About Us

Victoria, BC, Canada
This blog began as a modern "baby book" for our first child, Finlay, who was born in December of 2010. The recent addition of Seamus, born in January of 2013, has meant continued efforts to put into words and pictures his early years. We also use this forum to catalog our family life: two loving partners, two beautiful kids, car-free, child-centred, attachment-focused, with a love of food and health thrown into the mix!

A Day Downtown

April 29, 2011

A couple of days ago, Finlay, his Grandma, and Tyler and I spent a day shopping for books, eating and drinking and enjoying the sights downtown.  Here are some pictures we took during the day.

 First, before a little boy enjoys the city he needs a bath.  Daddy and Grandma got him cleaned up for the day.

 Splish, splash!

Mummy and Fin in Munro's Books in the Canadian Women's Literature section (my favourite!).

The family went to Canoe for some beer and snacks.  Tyler got the taster and we laughed because the glasses were like baby-pints!

He was mesmerized!
 
 "I wanna be just like daddy!"

 Such a great picture!

 Finlay and I had a funny conversation.

 Some kisses.

 Happy, happy!

Every time he sees Grandma he smiles.

What a fun day out for all of us!

l.

Grandma's in Town

April 24, 2011

Well, spring is in the air here in Victoria.  We were exceptionally lucky to have beautiful weather for our long weekend and even more lucky to have Grandma (Tyler's mom) join us in Victoria and get a chance to meet Finlay.  She certainly came at an exciting moment as Finlay has recently become more vocal than ever and Grandma loves to get him to tell us stories.  Also Finlay has been starting to roll over all on his own this week as well as really beginning to get confident with the grabbing of toys and putting them in his mouth.   It is amazing how much can go on in just a few days.

With the nice weather we have all been able to go on a number of walks along the ocean and in the park as well as spending an afternoon at Fisherman's Wharf walking around the docks in the sun looking at all the unique float homes and watching people feed the fat harbour seals.

As I have recently been winding down a long stretch of a busy work schedule, Grandma coming to town has been a great opportunity for Lyndze to get a little more time to herself while Grandma gets her much desired time with Finlay.  Below are a few pictures that we have taken so far.  I am sure there will be more to come and if Finlay can get over his video camera shyness I am hoping to have a couple videos up of him rolling over as well as one showing off his great grabbing abilities.

Here we have Grandma and Finlay playing Patty cake.  As it turns out Finlay is a big fan of this song/game.  I know it is one of Grandma's favorites too so we will have to keep it up in the months to come.

 Grandma and Finlay getting up from playing on his play mat

 Here is Finlay cuddling with Grandma in our sunny apartment.

It was a fantastic day to be out on the Wharf.  It was the first big tourist weekend of the year so the docks were packed with tourists but I think as it is early in the season that still adds a bit of fun and excitement to the day.  By August we will have to restrain ourselves from yelling at them to move!

There is a new Pirate ship at the Wharf that Finlay and I took for a spin.




 Grandma and Finlay have been doing a lot of playing with toys on the yoga mat.  Finlay loves it and it is the perfect place for him to show off his rolling ability.

Just plain cute! Can Dad dress a baby or what!

Four Months Old - Really?

April 14, 2011

TIME IS FLYING!  Really, I can't believe I'm writing an entry about his four-month-birthday!  It seems like I was just writing about month three...  A lot is happening all of the time.  I've never been so busy in my life but I am also the most relaxed I've been when busy... so there ya have it!

Tyler and I are so in love with this baby!  It is just ridiculous how much we giggle at his giggles and smile at his smiles and want to squeeze him when he cries.  Sometimes, I swear I could just eat him up!  Tyler puts on Finlay parades with music and silly trumpet noises when Fin is upset.  We just find ourselves being completely goofy when Finlay is around and awake.  Being parents is so much fun!

Last night, we came up to camp.  We are staying in the manager's cabin.  It's pretty cold up here!  At the 2am diaper-change we looked outside and it was snowing!  So for Fin's four-month-birthday he gets snow!  Instead of making him (us) cupcakes to celebrate, this month I made his best friend a brownie.  Hilary has been such a good friend and the best way to thank someone is through their stomach, right?  Isn't that how the saying goes?

For the next few days we will be playing outside, hiking around in the Ergo, going to swim at the Sooke rec centre, being cooked for by the camp kitchen, and having lots of naps and cuddles.  Finlay has his first cough, so we will be sure to keep him bundled and well rested.

Piggy in a blanket!  This is Finlay in his towel after a bath.

