I took Eli to watch the airplanes take off and land this week. He loves to watch airplanes in the sky. It was very neat and he really enjoyed it. Although, I think his favorite part was sitting in the front seat of the car. There were so many buttons to push, he was in heaven.
If you noticed that Eli's voice is a little raspy, he's had a hard time adjusting to Daddy going back to work, there have been a lot of tears around our house in the last week!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
So many photo opportunities so few photos
I'm such a bad blogger. I never bring my camera anywhere. How can you have a blog with no pictures? Part of the problem is that our camera is big, so it's not exactly convienient. We just got a video camera so I've been playing around with that. I'll post some video soon!
Last night was a perfect example: We went for an everning bike ride and it was awesome. As we were starting out along the ridge overlooking fish creek and we saw 2 horses coming towards us. It was 2 conservation officers on horseback and we stopped and got to pet them. Eli was so cute in his little bowling ball helmet petting the horses. Then we headed down to The Ranche, and it was so pretty, then through fishcreek with all the bridges. I think I said to Brent at least 5 times "I wish I had the camera".
I've never been one to take lots of pictures, so I'm making a mental note to make more of an effort in that department. I don't even think I've taken any pictures of Eli for over a month. How awful!
Last night was a perfect example: We went for an everning bike ride and it was awesome. As we were starting out along the ridge overlooking fish creek and we saw 2 horses coming towards us. It was 2 conservation officers on horseback and we stopped and got to pet them. Eli was so cute in his little bowling ball helmet petting the horses. Then we headed down to The Ranche, and it was so pretty, then through fishcreek with all the bridges. I think I said to Brent at least 5 times "I wish I had the camera".
I've never been one to take lots of pictures, so I'm making a mental note to make more of an effort in that department. I don't even think I've taken any pictures of Eli for over a month. How awful!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Change of Pace
After being in limbo for months, Brent and I finally made the decision that I'm going to stay home with Eli. Not forever, but for a while. I was looking for a job (admittidly, not as hard as I could have) but companies just are not hiring geologists right now. Sure, the odd geologist here and there found work, but in general, most companies are not hiring geologists. I found myself in this wierd place where I was looking for a job, but not at the same time. So, it feels great to finally have made a decision. I'm excited for the next few years and feel lucky that I can be home with Eli.
That being said, it is a huge change. Just the change of pace itself has been an adjustment. I went from fast paced, deadlines, and stress to literally stopping to smell the roses, and feel the leaves, touch the dirt, examine every stick on the ground. What I could do in 5 minutes at work (write an email) takes me 20 at home. At work I could start something and finish it, at home it feels like I start something and it never gets finished, or gets undone as soon as I finish it. It's so different, but I love it. Sure, I get frustrated and the days are still long (longer actually, but no commute downtown which I don't miss AT ALL), but learning to slow down and relish all the little things has been good for me. So what if my house is a disaster now, I don't have to wear work clothes! I'm a little nervous about trying to get back into a job in a few years, but I can't be the first woman to ever have get back into the industry after taking some time off. I'm sure it won't be easy, but definatley not impossible. In the mean time, I'm still learning but from a new boss, who is a lot shorter than my previous one. ;)
That being said, it is a huge change. Just the change of pace itself has been an adjustment. I went from fast paced, deadlines, and stress to literally stopping to smell the roses, and feel the leaves, touch the dirt, examine every stick on the ground. What I could do in 5 minutes at work (write an email) takes me 20 at home. At work I could start something and finish it, at home it feels like I start something and it never gets finished, or gets undone as soon as I finish it. It's so different, but I love it. Sure, I get frustrated and the days are still long (longer actually, but no commute downtown which I don't miss AT ALL), but learning to slow down and relish all the little things has been good for me. So what if my house is a disaster now, I don't have to wear work clothes! I'm a little nervous about trying to get back into a job in a few years, but I can't be the first woman to ever have get back into the industry after taking some time off. I'm sure it won't be easy, but definatley not impossible. In the mean time, I'm still learning but from a new boss, who is a lot shorter than my previous one. ;)
Monday, July 27, 2009
1 year photo shoot
We had Eli's pictures taken since turning one is a pretty major milestone. They were taken by Melinda Gombert Photography. She lives close to us and she does these messy photo shoots that I just couldn't resist. I'm amazed at how many pictures she actually got considering how busy and all over the place he was. After the normal shoot, we stripped Eli down and let him play in a big pile of jello. It was so much fun, he just giggled the whole time. It was like a kids dream come true.
