. I figured he might be getting a little sick of his usual. I woke up before he did so this would be ready when he woke up! I actually surprised him for once in my life!! He was mad at me all week cause I wouldn't let him have more then one glass of orange juice a day(so there would be some left for his breakfast). The night before he found the Pillsbury biscuits in the fridge and asked what they were for. I just kindly shut the fridge and walked away haha. He said he understood why I was acting so weird when he saw this haha.

Josh is an amazing husband. I love him so much, who wouldn't, hes pretty dang good looking if you ask me. I appreciate it so much that hes going to school, so he can get a good job and provide for his family. He is always making me laugh, so much I usually end up getting the hic-ups. He puts up with my crazy mood swings ( you'd think I was pregnant my entire life with the mood swings I have.). He's always there when I need him. I know he loves me, and Malin. He is such a good dad. Malin loves her daddy. Josh doesnt think so because she's turned into a little bit of a mama's girl but she really does. As soon as she hears Josh's voice she starts looking for him, and gives him a HUGE smile when she finds him. Its IMPOSSIBLE to feed her with Josh in the room. He's a worthy priesthood holder , and loves the church. I love him and cant imangine a world with out him in it.

Week with Granny

Well I really should have posted this yesterday. My mom had her birthday yesterday!! So for her present from my Dad, Janna, and myself, we had her come stay up in Edmonton with us for a week, 3 days with me 3 days with Janna.
My whole family came up Saturday morning for Balian's blessing on Sunday. He was the cutest little man. Saturday night the guys (+ mom) stayed home and watched UFC, while the girls went swimming. It was SOO fun. It was Cory & Tawni, Janna & Bails, Me & Malin, and Neechel. We went super late at night so I was half expecting Malin to be a brat, but boy did she have the time of her life. We got some super cute photos and video of Malin, but their on Janna's phone so I'll have to try and get them from her soon.
My mom stayed at my house Sunday-Tuesday. Man, who doesn't like when Granny comes to stay. Dirty dishes magically become clean, dirty diapers mysteriously get changed, clothes some how fold them selves, FREE babysitter. Best of all, someone else to share in giving Malin attention! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE playing with Malin, and giving her loves, but let me tell ya, she is just one tiny person full of way to much energy. She doesn't stop, EVER. Malin was just soaking up all the attention. She loves her Granny, she even gave her one of her famous open mouth kisses, and she doesn't just hand those out to anyone.
Most of the time we just enjoyed each others company. Even though she switched staying at houses we were always either at Janna's when she was here or the other way around. We also went shopping! My mom found the cutest clothes, that I'm extremely jealous of. We went to Olive Garden for lunch, and man am I so not impressed with them. Basically our waitress sucked, our food was cold, and we didn't get to choose soup or salad she just brought us a salad that we didn't want. So I stole a handful of mint chocolates haha. Other then that we just hung out.


My Mom is pretty awesome. Shes very kind and generous. Extremely understanding. Cant count how many times I'd do bad on a test, have a bad day, or anything really and my Mom was there to tell me it was ok and that she was sure I did my best. Shes supportive, and is very proud of all of her kids. She's had health problems quite a bit, but I never really ever hear her complain about it, she just sucks it up (or cries when no ones looking haha). She has a very strong testimony of the church, and always shares it. Shes loves her Grand kids. Shes an awesome Mom/Grandma, and I love her for it. Thanks for coming and staying Granny, Malin misses having you around.

December

Boy was December a busy month for us. I'm only now recovering.
Leading up to December, I was busy making three dresses for my little sisters wedding. BOY were they a lot more work then I was expecting. I think they turned out super cute though!! I made all of them except Tawni's.

Neechel married Scott Lowry on December 4, 2010!! SO CRAZY! I still don't think I'm quite use to them being married. We made a quick drive home, leaving Friday night, and coming home Sunday morning. Neechel looked gorgeous as always, and as happy as ever. For having a wedding in December the weather was quite nice. Malin was SUCH a good girl. Here's a couple pictures from her wedding. Josh was in charge of the camera, not a good idea. Don't get me wrong he is MUCH better at using it then me, but he just didn't understand that I wanted him to take LOTS! of pictures, he took a few and figured he'd done his job.














On December 7, 2010, Bailian James Terrance Mckee (I think thats the order of his middle name) was born! 3 weeks early!! What a stinking cutie he is!!! My parents came up and stayed with us for 5 days. I started making him a blanket a day before he was born, and was SO excited I was going to have time to just take my time and enjoy making it. WELL that didn't happen. Between my parents being here, getting sick, and getting ready to go down south I had 2 days to make it. It didn't quite turn out the way I wanted, but still pretty good.



















Next thing that happened sucked!! I got the stomach flu. I was sick Monday and Tuesday. It was horrible, I felt like dying! then Josh got it on Thursday!!! His only lasted about 12 hours though.
We left to go home Friday afternoon. We stayed at my parents for a couple nights and had our little Christmas then. We got gift certificates to go on dates YAY!!! Malin loved!! spending time with her Grandparents they spoiled her rotten.
We spent the remaining time with Joshua's family. We went to movies, went shopping, just hung out and had tuns of fun. Malin LOVED! spending time with her cousins. She was having a blast with all the attention she was getting. We had delicious food, food and more food. On boxing day all the Fairbanks clan got together and had dinner and visited. We also had time to visit some friends!






We finally got a picture with Kaia and Malin together. They were born 10 days apart.



As much as we LOVED! being in Southern AB, we were very much ready to come home.

