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!

Avery in Wonderland

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

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'

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...

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

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

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!