Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Two Babes in The Tub

Rowan couldn't have asked for a better first bath buddy than Baby Carys.

The Ones We Love and Miss

I have always felt my grandfather's presence around me since he died. He always seemed to be close when there were big events going on which is why I thought it was strange that he didn't make his presence known when Rowan was born. I know, you are all thinking: "WHATEVER!". My rational self is saying the same thing too. But, here is a true, real-life story that happened today. Imagine me and Nicole sitting in the living room, working on our computers. We were chatting here and there and I don't know why, but I blurted out:" You know, I think Rowan sees my grandfather". She got a creeped out look on her face because she had a story to tell me too (which I heard and well, you can ask her about it because it is her story not mine).

The feeling that Rowan can see Grampa has been with me since he started smiling. As you know, Rowan is a very happy baby who loves to smile and giggle. However, there are only 2 things that make him smile-- people and Puff. He doesn't just randomly smile at things. In fact, he doesn't even smile at the TV which fascinates him. But, occasionally when we are in the living room, out of nowhere, he looks over my shoulder, at the white wall and gives a HUGE smile to something that is nothing. Or something that I think is my Grampa. When this happens I ask Rowan if he sees Grampa and if he does, to please say "hello" and "I love you" for me. It is the strangest feeling. It scares me because I am not prepared to see the dead even if the dead is someone I love and miss dearly and yet, it also makes me happy because I know how much Grampa would have loved to have met Rowan.

Anyway, I explained this story to Nicole. She didn't laugh. I went on to tell her about how I thought Grampa once whistled in the car immediately after I had just told J about teaching Grampa to whistle on that very stretch of highway between Ottawa and North Bay. We were both stunned. And here is where it gets especially creepy... Not 15 minutes after we stopped talking about ghosts did Nicole hear a man's voice say through the baby monitor "What, what is it?". I didn't hear it but didn't question what she said she heard. Seconds later, through the baby monitor again we both heard: a clear whistle.

Ice Cream Minus the Cream Part

Jen's Fakin' It Coconut Ice Cream:

Ingredients:
* 2 cans of coconut milk
* 1 can of coconut cream (it's normally found in the drink section, used for making pina coladas)
* 6 egg yolks
* 2/3 cup of sugar

Mix the coconut milk, coconut cream and sugar in a saucepan on medium until the sugar has dissolved. Beat the egg yolks until fluffy. Place the yolks in a new saucepan and add 1/4 of the coconut milk mixture and beat. Add remaining coconut milk and heat on medium/low for 10 minutes. Do not allow to boil. Refrigerate overnight to thicken. Prepare the ice cream in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Freeze. Make approximately 12 small servings (or 4 Jack-size helpings).

Variations:
Try adding a mashed banana and dates to the mixture during freezing or cashews. I bet a lot of other goodies would work too.

Chopping Broccoli...I will Not Be

It's official, Rowan hates broccoli. He gagged and gagged until he barfed. Good thing I am a good catch. It didn't make it past the bib. Sweet potatoes are next on the menu.

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet

Rowan reminds me of a hungry little bird when we feed him his cereal. I didn't know it would be so much fun to watch him want to eat this way. Initially I was reluctant to give him anything but breast milk because I thought it might take away from *our* time, as selfish as that might sound. But it hasn't taken away from anything. Instead, it has given us something else to look forward to and now Daddy can participate more too.

Here are Rowan and Daddy both learning to use a spoon.

My... FEET?!?!

Rowan found his feet today. It was fantastic to see the wonder in his eyes when he made the connection that those cute little piggies at the end of those things (legs) he kicks are his. We didn't catch the moment on camera. It happened while we were playing in bed but we did take a photo of his feet and his flexible self the day before the lights went on.

The People I Have Met

I didn't know very many people in Vernon even though the community was very small and we lived there for 6 years. I don't know why people are afraid to get out and meet their neighbours these days, but they are and I am no exception either. I wish I had more nerve because there are a bunch of young women around here with babies the same age as Rowan who I bet are stuck inside their homes just like I am and who could use something to do too. But, I am a chicken and was never very good at making new friends (at least not as an adult anyway). I wish I could be more like Gerry.

Gerry became my friend the very first week we moved in to our old house. He probably walked right in the front door without knocking in fact. While he almost caught me half naked a few times, I really couldn't complain because he was very good to me. We rarely had to clean our laneway. We never had to mow our lawn. And when I was really down and alone in that big house, he came over to keep me company and to make sure there wasn't anyone hiding in the closet. Even though I have successfully put Vernon behind me, Gerry is still around. He still visits often and still comes flying through the front door (or he would if we didn't lock it). He still takes good care of me too. And now, well-- let's just say he has even more reason to visit. Here he is with Rowan who isn't quite sure what to make of Uncle Gerry's booming voice but Uncle Gerry sure thinks the world of Rowan.