The dollhouse that poppa made!
Colouring with Cousin Liam. Suprisingly clean exercise!
Opening a book from Auntie Janice, Uncle Ralph and Cousin Aiden. Thanks guys!
The fantastic santa gift, the ride on car with many hidey holes!

Off To Goderich, T minus 3 hours

That's right, headed home for christmas in 3 hours! Woo hoo! Cured Len of the flu he had yesterday by being subtly (or not so subtly) annoyed and feeding him chicken soup. Success! Now let's hope that monkey bum decides to be agreeable about the drive home!

Da Da

Adara caught sight tonight of a beautiful headshot that I have of Len, which is tucked into the edge of my mirror. She started yelling "Da-Da, Da-Da!" until I gave her the picture. She cradled it close to her for the next half hour, occasionally kissing it and saying Da-Da. It was so sweet that I wanted to cry.

Vindicated

So, my week turned out ok in the end. The very day after my last post, Adara was sweet and kind and gentle and full of hugs for me. The day after, willful and challenging, but not over the top. So, I get some good days in with the challenging ones.
Work wise, I was completely vindicated. An outside voice commented on how I was doing an amazing job and how he thought that I had been unfairly under attack. My coworkers came to their senses, since I had not solicited this comment. This was followed by two other people from outside agencies commenting on how lucky they were to have me on board and how my addition added greatly to organizational strength.
Vindication, and I didn't have to do anything to get it. Sometimes the world works for you.

In celebration of my 200th post.

Down

So, does anyone else think that all of the newspapers, radios, tvs and computers that deliver the news everyday that the economy has tanked, we're in recession, we all have too much debt and are headed for chaos, should just "shut the heck up"? I mean really, I've had it! Next they're going to act all surprised when they find out that more people are seeing mental health professionals and taking mood altering drugs. Well, duh! You're setting us up for it. You just can't hear this much negativity every day without becoming influenced by it, people.
For me, it's been a hard week. Len and Adara have had the flu (not me yet) and so the level of laundry/cleaning has gone up while the level of general life happiness has gone down. Work has been difficult. I've had very little emotional support and a lot of people attacking me over things that I have very little control over. Len and I have had no time to discuss my work issues as we're just passing in the night. This leaves me just kind of stewing on things. And, worst of all, Adara has suddenly decided to be two (or at least behaviourally). She's throwing fits when she doesn't get her way, coming up and hitting me when Len hugs or kisses me, screaming if Len sets her down, and saying "no, no, NO, NO, NO" to everything, even if she wants it. To give the mite credit, she's gotten in three molars this week and had the flu. But Len and I are really struggling with the fact that that doesn't excuse this willful, mean, out of control behaviour. Now I know, some of you are thinking, she's only one, she doesn't know what she's doing. But, I'm sorry, she's an unusual one year old, and she does know precisely what she's doing. So, Len and I instituted a policy tonight that when she lies on the floor and screams that she hasn't gotten her way, we're saying " I love you, but I don't like the way that you're acting" and walking away. She does seem to understand, but not without a lot of screaming first. Eventually, she jumps up and runs after and we have decided that for this age, we'll just give her a hug and return to playing. There are limits to her understanding, after all. Any other suggestions moms? I realize that this is the beginning of a long battle with behaviour and limits and respect. I just don't know if I'm up to starting the battle this week.

Heartstopping

Ok, and one more.

Gorgeous Preview

This is from the photo shoot that we did last weekend. There will be more posted here and some people will be getting pics for upcoming events. But this one was so sweet I just had to put it up.
It was taken by our friend, professional photographer and lovely person Tobi Asmoucha. Check here out at www.tobiphoto.com

Baby Chaos

I unexpectedly (but happily) ended up hosting my mom's group Christmas gathering today. I kept it super low tech but it was still 6 moms, dads and babes, so 14 total as not all came. Fortunately the furnace guy was able to rig up something that works for the weekend this morning. He'll have to come back on Monday and replace some piece that will cost a bunch of money. He tells me that our furnace will still be completely useless in four or five years as it's "the wrong furnace for our house". And we were supposed to know this how? We put in what we were told to. When did it become acceptable for a top of the line $5,000 appliance to break in ten years. Our parents never would have accepted this crap.
It was very fun to see all of the babies and moms though. Adara terrified all of the other moms by standing on the seat of her rocking trike, holding the handles and rocking while standing. Today, just for fun, she added drinking a bottle at the same time to this trick. Can you say "Circus kid?" I forgot to take any pics of todays gathering though, so tonights are not from baby chaos. This is Adara' favourite new obsessions.

1) She loves being given a whole peeled apple to eat. She'll gnaw away on it for a good half hour and usually finish it.


2) Julia's quilt that she made us. Adara loves finding all of the frogs and fish and naming them and petting them right now. I tried to get a better pic, but she was in super motion, Jules, sorry!

When the Husbands Away, the House Will Break

Why do major house things only break when Len is at shows and not getting home until very late? There are very few times that major things in our house have broken. Major plumbing malfunction, October of last year, nine day old baby, husband coming home at midnight and leaving at 6am, sewage threatening to back up into my house.
Tonight, furnace not working, Len at show, home at midnight, repair man can't come until 8 am. We're fine, the baby has an electric oil heater in her room. The rest of the house has dropped 3 degrees in two hours.
I just question why these things don't break when the handy guy is home? I choose to believe that the gods are accenting to me my perfectly capable and problem solving nature. 'Cause it would just be rude if they're just having a laugh at my expense!

Fear Not, Oh You Receivers of Biscotti!

Ha! It wasn't burnt, just very dark. I ate it, Len ate it. Yummy and chocolately, not burnt at all. Take that oh you doubters! Wait a minute, i was the doubter. Well, it's good so there!

It's the thought that counts...

I just finished making biscotti. And, exactly what my friend Heather said would happen when she warned me not to bother, happened. They burned on the bottom, just enough to be annoying. They still smell so good and the top two thirds tastes awesome. However, you can't give people beautifully wrapped top two thirds of biscotti for Christmas. And now I'm imagining my dad or Aunt Lois pointing out just how Toronto of me it is to make biscotti. Buy some, or make cookies, why do something so labour intensive? But you see A) it wasn't that labour intensive and B) I wanted to do something nice for all of my friends for Christmas and can't afford to do gifts for everyone.
I suppose that it is the thought that counts. But I don't think that the thought counts for much when you're feeding people burnt biscotti.
Well, consider yourself thought of. :)

Content, but Lacking in Inspiration

Hello, I'm here. I just don't have much to say. I've been contentedly baking and quilting and house cleaning much of my evenings this week. Not exciting, but relaxing. I took Adara's diaper off tonight to give her bum a bit of an air out as she was getting a bit red. In 30 minutes she peed seven times and pooped twice. Exciting. Kinda funny really. Needless to say the house got a thorough sweep and mop tonight.
Went over to Kimbourne park again today. Still lovin' that place, super fun.
Tomorrow is picture day. More on that later.

Why I love Kimbourne Park

We went to an Ontario Early Years Drop In Centre today, Kimbourne Park. It's the only one near us that operates on a Saturday.
It was awesome! A huge basement room in a church with about six different play areas. In the centre was a toddlers climbing gym on top of gym mats and a whole bunch of big (the size of Adara) foam blocks to stack and roll on and crawl under. Then, there was a play kitchen area, a reading area, an infant area, a car and truck area, a blocks and building blocks area, a play doh area, and a tonne of comfie couches for parents. Parents were lounged chatting with each other, playing on computers, doing crosswords or watching the kids. There was lots of dads too, which is unusual at other drop ins. Pretty much all of the kids were under three, so no danger of getting thwacked by an older kid, and there were no choking hazards. There was also a juice and cookie area, 10 highchairs, and a separate room for diaper changes. Can you tell how exciting this was to me?!! We will be going every saturday all winter. Adara was gloriously happy and needed nothing from me but an occasional hug or swig of milk. It was super relaxing and the other parents were nice and interesting too.
I love Kimbourne park! Thanks heavens for this winter baby haven!

