Great grandma Rule meets Rachel

Great grandma Rule meets Rachel on Easter weekend 2005 in Brampton. See the similarity?

Happy Easter!

The Van Ruleduinens will be heading down to see the Van Staalduinen clan this weekend for Easter. On the way, they are hoping to visit Rachel's great-grandma Rule and her auntie Lynda. Wish them luck as Rachel makes her first trip down the 401.

It's been busy the last two couple of weeks for baby Rachel. She has discovered that she likes tummy time better when she is on the futon (well, she will last five minutes rather than two minutes) where she is on a bit of an incline and can raise herself a bit easier to look around. It also means she has a bit of extra momentum to roll over on her back, which is pretty hilarious (she just kind of leans over and over she goes!).

Rachel is becoming more social and vocal than ever. When she is in her "flying saucer" she talks to her animals (but seems indignant sometimes that they don't talk back) and has started to bat them around with her hands. She also seems to have a better idea that her hands are actually hers to use - she now looks at her fist before she stuffs it into her mouth. This means she is less likely to knock herself in the eye, nose or forehead first (although she still tries to get the whole thing in and sometimes chokes herself).

Last week she went to see her first movie with Jeanette and Dennis - Be Cool with John Travolta and Uma Thurman. Rachel the film critic recommends turning your brain off before you go if you want to enjoy it at all. However, she did enjoy the Bring it On monologue by The Rock. The family saw the film through "Famous Babies" which has started to hold a couples night once a month. The next one is April 11 for those with babies that would like to check it out. If you are interested check out http://www.famousplayers.com/theatres/famousbabies.asp

Rachel also went to her first Strollercize class held at boomerang Kids Westboro (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15). She really enjoyed it, and said that she will like it even more when the class starts working out on River pathways instead of the neighbourhood streets.

In addition, Rachel visited both the Works and Colannade Pizza for the first time (but not on the same day). She said that she really enjoyed the milkshake at the Works and the "Special" at the Colannade. She was also happy to meet Jeanette's friend Majda, and to meet Dennis' friends Shannon and Chris for the first time. Shannon and Chris had traveled all the way from Toronto to meet her!

Rachel is now reading: The Professor and the Madman, Simon Winchester. Rachel said that while it is good, she prefers Krakatoa by the same author.

Rachel's Song of the Day: Basketcase by Green Day

Rachel's Website of the Day: www.babycenter.com. A great Website that Rachel wound up looking at a lot while Jeanette was carrying her around.

Rachel in her saucer.

Some early morning pictures of Rachel who was smiling and talking up a storm.

Rachel dances in her favourite sweater

Here's Rachel modeling her favourite sweater -- a real beauty that was hand-knit by her godmother Alison. From the photos, it *may* look like she's saying "WHOA!!!" as she falls over. Actually, she's trying to eat the sweater. We'll have to put it away for a few months until it fits a bit more snuggly.

Nana and Papa Rule

Rachel had a couple of proud grandparents visit her on Friday, and boy was she happy to see them. She was especially happy to see that her Papa Rule was no longer wearing makeup (at least not during the daytime).

Paparazzi Vultures

You Paparazzi Vultures! Why can't you leave me alone?

Harv & Dennis in makeup

One final shot from Damn Yankees. Dennis and his father-in-law Harvey (a.k.a Papa Rule) in costume backstage. Yes, it's true: the Devil dresses like a cross between Herb Tarlek and Don Cherry.

Shots from the March 12, 13 weekend

Dennis's father, brother, and sister-in-law came to visit and see Damn Yankees, and of course see Rachel as well. Unfortunately, Grandma Van had to officiate a funeral back in Hamilton, but she was with us in spirit.  

The happy couple

(Dennis) This is my brother Brent and his fiancee Rosalee. The picture was taken in February at an overseas English-teaching job fair, and, if I have the story straight, they were hired by the person who took this picture. They leave in August for a two year contract at the American School in Kuwait City, Kuwait. We'll miss them of course, but it's a great opportunity for them.

A bird on the wrist...

This is Rachel in her prison uniform - love those stripes! Check out the cool wrist rattles though! You would think she would be happy with a bumblebee and birdie on her wrists, but the expression says "I am less than amused..."

Speak of the... Dennis

Four views of Dennis as Applegate (the Devil) in Damn Yankees. These are just four of the nine (count'em nine!) complete costume changes he makes during the show. Unlike Superman, Dennis makes these changes without the benefit of a telephone booth. However, like Superman, he has red socks - check'em out!

Brunch at the Tartan

Dennis and Rachel at brunch this past Saturday. We were at the Tartan pub just a few blocks from us. As you can see from the sun streaming through the windows, it was a beautiful day. Rachel was impressed by the pub's selection of single malt scotches - and will be back to try some when she is 19. In the meantime, she is a milk only girl.

Rachel as gangsta-girl. Yo-Yo! 

Starting to smile...

This is Rachel on the verge of smiling. I think we were singing "Brazil" to try to get her to smile (that and the "Bonanza" theme song seem to work well)

Happy eight weeks (and two months officially tomorrow)!

