Admiring Avery & Elliott

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T21:44:00.013-04:00

This Halloween was so much fun for the kids. Avery has been talking/asking/nagging about it for over a month. Thankfully he was still young enough to not mind having to wear the costume I bought him - an astronaut. Next year I don't think I'll be able to get away with it. Avery was already talking about being Spiderman. Of course.

Avery was so cute. He was quite anxious to get out and start Trick-or-Treating. I have no idea how he knows the unwritten code of waiting until dark to start the Halloween trek, but we were finishing dinner and he looked outside and said "It's getting dark. We can go Trick-or-Treating now!"

Of course I am super excited to have an ally in this autumn holiday, not to mention someone else to put pressure on Pat to decorate early (I'm working on the Christmas spin-off to this at the moment). He was a trooper. Ashley and I took Avery around the neighbourhood for almost an hour. Not bad for a three year old. He CLEANED up too. People loved him. They were giving him handfuls of candy and one lady gave him part of her decoration because Avery told her he liked it. At the end of it, Avery was left dazed and confused and I had the pleasure of carrying all 35lbs of him home. What a workout! It took away any guilt I might have had for eating some of Avery's goods.

Elliott wasn't quite old enough for the full Hallowe'en experience. He was dressed as a little stinker - aka a skunk (scent, thankfully, not included) . We took him to a couple of houses and he seemed to have fun. He does love his sweets; the Carter sweet-tooth has been passed on to both of my children. Pat said that Elliott enjoyed helping to hand out (and eat I am sure) candy to the 15 children that came to our house last night.

Next year will be really fun for both of the children, I think. And, I must admit, I think it's most fun for me, watching my children enjoy a holiday I have loved forever.

Happy Hallowe'en!!!

It's Been a Long Time....

2011-10-23T20:25:00.028-04:00

Wow. It's been a while.
I meant to write, really I did.
But, you know...
Ah...you've heard all of the excuses before, so let's just get down to business shall we?

Obviously, A LOT has happened since I last posted. I don't even know where to start.

Elliott has grown about three feet. Not really, but he's grown quite a bit. He's walking and talking like nobody's business. Well, his walking is much better than his talking... but new words keep coming all of the time. He's in the 95th% for height and he's moved all the way up to the 25th-50th% for weight. Elliott still eats like a machine, so I can't believe he's not more of a porker. I wish I knew how he did it.

Avery started a new daycare. It's really close to our house and it's located in the school where he'll be starting JK next year. He's settled in really well and has made many new friends. Of course, he hasn't forgotten his best buddy James. In fact James came over today for a playdate (with Truman and Oliver) and they all got into the Hallowe'en spirit. The boys decorated some haunted gingerbread houses. SCARY! You want to know what was really scary? My dining room floor after the kids were finished. The kids had a great time and it was really lovely to see how well all of them got along.

Avery is participating in basketball and gymnastics this season. He loves them both and is really excelling in basketball. I am so happy they are actually teaching the kids techniques, which is a big change from his soccer classes last year.

Elliott has sprung a mouthful of teeth. He popped out about 4 within two weeks - all molars. He's still got quite a few to go, but it must be nice for him to be able to chew things properly!

Elliott has a girlfriend, Sabine. The teachers tell us that the two of them spend a lot of time staring into each other's eyes. Too much. Avery tells me his girlfriend is Nicholas. I'm not surprised.

It was a quick, but fun summer. We were so delighted to have Pat's family here with us for quite some time. It started with a visit from KK, Poppy and Aunt Leighlow. Aunt B joined us from BC as well. Then, while Poppy went on a cross-country trip with Uncle Jim, we got to see KK and Aunt B for almost an entire month! Consider us spoiled rotten. The only downside to a visit like that is saying good-bye. It just seemed weird to not have them around. But they'll be coming back soon... we'll get back to that later.

So far this fall we've been on our annual apple picking trip. This year we tried something new - Carl Laidlaw Orchards. This place rocked. First of all, it was much cheaper than Chudleighs. It was also way less busy than Chudleighs and you get to do cool things like bake your own pies! The kids went nuts for it. I highly recommend it. Oh, also, it's just on the border of Mississauga/Brampton, so it was so much closer for us too.

A lot of babies have entered our lives over the last few months. On Avery's birthday, little baby Nolan was born - Congratulations Kristina and Andrew. We actually had the pleasure of meeting him this week. He sure is sweet. Baby Lily arrived on October 1st... late as always :) She is one good looking baby already. Be nice to your parents Lily, they are the best - Congratulations Kim & Craig! Some more babies will be coming in the future as well... and all I can say is thank goodness I don't have to deal with newborns anymore! Ha! No, they are lovely, but I definitely like my life with my older children. They are little people now and watching them problem solve and make connections on their own - well, it just makes mamma proud.

As I said, I am sure I missed a lot of stuff, since it's been so long. A lot of stuff will be happening soon too. The out-laws are coming in for a November visit, along with Aunt Leighlow, Aunt B, Uncle Jim and Couzint Rob. It's like a late Thanksgiving/Early Christmas Family Get together and it's bound to be a blast.

Until then...

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

2011-05-28T20:33:00.041-04:00

That, and ONLY that, is the reason I haven't posted since March.

In my defense, during the last two (eek, almost three) months, the O'Brien clan was combating illness after illness, I was studying for an exam (I passed my Red Seal certification - yay me!), Elliott started daycare (more on this later) and I returned to work (the opposite of yay me).

So, let's go back a little bit - was it February, was it March? Who can remember, really? My little baby Elliott began attending daycare with his brother. I thought it was going to be horrible. I thought he would be the worst to transition. On his very first day I met Ashley for coffee. I fully expected a pick up call from the daycare before I could finish my cup. We sat and chatted for a *looong time and still nothing. I went to get some groceries, anxiously checking to see if my cellphone had run out of battery. It wasn't until he woke up from his afternoon nap that he was cranky enough for them to ask me to pick him up. By day three, he was staying the entire day. Elliott absolutely blew me away with how quickly he managed to be comfortable at daycare... which once again proved to me that it's the parents who have a harder time adjusting to the changes that happen with their children.

I'm pretty sure Elliott's sprouted a few more teeth since the last post. I mean, he only has six - but it seems to be enough for him to eat almost everything. And, believe me, this kid eats almost EVERYTHING. He literally eats more than me; when we eat pizza, I eat two slices and he eats three. Seriously. And, he's still a bean pole.

Something that's been helping him burn through those calories is his new found skill - walking!!!! Elliott is finally walking. Not always, but he's definitely doing it. Last weekend, Elliott and I were sitting in the kitchen playing and all of a sudden he stood up and walked over to me. Just like that. When he was ready. It's a good reminder to me that I shouldn't try to push him when he's not ready. I tried many times to help him walk when he clearly wasn't interested. I should have just trusted that he would walk when he was comfortable. And he did.

Avery has also had his fair share of changes going on. He is officially potty trained, for at least a couple of months now. It's great. He loves being a big boy - especially when he pees in the urinal like daddy. Yep. I can only imagine how funny that must look. It hasn't been too difficult of a process. We still use pull-ups at night and I feel as though that will be the real challenge. Especially since he drinks a lot of fluids in the evening.

We are so excited that a spot opened up in the daycare at the school Avery will attend one day. He will be starting there on July 1st - so another dreaded transition is in the midst. We went to the open house a couple of weeks ago. Avery LOVED it and cried when we had to leave. The next morning, Avery asked if he was going to his new school. When we told him no, he asked why not. So, that was a positive sign. Today we attended a Fun Fair at the school and Avery wanted to go into his classroom. Another positive sign. I am just not sure he realizes that his friends and teachers will not be going with him. Hopefully the transition will, once again, be easier than I expect. Even if it's not, I just have to remind myself that all of these stages pass quickly.

Avery's third birthday is rapidly approaching - two weeks today to be exact. We are so excited that Granny KK and Poppy Ray will be here to celebrate with us. That makes two for two this year (they were here to celebrate E's 1st with us!) - which is sooo awesome and lucky for us. Avery has been talking about his Spiderman cake since Elliott's birthday, so the pressure is on for me to produce something worthy. However, Avery's tastes are questionable at best, so I am not too concerned.

I am sure there are a million other stories and developments I am missing in this post. It's been a busy few months and we are still trying to fully settle into our new routines. I am proud to say that we have managed well so far and I can only hope that it will get easier with more practice. So until the next time...

*Please note that this was not a remark on our conversation being boring, as Ashley and I seem to be able to talk for an eternity, with never really feeling as though time has passed. It was rather meant to illustrate that we stayed in Starbucks for so long, even teenagers would've complained we were loitering.

Under Siege

2011-03-07T14:53:00.022-05:00

The O'Brien household has been under siege for just over a week. The culprit? A nasty gastro virus that has been hitting up children all across the city. A few weeks ago, the Topolski clan had to undergo the same battle.
Pat and I thought we escaped, unscathed, since we felt fine until the weekend. But, lo and behold, Sunday afternoon brought the wrath to us, just as the children were getting back to normal...
...well, almost normal. Last night, poor Avery woke up screaming, complaining about some eye pain. We noticed his eyes were pink earlier in the day and we've seen enough pink eye to know what was a brew'n. We gave him drops, which normally have his eyes back to normal in a day. However, this was no ordinary case of pink eye. He woke up in the morning, again screaming about eye pain and this time his eye was swollen and couldn't open. Straight to emerg the O'Brien's went. Thank goodness it's just up the street. It turns out he just caught a really nasty case of pink eye. One that is highly contagious. One that he passed on to his mother. Oh yeah - we are a hideous bunch right now. Avery was a star at the hospital. Even though he was scared, he let the doctor examine him without fussing. This was no easy feat, since the exam included having iodine drops to check for scratching on his cornea. We have some new drops (for both of us) and while I still look quite scary, Avery's eyes are looking much better.

You may be wondering what we have been doing to keep busy while on lock down for 72 hours. Well, if you are Elliott you try as hard as you can to climb the stairs. It is his favourite thing to do. And he is soooo good at it, climbing almost as quickly as Avery. And if you think that having a bout of gastro issues would interfere with Elliott eating, you'd be dead wrong. Through this whole ordeal, E kept up with his insane levels of consumption. Yet, still, he looks as if he's not gained any weight. His exam isn't until March 28th, so we have to wait until the end of the month to find out that magic number.

The other thing we like to do is put our ill children to work. Child labourers don't get sick days, come on. We woke up Sunday morning to a beautiful white blanket of snow. It was a shock to us since it had been raining all day Saturday. Avery wanted to go outside right away to shovel. He loves it... so how could we stand in his way. In fact, he begged to go outside and shovel today, even though there hadn't been any new snowfall. So, we went in the backyard and shoveled random piles of snow. This was followed by a session of bubble blowing on our porch. I can only imagine what the internal dialogue of my neighbor was when he peaked out of his back door and saw us. It made Avery incredibly happy though, which isn't always an easy feat with a sick child.

Avery will be spending tomorrow at home with me again; he is still too contagious to go back to daycare. So, I am going to take Avery to see his first movie in the theatre - Gnomeo and Juliette. I think we'll make a stop at the Bulk Barn beforehand for some treats. I figure we have to make his first movie experience memorable!
Lastly, I have to mention that my little baby Elliott is turning one in a mere ten days. I really can not believe it. I thoroughly enjoyed our year together and while he still seems like such a baby to me, it's amazing to see how far he's come from that delicate little infant who weighed in under 7lbs. I can not wait to see what this next year has in store for him. If it's anything similar to Avery's second year in life, it will be nothing short of amazing.

My Cheri Amour

2011-02-10T20:31:00.021-05:00

Since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, I thought it was the perfect time to talk about my sweet loves...Avery and Elliott. Of course, Pat as well, but this blog is strictly PG!

Avery started preschool a couple of weeks ago. I've heard from mothers and teachers that this transition is one of the worst for children. The first day was not great. He cried when Pat dropped him off, fell asleep at the lunch table and the only thing he talked about all evening was how he didn't want to go back to school. The next day, I was dreading what was to come. Little did I know that I would be met with a son who ignored me I went to pick him up because he wanted to stay at school. It took help from both teachers just to get him dressed. Even then I was left to carry both Avery and Elliott down the stairs because Av refused to come home. It's still a bit of a battle come home time. But, like I tell his teachers, I'd rather him hate leaving his friends than crying because he disliked school.

Elliott seems to be growing every week - not in terms of weight, but in is comprehension. One day it was clapping, the next he was waving and saying "ba ba" when Pat and Avery left for school. Still not interested in walking, he can crawl fast enough to keep Avery engaged in a game "Chase Big Brother Around the House." I've been trying to introduce more real food for him to eat, as I don't want him having any issues when he's at daycare. It can't be easy having just two teeth! At least he seems interested in whatever it is we're eating; this week he ate a whole bunch of my coconut lentil curry and tonight he enjoyed some homemade chicken fingers. Still, with all of this food, my slender little baby doesn't seem to packing on any pounds. I am telling you, I put tons of butter in and on almost everything he eats. I wish I had his metabolism.

Finally after a week of frigid temperatures and cabin feverish children, we were given a break with a balmy 2C day. We spent our day outside making snowmen and forts. Unfortunately, some hungry critter caught a whiff of Frosty's nose, grabbing the carrot and making a run for it. We'll know better for next time - only non edibles will be used.

While stuck indoors for the week, Avery and I spent much time making crafts - specifically, Valentine's Day crafts. We've made two cards for Daddy and about 5 posters that have a few hearts and a whole lot of glue on them. I've got to say, he's got a creative flare and I always try really hard to not worry about the mess that's going on while the magic happens.

The boys have also found a new favourite game - making a fort out of the couch cushions. Here are my two monkeys hanging out on a Saturday morning.

Well, I'm hoping the good weather continues as I've enjoyed our extended walks and not having our faces freeze off. And, we are heading to Ottawa soon for our friend Joel's wedding - so any extra warmth will be appreciated. This will be our first weekend away without ANY children. Avery will be staying with Troy, Misty and Braylon and Elliott will be spending the night with Nanny and Oopa. Yikes... now this is going to be interesting.

Did You Have a Ball on New Year's Eve?

2010-12-31T07:40:00.020-05:00

Another Christmas has come and gone. This year was one of the best too. A house full of rowdy children, full of wonder and excitement upon seeing that Santa had finished the cookies and milk they left out for him the night before. What more could a parent ask for?

Avery and Truman get along so well and, with only a few hiccups, shared their toys like the best of friends. As soon as we got home from my parents house, Avery suggested "I wanna go Truman's house?" So, it's easy to see who Av's favourite person is. He is also an expert at mimicking everything Truman does (as demonstrated in the picture below). It really was a treat to watch them, however, I was hoping that Avery was a bit more of an independent thinker!

We had an extra special holiday this year since Pat was off from the 23rd until January 4th. Although our days have been filled with sickness. I guess you can't have everything. We tried to make the best of it and watched a lot of movies and went for many walks (not always as long as we'd normally attempt).

New Year's Eve was quiet and pleasant. We started off our morning with breakfast at Easy with the Kanas', who, at any given moment, will be the proud parents of one Baby Boy Kanas. We went shopping in the afternoon and picked up Avery a cool new pair of kicks (his choice). I was so embarrassed as his old shoes were sporting huge holes in the front. I can't believe my baby is in a size 9! I realize he's growing, but it's in these instances that I recognize he's not a baby anymore.

On our shopping trip, we also dropped by Old Navy to pick up Elliott a new pair of mittens. For some reason we are incapable of returning from any trip outside the house with both mittens. In fact, this was the third or fourth pair we were buying. Now, I know when I tell you the rest of the story you will say to yourself "you should sew them into his jacket with string." I really had meant to, but we went on our walk before I had the chance. Well, in typical fashion, we returned home with only one mitten. We were both so annoyed and we retraced our steps perfectly, intent on finding this lost mitten. No such luck. What a waste. I vowed then that Elliott would just have to wear mismatched mittens for the rest of the season - strictly out of principal.

