She's not allergic to babies after all!

Look Grandma and Grandpa W - there's hope for more grandkids yet!

We finally got to meet Vicki's mystery man! This is John, with Auntie Vicki and "Uncle" Billy, who's visiting from Texas. (Those are the overalls you sent, Mom and Dad - so cute!) John approves of Vicki's pick - he had lots of fun looking at Billy's goofy faces; he giggled himself to sleep after they left!

Mike and I like him too - he seems to be a really nice guy. He has lots of funny stories about fishing with dynamite and fun with shotguns, which made us both nostaligic for home.

Mike, true to form, was sick just in time for the meeting. He told me the night before he thought he was coming down with something. By the next morning, his voice was hoarse. He stopped by between jobs to code off, and he looked like death warmed over. However, he stopped by a pharmacy in the afternoon, so he appeared normal by the time he got home, and left for work fully drugged, so he'd have a life-like appearance for his customers.

John's first Christmas, Part One - The Tree

Here's us, with a very under-dressed John at the tree farm, just after we picked out our tree.

Yesterday was Mike's first day off in two weeks, so we headed out to get a Christmas tree. We hadn't bothered last year - the worst of my pregnancy was hitting, so I felt way too exhausted and yicky to bother with any of it. But the year before, we had gone to a tree farm, and were really impressed. The tree was not only the most beautiful ever, but it lasted forever. How do we know this? Well, in typical fashion for us, we missed the tree pick-up in January, but it was still so lush, we didn't care. After a month or so, we kind of got used to it being around, so we left it up. February came and went, and it was still so green and fresh-looking, we decided to see just how long it would stay green for. It was sometime in mid-March when our riding president phoned to say he'd be over with some forms we needed to sign. We hadn't known him long at that point, and he certainly hadn't been to our house yet, so we were horrified. It was spring, and we still had this fully decorated tree up in our living room.

So, it was all hands on deck for the next 20 minutes. We whipped off the decorations in record speed, and chucked them all down the basement stairs. Mike knocked the tree over, and started to drag it out the back door. However, it wouldn't fit throught he kitchen, so he had to take it all the way back through the house, out the front door, across the lawn and down the ally, where he hoofed it over the fence into our backyard.

Of course, it chose that moment to let go of every single needle. By the time it got to the back yard, it was completely bare. Nearly every single needle now formed a prefectly green path of needles, running from our living room, to our kitchen, then back to the front door. And of course, it had been sitting in month-old water all this time, which was now smeared all across the hardwood floor, making a wet, sticky, needly mess.

I got to work with the broom and towels. Amazingly, by the time Jim arrived at the door, the mess was gone, with nothing left but a fresh pine scent.

I'm sure he wondered about the streak of needles cutting across the snow on our lawn, but he said nothing. He didn't even say anything about the dozens of needles wedged in the door jam as he came in. We don't know if he noticed. To this day, we've never told him that story.

We just recently threw that tree out. We were going to take it out for last year's tree pick-up, but were so embarrassed to put this wizened, brown, bare-branched shadow of a tree, out next to everyone else's green ones. We finally put it in a dumpster we had rented to clean out some renovation rubble, two years after the fact.

So, anyway, back to this year. We know they last, we don't need to do that again. But we wanted another tree-farm tree, so we packed up John and all of John's gear, and headed out to the country for a very poorly planned event, typical of us.

The idea was, we were going to take John in the stroller. (I know, I know. The funny thing is, I used to work for a rural paper, and should have known better. Who takes a stroller on a farm?) But, his car seat snaps onto a stroller base, we were going to do it that way, for simplicity. It's a good off-road stroller with a suspension system and big tires. We thought, "this will work." So, I dressed John accordingly. He HAS snowsuits to suit a variety of conditions, but we left every one of them at home. Instead, we dressed him in a jacket, thinking we would just pile lots of blankets on top to keep him warm. Layers, right? Layers are good. The logic was, by using the small seat, it would eliminate the need for bringing every piece of baby equipment he owns. We have a larger car seat, but it doesn't snap into the base, so we'd need to bring his stroller seat, which also snaps into the stroller base, but is much larger and more comfortable for him than the small seat. However, we were also planning to get groceries which requires the small car seat, which snaps right onto the grocery cart, because he can't sit up in the basket yet, and the large car sat doesn't come out of the car. So, we're thinking, we're going to have to install the large seat for driving around, and also pack the small car seat for groceries, and the carraige seat for the stroller. To heck with that - the small car seat can do it all, so that's all we took. Follow me? HOWEVER, he can't fit into it when he's wearing anything heavier than a jacket, which is where the layers come in.

