Some updates

Our cute chubby little baby!

It's been pretty busy this week. Brea had her first immunization shots on Monday. It went rather well, considering she had to have four shots in her thighs. She was very brave though and only wailed on the last two shots. Daddy came along for moral support but it was not a nice experience. We also had a chance to weigh Brea, she is now 13 lbs 13.5 oz.

Chillin' in Daddy's BUFF!

In her Basketball Dino sleeper
(Daddy's favourite)

We've been visiting these last few days. On Tuesday we went to visit our friend Kara who is very pregnant and awaiting the arrival of her baby any time now. Brea can't wait to meet a new friend.

On Wednesday, we went to visit Kathy and Max. We had a nice time and a nice walk in the woods near Coquitlam River. Max has grown so big! He's catching up to Brea!

Max and Mommy Kathy

Today, we had our usual playdate and the Three Musketeers (Malaya, Kaitlyn and Brea) enjoyed a happy afternoon together. We are hoping to go to the Baby Storytime next week at the library. We were a bit late to the last session but it looked like it was a lot of fun.

Brea and I carved our pumpkin tonight. It's her first Hallowe'en and I wanted to make sure she had an awesome pumpkin. We can't wait for her to dress up and visit Mommy and Daddy's school tomorrow.

Jill's 1st Birthday!

~ Brea's notes ~

The Birthday Girl!

On Saturday, Mommy and Daddy took me to my BFF Jill's First Birthday Party!!! I was so excited! I've never been to a birthday party before and I really wanted to make a good impression. I tried to rest up and have Mommy pick a super cute outfit for me. We went with classic pink with grey legging pants and my pumpkin shoes. Daddy didn't really like it but everyone said I looked SOOO cute, that's why I trust Mommy fashion sense. I was just happy that I didn't spit up on it before we got there.

It's hard to stay still for pictures!

There were almost as many people there as there was at my shower but this time there were WAY more babies. I was the youngest (as usual). All the other babies were showing off with their crawling and walking skills - I'll show them one day soon!

Addison and her mommy, Sonja

The grown-ups all sat around and the bigger babies were playing with Jill's toys, Mommy and Daddy left me in the car seat for the longest time... I thought they'd never take me out. When I did get out, they just kept passing me around. Sigh, I tell you, when I start crawling, I'm gonna get away from all of that! Addison's Mommy, held me for such a long time that I had to cry to get back to Mommy.

When the grown-ups were ready to eat their burgers, I was hungry too! Mommy took me upstairs for my lunch and I had a break before coming back to the festivities.

I met some nice big people, Jill's uncles: Jed and Drew, Jill's grandparents and lots of her friends. The boys were funny, especially the one who crawled into the box. Uncle Owen kept taking pictures of everyone and Auntie Kari made a super pretty cake for Jill. Mommy looked like she was really enjoying it - she had a huge slice of cake and a cupcake too!

Me with Jed

The uncles and me

Bastian in the box!

Uncle Owen - the photographer

Jill blowing out the Cupcake Cake with Grandma Kathleen

I was pretty tired by then and Daddy took me upstairs to give me a break, I fell asleep so I didn't get to see the presents being opened but I'm sure I'll have another visit soon and Jill will show me her loot!

Zzzzzz...

Jill opening presents with Bastian and Zaden!

Fishy face Jill, more interested in the box than the guitar.

Addison's pretty dress

Guitar Hero, here I come!

It was so much fun, I'm looking forward to going to many more parties soon :o)

A special beer for Daddy

Every Christmas, Craig gets a special selection of beer in his stocking. These consists of choices that I make when I go to the Signature liquor store. My criteria is easy: has a neat label or bottle and/or a name that stick out. As you can see, I am not a beer drinker. But usually in the bunch he'll find a gem and this was one of them.

Fuller's Vintage Ale caught my eye because of it's pretty box. It is a limited edition ale and only a certain amount is brewed each year. I purchased a bottle in 2005. Craig had number 5424 of 150,000. It is a rare beer that gets better with age. Craig decided to save his for a special occasion. He broke it open to celebrate Brea's 8 week birthday.


Vintage Ale 2005
This Vintage has spicy and peppery notes on the nose followed by a hint of toffee and vanilla. An incredibly well rounded beer, the malt flavours are softened by the spicy, citrus notes from the Fuggles hops.

Brea posing with the bottle of beer
(you can see she's impressed).

Daddy cracking it open.

A lovely pour!

Sampling the goods. Refreshing!

When you're smiling...

