His Friendships

Much easier to get Declan ready and off to daycare now that we can properly communicate. I ask Declan if he wants to go see Ella and Jorja today and he says "yes".

Then I ask if he's ready to get dressed.

He buries his face in my bed. Then he stands there looking at me. I ask him again if he's ready and he buries his face in my bed. I wait a couple minutes more then ask him again. He happily walks back to his room right to his chane table so I can get him ready. 

I just had to wait until he'd had his morning pee.

Action

Over these past five days I've noticed a real difference in Declan. He has gotten braver. More confident/comfortable. He is all over the furniture, he runs pretty fast. Very simply I've noticed less hesitation than before. My little man, now a man of action.

Just When I Thought It Couldn't Get Any Better

This morning after Declan had his bottle/cuddle I was picking him out some clothes for the day. To my surprise Declan wrapped his arms around my thigh and said "I love you Mommy."

I was shocked.

I knelt down and asked him "Did you just say you loved me?"

And he said "yes".

Best day ever!

Gold!

What a great morning. Up at 7am with my little man to watch the Olympic Gold Metal men's hockey game. When Declan saw the TV was on but no cartoons he clapped his hands (whew I was worried) and I said "hockey" to which Declan said "hockey". Yay!!! He said it over and over. I had a great little cheering a section just him and I. We hugged and cheered when Canada won gold!!

Of course after that...he wanted cartoons.

Grandma Time

Declan woke from his afternoon nap to Grandma! He was happy to see her. 

Text while I was at work from Declan's Uncle Scott said "Whatever your Mom is doing she has Declan laughing like crazy. It's really cute."

So I got home from to work to a very happy little man. He was still full of giggles and climbing all over the furniture. 

When it was time for her to go Declan stood at the bottom of the stairs and watched her walk away with such a sad face. All his babbling and energy gone as he just stood there staring at her. I told him not to worry that she'd come back again soon. What a sweetie. He really is showing his genuine love for everyone.

Cuddle Bug

Declan was laying in my lap having a bottle of milk just before I had to get ready for work. After drinking it down I tried to pick him up and stand him up in front of me. He wouldn't straighten up. Instead he leaned into me and cuddled in. We stayed like that another five minutes before I tried to move him over to one side. He then wrapped his arms around my thigh and cuddled in. If only I didn't need to get ready I could have stayed like that for hours. I love that he's getting to be so affectionate.

Checking in with Daddy later and he told me how Declan walked up to him while he was sitting on the floor and wiggled his way in between his legs and cuddled in. They sat together for a long time and just watched TV.

He's he best company.

Makeover

What a great morning. Grandma and Poppa arrived at 9:30am and they joined Declan and I for some playtime at Skedaddle kids. Declan doesn't waist anytime when he gets in there, he was right off to find balls from the ball pit. They got to watch him playing and running about. Declan climbed up the big ramp with me to get to the big slides. Just the ramp was tough and he fell halfway down. Poor guy had quite the look of surprise on the way tumbling backwards. At the top of the slide he looked for Poppa, actually calling for him the second time because he couldn't see him right away.

After 1 1/2 hrs of straight play Declan came to me, took both my hands and walked to the exit and said "done". He's so easy. I told him to wait while I ran back, grabbed our bag and let Grandma and Poppa know it was time to go. 

Declan was so happy all morning.

After a decent afternoon nap Daddy and I attempted to cut Declan's hair. Now he wasn't happy. We set up the laptop so he could watch Phineus and Ferb. Sitting just in his diaper on a chair in the bathroom, Declan was covered in hair. I shaved it down pretty short on the sides and back. Left some good length on top. Going for a 1940-1950's inspired look. I've never cut hair before so it's a rough cut and in need of some touch up but overall he looks very handsome and very stylish. Makeover...not too bad.

Lamb-ie

Declan was very happy to be off to daycare this morning. He'd been home for four days straight and it appears he missed his friends. When we got there he waited for me to take his boots, coat and hat off. Then a little longer because he knows slippers are next. Then he popped up and ran in to see everyone. 

He likes to check back in with me while I'm there for a little "bubba" and a short cuddle. One of those times he noticed Ella's lamb; "Lamb-ie" was laying in her backpack. He pointed and said "Ella". Then he picked up her lamb and went looking for her. Super sweet. She was upstairs napping though so he had to wait until later to see her. 

Love him.

Good Times

Family Day

The three of us went swimming at the Milton Sports Center. Declan hadn't been in a pool since the summer and this was his first time since he learned to walk.

While we waiting with the other swimmers for the doors to the pool to open our little Declan reached for Daddy's hand. Sweet. We don't find ourselves standing around in crowds too often and our little man felt safer if he felt Daddy's grip. Doors opened and we headed in. There is a ramp into the water so we brought Declan that way so he could enter te water gradually. He was quite smiley when he saw the pool and he was happy to go in the water. When it got to be waist deep he needed both our hands to keep going. It is great to see that he isn't afraid of the water. He loved to splash and enjoyed being thrown in the air. What he liked most of all was playing on the large steps. This way he could stand on his own in the water and play with as many balls as he could get his hands on. Since he was standing and playing all on his own he did stumble and go under about 5 times. Each time he came up, looked surprised, coughed a little and just kept on playing. He's tough.