Anyway, we get to the place - a different farm than last time - and I stayed with John in the car, while Mike headed into the store to see just how the place works. He returned with a saw, shaking his head, and told me to come, and bring nothing but John. I asked him what was going on, and he just muttered over and over "this has bad idea written all over it."

John, of course, was not dressed to be carried. It was cold, and windy and he had nothing on but a light jacket. We grabbed a fleece blanket, but it still wasn't going to be enough. Mike led us on foot down this old farm road. Apparently, the guy told him to leave our car where it was, and walk to the trees. He's telling me this as other cars are driving past us, and as we pass signs pointing to additional parking ahead - parking right beside the trees.

Redardless, we trudge on, me trying to keep John warm, Mike shaking his head, saw in hand, muttering the whole way. We finally get to the trees, but they're up a steep slope of thick, wet, slippery mud. It was two steps forard, one step back all the way, but we finally got up to survey the wide selection of dwarfen trees. Not a single one was taller than me. We saw one in the distance that looked to be a normal size, so we made our way across the field, feet sticking in mud every step of the way, but it was a mirage. It was just growing on a hill and still wasn't much taller than me.

After about three minutes of this, Mike muttered something about pre-cut trees stacked up near the barn. So, we headed back, cold, muddy and defeated, to pick out a pre-cut tree. John was frozen, so we put him inside Mike's coat to stay warm. His feet were sticking out the bottom, and his head out the top, but, other than a bright red runny nose, he looked really happy and warm for the walk back.

All in all, it was actually a lot of fun. The farm is owned by a really nice Dutch family. You could tell they were laughing at us city folks, with all our plans to harvest our own tree, only to give up minutes later as our Norman Rockwell fantasy gave way to cold, muddy reality. We could see them laughing at us again when Mike was trying to strap the tree to the roof. They all stood around on the porch watching, now and then offering us a better rope. But they were really nice. They LOVED John. He giggled at all of them. They took our picture to mark the occasion, and they gave us their very last "baby's first Christmas" ornament for him.

We're definitely going back next year. We just have to remember to wear boots, not shoes, and dress John appropriately.

The rest of the day was spent decorating. Mike worked on the lights outside, while I worked on the tree. John cooed and giggled beside me in the jumper while I untangled lights. (Yes, the outdoor lights were still up from last year, but Mike still had to start over again. Did you know that squirrels eat through wires?) Mike came in to warm up when he was done for the day - it was freezing rain by then, but he just had to put the ladder away for the night. A few minutes later, we heard a crash from outside - the ladder had fallen down, taking about 75 per cent of his lights with it. So, he has to start over again. Um, again. He planned to do it today, but one of his co-workers went AWOL, so his manager asked him to cover today and tomorrow. That means yesterday was his only day off between November 29, and the end of the year. Thankfully, extended shifts are over for the winter, so he won't be working non-stop 12-hour shifts anymore.

We finished the tree together, and it started to snow! John wanted to nap before the lights and decoratons went up on the tree. The fresh air did him some good - he slept for six solid hours. He slept so deeply, we took turns checking to make sure he was still alive. He woke up at midnight, and we fed him in the living room, so he could see the tree, with all the other house lights turned off. He loved it!!! His little jaw dropped when he saw all those lights! He was completely spellbound. Once the initial awe wore off, he kept looking back and forth from me to Mike, to the tree and back again, with a huge grin on his face. It was so cute!

We took some pictures, which follow. Sorry for the blur on some of them. We were experimenting with the night scene setting.

Dad strapping the tree to the roof. John and I, along with the whole farm staff, were watching him. 

John and Dad taking a break,once the tree was in place. 

John's "baby's first Christmas" decoration - it just needs a picture, but we can't bring ourselves to cut one up to put it in. 

Just minutes after we finished decorating the tree, we looked out the window and saw this! 

John checking out the tree - sorry for the blur. The shutter speed had to be really slow. 

Our favourite present 

Peek-a-boo...

I see you!

Kinda late on this one - it's been busy here just getting organized. Trying to do all the things I wanted to do while John was off, but never had the time. Now, his routine is more predictable, so it's easier to do things.

Mike's been swamped too. He has the next few days off, thankfully, to get caught up on stuff - he has a lot of stuff to do for me, and a lot for the Conservative association as well, but I think he'll just get to the party stuff before he has to get back to work. Apparently, guys in this company take their holidays at Christmas. He's now working every day from December 20 to 31, including Christmas Day. That means no Christmas for us, but it's OK. We'll just follow the Orthodox calendar this year - John will never know the difference. Besides, the money is way too good to pass up, and Christmas is the "pity shift." Apparently, you get fed all the cookies and sweets you can imagine as a normal person - he plans to tell every customer that he was called away from his first son's first Christmas to fix their line, to milk it for all it's worth. He's pure evil.

John discovered "D," today. He actually said "Daddy" clear as a bell, but Daddy wasn't there to hear it. It was just a random fluke, so I don't imagine it will happen again for a while. If you make enough random sounds, eventually something english will come out of it.

Retro photo of the day

John and his friends

Must remember to download camera...

John and I went to our local Early Years Centre yesterday. WOW!!! Is it ever cool! They took us on a tour, and showed us all the places he'll be able to play once he's up and running - he's gong t have a blast! They have this HUGE gym filled with things like tunnels, that he can crawl through and climb on. They have a pool with a slide that's completely free until he turns seven. They have a science station, and an outdoor playground. All pretty cool stuff. I signed us up for the Baby Mother Goose program. SO not my thing, but everyone says to do it, so we're doing it, starting in the new year. The ladies there said he's "unusually attentive" so I guess it's unfair to keep him with just me to entertain him - he needs a little more excitement in his life to keep those neurons firing.

John has figured out how to make an "L" sound with his tounge, and has been practicing. He's also very good at "G" - he's known that one for a while, as well as "B." He goesn't to the whole "gaga" type thing yet, but the extra sounds definitely keep the conversation more fun. He's also getting really good at pulling himself up by holding my thumbs, over and over and over and over. Who says babies have a short attention span? I sure couldn't do the same thing that many times in a row and still be excited about it. Also - he grabbed a toy while sitting up for the first time!!!

A crappy story

An old favourite - John at two weeks old

I could sit and watch him sleep all day - he's so perfect.

Until he poops, that is.

Mike has been really wiped from work lately, so he went to bed early last night to recharge for another long week of overtime. John wasn't tired yet, so we played a little and watched a little TV until he wound down. When it was time for John to go to bed, Mike was already fast asleep, so I got him changed in the dark, so I wouldn't disturb Mike. I settled John into bed, tucked him in, and he started to drift off.

Just as he was on the cusp of sleep, from his bottom came a dreaded noise ...pfffffffft..... pffft...pfft...pft... Dang. Maybe it was just a wet fart, I thought. A really wet fart. The sound of fart passing through copious globs of cream, perhaps? Could I really take that chance with such newly healed skin? Unfortunately, I couldn't, so out he came, this time to the dim glow of streetlight at the end of the bed, so I could see a bit of what I was doing.

Of course, he was jolted awake in the process, but it wasn't in vain. There it was, a week's worth of poop. Yes, he's a weekly pooper. How lucky, you may think. But you wouldn't say that if you've seen a week's worth of baby poop, threatening to break through the banks of a diaper.

Pfffffft...he wasn't done yet.....pffffft...

When he seemed finished, I got started with a cloth - NOT a squirt bottle ** see Note below** - and mopped him up. With the mess contained, I moved the old diaper to the side and started to dry off his bottom.

That was when Mike rolled over, and splatted his foot smack dab in the dirty diaper. And splat is really the only word to describe it.

Luckily, he had taken a sleeping pill, and was too far gone to wake up, even though he was wriggling his toes in baby poop. He snored through both the initial splat and the frantic mopping I did in the pitch blackness, praying he wouldn't roll over and smear it through the sheets before I was done. I hope I got it all, but there was definitely no footsies going on in our bed this morning, just in case. I haven't told him what happened. I don't think I'm going to.

Ah, the joys of motherhood. At least I'm safe for another week.
Better go - I have some sheets to wash.

