Eleanor Douglas --- 14+ months old

I'm not really sure how to organize all of this information, so I will just start to write and you can decode the mess.  You're welcome :) 

"Mom, I can't believe you're going to do this!"

 
 What is she like?

*  ACTIVE.  We aren't sure if she's active as usual or MORE active than usual, but parents that weigh in believe she's a little busier than the average bear.  She gets bored with activities very quickly too (kinda like her MAMA!). 
*  A performer.  The girl sure knows how to entertain an audience.  She will dance, run around, do yoga, hide, fake laugh.....whatever she needs to do to get a laugh or applause.  Kumari often remarks "too much happy joke" when we get home from school.  
*  Determined or....passionate (perhaps this is a diplomatic way of phrasing it).  If she wants to do something, she will try her very best to do it!  This poses some challenges as a parent.  As in, sometimes I wish I wore a helmet because the two of us have been known to battle it out.  Daddy is a little softer.  Bet you didn't expect that one!  
*  Curious.  She wants to know what everything is and how everything works.  And if you're up to something, she's definitely wanting to know why you're up to that something and how she can do that something herself. 

"Hey Dad!  What are you doing with that broom?  Can I try?!"

Words she says:

*  mama and dada, obviously ;)
*  GO!  GO!  GO!  (likely a result of the billion basketball games she's been to)
*  ball, baby, bye (seems she is into the letter B right now) 
*  other sounds include gobble-gobble (no joke!), bawk-a-bawk-a-bawka (a bird theme too?), and a whispered "ha-ta, ha-ta, ha-ta!"  Not sure what these sounds mean or are trying to mean, but she is often incredibly happy when she says them.

BYE!!!!!!!!!

Some of her tricks:

*  shrugging as if to say "I don't know"
*  putting both hands on her head with a look of distress whenever anyone says "OH MY GOSH!"
*  rocking her "baby" on command
*  FREEZING on command (you saw the video!)
*  opens her mouth nice and wide when you say "what do you do at the dentist?"
*  high fives and hugs
*  raises both arms in the air when you say "YAY!!!!!!"
*  clapping (she's quite the encourager in this sense)
*  covers her face with her hands when you say "has anybody seen Nory?"

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of her favourite things:

*  spinning in circles to get dizzy (as seen in the recent video I posted)
*  climbing anything and everything - the couch, her chair, boxes of water, the bistro set....
*  playing hide and seek (she LOVES this)
*  playing soccer
*  pushing bins with wheels (hey, we've got limited options here in Kuwait)
*  reading books (the hockey song book is her absolute favourite)
*  listening to music and dancing too
*  CHEESE.  She is cheese OBSESSED - like we sometimes have to spell it out OBSESSED.
*  SMOOTHIES.  From a legitimate cup.  With a legitimate straw.  None of this little kid stuff.
*  brushing her teeth - with both toothbrush varieties that we own
*  going out, anywhere (the mall, the grocery store, the hallway outside the apartment, the neighbour's house)
*  all things fluffy (recall we have a "fluffy & fuzzy ban" in the house)
*  iPhones (so tech savvy)
*  Disney Junior - Sofia the First, Zou, Henry Hugglemonster, Doc McStuffins.....(although she's mostly a fan of the theme songs, interest is lost shortly thereafter)

Shopping for groceries this afternoon :)

Things she is NOT so fond of:

*  the car seat (you already know about this and we might as well upgrade the word for this one to HATE)
*  sitting in her high chair for extended periods of time (What's extended?  Depends on the moment...)
*  washing and brushing her hair
*  getting changed (she's not a screamer but she sure does let you know she's ready to MOVE again)
*  messy hands (this poses a problem for arts and crafts)
*  the sound of the blender or the drill

"Can you please just get these on the fridge so we can wash my hands?!!!"

What else?

