Lots of pics added

We’ve been really busy lately!

Marshall has been having all kinds of adventures and growing and learning so fast we can’t keep up with him.

My sister Stacey arrived (from Calgary) July 10th, so we had a nice visit. She was back and forth between here and Fredericton, and brought Marshall with her! They spent a few days at Gram’s place and gave me and Rick a nice break. We actually went out to dinner with some friends and went to a movie.

She brought him back in time to have his 2nd birthday party with lots of friends and family. He seemed to enjoy himself, and he got lots of presents – thanks everyone!

My brother-in-law Cris arrived after the party (from Calgary) and got to meet Marshall for the first time. I had to go on a course in Halifax for 3 days the sunday after his party, so Stacey and Cris got to spend some quality time with Marshall while Rick was at work and I was in Halifax. They took him to the Hopewell Rocks.

I arrived back from my course just in time to say goodnight to Marshall on a Wednesday night. Did a little work Thursday morning, but now I’m off work until September 22nd – yay! Unfortunately, I have to study ;)

Friday, the 25th was our 5-year anniversary. We had some more friends arrive from Halifax for a visit friday night on their way to Ontario on a Highland Games circuit (John plays pipes). We ordered in some thai/vietnemese food and drank some wine, and had a nice relaxing evening. We had breakfast at the market the following morning, and Rhia got to stay with us a bit longer until Marshall and I were ready to head to Fredericton to meet up with John, and to visit with my mom’s cousins the Reeses Pieces ;) who were down from Ontario.

Monday we took him to Magicuts to get his 2nd haircut, and this time he sat in the chair with the little cape and he was worried and I held his hand, but he made it through without getting up. What a good boy!

I had to leave again the following Tuesday (29th) to go on another course in Halifax. That was a long one. Stacey and I finally left Moncton at 4pm. (there was a lot of packing and organizing to do!) We arrived, shopped, and checked in to the residence and discovered that I had scored a double room – sweet! Stacey left the next day for Bridgewater to visit my aunt (visiting from Hong Kong), cousin, and her 2 girls, and I got down to business. I saw Stace one more time Thursday for lunch before she headed back to Moncton with Val.

I kept busy on the trip so I wouldn’t miss my boys as much. Wednesday it was dinner with the book club girls (miss those meetings!). Thursday, Kim (a fellow 4th time writer who took the same year I did off and had a baby boy) attended a fitness class, had a long walk and a well-deserved couple of drinks out. Friday, I got to see Joel Plaskett play at Alderney Landing in the mist which was amazing. I went to the annual ASCA UFE PREP Pub Crawl Saturday (which just made me feel old), and had pre-crawl martinis at the Fireside with my friend Mark. Sunday I went to Bridgewater and had a really nice visit with Brenda, Ang, Dominique and Kate. Got up Monday and had a nice (but short!) visit with Kelly, Mandy and Serena on my way out of town. Monday night was a massage, then beer and burgers with my fellow students (a work function). Tuesday wine and dvds in my room with Kim. Wednesday a gathering of friends (Annette, Joyce, John) at Onyx for mojitos and appetizers. Thursday another massage and packing. And finally Friday.

Don’t get me wrong – there was a lot of school stuff going on, but that’s boring.

Friday was our last day. I got to have a quick visit with John & Rhia, and then stopped in to see Erica who had arrived from Ottawa the night before, and I got to see Connor & Rod too. I arrived home at 11pm!

Saturday I unpacked, did laundry etc, and then hit the road for Fredericton once again. Finally got to see my boys! And also my aunt Brenda from Hong Kong and aunt Bonnie who was down from Ontario. We headed home on Sunday, and seems like we’ve all been exhausted ever since. We left mom the car she had loaned us, and drove back to Moncton together.

I’m enjoying a week at home with Marshall to myself, but soon I have to hit the books. Annoyingly, the weather hasn’t been great. It’s been really humid and rainy, so not fun for doing the beach or the zoo. We’re hoping to get to the zoo tomorrow! And the beach on Thursday! But it seems like it’s never going to let up.

In the meantime, they’ve been digging up the roads all around us. I think they’re saving our block for last. Marshall has been enjoying all the diggers and dozers though.

We decided that since he was away and hadn’t slept in his crib all that time, and since I’m off all week, we’d try him in his big-boy bed. Rick took it apart and put it away so he wouldn’t see it, then started putting the new bed back together while Marshall tried to help. He was really excited about the new bed and immediatly got on it and laid down and said “I’m sleepy!”.

The first night it took a little more work than usual to get him to sleep, but we’re really proud of him. He’s been napping there pretty well too.

He’s been talking up a storm. I couldn’t believe the difference after not seeing him for 12 days. He likes to sing along to some songs…Frere Jacques is the current favourite. He was doing a little of Doe a Deer (sound of music) for a while but then decided he didn’t like it any more for a while. Now he’ll do a bit here and there. He also recently re-discovered his leapfrog alphabet fridge magnets and started singing along with the abc song.

He’s also started getting a little devlish. He likes to test us. For example, running away in the store. Not funny Marshall! Luckily right now we can still outrun him.

I have just added a gazillion pictures. Stacey took a lot! I have added them all to July 2008 in his 3rd year. It includes all pictures from July though (including his birthday pics). Have a look!