The busy summer season has begun!
The last month has been very busy! It looks like that is a trend that will continue for the next few months too. While I definitely enjoy the amazing weather we've been having and many activities that come with it, it also makes time go way too quickly. I think these last four months of maternity leave will be the most fun, but I will be sad when it comes to an end.
After returning from Vancouver in late May, we welcomed my mom for her second visit to Calgary since Evelyn was born. We also were lucky to visit with good friends who were visiting Canmore for a week (all the way from New Brunswick with their four-month old baby boy). Evie has been changing lots in the last month and is getting much more expressive and fun to interact with.
We literally don't have any free weekends from now until mid-September, so I figured I better at least share a few pictures and videos of Evelyn before the summer is in full swing.
Seriously...how is she 8 months already!?!
We had a really great visit with my Mom and were able to get out a lot more than the last time she came (when it was -30 all week and Evie was only 5 weeks old). We did a few walks around the neighbourhood, had a picnic, went for a hike, went swimming at the Glenmore aquatic centre (where I think Craig was splashing more than any of the kids there), and checked out the Marda Loop Farmer's Market that runs in the summer. Craig and I were also thankful that we had a willing babysitter and could both leave the house past 7 pm for the first time in probably 5 months. So it was nice to get out for a couple dinners with friends.
Here are a few pictures from our visit
Checking out the local Farmer's Market run by our community association on Saturdays in the summer - listening to the violinists.
Letting the dogs cool off in Forget-Me-Not pond after our hike up Nihahi Ridge in Kananaskis - right before Ruby ran away from me trying to chase some horses...
Enjoying the view from Nihahi Ridge
Hudson and Ruby love to hike
Evie loves when she gets to have her mid-hike snack - You know...because it's tiring being carried up a mountain on your mom's back :)
Evie enjoying her picnic with Grandma
Enjoying the great early summer weather in the backyard
Having a picnic at Sandy Beach Park
We watched our friends' puppy, Burt, for about 10 days in June. I think it's safe to say, we won't be getting a third dog any time soon, but Burt was very well behaved and definitely did a good job tiring Ruby out every day. I think people thought I was crazy walking with 3 dogs and a baby, but luckily I didn't cross paths with any rabbits or squirrels :)
Picnic lunch with the Talecha and her little guy, Jet, and the dogs of course
Evie and her stick - Burt kept trying to steal it, but you can't really blame him
Evie hanging out with Burt - I think he felt bad that I made her do tummy time
Puppy snuggles
Training this guy during meal times was a work in progress...
All dressed up for her lunch date with Daddy (I dropped her off at the hospital with Craig while I got some shopping done - something I should definitely do more often!)
We had good visit with some friends visiting Alberta from New Brunswick as well. We went out and did a short hike with them (where we ended up getting lost and climbing a bit higher/steeper than we should have) and also checked out the Sundre Rodeo. The rodeo was a lot of fun, and every time we go to these small town rodeos we are reminded that they are often much more enjoyable (and way cheaper) than the Calgary Stampede. You still get to see all the same events, and unless you really follow rodeo, the lower skill level doesn't really mean its less entertaining (riding bulls and bucking horses is crazy to me no matter what!). It's also nice with babies since there are smaller crowds, shorter lines, and its just easier to get around (e.g. run back to the car, get food, go to bathroom, walk with baby if they are crying etc).
Hiking up the West Wind Pass trail near Spray Lakes Reservoir
Me and Teri, who I did my Masters with in Toronto
Baby's first rodeo...just need to find her a cowboy hat!
Happy baby hanging out in her crib
We also celebrated Father's Day this month - Evie was a pretty good sport as I attempted to take some cute pictures of her to make a card...
Craig and all the babies on Father's Day(some ours and some not...)
We hosted a Father's Day BBQ at our house which was a lot of fun. Several of our friends have had babies in the last little while, so it was a good way to celebrate all the new Dads out there and enjoy each other's company. It was sort-of a surprise....I told Craig about it on the morning of Father's Day, and then proceeded to give him a To-Do list (it's pretty much impossible to host something and take care of a baby without some help :). It turned out great though, and in spite of a rainy morning, the sun was shining for most of the afternoon.
