Visits from Friends...both near and far!

Millie has been fortunate to have some of her favorite new fans come to visit us here in Dunbar during the past few weeks, among them The Yuills, The Macintyres, The Arnolds, the legendary Aunt Penny, and also her Auntie Sasha (who is also Walter's aunt, of course). Not to mention that she had her first babysitters last week, on Thursday when we took Justin and Jodi out in Vancouver to see Beck and Band of Horses, and then (again?  yep!) on Saturday for Dave Yuill's 40th birthday party. So we wanted us to get these photos up here on Good Kids so everyone who visited can check out their pics.  Thanks for making the effort to visit us, guys and see you all again soon.  We love you!

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The highly anticipated visit of Twiggy and Cliffy

Maybe it sounds natural that a new grandchild would have the opportunity to meet all of her grandparents in the first 3 weeks of her life. But what if that grandchild lives in British Columbia and her grandparents live in Florida, Colorado, and Rhode Island? I might dare to say that's even more impressive! Last week, that's what happened for us when Grandma Twiggy and Grandpa Cliffy completed the trifecta of Baby Millie Grandparent Squad visits by making the longest journey of all from their home just 400 feet from the Atlantic Ocean to our home nearly as close to the Pacific. 

They came to celebrate the life of their first granddaughter, and celebrate we did. But rather than just the usual games of Euchre, dinners and and city touring (all of which we managed to do :) the focus this trip was all on Amelia - her story, her humorous mannerisms, physical attributes and much more. After all, this was what they skipped their trip to Greece for, which isn't to say that they struggled with the decision, of course.  

Grandma Twiggy (formerly Kiki for those who might be confused reading this - you will have to ask her about the name change, but we love it!) was lovingly restless anytime Millie wasn't actively in the mix, and took to cuddling or feeding her for hours on end. Grandpa Cliffy also returned to the veteran form that he demonstrated through raising 3 kids of his own, coming in from the bullpen at those rare times when Twiggy had reason to leave the mound.

Needless baseball references aside (go Red Sox), these moments were special moments in time for all of us. Because if watching your parents care for your child is something exceptional, then the inverse is even more moving. Declarations came in abundance all week long. If Millie knew what in the world we were talking about, she would have understood the hundreds of times that she was called the most special child, the best little baby, and at other times, simply 'beautiful.' Julie was aptly called  'a natural'.  And as for me, Grandma Twiggy and Grandpa Cliffy said simply: 'our little hardass has become a softy!' - a comment that I welcomed, but would caution anyone against believing heading into Fantasy Football season.

In between baby-gushing sessions and prolific baby-shopping extravaganzas, and while I labored under the toil of 2009 Red Bull Canada Business Planning, Cliffy became the guy who spent countless hours getting our house back in order after a month (year?) of neglect - tuning up the grill, repairing the vacuum, weatherstripping the door, fixing the basement bath shower head, and going to town on several overgrown trees and bushes in the yard. Thanks Cliffy! I'm not sure the trip to Whistler covered your fees :) 

We miss you guys already.  Love, Millie, Walter, Julie and Jaimeson 

One month old today!

Millie's First Playlist

Its true that at 3.5 weeks, Millie's baby sign-language still has room for development. However through more primitive systems of communications (that you might call guess and check?) also used for feeding, diaper changing, and the like, we believe that we are now able to understand what some of Millie's favorite music tunes have become in her short life.

Millie has had her own iPod Nano (its just a 4-gig) since her first day in Vancouver, and now that its connected to a hand-me-down JBL speaker, she can rock tunes anytime she wants from the comfort of her own little nursery room.

So without further adieu, please find below in no particular order Millie's Top 20 favorite Baby Jams to-date. She would naturally recommend these to our friends and family who like to groove the night away in the nursery as well!       - Jaimeson

1234 Feist

Amsterdam Peter Bjorn and John

Sloop John B Beach Boys

Connected Stereo MCs

Puff the Magic Dragon Gregory Isaacs

Into Action Tim Armstrong

Lights and Music Cut Copy

Beautiful Child Fleetwood Mac

Paper Planes (DFA Mix) M.I.A.

