Month 8

• 8 months old....really?! We have no idea where all this time is going!
• You travelled to Houston and New Orleans this month and were such a champ -- 3 out of 4 days we were travelling for more than 6 hours.  We won't lie, you had your outbursts, and we had our moments of frustration with your restlessness, but all things considered, you did exceptionally well. 
• You loved being toted around in the ergo carrier around the French Quarter, and were a charmer when you met Chloe.
• You're starting to lift your belly off the ground when you're on your tummy. You can scoot from side to side.  Crawling is definitely not far off!
• You've started to eat mum mums - those crazy oval rice crackers.  I think you're pretty pleased with yourself when you eat them, something tells me you're going to want to be an independent boy really early in life. 
• Whenever you discover that you can do something yourself -- ie, move yourself across a room, feed yourself, you get this big goofy grin on your face that's absolutely priceless
• You're perfecting the pincer grip -- we're almost at the point where I can shake cheerios in front of you to keep you occupied!
• You're babbling up a storm and making all kinds of noises
• We are having a ball with you, you make us laugh multiple times daily, so much so that we wonder what occupied our time before you came along

Month 7

You rolled from your back to front on Feb 13 - and you took off like a rocket. You rolled across the living room and back many times. We're frightened!

You look up at me with your big brown eyes when we're sitting in our rocking chair reading bedtime stories and you put your little hand on my cheek as if to prompt me to keep reading. I just melt every time. It's these moments that I wish I could bottle up and preserve forever.

You are messy when you eat -- you think its pretty hilarious to put your hands in your mouth, get food all over them, and then rub that said hand all over your face and in your hair. I have a feeling we're just experiencing the tip of the iceberg here.

You weighed in at 21lb and measured 70cm in length at your 6 month appointment. You got your last 2 needles for this year .. next round is when you're 1...a little reprieve is definitely welcome.
You're getting better and better at sitting on your own. You've had a few face plants into the floor, but seem to be a pretty resilient kid -- if we don't react, you don't cry
You love to buzz your lips ... and you think its especially funny when you do this whilst we feed you.  Time to train ourselves and our reactions ... don't think we want to encourage this one!
You tried spaghetti for the first time and absolutely loved it .. you are your fathers son, no doubt about that!
We feel that your little personality is starting to show .. you seem like a pretty laid back kid, but definitely get frustrated when you can't reach something or are done with eating. We can't wait to see what the next month brings!

Brown eyed boy

Even though Cohen is a mini-mike according to numerous friends and family, I feel like I can lay claim to his eyes. Big and brown. So,

I have a feeling that I'll be repeating the same question to him that my dad asked me countless times as a kid ....

"Do you think you can open your eyes any wider?"

And me, always missing the sarcasm underlying that question, would try my darndest to get my eyes just that much bigger.

Should be fun to play that prank on Cohen

Check out my new buddy

His name is Rygel Cole Tompkins and he was born on December 18 to his proud parents Bryan and Jordan. Him and I are best buds already. I'm trying my best not to roll over onto him ... he has a bit of catching up to do!

I think his momma likes him just a little bit ;) We're going to get lots of time to play together as our mommas have overlapping mat leaves!

You are starting to wake up again through the night -- I forgot how tiring this was! You must be going through a growth spurt

You got baptized this month! It was an amazing day and a lot of your family and friends came out to celebrate with you!

You are starting to bust out of your 3-6 month sleepers -- I'm starting to understand the rule that you wear double your age as you fit into 6 and even 9 month sleepers already

You giggle and it warms our heart -- you love being changed and think that its the funniest thing.

You love your exersaucer -- you don't quite fit into it yet, but we stuff towels and blankets around you to make it work. You haven't quite figured out how to turn yourself around yet, but you love to put the rattles and toys in your mouth.

