Sunday, April 30, 2006

A Day with Daddy


[As transcribed by Daddy]


I woke up reealy early this morning, and wanted to play, so Daddy and I hung out and read books on the bedroom floor while Mommy (who has a bit of a cold) had a much-deserved weekend sleep-in.

I went with Mommy and Daddy to the optometrists's office... I liked the waiting room, but not the dark room with the weird eye-machines.

I sat outside while Mommy and Daddy started work digging a new patio outside, but didn't want to nap.. I really screamed my head off. Daddy hung out with me some more, and I got pretty happy - he let Momy have another nap, while the two of us played, went for a walk, visited Gamma and Grandpa, and did some shopping. A great, happy day for all of us!


Saturday, April 29, 2006

Avocado Butt


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Quiet day today. Went outside with Mommy, but it was too cold, which put me in a bad mood. I cried myself to sleep.

Mommy let me feed my lunch to myself today, which led to me somehow getting avocado all over my butt. Weird!

We already knew that monkey noises can easily make me laugh (hee hee hee... "eek eek!") - but today we also discovered that cat noises make me crazy excited! They make Basil crazy excited too, but for different reasons.


Friday, April 28, 2006

Locked Out


[As transcribed by Daddy]


This morning Gamma drove Mommy and I to the lab so Mommy could have some blood taken. We took the subway home, only to discover that we locked ourselves out of the house.

We hung out with Lucie and Richard over at the Gallery for a bit, and went to Home Depot... when we got home (and inside again), we were tired, and I was crank and hungry. We eventually both had a three hour nap!

For a nice surprise, Cool Uncle Gareth and Julia came over to visit today - Julia even helped feed me my noodle dinner!


Thursday, April 27, 2006

Morning Vomit


[As transcribed by Daddy]


After I woke up, I tried to poop so hard that I threw up. Right next to Daddy's sleeping head.

After he went to work, Mommy and I met up with him again at the Doctor's office, where both my parents got checkups. After that, it was to the comic book store, a restaurant for sandwiches, and back to Daddy's office, where I had a nap.

Mommy and I went home, after a visit to a health food store. Later on, I played outside while Mommy did some gardening.


Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Fever


[As transcribed by Daddy]


I woke up this morning to see a smiling Dady hovering over me. I smiled and exclaimed "Da Da!" which made his day.

While playing in the kitchen, I discovered Basil's dog dishes. I played in the water, but wasn't allowed to eat his kibble.

Also, I caught a fever at some point. Mommy gave me some Tylenol, though, and it kinda went away.

Turns out I love sunchokes, and dislike mustard greens.


Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Fun & Games


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today was full of playing and stepping and crawling. I played with everything from Mommy or Daddy's tongue(s) - I keep trying to make mine curl, like theirs - to Basil's ears. It's quite amazing how fun a floppy pit bull ear can be when you're nine months old.

At one point today I found the bag of CDs Daddy took with him to Montreal, and I went through 'em, tossing aside the ones I didn't like. Mommy thought it was pretty funny.

When Daddy came home from work (abd before we took Mommy to the Dentist), we played the 'mouth-hand game' - I go "aaaaaaaa" while Daddy fans his hand over my mouth, making a "aaa aaa aaa aaa" sound. I always lose my concentration because it makes me laugh!


Monday, April 24, 2006

Num-Num, Da-Da!


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Woke up this morning to discover that Daddy was still gone. All day, I asked Mommy "Da-Da?" "Da-da?" And when I wasn't asking "Da-Da?" I was scrounging for food, asking for "Num-Num."

I wasn't really into having naps, but after I had a nice one with Mommy late in the afternoon, I woke up to discover that Daddy came home from Montreal! Yay! I was so happy, I demanded more "Num-Num."


Sunday, April 23, 2006

Alone with Mommy


[As transcribed by Daddy]


I was rudely awakened quite early by Daddy, who was heading out to Montreal for a friend's funeral, leaving me with Mommy all day long.

She was worried I was going to be difficult, but instead, I was quiet, happy, and really nappy. I did a lot of playing by myself and recreational crawling, leaving Mommy with plenty of time to clean up and organize our place.


