Project 365: June Edition

Here, folks, are June's project 365 photos. Let me reiterate- it is my understanding that OFFICIAL Project 365 photos are meant to be high quality.... like, every. day. And probably of a wider variety of things than one's children. This, however, is not official but rather 'Julie's substandard version of Project 365' where most photos are taken with the much lesser quality but more accessible camera phone. Thank heavens for iPhones. And babies.

One of the several Fraser/Stefan shots taken to cheer Daddy on as he cycled 340 km (well, 400 km cuz he's a nut) to raise money for Southern Alberta Bible Camp.

Baby Elise Anne was born to Lowell's sis, Julie Anne, and her hubster Ryan... and we got to meet her on her actual day of birth! Woohoo!

 

Fraser was quick to demonstrate his approval of our new (long overdue considering Lowell's old landlord's bare butt had been on our previous couch unbeknownst to me until verrrrry recently (wish I was kidding)) living room furniture.

We absolutely love when Lowell's parents stop by for a visit, and Stefan totally cashed in on the T grandparental snuggles on this occasion!

STEFAN GIGGLES! The best.

Stefan was napping, so I set Fraser up with a snack in the front yard and mowed at lightening speed. Well, first I took this picture, and shortly after snapping the shot, a man approached me as he assumed the photo was for selling purposes and he was interested. Hahaha... NOPE. Sorry sir.

Uh, this was something delicious. I wanna say blueberries? Or a grape popsicle? Perhaps paint?

Stefan meets the fabulous Auntie Erin!

Oh that smirk. Gets me every time.

Double chinsies!

My copycat child was imitating my face for a dog run selfie. What a goob (him, not me. I'm totally normal. Obviously)!

I totes didn't take any of these pictures, but I surely did create the collage. Hey, credit where credit is due I say! Anyhoo, twin cousin #2 (Finola Rose) was born to Dan and Carlynne! Woot!!

Fraser and Kumeu: best greeters ever.

My sweet gal pals threw a surprise baby shower for us! Tiffany (pictured with me in the bottom left picture) was the wonderful instigator of the event. And also, if I ever have daughters, I would want them to be clones of Tiff's daughters Georgia & Paisley (pictured with me in the bottom right photo)... absolute angels I tell you.

Stories with Auntie Chels & Nico!

Lowell spent some quality time with his main men on Father's Day. How lucky those boys are to have the Dad that they do!!

Fraser enjoys taunting Kumeu with the ball. And then he says, "Ready. Set. THROW!" and attempts to throw but the ball stays in the Chuck-it. Over and over. Hehehe.

Doesn't EVERYONE enjoy waking up to trucks rolling up and down their body?! Fraser is apparently under the impression that that is indeed the case.

Lowell is sauntering across our river, er, street. We had a wee bit of a rain/hail storm.

Word on the street was that the waters in the river valley would rise to 1995 flood levels (which was, like, REALLY high), so we went to check it out. It was fairly underwhelming as it was nowhere near '95 levels, but that, my friends, was not a bad thing. Less flooding = good.

This is Uncle Brian & Auntie Candy. We love them. Like, a lot. They're like real family to us, and how lucky are WE to have amazing real AND pretend family for our kiddies to grow up knowing??!!?!

Ah the bubble goatee. I know it well.

Oh my. That smile. That face. That boy... he's MINE!

Fraser + Nico = BFFs. For life (well, if we have anything to say about it anyway).

My heavens can kids produce gales of laughter in a BOX. Cheapest entertainment ever... for them AND us. Fraser and Clara (3) got along famously!

"Mommy made me a summer sleep sac and I like it!"

Cousin Ty videos online are a magical (bribery-type) thing. They make hair cutting sooooo easy for this mama!

At the doctor's office awaiting confirmation on chicken pox and/or hand, foot & mouth disease. Fraser still had smiles, and Stefan never got it so PHEWF!

Lowell was the best man for his cousin's westerny wedding (which I had to miss due to the above mentioned chicken pox and/or hand, foot & mouth disease), and I challenged him to send me photographs in the most hick-like poses he could muster. He rose to the challenge in a big way.

My mom found these to-go cups at the dollar store- four for a dollar. I just love being on the (frequent) receiving end of the homemade latte deliveries in those beauties!

June. Done. July is nearly over now too, so I suppose I should get my act together with those pictures so I can post them before 2014. We'll see...

My blogger page was dusty... but I'm back. With an update.

 It’s been such an overwhelmingly long time since I’ve updated this here bloggeroo that I hardly even know where to begin. Fraser is now 21 months old (actually, closer to 22), and Stefan is 3.5 months old. Time is going WARP speed,  and they’re growing/changing sooooo fast. The end.

Just kidding.

Fraser has been doing all sorts of running, climbing, chatting, playing, and being an all around delight. He loves swimming, balls, puppies, the outdoors, cars, books, and probably every other stereotypical thing that a boy his age would love. His favourite word lately seems to be “no” which is looooads of fun (not), but lucky for him, even his ‘no’ is cute (for now).

