forgetful

It seems like eons since all of this happened now, but with a couple of big firsts for Jaia, it definitely deserves a recap.  Plus, with no holidays or even a long weekend in sight for months, I may have to live in the past for a little while just be able to cope with the dark mornings, never-ending snow and bitter cold.  Today, -31 degrees.

I left off last time with Dan and I (not) rigning in the New Year, while the birthday girl slept peacefully after a long, full, happy birthday.  My intention was to stay up until 11:51 pm, the moment she was born two years earlier, so I slip in, give her a kiss and wish her a very happy birthday – but I was fast asleep myself.  There’s always next year…

January 1 – We checked out of the Bess and back into the Sheraton (worth it for the party, but checking in an out of three hotels in three days would not normally be my recommendation).  With everything closed we bided our time before going over to awesome aunt Susie’s Saskatoon house for an Afghan feast.  It was beyond delish! One of the best meals I’ve ever had.

January 2 – We woke up early as we had a looooooong day ahead.Dan, Jaia, Jen and I were driving from Saskatoon to Calgary with all of our holiday loot and our 6 gigantic suitcases.Thankfully we didn’t hit any bad weather, because the drive was long enough with me just barely fitting in the back seat.

January 3 – We piled back in the car, thankfully with much less stuff and headed to Panorama for a few days of skiing (Dan) and relaxing (me) with Dan’s dad’s side.We’ve been two other times since we’ve been together, and the drive up the steep, narrow, snow-covered, icy mountains never fails to scare the crap out of me.Jan and I typically spend much of the last half of the drive looking through our fingers as we cover our eyes.Terrifying.But Dan always gets us there safe, and never seems to break a sweat.I hope Jaia takes after him in that respect.

January 4-5 – The days, spent out on snowboards for the rest of the crew (Jaia and I explored and took about a million photos).  The nights were spent eating amazing comfort food and watching movies by the fire.  Ahhhhh!!!  I haven’t been that relaxed in ages.  Well-deserved.

The highlights of the trip for me though, both happened in the afternoon of the 5th.  Dan’s dad took his granddaughter over to the rental shop and rented her a pair of boots and skis.  My two-year old daughter was going skiing for the first time with the best instructor I know.  We all stood around like paparazzi at the bottom of the hill snapping photos while she got her skis snapped on and as they headed up the magic carpet to the top of the bunny hill.  And then at the top, they did the unthinkable…they skiied!  And she loved it.  LOVED IT!  Smiled and laughed the whole time as she swerved from one side of the hill to the other ‘chasing’ Dan and I.  I was beaming with pride.  At just 2 she’s done something I’ve never been able to do – ski without fear.  I hope it continues.

Once we got home from the big day, we went straight for another first.  Jaia got a haircut.  This time it was her grandma in charge.  I thought she might fuss alittle, but she sat there, good as gold, staring straight at the mirror, watching her personal stylists every move.  And when it was al said and done, she was a happy, happy camper.

January 6 – I woke up a year older.  I was immediately had a coffee placed in my hand followed by a delicious breakfast.  Not long after Jen, Dianna and I headed to the spa where we were all SPOILED rotten. It was amazing.

We piled in the car in the early afternoon and made the trek back to Calgary to meet Uncle Dimpy again and celebrate with dinner at an amazing restaurant.  The food was so good and the company was even better.  Even Jaia pooping her pants (with no extra clothes or no store nearby to rescue us  – no, we never learn) did not put a damper on the evening.  I went to bed a very, very happy girl.  Spending time with my favourite people in the world over the last two weeks starting with my family in Ottawa and ending with Dan’s – who are now my family – made this holiday the best I’ve ever spent.

Try and top that, 2009!