Out of the mouth of babes...

We hadn't been home from our girls week-end in Bathurst for more than 1 hour when Ryan decided to lose her lunch. I must add that this is the 1st time that Ryan has suffered from this and up until that point in the day I had been worried that the only thing that she'd eaten that day were 2 chocolate timbits.... She continued with a mad bout of vomiting and diarrhea until the wee hours of the morning. Fever and sleep were at her all the next day and the following day we kept her home for good measure.

Today I took her to daycare confident that she was well enough to face the daily bump and grind. The fact that the only thing she would wear were her pajamas and that it took at least an extra half hour to get out the door should have been a sign of things to come...

When we got there the director informed me that one of her bff's, Nicholas, was 'a right old crank' while Ryan was gone. Shortly before 3 I got a call from the daycare asking me to pick her up because she lost her lunch again and was very upset that she'd gotten some on her jammies. When I arrived at daycare her little friend Jacob, who is not yet 3 himself, was leaning over the fence yelling at me, 'You no take my friend Ryan!'

Kids - what a hoot! I guess I don't need to worry about her making friends right now...

She is her own person.

I can't say that enough. I remember as a child that my mom was all about ribbons and bows.... and I was not. I grew up into a very straight edged (wardrobe) kinda girl; perhaps a rebellion from all of the frilly frou frou that was my lot as a child. But sometimes, since Ryan has graced us with her presence, I feel a little bit of my mom creeping in and I see a little of myself in Ryan.

We decided to have a girls week-end, Ryan and I, and went to Bathurst to visit my mom (Nana) and my Nanny (big Nanny). Motivated by my friend Pam, I brought home all the supplies to make a pretty little pillowcase dress for Ryan. I thought the timing was perfect because I could call on the sewing expertise of the generations. Well we finished the little masterpiece late at night and I presented it to Ryan the next morning. She promptly told me to hang it in the closet. I had a feeling this would be the result but I still wanted to try. I have to say I admire her tenacity. The whole week-end that dress was not going to touch her.

However, since the weather was so beautiful we decided to spend some time at the beach. This was more her scene. The flatfish were biting off the point and there was no lack of fisherman looking for their share. Ryan was among them.

So I guess I am learning from Ryan everyday that it is OK to have dreams and desires for your child. But she has a mind of her own and a voice to let her desires be known! Who am I to quash that?

I made a Dolly!

Is it for me or for Ryan? Right at this moment its hard to tell. I'm kind of smitten.... Although, when Ryan saw the finished product last night her reaction made me lean towards actually giving it to its intended recipient. She had snuck out of her room during bedtime with Daddy and saw it sitting on the sofa table. Her eyes got really big and she said, ' Wow! Look at this!' And then she looked at me and said, 'Did you make this?' and gave her a big hug. Can you blame her, look at how cute she is?



I found the pattern for her free online. I deviated only a little. The yarn I used was Lion's Brand worsted weight which is a little thicker than what is recommended so I used bigger hooks as well; 4.25mm for the doll itself and 5mm for her dress and shoes. I've been working on it off and on since Christmas and she was well worth it. I love her!

I can do what?

I have been frustrated lately with the limitations of the photo software that I have. However, I have learned over the past couple of weeks I don't even know what I have. For instance, I learned tonight that I can make a collage. So I made one of the awesome supper that my sister-in-law hosted for mother's day.

She does the sweetest things.

So little Ryan started reading. More like she has a very good memory and with the help of the pictures she can give a pretty good accounting of the story that needs to be told. However, she like to read with us while we're reading our own stories. As soon as she notices that we're watching she turns away or walks to a corner to continue. The little girl who could walk around the mall in the buff and not be the least bit shy seems to consider reading to be a very private affair. Last night she was reading Dora and Daddy was reading Diego. I have always loved to read and hoped that she would share that love as well. I'm so happy that she does!

A Week in the Life - the finished product, almost.

So this is it. One of the most rewarding and all consuming projects that I have ever embarked on. I love it though and had a blast through each phase. I don't think that I will do one every year like Ali Edwards does, maybe every 5 years so that there is a distinct physical difference in us and our surroundings... In addition to the 4 pages per day that Ali suggested, I added a journaling page every day. I was going to type them out but then thought that this was the sort of project that called for hand writing. I do have a couple more things to add but they will get added when they get added. I need to have a nap :o) Sorry that the pics are a little blurry; I didn't have the energy to take them out of the page protectors. You get the gist though!

Hello Donna?

We went to St. Stephen in March to see my nephew Nathan compete in the provincial hockey tournament for his age group. Unfortunatley they didn't win (its all for fun though isn't it guys?) but Ryan did seal her relationship with her Auntie Donna. We don't get to see the Thibodeau-White's as often as we would like so Ryan really hadn't had the opportunity to bond with Donna. However, she was stuck to her like white on rice this day and would not leave her side. It was pretty cute and it gave my back a little break (Donna got to do a lot of carrying - thanks Donna!)... When we got home Jason overheard Ryan talking on her phone. She said, 'Hello Donna? It was nice to meet you today. I'm making dishes and playing with my friend Daddy!'
Don't kids say the darndest things?