Holidays and beyond

Well, we're home. I think you were ready to come home, too. You came to be more clingy to mama, ate and slept less as the days went on. It sure is fun to go away and it's really wonderful to come home and sleep in our gigantor bed. I don't know if it was because we were in a strange place and you were uncomfortable, but you slept awfully for the three nights we were gone. Then last night you slept for almost twelve hours (not straight, mind you but from 7pm to 6:45am). Then you napped for an hour with Dad this morning after I went to work.


Christmas is over until next year. We just have a few chocolates left but enough toys to last you until you're two - maybe three! We packed up the entire van with your table/chair set from Grandma and Grandpa, your T-M-Elmo vibrating chair, your puzzles, books and squeaking shoes. Needless to say you are a very lucky and loved girl. And cute! (I just had to throw that in there.)

Kindersley was good, the weather was nice so we walked on xmas day. And with so many people and cats around as an audience, your mouth motored on and on. Great practice. Now your new thing is saying nu, nu, nu (no, no, no) while shaking your head. It's really quite endearing if not surprising that you are saying no to us, but any addition to your vocabulary is welcome. It's kind of odd - you didn't dance the whole time we were at Grandma and Grandpa's but as soon as we got home you were bustin' a move all over the rumpus room. You even incorporated such awesome new dance moves that there were tears rolling down my cheeks and I laughed at what I think was the cutest thing I'd ever seen. (Picture the bended knee groove combined with your arm as an elephant trunk.) It was that good.


I'm at work now and for the next couple days, then off for a three-day weekend over New Year's followed by a three-day week and another three-day weekend! If only my schedule was always like that, huh? So you are home with your dad right now and he's not answering the phone so I'm assuming you guys are sleeping. Wish I was there, but will be home soon.

Hello!

It was Daddy's birthday yesterday so we had Uncle Nigel and Nana over for ice cream cake. You were getting a little grouchy so Dad took you upstairs and threw you in the tub while I visited with Nigel and Nana. When you were done, you came out of the bathroom, your babbling directed at me. I said hello and you responded with a jubilant hull-oo back. It was very sweet. We also had you saying a handful of other words today so you are finally warming up to this communicating with words thing.


Your personality is blooming again. Your knack for humour is increasing that you even make yourself laugh. Your smiles are so bright, so warm that I can't help but kiss you when you are close enough.


The three of us went for a walk/sled ride this afternoon. The wind was kinda nippy, but the sun was bright so it helped. You kept trying to jump out of your sled. Seeing your mama and dada walking made you think you should be on your feet, too. But you hung on and we let you trudge through the snow in the backyard when we got home. You are a silly girl.

We leave for Kindersley in the morning. A four hour trip (straight driving) that should take us hopefully not take much longer than five hours. We'll stop for lunch so you can run around. I always get nervous before adventures with you. But it always turns out - after I get used to the screaming.

Fake Christmas

We had fake Christmas this past weekend with Nana, Nigel, Jessica and Skye. Lots of presents, wrapping paper, chocolate, drinks, turkey and toys! In eight days we get to do it all again at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Kindersley. Hopefully I'll get a chance to write something a little more lengthy before we go.

Keeping an eye on the shifty guy in red

No, mom didn't really want to sit with Santa, but you insisted. Loudly. And with tears. But you still got a present and we got this lovely photo!

High. Pitched. Squealing.

Ohmigod, child. We are all going to be deaf soon if this keeps up. Whether happy or sad, angry or frustrated, or just trying to get some attention, you have a penchant for screaming. Loud and high-pitched. Yesterday in the grocery store, you and I stood at the end of the tills while dad went through the checkout. Between calling "Da!" and pointing at the xmas tree, you squealed with glee - causing everyone to look at us. This wouldn't be so endearing if you were screaming in pain or frustration, but the big smile that accompanied your loudness took the edge off and thankfully didn't offend me. I'm not sure about anyone else, though.

Obviously your dad is home - finally. He got home during our nap yesterday. It was definitely a hard week for mommy. When you'd go to bed, I'd have to clean the kitchen and pick up any disasters that brewed during your awake hours. Well, I tried...but ended up falling asleep with you two of the nights and therefore didn't accomplish anything. I'm just not used to it. Usually I get to keep you fed and clothed and happy - that's my job. Dad picks up my slack. I can't even imagine not paying someone to come in and clean the base of the house, the stuff underneath the messes, but that's only every couple weeks. It's the day to day stuff that drains me. Anyway, you became even more attached to me in your dad's absence...if that's possible. You really weren't sure about dad when he got back, but a bit of rough play has gotten you guys back on track. Oh, and if I forget, someone should remind me that it's very hard to take you shopping alone and that maybe I should wait until someone can come with us.

What else? You are a fiend for drinks out of a can with a straw so I bought you little tomato juices and little V8s. You will drink almost a whole can in a couple minutes. This morning you ate tonnes of little frozen/thawing blueberries. What a staining experience that was. Your tongue and teeth were purple and both your hands and mine are still coloured a deep blue. And last night you had wedge after wedge of fresh pineapple. I know you've always liked fruits and vegetables, but you really prefer them over everything else. Except maybe ice cream...which reminds me, you have a DQ sandwich in the freezer calling your name.

This afternoon is the SGI kids xmas party. Of course I forgot the tickets at work so we're going to beg them to let us in. Maybe we'll bribe them with your cuteness! Should be fun and with your current obsession with Santa, this should be right up your alley today. We just have to change your clothes because I realized at Walmart this morning how much you had outgrown your outfit with that rolly belly and thick ankles sticking out. But hopefully you'll sleep at least another hour to ensure bright spirits for the rest of the day!

New dance moves

Here's a tiny movie showing off your waist twist and the lovely new arm swings in addition to your existing knee-bending dance moves. You're already a much better dancer than either your dad or me!



New dance moves on Vimeo

It was a cold and blustery day

You really impressed me today. From the first time you woodenly nodded to me to indicate yes, you agree with what I am saying to your ability to blow (make music) in the recorder your dad bought you yesterday. Unfortunately we don't have any new pictures of you this week; we're just trying to keep warm. Actually, it's been a busy week. Your parents have done something they swore they'd never do (or at least that's what I said) and we bought a minivan. Fortunately, it's not so mini and it handles like a car and not a bus. Still, it's a lame parent-type thing to do. I can't wait until you tell me all the things you will never do with your life. Auntie Sharon called me on it this summer, how I swore that I'd never get married and have kids. But then I told her how wrong I was - and how wonderful you were.

Anyway, you like the van. We can get you in your carseat without having to leave the door open and blast you with icy wind and snow. And you can walk around. Yesterday after groceries, you would not get in your carseat so we just hung out for ten minutes while you walked into the front seat, climbed into the seat, content to happily sit there until you got down, walked into the very back row, got up in that seat - anywhere but near me and your carseat. You finally were calm enough to get buckled in and we drove home. Luckily we weren't in a hurry, but the days when we are, Elmo in the DVD player will come in handy. That gets installed next week - when your dad is gone on a week-long photo shoot.

Yes, Dad leaves tomorrow way before the sun rises to fly to Halifax - or maybe it's Moncton. Anyway, he'll also get to go to Quebec City which should be beautiful and probably feel quite frigid because of the moisture down there. He won't be back until next Saturday, so it should be an interesting week. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get ready for work without your dad there to distract you!