zookeeper

Hello. My name is Monica and I am a Zookeeper. At least today I am. I am married to a Zoologist (who now works as a pastor but for today is returning to his roots in zoology studies). We are keeping a close eye on a 5 month old jaguar and a 3 year old giraffe.



This giraffe was so pleased to be going to nursery school with both her backpack and her costume on.




I'm not a big fan of halloween (the scary stuff or the sugar element) but I do love the opportunity to connect with neighbours that we hardly see or talk to all year.

Trick or.... treat for the herbivore?

fall photos

With what sounds like a wicked winter storm on the way tonight, I thought I would reminisce about fall with a few photos from this past month. Funny. I was just getting used to the idea of fall having arrived. I'm clearly a little slow on accepting the coming winter. Sounds like I'll be facing the chilly reality in just a few hours.

Last week the Doherty clan had a short but sweet holiday to follow Thanksgiving up at the cottage. Maia and I agreed that the sound of crunching leaves under our feet is a good one.

Strollers are handy at times, but wearing Eliana in a Baby Bjorn works everywhere we want to go! One of my favourite baby investments ever.

Clearly, she agrees. As long as she's facing outwards to see the world.

Possibly my favourite fall photo ever.

Maia's cousin Connery is a collector. Recently he's taken to collecting caterpillars. Maia is fabulously curious about little creatures and often asks if she can touch them. Even the icky and scary ones. Which, of course, requires that I act as though I would love to pet beetles and other creepy crawlies so that I won't introduce a fear of them that she doesn't have. (Well, except for bees. They make her cry.) I loved this moment -- Connery studying his new find and answering Maia's questions about it.

Do you know how hard it is to get two little people smiling -- or at least looking at the camera -- at the same time as two adults (not to mention the canine)? In the end, we've captured real life. I suppose that's the idea in the first place.

Eliana is 5 and a half months old now. I've decided that she is at one of the most enjoyable stages of life. Lots of smiling. Starting to giggle. Pretty easy to entertain. A more predictable schedule. (Even if she still doesn't always sleep through the night.) Cooing lots and exploring all kinds of vocal sounds. Not yet teething or making strange. Not talking back either. I wish you could all be close enough to enjoy her in person. With that not being the case, I hope to update the blog more often in the weeks to come.

Happy fall!

things i never ever thought i'd say

Increasingly, I've found myself uttering words to Maia that cause me to take a step back and say, "I can't believe I just said that." So just for fun, I recently began compiling a list of things I never thought I would have to say. But have.

Honey, I know you're excited about nursery school but it's really a good idea to put on clothes first before you put on your backpack.

No, we don't lick car doors. They're dirty.

Love, please don't hide my glasses or the remote control or your sister's socks while I'm having a nap.

I know you don't like sitting on the toilet, but it's after 4 pm and you still haven't peed yet today.

Hey, would you like to try this Pooh soup?
(C'mon, Winnie the Pooh soup was on sale. And I had just introduced her to Christopher Robin and friends.)

No, you may not call me Monica when daddy does. You may call me Mommy.

Sweetie, please don't lick the baby's head.