Halloween

Declan's first Halloween!!!

What a great day for our little man.  Started off pretty normal but when he got changed out of his jammie's he put on clean jammie's for the day...Halloween Jammie's.  They are just too cute so they became his outfit for today (until he donned his costume).  Early afternoon Declan was in his excersaucer at the front door while Mommy and Auntie T put out the Halloween decorations. The faux graveyard on the front lawn was tremendous.  Declan wasn't scared at all, even when we showed him the creepy heads.  So far he's Halloween tough.

Late afternoon before Daddy got home from work we popped over to see Hayley and Owen so that they could get a couple pictures together.  Owen was a cute little Lion and Declan was a Monkey.  The best part was when they first sat down on the floor together, Declan grabbed onto Owen's foot and Owen was reaching for Declan.  They were both big smiles and there was some baby babbling.  It was baby play and it was adorable. 

They hung out for a little bit and then we were on our way home to get ready for Declan's first Trick or Treating.  All dressed up in his whole Monkey suit, Daddy carried him and Mommy held the treat bag/pumpkin and Declan's little Monkey buddy and an umbrella to try and keep Declan dry.  At one point when I was walking ahead Declan spied his Monkey and he was reaching out far to try and grab him.  From that point on Declan held onto his monkey while we visited different houses.  I think we went to about 10, maybe 15 in total and Declan was so good.  Even when his monkey hat was falling down over his eyes he simply remained calm and cooperative.

After coming home and taking off the costume Delcan sat on Mommy's lap at the front door so we could see the kids that came by.  He was babbling away and blowing raspberries.  We were sitting in the dark too and he was just so happy.  Then finally we sat down on the floor in the TV room and poured out Declan's treats so he could see his haul (even if he can't eat any of it).  I love that the first thing he grabs is a KitKat.  Now I know why the one thing I craved while pregnant (and carried with me everywhere) was KitKat bars.  It was all Declan.

Great Appetite

Declan has been a big eater today.

Breakfast: Cereal, nothing fancy but he did eat a larger serving than he used to.
 
Late morning snack: Declan ate some more of his apple/strawberry cereal puffs.  So sweet, they make his baby breath smell like strawberries.  I love it.  He ate every one I gave him.  His ability to pick up small things with his little fingers is great.

Lunch: Apple/Zucchini/Cinnamon which he just loved.  I thought that would be a gross one but he enjoyed it very much.

Afternoon snack: 2 Wobbly Wheels.  It is amazing how good he is at feeding himself snacks now.  He even looks for the little pieces that he drops.

Dinner: Pear and Vegetables followed by Apple, Green bean and Mango.  He had a good size serving and then for dessert I gave him a 1/4 of a shortbread cookie. 

He also had 6 bottles today when he normally has 5.  I'm wondering if he's hitting that 9 Month growth spurt a bit early.

The Wind

My little man is getting so big.  He's also getting braver.  This morning we were hanging out on the floor with his toys.  He saw a toy that was over by his books and out of his reach.  Declan was determined to get it though so he reached really far over, so far that he soon fell all the way forward onto his belly....and his face.  His head went right into his books.  Little guy had a red mark on his forhead and a scratch and minor swelling just above his top lip.  Declan started crying right away but I picked him up.  Told him he was ok and he stopped crying very quickly.  I also told him how proud I was of him for trying to reach something that was far away.

A little later in the day, just after lunch Declan was sitting on Mommy and Daddy's big bed and he had a ball to play with.  The ball was pretty far out in front of him but he stretched as much as he could and grabbed it with the tips of his fingers.  I clapped for him and cheered "yay"!  So Declan smiled and flapped his arms.  Then he tossed the ball forward and reached out far again to get hit, so there was more clapping and cheering (I'm really his biggest fan).  This continued a few times as I'm certain he was quite pleased with himself.

Then Mommy, Auntie T and Declan headed out for a couple errands.  There was no rain when we left and the wind wasn't very strong.  It surprisingly didn't even feel very cold.  Then as we were out the weather turned.  Winds picked up, it started to pour rain and the air was bitter cold.  We had to leave Costco right when this was happening.  I pulled the car up to the front doors for Auntie T and Declan as she ran out with the cart.  As the wind hit Declan in the face he had a very shocked look on his face but no tears.  Good thing he had his hat on good and tight.  The weather was a small price to pay for the little guy...he was happy...we got a new toy.

After we got home and all settled the new toy was wiped down and ready for play.  The Vtech Sit to Stand Walker.  Boy does he love it.  All the dials, sounds, things that pull off, the cow, the barn door, there was a lot of leg kicking and arm waving going on.  Little guy was babbling on and on about it.  I even held him up so he could stand and he put his hands on the handle for the walker right away.  We're pretty far from him trying to walk though....stand up on his own....now there's something perhaps he could work on first.  I wonder if he'll dream about it tonight.

