Monday 25 August 2014

{Canoe Trip} Red Pine Lake

I don't feel like writing too many words to describe our canoe trip this past weekend. We enjoyed good weather, great friends, and God's amazing creation. It was Brynn's first time out on a legit canoe trip, and she was happy and pretty much perfectly behaved.

Is there really anything better than a summer canoe trip in the Canadian wilderness?

Looking out from the Marina into Big Hawk Lake
Michael and Maya ready to set out
Brynn's easy-chair canoe set up :)
Keens and Granite



Fire-roasted corn 
Best buddies
Dan and James "log-rollin'" in the lake
The beautiful view over Red Pine Lake 

daddy/daughter fishing time



smoking and fishing

Crashed in the tent
She loved playing in the dirt!




“We need the tonic of wildness...At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.” 
― Henry David ThoreauWalden: Or, Life in the Woods

Friday 8 August 2014

{6 Months}

A very happy half birthday to our beautiful Brynn Aspen!

It's hard to believe that in 6 months she went from this little bundle of joy:



To this wiggly, giggly, cheerful baby:




In the last 6 months she has grown into such an interesting little girl. She has an amazing personality, and people often comment on how intense her gaze is and how alert she seems. She learns quickly, although she has a wicked temper and sometimes gives up easily if she doesn't get her way (that doesn't sound like aannnyone I know). She loves her food and hasn't turned away anything but rice cereal... and who wouldn't turn that mess away?! Her sitting has improved and has mastered the art of rolling around. We are still waiting for that first tooth to pop through, so hopefully next month I can report on that!

We continue to be amazed at how much we can love such a little person. We have been blessed by her in many different ways; she teaches us lessons in love, patience, and joy (and self-control ;D) every day. God has been good to us. He has granted us health and security and happiness, so what more can we ask for?

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." ~ Ps. 9:1-2

Wednesday 6 August 2014

It's Called "Ferberizing", Brynn.

And one day you'll thank me for it.

Probably not today. Because today you are yelling at me (Yes, yelling. Did you know 6 month old babies can yell like a teenager who doesn't get their way? Me neither!) from the confines of your crib as I heartlessly let you "cry it out" before you fall asleep.

Before you all judge me and tell me I'm a horrible, feeling-less parent, let me explain. You see, I was (am?!) that Mom who nursed her baby to sleep every. single. time. It just made sense to avoid the crying when she would fall asleep so nicely that way. And it was all fine and dandy until I realized that in a couple weeks I am back at work and the babysitter is not going to have the *cough* "power" to put Baby B to sleep the same way I have.

Hmm. What to do? She would not fall asleep in her crib. So after consulting some websites and my mother (who very clearly stated "I told you so"), we decided she was just going to have to learn to cry it out in her crib before falling asleep. Dr. Ferber said this is the best way, you see.

And cry she has. For about a half hour to an hour each time (once was almost 2 hours. eep.).

I'm told this isn't the worst that can happen, but when you are in the next room doing everything in your power not to go in there, pick up your child, snuggle them and apologize for every wrong and heartless thing you've ever done, it can seem like eternity.

The good news is, though, that eventually the crying stops and you get a sleeping baby. It's a long process, and you wonder if when she wakes up she will remember the torture you put her through, but yes, she is sleeping.


And, in a few days, as the crying gets less and less, she will look forward to nap time and the joy of sleeping in her crib. We hope. (Can you hear her laughing in the background?)

So Brynn, one day when you are old enough to understand all that has transpired, you will thank me. For teaching you how to fall asleep on your own. For giving you a safe place to sleep. And for loving you enough to write a blog post so I won't go nuts while you are screaming yourself to sleep.

You are welcome.



Oh, and for the record, it worked. 

Is there anything cuter than a sleeping baby? *wink wink*

Tuesday 5 August 2014

Earl Rowe Provincial Park

Last week James, Brynn and I spent our time camping with family and friends at Earl Rowe Provincial Park in Alliston. It has been a tradition for the last I-don't-know-how-many years for my family, aunts, Oma and family friends to go for a week of camping together at Earl Rowe. It is a great park for handicap accessibility (which in turn is great for my family) and is nice and close for added ease.

We had such an awesome time! The weather wasn't perfect, and we got a doozy of a thunder/hailstorm on Friday, but we got our relaxin' in and I think everyone had a wonderful time. We ate, sat, walked, played and campfired it up. The kids definitely kept us entertained (how is it possible for kids to have such crazy imaginations?). I even relaxed so much that I only took about 5 pictures the whole time. Even though it isn't a fancy up-north, backwoods camping trip, we have a fantastic time every year we go. It's a blessing to have family and friends who enjoy each other's company and look forward to this tradition every year.

Aunt Lindsay and Brynn
Aunt Rena and Colsen
Ah, those cheeks... still working on getting teeth
A typical scene
Aunt Nelly making dinner. She was happy, but I caught her off-guard!







In the "tub"
"Uncle" Jim and Brynn