Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We had a busy Christmas season. As it was the first Christmas that Emma started to understand what was going on, there were a lot of firsts. We went to the yacht club Christmas party where Emma met Santa. We baked and decorated gingerbread cookies with our friend Donna.

Christmas was spent with Uncle Joe, the tiny tree made the resort condo feel a bit festive. There was a lot of snow up there so we were able to go out and play in it one afternoon. Emma made her first snowman and we showed her how to make a snow angel.

When we got back to town, Emma opened her gifts from her cousins. She loved playing with it all.

Bradley's Bum

Apparently Bradley needed cream and sprinkles (baby powder) so he could feel all better. Note the paint job on the wall and floor.



How do you get diaper cream off?

Sunny Days

With the fall sun so low in the sky, it shines in the kitchen window in the morning. Sometimes it's a bit too much to handle before breakfast.

Dancing is in the Blood

Emma had a blast dancing at a cousin's wedding we went to recently. She became the centre of attention.



Of course, it's not surprising - Grandma and Cousin Becky were in the congo line.

Fall in the Garden

When Grandma was up visiting, she and Emma spent time in the garden cleaning things up. Emma particularly liked the bird bath.

Fall Rains

Emma still fit in her one-piece rainsuit this fall. She and Dad were a matched set!

Mornings

Some mornings are rougher than others...

Halloween (belated)

A bit belated, but here are our halloween pics.

Emma didn't want to wear the costume I had for her, so we pulled out the tutu Uncle Joe gave her for Christmas and matched it with a tiara and feather boa from the costume box... Ta Daaaaa... a princess.





Notice the change in tiara. We had two. At one point she was sporting both at the same time.



For only going to two houses, Emma managed to score quite a bit of loot.

It's been a while...

Life has just been flying by since August. It started with a trip to G.P. for a wedding, then a bunch of stuff (is it a bad sign if I know we were busy but I can't remember at what?) ending with us purchasing a sailboat (finally!).

So, to catch up, in no particular order...

Visit to Uncle Joe

We went to visit Uncle Joe at his new place. He took us for a fast boat ride on the lake.Emma loved the wind in her hair.









We also had an amazing dinner at his restaurant. He had the pastry chef make Emma a special dessert... three cake bunnies!

I had to be quick to get the photos. The chocolate ears came off first.




In the end, the bunnies won!

Our visit to G.P.

Emma had a great time visiting the family, going to Uncle Earl and Aunt Amy's wedding and having (one of) her birthday party.

Summer Time

The peonies didn't last long but they were beautiful while they were here.


Emma playing with her water bucket. Note the sun suit AND bathing suit. I have much to learn about 2-year old fashion. I was only going to put the sun suit on her.


Snuggling with Daddy reading on Daddy's day.

Some (sort of) recent photos

Putting 'pretties' (hair elastics) on her cow.


Leo checking out our new back door.


Where's Leo?


Emma and Mommy


Daddy's little helper.


From May...

Helping Mommy with the spring pruning.


Playing on the deck

Big Girl Bed

Earlier this spring Emma made a smooth transition to her big girl bed that Daddy made her. Mommy is still getting around to making the curtains for it. (Have to have something for future posts!).

New bed meets with Smudge's approval.


Playing with Mommy on her new bed.


Thank you Daddy!

Caught Again!

Addendum to this recent post about her tissue habit...

Aftermath of Emma, 23 months...


and video proof!


We are still working through the pile of tissue.

Happy Loo Loo!

Don't know where it came from but the sentiment is the same.




Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Canada Day!

We decided to go to the zoo this morning. It was a perfect morning for it, cool enough for the animals to be out and about.

Napping on the way to the zoo. Had to be fresh to meet the animals.


This elephant put on a good show.


Emma had a good view from the backpack on Daddy's back.

Cycling days

With grand dreams of commuting with our bikes for the summer we bought a bike carrier in April. (Just to keep the record straight, I was only planning on cycling as far as the local subway stn from the start.)

Emma hated it. Refused to get in.
Liked the sunglasses though.



It took a while but Emma now loves going for bike rides. Looks like royalty being pulled along. We are still working on wearing the helmet though.

Cat relations

Smudge is slowly realizing Emma may have potential as a possible source of scritches. Emma has a few more things to learn about being gentle but moments like this make you hope.

Habits

Looking through some old photos. She got hooked early on.

Emma 6 months...




Emma 14 months...

Some recent pics

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit at the end of April. Emma helped Grandma with her cross-stitch.




I love watching Leo try to figure things out. You can almost see his two brain cells rubbing together. Here he is trying to figure out a drippy faucet (yes, left dripping on purpose).





Emma and Daddy reading on the bed.




Emma fixing herself some breakfast.

Apron strings

Emma decided she wanted to wear an apron like Mommy. Grandma's fit just right.

Bed time

We expect Emma to climb out of her crib any time now. I suspect the only thing that has kept her in her crib up to now is the fact that she actually likes being in it so it hasn't dawned on her to even try. In an effort to be prepared, Doug is making her a big girl bed. As she loves playing under tents made of pillows and blankets ('house! house!'), the bed is complete with curtain rails.

I better get cracking on the curtains.

Spring thaw brings ...

... lovely mud to play in. Emma loves being outside; you can tell by how black her clothes get. At daycare, she and another little boy are sure to find the only mud around.

Emma Posterized

I tried out a new fibre technique I read about recently. The piece is not finished yet, but I really like it even at this point.