No Water Fear

So happy to play with the Muffin Man when the workday was over. I sat him at the side of the pool with his feet in. Right away Declan started kicking his feet in the water, laughing and squealing. Auntie T sat down with him so I could get my swim suit on and grab Declan's trunks. 

Put Declan in his baby floaty with some toys and he couldn't be happier. He sunk in the floaty far enough that the water was up to his shoulders. He played with his toys and with his cousins. Such a happy guy. No fear at all. He leaned back with his feet up then dropped his feet down in the water to turn his floaty. Took him out of the floaty and tossed him in the air a few times. He was laughing every time he hit the water. Then I placed him on the stairs in the shallow end. He tried crawling up, he stood in the water and then he leaned toward me, off the stair into the water. No fear.

He had a great time in the water for almost an hour. His little lips were turning purple and his hands and feet were all pruned.

Tomorrow perhaps it's time he tries the life jacket pool time.

Observant & Independant

My little monkey has a good eye on the world around him. He's always watching and often imitates what he sees. This morning when he was home with Daddy he got his hands on a paper plate. Sitting cross legged he put his snacks on the plate and quietly proceeded to eat from the plate. Funny, if we give him a plate with food on it he usually dumps the food off the plate but here, on his own terms Declan shows us that he learned what the plate is for and uses it properly.

So envious of Daddy being home with Declan for the day, I requested a picture. What I got was a sweet photo of Declan on his tippy toes. Daddy says Declan was working out his calf muscles, getting ready for what was going to be "the best summer ever"! (Phineus & Ferb reference in case it wasn't obvious).

Squirrelly

During breakfast this morning Declan had a cereal bar. He broke it down into tiny pieces. Some he ate. The remainder he started slipping down beside him when he thought I wasn't looking. 

That's right. He was stashing away little chucks of his breakfast.

Then this afternoon Declan and I drove down to visit Gramma and Poppa. On the drive there I gave Declan a container of snacks. When we arrived I opened the back door to get Declan out of his car seat to find that other than a mere few snacks he actually ate on the way there, he'd stashed the entire container of treats down in the side of his baby seat. He's squirreling away food for later. Little stinker.

Two days ago we did away with the sleep sack. Now Declan goes down with a cozy blankie. We tuck him in good...and he giggles when we do, but he sleeps well and he's even rolling over and sleeping on his side and belly at times. Growing up too fast.

Monkey Talk

Sent Tyler a text at 8:30pm asking what he was doing since Declan would already be in bed.

He said he was laying in bed listening to Declan tell stories to Monkey. One of the best things is hearing him babble away through the baby monitor.

Oh.

And he says Declan might have been building something in bed.

Guess we will find out in the morning.

Whoa Splash Party

Came home to a bathroom full of excitement this evening. Daddy on his knees beside the tub and he's soaked. Declan was all smiles and giggles, arms waving, water flying everywhere. Our little man was having one crazy good time in the water of his bath this evening and Daddy was all evidence. Not a bad show for my arrival.

Snott Getting Everywhere

Such a monkey. 

Saying goodbye to Declan at daycare this morning. He was sitting with Kelly and both Ella and Ryan where next to him when I opened the door to leave...pouring rain. There I was, no umbrella, hair done, about to head off to work. I looked back at the three little ones and holding the door wide asked "do you see this?"

Declan of course started laughing.

Such a monkey.

This evening when Declan was crawling about Daddy got down and crawled beside him. Declan turned his head to Daddy and gave him a kiss. 

He is precious.

But he is also snotty. 

Sooo snotty.

His nose is so running and he keeps wiping it all over his fists and then his face. Then he sneezes and its everywhere....

Sooooo snotty.

I Know You're Not Sleeping

Declan goes down to bed at 8pm on the dot. We turn on his music player and it plays lullabies until 8:20pm.

Then we can hear over the monitor for another 20 minutes our little monkey is playing. He quite easily pulls the teddy on his crib toy now. First you hear the sound of the pull followed by the soft chimes. This toy has flashing lights and propeller though so you know he's having baby dance club in his crib with pooh bear and tiger. We're on to you Declan.

