Halloween 2011

The kids have been getting ready for Halloween this past week by putting up decorations and talking about candy!!
We put up the same bat we had last year.  How things change in a year.  This is a battery powered bat that flies around the roof.  Last year both kids took off when it was on.  This year it is non-negotiable for us to turn it off.  It burned through a set of batteries in less than a day!!!
We carved a pumpkin.  In fact we took the pumpkin to Aaji's and it was the first time she ever helped carve a pumpkin.  It was so much fun for the kids, they both actually reached in and ripped out the guts of the pumpkin.   We were all, including Aaji, sitting on the kitchen floor carving it out.  Ronin was helping cut the pumpkin, telling me to make sure it has a really scary face.  It was so great, but so heart breaking.   It was a moment that the kids enjoyed that I didn't have my dad to share it with.  Ronin is getting so big and such a personality.  He would have entertained my dad for hours.   Quinn also has become quite the jokester.  She would have had so many giggles with my dad.  All these moments instigate this pit I always carry in my stomach.

I picked up Ronin from daycare and he was excited right away.  They gave him loot bags to take home.  On the car ride home I let him have a "warm up" treat.  He had 3 chocolates.  I then told him not to tell his mom and his answer was "Maybe I will".  Little bugger. 
When they were both home from school they were excited to get the show on the road.  We were worried Ronin will not go in his costume and stick with the Turtle costume he wore last year.  A few comments on how cool this years costume was, got him right in.  They ate dinner, got dressed and were ready to go.  Quinn loved looking at her Unicorn costume in the mirror and then she would go over to pictures of my dad and point to him.  She would bring me over to the picture of my dad and point.  It was like she was showing my dad her costume and asking me to get him.  It broke my heart to pieces.  Even as we were heading out the door she looked back at my dad's picture and waved.  He would have been so proud of his little princess.  I wish he could see her.  I wish she could run to him and have that feeling of being safe.

As we got into the street our little spaceman led the way.  Quinn wasn't far behind and really like the whole idea of holding her bag.  That being said, she would decide she didn't like it as much and silently leave her bag in the middle of the sidewalk and keep going!  We would have to back track to pick it up.  There were so many houses that Ronin loved to go up and see.  After he would get his candy he would call Quinn and usually she would follow.  Quinn would then make a break for going inside people's house.  She loved all the decorations and has started this game of leaning on people's cars.  I am not sure where she learned that from but it is like she is hiding from a sniper.  It is quite funny!  She lost interest pretty quick and was happy to go home to see Aaji hand out candy.  Brenda and Ronin continued their trek onwards for more goodies!  Ronin was so good at keeping his space helmet on and was so polite.  He would always say "Trick or Treat" and then finish with a "Thank You".  People were so impressed.  He is such a special little boy.

When Brenda returned with Ronin we got a family picture and then the kids went through their loot. I took Aaji home so her house would not get egged!  She handed out more candy there.  While I was gone Brenda supervised Ronin and Quinn handing out the candy to the kids that came to the door.  They really had fun and Ronin provided the kids with a running commentary of what he was doing.  There was one time that Quinn got a little carried away and wanted to give some kids my boots!!! Such a giving little girl!  They genuinely loved it.  I asked Ronin what he had more fun doing getting candy or handing it out and he said he loved handing it out. 

When they went to bed there were a few straggler Trick or Treaters and every time the door bell rang Ronin would yell down from his bed "Make sure you don't give them all the candy!" Funny little boy.
While I was at my parents house I went to my dad's bedside to tell him about how great the kids were and how they miss you so much.  It is these special occasions that remind me that my dad is gone and never coming back.  I cried so hard for my dad the whole drive home.  I miss him so much.  I can almost feel his cheek on my lips for a kiss.  I can almost feel his hand on mine.  It feels so close but also so heartbreakingly far away.  I remember my parents doing so much for us for Halloween, whatever we wanted to go as, they would make it happen. The picture below has a custom Dracula cape from my mom and my dad was so proud.  He told everyone about this year because we all did so much to make the costume perfect.  I remember my dad and I searching for the "perfect" black pants.

All these great times just remind me my best friend for 38 years is gone.  These occasions break me down to disbelief my dad isn't here anymore.  It takes me back to the moments he left us. It hurts so much.  I was thinking the other day that my dad's initials, GM, are the 7th and 13th letters in the alphabet.  He passed away on the 13th day of the 7th month (July 13th).  I would love to know there is some greater plan that it was supposed to happen this way but I just want my dad back in spite of what anyone says about the way the universe is supposed to be.  I miss him so much. 

Someone sent me a quote a while back just after my dad passed and it feels so real to me:

Remembering you is easy I do it everyday,

Its the heartache of losing you that will never go away.

I miss you so much dad.  I miss you to the ends of this earth.  Always my hero.  Till we meet again.

More Halloween pictures are posted on the website:  

Brelan.ca - 2011 Halloween Pictures

3 Months Today and How to Support Me

It has been 3 months (today) that my dad passed.  I can't believe this life. When did the life I had all planned out change to this one?  When did I start to feel like I can't turn to anyone?  It was at 12:13 am on July 13, 2011.  The time my dad passed.
Since then life just doesn't seem as fulfilling.  I don't have someone that I could always count on.  When I walk alone, I really feel alone.  I don't have someone just waiting for me.   I don't have someone that fills a room with their very presence.  I don't have my hero showing me the way everyday.  It is such a lonely feeling. 

I try to keep my mind elsewhere through the days but the truth is I want to be with my dad.  I want to sit in a room watching Ronin and Quinn play with Brenda, my mom, and my dad. I want us all to laugh at the silly things the kids do, marvel at how far Quinn has come, and be amazed at all the things Ronin does so easily.  That is where I want to be, but that is all a dream now.  So far away.  I remember when we were doing it.  It was nice but the hard part was that is was just so natural that I didn't realize how great the moment was when I was in it.  I had everyone I loved right there.  Right next to me.  Now the person I looked to is gone.  The picture is incomplete. 

It has been 3 months my dad hasn't been here but it has been a lifetime worth of sadness.  I sometimes think if my dad can see me, if he misses me where ever he is.  If he can, I know he is crying.  He would be so sad to know how upset I am but I also know he would understand.  He would understand how much I miss him and how much I love him.  All through my life my dad was tough on me.  Pushing me further than I thought I could go and being hard on me when I didn't do things right.  The funny thing was that when I messed up, I mean really messed up, like police cars at the house messed up, he never yelled at me.  I know he was disappointed but I also think he knew how hard I was taking it and didn't want to add to it.  Maybe he was also in shock.   Either way, I just remember that when I needed him the most and he had a great opportunity to let me have it, he never did.  He was so caring, loving, and supportive. 
Sometimes I wonder what my dad really knew of all the trouble I got in growing up.  I know he knew the trouble I was getting in but let me find my way, the same way he did.  There are so many people out there that think they know my dad.  They think they got him down but they are so wrong.  He is very different than most people know.  The stern exterior was just a manner of how proper he was.  Underneath he was caring, loving, and generous.  He was so funny.  He loved to laugh.  He loved to do thing for people just to make himself feel good.  He wasn't one in a million, he was one of a kind... period.

Many people have told me that they just don't know how to console me or to help me through this.  They don't understand what it is like and don't know exactly house I am feeling.  They say and do things but they just don't seem to help.  I thought long and hard and decided to see how I would console... me.   What would I do if I was in the position of these people.  I have tried to explain it to them but I am not doing a good job.

First thing, I am not operating on a day to day basis.  So calling or checking in every day or so doesn't really help.  I am trying to survive from hour to hour.  My mind is constantly racing with memories of my dad and all the times I won't be sharing with him.  It literally happens multiple times an hour.  It is very rare for me to go through an hour without crying. So what would I do for me?  Call, email, text.  Let me vent about how much it hurts and it sucks.  Giving me the "bright" side doesn't work because you are not in a position to provide that kind of context.  Also, my dad is gone, there is no bright side of anything.  They tell me that at least I had time with him, really?  Of course I had time with him and that is why I love him so much and we were so close.  They tell me that at least you were close.  Really?  Of course we were close, that is why it has crushed my world that he is gone.  I would not try and "fix" the situation, because it can't be fixed, unless you can bring my dad back.

Second thing, I would do everything I could to interact with.. me.  I would plan dinner, lunch, breakfast, brunch.  Anything to help.  I would help out anyway I could so that I wouldn't feel that I have the weight of the world on my shoulders.  Everyone is relying on me.  My mom, Quinn, Ronin, Brenda, they are all looking to me to resolve the things my dad used to do.  That is a lot of pressure considering how broken I feel.  Also considering I don't have anyone to lean on.  I don't have that person that I can look to know. So I would help me do everything.  I would sit down and plan out all the things I need to do.  Make a list and take a huge portion of them.  I would do anything to make sure I don't feel lost.

Third thing, I would ask lots of questions about my dad.  I would ask me to tell me about growing up and what I remember about my dad. I would encourage me to talk about my dad all the time.  Let me brag about my dad, because there is so much to brag about.  I would let me talk for hours about the great things he did and the great man he was.  I would let me laugh and I would let me cry about him. 

Fourth thing, I would spend time with my mom.  A lot of heartache comes from knowing how much my mom misses my dad.  I feel so much better when I hear my mom is going out for lunch or dinner or people are coming over.  I know she is occupied and gets a chance to take a tiny break from missing him, even for a few seconds.  I would go spend time with my mom.

The fifth and final thing, I would encourage me to feel terrible. I would do everything I could to not try and stop it.  It needs to run the cycle and the more people try and "save" me from it, the harder it is.  Just let me cry, let me yell, let me break down.  Only then can I start to put the pieces back together.

These are my thoughts on how to help me, but in fact there is nothing anyone can do to make me "feel" better or help me work through the thought process of losing my dad.  It is something I have to deal with on my own.  Every heart breaking second of the journey.  When I look at pictures or remember happy times it is just so hard to understand that 5 months ago we were planning a road trip to look for wheels for the Lexus, now he is gone.  It seems almost like in a blink of an eye.  I love you so much dad and will miss you for the rest of my days.

Never Enough

I have been thinking a lot of the life I had with my dad.  Talking with people of their perception of the relationship I had with my dad.   I remember all the time I spent with my dad.  How he always looked out for me.  I think about the times I would not hang out with my friends to go with my dad where ever he needed to go, if it was his office, to help my aunts/uncles, or even to just go to the store.  If he asked, I would go.  I loved being around my dad.

As I look back on these times I think it wasn't enough.  I especially think that when I got older I moved away from that.  I had my own life and didn't take enough time to do special things with him.  In fact it isn't the special things, it is the every day things.  Just going to the store with him. I would ask him a few times to go with him and he would tell me that I don't need to worry about it.  But I wanted to be with him.  I could sit in a car and chat with my dad forever.  We never got bored of sitting with each other.  I miss those times.  Brenda said that the relationship I had with my dad was easy.  It was so relaxed and comfortable.  That is so accurate.  It was like home sitting with him.  Now I don't have that place I can go and feel totally at home.
I think about the hugs we shared, I think about the kisses I gave him, the compliments and thanks I extended to him. It was all not enough.  There was always room to do more.  I don't think you could ever come to a place where doing nice things for the people you love is enough.  I could never see his happy face enough.
This week I realized that my dad never saw me play or practice football.  In the back of my mind I knew it but when he was around I never asked him why.  He saw almost every one of my hockey games and practices but not football. I wish he had. I loved playing sports and looking up to see him in the stands. It is one of my great memories of my dad growing up.  Seeing him cheer me on.  I used to get grief from my coaches when I was younger for looking in the stands at my dad instead of at them.  I used to tell my dad that I was more interested in what he was telling me then the coaches.

