baby boobs

"baby boobs" really doesn't require any additional explanation, does it?!?

Sticky skin and lilacs...

It's hot tonight. Hot and humid. It feels exactly how I remember summer feeling like, when I was little. I felt a wave of nostalgia as I put Hudson to sleep tonight. And it made me feel so content. Not a giddy happiness...but a calm contentment. I was nursing him in the chair in his room, his bare belly was against mine...sticky and sweaty...and he was half sleeping/half nursing...and the slightly cooler than room-temperature breeze was drifting in the window...bringing in the scent of lilacs. Instantly it brought back memories of my childhood. We never had airconditioning growing up. We took cool baths at night on hot summer nights, and it made it easier to fall asleep. But not long after...our skin would feel sticky and sweaty again. We had a lilac tree that you could smell whenever the wind blew into house. I loved that house. 20 Marquette St., Kirkland, PQ, H9H 3W8. It's been 20 years since we lived there, but we all still dream about it sometimes. Even my dad who is recovering from his aneurysm and has troubles with his memory...has recently spoken of the good times in that house. Tonight, in my hot, un-airconditioned house, my skin sticky and sweaty, the air smelling like lilacs...I watch my son sleeping...and I kinda miss the simplicity of being a kid.

bendy baby

who needs a teether when you've got ten free toes???

facebook anonymous...

the reason for my lack of posts...

"My name is Joyce...and I'm addicted to Facebook."

there isn't a lot of free time when you have a 6 month old, a father in the hospital, and lots of family members visiting...

but every chance i get...
i'll sneak onto Facebook...
and play around until Hudson's fussing gets too loud to ignore.

Audrey bought Hudson an exersaucer...
it should be renamed "Facebook Babysitter".

Wanna be my "friend"?

boob + poo + barf = date night!

The weather in Ottawa was pretty miserable for the better part of last week. Raining and grey. So when the sky cleared up, and the sun shined brightly on Sunday afternoon...we quickly grabbed the diaper bag, Hudson, and even Bosco, and jumped in the car. We had no end destination in mind. No set plans. We just started driving. It was sunny, we had the windows rolled down, the music on...the perfect Sunday drive. We decided to drive to a little town just outside of Ottawa. It's by the water...cute and quaint. Unfortunately, we realized that we had forgotten the stroller, so a nice, leisurely walk was out of the question (the little Raspberry is friggen heavy in his carseat). We wound up driving past this nice Italian restaurant with a nice sunny patio. Rob asked the waiter if they would mind having a dog on the patio. He said "no problem", so we parked the car and got everyone out. Since we hadn't planned this "outing", we were dressed pretty casually. And the restaurant was pretty "fine" dining. Oh well, what can you do?!? There was only one other table occupied, with two guys, one in a wheelchair (this is being mentioned because it is relevant later in my story). We sat down, tied up Bosco, perched Hudson's car seat on the table, and ordered some drinks. This was turning out to be a great evening. Our FIRST dinner at a nice restaurant since Hudson was born. Then...ow...I got my first mosquito bite of the season. But who cares...it's sunny, we're on a patio, sipping a yummy cranberry juice...when...the familiar sound...of Bosco gagging. Oh my God, our dog is throwing up on the restaurant's beautiful BRAND NEW wood patio!!! We felt so bad. I tried to clean it up by throwing my water on the pile of puke. It just made it runnier...with ice cubes floating in it. Great. We apologize to the waiter. He is so nice about it. We ask him for some paper towels so we can clean it up. He says he will hose down the patio after we leave. Rob still tries to clean some of it up...with babywipes. The best we can do with what we've got. I get mosquito bite two and three. Then Hudson doesn't want to be in his carseat anymore. So he gets to sit in papa's lap. He starts getting a little fussy, and we realize that it's about time for him to be eating too. I whisk him to the car to nurse him before our food arrives. Get to the car, get comfy in the backseat...when I realize he's done a poo. And the diaper bag is on the patio. So I get out...get the diaper bag...change him in the tiny backseat of our Honda Civic...nurse him...return to the table...where Rob's almost done his meal. I take a few bites of my very mediocre meal (so disappointing)...then get mosquito bite four and five. Then the creme-de-la-creme...the table next to us gets up to leave. Bosco sees the guy in the wheelchair and starts barking his head off at him. Our dog doesn't like things that are out of his "norm". Guy sitting at table = normal. Guy wheeling away in wheelchair = not normal = bark like crazy. We apologize to the guy. He is also so nice about it. Oh Boy it's time to leave. We ask the waiter to pack up my uneaten dinner and Rob goes into the restaurant to pay, while I wait in the car with the boys. I tell Rob not to forget my food. He comes back empty handed. And as soon as we realize...there is the waiter...walking my leftovers to our car! The customers from hell. We compensated by leaving him a 30% tip. The least we could do for someone who had to clean up our dog barf off their BRAND NEW deck!!! We laughed about our "first" date (as parents) disasters on the ride home. Rob accurately said "That's what being a family is all about".

