And so you are one. (This means you are a one year old and one of a kind.) Grandad and I weren't at your party but heard about it from your Mama. You had a photo in pants and a t-shirt announcing that you had your first birthday and then you were dressed in a beautiful birthday dress as was fitting for the occasion. You looked so special in the photo we saw. The party was held at your Grandma's house in Wilmington. The theme was Boxes and Bubbles with a bit of Star Wars added. Your Dad had helped your Grandma get the house ready. And then it was the day and some friends arrived. The children including Kaylynn and Patrick had a wonderful time building and crawling through the boxes and tunnels. Your tent was also part of the fun. Grandma had bought a bubble machine which was a big hit. You had a cake
Your first year has been amazing to us. From a baby to a walking, signing little girl has been fun to watch. You are very good at signing. You always sign food or eat and dog, dog, dog is another word you use when you see a dog or play with the stuffed dog that your Uncle Grant gave you. You also have a stuffed cat and you make that sign. Mama told us you saw a squirrel out the window and made the sign for cat. Pretty sharp little person you are. When we face time with you and Mama, you are always glad to see us. We usually clap PattiCakes and then you stay to (baby sounds) talk to us or you go off to play. Sometimes we beat drum sounds like the book Monkeys and Drums. We watch you play while we talk with Mama. We mostly try to chat everyday. This has been difficult sometimes as Grandad and I are travelling these days. We are Meanderthals.
Arrived in Wilmington to you, our darling grandaughter motoring around carrying her stuffed dog with her Mama close behind. What a joy to see you. Grandad sat in the back of the car and talked with you as we drove to Oak Island. You came over to play and your Mama came over to study every day. You love to move you stuffed toys from one place to another. You ride your zebra and like to be read to. Your first year medical appointment was February 2, 2016. You are 20 lbs and 9 ozs and 29 inches tall. You walk so well and are so sweet.
You always want to be part of what is happening. And you love to put some cloth on your head and walk blindly away. I bought some Nylon netting to make bath tub scrubbies. Well, this was a joy to you. You walked along like a princess with a train--the nylon netting resting on your head. Very cute. Other games include moving the stuffed animals around and putting some "Frozen" characters that I got in my Christmas stocking into you pocket. (Your vest had two pockets one day and your red overalls had three pockets yesterday. You can't always find your pockets but the intention of putting things into them is clear. We also used a red crayon as a first scribble experience. Of course, you want to put it in your month all the time but are also happy to hold it with me and scribble. The breast pocket game makes you want to put things in others pocket or rather down their blouse.
On Saturday, you stayed with us while Dad was at a workshop and Mama went to dinner with mummy friends. At your dinner, we gave you small pieces of chicken, raw broccoli and celery to play with, some cereal mixed with cream corn which you didn't eat. Grandad tried to feed it to you. Also you were offered toast, puffs and strawberries. You ate really well. I offered a bottle with formula in which you rejected and then I put some milk in a cup which you also spit out. Then you said "l'eau" because you wanted water and usually that is what you get in your blue glass. Pretty smart, eh?
You like to play with some small animals we bought for you. We walk them around and you put them into a small drawer and take them out again. New signing words--hat, hurt, banana. We are working on please and thank you. Mama told us that you stop to listen to songs which are sung by a toy you have. We sang "Shake you sillies out" today. Yesterday, you needed a nap but didn't want to take one so we put your outdoor clothes on you and took you out to the wagon and pulled and pushed it until you fell asleep. Yay.
You came to play while your parents went out to a movie to celebrate Valentines Day. You know where things are that you like to play with. You also like to sit on the counter while I prepare lunch. You didn't bring dog dog dog but managed with the other stuffed things that were here. We went for a walk in the yard. You also had a nap which was great. Your Grandad is great at putting you down for a nap. You also love going to the beach. Yesterday, we forgot to check the tides and there wasn't much beach to walk on. You had fun walking in the sand and we were busy keeping you out of the water.
Another fun time at the beach. You just walk and walk--if you fall down you just get up without any fuss. We had shovels and did some digging. You noticed the gulls and a dog and signed for them. You are also good at remembering please.
You have a bit of a temperature this week--runny nose and warm to touch. Mamma took you to see the doctor who ruled out everything and said to come back if you aren't better in a couple of days. The nurse pricked your finger and took some blood--you were not impressed. You managed quite nicely with the extra visitors. (Great uncles and aunts--Ken and Glen and Faye and Karen.)
