Happy 45 Week Birthday, Mika!

What a week! We went over to Grandma Jude's on Monday to visit with her, Shana, Auntie Amber, and Uncle Dave. Surprise! Carmen and Elijah were there too! All the way home from Australia. Mika and Elijah fell in love at first sight. He is the sweetest little baby boy I have met. I *so* wanted to steal him. Tuesday was shopping mayhem. Wednesday was spent running around getting Mika's SIN for her RESP after we spent some time hanging out at daycare. Yesterday, Daddy finally had to go back to work. But he was able to leave early, so we strolled about. And now it's Friday. What to do, what to do? Meh...we'll probably head over to the mall to look for iPod cases or something. USB hub maybe.

Mika was spoiled rotten for xmas. We had a wonderful time. Thanks to all!

Mika and Danny

Mika and Danny
Originally uploaded by Lucas Thompson.

Merry Xmas!

Happy 44 Week Birthday, Mika!

Yay..it's Friday. Auntie Kerry is coming by today with some homemade milk chocolate truffles!! Wooooot! Apparently, she even made a wee one for Mika. I figured one small truffle shouldn't hurt...unless, of course, Mika decides that she will eat nothing but chocolate after tasting the sweet, sweet truffle.
Tonight we're off to some early xmas celebrations over at the Shermans. Haven't been there since Halloween! Papa Sherman: Chill me a glass and a beer. I *lost* some of the earlier purchased xmas gifts and actually had to brave west edmonton mall day before yesterday. True I didn't have to go there yesterday or today, but even Wednesday was sheer and utter madness. Ugh. Mika seems to dig the Crabtree and Evelyn store. I don't know if it is the clerks who dote on her, the smell, the sights, or a combo. Couldn't she pick the Body Shop or somewhere a little less expensive than C&E?? Maybe it's the Banana Cream soap...its gets the best of us.

Tooth #8

With much drool, Mika's top left lateral incisor has finally broken through.

Light and Song

We've just returned home from celebrating the Winter Solstice. Mika's first! Typically, the Solstice celebration is held out at the lake. Due to the timing of everything, we had a fire over at Mika's GrandAunt Anna's instead. Mika ate some pyrogies, even the onions..another first. She really enjoyed them. They were made by the fine folks at St. Hermans. There was Serbian Soup too! And homemade mulled crabapple cider. So. Good.
Mika hadn't ever really seen fire before, so even though the bonfire was small this year, she was loving it! She wanted to go *in* the fire, of course. Mika just kept looking around at the people, some of whom were holding lit candles, and the fire and then back at me with this expression like "Can you believe this? Is this the best thing that's ever happened or what?" Then the singing started. Mika loves singing and music. I thought her little head was going to explode at everyone singing around a fire. It was almost too much for her to take in all at once. The first song of the night was sung all in German, so we were a little lost. And the second song was in German too as it was a repeat of the first one because it sounded so wonderful. And to be truthful, I don't know all of the lyrics to most carols in English let alone any other language. The best I can do is play them on a soprano recorder. Nice. Maybe next year I just will. Better than singing "We three kings from nowhere are - trying to sell some cheap underwear - so fantastic, no elastic, $0.25 a pair!", which is what I did tonight. I don't recall ever hearing all five verses of that song sung before either. My favorite was Auntie Anna's verse: "Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume - Breathes of life of gathering gloom - Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying - Sealed in the stone-cold tomb." Who knew carols could be so kewl? Certainly not I. Thankfully, Daddy has a lifetime of Solstice celebrations behind him and can get by on most of the traditional carols. Maybe even a bit of the German ones too!

It was a wonderful evening and I can't wait to go back next year. Even though Mika will be 22 months old and much more difficult to keep out of the fire.

Happy 10 Month Birthday, Mika!

I missed the 43 week post. Bleh. We're busy! Tis the season and all...

Welcome Christmas

Someone commented to Mika that she looked just like Cindy Lou Who.

To this we say:
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!

Happy 1st Birthday, Saoirse!

Lucky Mika attended her friend Saoirse's First Birthday Party today! We met many new people and forgot most of the names already. Saoirse looked unreal in her party dress...such a beautiful girl!
Both girls really enjoyed eating Saoirse's bday cake. Everyone at the party enjoyed eating that cake as it was Damn Fine. Forgot who made it. Wicked homemade caramels too! Thanks for the party, Saoirse! I'd post more about it, but your Mama can do that!

Happy 42 Week Birthday, Mika!

Ah, 42. The answer to life, the universe, and everything. Mika and I were going to stroll our butts off all over town today, but the killer wind has kept us in so far.
Last night...or rather very early this morning, Mika woke up and was crying her fool head off. She had a seriously laden diaper. When I went in to rescue her, she was standing at the side of the crib! A first! We knew she could pull up and stand and stuff, but hadn't actually seen her stand up on her own in her crib. I guess a laden diaper will do that to ya.
Mika followed me around all morning. Wherever I went, there she was! I'd put her down with her block cart and go to unload the dryer and there she was! Put her down again and went to get some dishes done and before I even had the water running to fill the basin, there was a tug at my pant leg. She's bound and determined to get into a) the dry cat food bowl and b) the cat litter box. Gah! Why?

Closer To The Heart

Mika's "ugly face" mentioned in an earlier post makes her look like Bubbles from the Trailer Park Boys. It's driving me batty. I feel the need to play Rush for her.

If You're Happy and You Know It

Mika clapped on her own yesterday. She's been making other people's hands clap for some time now. She looked like a crazed orchestra conductor...give this girl some hand cymbals! Er, or not. Please.

The Trick Is To Keep Breathing

As of today, Mika has spent more time on the outside than in. We rearranged the main floor furniture to keep her on her toes. And a little more safe. We moved most of the bookshelves up to the loft. It was easier than trying to bolt them down. Mika can now cut a swath the length of the room instead of the width. Whee! She's really enjoying running with the wooden cart thing. And being pushed around on her sit and scoot...her legs are too short to self-propel.

Mondo Thanks

to cousins Alice and Jamie for the two packed garbage bags of clothes. Holy Dinah!! I was simply blown away by the sheer amount of articles that we were given. From socks to snowsuits! Mika is now the proud owner of a fine London Fog snowsuit, though it won't fit her until next year. We were in need of some bigger sleepers and a few sweaters or pullovers, but not anymore. Included in the bags were two very cute jumpers that Grandma had given Alice when she was still wee. As G likes to say, Mika could open her own store with all of the stuff that she has. Thanks again girls and hope to see you at Christmas!

Have I mentioned...

that Mika is crawling like mad and trying to pull up on anything and everything? If not, she is. Mika's timing is something else..she waited until we were both sick and then decided to crawl like mad everywhere. That's my girl!
Mika also started making an ugly face when she's acting defiant or getting mad/frustrated. She juts her chin forward..sounds minor, but you have to see the total expression to get it. I do not like this new face in the slightest..it's not very nice to look at and just means that terror is imminent.

Happy 41 Week Birthday, Mika!

We're both still sick. Mika's antibiotics are giving her the runs. It's some very exciting times over here, let me tell you. I am a fevered idiot..which makes things even more exciting.