Random Sculptures

I (Dan) have a fascination with all things big, ugly, and odd on the side of the road. I saw this sculpture in Vancouver a while back and wanted a photo. For those of you who can't tell what it is, it is a really big one of those rubber band powered airplanes that you played with as a kid.

I love road side attractions

Joel's Professional Baby Pictures

Special thanks to Matt Schipper for taking these pictures of Joel when he was only 3 hours old. Yep! The joys of having a friend who is also your midwife who is married to your friend who is an aspiring photographer.

Conversations with Amanda and Dan: 3am Style

During those first few sleep deprived weeks after Joel was born, this conversation was born.

Dan: I wonder if warm milk putting adults to sleep has anything to do with warm breast milk putting babies to sleep!?
Amanda: What kind of sick Freudian theory is that?

**********
Amanda's Thought of the Day:
I often wonder why it takes men so much longer to attend to a crying baby than a woman. At first I thought it was because woman are known to be more nurturing. But I have come to realize that its because their breasts hurt when the baby cries. If a man's nether-region hurt every time a baby cried, they'd go running.
Dan: Or keel over in pain and drag themselves to the crying baby. Its a good thing that men don't have that reaction! (a slight pause) Your breasts hurt every time he cries?
Amanda: Almost every time. Now you know why I get mad when you don't go running to Joel when he cries. It literally hurts me!

Our sleep habits: a weeks perspective

Thursday: 6 hours (its like sleeping through the night!)
Friday: 6 hours
Saturday: 6 hours
Sunday-Tuesday: Two 4 hour stretches (not a fan after those 6 hours)
Wednesday: Joel fell asleep at 12:45am. Dan and I woke up at 2:50am to this loud rumbling, sounding something like road work or a vehicle idling right next to your ear. Dan hear tons of sirens and we heard lots of yelling. The neighbours upstairs came in the front door and we asked what was going on? Turns out there was a fire in the building behind us, destroying one unit. Dan and I couldn't sleep due to the rumbling fire trucks, the firemen yelling and the axe that was tearing down the unit. Once Dan and I fell asleep, Joel woke up. Brilliant!
Thursday: Two 4 hour stretches
Friday: 8 Solid Wonderful Hours! (and then another 2 hour stretch after feeding!) Thank goodness! Since he was fussy all day and cried pretty hard (for him) for a few minutes before bed.

Yep! He's OUR boy!

...the proof is in the details.

I'm not talking about how his brows look like Dan or his lips look like mine. I'm talking about those little idiosyncrasies that we have, that the general public may not notice. It is amazing how God has created little Joel with some of those things too. It is not a learned behavior, its just a natural thing that Joel has.

These pictures (as bad as they are) show just one little thing that Joel and I have in common. Its a pinky thing! We both end up sticking out our pinky on a regular basis. It's just one of those little details that prove Joel is my child.

First Trip to Rockos

Joel isn't too impressed with our flavour choices. Mango and Lime? Not his favorite!

Tammy, our favorite waitress! We go back almost 5 years. And even though we only come in sporadically, she still knows our order. We do make it easy by having the same thing every time. Hi-Lite burger with poutine, and the occasional milkshake!

Joel sitting like a big boy on the bench with his milkshake.

Family photo!

First Trip to Rockos

So excited!

Milkshakes for all!

The burger was bigger than his head! But he sure loved it!

Poutine! Every Canadian's dream comfort food! Joel seemed to enjoy it!

Plumber Bums

Joel was helping Dan out installing the diaper sprayer (for easy poop removal from cloth diapers).

What a waste!

My contributions to the landfill. Okay, its recyclable--but still! What a waste! I had great intentions to use reusable and washable breast pads, but was startled by the overabundant milk production I was blessed with. So, to prevent certain health ailments and an never ending laundry supply, I was forced to switch to disposables. What I don't understand is why each pad must come individually wrapped! So wasteful...and annoying to open!

Real men wear pink!

....or is it salmon?

got milk?

Jump for Joy

At a mere five weeks old, we put Joel into the Jolly Jumper. This toy is supposed to be for children who can hold their heads up, which usually happens around 2-3 months. But Joel has had fairly good head control since birth, and can hold his head up by himself. So, we decided to let him have a go in the Jolly Jumper. Unfortunately, since he is so small, he can't reach the ground and needs some assistance from some lovely phone books. But he certainly enjoys pushing himself back and forth and jumping up and down.

In fact, he enjoys it so much, it tires him out.

Brand Loyal Baby

We're starting them off young! Let's be honest. Its not his first Starbucks. He had plenty in utero. And he definitely enjoys them!

Our barista, Jess, finally got to hold Joel (excuse the blurry photo). In fact, all the baristas love it when we come in with Joel. They also love the fact that we let them hold Joel and our boy sure does love flirting with them.