Joel's celebrity impressions

Joel has obviously been watching some classic movies while we weren't looking. We've noticed that he's letting his love for the movies come out in his impressions that he's making.

While he may have more in the future, these are the ones that we are able to share with you now.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you - Joel! The master of a thousand - give or take - faces!

Joel is most excellent!

Blue Steel is still making an impact

Depending on the time of day - or if he had his nap - Joel is truly Dr. Evil

We'll be sure to keep our eyes open for any other celebrity appearances Joel makes. 

Adventures in Candy Land

Joel is too small for us to take him out for Halloween this year, so we celebrated at home this year. Next year we'll have him all dressed up and ready to woo the world with his boo.

Looks like he's about to start singing because he's surrounded by candy!

Is there a better seat in the house for a child? Not at this time of year!

The candy goes where?

Already has his first chocolate bar in his hand. (don't worry...he didn't get to eat it)

O...M...G

Mom and her little guy

Dad and his little monkey. 

Next year he'll be ready to dress up and get some great treats. We can't wait! (someone's got to make sure that the candy is safe, right?

Adventures in the great outdoors

Joel went for his first outside adventure. It was nice for us all to get out of the house - even if it was for 10 minutes - to enjoy the fall colours before the snow!

Joel doing his snug as a bug look very well. 

We got our new ride all put together and ready to go for our walk. 

The stroller is awesome for off road walking. 

Joel getting his first glimpse of fall colours. 

Moose also enjoyed the walk. He is much more protective when he's around Joel. 

First walk down. Hopefully the winter won't be too cold - that way we won't have to be hermits and Joel can get some fresh air before May!

Meeting new people

After almost being four weeks since Joel joined our family, Joel has been getting chubbier and meeting many different people (though his least favourite are the people at the labs who have to test his blood we're sure).

It's been great to have the chance to spend time with everyone, and we're happy that Joel has been able to meet his extended 'family'.

Linda came by to help us with a deeelicious dinner.

And to meet Joel!

Definitely a theme for our visits is food. Cooking is one thing that is hard to do after you've got a little baby - so we appreciate the generosity of others.

Mike, Aleeta, Brock, and Taylor came by to spend some time and meet Joel while he was still little.

Who knew that Mike's weakness was babies?

Aleeta and all the kids

Brock and Taylor meeting their new cuz

Everyone happy 

Good times with family. (nice smizing Mike!)

Auntie Melly and Joel (soon to be Tyson's partner in crime)

Albert and Tammy stopped by after a busy weekend. It was great to see them, and it was awesome that Moose got a chance to get some exercise and play with Parker!

Selina looking quite happy and comfortable with Joel in her arms. 

Nick (an amazing cook!) and Selina for a quick visit.

Grandma Lil loving the new guy

Auntie Claire looking like a natural!

Jenn, Katie, Em, and Joel. Katie was giving us a quick lesson on things we have to move out of arms reach. Who knew that babies moved so fast!?!

The proud dads (each with a squirmy kiddo)

Auntie Sylvia and Uncle Ray came by with some very cute presents and books from Cyn and Roger. They will be well used. 

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by/called to wish us well. It's been amazing, and we look forward to having Joel meet everyone else!

A week at home

It's been a week at home with the little guy and the days are short and the nights are long. Leading to naps whenever and wherever we can grab them!

We've been getting into a routine with Joel - he wakes up and so do we. It's amazing how long you can watch someone who doesn't do much other than eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. He does all that very well, so that's a good sign that his body is healthy.

Joel doing one of three things that he's really good at

Thankfully we haven't had to go back to the hospital for phototherapy, so we've been able to rest and relax with him at home. That being said, it's a whole new world that we're living in and thankfully others have been looking out for us with meals and clothes for Joel. We wonder how others do this if they don't have the support of family and friends.

While this week has definitely flown by, we already have some great memories.

 

Auntie Lindsay came by with some small clothes for Joel!

There are some minor repairs that will have to be done to 

the walls after moving a freezer downstairs with Grampa 

Baby Joel had his first bath - which he obviously loved

The Duck Towel made up for the bath

We're sure that the next week will also have some great memories too. 

Welcome to the world

You (Joel Asher Lough) came into the world on October 9th, 2011 at 9:53pm MST, weighing 5lbs6oz (2450g).

You will have an interesting birthday - Your birthday will have the date of 9.10.11, and with time zones you were also born on the centennial of the establishment of modern China. You were also born on John Lennon's birthday. You may not know who he is, and if that's the case your dad has failed at teaching you about music, but more than likely you will know his name well.

The zodiac signs for you are: Metal Rabbit for the Chinese Zodiac, and your Western Zodiac is Libra. This means that you should have characteristics of determination, resilience, balance, and truth. We will do our best to teach you these things and many more, but you're off to a good start according to the Universe.

On the day of your birth your mom told your dad early in the morning that she was feeling different, and so after packing some bags we headed to the hospital. We were sure that you weren't going to come home with us that day, but 17 hours later you came into the world.

It was the best day of our lives.

Some things in the newspaper from that day:
   - The weather was partly cloudy with a high of 14 degrees Celsius
   - Calgary's sports teams didn't do so well. The Stamps and the Flames both lost
   - Wall Street, in New York City, is having a protest against corporate greed being called "Occupy Wall Street"
   - Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple, is still a hot topic in the news after he died this week
   - The business section, which discussed people not having enough money to retire, was followed by the comics. A bit of irony that your dad wanted to include here.

Welcome to our lives Joel. We look forward to having you be a part of ours and us being a part of yours.

- Love, Mom and Dad