Andrew & Zoe

Official Finn 5th birthday!

2011-07-10T20:59:00.000-04:00

Nana and Poppa came to visit for the big day and we took them to Riverside park to try out Finn's remote control boat, take a spin on the merry-go-round and enjoy a little picnic.

Finn's 5th Birthday Dinner- the adults

2011-07-09T20:55:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed a fun meal at Montana's the night before Finn's official birthday. Finn was surprised and shocked by the staff singing Happy Birthday to him and amused by the moose hat!

Finn's 5th Birthday Dinner- the kids

2011-07-09T20:51:00.000-04:00

Sacred Heart Bazaar

2011-07-02T20:36:00.000-04:00

July 1st and 2nd we jogged around the corner to the Sacred Heart Bazaar. As always the motor bikes were a big hit. This year there was even an American Gladiator-style "wrecking ball" game where Andrew and Finn tried to knock each other off their pad. Tabs' favourite was definitely the bouncy castle. She's addicted!

Canada Day 2011

2011-07-01T20:24:00.000-04:00

Meeting the mascot for the duck day races!

Hands-free on the pony ride. Tabs loves horses!

Once again we headed to Riverside park to spend the morning enjoying the sites! We checked out the pony ride, the petting zoo and the duck racing. Home for lunch and then after dinner to the Sacred Heart Bazaar! What a day!

End of maternelle picnic

2011-06-28T21:47:00.000-04:00

Finn and his 2 teachers from maternelle. Next year on to Jardin! Mme Edith on the left (the teacher's aide) and Mme Genevieve on the right. Finn had a great year and learned so much french.

Finn's party

2011-06-26T21:28:00.005-04:00

We decided to have Finn's party for his 5th birthday before school ended so that all his friends could come. Uncle Tom and Auntie Rachel came up from New York to enjoy the day with us. We had a super hero-themed party at Royal City Park. Beautiful day - not too hot. The kids loved running around, playing super hero games, throwing water balloons at "Dr. Dino"(aka Andrew). Uncle Tom delivered a wonderful magic performance while the kids ate. Dr Dino had stolen the birthday cupcakes and the kids had to follow the clues to find the batman cupcakes. A great morning.

Franco-Fest

2011-06-24T21:20:00.000-04:00

Finn's school held a special festival for Saint-Jean Baptiste Day. Free rides, a bbq, games, friends. Finn ran around screaming to his hearts content. Tabs also loved it and was as brave as her brother. She loved the bouncy castle and the mini ferris wheel. She never wanted to get off the mini train (5 trips +?) Finn desperately wanted to go on the swings. I wasn't sure but relented. He seemed keen at first and then a look crossed his face and I thought I was going to either have to ask them to stop the ride or watch his dinner spew across the grass. But then the look changed and he started screaming with joy! He loved it!!!

Father's Day June 2011

2011-06-19T21:13:00.001-04:00

Hammock, book, beer. What more could a Dad want on Father's day? We've had the hammock since our trip to Mexico (2003?) and finally bit the bullet and bought a hammock stand. Totally worth it. Although not as relaxing when the two rug rats crawl all over you - cover your sensitive parts!

Around the house

2011-05-01T20:59:00.000-04:00

Seasoning our yummy lamb chops! Such good helpers.

Finn topping and tailing the green beans. Only way he'll eat them. Guess they taste better with his sweat and tears flavouring them!

Finn's lego creation. He wanted us to take this photo so we could send it in to his lego club magazine. All the kids pose like this with their lego!

Finn's school had a crazy hair day. We added some of Andrew's hair product and let him go wild. Here he is adding some of his own crazy to the mix.

Love the thigh-high boots. Pushing the mower. Classic.

Burning off the eggs

2011-04-24T20:54:00.000-04:00

After a morning of stuffing our faces with chocolate bunny treats a trip to the local playground was in order to burn off some energy. Hanging upside down seem to be the favourite position for the older folks. Working out the kinks in their aching backs?

Easter Morning 2011 - Perth

2011-04-24T20:47:00.000-04:00

This year we were lucky that the Easter bunny paid us a visit at Nana and Poppa's house in Perth. No snow. A bit crisp in the morning. Perfect for hunting for chocolate in the garden. Both Tabs and Finn loved the foil eggs. Yummy. Who needs breakfast after all that chocolate?

Ottawa- trip to Museum of Science and Tech

2011-04-21T20:31:00.000-04:00

Famous hockey players in our midst.

