YAR... Happy Hallowe'en...

Happy Hallowe'en!

It was a busy halloween. We got 167 kids (and before you think that I'm anal or anything because we keep track, we give away cans of soda so it's pretty easy to determine the count!) between 430pm and 900pm. First off, 430pm... c'mon parents show a little discretion and curb your kids. That's absolutely ridiculous. Poor Riley had a heart attack because he was barking at the door, at the window, running around the living room and trying not to step on JT (who was laying on the floor while I was trying to get ready). My big plan was to put JT in his swing, turn on the heater to keep the room warmer, barricade Rye in the kitchen and deal with the trick or treaters. Wrong. JT started crying, Rye started crying and it was too warm by the heater but freezing by the door (and our living room isn't THAT big). GAH. So I ended up putting a jacket on JT and carrying him to the door with me. Awkward, especially when the bratty kids grabbed the door so they could all push into the doorway, big irritation because I was leaning on the door. I almost took a header down the steps a couple of times. AND it wasn't just the kids, some of those moms, holy smokes... please don't let me be like them. Wow, were they ever bitches. Anyway, I ended up putting JT in his sling and covering him with a blanket and my jacket. He fell asleep within minutes of being in the sling. He slept only if I was standing. So I basically stood from about 5pm until Steven came home at 745pm. I also had to call Steven on his way home from work to stop and buy more soda because we were running out. Unbelievable. Steven took JT out to some friend's to trick or treat while I stayed home.

We also went to Marilyn's Halloween party last Saturday afternoon. The last time we went up to visit both Shawn and Marilyn looked past us to see where the baby was (he was home with my mom). They stated that the next time we came up that if we didn't have JT with us, we shouldn't bother stopping. I think they were only half joking. Anyway, when I parked in front of the house, Marilyn burst (seriously, she BURST) out of the door like she was waiting for me. She came out to help me because I was alone, Steven was working, and immediately took the car seat. I probably could have turned around and gotten in my truck and driven away and she wouldn't have cared! I'm thinking next time I just might go see a movie or have lunch or something. JT was a pirate and he was the hit of the party. Even the kids wanted to see him.

"Yar, you'll walk the plank!"

"Arg, shiver me timbers"

Cindy bought the costume in the states. Isn't he adorable. Too bad I couldn't have drawn a beard on him or given him an eyepatch or something.

Four Months Old

Here's the obligatory phrase... "I can't believe how fast the days are slipping by..." My baby is four months old. He's much more of a little person. He laughs more. He talks more. When he cries it's usually not random but a demand for something specific.. fresh diaper, the oncoming farts, milk, his mommy. He's still drooling alot but lately he's been doing the "raspberry". Y'know how you roll or ruffle your lips together? Yeh, except add about a cup of saliva and you'll get the idea. And he's sucking on his hand, he sticks his tongue out and in goes his fist. He'll be a friggin hit at parties when he's older. (Hey, guys... I bet you I can stick my entire fist in my mouth). His flat head is slightly better. His rash-type condition on his scalp is 100 times better but he still gets the redness and flakiness on his cheeks. It seems to be caused by his spit and his tears. Lovely, I know. But we have our 4mth check up on Friday so I'll ask Dr. B about it. His hair is not growing in that fast, but he does still have hair. And the forehead hair? Yeh, that's disappearing thank goodness. He still doesn't really like going to bed earlier than 11pm but we keep trying to put him down. The past couple days he's been napping for about an hour, in addition to falling asleep in the truck or on our walks. I'm trying to establish some sort of routine but it's been difficult. We'll get through it and get something that works for us. JT is amazing. He's wonderful. He's adorable. And he's my baby boy.

It's The Great Pumpkin!

Steven & I carve pumpkins every year. And every year we try something more difficult. It's sad really, to buy these perfectly good pumpkins, carve them and then throw them out a couple days later.

This is one of mine. I did two this year.

Steven's is the far left. His degree of difficulty is much higher. He initially tried to use the rotozip but ended up spraying tiny pieces of pumpkin guts everywhere. (and being the meticulous housekeeper that I am, you know it will still be there next Halloween)


I guess, this is also one of my creations! Adorable, isn't he?

Denied and Declined

Well, don't I feel like the biggest loser. I just tried to join a new mommies group in my part of the city and I was denied. DENIED.

"Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to accept your membership request. Thanks and good luck!"

What the fuck? There are only 6 members, what in the world is wrong with me?