Saturday, April 22, 2006

Don't Touch Me!


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today I wasn't in the best of moods... I didn't nap very much, and was kinda clingy / cranky. Thus, we had the makings of a PERFECT time to go to one of my post-natal baby-gathering things!

At first I was happy... I was glad to see everyone, I was all cute and happy... and then baby after baby after baby started showing up. I got pretty cranky - one kid gave me a big open-mouth kiss, one gave me a scratch on my face, one kid pulled me hair - and then when one kid actually reached out and touched my foot, I threw a big tantrum.

Mommy said I came across really 'dainty' and 'girly' - also, the other kids (most of whom are younger than me) crawled around left right and centre for no reason, but I only ever crawl when I'm trying to get to Mommy.

I ate an entire supermarket's worth of food for dinner. I can really put away those roasted potatoes.


Friday, April 21, 2006

18 lbs


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today Mommy and I took the subway to the Doctor's office for my checkup. I was extremely well behaved, and we're happy to learn that I weight 18 lbs and have grown several centimetres in length/height. That's totally on track, and helps make cousin Eric's Xmas DVD make sense... no wonder I looked so fat! I still had to grow out.

On the way home, we went to the dumpiest mall I've ever been to, and rude people on the subway wouldn't give up their seats to Mommy, strapped with a baby and groceries.

Jerks!


Thursday, April 20, 2006

Steppy


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today Mommy and Gamma and Grandpa took me grocery shopping, and for a change, Gamma carried me around the store. I think she liked the attention a cutie pie like me brings!

Late in the afternoon, Mommy took me 'stepping' - you know, where she holds me up by the arms and walks me forward, and I awkwardly step around. Well, I'm pleased to report that I stepped all the way around the house (even up the big stone steps) to the front yard, where Daddy found me once he came home from work.

Oh, and kudos to Naisa over in Thailand, who put coins in the buckets of the Reclining Buddha for all of us (Basil too!).


Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Nine Months Old!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was mindin' my own business, hanging out with Mommy, as usual, when we webt to visit Grandpa, as we occasionally do from time to time. Anyway, he quite nicely invited us to go down to the beach with him, for his afternoon 40-minute walk. Since I had such a great time at Myrtle beach last week (see the above movie), we figured - "why not?" We had a really nice hike along the boardwalk at Ashbridge's Bay, which was a lot warmer than we expected, given the time of year.

Not much else to report - I'm still ridiculously clingy to Mommy, but a bit less grumpy than I have been over the past few days. Oh, I had two uncharacteristically long naps today, and cousin Eric sent over a fantastic DVD of last Christmas' festivities. Trust me - you gotta see it!


Tuesday, April 18, 2006

"Galau Galau Galau"


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Woe is me, she who is but an infant, trapped within the prison of her own mind. With only my silent, unexpressable thoughts to keep me company, my only recourse is to grunt, whine, or cry while gesturing with my hands such communicative efforts as "I like boobs" or "Daddy's home from work!" or "I want to be held" or "Basil is funny" or "Bring the zucchini closer to my mouth, parents!"

Pity the child. Pity she who must crawl across the room and suddenly stand up using the couch for assistance, in a futile effort to awaken a slumbering mother.


Monday, April 17, 2006

Tantrummy


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Woke up in a grumpy mood - had a tantrum on the bed while Daddy was trying to sleep. After a second early-morning tantrum, Daddy (with headache and slight exhaustion) took Mommy and I to a Greasy Spoon by the beaches to meet Mommy's friend Daniele for breakfast. It was loud in there!

Then we went for a nice walk along the boardwalk... once we got home, I had a tantrum and a nap (as did Daddy). After 90 minutes, I woke up and had a tantrum. Then, after a few more tantrums, I went for a walk with Mommy, Daddy, Basil and Gamma.

Needless to say, I was so exhausted from all the freaking out and screaming and yelling and single-minded emotional attachment to Mommy that I passed out once it was time for bed.


Sunday, April 16, 2006

The Comic Emporium



[As Transcribed by Daddy]

My vacation over the past week has warped me. I constantly demand to be held, carried, or fed by Mommy, and I prefer to be outside in the sun.

