Happy Halloween

 our little "stinker"

London, thought it was fun to wear the bucket on her head. Silly girl!



London Update!

Londy Lou, is 14 months now, and growing and changing so much. She learns something new everyday, we of course think she's brilliant...yes, we are "those parents".  She is a very busy girl and loves to get into mischief, but has such a sweet, happy personality, it's hard to get mad at her.  Here are some facts about our little princess:
* she is 30 1/2 inches, and weighs about 23 lbs
* she loves books and being read to
* she loves bananas and goes crazy when she sees them, yelling, "nana, nana!!"
* she loves playing with her baby dolls and gives them kisses, she also likes puppy toys and balls
* she knows most of her body parts. We will say, "London where is your nose, toes, ears, hands, teeth ,hair, etc", and she'll point to them
* she also loves bellybuttons, and will try to lift up mommy's and daddy's shirt to find them.
* she constantly babbles, and can say a few words: momma, dad, pup, down, no, nose. She tries to say ball, book, and baby but they all sound really similar, Darcy, is the expert at translating.
* she tries to climb everything!
*she sleeps in her own crib all night long!!! ( it only took 13 months!!)
*she loves her daddy, but I think he loves her more.
* she can make piggy, elephant, and lion sounds
* she loves music her favorite songs are Popcorn Popping, Head-Shoulder-Knees and Toes and If Your Happy and You Know It
* Her hair is long enough for pigtales, but she alway rips the right side out, so she's usually walking around with only 1 pigtale.
* She is just so fun, and we love her!!!

 cutie pie

 say "cheese"

 SLAM DUNK (Darcy is so proud)

 playing with Dad

 flossing all by herself

 helping Dad with laundry

 climbing to get books

 playing with her friend Charlotte

spaghetti face

Michigan

It's been a month since we packed up from our home in Lethbridge and moved to Michigan.  It's definitely been a change, but a good change.  I have to say, I  am liking Michigan more than I thought I would. 
We moved to Auburn Hills which is about 20 minutes from Detroit. In my mind, I pictured us living in a scary, inner city, ghetto. Thankfully, I was wrong!  Auburn Hills is actually really nice.  There are lots of trees, so the fall season has been beautiful.  Awesome shopping close by, and the traffic isn't too bad.  There is one super annoying thing about driving here, you can't turn LEFT on main roads.  Its hard to explain, but pretty much you pass the turn where you want to turn left, then make a u-turn, and turn right. Confusing, I know.  I still don't know my way around, but I think I will soon!
It's fun to live in a big city and have so many fun things to do.  We are learning about new things and new places to go all the time.
I am getting used to living in an apartment....it was rough at first.  I'm not trying to be negative but I think the apartment building smells like a mix of Indian food and cigarettes.  Our actual apartment doesn't stink, it's just when you walk out the door to go outside.  The kitchen is tiny, it's like a hallway with some cupboards and a fridge and stove.  The rest of the apartment is okay, old but okay.   The master bedroom is actually bigger than the master bedroom in our house.  We are close to the school and parks, so that's a plus. Okay, this is the last negative thing I'll say. We live just off Squirrel Road, and you can only guess why it would be called that- there are tonnes of squirrels everywhere! Sick! I probably see about 5 everyday. It makes me so home sick for the rodent free tress in Lethbridge.
We have a really good ward, and have met the nicest people there.  Everyone has been so kind to us, and we have made some friends.
Darcy is enjoying law school so far.  He seems to be doing well ( his professor called him an expert today in class!), and he finds the material interesting.  I've never seen him study like this before.  Technically, I've never seen him study in school ever, but he is busy now!  The first few weeks he would stay at the school until 10 or later.  We see him a little more often now.
So, all in all, things are good! We miss our family and friends so much and are super excited to see them all at Christmas!! Only 2 months!!

 the apartment

 tiny kitchen/dining area (note the hideous chandelier above the table)

living room

 at a Detroit Tigers playoff game

 It was raining, ignore the bad hair

our little Londy, looking like a big girl

Happy Father's Day

Today, was Darcy's first Father's Day.  I don't tell him often enough what a great Dad he is. I always suspected he'd be good with children but I never imagined I'd find him singing lullabies, picking out hair bows, and sleeping on the floor beside London's crib, just to make sure she doesn't stop breathing.  Yes, London is on lucky little lady! I don't think there is anything he wouldn't do for her.
Darcy, is also such a FUN Dad. He's very creative and resourceful. For example, one day while watching London he decided to be a sweetheart and do the dishes too.  London was a little cranky, so sat her on the counter and let her dip her feet in the dish water.  One thing lead to another and somehow London, ended up taking a bath with the dishes.  I know it's a little gross to think she was in our kitchen sink, but I did come home to a happy baby and the dishes were done!
I am so grateful for a wonderful husband and an amazing father of my own. 

