Bits & Bobs #3

I want to document how this 'new mom' thing is going, at the 3 and a half months (ish) mark.

First of all, a question: When am I no longer considered 'a new mom'? 6 months? A year?

1) First thing I've noticed is my 'expanding' vocabulary. I spontaneously create new words, for words that already exist. Such as...

Diaper = Dibidy Dipes

Fart = Tooty Fruity, Rootin Tootin' (combined it would sound like "Tooty Fruity in your Dibidy Dipes".

Burp = Burpy Durps.

Upon further inspection, I'm not actually creating new words, so much as bastardizing old ones.

2) Secondly, I've lowered my standards on a few things. I will now look at a shirt or a pair of pants, and hang them back up in the closet if they 'only have a little bit' of spit-up on them.

3) I find amusement in the most mundane things, and relay these mundane moments with much enthusiasm. The other day I was driving to Superstore, and was looking at Rhys in my rear view mirror. I waved at him, and then noticed the woman in the van behind me waved back. She thought I was waving at her. This was hilarious to me, so I told Warren about it when I got home. He just stared at me blankly, wondering when the funny part was coming.

Oh, I know there's a bunch more, just can't think of it right now...

Rock That Frock, Baby

Today was a special day in our family. Our little Rhys got 'Dunked'. 'Got His Head Wet'. He was Baptized.

It was a traditional Anglican service, with a beautiful choir and lots of ceremony. Since non of these things are of particular interest to a 3-month-old, we were thrilled that once again, Rhys demonstrated his Rockstar status. Because really, at this point, all Warren & I were thinking was 'please don't cry, please don't cry'. Not only did he not cry, but he actually started to sing along with Reverend Lee as he sang the blessings at the Font. Or at least 'babble' along with him...

The service was followed by lunch at our place - 3 homemade soups prepared by Rhys' Grampa - for Rhys' family & friends.

It was another whirlwind day, and after all the guests left I managed to capture some precious photos of Rhys in his Christening gown...what a sweet, sweet baby.

A Letter To Rhys: 3 Months Old

Dear Mr. Rhys,

You are now a quarter of a year old (at least I think that's right...I've never been very good at math). You continue to charm us, so your Dad & I have decided to keep you :-)

One of the highlights from the last month, for me, was when you rolled over out of nowhere, and I captured it on tape. I've watched that clip at least 3o times, I'm sure. Watching you achieve new milestones is truly thrilling and more rewarding that I ever imagined it would be when I was pregnant with you.

Other things you're doing now:

1) You can sit up (being held up of course) with your neck & head fairly sturdy. You're no longer the floppy rag doll we brought home from the hospital.

2) You have discovered your fingers and enjoy sucking on them. One time I was burping you over my shoulder, but you weren't quite 'full' yet, so you proceeded to suck on my chin. You are quite the good little communicator :-)

3) You are super alert these days and are beginning to give out your smiles more freely. You even do the 'shy' smile, where you hide your face after a smile.

4) You're beginning to experiment with your sweet little voice and your Dad & I enjoy the riveting conversations you carry on with us.

5) You are, *so far*, an incredible night sleeper. The longest you have slept in a row is 11.5 hours. SERIOUSLY. Now, just to be sure that I don't turn into one of those parents who remembers her baby as nothing but perfect, I will document here that you do not sleep that much straight through every night. Some nights it seems like you wake up every hour, cry and fuss, only to fall asleep again and wake up 50 minutes later to repeat the process. I would say 8 to 9 hours straight is more the norm, with some miraculous nights and fussy nights sprinkled in.

6) Your nighttime routine these days is eat, burp, bath, jimjams, story, in bed awake by 8pm, and *hopefully* sleep soundly until 6 or 7am. This works well most of the time, and is in STARK contrast to the first month and a half of your life.

7) On your 3 month birthday you shocked us again by rolling over back to front. But neither of us were there to witness it! You were on your playmat, laying on your back. Your Dad was on his laptop in the living room with you, and I was in the back bedroom. I came back to the living and screamed OMIGOD! You were on your stomach, and I knew your Dad hadn't put you on your stomach. You're a sneaky little baby.

8) You manage to scoot around your crib by arching your back and wriggling. You've done a complete 360 some nights, with your head as the pivot point.

Someone gave us a greeting card that had a cartoon baby on the front, and the baby was reading a book called 'How To Raise Parents'. That is so true. Some days I feel like you're the one who has it all figured out, and it's your Dad & I who are frantically trying to make it through.

