The phone is ringing......

Mom...The phone is ringing. Should I get it?

It's for you, Mom. They need to talk to an adult.


Hello...Hello. Are you still there?

They hung up Mom...Can you believe it!?

And later that same day..........

Ah, Dad, can't you see I'm naked. Give a girl some privacy, won't you :)

New tricks!

Isabelle's latest and greatest feat is the wave! Not sure if she understands the difference between hello, and good-bye, but she does it just the same! She's smart as a whip with anything to do with hand gestures; speaking of which Gilles has also said that he's heard her say "clap" properly, and in context. Her first real true wave was to a little 9 month old boy in the Walmart......She got her big "OH" face on (also a new thing, see the enclosed photo) and promptly started waving when I told her to say "Hi". The other Mom was suitably impressed since he just stared and she went to town chatting away with him. Such a little butterfly when there are other wee ones around. I was very proud, silly as that might be. I also realized that she does have a lot more hair than other babies her age, and yes, she is also bigger - in height and weight.

She had a lot of fun in the shopping cart as usual, and was relaxed as can be tooling around the Walmart on the hunt for the BIG box of diapers. She threw her first mini tantrum when I got a bag of licorice and wouldn't share. I finally relented and gave her a piece to suck on, and when she discovered she loved it, I decided that I was an idiot for promoting sugar and took it away. Okay, I guess the tantrum was mostly my fault in the first place. Anyway, as soon as she had the Cheerios in her little hands, she was good to go once more!

I'm going to go slightly nutty if we don't buy anymore children's CD's. If I hear "Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring...Bananaphone.........It grows in bunches, I've got my hunches", one more time, I may lose my mind. Her favourite is "If you're happy and you know it". She really knows the word clap and so she gets right down to dancing when it comes on. I'm sure there are other great ones, but for now I bought the standard "Best of Raffi".

She is way over the top when it comes to the mirror though. I mean, ANY activity is even better when she can look at herself at the same time; if she's fussy, get out the mirror and within 2 seconds, she's playing with her image. Gilles bought her a sun hat and a jumper online and it got here yesterday morning. The sun hat, unfortunately, has no tie and so she can pull it off, and does anytime you put it on. I was determined though and kept trying, and she kept taking it off. UNTIL I put her little mirror in front of her and then she was absolutely enamoured...Who was that gorgeous thing with the hat on? She didn't touch it again. Good Grief.

We've also heard back from the fabulous daycare. They will have a spot Mon/Tues/Thurs and Fri as of November. We don't know what to do now? Thinking of asking my boss whether he can wait until November for my return and then give me Wednesday's off to spend with her. I may have to work a compressed week, we'll see. Agh, I wish we were somewhere full-time for a day in the future, not that I care if it's not until November since going back later suits me just fine. May help to alleviate the anxiety that plagues me when I consider that I have 2.5 months left and then I'm back to the real world.

She spent last night from 8:30pm-3:00am in her crib. Longest stint ever, and though she woke up a few times to be cuddled, she went back to sleep and stayed without trouble in it for longer periods. We will make it happen, I swear, even if it's taking longer since the "cry it out" method would seriously traumatize us all. Maybe not her, but her father and I in any case.

More later - we start our swimming lessons this evening. We'll see if Isabelle's desire to splish and splash in the pool is as fun for the other tots on the receiving end of the splashes as it is when she's in her bath with her Dad.

Busy week!

Isabelle and I had a great week together. Lots of shopping and parties, and a visit with Gramps! We went for a long walk in Westboro and bought her a Patagonia fleece....who KNEW they had them in baby sizes? Not me, and I wish I had since they come as small as 0-3 months and it would have been great to have one for her first fall in Ottawa. So warm and fuzzy, and this way, if truth be told, she will last longer in her 12 month size. We bought Olan a breastfeeding necklace, which she chose herself - she seemed loathe to let it go until I gave her her own and reminded her that she had one and this one was for someone else! Also got her a jean jacket, and a pair of high top Converse - I can't imagine that she could look any cuter, I just want to gobble her up! We also chose all our hanging baskets at the Parkdale market. She loved all the flowers hanging in the stalls, perhaps a bit too much since others will be missing a bud or two that she claimed in her exuberance.

