Elementary Stampede

We had a pretty darn good day today, back to our old routine. Two naps a day that's the minimum, two naps a day not the maximum...(if you were a Charlotte Diamond fan you would appreciate the reference).

Anyway, it flew by and we had fun. It's so nice that Parker is getting to feel comfortable with me, it makes me feel good (and competent).

We went to Glen park beside the Charles Dickens Annex and had a great time swinging on the baby swings in the rain. It started to sprinkle as we headed out, but I figured we're Vancouver babes - rain won't scare us! Plus it was really mild and kind of refreshing actually.
There we were, minding our own business when an alarm sounded, doors flew open and a stampede of children exploded from the school. They descended on the playground like ants on a picnic - Little E and Parker were awestruck.

By the time we made it home the girls were exhausted from all the attention.

A Bite Out of Life

My daughter is a biter.
Parker does have a pretty sweet little arm, but not for nibbling! Little E left a perfect circular bite mark on poor Parker's right tricep showing off all five sharp little teeth.

She was really tired this evening, that is the only reason I'm sure of it! Normally she is such a lover, leaning in to any little baby for hugs and kisses.

When do you start disciplining?
Daddy C gave her a stern no, which is, I think, what set Parker off crying and running to me. Then he made Little E give Parker a hug, and said sorry (Daddy C, not E amazing though she is). So far we have been saying "no" to undesirable behaviour and creating a distraction...time outs next? I don't think grounding her will work yet. Hee hee, this is nothing compared to what's ahead I'm sure.

Ahhh And That's That

We just finished up a bbq with Evangeline's Paternal Grandpa and his partner out on our back patio. We opened a bottle of Corsican wine we've been saving since our second honeymoon to the French Island in 09 and puffed a little back yard tuff before finally ending the night zoning out on an evening walk.

I finally feel like summer is on the horizon.

Those words were taken from an email I sent to some amazing mommy's and babies we met at music class and have seen regularly for the past 8 months of Little E's life. We met the other halves of the baby genes today too, sharing lemon drops and cupcakes with our whole families and getting to know each other better. It was a communal one year birthday party.

I'm feeling so reflective today...you may credit/blame the green stuff but I call it vitamin d and a fulfilling day, (the former helps of course). Thinking of life changes and how the challenging stuff - saying goodbye to things and moving into unknown, are the fabric of a colourful life. Now, maybe that was the tuff.

Anyway, I did read somewhere you shouldn't blog drunk, and since I'm glowing I will add some photos and bid you auf Wiedersehen adieu.

Giggly Girls

It was so cute at lunch today listening to the giggles coming from the dining room. Parker was over today and as her mommy so perfectly put it, they have developed a secret handshake. Every time I came back into the room they stopped to look at me, when I left the laughter resumed! They have formed their first no parents allowed club, and I no longer qualify!

We had an adventure going to music class and heading home with a flat stroller tire. Other than than just a normal day at the homestead.

I finally acquired the recipe for the best scones I have ever had. My darling mother sourced it out from the wizard baker at the Kaffee Klatch Bistro on Denman Island. You can add whatever embellishments you like; mine will host pear, ginger and white chocolate (will experiment with the quantities)...

4 Cups Flour
2 Tbsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 and 1/2 Cup diced cold butter
4 Eggs
1 Cup Whip Cream

Mix the dry ingredients together. Add butter and cut until it forms small crumbly pieces.
Add your embellishments (raspberries, white choc, cranberries etc)
Mix eggs with the cream and add. Form into scones and bake in a 400* oven for 45 minutes.
Yum!

Here are some photos from a couple of weeks ago on a sunny day in the park with friends.

Froggy Down

We rushed out the door this morning for a check up with our naturopath. Little E (and I) napped until 10:15 and our appointment was at 10:30, yikes! Luckily we only arrived 10 minutes late and our doc was 12 minutes late so we played it cool.

When I got home parked and looked down at the road, I noticed a set of keys attached to my beautiful wire and bead South African frog key chain squished flat as a pancake. Hee hee, ironic. And another one of those lucky / unlucky situations.

Hard Days and Nights

I was so annoyed with my baby today!

Jeez!! I remember what my life was like before...so independent and spontaneous, so guilt free and practically irresponsible! One thing that my dear friend said tonight that does jive these days though, is along the lines of: since having a baby conscious judgement has gone out the window. Interpret that how you will, I know you will...

The two of them, those little imps: little Parker and Little E. Alternating waking up from their 40 minute nap, of the day, like they knew I needed some time to myself. Still the apple of my eye, but man, all the wailing. It's your fault!! You should have slept!!!!

Anyway, enough with the rant. It's really not that bad. I went over to my dear friend's house tonight to watch the PVR'd final Oprah episode. Wine, sweets and tears; that will cure what ails you.
Here's a snap shot of me on my honeymoon, those were the days :)

Not Much Time

Wow Canucks...overtime, sudden death, drama! This is coming live from the break after the Canucks tied the game with 15 seconds to go.

