Uncle Grant and Auntie Jenny getting married on Pender Island. Congratulations! Welcome to the family Jen.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
Pics from the wedding
Don's dad was faster than us at getting his photos up on his blog. Take a look at http://www.radioado.blogspot.com/. You will see that Calum dressed up for the occassion and looked especially charming. He did well on his first ferry ride, liked the room we stayed in at the lodge, was a hit with relatives and guests and made his first trip to Vancouver Island [though we didn't go any farther in than the ferry terminal]. Our bath routine was a bit upset and he was a lot more alert during the weekend as he entertained the masses so today the little guy slept like a log. I suspect that means I'll be up all night.
Unfortunately, I got sick just hours before the wedding so I didn't attend and the weekend was a bit of a bust for me as I battled the stomach flu. I'll leave it to Don to provide an update on the wedding. All reports suggest it went well and the Bain family now officially has a new member! Calum sends a special hug and kiss out to his aunt Jen.
Unfortunately, I got sick just hours before the wedding so I didn't attend and the weekend was a bit of a bust for me as I battled the stomach flu. I'll leave it to Don to provide an update on the wedding. All reports suggest it went well and the Bain family now officially has a new member! Calum sends a special hug and kiss out to his aunt Jen.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Off to the islands
We are off to Pender Island in a few short hours. Wish us luck as it will be Calum's first ferry ride. Just wanted to point out that Grandpa Bain has a new picture of Calum meeting his aunt on his blog [link on the side bar menu]. Have a good weekend everyone. We will be back home on Monday morning and will update the site next week.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all you dads. Calum got his dad a gift certificate this year. We were going to get him a DVD but we've learned that my seemingly not-so-picky husband is in fact very certain about what he likes and dislikes. Calum wants another year to get to know his tastes before he starts picking out the ties. As a bonus, Calum has refrained from chewing on his dad [though that may have changed as I type] and decided to chew on his mom instead. It all started at about 4 am when I felt a little someone slobbering on my back. It's his way of telling me that he is hungry I guess. Hope you all had a good weekend.
Friday, June 17, 2005
A vault for his treasures
Don and I have finally opened Calum's first bank account. We finished rolling all of the change from his "treasure jar" and brought it into the bank. We've been saving it up for awhile but only really started putting a concentrated effort into it over the last few months. The lucky little guy now has over $500 in his account. I think that the girls will be happy that we've finally done this because we will now start putting a little back into the spare change jar - their source of emergency money for the bus, a movie or little treats. I checked yesterday and it's down to foreign coins, .50 pieces and a few miscellaneous screws and washers.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Monday, June 13, 2005
Nice day out
It's the little things you appreciate when you've been so busy with baby that you rarely have time to do things that the old you didn't think about. Don and I got to go see the movie and went to the casino yesterday. The movie was pretty good but the whole "sitting in a theatre" experience was what I enjoyed the most. It was nice to get out and after I stopped thinking about things like how much too dark it would be for Calum, how loud it would seem to him and wondering if I should check in just before the show started I did enjoy myself. However, Calum was never far from my mind. Yoda started to look just a little like him and I started thinking about making him a Halloween costume. Then there were babies born in the movie and I was thinking about how small Calum was when he was born. There's no hope for it now. I am a mother and I guess I will always be thinking about our little one.
I had a bit of luck at the casino. I won $173 and spent only $20 to get it. I'll never win big at those things because I only play the .05 and .25 machines and rarely bet the maximum. Don likes to call it chasing the dragon and I can usually find him at the $1 machines betting big. He has yet to prove to me that his strategy works though so I'll continue with my own until he convinces me otherwise.
Other than the above, I had a great b-day. Don and the kids bought me a gc for a massage at a spa. I'm really going to enjoy that. The grandparents report that Calum was fairly well behaved while we were gone and they even managed to get him to drink a bottle.
I'm off to the office this morning so I'd better finish getting ready and feed the little one. I hope you all have a good week. We have a few new photos to post later, including some of Calum's first walk around the New West Quay.