One night, when you were fast asleep in your crib, your Dad & I were downstairs watching TV and we looked at each other and I asked him " Can you believe we have a baby, and he's upstairs right now sleeping in his crib?!" Having you with us is both mind-blowing and totally, completely natural, all at the same time.

We love you, Bubba.

Mom & Dad

Adjective

Kal Barteski at [i]lovelife makes these really special posters that you can order through her website. You personalize them with the colors, animal image, name and ADJECTIVE.

Warren & I have wanted to get one for Rhys for a while. Back when I was still pregnant we were tossing around the idea of ordering one, but two things stopped us from doing it. The first one: there was always a tiny chance that the ultrasound technician was wrong and that we could actually have a girl (meaning the name would be waaay off - totally awkward). The second: we couldn't agree on the ADJECTIVE. I was quite content with 'Rhys you are awesome', but Warren wanted something more 'personal' (God bless him...). Turned out it was difficult to choose a 'personal' adjective for a person we hadn't met yet.

So we waited. And the adjective became clear:

If we go out to a restaurant with Rhys and he is content and happy and doesn't fuss & scream, we tell him he's a Rockstar. When he sleeps soundly through the night we tell him he's a Rockstar. When he gurgles and coos and smiles at us with his moon shaped eyes, we tell him he's a Rockstar. Heck, even when he does the complete opposite of all those things, we tell him he's a Rockstar.

A special poster, for our special little baby.

Teenage Amanda: Installment #3

JASPER/BANFF: DAY 3 (Excerpts)

Beauty Creek to Rampart Creek (60 kms)

Dinner: Burritos, Desert: Rice Crispy Squares

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' Up at six thirty. Kyle woke me up - what a pleasant awakening that was (not!). '

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' The Columbia Ice Fields were cool. Kyle just won't give up though. He tried to freeze my feet off by pushing me into an ice cold river up on the glacier. I bought a patch as a souvenir. '

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' The big hill was fun (the one down hill!). The scenery is breathtaking. Being a tiny little biker on the highway makes me feel so small compared to all the gigantic mountains and glaciers.'

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' Kyle had his toque and glasses on again this morning. What a cutie :-) '

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' I'm having so much fun on this trip. I'm getting to know everyone and we're always joking with each other. I guess that's natural when you spend so much time together and go through so much pain together. It's a scary thought, but I can see Kyle & I becoming like Mme. Wilson and Mr. Fortin when we're older...bikin' around together, annoying each other. '

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' I'm glad I came on this trip. It's neat seeing Mme. Wilson like she's a real person, and not just a crappy teacher. '

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' Kyle wrote another poem today - he's good. I think it's so good that he can do that. I like reading his poems. They show what he's like inside. Reading a person's poems is a cool way to learn about them. I kind of wish he'd write me a poem. Not a sappy corny poem or anything. Just a poem about something he likes, that he would let me keep. I'll get one from him by the end of trip. '

Teenage Amanda: Installment #2

JASPER/BANFF: DAY 2 (Excerpts)

Athabaska Falls to Beauty Creek (50kms)

Dinner: Spaghetti, Desert: Cookies

' Right now I'm sitting on the grass by Beauty Creek and there's some weird hunk of gunk floating by. '

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' I think Kyle is out to get me. He tried pushing me off a small cliff of gravel. His plan didn't work though. He only bruised me up and down my legs and split my knee open. I have this really 'not so comfortable feeling' that I'm going to die on this trip. Either nature will kill me, or Kyle will'.

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' We're in a sort of valley where everything is flat and calm and quiet. It's a nice change from the loud constant pounding of my heart during the day. '

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' Kyle tried to scare me this morning by jumping on my 'empty' sleeping bag. SMOOTH MOVE EX-LAX!

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' My crotch hurts so much, I'm walking like a guy with a boner. '

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And finally, Day 2's journal entry was topped off with an artist's rendering of Beauty Creek:

Hilroy

My Dad and Step mom are in the midst of de-cluttering their storage room. When they began this process, little did they know they would soon stumble upon one of the greatest literary achievements in modern history.

Amanda's Journal, circa 1995. Oh ya!

My dad has kept the journal I wrote during a 6 day bike trip (from Jasper to Banff) that I participated in through my junior high school.

I was 15 years old, a grade nine student.