We had a great visit with Dad, who arrived on Thursday, and was not forgotten by Isabelle. No playing strange at all, just happy smiles like she knew exactly who it was, and was thrilled to see someone other than Mom and Dad at the house. She kept us company while we ate, and played with Gramps for long periods both days that he was here. This was great since her Dad was manning the bbq, and her Mom was getting dinner, wrapping Uncle Adam's birthday gift and the like. It was like old times having Dad stay in the basement pad, since Gilles and I have had him stay long term while working on contracts for EC. We both love having him, and it was great to catch up in person, be able to share our days and listen to what's going on with his current contract, and other huge pursuits like the cottage property. Also, Garth is Garth and the two boys never fail to try and outwit each other with sarcasm and inuendos. I love it.

We also attended a work party/bbq on Friday afternoon at my boss' house - gorgeous place on the River. Isabelle loved his bulldog, Clementine and had a great time, as per usual, with so many admirers in one place. She is never fussy and plays for everyone - they all seemed amazed that she would go to them, and not fuss in the least. I don't know if this is normal or not, having her be the first. She seems easy, but I don't have a lot of babies to compare her to. Olan is quite the happy little boy, and only seems to fuss when hungry, or really overtired, which is the same for Isabelle. Does this make them unusual, or are all babies this happy? I don't know, I just thank my lucky stars that she is this way since it has meant tons of travel, and social outings on all of our parts this past year. I don't ever worry about taking her anywhere, and quite frankly, if you breastfeed, you can stay out as long as you like, and not have to worry about forgetting additional supplies at home. We have onhand diaper bag, toys, cheerios and water and that's all she seems to need. Maybe it will get more complicated as she gets older (I can almost see Mom's nodding their heads).

Isabelle also tried her first hummus this afternoon. Olan loved it when he tried it last week, so I made some up and she had a ball. First in eating it, and then in feeding herself. I figure she has to learn, and what's a mess anyway. She makes me laugh :)

I also want to comment on one of the most annoying things about being a new Mom; this is the unsolicited advice part. Not that I have a problem with family, or friends, and especially when it's well meant. Strangers, I have a problem with - case and point, the following episode Gilles dealt with on Saturday morning. He took Isabelle down to the lake quite early with a blanket and prepared to have a bit of fun playing outside, when an older woman approached him and told him Isabelle should have a hat on. He thanked her for the advice, which she then followed up with, "She'll get cancer, you know", and then further, "She'll die, you know"!!!!!!! I mean, c'mon!? The sun is barely up, and he's out for about a half an hour at the most, and she has her sunscreen on. None of which you feel like relaying at this particular point in time because you are so angry that someone would even suggest the rude comments you have just been forced to listen to, and can't respond to BECAUSE you would come off as an uncaring parent. Gilles thought of a few nasty comments he could have followed up with, key one being that she would probably be around a lot less long than our 9 month old daughter, but he curbed his tongue - as if it's polite to be rude to the elderly, even though it should be when they say things like that. Tell us to put a hat on her, fine - well not really but I'll give you that, but the dying part is quite offensive and hardly necessary. After all, didn't we start this journey off with the intent to bring harm to our daughter? Sorry, but I'm still fuming and needed to get this off my chest.

9 months and counting!

The doctor's visit yesterday went well. Isabelle continues to grow in leaps and bounds. She is now 28.5 inches long, which is the 80th percentile for height, and is 21 pounds, again the 90th percentile for weight. You go girl! She has reached all her milestones and was a card. Loves the instruments hanging from the wall, and was in no hurry to leave - witness the karate chop! She is not, however, so easy to place on the weigh scale anymore. While she used to be content to lie there, she now wants to try to roll right off it. Luckily, the nurse Betty and I were able to thwart her attempts and get a clear read. I kind of despair the day she does start crawling since she is such a little noodle. Her latest and greatest is gymnastics of a kind when she breastfeeds. She's curled around my waist like a little "c" and she takes her feet, one at a time, and moves them to her head so that she can scratch her face, play with her ear, or alternatively, do the same to mine. Can you be more distracted while you're feeding?

Later I had a dental appointment and had two cavities filled. I ask you, does anyone really know what they're doing in your mouth while you sit there? Also, WHAT is with the questions and commentary while they work on you? As if you are in any position to answer at the time, and if you're me, you're just hanging on, waiting for the pain and agony to end. I had a lot of freezing so I spent the next five hours trying to suck out of a straw on my left hand side and feeling like my whole right had side was drooping down my face.

Gearing up for a busy week. Prepping the hotel downstairs for Grandpa's arrival - cats will have to relinquish some of their space. Also, for a work party we're attending on Friday. Once again I fear whether I will be able to leave, or whether they will spirit me back to the office where I will have to stay, away from the little one. You may as well say it, the time is coming so I HAVE to prepare myself somewhat, just not sure HOW that's going to happen. If I ever have nightmares anymore, this is what they're about. To that end, the daycare we really wanted her to go to, MAY have space for us in September. It's in a big home in the Glebe and has four extra helpers, with University and/or college diplomas in childcare, aside from the owner. They serve only organic food, and the kids all help to make their lunch. They also have a kinder music teacher that comes in once a month, a yoga and dance instructor that visit, and an amazing indoor and outdoor play area. If I HAVE to leave her somewhere, I would feel better if it were there.

