Has My Heart

Friday was a busy day. When we got up Declan and I had to head to the new house so that someone would be there when Ikea came to pick up the counters they sent us in error. We had a little breakfast picnic in the backyard. Then we went upstairs and Declan played with his toys until we could leave. Next we had to stop at "Mall-Mart". Declan was a big help. We found some bathroom items we needed and then we found a few movies for Declan. He was so excited to find Mission Marvel, Bubble Guppies and Octonauts. The next short stop was at Payless to find some sandals that didn't hurt his feet. First we checked out Spider-Man sandals. He took a few steps then wanted to try a different pair. Next he tried a larger pair of the Champion sandals he's already owned twice. He took a couple steps, then ran, then came back to me and said he liked them. So he followed the cashier to the front to get the tags removed. Smart kid. Picked his shoes for comfort rather than "cool".

The cutest was when he went down for his afternoon nap. I asked him if he waned a nap to which he said "yes" and then headed to his room. After being in bed for about 10 minutes I could hear over the monitor "Mommy. Come back." Mommy. Come back." So cute. I wanted to run right in to get him but I knew he really needed to fall asleep and get in a good nap.

It was his last sleep in his old room at Chambers. At bedtime Daddy brought Declan to a Gramma and Poppa's for a sleep over. Little guy, so I hear, what excellent. Mommy was at work and Daddy was moving our stuff to our new home. Declan was being the center of attention and a very good little boy.

Brought him to his new home right after I picked him up at their place. He was happy and we got him down for bed about 8pm. His first night in his new room. Still in a playpen rather then his big boy bed. Can't wait to see him in the morning and hear about his dreams.

New Developments

Declan really is like a cool toy. I find him rather amusing and take such joy in the new little skills he acquires and new things he can do.

Over the last couple weeks he has taken quite an interest in numbers. He will count along from 1 to 12. He can recognize some of his numbers when he sees them written and he is particularly fond of 9 and 6. He likes saying different letters too. I, K, E and O would be the most popular.

This evening I watched him with his legs bowed like he just got off a horse as he bounced. Then he got his little toy motorcycle out and he lifted one leg over to get on. This is new. He was proud of himself. Then he stood up and backed off the end of the motorcycle, lost balance and fell to the floor on his behind. Hilarious and in his own words "I'm ok"!

And lastly I discovered his new way of getting down off the couch. He lays down on his belly then wiggled feet first up over the arm if the couch and plops down, feet on the ground as he slides over the end. I think perhaps Declan had discovered the best way to get off the couch ever and I'm tempted to try.

Bedtime Thing

Declan has little routines for bed he does the same thing all the time. Well it's changed, every couple weeks it does. Right now though his thing is:

1) tell him it's bedtime

2) he puts his toys away

3) Declan grabs Monkey, Bunny Bear and Pooh Bear and runs to his room, encouraging us to follow/chance him the entire time.

4) kisses for Mommy and Daddy

5) we set him down into bed

6) Declan laughs and giggles, he shouts out "bye Mommy" and then "bye Daddy" 

Love it. After goodbyes Declan is off to sleep, soundly, until morning.

He's the best.

When I Need Him To Be Good...

Yes, he's human. He has his "human" moments but when I need a little angel my Declan pulls through. This morning I woke up 1 1/2 hours late. I was to be at work for 7am and drop Declan off at Daycare for 6:30am.

I woke up at 6:15am.

After the shortest shower ever and a feeble attempt at "doing" my hair and putting on eye makeup I walked into Declan's room. Greeted by a sweet "Hi Mommy" I quickly told Declan "Mommy is late. We need a quick bottle while you get dressed and we have to go". Declan immediately drops to the ground and lays down so He can have his bottle and I can change him. 

I was still late for work but Declan was easy ad cooperative on a morning where I had challenges. He can be very trying but he always comes through when it counts.

I'm sure he will bring this up when he's older to get it of something. 

Busy, Busy Weekend

So Sunday was another busy day for Declan. Hanging out with Grandma again while Mommy and Daddy worked, Declan got to play at Chuck E. Cheese. Cars to ride and balls to throw, he had a great time. He was a great kid for Grandma too. They met up with us for lunch at the new house and we had a picnic in the new backyard. Declan was attempting to drink from a water bottle on his own. He unscrewed the top and tipped it back then proceeded to dump water down his front. Good thing it was hot outside. He didn't appear to mind being soaked one bit.

After lunch it was the normal time for a nap. Declan went to his playpen in his new room again but unlike Saturday Declan wasn't going to sleep. He stayed awake for almost two hours before getting in a short 30min nap. Now this made Declan cranky. I think he was simply beat. He had so much fun with Grandma but he did get worn down. He wa relaxed and happy again soon as we went home to some normalcy.

