The Year of Cotton

Adriana happy after her morning caffeine

On the Aqua Bus

Looking at the Ducks on Granville Island

A bit unsure of this weird feeling on her feet

Derek and I celebrated our 2nd Wedding Anniversary on July 19th. This year we decided to celebrate as a family rather than just the two of us. On Sunday we headed to Yale Town via the Canada Line, this was the first time I had traveled on it and the first sky train ride for Adriana. I must say it is a wonderful addition to transit in the GVRD. We walked along the Sea Wall from Yale Town to Science world where we hopped on the Aqua Bus to Granville Island. I really miss being on a boat so it was nice to finally be on the water. Adriana was getting a bit impatient with having to sit still as the ride was over 20 minutes long. Once on Granville Island we explored the Children’s Market and had a wonderful Mexican lunch at the Market. From there we walked on the Sea Wall to Kits Beach where the Vancouver Open Beach Volleyball Tournament was taking place. We watched a Semi-Final match that went to 3 sets and was a very close match (oh how I miss Volleyball). After the game we played on the Beach, this was Adriana’s first time on a beach in her bathing suit. At first she was unsure of the damp sand on her feet and would not walk into the water but as time progressed she felt more at ease and would explore closer to the water on her own terms. After we were tired out from the beach we strolled along the Sea Wall all the way back to Cambie Street and caught the Canada line back to Richmond. It was such a wonderful day and Adriana was very well behaved considering she was lacking a nap. I highly recommend this day excursion to anyone, it was so much fun and great exercise as well

Sootherless Toddler

Adriana has used a soother since she was a few weeks old. I was skeptical to give one to her in the first place but my mother insisted she needed it or else she would be using me to sooth herself. All in all I am happy with the decision that I made to allow her to use a soother. Derek and I used the soother as sparingly as possible and had soother time limited to nap time and bed time only. Now that I am on summer break I decided it would be a good time to break the soother habit. I started by cutting the tip of the soother off, the first couple of nights this technique didn’t seem to faze her, then she realized what we had done. We would give her her soother when going to bed and she would yell NOOOOOOO and throw it out of her crib. It was really quite funny to observe. I decided to just simply remove the soothers from the house and she would go to sleep without one. We had 3 night of 1 hour crying before falling asleep, but the soother weaning is officially over!

We now have a slightly new bedtime routine. Instead of popping in the soother and laying her down in her crib after reading we now have cuddle time. After we finish reading I will say cuddle time and Adriana will rest her head on my chest and wrap her arms around me and I will rock and sing to her. She is asleep in seconds. I very much enjoy this time with her.

I did keep her favourite soother. It is hidden in her jewlery box;)

Backyard Fun

Our newly furnished backyard

Adriana enjoying her first Fruit Smoothie

Sitting on her new Picnic Table from Gramma and Grampa

Testing out the the activity centre

Noah Vann Prak

Dave, Jolene and Ella are the proud new Parents (Sister) of Noah Vann Prak. 

Noah was born Friday, July 2, 2010 (just missed his due date by a day).

Congrats guys he is very handsome!

July Long Weekend

Adriana discovered my head lamp and loved to wear it around camp

Playing at the picnic table

We had many bike rides this weekend

Adriana exploring

Brayden trying to get the pebbles off his head

Shayla being brave

Finally got to meet the new BF, Brayden called him Mike once and then made up for it by coming up with the name Dusty!

Adriana having trouble deciding which bottle to go for (take the Corona).

We spent the July long weekend at Cultas Lake, although it felt more like May long weekend.  We had a lot of fun with a lot of people.  Thanks to everyone who made it out.  Too bad we weren't camping this coming weekend, looks to be a bit more like summer.

****Please note the camera was only brought out for the short time the sun was actually shinning****