June

End of June Fun in the Sun - June 30, 2009
We were in and out today. Milo seems to be more vocal when he's put down these days, especially if you leave his sight. So he's spending a little more time on the kitchen counter in his Bumbo chair while I'm in there. He's a big fan of his Whoozit (he chews because he loves). Although I'm hoping the ease with which everything makes its way into Milo's mouth these days is more about normal baby development than signs of teething...not that it wouldn't be fitting for him to crack his first tooth at 4 months like his big brother. We also got more creative with our crafting today. Kaden has been gluing at play school, but we had yet to try it at home. So I armed him with a glue stick as I cut pictures out of a magazine. Good fun.

That afternoon we took to the backyard for a little Bumbo/sandbox time (and of course a little paparazzi action)! Milo has also become a drooling, bubble making machine. Clearly not a sign of teething if you ask me.

While cooking dinner I pulled the swing closer to the kitchen so Milo wouldn't be away from the action. As you can see, Kaden loves the swing and Milo loves Kaden!

I'm sure Milo's thinking "he really does love me" and Kaden is thinking "I'm glad Milo's in the swing because now I'm allowed to play with it"!
Either way it's just plain cute.
 

More Mobile Maddness - June 29, 2009
Milo really seems to like his mobile, which is good as it gives me another place to put him down to keep him safe from curious toddlers when I need to fold the laundry! In particular I really dig his 70s-style outfit ;]

Here you can get a taste for Milo's "dolphin speak". Come and play my colourful, hanging friends!

Nanna and Poppa are here for the weekend! - June 25 - 28, 2009
Kaden was very excited to wake up from his nap to find Nanna and Poppa in the house! Shortly after their arrival Poppa and Kaden worked to hang our mailbox back on the house. The next day was a beautiful, sunny Friday. We got the water table out and Kaden and Poppa splased around while Nanna took shelter in the one patch of shade in the back of the yard to keep Milo from baking in the sun. To help in the shade department, Kaden helped Poppa assemble our new awning. He did a very good job handing Poppa the pieces as he needed them and even helped to put them together. Of course, all work and no play make for a dull afternoon so Kaden took to his sandbox while N&P put the finishing touches on the tent. A new discovery for Kaden was having his water table set up while the sandbox was open. Water + Sand = Mud (aka FUN)! After an outfit change, lunch and a nap we pulled out the wading pool for Kaden. Another big hit. It was cold as we didn't fill it too long before he got into it, but he had fun none the less (although he didn't sit down at all)!

We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo...how about you, you, you...Saturday was shaping up to be an equally lovely day so we decided to check out the zoo. We miss the aquarium in Vancouver, but the zoo is an excellent replacement. Kaden enjoyed riding in a wagon and seeing all the animals. We saw lots while we were there and didn't even make it to the kids zoo or the splash pad (we managed to keep Kaden's attention away from it as well...we'll save it for another visit). Kaden liked looking at all the animals, but particularly liked the baboons. They were by far the most active animals at the zoo! Later that day we filled the wading pool up again. This time we got water in it early enough to warm up in the sun for a while so Kaden got more adventurous and even sat down! We also set up the new sprinkler, but Kaden was a little more suspicious of it. Even after Daddy's helpful demonstration, Kaden just wanted to test the water shooting out with his hands - perhaps he'll take a run through it another time. Backyard summer fun rocks!

Nanna and Poppa left after breakfast on Sunday. Before the rain started to fall, Daddy brought out the bike and took Kaden for a spin around the neighbourhood...Milo had a snooze and I managed a shower...everyone was happy! Of course, after Kaden's excitement and Milo's nap in the morning we had some playtime with Milo while Kaden napped in the afternoon.

I still don't think Milo considers tummy time as play time, but each time he holds his head a little higher for a little longer and doesn't cry as quickly.
Progress.
 

Monkey See Monkey Do - June 24, 2009
Yup - what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Apparently baby toys (and seats) are fun at any age! Kaden likes to help Milo play with the crazy sun arch! Milo's bum and Bumbo chair met for the first time and Kaden also managed to get his hands (or more appropriately bum) on it too!

A little nostalgia for you...Kaden now and then (I think his bum actually fit better into it now...it was quite a squeeze before)!

We jazzed up the sand box a little bit today as well with the addition of some new sand toys.

Milo is three months old today. On our scale he weighs at least 15 lbs (it doesn't do ounces). And he measures approximately 25 inches (62.5cm). He's starting to chat more like a dolphin and scream like a banchee and continues to adore watching his big brother. He's also staying awake for longer periods during the day and smiling for everyone he meets. Fortunately for us, he continues to be a great night sleeper.