So Chatty

I have no idea what he's going on and on about. Sometimes he's looking at me when he's babbling on, other times he's just babbling on to himself.

When we put him down to bed this evening we're pretty sure he said "night night Daddy". 

I did get a goodnight kiss at least.

Somebody Got Their Head Shaved

The Muffin Man had quite a mop head. Seems his hair grows fast like Mommy and Daddy's. It's also bone straight. So we decided perhaps it was time to shave his head. Had to set him up in the bathroom where Daddy used his electric razor to do the job. I had to hold the laptop for his viewing of a Phineus and Ferb episode to help keep him calm. Of course monkey was there to comfort him the entire time.

For My Little Man

Today was the last day as Manager of Smart Set in Hamilton. For you Mr. D I have changed job. I want to spend more time with you. I do not want to spend 90 minutes commuting every workday when I could spend them with you. 

I love you the most and I'm thrilled that our hours together will be more.

Smarty

This morning I bring Declan to daycare. As I'm about to get him out of the car I place his diaper bag on the trunk, open his door, lock the doors, put my keys in my left blazer pocket, unbuckle Declan, lift him out, shut his door, grab his diaper bag and head into Kelly's.

I set Declan down and put his bag with the other kids bags. I sit on the step and Declan turns around to see me. He sweetly crawls to me. Pulls himself up with my shoulders to a standing position, leans in, reaches over my left shoulder into my pocket and bam...he lifts my car keys. 

I can't believe he knew where to find them. Geeeeez. He's clever.

Oh He Wants What He Wants

This morning Declan was pretty active and having lots of fun playing. He really likes his drum sticks. So awesome, he knows how to hold them and he's pretty proud of himself. He did loose his balance at one point and fell. It was a bit awkward and he gently landed on his back. There were a few tears. I picked him up and made sure he had monkey. He sweetly snuggled into me and then just cuddled for a few minutes. The best few minutes of the day.

Our Muffin Man was a little overdue for his needles and because of this we have a local family Dr.

I brought Declan in just to register us all as new patients and they offered to do his appointment right then. Two needles in the leg and he didn't cry from them at all.

He did however scream and cry almost the entire rest of the time we were there because he couldn't go where he wanted or touch the things he wanted. I was surprised they still wanted us as patients. Unbelievable.

On the positive, he's healthy and a whole 25lbs.

Oh...and Declan has something new yes started.

Putting his finger in his nose.

Yup.

Awesome.

Flashing Red Music Thing in His Crib

Now Declan isn't even waiting for encouragement to try walking. He's asking for it. This morning he reached for my hands and walked toward me all wiggly and shakey, he's adorable.

Daddy reports that Declan practiced walking at daycare and this evening he was walking while holding only one of Daddy's hands. The Muffin Man is getting really brave.

Daddy also tells me that after Declan went to bed he figured out how to work a toy I attached to the rails in his crib. It has a propeller and flashing lights and plays music but to make it go you must pull hard on the teddy bear hanging at the bottom. He's done it. Daddy listened to a giggling little man. Laughing while he watched the lights flash and the propeller go around. I can't wait to wake him tomorrow and spend the day together.

Baby Bootcamp

Uh oh Declan.

I told Kelly your secret. 

I told Kelly that you took two steps yesterday and that initiated "Baby Bootcamp".

Every time somebody came to the door today Kelly took Declan to the far end of the room and holding his hands had him walk to see who was there.

A nice surprise for Daddy to see him when he arrived to pick Declan up from daycare today.

Then when I got home from work Daddy showed me how he did it. Declan is 'cruising' along the furniture quickly now too. Before bed he reached for me then walked a few steps right to me. 

He's back at daycare tomorrow so he'll get in another baby workout.

The calm before the storm is almost over.

Daddy's Day

What a nice Daddy's Day. Declan was such a sweetie. A card and gift to start the day as well as kisses.  