Well, we have to give Chris big ups because this morning when we were all going out for coffee, he spotted Elliott's mitten against the curb. Sure, it wasn't the newest missing mitten and sure it was frozen and coated in mud. But Pat kicked at that thing until he could pry it from the frozen concrete. You'd better believe first thing after that mitten is washed I am sewing those bitches into Elliott's jacket.

Oh my. I almost forgot to mention that Elliott had his 9 month check up. It was the week of Christmas, so things were very hectic around here. Our little monkey weighed in at 18lbs 13oz and 29.5". Not bad! His doctor was pleased that his growth curve was back to where it should be, but insists that I still add butter to all of his meals. Oh, and to up his red meat intake. Honestly, Elliott lives the high-life. Poor E wasn't able to get his vaccination though, since he was a bit sick. I think I will wait a couple more days just to ensure it's gone before I take him back in. I am in no hurry to have my little one poked with a needle. Ah, the necessary evils of parenthood.

To everyone, we wish you a happy and healthy 2011! And, we hope you had a ball on New Year's Eve.

Tell Me it's a Tooth!

2010-11-21T20:45:00.030-05:00

About a week or so ago Elliott and I were strolling along outside. He opened his mouth and just like a scene from a movie, a ray of light beamed into his mouth revealing a little knob emerging from his gum. The moment passed so quickly that I questioned what it was that I saw. Was it really a tooth? Finally after 8 months of waiting and wondering, was Elliott finally getting his first chomper?
Now, the thing with my baby is he is not the most cooperative little fellow. I tried and tried again to view this small section of his mouth to no avail. I pressured family and friends to "get in there" so they could verify what I suspected to be lurking on his gum line. It took a lot of effort, but eventually we were able to determine that without a doubt, our Elliott was getting his first tooth. It couldn't come at a better time too. I am telling you, Elliott wants to eat real food. Don't get me wrong, it's not like he's unhappy with the purees he's getting. It's just that every time we eat, he eyes our food like a lion about to pounce on his prey. It's frightening really!

Speaking of food - we've had a great weekend, filled with lots of eating! On Saturday we went to Aunt Michele and Uncle Jerry's for brunch and a much anticipated playdate for Avery and Truman. It is so cute to see those two playing and how much Oliver wants to be in the mix. Michele made an amazing spread with the most delicious bacon I have ever had. Sunday, we had the Carter clan over for brunch, where I had to make that great maple bacon we had at Michele's the previous day! Avery was so excited for this get together; when he woke up this morning the first thing he said was "Riley?" Of course, in typical fashion, Avery was completely shy when everyone showed up...but he soon warmed up and had fun playing with the boys. We are so sad to say goodbye to Granny KK and Poppy Ray who fly back to South Carolina tomorrow. We hope they have a great flight!

Avery has become quite the photographer lately. I have been so impressed. He saw our small Canon Sureshot (which we no longer use) and asked to play with it. Within about five minutes, he had that thing mastered. I am not joking; he knew how to turn it on/off, change the mode from taking pictures to viewing them and how to zoom. I know some adults who can't even do that! I am actually going to have a couple of pics blown up and framed. The only problem is he now has his eyes set on our Rebel. We will have to make sure we always store it out of arms reach as there is no way we are letting him touch that!

Now that the Santa Claus parade has come and gone, the Christmas season is in full effect. I've already started training Avery, who watched The Grinch about ten times last week. Now all we need is some snow to solidify the feeling. What the hell am I saying?! I will be regretting that comment in about a month... but until then? Bring it on.

Happy Hallowe'en!

2010-11-01T13:45:00.012-04:00

I know, I know. I haven't posted in the longest time. I am sincerely sorry - we've just been incredibly busy. So much has been happening - most recently with Halloween.
This year was the first that Avery really understood what it was all about (thanks to dear old mom). I've been pumping Halloween for the last month! I just love it.
We had a ton of fun for the last couple of weeks making Halloween crafts, eating chocolates and carving pumpkins.
Avery thoroughly enjoyed trick or treating last night, hitting up about 5 houses. After which I carried him around the block to see the other houses and kids. I am sure everyone was happy that the weather seemed to have warmed up a little from the freezing temperatures of the afternoon. It was so cold that we had our first snowfall (if only for a few minutes) around noon.

Thanksgiving was a special treat for us this year. All of the Carter clan came to Waterloo to spend the holiday together. Aunt B, Uncle Jim, Cousin Rob, Granny KK, Poppy Ray, Leighlo and Luke traveled great lengths to join us at Uncle John's for a fabulous food-filled weekend. It was just amazing being all together and hopefully it is something we can do again in the future. Thanks again for everything guys! Thankfully, we don't have to wait too long to see Granny KK and Poppy Ray again. They are coming back up to Canada in about a week. We are getting so spoiled this year with visits from them. And KK, you'll be happy to know that Swiss Chalet's festive special just started!

The weekend after, it was time for the Braun-Topolski annual Thanksgiving dinner. I must admit that the day was quite a blur for me. The kids had been waking up extremely early all week, so I was quite sleep deprived. Somehow Michele managed to create a delicious meal for all of us on her own (normally we tag-team the duties). Next year, I promise I will be more help.

So many things can change a month! Since my last post Elliott has started sitting on his own. It was amazing - one day he wasn't able to, the next he was a pro! It's made my life a bit easier. I'm finally able to sit him on a mat to play by himself so I can tidy up a bit.

He's also had his taste of pretty much all the food he's able to eat at this age. And, believe me, he enjoys his food. Every time my sister sees him eating she is amazed with his gusto. Unfortunately, he still enjoys spitting up. I guess my good clothes will have to stay in the closet for a little longer.

Anyway, that's it for now. And, since Halloween is over, I'll be kicking off the holiday season right away. In fact, I feel Home Alone calling my name!

Senior Citizen

2010-09-13T11:39:00.006-04:00

Last week, my little Avery started in the senior toddler room at daycare. He is growing up before my very eyes. He wasn't even phased by the transition. I couldn't believe it. Actually, now that I think about it, all of his "boyz" are still around to play with, so of course he wouldn't mind. His new teachers have already told me that they are impressed with his ferocious appetite and how well he can kick a soccer ball. I am telling you, AC Milan better save a space for him at their training camp.

This morning I went on a tour of the school Avery and Elliott will be attending from junior kindergarten until sixth grade. I've got to say I got a little emotional seeing all the kids running through the halls and realizing in two short years, one of those kids would be Avery. The school is amazing and I am so happy that this is the one they will be attending.

Elliott had his six month appointment at his doctors on Friday. I was quite surprised to find out he weighs only 7kg. I thought for sure he would be heavier than Avery was. His doctor was not concerned. She could see within the couple of minutes of examination that Elliott moves around so much that he is just burning off energy quicker than he can take it in. Enter operation Chunkify Elliott. Our doctor gave us a feeding guide to help assist our little man in gaining some weight. Lucky. I wish someone would prescribe this diet to me: lots of eating all the time. He needs it. He came in at 5-10th% for weight and 50-75th% for height - just like mom! Ha.

So once again, our weekend flew by. Packed with birthday parties and festivals, we barley had a moment's rest. It included a trip to the fabulous Chudleighs farm (can't wait to go back) and a visit to Misty & Troy's for an afternoon of fun activities and delicious food. Once again, Happy Birthday Ben and Braylon. Hope you each got everything you wished for.

Hot Child in the City

2010-08-31T08:09:00.013-04:00

With T.O. breaking heat records this week, it has me wondering, what am I going to do to help keep my kids cool. Not only does our house not have air conditioning, but this weekend, our car's air-con stopped working as well. Really? Did this need to happen now?
Avery is easy enough to cool off: popsicles and the sprinkler. I might have to keep Elliott casual in just a diaper for the next few days. Plus, we'll stick close to the stationary fan all day.
It's hard not to be lazy and sleepy with the heat. As you can see Elliott doesn't try to fight it. He'll fall asleep wherever and whenever the feeling strikes.

So, this past weekend, my darling nephew Truman turned four. I can't believe it. I still remember the day he was born. I have to admit moments of his early infancy are beginning to escape me (heck, I have a hard enough time remembering Avery when he was Elliott's age). But, it is unbelievable that he will be attending kindergarten in just over a week.

Truman had a fabulous cooking party at Loblaws, where the kids got to make their own pizzas and decorate their own cupcakes (which they got to take home). Aunt Michele generously put together loot bags for the kids to take home, which for Av included Spiderman stickers. Avery was incredibly excited and decided that he wanted to see what his arm would look like with a tattoo sleeve. Insert panicked mother here.

Elliott has been growing like a weed, or so it seems. He can't get enough of his rice cereal, eating two to three bowls at a time without dropping any feeds. His 3-6 month clothing, although loose in the waist, seems short in length. I don't have the heart to tell him that capris are out this season.

Elliott has really started to enjoy the exosaucer, which has given me a bit more freedom in cleaning and cooking. It's a bit of a battle when Avery is around though as both brothers want to push the buttons to make the music start. I wonder if this is foreshadowing of their sharing abilities when Elliott becomes interested in toys.

This weekend is Labour Day. The end of summer already. How quickly time passes these days. I think the O'Brien's will take it rather easy and go out to our favourite breakfast spot one day. Hopefully the humidity will break by then and we can enjoy the outdoors. As crazy as it seems, before we know it, winter will be here.

Who Likes Cereal?

2010-08-13T20:18:00.008-04:00

Well, I didn't think Elliott did, but I was wrong! After a failed attempt at having him eat cereal last week, we had success today. Pat is the expert at making the cereal the right consistency (my downfall). I was so surprised at how quickly he gobbled it up. Two bowls this morning and one bowl this afternoon. That's without cutting out any breastfeeding time either. I guess this kid was HUNGRY!

Today Pat had the day off, which was wonderful. We brought Elliott to our favourite cafe, Ma Maison, which he rudely slept through. But, we certainly didn't mind, since it allowed us to enjoy our pastries and coffee in peace. We enjoyed the hot weather by taking a walk by the lake. There always manages to be a somewhat refreshing breeze down there.

Avery has been a bit of a monkey lately (well, when isn't he, really). The other day, while he was playing off in the corner, Pat and I decided to sneak in a couple of pieces of chocolate. Pat had finished his and I was hiding my piece in my hand when Avery came over to us with a look on his face that said "what are you two up to." He walked over to Pat and said "I want some too." Pat said that he didn't have anything, but Avery, being ever so persistent asked again for some. This bantering went on for another couple rounds until Avery reached up to Pat's face, opened Pat's mouth and said "chocolate, I want chocolate." That little kid has a nose like a bloodhound!

Avery has been really great with helping out around the house. Specifically, he helps us water the plants. He does such a good job and makes sure to get each flower or plant effectively. However, I don't quite approve of his trying to suck out the leftover water once the hose is turned off. Baby steps, I guess.

Oh, I almost forgot to note that Avery got his hair cut a few weekends ago. Pat says this is his David Beckham look. I think this makes him look like such a big boy. It's hard for me to remember he's only two years old!

Next week, Elliott is joining me and the girls for our annual PA shopping trip. Not that I mind, but Michele and I often dream of the day that we will be able to take the trip without children. Honestly though, at this age Elliott is no trouble. He will spend most of the time sleeping, I am sure. And, I have many extra hands to hold him should I want to try something on. So sorry Pat, having Elliott will definitely not slow down my shopping spree ;)

Home Alone...

2010-07-29T10:39:00.018-04:00

This particular post is dedicated to my wonderful and incredibly hard working husband. Pat has been extremely busy at work and hasn't been getting home until around 9pm... hence the title of this post. I have been alone, at home, with the boys... and an additional yet adorable dog, Morrie. Needless to say, it's been crazy for all involved. I promised Pat I would update the blog for him to read while at work, so he can remember what his children looked like :) He's in the home stretch now, this will help him through the last two days until his vacation. Enjoy, my love!

So, what's been going on around here? Well, Avery has had a ton of fun at school. Over the last few weeks, they have been doing some interesting things such as a field trip to the grocery store to get stuff to make fruit salad, a train ride through high park and making Popsicles. One day this week was pajama day and it was so much fun seeing all the little kids in their pj's. They also had their faces painted; Avery was a kitten and loved to "meow." Just when you think your child can't be any more adorable...

Elliott has been a giggling monster lately. Usually his giggles are accompanied by hiccups, a bit of spit up and drool, but it's heart warming nonetheless. He enjoys watching Morrie run around on our walks...well, until he falls asleep that is. As you can see from the photo below, E's days are filled with only the most exclusive play dates. Please don't let Avery know his toys are two-timing him. He'll be crushed.

Morrie has been the perfect gentleman while staying here. He's been so good with Avery, who loves chasing him around the house any chance he gets. Avery has been persistently asking us if he can bring Morrie to school. He's going to be quite sad when Morrie heads back to Ajax with my parents tomorrow. No, not sad enough for us to get a dog of our own though. Forget it!

Anyways, Elliott and I are really looking forward to Pat's vacation next week. There will be a trip to the zoo, some eating out and a lot of relaxation! We can't wait.

Doctor, Doctor...

2010-07-12T09:47:00.018-04:00

On Friday, I had the pleasure of bringing both Avery and Elliott to the doctor's for their checkups/shots. I had thought Avery was done with shots for now... but I had completely forgotten about him missing one set when he had croup.

I was lucky enough that my dear friend Ashley accompanied me to the appointment; she held Elliott while I chased little Av around the waiting room.

I have to say Elliott, since he's still new to the pediatrician/vaccination game, he cried less than Avery. Oh, if he knew what he was in store for. Avery, having memories of this nice lady stabbing him with needles for the last two years, knew what he was in for as soon as we got him naked. But, ever showing us that he has inherited his father's sweet tooth, Avery's tears stopped as soon as Dr. Vaz gave him his lollipop. Does she know how to handle the kids, or what?

Enough talking already, let's get to the results. Avery weighed in at a whopping 30lbs 6.5oz and 35.5" (almost 3 feet). That puts him at 75% for weight and 75-90% for height. Elliot weighed in at 14lbs 5oz and just shy of 25"; he is 25-50% for both height and weight. What is the craziest to me is that Oliver at this age was 2oz lighter, but 2cm longer than Elliott. I would have bet money on Elliott being longer and lighter than his cousin. I guess that shows how different people can carry their weight!

Speaking of Oliver, he turned ONE yesterday. How quickly time flies. We enjoyed a wonderful brunch over at the Topolski's followed by swimming in the pool. I don't think Oliver really knew what was going on, but he definitely enjoyed himself. Happy Birthday again Oliver!

Two Years Young and Three Months Old

2010-06-21T10:44:00.021-04:00

My baby turned two just over a two weeks ago. When I think back to Avery at a year, it's like the two are worlds apart. In the last year he has become himself, if you know what I mean. We always assumed Avery would be mischievous and the last year he has proved us right.
He constantly surprises us with knew knowledge and equally tests our parenting limits. I think he knows on some level that his insane cuteness prevents Pat and I from ever getting too mad.
This year we celebrated Avery's birthday on a smaller scale this year with a barbecue. That doesn't mean I skimped on the food though; a hamburger bar (complete with homemade buns) ending off with a rainbow cake and homemade ice cream sandwiches. It was a feast. Thankfully the weather held out and Truman and Avery were able to play outside for most of the afternoon.

