First Outing

I'm not sure what came over me when I decided to take my two week old and two year old to the park by myself on Saturday. Thirty minutes after our arrival, we were all in tears and headed home.

Jem wanted to nurse as soon as we got there, and Violet wanted to swing. I couldn't do both at the same time, so Violet stood alone beside the swings, looking neglected and melancholy, pushing the empty swings, while I sat and tried to nurse on an uncomfortable park bench. I tried to rush Jem back into his hippie sling, but didn't get him in properly. I couldn't figure out how to fix the problem without taking all my clothes off and starting again. I pressed on with getting Violet in the swing, with Jem squirming and starting to cry. I think I pulled some stitches. When I finally gave up and decided to go home, Violet fell to the earth and screamed like I was killing her. I had to drag her by the arm halfway home. Everyone was looking at us.

So, that was fun!

Apart from that outing, my first day alone was fine. It did involve a full length Disney movie, but just one! This day is day two. So far so good. I have Violet on my lap, and Jem sleeping on the couch behind us. I can still blog!

The other day out of the blue Violet said "we're a family!", and it really feels like that now.

In other news:

Violet is back on track with the toilet training, thanks to Nana. She's wearing real underwear! However, it turns out her diaper was what was holding up most of her pants.

I am a terrible knitter, but I finally finished Jem's space invader sweater! Good thing, because it just fits him now.

Next: matching hats!

Jembon

Violet was an easy baby. People liked to tell us that the next one would be a handful and we were dooooooomed and all that. But folks, Jem is an even easier baby. HA! HA TO YOU ALL!!!

The boy sleeps, poops, eats, sleeps. That is all. Why has it taken me this long to hobble downstairs and update the blog already? Lots of good company upstairs! Nana was here for a week taking care of me, and now Oma is here. I am a very spoiled mama.

Anyhoo, Jem -

I was even a bit concerned that he was sleeping too much, but the midwives assured me that his 4 ounce weight gain in a day and a half is indicitive that he is doing just fine. He certainly doesn't sleep through a meal. I call him my Jembon (jambon is 'ham' in French). He is completely lovely and a good natured boy and we are just in total love with him.

Violet has been great. Really good, and very helpfull. If she's been outside for a while, the first thing she asks when she comes in is "How's Jem, Mama?". She hasn't had to share me too much though, as there has been someone here to dote on her since Jem arrived. The true test will be Thursday, when I am parenting solo. I'm thinking lots of TV that day.

Proof

At long last...that special time has come...

Wait for it...

Here he is!

We are back from the hospital! We are having a lovely sunday night family dinner!

Violet is being a super sweet big sister.

More later...

jesse

Jem...its a boy's name...REALLY!

Yeah!

Yesterday, September 13th, at 10:16 pm, a baby was pulled forth from Nadia's womb and when we saw those teensy little testicles, the long foretold name of Jem Roman Collins was thrust upon him.

Yes, it is a boy's name. It comes form "To Kill a Mockingbird", so there.

Jem was born weighing 10 lbs 10 oz. He is a big baby. He looks kind of like someone else's 3 month old. He kind of looks like he might be an Aztec.

Nadia is doing very well, she is a fast healer, and Jem is nursing up a storm already.

Unfortunately there are no photos available just yet...but hopefully by tonight there will be!

Nana is on her way, Nadia is at the Hospital with Jem, Oma is headed back home to look after her cat, Grampa is going home to drink an entire bottle of wine and Violet and Daddy are about to have some naps.

Zzzz,
Jesse

40+10

At 7 am Thursday (unless I am bumped by an emergency) I'll be donning that sexy hospital garb and we'll be getting this party started.
I just might have me my giant baby by tomorrow afternoon!

Jesse will update the blog for me if I have to stay in hospital for a couple of days.

Till then!

40+9

Welcome back, cervix!
It was in the lost and found at the Greyhound bus terminal, having been discovered trying to board a bus to Miami. And not behaving as a good cervix should, of course. Not dilated one little bit. This makes breaking the amniotic sac impossible.
Sooo, after weeping through my entire midwife appointment, I convinced them to schedule an induction within the next 48 hours (or face a duel with pistols at dawn tomorrow). It's complicated because I am not allowed to have a chemical induction, as this would put too much stress on my scarred uterus. The good news is they have a balloon they can manually stretch your cervix out with now.
Hey, balloons? Sounds like a party to me!

I'll let you know when the party starts. Just waiting for the hospital to call me back with a time.

40+8

Seriously.

Today I had the ultrasound, and I'm happy to report that the baby is looking perfect and ready to be born. I had a short glimpse of a squishy face sucking on a fist (!).
The less super news is that they estimate the weight of the baby to be....
TEN POUNDS EIGHT OUNCES.
Good lord. That's enough for two babies!

Tomorrow, my last midwife appointment, as I'm not leaving until something invasive and labour inducing happens. Or plans to do it the next day.

