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.

Go for the Gold!

Justin was packing up this afternoon - he and a friend are going backcountry skiing tomorrow.

Maklin was thrilled to be exploring Daddy's ski equipment.

Yes -- they're on the wrong feet; no concern for the imaginary victory!!

Dining Etiquette

Maklin detests having anything slimy on his hands.  Food.  Finger paint.  Anything.

Ages ago he embraced eating with a spoon; quickly becoming competent.

Recently I gave him a fork, as obviously a spoon is limiting.  NOW he is in his glory!  He can scoop AND stab.  How very civilized!!

Getting the hang of it with pancakes.

Divine ...

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

For our third wedding anniversary, my amazing husband surprised me with art: one of two pieces we had picked out by a local artist [Kirk Popik] a few months back, and decided we would save up for and purchase as mutual Christmas/etc gifts for [an undesignated length of time].

The art pieces are boards of wood with minimal painting, emphasizing the grain in the wood - creating a landscape.

The gold flecks are not painted on ... it's in the wood.

This surprise had even more kick, in that the other piece we had picked out -- one that I strongly connected with as the landscape really reminded me of my home in Saskatchewan ... was handed to me by Justin&Maklin a few days ago on Valentine's Day.

We haven't decided if we will hang this one as is, or frame it, yet.

A closer view ...

I am truly thankful to have found a partner who loves me as much as J does.  Showing we care is really all about the 'little things.'  This was a big little thing.  Thank-you J - I love you too.

Baking with Love

Maklin spends Thursdays with his Grandma.  They do all kinds of fun things ... like baking.

Mack-Bug 2.0

Alright ... we travelled for Christmas, came back to the hectic race that is January ... and then our house was ravished by (what we are calling) Mack-bug 2.0.

Maklin was sick.
I was sick.
Justin was sick.
Our Mac computer ... very sick.  The hard drive crashed.  (many thanks for our decision about a year ago to get a Time Machine to back everything up!)

Mack-bug 2.0.  Nasty.  Still dregs of it hanging around slowing us down.

But our computer is functional again ... I've added a number of posts from Christmas through to now.  Besides Mack-bug 2.0, a lot has been going on.  The posts basically talk about Maklin ... for the rest of us, Justin took a weekend training to start the process of getting his Level I Volleyball Coaching Certificate, and I have continued to take Taiko Drumming workshops.

Enjoy catching up!

Like Father, Like Son

Maklin loves music.  As soon as he wakes up in the morning he asks you to play music (by ask I mean he points insistently at the computer until you turn music on).  Justin loves to listen to music too.  [Mak also loves to dance and play music ... ].

Maklin loves being outside and doing outside things.  Justin is an outdoorsy guy.

Maklin practicing his snowboarding stance on his sled. [Justin has been known to stand on his skis/board in the house a time or two as well].

Maklin loves hanging out in the basement with woodworking tools.  Justin dreams of being able to do woodworking as a profession at some point.

Maklin loves exploring Dad's bike.  One of Justin's favorite pastimes/sports/activities is mountain biking.







Maklin loves books and reading.  Justin: ditto.