Tuesday, October 31, 2006

"My Little Crawler...Almost"

Yesterday, when you were with me, and you were in the crawling position, you moved one of your arms forward. Later, with Daddy, you hopped your legs forward! Good job!

Today is Hallowe'en. I think we'll have some fun today! We have a party at 2:30ish, and trick or treating later tonight!

Monday, October 30, 2006

"Straws, Tomatoes, Cabbage, and Fall"

You tried Cabbage about 5 days ago, and you tried tomatoes 2 days ago. You enjoyed both.

You tried a regular straw a while ago (like a month ago?) and sucked out of it well, but too well. When I bought you some sippy cups, I bought a couple with controlled flow straws. You didn't seem to be catching onto them too well. I tried again today, this time bringing some water up to the mouth of the straw. You used it! Yay! You can sip your water from a straw! Congratulations!

Today we went for a walk with Auntie Jen and Makenna and did some fall pictures in the leaves!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

"Trying to Get On the Move"

You're really trying to get places more. Over the past few days, you've taken to trying to crawl away from a sitting position. What it ends up looking like is you sitting, then leaning and reaching until you have your face and tummy out on the floor and scootch your legs and bum out. Eventually I figure you'll put two and two together, and bring your knees up under you after that. It looks pretty funny.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Catching Up Part #9

October so far...
"My Big Boy"

This month you are just starting to be a little boy!

You are loving your music class.

You still love when I do Eensy Weensy Spider while you are eating.

You are doing much better with your sippy cup.

You are really enjoying your peek-a-blocks. You like to take the bin of them and dump them out. Come to think of it, you really like dumping things out and knocking things over. For quite a while now, you've been enjoying making a 'racket'. You love to bang things together. You love to yell at your toys if they aren't doing what you'd like.

You are getting your legs up underneath of you again. You are rocking back and forth in the crawling position, but you are not crawling quite yet. You can move backwards.

You have been trying to clap.

You love jumping in your jolly jumper or while being held.

You are saying lots of mamamamamama, dadadadadada, and papapapa.

Much to Daddy's dismay, you are still loving tofu. I think some people are worried that I'm turning you into a bleeding-heart-placard-holding-left wing-tree-hugger by giving you tofu. But really, is there anyting wrong with that?

October 1st, 2006 - You tried tofu for the first time.

October 2nd, 2006 - You tilted your bottle up today to get more out.

October 3rd, 2006 - Today you met Max, Susan's son.

October 4th, 2006 - You are High Fiving and trying to clap now. You like to slap my arms to make a clapping noise.

October 6th, 2006 - You went camping for the Thanksgiving long weekend with Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Kim, Uncle Paul, Great Auntie Brenda, Great Uncle Al, Great Uncle Len, Mike, Danielle, Mommy, and Daddy. You were perfect. You took all your naps right on schedule, you ate perfectly, you slept through, only waking for me to pop in the paci, which you wouldn't normally have at home, but I wanted to keep you cozy. You slept in your moses basket in many layers. You had your nighttime bath in Grandma and Grandpa's camper.

October 8th, 2006 - You turned 7 months old today.

October 10th, 2006 - You tried melon and pumpkin for the first time. I think you roared at the lion on Baby Einstein today!?

October 11th, 2006 - You seem to be afraid of the Lizard on Baby Einstein.

October 13th, 2006 - You tried spinach and lamb for the first time.

October 14th, 2006 - You are getting more and more verbal every day.

October 16th, 2006 - You tried mixed beans and pasta for the first time. Today, Grandma came over to play with you while I got some cleaning done. Grandma plays hard!!! She's so much fun! She had you standing and holding onto the Ball Blaster and pushing balls down all by yourself! You are such a big boy. You had LOTS of fun with Grandma.

October 17th, 2006 - Your swimming lessons started again today. Jack is in your swimming class too!

October 19th, 2006 - You tried plums and turkey for the first time.

October 21st, 2006 - You wore your monkey costume today for the Kidswap Hallowe'en party. You loved watching all the kids in their costumes. You met a pumpkin, a superman, and a bumble bee all about your age.
- Today was also Thanksgiving dinner. Because you have tried so many foods now, you were able to eat what we all ate!

October 22nd, 2006 - You tried olive oil and papaya for the first time.

October 23rd, 2006 - Today we were at Starbucks with Auntie Jen and Makenna. We go about once a week. I think you may have signed 'water' to me today! I'm not sure.

October 24th, 2006 - Today we did Hallowe'en pics in the backyard with Jack and Makenna.

October 25th, 2006 - Today you went to the mall with Auntie Erica, Jack, Dione, and little baby Owen. We had fun. We bought some new camo pants, some new Robeez, and some jeans for you. After that, we had a late lunch with Nomi and Murray. You enjoyed your day even though you've been teething like crazy.
- It appears as though you have 'fangs' coming in. Your top middle teether are not your next teeth to come in. Instead the ones beside those are coming in.

We are all caught up now! I just need to write in this every few days!

Catching Up Part #8

September....
I was really bad, and wasn't keeping up your baby book at this time, so I can only write what I had on the calendar.

September
"You Are Growing Up Too Fast!!"

This month I started teaching you to use a sippy cup at dinner when you have your water. YOU LOVE WATER!! You are very melodramatic and choke on your water all the time. I have to teach you to take 'little sips'.

You love avocados, mangoes, yoghurt, peaches, and peppers (some of the many foods we tried this month). You DO NOT like fish!

You are starting to say lots of ma ma ma and da da da. Mostly da da da.

You love playing pat-a-cake. When I go to clap your hands, you bring your hands up in the air very excitedly hoping that, by chance, my hands may actually hit yours.

You love your Banana toy, and of course, you still love your Monkey.

At night time, you sleep with Monkey, Blue Bear, and Blankie.

You aren't really rolling much anymore. You'll roll in bed back to front, but rarely ever in the living room. You never roll front to back anymore. I think you are happy to just sit and reach for things. Hmmmmm.

I've been getting you slowly ready for Daylight Savings Time ending. Considering that you actually wake about 30-40 minutes before 'the day starts', and I sure don't want you waking at 5:20 or 5:30am, I thought I'd get your routine moved up a half hour this month and a half hour next month. That way, when the clocks go back, you'll be back at 7-7 again.

Up to the beginning of September, you've tried, rice cereal, pears, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, green beans, zucchini, turnips, oats, peaches, and parsnips.

Since you don't have a history of deathly allergies in your family, I've stepped up food introduction this month to 2 foods every 3 days. You seem just fine. With peppers, I introduced them alone because I react to them.

Your naps this month are usually 9:30am for 2 hours tops, another nap 2.5 hours from when you last woke until 3:00pm. Your bedtime is 7:30pm.

Your feeding times are usually, 7:30am (bottle and breakfast), 11:30am (lunch/ no more bottle once protein was introduced), 3:00pm (bottle), 5:30pm (dinner and water), 7:00pm (bottle).

This month, I finally found you back-up Monkeys in case yours gets lost or destroyed one day.

Here's your day
E - 7:30am
A - after the feed
S - 9:30am (for no more than 2 hours)
Y

E - 11:30am
A - after the feed
S - 2 hours from when you last woke
Y

E - 3:00pm
A - after the feed
S - nope, you phased out you catnap at 3.5 months
Y

E - 5:30pm
A - after the feed, bath, naked tummy time, bottle at 7:00pm, stories, cuddle
S - 7:30pm
Y

Here's the quick run-down of September...

September 3rd, 2006 - We went to the PNE with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Paul, Brocky, Auntie Kim, Ryan, Daddy, and I. You were wonderful, of course. You loved all the excitement! You stayed up LATE!!

September 4th, 2006 - You tried avocado and barley for the first time.

September 7th, 2006 - You tried mangoes and peas for the first time.

September 8th, 2006 - You turned 6 months old! You big boy!