More "firsts" - June 23, 2009
Milo finally got to see what all the fuss was about with his mobile. We have had the mobile since he was born (it was Kaden's), but we discovered it was broken when we went to set it up so we have not had it on his crib. Daddy fixed it the other day so now it actually spins around. Milo likes it. We have also bought a potty for Kaden. We had talked about starting potty training this summer and have now refined our timeline to when we return from Manitoba (in a few weeks). In the meantime he likes to sit on it fully clothed and we're talking about using it and he is reading books about other little boys and critters using the potty! He's taken a book in their once or twice (shown here), but mostly he likes to brush his teeth while sitting on it. Wish us luck!

Brotherly love.
Milo was being particularly crabby about being left on the couch while I popped into the kitchen.
Of his own accord - Kaden started to sing and clap for Milo to try to calm him.
It worked for a while too (more so in the beginning then when I actually captured some on camera).

HAPPY DADDY DAY! - June 21, 2009
Around here we call weekends "daddy days", but this was an extra special one dedicated specifically to celebrating Daddy (and not just because he's home for 2 days!). We started our day the usual way - reading books. While Milo had a morning snooze, Kaden gave Daddy the card he made at playschool. The photo looks cuter than it is...although I'm sure Kaden really did want to give Daddy a hug, he was actually reaching across him for something more interesting! So what else did we get up to to celebrate Daddy? I'll give you one guess...it was a sunny weekend morning...of course - it was back to the beach and our good friends the rocks! Milo got to take his first ride in the Bjorn facing out into the world. I think he liked it. He liked licking it anyway ;] For all the times we have been down to the lake this may have been his first time actually seeing it! We also brought our trusty bucket and shovel and told Kaden is was okay to wade into the water (he didn't want to go barefoot though)! That afternoon we enjoyed our snack on the porch while giving Daddy his cards and presents. We cracked out the double stroller and the boys to their first ride side by side (without Milo in the car seat). Good times. We made a quick trip to the grocery store to pick up some food to BBQ to round out our day. Kaden tried corn on the cob for the first time too. He likes corn, but got a kick out of eating it with the corn skewers like Mommy and Daddy. He likes the idea of spreading butter and salt all over it, but actually prefers for me to cut off the kernels afterwards. 

shoes + water = fun
                                      fun = water + rocks
                         shoes = rocks?!?
       

Roll Reversal - June 20, 2009
You turn around for one minute and look what can happen!

Another milestone for Milo - June 19, 2009
We managed to get through dinner early enough tonight that the kids and I met Daddy, on his way home from work, at the park. Milo took his first ride in the stroller like the big boy he is becoming - no car seat or bassinette. We had fun frolicking in the grass and then managed a little bit of play at the park before bath. Milo surprised us with more laughter - apparently Kaden swinging is a hoot.

We managed to catch a few seconds of his wee chuckle...
 

Happy Graduation! - June 18, 2009
Today was Kaden's graduation from play school. We have really enjoyed being a part of the school and will miss it over the summer. Kaden has already grown so much in the few months that he has participated. When I'm not on duty (it's a cooperative play school) I have been able to leave Kaden on his own. He loves his teachers and enjoys all the activities and friends. Kaden saves his "two-year-old-ness" for me at the house and is always well behaved and easy going at school. Perfect. Graduation involved cupcakes, a diploma and a scrapbook of some of Kaden's art work and pictures from his time at school (a great keep sake).

The morning was all about Kaden, so while Kaden was snoozing in the afternoon, the camera turned to Milo. He's working at holding his toys and his neck up!

Milo has a very strong neck and what better way to test it then to practice sitting.
I'm not sure what Milo thought about sitting, but he enjoyed the addition of my knuckles to his!

Triple Trouble - June 17, 2009
Yup - I'm surrounded and out numbered three to one. Hopefully Ali will come to my defense if I need a woman's perspective (or somebody to accessorize)! But they're just so cute :]

You guessed it - more beach and bubbles! - June 14, 2009
We aren't getting predictable, are we?!? Another beautiful weekend here in TO and we find ourselves back down at the lake to see just how many rocks we can return to the water. Kaden is getting stronger with each visit lifting and throwing heavier rocks each time - check out those muscles! Later that day we head to Mississauga to have an early Father's Day dinner with all the family at Gran and Grandee's. Nanny brought bubbles for the boys - she's clearly done this before ;]

B is for books and bouncy chair fun - June 11, 2009
Milo likes books - at least that is what I am taking his reactions to mean. He doesn't get much time to peruse his own books, so if he is up while Kaden is napping (which is the case most days) then I make sure to pull out some ol' faithful Sandra Boynton. And no...I wasn't trying to pose Milo as if he was holding his own book, this is just what happens when I am the book holder as well as the picture taker - an optical illusion (couldn't have planned it better if I had tried)! He's also a big fan of his Whoozit. It's hard to keep a two month old entertained at all times when there is a two year old who needs to be entertained as well...and fed. There are limited placed I can put Milo and I don't want to have to rely on the bouncy chair during times when he is awake since he still spends a great deal of time in it to sleep. However, with the purchase of a new 'dingle dangle' toy that can be wrapped around the bouncy chair bar it buys me a little time and Milo is suitably entertained. He seems most intrigued with the sun end of the toy ;]

C is for cute!

D is for dancing machine.
Milo's legs have a mind of their own - they just go go go!
   

Spelling - June 2009
No - Kaden can't read words (although his memorization of books sometimes makes it look like he can). But his recognition of letters is great and he's getting very quick at sounding them off. He's pretty much mastered "big letters". Now we're talking about the small ones!

New discoveries - June 9, 2009
The boys continue to expand their horizons. Milo is getting more grabby these days. He can hold onto something placed in his grasp, but he can also move it around of his own free will (typically towards his mouth). Kaden enjoyed his first bubble bath...the bubbles were less than impressive, but having no bar to measure them against he thought they were great fun.

To the ROM! - June 7, 2009
Gran and Grandee were coming to visit us this morning so we decided it was a good time to go on a little adventure to take the subway to the ROM! Craig rides the subway every day to go to work, but I had not been on it in more than 10 years and Kaden (who loves all things train) would take his first ride. It's not the same as the Sky Train as you spend most of the time underground, but Kaden enjoyed watching the doors open and close and talking with Gran and Grandee about the people getting on and off (obviously not captured in the picture of him!). I'm pretty sure Kaden liked the ROM as well, but the subway was definitely the highlight. Once at the ROM, Kaden busied himself running amongst the dinosaurs. They were neat, but he particularly enjoyed counting the numbers on the tags positioned beside the smaller bones and objects in the glass cases. And of course, once he discovered the monitors with the buttons...game over. Milo, of course, snoozed happily in his little snuggle-sack ;]

Who cares about dinosaurs?

Milo has discovered his fists and fingers. Apparently they are quite tasty. It's surprising just how much of his hand he can actually get in his mouth. On occasion he squishes up his face for what I can only imagine is his reaction to gagging himself!

Milo and his love affair with his hands...

Like father like son. BBQing is fun.

Super Saturday! - June 6, 2009
What a day! First we took in our new favourite activity - going to the beach and throwing rocks in the lake. Honestly we have spent more time by the water here in Toronto in the last couple of months then we did in Vancouver in the last year...what's happening?!? Anyway, we spent a lovely morning exploring some new territory down by the water and then headed to a trusty rock-filled bay a little hike down the beach. After the whole family enjoyed tossing rocks and watching splashes we walked a little inland to go play at the park. Our growing son is getting more adventurous and his ability to do things all by himself is catching up to his ability to say that phrase! Kaden climbed the rope ladder all by himself!

After our afternoon siesta's our good friend Rob joined us for some backyard fun and a bbq. The bigger boys played in the water table, discovered sidewalk chalk (which I think Kaden enjoyed mostly watching Daddy and Rob colour and then taking the chalk in and out of the box) and played a round of golf. Milo kicked back and soaked up the sights and sounds.

I'm not sure what is so funny about Rob, but he triggered Milo's first laugh!
(Of course - by the time the camera was out the laughter had diminished, but you get the picture.)

More backyard fun - June 5, 2009
It's going to get hot in Toronto this summer. In preparation for the heat and the need to get outside we bought a little water table for the backyard. Kaden and I set it up today for its first test drive. It was a big hit. Kaden loved scooping and dumping and making the wheel spin and spilling and splashing water. What's not to love! Milo was getting sleepy, but we weren't ready to go in, so he enjoyed on of his favourite activities - snoozing in the Bjorn (you'll notice I've had to resort to self-portraits!). When it was time to pack up I starting taking things in the house so we could empty the table. Apparently Kaden didn't need my help! Water table = water toddler so we had a quick outfit change once we were back in the house...and what's cuter than a kid's diaper bum, eh?! And of course, Ali enjoyed her time outside with us as well, but as soon as we went in she was convinced we must be having dinner without her. Pathetic.

Water table fun!
       

Raise a Reader! - June 4, 2009
We spend a lot of time reading books in this family so we better start Milo out on the right foot to enjoy them too. So far when we show him books he smiles and coos and kicks. I think that means he likes it!

Rolling, rolling, rolling... - June 3, 2009
I'm pretty sure Milo is being helped by the hump in the couch cushion, but this isn't the only time I've seen him pull his knees up and his fists in and roll to the side...I'm not sure why he's in a hurry to get on his tummy though!

Our eldest son continues to expand his imagination and his pretend play. What's more fun than pretending with props! Kaden doesn't need toys - just a spot at the table.

What's on the menu today?

Remember this cute sweater? Milo (on the left) is now wearing "Mr. Who" like his brother did (on the right). Ah the memories...see any similarities?!

A new discovery - June 2, 2009
Milo has discovered his fists...apparently they are delicious.

A new take on tummy-time - June 1, 2009
In the hopes of making tummy-time a little more enjoyable (if that's possible) for our little man I propped him up on a rolled towel and gave him something to look at. Milo was actually interested in the mirror...for a few seconds, but once his head dropped he was back in tummy-time hell!