Great Store (plus mystery guest writer...)

I'll be the first to admit that at times I can be pretty picky when it comes to quality control (although for the most part, anything that I can get in my mouth has a good chance of passing the test). Last month, my Dad came back from a trip with a lovely set of soft blocks, and told me about this store The Little Seed. So being the kind of guy I am (personable, handsome & opinionated), I did my own research - sure enough, it's a gold mine of eco/green baby gear!

I then contacted the store, we got to talking, one thing led to another, and they asked me to write a quick guest post on their Seedling Blog.

I go off on a little bit of a rant, but I hope you enjoy it - and many thanks to my new friends Soleil and Ashley. Let's do it again sometime.

Photography Week 22 (incl Whidbey Island)

I'm pretty sure my trip to The Bedford Farm was my first trek south of the border. From my brief visit I found it to be similar to this country, although I saw a tremendous amount of homes and cars built by either the Obama Company or the McCain Company. 

The farm was delightfully peaceful, and it was nice to get away for a break from the usual routine. I did come home with a cold though, which hasn't been great. I'll tell you the thing I've learned about colds: Fun to get, bad to have. I managed to garner this one by joining the gang on a bluff walk on Whidbey Island (barely on the island as you'll see). I had my eyes closed for the majority of it, but the sights that I did see were quite breathtaking.

Side note: I'm working on bringing out the top two teeth at the moment - I figure once those two are in, I should be done.

Photography Week 20 & 21

So I am told it's officially Fall. If that means it's getting colder, I can certainly concur. I've been choosing to wear more denim trousers, cozy hats and long-sleeved tops & jackets to try to combat it.

Now, I hear you on the photo roll - 12 shots of me in a maybe-planned/maybe-not-planned pumpkin-coloured seat, in between a pair of seat-coloured pumpkins could be considered overkill. But what if I told you that that perfect Fall sweater was beautifully crafted by my friend Peter and the pumpkins were grown in my Grandma's garden? (I'll post more when we're closer to Halloween.)

5 Month Birthday

Firstly, thank you in advance for all your kind birthday wishes and chewable presents. I'll be honest, the thought of being another month older was a little daunting this morning. Not to mention the fact that it's been donkeys since my first two toofs came in, and they've attracted no company. 

I was greeted this morning with a french dog puppet as a present - his ears are very flappy, but seriously, I didn't understand a word he said.

My Westender Interview

I just wanted to let you know that my interview was printed in the current issue of The Westender on Thursday. By all means pick up a copy, or read it online in the My Digs section.

Press coverage always makes me a little nervous because it's like a box of chocolates... - but everyone at the paper was great, and I'd like to think it came off well. Thanks again to everyone for the gifts that made my room as comfy as it is. It made moving so much easier.

Photography Week 19

Another international week and I barely needed to move. Had breakfast with a new friend from Peru, then had dinner with another new friend from Costa Rica. There were also some meals with some familiar faces from Ontario, Victoria and SanFran thrown in there for good measure.

In addition, I was interviewed and photographed last Thursday by The Westender weekly newspaper. The interview will be in this week's paper which comes out on Thursday Oct 2nd. I know what you're thinking, but I assure you, this new found exposure will not go to my head. (FYI: When the article is online, I'll be sure to have my PA post it.)

Photography Week 18

Another week of photos... It seems like time just keeps ticking on by, like it's on some sort of strict schedule. "Relax Mr. Time" I say.

That reminds me, I hung out with Grandad Bailey last week - quite a character. Among our long talks, we briefly broached the subject of time, and 'the grand past' (like my 4 month birthday seems as though it was forever ago, or like when I didn't know how to roll). He told me "History does not repeat itself. Historians repeat each other." I thought that was clever.

I started thinking, I would make a pretty good historian: I remember the old days (or the period that some people refer to as "May"), I even have the odd artifact from those times, I tell a good story, and apparently I'm quite fond of "quotation marks".

"Great" Party!

I was back in Victoria last weekend for my Great Grandma Gammy's 90th - it was a lovely affair. My two regular Grandmas were there aswell - it was like a Grandmafest. (I'm guessing that to get Great status you have to run some sort of crazy labyrinth-type obstacle course with snakes and fire and stuff.)

I can only assume that the 90 is for 90 months, which seems like a long time, hence the big celebration. People ate several types of cakes and pies, drank teas and coffees while I stuck to my old faithful of milk and bubbles. Here's to all the 90 month olds!

Photography Week 17

These are a little late for last week's photos, but as I've said since my beginning - better late than never (even if it's 11 days). Please don't be alarmed by some of the tricks documented here - I've done all the proper training. Just so you know, they say that holding my feet in my hands at this age takes 3 times the concentration that that guy at Granville Island needs to ride an 8 foot unicycle while juggling a chainsaw, a bowl of hot chili and a live chicken. I'm just saying...