On the left is a newborn photo taken by Ashley Skjaveland and on the right one of Melinda's. I brought the same blanket with us for the shoot:
With Dad:
With Mom:
A couple more:
Jello Fun:
On the left is a newborn photo taken by Ashley Skjaveland and on the right one of Melinda's. I brought the same blanket with us for the shoot:
With Dad:
With Mom:
A couple more:
Jello Fun:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Where has the time gone?
Brent had 5 months off and I have no idea where the time has gone. As of yesterday he only has 2 weeks left. Wow! I have gotten so used to having him here it's going to feel strange without him. We've been so busy trying to make the most of July - including getting a lot of use out of the telescope at night. The International space station was orbiting the northern hemisphere the last few days so we've enjoyed watching it. It's so neat to think that there are 13 people on it and we could see it.
We've been hanging out in the yard, going to the lake, riding our bikes, ate a tonne of pancakes during stampede, lots of bbqing, trips to the zoo, heritage park, calaway, golfing (for Brent) and late night games of Carcassonne. This is the life!
The only downer is that the boys in this house have been sick for the last few days. This is Eli's firs time being sick and it's no fun. They both have had a mild fever for a couple of days so I'm hoping they are both back to normal by the weekend. Eli is one grumpy dude when he's sick....so is Brent.
I had a zillion pictures and couldn't decide which ones to post since I'm so behind. So here's one of a typical moment in our back yard...ahhhh.
We've been hanging out in the yard, going to the lake, riding our bikes, ate a tonne of pancakes during stampede, lots of bbqing, trips to the zoo, heritage park, calaway, golfing (for Brent) and late night games of Carcassonne. This is the life!
The only downer is that the boys in this house have been sick for the last few days. This is Eli's firs time being sick and it's no fun. They both have had a mild fever for a couple of days so I'm hoping they are both back to normal by the weekend. Eli is one grumpy dude when he's sick....so is Brent.
I had a zillion pictures and couldn't decide which ones to post since I'm so behind. So here's one of a typical moment in our back yard...ahhhh.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Long overdue landscaping post
Brent worked SO hard on our landscaping and I am only now getting it up on the blog. How bad of me!! He pretty much did a complete overhaul of the yard. We now have a sprinkler system (which I've never had before), new fence, new deck, new sod in the back, new trees, a dog run and the front beds are re-done. I didn't realize how lumpy the back yard was until I had the new sod to compare it to. Eli is also enjoying the yard, especially the rocks and shed.
Front when we bought the house:
New Front - we still plan on replacing the cement walkway with brick...one day!
View of the front rocks/path from the neighbors yard. There used to be giant juniper bushes here and then Brent cut them down. I lived with those ugly roots for 2 years. This is so much better:
Old fence:
New fence:
New Maple tree, I can't wait until it gets bigger. So pretty!
Original Deck:
New Deck:
The dog run comes right off the deck and along the side of the house, it's awesome!
Brent's shed and the lilac tree to the right:
Front when we bought the house:
New Front - we still plan on replacing the cement walkway with brick...one day!
View of the front rocks/path from the neighbors yard. There used to be giant juniper bushes here and then Brent cut them down. I lived with those ugly roots for 2 years. This is so much better:
Old fence:
New fence:
New Maple tree, I can't wait until it gets bigger. So pretty!
Original Deck:
New Deck:
The dog run comes right off the deck and along the side of the house, it's awesome!
Brent's shed and the lilac tree to the right:
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Etsy fun
I could window shop on Etsy for hours. It takes some serious restraint not to buy things sometimes. Especially when they are as cute as this:
Will power did not win out on this one, since I bought it. I know where I'll be doing my Xmas shopping this year...
Will power did not win out on this one, since I bought it. I know where I'll be doing my Xmas shopping this year...