MS bike tour

As I've mentioned before, we have an amazing support system (who are really wonderful friends) and yesterday we came together for the MS bike tour.  Together we raised $1500 and had a lot of fun.  Elliott bike 12 km!!! and we all finished with enthusiasm.  We won a team bowling prize because we had a lot of spirit. 
Thank you to everyone who donated- it is very appreciated.  See you all at the the bike ride next Sept!

Kelowna

Kelowna is 2.5 hours from Kamloops, so we are lucky to go there fairly easily.  We went this past weekend- we try not to leave the property and enjoy the yard as much as possible.  You can see here what we get up to. 

 

 Elliott plays tricks on Bumpa and waiting until after the count of 3 to jump.

 Elliott has a new 16 inch bike there (much bigger than his current 12).  He insisted he could not ride it, and it wasn't until I showed him this photo did he believe that Dad actually let go.

 Finn loves his hand these days- look at that intent!  He got lots of snuggles from my mom.

 The boys played with Elliott's cars for about an hour in this cool tube my mom found.  The took about 100 photos of cars sliding down the tube.  Seriously!  I could never have the interest in cars to do that.

Loving the summer

Our friends put this awesome play structure in their front yard.  The boys love it, and EJ begs to go there and play.

 Finn and I walked downtown to buy some things from the deli and he was such a delight to have with me, I took a quick shot to remember the moment.  He looks worried, but he was really so happy to be with me.

 Elliott is overjoyed to have this costume.  He wore it to daycare on Thursday and sure enough, someone (daycare manager) thought he was the real spiderman.  His confidence grew by 4 inches.  So cute.

Bumpa and Nama

These are the names that Elliott has always, on his own terms, called my parents.  Even when he could pronounce Grandma and Grandpa he refused.  So I am sure that is what Finn will be calling them too! 

I took the boys there a couple of weeks ago for a few days so that Elliott could get some swimming time in, and my parents could spend some time with Finn.  I got lots of swims in and ate delicious food and sat under the cool trees.  It was a very nice trip, despite the fact that it was 38.

Elliott became our star swimmer and loved every second of it. 

Isn't this picture awesome?  My mom, dad, and Elli jumping in!

 Finn wasn't so sure about Bumpa at first.  He'd heard from Elliott that he should use caution with Bumpa (family joke). 

 But as you can see, they warmed up and became friends.  I also love the comparison of my Dad's hands with Finn's little body.

Cousins

brothers... hanging out...

It surprises me how much Elliott enjoys spending time like this with Finn.  The other day I heard myself asking Elliott to babysit his brother while I ran outside to water the plants.  He's 4!

 Seeing that Finn has granduated from the sink, he thought we'd try a big bath.  Elliott climbed in too- it was pretty fun.

 Last weekend Elliott's cousins (he only has 2) came to visit and meet their second cousin.  It was hot, and we had fun in the backyard and they out at Pinatin Lake.  The kids sure loved being together and they all enjoyed seeing little Finn.

We always say this, but it is too bad we live far apart.  Hanging out with your cousins and just being around family is really lovely.  And glen's brother and wife are so great that we all feel like we miss out.  But our visits are fun and their is lots of talk :)

Some like it hot...

That is has been in the loops. Here is how we do it...

 Go to a party and rock the bouncy castle with your buddy

 Dry off, and warm up in the buck on our back patio!

 Wear summer jammies, cause it is already 25 at breakfast and likely 35 by bedtime!

Run through the water park, regardless of what you are wearing.

Finn at 5 weeks

Last night was the last sink bath- Finn is too big!  Sigh.  So cute.

I included this because nothing is more satifying that seeing rolls on your baby after only breastfeeding them!

Tummy time.  Yes, I insist.

So sweet to hold that little man.

big bro

Here's Elliott being a great big brother.  Don't let the photos fool you- it isn't all bread and roses... there are certainly some bumps.  But no denying, Elliott is a sweet, caring big brother.

 He couldn't take the crying one evening (who could?) and so resorted to head phones on!

34

I turned 34 yesterday and had an amazing birthday, namely thanks to glen.  I went for a pedicure (alone) in the morning, all of my colleagues came over with a cake after lunch, and Finn and I had a nap in the afternoon while the boys visited a water park.  Glen brought home sushi and cupcakes and wine for dinner.  I felt so lucky to be with my boys, happy and healthy all day!  The evening before we were at our neighbours for a little backyard birthday fun (3 of us in 2 days) and 3 lovely, beautiful women held Finn for about 4 hours.  It was super relaxing for me, and Elliott had tons of fun in a big kiddie pool with his friends.  Taking photos seems to be one of those things that has dropped while I love my new baby, but here are a couple of cuties from the last couple of days.

 Finn loves the soothie.  Elliott wouldn't take one, so I feel especially proud.

 Elliott loves having Finn on him or snuggling with him.  cute.

 After a great day, we are all ready for bed.  Snuggles during books.

Finny got a new toy!  Cute! 

My Finn

In chronological order, so you can see that Finn is growing and gaining lots of weight.  And beautiful.

 I love this photo.  I'm not sure who likes this position, but the boys often get here themselves.

 Finn's first bear.  My friend at work gave it to him and he loves napping with him.

We had a really fussy night last night and then a big sleep in this am (thank god for daycare).  Who couldn't see a little face like thisl forgive everything, and love him to bits.  What a wonder.

Happy Canada Day

From our backyard to yours.  Thank heavens we live in Canada. 

Elliott and our pal Gloria- he was 'teaching' her to wave the flag.

Slip and slide

EJ's favorite!  Seriously, him and his pals have been asking me when we can do this all winter!  He has mastered a new trick, he calls it slip and slide extreme.  I'll try to get a picture :)

waking up

This little man is a hungry guy!  You'd think I was starving him.  But we woke up calmly this morning and here is his cute face.

Welcome Baby Finn!

Sorry that I am not posting any photos of my dear baby boy Findley Oscar Hayward-Cheetham, who was already born over a week ago!!!  Finn was born on June 9th around 10pm, after a very reasonable and relatively short labor.  It was much more intense than previously, but that paid off in time and seems to be in recovery. 

We've all been doing great at home, Elliott coming into his new role with only a few bumps and glen being a great support to all of us.  I've been feeling so lucky to have so much time together as a family- and glen still has 2 more weeks of time-off.  Finn and I've been sleeping together and the boys have been having all kinds of adventures.  It is a true luxury to do this all together, and a second time.  It's true!  Much easier the second time. 

Glen just arrived home and got my cord- here are some pictures.

 Found in the grass a 4 leaf clover the DAY I went into labor. 

 Finn in his first hours... snuggling mom in my hospital bed.

 The profile that I stare at hours each day.

 His first go at the soother.  Somehow got both hands up there to hold it in. 

My boys, together.  Elliott is so gentle and caring and attentive.  Exactly as I imagined he could be, but certainly more that I expected. 

Glen does an excellent job at updating his facebook photos too if anyone is looking for a new friend.  He has better quality photos than these too!

Farmers Market is open!

One of our favorite's of the season... we have a great market that happens on Saturday mornings about 2.5 blocks from our house. Elli has always loved going, and it is joined to a school playground. So after we buy our veggies and snacks we can play for a couple of hours. This last weekend, we went with our friends, and here are the kids eating fresh cucumbers.

 Glen was trying to recreate the hours before my previous labor and we went for an annoying drive to the McClure ferry.  This very old ferry takes 2 cars accross on a cable rope.  It was a fun adventure for Elliott, but didn't result in a baby brother, just an annoyed mother (the road is really curvy and hilly).