I had a bit of luck at the casino. I won $173 and spent only $20 to get it. I'll never win big at those things because I only play the .05 and .25 machines and rarely bet the maximum. Don likes to call it chasing the dragon and I can usually find him at the $1 machines betting big. He has yet to prove to me that his strategy works though so I'll continue with my own until he convinces me otherwise.
Other than the above, I had a great b-day. Don and the kids bought me a gc for a massage at a spa. I'm really going to enjoy that. The grandparents report that Calum was fairly well behaved while we were gone and they even managed to get him to drink a bottle.
I'm off to the office this morning so I'd better finish getting ready and feed the little one. I hope you all have a good week. We have a few new photos to post later, including some of Calum's first walk around the New West Quay.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Thank you dear husband
I know I went on about my lovely new monitor when I got it back in December but now that I am back at work I am really appreciating it again. I'm busy looking at databases all day and reading documents online so I am ever so happy Don got it for me. Thanks dear!
We are almost at the end of another week. I managed to work from home almost all week, taking breaks every couple of hours to feed Calum. It makes for a very strange day. I'll be in work mode and hate to have to stop for a feeding but when I get the little guy in my arms it's hard to put him down again. He and Don are having fun but I wish the weather was better for them. I think they have an outing planned next week and Desiree will be off from school soon so she will be able to go along some days. I am also happy to report that Don is finally relaxing a bit and not calling the office so often or running off to check his email everytime I feed Calum. He can't stay away entirely, of course, but is doing a lot better. There's nothing like a demanding baby to put everything into perspective.
We haven't got a lot of plans for the weekend. Our taxes are due on June 15th - extended because I am self employed. I have some work to do on them before they are done. Don may have to work on a few reports this weekend too. Oh, my husband has also promised me a date. My b-day is coming and we hope to take a little time to go see a movie or head to the casino [we are much inspired by my mom's tales of luck]. We have both been wanting to see the new Star Wars movie so hopefully we will get around to that.
In a couple of weeks we will have a wedding to go to - Grant [Don's brother] and Jen are getting married. Calum has 2 suits to choose from for this gathering. One has a tie and one has a bowtie and hat. Both have shorts instead of pants. I think he may have to try out both. Also, I have a new favorite shirt that makes him look very grown up. I'll take some pictures of him in all his outfits later.
No other news today.
We are almost at the end of another week. I managed to work from home almost all week, taking breaks every couple of hours to feed Calum. It makes for a very strange day. I'll be in work mode and hate to have to stop for a feeding but when I get the little guy in my arms it's hard to put him down again. He and Don are having fun but I wish the weather was better for them. I think they have an outing planned next week and Desiree will be off from school soon so she will be able to go along some days. I am also happy to report that Don is finally relaxing a bit and not calling the office so often or running off to check his email everytime I feed Calum. He can't stay away entirely, of course, but is doing a lot better. There's nothing like a demanding baby to put everything into perspective.
We haven't got a lot of plans for the weekend. Our taxes are due on June 15th - extended because I am self employed. I have some work to do on them before they are done. Don may have to work on a few reports this weekend too. Oh, my husband has also promised me a date. My b-day is coming and we hope to take a little time to go see a movie or head to the casino [we are much inspired by my mom's tales of luck]. We have both been wanting to see the new Star Wars movie so hopefully we will get around to that.
In a couple of weeks we will have a wedding to go to - Grant [Don's brother] and Jen are getting married. Calum has 2 suits to choose from for this gathering. One has a tie and one has a bowtie and hat. Both have shorts instead of pants. I think he may have to try out both. Also, I have a new favorite shirt that makes him look very grown up. I'll take some pictures of him in all his outfits later.
No other news today.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
...and how are the girls?
Calum, Calum, Calum. Understandably, Don and I have been a little obsessed with our newest bundle of joy and haven't had as many stories about Desiree and Dakota lately. Most people ask us about wee Calum and we go on and on until they follow up with "And how are the girls?" It makes you stop and think for a minute - we do indeed have two other kids and life goes on for them too.
