The best of intentions...

I always wondered what my mom would mean by the phrase "I had the best of intentions.." Now I know. Amazing how one little person in your life can flip your to-do list upside down. It seems like the past 11 months I have had the best of intentions. I thought my house would be clean (yeah right!), I would be able to hit the gym everyday (HA!) and have dinner ready when the hubby walked in the door. What world am I living in? There is no way I could pull of the June Cleaver kind of life! What was I thinking??

I am thinking I will hit that once Henri is off to university. Even then, I won't hold my breath. One thing I have learned in the last 11 months is if I get one thing done, the dog is fed/walked and the little man is happy, fed and clean(ish) then that is a measure of a successful day. Am I right??

Now if I could only find the time, and energy, to sync the photos from my phone onto our computer...like my mother said - I had/have the best of intentions.

The mighty traveller

It is hard to believe close to nine months have passed since Sir Henri entered our world. It has taken a bit but I finally feel like we have a good groove in our daily routine. I couldn't have done it without the amazing words of encouragement from my amazing friends and, especially, my family!


Henri and I are part way through our travels for the spring/summer. So far we have been to Jasper, Scottsdale, AZ and next up is our Vancouver/Seattle road trip with my mom. Now, I have not done a road trip with my mom for probably 10 years but last year she came with me as I headed west for a pre-baby trip. Both of us survived and had a great time! We decided to make the trek out with Henrithis spring a two-day adventure. We say it is probably best for Henri but who are we kidding...it is for our sanity. I can't wait to introduce him to our friends out west.


Once we get back from Vangroovy it will be a quick trip back up to Jasper for my birthday, home for a week and then the Coté trio will head to the Eastern Townships to introduce Henri to his aunts, uncles & cousins. More importantly celebrate Rob's momma's 90th birthday. We can't wait! Before I know it it is going to be time to go back to work and a whole different rat race. But before I get to far ahead of myself I am looking forward to celebrating Henri's first birthday...oh what a party it will be!



Seems there is too much time between posts...I hope to change that pattern this summer. And pictures will come shortly... Happy day one & all!

Day Four of Hibernation...

Baby, it's cold outside! On any given day by 10 a.m. I am dressed and we are ready for the day. We would be planning our walk and what great adventure the day will serve up. Today is not a normal day. The blinds have been drawn for three days; the dog has not been out for a walk and the only adventure we are planning is how to tackle the pile of laundry and ironing. This is day four of hibernation.

I have survived cold snaps before but this is the first with a little one in the house. I have adopted the philosophy of "I don't have a reason to go outside so I won't." Friends in the Pacific Northwest of the USA and the West Coast of Canada are enjoying a few snow days while the Prairies are in a deep freeze. For the third night it dipped down to -30 degrees Celsius and -40s with the windchill. Trust me - that is FRIGID!! Jasper the wonder dog usually loves playing & rolling in the snow. This morning the mere suggestion of "in the house" was greeted with a "get out of my way woman" dash for the front door. Love that dog! Of course his efforts were rewarded with treats. He has since retreated up to our room and cocooned under the covers on our bed.

The little master of the house has been tucked back in bed since the wee hours and is happy to be bundled up like a bug in a rug. If the blinds were open the photo would come out perfectly.

So, what will the day hold for the Cote clan? Well - it will be just like yesterday...snuggles, blankets and movies enjoyed in the comfort of our family room.

Holy smokes it is cold out there!!

I know understand why our furry friends hibernate from end of November through to March. Henri and I have spent the past three days inside due to Mother Nature shoving winter in our face. Yes, I know. I live in the mountains and winter is a part of the package and one of the lovely four seasons I must deal with. What I am unprepared for, every single year, is the blast that includes -30 degrees Celsius accompanied by windchills of -40 to -45 degrees Celsius. Sweet mother of all things holy is it ever cold!
A friend recently set off on a journey to "Follow the Sun." She was kind enough to share that it was +30 in Sydney Australia. Another friend noted she experienced a low of +16 overnight in Dubai. To this I say why don't I: 1) hibernate; 2) migrate south; 3) move!

Honest I love winter...the cozy sweaters, fuzzy blankets and the chance to experience snuggles with the little man. The latter is an experience I thought of first when I learned I was expecting this time a hear ago! For such a little person he is a furnance!

Winter also brings hearty meals that fill the house with the aroma I associate with my childhood. Stew, soup, casseroles (this is one of my favourites that is prepared & enjoyed when hubby is out of town). Nothing like comfort food when Mother Nature blusters away outside. I can't wait to introduce these lovely little tidbits to Henri when he gets older.

Jasper the wonder dog is embracing hibernation. He has decided it is a good thing to stretch out between us on the bed at night (not going to kick him off...he is better than an electric blanket) and snuggles up beside me on the couch as I sit here with Henri. If self portraits were easier to take when holding an infant and cuddling a 90lb retriever! ;) Wouldn't that be a site.

For those that enjoy winter and don't mind the cold...enjoy the next week. Pictures to come...

