Adventures in Calgary

So I'm on hour 29 with no sleep and I just got a call from Noel saying that he's going to pick Molly up at the dayhome because she is covered in a rash! A trip to the walk in clinic was not what we had in mind for her first birthday at all - not that we had any plan. I'm stuck here at work until god knows when and then off on a road trip for work tomorrow so the celebrations and sickness will have to go on without me. Man it sure is hard concentrating on work when I know Molly could be sick. I hope the rash is nothing too serious.

Molly is 1 year old today. Sadly I am swamped at work and barely able to catch my breath let alone actually celebrate Molly's arrival. At this exact time last year I was pacing the floor, listening to my relaxed birth playlist and possibly baking ziti. I hope I get to at least give Molly a hug and a squeeze before coming back here first thing tomorrow. Thank god for Noel. He really is the best dad ever.

Molly's favourite thing to do is read. She spends most of her time at home pulling books out of her various baskets and flipping through the pages. She totally knows which way to hold the book, how to turn the pages and is even starting to point at different pictures on the page. Some mornings she just sits chattering away to herself surrounded by her pile of books opened to all different pages. She seems to have a preference for the pigeon series these days and who could blame her - they rock! This week she's started picking up books and carrying them to me so that I can read them to her. I can't think of anything that is as rewarding as having her on my lap reading a story.

What did you learn from Lance Molly? Doping is fine as long as you don't ever get caught!

My how things change in a year!

Yesterday we had a little get together with the other birth class babes. Macara couldn't make it since it was her actual birthday yesterday but Angus, Eliot, Annick and Molly had a great time.

Molly has been walking using her walker for a while now but hasn't been standing on her own much (like at all) and she keeps walking on her knees instead of her feet. Well we're finally making some progress on that front. She took a couple of steps away from Noel the other day and then did it again for Suzanne yesterday and for me last night. It's only about 4 steps each time and it's always walking away from us when she thinks we're still holding on but it's still pretty cool. I forgot to mention that she also says Hi, and Hello. And she knows where her head is, and what hats are. Such small things can bring such joy.

I noticed today that I posted a photo of Molly last night that I'd already posted before so I figured I'd go with the mistake and post it again. Enjoy!

Now that I'm back at work, I have less time to a) take pictures of Molly and b) upload pictures. But that being said, we got some good shots of her this past weekend. She is such a ham. She loves to try on clothes, hats, towels, anything at all. And she loves to see what she looks like with her various costumes on. No matter what she puts on, her first stop after getting dressed up is the mirror where she waves at herself and laughs. It is so funny. Noel still thinks she'll be a bike racer some day - I say at this rate, she's more likely to be a parade queen or some such thing.

Molly's top right tooth finally made it's way through her gums this weekend. 3 more of her upper teeth aren't too far behind.

On the language front, Molly says Mama, Mum, Dada, Bananana, No, and all sorts of long strings of very emphatic nonsense.

She took a few steps for Noel yesterday but she's still not walking unaided - except on her knees!! Suzanne is determined to break her of that habit but I kinda like her little dorf walk. We just need to get her some cool shoes for her knees and she'll be set.

I can't believe she's almost 1 year old. This weekend coming up we're celebrating with the birth class crowd. We're all going out to Jump'n Java so the kids can play while we catch up on life after going back to work.

One year ago tomorrow Noel and I went to Ric's Steakhouse for our "last date". No date for us this year (I think I have to work late) but that's okay cause we're feeling the love anyway.

Molly has a new favourite toy. It's her Baby Grand Piano. It was a gift from a friend from work. It is awesome. She plays with it all the time. It's not surprising since she loves anything that plays music. The only thing she likes more than playing music is looking at herself in the mirror.

Molly had a great week at the dayhome this week. I think we're finally getting into the swing of things. She's sleeping a lot better. Eating well (both here and at Suzanne's). I was pretty stressed at work this week but even with that going on Molly was cool as a cucumber. And I must say work stress isn't nearly as hard to handle knowing that I've got Noel and Molly here waiting for me at home.

Today was so great. We just relaxed, visited with neighbours, cooked, did a bit of laundry and generally just enjoyed our time together. Tomorrow we're off to Grandma Nancy's house for dinner. If only every weekend were one or two days longer.

This week Noel is off to Edmonton for some meetings which means it's just Molly and I holding down the fort. I'm a bit worried about how I'm going to handle the whole routine on my own but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Worst case scenario...I miss a bit of work. Oh well. Thankfully this first trip is only for one night.