Since my last post our newest baby also passed a milestone; he turned three months. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Elliott is also rapidly changing and it reminds me of how soon this precious stage will be behind us. I am trying to cherish every second of it. He smiles all of the time now and has begun giggling. We try to get Avery to tell Elliott so he will smile and laugh... but Avery just gets right up in Elliott's face and says "Joke." I guess comedy is not his forte.

Both Pat and I were shocked the other day when we peered inside little Elliott's mouth and saw a white dot on him gums. I rubbed my finger across it and sure enough it felt hard. Could it be that our little baby is getting his first tooth? We always thought his gums looked strange - as though the teeth were right below the surface. So maybe we were right!

The last few weekends have been full of playdates, birthday's and holidays and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. I guess summer is like that though. Last weekend we went out to Ajax to spend the day with Misty, Troy and Braylon. Avery and Bray had a blast playing in the pool and on the swing set. Misty made the most delicious lunch for us and the O'Brien's had their first taste of "mauby." Of course I thought of another application for the deliciously bitter drink; "how about in a latte?" Anyone? We then went on to visit the Katz family. Avery and Ben had so much fun playing in Ben's bouncy castle even though it was about 37C! Sam and Elliott stayed cool with the mommas in the shade.

We celebrated Father's Day at the Topolski's and took advantage of their gorgeous pool. The weather was beautiful and the water was just gorgeous. Truman is a natural in the pool, a trait Avery doesn't share with his cousin. Even though Pat spent much of the day chasing the little kiddies around, I think he had a wonderful day.

I can't wait until our next doctor's appointment for the kids. It's coming up on July 9th. If I thought I had no idea what Elliott was going to weigh, then I really have no clue about Avery. It's been six months since is last appointment and he feels like he weighs a ton! We see from his daily reports at daycare that he consistently two to three servings of snacks and lunch. Way to get our money's worth Av!

Time Sure Flies...

2010-06-07T09:25:00.023-04:00

when you are having fun!

I can't believe I haven't made a new post in almost a month. We've been so busy that I feel like I blinked and now we are well into summer. So, what has been going on at the Merrick Manor? Zoo trips, visitors from South of the border, new baby smiles, new baby rolls and a whole lot of potty action.

This season, we decided to invest in a zoo pass. Avery just loves animals and Pat and I enjoy it as well. Avery's favourite is the hippo... and he talks about it constantly. We are going again this Friday, as it's Av's birthday and Pat has taken the day off of work to come with us. Looks like this is turning into a yearly
tradition.

Pat's parents returned for a visit and brought along Aunt Leighlo and Uncle Luke. Of course they brought about a thousand gifts and spoiled us all once again. Avery was a little intimidated by Luke when he first met him. Not that I blame him; Luke looks like he could play for the NFL! But, after about five minutes, it was love all around. I think Luke's southern charm worked as Avery has been saying Luke's name constantly. We can't wait to see everyone again, but it looks like we'll have to wait until September.

At Elliott's two month check up, I was shocked to learn that Elliott's growth curve had slowed down substantially. His doctor attributed it to overconfidence on my part, since Elliott had been doing so well. She told me to slow things down and be more conscious while we are feeding. Her advice worked because at our appointment his growth curve had returned back to normal. Elliott is now a few ounces shy of 13 pounds and is rock'n a sweet double chin.

All the extra food certainly agrees with Elliott as he has been smiling like crazy lately. He especially likes to bestow his adorable grin onto his big brother. This makes Avery get a little hyper, which in turn makes Elliott smile more. It's a viscous circle. I love seeing this glimpse of personality. I feel myself anxious for his development, yet at the same time wanting him to stay this age forever. Avery is turning two this week and you realize how quickly time passes.

While we are on the subject of Avery, I must note that he has been making great process with potty training. He has been consistently peeing two to three times a day on the potty and pooping every other day. We have decided that quite soon we will take the plunge and make the transition. We'll start on a weekend where there isn't much going on, so Av won't be embarrassed if there are accidents.

Anyway, that's it for now. This weekend we are celebrating Av's big birthday by hosting a BBQ for our close friends and family. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. Here's hoping!

ABC's and 1,2,3's

2010-05-11T20:21:00.015-04:00

Avery has been surprising us constantly these days with his budding knowledge. Most recently, his ability to count to three and say the alphabet to about the "G" mark. Of course, as the proud mama that I am, I ask him to perform in front of our friends, to no avail. I swear to you, I am not lying... he does do it.

I can't believe that in under a year my first son became a little boy. He speaks three and four word sentences, he helps me cook and bake (& even cleans the dishes!) and climbs up anything and everything. In a month Avery will be turning two. It is amazing to see what a bright and sensitive child we have in our midst. Ah... as you can see, someone is becoming a bit nostalgic.

So, this week, Elliott crossed the 8 week mark! Unfortunately, he did it with a nasty cough and cold. It was so nasty that we took him to the Just For Kids clinic. Thankfully the doctor didn't find anything wrong with our little man, which made Pat and myself feel so much better. And, as a bonus, Elliott got weighed while he was there - 11lbs 7oz of baby sweetness. Next week Elliott has his two month check up and his firs set of shots. Ouch!

This weekend we will be getting Avery's hair cut. I am not looking forward to it - there will be tears (from both Avery and myself) and hopefully one happy, cleaned up little boy at the end of it. I know it's just hair and it will grow back... he's just so cute with his wild curls peaking out from under his hat.

Next weekend, Pat's family will be heading into town. We can't wait. Hopefully the weather will be slightly better than it has been this week - wet and cold. Finally, this weekend has brought with it some sunshine and warmth, which means there will be nothing but BBQ's and outdoor fun for the O'Brien's. I think our weekend adventure will also include a trip to the zoo. Avery will go bananas!

Six Week Weigh In

2010-04-30T13:59:00.013-04:00

At Elliott's last appointment, the doctor was so impressed with his growth that our next appointment was extended to 6 weeks instead of the typical 4 weeks. So, we were all dying to know what he was going to weigh in at. The range of predictions started at 9 1/2lbs all the way up to 15lbs! I took a last minute guess of 10lbs 5oz. I wasn't too far off. Elliott tipped the scales at 10lbs 13oz, which means he gained 3 1/2 lbs in 4 weeks. Way to go baby! Even more impressive was the fact that he grew 7cm in length. The doctor again was impressed. We have to return in 3 weeks for Elliott's first set of shots. Boy oh boy... it starts again. Hopefully Elliott copes as well as Avery does with needles, or else I may be the one taking medication before his appointments.

Elliott has been changing so much. He has started smiling, especially at his Nanny and brother. He has also started cooing, which is quite adorable. I love seeing a glimpse of his personality! He has also been sleeping in three hour chunks...hallelujah! However, as soon as 5am hits, it's game over. Oh well, any progress is welcomed.

You may be wondering what Avery has been up to lately. Well, he's been loving the warm weather... playing soccer, basketball, or just burning off some toddler strength energy. With all of his time spent out in the sun, we thought it was best that he be fully protected from the sun... so we bought him some sunglasses. Now, he's the coolest kid in Roncy, or at least he thinks so!

Next week is mother's day. I trust the boys have pooled their allowances together to get me something nice. Actually, all I really want is a morning of peace and quiet and maybe a couple extra hours of sleep. Let's see if I get my wish.

One Month, One Milestone and One Prediction

2010-04-21T09:05:00.020-04:00

This past week our little Elliott celebrated his one month birthday. He certainly has been using all of his energy to do one thing and one thing only - eat. I constantly hear from friends and family how much bigger he looks every time they see him. I love it! Next week he has his check up. We can't wait to see how much he weighs. I am going to guess somewhere in the 10 to 11 pound range.

This week I brought Elliott in to Westpark so he could see where his mommy works. Of course everyone was impressed with E, especially Debbie, who had the pleasure of being spit up on. Yep, right down her shirt too. She got the full Elliott experience. We also had a visit from Kristina, all the way from Ottawa. We enjoyed the beautiful weather by going for a walk through Roncy. Hopefully it won't be too long before we see her again.

We can't leave our big man out. Avery crossed a huge milestone this weekend; he used the potty for the first time. Pat and I were so pleased, we were hooting and hollering. Avery wanted to impress us more - you could see him straining to push out more pee. So funny. Way to go Av!

Last week we bought Avery a small portable basketball net. Boy, does our big guy have a great arm. In the morning, the first thing he says is "basketball." When I pick him up from school he says "basketball." When Pat gets home from work he says "basketball." At least we're getting good use out of the net. And apparently it's helped Pat with his game too. He was on fire at his game last night.

We have been trying to take walks after dinner before Avery's bedtime. It's been wonderful to get out into High Park and to see the beautiful cherry blossoms. They only last for about a week, so we have to see them as much as possible while they are here.

We've been closely watching Elliott's appearance change over the last few weeks. What colour eyes will he have? What colour will his hair be? Who will he look like? I have decided that I am confident in predicting that Elliott will in fact be a ginger. Yes folks, like a good Irish boy, Elliott is going to have red hair. And what better accompaniment to this than blue eyes. This is what I foresee for my little baby.

The Allnighter

2010-04-11T16:44:00.042-04:00

Dear Sleep,

I miss you so much. I know I probably didn't appreciate you enough while you were around. I never let you know how much I enjoyed your company and what a big part of my life you were. Please, please, please come back to me. If you return, I promise to always let you know how much you mean to me.

Your truly,
Tina

So, for the last few nights, Pat and I have been treated to hourly wakings from Elliott. The first night wasn't too bad at all; 'Elliott must be going through a growth spurt' I thought. The second night was completely tolerable, even when he began fussing while trying to go back to sleep. Last night left us completely drained; not only did Elliott wake every hour, he was also incredibly miserable trying to fall back asleep. Needless to say, today has been a multiple coffee day for Pat and I. It hasn't helped that Avery has begun waking at night again. Poor Pat has taken to sleeping part time on the floor in Av's room. Not the most comfortable sleeping arrangement. It helps me to keep in mind that this stage of sleepless nights is short lived. It also helps when we can quite obviously see that Elliott is getting bigger from so many feedings. He honestly looks almost twice as big as when he was born. He even seems to have a double chin emerging.

This past week, Granny KK and Poppy Ray rolled into town. They've been a tremendous help looking after Elliott so I could run errands and pick up Avery from daycare. Avery has really enjoyed them being around as well. In fact, the one day they weren't here, Avery kept asking for them when he saw they weren't home. He's going to miss playing hide and seek the most I think; KK always finds the best hiding spots.

Saturday, the whole family got together in Ajax for an afternoon BBQ. Talk about a full house. Truman and Avery were up to no good again, running around the house and getting into mischief. Oliver stared at the kids, just wishing he was able to join in the fun. It won't be long either; Oliver showed us how he could hold himself up by grabbing on to the coffee table. Oliver also showed a lot of interest in little Elliott; he constantly tried to reach out to E and touch him. It was so adorable. Well that settles it; there must be a third Topolski child. Maybe even a girl?!

Today, Uncle John, cousins Riley and Will, joined by KK, came for a visit. Avery, as usual played shy at first, but didn't take long to warm up to the Carter boys. He was particularly infatuated with Uncle John and constantly tried to get his attention during our delicious lunch at Lit. Elliott was a bit rude and slept through most of the visit. However, he cooperated and not one tear was shed while Uncle John held him for a good half hour.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Outlaws visit before they head back to the South. We will miss them very much. But at least we know they will be returning in May, so we don't have to be too sad. I can only imagine how different Elliott will be when they return. And I hope there is at least a little 'new baby' smell left for Leighlo.

Easter Brings a Taste of Summer!

2010-04-04T20:47:00.026-04:00

What a beautiful weekend! It started on Thursday with 20C weather and just continued that way all weekend. Needless to say we tried to spend as much time outside as we could.

Friday we were joined by Michele, Truman and Oliver and spent the afternoon in High Park. The majority of this time was spent by poor Pat chasing the two little trouble makers around the High Park castle playground. I can only imagine how tuckered out Pat was by the end of it. Luckily we brought along some delicious snacks to refuel. But our lunch at the picnic table was cut short due to an uninvited guest, the biggest wasp I have ever seen! And during this fiasco I learned there is one person more afraid of these pesky insects than myself - Truman. The poor guy could not relax until we moved (but I sure wasn't complaining about the relocation).

This morning, we headed to Ajax for a delicious brunch. We were joined by all of the Topolski's, as well as Misty. The boys (ie. Truman and Avery) had a wonderful Easter egg hunt in the backyard thanks to Michele. Once again, the boys hijacked Pat for a long, confusing game of hide & seek. I think we all had a bit too much chocolate, especially Avery who turned into a maniac by the end of the day from the crash of his sugar rush.

We finished off the day with some yard work. Avery was especially excited to use his shovel and was a great assistant! We still have so much work to do, but we got a good head start.

This week, the Out-Laws are coming to town and we can't wait. They are leaving this morning and we should see them on Wednesday. I know Granny KK and Poppy Ray can not wait to hold little Elliot in the flesh. Leigh-low will be jealous that they get to smell the "new baby" scent. Leigh, I promise to try to keep Elliott smelling "new" until you get here in May!

A Lot Can Happen in a Week...

2010-03-31T15:27:00.014-04:00

...including a certain newborn gaining almost a full pound! That's right. At Elliott's doctors appointment today, he weighed in at a whopping 7lbs 8oz. He managed to grow a centimetre in length as well. Way to grow Elliott. It sure is nice knowing that feeding every two hours is making such a huge impact.

Today, Pat went back to work after his ten days of parental leave. We really enjoyed our time off together and both Elliott and I were sad to see him go. I guess all good things must come to an end. Thankfully it's a short week, so Pat can ease himself back into work!

Tonight will be my first evening alone with both boys. I've got to admit I am a bit nervous. I am not quite sure how I am going to manage it - but I am thinking that Elliott will have to deal with being in his swing while I bathe and put Avery to bed. Hopefully both boys cooperate.

Tomorrow, Michele, her darling Oliver, Elliott and I will be hitting up Toronto's Spring One of a Kind Show. We are both a bit nervous about how much money will be spent. I'll try my best to behave, but I am not making any promises ;)

Week One

2010-03-24T19:48:00.016-04:00

One week ago today, we were welcoming our beautiful Elliott into our lives. Things feel exactly the same as they did with Avery and at the same time entirely different. Elliott has been an excellent eater. I don't feel like I will have to worry about his weight gain as I did with Avery. However, he hates sleeping alone, something Avery had no problems with. Elliott just loves being held and prefers to sleep in our arms, which is nice for the first couple weeks of life. However, I would like to have him sleep comfortably in his crib, so that mommy, daddy and baby can get a good night's rest.

I know it's not possible already, but I swear Elliott smiled at me today. It is just the cutest thing, even if it's just gas. It's crazy how quickly he is changing in his appearance; he looks way different today than he did two days ago. Pat and I keep making guesses as to what colour his hair and eyes will be. We both think he's going to have hazel eyes (like mommy) and blond hair like his big brother. I know we still have quite a bit of time before these details emerge, but it's always fun to speculate.

Thankfully it seems as though Elliot enjoys the swing. It will make it easier to get things done around the house once Pat goes back to work. He's in there right now, actually. He's not even asleep, he's just happily swinging back and forth.

With the fleeting wonderful weather, Pat, Elliott and I have been trying to take advantage by going for many walks. It feels so nice to be outside in the fresh air. When Avery got home from daycare today, we spent a bit of time outside. Avery loved testing out his new rain boots in the mud! He also loves the tricycle that Aunt Michele & Uncle Jerry got him for Christmas. While he can't really ride it, he enjoys rolling down the hill, having Daddy catch him at the bottom of our driveway. It seems as though a cold spell is upon us, so I am so happy that we were able to burn off some energy until we're forced to stay indoors for a while.

Oops... I hear my littlest one now from the swing. Something else he shares with his big brother - hiccups. He constantly gets them after eating. They just sound so darned adorable! I'd better go get him.