We shopped at the grocery store with your Mama and you sat in the cart that had a seat and two steering wheels. We bought a lovely cake to celebrate my coming birthday. You love to play with those small wooden animals. They are always in a drawer of a small table. Karen found the dog under the bed. It has been lost for awhile.
You are enjoying playing with Tom and Betty. Betty is a great play mate. You even took a toy to her and asked to be picked up--very comfortable. We had candles on a muffin for lunch and you were quite excited about the process of blowing them. Today you were tired and Grandad put you to nap. At Science Olympiad, you had you very own t-shirt just like Mama and all her participants. You love to walk around and check out what is happening. We walked on the beach today and you loved when I filled a glass and made a castle with sand. You also, put a few shells in your mouth but didn't like the taste of the sand. You fell asleep in your stroller on the way home so Grandad and I sat in the car port with you while you slept.
Your Da Da brought you over to say good bye to B & T. You were running on adrenaline--tired but wanting to play and play. Then your Mama came after her meeting and you immediately made the sign for milk and toddled off to the room where your Mama feeds you. Your signing and words are increasing.
Yesterday at the beach, you sat in the sand and put sand into a container with your hands. You also like to walk but don't seem too interested in getting into the water.
Unfortunately, you are sick just now. You are feverish, and only want to sit on your Mama's lap and sleep. You have a cough so off to the doctor who said you have a flu. But the fifth day, you are much better and willing to play again. Listening to "Baby signing time" makes you happy and you dance. You also like to ride your zebra that Grandma L bought for you. We also watch "Daniel Tiger" sometimes. On the sixth day of your sickness, you are finally playing and happy again with us. We had a grand time, walked to the beach, played with your stuffed things, lego, read books and Grandad played chase with you. You were glad to see you Mama who was away writing a test.
Last night Granddad made a picture book for you which has pictures from these last few months. You are such a sweetheart. We will leave you on Saturday but will face time often and also we will be back on September 10, 2016. We love you and will miss you but know you have lots of things to do while we are away because "there are many people in your life that love you".
Words that you sign: dog, hat, cat, bird, please, eat, drink, fish, grandad, cracker, milk, more, I had a hard day, sleep,
Words that you say: Mama, Dada, dog, car, Bye, baby baby, Yay, oh, ohoh,
Tuesday, 29 March 2016
Monday, 28 March 2016
OKI, NC January 31 to March 26
Leaving Portugal was difficult but alas, one last wave at the ocean and we were off with "the Yellow Fish Co." driver to Faro. Then Faro to London, Gatwick where we were met by Karen's family. Her Grandsons are lovely. After a chat with them, we took the coach to Heathrow and then a bus to our hotel nearby. We enjoyed a light dinner which included "Sticky Toffee Pudding" with custard. Yum.
At 6:15, we were off to Heathrow where we had our breakfast. After overhearing a woman at the next table tell the waitress, she just came from Johannesburg and her next flight to BC was delayed, I invited her to join us and tell us about her adventures. Her name was Brenda and she was returning from West Africa after spending three months volunteering on a ship called Mercy Ship which does medical procedures in those countries. She is a former teacher and working in the kitchen on this ship. She has also travelled in Madagascar which sounded intriguing. Time just flew and we had to go to board our flight to the USA. There was a computer cliche so we had to wait until it was repaired which left us 2 1/2 hours late.
After 19 hours of flying, we were in Wilmington to be greeted by a little girl carrying a stuffed dog, making the sign for dog and saying dog, dog, dog. What a sweetie--her Mama was also there. What a joy to see them and then to be in our cottage in OKI. Yay. We slept well and wakened to a bright sunny day, got settled and spent the day with Claire and Brienne and then a lovely dinner brought by Lynne and Noah joined us too. Grandma Lynne is off to Mill Valley for a couple of months. Temperature is 17 degrees.
Next day was our first walk on the beach by the Atlantic on this side of the world. It is as wonderful as we remembered. Brienne came to play and Claire to study. Our place is great, lots of room and laundry facilities. Amazing how much one appreciates things we generally take for granted. The dryer we used in Portugal was a clothes rack so things were dry but scratchy. Our cupboards have food, our clothes are clean and we are ready for anything. Our next walk on the beach showed us an angry ocean and a cloudy evening--many waves rolling in. Our first Saturday walk was lovely although a tad chilly (temp 2 degrees.) This evening we had Brienne staying while Noah was at a workshop and Claire was having dinner with her mummy friends. Brienne is fun and loves to move her stuffed toys from one place to another. At dinner when I offered her milk in a glass that usually has water in it, she said "l'eau" and only wanted water.
