We're Home, Safe and Sound!

Gee, I haven't blogged for a while, have I? Well, brace yourselves, this could be a long one!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Christmas was spent in Saskatoon with Grandma and Grandpa and the rest of our families. Matthew was spoiled like crazy. He got just about everything he could have asked for and can you guess what his favourite present was? It wasn't even his. He was most excited about the cat toy that Yodi got.. go figure!

We started our vacation on the Saturday before Christmas. We drove to Saskatoon. We had attempted to leave reaallllly early (like 5 am), but of course, there is always something that doesn't go the way you planned. We bought Matthew a new car seat before the trip and Daddy didn't have time to install it until the night before. Let's just say he spent a good part of that night trying to get it to install properly! Anyhow, we left the city about 7:30am. The only picture I had in my mind was that of the Griswalds leaving for Christmas Vacation. We were packed to the top. Thank goodness for the SUV. I don't know how we could have made the trip with the car!

Matthew actually started opening his presents a few days before Christmas because he had just a few more than everybody else ;o)

On Christmas Eve, we had our traditional Ukrainian supper. Matthew even got to try some dishes. He had borscht, fish, Perogy filling and cabbage roll filling!

He even put out milk and cookies for Santa. Mommy wanted to take a picture of him on the table with the milk and cookies. Before Mommy could snap the picture, he had marshmallow all over his hands and the milk was all over the presents under the tree. oops...

Christmas day was a lot of fun. We opened presents in the morning and visited with Nan in the afternoon. Christmas dinner was at Grandma's house. Matthew was a pretty tuckered out little boy by the end of the day.

On Saturday, we flew home to Calgary. Daddy had to drive back to Calgary on boxing day. Our flight home was only supposed to be 53 minutes, but we spent almost 2 1/2 hours on the plane. I have flown with Matthew quite a few times already, but after this trip I think driving might actually be less stressful! Matthew was very good considering he missed his morning nap and we were crammed in like sardines on the plane. There wasn't an inch of free space and of course, they always stick the babies right at the back. The lady next to me was thankfully very nice and said that she has 3 kids, so she knows all about travelling with them.

You see, this time, Matthew wanted to grab EVERYTHING. Grab the seat in front. Grab the ladies hair in front. Reach for the airsick bag. Try to pull down the blinds on the window. Take Mommy's seatbelt off. Grab at the ladies book next to you. But don't show one bit of interest in any of the 50 toys Mommy brought along!
We probably sat for almost an hour on the plane before we actually took off. This is the hardest part because it's just like being in a car that isn't moving. If it's not moving, he has no interest in staying put! He fell asleep as we were taxying and took off, but woke up about 5 minutes into the flight.

We had TV's on our plane so I was able to entertain him 5 minutes at a time with whatever show was on Treehouse. Did I mention Treehouse is my favourite channel? This is from the mom who wasn't going to let her kid watch ANY tv. Anyway, more about that another day.

I ordered apple juice for a drink (lucky me) and Matthew was quite enthused to take sips from my cup and then play with the cup for about 15 minutes. But, I realized, no more bits and bites as you can guess who would want to eat them all!

All in all, I guess he was pretty good. Both of the people next to us commented that he did great on the flight. I'm pretty sure they were being sincere too ;o)

So, now that I am home, I have turned into a clean freak. This is because my dear little Matthew has learned to do 2 things since we left a week ago. (1) All of a sudden EVERY THING in the house has become interesting for him and he HAS to touch it. I mean everything from a crumb on the floor to the newspaper to the cats dish, to the cardboard box, to the fireplace has suddenly become exciting! It's like he never noticed any of these things before.

and........ (2) My Baby can Crawl!!!!!! Lord help me, I'm in for it now! I know all you moms said that life would be different when he starts to move, but I guess you just have to experience it to really get it! So, now, not only is everything very, very interesting, but he will try his darndest to get over there to see what it is. The little monkey even thinks he can pull him self up although thankfully he cannot do this yet. When he gets to something he wants to stand by, he starts to whine until you come and pick him up!

Tonight after his bath, I was putting on some lotion and his pj's like I do every night. I put the bottle on the corner of the crib up high, thinking it was safe because I know better than to leave it in the crib. Well! He rolled over, got on all fours and was reaching up as high as he could to see if he could get that bottle down. Boy, did he want that bottle! Oh, and I used to bath him and set him on the floor on a towel to get dried off. Well, he now discovered the door stop makes a funny noise and will fight you tooth and nail to be able to get over there!

I spent my Christmas money today. I don't think I've ever been so excited about a Christmas present before.... my purchase? A Bissell Steam Mop. I tell you, this has got to be the greatest invention on earth! It cleans floors likety split (actually takes stuck on stuff off faster than scrubbing or with a regular mop) and is chemical free. What every new mom wants to hear!

So, in all my spare time from now on, there's a good chance you'll find me somewhere in the house, sanitizing my floor ;o)

Christmas Time is here!

Matthew and I have been busy getting ready for Christmas this week! On Tuesday, we had his last play class before the holidays. I was so impressed with him! He was really into the class and laughing and watching the stories and songs! He's even doing better than some of the 10 and 11 month old babies (in my eyes of course :O)

Yesterday, Matthew and his friend Kate had a couple of play dates while the moms took turns running errands. It sure is nice to be able to rely on someone so close by to watch him for a bit... makes it A LOT easier when you have 10 different places to run to... Thanks Andrea :O)

Today we have just been hanging out, packing and wrapping the last few presents. We bought a cushy coffee table for the living room and Matthew has decided that standing and hitting the top of it with his hand is his new fun game. He's standing very well beside it, but I just don't trust him yet, so I stay right there to hold him. Every time I put him back down on the floor to play, he wants to go back to the bench! Oy! What did I do!?!

Here's a few quick pics from last week. I promise there will be more very soon!

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

Sorry we haven't blogged for a while.... we've been busy! Not sure doing what though!?! I guess getting ready for Christmas!

Matthew's having lots of fun these days. We have no more updates on his school of crawling though... seems like he's taking a vacation for now! He also has never rolled over from front to back again... guess that was a one time event :O)

There are a few new pictures on flickr. Everybody remind me at Christmas to take lots of pictures! It always seems like you never have that many after the fact, and there is no excuse really... I mean with a digital camera, you can just delete the ones you don't want for pete sake!

Well, Matthew's just gone down for his morning nap. We seem to have this one down pat. Now, we're working on the afternoon nap! We have our last class this morning until after Christmas, then Mommy has to get down to business and get the last few things done before we leave for Saskatoon on Saturday.

Talk to you soon!

7 months old!

Matthew turned 7 months old today! We didn't get a chance to do his 7 month pictures yet, but here are some of my favourite pictures from his 6 month photo session. I'll eventually get the rest onto our flickr site.

We've been keeping well. Matthew and I went to his play class on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it was one of those days where he could probably have used another nap right about when the class started, but he made it through and had lots of fun with the parachute and bubbles! I think that it's a great class for him to get out and socialize with other babies, even if he doesn't get too much out of the singing and stories yet. But who knows, maybe he's taking in way more than I think.

Tomorrow we have one last visit to the evil needle lady for the next 6 months. This one is only 1 needle, a booster for the flu shot. Hopefully it will be a quick visit!

I met Santa!!

Hi everyone! It's me, Matthew, blogging today.

Boy, did I ever have a fun day today! Let me tell you about it!