September 9th, 2006 - Auntie Kim (and the rest of the family) babysat you all day while mommy and daddy were at Auntie Jen's wedding.

September 10th, 2006 - You tried cauliflower and chicken for the first time.

September 13th, 2006 - You had your 6 month check-up, and you tried broccoli and yoghurt for the first time.

September 14th, 2006 - You are learning how to pick up cheerios.

September 15th, 2006 - Today you had your 6 month shots. You are 17 lbs, 8 oz. Daddy went in for your shots with you. Mommy just can't take watching you cry like that.

September 16th, 2006 - You tried lentils and asparagus for the first time.

September 19th, 2006 - You tried wheat and cheese for the first time.

September 22nd, 2006 - You tried brown fish and rice for the first time. You DO NOT like fish!
- Today we went to Carter's in the States with Auntie Erica and Jack.
We had fun!

September 25, 2006 - You tried bananas and potatoes for the first time.

September 28th, 2006 - You started your Kindermusik, Zoom Buggy class today. You loved it!

By the end of the month, you are feeding yourself finger foods like rice cake, cheerios, and shredded cheese really well.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Catching Up Part #7

August 1st, 2006
"Sitting"

You can sit by yourself. Not for too long, but you are balanced and you like it!

August 3rd, 2006
"More Sitting"

You can sit up for long periods alone but I can't leave you on hard surfaces.

August 4th, 2006
"Fruity Little Guy"

Today you started fruits. You had pears.

August 9th, 2006
"Shaka, Name, Rolling"

On the fourth, I realised I could get you to shake your toy if I shook my hand and said, "Shaka, shaka, shaka!". The next day, Daddy was waving goodbye to you, and did 'shaka'. It was adorable.
You are definitely responding to your name a lot more now.
Well, rolling. You've been rolling tummy to back since around 3 months. At 2 months, you could roll back to side and occasionally side to tummy, but never together. You are 5 months old now and I'm still waiting for back to tummy. You sure seem to want to crawl lately. For a few weeks now you've been bringing your legs up under you to help you move around.

August 10th, 2006
"Veggysaurus"

Today you had veggies for the first time. You had carrots.

August 13th, 2006
"Night Market"

On Friday night, Auntie Kim, you, Uncle Paul, Daddy, and I went to the Asian night market in Richmond. You slept through half and were awake for half. You had a big day. We got home at 2:00am.
I'm trying to phase out your dream feed.

August 14th, 2006
"Rolling, Finally"

Today you rolled four times from back to stomach. Congratulations!

August 17th, 2006

Today you got your first tooth and your second tooth. They broke through. I didn't even know you were teething! What a great guy!

August 19th, 2006

Today we went to Redbull Flugtag with Auntie Kim, Uncle Paul, and Daddy. We met Auntie Erica, Kevin, and Jack. It was a hot, fun day!

August 27th, 2006
"Daddy and AJ ALONE!"

Daddy was all by himself with you overnight because I went to an overnight stag for Auntie Jen's wedding! Daddy was so good with you, and you were good for Daddy.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Catching Up Part #6

July 2nd, 2006
"Screamy Squeals"

You've been making screaming squeals of delight.

July 6th, 2006
"Soo-soo in / Soo-soo out"

Well you've figured out how to take out your soother (not new), and how to put it back in (new). For one of your naps yesterday, you pulled out your soother, screamed until I arrived, smiled and popped it back in. You sassy thing.
When I say, "Tickly, tickly, BOO", you start laughing right away before I've even tickled you.
You are still doing those weird night wakings.

July 15th, 2006
"Shots, Bloodshot, and a Nice Cabin"

Yesterday you got your four month shots. I had Daddy go with you this time because I couldn't handle it. You screamed at first, then you were fine.
That night (last night) you woke at 2:00am, 3:00am, 3:20am, 4:00am, 4:20am, 5:30am, and 6:15. It was a rough night for Mommy. You seemed just fine.
You've been conversing with yourself and us a lot. Many sounds, laughs, and smiles.
We headed up to Paradise Lake to stay at a cabin with Grandma, Auntie Kim, and Uncle Paul. We had a great time. You still woke in the night, but only a couple of times, and you went right to sleep after I popped in your paci. You were a good boy, as always.

