My Two Girls

 

I take a lot of pictures.  No, you don’t say…  I actually haven’t taken as many pictures of Natasha as I did of Robynn!  However, Robynn is getting VERY insistent that I take pictures of her and Natasha ALL THE TIME!  So, from the month of May only, here is a selection of shots of my two girls:

This was the first time that Natasha was in the umbrella stroller.

Random 1/2 naked preschooler and baby pictures. 

These are Robynn’s favourite times to take pictures.

The girls love to have baths together.

Truly, one of Natasha’s favouritest spots in the whole world is in Robynn’s bright and cheery room.  Cuddling her sister on her white brass bed is also a must!

The Reillys

My Alpha partner, Sandra, and I were so used to spending every Tuesday together that we just didn’t know what to do with ourselves once Alpha ended!  So, we had dinner together! 

I explained to Robynn that we are The Reids, because all of us have the same last name and we are a family, and I extended that same conversation to talk about “The Reillys.”  Robynn couldn’t stop asking about when “The Reillys” were coming over… and when they did arrive, she greeted them: “Hello Reillys!”

 

We started the evening off with dancing and twirling in the living room.

Poor Liam, the girls used him as their little guinea pig for dress up. 

Actually, he was a great sport!

What a cutie pie!

We had an Indian feast, and everyone had full bellies at the end of dinner – or at least by the end of dessert.  The kids all made their own Parfaits (from our Fancy Nancy  book), and enjoyed all of their sugary junk!

 

Mother’s Day ‘09

I had a busy day this year: church, brunch with my own mom – well, that’s a lot when you factor in two children and a husband.  Besides the gift of my girls, this mother’s day, I received one of the best presents any mother could ever hope for: an uninterrupted NAP!  What a wonderful day.

Beachwood: Spring ‘09 Edition

Every spring (and fall) we are invited to Beachwood (in Birch Bay, USA) with the Foresters. We always have so much fun with this extended family time, and this year was no exception.

Robynn had Natasha try on Daddy’s Tilly.

The girls had to torture Uncle Greg –

Abby found great fun in absconding with his hat!

Auntie Jodi had some precious cuddle time with Natasha…

And then there was the swimming pool!!!

Robynn was practicing her underwater swimming.

Even Daddy likes the new Pink camera!

Natasha had a nap in one of her very favourite places: on her Mum!

Natasha’s first swim

Auntie Jessica came over for a visit a couple of weeks ago, and it was such a blessing! This way, I could take both of my girls swimming, and I had an extra set of hands to boot!

Natasha loved the water. She can even swim! Well, sort of … She does her Jumperoo action in the water and that gets her places. It was very cute to watch.

Robynn was in her swimming lesson for most of the time that Natasha was in the pool, but afterwards, she showed how well she's been doing!!!

They’re GONE!!!

 

Here you see them:

 

 

Here you don’t!

 

 

July 2006, I was fitted with my first appliance.  It was a palette expander – yup, sounds like what it is – after surgery to break the palette, I used a little screw driver device to expand this little thing attached to my mouth, and it spread my palette wider.  I wore that until I got my braces in January 2007.

On December 6, 2007, my braces had made my teeth ready for surgery.  So I went on the wait list.  14 months later, on February 19, 2009, I had double jaw surgery.  3 months to the day after my surgery, my braces were removed!

I do have to go back on Thursday and get fitted for my retainers.  I opted for removable top and bottom retainers, so it would be easier to clean my teeth.  I’ll have to wear them for the next year (I can take them off for meals and special occasions), then I only have to wear them at night – for the rest of my life.

But, I gotta tell you, nothing beats having those horrible things off of my teeth!

 

YEAH HOO!!!

Hip Plop

It’s supposed to be Hip Hop, but when I told Robynn she’d be taking a dance class called hip hop, she said “Yeah, Hip Plop!” Who am I to correct such cuteness!

My friend, Joanne, and I were thinking it would be nice to have an afternoon “off” so to speak, and as such, we enrolled our girls in a local rec dance class. The idea was to alternate weeks taking the girls to the class to give the other Mum the afternoon off. I am so thankful for Joanne, she has definitely taken the girls more than I have! Unfortunately for Robynn and Hip Plop class, Sophie and Joanne are enjoying time with family in Scotland right now. We wish them all the best, and a safe journey back to Canada.

Here are some pics and a little video of the girls during their class. Remember – it’s rec, not a dance school!!!

Robynn insists on wearing her ballet outfit to Hip Plop class!

At the end of the class, the dancers get to play a game of freeze.

Not a lot of freezing happens, but they sure do run and spin a lot!

Six Squared

Around 10 am on April 17th, 36 years ago, my beautiful mother gave birth to me. Thank you MOM!

For my birthday this year, I got to celebrate with my daughters. I couldn’t have asked for a better day. In the morning, after a leisurely wake up with my girls, we drove to the Roman’s home for Aiden’s 4th birthday party. I honestly can’t believe that I didn’t take a picture, so I’ll have to get one of Aiden and Robynn at church this Sunday.

My only disappointment in the day was the rain. I have been quite pleased with myself that for the majority of my birthdays here in BC (I’ve lived here for 23 birthdays!), it’s been quite sunny. Well, of course I wasn’t disappointed for long, because in the afternoon, the clouds split apart and the sun shone down its glorious rays. We picked Russ up from the train station (and he had a beautiful bouquet of flowers for me), came home and went for a glorious walk along the Fraser.

Russ and Robynn picked up a few treats for dessert, so we celebrated in style. We should have taken video of how amazingly quickly Robynn was able to devour all that cake! But it happened too quickly…

I’m truly blessed. I have an amazing family; I live in a fabulous place; I’m loved, and I know it.

Yeah! Happy Birthday to me!

20.9

That's pounds! Yup, Natasha has officially doubled her birth weight.

Natasha had her 4 month shots today - thankfully, Daddy had a work-from-home day, so I enlisted him to hold Natasha while she received her shots (I hid behind his back!).

Natasha is now 20.9 pounds, 27 1/4 inches long, and has a head circumference of 17 inches.

I'm impressed!