new year's eve

I always get a little sentimental on New Year's Eve.
There's so much to look back on.... a whole year has gone by.
So much has changed and yet everything seems perfectly the same.

Three years ago this very day I married my sweetheart.
Happy Anniversary Ryan!  I love you.
You'll always be my favourite.

ox

December 31, 2008

christmas day

This Christmas was quite different from every other Christmas before it.

First of all, Ryan and I have a little girl.  Ruby is now a walking, talking bundle of energy.  Last year she was only 3 months old, nursing every 2 hours, and sleeping 18 or so hours a day.... Wow!  We've come a long way baby!  Now she sleeps all night long but only naps for 1 and a half hours each day.  So... we really wanted to make sure she got her naps in despite all the festivities and family that eagerly wanted to see her.  Naps trump visits.  Always.  That's my rule.

Another difference was - no run.  For the past several years, an unofficial family tradition has developed that I really missed this year.  Ryan, Matthew and I used to go for a run on Christmas morning.... before all the eating and drinking started.  I wonder if Matt went in Calgary?  My bet is yes.... putting me to shame.
I could have gone on my own..... but it just didn't work out that way.  Besides it was very cold out and I'm getting wimpier every year.  Ryan and I did manage to go for a brisk walk before Turkey Dinner.... for that I'm proud of us.

Another difference - we stayed home more.  We actually spent more time at home than on the road or at someone else's house.  Wait... are we all grown up?  Well, if so, I like this new adult version of Christmas.  It's more relaxing and conducive to 6 a.m. wake-up calls!

Despite all the differences, Christmas morning in the Grant household started as most other days do.... Ruby playing with my make-up and brushes... losing an eye shadow or two underneath the dresser.

Getting ready for the day!

The two sets of 'local' grandparents came over Christmas morning to watch Ruby open some presents.  We haven't seen our set from 'away' and we miss them!  Papa Grant is having a knee replacement surgery next week, so we're not exactly sure when they'll be here.  Hurry up and get better... we miss you!  

Nana, Poppy, Dada, Ruby, Mama, Grampy and Grandma.

She loves her blocks.  Good choice Mama!  

She's warming up to the horse.  Nay!  

It was cute to watch Ruby opening her presents.. or... watching other people open the presents and Ruby stare in amazement.  

She got Grampy's hat from the closet and insisted that I wear it.  

The photos stop there folks.  I guess we just weren't on the ball.  I'll make sure I do better next year and hopefully get a video or two as well.

All in all, it's been a wonderful Christmas.  I'm thankful for all the free time I've been given lately.  That's the best gift I could ask for... but I didn't ask for it... which makes it even better!!!  Thank you helpers!  I love you.  oxoxooxoxoxox

a snowy christmas eve

Well, I got my wish and it snowed the night before Christmas Eve.  We woke up to about 5 cm of beautiful, fluffy white snow.  It was very cold outside so Ruby wasn't thrilled about walking in the snow.... but we went outside to give it a try.

I honestly think her feet were cold.  She has winter boots but I don't think they're meant for trekking through snow.  Too bad.... we'll have to find some better boots.

As I've mentioned before, she's not tolerant of anything in her hair, so this shot of her with the cute headband is rare.  Isn't she adorable?  

 This is me in my new Christmas apron!  When I saw it in the store it screamed out to me.  I think I'll be wearing it for many, many years... but only at Christmas!  The first time Ruby was me in it, she said, "ho, ho", which is her version of 'what Santa Claus says'.

Do I look pregnant in this photo?  Well, it's because I am!  Twelve weeks and four days, to be exact.  We've been keeping it under wraps, but now it's official.  I heard the little heartbeat and had an ultrasound last week, so I'm confident that things are progressing along just fine.  We've got a healthy little baby in there!  Heartbeat:  155 beats per minute!

I still think I'm crazy sometimes, doing it so soon after Ruby, but it just seemed right.  The baby will be here around July 3, 2012.  Ruby will be 21 months old.  I'm hoping that she'll be out of diapers by then... and talking a bit.... willing and able to be mommy's little helper..... and mature enough to communicate and be reasoned with....  Basically, I've got some work to do (and I am a tiny bit delusional).


Anyway.... back to Christmas...........

Nana and Poppy came over for Christmas Eve.

That's me lying on the couch after a marathon day in the kitchen.
That's Ruby in her dancing shoes!   

Ruby forgot to iron her shirt.  

Ruby and Nana

it's getting close to Christmas!

It's definitely getting close to Christmas but it certainly doesn't look like it.  We still have zero snow and today it's 4 degrees and raining.  Again, I'm not really complaining..... but a little white stuff would be sorta nice..... for Ruby's sake.  :)

We've been enjoying some extra time with Dada lately.  Ryan took most of this week off and I think Ruby is loving it.  She's learning how to throw a ball!  I'm not sure who's having more fun - Ryan or Ruby?  Mama was out so Ryan dressed her that day......