My dad made a comment at my wedding in his speech that I always wanted him in my life.  I am glad even back then he knew it. I always wanted to have him around.  In fact in recent years I got mad at my parents for not being around more.  I guess looking back I should savored the time I did have with them.
I have a hard time remembering the times I told my dad I loved him or the times we hugged.  I am sure it wasn't enough.  Brenda said we did that all the time, maybe because it happened all the time that is why I can't remember specific instances.  I definitely didn't sit and chat with him about important things enough.  Talk to him about what made him truly happy and what made him sad.  People said he was of the generation that you don't talk about that stuff.  Parents don't share that kinds of stuff with their children. I know my dad would have talked with me.
Days are so tough without my dad.  I am not sure if I am more upset about my dad missing me or upset about me missing my dad.  Am I sorry he can't be here or am I sorry I have to go on alone. Maybe there is no distinction and they are one and the same.  If I am worried that my dad is in a better place then, I am guessing, I think I am going to be fine.  If I am worried about what I do without him, then that is going to be a longer road.  I honestly don't know what it is.  When I think about special occasions I think about my dad not being there and how he would love it.  I also think about how much I miss him and how much it hurts.  The thoughts go together.

My mom shared with me that the weekend before my dad went into the hospital they took the kids to the park while we painted at our house.  On the way back both kids were too tired so my dad carried Ronin part of the way....  My mom said it was tough but he would take breaks.  It must have been so heart warming to have this little boy just wand to be in your arms so bad.  I know my dad must have loved it.  My parents and I have never been to the park together with the kids.  We should have gone.
There is so much I wanted to do with my dad.  People tell me to focus on the stuff we did do.  I try to but I am greedy I still want more.  I so badly want more time with my dad to do the stuff we enjoyed.  People tell me at least he got to meet his grand children. That isn't enough.  I wanted to him to see them grow up.  I wanted him to see Ronin's first hockey game and buy him his first hockey stick.  I wanted him to see Quinn play soccer in a league.  My dad loved sports and obviously that is where I get it from. I never played enough sports with him later in life.  I was always in a rush to something that really didn't matter.

My life is forever changed and I will do more of the things I want to with the people I care about.  Maybe that is why my dad did everything for everyone, because he didn't have a dad to lean on growing up so he wanted to be to everyone else what he never had.  He was the greatest man I have ever known. I love him so much.

Hong Kong & Singapore

We made the trip around the other side of the world to Sal and Julianne's wedding in Singapore. 20 hours flying time. It was grueling both going there and coming back. It just isn't right to be couped up on a plane that long. The trip from Toronto to Hong Kong was 16 hours. That is the 12 longest flight in the world and it felt like it. On the way back it took us 3 different planes and 30 hours of travel time to make it back.

However, in between those plane trips and the 4 different places we stayed at it was a great trip and got a chance to see places that I am sure we didn't think we would. Hong Kong was just an amazing place and it was great to spend time with Sal & Juls in Singapore and especially being part of the wedding. The weather was great. A couple of points of rain but over all it was HOT! We kept ourselves busy and made sure we spent the time to see the things we wanted to.

We missed the kids horribly and we are so fortunate that we were able to Skype with them so much and just loved seeing them. The 12 hour time difference made it tough but at least we didn't have to change our clocks!! The kids had an amazing time with their Grammy, Mick, Auntie Aisling, Auntie Anna, Auntie Sue and Auntie Nead, along with all their cousins. They had power packed days and just had a blast. We are so fortunate that everyone in London was able to take the time to look after them. That being said, they didn't just look after them, they fully entertained them! That is a whole different class of work effort! Their Aaji and Aaja even made a trip from Brampton to London to see them. Either way we are glad to have them now home with us.

Pictures of the trip have been posted at: www.brelan.ca/2010_hk_singapore

Roin in the U.S.A., Double Stroller, Stomach Flu, and Gymnastics

Last week we made our first trip to the U.S.A. with Ronin. We were a little concerned about crossing the border since we technically didn't have any official birth papers for him. We had a form from the hospital that didn't state his name and his temporary health card that I actually filled out. Anyways, we got to the border and got through seamlessly. Our primary purpose for making the trip was to get the double stroller from Wal-Mart. We ordered it online and went to pick it up. It seems that double stroller's aren't easy to get in Canada, or probably more accurately, they have a better selection south of the border.

We arrived at Wal-mart and picked up the stroller and I proceeded to put it together in the back of the store. It wasn't as easy as it could have been but on the other hand it could have been far worse. We got it together and it fit into our trunk, which was another concern. After that we headed to the outlets to grab a few things and then headed back across the border. Quinn was with her grand parents in Brampton and we didn't want to be away from her longer than we had to. Here is a picture of the finished product of the stroller and the kids riding along....