I haven't had much time lately (or taken much time is more like it) to write. I am celebrating the 3 day holiday that I had with Daddy C and Little E here at home. A fun filled long weekend including gardening, bbq'ing with friends, brunch times 2 and plain old enjoying each others company.

This will be the only long weekend until October that we have spent at home and we made the most of it.

Fragile

After a fun filled day consisting of our first annual Trout Lake market visit, a fabulous one year birthday celebration for our little friend Arlo, and a mini hike on the Baden Powell trail in West Van, we came home to a delicious lasagne dinner and a TV session.

Little E went to bed and we had a look at the second half of Lake of a Thousand Caiman on the Knowledge Network. It was a show about the Black Caiman crocodile that lives in the Amazon. After learning about the fight for life (starting from incubation) of this impressive species I started thinking about the fragility of the human race. To think that nature in its infinite perfection could make such a mistake with humans. We are so vulnerable at birth and yet we grow and survive and multiply at a rate that is threatening our existence. Not exactly a pleasant thought after such a positive day - just interesting to me.

I still love our human compatriots.
I'm super looking forward to a show on the Knowledge Network on Thursday night called Picture This. If you enjoy photography check it out...

Speaking of which, here are a few from today.

 

Glass Half Full / Glass Half Empty

These sunny days are really good for the psyche!

We walked to music class today and Little E once again decided to forgo her morning nap in exchange for a long afternoon one. They said this would happen...they said her naps would lengthen...I didn't believe it. It's quite lovely having more than a 30 minute stint to get things done, or do nothing at all.
I guess I can put this book back on the shelf hee hee...thanks anyway Donna!

After a fabulous skype with my worldly European sister we went on an afternoon walk with "dahie". Since the weather was deliciously warm I opted for flip flops and hurriedly emptied the stroller of all the morning debris.

As we we reached the half way mark my prized flop ripped and fell apart so that I was left flip flapping along the scorching side walk. I thought of asking a fellow out watering his plants for a safety pin to MacGyver it back together, but as I was searching in the stroller for anything helpful I found a lone runner. My size, the correct foot, perfect. Unlucky to lose a shoe, lucky to find one...

Awesome

Considering the nap struggle I anticipated when taking on another babe has finally caught up with me and that I woke up at three in the morning to the smell of slow cooking pork that kicked off a queazy tummy lasting throughout the day, it was still pretty awesome!

The dose of vitamin D probably helped, as did the Canucks schooling San Jose, as did a blog I read recommended by a friend of mine - 1000 Awesome Things.
Little E sported her awesome this afternoon when her daddy got home by finally wearing her sunglasses for more than 30 seconds...

Beautiful Day

What a gorgeous sunny day today!
We altered our walk to make a trip to Main Street this morning. I had to buy some pork shoulder to make pulled pork for the Canucks hockey game tomorrow night so we hooked up with Parker's mommy for a coffee. We sat outside yelling at the "dahies" (doggy's) beside us and eating our muffins.

This afternoon I hung out with the girls in the front yard while waiting for our play date to arrive. Luckily we have some edibles in our garden because dirt doesn't taste great.
Here are some shots of babes enjoying chives, sage and mint.

 

 

No Reason Brunch

Despite Little E's barf this morning after nursing we decided to go to Auntie Soph's house for brunch. Daddy C was busy, so it was just us girls.

Auntie Soph had gone all out!
Frangelico in our coffee, mimosas, 3 kinds of berries and whip cream on perfectly golden waffles and bacon. Mmm. Little E played with tupperware filled with pasta - makes a great shaker and devoured berries at the table.

It's so hard not being able to nurse her when she seems ok otherwise. Of course, feeling sick she wants it even more, but the milk seems to be what makes her toss her cookies so to speak. Poor little bug.

One last thought...
Due to Oprah's Greatest Lessons episode last week, I have been thinking a lot about how even a thought is communicated. Toni Morrison said "...let your face speak what's in your heart..." and it made me think of a statement I heard somewhere that I haven't forgotten "think every thought as though it's written across the sky in stars".

 

 

Betty and Veronica

Well jeez, I tried to post last night but Blogger was down for maintenance - I am going to scrap my entire dialogue from earlier today in favour of two juicier (literally) tidbits.

Little E has the flu.
I would like to take this moment to apologize to everyone we have come into contact with over the past couple of days. Our play date and swimming friends from Thursday, all of our music class friends from this morning, the 3 little girls who were all over Little E like bees on honey this afternoon, and anyone I've missed who may now be barfing.