Yippee!!!  I can throw a ball!!  

In other news, I'm not exactly thrilled to announce this but... I think Ruby has a mullet.
Her hair on the sides of her head aren't growing at the same speed as her bangs and the hair at the back of her head.  I would love to grow her bangs and keep them up in a clip or elastic but our Ruby will have no part of it.  She pulls it out as fast as I get it in and usually gets several hairs along with it.  So.... I've been trimming her bangs every few weeks to keep them out of her eyes.  It looks adorable from the front, but when you look really close..... she's got a hairdo that resembles a 80's Wayne Gretzky mullet.  Sorry... I don't have a close-up picture of it and even if I did I couldn't post it out of respect for my baby.

OK.... well.... tomorrow is Ruby's 15 month birthday and then Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Stay tuned!

misery

Remember that Stephen King novel where a writer was captured by his "number one fan" after a car accident in a snow storm..... the fan proceeds to break the writer's ankles with a sledge hammer so that he can't get away.....

That must have hurt, right?  Well, Ruby is getting four teeth at the same time.  Three of them are molars.  She's pretty much as miserable as I've ever seen her.

She tries to do her favourite things.... like read magazines and play with Frosty, but it's just not possible.

This is her expression as of late.  

There's an undertone of pain in everything she does.  And, needless to say, it's making me miserable too.

No offense Ruby, but this is just no fun for Mama. 

Let's try to get over this as quickly as possible, please! 

In Ruby's defence, there were some fun times on the weekend.  Here we are enjoying one another's company over a Christmas book:

Oh.... those were the good old days.... happy baby / happy mommy.  :)  Please come back.

UPDATE:  
Much to my surprise... after her nap later on that very same day.... my baby girl came back!
Happy and Smiley and Cheerful!

She played on her laundry basket for about an hour!  It was fun.... I just sat there, watched and offered encouragement periodically!  Couldn't choose just one photo... they were too cute.  

family tradition

I always wondered who on earth read those flyers that came in the mail every week..... until I met Ryan.

For several years now, Ryan and I have fallen into somewhat of a family tradition with the flyers.  After our weekend morning breakfast of pancakes or french toast and coffee, we laze about the living room and peruse the flyers with smiles on our faces.... making note of all the things we "need" or "want".

It turns out that Ruby is definitely part of this family!  She's joining in the fun and making lists too!

Here are some shots from just a few minutes ago:

She really enjoyed the Zellers flyer....  

I think she has her eyes on Kungfu Panda...  

I wonder what Dada wants?

There were other fun times this past week.  Here are the highlights:

Reading a magazine.

Crochet outfit that Grandma made.
She wears the vest often, but the leg warms never make it past 5 minutes.  

Tickle time with Nana.  

rainy days

We're having spring-like weather in December.  Apparently, mother nature is a little confused, not that I mind in the least.  It was 15 degrees outside the other day (it's 10 today!) and Ruby and I went outside for several strolls in the rain.  We were given some awesome rain gear hand-me-downs which I thought were going to be too big, but luckily, they fit great!

Here's the best shot of all:

She loved this particular puddle the most.  

A little wet when we got home.  

It's raining again today and as I sit here beside the Christmas Tree...... I do hope it snows just a little bit for Christmas.  Less than three weeks to go!

it's a Christmas Tree!

We went to get our Christmas Tree this weekend.  Here are some shots of how things went down:

Ruby thought she'd wear Dada's boots for a change.
Nope.  Too big.  

Serious about finding the perfect tree. 

We thought we'd need help considering that tree stumps and saws were involved.... so Grandma and Grampy came along.

Grandma. 

Ryan and his catch.  

Squirming...... (there's Grampy running by.)

Having a snack in the van. 

Happy after eating kiwi.  

Ruby had a nap when we got home.  She actually fell asleep in the car on the way home.... so when she woke up and saw the tree in our living room.... well, this was her reaction:

Hands on the hips, "wow, a tree".

Naked (and crooked) tree.  We fixed it.  

 Much to my surprise, I managed to get the entire thing decorated in one evening, so when Ruby woke up this morning, this is what she saw:

Touching the "ba".

Fingers crossed that we don't have any major accidents in the coming weeks.
Now, I'm officially in the Christmas Spirit!   Bring on the Elvis!

rescindments

Ok, so I must rescind a couple statements I made in earlier posts.

#1.  the magazines that Ruby has been reading are now totalled.  She's not being as gentle with the delicate pages.

#2.  upon further investigation, I realize that she really spends more like 60 minutes a day reading books.  Maybe 75.   But, that is a lot for a 1-year old.