We hope everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day! Brea had a great time for her first Thanksgiving. Nana, Grumpa and Great-Nana came over to enjoy Daddy's yummy glazed ham. Dinner was a joint effort with Nana making side dishes and Mommy making a pumpkin chiffon pie. Brea was all chill until the food was hot and ready to go so I had the delight of lukewarm but still yummy food.


I am so thankful that we have such a wonderul family to enjoy the special day with :o)

So, now for the BIG news! In week 6-7 Brea has started smiling!!! The first smile was after a really long night where she was super fussy and not sleeping so I was not a happy camper but in the morning when I looked down at my sleeping baby and she opened her eyes and flashed me a toothless grin... I'd do it all over again!

She's as big as her inchworm (24 inches)

It's been pretty hard to capture her smiles but they are now becoming more frequent and doesn't need much prompting. She has a beautiful smile!


The weather has become soggy now so I have had lots of time to take pictures while we look at the rain. Here are a few of Brea's great funny faces...

Merp!

Ooooh!

Who needs a costume for Hallowe'en
when she can be a mad scientist all by herself!?

Spooky!

What's that I hear?

I can't believe October is here already. Time is flying by so fast and Brea is changing day by day. We had our last appointment with our midwife this week. It has been such a wonderful experience and we are so happy with the choice that we made. Brea and I are checked out and are in tip top shape.

Brea's latest stats are:
Weight - 12 lbs 2 oz (gained nearly 5 lbs since birth)
Length - 24 inches (grown 4 inches since birth)
Head circumference - 15.4 inches (grown 2.4 inches since birth)

Yep, she's a big baby!

I have scheduled her first immunization appointment for the end of the month... not really looking forward to it but it has to be done.

We are continuing with playdates and our daily routines. Things are going really well!

Enjoying the playgym with Malaya!

Mommy can't wait until Hallowe'en, it'll be so much fun to have her little little girl dress up. I am hoping to make a stop at my school and Craig's for a visit that day too. I made an interesting discovery the other day... and since the spooky day is coming up I was reminded of it.

Does anyone else see a similarity?!
Hitchcock and Brea, Masters of Suspense.

She's a Maniac!

"She's a maniac maniac on the floor and she's dancing like she's never danced before..."

I've been having fun with some of the prezzies from the Baby Shower... I'm developing Brea's 80's look with leg warmers... I think BABY LEGS are the greatest! Craig is not so keen :o) But they are so cute and babies can't kick their socks off when they are wearing them. It also makes changing a breeze when you wear them with onsies.

Brea had her first playdate with her prenatal class buddies on Thursday. Auntie Reg with Kaitlyn and Auntie Dawn with Malaya came over for some quality time.

Reg and Kaitlyn

Dawn and Malaya

We chilled, cried, fed, had tummy time and we had so much fun taking pictures. It's not so easy propping babies up on the couch! The mommies shared stories and tips. Brea's looking forward to next week's get-together.

Trying to sit together.

Tummy Time!

Malaya chillaxing!

We also had a chance to go to Kathy's Baby Shower for Max.

Baby Max!

It was super fun and their was so much yummy food. Mommy got to visit with friends from work and catch up. Kathy had so many wonderful presents including a very cool SVAN high chair, fancy! It grows with your baby from a high chair to an adult computer chair.

It's My Party!

Thank-you to Glenda and Kari for hosting such a beautiful baby shower for Brea and me! We loved it and had a blast seeing so many people. There was such yummy food, fun games and lots of babies. Craig's cousin Tiffany was there with Max, Lynda brought Susanna and, of course, the hostesses had their babies: Aidan and Jill. It was nice to see family and friends enjoying the festivities!

Jill really liked Aidan!

Jackie and Jill

Super happy Aidan!

Susanna getting a bite to eat from Mama Lynda

Susanna zonked out in Jan's arms.

Auntie Jen!

Brea was a bit fussy in the morning as we wanted to bathe her and and have her all pretty for the party. She was not very impressed with us for dressing her up - she much prefers the comfiness of her sleepers. So I was a little worried about how the day was going to go.

Our not so happy pretty girl.

But once we arrived she was passed around a few times and then passed out on Nana's lap. She slept through most of it.

Nana and Po-Po

Brea's such a PARTY ANIMAL!

We had a few games. Kara rocked the clothes pin challenge, Amanda was nearly exactly on for guessing Brea's length, and Sara was the most creative in the onsie decorating challenge.

Yee-ma and Po-po with their onsies.
("Love" and "Ching-Yee")

Sara and Amanda are all smiles.

Kara is looking great and due in November - she's the Clothespin Challenge Queen!