Misc

Sphynx Photo #2

Check out those skinny little legs with those big booties.

Anne Sue, this is child number 2 enjoying your black and white creation.

Our first family photo shoot.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear

These pictures are a bit blurry but I had to post them anyway. We are reading Eric Carle's book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" On the last page, it shows all the animals mentioned throughout the book. We ask Asher "Where is the Brown Bear?" or "Where is the Yellow Duck?" and he points to them. It's taken him a long time to get it but in this series of pictures, he got 100% for the first time ever! It was pretty fun. He was definitely excited as we cheered him on.

Aunt Laura

With Aunt Laura, there is always a teaching moment! Asher practiced undressing himself, learned what to say when you ride a horse (Yeehaw! He learned this riding the mechanical horse at the grocery store), where new body parts are located (parts include knuckles, wrist and clavicle - yes, clavicle) and much more. Thanks Aunt Laura for coming to help us out and bringing the Silver Academy to us.

Beautiful Bella

This is her favourite position! She LOVES it. It's the craziest thing but she loves having her head tipped way back and this particular position is reserved for daddy time. She will stare at him forever like this.

Tribute to Nana

These videos are a tribute to Nana, who had to leave us yesterday. We miss you! As Asher waved goodbye from the window, he said "Bubbles?" and when he woke up from his nap, he looked around with sleepy eyes and asked, "Nana?" And then I cried.

Part 1

Part 2

Gardening with Dad

Okay, so this activity was taking place while I was in early labour. The posts are not exactly chronological at the moment.
Thanks so much for all the comments and emails! It's so much fun to read them - it's the next best thing to having you all here!

Big Brother

At Home

In the Hospital

Getting checked out.

Post-date, Not Overdue

The Vitals:
Isabella Cash was born yesterday, April 18th, at 4:42pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 10oz. and measured 21 inches long.


The Name:
Isabella means "beautiful one" in Italian and Spanish. But it is also related to the name Elizabeth, which has Hebrew roots, and means "my God is an oath" or more simply, "God's promise." We will call her Bella, but you all can call her whatever you'd like. The namesake for Isabella's middle name is Johnny Cash. I don't know how that strikes you, but Tami and I are very proud to give our daughter that name; there is just something about Johnny Cash. It's hard to articulate, but for us it has something to do with authenticity, passion, rawness and strength. I am especially happy to give a name with such connotations to a girl.

The Story:
Early labor- the mild part that can last forever- started around 3am on Saturday, but didn't even keep Tami up much. Things picked up gradually starting around 9am, but were still relatively mild until around 2pm. At 3pm things were moving toward active labor- the crazy intense contractions- and our doula (birth coach) arrived just before 4pm. 10 minutes after the doula walked in the door, we were on our way out to the hospital- contractions were really intense and one right after another. During labor at home Nana (my mom) was here taking great care of Asher. We got to the hospital and Tami's water broke while we were checking in- it was 4:27. A somewhat important detail: amidst all the intensity of active labor at home we somehow forgot to call our doctor- oops!- so when we got to the hospital and they gave her a call, she was half an hour away. After checking in- man, those nurses took their time- Tami was quickly assessed and, as both the doula and I already knew, she was fully dilated. Quickly, they moved Tami into a delivery room and got her set-up to push. One push later Isabella was born- seriously one push! The head literally popped out and no one was there! Our doctor hadn't even arrived yet! Thankfully there was a resident there and he and I caught her- it was an amazing, amazing thing. In case you didn't put the whole thing together: Tami's water broke at 4:27 and Isabella was born at 4:42!

I will spare you the detail from there, but we were able to come home last night, about four and a half hours after we got to the hospital. It is much more comfortable here and my mom is helping a lot. Plus Asher can get to know his baby sister- he's only hit her in the head with a toy once so far! Our doctor will come by later on today for some follow-up.

Tami is doing great. She is still in a bit of shock from such a rapid delivery, such a quick turn-around and from feeling, well, so good compared to last time. She feels like she can walk almost normal! Still, of course, she is tired and going through the joys and pains of starting breast feeding again.

Good Times with Nana

Asher with his new farm toy from Nana.

Blowing bubbles with Nana.

:-)

(see video at the end of this post)

And at last, he crashed after an afternoon in the park with Nana. Too much fun.

Reading with Auntie Tracy

Tracy, why is your face so rosy again?? :-)

Playing in the Dirt

...with our friend Andrea.

Curves

I know this isn't the best picture but I don't have that many and everyone is beating down my door for more belly pics!

Saucy curves.

Is it April already?

This is Asher with his friend Natalie. She lives next door and as you can tell, she's adorable! He quite likes her. Today he gave her unsolicited kisses!! We are fortunate to have great neighbours!

This is my favourite look he does right now.

He loves "George" (as in Curious George). He is giving him a ride on the truck he is borrowing from his friend, Korban.

He's finally gotten it. He's a beater licker now!

He likes to hang out in his chair in the kitchen and play while I cook. George is keeping him company.