Church

Today was Chelsey Shortt's Christening. This also means that today was Declan's first time in church. He seemed to like the place when we got there because of everything to look at. He especially liked the giant ceiling fans. He lit up when he saw Chelsey in her big beautiful white dress, he was crazy smiley when he saw MacGregor and he also is quite fond of Nancy's husband Eliot. MacGregor asked his mom "why does he keep smiling at me?" And Nancy told him "it's because he likes you". So sweet.

Declan was so excited and looking around at everyone. He grabbed on to the pew in front of him and kept pulling himself forward while I tried to pull him back-little guy is crazy strong. All was great until...my shy little guy decided church was the perfect time to find his voice and with that he started babbling in very loudly (great acoustics) and would not stop...at all...Daddy had to leave and wait in the lobby so we couldn't hear him...and did he stop there?...no. He just kept on going. Who knew he had some strong opinions about the place. 

When the service was done we packed up and headed to the reception for some food and drinks. There was a high chair all set up for the little guy, pulled up to the table. He settled in for a very late lunch (he's the best, his lunch was almost 2 hours late and he's still sweet). After eating all his lunch he shared some of ours. Declan had some cut up pasta with tomato sauce and a small piece of bread. After the meal there was a candy bar (which Daddy was excited for). Declan got to share a coke flavored sucker with his Daddy. Very cute as they alternated licks. It was a long day for Declan and a nap was overdue but he would not sleep with all the activity around him. His eyes were glued to the kids all running around. Poor Declan's eyelids were so heavy but he just wouldn't let them close. Finally just after 4pm we packed up for home. Fastened Declan into his car seat and just as Daddy backed out of the parking space Declan was fast asleep. He was barely in the car two minutes and lights out. He got a good nap in on the drive home and we were very proud once again of our little prince.

Birthday Cake

Grandpa Gale's Birthday is this coming Monday, October 29th but we celebrated it today. Declan hung out with Uncle Scott while I was out grabbing groceries. Then he cuddled with Grandma Gale while Auntie T and Grandpa started watching the Hamilton Ti-Cat game. When I got home from Groceries Declan had a yummy fruit and vegetable lunch.

During the halftime we had Birthday cake and presents.  Now Grandpa has a special type of cake for his Birthdays.  It is a homemade cake from scratch, and old family recipe with raspberry jam filling and fudge icing.  Very sweet.  So for kicks little Declan was cut a tiny peice so he could try.  Soon as the piece was in front of him he had both hands playing in it.  After some short examination he finally put some sticky, fudge fingers in his mouth.

The verdict?

He then grabbed the cake with both hands and tried to pick it up.  Seems he liked it.  He managed to eat a little bit of the cake and a fair bit of icing.  Declan sure is getting more interested in the idea of solid food.

After the game we all went out to The Works in Oakville for dinner. Declan sat in the restaurant high chair.  He looked so little but he also looked like such a little boy sitting up proud in his button down shirt. He is such a good little guy. So fuss, no cries just smiles all around.  After we ordered the little guy had his dinner: broccoli and rice followed up with a little berry mixture. Then our food arrived and of course Declan was eyeing it. I took a piece of beef from my burger and let him just taste it. I held onto it while he sucked at it and he loved it. He was trying to take it from me. He got a small piece broken off so he rolled it around in his mouth a little. He also tried a french fry with some gravy on it. Declan is really eager to sample and it is so much fun. I'm looking forward to making little plates for him when we have our dinner as he gets better at feeding himself...of course that also means that Mommy and Daddy better eat more vegetables and less burgers and fries (sigh).

Shortbread

Declan and I visited Oakville Place mall this afternoon.  Had a couple errands to do and it was a nice place to stroll around on a rainy day.  So happy for any adventure the little man was all smiles and leg kicks soon as we got there.  We sent a note to Daddy so he'd come meet us there after work.  Declan and I looked through a couple stores, he even helped pick out a nice little Christening gift for his friend Chelsey's this Sunday.  A sweet little beaded bracellet with a silver cross.  I think he's excited to give it to her.

We took a little snack break at the mall.  I had a strawberry infused green tea and grabbed a shortbread cookie for Declan and I to share.  I opened the wrapped cookie and took the first bite to make certain it was something that would be ok for him to try.  I was expecting some gagging due to the crumbly dry texture but thought it would be worth trying anyway.  Gave him a little piece in his mouth.

