Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Stir Crazy
We've been hit with a mixed bag of weather this week: really cold and icy, really rainy or really snowy. In any case, not walking-outdoors-with-a-newborn friendly. Liam and I are starting to get a bit of cabin fever.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Next Time You See These Photos...
...will likely be on a Hockey Night in Canada segment profiling the #1 Draft Pick for the year 2025. I fully intend to be the mom that follows my kids around with a scrapbook full of baby pictures. That way I'll be prepared when the producers ask me to wax nostalgic about Liam's first goal in the Tiny Tots League. I may even share a little anecdote about the hilarious zamboni incident of 2014. Can't you see it now? Okay, you're right. But I'll hook them up with baby pictures.
This was the first time Liam and Matt watched hockey together, way back in 2007. (Notice the cartoon dog playing hockey on his shirt? I don't even think that was intentional!) Now we ask him "Do you want to watch hockey?" and he runs to the TV, hands us the remote, and starts clapping. He hasn't pledged allegiance to any one team yet, so he claps when they all score. Or when the lotto commercial with the kitten jumping in slow motion comes on.
Fast forward to Christmas 2008 when his Aunt Bridget sent him this pint-sized Calgary Flames hockey set. All other toys were cast aside for a game of shinny....
...which has evolved into a pre-breakfast practice each morning. Mojo has been recruited to play defence.
He even wears a helmet just like the pros (okay, it's a beach bucket) to catch up on the latest stats in the sports section.
So maybe he hasn't laced up a pair of skates yet, but I'm sure the kid is destined for greatness!
This was the first time Liam and Matt watched hockey together, way back in 2007. (Notice the cartoon dog playing hockey on his shirt? I don't even think that was intentional!) Now we ask him "Do you want to watch hockey?" and he runs to the TV, hands us the remote, and starts clapping. He hasn't pledged allegiance to any one team yet, so he claps when they all score. Or when the lotto commercial with the kitten jumping in slow motion comes on.
Fast forward to Christmas 2008 when his Aunt Bridget sent him this pint-sized Calgary Flames hockey set. All other toys were cast aside for a game of shinny....
...which has evolved into a pre-breakfast practice each morning. Mojo has been recruited to play defence.
He even wears a helmet just like the pros (okay, it's a beach bucket) to catch up on the latest stats in the sports section.
So maybe he hasn't laced up a pair of skates yet, but I'm sure the kid is destined for greatness!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What About Bob?
What you see below is the current, unabridged Dictionary of Liam.
Mom = Mom
Dad = Dad
Gog = Dog
Nan = Banana
Ye-ie = Hi
As you may have guessed, speech is not Liam's preferred method of communication. Hand signals and grunts are more his thing - and surprisingly effective. But within the last week or so Liam has learned a new word that has us stumped. Bob. We don't know a Bob. And we're pretty confident that if we don't know a Bob then Liam doesn't either. So we have donned our Context Clue Caps, and so far our efforts at translation have offered the following possibilities:
Bob = Grandma
Bob = Up
Bob = Hockey Puck
Bob = I would like a sticker, please.
Bob = Bye
It's not his fault, though. Obviously the linguistic nuances are subtle.
Mom = Mom
Dad = Dad
Gog = Dog
Nan = Banana
Ye-ie = Hi
As you may have guessed, speech is not Liam's preferred method of communication. Hand signals and grunts are more his thing - and surprisingly effective. But within the last week or so Liam has learned a new word that has us stumped. Bob. We don't know a Bob. And we're pretty confident that if we don't know a Bob then Liam doesn't either. So we have donned our Context Clue Caps, and so far our efforts at translation have offered the following possibilities:
Bob = Grandma
Bob = Up
Bob = Hockey Puck
Bob = I would like a sticker, please.
Bob = Bye
It's not his fault, though. Obviously the linguistic nuances are subtle.
Friday, February 20, 2009
A Word of Advice for Prospective Parents
As someone who has spent the better part of the last 2 years in a family way, I am aware that there is a lot of unsolicited advice being dealt to new and soon-to-be parents. Sure, it all comes from a good place. But by the time she brings new life into the world for the second time, a woman is sure to have been told to "sleep when the baby sleeps" 4,812 times. She will agree that this is a good idea. In theory. Meanwhile, she hasn't actually slept in a week and can't remember the last time she showered but if the laundry doesn't get done those kids are going to be naked. And possibly her husband, too. But THIS little gem is not only important, but useful and (unlike the sleeping mantra) actually possible. Here it is:
Become familiar with the set-up AND collapsing procedures of your stroller BEFORE you find yourself in a parking lot with two overtired and cranky kids, ready to haul the entire $400+ system into traffic in order to get the assistance of a vehicle in collapsing that behemoth into the neat little package you purchased 3 months ago from the sales person who folded the whole thing down with one finger.
If you do not heed this advice, some or all of the following scenarios are likely to occur:
a) You will injure yourself attempting to load the upright stroller into the back of your vehicle while passers-by (who obviously do not have children) give you inquisitive looks. But don't bother. It won't fit anyway.
b) Satisfying as it may seem at the time, if you choose the collapsed-by-oncoming-vehicle method you will soon be forced to put another $400+ directly into the pocket of whatever sadistic engineer designed that contraption in the first place.
c) You will be teaching your children a few expressions that you would be shocked to hear them repeat.
d) You will be forced to interrupt your spouse at work with a desparate "How the #@*! does this thing fold down?!" phone call.
It's the New Parent Walk of Shame. Don't let this be you.
The Offender:
Become familiar with the set-up AND collapsing procedures of your stroller BEFORE you find yourself in a parking lot with two overtired and cranky kids, ready to haul the entire $400+ system into traffic in order to get the assistance of a vehicle in collapsing that behemoth into the neat little package you purchased 3 months ago from the sales person who folded the whole thing down with one finger.
If you do not heed this advice, some or all of the following scenarios are likely to occur:
a) You will injure yourself attempting to load the upright stroller into the back of your vehicle while passers-by (who obviously do not have children) give you inquisitive looks. But don't bother. It won't fit anyway.
b) Satisfying as it may seem at the time, if you choose the collapsed-by-oncoming-vehicle method you will soon be forced to put another $400+ directly into the pocket of whatever sadistic engineer designed that contraption in the first place.
c) You will be teaching your children a few expressions that you would be shocked to hear them repeat.
d) You will be forced to interrupt your spouse at work with a desparate "How the #@*! does this thing fold down?!" phone call.
It's the New Parent Walk of Shame. Don't let this be you.
The Offender:
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