Dreaming American

Last night I dreamed that I was having knee surgery again. My surgeons were McDreamy and McSteamy (I had just watched last week's Grey's Anatomy - thank you PVR). So all in all a very pleasant experience. How did I know I was dreaming American? During my MRI McDreamy said that I definitely needed surgery and then said... "We'll book you tomorrow." I did how ever wake up before the bill arrived.

A bad night

For the past few nights, I have been suffering from insomnia. I get it every once in a while and I usually get over it in a week or so. But this is the first time that it has happened since Maxim arrived and I can say, it's way worse!

So last night, Marty, the love of my life, said that he would sleep in Max's room and do the night time stuff and let me sleep with my earplugs in to try and get over the insomnia hump. After catching up on some Heroes, I snuggled up with earplugs in and fell into a blissful sleep... for a while.

Marty said that Max woke up crying at midnight. A little earlier than usual, but Marty decided to feed him. Well, both Marty and I, in a brief stupid parenting moment, didn't look to see if there were any bottles made before we went to bed. How does that "assume" adage go again? So Marty had to hold a screaming Max while trying to make bottles. I can assure you that there will never be no made bottles in the fridge again. I however slept blissfully ignorant through the whole thing.

Then I woke up at 3:00am. This is the usual time that my insomnia kicks in. So I stumble down stairs to pee and then when I crawled back into bed I could hear crying through my earplugs. I take them out and Max is having a complete melt down. This is very unusual. Marty was at a total loss and so was I. I told Marty that there was no reason for the two of us to be awake, and since I was up I would try and sooth him. I did manage to. Marty was a little upset that I was able to do it quickly, but he has to realize that I am with Max all day and have picked up a couple of tricks. But the soothing didn't last too long. He slept for about 30 minutes and then woke up screaming again. So I gave in and got Marty to heat up another bottle. Max took it greedily (another growth spurt perhaps?) and fell right to sleep. If only I could say the same about me. Max started to stir around 6:00 so I brought him into bed with me. I used to be able to get him to fall back to sleep for another hour or so, but this hasn't worked for a couple of days now. So after listening to Max coo for an hour, I got Marty up. I needed to try and get some sleep. And I did. I slept until almost 10:00am! It was wonderful. I am feeling very refreshed today.

Here's hoping that tonight is better.

Maxim Update

For about a nano second, I thought that maybe I would join the NaBloPoMo (National Blog Post Month) where you attempt to post every day in the month of November. Good thing I didn't try or I would have failed miserably. Where did I get this idea? Karen - my ultimate blogging friend, of course. So since I haven't been very diligent in my blogging, I will try and give a comprehensive blog update.

We had our 6 month check up this week. Unfortunately, Max couldn't get his shots as he has a cold. He is blowing snot bubbles with the best of them, and his little voice is hoarse. I don't know whether to laugh at him or cry. So we have to go back in another week to get his shots. He is now a healthy 19lbs 2oz and 26 1/2". Best thing about the check up, the Doctor told me that we didn't have to sterilize the water for his formula. He said that they put enough unsterilized things in their mouths that it's not really needed. Woohoo! That saves a lot of time and stress.

We still have a nice routine. He sleeps in to about 7:30ish (I am sleeping in the spare bed with him, but I am not complaining). We go to the dog park every morning. In the afternoon I either try and get him to nap or we are out doing some errands. Night time is still really good. Marty gives him his bath and puts him down around 7:30. Max is a really good night time sleeper, and we are very lucky.

We are still really enjoying the music class we are taking on Thursday mornings. We have learned lots of songs and stories and Max seems to get a real kick out of seeing all of the other babies. We are going to start going to a drop in baby group on Tuesday afternoon with Heather and Sarah. As you can see, Max is trying to flirt with Sarah, but she is much more interested in the cube. We met Heather and Sarah through an online moms forum. They live just near by and we get along great. Isn't it the best when you happen to meet up with someone with whom you have so much in common with and just gets you.

Max's favorite place seems to be in his excersaucer. He actually has managed to figure out how to sit in it like a lounge chair. He is his father's son! He loves to spin around and scream at the animals. Actually his favorite thing is to yell and scream at their tails. He is really fascinated by them. He has also been enjoying the Jolly Jumper that Karen lent us. He is starting to get the hang of it, and again spins around to find the animals.

And finally, Max is eating really well. Avocados seem to be the only thing that he is not interested in. I guess I will have to thaw the avocado cubes and make some guacamole. Now he is having some turkey and we even gave him a little bit of spaghetti yesterday. I am hoping that he keeps his healthy appetite.

That's the news for now.

But I don't want to be a Leafs fan!

