Almost three months chickadee and we had a Christmas!

Well my darling daughter you have almost reached the three month milestone. And my oh my you have grown. And I'm not talking weight. I'm talking height. When did this happen? Eek! I noticed quite a bit today when I put you in a sleeper that seemed to fit a little looser a couple of weeks ago and now is snug as bug. Yup you are growing!

It has been quite a few weeks. Lots of family fun and lots of visiting. Grammie and Grampie came from New Brunswick. Kind of a big deal as it is the first time you have seen Grampie in person. 

And I have to say that Grampie was quite taken with you. You both shared quite a few smiles back and forth as he tickled you and blew little puffs of air into your face. Sounds weird but you both enjoyed it. He also enjoyed 'helping you' work out pulling you up by the arms. Grammie didn't really like that exercise. ;) She worried about your little shoulders and if they could handle it. But you seem to be okay. 

Grammie of course jetted towards you as soon as we got to the airport and offered her arms full of cuddles first thing in the am (when you seem to be most cuddly). And you (plus Grampie) had alone time for 4 hours one evening. Because.....

Mom and Dad went out to Star Wars. And guess what?! I love you, but I was pretty pumped to leave. Had my coat on and waited by the door for you're father before it was probably time to go. Good movie and good time!  

Grammie said that you were pretty good too. Although you hate it, you did take a bottle once. And only cried the last 15 minutes. I hope that is the truth but only you two know! 

We did your first Santa visit. You seemed quite tired and didn't get the hype about the big guy in red. And the photo showed. Santa didn't miss a beat and did a pretty good imitation of you back. As it can be seen in a previous blog post. It was a cute moment. 

You seem to still fuss. Sometimes a little later than I enjoy. That's when I tell you I love you the most. 'Wink wink'. But you have tapered down a considerable amount. Maybe we are just getting better at reading you too?! Ha ha. I'm sure it will swing in high gear when teething starts. One thing that you have enjoyed immensely is Christmas tree lights. Our tree in particular! We have joked that we should keep it up till March. Something I'm sure your dad is all for. I however am not. Lol. Christmas is over. It's hard enough keeping it past January 1st. 

In terms of lights it's too bad you get so soothed from the stroller as you surely would enjoy the leg lights (you've been there twice), candy cane lane, or Victoria park skating. But some fun will come when you are older. You did see the Magna Carta. But that seemed quite underwhelming in you're eyes as you cried and promptly went to sleep. 

Now in other holiday happenings you of course saw you're auntie and uncles and cousins again...back from Guelph! Lots of good cuddles from them. Plus you had you're Granny, Granddad, Grammie and Grampie all in the same room. May not be a big deal for you but it was for me as sometimes visits from New Brunswick are farther than I like. It was lovely as we spent time with all of them on your Granny and Granddad's 42nd anniversary, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Lovely and fun family time. 

Now of course it was not always about you. But sometimes it's hard to do things as you like to be included in everything. It took me probably 6-8 hours to wrap all the presents between feedings. 

And Grammie certainly had to help with baking by either doing it or holding you so I could. But it got done...we both sure were tired but it got done. Mocha cakes, mincemeat tarts, Christmas cookies (okay the decorator extraordinaire, Jimi helped with those) candy cookies, and all the stuff Grammie made in a prior visit...gumdrop cake and butter tarts. 

Lots of Christmas movies watched, muppets, polar express, miracle on 42nd street, it's a wonderful life, and white Christmas. Love love love those. A few interruptions but I pretty much have all those movies memorized in my head. 

And unfortunately even a few people got hit with a bit of a bug on Christmas Day or after....your dad, Grammie and Uncle Jimi.   

Without the later, all in all it was a great holiday season once again. Gone to soon. But fun all the same. And it was your first...making it all the more special for all of us. 

Love

Merry Christmas to all

And to all a good night!

A wonderful Christmas with all my families little and small!

Love

Baby's first Santa visit.

Nice little visit in the hour long line

You would think someone on mat leave would be smarter

But grammie was sure happy to join in your excitement. 

Or slumber. 

You be the judge. 

It's pretty tiring being cute. 

Love

My happy place

Every year I have a must...

Whether I do it alone

With my partner

Or my wonderful friends

I go to the leg grounds at Christmas time

This time I went with Jeaninne

And her wonderful girls

And mine

We listened to the music 

We admired the lights

I stood in awe of the big tree

Again

The girls jumped and played in the snow

Looked at the lit up reindeer

Searched downtown for an open coffee shop

And when found 

Savoured the candy cane hot chocolate

And doughnuts. 

Love

Oh Christmas tree

You have already provided me with so many memories and stories . And Christmas has just begun. 

We came across you in a family lot with our tiny family of three. We circled around until I came across you standing there oh so proud. Mark took a look at you and cut you down with ease.

It was a wonderful afternoon. Quiet air, cool but with sun. We trekked, I carried little c and Mark carried you in the little red sleigh. Hot chocolate waiting for us with candy canes. The afternoon was quite perfect. 

Then controversy arose that evening when we brought you home. You couldn't fit in our home. So we lobbed your top. We sat you up in our living room and I was unsure about you. You were kind of sparse from what I'm used to. 

You see Christmas tree I come from a family that imported our tree directly from where Christmas trees are a business. My grandfathers business to be specific. Every year a tree would be in our mail. Crazy I know. And those trees tend to have a bit more bulk to them. I started klinging to the old memories. I know. Wrong. And it's not your fault. 

So the decorating began. Mark actually participated this year! And you looked okay. But old memories kept creeping back into my head. Then you did something in defiance. You decided to fall.

 

 

Wrong move Christmas tree. I was not happy. You took down our ornaments. You splashed water everywhere. Pine cones fell from your branches to the floor. And you even decided to drop some sap. Naughty naughty!!!

 

1130 at night we hoisted you up. But you left this family of three anything but happy. Mark downstairs constructing wood to stabilize you. Me holding the tree up as the little one screamed at us all from her car seat. It was no ones finest hour. 

 

But the next day came around. I took a look at you as the sun lit up our room. You looked a bit rattled up with ornaments on your back and falling off your branches. It was time to give you another try. I took out our homemade ornaments. Hung them up. Restrung the ribbon. Lit up the lights and put on the topper. 

 

And guess what Christmas tree? You are quite pretty. You have a uniqueness about you. You are different. But I think the family you chose (and vice versa) is too. 

 

You stand proud and tall. You are not dry. You kind of have an incorporation of both me and Mark. I kind of love you. I light you up and stare at you with glee and warmth. Cause you really do represented Christmas.

So thank you Christmas tree. You have given me more memories in this little week than I could imagine. Some of them are not mine or Mark's finest but then others have been more than incredible. And I think we will be looking at your brothers and sisters in the coming years.

 

Love 

What my christmas meant to me

Christmas was a bit different for me this year. One is I didn't have to work (yay) so I could participate wholeheartedly into every bit of any activity that was available to be in. Also we went on a little vacation (mid-christmas) so I had to decide what I really wanted to do for my Christmas experience to make it special for both myself and others around me. Guess what? It was kind of fantastic. 

I had to forgo the baking this time around (slightly sad, but as Mark's Auntie Donna said, baking doesn't just need to be Christmas baking (so true, so january it is!) I also had to choose my Christmas movies with extra care as only a few selected would get chosen. Some of my traditions I let go of and just let the holidays take over. I can't say it enough it was lovely just for that. 

I shouldn't make it all snowflakes and poinsettias (har har). I did plenty of christmas shopping prior to leaving on our trip and may have done a bit of last minute to dos right before the 25. Something that at christmas time, I do not enjoy. Shocking but true, crowds and long lines make me antsy. But for the positive....

Here is what we did:

- walks around our neighborhood to see the glimpses of some of our favourite decorated houses. Bentley and I found one on Christmas Eve, it was incredible. I took Mark to it later on Christmas Day. Kind of like the candy cane keyhole, of our neighborhood. Love. 

- watched a few of my favourite movies. Home alone (yay I know, but it was what I grew up on), love actually (it just makes me feel warm watching that one) and a must, White Christmas (and yet again I cried when the general went down the stairs in his uniform, gets me again). 

- wrote Christmas cards. Ahhhh, the dying form of letter delivery. I enjoy getting mail every year from family and friends, sending me updates on their lives, delivering well wishes. So in return we do it. Although I cheat a little with a Christmas letter/picture that tells a small story. It is something that at this time I love to do....we will see how I feel in the upcoming years. 

- decorating our tree. With my insistence, we got a tree at the end of November. Plopped it in the tree stand and I watered it religiously for three days. And it was taking water like you wouldn't believe. Three to four times a day. Then on the third day I went to decorate the tree. And the needles started to fall. Kind of rain. I looked down and the tree skirt was drenched. Yes. Our stand sprung a leak and our tree died. We switched it up and found that although the branches rained when touched, the trunk continued to take up water, so decorating it began. And with the lights on, a few sprigs stuck in to sparkle, it was beautiful. That along with the lights that Mark strung outside (with such mastery) made it really feel like christmas. I would turn them on, make a hot chocolate and enjoy. Still makes me feel happy. 

- Christmas Eve. A little hectic with no reason to dwell and get into. But we went to church. And when we went I was happy. Great sermon, great story and they ended with my favourite carol, silent night. It always makes me tear up a little when I hear it. And we had candles which makes the carol more powerful. 

- Christmas morning. We woke up, and immediately took the dog for an am walk. Cool air, cold but not too cold. We facetimed my parents on the walk and wished well wishes, talked of parties, and presents, gave thanks and laughed. Jimi had successfully surprised my mom and we gave small giggles of all that was occurring without her knowing. Then Mark and I spent some time alone and unwrapped our stockings, taking pics and laughing. Bentley was given his big gift, a Dino bone, as we were not going to be around to entertain him. We then headed to Wendy and David's. Met with Lawrence, we unwrapped our presents, (the boys played with their toys) and we ate croissants. Joined in the afternoon by granddad, Donna, Abbey, and Margaret we ate a wonderful meal, played games, ate again, while outside snow fell softly (seriously, I can't make this stuff up!). 

It was a fantastic ending to our Christmas, (even though it was continued with more fun the next day with the Edey cousins and a rousing, gift exchange of trades and unwrapping...who knew baking sheets and drinking cups were hot commodities - ;) )

Great holiday, great fun, great people, makes for an enormous heart. 

Happy new year

Love

Late at night

I like to turn on the lights of the Christmas tree and sit and look and smell all things Christmas. 

Love

Lucky lady

I was a very lucky this year as I not only got to have my holidays with one side of my family, but both at the same time. And like Mark said it was a marathon, not a sprint, of wonderful holiday goodness that leaves my heart feeling happy. 

My parents came on Christmas Eve (and are still here till the ninth, eek). It was a perfect time as it broke my stretch of six shifts nicely and putting some fun into my days as they become pretty monotonous prior to work. Took a nice tour of Marks school. And the three of them had a Robertson family tradition of a tortiere that evening. I think they were pretty tired as they went to bed early. 

On the day of Christmas, I have already written about. It was wonderful and so much fun. I don't think it could have been any better although having Jimi and his partner would have been an added bonus. Not working too...but that provided me with another kind of joy. 

Mom got to continue on with her traditional Boxing Day trip with her friend. While Mark got to celebrate with all the Edey cousins in Red Deer. I got to sleep. It was appreciated. 

And then we contined celebrating Christmas with Jimi Jam and Cassie on the 27th.  Wendy and David came over and we did our first Christmas ever with excellent family help. Mark cooked the turkey. Amazingly. Dad did he escargots. And my fantastic mother did the rest although she states she really didn't. I was around for clean up and coordination...sure that's it. All in all it went well. Mom was great at it and knew that towels keep everything warm and made sure to get everything ready in the am leaving more time to socialize. Apparently it wasn't her first rodeo (wink, wink). I don't think it could have been done better with my husband and parents by my side. Next time we may try at it with no help....but is that as much fun as family involvement?

Family bonding was after with trips to see the Harry potter exhibit, see the hobbit desolation of smaug. Spillage of corn startch, and leftover turkey sandwhiches, costco runs and gym trips. Movies from the library and fChristmas, goodies galore and dad teachings about home repair, maintenace and electrical work. Laughs and love. 

A birthday celebration for my lovely. A feast of meat with wonderful company of family and friends that expressed numerous times that they wanted to celebrate Marks birthday, even if Mark didn't think it was a big deal. And we were all so glad to have them and our parents and siblings (that were in town). Definitlely beat last years Vegas debacle. 

And then New Years Eve where we visited with two parties so we could hang out with just some of the people we really love and appreciate. Ringing in the new year with laughs, fun and mice!

And you would think that would be it. But as Mark said, it is a marathon not a sprint. So we headed to Marks uncle and aunts for a dinner and one of my fav Edey traditions of Court Whist. So much fun. 

It is is back to work tomorrow but I can honestly say it has been an amazing holiday week this year. So very fortunate to have both families here and to spend time with them. It has been lovely. I am just grateful. 

Happy New Year!

2014 I am excited for the new beginnings and what is in store!

Love

Christmas at work

My first Christmas working. It was something that I knew was in my future as people don't stop getting ill but I didn't know what to expect. But I can tell you this. It was quite lovely. 

Sure I was working on my favourite time of year. But there were many things that helped make this Christmas truly memorable and truly special. 

1. My parents came in on day three of my rotation. An added bonus to break up the long stretches. So happy to see them as I was on countdown!

2. I worked evenings so I got my Christmas morning with my parents and husband. Spending three hours watching everyone unwrap and play with their toys. Santa was a good man!

3. We got to go to my amazing inlaws who made a Christmas brunch. Plus see an additional little "Santa" in Baby B. Hanging out with both families for me made it truly fantastic. 

4. I worked in a great team. The whole six days. Everyone wanting and willing to help each other out. Making a potluck dinner. Sharing laughs. Going over concerns. Fantastic. Plus I ended my stretch on Boxing Day rather than begin it  he he. 

5. Finally my patients. A feisty elderly woman who made my shift alone, with her plucky attitude and fantastic spunk. Giving me a fantastically hard time and me loving every minute of it. Another, true love in the older generation as one took care of another, celebrating a private Christmas in their room with such love and tenderness. Then seeing a patient I had before who was very very sick and now seems so much better (still sick) but so much better. Finally a story teller who would love to talk about her past. Each one special, unique and who I had the pleasure of spending Christmas with.

All of this made me all the more grateful and feeling the love this Christmas. 

Love

And then there were five.

Just as Mark's holidays begin, congratulations 'best teacher in the Edmonton public school board,' my days off end. A stretch of six is in my future and working on Christmas Day. I don't know what to think or expect from that. But I will do my best to make amends with it. 

But celebrations are still to be had, because the Christmas season is here! Our last Christmas party was yesterday but starting this Sunday, family celebrations begin. An anniversary celebration for my inlaws, AND my parents coming on Christmas Eve. I will, WILL it to go by slowly after that! So pumped!

So come on Christmas I am ready. Presents wrapped. Baking complete. Dinner fixings bought. House cleaned. Music playlists made. Tree lit. Advent calendar on countdown. Let the festivities begin!

Love

With 8 days left...

Till Christmas what does one do?

Make some Christmas treats, and make sure the "quality control" system is in place to taste test...Thank you Mark.

Read the multitude of Christmas cards received by friends and family and give thanks.

Watch 'White Christmas' and think of your Grampie because that is what I always do when I watch that movie.

Listen to Christmas music and dance around the kitchen because that just feels right.

Talk to parents that will be arriving in 7 short days. Eek!

Love

Weekend during the week day

Some of my days off aren't really productive and then there are others...

One day I get to witness a wonderful retirement tribute to my father in law down at city hall. 

Everyone making speeches of what a great worker he is, his devotion to public service and his positivity in the work place. 

Although I don't know how he is at work I would say he is like that at home. 

Always working hard, full of laughs, and making time for every member in his family. 

Then I got to go to my old job. 

See a performance of the nutcracker for their annual Christmas concert. 

Visit with some of my old clients

And talk with the nutcracker and Rat King themselves. 

Although I must say the Rat King spent most of his time asking for Mark, and kicking me. 

Merry Christmas in his own way.

Two days off well spent. 

Love

I love the smell of Christmas

Especially the smell of pine. 

And lucky me. 

Our house is infused with it. 

Love

Happy

The Christmas lights are up. 

And they look beautiful. 

And as Mark promised, he did it. 

No problems. 

Construing a device of a broom and hockey stick to get them on the branches. 

And I love them. 

And Mark being on a roll of awesomeness. 

Brought all the staff on my unit cupcakes and cookies. 

Because we were working on the night of the Christmas party. 

And proving to many others his awesomeness. 

Something that I know plenty about. 

Great times continue on. 

Love

This is what I know

I love Christmas, as most people know. 

I feel it's officially time to celebrate as even hotels are doing it. 

Outdoor lights are an essential thing to have. 

Especially when there is an epic amount of snow outside. 

I also know that I don't think it is in my capabilities to decorate the trees outside. 

As it was an epic fail the first time I tried. 

The lights froze and got stiff. 

They tangled up and started to unplug as I flailed them onto a tree. 

And because I wasn't tall enough I used a rake to move them up. 

But that resulted in branches breaking. 

Thus resulting in the first Christmas activity that I have not enjoyed. 

Let's just say there were tears and lights strewn on our living room floor. 

But a husband was there to assure that he will attempt on his own. 

A Christmas present for me. 

In this moment...

I am content. 

It is Christmas in November. 

The tree is decorated. 

The piano player is playing Christmas carols. 

I just had a holiday drink. 

Before I was in a hot pool, sauna, and steam room. 

I ordered room service and ate in bed. 

I read a book. 

I took a walk around the mountains. 

And I am with someone I love. 

Total brag post I know. But I truly am content and I must remember these moments too. 

Christmas in Stanley part 7

Many of the same wonderful moments.
Seeing a cousin from west but in the east.
Seeing an uncle and young cousin after his hockey game.
Watching 'its a wonderful life'.
Tormenting aka loving the cat.
Listening to the rain from outside my bedroom window when I woke up.

And another. Going for a walk in the woods with my dad. Reminded me of another small memory I had when I was small. When Sherwood Park was small. When there wasn't a micheals, a home hardware, a clinic, a superstore, or a cloverbar ranch. There was our area and not to far away there was a woods area. We would spot deer, run around, pick wild flowers for mom (more me than dad) and enjoy the presence of nature and the peace (dad was peaceful, me not so much) of the nice walk. That is what we did today. Walk in the snow, look at the fallen trees from the big snowfall, admire the sprigs (aka two year old trees that dad planted) and spot deer tracks. It was nice.

Good trip.
Continue to eat the many sweets that mom worked ever so hard to make.
Laugh and joke at the table. BINGO, Tracey.
Slowly pack and prep for a good bye.

Nice beginning and middle to my Christmas season.

Love

Christmas in Stanley part 6

What does one do on a Friday when holidays

1. Watch your father feed the birds.
2. Go visit your grandmother for some tea and cookies
3. See a market and eat more
4. My I oh my there is a lot of eating over the holidays
5. Watch muppets family Christmas a brother/sister tradition

Wow really need to work out tomorrow!

Love

Christmas in Stanley part 5

Lets leave the country!

- up at 8 and out of the country by 11.
- a visit to wardens
- a talk with my aunt
- a snooze in the car
- back in Canada
- window shopping with mom in too cute stores
- dinner with cousins and aunts

Fun days all around!
Love

Christmas in Stanley part 4

No rules today. Just go with it.

- take your old cat for a walk on a leash in your shorts and flip flops in the falling snow
- watch another Christmas movie, miracle on 34th street
- go shopping with my mother dearest
- admire mom's snowman
- ponder what to do when there is a power outage
- sit outside with white wine and talk while your dad BBQ's stirfryon the BBQ
- go inside cause you thought you may have heard zombies and you promised your husband that you would try to stay alive during the apocalypse
- play card games and create barricades

The end is near. He he.

Love