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

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...

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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!