It was just over a year ago that we announced to our families that we were expecting.
Last year I was avoiding my mom so I wouldn't spill the beans early, I had morning sickness and I was beyond tired. I am so glad that's over with!
Lily's first Christmas was pretty special. We started out taking her to the late church service on Christmas Eve. She did ok, considering the service started at the same time she usually goes to bed. She squawked a bit, so I had to leave and listen to the service from the lobby. It was strange - I have only missed the candlelight service a few times in my life. (A couple of years we were at the lake, and the year I was in Toronto.) I didn't exactly miss this one, but it felt like I missed out on something, having to watch from the outside. Maybe next year we will go to the earlier service, so she's less likely to fuss. She was a doll at my Auntie Eleanor's - we always go back to her house for a late dinner after the service. My cousins oohed and aahed over her, and she soaked it up, even indulging us in a game of peek-a-boo.
Christmas Day was pretty normal, with me getting up early and Bryan looking at me like I was crazy. This is the only morning of the year that I get up before him. I woke up at 630 am. I can't help it, I love Christmas! I had some coffee, and we exchanged gifts before heading over to my parent's place for the day. Traditionally, we open stockings over coffee and then have breakfast. After breakfast, we hit the presents. As always, Santa was pretty good to everyone. Miss Lily was the star of the show, of course. She had no clue as to what was going on, and was happy to sit in her Bumbo and play with the toys we kept handing her. Mom found her a Winkel, and my Dad bought her some books including Green Eggs and Ham. Speaking of green...Mom thought it would be fun to let Lily play with paper. Green tissue paper to be exact. Miss Lily had green lips, a green tongue and a green fist. Oops. It's a good thing baby wipes remove just about anything.
This was the first Christmas in the new house. I love that some things stayed the same - the order of operation for the day didn't change a lot. Until the afternoon, which is when we usually meet up with the Matter's for a bit of Christmas cheer. I don't even know when or how this tradition started, but we alternated houses for years. (It must have been when we were kids and our parents booted us out of the house, to go to Ekota hill with our CrazyCarpets.) Sometimes it was just to have coffee, sometimes it was a family brunch. Everyone compares gifts, shows off new toys and then we watch Dad and Wayne tease each other. Well, we watch Wayne tease Dad. I missed that this year. Dad mentioned that Sherry and Wayne were coming over Boxing Day for snowshoeing and a chili lunch. I suggested that the chili should be first...
I haven't seen the books yet, but the Matter's gave Lily a Christmas gift. They made mom and dad open them. My Grandma is Wonderful is one, and the other is My Grandpa is Amazing. I'm sure my parents agree, because they are amazing and wonderful, and I hope that I do as good a job at being a parent as they did.
We had Bryan's family over for lunch on Boxing Day. Lily needed a break from evening festivities, so an afternoon visit was just right for her. She was spoiled again, lots of clothes and toys. She loves her Cookie Monster doll, and will have a lot of fun with her Fisher Price Choo Choo when she is a bit older.
Now that the holiday is over, we are happy to be getting back into a routine. You don't appreciate how important a routine for a baby, until you throw said routine out the window for a few days. It makes for a tired mommy and a cranky baby. The Grinch dropped a cold off at our house, so we are all a bit under the weather. Lily has escaped the worst of it - she's just a little sleepy and clingy. Bryan and I are Sleepy and Sneezy. Later we'll be Dopey and Happy. Ahh, the bliss of a Nyquil induced sleep.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Ode to a Black Jacket
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once, for a short while,
Perhaps it was in a pile.
Of dry cleaning,
Driven around for a while.
Alone on a hanger,
Sent home with a stranger?
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once, for a short while.
It's not at the lake,
But would be nice to rake
Leaves in.
Perhaps in Barrhead,
In a closet, forgotten
While the Leader was read?
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once, for a short while.
I reget that my spouse
May have left it at the old house,
Eaten by a mouse?
In the very
Basement.
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once for a short while.
A bag of clothing
Flown in from China, afar.
Special delivery, laundry and ironing.
Packed and flown back to Beijing.
Left on a rack in a bar?
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black.
Whose presence I miss.
I had it once for a short while.
The memories of it
Bring a smile.
A quest to discover
The jacket, the cover
Of down and canvas.
Lost forever?
Have you seen my black jacket?
(for my dad...)
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once, for a short while,
Perhaps it was in a pile.
Of dry cleaning,
Driven around for a while.
Alone on a hanger,
Sent home with a stranger?
