bookworm

I was thinking that I miss reading.

I commit to spending less time on the computer and more time with my head in a book.

Books used to be how I spent most of my leisure time.

I used to receive more books than anything else for birthdays and Christmas until I got "into" clothes (probably grade 9?) and started asking for that instead.

I am looking for a good book. Or books! What books have you loved? Laughed over? Wept into?

I've got a few recommendations and I'm ready to pay off my library fines so I can actually take out books again. :)

Anything else I should consider? (I probably won't get around to most of these until March, but sometimes it's fun to plan ahead!)

food and fun

My brain is feeling rather mushy right now but I'm going to attempt to blog.

Today was Jen's baby shower. I personally think EVERY baby should be showered before (or after, whichever your preference) their entrance into the world.

*Happy Birth Day Birthday!*

This will be her third child. A girl. She'll be arriving on Super Bowl Sunday (1 week!). I can't wait! I'm so excited for Jen, her husband and their kids. What will baby Naomi be like? What will she look like? Will she look more like Elijah or Hannah? I pray she has a sweet spirit and is a great eater and sleeper for her Mommy. :)

So we threw Jen a shower. It was wonderful. Good food, good times with women I love and getting to meet some women that I often hear about from Jen. That was really cool.

The hard thing about where I'm at is that still exclusively breastfeeding Jude, I brought him with me. But trying to host, attend to a baby and enjoy people and food are all very had to do at the same time. Plus the fact that Jude completely REFUSED to nap for the ENTIRE DAY. But he was surprisingly well behaved. He definitely had a few meltdowns, but ... I'm actually quite impressed that he made it from 8:30am - 7pm with no nap.

But it made me a bit sad not to be able to stay later, talk longer and hang out with more people. I know that it's the stage I'm in, but part of me feels like life is whizzing past me and I am just reaching out trying to grasp what I can, but I know that so much is flying by and I'm just either not a part of it or not aware of it. And I want to be both!

I know I just need to remind myself that this stage of breastfeeding is quite short and there will be more showers and weddings and parties to attend to that I won't have to bring my babies to. And one day I'll be there. But for now I know that it's my job to treasure, hug and love on my babies. Because I have babies who are alive and healthy and so gosh-darn-cute!

This was a tad rambly...but I believe I did say that my brain was a bit mushy. So you were warned.

Some of the food we enjoyed at the shower today:

Shrimp Salad wraps I successfully made - they were delish!

Ridiculously adorable RED VELVET CUPCAKES made by our amazing downstairs neighbour, Emily!

Kid-friendly YouTube

While a lot of my bloggy friends post videos of cool new videos, indie rock music videos or the latest jazz guy playing acoustic, when I sit in front of YouTube with my 2 year old and 6 month old these are the kinds of videos I watch (these 2 are what have captivated my 2 year old for the past couple days):

Singing Hippo (you have to click on the link - I can't embed it)

And this:

Restaurant FAIL

On Tuesday our family plus our staff team (1 other couple and another male and female staff) went out to dinner at Jose's Noodle Factory (sort of a Tex Mex style restaurant).

Noah had been having an off day - not really eating much, starting to get sick, not listening but we went anyway because generally Noah is really good in restaurants.

It's obvious from the title of this entry where this story is going, but I'll just write it out anyway.

So we get to the restaurant and Noah sits in his highchair for all of 5.7 seconds and then he's done. At first he just walks around and visits the other staff at our table, but then he's crawling into other booths (no one is in them of course), crawling under tables, and then he starts doing his loud call - HELP MAMA! HELP DADDY! when he finds himself standing up on the booth "unable" to get back down (or probably unwilling).

At this point we have all ordered and have received our food and have just started to eat. Noah starts screaming and making a scene and I know it will continue for the rest of the meal (luckily Jude is doing amazing despite this being his cranky time of the day). At this point I've already taken him to the women's washroom and told him that the next time he screams we are going home.

So true to my word (I don't like to threaten unless I am willing to follow through) I have to ask the server to pack up my food and so Noah and I drive home.

I am frustrated.

