two months!

We put Hendrik in some real little-man clothes the other day, and it was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Or, well, Hendrik wearing anything (or nothing) is the cutest, so I suppose it doesn't really matter; for me, the cuteness factor is always a 10/10. Add function into the mix and denim and a button up shirt don't really make the cut, so for now, while most of his big kid clothes are on the big side, sleepers it will be. And 6-month sleepers it will be - he is growing fast. On Sunday - at 8 weeks old - he weighed in at 14 pounds, fully clothed - eek! I'm pretty sure that's on the big side, but we'll get the full verdict (length, naked weight) when we visit the doc in a few weeks for the UGH first round of immunizations.



And other Hendrik headlines - he's two months old today! Even though I feel like we hear most parents say that in the blink of an eye two months is two years is 22 years, it seems as though Hendrik has been with us for much, much longer than two months. Perhaps because it's still early days? Whatever the reason, it's fabulous. Other happenings - I went to week two of mommy group yesterday at the Ottawa Parent Resource Centre; even though Hendrik is by far the youngest ("I can't believe you're out with him already" says one) I think it's good for him and it's definitely good for me. Going out with him is less for him than for me - I don't know any other moms with kiddies the same age that live closer than Vancouver (errr yup, :( too far away) so am hoping to make some connections and learn a few things along the way. Last week there was a public health nurse in that talked about sleep, and yesterday we sang songs and learned about infant massage; and at the end of a loosely structured class, babes play and moms chat. I got some tips on other playgroups, advice for round one of immunizations, and talked breastfeeding with a few women who were also challenged by the job. Things are definitely better in that department - everything is more comfortable and I'm more confident and relaxed, but he still takes a bottle after every feed... the hungry gaffer. What else what else.... he's smiling more and more, and making the cutest little noises - oohs and goos and little squeaks and squiggles, and I love it. Love love love. We're trying to get on a bit of a schedule (going fairly well) and he's extending his nighttime sleep (hurray), going anywhere between four and seven hours between feeds in the night. My favourite part about that is that I can get up, feed him and put him down while he's still half-awake, and he'll fall asleep on his own. Will this last? I hope so!



So I finally made it into the pool this week - once...!! Getting momma back on a workout schedule is easier said than done, though I take full blame for a short attention span when it comes to working out at home. The yoga video that I took out of the library a few days ago was mega boring and blah, and after 5 minutes of drudgery I signed up for a free Netflix trial and was browsing their ridiculously limited Canadian selection of titles, looking for a more upbeat exercise video. There's a whole whack of vids available for our south o' the border neighbors, but not so much for us Canucks... boo. I ended up watching 10 minutes of an Italian movie before rolling up my mat and hitting the couch with a book. Rolling up the mat? throwing in the towel? Same thing. Bland yoga video be gone - I'll take a mid-morning read and an afternoon walk over a boring workout any day!


Two months old!

Hendrik - 8 weeks today!

Strong and happy boy!

On days like these I really wonder what compelled people to settle in such a frigidly cold place as the Ottawa Valley; it was -22 today, and colder with the wind chill - altogether much too cold for me. And much much too cold for Hendrik, so we spent as much of the day (and weekend really) inside. I know the little guy is going to wake up any minute, so I'll keep this short and post some pics. Hendrik is growing so fast - in size, weight and cuteness, and we are still constantly amazed that he is ours, that we made him. He's been with us for 8 weeks now, and he is and has been changing constantly; in the last week he's been smiling, sticking out his tongue, and is still very active with flaily arms and legs and lots of little coos - adorable. And as he grows, he grows into new clothes, like this slim-fitting monster mash sleeper that makes him look so long and lean. "Um I think he's already taller than me" says a friend via facebook - which reminds me of a comment that Steve's translator Fujiwara made as we were parting ways in Tokyo eight months ago: "When he is one year I think he will be taller than I". He might come close, but hmmm... I don't think he'll crack four feet at 12 months.

Alien Invasion! Hello we're here! - a few phrases on his new sleeper... so cute!

Steve taking some risks after Hendrik's bath... CUTE!



He loves being on the change table and loves staring at the stripes...

So there hasn't been too much free time around here, but I did make these amazing muffins the other day (with whole wheat flour) and found time to finish The Good Husband of Zebra Drive, book #8 of 12 of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series - I'm still loving them! But with lots to read around here, I might have to take some time to read something else, if time allows. But for now, it's to the babe and then to the kitchen - soup is on!

a day of activity-action!

Fourty years ago today (okay, yesterday) Doug Fullerton's plan of a recreational Rideau Canal skateway was implemented, and the world's largest naturally frozen ice rink - with a surface area equivalent to more than 90 Olympic hockey rinks - supported its first cast of skaters in its first official season. Of course, people have been skating on the canal for much longer, but it wasn't until the 70s that a section of the canal was routinely cleared and groomed. And it wasn't until yesterday that I donned my first pair of hockey skates and, with my husband and babe, skated its surfaces! The weather was a balmy -8, so with a bundled up baby, we decided to go for it. The air was a bit sharp (how do people skate sans hat? sans gloves?) but the sun was shining and Hendrik was, for the most part, happy. The stroller was great on the ice - more stable than I was - and we made it almost three kilometers before we turned around and headed for a chalet. And we weren't the only ones with a baby in tow; in the chalet we met two moms, one with a 1-year old and a 3-year old and one with a 1-month old babe - !! The skaters were young, and old, and everywhere in between; some on speed skates steadily stealthing down the ice, some on wobbly skates on wobbly legs, some with sleds to steady themselves and others up and down with friends and laughs and rosy cheeks. It was sooo much fun, and I would love it if it were mild enough to go a few times a week.




