HEIDI!!

Heidi! 

I suppose I should say more than just Heidi!  The last time my sweet Heidi came across the border to visit me was in 2007.  This time she was coming with a friend and her friend's niece (Rachel and Kayla).  I was happy to have them stay with us and enjoy as much Heidi time as her buddy trip provided.

It was fun to have Heidi snuggle Fiona.  This is the youngest she's ever met any of my babies.

On Saturday we all went downtown.  It was Fiona's first subway ride.  Alice and Kate enjoyed the subway too.  I don't suppose Alice remembers the last trip...

 Our first stop was the distillery district for lunch and fun treats

From there we walked to the St. Lawrence Market and from there we walked to the Eaton Centre.  It was raining pretty heavily at this point and I felt done and with only one stroller for three children we parted ways.  Heidi and her friends explored China town and Kensington and Ken and I took the kids to dinner at the Rainforest Cafe before heading home.

Sunday was a day of changing plans.  We talked about going to Richmond Hill ward for church - Heidi and I grew up there and there are still a number of people that Heidi would have liked to see and hug.  Then we talked about going to Orangeville because it was the right direction and a good time in the morning.  Not moving fast enough made a different decision for us.  We went to our ward way up north in Barrie.  It was fun because one of our former YW leaders Sandy Misinchuk is in the ward.  I wish I'd gotten a picture of the three of us!  Before church we had a little picnic by Kempenfeldt Bay in Barrie.  It was quite cool and very windy.  I'm glad we had the girls rain coats in the van. 

I'm glad the trip worked out and although it was brief, I'm so glad I got some Heidi time!

Playing with Marisol and Amelie

Sitting in Michelle's backyard chatting while Fiona slept and the girls played... just lovely!  Marisol, Kate, Alice and Amelie had lots of fun with Marisol's make-up!

Fiona is Seven Weeks Old

She already seems to be getting less fussy in the evening.  Perhaps we're also getting better at soothing her?  Or some combination of the two.  Last night she was being SO adorable.  She was really smiling and cooing.  Ken and I are both excited for her to be more interactive.  I'm just looking forward to a smiling picture.  It's the same as the last couple of weeks again this week, cross eyed or crying.  I love finding moments to just snuggle and enjoy her.  I need to slow down sometimes.

Playdates!

We've had lots of fun visiting with friends so far this summer and although I have written about the visits I haven't had pictures.  I'm trying to do better.  I love pictures!  So Monday we had Diane, Luke and Maya over.  Tuesday was Cookstown Ward Playgroup - called Cookstown Cuties, and Wednesday was park fun in Richmond Hill at Crosby Park.  (I forgot to bring the camera to playgroup again... next week!)

Cousins!

Today we met up with Jennifer and Eric who are visiting Eric's parents in Barrie.  We decided to go to Earl Rowe Provincial Park in Alliston.  The plan was for the kids to play and swim at the beach.  They did play at the beach but swimming in the lake didn't happen because of bacteria levels - yuck!  Yay for swimming pools!  The pool at Earl Rowe is awesome.  It's shallow all the way around.  Kate and Alice had so much fun.  Ken the awesome Dad that he is went in clothes and all.  He hadn't planned on swimming just wading, which is what he did, but well, he got quite wet!

Afterwards we came back to our place and Ken bbq'd and we visited more.  It was a lovely day.  It was fun watching the cousins play.  The boys were sweet with their little girl cousins.  Kate was excited to be the same "size" as Ezra.  Not sure what she understands about age, but she kept saying size?  And cute little Alice kept saying "I Auntie Jennifer" over and over again.  Not exactly sure why, but it was cute!

Fiona is Six Weeks Old

It has been six weeks.  Six weeks!  I'm really not sure where the time has gone.  It feels like forever ago that she was born, in the sense that it feels like she's just part of the family and she's always been here.  It also feels so long ago because so much has happened and because we've come so far.  That forever has however passed in a flash. 

This past week has been about slowing down.  The first week and a half was crazy, the second and third weeks were quiet - mostly because Alice and Kate were still with Antoinette.  But in comes July.  There have been 18 days of July, and it has been crazy... well until Sunday.  Sunday poor sweet Fiona started coughing.  I've wrestled with taking her to the doctor.  She hasn't had a fever and she can breathe and nurse and it does seem to be getting better... BUT if she's still coughing on Monday, we're going to the doctor. 

Six weeks.  Since she's been sick this week, and I haven't been feeling well either, we've stayed home.  Mom came to help on Monday (yay) but other than that it's been just me and the girls (Ken too, when he isn't working).  Kate and Alice have played so sweetly, they've fought too, but they are becoming such good friends it makes me so happy.  Slowing down this week has been good.  I've remembered to gaze lovingly at Fiona and remember that this passes way too quickly.

Cross eyed... it makes me giggle when she looks at me cross eyed!

The play mat and the swing

When you say don't go in the swing, what do they do?  They go in the swing!  Kate and Alice both sit in it more often than Fiona.  I'm not sure Fiona will ever go in it... so far she doesn't think much of it!

Next, play mat!  I took pictures of the girls, in the same outfit around the same time on the play mat.  I like the "compare the way they looked" pictures.  They do look very similar - people keep telling me so, and at one point a few weeks ago I told Ken that I felt like I've had the same baby three times, but they really do have their own unique look.  (And while they look similar their little personalities couldn't be more different... at least Alice and Kate, we'll see about Miss Fiona!)

Kate - February 9 2009

 Alice - March 29 2011

 Fiona - July 16 2011