We thought Finn would love the trains. I think their size kind of scared him.

Trip to Ottawa for Easter- Visit to Children's Museum

2011-04-20T20:21:00.000-04:00

The boy in the iron mask.

Tabitha de Bergerac.

We gonna ride this camel all the way home!

Visit with Will and his fabulous collection of Lego.

We had tiles, we had a bathroom what we didn't have was time and steal-like bladders so we left early for our Easter break, vacayed in O-town and let a cute little old italian man take care of tiling our bathroom.

Finn bikes sans training wheels

2011-04-11T20:09:00.000-04:00

Deciding on the tough love approach Mum removed Finn's training wheels. The first try was not successful......Two days later and Finn is flying around on Rosie's (our neighbour)driveway. He is so proud and so are we!

(video doesn't want to load)

College Royal 2011

2011-03-24T20:21:00.002-04:00

Once again we headed to u of G famous open house : College Royal. This year we stretched the fun to 2 days! We started with the pancake flip which resulted in 2 kids covered in syrup etc. No drums banging this year - almost too quiet. The kids really enjoyed seeing the snakes and bugs on show by the wilderness club. We thought Tabs would like the cows but just like her brother did at her age she was rather overwhelmed by them and cried until we left. Funny though - she talked about them for days after.

Tabs near a horse- this was the closest we could get her to most of the animals.

Our annual visit with the piglets. Finn even got to pat them this year - they were asleep after too much excitement.

Putting on the real grass turf - the most fun in Daddy's department (apart from Daddy's display of course). Tabby kept calling this hockey.

Finn is getting so fast a the tractor rodeo.

Finn with the bunnies.

First piggie tales

2011-03-09T19:34:00.002-05:00

They may be tiny but they are the cutest piggie tales ever!

Storms hockey with Nana and Poppa

2011-02-27T19:28:00.001-05:00

Through Finn's school we got excellent rink side seats. Nana and Poppa enjoyed an exciting game of the Storms vs. Kingston. I think we won? Or was it the popcorn and smarties for snack.....

Winter hike with Nana and Poppa

2011-02-26T19:22:00.002-05:00

A beautiful winter day to go hiking at Ignatius with Nana and Poppa. Finn and Tabs loved being pulled over the bumpy ground on the sled.

Convocation

2011-02-24T19:31:00.000-05:00

Andrew is now officially a Doctor. Yay! Nana and Poppa come down to visit and spend a few days hanging out with the family.

Tabs - 18 months old

2011-02-16T19:30:00.004-05:00

This silly little girl is full of energy and life. Since Christmas she has gone through a word explosion. She is so proud of language skills and loves pointing to every thing she knows and naming it. She started putting words together and now proudly makes 2 word sentences. She has been great at using the potty and now tells us when she needs to poo (although she calls it pee pee) and asks to use the toytet. She loves dancing and singing. Loves "collaw" (colouring) and dressing up in Mum's, Dad's, Finn's and Tabs' clothing.

Some of Tabitha's words:

Foofi (Finni - we think it's cute - he's not so sure)

Eyes

Eyes (Ears)

Mout (She can say mouth but she now says it while sticking her tongue out)

Nose (this also means wipe my nose)

Toytet (Toilet)

Blanket

Shirt

Panties

Shoesies

Snowsuit

Seatbelt (this also means stroller and bra - essentially anything with straps)

Peppa (sweet peppers)

Yeyo (Yellow)

Blue

Purpul (purple)

Milkies (to nurse)

What happens when you leave baby alone with markers

2011-02-09T20:48:00.002-05:00

She loves to "cohlaw". She loves to cohlaw herself. She is so proud when she does it and shows all her beautiful body art off to anyone who will take a peak (most often under her shirt).

The great batman elfling race of 2011

2011-01-29T20:45:00.002-05:00

Love the outfits. Love the expressions. Love the silliness. Wish we had a bigger area to let them run.

Beating the winter blues

2011-01-20T20:36:00.001-05:00

Driving conditions were rough. Good thing we have 2 boot drive.

Snow fort.

Knight and princess. Note Finn is sporting his precious washing up gloves. Both are carrying their hockey Canada "swords" (mini hockey sticks that Santa made a big mistake by bringing - mostly used as weapons)

Tabs in her supermodel pose down.

New Year's Eve 2010

2010-12-31T20:32:00.002-05:00

Once again headed to Riverside park to see "sparkles in the park". Thousands of lights and inflatable statues are set up in dazzling displays of festive cheer. We loved the warm temperature (barely below freezing) and the free rides on the carousel. We didn't stay for the fireworks this year and headed home for a nice early night.

