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!