Playing with Da Da

I'm gonna getcha!

Reading Popular Mechanics magazine together.
Lounging about.

New Clothes

Here's some pics of lovely clothes that people have purchased for us lately.

This outfit came in one of Auntie Kristen's famous ebay boxes. Notice the lovely trike from Grammy and Poppa too. This is a rare moment in which she's sitting on the seat instead of standing on it.

This outfit was a birthday present for Auntie Ruthie.
Thanks Aunties!

And Again.

Len and I have a cold again. Super baby continues to be impervious. I've just about had it.

Our First Family Tradition

This week, I believe that we unintentionally created our first family tradition. We of course have all of our own family traditions that we brought into our little family, but yesterday we created one of our own. Len and I are exhausted from being ill (finally getting better, thank you) and so decided to have nachos for dinner. Easy, full of vegetables. Ok, yes, full of cheese and sour cream too, but meatless, so not so bad on the fats. We fed Adara her dinner before the nachos and then sat down to eat our nachos. Adara invited herself to sit on Len's lap and started pawing at the nachos. She loves them, can't get enough! She was making all of these "mmm, mmm" noises and wouldn't let Len eat any himself for feeding her.
So, it makes her happy and us too and isn't horrifically bad for us; therefore, once a month Friday night nachos for the Stannard-Frys! I'm very pleased with this as I think that it's very important to occasionally embrace not doing things "the proper way", ie making a real meal.
In other news, the girls that Len calls my "first babies" were in town. Laura and Lisa were my neighbours from the time that I was eight and they were born. I was a "mothers helper" for their mom until I was about 12 and then babysat them after school and every summer until I was sixteen or so. So, in many ways they were my test run. Laura works for research in motion and Lisa is just finishing acting school (hmm, is this my fault.... let's say no). Laura brought her boyfriend and we all met up after Len's show (Dirty Dancing) which they were seeing. It was lovely to see them and well worth hauling my lazy mom bones out of the house at 10pm. I'm stupid proud of them and it's very invigorating to hang out with people who aren't exhausted from their wee babies running them ragged. Although Mark was looking pretty done in from a nasty hang over!
Adara is a wonder and is advancing in leaps and bounds. She gains new words every day and is working hard on phrases. I swear that she's been drinking gallons of water just to hear me say and do the sign for water so that she can perfect it! This week she's working hard on the phrase "No more" in reference to when she's done eating. Right now it sounds like "na mo" but I get where she's going with this by the vigorous headshaking and throwing of her dishes over the side of the highchair.
I realized today how fundamentally (and oddly) I've changed in the past year. I was at Loblaws with Adara and she had had enough of the grocery store. She was pitching a huge fit so I just started singing the Grand Old Duke of York and bouncing her up and down on my hip. I was also getting out my wallet, entering my interac and packing groceries during this. Part way through it occurred to me that several people were either staring at or smiling at me. I honestly didn't know that I was singing , I was just doing what needed to be done to get us out of the grocery store in one piece. A year ago this would have been mortifying. Now, it barely registers.
In other news, I'm managing (along with Len, don't get me wrong, we're very equal partners) to keep us fed, the house reasonably clean and everyone at work and daycare on time. What I am not managing is to get any exercise. Any suggestions, moms? During the week I walk in the door at 5pm and Len leaves for work at 5:30pm. On the weekends he leaves at 11 am and is gone for the day and night. In the summer I used to run with Adara in the stroller. It's too cold and rainy (and dark) now for that. I'm trying to figure out what I can do with her or at home while she's asleep, as we can't afford a babysitter right now. And don't try to foist your unused (or never used) bikes and treadmills of on me! I have a Toronto house, there's nowhere to put those kinds of machines.
That's it from me, hope that everyone is well and recovered from their own plagues!

