"Allô" Again!

I finally managed to upload the "Allô" video! Enjoy!
Notice how Aimée barely moves her mouth when she talks sometimes. She could always supplement her income as a brain surgeon and rocket scientist with some occasional ventriloquism work on the side one day! This girl is just bursting with talent I tell you! (Don't forget to pause the music in the music box on your lower right hand)

"Allô!"

Clever girl! (Should we tell her the book is upside down?)

One of the drawbacks of being a single parent is not having someone there with you to witness and share all those special moments. Tonight, Aimée was so adorable! She went around the room picking up all her toys and saying to each one "Allô! Allô!" It was so cute. I video taped it so I could share it on my blog, but for some reason I can't upload it. For now, you will just have to take my word on it... it was soooo incredibly sweet.

Splish Splash!

Today is very cold out. No park today. Since we had so much fun at the pool the other day, we went swimming AGAIN. So much fun!!!!! Aimée then fell asleep on our way home and was out for two hours and twenty minutes. It was the best $2.80 I ever spent!!!!

"Rubber Duckie, I'm gonna get you."

"Got ya!"

(swimsuit from cousin Sue)

"Aimée, look at me!"

"Aimée, look here!"

"Aimée... Aimée... AIMEE!!"

"Enough with the damn picture taking. I'm busy!"

Take It Away, Baby!

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,

My, oh, my, what a wonderful day.

Plenty of sunshine headin' my way,

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!

Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder,

It's the truth, it's "actch'll"
Everything is "satisfactch'll.

"Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,
Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

My baby girl is starting to feel better. We had a fabulous day yesterday with our friends Jo-Ann, Jeff and Micheal at the Wave pool. Initially, I did not feel much like going. Parading in a bathing suit is not on my "Favourite Things To DO" list. I am so happy that Jo-Ann coaxed me to go in the end. Aimée just adored her afternoon. She was beaming ear to ear. She is able to walk five or six steps unassisted in the water. She kept letting go of me and the wall and wanted to explore on the floaty things and other kids. Watching her little face light up as it did just melted my heart. We start up with swimming lessons again next week. I can hardly wait to get back in the pool with her.



Today, Hannah came over to play with Aimée. Yippee! They have not played together in sometime (poor Hannah has been sick with one icky virus). I love watching how the two of them are learning to interact with each other. They were happy to just hang out again, but, their mommies were even happier. This evening, we are going to Cindy's for some homemade Pho Ga. Mmmmm! We are both fighting a cold and I cannot think of a better dinner!!!

Mama Said There Would Be Days Like This!

Aimée is still very out of sorts today. Nothing can lift her mood. Not Bert, not Ernie, not even the swings and slide at the park could do it today. She has been fighting me on just about everything (coat, car seat, shoes, food, nap, hat, and DIAPER CHANGE to mention a few). At the park Aimée ended up having a wet bottom because, unbeknown to me, the diaper I severely struggled with before the walk only covered one tiny cheek. Before even removing my shoes and coat once home, I brought Aimée to the change pad. Aimée was twisting, turning and screaming. My dog Casey was barking because she wanted to go outside. My blood pressure was rising. The door knocked. Casey went on a barking frenzy. Aimée was still pantless and screaming. I got the door and it was a friend. I begged her to come in and save me. Casey became hyper and was scaring my friend's baby. Again, I attempted to change Aimée's diaper. Again, she kicked, squirmed and screamed. I was reaching the end of my rope and decided we both needed a moment to calm down. I let her stand by the couch with her naked bottom airing. Do you know where this is going? Within seconds, Aimée peed on her shoes, the floor and a nearby pillow. My friend could not hide her laughter. Their visit was short. I went upstairs to get new pants for Aimée and stepped in something wet.... Casey peed in the hall. I cried.

I discovered Aimée's two top eye teeth have just begun to cut through today. I am praying this is the cause of her recent behaviour changes and she will be back to her sweet little self very soon.

Intervention

Well I have been in a bit of a rut for the last little while. You know when you don't feel like doing much of anything and at the same time you are feeling insanely angsty, if not annoyed, because you are sitting at home doing nothing? It did not help that my allergies have been bothering me and I have been having sinus headaches on and off. My sweet adorable baby girl has also been frequently cranky pants. It is hard to say whether she has been cranky pants because I have been so blah, or have I been so blah because she has been cranky pants. Regardless, we were in great need of an intervention.

I think my lack of motivation was beginning to rub off on Aimée.

A combination of sun, friends, walks, parks and Timbits did the trick. Hurray for an early spring(although I do think this is what is causing the allergies and headaches). We have been going on many walks with friends in the last couple of days. Both Aimée and I are so much happier to be outside again. We love getting out to the park with friends. (Little M in the background.)