You got visited by Sarah and Zach -- and Zach started preparing you for Team Canada by buying you your first hockey stick

Your naps are getting shorter ... less than an hour, which leaves me running around the house like a madwoman trying to get things done ... quite a sight to see

You're trying to roll over -- your legs are going, but you haven't quite figured out how to flip your whole body over. I'm enjoying every last minute of you being stationary....every last minute.

You cannot sit still - you need to see what's going on every minute of the day -- we're in serious trouble when you start to walk!

You are totally and completely integrated into our lives.  We can't imagine life without you.

Happy Monday trip to Stratford

Mike had a happy Monday (he gets every third Monday off b/c he works an extra 1/2 hour each day) so we decided to head to Stratford for a little day trip. Unfortunately 2 of the shops that we wanted to visit were closed -- apparently Monday is a slow day. It was great to get out of the house and walk around like tourists for a day.

Cohen showed his enthusiasm for Stratford by being awake for a grand total of perhaps an hour out of the 5 that we spent there

Getting used to asking strangers to take our photo

Month 3

(click on the collage to make it bigger)

You are starting to give us stretches of 7 hours -- not consistent yet, but those stretches make your mom feel like a new woman
We're still struggling to figure out your schedule, nap times and bed times...you're starting to form a rhythm, but it still changes everyday based on when you wake up ...
You are developing a nice little temper ... when you're mad ... you are stinking mad, and nothing but rocking, jiggling and sshushing will stop you
You seem to love soft fuzzy blankets -- if we put them up around your face you calm down
You are starting to grab at things, but haven't quite figured out how to let go ... which is pretty fun to watch
You have officially grown out of your newborn sleepers ... unreal that we're packing up clothes already
You weigh 13lb 3oz at your 3 month mark
You get read the Going to Bed Book every night at bedtime (Thanks Sarah!)
You made your first trip to the United States -- to celebrate Grandma and Grandpa O's 30th wedding anniversary. You were loved on the entire weekend by your aunties, uncles and grandparents!
You're starting to like baths a bit more ... big screams stop after a few seconds, and now you just whimper ... but you're definitely not loving it yet
You're letting out tiny little giggles - especially when we change you. Sometimes you sound like a foghorn instead of a baby

And you had your first halloween experience -- Cohen the bear

Happy Halloween!

Cohen dressed up as a bear for Halloween -- he was pretty thrilled about the costume

And his crazy parents dressed up as park rangers

Hanging with Josie

Cohen chilling with his buddy Josie - she's such a cutie and has an incredible story. Check it out at www.stahlebaby.blogspot.com

Mike thinks that Cohen looks like a girl with this shirt on ... anyone agree? It's officially out of the rotation, but I still like it

Week 8

You ... are a puker. I hate to say it, hate to admit it to the world, but you are. Every time I feed you then burp you, you throw up. Sometimes just a little, sometimes enough to soak half your shirt. I crawl into bed at night smelling like baby puke. Seriously Cohen ... we have to work on this ... your mom doesn't appreciate smelling like puke, and is harbouring anxiety about going out into the world smelling like puke without even noticing it.

You went to your second wedding of your life already - your cousin Alycia got married and had her reception outside. Your grandparents stole you for the night and it felt like we were childless again.

You started sporting your awesome cloth diapers ... water consumption has thus increased in our household

Debate still runs rampant about your eye colour -- some people think they're still blue, some swear brown. Only time will tell

You got your passport this week -- you have quite the mug shot. You're ready to be a world traveller now. Houston in December here we come!!

Week 4

You had your first trip this week - to Grandma and Grandpa O's house to celebrate Grandma's birthday
You met your Auntie Paige and Uncle Aaron who flew in from Houston
You found out that you were going to get a little cousin in February! Aaron and Paige announced that they were expecting!
You also met your Great Grandma Okkema and she gave you a sweet knitted baby blanket
You and I had our first week at home together - and we survived!
You rang in at 9lb 13oz at your midwife visit - all concerns about you gaining were thrown out the window!
You took your first ride in the Chariot (your all terrain stroller) and showed your love of it by sleeping the whole time