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once, for a short while.
It's not at the lake,
But would be nice to rake
Leaves in.
Perhaps in Barrhead,
In a closet, forgotten
While the Leader was read?
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once, for a short while.
I reget that my spouse
May have left it at the old house,
Eaten by a mouse?
In the very
Basement.
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black,
Whose presence I lack.
I had it once for a short while.
A bag of clothing
Flown in from China, afar.
Special delivery, laundry and ironing.
Packed and flown back to Beijing.
Left on a rack in a bar?
Have you seen my black jacket?
A jacket of black.
Whose presence I miss.
I had it once for a short while.
The memories of it
Bring a smile.
A quest to discover
The jacket, the cover
Of down and canvas.
Lost forever?
Have you seen my black jacket?
(for my dad...)
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas!
Hello again, once again, it's Xmas, and once again my wife woke up first; granted this time she scooped up Lily and changed her and promptly went to feed her. But today I believe is always the day where Carrie will wake up before me, ready to start the day. It's role reversal of a sort. I am usually the one that jumps out of bed, ready to go, no grogginess, no hesitation...my lovely wife however does not; and let's leave it at that.
Christmas morning it seems, she takes on with some sort of giddy anticipation that leaves her ready to take on the day the moment she leaves our bed; and I basically slowly follow behind, rubbing my eyes.
Am I eager...or more so am I looking forward to what lay ahead as Lily ages, to her waking up perhaps at the crack of 5am shaking me awake to go witness her wanton destruction of neatly wrapped gifts left by Santa? I'm not sure, and, by the by, if they are neatly wrapped, it will be by Carrie's hand...for, as some of you are not aware, and this is my Christmas shame....
I cannot wrap.
There I said it.
It's true, I am looking into some sort of 12 step course, but I simply cannot do it; I have watched people wrap, had them give me instruction, but to no avail...my wrapping attempts still look as though someone attempted the task after 20 cups of morning coffee.
But enough of that, I am sorry to say but it's almost 7am, and my father-in-law kept telling us that we were expected to pop by at 5am, or at least he did, several times last night, and even though we are late, we best get over there so as not to disappoint.
A Merry Christmas to one and all.
Hello again, once again, it's Xmas, and once again my wife woke up first; granted this time she scooped up Lily and changed her and promptly went to feed her. But today I believe is always the day where Carrie will wake up before me, ready to start the day. It's role reversal of a sort. I am usually the one that jumps out of bed, ready to go, no grogginess, no hesitation...my lovely wife however does not; and let's leave it at that.
Christmas morning it seems, she takes on with some sort of giddy anticipation that leaves her ready to take on the day the moment she leaves our bed; and I basically slowly follow behind, rubbing my eyes.
Am I eager...or more so am I looking forward to what lay ahead as Lily ages, to her waking up perhaps at the crack of 5am shaking me awake to go witness her wanton destruction of neatly wrapped gifts left by Santa? I'm not sure, and, by the by, if they are neatly wrapped, it will be by Carrie's hand...for, as some of you are not aware, and this is my Christmas shame....
I cannot wrap.
There I said it.
It's true, I am looking into some sort of 12 step course, but I simply cannot do it; I have watched people wrap, had them give me instruction, but to no avail...my wrapping attempts still look as though someone attempted the task after 20 cups of morning coffee.
But enough of that, I am sorry to say but it's almost 7am, and my father-in-law kept telling us that we were expected to pop by at 5am, or at least he did, several times last night, and even though we are late, we best get over there so as not to disappoint.
A Merry Christmas to one and all.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
It turns out we were a bit late in getting our Santa's Anonymous donation ready to go.
Bryan and I talked about it weeks ago, but only got around to it today. We went to the Bay downtown, and picked out a really neat Fisher Price Peek-a-Block set. I never pay attention to when the Santa's Anonymous bins are taken away, but I was pretty sure that the mall would still have one, even this close to Christmas. Nope! Bryan asked at the customer service desk, and the bins were picked up on Monday. Oops.
We talked about what to do. Bryan suggested keeping the gift until next year, but I didn't like that idea, so we decided we would return the gift and donate the same amount to the Christmas Bureau, who run the Santa's Anonymous program. They had a booth set up by the Bay, so we would be able to drop the money off after we did the return. Bryan went to the news stand to buy scratch tickets for our stockings, and I took the baby and the stroller to sit down for a rest. What I didn't know, was that Bryan had left the gift on the other side of the stroller where I couldn't see it. I thought he had it, and he thought I had it. When he came over to where we were sitting, he said to stay put, and he would take the gift back and do the donation. Then he asked for the gift.