**Note** Yes, I learned the hard way that poop and squirt bottles don't mix, with last week's poop. I was holding John football style over the sink, with his bare bum in the air. I was squirting, but it wasn't working. The poop was too sticky, so I squeezed the bottle harder, to make a more concentrated spray. The important word here is "spray." It got the poop off alright, but sprayed it all over the sink, the wall, the mirror, my face, my clothes. Delightful. I switched to the "swish in warm bath" technique, but I just got a big smear of sticky poop on the bottom of the tub, and his bottom was no cleaner. I tried holding his bum under the tub faucet instead, but he started screaming and the poop clung on anyway. That's when I said to heck with that and switched to a cloth, rash be damned.

More sitting

Our little frog

Sorry for the repeat - can't get enough of this pose. He held it for several minutes this time! He kept straining his back, I think trying to sit up straight, but he's not there yet.

It snowed again yesterday, so I took John out for a walk while it fell! It was pretty fun. He peered at it suspiciously from under his sun visor at first, but after a while he relaxed and seemed to enjoy watching it fall. There was only one other stroller out other than me, and the poor baby's view was covered by blankets and sheets of plastic. What good is going for a walk, especially in something new, if all they have to look at is a blanket!? I got a lot of "what are you thinking" glares from passers-by, but it wasn't really cold, just snowing, and he was bundled so cozily he fell asleep half-way through, so I don't see the problem.

I think John was playing hide-and-go-seek with me yesterday. I had him lying on the bed, and I was sitting at his feet. He had the blanket in his hand, and slooooowly pulled it over his face, watching me intently the whole time. When I peered around the edge and "found" him, he burst into a fit of giggles, pulled the blanket away and the whole game started again. He did it several times. It was the funniest thing. I don't know if he was playing a game, or just playing with the blanket, but it was pretty funny all the same.

Ah, I hear him waking up! This is usually his morning nap time, but he slept in today so he's just getting up now.

Best buds

John and Mary, basking in the warmth of the radiator and each other.

You know when Mike calls for you to bring the camera, something strange is happening. Don't worry - the rad was just warm and John's looking straight at Mike in this shot, so you can see, he was right there in case John started to slip. They were actually both enjoying themselves up there, so it wasn't a problem.

We do have all the full-size originals, Bruce! It might be better at this point to burn them onto a CD and send them that way - we have LOTS. I don't mind it going into your newsletter - just let me know when it goes out, so I can try to get lots of good photos up.

We reached another milestone!!! He pulled himself up this morning! He was sitting on my lap, holding my thumbs, and he started to strain. Usually, we pull him up so he can stand up. This time I kept my thumbs where they were, to see how far he could get on his own strength, and he pulled himself right up to standing! He looked so proud of himself - so he sat himself down and did it again, and again, and again. He did it about six times before he got too tired. He's getting so strong!

And he's so cute now - his hair us coming in thicker, so you can see the colour better. It's not really red, or orange - it's more coppery, like the colour of a new penny. I think it's fitting, because Mike's has darkened to the colour of a really old penny. He doesn't like that analogy, but it fits so perfectly.

Mike has been working crazy hours lately. He's worked overtime every day for two weeks straight, and counting. Pretty good for December. We had a huge wind storm recently - always good for business in the utility repair industry.

He's he subject of an investigation at work. He had gone to a job, and the client came out to greet him, accidentally locking herself out. It was late at night, freezing cold and she was all alone and without a coat. He tried to help her get in, but couldn't find a way, so she asked him to break one of her windows so she could get inside. Not wanting to leave her alone in the cold, he obliged her. She was very thankful.

Well, her landlord wasn't so thrilled. Yup, it was a rented house. Why she didn't think to call her landord for the spare key, I don't know, but he lodged a complaint with the company. Mike offered to pay the damage, of course. His manager told him not to be so nice next time. The investigation isn't complete yet, so we don't know what the company will decide. He won't get fired, but the cost could deducted from his pay, which we think is fair. It was cold and late, he was tired and she was panicked - it was a breeding ground for bad decisions, but that's not the company's fault.

Ding dong, the rash is dead - almost

The naked nap's days are numbered
It's too bad, though - he actually seems to like them. He's probably going to be a nudist when he grows up. I thought babies hated being naked - John has loved it from day one.