Poor Max is being forced to be a Leaf fan. Marty said he could choose his team when he moves out. Yet another motivation for him to start rolling!

Blog neglect

I have found myself in a bit of a dilemma. You see, I am having trouble keeping both the Blog and FaceBook up to date. After Thanksmas I put up some photos and updates on FaceBook about some visitors we had, but unless you are an old high school buddy, chances are you didn't see any of it. And considering that this blog is for friends and family, ... well let's just say I goofed. So here is a late entry.

After a very successful Thanksmas we had a busy week of visitors. Four very important visitors to be precise. Grandmaman and Pepe came down for a couple of days while their RV was in for repairs. For those who are not aware, Mom and Dad are now full time RVers - and this is no ordinary RV. It has a bay window, gas fireplace, central vac and air; basically, nicer and almost bigger than our house. It was the last time that we will see them until April and Mom smothered Max as much as she could. He will be so completely different the next time they see him. If we are lucky, he will be rolling! ;-)

After Grandmaman and Pepe left, we had the next very important people arrive: Nana and Opa. Glenna and Tom came down for the weekend and we had a great time together. Marty had a lot of school work to do, but we still had fun without him.

On the Saturday we went to the Canadian War Museum, leaving Marty at home to do homework. It was really interesting to go with Tom. He escaped Berlin during the Second World War and a lot of the exhibits brought back memories - some good, some bad. But he was willing to talk about them with me, which I truly appreciated. Tom has lived more in his lifetime than many people would live in four. I hope he will also share some stories with Max when he is older. I very much want Max to know as much as possible about his families' histories. That night Nana and Opa babysat and Marty and I went to see a movie. We ended up seeing a kids flick, but it was an outing nonetheless and for that we were grateful.

Sunday we all went for brunch and after Glenna and Tom walked around the Market for a while, I packed Max up and we went to Gatineau's Park. Again, leaving Marty behind. We went to Kingsmere to see Mackenzie King's summer home and gardens. It was cool but sunny and the colors were spectacular. There was a trail down to the waterfall which I suggested we take. An hour later, and some pretty steep slopes, we found out that the waterfall was dry! Well, I think I might be hearing about that one for a while. But it was a nice hike and Max seemed to really enjoy being in the backpack. And what a workout it was for me! That night we all just hung out at the house and Glenna and Tom headed back to the Big Smoke Monday morning.

It's so great having visitors. I barely have to hold onto Max. Everyone wants to either feed or bathe him. It's like a little mini break for Marty and I. So anytime anyone wants to come down for a visit, let us know. The bed is ready and Max loves to be smothered by everyone.

Busy weekend and more

I know it's almost the end of the week and I am giving a weekend update, but it always seems that when I get a few minutes to post something, 5 days have gone by!

We had another busy weekend. Saturday night was Duncan's Halloween Birthday party. In attendance were myself and Maxim (Marty had too much homework); Julie, Pete and Nathanial; Karen, John, Emily and Hope; and ours hosts Meredith, Ron, Ella and Duncan. Six kids and seven adults. Soon there will be 7 kids( Julie will be ready to pop in a couple of weeks)! No one else is allowed to have any more kids or we will no longer out number them.


Max was great. There was so much stimulation going on, there was no chance of napping. He just loved it. He screamed at all the kids as they whizzed by him, looking longingly at their speed. Hey buddy, you've got to roll before you are going to be able to get any sort of speed. All of our friends kids are so well behaved. It really was great fun to watch all the action knowing that Max will be a part of the comotion next year. Meredith made yummy spaghetti and an incredible banana-chocolate cake that was shaped like a pumpkin. We left about 7:45 and I think Max was asleep before I put the car in reverse.

Sunday was another late night. We had dinner at Kevin and Sabrina's as Kim, Dan and Liam were in town. I was really glad that we were able to meet up with them as we didn't get a chance to see them when they were visiting this summer. Liam has turned into this cute walking guy who loves cheese and is pretty easy going. He will be two in February. Kim and Dan are doing great and it is always a good night at Kev and Sabs'. Again, Max was wonderful. As long as there are things and people to entertain him, he can be a little energizer bunny and last a very long time. This time we left just after 8:00, and I think Max was asleep before we clipped him into the car. Even with two late nights, Max wasn't cranky during the following days.

This afternoon I went to Karen's and helped her and Emily carve their pumpkins. I have to admit that I am a huge fan of the pumpkin carving. And bonus, I got to take home the seeds to roast. A fall favorite for both Marty and I.

