The "Friends"

I'm pretty sure James doesn't know their names, but he knows there are cool toys in their backyard!

He tells me he wants to play with his "friends", and we walk over to Sukh and Harpreet's.  The family is very welcoming.  They (thankfully) seem happy to see us.  And then I set James loose.

The kids are a bunch of monkeys: They climb up the slide, and hang off the structure, throw things down, throw things up, slide down head first... I make noises about how it's dangerous, but don't try to stop them.

James takes Thomas around and around the track; climbs the steps to the slide and actually slides down... and in comparison, seems kind of tame... maybe because he knows I'm watching?

What does seem spectacular is that there is no fighting over any toys, though James does grab things out their hands.

One of them asks me: "Do you have many toys?"

I'm sheepish: "Not like yours.  And not in our backyard.  Sorry."

Coming over to our place to play would be completely anti-climatic. Though if they can fun blowing dandelions, there's plenty of those.

(Get things) Moving Sale

"Whatever the counter-offer -- take it!"*

Dad and Mom didn't want me to host a garage sale -- they just wanted me to get rid of things / give it away.  But, sometimes you can't even give things away (e.g. perfectly good box spring and mattress).

Anyway, I also had Catherine, who's awesome and over the week prior cleaned and rearrange everything, and just made it work!  I was so grateful and impressed.  I think she could/should do it as a business ("Arrange and run your successful garage sale!").

The morning of, Paul and James pitched in too.  Paul placed out the signage (reused from the sale with Erica... which did make a few neighbours wonder if we were moving away).  James with um... rearranging things?  We kept him around long enough for him to get an offer on his guitar, which thankfully he didn't take.  But then with him at my parents, I was able to really get serious about getting things out of the house  (Oh, you're interested in X, I think I have some in the basement...) and posting some of our nicer items on kijiji as advertising.  

Catherine and Clint held the fort throughout.  Paul and I dipped in and out.  

It was less party and hangout atmosphere than last time.  But we did get to know Clint a bit better.  He's so good!  At first I thought he was just great at sales and selling, but then it became clear: he's just really nice and likes / is interested in people.  Someone would be looking at one of his antique chairs, and then all of sudden he was walking over to their car to look the person's self-published book on minor league hockey. 

Anyway, though I sold most items / volume (thanks Claudia, Chris, and Steph for visiting and buying things), Clint made the most money (quality over quantity).  

At the end of it, Catherine took a trunkful of stuff away to charity, and says she'll be back later in the week to take away more.  Thanks so much, Cath - you just might save me from my hoarding ways.  :P    

* What my Dad told me he left on my voice mail... which I never got.  So now someone else has a recording of my Dad yelling advice in Cantonese.
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Update: Unfortunately, someone decided to complain about my car being parked too close to the intersection (not parked in garage because of sale), and I got a ticket!  So money-wise, net zero.  Ugh.  

Evening out: Urgent Care

From 7:30 to 10 PM, we were in Urgent Care*.  James was disturbingly good -- sleeping, nursing, mostly quiet -- since we were there for him: While wearing him in the soft carrier, I'd tripped on a curb.

We'd been on our way to Highlands School for a paleontology presentation, talking and walking, and then I was on all fours and James was screaming. 

He'd quieted down by the time Paul had tracked down a neighbour to drive us to the clinic, but we were still worried -- he didn't touch the ground, but was he broken?  Is there some internal damage / whiplash? 

The triage staff didn't think so (so we weren't rushed in).  The doctor said he seemed fine.  Next time if he doesn't stop crying, isn't willing to nurse... other falls and such, to go to the Stollery Children's Centre. 

Back at home, he started crying and I soothed him to sleep.  Then I started crying: we could have lost him.  And it would have been my fault.  We were so lucky. 

And, we are so lucky to have such good neighbours: So grateful to Jamie and Claude for giving us the rides. 
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* Urgent care services are for people who have unexpected but non-life-threatening health concerns that usually require same-day treatment. Some examples include broken bones, sprains, lacerations, asthma, dehydration, pain and infections.
All patients are according to the urgency of their health condition, with the sickest patients being seen first.

Kevin and Natasha and Evan

"Now you two are three... and everywhere you go you will take joy  and happiness and... The pram... the buggy... the changing mat... the nappy bin...the cuddly toy... the bottle unit... the Moses basket... the clothes... the nappies... " 

~ Greeting Card "The Generation Game" by Dino 

Ack!  It's a bug and I had to touch it!

Kevin (ever the entomologist) was really happy with my find on the gate handle.  I was not happy about the grey, winged thing that was as long as my index finger (which he identified as a stonefly).

But, I was happy he was interested in the lily beetle: "If you find more, would you collect them?"  He could use them for teaching.  Collect bugs and stop them from eating my lilies?  Yes, I'm sure I can. 