George is busy planning our next holiday to SA and beyond--for May and June. I spent Sunday binge watching season 5 of "Bones". Somehow I missed seeing these. Also downloaded and started to read Harper Lee's new book. Our temps have been a tad chilly--we still walk on the beach most days and got our "chair swimming" chairs over here. No sign of chair swimming weather but we must be ready when the time comes.
Spent Valentines Day with my Valentine at Myrtle Beach. We thought we would walk on the beach but it was so cold that we only lasted about 10 minutes. We did have a good day--did some shopping in preparation for our company that will arrive on Saturday. I bought a fold able easel so on Monday I will use acrylic paint. I am excited. We also had KK donuts and coffee. They make great donuts but terrible coffee. Had dinner at "Five Guys" and then headed home. Saw a deer in the ditch along the way. I also knitted 1/2 of a slipper for Sheryl. Life is good.
Had a painting day on Monday. Yay. I am working on trying to get the cliffs in Portugal to look right. Painting with wc has helped me think more about shading and colour blending. George has sorted photos and prepared a flash stick so now we can watch our trips on TV any time we want to. I used it as an example for my current picture.
Had a grand afternoon at the beach with Brienne. Claire is so keen about her studies. We are preparing for company--getting food, preparing beds and general tidy. Yay. Faye and Glen and Ken and Karen are driving here from Florida--long drive. We had a wonderful 5 days together. Lots of visiting and laughs and fun. Had a trip to MB for KK donuts and to celebrate Ken and my March birthdays. What a treat to have them here--all great at pitching in and cooking, dishwasher work and ready for anything. A special treat was many O Henry Easter eggs brought by Karen--our fav. We will enjoy them. We watched a Netflix series called "Grace and Frankie"--somewhat irreverent and profane but extremely funny. Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda are the stars. I was sad to see them drive away.
While reading "The Little Paris Bookshop" by Nina George, I encountered the following quote on page 301-- "Do you know that there's a halfway world between each ending and each new beginning?". I was delighted to think about this halfway world because as we travel and change where we are living, we often have a feeling of being in between "worlds" and this idea helps me to enjoy the transition between farewell and new departure.
My birthday is getting close so Claire bought a yummy chocolate cake. We would have had lit candles but we had no matches. So Claire and George sang, Brienne smiled and then we three ate cake. Had two long chats with Sheryl and Grant. What a joy they are. Tom and Betty arrived on Monday, Leap Day. We always have a grand time with them. So now there are four of us to play with Brienne when she is here. We had our regular mini golf game at Myrtle Beach with the winner (Tom) buying KK donuts. They made a delicious pancake lunch for us and Claire today as it is my birthday. We went to Southport for the Gallery Walk this afternoon and stayed for a spectacular dinner at "Port of Call". We had a room to ourselves and the food was great. Birthdays are the best. I had lots of greetings and phone calls. Betty is on Brienne's favourite list. They had so much fun together. We watched the first part of "Road to Fury" which is Mad Max. I am not sure why I wanted to see this but it was filmed in Namibia. (Discussed this movie with Grant later and was impressed with his take on the action.) Saturday was Claire's Science Olympiad so we drove to Wilmington to see some of the events. Her team managed to do well enough to go to the next competition in Raleigh. The four of us went to see "London Has Fallen". I could hardly stand to see so much violent killing. (I am turning into George's Aunt!) We had many great walks on the beach and even did some chair swimming on March 8. The ocean was cold and the hot bath when we got home was great. We watched a Netflix series and laughed and laughed.
My cousin and her husband joined us for dinner on Monday. We had a lovely visit and a walk on the beach. My date cake was a hit--even put candles on it. Brienne was the star--what a joy she is.
George and I had a few quiet days. We walked on the beach, did some chair swimming, played with Brienne and did some preparation for our next company. Had a trip to Leland to shop for food. Noah went to a Trump rally which was somewhat violent. George and I went to the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" which was done by highschool students. I saw the movie in highschool but hadn't realize how racist it is and also funny. The Texans arrived on Monday and Tuesday. Yay. I finally managed to get a beach pizza party happening--I have wanted to do it since we had one with the Turtle hatching people. Lovely to have some time together. Claire was delighted to talk about engineering with her Uncle.
I had a mini-melt down on Tuesday during the dinner preparation time. Claire was at a meeting and Brienne was missing her and hungry and I was trying to cook. Oh yeah, Brienne only wanted me so I was holding her and stirring and fretting a bit. George and my niece were helping. Anyway, I finally popped Brienne into her highchair and she ate a little and played with the "Frozen' people. Then her Mama arrived, Yay. Maybe this is why at my birthday, I decided to start to wear red lipstick and never to cook again!
