Bedroom Shuffle

Enjoy yet another move in bedroom furniture. This time, Tavish's big bed gets an upgrade to a bigger room and different furniture, and his old 'baby' room is recreated for his little sister - crib and all.

MOMENT: Big Brother, Big Helper

Tavish used his handy-boy skills to help assemble the crib, move his bed into the former 'office', and ensure the crib meets his comfort standards for his little sister. Please pardon any signs of 'plumber' that Tavish may show you - he was too focused and working too hard to be concerned about a little crack show!

Belly Bliss

Being pregnant is just a twice-in-a-lifetime experience for this Mother. I felt compelled to capture its beauty in photography and wanted to share some highlights of the photos we've taken of Baby Girl Bedford before her debut.

Golfer-in-Utero?
May 19 (37 weeks)

Born Ready to Paddle?
May 20 (37 weeks)

 

MOMENT: A Belly of Beauty

The three of us had a great time playing around and capturing some great moments together on May 6th when I was 35 weeks pregnant. The dandelions were out, the sun was shining and there was a soccer ball, sticks, rocks and chasing games to keep us entertained while the camera shutter captured a precious moment in time. The whole family was celebrating the anticipation of the girl who will join our family.

My belly admirer 

Me and my boy

My boy and my baby-in-belly.

"Weeds are flowers no one wants"
Loving the dandelions...

Such a great kid

The Mom-to-be (again)

Checking out the growing belly

Our family

Always time for some play ...
even if it involves Mommy running!

Gotcha!

Ottawa River Family Photo Op

Me and my belly

Our Expanding Family

Where it all began.
I love this man.

Belly hugs ...

... Belly loves ...

... and Belly touches.

I am so excited to meet you, Baby Girl!

FLASHBACK: Watch Tavish Grow in Utero

When I was pregnant with Tavish, Tom took a photo of me almost weekly in the same location and same outfit, to chronicle the growth of Baby Boy Bedford. We put all of the photos together into a video so we could 'watch' Mommy and Tavish 'grow' together. Enjoy this look back at our boy-in-the-belly!

Malapropism

Tavish has a great vocabulary and clarity of speech for his age. So, when there are the odd words that are misplaced or poorly pronounced, we remember that these things tend to correct themselves quickly and choose to enjoy them rather than addressing them. These moments create sweet internal joy for his parents, so who are were to interfere with these little reminders that he's a toddler learning and making sense of the world around him?

MOMENT: Anyfing, Anybody

You know that eerie moment when you realize that your toddler is out of your sight and that it's been too quiet for too long? Yeah, those moments offer an excellent example of Tavish's malapropism (the use of a word sounding somewhat like the one intended by wrong in the context) that goes something like this:

Us: "Tavish, what are you doing?"

Tavish: "Anyfing" 

This is not a comforting answer, by the way - it's usually untrue that he is doing 'nothing'! It's also entertaining when you inquire about something he did with other people. It usually goes something like this:

Us: "Who did you have your nap beside today?"

Tavish: "Anybody"

One last word development that we have enjoyed but has already corrected itself is "computer". It used to be that we would help him through it by syllable. Tavish would start repeating clearly but provide an entertaining finale:

Us: "com", "com-pu", "com-pu-ter"

Tavish: "com", "com-pu", "com-pu-ter"

Us: "computer"

Tavish: "computeter"

Lately "com-pu-te-ter" has been replaced with "pa-new-ter": "Mommy, let's talk on the pa-new-ter when you're in Toronto." Love it. 

But, alas - all these endearing vocabulary foibles eventually pass. He said to me the other night: "Mommy, I like talking with you on the computer when you're in Toronto." Sigh. The sentiment of the sentence is still sweet, but the word clarity serves as a reminder that everything is a phase that inevitably passes. 

One thing is for sure though, there is "anyfing" (nothing) and "anybody" (nobody) who can say that moments like these aren't worth preserving on the "panewter"! 

The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny came to our house this year and left a few treats and a game for Tavish!

MOMENT: Rhyming Riddles

Tavish was a pro at figuring out the Easter Bunny's clues, eating his treats and baking his present. We like it when the Easter Bunny visits ...

Montreal Adventure

It was a family meeting in Montreal to kick off the Easter weekend. Grandpa Mike drove in, Tom & Tavish took the train together from Ottawa, and Mommy took the train from Toronto to enjoy an adventure together.

At the Bio Dome.

MOMENT: Trains, Subways, Animals, Fun Running & Food

Taking the bus to the train, then riding the subway have certainly become exciting talking points around our house since this adventure! The Bio Dome didn't disappoint, especially once Tavish spotted the otter and the penguins. Before that, pushing the stroller held quite the appeal! There's always fun in running around with Daddy and the market visit on the way out of town finished off our visit on a tasty note. Loving that we live close enough to do it all together again soon!

The never ending father-son fun.

Birthday Party Bliss

Tavish's 'birthday party day' was another day of fun and celebration. Tavish tested out his gift 'loot bags' (really,  they were boxes) and his green thumb; enjoyed the excitement that "Maple Sugar Fest" offered to him and his guests; caught a quick cat nap; and voyaged out on his bike with a stop by window visit with Grandpa.

MOMENT: Turning Three with Friends

Tavish's friends and parents showed up to enjoy some time in the sugar bush, eat some birthday cake (vegan, gluten-free and sweetened with maple syrup ... it was better than it sounds!), and play together. Here's a list of his friends he partied with: Sofie, Essa, Siddhu, Ella, Foster, Freddy, Nathan & Owen, Sam & Lucy, Darcy & Colin, Celia & Finn. What a party it was!

Interview with a 3 Year Old

Someone suggested an idea that we thought was neat - asking your child the same few questions on their birthday every year to see how the answers change. Sure, why not give it a shot?

MOMENT: Age 3 Insight

Here's what Tavish had to say March 24, 2012 about where he'd like to fly to, who his friends are, his favourite meal and what he'd like to be when he grows up ...