Pukey dog, poopy hungry baby, half-eaten meals...somehow it was still a fun night...

Milestones!

Yum!
Yum!!
Yum!!!
I can eat all by myself...like my brother Bosco

First comic book!

Hudson had his first meal yesterday! Yay him!!! He LOVED it. WE loved it! Rob, Halmoni and I all took turns putting the tiny plastic spoon into his waiting mouth. He got lots of praise and encouragement, which made him so proud of himself (he LOVES praise, so funny). We went all out and even took out the china for the occasion...Hudson's own Bunnykins bowl that was given to me by my dad when I was pregnant (so my dad was there in spirit too).

He also got his first haircut this week! Rob was brave enough to give Hudson a little trim. I think he looks so stylin! And he read his first comic book with Romy. A lot of milestones this week...

just to let you know...

Life is so weird. My last post of "100 things" was coincidently written the day my dad had a brain aneurysm. Numbers 81 and 82 now seem so poignant. It's just so crazy how quickly your life can change in an instant. He's slowly improving, so keep sending your prayers and good thoughts this way.

100 Things Continued...

20. This list originally started all the way back in November
21. For those of you who need reminding...that's the month Hudson was born
22. Hence why the list of 100 things ended at only the number "19"
23. I cry easy...and laugh easy
24. I also get mad easy...bad tempers run in my family
25. I always scream when killing a bug...it's not intentional...it just comes out
26. I prefer Oatmeal Raisin to Chocolate Chip cookies
27. Socks make my toes feel clausterphobic
28. I once tasted The Body Shop's "Nut Butter" body cream because it smelled so yummy
29. It was absolutely disgusting
30. People made fun of me for doing that...because I was an "adult" and should have known better
31. I'm still irresponsible like a kid
32. I can guiltLESSly eat a piece of cake or lasanga (when we have it) for breakfast
33. But only when Rob's not home to witness it
34. I wipe up small spills on the floor with my sock
35. I haven't mopped the floors in my house for longer than I care to admit
36. I call Bosco over to lick up the crumbs or spills I don't mop up with my sock
37. I LOVE the sun
38. I HATE the rain
39. I usually get along better with guys than I do with girls
40. I have 4 good girlfriends
41. Once Rob told me I was "unwifely"
42. I took it as a compliment
43. It was probably meant as an insult
44. I never get smelly B.O.
45. If I could change one thing about myself...I would like to be taller
46. Actually I would also like bigger boobs
47. And clearer skin
48. So those would be the 3 things I would change about myself, if I could
49. I suck at Math
50. I was always good at English
51. My sister Audrey's list of "100 Things" made me cry
52. It made my other sister Susan cry too
53. So Audrey deleted it, which is too bad cuz it was good
54. I miss living in Vancouver
55. I also miss living in Montreal
56. I think I'm one of those people who thinks "the grass is always greener on the other side"
57. I think "The Secret" is full of crap
58. Because I have envisioned winning the lottery for years now, and it's never happened
59. I want to go to Hawaii with my unmarried and non-parental friends next month
60. But I can't...because I'm married...and a mom, and will probably cramp their style
61. I have a vivid imagination
62. I once thought my friend Nathalie was throwing me a surprise birthday party
63. She didn't...and Audrey still laughs about it to this day
64. I sometimes regret my tattoos
65. I can barely swim
66. Yesterday I walked by Thyme Maternity and saw a really cute top and it made me miss my baby bump
67. I am trying to type quietly because Hudson is sleeping next to me
68. His nursery room isn't finished yet
69. It's partly his fault for coming one week early
70. It hurts my feelings when no one leaves comments on my blog
71. Even though I read some blogs and never leave a comment
72. My mosquito bites get humungous
73. Is that how you spell humungous?
74. Recently a salesman came to my house
75. And when I answered the door...he asked if my PARENTS were home
76. Ha ha ha I loved it. And wasn't lying when I told him "No"
77. I always enter contests
78. So far the only thing I've ever won has been a tub of Protein Powder
79. I like my food salty
80. Which is bad because high blood pressure runs in my family
81. I regret that my grandmother died alone
82. In the future if a loved one is really sick, I will stay there 24/7
83. Most people bug me
84. But the people I like...I really like
85. I think I'm allergic to alcohol because I almost always get sick from drinking
86. Except red wine...in moderation
87. I still remember my first phone number and postal code, even though it's been over 20 years since we moved from that house
88. 694-5261 and H9H 3W8
89. I have lots of pet peeves
90. The most current one is the midget's cousin talking in a fake accent on "The Amazing Race"
91. By "midget" I mean the new politically correct term "little person"
92. My old boss called me "high maintenance"
93. I think he may be right
94. I love driving by the Parliament Buildings...day or night
95. I know nothing about politics or world issues
96. I have learned a lot from watching movies like JFK, Blood Diamond, Shindler's List...etc.
97. I am open minded and non judgemental of people's race, color, sexual orientation...etc.
98. But can be catty about their fashion sense
99. I saw "New Kids on the Block" in concert
100. And liked it.

his and hers...