Midday Monday is was time for Grandma to head off.  Declan had a great time and he was so tired. I got a sweet boy for the rest of the day. I took things slow and today was very much dictated by the boy. He had an amazing nap ad we stayed inside. I hope he takes to move well.

Happy Little Two Year Old

Seriously. Declan is such a pleasure. He is easy and a lot of fun. Pretty much Grandma's all day so we could do work at the new house. They went for a walk, to the park, to Pier 1 shopping. I missed him so much but before long Declan and Grandma joined us in our new backyard for lunch. After so much activity in the morning Declan was tired after lunch. We went to his new room and cuddled in for his bottle. Then I asked he if was ready for a little sleep. He stood up, said "sleep" and started walking toward his playpen. He went down for his nap quickly and so soundly. 

So he really is easy. Brand new house/room and he just goes down fast and gives us 2 1/2 hrs to work on projects in the house.

When he woke from his nap Grandma took him for some more fresh air and walked around our new neighborhood. 

And finally before dinner Declan, Grandma and I stopped in at Walmart to pick up some items for the house. In this trip somehow Declan ended up with a Spiderman and a Hulk action figure. He couldn't be happier. We got them home and then Declan watched Mission Marvel with Phineus and Ferb all while he had his new action heros. He was literally bouncing with excitement. I had to drag him away to eat some dinner but I bet tomorrow morning they will be the first things he grabs when he gets up.

Happiest Kid Ever!

Showed Grandma the Stairs

Declan got a nice surprise today: Grandma is in town! She came to see how the house is coming along. Declan was asked to show Grandma his new room so he excitedly took her up the stairs...and back down...then up again...and down again. So he didn't show her his new room but she sure saw the stairs.

Declan was happy to see Geandma and he had such a cute smile when she hugged him. Today was just the beginning as he has the entire weekend to play with her while Mommy and Daddy work on the house.

Translation?

Last night when we took Declan to his room for bed he said something to me I picked him up as usual and while holding him he looked directly at me and said "Mommy ....you're ??????"

I have no idea what he said I am.

Daddy thinks he said "you're boss" which makes sense but In hoping it was "you're best". He was smiling when he said it.

He then turned to Daddy and said "Daddy you're _______." Which I think may have been "you're badass".

10 Days Away

Declan is about to get a bedroom upgrade. We are less than two weeks away from our big move. From basement quarters into our three bedroom townhouse. Declan will have a nice window, a big closet and a room at least two times the size he's had for his first two years. I'm so excited for him. He sat on the floor in his new room one day last week and looking at him from behind as he sat cross legged he looked so small. Finally Declan has a house.

And also important, he can finally say goodbye to his baby tub and bath in a proper bathtub.

Duet

The Muffin Man is a singer and dancer. He loves to spin around and bounce or pump his fists to the songs in his cartoons. He can sing along to the theme songs and a few of the tunes he's heard the most. Today in his room when I had him on the change table for a fresh diaper we were signing the Thomas The Tank Engine theme song together. When I thought he might have had enough he would go "call and answer" style on me shouting the engine names so I'd sing their description line. I loved it. I will sing songs with my kid as long as is possible.

At the new house today Poppa and Auntie T helped paint Declan's new room. Great colour.

That's Our Boy

Last night Molly and MacGregor's Daddy Eliot stayed over on our couch. He been helping Daddy with house renovations and couldn't drive home. When we got Declan up he immediately runs to the TV room as normal so we made sure to tell him "Eliot is in the TV room. Molly and MacGregors Daddy is in the other room." Worried he'd be timid when he saw him there I was surprised when Declan ran right up to Eliot. Whew! That's good. Then we all sat down for some breakfast. Now during breakfast there was something that wasn't going Declan's way. It escapes me what it was but this thing that doesn't escape me is how Declan handled it. So clearly and in front of our company he says "ah F&*K it!"

What to do.

Then I hear from Grandma (Popette) that he said it twice yesterday at her house. Correctly and in context.

I don't know.

Maybe I'm a bit proud that he understands how the phrase is used correctly at his young age. 

But then there's the challenge before us. How in the world do we curb his potty mouth?

Putting One Over on Popette

Daddy had work to do at the new house and I had to work all day in Niagara so today was the first full day Declan would spend with Popette. 

When I was done work and arrived just after 6pm to pick him up I asked how he was. The verdict? "Declan was good...for the most part."

What did Popette mean?

"He put one over on me." She said.