*  We aren't really sure yet if she will be left-handed or right-handed.  She doesn't seem to show much of a preference and uses both hands for turning the pages of a book, throwing a ball, sorting toys, eating, etc. 
*  My sister was asking me if she had a favourite colour and strangely enough, I would say she's quite drawn to ALL THINGS ORANGE.  It's weird because in my opinion, NOBODY has orange as their favourite colour.  Well....turns out that is my sister's favourite colour too.  WHOOPS!!!!! 
*  She's a bit of a stubborn child when it comes to eating (sorry my darling, but it's TRUE!).  She would MUCH RATHER be playing and doing her thing than sitting (confined!) and eating her lunch.  If I don't provide some SERIOUSLY good entertainment, I can basically call it a day.  Unless, of course, it's CHEESE.  Or she's interested in something I'm having for snack.  She's quite insistent on sampling EVERYTHING that Phil or I are eating.     
* She's doing this freaky thing where she RUNS (yes, runs) with her head back (looking straight up at the ceiling).  I suppose this is a LITTLE better than the previous freaky thing, where she would RUN (yes, RUN) with her head shaking vigorously back and forth as if saying "no".  That one was bad.  That one lead to accidents. 
*  She still only has 8 teeth but this week I think we are working on some more.  I say "we" because I really do believe it is a team effort.  HELLO 2.5 hours of sleep on Wednesday night. 

"Okay, okay!  MOM that is ENOUGH!!!!!!"

Phewf.  I really do think that is enough for now :)  The "Nornado" is finally asleep and I think it's time to relax with Phil.

We love you, Eleanor!  We can't wait to learn more about you :)  xo

Inspired by "Frozen", this afternoon we taught her all about the word FREEZE.

Well, not really in the oh-my-gosh-it-is-so-cold sense but more in the oh-my-gosh-she-hasn't-stopped-all-day sense....

Also note her current love for GETTING DIZZY!

XO

To continue the theme of "hiding".....

Do you ever feel like hiding out for WEEKS, deleting every social media outlet you have, and keeping all of life's moments to yourself?  Sometimes I feel this way.  Like I should boycott the interweb and all it entails for a quiet, secret life with Phil and Nory.  It's weird and rare because I really embrace these sorts of things to keep in touch with everyone back home.  Facebook, Instagram, the blog - they are all great resources for an overseas family like ours.  But sometimes, like this week, I start to wonder if these things are things that I should keep on lovin'.  The other day I was strongly compelled to go on a massive DELETING STREAK of all things social, but my good pals in Kuwait reminded me of why I shouldn't.

I shouldn't because I love to blog.  I love to sit with a tea and tell you our stories, as if we're at a cozy coffee shop back home and you're across the table doing some championship listening.  I feel like we're regulars at this coffee shop too, because I can see that we keep coming back to this familiar space and as I picture "this person" and "this person" following along, I can't help but smile with gratitude. 

I shouldn't because I love to know what YOU have been up to.  It's a common sight for Phil to see me in the living room, jumping for joy over engagements, pregnancy announcements, new houses and baby pictures.  It's a common thing for Phil to hear me scream "YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE HOW CUTE THIS PUPPY IS!" or "LOOK AT HOW MUCH FUN THEY HAD TOGETHER!" or "CAN YOU BELIEVE HOW FAST THEY ARE GROWING UP?".  It's a common thing for me to be spotted with happy tears, sad tears, and proud tears after one quick scan of the newsfeed on Facebook or Instagram.  I am always checking in and celebrating life's moments with you.       

I shouldn't because this blog can serve as a virtual memory book for Nory that she can someday read and smile, laugh, cry, or cringe about.  She will see how CLUELESS we were as new parents, how much we loved her all along, or how much we've loved each other all along.  It can serve the very same purpose for Phil and I, too!        

I shouldn't because I've "met" some REALLY WONDERFUL people through the blog (shout-out to the Thunder Bay gals!) who love and support our family without ever having met us IN REAL LIFE.  Imagine that...

