Peekaboo House

We took Hannah up the coast to her grandparents' cabin, "Peekaboo House", as they call it. She had great fun, having two parents' attention for four whole days.

We walked down to the beach. Gave her a stick, encouraged her to explore the purple starfish and tidepools.

Headed over to Madeira Park, and spent over half an hour in the art gallery. She was having a blast. It was run by local artists, so some of the paintings on the walls were done by the two ladies having tea at the desk. Hannah liked the animal ones: a bear in a tree, a goat, an owl, fish, chickens. We bought an owl postcard for her, hoo, hoo. She warmed up quickly to the ladies there, and they sang her some nursery songs. She danced and did somersaults. She has started to show off a bit for people.

A few weeks back, we saw my Oma. Hannah spent the whole time showing off for her. And Oma is so charmed by her, telling her husband to stop talking and just watch what Hannah is doing.

Back at Peekaboo house, Andrew showed Hannah the sap running down the big conifers outside the house. He explained that it's tree blood. Except when Hannah says 'blood', she sticks her tongue out to get the L sound. I kept asking her to say tree blood, because it was so darn cute. Same with Plum.

We picked apples from the tree and made an apple crisp.

I slept in the bunk bed with Hannah, both on the bottom, and when we returned home from holiday, I put my back out. It had been sore throughout the trip, and the tiny bed didn't help matters, nor did moving luggage.

So I lay on the couch in pain all day, while Hannah served me. She brought dry bread, ate a few slices herself. Picked the bananas off the counter for us. Took herself to the bathroom. Fetched the phone and clickers for me. I'm glad she is big and capable enough that she can help out like this. It took me a few days to be able to walk and stand again.

Now I see the chiropractor. I hope I'm doing the right thing. I know I can't take drugs, and there's nothing to operate on, but I don't want to have back pain and I don't want a relapse of painful couch surfing.

I managed to squeeze in my first chiropractic appointment at a clinic where my friend works. Hannah was going to stay with her in the waiting room, but she was a little unsure so followed me, completely welcome, into the room with the chiropractor. She played around while I had my appointment, it was nice. When I went back the following week, Hannah insisted on coming. And we stayed late after, because the toybox in the waiting room was just too good to leave.

I do still have trouble leaving her with anyone other than family. We tried to have a friend take care of her for an hour, the week my back was out. Turns out Hannah is terrified of the husband. He's a nice guy, just very different in appearance from her own dad. She spent the whole time crying and covering her eyes. We went back a few days later for a party, and apart from not being able to talk to her friend's dad, she was just fine. I hardly saw her, she had so much fun playing with the other kids.

Speaking of other kids, we saw my uncles at my Oma's house this past weekend. Hannah spent the whole time playing with a kindergartener, they had so much fun. They built a horse stable out of chairs and blankets, and spent a lot of time sweeping and cleaning the garage. Hannah learned to say "Yeeehaw!"

Thunderstorm

Why did I ever stop blogging here?

Tonight we're having a big thunderstorm. Hannah is somewhere between terrified and thrilled. She huddled in dada's arms while they watched out the wide-open front door, with no buffer for the loud cracks of thunder. She bounced on the couch calling "MORE! MORE BOOM!" once she warmed to the storm a little.

We went and visited my grandma today. Hannah was a rare treat at the retirement home, and all the old ladies smiled and waved at her. She drank all her apple juice, ate some soup and crackers, hid under her chair, adjusted the blinds, then came back to the high chair for ice cream and a big chocolate chip cookie. We went back to grandma's after to play and help grandma with facebook. Hannah and the "puddy-cat" got along very well. She held her hand out, palm down, for him to sniff. He rubbed against her, nearly knocking her over.

I hadn't expected rain. When I left home, it was partly cloudy and warm. Hannah and I didn't wear coats - oops! We walked to the fabric store, wetly. I bought red fabric to make a coat for Hannah with. Sure, I could get a coat for $5 at a swap meet, instead of paying $30+ in materials, but it'll be fun to make it. I had been planning to buy black plaid, but red may be wiser, as it's easier to spot on a dark winter walk. It may limit my button choices a little though.

She fell asleep as I navigated the busy streets to Mary's Garden. I left her in the car while I bought copious amounts of summer fruit. We haven't been going to the local farmer's market, since I seem to be out in White Rock every week anyway. Plus Mary's is way cheaper.

Boy, I hope I remember the last 7 months. Hannah has changed so much. She talks a lot. She's more independent, less clingy. She even sorta behaves in restaurants and doesn't run around as much as she used to. She's helpful around the house, when she can be. She's out of diapers since March. And she's going to be a big sister.

I bought some non-alcoholic beers last night, as it was our anniversary. Hannah brings them to me, "Mama, beer." Well, thanks sweetie.