brand new

Hurray!!

Today Joseph welcomed (from afar) his new cousin:

Kaycee Alice Lee Girodat
born to Jason and Paige
and little sister to Ireland
at 12:30 p.m.

Yippee! We can't wait to meet you, Kaycee, and, until then, see gazillions more pictures!

tummy time

We acknowledge that this video is kind of long... as stated while filming... but we are Proud Parents.

tgif

Joseph is very happy that it's Friday. We're waiting anxiously for Dad to get home so we can hang out all weekend. Hurry up Dad!!

celebrity

Today Joseph visited mom's office - Salt +Light Television in downtown Toronto. He went on a tour of the studio and met the stars of S+L, Fr. Tom made him watch an episode of Witness, and he ate cake with Pedro. A busy day for a 6.5 week old. Therefore followed by a humongous nap on the long, rush-hour drive home.



Joseph was very popular among the staff. Much ooo-ing and aaa-ing. (Thank you, everyone. Joseph liked you too.)


And this is Fr. Tom offering Joseph a job. Joe's holding out for more vacation time before he will sign anything.

Thank you for your hospitality, Salt + Light (and Richard, for letting me change Joseph's diaper on the leather couch in your office). We'll be back to visit lots - just enough so you can see Joseph grow but not so often that your performances start slipping.

splish splash

It is hard to hold an angry, slippery, squirmy little bebe and therefore the Kantor Family is happy to announce that Joseph has entered the "I don't hate my bath" stage of life. He doesn't hate it... but he doesn't love it either. Still, a cooperative Joseph makes bathtime a little easier and life a little happier. Weee!

Bonne Fete, Tante Cheese

Later on Saturday... was Joseph's first trip to a pub. He was there to celebrate (commiserate?) with his Tante Cheese on her 30th birthday.

(Please note - Joseph will not make a habit of visiting pubs. We read that in a parenting book.)

Happy Birthday, Lisel!

Joe's friends

Joseph had a playdate today... he met his new best friends, Emma and Liam Moynihan. They played "sitting."

(We look forward to Liam and Joseph developing fine motor skills (well, any motor skills will do) and the games becoming a bit more involved.)

Thanks, Moynihans, for coming to visit us and bringing the delicious lunch!


(please ignore Joseph's pout... he really was happy to meet his friends... see below for happiness...)

baby's first...

There's a new noise in our house.

Joseph had his first laugh today. Well, kind of. But I'm going to officially state that this was his first laugh because I'm anxious to use one of the stickers that came with his "baby's first year" calendar.

So, to set the scene - I was eating breakfast (orange juice, a cookie, and honey nut cheerios... the cookie because it was just sitting there on the counter, looking for some attention) and Joseph was in the bouncy seat in front of me. While I chewed, he tried out different faces and noises and finally decided to debut his "I'm slightly amused" laugh. It sounded like, "A-ha-ha." Almost like I told him something that he didn't think was funny but was trying to make me feel good about it.

He's a very considerate boy.

Anyway, this was followed by a gigantic poop. So maybe he was laughing. Maybe he was just gearing up for something. Either way, I'm using the sticker.

We love Grammie

Grammie Helen came to visit!

Among many of her talents, she is

1) an excellent holder of babies;

2) a very neat ironer of clothes;

3) a super fast maker of casseroles; and

4) cute.

Thank you so much, Grammie, for spending this week with us. You helped us so much. We love you a lot and miss you already. Next time you visit, Joseph promises not to spit up on so many of your outfits.

Hanging with Lily

I'm not sure what they were doing... probably watching a movie or something.

one month

Woe

Joseph is a hungry guy and we spend most of our day eating but still...

Joseph is writing a book about it.

Joe's morning workout

It's fairly intense...

Lily's new 'do

3 weeks old

Joseph's First Christmas

A diary of Joseph's day...

Woke up. Had picture taken in front of this tree.

Opened presents. It's hot in Grammie's house so stripped down to onesie. Napped.

Posed with cousins for a picture. No one really wanted to be in this picture but Mom made us. Becca and Matt knew to smile anyway.

Headed outside. My first time sledding - thanks Papa. It's cold in Saskatchewan so soon headed back inside.

But stayed outside long enough to watch cousin Ireland play hockey. She's good.

Then we went to visit with Great-Grammie and many great aunts and uncles and cousins. This is me with Mom and Papa and Great-Grammie.

And this is Mom's cousin Aaron. He likes potatoes.

And that was the day. Enjoyed it very much and looking forward to next year, when wrapping paper and boxes will mean so much more to me.

Meeting the Girodats

Joseph had lots of new faces to focus on once we arrived in Shaunavon...

Meeting Grammie Helen...

and Joseph William Gerald meets Papa Gerald.

Hanging out with Matt and Becca.

And a surprise for Great-Grammie Pat. She didn't know we were coming home and she was so happy to meet Joseph. She and Joseph had such nice visits while we were home... I think he could have sat in her lap for hours.

Joseph and Uncle Jason. This was a short visit.

And with Auntie Michelle.

Grammie's lap is getting smaller... here are Ireland, Joseph, and Lily. The best of friends. Maybe someday.

And here we all are... almost. A new one will be added by Jason and Paige later this month but - for now - this is all of us. It is good to be together.

Frequent Flier

That's Joseph... an experienced flier already.

The birth of our son on December 15 has blessed us in many ways... including the fact that he was born on December 15. This meant that he just met Air Canada's requirements that babies be at least 7 days old before they fly... Joseph was 7 1/2 days old.

Fly? Yes, fly. 2008 was a Girodat Year for Christmas and we never like to miss a good time. So, on December 23 we set off to the airport with our bags packed and car seat in tow. Joseph was an amazing flier. He ate, he slept, he hardly fussed. Even on the 5-hour drive from Calgary to Shaunavon, he cooperated wonderfully and helped us get to Shaunavon in record time. He just couldn't wait to meet his Grammie and Papa and everyone else at home... pictures of that all to come.


Joseph shows off his boarding pass.


Taking advantage of the free drinks aboard Air Canada.

Enjoying the in-flight entertainment.

Turbulence.