Catching Up Part #5

June 9th, 2006
"Thumb, Routine, Favourite Toys"

While I was at Auntie Jen's shower and you stayed home with Daddy, you started sucking your thumb with purpose. You'd sucked it before, but this time you really meant to.
We've been doing a combination routine from "The Contented Little Baby" and "The Secrets of The Baby Whisperer". You eat at around 7:00am, 11:00am, 2:30pm, 6:15pm, and 10:00pm. You nap around 9:00-9:45am, 12:15-2:30pm, and 4:30-5:00pm.
You are loving your monkey doll more and more every day. He is your 'lovey' now. It started with you staring at it while you got a bum-change. Now, you hug it and sleep with it. We take it everywhere we go.

June 18th, 2006
"Father's Day and Grade Seven Camp"

For Father's Day, I had matching shirts made for you and Daddy. Daddy's says, "My Boy" with a picture of you. Yours says, "My Daddy" with a picture of Daddy. Everyone loved the shirts.
You had a big day back on the 11th. I took you on a long drive with my friend Tom, and a boat ride. We went to grade seven camp at Anvil Island. Wow, it was a big day. Tom was a big help. You were a good boy, like always.

June 20th, 2006
"Rolling"

Today you rolled over from your tummy to your back all by yourself for the first time.

June 27th, 2006
"Night Wakings, Banana, Raspberries"

You've been waking in the middle of the night all of a sudden since June 22nd. I pop in your paci and you go back to sleep.
After taking you to Sports Day, we went to Toys "R" Us and bought you a banana doll. You love it! We also bought you a bath CD. (we used a gift certificate from Nomi)
You've been blowing raspberries for a few days now.

June 30th, 2006
"Toes"

You have found your toes and you are grabbing your feet. You love "This Little Piggy". You love "Round and Round the Garden".

Catching Up Part #4

May 1st, 2006
"Grannie's House and Easter Dinner"

I forgot to mention that on the Easter weekend, we went to Grannie's house in Duncan. Daddy's family got to meet you. There was a nice girls' luncheon/shower.
You were perfect on the ferry, just looking around at everyone. Everything just clicked. Your eating time, your sleeping, everything. You were just under 6 weeks old.
We had you batting at your play arc for the first time.
We had Easter dinner at Grandma's house and you got to see so much of her/my family. You were such a good boy, like always.

May 3rd, 2006
"Laughing, Push-Ups, Gripping"

So, over the past few days, you've been laughing (especially when hitting and kicking at your play arc). You've been doing mini-pushups during Tummy-Time, and you've been holding onto toys when I wrap your fingers around them.
For weeks now, you've been cooing, gurgling, and making lots of noises.

May 8th, 2006
"Shots, Yikes!!"

You had your two month shots today. I cried and you screamed and cried. You received four shots! Next time, I'm getting Daddy to take you. That was horrible!

May 10th, 2006
"Signing, for Real This Time, Well, Almost. Rolling and Grasping"

Today, you were imitating me doing the sign for 'dirty' on the change table. I can't wait until you use it to actually tell me to change you!
You've been rolling onto your side, and you've been learning to grasp things as I wrap your hands around them.

May 14th, 2006
"A New Girlfriend for AJ?"

Makenna was born yesterday. Now you have your buddy, Jack to see, and your girl-buddy, Makenna.

