Friday, November 21, 2008

5 months







Hello blogland!
Have I ever mentioned how much I love you - Well I do.
But not as much as I love the family life.
Because I love the family life A LOT.

Speaking of family...Can you believe ma petite chouette is 5 months old already! Wow!

We're having very busy and exciting times around here.

1) On the last couple of Sundays, we went to the Aquatic Centre for the family and tot swim. Ruby loves it! I have been practicing with her in the big tub for a few weeks and I think our impromtu lessons paid off! She is a natural water baby.

She chortled, laughed and cooed. She stared at the water and all of the other babies. However, the most amazing thing is, that when on both her tummy and her back, she just knew how to kick. We pulled her around on the kick board and she had a blast. She doesn't seem to mind being dunked either. People were watching her and commenting on how clever she was! We were quite proud. I am very excited about swimming lessons- She'll be old enough in January.

The Hubs was reliving fond memories of swimming with his family at the Y in Montreal. We seem to follow each session with a celebration of our success with some breakfast Bacon n'Eggers at A&W...I think we've found ourselves a great little Sunday morning ritual.

2) Ruby wore her first official party dress. She wore it especially for her Yiayia's 60th Birthday dinner at the Kingfisher. You know it was fancy because she wore the ruffle bum tights underneath. She was such a good girl that night-like she knew it was a special day. I was so nervous because the only other time we attempted to take her out for a late dinner (she's usually fine, as long we're home by her bed time) was a disaster. The whole dinner was a write off. I think we all had a good cry along with the inconsolable, unrecognizable, screaming babe.

3) This girl loves her grub! We tried feeding Ruby a couple of times in the past few weeks. We've tried organic yams, squash and barley cereal. It's been going really well. We started mostly because I was curious. I wondered about how she would do, if she would like it and if she was ready or not. I guess the fact the she yells at us while we are eating is a bit of a dead give away. She is most certainly related to us, we're eaters, as she stares at us with an open mouth and a wild tongue as we load up her spoon. She panics and yells if we're too slow. Sometimes she cries when we're done. The tears stop when I whisk the dishes away and give her a bright toy for distraction or a warm boobie for dessert.

4) Teeth. Remember a while back when I said that she got her 2 bottom canine teeth. Well they're gone. I swear they were there. I saw and touched them. I remember the nurse at her 4 months shots said they'd probably go back down and I was thinking...what? Any stories like this ladies??? At any rate, Ruby has also experienced her first bout of diaper rash this week so perhaps that means her true chompers are on their way.

5) Daylight savings time. I swear who ever had this great idea did not have children! Yikes. Ruby is a great little sleeper but she is a slave to her routine. She gets quite miffed if the timing of all her sleeping rituals are messed with. So you can probably imagine what the last few weeks have been like. Not terrible-just a bit frustrating. A little like watching someone dance to a great song -off beat. I mean the dancing is still fun but man is it painful to watch that guy...

Yes, well, my metaphors are a bit rusty these days but you know what I mean. Any hoo, I think we're almost back to normal on the sleep front around here. Last night She slept (almost) straight through the night. No feeds just a couple of head pets needed. We're still working on integrating bigger (longer that 20 minute) naps but I think we've got a pretty livable system going.

I thing we're doing okay
No.
I know we're more than okay.
We're absolutely frickin' fabulous.

(Someone slap me -I am all sapped out again.)

video

Saturday, November 08, 2008

picture day

They say that pictures are worth a whole boat load of words- So I am hoping that these four little beauties will do the trick. I admit I have been super slack these days and I am beginning to feel the tiniest bit of blogger shame.

But not too much.

To say that I have been having the time of my life would be an understatement. I am absolutely in LOVE with my daughter and aside from a few vanity issues I am loving motherhood too. I am exceeding my own expectations of being competent and having patience. Sure, I have my moments, and I am almost positive I will be losing it come February....but I really do love being a mom. And, I really don't miss work that much. Who knew?

I've even cooked dinner for the Hubster on a few occasions. Look at me go! Next thing you know I'll be cleaning the house. Har Har.

Ruby is growing like crazy. She'll be 5 months on the 16th and at her 4 month shots she weighed in at just under 17 pounds. She is 25" long, has two teeth, and judging by current mood swings and chomping she'll be getting more soon.

She is usually an absolute delight. Her personality is exactly how I imagined it. Sassy, curious, busy, independent and loud. She loves her routines and her bedtime -just like Mommy and Daddy.

We got her an Exersauser last week. I am not big on huge hunks of plastic cluttering up our wee nest but this thing rocks. Literally. It is a monstrosity and it is encrusted with hideous made -in- china farm themed toys...but she loves it.

To ease my consumer guilt we got it second hand. I think it was worth it because our little play mat definitley seems to be losing it's mystique. The baby chair is also looking a bit small next to Ruby's massive self.

So, she is enjoying bouncing, spinning and rocking while smacking and yelling at the barn yard animals. Lets face it- they had it coming.

Okay - Now for the photos:

Family apple picking day - October 2008

Girlie snowsuit picked out by Daddy - October 2008
First Halloween party with my little devil - October 2008
Whisler Road Trip (in the ferry line up)- October 2008

There really are a million little things that amaze me about this child. About this journey.

Each day, each hour, each minute even... milestones are reached, smiles and giggles are exchanged and hearts are warmed and filled with joy. I feel so blessed, so special and so sappy as I furiously try to archive an infinitely growing number of special moments into my forever memory.

Like the scissor kicks at diaper changing times, the routine unicorn sniff and face rub when sleepiness strikes, the dog fur snatch and the koala bear clutch while riding snug in the ergo. Or, the way leaves catch her eye when we walk in the wind and the way her restless hand grabs my face as we nurse on the couch. The way she yells at her toys or hums at my breasts. The way she studies the world around her with intense curiosity and sleeps so soundly. So peacefully.

All of these things amaze me.
All of these things bring me joy.
All of the things... are what I've always dreamed of.
They are real and they are priceless.
They are special.
And they're ours.

Forever.
Love.