Never send a Daddy to do a Mommy's Job

Shortly after I put Layla to bed last night, Greg and I heard soft footsteps upstairs. I sent Greg to get her back in bed and about 10 minutes later, Layla came prancing downstairs in Greg's bandana, with him following with a shameful grin.

Of course she looked too cute to scold so I got out the camera instead. Her and her Dad practiced making faces for all of the emotions she could remember (scared,sad,happy,surprised,etc). Then we all got puppy kisses and went back to bed, yes that is Chester's tongue slobbering up my lips and nose, uck.

I asked Greg how he got from putting her to bed, to dressing her up and he just shook his head and said he didn't know. My four year old has already learned to tap into her cuteness to get what she wants and although we often realize what she's doing, its still very difficult not to comply. I know, we have a looong road ahead.

Visit from the Newly Weds

Despite missing their wedding on Saturday, we were lucky enough to have Emily and Allan visit with us in Oliver on their way to Seattle. They arrived Tuesday evening and stayed until Wednesday evening. With them, their friend Christian. No one was more excited than Layla to see "Princess Emily" as she was coined after Layla finished looking at all the wedding pictures with me.

We had a great couple of days giving them a tour of the area, attending wine tastings, barbecuing, eating ice cream and going for walks. These were the only 2 pictures I took but Emily has many more of which I will have to get copies. It's been very nice that so many of my family and friends have made it all the way over the mountains to visit us since we've lived here. We look forward to the rest of you coming in the upcoming years.

The Good Apple

Baron was welcomed to our family August 5 via c section at Penticton Regional Hospital. Baron was born at 7lbs 5 oz and is now 3 weeks old and growing like a weed. Big sister Layla dotes on him like a little mommy and is very helpful to me, especially while I am nursing and can't get up. She answers the phone, lets the dog in and out, grabs diapers and such, anything I need. Chester has also welcomed Baron with open paws to the delight of the rest of us. He has shown no suspision, or well, any feelings at all towards Baron. It's just another day for the dog. What a good boy.

To our surprise, Baron was born with a rare disorder called Goldenhar's Syndrome. Diagnosis was given due to a lipodermoid on his eyeball and a skin tag close to his ear. We are hoping that he does not have any growths on his vertabrae as that is also associated with the disorder. We are told he has only a mild form of Goldenhar's but all we can do at this point is "wait and see" if any other problems arise. They removed the skin tag by tying a stitch around it while we were still in hospital but the lipodermoid will only be removed if it begins to disrupt his vision or eye function. This is not the same type of dermoid that I have struggled with over the years. The cause of Goldenhar's Syndrome is still unknown but I have been told that it is not at all related to my dermoid teratomas.

We now have what we think to be the perfect family, a daughter, son and loving dog so we are done contributing to my mom and dad's empire of grandchildren. Which hopefully means that I am done getting my abdomen cut open on almost a yearly basis. I guess the Bournes are starting a new chapter.

Ready for Baby!!

With less than a week to go before my scheduled c section, the baby's room is officially ready. He will be sharing a room with Layla, at her request, which works out very well as their room is right across from mine. I have posted some before and after shots so you can see what I've done. I stripped two layers of wallpaper and painted a subtle bluish-grey. I haven't dressed the walls much yet but have some ideas of what I'd like to do when baby boy is finally here. Anyways, the pictures don't do it justice so may I suggest visiting us in person!!! Look forward to seeing all of you in sunny Oliver soon!

Swingin' Good Time

We walk down this trail nearly every day and every time Greg says he's going to swing into the river on this old rope hanging from a tree. He has gone as far as to swing out and back without dropping but always has a reason not to drop. Finally he found the courage, or stupidity, to let go and fall into the Okanagan River.

His second attempt didn't go as well as a school of fish swam right beneath him and he couldn't stand the thought of landing amongst a bunch of huge carp. The dog got very upset with him every time he swung out, but Layla thought it was awesome and she too wanted to beat the heat (36 degrees). So mama watched as her naked 4 year old, her boyish husband, and very stressed out dog splashed around in the shallow river, thankful that she had a valid excuse not to be flying out on that old rope. Pregnancy can really come in handy when coming up with excuses not to participate.

Layla's Preschool

After 3 months of trying to get Layla in childcare/preschool in our area (we looked in Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, and Keremeos) we finally moved our way up the waiting list and got her a part time spot in Nk'Mip Preschool and Daycare on the Okanagan Indian Reserve. We could not be more pleased with the facility and teachers there, nevermind the low $24/day (less on preschool days).

Layla has blossomed there and learned a large array of songs and games which Greg and I are lucky enough to recreate at home. She is given a monthly schedule of many field trips and other activities, including one day a week when she gets to go to Language to learn some of the native tongue. Now everytime she speaks gibberish we wonder if it is actually words she may have been taught in school. She has also learned life lessons about social politics, both good and bad, which have sparked many tough questions for me to come up with answers to.

The Nk'Mip school has ended up being one of the greatest high lights of our move here and are very thankful that is where she ended up. Layla loves all of her teachers and looks forward to Tues-Thurs as she knows these are here school days. If only that zest for school could last forever.

Lesson in Preparedness

Yesterday we had the great pleasure of being invited out to a friend's campsite to visit. We were going to see a friend of mine who I had worked with at the U of A hospital and her family, and the family they vacation with. This was their 12th year in a row camping in Osoyoos so I guess I should have figured they'd have a fantastic beachside spot.

At the last minute I threw a swimsuit of Layla's in my purse but didn't let her see so she wouldn't have any expectations, and luckily we spend enough days on the beach to warrant having an army of beach equipment (floaties, life jacket, water wings, pails, etc) in the back of my van. I had no idea we were in for a day of boating, tubing, swimming and so forth so unfortunately for my first blog I don't even have any pictures!

As a newcomer to blogging I realize I will need to keep a camera on me at all times, and as a newcomer to the Okanagan I realize I need to keep swimsuits and towels with me at all time as impromptu beach days seem to keep catching me riding home with wet shorts.

Of course I don't want my first blog to be without a photo so I am posting one in response to mom's last blog about Layla and Chester. This was taken last night. She insists on snuggling "someone with bones" when she goes to bed so this has become Chester's duty. We caught him mid yawn. I also included some shots of Layla practicing her rollerskating in our living room. Enjoy!