Welcome to the World, Elliott!

2010-03-22T15:00:00.018-04:00

Call it coincidence or call it fate (I like to think the latter)... little Elliott William Patrick O'Brien was born on Wednesday, March 17th, 2010. I call it fate because Avery was born on Pat's mother's mother's birthday and Elliott arrived in our arms on Pat's father's father's birthday. And it's just fitting that it also happened to be St Patrick's Day, which is why we had to add Patrick in his name somewhere. Pat was gunning for Patrick II or Patrick Junior but I squashed that idea - hell, since I'm the one who went through labour, I think I'm allowed to vito something, right?

Everything about Elliott's delivery was wonderful; the day was beautiful and the labour was quick (a mere 4 1/2hrs) and the pushing was even quicker (only 10 minutes!!!). As my sister says, I am made for having babies, although I beg to differ.

Since Elliott has been home, things have been going incredibly well. He's an eating and pooping machine! We actually just got back from Elliott's first doctor's appointment and in 5 days, he has managed to get back up to his birth weight. Way to go E!

And of course, we can't forget about our darling Avery. He has been so sweet with Elliott, constantly wanting to kiss and hold him (not always as gently as I'd like). We couldn't ask for anything more.

I can't wait to see how Elliott grows and changes in the next couple of weeks because if I remember correctly from our first time around, the changes are quite dramatic. I can't wait to see how my two boys interact as they get older. I can only imagine our house will resemble something of a zoo... an adorable zoo for sure, but crazy. I can hardly wait!

A Hard Day's Night

2010-03-14T17:28:00.018-04:00

Things have been kind of rough around the O'Brien household this week... the worst being Friday night. Av has been fighting some sort of illness that I caught and now it seems as though Pat might have fallen victim as well. It has made the night times particularly difficult. Friday night Avery woke up just after midnight and just couldn't fall back asleep. We tried taking him for a walk at 2am, but that did nothing except give our neighbors something to chat about. Finally at 5am, I strapped Avery into his car seat and drove around the West end. I've got to say that I find it incredibly hard to drive without a destination. So, even though I really don't like it, I drove to a Tim Horton's drive through. At this point, I had slept maybe three hours in total, so gross or not, I needed caffeine. Thankfully, the drive did the trick and Avery got some much needed rest.

We took him to the clinic in the morning and even though the doctor couldn't find anything really wrong with him, he gave us some medication. It certainly did the trick, since last night he slept for almost eleven hours straight. Today, he seems like his old self - rambunctious and a little crazy.

We hit up Ikea this morning for breakfast with Chris & Ashley. While we were there, we picked up some new paints for Avery. As you can see from the picture, he was thoroughly enjoying the new purchase.

It's been quite miserable out this weekend, so we've been keeping busy indoors. One thing we love to do is dance. Avery really gets into it, spinning around until he falls down. Hopefully all of this activity means that he's on the road to recovery.

Avery is very intune with his body and understands the necessity of stretching after so much dancing. He loves doing his downward dog yoga pose. Honestly, Avery shows Pat and I new things about himself all the time. Who knew he could do such things! In fact, when we were at the clinic, Avery kept saying something that I thought was "cream." He was actually saying "crane" because he saw a crane outside the window and wanted a better look at it. He is one smart cookie.

Spring Fever

2010-03-06T15:23:00.023-05:00

The mild winter didn't leave any of us less excited for the warm weather. In fact, it's made us down right crazy. Avery has been more energetic than normal (I didn't think that was possible!).

We've been enjoying this brief thaw by taking walks around Roncy and through the park. We haven't hit up any playgrounds yet (it's still a bit cold and muddy), but I am sure that's not far behind. Today on our walk through the neighborhood, we came across a most horrific sight. Our favourite brunch spot, Freshwood Grill, closed down. They had the most amazing wraps that came with delicious sweet potato fries. In the summer the patio was always packed. It's such a shame. Thank goodness Roncy is filled with great places to eat; it will just be a battle deciding on which one is our new favourite.

Avery with rice up his nose

We've been enjoying the last few weeks of calm before the new baby arrives by having some family outings. This morning we hit up my favourite patisserie, Ma Maison. I can not tell you how much damage I will do there while on maternity leave (both on the pocket and on my waistline!).

Avery is loving the toddler room at school. He and his two best friends, Andy and James, are like the three musketeers. They actually swap shoes all the time; Avery was wearing Andy's running shoes on Friday when I went to pick him up. Apparently they trade boots as well. It's nice to know he adjusted rather quickly to the change. Hopefully he'll do just as well with the arrival of his little brother. I guess we'll find out soon enough!

Family Day!

2010-02-15T12:42:00.010-05:00

The O'Brien's are enjoying a wonderful winter Family Day. Thank goodness we had the extra day off, or else this weekend would've flown by.
We've had a busy weekend. Saturday, we spent the afternoon in Waterloo visiting the Carter family - including Aunt B all the way from BC. Avery made fast friend's with Cousin Riley; Avery was quite impressed with Riley's Tetris abilities.

Sunday was Valentine's Day - and Avery was so romantic and gave us kisses all morning. However, I really wish he would've waited until after 5am to do it. We went to Ikea during the afternoon to get some things for Av's soon to be brother. Avery had a ton of fun running around the place - NOT holding on to our hands. He sure loves testing us. We still treated him to an expensive lunch out - $0.50 hot dogs. You just can't go wrong at that price!

Today we went out for coffee and a walk in the morning to our favourite Roncy shop - Cherry Bomb. I was so surprised it was open, as Roncy was a dead zone. We came back home to do a little tidying and Pat was courteous enough to entertain Avery outside so I could wash the floors. We finally have enough snow to test out our sled. Avery loved it and was quite sad when we made him come inside.

In fact, Avery loves snow in general. He enjoys helping us shovel and constantly brings us his coat or boots when he wants to go outside. Apparently, this is how I was when I was little. So, really, I can't say a thing.

I think our Avery is hinting at something right now - as he has his jacket and mittens in his hands. Look likes it's time for another walk. Happy Family Day everyone!

Winter Blahs

2010-01-30T09:41:00.017-05:00

So, the end of January is in sight. Hopefully that means only two more months of winter left for us. I guess we can't really complain; this winter hasn't been anything like what we've had in the last couple of years. But, I'll tell you, even Pat and were hesitant to go for our walk this morning when we saw that the temp with the windchill was a ridiculous -28C! But, we soldiered on, to appease our little darling Avery, who was insistent that we go for a "walk, walk."

Since my last post, Avery went in for his 18 month check up. We were bad parents, taking him in about a month late, but between Avery getting sick and our temporary relocation to Ajax, plus it being Christmas, we just couldn't seem to get it together. Anyways, Avery weighed in at a healthy 26lbs 9oz and just shy of 3', all above the 50%! His doctor was quite impressed with our Avery's development (I'm not surprised); Avery recently strung together four words (and demonstrated that he won't be taken advantage of!) by saying "Andy, NO! My shoe," when his buddy at daycare tried to take his shoes. Good job Avery!

I have a feeling this weekend will just fly by. Shortly, we will be on our way to Ajax for a delicious "Fiesta" brunch at Troy, Misty & Braylon's. I can not wait! After that, we will pop in to visit my parents. Tomorrow, we have a brunch date with Jonathon & Ann. And, finally we plan to go visit the newest addition to the Katz family, Sam, who arrived on Monday, January 25th at over a whopping 9lbs! I can't wait to see the cutey!

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

2010-01-01T18:47:00.019-05:00

I'll tell you what Avery did (the night owl that he is), he stayed up until 7pm! He was giddy and full from his meal of pizza and cupcakes. What a way to ring in the New Year!

I can't believe another year has come and gone. December has been a blur really. With moving into our new house, my birthday, Christmas parties, Christmas itself and New Year's, I am surprised we made it through alive.

We've mostly settled into our new home and I am happy to say Avery took to it right away. There was no adjustment period at all, which was a relief for Pat and I. When we moved into our condo, there were a few sleepless nights that left us all feeling drained.
Avery loves running around our main floor, closing the glass french doors to the dining room and making funny faces at us. He's also become a master at climbing stairs and has decided he no longer wants to go up on his hands and knees; he uses the banister to climb them which makes me incredibly nervous. However, going down the stairs is an entirely different story. Avery knows not to attempt them without our help.

Christmas this year seemed to fly by more quickly than normal, but I think that had to do with the fact that it was a ZOO at my parent's house. Between Avery and Truman, it was one loud rumpus room over the holiday. This year the grown ups decided to forgo exchanging gifts and just buy presents for the kiddies. We still managed to end up with the same amount under the tree, which is awful since there were now only three recipients of all the the packages. Nevertheless, Truman, Avery and Oliver thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Avery especially enjoyed his Radio Flyer trike from Uncle Jerry & Aunt Michele as well as his own 'mini kitchen' from Aunt Misty. Unfortunately, our car was completely packed and we didn't have room for either of them for our trip home. It's okay though because Avery has more than enough toys to keep him happy for the next three years!

As you can see, Avery has really taken to little Oliver. Really, could you blame him? That Oliver is an absolute doll. This gives us high hopes for how he will deal with the new addition to our family. It's crazy to think that in three short months we won't have to wonder anymore!

Long Overdue

2009-10-24T10:24:00.017-04:00

Woah! There is a lot to cover in this post! I know it's my own fault. I haven't updated Avery's blog in soooo long. All I can say is that we've been quite busy.

First of all, we bought a house. You see, we need the extra space because in March, Avery will be the proud owner of a new baby brother. It's all very exciting. Between my sister and I, there will be 4 little boys in our lives. Like I keep saying, we are going to have some stinky Christmas'!

After we bought a house, there was just the small matter of selling our condo. Not an easy feat when you have a toddler. Avery can have this place looking like a disaster in all of 30 seconds. Thankfully, the O'Brien's were heading off on a vacation, and were able to leave this place pristine for showings.

Now, you may be asking, "Where were the O'Brien's headed?" Well, that's another big piece of news. Avery's Aunt Leighlow was tying the knot! So, we packed up and headed down on Avery's first plane ride to South Carolina. I've got to say, he was an absolute dream on the flight down. Not one peep. I can't say the same for the return flight. Oh, well... it's a good thing it is only 1 1/2hr ride!

South Carolina was amazing! Not only did Avery get to see Granny KK, Poppy Ray and Aunt Leighlo... he also had the pleasure of meeting Aunt B for the first time! She flew all the way from BC for Leigh's wedding, but we told Av it was just for him ;)
The wedding was perfect; the weather was nice and warm and Leigh looked absolutely gorgeous (Luke didn't look so bad himself!). It's a shame we were only able to stay for a week. But, at least we know we'll be seeing them again soon - as they will be heading up north to see us when our newest addition finally makes his appearance.

Since we were away over Thanksgiving, we had to postpone our annual dinner until the weekend after. This was of course preceded by apple picking at Chudleighs. Now, Michele swears it was colder the weekend prior, but I can't imagine how. We were all popsicles at the end of it. Maybe it was because we had gotten used to the heat of the south! Avery loved Chudleighs; he especially liked playing with the farm animals. I can't believe he wasn't even scared. He also enjoyed eating the apples. Since our visit, he has had an apple every day. I can't believe he can eat a whole one!

Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. Michele and I were shocked as to how stress free it was this year. Well, it as stress free until Avery took a little spill and got a black eye. Our little guy looks like he got into a brawl on the playground. At least that's what we've been telling everyone.

So, in a nut shell, that's what we've been up to lately. Next weekend is Hallowe'en and normally I'd be all over it. However, this year I'm afraid it will be overshadowed by the fact that we are moving two days afterwards. Don't worry, Avery will still go trick or treating... he can't wait to put on his skunk costume. Stay tuned for the pics!

Sleepy Hallow

2009-09-28T21:34:00.016-04:00

Pat came home on Friday evening from work to find this:

What can I say? It was a long, long week, and really, I am pregnant; I get tired! Avery too had a rough day at daycare it seems. Or a really good day... he was so tuckered out. We had been watching Y&R on the couch (it's his favourite story - he never misses it). Next thing you know, the show is over and Pat is home. I am so happy Pat was able to snap a pic before Avery woke up. He looks too cute for words!

So, it's been quite busy for us over the last couple of weeks... and things don't down seem to be slowing down at all. We had a busy weekend packing and cleaning, visiting the Katz's new GORGEOUS abode and a trip to Ajax to visit Nanny & Oopa. Nanny gave Avery a piece of chocolate wafer, which sent him into sugar overload. This kid was pretty much jumping off the wall. This is why we don't give him anything sweeter than Arrowroot cookies. We also went out for brunch with Jon & Ann to Cool Hand of a Girl, where Avery enjoyed licking the jam off of his toast. Always the gentlemen, he kept borrowing my napkin to wipe his face. Adorable!

We had wanted to go to Chudleighs for some apple picking, but the rain made us reconsider our plans. We hope to go this weekend, but the forecast doesn't leave me very optimistic. Next week, the O'Brien's are heading to South Carolina to visit the "Outlaws" for Aunt Leighlow's wedding. We can't wait. Avery will finally get to meet Aunt B! I don't think Avery's ready for all the cheek grabbing he's going to get from the Carter women! Watch out Avery!

Our First Mug Shot

2009-08-31T20:28:00.008-04:00

Avery was arrested last night for disorderly conduct. Apparently he had too much (milk) to drink and things got a bit crazy. Really, he looks incredibly silly in this picture; Pat and I laughed for about five minutes just looking at it.

This past week I noticed that Av's clothes were looking a little small. I know belly tops are popular among some crowds, however, I think the look is lost on our man. Also, his pants were looking like floods. No wonder, Avery was still sporting his 6-12 month clothes. So, I was able to go through his wardrobe and switch out all of his clothing. It was amazing to me how much less he has as he gets older. It's easy to understand why... at this age, kids clothes get stained, ripped, worn. Oh well, it's just another excuse for Mom to go shopping!

When I was changing out his clothes, I found the most delicious pair of red fleece pj's I forgot I had bought for Avery. Now that the weather has cooled down a bit, it was the perfect excuse to have him try them out. I can't get over how adorable he looks in them; he's like an old man. All he's missing is his pipe.

Heat Wave

2009-08-16T20:33:00.011-04:00

Well, it finally seems as though summer is upon us. Frankly, I preferred the cooler weather. So, the O'Brien's spent the weekend trying to stay cool. This included a lovely afternoon swimming in the Topolski pool (and even more fun getting to see the ever growing Oliver!). Truman is a natural in the water and has no fear. I imagine he slept well last night after all the energy he used up swimming. Avery couldn't really get used to the life jacket we put on him... but he enjoyed the water nonetheless.

Today we went for a walk nice and early (although it was already hot at 9am!). We spent most of our afternoon indoors, but Avery was still feeling the heat... so we sprayed him with water. Actually, I was on my way to spray the plants on the balcony, and I thought it would be funny to spray Avery with a bit of water. He loved it. He was pretty much soaked and we tried to take the bottle away and he started crying. What a nutter.

We managed to take a nice walk through the park in the afternoon. There was a nice amount of shade and breeze, so it was really refreshing. Avery fell asleep within five minutes of the walk...so Pat and I got to enjoy so quiet time.

Avery and I are so happy that Pat is back from his trip to the Big Apple. Pat was gone from Wednesday to Friday, and I think Avery really missed him. Avery was pretty much attached to daddy's hip all weekend. It was so cute. And, to be honest, it was nice to have a bit of a break myself!

When Mommy's Away, Baby Will Play

2009-07-30T21:30:00.010-04:00

I know, I know... it's been quite a while since my last post. I really don't intend to be so tardy but with work and, I guess, life getting in my way, I haven't had the time (or energy) to blog.