Before I describe the second tidbit, I would like to add this disclaimer saying that no one was seriously injured in the event to follow.
I embarrassingly and with a morbid pride caused an "I still got it / Archie comic moment" - a car crash. Well not really a crash and more of a motorcycle slide. I was walking Jake solo, when Daddy C got home from work, enjoying the sun and some dry clothes, when I noticed a motorcyclist cruise past and check me out. I looked straight ahead keeping my cool when I heard a screech and turned just in time to see the motorbike turn the corner beside me and slide along the road in order to miss a car. I stopped of course, but didn't go over because I was too embarrassed.
Everyone was fine, so I shuffled off as quietly as possible.

Balloons

One of the best things about Little E going to bed at 6:30 is getting dinner organized early enough to eat with her at 5:45ish. Eating early is good for digestion, but it's also pleasant eating together now, and finishing shortly after 6:00 means our evening feels extra long (especially considering we're usually in bed by 9:00pm).
Tonight though, I embarrassingly got stuck watching America's Next Top Model...eep.

Balloons are the favourite toys of the hour.
We have some helium balloons kicking around from Little E's birthday party nearly 2 weeks ago now! What a life! The girls truck around the house carrying the balloons tied to a small stacking toy looking so proud of themselves. Pulling, tossing, pushing and dragging. Everything they're not allowed to do to each other.

I would have had some more cute shots, but they were moving too fast for me and I was laughing too hard. These are actually from yesterday, but the fun continued today as well.

p.s. My concert last night was a hit! It was so fun and I was not as nervous as usual - even for my solo!

 

 

Babes Who Lunch

Poor little Parker was home sick today with the flu.
That meant that Little E and I were flying solo. So, we met up with some of our friends for lunch at Little Nest on Commercial Drive.

I was so excited about my new MK purse that I flew out the door without the Ergo Carrier and the camera so I can't prove how much fun we had at the restaurant.
I can however, show you how cute and gangsta Little E looks in her hoodie from her Auntie M...

Happy Mother's Day

What a lovely day it was.

Baby slept in, good little girl - perfect timing. But then decided to make sure we didn't get too comfortable with all that extra sleep by boycotting her morning nap. 

That made brunch more interesting.

We had a nice meal at a cajun restaurant called Ouisi Bistro on Granville street. Then Auntie Soph and I hopped across the street to Bedo where I bought myself a dress. It's for our choir concert on Tuesday; it had to be done.

After that, we took a trip to the Oakridge Mall where Daddy C pitched in for a Mother's Day purse from...ooh yes, Michael Kors!! This will be a lifetime investment. I'm pretty sure I'll be stuffing napkin wrapped dinner rolls into this beautiful satchel to Little E's teenaged embarrassment before I get another one like it.

Finally a dress rehearsal for our choir concert on Tuesday night (7:00pm at Mulgrave School). And home to a home cooked meal by Daddy C. I'm loving my sweet little family.

 

 

Nodding Down Pat

We had a pretty uneventful day today of switching off between Daddy C and I napping and playing with Little E.

We took a trip to Hip Baby and Pottery Barn Kids to use some gift certificates we got for her actual day of birth, one year ago. But other than that, not much fit to print.

Two discoveries you may yet be interested in. I don't think I will take another comfortable bath with Little E until she has weaned. Unless I want to be attacked, she will have to be the only one naked in the tub for a while. And, Little E has discovered the meaning of the nod; up and down, left and right.

When we got out of the tub, and Daddy C was carrying her to the bed to have a dry off, Jake decided he wanted to be part of the action and followed the pack into our room. I told him "no Jake, go lie down". Little E looked down at him and shook her head - no Jake.

Full Day

I would go into detail, but I've had some wine and I've read that you should never blog drunk...who knows what could happen.

Not to mention, it was such a full day that I'm sure I would keep you here all night with the detail so here is a synopsis:

- Music class today - awesome fun, a highlight of the week. Plus we walked there in under an hour at a leisurely pace, stopping to talk to an Island friend we ran into.
- Play gym at Mount Pleasant Community Centre afterwards - hint: $1.50 after a class there. Crazy and super high energy. It took Little E an hour to final fall asleep after getting home she was so wired.
- Out for lunch with Parker and her mom Donna at Rhizome on Broadway at Kingsway. They have pay what you can lentil stew (really yummy!), reminiscent of stone soup?
- Home for a nap
- Whole Foods for supplies for tonights fondue menu. Seafood fondue in a Bouillabaisse broth - delicious!
- Made Lemon Bars for dessert - thanks again to Granny - recipe to follow...
- Little E to bed and friends for a fondue feast.
- Whew!!!

xo

1 Cup Butter
2 Cup Flour
1/2 C Sugar
Pinch Salt
- Food processor the sh*t out of it and press it on to a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Bake at 350* for 20 mins
While that's baking...no need to wash the food processor, just mix:

4 Eggs
1/3 C Lemon Juice
1 tsp Lemon zest
2 C Sugar
1/4 C Flour
1 tsp Baking powder
- Food processor the sh*t out of it and pour it onto the crust when it comes out. Bake for a further 20 mins or until set.
YUM!