Thanksgiving

Hey Sweetie,

Here is you enjoying your first taste of Thanksgiving turkey. You also really enjoyed the potatoes, sweet potatoes & squash that Grandma & Auntie Barb were feeding you. Mmmmm.

They both helped me change you into your jammies and you amazed them by pointing right at the doggie in your book when I asked. In fact, I think your first (and only, so far) word is "woof". You can hear dogs barking from blocks away.

I am full of Thanksgiving dinner now too, and full of thanks for all of the wonder and happiness you bring to my life.

Love,

Mom

Joy

You are seven and a half months already and the summer is whizzing by!

You have tried your first rice, veggies and fruit... You seem to like almost everything so far.

We have had a few playgroups with your little buddies, which is always a fun time.

We're having swimming lessons now and you love the water.

You still like to wake up once or twice a night to nurse but I think that will be done with fairly soon (says Mommy hopefully)...

We went to the movies with Grandma and saw "Mamma Mia!" - pretty sure you like ABBA, too!

You are interested in everything, especially the cats and other people's faces when we go out.

You are a big hit, wherever we go- everyone just loves your huge smile and "joie de vivre"

You are my joy, sweet girl.

Love,

Mom

Your First European Holiday

Hello Angel!

As you slumber away upstairs in your crib (such a big girl, sleeping in your crib now for over a week!), Mommy is getting the last of the packing done for our big holiday.

We are going to get on a great big airplane tomorrow and go and visit your Auntie Alaine in Barcelona, Spain. She is so very excited to meet you. Then we will get on another airplane and go and hang out in a little beach town in Portugal, just you me and Daddy.


Oh, the adventures we're gonna have!

busy bee

Hi Sweetheart!

Today we go see the Doctor for your 3 month check up. Hard to believe you've been with us that long already. Right now you are sitting in your green Bembo chair, playing with a toy (well, putting it in your mouth), wearing your "Jemima Puddle Duck" sleeper. Quite a sight, I tell you.

Here's a photo of you with Auntie Cathy and your cousins James, David and Fraser. They were so very happy to meet you when we visited last month.


It's almost bath time (your favourite)... bye for now!

Love and cuddles,

Mommy

My Valentine

Sweetness and light, you've been with us six whole weeks now!

You are such a happy and content little angel, we are enjoying every moment with you (even those ones at 3 am!)

Mommy has been busy planning your Welcoming Ceremony, which we will have here at or house in two weeks. We also have our tickets for your first ever airplane ride- to Halifax to go and visit your cousins and your Auntie Cathy.

We also hosted a playgroup that Mom started this week, with other Moms and babies from the class that we took. Here is a photo of all of your buddies and you:

l - r: Thomas, Lauren, Ella, Sarah, you, Dorian, Ross and Peyton.

What a lot of friends for such a little girl!!

Love you lots,

Mommy

One week changes everything

Well, Sweetheart, you've been with us a whole week now and how life has changed around here!

We spent your first two nights in the hospital, and on New Year's Day Daddy and I brought you home. The next day the nicest nurse came to visit, and the day after Deb (the post partum doula, a helper for Mommy) was here.

That night, your great aunt Tita met you for the first time, when she and your Grandparents came over and brought a Phillipino feast. YUM! Now she has gone back to Regina, but will return for your Christening, we think sometime in May. Your Grandparents have also left for a few months of California sunshine in their Motor home and will be back in April. They are going to MISS you!!

The next night your Grandma Carol was here with Amberly, and they helped Mommy sort through the MOUNTAINS of clothes that were given to us for you. We got rid of a whole bunch of the really 'boy' stuff as there was so much that I could have dressed you in something different every day of your little life... Luckily Mommys friend Natasha just has a little boy the day after you were born so I'm sure she will get good use of it.

Yesterday your Grandpa-Up-High was here to meet you and today your Auntie Barb. She took Mommy on a little excursion to the craft store so I could get stocked up on everything I need for your announcements. We got back just in time to feed you... you were getting a little impatient!

Whew! What a lot of action in 7 days... Can't wait to see what the next 7 bring!

Love you,

Mom

Welcome, Trinity!!!

You are finally here and we couldn't be happier!

We were granted one more chance on Saturday to try and have the labour start on our terms, and Mommy took some castor oil (in a chocolate milkshake so it didn't taste so yucky) and three hours later the contractions started!

You were born on Sunday, December 30th at 11:41 a.m. and you weighed 7 lbs and measured 19.5 inches.

Perfect, beautiful angel, we love you so much.

Mom

Here we go...

Hey there Baby,

Well, we've tried just about every trick in the book to get things going as the Doctors are really wanting to get you to come out in the next few days but nothing has worked so far... They just aren't comfortable leaving you in there longer than 42 weeks (which is coming up here... New Year's Eve!).

So we're scheduled for an induction tomorrow afternoon sometime (I'm still going to try the walking-up-a-steep-hill one in the morning to make extra sure that you won't decide to come on your own after all).

I can't wait to meet you face-to-face and welcome you to the world, my darling child.

We can do this!

Loving you so very much already,

Mom

making us wait

Hi Sweet Pea,

Guess it's just too snug and warm and comfy in there to come out just yet, hey?

Well, that's just fine with us. The ultrasound today reassured us that you're doing just fine so you go ahead and take as much time as you need.

