Callum has entered a 12-step program...

You read correctly, Callum started a 12-step program today, well really he created his own program that just happened to be 12 steps. He took 12 consecutive steps today and just blew my mind! He also has discovered that crayons are for much more than colouring and decided to try and eat the yellow crayon. He looked very funny when he was walking because he had that 'just got off a horse' stance, the yellow crayon hanging out of his mouth (bent on the end) and his fists up. He looked like he was on his way to a stand-off!

Last week Callum and I took a trip to Ikea, which by the way is quite socially responsible I might add. They have a whole line of socially-conscious pillow cases that are made by women in India. They are not only paid a respectable wage, but they have a say in the design as well - way to go Ikea! Anyway, back to Callum. He looked so cute that day that we had an annoying time of being stopped by loads of people.

Here are some photos from that day.

Callum smiling for Mummy. He probably thinks my cameras are part of my body by this point!



Hat's off already! He had just figured out how to make Dragon play songs and was feeling quite chuffed with himself.



Loves imitating right now (best be on good behaviour!). Here he's trying to do up his buckle on his stroller harness.





Ah, the mall. Doesn't like the mall, but will tolerate it for short periods. Rice crackers sweeten the deal a bit!



Having a total zone-out at the mall, as do many men!



So stylish!



Callum's asked if he can go out later now that he's got a pub hat!



Oh yeah, Flickr.com is having rotating issues again - sorry!

Th-th-th-th-at's all folks!

Two steppin'

Well not much has been going on since my last post, except for the fact that Callum has now taken two steps in a row! Yep, that's right, our wee man is on his way to being a walking terror!

Callum's verbal skills are improving greatly and he is attempting to speak to us rather than just mumbly jumbly speak.

Here are the most recent pictures taken of Callum.

This is Callum playing with the cupboards at the school - surprise! Callum absolutely loves anything with a hinge and has done for a couple of months now. With all of those toys around he still migrates to the hinge.



Don't worry Callum, there's no cat pee in that sandbox!



Sussing out the playarea situation before he squeals and takes off to the slide...his latest favourite.



He's taken to sitting underneath things, I guess it's time to start making forts - woo hoo!

I'm outtie!

Peanut, peanut butter - jelly! NOT!

Well, it looks like a little someone called Callum has an allergy to peanuts. Needless to say, the first peanut butter and jam sandwich wasn't a great success. Within a couple of minutes of tasting the peanutty yumminess, Callum's eyes started to swell shut and he got all sorts of clear blistery type bumps on his face and torso. After a frantic call to the B.C. Nurses Line it was determined that he should be taken to the hospital immediately.

After receiving a large dose of Benadryl via needle, Callum fell asleep in my arms until it was time to go home...almost 3 hours later! It was a traumatic event for me, he didn't really seem to care until the needle got jabbed into him, and then it was over. It's funny how these things that feel so major at the time, can be moved on from.

We now carry an Epipen just in case our wee man gets some foul legume called a peanut.

Here is the wee soldier in the car on our way home from the hospital.



A vegetarian who can't eat nuts...I've got some homework to do!

Over and out.

P.S.

I have started a map (located at the bottom of the page) that tracks where in the World the readers are of this blog.

Miscellaneous photos from the last month or so.

Yo yo hay yo! This is how I roll ladies! Aaaiiiight!



Waiting for a call whilst lunching at White Spot. Where's my Pirate Pack?



Ending on a high note!

First day of "school".

There is a primary school a very short distance away from our house and I noticed on one of our walks that there were always strollers in front of the same door during the morning. When I went up to check out what was going on I was met by a woman who told me they hold a Literacy Program for children from 0-5 years old. It's free, it's convenient, it's fun and it's educational...I immediately didn't trust it - ha ha!

Here is Callum being shy on his first day...yeah right!





Not really sure if he's going to accept the throne or not...

I was told this would happen...

...just never believed it! Callum crawled himself to sleep while I was hoovering!!!

One icy day in Burnaby...

...a Mummy and her son decided, who cares about the weather?! We want to go outside, so they did. Here are some pictures from their adventure.

The little boy's favourite creek had almost completely frozen. Normally not hearing the rush of the water would've been disappointing for him, but not this special day. He got to actually go down into the creek with his Mummy and look through the tube that goes under the path!





A warm and cozy chariot was awaiting the boy after his creekside adventure.



As the wee boy bid adieu to his creek for the day, he gave one last look back and vowed to visit again someday...



He felt a darkness come over him as he smiled at his Mummy, but then just realized that she had messed up the aperture setting on her camera! Silly Mummy!



Testing theories of whether or not life is really black and white, the little boy discovered life can be black and white, as depicted in this photograph, or in full colour, as depicted by his outlook on life!



His patience and positive attitude paid off and he was graced with the sound of rushing water down the mountain, into the creek and underneath where he was seated in his chariot! The world really is what you make it!



The End...or is it?

Callum's Pirate Paarrrrty!

I will get into the pictures right away because I know that's what everyone has been waiting for.



