Work Break

Karen here.

This morning I had an appointment, so Matt worked from home. At some point later in the day, I was in the kitchen and I heard giggling coming from Magnus's room.  

Now that's what I call a break from work. :)  Maybe hipster-doofus office folk will start the craze in Toronto of bringing babies to work instead of dogs... I hear it's good for morale!

Magnus, Magnum, and Mornings

Matt, here. 

A little hello.  After spending 3 days in Old Montreal for work I got back Thursday night to, amazingly, a child that did not crawl screaming away from my presence!  Woo hoo.  This past summer, whenever Karen and Magnus had been away for a few days, he would want nothing to do with me upon their return.  This time, however, he came right into my arms, stuck his fist in my mouth (as he is want to do), and all was normal again. 

That was a good sign for this morning.  It seems that we have gotten into the habit where each weekend we alternate mornings for sleep-ins.  This morning it was my turn to get up with the screaming baby.  Hmm, I put him to bed last night, too (which we alternate...a lesson we took from my brother Jud and his wife, Jill).  I just realized that means I am now free!  It's not my night to put him down and tomorrow is my morning to sleep in!  I should go buy a lottery ticket! 

Sorry, got off track a little there with all the excitement.  Anyhow, Mags and I had a good morning before Karen got up.  Well, at least my definition of a good morning.  No issues at snack time and a little TM (that's Thomas Magnum for the uninitiated).  Is there really any better type of father-son bonding?  I should write commercials for the freaking Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Screw running after the garbage truck together! (A beer to those who get the reference).

Mmm, bananananas

Showing off alternating mitts

Magnus and his reindeer catching up on some TM

Well, I got to go.  Summer has finally arrived in SW Ontario.  There's not a cloud in the sky and their calling for mid-20s.  Great weather for laundry and groceries (and a nap)! 

Leaving the 'hood

Hi, Matt here.

What's going on in the T-Dot?  Well, with the countdown on to our move to the new place on October 10th, Karen and I are trying to get some things done in the 'hood beforehand.  One of the items on the list is getting out on Queen West a couple of times (supposedly the 2nd coolest neighbourhood in the world, according to Vogue's recent list).  Last Sunday we got out for a Sunday walk and found an art festival in Trinity Bellwood Park.  Who knew?  It is so cool, even the Fonze hangs out in Queen West!

The Fonze (and some Chivers) hang in Queen West

Tonight we got ourselves a sitter and are going out after Magnus goes down.  We checked the local listings and saw that Devin Cuddy's band was playing down the street (Devin is the son of Jim Cuddy, one of Blue Rodeo's lead singers).  I called the location to find out about cover charge.  The response: "Devin's right here, let me ask....yup, it's pass-the-hat."  Hmm, I guess Devin hasn't reached dad Jim's status just yet.  Luckily, if it's a bust, there are plenty of great places close by.

 Some other items on the list include:

• checking out Fort York (done)
• getting together for drinks with the neighbours (Harold, my "Jamaican Father", isn't too happy that we are moving out, afraid that we will never be seen again)
• catching a Sunday football game at the Dog and Bear, like we used to do when "we were young and our hearts were open books"
• getting a trip on High Park's trackless train with my Steph and Rob (Karen has her own) and their two kids

Big plans, I know!  Even though we are only moving 40-45 minutes east by street car, I'm pretty sure we will be hanging out close to home with all of the new attractions (the beach, Greenwood Park, The Danforth and Queen East, Woodbine Park....Brent's sports bar).

As this is the last weekend of summer (I think), I thought that I would close with a couple of shots from the season that was:

Visiting Nanny Donut

Hanging at Sunnyside with my Chariot

"Clothes Optional" at Oma's (sorry, Magnus, but I could have posted pics much more embarr-"ass"-ing!)

Fort York: guns, cannons, graveyards...and sticking my hand in dad's mouth

Hmm, will this fit in my mouth?

Damn straight!

Da' Dallaires

Dock Time!

Sigh...Blanket Time

Bye, Summer!  Yay, Fall!

Magnus's Welcoming Ceremony

Matt here.

Earlier this summer (it is still summer!), Ross (Karen's dad) hosted her and my family on his farm for Magnus's Welcoming Ceremony.  Not sure what a "Welcoming Ceremony" is?  Well, neither did we, really, but we knew that we wanted to get both families together to meet and officially welcome Magnus to the clans.  As I said to the audience at the farm, "For everyone but Magnus, there are two families here today.  For Magnus, there is only one: his."

In the Raz clan, typically both families of the newborn get together at a baptism. In our case, we wanted to keep organized religion out of the picture at this point.  Just in case you haven't been keeping up with the news over the past, oh, I don't know, 2000 years, organized religion has been tied to some pretty nasty events. 

Still, besides getting the two families together to meet, we did want Magnus to get started on his spiritual journey.  We asked our friend, Brent, to be his godfather and each grandparent to pass on their wishes to Magnus in terms of his spiritual life.  I think that my father summarized the theme of the event well when he said to Magnus, "Do not confuse religion with spirituality".

Magnus with his folks and the Godfather

With the quasi-formal stuff out of the way, we spent the rest of the afternoon eating, playing, relaxing, and riding on large vehicles.

I pity that soccer ball

Hanging with the boys at the BBQ

Everyone enjoying the feast

No shame: it's my party

Ross was kind enough to take the kids on both a hay ride and a ride on his float that is used in summer parades around Elgin.  After the ride on the float, I'm pretty sure that my brother Karl and brother-in-law Kevin were the most excited of all the participants.  They were very impressed with the float's speed.  Although, probably a little disappointed that they could no longer feel the breeze through their hair(s).

Strike a pose

Getting prepped for the hayride

Away we go

I'm Flying!

All in all, a great day was had at the Hawkins Farm.  Great weather, food, and fun. 

Magnus Is 10 Months Old!

Karen here.

On September 1st, Magnus turned 10 months old.

He certainly is a character. 

  All day long he likes to explore new things.

And does he ever like making a mess!

He is doing very well at the dinner table these days. His favourites are bananas, pears, and cheese. But he is hesitant to try new foods (likely because he's gagged many, many times!). He gets enough fruit, dairy, and carbs everyday, but it's difficult getting veggies and protein into him (besides eggs which he also loves). So I sucked it up and bought the "Baby Bullet" to liquify more protein and veggies for him. It works some of the time. Guess I just have a picky eater on my hands. Oh well. At least he can feed himself!

His favourite thing to do, though, is laugh and laugh and laugh!