My Cutie

kissable lips...


pinchable cheeks...


isn't he yummy?

my new do

i have mixed feelings about it...
i think it needs highlights to make it more funky.

Hot Squirrels...and Puppydog Tails...

It's CRAZY hot here! Crazy, insane hot. I opened the front door to get the mail, and it seriously felt like I was opening a door to a sauna. I am so incredibly happy that we got central air. It was worth every unpaid penny (we don't have to pay until Sept.'08)!!! Anyway, we were hanging out in the nice, cool, air conditioned family room...when I noticed that Bosco was overly interested in something outside. I looked outside to find...a squirrel lying on the ledge of our fence. It wasn't moving. It was just lying there, with it's little tiny legs dangling over the edge. I watched it for a while...seconds turned into minutes...which turned into more minutes...and more minutes. It stayed like that for almost a half hour. I wondered if I should go out and cool it down with the hose. Yes, I'm crazy. Yes, it NEVER would have stayed still for me to hose it down. I just felt bad for the little guy. Anyway...as I spent a few seconds taking pictures...guess who got into mischief???





I realized after taking a few pictures, that Hudson was unusually quiet. I looked down to find that he had discovered Bosco's tail. Cute, I thought as I took a picture. Then one second later...Hudson decided to bend down for a...TASTE!!! I reacted as fast as I could, but...not fast enough. Hudson put Bosco's tail right in his mouth. It came out soggy with drool.

P.S. Don't tell my mom. She'll freak.

Things that made me laugh this week...

There were many things the girls said that cracked me up...here are just a few that come to mind...

1. "NO Bos-a-co (Bosco was three syllables) NO!!!" I seriously heard this hundreds of times this week.

2. "Alex, you're not sharing" Rachel
"I know...but sometimes it's HARD to share, right?" Alex
"Yes, sometimes it's hard to share" Rachel

3. "Mama, don't let Baby Hudson get it (their Fairytopia doll)...he makes CRAZY HAIR" (he would turn the fairy's pretty hair into one. serious. afro.)

4. "Halmoni...do you know how to read?"

5. "Joycie, there is a lot of Bos-a-co's hair on the floor" (they were amazed at the concept of a shedding dog...since their Tobi doesn't shed)

6. "That's okay...me and Alex just want to play by ourselves"
"Oh...you want some privacy?"
"Yes, we want privacy"

7. "What's that?" referring to Baby Hudson's "wee-wee"

8. "Maybe you should let Mama hold Baby Hudson" (when Hudson was fussing...as in THEIR mama being better at consoling him)

9. "Mama, it's not FAIR that you're wearing a dress when we are only wearing a skirt" (real tears in eyes...could they be any more girly-girls?)

10. "Girls...I'm going to miss you so much when you go back home...I didn't get enough of you this week! Are you going to miss me?" I asked

"um, no."

Masterpieces by Alex et Rachel

One thing my house definitely lacks is color...EVERYTHING is neutral...beige, brown, off-white. Bor-ing! Now I have these bright, beautiful pieces of art to display...don't they liven up our house?







The last picture is of our yummy "picnic" lunch with my dad. We feasted on BBQ and cake! So nice to be all together. We were missing you Sue and family!

Our Busy B & B!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks at our house...we've had many visitors come and go. It was busy, crazy, and super fun! Now everyone is gone, and it's almost TOO quiet...Rob's watching a movie, Hudson is sleeping, and I'm finally catching up blogging.

I LOVED seeing everyone, but it's always after visits like these, that I realize how crappy it is to live so far away from family and friends. It makes me sad to say "goodbye" again and again. I would love for Hudson to have REGULAR contact with everyone...grow up being close to loved ones. He LOVED his cousins Alex and Rachel. He was entertained just watching them play (they on the otherhand thought "Baby Hudson" was annoying).

Jan...I'm counting on you to convince Glen and Akiko to come with you next time...

loved to death...

Bosco's favorite toy since he was 6 months old (AKA "Stinky Puppy")


Ears chewed off, stuffing pulled out, eyes gouged, squeaky-thingy inside no longer squeaky...and take my word for it...it's not dubbed "Stinky Puppy" for nothing...but he still loves it 3 1/2 years later...


I think it may be time for a new one

opposites attract??

my conversation with Rob went something like this yesterday after he found out that I bought some Baby Einstein DVD's online...

Rob: I saw that you bought some Baby Einstein DVD's. Doesn't $90.00 seem kinda much? (Handing me the printout of the email money transfer from the printer)

Me: No...it's a BRAND NEW set of 23 DVD's...including the "Baby Signs" one I wanted to buy anyway. Normally each DVD is $20.00! And it's free shipping.

Rob: Where did you buy them from?

Me: Some guy on "www.kijiji.com" (a used-stuff website). I'm supposed to get them on Tuesday.

Rob: So you just GAVE a perfect STRANGER $90.00 before receiving anything??? (a look of total disbelief)

Me: uh-huh. (sheepishly) ummmmm he had his phone number and address on the ad...

Rob: Ohhhh...well then it must be real (sarcastically)

Me: (silent...because I really didn't even consider for a second that I could be getting scammed)

Rob: (silent...because he couldn't believe that I WOULDN'T for a second believe that I might be getting scammed)

So we'll have to wait and see if this turns out to be a $90.00 lesson on my part...