Of course I needed an explanation. Turns out Declan and Popette were playing Hide and Seek. Declan would hide and Popette would find, then again he would hide and she would look for him. Then they switched, Popette hid and Declan was to seek. She waited. And waited. When no Declan came looking Popette searched out Declan. What she found was our little guy in front of the TV, he'd stolen the remote and was trying to push buttons. 

What a clever little monkey! 

Declan had a great day. It was sweet to see how happy he was saying his goodbyes to Poppa and Popette when it was time to go. Declan sat on Poppa's knee and watched cartoons, he was up and down the stairs with Popette and he easily went down for a long nap mid-afternoon. He was in such a good mood. He told me all about his day on the car ride home. 

Declan went to bed about 40 minutes past bedtime but he was happy and very tired so he fell asleep fast.

I sure miss him on long work days but I am so glad he had a good day.

Impressed/Not Impressed

Declan sits down with a book full of different animals. He easily named them all even Penguin and Elephant. I can't believe how quickly children's vocabulary grows. Impressed.

This morning at daycare Ryan has the transformers book and Declan wanted it. He tried grabbing it from her. I had to pry his little hands off the book and tell him to go get a different book. He tried to take it from her again. Once again I pulled his hands away and told him to go find the Robot book. He sulked and walked away. Not nice. Not impressed.

Oh but I just love him like crazy!

Mr. McBossy

Today was a daycare day and I barely got to see my little guy. Thankfully Daddy sends me pictures of Declan when I'm stuck at work.

Now although I didn't see him for long what I did see is how bossy he can be at daycare. He gets in and starts running around, getting the others wound up and squealing. Then he heads to the train table and if one of the girls tries to get in towards the table to play he says "no" and pushes them back. So at least it isn't just me he bosses around. Such a stinker.

Different Names

It is official. Declan as I went to breakfast with my Mom this morning. We arrived at her house and right away it was "Popette". Not Grandma or Gramma...but Popette. It certainly makes it easier to identify which grandparents he's referring to now since Grandma and Grandpa are the ones in Ottawa and my parents are Poppa and Popette. Weird. But this is much easier.

Just Knows

My little man is pretty easy. That's not to say there are not tantrums, or running away when I need him, or wrestling to get him dressed but he knows when I just need a break. When I'm so tired and I just need things to go smoothly, to be easy. Tonight was one of those nights. Having worked a 14 hour day that needed at 3:30 in the morning I was just beat today. I still had to go into work this afternoon so by the time 6pm came around I had little energy. Daddy was at the new house getting a bit of work done so I had Declan to myself for the last hour before bed. 

He stepped up to his books and pointed "Boo-kin". 

At first I didn't know what he wanted having forgotten momentarily that "Boo-kin" means pumpkin and he wants the Halloween book. I remembered just before he freaked out. Then he cuddled down beside me and we looked through his book. Perfect. A little closer to bedtime and he had some bottle while I got him changed into his pjs. He then stayed cuddled in my lap while he played on his leap pad computer until 7pm when he stood up, gathered up his monkey, Pooh Bear and bunny/bear and walked off to his room. He must have been tired too. So fuss, just off to bed.

He just knows when I need a break, and some cuddles from my little man.

Bugs, Mud and Confrontation

My little guy had a full day today. Daddy and Declan went for a nice long walk in the beautiful weather. Along sidewalks until they reached the little forest path. There was the occasional bug that zipped past and it turns out declan doesn't care for the pass by. Every time one got close to him he hugged Daddy's legs for protection. 

Now along the trail there were rocks, branches and general unleavened spots. Poor Declan fell into the mud. Then a second time, he stumbled and fell into the mud. That was it. Not interested in falling again Declan just stopped and stood still until Daddy picked him up and carried him back out of the little forest area back to the sidewalks.

After I finished work in the morning I met Daddy and Declan at home and then we headed out to Home Depot. Declan was such a good boy in the store. At the cash he saw a little blonde girl, a bit younger than him. He said "look a baby!" And pointed to her. She responded with a loud voice and a hue scowl on her face "I'm not a baby!" 

Looks like he'd terribly offended her.

Girls.

Early Mothers Day

Since I have to work tomorrow on Mother's Day my little Muffin Man gave me my gift and card early. Just before bedtime I got my card and the best part was that Declan had signed it himself. His signature kind of looks like a big circle  but it's great.

Earlier in the day Daddy and Declan did some Home Depot shopping. I think this was his first time in Home Depot and Daddy reports that Declan loved it. He got a kick out of all the doors on display.