First of all, Mommy and Daddy took me to the shopping mall after I woke up from my morning nap. Mommy said I was going to meet Santa... who the heck is Santa? But, when I got there, Mommy said there was too long of a line up so we would come back later.

So, then we went to my first Christmas party! It was at my Mommy's work place. When we got there, there were all kinds of kids running around! Mommy and Daddy got to eat pizza. Mommy tried to feed me mushy carrots... I wanted pizza! I kept trying to grab it from Mommy, so she let me have a little taste ;o) Next, Mommy tried to give me some bottle. I had a little bit, but when I found out Mommy was drinking Apple Juice out of this funnt little box with a teeny, tiny nipple coming out of it, I had to have some too! Mommy didn't think I would be smart enough to drink out of the teeny, tiny nipple, but she put it in my mouth and I took my first sip of apple juice! Boy was it good! Mommy says I can't have that very often though.

After lunch, we went into a dark room and watched a movie. It was about a little deer that had a red nose. A red nose! How funny! I watched on a BIGGGG TV screen, just like when I saw the bee movie. I watched for a little while, but it was getting near my nap time and I was getting tired. So, mommy took me to the back of the room and I laid down across two chairs and had a little nap!

When I was done with my nap, Mommy took me to the North Pole Store! It was a store that was just for kids! She was going to take me inside, but the lady said "no Mom's allowed!"... so the lady took me shopping! I got to buy a present for Mommy and a present for Daddy! The lady put them both in gift bags and helped me take them back to Mommy and Daddy! I told them that they can't open their presents until Christmas morning!!!

Then we went to get MY present. Mommy sat me on a chair and put it in my lap. I got so excited, I started shaking! It was actually the wrapping paper that got me so excited! It was very shiny and crinkly!


Oh Boy! What could this be?


I'm not sure if I want the paper or the toy?!?


You mean, I can't keep the paper too?


This is me figuring out just what this toy can do....


So then.... I finally got to visit with this guy named Santa! Mommy said I was supposed to tell him what I want for Christmas, so I didn't waste any time.. I got right to it!


And then... it was time to go... to see Santa again!!!!

He must have made it over to the mall in record time, because he was still at the party when I left, but he beat me to the mall! I had my picture taken with him again. Here it is for you to see. I am sooooo cute!

Updates from Matthew's School of How to be a Baby...

I've always heard people say that babies learn something new everyday, but lately I've learned to believe it! It's remarkable how Matthew comes up with something new every single day!

Some things he's learning....

1) Lesson 1 - The art of Crawling
a) Step 1 ~ Get your bum in the air. He mastered this a few weeks ago and
has now decided that it's the only way to sleep!

b) Step 2 ~ Keep your bum in the air and lift the front end up so you're on
your elbows. This one he is still practising. It's the funniest
to watch. Kind of reminds me of a baby deer learning to stand.
He'll hold his yoga pose for a few seconds and then splat! down go
the arms and legs

c) Step 3 ~ Start to rock back and forth. Matthew finds this most enjoyable
in the crib because there is a little spring in the mattress when
you rock.

d) Step 4 ~ Start to bring one leg into your tummy while you're up on all
fours. Now this one is a hard one! He started to do this
Yesterday but I think it's going to take some work!

No more crawling lessons yet... we'll keep you posted!

2. Lesson 2 - How to take a FUN bath (written by Matthew)

a) Step 1 - kick so hard in your little tub that Mommy thinks you're going to
hurt yourself and then you will get to bath in the big tub

b) Step 2 - Make sure there are lots of Mommy's kitchen bowls and funnels in
the tub because they are the most fun to play with

c) Step 3 - Ask Mommy to make waterfalls so that you can catch the water

d) Step 4 - Make sure your Mommy buys you a toy that makes bubbles underwater
because this is a source of endless fun!

More lessons to come....

Midnight blogging again....

Helloo.....

It's 1:48 a.m. and here I am, wide awake again! It's a good thing that I went to bed at 9:30 last night 'o)

Matthew has decided lately that it's not fun to sleep more than a few hours in a row. He seems to go to bed fine, but is up a few times before he finally settles down. Then he's been getting up at least twice during the night and wanting a bottle each time.

I've read and have been told you should try give them 1/2 water, 1/2 milk and then gradually decrease the milk...if they're still drinking water then they're not really hungry, they're just accustomed to eating in the middle of the night. Anyone try this? Ida know, he was sucking on my cheek last night... to me that seems hungry!

So, we've gone downstairs (because if I leave him, he'll start screaming and wake Daddy up) and give him his bottle. By this time, he's fully awake and decides it's time to play. No, Matthew, not playtime right now. So, I guess I'm doing it backwards. I have try get the bottle made before he starts yelling too loud and then feed him upstairs!

Today, his new trick has been rocking back and forth on his knees.... I know what you're thinking.... he's been getting up on his knees for the last few weeks here and there but is starting to do it more consistently. Especially in the crib. Those flannel sheets must have good traction!

We've been hermits lately. It's just been too cold to go too far! We ventured out on Saturday because I needed to pick up something and it was easier for Darren to drive and circle the mall while I went in! It was -26 at 2:00 in the afternoon. Sheesh! Too cold for me. I'm glad those living in Vancouver have snow though. Makes me feel a bit better ;o)

Tomorrow is bubble class again. That's what I'm going to start calling it because I'm quickly realizing that is the big highlight of the whole morning for the babies!

Must attempt to sleep now!

Uh oh.....

I think we may only have a few more days of immobility left! Tonight, Matthew decided that he would roll over form his tummy to his back... then his back to his tummy... then his tummy to his back again. You should have seen the look on his face! It was as though he had discovered the worlds greatest secret... this is how you move!!!!

I have been saying over and over that Matthew has never rolled from tummy to back so I wouldn't have to worry about him rolling from one side of the room to the other.

Stay tuned....

In other news tonight, Matthew also discovered that his favourite bath toy makes bubbles when you put it under the water! Mommy has been doing this for him for the last 4 months, but all of a sudden, it was like discovering something completely new when he could do it himself!! He couldn't figure out though, why the bubbles stopped after a while and that you needed to bring it out of the water to let the water drain... we'll get on to that lesson next week!

Matthew and Kate

Matthew and Kate had a playdate the other day. Boy, were they ever cute to photograph!
It would take me all night to put all the pictures on the blog, so you can find them on our flickr page here.

But, these are a few of my favourites!

Who me?




Look at those blue eyes!





Best buddies (they put their arms around each other themselves, I swear!!)

Don't worry we're still here....

Sorry I haven't written for a while... I'm in one of those ruts.. sometimes I feel like writing every day, then other times not...

We're good, but already have cabin fever and it's only like the second day of winter! Luckily, my friend Andrea and I agreed to trade babies once and a while... I had Kate for an hour or so yesterday and on Friday, Matthew's going to go play with Kate while Mommy shops for a little while.

Yesterday, Matthew and I had our first edu play class. It was pretty fun, although, I can see it getting more and more fun as he gets older. His attention was here and there, although at the end when we played with the parachute and the bubble machine.. he, along with all the other babies, paid very close attention!!!

I can't believe it's December already! Yikes, time is flying by!

I hope to have some pictures up again soon. Will write more soon.

Erin

It's been a while....

It's been a while since I did an update on Matthew, so here goes!

