1st Hair Cut!

Today Blake had his first hair cut!! Cal had an appointment so afterwards Blake also got his hair cut! It went really well :) He sat very still for the majority of the time. Towards the end he started moving around a bit so I gave him his soother to keep him still until Livia was done!! He looks so different - more like a little boy! The hair stylist put some of his hair together with a piece of tape at the end in a Ziploc bag with her business card and the date and time of the appointment written on the back of the card! I of course took lots of pictures! I posted an after shot. Blake slept over at Grandma's house last night. He was an angel for her!! She brought him back home this morning and then we all went out for brunch. Cal and I went to Eric and Christa's for dinner, then to a movie, and then we went back to their house and finished watching the hockey game and watched another movie. We got home around 1 am and I woke up this morning at 8:30! I was quite surprised! I thought for sure I'd wake up at 6:30!! But I was very tired and not feeling too great, so I needed the sleep! It was very odd laying in bed and not having to get up!!! Blake is usually my alarm clock and I pop right out of bed! So I laid in bed until 9:30 ish!! It was nice, but we really missed Blake too! It was great to see his face light up when he saw us this morning :) Oh, I also forgot to post last time that Blake's 8th tooth broke through on Thursday! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! Take care!

What Did Your Dad Teach You??!

So today I am getting Blake's supper ready in the kitchen and I hear him chattering away and I think to myself, "He sounds really close. He must be at the bottom of the stairs!" So I turn around to go see and he is not at the bottom of the stairs he is ON the stairs!! He started climbing up the stairs and got to the 3rd one from the bottom! I couldn't believe it! But then I could - Cal's been showing him how to climb the stairs for the past few days! Looks like Cal's a good teacher! LOL! I have a really cute picture of him smiling up at me from the stairs that I'll post tomorrow! Thank goodness he didn't fall back. He's so fast now. I put him down in one spot and as soon as I turn around he's across the room! He loves getting something he doesn't think he should have and scooting away from me! Sometimes he'll be moving along and I'll say, "Blake! Give that to Mom." He'll roll over onto his side look at me, laugh and trucker' away from me as fast as he can!! It's too cute not to laugh! We have so much fun! Our Easter long weekend was great. We went for lunch with Eric and Christa on Friday and to the park. Blake went on the slide and the swing! It got pretty windy though so we weren't there for too long. On Sunday morning we went to church, then to Stony Plain. We stopped by Lesley, Gerry and Colby's house for a visit and to wish them a Happy Easter! We hadn't seen Colby for a few weeks and I really noticed a difference in him! He's so cute and such a little character!! He has that look about him of a very wise soul!! Colby's cousin Landon came over too and we took some pictures of the 3 boys. The last time they were together was when Colby first came home from the hospital. It was great to see them all! Then we went to my Mom and Dad's for Easter dinner. It was very yummy and Blake had fun opening his treats from the Stony Plain Easter Bunny and playing with Grandma and Grandpa!! He had a bath there and then fell asleep on the car ride home. But when we got home he was quite upset! I finally have him some gripe water (I usually give him Oval, but we were out!) and boy did he stink up the room!! Obviously he had an upset tummy! So after he got that out of his system he was fine. Took awhile to figure out what was wrong though! (I'm sure he'll love reading about that when he's older! Ha!) On Monday we went shopping at West Ed and saw Cal's sister Carmen and her kids. We hadn't seen them for awhile and they have all grown like weeds! Kourtney is almost taller then me! I'm sure she will be before the end of summer! Dylan is also very tall! And Kerri and Kailey are growing so fast! They're pretty close to walking! They are all going to St. Lucia for a wedding in a few weeks. I'm sure they will have their hands full with those twins but will have a great time! On Tuesday Cal, Blake and I went to our last Baby Laptime class and then to the day home for a visit. As usual, Blake had fun playing with the toys and watching the other kids. I took him there on Wednesday as well. Next week I am going to leave him there for lunch a couple of days and then possibly for his afternoon nap one day. He seems to feel comfortable there so that's good. I'm so glad that I'm going back to work 2 days a week to start. I think it will be a great transition. So tonight (Thursday) Blake and I are staying overnight at my Mom's. We came out to Stony this afternoon. We dropped by my Mom's work for her coffee break and then went to Colby's for a quick visit before supper! Tomorrow night Blake is sleeping over at my parents house all by himself. He has to get used to going to bed in the playpen. For some reason he's not liking it too much! He doesn't have a problem taking naps in the playpen, but bedtime is trouble! It took 45 min. to get him to sleep in it tonight so I'm hoping tomorrow will be easier for my Mom! She's all by herself because my Dad is visiting in Saskatchewan. But we thought we'd better leave him one night before we leave him for three when we go to San Francisco. So that's what is new with us! The weather hasn't been too much above zero but hopefully it will start getting up there!! Hope everyone had a great Easter!

