That's Hilarious!

Thumb Suckers

We are now the parents of two thumb suckers.  Claire has started consistently sucking her thumb, and like her sister before her, rejects a  soother in favour of a thumb.  When Aida started at about three months, we tried to get her to stop until we realized that not only were such attemps futile (are we really going to stand by her bed all night to yank out her thumb every time she enters light sleep?), but she started sleeping much better at night once she discovered how to self-sooth.  Those of you who are either reformed thumb suckers or the parents of thumb suckers know that there is really nothing you can do to stop it.  We were told by our doctor and dentist that thumb-sucking is hereditary (I was a soother-lover, Jay prefered his thumb) and not to worry about it until the kids get thier adult teeth.  So, in Aida's case, that gives us roughly three years to help her kick the habit....

Hiking at Golden Ears Park

We have been enjoying this unseasonably beautiful warm October.  Last Monday, on Jay's day off, we packed up the kids and a picnic lunch and headed to Golden Ears Park.  For those of you who have not been there, it is about 45 minutes away from us outside of Maple Ridge.  We did a short hike (really a walk on a well-maintained path) to a waterfall.  Jay and I both got our exercise, each carrying a child, and we got our nature fix for the week.  We had a great day and Aida now says, "I LOVE hiking," (sure, you'd love it too if you were carried on your dad's back...).

Just getting started at the parking lot.

We stopped at the side of the creek for lunch.  Aida wanted to sit with whomever was holding Claire.  I guess we are starting to deal with a little sibling rivalry!

 

 

Claire's checking out the scenery!

 

Back on the trail after lunch...

The is the view from above the falls.

Again, Claire checking out the scenery...

 

 

Aida's First Sleepover

Since we moved from A Rocha, we have been missing our A Rocha family immensely.  Yesterday, Aida was especially excited for her first sleepover with Maya and Bryn Kostamo.  Maya and Bryn lived across the lawn from us for two years and we saw them every day.  They are like big sisters to Aida and leaving them (and Leah and Markku....) was very hard on Aida.  Needless to say, any chance Aida gets to see the Kostamo's is very exciting and a whole night with Maya and Bryn in her bedroom is beyond exciting - Aida was extatatic. 

Maya loved holding Claire and is very good at it.  I can't wait until Maya is old enough to babysit!

 

The fun/anxious game of Jenga after Aida went to bed...

 

Good morning! 

Maya and Bryn were especially "happy" to get woken up at 6:30am by Aida when Aida discovered them in her room upon waking!

   

Claire was apparently tired after the early wake-up, too!

  

What sleep-over would be complete without some hair-braiding?

  

A little art time.

 

The girls saying good-bye this morning. 

Thanks for coming over, Maya and Bryn!  We had a great time!

Remembering Nanny

This past weekend, we went to Courtenay to celebrate the life of my Great-Grandma, Mary Albina Verona Reid, or Nanny as we called her and Bea as everyone else called her. Nanny was born in 1909 and died last Wednesday at 100 years old. Three weeks ago, we had the chance to see her one last time and introduce Claire, her second great-great-granddaughter. Here are some pictures that I have of Nanny:

This was the 4 generation shot when I was a baby.

Here's the 5 generation shot after Aida was born.

Nanny's family (minus cousin Adam) on her 98th birthday.

Nanny and Aida's hands

Nanny loved holding Aida.

This is a few weeks ago when Claire met Nanny.

Although we are sad to see Nanny go, we know she is not suffering anymore. She has been steadily but s-l-o-w-l-y declining for a while now and we take comfort knowing that she is at rest.

Rolling Claire

A few weeks ago, Claire rolled over from her front to back for the first time at 2 1/2 months. Now every time I put her on her front, she rolls over. She is a very strong baby!

Our Girls Are Gorgeous - Sorry, Not Gorgeous - Pretty

Our camera issues are solved. I just had to buy a new cord. Yay! Here's a recent conversation overheard between Jay and Aida.

Jay to Aida: "Aida, you're gorgeous!"

Aida: "I NOT gorgeous!"

Jay: "Yes you are!"

Aida: "NO I NOT! I pretty!"

Okay, she may have a large vocabulary for her age, but she doesn't quite know the meaning of all the words.