Lobster With That?

Halloween is Daryl's favorite time of the year - but between him being sick, and us being away all last week, and having a wee one, we decided that this year was not the year to go all out and decorate the entire front yard and house. We are also not hosting a Spook Supper - much to the dismay of the neighbours. Maybe next year. Anyhow, we did decide to dress up the wee one, and when I found out I was pregnant, I immediately knew what she was going to be at 6 months old. A lobster in a pot. I spent about 2 months looking for a costume and all the accessories to make the outfit complete, and here we have it. Gabrielle as a lobster, sitting in a pot, being held by her papa, the chef.

On our way home from Vancouver, we stopped and had a much too short visit with Great-Auntie Doodie, and Karlene. It was so nice to see them, and I know that they loved to see the wee one. I didn't think that they would stop laughing at Gabrielle, as we went into the store with her in full Halloween gear. She was such a happy girl, and played along with her insane parents so well!

I know that we are going to pay for lots of therapy - but for now, it is just so much fun!

First Flight

It was a last minute decision, but Gabrielle and I decided to hop on a plane and fly to Colorado. OK, so it wasn't so spur-of-the-moment as it sounds, with Daryl down there for a conference and her passport all ready to go...but it sounds COOL! She was an AMAZING first-timer, all the flight-attendants said so, and even our fellow passengers. One lady said that she never saw a baby travel so well, and she is a very frequent flier!
Our way there starter off so well. We left the loops on Sunday night, as our flight to Denver was leaving at 7:30am from Vancouver. We spent the night near the airport and were up and ready to go at 5:30 (yikes!) to go through security. No problems so far, and we had a very happy baby! Once on board, and after being awake for 3 hours, things started to go south. Unfortunately, not literally. With Gabrielle getting fussy and squirmy and not wanting to be pinned down anymore, and our plane not moving back from the gate yet, I decided to feed her and hope she would nurse again at take-off. I was told this is what I had to do to prevent a melt-down as the cabin repressurized. Anyhow, she ate and ate and ate, and passed out. OK, so now I had a sleeping baby in my arms, and we weren't moving. But at least she was sleeping and quiet. Then the announcement from the captain. The fire-suppression system in the cargo area was faulty. We would have to deplane. The flight was cancelled and we would all be rerouted to our destinations. Crap. So we waited for everyone to deplane and let her sleep a bit more and then had to move. She woke up, but was such a little trooper! At least she wasn't at the age where I would have to explain that we didn't actually go anywhere and we were in the same city and airport were we were an hour ago. As Daryl was in line trying to get us to Denver, we played and made smiley faces at everyone. She was so happy - it was NUTS! I was one happy mama too!
Finally, we were rerouted through Seattle (a 30 minutes puddle hopper) and then on to Denver. That combo would get us there by 4pm. Not so bad - we would still have time to play before bath-time and bed. Our next worry was for our baggage. But there was nothing we could do about that but hope and pray it would all arrive. Amazingly, we arrived with no further problems and with all our baggage! A $80 cab ride to the hotel and we were settled.
Gabrielle and I did lots of walks, went for swims in the pool and entertained everyone in the HUGE lobby while Daryl was in his conference. It was a great trip, and I'm so glad we went! We went to a butterfly pavilion, and I didn't realize that when you dress your baby in flowery pants and pink tops, butterflies think that they are food and might swarm. At one point, she had 4 giant blue butterflies on her pants. She didn't quite know what was going on, but was aware enough that these flying things were on her. She would just look up at me from her stroller and back at the bugs. I wish I had a camera!
Thursday was our travel day home and with Daryl's free time we took a road-trip to Boulder where I got to visit with Monica, an old friend from Montreal who now lives there with her husband and kids. They have been living in Europe for 6 years and in Boulder for 1 now - and they just love it. I can see why. I told Daryl that if Ledcor ever transferred him to Colorado, we would certainly go so long as it was to Boulder (or to Telluride).