Braver and stronger, Declan spends so much time standing at the furniture now. This morning he practiced bending down to pick up monkey and stand straight up again. Each time we'd cheer and clap. Declan would smile and hide his face. Then he'd drop monkey to the floor and pick him up all over again.

This afternoon he cruised along the ottoman about three feet and when encouraged today he reached for me, let go of the furniture and took two steps toward me. So proud of him. I couldn't help but scoop him up and squeeze him.

This evening before dinner Daddy watched as Declan and I played in the pool. He laughed when his cousins Madison and Josh would disappear under the water then pop back up. He giggled when I tossed him high in the air and caught him just as his toes hit the water. I'm so pleased that he still likes being in the pool. His 1 year Birthday was the last time we went for a swim.

Then it was dinner with his cousins, Aunt, Uncle and Gramma and Poppa came over too. Daddy and Declan had a great day. Daddy says best Father's Day so far.

A Lime

Declan is almost back to normal. His fever is practically gone and he's more active again. He also slept well last night and had two, very deep 1 & 1/2 hr naps today. 

At the grocery store with Daddy our little muffin man decided he needed just one purchase and he wouldn't take no for an answer. This is why we have a lime. Declan wouldn't let go of it. Maybe he just likes the colour. Whatever the reason, he has one now.

Getting more confident on his legs, Declan spends so much time standing. When he watches Phineus and Ferb he stands right at the TV. Daddy was getting worried about how close he'd get so now we put the walker in front of the TV. This is much better.

Restless Night

Poor baby. For the first time since the Muffin Man was barely a month old, Declan didn't sleep through the night. We didn't get him up. When we heard him we waited and after a couple minutes he'd fall back asleep. Those teeth must be giving him a real rough time. Every two hours the little man would wake and cry. I wish there was something we could do.  Lots of cuddles in the morning and a few more tears. Hope we get past this soon (but I'm loving every cuddle at the moment).

Fever

Declan is sick. He has a fever. Felt bad having to go to work when he felt so lousy. When I got home tonight he wasn't his usual happy guy. Instead he just laid in my lap and starred away.

Get a good sleep and hopefully you'll be doing much better in the morning.

Early Bath

Yesterday we were out longer than planned and we had a dirty little boy. He really needed a bath but there just wasn't time once we got home. Instead I had to wake the Muffin Man a bit earlier this morning so I could get him in the tub for a good scrub before heading to daycare. It put a big smile on my face to see my Declan standing in his crib excitedly waiting for me to pick him up.

Not On Demand

My funny Muffin Man. He stands...but not on demand. It has to be on his terms.

All afternoon Gramma and I were watching him crawl around and get up and stand at the furniture at will.

Poppa comes inside after working out back with Daddy for hours. He notices Declan has one leg up by the couch and he says "look he's thinking about standing". To which I said he's been doing it all day just he won't do it when I want him to. Then with that I took the remote from him me put it at. The back of the couch. In the blink of an eye he was standing with that remote in his hands. 

Little bum.

In fact today he climbed his first stair.

Standing. It's His Thing.

Last evening when we got home from Declan's cousin's Lacrosse championship we left monkey in the car. Since that one was a bit dirty anyway we just got a clean one. this morning I had to pull off operation "There's only one monkey" and quickly hide it before Declan saw and started to wonder.

Operation was a success. I had a dirty monkey hidden in my purse all day.

And finally...my Muffin Man is a stander. That's right. He pulls himself up at the couch and ottoman all the time now. It's what he does. He's even toying with the idea of climbing up onto the couch.

We moved some toys so he'd have a nice clear area to stand up.

Proud Mommy here.

He's a Fan

Started the day off with a poopy diaper. So glad we were both home to deal with it. Lets just say I'm certain he threw up in his diaper. Had to. THAT was not normal.

This afternoon we went to Vaughan Mills and took Declan around in his stroller. Tried to show him the big fish at Bass Pro Mills but he wasn't intrigued. He did want out of his stroller and because of it he was somewhat fussy. 