Angry.

Embarrassed.

We get home and I just let Noah play with his toys while I try to explain to him what happened.

"Noah. We are at home because you were not behaving properly for the restaurant."

"Yeeeaaaaah."

"You screamed and ran around in the restaurant."

"Yeeeeaaaah."

"You didn't listen to Mommy & Daddy."

"Yeeeaaaaah."

*sigh*

I know that at this point that spanking is NOT the way to go, so I let it drop and when he brings up "Baby Jude" and Daddy being at the restaurant I just continue to say that we left because he wasn't obeying Mommy & Daddy and so we left because it's not okay to behave like that.

He gets an early (and much needed) bedtime and is asleep by the time Jamie, Jude and the rest of our staff team arrives to hang out for the rest of the evening.

I'm not sure what the lesson is, but I think I would do the same thing all over again if I could. I would have given him the opportunity to eat dinner with us, but he probably would still be unable to handle it and so I would have left with him again. But...it's always worth a try I think.

nooks & crannies

Oh yes. Lately Noah has been drawn to nooks, crannies and all small spaces - like a moth is drawn to a flame. It's nuts. He's been hiding out in between our couch and chair and then the other day he had actually PUSHED the couch and was behind the couch. I've found him behind the toy box, behind the chair, under Jude's crib, crouching between the coffee table and the couch and many other small spaces.

It's a bit crazy but just goes to prove what I say about kids liking cozy spaces.

Pictures to come when I can grab my camera in time to capture Noah in a small space.

*A video is even better than a picture, right?*

Why hello you little piece of cuteness!

Today I watched a bunch of old videos I had uploaded on Facebook with Noah sitting my lap watching them all.

I watched one that I took while we were in Chicago last March (?). I was astounded at how much Noah has grown! He's such a little boy now, where last March he was in the toddler stage with lots of squeals and grunts (to be honest, such a FUN age!).

Noah's currently suffering through a head cold and it's really hard to watch him sniffle and snort and barely be able to talk through all the mucous and phlegm. Poor fella. But I've been teaching him to blow his nose and now I just ask him if he needs a kleenex and he goes over and wipes it himself.

Jude is now sitting quite well! He eventually tilts to the side and falls over, but wow! We're there! I have a baby who can sit! He's squealing and grunting and "talking" and I wondered today with Jamie whether he was becoming a Mommy's boy. He's generally just happy to be held by SOMEONE - anyone! But it's clear that he's developing a stronger attachment with me as the days go by and he's more aware of who is holding him or taking care of him.

But it did warm my heart this morning as I was dropping them off at the PlayCare Center at the YMCA when "Miss Karla" got Jude out of his car seat he was all smiles for her and so excited for her to pick him up.

He's slept through the night (from bedtime at 7 'til morning is what I classify as sleeping through the night) a few nights now, but not consistently. I do have hope that full nights are on the way for good but for now I really can't complain. Generally he goes down at 7pm without a peep! And then up (if at all) around 4 or 5 for a quick feed and then back down 'til some time between 8 & 9! He's a sweet kiddo and I really can't complain.

There's so much to say and so many stories to tell...but for now I'll have to end with this quick update.

Speak well.

I am guilty of speaking without being articulate.

But I blame it on Mommy Brain.

Having two children that are 2 years of age and younger, I think I am allowed to be inarticulate.

For now.

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

Someone has discovered how to blow a raspberry...

Forward thinking...

The plan for this summer is that we will be kicking around here instead of going overseas. I'm a bit sad, but I guess there will be other years for that.
Recently I started thinking of all the things there are to do around here and how much fun it can be to be a tourist in your own city. So I think I'm going to start making a list and potentially planning/saving up for a few fun things we can do once the weather gets warmer (I know it's only January, folks, but this is going to get me through the next few months with at least a piece of my sanity intact.

So, without further ado, here are some things I want to do this summer:

streetcar museum - when we lived in the north end of Guelph we used to pass this place all the time on our drives into Toronto. It's off some side road (cuz we like to take the back roads and whip down them as fast as we can) and I always wondered about it. I googled it today and it looks like so much fun! They have working locomotives and for a 2.5 year old boy this will be like heaven! It will likely end up being an all-day type of trip I think!