He was so much fun and he was such a good kid. 

Back at home we got in lots of play time today. Poor guy is still a stumbler though. He tripped and went down biting the inside of his lip. It's horrible but I liked him cuddling into me in tears. He's ok so I just got to enjoy that he needed me.

After tonight's bath:

"Oh he's shivering" to which Declan said "cuz it's cold". We got a good laugh out of that.

Brave

Getting ready for bed, Tyler finds in the cuff of his jeans a fruit loop. I find this hilarious.

Poor Declan was so very sad today when I had to leave him for work. He sobbed and cuddled with Daddy. I sure am glad he loves me.

This morning I got to see how brave my little man is getting. Now he's climbing the furniture more and both standing and bouncing on his Sesame Street couch. 

Slowly Letting the Air Out of a Balloon

With the firm exception of a diaper change Declan is so very cooperative. When it's nap time or bedtime he grabs Monkey and Pooh Bear and heads off to his room happily. He puts items in the garbage, he brushes his hair (he tries), gets his own fish crackers out of the bag and now he brushes his own teeth. Declan can hold the brush and you can hear he's actually getting his teeth. He is loving his growing independence. 

This afternoon when we were all home I his in Declan's fort. He came looking for me and laughed when he found me sitting inside. Then we both hid from Daddy but soon enough he was onto us. Tyler came over and tapped on the top which illicited a bout of laughter from my Muffin Man. Then Tyler peaked his head inside and Declan couldn't contain his excitement. He let out a loud, high pitched and long squeal. His cousin Madison asked me what was going on down hear as she could hear what sounded like a slow letting out of air from a balloon. Nope. Just my kid. 

Valentine's Day - all the ladies

Declan is certainly learning how to treat the ladies. He's the only boy at daycare. Today he dressed in his "Chicks Dig Me" t-shirt and his red Canada sweatshirt and he hung our with Ella, Jorja, Janaya and Alexis. Of course he has his wing men Pooh Bear and Monkey close at hand all the time.

Four Legged Buddy

Declan gets such a kick out of the cat. Hunter is in our room so Declan squeals and chaces him out. Hunter runs and hides in Declan's fort.

"Declan. The cat is in your fort."

Declan goes running, sees the cat in his fort. He laughs and Hunter takes off back into our bedroom. Declan skips along back into our room but where's the cat?

He's trying to hide under the bed. Soon as he notices he's been spotted he's off again back to Declan's fort.

This goes on and on.

Happy playmates.

Sit - Stand - Sit

Daddy tells me that Declan was having a blast with his Sesame Street couch. He would sit down quickly, then stand up, then sit back down fast as his could, then stand back up again. There was laughter and there was cheering. And probably a good workout too!

The Vocalist

We've gotten Declan somewhat adjusted to a more daycare convenient schedule. He's in bed an hour earlier but this gives him the opportunity to wake on his own for daycare rather than me disturbing the poor tired kid.

Usually I have him up at 6:15 am on daycare days. Good news; this morning Declan woke on his own at 5:50 am. I was waiting until 6:10 to go in and get him so I was able to listen to him in his crib over the monitor. Turns out we have a little singer. I'm not talking babbling that kindof sounds like singing nor do I mean high pitch noises that jokingly sound like he's trying to sing. No I mean he was singing a tune. He sounds like a girl. I mean...he's 2. His voice is cute but he was softly singing a melody. Did this for a few minutes and of course I just listened to him. I wonder if he will do this in front of me or if he just did it because he was along with Monkey and Pooh Bear? 

Well I was impressed. Just more evidence of how big he's gotten.

Friends

I'm sitting cuddling Declan on the steps at daycare this morning. In comes Alexis and her Mom who proceeds to sit down beside and cuddle Alexis. 

So sweet, she looks at Declan and then at me and says "Deckan". 

Her Mom says "that's right, that's Declan".

Then Alexis counts to five using her fingers as she goes.

Declan imitates her and he shows me counting with his fingers.

Alexis's Mom then had to go and so the tears started as she said goodbye. As she leaves Alexis walks to Kelly crying loudly the whole way and then Declan starts. I looked at him. "Are you upset that I have to go or that she just left?"

He just kept with the tears so I hugged him and gave him a kiss, said goodbye and left Kelly with two crying toddlers. She's really good at her job.

When Tyler picked Declan up from daycare there was only one of his little friends still there: Ella. Once Tyler had Declan dressed and ready to go Declan shouts back "bye Ella"!

So cute, saying bye to his little friends like a big boy. So grown up.

A 2 Year Old's Weekend

He plays with his toys or his computer non-stop. He chases the cat and then pats him nicely. He is in and out of his fort giggling all the time. Oh to be two.

In the evening we went to Eliot and Nancy's for the night which meant about 2 hours for Declan to play with Molly and MacGregor. I love watching him run around and just be a kid. MacGregor was so good with him. He chased him around but also kept a watch that Declan didn't tough any small toys that he could choke on. Declan was having a blast. He really likes older kids so a 5 year old that will give him all his attention was a great night for the kid.

