Birthday - Party!

Lennon's party on the weekend was a success!  She did have a bit of a grumpy period before dinner.  I think she was getting hungry and was a little out of sorts from having her vaccinations that morning (bad timing!).  She did well though and had a great time.  We had her favourite, Shepherd's Pie, for dinner and then cupcakes!  She was a little unsure of what to do with the cupcake but eventually got her fingers in the icing (enjoyed that!) and then the whole cupcake ended up smooshed into bits.  Fun times!

Birthday

One year!  Wow!  I can't believe how fast this year has gone.  It seems like just yesterday we brought our little girl home.  It's a bit surreal to think back to what we were doing on this day last year...and in the days that followed, adjusting to our new life.  The year has been full of ups and downs, but definitely full of joy!  I can't imagine life without my Lennon now.

Lennon is very active now.  She plays with all of her toys and crawls all over the house.  Her favourite thing to do is pull toys out of boxes and put them back in.   She also loves to point at absolutely everything and say "tsss".  She calls Fred "dada" and waves to him as he leaves for work in the morning - adorable.  No "mama" to me yet:(  I think sometimes she calls me "dada" too.


Lennon had a good day for her birthday.  We had our swimming class, which she loves, and then a long afternoon nap!  She got some very cute videos from her cousins, Hendrik and Alana.  She FaceTimed with Grandma B and Gramps, Uncle Steve and cousins, and Auntie Holly.  Grandma L and Pugga came over later in the afternoon for dinner.  She got a few presents (spoiled!) and then was off to bed!  We're going to have a small party on the weekend.  She'll get to have a cupcake then!

Happy Xmas - pics

Kissin' Cousins, New hat from Grandma, Riding, with Hendrik, Caught!, Cutie!, Sliding, Riding, I Spy Quilt from Grandma

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas from the cutest Santas!, with cousin Pam, Christmas dinner, the "Fab Four"

Family

with Dad, with Uncle Steve, High fives to cousin Paul, Cousins (Lennon, Hendrik, Alana, Juniper, Jimmy)

Gramps and his girls, Opening stocking, with Gramps, Reading with Grandma, Matching jammies!, Crawlin' around, the Grandparents, with Dad, Sweet face

Happy Xmas

Christmas has come and gone. It always seems to go by so fast. Tomorrow Lennon and I head back home after a great visit in Ontario. Back to our regular routine. Lennon has been absolutely great here. She immediately adjusted to the time change and besides a short wake up here and there has been sleeping like a champ!

We had a long flight here. Well, it felt long because Lennon wouldn't sleep. She was up the whole time and, now that she's more mobile, didn't want to sit still on my lap. She did well though and only had a couple of short crying episodes. She was happy to see Gram and Gramps at the airport and squealed in the backseat of the car with Gram. She slept most of the way to Bowmanville and then went down to bed quite well when we got there.

Steve and Heather and the kids arrived on Thursday. The kids were very excited!  Alana was thrilled to see Lennon. I think Lennon must have gotten a thousand hugs and kisses during the two weeks they were here!  There was only one biting incident with Lennon leaving a few teeth marks in Alana's cheek. Sorry Alana!

Friday night there was a surprise party to celebrate Steve's retirement from Team Canada. He was very surprised!  He played on the team for 17 years, the longest stretch ever!  He had an amazing career travelling and living all over the world. We took advantage a few times to visit while he was overseas. Thanks for that Steve!  We wish him the best of luck as he figures out what's next.

Fred arrived on Sunday and we had a full house!  Lennon was happy to be reunited with Dad and so was I!  That morning Lennon learned how to climb the stairs. I think some tutoring from cousin Alana helped expedite the process!  She mastered them in a day and is now unstoppable. Now I'm trying to teach her to turn around backwards when she wants to go down. She's fearless and tries to go head first. She has figured out going down the stairs backwards. Just need to get the start right now.

The next week was filled with visiting and Christmas activities. We had a great Christmas. Lennon was spoiled, of course. The kids opened presents throughout the day on Christmas Eve and Day. The adults did out gift exchange after the kiddies were all sound asleep. Christmas Day was spent with Aunt and Unc and Pam and Bob. Always a good time!  And always a yummy dinner!

Between Christmas and New Years Eve Fred and I went on a getaway to Montreal for thre nights.  Our first time away without Lennon. Mom and dad graciously agreed to looking after her. She was a good girl for them! Yay!  The hardest part for us was leaving. After the first day it was all good though!  We had an awesome time. We went to an amazing spa and had a massage and a very relaxing morning. We did a ton of walking around and saw lots. We also ate lots of good food. We stood in line for almost an hour at La Banquise for what is supposed to be the best poutine, it was worth it! It was all a great time and it was awesome to get away, just the two of us, again.

We returned to Bowmanville to a happy baby and a delicious Greek dinner with the whole family prepared by Steve and Heather. We spent New Years playing canasta (Fred and I won!) and hanging out. Steve and Heather and the kids headed back to London on Saturday. It was great to spend time with them and watch the kids play together. Hopefully it won't be too long until we see them again. Fred left on Sunday to go back home to work. So, the rest of this week has just be Lennon and I hanging with Grandma and Gramps. It's been a lot quieter with everyone else gone but it's been nice too!

Tomorrow we're back home. Time to clean up the Christmas decorations and plan for Lennon's birthday. She turns 1 next week! Whoa!

Pictures will have to be posted later from home.