He tightened his little lips together and you could see on his face that he was thinking about the new discovery.  Texture doesn't seem to bother him when it's a shortbread cookie.  He kept his lips tight together and let the cookie melt in his mouth so he could eat it.

My little Monkey loved his shortbread.  He was staring at the cookie on the table anticipating the next piece.  Wide open mouth, eager for each bit.  I saved some of the cookie so Daddy could taste it later and then Declan could have a bit more for desert in the evening.  Our little man sure was happy to see the cookie again after dinner and again he gobbled it up.

Oh The Horror...

It was a beautiful fall day so there was no way that Declan and I would be spending the entire day inside.  After Declan had his breakfast and morning nap we packed up to head out for an hours walk to the grocery store and back.  About halfway there and we got a text from Hayley and Owen (Declan's buddy) that they would be heading out on a walk right after Owen finished his after lunch nap.  Fabulous.  We'll finish our walk and head over to join them on theirs.  Lots of fresh air.  So Declan and I made it to the grocery store.  We stopped at a picnic table and Declan had his lunch and a bottle.  We then went inside and looked around, picked up some 9 month old snacks (because Declan will soon be 9 months) and then headed back.  Along the walk back I was singing "5 Little Monkeys" to declan and when I got to "2 little monkeys" I felt a spider web.  Great.  I've walked through a spider web between two of the trees that all line the walkway.  I stopped, wiped off any webs, cringed at the thought that a spider could be on me and then started up again...."2 little monkeys jumping on the bed".  Then again, I felt web on me and could see some strands blowing in the breeze from the handle of the stoller.  Loosing my mind a little.  There better not be a spider on me!  So we continued and the last "little monkey" fell off the bed and WHAT....now I saw a think white web string on the side of the stroller.  I could feel web on me.  Then a spider....then another and then four little spiders on me.  Ahhhhhhhhhh, seriously loosing my mind.  There I was.  Looking like a crazy person rubbing my arms, my legs...I got out the baby wipes and started wiping myself down completely.  Then I walk around the front to look at little Declan.  The canopy on his stroller was up so I looked under and there were a bunch of spider web strings all inside.  Oh my god...they are everywhere.  Then I started wiping Declan down...the canopy, the tray, the sides, the wheels....oh my god! What if they got in my hair!?!?!?  I still had to walk between trees for another half block before the path would open up.  I was ready to go fetal position and scream but I had to get Declan out of there.  I looked around and could see lots of webing flowing from some of the trees....little baby spiders everywhere.  Seriously my worst nightmare.  So we made it to the open and we approached the corner where Louis St Laurent meets Trudeau.  I turned the corner and right away noticed the huge web string between the light post and another tree.  OH MY GOD.  I walked with that stroller right down the middle of the street and then turned down Lancaster and found a open spot to stop.  I sent Hayley a text and told her we couldn't be outside any more, that I was loosing my mind and I'd explain when I stop by her house.  I then quickly gave Declan a diaper change.  That's when I saw a spider in his stroller just hanging out....squished with a baby wipe.  It's going to rain a lot over the next few days if I have anything to do about it.  We then turned down Donnelly and stood on Hayley's driveway.  I texted her and said we were out front and to come out when she was free and that I might look crazy.  I was still using the wipes to ensure all webs were off me.....off Declan....off the stoller.  When Hayley came out and saw me I told her what had happened and commented on the numerous spiders I could see on her porch and garage.  What is going on??? Just then about 30 large black birds of prey flew overhead.  Declan started laughing....I shouted "It's the end of the world".  At this point Hayley brought us inside.  We were saved.

Declan played with some toys until Owen woke from his nap.  Then the boys smiled when they laid eyes on each other and both sat on the floor and played some more.  There were even some babbles of communication between them.  After a little bit Declan tried out Owen's bouncer.  He sure loved it.  He was moving his little feet like he was running franticaly and he kept sqealing with delight.  So cute.  Declan was putting so much into bouncing the poor little guy exhausted himself.  I picked him up and gave him some bottle and within a few minutes he passed out cold.  So tired.  So much play.  So cute.

Just after 4pm we packed it up for the walk home and Hayley and Owen came along in case I needed Spider protection.  Oddly enough we didn't come across any on the way home.  So thankful.  Owen and Hayley were on there way and we went inside to find Daddy and get ready to pick up the new car.  YAY...If things go well little man, this will be your first car when you get your liscense.  You can say you were a part of the decision making.  Such a good and patient little man we were out and back with the new wheels in 2 1/2 hours time making for a late dinner, some short play, a bottle and right to sleep.  Now to sleep for me....if I can shake the heebie jeebies.