On our way back both Brenda and I noted that we didn't feel so great. As we got closer to Brampton, Brenda's condition worsened and needless to say the fun began. It hit her full on at about 7pm and made it's appearance to me at about 1am. We are still not sure if it was the stomach flu or something we ate. The more we think about it the more we think it was something we ate. Quinn didn't get sick and our stomachs were wonky for the next couple days, not a typical run and gun stomach flu. I thought these things were bad before having small children but after this episode it was miserable. Poor Quinn just wanted to play and we could hardly move. Brenda really took it like a champ and sucked it up and was super mom over the next few days. Knowing how I felt and how she was feeling, it was amazing how she got things done with both Ronin and Quinn.

Ronin has been getting bigger and bigger everyday. It is amazing how he is turning into a little man. He is still not sleeping the greatest. He will sleep up to 3hours at a time. Too bad that this usually happens between 1pm and 8pm during the day. In the night he is up every 2 hours and after 4am is pretty much up to go till about 7am or 8am. Not the easiest ride for Brenda. Hopefully he will get everything sorted out so that we can get a schedule down. We did both notice that he gets his full quota of crying in everyday. We are not saying he is colic, but he sure could fool a few people!!!

2 Weeks ago Quinn started Gymnastics. We weren't sure how it would all go and in the first week she unfortunately responded how we were hoping she wouldn't. She didn't want to do much and was not impressed with anyone there. The second week there was a totally different story. She absolutely loved it. She did the balance beam about 20 times (all 3 of them), she did the trampoline, she went on the tire swing and even held on to the uneven bars. It was amazing what a difference a week makes!! It will be interesting to see what happens next week!

Today we took Quinn and Ronin to Woodbine Mall to the Fantasy Fair. We thought it would be a great Family Day activity! Well it seems that about a thousand other family's had the same idea. It was packed! I have never seen it that busy ever. The line ups were all over the place. Quinn did enjoy watching all the rides and we did get her on the riding horse, a mini Ferris wheel, and she met an old friend. We will definitely take her back when it isn't so crazy.

Alaskan Cruise

We all just returned late Sunday from our first cruise which was to Alaska.

We saw things that we all have never seen before and sights that would just make you stare in awe.

Quinn loved spending the week on the boat with her parents and her aaji and aaja. We had a moment standing on the top deck with mountains and glaciers around, we realized that Quinn will never remember the amazing things she has seen. Luckily we have a lot of pictures and video to show her.

New pictures posted at http://www.brelan.ca/

New Face & The Film Festival

With the 4 teeth now here it seems to have been a catalyst for Quinn to develop a new face. We aren't really sure what it is but we believe she thinks it is a REALLY BIG SMILE. We call it her scrunch face and it is hilarious (as you see below).

Quinn hasn't been feeling the greatest the last day or so but you wouldn't know it from all the smiles and scrunches she is handing out!

Mom and Dad attended 3 films over the last week as part of the Film festival and got to see some stars that attended. The films we saw were: Before the Devil Knows your Dead (good movie, very film festival style), Poor Boys Game (ok movie, but predictable), and Rails and Ties (good movie, better than you would think). The stars we saw were: Donald Sutherland, Danny Glover, and Kevin Bacon. Kevin Bacon was sitting pretty close to us and we were hoping he would kick it "Footloose" style, but no such luck... We were really lucky to make it to the Film Festival and a big thank you to Aaji and Aaja who looked after Quinn when we were out. Quinn got her first Brampton sleep over. We know that Aaji and Aaja loved every minute of their time with Quinn. From all the smiles and giggles Quinn gave them we are pretty sure she had a blast too!!

Weekend on the Go

This weekend the family spent more time out on the go instead of at home. Saturday had Quinn spend some time with Aaji and Aaja while mom and dad worked out, then we all went out to lunch, then ran some errands, did some shopping and then grabbed some dinner. On Sunday, Quinn had more time with Aaji and Aaja as mom and dad worked out again, out to the mall, go for lunch, then out for dinner. We all were really on the go, as mom and dad often do. Quinn is now starting to get the idea. As you can see by the pictures below Quinn is making herself quite comfortable at home. Lounging on the sofa with the remote then styling with mom's sunglasses. You can also see that her shirt don't lie...... Thanks to the Global girls for such an appropriate outfit.... CUTIE INDEED!!!!

