Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all Dad's and Grandpa's!! It is Cal's 2nd Father's Day! We gave him part of his gift on Thursday, because it was a large Running Room gym bag and I thought he could use it for Boot Camp Friday morning!! The other half of his gift, a new pair of running shorts, are back ordered! So he'll get them in a week or so. When Cal picked Blake up from Karen's on Thursday, she gave him a Father's Day gift Blake had made! It is a tile finger painted with a picture of Blake in the corner. It's protected with a clear coat so you can put a coffee mug on it or something! Cal took it to work on Friday. We were going to have my parents and Cal's Dad over for supper tonight, but we were all too tired from the weekend. We spent the whole weekend with my Dad and had breakfast together this morning, so that's good! Hopefully we'll talk to Cal's Dad tonight. He's busy around the farm on weekends and outside most of the time, so not easy to catch on the phone!! Blake's 1 yr. immunizations on Thursday were not nearly as bad as I thought they'd be! PHEW!! I thought they'd be much worse because he's older and more aware and there were 3 needles. The first two, one in the arm and one in the leg, didn't even elicit a cry! The third one was one he hadn't had before. It was in the arm and the nurse said it stings. He cried for a few seconds, but that was it! Now he goes back for more immunizations at 18 months and then not again until 4 YEARS (other than the yearly flu shot)!!! That will be a nice break :) Blake weighed in at 23 lbs. 5 oz. (25th percentile) and 29 3/4" (50th percentile). I can't remember what his head circumference was, but it was in the 50th percentile too! At the immunizations we mentioned to the nurse that Blake's right ear was very hot and he was pulling at it. She said it sounds like an ear infection and we should take him to the doctor. So after the immunization appointment I took him to my doctor, but thankfully it wasn't an ear infection. I'm worried that now that he's had one, he's going to get a lot. Camping was great this weekend. It's so nice to get out of the city! It didn't rain, but it was quite windy at times. Elk Island National Park is gorgeous. There are a lot of walking and biking trails and a beautiful beach. On a hot day the beach would be very nice! Blake came down with a cold on Saturday night. Poor little guy. He's soooo stuffed up. I hope an ear infection doesn't follow the cold. I'm glad he's home with Cal tomorrow. Hopefully he'll be feeling better on Tuesday when he goes back to Karen's. On Thursday night Cal and I are going on a date! We're going for dinner and then to Cirque de Soleil. We loved the show we saw in Vegas, so thought we'd check out the one coming to Edmonton! My Mom is babysitting Blake. On Friday Blake and I are heading to Stony in the morning to meet baby Danielle. Danielle was born on June 9 to family friends Erica and Dion Gillam. She looks really cute in all the pictures I've seen and we're excited to meet her! Have a great week everyone!

Luv Tracy

1 Year Pic's and 12 years?!

We finally have Blake's 1 year photo's!! It took awhile to get them back, but they were definitely worth the wait!! I LOVE them! Rose does such an amazing job! I will post a couple on here. Yesterday Blake and I went swimming and for lunch with Renee and Kaeden. We had a lot of fun! Blake sure loves the water. He's a little fish and not afraid at all!! I can't wait for our week at the cabin. It's going to be so much fun! This morning Blake and I met Lesley and Colby. We did some shopping and then had lunch. It was nice to hang out with them! Cal is at their house today helping Gerry drywall their basement. Tomorrow my Mom and sister are coming over for a visit and then we're all going out for supper to celebrate Lindsay's birthday (which was on May 27th). On Thursday Blake has his 1 yr. immunizations. We're not looking forward to that appointment! I think they just get worse and worse each time :( I feel so terrible holding him down ... it sucks!!! But it has to be done. On the brighter side, Friday we are heading out camping!! YAY! We're going to Elk Island National Park. It will be great to get out in our trailer again and celebrate Father's Day in the great outdoors :) Now this is something I have a hard time believing - 12 years ago today Cal and I started dating! 12 YEARS!! OMG - where has the time gone?? Guess time flies when you're having fun?! Have a wonderful weekend and week ahead!

Luv Tracy

Fun-filled weekends!!

