Back to my Canadian Prairie Home

After the beach, Finn and I boarded a plane bound for Canada. My parents moved from Saltcoats, Saskatchewan to Medicine Hat, Alberta (to be closer to my sister and her family) and I was anxious to see their new digs. I was surprised to see how settled in my Mom and Dad were, considering that Finn and I arrived only a month after their move.

A highlight of my trip was catching up with my brother Brian and his girlfriend Kate who live in Taiwan. We actually hadn't seen each other for 7 years, so a reunion of sorts was well overdue. It's too bad that Colin had to stay home and work as he still hasn't met Brian and Kate, but Finn did. He and his Auntie Kate became fast friends!

It was great being around family for a month and time passed us by much too quickly. We went to the Medicine Hat Stampede, which included both a parade and a few rodeos. I would walk the golf course while my Dad and brothers Doug and Brian golfed. I even dragged my sister Shelley out one day when she had some free time! I reconnected with some cousins that I hadn't seen in years as well as Aunts and Uncles. It was a great holiday, full of food and good times.

It was so nice to arrive by plane and not have to worry about packing baby stuff. I want to thank my sister Shelley and her daughters Amanda and Carrie-Ann for arranging everything from car seats to toys to high chairs for Finn. It was such an easy way to travel!

Below are pictures documenting our trip (thanks Kate). Finn did great on the plane, and handled the fact that we missed our last plane and had to spend the night in Toronto much better than his mother did. I guess it isn't too early to take a page from the kid's book!

 Beautiful prairie sunset from my parents' deck. I miss those sunsets.

 Finn ready to take on the world one early cool morning

 Finn spending some quality time with his Grandpa

 Finn and Grandma waiting for the parade to start

 The beginning of the parade

 Finn and his second-cousin Daizee-Joy enjoying the parade together

 My grand-nephew Brennan enjoying his experience as a puppy dog!

 My grand-niece Brianna with her face painted as a princess at the fair

 My grand-nephew Joseph all dressed up for a family dinner:)

 Brian and Brianna at my niece Amanda's farm. It was a beautiful evening with good company and fantastic food!

 The oldest grand child in my family Amanda (31 years old) holding Finn the baby of the family (almost 1 year)

Siblings on the bald prairie

 The golfers letting me take the bench at every hole. It's a good thing for me they only did the back 9!

 Kate frozen on the golf course. It was colder that day than it usually gets in Taiwan even during the winter!

 It was so nice to see Kate again!

 Finn drumming on the guitar. He loves music and technology. 

 Finn loves his Auntie Kate!

Yee Haw!

Edisto Beach with the Steed Family

Colin's parents reached the milestone of 50 years married this summer. To celebrate, we joined Colin's parents, sisters and their family for a week long vacation at Edisto Beach in South Carolina. It's a beautiful location and we had so much fun visiting and enjoying the beach!

Colin and I took advantage of family who wanted to spend time with Finn and we were able to get out for a few meals  and even spent one day touring around Charleston. It's an interesting city and I have really grown to appreciate the history and beauty of the South...not to mention the friendliness!

Finn didn't love the ocean as much as he loved the beach. Colin played with Finn on the beach and we only had one 'experience' that was a little dangerous when the surf came up and covered the baby. He was surprised, but it didn't deter him...there was more sand to be eaten!

 The love birds celebrating their Golden Anniversary. Still crazy-happy after all these years!

 Finn playing in the sand

 Isn't he starting to look more and more like a little boy and less like a baby??

 Finn and his cousin Raney. He carried on conversations with Raney, something he hadn't done with anyone else up to that point...I guess he knows his secrets are safe with her!

 Our little family enjoying some time at the beach

  You can count on his cheeks being full of sand in this picture

Sun-protected and ready to play!

 Finn eating the beach, while Colin plays.

 Finn didn't love the ocean

Look Mom...more sand in my mouth!

 Colin and Finn in their matching Hawaiian shirts. Can you see the resemblance??

 Good quality time with Daddy

 John and Mary with their Grandchildren

 Finn getting lots of love and attention from his Auntie Susie. 

 Finn getting extra hugs from his Auntie Tricia.

Colin and I enjoying an afternoon of kayaking. It was such a lovely day!

June: The month of Colin

Not only is Colin's birthday in June, but he also got to celebrate his first Father's Day. Unfortunately, the days fell within a week of each other this year, so we just had one little party. That doesn't mean that he wasn't showered with love and attention the entire month, but he did get only the one celebration.

