We are back...as Ollie as been saying constantly, "Home my house". Five weeks seems to have flown by!!! The trip to England was a huge success!!
On the flight onthe way over (an overnight flight) Ollie decided to sleep for approx. 4 hours of his usual 12 but despite such little sleep he was an excellent traveller. Emma has taken after her brother and seemed completely non-plussed by the whole "up high" experience and slept and ate her way through the whole journey. Mum and Dad suffered from muscular strain as a result of the heavy slumbering loads however, a small price to pay for such well behaved little folk! Once we got to England our first (of many to come) to 38 Aintree Road (Kate and Dave's house) was in order to finally meet our new cousin/neice Hannah Ucy! Emma looked like a giant compared to her tiny cousin. Oliver and Noah commenced an immediate friendship based on a mutual admiration for trains, cars and all other motorized methods of transport! After a sleep in Noah's crib it was off to Nanny Carol's house.
Some of the hightlights of the trip were Emma and Hannah's Christening which took place on February 18th. Both girls slept thru the proceedings and didn't interfere with Deacon Bernard's record of never having a baby cry thru a baptism. The girls enjoyed their party afterwards or seemed to although both had to nap at some point. The weather that day was phenomenal...much warmer than I hear it was here in Goderich that day!!
Another highlight of the trip was Ollie's new love of swimming. He and Noah (and the rest of us) would go to Ribbey Hall on Tuesday mornings where Noah showed Ollie how great it is to swim without an adult hanging on to you.....Ollie wasn't so sure at first but, with such a kid friendly pool he soon found himself climbing up and down the steps of the pool..at one point he lost his balance and initially panicked but then discovered that his "muscles" kept him afloat and if he kicked his feet he could get to where he wanted to go...so that was it...no more Mum or Dad hanging on and leading the way!! There was one use for an adult though and that was going down the big tunnel slide!! A favourite with Ollie..."Tunnel again" was a common quip while at the swimming baths!!
Perhaps even more exciting was the daily trip to four lane ends (the very busy intersection just around the corner from Nanny Carol's and Auntie Katey's house). Ollie was never disappointed...in the span of five minutes he would see at least two "double Eckers", numerous trucks some of them concrete mixer trucks, the occasional digger and very often a "nee nor" or ambulance. One day he was even lucky enough to see a fire truck and all the men aboard waved. It was hilarious taking Ollie to stand on the corner...all you who know him know how animated he can be...well there he would be dancing on the spot, flapping his hands with excitement much to the merriment of the passers-by.
Ollie and Noah had many adventures together....they had a day on the train....with a wait on the platform in Poulton-Le-Fylde where Ollie noted that there were two "Big Cocks"...unfortunately Ollie is unable to pronounce the "Cl" sound as yet so when he announced in his findings in church one day...."Daddy big Cock" Mum was quick to point out quite audibly that indeed there were two big CLocks at the train station. His ever practical father pointed out how fortuitous it was that the clocks at the station were large rather then small!! Ollie's cousin Noah taught him the art of sharing and taking turns that day...as pressing the buttons on the lift was a firm favourite for both young men. Ollie is now frequently using the term "Ollie's turn" which he had never had much use for previously. Another adventure for Ollie and Noah was a big trip on the "double Ecker" bus with Uncle John and Adam. They travelled upstairs right in front by the big window all the way to Blackpool and back. They had the great fortune to be stopped at the railway crossing for not one but two trains, they were caught behind a "Nee Nor" and managed to see several big trucks on their journey...what an experience they are both still talking about it! The day didn't end there when Ollie, Noah, Uncle John, Adam, Emma, Hannah, Auntie Kate and myself joined them at Stanley park for a picnic. On the way home in the boys car (Ollie, Noah, Adam and John) Auntie Kate was worried that Noah might fall asleep as it was almost nap time...no fear of that however as the two pals giggled the whole way home! Unfortunately, the joy of the day was marred slightly when Ollie was supposed to sleep in Ellie's big kid bed (which he had done before without incident) however, this time he proved to be a bit silly.....to quote his older and wiser cousin Noah, "Olver silly" as he proceeded to rip all the letters off the wall around Ellie's bed and eat the letter "j"...thus ending the sleepover party as Oliver had to be sent home with Dad for a nap in his crib as he couldn't be trusted in Ellie's big bed!
In Emma news....she has recently had her second set of injections and was weighed in at a whopping 15lbs 1ounce (completely naked) she doesn't look overly chubby as she is also in the 97th %'ile for height!! She has also decided that waking through the night for a feed is passe however, she will continue to wake in the wee hours for a chat...which is short lived owing to the fact that noone seems to respond at this hour! Another feat is the rolling from tummy to back. As mentioned in a previous post she did accomplish this task earlier however, it was perhaps a bit of luck and a heavy head.....now she can roll with purpose. Such a feat may not be in her best interest as she really doesn't like tummy time so with this new found skill she can end it before it really begins!!
Well...I guess I should upload some pics now...Ollie really misses his Nan and cousins and quite often mentions going over to Noah's house or Uncle David's house....never fear Ollie...we have booked a trip over allready for August when we will be coming over for 7 weeks!! (Sorry Nannie Carol!!).
Take care everyone..
Love
Rachael, Adam, Ollie and Emma!!
ps....I forgot to mention...for those of you who have noticed (and commented) on our son's frequent "no pant" status...you should have seen him at Toronto airport. Due to some gastrointestinal issues (and a lack of spare clothing packed in our one carry on bag) Ollie had to get off the plane and go thru customs and wait for his bags wearing a onesie, t-shirt, socks and shoes!! Don't worry Nannie's he had a pair of pants for the outdoor part of the journey home!!