Luv Tracy

Happy Easter!

We are looking forward to Blake's first Easter! The Easter Bunny has been busy preparing and can't wait to see him find his basket!! We are going to church Sunday morning and then heading to Mom and Dad's for dinner. The Easter Bunny is apparently visiting their house as well! We're also looking forward to Cal's 5 days off. Friday and Monday are stat. holidays for Cal and Monday was supposed to be his E.D.O. (earned day off) so he gets Tuesday instead! We have some things to do around the house but other than that and Sunday we don't have any plans. Just hangin' out! Hopefully the weather will be nice and we can go for a couple of walks. Blake, Heidi and I went for a walk today but the wind was a bit chilly. We hope everyone has a Happy Easter and a wonderful long weekend!

Love Cal, Tracy & Blake

Doing Better!!

So after numerous attempts Blake is now drinking formula from a bottle - straight up!! None of Mom's milk in the mix! When he first started taking it I was mixing 3 oz. of my milk with the formula, then I went down to 2 oz. and then none. I tried Enfamil and Good Start and in the end Good Start prevailed!! I'm still nursing him in the morning before breakfast. He takes a bottle at lunch and at supper time. If he has a snack he drinks water from his cup. I still struggle (inside!) with giving him formula but it's getting better and I know I have no choice! So anyways, there should be no issues for Grandma and Grandpa when we go on holidays April 6th! And therefore, I am now truly looking forward to our vacation! At certain points during the last few weeks, I've thought we should bring Blake with us. But it will only be 4 days, 3 nights and we'll all have a great time - Cal and I in San Francisco and Blake in Stony Plain! I'm very excited to get out of Alberta for a few days! And I can't wait for the shopping! Or the ball game, or Alcatraz, or the seafood, or possibly sleeping in?! My maternity leave is coming to an end. I proposed to my new job going back to work 2 days a week in April, then 4 days a week in May. They accepted and so I start on April 14th. I'll be working Mondays and Wednesdays until May 6th, when I will work Tuesday to Friday that week and then start Monday to Thursday the following week. I'm working Tuesday to Friday the one week so I can have May 5th (Blake's birthday) off! Cal is also off that day so it will be nice spend it together! I'm thinking we should go swimming or something. I'm not too worried about going back on April 14th because it is only 2 days a week. I'm actually looking forward to my new position and the new challenges that will come! I've been in the same job for almost 6 years so a change is welcome! But when I go back 4 days a week, I am a bit worried! I'm worried about how I will get everything done. We'll be pretty rushed after work. Blake goes to bed so early, that it will be come home, feed Blake supper, bath Blake, put Blake to bed and then Cal and I will likely crash on the couch!! At least it will still be early at that point! LOL! But I'm sure Blake's schedule will change, due to getting up earlier and napping at someone else's house, etc. We'll just wait and see how it changes! If worst comes to worst I'll hire a house keeper :) Right Cal!? Cal is off Good Friday, Easter Monday and Tuesday so Tuesday we are all going to the day home for a visit. Then on Thursday I am going to drop Blake off at the day home for a few hours, at which time I am going for a pedicure!! Yay! Then the following week I will drop him off for a few hours a couple of days and hopefully by the time April 14th rolls around he will be accustomed to being there. I was writing out our schedule for Karen (the "day home lady") last week and most weeks Blake will only be there 3 days, due to long weekends and Cal's Monday's off. I'm really happy about that! 3 days a week is what I'd like to optimally work!! Maybe after the next baby! And no it is not on it's way yet!!!!! Blake is motoring ALL over the place now. He even goes on all 4's but then flops down to his stomach and "army crawls". I think he figures it's faster - and boy can he be fast! Especially when he wants something, i.e. Heidi's toys! Speaking of Heidi - you should see Blake and Heidi play! It's awesome! She lays by him and he holds her rope out to her and she gingerly takes it from him and then he grabs it back (all while laughing hysterically), etc, etc, etc! It is so cute. I'm going to try and get some video of it this week. Some other things he enjoys doing are pulling the heat registers out of the floor, spilling water out of the bowl, pulling at snags in the carpet, picking up the smallest things from the floor and stuffing them into his mouth, and chasing after Jazz! Blake is also becoming very difficult to change. He doesn't sit still for long and it is almost a 2 person job! Oh the joys of a child on the move! It is awesome though because for awhile there he was getting frustrated with wanting to get something and not being able to move to it. Anyways, I need to go make myself some lunch! Take care everyone :)

