Memorial Weekend

The weekend was suppose to be quiet. A time to get some things done around the house and to just hangout with the kids. Well, we ended up at two birthdays (including Malaika's), three BBQ's and a little bit of messing around. I'm telling you this has been one busy May, and it's still not over - phew. Maybe a little slowing down is in order for the coming weekend.

Pictures from BBQ #1

Pictures from BBQ #2

Pictures from BBQ #3

Messing Around

Our Big Girl Turns Two

I'm Two

Malaika celebrated her second birthday today. I wasn't planning on having any sort of get together for her. But while I was building up the idea of the day, she informed me that she wanted birthday cake. I couldn't resist. With our PEPS group meeting on Friday, our neighbourhood filled with kids and the fact that I didn't have to bake - we had the makings of a party.

Happy Birthday my Sweet Pea. Mummy, Daddy and Liam love you!

We've Been Very Busy

Pieces of our busy May - click here

Wow, talk about jumping right into life as we know it. Jamaica and Hawaii are now a thing of the past. Since coming home we have been on the go.

Liam is now 6-months old and finally got to enjoy the real thing they call food. He's had the opportunity to taste pears, peas and sweet potato (all in that order) and I have to say I'm really not sure if he's enjoying any of it. Next up will be avocados or maybe even bananas. He'll come around, we all did. He's sleeping really well at nights. Crazy, but it is now 11pm and the moment I typed that last line Malaika cried out...just my luck. When I checked on her the poor baby had fallen out of her bed. She's never done that before. Back to Liam, what a happy little guy if you smile for him believe me he will give you the biggest smile right back. And yes, his hair is red.

Talk about smiles, well Malaika gave off the biggest smile when we took her to see Sesame Street Live - Elmo's Green Thumb. She was bobbing her head to the songs and following all of her favourite characters all over the stage (Elmo, Big Bird, Ernie, Bert) she couldn't stop calling their names when we left.

We've had four straight days of beautiful weather in Seattle. So what do you do, you take advantage of it. We've gone to see the new penguin exhibit at the zoo. Taken the bus to the University Street Fair and enjoyed the our friends in the neighbourhood playing with bubbles, sidewalk chalk and water balloons. I think summer may actually be on the horizon.

The crazy thing is that May isn't even over yet- plus we still have a big birthday to celebrate. So stay tuned.

Our Vacations

Check out more pictures from Jamaica by clicking here

One Love and Aloha -

We've been back for a week and I have finally found the time to journal the moments we spent with family and each other.

Jamaica was wonderful. We spent the Easter weekend on the go. But the first thing we had to take care of was getting ourselves some fish and festival. So we headed to Ft Clarence Beach and it was YUMMY!

On Sunday we had a wonderful lunch prepared by many and hosted by the Lindo household. Before diving into some delicious food we had the children blessed. Douglas did a beautiful job in leading us through prayer and words to guide us. Then he had three generations (beginning with the youngest) Courtney, Tracey and Auntie Marie give their personal wishes to Malaika and Liam. It was a special evening. Easter Monday we found ourselves all together again but this time we headed to a place that holds alot off meaning for us all. We headed up to Holywell (The Blue Mountain Range) for a picnic and hike.

For the most part the rest of our time was spent in the country at Silver Sands. For Tim his days would go something like this: Eat, swim, eat, boogie board, repeat. Liam hit the Caribbean Sea for the first time.

Leaving the kids in Jamaica was hard but we knew that they were in the best hands. As we've told everyone that was involved - they are all blessings and every parent should have the opportunity to "take off". Our support system made that possible.

Enjoy more of Hawaii by clicking here

When we arrived on Maui we were pampered by Baxter. We spent our first week at the Four Seasons Hotel in Wailea and during that week we played beach volleyball, woke up at 2am to watch the sunrise at the top of Mount Haleakala (10,025 ft) and then biked down, did a little outrigging, snorkeling and kayaking.

After our time in Wailea we headed to the remote town of Hana for one night. Winding roads (some parts just as bad as Jamaica) 50+ bridges, too many waterfalls to count and apparently something like 600 corners and turns.

Our last four days in Hawaii we took it really easy at a lovely condo at the Mahana. From our room we watched the whales (the last for the season), saw the outrigging crews racing by, the dedicated locals hit the waves to surf and the tourist burning their backs as they looked very hard for that sea turtle. We also took some time to learn how to surf (even though I did feel a little like fresh bate waiting for a wave).