"Happy Father's Day"

Doing dishes with Daddy

Life

Life has been pretty great lately.  The weather has been sunny, Darcy, is working and getting quite a nice tan, London, is growing and oh so fun, and I am enjoying all of my days at home before I go back to work next month. I'm not really going back to work, not full time anyway, okay, not even part time, but I will be picking up a few days here and there this summer.  I'm actually looking forward to it, I am however, a little stressed about leaving London for the day, but my awesome mom will be watching her, so I know she'll be in good hands.
London is 9 1/2 months now, and like I said she is growing like crazy!! She wears 12-18 month clothes and weighs about 21 lbs. Her feet are growing too, today I tried on 3 different pairs of shoes before I found some that fit.  Darcy, has insisted that I stop buying shoes for London, so we will see how long we can get by...
London is super busy, she is crawling all over the place, pulling herself up, and climbing. She walks along the furniture and walls really well and can even take a few steps on her own.  Her favorite words are BABA and DADA.  She loves reading books, and can turn the pages all by herself.  She can open cupboards and likes to pull everything out! She loves the bathroom for some strange reason, if we ever leave the door open she makes a b-line for the toilet paper roll.  She has GREAT oral hygiene, and loves having her teeth brushed and flossed.  Speaking of teeth, she cut her 6-1 a few days before she turned 9 months old, her 5-1 at about 9 1/4 months, and her 5-2 and 6-2 a few days ago! She is such a good teether, she hardly ever gets fussy during the day, and her cheeks don't really get red or anything.  She loves talking on the phone, or rather having people talk to her in the phone. Whenever she sees a phone (or remote control) now she holds it up to her ear.  We think she's so smart!

Yay, Darcy!!

The last few weeks have been exciting, especially for Darcy. He graduated from Athabasca University at the end of April, and received two letters of acceptance to Law School!! Yay!
One letter is from The Thomas Cooley Law School in Michigan, and the other is from Phoenix School of Law in Arizona.  He also received scholarships for both. So, there will be some big changes for our family.
I know it seems the obvious choice would be Arizona, warm weather, closer to home, great shopping, etc., but Darcy feels the school in Michigan is better overall.  I think we will probably be going to Michigan, which most days I think will be fine but I haven't given up on the hope of  sunny Arizona. I'm a little scared, and excited, it will be an adventure that's for sure.
We our so proud of Darcy and his hard work. I think he feels mostly relieved and is excited for the change.
Way to go Darcy, I knew you could do it!!!

 The first letter that arrived, initially Darcy wanted to frame it. I took a picture instead

At Darcy's convocation

London on the Go

Yesterday, my baby turned 8 months, and today she started CRAWLING!!! She has been so close for the last month, but I guess today was the day.
London is getting so big, she now weighs 19.5 lbs and is 28 inches long. That puts her at the 75th percentile for weight and the 90th for height, and probably 200th percentile for her cuteness and her chubby cheeks! Not only can she crawl but this past week she has started walking along furniture. She loves to stand along her crib and is so proud of herself when she realizes she's standing all by herself.  She has also started making the funniest faces that we, of course, think are adorable. She loves playing with Dad and looking in the mirror at herself.  She also has discovered she loves puppies and lets them kiss her all over her face.  Sometimes she tries to kiss them back.
We are having so much fun with our little London, she makes us smile everyday!

Trying so hard to stand up

Yay! She's up

London, on Easter morning

Funny Face!! (Seriously, how can you not laugh)

Mohawk (compliments of dad)

playing with Ruby

The Mom Project

My amazingly, talented friend, Devon Durocher has started a photography project called "The Mom Project".  Every month she features a mother and her children and highlights their special bond through photography and words.  Last month London and I were fortunate enough to be part of this project.
I cannot thank Devon enough for capturing these precious images. When I look at them I am reminded of the gratitude I feel for being able to be a mother, and the love I have for my beautiful little girl.
Here are a few of my favorite images, and some questions I was asked, as part of the project:

Q:    What were some of the emotions/thoughts that you had when you first became a mother?

A:  Becoming a mother felt very natural to me. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, it was like I had been waiting for her my whole life

Q:  How has motherhood changed you?

A:  Motherhood has really changed my perspective on almost everything, because all my views are now centered around what is best for my child and her future.  It has also made me more compassionate.

Q:  What is something you do with your child/children for fun?

A:  I just love playing with her, making her laugh...oh, and shopping.  London loves cruising around the mall in her stroller.

Q:  Name someone you admire? How has this person inspired you to be a better mother?