I am happy to report that Desiree and Dakota are doing well. Desiree will be out of school for the summer very soon and is on the hunt for a part-time summer job. After a summer of lazing about the house last year she's decided that earning a bit of money isn't such a bad idea. Don was working at a pretty young age too and I remember endless days and nights of babysitting so it's probably a good idea for her. With that in mind, Don went out yesterday to apply for her Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. While there, he also applied for one for Dakota and Calum.
Desiree has a sudden interest in the guitar - a little something to do with her boyfriend I think and has been asking for one. Discussions are ongoing as Don and I have heard our share of "I promise I will practice everyday" platitudes from Dakota. We have enough things collecting dust just now, thank you.
Dakota is very keen on emulating her big sister these days. Both now have purple streaks in their hair [a vast improvement over green]. Dakota seems to like the same movies and music as Desiree and spends a lot of her time online and on the phone [as Des did only last year]. She's planning on spending the month of July with her mom in Brooks, Alberta. I asked her what she will do to avoid boredom while her mom is at work as her friends will be here and she said she will bring her roller blades and skateboard. Oh, yes, the skateboarding is her thing right now even if she seems to spend more time either carrying it around or riding around on her butt. Don insists that she wear a helmet as she is very accident prone but she resists.
Des and Dakota have adjusted well to being big sisters. Desiree is great with the little guy and can cheer him out of a grumpy mood. She often gets the most smiles from him too. Dakota is a little more hesitant around him and is suffering a bit from the middle child syndrome. She was the baby for so long that it is an adjustment for her. She is more apt to make comparisons between Calum's childhood and hers. For example, she's not happy to hear that Calum will be getting the same amount of allowance as them each month [though not really, because Cal's will go into an account that he won't know about till he is old enough to need it - 18 ish?]. Also, the girls have never had passports and Don and I will be getting them for all the kids soon. Dakota thinks it's unfair that Calum will have one while he is a baby but it makes travel so much easier that we can't do with out them these days. I think Dakota will enjoy being a big sister more when Calum gets a bit bigger and starts to follow her around like a shadow.
I can't resist sharing some Calum news though. Don and Calum are having a fun time adjusting to our new routines. Calum doesn't like the bottle and continues to fight Don and grandma when they try to give it to him. He will take some - but not enough to fill his belly. We've tried all kinds of nipples and have no real success yet. Luckily, I can work from home and adjust my schedule most days so that I can be around for feedings. After hearing the little guy struggle again today while I was working away I have decided to try the Haberman bottle - something I seen on the Baby Whisperer show. Calum seems to not suck properly on regular bottles - not enough suction I think though I know he can do it. Maybe this special bottle will work better as it's designed for newborns and babies with feeding issues. I'll let you all know if it works. I ordered it online and we should have it by next week.
As for me, I am happy to be back working but miss Calum a lot during the day [even when I am in the home office as I don't get to enjoy play time]. I've applied for a couple of employee positions with Indian Affairs, even though I like the flexibility of contract work and haven't decided if I really want to make the change. For government jobs you have to take a written exam as part of the hiring process and so far I've written two and have another one this month. The whole process seems to take months as I had applied for the postitions back in March and am only now getting call backs. With three kids, I would like the security of having benefits, regular hours and vacation time so I'm exploring my options at the moment. For now though, I'm back wrapping up one project and going back to another. It's great to be back at work but I have some new challenges I will have to share some day [you try finding a place to express milk in an open-space office].
Until next time.
I am happy to report that Desiree and Dakota are doing well. Desiree will be out of school for the summer very soon and is on the hunt for a part-time summer job. After a summer of lazing about the house last year she's decided that earning a bit of money isn't such a bad idea. Don was working at a pretty young age too and I remember endless days and nights of babysitting so it's probably a good idea for her. With that in mind, Don went out yesterday to apply for her Social Insurance Number (SIN) card. While there, he also applied for one for Dakota and Calum.