I have to admit that I was ready to come back home. We enjoyed our time away but there is nothing like the smell and feel of your own bed. Plus, we missed Malaika and Liam in a BIG way.

We're Off

It's vacation time and this year we are certainly blessed. We're hitting Jamaica for two weeks with the kids. Then Tim and I head back to Seattle for 4 days and then to Hawaii for another 11 days. Crazy I know, I cannot believe I'm leaving my pickney dem in Jamaica for an extra two weeks, without ME!

We just couldn't pass up this opportunity. Tim won this trip through Baxter (3-time trip winner). His first win we took for our honeymoon and the second we couldn't go on due to me being a week away from delivering Malaika.

Our families have been wonderful to help out with the kids and all of the logistics. Will post pictures and stories when we return.

Aloha, Irie, One Love

100 Day Projec: Day 49-72

18 more days of Liam

Blessings

Malaika (21mths), Liam (4mths)

It's been a long time coming. We are finally going to have the opportunity to bless our children (for many of you it's baptized). The first time I organized a blessing was in Jamaica for Malaika. She was 2 months old but, Hurricane Dean messed up our plans. The second time, also in Jamaica, I messed up because I did not have my paperwork in order for us to travel. Better late than never, third time the charm and this time she gets to be blessed with her baby brother.

On Easter Sunday the family will be gathered and we figured it would be the best time to lay hands on the little ones. We realize many of you will be missing and ask that you too will say a special prayer for Malaika and Liam.

Their Godparents are:

Malaika: Auntie Tracey (Phillpa's Sister), Auntie Dianne (Tim's Sister) and Jim (Tim's Buddy)

Liam: Uncle Paul (Tim's Brother), Uncle Dougie (Phillipa's Brother-in-law) and Renee (Phillipa's Good Friend)

The Girls Hit Miami

Waiting at the airport

(More pictures here)

Malaika and I headed to Miami to see family and friends. Thanks to you all for making our week long stay a pleasure. It's always great to see you. However, we did miss the boys and were thrilled to be home after being stranded on our first attempt back to Seattle.

100 Day Project: Day 30-48

Days 30-48 have been added to the slideshow

Check it out here

Missing Malaika...Here She Is

Featuring Malaika Quinn Dugaw

100 Day Project: Day 18-29

Another 12 days have been added - just click here

100 Day Project: Day 11-17

You can enjoy another seven days by clicking here

25 Random Things About Me

I thought my blog readers would be interested in seeing what my Facebook readers are enjoying. Enjoy my list.

1. I like to smell my thumb, it reminds me of my childhood
2. I do not eat anything with bits in it (nuts, raisins, dried fruit, fruit). However, I will eat these items on their own and my favourite candy is Snickers - it's complicated
3. I cannot walk on the grass if there is a pathway. Blame the Nuns
4. My name means "Lover of Horses" and my sister was the equestrian in the family
5. I hope I can call myself a Professional Photographer someday
6. I have seen Sting in concert three times
7. I dreamt I would go to the Olympics for Beach Volleyball
8. If I could eat dinner with anyone dead or alive it would be with my father. I miss him terribly
9. I hate to be poked- enough said
10. I cannot spell to save my life
11. I hate to shop but I do have a thing for watches and bags
12. I graduated with my BA at age 30 and I did it in 3 years
13. I drove from Massachusetts to Seattle all by myself
14. My husband was not only attracted to my beauty but it was my accent that sealed the deal
15. I did not cry when Malaika was born. I cried when Liam was born
16. I have never voted - I can explain
17. I am still bitter about the 2005 Super Bowl game
18. I love doing triathlons and hope to do more now that I am done having babies
19. With that said and living in the NW, I hate to swim in lakes. My husband likes to remind me that there are bigger fish in the Caribbean Sea, but I can see the bottom
20. I love to travel, I just don't do enough of it
21. I cannot roll my R's
22. I can only snap my fingers with my right hand
23. I became more aware and passionate about the environment because of my husband
24. I can fall asleep mid-sentence and then continue to talk in my sleep. Tim has a journal of the load of rubbish that I say
25. I love to go to church

100 Day Project - 1-10

The first 10 days

Being Consistent

Take a look at some more pictures here

I'm sure many of you remember me doing the 100 day project with Malaika. Well, I have had some good intentions to do it with Liam as well. The problem is I take pictures three days in a row and miss the next 5. I'm not being consistent and that just will not work. I'm hoping I can get into it before he turns 1. I'm sure I will.