Listen Declan...you're not crawling all over a busy mall. You'd get stepped on. You need to walk first.

Good thing is you cruised to Daddy today along the ottoman. Almost two whole feet.

Then we finished off the day by taking in Josh's lacrosse game. He was in the finals. Declan loved all the excitement and he clapped and squealed when everyone else clapped. Lots of fun, long day...and he's fast asleep.

Daddy...Nothing's Free.

While running errands today Daddy stopped at the LCBO with Declan and grabbed two six-packs for the weekend. Well Declan was being his normal cute self, charming the lady at the checkout and wouldn't you know it. Daddy only paid for one six-pack. That's right. Declan's working his good looks already.   

But note to Daddy.

Nothing comes without a price...just wait...

Then came nap time. The Muffin man went down without any trouble...and then....

Daddy is home alone with Declan. He hears that he's woken from his nap. Upon entering his room he could smell it right away: Declan pooped AND threw up in his sleep.

My poor little guy. 

When I got home from work you could still smell vomit on him.

So we decided it most certainly would be bath time.

Declan now stands when I first set him in the water. Then he splashes about. I lathered up soap in his hair while Daddy watched and then....

Declan's face turned a bit red.

Holy cow....that's a LOT of poop. I grabbed Declan and got him out of the tub. Sat him down on a towel and comforted him while Daddy had to get so much poop out of the baby tub. It was stuck to the bottom. Hilarious. My poor boy was getting cold so I tried to cuddle him while we waited for a clean tub so we could finish that bath.

So really Daddy.

You paid for the beer.

16 Months

Well somebody got old overnight. 16 months now and to demonstrate what a big boy he is Declan pulled himself up and stood at a chair for over ten minutes. There were a few moments where the legs started to shake but overall he looked good. Then I sat down in the ottoman near him and said "come here bud". Declan cautiously reached with one hand over to the ottoman and then slowly made his way to me. There we have it-first official cruise!

Later in the morning while visiting with his Auntie T the muffin man set off on a crawl. He abruptly stopped and sat up but right by 4 folding chair resting against the wall. Declan stopping there disturbed the chairs and with that three folding chairs fell atop the little man. I bolted and caught the fourth before it fell down. I reached for Declan and pulled him into me and simply said "that must have scared you". Declan cried only the smallest bit and then I said "bad chair" and then slapped one of the fallen chairs which made Declan laugh. There we go. Barely any crying and no actual tears. He's getting tougher.

Then I was off to work for the later half of the day but Declan got to hang out with Daddy. I heard that Declan now says "cookie".

He whispers it.

But he says it.

He's my "cookie whisperer".

Routines

When I brought Declan to daycare today I had a chance to chat with Kelly about Declan's day before. One of the other little kids is behind in language development and because of this a language specialist came in to observe her. She was there for about an hour. She sat on the floor and interacted with all the little ones. Kelly said Declan did great. Another of the little ones was giving her hugs but not my Declan. He did bring her toys and interacted with her but he saves his affections for those he knows. Smart kid.

As my Muffin Man is getting older he has a harder time with my departure on daycare mornings. This morning he didn't want me to leave. He was crying and Kelly had to cuddle into him. The best part was that as he stood there leaning into Kelly, staring at me crying...he was STANDING. Hilarious. He's so upset and I'm all proud of him.

Daddy did the daycare pickup. He told me that Declan sad goodbye to everyone when it's time to go. One of the little girls, Ella, was crying in Kelly's shoulder when It was time for Declan to go. They always "high five" when they say goodbye. As she cried she reached backwards, without even looking and slapped Declan's hand. Too freakin' cute.

At home late afternoon Daddy and Declan have their routines. Daddy gets everything set up, baby snacks, Phineus and Ferb on TV and then Declan sits between his legs on the floor, eats his snacks and watches two episodes. This afternoon snacks were ready, show on but Daddy set Declan down before he was ready to sit down himself. While Declan is so used to the routine that he leaned back to cuddle in before Daddy was even there. Tyler had to slide in behind him quickly before Declan fell backwards.