We have had a wonderful beach week--spent most of the days there. We did some chair swimming, had some great meals and walks on the beach. One highlight to me was finding a sea star--I have been looking for one for ever and there it was. (March 19, 2015) The next day on the beach, I found an intact sand dollar--there are always pieces of them but never a whole one. Yay.
Now we are in our last week. Brienne is feeling some what better but she has had a hard few days. George and I walked on the beach every morning and took Brienne and Claire there too. Had a trip to Wilmington to have the oil changed. A birthday celebration to mark Noah and Claire's coming bds. We won't be here so we had porcupine meatballs and a key lime pie.
On Good Friday, Brienne was here most of the day. She is feeling well and played and played with us. Up until yesterday, she would only sit of Claire's lap and sleep. Claire wrote a test today--had quite a time finding a proctor and a place to write. We, three, went to see "Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 while Noah took charge of Brienne. Very funny.
I got a new book about water colours and I look forward to starting it. I also did some acrylics while we were here. I prefer it. I will try to have a day a week to paint over the next five months. Good habit to start, I think.
Lately we say, when we have figured out which switches turn on which lights, it is time to move on so on Saturday, March 26, we are off to Ottawa.
At 6:15, we were off to Heathrow where we had our breakfast. After overhearing a woman at the next table tell the waitress, she just came from Johannesburg and her next flight to BC was delayed, I invited her to join us and tell us about her adventures. Her name was Brenda and she was returning from West Africa after spending three months volunteering on a ship called Mercy Ship which does medical procedures in those countries. She is a former teacher and working in the kitchen on this ship. She has also travelled in Madagascar which sounded intriguing. Time just flew and we had to go to board our flight to the USA. There was a computer cliche so we had to wait until it was repaired which left us 2 1/2 hours late.
After 19 hours of flying, we were in Wilmington to be greeted by a little girl carrying a stuffed dog, making the sign for dog and saying dog, dog, dog. What a sweetie--her Mama was also there. What a joy to see them and then to be in our cottage in OKI. Yay. We slept well and wakened to a bright sunny day, got settled and spent the day with Claire and Brienne and then a lovely dinner brought by Lynne and Noah joined us too. Grandma Lynne is off to Mill Valley for a couple of months. Temperature is 17 degrees.
Next day was our first walk on the beach by the Atlantic on this side of the world. It is as wonderful as we remembered. Brienne came to play and Claire to study. Our place is great, lots of room and laundry facilities. Amazing how much one appreciates things we generally take for granted. The dryer we used in Portugal was a clothes rack so things were dry but scratchy. Our cupboards have food, our clothes are clean and we are ready for anything. Our next walk on the beach showed us an angry ocean and a cloudy evening--many waves rolling in. Our first Saturday walk was lovely although a tad chilly (temp 2 degrees.) This evening we had Brienne staying while Noah was at a workshop and Claire was having dinner with her mummy friends. Brienne is fun and loves to move her stuffed toys from one place to another. At dinner when I offered her milk in a glass that usually has water in it, she said "l'eau" and only wanted water.
George is busy planning our next holiday to SA and beyond--for May and June. I spent Sunday binge watching season 5 of "Bones". Somehow I missed seeing these. Also downloaded and started to read Harper Lee's new book. Our temps have been a tad chilly--we still walk on the beach most days and got our "chair swimming" chairs over here. No sign of chair swimming weather but we must be ready when the time comes.
Spent Valentines Day with my Valentine at Myrtle Beach. We thought we would walk on the beach but it was so cold that we only lasted about 10 minutes. We did have a good day--did some shopping in preparation for our company that will arrive on Saturday. I bought a fold able easel so on Monday I will use acrylic paint. I am excited. We also had KK donuts and coffee. They make great donuts but terrible coffee. Had dinner at "Five Guys" and then headed home. Saw a deer in the ditch along the way. I also knitted 1/2 of a slipper for Sheryl. Life is good.
Had a painting day on Monday. Yay. I am working on trying to get the cliffs in Portugal to look right. Painting with wc has helped me think more about shading and colour blending. George has sorted photos and prepared a flash stick so now we can watch our trips on TV any time we want to. I used it as an example for my current picture.
