My first trip to Victoria!

Waiting for the SkyTrain.
Waiting for the bus.
Waiting for the ferry.
Got my ticket, here we go!
We made it!
Me and Grandma. She smiles a lot.
Me and Grandad. It's his birthday.
Chilling on the sofa. I can hold my head up!
What are we waiting for? Let's go for a walk!
Me and Grandad at Gonzales Bay. Lots of sand to play in when I'm a bit older.
Behind the "tweed curtain" on Oak Bay Ave. Never saw so many grannies before!
They bought me a new snowsuit. I think it's a bit too big.
McNeil Bay looks like a great place for a snack.
That was exciting! Time for a nap.

James on tummy November 11 - 3 months old!

A Rainy November

Next year at this time James and Emma will be happily jumping and splashing in the rain puddles. The matching boots are ready and waiting for the fun to begin.

James the Skyper

Last night we had a great Skype conversation with James - he's quite expressive with gurgles, squeaks, hiccups, and yelps.

James warily checking out the computer screen. Who are those faces....
...well they look like nice people...
...yup, James likes!

Photo Booth

This was James's first experience seeing himself...
who is that handsome little boy?

James is curious

James getting a closer look

James is twelve weeks old today!

11 weeks old and a healthy 13+lbs

Your eyes are still changing colour. They are now grey with speckles of brown around the pupils.
Looking at Mum with love
A very happy (toothless) tyke!

James at 6 weeks of age

Starting to look around and smile a lot.
My goodness you're growing fast!

James is official!

A walk with James

James is eager to go for a walk

James is beginning to get tired

And James has fallen asleep

Way to go Blue!

What exciting developments in your 5th and 6th weeks!

James can now:
Smiles at us, not just in his sleep anymore!
Recognize our faces
Reaches up to touch our faces during snuggle time
Follows our voices with his attention
Recognizes his toy bee "bumbles"
Kicks his legs in a walking motion when he is excited
Pulls my hair... ouch!
Can lift, hold and turn his head during tummy time

We can't wait to see what's next!

Your first Skype call to Grandma and Grandpa

Three Weeks Old...continued

A few more photos taken by Grandma. The first with a lovely bunny, a gift from Nan, our neighbour in Victoria.

Three Weeks Old

On Wednesday, August 26, 2009 James Gordon Bell (the baby formerly known as Blueberry) celebrated being three weeks old with an outing to the ocean. Dressed in an amazingly appropriate outfit he patiently allowed his grandmother to take photographs. Although he will be called James from now on we might still call him Blue from time to time.

Whales and Blueberry

On the ferry ride to visit Blueberry we saw something wonderful....whales. Your Grandma has been looking for whales for years, on every ferry ride, every kayak trip, every walk by the ocean and finally there they were. What a day...seeing whales and our grandson for the very first time.

Tim Horton's Blueberry Bloom

This is so incredibly and deliciously perfect. Just as our sweet little Blueberry was born Tim Horton's introduced the amazing Blueberry Bloom Donut. Coincidence or not ? And not only is it made with blueberrys, the midwifery clinic is called Bloom and it is in the shape of a star, which you are. The only problem is that your grandparents just had to buy three...two to taste and one to photograph and I think the photographer may have eaten that one too.
Oh well, sacrifices have to be made.

Three days old!

Very busy sleeping - after all being born is a lot of work!
Mum and Dad

The proud new grandparents.
The house on 7th Ave. where you were born:

Happy Birth Day!!

The world welcomed your arrival weighing a healthy 8lb 7oz at 12:31 pm Wednesday August 5, 2009.

Grandma and Grandpa put balloons on the tree in front of their house to let the neighbourhood know that you had arrived.

Here's Daddy!

Gam took these lovely pictures of us in our back yard during her last visit.