Hot hot hot

Jasper woke up early with the sun this morning, so I took him for a walk up the beach to explore while Pat slept for a while. Our apartment rental backs onto a boardwalk that goes along the beach for almost 2 km. Jasper and I stopped for coffee and grabbed some breakfast, since we didn't have any food yet in the room.

Our morning task was to get groceries. There is a big grocery store a 15 minute walk down the road. The walk there was great, Jasper slept in the stroller and we made good time. The way back was another story. It was almost noon by then, and it was getting hot! After being in the cool grocery store, Jasper didn't appreciate the heat, and he cried most of the way home.

The poor kid was really sweaty, I don't think he's ever been so hot. After cooling off under the AC for a while, we had lunch outside on the balcony and then an afternoon siesta.

Later in the afternoon when it had cooled off a bit, we hit the beach. Jasper has quite the beach outfit with his sun suit, baby glasses and hat. 

We took Jasper for a swim, but he wasn't too impressed. The water was about 20 degrees warmer than the ocean in BC, but he still preferred to stay on dry land. I'm happy we decided to bring the baby tent with us. It took up a lot of space in the suitcase, but it has already been well used to keep Jasper out of the sun and keep him from eating the sand. 

Terrence came and picked us up to go out for dinner with him and his friend Gabby, who is also visiting from Canada. It was good to catch up with Terrence and reminisce about his days living with us in Kincardine.

Off to Barbados

Dad drove us down to Buffalo bright and early to catch a flight to Barbados. It was Jasper's first time on a plane. 

Waiting to board.

We had three connections, Buffalo to Charlotte to Miami and then to Barbados. It made for a long day, but Jasper did really well. We checked the stroller and car seat at check-in, which made it easier to not have to gate check.

Our small plane to Charlotte.

Pat and I sat beside each other on one flight and behind each other on the other two flights. It was easier with Pat beside me, so I could have Jasper hang over the edge when eating or sleeping. I had him leaning into the aisle, but had to watch for the beverage cart going by.

Trying out Mom's seat.

By the time Terrence met us at the airport, we'd been travelling for 16 hours, so we sure were happy to get to bed.

Looking like a big kid sitting in his own seat.

More baseball and girls day

This week we went to another Jays playoff game, game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

So positive before the game started.

It wasn't the best game for the Jays, they ended up losing 14-2. Even Pat wanted to leave early, but we stayed until the end of the 9th.

Pat unimpressed with Dickey's pitching, Jasper sleeping it off.

The weather is getting more fall-like with windy shorter days. Pat got a bit of fishing in after work before sundown, and Jasper and I walked over to meet him.

Jasper watching his dad fish.

 On Saturday, I had a chance for my first day away from Jasper, a trip to Blue Mountain with my friends from TNDC. We hadn't given Jasper a bottle or cup yet, and he hadn't quite figured it out by Saturday, so Pat and Jasper came along for the day too. They hung out in Collingwood for the day and Pat brought Jasper over when he needed to eat. 

Trying Thai food with dad.

 It worked out pretty well, they only had to come by twice during the afternoon and evening. I don't think the girls minded having visitors for a little bit. It really was nice to have some time to catch up with friends. Thanks Pat!

TNDC girls (+ Jasper) at Blue Mountain.

Jasper is 6 months old

It was a pretty normal (short) week after Thanksgiving. Jasper and I went to baby group, a doctor's appointment and to visit the Health Unit for lunch on Friday.

Sushi before the game.

Since Jasper is almost 6 months, we've started giving him some food to chew on, and it has been pretty entertaining.

Trying some cucumber roll and broccoli.

He makes lots of different faces when he tries the different tastes. He has gagged himself and made himself barf a couple of times, which is kind of scary, but other than that the eating is going well.

Chomping on a carrot.

On Monday, Jasper was 6 months old. Pat was at another Jays game, and we were in Milton hanging out with Grannie and Uncle Colin. We took Jasper's monthly Fred pictures sitting up on a chair.

6 month pictures with Fred.

Fred is surprised that Jasper is getting so big!

Jasper is able to sit up on his own now, but he is still pretty tippy. We tried to do a photo with him sitting on his own, but he kept falling over.

Falling over.

When he did eventually sit up, he barfed all over Fred, so Fred had to take a bath.

Barfing on Fred.

