Adventures in Calgary

Molly and I got back from a ten day vacation in Ontario this week. Molly did amazing on the flights. I was lucky enough to get her a seat both ways (for free) so that I could bring her carseat on the plane - sweet!

Friday night Aunt Barb and Uncle Norm were at my parents to welcome us and meet Molly for the first time. Unfortunately, I wasn't thinking so I don't have a single picture with them - hopefully they'll mail me doubles of their pictures. It was so great to see them. We really miss having them right next door.

Saturday I had all the Hamilton girls (and husbands and kids) over for a pool party. The weather didn't cooperate though so it was a picnic in the basement instead. It was great to have them all meet Molly. It was a bit overwhelming - just because we'd just arrived the night before - but it was awesome! I'm so glad we all keep in touch. I can't believe how big Sarah and Lori's kids are getting. Its great to see them dancing around and sneaking cheesies!

Sunday Adrian and Linda came for the afternoon. Molly was totally into sticking out her tongue that day and we got some great pictures of her and Adrian with their tongues hanging out. Its too bad I couldn't see Aunt Chuckie and Ginny but at least Adrian got to meet Molly. I was happy to hear that Leo is happy and healthy and that Linda is keeping her brushed. I do miss that cat -even if Noel doesn't.

Monday and Tuesday were pretty low key...just hanging out with Mom and Dad...I took Molly over to the Spendal's to meet Frank and Louise one of the days. I also showed her Lori's old room - although there isn't much left the way it was when we were kids.

Wednesday we went to visit Garda and Roy. Molly loved them...she's sometimes a bit weird with older people because she isn't around many but she was loving Roy bigtime!

Thursday was another low key day at home.

Friday Chris Murray came to visit. I hadn't seen her since Kennedy was only a couple of days old...and now she's almost 2 and Chris is expecting again. Molly took to Chris immediately and ended up laughing so hard at Chris saying BURP that she was actually squealing. It was hilarious. You just never know what's going to tickle her fancy! Garda and Judy also came for a visit that afternoon. Judy is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her own grandchild in Edmonton - could be any day now!

Saturday my Gram Corkey, Aunt Carol, Uncle Pierre and cousin Aimee arrived. It was so great to see them and get to spend time with them. They were all so good with Molly. Saturday afternoon Bonnie, Randy, Jim and Lucille came to visit too. Randy was calling Molly "M.R." - too funny.

Sunday was Molly's baptism. Noel's Grandparents made the trip from Ottawa. Lori and Matt stood up for Molly with me. There were 5 babies being baptized and none of them cried! After church we had everyone back to Mom's for lunch. The day started out rainy and miserable but turned out sunny and warm. I got to have a nice visit with Arlene, Peter, Lori and Matt. Molly also got to meet Marg and Wayne, and Frank.

And Monday it was time to come back home.

It was hard being away from Noel for so long. We talked twice everyday but it's still not the same as being together. It's great to be back home again. The best part is that Molly is back on schedule already!

Thank-you to everyone in Hamilton (and Toronto and Ottawa) for coming out to make Molly's first trip to Ontario so special.

Noel left for Edmonton yesterday morning - he's away learning how to drive fork lifts if you can imagine. Molly and I managed well on our own. She is so funny these days. She's discovered her tongue and is always trying to get it to do new things (move sideways, stick way out, curl, spit). She's also getting really good at moving around on her tummy. She's pulling herself towards toys and spining herself around. She spotted herself in our front closet mirrors the other day and then dragged herself towards them for a closer look. Last week she "found her voice" which meant she screamed like a prehistoric bird for two days non-stop but luckily she just uses her screams for punctuation now. Last night she slept from 9:30 pm to 5:30 am (and I didn't wake up wondering why she wasn't awake for a change).

Today I need to finish packing...I don't know how I'm going to fit everything into one suitcase! Corrina is going to take us to the airport tomorrow morning where we'll meet up with the Rapper. I still can't believe we're going to Ontario. It seems like we've been talking about this trip forever and now it's here. I can't wait for everyone to meet Molly...she really is the coolest baby ever!

Yesterday we went to Angela and Dwayne's house for the morning/lunch. I've never seen Molly so smitten with another child. She couldn't take her eyes off Liam. Everything he did made her laugh out loud. It was so great seeing them interact with eachother. They really seemed more like kids than babies. I'm going to be sad when Angela goes back to work in the fall. We don't get to see them much but whenever we do it is quality time.

Angela is lucky enough to have a walker for Liam so Molly got to try it out yesterday and my theory that we need one for Molly was proven true when she immediately started rolling around the house happy as a clam. She wasn't quite as agile as Liam at getting around but it was her first time.

At this time next week we'll be in Ontario hanging with all my peeps from highschool...I can't wait for them to meet Molly and for Molly to meet all their kids.

A great, relaxing long weekend for all. A visit with Gram Nancy Saturday...Melinda's birthday party Sunday (pictures to come hopefully)...a day in the backyard on Monday. If only every weekend was 3 days long.

We gave Molly a break from food for the weekend and started her back on veg/fruit and rice cereal yesterday. She was much better about not shoving large portions up her nose...we hope she keeps up the good work.

In other news, I could've sworn that I heard Molly say "Mom" twice yesterday. Today she said "Ga" clearly.

Today we had a homemade babyfood exchange with the other moms from birthclass. It's always great getting together with them (and the babes) because its nice to see how much of what Molly is doing is personality and how much is just developmental stage stuff...for example - right now Molly is loving hitting stuff...turns out all the babies are happy hitting stuff right now. Seems like a small thing but when Molly is hammering away on anything and everything it makes you wonder if it's 'normal'. Molly is still the littlest of the bunch (not that I'm complaining, I love having a small/light baby). Annick seems to be the most mobile on her belly. Angus is still the largest. I think Elliot wins for most demanding. And Macara is the quietest. It'll be really cool if we can keep in touch with all these families for years to come because it really is invaluable having people who are going through similar stuff.

I've been very slack taking pictures lately (and putting them up even when I do have some) so here are some pictures from a couple weeks back when Uncle Dick and Aunt Joan were in town and then a couple from this week.

Molly was a bit off her schedule this week and has lost a lot of her interest in eating real food so we're taking a break on the food and concentrating on getting the schedule back on track.

This past week we tried out Level 2 Gymboree and it was great...way more interactive and fun than Level 1. She'll start going to Level 2 classes on Tuesdays when we come back from Hamilton. Wednesday we went down to Ramsay to visit Turner, Ash and Sloane. Molly spent the afternoon chewing on a clothes pin for the most part but it was a great visit for me. Yesterday we went out with Corrina and Angus. Angus is the baby that was born the same day as Molly and now we found out that Corrina and I are born only one day apart. How cool is that!?!?!?