Long Daycare Day

Dropped my guy off at Daycare for 6:30am and he was there all the way until 4:30pm. Big day. He didn't seem to mind one bit. When I got there he was happily playing with some toys. Big smile for me when he saw me and a big "Mommy!"

Alexis walked Declan to the door which was sweet, right up until he very bossily told her to "go!" Here I though he would be good to the ladies because he's surrounded by them every time at daycare. Instead he's taken them for granted already. Silly boy.

We then drove to our new home to see the amazing progress Daddy and Poppa had made on the kitchen. It is gutted. They demolished the entire kitchen and cleaned everything up so nicely. Amazing work for the first full day with the house. Declan was happy to see the house again, or more importantly...the stairs. Yup he's a fan.

New Home

It's official, we own our first family home! We got the keys at about 1:30pm and headed straight over. We did a little cleaning before I picked Declan up from Daycare at 3:45pm. I brought Declan to the house and Daddy greeted us at the door. We were explaining that the house was ours and that we would be moving our stuff there within the month. Not sure what he really understood but he was happy. Took him upstairs so he could see his new bedroom.

And finally the Muffin Man has a window in his room. I think he liked it but he seemed to like the spare bedroom more.

Back downstairs on the main level and he quickly learned that it's a big circle through the kitchen, living room, hallway and he ran around and around playing games first with me then Daddy. 

Somebody got to see his new little backyard too. That he will appreciate more once he has backyard toys to play with.

So it's just a matter of a kitchen before we can move in. A little more than two weeks and our Declan has a home.

The Memory

Declan watches the same episodes over and over: Bubble Guppies, Phineus and Ferb, Octonauts. He can anticipate what happens next and can speak the dialogue as it is happening. In Bubble Guppies there are always songs so my little Muffin Man will do his best to sing along. Today there was a song about colours. So I got to hear Declan sing "dab bah, sey up sue, dah, WHITE, dab bah, sey up sue, dah, WHITE, dab bah, sey up sue, dah, WHITE" it was cute. He couldn't follow the other colours because they rhymed them off so quickly but he loudly and proudly got "white" every time!

Thrill Seeker

My new fun thing to do with Declan is to pick him up and spin him around. He squeals in a real high pitched manner. When I set him down he laughs and laughs. 

Declan also loves to be tickled. He will lay down near me and say "no tickle" which really means "tickle me" so I do and he giggles away. Sometimes he will walk past me slowly and look at me out of the corner of his eye to see if I will try to tickle him. So I do. He loves it.

That's free fun and entertainment right there. 

The Longest Walk

On Sunday when I was away in Niagara for work all day Daddy and Declan went for a walk outside. They walked along the sidewalk and Declan held his Daddy's hand the entire time. They walked almost 2km this way. My little Declan must have been exhausted. When they were about 10minutes from him Declan just stopped. He stood there and looked up at Daddy. That was the sign. Daddy picked Declan up and held him tight to his chest the rest of the way home. Declan was so worn out he even spit up a little. Daddy told him it was ok and Declan just snuggled in for the rest of the way. He went down for his afternoon nap at 1:30pm and Daddy had to wake him from a sound sleep at 4pm. What a workout for our Muffin Man. Nice little adventure for my boys.

The this morning I got to have Declan all to myself. I was actually woken by the sound of Declan talking to Monkey and Pooh Bear over the monitor from his crib. I heard "It's Monkey. It's F&*kin' Monkey"....and I was awake.

No Declan

Worked in Niagara today. Was up and gone before Declan got up and made it home after his bedtime. No Declan for me. According to Daddy, when Declan got up in the morning he walked out of his room, looked around and said "No Mommy? Mommy work?" 

That's right buddy. The only reason why I wouldn't be there for ya!!

Crib

Had a little chat with Declan tonight about his crib. I asked him if he'd be interested in having the rails removed from the side of his bad when we move to our new home. I explained that he could get in and out of bed all on his own. He's interested. He didn't give me a diffinative yes but I'm certain he's leaning in the direction.

Two...is Awesome

I've heard that the "Terrible Twos" start later in boys so perhaps that is why Declan is still terrific. I'm getting quite a kick out of how he's grown and the changes that still seem to come every day.

The newest: Declan can tell me about his day. I asked him today if he had fun at Kelly's. He told me "yes". I asked if he played with Jorja. He replied with a "yes and Ella". We're having conversations now!?!  I just love this kid. We talked about the new house this morning and getting ready to move. 

So weird. Too soon he's become a little person.

Just Normal Stuff

His new thing is laying on the floor, belly down with his back curved so he can watch TV then he kicks his feet on the floor behind him gently. Just chillin' on the floor watching TV like a normal little boy. Nothing special and yet I am so amazed.