Stefan has been eating and sleeping well, and is quick to show us his toothless grin. If he’s fussy, it’s usually an easy fix (for example, he is not a fan of sitting in poo like his big brother, but as a general rule neither am I so I can hardly blame the kid for shedding a few tears when his diaper is full of the nasty). Overall, Stefan has been easy on his mama. We were warned several times not to expect another good babe like Fraser, but I dare say we've hit the jackpot a second time (*HUGE sigh of relief*).

People often ask me what the differences between them are, and I truly think the main difference so far is with ME. I'M more relaxed and easy going about everything. Stefan started sleeping longer sooner and generally SEEMS more chill than Fraser was, but I'm convinced it's mostly me and how I react/cope. I'm sure I'll have more answers as Stefan's personality develops, but for now we'll go with this: they're both angels, and that's that.

Plus, like, seriously. They LOOKED alike as newborns...

(Fraser on top, Stefan down below- both photos courtesy of La Di Da Lane Photography.)

Actually, I just thought of one major difference. Stefan is Baldy McBalderson, and Fraser never lost his hair (and in fact looks like he's wearing a toupe in his newborn shots), so THAT'S the difference between them. Major, I know.

Fraser as a hairy newborn and, well, you've seen Stefan's balding ways.

Oh. And Fraser and Stefan have been SHARING A ROOM. Successfully! Room-sharing was always the long term plan, but we didn’t know when to start. Well, a heat-wave and recent purchase of a small air conditioner forced the situation (as the a/c unit was put in their room), and it’s been a glorious success. For night time AND nap times. Thank heavens.

Also, Fraser loooves Stefan and always wants to include him, kiss him, make him smile, soothe him, and attempt to pick him up (which simultaneously makes my heart melt AND makes me cringe). When Stefan is crying, Fraser either joins him (now THAT’S fun (sarcasm)), or sympathetically repeats, “Ooooh Step-uhn” which is frequently accompanied by “DEW-ar” (soother). What a sensitive soul.

'A' for effort I suppose... neither were in the mood, but it's still cute, right? Right??

 

The summer has been jam-packed full of fun. Play dates, chicken pox (and/or hand foot & mouth disease), visitors, sunshine, and OTTAWA! The biggest event was Ottawa. Carlynne and Daniel had a baby girl named Finola Rose (HELLO FIRST G FAMILY GRANDDAUGHTER! WOOT!), so Lowell, the boys, Nana and I took a quick trip to Ottawa to meet the tiny celeb and observe the parenting skills that have come completely naturally to Dan & Carlynne. It was a short visit, but positively heavenly. We had a perfect balance of exciting outings/adventures and relaxing down times. Plus, let it be known that I may never travel without Nana again! What a HUGE help. From start to finish, Nana’s presence was completely invaluable and allowed Lowell and I to really suck every ounce of enjoyment out of our hasty visit. Nana went so far as to send Dan, Carlynne, Lowell and I on a double date whilst she babysat the three kids. When we arrived home, she had all three kids in bed and the house immaculate. THIS, folks, is the woman I want to emulate in every possible way.

Meanwhile, Papa gave Kumeu the royal treatment at home, so ONCE AGAIN- in case I haven’t stated it enough- my parents are AMAZING.

Oh ya. Pictures… getting used to those are we? Well, don’t expect much from me in the near future as our good lens mysteriously busted which will put us behind several hundy (blech), but here are some Ottawa photogs.

Since Fraser and Stefan are both under two years, they were both considered lap infants (and therefore FREE). However, there was only one lap infant allowed per side (as there's only one extra oxygen mask) so Nana and Lowell took turns entertaining Fraser across the aisle as I was nursing Stefan and supervising his sleeping. And as we didn't want to interrupt Stefan's sleep, he just HAD to stay on my lap and I just HAD to watch movies the whole way. There and back. haha

Stefan legit slept the entire way. Both ways.

Fraser was wide awake and energetic the entire flight until landing. He fell into a deep sleep the instant the plane made contact with the ground. For realz. Good timing there, bud. ;)

Fin is accustomed to her early morning cuddles with Daddy.

Fraser was very generous with his kisses!

Babies and Daddies!

Yes that is a toilet that Fraser is facing. The perfect little room for Fraser.

Heart. Breaker.

Watson. Fraser LOOOOVES this dog.

Super Nana!

POUTINE!!

Fraser having a teeter with a random little sweetie named Jayla.

Haha. Someone looks a little ticked off!

Twin cousins!

Date night (thanks to Nana)!

The light show at Parliament was amazing!

Fin with her favourite Auntie Julie (hehehe).

My fedorable boys!

It is my belief that both of my children look an extraordinary amount like Auntie Carlynne!

Beautiful beach day with Chris, Katherine, and their kidlets.

Adorbs kidlet #1: William.

Adorbs kidlet #2: Alistair.

Konked. Right. Out.

Three generations of G gals!

Before we parted ways, we obviously had to snap a picture of Carlynne and I with the babes in order to complete the documentation of the twin cousin progression...

First picture: Carlynne at 13 weeks; Julie at 20 weeks.
Second picture: Carlynne at 25 weeks; Julie at 32 weeks.
Third picture: Finola Rose (one month); Stefan Peter (three months)

Aaaaand back home we go! Adios Ottawa!

 Over and out.