John and I headed to Sears yesterday to preview the cribs. He sprung a leak while we were there, so I ducked into the nursing room to change him. The nurse remembered him from last time, and was making faces at him while I changed his diaper. (I had to use a wipe - no squirt bottles there.) Well, she noticed the remains of his rash, when I pulled the rash cream out of my bag - it's ust a bit of pinkness now.

She said it's definitely what a food reaction looks like. (I didn't actually go IN to the doc - he hasn't physically seen it, so he hasn't told me what it could be from.) She said it doesn't generally happen with rice. She said it's either a reaction to an ingredirent, or to food period - his gut may not have been mature enough to handle it yet. She suggested that when we're ready to start again, (she suggested waiting the full six months, just to be sure he's ready) just skip the rice and start with oats. If the same thing happens, it could indicate that he's just not ready for food at all. If it causes no reaction, but going back to rice does, then we'll know it was something about the rice. Makes sense to me.

Unfortunately, I had just bought a new box of rice (I found the organic brand - just organic rice and iron in the ingredients.) They didn't have the organic oats in, so I found a different brand of oats. Luckily, most had fewer ingredients than the rice anyway - proably because oats taste better by themselves. I skipped the brand who's second ingredient was palm kernel oil (yikes!) and went for one that was basicly oats and vitamins, and not much else. It's Heinz, I think. We'll give that a try, and hope he can handle it better.

She said he looks fantastic and very healthy! He's 18 pounds, 4 ounces, which is right on track from the growth chart she had there.

The cat's meow

The best seat in the house

Sorry guys, we're taking a little break from John today. These are our cats, Bailey and Mary - they found one of John's blankets thrown in the laundry pile after tummy-time. They didn't leave it for the entire day. They learned pretty early on that the best things in life belong to John, including the softest blankets. They've really warmed up to John. They still slink out of the room if he starts to cry, but they'll come right up to him to be pet, even though that's mostly him grabbing handfulls of fur or whiskers, or tail, or ear, and pulling hard. They're very patient, and take it all in stride.

John's doing well. You can look forward to more pictures of him slathered in cereal in the near future - he's actually READY for solids now. (As opposed to just the minimum recommended age.) He's showing all the signs you're supposed to watch for - mouthing, well, everything; waking up when we eat dinner; lunging at our plates; grabbing at our food; watching intently as our fork moves from plate to mouth. Sometimes, his mouth even opens when ours does. He used to grab before, but this is different - before it was more just idle curiosity -now there's some serious intention behind it. And now, he's starting to wake up in the night for an extra meal or two. So, I'm feeling better about starting now. I humoured Mike and let him feed John earlier, but it was so obvious he wasn't ready. Except for a couple of open mouths the first time, his mouth was clamped shut for each bite, he'd turn his head from side to side, he'd spit nearly everything straight back out. He looked miserable. It was horrible. I mean, it was fun, but we were definitely the only ones enjoying it. I think it'll probably go a little smoother now. I just hope that rash wasn't related at all. I'm going to wait until Mike's work slows enough that he can be around. He enjoys it so much - he's kind of claimed solid feedings as his job. He doesn't mix the cereal, or clean up after, or even get John bibbed and ready (or change the yicky cereal-poop diapers). He just likes to shovel it in. But hey, it's something, right?

John's even taking a lot of interest in cups. Several times now, I've held him while having a cup of milk, and he grabs the rim of the glass, and pulls it to him, so he can look inside to see what's there, and then mouths the rim. If it weren't so heavy, I think he'd try to drink from it too - not because he's thirsty, just to see what I'm doing. I know the public health nurse said to start the cup around six months, but I'm so not ready to be replaced by a cup yet. Mike keeps joking that he's going to have to wean me off breastfeeding. He's probably right.

Sitting pretty

He sat by himself long enough for a photo for the first time!

It was cold, dark and rainy here all of yesterday, so John and I played inside. Last night, we practiced sitting for a few minutes, and he made a breakthrough! Instead of toppling over from the slightest movement, he held this position for a good 20 or 30 seconds, and was even able to keep his balance while moving his hands from side to side! He doesn't enjoy it - the cat passed by him, and he looked like he was dying to reach out and pet her, but knew he couldn't or he'd fall. But it's just a matter of time! With enough practice, he'll be able to let go of the floor. Those cats had better watch out - he'll be chasing them in no time!

PS - Happy birthday to John!!! He's five months old today!!! It's hard to believe this time last year, I was telling my managers that I was pregnant. All he was to me then was a blob in an ultrasound picture and a license to eat. Now, just a year later, here he is, and I can't imagine my life without him. :)

How long until spring?

John, looking less than impressed with the new snow

If I ignore it, it will go away..

Well, I tried to get a smile, but no luck. Not even contentment. Just a few sneers and even more grimaces.

Turns out, despite the fact that John spent the first three months of his life naked in front of the air conditioner, despite the fact that he would howl in protest if he was out in anything more than a diaper and a paper-thin undershirt (to the horror of old ladies everywhere, who all made chiding comments behind my back.) And despite the father-son snowfort dreams of a northern born-and-bred Dad, snow is a no-go for John.

However Mike is not deterred. "Don't worry - he'll like it when there's more of it." That sounds like faulty logic to me, but I don't want to crush his dreams.

Rash Update:
So, um, it turns out you can't use wipes with a rash. That seems to have been my downfall. And, oh yeah, when they say to use the cream "liberally," they actually mean it - it's not just a ploy to get you to use it up faster. I thought I was being liberal, based on the tiny tube, with its higher than average cost, but it turns out that diaper rash battles are not the time to be frugal.

So, this has been our new Rash Ritual, and after less than a day, the rash is 90 per cent healed:

- Remove old diaper
- Gently squirt area clean with warm clear water from a squirt bottle, so as not to agitate the wound, or disrupt the tender new skin. Swish bottom gently through a soap-free bath, if mess is too much for squirt bottle.
-Very gingerly DAB dry with clean cotton cloth. For gosh sakes DON'T RUB! (See above).
-Air dry for 15 minutes.
- Slather with copious globs of cream. If it isn't all over hands and change mat, there isn't enough.
- Rediaper.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Repeat.

Pre-nap changes are the same, minus the cream and new diaper - he naps naked on a towel. Wow. Do I feel dumb for not knowing all this.

I'm going to chalk this one up to a "learning experience." After all, it's only his second real rash, and only the first requiring treatment. The last one cleared on it own after a couple of days. So wipes are bad - who knew?

Good morning!

John, waking up from his morning nap yesterday. I usually get a big grin and a wiggle when I go to collect him.

We have snow today! When John wakes up from his nap, we're going to head to the backyard to check it out hands-on. I held him up to the window to have a look this morning and he seemed pretty captivated. It's not so exciting for Mike, who has to work in it, though. As much as I miss my job, I'm so glad to not be forced into the winter commute. I feel really bad for him.

The rash lives on. I'm getting a little worried. I've been looking online to see what I should be doing. All the sites said to assume it's infected and treat it as such after 72 hours - it's been two weeks. I used some yeast cream, and it actually seemed to make it flare up again. I think he's getting a white film inside his mouth as well, but I'll take a closer look under a brighter light the next time he wakes up - is that what thrush looks like? I just don't know. They also said to go to the doctor if there's no improvement after three days, or if it's raw. It is improving, but it was very, very raw at its worst, so I don't know if that applies to me. At the same time, I saw some photos of diaper rash online, and that's TOTALLY not what John has - these poor babies had these very painful looking little red spots, or big blobs of bright red skin. It was grissly. This is just a little ring of red between his cheeks. The only other rash he's had was at a week old, when the fold between his leg and tummy turned red. It went away on its own the next day. I saw no pictures that were similar to what he has now, but I found several descriptions that were. One place I saw said it's a form of diaper rash that's a normal part of starting solids for breastfed babies, because the pH of their poop is no longer ideal. Another said it's caused by food allergies. Another said it's from the friction between his cheeks. I guess I'll call the nurse and see what she thinks. She'll probably get the doc to call. He'll say to come in, and when I get there he'll wonder why I wasted his time, because it's nothing.

A fresh perspective

Seeng the world in a whole new light

He can sit upright by holding something, and he can hold the railing, so I thought I'd combine them just to see what would happen. He was enthralled! It's like he was seeing everything for the first time! I put blankets around him in case he let go and fell, which he did once by trying to reach for his mobile with both hands. He's not that good a sitter yet! Though, he can actually sit unaided for a few seconds at a time, if he holds his ankles. Not very interesting for him - he usually topples when he lets go to explore the plaid on the couch.