Mommy and Daddy went to the chiropractor while I was napping - so I woke up a bit early to hang out with Gamma and Grandpa and Anisa. After lunch, we went for a nice around-the-block hike, and then Daddy drove Mommy and I to the place he goes every Wednesday - the comic book store! The funny lady there made me smile.

After that, we visited Best Buy and the groecery store. All day long, my folks expected big weekend crowds (downtown etc)... but Toronto seems to be somewhat deserted. Maybe Easter has something to do with it. Oh well, no complaints here.


Saturday, April 15, 2006

Complimentary Continental Breakfast


[As transcribed by Daddy]


We left Breezewood after a complimentary continental breakfast (or whatever passes for such at a Holiday In Express) and headed for home, through variable rain, fog, and crankiness.

The trip was pretty uneventful and relatively fast - Mommy and Daddy saw a pratty awesome big kid with a mullet in a Sheetz on the way. Oh, and there are absolutely NO public restrooms in Salamanca, New York.

I was realy glad to be back home in Canada to see Gamma, Grandpa, Anisa, and especially Basil. I had lots to show off - my new tooth, and my 'stepping' ability. Had a big dinner with everyone... but I was really tired from the week's trip. Daddy put me to sleep early.


Friday, April 14, 2006

Dhhr


[As transcribed by Daddy on April 15th, 2006]


This morning Mommy and Daddy and I packed up the car and said bye-bye to Papa, his puppies, South Carolina, and the stinky water. I'll miss Papa, and I'm sure he'll miss me - I really enjoyed him! We got a speeding ticket in Darlington, about an hour or so into our voyage - from the nicest State Trooper in the USA!

The drive thriough Virginia was boring, and I didnt fall asleep until Mommy and Daddy turned off NPR and turned on some tunes. We stopped in Amherst to visit with Aunt Trina and cousin Zoe and Frinkle... we had a very nice late-afternoon. We went to a cute little restaurant that was nice, but the food was all overcooked. We went to a supermarket to buy me some organic baby food - Aunt Trina became the third person to ever carry me in the baby carrier.

Next, Mommy and Daddy and I drove off into the mountains and into the night, until I woke up at about 11:00pm. We stopped and shacked up at a Holiday Inn in Breezewood, Pennsylvania. Boy, did Daddy ever need a shower.


Thursday, April 13, 2006

Swan Lake


[As transcribed by Daddy on April 15th, 2006]


Last night was kinda rough again - more crazed tantrums. This morning, the likely culprit revealed itself (and no, it wasn't the monster-sized mutant swamp tick mysteriously affixed to the back of Daddy's knee)... a tooth has emerged from my lower gums! Let's see if this one actually sticks around.

Mommy and Daddy and Papa drove me to visit my Great Grandmother in the hospital again... we bumped heads. It was fun - all of the old ladies in there seem to love the heck outta me. They all wanted me to stay, but then we had to drive to Sumter and take a lovely stroll in a pretty swamp/garden, where we saw turtles, ducks, geese, and swans. It was a lot of fun - I got to ride on Papa's shoudlers again!

Next, we went to another buffet lunch/dinner - apparently, I am the funniest thing ever when I try to eat and poop at the same time... I had everyone rolling around on the floor, practically. After that, we drove off to an old cemetary, where Mommy and Daddy got to do a lot more genealogical research and looked at the graves of my long-dead ancestors. I wasn't helping much, so I pooped. Daddy is certain that the spirits of my relatives throught that was hilarious.

Next, we visited my Mommy's Aunt Margartet. While I was there, I had another few firsts - I crawled forward on my hands AND knees, and with Papa's help holding me up, I took several actual walking-steps across the room!

Got back to Papa's trailer and promptly had one heck of an intense tantrum. It's okay, though - I was such an angel all week long. Tomorrow we start the two-day journey home. Mommy and Daddy sure do hope I sleep well tonight.


Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Pawley / Myrtle


[As transcribed by Daddy on April 15th, 2006]


I had something of a rough night last night. At least twice I woke up screaming... I may be constipated. Aren't you glad you know that?