Finlay and I were playing in the mirror and Tyler caught some of it on camera.  He gets so excited about the baby in the mirror!

This is him mid-giggle.

Fin was having a rough day and it helped if he hugged his monkey.  "There, there, Monker."

Fin fell asleep on our walk around camp.  He was so cozy in his bunting suit.  When I walked in the door I put him in his carseat and he just kept on snoozing.

l & f

Cute, Cuter, Cutest!

April 7, 2011

Spring is here and there is a lot of colour outside these days!  Cherry blossoms are in full bloom and the magnolias are just blooming.  I was going to put up some pictures of the blooms but I was afraid that this might upset those of you in Ontario.  So I will put up some colourful photos of a different sort.

Finlay is getting bigger, so I am looking for a new way to wear him that shifts his weight to my hips so that we are both more comfortable.  My stroller-fit instructor has the Ergo carrier and some of the mums at my baby group also have it.  So, Tyler and I decided to invest and we are really happy with purchase.  Fin is doing pretty well in the Ergo too.  He snuggles in and seems pretty comfy and happy.


Tyler and Finlay went out for a coffee and a walk in the park with our friend Etienne.  When they were out, Finlay got a lot of compliments on a certain pair of shoes.  Here is a close-up of some adorable shoes that were sent to Finlay all the way from Australia.  His Auntie Car (Carleigh) found them and they are a very colourful addition to his wardrobe. 


Here is Finlay all cozy in the Ergo.  What an adorable little guy.  He just gets cuter and cuter!


We are having so much fun with Fin.  He is so smiley, giggles and laughs are more and more common, and he is really engaging with us in play.  So much growth every week!  My poor teeth hurt from clenching because he is just so cute.  He must get a thousand kisses from me each day!  His colourful personality is emerging more and more.  So much love!

Lyndze

Finlay's First Swim

April 2, 2011

After seeing how much Finlay loved his baths, we decided it was high time that we hit the pool.
Mom went out and found him a cute little bathing suit/diaper combination and the three of us headed to the Y to see how Fin would take to the water.

As it turns out Finlay was quite comfortable with his first time in the pool.  To say he was having a lot of fun may be a stretch, as he only broke out his big smile for us a couple times, but throughout the entire swim, all 15-20 minutes of it, he looked around and appeared quite content.  AND there was no crying at all. So that is a bonus!

We were able to pull a few strings and get special permission to bring our camera into the pool to take a few photos as well as a video.  As you will see, Fin worked on his front and back float as well as just getting a chance to "bob around."  He seemed to enjoy the "Motorboat Motorboat go so fast" game.  I know Grandma was a pro at playing that game ad-nausea when I was a baby so we hope she is planning to bring her swimsuit with her when she lands in Victoria in a few weeks.  We think Fin is going to want to head back to the pool soon and it would be a great outing for him with the woman who has inspired so many water-babies!  Lyndze used her skills as a former Y "parent and tot" swim instructor to even get Fin to do a full "underwater pass" in which Fin got dipped under the water and passed over to me.  Aside from being a little surprised Finlay seemed to enjoy his first underwater adventure. Unfortunately, we were not able to get a video of this as it really was a two parent effort.

All in all we had a fun time at the pool and will no doubt return soon!  Check out the video and pictures  below and we will be in touch soon!

Tyler

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVKAlt4fsXk

Here is Finlay and Dad just getting settled into the warm pool.  You could really see his brain moving as he looked around and moved in the water.

Dad was so impressed with Finlay. He really was quite buoyant. You did not need to hold on too tight at all.
Mom giving Finlay some encouraging kisses.
Such a cute Mom and baby!
Mom helps Finlay perform his incredible back float.  He really enjoyed the back floats! 

Foolin' Around with Fin!

April 1, 2011

Just some cute pictures of the last days of March...


This is a funny face.  Fin waking up from a nap.  Love that little tongue!


Cool hair dude.


Lately, he has been chewing and sucking on his hands a lot.


I LOVE THIS EXPRESSION!  It says "I know I'm cute, so....


... what are you going to do about it?"


Fin has been really amused by his monkey lately.  We make him dance and Fin will grab at the monkey.


Fin loves his Bumbo.  We put him in it when we eat together and he loves to be at eye level and part of the dinner conversation.


We got him tray for the Bumbo so now he has a place for his toys and he can practice grabbing toys while I cook.  

"These are my toys!"  He can look at them and touch them but the grabbing part is still a challenge.

Cute!  What a fun little guy!

lyndze