Well, we are mostly baby-waiting around here and enjoying our last days as a family of three. Baby shall arrive any day now and early next week at the latest. Lennon seems to be excited and talks a lot about all the things she will teach him but who knows how she'll really feel when the reality of him staying here with us sets in!
The last month has mostly been about preparations for baby. Fred is busy trying to finish up his last assignments for school. Lennon is as busy as ever, enjoying playing, getting together with friends, and being dragged to all of mommy's appointments. She had fun with Halloween - a penguin again - and was quite excited about candy. We visited a few neighbour's houses for trick-or-treating which was more than enough candy for a little girl!
We've put up some Christmas decorations and are getting into the Christmas spirit. We are getting a real tree this year which is something new for us! Lennon was quite excited about hanging up stockings. I have been planning to do some baking - just a few faves this year - but haven't got to it yet. We did make it out to see Zoo Lights! No snow around here yet but I think it's coming. We've had some amazing weather but it looks like it's about to get cold. I suppose it has to some time.
We've been home for a while now from our one month stay in Bowmanville. It was a great time! Lennon had so much fun with Grandma and Gramps and made herself quite at home very quickly. I imagine it's extremely quiet around there now that she's left;) As I said, she did not take long to remember where everything was and make herself comfortable. That little one notices and remembers everything!
A couple days after we arrived, I left to meet Fred in NYC. It was our last alone pre-baby #2/happy birthdays to both of us trip. It was amazing! Grandma and Gramps graciously said yes to having Lennon so we could get away. Lennon was totally fine with it and paid little attention to us anytime we tried to FaceTime her. She was happy to have mommy back though when I returned! We had a great time in NYC. We did as much as we could, especially with me being almost 7 months pregnant, and did some relaxing too. A couple of highlights were seeing a Broadway musical, Wicked (amazing!) and an ELO concert at Radio City Music Hall (also, amazing!). We ate good food, did lots of walking, saw some sights, rode the subway a ton (very convenient), and just enjoyed having the time together. NYC is a crazy, busy place. It really makes Calgary feel like a small town. There's so much to do and see there I'm sure you could go a dozen times and do/see new things each time.
After our NYC trip I returned to Bowmanville and Fred to Calgary. Lennon and I enjoyed our time being spoiled by Grandma and Gramps. Fred had to travel again for school and then came to join us for the Thanksgiving weekend. I also had my birthday (40 - eek) while we were there. I hadn't really planned or asked for anything to be planned for my birthday. The weekend before my birthday I was having a nap when mom came in and said that a friend was there to see me. I groggily said "what, who's here?" and she had to pretty much drag me out of bed. Well, Fred had arranged a surprise with my friend Jenny, who lives in Ottawa, and she showed up at the house and said she was kidnapping me for the weekend. I was still groggy and very confused but finally figured out what was happening. We took the train into Toronto, where Fred had arranged a nice hotel for us, and second surprise, my friend Tamara showed up! It was a great surprise!! I don't get to see my girls very often so it was really special to be able to have a weekend to catch up with some just the girls time. The girls organized a spa trip and a musical (Matilda - very cute) and we just spent a lot of time chatting and catching up. What an amazing birthday surprise! The surprises didn't end there....the following weekend I was again napping when Fred came in and had Holly in tow - there to help celebrate my birthday. I was very surprised to see her in Bowmanville! She spent the weekend with us and got to enjoy a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner too! So, all in all I had a great birthday- a ton of surprises thanks to an amazing hubs and lots of time with family.
Now we're back home and back into our routine. I am now only 6 weeks away from due date so lots of appointments and trying to organize and get things ready. I'm definitely into the nesting phase. The new crib and dresser were delivered for baby and we converted Lennon's crib into a big girl (double) bed and moved her into the spare room. She loves her new room and bed. She was so excited about it she was running in there yelling "I love my new room!" So, that transition was seamless! Hopefully she'll do equally as well when baby is here! She is used to having my attention full time.
Fred is getting close to being done (yes, done!) with school. He still has to travel for their last residential session at the beginning of November (good thing it's not any later). He has got lots to finish up but the end is in sight! Yay!
NYC!, Lennon and Grandma at Watson's Farm (her fave B-ville spot) More Watson's, outside in the pool at the end of September!, story time at the library Cutie, more Watson's
Cousins, making pizza, meeting new cousin Jordan, big girl bed!
Ok, let's not even talk about how long it's been since my last post...enough said. I will add lots of photos to fill in the gaps of the last few?! months!
We've had a fairly quiet summer but also have lots going on! We seemed to have better and more summer-like weather in the spring. We were in shorts in April which is really unusual for here. We were able to enjoy lots of outside time! July and August were the rainiest we've ever had. There were a handful of days that didn't have any rain at all. We got out when we could! As soon as the Labour day weekend hit it started to feel like fall outside. I suppose we'll soon be digging out winter gear:(
Highlights of the summer have been spending time with Auntie Holly, who was here for about a month, doing a few little day trips when Fred doesn't have school on weekends, Penticton, and Fred's 40th birthday! His birthday included a weekend with Lennon staying at Grandma and Pugga's, lots of relaxing time for us!, and a surprise party of epic proportions. He was very surprised when we showed up at his parents house and found a yard full of people, a band, and a food truck. It was ton of fun and he was legitimately surprised!
Going back a bit...some news...while we were in Palm Springs, which was a great time, we found out that I am pregnant! Baby #2 coming early December and it's a boy! We're very excited, including Lennon. She calls him baby brother and hugs my belly and talks to him. It's very sweet. She also talks about the things she will teach him (how to walk, talk, etc) and the things that she will do with him. Hopefully all this sweetness and excitement actually pan out when it's all a reality and he's here!
Fred is super busy with school and work and travel over the next while. The time between now and baby's arrival are just going to fly by. The end of his course work is just about in sight which is a huge relief for him and us. We are managing to get a little get-away to NYC next week just the two of us! We are both looking forward to that. I am bringing Lennon out to Grandma and Gramps' and then will meet Fred in NYC. Afterwards Lennon and I will stay with mom and dad for a while since Fred has to travel to Barcelona at the end of the month. He'll join us afterwards and we'll spend Thanksgiving, and my b-day, with my family before heading back to Calgary. Fred then has one last residential session to go to at the beginning of November and then before you know it, baby. So ya, the next few months will fly.
Lennon is just full of life and keeps us on our toes for sure! She is growing (will need new clothes soon) and is showing us some of the "terrible twos" you hear so much about. Most of the time she is a sweet little girl, but once in a while there are some epic meltdowns over very minor things. It's definitely a test of our patience! She's still very talkative and has an immense vocabulary. She's very social and always looks for someone to play with when we go to the playground. She can usually convince another kid, usually an older one, to play with her. With kids her own age it's a bit more of a battle about "my turn!" She will often encounter kids who aren't as outgoing as her and when she talks to them and they don't reply she will ask me "why doesn't she/he talk?" Haha. Favourite things to play with lately are her kitchen stuff, a new purse (from Auntie Holly), books, toy phones and she loves pretending she's taking your order at a restaurant. She's quite good at pretend play.
Well, with high intentions of getting back to writing more often I will sign off for now;) The pics will have to say the rest.
I think I say this every time I write but, wow is time ever going fast! March is going by with our spring-like weather continuing. I think I would be totally ok with all winters being like the one we've had this year. I suppose it is technically spring now, but in Calgary it's usually not spring until June.
Lennon continues to grow and learn. She speaks in full sentences quite consistently. Her vocabulary astounds us daily. She's just not a baby anymore, she's such a little girl. She counts to 9 (skips 5 though for some reason) and can do some of the alphabet (my favourite part is "l o p me"). She has an incredible memory too. She will recall events and things that happened ages ago and that we haven't talked about or given thought too.
We are definitely seeing a lot more independence coming out. She loves to pick out her clothes each morning ("hmmm choices") and wants to put them on herself, which she can't quite manage yet. Her favourite phrase is "own self," "Lennon do it own self!" She has also taken to screaming if she doesn't get her way sometimes. Like, high pitched, full on, blood curdling scream. Eek!
I took Lennon for her first haircut! It literally took about two minutes...lol. I just wanted to have her bangs trimmed a bit because she was complaining about them falling in her face. I just can't cut off her cute little curls at the back yet, though it is getting very long, they are just too adorable. I took her to my stylist and Lennon sat on the booster and was great. Like I said it only took a couple of minutes so she didn't have to sit for too long.
Cooking eggs with Daddy
Tomorrow we head on vacation to Palm Springs! Time for some heat and sun! Lennon and I picked up some water wings yesterday which she is very excited to try out in the pool!
It's almost the end of February and we've been having spring-like weather. It's been quite unbelievable. We have been able to get outside for walks and even to the playground!
#cutie indeed!, Three generations, With Grandma and Gramps, Smiley!, I love waffles!, Puzzles
At the beginning of the month we were in Bowmanville staying with Grandma and Gramps for a couple of weeks while Fred was at his second residential session for school. We had a great time! Steve and Hendrik and Alana came to visit for a weekend while we were there too. The kids had a blast together! It was nice to have the cousins get to know each other a bit more. I got a chance to reconnect with some old friends too which was great! It is quite amazing how so much time can go by and yet you can still feel comfortable with people. Our time in Bowmanville was spent with lots of visiting with family, some library visits, and swimming. Lennon loved the pool there. They have a great tot pool that is very warm, almost bath like, so I enjoyed that too! We were very happy to be reunited with Fred after two weeks and then spent a couple of days relaxing in Bowmanville before travelling back home. Lennon was awesome on the plane!
Craft time, Play Doh, Reading at the library Making pizza, Colouring cousins, Story time Puzzling with Gramps, Trying to write, With cousin Alana
Back home we've been back to our regular routine. Swimming classes are going well. Over the last month or so Lennon has really taken to it and is just all smiles and squeals when we're in the water. One pool visit in Bowmanville saw us in the pool for more than an hour and a fight to get her to come out! With the weather being so great we are getting out more which is nice! We are in Edmonton this weekend. Fred had a function at the U of A on Thursday and is doing his classes for school here today so we came along for a little get away. Half of Fred's school team is in Edmonton so I've gotten to meet them too, which is nice. Yesterday we toured the Alberta Legislature, this morning we went to West Edmonton Mall and tomorrow we will head back home.
Our family, Sandwich kiss, Pigtails!, with Pugga at his Alma Mater (U of A), Mmmm pizza, selfies with Dad and Mom
First, Christmas. We had a nice, relaxing Christmas in Nashville. It was a great time spent at Auntie Holly's (Fred's parents were there too). Lennon was very excited about presents... "lots of presents for Len!" She did very well and didn't get too crazy with all the excitement. She even took breaks to guzzle some water. Haha!
Lennon did great on the plane (both ways). This was her last plane trip on our laps...next time she has to have her own seat. We did break up the trip a bit with a stopover in Minneapolis. It worked out quite well. Lennon got to keep fairly close to her usual sleeping schedule and we were able to have a short (but really nice) visit with my cousin Erica who lives close to Minneapolis.
Our time in Nashville was pretty relaxing. It was nice to have others around to entertain Lennon, although she did get a bit clingy to mommy. Highlights of the trip for Lennon were a ride on a train with Auntie, seeing Chickadee (Holly's dog), presents, and a performance by Auntie and Daddy. Fred and Holly did a show on New Years Eve, so Lennon got to see Daddy on stage for the first time. She was thrilled. She really wanted to go up on stage as well. Through the whole performance she kept saying "Len sing" and then at the end she quickly said "Lennon's turn now." So cute!
Back home we started preparing for Lennon's birthday. Grandma and Gramps arrived a couple days after we got home. It was great to have them here for to celebrate Lennon's birthday. She sure loved having them around too!
We had many birthday celebrations. The weekend before we had a group birthday get together with our baby group at a place called the Flip Factory. It was fun. They have a big toddler area that you can reserve (we were the only ones in there) that is all padded with toys for toddlers. The kids had a blast! On the day of her birthday we went to Costco, met daddy for lunch, and then Pugga joined us later at home for dinner. Again, Lennon was very excited about presents. Then we had a party on Saturday. Once again, the presents were a highlight for Lennon. She had fun - she always does with lots of people around. By the end of the evening she was so tired she had bags under her eyes. A success, I'd say!
Grandma and Gramps left yesterday so now we're back to the usual around here. Although in 10 days we'll be heading to Ontario. Fred has his next residential session for school so Lennon and I will go stay with Grandma and Gramps.
Back to "we have a two year old!" Lennon amazes us everyday with her sweet, charming personality, her goofiness, her smarts, and pretty much anything she does;) I'm just going to go to list form for the things she's doing at two years old...
- still talking pretty much non-stop (using full sentences quite consistently)
- will repeat anything and everything she hears (she's repeated a "shoot"...nothing worse than that...yet)
- favourite phrase is "maybe after." For example: "Lennon can I have a hug?"..."maybe after."