All these years later I have learned one thing by reading through this journal as an adult. What did I learn? Well, that I was a FREAKING HILARIOUS 15 year old.

So for the next 6 days I will post excerpts from this masterpiece, for your (and mostly MY) enjoyment.

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JASPER/BANFF : DAY 1 (Excerpts)

Jasper to Athabaska Falls (32 kms)

' The truck ride was a blast. I laughed so hard I spat up while I was drinking. Yup, Kyle, he was grossed out a little when my throw-up sprayed his legs. He wouldn't shut up about it. "Oooh, Amanda, you're so SICK!". And he kept shovin' his feet in everyone's face...and I'm gross? '

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' I nearly peed my biking shorts laughing when Kyle and Mme. Wilson were talking about University. Here was the scenario:

Mme. Wilson: The Universities were great. They had really nice PUBS.

Kyle (retard boy): What? They had really nice POT?

Yup, he's a man with shit on his brain! '

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' The highway is really breathtaking with the rivers and the trees and the sky (and the ass of the person in front of you) '.

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' I had an asthma attack which really peed me off, then I threw up twice and had to ride in the truck. My stomach was cramped and tears were swelling in my eyes. It's such a pathetic horrible feeling when I'm doing bad. Everyone else is doing so good, and I'm probably not even in any more pain than them, but I'm the one who can't do it. I couldn't hardly eat any of the dinner, but I tried. I had an apple for dessert. '

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Did you notice in that last excerpt, that even in my sorrow, I still made sure to talk about FOOD? Well, that was a theme in my journal. I wrote down what we ate for dinner each night. Day one was stir fry (prepared, it would seem, by Carl and Michael).

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Since Rhys was born, Grandma Patsy (my mom) has resisted the urge to buy every cute baby thing she sees. She wants to be a 'practical' Grandma, who doesn't clog up her daughter's house with masses of baby toys.

But the other day, we found Grandma Patsy's Kryptonite. IKEA. The children's section in IKEA is tempting for even the most disciplined parent or grandparent, and she could not resist those barrels of stuffed toys.

So this post is for her, Grandma Patsy, so she can see her Grandson playing with his new favorite toy - that she bought for him.

(And YES, mom, these will go on your CD...)

OMIGOD! OMIGOD! OMIGOD!

Okay...maybe the title of this post is a little over dramatic. But I was SO excited this morning.

Warren was in the shower and I was putting Rhys down on his new 'kid gym' play mat for some much hated obligatory tummy time.

This tummy time seemed different from the get go. Rhys held his head up high. He was sturdy. There was no immediate fussing. Then - BAM! He hit me with it. PURE NEW MOM JOY.

After screaming for Warren to come (only to remember he was in the shower) I grabbed the video camera and prayed Rhys would hit me with it again. And he did. TWICE.

Behold:

"Stay"cation

Warren is back to work after taking 2 weeks off. *SIGH*. It was nice having him around.

We didn't go anywhere fancy, just stayed close to home, and boy was it awesome. But I have to say - this was the most POORLY documented holiday EVER. We threw a party for Rhys, and didn't take a single picture. SERIOUSLY.

Anyway...

Hanging at Sean & Sue's for Sally & Scully's birthday party:

1) Family portrait, featuring Rhys-the-invisible-child:


2) Warren proudly sporting the 'Baby-Hawk':

And more photos from our trip to Banff...

1) At Tony Roma's for lunch. Rhys is snuggling 'Phillip' the organic teething toy.

2) Rhys sleeping with 'Phillip'.

3) Rhys & Papa sitting in the booth.

4) Photo shoot 'behind the scenes':

5) Proudest Mom EVER!

Close Call

Read this headline this morning.

I'm so glad that my favorite Canadian Poet/Song Writer is doing alright.

Mis-Take

In order to get the above family photo for the blog header, we had to to get through these 2 disasters first:

We were in Banff today, and the sky was so bright I just COULDN'T open my eyes for the photo. Warren thought I was being mellow-dramatic. Talk about being insensitive to my burning retnas!

In the end, sunglasses were our only option.

Caption This #2

A Letter To Rhys: 2 Months Old

Dear Rhys,

This is a special letter to highlight some of the things I want to make sure I remember, as I'm learning quickly that this time with you is fleeting, and before I know it you'll go away to college, meet a nice girl, and never call.