Had a grand afternoon at the beach with Brienne. Claire is so keen about her studies. We are preparing for company--getting food, preparing beds and general tidy. Yay. Faye and Glen and Ken and Karen are driving here from Florida--long drive. We had a wonderful 5 days together. Lots of visiting and laughs and fun. Had a trip to MB for KK donuts and to celebrate Ken and my March birthdays. What a treat to have them here--all great at pitching in and cooking, dishwasher work and ready for anything. A special treat was many O Henry Easter eggs brought by Karen--our fav. We will enjoy them. We watched a Netflix series called "Grace and Frankie"--somewhat irreverent and profane but extremely funny. Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda are the stars. I was sad to see them drive away.
While reading "The Little Paris Bookshop" by Nina George, I encountered the following quote on page 301-- "Do you know that there's a halfway world between each ending and each new beginning?". I was delighted to think about this halfway world because as we travel and change where we are living, we often have a feeling of being in between "worlds" and this idea helps me to enjoy the transition between farewell and new departure.
My birthday is getting close so Claire bought a yummy chocolate cake. We would have had lit candles but we had no matches. So Claire and George sang, Brienne smiled and then we three ate cake. Had two long chats with Sheryl and Grant. What a joy they are. Tom and Betty arrived on Monday, Leap Day. We always have a grand time with them. So now there are four of us to play with Brienne when she is here. We had our regular mini golf game at Myrtle Beach with the winner (Tom) buying KK donuts. They made a delicious pancake lunch for us and Claire today as it is my birthday. We went to Southport for the Gallery Walk this afternoon and stayed for a spectacular dinner at "Port of Call". We had a room to ourselves and the food was great. Birthdays are the best. I had lots of greetings and phone calls. Betty is on Brienne's favourite list. They had so much fun together. We watched the first part of "Road to Fury" which is Mad Max. I am not sure why I wanted to see this but it was filmed in Namibia. (Discussed this movie with Grant later and was impressed with his take on the action.) Saturday was Claire's Science Olympiad so we drove to Wilmington to see some of the events. Her team managed to do well enough to go to the next competition in Raleigh. The four of us went to see "London Has Fallen". I could hardly stand to see so much violent killing. (I am turning into George's Aunt!) We had many great walks on the beach and even did some chair swimming on March 8. The ocean was cold and the hot bath when we got home was great. We watched a Netflix series and laughed and laughed.
My cousin and her husband joined us for dinner on Monday. We had a lovely visit and a walk on the beach. My date cake was a hit--even put candles on it. Brienne was the star--what a joy she is.
George and I had a few quiet days. We walked on the beach, did some chair swimming, played with Brienne and did some preparation for our next company. Had a trip to Leland to shop for food. Noah went to a Trump rally which was somewhat violent. George and I went to the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" which was done by highschool students. I saw the movie in highschool but hadn't realize how racist it is and also funny. The Texans arrived on Monday and Tuesday. Yay. I finally managed to get a beach pizza party happening--I have wanted to do it since we had one with the Turtle hatching people. Lovely to have some time together. Claire was delighted to talk about engineering with her Uncle.
I had a mini-melt down on Tuesday during the dinner preparation time. Claire was at a meeting and Brienne was missing her and hungry and I was trying to cook. Oh yeah, Brienne only wanted me so I was holding her and stirring and fretting a bit. George and my niece were helping. Anyway, I finally popped Brienne into her highchair and she ate a little and played with the "Frozen' people. Then her Mama arrived, Yay. Maybe this is why at my birthday, I decided to start to wear red lipstick and never to cook again!
We have had a wonderful beach week--spent most of the days there. We did some chair swimming, had some great meals and walks on the beach. One highlight to me was finding a sea star--I have been looking for one for ever and there it was. (March 19, 2015) The next day on the beach, I found an intact sand dollar--there are always pieces of them but never a whole one. Yay.
Now we are in our last week. Brienne is feeling some what better but she has had a hard few days. George and I walked on the beach every morning and took Brienne and Claire there too. Had a trip to Wilmington to have the oil changed. A birthday celebration to mark Noah and Claire's coming bds. We won't be here so we had porcupine meatballs and a key lime pie.
On Good Friday, Brienne was here most of the day. She is feeling well and played and played with us. Up until yesterday, she would only sit of Claire's lap and sleep. Claire wrote a test today--had quite a time finding a proctor and a place to write. We, three, went to see "Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 while Noah took charge of Brienne. Very funny.
I got a new book about water colours and I look forward to starting it. I also did some acrylics while we were here. I prefer it. I will try to have a day a week to paint over the next five months. Good habit to start, I think.
Lately we say, when we have figured out which switches turn on which lights, it is time to move on so on Saturday, March 26, we are off to Ottawa.
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