Peekaboo! (31/365)

Playing peekaboo with Nana at the restaurant.

She had a blast. And so did Petite!

Petite and the Cats (30/365)

I don't have many photos of Petite with the cats. I got lucky this morning and she went to cuddle the cats on the couch. On the left is Smudge, on the right is Shadow.

I love this photo.

Walk a Mile in His Shoes (29/365)

Petite in Poppy's sneakers, flouncing around the house in her nightgown this morning.

Too cute.

Shhh! (28/365)

Shhhh! Petite's sleeping.

Somewhere in there she's sleeping anyway...

Diagnosis! (27/365)

This photo was taken two days ago, but I wasn't ready to post it until today.

I had the chance last night (Thursday) to sit down with my mom and tell her about the aches and pains that I've been having since the middle of the pregnancy with Petite. I had spoken to my doctor a few times about them, and after the first time or two brushing them aside, she thought that I might benefit from a consult with a rheumatologist.

That's done. And so is the follow up.

Diagnosis? Psoriatic Arthritis.

I've been on meds for about two weeks now and the difference is absolutely phenomenal. I can, for the first time in three years, take stairs one after the other instead of one at a time.

I have been pretty tight-lipped about this but it's sort of because I was unsure about what was going on. And of course, now with a diagnosis, who wants to admit that at 41 years old you have arthritis?!?! But there you go. The good thing is, it's inflammatory, not degenerative and it can be controlled and really, quite well.

To be monitored as I get older of course. At least I know what it is and how to deal with it.

Poppy with his Girl (26/365)

Poppy and Nana arrived late last night after a journey up the eastern seaboard. They're here for one week, and by the looks of it, they'll be grabbing as many hugs and kisses as they can!

Today, you get to see Poppy with his girl. I promise a picture of Nana will be forthcoming; I just didn't manage to catch one yet!

The Guest Room (25/365)

This is our guest bedroom. It's been known by a few names over the years, but this is the name that it's had most often.

In about one hour, Mom and Dad arrive. They'll be staying in this bedroom for one week while they're visiting us. It's a "stopover" per se: they've been visiting my sister and her family in the States and now, on their way home to the east coast, Mom and Dad had to stop and see Petite.

I'm looking forward to seeing them. I haven't seen them since August so it'll be nice.

Lots to do. Lots to discuss. Plans to make.

I love my family. I am glad Petite can have such a good relationship with them, even if they don't live nearby.

Kitties! (24/365)

My cats, Smudge and Shadow (now age 16). The boys like to snuggle up close. This is a pic of them lying ON me, Shadow on my hip, and Smudge further down my leg. Heaven forbid they're out of my reach so I can't get at them for a cuddle!

Hubby took this photo, I confess. We were all cozy in bed, with Petite lying between us before she went to her own room.

Sorry for the image quality. Darkened room, flash and iPhone do not a superb photo make.

Acronym Conundrum (23/365)

OHSS.

I write about infertility, and I learned about OHSS a number of years ago. For those who may not know, OHSS is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. It occurs when overstimulated ovaries (because of medication) become fluid filled and a plethora of symptoms can follow in a matter of days. From what I know of it, having never experienced it, women should seek medical assistance fairly early if that extreme sense of bloating occurs.

However, all day yesterday, I was in a meeting for the Health and Safety Committee. And all day, I stared at the acronym OHSS...

Occupational Health and Safety Section.

I confess, my brain took awhile to shift gears.

I apologize for publishing late; I was tired last night and went to bed early.

Backdating this one to yesterday so I don't get myself too confuzzled!

Helping! (22/365)

This was taken this morning as Petite was helping us make the bed.

She's such a good helper...

Firsts (21/365)

Banal I know. But this is Petite's first toothbrush.

As she grows up, there are so many "firsts" that she goes through. Many of them I've kept. But I simply cannot keep it all; I have far too much clutter in my house already. (That's a topic for another day!) So I have to toss them out. And this toothbrush has definitely seen better days! Look at those frayed bristles! She just loves to suck on the brush instead of brushing; good thing I help her along!

This is one of those firsts that cannot be reused, so it really needs to be chucked out. Before I do though, I wanted to say goodbye to Eeyore and tell him "Thank you for working with me to teach Petite the beginnings of how to brush her teeth."

So many important things she learns as she grows; this is just one of those moments.

Real Canadian Girl! (20/365)

My girl loves her some hockey, yessirree bub!

No, this is not a helmet.

Believe it or not, it's a glove. About half the size of her. But she was adamant that she was going to put it on her head and use it like a helmet.

Hmm, I wonder if there'll be an NHL for girls by the time she's ready to play...

National Popcorn Day! (19/365)

It's supposedly National Popcorn Day in Canada. I say that as that is what I received in my inbox from SCENE (a points program that lets you trade in points for movies or concessions) with an ad that at a particular theatre today, with the purchase of a regular drink, you will get a free small popcorn.