Only one baby swing? Not a problem!

Aimée's very first time going down the slide.

Aimée is not quite walking yet, but she is highly satisfied
with herself when she walks with a bit of help.
Aimée is looking smug while walking in the park.


Do we haaave to leave now????

Forever In Blue Jeans, Babe!

Yesterday afternoon, Aimée fell asleep in the car. I could not wake her up when we got home. I tried blowing in her face, putting on her favourite Sesame Street video, even hanging her upside down. Nothing. So then I had to decide between putting her in her crib and letting her have an "unscheduled-I-am-not-going-to sleep-tonight-nap" or just cuddle with her on the couch for a little while and hope she wakes up. I chose the cuddle. I love hearing the little sighs she makes in her sleep. As I was watching her, I thought for the billionth time how incredibly blessed I am to have her in my life. I can't think of anything at all that I would want over her. I write this because so many times during the adoption process, people asked me about the cost of international adoption. I got all sorts of comments... "If you give me that kind of money, I will have a baby for you" "A big bottle Rum and a one night stand is much cheaper" "Adoption is just one big money making business" Admittedly, even I had some reservations about the cost. However, all that really does not matter much today. The truth is, there isn't anything all the money in the world could buy me that I would chose over Aimée. No villa in Italy or six bedroom yacht could ever fulfill me as my daughter does.
I tell you in confidence, I am secretly (o.k., maybe not SO secretly) a die hard Neil Diamond fan. One of my favourite songs is Forever In Blue Jeans. Next time someone asks me about the cost of adoption I am going to give them a glorious rendition of this song.

Forever In Blue Jeans Babe

Money talks

But it don't sing and dance

And it don't walk

As long as I can have you here with me

I'd much rather be

Forever in blue jeans

Honey is sweet

But it ain't nothing next to baby's treat

And if you'll pardon me

I'd like to say

We'll do okay

Forever in blue jeans

Maybe tonight

Maybe tonight by the fire

All alone you and I

Nothing around but the sound

Of my heart and your sighs

Money talks

But it can't sing and dance

And it can't walk

As long as I can have you here with me

I'd much rather be

Forever in blue jeans

The Countdown Begins

Aimée and I went to visit the school where I teach. It is always so great to see the people there. I have worked at this school for ten years and they feel like family to me. The school was buzzing. My colleagues were running around with winter activities, regular planning and report cards. I have to admit, it was a bit of a wake up call... In two more months, I will be back at school trying to juggle motherhood and teaching. It makes me a bit (maybe a lot) anxious. I just have to keep telling myself it will be fine. I will manage. After all, I really don't have much choice, unless, of course, I meet a sugar daddy withing the next 8 weeks. I mean, I am looking, but, not too many have been hanging out at the local community center's playgroups lately.

So many books to choose from. If Aimée had it her way, she would have spent the entire afternoon pulling every single book of the shelves.



Bev giving Aimée big cuddles


Sue took Aimée for a walk around the school.



Needing a drink!

Hannah and Aimée are wearing adorable little dresses

that were knit for them by Bev's mother.

Cindy, Hannah and Bev

I am not quite certain what to make of this next picture.

Friends Make Teething Less Painful For Both Mom and Baby!

Aimée is teething again. It seems no sooner does one tooth push through, in comes another. Aimée and I would kindly like a little break from the teething thing. Who do I negotiate this with? Do you think the Tooth Fairy might be willing to get involved? I am at a lost. Aimée is clingy, whiny and not sleeping much. When I brushed her teeth tonight I could see just how red and swollen some of her gums are. Poor, babe.

We still managed to have a great day despite the teething. We had some friends over for a Vietnamese lunch. All of it was homemade by Cindy and I, and it was delicious; if I may say so myself. On the menu was fresh spring rolls, marinated chicken on skewers, spring rolls, pickled salad, vinegar beef fondue, bubble tea (of course) and coconut cake with ice cream. It was very exciting going through the recipe books. I really enjoyed making these dishes. This is big, I mean really BIG, because, I do not care much for cooking usually.

Aimée and Hannah

This next picture is a rarity. It is a picture of Aimée and Kathryn. Although Aimée and I see her all the time, getting her on camera is a challenge. Kathryn is camera shy. I am very pleased that we managed to get this picture. Kathryn is so very special to both of us. You can really see in her face just how much she loves Aimée.

Baby toe nail clipping

Why a picture of a tiny toe nail clipping? Because that frigging piece of nail nearly crippled me for life. I was clipping Aimée’s toe nails when it flew straight into my eye ball. It took almost fifteen agonizing minutes for the darn thing to work its way out of my eye. Who knew clipping baby toe nails could be so hazardous? I am getting goggles!