cheer

Nothing restores the mother's soul like a few hours at the salon for fresh highlights and a blow out. And coming home to a clean house, happy children, and a chilled bottle of wine in the fridge.

We're having a nice weekend. 

my bleeding ears

Ethan and Jude are currently sitting at the supper table (Jude's finished supper, Ethan's feeding himself his) having a screech-fest - and laughing. Its incredibly loud, but hey, they're preoccupied for 5 minutes and I can have a glass of wine, scan blogs, and update Sherocious.

But the screeching. UGH. It is nice to see Ethan really enjoying Jude these days though. But those two are Trouble with a capital T.

Jude's becoming more and more mobile each day - rolling over both ways now (not just front to back), scootching, and crawling backwards. He did sort of a forward lunge thing today to get to a toy. Seriously - I'm excited for the big crawl, but kinda dread it too. I remember when Ethan first crawled on Christmas Day 2004 (he was 10 1/2 months old, not a mere 8 months like Jude is now) and I both laughed and cried.

I may never get to sit down again. 

parched

Today is official "Recovery Day" from our bang-up BBQ last night for Troy's family. It was a load of fun and we stayed up way too late and I had too many glasses of wine - something I've not done since before Ethan was born. A hangover at 6:00 am parenting two young children is a lesson I won't have to learn twice.

But the party was worth it - everyone had a blast and the Bocci tourney was a lot of fun. And I'm feeling a lot better after my afternoon nap (horray!).

And - the boys got well-needed haircuts today - they look darling. Will post pics soon. 

beautiful mums

This is a wonderful blog with photos of mums and their pregnancy and post pregnancy bellies. Gorgeous, one and all.

I wish I had had the courage, and insight, to take belly shots during my pregnancies of Jude and Ethan. What was I afraid of?

Glorious.

brothers

Don't know if I've ever posted this..but here is Ethan and Jude, at about the same age (6 months?) both in the exersaucer buggy.

They don't look alike, yet do. Interesting to compare!

Ethan definitely has his daddy's smile, Judie has his chin.

Its funny - on our walks and running into people we know: the older Jude gets the more apparently he looks just like Ethan. Which is neat. I'm so glad we've given Ethan a little brother. No one can make Jude laugh like Ethan can.

*love*
 

judie wudie

Jude is 8 months old today!

And - it is hot. bleah. 

It sucks. (hee)

Going through a bit of mental and physical (boob) anguish the last few days....its getting more and more difficult to nurse Jude.

He's easily distracted when I'm nursing, and would much rather look around at what's going on than nurse. But often, even if I nurse him in a dark, quiet room on our own, unless he's really hungry or really sleepy, he's not interested.

Also - the biting. I had this problem with Ethan as well, which stopped our nursing relationship at about 10 months (if I recall correctly - I'll have to check the archives). It hurts, and he wont stop. Those two new teeth are like knives.

I've been supplementing here and there - one or two small bottles of formula a day (I could pump, I know, but to be honest I've not had the time or energy, and I guess I don't want to badly enough) to make sure he's still getting enough nutrients. He eats 3 solid meals a day, and does very well there. But nursing - I'd say he gets a good feed 2 or 3 times a day, tops. If that.

I'm not sure what I'll do. Keep trying I guess. Eight months seems a little early to stop nursing to me - especially to have him lead the weaning process (I'm trying not to take it personally). I don't know why he'll refuse the breast, and a few minutes later take a bottle of formula with great gusto. I don't get it.

He's certainly thriving - no worries there. I just don't know if I should just take his lead and give him both formula and the breast, gradually weaning him from me, or withhold the bottle?

I return to work in 2 1/2 months, so he'll be on the bottle during the day anyway. I am just not ready to let go of my last baby, nursing and cuddling with me, in the morning, before naps and bedtime.

*sniff*

Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated. 

typing into oblivion....

I'm convinced more and more that no one reads this blog anymore - basically because there is a noted lack of comments.

Hey - if you read - comment! Anon comments are welcome too. It will make my day.

And provide a little adult conversation. 

Typically, but just a reminder....

I'm tired - always, and eternally.

I understand that these parenting years of babies and toddlers are physically exhausting; that of older children (teens?) are psychologically draining.

Daunting to think about at the end of a particularly trying day. Isnt it? 

