All Tuckered Out

I can't even remember what we did the other day (it wasn't anything spectacular, but obviously very tiring) because Calder and Easton both passed out at the dinner table. First it was Easton, then Calder settled down for a little nap. Those kids! Aren't they adorable?




(Don't you love how Finn is trying to take advantage of a sleeping baby?)

Late night ramblings

So it's almost one in the morning as I write this. Easton went to bed last night around 12, yep, a little late - but then woke up at 6:15 and was down at 7 again for another 3 1/2 hours. Totally unheard of - sleeping till 10:30 in the morning. I thought then that maybe he'd have a good nap schedule today - his last nap he woke up at maybe 4:45 and here we are, past the witching hour, and he is WIDE AWAKE. I'll tell you what he's doing right now - he's pressing tons of buttons on the stereo and listening to the 'Hokey Pokey'. He loves that song.

Man, lack of sleep truly should be a modern-day device of torture. Is it? Somewhere? I know babies don't mean to torture their moms (and in some cases, dads) but it really does make a person go insane. I don't feel like myself at all when tired, or when there's another failed attempt at putting Easton down to sleep. All I can do is daydream about sleep (maybe I shouldn't do that) and hope that tomorrow morning I fare well..we are going to see the 'new' house at 9 am. Crap, that's only 8 hours away...sigh.

Anyway, here's a cute picture of the little monkey in case that's what you visited this blog for today (a picture taken on Victoria Day - Easton was delighted with Calder and his sparkler):

Our trip to Montreal and assorted stuff!

About 2 weeks ago, Gary had a business meeting to attend in Montreal so Calder and I came along for the ride and we stayed in Montreal for the weekend. It was Calder's first time flying in an air plane, and also our first time away with him and his first time sleeping in a place other than home! Yes, it was a trip of firsts, and they all proved to be successful ventures.

Calder fared well in the airplane, a much smaller plane than a normal flight as we flew out of the Toronto Island Island Airport with Porter airlines. I'd definitely fly that airline again! What with comfy leather club chairs, trail mix, cookies, free pop and cappuccinos at your disposal, plus a cheaper flight than Air Canada, it was a great experience.

Calder sat on my lap for take-off and the landing, and did very well, sipping water from his sippy cup when offered so his ears wouldn't be bothered by the pressure changes, and enjoyed looking out the window at the world below.

Mommy, Daddy and Calder had lots of walks around Old Montreal and surrounding streets, eating yummy meals and Calder even had his first taste of Raspberry Gelato! He loved it so much even though it was a bit tart. Mo! As Calder would say, when he wants more of something.




We also took a trip around Montreal in a horse-drawn carriage.

Remind me not to do that again unless I have taken an allergy pill - I was a wreck. Calder enjoyed it so much, but too much I think as he fell asleep part-way through the ride - his face cuddled against my leg. We moved him to Daddy's should and I think after that he was much more comfortable. He loved the horses though, every time he saw one in the city he would say Do! (his word for dog - we're working on that - it's a horse!)




Might I also say that our room was just luxurious on this trip. It was in the Hotel d'Armes and it was in a building that dates from the 1880's, I believe. I've included a few pictures for you to see.



Every night there was a wine and cheese for the guests, and although we only went once, Calder was on his best behaviour. He loved the cheese! Every morning we'd have breakfast together and Calder always attracted a lot of attention, from Francophones and Anglophones alike. He was always a good little boy, albeit a flirt with the ladies.

Over the past two weeks or so Calder and I went to the zoo twice - first with Daddy, and our friends Denny and Alicia and their daughter, Norah, and then with Grandma, Auntie Colleen and my friend Carrie and her daughter, Jaden. I think it was after all the walking with Daddy and Grandma both times at the zoo that Calder took off with walking on his own. Now he toddles around the house like crazy.










He is also practically running with his walker - it's amazing and hilarious to see! Over the past week he's really come along, and will walk quite far before finally grabbing something for support or falling down. Twice we've even had a family walk around the block - yes, Calder walked for most of it, although he did hold my finger - I didn't want him to fall on the concrete!

Here's a cute picture of Gary and Calder playing 'Strutter' on Guitar Hero. I HOPE Calder doesn't grow up wanting to be the next member of Kiss - I can't imagine him with all that makeup!!!

Calder also has two another teeth - his eye teeth - making that 7 teeth. One just popped up this past night. Maybe that would explain his horrible sleeps of late - the other two nights he was up from 2 to 5 am, and 2 to 4 am, and last night he was up from 3:15 to 5:45. UGh! One night I had to put him in the car and drive into Whitby for him to finally fall asleep.

If anyone has any tips for getting a baby to sleep on their own (Calder has to fall asleep in my arms) please let me know - I am getting desperate!

Have a wonderful week everyone!

A visit from Grandma and Aunt Colleen

Last week Gary was in San Francisco for the week and my mother and sister came over and stayed 2 nights with me. Oh, I can stay on my own, but it's nice to have someone to hand Calder off to when I need to get something done. And I must say, it was nice, too - my mom made me breakfast on Tuesday morning! :)

While they were here, we took quite a few pictures (in part because my sister gets a little snap-happy at times) but there are some great pictures that I wanted to share.

Calder still continues to enjoy his bath, but I made the mistake of buying these cups for his bath, but giving him water to drink out of them first. Now, it is very difficult for me to use that cup to dump water over him, he is always trying to grab it and drink out of it. Sometimes, inhaling is more like it, as he lifts the full cup up (in the bath) and takes a big sniff/gulp. Scary! But he's so happy when he's successful at drinking out of a cup. He loves drinking water!


On Tuesday we happened to be out at all the times when he should have gone down for a nap, and as a result, he got very tired with only one nap under his belt. Poor little guy, he fell asleep at his high chair while eating. :( But he looked so adorable.


Calder doesn't like his playpen too much, but will sometimes play in it while I prep for dinner or vacuum. This is a picture of him watching TV, but if you look closely - he's started to stand on things, like his drum (or sometimes a ball, yes, a ball - we have a future acrobat among us!) to see out the playpen better. Silly monkey.


I just thought he looked so cute in this chair, that I had to post the pics. He wanted to bolt out of the chair (face first, though!) so they were snapped quickly with Auntie Colleen on the ready to catch him. In the second photo you can see his teeth better than any picture I've seen so far!



Calder loves to play peekaboo, with most anyone, anything, and anywhere - here he is playing peekaboo with Aunt Colleen through the stair posts.


A few weeks ago I was feeling restless at night so I packed Calder up and we went for a trip to Chapters. Out we came with some purchases, and at first, Calder didn't seem to like this book, but now he LOVES it with a capital L! He'll try to take this book with him everywhere. It's called "I Like Stars". Here he is intently looking at the pictures while my mom reads him the book.


Calder is starting to use his walker with a bit more confidence, although he is still shaky. Today we saw him actually take a couple of pretty confident steps with it, although most of the time he still uses this just to sit at and play with all the things on it. All in all, he is starting to be more confident with standing as well - today Gary (yay, Daddy's back!) saw him stand for a couple of seconds in his playpen while he held something. Uh oh, I think that walking may be coming soon!


Have a wonderful long weekend, everyone!