"Pooh n' me hanging out...- hard to tell the difference, eh?" (Pooh is from Mom's friend Sangeeta in Duncan, BC) 

Russell is getting ready for his daily walk with his grandma- needless to say, it has been quite cold and damp here. The snowsuit is from his great-grandma Waitt in Victoria. 

A picture says a thousand words:-) 

Sweet smiles:-) 

Mom and Dad Waitt 

Russell is getting female attention already... (Grandma is showing him off to some international visitors at the Golden Gate bridge park) 

Proud grandparents!  

Visiting the Japanese Tea Garden in the Golden Gate Park 

"How cute am I??" 

"Looking good at one month old!" 

"Admiring my nice gifts from my friend Emmaleigh. She picked out some very nice things for me... Notice I even match the tissue paper!" 

"Tummy time on Aunt Bonnie's blanket she made me."  

"I'm learning to smile, and Mom and Dad like that a lot!" 

"I like holding Dad's hand... mine will be as big as his someday!" 

Spending quality time with Mom... 

and Dad... 

Day Three

Resting on the last day at the Hospital

Later that evening

Maby we are still in shock

Day one

Russell just a couple of hours old

Week #36: We're almost there! Dr. says everything looks good and healthy:-) 

Christmas 2005

Dan's parents visited us from Dec. 18-21st. We tried to see a few of the sights with them... 

A few tips for the New Year of 2006!

As this year comes to a close, we reflect on the good and difficult times behind us, and we look forward with hope and anticipation for the new year ahead... below are a few tips to help make your new year safer and smarter!
(see www.safetycenter.navy.mil)

1. Always be courteous... offer to pay others' tolls when possible. 

Hughes Waitt: January 31, 1921-November 29, 2005

We'll miss you, Grandpa...

I could never write anything eloquent enough to describe my grandfather Waitt, but here is a few thoughts to pass along;

-we talked for the last time on Saturday, the 26th... Grandpa told me that he'd been doing his Christmas baking since the weather was too inclimate to go outside and putter around in his gardens. He always loved beauty.

-Grandpa valued our family above anything else in his life, with exception to his Lord. The last thing he told me was, "Hillary, take care of your family..."

-Grandpa and Grandma were tighter than any couple I've ever known. They were married almost 63 years. They lived for each other and their love shone for each other even when my grandfather would wonder off just before dinner, "Just like his mother", Grandma would say...

-Grandpa became a Christian at the age of 21 during his time in the Canadian military during WWII. Later that year, he married my grandma. The first three years of their marriage they bounced from base to base across Canada and Alaska. Eventually, the war ended and they settled in Vancouver where he worked and attended university while my grandma was at home with my dad. In the late 1950's, they moved to Ottawa for a government job but returned to Victoria after 5 years away from the ocean they loved. Grandpa and Grandma built up their home on Parker Avenue, they built Point Roberts cottage, and eventually, my dad's home (before he married my mom) in Cobble Hill. He always loved gardening and listening to his short-wave radio, and apple pie with a piece of chesse on top.

-Grandpa made sure us girls (yes, all four) had piano lessons and Chad had art lessons. He loved to hear us plunk out a song or two when he and Grandma came to visit- a little hard on the ears, I'm sure

-Grandpa loved Dan and he looked forward with such expectation and excitement for our little bundle of joy. He laughed and teased that "he'd love the baby even if he/she will be half American!"

Thank-you, God, for our Christian heritage and the promise that we'll all be together someday. What hope we have!

Smart kitty- sun and relaxation... we have a lot in common. (The cat is our neighbor's)

Week #29- only 11 more weeks to go!

Our friends, Ted and Michelle. It was Ted's 30th birthday so Michelle decided to throw him a surprise "1980's" party. Believe it or not, Michelle got her lovely jumpsuit for only $1.29- talked down from $4 since there was a slight tear behind the knee. What a bargin;-) (The bottle Ted is holding is empty and only for effect). Dan couldn't go since he had to work until 10pm but I did take home a package of Pop-Rocks to him. Michelle had "The Breakfast Club" playing on the TV in the background for those good memories... a good time had by all!

My outfit for the night: pegged jeans, slouch socks, arm bracelets, blue eye shadow, and an off-set pony tail. 

Our friends Mike and Julie... Julie's dress was her junior-high prom dress- although a little tight, it still fit! Her parents still had it in a closet at their home. To top off the outfit, she is also wearing black and bright blue tap shoes. (Mike came as his self). 

Staying connected

Hello,
We just wanted to write something new on our page since we don't have any new pictures to post:-) With thanksgiving, all is well here. Dan is doing fine in his new job and loves the short drive to work. Since we are closer to the hills, he has to watch out for deer in the mornings that tend to wander the 280 freeway- not the smartest deer, I suppose. His schedule has worked out okay so far... we spent Tuesday in SF at the deYoung museum. It was a 'free' day since it was just remoldeled. We didn't know that it was free but at least a few thousand people did know and we met them all at the front door! The fog rolled in early (1:30pm) that day, so we left early since we didn't have our coats.

Yesterday, I went 'shopping' at the local goodwill and bought a bag full of baby items for only $10. The clothes are next-to-brand-new and I'll check back in another month or two. We love Craigslist and check it regularily to get some good deals on baby items. Most people here only have one child, or two at most, due to the cost of living and busy lifestyles, so a lot of the stuff posted is almost brand-new. Yeah! I figure if we save on the small items, we can justify spending more on the 'big' items.

Dan's parents are coming for a few days before Christmas. We are excited to be establishing our own traditions for the first time. The last few Christmases we've been in L.A. or in Victoria/ Cobble Hill. Dan has to work Christmas day but has the 27/28th off. We can't believe we've been living here for a year already. After spending 4 months in a hotel suite and 6 months in a unlikeable house, I think we've finally settled into a 'home' we like.

Well, that's all for now,
Luv,
Dan and Hillary