HIS


HERS


NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS POST...BUT HE'S CUTE


i'm not kidding...those are all Rob's deodorants. a little obsessive (?)...but i guess it's better than having a smelly husband!

chunky monkey

This is a "just because" post. Not much to blog about on this early Saturday morning...but sometimes all you need is a picture of chunky-monkey legs and baby toes to make you smile!

bad mama...

I won't win any "best mama" awards...cuz i apparently don't know how to cut Hudson's nails properly. No matter how short or often I cut them...he manages to scratch his face with his sharp little nails. Every time I turn around it seems there is a new cut or scratch on his face. This is the worst...on his nose, forehead, cheeks. Honest it's all him.

it's all worth it...

All parents-to-be say they won't change just because they have a baby. I said it. Numerous times. I thought I'd remain exactly the same as pre-baby, the only difference being that I had a little one in my life. Well there goes that theory!

Things that have changed about me since having Hudson (or otherwise known as "Things that make me a good mama"):

1. I don't wear lipstick anymore. Not because there isn't time to put it on. But because I LOVE to kiss my baby. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I kiss him a million times a day. I kiss him on the lips. I kiss him on his chubby cheeks. I kiss his stinky toes. I kiss his big, round belly. Lipstick would just be messy. And get on his delicate skin. So I have forfeited sexy lips in order to kiss my baby as much as I want...as hard as I want.
   
2. I don't wear perfume anymore. I have worn perfume everyday ever since I can remember, before having a baby. I used to say that I wanted to own a "perfume store" when I was a little girl. I love good fragrances. But wearing a million chemicals and then snuggling my baby seems like a bad idea. Maybe I'm being paranoid...but Hudson should smell his mama naturally, shouldn't he?
3. I keep my fingernails short. And polish-free. Low maintenance and kinda ugly...but I don't have to worry about scratching him with all the diaper changes, baths, changing his clothes...etc. we do everyday. There is this one picture of Anna Nicole Smith giving Dannielynn a bath, and her perfectly manicured fake long nails look pretty...but I couldn't help but wonder how many times she accidently poked her baby with them.
4. I wear comfortable & casual clothes now. I have stopped wearing "fuzzy" sweaters...wool, angora, even my favorite cashmere one from my sister...because the "fuzz" from these kind of fabrics "shed" onto Hudson's face. I am not exaggerating. I realized that I was pulling these fuzzies off of his face and mouth, because he was snuggling into my sweaters. So I delibrately wear basic cotton now. And my baby stays fuzz free.
   

Soooo...I know I look less posh and don't smell pretty anymore...but I won't complain...it's all worth it...just look at him...wouldn't you trade being "hip" for his kisses and snuggles???

Hudson's a Homebody

My little Stinker is a homebody. I got him all dressed up, put on some makeup myself...dragged my sick husband off the couch...to go out to my coworkers place for a dinner party last night. I was so excited to see my friends again. I envisioned eating, laughing, showing off cute, little Hudson. But my little Stinker had other plans. He preferred an evening of crying his eyes out. Yup...Hudson apparently doesn't like dinner parties. Little Bugger cried on and off the whole night. The only person who got to see his beautiful smile and hear his beautiful laugh was his papa, when they were alone together in the other room...away from all the other guests. Silly kid.

On another note...our new exercise routine is going for walks in the Baby Bjorn with Bosco. Hudson's eyes get big, and he looks around...staring at everything...taking in the world. Both my boys seem to have fun on our walks. Only part I'm not crazy about is croching down to pick up poo while "wearing" a 16 pound boy. Oh the things mama's do...

just bumming around...

What's new this week? Hudson LOVES sitting like a big boy in his Bumbo chair.

Where do I begin?

The Taylor Family!