I could go on about the wonderful things that social media and blogging brings to me and our family of three.  But you know what?  None of these things were convincing enough to stop me from the "deleting streak" I considered earlier this week.  The REAL reason I shouldn't (and won't!) delete myself from all of these different media outlets?  It's because I feel like it would break some of your hearts and I just wouldn't be able to live with myself.  No more pictures, no more updates, no more stories, no more nothing.  Just three loved ones across an ocean......with the mere phone call here and there whenever we all had a quick second to talk during a time-change-accounted-for moment.  I don't think that would be fair.  Or easy even.  Some of you have this beautiful niece, granddaughter, or great-granddaughter that is growing up faster than ever and you simply need to see it.  You need to be apart of it.  And although it's not the best scenario ever, social media does a pretty darn good job of keeping us closer together. 

This blog is FOR YOU.  I really hope you enjoy it. 
XOXO

Summer.

Tonight we got out the summer calendar and began to add things to it.  It started with an "arrive in Canada" date (June 20th), as well as a "leave for Kuwait" date (August 13th).  This provided the framework for how much time we had at home and what we could and couldn't do.  It really did seem like a fairly good chunk of time in the beginning.  Seven weeks.  Most people would be ecstatic with a summer holiday of that duration.  But then we added some weddings, reunions with friends and family, and other special occasions and the whole summer already looked GONE.  We hadn't even fit everyone in yet and I began to get overwhelmed and STRESSED OUT.  Then I remembered having the exact same feeling when making plans for last summer.  And the summer before that.  And (most likely!) the summer before that.  It came to my attention that this pattern of anxiety-filled summers should NOT be the case.  The summer should be fun and relaxing and rejuvenating and good-memory-filled.  Shouldn't it?  The thing is, in order for that to happen, a few other things have got to happen too (and I apologize in advance if this comes off as offensive or insensitive!):

1)  We need to accept the fact that nobody is going to think they've had enough time with us.  (For the record, the feeling is mutual.  We love you all so much!)

2)  We need to do what's best for the three of us.  Sometimes that means time for JUST the three of us.  Sometimes that means quick visits.  Sometimes that means longer visits. Sometimes that means we can do something.  Sometimes that means we can't do something.  Please know that nothing we plan or don't plan is meant to upset any of you!

3)  We also need to do some of the things we WANT to do.  These might not always correspond with the things that others want us to do.  I'm sorry for that, too.

I hope I haven't given you the impression that we want to be hermits all summer.  Or that we don't miss the heck out of you 10 months a year.  Or that we have become the world's most serious snobs.  Can you please try to see things from our 7-weeks-in-Canada-ONLY perspective? We want the summer to be an enjoyable one and, although we know we are bound to disappoint some of you, please know that we are trying our best to make the most of an impossible situation!

Here's to a stress-free summer vacation in Canada (or so we hope!!!).  Our new little home is definitely open for visitors if you're in the area or willing to make the trek!  We would love to make some memories there with you :)

XOXO

Our EARTH DAY "Art Attacks"......

Phillip:  Age 30

Lindsay:  Age 28

Nory:  Age 14 months

(It was a collaborative effort!)

Our Earth Day "wreath" for the front door.Nory persevered through messy hands and was very proud of the end result :)

Our beautifully decorated tree craft, given as a gift to the neighbours :)

A Hunt of a Different Sort.

I think the universe is trying to tell me that at 28 years of age, eggs are a little boring at this point.  Vintage, even.  Why else would my work week (ah-hem, EASTER SUNDAY!) begin with three grown men using recycling boxes, rulers, and whatever else they can to save me from a seemingly fearless gecko in my classroom (who excels at hide-and-seek)? 

It's happened to me before.  In fact, it's ONLY HAPPENED TO ME BEFORE according to science department history.  And I'd like to tell you that this makes ZERO SENSE.  Because I'm the only gal in the department and I'm definitely the MOST AFRAID PERSON ON EARTH of things that are unpredictable.  Anyways....