You started smiling (the real 'social' smile that the books talk about) at 6 weeks. This, I'm told is quite early. Your dad & I believe you are very advanced for your age. Your Nana Cronin believes you are a 'Happy Soul'. People who come to visit you might not agree since you squirm & fuss sometimes when others are around. But your dad and I fuss & squirm when others are around too, so you come by it honestly.

Some of the nicknames we call you are:

Buster Brown, Baba Smooch, Baba, Dr.Jekyl, Mr. Hyde, The Hulk (you won't like him when he's angry...) and The Beast (when you wake up...The Beast Awakes!). Most of these names are in jest, because you are truly a very good baby.

When you have massive spit-up episode, your dad & I holler out "It's a massacre!".

Things I adore about your babyness:

1) Your soft fluffy hair after bath time.

2) The way you look in sleepers or 'Jimjams'.

3) Your baby-cellulite.

4) Your sweet little 'O' mouth.

5) Your chubby-cheek profile when you are nursing (and when you look up at me and smile when you are nursing - Yowsa, that's a doozy!!!).

6) The impossibly soft skin on the bottom of your feet.

Some milestones that we've noticed:

1) The smiling thing.

2) The strength you continue gain in your neck (your were born very strong & squirmy!)

3) You are just starting to attempt to control your arms & hands. You have managed to hit toys that dangle nearby with a focus that makes it seem somewhat intentional.

4) You have discovered your fists and enjoy sucking on them from time to time. We anxiously await the moment you discover your fingers!

5)You have outgrown the 'Double Swaddle' that we perfected. You have graduated to the Miracle Blanket for night time, and the Sleep Sack for daytime. You kicked your feet out of the Miracle Blanket last night, so you may soon graduate to the giant muslin blanket...

6) September 11 was your first night in your own room in the crib. You have officially graduated from the bassinet beside our bed at 8 weeks and 3 days old. Your dad & I both had a deeper sleep (we know this because we both had dreams for the first time in months). Your little night time grunts were no longer waking us all the time.

7) We've eaten out at East Side Mario's 4 times with you, 2 of those times were with other people. You were a Rockstar every single time.

9) The longest you have slept at night, without interruption, so far is 9 and a half hours.

One thing that is completely unique to YOU:

1) The 'Rhys-Hawk' hairdo. Business in the front, party in the back.

You & Papa on your 2-month anniversary:

Love you lots,
xoxx Mom

Caption This...

What is Mister Rhys thinking in these photos? Leave your guess in the comments!

1)


2)

Stunner

(Photos taken by Keri at Big Picture Photography...you know, while she was just 'playing around' with her camera in Shawna's backyard...can we say TALENTED?)

Made for Walkin'

Rhys wore his first pair of shoes yesterday. Wow...they grow up so fast.


To the nay-sayers out there - this is a GENUINE social smile, solicited by Gramma Patsy...:-)

More Visitors

My friend Crystal, up all the way from Phoenix Arizona. I've known her since 'I was born' :-)

(Spittle marks on Rhys' shirt curtesy of a good ole burping. I told him to put on a clean outfit for the photo, but he ignored me. Takes after his father).



The magnificent Troy, who brought us flowers, lasagna, salad and non-alcoholic beer. Hola!

Hef

Our very own mini-Hugh Hefner...lounging in his Froggy smoking jacking...er...bath robe.

(Editor's note: I realise the photos are blurry, but I still think the cuteness comes through, don't you agree?).

A Day at the Park

HERITAGE PARK that is.

Yes, yesterday our little family went to Heritage Park. Before Rhys was born we used to think it was odd to see young parents pushing a stroller with a tiny little infant at places like the zoo etc. We'd think 'What's the point? That kid is too young to enjoy this place." Now we realise it's fully 100% for the parents. It's something to do. Something other than walking to the mall. And it's outside. With other people. Plus we took notes on what to do better when Rhys is old enough to enjoy it.

1) Bring WATER (lots!).
2) Bring a bagged lunch ($17 for two bottles of water and two ham sandwich buns is not very economical).
3) Bring some cash, because the candy store doesn't take debit.
4) Wear comfy shoes, not flip flops.

We took some photos, which ironically look like they could have been taken in any park in Calgary. You'd never know we paid $40 admission by looking at these photos.

Warren unloading our precious cargo from the stroller:


Father & Son:

Feeding time, with my oh-so-stylish 'Hooter Hider'.

I love it when he makes that little mouth face:

A smile perhaps? :

The view through Rhys' eyes: