Four months old

The "balloon boy" father begins his 90 day jail sentence today. The Olympic torch continues it's trek across Canada, and is due in town next week. Canada Post increases the price of stamps, from 54 cents to 57 cents. The Barenaked Ladies and Bart Simpson celebrate their 20th anniversary. Weibo Ludwig 'helps' the RCMP with their gasline bombing investigation. And Emmett turns four months old.

Emmett continues to favour sucking his hands over playing with his toys. However, he has recently discovered books, and is teaching himself how to read.

Emmett's mom had to break the news that he will be getting his four month vaccinations tomorrow. Emmett, once again, was not very excited at the thought of those shots.

Just hanging with his mom

Emmett discovered he has hands in recent weeks. They provide hours of endless entertainment, as he sucks and grabs his fingers, and swats random objects. No matter what stimulating toys Emmett's parents put in front of him, hands down, his digits are preferred.

He has also enjoys just hanging out with his mom. Yesterday afternoon, they sung songs together, with Emmett's mom providing the lead vocals...

...and Emmett singing bass...

When I think about you, I punch myself

Emmett's parents worried about his new habit of using his abdomen as a punching bag... until they realized that his spleen and other assorted vital organs appear to be safely out of reach of his devastating right hook.

Emmett sniffs some salty snacks

Emmett's parents picked up a cold over Christmas, and by New Year's they had passed it along to Emmett. With advice from a HealthLink nurse, and assistance from Auntie Clare, they irrigated the little guy's nasal passages with sterilized saline solution.

"Gross!" everyone says.

Everyone, that is, except Emmett.

Home for the Holidays

Emmett's parents dragged him home to visit family and friends, celebrate his first Christmas, and tour him around their respective home towns. The holidays were full of fun, festivities, and many firsts including Emmett's first plane ride. He handled the outbound flight like a champ.

On the return flight, however, he was lucky to not be hauled off by security when just before pushing back from the gate he spat up a smuggled stash of breast milk cleverly concealed in his belly. Fortunately, the volume of liquid amounted to less than 100 mL.

Relatives from the clan Stran eagerly awaited his arrival. His cousins were smitten with the newest member of the family, as were his aunts.

Not sure if Uncle Blair was as smitten, though he eventually started to come around...

Luckily, Grampa and Poppa came to the rescue, giving Emmett some quality armchair time.

All in all, Emmett received more than his fair share of attention and cuddling over the holidays. Hey, when you're as cool a Christmas character as Emmett is, who can resist?

Emmettstivus

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

In his crib, he was sleeping, the babe with no hair

His parents, they had hopes..."Through the night, does he dare?"

The adults were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of a full nights sleep danced in their heads.

When from the babe's belly, there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Over to his crib, I flew like a flash

Bent down and discovered...wee Emmett had gas.

His pampers all changed, his nose, it was kissed

He drifted to dreamland while sucking his fist.

He stirred only once more, for a late night snack

Then giggled and cooed while lying on his back.

But I heard him quite clearly, as I turned out his light

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

From our little family to yours...Merry Christmas!

Cross-cut paper shredder

Relaxing in the run-up to Christmas at Nana and Grampa's, Emmett gives a sneak preview of his enthusiasm for destroying gift wrap: