9 Months Old!

Are you starting to wonder, is she seriously going to post something EVERY time the kid is a month older?  And the answer is -

Sloan is 9 months old, he's now been here officially as long as it took me to get him here.   And  I must say I have enjoyed the last 9 months a lot more that the previous 9 months.  It has officially been 9 months since the smell of fish, chicken, or the taste of a bagel made me sick to my stomach - and as Martha would say, that's a good thing.

January was a very quiet month for us, I have been taking an online Scrapbook design course, and I have literally done nothing but scrapbook, and shop for scrapbooking supplies.  And, happily, Sloan's napping has finally reached the 1 hour mark pretty regularly, so I have had the opportunity to do so.  I thought about working while he was sleeping, or cleaning, or organizing, but no I have settled into my cozy craft room, and barely left.  Thank goodness Reg doesn't read my blog, because I employed tactics I was made aware of by a friend, - just move the vacuum from room to room, leave cleaning supplies in various spots, and voila! It will be assumed that I have been busy all day, and I can not be held responsible for what people assume.

Sloan had a busy month too - he moved out of his infant car seat into his big boy seat - which was bittersweet for me.  I like not hauling that arm breaking car seat around, but when it's cold out, it's been hard to bundle him up properly while we make the mad dash into the scrapbook store. 

And on the 15th - he said "Mom, I love you, you are the best Mom ever!" It was so sweet, others who have heard it thinks he says "Mom-Mom" or "Mom", but I know he really is saying the other, and it melts my heart.

He also got his front 2 teeth on the 16th and 17th, only 14 weeks after getting his bottom 2, I was starting to think he wasn't going to get any more teeth.  I was tickling him while changing his diaper, and couldn't believe my eyes, I could see the teeth, although they weren't quite through, but there was no doubt, and he was giggling and smiling, and I honestly couldn't have said he was teething - quite the trooper.

I also started him on some different foods which has been fun - this kid loves Multi-grain and flax toast.  And he loves that he can feed himself.  And fruit cups (peaches are a favorite), and the cutest, is steamed carrot sticks that he attempts to dip in guacamole - it's adorable, but messy.  And already he knows to just lick the dip off, and leave the carrot...Drew must have taught him that one.

He's really enjoying playing with his toys now, and will sit happily on the living room toy and bang away at his piano for a long time, actually any music brings a big smile to his face.

His favorite time of day is bath time, he will spend as much time as I will let him in the bath tub (the kitchen sink, he actually doesn't like the big tub), and is quite happy to eat blueberries, play with his toys, and has learned to turn the water off (things will change when he learns to turn it on trust me).

Is that not the cutest little butt you have ever seen?

And no, he's not crawling, not scooting, has little interest in rolling (unless he's on his tummy, then his interest is very high), he's just very content to sit and play.  And if you are willing to help him stand he's all over that.

Love,  Julie

Sloan Moves Out

I have been giggling away to myself for the last couple of weeks, reading Facebook posts by Moms who are still pregnant, stressing out that the baby's room isn't ready yet. I've been giggling because Sloan's room isn't ready yet either, and I guess it's either laugh or cry.

At 7 months old, his crib was tucked into the corner of what used to be our room, but suspciously has turned into Sloan's room.  And at the 7 1/2 month old mark, on a whim, on Sunday morning, I decided it was time to make the move.   And voila! 10 minutes later, the move was complete, the door hung back up.

It might have been too easy,  I started to anticipate a  meltdown due to the big move.  His crib had  moved 7 feet,  through a wall, and right into the room we had spent most of his waking time -  I was prepared for sleepless nights, and to end up with a baby tucked right in beside me at night.  (I might have even been looking forward to a little cuddling).  What did I get?  Nothing.  There was no disruption in sleep, and in fact even his naps got a little longer, and all of a sudden his 11 hours of sleep at night turned into 12.  But did I decorate his room?  Did I give into the fact, that my baby didn't need me at night?  No way.  I kept his clothes in my dresser, and I kept the filing cabinet and bookshelf in his room, I changed nothing else.  For 6 weeks.

Finally this past weekend, I decorated hit room, Sloan's "Nursery" is finally ready for him! 

I am very lucky to have some very talented people in Sloan's life, so many of these things were handmade for Sloan, it's quite the cozy room thanks to their efforts.

Cheryl Morison quilted this cowboy cozy blanket for Sloan.

My Auntie Mona actually made this toybox for Blake, and I never got around to finishing it, it was high time I did something with it!  A lady whose work I LOVE in Pennsylvania, made this cupboard, and when I was down there last year,  I organized a skid of baby furniture, (thanks Terry for hauling it home for me), and I let the shopping commence.

  I love the built in toy box on the bottom, another handcrafted piece from Pennsylvania.

My friend Don, made this change table for Sloan...and did such a great job. It's the sturdiest change table I have ever seen, and I love the "S".  Don also made this shelf for his wall.  Don's arrangment with me, is he builds, I paint, so I've been busy painting.

This is antique desk I also found in Pennsylvania, now when I put this on the skid for home...at 7 months pregnant, I got a few strange looks, as I explained it was for my baby.  And the truth be known, all the other pieces in the room where really painted to match this desk.

And just so I wasn't without a contribution to his room, I decorated up some wooden letters, and found a place for some scrapbook pages.

It's nice to finally have it all collected and together in one room.  Next step...to actually move his clothes out of our room...but I don't want to rush into anything ;)

Love,

Julie

Happy 2011!

In the midst of the Christmas Season, Sloan also hit the 8 month mark.  We were a few days late (gasp!)taking our monthly photos.   

He's showing no interest in crawling, he is happy to just sit on the floor, and if he can't reach a toy - oh well!  He's such a happy and content baby, nothing really gets under his skin, so it's hard to entice him move.  If I lay him on his tummy, he looks up at me, and rolls onto his back, usually within about 15 seconds.  I keep telling him, it's hard to learn to crawl on your back, but he just doesn't care.

Drew, on the other hand, is ready for him to crawl.  She has been giving him lessons and pointers to help out.  She has shown him that you have to be on your tummy, push up your front, then your bum, and move your legs and arms - She say's it's easy! But he just smiles at her too, and then rolls over.

I'm starting to wonder if he isn't more interested in walking than crawling, he really thinks he's quite something when he's standing, usually grinning from ear to ear.  And sometimes he locks his legs so much I can't get him to sit down. 

We all know how he loves to prove me wrong, but I'm going to say it anyway.  I vote for crawling over walking - he'll be lower to the ground, (for those of you who have been to my house, you know this would be easier to manage), making my "Don't touch Mommy's things" training a little easier.  Plus, crawling is so cute - I can already see the photo opportunities developing.

I've heard babies "scoot" sometimes first,  before crawling or walking.  So I got him a scooter! 

Ok, this was the photo studio's scooter, but he did get his first John Deere tractor for Christmas, a dinosaur, and a walker - and they are all broken!  I can make them go forwards, but for Sloan they only have reverse.  It's so cute.

I had a few moments to reflect on New Year's Eve - since we weren't busy doing anything else.  Four years ago, Reg & I travelled to Aspen, Colorado, and had the best week of skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, eating, and just hanging out with friends.  We rang in the New Year with a fancy meal, and a big party.  The following year, we celebrated our wedding on New Year's Eve, we had 150 of our friends and family to ring in the New Year with - such a fun party.  Last year, Reg went to a party at Keith & Brenda's, while I stayed home sick (read: pregnant, tired etc).  And this year, we watched the ball drop in Times Square at 10:00, and were asleep by 10:18.  

One more confirmation that A Baby Changes Everything.

However, we also had the happiest little New Year's Baby to help us start 2011, and what could be better than that?

Love,  Julie

Sloan's First Christmas!

Christmas Eve was in the books, onto the excitement of Christmas morning.  After our guests had left, I double checked that "The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney (aka gas fireplace) with Care", made sure our milk and cookies were out for Santa,  and it was off to bed.

I had warned everyone, that as soon as Sloan was awake we would be on the road to the Tebb's.  You could expect us at around 6:30 or so, well wouldn't you just know it.  Christmas morning, Sloan slept in - until 7:30, normally I would have been tickled pink about this, but instead I was awake, and waiting.  I was considering for the first time in my life that perhaps it was ok to wake a sleeping baby.  But instead I showed real restraint and the second his eyes popped open, I roused Reg (who knew this would be so difficult?), and started tapping my foot, let's go people!  I phoned Mom & Dad, and we were off!  With 3 kids under the age of 10, I was sure we had missed Christmas.