Anyway, they've set things up really nicely.  Their charming house with a really good layout surprised me: it's actually smaller than ours!  Only 800 square feet, but more spacious because they have a lot less stuff (Kevin's collections are corralled into a small office).  Oh, and they have a huge backyard, perfect for Huxley (the dog) and Evan to (eventually) run around in.

Or, maybe (in the nearer future) to have an outdoor dance party?  They tell me Evan loves ABBA (Um... James likes Wagner? :) ) 

Also, they have a baby gate that folds into an octagon.  Cage match!  Well, aside from kicking, James is really good at nomming -- that can be his special move.  Though baby fighting is probably best to be discouraged...

I'm so impressed by how they have things all orgranised and ready.  Natasha says it's partially because she can't nap during the day, so when Evan's sleeping or nursing, she's on her phone reading up on baby stuff and online shopping.  Kevin's also been able to switch to part-time since its the summer.  Different family members have been to visit and have helped out too.

I know Kevin is very environmentally conscious, he says he's been trying to use cloth diapers when it's his turn to change Evan.  Wow.  For all my good intentions before hand, disposables seem like the only manageable thing for me now -- so, good job!

The visit wasn't too long -- Evan napped pretty much through it.  I enjoyed the cake they made for me (no dairy, instead it has tomato soup!) and James I think, enjoyed the attention (way more talking and words, even though I try). 

I'm must make the effort to visit regularly.  At 5 blocks away, it really should be easy.  But on some days it can feel too hard.  Reminder: We wouldn't want to miss out on an ABBA dance party now would we? 

Welcome Babies!

James's neighbourhood debut was a hit!



All the kids were so cute!  Aside from James and Eli (the babies), we also met Claude's new little black chihuahua dog (rat :P), Bella.

The sun was shining and there was so much smiling and energy.  I only wish I wasn't so allergic (to pollen) and tired to enjoy it.  Good thing there were very few expectations.  James happily sat, either in my or Jackie's lap, while others came to us.  



















Tim finds out what the plant is growing in his garden, Lily of the Valley, and smells it for the first time

There was a case of Mistaken identity: Daddy Sukh mistakes "Thing 1" with "Thing 2" because they switched their shirts! 

Who says you can't have cake in pie plate?  Well, my questionable baking was at at least made appetizing with pretty patterned icing (thanks, Jackie!). 

Eli's bonnet was is a family heirloom. 

We weren't quite sure if the Trump t-shirt was for real or not...

Lunch at GongGong and PoPo's

"He's only a little ugly now."

"Uh, thanks...?"

Guess I shouldn't give Kevin a hard time: Newborns are cute because they're small, but they're often also wrinkly... and mottled... and crying...

And, Kevin says he was ugly too (and look at him now :P)


First visit to GongGong and PoPo's was certainly an event / production.  I brought lots of stuff.  Theresa took many photos. 

James was pretty quiet during the actual meal.  Kevin made up for it by talking about ice cream.  Apparently, Costco's was as good as Marble Slab (though lacking the variety), and that he'll take James out for ice cream when he's older... and that he could really enjoy some ice cream right now.  Yeesh!  Stop it already! 

It's already hard enough to eat.  Even food made at my parents I need to wash just in case it's coated in soy sauce or other sauces with MSG.  Taste-wise, I'm happy for it to all be less salty, but it's so much work.  And there's no "washing" of ice cream...


After lunch we squeezed in a short visit with Auntie Ada.  So many kisses.

She looks older than I remember.  A photo of Uncle Johnny surrounded by candles and flowers takes up a fifth of her kitchen table.  Pictures of the grandkids fill the fridge door and walls - they're growing up! Sophia dances ballet... Adam plays violin and soccer... not sure about Simon, but he bigger.

She kept saying "Now that you're a momma..."  But, I'm not sure I understand or know any different... yet.  But, when James was crying (see photos) he probably needed some food. 

The Neighbours...

... are coming!

Perfect time for James to nap.  And for us to panic :P 




No, no real panic.  Tired as I was, I was really looking forward to seeing more people. 



Melissa and Eli were first to arrive. Melissa is so laid back!  I was a bit jealous seeing at how happy and playful she was with Eli.  Even a diaper change was a chance for play!

Christy, Clint, and Sherry arrived next.

(Below: Fine, and then Startled!)

Everyone cooed at how small James is (Eli is only a month older - but full term).

Christy says it's incredible, but yes, Oliver (now over 6 feet tall) was once this size too. 

I love how happy everyone is to see James.  And how he looks even tinier in Clint's hands.  It all seems to be joy here -- not tinged constantly with worry.

I was also surprised with how Melissa changed Eli's diaper -- wow, that technique made it look easy... and you mean we don't need to give him a wash and he doesn't need to scream and cry?

Christy, Sherry, and Melissa keep telling me I'm doing great.  I'm not sure I completely believe them, but it was a good afternoon.