Ever since I went back to work, we've been having the best weekends!! I guess we work hard during the week and play hard on the weekends :) Blake and I love our Fridays together, then Cal's off Saturday and Sunday and every 2nd Monday! On Friday Blake and I met some of our New Mom's group buddies at the YMCA indoor playground. It was a blast! We haven't seen them for awhile so it was great to see everyone. Blake loved the playground, especially the tunnel system they have! At first he was sticking his arm in the tunnel and reaching for the kids climbing through and then peering through the holes and then he decided to crawl through the tunnel. I actually had to pull him out! He would go from one end to the next and back again! It was so funny! I'd go up to the holes in the side and say "Peek a boo!" and he'd giggle and keep going! We may have to get something like that for our back yard. So far, the only "large" outdoor toy we have is a sandbox our neighbours gave us! On Saturday we all went for a bike ride and then to the park. It was a beautiful day. We bought new bike helmets last week, so we got to try them out! Blake looked so cute with his on, but it was kind of in the way, because when he leaned back in the bike trailer his helmet pushed forward over his eyes. We'll have to figure that out, because I think he should be wearing a helmet. Blake loved the park. He loves swinging and Cal had him going pretty high! I forbid the under duck though. LOL! On Saturday afternoon my Mom and Dad came in and picked Blake and I up. They got a car seat for their car, which is very handy! Blake and I went out to their house and then Cal came out after his Saturday afternoon poker game. It was my Mom and Dad's 28th year anniversary yesterday, so we had an awesome bbq at their house to celebrate! It was another gorgeous day - we played outside and then ate dinner outside too! This morning we did some running around and then some yard work and when Blake wakes up from his nap we're going for a wagon ride! Tomorrow Cal and Blake are home together all day, so who knows what they'll be up to?! I'm guessing it will involve a walk or a bike ride at one time during the day! All week last week Blake woke up 30 - 45 min. earlier than usual and I'm thinking it may be because the sun is rising earlier. I'm not sure, but we're going to hang a heavy blanket over his window tonight and see if the darker room in the morning makes a difference. I know the "sleep bible" I read and swear by says that if they're waking up too early you should try to put them to bed earlier, but for crying out loud!!! How early should he go to bed?! I really think it's the sun, but we'll see! Although the sun shining bright doesn't prevent him from falling asleep? Hmmm... I'll let you know if the blanket over the window works! We hope everyone enjoyed the weather this weekend!! Have a great week :)

Cal, Tracy & Blake

How long's this one been there??!

Today I discovered Blake has another tooth!! On the top in the far back left hand side. It looks to be through almost all the way so it must have came through awhile ago!! The only way I saw it was because he was laying in the grass and laughing hard at me tickling him! So I looked in his mouth and was quite surprised. I don't even know how to chart these teeth in his baby book anymore because I don't quite know where they are. This one is so far back it might be a molar? I don't know!? Oh well I guess! At least I got the first ten charted :) Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! The weather has been alright. I got some pots and flowers planted Friday night and today so I'm quite happy :) I love gardening and today Blake "helped" out!!! It was fun!

Take care,

Tracy

1st Camping Trip of the year!

We had a great time on May long weekend at Cross lake! The weather was gorgeous, the campground was really nice, we had lots of fun and it was awesome to have our own camper!! I'm sure my Mom, Dad, Lindsay and Jeremy would agree! No early morning Blake wake up calls! LOL! Blake had a blast and was so good. He woke up a few times the first night and then seemed to be used to the trailer and actually slept longer than usual the second night!! He played and played and played during the day and ate and ate and ate!!! He was so hungry - I think it must have been all the fresh air! We did a little bit of fishing with my sister and Jeremy in their boat, but I didn't catch anything :( Cal did on the second day though :) It was fun and nice to get out on the lake! We already have another 5 camping trips planned for the summer, a trip to the Calgary zoo, and 1 week at the family cabin in Saskatchewan planned!! Looks like it will be a fun summer :) I discovered this week that Blake has 2 new teeth! 2 bottom eye teeth. The teeth count is up to 10! It's getting harder and harder to feel for his teeth though, because he bites down as soon as I put my finger in his mouth! It's equally as hard to brush his teeth! Blake is now completely on homo milk. We weaned him slowly from formula, one scoop at a time! Next up, weaning him from the bottle! That should be interesting ... On the walking front, Blake is so close, but just won't let go!! We even give him a finger to hold and he can walk along, but as soon as we let go he stands there and then quickly sits down. It's kinda funny! I say he's just really smart :) Blake is saying "Mom" and "Dad" very clearly and sometimes at appropriate times, but it's hard to know if he is actually associating the word with Cal or I or if he's just saying it!? I don't know, but I do know I love hearing it!! And he's still mimicking us. His favorite these days is a monkey - eee, ooo, aaa! Cal likes to "monkey around" with him! LOL! Tomorrow we have our last Baby Laptime of the spring. We may register for it again in the fall, but we'll see. We hope everyone had a great May long weekend and enjoys the upcoming weekend. Hopefully we'll get some sun! Take care!

