Single dad diaries

I rarely travel for work. Jevon travels for work frequently, but me? Almost never. So it was quite the adventure when I was away for ten out of 17 days. I was in Vancouver for eight days, home for a week, and in Ottawa for two days.

Jevon made sure that he kept me well updated on the goings-on at home. What a wonder technology is; we were able to connect face-to-face periodically using the video chat on our PlayBooks, and he sent me daily pictures of my little girl to keep me entertained.

This is going to be a super-long post, so click "read more" if you can't see the whole thing!

PART 1

Day 1: Thanksgiving Monday, October 8

I headed to Pearson Airport during Alexa's afternoon nap.

After nap, Daddy, Alexa and Douggie went for a chilly walk in the bright sunshine.

Day 2: Tuesday, October 9

I helped one of our Manager of Planned Giving run a lab tour in Vancouver with some awesome researchers and then helped set up for the Conference.

A very sleepy Alexa didn't want to wake up or let go of her soother (dee-you) or lambie (nammie). I can see from the position in the rocking chair that Daddy accommodated her wishes with some cuddle time.

 All dressed for the weather and ready to go to daycare!

Day 3: Wednesday, October 10

Pre-conference registration day for me.

A cheerful Alexa, all dressed for daycare, but she had books picked out for Daddy to read. She's already a pro at procrastination!

 "Sweeping" with her Hallowe'en witch broom while Daddy got dinner ready.

 Big smiles at dinner time!

Day 4: Thursday, October 11

It was the first full Conference day, which was my busiest and longest day at the Conference.

Again, Alexa REALLY didn't want to wake up.

 But after work, she hammed it up for Daddy on the change table. Socks don't go in your mouth, silly girl!

 Alexa is an expert at getting lambie out of the crib, but sometimes it takes a little more effort than others.

Day 5: Friday, October 12

Another full Conference day for me. By this point, I was getting pretty tired (but trying REALLY hard not to show it). Being on my feet all day at six months pregnant is a tiring feat.

Daddy swore that the closed eyes were just because of the bright flash, and not because his girl was really that tired every morning.

Before-dinner crafts.

 Another yummy dinner. She looks a lot like a baby picture of Auntie Rachel in this shot.

 "Helping" Daddy play his guitar. Her favourite part is re-tuning his strings for him.

Day 6: Saturday, October 13

Last day of the Conference for me. My flight from Vancouver left late on Saturday afternoon and arrived in Cranbrook on Saturday evening for a whirlwind visit with friends Heather and Eli. Heather and Eli picked me up from the airport and drove me to their house in Invermere - with a stop on the way at a natural hot spring! I think I said something along the lines of: "Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....".

Jev sent lots of pictures for Mum on this gloomy day. No daycare or work on Saturday meant that Alexa could con Daddy into reading Bear on a Bike over and over (and over) before breakfast.

 "Hewwo Mummy"

 Alexa doesn't ever want to leave the park!

 Yummy afternoon snacks for the little miss.

 Snuggles on the couch, waiting for Mummy to call on the PlayBook.

Yummy spaghetti dinner.
"Uh oh..."

 Shoveling the spaghetti in with a fork AND a spoon.

Growing girl!

Day 7: Sunday, October 14

I spent a SUPER-relaxing day with Heather and Eli (who kept apologizing for being "boring" - I have no idea why... it was heaven). The day included picking up FOUR packages of Kicking Horse coffee varieties that you can't get in Toronto. YUM. In the evening, Heather and I went to Banff for dinner and to spend the night.

Jev sent me a Sunday-morning picture of Alexa's new fashion statement: pajamas and crocs.

Alexa loves her rubber boots. Rainy days, therefore, hold quite the appeal.

Douggie is small enough that even a toddler can walk him... with some success.

On rainy days, we take Alexa and Doug to the empty hockey rink in the park and let them splash and run in the puddles.

Running in opposite directions.

Run! Run! Run!

Walk #2, Alexa insisted on wearing her crocs, but then was sad when her feet got wet.

She tried to tell Douggie to sit, but she pronounces it "isht", and he just doesn't get it.

Day 8: Monday, October 15

I woke up to a spectacular vista in Banff, wandered to a coffee shop, and then got on a bus to head to the Calgary airport. The scenery from Banff to Calgary is absolutely spectacular, and was made even better by my excitement at heading home.

Alexa had another slow morning start, and didn't want to relinquish lambie and soother.

She loves to sit in her booster seat and buckle herself in.

I was thrilled to be able to get an earlier-than-planned flight home, and arrived just before Alexa went to bed. I got loads of cuddles in the short time between my arrival home and her bedtime. It was wonderful.

PART 2

I went on a short two-day road trip to Ottawa for a really energizing meeting with folks from research funders in Canada (mostly Toronto and Ottawa-based health charities and government funders).

Day 1: Tuesday, October 23

I left dark and early on Tuesday morning, and was out of the house on my way to the Island Airport before I'm usually even awake.

Somehow, Alexa found a spoon in my bedroom (in front of the sorted laundry piles - what a pretty sight), and was playing with it before daycare.

After work, it was another dreary day, so Jevon took Alexa and Douggie back to the empty hockey rink. I don't know what we'll do when they put ice in there in the winter!

Puddles!

Splish splash

Alexa's favourite toy: her dump truck. Her stroller is a close second, but only because it can be used like a dump truck. And her favourite (messy) game is "dump", which includes dumping water in the bathroom, dumping Douggie's food on the ground, dumping toys out of her stroller, and (yay) dumping milk on her highchair tray. We're trying to discourage the playing of "dump" in the house.

I went to visit Jevon's sister and her family after my meeting, and had a lovely time with my nieces and nephew (and sister- and brother-in-law, of course). They treated me to a delicious dinner, and the girls gave me some beautiful drawings to take home. We even had time for a video chat for Alexa to see all of her Ottawa cousins!

Day 2: Wednesday, October 24

I came home in time to pick Alexa up from daycare, so I only got a (blurry) morning picture this day. As usual, she tried to hold on to lambie and soother for as long as possible before leaving for the day. She only gets them at bed-time, so they're a special treat.

After all that travel, I had spent more time away from home than at home. I really felt the truth of the adage: "East or west, home is best".