Weekend for Mom and Dad

This past weekend, grammy was good enough to come down and look after Quinn so Mom and Dad could get away for a weekend alone.

We went across the boarder and stayed at the Seneca Casino in Niagara Falls, NY. It was a great time. However, we quickly remembered that americans can smoke in the casino. Brenda made a point of sitting at the $0.05 slots just so she could get 1 free drink.
We both came to the reality that we are now parents when we were on the elevator down to dinner and realized we both had spit up on our shoulders.... awww Quinn.

We made a trip to the outlet malls and Quinn was in our hearts as well as our pocket books as we did some serious shopping for her!! Mom had to remind herself don't Over Pink Quinn!! Too much pink isn't a good thing!!

On the Sunday we then had a chance to have a spa day together at St. Annes. It was relaxing as we both got massages and wrap treatments. The lunch and tea was also amazing. It will definitely be something we do again.

When we got home on Sunday grammy and Quinn looked like two peas in a pod. They even were lucky enough to get stuck in a rain storm together. Quinn came out of it a lot better than grammy!

Here are some more recent pictures of Quinn showing how she is not only getting bigger and stronger but also cuter!!

Grammy gets some Quinn time

Grammy and Grampy came down this week and Grammy got a chance to experience all the glory that is Quinn. She also gave mom and dad a great break. It was the first time in over a month that Mom and Dad slept in the same bed which was a wonderful gift. It is amazing how much can get done when you have an extra set of hands to help.

Grammy and Quinn were like peas in a pod all week and Quinn didn't want it any other way! It was an emotional time when Grammy finally had to leave. Quinn got all choked up and gave dad a hard time Friday night just to make sure we both knew she missed her grammy.

John Mayer

Last night we went out to the John Mayer concert and left Quinn with Aaji and Aaja.
John Mayer put on a great show and we had floor seats which was a first for both of us. We were actually sitting right at centre ice at the ACC. John Mayer did most of his new stuff and some of his popular stuff from previous albums. The only song he didn't do was Daughters. We had a great time but it was a long night for two sleep deprived parents. Brenda took it like a champ and only started really fading on the ride home.
John Mayer did a lot of guitar stuff and his concert was relatively similar to Eric Clapton's concert. This is no surprise because in his latest album he states "Thanks to Eric Clapton. I stole everything from him and he is cool with it." A good time all around.

Easter

Quinn had her first Easter weekend and it was quite the experience to travel all around with her. She was good for most of the weekend, however, the extended time with her aunts and uncles in London was great but the long drive back threw her off a bit and made her not a happy camper. All in all she had a good trip but we have to work better on the planning as with that drive and her age you have to plan it to the minute!

She then spent time seeing her Aaji, Aaja, and poowa. She had a big and not so glamorous first. She threw up for the first time and it was projectile. It was rather like the exorcist and it just kept coming . We felt terrible for her as she was obviously initially scared. She calmed down pretty quick. Her poowa took some great pictures of her.

Overall Quinn scored some great chocolate (Daddy was happy) and got tonnes of attention.

Last night mom and dad put her on the sofa to see what she would do and she almost turned over by herself. She is definitely strong. She pulled her head out of my hand for almost 3 seconds.

Her sleep last night was not that great and mom suffered. She did go to the doctor today and she is up to 8lbs 7 ounces!! Our little chunker! We are glad that weight is not an issue for her.

Could this be the trend???

We are not sure if it was the temperature in the room, the time we put her down, when we fed her, or just a really good poop before bed bud Quinn had a really decent night. She was up just after midnight then slept to almost 4am and then not up again till 7am.
Mom also got her first decent amount of sleep. The night sleep along with the nap from yesterday when grammy and Nead mosi were babysitting went a long way to recharging mom.
We are now desperately hoping that last nights sleep wasn't an anomaly but the trend. We will see how tonight goes.
Quinn is getting all geared up for Easter. We think she knows it is all about chocolate and can't wait to take part.
She is also really copying everything we do. She sticks her tongue out, smiles, blinks, and does all kinds of faces imitating us. I am sure we will regret showing her how to do those faces later.....