My next day off can't come fast enough.

Poop On His Bandaid....

No morning poop. Thanks Declan.

Daycare all day. Kelly says you were great, happy and no poops.

Daddy gets you home and...oh my. He tells me you had the worst poop. I'll spare you from a detailed account if the smell or consistency.

You have to know however that Daddy got his fingers in it.

Yup...poop fingers.

And he had a bandaid on his finger. Poop got on it.

Poop doesn't just wash off a bandaid...and that bandaid was officially done.

Thanks for saving that for Daddy!

No Nap This Morning

Soooo happy to have today off work. We had to take the car into the mechanics for 11am so this would be an interesting day. Declan was up at 7:30am and should have gone down for his morning nap about 10:30am. We were in the car at that time and my Muffin Man was not interested in napping.

He was great at the mechanics. Some play, some snacks and eventually his lunch. We were finally on the road home at 1:15pm. My little guy was so tired. He was awake babbling away and looking out the window when he just passed out at 1:25pm. He did so good.

We got home at 1:45pm and I took Declan right inside to his bed. He then slept until 3:10pm. So no morning nap today but he we such a good boy.

When he got up Daddy was home. The three of us went for walk and got some ice cream which I shared with a happy Declan. Then a stop at the park for some pushes in the swing and a couple runs down the slide.

Once we got home from our walk we sat on the front lawn for a bit just to get some more fresh air. 

Our boy was beat by bedtime. He was asleep instantly when we put him in his crib. 

We're Trying to be Good Parents

I just love how happy my little man is when I get in from work. First I get the pleasure of the excited surprise reaction to seeing me. Then he stops whatever he was doing to come to me for a quick hug. Then he's over me and back to his toys.

Then...what's this.....

Somebody just stands up at the couch, all on his own!?!? Then...what!!!!! He's just standing there only one hand on the couch and he's handing me a book with the other!! Who's is this kid!?! Then Daddy tells me you've been doing this all afternoon.

Then we watch as he pulls himself up at his toy box then reaches as far as he can to grab his Elmo. So...hard....he's reaching so far...while we just sat and watched. Yup. Resisted the urge to help. We're trying to be good parents. Let him try on his own....and...he...got him. Then Declan sat on his but waving Elmo in the air and squealing. He was so proud of himself. We did good.

Then there was the diaper change catastrophe. Just 15 minutes before bedtime and we have a poopy diaper. It was a 5 wipe diaper. Declan was being very good, just waiting and holding his iPhone when...whoops, somebody pee'd. All over his Jammie's, his belly, his arms, his iPhone and then poor kid...on his nose and in...his...eye.

It startled me and I jumped which probably startled him, sorry bud. Then I started using more wipes to clean him up. Poor Declan, it was taking so long, he started to cry. I got him cleaned up enough and put a fresh diaper on him then picked him up for a cuddle. Daddy came in and saved the iPhone, Jammie's were in the laundry and I carried my little boy to the bathroom to wash his face with a warm washcloth. 

And he survived.

Clean jams and then off to bed.

So excited to hang out for the day tomorrow.

Rubber Legs

When I got home at noon after my night out with my girlfriends I arrived to a sweet sight: Daddy sitting on the floor with his little boy sitting cuddled up to him while they watched cartoons. 

We had a nice lazy Sunday playing with toys, reading books and watching Cartoons. Our Muffin Man was trying out his legs today. Standing at the ottoman, looking quite proud of himself Declan was bouncing. Now it wasn't long before he gave in and plopped down onto the floor but it was great to see him looking more confident on his legs.

During bath time tonight I had a chance to feel around Declan's gums and there are lots of little bumps on his right side. Seems like new teeth will be coming in soon.

Girls Night

Oh little Muffin Man.

Mommy decided she needed a night out with her girlfriends. Missed you tonight but this was long overdue.

Love you and see you in the morning.