The Day Brings  Brad

Sweet Little Thing Lucero

Marching Bands of Manhattan Death Cab for Cutie

Welcome to this World Renee and Jeremy

Sunshine Lupe Fiasco

Keep On Loving You REO Speedwagon

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Your Star Will Shine Stone Roses

You Got Me feat Erykah Badu The Roots

Float On Modest Mouse

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Flaming Lips

TGIF

On Friday, Jaimeson worked from home, as he had just returned from a 5 day business trip out east.  He wanted quality Millie time for sure....and QT with mom too :-)  It was a beautiful day here in Vancouver....sunny, cloudless and about 85 degrees!!  Just perfect.  Jaimeson shut his laptop early, and all four of us headed down to Kits beach...about a 5 minute drive from our house.  We strolled along the water and soaked up the Vitamin D.   We then finished the evening with a great dinner at Tomoto....Millie slept the entire meal, so we really got toenjoy a great night out!!  Good times!  - Julie

Kid Sisters aren't so bad

One of the most common inquiries that we have received since becoming parents mere weeks ago is "How is Walter adjusting?" We're never surprised to hear the question, either. Those who know us best know that Walter is a huge part of our family. It started from day one when we picked him up outside of Freddy's Casino north of Everett, Washington. From that moment forward, he belonged to us and we belonged to him. Walter would continue with us on our adventures from Seattle to San Juan to Vancouver, then Toronto and back. If only for the numerous flight and driving miles that he has put in, the little guy has earned his spot as our Deputy of Security in the Keegan North Clan, and then some. 

It may sound natural to many other dog-lovers among us, or similarly unnatural to others, but one of the toughest things about being in Florida for the month that we were gone was that we missed Walter so much. But in the back of our minds, we knew that he would understand what an important reason it was that we were gone for. I remember when we came home at 1am on that long, long day of travel, Walter was ecstatic. He ran around the house and then the yard like a maniac as if to say, "Guys! Guys! I'm so glad that you are home! Where have you been? That was the longest trip ever. Hold on a second, look how fast I can run now!" And then he realized that we had someone else with us - a human the size of which he had never seen. Walter snuck in close to Millie for a quick peek, and vanished just as quickly.

In the coming days, Walter's cautious curiosity would increase even more as he began to understand that not only was there a new member of our pack, but that he was her big brother! The shock of that startling reality was likely mitigated some by his continued walks and runs (some of which in which he 'protects' Millie from other dogs who may take too close a look into her stroller), inclusion in special family moments of all kinds (like celebrating Millie poops), and of course, the delivery of even more treats from our hands into his happy belly!

Then this morning, an even bigger breakthrough: After giving morning kisses to Mom and Dad while in Millie's nursery, Walter snuck in a brief, but sincere kiss onto his little sister's knee. We celebrated profusely before Walter went back to his morning security detail rounds. When Millie cries, he's often in the nursery with us keeping an eye on things. When she sleeps he resumes his post in the front window, doing his best to keep the criminal element of the Dunbar neighborhood at-bay. 

Being asked to share the spotlight that you've owned for the past 7 years may not be easy for Walter, but we are proud of the effort that he's put into it. Moreover, I believe he understands the love we have for his sister and that she is now part of his life, too. And for us, Millie, and for himself, the best is still yet to come.      - Jaimeson 

Bonding with Mimi and Pampa

My folks arrived on Wednesday, July 30th, to meet Miss Millie!  I was so excited to introduce her to them and for them to start getting to know each other.   They were hooked the moment they saw her!  We had such a fabulous, memorable week with "Mimi and Pampa!"  Not only did they spoil us all ROTTEN with dinners and gifts and babysitting, but we also just got to spend good quality time hanging out.  There is something so special about introducing my daughter to my parents.  I know they love seeing us as parents, as much as we love seeing them as grandparents.  A magical step in life that is so powerful.  We all commented throughout the week how amazing it is that such a little, tiny creature could bring so much love and joy into our entire family and our lives!  

One of the most special things was watching my mom and dad with Millie and seeing their expertise as parents!  They just knew the right thing to do at the exact right time to make Millie happy and content. (For those of you that

 don't know, my parents had 3 kids in less than 2 years...so I think the word "expert" is very fitting for them :-)  I was taking so many mental notes.  Feedings, diaper changes, bath-time, play time. With all of the "unsolicited" advice we receive as new parents, I'll always take advice from the grandparents....I think we all turned out o.k...so there is 

something to be said for that :-)!  I love learning from them!!

So Mimi and Pampa.....we can't thank you enough for all of your love, support, 

advice, shoulders to cry on, hours and hours of phone conversations (sometimes more than

 once in a day), words of wisdom, positivity and most importantly for being YOU....exactly the way you are!!!!  We love you SO, SO much and can't wait to see you again soon!!!!  xoxoxo - Julie

2 Weeks Old