Spring

The Victoria Day weekend couldn't have come at a better time - James has been really busy at work lately (it seems like we're always saying that) and we're loving the change of pace this long weekend. Charlotte, our normally fantastic little sleeper, is also in the midst of a transition that has put a bit of a wrinkle in things - she's now moving around like crazy in her sleep. That's not a problem per say, but she's been rolling onto her tummy, which is not her favourite position, and if she rouses and finds herself that way she gets upset. It's not that she can't roll herself back, but she doesn't yet know that she can, so in the meantime we find ourselves going in to roll her back so she can settle back to sleep. I imagine this will resolve itself soon enough, but last night I was up an unprecedented three times to re-position Charlotte. So today James and I are taking shifts looking after Charlotte and resting, and the fact that I am now catching up on email and blogging in bed at 11:30 a.m. feels very luxurious!

This past week we enjoyed gorgeous, 20 plus degree Celsius weather, which has meant trips to the park, windows and patio door wide open all day, and lots of barbequing. Charlotte loves going to the park, which provides new places to stand supported and other children to watch. She has fair skin, though, so even with a hat, sunscreen, and keeping in the shade as much as possible we've had to limit her sun exposure.

The arrival of spring has breathed new life into Edmonton. Every year that we've been here I've been amazed at how green and lush the city becomes - at the end of a long, bleak winter it is easy to forget. In contrast to Calgary, which is quite arid, Edmonton is a woodland environment, and it is evident now not only when we walk in the river valley nearby but even on our tree-lined street. Although our neighbourhood is primarily made up of apartment buildings, it is an older area of the city and well treed. On Wednesday I took Charlotte to the downtown library for a baby program we like - it's a comfortable half hour walk from our place, and she had her morning nap on the way. Afterwards we enjoyed our lunch outdoors at Winston Churchill Square (by city hall) with our friends Megan and Noah. Many downtown workers were also enjoying their lunches in the square (including the Mayor - our minor celebrity sighting) to the sounds of live music. The downtown farmer's market opened on Saturday, and the three of us walked there for a quick browse and some hotdogs (though none for Charlotte yet). It was a beautiful day and packed with people. To me this is city living at its best, and it's been fun to start sharing it with Charlotte.

Grass!

A Jack Layton rally in Edmonton. We didn't quite get close enough for a kiss for Charlotte

"Reading", a new favourite pasttime.

Happy baby