Our 18 days without Papa came to an end this morning when Gracen and I picked him up from the airport. Grae was so thrilled to see her daddy that she didn’t want to let him go – not even to come to me. Since we were there, we did a few things in Kelowna and stopped by Cactus Club for some lunch. The whole way home, Grae gazed up towards her Papa in the driver’s seat from her spot in the back. We’re both happy to have him home. :)

Today was another beautiful Okanagan day. Instead of eating lunch inside, we hauled Gracen’s high chair outdoors under the shade of a beautiful old tree.

This afternoon was so beautiful that we just had to get outside. I slathered Grae up with sunscreen, put her hat on, popped her in the stroller, and we headed to Corner Park.

Gracen with a giant chunk of watermelon in hand and juice dripping down her chin = Happy.

‘It’s so hard to just look. My brain says to look, but my fingers want to touch!’

Camping was a success and before saying goodbye to the Cochrane crew, we all headed into town for a sushi lunch. Grae gobbled up some sticky rice, nori, and tofu. Delish.

Today we rented a tiny little motor boat and headed out onto Echo Lake for a cruise.

Is it possible to be this cute while camping?

This morning Charlotte, Chayton, Grae, and I woke up early, threw our hoodies on over our pajamas, and went for a walk.

Gracen, Charlotte, and I arrived first and as I unpacked the vehicle, Grae and Grandma Charlotte headed out to explore our site.

It’s hard to believe that the doodlebug is just a month away from celebrating her first birthday. Here’s what she’s up to at 11 months old…

She loves to:
• Share her food (sometimes forcefully)
• Watch dogs
• Swim in her inflatable pool
• Empty her baskets of toys and the contents of our diaper bag
• Unravel full rolls of diaper liners and toilet paper
• Turn lights on and off
• Point to things and have you tell her about them
• Tease and trick people
• Have GC parade her around the yard while telling her about the flowers and plants

She dislikes:
• When Bella gets all up in her face
• Cheese

She now eats:
• Holy Crap cereal booster
• All kinds of beans
• Turkey
• Chickpea patties
• Cream cheese
• Homemade tzatziki
• Cucumbers
• Grapes
• Dehydrated fruit
• Multigrain bagels
• Spaghetti squash
• Turkey meatballs
• Tofu and veggie stir-fry
• Homemade pasta and cheese
• Spinach and berry salad
• Balsamic vinegar
• Sushi

She will never turn down:
• Tofu chunks
• Edamame beans
• Cottage cheese
• Raw baby carrots
• Dried berries
• Watermelon cubes

She now says:
• “Mama”
• “Papa”
• “Up”
• “Dis?” – this?
• “Hi” (once – with the phone to her ear)

She is now:
• Signing more (sometimes one sign after the other – when we say something like, “First we’ll have milk, then we’ll eat”)
• Waving hello and goodbye
• Clapping
• Standing up against a flat wall (without anything to pull up on)
• Climbing
• Lifting her leg to attempt to climb into the tub

I absolutely cannot believe that Gracen turns a year old in a month. We’re in full-on party planning mode right now because we’re celebrating a little early in order to have her party in the Okanagan. I’m actually really happy that it turned out that way because now, during her first birthday party, I can make myself feel better by telling myself that she’s not truly one yet. :)

Gracen has been without her Papa for 10 full days now. First he was in Los Angeles visiting a friend, and now he is in Vancouver doing in-store Apple training. Luckily he got done early today and he and Grae were able to sneak in a quick pre-bedtime Skype chat. Only 8 more days!

Today we were in full on packing for camping mode. Needing to get tons of stuff done, I blocked off the hallway, put out a few toys in both Grae’s room and our room, and bustled back and forth packing our things while Grae played between the two rooms. While I was packing Grae’s bath things, I realized that suddenly things had gotten too quiet. I came into our room to find Grae tucked in the corner of the room between the bed and the wall destroying a roll of toilet paper!

Today Grandma Charlotte and Grandpa Dave came home with all kinds of fresh produce. Lucky for Grae, it was her snack time!

‘Uh oh! How did I get myself into this predicament?’