I still think I'm going to be receiving them...

Bonjour!

Frenchie baby with green beret...

actually...it's his bib that we soaked in cold water to cool him down after a very long, very hot, non-airconditioned, car-ride...hence the rosy rosy cheeks...


Allo je m'appele Gaston (aka Uddson)


Salut mes amis!


hmmmm...i'm pondering life's important questions...

a la Brittney...???

I feel like shaving my hair off. It's currently long, falling out like crazy (postpartum hair loss), and lately ALWAYS pulled back in the most unstylish ponytail. It looks nice when I blowdry and curl it and leave it down...but seriously...why bother when it's just going to be manhandled by Hudson, probably winding up in his mouth? I also have been thinking of getting my nose pierced and/or another tattoo (an intricate letter "H").

I think I'm having a Brittney moment.

Seriously though...

this is how I think I want to cut my hair...

Whacha think?

no longer a tiny baby...

Hudson keeps growing!!! What a concept. No, seriously...he's friggin heavy. I'm not a big girl (currently at 90 pounds, which is less than I've been in YEARS, and unfortunatly is stress related). And he's turning out to be a big boy. Almost 19 pounds at 7 months old. You do the math. I'm not complaining, well not really anyway...I love every roll on his body. I'll just have to get stronger. Ha ha ha...I have to workout because I want to hold my baby.

Here's some recent pictures...

Summer days

Rudy and Lindsay's wedding in Kingston

My cool dude

Oliver kissing Hudson, Hudson pulling Oliver's fur out

Snuggles from Auntie Faye

Here are some random pictures of the last week...



It's been sunny sunny sunny...hot hot hot...gorgeous "by-the-pool" weather...but since we don't have a pool...it's just kinda gross-hot...


(and yes...I'm the same person who will be complaining that winter is too cold)

Smartly hubby...

Two years ago Rob started the Dental Hygiene program at Algonquin College in Ottawa. He was one of 58 selected out of 1100 applicants! This week he graduated...with HONOURS! We were so proud watching him receive his diploma. I had to cheer out loud (a wahoo!) even though we were asked NOT to applaud until all the students in the discipline had walked across the podium. He had a tough two years...going to school full-time, working part-time, volunteering, being a husband, and most importantly...becoming a papa! He made it look easy, even though that kind of "load" would have killed the average person. It's a tribute to how strong he is...my smartly husband!

Hudson's ABC's

The world according to Hudson...

A is for...AGE...6 1/2 months, although the tags in all my clothes say 9-12 months because I'm a chunky monkey

B is for...BOOB...the best thing for when you're hungry, thirsty, cranky, hurt, sleepy...etc.

C is for...CRIB...don't know why my parents wasted their money on one, when I have a perfectly good, queen size bed in the master bedroom

D is for...DIGGING...it's fun to dig my little fingernails into skin and watch for a reaction

E is for...ENERGY...I have a lot more than my mama

F is for...FUN...my new favorite game is to drop anything and everything and watch mama pick it up...over and over again

G is for...GEAR...I come with LOTS...play pen, exersaucer, swing, highchair, bouncy chair, bumbo...all wildly colored...all over the house...mama can't remember what the house used to look like(!)

H is for...HAIRPULLING...I'm pretty strong, and can bring my mama to her knees by doing this trick

I is for...IN TUNE...which my mama is NOT...but she still sings to me everyday...and I like it anyway

J is for...JOSHUA...my middle name that was one of the leading contenders of being my first name for the longest time...I'm happy my parents picked the more unique name HUDSON

K is for...KISSES...I prefer giving open-mouth kisses...the slobberier the better

L is for...LAUGHING...I am easily amused by my papa and my Halmonie...my mama tries...but...she's not as funny

M is for...MAD...an emotion even sweet little me has learned...isn't it appropriate to get a little unhappy when I don't get my way?

N is for...NOSE...for some reason I HAVE to suck on my papa's nose every chance I can sneak

O is for...OTTAWA...my hometown

P is for...POOPS...everyone warned mama that they would be smelly after eating solids...don't know why she was so surprised

Q is for...QUICKLY...how I am growing and changing everyday

R is for...RAISING one eyebrow...I have already mastered this look (my mother's specialty)

S is for...STINKER and SMASH-TAYLOR...the two nicknames my parents call me

T is for...TIRED...I don't know what it means...but my mama uses that word...A LOT!

U is for...UP AND AT 'EM...my motto is "the early bird gets the worm"...so I try to wake up between 5am and 6am every morning...my parents try to force me to sleep longer...but I usually win this battle

V is for...VISITS to the hospital to see my grandpa...I can keep him entertained in his boring room

W is for...WATER...my absolute favorite drink...even better than boob...I get so excited to drink water that I actually shake when I know it's coming

X if for...X-CERSAUCER...the jail my mama puts me in when she wants to play on the computer...like right now

Y is for...YUMMY...so far I'm not a picky eater...I have liked everything I have tried...even mushy
peas!

Z is for...ZZZZZ...I still like to wake up a couple of times a night...and call for my mama...I don't know why she doesn't look as happy to see me, and I as to see her?!

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!