We were fortunate to meet up with our brother-in-law Erick and nephew Will when they came to DC to see Will's favorite football (US soccer) team Brazil play the USA. It was fun catching up with them and introducing the latest edition of the family to them. It was too bad that Colin's sister Susie and niece Raney were unable to make it, but stay tuned for the next blog entry as the entire family got together at the end of the month for a family reunion!

 Finn and his Uncle Erick

 Finn and his cousin Will

 Finn trying on his new sunglasses as we prepare for our trip to the beach at the end of the month

 Celebrating Colin's 49th birthday and first Father's Day

 Let the party begin!

Posing for the camera:)

 During the party a package arrived at our door. It was shoes that I ordered for myself and that was the only box Colin got to actually open on his birthday. Poor guy...

Mother's Day and the rest of May

My oh my how time flies! I can't believe that I am this far behind in my posts. So much has happened these past few months that it is difficult to document it all, but I still want to post pictures for the family so that they can see how much Finn has changed. Looking at these pictures and comparing him to now, he is a totally different kid...I guess you could even call him a toddler now!

The highlights of May include Mother's Day, a truly special day for me. Colin was generous enough to take on all responsibilities of Finn for the day. He got up with him, changed, fed, clothed and carried Finn around all day long. It was a much needed break considering I was at the end of my first trimester and quite tired. We went to Watkins Park and enjoyed a beautiful day walking and playing with Finn. 

A goal of Colin's has always been to participate in the Rolling Thunder Rally on Memorial Day weekend. Since we've moved to the area, Colin has unfortunately had to work every Memorial Day weekend until this year. He met up with his old "motorcycle gang" from Belgium and they did a few rides together over the weekend. Unfortunately, I was unable to hop on the back of the bike to join Colin this year, so he decided to watch the Rally with Finn and me on the sidelines instead of riding his bike in the actual parade. 

 Finn enjoying a mango

Finn's first time on a swing!

 Colin and Finn on the Carousel. Colin enjoyed himself more than Finn, I think!

 Finn and I on the train. Can you see us?

 Colin and Finn at the Rolling Thunder Rally in DC on Memorial Day Weekend. 

We forgot our stroller one day at the mall and paid $5 for Finn to sit in this cart. He had so much fun!

Time Marches On and Still No Teeth!

This entry contains not only pictures of Finn at 7 months, but also into 8 months since I've waited so long to post. Every day I have been hoping that I can report that Finn has finally gotten a tooth, but this just isn't the case! The poor kid has been teething for months now and has only swollen gums to show for it. He doesn't get fussy often, but in the last week, he has really been looking for anything to work his gums. I'm sure he'll pop a tooth or two very soon and I'll be shouting it from the rooftops when it happens.  It seems that Finn becomes more animated by the day and his territory is constantly expanding.  He isn't crawling, but moves around all the time by rolling and scooting backwards. This is a little frustrating for him when he wants something out of his reach in front of him, but I'm hoping this frustration will eventually get him to crawl! He's a happy baby that seems content to be doing  just what he's doing. His favorite food continues to be avocado, but he'll eat avocado mixed with just about any other vegetable, so that's how we do things right now. We enjoyed having John and Mary visit for a week during Easter. The weather wasn't the best, but we were able to get out and buy our plants for the season. Colin and John enjoyed planting our little garden. It was a treat for me to have Nana and Papa watch Finn so that I could have some time to myself. Below are some pictures:

One of Finn's favorite things to do is sit on his Daddy's knee and play on the computer.

Papa feeding Finn breakfast.

Nana feeding Finn squash, which he doesn't really enjoy.

He is doing well drinking from a sippy cup, but he still would rather not feed himself his bottle!

Finn often finds himself stuck in a corner these days.

I've even found him inside the foot stool! 

John and Colin planting. This year we should have tomatoes, eggplant, pepper, onion, beans, peas, carrots, lettuce and radishes . We do well considering the small space.

Mary and Finn watching John and Colin plant. Annie is hopeful she will have someone to throw her the ball.

Nana and Finn

Finn rocking on his hands and knees as Annie pushes him. Annie is very good with the baby, Ollie is good with Finn too, but keeps his distance.

When Finn gets fussy his bottom lip sticks out. This happens most frequently before bed at night.

The bottom lip disappears when he snuggles into his blanket, teddy bear and Daddy.

Now he is ready to go to sleep!