Helping daddio

Here's Rob, perfecting is one-handed typing, trying to get some work done while hanging out with the bebe.

Her facial expressions kill me - she's SUCH a goofball!! I think she already knows that she's a bit of a distraction - and the baby pterodactyl noises don't help with concentration either! (yeah, I had to go and look up how to spell ' pterodactyl')

'yes, I know exactly how cute I am'

' This work stuff is silly... I shall stick out my tongue!'

'lookit me, helping with this document'

Here comes Santa Claus

Evy and I were at the mall yesterday, and though I think the whole 'pictures with Santa' thing is pretty lame, I actually could not control my feet from walking over to the jolly olde fellow and plopping Evy down in his lap. And then paid $11 for one 5x7 photo.

It was toooootally worth it though. Look at how adorable she looks!

A new friend

Had a trip down memory lane - literally - today when I went to visit my old highschool friend Katie. She is living back where we grew up, and we had a great lunch and visit with her and her daughter, Violet.

It was lovely to be out in the old neighbourhood and to reminisce about the good ole days on Lynch Rock Road and the series of insane busdrivers we had growing up. Most importantly, Evy & Violet got to meet. I think it was love at first sight - they were trying to hold hands right away.

Wee Vi was born 3 weeks after Evy, though you wouldn't know it to look at her - she weighs 4 lbs more! (Note the visible difference between the 95th percentile baby and the 3rd percentile baby!). I'm sure Evy will catch up in no time.

Here are the girls, looking gorgeous:

"ooh, I'll stick my tongue out because I like my new friend!"

"and then I'll feel a bit shy because we're holding hands, so I'll look away"

Blissss

Hubby = home

Me = happy

Unfortunately, Evy celebrated Rob being home by screaming like a wicked banshee for a few hours in the wee hours... Doh! Even poor jet-lagged Rob was roused from his sleep-deprived coma by her horrible shrieks. I guess she's punishing him for being gone??

Here's your Evy snap for the day. Too cute, right?

Life sure does change

Am still in the midst of wallowing in self pity caused by the offical "single parenting for 2 weeks while Rob is away for work and he missed my birthday and it's cold and the furnace stopped working (but is now working again) and I'm sleepy and am a year older and have no one to make me dinner week, 2008" .

It got me to thinking about how life can change in a few short years. Take my birthdays for example:

2003 - Spent the day on the lovely island of Capri
2005 - Spent the day in beautiful Barcelona
2006 - Spent the day in frosty and fascinating Saint Petersburg

2008? Spent the day in Millbrook. Granted, I was with family and it was a lovely day, made lovelier by having beautiful Evy in my life now. I guess what I'm thinking, though, is that I should have perhaps cherished the exotic life a bit more than I did.

And, as if to prove my point, Evy has just shat herself senseless and puked out her nose at the same time. Must go.

Happy Saturday night, everyone!

2 more sleeps

Only two more nights until the roaming husband is home to help with baby duties! Yip yip yip! I think I can make it that long.

In other news, tis a veritable winter wonderland here... complete with ice on the INSIDE of the windows the past two mornings! Brrr! It's - 9 degrees right now, with a HIGH today of - 5! That doesn't seem too warm to me! You know you're old and boring when your 'hot' fantasies are about storm windows and insulation.

Here are some pics from my birthday dinner the other night. Evy, as usual, provided the entertainment:

A perplexed mom marvels at her daughter's long lizard tongue

Evy hams it up for Uncle Ben and Aunt Kristin



Ben&Evy have a cuddle.
Yes, her arms are slightly thicker than his thumbs

And, in celebration (?) of the frigid weather, here is a pic of Evy in her snowsuit. It's WAY too short for her in the legs, and WAY too long for her in the arms. Oh well, at least she's warm, if slightly contorted.

Baby Pob!

Is there a similarity here between Evy and this BBC Children's TV character called Pob? Maybe something around the ears!! But, I think Evy is MUCH cuter than Pob.

33 years ago!

Ah, 33 years ago today something magical happened!

Now that I've gone through the whole labour and delivery process, I'm inclined to think that mothers should get some recognition on their children's birthday. (Rob - take note - recognition in the form of gemstones would be welcome next July).

So, maw, thanks for popping me out. Sorry about the long, drawn out labour and the blood transfusion and all that. And dad, sorry you fainted and fell over. You two are the best parents in the world. Thanks for 33 years of joy.

tiny mug shot

Went to get the mail today, and Evy's passport has arrived. Every time I look at the picture, I die laughing. Only 20 days until we fly! Woot woot woot!

Hanging in there

We're surviving week II without Rob. It hasn't been easy... actually it's really hard. What I miss most (aside from the occasional diaper-changing and baby-caring that Rob provides) is having an adult to talk to. Or just knowing that I'm not all alone in the house at 3am when Evy wakes up screaming. I have such respect for single parents - it's hard enough with 2!

Rob made it to England safely, and was kind (mean?) enough to call yesterday as he was driving past St Albans. I miss it there! And we hope he's having a good time, despite being busy with work. And of course, the wee miss and I will be there ourselves in a few short weeks!

Here are some pics... she's been playing a lot, and sitting up in her wee chair. And she seems so much longer! She's finally going to pediatrician on Friday, so we'll see what she's weighing in at!

peekaboo!

I like my toys, so I shall make a goofy face

my future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!

