Month 8 Milestones

At seven months of age Evelyn graced us with louder and higher pitched squeals than ever before! She pierced her first two teeth, the bottom middle ones. With her naps taking place at more routine times we're beginning regular excursions such as weekly babytime at the library and bi-weekly swimming.

Regarding motor skills, Evelyn's just started being able to hold a standing position while holding onto furniture and taking small steps while we hold her hands. Since Evelyn's so proficient at sitting now we can sit her down in any room of the house we happen to be in...but we need to keep a close eye on her as she's started getting into trouble. If there's a drawer within reach she'll open it. She can spin and glide her way towards the stack of firewood in the living.

Evelyn's just recently started eating an extra meal a day, bringing her up to three solid food mealtimes. We had to offset her love for cereal and bananas with pureed prunes for the good of her little tummy.

A funny new thing she likes to do is shake her head no, often accompanied by smiling or blowing raspberries.

There was an interesting ending to this afternoon's photo session...

 

The saddest Evelyn + Funganza + Ice fishing

The Saddest Evelyn

Evelyn woke up with a cold on Saturday and is still trying to shake it off. She doesn't seem to have any symptoms other than a leaky nose and coughing. She's still generally happy and sleeping/eating/playing as per usual but she's developed a learned response of trying to hide her face when I approach with a tissue. We've been mostly housebound until Evelyn is healthy again but there have been two exceptions for Caleb and I: Funganza on Sunday and ice fishing on Monday.

Snapped these saddest Evelyn ever pictures the other day.

 

Funganza

This past Sunday Funhaven held a fundraiser event for the Children's Wish Foundation. Becka, Chrissy and I took the boys and bought each of them a "pro" package: unlimited access to jungle gym, rock climbing, laser game and $10 credit for midway games.

Pogo, chips and frozen yogurt

Bumper car fun

Coen, Lucien and Caleb waiting their turn

And off they go

 

Pictures for a donation to the Children's Wish Foundation

The boys weren't interested in posing with the superheroes

...but we were!

Ice fishing

Earlier this winter volunteering for Scouts Canada led to my first time (cabin) camping in the winter season, and yesterday was first time ice fishing. Actually, it was my first time doing any kind of fishing! We almost didn't make it due to the highway being closed at Petrie Island for an investigation of a fatal accident. I called Darcy and he helped me navigate the back roads.

So a few things that surprised me about ice fishing: I expected to be walking on clean ice (kind of like the Rideau canal) but where we were - "Crappy Bay" - you couldn't even tell there was water beneath as the ice was heavily snow-covered. I also expected we'd make one big hole and use fishing rods but instead we made several small holes and set up wooden fishing contraptions.

Caleb and I didn't catch anything but some of the other Beavers did. One kid walked into a hole and had one cold and wet foot and boot. I had packed two towels in a bag as my sit-upon so the towels came in handy to dry the poor kid off. 

Miscellaneous

Evelyn got a second tooth! Her two bottom teeth are now out.

Caleb passed Swimmer 2! The Red Cross has 10 levels in total. He starts Swimmer 3 next weekend.

Caleb and Liana both received their report cards. Caleb's was stellar - 10 As and 4 Bs. Liana's was mostly good, all As and Bs except for math (Cs and her first ever D)...but hopefully the tutoring makes a big difference by the nest report card.

 

Liana looked so pretty with her bangs pinned up but she was hesitant to let me take her picture

Hence the "peeking" pose

Caleb painting his paper mache mask on Family Day

I think it's a mouse? Still not finished

Heart-shaped pizza and a movie for Family Day

 

Evelyn Goes to the Library + Valentines party + Liana Slideshow Homework

Evelyn goes to the library

Last week my friend Laura and I took the babies to "babytime" at the library. It was impressive! The facilitator was great and led the 30 minute bilingual class with ease. We sat in a circle and sang songs, chanted nursery rhymes, watched a puppet show, did some sign language, played with shakers, and more. Evelyn was wide-eyed as she took in all the new things and she seemed interested in the other babies sitting in the circle ("my people!"). We went back yesterday and are planning to return next week.

After babytime we're allowed to stay and play awhile longer

Laura and cute lil baby Marianne who is three months old now

My baby and me

Evelyn standing at the train table at Chapters (after the library)

She wanted to eat the trains...so no trains yet :p

Evelyn goes to a Valentines party

 

Moms and Dads with Monkeys hosted a Valentines Day playdate last Saturday at the Richmond library. Evelyn made some crafts with (a lot of) help from mommy. Erin Petruska Photography was on site with a Valentines setup for picture taking. Evelyn was not at all cooperative for the photo session so the three first pictures below are really a test to Erin's patience and persistence. The playdate was fun other than forgetting my camera and one of Evelyn's toys...but I got those back.

 

Liana's Slide Show

Liana was tasked to do a slideshow of 25 pictures (of anything) to a french song. She forgot about the assignment and arrived home from school the other day in a frenzy because it was due the following day. She decided she'd do a "day in the life of Evelyn" sort of thing (though really it was just an evening). Lucky for her she had a cooperative little model at her disposal. Liana took over 300 photos that evening and we both stayed up late getting setup up the slideshow on youtube. Here's the final product.  

 

Miscellaneous

Evelyn got her first tooth! Grandma Debby found it while visiting last weekend.

Liana got her her most recent blood test results back and is mildly anemic. She's taking some iron supplements and will be retested in four months.

Evelyn and I visited two week old baby Savannah Storm. We didn't have our camera on hand but we'll make sure to bring it when we visit again next week.

I made it out to my first Orleans Board Game night at the local Legion for the first time post-Evelyn only to loose at both Zombiecide and Pandemic. I spent a lot of time this week sorting out Ottawa Geek Social Club issues.

It was my turn to run the Beavers craft this week and we made bows and arrows like the ones found here but with pink hearts at the end of the arrows. The kids liked making them and playing with them. A good not-too-girlie Valentines craft.

Liana's had a busy week between math tutoring, babysitting baby Ronin, going to see SPAF (her school's biggest talent show of the year) and today's winter carnival.

Here are some more pictures.

Uh oh, trouble!

Visiting my dad

Liana and her friend making dinner before SPAF

Swim time with auntie Becka

Cuddling with Grandpa

Coffee at Chapters with Ange and Julie

Evelyn's new book

Coen, Lucien and Caleb drinking slushies and watching hockey after a Sunday afternoon swim

Cereal baby

Grandmaman getting the baby

Caleb this morning with his Valentines day stuffy, Florida Naturals valentines for school and his breakfast