This afternoon I had an appointment at my bank to open the Education Account for JT. I'm just so mad at my bank right now. First off, the first branch never returned my call, the second branch took 2 days to return my call, it took about a week to get the actual appointment and to top it all off they called this morning and cancelled the appointment and took the liberty of rebooking me tomorrow. (I have Gymboree, can't make it) I'm so angry. I think that I have a good portfolio for someone my age and I don't like to be treated in this manner. I don't want to name the bank but it begins with a "T" and ends with a "D". Heh. I'm seriously considering moving all my stuff over to Steven's bank. I eventually made an appointment with them for Friday.

Happy Birthday Cindy

So Adorable

How cute is this baby?

No, really... how CUTE????

Seriously, doesn't it make you want to laugh with him?

It's All Golden

My parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary is today. Think special thoughts for them.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Worried

JT hasn't really pooped today... just a skid mark or two and I'm worried. I'm not worried as in "oh my gosh, there's something wrong with my baby" kind of worried. More like, "oh my gosh, how much poop is he saving up for tomorrow" kind of worried. Or even, "oh my gosh, is there going to be a poo-nami in the middle of the night?" kind of worried. You get my drift.

More Pictures

Cousin Erin and Baby JT

Oh Happy Day!

I rummaged through all my bags of clothes in the crawl space tonight and pulled out all my pre-pregnancy pants (and assorted tops/sweaters). And yipee, they fit. Granted there's a bit more pooch in my belly now but the pants fit. Now I just have to lose more weight so my PRE-pre-pregnancy pants fit. You know what I'm talking about. As if no-one else has various sizes in their closet. So now I don't have to spend money on pants that will hopefully be too big on me by Christmas. (cross my fingers!)

My mom & sister, Cindy are up this weekend. They are worshipping and adoring the baby. Oh & Riley too. So Steven and I ran some errands today. We went to pick up a playpen, a bumble chair (which I'll take a picture of the baby sitting), went to visit the McN3il's (and we got a nice picture drawn by Miss Libby for the Baby Bean).

I'm torn. My hair is super, super long. It's too long to really style (not that I do anything with it) but it's really heavy. After I shower, I towel dry and then put it up in either a bun or a ponytail. Lately when I brush/comb it, clumps and clumps of hair comes out. I'm told this is perfectly normal post-pregnancy behaviour. But frankly this is worrying me. What if I go bald? That's reason #1 to not get a haircut. My reason #2 is I think I want to see how long it takes before I can sit on my hair. (stupid reason, I know. But I have so little to entertain me). I was thinking about getting it cut at the end and donating the hair. My other sister Dawna does that. I guess we'll see. It's not like I have to do my hair every day or anything right now.

This week we'll be going to get our flu vaccines. Apparently breastfeeding women and their households are in the higher risk category. Hrmph, who knew! And I guess last winter, I was actually supposed to get the vaccine too because prenant women are in the high risk category. Anyway, I hope that it doesn't affect me too much because really, that's just about the last thing that I need.

What else? JT & I went to the movies last Monday. I like going. It gets me out of the house, I get to have an actual reason to get dressed. I may actually talk to another adult (which btw, I did! Shannon & Cynthia were there)

Oh my gosh, you should see all the stuff that Cindy bought for JT on her excursion to the states on the long weekend. What a spoiled little boy. Such super cute outfits. Between her & Barb, I just don't know!

I was going thru his closet the other day and sigh, I had to pull out a whole bunch of stuff. They're just too small. It makes me so sad to realize that he's growing. I remember thinking that those tiny little clothes are so small, and those newborn diapers are so tiny but he just barely fit into them. And now, he's 14.12 pounds and 24 inches. (we went to weigh him last Wednesday) He's wearing 6mth sleepers. My little guy is growing so fast. He's totally talking up a storm too. It's funny, I wonder what he's thinking about when he's babbling on. And he's started sucking on his hands, not his thumbs but his hands. He's laughing more. And like clockwork, around 630pm he'll start crying. It's his "witching hour". The past couple of nights he's been going down in his crib around 11pm and sleeping thru until 9am. We've tried to put him to bed earlier but he's having NONE of that. Even though he's sleeping at around 930pm, he'll wake up screaming if it's before 11pm and you try and put him in his crib. One morning, Steven even had to wake him up.

Gymboree

That's Gymbo the clown.

It's kind of late so I'm throwing up these pictures and calling it a post!

15 Weeks... Mat Leave Over

No picture today, I've decided to just have monthly updates so you'll be able to see more of a difference. He is 15 weeks today and the maternity leave is over and the 37 week parental leave kicks in. Not that I'm going back to work anytime soon or anything but I just thought that it was a significant day.

JT has his SIN and is still contemplating getting a job. According to Dawna, since he's got such tiny little hands and fingers, he could probably do some intricate work. I figure he could crank out wallets or purses for some big chain. I have to wait until Steven's on days before I can make an appointment at the bank to open JT's RESP; it would just be easier if I was able to go alone to set it up.

