Hello?

Boyd would talk on his cell all day, if we'd let him.

Dixie & Brendan Got Married

Good times were had by all, as we celebrated with the newest newlyweds in the family. (Aren't they adorable?!) Boyd was clearly just so happy for them!

Fall 2007

Boyd often seems to be at his happiest when he's outside.

This one's for Daddy...

Here are a few snaps from the week so Matt can get a little Boyd fix while away in Vancouver. Attempts to speak with Boyd on the phone haven't been very successful for his poor Dad, as Boyd insists on holding the phone himself, which results in either instantly hanging up, or him shrieking while I try to prevent the hanging up. Maybe Boyd should stick to e-mail until he's a little older...

A Day at Spruce Meadows

Boyd, with his friends Nolan, Clare and Lucas, spent today taking in the sights, sounds and horsey smells of Spruce Meadows.

Here is a video clip of Boyd watching, and Mommy doing, some show jumping.


Boyd noticed some people, wearing similar pants to his own, standing near a tank. He immediately fell into his role as "Little Commander" and brought the group some much needed discipline.


Our trip coincided with the first day of the Stampede rodeo. Boyd celebrated by riding some recycled bucking broncos.


After watching all the riders around the Meadows, Boyd became inspired that he too should ride some horses. He found a pony, and hopped on...



Boyd was fascinated by the pipe and drum group. He paid close attention in order to learn tricks that he might be able to use in his own drumming.


And finally, here's a clip of Boyd taking in the Spruce Meadows experience while he and the gang ride the complementary CN train around the grounds.

Boyd's First Birthday Party

Last night we celebrated Boyd's first birthday with a big party.

Earlier in the day, due to his excited anticipation, Boyd skipped his afternoon nap. Some were concerned that the lack of nap might derail the whole event, as clearly the party wouldn't be the same if the Baby Of Honour shut himself down for bed before the guests arrived.



Luckily, Boyd managed to keep his eyelids open long enough to be treated to his first ever taste of birthday cake. Not surprisingly, this sugar surge instantly recharged Boyd, who spent the rest of the night playing with his gifts and entertaining his many well-wishers.

He received a fun play castle, and had a little help putting it together...

Boyd had fun exploring his new castle. He especially enjoyed spinning its Captain's Wheel, sometimes for several minutes straight. These next two videos show Boyd celebrating turning 1 with an ascent of the "Blue Slide", V0. The first clip shows him struggling to work the moves, the second shows him sending it clean.




Boyd also received a car to ride around in...

...and a fun new T-shirt...

...and a machine that blows "4,000 bubbles a minute!"

All in all, it was a fun evening celebrating a very amazing year.
We're already looking forward to Boyd's next party!

Summer Solstice Series

We've been busy snapping pics, so here they are, with highlights from Boyd's latest pastimes, M&M's ten year reunion, and a visit from the VanVliets.

11 Months

Notice Boyd's new four-toothed smile...

Boyd's Green Thumb

Ten Month Tricks

Boyd is very busy these days...


You may enjoy watching this more if you lower the volume. For the record, Boyd does climb the stairs without prodding from his mother.

April 17th

9 Months Old

Watch Boyd make a mad dash for his guitar...

Wheelbarrow Wipeout

It is amazing how fast Boyd is developing his movement skills. It is also amazing how fast he can get across a room these days...

My Kid Brother!

How lovely to have a place to bragg about my little brother! He landed a jump that had never been landed in a competition before (the other day), and became the Junior National Champ. Anyway, I'll see if this link will allow you to see his little homemade movie. He's the skier in green pants, his friend is in white. The last two jumps on the clip are called "cork 1620" (the winning jumps).

http://media.newschoolers.com/uploads/member/videos/1173835659Silverstaredit.wmv

Way to go, Drew!

2 Video Clips: 8 months old

Boyd is working on crawling and unsupported standing, lately. He is also fond of walking around holding only one grown up hand. Needless to say, we are very proud of him!

A subdued reaction

Sometimes we just don't get quite the reactions we're expecting...

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy! I love you!
From Boyd

New Tooth and Boyd's Snow Day

Boyd would like to proudly announce the appearance of his second tooth: bottom row, front and center, on the right. We (Boyd and Mom) think it will make a great companion to its neighbour on the left. Mom made several failed attempts at capturing the emering teeth on camera.



Several people have asked me what we do in a typical day. Here's an account of our Snow Day. (NB: Most days would include an errand outside of Tuscany, but with road conditions being what they are (really crummy), we opted to keep to our cozy house. Because we can. (Three cheers for stay-at-home mommy-hood!)

The tooth-boasting photo shoot was just one of our exclusive Snow Day activities. This morning we attended Playgroup, where Boyd tired himself out rolling and wriggling, and grabbing the soothers of younger babies. Following a nap back at home, he was busy mixing tunes and feeling the beats at his Little Tikes synth, as per usual. We also baked cookies, which seemed a very appropriate Snow Day activity. Mom sampled the cookies, while Boyd sampled peas and infant cereal, both with gusto.

After an intense session of crawling practice using a wondrous round block as a motivator (or bait), Boyd was ready to rejuvinate with another wee nap. While Boyd slumbered, blissfully unaware, mom did some on-line research about babies' sleeping habits and night-waking, and determined to try at least one new strategy tonight.

It is now just after four o'clock, and Boyd will likely wake shortly for his final stretch of daytime. He will drink a bottle, explore some more of his favourite noisy toys,

have a diaper change followed by a glorious rub-down with Aveeno lotion, play some change-pad games (Round-a-bush, Pat-a-cake, etc.), play downstairs some more, help mom get laundry from the basement, spread some peaches and rice cereal across his face, highchair, and anyone who comes near, frolic & play some more, change into sleepers, munch on a story or two, sing a few songs while flapping arms and kicking furiously, maybe throw back another bottle, and end it all merrily rolling himself to sleep in his crib, in the company of a few stuffed friends.


What can we say? It's a good life.

Playgroup

Boyd had fun hosting playgroup with his young friends Dylan, Lucas, Hannah, Nolan, Clare, and Arden this morning.

Nature Walk

Boyd loves to get out into nature. This past Saturday he went hiking near Elbow Falls in Kananaskis. In this photo he is examining one of his favourite types of trees, the Populus balsamifera, or Balsam Poplar.



Here is a photo of Boyd standing proud.

Stand-a-thon!

Daddy came home from work to find Boyd in the midst of setting a new baby world record for length of time standing while playing a toy synth. A few moments from his extended stand were caught on video...

Mmmm...

Boyd has been learning to drink from a sippy cup, and is developing lists of solid foods that he likes and, well, gags on. So far he likes rice, oats and wheat cereals, as well as carrots and even green peas. Green beans are on the other list.

Boyd's Halfpipe Interview

Boyd expresses his thoughts on adrenaline, extreme sports and "going big" in his own words.



P.S. Congratulations Uncle Drew on a third place, in-the-money finish at the NorAm Halfpipe Competition at C.O.P.

Happy New Year!

Boyd has been having a great time playing with fun new toys, wearing new Christmas clothes, and getting acquainted with our exciting new chair...