I've also started break dancing classes. 

Photography Week 16

Pinch, Punch, first day of the month! (Love that one.) So this was a pretty slow week for photography around these parts - the good news is, I'm another week older, regardless. Speaking of which, I was downtown yesterday, just out and about, and I saw this tiny baby at another table doing the old 'stoneface, pause, smile' routine. Seriously? I'm rolling my r's, chuckling, growing teeth, being enormous and rolling around on the floor like a Jr. Fireman at a summer day camp over here. I even lie on my back and adorably hold my own hands like a seal pup for goodness' sake.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pro-baby. I just think that as a group, we could work a little harder sometimes. Although, as the old saying goes, 'be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still'.

Photography Week 15

Most of this last week was spent in Qualicum with family. The weather was generally questionable with sunny breaks, but the family was top notch. Then on the weekend we went to Buntzen Lake near Port Moody for some further fun in sun. It doesn't seem to matter whether it's the ocean or a lake, the water's always cold.

two toofs

Not sure if you can see them here, but I've got two teeth breaking the surface. (Note: if you follow these incredible updates via email and want to see entries a little more clearly, you can always click the grey ** dublin's days ** in your email and that will take you to the site.) To be honest, I don't really see the point of teeth, other than their obvious use as weapons - and at the moment, my well-honed erratic ninja skills already have me covered. Giving me teeth is just unfair to potential opposition ninjas.

Now, I know what you're thinking, and yes, at first I was thinking I've got to find myself a sweet set of grills for these bad boys. But then my cousin Leo was telling me of this mysterious tooth buyer who is happy to take them off your hands when they fall out - sometimes for as much as $5. So I'm thinking, we get a few of us together, learn a little more about tooth growing, and set us up a bit of an operation - a grow op of sorts. Let me know if you want in.

Big Shots

I had my first round of shots last week - that was something. Needles aren't fun whichever way you slice it. Can't they put that stuff in a pill, or a cool new flavour of ChupaChups or something? I mean, the needle in it's current form must have been invented when God was a boy - all I'm asking for is a little advancement. Although, it puts my mind at ease to know that I'm taking steps to avoid the experience of diphtheria, haemophilus, pneumococcal and its cousin meningcoccal. These things were obviously named by dinosaurs. 

In terms of my latest stats, I'm 17lbs 6oz, and I'm 25 1/4 inches tall. I have slipped a couple of points in terms of percentiles, but what I've lost, I've more than made up for in experimental Judo skillz.  

(Disclaimer: there's a little nudity in this last round of photography - just trying out some different stuff.)

Events

So I've noticed the Olympics have started - so far, pretty interesting. Although I have to admit, I don't understand how some of the events made it passed the OEFD (The Olympic Event Filtration Department). I mean water polo? That's just too many games thrown together in a pool...

((polo - horses) + basketball + (lacrosse • .4)) • swimming pool = water polo

I mean why stop there? Why not have Water Archery Boxing? It could be called Warchering and take place in a water-filled ring. I'm kidding of course - that would be ridiculous. However, I'm not sure if anyone has seen my Feeding Feet performances? That could be an event. Competitors find a lady, latch, eat and stay balanced, all the while running through your well-rehearsed routine with your legs. They could even have pairs. Just something to think about.

And while we're on the subject... let's be honest, those Chinese gymnasts are barely older than I am. 

"...go shawty, it's your birthday..."

That's right, today was my 3 month birthday (and yes, I listen to gangsta rap on occasion). Where does the time go? My Dad was gone for what seemed like an eternity (although, I admit at times I appreciated the break from his antics), but he brought me back this styling blue hat for my birthday so that's something. 

It seems that birthday or not, whenever I go a short time without seeing someone, our next meeting includes a present. If this ritual is common protocol, I would like to know the exact amount of time that is required to pass, in order to bring about such an offering. In addition, I would like to throw it out there that I'm looking for someone to help me develop a perfectly timed visitation schedule in order to maximize the benefit of this custom - any doubles I get are yours. 

Photography Week 11 & 12

Wow, time flies (how does that Marx saying go... Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana). I can't believe I've been back from the continent for 2 weeks now. First off, I apologize for the number of seemingly repeated photos here - you know how stylists and photographers are - every pose tells a different story etc etc. 

The last couple of weeks have been good: I spent a fair amount of time in some clothes I have now grown into (I'm still carrying a little holiday weight), continued satisfying my many social obligations, started getting ready for the new soccer season, and am now just packing for the next week in Victoria. The Island will be nice, it seems like things were getting busy for a while over here - time to kick back.

Down Time

If there's one thing I appreciate after a long day, it's being able to talk about things to someone who can relate. That's why I really enjoyed my time with Isabella the other evening - we got through some really important stuff. As you can see here though, we hit a bit of a roadblock when trying to explain some of our findings to our mothers. By the end of our time, we agreed that although they usually mean well, sometimes parents just don't understand.

