James' First Christmas!

Here are a bunch of photos from James' first Christmas. We went to Calgary for Christmas and stayed with Jeff's parents. My mother came and stayed with my sister, Heather, and my other sister, Susan, and my aunt Laurel (from Ontario) also came for part of our visit. It was really good to get to see everyone--especially since Susan, Laurel, and Lauren and Brett (Jeff's sister and brother) hadn't yet met James. I have tried to organise them into various days or themes but there were a lot to choose from and this is a sampling only. It was a great visit and we were really glad to be back.

We start back to school on Tuesday so this last week has been getting ready for that. Last night, James showed us a new trick. We had lowered his crib mattress in anticipation since he now stands leaning against things and has been trying to pull himself up. Last night, I put him in his crib in a sitting position while I put laundry away and he leaned over, grabbed the bars, and hauled himself into a standing position! What a little monkey!! Good thing we had already lowered the mattress!!

Anyway, sorry this is so long--there were a lot of photos to choose from!

I have just arrived at Grandma Lin's and Grandpa Bob's. Grandma Lin has pulled out all sorts of cool retro toys. The ball used to be Daddy's!

"Christmas" at Heather's!

These photos are from "Christmas" at my sister's place. Since Susan and Laurel had to leave before Christmas, we did an early, family Christmas on the 16th. Jamie got to meet my cousin, Kelly, and her son, Oliver. Oliver and Jamie seemed to get along very well.

I just met my Auntie Laurel and I think she is fun already!

Opening presents from Gord and Jackie!

Laurel in her fabulous new necklace!

Jamie's getting into the fun of opening presents!

New Shoes!! I love shoes! Anything that goes near my feet!

Chillaxin' with my cool cousin Oliver.


Oliver and Kelly

Oliver, Auntie Linda (Mom), Kelly, Heather, and Auntie Laurel

More Fun At Auntie Heather's Place

Fun with Auntie Susie! She makes me giggle.

More fun with Auntie Susie.


I can stand really well if I have something to lean against or hold onto. I love to stand!!

Various Photos Showing Life in Calgary

I'm eating a Mum-Mum (rice cracker)! I love them--their the best!

My first taste of vegetables--green beans, yumm! More, please!

Fun with the Frickes--Clare, Madelaine, and Paul enjoying Jamie.

Fun playtime with Nan!

Posing with cousin Daniel--he's not so big anymore!

Why don't we both play with the toys? That way, no one gets hurt!

Grandpa Bob with his two boys! Oddly enough, it is difficult to get a 6 month old and a 10 month old to look at the camera at the same time.

Grandpa's happy, Jamie's sleepy, and Daniel's bored!

Brunch with Oliver, Kelly, Mike, Mom, Heather, and us. James loves Oliver and wanted to see what he was doing with his cool Star Wars toys.

Christmas Eve!

These two photos are from the morning of Christmas Eve when Jeff and I opened our presents to each other. It is early--about 6:30am since Jamie is an early riser.

What does Mommy have in her new purse? Don't I look cute in Mommy's new hat!

I want to play presents too!!

Christmas Morning!

Susie had already left and Laurel was leaving Christmas Day so we stopped over at Heather's Christmas morning before going to Craig and Jocelyn's for presents. Here is Laurel and Jamie playing with his bear that plays peek-a-boo. He loves peek-a-boo with anyone willing to play--but he isn't so sure about the bear here.

I love my Auntie Laurel!

Christmas Morning playing in Daniel's Exersaucer and wearing Tanego's (the dog's) antlers.

I know it's yours, Daniel, but can I play in it for a while? Please?!?!

A general crowd shot on Christmas morning. James likes to scoot around on the hardwood--he can go places quickly!


Daniel's Jolly Jumper is fun but I am not entirely sure what to do in it.

Another general crowd shot. Daniel is going for the fridge magnets.

I got the best blocks and this cool submarine that really goes. I love it. Mommy makes it go and I try to catch it with my hands in the tub and I laugh and laugh!

Home Again!

Here I am back home and I love it! I am wearing my big boy shirt from Auntie Sandra--it is so cute.

James & Santa

Here is a picture of James with Santa for his first Christmas. He was very good and did not cry at all. We got a half smile out of him and thought we were lucky to get that so we didn't push for a full smile. We think he looks pretty cute.

We have been busy visiting with family here in Calgary--Jeff's family and my family are here including my Aunt Laurel from Ontario. We have many pictures so I will be a busy blogger after Christmas! Keep an eye out for more in a few days.

Merry Christmas!!

James is 6 Months Old!

