Hanging out with the family

Here are some more pictures of Bradyn hanging out with the family in Ontario....

Uncle Jason teaching Brady how to 'High 5'.

Checking out the fish with Kiera, at Great Grandma T's place.

Playing the piano for Great Grandma T. (I know Aunty Joyce would be so proud.... look at that great hand positioning!)

Big 'hugs' from Kiera while cousins Kaylin and Noah look on. (OK, I admit I was a bit suspicious of the 'hug' being given while Bradyn was on the ground and with Kaylin looking on so closely.....)

Enjoying Poppa's BBQ cooking.

Nice 'hugs' from Kaylin.

I knew it was a set-up and that those two little Ontario buggers were out to get my baby again. (Check out my 'Laying the Smack Down' posting from July 2006) That's no hug, that's a full on headlock!

Kevin, did we sell your motorcycle too soon?

I think Bradyn was in Little People heaven - Kiera has so many toys!

Chilling out in the back yard.

Thanks for a great visit everyone!

Hello From Ontario

Here are some pictures of Bradyn & Kiera playing today....

Reading 'quietly' together.


Sitting pretty on the couch.

Telling secrets about their mommies.

Nice hugs.

A special smile, just for Daddy.... we miss you!

Playing In The Park

On Saturday, Bradyn and I went over to the park across the street. She had a great time running freely and watching all the kids (and dogs). On the playground, Bradyn climbed up the stairs and went down the slide as if she'd done it a hundred times before. It was a first for mommy to see, but I have no idea if she's done it by herself before.

Crank up your volume so you can listen to Brady chattering to herself.

Happy Mother's Day

I'm a mom.

I know that sounds pretty obvious, but it hit me like a ton of bricks tonight. I was sitting on the floor, playing with Bradyn after dinner. She was standing in front of me, looking at me and laughing, and for a split second, I was truely awestruck. I thought, 'Wow. This little person standing in front of me is here because of Kevin & I'. I still don't think she looks like me, and she rarely says 'Mom', but there's no doubt she's mine. I love how she backs into my lap while reading a book, to use me as her chair when I'm sitting on the floor. I love the way her smile lights up her whole being. Although it breaks my heart, I love the way she wraps her arms around my neck for dear life when I try to put her down in her crib.

Before we had Bradyn, I always watched moms with toddlers and longed for that relationship - the one where they hold their arms up, wanting to be picked up; the one where they cry until Mommy holds them, because nobody else will do; the one where right in the middle of a tickle fight, they lay their head down on your chest for some quiet time and you just know they're so happy to be with you.

Right before I put Bradyn down for bed, she was snuggled in my arms, talking up a storm in a quiet little voice, telling me something very important. I had absolutely no idea what she was saying, but I knew that at that moment, I was the best friend she ever had, and she was telling me everything.
Thank you my sweetheart, for making my wish come true, and for giving me that one of a kind relationship.

Family Fun

Last Saturday, we had a wonderful afternoon. Bradyn and I went downtown to meet Kevin after his shift at work, and together, the three of us headed out to earn some stamps. (As part of the Vancouver tourism challenge, we have a month to visit at least 15 museums/attractions/hotels etc in order to earn a year long pass to some really great places like the Greater Vancouver Zoo, the Aquarium, Science World...) Bradyn was such a good girl and everywhere we went, she was quick to say 'Hi' to anyone who looked her way.

Outside the Space Museum and Vancouver Museum (trying not to let Bradyn fall in the water).

Seeing what it's like to be a pirate, at the Maritime museum.

"Abandon Ship!"

Maybe she'll be a fisherman instead.

Taking time to smell the flowers.

Taking after daddy already, looking for sea creatures.

Getting ready to board the water ferry.

Her First Haircut

Yesterday morning, Bradyn and I headed down to the mall for her first haircut. I didn't really think she needed one because her hair wasn't all that long, but Kevin kept pointing out that her bangs were hanging in her eyes and that she had some 'wings' around her ears. I was so proud of her as she sat in the pink Barbie sports car - she didn't fuss a bit. And, she even let the lady put a barette in her hair, which actually stayed in for at least an hour before Bradyn pulled it out. Unfortunately, my little girl now looks like a boy with what I think is a bowl cut, but hey - her hair isn't in her eyes anymore. I think next time I'll save the $18 and trim her bangs myself - Bradyn (and Kevin) can live with the wings.

Guilt

Tuesday morning started out with the makings of being a fantastic day. As we were getting ready to head off to daycare, Bradyn said 'Hi Daddy'. An actual 'sentence'. Sure, I would have been happier if she'd said 'Hi Mommy' (or even just Mommy for that matter), but the tears still came to my eyes when she said it.

When I dropped Bradyn off at daycare, same time as usual, she was the first to arrive. This was the first time that had ever happened. I felt a little bad about her being there first, but I knew she would love the one on one time with her caregiver. I also knew her friends would be arriving close behind.

I had a mentally draining day at work on Tuesday, full of conference calls and meetings. By the time I left to pick Bradyn up, I was pretty wiped out. When I arrived at daycare (only 5 minutes later than usual), Bradyn was the last baby there. I literally felt my heart break. I had promised myself that my child would never be that kid who was the first one dropped off in the morning and the last one to be picked up at the end of the day. And yet, it had happened. Bradyn was clearly oblivious to the fact that being the last one there was a bad thing (at least in my mind it was), because she was all smiles and having a great time.

After chatting with Bradyn's caregiver, I realized that it was just a fluke. 2 of the other children arrived late that day and the little girl who is usually there last was picked up early (her mom is due with baby #2 later this month, so she's working shorter days). It didn't make me feel any less guilty.

I love my baby with all my heart, but I have to work outside of our home. Why is it that society makes working mothers feel guilty? Or maybe it's not society... maybe it's us working mothers that create the guilt and put it on ourselves. Either way, it's not right. Knowing that I can't be home with Bradyn every day, I take a lot of comfort in knowing that she is in a wonderful daycare with 2 ladies that love her dearly. I wish I could spend more time with her, but for right now, things are the way they need to be.

Maybe this happened for a reason. Maybe I needed a little reminder that life's too short and that I need to appreciate the time I have with my family. Work is my job, but being there when my family need me is my career.

On that note, I feel the need to look in on my sleeping babies.