The Toronto Zoo - we thought about visiting this past summer but I was so pregnant and then once Jude was born the rest of the summer just flew by! So I think this year Noah will enjoy it even more than he would have last summer and this will also be an all-day type of trip. We'll have to make it coincide with some sort of special price day as I know it's super expensive!

Maybe we'll do this!

The Donkey Sanctuary - We've been to this before, but the donkeys are so sweet and it's close by, not to mention it's free!

The Ostrich Farm - because ostriches are funny and I've never tried ostrich before.

Centre Island - We used to go here as kids and it's fun to ride the ferry and spend the day walking around the gardens and maybe even going into Centreville for a treat and a ride! But again, not free...so this would be a special outing.

Spend a day at Rockwood beach - we were here last May and it was surprisingly a nice beach! I think there is a fee to get into the conservation area, but not too much I don't think and it's a close enough beach and good water area to get some sun action on a nice hot, day!

Picnic, Merry-go-round and train ride at Riverside Park - this is a nice park with a playground area as well as a fun little train that does a few circles around the park and a Merry-Go-Round. The tickets for these two rides don't cost much and it could make for a nice, simple outing with a little something special without having to cost too much! I know that during the summer there are often other events that happen at Riverside Park as well.

Go to Ribfest - I love Ribfest. I would eat ribs over wings ANY day of the week. Sure, they're messy, but when done well, they are.so.good. I think there's usually entertainment of some sort as well. It's fun that they have them all over the place now so we can easily just find out when the Guelph Ribfest is and make sure we make a point to visit!

Children's museum in Guelph - I've never been here or talked to anyone who has, but when things are free and child-friendly it's worth a look to see if it's a good activity for your kids!

Other things: have many, many BBQs in our backyard (and figure out how to get rid of all those pesky wasps!), go to the splash pads and wading pools in Guelph, take lots of trips to the park, fill the kiddie pool up every day and play in the sprinkler (can you tell I'm anticipating a hot summer?) and just really enjoy my summer!

How will YOU be a tourist in the city you live?

Bad Mommy Moment #257

On Wednesdays Noah has a swimming lesson at the YMCA at 4pm. I figured after the boys had their naps we'd head over and I could get in a workout before the lesson. Of course this would be the day when Jude actually has a proper nap (ie longer than 40 mins) and he sleeps until 3!

So I feed Jude, get the boys ready and pack our bags and we're off to the Y.

I drop the boys off at the playcare center, have a quick 25 min run/walk and then pick up Noah and we go to the change room.

We both get changed into our bathing suits and the lesson goes well. Noah loves to jump off the side and play with all the pool toys. He's not a fan of doing floats and is getting better at kicking. He still thinks "blowing bubbles" means inhaling water. Not a good scene.

Anyway, so the lesson finishes and we head to the change room. I strip Noah down only to realize I forgot to pack him a diaper.

His previous diaper was wet and now in the garbage.

What

to

do?

Well, I put on his pants (no undies, nothing!) and tell him if he has to pee that he should tell me. Then I let him play in the little "house" that is in the change room while I get changed. I get him out of the house only to see he has already peed in his pants.

Potty Training Fail.

I am glad I put on a dark pair of jeans on Noah today. We hustle out of the change room, pick up a very tired and cranky Jude and then go to the car. Noah shows some discomfort at the feeling of walking in wet jeans, but doesn't really seem to mind his current situation. I root through our "emergency" pack in the car and THANKFULLY find a diaper that fits him. I change his diaper on the drivers seat and we drive home. Him in his boots, diaper and winter jacket.

Oh well.

conversations in my house

Overheard today:

Jamie: Noah, who's a baby?
Noah: Jude.

Jamie: Who's a boy?
Noah: Noah!

Jamie: Is Jude a boy?
Noah:...No....baby Jude!

Jamie: Because he's BABY Jude!