Tonight, I had the wonderful pleasure of going out to dinner with some fabulous friends, which has been long overdue. This left my darling husband and mischievous Avery home alone. When I arrived home, Pat showed me some wonderful shots he took of Avery during dinner.

Avery, who's always had a flare for dramatics, made dinner very interesting, to say the least. Apparently, he would give a sly smile to his father before pouring his milk onto the table. I can't imagine how long it took poor Pat to clean up the mess but the place looked spotless when I got home! Good job hubby!

Daycare continues to be a huge success. When Avery sees us coming to pick him up, he begins to wave his arms in delight and rushes the door (followed by about half of Av's class). I've said it before, I really think that this is what has made my transition back to work so easy. We've even managed to settle into a wonderful morning routine, which includes Avery crawling into our bed to wake Pat up - not always in the most desirable way!

On another note, I would just like to say a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my dearest friend Camille, Addy and Jay who welcomed home the newest addition to the Ramnath family - Myles. I can not wait to meet him!

Off to School We Go

2009-07-13T20:21:00.019-04:00

I know, I know... it's been furevah since I last posted on this blog (sorry Aunt B!). All I can say is that it's been a hectic couple of weeks for our family.
I had very good intentions of writing this weekend, but a little something got in the way. That little something is called Oliver Henri Topolski. The gorgeous darling was born this past Saturday, weighing in at a whopping 9lbs 5oz! CONGRATULATIONS Michele, Jerry, Truman and Morrie. Michele, unfortunately you are now massively outnumbered by the boys club. Avery wasn't quite sure what to make of Oliver when we visited them in the hospital. He sure was persistent in trying to climb into the hospital bed with Michele though!

Now, since my last post, Avery has started attending daycare. All I have to say is that it didn't take long for the little tyke to adjust. His teachers told us that on his third day, he was their new little helper (as he liked to help push one of the younger babes in the swing). By Friday, he didn't even cry when Pat dropped him off. Sheesh... I thought he would miss us a bit more. Thanks a lot kid! Actually, it makes it so much easier for me to be at work knowing that Avery isn't spending his days crying and fussing. Today, Pat and I peaked in the window of the daycare before going in to get him. He was having so much fun, laughing and playing... that is, until he saw us. Then it was instant tears. It's almost as if Avery was upset that we were taking him home.

Returning to work is the other big adjustment happening in the O'Brien household. There isn't all that much to say, except that even the first day of work felt completley normal. As soon as I was entered the kitchen, it didn't even feel as though a day had passed since I had last been there. And, I think that is the strangest part of it all! The adjusting comes into play when trying to figure out how to navigate through our morning routines. We have decided to take turns waking up with Avery (since he still insists on waking up at 5:30am). We tag team through watching Avery and taking our showers and getting ready for work. I never knew I could actually scale down my entire morning routine to just over 15 minutes. However, that might also be why I keep getting scared of my reflection in the mirror at work. Maybe I should dedicate an extra 5 minutes for makeup!

We have been thoroughly enjoying our summer... spending time at the Topolski pool (no dunking for Avery though), picking strawberries, taking long walks and just relaxing. Let's just hope that the weather gets a little warmer sometime soon because in all honestly, it has felt more like fall than anything else.

Father's Day - Take Two

2009-06-21T19:32:00.017-04:00

Today we celebrated Pat's second Father's Day. We started the morning as we do every Sunday, with a trip to La Crema for a delicious cup of fresh brew.
We headed over to Michele & Jerry's shortly after for a wonderful family brunch. We had bacon, baked french toast, a fruit platter and my Mom's famous potato salad. Everyone fights over it, including Avery!

The hot weather tempted all of us into the Topolski pool. It was opened just two days ago and was pretty much free of debris, all thanks to Jerry, who spent his Father's Day skimming the pool! We had a ton of fun and could've stayed in all day. PS - Can we talk about how fabulous Michele looks! She's all belly. All pregnant women should be so lucky. Oh, and PPS - That's Pat about to dunk my head in the pool (just joking).

In the afternoon we took a walk to our favourite little park, that we seem to always have to ourselves. Avery enjoyed eating sand, much to our dismay. We finished our day with a BBQ because, really, who wants to cook in this heat. I hope Pat had fun this Father's Day, and I hope all the other dad's out there got to enjoy theirs too. HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Baby's All Grown's Up - Avery's First Birthday

2009-06-11T21:25:00.029-04:00

Wow - one year has passed us by. One year ago today, Pat and I (along with our friends and family) were welcoming our son into our lives. We knew that having Avery would change our lives, but I don't think either of us knew exactly how much.
Over the last year we have struggled through breastfeeding, sleeping, napping, eating, teething... you name it. But with each stage, we come out with more confidence as parents and with a happier Avery.

I can remember the day he was born as if it were yesterday. His tiny cries letting us know he didn't understand what the heck just happened to him! We had a few bumps in the road at the beginning - being back in the hospital just days after coming home. It seemed so traumatic to me at the time, but looking back on it, it was somewhat comforting having all of those experts around us while we were just getting used to things.

I have to say we were pretty lucky from the start to have a son who didn't mind sleeping in his crib. We initially tried swaddling him, but Avery, never wanting to stay still, always managed to wriggle out of our wrapping jobs. Although Avery is a great sleeping, getting him to fall sleep is another story. It's a problem we are still dealing with at this very moment. But, I guess there is always something!

We started hitting our stride at roughly four months. Avery had begun sleeping through the night (5 hours straight for babies - who are they kidding?!), we had joined the best mommy group in Toronto and started with mommy-baby activities. Being rested (somewhat) and active helped us avoid the dreaded "cabin fever" during the winter months.

Shortly before Avery's six month birthday, we started him on solids. Not really sure of what to make of it at first, we were privy to some really interesting faces from our little joker. But, it didn't take long for him to acquire a taste for solids. Now our Avery will eat anything and everything (including a short list of non-edibles). Now our only challenge is keeping the floor clean while Avery attempts to feed himself. Hey, Michele, do you think we can borrow Morrie for a few months?

As mentioned above, Avery has always been a baby on the move. So, it didn't really surprise us when shortly after his ten month mark, he started walking. Allison (our resident baby expert) said it could be partially due to having a lot of low level furniture. I think it's just superior genes ;) And Pat was over the moon when he came home ealier this week to see that Avery had learned how to kick the soccer ball. AC Milan, here we come!

Avery is definitely a vocal baby; a trait I can attribute to his father. He is never one to shy away from screaming to let us know he is unhappy. Recently, he had started pointing and saying "doggie," which left Pat and I really impressed, until we realized that he uses this term not only for dogs, but any sort of living animal he sees. I am so anxious to hear all of his first words and hope I won't have to wait that much longer.

There is so much I could write about Avery. There is so much to his personality already, at just one year. I could be having the most frustrating day (usually due to Avery being difficult), and it takes only one look, one kiss or one giggle from my son, and all is forgotten. A master manipulator already ;) He is one exceptional baby and I look forward to all of the exciting developments that will be emerging in the years to come. And on that note, I will pass the computer over to Pat to weigh in on our little birthday boy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVERY!

I figured after a year of blogging, it was time for dad to step up to plate and contribute (sports analogy #1 of many I'm sure to use---it's really all I've got).
It still blows my mind that Tina and I are parents to a 1 year old little man. It's been the fastest and most exciting year we've had, and I'm so pleased with the extraordinary developments that Avery has made, as well as our development as parents. We've come a long way from the nervous couple pulling into the driveway of 259 Keele Street a little under a year ago.
Any time I'm having a rough day or feeling a little shitty (pardon the language, that's just me) all I have to do is take one look at our little guy and he makes me smile! Sometimes is absolutely scary how much Avery reminds me of me. Hopefully my contributions will be more frequent in order to take the pressure off my lovely wife who will be heading back to work very shortly. HAPPY BIRTHDAY A-MAN!

Sigh of Relief...

2009-06-07T21:45:00.007-04:00

This week brought relief to all of the O'Brien clan. Avery's tooth that had been plaguing him with pain finally broke through the skin. I think this helped calm his fussy temperament that had stuck with him this week. I still have a feeling there is another tooth lurking just beneath his gums...but only time will tell.

Pat and I had a huge surprise this week when a local daycare called to let us know that they had a spot available for Avery. I can't even tell you how ecstatic I was. Having just talked to every location we were on waiting lists for, and basically being told "not a chance in hell," it was quite a shock to learn we had a spot. It was as if we had won the lottery. Of course, nothing comes that easy, and we were informed that his spot is not available until July 9th. I am slated to start back at work on July 2nd. I am hoping my manager has pity on me, and allows me to take a few extra days of vacation until the daycare is ready to accept Avery. Regardless of how we manage through that week, we are just over the moon that Avery will be attending a registered daycare. I think Avery will blossom in a place like that.

Next week is going to be busy for us. Avery will be celebrating his first birthday. So, not only do we have our regular slew of activities, we will also be spending his actual birthday at the zoo (accompanied by Aunt Misty) and using the rest of our free time preparing for his party on the weekend.

I have spent a lot of time lately reminiscing over the last year. While the time seems to have flown by, I can not remember what life was like before my Avery came into our lives. I will miss what used to seem like endless hours spent together. However, I really feel like Avery is ready to be a bit more independent... I guess the question is, am I ready?

Five O'Clock Shadow

2009-05-31T06:20:00.022-04:00

The shadow I am referring to here is not of the hair variety - but rather our son Avery, who feels the need to wake up between 4:30am to 5:30am everyday, bright eyed and bushy tailed. He then sticks close by our sides, hell bent on not returning to dreamland.

What are we to do?!

Waking up so early has not only taken it's toll on me, but (obviously) the poor little dude as well. He's got some major Gucci's he's carrying around under his eyes! I really hope this stage is being contributed to by teething, growing, development... anything really. I just would like to know it's a stage. But there in lies one of the frustrations of caring for an infant - you never know what is going on.

Any incident of unusual behaviour is more than likely attributed to a common battery of reasons; the most often used is teething. It's almost humourous at this point, as I hear myself saying at the mention of Avery being fussy, "We think he's teething." At this rate, he'd have a mouth full of 60 teeth before he's 13 months old!

I do, however, believe that we are now entering that dreaded stage my sister warned me about. The period from 12 to 18 months where most children can not talk, but desperately want to communicate; confirmed by pointing and whines from Avery when he can't reach something he wants. I can't imagine how frustrating it is for him. And the only thing we can do is be patient and anxiously wait to hear his first words.

My First Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T21:01:00.013-04:00

Today, we celebrated my first Mother's Day, and I must say I enjoyed myself. I woke up to the smell of bacon, which indicated this day was off to a great start. Not only did I get to sleep in to a lazy 7:30am, but my darling husband made me a delicious breakfast. I must also note that today Pat was celebrating his birthday, so it was even more special that he woke up early with Avery and pampered me with breakfast.

We spent the afternoon at Michele's house, as she hosted a wonderful Mother's Day early dinner. I think everyone enjoyed watching Truman and Avery play together. There were many precious moments shared between the two; putting a puzzle together, holding hands and a couple of unforced hugs. We can all tell that in a couple of years, these two cousins will be trouble! But, for right now, they are only adorable.

I'd just like to say a very Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful women in our lives. Thanks for everything you do, and for being you!

Walk'n the Walk

2009-04-28T10:49:00.010-04:00

I know it has been forever since I have last posted about our Avery, but things have been out of control over here!
So much has been going on; unpacking, trying to negotiate day care spots, a wedding and a whole lot of walking.

Our little man is really on the move these days. He is walking whenever he can, resorting to crawling only when lazy ;) I think it has made him a happier baby. It's as if a whole new world has opened up to him.

I also can't believe his intellectual development. The other day he helped me by trying to put on his own shoe (so cute). His understanding of feeding is what gets me. He constantly tries to give his stuffed bunny water from his sippy cup. He loves putting things into his little plastic bowl to carry around the room. And today, as we were both eating a bagel, he would rest his piece on my plate between bites. It's too much. He is really like a little boy!

I think what's thrown me is seeing Kim's new niece. Molly was just six days old at Kim's wedding. It brought my mind back to bringing Avery home from the hospital and how tiny and vulnerable he was. Now that Avery is walking, he is more independent than ever. While it makes me incredibly happy to see my baby growing, I can't help but feel a little sad.

Eggs-elent Easter!

2009-04-13T20:10:00.018-04:00

What a wonderful Easter weekend! Our only complaint is that it went by too fast.
We started our weekend out with a trip to Ma Maison with Truman and Michele. Those pastries are just too delicious. The wonderful ladies at the cafe gave Truman a Madeline cookie for being so well behaved!
The weather was so nice that we had to take advantage by going for a long walk through High Park. Since Truman adores animals, we thought nothing could be better than strolling through the zoo. I must say it was an adventure. With all of the kids running around, it was hard to tell which side of the fence the animals were on!
It was so nice seeing how well Truman and Avery played together. Well, it's more like Avery sits and watches Truman in awe... close enough.

Saturday was another day spent in the sun. A new bakery opened up in Bloor West Village (yes, another one!), so we had to check it out. It's a good thing we didn't buy too many items because when Aunt Kimbo came over to see our new place, she brought us the most delicious pastries from the Flaky Tart.

Sunday was almost a blur. We started out the day with a walk to La Crema, our normal Sunday morning tradition, but were sad to find out that it was closed for the holiday. We headed to Ajax early in the afternoon to help prepare the feast, with the help of Misty. As usual, the dinner was fabulous - and Avery was able to partake in the feast as well! He too enjoyed the turkey and mashed potatoes.

Avery was especially surprised to see that the Easter Bunny had travelled all the way to Ajax to bring him his first Easter surprise. No chocolate this year, but he was treated to a new outfit, a stuffed animal, a pinwheel, and a cellphone (that has been ringing off the hook; ladies, give it a rest!).

Avery treated us to a wonderful surprise as well. He took his first steps all on his own. We were blown away to see him walk about three paces, as he distracted himself with a toy. It seems as though whenever he isn't paying attention, he's able to take a few steps without scaring himself into falling. I think it's only a small matter of time until we have a little power walker on our hands!

Home, Sweet Home!

2009-04-04T15:26:00.011-04:00

Well, we have finally started to settle into our new abode. I must admit that it took Avery quite a while to adjust. In fact, he still isn't 100% comfortable yet. The first night was the worst. The only way Avery would sleep was on my chest. Since this is something we are not used to (I can only remember one other instance of this happening), I can't say I got much sleep at all. It made the next few days quite challenging for all of us.

Avery has found joy during the day investigating his new pad. He doesn't know what to do with such a big room. We have been taking advantage of being right across from High Park; we take a least one long walk through it each day.

I have to say one of my favourite things about this building is how smitten all of the trades workers are with Avery. Whenever we are on the elevator, at least one of these gruff looking men bend down and start cooing at our little guy. It is just adorable!

Next week, Avery will be celebrating his 10 month birthday. As happy as I am to see him growing and developing, it also reminds me that our days alone together are coming to an end. Even though it wasn't always easy, I am going to miss our endless hours spent together. However, I promised myself I wouldn't let that get me down. We still have over two months of fun left. And, with the weather ever improving, our days are sure to be packed!

Avery in Wonderland

2009-03-21T19:34:00.013-04:00

No, not Canada's Wonderland. Think Alice in Wonderland. That's how I imagine it feels like for Avery right now.
We are literally a few sleeps away from our big move, and as such, our place is one topsy-turvy mess. I can sense how uneasy its made me feel with nothing being in its proper place, I can only expect that it would have a similar effect on our little man.

He has enjoyed investigating the boxes scattered throughout our apartment; he certainly has managed to navigate quickly through the maze its created. Aunt Misty has generously been spending her evenings entertaining Avery so that we could get more packing completed. It is simply impossible to do it alone. I will never complain about having such a curious son, but it requires all of your time and energy. That doesn't leave much room for anything else!

