x-mas prep

The presents are purchased, the stocking stuffers are almost done.  A few things left to wrap, mostly the oddly shaped ones.  I got most of the presents online this year, I have discovered the joy that is shopping on amazon.ca.  I place an order, it ships the next day and shows up the day after.  No need to fight to get through the malls, no driving around and around the parking lots to find a space, it's amazing how badly some people park.  We did get a few things in store, but we go in November, in the middle of the week, when no one else is there.  

This year we are helping Louis' parents with some projects in their new house that they would like done for christmas.  They are still in the precess of renovating it.  Like a lot of renovations things take longer then expected, especially when you are out in the country, everything takes longer to get, store close earlier and aren't open on Sundays.....

I am going to be making some cookies next week and other recipes a few days before christmas.  I am going for a stress free couple of days this year, nothing left to the last minute.  We even already have our turkey.

Decorating of the tree will be happening tonight and tomorrow night.

Neighbourhood discoveries

My friend Joanie came over this weekend and brought her mom (my 2nd mom) with her.  On Saturday Ollie decided that he didn't want to nap, he just wanted to scream and wail.  We decided to go for a walk to see if he would fall asleep in his stroller.  We knew that they were building a path system near our house but had no clue how far along they were with the project so we decided to go check it out.  Turns out we can almost get the the other side of town if we really wanted to.  It is a nice gravel path that follows a river/creek most of the way, it goes up and down in tons of places so it makes it a bit more of a challenge then just a flat trail.  The tail was covered in colourful leaves, we had tons of wind the day before.  Because we were scrambling to get out the door for our walk we didn't bring a camera with us, oops.  The walk was exactly what Ollie needed, 15min into the walk he was out like a light.

On a side note Ollie got a special surprise this weekend.  Joanie's mom, an avid sewer and quilter made him a beautiful christmas stocking. I was going to take a picture of it but there isn't enough light right now.

A message from our Family to Yours

MERRY CHRISTMAS

JOYEUX NOEL

FELIZ NAVIDAD

BUON NATALE

FROHE WEIHNACHTEN

VROLIJKE KERSTMIS

FELIZ NATAL

(I hope they are translated correctly)

Busy bees

Louis has been off since Monday and has been busy around the house since, he is putting the cabinet doors up in the kitchen. Tuesday we had a visit with the paediatrician and today we went to the children's hospital to get some x-rays done.  We are still trying to rule out if there is a real reason for Ollie's small size or if it just because he's a preemie.  Yesterday Ollie turned 10 months old, so he is corrected to 7 months old.  He is now sitting unassisted for short periods of time, babbling a lot more, seems to be on his way to saying either mama or dada, we will see what one he chooses.  He rolls from back to front, front to side, pushes himself up onto his elbows.  He also sat in a shopping cart for the first time on Tuesday, he was padded with our coats so he would fit.  Time has gone by so quickly, it does not seem that long ago that we brought him home.  We are getting ready for our first Christmas with the little man.  The tree is up and decorated, the presents are wrapped and Ollie's stocking is made.  Only a few days left.  We will be spending part of Christmas day in the car and the other part with my family and will be with Louis' family on the 26th.  I am off to go make some cookies.  What are you doing for the holidays this year?

24hrs of firsts

Dear Ollie,
The past 24hrs have been full of firsts.  Last night you held the bottle all by yourself to drink, you did a pretty good job of it.  Today you wore jeans for the first time, actually it was the first time you wore pants with a zipper too.  We sat you in a restaurant highchair, you didn't quite fit so we added some padding.  Another big thing, we got our first family Christmas tree, we got it at Ikea, when you will be a bit bigger we will go and cut it ourselves.  You are growing up so quickly.  Oh, please remember to gain some weight before Wednesday, we are getting annoyed of going to the doctors office.
Love, your mom

Christmas Party

It was Louis' work Christmas party last night.  It was fun, we sat at a great table.  The food was mediocre.  It got really interesting when people started dancing after our very late supper.  We finished eating at 10:30.  Louis works with some great guys, who are not at all shy.  Lots of laughs were had.  Then we came home and went to bed.

Christmas Shopping

My parents are here so today we went shopping for Ollie's Christmas presents.  He is one spoiled little guy.  Since the grandparents are here, tonight Louis and I are gonna go to the movies, it's been a while.

oh so cold

The parade yesterday was really cute, nothing like the parade in Toronto.  This one is more of a small town feel.  There are tons of firefighter participating, lots of cops too.  Everyone had a good seat, we brought our camping chairs and a big blanket to keep warm.  Some of the groups participating included the local scout troop, some of the city's radio stations, some cyclists on some pretty cool bikes, some dance groups and there was even a star wars portion of the evening.  I enjoyed the fact that it was all lit up, it made it special.

I will post pictures later, I put the camera away and don't feel like taking it out again.

Super Excited

WERE GONNA GO TO THE SANTA CLAUSE PARADE TONIGHT!!!!

Yes I was yelling and yes I said tonight and not today.  In Ottawa the floats are lit up so they do it in the evening.  It starts at 5pm and probably last an hour or so.  I really wonder if Ollie will like it.  He's gonna be super bundled in his snowsuit.  Ill post about the parade tomorrow, with lots of pictures.

Crafting

Today will be spent crafting while the little one sleeps.  Making some things for Christmas.  Oh and I got the e-mail this morning telling me that my Christmas cards are being shipped.

That is all for today.

Off to the crafting table.

christmas preperation

I always try and finish my christmas shopping before December.  I am pretty good at getting the bulk of it done by mid-November and pick up a few last minute things in December.  I don't like malls near christmas.  I think that this year I started shopping earlier than any other year.  My favourite place to shop this year is on Etsy.  It is a great online world where artisans can sell their work all over the world.  It is like going to a craft show without the massive crowds.  I have already purchased a few things and am looking almost daily for other gift options. I am also planning on making a few things this year.  We pulled out the sewing machine over the weekend, I think I finally understand how to use it properly with all of it's selections.  I have a nice selection of fabrics that I have been collecting over the past little while with the idea of making some things for Ollie.  My big project that I would love to do soon is a new carrier.  I will practice on smaller projects for now and work my way up to that one.  I hope to finish my shopping and crafting a few weeks before so I can focus on decorating the house for our first christmas as a family in our new house.

60 days left