My beach babe

Lola is enjoying testing out the backyard pool

As well as going to the beach and playing with friends. As Dannick, JM and Erin were down for the weekend, they had a great time rolling around in the sand.

It's time....

For us to realize that our "baby" is no longer a baby but a real live Toddler! She's growing out of toys, clothes and shoes at an alarming rate.

She's eating with a spoon, and getting most of the food IN her mouth. In fact, she only wants to feed herself.



Daycare is teaching Lola all kinds of words, her body parts and even her colours. Grandmaman and Grandpa inadvertantly taught her to cross her arms, although she looks more like a rapper as she hasn't quite figured out how to tuck one arm under the other yet.

And yes, she's a handful. She ONLY has one speed. RUN. She refuses to hold my hand as we run down the street. On Monday, at Ontario place, she ran the opposite direction and when I said "bye" she waved, blew me a kiss and ran off in the direction of her choice, causing Wil to dash after her before she got too far.

Yes, she seems to have inherited a bit of a stubborn nature. Hmmm? Not sure where she got that. But she is constantly smiling when she shakes her head not and that kinda makes up for it....

Going to daycare in my FAVORITE boots

our favorite thing to do... 'specially if we don't get caught

Team Melis: the changes

The past few months have included alot of changes for team Melis. After 2 months of "Daddy daycare" Wil started a new job. YEAH! MUCH closer to home, he has managed to shave off over an hour of commuting which we all get to enjoy the benefits of. Lola started a new daycare as our babysitter decided to go back to work. We were VERY sad to move Lola as Judith has given her a warm loving home, home cooked meals(sometimes for us too!) and lots of guidance. But, we felt is was also time for Lola to start spending time with other kids.



We settled on Muppets which Lola also has a friend at(from baby group) and is on Wil's way to and from work. I'll admit, the first 2 weeks were rough on all of us. Funny, I found it much harder to leave her now than I did when I first went to work. I think it is because she is just one of many children now. I worry, about things I didn't before like....
Is she eating?
Is her diaper being changed enough?
Is she sharing?
Is she making friends?
Is she napping?
Did I tell them that she Baby Van Gogh makes her scream and cry but Old Mac Donald is a hit? Do they watch TV?
Is she happy? Does she think we are abandoning her with a bunch of strangers? Does she know HOW MUCH we adore her when we are not there?



The answers are all good. Yes, she's eating everthing, but fruit from a bowl 'cause she just likes to squish it if it's on her tray. Yes, we got the diaper thing sorted so no more diaper rash. She seems to be getting along and is happy all day so I think that means she is making some friends and sharing(or dumping) toys. She's napping but not as well as she does at home.

The other day when I picked her up, she saw me from across the room and ran over with a smile and a laugh right into my arms. A new feeling of joy for me. Kinda like when you go to pick up a friend at the airport and you see them in a crowd of people. It takes a minute before you both see each other, then get to each other and and then it is just hugs and laughter and jumping around. But Lola is like that every day! Lola's joy is so pure and open, as is her anger when things don't go to her liking! It am amazed that we have a child that is so curious and happy. Yes, some of that she has learned from us, but alot of it is really ALL her own personality now.

I'm amazed,
daily,
filled with laughter,
daily,
and truly
happy.

An actual smile!

Lola LOVES the camera!

But now when she sees it all she will do it this




it's been a challenge to capture an actual smile... but here it is!

Zoe's snow day

Lola recieved this book when she got her first library card. For awhile, it was her favorite. Everyone that read it to her found themselves walking around and chanting "Where is zoe going?" Over and over again. It's catching. Here's our version

Lola's Snowy Day





Where is Lola going?



Riding in her sled



Big hill



Skating rink




Snowy dreams in bed

The changes....

Are still happening at an alarming rate for me. Last year at this time, I was home with Lola, taking daily walks and religiously checking the weather channel to make sure it wasn't too cold. She was only 6 months old. Look at her now!


Although, I'm not sure WHEN she'll get her bottom teeth as she has a pretty big space between her 2 middle teeth and her molars.....

She is also started to talk. We have been babbling, very seriously, with hand gestures and head nods for about 2 months. Now we have a couple of actual WORDS. Not surprising, her first word was "Down" as in "Mommy, I need to keep running and I can't when you are holding on to me." Tonight she said "Bed" and ran to the stairs when I asked if she was ready for bed. We're hoping it stays this easy.....

Here is a little selection of some of her favorite things to do....




But we really like to try on Daddy's shoes....

Weekend adventures

We decided to take Lola to the ROM. Raquel, Wil and I wanted to see the Dinosaurs exhibit and we hadn't been inside the crystal addition since it had been open. We headed out early on a very chilling Saturday morning to be there when it opened at 10. We found that were weren't the only ones with this idea on a day when going to the park was not an option. There was a line up of strollers to get in. We stopped at McDonalds for a coffee. But it was fun once we got inside and looked around. From what I saw of the dinosaurs as Lola and I and ran by, it was great exhibit, very impressive. Lola seemed to like the empty hallway leading to the bathrooms best. I was very glad I had spent $20.00 to run up a white empty hallway. Luckily, we took turns chasing Lola so I did get to have a quick look about and do a small amount of reading. Unfortunately, I forgot the camera, but I think lots of other people have photos of Lola as everytime she saw a camera, she beelined over, inserted herself in the middle of the photos and started to strike poses. I'm not kidding. According to Wil, most families found it entertaining but one decided to up and leave. Apparently, our posing bandit was the last straw in a busy morning.