On top of all of this, Avery has been struggling through the emerging of not two (as previously thought) but four teeth. I've got to say that he has been handling it quite well. Of course he is a bit fussier than normal, but that's to be expected. We can finally see all four nubs coming out of his gums, so I think the worst of it is over.

I think Avery's pain subsided with the celebration of his first St. Patrick's Day. Of course he had at least a few beers to commemorate the event. As you can see from the picture, he had one too many, and spilled all over his shirt. What a lush!

9 Months and Two More Teeth

2009-03-11T15:34:00.020-04:00

We went for Avery's 9 month doctor's appointment yesterday, which involved another much anticipated weigh in. Our man is a "whopping" 18lbs 14.4oz. I couldn't believe he came in under the 20lb mark, but, what do I know? He is a lengthy 72cm, which is great! But the biggest surprise from yesterday was how little he fussed when he got his vaccination. He cried more when he spilled water and got his socks wet (I'm not joking).

We started on dairy products yesterday. I brought home some cottage cheese from a food show I went to in the afternoon; one small thing among bags worth of delicious treats I had. Avery was not impressed with his first taste. I thought that maybe it was a texture thing, so I took my hand blender to it. That didn't help. Avery would not eat it. This morning we had some yogurt, which he took an immediate liking to. Thank goodness. It would be ludicrous for a child of mine to not enjoy dairy products! Although, I am sure ice cream would've swayed him if that were the case!

Once again our little Avery seems to be sprouting a few more teeth, which would account for his crankiness as of late. I can see two nubs about to cut through his upper gums. I am almost certain I see a break in the skin on his lower gums as well. Poor guy. He has been having a rough time with it. I have heard from other moms that the top two teeth are second only to molars in terms of pain when coming in. I feel so bad for our little guy that I have been letting him chew on things I normally would not want him to, including my elbow. Whatever helps him through the pain.

P.S. I wanted to add more photos, but blogger is being temperamental. I will keep trying, so check back soon for more pics of (as Kim would say) Avery, Male Model.

Now We're Movin'

2009-02-28T16:41:00.012-05:00

I was hoping that Avery wouldn't start being incredibly mobile until we moved into the condo. I know it was naive of me to think this; he is approaching the 9 month mark after all. Well to say he's become mobile is almost an understatement. This kid can move.
I also didn't realize how quickly he would become interested in getting into everything. When my parents were over earlier this week, I had brought out a plate of cookies for us to noche on. Not two seconds after putting them on the table did Avery pull himself up and grab a fist full! It was nuts.
If he's unhappy about being left in the living room while I go to fix him some food in the kitchen, he just crawls after me. It's nice to know that he's able to get to where he wants to go! He certainly has shown us that he doesn't like sitting still.
Next week, Avery has his 9 month appointment - weigh in time again.

Pat and I really have no idea what to guess with this one. Normally we overestimate, but the way this kid eats, I really have no concerns on how much he's grown.
And on the subject of moving - The O'Brien Clan is starting to get packed up for our relocation to our new condo. It's been such a long time coming that it seems surreal that it is finally happening. Luckily in the condo, it's one giant open space, so I'll always be able to have my eyes on my mischievous fellow!

What a Weekend...

2009-02-22T18:38:00.014-05:00

I am finally getting to unwind; I poured myself a nice glass of wine, I am in my pajamas and I am watching the Oscar Red Carpet. I think I deserve it after the weekend we've had. Let's just say I started out the weekend sick and it hasn't gotten much better.
Friday was the worst. After a grueling day (Avery wasn't napping very well and I was just exhausted), Pat came home early and I was in heaven! However, after Pat played with Avery and put him to bed, the nightmare began. Avery would not stay asleep; he had unfortunately caught whatever sickness I was carrying around. He woke up almost every couple of hours. Since I needed some rest, we resigned to bringing him into bed with us. That bought us about 4 hours of sleep, but then Avery decided it was time to get up and play. Pat stayed up with him from 4 to 6am, at which point we switched off and it was my turn to entertain the little hellion.
So, needless to say, Saturday was a write off. We were just zombies and had many Starbucks runs. I can't even say what we did today, but it seemed to just fly by. You wouldn't think that the day would seem short if you've been up since 5:30am.
However, you quickly realize that when you are spending time with the ones you love most, you always wish you had more.

Here's some pics of Avery before our crazy weekend, reflecting his normal, happy demenor.

Family Day

2009-02-17T08:27:00.020-05:00

We were talking last night, over our family dinner at my sister's house, about how quickly long weekends fly by. On Saturday morning, you feel as though you have an abundance of time to do everything that you had planned, plus extra time for relaxing. You blink, and its Tuesday morning.

I've got to say that Monday went by most quickly out of the entire weekend. We spent Family Day with friends and, of course, family. We started out by going to breakfast with Aunt Ashley and Uncle Chris. We were so surprised that Sunset Grill was virtually empty when we arrived. I should say we were relieved, as you are always on a time limit when dining out with a baby.

Michele and Truman came over soon after we got home from breakfast. We went for a walk through the neighborhood and picked up our afternoon caffeine fix at Starbucks. I've got to say Truman must have realized what suckers Pat and I are - as he manipulated us into carrying him for the greater part of the walk. I didn't mind at all, but it sure did tucker me out. After yesterday afternoon, I appreciate how light Avery is!

When we got home, I made a pound cake (part of my Baking Beauties challenge) to bring to Michele's house for dessert, as my boys took a much needed nap. When they woke up, it was off to the Topolski's for a lovely family dinner. Even though there was a little delay with the roast, everything turned out splendidly. Avery didn't even seem to be bothered by transitioning from sleeping in Truman's crib to coming home - thank goodness!

Mon Amour

2009-02-14T16:52:00.009-05:00

Today, we are celebrating Avery's first Valentine's Day. We started out our day with a trip to Ma Maison for some delicious French pastries and coffee. The place was packed, of course; their pastries are honestly the best we have ever had.

We spent the afternoon playing in the apartment. Avery has been enjoying crawling after his soccer ball all over our living room. Pat kept Avery occupied, so I could finish up on our Valentine's dessert (courtesy of a Daring Bakers Challenge). We took a few walks in the afternoon and enjoyed the sunshine.

We gave Av a quick bath and put him to bed, so we could order in a Valentine's feast from Villa. What an amazing idea - we get delicious restaurant food without the hassle of having to find a babysitter. I especially appreciate having the evening off from cooking.

We are all set to enjoy the rest of our long weekend - which will include many coffee runs and going out to breakfast. Hopefully the weather will be somewhat cooperative!

Feeling Guilty

2009-02-03T14:57:00.014-05:00

I know any parent who reads this post can certainly relate to what I am about to write.
Avery and I attend swim lessons every Tuesday at noon. It's important for Avery to get in a good nap before his lesson or else he is quite cranky, and I feel bad making him stay in the pool while he is crying and screaming.
Normally we go grocery shopping Tuesday morning as it ensures that Avery falls asleep (he can't resist napping in the stroller!). However, this week, I just couldn't bare struggling once again through the flurries to travel to the No Frills, especially when there wasn't anything that we desperately needed.
Because we stayed in, Avery ended up taking his nap a little later than normal. He fell asleep around 9:30am. Not a big deal, or so I thought. My baby, who normally naps half an hour to an hour max, slept until 11:30am! TWO HOURS!

With our swimming lessons beginning in a half hour far from where we live, it just wasn't possible for me to feed him, get us ready, ride (at least) 20 minutes on the subway and make it to the JCC before the lesson was over.
If I know logically that it wouldn't have been possible, why I am left feeling so guilty for missing a class? Should I have woken up my sleeping child, which would have left Avery cranky, most likely resulting in an unpleasant swim lesson? Of course not. Is it the fact that I feel I am wasting money by not attending each class I paid for? Not especially.
I can't really explain it. But, becoming a parent of a small child, you quickly learn that time sensitive commitments often get broken. This is definitely hard to get used to, especially because I am someone who prides herself on being on time.

Regardless, Avery and I made the most of our *extra* time playing inside, and as you can see from the picture, Avery had fun surfing the web!

A Little Taste of Spring

2009-02-02T12:22:00.019-05:00

After two months of solid winter, on Sunday we were given a little taste of what's to come. It was glorious! The sun was shining, the birds were singing and it didn't feel like cruel and unusual punishment to take a walk in the neighborhood. With all of the snow this winter, I have really come to appreciate those people who take the time to shovel their sidewalk.

I must say we did enjoy the winter weather on Saturday during our visit to the Junction Winter Festival. Our only regret was that Avery wasn't old enough to participate in the free skating. Pat took part by standing on the ice for a few minutes - I took part by eating a few too many timbits and hot chocolate!

We enjoyed Sunday's weather to our full extent, taking several walks and keeping our curtains open to let the sun shine in. And since the warm air has spilled over into today, we have also decided to get our fill before the return of the deep freeze.
We attended our stroller fit this morning - boy was that long overdue. I was afraid we might miss it because Avery and I were too busy playing to notice the time. I am surprised I didn't knock over any school kids hightailing it to High Park. Of course the best part of stroller fit comes when the walk is finished, and us mom's take over Starbucks and enjoy our coffee and conversation.

When we got home, our brand new Mei Tai carrier was waiting by the door. I was so excited to test it out. We headed out to the library and before we started our walk back home, the little man was asleep. I guess it meets his seal of approval!

Our Avery has reached a couple of new milestones that are worth noting. He has finally started crawling - well more like shimmying, but at least now its forwards and with purpose. I've got to say it is quite entertaining watching him maneuver around the room looking for anything and everything to get into. The second is he has learned to pull himself up in his crib. I left him in his crib for a moment and when I came back into his room, there he was, standing and proudly smiling at me. I immediately envisioned him trying to climb out and falling to the ground. You better believe I took him out and lowered his mattress right away.

He is growing and changing so fast these days, it's almost hard to keep up! Next week he will reach the 8 month mark!

Winter Blahs...

2009-01-25T20:35:00.014-05:00

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

2009-01-14T10:35:00.015-05:00

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

2009-01-02T21:10:00.018-05:00

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.

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-26T14:56:00.029-05:00

What a wonderful time we had for Avery's first Christmas. It took us about half of the day to get through all of the presents (the two boys got a little bit spoiled this year) and the other half to digest all of the food we ate!

Truman was very excited to see that Santa brought him exactly what he asked for, an apple! He said that next year he will ask for a melon. Avery asked for a 50" LCD flat screen television and was incredibly angry when he didn't see it under the tree. He decided to punish us for Santa's mistake and hasn't slept very well for the last three days. In all honesty, I think it's because there has been so much excitement and commotion. The little guy doesn't want to sleep because he's afraid he will miss out on some action.

As per our annual tradition, we stayed in Ajax from Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, and were able to relax and truly enjoyed spending time with family. Of course we were missing the South Carolina clan, but got to catch up briefly with a phone call on Christmas Day.

Boxing Day, we spent the evening at Wanda and David's. We were once again treated to an amazing dinner which Wanda made. Avery was as well behaved as a baby can be on about half as much sleep as he should be getting. Unfortunately, we were having such a nice time that we missed Avery's regular bedtime again, which lead to a difficult night. We are hoping that since the holidays are now over, we can get back into a scheduled routine. And next week we start the dreaded sleep training.

Santa Claus Came to Town...

2008-12-13T20:53:00.015-05:00

and how!

Avery met Santa twice! Although in all honesty, both times he was asleep. Alas, no pics with Old Saint Nic as of yet. We will have to visit the mall sometime this week to finally let Avery offload his massive wish list. I hope you are ready for it Santa.

We started out our day by visiting West Park for their annual Saturday with Santa. It was a day filled with entertainment (including some impressive Ontario wildlife) and infinite amounts of timbits and coffee (which kept Pat and I satisfied). My boys got the grand tour of the Food Services kitchen and even got to see Mommy's office. It was quite a long morning and by the time Santa came to deliver his gifts, our little guy had fallen asleep in my arms.

A little later, we headed out to see Mr. Claus in Junction City Square. We were joined by many Stroller Moms, and indulged in free hot chocolate and cookies (which, again, kept us satisfied). Just as the flamboyant Kris Kringle arrived, Avery had drifted off to dream land in his stroller.

On another note, Avery turned 6 months a couple of days ago. He had his doctor's appointment (along with another set of shots) yesterday. We were surprised to find out that Avery weighs only 15lbs 13oz. Pat was certain he was at least 18lbs. We were very excited to start him on solids and promptly introduced Avery to sweet potato. I can't say it was love at first taste. Today we decided to mix the puree in with his cereal, which received better reviews. What an exciting chapter we are entering now! Bring on the blender... here I come!

All I Want for Christmas is...

2008-12-07T19:34:00.022-05:00

My two bottom teeth?

Is this really what Avery wished for? Well, it seems as though he's getting them whether he wants them or not!
We have been patiently (?) awaiting the arrival of Avery's first tooth after what seems like months and months of teething symptoms: excessive drooling, constant munching on anything within arms reach and rosy red cheeks. Last week we felt a sharp nub just under his gums. Finally, this morning we can see a little tiny tooth emerging from his gum line, with, lo and behold, a neighbor to the left.

I have been told by other mom's that the appearance of multiple teeth at one time is a common occurrence. I am very happy to say that since the teeth have mostly popped through, Avery's mood has been very pleasant. It was perfect timing for Avery's first encounter with Santa this weekend.

On Saturday morning, we met up with many of the Stroller Fit Moms to take in the Lakeshore Blvd Santa Claus Parade. We braved the chilly weather, with the help of some coffee and croissants from Tatsu's Bakery, and cheered on all of the wonderful floats and marching bands. It was much more low key than the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, but that just added to it's charm. As one of the Stroller Fit Moms so aptly put it, it had a small town feeling - which is exactly what I was hoping for.

This evening we attended a wonderful Christmas party at Alix and Fiona's. Avery was the centre of attention and gave the hosts a frightening sneak preview into what parenthood is all about. Avery lasted about 1 1/2hr and decided that he wanted to leave, which means he screamed bloody murder. We can't blame him, he hadn't napped all that well during the day and it was time for his dinner. We just want to wish Alix and Fiona Congratulations on expecting their first bundle of joy! With the risk of sounding absolutely nauseating, it will be the most wonderful thing you will ever experience, period!

Christmas in November?

2008-11-30T07:22:00.011-05:00

What a fabulous week we had! Pat, Avery and I certainly enjoyed having the Sr. O'Brien family here. Not only did we have our first introduction to Huey O'Brien (what a cutey) but we got to have a sneak preview of Christmas.
Of course this involved many evenings of enjoying the Swiss Chalet Festive Special - and some rather intense trades involving Lindor White Chocolate Truffles.

Mother Nature responded accordingly, supplying us with a nice blanket of snow for our winter challenged South Carolinian family. Huey was more than confused about the white stuff, forcing Aunt Leighlow to brush away any sign of snow in order for the little man to do his business.

Avery will surely go through withdrawal from the excess amount of attention he received from Granny KK, Poppy Ray and Aunt Leighlow. He'll have to wait until April, when we make our way across the border to Columbia for a visit. Until then, we just want to say THANKS AGAIN for everything guys. We sure loved having you here and we miss you already!