Christmas 2010 in Perth

2010-12-25T20:17:00.001-05:00

After a family bout of stomach flu we left a bit late for our Xmas vacation with Nana and Poppa in Perth. Lots of fun on Xmas day with present opening and delicious turkey. Our visitors all came to us - first the Suuronens and then the cousins. Finn loved having kids to play with and Tabs wasn't quite sure what to do (she was still recovering from her illness).

Tabs in her new chair opening presents.

Spiderman investigating his stocking.

The cousins. Yes our baby is never dressed - cuts down on laundry.

A visit to the trails is never complete without playing on the merry-go-round.

Cutting down the christmas tree

2010-12-05T20:21:00.001-05:00

Finding the perfect tree on a bitterly cold morning with no snow!

Sawing it down.

We had to carry it all the back to our car - quite a walk.

In our living room - with some decorations. Love Tabs' expression. We originally planned to get a 3-4 ft one but instead arrived home with a nice 9 ft. That's what happens when you cut your own I guess.

15 months old

2010-11-16T20:04:00.003-05:00

Words:

Milkies

Appul

Size:

26.7 pounds

31.5 inches long

Hike at Ignatius

2010-11-07T20:07:00.000-05:00

The Ignatius Jesuit retreat North Guelph has many nice trails. The one we tried this Saturday was "the Great Auk". Finn like running ahead to place twig arrows to show us the way.

Around the house

2010-11-04T19:55:00.001-04:00

Kleenex box ceramic tile skating.

Giddy up Daddy! ( PS - Andrew's pupils are not really pin pricks - I "fixed" his red eyes.)

Apples!

"Reading"

Halloween 2010 part 2 - trick or treating

2010-10-31T20:13:00.000-04:00

Spooky night time shot with candles. Finn's pumpkin is on the left.

Batman, "Spot" and Mummy decorate for trick or treaters.

Pumpkins in the daylight. Middle pumpkin Finn designed at school - love the parasol!

Batman and his pumpkin.

Finn demanded to be Batman in September and convinced Andrew to buy him a Batman pj set. I then had to rush around trying to make and/or buy a Batman mask. But he loved it! And the extra clothes he had to wear for warmth really added to his muscular look!

Halloween 2010 part 1

2010-10-31T20:05:00.002-04:00

Scooping out the pumpkin goo. Yummy?

What a gory Daddy.

Getting ready to carve the pumpkins.

At Finn's school's Halloween dance. Finn was rather wound up and "danced" around with his friend Alex the dinosaur.

First family hike

2010-10-17T19:56:00.000-04:00

Drawing smiley faces in the gravel. Self portrait?

Birds were too scratchy on his hands - so we put bird seed on his hat.....

In order to increase our family fitness time we decided to initiate a weekly hike with the kids. We started with a trip to Starkey's Hill . The first week we spent most of our time with the chickadees and snacking. The second week we actually finished the whole trail!

Thanksgiving visit with Uncle Tom

2010-10-14T19:39:00.005-04:00

Dragonfly park swings.

Accessible swing + super hard pushing from Uncle Tom = awesome fun!

Glacier rocks. On top of "mountain" near dragonfly park.

Watching the Octoberfest parade.

First day on the bus

2010-09-16T20:33:00.002-04:00

Figured out hiccup with bus. Rainiest day ever in Guelph. Everyone trekked out to watch Finn's first trip on the school bus. He was such a trooper. No problem!

First Day of School

2010-09-15T20:31:00.003-04:00

Ready to go! Up early, fed and dressed. Excited to start school at the french public school l'Odyssee. Going to catch the bus, which unfortunately did not show up (miscommunication between dispatch and bus driver). A few tears when we drove him to school - mainly due to disappointment of not taking the bus. But came home ready to face another day. Hooray! Quite a big leap for Finn - school is all day everyday.

Train

2010-09-14T20:26:00.005-04:00

Waiting for the main event on the train bridge.

Here it comes!

After climbing to this train bridge many times and thinking how cool it would be to see a train passing underneath, we finally figured out the train-lines schedule and rushed to get on the bridge on time. We made it with time to spare and even managed a wave from the engineer!

Park

2010-09-14T20:26:00.004-04:00

The joy of sliding. Love this smile.

Big brother catches baby sister.

Twosome on the slide.

Finn's final day of freedom before school starts. Enjoyed a beautiful hike to the park with beautiful weather.