Lastly, a very Happy Birthday Greeting to Isabelle's Grandpapa in Winnipeg. We're thinking of you, miss you, and love you lots!

Happy Father's Day!

Gilles Father's day started off early this am with a race called "Do it for Dad". Isabelle is not really old enough yet to, as the title suggests, do it for her Dad, but Gilles was happy enough to do it for both of them, and entered the 5km event. They finished it, Chariot and all, in just over 23 minutes. Great finish, around 90th in 550 racers, and the very first stroller. As an aside, I know these stats are not all that important to most of you, but we'll be able to say, in later years, that we were once pretty good! Ahh, those were the days and so on......

In any case, they returned home triumphant and we spent the rest of the day hanging out en famille and enjoying the continued good weather. Gave the swing yet another workout, and had an afternoon siesta. We even got Isabelle in her bike helmet, which proved to be a difficult task since she kept trying to remove it, and biked around the neighbourhood. She was a natural, and seemed to really enjoy the wind through her hair, even though it's mostly under the helmet! I don't know if you can actually see my white knuckles, I had a pretty important package on board! I think you can see I'm concentrating pretty hard in the one photo - no time for smiles here!

Later, Gilles opened his gifts and was quite pleased, if I do say so myself. Isabelle gifted him with a large framed picture that said "Memories" on the bottom. In the frame were several of her best nude shots, courtesy of Auntie Meg, the photographer and photo printer champ (thanks seriously for all the work Meg). There is a pair of legs, a cute bottom, a hand and some feet, as well as a great face shot, all in black and white. I got him a digital photo frame, which, with a USB port can hold loads of photos and serves as a great way to enjoy all these shots, at the office, without turning your entire workspace over to your child. I know Gilles loves to have photos of Isabelle at work, and I thought that this would be a great way to enjoy them all, but in a classy way. He seems to really love it so, it looks like a successful day.

We're now off to enjoy some dirty rice, which was his meal of choice, and Isabelle, as if knowing we wanted to have an early dinner, actually packed it in at 7:30pm, and YES Mom, she's even in her crib! Earliest bedtime EVER. Kudos to you kiddo!

Before I leave though, a big Father's Day greeting to my own Dad, who I am happy to say will even be in Ottawa this week to visit. I admire and respect you more than you can know and, now that I am old enough, can truly appreciate the fact that you were always there for us. You taught us to love such a wide variety of things, and were so engaging that we continue to love them all. You are such a big part of who we all became, and quite frankly, I think we ROCK! I look forward to you playing an instrumental part in Isabelle's life, and know she will come to love you as much as we all do. Also, a huge shout out to my Grandfather, my Godfather, uncle Lawrence, who tolerated and loved me even through my teen years when I was, let's just say, not the burst of sunshine I am now, and to my Father-in-law, Henri who is a fabulous man and is a great Dad to my lovely, had to have learned it from someone, husband! Thanks for being that amazing example, I am reaping the benefits now!

We'll be back tomorrow as we are off to the Dr. for her 9 month checkup and immunization shots. Yesterday was the big marker; I'm a broken record at this point, but HOLY, the days and months are flying by. For the record, I'm guessing that 19 pounds, 3.5 ounces at 7 months will be about 22 pounds this time around. Let's see if we still hit the 90th percentile for weight and the 80th for height! Oh yeah, and if you click on this last photo to enlarge it, you can even see her two bottom teeth. They're THAT big now!

Back on track!

So, now that we're back, I'm a blogging fool once more :)

Gilles has gotten right back into the swing of things, with one tiny exception - he's going to kill me for this! The second night that we were back, he wore a pair of shorts to bed; my guess is that he was so tired, he neglected to change and drifted off. In any case, the really funny thing is that he got ready for work the next morning, whilst doing the early am Dad thing with Isabelle, in such a rush, that he ended up wearing the shorts as underwear. He didn't realize the oversight until it was much too late. Ah, I had quite the laugh when he got home and let me in on his secret.....and now you all know it too. What a cutie, but it all happened because he is so preoccupied with being a great Dad. Seemed a good Father's Day weekend story.