Ben and his popsicles...toddlers really know how to wind up sticky
6 dogs, 4 babies, and 1 toddler - it's a whole new kind of crazy at our parties
Enjoying the sunshine and delicious food
After we let Ben take down all the decorations - Evie was pretty entertained too
This video just makes me laugh....Dog rides are pretty much just as great as pony rides, right?
Other than all our fun activities and visits over the last little while, I have really been enjoying the time with Evie. She is usually in pretty good spirits and is a lot more expressive now. She does quite a bit of giggling and is very interested in little details. It's neat to watch her try to grab and inspect (and eat) anything new that enters her sight.
We toured a daycare the other day, which brings a lot of emotions to the surface. I still have four months left of maternity leave, and knowing how much Evie has changed in the last 4 months (and the 4 months prior to that), I realize she will be very different. Hopefully I'll be able to get her (and myself) ready for the transition. I know I'll have a hard time with the fact that I won't be able to see her through all her waking hours any more, but at the same time, I know daycare will be good for her to have lots of stimulation and socialization that I couldn't provide on my own. I do miss parts of work too, and look forward to that intellectual challenge - it will just be such a drastic shift in routines come November. Oh well - I'm sure we'll manage.
I will just take all the time I have to really enjoy my baby. Here are a few more pictures and videos of Evie over the past month
I am glad she is able to sit on her own now - it makes it much easier to spend time outside (which we definitely do a lot of now that the summer is here)
Hanging out in the back yard (that mat was supposed to be my seat but the dogs had other plans)
Evelyn finally rolled over (only 3.5 months later than the average for babies :). She has gone both back to front and front to back, but still isn't super consistent. It isn't looking like she'll be moving around any time soon, so I guess I'll just enjoy being able to put her in one spot and know she'll stay there
First roll on video
Laughing on the floor (I don't think I'll ever tire of trying to make her laugh)
Enjoying some ravioli while I fend off dogs who like to troll under the high chair
Loving the plum
Inspecting a table spoon and bowl - she loves new things
Having fun in the jolly jumper - she still really enjoys this, so I guess we'll let her keep the giant contraption in our living room for a little longer
I swear some of the food makes it into her mouth (just after she wipes it all over her face, in her eyes and in her hair)
Well - that is all for this post. We have a really busy summer planned, starting with our first attempt at tent camping with a baby this weekend - hopefully I find time to share some pictures in a couple weeks!
After returning from Vancouver in late May, we welcomed my mom for her second visit to Calgary since Evelyn was born. We also were lucky to visit with good friends who were visiting Canmore for a week (all the way from New Brunswick with their four-month old baby boy). Evie has been changing lots in the last month and is getting much more expressive and fun to interact with.
We literally don't have any free weekends from now until mid-September, so I figured I better at least share a few pictures and videos of Evelyn before the summer is in full swing.
Seriously...how is she 8 months already!?!
Enough pictures!!!
We had a really great visit with my Mom and were able to get out a lot more than the last time she came (when it was -30 all week and Evie was only 5 weeks old). We did a few walks around the neighbourhood, had a picnic, went for a hike, went swimming at the Glenmore aquatic centre (where I think Craig was splashing more than any of the kids there), and checked out the Marda Loop Farmer's Market that runs in the summer. Craig and I were also thankful that we had a willing babysitter and could both leave the house past 7 pm for the first time in probably 5 months. So it was nice to get out for a couple dinners with friends.
Here are a few pictures from our visit
Checking out the local Farmer's Market run by our community association on Saturdays in the summer - listening to the violinists.
Letting the dogs cool off in Forget-Me-Not pond after our hike up Nihahi Ridge in Kananaskis - right before Ruby ran away from me trying to chase some horses...
