Mommy and Declan Day

So lucky to have another day off and this one alone with my little guy for the morning. As usual he woke up happy and then requested the Muppet Movie. That meant singing and dancing along with Mommy. So much fun. My favourite part was when he hopped up on my lap on the couch and we cuddled.

Later in the morning we looked through his collection of books. Declan paid particular attention to his Canada book, getting ready for Canada Day tomorrow.

Some days I wish he didn't sleep so much. The day simply went so fast. Glad I'm still off work tomorrow so I have another full day to hang with my little guy.

And whoa....how did I nearly forget. When I put Declan down for his afternoon nap he got up out of bed. I could hear him running around his room and then I could hear his toys. I left him, curious as to how long this would go on. About a half hour. Then he climbed back into bed and slept for 2 1/2 hours.

Early Rise

Even after being awake past 11pm our little man was up before 7am. Now if he didn't have a sleepover I bet he would have slept longer. Chelsey was awake at 6:30am and loud. Daniella snuck in to get her out if the playpen and out if the room but too late. I peeked in and Declan was sitting up in bed. He woke a happy little guy though. Exhausted but happy. He got in a bit of play with Chelsey before they had to leave. I thought Declan would be unruly today with so little sleep but he did good. We were watchig Thomas and when the theme song came on Declan shouts out each engines name and I sing the rest of the line. Duets with my wee little man are the best.

When lunch time came around he was so tired he could barely eat. We got him off for his nap a half hour earlier and he went right to sleep. Three full hours nap and we still had to wake him up at 4pm so he wouldn't sleep right through dinner. What an easy kid.

Little Night Owl

My little monkey had some friends to play with this evening. Molly, McGregor, Abigayle and Chelsey were over for the night. He plays well with others but is very independent at the same time. 

Once bedtime rolled around Chelsey hopped in his bed. We asked him if he wanted her in his bed and he said no so she had to move to the playpen and he kept his bed. After some giggles, little Chelsey fell asleep while Declan stayed awake for three hours playing with his computer. I finally had to sneak in and take it away without waking Chelsey. He's going to be exhausted tomorrow.

Backyard Visit

Daddy's Work

Declan and I dropped by Chapters in Oakville to surprise Daddy at work.  The little man was so happy to go see Daddy but even more excited to get some time to play with the train table. I got such a kick out of watching him try and hog all the trains. Had to remind him to share. Different kids came and went while we were there. He'd walked away from the train table then noticed a new kids walking toward it. Declan ran toward the table, grabbed Thomas (the only Thomas at this table) and kept running yelling "I got it!"

I laughed my butt off even if it wasn't the most appropriate behavior.

Then a little girl came to play for a few minutes. She was about 4 and full of energy. Declan and her ran around playfully stomping their feet and squealing. Nearly broke his heart when she had to leave with her mother. I love seeing what he's like as his own person around new people.

We bought a train "Toby" on our way out (with daddy's discount) and my happy little man stared at it and smiled the entire drive home.

It isn't Work When You're Two

Grandma came to visit Declan today. Even brought a fire truck piggy bank she hand painted for him. He loves it. What is it with little boys and fire trucks?

So part of the reason for Grandmas visit was so she could help Mommy with the gardens. Declan and Grandma headed outside and started off with some fun with bubbles. Then the yard work began. Two hours we were out back diggin through. Declan would pick up the weeds we pulled from the garden, say "thank you" and then place the weed in the yard waste bag. He also dug in the dirt with some tools. Declan is a great helper. Grandma was impressed.

Smarter than Us

We have a baby gate at the top of the stairs. It's not attached to the wall or the railing but it is wide and slides between the rings of the railing right across the top blockig the stairs. It's enough to keep Declan upstairs.

That is...

Until Daddy says it's time yogi downstairs and Declan casually walks over and slides the gate to the side to go downstairs like it was nothing.

He is smarter than us.

He's a Critic

Most often when Tyler or I tries to sing around Declan he will protest "Mommy No!" Or "Daddy No!"

I have found one song that he will begin to stop me from singing, then if I keep going he stops protesting and will even smile at me (uasually while looking at me out of the corner of his eye).

"Five little monkeys, jumpin' on the bed. One fell off and bumped his head."

Perhaps he tolerates it because he thinks his monky likes it.