Isabelle and I bought her a new carrier this week. Thanks to Meg and Olan, we were turned on to the Beco. FAB, FAB, FAB baby carrier, and a dream compared to any others we have tried, specifically on my back and shoulders. Our Baby Bjorn is great, but when it gets to the point that they are 20+ pounds and you're carrying them on your small frame, you need to call in the big guns, which I think this Beco is. We also bought her a breastfeeding necklace at the same store, Milkface, and she loves it. I have no shirts that are not loose around the neck because she spends the entire time grabbing and pulling them while she feeds. Now, she can pull on this necklace, and as it turns out, also loves it when I wear it with the Beco since it keeps her amused while we walk. Walk we certainly have this weekend. Beautiful and sunny, 30 degrees in the shade, and a great time as long as you break for a frosty frappucino part way!

Gilles took Isabelle to see our friendly ducks and geese this morning and she actually managed to stay awake the whole time, just wasn't necessarily that impressed with them.

She seems more intent on playing with her stroller toys, than paying them any mind!

The princess and the pea!

Since coming home from Halifax, we have started the LONG overdue (I can hear my Mom laughing at me) process of getting Isabelle to sleep in her own crib. We have even gone as far as ordering her a special, smaller crib, from the US, which can be placed in our room to transition her to her own big crib, in her OWN room down the hall. This crib is now, with a lot of work, positioned right beside my side of the bed, so that I can no longer even get out without sidling to the end, and tentatively, so as not to awaken her, crawling out. Good grief! In any case, there must be a pea underneath BOTH of her mattresses since she awakens every freaking half an hour as soon as she is in either one of them. This, from the baby who will crash out for an hour-two hours in our bed for her morning naps. I am at a loss. I can reach out and touch her, she can see me, and she's still really unhappy to be there. Her spidey senses start tingling as soon as she is placed, oh so delicately, and asleep to boot, in her own resting spot. For the record though, I have attached a photo that my Mom has long been pining for - Isabelle in her OWN bed, of sorts!

Her Mom is also suffering from the same sort of malady. While I was away, Gilles washed the duvet and pillow cases and I feel like one of my pillows has been replaced by one of his. I can't seem to get my head comfy when I settle down to get some zzzzz's. It's taking me forever, and I feel like this misplaced pillow is to blame, only I can't figure out which one is missing. For the record, I have four, and he has two, so this shouldn't be too hard a task. Also for the record, I only actually sleep with two, and they are no where near Isabelle when she is in the bed. After all the data coming out, I feel this disclaimer is a necessity.

And we're back.............

So, we are now home after our two weeks in Halifax with the fam. Ah, the great times we had. Happy to be home with Dad/Gilles, but really miss everyone, especially Olan, Isabelle's constant companion and playmate.

We arrived on Meg's birthday at 8:00am, Halifax time. Isabelle seemed to know exactly what was happening. Otherwise, cannot for the life of me explain how, for the first time ever, she slept through the entire night. Went down at 8:30pm and didn't wake up until we had to at 4:30am to catch our 6:00am flight. She was up throughout the flight, sensing the excitement of the trip that was about to begin, but as always, in great spirits. It was her Mom who was dragging herself around after being just in time and missing her Tim's injection as a result. UGH! Drove to Mom and Dad's and changed to head over to Meg's for the surprise.....and it was fabulous. Mom knocked on the door and I hid to the side and snuck out once the door was open. She was crazy excited to see us and said it was the best birthday gift ever. Mom was the one who flew us down, so I can't claim responsibility for that one. It was great to be the ones flown, however!

We went to a Greek restaurant, OPA!, for her birthday lunch and had a blast with the little ones. Olan is getting so big and has so much red hair, has gone from an often serious faced little baby to a giggly little boy. Constant smiles from both of them all lunch long. They shared a bag of cheerios and promptly had half of it on the floor, but were amused for the two hours we were there sitting beside one another in their high chairs. Who knew cheerios could be so much fun!? The fun ended for Isabelle's Mom when, upon leaving, her Aunt and I got on our hands and knees to take care of some of the damage they were leaving behind. Her Gran was holding her and, not I guess, on her best game, since Isabelle grabbed a big water glass and launched it on the floor. It caught me right on the head since I was directly below them, still grabbing cheerios, and almost knocked me out cold, or so it felt anyway. OWWWWWWWWWWWW. It then hit the floor, smashed and made an even bigger mess than the cereal, some of which was now fairly soggy as well. The waitress was great though and we got a reprieve from Cheerios cleaning as they had to come in with the big guns to take care of the glass anyway. All in a day, I guess!