Luv Tracy

Happy Mother's Day!!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I came home from Karen's on Thursday with a home made card and potted plant that Blake "made" for me for Mother's Day!!! It was very sweet :) I worked on Friday, so my Mom watched Blake and took him to Fun For Ones at the library! On Saturday we had Blake's 1 yr. photo's with Rose. They went okay, but she earned every penny!! Blake was not a cooperative model! But she did get some really great shots and I can't wait to see them. After pictures, we dropped Blake off at my Mom and Dad's house. Cal and I went to Pigeon Lake to look at a travel trailer - which we ended up buying!! We then went back to Stony and had supper at my Mom and Dad's. My Aunty Karen was in town so we got to visit with her and my cousin Jeanine and Ryann!! I was glad we got to see them! It was Lesley's birthday the next day, so we stopped by Gerry and Lesley's house for a visit. The boys both needed a bath so we put them in the tub together! It was pretty funny!! On Mother's Day we had a relaxing day. Cal got up with Blake in the morning and I slept in! Then my Mom and Dad came over, we went for a walk and when Blake went for a nap, Mom and I went shopping and brought Chinese food back for supper! The rest of the week has been spent getting the trailer ready for the upcoming long weekend. Cal and my Dad picked the trailer up on Monday evening and we've been spending the evenings filling it! LOL! We're very excited to try it out! I am a bit concerned about Blake camping and crawling. I thought he could wear his Carhartt overalls and jean overalls but the temperatures are supposed to be in the +20's so I think it may be too hot for overalls!! Maybe I should put some knee pads on him?! Blake has been working hard at cutting another tooth for awhile now and I felt it tonight. It is so close to coming through. It's sure been a long time coming. But I've heard the eye teeth are tough and that's just one of them! We're heading to the lake tomorrow afternoon and will be back on Monday! Have a great long weekend everyone :)

Cal, Tracy & Blake

Thank you!!!

Thank you so much everyone for all of the birthday wishes, gifts and greetings! We have such wonderful family and friends. Blake had fun at his birthday party and on his actual birthday!! Although I think he was a bit overwhelmed at the party at times! There were a few "dinosaurs" loose in the house!!! The party was a dinosaur theme and a few of the little boys transformed into dinosaurs to fit in with the theme! LOL! We had 9 kids in the house and 16 adults! It was a very full house! I thought that Blake would be up late, but he started to appear very tired around 6 pm, so I gave him a bath and thought I'd lay him down but he'd be up again because it was pretty noisy in the house and he'd just consumed a lot of cake, icing and ice cream!! But surprisingly he was out like a light! And I didn't hear from him until the next morning. He was tuckered right out!! Cal and I were both off on Monday and we had a fantastic day with Blake. We went swimming in the morning and had an absolute blast! Blake loves the water so much!! And it was nice that Cal and I were both there, because we took turns going on the water slides!!! It was a lot of fun! Afterwards we went to Booster Juice. Cal and I had a booster juice while Blake had a little snack! Then we went home for lunch and Blake had a nap. After his nap he opened his presents from us and then my Mom and Dad came over for supper. I didn't know what Blake's favorite dinner would be for his birthday so I made a roast with mashed potatoes and carrots (he loves carrots!)! And then of course, we had MORE cake! And boy does Blake ever love cake!! Today at Karen's they had a little party for him too and Karen said when she gave him the cupcake he tried to stuff the whole thing in his mouth!! I was so happy to hear they had a little celebration for him. I thought that was really sweet! They also gave him a little gift! She's so great! So that wraps up his birthday festivities! Yesterday I kept saying to Cal, at this time last year I was .... counting contractions, wondering if I should go to the hospital, going to the hospital, walking laps around the unit, puking, in major pain, in the shower, slipping in the shower, getting an epidural, delivering, Cal cutting the umbilical cord, holding and feeding Blake for the first time, watching Blake under the warmer, etc, etc, etc! I was remembering every wonderful moment! It's so very hard to believe it was a year ago. Children really do speed up time and change your life. We loved him before he was born, and I knew life would change, but what I didn't understand was how strongly you feel that love for your child and how your heart breaks into a million little pieces when your baby is sick or hurt or how proud you are when they do something for the first time. It is wonderful and scary all at the same time! Life will never be the same and I wouldn't want it any other way :)