Blocks

2010-09-04T20:22:00.001-04:00

Uncle Tom sent these giant blocks for Finn and Tabs' birthday (which currently take up like half our living room). Finn was finally able to build this garage while we kept the baby godzilla at bay.

Zoo

2010-08-29T20:18:00.001-04:00

Inside a giant turtle shell.

Hot baby in the splash park.

Bunny ears. Crazy boy.

We had free passes to the Zoo (thank you Suuronens) so we braved super hot heat to check out the animals. Finn like the elephants and the polar bears the best. Tabitha liked everything so much she refused to sleep all day. Basically a way too hot day for everyone- animals included.

Pirate head haircut

2010-08-27T20:17:00.001-04:00

Finn created this "pirate" chia head while at the cottage with Nana and Poppa. He really enjoys giving it haircuts every other day.

Friends on the river Speed

2010-08-23T20:12:00.002-04:00

Boys on the bench

Enjoying a break from canoeing the Speed river.

Our friends the Suuronens braved the 401 to come visit our little town. We canoed, played the parks and generally had an awesome time.

Happy Birthday Tabs!

2010-08-16T09:16:00.006-04:00

height: 30.9 inches

weight: 23.2 lbs

head circumference: 18.1 inches

No longer a baby - now a toddler. Tabs's walking has kicked it up a notch - she is of course trying to run and be just like her brother. Such joy in her step. She loves it! She likes to let you know what she's thinking. Dis, Dat, Hat, Cat. Meowwwwww. She is such a smiley baby that people always say she never has a bad day - except when she clings to my legs (both at once - yes it is hard to walk that way). A little shy at times but warms up fast and is off running away. Stop!!! Don't run out into the street crazy girl. Still loves her green food, also loves lemons and limes - huh? Loves to wash her hands - in a rather OCDish way. Want to cheer her up - "let's go wash our hands!". Clearly losing her baby fat - but still some lovely kissable cheeks (one dimple still).

Cottage

2010-08-14T20:28:00.000-04:00

Throwing off the shackles of life in the city. The boy enjoys his time away from Mummy and Daddy and Baby. Nana, Poppa and the cousins; plenty of sun and fun; late nights and campfires....Who ever wants to go home?

Cutest baby on the block

2010-08-08T20:24:00.000-04:00

You can't tell from this photo but she loves wearing these pants on her head - she insists on it!

The biggest baby on the block

2010-08-08T20:22:00.000-04:00

Last day of soccer

2010-08-04T20:20:00.001-04:00

Exhausted from all the "soccer" playing. Timbits, pizza and shiny gold medals - oh my!

Shaving

2010-07-26T20:17:00.000-04:00

Finn is such a big boy now he needs to shave at least once a week (with berry scented foam)

Finnitabs extravaganza

2010-07-23T20:11:00.000-04:00

Celebrating Finnitabs. Nana, Poppa, Nancy, Luther and Cabby all the way from China. An oozy ice cream cake and a beautiful afternoon!

11 months old

2010-07-16T13:57:00.004-04:00

I can take a few steps unassisted and it makes me squeal with delight.
I love to play games. I dip my head and you dip your head. Laugh laugh laugh.
I love to "dress up". I try to put on my clothes, Finn's clothes but most especially Daddy's boxer shorts. They look fabulous as a poncho.
I found a soother that Mum and Dad tried unsuccessfully to introduce to me when I was an infant - I love it now- strangely.
I can sign for milk.
I am more interested in strangers - especially 8 year old girls.
I love boxes with fold in lids. I love to put stuff in them and pull it out.
I love Finn's toys. Put out a pile of his toys and I will sit in the middle of them, kick my feet and squeal with delight.
I still love to growl. Mostly at Finn who seems to enjoy it too.
I love books, especially ones with pictures of babys. I don't like being read to - too slow - I go for fast flipping of pages.

Finn's 4th Birthday Party

2010-07-10T20:04:00.005-04:00

Pirate theme requires a pirate boat. All kids on board with Captain Finn!

Captain Finn and his fabulous desert island birthday cake.

Church Bazaar

2010-07-02T19:58:00.002-04:00

The giant slide all by himself this year. In fact all the rides by himself. This year.

Mummy and Tabs on the super bumpy train ride.

The motorcycles are still his favourite. This year he had no trouble steering.

Canada Day 2010

2010-07-01T19:32:00.004-04:00

Tabs enjoying some sausage on our Canada Day picnic.