We had our first playdate with a new mommy's group. It was awkward, it was interesting, it was weird. I mean sitting on the floor in a room with 6 other women and the only thing in common is the fact that we can all reproduce. Is this how I have to make friends now? Is this the biggest criteria? "Hey, I have a womb too... wanna hang out?" Gah.

Also went to a community garage sale and picked up a bunch of sleepers and winter time clothes. I hope they still fit when it starts getting cold. I can't remember how many things I got but I only spent $36 and that includes an Osh Kosh fuzzy outerwear sleeper and a support the troops magnet!

Steven-isms

His comments about the Tower:
"I hear tell that on a clear day you can see right into the office building across the street!"

His free time:
"I had a great hobby... until they invented call display"

And here's a conversation from today:
(he's been quite sick and taking his temperature)
Him: It's 101 now. That's good, it's gone down.
Me: You're glad we got that, aren't you?
Him: yeah.
Me: Well maybe next time we'll get a rectal one.
Him:... isn't this one?

Existence

After weeks of thinking that JT's birth certificate would automatically be sent to us, I discovered that no, I have to apply for it. Wow, you'd think after all this time that I'd stop assuming things! So we finally received the birth certificate(s) in the mail and today I went to get a SIN for him. I was also going to do my name change and get a replacement card but of course, I forgot to bring my documentation so I'll have to wait in the Service Center hell another day. I was 14 when I got my SIN... JT is 3 mths old. I told him that he had to get a job now. He's thinking about it. And in case you're wondering, you need to have a SIN to get an RESP started. I'm set to do that next week sometime. I don't want to do everything all in one day!

We went to my parent's on Saturday & Sunday. Let me tell you, it was totally cramped in the SUV. The golf clubs were strapped in the front seat, JT & I were in the back seat and Rye was in the back. Good thing we only had a duffel bag, the diaper bag and JT's bag... anything else and I'd probably have to ride up top. We really need a minivan.

On Friday night, we went to Jeanine & Patrick's for a baby get together. There were 3 couples and babies. It was alot of fun and once again, I forgot to take any pictures. Damn it.

Gymboree was fun, during tummy time the instructor blew bubbles and they floated around and JT was mesmorized by them (well, for a short while anyway). And they were tiny bubbles... (feel free to sing or hum the song), he's turning his head to track the puppet while we play and well, I'm glad we're in the class. It teaches both him and me alot of interesting stuff.

Also, regarding an earlier post about signing for babies... I guess I need to clear up some confusion. JT's hearing is perfectly fine (knock on wood) (although with his father's genes, you never know), I just was interested in the signing class because you hear/see all these stories about babies that can communicate their wants/needs thru signing way before talking skills are there. Plus, you know I'm totally a yuppie mom in disguise.

Poor Steven is sick. He's got this pretty bad cold. He's trying so hard not to infect me or the baby. I don't know what I'd do if either of us got sick... well, we get through it but I'd really prefer not to.

Cindy went to the States with some friends and bought a bunch of stuff for JT. Glenda bought him a hallowe'en costume. He's going to be a pirate. I'm just wondering if he'll look like an extra member of the Village People. (haha) He's going to be the best dressed kid in the 'hood.

Update

I'll try and update as much as possible right now. JT is much more, well awake, lately so free time is pretty rare lately.

I can't really recall the last time I updated so if I repeat myself, tough luck. We've actually been fairly busy; I've been much more busy and much more social since having a baby than prior. I don't want to ... neglect is the wrong word... maybe deny him any opportunity to try things, see things or meet people. Also, I need to force myself out of the house sometimes otherwise we'd just sit around in our pj's talking to each other and that's probably not a good thing all the time.

Okay, JT & I went for lunch with my friend Michelle and she finally got to admire JT. I'm glad she works by me otherwise I'd never see her. Although, Gail lives up in the next community and we never see each other!

JT had another dr. appointment because I was a little concerned with a developing flat spot on the back of his head and also little swollen bumps at the base of his skull. I had called Health Link and they recommended that I see my own doctor to rule out anything serious. So we have to be "vigilant" about moving the position of his head and increase tummy time to relieve the pressure on the back of his head. I can't really tell if it's worse or not. I'm just all paranoid that I didn't notice it sooner and he'll forever have this flat spot. :( And as far as the little bumps go, he says they are lymph nodes and most likely are swollen because of his cradle cap so we got a prescription for a cream to help with that. (and it totally works!) Now, if only it would go away on his cheeks. The doctor also said that he may be starting teething because of the drool, the thrashing of the head etc... We thought that he may be kind of young but we just don't know (with almost everything else that we just don't know!) He has been super cranky lately and overly drooly and he wasn't sleeping well and wanted to be held and crying alot and not pooping as much. I guess we'll see.