Copious Caramel, November's Daring Bakers Challenge

2008-11-29T14:37:00.001-05:00

I anxiously awaited November's Daring Bakers Challenge pretty much as soon as I had finished October's. I was over the moon when I saw it involved an abundance of caramel. I have been obsessed with salted caramels for a while now... so this was right up my alley - Caramel Cake with Caramelized Butter Frosting. There was also an option of making Golden Vanilla Bean Caramels. Our hosts for this month brought us back to the sweet side of baking, after having a few savoury challenges. Dolores of Culinary Curiosity hosted November's challenge, and was assisted by Alex, the Brownie of the Blondie Brownie duo, and Jenny of Foray into Food. For those of you with a gluten allergy (KK this one's for you!), check out Natalie at Gluten a GoGo who assisted the hosts in creating a gluten free version of our challenge.

I completed this challenge quite early since I was bringing Avery to work for a visit and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to unload some of the excess sweets tempting me at home. The challenge didn't allow for much variation, but I decided to make cupcakes instead of one cake (for ease of sharing with my co-workers). The cake was quite easy to make and turned out ridiculously moist. Because the cake teetered on the edge of being too sweet, I added quite a bit of salt to the icing and topped each cupcake with some more fleur de sel just for good measure!

The Caramel Cake with Caramelized Butter Frosting recipe came courtesy of Shuna from Eggbeater (it's her signature cake!) as published on Bay Area Bites. You'll find the recipe here. While it may look like a lot of steps, it really is a breeze to do. Best of all, you can spread the preparation over a few days.

The recipe for Golden Vanilla Bean Caramels was taken from Pure Dessert by Alice Medrich. Something to note for the caramels is that I found cooking them to anything higher than 250°F resulted in more of a toffee than a caramel. I made Fleur de Sel Caramels and Cinnamon Caramels as a variation on the original recipe. Both turned out beautifully. I plan to make lavender, chipotle and cardamom versions for my Christmas care packages. YUM! On to the next challenge!

GOLDEN VANILLA BEAN CARAMELS
- makes eighty-one 1-inch caramels -

Ingredients
1 cup golden syrup
2 cups sugar
3/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoons pure ground vanilla beans, purchased or ground in a coffee or spice grinders, or 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into chunks, softened

Equipment
A 9-inch square baking pan
Candy thermometer

Procedure

Line the bottom and sides of the baking pan with aluminum foil and grease the foil. Combine the golden syrup, sugar, and salt in a heavy 3-quart saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, until the mixture begins to simmer around the edges. Wash the sugar and syrup from the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water. Cover and cook for about 3 minutes. (Meanwhile, rinse the spatula or spoon before using it again later.) Uncover the pan and wash down the sides once more. Attach the candy thermometer to the pan, without letting it touch the bottom of the pan, and cook, uncovered (without stirring) until the mixture reaches 305°F. Meanwhile, combine the cream and ground vanilla beans (not the extract) in a small saucepan and heat until tiny bubbles form around the edges of the pan. Turn off the heat and cover the pan to keep the cream hot.

When the sugar mixture reaches 305°F, turn off the heat and stir in the butter chunks. Gradually stir in the hot cream; it will bubble up and steam dramatically, so be careful. Turn the burner back on and adjust it so that the mixture boils energetically but not violently. Stir until any thickened syrup at the bottom of the pan is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, to about 245°F. Then cook, stirring constantly, to 260°f for soft, chewy caramels or 265°F; for firmer chewy caramels.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if using it. Pour the caramel into the lined pan. Let set for 4 to 5 hours, or overnight until firm.

Lift the pan liner from the pan and invert the sheet of caramel onto a sheet of parchment paper. Peel off the liner. Cut the caramels with an oiled knife. Wrap each caramel individually in wax paper or cellophane.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

2008-11-23T21:39:00.000-05:00

...let it snow! Avery has had his first taste of winter and I must say, I think he likes it! Since the snowfall on Wednesday evening, Avery and I have spent many hours walking outdoors. Avery certainly does not seem to be bothered by the cold weather yet...which bodes well for some winter wonderland adventures.

What a weekend we've had. First of all, I must note an amazing discovery we made this week. Avery is now able to sit on his own. I tested it out after Lindsay, a fellow stroller mom, told me she has her son Owen sit on his own for a bit each day. I thought to myself, should I be trying this with Avery? On our first attempt on Monday, he lasted about 45 seconds. By Wednesday, he was on his own for a good 5 minutes. Now, he is able to sit there until he decides he's bored and has had enough, at which point he cries until we pick him up.

Okay, back to our weekend. Saturday morning, we met up with Ashley and Chris for a stroll and a delicious morning coffee from La Crema, courtesy of Chris (thanks again!).

This morning we went to Hot House Cafe for brunch in honour of Misty's birthday. We joined Misty, Troy, Karyn, Nick, Michele, Jerry and Truman. We were so happy when Misty suggested to go, as we try to hit up the restaurant at least once each year. The food is delicious and abundant, and today we were front row to the jazz band. Truman had fun dancing to the music, while Avery just fell asleep!

This afternoon we headed out to Newmarket for some more "good eats". Avery's Grandma KK, Grandpa Ray and Aunt Leighlow have finally rolled into town! So, we met them at Pat's Aunt Pam and Uncle Colin's house for a wonderful evening. Avery delighted everyone with his crazy amusement in hanging upside down. Unfortunately, by around 6pm Avery was ready to leave and became quite cranky. Of course, once at home, he refused to go to sleep and was laughing up a storm at 9pm.

He's finally gone to bed and I hope for a nice restful night for all of us. He needs his energy for all the hugs and kisses that Grandma KK and Aunt Leighlow are sure to bestow on him for the next two days. Avery, are you ready for it?

Tag, You're it!

2008-11-20T09:50:00.000-05:00

During my stroller fit yesterday, Gina (one of my fellow stroller fit moms) asked me if I had read my blog recently. She told me that she had tagged me. Being a blog tag virgin, Gina graciously explained to me that it is something like a chain letter, but only more fun.

Here are the rules:

Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
Share six (6) non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
Tag at least 3 people at the end of your post and link to their blogs.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So here it goes...

Six Things About Me:
(1) I am a (partially) closeted singing superstar. I say partially because anyone who has had the pleasure(?) of being in my presence during karaoke or Rock Band knows I hold on to the mic like grim death. Also, you can easily ask my upstairs neighbor for a comment. He has often asked me if I plan to audition for Canadian Idol. He know doubt overhears my attempts to soothe Avery with sing song.
(2) I don't want to steal Erika's thunder, but I too have an obsession with picking ear wax, snot and eye crust from my son's body. It was inevitable, since I have always been an avid pimple popper. What can I say, it's a sick obsession.
(3) I am quite sneaky. My parents, friends and husband are well aware of this. I have always found it hard to not snoop around for Christmas gifts and things like that. I try to use every ounce of self control to avoid spoiling a surprise... but it's the thrill of the hunt that I love.
(4) I have never fully outgrown my sweet tooth. My family loves to tell a story of when I was wee (probably around 8 or 9) I found the family's Christmas stash of chocolate (refer to #3 for my problem with sneaking). During the next week or so I ate through about 3 or 4 boxes meant for us to share come Christmas morning. I have spent the last couple of decades trying to convince everyone that I prefer salty snacks over sweet. While I would most likely pick french fries over cake - it has come to my attention that I do indeed still love sweets. I have my husband (and his massive sweet tooth) to thank for converting me back to my roots.
(5) I am obsessed with Christmas. I am sure many of you out there already know this - and if you didn't before, you soon will. I usually secretly start thinking of Christmas sometime in August. I don't dare tell anyone (except maybe Pat) for fear of ridicule. I can't help it. I find the entire season drips with nostalgia and I really can't get enough. I have recently found someone who partners my obsession (Ashley) and it has been nice to let my Christmasitis all out!
(6) I am in love with the Cosby's - yes, Cliff, Clair, Theo, Denise, Vanessa, Rudy and even Sondra. I have been relishing in the fact that they play two episodes daily on Peachtree TV. I often dream about how I might have fit in with my make-believe TV family (between Denise and Theo) and what it would've been like growing up in Brooklyn in the 80's. They just came out with the complete box set and it is pretty safe to say that one day in the not so distant future, that box set will find its place at home in my DVD collection.

Just as Gina and Erika, I only began blogging after Avery was born, so I don't know of too many people to tag. My darling sister Michele, Anya and Stephanie (I am sorry to do this to you Stephanie, but I didn't know anyone else to send this to!)
Have fun ladies!

Happy Hallowe'en!

2008-11-01T13:43:00.000-04:00

Well, I must say, Avery certainly enjoyed his first Hallowe'en. He wasn't quite sure what to make of his *new* mom and dad... but at least he didn't cry. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of our poor neighbor Julian, who instilled shrieks from our son upon coming down for a visit with some spooky makeup on.

We were so impressed by our neighborhood's decorations and jack-o-lanterns. We definitely can't wait until Avery is old enough to go Trick-or-Treating. This year we opted to hit up a few neighborhood parties. Staying up way past our little pumpkin's bedtime, we stumbled home at an astounding 9pm! Truthfully, we were all exhausted anyhow and Pat and I subsequently fell asleep on the couch shortly after putting Avery to bed. Of course, this was probably the result of a candy bar induced sugar coma.

Avery finally rolled on his own on Friday, much to my surprise. We were playing on the couch and all of a sudden he managed to maneuver himself from his back to his stomach. I was tempted to help him onto his back again, but he did so all on his own. Since then, Pat and I have been trying to coax him into doing it again by placing all of his toys just out of reach.

On Monday, Avery and I start our new Stroller Fit class. What cruel and unusual punishment I am voluntarily signing myself up for. An hour and half of brisk hilly walking through High Park - luckily there is a Starbucks coffee at the end as my reward! At least Avery will get to enjoy the view of all of the changing colours - including his mom's face, which will more than likely turn a tomato red.

Like a Real Pizzaiolo

2008-10-29T07:08:00.000-04:00

I must indulge myself a little on this post. Recently, I have joined an amazing blog group, The Daring Bakers. Every month we are given a new challenge in baking - one recipe which we all follow. My introduction to the group was an introduction to an outstanding pizza dough recipe. We were allowed to use our creativity to think of unique toppings to finish the pizzas off. Of course I had to use Avery during the brainstorming process to come up with some good ideas. I had to show the Daring Bakers I meant business!

One of the stipulations was that we had to stretch out the dough using the traditional toss method, like a real pizzaiolo. I must say, it was easier than I thought - and there were no causualties!

My first creation was a taco pizza - salsa as my base, spiced ground beef and shredded Monterey jack cheese. It was all topped with diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce just before serving. I'd like to say this was something I set out to do, but it was actually just a method for me to use leftovers from my fridge.

My second attempt was something a little more seasonal - a golden beet and goat cheese pizza drizzled with honey, thoroughly enjoyed by my husband (who is nuts about beets).

Lastly (and most adventurously) I made a macaroni & cheese pizza for Misty and myself for our weekly get together. It was amazing! How could it not be? Marconi and cheese on it's own is so indulgent - with delicious Canadian aged cheddar and goat cheese for that extra bit of tang. Well, just imagine a beautifully crisp and light crust underneath it all. Top it with a bit of mozzarella and I am telling you, it was perfection (if not a bit heartburn inducing!).

Get set to see more of my completed challenges on the blog on a monthly basis. I am so excited to see what the Daring Bakers have in store for us next.

In other news, Avery has been looking forward to his very first Hallowe'en. As such, he has been seen around town sporting a new Hallowe'en outfit each day (courtesy of his Auntie Leighlow and Grandma KK). Of course a mulititude of pictures have been taken and will all be posted after the big day - so check back this weekend to see him in all of his cuteness!

This Little Piggy...

2008-10-21T10:46:00.000-04:00

So our little Avery has discovered a new trick. He can touch his toes! He just loves to grab them when we are trying to change his diaper. Actually he loves to grab them any time he can manage to get at them! I can't wait until he is able to bring those little suckers into his mouth.

Avery has been such an unhappy fellow these last few weeks. We think it's a combination of different reasons; he's still fighting a small cold; we continue to believe he is teething and we think he might be hungry. He has been giving us cues that he is interested in starting solids. Avery eyes our food at every meal and opens his mouth wide when we bring food close to it, as if to say "Bring it on!" We were given the okay by his pediatrician, so it seemed fitting to begin to try with some rice cereal.
This morning I suited up our little man in his bib and gave him his first taste of (semi) solid food. Avery wasn't sure what to make of it. He definitely didn't hate it - at one point he grabbed my hand that was holding the spoon and led it into his mouth! I think with all of the spillage Avery managed to consume a few teaspoons in total. I don't think that's too bad for his first attempt. I can't wait to see if he eats even more tomorrow!

Avery's First Thanksgiving

2008-10-14T13:47:00.001-04:00

Wow... this might be a long post! Not only did Avery celebrate his first Thanksgiving, he also went apple picking for the first time and turned four months old!

Let's start with his four month milestone. Avery weighed in at a slender 14lbs 3.2oz, a little less than what Pat and I expected. He is now lingering just under the 50th percentile for weight. Avery is still above average for height which is encouraging for Pat's dream of him becoming a professional tennis or soccer player. Avery was so brave with his shots today and barely cried at all. The most exciting part of the visit was that we were given the green light to start feeding our little guy rice cereal. What an amusing messy adventure we are going to have.

We decided to head out to Milton for some apple picking this weekend. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, and even though we got to Chudleighs before it opened, we were lucky to get in. None of us could believe how busy it was! We had so much fun and decided that this must be a yearly tradition for our family.

Each of us left with loads of different varieties of apples - we already experimented using them for some delicious brandied baked apples last night. YUM! I can not wait until next year when Avery will be able to help with the picking, instead of just bossing his father to which ones he wanted.

Thanksgiving was a special treat this year, as we were joined by the largest group yet. Michele and Jerry hosted the event at their beautiful new home. We were accompanied by Nanny, Oopa, Wanda, David, Baba, Peter, Misty & Troy. Misty was a master at getting little Av to sleep when he was way too overstimulated at all the action going on.

Michele and I were exhausted by the end of the evening, but thoroughly enjoyed creating a delightful meal for everyone. I only wish Pat and I snuck a couple of the extra desserts home with us - a triple chocolate salted caramel mousse tart. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Playing Hooky

2008-10-03T15:47:00.000-04:00

On the heels of yet another atrocious night with little Avery (waking every two hours or so and refusing to go down for any sort of sleep after 4am), I was beyond happy when my husband told me he was taking a vacation day today... or as I like to call it "playing hooky." It's precisely what I needed to help me make it through the day - back up.

We started out our morning by walking to La Crema for some much needed 16oz coffees, although the crisp weather was enough to wake me up as soon as I stepped outside.
Pat, after coming home from a darling new hair cut, took Avery and I out for lunch at one of our favourite restaurants, Freshwood Grill. We can't get enough of their sweet potato fries with chipotle mayonnaise.

The rest of our afternoon has been spent playing and relaxing. Our poor little guy hasn't been the happiest camper lately. Not only do we think he is teething, Avery is fighting off his very first cold. His congestion has lead us to nickname him "little piggy" because he snorts so much.

Hopefully he'll manage to be back to his cheerful self soon - at least before he goes in for his next set of shots in just over a week.

Pennsylvania Please!

2008-09-29T17:03:00.000-04:00

Avery and I just got back from our weekend shopping blitz in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We had such a great, but exhausting, trip. We were joined by Karyn, Misty, Michele and Truman. The two kids behaved themselves (most of the time) and were kept well entertained with everyone's help. Truman was an excellent companion for little Avery - asking him "Why crying Avery?" or even suggesting "Be quiet baby" when the fussing became too much for him. We ate very well - as Avery and I introduced the ladies to Red Robin for the first time. Of course we also had to hit up our favourite - The Cheesecake Factory.

I can not believe all of the great deals we got - Avery is set for the fall/winter season. He's got a great new snowsuit and the cutest little halloween costume. Avery has decided to be a bright orange pumpkin this year!

