Home with my boys :)

Hi All!

Well I'm about one month into my solo venture as a full time mom and so far I'm loving the opportunity to spend so much time with my boys.  We've been having lots of fun together and have a pretty good routine going.  Ian and Alex have both made it through a pretty nasty cold that (thankfully) passed me by but other than that we have been enjoying the beautiful summer weather and trying to get out and enjoy it as much as we can. 

Ian trying on Mommy's fancy shoes

 

Doctor Ian tending to Monkey

Ian is doing wonderfully as a big brother.  He is very concerned about Alex, especially when he gets upset, and tries to comfort and play with him to make him feel better.  He also likes to try to include him in a lot of 'big kid' games - like having him dance with Ian or chase Ian (in mommy's arms) or colour with Ian (also with a bit of help from mommy).  He also invented a game where Ian pretends to fall down and get hurt - and Alex has to come check him out to make sure he's OK and give him hugs to make him feel better.  I'm so happy Ian has turned out to be an even better big brother than I expected.

Ian and Alex being cute

Ian showing Alex how to smile for pictures...

Ian is also growing up in other ways as well.  His language skills have really taken off - he can now have complete conversations and can effectively convey most ideas by making very creative use of the words he knows, mixed with some gestures and a great deal of persistence.  He has also doing very well with his potty training and I am optimistic that it won't be too much longer before I will only have one kid in diapers to worry about!

Alex hanging out

Alex trying out his soother

Alex continues to be an excellent sleeper, also now taking two good long naps during the day (morning and afternoon).  His favorite place to be in, however, is his "baby vest" attached to my belly - he must've gotten used to that location during his first nine months... Fortunately I'm very happy to have him in the baby vest - it gives me the freedom to use my hands and hang out with Ian while still tending to Alex.  He has become a little more liberal with his smiles - but he has to be in the right mood for it - and he has also started to "talk" to us by cooing back and forth.  Recently he has also started to grasp objects such as rings and rattles and will kick toys on his playmat to make noise.  He is a chubby little guy - but I think his brother still had him beat at this age - they are about the same weight-for-age but Alex is two inches longer than Ian was. 

More of Alex hanging out..

Alex and baby-charmer Auntie Jenn

One of the last days before Dave went back to work we took the boys to Victoria Park for Food Fest.  Alex mostly slept, but Ian loved the food, especially the Slushie drink treat we got for him - plus he got his face painted like a doggie and met up with Poppy.

Ian the Doggie with Poppy at Food Fest

Enjoying with Slushie

We also took a trip to Toronto to visit Uncle Gary, Auntie Tif and Matthew before they moved back to London.  At night the boys watched a movie together and the next day we had lots of fun visiting the Toronto Zoo.  Ian really enjoyed seeing all the animals and spending the day with his cousin.

Ian and Matthew hanging out in bed in Toronto

At the Zoo!

Getting his face painted - as another Doggie!

Matthew and Ian looking at the monkeys

Checking out the elephants from Daddy's shouldars

Riding the canoe

Ian comparing his hand to a gorilla's

With Grandma

BIG FISH!

Riding the carousel

For Alex's first Canada Day we all got dressed in Canada colours and went to the free event at the Children's Museum.  Ian spent most of his time playing in the dinosaur room and cave - and even met another little Dinosaur Train fan while he was at it.  In the evening we had the whole family over for a BBQ and to watch fireworks.  It ended up being a super fun day.

Alex's first Canada Day

At the Children's Museum on Canada Day

Ian being patriotic

Ian accompanying Auntie Jenn on drums

Canada Day Baby Alex

 Here are some of my attempts to catch one of Alex's elusive smiles...

Just a little hint of one..

That's a little better...

Fell asleep while I was looking for the camera...

For Alex's two month birthday we took him to Bear Workshop to make him a little stuffie.  Ian helped pick out the body and outfit but Alex seemed to really like him when his new little penguin with all done.

Ian dressing Alex's penguin while Alex takes a little snooze

Alex with his new penguin

Posing with penguin

 

Wait - is that a smile?

I'm hoping to be able to continue to update monthly - but seeing as how this post was started almost a full week ago it may not happen... But so far I'm keeping busy and loving my time home with the boys.  It seems to just be flying by.  I can hardly believe that Alex's three month birthday is coming up in less than two weeks. Wow!

Hi Mom!  Look how big I'm getting!

Love Amanda