Misc. Photos

Take a Hike!

We hiked up the C-level Cirque trail near Banff. The trail leads up to a glacial cirque with great views of Lake Minnewanka, however we only made it up 2/3 of the way but turned back as Chance was getting antsy and we were told by hikers coming down the trail that the summit wasn't possible because of snow blocking the path still. C-level refers to an abandoned coal mining operation (there was an A-level and B-level too, C-level was the highest). We saw a male and female spruce grouse, but didn't linger long enough to spot their nest or chicks. We walked through the abandoned mining town of Bankhead, and also saw several abandoned mine shafts. After we turned around, we stopped for lunch near a tricking creek, which was icy cold. Chance was able to nurse in peace, as we were out of sight of the trail, as well he scarfed down some bananas. He slept the whole way home, and Daddy caught some zzz's too.

May Long Weekend

Well...we're not camping. We had the camper packed, everything ready to go...and woke up to overcast skies. Rainy forecast for the day. Besides, we were feeling lazy.

And rightfully so! On Thursday I got started on staining the fence. I did a total of 3 panels over the course of 3 naps. It is a much needed improvement in the back yard.

On Wednesday we got together with all the RGH moms and babes for a back yard picnic in SE Calgary. All the babies were in great moods and the day was beautiful. Chance got a little bit of colour despite the SPF 30 sunblock I put on him (twice!), so I got special baby-formulated SPF 60 for him.

So when Chance napped, we napped. For an hour! And then we went shopping. We picked up a snazzy backpack carrier from a used children's gear store. Chance loves it. We wore it around the store while we finished our shopping because he was having such a great time up there. Then we visited our favorite Italian deli and picked up some yummy stuff, then over to Costco (AKA Danielle's Least Favorite Place On Earth) and bought steaks for Monday night - Cam invited a coworker and his fiance over for dinner. And Costco has the best steaks...and we had a $30 coupon (some sort of rebate program though Cam's membership). So...4 steaks, 32 granola bars, 5L of dishwasher detergent and 10 cedar planks later....we escaped! Yay!

Right now I've got salt-free stock on the stove (for Chance's upcoming adventures in pureed meat, yummy!) and Chance is playing with his new set of blocks. They were a gift from Cam's Auntie Marlene, but we saved them for a rainy day - today fit the bill! Chance is really enjoying them, even if the computerized function is a bit too advanced right now (it says "green frog" when you connect the green block with the block with the frog on it).

Tomorrow the weather around Banff is supposed to be phenomenal, so we are going to drive out and do a bit of walking with our new backpack carrier. It should be an excellent day! Tonight Cam and I are just going to curl up and watch a movie after Chance goes to sleep.

Chance Loves His Nana

First Mother's Day

Chance, Cameron and I flew to Regina and stayed with Dani's parents from the 9th (Chance and Mom) and 10th (Daddy) til the 14th. Cameron and I attended the 14th annual Ken Goff Memorial Boxing Classic, and while Cam volunteered with this event Dani and Chance took the opportunity to visit with Gramma Jo and Grampa Phil. Auntie Jen and Uncle Paul came from Moosomin for a visit on Saturday. On Sunday we visited Wascana Park and Chance fed the geese. He liked them and squealed loudly. We left on Monday morning, but nearly missed our flight because Cam accidentally kept Mom's garage door opener in his hand and he went to leave it at the information desk, but he had our boarding passes so Chance and I couldn't get on the plane! Whew! The weather in Regina was quite gorgeous, it was 27° on May 9th when Dani and Chance arrived. Lots of green!

On Mother's Day I received a very nice home-made card from my mom with the poem "Before I Was A Mom" in it - I've liked this poem ever since I read it when I was pregnant with Chance. My mom inserted photos of Chance where it was appropriate ("Before I was a mom, I had never been drooled on" - and then a picture of my shirt after holding Chance when he was teething). I bawled. I always bawl when I read that poem!

Cameron gave me a tiny tiny iPod called a "shuffle". It will replace my clunky MP3 player that reads CD's. The old girl put in lots of service, but the earphones are starting to crackle and there are parts being held together by electrical tape. I will get a lot of use out of that little iPod, with all the walking and biking I do.

Chance saved his pennies and bought me a box of Bernard Callebaut chocolates - something sweet for me to share with Daddy after suppers for the next few nights.

Being a mom has really been an amazing, sometimes bewildering and overwhelming, experience so far. I'm so glad I have my little boy here, safe and healthy. I'm so glad and thankful that he's happy and we're doing well together as a family. That has been the best gift of all.

...and STANDING!

Chance pulled himself up to stand yesterday. My jaw dropped. Hit the floor.

Why don't I look impressed? Because he's going to be into everything! And falling down while he's doing it.

Apparently Chance has a new way of showing frustration...

Sitting Up!

He's been doing the halfway move for a while now, but I've never seen him actually sit up on his own - until today! And I got it on video! Cool!