Ah Winter...

We love living in Saskatchewan... what with the affordable housing; big, open skies; bone freezing temperatures and somewhat unpredictable weather, who wouldn't? No, it's not that bad. Right now, it's foggy and cold but still pretty and definitely looking like Christmas, a nice white one! The winter weather does make it a bit challenging for getting around with Sophia. When the weather was nice, we would often take a walk in the parkland surrounding us --you know, get some exercise and enjoy the environment. Well, that goes a little harder with a foot of stubborn snow and slush on the ground. Our stroller wasn't made for that kind of terrain. Needless to say, the walking bit has taken hibernation.

Except for the other day, when the thermometer outside reached the balmy temperature of +3 or 4 degrees. The sun was shining and the air was "warm", so in response we decided to go for a walk. One problem: the stroller. We didn't know if the walking paths were cleared off or not. The solution: our Snugly. We'll just strap her in and away we will go. We got Sophia all outfitted for a walk -toque, gloves, long pants, socks, shoes, shirt, and sweater, and got David (the baby carrier) all ready for the cooler air. Then we wrestled Sophia into the carrier! Whew! At least we didn't have to worry about her needing to go pee. David? He was out of luck!

We really did enjoy the walk, and Sophia stayed awake for most of it. The one thing we didn't take into consideration was the wind. There's really nothing in the province that stops the wind from blowing -no hills or mountains or such, so it pretty much blows at lot of the time. Wind tends to lower the temperature a bit (okay, a lot, but not to the point where anyone (big or small) would be hypothermic). Let's just say it was a brisk and quick walk. Sophia's cheeks were quite red by the time we got home. But the cold did not stop her from falling asleep....

Ready for winter walking! Doesn't she look happy?!

Post walk position for nap

Sleeping like a baby? More like limp linguine!

In a year of life, a baby is to accomplish many things. Rolling over is one of them. I have posted some pictures of Sophia's attempts at rolling from her stomach to her back. Now, as the months progress it seems to me that she likes being on her stomach less and less. The problem is that she can't see much from there, and for a baby who is afraid to miss anything this is not good. We still force to do mandatory tummy time, for how else is she ever going to learn how to crawl? You got to start on your belly. Or at least I hope so.... my mom did offer me the fairly frightening image of Sophia learning to scoot across the floor on her back, therefore wearing off the hair on the back of her head. Yeesh!

Anyway, from time to time, Sophia does try to roll from her back to her tummy. This usually occurs when there is something interesting that she would like to put in her mouth. It's humourus to watch. I was a little concerned when one of the books I have said that at five months babies should be able to roll both directions, and I looked at my daughter who didn't really do either. So, at the doctor's this week I asked if I should be worried. Dr. MacDonald, bless her, told me that she'd do it when she is good and ready! Whew. Really, she's just too busy watching the world!

Got to get that bumper...so tasty!

After roll recovery

Here's the latest doctor update: All is good and she's a healthy little girl.
WEIGHT: 16 pounds and some change
HEIGHT: 26 inches

No problems other the usual baby issues: spit up, drooling, dirty diapers and eating needs! If we could just her her to sleep through the night more often!