May 31st, 2006
"Doing Lots and Lots"

You've been doing so much since your shots. You've been holding your vibrating fish while I pull it for at least a couple of weeks.
On the 14th, at Grandma's, I showed everyone how we do "jump-a-woo". I pull you up by your hands to standing and lift you.
Now you can grab a toy on your own (for about the past week). You can reach for me now, but not consistently.
You've been on EASY for about seven to nine weeks. You laugh about loud when I tickle you.
The books we've been reading are
I Love You Forever
A Child's Goodnight Book
Bunny My Hunny
Goodnight Little Duckling
Goodnight Moon
Dr. Suess's Sleep Book
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (your favourite, hands down)
Your two colour books
Baby MacDonald on the Farm
I Love You My Duckling
So Many Bunnies
(daily)

We read others too, but not every day.

Catching Up Part #3

April 11th, 2006
"Tummy-Time Triumph and Tasty Treats"

For at least a week now, during "Tummy-Time", you've been able to lift your head and turn it to the other side.
Grandma, Grandpa (Papa), Uncle Paul, and Auntie Kim babysat you on Saturday night when Daddy and I went for Vietnamese food with my sorority sisters.

April 23rd, 2006
"Signing, Talking, Sleeping, Smiling"

A couple of days ago, I swear you signed 'dirty' (dirty diaper) to me whilst on the change table. You are of course, not really signing, but I think you are imitating me. Perhaps it's just coincidence.
When Grandma was over, she said, "Hiiiii!" You made this noise - "Haaaaaa!"
You've adjusted to your new routine from "The Baby Whisperer" and the schedule from "Contented Little Baby".
You are smiling lots when we prompt you, do "peek a boo", and show you 'Monkey'.

Catching Up Part #2

March 14th, 2006
"Slept Through the Night"

Daddy got home at about 12:00am. When you finished feeding, Daddy changed your stinkiest, poopy diaper yet. He bounced you to sleep. You slept from about 1:30am-7:00am! Thank you!

March 16th, 2006
"Tupperware Party for Mommy"

Tonight, I went to a Tupperware Party at Chrissy's and you stayed home with Daddy. Daddy took good care of you and you were a good boy.

March 17th, 2006
"Sleeping Through the Night, Again"

You've slept through the night four nights in a row. On Tuesday you weighed 6lbs 13oz. Today, the midwives weighed you at 7lbs 5 oz.
You slept through your 'operation', and you are healing well.
Today I took you to out to get some newborn clothes since I didn't have many tiny things. I thought you'd be B-I-G.

March 19th, 2006
"First Grocery Trip for Peabody"

Today you went to Superstore AND Costco! You slept, of course.
I've temporarily nicknamed you AJ Peabody because you are peeing all over yourself at almost every change.

March 26th, 2006
"AJ Gets Babysat"

Today, Grandma, Grandpa (Papa), Auntie Kim, and Uncle Paul looked after you while Daddy was at work and Mommy finally got her hair done.

March 31st, 2006
"Grannie and Papa Come Over"

Today, your Grannie and Papa came over from Duncan. You were a good boy. They loved meeting you.

Catching Up Part #1

Baby Book Entry - March 12th, 2006

*Name - Alton James (AJ)
*Date of Birth - March 8th, 2006
*Weight - 7lbs, 8oz
*Hair Colour - Brown
*Eye Colour - Browny Blue
*Weather - Cold. It snowed heavily all the next day.

Baby Book Entry - March 13th, 2006
"Your First Walk"

I am writing today to say what's been going on. You were born on Wednesday night. The surgery went well even though it was scary for me. You started breast feeding right away, but were getting frustrated when my milk hadn't come in yet. We gave you a bit of formula and you slept for a nice four hours or so! After some weird shivers, my milk started to come in, and you were feeding much better. Daddy took care of you and I at the hospital. We got to take you home on Saturday, March 11th, 2006, at 10:00am. You slept in your car seat the whole way home. I cried lots with happiness on the way home.
You've been feeding well. I've been letting you use a soother to help you sleep longer. It's working! You are so adorable and so tiny. We love you very much. I think you look just like your daddy.
You, Auntie Kim, and I went for your first walk in the stroller today! We went to visit Uncle Tarrie, Auntie Christine, Adam, Matt, Jen, Erin, and Lauren.