Well, I love popcorn. I love, love, love, love, LOVE popcorn. When I go to a movie, I'll make it my supper meal. After all, there's enough calories in there to sustain a normal adult for an entire day! And I'll take any excuse to get some popcorn and indulge. I told Hubby about National Popcorn Day and I asked him to get me some.

God bless him. He drove to the theatre and got me a popcorn.

Not only that, he drove to TWO theatres. The first one wasn't yet open for the day so he went to another one. (You know he loves you when...)

Happy National Popcorn Day!

Storytime (18/365)

I am a writer. I love to read. Long before Petite arrived, I was the "reader" for a number of children in my life. I am the Auntie who ALWAYS gives books to kids and enjoys reading them to the children as well, making funny voices, acting out stuff, generally making the story animated for them. Usually, they ask me to read story, after story, after story until they are drunk with sleep.


Petite has so many books. Some I haven't yet read to her. Tonight, she picked this one for storytime and snuggles in Mommy and Daddy's bed.

My Tired (17/365)

Petite mistakes the second person singular, present tense of the contracted verb "to be" (i.e., you're) for the second person singular possessive (i.e., your).

Thus "You're tired" is understood as "Your tired" and she repeats back, "Mommy, my tired."

Here, that is exactly what she said...

"My tired, Mommy."

So she got a pillow, her blankie (thank you Vee. She takes that blankie everywhere and she loves it) and her Pooh Bear to lie down and rest.

Too cute.

No Bullsh*t (16/365)

This is on the wall in my office.

It's something that a few people need to be reminded of now and then.

And it's oh-so-true.

Sunday Treat! (15/365)

The last of this year's Christmas pudding. My aunt makes it every year and it's rummy goodness is just to DIE for! I made a quick rum sauce and boy, did I enjoy every last bite! (Like a kid, I even made sure not to eat too much supper so I would have enough room in my tummy for this sumptuous treat!) Thank you Aunt B!

Sorry I'm a bit late in posting; this weekend was a busy one as Hubby was home and we had a lot of work to do around the house.

After the Snow (14/365)

Our house, after the snow had all fallen.

Hmm, now how to brave the -30 windchill to go out and take down the Christmas lights and wreath?! Brrr!

My Boys (13/365)

A typical lazy, snowy day for my two boys.

This is how they usually sleep, but they are more frequently found curled against my legs!

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful (12/365)

Winter has officially arrived in the capital of Canada. As evidenced by this photo, taken looking outside my dining room window tonight. More of the white stuff and freezing rain are forecast to fall overnight and through the day tomorrow, totalling approximately 10 cms on top of what we already have.

The morning commute promises to be messy.

Sunset in the City (11/365)

On our way to the doc appointment for Petite's recurring rash, this was the view at about 4:40 p.m. local time (EDT). Excuse the smudges on the windshield; that's what you get when you live in the coldest capital in the world. The temp outside was -22 degrees Celsius. Brrr.

Results from the doc appointment? Suspected allergies, but they're not sure what. Referral to an allergist for follow-up. I expect a call for an appointment in the next 3-4 weeks or thereabouts. We shall see...

Humdrum Days at Work (10/365)

I spend my days at the office. So I don't have a lot of exciting outings, fun events or stellar photo opportunities come my way. Rather dull, isn't it?

I am a senior technical writer-editor for the national police force. The HQ is in my city.

Right now, I'm writing an article that will be published at the end of the month about THIS bad boy:



It's a sweet machine, that's for sure. The team will be happy to have this tool in their arsenal!

Recurrent/Ongoing Rash (9/365)

Fifth's Disease... still?! No way. Can't be.

Petite has had this rash pretty much since the early part of October. Since then, she's had maybe 10-12 days entirely rash free. Not consecutively though.

A local clinic initially diagnosed Fifth's Disease (after one or two phone calls to Telehealth). My doctor confirmed that diagnosis a few weeks later when the rash still hadn't disappeared.

At the end of November, early December, we were still seeing signs of it, and took her to the doc again. Doctor said that as long as she had no joint pain, no trouble breathing, no swelling and it wasn't bothering her, then it was likely a virus making the rounds and she was fighting it. And Fifth's could last another 2-4 weeks.

Okay people, we're no in the early part of January. That's THREE MONTHS. Enough.

Whatever it is, let's figure it out and deal with it.

Yesterday we saw more evidence of rashes. Today, a whole lot more. I'm taking photos now. And tonight, the one on her arm (under and behind the band-aid) are really bothering her. She's scratching and everything. I'm not happy with a "virus" diagnosis. Let's investigate further and hopefully we can eliminate whatever the hell might be causing this. Poor baby girl.

"Baby" Girl (8/365)

My daughter, on Sunday morning, shortly after she got up. She decided to play with her dolls (aka babies) and next thing I know she's the baby and she's climbing into one of her doll beds. The pink wooden bed was made for me by my grandfather (ca. 1973). The baby's 'sleeping bag' that she is valiantly trying to use as a blanket for herself (!) was made for me by my grandmother at around the same time. Last year, my mother ripped apart her wedding gown and she and my aunt took the satin from it, and used it to line the two sleeping bags, one for me, and one for my sister.