Still Sick, Therefore more pics

Another Day, Another Cough, Another Runny Nose

I'm sharing pictures today from Adara's birthday morning. We haven't really taken any pics since then as we've all been quite sick. I got a flu with fever 15 days ago, it became a nasty cough, then walking pneumonia. So, I'm still trying to recover.


Last night was the opening of my first show with my new theatre company. Len and I went and did the opening and it was completely exhausting for both of us as we're both ill. However, neither of us would have missed it for the world. I got the chance to meet with some of our donors and subscribers, who had a surprising amount to say to me last night. Len, as always was lovely and debonair and acted as bartender for me for the party. The reviews were great today, so hopefully sales will run wild!


Yesterday, Adara got the sniffles as well,and today, has her first full blown cold. She's had the sniffles before, and thrown up a couple of times, but this is the first honest to goodness, nose running, chest rattling, occasional fever, cold. My heavens, though, she has an amazing immune system. I've had this for 15 days, Len for about 6, and she only succumbed yesterday. I begin to believe that breastfeeding may indeed have helped her immunity.
In non sick news,Adara's language skills have leaped ahead. Words now include "no, yes, ma-ma, da-da, poppa (her grandfather), piggy (a favourite stuffed animal) peek-a-boo (really remarkably clear), water, ba-ba (bottle, my fault, I used a cute baby word and now that's what she uses) and bye-bye. I must admit that I'm pretty impressed. She seems to be adding a word a week now.
That's it from us, here's hoping that we're better next week and have more interesting stories to tell. Here's hoping that you and your families are all well.

Beyond My Wildest Dreams

Last night was beyond my wildest dreams. I am not an American, in fact, I'm often anti-American. But last night was monumental. Had Martin Luther King not been assasinated, he might have lived long enough to see a black president. That's a huge amount of change in one lifespan. From segregated schools to a black president in 50 odd years. It restores my faith in humanity and in the ability of everyone to "do the right thing" when it comes down to it.
Even with this horrific plague (now pneumonia) still slowing me down and with the first preview of my new show last night, I still found time to sit down in a pub for an hour with like minded friends last night and watch history unfold. I'm glad that I took the time.

the Plague

I'm sick. Stupid flu has knocked me completely out since Friday. No real energy to blog either and I've got to get back to work tomorrow as I have a show opening in a week. Oh well, at least I have a kick ass husband and a very funny baby! Thanks to everyone for the baby bday gifts and wishes it made for a very special day. Pollock family, please pass my thanks onto Aunt Lois. Pics coming soon of Adara in all of her lovely new clothes playing with her toys.

Happy One Year Adara

Dear Adara: Happy First Birthday, baby girl.
I've had a hard time sitting down to write this letter to you this month. I've been overcome with emotion about this day for nearly two months leading up to it. I've been reliving the past year and I hardly know how to tell you what I feel. I think that your birthday has replaced my own as a marker in my life now; a place to reflect, consider and redirect.
When I was pregnant with you, at yoga class they asked us to visualize what kind of mamma we wanted to be. Only one word came to my mind; joyous.
Looking back over the past year, there has been much joy. Don't get me wrong, there's been much sleeplessness, frustration, anxiety and general "figuring you out" sort of days too. But I think that your father and I have achieved the goal of joy. Much of that has to do with you.
Adara, you've proven to have a very sweet, open nature, generous with your smiles, laughs and hugs. You love to play games with us and giggle over the silliest things.
You've also got a will of sheer steel. You fall off of and over things all the time, but barely ever cry. You insist on eating what you want, being changed when you want, and reading and playing with what you want. You are a force to be reckoned with. I think that it will serve you well in the world.
In the past year you have gone from an infant lying against my breast clinging tight to me, to a toddler, running off with your bottle down the street yelling "Ba, Ba (bye, bye)" at us and grinning. You have no fear.
I have had the privilege to cuddle and feed you, comfort and rock you, dress you and walk endlessly with you, play and read to you, and now watch and marvel as you take on the world. We couldn't be prouder.
Happy Birthday my Bella.