This weekend we got PILES of snow! So we headed to the park to play. We made our first snow angel. Lola wasn't too sure about it it....



we played on the swing, played on the slide and ran around


and then it was time to go home

Winter fun

Lola got a new sled. We thought it would be a great idea to take her out for a snowshoe over the holidays.



After all, it was mild and there was PILES of snow at the farm. So, off we went. We quickly realized there was a problem as we were sinking more than we were snowshoeing. Then, the worst possible thing happened. The sled got suspiciously light. We looked back. Lola was spread eagle, facedown in the snow. Once we got to her and rolled her over it was funny to see that she was pretty unsure of what was going on and TOTALLY fine. We decided to soldier on. I looked back just in time to see Lola's feet in the air as she summersaulted, backwards out of the sled.

We picked up our passenger and decided to head for home.

We had only gone about 200 feet.

Hopefully we'll have better luck when we head to the fish camp in Feb.



Until then, maybe we'll stick to the park.

Sometimes...

After a long day at work, I REALLY wonder if it's all going to be ok. Am I crazy for wanting to work in a place where I sometimes get SOO busy I forget to even go to the bathroom until I get home at night?

Some days, DEFINATELY.

Some days I spend my time commuting desperately trying to dream up other jobs I could get that would make things easier.

I am in AWE of people that do it all. I can BARELY get out of the house with 2 matching socks. I frequently worry that I'm going to run outthe door in my slippers and realize while I am waiting for the train that I forgot to change. I have a WHOLE new set of standards when it comes to organization and cleanliness. Really, how often do people that work all week actually clean their bathrooms and wash their floors. It's not like I'm there to dirty it anyway. Right?

I don't know. I miss Lola when I am at work. I miss that I'm not here to make her baby food and watch her learn new thinks. I'm sad that I miss the little changes that happen EVERY single day. I miss going on long walks, rolling around on the floor and singing the same damn nursery rhyme that she loves sooo much.

But,

I DO appreciate not talking about "pee pees and poo poos" all day. I like having a little bit of my time when no one needs me to do anything and I can just.. sit.. or listen to music... or READ. I like that work is a place I am not "Mama", just Marie-Paule at ext 2449, who is probably not at her desk because she is running around a studio trying to get stuff done.

Is that selfish?

I'm TRULY happy
but I wish...
I wish

it was just a little bit easier.

That I could cook dinner and not feel rushed and starved at the end of day. That I had time to take photos again and paint my living room a colour I actually like. That I had time to do yoga and go for a run....

A bit of Holiday Fashion Fun

It's important that someone this small looks good ALL THE TIME....

Merry Christmas!!!

Yet another fantastic Sanata!! This was at the family party for Wil's work. Lola is a perfect model...

Fall Fun

We have a great U-Pick place near our house. In the fall, the have a fun park for kids complete with a pumpkin canon AND canapult. Best of all, the have PILES of pumpkins!

Our first "trick or treat"

Wil carved us a great pumpkin!


We headed out to show off our costume and visit with the neighbours. We didn't bring a bag for candy as Lola can't eat it. I still seemed to come home with my pockets stuffed!


The costume was a hit! Lola loved running around, as you can see, that's pretty much all we did. Other people loved watching her run around too. The weather was perfect so we didn't even need a jacket. I already have our "family" costume planned out for next year.....

Happy Halloween from the Melis "chick"

She liked wearing her new costume...




She wasn't too sure 'bout it when she looked in the mirror though!


Tonight, we'll tour the neighbourhood.... stay tuned!

Reasons to give thanks

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. Our house was filled with family, our bellies were filled with yummy food and our hearts were filled with all the good feelings that come from spending time with the people you love.

Grandma Melis, Grandmaman and Grandpa Cotie came to visit for the weekend. Good thing we bought new living room chairs in the spring as it was a full house! We went to the Mc Micheal gallery in Vaughn to see the Robert Bateman exhibit, which everyone really enjoyed. It is a beautiful location with lots of paths for walking. We will be returing when it isn't raining to enjoy them. They had a special play area for kids. Lola seemed to like the canoe alot.



I know that Wil and I couldn't have asked for a better Thanksgiving.

Birthday celebrations

Lola turned 1. We had a party. We were really happy that most of the downtown folk made the trip. Wil and I had a great social with everyone( but time went by too fast and we didn't have enough time for extended chats with everyone). We hope everyone enjoyed the great weather, social and snacks!

Lola was generally confused but all the fuss. Luckily, I had a helper to open presents as Lola was much more interested in the wrapping paper. Special thank you to everyone who came and brought a present. We really just wanted a gathering but, as usual, everyone was incredibly thoughtful and brought gifts too. Here is our thanks,

Penny, I put on Lolas boots today for the first time to go to day care. Too cute for words

Noelle, Mike and Jen, the books are something that I love reading as much as Lola loves listening too.

Harold, practical and stylish our little girl is!

Jackie and Doug. Love the sweater, perfect for the season and she is "digging" the snack bowls.

Rob and Raquel, the books are ALL Lola wants to look at. Over and Over and Over and yep, OVER again

Jane and Jay- she is the best dressed kid in the 'hood. The tights are a perfect match for her denim skirts and dresses,

Grandmaman and Grandpa, Lola got some killer jeans and some new onsies

Grandma Sue, Lola looks stylish as ever

Opa Bill and Faye, the music box is a keepsake she will have forever.

Aunt Sarah and Uncle Seb, A classic story to add to Lola's collection

Juan and Julie, the hippest sweat suit we have

Hernan and Patti, clothes to grow into-PERFECT!