Sunday, November 21, 2010
Santa's knee 2010
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Santa Claus 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
In the mail!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Halloween 2009
Henry decided to be a police officer. So Mike and Thomas were robbers, and I was the judge. Why are my Halloween shots always sideways???
The last few months . . .
In reverse order: some autumn portraits, summer vacation shots, Canada day, photo from Thomas' baptism . . .
Monday, June 08, 2009
Nine months
Dear Thomas,
Things just keep getting better! You are happy and social, full of giggles. You'll laugh at anything - a sneeze, a look. But there's still no one who can make you laugh like your brother. You love to watch him and giggle at all his antics.
Your sleeping habits and patterns are okay - you sleep for long stretches at night (12 hours on average) and you're starting to sleep through the night with more regularity. Your daytime naps are still a bit sporadic, and tend to consist of only one nap. You go to sleep at night very easily, but are a bit fussy with your nap. You often sleep in the stroller while we're out and about.
You've finally started accepting solids with gusto. You *love* Cheerios and are becoming very good at picking them up. Vegetables are ok, and you love fruit and dairy (yogurt and cottage cheese). On occasion you will reject the main course meals - particularly where there is rice involved. We're likely going straight to a sippy cup with you - you still don't like the bottle. We've started offering water with your meals and you take more interest in chewing on the cup than in consuming the contents of it.
You have four teeth right now - two on the top and two on the bottom, with another coming through on the top. At your nine month checkup you weighed 20.5 pounds and were 72 cm long. You are very good at sitting up and are very happy to do so! We're working to get you to spend more time on your tummy - you still don't roll very much and you show little interest in crawling or being mobile. While this is convenient for us (you're always in the same spot where we set you down!) developmentally we need to focus on your gross motor skills.
You love balls and are very happy in your exersaucer. You also love the tags on your toys, and you work hard to get them into your mouth. In fact, everything goes into your mouth these days which means that it's time for us to be very diligent about what is left lying around.
The past two months have been full of our usual activities - Storytime at the library, mom & baby exercise classes, and a new busy baby program at the Early Years Centre. We've also been busy with repairs and renovations around the house - including renovating the upstairs bathroom, which you tolerated very well. During May we were also preoccupied with preparations for the multiple celebrations for your brother's third birthday. We've started bathing the two of you together, and although Henry can be a little competitive, wanting to be "the first one" in and out of the tub, you both enjoy your baths. The days are flying by, and you fit right in with the flow of our household.
Later this month we'll be starting to transition you into daycare as I get ready to return to work. I think you'll love being with other babies - you love to watch the other children and babies at all of our activities and classes. And we're fortunate that you're in a great daycare where there will be lots of fun activities for you.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Seven months
Dear Thomas -
Seven months already! You are more of a delight each day. This month has seen many changes. You got your first tooth - which we hardly noticed until it was poking out of your gum! You weren't terribly bothered by it. A second tooth is coming in right next to it too.
We've been trying solids for several weeks now, and for a long time you refused them. You would clamp your lips shut and turn your head. It didn't seem to matter what we offered - cereal, fruit or vegetables - the response was the same each time. But over the past 5 days you've shown some willingness to eat solids - thank goodness! Our next challenge is to work on accepting a bottle!
You sleep well at night, although you're still up at least once each night. Hopefully eating more solids will help tide you over. During the day, your naps are unpredictable and often brief. You still fit into the bucket carseat, so you often snooze on the move. And you are often hauled around town, to different activities and events.
You love watching the other babies and children at these activities - and you love interacting with your brother! You watch his every move. And he loves to entertain you. The biggest and deepest giggles we've ever heard you utter were the result of Henry's antics as he hid under a blanket and then revealed himself to you. It was a sweet moment, watching the two of you interact.
Seven months already! You are more of a delight each day. This month has seen many changes. You got your first tooth - which we hardly noticed until it was poking out of your gum! You weren't terribly bothered by it. A second tooth is coming in right next to it too.
We've been trying solids for several weeks now, and for a long time you refused them. You would clamp your lips shut and turn your head. It didn't seem to matter what we offered - cereal, fruit or vegetables - the response was the same each time. But over the past 5 days you've shown some willingness to eat solids - thank goodness! Our next challenge is to work on accepting a bottle!
You sleep well at night, although you're still up at least once each night. Hopefully eating more solids will help tide you over. During the day, your naps are unpredictable and often brief. You still fit into the bucket carseat, so you often snooze on the move. And you are often hauled around town, to different activities and events.
You love watching the other babies and children at these activities - and you love interacting with your brother! You watch his every move. And he loves to entertain you. The biggest and deepest giggles we've ever heard you utter were the result of Henry's antics as he hid under a blanket and then revealed himself to you. It was a sweet moment, watching the two of you interact.