We just survived our first Halloween with Max. We had to take turns watching him, eating supper and handing out candy. There actually wasn't a whole lot of handing out candy though. It's now 8:30 and we still have half a box of Doritos, not that Marty is complaining. Next year I should buy yucky candy so I won't be so tempted to eat all the left overs!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

Random thoughts

There have been some positives and negatives attributed to my body since I became pregnant.

Positives: my psoriasis seems to have pretty much cleared up and my IBS is completely in remission. I think that is the best. I no longer have to take an inhumane amount of fiber!

Negatives: well, I no longer pass the pencil test (something that I have mourned), the saggy belly which I am now determined to tighten as I bought a new pair of jeans that a just a little snug. But the weirdest thing to happen to my body since I became pregnant is I have a cyst on my right forearm. It's bizarre. My doctor wasn't worried about it, but I am slightly weirded out about it.

Those are my random thoughts for today.

6 months old

Dear Maxim,

You are six months old. Where has the time gone? I still can't believe that you have been a part of our lives for six months. What did we do without you?

There are a few milestones that you have reached the past three months. You can now sit on your own when I place you on your butt; your babbling has developed into blowing bubbles and constantly saying "dadadadada" much to Daddy's delight; and you have started solids. So far you have been very fond of everything (especially bananas), though lately you have turned your nose up at avocados. You are still trying to master getting the mum-mum crackers into your mouth, but I really think you enjoy turning them into mush and smearing them all over your clothes more than eating them.

You have become a very social animal. You aren't strange and will happily go to anyone's arms, as long as I am still in your field of vision. You are quiet in large crowds, which makes everyone ask me what did I do to get you to be so mellow. I think you are just soaking it all in and waiting for your moment. Our routine is pretty simple: dog park in the morning, visiting with friends or running errands in the afternoon. And Thursday mornings we have music class, which you seem to really enjoy.

You still haven't figured out how to fall asleep on your own during the day. I think this is going to be a battle that we will fight soon as you are getting a little too heavy for me to put in the sling for long periods of time. Your nights are not too bad at the moment. You wake up once for feeding and then again around 4:00am, when I will grab you and sleep with you in the spare bed. I think we both really like that and it will be difficult for both of us to break that habit. But there is no need to at the moment, so I will cherish it while I can.

You still haven't figured out how to roll from your back to your front. I really don't think you see any reason to. I put you on your stomach every day and you still aren't a fan. Yesterday you did roll from your stomach to your back, resulting in bumping your head on the floor. You really weren't impressed with that, no matter how much I praised you. There are still no teeth trying to poke through, but I know that they are on their way and I am in no rush to go through the whole teething process, but how cute will you be with little chiclets in your mouth!

There are only six months left of my time at home with you. I always wondered if I would be able to last a whole year away from work, and now I know going back will be a challenge. But let us not think of that, but about all the adventures that are ahead of us.

I love you my jellybean,

Mommy

A wonderful weekend

What a wonderful weekend I had. The weather was great and I got to do so much.

Saturday was a girls day out. Meredith, Julie, Karen and I all went on an adventure, sans kids. We went to Perth for lunch at Fiddle Heads (yum) and then Julie brought us to the craziest antique place I have ever been. This place is more junk yard than antique shop. Anything that you would ever look for, it's here. And then you go inside. It's mind boggling actually. I had to hug my arms because I was afraid to knock something in the leaning towers of porcelain and crystal. I ended up knocking something, but it was with my feet (there are piles on the floor too). Thank goodness it wasn't too damaging. I'm on the look out of old frames, and believe it or not, I was a little disappointed. I thought I would come out with an arm load, but only ended up with two.





Saturday night Kevin and Sabrina came for dinner. I made the famous homemade ravioli. We also made lava cakes from a package. Nothing to write home about, but did provide a quick chocolate fix. I think I might have dozed off in the living room at one point. If I did, I'm really sorry guys! But it was after 10pm, and it's a challenge to stay up much longer than that.

Then on Sunday Marty and I went to the Gatineau's for a hike. We left before noon to avoid the major crowds. It was a beautiful day and it was pretty busy, but we did end up on a trail that wasn't too crowded. Marty had Max in the backpack and we went for about two hours. It was wonderful. Marty and I haven't had some real time together with nothing else to do but talk. I didn't realize how much I missed that sort of time until we actually had the time to do it. Max was asleep for most of the walk but we did take him out for the compulsory pictures.



I couldn't have asked for a better weekend.

It's back!

After fifteen glorious months, my period has returned. Can't say that I am over joyed to see it come back. It has served its purpose, I have born a child. No need for it to return. Though it seems to have given fuel to Marty's quest to try and convince me to have another. We have created the perfect child. Why tempt fate?