Matthew is now 6 1/2 months old. He can sit very well on his own! I still often still put back up pillows all around him, but he doesn't fall over very often any more!

He's not into playing on his tummy that much anymore, everything's about sitting! They say that they need to play on their tummies to learn how to crawl. Hmmm....

Just in the last few days, he's been sleeping on his tummy a lot more. I still put him on his back in the crib, but he often flips over. This afternoon, I actually had to wake him up from a nap because he was still sleeping at 6pm. (from about 4:30 or so.) I've neeevver done that before! He sleeps with his bum in the air, almost like he's on his knees. It's really cute, but I'm not sure why he finds it comfortable?!?

I've also noticed in just the past few days that he's starting making different sounds. It really sounds like he's trying to say something now! He also often "speaks" when we're looking at something or when his cereal comes, so I definitely see him trying to communicate more.

I've just barely started to teach him sign language. Supposedly 6 months is a good age to start. It takes months and months for them to actually respond with signs, but I have heard so many good things about it that I figure, why not? The funny thing is, Matthew seems so into it! First I have to learn the signs and right now all I seem to remember is milk! So, whenever I give him a sip of milk in his high chair, I make the sign. He laughs every time! I guess milk is a funny sign!

Matthew's current favourite song is I'm a little Teapot. This is because I help him make the hand gestures (just because I think he looks adorable when he does it) and then the song ends by being tipped from side to side.. he loves this part!

We're reading more and more books these days. The ones with the pictures have now caught his attention ~ meaning he's actually looking at the pictures, not just eating it! We're also trying to read a story every day. I've found, on the suggestion of a friend, that it's best for both of us to lie on our backs and read with the book in the air. I have no idea why, but this works. Try read to him in your lap though, and he squirms and tries to grab the book. Who knew?

This week, we start a class called Edu Play. It is once a week and is a combination of singing, stories, etc. for 6-12 month olds. I'm sure we'll have lots to tell, and I hope it will be a lot of fun!

Well, Matthew is sound asleep at 7:57 p.m. so I'm off to clean the kitchen!

Erin

It would have to be today......

that Matthew wanted to sleep for a long nap, and Mommy had to wake him up!

Today, we had a session booked with a photographer for Matthew's 6 month pictures and also family pictures. Unfortunatately, Daddy couldn't get out of work, so just I went with Matthew.

My normally happy go lucky baby cried through the entire session... well, he almost cracked a smile once or twice and not until the photographer's son came home from school and made him laugh!

Oh well, c'est la vie as I always say! I think next time, Daddy's going to do the pictures (well, except for the family picture) or I'm all game for the photographer who comes to your house... I bet Matthew would be waayyy more comfortable in his own house!

I'll be sure to post the pictures (even though they're copyrighted) when I get them ;o)

Just another day

Sometimes, I think my husband must wonder what I do all day, when it seems like I've done absolutely nothing around the house when he gets home. Little does he know...

Today was one of "those" days... all moms know what I'm talking about. One of "those" days where you just couldn't seem to get much done! Ours went like this:

5:15 a.m. Matthew gets up to eat. Mommy feeds him and puts him back to bed, praying he'll sleep for at least another hour.

6:45 a.m. Matthew is whining in his crib. Not crying, but whining. But, it's persistant, so he must be ready to get up. Mommy goes to get Matthew and brings him back to bed with Mommy and Daddy for a few minutes. Matthew wants to eat again. ok!

7:15 a.m. Mommy gets up with Matthew, changes his diaper and goes downstairs to start the day! Matthew sits down in the middle of the floor and plays and Mommy finishes packing Daddy's lunch. The cats are sitting patiently by their dish and looking at me, but they'll have to wait until later.

8:00 a.m. Mommy and Matthew kiss Daddy good-bye and wish him a good day. Time for Matthew's breakfast! Matthew actually ate today.

8:15 a.m. Time to talk to Grandma on the computer for a few minutes.

8:45 a.m. Time for nap #1. Matthew is already rubbing his eyes. Matthew goes down. Mommy makes a beeline for the kitchesn. Empty dishwasher. Put in load of laundry. Wash dishes. Take out vacuum cleaner. Matthew wakes up.

9:45 a.m. Time to play with Matthew. Usually we play upstairs in the morning. Mommy remembers that she hasn't showered yet, so we move playtime to the exercauser in Mommy's bathroom.

10:30 a.m. Time for milk snack. Then more playing. Oops, run down and put the laundry in the dryer.

11:00 a.m. Attempt #1 to go out. We need a snowsuit. Matthew is rubbing his eyes though. Does he need another nap? I don't want him to be crabbing when we go... let's see what he does. Matthew sleeps for 15 minutes then gets up again.

11:30 a.m. Mommy thinks about going out again. Oh, but it's just about lunch time, and if we go out now, he'll be hungry by the time we get back. Ok. Lunchtime first.

12:15 p.m. Lunch is finished. Playtime again. Try at least put 1 dish in the dishwasher. Milk for dessert.

12:40 p.m. Matthew falls asleep during dessert. Mommy puts Matthew in crib and thinks she'll lay down for 20 min. Sets timer. Timer rings. Mommy still wants to nap, so she lays back down.

1:45 p.m. Matthew wakes up. Naps are over! Ok, time to go out? Well, I'd better let him stretch and play a bit before making him sit in the carseat for an hour. Jolly jumper time!

2:30 p.m. Finally, we get ready to go out. Coats on, boots on, mitts, alarm set, got the keys? Mommy's wallet, diaper bag... oh and can't forget Matthew! Lock the door. Matthew in the truck. Uh oh, Matthew only has one boot one! Where's the other one? Oh well, Mommy remembers there's another pair of boots in the stroller in the back. It's easier to get those than to go back in the house.

3:30 p.m. Matthew tries on and likes very expensive baby snowsuit.. it's the first and only one we've found that is 24 months, which seems to be the size required for my very long baby! Ok, it's blue, so if you ever have a sister, she's gonna have to wear blue too!

4:00 p.m. get home. Oh crap, didn't get anything started for supper yet! Matthew, jolly jumper time again? Get out potatoes for fries and make hamburgers.

4:45 p.m. Matthew's getting fussy. Let's see if he'll have a quick nap so he doesn't want to go to bed at 6 pm again. No such luck.

5:15 p.m. Matthew's supper

6:30 p.m. Daddy's home! Play with Daddy. Time for bath. Time for bottle.

7:30 p.m. Time for bed!! Phew! We're pooped!

Woohoo! I'm 20 pounds!

Hi everyone! It's me, Matthew, blogging again today!

Guess what??? Today I went to the doctor for my 6 month check up and I weighed exactly 20 lbs!!! Wow, I'm a big boy! My mommy says that some kids don't weigh 20 pounds until they're almost a year old!

Everything went well at the doctors today. I had fun trying to grab his heart listening thing and his look in your ears thing! I did not like the stick it in your mouth thing... I gagged and coughed and sputtered and put on quite a show to let the doctor know I didn't like it!

I also put on quite a show during all of my meals for Mommy today! At breakfast, I had my first temper tantrum! I wanted Mommy's spoon. I did not want any of the other spoons she tried to give me.. just hers! When she wouldn't let me have it, I started to cry big crocodile tears and bang my fists on the high chair! Mommy just looked at me and laughed. She said that if I'm big enough to throw a tantrum already, then I'm big enough to learn that I can't get my way all of the time. I stopped crying as soon as she picked me up and forgot about the spoon, but that was the end of my breakfast!