You guessed it - I didn't have it. I felt sick. We looked over to where he had been standing in line for the lottery tickets, but it wasn't there. Bryan said, well, then that takes care of the donation. I asked him to go back to the news stand; maybe someone had turned it in. There was nothing there.
I started thinking, maybe the person that took it needed it more than us. Maybe it was someone with a kid that wasn't getting any other gifts. I really hoped the person that took it didn't just return it for cash. Bryan went back to the customer service desk, and asked if anyone had turned in our parcel. The lady at the desk gave a big grin, and handed him the bag.
Not wanting to stand in the long line up at the Bay, Bryan went to the Christmas Bureau booth to see if they had a late drop-off box. One of the gentlemen working the booth said that he would personally take the gift to the Santa's Anonymous Depot. He said that he gets a few of these every year, and that he really doesn't mind. Bryan gave them another $20 donation in addition to the gift.
We changed the life of a child today, and a Good Samaritan changed our life today too.
Whoever that person was, bless you, and have a Merry Christmas.
Bryan and I talked about it weeks ago, but only got around to it today. We went to the Bay downtown, and picked out a really neat Fisher Price Peek-a-Block set. I never pay attention to when the Santa's Anonymous bins are taken away, but I was pretty sure that the mall would still have one, even this close to Christmas. Nope! Bryan asked at the customer service desk, and the bins were picked up on Monday. Oops.
We talked about what to do. Bryan suggested keeping the gift until next year, but I didn't like that idea, so we decided we would return the gift and donate the same amount to the Christmas Bureau, who run the Santa's Anonymous program. They had a booth set up by the Bay, so we would be able to drop the money off after we did the return. Bryan went to the news stand to buy scratch tickets for our stockings, and I took the baby and the stroller to sit down for a rest. What I didn't know, was that Bryan had left the gift on the other side of the stroller where I couldn't see it. I thought he had it, and he thought I had it. When he came over to where we were sitting, he said to stay put, and he would take the gift back and do the donation. Then he asked for the gift.
You guessed it - I didn't have it. I felt sick. We looked over to where he had been standing in line for the lottery tickets, but it wasn't there. Bryan said, well, then that takes care of the donation. I asked him to go back to the news stand; maybe someone had turned it in. There was nothing there.
I started thinking, maybe the person that took it needed it more than us. Maybe it was someone with a kid that wasn't getting any other gifts. I really hoped the person that took it didn't just return it for cash. Bryan went back to the customer service desk, and asked if anyone had turned in our parcel. The lady at the desk gave a big grin, and handed him the bag.
Not wanting to stand in the long line up at the Bay, Bryan went to the Christmas Bureau booth to see if they had a late drop-off box. One of the gentlemen working the booth said that he would personally take the gift to the Santa's Anonymous Depot. He said that he gets a few of these every year, and that he really doesn't mind. Bryan gave them another $20 donation in addition to the gift.
We changed the life of a child today, and a Good Samaritan changed our life today too.
Whoever that person was, bless you, and have a Merry Christmas.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
I think that I am almost ready for Christmas. The tree is up and decorated, and the gifts are wrapped and ready to go. I have to purchase one last gift, for Santa's Anonymous.
When we were growing up, my Mom and Dad made sure we each purchased a gift for Santa's Anonymous. You don't really recognize what the season is about until you realize that your gift will be the only one that a child gets that year. When I was about 13, my Dad and I decided to volunteer to deliver some gifts for Santa's Anonymous. I imagine the process today is the same as it was then. (wow, that was over 20 years ago...) You show up, let the organizers know where you are able to deliver, take a list of addresses and the packages that go with them. After that, you get to go to homes, ring the bell, and pass the gifts on to the families that need them.
I can still remember some of the reactions of the people that we delivered gifts to. Some were grateful and humble, and some were excited and happy. Some seemed surprised to see us, and a few were expecting us, and accepted the gifts like they had done it before. And they probably had. It's sad to think that year after year, some families have to count on Santa's Anonymous to keep the wonder of Christmas alive for their kids. As a parent, I can't imagine having to explain to my child, that not only will there be no tree, but no gifts under it. That Santa won't be able to come to our house this year.
I'm glad that in some small way, I am able to put that joy back into a child's life. We don't have a lot to spare this year, but we still have more than some.
