Vacation Phase 2

We're back from a great vacation in Cape Breton, and the second part of our vacation has started to take on it's own flavor. Here is a little glimpse into what we've been up to (yesterday's post is what happened while I was off getting my hair cut...)

At 6 am the other day, Norah and I had tea with Baby Tess and Miss Sniffy


Earlier today, Norah helped me look up where to donate some old books...

What happens when Matt is in charge

Need I say more?

Norah Orgami

Norah watching her new DVD player in the car

A true lifesaver already! Thanks Nanny and Papa!

Musical Norah

We've been enjoying our stay in Cape Breton, so much in fact, that I haven't had the time (ok actually inclination) to blog... We've had a great time, and have spent some time with a lot of people... Norah has really enjoyed her time with Nanny and Papa and is full of hugs and kisses for them!

Since I am still not particulalry in the mood to blog, here's a video of Musical Norah, with her new Glockenspiel, on Christmas morning. Enjoy!

New Header

So you may be wondering why all the changes in the header lately. Well, it all started when Norah produced what I thought was an exceptional piece of artwork. One day I sat her at the table with a giant piece of paper and a pack of markers. She spent the next 40 minutes or so trying out each and every color, forming an arc from her spot at the table. I was wondering what to do with this cool drawing when I realized the bugleonline header was over a year old! So, I subbed in the artwork.

I was informed recently by Papa that, while it was nice to see Norah's artwork, he really missed having her eyes looking out at him when he checked for news... so Papa, this is for you! Thanks for the quiet house, comfy chair, and laptop with which to blog!

What's in a ring?

Over the past 6 to 10 months or so, I've had some issues with eczema on my hands, and as a result, I often go without rings of any sort - including my wedding rings. Before this happened, I always wore my wedding and engagement rings on my left hand and my iron ring and my grandmother's wedding rings on my right. A couple things got me thinking about how these rings, in a way, define parts of my life.

My Mom asked me the other day why I wasn't wearing my iron ring - a ring that literally did not leave my right hand, my working hand, since 1996. For Canadian Engineering students, receiving the iron ring, the symbol of our profession, is the culmination of all we've worked for. It symbolizes not only our responsibility to society, but also the long road we've traveled to get there - years of calculus and physics, labs and work terms. It also symbolizes a bit of a "work-hard-play-hard" lifestyle of the slightly nerdy that seemed to transcend our individual institutions of learning.

My wedding rings, obviously identify me as part of a team, a family. When Norah and I were traveling alone last week they implied, at least in my mind, that I was a married mother, that Norah has a complete family, and that someone would be waiting for us on the other end of our journey. Even when my hands are giving me some issues, I always wear these rings when I travel - whether for work or pleasure. I hadn't really thought about why before - am I worried about being approached by strange men? Hardly. I think maybe it's just to have a piece of them with me when I am away.

My grandmother's rings carry so much meaning... they are much older than either my engineering ring or my own wedding rings. My grandmother raised a family of 8 children with a quiet grace that I hope some day I will possess. She and my grandfather, married nearly 60 years before he passed away, have left a legacy of family and love that I am certain each of the 20 cousins feels. The rings represent a love that I know many of us have waited patiently for in our own lives, and had obviously only grown fonder with time. I am honored to be the keeper of these special symbols.

As I am writing this, and I can see how these rings represent phases of my life, I think of other rings in my jewel box, some worth reminiscing over, some not, and also what rings are yet to come... family ring? anniversary ring? telephone ring? I'm not sure it matters, since really life is about the journey, and not the ring.

Beantown Vacation

The staff here at the Beantown Bugle are taking it a little easy these days... Norah and I are visiting my parents this week and getting ready for Christmas.

We travelled by plane, which was interesting on a couple of fronts. First of all, it was the first time Norah flew since she was old enough to understand what a plane was all about. I am happy too report that she did exceptionally well on the trip, especially given that we woke her up at 5 am to make the trip! She was really curious about pretty much everything, from the ground crew to the window shades and not the least bit freaked out by take off and landing.

The other thing that struck me, as I looked at all the business travellers, poking away at their blackberries, what that it was great to be on vacation! I could very easily be working this week and part of next, but instead, I'm here, with the only grandchild, having a wonderful visit with my parents.

Pokey Needs Gloves

Well if Sunday was our first snow, today is our first REAL snow! It's been snowing since about 5:30 am, there is about 6 inches down, and it's showing no signs of stopping, although the weather people are calling for 6 to 9 inches in our area.

As a result of all the snow, poor Pokey is getting a little buried! We were saying good morning to him out the front window as has become our habit, and Norah said "Gloves, Gloves!" Apparently she was concerned that poor Pokey's stick-hands were getting cold in the snow!

Norah News and Plays of the Week

– Norah has been sleeping for 13 hours straight at night, for close to a month now. I’m now sure if she’s fighting something or what, but I’ll tell ya, having some time to myself in the morning sure is nice. I’m really lucky in that I’m ramping down towards the end of the year at work and I’ve been able to get her sleep in!

– Speaking of sleeping in, I was treated to a coffee delivery – to my bedside table, while I was reading a book – on Saturday morning. Not only that, I got a refill while I got thru the last couple of chapters – bliss! And speaking of coffee, I awoke this morning, a weekday, to the smell of that sweet elxir… Matt put the coffee on before he left – what a guy!