Sarah in her pretty dress and cake

Hudson and Bob

Hudson in his big boy clothes

I think this may be the longest I've gone without updating my blog. This last week has been crazy. Where do I even start? Ummm, let's begin with last Sunday. We were honored to be asked to be Godparents to Sarah, Rob's niece. Her baptism was last Sunday in Montreal. We were planning on driving to Montreal on Saturday night after Rob finished work at around 3pm. Rob came home, wanted to take a little nap before leaving...and after all was said and done, we decided to leave early Sunday morning instead. Early for us is 9am. That would give us 2 hours to spare in Montreal before having to be at the church at 1pm. 9am came and went, and we were still running around getting organized. The story of our lives. We left an hour later than planned. 10am. Still enough time to get ready and nurse Hudson before having to be at the church. Enough time for Starbucks? Of course...there is always time for Starbucks when on a road trip. 10:30am...on the road, Starbucks in hand...listening to some music on the radio...when...the DJ mentions something about Daylight Savings Time. What?!? OH MY GOD!!! We forgot to turn the clocks ahead!!! We are SOOOOO late!!! Soooooo late. That makes it 11:30am, and the drive from Ottawa to Montreal is just under 2 hours. And we still have to get ready. Shit shit shit. We have to call Rob's brother and explain what's happening. He's understandably not impressed. We feel awful. Okay, new plan...drive FAST, skip dropping the dog off at Rob's parents house (his second home), instead drive directly to Rob's brother's place, jump into our "church" clothes, and go to church. This means NO time for ironing, NO time for makeup, and more importantly, NO time for nursing Hudson. Shit shit shit. To make a long story short, we arrive at Rob's brothers place at 1pm (the time we are all supposed to be at church). They couldn't even leave without us, because they had to let us in the house. We take 30 seconds to get dressed. Bosco is going crazy in the house...Richard has two golden retrievers that Bosco LOVES to play with. All three dogs are locked in the kitchen via babygate. Definitely no time to nurse poor Hudson (who has been cooped up in the carseat this whole time). I brought a white button-down dress shirt and army green cords to dress him in. Could you imagine if I had the balls to say "I know we're super late, and you're all waiting...but do you mind if I get Hudson out of his PJ's and dressed in his cute, big-boy, church clothes?" I wasn't that dumb. He was staying as is. So we finally get to the church at 1:15pm, walk in, and that's when Hudson decided he had had enough. Yup. My little guy was not happy. At all. Bawling little stinker. This was getting more and more stressful. I had to leave the baptism to nurse him a little. For the sake of making this story shorter, the ceremony went okay after Hudson had a little boob. Sarah was so good...didn't flinch at all getting the cold holy water and oily stuff on her head. We did it. It was over. Next came time for lunch at The Baton Rouge. Rob and I needed a pitstop at Richard's place first. To properly nurse Hudson and check on the dogs. We told everyone we'd meet them at the restaurant. We pull up to the house and realize we can hear Bosco barking. And sure enough...there is his little black goofy head at the front door window. Remember...he was supposed to be locked in the kitchen? Huh. We walk into the house and find that he's busted out of jail. Baby gate is knocked to the floor. And the funnier thing...both other dogs know they aren't allowed out and stayed in the kitchen the whole time even though they could have had free reign of the house. That's not our Bosco. We finally made it to the restaurant a half hour late, only to realize that everyone had waited for us to order their food. Arrrrg. Felt bad again. We could have joked that we were just getting them back for being late to our wedding...but Richard and Anita were the only ones who made it on time!!! Anyway, after everyone had some wine, a yummy meal, and some cake...good moods were back again. Whew!

And as for the rest of the week...
1. Visit Halmonie in Montreal
2. Halmonie gets sick with bad cold
3. Joyce gets sick with bad cold
4. Hudson gets sick with bad cold (his first one ever)
5. Life is soooo hard when you're the mama to a sick baby. Soooo hard. No time for blogging. Even now...I hear Hudson fussing with his papa.

done sleeping!

it's a good thing Hudson can't read yet...

Lazy weekend

It was a stormy weekend here...lots of wind...lots of snow...which has covered all of Bosco's old yellow pee spots in our backyard...now everything looks fresh and white again! Anyway we had a lazy weekend. We discovered that Bosco likes Baby Einstein DVD's as much as Hudson (especially when the "real" animals come on screen).

These are a few of my favorite things...

Things that make my life a little more sweet...

• my 400 threadcount sheets (don't mean to sound like a snob, but I would never go for anything less anymore)
  
• my "soyoungmother" designer diaperbag (it retails for serious $$$, but i LOVE it...a place for my cell phone, keys, wallet, and then of course all of Hudson's stuff).
  
• my non-fat, half-caf, light whip, cinnamon dolce latte from Starbucks (which Rob HATES ordering for me!). Yum.
  
• my new ring from "soniajung.com". This is the FUNNEST piece of jewellery I have ever seen!!! It's funky, weighty (amazing quality) and the best part is you change the stone/crystal to whatever suits your mood for the day!

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?!?)