Bike Riding

Mountain biking is a favorite pass-time/meditation/activity/sport of Justin's.

I haven't owned a bike in nearly 10 years - until now.

Today Maklin and I cruised around the bike trails in Devon. Me getting re-accustomed to riding a bike and simultaneously used to having a trailer pulling along behind.  Maklin getting used to wearing a bike helmet and going much faster in the chariot than when we're walking/jogging.  He loved it!

What a great feeling to be cruising along in the spring air and sunshine and hear your little boy laughing and giggling and pointing out birds.

I'm still a ways away from barreling down mountain trails, but I'm sold on family bike tours.

Maklin also has his very own bike.  With his shoes on he can just reach the ground.  We decided to skip the tricycle route and go straight to the bicycle with a 'runner'.  So -- this summer we're going to see how far we can get with Maklin learning balance!

It's the Thought that Counts ...

I planned a surprise evening out for Justin.  Now that I'm in the 2nd trimester and feeling like a human again, I wanted to take the time to show him how much I appreciate all that he does for our family.

Maklin was sleeping over at Lulu & Buba's (Grandma & Grandpa's), and Justin and I were:

• going for dinner
• movie
• nice hotel
• breakfast option of brunch out or room service in
• massages
• mini golf

A full nearly 24 hours of fun that Justin found out about from a written invitation he was delivered at work, day of.

Unfortunately, things didn't go quite as planned.  It seems date night was the perfect time for me to contract Maklin's flu bug, and I spent the night throwing up / sleeping on the floor in the hotel bathroom.  Good times.  Justin's taking care of me again ...

When it Rains it Pours ...

Maklin has not 'recovered' from the flu ... however he no longer has a fever.  This means the Dr. was comfortable going ahead with his scheduled eye surgery.  Maklin was put under general anaesthetic this morning in order to have his tear ducts probed and irrigated.

Little tiny hospital gowns are kind of cute ...

What a trooper!  Even though this is very minor surgery (literally takes minutes) the whole thing is pretty scary for a little guy.  Mak did amazing, and the surgery was a success!!

On to recovery ...

Easter Events

Last minute, we decided to make the road trip to Shaunavon to surprise my family for Easter.  We had a great time visiting ... and eating.  It was the first time our entire family (Grandparents down) on my Dad's side had been all together in several years!  :)

We also spent a lot of time on the farm with the animals ... Maklin was in heaven!!

Yes -- that is a dog bigger than the lamb!

As the drive is 9 hours, we split it up both directions.  Happy baby = happy parents.  This meant that the drive home was going to be jumping in the car directly after eating Easter dinner on Sunday and making our way to Strathmore (halfway home).  Unfortunately, mid-afternoon Sunday, Maklin got the flu.  He was acting a bit off, and crawled up into my lap with a book.  I just finished saying that I thought he felt quite warm, when he puked all over me.  SO very thankful that I was past the worst of my morning sickness, or I might have thrown up on him in response!

Of course we're in small town Saskatchewan on Easter Sunday ... which means we have no way of getting any Infant Tylenol (apparently you do need to pack EVERYTHING just in case ...).  Big thanks to cousin Linda a few doors down who had one dose left and was glad to share!

We did head out, making it to Medicine Hat where we stopped to buy more Tylenol.  While I was in the store, Maklin threw up all over himself and his car seat.  I came out to find Justin changing Maklin on the tailgate of the truck.  I turned around and headed back into the store for cleaning supplies!  One hour later we're cleaned up, settled, and back on the road.  No pictures ... although I wish I would have taken one of him all bundled up in his jammies wrapped in a blanket and sitting in the back seat while we cleaned up his carseat.  He was SO tired and sad ... how is it possible that he could look SO sweet and adorable at the same time???

Thankfully, we made it to Strathmore with no more issues, and managed to get Maklin down for the night.  His fever broke by morning ... but he was still sick for a few more days.

Poor little man!

Shiner

This didn't end up being as bad as it showed initial promise for ... thankfully.

Maklin has had a number of bumps/bruises in this learn to walk/run phase ... obviously.  This particular bump wasn't really any more traumatic than others ... just hit the right spot.

Announcement

My blog ... although a representation of key stuff in the lives of my family in general ... is really about our son Maklin.

This is about to change: from here on in we'll be recording events of both of our children!

Justin and I are very excited to announce that we are expecting a second baby this fall.  Our due date is October 21st -- two days before Maklin's birthday.  So our kids will be almost exactly 2 years apart.

This is also why there hasn't been a post for a while ... trimester 1 = nausea and exhaustion, leaving little room/time/energy for blogging.

Walking AND Talking!!

Maklin took his time getting his feet under him, although once he decided to walk, he was off!  Within a few weeks he went from tentative steps, to speeding down the sidewalk.  Now he's running, side-shuffling, backwards walking, and walking up and down small steps without holding on.

Talking - a similar story.  My paranoid pediatrician was trying to turn me into a paranoid mother.  At 16+ months, Maklin babbled and showed excellent language comprehension ... but still didn't say any actual words (at least not with intention).  Suddenly, the switch was flipped.

Mama and Dadda all of a sudden were very intentional, and animals quickly became the theme of his new word acquisition.  Within a few days he was saying:

• 'bird'
• 'geese' (yes -- he shows clear distinction between Canadian Geese and any other bird)
• 'turtle'
• sheep say 'baaaa'
• fish say [insert fishy lips kissy noise here]

and so on ...

Also, you may or may not know that I practiced sign language with Maklin very consistently for quite some time, and eventually gave up.  He wasn't showing any interest, and just laughed at me when I signed.  All of a sudden, as he's starting to try and say words, he started signing as well ... signs I hadn't shown him in months like 'all done' and 'milk'.

Turns out Maklin is a private learner, just like both of his parents.  He just wasn't going to start talking until he felt like he had a good grasp on things ... then jumps in with both feet.