– I never did do a report on our thanksgiving travels, but we had a great trip! We went to PA, as usual, and stayed with Matt’s parents and had dinner at his brother’s. 26 people attended this year, with a total of 5 kids under 5. Norah had a great time with her cousins Brian, Megan, Natalie and Megan. She hadn’t had a nap and I was a bit worried, but as I’m sure all you experienced parents know, adrenaline and sugar kept her running around (literally!) until nearly 2 hours past her bed time. She put on a fine show for her Oma and Opa, calling them by name and full of hugs and kisses. She pretty much had us all in tears as we were leaving as she was blowing kisses and saying “I Wuv you Opa, I Wuv you Oma!”

– We had a major potty milestone this weekend. A poo! Not only a poo, but a poo that she alerted us to and held until she got there! Not only a poo that she held until she got there, but 3 bowls of fruit salad from a party the night before was not going to be pretty in a diaper! Congrats to Norah!

– When Matt’s parents visited a couple of months ago, his Mom showed Norah how to bless herself. She kinda seemed to get it, so we ran with it, and try to always remember to say grace before meals. Well this morning, even though I am certain she was quite hungry, Norah folded her hands and said “Mommy – Prayers!” I guess I’ve been told!

– Little Miss N really tests us at times. The other day we were all just finishing having snacks in the kitchen, and she was cruising around with her sippy cup. The rule is that she’s not allowed to take the cup into the living room, it must stay in the kitchen/dining room area. Her trip into the living room was abruptly halted by Matt telling her to stay in the kitchen. Well didn’t she stand with one foot in each room, inching towards the living room until she was busted again! The worst part is that she had the most mischievous look on her face… I’ve said this before, but I sense trouble ahead…

Hearts Mean I Love You

Since Norah started doodling with crayons, I've been telling her her that we have hearts because I love you. As we doodle or color, I'll say, "Norah why do we have hearts? - Because I love you!" Well it's started to pay off! She can now say "I Love You" and often does, in response to the same from us.

However, being as she is a little girl, plenty of her clothes also have hearts on them, giving Mommy many opportunities to remind her that we love her (and hear her say it!) Here she is, doing tricks with Dad, and making Mommmy smile :)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

The first snow of the season rolled in over the weekend, and no one was more excited than Matt. He's been working outside over the past few weekends making sure everything was buttoned up tight for the winter, and fired up the snowblower to make sure it was ready to roll.

Norah, on the other hand, had no idea that snow was coming. When she looked out the windows on Sunday morning, her eyes were as wide as saucers as she took in the winter wonderland outside. She ran into the dining room to look out the patio doors and get a better look at this stuff.

But she wasn't interested in actually coming into contact with it. She wouldn't touch it in my hand, and wasn't the least bit interested in walking on her own as we went about our Sunday morning routine of church, breakfast and groceries. In fact, she was dead set against going outside to play even after her long winter's nap of nearly 3 hours that afternoon.

So, thinking she'd see what fun it was, Matt geared up and headed back outside to build a snowman, as Norah and I watched from the front window. I tried convincing her many ways, but she was not going outside - not willingly at least. Taking a cue from my dad, I was pretty sure she's like it, if I could just get her out there. I managed to get her snowpants on, but the boots were proving to be a challenge - no suprise, given the Great Sandal Saga of 2009. I was making a little headway, by convincing her that one of her stuffed animals really liked the boots and she ought to at least try them.

In between Boot Battles, we would check outside to see how the "pokey" (aka snowman) was coming along. At one point two of the neighbours came over, and called out to her - I said, "Norah there's Megan, do you want to go outside and say Hi?" To which she responded, "Yeah" I kid you not. I told her she'd have to put on her boots and coat and hat, but she was not deterred! Out we went, and she ran down the driveway to see Megan!

She still didn't have much interest in touching or standing on the snow, but the pokey that Matt made is sure a hit! We had a quick visit with him this morning and she said "Bye, School" when we were headed to daycare. I'm not sure if they were headed outside to play today or not, but there could be some interesting reports for me today!

Here's Norah and her Daddy, with the pokey

All three of us

And lastly, the Ladies of our road.... hmm maybe pokey is a girl after all!

Christmas Toys

We got Norah a play nativity scene in preparation for Christmas. So far, it's been a big hit and she's able to point out Baby Jesus, Mary (the Mommy), Joseph (the Daddy) and the Sheep. She was also able to play with it, with her Opa when we went to PA for Thanksgiving. Norah, much like her Mom, is a master multi tasker. Here she is, taking an important call while playing.


Apparently, she didn't appreciate being interrupted...


Back to full on play! She's like those people who sit at a bar with their phones out in front of them, just in case they might miss and important call..

Cute Boots

It was really really cold out this morning, so I dug around in the depths of Norah's closet to see if I could find a sweatshirt or sweater for her to wear. I did, then let her choose which pants to wear - she was very set against jeans today and opted instead for the black tights, which, as it turned out, were really cute. Then I tried to get her to wear these black boots that she had, and had refused to wear previously. Today, she thought they were the cat's meow! Boots, Boots! she said. Here's a (slightly blurry) pic just before we left this morning. Note how long her pigtails are getting too!