I was better at lunch, except, I figured out it's really funny when you put your lips together and blow at the same time that your mouth is full of food! I did this over and over, each time Mommy tried to feed me! Mommy says my high chair has to go through the car wash now!

At supper tonight, I decided I wanted the spoon again, so eating wasn't much fun. Oh well, at least I'm starting to like my chicken, so that's one more food Mommy can knock off her list!

I got to bath in the big tub!

Hi everyone, it's me, Matthew blogging today!
Today was a pretty fun day! This morning, Mommy and I went grocery shopping. It was very cold outside... minus 5! Mommy says it's going to get a lot colder. It's a good think I have my fancy new snowsuit. I'll be sure to post a picture the first time I wear it! For now, I am wearing my winter jacket with warm clothes underneath, my Robeez boots and my oilers toque! Mommy had to cover up my baby seat with a blanket also, because she didn't want me to breathe in the cold air.

I was pretty good in the store. I didn't cry, I just sighed very loudly a few times because I was getting bored. It made the other customers laugh!

Mommy said it is easier to shop when she makes a good list that has everything organized by each area. She says it makes the trip much faster! She also says it helps when I fall asleep when we're standing in the checkout line, because then she doesn't have to pack groceries as fast!

This afternoon, Mommy and I played. I didn't want to nap at all this afternoon. Yesterday, I napped for 3 hours in the afternoon! I figure that's enough for at least the next 3 days.

Mommy brought me some new stuff to play with... plastic bowls and lids! She also gave me a wee little wooden spoon, just like the ones she uses in the kitchen. We had fun putting stuff in and out of our bowls and turning them upside down on the floor. Mommy even put beans inside of one of the bowls (with the lid on tight of course), but this made a loud noise, and I didn't really like it. Mommy says it is fine with her if I don't like loud noises just yet!

Mommy got all excited this afternoon when a tv show called Oprah came on. She had to phone Daddy at work to tell him that her most faaavvvvourite singer in the whole world was on Oprah... Josh Groban!! Mommy says that she has a crush on Josh, but not to tell Daddy ;o)

Mommy made turkey meatball soup for Daddy's supper tonight. Mommy is still trying to feed both Daddy and me baby food! Mommy makes the baby food for me and then she hides it in Daddy's food! So far, she has successfully hidden in it lots of things, but I can't say what just in case Daddy is reading this blog (he he)

Tonight was the most fun of all!
I got to bath in the big tub!!!!! Mommy says that because I'm always trying to sit up in my little tub, it was time for me to move to the big tub. She had a special ring that suctioned itself to the bottom of the tub. When I sit in it, I don't go anywhere! Mommy still keeps one hand on my just in case, but It was stuck really good to the bottom of the tub and I wasn't going nowhere!

I thought it was quite funny that I could see my reflection in the overflow knob thingy on the tub. Mommy and I were making funny faces into it! I also liked playing with my toys and kicking my toes to splash the water! Mommy likes to take one of my toys under the water and make bubbles!! Now that I am sitting in the tub, I can see the bubbles. I think they're very funny!

So, now I need to make sure that I ask Santa for more bath toys! Those little squirty things that Mommy bought me just aren't going to cut it for much longer!

Well, I'm off to bed now. Tomorrow is a big day. I have my 6 month check up and then I have to go to the Children's Hospital to see some doctors about the shape of my head. Don't worry though, my pediatrician, Dr. Kelly, thinks that my head shape will turn out ok, so I probably don't need to wear one of those funny helmets. But, we're going for an appointment just to make sure!

See you tomorrow.
Love,
Matthew

GO RIDERS GO!!!!!

Our Trip to Banff

Well, we survived the first stay in a hotel as a family! We are back safe and sound from our trip to Banff this weekend, and we had a great time!

We arrived in Banff on Friday afternoon. Neither Darren or I had ever been to the Banff Springs Hotel, so we were both excited to see the place as well! Matthew did pretty well on the drive out there, but got fussy as we entered the park. One quick bottle did the trick.



I had taken what I call the "emergency" bottles with me. These are little glass bottles of formula (about a 1/2 bottle worth) that are ready to serve, you just screw off the top! I keep them in my diaper bag. They are perfect for a little top up! You don't have to worry about keeping a bottle cold, therefore, I just carry and empty bottle and the formula bottles and open one up whenever I need it!

We didn't do much on Friday. Matthew was pretty much ready for his evening routine as soon as we got to the hotel. Here is Matthew getting his supper in the "Royal Chair"... it actually didn't work all that well, and we ended up just feeding him propped up on the bed.



Matthew got to enjoy his first bath in the sink!



Saturday morning, we were up bright and early at 6am. My company was hosting
a 45th Anniversary celebration. There were close to 1000 of us there! We had breakfast and then headed in for the program part of the day which lasted from 8:30 until 1:30. Matthew did pretty well... Darren and I took shifts entertaining him out in the foyer while the other listened to the program.

Saturday afternoon pretty much was nap time for all of us! It was too cold to take Matthew outside for a walk, so we just hung out in our hotel room. I went to browse through the very expensive shops!

Here is the view from our bedroom window. It doesn't get much better than that!



I was determined to get a picture of the Canadian flag that I intend to use for some Christmas cards that I have to send overseas... finally, I got the flag to fly in the proper direction!



Matthew seemed to love playing in his playpen. I think he thought he had his own little house all to himself!



Saturday night, we had a dinner and dance to attend. Our friends Clint and Carla drove up from Calgary to babysit Matthew for us. When they arrived, I told them that Matthew had done a poopy in his diaper earlier in the day, so they shoudln't have to worry about changing anything messy. Oops! I was wrong! As Clint described it... he was doubled over holding his nose with one hand and Matthew's feet with the other, while Carla used half of the box of wipes to get Matthew clean! Whatever does the trick!

Matthew allowed me to get through my supper before he decided to make a big fuss upstairs. So, Mommy had to make the long walk back to the hotel to calm him down with.... what else... the boob. Works every time. Just, eventually, we'd like to go out and not be 5 minutes away, so we're going to have to work on that.

So, I missed dessert, but oh well, I didn't really need it anyways! It wasn't too late of a night for us, as our babysitters were driving back to Calgary and it was snowing, so we didn't want them to be on the road very late.

Sunday morning, we tried to sleep in, but oh, yeah... we have a 6 month old... he doesn't know the meaning of the word sleep in! Good morning!



Here's Matthew enjoying his breakfast in bed!



We headed back to town shortly after breakfast, with one last stop......



No trip is complete without a souvenir t-shirt, after all!

What a fun day at the mall!

Matthew and I decided to have a fun day at the mall today! Actually, it wasn't going to be an entire day in the beginning, but Matthew was being such a good baby that I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to shop and shop and shop!

We went over ot Market Mall, which for those of you who don't live in Calgary is one of the nicer malls in the city. I particularly like it because they have this nursing room which is totally separated from the bathroom with big, comfy, leather chairs and soft music playing. It's great for some down time!

Matthew and I were still looking for some last minute things for our trip to Banff tomorrow. We're off to Banff until Sunday, so we'll blog all about it when we get back!

Matthew bought a new snowsuit, a Baby's first Christmas ornament for our tree, some plastic bowls with lids for eating cereal and a portable high chair that folds into a little case... it's pretty cool!

