Emelia Jean is ONE!

Well it seems like ages ago that my little sweet pea was in here still... she is one and I can't believe it! Where does the time go and how does one manage to slow it down because it has only been a year and I am already feeling like it is flying by too fast.

So just for my sake I have made a few collages of some of her moments over the last year, and I have to say it was ridiculous trying to choose from the near thousand images we have of her digitally. I have so many darling ones of her on film too, but those will have to be seen in person.

My wee little 9lb 15oz. babe. Despite her size she was still tiny and precious and fragile, and although I loved her from the moment I met her I love her more now, and still more tomorrow.
She is a doll, so clever and bright and funny, so thoughtful and polite, and even though she, like all of us, get's cranky now and then she is a very content child.

It is amazing to me how much she has changed in her appearance. Bouncing back and forth between looking like Mom or Dad, then just like herself. We still aren't sure what colour her eyes are, but whatever colour they are, they are amazing. Blue, green, grey and hazel.

I love her still mostly toothless grin and her boundless charisma, her zest for new things, and willingness to try whatever strange and healthy food I put in front of her, but still be normal and love everything just a little more with ketchup. I sometimes can't believe that when I say, that's all she actually gets it and doesn't complain (I'm sure that won't last but I love it now..), how she uses please and thank you, and will usually comply with simple requests, yet is still just defiant enough to test the boundaries.

All of these things and a zillion more make being the Mama of this one year old darling a pretty good gig. Love and kisses to you Miss Eme Jean on your first birthday, Mama is going to go and cry now....

rasta baby!

Eme is as funny as ever. Recently her new trick is to put my funky hand knit tea cozy on her head like a hat. Rasta Mon! She is growing as much as ever and keeping us on our toes with daily changes. Still only 2 teeth though.


She is also full of kisses, and not just when you ask her. She will pucker up at a moments notice and thrust her little pursed lips in your general direction looking for a smooch. It has got to be the cutest thing ever. I don't know anyone who would get tired of that game.

She is fast approaching the one year land mark and is turning into the discerning toddler. One day she only wants yogurt or toast and fruit, and then just when you think she won't eat another truly nutritious meal, she will surprise you (like last night) by eating (get ready for it....) macaroni and cheese, brocolli, chard, carrots, zuchinni, roasted potatoes, lamb, and watermelon. Wow!


Like any responsible parent I left her alone in the kitchen this morning while I put something away in the bedroom, and when I cam out I panicked initially because I couldn't see her..... this is where she was. Sitting in the cupboard beside the computer, that was left open when the reycling was taken out. She just thought this was great, so many new things to explore.
Another lesson learned.

On another subject, but very closely related to Emelia Jean - Phil and I celebrated our 6th year anniversary yesterday. We managed to get a date in today, courtesy of Aunty Anna and Grampa who babysat for us. What did we do? you ask. We hiked the GROUSE GRIND. Yes who read that right we voluntarily hiked up 1 vertical kilometer, and let me tell you it was a very long KM. I managed it in 1 hour and 16 minutes and Phil in 1 hour and 8 minutes (but only because he walked with me until the last 1/4 km - his usual is around 50 mins.) After this calorie burner we quickly showered at a friends and went to a brew pub to eat it all back again. I tell you nothing tastes as good as bad food after a good work out. We finished the afternoon by sharing a double chocolate cookie and a triple americano from Whole Foods. HEAVEN. It doesn't sound too fancy, but this was what I call a good time. We both felt very happy and grateful at the end of our time out and were welcomed home with snuggles and kisses from a certain someone we love dearly.

That is about it for now, although I am sure if I really think about it I could probably write a whole lot more, but alas it is getting close to shut down for me. So I will leave something for next time.....


XOXOXO - from all of us (just imagine them a little wetter from Em's)OXOXOX

First time at the Aquarium

Well , this past Monday Eme and I, and 2 other friends and their daughters, went to the Aquarium for the first time. We all had a great time. Amazing how three 11 month old girls could be entertained without so much as a fuss for the better part of 3 hours. We saw the Dolphin show from down below and the Belugas from above. Their eyes were so wide! I think Eme's favorite tank was the tropical fish tank. It is a little smaller and the fish are abundant and so colourful, and they swim right up close to the glass. The giant amazon fish did this also, but they are twice the size of Eme and very dark and scary looking and she did not like this at all.

This is Eme and Sydney being mesmerized by the Belugas, this was after the show and the belugas were doing laps, so they swam by over and over again. The girls loved it.

Tove is in the mix here too, plus Jana's head on the side.

And here is Eme at the dolphins. These guys were so fun to watch under water because they come shooting down after they leap and scoot around so fast gaining momentum for their next trick. Awesome.

Can't wait until next time.

This weekend we are having Phil's side of the family over for a gathering. There will be 14 people sleeping in our house on Saturday night as far as I am counting. Phew! If should be fun though. I will keep you posted after the event!