JT & I also met up with Lori (Kaitlin) and Jeny (Avaani), two moms from my pre-natal class at the mall. It was so nice to be out of the house, talking with adults and being normal. I can't even begin to tell you how great it is to talk to other moms, especially with kids around the same age. And other first-time moms. You can commiserate. You can relate. You can not feel like a jackass for "not knowing" everything. Because they totally understand and they are most likely going thru the exact same thing.

And my friend Jennifer came by for a visit. I admire her so much. She's such a strong, intelligent young woman. It's like I could live through her. She has so much potential for anything that she chooses to do. Ah, to be young again! She's also so much more mature than her chronological age... actually I can't really recall how old she is. Perhaps 25? Maybe 24? Whatever. She has so much drive that it's tiring. She makes me wonder at what I could have accomplished if I had really tried at school. Wow, I'm going on & on like she's paying me or something! Anyway, I'm glad that we're friends. And I'm glad that she came over.

We went to cousin Evan's 3rd birthday. Holy lots of kids. And I might add, I LOVE their new house. So nice! It was funny, Tracey was holding JT and Evan did NOT like sharing his mummy. And JT fussed when Bruce held him, poor guy's getting a complex thinking that his nephew doesn't like him. As if. I think perhaps, he sort of looks like Steven that JT may be momentarily shaken when he realizes it's not his dad but someone else holding him!

JT's been laughing and talking more & more. Steven can make him laugh much more than I can, I have my moments but time with dad is definitely more fun. (darn)

JT & I went to a sign language seminar downtown (hello, $24 parking lot charge). I got to meet a bunch of other moms and learn about sign language. While JT is kind of young, it's something to think about in the new year. And since I was DT anyway and had paid for parking, I went to my office to have lunch. Al (my boss) was finally in so he got to meet JT. It was nice. Although, slightly difficult to try and maneouver my way to my building which, btw is not accessible. And then it was raining when I left, so I had to figure out how to get back to the parking lot without walking outside, we got pretty close.

Steven, JT & I went to see some friends who have a restaurant in a nearby town. Good food. Nice drive. Good visit.

Right now, JT's sleeping in this baby sling that Dawna got for me. At first he hated the contraption and still when he first goes in he cries but this is actually the first time that he's fallen asleep in it! I can actually do stuff! Maybe I'll go get the mail. Hopefully I'll have a jacket big enough to cover us both since it is raining out. Or maybe I won't push my luck and I'll just be thankful that he's sleeping and stay inside. If only he napped earlier and then I could have napped too. I hate to move him in case he wakes up. Oh what to do, what to do....

I was a bit disappointed this past Saturday. I was supposed to go to Gail's candle party but JT had other plans. As I said earlier that he's been really fussy and cranky and crying alot. Well, Friday night I didn't get alot of sleep but Saturday started nicely but as it progressed he got fussier and fussier. And I got more and more frustrated and more and more tired. So around 2pm, I realized that it wasn't getting better and I hadn't showered so I called and cancelled. It would have been nice to sit down and visit with everyone. Crap.

On Monday, we met up with Lori (Kaitlin), Jeanine (Charlie) and Shannon (Alex) (moms from prenatal) and we had coffee and then went to see a movie. Feast of Love. The movie was, meh, but I'm just glad to get out of the house and have a bit of adult conversation.

Then on Tuesday, we had Gymboree. I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm still not sure about the class but JT seemed to enjoy it. There was alot of singing. And they had games specifically designed to promote visual and auditory senses. Pretty cool. And at the end there was a group talk for the moms. Nice, touch. I just wish it wasn't so far away. It's about a 30 minute drive.

There's this salsa & babies class that looks interesting too. But the intro class is way at the south side of the city and the nearest class is close to the Gymboree place. Gah! Why isn't anything close to me?

I'm kind of excited for this weekend. Tomorrow night we're going to Jeanine's house. There should be about 5 couples & babies there. It'll be the first time that husband's see some of the other babies. I just regret that we all can't be there but it's so difficult with so many people and their different schedules. We've already tried once before to plan something. And then Sat/Sun we're going to see my parents. I'll steal JT and take him to visit Tamara and her family for a bit and then before my mom comes and hunts me down, I'll return JT to her and Steven & I will hopefully go out for dinner.

Overheard

Me: (reading from a book)... it says that babies recognize by smell

Steven: uhuh...

Me: (continuing to read)... that above all, they will recognize their mother by her smell as opposed to sight

Steven: hmmm...

Me: great, JT recognizes me as the one who smells like breastmilk and BO

Steven: (finally looking up)... well, yeah of course