Weekend Adventures with Daddy

Another Daddy-Declan day. It sure is nice that I get updates and pictures from their day to check out on my break at work. For Sunday it was "the morning trip downstairs to find Hunter":

The boys also made a trip to Canadian tire to grab a couple things we needed for the house (Thanks Aunt Steph and Uncle Mike). Rather appropriate "man" thing for my guys to do while I'm stuck at work on the weekend.

Oh and how could I forget:

Tyler sitting downstairs and he hears a small thud upstairs while Declan is napping. Then he hears "You ok Pooh? You fell."

Daddy is So Proud

Worked today and got home about 5pm to see my little man for the first time today. He was super happy and settling in to watch Winnie the Pooh. Daddy couldn't stop going in about what a good boy Declan had been all day. No tantrums, no tears. They had a great Daddy-Declan day full of shopping trips, bubbles and movies. Even his bath before bed went without any issue. A couple of happy guys in my home today.

Over and Over

First thing in the morning Declan requests The Muppet Movie. Kid still wakes up happy then he's singing along to the movie.

Muppets done...he requests once again, Winnie the Pooh. What I get is serenaded with more songs.

I dug out some more toys we hadn't yet unpacked from the move so Declan got pretty excited. Non-stop play and then we even squeezed in some more backyard bubble time. All before lunch.

He's tiring me out.

Tired Him Out by 11am

Declan wanted to go outside in the backyard to play with bubbles.

Why not?

So there we were for nearly an hour. Three different bottles of bubbles and of course he kept switching between them. He would chase the bubbles non-stop. He was so tired and sweaty. He would sit down for a moment but then I'd make more bubbles and he was back up chasing them down.

Then Declan spilt bubble juice all over his shorts and arm so he got a mini hose down, stripped him to his diaper and went inside. Poor guy was so tired he just layed on the floor and played with his toys until lunch. Lunch was quiet. Declan was hungry so he ate well but his eyes barely stayed open. 

So much fun.

Daddy's Day

The Reader

Declan will sit on the floor of his bedroom in front of his bookshelves and pull out a book, flip through it, put it back and move onto another. Sitting beside him and listening to him tell me about the book is one of my new favourite things to do.

Having him then stand up, turn his backside in my direction and literally poop in my face...not one of my favourite things...but it's a Declan thing. I'm still amused.

If You're Happy...

Thursday when I was home alone in the morning with Declan ha asked for me to put on his Winnie the Pooh movie. Of course I obliged and he was glued to the TV. So it should have come as no surprise on Friday in the evening when Declan got out his Winnie the Pooh book. He pointed out all the characters "Tiggah", "Pooh", "Piggett" and then he quietly hummed "hmm hmmm the Pooh. Hmm hmmm the Pooh". He's a happy little singer.

Friday morning when I took Declan to Daycare Kelly told me how much Declan loves his new house. I was happy to hear it. She told me that when they're out at the park Declan will tell anyone who will listen about his "Big new house". Of course my eyes teared up and I couldn't wait to tell Daddy when I got home that night.

And add to that...at the park today with Declan and he was down the slide, ran around, went on the swing. It was in the swing when at random and for no reason other than sheer happiness Declan yelled out while he swung through the air "New house! New house!"

So that new house is also a lot of work. After Declan's midday nap he joined me out back in weeding the garden. He really was some help. He put some of the weeds in the yard waste bag until he discovered tools he could play in the dirt with. He was so much fun, a big help and crazy dirty when we were done.

And finally, the best part of the day; Daddy asked Declan if he could give him a kiss. Declan of course leans in for a quick kiss then he looks directly at me and says "Want a kiss?" 

A kiss I didn't have to ask for? Amazing. Declan also leaned in for a short cuddle just before dinner. I could have held him all evening if he wanted too.

The Catch

Thursday morning I could hear Declan making some noise in bed. I went downstairs and got his milk ready and set up his morning cartoons, opened up the sliding door for fresh air and then headed back upstairs to get Declan out of bed.

I walked to his door and when I opened it a startled Declan jumped and then I got a surprised "Mommy!"

That's right, caught him in the act. My little guy finally figured out he can get out if bed on his own and he was standing at his book shelf looking at all his books. So cute. Wish I'd gotten a video of his startled reaction.

Toddler to the Polling Station

So it was provincial Election Day in Ontario and split day with Mommy then Daddy for Declan. What that meant was TWO visits to the polling station for the Muffin Man.