Other news for me? I made it back into the gym yesterday for not one not two not three not four but FIVE sets of volleyball - ! A friend needed another person to make six for a game in Ottawa's competitive women's league, and I just thought suuuure, why not? Well, I had enough reasons for why not (haven't exercised really in months and months and months, haven't played volleyball in almost a year and a half, I might hurt myself yadda yadda yadda), but decided to go for it, fully ready to pay the price in full body soreness today. I expected to be horrible (I was) and to feel horrible (so-so) BUT our team won (15-13) and I was able to walk out of the gym in one piece. Being horrible and uncoordinated at a sport you were once very good at is a frustrating thing, and I know that I'll need more patience as I try and get back into it. I'll also need some muscles, a vertical and an arm swing - these things would all be very helpful.

How I felt last night - ugh!

two videos - week 8 of life

Yesterday just before bath time



Sleeping sleeping... and I could watch for hours

mr adorable, almost 7 weeks old!

And it's almost Saturday... again?! Ayayayaaaai, where does the time go? I suppose I could answer that question for myself - mostly to the babe - but isn't that just obvious response for a couple of 7-week old parents? I think so. The highlight of the week waaaas Steve's birthday! He turned 33 on Wednesday, and we had an awesome day. I had my follow up appointment at the doctor, and was informed - neither of us knew - that I only pushed for 30 minutes... 30 minutes! I give all the credit to Hendrik, and well okay, to luck too. Can you credit luck? Whatever, I'm doing it. The appointment went well and I no longer really have an excuse for not working out. That being said, the doctor reminded me that at this point, if I can find the time to shower, change and eat I'm having a good day; anything after that is a bonus. I mean, besides feeding and caring for the baby, of course. Soooo.... back on the workout bandwagon? Soon. I had a mega low energy day today, so hopefully tomorrow, or soon. Soon. And back to Mr Birthday! He made it to the gym, I made cake, we had Italian sandwiches for lunch (yum) and then out for dinner we went - to Sweetgrass Aboriginal Bistro in the market. We had a delicious meal with a very well behaved little dude, and then home for cake and tea in front of the fire - perfection! The cake wasn't exactly perfection, but the icing was and so was the company AND the present. After initial excitement, I must admit that I was nervous when I gave him my gift; if you've seen this In the Doghouse video you'll know why. I gave him a Time Capsule, a massive wireless hard drive. To the memories! Past, present and future.



Anyways, so I wasn't in the doghouse with the gift. Another highlight of the week was having Dan and Milka here for a couple of days; it was great to see them and really, we wish they lived closer. But usually we're the ones that live and move far far away so there's not much we can say about that... for now. And Hendrik updates? He seems to be growing before my eyes; he's way more alert and aware - looking at things with intent, smiling (on purpose, with intent - we think...) - on Steve's birthday we put him down and wound up his mobile ... and he watched it! He lay still and focused and watched, and we watched him and it was amaaaazing. He is so super cute, super adorable... we say so hundreds of times every day. And with that... I'll sign off. :)

It's already Saturday? eeeyow. It snowed all day long here - the little hill aside the soccer field across from our place was crawling with kiddies and giddy (or tired?) parents sliding down and walking around and up for more and more. It looks like fun - but neither of us have snow pants, and I think Hendrik is a bit too young for any tobogganing action, even if it's just on said dinky hill. We've been home for a few days now, and things are pretty quiet around here compared to life chez les Brinkmans. We've been trying to unpack and get organized here - playing catch up to feel settled and get everything done (laundry, take down Christmas decorations, unpack, write thank you cards), and slowly, it's getting done. Tomorrow we'll try to finish the job, and I'm hoping we can make it to the gym to play some pepper; will I remember how? I think the messages might get lost in translation between my brain and the rest of my fairly non-existent muscles, but we'll see. Working out has been a high priority, but somehow hasn't yet happened. What did just happen though, was a bottle of wine, a malbec from Argentina, and though I'm not really managing to fit the work out in, I'm happy to grab this first full glass of wine and sit down with my husband while Hendrik sleeps... so... cheers - to you and me and parenthood. ")

2011!!

And like that, a new decade is upon us. It's 2011! 2011... it sounds so in-the-future-ish. This past decade was a major one, full of lots of amazing moments and memories: I graduated from university, met, fell in love with and married Steve, played some professional volleyball, lived in Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Indonesia, Greece, France, Romania, Russia and Japan (!), became a mom and mucho more. I feel like I should/want to spend a bit more time with a recap of some of my favourite memories of the decade, but it might have to wait for next time... I'm a tired momma, and don't totally feel like being on the computer on our last night in B-ville. After two amazing weeks here with Steve's parents, we are heading home. It's been great - soooo awesome - being here, but it will also be good to be home and get into a bit of a routine with Hendrik, and get some things rolling in our lives, independent of the bebe. So, a few photos - Happy New Year to all!!

Bath time! 5 weeks old
With Auntie Erin - one month...

On his new quilt from Grandma B at 5 weeks

Looking very cute in new duds from Dan and Milka - all dressed up for Bob Jr.'s 50th birthday!
Happy 50th Bob!! Awesome party put on by Pam...