Why Not In Canada?

We are back in Bath, England. We arrived early Monday morning and have been struggling to adapt to the time change. It was so easy the last time and I knew it wouldn't be that way this time because Rowan is older and not sleeping nearly as much as he was in November, but this is silly. Even I can't seem to adjust. I bet we will finally be on UK time the day we leave which just so happens to be Rowan's 6 month birthday! Half a year old. I'll come back to that in another blog. For now, I wanted to make a list of some of my favourite things that they have here in England and that we are missing in Canada, things that I will sorrily miss when we return home.

1. Baguette sandwiches. Okay, you can find these in Canada, but you can't find them everywhere like you do here. In fact, everyone eats them on the go including me because guess what, they are MILK and SOY FREE!
   
2. Proper nutrition labels complete with allergy information making it so much easier for people like me who are on a strict diet. Yes, even the fresh baked goods have their ingredients posted and if they don't, you can ask the friendly bakers behind the counter who are more than happy to whip out their trusty binder full of information on every kind of bread and goodie they have available.
3. Ginger beer in cans and DIET Ginger Beer for again, people like me who are on a diet and trying to limit their sugar consumption.
4. Stone buildings. Tell me, why do Canadians insist on building everything half-assed? Canadian climates are far from ideal and I am pretty sure that our current construction methods are not necessarily going to stand the test of time like the buildings have here.
   
5. Lichens that grow on the beautiful buildings and stone walls. Yes, I know. They do grow in Canada (my parents' roof is a good example). But it is pretty darn hard for them to grow on the stinking vinyl siding that seems to pollute the residential areas in our country.
   
6. Organic baby food that doesn't have a single additive and comes in handy packaging that can be used on the go and won't get contaminated with baby bacteria like our jars full of baby goop do. See my attached picture. They come in a variety of flavours and the package even made me want to try them!
7. Proper singers in the Catholic churches. We went to mass on Ash Wednesday and the choir consisted of only 5 people but I could have sworn it was entire balcony full of professional singers.
   
8. Prepared fresh veggies so that I don't have to do any chopping!
   
9. Pre-packaged delicious Indian food that doesn't have a ton of fat, additives etc.
   
10. Awesome boutique shopping and not a single big box store!
11. Tiny refrigerators and a washer/dryer combo that fits under the sink in the kitchen. How handy can you get? (Note: I have yet to figure out how to use the washer/dryer despite their handiness)
    
12. Tiny bottles of milk, juice, cartons of eggs and everything else. Why do we have to have monster sized everything in Canada?
    
13. Crumpets and marmalade. No, they are not the same at home.
14. Nothing but free range meat.
    
15. Eggs that don't need to be refrigerated.
16. Cute little cars and wicked motorcycles.
17. What I think are wonderful cheeses (I can't eat them of course ). For the number of cows that our country rears in a non-free-range-way, you'd think we could come up with some really good cheese. Oh wait, that's right--we're talking about Canada here. The land of mediocrity and AAA-Alberta-Beef-Eating- Second-to-the-US sized-carnivores. Don't get me wrong, I get immense pleasure eating a rare 12oz steak but I would trade it all in for red wine, real cheese and baguettes.

Now, having said all of the above there a lot of things that this place is missing. Here is a list just to keep things balanced:

1. "Good" television. They have 15 channels that have nothing but football, cricket, reruns of outdated american favourites (i.e. Gilmour Gilrs and Friends) old movies (like 1980/90's old) and real-estate programs (which by the way, I LOVE).
   
2. Decent sized roads and proper road signs.
3. Bulk produce. Honestly, for a country that prides itself on free-range-this-and-that and free-trade-everythings they sure do know how to waste energy on packaging absolutely everything up in plastic.
4. Loud talkers. Seriously, why can't these people speak up?
5. Good looking people (they are a rare breed here).
6. Most importantly-- Our family and friends and poochies. Ahhhhh!

Happy Birthday Little Friend

We are going to miss Carys' first birthday party which is happening this weekend. She actually turns 1 today and so in her honour, and because we are thinking of her, I thought I would post this picture taken when she was visiting us in January. She is wearing her birthday hat that I made her for the special occasion. A baby only turns 1 once, and well, it makes me very sad to miss the festivities. All the pink poodly stuff and furry fun...I hope her mommy thinks to take a lot of pictures so that we can see the cake and cookies she is making for the event.

Bonne Fete Carys!

Two Front Teeth

We won't be signing "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" around our house this year if Rowan's tooth popping continues. Imagine, 5.5 months old and he has his bottom left front tooth already and I can see the right one is following closely behind it. Gramma and Grampa brought Ilby to celebrate the Lebanese way. My parents were there to participate which was really nice. Once the tooth is a little bigger I will take a picture. For now, you'll just have to believe it is there.

Chomp, chomp, chomp...

Bumbo Blues

Until now, the Bumbo had been my best friend. It helped me shower and it was a big part of play time and baking around the house. But, sadly, today Rowan figured out how to wiggle out of it and he landed on the bed. Good thing Daddy was smart and had put the Bumbo in the middle of the mattress instead of close to the edge like I have a tendency to do.

So long hands-free fun. Good thing he is so freakin' cute and special!

Here He Is

Just in...

Hats, Hats and More Hats

I don't think I have mentioned that I have been obsessed with knitting hats for the past few months. I am not sure what has taken over me, I do go through knitting spurts like this on occasion, but this is unusual. Maybe it's those chubby cheeks that pop out at me under the new creation that have me addicted to making more and more and more? I have started making hats for other babies now because I can't justify making anymore for Rowan. At least I can't justify making any more until I cover all the other little ones first. Once that is accomplished I can go back to making things for our little guy who just so happens to be the best model out there. I think he could make a career out of smiling. What do you think?

Just Because

This is my new favourite picture of the little guy. Did I mention I am getting better at using John's camera? Might just be luck though.