Mid-morning Declan and I headed over to the High School. Such a good boy. Declan walked quickly along my side holding my hand the entire way. There were lots of "ohhhhs" and "awes" because he is pretty darn cute. He stayed right with me, even got to witness my actual vote. As we left the school he got excited and was running along the walkway. He earned lots of stares and smiles.

Late afternoon, take two, Daddy's turn to vote. Once again he was getting a lot of attention. Daddy said Declan was getting lots of laughter from people listening to what he talked about. Apparently on his way out there were around 20 different people that said goodbye to him. Kid can really work a room...and make his parents proud.

His New House

The weather didn't cooperate today. I'd hoped on my day off to take Declan to one if the many parks by our home but it was wet and rainy. The great thing was that since the rain wasn't hitting the back door we were able to have the sliding door open to the screen and enjoyed the fresh air all day.

Daddy shared a good story with me today. He said that when he picks Declan up from Kelly's house on daycare days the first thing Declan says as they leave is "new house Daddy?"

So glad he's happy.

Best 20 Seconds

Dropped Declan off at Kelly's this morning. Declan wanted to lay on my lap an drink some milk. When he was done he sat up on my lap and leaned into me for a cuddle. About 20 seconds. They were just the best 20 seconds. A cuddle I didn't have to ask for either. Started my day off perfectly.

Bath Bravery

It isn't taking Declan long to get adjusted to the proper tub now that we're in our new home. It has only been a week and a day that he went from trepidation to bouncing on his knees in the tub. We were trying to get him to appreciate what fun the big tub could be just last Sunday. Since then he's thrown a cup Ilof water at me and laughed, squirted me with his toy and laughed and thrown all his wet toys at me and laughed. Tonight he laid back in the water while I held him steady. Then he almost fell face first into te tub of water when he was reaching far for his floating toys. And then finally he got up on his knees at the side of the tub and excitedly started bouncing on his knees.

So many new discoveries still to come in or new home.

No Sleep for the Poopy

Little man was in bed by 7:30pm and all was well. We heard him babble away for a while. Happily. He was singing Bubble Guppies. Then we heard him say "poop".

Interesting.

Then our poor Muffin Man was restless for an hour and a half. Just couldn't fall asleep. We decided to bring him a bottle and I'd go see how he was doing. I will admit. I am so excited when I get to go back in to see him after bedtime.

He was happy to see me and he'd definitely pooped. It was a gross one. No wonder he couldn't fall asleep. Got that bum changed while he drank his milk and then I cuddled with him for about 10 minutes. Awesome. Said goodnight and left his room.

He was sound asleep after that.

What a perfect little boy.

New House Goings On

Not cool. Declan knows how to in-lock and lock the screen door. Here is is trying to help Hunter escape.

Wantin to take part in the renovations, here Declan shows off his hammer skills (or "bamp" skills).

And it didn't take long for Declan to grab his sandals and demand we go outside for a while. Love it, lots of fresh air.

A Good Eye

Declan and I were putting up his car and truck wall decorations this morning. He was so excited I just had to let him place them where he wanted. This resulted in 90% being condensed into one small wall area. The impressive part was seeing how straight his work was and how he respected open space on the wall. He even placed and pulled off various vehicle stickers if they  touched each other in error.

Declan's Room

This evening I tried to tackle as much of Declan's new bedroom as possible.  He hung out with me and proceeded to pull out all his books and lots if toys while I tried to clean up. He was so excited at toys and books he'd not seen in a little while. 

Even with this excitement he still went to bed without a hitch. Hopped right up into bed and went to sleep within any issues. Love Him

New Big Boy Bed

The big step happened today. Last night was our first night in our new home. Declan slept in his playpen but this morning I had the opportunity to put his crib together and his Daddy and I decided it was time for a proper bed. Off with the side rail and up with a safety bar. Our little man can put himself to bed and get up if he wishes.

At 1:30pm Declan was exhausted and ready for his nap. I asked if it was nap time and he responded with "yes" followed with Declan running up the stairs and hoping right into his new bed. Within 10 minutes he was sleep and didn't wake up until we woke him at 4pm. 

When it was bedtime Declan still I umped in his bed butt he wasn't so tired. He babbled on for over an hour before he started crying like bed hurt himself. We ran into his room expecting he'd fallen out of bed somehow but he was safe in bed but crying. I held him then had him go back to bed but I read him a story. Then I hung out for a 1/2 he while he kept smiling at me. I finally told him I was heading off but to get a good nights sleep. He fell asleep about 15 minutes later. I can't wait to see what the morning brings.