Mommy bought some clothes that cost her wayyy too much money. Oh well!

Anyhow, have a great weekend and we'll talk to you soon!

I should know better.....

So, this morning we were happily eating our cereal and watching the trucks zoom by outside like we always do.

Matthew has been trying to drink out of a sippy cup, but he hasn't quite figured out the ones with the valves (that don't leak), so I was using a little disposable cup. But, it has a plastic spout and "they" (whoever they are) say that you're not supposed to use the rigid spouts because it's bad for their teeth development (i.e. they support orthadontist's careers).

So, I've just been giving him his formula in the highchair straight out of the cup. He drinks suprisingly well out of the cup and seems to like it better! He always reaches for more after he has some.

This cup wasn't really a "cup" with a nice edge to sip from. So, I thought I'd go get one of the plastic baby glasses out of the cupboard. Now, I'm sure you can guess where this is headed.

oops.... I kind of forgot to take the sippy cup base off of the high chair. Yes, I do know better but my mind was fixated on getting the drinking cup I guess and I forgot. I literally turned around for 5 seconds. Just as I was turning back and right like it was out of the movies, Matthew flings the cup across the kitchen. Swoosh! All over the floor, all over Mommy's feet and lucklily not all over Matthew!

Oh boy! Well, don't cry over spilled milk as they say. It was actually pretty funny although I didn't want to laugh to let Matthew think he could do it again. Guess I'm washing the floor again tonight!

Viewing Pictures on the Web

Hi everyone!

I've decided that I don't want the entire world to be able to view all of my photos, so I am making them visible to only my friends.

Right now, anyone in the world can look at them and I have noticed people from other corners of the world having a peek. In today's day and age, you just never know!

I would love for all of you who have been following our blog to be able to see our pictures. So, please send an e-mail to me.

I will then send you an e-mail with instructions on how to sign up for an account on Flickr. It only takes a few minutes and after that you will always be able to view our pictures.

Thanks for your understanding!

Erin

E-mail to erinjames@telus.net

Happy 1/2 Birthday to Me!

Wow! I'm 6 months old today! It's me, Matthew, blogging today in case you didn't notice.

Mommy says that this is my half birthday! She says that I have to wait until my full birthday though before I can have cake and presents! She said that only Uncle Mark gets to have presents and cake on his half birthday and that's just because his real birthday is on Christmas, so Grandma always felt sorry for him.

Mommy has put some new pictures of me on the web. My famous monthly shot with my puppy dog is there. The only thing different this time is...... I'm sitting up on my own! Yes, I've mastered that skill just in time for my half birthday! Today, I sat up for almost 15 minutes with no help from Mommy or Daddy! I love sitting... it's much more fun than having to stare at the ceiling all the time or look at everybody's feet!

Tomorrow, I have to go see the evil needle lady again. Except this time, Mommy and Daddy have to get needles too! I hope they won't cry. I'll tell them to be brave just like me!

Then, later in the week, I am going on a road trip with Mommy and Daddy! We are going to Banff and we will be staying in a hotel. I hope I have lots of fun!!!

Click Here to see New pictures of me: 6 month pictures

My Little Dancer

I have forgotten to mention that Matthew has become my new two-step partner.
I'll never get his Daddy to go out dancing, so dancing with Matthew in the living room is the next best thing.

After all, some day, when we're at a wedding and he doesn't dare want to be seen dancing with his mother... I'll have to pull this blog out and read it to him!

Matthew finds it quite hilarious to dance around in circles while Mommy sings. His current favourites are.... Ring of Fire, Mr. Mom and the old standby, Fishing in the Dark.

Usually we dance first thing in the morning, because that's when all the good songs seem to come on, and we're both still in our pj's.

hmm.... good thing I keep the blinds closed in the morning!

I finally got the floor washed!

Ok, so my floor has gotten to the point where it's disgusting. I mean, I vacuum it almost every day, but I always seem to have a hard time finding time to wash it. Well.
I hate to admit it, but my mom is right... washing with a mop just doesn't do as good of a job as getting down on your hands and knees and scrubbing away.

In the last few days, Matthew has decided that he's able to keep himself sitting up... for a few minutes.... until he topples to one side or the other. This is a big improvement in his world because up until this week, he just folded in half when you sat him down.

So, I came across something that I'd purchased at a garage sale. It's called the babysitter. It kind of looks like one of those nursing pillows. I bought it for 2 bucks I think and never really thought I'd make much use of it. Matthew has been propped up on it once or twice for pictures, but that's about it.

I never really understod why they called it the babysitter, because as far as I could tell, it sure as heck couldn't help them to sit up.

Until now!!! This is my new favourite thing!!!! It's kind of like a doughnut shape with a slot in the front. You wrap it around the baby while he's sitting and it keeps him from falling side to side! It doesn't prevent them from tipping forwards or backwards though which is why I thought it was useless until now.

Anyways, to make a long story short. Matthew sat propped up on the edge of the living room area with his babysitter pillow around him and a few toys and sat for the entire time it took me to wash the kitchen floor.

What an accomplishment for both of us!

It was a Beeeeeautiful Day!

Hi everyone! It's me, Matthew, blogging today.
Guess what I did today?
I went to see my very first movie in a real movie theatre! It was so much fun!
First, I went with my Mommy to meet her friend Angela and her baby Kevin at a place called Starbucks. I'd never been to Starbucks before, but there were so many different people and things to look at! I just sat in my stroller while Mommy and her friend had their drinks and I was a very good boy.

Then Mommy, Angela, Kevin and I went over to the movie theatre. It was in the same shopping mall. It's been a few weeks since I'd been to the shopping mall so I was amazed at everything there is to look at when your Mommy wheels you around! I love being able to sit up in my stroller like a big boy! It's like I have a little car to zoom around in!

When we got to the movie theatre, there were all kinds of bright colored lights all over the walls. They were very cool! Then, we went inside a room and there was the bigggggggest TV I've ever seen in my life!!!!!! Wowwwweeeee!!! I know Mommy doesn't let me watch tv too much at home, but she must have been saving up for this! The TV went from one side of the wall to the other! I couldn't stop watching it for the first little while!

But then it became even more exciting to look around at all of the other babies in the room. They were sitting with their mommies in chairs too, but because the rest of the chairs were higher than me, I could see all of them! I thought it was quite funny to see 100 different babies!

The movie that we went to see was called Bee Movie. It was pretty fun to watch. Lots of exciting colorful things to look at and funny bees flying around all over the place.

About half way through the movie, I started getting a bit fussy though. The same thing I usually do in church every week. But, in this place, Mommy didn't have a quiet room to take me to, so she went and stood in the walkway for a while. Evetually, I fell asleep and then Mommy went back to her chair. I missed the rest of the movie, but I had a great nap!

What a fun day! Mommy promises that she will take me out to do fun and exciting things more often, now that I can sit up like a big boy in my stroller and see the world around me. I wonder where we'll go next?

Miracle Makers

I normally would never use my blog to plug any type of charity, but I'm making an exception for this one because it's pretty important to me. So please forgive me this time!

Right now there is a radioathon going on for the Alberta Children's Hospital. They are looking for people to sign up to be Miracle Makers. Basically, they wil take $18 a month off your credit card or chequing, etc. for the next year. I've been a Miracle Maker since I moved to Calgary, and I can tell you. you really don't even notice it going out each month.

