I Turn My Camera On

... and it does not go on. Due to technical difficulties, we don't have that many pictures for you this week. Our camera is in the shop so we may be a bit short on photos and video for the next few weeks.

Pretty quiet week but for a short bout of diarrhea and fever. Lil stayed home from school on Thursday, and Aunt Tracy came over to babysit - they had tons of fun especially in light of the fact that it was technically a 'sick day.' :) Fortunately, Lily got over her sickness pretty quickly.

Friday, Lily had her two year appt with the pediatrician. She weighed in at 29 pounds, no pics sitting on the scale because she now stands on the scale like a big girl. Lil was not too happy to be at the pediatrician, once again - fortunately for her she is off the hook until September 2007, we are hoping it will be a more pleasant visit then.

Over the weekend, Lily kept busy with some errands, and playing with all of her toys. Hopefully we will have more pics to show next week. Have a good week!



"Do I look cute even like this?"


Playing with something ... I am not sure what that is.


Doing some work.

I Call Your Name

We have recoverd from Lily's birthday and are busy playing with all her new toys. This past weekend we went down to the Lake for one more weekend of summer. We had a great time and Lily got some quality time with Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Tracy and Uncle Stan. The water was a bit cold but we had fun on the boats and Lil loved riding the Sea Doo.

Unfortunately, the battery on our camera died so we have very few pictures this week. We do have one cute video though of Lily playing peek-a-boo.

Lil does a lot of funny things on a regular basis - she is quite the clown. We are so used to these things that they usually don't make it to the blog. But, in the effort to maintain this blog as a complete record for posterity, I would be remiss if I failed to record the latest ... Lil has decided that calling me Dad is just not enough. This morning Marcy was dressing Lily for school and she heard me coming in from walking the dog. She starts to yell, "Dad, Dad" and when I make it up to her room she points to me and yells "Dooart". I have a feeling that when she really wants my attention now I am going to be referred to as "Dooart".

Enjoy the pictures and video.

Dooart


Working on a masterpiece.


Playing her new matching game.


Riding in the car.

Two More Years

Lily is officially 2 years old!! We celebrated Lily's birthday this weekend with a small party and accumulation of many more toys!! Lily had fun partying with her friend Hayley, who enthusiastically assisted Lily with opening her gifts! She has added to her fleet with a tricycle (courtesy of Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom), and a scooter from the parents. She loves the tricycle, she isn't so sure about the scooter - we hope to have her on it by her 3rd birthday. Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis gifted her with a water and sand table which Lily loves, and which will most definitely require a bath after use. She also added to her indoor collection with an easel (from Cousin Emilie), games (from Great Aunt Donna and Great Uncle Stephen), dollhouse (from Great Aunt Paula and Great Uncle John), a wooden train and Little Engine That Could Book (from Poppa Syd and Grandman Essie) and vaccuum (from A. Kelly). Blue's Clues cake and ice cream was had by all.

Needless to say, we needed Sunday to check out all of the new toys, and recover from the festivities.

After a weekend of partying, things have finally quieted down and Lily is back at school teaching the 1 year olds in her class a thing or two... Enjoy the pictures and video.

Oh, Lil also wanted to wish a happy birthday to Cousin Stephanie.


A gift from Aunt Kelly. Lily expressing her displeasure at the thought of more chores.


A singing dog from Bubbie. Lil is still just a little bit afraid of this toy.


Checking out some new threads from Aunt Tracy and Uncle Stan.


Lil's friend Hayley helping to open a dollhouse from Lil's Great Aunt Paula and Great Uncle John.


Coming to grips with being two.


Happy Birthday! Blwing candles out all by herself.


Blue's Clues cake ... hmmm, it was delicious.


Making cake and ice cream soup.


Working on a masterpiece on the easel from Cousin Emilie.


Lil riding her new wheels from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom. Notice her pushing the hhelping hand away at the end!


See you next week.

Labor Day (It's A Holiday)

So in putting Lil to bed tonight for the second time tonight - the first time did not take - I could not help but think back to Labor Day weekend two years ago. I remember both Marcy and I were so excited about Lily's impending arrival and we were busy taking care of last minute details - we wanted everything to be so perfect for her. Two years have gone by in a blink but Lil has been such an amazing part of our lives - I have a hard time remembering what things were like before she came along. Both Marcy and I know that the last two years have been made easier by the help and support of family and friends. Without you, we would have had no one to turn to for advice, babysitting and all the plastic that has taken over our house. :) Although our families are spread out accross the continent (aside from the Grandparents, I think we have all the time zones covered), eveyone has made tremendous efforts to visit and stay in touch. So, thank you again for all the effort all of you have made to stay such an integral part of our life during Lil's first two years and we know you will be there in the future. Okay, onto the week's news ...