Enjoying the view from Nihahi Ridge
Hudson and Ruby love to hike
Evie loves when she gets to have her mid-hike snack - You know...because it's tiring being carried up a mountain on your mom's back :)
Enjoying the great early summer weather in the backyard
Having a picnic at Sandy Beach Park
We watched our friends' puppy, Burt, for about 10 days in June. I think it's safe to say, we won't be getting a third dog any time soon, but Burt was very well behaved and definitely did a good job tiring Ruby out every day. I think people thought I was crazy walking with 3 dogs and a baby, but luckily I didn't cross paths with any rabbits or squirrels :)
Picnic lunch with the Talecha and her little guy, Jet, and the dogs of course
Evie and her stick - Burt kept trying to steal it, but you can't really blame him
Evie hanging out with Burt - I think he felt bad that I made her do tummy time
Puppy snuggles
Training this guy during meal times was a work in progress...
All dressed up for her lunch date with Daddy (I dropped her off at the hospital with Craig while I got some shopping done - something I should definitely do more often!)
We had good visit with some friends visiting Alberta from New Brunswick as well. We went out and did a short hike with them (where we ended up getting lost and climbing a bit higher/steeper than we should have) and also checked out the Sundre Rodeo. The rodeo was a lot of fun, and every time we go to these small town rodeos we are reminded that they are often much more enjoyable (and way cheaper) than the Calgary Stampede. You still get to see all the same events, and unless you really follow rodeo, the lower skill level doesn't really mean its less entertaining (riding bulls and bucking horses is crazy to me no matter what!). It's also nice with babies since there are smaller crowds, shorter lines, and its just easier to get around (e.g. run back to the car, get food, go to bathroom, walk with baby if they are crying etc).
Hiking up the West Wind Pass trail near Spray Lakes Reservoir
Me and Teri, who I did my Masters with in Toronto
Baby's first rodeo...just need to find her a cowboy hat!
Happy baby hanging out in her crib
We hosted a Father's Day BBQ at our house which was a lot of fun. Several of our friends have had babies in the last little while, so it was a good way to celebrate all the new Dads out there and enjoy each other's company. It was sort-of a surprise....I told Craig about it on the morning of Father's Day, and then proceeded to give him a To-Do list (it's pretty much impossible to host something and take care of a baby without some help :). It turned out great though, and in spite of a rainy morning, the sun was shining for most of the afternoon.
Ben and his popsicles...toddlers really know how to wind up sticky
6 dogs, 4 babies, and 1 toddler - it's a whole new kind of crazy at our parties
Enjoying the sunshine and delicious food
This video just makes me laugh....Dog rides are pretty much just as great as pony rides, right?
Other than all our fun activities and visits over the last little while, I have really been enjoying the time with Evie. She is usually in pretty good spirits and is a lot more expressive now. She does quite a bit of giggling and is very interested in little details. It's neat to watch her try to grab and inspect (and eat) anything new that enters her sight.
We toured a daycare the other day, which brings a lot of emotions to the surface. I still have four months left of maternity leave, and knowing how much Evie has changed in the last 4 months (and the 4 months prior to that), I realize she will be very different. Hopefully I'll be able to get her (and myself) ready for the transition. I know I'll have a hard time with the fact that I won't be able to see her through all her waking hours any more, but at the same time, I know daycare will be good for her to have lots of stimulation and socialization that I couldn't provide on my own. I do miss parts of work too, and look forward to that intellectual challenge - it will just be such a drastic shift in routines come November. Oh well - I'm sure we'll manage.
I will just take all the time I have to really enjoy my baby. Here are a few more pictures and videos of Evie over the past month
I am glad she is able to sit on her own now - it makes it much easier to spend time outside (which we definitely do a lot of now that the summer is here)
Hanging out in the back yard (that mat was supposed to be my seat but the dogs had other plans)
Evelyn finally rolled over (only 3.5 months later than the average for babies :). She has gone both back to front and front to back, but still isn't super consistent. It isn't looking like she'll be moving around any time soon, so I guess I'll just enjoy being able to put her in one spot and know she'll stay there
First roll on video
Laughing on the floor (I don't think I'll ever tire of trying to make her laugh)
Enjoying some ravioli while I fend off dogs who like to troll under the high chair
Inspecting a table spoon and bowl - she loves new things
I swear some of the food makes it into her mouth (just after she wipes it all over her face, in her eyes and in her hair)
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