Then a few minutes later:

Jamie: Noah, do you like babies?
Noah: YEAH!
Jamie: Who's your favourite baby?
Noah: Baby Jude!!!

Very cute. Jamie's habit of asking questions he already knows the answer to is coming in handy.

Cuteness overload

Um, have I mentioned lately how adorable my boys are?

I haven't?

Mkay. Here ya go:

hair help

Yesterday and today I have been scouring our 2 external hard drives to find a specific picture of my lovely friend Tamsin who is getting married next year and who I am making a gift for. After hours of looking through random folders and extremely organized folders of pictures I realized that said picture was probably taken with film and is not on any computer any where. Boo.

BUT, in doing so I looked a LOT of pictures. Pictures of myself taken on my webcam in the search for the perfect profile pic for Facebook, MSN messenger (back in the day), blog profiles, etc. It made me realize that I have had a ton of different hair styles. As I've gained and lost and gained weight again different hair styles look better than others.
But I'm keeping my hair short for the next little while and I'll be getting it cut probably next month before my sister's wedding.
I'm thinking short. Sassy. Sexy. Something that will hide the fact that I just got through the post-pregnancy mass exodus of hair from my head. I've now got baby hairs sprouting up every which way. Boo. Again.
So...what should I do? And should I dye my hair!??! I haven't dyed my hair in YEARS. Like...since I got married? 5.5 years ago? Is it worth it? I like my natural hair colour. I have no greys (thank you good genes!) so it's not necessary right now. But will it add to the short sassy sexy hair cut?
My inspirations are Victoria Posh Beckham. She can rock a short hair cut. I am telling you!
Also, Katie Holmes. Or Kate Cruise. Whatever you're calling her. She is CUTE! And she's a Mom. Well, so is VB, but ... I dunno. Moving on...
Rhianna. My goodness she has some HAWT hair. It's edgy. Which I like.
Also, I cannot do a fringe. I tried that. My hair is too thin at the front of my head thanks to said mass exodus.
Here's what I've considered:



Cute, no? I am a fan of the angled bob. It's likely that is what I'll do unless I find something better.




Or the ever so cute and gorgeous Katie Holmes. LOVE.
She is beyond rocking the short hair. I love it.Or the lovely Rhianna. Edgy. And the uneven angled bob! I'm definitely liking that.
So. I need your help. Or at least your input. (Cuz I'll probably do what I want anyway...but new ideas are ALWAYS welcome.) What should I do?

Operation Breast Pump

Tonight was the first time I pumped breast milk since Jude has been born.

I attempted the whole pumping thing with Noah when he was only a couple months old. I used this lame, hand held pump that took F O R E V E R to get a piddly amount of milk. Not to mention the hand cramping! So I gave up on that and I think only pumped one other time when Noah was about 4 months old.

But there are so many things coming up for which I need to pump - namely my sister's wedding. I am the maid of honour and while I do hope to get in at least 2 morning feedings and hopefully one other one, I know that my main duty is to my sister that day and that we'll be taking pictures and bridesmaid dresses are not typically known for being breastfeeding friendly. And that's okay. But I do need to pump so that I don't inconvenience others and so Jude can be fed by someone else.

SO.

Operation Breast Pump.

So I borrowed a friend's electric breast pump (Thanks, Katt!) and it was okay. I didn't take long for me to figure it out and while it did take longer to get the milk out, there is no breast pump that is going to be as efficient as a baby.

But the thing is I have no idea how much milk Jude takes in each feeding. He only feeds from one side per feed and he's not a long feeder. Like, usually 5 minutes is the average time. Sometimes a little less, sometimes a bit more.

So I got about 4 oz and pumped for 20 minutes. We'll see. I think the whole pumping thing is a bit annoying because it's totally going to mess with my supply, but we'll see how it all goes and it'll be interesting to see Jude with a bottle since he's never had one at all! I don't imagine he'll have a hard time with it.

So my plan is to pump once a day and try out a bottle by the end of the week with Jude. Then if he takes it okay, I'll keep pumping and start storing up milk.

Now to research how much a 6-7 month old baby takes per feeding!