Hiking in to Kibbee Lake

One of our new favourite pics!!! All smiles. He loves being in the backpack we got him to use instead of the stroller - makes a big difference to him and us to experience getting out in the back 40 in a slightly different way, he is more a part of it all.

Here we all are!!! On this hike, we really couldn't stop for long because the mosquitoes are REALLY BAD this year. If you stopped, you automatically became a target and a landing zone. It was brutal. Ken and I looked like we were trying to take off - waving and flapping our arms like a bunch of idiots. At least we had the trail to ourselves!!!

Bud camp.

Guess who got caught, trying to nab his first beer? Couldn't be my son!!!! LOL

Life Jacket Issues

This is Brandon's first time in a boat (albeit a row boat). A few smiles, before he really let us know how much he didn't like the fit of his life jacket.

You can't really tell in this photo, but Brandon really did not like his life jacket. We have tried on about 6 different types and sizes, and still don't have the right one. As soon as he gets in to the baby squisher, er, life jacket, he gets all stiff, cries, and just looks generally uncomfortable. There is one type we haven't found to have him try on, so the one we bought prior to holidays is going back, and we will try again. Hopefully we can find one that works, because I see more time near the water in our futures!!!

Our first trip to Bowron Lake

This is Canada's Hot Spot. You can't tell, but man, it was hot right here.

On the way to the Cariboo, we decided to stop in Lytton for a breather. This is where the Mighty and Muddy Fraser meets the blue Thompson, mixing together and heading down the Canyon.

Canoes

We are hours away from our first road trip with Brandon. We are heading up north to a lake just outside of Barkerville. Apparently the kokanee trout are running, and we plan to spend lots of time fishing, relaxing, and making one with nature. I am feeling a little trepidation, for this is different than flying in to Cowtown, where we are going if you don't have it with you, you more than likely won't be getting it. It will be interesting to hear the tales this week will bring!

bath time!

Brandon continues to love bath times... not always keen on getting his face wet, but all in all, good times!

Hair experiments...

This is about half way through a meal....not quite wild hair, but not quite styled either..

A few minutes later, after a liberation application of apples and yogurt, and a few twists.

Ah. A young Elvis.

Nope, got that one wrong... looks like a young Billy Idol instead!

This is what happens during a messy meal. Meal time is also where Brandon is asserting himself. He wants to be more in control, grabbing the spoon and refusing stuff that he can't feed himself. I am sure that this is mostly amusing to Ken and I as the very biased parents, but it is still funny and hasn't gotten old yet!

Marine Park

!We found the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by. This was taken at a homemade bench that over looks like Indian Arm and Deep Cove. So this is the view looking down, and then looking out.


Gotta love that timer function on your camera to capture snaps when you are the only person around! One of Brandon's favorite acts of will is to take his hat off - so I can't tell you how many times we rolled over his hat.. his sunnies... :D this was a great day, and a perfect spot for a picnic.

in the backyard...

Now that the weather has been pretty awesome, I haul the playpen in to the backyard to contain Brandon while I do a bit of yard work. Of course, I heard a funny noise behind me, and I had to laugh as I captured our boy, hanging on for dear life to the side railing. As I wound things up for the day, I let him hang by our garden, he wasn't quite eating dirt... but he was *dang* close... at least it wasn't kitty kibble this time...

Hey Mom!! Dad!! Guess what? I can stand in the playpen or in the crib!! Cool eh???

10 months young....

Trying to make note of the monthly markers has gotten a tad more difficult - to put it mildly. Sit quietly with a stuffie? Have you met our son??? I have a bunch of blurry pictures of Brandon with Tigger in the chair, until I finally resorted to having Tigger on the coffee table and Brandon having his will with the poor stuffie. Hard to believe that Brandon is 10 months old now!

At 10 months, Brandon is pulling himself up to a stand and can babble up a storm (remind you of anyone??). My heart still soars when I hear the "mumumumums" since it was "dadadadada" for the longest time. Every now and then he squeaks out what sounds like a word, but it is just an experimental stage and cool to experience. Brandon still has 6 teeth, and we are getting out for as many walks as we can. Brandon is pretty much over the perfectly pureed baby food - he loves to get his hands, face, and hair in to the whole eating experience.

swingers....

When we go for one of our favorite walks, we finish off by going on the swings!! Brandon loves going on the swing, and laughs and giggles and holds on for dear life! Check out those chicklets!

This is near....


And this is far.... :D

a day at the beach

Styling and profiling!!

Ken, Brandon, and Uncle Kelly

I think that it will be really cool in a few months (weeks???) when Brandon is up and walking. It will make going to the beach that much more fun!!!! He is pulling himself up, and every day this is a skill that is getting easier and easier. I try to get him to practise sitting (I always see this one group of moms and babies in the park, and some of those babies sit.. sit?? what is that???) and as soon as I get him in a sitting position, he is twisting and turning and flipping in to a crawling position so he can move.

island style

W

At the park!