Lately, whenever I am trying to do something like get off the couch, put my socks on, or breathe, this song keeps popping into my head. I have to share it with you. The artist is a schizophrenic street person named Wesley Willis (sadly, now deceased). An odd sort of genius. It's called "I'm Sorry That I Got Fat, I Will Slim Down". The video was not done by Wesley, and I don't think it does the song much justice. Just close your eyes when listening. Please enjoy.



I WILL SLIM DOWN.

40+6

Still here.
Doing....stuff. Do you like stuff?

Cervix still AWOL (not dilated, although that was my sincere hope at the time it went missing).

Hey, Violet gave herself a huge purple bump on her forehead from falling into a shopping cart at the grocery store today. We put a bag of ice from the fish counter on her head and gave her a popicle. She's fine, my tough girl.
This will be excellent for upcoming family photos!

Ultrasound on Monday to make sure my placenta hasn't shrivelled into a prune or joined my cervix on holiday (leads seem to be pointing to Centretown!).

Thanks for checking in and waiting with me.

40+4

I had an appointment with my midwife today, who was going to stretch my cervix
(called a 'stretch and sweep') to see if that could get labour started.

She couldn't find my cervix.


I'm making missing posters right now to post around the neighbourhood.

Anywaaaay, here is cute picture of Jesse and UV.

40+2...nuthin'

The best kind of help you can get is naked toddler help.

40+1

Well, all quiet on the uterine front so far. I will post as soon as something birthy happens.
If you are wondering what the 40+1 means, it's 40 weeks pregnant +1 day overdue.
To keep us all occupied....

Short and sweet, Violet sings "Twinkle, Twinkle".

Dido and Babcia Libby gave us a handycam when they were here visiting in August! It's pretty much the best thing ever. We've been taking videos steadily, but only until today have I managed to get all the correct software loaded and 700 videos transfered to the computer. Last time I posted a video, it was through YouTube. This time, I'm trying out the Blogger option. Let me know if it works as well.

A Totally Momentous Occasion

Today, for the first time, on request, Violet got me a drink out of the fridge all by herself. Jesse and I have been waiting a while for this 'having a kid' thing to pay off.

And, for a special request, a photo of me from a couple of days ago. Shandy and Violet are in the background, being monkeys at a school were I'm doing some landscape design work. As fast as I possibly can, as explosion seems eminent.

Ugh.

Summer of the Popicle

Violet pronounces popsicle "popicle". She is obsessed with popsicles. It's the first thing she's been asking for in the morning, and then whines and bursts into tears when I tell her "only after dinner". She then asks sweetly "have dinner?".

This is mostly a pretty rosy blog, but I have to be honest and say that August has been a trying month with all the constant whiiiiniiiing. It's pretty funny sometimes when you think how ridiculous it is to be caring for a miniature person that whines for Turkish delight (tukish denight!) like it's their birth right.

I know it will pass. Hopefully in the next week or so, as I'm due in 4 days!

Of course, she's still the sweet, smart and snuggly girl she's always been. Because it's my blog, I can boast about her all I want. I took her to the doctor last week, and she benchmarked her language and comprehension skills above a 3 year old level. The girl can talk! Too bad she's only using it mostly for evil these days.

"Mama, you getting a popicle for me? I want a green one! Mama, you have a popicle also. Let's go sit on the front porch together. Bring a tissue, my popicle gets drippy".

Her First Haircut

It was a spontaneous event (hence no pictures of the actual cutting) during an errand run a couple of mornings ago. Violet won't tolerate a ponytail for more then 3 minutes, and it was getting pretty long and tangly. Sort of a feral child look. I was concerned she would be upset/restless during the cut, but she totally enjoyed it.

Before:

After:

And just in case the sweetness of the above photo is too much,

I present The Face of Two, or, Prelude to Wailing and Tears. Your pick.

This is the face we've been enjoying more often these days. I took this one while Jesse was trying to get Violet to stop bouncing on the edge of the couch.

Jesse got his haircut too! Sorry, hippie-minded members of Jesse's family.

I think he looks very handsome.

Just how pregnant I am.

VERY. Three weeks left until my due date!

And that was July....almost

I turned 31, and Jesse (the captain of my heart) threw me a surprise party.

Wacky guests and all.

Babcia Libby, Nina, Max and Angie came to visit us. It was too short. Libby always made sure we had healthy snacks. Bless her.

Max and Angie

Nina painted UV's toenails red.

Violet pointed her toes out to everyone, everywhere, until I had to force her to let me remove the few tiny flakes still clinging to her toenails yesterday.

Sandcastles.

The rest of July will follow in another post.

Too hot and pregnant to continue.

Summer hours

Life and work have been so busy, I haven't had a chance to write.
Oma back in Killaloe for the summer (sad!), Parties, family visits (Nina! Libby! Max and Angie!), and extra design work on top of my full time job are keeping me from blogging.
Things should be settling down after next week (I finally get to stop working so I can waddle around at home). I will update the UV Report for real then.
Till then,
Nadia

Oh, just quickly:
She's been very loving lately. Yesterday morning she woke Jesse up by saying "Wake up Daddy, my darling". She's also been giving lots hugs and kisses, saying "I love you so much". I am overwhelmed with the sweetness.
She also exclaimed "holy jumpin'!" when she saw a big spider web.
Jesse taught her that.