Toys? You bet. Family heirlooms? Definitely. Fun? Photo evidence says yes!

One of my Favourites (7/365)

This is one of my favourite photos. It was taken when Petite was two weeks old. This hangs on my living room wall and I just love it.

On another note, I'm finding that it's difficult to post about the things I want to, on the days I want to. For example, today is my mother's 70th birthday. I wanted to post a photo of my Mom, but obviously I can't because it wouldn't be a photo taken today (she is in the States today and I am at home in Ottawa). Nor can I post a photo of the card I sent her for her birthday, or the letter I wrote her, because I sent those earlier this week. It wouldn't be a photo taken TODAY per se. I wonder if the 'rules' of Project 365 permit me to take a photo and "keep" it for a few days until I can post it to mark a special day. Must look into that.

That said, HAPPY 70th BIRTHDAY MOM! I love you.

The View from Where I Sit (6/365)

My cat, Smudge, sitting "where he belongs"... right in front of my laptop on the kitchen table. It's either him or his brother Shadow -- they're from the same litter -- occupying the space between the edge of the table and the edge of the laptop. Sometimes, both of them are nestled there. They curl between my forearms as I type.

I love those moments of cuddles and snuggles. They are both extremely affectionate and since the arrival of the baby, they are rather envious of the time I now need to devote to my daughter.

My boys are 16 now. God willing, they will be 17 in August. Born in 1995, I got them in Japan when they were approximately 7 weeks old. I brought them back to Canada in June of 1996, and they've been a big part of my life. I adore them.

I have to say though, typing with them curled up between my forearms, or sleeping with them both curled in a ball together between my calves, well, those are definitely acquired abilities! Shadow is such a cuddlebun and so insistent on being close, I even learned to play my online game with him sleeping on my forearms! The things we do for love.

Waiting at the Doctor's Office (5/365)

My daughter is two, and this year she had her first flu shot.

Well... shots.

As it is her first year for the inoculation, she needs two shots, a month apart. She had the first one at the end of November. Today was the appointment for the second one. She did pretty well; the crying didn't last long and was appeased by a sticker. :)

Here she is in the waiting room, reading quietly. She does love her books!

Handmade AND Bells! (4/365)

My mother's handiwork this time!

These are crocheted bells, starched to within an inch of their lives and they must be about 25 or 30 years old. Mom made them when I was much younger. She made them for herself in fact and when she updated her decorations years ago, she was going to toss them out. I claimed them, happy to have saved them from an unfortunate demise.

They now hang in my home. Despite my having done my utmost to preserve them and their shape, they are looking a little old and tattered. This year as I was digging out my decorations and hanging them, I took a moment to call my mom. I asked her if sometime between now and next Christmas, could she take a few moments to crochet me a new set. And then I paused.

"Do you think you could do two sets, Mom?"

"Sure," she replied. "Why two though?"

"One for me... one for my daughter. She might like to have something that Nana did for her too."

The Blue Bell (3/365)

This little blue bell dates from my father's and grandfather's Christmas trees, back in the 1950s. One Christmas, when I was very, very young, possibly 5 or 6 years old, I recall my sister and I sneaking out to the tree to inspect the carefully wrapped packages, hours before we were permitted to wake our parents.

As we approached the tree, I caught sight of this little bell, twinkling and shining, it's blue metallic surface reflecting the lights on the tree with joyous clarity. I loved the sense of peace and calm that it gave me to just gaze on that little bell. Each year, I hang it on my tree at approximately eye level and I make sure I take a few moments to simply sit and contemplate it... and the true meaning of Christmas.

Another Handmade Item (2/365)

Literally, handmade.

This is a "wreath" that my two-year old daughter made for us at daycare this season. Her handprints are clearly visible and I cried when she gave it to me and threw her arms around my neck saying "Merry Kismas Mommy." It is hanging on the wall in my kitchen.

I guarantee, it will be cherished for a long time to come.

The Inaugural Post for Project 365 (1/365)

Vee has inspired me.

This year, I will try to take at least one photo per day. Photos are important records of special people, places and times in our lives. A photo is truly worth 1000 words.

As Vee states, " The rules are, there are no rules except to take a photo a day for 365 days." I will be using our trusty little point and shoot Canon Powershot SX100 IS, as well as my iPhone 4. I reserve the right to use whatever is handy though!

To start the series, and seeing as my Christmas tree is still up (and will remain so until at least January 7), I thought I'd start with an ornament. This is one of the most cherished ornaments on my tree. Handmade by my maternal grandmother Edith for me, this snowflake has a little mirror in the centre. My grandmother passed away in 1988 when I was 18; I still miss her. I love you, Nan. Merry Christmas.