Monday Already???

This weekend was jam packed but we had a great time. On Saturday we decided it was time to take Maddy to the pool for the first time.I've been waiting to go with Josh for a couple of reasons. 1.) He is the one who is more comfortable with the water. I won't drown, but water has not been my friend in the past. 2.) Josh has been dying to take her since she was born, so I guess it would've been kinda bad for me to take her by myself. 3.) I'm not ready to face the whole change room situation on my own yet. Anyway it was so much fun and Maddy had a great time. Josh put her under the water a couple of times and she didn't mind at all. They had this area where there were tons of bubbles coming up and she loved it. She was kicking her leg and laughing. I think she was so mesmerized by the whole place (the loud music, the water, the other kids) that she didn't even mind the freezing cold walk back to the family change room. Here are some pictures I managed to get before I got in trouble. I didn't know you're not allowed to take pictures at the pool!




On Saturday night Oma, Opa and cousin Ria came to stay with us on their way back from visiting Josh's aunt and uncle in Portland. We had a great dinner at White Spot and Maddy got to show everyone what an enthusiastic eater she has become. It's been a long time since we've been out for dinner at a restaurant so it was a real treat.

Since it was such a beautiful day out, we couldn't resist putting aside the chores, and going out to enjoy the sunshine. We decided to head to Stanley Park for lunch. Well it turns out that everyone else had the same idea. Parking was crazy and Maddy was crying so hard because she was hungry. Finally we parked and instead of waiting for our picnic, I just fed her in the car. She fell asleep shortly after, so we got to enjoy our fish and chips while she napped. As it turned out, the reason why the park was so busy was because there was a "Walk for the World" going on. It was great because they had all these stalls and a stage with entertainment. Unfortunately we didn't know they had food stalls until after we ate our lunch. The tandoori chicken burgers sure looked good.



I wish the weekends could last forever. I'm already counting the days until next weekend!

Veronica and Scott Tie the Knot

Congratulations to my cousin Veronica and her new hubby Scott who were married this weekend.
Unfortunately we were unable to attend the ceremony because we wanted Maddy to get LOTS of sleep in order to gear up for a night of partying. We did get to go to the reception held at Kirin Chinese Restaurant in Richmond. It was great to see all the family again and even some friends from our old dragonboat team.

Maddy did really well with all the excitement, although mom and dad were pretty busy with her. We only got a chance to snap about two photos the whole evening. They had a great photo booth at the back of the restaurant for people to go in a get a keepsake photo. Maddy and I did go in, but at the time, the photographer wasn't there yet. Good thing too, because a photo booth makes a great place to nurse to curious baby. Just no pictures please!!

Congratulations again to the newlyweds.

Uncle Calvin is home!

My brother Calvin (AKA Babs) is in town for my cousin's wedding this weekend and we had a family dinner the other night. I was really looking forward to seeing him again so that he could see how much Maddy has changed. It's really too bad that he and his wife Krystina live so far away (Toronto), but what can you do? The last time he was in town was Christmas and Maddy was just a tiny 2 1/2 months old. Uncle Babs was a little too chicken to hold her because she was too "Wobbly". So this time around, no problem!

Today Uncle Babs came to our house to hang out. We went to the park across the street and played on the swings. I think she is quite taken with her uncle as she was quite good and smiled a lot. When Frances was Maddy's age, she could recognize Calvin from pictures that were hanging at my mom and dad's place. Maybe we'll get a giant picture of Calvin put up at our place!!

Happy Mother's Day

It was so exciting to celebrate my very first Mother's Day. Being a 'mom' is awesome and I don't think it's something I can describe. There really isn't anything I wouldn't do for Maddy and I guess that is what it's all about. It's funny how your priorities change when you have a child. Suddenly I'm reading labels like crazy at the grocery store, checking the recycling numbers on plastic containers and opting for 'organic' whenever I can. With all the things they have found with BPA or phalates/parabens, you really do have be much more aware. Who knew that something as simple as finding a moisturizer would require research. I suppose a couple of years from now they could find something else that is harmful, but I guess you do the best you can with the knowledge that you have at the time. Besides, seeing her smiling face when she wakes up makes it all worth while.

I had a great first Mother's Day. Josh brought Maddy into our room this morning along with a Mother's Day gift. I swear that the grin on Maddy's face was a little brighter than usual! It was almost as if she was 'in' on the surprise gift for me and she couldn't wait for me to open it. We went to Joanne's house for brunch with my family and then Maddy and I went for a walk around the neighbourhood while Josh took Lyn to the airport. By the time we got home, the three of us were pooped. I guess she was little more 'pooped' than we thought because she wouldn't go down for the late afternoon nap. I'm happy to say that she is now sleeping peacefully for the night and I can't think of a better end to my Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's day to all the moms out there.

Auntie Evelyn Comes to Visit

We had a great time hanging out with Evelyn this weekend. She came down from Calgary for a friend's wedding and to hang out with us. All week long I had been telling Maddy that "Auntie Lyn is coming". Perhaps she totally understood because she was all smiles when she saw Auntie Lyn in the morning. We went to Granville Island on Saturday to have lunch and walk around. It was nice to walk around and window shop while Maddy was napping in the stroller. It was awesome having you come to visit Evelyn, you'll have to come again. We'll keep an eye out for those seat sales!!

Here is one of my favourite pics of Maddy and Evelyn.


At Granville Island

Small World

The other day Maddy and I went back to Mother Goose (a singing classes for babies, well for the moms really). While there, we had to tell the group how we chose our baby's name. I mentioned that I was a teacher and that made choosing a name really difficult. So during snack time this mom asked where I taught and when I told her in Burnaby she asked me about the neighbourhood school that her little girl would be going to. It just so happened that Gilpin School is right in the area that I grew up. So I mentioned that I knew that area very well. I asked her where live and she said BAYTREE COURT!!! That's the exact cul-de-sac that I grew up in. It was so fun to try and figure out which house she was in. I tried to see if any of our old neighbours were still there, but of course I'm asking her if she knew Mr and Mrs So and So. Well she only knew people by their first names, so it was hard to figure it all out. All these memories from my childhood kept coming back all day long. She said that there are many young families there and it's wierd but nice to know that a whole new generation of kids will grow up playing in that little cul-de-sac.

By the way, she said that the Christmas lights tradition is still going strong and the old owners were sure to leave them a ton of lights!!