Off To A Winter Wonderland

Two weeks ago we went on a road-trip with Daryl when he had meetings and site visits in Golden, BC. With all of our upcoming vacations rapidly approaching, we are trying to get Gabrielle use to travelling and sleeping in hotels and different beds. She is already a great traveller, but I use this as an excuse to see wonderful parts of our beautiful province. I've never been to Golden, and this time of the year was amazing to see.
We were lent a cute little one-piece winter bunting bag which was SO CUTE! After trying it on at home and packing all our winter clothes, expecting cold, winter weather, I was shocked to find out that it was actually 18C in Golden!
We took a day trip to Banff (1.5 hours away, through Lake Louise) and I was once again reminded how much like Whistler Banff is. The mountains were beautiful, and it's too bad Daryl wasn't feeling better. More on that later. We did lots of walking in the village and up to the hot springs, and drove around looking for some Elk that we saw 5 years ago - the last time we were in Banff. We didn't see any, and I was most disappointed! How dare they not stay in the same place and wait for me! It was a lovely trip, and I can't wait to go back again.

Gabrielle is now eating solids. We've started with cereal and single veggies like squash, peas and carrots. Some days she loves them, others she practices her zerberts when I manage to put the food in her mouth. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, but she doesn't seem to be getting alot out of eating. She is so excited to see us eating, and wants what we have on our plates, but when I try to feed her the mush, she gives me the strangest faces and spits back at me. I've talked to other moms who say their little once gobble down a whole jar in a meal - we are lucky to get 5 spoons in - with most ending up on our face, bib or floor!

The Things We Have To Be Thankful For

Where to begin. First off, we know how fortunate we are to have a healthy baby girl. In a world where so many things are out of our control, to have a happy, smiling and growing baby, who has no health complications or ailments, I couldn't ask for anything more. The health of my family, friends and loved ones is also way up there on the list. I am so thankful to have my mom and dad close by, to be able to see them everyday (when we're home) and to have them as a daily part of Gabrielle's life is so wonderful. They get to experience every milestone, every new happening, the smiles, giggles and laughs...the rolls, first sips of water from a cup, first meal all with us. It is such a blessing and I know how lucky we are.

This year, my mom went nuts, again (is anyone surprised?) by ordering a 28 1/2lb turkey. For those keeping score, that is twice the size of Gabrielle. I was wondering who my mom had invited to share our feast with...alas, it was to be just the 5 of us, and one of us doesn't eat food yet! We cooked the bird for 7 hours (I think...I lost count) and had all sorts of vegetables and accompaniments for our elaborate but intimate meal. We had dinner at our place, as we knew that the timing would put bath-time right in the middle of things. It was wonderful to have a little addition at the table, although she spent more time in her excersaucer. A good friend and new mom who also has the same saucer for her daughter said to me, there is so much going on per square inch of that thing! It certainly keeps her entertained.

We had lots of leftovers which we promptly made into organic turkey-pot-pies and I blended some of the breast meat into baby-food for the wee one when she is on to solids. YUM! Lucky baby!

Grand-papa taking a break outside in the beautiful late afternoon sun. The weather was glorious on Sunday...up to 22C!

On The Move

It's official - Gabrielle is on the move. Her current mode of transportation cant exactly be called crawling, but a skootch/slide/push sort of action allows her to inch her way across the floor. She has been practicing her push-ups for almost a month now, and along with the occasional face-plant, she is moving. We've had to protect her head from the brick fire-place, but other than that, she's got free range of the house. It's pretty amazing to watch her go...or at least try. She gets so frustrated when her arms and legs don't move in a coordinated fashion. Poor little one!

Fletcher watches her with keen interest, and sometimes we find them almost snuggling. We have to watch him too, because when a 80lb dog rolls over and there is a baby underneath, the results could be disastrous!

