Fantastic

Fresh water for everyone.

Nice Dinner

On Saturday, Tim and Christine came over for dinner. We love having them over for dinner. They enjoy being with V and apreciate my cooking. This time I made something we all really loved. We had Braised Onions done in the slow cooker. They we tasty and super simple. I also cooked Pork Tenderloin with Mushroom Stuffing. I wussed out on the Pan-Seared Onion and Apples part. Mmm.... It was excellent hot and cold the next day. I will definately make that again. Being diet consious (and lazy) we did not have any dessert. We did however have some port after Vanessa went to bed. Tasty.

About Me

Some of you already know but I've been working on getting into shape. That means more exercise and better eating. I've been doing well but over the winter it's been really tough. I'm very much looking forward to spring and ridding my bike. Having said that I've lost 20 lbs. I'm a long way off of any goal that I may have. Ideally I'd like to be down to High School graduation weight but I'd be happy to walk into most regular size clothing stores and fit into the clothes. Both of those goals are at least 40lbs away. I'm going at it slow so the pounds stay off for life.

I've been walking and taking two AquaFit classes. One of them is on my own and the other is with Vanessa. They are both very different and I am motivated to get to those classes even when the week hasn't been great. This week I went out and bought a new bathing suit since the last one was getting too big. That's really tough to do in the winter and in a plus size but I found one I really like. Tonight I tried it out and what a difference it made. I felt better and the class was easier with something that fit.

I find that I'm more fit. I can walk further and for longer than ever before. Things I wouldn't have considered doing before I do without thinking. For example in the fall I walked to the mall and back after I had gone to Zellers and back. On Saturday, I walked to the grocery store twice. (I forgot something important). I'm actually looking forward to running around with Vanessa.

See I can't post without mentionning Vanessa. She has been my motivation to get healthy. I'm trying to set an example so she has a healthy life. I want to enjoy my time with her the best I can and that means having the energy to play and run around.

I hope I haven't jinks myself by telling the whole world. I'll let you know when I make it to 30lbs. Don't hold your breath. These things take time but it's well worth it.

Updating my blog roll.

I thought I'd introduce you to a new blog I read. Yesterday I found Cycle Fun Montreal. I look forward to reading it. He writes regularly about cycling in Montreal.

I read many other blogs but they're mostly blogs like mine. Sort of a journal/newsletter of family life. Most of them have kids under 5 years old except Cafinara. She lives in Northern BC and writes about outdoor activities and knitting mostly.

Where's Vanessa?

Free cuddles to the first person to guess where Vanessa is. (Pamela and Eric don't count)

Giggle! Giggle! Giggle!

I am trying to upload this for the final time! I hope it's worth it. Someone said the video upload only works in the "Compose" mode and not the "Edit Html". Pretty big bug! Maybe they should just take the button away.

11 months this week

Hi Everyone, Vanessa is growing up so fast. She turned 11 months this week and she's now at 18lbs. We went to the breast-feeding clinic yesterday to weigh her. I decided she's finally too big for that group. She crawled around at lightening speeds trampling babies half her age and stealing their toys. We'll stick to her playgroups where she's the youngest.

Vanessa is getting cuter by the day. This week she's developed two new sounds. She's got a new nickname. "Frother" She sounds like a milk frother. It's hilarious and much less messy than the raspberries. She also laughs and smiles more easily. She has a new cute giggle, which she delights us with frequently. Can't get enough of that.

For Valentine's Day, I got 2 cards. One from Vanessa and one from Eric. They were both left from me to read when I got up in the morning. Both very sweet and one of them had a gift card in it for Indigo. I bought "The Complete Canadian Living Cookbook" since my mom will be home with some books for me to read soon enough. I took Christina up on an IOU and she came over and babysat Vanessa and we went out for a nice dinner. I was totally craving steak and wasn't going to shovel the back porch for it so we went out to Casey's at the Dix30. It was pretty good.
One of the managers walked a 1 month old baby around the restaurant while the parents ate. Now that's service! We came home and Christina had tidied up. WOW! Less for me to do today.

Since I'm not able to upload pictures, that will be all for now. BYE!

Upcoming Celebration.

Eric and I have decided that me staying home from work to enjoy all of her precious moment is best for our family. Yes, It's a surprise to me too to want to stay home with a toddler. I am learning patience and scheduling everyday. Vanessa also teaches me to laugh and smile. So for her birthday I want her to have as many smiles as possible. Our lifestyle will be changing with the tightening of the belt but I'm sure we'll manage. We're talking about going sans car.

I know. I know. Vanessa only turns one in over a month but I'm so excited. She only has a first birthday once. I know all of her family that adore her would love to spoil her. Some have even bought presents. We really appreciate this but since she has so much that we would love a contribution to a big gift. Since we might be car less or at least using it much less, we would love a gift certificate to Atmosphere. I know it's a little rude but I want Vanessa to enjoy her gifts for a long time. (and until we get a new shed we don't have room) We really, really want a CX Chariot. We'll be able to pull it around town as a bike trailer or use it as a stroller with the many different attachments. This item is two or three car payments but the gas, maintenance and insurance is cheap.
On that note, I can't wait for the snow to melt and the sun to shine to get out my bike and take Vanessa for a ride. Good thing Brossard is flat since pulling 40lbs up a hill on a recumbent will be a big job that will take a little training. Maybe I'll loose the weight to lighten the load.

Pictures.

Look how V's grown. Her feet touch the chair her seat rests on.
V's drinking from a sippy cup. She only does that when she feels like it. She'd rather have someone else hold it. She hasn't figured out you have to tip it up to get to the good stuff.
Kay at her parents on a beautiful winter day making snow angles. Stupid me I wasn't dressed to join her.
V and her favorite uncle. They get along really well. Looks like Tim's taking video. We took her pants off because they were so poofy on her that she kept sticking her foot down the other pant leg. She'd get pretty frustrated when she couldn't stand like that.

Big Week.

Last weekend we went over to the Jacques farm for some wine tasting. Kay made a lovely dinner and served many different wines. Eric took part in the wine tasting but I had one glass and skipped to the very tasty port. There were lots of friends and it was a beautiful day. We went for a walk in the snow. Vanessa had a really good time. Eric and I were not sitting in the same room at dinner so V got to eat the first part with Daddy and the last little bit with Mommy. I had the better table thought since V got to play with the pots hanging on the wall. Kept her occupied for dozens of minutes.

Since V was getting up at night we decided to go home that evening. She was awake and reasonably cheerful until we put her in the car at midnight where she slept the whole way home.


On Sunday, Pamela, V and I went over to Anjana's to meet her baby boy. So little at 3 weeks old. He slept most of the time we were there. I held him and watched him sleep. So very peaceful while V was trying to climb onto the futon and pull out the recycling. Anjana's doing well now with the support of her family.


During the week we went to our regularly scheduled Aquapousette and a MeetUp group activity. This event was at MiniGym in Ville St-Laurent. V met a little boy her own age that could stand. She has something to aspire to. They had fun playing house. It was really cute.

We also went skating twice with V. The first time was on Thursday in St-Bruno. It was a gorgeous night. Couldn't ask for better. They light up the skating area. We pulled V in a sleigh the shape of a bird. She was giggling up a storm. MJ came with us. She had fun taking turns with Eric pulling V. The sleigh was stable and went fast with Eric.
We went again on Sunday with Tim and Chris but to Beaver Lake. It wasn't as nice. The ice was worn and snow pilled up inside the sled making it really heavy. Tim and Chris treated for brunch at a Chinese restaurant serving traditional breakfasts. V had cottage cheese for the first time. It was a hit.