What a year it has been!

How corny is it to say "where did the time go?" Between pregnancy and the first few months of Henri's life - time has flown by!! For all our family and friends who have been by our side, physically & thru the magic of the internet, we are so grateful!!! Words cannot begin to say how much your love & support have meant to us.

This final day of 2011 started like any other day - Jasper sprawled at the end of the bed; Rob hogging the covers, Henri snuffle grunting his way out of his swaddle and I trying to stay comfortable and warm. Henri finally broke free & woke up so that meant my day was set to begin. As he was waking up he let out one of his "cute" toots and, in typical little boy fashion, giggled & grinned. Precious... Well, the cute moment soon passed and Henri let out a "mom, I am hungry" wail...well, more like a squack. Henri, bless his little heart, doesn't really wail unless he is extremely pissed off.  Now the boys are still sleeping so time for momma to plan out what is on the radar for the rest of maternity leave. Yes, folks...I have time to plan!

 

My wish list includes trips to Scottsdale, Seattle, Vancouver, Whistler/Squamish, Montreal, the Eastern Townships, and, if I am lucky...Toronto. The last trip will include Grandma G along for the ride... :)

Aside from travels across this great land we are getting our renovations finished upstairs. My master builder has been busy designing plans for the room and now we just need to figure out when we will get it done. I can't wait! Thankfully one set of grandparents are close by to assist with Henri so momma and daddy can work away! Well, more like momma can supervise and shop for materials/furniture while daddy works away. When all is said and done we should have a finished guest room & master bedroom by June 2012!

So today we close amazing chapter on our lives and get ready for the adventure of tomorrow and the one after that, and the one after that...wishing you all a safe NYE celebration and a prosperous 2012.

'Tis the Season

When did it hit December let alone one week to go before Christmas??
Our house has two plants that resemble Christmas and Henri has his Christmas outfits. Presents are nearly done and the cooking is well underway. In years past we have been organized and lights are up the house...this year is a bit different.
With Master Henri's arrival it has become a one man show in the decorating and organizing department. And that one person has been working every day last few weeks until today. Today the house is transforming. We will give the house the attention it needs and transform it into a Christmas wonderland for Henri's first Christmas. Sunday is all about friends & Christmas parties! Henri will head to the second children's party of the year (OMG - we are attending children's Christmas parties...) and then over to a grand gathering with our Banff family! I love this time of year. Hopefully Mother Nature will keep the white stuff on the ground for Christmas. Oh - it is going to be great!!! Henri's first Christmas. Does he look excited?

Yes, Christmas has a whole new meaning and sense of excitement with a little one. Jasper the wonder dog has a spring in his step and keeps tabs on all of us. He has earned his place on the "Nice" list this year!

Ah yes...the sweet smell of Christmas cooking...better run before it burns!

How time flies...

I cannot believe it has been eight weeks since our little man entered the world. And in those eight weeks I have learned what can be achieved with very little sleep and a lot of patience. I can't remember the last time I celebrated a full night's sleep! Long gone are the days of sleeping more than a five hour stretch at a time! And who knew it would take so long to get ready to go out for a walk? Heck, trying to fit in a shower for myself is a challenge. :)

Henri Gerard Douglas entered the world at 10:07 a.m. on Septemer 4th at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. He weighed five pounds & 11 ounces and was 49 centimetres in length. It was a lengthy delivery...we were brought in on September 1st in the afternoon to induce labour. Henri was going to come into the world three weeks early as my kidney function was starting to take the turn for the worse and the doctors told me the baby was perfectly healthy and would thrive on the outside. They said given he was 36 almost 37 weeks along it is time to take care of his momma. So, off we went to the Foothills to wait for our little man to come into the world. 

We had learned about what induction would entail in our childbirth essentials class two weeks prior. I didn't think I would actually have to reenact the entire lesson! I won't go into the gory details but if anyone has questions about any aspect of induction give me a call...I have first hand knowledge. :) In any event, 60+ hours after we started down the induction highway Henri came into the world with a little help from Dr. Birch and the team!

For the past eight weeks Henri and I have learned a lot about each other and what life is going to be like for the next few months. First things first...heal from the c-section and get Henri to pack on the pounds! Thankfully Grandma came to stay with us off and on for the first four to five weeks of us being home. And thank goodness for her! The c-section took a bigger toll than I ever imagined. I don't know what I was thinking...one lesson I learned - every child will always need their mommy. Henri - remember this. ;)

Oh, who can forget Jasper the wonder dog! Jasper has taken to his new role of protector with pride. He struts beside the stroller when we are out, barks with greater authority and makes sure anyone who comes to see Henri knows he is here too. :) A tad jealous I think but still our adorable retriever. When I feed Henri downstairs Jasper is right beside us so that we know he is there too.

Sorry for the lack of pictures on this post. I have them on my iPhone and desperately need to download them into the photo file!

Thank you all for your support and love as we soldier on the road of parenthood.