He blew in, he blew out...

By -
Dear Diary,
My beloved flew back to us last Friday for a quick visit before blowing out to the UK for a month or so. The poor boy flew out of Denver at 8 a.m. and didn't arrive in Toronto via Charlotte N.C. until 6:30 p.m. What a long, tiring day but he still had enough strength to give his Isla all the hugs she needed!
On Saturday we organized a Vandenberg family outing to Rockwood Conservation Area just outside of Guelph for a bit of canoeing and bbq'ing in the afternoon and evening. We couldn't all be there for various reasons but for those who were there, we had a good time, I think.
Colin and I rented a canoe and so did the "orphans', namely, Emily, Benjamin and Matthew. Their dad was in Ohio for business and their poor mother was at home very sick with a bad chest cold. Hope you're feeling better soon, Loretta, we missed you!
The orphans with Matthew in charge (scary!)
Me, sittin pretty but I did paddle abit when ordered by you-know-who...
Yup, him, my beloved... btw, nice purple swim trunks dear!
Isla got spoiled of course and had everyone's attention. We didn't put her in the water, it was too cold but she was busy being held by Aunt Marg.
After canoeing it was time for dinner and a soccer game. At one point I heard something about 4-0 so I am assuming an overwhelming victory for someone.
Matthew, Peter, David, Josh and Benjamin
King of the disposable BBQ!
I guess that makes John King of the Coleman stove and Marg his Queen!
After dinner we just took it easy and some brave soles braved the water for a swim. I stayed clear away but Colin went in a for dip.
As for Kristen, she was tired, the poor girl....

Gail and Josh making a fashionably late appearence
Anyways, once the mosquitos made their presence known, it was time to go home.
On Sunday, Albert and Chris and the kids came over since they couldn't make it on Saturday. Isla loved having some young cousins around for once and they quite liked her as well....

Isla, Katriene and Aunt Chris

Julianna, Isla, Katriene, Alannah and Aunt Chris

On Monday we decided to head east to Ajax and pay Aunt Lynn and Uncle Jim a visit. The last time Colin was in Ontario we ran out of time so it was nice that we were to visit and catch up a bit. A cat story: Aunt Lynn has two cats, Blondie and Minnie. Well, we brought Isla's Packn'Play along with us so she could nap while we visited. She slept a grand total of about 15 mins. so yeah, a complete waste of energy to take it out of the car but I digress. As Isla was falling asleep in her bed, Blondie took an interest to the strange noises coming from the new piece of furniture in the living room and perched her back legs on a nearby table while her front legs were on the Packn'Play and peered over the edge to look at Isla. Isla just starred back at her.... Too cute!! She must think there are crazy cats wherever she goes! BTW, Minnie stayed clear away from Isla - she didn't know what to think of her!

After a good chat it was time to leave and head back to Waterdown, drop Isla off with Opa and Oma and head out for our anniversary dinner which was yesterday, Thursday, as you may read in our previous posts. It was nice just going out the two of us for once.

Then it was Tuesday. I was dreading it and I think Colin was too. He didn't want to leave but he has to go back to the UK to get the US business visa. He's back working in the office in Manchester and will go to the American Consulate in Dublin sometime in September for an interview. Hopefully he'll get the visa and then head back to Canada to pick Isla and myself up before going to Denver. He was really hoping he could've resumed his old job in N. Ireland and stay in Larne for the month but that didn't happen, his boss had other plans. If he's lucky, he'll try to fly over for a weekend.

Late Tuesday afternoon it was time to go back to the airport. Even Isla knows it well by now after so many trips there in her short life. It was sad, I cried like I used to do when we lived apart. I keep telling myself I'm fortunate, he's not going to Afghanistan or Iraq. He'll be OK and will be home as soon as possible again.

I was glad when I woke to Wednesday and then Thursday. Isla had her 6 month check up at the dr's yesterday and she did well. Here are the stats:

Weight: 16 lbs. 1 oz.

Height" 25.5 inches

Head Circum.: I think was 46 cm.

Teeth count: 2! the second just showed on Wednesday.

Overall, the doctor is pleased, she is growing and developing well. She had her two jabs and only cried for the second shot. I thought things were going well and then last night she woke up every 1.5 or 2 hours and just hollered. She had a bit of a fever and was overall feeling miserable. My poor baby! Even today she is still a bit out of sorts.

That is the latest and greatest from Waterdown. Hope you're all well wherever you are!

Heather, Colin & Isla