Finn enjoying himself once again on the ponies.

Fat Lip

2010-06-27T19:30:00.001-04:00

Finn hit his lip on a play horse at the park. Doesn't like the term "fat-lip" prefers to be referred to as boy with bonked lip.

10 months old

2010-06-23T13:39:00.002-04:00

Had to put Tabs in this rather ridiculous outfit. So many ruffles.......

At 10 months Tabs loves to stand by herself - she is thinking hard about taking her first steps and has managed a shuffle or two. Standing makes her so happy that she screeches as loud as she possibly can. She makes kissy noises. She claps when you say "clap". She uses signs to ask for a drink and sometimes for "more". She may say "Hi" in response to "Hi". She loves hiding and loves "chasing" her brother. Her 7th and 8th teeth are just coming through. She's a biter - but only knees and thighs and fingers- so far.....

Tuesdays.....

2010-06-16T14:07:00.001-04:00

Cool new shades. Cool new attitude?

Running home from Daddy group.

Sun and roses. Pretty in pink.

Scary tiger

2010-06-16T14:04:00.002-04:00

We went to the multicultural festival this weekend. Finn loved the Javanese shadow puppets, the African drumming and the exotic food. What made him want to go 2 days in a row? Getting his face painted like a tiger.

Winston Churchill?

2010-06-16T13:58:00.002-04:00

Tabs loves crawling around with "things" in her mouth. This is her latest look. Does she look like anyone famous?

Don't go BP Amoco

2010-06-08T13:32:00.002-04:00

Tabs was inspired by Eddie Vedder singing "Don't go BP Amoco" on the radio to raise herself up and start dancing. Finn joined in off camera.

First soccer game

2010-06-02T14:26:00.001-04:00

In the pouring rain. Eleven under 4s played valiantly for a whole hour! Finn loved it. We really lucked out with a great coach and great players. Finn scored a goal and raised his hands in triumph - I have no idea who taught him that. Finn has decided he likes being a "world cup baby" as he calls it (I was in labour with him during the 2006 finals). He has decided to cheer for Mexico - no idea why.

planting Tabs' placenta

2010-05-31T14:15:00.000-04:00

Finn in the "big hole" dug by Finn and Andrew.

Tabs surveying the work.

Tabs checking out the blackberry bushes planted in her honour.

We decided to plant Tabs' placenta under 2 blackberry bushes. Hope we get to try some this year! Forgot how gross a placenta looks. Glad we buried it really deep. Finn's plum tree is finally producing this year and if all goes well we should taste some plums soon!

Muster!

2010-05-29T19:16:00.005-04:00

Emergency services muster in Kitchener. Fire trucks, ambulances, paramedics galore. Last time we went Finn was in heaven.

Big old train

Finn loved using the automated defibrillator. He did it twice! The paramedics were excited - he was the youngest participant ever! The second time he even placed the pads in the correct spot. Always good to have someone around who can do this. Andrew and I are getting older......

Fire chief in fire truck

Showing off his watering skills with a big hose.

Bath time

2010-05-25T19:36:00.003-04:00

"No making out with your sister"

"I'm gonna make Kraft dinner out of her"

Nine months

2010-05-16T19:31:00.002-04:00

Apparently 9 months is the peak of baby chubbness. So in honour of that I present Tabs with all her rolls......

Crawling- pulling up- hilarious cute face (drop head over to side, rest on shoulder and smile). Loves to get into everything! Loves "clipping coupons".

Tabitha crawling

2010-04-22T19:42:00.001-04:00

first picnic

2010-04-21T20:30:00.001-04:00

Does anyone really enjoy McD's even if you eat it outside? (For the record Tabs is not eating McD's- we'll wait a few more years before we let her near that stuff)

8 months old

2010-04-16T20:40:00.002-04:00

Extra super cute Baby is 8 months old! 6 teeth and able to magically move. Not crawling yet - but on the verge. Put her down in one spot and turn around and she has moved half way across the room - but is still on her butt. A mystery - baby psychic flyer?

Rishi's 1st bday

2010-04-04T20:31:00.001-04:00

All the cousins celebrate Rishi's 1st birthday in Chelsea.

Perth - Easter 2010

2010-04-03T19:14:00.001-04:00

With Poppy on the "ferry" at the trails.

Super hero and baby sister read book "all about Finn".

Easter bunny visit 2010

2010-04-02T20:21:00.006-04:00

Finn thoroughly enjoyed the hunt for easter eggs. Way too many chocolate eggs and jelly beans consumed all before breakfast. Tabs enjoyed her canned peach slices and stuffed duck (named Crackers - not Quackers).

