Happy Friday friends. Today is a special post for me.

Our son Auryn turns 3 on Monday! Now – I’m doing this blog specifically for him. You see, we’ve already made him an email address, and we signed him up to get my posts. So some day, he’ll be scrolling through this and it’ll essentially be a neat time capsule for him!

So today’s post will be focused on what he’s reading, music he’s loving and a brief run through of his short life.

As many of you know – Auryn arrived with a bang. More precisely – no vitals for 6 minutes. That meant no oxygen, no blood pressure etc etc. Same with my wife.

Both were brought back from the beyond, so we’ve dubbed him Hellboy and one day maybe he’ll laugh at our dark, dorky humour.

*This was his first photo in the NICU.

Oddly enough – just yesterday I saw a friend on FB post about an almost identical experience from when their daughter arrived. I couldn’t believe it. I reached out and we chatted for a bit. Blew me away that someone else had experienced the same thing I did. I gave me a surreal sense of calmness and solitude that I wasn’t alone.

Since his arrival, Auryn has been a goofball. Loves to play jokes and scare people.

** Portrait of a contemplative 1 week old. Photo by my sister, Jodi.

What’s become very evident is his love of boy stuff. Motor bikes, construction stuff, big machines. When I get home each day he has to tell me everything he’s seen; “I saw two garbage trucks, a dump truck, a fire truck – in my alley!” He is one of the most animated conversationalists you’ll ever meet.

** His most popular picture. 8 months old. Look at that hunk.

He has always had a love of music, but HATES when other people sing. When we still lived in Calgary, I’d put him in his little bouncy chair and put on some music and see what he liked. He has developed a love of almost all genres! You’ll see that below in the selections.

** 1st birthday party! It was Where the Wild Things Are themed!

He has also always loved animals. He loves his dog OJ, but also adores his grandma’s two dogs, Bailey and Rosie. We had a zoo pass in Edmonton for a bit which he really loved! We’ll be spending a lot of time at the zoo again, now that the construction and renovations are complete!

** Being kissed by the sea lion at West Edmonton Mall.

Currently he has a number of favourite activities; loves playing Monster Trucks, going for walks to see big machines and buses, planting and gardening with mom and nan, building stuff with pops, playing with play dough, playing Paw Patrol, playing in his sand table with his big machines. He’s always on the go!

** Cheeky grin as he runs at the park!

We’ve been reading to Auryn since birth and in that time we’ve accumulated quite the library for him! You’ll see some of this current fav books here in a minute. But first another picture!

** The two of us at the (new then) Nakusp Pride crossing. Note the silly face he insisted on making!

What He’s Reading:

One of his favs – Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site features big machines working hard before going to sleep.

Bulldozer’s Shapes is another one in frequent rotation. He’s always so proud when he names all of the shapes.

Of course his favourite machine is Excavator’s – so this one is a big time fav. He’s getting really good with counting.

And of course Dump Truck’s colors! He loves dump trucks almost as much as garbage trucks, so this one is always a hit.

We also read a lot of super hero books (prefers Batman) and Paw Patrol stuff. Lately we’ve also begun to read some Blaze and the Monster Machine books.

Music:

Me and my wife listen to a really wide variety of music which has really helped Auryn develop the same love of pretty much every genre.

Above & Beyond

Auryn loves EDM and this Vegas EDC set from 2015 is bookmarked on our computer. He comes running as soon as the music starts.

 

Raise Your Glass – Memoir

My wife watches a few reality shows and one of them is called Vanderpump Rules. Auryn loves the theme song and will bust out of his play room when the song starts and then rush back in once it’s over.

 

Macklemore feat Skylar Grey – Glorious

My wife is a big Macklemore fan, and as such Auryn has developed a love of his music as well. I’m not sure if this is his fav Macklemore song, but it’s the one I hear played the most!

 

Knocked Loose – Mistakes Like Fractures

I’m a big Knocked Loose fan and as it’s frequently played on Sirius Liquid Metal, Auryn has heard this song a bunch. I even posted a video a while back of him head banging to this song.

 

Deez Nuts – Tonight We’re Gonna Party (Like There’s No Tomorrow)

As I’ve said before, I’m a massive DN fan. Me and him will listen to this tune and I’ll pick him up and start our own two man mosh pit in the living room!

 

Gecko’s Garage – Eric the Excavator

Not surprisingly, when he’s loving the kids stuff it’s usually about big machines!

 

Blippi – The Excavator Song

Auryn loves Blippi – a kids entertainer who teaches kids all about a ton of stuff. Of course the song about an excavator is the one we watch the most.

 

Alright. Well, that’s enough of that.

I can’t believe our little guy will be three and starting play school soon!

So to close this out – one day, when you end up seeing this post, just know me and your mom love you to the moon and back!

And clean up your room, put your toys away and eat your dinner!

Love,

Dad.

PS – when you finally read this – just remember, I wasn’t always this old!

**Baby Hellboy was downloaded from Deviant Art and was created by ChocolateFrizz89