RESCINDING THE RESCINDMENTS:  

After a discussion with Ryan, I would like to hereby state that Ruby does in fact read or sit with books for at least 2 hours per day.  Perhaps not every day, but very often this does happen.  Apparently I was not exaggerating  the first time.

Sincerely.
-LG

books, books, books

We had a nice visit from Ruby's grandparents Papa and Nan Lynn yesterday.  They brought Ruby some new Christmas themed books which have replaced her current favorites and gives Mama and Dada a welcome break from the insanity of reading the same books every day, over and over.
Thank you for these and all the other books you've given to Ruby!   

Nan Lynn reading Ruby a magazine while Papa tells Ryan a story. 

She loves books.  I'd say that without exaggeration, Ruby spends between two and three hours each day reading books.  After breakfast, she usually gravitates to one of her stacks of books.  She'll either hunker down alone or bring them to Ryan or I to read to her.  During the day when I hear a strange silence in the house, I quite often find her rummaging through her books.  And then of course there's bed time.  The story time ritual has become everyone's favourite time of the day.

Recently, she's taken a liking to magazines.  This morning, she sifted through a Parenthood magazine for about 30 minutes.  She's been reading that particular issue since it arrived about two weeks ago and there's only one page missing!  She's oddly careful with the thin pages and often brings the magazine over saying "up, up", which means she wants me to pick her up and read it to her. 

I hope she continues this trend of reading.  I'm happy that she's starting off on this path so young.  I'd like to find (or make) time to read more myself.

If only I didn't have this annoying need for sleep.....

history, math and connections

An old friend from high school and her daughter came by for a visit the other day.  High school graduation was 20 years ago in 1991.  I actually met Heidi in grade 7 which was 1985, so we've been friends for 26 years. 

Willow and Ruby saying "Cheese"

Guess what?  She's one of the very few people from my past that I am still connected to. (Ok let's pretend that Facebook doesn't exist.  I'm talking about real friends here.  People you would actually invite into your home for some tea or a glass of wine.)  We only see one another from time to time.... about every 2-3 years, but when we do things just pick right up where they left off.  There's no strangeness or awkwardness at all which is nice or we probably wouldn't torture ourselves with the visits and I would lose that connection from my past. 

It was ten years ago in 2001 that I was living in Whistler and making a life-altering decision about whether to come "home" or stay out West.  One of biggest strikes against the West was lack of connections.  (It certainly wasn't the lifestyle, mountain lakes or climate).

Heidi, Ruby and Willow

After ten whole years of being back "home" I still have a few connections out West but it seems that year after year they tend to slip away, one by one.  It's challenging to keep friendships up over the miles.... people get married.... have kids..... and sometimes life makes being friends with certain people more complicated than it should be.   My strongest connection is with Christine and her husband Dave.  Christine and I met at BCIT in 1998, became fast friends and actually became best friends after I moved back East!  Funny hey?  It took a lot of effort - hours of long distance phone calls, trips from coast to coast, and it was well worth it.  She's amazing. 

And now, I'm thrilled to announce that finally, after 10 years of searching for a best girlfriend on the East Coast, the universe sent me Aimee.  She's my soul sister and guess what?  She's from the West Coast!  Ha! 

do these pants make me look fat?

OK... so Ruby is almost 14 months old and 23 pounds.  She wears clothing size 12 - 18 months.  Almost every pair of pants she has are too tight in the waist!  I've had to cut the elastic in 4 pairs of pants... so far!

look at this belly!!!  (that's milk drippings).

I'm just kidding.
I know she's not fat. 
It's actually the cutest little belly in the whole wide world. 
It's soft and smells good too.
I love it.


(but she's going on a diet starting Monday!)
No, just kidding.  Seriously.

just another day at the office

Ruby and I went to visit Ryan at the office yesterday. 

We've been twice before when she was much younger - before she was walking and not nearly as charming as she is now, (although she's always been quite charming).  It was amazing to watch the faces of every person who walked by her.  Of course she was a magnet to all the women, but grown men (and some corporate big wigs) were making googly eyes at her trying to make her smile.  Even people that didn't know us stopped to say hello.   I would say that seeing Ruby yesterday lifted the spirits of about 50 people.  Imagine what could happen if they let babies wander around offices on a daily basis?  Mental health would improve, stress would be way down, productivity might be too but that's ok because management would be more understanding and happier in general, and the cleaning staff could rightfully ask for a raise due to the increased work load.  Everybody wins.  Bring your kids to work! 

Here's what Miss Ruby and I have been up to today so far:

Tugging on me after breakfast.

Playing on her chair. 

Crawling under the activity centre. 

She's never crawled under that thing before and I tried to get her to do it again without any luck.

She's napping now and I'm going to do the same.  My chores can wait.  We're on a three night stretch for no wake-ups.  Well, Ruby sleeps through but I don't.  I'm still waking up a few times every night and struggle to get back to sleep.  I really hate it.   Oh well....