Ottawa visit- Easter 2010

2010-04-02T20:17:00.002-04:00

Visiting old friends in Orleans

Helping Poppa on the tractor.

Finn Jokes

2010-03-27T12:52:00.002-04:00

What did the baseball player say to the dumptruck player?

----Don't dump your dirt in the guitar

Knock Knock

Who's there?

House

House Who?

House you can't live in me.

Knock Knock

Who's there?

Bird

Bird who?

Birdie, birdie you can't see me.

Post modern, dada or what we are not certain. I think Finn thinks Andrew and I have very poor senses of humour because he often has to tell us something is a joke and laugh before we join in.

College Royal 2010

2010-03-26T19:17:00.004-04:00

Thankfully not a real cow (both for Finn and the cow)

Every year with the piglets a photo we must take - this year they were all tired out.

Finally big enough for the tractor rodeo.

Finn's favourite part of College Royal was the pancake flip. "Farmhouse pancakes" boom, boom, boom boom boom (large drumming) - has been heard at our house ever since. Teams create unique pancake flavours (our favourite was apple caramel, much better than kitkat or smarties) and encourage the crowd the try their wares with rousing fight songs and cheers. Last year it was a bit loud for Finn (although he remembered it a year later) this year it was right up his alley. Once again we saw lots of wild and farm animals. Finn was finally big enough to work the tractor in the tractor rodeo. Tabitha slept through most of this (not the pancake drumming of course) but did find one large cow very interesting.

7 months old

2010-03-17T19:08:00.000-04:00

I rock forward on my hands and knees and look like I'm about to crawl - but do a belly flop instead.

I love to laugh at my brother and scream along with him.

Dadada.

Hiiiiii?

The two handed wave.

Two bottom teeth and top two poking through.

Covered in hives from goodness knows what? Doctor not sure......

Eating

2010-03-16T19:22:00.002-04:00

We are trying something new with Tabitha in the solids department.....Baby led weaning. Instead of starting with purees and cereals we are jumping right to finger foods. Apart from the occasional gag (which scared us a lot the first time) she is really doing well. She eats almost the same foods we eat - just differently shaped so she can easily pick them up an get them to her mouth. Unlike her brother she has really taken to green foods and readily eats broccoli whenever it is offered.

6 months old

2010-03-01T13:06:00.004-05:00

Tabs can sit up now unassisted. She of course has given up rolling so if she ends up on her back she just squawks until we sit her up again.

She is 26 1/2 inches and weighs and 19.4 lbs. Yikes!

As heard at the lunch table

2010-02-16T18:57:00.004-05:00

Mummy: Tonight we are having pancakes because it is shrove Tuesday.

Finn: Are we having pancakes for lunch? Why?

M: For dinner. People who believe in God (and Jesus) have pancakes on Mardi Gras to celebrate the start of lent.

F: I believe in God so can I have pancakes now?

As heard at the dinner table:

2010-01-30T18:31:00.002-05:00

While discussing an Ashley MacIsaac song (Finn picked out the Cd based on the cover art). Finn decided that one particularly slow wistful song "seemed sad". Andrew was trying to cheer him up by suggesting that the ending sounded hopeful.

Andrew: Hope is a very important thing.

Finn: " Did hope sneak into Barack Obama?" Note to self: hide book about Barack Obama.

Teeth

2010-01-27T19:09:00.000-05:00

Bottom teeth coming in. Peeks erupted through gums. Baby now bites down if losing her grip (so to speak). Yikes! Kept thinking no need to worry about teeth until had upper and lower teeth to complete a bite. Now thinking things are just going to get worse.......

Tom visit

2010-01-26T19:12:00.000-05:00

Last weekend "Uncle Tom" came for his first visit with Tabitha. One of the first things Finn asked Tom was "Do you believe in God?" We have been discussing this issue off and on mainly in relation to Xmas. Finn decided that even though Mummy and Daddy don't believe he did - which was fine with us. He has now since reversed the decision and decided he is a non believer.

Tabitha took well to Tom - probably the funny faces he kept making at her. Unfortunately both kids were sick with colds so all plans were shelved and we just hung out and played indoors all weekend.