That poor, poor, sheep

I'm so glad he's washable. The poor thing never leaves John's mouth. So, I guess this is what they mean by the "oral phase?"

Sorry these are a little blurred - he was bouncing like a wild man the whole time.

Back off - he's mine! 

Thank-you!

John getting to know his new toy

This is a new pair of overalls, and a new toy from John's Great Auntie Glen Ellen and Great Uncle Dave. Nearly all of John's wardrobe so far has been courtesy of them. (The shoes are from my parents.) This was taken just before we left for the grocery store. He got plenty of oooooh's and awwww's from this outfit, and the toy kept him happy and occupied for the entire trip. It's by far his new favourite - he flaps his arms everytime he sees me bringing it to him. He can put an entire foot in his mouth at once, which only adds to its appeal.

MOM - No - no-one here is up at 5 a.m.!! This site is from a different time zone. The posting times are from their time zone, not mine, and they're always way out of whack. I think today it says 6:30, and I'm never even up then! Luckily, the earliest John gets up is 7, which I can live with.

He normally falls asleep really, really easily. As long as he can find his thumb, he's usually out within five minutes. I think that photo was taken close to 11, which isn't too bad. His normal bedtime is between 9-10. He never stays up to be with me, but he almost always battles off sleep until Mike gets home and plays with him. Once he's seen Mike, he settles down. I think that's why he wakes up and goes to sleep when he does - that way, Dad will play with him both before and after work. On days that Mike has off, John will often sleep in until 9, or go to bed at 7. Except for Saturday nights, that is. He seems to know when we're up late watching Movie Night in Canada, or Saturday Night at the Movies on TVO. He likes to come up and cuddle under the blanket with us.

Lately, he's just really excited. He wants to stay up late and practice rolling, now that he remembers how. It's getting better now though. He falls asleep like normal, and sleeps the normal length of time, and just rolls over when he wakes up, which is much better.

The rash is going away - I'm really thinking it's something in the cereal, because it started to ease off after it was all out of his system. It's still there, but not as raw looking. I've been looking for a different brand of cereal, just in case, but they all have strange things in them. One has olive oil. Another is made with powdered milk. I hear there's an organic one out there, but I haven't found it. I'd give him real rice, but it's not the rice he needs, it's the iron that's been added to it. But we'll see - I'll try the cereal once more. If the same thing happens, I'll call the doc.

The Millers did send a cream, and it's great - it's a daily preventative cream. I don't use it every day, but if I see a bit of pink coming, and I have it beside me, I will use it. It's petroleum based, to keep out the water. However, my doctor said this other stuff is better once the rash is there - it's quite a bit more money than the other creams, but he says it's the best one, so it's worth the extra money. It's silicone based so it clings better than petroleum and soothes any irritation he may feel. So far, it is working the best. I had high hopes for the zinc oxide, but it didn't seem to do much of anything. I keep leaving his bottom exposed for a bit each day, and the rash should be gone soon. It is just a really stubborn rash, especially considering he doesn't get diaper rash much at all. I'm a little worried it might be infected with fungus - I hear that happens - but I have no idea what that would look like to know if that has happened.

His stroller is actually really tall - almost as tall as a high chair, which is why I used it. He sits about waist-high. I used to use his Snugli to wash the dishes while he was awake - the rocking always put him to sleep. But now he's so big, his feet dip into the water, which he really doesn't like. It never occurred to me to use a high-chair instead, until I read it. I'd be a hopeless mother without books telling me what the heck to do. A few weeks ago, I would have just put his car seat on the counter beside me so he could be higher up, which I know you're not supposed to do anyway. But now it's downright dangerous - he's figured out how to get out. (Unless he's strapped in, which he hates.) He's figured out that if he arches his back to make his body stiff and straight, and gives a little wiggle, he can slide right out of his seat. I don't know what he thinks he'll do once he gets out, but he's pretty proud of himself all the same. He did it once while we were waiting in line at the store, to the horror of a little old lady behind me. (I cought him in time, don't worry. And yes, I usually keep him strapped in while in stroller mode, but he was fussy so I was carrying him, but had set him down to find my wallet.)