The last time this happened was at parent-teacher night at the start of last year (a scary night to begin with, ha!).  This time, it was on Easter Sunday.  At 6:30 in the morning, when I was still half-sleeping and still fully-not-present because I just wished I was home with Nory....in Canada.  Alas, I sucked it up and went into work, walked up the three flights of stairs to my classroom, unlocked the door, switched on the lights and then BAMMMMMMM!!!!!!  (I sure as heck feel there was a BAMMMMMM).  A tiny, little yellow thing (but oh-so-ferocious!) was scurrying all over my teaching space, showing a particular passion for my desk area.  Ughhhhhh.  In that very moment, I felt it was the perfect reason to go home with a 'sudden illness', but the "adult/mother" inside of me decided I should at least ATTEMPT to solve the problem (which it indeed WAS) before calling it a day....

And so, I kindly asked Mr. Gecko (obviously he was a boy) to play around in another's class.  Or outside.  I even told him that there is chocolate in my fridge and I was sorry that the Easter Bunny might have missed him and that if he could just move closer to my door, rather than right beside my desk by the fridge, that I could get him a delicious piece of it......

He was unresponsive.  On top of everything else that he was. 

So then I proceeded to holler for help and I'm CERTAIN that - in retrospect - Mr. Gecko WOULD HAVE BEEN more cooperative with me in an effort to avoid the three grown men that made their way to my classroom.  The poor guy horrifying creature put up a good fight (extending the search by MINUTES with his speed and agility), but was eventually released to the great (and hot!) outdoors - tail-less and (I imagine) scared as all get out.  I, on the other hand, closed my door with relief and prayed that his friends didn't get word of the incident.....(and offered my once-denied chocolate to my science department heroes, of course!).   

Phewf.  What a hunt!  

Now that his busy season is over, I think I will write a letter to the E.B. and tell him that:

1)  I am STILL enthralled by the same-old "egg" hunt idea.  No need to switch it up just yet.

2)  Please do NOT forget about the gecko next year.  (Although if I were writing this letter to Santa, it would be a different story).

Time to get ready for another day on the battlefield.  Let's hope my 86 students are the only challenges I face :)  

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

Since we had to work today, the Easter Bunny visited our house yesterday morning.  He was such a thoughtful bunny, leaving Nory many goodies including two Easter-themed books (well, one was from Auntie Dana!), a stuffed little bunny, her very first markers, and some food-related things.  There were plastic eggs scattered around too, but Nory was much more focused on her colouful spoons and fluffy rabbit to really get into the searching aspect of Easter traditions.  (By the way, not to sound "ungrateful", but I think the Easter Bunny missed the "FLUFFY & FUZZY BAN" memo.  Let's just say that wee fluffy rabbit is not as fluffy as she used to be.....)

After work today, Nory used her flashy Crayola markers for the very first time.  I printed off some Easter-themed colouring pages from the Crayola website (ah-hem, best website of all-time), and she went to town on a couple of them :)  I have a few more ready to go for Earth Day too.  Can you tell I'm excited for her to embrace this "colouring" thing on a regular basis? 

She continues to be irritated by messy hands.  The girl DOES NOT like things stuck to her hands whatsoever.  Even if it's delicious cake.  Even if it's pretty stickers.  Even if it's colourful marker-made-marks that you can't even feel.  So after we coloured, we washed our hands immediately and Daddy took care of the tile floors that were accidentally mistaken as colouring pages.....

Anyways.  Thank you E.B. for all the Easter treats!  Thank you Crayola for being the greatest company on Earth.  And thank you to Phillip for deep-breathing his way through every messy activity we get into these days. 

Wishing all of you back home a happy, SNOW-FREE Easter!!! We love you! XO

It's the small things, right?!