5 months

2010-01-15T19:23:00.003-05:00

Tabitha likes:

Watching her brother walk upstairs

broccoli for bedtime

2010-01-15T12:59:00.002-05:00

The other night Finn added a new element to his bedtime stalling technique - the "

I'm hungry" plea. Being a smart Dad- Andrew suggested that if he were really hungry he could have some leftover broccoli for a snack. Finn is not currently into anything green - but complied and actually ate some cold broccoli before settling in for the night. Kudos to Daddy!

3rd times a charm?

2010-01-11T19:05:00.002-05:00

Tabitha rolled over for the 3rd time in 3 weeks. She will only roll on the bath mat ,usually before her bath. She rolled over onto her belly and almost managed to roll back on to her back. She then rolled on to her belly again. Her favourite pre-bathtime activity is slapping her feet over and over and over again........and giggling at the foolish antics of her big brother.

4 months old

2009-12-23T13:47:00.003-05:00

Oh dear. The curse of the second born. Mummy has been bad at updating the blog. So at her 4 month well baby Tabitha weighed 16.06 lbs and was 24 inches long. She is now almost rolling over - but only on our bathmat and no where else. She has become interested in her toes and is quite good at manipulating objects with her new found hand use. She has been trying out the exersaucer and quite enjoys it. Her newest thing is pulling on Mummy's hair and trying to put it in her mouth. She may have started on the never ending teething bandwagon.

2 months old

2009-10-16T09:56:00.001-04:00

Tabitha now weighs 13lbs 2 ounces and is 24 inches long.

6 weeks old - final visit with midwives

2009-09-24T09:54:00.000-04:00

Tabitha is now 11.5 lbs. She is 56 cm long. She is growing well and has started smiling at people. Went to lactation consultant re thrush and overactive letdown. Have some tips and will do gentian violet. Much chubbier than Finn - many chins.

4 weeks old

2009-09-09T09:51:00.001-04:00

Tabitha is now 10.5 lbs. Breastfeeding is going well and Finn is back from visiting his Nana and Papa. Tabitha sleeps well but only if on Mummy or Daddy. Hope to work on this. Seems like she will may be like Finn - needs help to get to sleep.

10 days post partum

2009-08-26T09:50:00.001-04:00

Tabitha is now 8 lbs 7 oz. Her cord has fallen off.

Introducing Tabitha Jeanette

2009-08-25T14:03:00.000-04:00

Here is her first blog post. Tabitha was born on August 16 at 3:38 am, minutes after I called the midwives. Zoe and I managed to do it by ourselves and the paramedics showed up five minutes later. Thankfully we were planning a home birth.

For the record, Dad's first hand account:

Zoe woke me to get the bed changed at around 2:30. It took a long time and two tries to get it done properly (ie the "to remain clean" bottom and top sheets covered by a couple shower curtains and some thrift store "to get very dirty and thrown out" sheets) - Zoe insightfully and acidly suggested that it might be easier if I turned on a light - it was. By 3:00 we were back in bed and I was listening to her contractions. The two I witnessed seemed close together and intense, so I suggested timing them. I timed two: 1:30 long, 4:30 apart and we decided to call the midwife, Hedieh. As I left to get the phone, Zoe's water broke and I heard her calling me over the dishwasher noise while I was on the phone. I got back upstairs to see a head... the baby's head. Hedieh told me to call 911 and I did. While on the phone with ambulance dispatch, Zoe and I managed to deliver the baby (Zoe did the delivering, I did the catching - one-handed, but really more a sliding to the bed than an actual catch). I had read up a bit on this stuff and tried to diligently do things right like check for the cord around the babies neck before she comes out all the way. The dispatch was reassuring, but not very helpful: "try to get the mother on her back" - um no, not with a baby head sticking out. She had to have asked me "how far along is she?" four times before I realized she was asking about gestation not about dilation - I must have sounded hysterical (no, never) saying "There's a head sticking out!" more emphatically each time, before she then asked "when is the baby due?"

Rumours persist that I may have dropped the phone on her, but there is no physical evidence to back it up. I got Tabitha wrapped up in a towel, told the dispatcher that we would no longer be needing an ambulance and was told that they should be outside... So I let them in. Paramedics woke Finn up, who was maybe a little worried, but easily delighted by the ambulance complete with flashing lights parked outside. Midwives showed up five minutes later and the rest was pretty routine. We impressed the paramedics with our vast and ready supply of towels and by the fact that our bed wasn't ruined. We were also, the only people that crew had seen to have delivered at home and not gone to the hospital.

Sunday morning - before we all had a nap for a couple hours.
Day 3 - Finn's first solo hold (and only so far).