Back from vacation, Lil jumped right back into the swing of things at school. All her pals - especially the biting one's, who were a bit hungry - seemed to miss her. We had a bonus visit from Cousin Emilie this week who was in town for work. Em came over for dinner on Tuesday and got some quality time with Lil - reading some stories and changing a diaper!

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful but on Saturday we had Lily's friend Hayley's two year extravaganza. Crafts, homemadee Blue's Clues cake, running around with her pals - Lily could not ask for much more that night. Sunday and Monday were filled with errands, park visits, short naps and good nights' sleep.

That is all for now. We are gearing up for Lil's birtday party and visits from both sets of Grandparents and Bubbie, Auntie Donna and Uncle Stephen. Pictures and video below ...



The face of innocence ...


Reading a little with Cousin Emilie.


Working on a sun catcher with Marcy at Hayley's party. Hayley's mom painted her very own canvas Blue's Clues bag - she is a craft nerd.


Further evidence of Michelle's craft nerdiness - check out that sweet Blue's Clues hat that Lil is sporting.


Nothing but trouble on that stair- Cole, his cousin Kirk, Lil and Hayley.


Lil's baby sister.


Lil working on piece of homemade Blue's Clues cake, accompanied by a side of Magenta sherbert. Come on Michelle, we give up, you win, we can't compete.


Waiting at the Cheesecake Factory for some lunch.


Looking cool with her pink shades.


A little sticker fun.


Showing off the cool pillow guy made for her by Great Auntie Dora.


Making nice with the horsie that arrived for her birthday from family friends Meredythe and Shelly.


As previously shown, Cousin Stephanie is a ridiculously good artist (see Mural and last year's rocking chair) Needless to say, she has come through again with a super cool stool that Lil uses nightly now to paint her teeth. Cousin Steph is traveling abroad for the next few weeks so her gift was delivered early - thanks again.


Lil, dancing with the stars.

Over the Hills and Far Away

Vacation has come and gone...

A week and a half ago we drove up to Montreal, Quebec for some fun and relaxation. The drive up, Lily was pretty good - kept occupied with Blue's Clues, books, and napping. Overall, the drive up was uneventful but for a 40 minute delay at the border.

Lily kept very busy while in Montreal. She visited with her Great Bubbie, Great Aunt Donna, Great Uncle Stephen, and Cousins Emilie and Stephanie. Lily also got to meet extended family and friends who have only seen her on these pages. Lily got very special second birthday presents from her Great, Great Aunt Dora, and Cousin Stephanie (pictures next week).

Aunt Donna stocked the house with plenty of toys and brought some out of retirement to occupy Lily throughout the week - Dad's vintage fabric Sesame Street car with Ernie and Bert was not such a favorite (kids these days have such high standards). She visited several playgrounds during the week, and especially enjoyed the swings. She spent some time swimming in the indoor pool at the hotel, as evidenced by the previous video. She is still a bit timid, but loved jumping into the pool, blowing bubbles, and having Mom dive for her seahorses.

Mom and Dad went to Mont Tremblant ALONE for a few days, and Lily had a sleepover with Aunt Donna and Uncle Stephen. She loved sleeping on her Dora cot, and even slept in a few days. Upon Mom and Dad's return, Lily decided that she preferred sleeping with Dora, so Mom and Dad got to have an even more relaxing time in Montreal - fortunately Auntie Donna and Uncle Stephen were happy to have her over for an extended sleepover. However by the end of the week Lily became a bit mischevious, and upon waking got out of her Dora cot and was found standing at the top of the stairs and another time was caught rifling through Cousin Stephanie's closet. Needless to say, we don't think she is ready for a 'big girl' bed quite yet - we will give it a few more months. ;)

Lily was a trooper on the drive back on Saturday, a bit whiny, but understandable after that many hours in the car. On Sunday, Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis stopped by for a visit and dinner. Monday, Lily returned to school and was excited to see her friends.

Lily has started to put more words together. Now instead of "No," she says "No way." She also likes to ask for "My Daddy" and has dropped Mommy, and now just goes with "Mom."

Enjoy the pics!!


On the road. The trip begins.


Making jewelry.


One of many play dates with Auntie Donna.


A little soduku.


Getting her hair cut for the first time in a long time. Bubbie keeping a watchful eye.


Looking very relaxed in the chair. Lily did great during her haircut and was very patient. The lollipops - which were her first - helped distract her.


Showing off the finished doo with Bubbie.


Snoozing on her Dora bed.


Running around outside.


Reading with Uncle Stephen.