A Year in Pictures, October through February

I can't think what to say today, so the one year old letter will have to wait. I spent all day today reliving the day of a year ago. After a full day of thinking, remembering, journaling and loving the one year old in front of me, all I can do is post a year of pictures. Enjoy.

A Year in Pictures Part Two

Birthday Girl

Tomorrow is the day. Last year at this time Len and I were out for dinner and my tummy vaguely hurt.


A year goes fast.

Thanksgiving weekend in pictures

I can't think of a better thanksgiving weekend.
I was alone for last thanksgivng as I was due any day so we couldn't go home and Len was at work.
This year, surrounded by family, out in the backyard for lunch on a gorgeous day with an awesome meal prepared by my sweet husband and brother in the law while the rest of us had a wander through the park.
Thanks family, I felt blessed.

Marching On

Things have been pretty crazy around here; lots of guests, lots of events, not much time. I love having guests come and it's really the only way that I can realistically see people anymore without committing to babysitters, etc. However, I must admit that the round of thursday and friday with grocery shop, clean house, make food, do laundry in prep for people coming does get a little tiring. Now, those of you who are visiting are going to read this and think that I don't want you to come. This is not the case, I just wish that we all arrived on the earth with catering and cleaning services fully installed!
Len and I recently started ballroom dancing classes on Monday nights. Cynthia comes and does the entire bedtime routine and Len and I head out to dance class at 6pm. Cynthia even lends us her car! We dance for an hour, then have a drink and a snack on the Danforth. We love it! So far we've learned the foxtrot, rhumba and swing. It's great to have the opportunity just to focus on eachother with no option to do house stuff.
In a further bonus,this past week Adara finally settled down and enjoyed being with Cynthia instead of screaming her guts out at her. She sat on Cynthia's lap and read books and was generally agreeable. Whew! finally! I thought that we might lose the loyal and brave Cynthia if the silly behaviour kept up.
In other news, Adara has developed an obsession with books in general, and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" in particular. It's a good thing that it's a non-annoying book because we're reading it about 10 times a day right now.
All of the reading seems to be paying off though. Her vocab now includes "Ma-Ma, Da-Da, Piggy, Birdie, Ba-Ba (bottle), No and Water (this ones fuzzy, perhaps more a moms hope then an actuality). Her sign language vocab includes "food, more and dog".
That's about it here, next week is the one year bday!

Spoiled Baby!

Check out all of my lovely new fall clothes!
I'm pretty sure that these coveralls are from my Auntie Ruth and the shirt is from Auntie Kristen.

Here's my sweet fall/spring coat which matches my stroller perfectly! My cousin Liam choose this for me before I was born. It's supposed to be for a two year old, but I have a round little belly and it needs space and comfy clothes!

And finally, my new winter hat. This one was knit by daddy's friend Vivienne.
Thanks everyone, I look stylin' as per usual.

Baby Chaos

This weekend was crazy, but a good deal of fun. Our friends Julia and Rafa were visiting from Kingston Friday through Sunday. Julia is expecting a baby boy in January, so we were happily passing on a lot of our baby stuff.
On Saturday my public health group of moms decided to have our bi monthly get together to celebrate all of the babies turning one. The dads came too, so we had seven babies with their parents for lunch at Alice's house at 11 am. At 3pm of the same day, all of my Salsa babies moms decided to have their get together. I offered up our house, so we had seven more babies with moms at our house.
Then, on Sunday because Julia was here, we had Jenn and Griffin and Gretel and Phelan over. I tried to get some better pictures of all three babies, but they were pretty intent on stealing toys from each other, so it was challenging to stop for pics.
Check out the pics of baby chaos weekend below.

Pics of the public health group moms

Pics of the Salsa Babies and Moms
Phelan and Adara who insisted on sitting in her bath tub for the majority of this visit!