Adam's 2nd birthday morning

In the morning, Adam, my brother, and I went to the Agricultural Museum at the Central Experimental Farm, aka, to "see some animals." All the usual suspects, excluding chickens (never found out the reason.) But Adam did get to touch a lamb - "nice and soft."

Fletcher-Patersons on Adam's 2nd B-day

There may be 4 MacAllisters, 3 Lews, and 2 Hobbses in this group shot but Fletcher-Paterson is the tie that binds.

full disclosure: One face is cropped out of another frame and into this one because some three people weren't looking at the camera in that frame but one person was grimacing in this one. It was neither Adam nor Dion. They always take good pictures.

Mischief

This is one of those times that I became suspicious because it was too quiet. very unusual with this kid. Those are my toothbrush and toothpaste. grrrr. Happily, however, Adam continued to amuse himself at the sink for about 40 minutes while we packed up to go home - we had been staying at my Aunt Joan's in Ottawa for Adam's second birthday and a hockey tournament for Dion.

We decided that the socks do match. Not each other, of course, but they do both match the shirt. A good look, I think.

Bedhead!

Gingerbread Men

A couple of weeks ago, two strange things happened at our house. 1) Dessert. 2) Arts and Crafts.

As you can see, Adam is in a bit of a Pollock period. Me,I'm stuck in gender stereotypes. Pearls and ties? Are you kidding me?

Chinglish

This story has gotten a couple of laughs; so, here it is for posterity....

Adam has just a few Cantonese words and expressions, including "maht" (meaning to wipe) and "maht beibei" (meaning to wipe one's nose).

The other day, Adam's nose was running; so, I said, "Come here, please, Adam. Maht beibei."

Adam didn't like the idea. He shook his head and replied: "No Mahting!"

Sunday morning at the playground

Fever

These pics pretty much sum up the second half of my March Break. sick and clingy Adam.

Long arms are good for self-portraits.

much better, part 2

We didn't really think the haircut was going to happen but opening Hershey's kisses was an excellent diversion.

much better

I may be the only person in the world who finds this couch comfortable; it's very tall and firm. But it's perfect for me. It's a couch you sit ON, not a couch you sit IN. I will definitely appreciate this in my third trimester. This couch has almost as much seating space as the old one but its footprint is much smaller. Another bonus is that its height makes our coffee chest exactly the right height for its service as a coffee table.

I had a very hard time finding a couch because I wanted all of
1 - leather
2 - contemporary style (or at least not _too_ traditional)
3 - high seat
1 and 3 is a very common combination. 1 and 2 is not too uncommon. 2 and 3 isn't exactly easy to find. but 1, 2, and 3 is exceedingly rare.

So, there were a few compromises on appearance to get the comfort. I saw more attractive styles, though this one is fine. The leather is good quality but a lot shinier than most. I decided I could live with that and that it wouldn't even be that noticeable on its own. And actually, the shininess kinda goes with some of our other stuff - like the room screen behind it, which I love more every day.

BTW, if you'll take the old couch away - it's yours.

head shots

Adam co-operated with my shutter-bugging for the first time in a long time. This is what we did instead of going to the barber for that sorely needed haircut. But when he wouldn't let me comb his hair, I knew the barbershop was a write-off. I love this colour on him.

on its death bed ...

so to speak.

I've been saying for a long time that I want a new couch.

We've had some good times. It doesn't owe me anything. I bought it (with Kristin's help) new at the Bay in 1997 (10.5 years ago) for about $800 plus tax. That's less than a quarter per day. 24.0 cents according to my-back-of-an-envelope calculations. At most times, it even served as the primary couch in a household of 3, 4, or 5 adults. 5 adults get a lot of guests, too. It was Kevin's bed half the time for a year or so.

It has its "charms" but it's very faded, the back cushions don't hold their shape, the bottom cushions won't stay in place, and the frame itself sags in the middle. Most of its battle wounds are documented below.

fading.
at top, the original color.
at bottom, its current state.

dingy. to say the least

an ink stain. provenance unknown

the first stain. paint from Christmas ornament decorating 2007

the straw that broke the camel's back
Shopping began in earnest when the fabric shredded due to my propping myself up this summer.

a tear on one of the back cushions, occured in the last few months

two tears on another back cushion, also occurred in the last few months

Perhaps I will try to find some photos of the couch in happier times. If you have any, please send them to me.

Now we just need to dispose of it. The new couch came today and the old one looks sorrier than ever. Photos next time.

after nap

a little groggy, a little pillow-face creasing.

penny for your thoughts?

Wayne and Sharon's Wedding Dec.20, 2008

Adam was gettin' his groove on most of the night.

our little echo

While I was reading to Adam on the couch, we came across a monkey a library book. He asked after the whereabouts of his (stuffed) monkey. After I told him it was in his bed, he said,

"jussa minute. I'll be right back."

And he was. With the monkey, of course.

Siu et al Christmas 2008

absent: Kat, Kevin, Tiffany, Yee. We missed you guys!
not pictured: yours truly, the one behind the camera.