Declan (or me actually) brought Molly and MacGregor each an Elmo cake pop from his Birthday. He also had one left for himself. They loved them, ate them all up but Declan still wasn't really interested in eating Elmo's head. He did finally bite the eyes off. Then he wanted nothing to do with it. 

I'm not going to read anything into that.

This morning Declan woke up at 6:30 and he slept in the same room as us so he wasn't going to fall back asleep. Daddy picked him up, I got him his bottle and and his computer. After his milk he sat between us in bed, leaning his back up against me and we tried toget a few more zzzzz's while he played his games.

Declan was great all weekend but boy did he get tired with all the playtime. An afternoon cupcake bath for the boy and off to bed for 7pm. Then we listened to Declan chatting away in bed for 45 minutes. Those poor stuffed animals.

Birthday #2

I think Declan enjoyed his day.

The three of us went to Skedaddle kids for 11am this morning. It was just over a week ago that I was there with Declan so he remembered the place. He cheered when we walked in. I had to run out during our time there to get Declan's cake pops but when I got back I could hear him laughing from the front door.

Then Declan decided he was tired. He walked to the exit and waited for us. No tantrum or trouble. He simply decided he was done.

Got some lunch in him before a good long afternoon nap.

After he woke from his nap we visited with Auntie T, Uncle Scott, Josh and Mad.  We had the cake pops before presents since we figured he'd be lost in toys and not want to eat if we did presents first.

We had a small chocolate cupcake with a number 2 candle to start followed by Declan's Elmo Cake pops.

He sure was happy when he first laid eyes on them.

As they got close enough he reached right away for an Elmo.

I let Declan take a bite of mine since he didn't seem to be interested in biting his Elmo one. I think he liked the pop - icing most of all. Still didn't bite his though. Uncle Scott had to get in there an show him how it's done. The back of the pop was bitten. Declan looked at Elmo and say "oh no!".  "Elmo!" Then he proceeded to feed cake and icing to Uncle Scott. 

Declan loved his presents. He gave out hugs and said "Thank you" as we were leaving. Back downstairs Declan played for a long time with his news toys. He did take a 10 minute breather and just cuddled on my lap but then was back up and at it.

A little before bedtime Declan got to Skype with Grandma and Grandpa. Right up his alley: grandparents AND technology! Declan went in for a kiss right on the screen when it was time for goodbye.

#2 Birthday success.

Anticipation

I am laying in bed thinking about how 2 years ago tonight I was in the hospital awaiting your arrival. At 11pm I started pushing but you were content to just wait in the birth canal. From the very beginning you had to do things your way on your terms. So 2 hours and 45 minutes of pushing before I laid eyes on you at 1:45am February 7th.

We are so lucky to be your parents. 

How?

That little guy became this...

2 years have gone by so very fast. Declan has but one day left before he's officially 2 years old.

I am in shock.

No Wallflower

So happy to be at daycare with his little friends. Declan was all smiles when we got to Kelly's house. In fact talking to him about his friends while we get ready at home keeps him focused and happy to cooperate.

Nice.

When Daddy picked Declan up Kelly said he hadn't stopped talking all day. Just non-stop. It is going to be so weird once we can follow everything he's trying to say.

Before dinner but at home Daddy put on a new episode of Bubble Guppies, a Rock and Roll episode. Apparently Declan was losing his mind he was so excited.

Daddy saved the episode so I can check it out.

A Person All His Own

Morning started off great. Declan woke happy and cooperative. Whew.

What really struck me today was the fact that he's his own self. We walk out through the garage. Declan is steps ahead of me. I stop to close the garage door behind me as he walks along between the cars and around the back of my car, around to where his car seat is. I just stood there watching him do this. Watching him confidently go about his routine without my assistance I was just in awe. He is his own person. I am amazed at how this happened.

Another Ball

Another Sunday Mommy has to work so Daddy and Declan get the day together. Looks like another Walmart trip is in order.

Sitting in the cart Declan could remember where the ball cage was from the last visit so he started getting excited and saying "ball ball" as they neared that section of the store.

Declan picked out about 7 different balls. Daddy had to help him widdel it down to three, then two (one was a pink soccer ball) and finally one, Bubble Guppie ball.

Happy kid!

So nice for me they dropped by work for a little visit before they headed home. Declan was very good in my store. Didn't touch anything and he was nothing but smiles. Made the work day so much better.

The Buddies

Declan and Daddy had most of the day together, just the two of them.

In the mornig they took off to Oakville Place where Declan could walk and walk and burn up some energy. With crappy winter weather you just need to get out somewhere and get some exercise.

Funny little monkey ate a good lunch when they got home before a nice solid nap.

Memorable moments:

1) No matter where in the house they are, when Daddy says "where's Declan?" You can then hear Declan quiet laughing.

2) Tossing the big ball around with Declan he gets so excited he goes from giggling to laughing to screeching.

3) And finally our little mimic stands behind Daddy. Tyler says "oh shit" and right on cue Declan says "oh shit".

Perfectly clear, well enunciated. 

Great.