Sometimes, he'll hold his arms out to the sides, so I can't get his body down into the seat. I have to be fast with the harness these days - he fights for his freedom the whole time I'm strapping him in, then cries when I ultimately win the battle. Time to switch to the big seat, I guess. Less convenient for me, but he'd probably be happier. He makes me a little nervous how he can figure things out like that. He can reach the top rail of his cradle and grab on at will, now that he can move around on his own. The first time he did it, I swear, I saw a lightbulb turn on above his head. I don't know what he's planning to do with the rail, but I can see him thinking every time he has it in his hand. It worries me. I have visions of him pulling himself up, and flipping over the edge, just to prove to himself that it's possible. It's just a matter of time. He's a schemer, like his Dad. Time for the big crib, too, I guess.

Bedtime, at last

Time for bed

John has been pretty excitable these days, so I wasn't surprised when, even after getting him fed, changed and dressed for bed last night, he was still a bundle of energy. However, I really needed to get the dishes done. So I took a tip from one of my books, and pulled his seat up to the sink, so I could talk to him while I worked.

Well, it turns out dishes are more boring than I thought. (Or maybe I am.) Within minutes, he had dropped his toy, slumped in his seat, and glazed over, so I wheeled him off to bed instead.

How cute is he?!

Our little guy, trying to sit up

This was actually taken at the same time as the last photo posted. It was going to be the tooth photo, but once it got online, you couldn't see the teeth well enough. It's just so cute, I had to post it anyway! He's figured out that he can kind of prop himself up to a sort-of sitting position with his pillow. He's pretty good at it. He's growing up so fast, one baby step at a time.

We took in a kitten yesterday. The cats were thrilled, John was oblivious. Our neighbours have this horrible habit of taking in kittens when they're tiny and cute, abusing them until they're out of that cute stage, then abandoning them. This is the latest victim. One of her four spawns of Satan put it out on the roof before the whole family left for the entire day. The poor thing was screaming all morning, stuck there, exposed to the elements with no food, water or shelter. To make matters worse, it was a very cold, windy, rainy day. Even our cats didn't want to stay out, let alone on a rooftop with no shelter from the wind. I knocked on their door several times, but they weren't home, so Mike got out his ladder, and got the poor little thing down. We took it in, fed it and let it sleep on the radiator until they got home that evening.

Some people just shouldn't have pets. Luckily, she now realizes she's one of them. She's actually trying to find a new home for the cat. She has to work now, and managing a full-time job and four very poorly behaved kids is enough. (Turns out she's splitting with her husband, who's the most abusive of the bunch, so she had to take a job.)

Mike thinks I should offer to watch her kids for her, if her Mom can't, so she can keep her job. It is honourable that she's working instead of collecting welfare, like so many other people here do. But her kids really ARE the spawns of Satan. They're the worst behaved kids in the world! Two of them broke into our car once. They're constantly throwing their toys onto our roof, or over the fence into our backyard. They trample our grass. They skateboard on our front path. They're so horrible! I SO don't want to offer. I'm really bad with even well behaved kids - they'd eat me alive!

Speaking of well-behaved kids, John is doing great! He's taking more of an interest in food now. Last night he grabbed my fork right out of my hand. He waved it around, lunging at the pork chop on the end, before flinging it on the ground. A few minutes later, he picked the fork right up off my plate and tried to stick the end in his mouth. It was longer than his arm, so he couldn't reach it. He just kept hitting his head with the tines, mouth gaping open. Note to self: feed the kid BEFORE I eat. Though I don't know if it was actually hunger, or just him trying to imitate us. I think the next time we do cereal, I'll hand him the baby spoon and see what happens! Maybe he'll feed himself - or maybe he'll just need a bath! Either way, it would be fun!

I'm actually holding off on the cereal for a bit. He NEVER gets diaper rash, but has a doozie case of it right now. I pulled out the cream Doc West recommended when John was born - Barierre (rymes with derierre, he said, so I'd remember the name.) I also got some medicated stuff, with zinc oxide. I've tried leaving him open to the air, changing more often. It's just not budging. It looks so painful and raw. It appeared just after the last cereal, and he did get a very mild rash the first time we gave him cereal as well, so I'm a little concerned. I want to clear it up, so I can see if it happens again the next time. If so, I'll call the Doc to see what we should do. Who's allergic to rice? Maybe it's one of the additives, or maybe this is normal. Mike just thinks I'm stalling, but I don't want to plow ahead with something that's not good for him.