James is 6 Months old on Sunday. Today we went for his 6 month appointment and his flu shot (he already had his other vaccines so he only had to get one shot). He weighed in at 17lbs 3oz -- so he has more than doubled his birth weight and everything is right on track for weight. He is also 26 1/2 -- 27 inches long. He is about in the 50th percentile for both height and weight and is a perfectly happy and healthy little guy. Now that he is 6 months, we have free run of all the food groups. We started him on barley cereal and he seems to really like the stronger flavour. Last night he just wanted more and more and before we knew it, he had eaten 5 tbsp mixed with formula. Today he had 4 tbsp at breakfast and the same at lunch--so he is a little porker when it comes to food. By the time we all have our Christmas dinner, he too could be having his own turkey, sweet potatoes and squash meal! We can introduce a new food every 3 days so by Christmas he should be well introduced to just about everything!

He is also doing all the motor skills he should be doing for his age. The doctor thinks he may crawl early since he is already pushing himself up and trying to move. This morning he used his arms to pull himself across the carpet to get to a toy he wanted (since it was the electric cord for my laptop it doesn't really count as a toy but he doesn't know the difference--we will have to move that now so he can't mouth it). He also sits unassisted--we have to put him into a sitting position but then he can maintain it for quite a long time without tipping over. So, below are some photos of our long little 6 month Jamie.

A Hungry Little Guy on the couch in his new jeans from Great Auntie Sandra.

"Hi, Mom! I love sitting in front of the Christmas tree!"

"I got my feet--feet are neat, you use them to walk down the street!"

"What's over there? I don't know but I better hold onto my feet!"

"Merry Christmas Everyone! See you Soon!!"

We leave for Calgary bright and early on Monday for Christmas so I may not get much up over the next few weeks until we get back. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas at Jamie's House

The Christmas season has arrived in Halifax. It started snowing this morning and it was very windy. We went for a long walk and out to lunch and we picked up Jamie's Christmas presents from us (and Santa!). We decided to get them here and not haul them across the country when we go back home. There is a video below of James playing with them and he seems to like them. Here are some still shots too. The first few are from today with his new toys. The rest are from the last week or so.

James and Mommy playing with his Christmas present ball-rattle thing.

James and Daddy in front of the tree.

James looking at his ball over his head--and sitting like a big boy.

Oohh, this ball is fun!

Happy, happy Jamie playing with his stackable bugs and smiling for Mommy.

More stackable bug fun!

What does this funny ball do?

Oh! Daddy took my ball!! Give me back my ball Daddy!

James in front of the tree last week when we first put it up.

What's this thing on the tree? Shiny!

It's fun to grab things on the tree! Good thing I can't crawl over to it yet!

Hi Daddy! I love my Daddy!

I am a good sitter! Look at me sit like a big boy!

I love to sit on the couch and watch the TV.



Fun at the Park!

We took these next few last Saturday at the park. It was Jamie's first time in the swing. He seemed a little unsure of himself but we think by Spring, he will have a grand time.

I'm not sure about this swing thing and it sure is cold out!

Yah! Fun!

Mommy pushing me on the swing!


Yeah, fun! I am having so much fun, can't you tell!

Jamie's First Christmas!

Here is Jamie enjoying his first Christmas presents in front of our little tree. Jeff and I decided we would get him his presents here so we wouldn't have to take them back and forth across the country (although we may end up taking them to Calgary anyway since he seems to like them a lot). We got him a funny little ball with a rattle in it that he can grab and he seems to like it. We also got him a set of stackable, magnetic bugs that, as you can see, he seems to be able to grab and manipulate.

Auntie Heather & Various Photos

Here are some photos from the last two weeks. My sister, Heather, came to visit last weekend for a few days and she and James had fun bonding and playing. He is getting quite big though we aren't sure how big yet. We will find out when we take him to his 6 month appointment in December but he sure seems solid! He is sitting up quite well and is tipping over less (if we position him just right). He stands really well too and will stand holding onto furniture. He can't get himself into a sitting or standing position but if you put him there, he can hold himself up for a few moments. Also, he has started lifting himself onto his hands and knees and rocking. He mainly does this when annoyed but we think it bodes well for him crawling in the next couple of months. As always, his favourite thing to do is eat. He loves his Pablum and gobbles down 3 tablespoons 3x per day. We will be able to start him on new solids early in December when he is officially 6 months. So, all is well with Jamie. Jeff and I are doing well too and are looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas. Enjoy the photos.


Jamie sitting with Auntie Heather and wearing his cute sweater from Great-Aunt Bonnie and Great-Uncle Ian. So cozy!

" I'm a big tall boy in my sweater vest with Auntie Heather!"

"I'm so happy and cute!"

"I love my Auntie Heather and my new cozy sleeper!"

"I'm getting sleepy but I like to be cuddled."

"Hi Mom! I love this jumper thingy!"

"Grandma Linda made me a cool toque and scarf in Oilers' colours! Go Oilers!"

"I love my Daddy! Daddy has to go to work!"

"All Oilers, all the time!"

"I love this blue ball thing--it tastes great!"

"This turtle makes all kinds of noises and is so fun to chew on!"

"Look how big I am in my bucket. I am so huge!"

"I can sit so well. My mommy is very impressed."

"Mmmmhhhhh, Pablum."


"Faster, Daddy! More Pablum!"