The thing is, Matthew and I have made 8 trips to Children's Hospital since he was born. THANKFULLY, we had minor issues - blood tests, an ECG, hip xray, physio and the head shape clinic, but I am extremely thankful that there is such a place to take your child that is so warm and bright and comforting for them.

Each time I was there, I couldn't help but almost feel guilty because I was bringing Matthew to the hospital for such trivial things when there were so many kids there that were really sick. I pray that we will never have to go there for anything more than what we've already been there for.

So for all of you in Alberta, please think about becoming a Miracle Maker. I know everyone is always hounded for money for so many things. But believe me, once you've been there, you are extremely thankful that we have such a place.

Alberta Children's Hospital Radioathon

The joys of feeding an almost 6 month old

I tend to go in spurts as far as cooking is concerned. I'll have a run where I am ambitious and want to try new things, and fill up my freezer, etc. I'm in the middle of one of those runs right now. I've kind of been swept up with the Desperately Delicious book and have started pureeing and packaging my way to a full freezer of healthy food! I figured I was making food for Matthew already, so why not just puree more and save it in bigger chunks for me to use in recipes. I've decided I'm going to work my way through that entire book because it just seems too good to be true. You mean, you can hide vegetables in recipes and they'll actually still taste good.

So, I tried my very first recipe from the book ~ Applesauce muffins. Except they also contain butternut squash in them... sneaky hey! And you know what? They're pretty darn good! I was actually quite surprised. And the book is right. If I didn't tell you, there's no way you'd know I had squash in the batter.

Oh, and by the way, thank goodness the food strike is over. Matthew has happily ate his squash and his carrots for the last two days. I am beginning to get a picture of what the next ??? years of my life are going to be like. "today I like this... tomorrow I don't..."

Matthew's new game is blowing raspberry kisses. You know, where you put your lips together and blow and it makes a funny noise... like "pppppppppp" (that's all I could come up with to describe it). Yesterday and today, he's been doing it constantly and he thinks it's quite funny when you do it to him as well.

At lunch today, he decided to do that while he had a mouthful of carrots. Need I say more? Laughing baby. Mommy covered in carrots. I'm sure that's nothing though. There's got to be worse to come!

Lunch time is starting to be quite a game in our house as well! I try feed Matthew with the spoon. Matthew wants to grab the spoon. Mommy takes the spoon away. Matthew cries. Mommy gives Matthew the spoon back. Matthew laughs. 6 months old and alreay he knows how to get what he wants! Eventually, Mommy had to take the spoon away for good. Matthew cried. But only for 30 seconds, then he was onto something else. Ah hah! Mommy's onto him :O)

Howdy Doody!

Hi Everyone! It's me, Matthew blogging today. I thought I'd give everyone an update on what I've been up to!

Today was supposed to be something called a time change. I don't know what that was. It didn't affect me at all, but it seemed to affect my Mommy. She said she had to get up reaaaalll early. I guess I got up at 5:45 a.m. today and I was ready to stay up!

Tonight, Mommy wanted me to stay on my regular bedtime schedule, but that would mean that I would have to stay up an extra hour! I didn't know if I could do it because I had a pretty busy day and I didn't nap for long as usual. Mommy bathed me around 6pm and then we went and read stories, then I had a little bit of bottle and then we played in the upstairs room while Daddy watched the hockey game. Mommy eventually gave in and I went to bed around 7:30. I complained quite a bit tonight because I didn't want to go to bed, but Mommy made me go in my crib and then I fell asleep in about 3 minutes!

We went to church this morning. It was really snowy when we got up. Mommy said that I had to wear my snowsuit. But when she went to put it on me... gues what!!!.... it wouldn't fit. Mommy says that is beginning to be a theme around our house. She says that she can't buy me anything unless it's 2 sizes too big or I'm going to wear it right then and there!

I'm still growing like crazy! When my Grandma came to visit last week, she brought me new socks because she said I was getting to be a big boy and Mommy was still trying to make me wear little baby socks! So, today, Mommy went shopping for some more big boy socks for me, but she could only find the same ones that she bought me last time. So, I got the same socks as before, only these are supposed to be bigger!

I'm being a very good boy and eating all of my cereal up every day! Today, I even tried oatmeal cereal. Mommy said we had to add lots and lots of formula to it because it looked like wallpaper paste. But, I didn't seem to mind the taste at all. I don't think I could even really tell the difference from my rice cereal.

However, I decided this week that I don't want to eat any of the other stuff that Mommy is trying to give me. No more carrots. No more squash and No more apples! I refuse to open my mouth when Mommy tries to give me these foods. And if I laugh by accident and Mommy gets a spoonful in, I make a weird face and pretend that I'm going to start crying. Then, Mommy gives up and I don't have to eat the yucky food. Maybe I was just having an off week. I really liked my food last week, but this week not so much. We'll see about next week.

I am turning 6 months old next week. Did you know that? It's like a half birthday! I wonder if I'll have any more teeth by then. I'll keep you posted. Have a good week!

Love,
Matthew

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

We bought this mirror to go in our front entrance, but I've been kind of lazy about hanging it up. Now, Matthew has a lot of fun with it all the time, so either I buy him his own, or we have to leave it in the sun room!

Happy Halloween!

Shake, Shake, Shake it up!

Matthew and I have just taken it easy the past few days! We've basically just lounged around and played all day. Everyone needs to do that once in a while, right?

Matthew now officially has one tooth! It's sticking through quite nicely and is awfully sharp! Luckly he hasn't bitten me you know where yet.

Today, Matthew discovered how hilarious it is to look at Mommy upside down. Who would have thought this could entertain him for half an hour!

We also discovered (and this one will come back to haunt me), that it is really, really fun to shake our toys as loud as we can and laugh at the same time! Mommy was helping with the shaking part, but Matthew was laughing uncontrollably so I couldn't help it!

So we've had a few fun days! Not much else on our plate for the rest of the week.. oh yeah, Halloween is tomorrow! Matthew is too little to go trick or treating, but he will help us give out treats in his costume!

Happy Monday!

Hi Everyone! It's me, Matthew, blogging today.
Today, my Mommy is pooped so I have to do the blogging for her.

On Friday, my Grandpa Kalytuk came to visit from Nanaimo. I giggled a lot when I saw him. Mommy was happy that I was giggling and not crying, because sometimes I cry now when I get held by other people.

On Saturday, my Grandma and Grandpa Taylor also came to visit! They were all staying at my house... even Grandma and Grandpa's cat Yodi. But I didn't see him because he has to stay in the bedroom. My kitties Token and Tia don't like him very much. I don't know why though, he's a nice old kitty!

Yesterday was my baptism. That's why Mommy is pooped today. She had been shopping and cleaning our house and making food since last Monday! Today she is just going to play with me all day and maybe even watch some TV. (I guess that means I get to also, yay!!)

My baptism was pretty fun. I didn't cry at all when the minister put water on my head. He promised it wasn't going to be cold and it wasn't! Then, he took me for a walk up and down the aisle to see all the people in the church. I was a good boy, I didn't cry at all!

Afterwards, my Grandma and Grandpa Taylor, Grandpa Kalytuk, Nan and Uncle Mark and Auntie Bev came to my house for a party! I was so tired from all of the action though, that I had to have a nap. I did sit in my high chair and visit with everyone while they ate though. Everyone brought me presents! Mommy says she wasn't expecting eveyone to bring presents, but they were very thoughtful and we will have fun playing with all of them or looking at them on my wall!

