Finn's first Christmas

We braved the 401 and drove back to the Ottawa area to celebrate the holidays. Finn was fabulous and slept almost the whole way to Chelsea – this foreshadowed a horrible drive home but we were too excited to think ahead. Chelsea: the cousins Samarra and Ishani were in top spirits decorating the tree and preparing for the arrival of Santa. We had a chance to meet up with some of my old high school friends and spend some quality time with Kristina, Chris and Will (now 9.5 months old). Finn enjoyed meeting everyone and engaged Will in a contest of cuteness – the results are still pending. Christmas day brought lots of presents and lots of food – sticky toffee pudding and sauce – my teeth hurt just thinking about it. Boxing day we visited with Karl, Caryn, Oliver and Adriana. Adriana talked our ear off and Oliver chased her around – as if a crawling 10 month old could take on a 3 + year old – although he is rather big for his age…… David and Maire dropped by to bask in all the baby/kid action. After an exhausting 5 days in Chelsea highlighted each night by the cousins taking turns waking us up we headed back to Guelph. We stopped on the way home in Kingston to visit Auntie E, Uncle B and fur cousin P. Finn showed off his rolls (of chubbiness) and then we were on the road again. Forgetting that people in Toronto do work, we ran into horrible rush hour traffic and in an attempt to bypass the problem exited the 401 to the 7 way too early. Finn woke up and had to be constantly amused by yours truly for the 2-hour drive home. We survived and enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

Uncle B and Auntie E

Ottawa - proper!

Dad and Adriana - show us those pearly whites


Caryn and Zoe corral the babies

David and Maire take on the Finn (Finnegan not the Finnish people)

How entertaining- or not!!

Opening presents

"Let me help"


"Thank you Uncle T for the delicious present!"


"What cute grandkids we have!!!"


"Finally I get to open something"


"Does this bow make my head look big?"

Happy Birthday Neerja!!

The cousins

"The 3 caballeros"

Here try this

A Little Elf

Our own little gnome

A little elf visits with Andrew and Samarra

Visit with Kris, Chris and Will

Wedding!!!

At an intimate ceremony held at Allan Gardens in Toronto, Nancy and Attila became husband and wife. Finn, who wore a tie for the first time ever, entertained everyone with his cuteness and met another 5 month old baby – Oscar - who is now Nancy’s step-nephew. Dinner and a party followed the ceremony at a restaurant in Nancy and Attila’s neighbourhood. Finn was a fabulously good baby and only started being really cranky around 9:15 pm. Headed back to Guelph where Finn slept very soundly!!!!

Uncle Tom

Finn met his Uncle Tom for the first time. Tom came up for a few days to visit Finn prior to heading to Toronto for Nancy’s wedding. They both seem very taken with each other. Apart from an initial unsure reaction Finn smiled every time he saw Tom.

I'm 5 months old

I still love singing with Mummy – I will calm down and smile when she sings “Doe – a Deer” from the Sound of Music.

Daddy makes me laugh when he makes pretend vomit faces (much funnier than it sounds).

I love granola bar boxes and bottles of salad dressing – really anything that Mummy and Daddy have touched.

I can sit up unassisted for long periods of time until I get distracted and lose my balance - my head is always the first to plummet.

The cat is endlessly fascinating. I am very good at stroking her gently – unless I catch her tail and then I hold on with all my might.

I love people and am always ready with a willing smile!

Visit with Santa

Last night, on what was the coldest night in weeks, a shoe store in downtown Guelph hosted Santa for a photo session - outside. Yikes - poor Finn. He did quite well considering. Santa suggested to prevent crying we avoid letting Finn see the old man himself- not to worry- Finn was more interested in the store window (decorated with anamatronic elves and skating Barbies) than in telling Santa what he wants for Christmas (his 2 front teeth of course!!!).