Ian is 9 months (and 1 week) old!

Hi All,

Our little man has now been 'out' just about as long as he was 'in'.  Over the last month he has just taken off - every day when I get home from work it seems like he has grown up a little bit more. 

Ian had his first Christmas this past month.  It was such an exciting time.  We started off the Christmas season with a trip to Victoria Park with Aunt Hayley and Nanny.

Family shot at Victoria Park

Riding Rudolph!

We had Chanukah dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's (Bubbe and Zayde's) house.  Ian even got to wear a yamaka!  The dinner was awesome and Ian got to spend some time with his Aunt Hayley and cousin Matthew.

Ian in a yamaka eating a carrot.

Ian and Aunt Hayley

Ian, Hayley and Matthew

Group Shot!

More group shots!

Zayde - can you take a look at my teeth?

Yay!  Toys that make lots of noise!

On Christmas Eve, Ian got all dressed up to go to a Christmas party at the Allen's.  He had lots of fun playing with baby Cora (6 weeks younger) and playing with his new mittens (thank you Lindsay)!

Ian opening his present!

Ian seemed a little overwhelmed by Christmas at first - and it was true that he seemed to enjoy the boxes and wrapping paper as much as any of the other gifts he got.

Ian in a box!

Ian with all the stockings on Christmas morning.

Yay Poppy - it's Christmas!

Ian's first Christmas was so much fun and he got absolutely spoiled rotten by all his family!  We owe everyone a HUGE thank you for all the wonderful and thoughtful gifts we received for Christmas.

Ian upside down

Ian was a little too young to participate in the actual cooking - but it was the guys turn to cook when Uncle Don, Aunt Kathy, Cousin Brianne and Great Grandma were visiting for Christmas. 

The boys making Christmas dinner!

Aunt Jenn and Ian - Cooling himself down.

Unfortunately, while coming home from our day of celebration - our camera accidentally got exposed to some milk, and we went through two weeks with no camera, which was quite unfortunate because Ian spent those two weeks thoroughly enjoying all his new toys and other gifts. I finally broke down and purchased a replacement camera - then had some fun trying it out.

Yay! New Camera!

Look at me Mom - I can play the piano!

Cool Ian in his new high chair.

Ian enjoying a cookie (Ian! You should close your mouth when you're chewing!)

For his 9th month birthday, Daddy and I took Ian to the Children's Museum.  He had a lot of fun exploring all the exhibits.  His favorite activities were the ones that involved crawling through tunnels.  He has had lots of practice with that in the last few weeks thanks to Auntie Jenn and Uncle Mike's Christmas present!

Ian exploring the dinosaur cave.

Look! I found water!

Ian and Mommy in a rocket ship!

Ian trying to pay attention in school.

Ian playing checkers at the general store.

Trying out the Outhouse.

In the mailbox.

Ian had lots of fun with this exhibit.

More tunnels!

Oh My! Four Ians!

Its a circle of Ians!

Ian riding a caribou - or as the Inuit call it - a "tuktu"

Ian playing with the yak's hair.

Mush!

Ian the walrus.

Oh yeah! More tunnels!

Ian has come a long way this month in terms of his mobility.  He began crawling very well on his hands and knees, he can now pull himself up to stand on pretty much anything, and he is beginning to cruise around holding onto the edges of furniture, or walking while pushing a toy out in front of him.  He is starting to become quite fast, and strong.  He even started crawling his way up the stairs today.  He is becoming more fun every day - really developing his own little personality.  He LOVES playing peek-a-book, always wants to go after the things that he can't have, and is curious about absolutely everything!  Dave has even taught him to play Marco-Polo, where David will hide and call out to Ian, and Ian will go and find him.  Dave and Ian are becoming quite a pair at home - and are always so nice to come home to!

Ian with Poppy's briefcase - wanting to head to work already!

Ian has come so far in just one short month - and rapidly approaching that one year mark (take a look at that timeline at the top!) - I'm excited to see what he will master next!

Love Amanda