Today, just my Grandpa Kalytuk is still here. Grandma and Grandpa had to go home today. I am looking forward to Halloween on Wednesday. Wait until you see my costume!

Love,
Matthew

Merry Christmas!

Little Angel

This is how I found Matthew sleeping during his nap this morning. Awwwww.....

I'm Gettin' a Tooth!

It won't be long now.... Matthew is getting his first tooth! Suprisingly, it's not been too tramatic as of yet. I don't think he's even noticed too much other than to run his tongue over it once and a while.

It might be because he's way too preoccupied with rolling over right now. Every single time you put him on his back, he has to roll over! But, it's only in one direction so far and when he does, he can't figure out how to get back. He even slept on his tummy during his nap yesterday. But, then, like I said, he wakes up and wants to roll back but can't so that usually ends the nap.

We'll keep you posted on the tooth.. shouldn't be long now!

Nursery Rhymes

It took me until I was singing nursery rhymes to my own child, to realize how messed up Mother Goose was! As children, we must not have comprehended the actual lyrics of the verse or we would all be in therapy right now!~ Case and point:

"...when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall...." ~ that's comforting!

"...don't say a word, mama's gonna buy you..." ~ uh huh... bribery.. good lesson..

"...jack fell down and broke his crown..." ~ no wonder kids freak out when they fall down

"...couldn't put Humpty together again..." ~ poor Humpty

"...London bridge is falling down..."

"...she cut off their tail with a carving knife..." ~ no wonder I always felt sorry for those mice at the farm.

"...kissed the girls and made them cry..." ~ well, maybe that's a good lesson for little boys (speaking from experience in grade 3)

"...and frightened Miss Muffet away..." ~ that's why I'm freaked out about spiders!

ahh.. and the list goes on! Who'd of thought?

Bye Bye

Before I had a baby, nobody told me that you have to watch out for how attached you get to their THINGS. Not, the baby himself, but his THINGS for crying out loud!

Matthew is on his way to 6 months. I'm getting the feeling that 6 months is a whole knew ball game. What I'm starting to see right now though, is how many of his THINGS he doesn't want/ need anymore.

The biggest one must be the cradle swing. I just can't bring myself to take it down! But, he's too big for it: It creaks when he swings, his feet hang over the edge and he can almost reach the mobile. Yeah, too big.

Then there's the play mat. I need to take the bars to hold the hanging toys down because he wants to roll around so much now and he's getting tangled up in them.

He doesn't even want Wubbie anymore! He'll put it in his mouth for a brief second and then whips it across the crib. I think he figures that's more fun now than actually sucking on it.

Then the bouncy chair. No longer can it sit on the table (well, it wasn't really supposed to anyways, but I watched carefully). Now, he tries to get out by pulling himself forward and I'm afraid that's just not safe!

His Tummy Tub. We should try it again for old times sake. I wonder if he'd even fit in it?

See what I mean! I know there's so many new and exciting things on the horizon, but I just don't want to let go of all those really baby things!

Oh yeah, then there's the big one. I was telling my mom how I need to give Matthew a bottle most of the time now after he nurses because he's still hungry. What ever those health nurses say, I don't have enough for him all the time. My mom suggested maybe I should just put him on the bottle completely.... yeah. Don't go there. Let me put back the "little baby" stuff first. One step at a time.

Just Call me the Roll Over Baby!

Well! We had an exciting day yesterday!
First of all, Matthew's little friend Kate and her mom Andrea came over bright and early for the mommies to undertake a babyfood-making adventure! (or Hell's kitchen as Andrea called it!)

It was quite the adventure, alright! About every 5 minutes, one or more of the babies would want attention so one of us was always running over to the living room. Then, they both needed naps so we tried putting them both down in Matthew's room - Kate in the playpen and Matthew in his crib. It worked for a 1/2 hour or so but Kate woke up and then Matthew woke up, and that was the end of the naps! By then it was 11:00 and Matthew was hungry again... so, take a break and have a snack.

Oh, did I mention that inbetween, everytime we put the food processor on, the babies started crying? Yeah, tons of fun!

Actually, it wasn't that bad. For 3 solid hours of work, we have a freezer full of sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots and apples. It's a good start anyways.

Next time though.... we're doing this on a Saturday and the husbands are taking the kids.

****************

Yesterday, Matthew also decided that it was a great day to start rolling over, and over and over and over! I think he must have watched Kate do it at our house (because she is rolling over like crazy) and he wanted to do it to! Yesterday afternoon, every time I turned around, he was back on his tummy. Same thing in the crib. Give him 10 seconds and he's on his tummy.

The trouble is, he hasn't figured out how to get back to his back yet. And being on his tummy is only fun for so long. As I'm typing this, Matthew is supposed to be going down for his nap. I've gone in 9 times since I started this post to put him back on his back, because he rolls over and starts crying when he can't get back. Oh what fun! Luckily, I only had to rescue him once last night. I was afraid I'd might be going in over and over last night to flip him back!

Here's the cutie-patootie and all his friends: Susie, Puppy, Bear Bear and Snuggles.

We're all clear!

Matthew had his 5 month check-up with the pediatrician he had been seeing. All is good, so this will be the last visit to him! (too bad, because I reaalllly like him and feel very comfortable talking to him, I wish Matthew could see him as his regular doctor!).

Anyhow, he said that Matthew's head shape is coming along nicely. I am just starting to notice it not being quite so flat on the right side, so I think it is improving too. He said that he definitely would not recommend needing a helmet and that he thought it would correct itself on its own over time!

We weighed him again today. 18lb 12oz! He gained a half a pound last week! I think I'd better start lifting weights or I'm not going to be able to carry him around all day!

Matthew now enjoys going out a lot more because he sits up like a big baby in his stroller. We don't even take the carseat out of the vehicle anymore (pretty much because it weighs 15 lb to start with, so you do the math!). He likes being able to see where we're going forwards, not backwards and likes it even more when I don't take him in the stroller and just carry him.

The other day, we went to Toys R Us. Matthew had a blast looking at all of the stuffed animals. They have some there that are 10 times the size of him! He thought they were hilarious! It was then that I realized that carrying him in one arm and trying to shop in the other is not going to be possible as my arm was nearly ready to fall off after only 10 minutes or so. Thank god for strollers!

Here's my baby. Still wanting to shove everything and anything (including what Mommy's trying to eat or drink now) into his own mouth. When there's nothing else around, his feet still suffice.

New Pictures have been posted

New pictures are posted!

Thanksgiving

More of Matthew!

My New Blog

Ok, so I'm stealing Matthew's blog for a second....

The other day, one of my friends sent me an e-mail to participate in a recipe exchange. That got me thinking about how many great recipes there must be out there.

As a new mom, I'm also game to find new, easy recipes to make when time is of the essence!

So, please take a peek and please send me your recipes!

www.recipes-for-moms.blogspot.com

Thanks!
Erin

What's new with us?

Hi all,

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while. I seem to go in spurts and then sometimes just don't find the time or the energy to write! We got back from Saskatoon last Wednesday. We had a nice visit there. We even got to go outside for a little walk with an umbrella stroller that Mommy hastily purchased from Walmart and will hastily be returning because the wheels don't turn well! I knew going in though, that a $13 stroller wasn't going to be a superstar. It worked for the walk in Saskatoon though!

