Baby Brahm: Road Trip with the Boys

Hi All!

Well the last six weeks have flown by in a blur of busyness - I can hardly believe that David's six weeks home is almost up and soon it'll be just be me with the two little ones. He's been a wonderful help and I'm so happy he was able to take the time off to help us all adjust to our new addition.

Alex has been a wonderful baby so far - he continues to sleep very well overnight - sleeping up to 5-6 hours in a row, and is usually pretty easy to settle back to sleep after a feeding. I'm so grateful for the sleep at night - it makes for a much more enjoyable time with the two boys during the day. He's growing like a champ! He weighed in at 10 lbs 9 oz at his one month check up and had already grown an inch in length. He's also graced us with a few smiles - mostly for his big brother - but I've yet to catch one on camera.

Ian continues to be an excellent big brother. He's always very concerned about Alex and wants to make sure we help him out if he's crying ("Alex sad"!). He is also a big help looking after Alex - he helps mommy bath him and puts the dirty diapers in the garbage. He is also trying to teach Alex all about his toys - he will bring different toys over to him and tell him what they are or show him how they work. He also tries to get Alex involved when he's playing by trying to get Alex to colour or dance or push a car - its pretty cute.

Ian is also growing up fast. He has developed a real desire to try to do everything for himself - like put on his shoes, do up his own buckles, and put on his own diaper. He also loves to help out with 'grown-up' tasks like gardening and cooking and washing dishes. I'm trying to encourage this love of chores as much as possible...

Ian gardening

Ian trying to walk a friends puppy

Ian and the puppy - awwww!

Ian 'painting' the house with water

Ian the bug collector

Ian showing off his new sunglasses

Ian and Alex getting to know one another

Mommy and her boys on Mother's Day

Auntie Hayley came to visit and write her Dental exams in May. Ian loved playing with her and she was a great Alex-cuddler. She also was a tremendous help around the house whenever she was over - thanks so much Auntie Hayley!

Ian in the jammies for Auntie Hayley

Hayley and Alex

Ian and Poppy splashing

Alex on his playmat

Alex taking a nap

Alex with his eyes open

Hello!

Alex getting kissed by Ian

Followed up with a hug

Another Alex sleeping

Ian and Daddy at Grand Bend

Building sand castles

And digging holes

Playing in the splash pad

Alex saying hi

Ian and Alex lazing around

Brothers!

Alex staring off into space

Alex in his swing

More sleeping Alex - his main activity right now


Ian posing in Mommy's boots

To take advantage of Daddy being home and to celebrate Alex's one month birthday we headed on a week long road trip around Ontario. The boys did great and we all had a lot of fun. We timed the travel around Ian's nap time we the thought being that he would nap while we drove.

Starting out our road trip

So far so good....

Our first leg was Niagara Falls. The first night we walked down to the falls and through Clifton Hill. Ian thought the falls were pretty cool. Alex mostly slept. The next day we went to the bird sanctuary in the morning - Ian LOVED it - he ran around the whole place pointing out all the birds. He got a little scared when a large bird chased him down the path but recovered enough to help me feed the Lorikeets. After nap we took Ian to the Butterfly museum which was another big hit. Alex spent most of the time hanging out in Mommy's carrier and seemed to enjoy his nap. That evening we went back to Clifton Hill and rode the giant ferris wheel and looked at all the life-size dinosaurs at the Dinosaur golf course.

Mommy and Ian at the Falls

Daddy and Ian at the falls

The whole family!

Another of Daddy and Ian

Alex vegging on the hotel bed

Oh No! Over the edge!

Ian on Safari

The scary bird that chased Ian

Daddy and Ian through the waterfall

There they are- if you look close

Mommy and Alex and a bird

Feeding the Lorikeets

At the butterfly museum

Alex at the butterfly museum

Mommy and the boys on the ferris wheel

Daddy and Ian on the ferris wheel

Daddy and Alex on the ferris wheel

Mommy and Ian

Our next leg took us to Kingston - where we had planned to go on a boat tour the evening we arrived. Unfortunately the weather was pretty miserable when we arrived so we decided to postpone. Fortunately our hotel had lots of wonderful puddles for Ian to jump in. We then headed to an indoor gym for Ian to play out some of his energy. The next morning we met our cousin Emily for the first time and caught up with my Uncle Gerry and Aunt Cathy. After a brief warm up period Ian and Emily got along great - ran around and played hide-n-seek - it was great! We finally caught our boat cruise of the 1000 islands later that day and then headed to Ottawa.

Ian jumping in the puddles

Splash!

Warming up in the bath after puddle-jumping

Ian and Emily

Mommy and Alex on the boat Cruise

Daddy and Ian on the boat cruise

Ian checking out the water

Our first night in Ottawa we spent at the hotel - letting Ian have a nice long swim in the hotel pool. The next morning we headed to Little Ray's Reptile Zoo - where Ian got to pet and see turtles, snakes, alligators and lots of other reptiles. He had a blast! That night we took a walk around Parliament Hill. The next morning we visited the museum of science and technology - which had lots of hands-on activities to keep Ian running around all morning. That evening we headed to the museum of nature - and stayed right until closing time - and probably could have stayed longer - Ian especially enjoyed the Dinosaur rooms! The morning before we left we were planning to go to the agriculture museum - which is basically a working farm - but unfortunately it was raining so we headed to the Canada Children's museum instead - which Ian also had a great time at. We then headed back to London to conclude our adventure. It was a great trip!