He's growing like a weed. Liam is currently 11 lbs 10oz. He continues to smile every time his sister puts her face in his and he's pretty much sleeping through the night. It's so much fun listening to his sounds as he relaxes in his swing. He's a mellow fellow.

Malaika is also growing fast, well that's what her pants indicate. She's certainly starting to test us more and more as she gets closer to her second birthday. This is where Tim and I realize how much we have to be on the same page and be consistent (my word for the day). We just set up a big girl bed in her room so that we can start working on the transition. Our goal, not that it always works the way we want it to, is to have her sleeping in the bed before we head to Jamaica is April. Wish us luck.

Enjoy the pictures I've posted. They're random shots from Christmas to now. I'm also planning on getting some video up in the next week or so.

Save A Life - Shaggy and Friends

Take the time to watch this video, it'll be worth your time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QJ_7Ey-RDc

Another Year Gone By

Enjoy more picture here

I know, I know, I haven't posted a thing for nearly two months - forgive me please. It's been a crazy time with a new baby in the house, guests that were wonderful, the holidays approaching, difficulty trying to upload pictures onto the blog and possibly a little writers block.

This is probably my favourite time of year. I sit back and think about the traditions that I had as a child growing up and remember the people most important to me. I think about the beauty of the mountains, the smell of the pine trees, the feel of the crisp air and most importantly the chatter of family.

I see Daddy rubbing his mustache, I hear Uncle Donald talking to someone - possibly himself, I watch as Mummy and Auntie Norma get the house organized and I smile as Auntie Marie plays with the kids - myself, my sisters (Lisa and Tracey) and my cousins (Rachele and Elizabeth). Every year for as long as I could remember our parents would pack us all up rent a house for one week and take us to Greenwich, a part of the Blue Mountain Range. No phone, no TV just honest to goodness time to spend with each other.

We played board games, read books, went on hikes in the mountains, played tennis, made up games that would seem impossible to recreate today, ate some great food and had some of the best talks around a fire place anyone could ask for. The presents were piled high in the living room and Santa always knew where to find us. We always heard our parents say "Wow the end of another year" but what a great time for us to always look forward to.

Although I miss that time in my life and I miss having Christmas in Jamaica it is my turn to say "another year gone by". It is my children that have reminded me that it is now my turn to give them their traditions and their memories.

Liam - What a wonderful addition to our family. At 6 weeks 4 days old he is already over 9lbs and growing like a weed. He's waking up only once in the night, making the sweetest cooing sounds, smiling and just an absolute joy to his big sister.

Malaika - Our little sweetheart is just that, sweet as can be. Our 19 month old gives the best hugs, loves to dance and play the air guitar and is little miss independent. She loves to swim and just graduated into the next level. She enjoys preschool and loves to hang out with her best bud Matty. Talk about a little chatter, she's also singing her favorite songs.

Phillipa - Is getting more and more creative to entertain the kids. She loves being at home but admits that a little "ME" time is wonderful. She hasn't picked up her camera much but promises to do more in 2009.

Tim - Is still working for Baxter Medical. He's had a rough year of sports in the NW as all of the teams have done poorly. He's had to turn to UW women's volleyball and cross country. Tim proudly became an Obama delegate at our first caucus and since then found himself to be a news junkie.

We continue to pray and think about you all and wish that we could be closer to many of you. From our family to yours we would like to wish you all nuff love and blessings - Merry Christmas!

It's a Boy

We are pleased to announce that Liam Edward Joseph Dugaw was brought into this world on November 6th, 2008 at 10:14am. He weighed in at 8lbs 6oz, 20" in length with a head circumfrence of 13.75 cm.

We are all enjoying this time as a family of four. Malaika is doing really well and adjusting to the little guy being a part of her world. We have a lot more to learn and look forward to introducing you all to our sweet boy.

Swim Lesson

Here's our little swimmer in action

Halloween

On the Prowl

Check out more pictures here

Malaika had two days of dress up. On Thursday not only did she get to wear her costume to school but she also got to show off her daddy. On Friday we met up with our PEPS buddies and later that evening we went hunting for candy around our neighbourhood. It was a busy evening for our little lioness.