The New Addition

Shortly after he was born.


Liam and his VERY proud Papa.


Our darling little one.


Being adorable is hard work, but I'm a natural!


Niam is cute! And soft." -Brigham


Ben likes to sing to his baby brother.

Okay, this post is long over due I know. For those of you who haven't heard, our third little boy, Liam James Thompson was born at 2:31 am on September 11. What an adventure it has been thus far!
First there was the drive through the rain on the highway to St.Albert. When I wasn't having a contraction, I was terrified that we'd either hit a moose or get pulled over for speeding. Then there was the little fact that by the time we reached the hospital, it was too late for me to have an epidural... That's right folks, this was a natural delivery (I do not recommend this if there are other options). But our little baby is definently worth it all.
We're now all at home, easing into the semblance of a routine, but still trying to keep it simple. Ben and Brigham adore their baby brother, and in a gesture of true affection, have both loaned Liam their own beloved blankies to keep him warm.

Ultrasound, Take 2

Now thirty-eight weeks along in my pregnancy (but who's counting?) this past weekend my doctor squeezed us in for one last ultrasound to verify my due date. Much to my relief, I'm still due early September, and not mid-September!
Baby seems to be doing fine-and big. Yet despite the best attempts of the technician, we were unable to get a full shot at Liam's head. He stubbornly kept his arms up over his face, complete with little scowl identical to his older brothers'. Enjoy the pictures we did manage to get of him.

One is Never Enough...

Let it be known that I have at least one squirrel-like tendency. But while a squirrel hoards nuts, I hoard books. Lately I've been horading so many that I suspect that I will be so well stocked with such literary treasures that they will tide me over into next summer, let alone through the winter.
Coming home from work at the library last night-with yet another armload of books-I couldn't help but smile. This summer job of mine is much more fun than I'd anticipated when I realized that a summer job would be necessary. Not only do I get to work with awesome people, but I am literally surrounded by books. Or in my case, surrounded by temptation.
For me, books are like chocolate: extremely addictive and impossible to stop at just one. Regardless of the many books I'll already have at home to read, not a shift goes by when I don't invariably find just one more that I have to take home with me. As such, no matter how big of an armload of books I waddle over there with, I always waddle home with a few more. Mind you, with my due date fast approaching I don't seem to have energy for much else besides reading, so this works at present!

A Jolly Holiday

Building sandcastles with Nana and Grandpa.



Brigham with what he called "girl ears".



Playing on the hammock.



The birthday boy and Auntie Janine at the Pirate Party. "ARRRRRRRR!"



Blowing out the candles. Who's more excited: Brigham or Ivy?



Off for an explore on the lake.



Together: our favourite place to be.



"Look Mom! Fish!"



Outside the aquarium.

We just got back from B.C yesterday after a grueling eighteen hours in the car (hooray for Jason who drove all the way!). Favourite moments include:

1. Ben and Brigham's giddy excitement to see EVERYTHING at the Vancouver Aquarium.
2. Watching Jason play with the boys at the spray park at Stanley Park.
3. Shooting pirate cannons at the Science Center.
4. Celebrating Brigham's third birthday with the family in Osoyoos.
5. Watching all the kids whack the heck out of the pinata.
6. Going for a canoe ride with Dad, Ben, Brigham and Isaac.
7. Reading in the hammock.
8. Laughing over Jason, Neen, Elena, and Pete's swan dives off the dock.
9. The fresh cherries and peaches.
10.Catching up with our friends the Harris', particularly my old classmate Brooke.
11.Grandpa teaching Ben to swim in the lake.
12.Enjoying time both as a nuclear and extended family.

Tomorrow is a big day: we venture out on our very first, official family vacation! As sad as this might sound, especially after nearly six years of marriage, we are all pretty excited (although not for the fourteen hour drive it will take for us to get there). Usually when we have time off these days, living up in the isolated North we take the opportunity to go visit friends and family*. Also, during past summers Jason has worked slavish hours in landscaping, so that any vacations were usually taken by just me and the kids.
The fact that we all get to go on a vacation together is thrilling. I think that Ben and Brigham are starting to grasp the idea; yesterday they played "Going on Vacation" several times. After meticulously packing my old recorder case full of essentials (aka toys) they would embark for such exotic locales as San Francisco, or even to a different library!
Our trip to B.C should be an adventure. Stayed tuned.

*Please note that you are all welcome to make the trip in the opposite direction and pay us a visit as well.

Belated Tribute to Dads

To all the Dads in my life, you rock!

Stumped

The intent of this blog is to actually pick your brains. You are all such creative people, I am sure you can help me come up with some interesting results should you tickle a dragon who has a bad case of the flu.
Let me explain: the story I'm currently working on, my fairy Abby runs a bakery with her pet dragon. When he gets sick and he can't blow fire anymore all these specialists come up with ways to ignite it again. One way I thought of was to tickle him, but I just can't seem to think of a really good disasterous result of such an action. I'd like to hear your ideas on this one.
So...what could happen when you tickle a sick dragon?