The only disappointment of the trip is that Avery missed a full weekend of seeing his father - although Pat had a much deserved weekend of rest. He's been working very hard these last couple of weeks. Avery made sure to pick him up a few treats on our trip - using his hard earned allowance to pay for it. Way to go Avery!

A True Torontonian

2008-09-18T15:16:00.000-04:00

Today Avery reached a new milestone, essential for anyone living in Toronto - he rode the Red Rocket. We went to visit Daddy at work, deep in the heart of uptown Toronto. Avery was a gentleman, as per usual, smiling at all the wondeful people Pat works with (especially the ladies).

Pat, Avery and I went for lunch at the Firkin just down the street (Avery begged us to order him the bangers & mash) and then for a short walk to a quaint park nearby. What a nice afternoon it was.

I must say the ride home on the subway wasn't as pleasant. Avery got hungry at about Spadina (luckily I had packed a bottle in case of emergency) and was extra fussy because he was quite tired. He's just now settling down for a nap.

Avery has been giggling up a storm the last couple of days. I melt every time I hear it. I have been desperately trying to catch it on film, but by the time I grab my camera, he's stopped. Usually it just comes out of nowhere, but believe me, I've done some embarrassing things to try to coax it out of him!

Three Months Young

2008-09-14T09:57:00.000-04:00

Avery turned three months earlier this week, but he is convinced he's at least four months! He is happiest when he is standing or sitting on his own, and I am sad to say he is already a bonafide couch potato! One thing is for sure, he is definitely the man in charge these days.

I already feel myself reminiscing about the earlier months when he would sleep for most of the day and I could get quite a bit done around the house. Now it seems like sleep is a daily battle. Don't get me wrong - we are still fortunate enough to have a child who sleeps through the night. It's just getting him to that point that poses a problem. We think Avery must be afraid that he's going to miss something exciting while he's asleep, so he tries to avoid it. This is where innovation on our part comes in handy. There is a whole myriad of techniques we have tried - keeping the few successful methods in our arsenal for getting this kid off to dreamland.

However, when he is desperately tired, he can pretty much fall asleep anywhere, as was the case yesterday. We were taking a trip to Homesense. He had fallen asleep in the car and didn't make a peep until I parked the car. The little guy was crying so hard, he had tears falling from his eyes (something I've never seen before) and snot coming out of his nose. I knew there was NO way he would let me do any shopping if he had to stay in his stroller. So, I did what any new mother would do - I picked him up and held him the entire time. When I was finished getting what I needed, he still seemed a little upset. So, I decided to take a walk over to Starbucks for a coffee. Somewhere between there and the car, Avery had fallen asleep sitting upright - without resting against me at all. I had no idea he was sleeping until I looked down and saw his eyes were closed. It was the funniest thing. I really wish I had a picture of it.

Avery has become somewhat of a shopping aficionado. He went to Square One last week, is going to Yorkdale tomorrow and in two short weeks he will be taking his first "out of country" trip to Pennsylvania. Boy is he excited - specifically for Red Robin and The Cheesecake Factory. What can I say - the boy loves his food already!

Get into the Groove

2008-09-03T10:56:00.000-04:00

Things have really started to calm down here at the O'Brien's. After almost two weeks of keeping our fingers crossed, it seems as though the "all night sleep" is here to stay! Avery, just a week shy of his 3 month milestone is sleeping an average of 10 hours a night, waking up just once, usually around 6am. What a difference it makes to have some sanity back! We have finally managed to create some structure to our days, which has been wonderful.

A full night of rest has helped me to get back to doing some things I have been missing over the last few months, such as cooking and baking. I was lucky enough to be able to make my darling nephew Truman a Cookie Monster cake for his second birthday. He is obsessed with Cookie Monster - something I can relate to, as that was my favourite character when I was younger.

There are a few new additions to our son's personality that have emerged in the last week or so. Little Avery's latest favourite activity is sticking his tongue out. It is the cutest thing ever. He especially loves it when you play the game with him.

He also refuses to be carried in the Bjorn facing inward; Avery must be able to see what's going on around him! Yesterday evening he would not stop fussing until we turned him outwards. Lucky for us, he was alseep by the end of the walk - which had been our plan all along! It's great knowing that when he is alert he is very interested in his surroundings.

The last activity we've introduced into Avery's routine is sitting in the Bumbo. He got to enjoy his first dinner sitting on his own at Nanny and Oppa's kitchen table. I figured he'd enjoy the Bumbo since he just loves it when we prop him up on the couch. This contraption offers him so much more support. It will only be a matter of time before he is sitting up all on his own! Baby steps mommy, baby steps...

Look Mom, No Hands!

2008-08-25T21:25:00.001-04:00

I can not believe this is the last week of the summer... kids are heading back to school, the weather is getting cooler and one brand new little baby will be almost three months old. How time flies when you are entrenched in feeding, burping and changing a newborn! And my, oh my, how he has grown - not only in weight and height, but more importantly, in development. As you can see below, Avery has a new favourite game called standing on his own (well, almost on his own). He loves to show off the strength of his athletic legs - some say he's the next Usain Bolt. At any rate, it's something Pat and I get a kick out of.

He also loves nothing more than being carried facing outwards... be it in the Baby Bjorn or when we are holding him in our arms. I think he just enjoys the attention this garners from strangers.

We've also noticed that he loves to smile when one of us walks into the room. What an amazing feeling to know that just a glimpse brings Avery happiness... a memory I might have to use to help cope through his teenage years.

Lastly, his sleeping patterns seem to have changed once again... and hopefully it sticks! Since Thursday night, Avery has slept between 6 to 8 hours straight every night. It's allowed me to regain some much needed brain power and Avery to be awake and alert for more time during the day. It's wonderful. And from what I've been told, the experience only gets better from here on in... I can't wait.

Thank You Sleepy Head!

2008-08-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

Honestly... I think that Avery must sense when Pat and I are at the end of our ropes. Just when I think I won't be able to have any decent rest for the next year or more of my life - he throws us a bone.
Yes, our child slept from just shortly after 10pm until 5am last night. I was so confused when I woke up without the sound of my child crying. It was pure bliss.
Let me tell you that prize didn't come cheap... he had been terribly fussy for the entire evening. He wouldn't take my breast for more than two minutes. He wouldn't take his bottle. He didn't like his swing. He wouldn't go to sleep even though you could see he was dead tired. See for yourself - does that picture look like an alert child? I only pray he offers us the same treat tonight so that I might actually fully recover from my sickness. Here's hoping!

This evening we went for a relaxing stroll with Uncle Chris. Looks like we just missed the approaching rain storm. Isn't the sky just amazing! It will be nice to fall asleep to the sound of the rain. I just hope we get some sort of break in the weather tomorrow. Aunt Misty took an entire day off of work to spend with us and we have some big plans!

Two Months and Counting

2008-08-13T11:40:00.000-04:00

Avery celebrated the two month milestone on Monday. Unfortunately for him, that meant getting a set of shots. He did as well as one would expect - screaming until his face turned a fire engine red. Our brave little fellow recovered shortly after and was pretty fuss free for the rest of the day. My favourite part about going to his appointments is the weigh in. I am delighted to say that Avery is now a whopping 12lbs 6.4oz. It is crazy to think that in a few weeks he will be double his birth weight. Way to catch up Avery!

The O'Brien household has been under siege by illness this past week. It started with father and passed on to mother shortly there after. I had to cancel many play dates this week, as I couldn't muster enough strength to drag myself and Avery out of the house. For everyone who thinks it is not easy taking care of a newborn - it is that much harder doing so when you are sick. The problem is that rest is essential for a quick recovery... something that parents of newborns will tell you is almost nonexistent. I am just relieved that we didn't pass anything on to our son. We are slowly getting back our strength, and I am hoping by the weekend we will be back to normal.

Getting to Know You

2008-07-29T13:21:00.000-04:00

The last week or so has definitely been an interesting one at the O'Brien household. Our little Avery has been changing so much. His alert time has increased tenfold, and unfortunately his sleep time at night has decreased at the same rate.
I think I have been averaging about 3 to 4 hours of sleep per night.

Last night,out of nowhere, our little guy slept 4 hours straight. I woke up so confused, wondering why Avery hadn't cried, I actually went to his door and listened to make sure he was still breathing! Let's hope he keeps this up. It was heaven!

Avery has definitely been developing a personality. He loves to smile at familiar faces... especially at his Nanny and Oopa. Today, during their weekly visit, Nanny and Oopa received many "coos" from our little guy. He wasn't completely a dream though. He refused to fall asleep during our walk, and was fighting to keep his eyes open even though he was quite tired. Thus, he was quite a cranky baby. I guess he can't be perfect all of the time!

It seems as though each week we learn a little bit more about Avery. I have a sinking suspicion that there is a mischievous boy emerging in our son. Time will only tell!

Mirror Images

2008-07-20T13:17:00.000-04:00

Pat and I have always had trouble deciding who Avery looks like. We actually can't see any resemblence to either of us. Avery definitely has Pat's arms, legs, fingers and toes... but that's as far as it goes.

Last week when my parents visited, my mother brought me my baby photo album. I was beside myself when I opened it and saw the mirror image of Avery on the page. Just look below and judge for yourself! I can't wait to see if he continues to look like me as he develops more distinct features.

I can not believe another weekend has gone by. Saturday, I stole some alone time to get a pedicure with my sister (mom needs the occassional pampering too!). Yesterday evening we went to a BBQ at John & Ann's. Avery was extremely well behaved until just around 9pm - when he began wailing. We ran the little guy home as fast as we could while it was pouring rain. It definitely is not easy trying to fit two adults and a baby under an umbrella while speed walking! This afternoon we had a visit from Aunt Kim. While Avery enjoyed resting in Kim's arms, Pat and I devoured the DELICIOUS Moe's burritos Kim brought us for lunch. What a lovely way to spend a rainy afternoon.

Saying Goodbye

2008-07-12T14:48:00.001-04:00

On Saturday, Pat's parents and sister had to start their trip back to South Carolina. Boy, we were all sad to see them go. It's so nice they were able to come up and visit for as long as they did...but we still wish they could have stayed longer. They promised to be back soon - hopefully in September. We can't wait!

While they were here, we wanted them to see Avery take a bath. What a change from the last time! He absolutely loved it. He didn't fuss once. I hope he wasn't just showing off for the crowd.

Avery has begun making a few "cooing" sounds. It's such a pleasure to hear him trying to find his voice. I can only imagine the joy I will feel when he says his first word.

Today we had a special visit from Aunt Camille and her son Jay. Jay was such a sweetheart - he kept giving Avery kisses on the forehead. Aunt Camille was too generous and brought us some much needed groceries. Hand it to the mom's to know exactly what is needed. Thanks again!

Our Big Guy

2008-07-09T12:18:00.000-04:00

Today, Pat and I took our "big guy" in for his 4 week check up. We were so anxious to see what he would weigh in at. We were hoping for around 8lbs. You can imagine how thrilled we were when we saw the scale stop at 9lbs 4.8oz! That means in the span of two weeks Avery gained 2lbs 6oz. Crazy! I wonder what he'll gain in the month before his next appointment!

Having our family in from South Carolina has been wonderful. They have been helping us out so much and we have really enjoyed being able to spend so much time with them. Yesterday we took a trip out to Vaughan Mills and spent the evening watching the crazy thunderstorm from our apartment. We definitely needed it to help cool things down. I think today we will take them to Sherway Gardens. It's nice to spend the afternoon in the air conditioned mall instead of our hot apartment.

The Outlaws

2008-07-07T16:52:00.000-04:00

The evening of my last post, Avery's umbilical cord finally came off. We were so excited to give him his first bath. However, Avery did not share our enthusiasm. As you can see from the picture, he pretty much hated it. Hopefully this is something he will learn to enjoy.

We also started our "tummy time." Avery's father and I are so impressed with how he can lift his head and turn from side to side.

On Friday, my outlaws... um, I mean inlaws, came to town. Grandma KK, Grandpa Ray and Aunt Leighlo were so excited to see our little man. Leighlo brought about a truckload full of goodies for Avery - including the most adorable pair of chocolate brown Uggs.

I feel a little bad because it seems as though Avery is going through a growth spurt and is spending about 80% of the day attached to my chest. That has left limited time for the family to cuddle with him.

Saturday, Joel and Laura came to visit. They brought us the most adorable Arsenal outfit. Pat was beside himself (it's his favourite soccer team). We can not wait to see Avery kicking around the ball wearing his new uniform. Aunt Michele, Uncle Jerry and cousin Truman came over for a visit as well. We went down to High Park and had fun in the playground where Truman fixed us hamburgers made out of sand.

Yesterday we took a road trip to Ajax for a family BBQ. What chaos at my parents house! Truman was, of course, showing off for the O'Brien's, specifically Leigh (I think he's got a bit of a crush on her actually). It was a fabulous meal and before we knew it, it was 9pm which is normally the time we put Avery down for the night. It didn't matter not getting him to bed on time, since he ended up waking every two hours to eat.

We are so anxious to see how much he weighs when we take him to the doctor on Wednesday. We wouldn't be surprised if he tips the scales at 8lbs based on his feeding over the last week.

Happy Canada Day!

2008-07-02T14:47:00.000-04:00

What a nice weekend at the O'Brien household. Daddy had four days off which was wonderful for Avery and myself. We enjoyed the weather as much as we could, taking lots of walks and BBQing every chance we got. As you can see from the picture, Avery finds our walks quite exciting.

We went on our first outing - to Square One. Avery was wonderful and didn't fuss at all. It gave me an excellent chance to jump into the change rooms and buy some post pregnancy clothes!

Today Nanny and Oopa came for a visit, once again bringing delicious food for us to eat. We can't thank them enough.

Friday Avery's Grandma KK, Grandpa Ray and Aunt Leigh are coming to town. We are so excited for them to finally meet little Avery. Hopefully the weather will be a bit cooler for them - they are used to the humidity of South Carolina - although I imagine no one really gets used to that much heat.

Avery's umbilical cord is finally on the verge of falling off. It is taking every ounce of my being not to pick it off. It's taken such a long time and we are anxious to start a few new activities that require it to be gone - such as tummy time and his first soak bath.

The Weigh In

2008-06-24T15:56:00.000-04:00

This morning, Avery and I had a date with his pediatrician. I've got to say, I was a bit nervous. He had lost quite a bit of weight when he was discharged from the hospital, I didn't think it was possible for him to have gained it all back. Needless to say, I was more than pleasantly surprised when our "big" guy weighed in at 6lbs 14.4oz! Our next appointment isn't for another two weeks when he gets his first shots. Yikes... Dad will have to be with us for that one!

Today, Aunt Michele came to spend the day with us. She brought us delicious treats from our favourite bakery, Ma Maison. We had a nice time staring at Avery while he took an incredibly long nap during the afternoon. When he finally woke up, we took a stroll pass our condo (which is under construction) to see the progress. It's coming along quite nicely... and hopefully we'll be moved in before I have to go back to work (fingers crossed). Many thanks to Michele for all of your help today. We can't wait until the next play date!

Avery's Arrival

2008-06-22T16:03:00.000-04:00

After 38 weeks of bliss in mommy's womb, our little Avery decided to make an unexpected early arrival into our lives.

I went in for my scheduled doctor's appointment only to find out that I had already dilated 2 centimetres. The doctor on call thought it was best to induce me... and a mere 10 hours later, his father and I were beside ourselves seeing our little Avery for the first time.

We are thoroughly enjoying taking care of all of Avery's needs - which are pretty basic at this stage - and showing him off to anyone who seems interested! He enjoys going for walks already (something his father and I LOVE doing!) and isn't bothered at all by the loud noises we encounter.

We are quickly coming up to the two week mark and we can't wait to see how much weight he's gained at his doctor's appointment on Tuesday!