Desiree has a sudden interest in the guitar - a little something to do with her boyfriend I think and has been asking for one. Discussions are ongoing as Don and I have heard our share of "I promise I will practice everyday" platitudes from Dakota. We have enough things collecting dust just now, thank you.
Dakota is very keen on emulating her big sister these days. Both now have purple streaks in their hair [a vast improvement over green]. Dakota seems to like the same movies and music as Desiree and spends a lot of her time online and on the phone [as Des did only last year]. She's planning on spending the month of July with her mom in Brooks, Alberta. I asked her what she will do to avoid boredom while her mom is at work as her friends will be here and she said she will bring her roller blades and skateboard. Oh, yes, the skateboarding is her thing right now even if she seems to spend more time either carrying it around or riding around on her butt. Don insists that she wear a helmet as she is very accident prone but she resists.
Des and Dakota have adjusted well to being big sisters. Desiree is great with the little guy and can cheer him out of a grumpy mood. She often gets the most smiles from him too. Dakota is a little more hesitant around him and is suffering a bit from the middle child syndrome. She was the baby for so long that it is an adjustment for her. She is more apt to make comparisons between Calum's childhood and hers. For example, she's not happy to hear that Calum will be getting the same amount of allowance as them each month [though not really, because Cal's will go into an account that he won't know about till he is old enough to need it - 18 ish?]. Also, the girls have never had passports and Don and I will be getting them for all the kids soon. Dakota thinks it's unfair that Calum will have one while he is a baby but it makes travel so much easier that we can't do with out them these days. I think Dakota will enjoy being a big sister more when Calum gets a bit bigger and starts to follow her around like a shadow.
I can't resist sharing some Calum news though. Don and Calum are having a fun time adjusting to our new routines. Calum doesn't like the bottle and continues to fight Don and grandma when they try to give it to him. He will take some - but not enough to fill his belly. We've tried all kinds of nipples and have no real success yet. Luckily, I can work from home and adjust my schedule most days so that I can be around for feedings. After hearing the little guy struggle again today while I was working away I have decided to try the Haberman bottle - something I seen on the Baby Whisperer show. Calum seems to not suck properly on regular bottles - not enough suction I think though I know he can do it. Maybe this special bottle will work better as it's designed for newborns and babies with feeding issues. I'll let you all know if it works. I ordered it online and we should have it by next week.
As for me, I am happy to be back working but miss Calum a lot during the day [even when I am in the home office as I don't get to enjoy play time]. I've applied for a couple of employee positions with Indian Affairs, even though I like the flexibility of contract work and haven't decided if I really want to make the change. For government jobs you have to take a written exam as part of the hiring process and so far I've written two and have another one this month. The whole process seems to take months as I had applied for the postitions back in March and am only now getting call backs. With three kids, I would like the security of having benefits, regular hours and vacation time so I'm exploring my options at the moment. For now though, I'm back wrapping up one project and going back to another. It's great to be back at work but I have some new challenges I will have to share some day [you try finding a place to express milk in an open-space office].
Until next time.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Here fishy, fishy
We were at the mall on Saturday and Desiree and Chris took Calum into the pet store. He didn't seem very interested in the cute kittens and puppies but he did take notice of the Koi. He looked pretty cute leaning in to get a better look at them. Maybe dad will have an avid fisherman in the making.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A good day
Early reports indicate that it was a good day for Don and Calum. Grandma Bain dropped by to visit and a good time was had by all. They even managed to get him to drink a few bottles. He still wanted a good feed from his mama when I got home and we had some nice cuddle time. We've moved bath time to the evenings so Calum and I can get in some spalshing and have a little more time for other things [like sleep] in the mornings.
Grandpa came by later and Don has more pictures to post later. Lucky Calum got to see both sets of grandparents this week. He has been suitably admired and praised.
Grandpa came by later and Don has more pictures to post later. Lucky Calum got to see both sets of grandparents this week. He has been suitably admired and praised.