You are a sweet baby and we all adore you!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
March break
Mike is on vacation this week, so we took a bit of a March break to explore upstate New York. We stayed in the Finger Lakes region, and we spent some time in Rochester at the Science Center and at the Museum of Play. They were both outstanding - especially the Museum of Play. We weren't sure what to expect but were amazed at the quality of facilities, activities and programs. It was a blast - especially for Henry. We were there for 5 hours - the longest period of time we've spent at one location in a long time - and Henry was utterly exhausted at the end of it. We've never been to Rochester before, but we'll definitely be back. If only that darn Toronto to Rochester ferry were still operating! We also took advantage of the hotel pool to give Thomas his first swim. It was the end of a busy day and he was quite relaxed as we floated around the pool.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Six months (and a bit)
Dear Thomas -
I'm tardy again, with a post and with pictures. But there is lots to cover now. You are an adorable baby boy. You've got delicious big cheeks and you love lots of kisses on your cheeks. Your hair is growing and getting darker, but you've still got about 10 hairs on the top of your head that are twice as long as the others. I love to twirl them around my finger. Your hair is fuzzy and we wonder whether you will have some curls when it fills in. Your eyes are still big and blue, and very much like your brother's. People compliment you on your eyes all the time. At six months, you are not rolling over by yourself or sitting up by yourself, but we keep practicing. You love to touch your toes when they are exposed and you are ticklish all over. You've had a bit of a rash around your neck, which we attribute to your drooling. We try to keep it dry but it's a struggle! You are strong and love to stand up. You also love your exersaucer - it keeps you entertained. At your six month checkup you weighed 17.5 pounds and were XX inches long. Which means we can keep you in the bucket carseat for a while longer - hooray! It's definitely getting harder to carry you in the bucket, but that is far outweighed by the convenience of this device. Your routine is becoming a bit more settled. You sleep well - especially at night - but are usually up once a night for a quick feeding. You are getting better with daytime naps, but they are still very brief. We've tried to start solid food with you and you are resisting it - you purse your lips and shake your head. Are you holding out for something in particular? We also tried a bottle with some formula, and received the same negative reaction from you. You love to watch Henry and you delight in his antics. No one can make you laugh the way he can. And he is so good with you - it's lovely to watch the relationship between you develop. Henry has pledged to go to you if you cry when you are in the baby room at daycare. Lately we've been busy selecting some activities for the spring. This is our last session of activities before I return to work so we will make it special!
I'm tardy again, with a post and with pictures. But there is lots to cover now. You are an adorable baby boy. You've got delicious big cheeks and you love lots of kisses on your cheeks. Your hair is growing and getting darker, but you've still got about 10 hairs on the top of your head that are twice as long as the others. I love to twirl them around my finger. Your hair is fuzzy and we wonder whether you will have some curls when it fills in. Your eyes are still big and blue, and very much like your brother's. People compliment you on your eyes all the time. At six months, you are not rolling over by yourself or sitting up by yourself, but we keep practicing. You love to touch your toes when they are exposed and you are ticklish all over. You've had a bit of a rash around your neck, which we attribute to your drooling. We try to keep it dry but it's a struggle! You are strong and love to stand up. You also love your exersaucer - it keeps you entertained. At your six month checkup you weighed 17.5 pounds and were XX inches long. Which means we can keep you in the bucket carseat for a while longer - hooray! It's definitely getting harder to carry you in the bucket, but that is far outweighed by the convenience of this device. Your routine is becoming a bit more settled. You sleep well - especially at night - but are usually up once a night for a quick feeding. You are getting better with daytime naps, but they are still very brief. We've tried to start solid food with you and you are resisting it - you purse your lips and shake your head. Are you holding out for something in particular? We also tried a bottle with some formula, and received the same negative reaction from you. You love to watch Henry and you delight in his antics. No one can make you laugh the way he can. And he is so good with you - it's lovely to watch the relationship between you develop. Henry has pledged to go to you if you cry when you are in the baby room at daycare. Lately we've been busy selecting some activities for the spring. This is our last session of activities before I return to work so we will make it special!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The boys
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Family day weekend 2009
We had a great time at the Royal Ontario Museum on Sunday (see photos) and at the Zoo on Monday (thank goodness for the family membership - it meant we could bypass the really long line). Henry and I are wearing masks so we can dig for dinosaur bones.
