Bowling for Babies!

Last night Jamin attended a fund raiser for the Metro Pregnancy Centre, Bowling for Babies! I was going to go, but came down with a cold (we all have one now), so Jamin went instead. I sent him with strict instructions to take some pics! Here are a couple for your viewing pleasure! Thanks to all those who contributed!

Jill & her bro, Mark

The happy couple (The Stows)Stephen preparing for his shot
What form!

We remember

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I memorized this poem when I was in elementary school. Funny how I can still remember most of it. Today is a day to remember the men & women that fought for our country and be thankful for the freedoms we have. God bless Canada.

What's your pick?

For over 24 hours our internet, phone, & cable were out. I started thinking about which one I missed the most. I think it's this order:

1) phone: ever since I was a teenager, I have loved talking on the phone. I talk to Mom & Margaret pretty much everyday. I also talk to various other people quite frequently. You will notice in the pic above, I am all about my headset!
2) a close second, internet: I love checking my email and of course, blogs!
3) cable: I'm not that into TV. The only show Jamin & I watch right now is the Amazing Race. I tune into Oprah somedays.

Since this is also Jamin's blog, I asked him his order. His is this:

1) internet by far: he loves the internet
2) phone: he doesn't use the phone much, but he said it is more essential than TV, so that's why it came in second.
3) a close third, TV

How about you? What would you miss??

some random pics

Just a quick update. I haven't had as much time lately, so my blogging has suffered :) Here are a few pics from the last little while.

Baby food in the making:Friends: "Naomi & friends":

Naomi has a cousin!

This morning Kyler Benjamin Barrett was born! Congrats to Benjy & Lee-Anne on their little boy! Can't wait to meet him!

Pulling up

Naomi started to pull up on things a couple of weeks ago, but she's starting to get really good at it now! She pulls herself up on chairs, the side of our bed, and the couch. Check it out!



Also, her hair is getting longer and we're starting to see some curls!! So cute :)

Halloween

Last night we had our Thursday night group over for a party (instead of meeting on Thursday night this week). We had a great time playing some games (we learned a lot about each other!!), eating (of course), and just hanging out! I will mention that along with Ashley & Jillian's home made goods, Kelley brought her famous dip...always a crowd pleaser!

I was interested to see how many trick-or-treaters we would get at our new house. Here is a graph for your viewing pleasure....a grand total of 22!

Time change/ Mary & Eric

I thought Naomi had adjusted so well to the time change. The last two mornings she's been up anywhere from 6-7am. Not bad. This morning I had the pleasure of getting up with her a 5:00am. I guess I was wrong. Ah well..we'll see how tonight goes!

Last night Mary & Eric arrived from England..it was great to see them! We got to hear all about their trip; it sounded like a nice get-away with lots of new experiences. Naomi wasn't sure what to think of Eric at first (I think the facial hair threw her off), but after a couple of minutes, she had lots of smiles for them! I took a bunch of pictures of them with Naomi, but for some reason, it was hard to get a really good one. Oh well...enjoy what I got!

Bye-bye Bumbo!

A few months back we bought a Bumbo seat for Naomi (you may have seen it in earlier posts). Bumbo seats are designed for babies aged 3-14 months to sit in. They're neat because before babies can sit on their own, they can sit in this chair.

A quote from the Bumbo website:

"Why doesn't the Bumbo need straps or fasteners?
Due to the ergonomic design the babies own body weight helps keeps the baby in place."

Right....Naomi can now get out of her Bumbo!

Cape Bretoners

So yesterday I was driving home from running some errands, when I felt the car start to drive "funny". I thought maybe I had a flat tire or something, so I pulled into a gas station. I did a quick check and everything looked fine to my expert eyes :) I was only a few minutes from home, so I thought I'd keep going. About 2 minutes later I heard a 'ssssssssss' sound and felt a tire go flat for sure! I pulled over right away.

So, no cell phone, Naomi is in the back, and I don't really know how to change a tire (even though Dad showed me 10 years ago..) What will I do? I first check the tires..yup...definitely a flat. Then I stand by the car looking around for a house to go to. None really close. Within 2 seconds a van with a guy drives up, rolls down the window and asks if I need a hand. I nod..yes, please!

This guy named Terrance or Terry (I couldn't hear well with all the traffic) proceeds to change my tire. Super nice guy. Anyway, we get to chatting and, of course, he is originally from Cape Breton! We actually knew a few of the same people! Anyway, thanks to my new friend I was able to drive home safely. What a blessing! Thank God for Capers!! :)

Oh, and I think I have a problem...while this was all going on, all I could think was "I wish I had my camera...what a great blog!" ehhehhehe (the pic you see is just one I found online)

Amazing Race

There aren't many TV shows Jamin & I watch on a regular basis. However, for the past 2 or 3 weeks we've watched The Amazing Race. I had seen it in years past, but never really got into it. Now that I know the people a little bit better I'm kind of enjoying it.

Did you watch last night? All I can say is that I just love the Cho brothers. They are sooo nice. I'm totally going for them. Do you have a fav team?

Date night

Big thanks to Kendra & Jillian who graciously gave up their Saturday night to babysit Naomi so Jamin & I could go on a date! They did a great job!

Jamin & I were excited about our opportunity to go out! We grabbed our coupon book (of course!) and checked out our options. We finally decided on Atlantis (a restaurant downtown) and made our reservation. After enjoying a delicious meal, we drove around downtown for a bit and reminisced about years gone by. It's amazing how quickly time goes by. It has been over 3 years since got married (so I thought I'd throw in a wedding pic), and so much has changed in that time. It was fun to drive around and point out all the apartments where friends used to live. I have such awesome memories from my time living downtown. So many friends living so close.

We made our way back home and counted our blessings. God has blessed us in so many ways. It's nice to take time to just hang out together, enjoy yummy food, great conversation, and then come home to our little beauty.

Thanks again to Kendra & Jillian!!

Deep freeze

(I know...two entries in one afternoon....I'm trying to make up for my uneventful week!)

Wahoo! We got one...and, believe it or not....it's NEW! :) Jamin did check the Bargain Hunter, but didn't quite find what he wanted. Anyway, Costco pulled through for us on this one!

Kelly S is probably happy about this news. I've been storing stuff in her freezer for months! I'll be over soon to free up some space for you! :)

New way to sleep

It's been a busy week! Either Jamin or I has been out every night this week (except for Thursday...bible study at our place). Tonight we're going out for a date!! Jillian & Kendra have volunteered to babysit for us! Pretty exciting!!! Where will we go!?? What will I wear!??! It's been too long!!

I don't have a lot of updates to report, but for my own records here are some Naomi updates:
-every time I put her in her crib for a nap, she immediately rolls on her tummy, then sits up. I have tried putting her back down, but she can't stop sitting up! Now I leave her and after a few minutes she falls asleep...usually in a hunched over position! I took this picture a few minutes ago...-She has been trying some new foods. She loves bananas! She likes apple sauce. She didn't quite know what to think of pineapple & pears.
-She is crawling a lot more now. It's fun to watch & see where she wants to go! Usually she still stays where I am, but she has ventured off on her own a couple of times!
-I have peeked in to watch her in her crib and she can now pull herself up to a standing position! Yikes!!
-Naomi now sits up in the grocery cart. She enjoys looking around at everyone and smiling. She continues to be sooo nosey (where could she get that?!)
-Thanks to her cousin (2nd cousin I guess), Ainsley, Naomi has more clothes now! She is borrowing from Ainsley's closet. Ainsley is like Oprah..hardly wears something twice since she has so many clothes!! She's also very stylish I might add!