Last boob update (I promise!): my boobs have dried up. No more leaking. So that meant I could go bra shopping. Usually this isn't a very pleasurable outing for me. I have always had such a terrible time trying to find something that was comfortable and fit well, as well as give me some sort of flattering shape. This time I decided to get sized. Everything you read says that at least 3/4 of Canadian women are wearing the wrong size. And wow! was I ever in that category. I was way off. I'm sure the whole having a child thing made a bit of a difference, but not this much! So I am now a proud 36 D (ack!). I have bras that fit, are comfortable and make me look and feel great. How much more can you ask for. And since I have become more buxom, none of my tops fit me. Can you say shopping? Woohoo!

Boob update

Yes, I know I promised no more boob updates but I need to vent.

Mother nature is one cruel woman. I struggled for five months to produce breast milk. I did it all. I was poked and prodded, I pumped, I nursed, I took drugs. Everything. And I did manage to give Maxim some breast milk. I was finally in a good place and happy to have done what I could. But here is the kicker: My boobs are LEAKING!! For five months I could barely get anything out of them, and now that I have decided to stop all the craziness, they start to leak. And not just a little. All I want for them to dry up so that I can buy some new bras. Is that really too much to ask? After everything I did, is it really too much to ask?

Ahh. Thank you. I needed to get that off my chest (pun intended).

Thanksmas in Ottawa

Now isn't that a damn fine looking bird? Marty and I kicked butt on the cooking of the turkey. It was moist and tender and oh so yummy. And we have enough turkey to last until next Thanksmas I think. Not complaining. though if anyone has any leftover turkey recipes, please send it our way.

Thanksmas 2007 was really nice. The whole famdamily came to Ottawa for the afternoon. It consisted of food, gifts, more food and some really good laughs. Mom made Tam and I photo albums of pictures from birth to about 6 years ago (the first Leclair Thanksmas). A lot of the pictures are of us in the most atrocious fashion imaginable. And we always thought we were so in style. If we had a scanner I would post a couple, but alas we don't. Shame, isn't it. Tam and the kids made us really nice picture frames which include a picture of each kid and hearts that they made. Marty and I want to fill our stairwell with pictures, so these are going to have the privileged positions of being the first up. And Mom made Marty pickled asparagus. Yummm. Oh, and Dominique bought us this awesome 3 foot Santa.

It was Maxim's first Thanksmas and he did incredible. He was just an angel (as usual when there is company) and even sat at the table with us. Next year he will be able to eat some of the yummy turkey.

Hope everyone had a happy gobble gobble and are thankful for what they have.

Happy Thanksmas

It's 7:30am and the turkey has been in the oven for two hours now. Yes, you have done the math right. We got up at 5:00am to get the turkey in so that we could do Thanksmas lunch. Why did I offer to do it here again? Oh right, I thought it would be easier to have everyone here than pack all we need for Max for just a day. Hmmm, I maybe I was a little hasty with that decision.

Marty and I set the alarm (yes, Max has been good and sleeping in to about 7:30 every morning) and got up to prepare our first turkey. It's a 26 pounder and we have no idea what we are doing. It was an interesting adventure, especially trying to figure out where to put the sausage meat. I guess we'll see how it all turns out in about 5 hours.

For those of you who are asking, "What the heck is Thanksmas?" here is the brief history. My family celebrates Christmas at Thanksgiving as my parents are snow bird RVers and are south every winter. My parents missed having Christmas with the family so we created Thanksmas, with gift giving and everything. A little twist to the gifts is that we have to make the gifts for the adults, the kids get bought stuff. It's been 6 years, and I really like our little family tradition. And yes, we do have a little Christmas tree, along with pumpkins.

So Happy Thanksmas everyone. I'll let you know how the turkey turned out.

Mum Mums and other stuff

The well has dried up, the cover has been put on and bolted down. I pumped for the last time yesterday morning. I am a little uncomfortable today, but nothing a hot shower didn't help with this morning. The end came rather organically and without much fuss. I think that was the way to end it. I am feeling fine with it and am actually even a little relieved that it is over. As much as I wanted to do it for as long as possible, it was really inconvenient and put a lot of restrictions on our days. A little selfish I know, but I did what I could and I am actually proud of myself for holding on so long. So there you go, no more boob updates.

We introduced a new food yesterday. Mum Mum biscuits. They are rice biscuits that basically melt when wet so they are easy for kids new to food to eat. Max wasn't entirely sure what he was supposed to do with it. I tried to get him to hold it and then put it in his mouth. There was some success but most of the biscuit ended up being mushed between the tray and his belly. But it did keep him occupied while I was making supper, which is really what I wanted in the first place!



Fingers are much tastier than this dry biscuit!















No, Mommy, I can do this myself!














Success!!