Here a Boob, There a Boob, Everywhere a Boob Boob

This week is World Breastfeeding Week, and Saturday was the International Breastfeeding Challenge. Gabrielle and I participated with a bunch of other moms from the Loops, and we beat last years record! Of course, we weren't participants then...but WOOHOO! This is all in the hopes of promoting the importance of breastfeeding babies for at least the first 6 months. We have been so fortunate that, right from the get-go, both my body and Gabrielle's knew exactly what they were suppose to do. I really to sympathize with mom's who can't breastfeed, or babies who can't figure it out. It is such a wonderful experience, knowing that I am providing everything for my little one to grow and become the crazy monkey that she is! When I'm feeding her, it is a time for peace and quiet in an otherwise hectic and crazy day, when we both can take a deep breath, stop and relax, and just be together. Saying that I wish it would go on forever would be a bit nuts...but I do enjoy it.
We were also told that Gabrielle and I were on today's evening news! I'm trying to find the clip so I can post it - not of me feeding, but post-feed when she was jumping on my lap. Apparently it was very cute.

Photos...as promised

Silly Monkey! This was the last time Gabrielle wore this kimono - her first outfit from her papa. It was even a stretch to get her into it today!For Grand-mama's b-day we took a day trip to Kelowna and had lunch at Mission Hill YUM! Gabrielle wore a beautiful little outfit given to her by our good friend Sally. It was so adorable - she was so cute! And she had time to stop and smell the roses!Gabrielle is rolling all over the place these days, and Fletcher is ever the protector! Here he is, lying down on her legs so che can't move any further! Silyl doggy! She sure loves her chow!Bath time has turned into one of the most fun times of the day. As part of our bed-time routine, Gabrielle gets a nice warm bath, which is suppose to be calm and relaxing, but we end up splashing and kicking so much we flood the room, and the crazy songs we sing really get her going. Amazingly, about 20 minutes later she is passed right out for the night! She has pretty much outgrown the little tub thing, so I think we'll have to start using the big tub. I'll have to get a good pair of knee pads...Passed out...let sleeping babies lie!

Fall Down - Go Boom

It is officially autumn in the Loops, with the leaves on the trees changing, days are cooler (but still sunny and beautiful), and bed-time occurs almost as the sun is going down. Our days lately have been so much fun, filled with lots of activities for Gabrielle - and mom - like walks in the park with our friends and playing in the playground. Gabrielle loves the swings and bouncy teeter-totter. We love our Mother Goose group at the library too! She loves to play games and sing songs - especially ones where I have to lift her up over my head and "fly her to the moon". I'm so thankful for programs like this, because I have come to realize that I don't know any kids songs. And there are only so many times you can sing ABC and twinkle twinkle...both which have the same tune. We do sing along to the radio quite a bit - but it's just not the same. We also have a local playgroup on Fridays with other moms and kids fro the neighbourhood. All of these are leading to great new friendships for both of us.
We've been spending lots of time with Grand-ma and Grand-pa too, which everyone seems to enjoy so much, now that Gabrielle actually plays and totally interacts with us. She is becoming a real little person, with lots of laughs and giggles and squeals of delight. There are tonnes of smiles too - which is such a change from just 3 short months ago. She is such a delight, and pleasure to take anywhere now.
Bedtime and naps are almost perfect. She still protests the occasional nap - but a few comforting words or a minute more of snuggle time and she is down. Bed-time has always been great, knock on wood, and continues to be so. She sleeps so much still, from 6pm (sometimes 5:30) to anywhere from 2 to 4am where she wakes up for a quick feed, then back to bed until almost 8 these days.
Gabrielle has had the sniffles for 2 days now. I can't call it a cold, just a runny nose and a little cough. It's not surprising with all our activities - and with Daddy being so sick for over a week. It was wonderful to have him home, but I'm not sure who needed more attention...the baby or sick daddy! Of course, we were so sad to see him go...but Friday is a few short days away.
I guess that's it for the update for today. I'll download some recent photos tomorrow and post again.