lookey what i can do!!

Over the last few weeks I've gotten really good at holding my head up. Mom and dad got photo proof of my efforts. The video isn't as convincing but, that's because I had been working at it for a while and was getting tired. The other interesting thing going on is that mom thinks I might be in the early stages of teething, I'm not convinced myself.. although.... I have been drooling a little bit... sometimes... and the other night my cheeks were red, kind of.... and I really, really enjoy chewing and sucking on my left fist. I guess we'll just have to wait and see....

two big milestones : ) Zzzz

Carlon, at 2 months almost as if on cue had two wonderful things happen. One night he slept for 5 hours straight (YAY!!!) and he is having real smiles. I say real, not in reference to gas as some might think, no, Carlon's gas has always been preceded by cries. I'm talking about smiles that happen because he knows it's mommy or daddy talking to him. The morning seems to be his happiest time... who can blame him? I know I'm always happier the longer I sleep. And speaking of him sleeping, it's slowly getting to be longer sleeps at night. It started as 5 hours and has gone to 6 and 7, one night it was even 8 hours! I'm thinking now that was a fluke because it hasn't happened since, I will not give up the hope that it will happen again though. Now he's averaging between 6 to 7 hours each night and is full of smiles in the morning. Here are a few of the best shots so far. And the video is just a small example of Carlons sleeping habit, you might need to turn your volume up for it. All I can say is... like father like son....

Our Christmas Letter

Weeks ago Colleen and I talked about the fact that we could actually get a Christmas letter written this year. It seemed like a great idea and, like many great ideas, it was saved until it was almost too late. The reality is that although we have managed to write this letter before Christmas it is likely that you won’t receive it until after Christmas. I’m ok with that... so I hope you are too!

It has certainly been an eventful year. The first part of the year is always a busy time for youth ministry at Bethany. The return to school means the return of the regular youth programs. The spring was a great time for Brad with the youth and he continues to enjoy his ministry at the church.

At the end of March we discovered that Colleen was pregnant... and the adventure began! We had many appointments with many doctors to make sure that the pregnancy continued with no problems. The doctors were great and Brad was able to discover all the free parking around the Royal Columbian hospital.

We knew that life would change greatly at the end of November so we took a few trips this year. In May we spent a few days in one of our favourite cities, San Francisco. We flew down, checked into our hotel and headed straight to Fisherman’s Wharf for some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl... one of our favourites.

We also spent some time in Edmonton visiting with Brad’s family. Strangely enough, while we were in Edmonton we were able to visit the “Heritage Days” festival, which features many foods from many lands. If you think that there is a requirement for lots of food on any Reid trip you would probably be right!

Summer was a busy time as Brad headed down to Nashville for a youth conference. Yes, while he was there he had some genuine Tennessee BBQ and kept up the tradition of good food while on a trip.

Colleen continued work as a receptionist at Fraser Chiropractic and Massage in Vancouver. Despite a commute that involved crossing two bridges she enjoyed her time there. However, in mid-August her days at work came to an end. Colleen had to spend 14 days in the hospital because of early contractions. The doctors and nurses were great but she was very ready to come home (especially after spending her birthday in the hospital!).

Once she was home it was lots of bed rest and some regular visits from nurses. It was tough to make such a big adjustment... especially because she could no longer bake. We’re not sure who found that to be tougher: Colleen, who loves to bake, or Brad, who loves to eat whatever she bakes!

The bed rest did the trick and eventually Colleen was able to do more and more. Especially exciting was being able to go to a shower that the church held for her on October 23rd. We remember the date very clearly because early in the morning on October 24th we once again headed to the Royal Columbian Hospital, found one of those free parking spots, and headed up to the delivery ward.

Carlon Timothy Reid arrived at 2:31pm on October 24th. He was 4 weeks early but you’d never know that based on his weight of 7lbs 10oz. From the very beginning he was very healthy and we are thrilled to be his parents. It has been a huge adjustment but one that we have truly enjoyed. God has richly blessed us with such a wonderful and beautiful son.

Since then we’ve done our best to adjust to having a son. It hasn’t always been an easy adjustment (especially on those nights when he decides to spit up all over the place at 5:00am!) but we wouldn’t change a thing. He is now almost 2 months old and is over 13lbs.

Colleen and I hope that this letter finds you all at the end of a wonderful 2008. God has greatly blessed us and I hope that He has greatly blessed you as well. We look forward to hearing more from all of you!

Brad & Colleen Reid

Carlon Timothy greets the world!

Merry Christmas

it was bound to happen eventually...

Last night the Canucks were in Edmonton to play the Oilers and it was on CBC so Brad had to watch it. And thanks to uncle Tim (grrr) Carlon has a couple Oilers bibs. (I plan on using them only for the messiest of meals) So of course Brad had to put a bib on Carlon and they watched the game together. Well Brad watched and startled Carlon with his cheers while Edmonton scored and shut out the Canucks. Hopefully by the next game I'll have some Canuck parafanalia to dress Carlon in and he can "cheer" for the right team. Carlon will probably grow up cheering for Colorado or, heaven forbid, Calgary just to avoid the pressure.

Baking Day!!

Every year for Christmas since 2002 my mom, sisters and I have arranged a day to bake... all day... all our favourite Christmas goodies. It started because my Gramma Clinch would come and stay with my parents at Christmas time and one year we had the thought,' how cool it would be if we baked our Christmas goodies with her'. It turned out to be so much fun that even though my Gramma is no longer able to come to stay at Christmas we've continued with our new tradition. And as Janine's girls, Rayna and Jenna, have grown they have joined in and have made a tremendous contribution to the day. Last year we even invited friends to join us and we rented the church kitchen to accommodate the volume. It was a great time, but this year we decided to just have the four of us (plus the two new babies). We weren't as successful in terms of production this year as we've been in years past but will still had a tonne of fun. Every year it seems we find a way to improve on our organization and productivity. This year we tossed that to the side and just enjoyed spending the day together. I'm already looking forward to next year. Of all the Christmas traditions my family has created... this is by far my favourite.

my bouncy chair