Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Live Action Baby

I'm pretty sure this little peanut is going to be crawling by the end of the weekend. Pretty sure. There have been a few semi-coordinated thrusts forward but so far they've all still ended in defeat: on her head or in her sky-diver pose (on her belly with arms and legs up in the air like the force of falling through the sky is pushing them that way). 

She's been moving backwards on her own for a month or so but this usually results in great frustration since she ends up further from the toy she set out to capture. A few times I've come back into the living room to see what is causing the upset and found her wedged under the couch. I probably shouldn't laugh but its always kinda funny at the time.

In advance of crawlapoloza we've begun baby proofing. If you ever want to feel like you live in a danger den read a baby proofing book. They're important and informative but are they ever anxiety-inducing. After accepting that wrapping Frank in bubble wrap for the next six months was not an effective approach I made a list of some of the things we'd need: outlet covers, cupboard clamps, non-slip bath matt and baby gates for starters. Our outlets are now covered and cupboards clamped. I almost killed myself on the non-slip bath matt this morning when it and I slid halfway across the tub so its going back. Who makes this crap stuff? 

We still have to pick out and install baby gates. We have two long hard staircases and I'd like to have a spare so that I can isolate the bug in the kitchen or bedroom with me. I've read that for staircases the gates that affix with screws to the walls are best. While the suction gates might be more convenient they won't always stop a determined toddler from busting through and then tumbling down. I've also read this:

Put a gate three steps up from the bottom so that baby can practice going up and down under safe conditions. Children who know how to go up and down stairs are much safer should they happen upon an unprotected stairway, which every child does now and then. 

And that's why they make baby books. So people like me can reflect in awe at their ever impressive yet simple genius.   

Her Father's Daughter

There's been a bit of a debate since Frances was born about who she looks most like - baby me or baby Rob. Up until now she seemed to switch back and forth depending on the day and the angle and the light that you were using to make the comparison. 

Here she is with baby Rob in the middle:

Holy.
Debate over. 

Surprise Snaps

Every so often when I plug my camera into my computer I find I'm not the only one who has been taking pictures. Once when I came back from Ontario there were twenty different shots of fur brother antics. This time a perfect picture of Frances trying to eat her ball-monster in the sunlight. What a lucky girl to have such a great photographer as a papa. 

Happy 2011

Happy International Year of Forests!

We're pretty excited to be on the tip of another year of adventures and adventuring and perhaps maybe (oh please) a little more rest. 

We had a wonderful time with some wonderful company ushering in the second decade of the millennium. And although it was the third time we were out without Frankie it was the first time we were on our own just for fun. Her nanna and granddad offered to come by after she was asleep and sit with her while we went to celebrate. Despite my certainty that her spidey senses would tingle the minute we left she stayed exactly as she was for the three hours we were gone. 

Did I mention we had a wonderful time? The bands were at their best and it was so lovely to see other grown ups. Still it felt odd not having Frank there with us. I kept expecting to look behind me and see her in R's arms mesmerized by all the lights and people and music. Maybe next year. 

The Yarnells: one of the super fine NYE bands.

New Years day in Sydney was really nice. So nice we jumped in the car and headed to the coast for a hike. But then we got to the coast and were almost blown into the ocean. FYI: its much windier at the coast than it is in the city. We did get to see a beached whale which I'd never seen before and which was attracting a lot of attention. It was huge and neat and sad all at once. 

Pretty but windy