Thanksgiving + ALDS

I am a bit behind in my weekly blog posting. The week leading up to Thanksgiving was a busy one. Dad came to visit on Monday so Jasper had two spectators at swimming lessons.

Thursday, Pat went to work until 9:30am, then we drove down to Toronto for Game 1 of the American League Division Series.

Jasper is nervous for the Jays.

Our seats were really really high up, in the section in the 500 level that extends higher than the rest, above the lights. The crowd was really into the game, cheering for every single pitch through all 9 innings. The Jays didn't win that one, but Jasper was really goo and we didn't have to get up at all during the game.

Hanging with 50 000 friends at the Jays game.

Afterwards, we met up with Scott and Christopher and walked over to Kanga for dinner and some frozen takeaway pies. Then, it was back to Milton to sleep for the night.

Post-game pie snack at Kanga.

The next morning, we drove back into the city. This time, Jasper and I didn't go to the game. Instead, I went to MEC to do some shopping and met up with Michelle for lunch. It was great to see her, it had been too long!

Jasper got to meet Michelle.

After lunch, we went back to Kanga. Erynn was there this time, so we spent the afternoon hanging out at the store drinking flat whites. We had lots of time to hang out, since the game went to 14 innings before the Jays lost.

Jasper was the Kanga store mascot for the afternoon.

When the game ended, I met up with the family for sushi dinner. We didn't stay in Kincardine for Thanksgiving, so dinner was our chance to see everyone.

Pumpkins are great for learning to sit.

After dinner, we drove to Parry Sound for Thanksgiving at the cottage.  The weather was great and the whole family was there.

Aunt Shelly came to visit!

Fall colours in Back Bay.

Ready to watch the game streamed on Andy's phone.

Trying out Mikaela's glasses.

First week back

It was our first week back home and we're right back into things! Pat was back at hockey Sunday night and work Monday morning, and Jasper and I were back at our weekly Kincardine activities. I even got to get out on my own to underwater hockey.

Trying out the new highchair.

Jasper and I also did a bit of NDP door knocking this week in Kincardine and Port Elgin. I've always found that people are friendly at the door, but especially so when you've got a baby with you. Some people preferred to play with Jasper than talk politics, but that was OK.

We got to see some friends that we haven't seen in a while. We dropped in to visit Alycia, and Sonal and Shretej came over to visit. Shree and Jasper had a great time poking each other and laughing. Hopefully there will be TNDC next week so we can catch up with some more friends.

Playing with his friend Shree

Grandma and Grandpa sure are happy to see Jasper again! They came over for dinner Friday night and came over to look after Jasper Saturday while I finished putting away our camping gear. Jasper and Grandpa took a nap together on the couch.

Napping with Grandpa.

Grandma and Grandpa also came out to the Neon Night Run, organized by a couple of my former swimmers in town as a fundraiser for Me to We. We did the 5 km "poker run", but neither of us got anything better than a pair of 4s. Jasper seems to like the jogging stroller, so I am excited to have a way to exercise with him in tow.

Bundled up for the Neon Night Run.

The weather was terrible, but there was still a pretty good crowd out for the run. I was really impressed by the girls for coming up with such a good fundraising idea and then pulling it off so well.

Soggy family photo after the Neon Night Run.

Day 59- Home sweet home

Route: Milton- Toronto- Milton
Distance driven: 264 km

We made it home! Our final trip odometer reading was 14,625 km, with zero traffic infractions or animal collisions. 

We went to the final Blue Jays home game of the year today, Donaldson won it with a walk off homer in the bottom of the ninth!  Needless to say, Jasper went bananas and started chanting "MVP! MVP! MVP!".

Pat's parents, brother, and sisters came to the game, as well as Sara and Sarah, old friends from New College.

Little Jays Fan

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of the group at the game

We got back home around 9:30 and Pat had a hockey game at 10:15, then right back to work on Monday morning.  What a trooper!

Finally back at home

This concludes our road trip, feels good to be back home and sleeping in our own beds.  I don't think Jasper realizes he is home yet, he's waiting for us to pack up and move on to the next camp site any day now...

We will try to throw a few photos and stories up once a week or so until Jasper hits the road again (Barbados in November and Finland in December) but the daily updates will be on hold for a while. 

Thanks for following along.

Patrick, Kristin, and Jasper