Merry Christmas everyone.
When we were growing up, my Mom and Dad made sure we each purchased a gift for Santa's Anonymous. You don't really recognize what the season is about until you realize that your gift will be the only one that a child gets that year. When I was about 13, my Dad and I decided to volunteer to deliver some gifts for Santa's Anonymous. I imagine the process today is the same as it was then. (wow, that was over 20 years ago...) You show up, let the organizers know where you are able to deliver, take a list of addresses and the packages that go with them. After that, you get to go to homes, ring the bell, and pass the gifts on to the families that need them.
I can still remember some of the reactions of the people that we delivered gifts to. Some were grateful and humble, and some were excited and happy. Some seemed surprised to see us, and a few were expecting us, and accepted the gifts like they had done it before. And they probably had. It's sad to think that year after year, some families have to count on Santa's Anonymous to keep the wonder of Christmas alive for their kids. As a parent, I can't imagine having to explain to my child, that not only will there be no tree, but no gifts under it. That Santa won't be able to come to our house this year.
I'm glad that in some small way, I am able to put that joy back into a child's life. We don't have a lot to spare this year, but we still have more than some.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Hello again all, and by all I definitely mean some of my relatives out east; whom I found out actually check out our blog. Well for those out east viewing, please email me! Its Kellor@hotmail.com I'd love to hear from you, that and I could share some of the 800+ pictures of my new daughter. OK she's not so new now, but she still has the new baby smell to her, for at least a few more miles.
Anyway, things are going well for the three of us, I'm back working as a plumber again, apprenticing at the moment, will see how far I can go before the boom here slows down. From the looks of it, at least for several more years, which is good in my books.
Carrie is enjoying her time with our daughter Lily, who I must say is quite the charmer, well she's charmed me after all, no small task...granted her mother did it...so must run in the family!
Lily is just enjoying her time, she's currently laying on the floor several feet from me, gnawing on her fist...Mmm tasty fist. No, she's not teething, she just enjoys gumming her hands for some strange reason.
Going to keep this relatively short, we are heading out to visit with Lily's grumpa...or rather Carrie's dad, and by process of residence, her mom as well!
I hope that whomever is reading my blog, be they relative or friend; is gearing up to having a wonderful holiday season...I'm a bit of the Grinch at the moment, but I am sure as the day closes in, that will change.
Anyway, things are going well for the three of us, I'm back working as a plumber again, apprenticing at the moment, will see how far I can go before the boom here slows down. From the looks of it, at least for several more years, which is good in my books.
Carrie is enjoying her time with our daughter Lily, who I must say is quite the charmer, well she's charmed me after all, no small task...granted her mother did it...so must run in the family!
Lily is just enjoying her time, she's currently laying on the floor several feet from me, gnawing on her fist...Mmm tasty fist. No, she's not teething, she just enjoys gumming her hands for some strange reason.
Going to keep this relatively short, we are heading out to visit with Lily's grumpa...or rather Carrie's dad, and by process of residence, her mom as well!
I hope that whomever is reading my blog, be they relative or friend; is gearing up to having a wonderful holiday season...I'm a bit of the Grinch at the moment, but I am sure as the day closes in, that will change.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
It was green and made of feathers and it was fantastic...
Yesterday Lily and I took the bus to West Edmonton Mall for our Stars and Strollers date. You can pretty much count on an interesting trip when taking public transit. The usual cast of characters was present. You know, the guy who engages you in conversation about the latest news headline, the mom wrestling her snowsuit-clad toddler into a seat, the senior with his old-man pants hiked high, the teenager with silly hair and sillier piercings, the person who always stands up at the front talking to the driver, or the guy who runs up to the bus and bangs on the door because he just ran down the block to catch the bus.
Well today, we had the penultimate transit experience. The bus stopped around 114th street, and a little old lady got on. The outfit was out of this world. Picture this if you will, a spunky little octegenarian wearing a pair of everyday pants, a moss green and red and purple sweater circa the Cosby years, paired with a 1970's belted cardigan in moss green with metallic gold flecks. She had on the standard old lady makeup, complete with drawn-on eyebrows. Topping this off was the most amazing hat I have ever seen. It was made of moss green feathers, and looked like an afro. I couldn't stop looking at it!
It gets better. One stop after the feather hat, an African-American lady with a real afro got on the bus, and sat beside her. I know...quite the contrast. THEN, another guy got on, took one look at the ladies, and commented - "Great afro!" I looked at the two ladies, wondering who would answer, and before the second one could say 'thank you', the octegenarian piped up "Why thank you, I've had this hat for years!"
I just laughed and shook my head. I searched in vain for a picture of a green feather hat, and found this instead. Just imagine it as moss green.
Yesterday Lily and I took the bus to West Edmonton Mall for our Stars and Strollers date. You can pretty much count on an interesting trip when taking public transit. The usual cast of characters was present. You know, the guy who engages you in conversation about the latest news headline, the mom wrestling her snowsuit-clad toddler into a seat, the senior with his old-man pants hiked high, the teenager with silly hair and sillier piercings, the person who always stands up at the front talking to the driver, or the guy who runs up to the bus and bangs on the door because he just ran down the block to catch the bus.
Well today, we had the penultimate transit experience. The bus stopped around 114th street, and a little old lady got on. The outfit was out of this world. Picture this if you will, a spunky little octegenarian wearing a pair of everyday pants, a moss green and red and purple sweater circa the Cosby years, paired with a 1970's belted cardigan in moss green with metallic gold flecks. She had on the standard old lady makeup, complete with drawn-on eyebrows. Topping this off was the most amazing hat I have ever seen. It was made of moss green feathers, and looked like an afro. I couldn't stop looking at it!
It gets better. One stop after the feather hat, an African-American lady with a real afro got on the bus, and sat beside her. I know...quite the contrast. THEN, another guy got on, took one look at the ladies, and commented - "Great afro!" I looked at the two ladies, wondering who would answer, and before the second one could say 'thank you', the octegenarian piped up "Why thank you, I've had this hat for years!"
I just laughed and shook my head. I searched in vain for a picture of a green feather hat, and found this instead. Just imagine it as moss green.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
A special day...
Today was Lily's baptism. Bryan and I asked my great Auntie Eleanor and great Auntie Ann to be her godparents. Lily has brought such joy to their lives, and they have such strong faith - it was an honor to ask them to be her sponsors. My grandma Ruth was their sister - I know that she was with us in spirit today, watching over her namesake.
My grandma Lorraine bought her a beautiful gown for the baptism - simple and long with a gorgeous lace overlay. It's an heirloom to pass on to her children someday. Lily was pretty good, a bit fussy during the service, but no crying. She fell asleep on my lap about 2 minutes before we had to go up to the front for her part of the service. She didn't wake up during the ceremony - even when Pastor Mackay poured water on her little head. She did wake up for pictures afterward though.
We invited Bryan's parents and sisters, my parents, my grandmother and the great Aunties over for a lunch in Lily's honor. She was so good, tolerating pass the baby until we put her in her swing, where she promptly fell asleep. She woke up for another round of pass the baby, and was the belle of the ball for the rest of the afternoon. Not bad for almost no naps during the day. She had a 2 hour nap as soon as everyone left. Mom followed suit...after 2 days of housecleaning and getting food ready, and getting up at 7am today, I was tired. Still, it was nice to have everyone here together. The last time we were all together was last Christmas, when we shared our news of the baby-to-be. Time flies...
Today was Lily's baptism. Bryan and I asked my great Auntie Eleanor and great Auntie Ann to be her godparents. Lily has brought such joy to their lives, and they have such strong faith - it was an honor to ask them to be her sponsors. My grandma Ruth was their sister - I know that she was with us in spirit today, watching over her namesake.
My grandma Lorraine bought her a beautiful gown for the baptism - simple and long with a gorgeous lace overlay. It's an heirloom to pass on to her children someday. Lily was pretty good, a bit fussy during the service, but no crying. She fell asleep on my lap about 2 minutes before we had to go up to the front for her part of the service. She didn't wake up during the ceremony - even when Pastor Mackay poured water on her little head. She did wake up for pictures afterward though.
We invited Bryan's parents and sisters, my parents, my grandmother and the great Aunties over for a lunch in Lily's honor. She was so good, tolerating pass the baby until we put her in her swing, where she promptly fell asleep. She woke up for another round of pass the baby, and was the belle of the ball for the rest of the afternoon. Not bad for almost no naps during the day. She had a 2 hour nap as soon as everyone left. Mom followed suit...after 2 days of housecleaning and getting food ready, and getting up at 7am today, I was tired. Still, it was nice to have everyone here together. The last time we were all together was last Christmas, when we shared our news of the baby-to-be. Time flies...
Friday, December 08, 2006
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