Matthew turned 5 months on Friday! He is now 27 1/2 inches long and weighs 18lb, 5 oz. We went to the healthcentre to be weighed. Let's just say he enjoyed the trip much more than the last time when we had to see the evil needle lady!

We have more pictures to post, but Daddy has been tinkering with the computer and left Mommy a note this morning that said not to upload any pictures until he was done with his tinkering. Hopefully, we'll have them up tonight for you!

This week, we have some follow up doctor appointments (the head flatness is getting better) and a baby shower to go to!

We'll try update as we go! Talk to you soon :O)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I am spending Thanksgiving in Saskatoon with Grandma & Grandpa! We had to get up reaaalllllyyyy early on Saturday to come to Saskatoon! Mommy thought that by leaving in the car so early, I might sleep most of the way, but I fooled her! I was a good boy though. I didn't cry very much... just fussed a few times when I was hungry! Mommy had to feed me cereal in the car while we were moving because I just couldn't make it to Hanna, where Mommy and Daddy had planned to stop. That was an adventure!

So, here I am, all decked out in my Thanksgiving gear!


Then, here I am telling jokes to Uncle Mark and "Auntie" Bev...

This is me with my Great Grandpa Taylor...

Uncle Brian lifting me up soooo high!

This is my Nan playing with me....


I didn't nap the whole day... boy was I a tired baby last night! This morning, my Daddy left to go back to Calgary, but Mommy and I are staying until Wednesday. Today, Mommy and I had a big sleep on Mommy's bed. We slept for almost 2 hours! Both Mommy and I felt much better after that!

Tomorrow, we are going to hang out with Grandma all day! Maybe we will even go shopping. Then, I get to ride on the big airplane again! I'm not even 5 months old and I've ridden on the airplane 4 times already! Wow!

See you later!

Oh where, oh where has my little baby gone?

my oh my... My little baby is not going to be a little baby much longer! Wow! It's amazing how many new things he does every day!

Let's see... well, our biggest adventure of the past week has been learning how to eat cereal. It really didn't take him much learning at all; he picked it up right away. It's very funny to watch him because I have been feeding him in his bouncy chair sitting on the kitchen table, and he gets so excited that he flails his arms and makes the chair bounce like crazy! He seems to think it's quite funny to do it just as mommy is bringing the spoon to him so that the spoon ends up feeding the chair instead of Matthew!

He's also been having a lot of fun playing on his tummy now. I'd say that actually even prefers it to playing on his back. He even complained once when I had flipped him from his tummy to his back and wanted to be back on his tummy! We have been playing the game where we put one of his toys just out of reach and he scoots over like a little seal to get it! I think that means he's going to want to crawl sooner than later... yikes!

I've made new use of the nursing pillow that cost me $75 and I used twice. Matthew now finds it quite relaxing just to hang out in, watch a bit of TV (even though, I still stress, he's not supposed to.... but there are a few times, when he won't nap and mommy just needs a few minutes to hang out), or play with his toys. Right now, he's reclining on his pillow while I type, amusing himself with a tupperware lid. He won't play with many of his toys for very long, but the lid seems to amuse him for a half an hour.

Oh, and did I mention my baby naps?!?! I'd better not jinx it by saying so, but yesterday morning he napped for 2 hours and this afternoon he napped for 2 1/2 hours! Mommy even got to have a little nap this afternoon which was a godsend! I'm thinking the napping maybe has something to do with the cereal he has in the morning, even though the needle nurses strongly suggest it does not... :O)

Well, Daddy's coming home soon and Matthew is asking for his late afternoon, pre-cereal milk snack, so I guess I'd better go.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Family Pics

Here are some of the latest family pics...

Family Pictures

Thanks to Uncle Clint for helping us with them. One of these times, we'll actually be able to get Matthew to look at the camera! :O)

By the way, yes, it's 4am. Matthew has been sleeping wonderfully since we started our cereal adventure 2 days ago! He's only gotten up once each night at around 3am... so I can handle that! So, tell me again, why am I wide awake right now!?!? ha ha, well at least it gives me time to update the blog and get my facebook fix ;o)

Yummy, yummy, yummy....

Well, I concede defeat. Actually, my boobs concede defeat! What I mean is, I have come to the conclusion that there is no way, that we alone, can keep Matthew full and satisfied until 6 months. Yes..... health nurses close your ears now.... I started Matthew on cereal. Not quite sure if I'm happy or sad about that!?! Happy because it's an exciting next step, I guess, but sad, because it's one more thing that makes him less of a "little" baby...

So, anyways... lately, Matthew has reverted back to newbornhood. He has been wanting to eat every 2 hours or so round the clock (3 hours or so at night)... for a while, he had been sleeping at a 6 hour stretch, but not anymore. So, they say that that's one of the signs. And around supper time, I can feed him and he'll immediately still be wanting more. That's another sign, I guess.

So, he got his first taste on Friday night. He took a baby spoonfull or two and licked his lips, but didn't seem too interested.

I tried again tonight. Well! It took about 5 spoonfulls and then he figured out what we were doing... this was food!!!!! Yipee!!! You'd have thought he'd never seen food before.... oh yeah, he hadn't seen food before... anyways... from that point on, he was opening his mouth like a little bird and babbling to me constantly! More than I've ever heard him talk! I think he was trying to tell me that it was about time that he got something real to eat! So, we finished the customary 1 tablespoon mixed with 3x the amount of formula, lickedy-split! So far so good, doesn't seem like he has a tummy ache!

So, I guess we're one more step down the road... we're going to take this one slow though. Only baby cereal for the next 6 weeks (until 6 months)... then we'll try the really good stuff. If Matthew things plain rice cereal is good, wait until he tries beans!! (well, maybe we'll go with peaches or carrots first :O)

Boy, Do I have lots to tell!

Hi everyone!

Wow, have I ever been a busy little guy! I have tons of stuff to tell you about!

First of all, my Mommy invited her friends from work over for lunch on Friday. It was lots of fun, but at first, I wasn't sure what to make of all the people that were in my living room! There were four other mommies and four other babies! I got a little scared and I didn't want to play on the floor. I just wanted my mommy to hold me. But, Mommy had to get the lunch ready for the other mommies, so I sat in my chair and watched everyone. Afterwards, when my mommy was in the living room, I played on the floor with the other babies! Here is a picture of all of us babies! (Clockwise from me is Elsa, (she's 3 months), Evan (he's almost 3 months), Koen (he's 5 months), and Taygan (he's just about 5 weeks)

I wasn't sure why Elsa wasn't very happy? Maybe it was because she didn't like being around all of us boys! So, I told her a joke and then she was happy!


On Saturday, my Mommy and Daddy took me to a place called the zoo! Mommy said that we will be able to come back lots of times, so I have my very own I.D. card. It even has my picture on it, see!

Here's me getting ready to go. I wasn't too sure about this zoo thing... but Mommy says it was going to be fun. We'll see...

But, it was fun!
We saw giraffes....

and gorillas...

and hippopotamususususes and elephants and tigers and all kinds of things! I got pooped out though and decided to have a nap halfway through! It was such a beautiful day that I just enjoyed the cool fall air!

I'm so glad that we went to the zoo, I can't wait to go again! For more pictures of my adventure, click here.

Well, I hope you all had a nice weekend too! Enjoy the fall colours like Mommy, Daddy and I are!

See you again,
Matthew