- still loves penguins
- current favourite toys are a baby doll and a kitchen set
- favourite store is Cobs (bread) because she gets samples
- still sleeps incredibly well (knock on wood)... a 2 to 3 hour nap in the afternoon and almost 12 hours at night and goes to bed without any fuss
- can be a bit clingy to mommy
- loves to sing/loves music...randomly starts singing (usually "let it be,") pretends to play piano and does air guitar too, can't help but dance if there's music on (once even stopped to dance between a crying fit - cry, dance, cry, dance)
- is enjoying swimming class more and more
- favourite food is any kind of fruit, especially berries, and cucumber - will rarely eat meat unless it's ham while in the grocery store or hidden as in shepherd's pie
- loves to help set the table
- absolutely adores her cousin Ashton...squeals like we never hear any other time
- is cautious (not your typical no fear toddler)
- is generally very sweet and gentle
- very social -charms anyone around her
- weighed in at 27lbs on the luggage scale at the airport (we'll get an official reading at the dr next week)
Well, truth is...I'm just a terrible blogger. I say this every time. Maybe one day I'll get better, but don't hold your breath!
22 months old (Nov. 14, 2015)
Christmas is almost here. We have had such a mild winter it barely feels like it. We do have snow on the ground and have had a few chilly days, but so far it's been an unusual winter. Lennon is very excited about all the Christmas decorations, trees, and lights. We have had our tree and decorations up for about a month already. She saw Santa at a brunch we go to every year - I wasn't too sure how she was going to react but she was totally fine with it! We took her to the Calgary Zoo's Zoolights the other night. They put up a ton of Christmas lights throughout the zoo. She loved the lights but was then absolutely mesmerized by the fire pits they had set up throughout as warming stations. We had to stop at pretty much all of them. If you ask her about Zoolights she will say "fireplace."
I guess I need to think back a bit...November...November seemed to fly by. We have just been busy with day to day stuff really. Fred's work and school are keeping him very busy. All is still going well and we cherish the weekends when he doesn't have classes. Lennon is more and more active all the time. She still loves her swimming class and is becoming more comfortable in the water. I think we'll continue with that for sure. We try to get together with one of her little friends once a week, which is great. Mostly we spend our time at the grocery store (she loves Costco! Oh, and Cobs bread is her absolute favourite - maybe it's the samples? yes, it's definitely the samples!), running errands, and just playing at home. Fred and I got a chance to get away on our own for an extended weekend in November. Grandma L and Pugga came to stay with Lennon and we went to Vegas! It was a great time. We walked a ton, ate good food, and relaxed lots! Lennon had fun at home too so that was good. It was nice to get away and have that time together. November, unfortunately, also brought some tragedy to the Brinkman family. My Uncle Neal and Aunt Janna were in an accident. She passed away at the scene and my uncle suffered some serious injuries. It was heartbreaking news and a grim reminder of how precious life is and how in an instant everything can change. Uncle Neal is recovering well, although I'm sure the emotional healing will take much longer.
Now we're almost at the end of December already. December always seems busy. We've had lots of parties and get togethers to attend. It just makes the month fly by. Lennon is a few weeks away from turning two (what?!). We have lots planned over the next few months, including some travels for us and Grandma B and Gramps visiting for Lennon's birthday!
23 months old (Dec. 14, 2015)
There are the last couple of months in a nutshell. So, more about Lennon...she is turning into such a little girl. I don't think we can call her a baby anymore, although we do. She's losing that baby look and is definitely a toddler now. She still talks up a storm and her vocabulary is quite something. She speaks in sentences now and often refers to herself as Len. "Len sit on the couch," "Len do it," "Len put the boots on." It's adorable. We pretty much have full on conversations all day long! Today I had to laugh - we were folding laundry (she loves to "help") and she saw some underwear and said "Daddy's underwear, Len wear underwear too, older" I said that she had to learn to go on the potty, that she was old enough to try and then she could wear underwear. She replied, "ya, poop on potty first." I said, "yup and then you can wear underwear," and she quickly said "bra too." Haha! Let's work on underwear first, Lennon! Can you tell that she follows me everywhere and watches everything or what?! She has taken to having showers now too. She hasn't been in the bath tub in quite a while - she would rather hop in the shower with one of us. Growing up fast! Lennon still loves music and sings songs randomly throughout the day. She quite often wakes up from a nap singing too. Oh, she's a lot of fun! She does have her moments though too. She can get whiney and will use the whine and cry to try to get what she wants. We are in toddler territory here! Anyway, it's unbelievable that she's almost two. That has go to be the quickest two years ever!
Happy girl!, Selfie with Daddy, Selfie with Mommy (serious face)
My two cuties, Checking out the tree, Helping with laundry
Zoolights, right side pic is Lennon staring at the fire!
Lights at Confederation Park
Visiting Santa
