Sam Enjoys the Great Outdoors

It was a beautiful sunny day in January when Mommy and Auntie Liza took Sam for an hour long snowshoe in Gatineau Park. It was only -8 celsius and no wind to speak of.

He seemed to really enjoy himself, and didn't make a peep the whole time, despite his hands and feet getting a bit colder than Mommy would like. Unfortunately, my son seems to have a bit of sensitivity to the cold as the next day his face looked like this.

We don't go outside without covering his face anymore.

Grammie and Grampie come to visit

Right after Christmas, Sam's Grammie and Grampie came to visit all the way from Moncton New Brunswick. They hadn't seen him since he was born and boy did he get a lot of attention that week (and Mommy had her hands free long enough to do a puzzle AND read a book). He had his picture taken a lot and also had a taste of his first solid food...rice cereal (more on that later).

Sam's First Christmas

Wow...the Christmas holidays were a whirlwind and I'm finally getting around to the blog and to normal routine again. Lots of baking, eating, drinking and visiting with friends and family...which is what it should be.

We had a kiddie Christmas party this year and invited some of Sam (and our) friends and to everyone's delight Santa actually showed up. One neighbourhood girl wasn't sure if it was Santa, and thought perhaps it was just Aaron but she was convinced in the end that it was the real deal.

I was so excited for Sam's first Christmas but was steeling myself for Sam's lack of enthusiasm given that he was only just over 4 months...but he seemed to really enjoy himself. But he actually seemed to noticed the few gifts Santa left him and got busy playing with them (also known as jamming into his mouth). His favorite was his new monkey.

We headed to Nana Mame's house in the early afternoon and Sam got to spend some time with his GG Lola and of course, open more gifts. Here he is enjoying his Jolly Jumper (more on that later), rocking chair, bib and booties all at once!

All in all a fantastic first Christmas with the family (even if it DID end around 6:30).

4 months - Decorating the Christmas tree

Sam is now 4 months old and he grows stronger and bigger and is more fun every day. Sam now regularly rolls over to one side (from tummy to back) and seems to enjoy tummy time a lot more. He has become pretty good at grabbing things...acuracy over speed of course. And he can sit on his own for a couple of nanoseconds before flopping to one side or the other. He's still getting up 3 times a night and he isn't napping very well either. I've stopped nursing him right before sleep time so at least he goes down better now. But I sense some 'crying it out' in our near future. We'll wait until after the holidays.

Although I post a lot of smiling pics, Sam can be a serious kid. If he's in a new place or there are new people around, it is like pulling teeth to get him to smile, squeal or giggle (in fact, Mommy can hardly get him to giggle either). He even looks people up and down. Kinda funny.

Sam has been busy with a number of playdates and classes. We have been going to Gymboree. Sam really likes the parachute (remember that from kindergarden) and the puppet, Gymbo. I don't think we're going to sign up in the New Year but I suspect there may be a Gymbo under the tree from Mommy. We've also been out to visit many friends. There is a group of us from work - at least 8 of us - all with newborns. We get together regularly. It's nice because I've expanded my professional network, keep up to date on goings on at the office and Sam has a good group of friends. One of my colleagues' daughter was even born on the same day as Sam. I also have a very close friend whose daughter, Sopie, is 2 months older than Sam. We hang out a lot. So it keeps me from being too isolated and is a great reason to get out of the house.

Sam went to the pool for the first time this past week. We have no pics (because cameras aren't allowed) but to my great delight he actually seemed to enjoy himself (he was his serious observant self...no crying or fussing). He liked watching the big kids go down the slide and he grabbed at the odd toy floating by. We hung out in the kiddy hottub for about 20 minutes before he started to get tired then out we came. I'm excited for him to start his swimming lessons in January...He'll be going with Daddy on Sunday mornings and his friend Sophie will also go with her dad while Marie and I grab coffees and chill out. Should be fun.

Sam also goes to visit Daddy at work now and then. We went today, and since Sam's S.I.N. number arrived in the mail last week, we didn't hesitate to put him straight to work.

The other day we put up the Christmas tree. Of course, I put on the lights (I so take after my mother) but the whole time Sam was fussing...until Aaron brought him over to the tree. Turns out he just wanted to help. Or eat the lights. Not sure. Anyway, the tree is up and Sam likes to check it out although he isn't overly excited about any of the gifts under it. Maybe next year - at least I hear he'll be into the wrapping.

Overalls

Sam wears overalls best, because he's sort of a Humpty Dumpty shape and pants are often too tight around his waist.

Sam goes to Toronto

Right after his growth spurt near the end of November, Sam went to Toronto to visit some family and to see his Auntie Liza graduate from McMaster (Masters in Physiotherapy - yay Lizey)

This was Sam's first car ride of any length and he was so well behaved!! He slept the entire way there, although that isn't a big surprise since we left Ottawa around his bed time. He had a great time visiting with his Uncles and Aunties and Cousins (and doggy Divo) in Toronto the first night and the next day.

Then he was off to see his Auntie Liza graduate. Again, he was so well behaved given that he may have found the ceremony a bit boring. He did fall asleep at one point (that's sam in Mamie's arms).

That night we went to stay with his Great Aunt Joann and Great Uncle Monty. He did so well sleeping in a strange place.

And on the mid-day ride back to Ottawa Sam barely made a peep - and when he did he was lulled by the entertaining songs his Mommy, Mamie and Poppa sang to him. Otherwise, he was happy to sleep or chew on the eyeballs of his toy (what else are grabbing skills for???)

Same toys, different angle

At around 3 months Sam also tired of his playmat...well, more like he tired of lying around on his back all the time. He wanted to sit, which was hard on mommy because she had to carry him everywhere...until I decided to start stuffing him in the exersaucer. I also built his high chair and man, what a gem that thing is!!!

Sam prefers his exersaucer over his high chair because it's easier to stand than to sit at this point, I guess. Still, it adds some new activity stations to the rotation. And it gave him the opportunity to start grabbing at some toys. Within the week, Sam went from tentatively pawing at toys to grabbing them and shoving them in his mouth (wish I could get my videos to download). He has also figured out how to make the exersaucer light up and play music. Although i can't imagine he understands that he needs to push the buttons, he gets that thing going everytime, followed immediately by squeals of joy. Again, I have a great video. Here he is in his exersaucer in front of the christmas tree.