birthday greetings

Belated birthday greetings to our niece Jenny LaBounty [Aug 29th] and Don's Dad [Aug 30th].

A little bit of everything

As you can see from some of the pictures we've posted recently, Calum is really growing. We are all having fun introducing him to the world around him now that he takes notice. Last weekend, Don and I took him to a place called The Bug Lab. It was sort of by accident but when we went in, it was pretty neat to see all of the bugs - spiders, beetles, ants...Calum couldn't see many of them but he did see the tarantulas because they were clinging to the side of their glass cages. He thought them strange but we didn't see much movement so he wasn't afraid.

The same day we also took him out to Barnston Island. It's not far from us, just a small island on the Fraser River but you have to take a little ferry to get there. It's a total of a 10km drive around the island and there is a small park at one end. We took Calum down to the beach - essentially a muddy tidal flat - and found something he really likes. Dogs. A couple of big playful dogs kept after Don to throw them a stick and Calum found it very funny. There's something about his laugh that makes everything really wonderful. You just want to keep amusing him to get him laughing.

Calum had his second set of shots today. He took it fairly well. Big tears and in need of cuddles. Speaking of which I'd better go. Calum calls.

Calum and Mom in the pool...

Another picture of Calum and Mom enjoying the pool

A look back

Just went over some old photos and found a few old favorites. Here's one from the hospital:
















and when he used to drink his bottle:
















and making funny faces:


















With his grandpas:

















and with his first favorite toy "Shelley the Snail":
















sporting a mohawk
















with larry and tabitha:
















sleeping (sweater made by his Nan):
















getting tummy time while mom does laundry:

A work in progress

I've been working on a new template as I am getting tired of the blogger templates. Take a look at my work in progress. I've put it on a temporary blog at:

http://calumelias.blogspot.com/

Angie

Dispatches: A Motorcycle Journey through the Americas

A friend of ours, Lana Lowe, is on a journey of a lifetime. She bought a motorcycle and is beginning of her ride to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina! We have linked our blog to hers so that you can read of her adventures, her muses and her new friends.

Out on the town

Yesterday we took Calum downtown to meet a few friends. Desiree, Dakota and Chris came too and we all made our way to my office. After a number of photo ops and a quick tour of the office, we went over to Don's office for the UBCIC open house. By the time we got there, Calum had fallen asleep. We didn't stay long at either office because I didn't think Calum was up for a long day. It was nice to get to show him off again though. When we got home, we all decided afternoon naps were in order. Everyone except Calum. He was very excited about the trip and wanted to "talk" about it for a half hour. He was still talking about it this morning too. This boy is going to take after his dad in that department [just kidding honey, I love your stories].

Calum wasn't scared at all, even when Angie was reading aloud about Snape!

Angie and Calum at 5963 Patrick

drooling away...

Dakota, Desiree and Calum

My fingers taste good to me...

Nicola, Jen and Calum

When sharks attack

So my darling husband found a really interesting shark show on t.v. recently and I think I will have to ban all such shows from our house in the future. Don't get me wrong, I love a good educational show. However, I think that said show had a negative impact on the little one. Ever since that night Calum has been wanting to chew on anything and everything. It's pretty funny because he just grabs onto things and brings them up to his mouth. Don and I have suffered the most - our fingers, hair, shoulders, clothes....all chewed on. He's so focused on his biting too - like it's the most important thing in the world. I know this means that teething is just around the corner and I must say I'm not looking forward to it. While Calum is a well behaved, happy little boy most days he can get in a really bad mood [like when I try to get him to take a bottle for example].

Another milestone passed. Calum is now 5 months old. Yeah, already. Where does the time go? We still don't know if Calum has gotten into daycare yet. We should find out before September. He's been having a great time with Grandma Bain but it's time to get him used to other little babies. When he reaches 6 months we will be enrolling him [and me] in aqua babies for his first introduction to swimming. We've already got his swimming costume and a new practice pool [still waiting for warmer weather to try it out]. He'll soon be ready for baby sign language classes too. Dakota and I have signed up for some lessons starting at the end of September. We will go once a week for 10 weeks while Don and Desiree get to babysit Calum.

Our son the bruiser

Calum has discovered his herculean strength. Lately, we have all been subject to tremendous tugs on our hair, scratches on our arms and pinches anywhere he can reach [yes, anywhere]. Today, while I was trying to untangle him from my hair and dislodge his grasp from my arm I wanted him to understand that what he was doing was causing pain so I said "OWWW!" Our bright little one responded with an even louder "OOOOOOWWWWWWW!" and a smile, all the while continuing to hold on. I had to laugh even though it hurt. What a little bruiser he is.

When I get a minute....

Inspired by Larry and Tabitha's blog, I have decided to post some video clips of Calum. Soon. I hope. I've got the video but just need to get a minute or two to prepare it. Unfortunately, today is not a day for that. Don, Desiree and Calum have just gone off to get Grandma and Grandpa Bain. I've got more than a bit of work to do today so I better make good use of my time.

I just wanted to give some quick Calum updates. He can now:
- "Talk" with Mommy and Daddy. His favorite word is "Ahhh!"
- Jump in his Jolly Jumper
- Kick off the blankets, over and over, every night
- Chew on his toes. They are yummy
- Enjoy a joke with Mommy - mostly he thinks that I am the joke
- Roll over, especially if inspired by Desiree

He still doesn't like his bottle much and won't sleep in his crib. I keep saying that we have to work on it but it's so hard when he has those big tears in his eyes. Oh well. We will get there eventually.

Off to work now. Oh, Calum and I finally finished the new Harry Potter book yesterday. Calum nodded off for the last 30 pages but he got the idea.

Warriors...come out, come out to plaaayyyy