Damian & Katerina = How To [vil-helm] #94

Alyce is growing rapidly. She recently had a check-up at the hospital and received great news. She's now 9.5 kilograms and 76.6 centimeters tall. Alyce also passed her clinical swallow assessment and tried new foods like pizza, pancakes, and apple pie. Kat's friend Hildred hosted us for brunch, where we enjoyed German-inspired sandwiches and soups. During the visit, Hildred soothed Alyce when she became fussy. Hildred's calm and gentle approach put Alyce to sleep, and I was amazed. This experience highlights the importance of learning from others and appreciating the support of our community. Boujee, the family dog, celebrated her birthday with a banner, balloon, and a birthday song sung by Kat, Alyce, and others. Boujee received gifts, including a plush banana toy and a squeaky chicken that made Alyce laugh. Boujee is excited for Alyce's upcoming birthday and is ready for the winter season with her walking partner, Kat.

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hello everyone, it’s Alyce! This week was extra busy, but in the best way possible. I had my check-up appointment at the hospital with all of my caregivers. Guess what? They were all so happy to see me! I’ve been growing so much, and I’m officially 9.5 kgs (that’s about 21 lbs, if you’re counting) and 76.6 cm tall—yep, I’m a tall, tall baby now! Everyone was so excited to see me standing tall and healthy, and I even made them smile with all my giggles. It was such a joyful moment. Oh, and did I mention I had my clinical swallow assessment? Yep, I passed it with flying colors! My OT was so impressed with how I did. I even got to try some new milk... and guess what? It tasted SO much better than the milk I’ve had since I was little! I’m still loving food and trying new things! This week, I tried pizza, pancakes, porridge, and apple pie. I mean, how lucky am I? But don’t worry, I’m still a fan of my mom’s green soup (which is actually broccoli soup, but I call it "green soup" because I think it sounds better!). Oh, and speaking of my parents, my dad came with us to the appointment and made sure I stayed entertained. He even brought me new toys to play with—so fun! But, okay, let’s get to the big news. Drumroll, please… We’re only 13 days away from my FIRST birthday! 🎉 And guess what? My party is in 14 days! Yes, I’m practically bouncing with excitement! I’ve been hearing whispers from my mom about ice cream cake—yes, you read that right, ICE CREAM CAKE. Yummy, right? I can’t wait to see all my family and friends there! So, mark your calendars, because it's going to be a celebration to remember. Get ready for the fun, the cake, the love, and more! I can’t wait to share my big day with all of you. Lots of love, Alyce 💕

They Say It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

A couple of weeks ago, one of Kat's friends in Hamilton invited us over for brunch. With Alyce growing more independent by the day, these outings are becoming something we truly look forward to. Having people nearby to connect with and visit is a blessing we’re learning to cherish. Brunch that day was a delightful spread of German-inspired sandwiches and soups—fancy, delicious, and memorable. Hildred, our gracious host, set the bar high. She has always been welcoming to us and was one of the first to visit Alyce in the hospital after her birth. As the afternoon unfolded, our conversations wandered from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Hildred is a huge fan) to the latest happenings in our little city. Then came a moment that caught me completely off guard—an unforgettable instance of how the "village" supports us. Alyce, being her spirited toddler self, began to fuss. Before I could react, Hildred instinctively scooped her up and started soothing her. At first, Alyce resisted with her usual flurry of kicks and flailing arms. But Hildred’s calm persistence worked like magic. She gently rocked Alyce back and forth, ignoring every knee and hand motion until Alyce relaxed. I watched in awe as Alyce’s little body went limp in Hildred’s arms, her gaze locked on Hildred’s face before her eyelids finally drooped shut. It was lights out. I’ve put Alyce to sleep before, but never with that kind of grace and ease. Hildred’s technique was honed through years of experience; I almost fell asleep just watching her! With Alyce peacefully napping, we chatted more. Hildred shared that she’s heading to South Africa soon to visit family and friends. It sounded like an amazing adventure, and I couldn’t help but dream about a similar trip for our family someday. I’m looking forward to hearing about her journey and hopefully seeing some incredible safari pictures for Alyce. Later that evening, as I recounted the day to Kat, I couldn’t stop marveling at how effortlessly Hildred had soothed Alyce. Inspired by her technique, I decided to give it a try myself at bedtime—a time often filled with whirlwind energy as Alyce is not much of a cuddler. Sure enough, the flailing began as soon as I picked her up. But I held steady, rocking her gently. At first, it felt like a losing battle. However, after about five minutes of persistence, something magical happened: she settled down and then slept. This experience served as a humbling reminder of the wisdom and techniques that older generations carry—lessons often overlooked in a world that prioritizes work and material success over relationships and shared knowledge. Research supports this notion; studies show that children thrive when they have multiple caregivers involved in their lives. For example, research on contemporary hunter-gatherer societies suggests that children benefit from care provided by various adults beyond their immediate family. This diverse support network fosters resilience and emotional well-being. Hildred’s simple act of rocking Alyce to sleep felt profound. It highlighted the beauty in small, timeless moments and how much we can learn when we take the time to appreciate them. Here’s to the village that helps us raise our children—and to the wisdom they pass along the way!

Woof Woof! 🐾

Mon Dieu! I can’t believe it, another year! At first, I thought, "Oh non, they've forgotten about me!”. The day started off just like any other — but then, Kat worked her magic. In the morning, there it was: a HUGE banner that said something about “It’s My Birthday Mother Puppers!” (I wasn’t sure exactly, because it was mostly for me, not for my sophisticated French brain). And THEN... a balloon! Yes, a balloon! Parfait! I was feeling all sorts of emotions, les amis. But the real action started after dinner. You know, a proper soirée needs its chanson (singing, for you non-Frenchies), and that’s exactly what happened! Kat, Alyce, Boujee, and my dad all sat down and belted out the birthday song. It was beautiful. Truly magnifique! They even opened my gifts (which, of course, I was very gracious about — I’m not a diva or anything, I just love presents). I got treats, a bone-shaped cake (which was delicious, thank you very much), and a brand-new plush banana toy — so soft, so squishy. But wait! The pièce de résistance... Alyce got me a squeaky chicken! Oh, how I laughed... because Alyce is terrified of it! Hahaha! You should’ve seen her face when it squeaked. So cute. Oh, and Boujee... I saw you eyeing that chicken on the kitchen counter! Don’t even try it, my friend. I know your tricks! But honestly, what an adrenaline rush that was. I was worried for nothing. It was a great little birthday party, and I’m just as excited to get ready for Alyce’s big day. After all, who better to help her celebrate than me — the one who knows how to throw a proper birthday bash? Now, Boujee's Turn!The winter, she is coming... and she's coming fast! Temperatures have dipped below 10 degrees — c'est froid! But I’m not worried, because mon dieu, Dapper and I are in the best care! Dad is sending Kat for walks with us because apparently, it’s too cold for him. But Kat knows the drill. She puts on our little fleece vests, and boom, we’re the stars of the neighbourhood. People stop and stare. It’s like being in the spotlight all over again. La classe! Dapper and I are ready for anything, especially with Alyce’s first birthday coming up. The party countdown is ON! I hope they have plenty of treats. Don’t forget our little paws, Kat! Keep us warm, and stay tuned for more pawdorable adventures. Stay warm, les amis! Et vive les fêtes! With love and fluff, Boujee & Dapper