Happy New Year everyone!

What a year this will be! Sadly, I must admit it started off on rather a sad note....we did not win the Lotto-Max $50 million - and, neither did you. :-(  However, all is not lost - we've had a wonderful Christmas holiday and a quiet New Year -- so who needs extra millions anyway? 

As you saw from the last posting we said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Fraser and then shortly after that, we welcomed Grandma Marg for New Years. She was with us for about 10 days or so and overlapped one day with our 13 year old niece Eva Fraser. What a treat to have so much family wanting to come and see us. 

Jennifer loves having anyone and everyone over to visit and can't wait for the next time anyone is interested in coming. She had a wonderful time with Grandma Marg - constantly playing and, quite frankly, tired poor Grandma right out. Eva was a welcome relief to step in to play with Jennifer for a bit. This was the first visit for Eva to meet all of her cousins in Calgary so it was a special visit indeed! With everyone here - it was a good idea to get out of the house so there were walks, trips to the zoo, tobogganing, and birthday parties to boot. Fun was had by all and we were all painted with red cheeks after coming in from the cold. For those of you not keeping tabs...Calgary is in another blast of winter...snow storms and freezing temperatures (-25 C or -13 F tonight) yikes. Soooo - we're inside for the next few days for sure.

It's hard for me (and I'm sure many of you) to believe that it is January and a brand new year! Jeremy will be going back to work in a months time and we are both (sadly) preparing for this inevitability. It will be quite a shock for both of us. He has already started to prepare Jennifer and, she is beginning to process this as all of her dolls in her new doll-house are now "going back to work" and "going back to day-care". Jennifer continues to amaze us with her whimsical spirit, intelligence and gentle nature. She is easy going and, for the most part, goes with whatever we throw at her (not literally of course). There are days in which the guilt blankets me as I just can't spend the time I want with her and then...we manage to steal some time at the end of a long day lying on the couch "taking a break" with each other and all seems right with the world.

The babies continue to grow and develop as they should (as far as we can tell anyway). They are getting heavier; however, I haven't had them weighed for some time now (our next Dr's visit is on the 25th). Emily and Heather continue to lead the way with Caitlyn maintaining a more petite frame and weight. We started to feed them solids about a month ago. Initially, this was met with very little enthusiasm by all; however, Caitlyn has started to become a "baby bird" and anticipate food on the spoon. Unfortunately, Heather and Emily are not that interested. Heather is getting the idea of opening her mouth but is taking her time. Emily? Well, she just flat out refuses. It was yesterday that I decided to just stop feeding her after I showed her the spoon and she started crying. Poor Emily has a mean Mama :-(

Anyway, I've resorted to giving her a different spoon with some applesauce or other on it for her to play with. She seems quite keen on this and has been at least getting both the spoon and the sauce into her mouth. Small wins added up hopefully will amount to her getting the hang of this. I think that everyday holds potential for growth and change...

We've noticed some bonding happening with the babies - particularly with Caitlyn and Emily. They seem so in-tune with each other that it's hard not to see it. If we take Emily out of the room, Caitlyn becomes quite upset. If either are crying the other is looking for them. It will be interesting to watch the relationships of these three (and of course with Jennifer as well) unfold. 

In no particular order, here are some recent moments captured on "film"...

Getting ready for applesauce breakfast!

Caitlyn diving onto her spoon already!

Emily anticipating the "torture"...

Heather looking ever so sceptical that she will enjoy this experience...

Caitlyn, Heather and Emily enjoying some kitchen time

Heather

The threesome looking for trouble....okay they're watching Jennifer...

Zoo day -- it was warm enough to have the picnic outside!

Caitlyn and Emily reading their favourite book with Papa

Emily - saddened as the giraffe tower has lost his head!

Cousin Eva helping out with Emily

Getting to know you.....Caitlyn and Eva...

Getting to know you part 2...Eva and Emily

More story time with cousin Kiara - up for a visit to see Eva and the rest of her cousins

Double dipping with Heather and Caitlyn

Hangin' with the girls!

...Getting to know you part 3 -- Eva and Heather!

Trifecta!

Ahhhhh -- finally we get to relax and read a book...

Jennifer showing her expertise in helping Caitlyn eat some yummy applesauce!

Our four fairies -- but just one has her wings so far!

Beautiful blue-eyed Caitlyn

Always curious...Heather

Our dancing-queen

Grandma Marg and Caitlyn having some reading time

Our champion tummy-timer -- Emily

Hugs all around...one for Grandma....

...and one for Papa!

Heavily weighted with New Years cheer!

...more reading but we never get tired of it

...okay everyone this is my next move...follow along with me...pull your toes to your mouth and hold.....

...it never gets old...

Happy New Year everyone!

The troublesome foursome!! Just you wait!!





Happy days to all - We hope that January finds you rested and relaxed and ready for the year ahead!


Until next time!!
Love Jan, Jer, Jennifer, Heather, Cailtyn and Emily