Just in case you were interested...

I (Jessica) have started my own blog where I can rant about my husband and daughter. Just kidding! :) I thought it would be better to have a separate blog so I don't end up taking over this one which as we all know at this point is all about Rebekah!! In fact, here's a picture from a couple of days ago!

I've added the link to my blog on the sidebar. So if you are wondering what's on my mind, feel free to visit.

Girl Power

I know its a fairly common thing for people to mistake a baby's gender, but I've finally come to the end of my rope. When Rebekah was a newborn it was very obvious that she was a girl, with her long eyelashes and little heart-shaped face. But somewhere along the line (and I have no idea where) it became less obvious. It began with comments like "how is your little one?" which in my opinion is the appropriate response when you aren't sure of a baby's gender but soon everyone was commenting on what a cute little boy I had. It may have been due to Rebekah's thick shock of hair that almost looked as if it had been cut and styled, or it may have been because she has a striking resemblance to her Dad, but whatever the reason was I decided it was time to play up her femininity. So I began to dress her in pink outfits, flowery outfits, anything I could find that wasn't neutral...and still the comments came (mostly from older folk who may not have really noticed what she was wearing). I decided to begin dressing her in skirts and dresses and while this did help a bit, I was still shocked at the number of of comments about my "little guy". So after much hesitation, I did what I swore I would never do, I put 2 sparse, uneven little pigtails on top of her head, sticking out like horns! And make no mistake, it worked!! But instead of people commenting on my cute little boy, they are now commenting on my little girl's goofy hairdo! Oh well, what are you going to do? But in closing I just have 2 things I'd like to say: 1) for those moms out there who have ever had their baby's ears pierced, put little pigtails in (no matter how small) or headbands on their follicly challenged babies...I understand, I sympathize and I will never pass judgement again!!! and 2) a word to the wise, whenever you aren't sure if the little one in your midst is Jack or Jill, you can always play it safe and remark on what a beautiful blessing from God :)

Toddlerhood has arrived!

Why is it that when we are children we always wish we were older only to change that desire as adults and long for our childhood? Similarly, why on earth did I wish for my newborn to be walking and talking instead of sleeping and laying quietly on her back? Toddlerhood has arrived at the Belanger house, with a vengeance! In the past few weeks Bekah has gone from slowly pulling herself up on the couch to crawling onto and into everything, racing around with her walker and finding her way into almost everything she shouldn't be into! I do find it fascinating to watch her explore and discover and I can't help but laugh at her satisfaction when she manages to pull all the toilet paper off the roll. But my goodness, how much trouble can one little child find in one day? A lot!! And I can't help but wonder what it will be like when she does start walking on her own! Here's a few pictures of her recent adventures. :)

The one time I forgot to close the bathroom door...

The only cupboard in the kitchen that doesn't have child locks...

The realization that bananas feel very nice in your hair and on your face...

Where did the summer go?

Well so much for keeping this blog updated on a regular basis! It's hard to believe that summer is unofficially over for another year. The month of August seemed to fly by for us. We took a short trip back to Ontario in the second week of August for a family wedding. While Dave was only able to stay for a few days, Rebekah and I (Jessica) stayed for 2 weeks and visited family and friends. This was the first trip back home for us since we moved to BC. Previously when we lived in Saskatchewan, we would look forward to the 2 day road trip back to Thunder Bay, but now that we are even further away, flying is pretty much our only option if we want to get there in less than a week! I was more than a little worried about flying such a long distance with Rebekah but she did very well, especially considering that she had to do without liquids and baby food until we landed in Winnipeg, due to the increased security measures at Canadian airports. Fortunately by the time we flew back, they had eased the restrictions somewhat.
One of the highlights of the trip home was Rebekah's birthday party. Although her birthday was in June, Dave's family had a special little party just for her, with all her cousins. It was such a nice gesture and all the kids had a great time. Unfortunately Dave had already returned to BC and wasn't able to enjoy Bekah's 2nd birthday party.
She also got to spend a good deal of time with my parents and my sister. She got to hang out with Grandma and Grandpa Brown at one of their "cruise nights" with their local sports car club, she went to the beach with Auntie Meg (or Auntie Mub as Bekah calls her) and did her favourite of all things, rode the carousel at Chippewa Park.
But alas, all good things must come to and end, and here we are back in BC. The weather has been hot, as if summer is just beginning! Today felt more like the July long weekend than the Labour Day long weekend! But I am thankful for the dry sunny days, as everyone keeps warning me about the gray skies and endless rain which are just around the corner. But for now, we'll just keep playing in the sun.

Rebekah blowing out her birthday candle with a little help from her big cousin Emma.

The birthday girl before the big party.

Rebekah and cousin Isabella hanging out.

Waving to Grandma and Grandpa from the carousel.

Playing in at the beach with Auntie Meg.

All dressed up and nowhere to go: cousins Solomon, Isabella, Emma and Rebekah.