Winter Blahs...

We aren't even two months into winter and I feel like I can't even remember what warm weather feels like. We got a slight taste of it on Friday, when the thermometer reached a balmy 3C. But really, spring seems nowhere near in sight.

We've been trying to keep busy with mommy groups and other activities. During our swimming lesson last week, we dunked Avery's head for the first time. He was not happy about it. Apparently, that's the usual response from kids, so I wasn't too concerned. I am sure this week we will try again - and I'll keep my fingers crossed for a better response from the A-man.



I must admit, I have been lazy as of late, and haven't been attending Stroller Fit as much as we used to. It's hard to be enthusiastic about walking for an hour or so in -20C weather. I am really going to make a solid attempt to go more often again. Avery naps really well during these walks and its always fun to socialize with the other moms.



This weekend was kind of tough for us, as Pat came down with a nasty cold. He actually rivaled Avery for the amount of hours he slept! Yesterday Av and I caught a bit of cabin fever and headed out to Yorkdale for some retail therapy. Avery flirted with some workers in one of my new favourite stores - Pistachio. I behaved myself and only bought a Valentine card for my sick husband.

This is another solid packed week for us. Today, Nanny and Oopa are visiting (while I head off to the dentist). Tomorrow we have swimming and a visit from Ashley. Wednesday, we will be seeing Camille and Jay (as long as his doctor's visit leaves him in a well enough mood - here's hoping!). Thursday we are seeing Allison for coffee in the morning and then we are taking Michele out for lunch. Thursday evening we have our weekly visit from Misty. Then it's Friday, which we might use to just chill out alone. Hopefully Pat is all better by this coming weekend. We are planning on attending the Winter Carnival in the Junction and then hitting up some more furniture stores.

7 Months

Avery is growing up so fast... it's hard to believe he is already 7 months.

We started swimming lessons yesterday, and although he didn't hate it, I can't say he loved it either. We started the lesson off with some songs and then we tried blowing bubbles in the water. We finished off the day with some basic swim poses. Avery seemed to have fun putting his face in the water and splashing around. I can't say that this is what I had imagined Avery's first taste of water to be... he probably drank about half a cup from the pool! I guess it was inevitable!



Avery has found a new activity for his amusement - he loves to pull himself in a standing position. It shocked me the first time Avery did it, I ran out of the house trying to catch Pat(who was on his was to soccer), so he could see. Avery sits on my leg and just pulls himself up. He doesn't even need to grab onto me! It is almost difficult to have him sit still - Avery just does it over and over again.



He has also been shimmying on the ground, BACKWARDS. I don't want to call it crawling because I don't think he is necessarily doing it on purpose... but its fun to watch nonetheless.



We've been keeping busy, even in the bitter cold. Today we enjoyed our weekly visit from Nanny and Oopa. They are really getting a kick out of feeding our hungry man. Avery sure lets Nanny know when she isn't giving him the spoon fast enough. It finally feels like Avery is finishing what seemed to be a month long growth spurt.

Happy New Year

I can not believe that 2008 is over. It was an exciting year for the O'Brien's... most notably, the birth of the apple of our eyes, Avery. We spent the second half of the year getting to know our darling son, learning what parenthood was all about. Not that parenting ever gets easy, and each stage has its ups and downs, I must say that we are now entering the good times. Avery's personality is really beginning to blossom. He is kooky and pleasant, dare I say, charming even. I think he shares my enthusiasm for singing, as he practices his vocal range for the greater part of each day.



He never stays still, not even when he is sleeping. When I get him out of his crib in the morning, he is most likely on the opposite side of where we placed him at night. As I mentioned in previous posts, I have a feeling we have a mischievous fellow in our future.



And on the subject of sleeping - our little guy has taken well to sleep training, at least when it comes to bedtime. He has become quite the master of self soothing in the evening. He will barely cry 5 minutes before drifting off to sleep and for the last few evenings, he has been sleeping close to 12 hours straight. I know this sort of behaviour is sometimes fleeting, so I am enjoying every minute of my nighttime rest. The next battle is napping. That will not be as easy to accomplish, but it's something we look forward to achieving.



He definitely has inherited his father's appetite, and then some! I can not believe how much food Avery can eat. I swear he has gained a few pounds in the last couple of weeks. It is fun getting to feed him real food and I know Pat enjoys getting to participate in meal times. I have started making Avery's food myself, which is oh, so easy. I can't wait until he's a bit older so I can start adding herbs and such - gourmet baby food, if you will.

As Avery nears his 7th month, we look forward to another eventful year. In a few short months we will be moving into our condo, and then a few months later, Avery will be celebrating his first birthday. How time flies.