After a SERIOUS discussion about truly upsetting life matters......

Lindsay:  I have good news!

Emily:  What?!!!!!!

Lindsay:  Sean Lowe's sister blogs!!!!!!!!!!

Emily:  (pauses/laughs)  THAT is your good news?!!!!  Linds!!!!

Lindsay:  Yes, it's GREAT NEWS!  (thinks on it)  Okay......perhaps I should have started the conversation with a different opener.....

P.S.  When I told Phil the EXACT SAME THING last night, his response was, "WHO IS SEAN LOWE?!"  I was appalled ;) 

P.P.S.  If you want to follow her blog, you can do so RIGHT HERE :)  She made a post for peanut butter lovers (at which point I was forever sold)!

FIVE for FRIDAY!

1)  I have been CRAVING lemon cupcakes for a couple of days now.  Any guesses as to what just came out of the oven?  Mmmmm.  The house smells incredible!

2)  This morning we saw the apartment we are moving into this June.  It was MASSIVE (in apartment terms) and lined with windows, making it bright and happy.  There are three bedrooms and three bathrooms (like our current one), but the living room area is much bigger and so is the kitchen!  The complex itself seems nice too.  There's a pool, fitness room, outdoor play area, BBQ's and tables to enjoy the outdoors.  A newly built sandbox also.  And kids running all over the place!  (I think Nory is really going to like it!)

3)  The season finale of Parenthood is downloaded and ready to go on my computer.  It's weird, I want to watch it but I don't want to watch it.  It's one of my FAVOURITE SHOWS OF ALL-TIME and I sense it might be ending for good this season........BOO.

4)  This afternoon I completed the craft that we've been working on throughout the week.  Here it is, IN HONOUR OF EASTER:

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!! XOXO

5)  Two months today until we're officially done at our current school.  Two months and two days until we're back in Canada!  I can't wait to see all of you and make some memories in that dollhouse of ours.  COME ON, JUNE!

IF YOU WERE HERE FOR TEA.

*  I AM GOING TO BE A BRIDESMAID THIS SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (Aimee + Patrick, I LOVE YOU! xo)

*  The new school has requested to see my official education degree.  The problem is that Coco had some fun with it a few years back and it's not exactly "show to the ministry with confidence" material.  So today when Phil delivered it, he used the "dog ate my degree" excuse and we're keeping our fingers crossed that it was somewhat believable and the ministry says I'm legit enough to TEACH.

*  We've finished our body systems unit in science class and are moving on to astronomy.  Not a favourite subject of mine, but I think I put on a good show for the kids!

*  Anything fluffy or fuzzy (pillows, blankets, slippers, housecoats, etc.) are eaten alive by Nory if left lying around.  And then the fluffies and fuzzies end up stuck in her mouth.  And then they end up in her diaper.  And it's DISGUSTING.  I really thought she would learn her lesson after the first few experiences, but NOPE.  Seems she's only been encouraged to pursue the habit and so a new system has since been introduced:  The FLUFFY & FUZZY BAN.  I never, ever could have predicted this house rule in a billion years......

*  Nory had her FIRST TASTE OF POUTINE on Saturday night.  We had to mourn the end of spring break somehow.....

*  We've been doing Easter activities with Nory the last few days.  Tonight's activity was paint-oriented in preparation of a particular craft!  Only some of the glittery pink ended up in places it shouldn't and Phil didn't have a total meltdown over the mess.  I vote that to be a HUGE SUCCESS!  Woot!  I'll post a picture once it's finished :)

*  Our neighbour finished a Rubik's Cube tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I feel like I know somebody famous.  It's a BIG, BIG deal.  WAY TO GO, SHAHID!!!!!!!!

*  The hot weather is here.  Officially.  And I don't think it's going away until......October?  Or so?  Haha.  The good news for SOME people is that A/C is blasted everywhere.  The bad news for SOME people is that A/C is blasted everywhere.