A bad week

Poor miss E has had a bad week for injuries. On Tuesday, she fell at daycare and split her chin open. This resulted in a 5-hour wait at the ER so they could glue (yes, glue instead of stitches) her chinny chin shut.

And then yesterday - two injuries. She had a tussle with a rambunctious dog. Then she fell while doing her pre-bedtime playing with daddy, bashed her face and split open the corner of her eye.

She was traumatized. I was traumatized. Rob was traumatized. It was horrible.

So, she's gonna have a doozy of a black eye, but the chin is healing up finally, and there was no major injuries from the doggy, so hopefully this is just a case of bad things happening in threes. Otherwise I'm pretty sure we'll get investigated by social services.

Luckily, her mood is fine, and we're looking forward to having a fun day playing outside in the snow.

A busy saturday morning

Miss E woke up this morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to make the most of a snowy Saturday morning. I pity grandma and grandpa, who are babysitting her for a while this afternoon!

She wouldn't even stay still for me to take her picture!



I think she was inspired by the birdies outside, who are extremely twitterpated due to this strange thing called 'winter'. Here they are this morning, having a feeding frenzy.

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Winter Wonderland

Well the weather outside is frightful…

It’s been a snowy week in Millbrook and environs. Which is ok with me, because this winter has been surprisingly un-wintery so far.

Here are some fabulous photos taken by Granny Al on Wednesday while they were babysitting Evy. The first two are Evy helping Penny dig for a mouse. She was very entertained by miss Penny’s antics.

And the second two photos are just a few of Al’s cardinal friends. They are so beautiful – I wish they’d come visit my feeder!

Hope you’re all snuggled up somewhere warm on this blizzardy day!

Your top 2 tips...

Your top 2 tips for surviving 18 days of single parenting. Feel free to write these down for future reference:


Number 1:
The 10 minute and 32 second clip from the movie Snow White on YouTube. You'd be amazed what you can do in 10 minutes. Usually a load of laundry and getting dinner ready.

Number 2:

Innis & Gunn. Use as directed and repeat as often as necessary.

Now, I can just sit here and wait for my 'Mother of the Year' award to be delivered. Best crack open another beer while I wait, non?

Rob at Red Rocks

Rob has been having a great time in Arizona. He had some time off between conferences, so toured around the Grand Canyon and Red Rocks State Park. Impressive, but not as nice as Redrox!

He's been missing his girls, so he changed his flight and is now coming on on Wednesday instead of Thursday night! Woot woot!

Happy 4th Birthday, little man!

Four years ago today, Rob and I were at the Winter Olympics in Turin, along with Poppa J and Emer and Brad.

And while we were there, eating gelato and cheering for Canada, a very special thing happened in Ottawa. With much drama, trauma and angst, and lots of joy, relief and love, little Charley Dawson Jones arrived into the world. 5.5 weeks early and weighing 6 lbs.

We love you Charley! Have a very happy birthday from Auntie Naynay, Uncle Robbie, and baby Evy.

The big 4-year old birthday boy!

Charley and his favourite Aunt, April 2006

Ottawa: the coles notes version

Yes, it was over a week ago that Evy and I drove to Ottawa. And yes, I'm very tardy in posting an update, but in my defense, Lee had already put all the good pictures up on her blog, so I knew that those in true desperate need of their Evy fix could find fodder there.

We had a really nice time with Lee, Chris & the boys, despite Lee being sick, and the kids all having a lot of snot. Regardless, it was wonderful to spend the weekend with them.

Here are a few snaps that capture the good times:

Zombie tv-watching couch cousins

Someone (not naming names) being a bad influence at the breakfast table

And then, as usually happens when you get a few kiddies together, there was much opportunity to teach about 'sharing'. Sharing trains is especially hard for Charlie, but he did his very best (most of the time!).

"One step closer to the train table and you're a gonner, midget"

"Mine, they're all mine! Moo haw haw haw haw"

A few of Charley's buddies

But, for the most part, Charley was very patient with his bratty lil' cousin. And well, Evy and Sam will probably try to elope the next time we see them - they are so in lurve with each other!

And the best part about the whole weekend? That it may be the last time I visit them in Ottawa! Hurry up and move to Millbrook, guys!! We're waiting for you!!

Hard to feel sorry for him

.... when this is the picture that Rob sent me this morning. He's
complaining that it's only 18 degrees. Let us all say a collective
"poor baby" for him.

For daddy

Here's a post for Rob, who is now far far away from his girls. We are missing him, and I know he's missing us too. Have fun on your trip, hubby!

Evy and daddy out for a walk last Sunday

Checking in

Lest any of you think that being back at work has affected my spare time... well, I think you're probably right. Busy busy busy! But I'm loving work, and survived week 1 unscathed! It was great to walk back in the doors of my former workplace and wonderful to see my old chums.

And it was even better to come home to little madam and enjoy every minute I got to spend with her.

She is feeling a little bit better after being a sick little lassie the past few weeks. She's still got a cough, but her spirits have improved considerably. Here she is last week on a mission to get to the yogurt container that was sitting on the dining room table. She thinks she's spider man lately and climbs EVERYTHING!

tippy toes to see what's on top of the table

step 1 - climb the chair

step two - perfect jedi stance

step 3 - climb the table

step 4 - locate target

step 5 - fancy footwork across the table

Victory!! Mucky yogurt face!

So, that's the quick update from here: we're surviving... for now. Rob leaves tomorrow for a work trip - 18 days away in Florida and Arizona. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! So I'll let you know how well we're surviving after 2 and a half weeks weeks of full-time-working single-parenting along with the regular February blahs!