Way Cute

Violet with her friend Sabrina in the photos below. Such different personalities, but both so easy going that we can leave them to play together without fear of shrieking or tantrums. In a few years we will realize that they have snuck off behind the garage to smoke pot-pourri, but until then, it's adorable.

Less adorable:

Good heavens! What is that giant orange blob taking over the photo?

Oh, that is my stomach.

The Big Two Weekend

Jesse and I started the Toronto weekend ( a.k.a. 'Nanafest') by taking Violet to the zoo on Friday morning. We were so excited. Tigers! Monkeys! The Zoo! Violet was going to love it!
As it turned out, not so much.

SHE WHINED THE ENTIRE TIME FOR COWS.
“Where are de cowwwws?”

Couldn't have cared less about the leopard 2 feet away.

It wasn't all ambivalence though; she did like the fish, that crazy black and white striped horse, and had to admit the giraffe was cool....eventually.

Anyway, in retrospect, she might be too young to appreciate exotic zoo animals fully. She also had one of her first really loud public tantrums (a transcript follows)...

“Drink water!”
I offer her the water bottle
“No water!”
I take it back
“Waaaaaterrrrrr!”
I offer it again
“NOOOOO!”
I take it back
“Wanna water!”
I offer her the water. She takes it this time! Then tries to pour it out all over the stroller.
I take it back.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”.

Time to go home! We'll try again next summer.

The rest of the weekend went more smoothly. Nana's backyard turned out to be more to her liking. She sat amongst the foliage with Teta Peach, discovering pine cones and eating grass.

Violet had a marvelous party with adoring guests, lovely presents (even her own little guitar), balloons, party hats, and tons of yummy food.

Her overwhelmed but happy little face while everyone (20 people!) sang Happy Birthday to her made me tear up. She loved it.

Jesse helped her blow out the candles on her smartie cake .

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

In other news:

In honour of Father's Day and our anniversary (10 years together, 6 married) I had been meaning to write a little about what a great husband and father Jesse is. Instead, since he was completely annoying last night after consuming a caffeinated beverage, I will leave you with this anecdote and photo.
The man spent an alarming amount of time filling a bottle with exactly the correct amount of water, that when attached to Violet's birthday balloons, would cause them to hang suspended in mid-air. Look at his face when it finally worked.

Love you, nerd.

interlude

I do have a big post full of wonderful pictures from Violet's birthday weekend brewing.

Have to quickly share just one little story though:

Violet slapped my arm in frustration this morning over something I can't remember now (oh, yes, she's TWO for real now). I said "Violet, it makes Mama really sad when you hit me". She looked around, grabbed the nearest National Geographic, dropped it into my lap and said

"here, have a magazine...happy now?".

Very Observant

This morning, I came into UV's room in my bra and undies to get her up (she doesn't get out of bed before I open her door...yet). She looked up at me from her pillow and said "that's a biiiiig tummy!".
Yes, I think I have officially passed the cute belly stage of pregnancy. It sneaks up on you, like the moment when you realize no one expects you to carry anything anymore, or get off the couch to get your own ice cream. Yessss!

I am going away for a conference for a few days early next week. All I can think about is this little face missing me...and a room all to myself with cable tv.

Pool Party

Pool party at our place!

Sure, the pool may only be a few feet in diameter, 5 inches deep and warm like bathwater after being in the sun for a couple of days, but man does UV like it! We got it on the way home from the museum on Sunday morning, filled it up during her nap and she spent the time she woke up until dinner in it (even eating her snack en pool). Because Jesse took the 'pool photos', there's not a shot with the acutal pool in it.

Before her little eyes fully opened this morning, she was already asking "swim in da poooool!".

In other news: Sometimes when they wander away and are quiet for too long, it's a good thing.

When Two Blogs Collide

As the parental units sat chatting and sipping coffee after brunch, Margo and UV sidled up to the bar, chugged from their sippy cups and shared "they wrote that on your blog?!" stories.

Morning

The cardinal singing for love at 4:30 am, the cat walking all over me at 5:00 am, and UV whining "maaaaamaaaaaaa" at 5:30 am – will we ever sleep in again?
The answer is NO!

We do have a nice morning routine though. Violet climbs into bed with us at around 6, has a bottle of milk, and snuggles for 2 peaceful minutes.

Then she starts talking at full volume, squirming around, standing up to look out the window for birds and telling me “wake UP mama!”, her hands holding my face to look straight into hers. Just so I really get it.

I always ask her if she had dreams while she slept. She always says “yes”. I ask what about, and she always answers “mama”. I ask what I was doing in her dream, and she always says “dishes”. Funny. I never do the dishes…ever. That sounds like a dream Jesse would have.

Jesse gets up and makes oatmeal. Violet stays in bed with me until she hears Oma in the kitchen making coffee, “OMA’S HERE!”, at which point she slides off the bed and runs to see her. Yesterday morning I noticed a star sticker in her hair (her reward for using the toilet). The light was perfect, the kid is beautiful, so I grabbed my camera.