For Meg's Sunday birthday party a few days later, we went up to the lot where Dad and Adam are busy clearing for the septic installation and soon to be boathouse building - enjoyed the water and checking the soon to be cottage property out. They had gotten a lot accomplished in a short time, and there were felled trees just waiting to be firewood all over the place. Dad will be in business for years with the fireplace with all that's about the property. Later we hit a big garden centre for Meg, who had to have her tomato plants - best in the area, and Isabelle really loved the big, warm, greenhouse and all the hanging baskets. Meg got some great gifts, the biggest and best of which was from Adam. A plane ticket to Ottawa in July for another visit. YEEHAW! Let the visiting, and hence fun never end! Taking full advantage of this maternity leave and enjoying every minute of it, I must say :)

Next stop, Dad's birthday the next week. We went on a day trip to Peggy's Cove and had some more fun. Beautiful scenery and a gorgeous sunny day. Who knew they even have a Canada Post outlet in the lighthouse, so we took some fun pics for her Dad, who was stuck in Ottawa at the main plant.

The days passed quickly and we all had a fun time together. The babies were so much fun, and a one station entertainment channel our entire trip. Passing toys back and forth, mimicing noises and hand gestures, big wet kisses from Olan, sitting in their car seats, side by side for all of our day trips. It got to the point where everytime Isabelle got in the van, she was looking beside her to see where exactly that boy was? They loved the Starbucks coffee breaks, which we took while out and about on a daily basis and became quite the coffee shop fixtures, loving the lids and cardboard sleeves that Starbucks so graciously and without knowing provided them upon their arrival. Breast fed in the van, in malls, garden centres, Peggy's Cove, the property, and in the coffee shops, they were happy to just hang out together as long as their primary needs were being met! They really love the grocery store carts and seems like two is even more fun than one (for pics see Meg's blog at http://ourweenest.blogspot.com). As soon as they were side by side, and one of the Mom's were present, everyone wanted to know if they were twins!

We also had a playdate which Meg arranged, and the babies were great. Meg and I both think that they know they are cousins, as they seem to look at each other differently than the other kids. Like, you and I can be friends, but Olan is my blood and therefore more special. I swear, we are not imagining this.

Meg saved my day several times by taking Isabelle first thing in the morning; 7am is still not my best and most favourite hour! What a goddess, even though she says its easy since the babies entertain each other and actually make it easier for her to get coffee and breakfast for herself. Mom introduced Isabelle to her first boom box, which she now plays constantly, and all things musical. Evidently, Isabelle is naturally talented in that regard and now has come home with her own cd player, rattles and tambourines; her own one man band. She likes to rock back and forth and wave her instrument, legs keeping beat the whole way. To that end, she has also said her first word according to the women in the family. She completely understands the word clap, and loves to do so. I have heard her say "cap, cap", like she's trying to sound it out, but they swear that she, on one occasion, said "clap, clap" about four times, pronouncing the "l". Prodigy!

I made a huge step towards Mommy-dom and had my hair chopped off on our last day of vacation - taking Meg's lead once more. This so that no one in the family would have to put up with more than a few hours of hysteria should it have gone badly. Happy to say that it is now just below shoulder length, layered and MUCH MORE managable than before. The bonus is that I also like it, and I won't be in every photo we take with that stupid bun on top of my head. Long hair is nice, but when you don't ever wear it down, there seems to be little point in keeping it that way.

Gilles in the meanwhile was extremely busy at home. Our neighbours wondered if I had left him a huge list of tasks for while I was away, but I swear I did not, this was completely of his own volition! Isabelle now has a bike helmet and her front carrier is all set up on my new bike - to be tried out this weekend and I am sure pictures will follow. He installed the air conditioning - Thank God since we returned to 30 degree weather, WITHOUT the humidex. Also, got the front and back porch steps sanded and painted! The garage is almost totally prepared for the car, when it was jam packed upon my departure, and Isabelle's new, small crib has been assembled for her use. More on that conundrum in the blogs to follow!

Isabelle was once again, a great traveller on the way home. Even though she didn't sleep as I expected since it was an 8:25pm departure, she was absolutely DELIGHTFUL, and had everyone charmed and telling me she was the best baby they had all ever flown with. Played peekaboo with the elderly couple behind us, looking through the seats, and then around on the aisle side. Too funny - I hoped she wasn't bothering them because I was in hysterics at her impish behaviour. All this, after the ticket agent had told me she was also the most beautiful little girl she had seen in some time. I could go on too...but I'll spare you!

For now, I will leave you with a butt shot. She's going to be mad later in life, but I can't help myself. I mean, HOW CUTE IS THAT BUTT!!!!!