Rachel was eight weeks old on Saturday and will officially be two months old tomorrow (where does the time go?). Mom and Dad took her in for her two month doctor's appointment this morning. The doctor said she looks very healthy and is filling out nicely. She is hitting all her marks on the growth curve for head circumference (we need room for all that grey matter!) and length, and is bit on the light side but well within the normal range (doctor C says this is normal for breast fed babies). She now weighs 9 pound and 14 ounces. He also said that he was pleased that she seemed really alert and active - Dennis and Rachel played a good game of "kick the feet" to show off. She also had her two month needles and, while she wasn't impressed, the nurse did it really quickly with minimum fuss, Dad did a good job of holding her during the procedure (Mom probably would have flinched) and Rachel settled down pretty well by the time we left the office (after a few cuddles).

This past week was a busy one for the family. On Saturday we visited Sadie, and proud parents Rebecca and Jonas for the first time. Sadie is beautiful! Just a perfect little bundle. And Rebecca looks great (so does Jonas, but we know who did all the real work ;)

Dennis and Papa Rule hit the stage in Darn Yankees on Friday night - and had a hoot. Rachel went to the dress rehearsal on Thursday and gives the show two thumbs up (she actually seemed to perk up when she heard her Dad's voice reverberating across the theatre the first time). It must be admitted that Rachel was the star of the show that night with all the lady ushers (and she looked adorable in the pink outfit Mrs. Blaine gave her) and they were all impressed by how well behaved she was. Papa Rule gave a fabulous performance as the postmaster and as a fan in various scenes throughout the play (Mom hardly recognized him at first!). His suspender snap definitely gets a laugh from the audience. Dennis has received great reviews for his turn as Applegate the devil. His song "Those Were the Good Old Days" is a real show stopper (much clapping and cheering from the audience when he is done). Dennis has also only tried to set himself on fire with his pyrotechnic effects once so far, which is pretty darn good. The rest of the cast is doing a great job too, and the show overall is a lot of fun to watch (good job guys!). Mom and Grandma Rule, along with James and his girl friend Liz went opening night. Mom gives a special thanks to Miss Molly, Dave and Gale who babysat Rachel that evening (and apparently Rachel behaved herself well). We are starting to keep track of "baby sitting coupons" as Molly is also becoming "great with child" (who are we kidding - she is "fabulous with child"!) The show ends on March 12, so if you don't have your tickets booked yet, look into it soon.

On Thursday Rachel went for her first cross country ski with Mom and a few of her friends who are also new Moms. We went out to Shirley's Bay - just past Nortel by the Ottawa River. It was a nice flat four kilometers and once we got going Rachel seemed to really enjoy it - and Mom enjoyed getting out into the sunshine and a chance to chat with the other moms. What did we talk about? Our kids of course! Hopefully we will get another chance to do it again soon - and with the way it is snowing today, this is a distinct possibility!

Dad, Mom and Rachel are really looking forward to a visit from the Van Staalduinen clan as well as Mom's cousin Sarah (and maybe Duong!) this weekend. See you all soon and safe travel!

Rachel's Song of the Day: Okay, in honour of those Darn Yankees and her Dad, it's "Those Were the Good Old Days." Although Rachel has to admit that "You Gotta Have Heart" tends to stick in the head a bit.
Rachel's Website of the Day: Hey, if you haven't bought tickets yet for Darn Yankees, here is where to look.http://www.orpheus-theatre.on.ca/ and http://www.centrepointetheatre.com/
Rachel's Oscar picks: Hey, can she pick'em or what? "The Incredibles" did in fact win for animated, as did Charlie Kaufman for the writing in "Eternal Sunshine." Kudos to the NFB for winning for "Ryan."

Welcome Sadie Annabel, daughter of Rebecca and Jonas, born on February 27, 2005. 

It's showtime!

Yesterday Rachel visited her Dad and Papa Rule in the Greenroom at Centrepointe theatre before one of their last practices. Their dress rehearsal is tonight (and Rachel is hoping to go!) and they officially hit the stage tomorrow. Rachel was pretty excited and she had a chance to see her Papa Rule in full costume and make-up. He looked fabulous.

Rachel also had a chance to meet with her fellow-birthmates from her prenatal class yesterday. All the moms and babies are doing well and enjoyed a chance to get together at Bridgehead for coffee.

This one is Dennis's favourite -- mostly because he thinks the soother (a.k.a. the "Plug") is just so darned cute. We were going to go soother-free back when we were still expecting and didn't know any better. But now: long live the plug!

Mom has started to take some real film photos of Rachel. Some have turned out better than others. This one is mom's favourite.

Adventures in parenting.

(Dennis) Let's get this straight: I don't wear this every time I handle the baby. I was installing a new kitchen sink (two bowls! Plumbing and all!) when Kate and Rich McCall dropped by and HAD to take a picture of us with the baby.
Come to think of it, hmmm: a toque, safety glasses, a headlamp... throw in some elbow-length rubber gloves and that should be standard issue gear for all new fathers.
Oh, and also for the record: I did wash my hands thoroughly before handling Rachel's soother.

This is the really cute outfit that Rachel wore to the shower for Rebecca and Babinski (and it was a gift from Rebecca!)