firsts

March 9, 2013

Avery got her first real introduction to grass.

She was quite cautions and not too impressed, really.  She didn't know what to do with herself and, for the first time IN AGES, she just sat still.  Every-time she touched the grass she would grimace.  Ha!

Too bad I cannot install grass in out living room
to curb her fast-moving-ways ;)

snuggles

These pictures don't need any explanation...

Too darn cute!

winter wine tasting

We decided to go to a couple of wineries last Saturday.  The weather was cool and grey so it was the perfect excuse to get us out.  

Our first stop was Quail's Gate.  The adults tasted while Jake coloured and sipped apple juice.  We came home with 2012 Merlot and a 2012 Rose.  We walked along the edge of the newly pruned vineyard. The sommelier told us that each individual plant will be tended to by hand at least fourteen times during the growing season! 

The we continued up to Mission Hill.  We enjoyed the wine, the view, the bell-tower chiming and Jake sipped on some local sparkling peach juice.  Billy's favourite was the 2009 Compendium but at fifty dollars a bottle we took a pass.  Misson Hill has been awarded Best Canadian Winery twice but funnily enough, I left thinking of that peach juice -- so, so good.        

a happy week

I haven't had a chance to post anything lately because we had great-grandparents in town visiting!  We were too busy playing, wine tasting, baking cinnamon buns, watching curling and playing some more.  We feel so lucky they came all this way and had the very nicest time!     

They had so much energy to play with Jake, he was constantly beaming (even with a rotten cold) and they were so generous and helpful.  When we talked about their leaving Jake said, "I'm gonna be so sad".  We're all feeling that way.       

celebrating nine months

A whole nine months, gone in a flash.  It slips by awfully quick.  Everyone is always telling you that, but it doesn't hold much meaning until you've had children.  Time isn't solely measured by calendar days any more, but by milestones -- first steps, first smiles, outgrown pyjamas, shoes that no longer fit, bangs that need trimming and pencil marks on the wall.  

It's measured in inches and pounds. 

    

This baby stage is on its way out.  Fast.  

And as much as I'll miss it terribly, I'm also excited to see what will follow.  

  We are enjoying every minute with this busy baby.  She is a mover, is full of curiosity and has a humongous smile that is literally so big, it forces her eyes shut and shows both rows of toothless gums.  

She is full of joy and couldn't be loved any more.  

update

Jacob 34 months + Avery 8 months

Right now Avery is loving...

all Jakes toys (hockey sticks, building blocks, cars...), crawling up the first few stairs, crawling everywhere, pulling herself up on the couch and then letting go (oops), trying to grab Hailey's ears, putting everything in her mouth, cheerios, joyful high-pitch screaming and bath-time.   

She does not like...

sleeping through the night any more, books (unless they are the touch-and-feel variety), sitting still and strangers.

Right now Jake is loving...

make believe hockey, curling, football, basketball and golf, colouring, reading, sequencing numbers to 10, floor puzzles, glue sticks, stickers, play doh (which involves a game he named "rollball"), porridge and subtraction all thanks to Pete and his Groovy Buttons,  

He does not like...
loud noises, slides, bananas and sun in his eyes.

I love being your mom, you two.  Love it.  

loss

Over the weekend we received the saddest news.  A friend of ours from Tilburg passed away, at the age of twenty-nine.  We are so heartbroken for her son, her husband and her family and pray that they may find some peace.

I've been sitting for a while and cannot find any words that adequately express my thoughts.

But I keep coming back to the fact that she was a daughter, a wife and a mother - like myself - and it has me feeling a lot of complex feelings.  I cannot help but think of her son often and with deep sadness.

It was a reminder to me... to fill everyday with joy, express gratitude to loved ones and let the little things go.  Life is a beautiful gift.  And I plan to spend the rest of the day showering my sweet children in kisses and holding them close.