An Aussie visitor

Tomorrow our friend Clair is coming to visit for a few days. She's been traipsing around the world after uni, and we get to be one of her final stops on her way home. We're looking forward to sharing this part of the world with her (like gooey cinnamon buns, the awesome views from UBC, and maybe even go up to Grouse Mt for some snow). I know she is looking forward to seeing some familiar faces.

I've been working a little bit at Westside, supervising some federal tests. I have another hour tomorrow to catch up for a child who was away. Daniel gets to come with me as Nathan is back at school this week. He had a Greek quiz yesterday, and a Hebrew midterm today.

Daniel has a cold, poor tyke, so he's a regular snot-monster at present. Add the extra drool from teething, and it can get a little gross! He's been sleeping a little better at night, but now his daytime sleep is almost non-existent. The past 2 days he's only slept 1.5 hours all day; yesterday afternoon he was awake for 6 hours straight. So I'm feeling more tired because I'm not sure what to do, and because I'm not getting much of a break from Daniel-time. I've also decided to quit reading fiction for a while, because I think I'm addicted (seriously).

On a lighter note, tonight I made Anzac biscuits, and I added some cocoa to half the batch for chocolate Anzacs. In 2 weeks we are having a Taste of the World event at Regent. I'm coordinating an Aussie/Kiwi food table (which we'll also decorate). We all bring food to share, and we also sample from the other countries' tables. I'm taking fairy bread, and sausage rolls (which I need to practice making sometime this week).

Outdoor play

Last week I introduced Daniel to slippery slides and swings. So all bundled up in a couple of jumpers, shoes, beenie and mittens, we headed out into the cold to play outside! It's been overcast but not too rainy, and today the sun is actually shining.
This week I will work a few hours at Westside Christian School (who I worked for last year) to oversee some federal testing that needs to be done. Nathan's on reading week, so he's going to do some daytime babysitting which will be different for him.
We're also looking forward to our friend Clair from Grovely visiting us at the end of next week, on the tailend of her 'round the world trip!

Look out...Daniel's about!

No, he's not crawling forward yet, but he is doing very well at moving Backwards, all around the room! And sometimes on his feet and hands (downward dog style). So we are definitely thinking more about childproofing the place. At this very moment he is under the coffee table and just pulled the lamp cable out of the socket.
Yesterday we were practising standing up next to the couch, which was lots of fun (though I can see we will have many bruises from falling down!). However, last night after his bath I sat him down on the mat next to the tub, and he pulled himself up to standing! I was in shock that he was that strong, but it's made me more cautious. Time to lower his bed, and put safety latches on some of the cupboards.

Brrrrrrr....!

Well, as I sit in my warm house, my laptop tells me that it is -1 degrees outside. I haven't really been checking the temperature, maybe I'm better off not knowing! I'm still thinking of taking Daniel out in the stroller though, he's getting pretty good at sitting like a stuffed teddy in the stroller, with the rain cover on to protect him from the chilly air. He can't really move, and he doesn't talk either, just looks around. The hardest part is that when you go inside a store (or the bus), it is really warm, so if I'm going shopping I try to make it quick! It looks like we will have a car to borrow one day a week for a while, so I'm just looking into finding a car seat so I can go to the Superstore.

So far we don't have colds, which is a blessing. And it hasn't rained much either, just a LOT of fog, which sticks around 90% of the day.

I've decided I need to try and have something planned for nearly every day, as Daniel gets bored from my company. I'm looking into an infant program at the library, which does mother goose, stories etc. And I might try the local drop-in playgroup too, even though it's mainly for older kids.

Daniel's bottom teeth seem to be closer, but I've heard they may move up and down for a while. No pics sorry, he doesn't like to show his bottom gums very often! I find it hard to look myself.

Back in Canada

Here are some Christmas photos!




Well, Christmas (and summer) are over for us. It was so great to catch up with so many Aussies. We're sorry if we couldn't catch up, or caught up only briefly. Daniel thrived in the warmer weather, and loved the attention of his family. We're going to miss you all a lot!

We arrived home safely on Wednesday night. There was still a lot of snow around (although you could see grass in some places). As we'd been away for a while, the footpath to our door had a pile of snow on it that we had to climb over to get our luggage inside. Once inside, our place was almost fridge temperature, at 10 degrees! We cranked up the wall heaters, although they took a while to kick in. We made sure Daniel had enough blankets, and put on our singlets, flannel pjs, and woolly socks. The days have been pleasant, around 9 degrees and mostly fine, so we've gone for a few walks while the weather is nice (although pushing the pram through the snow is an interesting experience!).

It rained all morning today, and now it is snowing, looking quite pretty as I gaze out my back door. We've almost finished unpacking, and last night we played Lord of the Rings RISK with our friends Mathew and Ramie (took about 3 hours!). Daniel has slept fitfully so far, and didn't want to go to bed until 11pm last night. But we can't keep sleeping in as we won't be ready for normal schedules next week. So today we got up at 7.30am, and then all had an hour nap at 10am. No crawling or teeth apparent yet.

I (Mareesa) am going to audit a night class called "The Life of Jesus", led by Aussie professor Rikk Watts this semester, which I'm really looking forward to. Nathan is taking the 2nd half of Intro Greek and Intermediate Hebrew, and Biblical Exegesis, a subject which is known to be a heavy load. We may also have a fellow student staying with us one night a week this semester.

Enjoying Summer

We're having a fantastic time! We've caught up with some friends (still some to go), and enjoyed being with our families. Daniel is growing up so much, so quickly! He's sitting by himself, eating solids, and seems to like telling us 'jokes'. He's been swimming in the pool, and might be introduced to the beach this weekend. I think he'll be lonely and bored when we get back to Canada, with so many baby-sitters!

Hello from 2 hemispheres

Well, Daniel & I (Mareesa) are back in beautiful sunny Queensland, whilst Nathan is powering on in chilly Vancouver. He's almost finished! 2 more exams to go, and then he's flying out and will join us on Tuesday morning (Oz time). He's working extremely hard, and will definitely be in need of a holiday.
Here is a video of Daniel rolling over in his bed, his latest 'trick'. He'll be 5 months next week. Daniel's coping fairly well with the heat and strangers (basically everyone), and enjoys making video calls to Dad pretty much every day (sometimes twice a day!).
Catching up with family and friends has begun, but there's more to come!
That's all for now, I'm off to find somewhere cooler to sit.