I needn't worry.  Poor Sloan opened his Christmas gifts for 4 days, I couldn't help myself, and it's only fair it took 4 days to open them because it took at least that long to wrap them all.  And I have learned my lesson  (at least "officially"), buy a baby a baby gate, bowls, spoons, bibs, that's great - very practical, wrapping them for an 8 month old - moves them right into the impractical column.  And as Reg has pointed out to anyone who will listen, packing up all of our gifts, hauling them to Jodi & Brian's to open them, and then hauling them home...also  very impractical.  Reg also took this year to try and train me about Christmas - I heard the speech (lecture) a few times about how Sloan wouldn't know the difference, so we didn't need to buy him a lot, he didn't want the latest and greatest toy, so let it be...

Well bah humbug!  If nothing else this Christmas was for me!  I got to wrap, unwrap, shop, take pictures, decorate, sew and create "Baby's First Christmas" Julie style.  I complained to Reg that I hadn't realized I had married the Grinch, and Reg complained right back that he hadn't married Mrs. Claus either...Again Bah Humbug!! Bring it on!
I videoed pretty much the whole thing, and here is our entire Christmas Morning - just kidding!!  I did video a lot, but I think perhaps a few photos will tell the story just the same.

Handsome Kolt in his new Smithbilt hat!

Jake's new kobo - he loves it!

Mom opening her stocking

I had searched for a Baby's First Christmas outfit for Sloan, but when you wear 18 - 24 month clothing, they assume you have already had your first Christmas, so we went with some Christmas bibs instead.

Sloan, ripping paper, wondering why I need his picture I think!

After we had finished opening our gifts, and had eaten some breakfast, I took Sloan home for a nap (we both had one), and while we were gone, The Men's battle began!  Jake got a new NHL game board, and this scene was to be repeated a few times Christmas Day, the player trades, team management,  hockey games...all serious stuff!

Here is Sloan, and Jodi listening to the board game antics...

Christmas night we had dinner at our house.  Uncle Gerry & Auntie Caryl joined us, and we had a big  meal (I should mention, Mom, Jodi, and Auntie Caryl are the cooks), Sloan was ready to eat!

After dinner, while the men did the clean up and dishes (oops, sorry slipped into my fantasy world for a second there) , I mean played the board game, we took a few last photos.

Normally I am a very serious Boxing Day shopper, but this year, Sloan had work to do first, he slept in - again, this time until 8:00, and then opened a few gifts, before we headed out.

I hope you all had as much on fun on Christmas as we did, and the best part? Only 364 days to go...

Love,  Julie

Christmas Eve

When we were growing up Christmas Eve was held at my Grandma and Grandpa Giles' house west of Airdrie, and it was always a special night.  We would head out there in the afternoon have a big family meal, hang out with our cousins, and usually I could convince them to participate in a Christmas Caroling/Talent show before the night was done.  Then it was home to prepare for the chaos and pure excitement of Christmas morning.

As we got older, and people got busier the group for Christmas Eve started to dwindle, and so Grandma started to change the date to accomodate more of us.  I never missed a Christmas Eve at Grandma's, seven years ago we lost my Grandma; she was in the middle of cooking Christmas dinner for us (although it was December 10), when she suffered a brain aneurysm.  She passed quickly, and while it was a terrible shock for those of us left behind, I know it was how she would have wanted it.

The following year, in an attempt to hold onto this family tradition I offered (read "Insisted) to host Christmas Eve at my house.  We had to "Julieize" it a bit, so no big fancy dinner, instead we have appetizers (as in bring your own),  we hang out for the evening, play a gift exchange game, and usually have a good visit.  It has become our tradition, and I love it.

Sloan missed a good portion of the evening this year, as he was tucked away in bed by 7, but this is a tradition I will carry on for him, so he can have the same family memories of Christmas Eve that I hold in my heart.

This year to make it a little more fun, for the  kids, we set up a cookie decorating station.  Denise was left in the kid room to supervise, because all that icing, all those sprinkles, and all those kids....clearly needs supervision.  They decorated up their cookies, and were all so excited to take them home for Santa. 

This is a good pairing, as Kolt & Austin, were both keen to get right down to work.

This cookie decorating is serious business... the room was quite quiet the whole time, and check out the expressions on the kids faces...

I really wish I had taken an "after" photo of the cookies, this was the in the early stages, by the end there was no cookie to be seen, and sugar, icing, and candies pilled into little mountains.  I hope Santa had his toothbrush handy or he surely will have some new cavities to contend with...

For some reason,  I have no other photos to share from Christmas Eve, I should have pictures of people laughing, visiting, eating and drinking, but don't worry, I've got plenty from Christmas Day - coming your way!

Love,  Julie