Playtime with Rachel

Some of you may wonder what we do in all our spare time (ha) since we haven't written in a few weeks. Actually, we spend a lot of time making up silly songs or actions to make Rachel smile and laugh. She is growing so fast, and we have a great time playing with her. Some of these moments are best recorded on video; enjoy these we captured at home this morning.

Above Rachel's change table, she has a chain of elephants hanging with a bell on the end. Steph brought it back for her from India (which is why we don't let her actually eat it), and she has enjoyed it for months. Today she was super-giggly while watching the bell.

Rachel can't crawl yet, but she's certainly trying to figure out how. Her movements make it look like she is dancing "The Worm." You can also see she is learning to pace herself; after a period of dancing exercise, she knows to take a rest and calm down by sucking her thumb.

Mommy was playing on the floor with Rachel, using the music from the Chicken Dance to entertain her. Rachel loves to have her legs jiggled around at the same time. More giggles.

Cranbrook Visit: March 4-7, 2011

Meggan's Aunt Jane and Uncle Brian live in Cranbrook, BC - a 7 hour drive from Penticton.  Since a) we wanted to get away b) they hadn't met Rachel yet and c) we lucked out with Jason's work schedule and scored a fluke long weekend, we decided to hit the road and go visit.

We left Friday mid-morning, and Rachel slept most of the way and entertained herself nicely when she was awake.  Mommy did some creative photography to capture our little traveler in the mirror. The trip was uneventful... a quick stop to feed everyone and change Rachel's clothes in Grand Forks ... a smoothie at our favorite place in Christina Lake (Smoochies) ... some bighorn sheep... and we made it to their house in time for a lovely dinner and bed.

Although we've been known to brag about how great Rachel is at sleeping and traveling, she hadn't been her usual angelic self in the 1-2 weeks prior to this trip.  Our first night was no exception, as Rachel reminded us that she is in control of our lives and woke often, angry at us for leaving her in her Phil&Ted's travel crib while we stayed up and chatted with Brian and Jane.

Rachel's shades never fail to entertain

Although Brian and Jane pretended that they are getting old and are not in shape, we did manage to go out for a walk in the snow in the area behind their house Saturday morning.  It was a beautiful, warm day and we all worked up a sweat trudging around in the snow.  The afternoon saw a new MOJO family record - we parents ditched Rachel with a keen babysitter in Jane and took off for the ski hill.  A half-day ticket had never looked so good. Kimberley was a new resort for us; we enjoyed exploring the fantastic snow and views and Meggan only phoned to check in once!  It felt amazing to get away and ski together and we scored an awesome day on the hill.  We didn't take any breaks and were both exhausted by the last run of the day before heading back.

For the record, Meggan and Jason have now (downhill) skied together at the following resorts: Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Beaver Creek, Shames Mountain, Wintergreen, Whistler, Apex, Big White, Mt. Baldy, Lake Louise, Mt. Washington, and Kimberley.  This is a list we will continue to work on in time!

Meggan prepares to dive into the trees of "Good Luck"

Jane spoiled us all weekend with amazing food and gracious hospitality, and Jason talked Brian's ear off about all the things in the world that annoy us and make us laugh.  Surprisingly, Jason and Brian have a lot in common and, not surprisingly, could talk for quite a while about cars/planes/maps/hockey/sports/rednecks... etc.  Jane and Brian seemed to enjoy watching Rachel, snuggling with her, and making her laugh!

Sunday we cajoled Jane and Brian into joining us at the Kimberley Nordic Center to drag Rachel around some cross country trails.  Despite being a little confused on the directions (Why create so many one-way sections on a green cross-country trail?), we enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon outside and Rachel had a great nap as she slid along behind Meggan. Uncle Brian even borrowed our skate-skis for a few strides during a snack break, and performed quite well. Next time we ski together he'll be leaving us in the dust!

By Sunday night, Rachel remembered how to sleep well again and continued to behave like the wonderful little traveler she is on Monday for our drive home.  We stopped at Smoochies again on the way home for lunch. While there, we tried the a new diaper change location -- on the floor mat -- as Rachel is getting too long to change on a lap. Although Daddy's technique needs some tweaking, Rachel seemed to enjoy looking up at the bottom of the dashboard.

Next trip: Seattle/Virginia/NYC for Spring Break...