Last weekend Pete & Janine were up for a visit. They are busy getting ready for the big wedding! I saw their invitations...very nice! Did I tell you that I'm a bridesmaid? Yup. And I'm also the MC! I think Jamin & I might co-MC actually.Otherwise, all is quiet. Jamin & I are on the hunt for a deep freeze. He's looking through the Bargain Hunter while I am checking out new ones! I'll keep you updated :)

On the move...

Last night Naomi took her first real crawl! She certainly hasn't perfected it yet, but she's able to get where she wants!

Visit with Joel

We were excited to have Joel over for dinner on Thursday night. He was in town for a conference. It was his first time @ our new place and meeting Naomi!

He shared some very exciting news with us! He & Amanda are expecting a baby in April!! Congrats you guys! (don't worry..I asked him if I could put this news on the blog...)

Here is Joel with Naomi

Naomi & Bethany's first play date

Yesterday Tamara & Bethany came over for supper. It was great to hang out and watch our girls together. They are just over a month apart, so are very similar in size. They see each other in the nursery at church often, but they wanted to spend some quality time together during the week in order to get to know one another better :)

I know this is a lot of similar pics, but they were just too cute/funny, so I had to put up a bunch!Tamara & Bethany

Sitting pretty

"I can't believe it!"..."Me neither!"

Play time begins

"I hear you're getting a tooth...let's feel"

Tickle time!

And finally, time to hold hands :) What a great play date!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thought I'd throw up a few pictures from the weekend. I was reminded this weekend of all I have to be so thankful for...God has blessed us in so many ways...

Mark & Cheryl came over to see our place on Saturday night. They were up picking up Bruno, their new doggie! He looks super cute! Nice seeing you guys!

Cheryl & Mark

Cheryl & I

We enjoyed a DELICIOUS Thanksgiving meal @ Jamie & Kelly's place...thanks again, guys! Bob & Elsie and Benjy & Lee-Anne surprised us by coming over last minute as well! We got to meet Corey & Jenn's adorable baby, Jack! He is such a good baby....smiles constantly!

Some of the 14 people that were there for dinner (17 if you count the little ones!)

Mmmm....pie....Ainsley, Jack & Naomi (as you can see Naomi wasn't in the mood!)

"I love your hair long..."

I love Jamin. He is a wonderful husband. He is also "a typical man" when it comes to noticing things. For example, on Friday, Margaret came over and took care of Naomi while I went and got my hair cut. I got about 3 inches off. Lots of new layers. It looked different. I was happy with the cut. He didn't notice Friday. He didn't notice Saturday. He didn't notice today. I finally broke down and told him. He could "kind of tell". He also said that if I didn't tell him, he never would have noticed!

I tell you this story because I thought it was so funny. I didn't mind that he didn't notice. That's just the way he is. He didn't mind that he didn't notice either...he found it funny too. How come some guys don't notice these things? He always tells me that he loves my hair long....he can't be that into it or I think he would have noticed the cut! Ah Jamin...I love you just the way you are :)

Thanks to Margaret for looking after Naomi!! She tells me you guys had lots of fun together :)

Do you make your bed?/Naomi updates

I was tidying up around the house today a bit. When I got to our bedroom (note: that picture above is not our room), I put away my clothes, Jamin vacuumed the floor, but we did not make the bed. I rarely do.

Here is my reasoning:
-I nap a lot of mornings, so why make it when I'm going to get back in it.
-By the time I'm up from my nap, it's not that long before we go to bed for the night (okay, maybe 10 hrs or so....).
-We have a duvet and even when you make the bed, it doesn't look that neat.
-No one usually sees it but Jamin & I.

How about you? Do you make your bed?


In an unrelated note, for my records, today Naomi sat up from being on her belly for the first time. She has also taken a few crawls forward, but I wouldn't say she can really crawl yet. Also, today she tried asparagus and HATED it! hehehe..it was funny to watch!

Here she is eating peas...a happy face...the usual face when eating...And today with her asparagus..ick!

Finally, a cute shot of her in her duck tub..she loves it!