Four months old

Gigi had her four month check-up and immunizations today. All went well, as expected, although she cried like crazy after the shots. I wish they wouldn't tell me each time how much the shot "burns" when it goes in. It breaks my heart. 

This is also a good opportunity to update you on her growth progress. Here are her stats, for those interested (or competitive) in such things:

Birth weight: 8 lbs. 15 ozs.

Birth length: 21.25"

5 week weight: 13 lbs. 1 oz.

5 week length: 23.13"

10 week weight: 14 lbs. 15 ozs.

10 week length: 23.6"

4 month weight: 16 lbs. 13 ozs.

4 month length: 25.2"

She's been in the 95th percentile for weight since birth and is currently in the 90th for height. 

Frogs!

How cute is this frog suit from Mark's aunt Kitty?

Unbelievable feats of athleticism

Lifting her head!...

Sitting up!!...

..Even standing!!!

Bring your child to work day

Angie and I brought our kids to Nortel for a visit last week. It was pretty cute getting a little "escort required" badge for Gabrielle and Logan. We were also warned by security to keep them away from chemical baths, live wiring and loading docks. Thanks for the heads up.

I think Gabrielle was really upset by the idea of her father working in a cubicle, but Mark thinks she just had a wet diaper.

Pop!

 

Sorry for the manic quality of my voice. We'd been at it for awhile.

Someone's got a foot fetish

...and I think it's me. But look at these cuties! 

This chair's too nice to eat on

I assembled the amazing Svan High Chair this weekend, bought for us by Amos & Carolyn. The thing is gorgeous, well-designed, and not made in China. Now we only have to wait until Gabrielle can sit up well on her own to put it to use. Grow, Gigi, grow!! On second thought, don't. 

Shoes!

I noticed that children in Gigi's age group always seem to have shoes on their feet when we see them at playgroups. I have no idea why they need shoes, and their parents don't seem to either, but I've decided to conform and put shoes on her feet when we leave the house. These are my faves because they have cats on them - Banshee and Rutger, I call them, named after my dearly departed. 

A girl after my own heart

Mmm.... I just love the CBC. Mmmmm.. I just love my fingers.

Last time I saw you guys, you were bumps

 Gigi tries out a jolly jumper for the first time ever today. I think I'm ready to put a slow-down  on this whole growing up thing. 

Gigi and I went over to visit with two woman from our prenatal class and their babies. Very cool to see the moms all fit and trim and the babies out of their mothers' bellies. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the mothers - but the babies all got along famously. Well actually, they mostly just ignored each other, but that's about as good as you get at this age. Oliver (left) and Jaeden (centre) are both a month older than Gabrielle, but you'd never know it. She's gonna be a big bruiser, she is.

Little Miss High Maintenance

Nana visited recently, bringing with her a gorgeous sweater she knit for Ms. Gabrielle. It's handwash only, but I'll just do it when I handwash her cashmere blanket. Nothing's too good for our little one, it would seem...

Ready to roll

In our free time, Gabrielle and I have been working on her rolling skills. As you can see, it's a promising start. 

More friends visit...

Brucifer checks out Gabrielle on a recent visit. She thinks he's standing too close.

Look ma, I'm holding a baby.

John came over and showed off his progeny, Charlotte, and his New York City Marathon t-shirt from a long long time ago. Still fits!

First swim!

Angie and Logan, Dan and Naya, and Gigi and I took the plunge at Angie's pool this week. This was the first time in anything other than a bath or amniotic fluid for the little ones. Note that a baby makes an excellent tummy cover.

Logan and Naya enjoyed the experience far more than Gabrielle, who only got wet up to her bellybutton before losing it. We'll try again soon.

But she did seem to enjoy lounging around the pool afterwards.

Ahhh... that mellow feeling after a swim....

Return from Africa

Our friend Peggy returned to Ottawa last week with her newly-adopted little boy, Devlin, from Kenya. As she says: "I went to Kenya for 6 months and stayed 14." In her months there, she managed to rewrite the laws of Kenya, which now allow single people to adopt babies. Their return was a big deal, and CTV news was there to document. Sadly for Devlin, he arrived in Canada to four feet of snow. I caught him looking out the windows of the airport in disbelief.

Top to bottom: Peggy and Devlin, a study in contrasts. Notice how Gabrielle snuck in the photo too; the papparazzi; Rhianna having her own moment with Devlin.

Happy Birthday Madeline

We went over to Manon and Rob's for Madeline's first birthday today. It was controlled mayhem, with the children almost outnumbering the adults. However, I have to admit that these things are a lot more tolerable now that we have a child. 

Top to bottom: I've got my hat on, let's party!; Madeline choosing poorly, opting to suck on her fingers instead of the delicious cupcake; Gigi looks on as Madeline tears into her birthday loot.

Hangin' in da crib

Gabrielle's room is pretty much set up, now that we have this borrowed crib from Carole and John. Of course, Gabrielle is still sleeping in her mini-crib in our room, but we do hang out in her room quite a bit during the day and she appears to like the bounce and feel of the new crib. We'd better move her into it before she outgrows it. 

Going outside

This is my preferred way of getting around town with Gigi - in her sling. It's so much easier navigating around, especially in this crazy snow, and it invariably gets us a seat on the bus. The downside is that my back is killing me. I'm hoping my muscles eventually catch up with her weight gain.

Gabrielle's first work out

Desperate to regain our pre-baby bodies, Angie and I have started taking our kids to the Goodlife in Vanier because there's a daycare attached to the gym. As this was my first time leaving her with anyone but her father, I kept my workout short and kept checking in on her through the windows. 

Top, Gigi flexes her muscles in the swingy chair (looking a little sad, I must admit...). Bottom, Gigi rests up before her workout. Angie and Logan eat a power lunch.

Cutest snowsuit spokesmodel ever

I ain't seen snow like this since the winter of '71...

That bump in the photo  on the right is our BBQ. Could be awhile before we use this entrance again.

We Drapers love our sleep

Let's just say that she and Mark share a disturbing number of similarities...

Nice motor skills, sweetie

Gigi's dexterity is really improving, and she can now perform many useful tasks around the home, such as sucking her thumb and grasping onto colourful rings.

The Afterbath

This is what happens when Mark dresses the baby

Andra and Chris finally got to meet Gabrielle at her favourite Market coffee shop, Planet Coffee. Thanks much for the excellent cookies, Andra. And I guess I should say thanks to Reg and Erica for the t-shirt, but I don't really want to...

;-)

Sadly, Gigi seems to dig Simon & Garfunkel

Of course, this is Mark's worst nightmare.

Steph, Shannon, Sasha

Steph and I were due pretty much at the same time and have been sharing pregnancy and birthing experiences all along, so we were pretty anxious to see their little one when they were in town recently. Turns out Sasha's a suavé, well-dressed little guy with a nice olive complexion - he'd better keep away from Gigi when he's older is all I can say...

Manon and Maddie

Manon and her adorable daughter Madeline come visit occasionally, although the two girls are almost a year apart. This is one of the rare instances where they seemed to connect. 

Almost everyone I know in Ottawa has a child under one year. I don't know if that's why everyone always says it's a "great place to raise children" - is it because everyone has one? Surely, there must be more to a great city than that?...