Luv Tracy

Weaning sucks!!

I know this may sound odd but I really don't want to wean Blake :( I'm not sure what it is, possibly that my baby is growing up!! I'm sure it sounds weird, especially if you haven't nursed your children! Like I've said in previous posts ... I have trouble letting go!! I just want what's best for him. He did finally take a full bottle of formula today from Cal :) Thank goodness, because we leave for San Francisco in 4 weeks and I might return to work in 5! I did get the job in Fort Saskatchewan, so I'm pretty excited about that! It's 4 days a week, Monday to Thursday, 8 - 4:15. And every 2nd Monday Cal has off, so Blake will be at the day home 4 days a week one week and 3 days a week the next. The day home is on my way to Fort Sask. so everything in that area is falling into place! Hopefully tomorrow I will talk to the right person and get a start date. Right now it's looking like I'll start 2 days a week April 14th, and then 4 days a week in May. That should help ease Blake into the day home as well. On a sadder note, Jazz is still at the vet and not doing so great. He was catheterized yesterday and overnight he tore the catheter out. We went to see him today and he looked a little rough. He was shaking, but we spent some time with him and by the end he was purring. I felt really bad leaving him. I hope he will get better soon and be able to come home. I'll never complain about his hair all over the house again!! We all miss him! Including Heidi - she's a bit lost. I can't believe I wrote 2 posts in one day - I'm such a geek!! LOL!

Tracy

Weigh-in!

Blake and I went to the Mom, Pop and Tots fair on Friday at the Sportex. We had a lot of fun! I wish I would have brought my camera because there was a petting zoo. Blake seemed to enjoy it! He petted a baby goat, bunny and guinea pig! We also saw roosters, chickens, and horses!! Blake also enjoyed sampling the newest kid's yogurt on the market, as well as a smoothie made with homogenized milk! LOL! I thought it was neat that he could enjoy the samples!! After the fair, I took Blake to the health unit for a weigh-in. He was 18, 7 and 3/4 lbs and 28.5" long. The scale at the health unit is different from the scale at the doctor's office but I'm not sure which one Blake usually weighs more on! At his 9 month dr. appt. he was 18 lbs 2 oz, 28" long. So hopefully he's gained a bit of weight!! As of last week, he is officially in his new car seat. It's working great! I think it's more comfortable than the other one. Last week we also lowered his crib to the lowest setting. It looks like a whole new bed now! For some reason it looks bigger to me?! Blake is all over the place now. I'm finding I can't look away or he's into something - pulling the heat registers out, spilling a bowl of water, chewing on Heidi's toys! He's getting to be a pro at the army crawl! When we sit him down it isn't long before he's on his stomach moving! I usually sit him down near his toys on one side of the family room and before long he's over on the other side playing with Heidi's toys! Apparently he prefers the dog's toys over his toys! Ha, ha, ha! Last week, I also brought my Mom to the day home I was interested in to get her opinion! It passed the Grandma test and I reserved Blake's spot! I think Blake will really enjoy going there. There is a 2 yr old girl, a 4 yr old girl and a 5 yr old boy (who goes to Kindergarten in the afternoons). She's not taking any other kids because she likes to have time to spend with them and enjoys taking them for walks and to the park (which is pretty hard to do with 6 kids). Blake seems pretty comfortable with her already and he's only met her twice. She's a great person and has been doing this for 11 yrs. When I know when I'm returning to work, I will start visiting the day home weekly and sort of break him (and probably mostly myself!) into leaving for the whole day!! Since I don't know when I'm going back to work yet, we will reserve Blake's spot for March and then April if we have to. I will hopefully hear from Fort Sask. this week. I also have an interview on Tuesday. That is what's new with us!! Hope everyone is well and enjoying this beautiful weather!! Take care :)

