It's been great having Nich's Dad here, like I mentioned earlier, we don't get to see his family a lot. So, it's been nice.

They tinkered around on Nich's beloved Mazda pickup for a couple days, and completely rebuilt the engine. Nich is totally stoked, he's been looking forward to this for a long time. I think he also updated his truck blog- I know, shocking.

Tomorrow is family fun day. Nich is taking the day off work (woowee!!) and we're thinking of either going to the Capilano Suspension Bridge or White Rock beach. Should be fun! Hopefully I remember the camera...

Have a good weekend ya'll! We sure will, Eva's Opa from Terrace is coming to visit. We don't get to see Nich's family very much, so it's going to be a treat.

In other news, I am thinking of posting all my problems on my blog (joking). Ever since I vented about Eva's eating habits, she started eating. I guess she decided to cut me a break. Or maybe all the baby food picture books from the library left an impression. I'm not sure what happened, but she is actually eating normal food now. Like rice, chicken nuggets, french fries and (drumroll please) PEAS.

Yesterday, I took a funky-shaped ice cube tray and put random vegetables, fruits and cheeses in the compartments. Well, that was a hit! She ate all the peas and the corn and nothing else. Go figure.

Eva gets lots of compliments. And I never know what to say.

Sometimes I agree, sometimes I thank, sometimes I giggle all embarrassed-like.

So, this is my question, to all you etiquette-minded people out there. What are you supposed to say when someone compliments your kid?

She did great! She stayed in bed all night long, and slept all snug like a bug in a rug.

She woke up at her usual time, hopped out of bed, and knocked on her door until we came and got her.

So, first night down without a hitch! Hooray!

She's Exicted.

I'm Nervous.

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow...

I've been reading through some books my Mom got me from the library about picky eating. It's a big struggle at our house, both for her and her frazzled parents. I don't understand why she only wants to eat the same thing every day. I don't understand why she ignores every piece of new food I put on her tray. I don't understand why if she accidentally tries something new, she makes herself puke. And I still don't understand what I am supposed to do about it.

I feel like I am blindly going through this thing called Motherhood without any inkling what to do and what's going on. I pick up bits and pieces as I go, but for the most part, I still feel clueless.

Even after reading the books on picky eating, I am still at a loss. They were full of some ok advice- all stuff I have heard before. And tried to no avail. See, Eva is not just a picky eater. She's what one book describes as a "resistant eater". She has about 12 foods she will eat- and that's it. So, I was all stoked, cuz the book described Eva's eating habits perfectly. I thought it was going to have some wonderful solutions. But, it said nothing that I haven't tried before. Agh!

It suggested:

Eating as a family (check)
Place at least one item of food on their tray that you know they will eat (check)
Do not cater to the child's only wanting select foods (no check, cuz then she would STARVE)
And, then it goes on to say that the myth that the child will eat what they need is completely untrue. And with "resistant eaters", they will actually starve themselves and not get the nutrients they need.

SO, what am I supposed to do with all this information? Am I missing the blinking neon sign that holds the answer?

That being said, I was in a complete slump while making Eva's dinner tonight. I did the same old thing I always do. I gave her a favourite food I knew she would eat, and then some "real food".

And then she surprised me...




So, I don't know. I wish their were some magic answer. Some formula I could follow, so she would actually eat. But, I guess I'll just keep doing what I'm doing for now, and rejoice in the little steps she takes along the way.

Pool Party!!! (why oh why will blogger not allow me to title posts these days?)

Caleb and Eva had the best morning a toddler could possibly have. We went for a walk to the new toddler park, went on the swing, down slides, ate snacks, sipped juice. Then came back home and played in the pool! And went down a "waterslide"!

As usual, the weekend flew by, and all of a sudden it's Monday. Crazy. We had a fantastic weekend though. Here are some highlights (sans pictures though- me and my camera are at odds).

Friday- We rented Lost season 1. My whole family is engulfed in this TV Series. So, Nich and I finally buckled under the pressure, and have 3 seasons to watch before Season 4 hits the TV this fall. That is, IF there is a Season 4. I'm totally assuming that they don't get found by the end of Season 3. And if they do, DON'T TELL ME.

Saturday- Made the long trek (20 minutes) to White Rock beach and Eva loved it. Apparently, we don't have to pack mounds of crap, and drive miles away to the nearest kiddie amusement park, with a wailing 18-month old in the backseat, to have a good time. Who knew.

Saturday evening- Went berry picking with Grandma and Papa Ralph. Eva has real berry-picking talent!

Sunday- Made raspberry jam with Nich (Our freezer is now loaded, hooray!) And topped off the weekend with Smoothies and watermelon at Grandma and Papa's house.

So, it's Monday now. Monday is my freak-out day, because our house gets trashed on the weekend. I've already vacuumed, mopped, cleaned out the fridge, picked up all the toys, and done one load of laundry. But there is still so so much to do.

Over a month ago, Nich and I made a pact to start exercising at least twice a week. It doesn't sound like much, but it's a start. And, with the exception of one lazy week, we are still cruising right along.

My exercise of choice is Pilates (Nich's is jogging) and I picked up my 2nd DVD at the store today. The first DVD I got was 50 long minutes...which is probably good, but about halfway through I come up with a long list of other things I could/should be doing, and quit.

This DVD I got today has a menu of different pilates workouts to choose from. Score! And they are each different lengths. Double Score! So, if i'm feeling super lazy, I can do a 10-minute one, and if I'm feeling all gung-ho, I can go for an hour (ha!).

So, when we got home from the store this morning, I popped the DVD in. Poor Eva was all excited, calling out "Doda, Doda" (Dora). And I thought I was just gonna crush her dreams when my boring Pilates tape came on. Little did I know, she would LOVE it!

She had a hoot watching me roll around on the floor, stretching and flailing. She joined in, trying to imitate me, it was So Stinkin Cute.

So, I have a new morning activity to add to my repertoire, and the big bonus...I might just be doing my exercising more often.

Eva is trying to escape from her crib.

The last few mornings, we are shocked awake by a blood-curdling scream down the hallway. We run to Eva's room, and find her stuck- wedged behind the crib bumper, and her little legs dangling outside the crib.

What are we supposed to do? Is this just a phase? Does this mean we have to move her to the toddler bed?