Shake, Rattle and Roll--Hokes 2.0

What on earth can you write about a baby who has only been around for 22 weeks?

I thought firstly I would include a link to a day-by-day calendar so you can track progress of the baby.

Some observations I have made with this child so far have been, a higher level of activity (although that could be due to a differnt placenta placement), and a love of pasta (especially Kraft Dinner!) Maybe the last part is just me.

This morning Matt finally got to feel the baby move. It has a large area to swim around in, and when it goes to the upper part of my abdomen, you have a better chance of seeing it, and feeling it. Last week I am sure I could see a little hand or foot poking out of the top of my tummy.

Carter seems to have expressed some interest in my growing girth, but I should really qualify that with a some. He will sometimes stand on the floor and put his hands on my tummy, and look up at me. Often it could be more a request to be picked up (which I am trying to do less of because of his expanding girth!)

With our recent baby boom, I am even more excited to have a newborn in the house, and with all my moaning about back pain, getting bigger, and a summer pregnancy-the light at the end of the tunnel is truly a light.

Baby Tataryn Has Arrived!

I know this is a blog dedicated to the H0kes n00bs, but once again we have exciting news. Craig, Rebecca and Lilja welcomed a new member into their family. Mitchell Stanley Michael Tataryn was born April 24th at 9:48pm, coming in at 8lbs 8oz, 54.5cm long.

By all reports Mom and baby are resting well at St. B. Lilja is busy asking Dad, "When will my new brother come home?" and after a few days wonder, "When is my new brother leaving?" I keed-only because I know far too well the reality which awaits us in a few months!

Birth announcements coming soon:
Shannon & John Wolkerstorfer-any day now
Derek & Sonya Penner-June
wade through one hot long summer (ugh!)...US

Am I missing anyone?

Baby R Has Arrived

You may all remember a few months ago (probably around 6 or 7) my posting that several of Carter's Ants and Uncles were expecting play-mates for Carter and Hokes 2.0 to play with.

The first of the series has arrived. Andrea and Darrell had their little baby girl last Sunday, Kayla Dawn Rehirchuk. A tiny little April flower, Kayla weighed 5lb 13oz (Proud Mom and Dad are happy to report a week after birth Kayla is a good eater and is back at birth weight), and was 19.25 inches long. Both Andrea and Darrell had a long night, as Kayla was born at 3:56 a.m. (and who said nothing good happens after 2:00 a.m.???)

Aweh, what a cute bebe!

Look @ Me!

Look @ Me!
Originally uploaded by adine_stokes.

Here s/he is...

HOKES 2.0, more in the flesh then last time. They have reassured us that the baby is going to be under 9lb 3oz...THEY PROMISED! And that the delivery would be shorter too. They wouldn't lie, would they?

Control Paste...good for your hair and your gut.

Yum-

This is what my kid ate this morning. Don't say we never feed him anything. Actually, who can blame him really? It smells good enough to eat. Damn Aveda. Making such great smelling products with black tea and flax seed in it.

Easter Weekend Visit Photos

I am ashamed to say I have not so very good photos from this weekend. Although, I guess that goes to show what a good visit we had, no time for pre-posed pictures?

Carter and Erik, not looking their best:
  



Dan and Erik on a Walk, I was stalking them:


























Tante Kirstin caught me on camera...sluth!
















Easter Egg Hunt: Cloe and Erik


Carter and Erik, just messin' around

Rick Malczewski holding Peter Stokes' Grandsons on Easter

This weekend we had Kirstin, Dan and Erik in town for a visit...[sigh]...times like that I wish we lived closer-just to see those kids go crazy together! (Pictures and stories to follow)

Since it was Easter yesterday we had a big Easter hunt/lunch scheduled at our house to take place just after the 12 bells of noon. In attendance for the big event was Jodi, Mark, Logan (4) and Cloe (3); Stokes/Heinrichs, Stokes/Smith; and the Malsoutters (Corey, Kate, Rick and Vera Malczewski).

I think the Malczewski's were quite excited to be surrounded by kids under 5, and also to be able to witness an Easter egg hunt (which, by the way, only took 3 minutes-ANIMALS!-who knew kids were so crazy about chocolate?!)

The whole event got Rick to talking about how nice it was to see the kids in action. He also mentioned that a few days ago he saw Papa (Peter Stokes) eating lunch at the Legion in Winnipeg. For years my dad and Corey's dad have given the old nod to one another at their shared Legion lunches (Fridays of fries and gravy, with a burger etc.). I guess as the kids (us) get older and start doing less embarrassing things (like getting tattoos and such), and more "parental bragging rights" things (like getting married, and providing grandchildren for the bragging) there has been more reason to bring the old guys together for short chats. I am guessing there is a little bit of fair play ribbing that occurs as well-from my Dad to Rick-talking about how great it is to have grandchildren, and just how wonderful his are.

Rick's idea was simple. He is spending Easter with Pete's grandkids-bragging rights enough already. Maybe he should get a picture with the grandkids (Erik and Carter) on his each of his knees, laughing and having a gold ol' time. Honestly, the image in my head is enough. The picture may just be too much for 'me ol' man'. We left it at that-and no photos were taken. Although, I am guessing there may be a smack down at the Legion this Friday around high noon-so watch out!

M.Piedlourde porte de nouvelles chaussures

I know this title is a rather obscure reference. Many of you may have been Kids in the Hall fans in the 90's-I sure was. I hope KITH will be for Carter like Monty Python was for me when I became a teenager -age old black humour that never grows old, but is bizarre and smart-but not at the same time. The skit M.Piedlourde on KITH went a little something like this:

M.Piedlourde - literally, Mr. Heavyfoot, who has this ridiculous condition of very heavy feet. In short 3-5 minute sketches we see M.Piedlourde living his day to day life, which, is difficult at best, having a burden of such heavy feet. Walking takes forever-he is late for all his dates. Driving is a breeze, but dangerous, and he is often pulled over by the cops.

Anyway. Carter is in the process of transitioning from soft soled shoes to runners. We luckily video-ed the first time experience of Carter in his new shoes. In comes the M.Piedlourde reference. He swayed to and fro, he didn’t really know if he could move forward, and was pretty sure for a few minutes he was standing right there-no matter how uncomfortable he was. After a little bit of help from Matt and I, M.Piedlourde made the transition from heavy-foot to running around the house. I think the noise of runners eventually wins over any toddler. They are so much noisier, and more fun. After a few more test days, I think he will be ready to wear his new, which Velcro shoes in the real world (because, really, who needs laces?)

Uncle Jim's, Can you Swim?

On Tuesday, March 26, our Uncle Jim passed away. (Obituary)

I really wish Carter could have gotten to know Uncle Jim better, he was so special to me. In fact, the title of this post is dedicated to Uncle Jim (actually the whole post is!). I used to think this was a hilarious question to ask him. I am not sure if it was the rhyme, or the fact that he had a pool-so it was ridiculous to think he could not swim! In fact, I have freinds who have asked about "Uncle Jim Can you Swim?" over the months to see how he was doing.

When I was little it seemed at times Uncle Jim was the only one interested in listening to me talk for hours at a time (in fact, I know at times he was!) I used to follow him around and ask him questions, sometimes waiting for an answer, but often not. Yet still, he let me follow. What a lesson that taught me, especially now having my own child-listening is the most important thing you can do, even when it is difficult (e.g. you are exausted, you want to hear yourself think, or in the teen years, you don't want to know, but probably should be listening most then).

Uncle Jim knew how to make everyone laugh-I think that this is the most important quality, if you don't have that, what do you have? Uncle Jim had a way of talking out of the side of his mouth, just loud enough so you could hear him, make a quiet comment, make you laugh, then before you know it the entire room is laughing. It was easy for him, and he made everyone so comfortable to be around him. I think Uncle Jim had a quality of making it easier for people to be around each other, they could forget why they were angry/sad/or whatever for just a moment.

I will miss you Uncle Jim-but I know you live on in our memories, in your children, and your grandchildren. We will always, always have you in our hearts and our minds. Thank you for giving us your time here-we are all so fortunate, and I know I speak for everyone who knows you when I say that the next time I laugh (and probably every time after that!) so hard it hurts, I am going to think of you.

Abducted by Aliens

"Where have you been?", "What is happening with Carter?", "How come you don't post anymore?", "Are you ever a bad parent!"