South of France - Weeks 9 & 10 Photography

(Please forgive me if my new accent is a little hard to understand - I'm told it will wear off.)

First off, I think I've got planes figured out. From what I can tell, everyone loads into this huge bus called a "plane" and sits there for hours and hours while outside, they redesign the surroundings, bring in extras who sound, act & look different and then quickly change the weather. Fewer changes... less time in the plane... got it.

France was just lovely. The first week was with 14 wonderful family members in a beautiful villa in Velleron - great weather, tasty food, loads of French people and good spirits. The second week was 7 of us in Nice and Villefranche. It was nice to be on the coast - great view, good coffee & pastries, very relaxing. And it was so great to be with Brad and Angie during their special time - quality people.

All in all I have to say, France is definitely one of my top two counties so far.

Call it a Comeback

I hope everyone's had a wonderful couple of weeks - it's so nice to be home. It may not look like it, but I want to assure you that this is really me writing. I know you probably have some initial doubts, but the difference is I have done some serious growing over the 2 weeks away and, as you can see, I'm now proper tanned. More photos on their way.

4th of July

Just wanted to say happy Independence Day to all my friends South of the border. It's a pretty big year for you guys: I was born, I broke my arm, I managed to break through the tricky 14 lbs 3 oz barrier, and it's election year.

I've been staying fairly current on the candidates, and let's just say I'm undecided.

Off to the airport this afternoon. By the time I get back, I'll have spent 20% of my life in France. I wonder if I'll come back with an accent, or just an appreciation for good wine - we shall see. Au revoir.

Photography Week 8

Liefé Quârdt

So I'm pretty sure I know what I want to be when I'm older. That's right... a Life Guard! I mean it cost $10.99 and this body to become a Jr. Lifeguard, and people seem pret-ty impressed. I figure, maybe the regular Lifeguard shirt costs a bit more, but will surely be worth it.

I'm off to the South of France on Friday - should be a good break. I understand there are a number of special beaches in the South of France. I wonder if they need any Jr. Lifeguards. I bet 'Life Guard' sounds even better in French: Liefé Quârdt?

Photography Week 7

This week was pretty busy: baths, baileyboys outfit, hanging out with the wee ninja and the bee, holding stuff, impressing the ladies, hitting the beach and band practice. Part of me longs for those carefree days of my youth.

On the Town

I had my first proper night on the town last night. What a festive atmo - the scene, the noise, the peeps, the drinks, the fashion, the music, the ladies... We all got together to wish Shay a happy birthday - I can't remember how old he is, probably mid-thirties, maybe circling forty? Certainly older than me anyway. 

Photography Week 6

Careless Whisper

This is obviously a shot of me doing a cover of the popular Wham! classic. I'm not saying I'm a huge fan of George Michael - but it's impossible to deny the power of that bridge.

Truth be told, I'm thinking of putting together a bit of a band myself. We'll probably be semi-pop alternative (at least at the beginning), but I'm still sorting out the line-up - if you know of anyone, do let me know. In the meantime, if you think of any good names, write them in the comments section (unfortunately The Maybe Babies is already taken - sometimes there's no comfort in the truth).

Bears

This is my impersonation of a small sleeping bear (in sweatpant shorts).

So I was on Vancouver Island on the weekend, in Victoria - good place, nice people. I must have met like 40 new people, half of whom are apparently related to me. Turns out I have absolutely no say in the matter.

Yesterday I went to see the doc again - quite a series of tests. He told me the arm is almost as good as new and is progressing nicely. In terms of stats, I'm 12 lbs 12 oz, 2 feet long, have a normal sized head, but am in the 97th percentile for weight and height. Big... like a bear.

Speaking of bears, what do you call a bear with no ears? A 'b'. I know, I know... 'Hey did I ever tell you I was born with a broken humorous?' C'mon, that's good stuff...

Photography Week 5

Island?

Just a quick update before I head off to bed. Weighed in at 12lbs 2oz today - feels good.

I've overheard that we have plans to go to an island of some sort this weekend. Not sure which one exactly - if I had my druthers I'd choose Ibiza, although that seems highly unlikely.

1 Month Old

Well, I suppose it's official - I'm 1 month old today.

It feels like only yesterday I was kicking back, having a bite and watching reruns on WombTV. Those were pretty relaxing times.

This last month has been pretty active - the last few days especially. We're out and about all the time, trying new foods, meeting new people and driving around in what can only be described as the Family Racing Car.

I thought the chilly days of May were behind us, but it seems that June is one of the colder months (hence the sweatshirt). Perhaps I'll see snow for the first time.

Thanks for all the kind wishes and fan mail - I couldn't have done it without you.