A house with a view

One of our new Millbrookian friends is a talented photographer. Here are a few of his photos that show our house. Sooo beautiful. Seeing the view of our house from the other side of the pond makes me appreciate it even more. Thanks for the pics, Kirk!

Skating with lanterns + long exposure = dreamy shot

A beautiful winter sky

The pics are wonderful, but more importantly, Kirk and his wife Angie are our first Millbrook friends who are under the age of 75. Yeah! (Not that Vi and Max & Carol aren't grand, but it's nice to have new friends a bit closer to our age). They took pity on my single-parenting status this week, and invited me over for dinner tonight. A kick-ass curry and good company... made me miss Rob a tiny bit less.

Bonsoir :)

For the weary traveller

Poor Rob... he's stuck in Nanaimo, B.C., fogged in. He's already missed his flight to Toronto, and therefore his connecting flight to the U.K.

As you can imagine, he's feeling VERY frustrated and sad. Evy and I are hoping that his day improves and that he gets on a flight this afternoon. Poor Rob!

Rob = imprisoned at Nanaimo airport

Evy = imprisoned in her cradle

and EVEN more...

Granny Al emailed through a whole bunch of adorable pictures of the wee miss, so I thought I'd share them... I know Rob will love these (especially the dog ones, because he LOVES oggy and penny SO much, it's almost embarrasing).

Lookit me as I ride my noble steed!

And here is my other, fuzzier noble steed

And here I am, looking SO much like daddy!

And mommy gives me a ride on her foot

I look pretty cute in my striped pantaloons!!

Tis a horrible, rainy, dull, grey and icky day here. Evy and I are going to brave the elements to head to a Christmas bazaar at one of the local Millbrookian churches, and then we'll probably have a quiet day. It's supposed to get snowy and even yuckier tonight. I hope the weather is better for Rob, who's spending the weekend on Gabriola Island, visiting his friends. (Hi John, Joan & Dennis! Evy sends hugs and kisses!)

Hope yaz' all have a great weekend!

And more...

Here are some more cute pics of the wee madam. Sorry - no time to write witty, hilarious captions.... she's squawking.

For Rob

Poor Rob (or not so poor Rob!) is away for work for 2 weeks, first in Vancouver and then in England. He's missing lil' Evy something awful, so here are some pics, just for him. We miss you!

Off to da' big city

Evy and I are heading to Toronto today, for a visit with the girls, and to get in some quality time at Emer & Brad's house! Will report back when I'm home!

Have a good few days. oxo

...motherhood

I'm home. Alone.

Rob has taken Evy to her grandparents for a visit. I stayed home - I'm tired and am supposed to be sleeping, but instead I'm sitting here feeling like my chest is being crushed because I miss her.

This is the longest Evy & I have ever been apart. And I just realized what motherhood truly is:

Since having Evy, my heart doesn't live in my own chest. It doesn't belong to me anymore. Instead it lives inside a tiny beautiful girl.
My daughter.
Evelyn.
Evy.



Amazing. Isn't it?

Super Coop

There's been lots of progress on the Chicken Coop (aka Rob's home office) lately. The siding is going up, the insulation is done, and the wiring is the next thing that'll be crossed off the list - hopefully in the near future.

It's going to be beautiful - I'm so jealous already. Here are some pics for your enjoyment. We've come a long way from the original building (which was the local squirrel hotel, and used to be an outhouse... charming!).

Looking good!

The best helper in the world

View off the deck

Sunny south side

Happy Trails

One of the nicest things about our house is the location. You can go out the front door, turn left, and you're on the Millbrook Valley Trails. The trails follow along Baxter Creek, and make for a beautiful walk.

Evy & I have been enjoying taking a walk along the trails, especially during this lovely weather we've been having.

Here are some pics from the walk Evy & I took on Sunday. 'Twas lovely indeed.

Snoozy baby bjorn girl

Boardwalk over Baxter Creek

A lovely autumnal view

4 months!

Here are a few pics to celebrate Evy's 4-month birthday! Boy, the past 4 months sure have gone by quickly! Except for the past few days, where we seem to be going through "Colic: Part Deux".

Everyone assures me you can't have colic TWICE. So, I don't know what this latest cry-fest is about. Teething? General malaise? Sadness about the fast-approaching-winter? Suspicions about how mom is planning to start making me sleep in my own room?

Sigh. Hopefully "C:2" won't last as long as "C:1" did or I'm going to "CR:Y"

But then look at this cute face... it's worth it. Even when she pukes in my shoe ... while I'm wearing it ... like she did tonight. Life doesn't get much more glamorous than that, does it? Luckily I'm a Birkenstock girl, not a Manolo girl.

The monster mash

There was a baby lion-cub sighting in Millbrook last night... along with a host of other ghouls and goblins. Ok, maybe not a 'host' since we only had about 9 kids at the door, but, I had eaten A LOT of the candy, so it was for the best since we almost ran out.

We took Evy to 3 of the neighbours houses in her lil' costume, but she was crabby (didn't like the 'paws' perhaps?). Regardless, people were enchanted with her... she did look awfully cute! Didn't have a brown sleeper to put her in, so she had to wear a striped one (thanks cousins, for the hand-me-down!), which didn't really have that jungle feel to it, but still looked fine!

I did a very cute pumpkin in honour of Evy's first Halloween: