Who's Looking for a Treat?

Snowed In!

 

 

 

Santa's Little Helper

 

 

Pine Needles and Advent Calendars....

 

 

 

 

Nice and Cozy....

 

Merry Ho! Ho!

 

Whoa! Talk about bed-head!

 

Happy Halloween!

Can I Blog this Mom?

Check out our new videos in My Photo Album!

Walking!

Well, I've been slow I guess, or maybe just busy. Or maybe both. Madeleine has been walking for about a month now. She is really solid and likes to think that walking will lead to a certain independence... she's already decided that she does NOT need to hold ANYONE'S hand when she walks, no matter how busy the street may be. Funny and scarry all wrapped up in a ball.



Check out the videos of Madeleine walking in my photo album.

Family Vacation Part II: Grand Lake

Swims, saunas, afternoon naps, strawberry jam, tractor rides, swim time, swing time, ice cream.







Nana, Popa, Anna, Mia, Jeff, Andrew, Jonathan. Eric.

Family Vacation Part I: New Hampshire and Maine

What a summer we have had. Five weeks of undisturbed relaxation, fun in the sun, and tourist attractions.

On the first week of our vacation, we stayed in the White Mountains part of New Hampshire... absolutely fabulous! It was Madeleine's first camping experience and we could not have asked for better weather, timing, or temperament! The Lost River Valley campground was great... very, very family friendly, yet it still felt like being back to nature. In fact, we even had a black bear walk through our campsite on two of the three nights! It sounds scary, but we were so prepared that it only felt right... the bear walked right through our site into our neighbor's who had left his cooler in the bed of his pick-up truck.




After three nights of camping, we headed to Portland for some sightseeing, some visiting, and a nice soft bed. Again- great company, great timing, great accomodations. The Inn at St John was exactly what we needed and we were able to walk through some beautiful areas of the city. The highlight of the evening was our excellent meal at the Dogfish Cafe.... mmmmm... we might have to go back to Portland just for another taste!

We rounded of our first week with three days in Maine's Acadia National Park. Wow! By far the most scenic part of our trip! Since the park is in 1001 Places to See Before you Die, we made a point to visit. We were not disapointed. Definitely a place I would love to go back to.




We tailed it off with a night in Bangor with some family friends, then off to the cottage! Woohoo!

Make that one notch on our belt

Well, here we are folks. One year. 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. We made it. I can't believe we made it. Some of it is blurry, some I just don't remember. But we're here... all three of us in tip-top shape, ready to take on the next year.

Madeleine has been wonderful. She is not walking yet, but almost. She can push her baby walker across the living room faster than the dog can get away. Mémé's dog that is. Mémé and Pépé have been here for three whole weeks to help out with babysitting duty. It has been wonderful. Madeleine is happy, Mom is happy, I've seriously been considering building an in-law suite in the basement... think they'd move in?

We are soon heading on our second family summer vacation to the cottage in NB and we are soooo excited. I know that Madeleine can sense it because she has been WIRED. Maybe that's because I'm wired...

After vacation, it will be September, and time for the girl to go to her first daycare experience. We have found someone to take care of Madeleine, but the closer we get to the day, the more anxious I get. I guess it's all part of growing up... for Mom.

Cheers to all and see you post-vacation!

Can You Canoe?

Well, it was a brave parenting moment. Ignoring the warnings that the kid wouldn't like it. Ignoring the warnings that she would be difficult. Ignoring the warnings that it couldn't be done. Okay... maybe those warnings were coming from me, nevertheless.... we went forward and spent some time canoeing Meech lake. It was splendid. Madeleine did well until she realized her life jacket was so bulky it prevented her from reaching her mouth and feeding herself or sucking her thumb... oh the loss of independence is always brutal. All in all, a good trip. Next time, the girl gets her own paddle. You can't ride for free forever!

That's what friends are for...

Nessa..."....so here's how you do it. When they put you in your crib, pretend like you're tired. As soon as they leave the room, start screaming. Scream at the top of your lungs and keep screaming until they come back to get you. Got it? So, NOW will you tell me how you do that crawling thing?"

 

It must be Summer!

What better signs of summer than blue popsicle tongue and inflatable wading pools!