Still learning about bringing sun screen, sunglasses, hats, and appropriate sun gear for Brandon along - this parenthood thing is definitely a learning process!!!

couldn't resist the smile....

...although I am not sure what happened to his hair today?!

Brandon's new digs...

The last week has been busy!! Brandon's room has undergone a complete transformation, and is now a room that he can be pretty proud to call his own. Lots of open space, and the colour it bright and clean :D lots of hours and elbow grease between the floors, walls, and ceiling, nothing like a little bit of team work!

9 and 1/2 months young...

So... we were on holidays and it just didn't happen to get this marker done anytime before now. Oops. It is getting harder and harder to snap the shots with Tigger because Brandon is definitely on the move!! This week he has started to pull himself up on stuff and I have learned the hard way to not keep anything with in reach on the coffee table, etc.

At the Calgary Zoo

Catching a bit of the sun!

Oh Deere (and a few from the farm)

Yes. It seems to be a genetic thing that little boys will grab hold of the wheel when given the chance...


And finally a really one fun that Ken snapped of us in the field...

Trying on some hats....

Here we are at Fort Calgary, trying on some of the old RCMP hats...

First major junior hockey game

We got to catch a game at the 'Dome and the Hitmen won!! A pretty impressive show was put on, and Brandon did really well with the lights and noise.. granted he did wait for the Zamboni to make it's appearance :D

Blooms!

Off to the tulip festival!!

Playoffs have started!

Happy Easter!

Our handsome and happy young man!

Going on a road trip....

Here Brandon is, chilling in his new carseat. We were hitting the highway early Saturday morning, heading for the ferry to the island. It is hard to believe that Easter is already here... next year will be a lot of fun with an egg hunt, and I am sure that Brandon will be a bundle of energy and then some. Good Friday was awesome, spent time with both sides of our family, and Brandon is taking his first steps in a forward crawl. His mobility gets him so excited!

My guys

Junior.. and the Third.
And me with a smile on my face, behind the lens.

I am clean!!!

It seems that it is in the bath tub that Brandon likes to practise pulling himself up and standing. The edge of the tub is just the right height for him and I just kick back and watch, with my hands hovering on either side of him just in case. I am glad that he loves water (so far). Water babies is going really well - he has floated on his back, been under water, and even gone on a big water slide twice. I am impressed, and so happy to be doing water babies together. I really hope that Brandon loves the water even half as much as I do. I can see lots of trips to the pool and beach in our future!

I like blueberries.

In my hands. On my face. All over the place!

8 months young

Brandon is now 8 months old, and he has 4 teeth and is working on his next top tooth. Solids are fairly well established, and we have gone with more fruits than vegetables, but I am trying to strike a reasonable balance between the two. Brandon still crawls backwards, and in circles, and is really, really close to getting in to high gear and moving forwards. This is a kid that really wants to move and is just a smidgen away from making it happen. The months are clicking by way too quickly - it seems unreal that Brandon is already 8 months old and becoming a little tall boy. His laughs are precious, and he rarely cries. I would still say that he has taught me as much as I have taught him.

The shrinking pads

It is getting harder and harder to take "static" shots of Brandon when he is awake. When he is up, he wants to be on the go-go-go! Trying to get him to stay still while I snapped a few pictures was next to impossible. As you can see, he is at the stage where everything about the hockey pads is interesting, and can go straight in his mouth - which isn't necessarily a good thing!

Arrrrrrrrrrrgh Matey!

That thar be sun in my eyes!

Bananas?

Introducing food is going pretty well, we are pretty much focused on lunch being the meal that includes solids, and we are starting to include dinner with some solids as well to get all of us used to the idea of eating around the table. Brandon hasn't seemed all that keen of the mashed up naners in cereal, so I handed him one the other day. He loved the texture, and being able to use it as body paint. It was funny, I just kicked back and let it happen, having a few washclothes handy. It is cool watching him figure stuff out.

Happy St. Paddy's!

Could that grin be from guinness foam?

We have 3 teeth!

Although you can't see it, Brandon got his third tooth yesterday! He has the bottom 2, and then he is startd from the left, the second front tooth (incisor?). The front tooth is going to be right behind it since it looks like it is pretty close as well. Teething was far worse for the bottom two as oppsed to the top ones (so far, knock on wood).

So cute.

Just a quick snap because Brandon was having a particularly cute moment! No, I am definitely not biased or anything. It is amazing how fast babies change - he isn't the wee bundled up baby that he used to be. I'd like to think that I make an effort to take a deep breath and enjoy the small moments (and the big ones too).

Racing jacket

In honor of the grandfolks heading south to watch the fast cars race, Brandon donned what we call his racing duds. Granted, it is amazing how fast he can do laps of the living room... in reverse gear!