Squamish ... get to meet Stella in person!!!

Warning lots of baby pics. lol

Saturday, June 6th

After a wonderful evening last night, both Ray and I slept in until 7am this morning. We didn't get moving after coffee until about 8:30 am. 

Ray back down to his shop to sand the 2 planters we are bringing with us to Squamish and start on a clamp rack for Jason. He came upstairs and showed me he is using all of the clamps he has purchased. lol

The clouds are coming in and we are supposed to get thundershowers this afternoon. Freya won't like that!

Jason and Kristi went to Squamish today to finally get their hands on Stella.

Zeus is very interested in Stella every time she makes a noise apparently.

Pretty uneventful day, I even had a nap after staying up so late last night. lol Once up I was rejuvenated enough, that I decided to make Beef Wellington with the beef tenderloin steaks I took out to thaw this morning. Caesar Salad was also on the menu.

My best one yet!

Sunday cloudy but breezy. The rain has stopped at least. By 10am it was mostly sunny with some cloudy periods. Ray worked on the clamp rack in and I messed in the kitchen for a bit. 

Kristi and Jason had a great day in Squamish with Kat, Garrett and baby Stella.

Our little frog.

Doing the "Macarena"!

Dancing with Auntie Kristi

Once it warmed up I gave Freya a bath in the lake as she was getting a little smelly from all the swimming she has done over the past 2 weeks. I have eco friendly shampoo that I use to not contaminate the lake i.e. our drinking water. We spent the afternoon down on the dock enjoying the day. The neighbours had company and the kids actually jumped into the lake. The water temp currently is 60F Burrrrr.

In and out of the water in a flash!

Monday, cloudy and showers started around lunch. I was busy doing laundry and getting food organized to take over to Garrett and Kat's tomorrow. BABY DAY! 

Tuesday, June 9th out the door at 8:30 for our 10:30 departure on the ferry to Horseshoe Bay and then up to Squamish. I packed a lunch so we were able to eat sitting in the car on the crossing. We only went upstairs to use the washrooms on the ferry ride. 

Arrived by 1:30 ... Yeah Baby Time!

Pardon the Covid bangs cut! lol

Freya checking out the milk to poop conversion machine!

Lots of baby Stella snuggles for the rest of the day. Garrett instructed me on how to feed her safely so she doesn't choke and what to do if she does. lol What a great daddy.

Garrett and Kat had ordered this "mumaroo" contraption to help being able to put her down so you could do other things when she is a bit fussy. It arrived just before we got there so Garrett hooked her in and not more than 2 minutes later she had the biggest puke up ever! So out she comes... note to self don't put her in the mumaroo until she has had time to digest her latest feed. lol Quite the contraption with all of the controls for different swing motions.

We ordered in White Spot for dinner and Ray picked it up. Kat goes to bed to nap from 8 - 11 pm so Garrett takes over and then Kat looks after her from 11 pm until 5 in the morning when they swap again. Garrett manages a nap in the afternoon. We have thrown their schedule out a little but Stella has started sleeping longer while we were here. Kat has graciously filled bottles for me instead of nursing her, so I got to feed her quite a bit. :)

Wednesday, as Kat would say, rinse and repeat. lol I fed Stella most of the day while Garrett and Kat were able to do a few other things around the house extra naps etc. I made eggs benedict for breakfast so everyone was well-fuelled for the day.

Grandma and her girls.

We even managed a family walk down the trail with Stella in the stroller as the sun came out for a bit.

I'm busy watching her little cheeks bouncing up and down on the rough path. lol

So precious.

Stella melting Grandpa's heart. 

At 3pm I gave up my Stella cuddles reluctantly to prepare and cook prime rib, yorkies, mashed potatoes and carrots for our dinner. Fortunately it all turned out great. Always hard to tell using someone else's stove. It cooked the beast okay but decided to shut off periodically. Now a new stove is on order with their landlord. :)

Kira, Garrett's dog, has been very standoffish with the baby, basically ignoring the fact she is there and kind of ignoring Garrett and Kat too. Having us there, and Freya, she reverted more to her usual self, even finally coming over to sniff Stella while I had her, and touch her nose to her head for the first time since they brought her home 2 1/2 weeks ago. Freya would give her forehead a lick every once in awhile and checking on her when she made noises in her bassinet. Hopefully Kira gets herself more included now.

Sent Kat to bed at 7:30 pm and Ray and I kept Garrett company until about 10:15 pm when we went to bed. More baby snuggles for me.

Thursday morning I was up early at 5:30 am and told Kat to go to bed "I had this", but by the time she was ready after pumping ... everyone else was up anyways. In the wee hours of the night, Kat prepared a bread to bake in the dutch oven so we could have breakfast.

Morning snuggles with Grandma

Tummy Time! Stella is not impressed though!

More baby snuggles and feeding her throughout the day. I was in la la land getting my hands on that baby. Kat kindly pumped a lot so I could feed her myself. They are so good about sharing her. She had her pediatrician's appointment this morning and at 4 weeks old she has gained 2 pounds 5 ounces since her birth. Now at 6 pounds 8 ounces. That's an increase of 40 grams a day instead of the usual 30 grams. They are all very happy with her progress.

While they were at the doctor I made Bacon, Prawn Corn Chowder for lunch so it was ready when the came back home.

My favourite spot to have her is on my chest and it seems to be her favourite too as she sleeps really good on me ... my "larger frame" seems to be the right thing for her. lol We spent many hours just like this. No I'm not sleeping too. :)

The skies cleared and we were able to have a family picture outside. Stella was actually awake and had her eyes open.

For dinner I made baked chicken thighs and Lobster Risotto for dinner. Everyone made short work of their dinner. Stella was fussing so I held her for dinner so Kat could eat. Told her to take advantage ... as this was probably one of the few times she could eat her food hot. lol

Kat went to bed at 7:30 pm, napping in prep for her night time shift with Stella and Ray and I stayed up with Garrett until 9:30. 

Friday morning I was up early at 5 am as Kira kept trying to come into our room to get Freya. lol Sent Kat back to bed upstairs and had my final snuggles with Stella. Garrett fed her while Ray and I packed up. Gonna miss our little "bean".

Last snuggles. 

We left lots of leftovers so the kids won't have to worry about cooking for the next few days. lol  Out the door by 7am and on the 8:30 am ferry out of Horseshoe Bay and arrived home at 11:30 am. A great trip over to Squamish visiting Garrett and Kat. Of course meeting little Stella was the highlight.

Garrett sent us this mornings pic after we left with her eyes open again.

Stella Lee Kyle, 4 weeks old and now 6 1/2 pounds.

We are sure going to miss our little miracle. Kat's parents and brother are arriving next Friday for their first visit with the new addition to the family. Such fun.