Five months
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Four months
Dear Thomas,
It seems that the curse of the second child has proven to be true in our household - I was never particularly good at keeping the blog up-to-date for your brother, but with you, I am particularly delinquent. The photo was taken on the day you turned four months old, but it has taken me several weeks to upload it and add some text. You are a delightful baby - sweet, smiling and easy-going. Your sleep patterns are becoming well established. You are thriving and weighed 15.5 pounds at your four month check-up. Your eyes are still big and blue and beautiful, and people often compliment you about them. You watch your brother intently and love soaking up everything he is doing. He enjoys speaking baby-speak to you ("couchie-couchie") even though we encourage him to use real words. Fortunately your brother and his whirlwind of activity and chatter does not disrupt you when you are asleep in your crib. You have a sensitive soul and let out the saddest cry when you are upset. You were particularly upset when I removed the bandage that covered the site of the injection for your four-month vaccination - more upset than you were by the injection itself. You aren't rolling over yet, which I attribute mostly to the fact that you sleep in a sleep sak, which makes it difficult. I promise we'll work on this skill in the days ahead.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry Christmas!
Proof that Santa (a) exists and (b) visited our house on Christmas eve.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Holiday Concert 2008
Henry is wearing a red shirt and is standing in the back row.
Yes, it really was as chaotic as it appears
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Three months
Dear Thomas -
You are three months old! You are thriving. We don't know your weight, but the six month clothes already seem too small for you, and yesterday I put you in a sleeper that was a nine-month size. Our nights are settled, although you are still up once or twice. You watch your older brother intently and seem to delight in his antics. You are reluctant with your laughs and smiles, but we are starting to enjoy them with more frequency now. We don't have much of a routine yet - you are content to be on the go. Once the holiday madness subsides we will start developing a better routine - which will include daytime naps in your crib. You are the sweetest baby and we are delighted to have you!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Two months!
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Autumn fun
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Our family
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
One month (and a few days)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Courtesy of Aunt Carrie
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Birth Announcement
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Introducing....
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Family Day, 2008 - Metro Toronto Zoo
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Halloween 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Attention Loyal Viewers.
Our deepest apologies for falling behind in our updates. The Robiltons Blog team has recently made some structural and administrative changes in hopes to improve the relevancy and consistency of our family blog. Please check back in August for our new, updated and hopefully enhanced online account of our family life.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
The Robiltons Management
Our deepest apologies for falling behind in our updates. The Robiltons Blog team has recently made some structural and administrative changes in hopes to improve the relevancy and consistency of our family blog. Please check back in August for our new, updated and hopefully enhanced online account of our family life.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
The Robiltons Management
Sunday, March 18, 2007
March Madness!
Duke is out, but that doesn't mean the fun is over - especially when you have your own mini-basketball, and mom and dad let you keep it in your crib in honour of the NCAA tournament!
Ten months
Dear Henry,
You're ten months old! And you're such a big boy - every day you seem to be a little more of a boy and a little less of a baby.
You've been going to daycare for six weeks now, and you seem to be thriving there. You smile when we walk through the front door each morning. The new toys, friendly children and wonderful staff have made it an easy transition for all of us.
You are still eating well, although you've developed a new habit. When you don't like something, you stick out your tongue and use your finger to scrape the offensive food off. We've seen you do this with fish, cauliflower and yellow beans. Where did you learn this trick? We swear it wasn't from us!
You are busier than ever these days. You are always on the go, and always wanting to do more. The days of being content sitting still are over. You prefer to be outside your Exersaucer rather than sitting in it - this allows you to enjoy the toys and entertainment it provides, without being constrained by it. If you catch a glimpse of the pile of toys in your room in the morning, you lunge for them and seem to insist that we let you play with them. We've now put them in a box, covered with a blanket. You cry (with tears!) if we take a toy away, or try to interupt your play for a diaper change, or try to put you in the highchair for a meal. This is a big (and good) cognitive development, but it doesn't make it any easier to get out the door in the morning or get dinner started.
You also love to be mobile. You roll and scooch around the floor, and you've started crawling, sort-of: you pull yourself along with your arms, and drag your legs behind. You won't get up on your knees and use them to help. You've got great upper body strength. You also love to stand, and love to walk (assisted by us). The loudest cries happen when we stop walking with you!
You are much more vocal now. You chirp all day long, with baby songs and chatter. You say "mama" and "dada" indiscriminately.
You still sleep very well - you're in bed at 7:30pm, and you usually sleep through the night. Sometimes your teeth bother you, and you wake up - but that is still fairly rare. Speaking of teeth, you have two right now - the bottom front teeth. And there's one on top that will break through any day now. You've handled teething fairly well.
You are a happy little fellow, and we think we're pretty lucky to have you!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Wanna see my teeth?
Monday, March 12, 2007
What we've been doing lately . . .