Tracy

Busy Weekend!!

This weekend was very eventful!! On Friday night after Cal got home from work we headed to Stony Plain to stay overnight at my parents house. Cal curled in a fun spiel with my Dad in Spruce Grove on Saturday. He had a lot of fun and did really well!! Mom, Blake and I went to watch a few games, had lunch with a family friend and then while Blake took his afternoon nap Mom and I made cards for our card club next Sunday. Then we went to the Spruce Grove curling rink for the dinner and awards banquet. Blake fell asleep on the way home to Edmonton and I carefully transferred him to his crib for the night!! Today, we were up and at em' early! Cal ran in the Hypothermic Half Marathon this morning. We were at the Highlands golf course at 8:00 a.m. It was colder then we expected so Blake and I dropped Cal off at the start line and went for coffee (Blake didn't have any)! We then drove back and watched Cal start (from inside the car) and drove to a few different spots on the race course to cheer him on and take pictures. Then we went to Walmart for a few minutes and came back and met Cal at the finish line! It was so cold outside for Blake and I, but Cal didn't feel too cold! He did so good and I am so proud of him! I had tears in my eyes seeing him come down the home stretch! He ran 21.1 km in 2 hours, 2 minutes. Really good - especially for his 1st 1/2 marathon!! There was a brunch at the golf course afterwards which we enjoyed with some of the people in Cal's Running Room clinic. After the brunch we headed home and rested for a bit and then Blake and I went to our friends house for New Mom's Group. A lot of the Mom's have gone back to work so we decided to meet on a weekend once a month to catch up with everyone. I was really tired and not sure if I wanted to go, but I am glad we did. Blake had fun with all his friends! It's nice when they're all near the same age and can play together. Oh, last night before I went to bed I went into Blake's room to check on him and he was sleeping on his stomach. It was so adorable! His legs were kind of splayed out and he just looked so cute. He did it again tonight so maybe that's how he's going to sleep now. On another note, I feel drained just from thinking about how I'm going to wean Blake. Blake's pediatrician said I could just wean him to homo milk, but after reading more about it, talking to friends, etc. I was very hesitant to do that. So now I'm going to use formula for 2 months until he is 1 and then slowly introduce homo milk. I think it will be better. I've read all sorts of things about milk being hard on their little tummies, especially breast fed babies because breast milk is the easiest for them to digest and best for their tummies, etc. So the formula will be like a transition I'm thinking. So this week I will be cutting back from 4 feedings a day to 3 and 1 bottle. We'll see if he'll take it!! Then week by week I will slowly completely wean him. To be honest I'm still not crazy about giving him formula either but I think it's the best choice for the situation. He's getting too big :( I'm totally one of those Mom's who has trouble letting go! I'll be a terrible mother-in-law!! Anyways, I have written way too much here :) Hope everyone is well!

Luv Tracy