Recap. Left December 3rd to go to SOAB for Neenees wedding. Came home December the 5th. Janna had Bailian December 7th, parents came up December 7th. Parents left December 12. Got sick on December 13-14. Josh got sick December 16. Made blanket December 15&16. Went to SOAB December 17th, came back to Edmonton December 30. BUSY OR WHAT!!

Daddy-o

Today my dad turns the 50! Pretty crazy, he can now say he's lived for half a century. Cant say I feel to bad for him since he's spending his birthday in Las Vegas.
My dads a pretty cool guy. Here are some things I love about my dad. (not in order of coarse.)
He's super fun. When we were little he would always play with us. He'd go outside in the snow with us, and would have no problem tackling us in the snow. I would always play chess with him. He tried to teach me golf but I always got to bored by the 4th or 5th hole to really care.
He always supported us in everything we did. He would come to all my sporting events that he could. Even my boring jr high basketball games, and we all know how extremely boring those are!! He once took work off to come to one of my track meets and I remember feeling pretty darn special!! He was and is always there when I need him.
Not only do I love him but most everyone he comes in contact with. When I first moved to Barnwell people were always coming up to me asking me if I was Jim Steeds daughter and after I would reply with yes they would start telling me just how much they liked my dad.
He loves his grandkids!! Malin loves her Grandpa Steed. My dad would have no problem at all spending an entire day with any of his grand kids.
My dad is an amazing example. Growing up I always respected his opinion, even if I didnt like the answer, and would confide in him in my important decisions. My dad is an awesome example of how we should live our lives in the church. I love hearing my dads testimony, and know what he is saying he really believes and is true. I knew I could go to my dad at anytime to ask for a blessing. My dad is always trying to be a better man.
My dad is a pretty amazing guy. I love him and am so happy hes my dad. Love ya dad!! hope you have a fun time in Las Vegas!!!

Sadly enough this is one of the only pictures I could find of me and my dad.

Rather Impressed

Some of you might not know that I quite enjoy sewing. I wouldn't classify myself as a really good sewer, but I do know a little bit. There are TONS of projects I've started and just haven't finished. Mostly because it doesn't turn out the way I was planning and I just got to mad and frustrated to finish. Recently I have taken on the project of making a dress for Malin and 2 of Neechels future nieces for her wedding. I was pretty scared cause I didnt have a pattern, I just kinda made one up. Do you know how hard it is to find a pattern for a little girl, IMPOSSIBLE!!! Anyways, I got the idea for the bodice of the dress from one of her dresses, and the skirt from my niece Laurens skirt. I have to admit I'm rather proud of myself. It turned out relatively good. I'm going to change just the tiniest bit for the next 2 but all in all I'm pleased!! Let me know what you think of it!!! Don't mind the slobber on the dress, Malin is drooling like CRAZY!!!

Give away!

BEST give away ever!!! pretty sure i havent wanted something free like ive wanted this before!!!!! http://www.mandybakerblog.com/?p=716 check it out!!!

Is it really THAT bad?

Well Lately I've been trying to sleep train the stinker. I dont really follow everything I'm suppose to do, but I do most of it. The book I'm reading advises not to fully sleep train till they're 6 months, and the stinker is only 4.
Malin is for the most part very good at sleeping, has been since she was born. When I see that Malin is sleepy i stick her on her blanket, give her a kiss, pop the soother in her mouth and cover her with the blanket. On the way to her room I'll pat her butt and shush her then I stick her right down into her crib. She cuddles up the the side of her little nest I made her, makes her sleepy noises for a couple minutes, and goes to sleep. On a few occasions I wait too long to put her to sleep and I'll have to rock her for about all of 30 seconds till she decides she really is sleepy. And when I've been a really bad mom and have totally neglected the fact that she needs naps, she screams her head off for anywhere from a couple minutes to 20 min. Then she'll just suddenly pass out. So all in all shes a good sleeper but. At night the only time she wakes up is if she needs her soother or is hungry. If the soother doesnt work I know shes hungry. After she gets what she wants she goes right back to sleep.
Now let me explain the "is it really that bad" question. Some nights... starting to be most nights, when I put Malin down for the night to go to sleep for good, she goes down fine but wakes up an hour and half later (cuz she knows she doesn't get out of her crib till shes slept at least that long for her naps) and think its time to get up. And sometimes during her nap she'll either sleep the whole hour and half, or wake up 45 min in. When she wakes up early she cant fall back asleep. I have to get her out and rock her. Most times I only have to rock for a couple minutes and shes good to finish the rest of her nap. At bed time it takes a little more convincing that its bed time and not the end of her nap. So heres my question, is it REALLY that bad to rock her to sleep when she wakes up when shes going to bed so good. I know the reason she probably cant fall back to sleep on her own is cuz I'm rocking her back to bed, but I like it to much. She only snuggles when shes sleepy, sick, or traumatized. Sometimes she falls asleep and I just keep holding her for a while longer. Or when she wakes up during one of her naps when I'm taking a nap I'll just bring her into bed with me which I LOVE. When she sleeps with me she doesn't even suck on her soother she spits it out and just snuggles with me! I love it. I know I should teach her to fall asleep on her own... but she is only almost 4 months in a week. Is it really that bad... I say no, but I'm the one getting snuggles from the cutest little girl ever.






She use to be able to go 6-8 hours with out eating during the night but lately its only 4 hrs, so I'm thinking shes getting more hungry. So we decided to start her on Rice cereal haha. Shes not to sure what to make of it. We've hardly fed her any and not everyday but heres some pictures of the first event.

Shes getting so big!!! Shes starting to put her knees under her belly and wanting to move. Shes starting to kinda sit on her own. She can sit on her own for about 10 - 15 seconds then tries to reach for something and falls over... and she cant quite sit with her back straight... or I think she just doesnt want to.