Post Christmas days

Well, we've survived the busiest time of the year. Some call it the most wonderful time (as in the song) but that is a statement I question. It is extremely busy and wears out a baby and their family quite quickly.

The days leading up to Christmas were special as Alix and Sam are with us for a week. This time has allowed Ava to know her brothers. It is really sweet as she now interacts with them and wants to see them. The funniest thing is how she now cries when either of them leave the room. Alix and Sam have been great. We spent a day at the hotel so the boys could get some water sliding in. Ava, as usual, loved the pool. It was nice as Grand-maman and Grand-papa came with us so we shared adjoining hotel rooms.

Christmas Eve was planned to have Alix, Sam, and I going to church. Unfortunately, I missed a step and fell down part of the stairs. Luckily, I was not carrying Ava. Fortunately, my only injury was a severely sprained large toe - causing me great pain and difficulty walking. This made going to church difficult so Alix and Sam went with grand-maman and grand-papa. Opa Greiss came over for a visit and spent a good part of the evening with us. When the boys returned, we decided to open their stockings. They loved the movies they received - The Simpsons and The Transformers.

Christmas day saw us wake up and open gifts. Ava scored large and often. After gift opening, it was time to pack up and head to tante Joelle's for breakfast. We had a very nice breakfast and headed home to give Ava some quiet time before the big family dinner. After the rest, we headed to grand-maman's for dinner. All our family was there and our cousins Daymond, Alana and their family joined us as they were alone for Christmas. Opa Greiss was also going to come but at the last minute called to say he had another invitation (next door) and wouldn't be coming. Before dinner, we opened gifts. Again, Ava was the big recipient again. Quite the first Christmas for her!!!!

Unfortunately, Christmas night did not go well for Ava and she was up often. That led to a low key Boxing Day where we stayed at home. Grand-maman and grand-papa brought left overs and joined us for dinner and to watch team Canada win their first game! Yea!! This morning, my foot is feeling much better (don't need to keep downing Tylenol like candy) so I fed Ava and let Angel disappear into our bedroom for a while. While downstairs, Ava made an amazing display of mobility - she headed toward one of her new toys in a very determined and timely fashion. Once their, she started hitting the buttons and enjoying herself - she showed ability that would make you think she's played with this toy before.

up with the singer

I am sitting here with a little singer. It is very early in the morning and a little babbling brook (Ava) is busy waking up her brothers (too bad for them). She is very vocal this morning...

I decided to get up with Ava this morning as Angel is not feeling well. I think Ava is trying to pop more teeth as she isn't doing as well sleeping as her normal. She is up at some point during the night for the last couple of nights and I've noticed she is occasional drooling. More teeth would be great as she is becoming more and more interested in what we're eating. Some more little chompers to add to the two bottom ones would make the task of chewing way easier for her.

I am on my first week of holidays. I should be half way through my tour but I'm at home and enjoying it. All this time with Angel and Ava has been great. I am really enjoying myself. I was thinking yesterday of how we would've have been in Hawaii this weekend; it's hard not to think of when the guys at work are all booking their winter getaways (there are some cheap prices for Jamaica right now). In the unusual cold we are currently experiencing, such thoughts are tough. The saving grace is to remember we're going next year. It actually works out better as Ava will be older and more interactive with us and her environment. But, she will still only be a year and a half old; meaning we'll have great pictures but she will not have any memories. This realization means we'll have to go back when she's older. It's easy to survive the cold when you're thinking about how you're going to go to Hawaii twice!!!!

up early

I am enjoying my vacation time so far. I have been at home with not much to do other than to be with the girls. As Angel is frequently (okay almost always) up with Ava, I decided to get up with Ava two mornings in a row to let Angel sleep in.

The mornings with Ava are awesome. She's in a great mood and is actually quite easy to take care of. The agenda consists of play time in her exersaucer, breakfast at about 0830, and a change of the poopy diaper at about 0930. At the poopy diaper change, Mom usually gets up. Sometimes I take advantage and crawl back into bed as Ava usually naps in the morning = giving Angel some alone time.

Ava and I have time to play on her mat in the basement. This mat is covered in Ava's toys so we've named the area "baby town". Baby town has all kinds of toys, books, and activities for Ava to enjoy. Her favorites are the stacking rings (oldie but goody), her balancing monkey (screams "whoa!" and plays music), and the mirror from her "crinkle" pad. All these toys with interacting with papa can keep her busy for quite a while. However, when she realizes maman has come down and it sitting on the sofa; papa and the toys are not good enough anymore.

Hopefully more time with her during the next 3 weeks will change that a little... ;)

on vacation

While the trip to Hawaii has been delayed by a year, I must say I am looking forward to being off and with my girls. The weather this week is weather where I'm thankful I don't have to go to work; instead I'm spending time harrassing my co-workers about going to work. Ava seems to be enjoying having me around. I know Angel is (even though I don't get up early every morning with Ava).

The delay of the trip actually turned out to be a good thing. Ava will be older = better interaction with her environment, she will have the ability to eat "regular" food, and a little easier parenting for Angel and I as she will be slightly more independant (i.e. not needing breastfeeding, walking, and more awake time). We don't really have plans for this year although we do have enough Air Miles to disappear to California for a week... I think it will really depend on the weather and our winter blues needing some thawing.

missing my girls

It really sucks to be working the shifts I do. Don't get me wrong, I love my job however being away for 12.5 hours is tough when those hours are the same hours Ava is awake. When I work days, I do not see her. Additionally, yesterday I had a day long course that stole time away from home. When I got home last night, I couldn't stop playing with and kissing Ava. Kisses were flying toward Angel also.



Kevin phoned and offered hockey tickets. I accepted and the two of us had a "dad's" night out. At first, Kevin wasn't sure if he wanted to go and seemed a little reluctant to go. We found our seats - what great seats!!! We were 4 rows behind the Moose bench; looking down the red line! As luck would have it, a gentleman sitting beside us was someone Kevin knew. It was not a very exciting game - the Moose played poorly and lost 6 to 5 (it was 3 to 3 before the first 10 minutes of the game was played). We went exploring during the first intermission and returned with beer. Funny how that happens.



This morning, I'm up with Ava. She's watching Sportsdesk and screaming at the good and bad plays - I've got a sports fan on my hands!!! Angel deserves the sleep in. She does so much and I enjoy the time with Ava. Time with Ava may become more precious as I applied for a new job yesterday that may take me away from her and Angel 4 days at a time. Those would be long days without seeing Ava.

Christmas tree is coming

It's been incredible how quickly December has snuck up on us! It seems like it was just a week ago the grass was still green and I was raking up leaves. Instead, my staff Christmas party has already passed and the Christmas tree is going up.

First, I want to thank Angel for being so incredible at my staff party. Angel & I have been together for 6 years and she has gotten to know my co-workers and spouses pretty well. This helps as I must admit that this year's Christmas party I pretty much did not see my wife. Other than an occasional kiss and request, we didn't have the chance to see other. As I was the organizer this year, I left early for the hall to do final preparations. Angel joined us later. All evening, I was busy making sure everything was going well. At one point, I even needed a dealer for the blackjack table and Angel graciously accepted my request. I may not say it enough - I love you babe; you're fantastic to me!!

Ava is about to celebrate her first Christmas. We're pretty excited. We've bought a digital palmcoder to record all of our family firsts with Ava and celebrations with all our family. Last year, we ended up not putting up a tree so this year, Angel is quite excited about the prospect. She has patiently waited as I am pretty grumpy about putting up the tree too early (anything before December 1st is too early). And no Joelle, that does not make me a Grinch!!! Anyway back to the story; the tree is going up. There was a brief discussion about putting it up tonight but "John & Kate plus 8" is on, so we're doing it tomorrow. I am excited about seeing Ava's reaction to a lit up tree!!! I kinda of remember the boys reactions but it's been so long since they've been little and my memory is not always the best. Ava is interacting so much, it's going to great to see those reactions and Angel's glee from the reactions!!! It's going to be doubly special!!!

As for the tree - it's a fake. Before anyone makes a comment - we made an environmental choice of buying a plastic tree instead of chopping a new one every year. ;)

home with madame

I wish I had a camera handy - you should see my madame right now!! She is sleeping on the sofa, her right arm above her head, her left arm holding her bunny rabbit, Earl sleeping at her feet, and the cutest look on her face. What a picture!!

I'm enjoying a day with Ava. I haven't seen her in two days. It's a long time not to see her. I feel like she forgets me until I see her and her reaction clearly states she's happy to see me. It makes me feel good. Angel is away today and I'm home before going to work nights tonight = I'm parenting by myself. So far, so good.

Angel wrote about our weekend in Fargo. We had a great time, picked up some great stuff, and did not encounter any tree mulchers (need to see movie "Fargo" to understand that one). We did learn that babies do not share rooms well due to different sleep patterns. Next time, adjoining rooms instead of sharing a suite!!! As for nocturnal methane discharges, not sure how Angel knows as she left me alone in bed twice in favour of sleeping on the sofa in the other room...