Almost a year

Today the pumpkin man is eleven months old. Almost a year. The time flies by and so do the milestones.

I'm not entirely sure I'm happy that he's now able to pull to standing - only a few days before vacation. At least we're keeping things interesting.

Some days are like that

Even on parental leave.

Post-Game Analysis

The snow has melted. The sun is shining brightly. The flowers are in full bloom. So it must be time for the NHL Playoffs.

With the big man turning four last month, I thought it high time to introduce him properly to game. Of course we shoot, pass and score on the driveway and we've been skating on the rink, but I haven't actually taught him the game. So for the last two Leafs games we've watched the first period together.

I now find myself in an existential quandary. The kid has questions. I don't mind answering them. There are a lot of rules, gear and broader context issues to contend with. It just blows my mind how he can deconstruct the whole thing from top to bottom.

Now this post-season clearly isn't ideal as I'm more likely to see the Oilers on the golf course than lifting Lord Stanley's Cup. As a fair parent I realize that should let my boys make their own choices of which teams to support, but that's not to say Oilers gear outnumbers Leafs swag in our house 6 to 1. A gentle barrage of propaganda also isn't offside.

But I'm holding out hope that he's chosen an Oilers sweater to wear to school for three days in a row.

Oh, and he calls Toronto the "Make Believes".

Stages

Being an at home parent means going through all of the different stages:

From sleeping on the floor in various pretzel shapes, to the pain and torment of the inability to stick with one task, to newfound mobility often resulting in accident and personal injury.

And then there are the things the kid goes through.

Fashion sense

At first I didn't really see the utility of shorts on the baby. Now I see their immeasurable value as a diaper containment device.

Learning to Crawl

So the Pumpkin Man has started going mobile.

And he's got a new nickname.
Stay tuned...

We've Been Slimed

Copyright Martyn Tranter

For the past couple of weeks our house has been taken over by ectoplasmic goo.

It started in the Pumpkin Man, but quickly spread to the rest of us. The first warning sign is a sore throat, but now I wish that was all there was to it.

The Pumpkin Man also hates having his nose wiped, at least with a tissue. The furniture and carpet are his preferred sources of relief. And now that he's crawling, he's been able to slime pretty much the whole house.

For a while I was able to overcome his resistance by turning it into a game, but he's on to me now.

If only Bill Murray hadn't hung up his proton pack, cause I know who I'm gonna call . . .