Day 5 - back up to her birth weight and steadily gaining...

Regained birthweight

2009-08-20T09:48:00.000-04:00

Tabitha is now back to 8 lbs.

July Catch Up

2009-08-03T09:53:00.002-04:00

We've had a busy summer. Here are a few photos.

First our visit form our world-wise (weary?) traveller Catherine on a brief visit to Canada between leaving Uganda and moving to China.
Nancy and Luther tagged along for the trip. Finn and Luther compared curls and cuteness and played very nicely together.

Andrew and Finn joined the cousins at the Toronto Zoo for a day of fun and no napping.

Who wants to see the adults anyway?

Hey This is Our Neighbourhood - who knew?

2009-08-01T19:24:00.001-04:00

"The Ward" named as one of top 8 best old neighbourhoods.

Dinner Antics

2009-07-30T20:15:00.004-04:00

Zoe had her yoga class tonight, so Finn and I finished up dinner together. He's often a bit of a pain as meals get close to the end. We were having fajitas so there was all kinds of things on the table. I left the room as he was finishing his food to get wash up stuff, yellow plums for "fruit" (the course that follows the main dinner course) and fill the sink to wash some dishes. Finn was a bit loud and I ignored him, then very quiet, which must not be ignored. I returned to find him finished his dinner and quietly occupied licking the cheese grater!?!?!?!! Luckily nothing was grated...

Bedtime Warning May Contain Too Much Information

2009-07-27T20:31:00.004-04:00

Finn has been lately calling me into his room early in the evening some nights - usually I think he was asleep or almost and woke up. He often complains about sounds - dogs, trains, buzzing noises and wants his rain sound on (a white noise thing).

I just got called back in tonight, about 10 minutes after I left. Tonight he wanted me to smell his "sausage fart" - he asked if I could bring something in to get rid of the smell. It was pretty stinky. I explained that we have a ceiling fan in his room for just such an eventuality and that it would blow away any and all fart smells (given time) that he could produce.

Finn's 3rd Birthday

2009-07-11T09:44:00.001-04:00

We're a bit behind here (again). So I'm back dating this one!

Here are a couple of photos of Finn's 3rd Birthday party - a nice, quiet-ish affair. Family and only one friend who could make it (apparently a lot of people are still having weddings on Saturdays in July!) But it was just as well because two three year olds make a house seem pretty small on a rainy day, nevermind six...

Finn is still a big fan of cake.

Canada Day

2009-07-01T21:46:00.003-04:00

We spent a relaxed Canada Day at Riverside Park. Thanks to the Rotary club, we enjoyed a petting zoo, a barbecue and Finn's first pony ride. There were some tears in the line when older kids were weighed and some were told that they were too heavy for the ponies! We thought that Finn was very brave to go with the strangers and be put up on the pony with us out of sight at the far end of the fence. Finn and I later decided that his pony must be named Butterscotch. Look how delighted he is. Unfortunately, I don't think we have room for a pony in the garage.

Church Bazaar

2009-06-26T20:29:00.001-04:00

This picture might look familiar. Finn was somewhat better at driving and steering this time. His preference for pink motorcycles over blue however remains.

Finn also tried other rides this year. Here he is bouncing in an inflatable with our neighbour's grand kids.

Alone on a ferris wheel. The boy is much bolder and braver than certainly his father was at the same age... not that I remember.

A fun spill at the bottom of the GIANT slide. Thanks to Lucas who helped Finn go up and slide down (and didn't fall on him at the bottom!). We love this church bazaar - right around the corner with free rides for the little kids. We bought some raffle tickets to support the cause, but sadly didn't get lucky to the tune of a side of beef...

Summer fun

2009-06-26T19:55:00.001-04:00

Nana and Finn pretend to put out a fire at the "Early Years Centre" while Daddy and Poppa paint at home.

Finn and his best friend Aria playing at the park. They have a shared love of screaming and running around. Sometimes trying for Mummys!

Spoons on noses. What for? Why not!

Mummy and Daddy's day

2009-06-25T19:50:00.000-04:00

For both Mother's Day and Father's Day Cake was the big draw. Daddy's day was a Martha Stewart inside out strawberry ice cream cake.

Mummy's Day featured a vanilla and caramel ice cream cake with dulce de leche centre. Yummy!

Finn's ideal family

2009-06-19T19:53:00.001-04:00

As heard at the breakfast table:

"If you had 4 kids you could feed them pancakes and pizza and cake and yogurt. Mmmm that sounds yummy"