First time at the Park

Lola's first time at the park in the swing. It was definately a hit....

Summer, Summer, Summertime!

We enjoyed our first really nice weather this weekend and had a picnic down at the waterfront. Wil and I had subs, Lola watched.... and waited for us to be done so we could push our "diva" around some more........

Week 1 at daycare

Well, we all made it through the first week. Of all of us, it seems the easiest transition was actually for Lola. She's drinking bottles, having naps and coming home with a smile on her face. All good things for us. She did wake up a little early one night but that could also be that she is teething.

This was this morning as we were getting ready to go. I got her dressed in a cute dress which she didn't get to wear too long as she had a "blow out" that required a wardrobe change. Oh well, we'll keep trying...

As for me, the days are going to be long with the commute but work is going to be great. I will be busy and not just sitting at my desk which will be a breath of fresh air from my last job.

Can I hear and AMEN....

She did it! No thanks to me, I can't take any credit for the fact that she will accept a bottle. This photo was taken Friday when she was at daycare and I was touring work. What a relief for all of us. I am sure there will still be a few more struggles ahead but at least I know she will have a full belly......

Countdown

Tomorrow Lola will be having her first official day care experience. I will be going downtown for 1/2 a day to get everything sorted and settled for my first official full day on Monday. I admit, I'm a little nervous. I'm writing lists for our daycare provider of alll Lola's likes and dislikes. I have all the usual parent fears, what if she cries, what if she won't eat, what if she misses me. Or what if she DOESN'T miss me!! I know, she'll be fine.... but she's still so little to me......

It's been a busy week trying to get everything ready. I hosted my first and last Wednesday baby group meeting at our place. I am really going to miss those Wednesday afternoons with ladies and babies. We even had a story time in my honour called "when Momma comes home tonight", which made me feel much better about the process of leaving Lola. But I look forward to staying in the loop and joining in on activities when I can. Wil had to head off to Vancouver today for work but he will be back in time for the weekend. My parents have been down helping me to clean, cook and pick up furniture for the livingroom( they have a large truck!). As well as showering their only grandchild with loads of hugs, kisses and praise for her new tricks. It's been fantastic to have them here. For those of you that have parents closeby-I am offically jealous.

We also bought Lola a jolly jumper today. We got the expected results. Total uncontrolled bouncing and giggles. PERFECT!

It seems that this blog will be evolving into a working Moms' take on life. Expect some good stories as Lola, Wil and I get settled into our new routine.....

Big changes...

We are now on the countdown to another big change. In 7 days, I will be going back to work. I have found a position downtown that I am very excited about. While it is going to be so hard to leave my litle Lola, this is one of the reasons that we moved to Toronto- to find work that we are really want to do. And so, the past few weeks have been alot of rushing around-going to job interviews, finding daycare and shopping for a post baby wardrobe to accomdate my "breast-raunt" shape. So far, it has all gone well. Jenell was a total savior as she watched Lola while I went to my interviews( and Lola got to hang with Van). Daycare is sorted and we have found a lovely woman who seems very excited to look after Lola, within walking distance from our house. Raquel and I had a great time shopping today to make sure that I will look good enough to work in an office/studio.

Don't get me wrong-there is just one little hitch. Lola still refuses the bottle, and sippy cup. But she east cereal and carrots! AND she will tolorate formula from a spoon. I KNOW- that's not really good enough. I have been trying to be very, very patient. I have tried everything that has been suggested but I am at a loss. Any advice would be appreciated......

Lola and the Easter Bunny

Happy Easter everyone! Since Lola can't have chocolate yet, we took photos....
This is her special "Easter dress" courtesy of Shannon in Taiwan, it is a perfect fit!

Look, no hands!

This is our new favorite game, "knocking over blocks and getting Mommy and Dad to stack them up again"

Update

Lola is changing at an alarming rate. I figured it was time to list some of her latest achievements that continue to amaze Wil and I.

1.Over the past few days she has become particularly giggly. Not that I am complaining. I love being greeted in the morning with an ear to ear grin and giggles. Either she's really happy or my bed head is really bad. I'm going to go with her being happy. The smallest things can set her off into a fit of giggles that usually ends up with the hiccups. She's loving when we move and shake her "buddies" around. She giggles when we sing songs and play peek a boo. Although, I have discovered I just actually have to say "boo" and she laughs hysterically so I don't bother to hide.

2.Lola has also learned how to roll from her stomach to her back as she doesn't really like playing on her stomach. She now actively grabs at toys and switches them from hand to hand. AND she LOVES to pitch them to the floor.

3.She learned how to sit up and knock over the Baby Einstein Blocks( thanks Lyndsey and Laurence!)While she still needs to be spotted in case she leans to far, this is a new thing for us to do, and we do it, over and over and over again.....

4.She finally likes her lady bug activity centre-WHEW- I was getting worried! She has figured out how to spin and shake the toys and gets a real kick out of bouncing around. Another thing we can do.

5. She has perfected the move we call the "shimmy shake". This involves lifting her butt of the ground for momentum and using her heels and shoulders to scuttle across the floor. This move requires constant monitoring as she has been spotted moving from one side of the room to the other in mere moments.

6. She's eating cereal everyday. Wil has been much more successful at feeding her than I have. Tomorrow, we try sweet potato.

All of these things are wonderful.

But there are 2 things she is NOT doing.

1.Napping. It continues to be a struggle to get to her take a nap, even though she is a screaming mess from being so tired. I have tried countless routines, countless locations and the only one that seems to succeed is sleeping in her stroller. Not really the best solution but the only one that seems to work.

2.She is still refusing the bottle. I now have 3 different bottle systems with 5 different nipples and 3 versions of sippy cups. She seems to hate them all. But we will keep on trying......

She figured it out....

This is what I found Lola doing with the sock she just learned how to pull off....