A:  There are two people: First, my mom of course, because she's who I go to for any parenting advise, and I'm sure I'll try to recreate (with London) all of the wonderful memories I had with my her.  Second, my Auntie Amy, because she is the nicest, most positive and caring person I know.  She can somehow make everyone feel special.  I would very much like to be more like her.

Q:  One work that describes you as a mother at this time in your life?

A:  Content

Q:  Tell me the best thing about your mother/relationship with your mother?

A:  My mother is one of my best friends

Q:  What is one favorite memory that you have in your time as a mother so far?

A:  Just cuddling with London.  I consciously try to enjoy every moment of her being a baby

Six Months!

I can hardly believe my baby is 6 months.  It's bittersweet, I love watching how much London has changed but I am so sad that she is growing up.  Seriously, how did this happen so quickly.  Here's a little update on our munchkin:
* London can sit all by herself
* She has 2 partially erupted teeth, which broke through the week before she turned 6 months.
* She started solids and loves it
* She can make ah, ha, ba, and ma sounds
* She can hold herself up on her hands and knees
* She weighs about 18 lbs
* She is staring to make strange
* She is developing quite the attitude, when she wants something she starts inhaling and exhaling really fast through her nose or she'll scrunch up her little face and do a "fake cry." (So far we think this is cute)
* Her hair is growing and no longer stands straight up on her head
* She loves music and laughs when I sing to her in funny voices

So far our biggest struggle is sleeping at night. London used to be such a good night sleeper, but lately she's been going to bed later and later and waking up several times throughout the night. She has also decided she'd rather sleep in our bed, than her crib.  I have gotten lots of different advise on sleeping, and am debating letting her cry it out, but I just can't do it...yet.  I'm hoping it will pass soon, because I am getting tired of these long, sleepless nights.  On the plus side it's the cutest thing to watch her wake up in the morning, she is so happy to wake up and realize her parents are right beside her, we always get the biggest smiles.

First time eating Rice Cereal....so unimpressed!

Happy Valentine's Day

It's funny how acts of love change the longer you've been married and especially when you have children.
London and I have been fighting colds the last few days.  The only thing worse than having a sick baby, is being sick and exhausted yourself, with a sick baby!  Lately, London has decided she prefers sleeping in our bed rather than her crib. She sprawls out, right in the middle, while her poor parents cling to the sides of the mattress. Not only do Darcy and I get a terrible night sleep, but at some point one of us (usually Darcy) ends up on the couch or the floor.  This was pretty much how last night went, not to mention London waking up every two hours....I was so not looking forward to today. My super husband saved the day when he got up with the baby in the morning, made me french toast, and cleaned the kitchen! I even slept in until 10:00am. I couldn't think of a better way to start Valentine's Day.
So Happy Valentine's Day to my handsome hubby, I love you very much! You are a great husband and an amazing daddy! I'm so glad I get to spend every Valentine's Day with you!!

The Jolly Jumper

London, has a new favorite activity....the Jolly Jumper!  She is getting quite good at it, too.  It took a few attempts before she really got the hang of it, but now there is bouncing and laughing in every doorway.  The best part is the Jolly Jumper keeps London totally entertained and I get some time to myself.  What a great invention!  I just love watching my baby grow and discover new things!

Smile for the camera

After months of tickling, laughing, and making funny faces we have finally captured a picture of London smiling.  She is usually a very happy baby and smiles and laughs all the time, but as soon as she spots a camera her face goes blank.  Darcy, snapped picture with his iPhone, so it's not the best quality, but it's a smile none the less.

A New Year

I've been wanting to start a blog for quite some time, but seeing as I am a great procrastinator and lack basic computer skills, I just never got around to it.  So as one of my new year's resolutions I am blogging!! 
2011 has some big shoes to fill!  Last year was the most fantastic year yet, all because of our little baby girl.
On August 27, 2010 at 2:57am we welcomed London Rae Shurtz.  She is our greatest blessing and we absolutely adore her!  London is already 4 months old and growing way too fast.  We are so grateful we get to be her parents, and are enjoying every minute of her!
Here are some fun facts and pictures of our little princess so far:

*London is super cuddly and loves being carried around all day
*London is a "healthy" girl and has been in the 95th percentile for her height and weight since she was 2 months old
*London started out as a Momma's girl, but recently decided she LOVES her Daddy.  Darcy is the best at making her laugh and smile
*London has always been very alert, and is almost always awake during the day. She usually takes just a few cat naps
*London is a GREAT shopper and is always happy on outings to the mall
*London has the cutest, smoochiest, chubbiest cheeks ever....and we love them!

10 days old

1 month

2 months

3.5 months