"C" is for cookie...

Cookie Cookie Cookie starts with "C"! 

delish

Summer.

It is messy. 

teeth! Plural!

Jude's sprouted his second tooth in a week. While I'll miss those toothless grins and gummy, open-mouthed kisses, I'm looking forward to seeing those pearly smiles.

This boy is pure goodness and gold. *love*

 

We love you Auntie

A very few times in our lifetimes, we meet a person who makes a true difference in our children's lives. A difference that is unexpected, yet wholly cherished and never taken for granted.

When I returned to work when Ethan was 10 months old, he went to day care with a woman affectionately called "Auntie", aka Auntie Marilyn. Marilyn over the time we've known her, has not only cared for Ethan the year he was in her care Monday to Friday, but taught him so many things making him very smart for his age (I think), but also gave him a positive sense of self, and a knowledge that he was so very loved. When Jude came into our lives, Marilyn also gave just as much love to our youngest whenever she could spend time with him. She has truly, truly, been our boys' guardian angel here on earth. I'm truly pleased that we've been able to regularly spend time with her and her children even after Ethan's been in her care while I've been on maternity leave. We enjoy our playdates.

Marilyn and her family, husband Don and children (Ethan's best friends) James and Katherine are moving to Ottawa later this month. Ethan doesnt understand this yet, and to be honest, I'm not sure how to prepare him for this upcoming change.

I, for one, am very sad. Its hard on me. Not only is Marilyn a dear friend and a lovely person; I just feel so incredibly indebted to her for all she has done for our family, for our boys: for Ethan. She has truly added to our lives - more so than I ever could have hoped. She has made an incredible difference in so many ways. I can't even begin to describe them here. She is the most selfless, loving, caring, and genuinely child-loving and -empowering person I have ever met.

Next week, we have to say our goodbyes. I'm dreading it. Our family is suffering a loss. I just hope that we can keep the memories alive for Ethan. Which means we absolutely must stay in touch. She, and her family, will be missed so very much.

Guess what? We love you, Auntie Marilyn.















I wish Judie really had the opportunity to learn to love Marilyn the way Ethan does.

ouch!

Jude's first tooth has broken through this morning!

My big boy! Seven and a half months already. Wow. 

Summer sailing

Today we visited my dad (aka Papa Ron) on his sailboat while it was moored at Sidney harbour. Jude's first time aboard; Ethan's second, though the first was when he was about 5 or 6 months old and I'm sure detached from his memories. We had a nice, albeit brief visit. Ethan enjoyed running around deck (while I tried not to visualize him falling into the drink) and eating all of Papa's blueberries.

And, it makes for great summer pictues.

 

life with boys, indeed.

I've just been in a good headspace lately. Nothing's new; nothing's different. Jude's still angelic (really, there is no other descriptor to describe my youngest); Ethan's still 'spirited'. Troy's still amazing in every way; surprising me on a daily basis with his patience, depth, thoughts and compassion. And stellar parenting. Seriously - the man is a natural (a man not sure, 5 years ago, he wanted children). I read parenting books obsessively, trying to unlock secrets to making this job a little easier. He just 'gets it' and when I spout my newly read and founded theories on how to parent toddler tantrums or baby's nursing issues, he just nods, and says "well, that's right" as if he knew all along. He really is amazing in so many ways.

It would be nice, I suppose, if he'd fill me in on his brilliance so I wouldn't have to single handedly keep Amazon in business buying these books!!!

Anyway, I'm so lucky. Every day I feel it and declare it aloud.

Right now, Jude's sleeping, Ethan's playing in the playroom while Troy quickly scarfs down pizza before we do our bedtime routine with Ethan at 7:00 ish: pyjamas, and a kajillion books before sleep. Then I'll make myself something to eat, then get to my own reading and bedtime. These days have been really happy, heady times.

I'm enjoying the summertime. I'm enjoying my men. 

yum

Just grilling and sauteeing supper now - the boys are sleeping finally and now Troy and I can get into our summer quality time. On the BBQ tonight: grilled chicken with a spicy rub, sauteed asparagus in butter and garlic, and fries. Yum! And of course the ice cold chardonnay in my glass.

Cheers! Its been a great long summer weekend. 

sweet

Its been a really nice weekend.