Meanwhile, Mommy & Daddy have been busy... visiting friends on both Saturday and Sunday nights, and having Christmas dinner at Grandpa Up-High's house tonight. Tomorrow we're headed to Auntie Barb's (unless you suddenly decide that tonight is the night to make your appearance, that is)... I am looking forward to it and to giving everyone their gifts.

You are my gift this year, little one.

Love you!!

Mom

Disco Belly

Hello Little Squirmer!

Here's your parents at Mom's Company holiday party, which just happened to be on her last day of work before her maternity leave started. Talk about good timing! We got to stay in the same hotel where we spent our honeymoon night- it was a lot of fun. Except maybe the 40 minutes mom spent trying to get her fake eyelashes on!!

Love you!

Mom

two weeks

Hello Baby!

We are almost ready for you to come out :) Two weeks till your 'official' due date, it really is anyone's guess when you are going to decide to make your arrival. I love feeling you move around in there, and Daddy has gotten to feel a few strong kicks lately too.

Keeping busy around the house, doing laundry, cleaning out the fridge, getting thank you cards written... It's so nice to have some extra time to do these things in a relaxed way. I am heading out to the pool shortly and then will pick up some groceries before it's time to meet Daddy for a photo session at Brenda's. We want to capture this big belly of mine with you inside it.

We are all very excited to meet you face to face... when you're ready, of course!

Love you.

Mom

at the zoo

Here's your mom and your cousins David, James & Fraser at the Calgary zoo being silly.

It was great having them visit for Grandpa's 65th birthday last week!

They can't wait to meet you, little one. Me neither.

Love,

mommy

butterfly/angel

Hi Little one!





Here's your Mom (and you in there, at 34 weeks), getting into the *spirit* of Halloween at Rhonda's house on Saturday. The funny thing is, I ended up putting on that blue wig that she is bringing me and going to meet Daddy and Auntie Barb at the pub (where nobody else was dressed up). You should have seen their faces!

Speaking of Auntie Barb, here is another photo from a couple of weeks back:




... and that's Uncle Jeremy in the middle.

My tummy (and you) are getting a lot of rubbing lately, with all the family in town for Grandpa's birthday!

You are still kicking a lot- it's almost like you are getting impatient to come out and join all the fun! Can't say I can blame you ;)

Much Love,

Mom

cravings

Mmmmmm. Mommy went out for lunch with her friend Cari and they treated themselves to some crepes. Mine had a banana in it, as well as nutella and chocolate syrup, and yes, those are two scoops of vanilla ice cream on either side... So basically, I really can't blame you if you come out with a HUGE sweet-tooth built in!

Other cravings have come and gone- fresh fruit (especially mangoes), perogies, sauerkraut, veggie burittos, pumpkin pie... Now I'm hungry again!

Ma & Pa

Hi Sweetie,

This is a photo of your Mom & Dad at a wedding for their friends Rob & Tracey last weekend. That's Dad's friend Dave's arm in the way... It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun night- we were sitting at the 'party' table with Daddy's friends and his friend Paul's two kids, Connor & Katie (ages 15 and 18). This was the only dress in Mommy's closet that would fit- a black velvet stretchy number. Don't we look nice all dressed up?

Loving you,

Ma

p.s. Dad is looking concerned 'cause I had just turned around and bumped into him with my big belly. You are very well protected in there, though- you probably didn't feel a thing!

early riser

Hi Baby,

Well, you've quieted down now but you sure were active this morning! Starting at about 4:30 am and for the following four hours or so was the most active you've been yet in there. Guess you're getting me ready for when you're on 'the outside'...

Grandma came to visit yesterday and brought your crib, along with a bunch of toys and things that your Auntie Cathy had left behind for you. Now we have to get over to Grandpa's house and choose a colour to paint your nursery and we'll be ready to begin setting it up for you. What do you think- blue, green or purple? (give me one, two or three kicks...)

Henna Belly

Hi Baby :)

A couple of weeks ago I got together with the Goddess Group that I founded and we had a henna party. Mommy was very patient and wait until all the other ladies had theirs done (on their hands and feet) and then she had her turn:

I have no idea why that is all underlined above and I'm too tired to figure it out right now. Mommy needs her rest! Goodnight and sweet dreams, my love!

p.s. I figured it out really quickly... click on the underlined part and you get the BIG SCREEN version of the picture... my belly on the WHOLE screen :) Now I see why your auntie Barb says my belly button looks like a black hole!

a present!

Hello my little sweet pea,

You sure have been moving around a lot the last day or so! It's such a neat feeling when it happens. I think you were enjoying the reggae music on the radio on my way to work... we'll have to try some other music out and see what you like best!

Guess what? We got a gift in the mail today from my friend Julia in Toronto. We used to work together at Emerald Lake Lodge but I haven't heard from her in awhile. Of course I had to take a picture to show you:

SO cute!! Just like you.

Love,

Mommy

wee one + 1

Hello Sweet Thing,

I thought I'd share with you a little game that my workmates and I were playing the other day... there is a program on the net where you can create a mini version of yourself. Here is how mine turned out (and you're there too, in my belly!)

thumb sucker

Well hello there!

It's always such a treat to get to see you on Ultrasound... today we had another opportunity to do just that. Daddy and Grandma were there too, and for most of the time I had to watch their faces to see what was going on as I couldn't see the screen from where I was lying down! This is my favorite of the pictures that were taken, cause it looks as though you are sucking your thumb.

Nice to see you little one!