Random pictures

Heartbreakers!
Hudson laughing with his Grandpa
Our new rug (on "trial" from the store)
Handsome Bosco (who by the way...thinks the new rug is HIS...he lied down on it as soon as Rob unrolled it)
Happy Hudson!

Hudson's Birth Story

This post is for you Cindy! Although I'm not sure if you will want to read it...!

My little Stinker's due date was November 19th. I was positive he was going to be late because I had NO signs or symptoms of being anywhere near giving birth. I didn't feel like the baby had "dropped", I didn't lose my mucous plug, I didn't feel super uncomfortable...I felt totally normal. Even the night before I went into labour (exactly one week early), I stayed up late, talking to Rob about our upcoming baby. I went to bed after midnight, which was REALLY late for me while I was pregnant. Then I woke up to pee at around 3am. Then again at 3:15am. Then again at 3:30am. It was then I felt some cramping. The same pain as menstrual cramps. I didn't think anything of it, and tried to go back to sleep. I still wasn't sure that I was going into labour. I didn't even wake up Rob until around 5am. I don't think he believed me when I said "I think something's happening". Anyway we started timing the contractions, and by 8am they were strong, lasting a minute, and were five minutes apart. So off we went to the hospital (which is less than five minutes from our house). I was already 3-4 cm dilated, and was told that most first time labours progress at around 1cm an hour. I had opted for no drugs, and instead managed the pain by lying on my side and squeezing the bed rails as tightly as I could. I didn't want anyone talking to me, didn't want anyone touching me, nor did I want to move around. I lied there, on my side, holding the bedrails, not saying anything for hours! The nursed said I was progressing faster than the other women on the ward (everything's a competition, eh?). THEN...the little Bugger must have changed his mind about wanting to come out...because he HELD ON!!! To make a long story short...you have to dilate to 10 cm before you can start pushing. I made it to 8-9 cm by around 3pm...and then STUCK. OH MY GOD DOES IT SUCK NOT BEING ABLE TO PUSH WHEN EVERYTHING IN YOUR BODY TELLS YOU TO PUSH PUSH PUSH!!! The nurse suggested that sometimes getting an epidural relaxes you into dilating the final centimetres, which sounded heavenly by that time. But it was too late. The epidural didn't work!!! By 7pm (16 hours of labour) I was still stuck at 9 cm, my contractions were INSANE, my body was shaking, I was making involuntary noises, and the baby's heartrate was doing weird things, so they recommended having a C-section. All that work, all that time in pain...and I wound up having a c-section!!! But by 7:32pm...Hudson was born...and he was perfect...and seeing your baby for the first time makes it all worth it.

(And it really couldn't have been that bad considering I'm already thinking of having another, right?!?)

Tummy Time

It's amazing how much babies change in one week. Last week Hudson hated tummy time. His neck muscles weren't that strong, and he would spend most of the time flat on his face...and obviously that's not fun! But now look at him. The cutest part is the noises he makes while doing tummy time. Kinda breathes heavy and grunts...like it's hard work. He makes me laugh...

Happy Blog Anniversary!

This quote is how it all started...can you believe it's been one whole year since my first blog?!? I sometimes reread my previous posts and I laugh that I have shared some pretty "personal" things about myself for anyone and everyone to read! Do I regret telling you all that I have a security blanket, or that I don't like pooing in public, or that I have posted pictures of my big, fat, pregnant belly wearing nothing but my bra??? Not for one minute. Because it's me. Real. Did the handful of negative comments I have received over the year hurt my feelings? They really didn't. I swear to God I think (actually I KNOW) that they bugged Rob more than they bugged me. I have had fun writing about my life, and even more fun reading your comments (which is why you guys should LEAVE a comment!). I have linked to so many people's blogs over the year...and it's funny how I honestly feel like I "know" people...total strangers...because I read about their daily lives...like I'm snooping on them! Anyway, feel free to keep snooping on me...

(wow...this is the first post since Hudson was born that didn't involve him!)

Happy Valentine's Day

Yes motherhood can be hard...
so can marriage...
but then I have a lazy morning in bed with my boys...
and my heart melts...
and it's all worth it.
Love you stinkers like crazy!!!

Hope you all have a good Valentine's Day!

crazy cold week

Hudson and Kaitlyn (she's 2 months older) at my boss Elena's baby shower last weekend in Ottawa. Three of us pregnant at my branch at the same time (in a small office of 10 women)...people were scared to drink the water!











Visiting the cousins in Montreal! Romy, Victor, and Edouard were GREAT at entertaining my Little Stinker!!! Everyone got lots of slobbery kisses.










Auntie Susan snuck in some snuggles (the few minutes that her kids WEREN'T holding Hudson).


















Halmonie was a very busy grandmother...















It was an insanely cold week here. I got a mini vacation, spending time at my mom's place in Montreal. Nat: I pretty much hibernated for a few days so I didn't call you. We'll have to do coffee next time!

this little piggy...

Ten of my favorite little things...!