Look ma - I'm a Lheidli Tenneh
Calum has been registered with Don's band. Now I am outnumbered! Desiree and Dakota are Okanagan and I remain the soul NLakapamux in the house. Don asked the nice lady who completed the registration if that means he can now buy cigarettes. Apparently she though him very funny. Calum just gave him his "Oh dad" look. I'm off to work for the morning but need to get enough milk in the little guy so he won't be too fussy for Don while I'm away. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day for all of us. I missed my nap yesterday and was up at 1:30, 3:30, 4:00, 5:00 and 6:00 with Calum as I'm still doing the night feedings. Calum is going to have to get used to a bottle and fast!
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Work - Day 1
I am back at work as of today. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I wasn't able to get a computer this morning at the office [limited seating only folks] so I worked from home. It was a nice way to ease back into it for all of us I think. I took a little time off in the morning to go with Don and Calum to his check-up and had a few breaks for feedings and play-time/lunch. Luckily I started before 5 am this morning and even with the Calum breaks I can now wrap up for the day. Don and Calum faired well - plenty of nappings and ticklings by the sound of things. Tomorrow I will be in the office in the morning so it will be the first real test of Calum having to drink from the bottle again. All I can say is I hope Don gets a lot of sleep tonight.
Oh, Calum had a great check-up today. He is healthy and happy. He weighs 13 lbs now and is on track in terms of his weight and just a little under in his height [I don't agree though as I think he is a big boy]. So, he is almost double the weight he was when he was born. We [read me] got a bit of a reprimand from the doctor for not bringing him in for his immunization shots yet. You are supposed to do it at 2 months and he is almost 3 but I just couldn't do it and Don's been pretty busy so I thought he could help this month. It turns out that they are so busy it will be mid-July before he gets them done. It's hard for me to see the little tears in his eyes, I don't know how I'll handle him being in any real pain.
My parents were visiting yesterday so I'll get Don to post some pictures tonight. Calum had a good visit with his Nanny and Poppa but he was a sleepy little boy and not his usual talkative self. Luckily he and my mom had a good chat on the phone the day before. I've got to talk to him about his "inside voice" though. Everything he says, he says with gusto. What a funny little guy!
Don's probably going through computer withdrawl so I'd better get off for the day. He somehow managed to sneak a few calls into the office today and was down on his computer for awhile. Oh, and I had to kick a certain someone off the computer at 2am last night. I figure that by the time he relaxes and gets used to being away from the office, it will be time for him to return. Calum's going to enjoy the time with his dad though so I'm sure they will both do great.
Better go - one final thing, Calum loves the pinwheel I bought him. He will sit and stare at it for hours if I let him. I wish that they were always this easy to please.
Oh, Calum had a great check-up today. He is healthy and happy. He weighs 13 lbs now and is on track in terms of his weight and just a little under in his height [I don't agree though as I think he is a big boy]. So, he is almost double the weight he was when he was born. We [read me] got a bit of a reprimand from the doctor for not bringing him in for his immunization shots yet. You are supposed to do it at 2 months and he is almost 3 but I just couldn't do it and Don's been pretty busy so I thought he could help this month. It turns out that they are so busy it will be mid-July before he gets them done. It's hard for me to see the little tears in his eyes, I don't know how I'll handle him being in any real pain.
My parents were visiting yesterday so I'll get Don to post some pictures tonight. Calum had a good visit with his Nanny and Poppa but he was a sleepy little boy and not his usual talkative self. Luckily he and my mom had a good chat on the phone the day before. I've got to talk to him about his "inside voice" though. Everything he says, he says with gusto. What a funny little guy!
Don's probably going through computer withdrawl so I'd better get off for the day. He somehow managed to sneak a few calls into the office today and was down on his computer for awhile. Oh, and I had to kick a certain someone off the computer at 2am last night. I figure that by the time he relaxes and gets used to being away from the office, it will be time for him to return. Calum's going to enjoy the time with his dad though so I'm sure they will both do great.
Better go - one final thing, Calum loves the pinwheel I bought him. He will sit and stare at it for hours if I let him. I wish that they were always this easy to please.
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