The lessons begin. Mr Burns imparts wisdom.

Attention Madeleine, you are now over two months old. The party is over. No more messing about with cakes and slideshows. It is time for you to learn the important things in life. Your education begins today. Please welcome professor Burns.


Okay, now before we begin, lets make sure that we have your full and undivided attention. Alright. Nice dress by the way.


The lecture today will focus solely upon the essentials of sticking out one's tongue. This skill of course is paramount in life, but difficult to master. Many have tried and failed. Have no fear, I am the Jedi master of tongue-sticking-outness and will teach you how to do it. Please don't be discouraged if you can't get it correct on your first attempt. Pay close attention, this is how it's done:


You see piece of cake. Mmm cake, is there any left? Now Madeleine, relax and focus. Give it a go...



Amazing! What more can I say. You have clearly mastered that ability faster and better than I would have thought possible. A+!!! The next lesson on the curriculum was to have been how to look cute and thereby get just about whatever you want. I obviously know a lot about about that subject, but apparently so do you. Class dismissed.

Multimedia Hound!

In tribute of Madeleine's two month birthday, I put together a little slide show.

Pump up the volume and enjoy.

Yesterday

Yesterday was Madeleine's 2 Month Birthday. The celebration included lots of pictures, cake and grandparents. Unfortunately, it also included Madeleine's first shots. Vaccinations are not much of a way of marking such a milestone event, but Baby M was a real trooper.

Madeleine's First Word

Here is the exceptionally rare footage of Baby M's first word! Not even two months old and she can already say "Hi." She is so smart! Almost as smart as the basset hound who figured out how to use a video camera. Enjoy.

What does the future hold?

So fresh from my jailbreak from the dog penitentiary, I was extremely happy to be back together with my family. Madeleine was keen to seek my wisdom about many things. Specifically she asked, "Mr Burns, what should I be when I grow up?". 

I tried my best to tell her that she need not be concerned about such things at two months of age, or that failing that she could simply follow in my footsteps and be a professional lazeabout, but she is seemingly bound and determined to earn an honest living.

As such I obliged with a few suggestions. She really likes to laugh, so perhaps a comedian?

She would be perfect on a throne, I wonder where she fits in the line of succession?

Blue-eyed models are huge right now in Japan!

International spokesperson is a distinct possibility. 

In the end however Madeleine decided that she was going to focus on retaining her title of most adorable baby of all time. Nice choice!

Madeleine's First Trip Abroad.

Here is mom sharing with my sister the news that she is going for a weekend trip to Mt. Baker in the United States. Happiness abounds.

Then mom told her that there were no dogs allowed and I would be spending the weekend in doggy jail. One would think that she would have some sympathy for the abandonment of a Burns-man, but here was her reaction, caught on film. Cheeky!

Mom and Madeleine at the Peace Arch border crossing. Can't you just picture me running around in that nice open field. Sigh...

Near...
far.

More amazing photographs.

Happy Birthday Queen Victoria!

Baby M salutes Canada's sovereign.... with cuteness!

Battle of the century

The 20th century had Ali v. Fraser, now the rivalry is me against Madeleine. The issue is: who can pull off the on the lap pose better? I offer the following two exhibits, you decide.

Rain be gone!!

For the longest while the weather in the Lower Mainland has been ridiculously wet and cold, even by Vancouver standards. I, more than anyone, have been very eagerly awaiting the arrival of summer. In preparation I entered into my super-shed mode. So far it has been weeks and weeks of leaving voluminous amounts of hair everywhere, and for nothing!

I'm not really too sure about what little girls think about wet and cold weather, I thought I'd canvass the matter with Madeleine. She can't talk yet but I think that you can tell from her reaction that she shared in my disgust. 

This morning the weather guy on channel 11, claimed that summer was to arrive today. Given the recent events however I found this to be a very dubious prognostication.

 

Madeleine, smart girl that she is was equally skeptical.

Mom however assured all that summer was in fact here and true to her word it was a truly gorgeous day in Vancouver.

With that terrific news, it was time for the emergence of the summer wardrobe and a corresponding increase in the already record high cuteness factor of this meagre dog blog.

Madeleine made a special request for one more bonus picture to honour Opa on his birthday so here it is! Happy birthday.

Random pictures from a very rainy Wednesday.

Today the baby socializing continued at a breakneck speed. This time the companion was 3 week old Mason (aka 'Angel Baby'). What is clear is that Madeleine is really enjoying these little visits.

Madeleine also likes the occasional quiet moment, whereupon she takes the time to ponder and wonder.
Sleepy time.
Nana stops by for some cupcake accessories and some QT with baby M.

Mother's Day

Today was Madeleine's first ever Mother's day and she was suitably excited about the event. 

A lovely family portrait taken by yours truly.

Of course there is only one really proper way to celebrate Mother's Day: ice cream cake!
Actually, there are of course two ways to celebrate Mother's Day: ice cream cake and Stanley Cup hockey! Baby M really likes the looks of the Penguins.