Anyway, this morning Mommy and Daddy and Papa drove me all the way to the beach at Pawley's Island. It sure was nice - warm, breezy, sandy, and wet! Papa buried me in the sand and I had a ball, and Mommy helped me take a few (assisted) steps in the Atlantic Ocean (I thought it was too cold, actually. Made me cry a bit). Daddy took about a million photos.

Then we drove off along highway 17 through the coastal South Carolina beachtowns... Mytrle Beach and stuff, past all the Mini Golf courses, seafood restaurants, and Palmetto trees. We stopped at a place for seafood buffet where Papa ate all of the crab legs left in existence. I ate some carrots, and had a major poop. For real.

Then it was a lovely sunset-drive back to the trailer. Hopefully, I sleep better tonight than I did last night.


Tuesday, April 11, 2006

So Many Friends!


[As transcribed by Daddy on April 15th, 2006]


What a great day! First off, Daddy and I played outside with all of Papa's puppies. Their yapping made me laugh!

Next, we headed out to the nursing home where Mommy's Grandma lives. Daddy thought it looked like a big jail - but none of us could deny how happy and how much healthier she looked compared to the last time I saw her. We had a really great visit - then we drove off into the woods and Papa let me sit on his shoulders, which I absolutely loved.

Then, we visited Papa's friend Mattie (who is a big fan of this blog, apparently - Hi, Mattie!) - she had lots and lots of fun toys for me to play with. I crawled around the floor, playing and just basically making everyone's day.

Then, we went to a restaurant - Daddy and Pappa ate a lot of fried southern food, Mommy had chicken, and I pigged out on veggies and cookies. A nearby lady came by and compimented Mommy on my excellent behaviour. As soon as we got back in the car, I was so full, I fell asleep.

Then it was back to Papa's trailer to play and laugh with the puppies and go to bed.

Phew!


Monday, April 10, 2006

Papa's Trailer


[As transcribed by Daddy on April 15th, 2006]


So... turns out we were closer to Aunt Trina's apartment than we thought. After a lovely hour-long drive through the mountains of Virginia, we visited her and Zoe - Daddy fell asleep on the couch. It was great to see them - and Frinkle, too!

After that it was another long drive through Virginia and South Carolina. We stopped at one point and picked up a travel bed and I snoozed off-and-on. Finally, at around five we made it to Papa's trailer... he took Mommy and Daddy and I for a ride on his four-wheeler through the swamp, and I got to pet some newborn baby bunnies. Papa is really happy to see me!

Daddy's allergies are starting to go crazy... hopefully we'll all sleep well in Papa's Trailer tonight and for the next few days!


Sunday, April 09, 2006

Knoxville Girl


[As transcribed by Daddy on April 15th, 2006]


This morning was a bit of a whirlwind - loaded up a rental car, said g'bye to Gamma, Grandpa, and Basil, and headed off on a crazy-long car-ride through Ontario, New York State, Pennsylvania, a bit of Maryland and West Virginia, and finally to Virginia. We were supposed to drive all the way to Aunt Trina's apartment, but I had had just about enough of the car seat after nine hours. My folks put me to sleep by singing to me but they decided not to risk another stop for gas (ergo a woken, cranky, and impossible-to-soothe baby) by stopping at a Holiday Inn in Staunton, about 2-3 hours away from Trina.

Once we got there - it was party time! Dad was hoping for a WiFi connection, but... no such luck. There ARE mullets, though.


Saturday, April 08, 2006

Feed Scream


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today I traumatized Mommy by frantically and spontaneously screaming right in the middle of a feeding for no reason. Nobody knows what caused the sudden panicked and horrifying outburst, but Mommy's eardrums are still bleeding. I'm fine.

I 'cuted up the house' when Basil tried to get some kisses in while I was visiting with Gamma. After he left, I strained after him to get some more!

Cool Uncle Gareth and Julia are in town for the weekend, so they came over for dinner... I got to stay up past my bedtime to hang out with them. I really like Julia... she makes me smile!

Oh, and, uh... apparently we're off on another trip for the next week. We'll try to update the blog while we're gone, but it might be hard, seeing as how we'll be in a swamp for most of the time.


Friday, April 07, 2006

Carniverous


[As transcribed by Daddy]


I woke up really early this morning, and was extremely grumpy with my parents for not getting up and playing with me. Daddy fed me applesauce before he went to work, which was a real challenge as I alternately spat it back at him and demanded that he feed it to me faster.

I cheered up soon after, and had a pretty quiet day with Mommy, as we got ready for some big long trip we're supposedly going to be taking next week.

When Daddy came home from work again, I was soaked in miscellaneous vegetable juices. Mommy thinks that while I do love the veggies (I tried and enjoyed tomatoes today), I prefer meat.


Thursday, April 06, 2006

Perfectly Proportioned


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Still in an awesome and sweet mood, still napping quite happily. Everyone figures it must be a growth spurt or something, because I'm also near-fanatical about breastfeeding. Mommy has to start wearing a lead apron around the house, because every time she walks by, I fling myself at her chest for a feeding. It's amusing, but slightly annoying. For her.

Daddy came home from work early so that we could all go and visit the chiropractor - his receptionist called me the most 'Perfectly Proportioned' baby she's ever seen. After that, we went to a colourful store and bought some clothes.


Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Official Clover Policy Change


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today was a complete shift in what I like to call "Official Clover Policy*." I was having such an awesome and happy day today that I decided to share my joy with Mommy by by NOT fighting off naptime. Mommy put me in my crib, and I just happily lay there until I fell asleep. No fuss, no muss.

Likewise, when Daddy put me to bed tonight after only one (!) song, I lay there with my eyes wide open, enjoying my pacifier, and silently sank into slumber.

*We'll see if this Policy Change remains permanent.


Tuesday, April 04, 2006

No No No No


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today was a pretty easy day - played with Mommy, tried to get out of as many naps as possible, you know the usual drill.

A few notes on my development - first of all, I now do this incredibly cute thing where I shake my head from side-to-side, as though I'm saying "no". Sometimes I'll just do it out of the blue, and other times I'll mimic Mommy or Daddy (or even Froggy) and start shaking my head. It makes everyone laugh.

The other point of interest is my apparent fascination with other's people's mouths and teeth - specifically Daddy's. I love to pry his jaw open with my hands and then poke around at his incisors. Maybe I'll be a dentist one day! I hope I at least show some aptitude.


Monday, April 03, 2006

Forks of the Credit


[As transcribed by Daddy]


How's this for a nice change - we went for our usual weekend hike, since the weather was so nice... but this time, Gamma and Grandpa agreed to come with us! Yay! We all had a great time at the Forks of the Credit Park, even though it's still a bit brown and the trees are only just starting to bud.

After a huffy-and-puffy walk (for all of us, including Basil) with lots of up-and-down bits, we had a long car ride home, where much junk food was consumed (not by me, though).

I was very happy to play on the floor once we got home and eat a paperback.


Sunday, April 02, 2006

Choke!


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Today Daddy's lower back was really bothering him as soon as he woke up, so we all went to visit the chiropractor. Turns out Daddy's butt is all broken or something. I had fun, until Babak started fixing Mommy's back, and I was all, like, "Get your hands off of my Mommy!" and stuff.

Went to the bookstore after my (brief) afternoon nap, and we picked up some stuff. During dinner, I actually choked on some food (a hunk of apple) for the first time. My face turned red, my eyes got big, and before I knew it, Daddy was slapping me on the back, and out popped the apple, which I promptly re-ate.

I feel fine now, but since Daddy's "emergency manoeuvers", I've been looking at him with alarm. Just because some Doctor crunched his back, it's no reason for him to repeatedly whack away at mine.

I went to bed in record time.


Saturday, April 01, 2006

Barking Like a Dog


[As transcribed by Daddy]


Two dog-related moments for me today:

1) I can't say his name yet, but when Mommy or Daddy ask me where Basil is, I immediately look at him.

2) When Basil barked at the organic-food-delivery guy today, Mommy and Gamma started barking too (so that Basil's big barks wouldn't scare me). Eventually, I joined in and barked like a dog with them! It came out "Agg! Agg!", but that's pretty close.


I'm a happy kid living with my parents and our dog in Toronto. I'm goofy, sweet, smart, extremely chatty, and pretty much the cutest kid on the face of the Earth!