First Night In The Crib... Mom gets a rest

Last night Quinn spent her first night in her crib and it went pretty good. She slept more than the night before in the bassinet. We were worried she would absolutely hate it and we would be screwed. She is a pretty easy going baby.

Her Grammy, Grampy Mick, and Nead Mosi came down to see her today and gave mom a little bit of a rest. It was a well deserved rest for mom. Quinn got spoiled all day which she definitely deserves. She lived the good life having 2 nanny's at her disposal.

We are going to try the crib again tonight and see how that goes. For a baby that is only 3 weeks old Quinn is an absolute gift to our family. We can't believe how much character she is showing us and continues to amaze us with her ever changing faces.

Quinn got weighed again today and is up to 7 lbs 15 ounces... up 2 ounces in 1 day and is growing like a weed!

Mom and Dad's First Night Out.

Last night Mom and Dad had their first night out to celebrate their 4 year anniversary of when they got engaged and had their yearly visit to The Keg. Quinn had her first babysitting time with Aaji and Aaja. Aaji changed her first disposable diaper. Quinn slept like a little princess with them and just woke when we came by to pick her up 2 hours later.

Dad broke down and was the first to call and check up on Quinn and Aaji to see how it was going. Mom took great joy in the fact that it wasn't her calling.

Tough Love...

Yesterday we really started focusing on getting more time between Quinn's feedings. The one drawback to this is increased crying. However it did pay off as she slept for about 4 hours before the first feeding. That gave mom and dad a good stretch. We now have a good idea how to go after that illustrious good nights sleep. We aren't going to push her but we aren't going to give in so easily with the bottle.

Quinn had her first road trip in her stroller.. New pictures are posted at www.brelan.ca
The stroller handled beautifully in the trip to her grandparents. I am not sure her grandparents understood that we walked over as her Aaji asked us where the car was. They then called us a couple times to make sure we got home. Not sure where they think we would have gone. They were also stressed out because Quinn was getting hungry and we weren't feeding her right away... we know it is a process.

Quinn got weighed again today and is up another 2 ounces to 7lbs 3oz. This is good news as we can really focus on getting her schedule down.

Quinn made her first visit to a restaurant with mom and dad. We went to Kelsey's for lunch. Quinn was really good but near the end of the lunch her patience was wearing thin...

This parenting thing isn't at all like riding a bike. Bikes don't keep changing every couple days....

We have a 7 pounder!!

Quinn got to the scales today...
And in the red corner... wearing the Pampers Swaddlers... weighing in at a mean 7lbs and 1 oz......... The Mighty Quinn!!
We are so proud of her breaking the 7lb mark and going above her birth weight. The doctor was really good and gave us some great ideas on getting her more time between feedings now that she is above her birth weight. He also gave us a possible solution to her snoring... wondering if it will work on mommy too?

We are now going to be focussed on getting her past 2 hours between feedings. Tonight will be our first test.

Quinn got her first taste of Costco today. She would have made Nana (Grampy Mick) proud. She was a regular rock star in there with everyone wanting to see her and get a good look. It was also mom and dad's first time taking her into a store. We probably could have used 2 carts. One for all her stuff and one for the stuff we bought!

We are a family deep on the learning curve!!

Grandparents to the rescue

Today we all were out and about. We came home and Brenda slept. Quinn also slept but that is nothing new. We think there might be a Sleep Olympics and she is in rigorous training.

Quinn's grandparents (Aaji & Aaja) came to the rescue today for us. They have been our savior for our dinners since Quinn came home. That is one thing that we haven't had to concern ourselves with. We have had a personal cook and delivery person at our disposal which has been such a blessing for us!!

Today we were running low on diapers and the lactation person suggested we try tougher nipples for Quinn. Aaja came to the rescue and picked up the necessary goods for us!! In no time at all we had new stock of diapers and some new nipples!! I think that might be the first time he has ever bought diapers and nipples.... a new experience all around!!! All this and delivery with a smile!!

We will get Quinn all ready for bed and pray for a good night!!