Damian & Katerina = [vil-helm] #80

Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?

Tiny Tales from Alyce's Weekly Wonders

Hi, everyone! It’s me, Alyce! Guess what? It’s been a whole week since my surgery, and I’m feeling soooooo good! My mommy and daddy are so proud of me because I’m back to sleeping on my side, just like before, and I can even turn from my tummy to my back and back to my tummy again! Oh, and guess what else? I can get up on all fours now! I haven’t figured out how to move forward yet, but I’m super good at going backwards. It’s like I’m a little baby crab!

I have to tell you about the sweetest surprise! My lovely neighbors brought me the smallest, cutest bouquet of flowers, and they smell so nice. I love them! And Simone, who is super nice, sent me a t-shirt all the way from Saint Kitts! It’s so cool and comfy. I can’t wait to wear it and show off how stylish I am!

But that’s not all! My aunt Tete and uncle Charlie have been calling me on video. We have so much fun laughing and smiling at each other. It makes me so happy to see their faces. They always know how to make me giggle!

Now, here’s the best part—without that NG tube in my nose, I feel even happier, sassier, and goofier than ever before! I was already a happy baby, but now, I’m like a little bundle of joy that can’t stop smiling and being silly. Life is just so much fun!

Oh, and let me tell you about my best friends—Boujee and Dapper! I just love them so much! They are always by my side, and we’re like a little pack. They make me laugh, and I know they love me too. It’s the best feeling in the world to have such amazing furry friends.

I’m feeling great, surrounded by love, and just loving life! Thank you for all the love and support—it makes my heart so happy!

Sending you big baby hugs and kisses,

Alyce 💕

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Parenting: Eight Months of Joy Milestones and Mayhem

Hello our Vilhelmians!

As the last weeks of summer settle over Hamilton, Kat and I are excited to share our journey as parents of our now 8-month-old Alyce. What a whirlwind it's been!

From Tubes to Toddlerhood

We’ve officially entered the world of toddlerhood, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride! Although we’re still managing some aspects of feeding tubes, the constant anxiety over health concerns has faded. Now, we’re diving headfirst into the unpredictable world of a tiny human with big emotions, and it’s both exhilarating and exhausting! .

You ever notice how being a parent is like being on a rollercoaster? One minute you're up, feeling great, and the next, you’re screaming, “What did I get myself into?!”

One minute, we’re all giggles and games, and the next, it’s as if the apocalypse has arrived. Alyce's cries have become a complex code that taps directly into our parental panic receptors.

Developmental Milestones

At 8 months, Alyce is hitting some pretty cool milestones. When you put her to sit, she’s sitting up on her own, which is awesome because now she can play with her toys without toppling over every two seconds. It’s hilarious watching her lean forward to grab stuff - she’s like a tiny, wobbly gymnast!

She’s also rolling around more and showing signs of crawling, often rocking back and forth on all fours. We’re on high alert for when she figures out crawling - our living room is about to become her personal obstacle course!

Alyce’s fine motor skills are improving too. She’s developing her pincer grasp, which means she can pick up small objects with her thumb and forefinger. This is great for self-feeding, although it means we’re on constant alert for tiny objects.

Cognitively, she’s starting to understand that things still exist even when she can’t see them, which leads to fun games like peek-a-boo. And she’s babbling more, sometimes even saying “dada.” It’s adorable to see her little head turn when we call her name!

The Parental Paradox

I often wonder why anyone willingly signs up for this parental madness. It's exhausting and overwhelming. When I share these thoughts with other parents, they assure me it gets better, but I suspect they’re just trying to lure us deeper into the parental abyss. Misery loves company!

For all the challenges, there’s magic in parenting. Alyce’s smiles are like currency that pays dividends. She starts the day generously, but by evening, she becomes a miserly smile broker, doling them out with calculated precision.

Hamilton Happenings

As we soak in the last weeks of summer, Hamilton has been buzzing with activity. The farmers' market is in full swing, and we’ve been enjoying some quality people-watching while strolling through the stalls. Alyce is fascinated by all the different faces and interactions around her.

From local festivals to outdoor adventures, there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities. Whether it’s exploring the beautiful waterfalls or attending summer events, Hamilton has something for everyone.

As we navigate this new world of toddlerhood, we're grateful for our Vilhelmian community. Your support makes this wild ride a little less daunting. Here’s to the sleepless nights, the inexplicable tantrums, and those precious smiles that make it all worthwhile.

Until next time, may your coffee be strong and your toddler's naps be long!

Damian & Kat

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Woof Woof! 🐾

Bonjour, les amis! It’s Boujee and Dapper here, your favorite French bulldogs, bringing you another paw-some update!

First things first—Alyce is back home, and oh là là, she’s feeling better every day! You know what that means? More giggles, more cuddles, and more of that delightful baby food that, unfortunately, Kat says is strictly for Alyce. (We’re working on our puppy-dog eyes, though. One day, les amis, one day!)

But, mes chers, let’s talk about this week’s “petite aventure”—or as Dapper likes to call it, “The Grape Escape!”

It all started with a snack...So, Kat, our lovely maman, was in the kitchen, doing her usual thing of finding new snacks for the humans. This week’s culinary creation? Frozen grapes! Fear not, before she’d feed us anything she checks, double-checks, and triple-checks on the internet to confirm that we can eat human food. And as a side note, she had no clue that grapes are toxic for dogs, and so is chocolate, raisins, mushrooms, avocado and a whole list of human foods! And here’s where the drama unfolds...

You see, mes chers, those frozen grapes looked suspiciously like blueberries. And who has a weakness for blueberries? Moi, Boujee! Naturally, when two of these little gems rolled onto the kitchen floor, I didn’t hesitate. I thought to myself, “Ah, blueberries! How magnifique!”

Mais non! - Before I knew it, I was in the backseat of the car, racing to the emergency room with my dads. Let me tell you, the attention in the ER was nice, but the whole stomach-pumping ordeal? Not so much. I mean, who knew a tiny grape could cause so much “drame”?

Don’t worry, though—I’m feeling “fantastique” now! I came back home the same night, none the worse for wear, but let’s just say I’ll be steering clear of any suspicious fruit-like objects on the floor from now on. I might be a gourmand, but Kat and I have learned a lesson—sometimes, you’ve got to look before you leap... or snack.

Meanwhile, Dapper, Kat, and Alyce were on high alert at home, watching over me like the loyal pack they are. I may have a strong stomach (well, usually), but their love and concern were what really kept my spirits up.

On to the next adventure! Now that the grape crisis has been averted, we’re gearing up for our next big family camping trip! Alyce is stronger and sassier than ever, and we can’t wait to hit the great outdoors. I’ll be sure to keep my eyes peeled for any rogue snacks that might come my way—no more surprises!

Dapper and I will be sniffing out all the best spots, making sure the campsite is up to our impeccable standards, and of course, keeping an eye on Alyce. We might even dig a hole or two—strictly for research purposes, of course!

So stay tuned, les amis, for more “aventures extraordinaires”! Boujee’s back in action, Dapper’s ready for anything, and together, we’re unstoppable.

À bientôt, and remember—keep your grapes to yourselves, les humains!

If you ever need, here is the information to get in contact with the 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline:
Phone: (855) 764-7661
Website: www.petpoisonhelpline.com Poison List: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/

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Thank you to our dear Vilhelmians for following our adventures! Hit like and subscribe for more! Get ready for a wild ride! Hit that subscribe button to join our awesome Substack community! Vilheeeeeelm!