As it turns out, we have not been abducted by Aliens, and I think not posting for a month does not make us bad parents. I think the movie title I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can describes this past month. However, the content of the movie (Valium addiction) is not so accurate.

Poor Carter has lived on left overs and lived in a dirty abode all month long. We have had brief opportunities to tidy, but as you may well know, tidy is not for the faint of heart who have a 15 month old running around. I seriously thought I would never see in real life the cartoon version of half a body in a cupboard, or toy box, flinging stuff out, without any real indication that sed stuff is needed, wanted, or desired in any way, and that the flinging won't stop until the unit is empty. The activity is to empty the box. Which means, all that was in the box/unit/cupboard is out. Do we as parents put everything back in? Matt and I are not ones for living in futility-and I hate to say in many ways we loose this battle on a daily basis. Therefore, many pictures that I will post from the past month have toys/clothing/stuff all over the place (posting to take place soon?). As if an explosion has occurred in the vicinity. Ahh, and the oh so helpful who love to warn us, "Just wait until you have TWO!". Yeah. Thanks for that.

This past month Carter has been cute as ever, and I cannot think of too many updates for him. I will try to synopsize though.

1. Carter has had pink eye twice. Once a few weeks ago, and after having the drops administered for 7 days, it came back again by the end of that week. So, we are back on drops.

2. As for infectious agents. Carter also gave Matt the flu this weekend. Matt has not eaten since Sunday-and really the food he ate on Sunday had little time to be in his body, so probably he has not eaten since Saturday. Carter did not get sick, as he had a flu shot. It seems many of the parents from daycare, plus Ruth were ill this weekend. Bummer.

3. At his doctor's visit, we were told Carter is right on track. He is in the 75% for height and weight, and his noggin is still in the 50th%. I think he is about 26 pounds now, close to 27. Crazy. I am trying my hardest to not pick him up too much, baby brother or sister does not appreciate all the strain on their happy little water filled home.

4. Climbing. Carter is really into climbing ANYTHING. He uses people to get to where he wants to go (e.g. "Mum, just move your boob a little closer to my foot to I can use it to climb up on the couch, so that I can climb up to the book shelf and pull all the books off, K?"). We bought him a drum for his birthday, and he thinks it is a step ladder. He climbs everything and anything. At daycare last week he climbed on top of the lego table and the train table (both about 3 feet off the ground). After getting to his destination, he proudly proclaimed to Ruth, "No, no, no." Ahhh, yes. A good indication of our creative parenting skills. We are working on redirecting and using "No" in emergency circumstances. I feel bad it is the word he seems to know the best right now, and uses most frequently.

5. Hugging' and Kissin', and holdin' and squeezing. Last night, Matt, immobilized on the couch (Remember, sick, flu-y, food deprived Matt? The poor man, barely able to move gets into bath with sad, frustrated son so we can wash the day off of him. Parent of the year award.) after bathing with Carter because of a tempter tantrum about what I can only assume was not wanting to bath but play naked for a while longer (always a crap shoot). Anyway, Matt was on the couch recuperating, and I told Carter to say goodnight to Dad. Carter went plodding over to Matt, climbed up on the couch, and kissed Matt on the lips. He shimmied down and plodded upstairs to bed.

6. Obsessed with taking off my glasses-I may have written about this before, but just to document, so when Carter is older and reading this, "Quit taking off your Mum's glasses!" I have to get the re-adjusted every month! Drives me crazy. It isn't as if he isn't around glasses wear-ers all the time, he is. I think he finds mine offensive, large etc., and wants them off my face. Often this is when he wants a hug or wants to get close to my face, and the glasses get in the way. Well, 12 year old Carter, if you are reading this, you, my friend, helped me pick these out. If you really didn't like them as a three month old, you should have told me before letting me drop 500 bones on them! (It is expensive to be blind in this world!)

Carter is changing all the time, but at the same time he is the same little boy. He is more frusterated these days with his lack of ability to communicate, and the need of adults around him to impose thier rules on him. If he could, he would be all about moaning on and on about antidisestablishmentarianism(who knew this is what it meant! I knew the word as down with establishment, as well as being the longest word.). We have at least 10 years until that becomes a real issue (then all the parents of teenagers can line up to tell us how difficult parenting teens is!)