The cake was a bit of a nightmare, but with a really nice result. We had an unusual amount of snow on the 10th of January (Callum's birthday) and I hadn't anything to make a cake. Decided had grown up in Ontario, snow no match for Mummy on mission for child. Absolutely wrong. Went down hill sideways in car thinking would kill offspring on anniversary of birth! Slinked way back home. Neighbour out shoveling driveway approached asking why would drive on during such awful snow. Explained super hero Mummy adventure and was led into neighbours house to be given cake mix, icing sugar, butter and pat on back. Success! V. good end to crap situation.



Callum very happy with cake. Champion boy!

Fast forward 3 days to the Pirate parrrrty...

We open with Audrey, enjoying some vegetarian jello. Shiver me timbers was Audrey's saying for the day. She had learned the phrase from her Mummy, Angie, that morning. Audrey just turned 2 on the 13th of February and is such a beautiful and well behaved little girl...nothing like her parents!



Keeping a keen eye on the midget Pirates below, Captain Callum Sparrow gets help standing...it's all that grog!



Wonder what was said on other side of room?



Sail ho! Metal God Quinn has spotted a ship o'er the horizon!



Ahoy mateys!



I'z feelin' like I'z gonna get scurvy, better chew on our hands for sustinence pirates!



It sure is difficult photographing a group of unruly pirates!



Classic. Loves the box more than anything else.



It opens AND closes!



Birthday was huge success! Thank you to all who could make it; Callum had a really great turn out!

Arrrrgghhh!

Leading up to Xmas in Trenton.

It's been a long time coming, but I am going to inundate you with information and photos!

First of all, Callum and I flew to Ontario to go see the family for Xmas. The flight was interesting, as Callum decided this time he didn't really like flying because he would rather be crawling around and having fun - wouldn't we all! Well, except for the crawling of course. The plane was very small and old, and the Air Canada crew left a lot to be desired yet again. After many sighs and grunts of disapprovement from the man two seats over, I decided to walk Callum around for a while. One woman made a comment to me at the baggage carousel that Callum had been a very good baby and that if the rude man didn't want to have to deal with the public, then he should take a private jet next time! Right on sista!

Callum took to Mom and Dad pretty much right away and dealt with all of the chaos really well. I'm such a proud Mummy.

The following pictures show some fun we had in Trenton & Belleville.



Ground control to Major Tom! We have lift off and Callum is enjoying the local grocery store's rocket ship cart(s) for kids.

As Callum gets bigger and stronger, and we are becoming stronger and more confident, some of the classic kid/parent activities are starting to come out. Even though Graham has a smile on his face in the picture below, he is probably saying a silent prayer for the tufts of hair that he actually has on the top whilst hoping Callum doesn't remove it all!



Finger foods are preferrable to Callum now, as he has discovered his palette and is no longer satisfied with warm or cold goo. I figured this day would come, but being a clean freak sometimes I felt my heart pounding as I saw him covering himself in a yummy, maple teething biscuit! At least we know he's enjoying himself.



Even though this picture shows the more serious side of our wee man, I just couldn't resist how sweet he looks and how the term "baby blues" must be coined after his gorgeous eyes.



As much as I know he's growing up, and as much as I enjoy him growing up, there is still that part of me that loves to stare at him sleeping. He looks so small and innocent. God knows I didn't get a lot of time to gaze lovingly at him when he was a wee baby because he never slept!



He's become a bit of a bum-up-in-the-air sleeper, it's so cute!



Now I don't know how many of you have tried to take a 'nice' posed picture of a baby or toddler, but it is extremely difficult to have the adult and the child ready at the same time. There are always fingers going in the mouth, shifting around and that's just the adult!

Here's Callum and Grandma in Grandma's living room.



Callum, making serious attempts at walking, or at least cruising. Problem is, Grandma and Grandpa's house is so big that all of the furniture is too far apart for cruising!



On Xmas day, the windows were all sweaty with steam from the many burners, pots and ovens on. It was very exciting because it's been a long time since I have been home for Xmas, plus it was Callum's first Xmas ever! There were four generations in attendance and we all managed to get along - amazing! The food was great and Mom managed to pull it off, her first big Xmas dinner in over a decade.

Callum has discovered that he really likes his soother and would like everyone to give it a try. Here he is trying to give the soother to his Grandpa Bell; so nice to share!



I love this picture of Callum and Dad. They look so cute there together, both in their ties.



Here are some miscellaneous house pictures from Xmas.

The front of Mom and Dad's house.



This is the best bathroom ever! I love the way it's decorated, plus the toilet seat is pneumatic, aka it slowing let's itself down rather than slamming. Also, the fan switch is beside the toilet, just in case you, uh you know, need the fan...



Nice Xmas decorations; the house was beautifully done.



The beautiful dining room; it is my favourite room in the house.



Kudos must go to Graham for contributing his napkin folding skills to the table decor. As we were told by Graham, he is trained in silver service - ha ha!



Dining room.



The living room that housed the most beautiful tree we've ever had, hands down.



Some more elegant decorations.



Last, but absolutely not least, the wee man that made the whole day and our lives so much more fulfilled, Callum.



Mummy extraordinaire, Allison.

P.S.
There's something wrong with the rotate feature on Flickr, but I figured if I didn't get this posting up I would be in serious trouble!